Benj
@splatterthought.bsky.social
We are contumacious diodes with mercurial biases, and we are transfixed by our borealis.
Reposted by Benj
People will die, and are currently dying, because RFK was granted one of the most powerful megaphones in the country. Two people who could have thrown barriers in front of his climb decided not to; there's a sex scandal here but it is not the biggest scandal.
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 PM
People will die, and are currently dying, because RFK was granted one of the most powerful megaphones in the country. Two people who could have thrown barriers in front of his climb decided not to; there's a sex scandal here but it is not the biggest scandal.
Reposted by Benj
Embalo was one of 5 African presidents to meet POTUS in the WH earlier this year, where he argued his nation would remain “non-aligned”
#BBCNews - Soldiers seize power in Guinea-Bissau and detain the president
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Guinea-Bissau coup: Soldiers seize power and detain President Umaro Sissoco Embaló
The military takeover comes as the West African nation was awaiting the results of Sunday's election.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Embalo was one of 5 African presidents to meet POTUS in the WH earlier this year, where he argued his nation would remain “non-aligned”
Reposted by Benj
Unitary Executive Theory instructs us that it is the foreign policy of the united states president to coach russia on how to convince the united states president that his foreign policy is what it is.
Q: Have you heard this audio that Bloomberg has of Witkoff coaching the Russians on how to appeal to you?
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
November 26, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Unitary Executive Theory instructs us that it is the foreign policy of the united states president to coach russia on how to convince the united states president that his foreign policy is what it is.
Its emblematic of this selfsabotaging society that even leadership still doesn't know the condition of service members shit after being recklessly deployed into a manufactured high voltage environment to do nothing but construct a political narrative & be a negative terminal to explosive potential
CORRECTION: West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey walks back statement that both National Guard members were killed in shooting near White House. (This post corrects a previous post that stated the two members had died.)
Two National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., and their condition isn't known, AP source says
Two National Guard soldiers were shot Wednesday near the White House and their conditions aren’t immediately known, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.Emergency vehicles were seen responding to the area.
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Its emblematic of this selfsabotaging society that even leadership still doesn't know the condition of service members shit after being recklessly deployed into a manufactured high voltage environment to do nothing but construct a political narrative & be a negative terminal to explosive potential
Reposted by Benj
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
This sounds fascinating.
Just ordered. (Appreciated the coupon)
Just ordered. (Appreciated the coupon)
It is here! Covering French Colonialism, Japanese Empire, the Cold War, coup attempts, the CIA, US Diplomacy, the war in Vietnam, and more, Khmer Nationalist looks at how Cambodia navigated the post-WW2 era. CODE 09BCARD FOR 30% OFF
@CornellPress
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
@CornellPress
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Khmer Nationalist by Matthew Jagel | Paperback | Cornell University Press
Khmer Nationalist is a political history of Cambodia from World War II until 1975, examining the central role of Sõn Ngọc Thành. It is a story of nationalistic independence movements, political...
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu
November 26, 2025 at 10:47 PM
This sounds fascinating.
Just ordered. (Appreciated the coupon)
Just ordered. (Appreciated the coupon)
Reposted by Benj
PROMOTE YOUR BOOKS! EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR PUBLISHED BOOKS! Do not ask me how my writing is going.
Because @lollardfish.bsky.social says we should promote our books: utpress.utexas.edu/9781477313138/
Loving Sports When They Don't Love You Back
Triumphant wins, gut-wrenching losses, last-second shots, underdogs, competition, and loyalty—it’s fun to be a fan. But when a football player takes a hi...
utpress.utexas.edu
November 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
PROMOTE YOUR BOOKS! EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR PUBLISHED BOOKS! Do not ask me how my writing is going.
Reposted by Benj
I published a bunch of books of poetry this year...this is a book of broken sonnets I was proud of.
www.amazon.com/Gnarly-Thumb...
www.amazon.com/Gnarly-Thumb...
November 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I published a bunch of books of poetry this year...this is a book of broken sonnets I was proud of.
www.amazon.com/Gnarly-Thumb...
www.amazon.com/Gnarly-Thumb...
Reposted by Benj
if you're interested in my poetry, this is where I keep a running list of books and chapbooks and poems I've published. there was a lot this year! a good bit of it is free to download, so... www.everythingishorrible.net/p/poetry-pub...
Poetry
This is a partial list of poetry publications/readings/interviews by Noah Berlatsky (that’s me!) It will be updated sporadically.
www.everythingishorrible.net
November 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
if you're interested in my poetry, this is where I keep a running list of books and chapbooks and poems I've published. there was a lot this year! a good bit of it is free to download, so... www.everythingishorrible.net/p/poetry-pub...
