Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

James Belcher

@jamesbelcher.bsky.social

2.8K followers 4.6K following 5K posts

Focused on energy and the just transition. Open to Work: linkedin.com/in/jameslbelcher jamesbelcher.substack.com [I'm looking for an alternative.] Portland, Oregon

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · Nov 19

"If you're just doing this to get back to voting every two years, but that vote still enables NATO or a genocide, I ain't with that. [At that point,] you might as well go side with the fascists, because that's what you're ultimately enabling."

youtu.be/Pb9WErBIgaY?...

Where Do We Go From Here? Featuring Kali Akuno (Audio/podcast version)

YouTube video by Millennials Are Killing Capitalism Live!

youtu.be

15 12 92

Reposted by James Belcher

Cozca @cozca.bsky.social · 7h

Indigenous People's Day
Portland, Oregon
ICE

Azick dancer in green regelia with green feathers looks on at the ice facility.Ice security lights in the background

31 140

Reposted by James Belcher

Cozca @cozca.bsky.social · 5h

Trump uses the DOJ to target certain Portland activits just like he has targeted politicians and former FBI. The politicians and feds get a voice, their stories get told, theur cases acknowledged, while very targeted activists remain silenced by all media.

All media

7 9

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 6h

It’s not right, and it needs fixing.

Reposted by James Belcher

Mondoweiss @mondoweiss.net · 12h

NEW: Israel informed the UN it will permit only 300 aid trucks into Gaza daily, not the 600 mandated by the ceasefire it just signed.

36 250 550

Reposted by James Belcher

Faine Greenwood @faineg.bsky.social · 8h

“This heckin’ pupperino fucking hates La Migra,” to paraphrase from @weratedogs.com

Rate Dogs & • Follow
...
2h •
This is Chop. He was shot and killed by masked assailants in plain clothes who go by ICE. They showed up at his door "looking for migrants after receiving a tip." The son of the family asked if they could wait before entering the home while he put Chop away in the bathroom, as the dog can be aggressive with strangers.
According to the family, it is at this point that the son went to his pickup truck to retrieve his ID and a Border Patrol agent entered the home, opened the bathroom door, and shot Chop. None of the agents helped the family, who desperately tried to render aid to Chop, as he bled to death on the kitchen floor. Unsurprisingly, the agent who shot their dog then hid from them and refused to give his name. Even more unsurprising, they did not find any evidence of the migrants they were there to terrorize in the first place.
Do not open your door for these fucking losers. Rest easy Chop
14/10
CBP Office of Professional Responsibility:
202-344-1808
JointIntake@cbp.dhs.gov
El Paso Border Patrol Sector:
915-834-8400
fpfelpaso@cbp.dhs.gov
Rep. Veronica Escobar (El Paso):
915-541-1400
veronica.escobar@mail.house.gov
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-paso-family-claims-border-patrol-killed-their-dog-during-search-cbp-

38 580 1.9K

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 9h

#NewJersey

Green Candidate Lily Benavides Launches 21-County Write-In Strategy in New Jersey Governor’s Race

Green Party candidate Lily Benavides has announced a 21-county strategy to promote her write-in campaign for New Jersey governor, after being denied ballot access earlier this year following a petitio...

independentpoliticalreport.com

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 9h

#Maryland

Maryland Green and Forward Leaders to Host Joint Conversation on Election Reform

Andy Ellis, a candidate for the Green Party of Maryland’s gubernatorial nomination, and P.J. Benenati, Chair of the Forward Party of Maryland, will co-host a joint discussion event next week in Baltim...

independentpoliticalreport.com

Reposted by James Belcher

tru @thetrudz.photo · 12h

What D’Angelo said Black Messiah means. It came out at the end of 2014 and it was so needed.

Article (Nolan Feeney; TIME) excerpt reads: “Black Messiah is a hell of a name for an album. It can be misunderstood. Many will think it's about religion. Some will jump to the conclusion that I'm calling myself a Black Messiah. For me, the title is about all of us. It's about the world. It's about an idea we can all aspire to. We should all aspire to be a Black Messiah.

It's about people rising up in Ferguson and in Egypt and in Occupy Wall Street and in every place where a community has had enough and decides to make change happen, D'Angelo writes in a statement about the album It's not about praising one charismatic leader but celebrating thousands of them. Not every song on this album is politically charged (though many are), but calling this album Black Messiah creates a landscape there these songs can live to the fullest. Black Messiah is not one man. It's a feeling that, collectively, we are all that leader.”

“D’Angelo’s First Album in 14 Years Is Finally Here, and It’s Surprisingly Timely” via TIME.

2 400 1.1K

Reposted by James Belcher

Councilor Angelita Morillo @councilormorillo.bsky.social · 12h

🧵 Thread of important deadlines and links this week for the Critical Infrastructure Hub, Portland Street Response applications, and a link to submit potential cases with the ACLU

⬇️⬇️⬇️

1 23 59

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 14h

"If you want a charismatic leader to save the Democratic Party, you’d better help build a mass movement that will shake things up."

The Great Blue Hope: Can Mamdani and Company Save the Democratic Party?

Progressives are desperate for a savior.

open.substack.com

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 14h

"Look at this dapper Nazi who doesn't dress the way we thought he would."

Aamer Rahman: Is it really ok to punch nazis?

