Jennifer A.
@jamanuscriptspa.bsky.social
Editor, indexer, owner of https://www.manuscript-spa.com/. Librarian. Likes: the Constitution, kindness, justice, the rule of law, women's rights, the Fourth Amendment, due process, organized labor, and soccer (I mean football). Californian in Boston.
I just read the Guardian's obituary of Chris Rea, who has passed away at age 74 today. It said he began dating his wife Joan, who survives him, when he was 17 years old. Oh my goodness. My heart is so sad right now for Joan Rea, a woman I've never met. I hope she has good support around her.
December 22, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I just read the Guardian's obituary of Chris Rea, who has passed away at age 74 today. It said he began dating his wife Joan, who survives him, when he was 17 years old. Oh my goodness. My heart is so sad right now for Joan Rea, a woman I've never met. I hope she has good support around her.
I am working on my last project of 2025, updating the Foreign Law Guide entry for Romania. (IYKYK) Once I figured out how their laws are published and appear online, these updates have been delightfully easy.
You can take the librarian out of the library...but she'll still always be a librarian.
You can take the librarian out of the library...but she'll still always be a librarian.
December 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I am working on my last project of 2025, updating the Foreign Law Guide entry for Romania. (IYKYK) Once I figured out how their laws are published and appear online, these updates have been delightfully easy.
You can take the librarian out of the library...but she'll still always be a librarian.
You can take the librarian out of the library...but she'll still always be a librarian.
"The public interest over special interests..."
Yes, that is the exact healing balm that we all need in these United States right now. Although I am not a New Yorker, I love that city passionately and couldn't be happier for them or more pleased that they will be leading us to something better.
Yes, that is the exact healing balm that we all need in these United States right now. Although I am not a New Yorker, I love that city passionately and couldn't be happier for them or more pleased that they will be leading us to something better.
New York, this moment belongs to you. Please join us for the Inauguration of a New Era on January 1, 2026.
December 21, 2025 at 7:44 PM
"The public interest over special interests..."
Yes, that is the exact healing balm that we all need in these United States right now. Although I am not a New Yorker, I love that city passionately and couldn't be happier for them or more pleased that they will be leading us to something better.
Yes, that is the exact healing balm that we all need in these United States right now. Although I am not a New Yorker, I love that city passionately and couldn't be happier for them or more pleased that they will be leading us to something better.
Hard agree.
I’m sorry, but it is disgraceful to be an academic who uses this technology to conduct research. It should be prohibited in all of our scholarly institutions, including universities and journals.
December 20, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Hard agree.
EXACTLY
We will never be able to put our country back together until we prosecute those who are breaking the law multiple times a day. It’s what should have happened four years ago and it is a huge part of the reason we are in this mess today.
December 20, 2025 at 7:21 PM
EXACTLY
He is such a detestable human being.
Ivanka Trump’s husband is trying to get Middle Eastern leaders to invest in his vision of a high-tech paradise on the ruins of Gaza with a PowerPoint presentation.
Trump’s Son-in-Law Pitches $112B Tech Utopia on Gaza Rubble
Jared Kushner has been showing a 32-page PowerPoint presentation to nearby countries.
trib.al
December 20, 2025 at 7:20 PM
He is such a detestable human being.
I've been home from Europe a few days and this is probably the worst case of jetlag I have ever had. It doesn't help that the news is full of antiheroes and it is only light between 8am and 4pm. All in all a very tough reentry after four weeks away.
2025 - go home, you're drunk.
2025 - go home, you're drunk.
December 17, 2025 at 11:51 AM
I've been home from Europe a few days and this is probably the worst case of jetlag I have ever had. It doesn't help that the news is full of antiheroes and it is only light between 8am and 4pm. All in all a very tough reentry after four weeks away.
2025 - go home, you're drunk.
2025 - go home, you're drunk.
I taught my last Introduction to US Law class for the semester today in Germany. 🥲
It is easy to be cynical about the state of the US legal system at the moment. However, I agree 100% with Buttigieg here. MAGA does not make me love my country less - it makes me love and want to fight for it more.
It is easy to be cynical about the state of the US legal system at the moment. However, I agree 100% with Buttigieg here. MAGA does not make me love my country less - it makes me love and want to fight for it more.
Buttigieg on Indiana: "The big part of how Trumpism works is to make you feel totally disempowered. To make him feel inevitable. And yet the clear takeaway from this is he is not unstoppable and you are not without power."
December 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I taught my last Introduction to US Law class for the semester today in Germany. 🥲
It is easy to be cynical about the state of the US legal system at the moment. However, I agree 100% with Buttigieg here. MAGA does not make me love my country less - it makes me love and want to fight for it more.
