Carlsaganspeaks
@carlsaganspeaks.bsky.social
A skeptical historian of the evolution of religion, esp. Judaism and Christianity, from a scientific anthropological perspective. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Be kind and the world will be a better place. Stand up to bullies.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
honestly, “it’s because they’re still mad about the New Deal” is a pretty good guiding hypothesis for a lot of stuff
The standard story was that 1950s religious revivals were about contrasting America with the godless commies of the USSR, but I found material that hinted at an older well funded campaign that reframed the revival as a corporate pushback against the New Deal.
So I followed that unexpected thread!
So I followed that unexpected thread!
December 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
honestly, “it’s because they’re still mad about the New Deal” is a pretty good guiding hypothesis for a lot of stuff
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
“.. Not since the U.S. allied with Joseph Stalin during the Lend Lease Act has a White House official enjoyed such frequent, personal access to a Russian or Soviet leader.
“Witkoff has yet to visit Ukraine.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
“Witkoff has yet to visit Ukraine.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
December 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
“.. Not since the U.S. allied with Joseph Stalin during the Lend Lease Act has a White House official enjoyed such frequent, personal access to a Russian or Soviet leader.
“Witkoff has yet to visit Ukraine.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
“Witkoff has yet to visit Ukraine.”
@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
I find myself thinking about historian Robert Paxton’s 2004 definition of fascism far too often than I’d like these days. Note that these sentences were written back when Donald Trump was a NYC playboy libertine who donated to Democrats.
December 21, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Jack Smith's information belongs to the US public.
This government belongs to us. Information about this government belongs to us. This government exists at the behest of the US public.
It's infuriating that they have these investigations and yet they're secret
These people serve us. It's ours.
This government belongs to us. Information about this government belongs to us. This government exists at the behest of the US public.
It's infuriating that they have these investigations and yet they're secret
These people serve us. It's ours.
December 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Jack Smith's information belongs to the US public.
This government belongs to us. Information about this government belongs to us. This government exists at the behest of the US public.
It's infuriating that they have these investigations and yet they're secret
These people serve us. It's ours.
This government belongs to us. Information about this government belongs to us. This government exists at the behest of the US public.
It's infuriating that they have these investigations and yet they're secret
These people serve us. It's ours.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Statement from Maria Farmer: “This is amazing. Thank you for believing me. I feel redeemed. This is one of the best days of my life. Of course, it's mixed with the fact that I'm devastated about all the other little girls like Virginia who were harmed because the FBI didn't do their job. 1/
HUGE NEWS from the new Epstein files:
Records show that Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, filed a "child pornography" report to the FBI in 1996.
The FBI has never before acknowledged that complaint. The case went nowhere, and mass abuse followed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
Records show that Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, filed a "child pornography" report to the FBI in 1996.
The FBI has never before acknowledged that complaint. The case went nowhere, and mass abuse followed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
Epstein Files Include 1996 Child Porn Complaint That F.B.I. Ignored
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Statement from Maria Farmer: “This is amazing. Thank you for believing me. I feel redeemed. This is one of the best days of my life. Of course, it's mixed with the fact that I'm devastated about all the other little girls like Virginia who were harmed because the FBI didn't do their job. 1/
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
And the most incriminating part is she testified that a few years later she was a contestant in trumps beauty pageant. I’m serious. “Jane also acknowledged that in 1998, she took part in a Miss Teen USA beauty pageant that was associated with Trump” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
December 20, 2025 at 1:33 AM
And the most incriminating part is she testified that a few years later she was a contestant in trumps beauty pageant. I’m serious. “Jane also acknowledged that in 1998, she took part in a Miss Teen USA beauty pageant that was associated with Trump” www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Jack Smith wants to testify in public - Republicans refuse.
He wants his depo tape made public - no again.
The second strike boat video? - nope.
Epstein files law complied with? - not today.
Vote on ACA? - maybe next year.
Republicans: Hide, obstruct, lie, delay, deny.
He wants his depo tape made public - no again.
The second strike boat video? - nope.
Epstein files law complied with? - not today.
Vote on ACA? - maybe next year.
