Marian Shinn
@marianshinn.bsky.social
Cape Town is my home. My dogs are my best pals. Humanist. Retired politician. Scud and I help kids read. Creative writing, photography are hobbies. Read for pleasure all the books sidelined while working. Err on the side of generosity.
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Villagers’ cries drowned out by flood focus on Kruger. "When infrastructure for wildlife viewing receives dedicated funding mechanisms before [displaced] families receive adequate shelter, a hierarchy of value is revealed," writes Lindiwe Mazibuko www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/opinion-and-...
LINDIWE MAZIBUKO | Villagers’ cries drowned out by flood focus on Kruger
Government prioritises tourism infrastructure over displaced families, writes Lindiwe Mazibuko
www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za
February 1, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Villagers’ cries drowned out by flood focus on Kruger. "When infrastructure for wildlife viewing receives dedicated funding mechanisms before [displaced] families receive adequate shelter, a hierarchy of value is revealed," writes Lindiwe Mazibuko www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/opinion-and-...
Reposted by Marian Shinn
„Putin has promised Trump many things. But the people of Ukraine see no benefit from them. On the contrary, they are forced to freeze in darkness because the consequences of the Russian attacks are devastating. Journalism should focus on facts, not announcements.“
Vassili Golod
Vassili Golod
January 31, 2026 at 4:00 AM
„Putin has promised Trump many things. But the people of Ukraine see no benefit from them. On the contrary, they are forced to freeze in darkness because the consequences of the Russian attacks are devastating. Journalism should focus on facts, not announcements.“
Vassili Golod
Vassili Golod
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Bruce Springsteen Revives the Protest Song, Condemns ICE Violence in “Streets of Minneapolis”
Bruce has the courage that our politicians & CEOs don't.
Bruce has the courage that our politicians & CEOs don't.
Bruce Springsteen Revives the Protest Song, Condemns ICE Violence in “Streets of Minneapolis”
If there’s a silver lining to our tumultuous times, it’s that musicians are reviving the protest song, a tradition that has withered since the end of the Vietnam War.
www.openculture.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Bruce Springsteen Revives the Protest Song, Condemns ICE Violence in “Streets of Minneapolis”
Bruce has the courage that our politicians & CEOs don't.
Bruce has the courage that our politicians & CEOs don't.
Reposted by Marian Shinn
The Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals aligning with ICE are “prying Christianity further and further away from the ethic and teachings of Jesus,” Peter Wehner argues.
MAGA Jesus Is Not the Real Jesus
Trump is causing incalculable damage to the Christian faith, yet most evangelicals will never break with him.
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 8:15 AM
The Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals aligning with ICE are “prying Christianity further and further away from the ethic and teachings of Jesus,” Peter Wehner argues.
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Hong Kong’s ambition to become a hub for gold is getting a boost as the metal keeps breaking records.
Here’s how the city plans to become a global center for bullion ⤵️
Here’s how the city plans to become a global center for bullion ⤵️
Build the Vault and They Will Come: Hong Kong’s Gold Hub Ambitions
The quest to become a global hub as gold keeps breaking records.
bloom.bg
January 29, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Hong Kong’s ambition to become a hub for gold is getting a boost as the metal keeps breaking records.
Here’s how the city plans to become a global center for bullion ⤵️
Here’s how the city plans to become a global center for bullion ⤵️
Reposted by Marian Shinn
The EU urgently needs to rethink its cyber defenses as it faces an unprecedented volume and pace of attacks, the head of the bloc's cyber agency told POLITICO.
‘We’re losing massively’: EU cyber chief warns Europe’s defenses lag
Europe is investing heavily in security but not enough in cyber, bloc’s cyber agency chief says.
www.politico.eu
January 29, 2026 at 8:50 AM
The EU urgently needs to rethink its cyber defenses as it faces an unprecedented volume and pace of attacks, the head of the bloc's cyber agency told POLITICO.
