Victor Silverman
@victorsilverman.bsky.social
970 followers 1.1K following 550 posts
Author, Filmmaker, Professor of Contemporary US and International History. Emeritus Professor Pomona College.
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Reposted by Victor Silverman
victorsilverman.bsky.social
If only there were an organization devoted to fighting antisemitism in the US....
joelhs.bsky.social
Out of nine groups targeted by the Trump admin in its initial crackdown on left-wing organizing, two - Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow - are explicitly Jewish. Throw in Soros and it’s three of nine - one third. Trump thinks a third of the US left is Jewish. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com
Reposted by Victor Silverman
joelhs.bsky.social
Out of nine groups targeted by the Trump admin in its initial crackdown on left-wing organizing, two - Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow - are explicitly Jewish. Throw in Soros and it’s three of nine - one third. Trump thinks a third of the US left is Jewish. www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com
Reposted by Victor Silverman
ianbassin.bsky.social
Again, Trump has crossed a Red Line no president has ever crossed: personally ordering the criminal prosecution of an American he doesn't like despite DOJ not finding evidence of any crime.

If Trump can do this to the powerful, he can do it to you. That's not freedom, and its not America.
newyorkstateag.bsky.social
This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.

I am not fearful — I am fearless.

We will fight these baseless charges aggressively, and my office will continue to fiercely protect New Yorkers and their rights..
Reposted by Victor Silverman
thedailyshow.com
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
victorsilverman.bsky.social
"If history is any indication, however, expectations of a durable peace or even sustainable relief for Palestinians may well be disappointed"
A sobering warning in this hopeful moment from
@joosthiltermann.bsky.social @natashahall.bsky.social
foreignaffairs.com
“To appease his right flank and ensure his own political survival, Netanyahu might be tempted to resume the war on Hamas once the hostages are freed and obstruct meaningful humanitarian aid once again,” write @joosthiltermann.bsky.social and @natashahall.bsky.social.
The Gaza Deal Is Not Too Big to Fail
How Israel’s military dominance could undermine America’s quest for regional peace.
www.foreignaffairs.com
Reposted by Victor Silverman
foreignaffairs.com
“To appease his right flank and ensure his own political survival, Netanyahu might be tempted to resume the war on Hamas once the hostages are freed and obstruct meaningful humanitarian aid once again,” write @joosthiltermann.bsky.social and @natashahall.bsky.social.
The Gaza Deal Is Not Too Big to Fail
How Israel’s military dominance could undermine America’s quest for regional peace.
www.foreignaffairs.com
victorsilverman.bsky.social
"An illiberal peace"?

It is hopeful news that a ceasefire should go into effect tomorrow, but will it lead to more permanent peace and a better life for Palestinians? There is little evidence for optimism there.
Reposted by Victor Silverman
coreyryung.bsky.social
In the "wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination," the Center for Renewing America says Congress should consider destroying every remaining somewhat-functioning institution in the United States.
jennycohn.bsky.social
In the “wake of the Charlie Kirk assassination,” the Center for Renewing America (founded by Russ Vought) says that “Congress should consider:

Fully privatizing the financing of higher education, terminating all federal programs, including subsidies for student loans and grants, like Pell.” 1/
Policy Proposals in the Wake of the Charlie Kirk Assassination
The assassination of Charlie Kirk made clear that the radical Left’s long march through America’s institutions is no longer a matter of quiet subversion; it is a clear and present threat to the Republ...
americarenewing.com
Reposted by Victor Silverman
vermontgmg.bsky.social
You’d think a decade into all of this, the NYT would have figured out how to stop lauding the arsonist for helping to extinguish the fire.
jackmirkinson.bsky.social
there was a ceasefire when trump came in. he let israel blow that up, let famine spread, let his goons murder starving people, before using the power he'd had since he took office. grotesque to call this peacemaking. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/politics/trump-mideast-visit-israel-gaza.html
(from the nyt obvi) With Mideast Deal, Trump Is on the Brink of a Major Diplomatic Accomplishment

