Jeff Spencer
@revjss.bsky.social
Pastor and Teacher of Niles Discovery Church (a DOC/UCC congregation), punster, and climate activist. CO2 level at birth: 319.5ppm. he/him http://linktr.ee/revjss
When faith calls us to act boldly, which it almost certainly will, these words from Rosa Parks may be of comfort.
"I finally realized that for fear of that county jail, I had ended up putting myself in prison. That morning, as I realized what I had done, I decided to set myself free. ->
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"I finally realized that for fear of that county jail, I had ended up putting myself in prison. That morning, as I realized what I had done, I decided to set myself free. ->
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February 9, 2026 at 11:31 PM
When faith calls us to act boldly, which it almost certainly will, these words from Rosa Parks may be of comfort.
"I finally realized that for fear of that county jail, I had ended up putting myself in prison. That morning, as I realized what I had done, I decided to set myself free. ->
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"I finally realized that for fear of that county jail, I had ended up putting myself in prison. That morning, as I realized what I had done, I decided to set myself free. ->
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In her February 7, 2026, “Letter from an American,” Dr. Heather Cox Richardson offers a comprehensive roundup of DHS’s plans regarding the creation of more immigrant concentration camps. It’s appalling.
I found the final three paragraphs of the “Letter” to be especially powerful (in thread).
I found the final three paragraphs of the “Letter” to be especially powerful (in thread).
February 7, 2026
Yesterday two right-wing circuit judges signed off on the Trump administration’s new mass detention policy: the extraordinary assertion that vast numbers of noncitizens throughout the country can be a...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:06 AM
In her February 7, 2026, “Letter from an American,” Dr. Heather Cox Richardson offers a comprehensive roundup of DHS’s plans regarding the creation of more immigrant concentration camps. It’s appalling.
I found the final three paragraphs of the “Letter” to be especially powerful (in thread).
I found the final three paragraphs of the “Letter” to be especially powerful (in thread).
"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one." Bill McKibben
February 9, 2026 at 12:13 AM
"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one." Bill McKibben
The manuscript for today’s #sermon, “There Are Altars Everywhere,” is on my blog. jeffsjottings.wordpress.com/2026/02/08/t...
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There Are Altars Everywhere
A sermon preached at Niles Discovery Church, Fremont, California,on Sunday, February 8, 2026, by the Rev. Jeffrey Spencer.Scriptures: Psalm 84 and Exodus 3:1-5Copyright © 2026 by Jeffrey S. Spence…
jeffsjottings.wordpress.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:50 PM
The manuscript for today’s #sermon, “There Are Altars Everywhere,” is on my blog. jeffsjottings.wordpress.com/2026/02/08/t...
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At least there are people tracking it.
The Birther-in-Chief's disgusting history of racism has its own page on Wikipedia.
See for yourself, here: shorturl.at/UQaXQ
See for yourself, here: shorturl.at/UQaXQ
February 7, 2026 at 11:50 PM
At least there are people tracking it.
Reposted by Jeff Spencer
To say “I don’t do politics” is to say “I don’t do power.” Politics is another word for power. To say “I don’t do power” is to say “dominate me.” Meaning, to say “I don’t do politics” is to consent to being dominated. Precisely what these authoritarian regimes want.
February 7, 2026 at 8:28 PM
To say “I don’t do politics” is to say “I don’t do power.” Politics is another word for power. To say “I don’t do power” is to say “dominate me.” Meaning, to say “I don’t do politics” is to consent to being dominated. Precisely what these authoritarian regimes want.
