Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Ezra Levin ❌👑 @ezralevin.bsky.social · 1d

Oppression is the mask of fear.

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 1d

FYI: There's a Nemik super-edit that's…weirdly powerful? www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf60...

Andor: Karis Nemik

YouTube video by SWFT

www.youtube.com

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Joanne Freeman @jbf1755.bsky.social · 23h

Trump's face on a coin?

Not only is it illegal for a live person to be on currency, but the founders condemned it as monarchical. When someone proposed putting Geo. Washington's head on a coin in 1792 it was voted down as the "flattery & almost idolatrous practice of Monarchies"

It's what KINGS do

Felicia Krieg @feliciakrieg.bsky.social · 4d

An 1866 act of Congress prohibits living people from appearing on currency. Congress made an exception for Calvin Coolidge, who was alive in 1926 when he appeared with Washington on Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar. Coolidge is the only living president featured on a U.S. coin.

Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar shows bust of George Washington in the foreground with Calvin Coolidge behind him. Text on the coin reads “liberty,” “United States of America” an “In God we trust.”

Back of the Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar depicts the liberty bell. The text on the coin reads “Sesquicentennial of American Independence Half Dollar” and “1776 1926.”

Mock-ups of a proposed $1 coin featuring Trump’s bust with the words “liberty” and “in God we trust” “1776 2026” on one side and Trump pumping his fist in front of an American flag with the words “fight fight fight” “United States of America” “E pluribus unum”

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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 21h

"Dear Sweet Blessed Little Baby Jesus, please watch over our armed thugs as they turn away the stranger, persecute the foreigner and harm the least of our brothers and sisters."

David S. Bernstein @dbernstein.bsky.social · 21h

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is in Portland meeting with ICE, Border Patrol and DHS officials; Nick Sortor posted video of Noem saying a prayer for the safety of their officers at the start of the meeting.

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Plenary Popehat Power @kenwhite.bsky.social · 21h

We’re getting very used to this but the statement is unusually unhinged.

Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 1d

Citing the “martyrdom” of Charlie Kirk, Texas AG Ken Paxton says his office is pursuing sweeping undercover investigations into “leftist” groups. “To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming."

"Leftist political terrorism is a clear and present danger. Corrupted ideologies like transgenderism and Antifa are a cancer on our culture and have unleashed their deranged and drugged-up foot soldiers on the American people," said Attorney General Paxton. "The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk marks a turning point in America.
There can be no compromise with those who want us dead. To that end, I have directed my office to continue its efforts to identify, investigate, and infiltrate these leftist terror cells. To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming."
The radical Left has incubated an environment where political violence is not only justified but celebrated and praised. In July, nearly two dozen armed leftists connected to various Texas-based Antifa-like groups ambushed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") facility in Alvarado, Texas. On September 10, 2025, a leftist assassin connected to the radical transgender movement murdered Charlie Kirk because of Kirk's bold support for truth, love of country, and unshakable faith. Two weeks later, another deranged leftist opened fire at an ICE facility in Dallas.
President Donald Trump has officially designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and instructed his administration to "utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations — especially those involving terrorist actions — conducted by Antifa." Building on President Trump's bold actions, Attorney General Paxton has instructed his office to initiate sweeping investigations into radical leftist organizations engaged in or providing support to those performing political violence.

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Brandi Buchman @brandibuchman.bsky.social · 21h

Pam Bondi is supposed to be a public servant.

The performance at today's hearing - an utterly horrific display - indicates she is fully comfortable letting taxpayers know: she is Trump's lawyer, not America's.

Zero shame and zero checks by Republicans:
www.huffpost.com/entry/pam-bo...

Pam Bondi Has A Full On Meltdown Over Simple Questions About Trump

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee let the attorney general run all over lawmakers.

www.huffpost.com

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John Pfaff @johnpfaff.bsky.social · 16h

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 · 18h

Here’s video of the incident

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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 19h

Gonna be thinking about this lede for a minute.

(RNS) — Last month, the Rev. David Black stood in front of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and spread his arms wide. Adorned in all black and wearing a clerical collar, the pastor looked up at a group of masked, heavily armed ICE agents on the roof and began to pray.

“I invited them to repentance,” Black, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), said in an interview. “I basically offered an altar call. I invited them to come and receive that salvation, and be part of the kingdom that is coming.”