It is easy to be cynical about the state of the US legal system at the moment. However, I agree 100% with Buttigieg here. MAGA does not make me love my country less - it makes me love and want to fight for it more.
One of my students in my Introduction to US Law class here in Germany clearly watches way too many dumb videos about American law and society on the internet, which leads to me to believe that ridiculous nonsense like this is one of our worst exports.
December 10, 2025 at 9:46 AM
One of my students in my Introduction to US Law class here in Germany clearly watches way too many dumb videos about American law and society on the internet, which leads to me to believe that ridiculous nonsense like this is one of our worst exports.
For dinner I had gluhwein, spaetzle with brown sauce, and ice cream. I love Germany.
December 9, 2025 at 8:41 PM
For dinner I had gluhwein, spaetzle with brown sauce, and ice cream. I love Germany.
NOT WRONG
The Supreme Court, Presidency, Senate and two party system are all quite anti-democratic institutions as presently constructed.
Our institutions are not only incapable of preventing tyranny—they’re currently enabling it.
When democracy returns, we need to reform our political system.
Our institutions are not only incapable of preventing tyranny—they’re currently enabling it.
When democracy returns, we need to reform our political system.
December 9, 2025 at 1:37 PM
NOT WRONG
My students gave presentations on shadow docket cases yesterday. 8 groups, 8 cases. The only one the Trump admin lost was Abrego Garcia. Thousands of lives upended without explanation. This is an emergency, folks. Thanks @stevevladeck.bsky.social for shedding light on this ongoing problem.
December 9, 2025 at 8:38 AM
My students gave presentations on shadow docket cases yesterday. 8 groups, 8 cases. The only one the Trump admin lost was Abrego Garcia. Thousands of lives upended without explanation. This is an emergency, folks. Thanks @stevevladeck.bsky.social for shedding light on this ongoing problem.
One week down, one week to go of teaching Introduction to US Law in Germany. I am so, so tired of laws and governments. I want to go home and paint and sew and read and collage and play music for the next six months.
December 8, 2025 at 12:07 PM
One week down, one week to go of teaching Introduction to US Law in Germany. I am so, so tired of laws and governments. I want to go home and paint and sew and read and collage and play music for the next six months.
The signs were there but the people who really need to read them are functionally illiterate AND loathe themselves and others.
If only there had been signs that a group of below average men who espouse misogynist views and are led by an adjudicated rapist would treat their female colleagues poorly.
December 4, 2025 at 8:12 AM
The signs were there but the people who really need to read them are functionally illiterate AND loathe themselves and others.
I mean, I wasn't going to talk about the law of international armed conflict during the 2-week Introduction to American Law course I am currently teaching in Würzburg, considering how much I am already covering.
However, now I feel like I might have to.
I am so very, very tired.
However, now I feel like I might have to.
I am so very, very tired.
December 3, 2025 at 7:04 AM
I mean, I wasn't going to talk about the law of international armed conflict during the 2-week Introduction to American Law course I am currently teaching in Würzburg, considering how much I am already covering.
However, now I feel like I might have to.
I am so very, very tired.
However, now I feel like I might have to.
I am so very, very tired.
Just had my final Italian lesson before I leave tomorrow. We practiced things I can say:
Vorrei mangiare un piato tipico della citta!
Io studio l'italiano ma no parlo molto, mi dispiace. Capisco piu che parlo. Come si dici ___ in italiano?
Scusi, cerco piu vicino supermercato.
Etc. 💕
Vorrei mangiare un piato tipico della citta!
Io studio l'italiano ma no parlo molto, mi dispiace. Capisco piu che parlo. Come si dici ___ in italiano?
Scusi, cerco piu vicino supermercato.
Etc. 💕
November 19, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Just had my final Italian lesson before I leave tomorrow. We practiced things I can say:
Vorrei mangiare un piato tipico della citta!
Io studio l'italiano ma no parlo molto, mi dispiace. Capisco piu che parlo. Come si dici ___ in italiano?
Scusi, cerco piu vicino supermercato.
Etc. 💕
Vorrei mangiare un piato tipico della citta!
Io studio l'italiano ma no parlo molto, mi dispiace. Capisco piu che parlo. Come si dici ___ in italiano?
Scusi, cerco piu vicino supermercato.
Etc. 💕
You'd better believe that I will be mentioning this when I give my talk on current developments in American immigration law in Italy next week.
There is no bottom to the cruelty.
There is no bottom to the cruelty.
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
You'd better believe that I will be mentioning this when I give my talk on current developments in American immigration law in Italy next week.
There is no bottom to the cruelty.
There is no bottom to the cruelty.
Putting it out in the universe - my car (2019 Mini Cooper) needs a new computer/screen. The dealer is telling me the part is backordered. I have contacted some people in Germany to see if I can get the part when I am there the first two weeks in December. Please cross your fingers. I love this car.