I think the most important two paragraphs from yesterday's "Letter from an American" are these:
The Republicans are also trying to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require a document proving citizenship in order to register to vote and ->
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The Republicans are also trying to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require a document proving citizenship in order to register to vote and ->
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February 6, 2026
Late last night, President Donald J.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:47 PM
I think the most important two paragraphs from yesterday's "Letter from an American" are these:
The Republicans are also trying to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require a document proving citizenship in order to register to vote and ->
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The Republicans are also trying to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require a document proving citizenship in order to register to vote and ->
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In an editorial published today (Friday, February 6), the Editorial Board of The New York Times says that the United States continues its slide toward “autocracy.” I say the USA is continuing to slide into a dictatorship.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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Opinion | ICE and Minnesota Have Pushed the U.S. Closer to Autocracy (Gift Article)
Measuring America’s slide toward democratic erosion.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:15 AM
In an editorial published today (Friday, February 6), the Editorial Board of The New York Times says that the United States continues its slide toward “autocracy.” I say the USA is continuing to slide into a dictatorship.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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In 1969, James Baldwin appeared on the Dick Cavett Show and talked about racism. Most of what he had to say still holds true today.
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James Baldwin Discusses Racism on The Dick Cavett Show (1969)
This is the full 30-minute segment including Baldwin's heated argument with Yale philosophy professor Paul Weiss. originally aired on May 16, 1969.
vimeo.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:49 PM
In 1969, James Baldwin appeared on the Dick Cavett Show and talked about racism. Most of what he had to say still holds true today.
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While my country heads in the wrong energy direction, it’s nice to read about the plan of ten European nations to build a giant “clean energy reservoir” in the North Sea, with enough wind to power 143 million homes (which is about two-thirds of all the homes in Europe).
UK joins European offshore windfarm plan to create world’s largest ‘clean energy reservoir’
Britain among 10 countries to build 100GW grid in North Sea linking countries through subsea cables
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:02 AM
While my country heads in the wrong energy direction, it’s nice to read about the plan of ten European nations to build a giant “clean energy reservoir” in the North Sea, with enough wind to power 143 million homes (which is about two-thirds of all the homes in Europe).
I think this song goes well with this past Sunday's sermon. youtu.be/awzNHuGqoMc
Tim McGraw - Humble And Kind (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by TimMcGrawVEVO
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 6:24 AM
I think this song goes well with this past Sunday's sermon. youtu.be/awzNHuGqoMc
Congratulations to the Fremont (California) Unified School District on receiving a one million dollar grant for electric school buses and electric infrastructure. tricityvoice.com/fremont-scho...
Fremont School Board receives grant for electric school buses | Tri City Voice
Fremont School Board receives grant for electric school buses: Grant covers costs of vehicle to grid chargers
tricityvoice.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Congratulations to the Fremont (California) Unified School District on receiving a one million dollar grant for electric school buses and electric infrastructure. tricityvoice.com/fremont-scho...
Without getting into the ethics of Artificial Intelligence (since that’s not her area of expertise), Dr. Katharine Hayhoe offers a great overview of how AI intersects with climate change, and what the science tells us there. www.talkingclimate.ca/p/when-ai-hu...
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When AI hurts the climate—and when it helps
Can AI be used wisely in a warming world?
www.talkingclimate.ca
February 3, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Without getting into the ethics of Artificial Intelligence (since that’s not her area of expertise), Dr. Katharine Hayhoe offers a great overview of how AI intersects with climate change, and what the science tells us there. www.talkingclimate.ca/p/when-ai-hu...
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Scrolling through Facebook memories and I suddenly realize: four years ago, one year into the Biden presidency, the fight was about getting our democracy to adopt intelligent policies ... and now, one year into the Trump presidency, the fight is about keeping our democracy.
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February 2, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Scrolling through Facebook memories and I suddenly realize: four years ago, one year into the Biden presidency, the fight was about getting our democracy to adopt intelligent policies ... and now, one year into the Trump presidency, the fight is about keeping our democracy.
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Andy Borowitz reports, "Trump is threatening to sue Trevor Noah over a joke he made at the Grammys last night. So it's incumbent on all of us to share that joke as far and wide as possible. Here it is:
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February 2, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Andy Borowitz reports, "Trump is threatening to sue Trevor Noah over a joke he made at the Grammys last night. So it's incumbent on all of us to share that joke as far and wide as possible. Here it is:
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The manuscript for yesterday’s #sermon, “Serving Serves,” is on my blog. jeffsjottings.wordpress.com/2026/02/02/s...
