Larry J. Simon
@larryjsimon.bsky.social
Historian, teacher, editor; Antifascist, book lover, 3-chord strummer; Fan of Americana, Blues, Country, Dylan, Earle, FCBarcelona; UCLA Ph.D.; Southwesterner in Midwestern Exile. Not here for day job or to promote career. Opinions mine; not my employer’s.
Pinned
Larry J. Simon
@larryjsimon.bsky.social
· Mar 28
I’ve acquired these six volumes (of 7 published to date), formerly owned by Harry Belafonte, of The Papers of Martin Luther King Jr. As racist resegregationists have captured the White House we need now more than ever the astonishing courage, public moral vision, and works of MLK Jr.
#booksky
#booksky
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
This is a reason working folks think the priorities are off in our country… www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
Elon Musk is set to make more than every U.S. elementary teacher combined
See how Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s new payment package compares with other occupations in the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
This is a reason working folks think the priorities are off in our country… www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
More Pics from #NoKings II #noclowns #nofascists #noauthoritarians #AbolishICE protest
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march over one month ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 25/? Rally over; march about to start.
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march over one month ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 25/? Rally over; march about to start.
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
More Pics from #NoKings II #noclowns #nofascists #noauthoritarians #AbolishICE protest
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march over one month ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 25/? Rally over; march about to start.
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march over one month ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 25/? Rally over; march about to start.
He was going to call her “piggy” but feared his Muslim guest might be offended. Perhaps he’ll contemplate having her executed and dismembered.
Q: Why wait for Congress to release the Epstein files? Why not just do it now?
TRUMP: It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you're a terrible reporter. It's the way you ask these questions. You start off with a man who's highly respected asking him an insubordinate question
TRUMP: It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you're a terrible reporter. It's the way you ask these questions. You start off with a man who's highly respected asking him an insubordinate question
November 18, 2025 at 9:37 PM
He was going to call her “piggy” but feared his Muslim guest might be offended. Perhaps he’ll contemplate having her executed and dismembered.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Fox News credulously reports that "the Saudis now say their investment pledge in the US will be increased to $1 trillion." THE ENTIRE GDP OF SAUDI ARABIA IS $1.1 TRILLION, so this is total nonsense.
November 18, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Fox News credulously reports that "the Saudis now say their investment pledge in the US will be increased to $1 trillion." THE ENTIRE GDP OF SAUDI ARABIA IS $1.1 TRILLION, so this is total nonsense.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
This is who the President today said “had it coming” regarding his torture & dismemberment.
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This is who the President today said “had it coming” regarding his torture & dismemberment.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
i will kind of accept this from some random person who barely pays attention. ben shapiro though? he's just lying
Ben Shapiro: “When the president said deport all the illegal immigrants, I never thought that he meant that literally”
November 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
i will kind of accept this from some random person who barely pays attention. ben shapiro though? he's just lying
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Speechless and deeply grateful: There Is No Place for Us has been named one of three finalists for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.
November 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Speechless and deeply grateful: There Is No Place for Us has been named one of three finalists for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.
“Bribery is the corrupt solicitation, payment or acceptance of a private favor (a bribe) in exchange for official action. The purpose of a bribe is to influence the actions of the recipient, a person in charge of an official duty.”
Transparency, today: bribes offered openly and accepted willingly.
Transparency, today: bribes offered openly and accepted willingly.
Coinbase donated to Trump's $300 million White House ballroom project as an appeal to the administration, Emilie Choi, the cryptocurrency exchange's president and COO, said at Axios' BFD event today.
Exclusive: Coinbase explains donation to Trump's ballroom
Tech firms like Google, Amazon, and Nvidia also donated to Trump's ballroom fund.
www.axios.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:20 PM
“Bribery is the corrupt solicitation, payment or acceptance of a private favor (a bribe) in exchange for official action. The purpose of a bribe is to influence the actions of the recipient, a person in charge of an official duty.”
Transparency, today: bribes offered openly and accepted willingly.
