Charlie Sherpa
@fobhaiku.bsky.social
1.7K followers 1.3K following 690 posts
Read my books: http://amzn.to/36pzbf9 Freelance editor, writer, poet, humorist. OEF veteran by way of BFE. Admin: The Aiming Circle. Opinions & jokes my own. https://linktr.ee/randysherpabrown
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fobhaiku.bsky.social
Part of an on-going personal project to constructively complicate people's understandings of what it means to live and die in the Middle West!
middlewestpress.bsky.social
NEW! HAUNTING VISIONS OF 'FLYOVER COUNTRY!'

“Cryptids, Kaiju & Corn: Poems and Micro-Stories about Modern Midwest Monsters”
- Print: amzn.to/47buzvn
- Kindle e-book: amzn.to/3ZSvQn0

Short poems & 300-word narratives that illuminate, celebrate, or challenge stereotypes of Midwestern identity!
Book cover of "Cryptids, Kaiju & Corn" anthology features a giant, shambling creature towering over a lone humanoid figure walking through a flowery forest. Text reads: "NOW ON SALE! More than 50 fresh visions and explorations regarding the ‘forgotten’ terrain and deep recesses of the American Midwest!"
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
adamweinstein.bsky.social
I'm old enough to remember this guy's predecessor as speaker calling into Fox News from a secure location on Jan. 6 to beg MAGA rioters to stop. "This is so un-American," he said, as the pro-Trump protesters attacked police.
atrupar.com
Mike Johnson: "We've always stood with Capitol police and law enforcement. We've shown that in word and deed."
fobhaiku.bsky.social
(AOL voice while crossing NIPR & SIPR, back when rule of law was still a thing): “You Have Jail!”
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
bookjockeyalex.bsky.social
Setting aside graverobbing woman who died in no small part due to men exploiting her image, copyright violations aren't "growing pains." It's literally the law. They’re breaking the law. Without copyright law, there is no creative industry, and without a creative industry, there is no genAI.
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
gregpak.net
I frequently say you don't need to protest. You don't! There are a thousand other ways to push back on fascism if protesting doesn't feel comfortable or safe for you!

But if you CAN go, this 10/18 #NoKings thing is really a key protest to participate in. Be part of it, friends.
gregpak.net
NO KINGS, y'all! October 18! Find a rally near you and GO!

nokings.org
Graphic with a cartoon bald eagle carrying an upside-down crown over a banner reading "NO KINGS." Now in glorious color with a bit of 35mm film clouds at sunset as the background. NO KINGS logo and nokings.org URL at bottom right.
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
irishali13.bsky.social
For your Tuesday
We Lived Happily During the War
~ ILYA KAMINSKY
—And when they bombed other people's houses, we protested
but not enough, we opposed them but not enough.
We Lived Happily During the War
BY ILYA KAMINSKY
And when they bombed other people's houses, we
protested
but not enough, we opposed them but not
enough. I was
in my bed, around my bed America
was falling: invisible house by invisible house by invisible house.
I took a chair outside and watched the sun.
In the sixth month
of a disastrous reign in the house of money
in the street of money in the city of money in the country of money, our great country of money, we (forgive us)
lived happily during the war.
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
dreadships.bsky.social
There's a Goodness Gracious Me sketch based on the Indian dad who claims everything is secretly Indian in origin, and on this occasion he'd be right
nickkodama.bsky.social
lol they're doing the thing again
Serving in the U.S. Navy was one of the greatest honors of my life.
Happy 250th Birthday to the United States Navy. INS Godavari (F20)+INS Brahmaputra (F31)+INS Beas (F39).jpg
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
jamellebouie.net
obviously john roberts and the trump majority aren't going a little thing like "history" or "the written text of the constitution" get in the way of their ideological drive to remake the (republican) presidency as an elected dictatorship.
Originalist ‘Bombshell’ Complicates Case on Trump’s Power to Fire Officials
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
ceaubin.bsky.social
What The Hell Is Going On, a thread:

I’ve seen some thinkpieces and posts about Portland protests that fail to understand the long-term hyperspecificity of Portland culture/humor, and frame it as a sort of shitposting meme-pilled ironic thing. Which is wrong.

So I’m gonna give you my breakdown.
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
chicago.suntimes.com
A majority of Chicago residents don’t believe deploying the National Guard is a solution to crime in the city, and oppose the military and National Guard being used to help in deportations, according to findings from a recent survey.
Most Chicagoans think using the National Guard for policing is 'unacceptable,' poll finds
A survey conducted in September reveals that a majority of Chicago residents oppose the National Guard intervening in local policing and deportation efforts.
trib.al
fobhaiku.bsky.social
Fellow U.S. Army veteran @hogwashwriting.bsky.social's novel "Sly Fox Hollow" has bite and humor—just the way we like our cryptids! We were thrilled when he gave "Cryptids, Kaiju & Corn" an early review!

