James D'Emilio
@demiliopics2.bsky.social
Bronx born Medievalist, Art Historian, Hispanist, Lover of Italy and Antiquity
New site: www.jamesdemilio.com
Swept up by politics these days, but I do post photos on ancient, medieval, and Christian art. Check @capitalsandmore.bsky.social for art only.
New site: www.jamesdemilio.com
Swept up by politics these days, but I do post photos on ancient, medieval, and Christian art. Check @capitalsandmore.bsky.social for art only.
Wilmar Toledo-Martinez came to the US at 15. His wife and two children are United States citizens.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Senator says ICE ‘attack dog’ caused ‘horrific’ injuries to unresisting man as he was detained
Patty Murray of Washington state said ICE agents lied to Wilmer Toledo-Martinez to lure him outside before dog attacked him
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Wilmar Toledo-Martinez came to the US at 15. His wife and two children are United States citizens.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by James D'Emilio
If the Sep. 2 boat really had "narco-terrorists" on board, questioning the survivors would have been a way to learn about how the organization worked, where more drugs were stashed, etc. But this isn't a counter-terrorism campaign. It's a shooting gallery with helpless targets.
December 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
If the Sep. 2 boat really had "narco-terrorists" on board, questioning the survivors would have been a way to learn about how the organization worked, where more drugs were stashed, etc. But this isn't a counter-terrorism campaign. It's a shooting gallery with helpless targets.
Reposted by James D'Emilio
“The raw & rank racism here stinks to high heaven." #PrayForAmerica www.boston.com/news/nationa...
National Park Service drops free admission on MLK Day, Juneteenth while adding Trump's birthday
Some civil rights leaders voiced opposition to the change after news about it began spreading over the weekend.
www.boston.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
“The raw & rank racism here stinks to high heaven." #PrayForAmerica www.boston.com/news/nationa...
Reposted by James D'Emilio
For #AncientSiteSunday here's an amazingly well preserved dolmen in Portugal's Alentejo: the Anta Grande da Comenda da Igreja. This enormous megalithic structure only has the top half showing above ground!
Come take a virtual visit by video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFSV...
Come take a virtual visit by video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFSV...
November 30, 2025 at 1:06 PM
For #AncientSiteSunday here's an amazingly well preserved dolmen in Portugal's Alentejo: the Anta Grande da Comenda da Igreja. This enormous megalithic structure only has the top half showing above ground!
Come take a virtual visit by video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFSV...
Come take a virtual visit by video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFSV...
Reposted by James D'Emilio
I honestly don’t understand why any real soccer fan would want to go to this World Cup.
But if you do, check out this thread so you are prepared for the costs.
But if you do, check out this thread so you are prepared for the costs.
As Trump and Infantino work the red carpet, bragging about setting records for ticket prices.
(video below)
Lets break down what “record prices" really mean for football fans and host countries.
An important thread.
1/10
(video below)
Lets break down what “record prices" really mean for football fans and host countries.
An important thread.
1/10
December 7, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I honestly don’t understand why any real soccer fan would want to go to this World Cup.
But if you do, check out this thread so you are prepared for the costs.
But if you do, check out this thread so you are prepared for the costs.
Reposted by James D'Emilio
NEWS: On day of Kristi Noem visit to Chicago, federal immigration agents use tear gas on Elgin crowd. By Rebecca Johnson and @staceywescott.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/i...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/i...
On day of Kristi Noem visit to Chicago, federal immigration agents use tear gas on Elgin crowd
Federal immigration agents deployed tear gas and pepper spray Saturday on a crowd that gathered to protest a prolonged arrest in a northwest Chicago suburb, angering neighbors who said it’s “uncall…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:25 AM
NEWS: On day of Kristi Noem visit to Chicago, federal immigration agents use tear gas on Elgin crowd. By Rebecca Johnson and @staceywescott.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/i...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/06/i...
Reposted by James D'Emilio
Not sure what others think but seems ICE has escalated in the Chicago suburbs as their activity lessened in Chicago. They obviously haven’t left the city either but seems they’ve gotten even more aggressive in the suburbs.
Federal agents involved in crash while conducting enforcement in Elgin, police say
YouTube video by WGN News
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Not sure what others think but seems ICE has escalated in the Chicago suburbs as their activity lessened in Chicago. They obviously haven’t left the city either but seems they’ve gotten even more aggressive in the suburbs.
Reposted by James D'Emilio
It's not just the former Honduran president either: Trump gave clemency to Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover who ran a 35-state, multi-million $ dollar drug operation AND Ross Ulbricht the tech bros who ran Silk Road, a massive online illegal drug marketplace. www.ice.gov/news/release...
Archived: HSI seizes biggest anonymous drug black market website and assists in arrest of operator and overseas co-conspirators
Ross William Ulbricht, aka Dread Pirate Roberts and DPR, 29, of San Francisco, was charged in a three-count indictment in the District of Maryland with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance,...
www.ice.gov
December 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM
It's not just the former Honduran president either: Trump gave clemency to Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover who ran a 35-state, multi-million $ dollar drug operation AND Ross Ulbricht the tech bros who ran Silk Road, a massive online illegal drug marketplace. www.ice.gov/news/release...
