Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 8h

Common sense rearing its head.

Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg 🇵🇸 @elizabethweill.bsky.social · 8h

Breaking: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has blocked the execution of Robert Roberson. Roberson was scheduled to be executed on October 16 for a crime that never occurred. www.theacabreport.com/p/texas-court-stops-execution-of-innocent

Texas Court Stops Execution of Innocent Man on Death Row

Robert Roberson was convicted and sentenced to death for killing his daughter, a crime that never occurred.

www.theacabreport.com

Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 8h

Why is it legitimate for the President to post official policy on social media? (I have the same question about government departments using Twitter as the sole communications medium.) We fail to understand how far this is a change from using official gvt websites.

Corey Rayburn Yung @coreyryung.bsky.social · 8h

Any Truth Social post that concludes with "Thank you for your attention to this matter," is the highest of laws, as the framers intended.

Gabriel Malor @gabrielmalor.bsky.social · 8h

Right from the start Judge Graber says she has questions for both counsels:

(1) What document authorizes the action? Is it the President's memo?

McArthur: cites the June memo, Trump's Truth Social post (!!), and a DHS memo, and "further posts on social media" in October.

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Corey Rayburn Yung @coreyryung.bsky.social · 8h

Any Truth Social post that concludes with "Thank you for your attention to this matter," is the highest of laws, as the framers intended.

Gabriel Malor @gabrielmalor.bsky.social · 8h

Right from the start Judge Graber says she has questions for both counsels:

(1) What document authorizes the action? Is it the President's memo?

McArthur: cites the June memo, Trump's Truth Social post (!!), and a DHS memo, and "further posts on social media" in October.

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Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg 🇵🇸 @elizabethweill.bsky.social · 8h

Breaking: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has blocked the execution of Robert Roberson. Roberson was scheduled to be executed on October 16 for a crime that never occurred. www.theacabreport.com/p/texas-court-stops-execution-of-innocent

Texas Court Stops Execution of Innocent Man on Death Row

Robert Roberson was convicted and sentenced to death for killing his daughter, a crime that never occurred.

www.theacabreport.com

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 1d

Jurors take their role very seriously as every jury survey and conversation indicates. When they don’t indict or convict, why is the first assumption jury nullification? Instead it should be, prosecution didn’t meet the necessary standard of proof. It may be boring but is assures rule of law.

emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 1d

Honestly, people need to STOP claiming this is all about nullification.

These were people who were basically pushed, IDed their legal guns, and then arrested.

That's not an assault.

Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 1d

Jury Refuses To Indict Chicago ICE Protesters In Latest Revolt Against Trump Overreach talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things...

emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 1d

Honestly, people need to STOP claiming this is all about nullification.

These were people who were basically pushed, IDed their legal guns, and then arrested.

That's not an assault.

Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 1d

Jury Refuses To Indict Chicago ICE Protesters In Latest Revolt Against Trump Overreach talkingpointsmemo.com/where-things...

Jury Refuses To Indict Chicago ICE Protesters In Latest Revolt Against Trump Overreach

A grand jury Tuesday night declined to indict two protesters in the...

talkingpointsmemo.com

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 1d

Does the American public prefer reality TV meets talk show or actual oversight?

Accountability to Congress shouldn’t be about who can be most insulting.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

"This is supposed to be an oversight hearing" -- Schiff helpfully ticks through all of the incriminating questions -- and there are many of them -- that Bondi refused to answer during today's hearing

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

"This is supposed to be an oversight hearing" -- Schiff helpfully ticks through all of the incriminating questions -- and there are many of them -- that Bondi refused to answer during today's hearing

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 3d

A stunning development.

Equal Justice Initiative @eji.org · 3d

Days after Virginia seceded from the Union, Robert E. Lee left the U.S. Army to defend slavery. A traitor and enslaver, Lee believed his state would be better without Black people. The Trump Administration reinstated his name on a military base.

Fort Lee, Virginia

Robert E. Lee’s support for slavery was not theoretical, he was an enslaver.

eji.org

Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 3d

Americans love laws but sometimes common sense should accomplish the same.

Nobody can successfully run two major government departments IF they actually lead and manage them.

The Fig Economy @figgityfigs.bsky.social · 3d

Desperately need a law that says something like running a federal agency is a full time job and not something you can do in your spare time from another full time job.

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 3d

The Trump administration has found its seventh leader for the IRS since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term: Frank Bisignano, the head of the Social Security Administration.