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Madhav Gadgil, who died last month, was an influential Indian scientist whose ideas were shaped by his exposure to culturally + ecologically important fig trees. I wrote about how these extraordinary trees informed a vision for people-centric conservation. planetficus.substack.com/p/figs-fores... 🌏🧪
Figs, Forests and the Fight for People-Focused Conservation
How India’s pre-eminent ecologist Madhav Gadgil followed fig trees from sacred groves to a radical vision for governing forests.
planetficus.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Madhav Gadgil, who died last month, was an influential Indian scientist whose ideas were shaped by his exposure to culturally + ecologically important fig trees. I wrote about how these extraordinary trees informed a vision for people-centric conservation. planetficus.substack.com/p/figs-fores... 🌏🧪
Reposted by Marian Shinn
President Trump is placing simultaneous pressure on the five pillars that stabilize modern democracies: the Federal Reserve, the courts, U.S. alliances, law enforcement legitimacy, and public trust, creating systemic risk.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/the-presid...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/the-presid...
January 24, 2026 at 8:01 PM
President Trump is placing simultaneous pressure on the five pillars that stabilize modern democracies: the Federal Reserve, the courts, U.S. alliances, law enforcement legitimacy, and public trust, creating systemic risk.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/the-presid...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/the-presid...
Reposted by Marian Shinn
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is headed to Davos to challenge President Donald Trump's economic agenda.
Gavin Newsom used to be a Davos regular. What's behind his surprising return this week?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is headed to Davos to challenge President Donald Trump's economic agenda.
www.businessinsider.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:09 AM
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is headed to Davos to challenge President Donald Trump's economic agenda.
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Here’s a short poem about the power of poetry to change the world.
January 18, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Here’s a short poem about the power of poetry to change the world.
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Trump is running with his incorrect claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria, much like he ran with the absurd claims of white genocide in South Africa—and *both* Christian and Muslims in Nigeria will suffer the consequences. trib.al/mP4qZxm
December 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Trump is running with his incorrect claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria, much like he ran with the absurd claims of white genocide in South Africa—and *both* Christian and Muslims in Nigeria will suffer the consequences. trib.al/mP4qZxm
Reposted by Marian Shinn
A year-end special from me:
The 25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin, in ranking order. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...
The 25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin, in ranking order. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...
25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin
The worst of the worst, ranked 1-25.
open.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
A year-end special from me:
The 25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin, in ranking order. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...
The 25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin, in ranking order. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...
Reposted by Marian Shinn
#ICYMI, from our magazine: “Bitcoin miners in general, if you map out across the United States, this is my opinion, are taking advantage of small rural communities that don’t have the wherewithal to fight back.”
Crypto's Cryptic Texas Takeover
State regulators don't want you to know about the 60-plus Bitcoin mines guzzling public water and electricity—even though consumers are already paying the price.
www.texasobserver.org
December 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM
#ICYMI, from our magazine: “Bitcoin miners in general, if you map out across the United States, this is my opinion, are taking advantage of small rural communities that don’t have the wherewithal to fight back.”
Reposted by Marian Shinn
The Japanese entertainment company Sony is taking a majority stake in Peanuts Holdings, owner of the rights to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and other cartoon characters created by Charles Schulz
Sony takes control of Charlie Brown and Snoopy in $460m deal
www.thetimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The Japanese entertainment company Sony is taking a majority stake in Peanuts Holdings, owner of the rights to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and other cartoon characters created by Charles Schulz
Reposted by Marian Shinn
In 2026, the call remains clear: less hate and authoritarianism, more brave truth tellers — more Mkhwanazis.
In 2026 we need less Nazis, more Mkhwanazis
amabhungane.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:02 AM
In 2026, the call remains clear: less hate and authoritarianism, more brave truth tellers — more Mkhwanazis.
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Lakanwal used to serve in a CIA-backed military unit and moved to the U.S. with help from Operation Allies Welcome, an initiative to help resettle Afghans in danger from the Taliban, yet was struggling to find work and felt abandoned by the CIA after working together for so long. trib.al/bqIln1f
Alleged National Guard Shooter Pleaded for Help From CIA
Rahmanullah Lakanwal was struggling to find work and felt abandoned by the CIA after working together for so long, his fellow unit member said.
trib.al
December 1, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Lakanwal used to serve in a CIA-backed military unit and moved to the U.S. with help from Operation Allies Welcome, an initiative to help resettle Afghans in danger from the Taliban, yet was struggling to find work and felt abandoned by the CIA after working together for so long. trib.al/bqIln1f
Reposted by Marian Shinn
ICC has taken 'confidential' measures to protect court from US sanctions, officials say - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/icc-taken-confidential-measures-protect-court-us-sanctions-officials-say
ICC has taken 'confidential' measures to protect court from US sanctions, officials say
Judges and prosecutors say they 'will survive' measures by US and Russia as 24th annual meeting of member states kicks off
www.middleeasteye.net
December 1, 2025 at 7:43 PM
ICC has taken 'confidential' measures to protect court from US sanctions, officials say - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/icc-taken-confidential-measures-protect-court-us-sanctions-officials-say
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Reminder that Starbucks’ CEO made 6,666x more than the company's median employee in 2024.
