Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 2h

Did they interview anyone in the Administration to confirm or deny the intended composition of what was depicted?

Let’s spend some time on this issue. I think it should be the first question at every press conference for a while.

Ask if they’re developing this as a weapon of war?

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 4h

President Trump posted what appeared to be an A.I.-generated video on social media showing him wearing a crown and flying a jet labeled “King Trump” that dumps brown liquid on protesters. He shared the video on Saturday, the same day that protesters participated in mass “No Kings” demonstrations.

Trump Posts Fake A.I. Video of Himself Flying a ‘King Trump’ Jet Over Protesters

President Trump shared what appeared to be an A.I.-generated video on social media. It shows Mr. Trump wearing a crown and flying a jet that dumps brown liquid on demonstrators.

nyti.ms

Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 3h

The systemic solution is (as usual) breaking up the monopolies to allow artists to negotiate with multiple companies.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 3h

Back then we didn't have the confluence of social media algorithms that narrow people's world view to the most engaging (i.e. upsetting) content. People still had newspapers, radio and national TV news that at least ascribed to the idea of neutrality.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 9h

And illegal. Using government resources for partisan purposes is a violation of the Hatch Act. I think. Not a lawyer. Still felt good to report it.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 9h

Reported for illegal activity (Hatch Act) then blocked.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 9h

I’m going to block you.

The people who illegally tried to fire half your staff clearly don’t care about a shutdown.

And your post is clearly a violation of the #HatchAct.

When we go back to an actual government that isn’t posting about raining poop on us we can talk. Goodbye.

Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 17h

I mean, we had an idiot in a truck give us the finger and briefly pretend he was headed to run us over before he continued down the road.

But in my area I have had people pull me aside and whisper to ask if I’m not a Republican because they’re afraid of being socially isolated.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 17h

Oh, yeah, and someone yelled “JD Vance loves you” and none of us could figure out the point of that.

Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 1d

Same in Ohio.

Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 1d

This was as we were walking along the road…no sidewalks.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 1d

On my way home from Bainbridge Ohio. Lots of thumbs up from passing motorists. One driver gave us the finger and turned as if to run us over (not at all close to doing it though).

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 1d

Don’t forget about the plagiarism! And the lack of giving credit/sourcing for anything.

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Reposted by Ruth Spanos

Olga Nesterova @onestpress.onestnetwork.com · 5d

Document signed at yesterday's peace summit in Egypt outlines only broad principles for Gaza's future, highlighting ongoing challenges to achieving lasting resolution to the conflict.
Trump, leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey signed the agreement. The warring parties—Israel and Hamas, did not.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 6d

Maybe they think he's the anti Christ? Don't some of them think that they'll get raptured sooner if the anti Christ gets to be in charge of stuff?

Reposted by Ruth Spanos

StrictlyChristo 🐸❌👑 @strictlychristo.bsky.social · 7d

Starting October 14th, the Trump administration will ban Non-Binary+Intersex people (including citizens) from entering/leaving the country (via plane) through CBP passport changes
www.gtlaw-insidebusinessimmigration.com/u-s-customs-...

CBP Enforces Binary Sex Codes and Enhanced US Passport Validation in APIS

CBP enforces binary sex codes and stricter US passport validation in APIS effective October 2025. Key compliance updates for business travelers and airlines.

www.gtlaw-insidebusinessimmigration.com

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Reposted by Ruth Spanos

Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 8d

Huh: TikTok took down my 8-second video featuring this image of Debbie Brockman — the news producer just detained by Trump’s CBP agents — saying it violates the “joy of TikTok”

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 8d

I think it refers to trying to cut a rope or similar thing that is suspended in air. If it is not under tension, it’s extremely difficult to cut with a knife. When pulled taut, it can be slashed more easily.

Reposted by Ruth Spanos

Charles Ghoul-ba ✡️ @charlesgaba.com · 9d

As others have said:

I don't want technology to write for me so I have more time to do the laundry, I want technology to do the laundry for me so I have more time to write.

Juno Rylee Schultz @junoryleejournalism.com · 10d

David Simon, creator of ‘The Wire’, being interviewed by Ari Shapiro (NPR)

SHAPIRO: OK, so you've spent your career creating television without Al, and I could imagine today you thinking, boy, I wish I had had that tool to solve those thorny problems...
SIMON: What?
SHAPIRO: ...Or saying...
SIMON: You imagine that?
SHAPIRO: ...Boy, if that had existed, it would have screwed me over.
SIMON: I don't think Al can remotely challenge what writers do at a fundamentally creative level.
SHAPIRO: But if you're trying to transition from scene five to scene six, and you're stuck with that transition, you could imagine plugging that portion of the script into an Al and say, give me 10 ideas for how to transition this.
SIMON: I'd rather put a gun in my mouth.

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Reposted by Ruth Spanos

The Daily Show @thedailyshow.com · 10d

The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 9d

Ham sandwich indeed! (Apparently there’s a saying about a good prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich).

The thing is…is there actually anyone competent left in the DOJ?

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 10d

When they wake up they will find all their personal belongings have intertwined

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 10d

I was going to say Sondheim, then remembered he wasn’t living anymore and got sad.

Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 10d

Huh?

Johnson should be the subject of the sentence.

Please stop framing everything through partisanship.

Everyone who lives in her district is losing their representation….not just Democrats.

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Ruth Spanos @rspanos.bsky.social · 10d

If only Kagan had understood the problem better.

Would she allow therapists to explore curing a patient’s cancer or lupus through talking? Would that be freedom of speech?

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Reposted by Ruth Spanos

Little Lobbyists @littlelobbyists.com · 10d

@npr.org: About 1 in 100 children in the U.S. is born with a congenital heart defect. But for babies or young kids with the most serious ailments, there is no artificial heart specifically designed for them.

Little Lobbyists @littlelobbyists.com · 10d

This 4-year-old's heart is failing. A federal grant that might help him was canceled

via @npr.org

This 4-year-old's heart is failing. A federal grant that might help him was canceled

A Cornell University researcher has been developing an artificial heart for children for more than 20 years. Now, his research is on hold and his lab is shut down.

www.npr.org

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