For President Trump, success in brokering a cease-fire is the ultimate test of his self-described goal as a deal maker and a peacemaker.
Reposted by Victor Silverman
jackmirkinson.bsky.social
there was a ceasefire when trump came in. he let israel blow that up, let famine spread, let his goons murder starving people, before using the power he'd had since he took office. grotesque to call this peacemaking. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/politics/trump-mideast-visit-israel-gaza.html
(from the nyt obvi) With Mideast Deal, Trump Is on the Brink of a Major Diplomatic Accomplishment

For President Trump, success in brokering a cease-fire is the ultimate test of his self-described goal as a deal maker and a peacemaker.
Reposted by Victor Silverman
amnestyuk.bsky.social
After two years of a livestreamed genocide and unimaginable loss, agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire deal that allows some humanitarian aid into Gaza and releases the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners is overdue.

However, this cannot be another brief pause in the violence.
Image reads "Breaking, ceasefire agreed. The UK government must ensure the deal respects the human rights of the Palestinian people."
Reposted by Victor Silverman
jerseyflight.bsky.social
“The furor grew after Fox News reported on the petition. Dr. Bray’s home address was revealed on social media. He received several death threats, including one vowing to kill him in front of his students.”
Reposted by Victor Silverman
mark-bray.bsky.social
I’ve received multiple death threats + doxing (including my home address) directly following harassment from Turning Point USA, Jack Posobiec, Andy NGO, + Fox News which called me an antifa ‘financier.’

I have been forced to move my classes online.

If journalists want to talk, DM me or reply here.
Reposted by Victor Silverman
shaneburley.bsky.social
The attack on Mark is another stunt by right-wing grifters to victimize a random person in an effort to use MAGA fear mongering to justify their existence. It should go without saying we should do anything possible to support his family.
mark-bray.bsky.social
I’ve received multiple death threats + doxing (including my home address) directly following harassment from Turning Point USA, Jack Posobiec, Andy NGO, + Fox News which called me an antifa ‘financier.’

I have been forced to move my classes online.

If journalists want to talk, DM me or reply here.
victorsilverman.bsky.social
Sad news
ucblaborcenter.bsky.social
The UC Berkeley Labor Center mourns Kent Wong, our longtime colleague and friend. A passionate champion for workers—especially immigrants—and students, Kent dedicated his life to justice. Our hearts are with our colleagues at the UCLA Labor Center.
Photo of Kent Wong, smiling and looking into the camera, in front of a building with a Labor Center logo.
victorsilverman.bsky.social
Delusional

A political position is the same as a criminal synficate is the same as a highly organized militia?
thebulwark.com
Noem: “We are hoping…we will get more and more information about the network and how we can route them out and eliminate them from the existence of American society…Antifa is just as sophisticated as MS-13, as TDA, as ISIS, as Hezbollah, as Hamas, as all of them. They are just as dangerous.”
Reposted by Victor Silverman
gregsargent.bsky.social
Stephen Miller has a theory of this moment, a theory of how to do fascist politics in a (teetering) liberal democracy, and Dems need to grapple with it. Do Dems have a theory of this moment that's matched to the challenge of authoritarian politics? I don't think they do:
victorsilverman.bsky.social
"the president has almost limitless discretion to deploy federal troops in cases of civil unrest"

@josephanunn.bsky.social warns of the dangers of the Insurrection Act
brennancenter.org
When can the president invoke the Insurrection Act? What does invoking it allow the military to do? Is it the same as declaring martial law? A Brennan Center explainer has the answers. bit.ly/3GsFBhL
The Insurrection Act Explained
The law, which lets the president deploy the military domestically and use it for civilian law enforcement, is dangerously vague and in urgent need of reform.
www.brennancenter.org
Reposted by Victor Silverman
brennancenter.org
When can the president invoke the Insurrection Act? What does invoking it allow the military to do? Is it the same as declaring martial law? A Brennan Center explainer has the answers. bit.ly/3GsFBhL
The Insurrection Act Explained
The law, which lets the president deploy the military domestically and use it for civilian law enforcement, is dangerously vague and in urgent need of reform.
www.brennancenter.org
victorsilverman.bsky.social
I guess this could be called a "Kavanaugh seige" rather an a Kavanaugh stop.

Horrifying
dlknowles.bsky.social
Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.

Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race

southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...
Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children
Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.
southsideweekly.com