David Sewell
@davidsewell.bsky.social
Native southern Californian, Swarthmore alum, former Tucsonan, retired from University of Virginia Press, living in Charlottesville. Interests include the greater Southwest, Lebanon/MENA (family members in Beirut); Quaker concerns.
Reposted by David Sewell
I am reminded of Lincoln's famous letter to Joshua Speed in 1855
quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/li...
quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/li...
![Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation, we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it "all men are created equal, except negroes." When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read "all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and catholics." When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty-to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocracy [sic].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kok4aqdr3qnsj6ktfkq76kqz/bafkreibv56orcjfhjc2czd5kkydlzapnuem3xkzbhna4fia27pyajprzvq@jpeg)
December 17, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I am reminded of Lincoln's famous letter to Joshua Speed in 1855
quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/li...
quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/li...
Reposted by David Sewell
!! Here’s a link to full video of the 60 Minutes segment that Bari Weiss killed last minute, via @jasonparis.bsky.social:
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
December 22, 2025 at 10:39 PM
!! Here’s a link to full video of the 60 Minutes segment that Bari Weiss killed last minute, via @jasonparis.bsky.social:
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
is.gd/paU8Ko
(It was uploaded to the Global TV app in Canada, seemingly by accident, and has now been taken down)
Uber "received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes on average from 2017 to 2024". This long NYT piece ends with a form people can use to submit feedback on their own experiences. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/b...
Uber Cleared Violent Felons to Drive. Passengers Accused Them of Rape.
www.nytimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Uber "received a report of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the United States almost every eight minutes on average from 2017 to 2024". This long NYT piece ends with a form people can use to submit feedback on their own experiences. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/b...
Reposted by David Sewell
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
December 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
Hari Kunzru strikes again!
I’m sorry but ‘heritage American’ makes you sound like a tomato
December 20, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Hari Kunzru strikes again!
Reposted by David Sewell
Conservative judges in 2025: "the founders did not understand the First Amendment to extend to aliens."
James Madison, the author of the First Amendment, in 1800: "wtf are you talking about."
James Madison, the author of the First Amendment, in 1800: "wtf are you talking about."
December 16, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Conservative judges in 2025: "the founders did not understand the First Amendment to extend to aliens."
James Madison, the author of the First Amendment, in 1800: "wtf are you talking about."
James Madison, the author of the First Amendment, in 1800: "wtf are you talking about."
Reposted by David Sewell
The man who killed three U.S. citizens in Syria had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a security guard two months earlier and was recently reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with the Islamic State, a Syrian official told the @apnews.com
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
Attacker who killed US troops in Syria was a recent recruit to security forces, official says
A Syrian security guard who attacked and killed three U.S. citizens in Syria had joined the internal security forces two months earlier.
apnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The man who killed three U.S. citizens in Syria had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a security guard two months earlier and was recently reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with the Islamic State, a Syrian official told the @apnews.com
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
Someone with this level of religious bigotry has no business being on a school board, anywhere. It's not a free speech issue, it's a qualification for the job issue. www.cvilletomorrow.org/madison-coun...
Madison County residents demand stronger action after School Board member said Muslims 'hate America' and 'will kill us when given the opportunity'
"He's been known for making comments for years, so I feel like if they really wanted to find a solution, they would've solved it a long time ago and not waited until his term was almost over," said 20...
www.cvilletomorrow.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Someone with this level of religious bigotry has no business being on a school board, anywhere. It's not a free speech issue, it's a qualification for the job issue. www.cvilletomorrow.org/madison-coun...
This is good news! There are a couple of decent candidates who have already announced, but Perriello is the right candidate for the moment. www.tomperriellova.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
This is good news! There are a couple of decent candidates who have already announced, but Perriello is the right candidate for the moment. www.tomperriellova.com
Reposted by David Sewell
Due to the forecast for potential ice and freezing rain impacting the area, VA-05 MORAL MONDAY has been postponed until next week Monday December 15th at 11 AM.
Stay safe and warm out there!
#moralmonday #speakup #showup #indivisible
Stay safe and warm out there!
#moralmonday #speakup #showup #indivisible
December 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Due to the forecast for potential ice and freezing rain impacting the area, VA-05 MORAL MONDAY has been postponed until next week Monday December 15th at 11 AM.
Stay safe and warm out there!
#moralmonday #speakup #showup #indivisible
Stay safe and warm out there!
#moralmonday #speakup #showup #indivisible
Reposted by David Sewell
US raid allegedly killed Syrian undercover agent instead of Islamic State official
The case of Khaled al-Masoud, the apparent result of lack of communication between the US-led mission and Damascus, showed the limits of increased security coordination:
apnews.com/article/syri...
The case of Khaled al-Masoud, the apparent result of lack of communication between the US-led mission and Damascus, showed the limits of increased security coordination:
apnews.com/article/syri...
US raid allegedly killed Syrian undercover agent instead of Islamic State group official
A U.S. operation in Syria last month mistakenly killed a man who had been working undercover against the Islamic State group, according to his family, a war monitor and officials.
apnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:41 AM
US raid allegedly killed Syrian undercover agent instead of Islamic State official
The case of Khaled al-Masoud, the apparent result of lack of communication between the US-led mission and Damascus, showed the limits of increased security coordination:
apnews.com/article/syri...
The case of Khaled al-Masoud, the apparent result of lack of communication between the US-led mission and Damascus, showed the limits of increased security coordination:
apnews.com/article/syri...
Reposted by David Sewell
The Border Wall Resistance, a scrappy band of activists is raising $ to continue our vital work of bringing awareness & resistance to the ecocidal wall going up in the San Rafael Valley of So. AZ.
givebutter.com/borderlandsr...
By donating to us, you will know where your money goes.
1/n
givebutter.com/borderlandsr...
By donating to us, you will know where your money goes.
1/n
December 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The Border Wall Resistance, a scrappy band of activists is raising $ to continue our vital work of bringing awareness & resistance to the ecocidal wall going up in the San Rafael Valley of So. AZ.
givebutter.com/borderlandsr...
By donating to us, you will know where your money goes.
1/n
givebutter.com/borderlandsr...
By donating to us, you will know where your money goes.
1/n
All these years I've been eating Ezekiel "Ezekiel 4:9" bread and only now reading the Book of Ezekiel and learning that it was supposed to be baked over a fire of human dung by someone lying on his side tied up with ropes for a year. Not the marketing angle I was expecting!
December 4, 2025 at 2:38 AM
All these years I've been eating Ezekiel "Ezekiel 4:9" bread and only now reading the Book of Ezekiel and learning that it was supposed to be baked over a fire of human dung by someone lying on his side tied up with ropes for a year. Not the marketing angle I was expecting!
"The very fact that the pope decides to visit Lebanon sends a security message [to Israel]: 'I'm coming anyway.'" today.lorientlejour.com/article/1486...
Pope Leo in Lebanon: What are the security measures in place?
Security measures for Pope Leo XIV's Lebanon visit include roadblocks, close protection, and cooperation among Lebanese security forces to ensure safety along the route and at visited sites.
today.lorientlejour.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
"The very fact that the pope decides to visit Lebanon sends a security message [to Israel]: 'I'm coming anyway.'" today.lorientlejour.com/article/1486...
Good lord. I just noticed that the other day 86 Democrats voted Yes on H.Con.Res 58, "Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism", a MAGA-virtue-signaling bill that makes no distinction between democratic socialism and totalitarianism. www.govtrack.us/congress/vot...
H.Con.Res. 58: Denouncing the horrors of socialism. -- House Vote #305 -- Nov. 21, 2025
House Vote #305 in 2025, in the United States Congress.
www.govtrack.us
November 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Good lord. I just noticed that the other day 86 Democrats voted Yes on H.Con.Res 58, "Denouncing the Horrors of Socialism", a MAGA-virtue-signaling bill that makes no distinction between democratic socialism and totalitarianism. www.govtrack.us/congress/vot...
Alameddine was writer in residence for a year at the University of Virginia a while back. So good to see him get deserved recognition.
November 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Alameddine was writer in residence for a year at the University of Virginia a while back. So good to see him get deserved recognition.
Reposted by David Sewell
I did some cartoons for this SUPER INTERESTING project that’s chock full of historical deportation information and amazing (and tragic) perspective, visit mappingdeportations.com !!!
November 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I did some cartoons for this SUPER INTERESTING project that’s chock full of historical deportation information and amazing (and tragic) perspective, visit mappingdeportations.com !!!
I meant to read "Dopesick"'when it came out but never did. I guess it's a measure of the state of the world we're in that I borrowed it from the library today as something I could read to unwind a bit.
November 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I meant to read "Dopesick"'when it came out but never did. I guess it's a measure of the state of the world we're in that I borrowed it from the library today as something I could read to unwind a bit.
Reposted by David Sewell
May tonight mark the beginning of the end of every political dynasty that made life harder, nights darker, and the world more violent.
November 5, 2025 at 4:28 AM
May tonight mark the beginning of the end of every political dynasty that made life harder, nights darker, and the world more violent.
A strong essay which, among other things, takes aim at the cliché of Lebanese "resilience" so often invoked by outsiders.
Forced to become a "spokesperson for a broken place," Lebanese writer Lina Mounzer writes a powerful essay on why she's no longer explaining the Middle East for American newspapers www.equator.org/articles/the...
The Disaster Correspondent • Articles • EQUATOR
Why I stopped explaining the Middle East to Americans
www.equator.org
October 29, 2025 at 5:23 PM
A strong essay which, among other things, takes aim at the cliché of Lebanese "resilience" so often invoked by outsiders.
Too bad about not visiting South Lebanon but that would be politically freighted. And pose security issues, probably.
Pope Leo XIV will pray at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast in his first foreign trip.
A visit to southern Lebanon is not on the agenda, however.
apnews.com/article/pope...
A visit to southern Lebanon is not on the agenda, however.
apnews.com/article/pope...
Pope Leo XIV will pray at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast in his first foreign trip
Pope Leo XIV will pray at the site of the 2020 port blast in Beirut that killed over 200 people during his first foreign visit as pope.
apnews.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Too bad about not visiting South Lebanon but that would be politically freighted. And pose security issues, probably.
Reposted by David Sewell
It's a teardown. Please share #laloalcaraz cartoons! Visit laloalcaraz.com for updates on the upcoming 2026 Year of Resistance Lalo Alcaraz Cartoon Calendar!
October 24, 2025 at 4:02 AM
It's a teardown. Please share #laloalcaraz cartoons! Visit laloalcaraz.com for updates on the upcoming 2026 Year of Resistance Lalo Alcaraz Cartoon Calendar!
"[The] delusion of an absolute value has made the production of gold since ancient times the business of adventurers, gamblers, criminals, of elements outside the pale of normal, sane society." --Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-f...
Trump flaunts Oval Office’s 24-karat accents as gold hits record highs. Is it time to start investing in gold?
‘All that glitters is not gold’ does not apply to the White House.
finance.yahoo.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:08 PM
"[The] delusion of an absolute value has made the production of gold since ancient times the business of adventurers, gamblers, criminals, of elements outside the pale of normal, sane society." --Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-f...
Reposted by David Sewell
Yesterday, the U.S. blew up a boat off Colombia's coast. Since Sept., the Trump admin. has conducted strikes on at least eight boats, killing at least 34 people. The U.S. has committed state-sanctioned murder.
Demand Congress stop these illegal strikes.
Demand Congress stop these illegal strikes.
Tell Congress: Stop illegal military strikes in the Caribbean
Since Sept. 2 the U.S. has bombed multiple boats in the Caribbean, killing at least 32 people. The Trump administration claims this is part of a new “armed conflict” with “narco-traffickers.” These ac...
afsc.org
October 22, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Yesterday, the U.S. blew up a boat off Colombia's coast. Since Sept., the Trump admin. has conducted strikes on at least eight boats, killing at least 34 people. The U.S. has committed state-sanctioned murder.
Demand Congress stop these illegal strikes.
Demand Congress stop these illegal strikes.