Bisignano will run both agencies.

Equal Justice Initiative @eji.org · 3d

Days after Virginia seceded from the Union, Robert E. Lee left the U.S. Army to defend slavery. A traitor and enslaver, Lee believed his state would be better without Black people. The Trump Administration reinstated his name on a military base.

Fort Lee, Virginia

Robert E. Lee’s support for slavery was not theoretical, he was an enslaver.

eji.org

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The Fig Economy @figgityfigs.bsky.social · 3d

Desperately need a law that says something like running a federal agency is a full time job and not something you can do in your spare time from another full time job.

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 3d

The Trump administration has found its seventh leader for the IRS since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term: Frank Bisignano, the head of the Social Security Administration.

Bisignano will run both agencies.

Trump’s new IRS ‘CEO’: The head of Social Security

The Trump administration on Monday found its seventh leader for the Internal Revenue Service since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term: the head of the Social Security Administration.

wapo.st

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 3d

Do we remember how President Obama was called the anti-Christ? Here we have a direct continuation, but now from highest echelons of government.

These labels matter as they shape people’s perceptions, even if subconsciously.

Steve Benen @stevebenen.com · 3d

Not too long ago, it would’ve been pretty dramatic for an incumbent American president to refer to his opponents as “the party of Hate, Evil, and Satan.”

But as people grow accustomed to madness, it’s now barely a one-day story.

Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 3d

www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

Steve Benen @stevebenen.com · 3d

Not too long ago, it would’ve been pretty dramatic for an incumbent American president to refer to his opponents as “the party of Hate, Evil, and Satan.”

But as people grow accustomed to madness, it’s now barely a one-day story.

Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 3d

www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

Trump pushes a new label for Democrats: ‘The Party Of Hate, Evil, And Satan’

Republicans apparently want Democrats to stop using the kind of incendiary political rhetoric that the president uses all the time.

www.msnbc.com

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 7d

We have lost our empathy — and all common sense.

Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 7d

DHS doing night raids to bring GWOT home.

Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 7d

“It was heartbreaking to watch,” said Watson. “Even if you’re not a mother, seeing kids coming out buck naked and taken from their mothers, it was horrible.”

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Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 7d

DHS doing night raids to bring GWOT home.

Lynda Lopez @lyndab08.bsky.social · 7d

“It was heartbreaking to watch,” said Watson. “Even if you’re not a mother, seeing kids coming out buck naked and taken from their mothers, it was horrible.”

Massive immigration raid on Chicago apartment building leaves residents reeling: 'I feel defeated'

The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents with Border Patrol, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested 37 people in the raid.

chicago.suntimes.com

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 9d

Justice Jackson must have wasted his time serving as the US chief prosecutor in Nuremberg.

Corey Rayburn Yung @coreyryung.bsky.social · 9d

At the same event, Hegseth said "We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country."

NPR @npr.org · 9d

JUST IN: President Trump has told top U.S. commanders that the military would be used against "enemy within."

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Corey Rayburn Yung @coreyryung.bsky.social · 9d

At the same event, Hegseth said "We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country."

NPR @npr.org · 9d

JUST IN: President Trump has told top U.S. commanders that the military would be used against "enemy within."

Trump defends use of U.S. military against 'enemy within'

Earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the purpose of the department would exclusively be "war fighting."

n.pr

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 12d

Why renaming & labeling matters, “Secretary of “War”, “domestic terrorist”, and now “war ravaged”.
The latter applies to cities in Gaza, Sudan & Russian-occupied & -attacked cities in Ukraine, not to any US city.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 12d

Trump says he’s authorized Hegseth to use “Full Force” against Antifa in “War ravaged” Portland

At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 12d

Oscar Wilde’s “Ideal Husband” highlights human imperfection & the dangers of declaring someone to be perfect. His lessons are valuable: recognitions of human failings (& resulting structural inequities) make for a richer, truer & more inclusive telling of the past than ideal (and false) renditions.

ED Wants Grants to Advance “Patriotic Education”

Professional historians say the department’s plan is part of the Trump administration’s broader attempt to create an Orwellian “truth ministry” and omit the more troubling aspects of the nation’s past...

www.insidehighered.com

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 12d

Trump says he’s authorized Hegseth to use “Full Force” against Antifa in “War ravaged” Portland

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 12d

Class scheduling requires resilience, diplomacy, and a good sense of the curriculum.
Student (including work schedules) and faculty preference often clash and can be hard to accommodate.