Republicans: Hide, obstruct, lie, delay, deny.
December 20, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Jack Smith wants to testify in public - Republicans refuse.
He wants his depo tape made public - no again.
The second strike boat video? - nope.
Epstein files law complied with? - not today.
Vote on ACA? - maybe next year.
Republicans: Hide, obstruct, lie, delay, deny.
He wants his depo tape made public - no again.
The second strike boat video? - nope.
Epstein files law complied with? - not today.
Vote on ACA? - maybe next year.
Republicans: Hide, obstruct, lie, delay, deny.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Spoiler Alert: It doesn’t matter how redacted the Epstein Files are; remember, Trump allowed Maxwell to go to a camp a week after she met his personal lawyer and is preparing to pardon her. That, in itself, is a confession that he raped teenage girls.
Case closed.
Case closed.
December 20, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Spoiler Alert: It doesn’t matter how redacted the Epstein Files are; remember, Trump allowed Maxwell to go to a camp a week after she met his personal lawyer and is preparing to pardon her. That, in itself, is a confession that he raped teenage girls.
Case closed.
Case closed.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
The Trump Administration said they would release the Epstein files on "Day 1."
It's now 11 months later.
Deputy director of the DOJ, Todd Blanche, says they need more time.
It's now 11 months later.
Deputy director of the DOJ, Todd Blanche, says they need more time.
December 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The Trump Administration said they would release the Epstein files on "Day 1."
It's now 11 months later.
Deputy director of the DOJ, Todd Blanche, says they need more time.
It's now 11 months later.
Deputy director of the DOJ, Todd Blanche, says they need more time.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Jack Smith has requested that Jim Jordan release the entire video of his 8-hour closed-door testimony which he gave this week to the House Judiciary Committee.
Will Jordan release the video to the public?
If not, why not?
Will Jordan release the video to the public?
If not, why not?
December 19, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Jack Smith has requested that Jim Jordan release the entire video of his 8-hour closed-door testimony which he gave this week to the House Judiciary Committee.
Will Jordan release the video to the public?
If not, why not?
Will Jordan release the video to the public?
If not, why not?
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
I keep saying this but no one is connecting the dots. The war is to satisfy legal preconditions for mass removal *domestically* of Latinos (i.e., suddenly a lot of people are going to be “Venezuelan” for purposes of removal). This is 100% Stephen Miller…oil claim is to make grandpa go along
There is no national security logic that would impel the US to want to do regime change in Venezuela. It's simply not that important. I'm not even sure wag the dog is the right metaphor for what's happening here. Seems like an insane misallocation of US national security assets and attention.
Trump: "Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled ... It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the USA all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us."
December 17, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I keep saying this but no one is connecting the dots. The war is to satisfy legal preconditions for mass removal *domestically* of Latinos (i.e., suddenly a lot of people are going to be “Venezuelan” for purposes of removal). This is 100% Stephen Miller…oil claim is to make grandpa go along
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Feels to me like the last quote here is more devastating and incriminating than even the birthday book and the photos and the rest.
These are the people who are willing to go on the record.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
December 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Feels to me like the last quote here is more devastating and incriminating than even the birthday book and the photos and the rest.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
“Instead, NBC ran a rerun of ‘Law & Order’ and CBS aired a rerun of “Young Sheldon.’”
"In 2014, major networks also refused to air a speech by former President Barack Obama about immigration reform, claiming it was too partisan.”
"In 2014, major networks also refused to air a speech by former President Barack Obama about immigration reform, claiming it was too partisan.”
“The networks have declined to air prime time speeches from the last two Democratic presidents, claiming they were too political.” In 2022, broadcast networks declined to air a prime time speech by Joe Biden “where he warned about threats to democracy, deciding the speech would be too ‘political.’”
Breaking precedent, networks interrupt prime time for Trump political diatribe
On Wednesday night at 9 PM Eastern, President Trump delivered a prime time address to the nation that was aired by all major broadcast networks.
popular.info
December 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
“Instead, NBC ran a rerun of ‘Law & Order’ and CBS aired a rerun of “Young Sheldon.’”
