Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by John Kaufman

Gregory Norminton @gregorynorminton.bsky.social · 19h

On the one hand you have a political party that believes in the rule of law. On the other hand, you have a political party which is lawless & authoritarian. The journalist who presents these as being of equal democratic legitimacy is dragging society half way into lawlessness. This isn't neutrality.

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Reposted by John Kaufman

John Kaufman @jfkauf.bsky.social · 12h

Glad that Oxford is reminding us all what an intellectual education (and the humanities) is all about…

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 12h

The new chancellor of Oxford University has said there will be no 'cancel culture' for students and warned would-be undergraduates that they will “hear things that will upset and offend them” ⬇️

William Hague: Why I’ll banish ‘safe spaces’ at Oxford

www.thetimes.com

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sam @samveep.bsky.social · 11h

The undercover footage in this video... just wow. Our new massive international investigation into a surveillance company selling untraceable tech that can find you anywhere.

Every view and comment on this helps get in front of more eyes—and that means we can keep doing this work! Thank you!!

This Secret Tech Tracked World Leaders, a Vatican Enemy, and Maybe You

YouTube video by Mother Jones

youtu.be

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Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 11h

1/Stop everything and read/watch/bookmark this massive investigation between @motherjones.com @lighthousereports.com Le Monde, Der Spiegel, Paper Trail Media a vast global surveillance empire used to target politicians, journalists, tech CEOs, and... Jared Leto.
ow.ly/2LUF50Xb7KE

The surveillance empire that tracked world leaders, a Vatican enemy, and maybe you

We uncovered a massive data trove. It revealed the hidden world of First Wap, whose untraceable tech has targeted politicians, journalists, celebrities, and activists around the globe.

ow.ly

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 1d

I – like Trump and RFK Jr. – do not have a medical degree.

So, when questions surrounding medical treatments emerge, I listen to people who do.

I get my information from doctors and public health experts – and urge you to do the same.

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John Kaufman @jfkauf.bsky.social · 12h

Very dumb of Gov. Newsom…

Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 13h

Gov. Newsom vetoed a bill that would have tracked data centers’ growing water footprint. He says California is “well positioned” to support the AI-driven data center boom, and he is reluctant to impose “rigid reporting requirements.” www.latimes.com/environment/...

California cracks down on water theft but spares data centers from disclosing how much they use

Gov. Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required data centers to report their projected water use when applying for a business license.

www.latimes.com

John Kaufman @jfkauf.bsky.social · 12h

Glad that Oxford is reminding us all what an intellectual education (and the humanities) is all about…

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 12h

The new chancellor of Oxford University has said there will be no 'cancel culture' for students and warned would-be undergraduates that they will “hear things that will upset and offend them” ⬇️

William Hague: Why I’ll banish ‘safe spaces’ at Oxford

www.thetimes.com

1

Reposted by John Kaufman

Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 1d

Late last month, a local CBS reporter said a masked ICE agent fired a pepper ball at her car, causing her to vomit for hours. The reporter, Asal Rezaei, said there was no protest happening at the time. Police are now investigating.

www.npr.org/2025/10/13/n...

Tackles, projectiles and gunfire: Many fear ICE tactics are growing more violent

Videos taken by eye witnesses of federal agent encounters with immigrants in Chicago and elsewhere have shown increasingly tense incidents. Immigrant advocates and observers say they're indicative of ...

www.npr.org

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Home of the Brave @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social · 1d

Home of the Brave launched a $1 million national ad campaign in support of the peaceful No Kings rallies on Oct. 18th.

The ads will run in over 185 local papers and The New York Times, USA Today and The Washington Post calling on Americans to “peacefully protest our false king."

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John Kaufman @jfkauf.bsky.social · 1d

Opinion of the prominent legal scholar:

“… the text of the Constitution and the historical evidence surrounding it grants Congress broad authority to shape the executive branch, including by putting limits on the president’s power to fire people.” 👇🎁

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/u...

Originalist ‘Bombshell’ Complicates Case on Trump’s Power to Fire Officials

www.nytimes.com

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NPR @npr.org · 2d

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.

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.

n.pr

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The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 2d

“We’re cold, but not as cold as ICE,” said a sign on one rider’s back.

