John Raftery
@johnraftery.bsky.social
630 followers 470 following 600 posts
I coach, mentor and advise university leaders. Interim university president/ VC/ CEO 🇮🇪 in 🇺🇸 “ I cannot be pessimistic, I’m alive.” Cambridge, MA.
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Reposted by John Raftery
thetnholler.bsky.social
WATCH: Trump’s lawless Ice goons shoot an unarmed priest in the head with a pepper ball. Completely out of control.
Reposted by John Raftery
chanda.blacksky.app
our planet. our one and only earth. this is what the colonizers choose to do it with it.
wordglass.bsky.social
Supreme Court refuses Apache plea to save Oak Flat from copper mining destruction

* *Gorsuch dissent calls the decision a “grave mistake” as copper mine threatens to create massive crater

By: Shondiin Silversmith- May 27, 2025 12:54 pm
UPDATED OCT 6TH 2025

1/27
Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr. of Apache Stronghold talks to a crowd of people outside the Sandra Day O’Connor Courthouse on May 7, 2025, as Apache Stronghold urged the federal court to save Oak Flat. Photo Courtesy of Becket
Reposted by John Raftery
donmoyn.bsky.social
Just as a reminder, Bondi’s origin story in Trump world is that she said she was going to investigate Trump University, Trump sent her a $25K check and the investigation disappeared. She later became Trump’s personal defense lawyer. So yeah, don’t challenge her integrity.
atrupar.com
Bondi to Blumenthal: "You lied. How dare you? I'm a career prosecutor. Don't you ever challenge my integrity. Do not question my ability to be fair and impartial."
Reposted by John Raftery
gregsargent.bsky.social
Do CBS News executives understand that MAGA will not be in power forever? I genuinely think this is lost on a lot of people. They've gotten scammed by bad actors into believing Trump's 2024 win represented something seismic and even permanent. I predict they'll look back on this as a serious error.
maxtani.bsky.social
CBS News current president Tom Cibroski praised Weiss on the call, saying "Bari's energy and passion is infectious and you will feel it, big time." He also added that the Free Press and CBS News "are going to learn a lot from each other...that's what this is all about."
Reposted by John Raftery
atrupar.com
NOTABLE -- Pam Bondi refuses to answer direct questions about if the FBI has incriminating photos of Trump with half-naked young women, but instead deflects from them by attacking Sen. Whitehouse
Reposted by John Raftery
jowolff.bsky.social
Extraordinary to look at Trump and take him as a role model.
mancunianmedic.bsky.social
So Jenrick saying he wants to

1. Sack any judges who make decisions he doesn't agree with

2. Interfere with operational policing decisions in a threatening way

Just as well he will never be a cabinet minister again then
Reposted by John Raftery
atrupar.com
Durbin to Bondi: "Although you've been a registered foreign agent for Qatar, you didn't recuse yourself from signing off on Trump's solicitation of a free jet from the royal family, even though this gift was clearly illegal. Connections to Bondi seem to yield more favorable outcomes for defendants."
johnraftery.bsky.social
CNN fail.
lizzieohreally.bsky.social
This picture is from 1992 in LA and using it in this post and story shows terrible news judgment.
cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · 1d
"President Donald Trump and his top aides are using the word 'insurrection' more frequently to describe anti-ICE protests in places like Portland," writes Zachary B. Wolf. https://cnn.it/4pWYmzr
Reposted by John Raftery
tyleraking.com
This is how propaganda works. They slapped an image on this from Los Angeles in 1992 during Rodney King riots.
Winchell's
Donut Hors
Open
Winchell's
Donut House
Two National guardsmen stand guard outside a burning donut shop in Los Angeles on April 30, 1992.
The National Guard was called in to aid police during the second day of rioting in the city. (Mark
Elias/AP)
Reposted by John Raftery
gregsargent.bsky.social
Trump's tweet that Portland is "war ravaged" just backfired. A Trump-picked judge cited it in blocking National Guard deployment to Portland, declaring him "untethered from facts."