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Serving Serves
A sermon preached at Niles Discovery Church, Fremont, California,on Sunday, February 1, 2026, by the Rev. Jeffrey Spencer.Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 and Micah 6:1-8Copyright © 2026 by Jeffrey S. S…
jeffsjottings.wordpress.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:14 PM
The manuscript for yesterday’s #sermon, “Serving Serves,” is on my blog. jeffsjottings.wordpress.com/2026/02/02/s...
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Green energy makes financial sense!
Not only does green electricity cost less to generate than fossil fueled electricity, investing in green energy makes money.
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Not only does green electricity cost less to generate than fossil fueled electricity, investing in green energy makes money.
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Time for some courage in the climate fight too
Big business, and its political enablers, have turned tail. They need to take a page from the resistance
billmckibben.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Green energy makes financial sense!
Not only does green electricity cost less to generate than fossil fueled electricity, investing in green energy makes money.
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Not only does green electricity cost less to generate than fossil fueled electricity, investing in green energy makes money.
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We've been warned.
Getting the impression that ICE is gearing up for a pogrom in Springfield, Ohio, which was ground zero of Vance’s lies about Haitians during the campaign. Haitians lose temporary protected status on February 3rd. Reporters, lawyers, neighbors — please get ready.
January 31, 2026 at 8:11 PM
We've been warned.
Reposted by Jeff Spencer
INBOX: Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, responds to this report:
January 31, 2026 at 8:04 PM
INBOX: Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, responds to this report:
Who knows about a place where they’re tracking which constitutional amendments the Trump Administration is violating?
Here’s my quick list ... from just this month:
1, with the arrest of Don Lemon; with Homan telling us to say nice things about ICE or they’ll kill us.
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Here’s my quick list ... from just this month:
1, with the arrest of Don Lemon; with Homan telling us to say nice things about ICE or they’ll kill us.
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January 31, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Who knows about a place where they’re tracking which constitutional amendments the Trump Administration is violating?
Here’s my quick list ... from just this month:
1, with the arrest of Don Lemon; with Homan telling us to say nice things about ICE or they’ll kill us.
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Here’s my quick list ... from just this month:
1, with the arrest of Don Lemon; with Homan telling us to say nice things about ICE or they’ll kill us.
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Reposted by Jeff Spencer
Downtown Minneapolis today! ✊
January 30, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Downtown Minneapolis today! ✊
Can we please call "large-scale detention" what it is: concentration camps.
Note: this is also has a hidden threat to democracy. The census counts people (not voters) and where they live. ->
Note: this is also has a hidden threat to democracy. The census counts people (not voters) and where they live. ->
January 31, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Can we please call "large-scale detention" what it is: concentration camps.
Note: this is also has a hidden threat to democracy. The census counts people (not voters) and where they live. ->
Note: this is also has a hidden threat to democracy. The census counts people (not voters) and where they live. ->
I really, really want @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social to be wrong. I don't think she will be.
This will happen. And Trump will arrest President Obama.
As I wrote earlier today, waiting for Maduro to say that Venezuela conspired with Obama to swing the 2016 and 2020 elections. Followed by Maduro and his wife being transferred to the same cushy prison occupied by Ghislaine Maxwell.
January 31, 2026 at 7:24 PM
I really, really want @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social to be wrong. I don't think she will be.
In my lifetime, we have completely transformed the Arctic. And not in a good way.
Updated annual temperature anomalies in the #Arctic from 1950 to 2025 - wait until the last decade..
+ Data from doi.org/10.24381/cds...
+ Download at zacklabe.com/arctic-tempe...
+ Data from doi.org/10.24381/cds...
+ Download at zacklabe.com/arctic-tempe...
January 31, 2026 at 7:21 PM
In my lifetime, we have completely transformed the Arctic. And not in a good way.
I know who has committed the "bloodshed," so what I heard is, "Talk about us nicely or we'll kill you."
Homan: "I begged for the last two months on TV for the rhetoric to stop. I said in March -- if the rhetoric doesn't stop, there is gonna be bloodshed. And there has been. I wish I wasn't right. I don't want to see anybody die."
January 31, 2026 at 7:17 PM
I know who has committed the "bloodshed," so what I heard is, "Talk about us nicely or we'll kill you."