This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500.
And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?
This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500.
And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?
December 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Reminder that Starbucks’ CEO made 6,666x more than the company's median employee in 2024.
This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500.
And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?
This was the widest CEO-to-Worker pay gap in the entire S&P 500.
And we're supposed to believe Starbucks can't afford to bargain a fair contract with its unionized workers?
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Into the Top 5, now and Brian Bilston is back with a new collection - How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside
We'll be getting signed copies, obviously:
bertsbooks.co.uk/product/how-...
We'll be getting signed copies, obviously:
bertsbooks.co.uk/product/how-...
November 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Into the Top 5, now and Brian Bilston is back with a new collection - How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside
We'll be getting signed copies, obviously:
bertsbooks.co.uk/product/how-...
We'll be getting signed copies, obviously:
bertsbooks.co.uk/product/how-...
Reposted by Marian Shinn
Democrats have accomplished all they could hope to from the shutdown, David Frum argues. Watch more in the latest episode of “The David Frum Show”:
MAGA Has Repulsed Young Women
Sarah Longwell on the growing voting divide between the sexes, the 2025 elections, and how Donald Trump remade electoral politics. Plus: David Frum discusses the deal to end the government shutdown and “The Emergency,” by The Atlantic’s George Packer.
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Democrats have accomplished all they could hope to from the shutdown, David Frum argues. Watch more in the latest episode of “The David Frum Show”:
Reposted by Marian Shinn
For folks (and journalists) who want to search the Oversight Committee email texts, I made a database for searching the 20k text files:
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
Epstein Document Search
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
November 13, 2025 at 1:12 AM
For folks (and journalists) who want to search the Oversight Committee email texts, I made a database for searching the 20k text files:
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
Reposted by Marian Shinn
"School cellphone bans, like the one in New York, won’t solve every danger on the internet, but they’re a reasonable first step toward addressing one of the most pressing dangers facing teenagers like me." www.thebulwark.com/p/teenager-h...
I’m a Teenager. Here’s How We Can Protect Kids From Online Harm.
Practical suggestions for schools and families.
www.thebulwark.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"School cellphone bans, like the one in New York, won’t solve every danger on the internet, but they’re a reasonable first step toward addressing one of the most pressing dangers facing teenagers like me." www.thebulwark.com/p/teenager-h...
Reposted by Marian Shinn
New from me on @lawfaremedia.org: how Trump violated the law to pay the military.
It's a long piece that goes into why it's illegal (with helpful analogies), what other abuses this unlocks if you believe presidents should have this power, what recourse there is, etc.
It's a long piece that goes into why it's illegal (with helpful analogies), what other abuses this unlocks if you believe presidents should have this power, what recourse there is, etc.
How Trump Violated the Law to Pay the Military
The president spent research and development money to pay the troops, violating appropriations law and a slew of other statutes.
www.lawfaremedia.org
October 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM
New from me on @lawfaremedia.org: how Trump violated the law to pay the military.
It's a long piece that goes into why it's illegal (with helpful analogies), what other abuses this unlocks if you believe presidents should have this power, what recourse there is, etc.
It's a long piece that goes into why it's illegal (with helpful analogies), what other abuses this unlocks if you believe presidents should have this power, what recourse there is, etc.
Reposted by Marian Shinn
“Launching missiles over two people in a small boat is a war crime."
“Gringos, go home”: Latin America reacts to Trump’s expanding military campaign
"It could inflame South America."
www.motherjones.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
“Launching missiles over two people in a small boat is a war crime."
Reposted by Marian Shinn
King Charles III dedicated Britain’s first national memorial to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender troops, 25 years after the U.K. ended a ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.
King Charles III dedicates Britain’s first national memorial to LGBTQ+ troops
www.stripes.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:02 PM
King Charles III dedicated Britain’s first national memorial to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender troops, 25 years after the U.K. ended a ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.