Liam O'Mara IV, PhD
@liamomaraiv.bsky.social
310 followers 16 following 2.1K posts
Snarky history professor and political commentator; bibliophile; anti-nationalist libsoc antifa mountain man; geeky cat & bird dad; views are entirely my own, not my employer's.
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On #ThisDayInHistory in 1966, the #BlackPantherParty was founded in Oakland by #HueyPNewton and #BobbySeale. A #socialist group, it operated health clinics and provided free food to school children. This scared Washington into unleashing #COINTELPRO and murdering its leaders...
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1987, #ThomasSankara, revolutionary leader of #BurkinaFaso, was murdered in a #coup by Blaise Compaore, whose rule was deemed more acceptable by the capitalist/imperialist powers. He was finally convicted in 2022 for killing the Marxist leader and gaoled.
A spiritual-intellectual descendant of #Nietzsche who shares his birthday, #MichelFoucault was born on #ThisDayInHistory in 1926. The French philosopher and historian expanded Nietzsche's genealogical method and critique of power, notably in 1975's seminal #DisciplineAndPunish.
On #ThisDayInHistory, in 1844, Classical philologist and iconoclastic philosopher #FriedrichNietzsche was born in Röcken, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. His influence on 20th century philosophy is hard to overstate, and his later appropriation by fascist idiots is impossible to forgive.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1977, Christian bigot and anti-LGBT campaigner #AnitaBryant got a pie to the face during an appearance. Folding hate and judgement into Christian messaging is a betrayal of the Gospels. Actual love involves acceptance, not condemnation.
#ThusAlwaysToBigots
On #ThisDayInHistory in 1066, Harold Godwinson, the last Saxon king of England, may've taken an arrow in the eye at the #BattleOfHastings. A victorious #WilliamTheBastard rebranded himself "the Conqueror", giving us centuries of Norman French rule and this confusing language.
One fun activity we (my partner and I) enjoy is a visit to the #arboretum at #HeapsPeak. It is free to use if you have the #AdventurePass from California State Parks. These pics are from a recent sunset walk, which is always a beautiful thing to see with the love of one's life.
On #ThisDayInHistory, yours truly was almost killed at the beginning of my academic career, when a white truck jumped in front of me, I slammed brakes, and a truck in the next lane ploughed into my door, sending the car into a wall. I've been grateful for every day since then.
To-day is #IndigenousPeoplesDay, or #ColumbusDay if you are an arsehole. Columbus was a literal slave trader and paedophile monster who thought he was in India. I am one of those "left-wing arsonists" that #Trump accuses of trying to "destroy his name and dishonour his memory."
To-day we have #BritishBlues great #JohnMayall of #England (#UK).

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#PsychedelicSunday #LunchtimeListens
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On #ThisDayInHistory in 1937, #OswaldMosley held a #fascist rally in #Liverpool. He snapped a Nazi salute and was then struck in the head twice by stones. People then stood up to fascist terrorism but we're in a world where #antifa is somehow bad while #ReformUK & #MAGA are okay?
Here is Dr Gabor Maté talking about humanizing the Other and forgiveness in the context of the 7 October attacks. The responsibility he takes near the end for being triggered is priceless and an example for us all.

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Gabor Maté on Forgiveness and Humanity after 7 October
YouTube video by Office Hours with the Mad Professor
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#StephenMiller pretended to freeze on live teevee after saying the quiet part out loud. The video feed clearly still works -- he just stopped talking after saying the president has "plenary" power, i.e., full and unlimited power. These #neofascists have made us a #dictatorship.
In celebration of human difference, and as a #MidnightMeditations entry, on #ThisDayInHistory was born the American author #EdgarAllanPoe. Some of his poetry was powerfully appealing to me at an earlier point in my life.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2023, eight #Palestinian militias operating from the #GazaStrip launched an attack into Israel that caused 815 civilian deaths. It was a response to long-term occupation, but engaged in what must be called terrorism, as civilians should never be targeted.
On #ThisDayInHistory in 2001, the US launched the #AfghanWar, and with it the current iteration of its so-called #WarOnTerror. This global imperialist conflict has caused an estimated 4.5 million+ deaths and continues to subvert democratic institutions.

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On #ThisDayInHistory in 1944, #Sonderkommando, the Jewish slaves working #GasChambers and crematoria at #AuschwitzBirkenau, revolted. They destroyed the No.4 crematorium and almost 500 were killed fighting the #Nazis. Women from the attached camp who supplied gunpowder were shot.