Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 1m

A fair question for these folks' constituents to ask would be: "Why, at this moment, did you decide to take an expenses-paid trip to a country that has credibly been accused of genocide and war crimes?"

Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 16m

Good reporting from the ProJo's Kathy Gregg:

"Six Rhode Island lawmakers took an expense-paid trip to Israel in September, following a trip there earlier this year by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos that has now drawn some flak."

These RI lawmakers took an expenses-paid trip to Israel during the Gaza offensive

Six Rhode Island lawmakers were invited by Israel to attend the "50 States, One Israel" trip, with expenses paid by the Israeli government.

www.providencejournal.com

Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 9m

As a Jew and a Rhode Islander, let me say:

2025 is a really fucking weird and creepy time for anyone to take an all-expenses-paid publicity trip to Israel. All the more so if you're a public official.

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 11m

Kathy's piece mentions @jackiegoldman.bsky.social's recent op-ed criticizing Matos's trip. A quote: "it strikes me as hypocritical for Lt. Governor Matos to talk about food deserts in Rhode Island while supporting a political regime that is imposing famine conditions on millions of people."

Lt. Gov. Matos' stance on Israel, hunger in RI a contradiction | Opinion

The writer lauds Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos and her campaign against food deserts in Rhode Island, but is disappointed by her visit to Israel, which has blocked humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

www.providencejournal.com

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 16m

Good reporting from the ProJo's Kathy Gregg:

"Six Rhode Island lawmakers took an expense-paid trip to Israel in September, following a trip there earlier this year by Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos that has now drawn some flak."

These RI lawmakers took an expenses-paid trip to Israel during the Gaza offensive

Six Rhode Island lawmakers were invited by Israel to attend the "50 States, One Israel" trip, with expenses paid by the Israeli government.

www.providencejournal.com

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Philip Bump @pbump.com · 29m

Once upon a time, the social media accounts of federal agencies weren't a stream of fascist, white nationalist garbage interlaced with whiny culture-war posts. Earlier this year, even!

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1h

Trump calls for Brandon Johnson and JB Pritzker to be imprisoned

Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also!

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 2h

🤣 ok maybe that one.

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Asher Hellbein @asherelbein.bsky.social · 19h

No shit I'm furious. I spent eleven years learning to write well about complex topics in ethical ways, often for criminally low rates, because I believe that work's important. It's deeply insulting to see a total dipshit get fabulously wealthy for telling the rich what they want to hear!

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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 13h

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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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 3h

The article:

'Adventurous' RI dentist gives falcon a 'nose job' and saves its life

When a peregrine falcon with a broken beak showed up, dentist Rachael Gilardetti used her dental skills to perform a life-saving repair

www.providencejournal.com

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 3h

What's the deal with "Elbow Street"?

Jerry Seinfeld Stand Up GIF

Alt: Jerry Seinfeld Stand Up GIF

media.tenor.com

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 3h

At no point in this headline did I know what word was coming next.

A close-up photo of a bird's (falcon?) face, above the headline "RI dentist provides lifesaving 'nose job' to peregrine falcon."

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 11h

Elbow Street, in Providence. From earlier today.

A street in the Providence, RI Jewelry District.

Trees stand tall on both sides of the street and create a canopy of leaves over the road.

There are ivy-covered walls on both sides of the street.

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Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 23h

Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?

Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚

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Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 15h

I fear if things don’t change right now, this image is going to come back to haunt us

Laura Rodriguez, on Twitter:

A federal agent points a weapon at a woman who was recording them.

Jess, a U.S. citizen and member of a neighborhood patrol team that documents and shares ICE activity across the city, was filming when the incident occurred earlier today in the Berwyn area.

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 16h

🤣

Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 18h

Another day of excruciating embarrassment for all Americans.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21h

Trump: "We call them the water drugs. The drugs that come in through water. They're not coming. There are no boats anymore. Frankly, there are no fishing boats. There are no boats out there period, if you want to know the truth. Does anybody go fishing anymore?"

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Mel’s Discount Ravens @melthemartian.bsky.social · 22h

@phileil.bsky.social Rhode Island angle just dropped

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 22h

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

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MuckRock @muckrock.com · 22h

You can get your own MuckRock hoodie from our Swag store! (Cat not included) www.muckrock.com/store/

Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 22h

Cat? ✅
@muckrock.com hoodie? ✅

A selfie with an adorable calico kitty — Jill — on my shoulder.

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Amanda Katz @katzish.bsky.social · 22h

This but for news

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 22h

Cat? ✅
@muckrock.com hoodie? ✅

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🏳️‍⚧️ Josephine Riesman @josie.zone · 1d

Ah, God. It's October 7.

Two horrible fucking years.

I don't know what to say that @sirosenbaum.bsky.social and I didn't already say just ten days after it all began:

archive.is/0UsqT

Slate headline: JUDAISM CAN'T JUSTIFY WHAT ISRAEL IS DOING

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 23h

They shoulda put @lukeoneil47.bsky.social in charge of CBS News.

I would actually tune into "CBS News Sunday Morning, brought to you by Hell World."

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 23h

What he just told you: "Let's do the fucking news."

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 23h

Friendship goals:

Frog and Toad Bot @frogandtoadbot.bsky.social · 23h

Toad sat and did nothing. Frog sat with him.

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