Portland cyclists strip down in pouring rain to protest ICE facility and Trump troop deployment

“We’re cold, but not as cold as ICE,” said a sign on one rider’s back.

www.oregonlive.com

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John Kaufman @jfkauf.bsky.social · 2d

Lake Michigan shore, North of Milwaukee, WI

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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 2d

Portland, you magnificent weirdos

Tim Dickinson @timdickinson.bsky.social · 2d

Live from the Emergency Naked Bike Ride 🚲 where the crowd hase just erupted in cheers with the arrival of the Unipipier

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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 2d

From a young age, Diane Keaton, who died Saturday at 79, seemed to understand that actual beauty, the timeless kind, required a degree of depth, even darkness, @adriennelaf.bsky.social writes.

The Romantic

How Diane Keaton’s quest for beauty left an imprint on American culture

bit.ly

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AAUP @aaup.org · 6d

“If we aren't free to pursue research and teaching based on wherever the knowledge leads us, we are not truly working in the service of the public.”

— Rana Jaleel, associate professor at UC Davis & Chair of the AAUP’s Committee A on Academic Freedom & Tenure

How Academic Freedom in Universities Generates the Greatest Value for Society

Academic freedom is at the foundation of one of the most powerful and fundamental ideas about universities. Learn about how academic freedom has contributed to broad benefits in society and UC Davis f...

lettersandsciencemag.ucdavis.edu

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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 3d

The idea that everyone has intrinsic rights to life and liberty was a radical break with millennia of human history. It’s the moral foundation of America, Elaine Pagels writes—and it’s worth preserving.

The Moral Foundation of America

The idea that everyone has intrinsic rights to life and liberty was a radical break with millennia of human history. It’s worth preserving.

bit.ly

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Reuters @reuters.com · 4d

'When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,' the Norwegian Nobel Committee said as it announced Maria Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

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ACLU @aclu.org · 4d

The government has executed more people in 2025 than any year in over a decade — and there are five more executions scheduled over the next week.

Just a handful of states are responsible for these executions, and they’re increasingly out of step with public opinion.

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John Kaufman @jfkauf.bsky.social · 4d

Good for MIT! Its humanistic principles still matter… academic freedom should never be compromised…

Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 4d

Breaking: MIT just became the first university to reject an agreement that would trade support for the Trump admin's higher education agenda in exchange for favorable treatment.

"Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...

M.I.T. Rejects a White House Offer for Special Funding Treatment

www.nytimes.com

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Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 4d

An important concurrence by Justice Mungia of the Washington Supreme Court: "While we are bound by United States Supreme Court precedent, we are not bound to stay silent as to the underlying racism and prejudices that are woven into the very
fabric of those opinions...

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The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 4d

🔺UPDATED: Maria Corina Machado wins Nobel peace prize — to fury of Trump’s team

Maria Corina Machado wins Nobel peace prize

Maria Corina Machado wins Nobel peace prize — to fury of Trump’s team

www.thetimes.com

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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 4d

The Declaration of Independence is revered for its universalist language of freedom. But it also contains a derogatory indictment of Native Americans. On its 250th anniversary, the U.S. should reckon with this complex legacy, Ned Blackhaw argues:

How Native Nations Shaped the Revolution

The Founders were inspired—and threatened—by the independence and self-governance of nations like the Iroquois Confederacy.

bit.ly

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Yashar Ali 🐘 @yasharali.bsky.social · 4d

On the left is how the White House reacted to the Nobel Peace Prize announcement.

On the right is what President Trump posted about Maria Corina Machado back in January, just two weeks before nominations closed for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.

Steven Cheung * B @StevenCheung47
X.com
President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives.
He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will.
The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace.
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
+
Venezuelan democracy activist Maria Corina Machado and President-elect Gonzalez are peacefully expressing the voices and the WILL of the Venezuelan people with hundreds of thousands of people demonstrating against the regime. The great Venezuelan American community in the United States overwhelmingly support a free Venezuela, and strongly supported me. These freedom fighters should not be harmed, and MUST stay SAFE and ALIVE!
MODA
6.14k ReTruths 23.9k Likes
1/9/25, 2:14 PM

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John Kaufman @jfkauf.bsky.social · 4d

“David Scheffer, an international law scholar said that in choosing Ms. Machado, the Nobel committee had “elevated a courageous hero of peacemaking — someone who works among her own people to protect them against repression and atrocity crimes in order to shape a more peaceful and democratic world.”

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 4d

María Corina Machado, an opposition leader in Venezuela, was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. She has been in hiding since the candidate she backed lost the 2024 election to President Nicolás Maduro — a vote that was widely seen as rigged. Here's what to know.

Who Is María Corina Machado, the Winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize?

Ms. Machado built one of Venezuela’s most important political movements, and lives in hiding from President Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian government.

nyti.ms

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