Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mike Hirschberg @vstol.bsky.social · 7d

Very insightful comments from the leader of the Catholic Church. Those who say that they had to vote from Trump because of their Catholic faith are selective in which part of their religions they decide to pay attention to. How about we all respect all life — past, present and future?

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 7d

Pope Leo XIV has spoken out about abortion and the “inhuman treatment of immigrants” in the U.S., calling for Americans and Catholics around the world to show “greater respect for one another” in rare comments addressing Trump administration policies. https://wapo.st/4nzo9w2

Mike Hirschberg @vstol.bsky.social · 9d

This opinion by @shadihamid.bsky.social puts a very fine point on something that I struggle with daily as a devout Christian. How can someone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior find these words acceptable? "I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.” May the Lord forgive us all.

Washington Post Opinions @postopinions.bsky.social · 9d

"How can a faith tradition emphasizing sacrifice, humility and enemy-love navigate the messy — and increasingly violent — world of American politics?" @shadihamid.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/46LxMAy

Opinion | Two versions of Christianity battle for America’s soul

Charlie Kirk’s memorial shows how politics is reshaping this religious faith.

wapo.st

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Mike Hirschberg @vstol.bsky.social · 9d

This opinion by @shadihamid.bsky.social puts a very fine point on something that I struggle with daily as a devout Christian. How can someone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior find these words acceptable? "I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.” May the Lord forgive us all.

Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

Shadi Hamid @shadihamid.bsky.social · 20d

One of the biggest mistakes left-of-center pundits and influencers made was decamping to Bluesky. They made themselves irrelevant, shrunk their audiences, and dramatically lessened the positive impact they could have on our public debate at the precise time we needed it most.

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Mike Hirschberg @vstol.bsky.social · 16d

@vanjones.bsky.social: "Violence like this should compel people in both parties to turn down the heat, seek common ground and look for off-ramps from the vitriol — as Kirk was doing with me, the day before he died."

CNN @cnn.com · 18d

CNN's Van Jones reveals what Charlie Kirk messaged him one day before his assassination. https://cnn.it/4ndwHsl

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Mike Hirschberg @vstol.bsky.social · 19d

My recent article about cuts to #NASA #Aeronautics, particularly the elimination of the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (#RVLT) project. There's still a chance to save America's civil #VTOL scientific research leadership if Congress approves NASA's full budget!

www.forbes.com/sites/mikehi...

NASA Cuts Imperil Vertical Flight Technology Leadership

Proposed cuts to NASA's aeronautics budget would have a outsized impact on critical research for civil and military helicopters and advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft.

www.forbes.com

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

Jessica Berlin @berlinbridge.bsky.social · 19d

Turkey already demonstrated the most effective response to Russian violations of NATO airspace 10 years ago: Warn them off, and if they ignore the warning, shoot them down.
Do nothing and Russia will keep coming. Hit back and they back down. The choice is ours. #Article4 #Estonia

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Mike Hirschberg @vstol.bsky.social · 19d

Very cool!

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ACLU @aclu.org · 19d

This policy is a baseless violation on the freedoms of transgender, non-binary, and intersex people.

We’ve challenged President Trump’s attempt to restrict our passports before, and won — we’re not stopping now.

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow it to limit sex designations on passports

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow it to enforce a policy that would restrict sex designations on passports to “male” and “female” based on sex assigned at birth.

www.nbcnews.com

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

ACLU @aclu.org · 19d

Freedom of expression is critical to the health of our democracy.

ABC and Nexstar's decision to capitulate to the Trump administration's demands threaten our First Amendment rights.

ABC Pulls ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Indefinitely After Host’s Charlie Kirk Comments

Nexstar, one of the biggest owners of US TV stations, said will preempt Jimmy Kimmel's late night show due to the host's Charlie Kirk remarks.

variety.com

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Mike Hirschberg @vstol.bsky.social · 19d

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist...
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/a...

Martin Niemöller: "First they came for the Socialists..." | Holocaust Encyclopedia

Learn about the origins and legacy of Pastor Martin Niemöller's famous postwar words, “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out…”

encyclopedia.ushmm.org

Mike Hirschberg @vstol.bsky.social · 19d

The Aug. 28 Trump Executive Order states #NASA that is "determined to have as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work." So it can no longer have a labor union.

@nasawatch.bsky.social with the story: nasawatch.com/personnel-ne...

No More Union For You

the following email was sent out today across NASA

nasawatch.com

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

ACLU @aclu.org · 19d

Shameful.