November 26, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Reposted by Benj
Don’t forget that *Trump’s own lawyer’s argument* to the Supreme Court in the immunity case was that the check on the President using his immunity to order criminal acts was that those under him would not follow illegal orders. Now it’s a crime for lawmakers to remind servicemembers of that?
The President doesn't want you standing up and speaking out against him, so he's coming after me to intimidate all of us.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
November 26, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Don’t forget that *Trump’s own lawyer’s argument* to the Supreme Court in the immunity case was that the check on the President using his immunity to order criminal acts was that those under him would not follow illegal orders. Now it’s a crime for lawmakers to remind servicemembers of that?
They've been salivating over something like this happening...
Waiting, with anxious, bated breath, at the opportunity to free their resentment and deploy troops to cage society.
Hegseth is in his element. A grunt with a gun, orders and the cloth of deity to wrap his ego in.
It's pathological.
Waiting, with anxious, bated breath, at the opportunity to free their resentment and deploy troops to cage society.
Hegseth is in his element. A grunt with a gun, orders and the cloth of deity to wrap his ego in.
It's pathological.
Hegseth's demeanor is bizarre. He's almost on the verge of laughing while talking about the shooting of two National Guardsmen. He seems elated.
November 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM
They've been salivating over something like this happening...
Waiting, with anxious, bated breath, at the opportunity to free their resentment and deploy troops to cage society.
Hegseth is in his element. A grunt with a gun, orders and the cloth of deity to wrap his ego in.
It's pathological.
Waiting, with anxious, bated breath, at the opportunity to free their resentment and deploy troops to cage society.
Hegseth is in his element. A grunt with a gun, orders and the cloth of deity to wrap his ego in.
It's pathological.
Reposted by Benj
Hegseth’s reference to “this nation’s Christian faith” at the end is notable. America is NOT a Christian nation, just for the record. It’s a nation in which everyone is free to worship however they want.
Pete Hegseth says Trump has asked him to add 500 more National Guard troops to Washington D.C.
It's unclear why he seems to be smirking throughout much of this.
x.com/dowresponse/...
It's unclear why he seems to be smirking throughout much of this.
x.com/dowresponse/...
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Hegseth’s reference to “this nation’s Christian faith” at the end is notable. America is NOT a Christian nation, just for the record. It’s a nation in which everyone is free to worship however they want.
Reposted by Benj
So much good work by @willbunch.bsky.social
This. USNA 81 grad. We were specifically taught about My Lai as THE example of NOT following illegal orders. Thank you, @willbunch.bsky.social for point this out.
In 1968, a soldier named Hugh Thompson defied orders to save Vietnamese lives during the My Lai massacre. Eventually seen as a hero, in real time he was vilified and nearly court-martialed
It's Congress' job to stop Trump's war crimes, not the troops. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
It's Congress' job to stop Trump's war crimes, not the troops. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
November 26, 2025 at 9:11 PM
So much good work by @willbunch.bsky.social
Reposted by Benj
Free link: share.inquirer.com/wcAMJe
How one person stopped a U.S. Army massacre in Vietnam by someone else just "following orders,"
How one person stopped a U.S. Army massacre in Vietnam by someone else just "following orders,"
The Catch-22 around Trump’s illegal orders | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus, Pennsylvania chooses a budget over the planet.
share.inquirer.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Free link: share.inquirer.com/wcAMJe
How one person stopped a U.S. Army massacre in Vietnam by someone else just "following orders,"
How one person stopped a U.S. Army massacre in Vietnam by someone else just "following orders,"
Reposted by Benj
This. USNA 81 grad. We were specifically taught about My Lai as THE example of NOT following illegal orders. Thank you, @willbunch.bsky.social for point this out.
In 1968, a soldier named Hugh Thompson defied orders to save Vietnamese lives during the My Lai massacre. Eventually seen as a hero, in real time he was vilified and nearly court-martialed
It's Congress' job to stop Trump's war crimes, not the troops. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
It's Congress' job to stop Trump's war crimes, not the troops. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
The Catch-22 around Trump’s illegal orders | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus, Pennsylvania chooses a budget over the planet.
www.inquirer.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:37 PM
This. USNA 81 grad. We were specifically taught about My Lai as THE example of NOT following illegal orders. Thank you, @willbunch.bsky.social for point this out.
Reposted by Benj
It’s not that complicated, people.
November 26, 2025 at 9:14 PM
It’s not that complicated, people.
