@susansears.bsky.social
Writer, poet. Semi-hiding behind redheaded cat. Fmr. academic, recovering reporter/editor. 'Burgh raised, lived in France, Italy, Jerusalem. AU alumna.
Reposted
I have a hard telling the Tufted Titmice apart, but I can recognize this one. This bird has a bit of fluff on the left wing. This feather has been like this since last Fall. It'll eventually molt away but for now it's fun to tell when this particular little one is around.
January 18, 2026 at 11:29 PM
I have a hard telling the Tufted Titmice apart, but I can recognize this one. This bird has a bit of fluff on the left wing. This feather has been like this since last Fall. It'll eventually molt away but for now it's fun to tell when this particular little one is around.
Reposted
Aurora a good bet this evening - look as soon as it gets dark.
At KP9, aurora is often viewable around DC even with urban lights.
Although aurora may be visible to the naked eye in such an intense event, cell phone cameras and other long-exposure photography will capture it more strongly.
At KP9, aurora is often viewable around DC even with urban lights.
Although aurora may be visible to the naked eye in such an intense event, cell phone cameras and other long-exposure photography will capture it more strongly.
January 19, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Aurora a good bet this evening - look as soon as it gets dark.
At KP9, aurora is often viewable around DC even with urban lights.
Although aurora may be visible to the naked eye in such an intense event, cell phone cameras and other long-exposure photography will capture it more strongly.
At KP9, aurora is often viewable around DC even with urban lights.
Although aurora may be visible to the naked eye in such an intense event, cell phone cameras and other long-exposure photography will capture it more strongly.
Reposted
Small but also BIG news from the garden step bird café: in the last 24 hrs my garden robin, the one who came in the house to tell me the mealworms had run out, has found a mate! I usually silence my films but you can hear how completely delighted I am. He was showing her around! Ngl bit tearful rn❤️❤️
January 19, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Small but also BIG news from the garden step bird café: in the last 24 hrs my garden robin, the one who came in the house to tell me the mealworms had run out, has found a mate! I usually silence my films but you can hear how completely delighted I am. He was showing her around! Ngl bit tearful rn❤️❤️
Reposted
What plume of feathers is he that indited this letter?
What vane? What weathercock?
What vane? What weathercock?
January 19, 2026 at 7:49 PM
What plume of feathers is he that indited this letter?
What vane? What weathercock?
What vane? What weathercock?
Reposted
NEW — DHS just posted this as an apparent explanation for why they arrested an elderly US citizen with no criminal record (it's a quote post of a post about ChongLy Thao's arrest.) The implication seems to be that all Asian men look the same, and it's not their fault they mistook one for another.
January 19, 2026 at 9:41 PM
NEW — DHS just posted this as an apparent explanation for why they arrested an elderly US citizen with no criminal record (it's a quote post of a post about ChongLy Thao's arrest.) The implication seems to be that all Asian men look the same, and it's not their fault they mistook one for another.
Reposted
Read @andreapitzer.bsky.social, folks.
January 19, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Read @andreapitzer.bsky.social, folks.
Reposted
I have a big post coming out about this tomorrow. We just recorded the podcast episode for it this afternoon. I think it will clarify things for a lot of people.
The original concentration camps didn't start as death camps. But they did kill a lot of people through neglect, malnutrition, disease, and individual murders.
There's no distinction between this facility and dachau in 1933.
There's no distinction between this facility and dachau in 1933.
A third immigrant detainee at facility in El Paso has died, ICE says.
January 19, 2026 at 10:40 PM
I have a big post coming out about this tomorrow. We just recorded the podcast episode for it this afternoon. I think it will clarify things for a lot of people.
Reposted
I understand the temptation to gawk at the freakshow that is Thomas Chatterton Williams, but your morning will be richer if you do not try to parse an empty mind.
January 19, 2026 at 4:01 PM
I understand the temptation to gawk at the freakshow that is Thomas Chatterton Williams, but your morning will be richer if you do not try to parse an empty mind.
Reposted
There’s no state news that can effectively counterbalance what’s happening right now in MN. But there are good things happening in VA, and they give me some solace. boltsmag.org/virginia-con...
"It's Time": Virginia Lawmakers Ask Voters to Repeal Jim Crow-Era Lifetime Ban on Voting - Bolts
Voters will decide this year whether to end Virginia’s uniquely harsh felony disenfranchisement rules. They'll also vote on abortion, gay marriage, and redistricting.
boltsmag.org
January 19, 2026 at 10:02 PM
There’s no state news that can effectively counterbalance what’s happening right now in MN. But there are good things happening in VA, and they give me some solace. boltsmag.org/virginia-con...
Reposted
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
Opinion | In Minneapolis, I Glimpsed a Civil War
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:56 PM
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
Reposted
For those saying “oh but the cabinet are all sycophants.” Yes. We know.
It’s called PRESSURE. You pressure the system until something gives. Micro cracks in the wall until some bricks start to come loose.
It’s called PRESSURE. You pressure the system until something gives. Micro cracks in the wall until some bricks start to come loose.
The 25th Amendment must be invoked by the cabinet. I’m all for pressuring them. Congressional Dems should lead the charge. Not on Bluesky or Threads. Let’s do it.
Invoke the 25th Amendment.
January 19, 2026 at 10:58 PM
For those saying “oh but the cabinet are all sycophants.” Yes. We know.
It’s called PRESSURE. You pressure the system until something gives. Micro cracks in the wall until some bricks start to come loose.
It’s called PRESSURE. You pressure the system until something gives. Micro cracks in the wall until some bricks start to come loose.
Reposted
I just went outside as the sun went down & the sky was watercolour-washed with pink,long tailed tits were flitting about silhouetted against it,a dunnock was singing & far above a flock of redwings flew towards their roost.It was beautiful & I captured a very few seconds of it (sorry it’s not more):
January 17, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I just went outside as the sun went down & the sky was watercolour-washed with pink,long tailed tits were flitting about silhouetted against it,a dunnock was singing & far above a flock of redwings flew towards their roost.It was beautiful & I captured a very few seconds of it (sorry it’s not more):
Reposted
A female Dark-eyed Junco of the slate-colored subspecies. Males have their top half all gray, while females can have a good amount of brown.
January 17, 2026 at 11:11 PM
A female Dark-eyed Junco of the slate-colored subspecies. Males have their top half all gray, while females can have a good amount of brown.
Reposted
What happens when orphaned elephants grow up? Do they remember their human family?
We've reintegrated nearly 200 orphans – and they never truly forget their Keepers. Now? They protect them in return.
Read more: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/n...
We've reintegrated nearly 200 orphans – and they never truly forget their Keepers. Now? They protect them in return.
Read more: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/n...
January 17, 2026 at 2:36 PM
What happens when orphaned elephants grow up? Do they remember their human family?
We've reintegrated nearly 200 orphans – and they never truly forget their Keepers. Now? They protect them in return.
Read more: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/n...
We've reintegrated nearly 200 orphans – and they never truly forget their Keepers. Now? They protect them in return.
Read more: sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/n...
Reposted
A premium ginger loaf from 1972.
January 14, 2026 at 3:09 AM
A premium ginger loaf from 1972.
Reposted
January 17, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Reposted
Four GOP Senators.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
I can't repeat this enough.
I've said this before and I'll say it again.
It would only take a tiny handful of Republican Congress members or senators to stop the slide of America toward authoritarian fascism, but nope. They're all in.
It would only take a tiny handful of Republican Congress members or senators to stop the slide of America toward authoritarian fascism, but nope. They're all in.
January 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Four GOP Senators.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
At most four Repubs in the House.
Together they could stop nearly all the mad-king's rampages. They would be known to history as Profiles in Courage. They might/would lose the next election. But people have sacrificed a lot more, for a lot less.
Reposted
Getting asked about how academics can continue to do science & inspire trainees even in the midst of a continued (escalated) assault on science, reason, truth, & human rights. I don’t have great answers.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
January 17, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Getting asked about how academics can continue to do science & inspire trainees even in the midst of a continued (escalated) assault on science, reason, truth, & human rights. I don’t have great answers.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
I would love to hear from mentors about advice they’re giving to trainees/ colleagues.
Reposted
I support our nation’s troops
Hundreds of anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis chased off a small group of far-right activists, pelting them with water balloons in the freezing cold
Anti-ICE Demonstrators Chase Off Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter With Water Balloons At Minneapolis Rally
Some in the crowd tossed water balloons that soaked the right-wing demonstrators as temperatures hit -4 degrees Fahrenheit with the wind chill.
www.huffpost.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:45 AM
I support our nation’s troops
Reposted
the best window decor is a cat
January 18, 2026 at 1:20 AM
the best window decor is a cat
Reposted
If a Minnesotan says to you, "I don't plan to let you do that," run.
January 17, 2026 at 11:47 PM
If a Minnesotan says to you, "I don't plan to let you do that," run.
Reposted
jd vance would sell his *own* children for a percocet if he thought it would get him closer to the presidency
NEW: JD Vance supported US strikes on Iran this week and reasoned that Trump had to enforce his own red line, per sources. It was a surprise role reversal for a politician who built his identity on opposing Middle East wars with a loose connection to core US interests
January 18, 2026 at 1:21 AM
jd vance would sell his *own* children for a percocet if he thought it would get him closer to the presidency
Reposted
By day and night he wrongs me, every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other
That sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it.
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
On every trifle.
He flashes into one gross crime or other
That sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it.
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
On every trifle.
January 16, 2026 at 2:27 AM
By day and night he wrongs me, every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other
That sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it.
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
On every trifle.
He flashes into one gross crime or other
That sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it.
His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us
On every trifle.
Reposted
the only good thing about this part of the horrible shooting story is that it may turn out to be a gut shot for the carcass of @cbsnews.com and that's great. and unlike the ICE goon CBS has real internal bleeding.
January 16, 2026 at 4:20 PM
the only good thing about this part of the horrible shooting story is that it may turn out to be a gut shot for the carcass of @cbsnews.com and that's great. and unlike the ICE goon CBS has real internal bleeding.
Reposted
Update: A judge has ruled that ICE must release Gibson by noon on Friday.
Good example of the kind of people ICE is extrajudicially targeting. www.minnpost.com/public-safet...
Attorney: No proper warrant for Minneapolis man's arrest in home
The arrest of Garrison Gibson came in a city increasingly on edge after an immigration agent shot and killed Renee Good last week.
www.minnpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Update: A judge has ruled that ICE must release Gibson by noon on Friday.