Deborah McDowell
@dem8z.bsky.social
Reader, writer, teacher, gardener, seamstress, contrarian. Professor, @WoodsonUVA Alice Griffin Professor of English, University of Virginia. Please, no DMs unless I know you. For professional matters, please contact me via UVA.
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Deborah McDowell
@dem8z.bsky.social
· Feb 24
The World We Want Is Us
It moves my heart to see your awakened faces;
poets.org
Alice Walker, “The World We Want is Us”https://poets.org/poem/world-we-want-us
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
I have observed that a lot of men admire a well maintained car— and a sporty BMW
November 26, 2025 at 11:42 PM
I have observed that a lot of men admire a well maintained car— and a sporty BMW
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
👊
Professors Launch PAC to Fight Back Against Trump’s Attacks
The American Association of University Professors, a union whose members are fighting policies from the Trump administration and GOP Congress, launched a PAC this week to spend in federal elections.
news.bgov.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:18 PM
👊
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
It is not just the market reacting to a relative lack of demand. It is about mortgages, insurance, transit, the infrastructure required to serve stores, and the entire picture of real estate development. It is not a market failure. It is how the entire public/private matrix is engineered.
November 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It is not just the market reacting to a relative lack of demand. It is about mortgages, insurance, transit, the infrastructure required to serve stores, and the entire picture of real estate development. It is not a market failure. It is how the entire public/private matrix is engineered.
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
The only reason Elon bought Twitter was because all the journalists were gathered there in one place, and that gives tremendous power.
For example, Trump used Twitter to win his first Presidency.
Journalists thought the speed of Twitter was helpful; it was, but for the Russians.
For example, Trump used Twitter to win his first Presidency.
Journalists thought the speed of Twitter was helpful; it was, but for the Russians.
November 24, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The only reason Elon bought Twitter was because all the journalists were gathered there in one place, and that gives tremendous power.
For example, Trump used Twitter to win his first Presidency.
Journalists thought the speed of Twitter was helpful; it was, but for the Russians.
For example, Trump used Twitter to win his first Presidency.
Journalists thought the speed of Twitter was helpful; it was, but for the Russians.
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Yeah, he was complimenting your “car” 😉
November 26, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Yeah, he was complimenting your “car” 😉
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
I think we can safely say that the Leavitt's brother called ICE on his ex, the mother of his child, and I have to say: I have no desire to respect, find common ground or share the country with these monsters.
“After Ferreira was detained, Dos Santos Rodrigues said Michael Leavitt Sr. and his father, Bob Leavitt, reached out to her.”
“‘They just kept saying, ‘Tell her to self-deport,’” she recalled. “Self-deport to where? Brazil is not her home.’” www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/26/m...
“‘They just kept saying, ‘Tell her to self-deport,’” she recalled. “Self-deport to where? Brazil is not her home.’” www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/26/m...
‘Brazil is not her home.’ Mother of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew, brought to US as child, detained by ICE. - The Boston Globe
Bruna Ferreira, 33, was brought to the United States as a child in 1998. She is now in removal proceedings in Louisiana.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I think we can safely say that the Leavitt's brother called ICE on his ex, the mother of his child, and I have to say: I have no desire to respect, find common ground or share the country with these monsters.
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Great news! Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, a noted coward, has finally located his big-boy pants and signed the legislature's amazing, ambitious housing bill. Among other things, it nukes parking mandates!
Gov. Lamont signs much-debated CT affordable housing bill after vetoing previous version
The bill is Connecticut's most significant housing legislation in decades.
www.ctinsider.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Great news! Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, a noted coward, has finally located his big-boy pants and signed the legislature's amazing, ambitious housing bill. Among other things, it nukes parking mandates!
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Turns out Mamdani's controversial proposal for government-run supermarkets isn't so novel. Other cities also are toying with the idea to bring fresh, affordable food to communities that do not have easy access to it. Good WSJ read (gift link)
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Inside Atlanta’s First Government-Funded Supermarket
The goal is for the store to become profitable without any government subsidy within three years.
www.wsj.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
People need food. Market won’t provide it. Government should. It’s literally the whole point.
Picked up my 8-year-old car following its 50,000 mile inspection (it still only has 47,000 miles). As I was about to get into the car, a man walked over to say, “That’s one sexy car.” Random me always compliment my car and call it “sexy.” Never thought of a four-door sedan as sexy. Who knew?
November 26, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Picked up my 8-year-old car following its 50,000 mile inspection (it still only has 47,000 miles). As I was about to get into the car, a man walked over to say, “That’s one sexy car.” Random me always compliment my car and call it “sexy.” Never thought of a four-door sedan as sexy. Who knew?
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Yeah - Russia, Russia, Russia - a hoax, right?
November 26, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Yeah - Russia, Russia, Russia - a hoax, right?
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
I wonder whose decision it was to throw Noem under the bus.
#USDemocracy
Kristi Noem made decision to continue deportation flights to El Salvador despite judge’s order, DOJ acknowledges | CNN Politics share.google/CkGmT5s7Mwwg...
#USDemocracy
Kristi Noem made decision to continue deportation flights to El Salvador despite judge’s order, DOJ acknowledges | CNN Politics share.google/CkGmT5s7Mwwg...
DOJ acknowledges Kristi Noem made decision to continue deportation flights to El Salvador despite judge’s order | CNN Politics
The Justice Department said in a new court filing Tuesday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made the decision to continue with flights carrying migrants being deported to a mega-prison in E...
share.google
November 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I wonder whose decision it was to throw Noem under the bus.