But when Black began to lower his arms a few seconds later, the agents responded to his spiritual plea by firing pepper balls, or chemical agents that cause eye irritation and respiratory distress, video footage shows. One struck Black in the head, exploding into a puff of white pepper smoke and forcing him to his knees. Fellow demonstrators rushed to his aid, and as the pastor rubbed his face in pain, the agents continued to fire.

“We could hear them laughing,” Black said.

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Isa Leshko ❌👑 @isaleshko.bsky.social · 13h

Hey, @gavinnewsom.bsky.social
🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻

LGBTQ Nation @lgbtqnation.com · 23h

Gavin Newsom vetoes gender education bill, declines to sign other trans protections - buff.ly/MTUAV85

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Plenary Popehat Power @kenwhite.bsky.social · 19h

We have reached a level of authoritarianism, let’s use the word FASCISM, where the President, based entirely on lies about violence and disorder, and against the will of the governors of the states, can send hostile state’s National Guard to invade and sit on citizens

Wesley Morgan @wesleymorgan.bsky.social · 21h

Don’t think these Texas National Guard guys are going to be chasing any immigrants around Chicago on foot

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Isa Leshko ❌👑 @isaleshko.bsky.social · 13h

This line also was spot-on: “The narrative of “left-wing extremism” snapped into place almost instantly, as if waiting for a trigger. This suggests that the plan was already in place, waiting for an inevitable tragedy to exploit for political gain.”

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Leaving FilmStruck @leavingfilmstrk.bsky.social · 16d

Another incredible photo of Rev. David Black being assaulted by ICE agents outside an ICE facility in Broadview. Photo by Ashlee Rezin, Chicago Sun-Times

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Caleb Crain @calebcrain.bsky.social · 18h

Chilling insight by @barbarafwalter.com: "Once citizens view their own government’s security forces as an occupying army, violence becomes inevitable. Trump’s team knows this… They’re trying to trigger the very unrest that would justify further crackdowns."

via www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/o...

Screenshot from a NYT article by Thomas Edsall, quoting Barbara Walter of UC-San Diego: "The quickest way to piss people off is to send soldiers into their neighborhoods especially when there’s no reason for them to be there. It’s inherently provocative, and Trump and his team understand this. Research by the political scientist Robert Pape shows that the single most powerful predictor of suicide terrorism is the presence of foreign troops on local soil. People hate, hate, hate that. They hate the humiliation, the powerlessness, the feeling of being occupied.

"Once citizens begin to view their own government’s security forces as an occupying army, violence becomes inevitable. Trump’s team knows this. In fact, that’s the point. They are not trying to restore order; they’re trying to trigger the very unrest that would justify further crackdowns. In the end, violence serves their ultimate end: They want to create the illusion of disorder so they can tighten control and stay in power indefinitely."

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Senator Patty Murray @murray.senate.gov · 1d

Here are the 10 states that will see the highest premium increases for families that lose tax credits if Republicans refuse to act.

West Virginia 387%
Wyoming 382%
Alaska 346%
Tennessee 320%
Mississippi 314%
Texas 289%
South Carolina 285%
Alabama 284%
South Dakota 235%
North Dakota 234%

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Aunty Em @everycourthouse.bsky.social · 20h

He froze because he realized, in real time, that what he’d just said carried serious constitutional implications. Which now will be used against the Trump administration in court. He invoked “plenary authority.” That phrase means complete authority, basically the president has dictatorial powers.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

CNN: Does the administration still plan to abide by that court ruling?

STEPHEN MILLER: The administration filed an appeal this morning ... ... ...

CNN: Stephen? Stephen? Can you hear me?

MILLER: ... ... ...

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Kathryn Ruud @kathrynruud.bsky.social · 16h

The hand-wringers: "Oh, what CAN we do? What CAN we do?"
Heather Cox Richardson: There are 52,000 candidates on various local ballots. PAY ATTENTION: Who is fighting for democracy? REGISTER, help those candidates in their campaigns, and most of all, VOTE!!

Ciara Torres-Spelliscy @profciara.bsky.social · 16h

Here’s where to go vote.gov #registertovote 🗳️

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Anthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 15h

File state charges. This is a crime.

Kurt @flglchicago.bsky.social · 18h

Here’s video of the incident

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Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 14h

“The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared likely to strike down Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy by licensed therapists practiced on minors — a ruling that could affect similar laws in nearly half the country and make life more difficult for LGBTQ children at an already perilous time.”