Transparency, today: bribes offered openly and accepted willingly.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Extra points for the butcher's MacBeth handwashing gestures:
'Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine
Making the green one red.'
'Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine
Making the green one red.'
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Extra points for the butcher's MacBeth handwashing gestures:
'Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine
Making the green one red.'
'Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine
Making the green one red.'
“In November 2018, the CIA concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered Khashoggi's assassination.”
“19 June 2019 … the Office of the UN HC for Human Rights released a 101-page report holding the State of Saudi Arabia responsible for the ‘premeditated extrajudicial execution.’”
“19 June 2019 … the Office of the UN HC for Human Rights released a 101-page report holding the State of Saudi Arabia responsible for the ‘premeditated extrajudicial execution.’”
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 9:11 PM
“In November 2018, the CIA concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered Khashoggi's assassination.”
“19 June 2019 … the Office of the UN HC for Human Rights released a 101-page report holding the State of Saudi Arabia responsible for the ‘premeditated extrajudicial execution.’”
“19 June 2019 … the Office of the UN HC for Human Rights released a 101-page report holding the State of Saudi Arabia responsible for the ‘premeditated extrajudicial execution.’”
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Is this the country we want to be
One that takes an ill 79 year old man and detains him in Alligator Alcatraz
Where he is abused while awaiting deportation to a country he's never known-leaving his wife and children crushed
So again-is this who we want to be
Because now it's who we are
One that takes an ill 79 year old man and detains him in Alligator Alcatraz
Where he is abused while awaiting deportation to a country he's never known-leaving his wife and children crushed
So again-is this who we want to be
Because now it's who we are
79-year-old Paul Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a WWII German refugee camp. His family legally emigrated to the U.S. when he was 5.
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
Sanford grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Paul Bojerski never gained official residency, but he checked in regularly with ICE for years. Then in July, at age 79, he was detained and sent to Alligator Alcatraz.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Is this the country we want to be
One that takes an ill 79 year old man and detains him in Alligator Alcatraz
Where he is abused while awaiting deportation to a country he's never known-leaving his wife and children crushed
So again-is this who we want to be
Because now it's who we are
One that takes an ill 79 year old man and detains him in Alligator Alcatraz
Where he is abused while awaiting deportation to a country he's never known-leaving his wife and children crushed
So again-is this who we want to be
Because now it's who we are
Repugnant, repulsive; uncivilized, uneducated; a crass misogynist and predator. A total disgrace to the nation.
Yes, he has dementia; yes, he’s had micro-strokes; but there is no excuse for allowing him to continue as president, for allowing him to serve out his term or die in office.
Yes, he has dementia; yes, he’s had micro-strokes; but there is no excuse for allowing him to continue as president, for allowing him to serve out his term or die in office.
"Quiet! Quiet, Piggy."
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Repugnant, repulsive; uncivilized, uneducated; a crass misogynist and predator. A total disgrace to the nation.
Yes, he has dementia; yes, he’s had micro-strokes; but there is no excuse for allowing him to continue as president, for allowing him to serve out his term or die in office.
Yes, he has dementia; yes, he’s had micro-strokes; but there is no excuse for allowing him to continue as president, for allowing him to serve out his term or die in office.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
This is MAGA's King and Daddy.
"Quiet! Quiet, Piggy."
November 18, 2025 at 6:16 AM
This is MAGA's King and Daddy.
“These are not the actions of mature adults. They are examples of crude people displaying their incompetence as they flail about in jobs—including the presidency—for which they are not qualified.”
November 18, 2025 at 6:54 AM
“These are not the actions of mature adults. They are examples of crude people displaying their incompetence as they flail about in jobs—including the presidency—for which they are not qualified.”
“Brain Bubbles. This is the process wherein the intelligence of an inarguably intelligent person is inflated and valued beyond all reason, creating a dangerous accumulation of unhedged risk. Larry Summers is the biggest Brain Bubble we’ve got.”
In April 2009, the Washington Post asked 10 writers to make the case for something that deserves to be tossed out as part of "spring cleaning."
I chose Larry Summers.
