Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 14h

This is a great point - too often missing from civil (& political) rights conversations

Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 18h

“A more robust and effective damages regime obviously would not prevent unconstitutional conduct by government officers. But it sure would be an easy way to reduce its frequency—and it would also be a remarkably easy statute to write.”

Me in today’s bonus issue of “One First”:

Bonus 182: Damages as a (Missing) Deterrent

It's worth reflecting on how different things might look right now if federal officers—or the federal government itself—faced a meaningful specter of monetary liability for constitutional violations.

www.stevevladeck.com

Reposted by Dr. Felicia Kornbluh

Miriam Posner @miriamposner.com · 14h

Recently learned that if you are an AFT member—as, for example, members of the UC Faculty Association are, if we opt in to AAUP membership—you’re eligible for $6/mo professional legal insurance. Useful if, say, you’re in a dispute with your employer. www.aft.org/sites/defaul...

www.aft.org

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Reposted by Dr. Felicia Kornbluh

Senator Bernie Sanders @sanders.senate.gov · 1d

Adelita Grijalva won her election fair and square.

Now House Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to swear her in because she would be the final signature to release the Epstein files.

Mr. Speaker, respect democracy. Obey the law. Swear Representative Grijalva in immediately.

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 1d

Don’t stop

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 1d

Re the SCOTUS argument on “conversion therapy,” my newsletter last week started with Martin Duberman’s memoir CURES, which used to be about the bad old days of therapists trying to Freud the gay out of their patients. Now it’s about the future. open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

History Teaches . . .

Cures for What Ails - The Work of historian Martin Duberman (including his biography of the great actor, singer, and activist Paul Robeson)

open.substack.com

Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 1d

open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

History Teaches . . .

Why did the U.S. military “rappel” into a Chicago neighborhood?

open.substack.com

Reposted by Dr. Felicia Kornbluh

Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · 2d

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

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 2d

Contra Caldwell @nytopinion.nytimes.com simple equality for gay people and trans people and women - their access on fair terms to the enormous material benefits associated w the military- is not ‘DEI’. It’s a bare move toward equality.

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 2d

the chris caldwell of 1948 would have been arguing against desegregation of the armed forces www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/o...

Opinion | That Hegseth Speech Was Actually Pretty Good

www.nytimes.com

Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 2d

If I were an nyc-er I would vote for the guy. But it is unacceptable to make this day about anything other than Hamas & its actions in Israel (murder, kidnapping). The Israeli government launched ground ops Oct. 13 & a full invasion Oct. 27. To critique that war, create rituals on another day.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 2d

My statement on the two year anniversary of October 7, 2023.

“Two years ago today, Hamas carried out a horrific war crime, killing more than 1,100 Israelis and kidnapping 250 more. I mourn these lives and pray for the safe return of every hostage still held and for every family whose lives were torn apart by these atrocities.

In the aftermath of that day, Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli government launched a genocidal war: adeath toll that now far exceeds 67,000; with the Israeli military bombing homes, hospitals, and schools into rubble. Every day in Gaza has become a place where grief itself has run out of language. I mourn these lives and pray for the families that have been shattered. Our government has been complicit through it all.

This must end. The occupation and apartheid must end. Peace must be pursued through diplomacy, not war crimes, and our government must act to end these atrocities and hold those responsible to account.

These last two years have demonstrated the very worst of humanity. We must answer it by modeling the very best: a relentless pursuit of our higher ideals and an unwavering commitment to universal human rights.”

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 3d

If the generals are fit and the soldiers “rappel” like Tom Cruise, will we know the enemy is us? open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

History Teaches . . .

Why did the U.S. military “rappel” into a Chicago neighborhood?

open.substack.com

Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 3d

My historian’s take: open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 3d

Here’s my historian’s take: open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

History Teaches . . .

Why did the U.S. military “rappel” into a Chicago neighborhood?

open.substack.com

Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 3d

In which I ask, If the generals look likebgenerals, and the soldiers look like Tom Cruise, will we notice that the enemy is us? open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

History Teaches . . .

Why did the U.S. military “rappel” into a Chicago neighborhood?

open.substack.com

Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 3d

substack.com/@vtfeminist/...

Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 3d

open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

Reposted by Dr. Felicia Kornbluh

Anna Kornbluh @annakornbluh.bsky.social · 6d

more guidance from the AAUP; GET IN FORMATION

www.youtube.com/live/RB1FLkR...

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 6d

Excellent!!!!!

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 9d

www.aaup.org/news/court-r...

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 10d

Congratulations. How amazing.

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 10d

Histories of social and political change - solace and resource (my latest) open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

History Teaches . . .

Cures for What Ails - The Work of historian Martin Duberman (including his biography of the great actor, singer, and activist Paul Robeson)

open.substack.com

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 11d

My latest- a little insight and solace, maybe. open.substack.com/pub/feliciak...

History Teaches . . .

Cures for What Ails - The Work of historian Martin Duberman (including his biography of the great actor, singer, and activist Paul Robeson)

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Dr. Felicia Kornbluh

Blake Emerson @blakeprof.bsky.social · 15d

UCLA’s funds reinstated after yesterday’s court order! Thanks to the brave researchers and their amazing counsel, including Dean Chemerinsky, who brought suit. This is just another turn in the ongoing fight, but a great result for now.

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Reposted by Dr. Felicia Kornbluh

George Conway 👊🇺🇸🔥 @gtconway.bsky.social · 16d

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Reposted by Dr. Felicia Kornbluh

Lex McMenamin (they/them) @leximcmenamin.com · 17d

new from @kylietcheung.bsky.social in @teenvogue.com: recently, men have impersonated plainclothes ICE agents to assault women—only possible, she argues, because state agents commit violence with impunity.

"To be clear, men wouldn’t be posing as ICE agents and assaulting women if ICE didn’t exist."

How ICE Raids Are Making It Easier for Civilian Men to Assault Immigrant Women

"This phenomenon is only possible because of the outsized power that state agents have always had to abuse and control women and victims' bodies," argues Kylie Cheung.

www.teenvogue.com

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Dr. Felicia Kornbluh @vtfeminist.bsky.social · 16d

Like @mehdirhasan.bsky.social I found it hard to be surprised by this - but also was glad for the clarity and the focused reporting by @jacobkornbluh.bsky.social

Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · 16d

Surprise!

In new memoir, Harris says Netanyahu sought Trump’s return and undermined Biden during Gaza war

In 107 Days, former US vice president recalls tense meetings with Israeli leader, clashes inside the White House and how Gaza protests and her calls for a ceasefire shaped her 2024 campaign — and cost...

www.ynetnews.com

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