"In 2014, major networks also refused to air a speech by former President Barack Obama about immigration reform, claiming it was too partisan.”
"In 2014, major networks also refused to air a speech by former President Barack Obama about immigration reform, claiming it was too partisan.”
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
No. It’s a great time to be a violent criminal in America. Our most sophisticated law enforcement agencies are busy hunting landscapers & housekeepers.
Is there any precedent in modern history for a mass shooting occurring in a public setting with 10+ casualties and the perpetrator not being apprehended? It's really hard to fathom.
December 18, 2025 at 4:21 AM
No. It’s a great time to be a violent criminal in America. Our most sophisticated law enforcement agencies are busy hunting landscapers & housekeepers.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Dachau opened in March 1933 under the legal fiction of “protective custody.” People were detained without charges, trials, or limits. Courts were sidelined under emergency decrees. Families were separated. The Nazi regime insisted this was lawful, temporary, & necessary for state security.
December 17, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Dachau opened in March 1933 under the legal fiction of “protective custody.” People were detained without charges, trials, or limits. Courts were sidelined under emergency decrees. Families were separated. The Nazi regime insisted this was lawful, temporary, & necessary for state security.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Exactly. If people can’t see the familiar choreography by now…..
Worried that the escalation this week is designed to coincide with Friday's deadline for the DOJ to release the Epstein files
Gallego: "This is the Iraq War 2.0 with a South American flavor. I'm hoping this doesn't happen, but I'm telling you - if you look at what they have down there, all the assets they have down there, all the actions they're taking, this is absolutely an effort to get us involved in a war in Venezuela"
December 17, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Exactly. If people can’t see the familiar choreography by now…..
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Sounds about right.
December 15, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Sounds about right.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
This x 1,000,000
December 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
This x 1,000,000
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Jesse Peltan:
"China is building more nuclear than the rest of the world combined,
and still…
all those reactors will generate less electricity than the solar China installed in the *first half* of this year."
#alwaysbecharging nitter.net/JessePeltan/...
"China is building more nuclear than the rest of the world combined,
and still…
all those reactors will generate less electricity than the solar China installed in the *first half* of this year."
#alwaysbecharging nitter.net/JessePeltan/...
December 13, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Jesse Peltan:
"China is building more nuclear than the rest of the world combined,
and still…
all those reactors will generate less electricity than the solar China installed in the *first half* of this year."
#alwaysbecharging nitter.net/JessePeltan/...
"China is building more nuclear than the rest of the world combined,
and still…
all those reactors will generate less electricity than the solar China installed in the *first half* of this year."
#alwaysbecharging nitter.net/JessePeltan/...
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
The fact that far too many people cannot recognize fascism unless it looks exactly like Nazi Germany is very dangerous.
December 11, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The fact that far too many people cannot recognize fascism unless it looks exactly like Nazi Germany is very dangerous.
Science matters. The Enlightenment age findings matter. Both now under siege by the low-information, non-critical thinking majority in America.
The most contagious disease on earth is one flight away. Blame RFK Jr for this shit.
The measles outbreak in South Carolina is “accelerating” with no end in sight following Thanksgiving and other large gatherings, state health officials say.
December 11, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Science matters. The Enlightenment age findings matter. Both now under siege by the low-information, non-critical thinking majority in America.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
It used to be an impeachable offense.
Now it’s a daily occurrence.
Now it’s a daily occurrence.
December 11, 2025 at 9:36 AM
It used to be an impeachable offense.
Now it’s a daily occurrence.
Now it’s a daily occurrence.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
JFC. The weakening of America continues.
December 9, 2025 at 9:52 PM
JFC. The weakening of America continues.
Reposted by Carlsaganspeaks
Miller's family came from an authoritarian country and he wants to turn America into an authoritarian country. Similar with Elon Musk wanting to make the United States an apartheid state. Why don't Musk, Miller assimilate into American culture and values?
November 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Miller's family came from an authoritarian country and he wants to turn America into an authoritarian country. Similar with Elon Musk wanting to make the United States an apartheid state. Why don't Musk, Miller assimilate into American culture and values?