Better late than never.
Unlocked version of my 16-year-old article below.
naomiklein.org/why-we-shoul...
I chose Larry Summers.
Better late than never.
Unlocked version of my 16-year-old article below.
naomiklein.org/why-we-shoul...
November 18, 2025 at 6:51 AM
“Brain Bubbles. This is the process wherein the intelligence of an inarguably intelligent person is inflated and valued beyond all reason, creating a dangerous accumulation of unhedged risk. Larry Summers is the biggest Brain Bubble we’ve got.”
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
NYT: A wise and deeply moving letter to the editor from a retired history teacher Liz Zucker.
“Ignorance is not bliss. It’s just ignorance.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
“Ignorance is not bliss. It’s just ignorance.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
November 17, 2025 at 11:16 PM
NYT: A wise and deeply moving letter to the editor from a retired history teacher Liz Zucker.
“Ignorance is not bliss. It’s just ignorance.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
“Ignorance is not bliss. It’s just ignorance.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/o...
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
The UCFA/UCLAFA/AAUP victory is on the front page of today’s LA Times.
(No leadership or administrators were harmed in actually standing up to the Feds. because they didn’t.)
(No leadership or administrators were harmed in actually standing up to the Feds. because they didn’t.)
November 17, 2025 at 1:54 AM
The UCFA/UCLAFA/AAUP victory is on the front page of today’s LA Times.
(No leadership or administrators were harmed in actually standing up to the Feds. because they didn’t.)
(No leadership or administrators were harmed in actually standing up to the Feds. because they didn’t.)
“They were talking in a circle, I was by myself
Everyone was telling everyone how they felt
It felt like so long since I'd been young ….”
RIP Todd Snider 1966-2025.
“Long Year” was the 3rd cut on Happy to Be Here (2000).
Live version, from Covid stream 2020
youtu.be/HuIGRRVhy4c?...
Everyone was telling everyone how they felt
It felt like so long since I'd been young ….”
RIP Todd Snider 1966-2025.
“Long Year” was the 3rd cut on Happy to Be Here (2000).
Live version, from Covid stream 2020
youtu.be/HuIGRRVhy4c?...
November 17, 2025 at 5:05 AM
“They were talking in a circle, I was by myself
Everyone was telling everyone how they felt
It felt like so long since I'd been young ….”
RIP Todd Snider 1966-2025.
“Long Year” was the 3rd cut on Happy to Be Here (2000).
Live version, from Covid stream 2020
youtu.be/HuIGRRVhy4c?...
Everyone was telling everyone how they felt
It felt like so long since I'd been young ….”
RIP Todd Snider 1966-2025.
“Long Year” was the 3rd cut on Happy to Be Here (2000).
Live version, from Covid stream 2020
youtu.be/HuIGRRVhy4c?...
More Pics from #NoKings II #noclowns #nofascists #noauthoritarians #AbolishICE protest
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march one month and a day ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 25/?
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march one month and a day ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 25/?
November 17, 2025 at 4:46 AM
More Pics from #NoKings II #noclowns #nofascists #noauthoritarians #AbolishICE protest
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march one month and a day ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 25/?
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march one month and a day ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 25/?
More Pics from #NoKings II #noclowns #nofascists #noauthoritarians #AbolishICE protest
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march one month and a day ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 24/?
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march one month and a day ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 24/?
November 17, 2025 at 4:39 AM
More Pics from #NoKings II #noclowns #nofascists #noauthoritarians #AbolishICE protest
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march one month and a day ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 24/?
#proUSA #prodemocracy rally and march one month and a day ago at the #Michigan Capitol in #Lansing. 24/?
“Where will I go
Now that I’m gone?”
RIP Todd Snider 1966-2025.
Live version of “Working On a Song”
Original on The Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3.
“giving up a dream is just like making one come true
It's easy to sit around talking about, it's harder to go out and do”
youtu.be/mWFIWeRI_QI?...
Now that I’m gone?”
RIP Todd Snider 1966-2025.
Live version of “Working On a Song”
Original on The Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3.