November 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Putting it out in the universe - my car (2019 Mini Cooper) needs a new computer/screen. The dealer is telling me the part is backordered. I have contacted some people in Germany to see if I can get the part when I am there the first two weeks in December. Please cross your fingers. I love this car.
RIP to my old laptop, which gave me a good 10 years. I wrote a whole master's thesis on it (in German), and will always be thankful for its service. It can't handle Windows 11, so it's being retired. I also feel so grateful, privileged, and blessed to be able to just buy a new one.
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 PM
RIP to my old laptop, which gave me a good 10 years. I wrote a whole master's thesis on it (in German), and will always be thankful for its service. It can't handle Windows 11, so it's being retired. I also feel so grateful, privileged, and blessed to be able to just buy a new one.
To my representative and senators: RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES, ALL OF THEM.
@repauchincloss.bsky.social
@warren.senate.gov
@markey.senate.gov
@repauchincloss.bsky.social
@warren.senate.gov
@markey.senate.gov
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 17, 2025 at 12:37 AM
To my representative and senators: RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES, ALL OF THEM.
@repauchincloss.bsky.social
@warren.senate.gov
@markey.senate.gov
@repauchincloss.bsky.social
@warren.senate.gov
@markey.senate.gov
I just went to the gym to run on the treadmill, lift some weights, and check in with Fox News. The words that are being used on that station to talk about what happened in Charlotte this weekend are just so ugly. Too many Americans enjoy cruelty and meanness way, way too much. I'm at a loss. 😞
November 17, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I just went to the gym to run on the treadmill, lift some weights, and check in with Fox News. The words that are being used on that station to talk about what happened in Charlotte this weekend are just so ugly. Too many Americans enjoy cruelty and meanness way, way too much. I'm at a loss. 😞
Prepping my upcoming US immigration law presentation and I'm encouraged. Searching for pro-deportation photos only brings up the same 10 pictures of dumb white MAGA losers. Anti-ICE protest pictures, however, are legion and diverse.
Good angels are prevailing. We just need to get them to vote.
Good angels are prevailing. We just need to get them to vote.
I am giving a talk about Trump's immigration policy at an Italian law school next week, and the research I have done to prepare has been so awful. This arrest is just one in a series of horrors to which this gentleman will be subjected, given the current state of ICE detention facilities. 😡
Border Patrol has been targeting the elderly heavily. Today in Santa Ana, that’s almost all they took, including this man and his cane.
November 16, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Prepping my upcoming US immigration law presentation and I'm encouraged. Searching for pro-deportation photos only brings up the same 10 pictures of dumb white MAGA losers. Anti-ICE protest pictures, however, are legion and diverse.
Good angels are prevailing. We just need to get them to vote.
Good angels are prevailing. We just need to get them to vote.
There are not sufficient words to express how much I loathe all of this.
See that Rolex clock and gold bar?
It looks like those Swiss gifts paid off.
Trump cut tariffs on Swiss goods — like luxury watches — from 39% to 15%.
While Trump’s tariffs increase prices for Americans, billionaire CEOs and foreign companies sucking up to Trump get relief.
It looks like those Swiss gifts paid off.
Trump cut tariffs on Swiss goods — like luxury watches — from 39% to 15%.
While Trump’s tariffs increase prices for Americans, billionaire CEOs and foreign companies sucking up to Trump get relief.
November 15, 2025 at 9:37 PM
There are not sufficient words to express how much I loathe all of this.
I am giving a talk about Trump's immigration policy at an Italian law school next week, and the research I have done to prepare has been so awful. This arrest is just one in a series of horrors to which this gentleman will be subjected, given the current state of ICE detention facilities. 😡
Border Patrol has been targeting the elderly heavily. Today in Santa Ana, that’s almost all they took, including this man and his cane.
November 15, 2025 at 4:48 PM
I am giving a talk about Trump's immigration policy at an Italian law school next week, and the research I have done to prepare has been so awful. This arrest is just one in a series of horrors to which this gentleman will be subjected, given the current state of ICE detention facilities. 😡
Trump's handlers probably encourage this ridiculousness. Miller et al. are evil but they're not stupid. They must know how crazy his posts make normal people who are literate and thoughtful. Indeed, they are likely counting on it as a means of keeping our guards down. This is such a bad timeline.
I will never get over the fact that the president of the United States talks and writes like this.
Trump: “I am withdrawing my support and Endorsement of ‘Congresswoman’ Marjorie Taylor Greene…”
November 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Trump's handlers probably encourage this ridiculousness. Miller et al. are evil but they're not stupid. They must know how crazy his posts make normal people who are literate and thoughtful. Indeed, they are likely counting on it as a means of keeping our guards down. This is such a bad timeline.