#USDemocracy
Kristi Noem made decision to continue deportation flights to El Salvador despite judge’s order, DOJ acknowledges | CNN Politics share.google/CkGmT5s7Mwwg...
#USDemocracy
Kristi Noem made decision to continue deportation flights to El Salvador despite judge’s order, DOJ acknowledges | CNN Politics share.google/CkGmT5s7Mwwg...
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Whole lotta activity hiding behind that passive-voice “dissolve”
November 26, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Whole lotta activity hiding behind that passive-voice “dissolve”
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
The holidays are also a high-risk time for women and children facing domestic violence. Consider donating to local organizations that give resources families in crisis. Today, I’m donating to La Casa Des Las Madres in San Francisco. www.lacasa.org/donate
Donate — La Casa de las Madres
Make the world safer tomorrow, today.
www.lacasa.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The holidays are also a high-risk time for women and children facing domestic violence. Consider donating to local organizations that give resources families in crisis. Today, I’m donating to La Casa Des Las Madres in San Francisco. www.lacasa.org/donate
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Donations of money, rather than food, help food banks to feed more people and help to keep them resourced through the summer months, when kids are out of school and need for food assistance is greatest.
ACCFB Donate Now
Help support ACCFB today!
donate.accfb.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Donations of money, rather than food, help food banks to feed more people and help to keep them resourced through the summer months, when kids are out of school and need for food assistance is greatest.
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. While I’m in the spirit of thinking of how lucky I am, I like to donate to my local food bank—this year, that’s Alameda County Community Food Bank. donate.accfb.org/search/Donat...
ACCFB Donate Now
Help support ACCFB today!
donate.accfb.org
November 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. While I’m in the spirit of thinking of how lucky I am, I like to donate to my local food bank—this year, that’s Alameda County Community Food Bank. donate.accfb.org/search/Donat...
Well, what do you know? Another criminal case against Terra Cotta has been dismissed. He has “now seen three criminal cases against him dissolve since he was re-elected last year.”
A nation of Laws?
Judge Dismisses Georgia Election Interference Case Against Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
A nation of Laws?
Judge Dismisses Georgia Election Interference Case Against Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Judge Dismisses Georgia Election Interference Case Against Trump
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Well, what do you know? Another criminal case against Terra Cotta has been dismissed. He has “now seen three criminal cases against him dissolve since he was re-elected last year.”
A nation of Laws?
Judge Dismisses Georgia Election Interference Case Against Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
A nation of Laws?
Judge Dismisses Georgia Election Interference Case Against Trump www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Does one prosecutor have the right to determine that a case like this can just be dismissed before being heard by a court? Can't someone else take up the case from where F Willis left off?
November 26, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Does one prosecutor have the right to determine that a case like this can just be dismissed before being heard by a court? Can't someone else take up the case from where F Willis left off?
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Speaking of Dred Scott, the decision in Shelby County to eviscerate the Voting Rights Act - based on the absurd premise that southern states' suppression of black voting rights was a thing of the past - was arguably the worst SCOTUS decision since Dred Scott, and one they may double down on shortly.
November 26, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Speaking of Dred Scott, the decision in Shelby County to eviscerate the Voting Rights Act - based on the absurd premise that southern states' suppression of black voting rights was a thing of the past - was arguably the worst SCOTUS decision since Dred Scott, and one they may double down on shortly.
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Unavoidable conclusion: SCOTUS has put 1 man in America above the law & created a king. Not the first time a case has been decided wrong. The fix for democracy lies, as it did in Dred Scott, with fixing a broken decision. Hopefully this one won’t require a civil war. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Judge Dismisses Georgia Election Interference Case Against Trump
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Unavoidable conclusion: SCOTUS has put 1 man in America above the law & created a king. Not the first time a case has been decided wrong. The fix for democracy lies, as it did in Dred Scott, with fixing a broken decision. Hopefully this one won’t require a civil war. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
So what? The courts did not dismiss the case based on that.
Why did this guy just completely give up on an airtight case that ALREADY HAD numerous guilty pleas??
Any reasonable prosecutor could have stepped in and finished the case with a successful conviction.
Why did this guy just completely give up on an airtight case that ALREADY HAD numerous guilty pleas??
Any reasonable prosecutor could have stepped in and finished the case with a successful conviction.
November 26, 2025 at 4:34 PM
So what? The courts did not dismiss the case based on that.
Why did this guy just completely give up on an airtight case that ALREADY HAD numerous guilty pleas??
Any reasonable prosecutor could have stepped in and finished the case with a successful conviction.
Why did this guy just completely give up on an airtight case that ALREADY HAD numerous guilty pleas??
Any reasonable prosecutor could have stepped in and finished the case with a successful conviction.
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
A prosecutor who recently took over the Georgia election interference case against Trump has dismissed charges against the president and others
New Prosecutor Won't Pursue Charges Against Trump And Others In Georgia Election Interference Case
The prosecutor handling the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others has decided not to pursue it further.
www.huffpost.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:13 PM
A prosecutor who recently took over the Georgia election interference case against Trump has dismissed charges against the president and others
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Students like ebooks because they are available when the library isn’t open, but if the print collection is grossly outdated they can’t use it even if they wanted to do so.
November 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Students like ebooks because they are available when the library isn’t open, but if the print collection is grossly outdated they can’t use it even if they wanted to do so.
Reposted by Deborah McDowell
Due to annual cost increases in database subscription costs, even flat funding for a university library is a 5-10% budget cut in practice. Now imagine that happening for a decade.
November 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Due to annual cost increases in database subscription costs, even flat funding for a university library is a 5-10% budget cut in practice. Now imagine that happening for a decade.