“giving up a dream is just like making one come true
It's easy to sit around talking about, it's harder to go out and do”
youtu.be/mWFIWeRI_QI?...
November 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
“Where will I go
Now that I’m gone?”
RIP Todd Snider 1966-2025.
Live version of “Working On a Song”
Original on The Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3.
“giving up a dream is just like making one come true
It's easy to sit around talking about, it's harder to go out and do”
youtu.be/mWFIWeRI_QI?...
Now that I’m gone?”
RIP Todd Snider 1966-2025.
Live version of “Working On a Song”
Original on The Cash Cabin Sessions Vol. 3.
“giving up a dream is just like making one come true
It's easy to sit around talking about, it's harder to go out and do”
youtu.be/mWFIWeRI_QI?...
“American roads have become more dangerous than violent crimes in some cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston are among the major cities that now report more traffic fatalities than homicides.”
Michigan drivers don’t stop for crosswalks, and treat flashing red and yellow lights as the same.
Michigan drivers don’t stop for crosswalks, and treat flashing red and yellow lights as the same.
“Every day, 20 people go out for a walk, and they don’t return home,” said Adam Snider, a spokesperson for the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state road safety offices.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
‘They Don’t Return Home’: Cities Across US Fail To Curb Traffic Deaths - KFF Health News
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston reported more traffic fatalities than homicides last year. Despite local, state, and federal safety initiatives, such as Vision Zero, traffic deaths across the ...
kffhealthnews.org
November 16, 2025 at 6:51 AM
“American roads have become more dangerous than violent crimes in some cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston are among the major cities that now report more traffic fatalities than homicides.”
Michigan drivers don’t stop for crosswalks, and treat flashing red and yellow lights as the same.
Michigan drivers don’t stop for crosswalks, and treat flashing red and yellow lights as the same.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Don't be evil?
"Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed to warn local communities about the presence of ICE officers..."
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
"Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed to warn local communities about the presence of ICE officers..."
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable gr...
www.404media.co
November 16, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Don't be evil?
"Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed to warn local communities about the presence of ICE officers..."
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
"Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed to warn local communities about the presence of ICE officers..."
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
“I was talkin' with my girlfriend
I told her I was stressed
I said "I'm goin' off the deep-end"
She said "God, for once give it a rest"
We're all waitin' in the dugout
Thinkin' we should pitch
How you gonna throw a shutout
If all you do is bitch?”
RIP Todd Snyder 1966-2025
youtu.be/UxYcIBp2W-w?...
I told her I was stressed
I said "I'm goin' off the deep-end"
She said "God, for once give it a rest"
We're all waitin' in the dugout
Thinkin' we should pitch
How you gonna throw a shutout
If all you do is bitch?”
RIP Todd Snyder 1966-2025
youtu.be/UxYcIBp2W-w?...
November 16, 2025 at 6:14 AM
“I was talkin' with my girlfriend
I told her I was stressed
I said "I'm goin' off the deep-end"
She said "God, for once give it a rest"
We're all waitin' in the dugout
Thinkin' we should pitch
How you gonna throw a shutout
If all you do is bitch?”
RIP Todd Snyder 1966-2025
youtu.be/UxYcIBp2W-w?...
I told her I was stressed
I said "I'm goin' off the deep-end"
She said "God, for once give it a rest"
We're all waitin' in the dugout
Thinkin' we should pitch
How you gonna throw a shutout
If all you do is bitch?”
RIP Todd Snyder 1966-2025
youtu.be/UxYcIBp2W-w?...
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
I don't know if this is my favorite Todd Snider song, or the best Todd Snider song but it is undisputably the most Todd Snider song.
Rest in chaos to my hero.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaYi...
Rest in chaos to my hero.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaYi...
Todd Snider, "Too Soon To Tell"
YouTube video by American Songwriter Archives
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I don't know if this is my favorite Todd Snider song, or the best Todd Snider song but it is undisputably the most Todd Snider song.
Rest in chaos to my hero.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaYi...
Rest in chaos to my hero.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaYi...