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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 2h

"They win when society cracks, creating a self-enforcing set of expectations, in which everyone shuts up and complies because everyone expects everyone else to shut up and comply, too.

"Those who oppose authoritarianism have to play a different game... (con't)"

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/o...

Opinion | Where Trump Is Vulnerable and How to Act on It

www.nytimes.com

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 4h

Agreed.

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 5h

Oh nooo about the pepper spray. Those costumes are basically big balloons with a fan intake.

That said, absolutely love this as a laser cut/print image!

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 7h

I realize it's not your central point, but Leo is the "University Librarian and Dean of Libraries," as the previous dean was. CD got the title wrong.

library.virginia.edu/staff/yrq5ns

Leo S Lo | UVA Library

library.virginia.edu

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

RAJU: You swore in 2 GOP members during pro forma session. Why not swear in Grijalva? Does it have to do w/her signature on Epstein petition?

JOHNSON: It has nothing to do with that. We'll swear her in when everybody is back

R: Why not now?

J: Uh - we'll schedule it, I guess, as soon as she wants

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Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social · 1d

This is Adelita Grijalva.

She was elected to Congress two weeks ago, officially making her the final vote needed to force the release of the Epstein files.

She has still not been sworn in because Mike Johnson refuses to do so.

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Adrienne Wood @adriennewood.bsky.social · 1d

This student journalist for the Cav Daily nails it. www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...

If it seems that this Compact is merely a formal declaration of the culture war the Trump administration has waged for the past year, or even the terms of peace, do not be deceived. By putting all of the administration’s demands into writing, and very subjective writing at that, the Trump administration has grounds to revoke federal funding whenever they view the University in violation of the Compact. This is not a legally binding document — there is no protection for the University if the issuer fails to hold up their side of the bargain. Federal funding is not guaranteed here, as it is reliant on an extremely movable goalpost. Giving in now will be held over the University for years to come, and likely over whomever the new University president is.

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In This Economy? @thiseconomy.bsky.social · 2d

Dr. Teeth AND The Electric Mayhem? In this economy?

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Janet Spittler @janetspittler.bsky.social · 2d

For anyone at UVa who hasn’t seen this yet! “Universities’ only proper response to this “compact”…is to offer absolutely nothing. There is no revised version of this compact…compatible with the independence of universities and their continuing vitality as venues for free speech and free inquiry.”

Joey Fishkin @fishkin.bsky.social · 3d

I thought I'd put the administration's proposed "compact" with universities in context, so I wrote the blog post below.

It's especially for journalists covering this story!

Many details about how the compact itself works and why the administration has retreated to this strategy.

Balkinization: The Art of Replacing the Law with the Deal

A group blog on constitutional law, theory, and politics

balkin.blogspot.com

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 3d

The "compact" sent to UVA and others from the federal government:

"...is about control. Specifically it is about turning existing federal law, over which the administration has limited control, into terms of a “deal” that offers the government much more control."

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 3d

for any UVA folks that follow me you should circulate this among your networks balkin.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-...

Balkinization: The Art of Replacing the Law with the Deal

A group blog on constitutional law, theory, and politics

balkin.blogspot.com

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 3d

Glad I'm not the only one!

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birdcat89.bsky.social @birdcat89.bsky.social · 4d

Are you an alum from one of the 9 schools the federal government just attacked? Sign this alumni petition now to support your school, defend democracy, and build a grassroots movement for campus freedom across America. alumni.controlshift.app/petitions/tr...

STAND WITH YOUR SCHOOL: Trump attacks 9 universities. Sign the alumni petition now.

Are you an alum from one of the 9 schools the federal government just attacked? Sign this alumni petition now to support your school, defend democracy, and build a grassroots movement for campus freed...

alumni.controlshift.app

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Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 4d

Although it remains to be seen what effect it will have in the end, I was proud that the faculty senate at UVA voted to pass a “Resolution Opposing the ‘Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education’.” Many students turned out brandishing signs that read “UVA CANNOT BE BOUGHT.”

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Janet Spittler @janetspittler.bsky.social · 5d

And the University of Virginia faculty senate passes a resolution opposing the “Compact” sent to our interim president by the Department of Education. Lots of students in the room with signs opposing the compact (like “protect free speech”). 60 in favor; 2 opposed.

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Sarah Milov @allofmilov.bsky.social · 5d

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 5d

Shameful!

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 5d

With its supposed commitment to free speech I hope the UVA BOV can see this as well.

Deborah McDowell @dem8z.bsky.social · 5d

“the government cannot condition a benefit on a recipient having to give up a constitutional right.”

Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...

Opinion | Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion

www.nytimes.com

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Laprofmme @laprofmme.bsky.social · 6d

“Schools that sign the compact are asked to police themselves by hiring an independent auditor to conduct anonymous polling among faculty, students and staff to evaluate the university’s performance against the agreement. The results would be made public and reviewed by the Justice Department.”

Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · 6d

www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
It's one thing to succumb to the stick, but Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, Penn, USC, MIT, UT, Arizona, Brown, and UVA absolutely must refuse to go chasing after promises of carrots.

Exclusive | White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement to Get Funding Advantage

An initial round of nine schools is being asked to sign a wide-ranging accord.

www.wsj.com

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 6d

I'm gonna watch it when it snows!

Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 6d

Whaaaaat

Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 6d

Guts!!!!

One of my doggos takes glee in this same activity.

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Senator Mark Warner @markwarner.bsky.social · 7d

These lies are pissing me off.

This isn’t about health care for undocumented immigrants – that’s already against the law.

It’s about the fact that Republicans are intentionally skyrocketing your premiums.

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University of Virginia Library @uvalibrary.bsky.social · 7d

A couple of interesting sculptures popped up outside of Shannon & Harrison/Small ... if you're walking by take a look.

A papier-mâché sculpture of a stack of books, in front of UVA’s Harrison/Small building.

A fabric is showcased outdoors, draped over a structure with a beige skirt at the base, set against a backdrop of trees and academic buildings with white columns.

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Amber R. @theambericanway.bsky.social · 7d

I just checked and it's true: this is the third time Trump has shut down the government WHILE HIS PARTY controls both bodies of Congress.

What a leader.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governm...

Government shutdowns in the United States - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

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ghost malone ergo propter malone @proptermalone.bsky.social · 7d

this is the third time Donald Trump has shut down the government while his party controls both houses of Congress

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