YouTube video by FEAR OF A BROWN PLANET

youtu.be

Reposted by James Belcher

unraveled @unraveledpress.com · 1d

Thinking about how much of their violence has been normalized already, how scenes that caused shockwaves 6 weeks ago are now part of the rhythm of daily life. Watched a TikTok from a daughter who has to do her parents' laundry & get their groceries because they're in hiding. This is just it now

51 1.2K 4.5K

Reposted by James Belcher

AFT @aft.org · 15h

Today, @ofnhp.bsky.social members went on strike after Kaiser’s refusal to agree to a contract that addresses concerns about proposals that would weaken care, shortchange staffing and drive skilled healthcare workers away. Stand with Kaiser caregivers using this toolkit ⬇️
ofnhp.aft.org/we-are-kaiser

We are Kaiser: Fighting for the Care Our Patients Deserve

ofnhp.aft.org

16 23

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 15h

"There are still several problems with this analogy and the line of thinking producing it. First and foremost, this regime isn’t fishing with bait. It’s fishing with dynamite."

Letter from the editor | Portland and Oregon electeds took the bait

By acting as though the Trump regime cares about truth or reasonability, some leaders fell for the con

www.streetroots.org

Reposted by James Belcher

Stephen Semler @stephensemler.bsky.social · 1d

The US could've forced Israel to accept a ceasefire two years ago. Instead, it spent $38 billion enabling Israel's genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and fighting a regional war on Israel's behalf.
www.stephensemler.com/p/us-has-spe...

The US has spent at least $38 billion on Israel since October 2023. The single column chart shows $38.2 billion in US military spending on Israel from October 2023 through September 2025, including: $18 billion arming Israel, $6.1 billion defending Israel, $14.1 billion waging war on Israel’s behalf. Data: Pentagon financial records, enacted legislation, media reports, author analysis. Figures are conservative estimates in constant 2025 US dollars.

1 9 16

Reposted by James Belcher

Dutch Cycling Embassy @dutchcycling.nl · 15h

What happens when a city prioritizes people over cars?

In Haarlem, most streets are now limited to 30 km/h, making walking and cycling not just safer, but more pleasant too. This shift isn’t just about safety; it’s also about space, noise, and quality of life.

Read more: buff.ly/htRDXGN

12 63

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 15h

I suspect that these numbers would be different and less partisan if the U.S. had a truly representative democracy.

Record-High 62% Say U.S. Government Has Too Much Power

Views that the federal government has too much power are now slightly higher than in previous years.

news.gallup.com

Reposted by James Belcher

Mary M. Davies @marymdavies.bsky.social · 16d

Despite all the jokes about Portland being war ravaged, there are members of our community who are quite vulnerable. Let’s step up to protect them where we can. This is from one of our city councilors @counciloravalos.bsky.social

Purple background with yellow text that says we keep each other safe. Report suspected federal agent sightings to the Portland immigrant rights coalition hotline (1-888–6 22–1510) instead of spreading rumors on social media. Check in with your neighbors: can you help buy groceries if they don’t feel safe leaving the house? Make sure you have a password on your phone instead of Face ID or fingerprint ID. If you choose to demonstrate share your location with a loved one.

36 64

Reposted by James Belcher

Portland Mercury @portlandmercury.com · 16h

The Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition is connected to a network of rapid response organizations across the state who have trained people on how to verify the veracity of reported ICE activity, support people who are being detained, connect with legal support, and provide legal observation.

Meet the Groups Helping Immigrants Impacted by ICE

If people in the Portland area think they’ve spotted ICE, there’s a number that many organizations, such as the ACLU, suggest they call: the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition hotline. The Portland I...

www.portlandmercury.com

37 71

Reposted by James Belcher

Climate, Ecology, War & More by Dr. Glen Barry, BigEarthData.ai @bigearthdata.bsky.social · 22h

31,000 nurses, staff heading into 5-day strike with Kaiser
->Orange County Register | More from Lil' Dr Glen EcoChat at BigEarthData.ai

31,000 nurses, staff heading into 5-day strike with Kaiser

The union representing 31,000 nurses and health care professionals at 200 Kaiser Permanente medical facilities in California and Hawaii is headed toward a five-day strike beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, with tensions rising over a plan by the...

www.ocregister.com

1 2

Reposted by James Belcher

Jennifer Molidor @jennifermolidor.bsky.social · 5d

Hanging onto every bit of good news

The river has come alive in the Klamath with wild Chinook salmon. The wider ecosystem is healing.

This most powerful story of Indigenous-led #rewilding after the largest dam removal in US history keeps getting better.

lostcoastoutpost.com/2025/oct/9/o...

One Year After Klamath Dam Removal, 'There's Just Fish Jumping All Over the Place': Scientists Describe Improvements to Water Quality and Wildlife

lostcoastoutpost.com

8 320 790

Reposted by James Belcher

Kelly Lynne D’Angelo ✨ @kellylynnedang.bsky.social · 1d

I wish more people connected the dots on how MUCH these people don’t want you to hear us.

Wanna fight fascism? RAISE INDIGENOUS VOICES.

16 61

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 1d

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · Aug 27

The reflexive anti-union comments in this thread are part of the problem. People can’t break out of their red vs. blue worldview long enough to consider building worker-controlled power structures.

Three Crises of Labor

"Organize or Die" gets uncomfortably relevant.

www.hamiltonnolan.com

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 1d

I really need people who are reflexively anti-union to reassess.

The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 1d

Labor unions have filed a lawsuit to stop cuts that go far beyond what usually happens during a government shutdown.

Vance threatens ‘painful’ cuts to federal workforce as shutdown continues

Labor unions have filed a lawsuit to stop cuts that go far beyond what usually happens during a government shutdown.

www.oregonlive.com

1 5

Reposted by James Belcher

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 1d

The Regime's goal is to grind everyone down. Plain & simple. Our goal is to refuse this by taking turns to fight where and how we can. When one group needs to bow out, then another group needs to step in and so on. We don't all have to do everything. We can all do something though. Stay in the fight

26 1.4K 4.4K