More info on the anthology: amzn.to/47buzvn

And find Brett Allen's books here! amzn.to/497e6cW
middlewestpress.bsky.social
“You’ll find no pumpkin-spice lattes here. It’s monster season!’””
—Brett Allen, author of the Midwest cryptids novel “Sly Fox Hollow”& the GWOT service comedy “Kilroy Was Here”

Info on the anthology:
- Print: amzn.to/47buzvn
- Kindle: amzn.to/3ZSvQn0

And find Brett's books here! amzn.to/497e6cW
Image: Book cover of "Cryptids, Kaiju & Corn" anthology features a giant, shambling creature towering over a lone humanoid figure walking through a flowery forest

Text: “[T]he perfect book for the cryptid-curious reader who doesn’t mind losing a little sleep! You’ll find no pumpkin-spice lattes here. It’s monster season!’””
—Brett Allen, author of the Midwest cryptids novel “Sly Fox Hollow”& the GWOT service comedy “Kilroy Was Here”
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
washingtonpost.com
A fight between President Trump, Illinois Gov. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson has often played out in a quiet suburb that is home to an ICE processing facility where most of those detained in “Operation Midway Blitz” are initially taken.
How a small Chicago suburb became a flash point in ICE’s crackdown
Broadview is home to an ICE facility that is at the center of the ongoing feud between Trump and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Residents are ready for it to be over.
www.washingtonpost.com
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
inkstickmedia.com
"On top of that fact, prosecuting people for adhering to an anti-fascist political worldview would, of course, violate the First Amendment, but the only time the issue of free speech came up was when the president said it no longer existed."

Read & subscribe for free:
The Bizarre, Alarming White House 'Antifa Roundtable'
Plus, Stephen Miller's belief in absolute presidential authority, the French far right's renewed push, and ICE's surveillance plans.
inkstick.substack.com
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
lutzfernandez.bsky.social
"...the evidence indicates that the Department of Homeland Security is detaining pregnant women at alarming rates, in rapidly deteriorating detention conditions...'There are cases of people who clearly meet the criteria not to be detained, and that ICE has gone ahead and detained anyway...'"
The Trump Administration Is Hiding How Many Pregnant People Are in ICE Detention
The evidence indicates ICE is detaining pregnant women at alarming rates, in rapidly deteriorating conditions.
theintercept.com
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
tomjoscelyn.bsky.social
“I spent three nights and three days in federal custody. During that time, I was never told what I was charged with, was not allowed to shower despite being covered in tear gas and pepper spray, had no phone call to my family, and no access to an attorney.” - George Retes, U.S. citizen and veteran.
I’m a US citizen and a veteran. ICE arrested me for no reason.
Jailed for three days without an explanation or ability to notify anyone, George Retes argues the only path to healing starts with the government taking accountability for its actions.
newsletter.ofthebrave.org
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
starsandstripes.bsky.social
SPAM AND THE MILITARY | Spam was famously supplied to World War II American and Allied troops, who would jokingly call it "ham that didn't pass its physical."
How Spam fed US troops and became an international phenomenon
www.stripes.com
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
avishaybsg.bsky.social
🧵 I'm excited to share that my article "Democratic Backsliding and the Limits of Civilian Control of the Military" has been accepted @thejop.bsky.social.

It answers the question "how ought militaries act when civilian leaders turn on democratic institutions?"

1/
#CivMilSky #PolTheory
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
charliejane.bsky.social
Today is National Coming Out Day!

It's also Freedom to Read Day, aka the last day of Banned Books Week.

This feels right — because the main reason they try to ban books is to keep people from dreaming they could ever come out.

My latest newsletter: buttondown.com/charliejane/...
They Want To Ban Books To Keep Us From Coming Out
Quick housekeeping! I’m doing a flurry of events once again: Tuesday I’ll be in the Koret Auditorium at the SF Public Library talking about banned books for...
buttondown.com
Reposted by Charlie Sherpa
beamjockey.bsky.social
All too easily underestimated, Doctor Demento has been a significant force in spreading appreciation of popular music.

Again I ask: Will a university, perhaps *your* university, award to Barry Hansen an honorary doctorate?

#DrDemento
danpasternack.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 is a milestone in comedy history. Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the 1st SNL, today is also the final new Dr. Demento show. After 55 years, Barret Hansen is hanging up his top hat. Please go to drdemento.com to hear his all time demented top 40 countdown special.
Dr. Demento
drdemento.com