Supreme Court likely to strike down Colorado's conversion therapy ban

A lesson in how defining the case often resolves the case.

www.lawdork.com

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Ruth Zakarin @ruthz.bsky.social · 15h

I am so worried about this. These ICE agents are armed with weapons, a crap ton of anger, a boatload of hate, and the full blessing of an exquisitely violent administration. We have everything to lose.

Greg Pak @gregpak.net · 2d

On the verge of a lot of potential Kent State situations out there. Be careful, friends.

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Isa Leshko ❌👑 @isaleshko.bsky.social · 15h

And I’m old enough to remember when Republicans were fixated on state rights.

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Mass50501 @mass50501.bsky.social · 3d

Calling all #Patriots! On Saturday morning we #RideAtDawn to the
Burlington I.C.E. to rally in support of our immigrant neighbors and the US Constitution.

Join us anytime between 5 am and 7 pm to peacefully express your disapproval of #ICE and the Trump Regime.

#Unite and #Resist

Burlington Bastion of Democracy: Saturday, October 11 from 5 am to 7pm. Protest rally outside of the ICE facility in Burlington, MA. Organized by Mass50501 and a coalition of partners.

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Renee DiResta @noupside.bsky.social · 1d

“Who was president in 2020?” is the question of our time

Senator Jim Banks V
@SenatorBanks
Follow g..
The 2020 Census was a fraud. The Biden admin used a shady "privacy" formula that scrambled the data and miscounted 14 states.
It included illegal immigrants and handed
Democrats extra seats. Americans deserve a fair count and l'm fighting to fix it.
Zinited Statcs SScnate
MASHNORON DEYNN
October 6, 2025
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Socretary
U.S. Department of Commerce Washington, DXC 20230
Dear Secretary Lutaick:
I urge you to investigate and correct erroes from the 2020 Census that handed disproportionntd political power to Democrats and illogal alicns. The Census Burcau adoptod a now and opaque
voting districts. As preparod by the Biden administration, the 2020 Censas roports miscountod the population of fourteen states, ' wrongly allocating six congressional scats aod Electoral
xx conwuu tmora uy, toc taroro tu mot đoo tnn Cunu lc pung t imber of votine districts. And the reoorts de aniovety inchaded ilecnl nhens widhout track those aliens' citiz enship status, If left uncorrected, these erroes will coetinue diluting the political power of American citizens.
Consus data plays a crucial role in allocating political roprescntation and goverment funding
Under the Constitution, cach state gets Congressional represcotutives and Electoeal College votes- based on "the whole number of persons" within the state." The number of persoes is in
tum clabaabod by a consttubocalty-mandalcd dcccacaal ccavas. Pcual agcco nely on census data to allocate billions of dollars in federal funding, much of which hinges ee opulation. And states use consus data to deaw congrossicnal and voting districts, »hich the
The it eiy of tie soaren alie n tor dur at ce hor inc ae oam toy ee n
nght wilbout statsica ly signilicant ciroo.
Diffcrcntial privacy is opaque and liable to mistakcn count totals. Sure cnough, the 2020 Ccnsus ovarocunted the noculation in cicht states and undercounted it in six." Tihe most extrcmi andercount was Arkansas, at 5.04%, and the larg…

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Kimberly Atkins Stohr @kimberlyeatkins.bsky.social · 1d

I knew there must be a hitch if “heritage Americans” are defined as those whose ancestors fought in the Civil War (as mine did). And here it is from the term’s lead proponent: “the majority of blacks have demonstrated that they cannot function within the old European cultural standards.” Nice.

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 1d

The nativist right keeps talking about “heritage Americans.” It's a buzzword engineered to move the goalposts on immigration even further, argues @alibreland.bsky.social.

Are You a ‘Heritage American’?

Why the far right wants to know if your ancestors were here during the Civil War.

bit.ly

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Derek Powazek @fraying.bsky.social · 2d

All the journalists who rushed to lionize Kirk and decry political violence are gonna get right on this, right?

Right?

Brandon Friedman @brandonfriedman.bsky.social · 2d

Judge Diane Goodstein crossed the Trump administration last month. Yesterday, her home burned, her husband was injured and it's being investigated for arson.

www.postandcourier.com/news/crime/s...