Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Zachary J. Smith

@vocabulist.bsky.social

350 followers 140 following 1.9K posts

rap superfan, lawyer, animal lover, leftie, unpunished fiction writer

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · May 2

In early 1933 the Nazis began systematically eliminated their opponents, including: people who had tried to compromise with them, like conservative Catholic politicians and some trade union leaders; and competing reactionary politicians who had strategically aligned with them against the left. 1/2

1 3 8

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 8h

That era paved the way.

1 1

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 13h

Yes, and I will be holding my breath until then.

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 13h

www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence

NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-7 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

www.whitehouse.gov

1 1 1

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 18h

That’s the musician’s equivalent of the calculus test that you didn’t study for.

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 19h

Let’s not insult Mary Magdelene.

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 23h

How is there a possibility of a sequel? Is it going to be about the Second Coming?

2 12

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 23h

In case anyone thinks this is paranoid, Trump’s junta has defined terrorism to include trespass, naming ICE agents on the internet, and whatever “civil disorder” is.

politically motivated terrorist acts such as organized doxing campaigns, swatting, rioting, looting, trespass, assault, destruction of property, threats of violence, and civil disorder

15 170 410

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 23h

Has anyone made a joke about the girlfriend of Antifa’s founder living in Canada yet? I was super busy with work yesterday.

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 1d

The Yankees should just trade Aaron Judge to the Red Sox for some prospects to be named later.

Reposted by Zachary J. Smith

Julie DiCaro @juliedicaro.bsky.social · 1d

This is getting wild.

The states of Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and 14 others have just asked for permission to file THEIR amicus brief in IL v. Trump.

The States of Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina and 14 additional States
respectfully move for leave to submit the attached amicus curiae brief in support of Defendants
and their opposition to Plaintiffs’ requested temporary restraining order and preliminary
injunction. Proposed amici are States with a vested interest in federalism, the relationship between
States and the federal government, and deploying the National Guard. We also each have a vital
interest in supporting the President and Congress in enacting and enforcing valid immigration
laws. Every State has a responsibility to protect our citizens.
The federalization of States’ National Guard units is a matter of profound public
importance, as it directly implicates the delicate balance of power between state and federal
governments—a true cornerstone of Federalism. States generally maintain authority over their
National Guard units, allowing governors to deploy them for state-specific needs, such as disaster
response or public safety. Federalization of state National Guard units without gubernatorial

88 220 740

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 1d

“Every State has a responsibility to protect its citizens — which why we want jackbooted goon squads to invade our borders.”

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 1d

I really miss having him on my favorite team. Ownership would rather maximize its ROI.

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 1d

I have an Apple iOS computer at home, and it loves doing annoying things, too. “Upgrade your iCloud” every time you start the damn thing, etc. And you can’t remove AI from either system now.

Reposted by Zachary J. Smith

John Pfaff @johnpfaff.bsky.social · 2d

Um, ICE just coldly shot an unarmed PRIEST in the head w a pepper ball when he (and everyone around him) clearly posed no threat.

For the crime of … complaining about government policy.

Core 1A speech.

With cameras rolling, they’re sniping priests for sport.

Kurt @flglchicago.bsky.social · 2d

Here’s video of the incident

900 9.5K 17K

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 1d

In this chaotic historical moment what we really need is another Ethiopia-Eritrea war.

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 1d

I guess I should qualify with “unless we find out he’s fake.” I have been suspicious that he basically came out of nowhere.

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 1d

Oh, I wouldn’t disparage her just for running.

Reposted by Zachary J. Smith

CNN @cnn.com · 2d

The Trump administration has ordered FBI employees in Washington, DC, to immediately search their workstations and digital media for any records pertaining to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a law enforcement source told CNN.

FBI employees ordered to immediately search for records related to Amelia Earhart, source says | CNN Politics

www.cnn.com

220 68 250

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 2d

She has vetoed some good, hard-earned bills and she is quite carceral in her approach to governance. She’d be a huge improvement on Collins, but I will vote for Platner in the primary.

2 12

Reposted by Zachary J. Smith

Andy O'Brien @aobrien2024.bsky.social · 2d

The City of Sanford is installing cloud Automatic License Plate Reader cameras, which scan every car that goes through the downtown & uploads the data to a national database that can be accessed by ICE & other law enforcement across the country. www.amjamboafrica.com/civil-libert...

Civil liberties advocates raise alarm over use of Flock cameras

By Andy O’Brien On September 16, the Sanford City Council voted 4-3 to move forward with a contract with Georgia-based security company Flock Safety for a free, 60-day trial of its cloud Automatic Lic...

www.amjamboafrica.com

2 3 7

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 2d

I don’t get the reference, but I guess I should listen to a Taylor Swift album for the first time.

1 1

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 3d

I know scientists don’t attribute the weather on a particular day to climate change, but back-to-back days of temps in the 80s in *October in Maine* is a bit worrisome.

Reposted by Zachary J. Smith

WIRED @wired.com · 4d

Research reveals that those diagnosed with autism early show distinct genetic and developmental profiles from those diagnosed later. www.wired.com/story/autism...

Autism Is Not a Single Condition and Has No Single Cause, Scientists Conclude

Research reveals that those diagnosed with autism early show distinct genetic and developmental profiles from those diagnosed later.

www.wired.com

8 77 320

Zachary J. Smith @vocabulist.bsky.social · 3d

That’s a valid point, but keep in mind the Texas GOP has managed to disenfranchise many people and make it logistically difficult to vote.

Reposted by Zachary J. Smith

Scott Campbell @susurros.bsky.social · 5d

"'They dragged little Greta [Thunberg] by her hair before our eyes, beat her, and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag. They did everything imaginable to her, as a warning to others,' the Turkish activist Ersin Çelik told Anadolu news agency."

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Israel accused of detaining Greta Thunberg in infested cell and making her hold flags

Activist tells Swedish officials she has been subjected to harsh treatment, including insufficient food and water

www.theguardian.com

1 9 10