Author | Lightnews

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 1d

Is it defamation of character? More like definition of character.

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 2d

I am sure someone will explain how putting solar panels out helps attract the sun.

Much like early settlers were under the impression extensive plowing helped lead to additional rains in the West.

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 2d

Thank you for ‘word vapor’.

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 3d

It is important you were there.
GOP: it will be violent protests from America-haters!
Observer: you mean flag-waving frog? Do you hear yourself?

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 3d

I’m glad you were there!

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 6d

It was great to see all the US flags at the rallies. It sure put lie to the GOP talking points.
Resistance to tyranny is for true patriots.

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 6d

At a certain point one is not just trolling. Instead, they’re nothing but a troll.

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 7d

Portland frog makes an appearance in Waterbury, VT.

A giant frog joins the No Kings protest in Vermont.

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 10d

Vermont governor Phil Scott (R) called on state senator Sam Douglass to resign after he was identified in the chats. Seven other GOP lawmakers echoed the call. Douglass declined. His wife was also in the chats too.

So they’re together for a reason.

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 10d

Do you mind if I use “The soul of a fascist and the mind of a disordered child” on my No Kings Day poster?

(I know we aren’t a fascist society yet because I’m going to a No Kings Day protest.)

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 10d

I appreciate the story. I am not sure of the possible wide variation of jalapeño poppers, but I guess it illustrated the point.
It is a luxury to be able to search out good food that you feel good about eating. But it shouldn’t be.

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 15d

Is the Nobel Prize committee telling authoritarians and would-be dictators (even for one day!) that they’re one reason the awards are given? The awards are given to the people who resist the authoritarians!

Reuters @reuters.com · 15d

'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 17d

“We took freedom of speech away.”

Seems like a good discussion point for No Kings Day.

PS: Executive order does not equal changing laws or Constitution.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 17d

Trump: "We took the freedom of speech away because that's been through the courts and the courts said you have freedom of speech, but what has happened is when they burn a flag it agitates and irritates crowds."

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 19d

Tell me you don’t know how insurance companies work without telling me you don’t know how insurance companies work.

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 19d

“I am glad that she announced her new album long in advance of when it was released. That way, I have time to stock up on a ton of ready-to-publish pieces about how it exactly fits what I thought before!”
- Opinion holder

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 21d

“…people…who had to read with their fingers” is a wonderful description. I’m adding it to my lexicon, but I will be sure to give you the proper attribution!

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 21d

If only there was some way of judging if he typically told the truth or lied.

Then we’d have an idea of how to interpret what he says about the latest thing

[Narrator voice: We know he lies whenever he opens his mouth, so it’s most likely murder.]

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 23d

Are you sure this isn’t from The Onion?

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 24d

“…an armed masked secret police…”

Not in another country, but in ours now.

Scott MacFarlane @macfarlanenews.bsky.social · 25d

Federal judge, appointed by Reagan, in 161-page opinion today in deportation matter:

"There’s the issue of masks... To us, masks are associated with cowardly desperados and the despised Ku Klux Klan. In all our history we have never tolerated an armed masked secret police"

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 25d

I think people are noticing. What is surprising them is how easily norms are broken. And how it was kind of amazing people stuck with them before!

Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 25d

I’ve wondered if these folks are ever bothered that they’re being lied to or if they even know. I guess the answer is it doesn’t matter either way.

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 26d

Regarding the exact age: it may vary, but for folks with strong nostalgia, there’s a point that I interpret as “everything was pretty cool for me and I thought it would continue in a straight line.”

There are folks for whom 12 was hell (or just heck), but they don’t have that sort of nostalgia.

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 26d

And the red building across the street from there is now blue. And it’s a local coffee shop called Black Cap.

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 26d

This fits with my idea that this nostalgia all goes back to “life was so much better when I was 12.”

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Richard Sparks @rfsparks.bsky.social · 26d

FWIW, that road is a major north-south route in Vermont (Rt 100.) But there are more crosswalks now than when this picture was taken.

And that’s our downtown area, with parking for local businesses.