On the pod, Oregon AG Dan Rayfield illuminatingly explains the ruling and what's next:
newrepublic.com/article/2014...
Trump’s Own Tweet on Portland Backfires as Judge Deals Him Harsh Loss
As a judge’s blunt ruling blocks Trump from deploying troops in Portland, Oregon’s Attorney General tells us in an interview that Trump’s lawless threats are working against him—and discusses what com...
newrepublic.com
Reposted by John Raftery
monaburns.bsky.social
"There’s another reason Dems should stand strong: Republicans have shown they don’t negotiate in good faith or follow through on their commitments. They’ve used their majorities in Congress to branch to tear up bipartisan agreements, cancel appropriated funds, and attempt to turn Trump into a king."
atrupar.com
New in PN: Dems are winning the shutdown

"If Republicans are on board with Trump’s effort to become a dictator, there’s not much point in negotiating. You might as well force them to own their priorities, including hugely increasing healthcare costs, then use it against them on the campaign trail."
Democrats are winning the shutdown
Republicans, meanwhile, are bumbling and stumbling.
www.publicnotice.co
johnraftery.bsky.social
I don’t think so either.
billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
"We are facing a clear and present authoritarian danger.

In these circumstances, can Democrats in Congress continue to take the position that their demand from the Trump administration is simply to restore health care funding?

I don’t think so."

www.thebulwark.com/p/the-rule-o...
The Rule of Law v. The Rule of Trump
A crisis moment in the defining debate of our time.
www.thebulwark.com
Reposted by John Raftery
robinreed.bsky.social
Greta Thunberg is released. Now she’s going to be an even bigger problem for Netanyahu because she won’t stop. Mad Respect for every person on every boat. ☮️
Reposted by John Raftery
governor.ca.gov
🔊TURN DOWN THE VOLUME

Californians don't want to hear commercials at a volume any louder than what they were previously enjoying their program at.

I just signed legislation enforcing this regulation across streaming platforms.
Reposted by John Raftery
gbrockell.bsky.social
Claim: 10 cars rammed ICE
Truth: No cars rammed ICE

Claim: She boxed ICE in
Truth: ICE boxed her in

Claim: She shot a rifle at ICE
Truth: She did not have a rifle

Claim: ICE returned fire
Truth: Only ICE fired

Claim: She drove herself to the hospital
Truth: Paramedics found her
Reposted by John Raftery
urocklive1.bsky.social
"Hasn't heard that name in so long ..."

Seriously.🙄

Obviously sex-trafficking either shouldn't be a crime, or at least should be a forgivable one. Trump longs for the good old days when important people could do sex-trafficking without condemnation or pesky threats of prison.
acyn.bsky.social
Trump on pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell: Haven't heard the name in so long. I’ll take a look at it. I’ll speak to the DOJ. A lot of people have asked me for pardons.

Reporter: But she’s convicted of sex trafficking

Trump: I’ll have to take a look at it.
johnraftery.bsky.social
They are -in essence-Followers not Leaders.
billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
Not be a sourpuss or anything—but do leading Democrats really have to rush to tell us that they REALLY want to negotiate with Trump, and that they’ll be “at the table” the MOMENT Trump deigns to talk with them? And God forbid they put “on the table” Trump’s use of the military or the Epstein files.
johnraftery.bsky.social
Good news
cwebbonline.com
THE CHICKENS ARE FINALLY COMING HOME TO ROOST

Ryan Walters is out & the investigation floodgates just opened. The Oklahoma AG launched a full audit of Walters’ entire tenure as Superintendent, and it’s about damn time.

Also the education dept website’s being scrubbed of his culture-war nonsense.
🧵
johnraftery.bsky.social
It’s probably a coincidence right? A South Carolina judge who recently ruled against the Government, started receiving death threats and just had her house burned down.
bridget123goooo.bsky.social
The house of SC Judge Diane Goodstein & her husband Arnold, former Democratic State Senator burned down.

Judge Goodstein is the Circuit Court Judge that blocked Trump/DOJ access to SC voter data. She also has been receiving DEATH THREATS for weeks before the fire.
time.com/7323442/sout...
Reposted by John Raftery
markhamillofficial.bsky.social
Same.

#AlsoTiredOfWaitingForTheEPSTEIN_Files
Reposted by John Raftery
jennahollan.bsky.social
Is this the only known photo of Cillian Murphy smiling during promotional work?