Media companies like ABC and Nexstar must defend freedom of expression, not give in to President Trump.

ABC takes Jimmy Kimmel off the air over remarks on Charlie Kirk’s killing

The decision to indefinitely preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” follows backlash to comments the late-night show host made about the killing of Charlie Kirk.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

ACLU @aclu.org · 19d

When he's right, he's right.

Tucker Carlson says Trump admin using Charlie Kirk’s killing to trample free speech

Conservative voice speaks out after the White House cracks down on critics of Charlie Kirk since his assassination

www.independent.co.uk

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

NPR @npr.org · 20d

Most Jewish Americans disapprove of the Trump administration withholding funds from colleges to address anti-Jewish sentiment, according to a new survey.

Most American Jews say Trump is using antisemitism as an 'excuse' to silence free speech at universities

Most Jewish Americans disapprove of the Trump administration withholding funds from colleges to address anti-Jewish sentiment, according to a new survey.

n.pr

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

NPR @npr.org · 20d

White House executive orders and legislation in many states have targeted the rights and protections of trans people. For some, that has meant increased financial worry.

New policies are making life harder for trans people — and prompting big financial decisions

White House executive orders and legislation in many states have targeted the rights and protections of trans people. For some, that has meant increased financial worry.

n.pr

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

Vertical Flight Society @vtolsociety.bsky.social · 20d

The new #Vertiflite magazine is online! This issue features the US Army's Flight School Next #helicopter pilot training, along with stories about MagLev Aero, MightyFly and Sikorsky: vtol.org/news/septemb...

Join the Vertical Flight Society for a free subscription! vtol.org/what-we-do/b...

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

ACLU @aclu.org · 20d

The First Amendment is clear: Government officials cannot use their power to censor free speech.

Gray graphic reading “This is beyond McCarthyism. Trump officials are repeatedly abusing their power to stop ideas they don’t like, deciding who can speak, write, and even joke.
The Trump administration's actions, paired with ABC's capitulation, represent a grave threat to our First Amendment freedoms” The quote is attributed to Christopher Anders, on ABC's decision to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel".

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

Senator Mark Warner @markwarner.bsky.social · 21d

For years, @kaine.senate.gov and I tried to raise the alarm – DCA was already at capacity and never needed additional flights.

The most crowded runway in the country should have never had more flights pushed onto it by out-of-state lawmakers.

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

Senator Tim Kaine @kaine.senate.gov · 20d

Happy 78th birthday to the U.S. Air Force!

Thank you to the men and women of the Air Force for your service and sacrifice. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will keep working to support our servicemembers and ensure the Air Force has the resources to defend America and our skies.

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

NPR @npr.org · 20d

High-profile politicians and performers are criticizing the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show as an attack on free speech. They are calling for the Trump administration and ABC to be held accountable.

Democrats and Hollywood stars decry Kimmel's suspension as government censorship

High-profile politicians and performers are criticizing the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's show as an attack on free speech. They are calling for the Trump administration and ABC to be held accountable.

n.pr

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

ACLU @aclu.org · 20d

The Trump administration can’t threaten to punish media organizations like ABC and the New York Times because they don't like what they have to say.

The right to speak freely, protest peacefully, choose our own religious practice, and access a free press is foundational to our democracy.

Navy blue graphic reading "1st Amendment of the United States Constitution
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

ACLU @aclu.org · 20d

Whether it's private television companies or nonprofit organizations, any government attempt to pressure an organization or individual to stop its speech because of its viewpoint violates the First Amendment — and the highest court in our nation agrees.

ACLU @aclu.org · 20d

"Government officials cannot attempt to coerce private parties in order to punish or suppress views that the government disfavors."

— Justice Sonia Sotomayor, delivering the unanimous decision of the court in NRA v. Vullo

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

ACLU @aclu.org · 20d

The Trump administration is villainizing and punishing those who dare to express anything but unequivocal support for its political views.

Such censorship is profoundly harmful to a free society — but it can be stopped if we resist it together.

Protecting Free Speech in the Face of Government Retaliation

Since Charlie Kirk’s killing, the government has threatened to punish anyone who speaks ill of the conservative free speech activist. This violates the First Amendment.

www.aclu.org

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Reposted by Mike Hirschberg

NPR @npr.org · 19d

More intense future wildfires, fueled by further climate change, could lead to 70,000 deaths from smoke exposure a year, according to a new study.

Wildfire smoke is killing Americans. A new study quantifies how much

More intense future wildfires, fueled by further climate change, could lead to 70,000 deaths from smoke exposure a year, according to a new study.

n.pr

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