In an age of outrage politics and suspicion of experts, institutions and supposed "intellectual" elites, I wonder how pollsters correct for the "fuck you" bias of respondents being deliberately provocative, especially if a question already describes options as ones regarded as "conspiracy theories"
*More than half of the GOP believe the 2020 election outcome was the result of fraud
*More than 4 out of 10 believe 9/11 was an inside job
*37% believe the Holocaust did not happen or was exaggerate
*36% believe NASA faked the moon landing
*1 in 3 believe vaccines cause autism
*More than 4 out of 10 believe 9/11 was an inside job
*37% believe the Holocaust did not happen or was exaggerate
*36% believe NASA faked the moon landing
*1 in 3 believe vaccines cause autism
December 6, 2025 at 1:55 PM
In an age of outrage politics and suspicion of experts, institutions and supposed "intellectual" elites, I wonder how pollsters correct for the "fuck you" bias of respondents being deliberately provocative, especially if a question already describes options as ones regarded as "conspiracy theories"
Good for Biden. NYTimes notes Democrats' unease and polls supporting Trump's bigoted policies. Whether transgender rights or immigration, political parties must shape public opinion and define terms of debate. GOP and Trump have done so, wobbly Dems chase polls.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
Biden Slams Republicans for Using L.G.B.T.Q. Identity as ‘Political Football’
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Good for Biden. NYTimes notes Democrats' unease and polls supporting Trump's bigoted policies. Whether transgender rights or immigration, political parties must shape public opinion and define terms of debate. GOP and Trump have done so, wobbly Dems chase polls.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/u...
Reposted by James D'Emilio
Some shots of Guggenheim Bilbao (Summer 2024).
Difficult to capture with photography. It's a building that has to be experienced -- including (NB) the equally remarkable interior spaces.
A stunning work of architecture.
Frank Gehry (1929-2025). RIP.
Difficult to capture with photography. It's a building that has to be experienced -- including (NB) the equally remarkable interior spaces.
A stunning work of architecture.
Frank Gehry (1929-2025). RIP.
December 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Some shots of Guggenheim Bilbao (Summer 2024).
Difficult to capture with photography. It's a building that has to be experienced -- including (NB) the equally remarkable interior spaces.
A stunning work of architecture.
Frank Gehry (1929-2025). RIP.
Difficult to capture with photography. It's a building that has to be experienced -- including (NB) the equally remarkable interior spaces.
A stunning work of architecture.
Frank Gehry (1929-2025). RIP.
I wake up to this hideous cutaway, some bizarro version of the diagrams of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Cluny, Old St Peter's, or the Holy Sepulchre. Poring over those in my grad school days, and wistfully imagining the buildings, who knew it would all end like this?
Beam me up, Scotty.
Beam me up, Scotty.
December 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
I wake up to this hideous cutaway, some bizarro version of the diagrams of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Cluny, Old St Peter's, or the Holy Sepulchre. Poring over those in my grad school days, and wistfully imagining the buildings, who knew it would all end like this?
Beam me up, Scotty.
Beam me up, Scotty.
Reposted by James D'Emilio
Pardoned Democrat Henry Cuellar wants GOP to probe his prosecutors
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Pardoned Democrat Henry Cuellar wants GOP to probe his prosecutors
The Texas lawmaker said in an interview he'd be willing to cooperate with a House Judiciary "weaponization" probe.
www.politico.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Pardoned Democrat Henry Cuellar wants GOP to probe his prosecutors
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by James D'Emilio
Been saying this for a year now. After SFFA, the @nytimes ran a story about universities working overtime to recruit men--many of whom had less glittering credentials than women applicants. Wesleyan literally created a football team to recruit more men. We ladies are ready for the meritocracy.
December 6, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Been saying this for a year now. After SFFA, the @nytimes ran a story about universities working overtime to recruit men--many of whom had less glittering credentials than women applicants. Wesleyan literally created a football team to recruit more men. We ladies are ready for the meritocracy.
Reposted by James D'Emilio
Another view of the Japanese Garden’s Flat Garden from just now. This to left of the one posted yesterday. Shows gravel, moss islands. At far left, a weeping cherry w/moss framed behind by mugo pines, then azaleas, & then a camellia. Zoom in there & see 4 greens, 4 textures.
#portlandjapanesegarden
#portlandjapanesegarden
December 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Another view of the Japanese Garden’s Flat Garden from just now. This to left of the one posted yesterday. Shows gravel, moss islands. At far left, a weeping cherry w/moss framed behind by mugo pines, then azaleas, & then a camellia. Zoom in there & see 4 greens, 4 textures.