Robert Kelchen @robertkelchen.com · 13d

Scheduling is a common dilemma for department heads. Upper administration wants to spread out class times, but students prefer peak hours. The resulting choice is to either upset students (meaning the course won't run) or administrators (meaning you're out).

www.chronicle.com/article/the-...

Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 13d

Professional prosecutors help law enforcement to abide by the law. Professional law enforcement officers appreciate the guidance.

That’s how it’s done. It assumes professionalism.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 13d

OUTRAGEOUS behavior from the Department of Justice; a seasoned prosecutor was fired for reminding a Stephen Miller ally that he was required to obey the Constitution and the valid orders of a federal court.

Documents reviewed by The New York Times show that the July 15 firing of Ms. Beckwith occurred less than six hours after she told Mr. Bovino, the Border Patrol chief in charge of the Southern California raids, that a court order prevented him from arresting people without probable cause in a vast expanse that stretches from the Oregon border to Bakersfield. She was removed not only from her post as acting U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of California, but from the office altogether.

“It’s unjust,” she said of the firings across the federal government this year, in an interview. “We have to stand up and insist the laws be followed.”

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 13d

OUTRAGEOUS behavior from the Department of Justice; a seasoned prosecutor was fired for reminding a Stephen Miller ally that he was required to obey the Constitution and the valid orders of a federal court.

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Robert Kelchen @robertkelchen.com · 13d

Scheduling is a common dilemma for department heads. Upper administration wants to spread out class times, but students prefer peak hours. The resulting choice is to either upset students (meaning the course won't run) or administrators (meaning you're out).

www.chronicle.com/article/the-...

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 14d

Another form of gerrymandering.

Prison Policy Initiative @prisonpolicy.org · 14d

🚨NEW: Everyone in Vermont is supposed to have an equal voice, but an outdated US Census Bureau policy counts incarcerated people in the wrong place, giving a few residents a megaphone – aka prison gerrymandering

The state can fix this. Here's how👇

www.prisonersofthecensus.org/news/2025/09...

Federal Census policy breaks Vermont’s democracy — state lawmakers can fix it

Vermont’s redistricting data was once again skewed after the 2020 Census; the state needs to take action to fix the issue for 2030

www.prisonersofthecensus.org

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Prison Policy Initiative @prisonpolicy.org · 14d

🚨NEW: Everyone in Vermont is supposed to have an equal voice, but an outdated US Census Bureau policy counts incarcerated people in the wrong place, giving a few residents a megaphone – aka prison gerrymandering

The state can fix this. Here's how👇

www.prisonersofthecensus.org/news/2025/09...

Federal Census policy breaks Vermont’s democracy — state lawmakers can fix it

Vermont’s redistricting data was once again skewed after the 2020 Census; the state needs to take action to fix the issue for 2030

www.prisonersofthecensus.org

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 15d

Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes”

Who will shout out the truth that ends the farce?

David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 15d

Trump's UN speech was such an extraordinary combination of lies, delusions, narcissism, hatefulness, ignorance and lunacy that it could have been given by no other person than Trump.
www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-un-ad...

Trump’s UN Address Was a Tragedy of Shakespearian Proportions

Of course, the president’s main messages today were ones of irrationality and instability, so who knows what the plot points and soliloquies will be tomorrow or next week.

www.thedailybeast.com

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David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 15d

Trump's UN speech was such an extraordinary combination of lies, delusions, narcissism, hatefulness, ignorance and lunacy that it could have been given by no other person than Trump.
www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-un-ad...

Trump’s UN Address Was a Tragedy of Shakespearian Proportions

Of course, the president’s main messages today were ones of irrationality and instability, so who knows what the plot points and soliloquies will be tomorrow or next week.

www.thedailybeast.com

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Nora Demleitner @norademleitner.bsky.social · 16d

Isn‘t that how Henry VIII had all these wives? 😉

Karen Benjamin Guzzo @karenguzzo.bsky.social · 16d

Unrelated but related: Population growth in the 1970s was blamed on women having too many kids. Population decline now is being blamed on women having too few kids.

Blaming women is just the fallback for every problem.

David M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 16d

“The “refrigerator mother” myth was used as a justification for taking children away from their parents and subjecting the kids to ever-harsher treatments…now the Trump administration is poised to start a new cycle in which moms are once again blamed for their kids’ autism.”

My latest.