Reposted by Benj
National Guard troops don't sign up to be used as political pawns. They sign up to serve their country, not needlessly deploy to American cities to pick up garbage. These two soldiers should be alive right now and at home with their families for Thanksgiving. I'm furious.
November 26, 2025 at 9:14 PM
National Guard troops don't sign up to be used as political pawns. They sign up to serve their country, not needlessly deploy to American cities to pick up garbage. These two soldiers should be alive right now and at home with their families for Thanksgiving. I'm furious.
Reposted by Benj
2016 happened. Russia did support Trump’s campaign. Good reporters were on it at the time. I wrote it up within the larger context of global oligarchy and neo-fascism in "Road to Unfreedom."
9 years ago,House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Speaker to be Kevin McCarthy had a recorded conversation in which McCarthy says, "There are two people that I think Putin pays, (Representative Dana) Rohrbacher and Trump. Swear to God."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oio0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oio0...
Washington Post: House majority leader said in 2016, "Putin pays" Trump
YouTube video by CBS News
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
2016 happened. Russia did support Trump’s campaign. Good reporters were on it at the time. I wrote it up within the larger context of global oligarchy and neo-fascism in "Road to Unfreedom."
Reposted by Benj
Over 200 men were sent by Kristi Noem-in violation of a court order-to the CECOT prison for terrorists
She claimed they were criminals. In reality, most had no criminal records, and many had valid claims for asylum
They were tortured. Beaten. Sexually abused. Even shot.
THERE MUST BE JUSTICE
She claimed they were criminals. In reality, most had no criminal records, and many had valid claims for asylum
They were tortured. Beaten. Sexually abused. Even shot.
THERE MUST BE JUSTICE
November 26, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Over 200 men were sent by Kristi Noem-in violation of a court order-to the CECOT prison for terrorists
She claimed they were criminals. In reality, most had no criminal records, and many had valid claims for asylum
They were tortured. Beaten. Sexually abused. Even shot.
THERE MUST BE JUSTICE
She claimed they were criminals. In reality, most had no criminal records, and many had valid claims for asylum
They were tortured. Beaten. Sexually abused. Even shot.
THERE MUST BE JUSTICE
Reposted by Benj
James Bond supervillains threaten to blow up the world with their big laser unless you pay them a trillion dollars.
Real American supervillains embed themselves in the economy and threaten to cause a depression unless you subsidize their sex robots and the weird chatbots they use to avoid humans.
Real American supervillains embed themselves in the economy and threaten to cause a depression unless you subsidize their sex robots and the weird chatbots they use to avoid humans.
November 26, 2025 at 7:25 PM
James Bond supervillains threaten to blow up the world with their big laser unless you pay them a trillion dollars.
Real American supervillains embed themselves in the economy and threaten to cause a depression unless you subsidize their sex robots and the weird chatbots they use to avoid humans.
Real American supervillains embed themselves in the economy and threaten to cause a depression unless you subsidize their sex robots and the weird chatbots they use to avoid humans.
Reposted by Benj
Trump's ability to skate on all of his crimes has been shameful. While the idea that no one is above the law has never really been true, Trump has turned lack of accountability into his life's work and his profession. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Judge dismisses Georgia criminal case against Donald Trump
It was the last remaining prosecution he faced over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election.
www.politico.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Trump's ability to skate on all of his crimes has been shameful. While the idea that no one is above the law has never really been true, Trump has turned lack of accountability into his life's work and his profession. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Benj
As @gregsargent.bsky.social points out, Trump *has* given illegal orders.
But he’s also so allergic to democratic ideals that the very idea of a military (or any other institution) that serves the people rather than the ruler is totally illegible and incomprehensible to him.
But he’s also so allergic to democratic ideals that the very idea of a military (or any other institution) that serves the people rather than the ruler is totally illegible and incomprehensible to him.
November 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
As @gregsargent.bsky.social points out, Trump *has* given illegal orders.
But he’s also so allergic to democratic ideals that the very idea of a military (or any other institution) that serves the people rather than the ruler is totally illegible and incomprehensible to him.
But he’s also so allergic to democratic ideals that the very idea of a military (or any other institution) that serves the people rather than the ruler is totally illegible and incomprehensible to him.
Reposted by Benj
Reposted by Benj
From rescue to recovery to reform—your #GivingTuesday gift powers it all. Help animals live free from suffering. 🩵🌍🐾 hwfa.link/bs112625
November 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
From rescue to recovery to reform—your #GivingTuesday gift powers it all. Help animals live free from suffering. 🩵🌍🐾 hwfa.link/bs112625