#portlandjapanesegarden
#portlandjapanesegarden
Reposted by James D'Emilio
#Trump pardoned Tim Leiweke — who his own DOJ indicted in July for rigging a public university’s arena bid—
It’s all a grift — Saudis to crypto to pardon seekers — everything gets turned into a revenue stream. With 1,500+ pardons already, clemency is a monetized market
It’s all a grift — Saudis to crypto to pardon seekers — everything gets turned into a revenue stream. With 1,500+ pardons already, clemency is a monetized market
December 4, 2025 at 8:26 PM
#Trump pardoned Tim Leiweke — who his own DOJ indicted in July for rigging a public university’s arena bid—
It’s all a grift — Saudis to crypto to pardon seekers — everything gets turned into a revenue stream. With 1,500+ pardons already, clemency is a monetized market
It’s all a grift — Saudis to crypto to pardon seekers — everything gets turned into a revenue stream. With 1,500+ pardons already, clemency is a monetized market
Reposted by James D'Emilio
Two shirtless guys in deep ocean, trying to stay “in the fight” against the U.S. military with its missiles? What a claim!
December 6, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Two shirtless guys in deep ocean, trying to stay “in the fight” against the U.S. military with its missiles? What a claim!
Reposted by James D'Emilio
JFC the hate just never stops
A new memo gives the National Park Service two weeks to review bookstores for “equity-related” content for removal.
Trump Orders DEI Out of National Park Bookstores | KQED
A new memo gives the National Park Service two weeks to review bookstores for “equity-related” content for removal.
www.kqed.org
December 6, 2025 at 1:07 AM
JFC the hate just never stops
Very powerful reporting tonight from Veronica Fernandes on RAI News 24, interviewing Palestinians badly beaten, and with all the wounds to show it, by Israeli settlers on the West Bank.
The daily war and grinding oppression we've decided to forget.
The daily war and grinding oppression we've decided to forget.
December 6, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Very powerful reporting tonight from Veronica Fernandes on RAI News 24, interviewing Palestinians badly beaten, and with all the wounds to show it, by Israeli settlers on the West Bank.
The daily war and grinding oppression we've decided to forget.
The daily war and grinding oppression we've decided to forget.
Reposted by James D'Emilio
Well this fucking says it all, don't it
December 6, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Well this fucking says it all, don't it
Reposted by James D'Emilio
Unarmed, shirtless, struggling, clinging to wreckage for an hour, and then here comes Sneaky Pete with more Hellfire missiles.
US airstrike survivors clung to boat wreckage for an hour before second deadly attack, video shows
Footage seen by US senators shows two unarmed, shirtless men struggling to stay afloat before they were killed, sources say
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Unarmed, shirtless, struggling, clinging to wreckage for an hour, and then here comes Sneaky Pete with more Hellfire missiles.
I was at a citizenship ceremony. New citizens and their families were from countries around the world. Judge Diane Humetewa (of the Hopi Nation) spoke eloquently of the history of citizenship and of Native Americans. It was patriotic in the best sense, joining a community that welcomes new members.
“She showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
December 6, 2025 at 12:56 AM
I was at a citizenship ceremony. New citizens and their families were from countries around the world. Judge Diane Humetewa (of the Hopi Nation) spoke eloquently of the history of citizenship and of Native Americans. It was patriotic in the best sense, joining a community that welcomes new members.
Reposted by James D'Emilio
This is so horrifying. The ceremony is supposed to be where you’re “safe,” where you have gone through all the substantive stuff and it’s just the party at the end. To have it ripped away at that point is unbelievably cruel.
“She showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
December 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
This is so horrifying. The ceremony is supposed to be where you’re “safe,” where you have gone through all the substantive stuff and it’s just the party at the end. To have it ripped away at that point is unbelievably cruel.
Reposted by James D'Emilio
In all honesty, I think the best we can do as individual scientists, given the current situation, is to refuse to participate in peer review panels, unless this policy is reverted.
Only we, as individual scientists, can influence change and it is on us to do so.
If we don't, who will?
Only we, as individual scientists, can influence change and it is on us to do so.
If we don't, who will?
I missed this from a couple of weeks ago, but if you're an NIH-funded investigator, please read.
Peer review will exist to make things look legitimate, but can, and will, be over-ruled. Funding decisions, ultimately, will be done by political appointees.
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Peer review will exist to make things look legitimate, but can, and will, be over-ruled. Funding decisions, ultimately, will be done by political appointees.
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Implementing a Unified NIH Funding Strategy to Guide Consistent and Clearer Award Decisions | Grants & Funding
grants.nih.gov
December 6, 2025 at 12:37 AM
In all honesty, I think the best we can do as individual scientists, given the current situation, is to refuse to participate in peer review panels, unless this policy is reverted.
Only we, as individual scientists, can influence change and it is on us to do so.
If we don't, who will?
Only we, as individual scientists, can influence change and it is on us to do so.
If we don't, who will?
Reposted by James D'Emilio
I’m pretty confident that the industry could prevent this if a single tech exec were charged with creating child porn. It’d just take one.
The rise of deepfake pornography in schools: ‘One girl was so horrified she vomited’
The use of ‘nudify’ apps is becoming more and more prevalent, with hundreds of teachers having seen images created by pupils, often of their peers. The fallout is huge – and growing fast
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I’m pretty confident that the industry could prevent this if a single tech exec were charged with creating child porn. It’d just take one.