Michele Somerville she/her
@michelesomerville.bsky.social
NYC mama, poet, writer, teacher, religion scholar.
I’m Indie Theology. Books (poems): Glamourous Life, Black Irish, WISEGAL. Bylines: Harvard Divinity, Religion Dispatches, NYT.
NO DMs!
https://indietheology.substack.com/https://linktr.ee/mmsnypoet
I’m Indie Theology. Books (poems): Glamourous Life, Black Irish, WISEGAL. Bylines: Harvard Divinity, Religion Dispatches, NYT.
NO DMs!
https://indietheology.substack.com/https://linktr.ee/mmsnypoet
December 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
1/I’ll write more on this in 2026 on #IndieTheology, but t rump Is not “targeting Catholics.” He used the #USCCB, cut a deal w/these bishops-gave them partial #abortion ban & a #Christofascist #SCOTUS in exchange for their stealth support in all 3 of his presidential campaigns. >
December 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
1/I’ll write more on this in 2026 on #IndieTheology, but t rump Is not “targeting Catholics.” He used the #USCCB, cut a deal w/these bishops-gave them partial #abortion ban & a #Christofascist #SCOTUS in exchange for their stealth support in all 3 of his presidential campaigns. >
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
LOL... Pentagon released a new AI military chatbot and it immediately pointed out that Pete Hegseth is a war criminal.
abovethelaw.com/2025/12/pent...
abovethelaw.com/2025/12/pent...
Pentagon Unveils New GenAI Platform, It Immediately Starts Flagging Pete Hegseth's War Crimes - Above the Law
The Defense Department's new ChatJAG turned out to be better than the human chain of command.
abovethelaw.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
LOL... Pentagon released a new AI military chatbot and it immediately pointed out that Pete Hegseth is a war criminal.
abovethelaw.com/2025/12/pent...
abovethelaw.com/2025/12/pent...
They’re depraved.
December 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
They’re depraved.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
My kids have measles, there are no toys on the shelves, and I can't afford a steak. But at least there's no sign language interpreter at White House press briefings now.
December 13, 2025 at 3:07 AM
My kids have measles, there are no toys on the shelves, and I can't afford a steak. But at least there's no sign language interpreter at White House press briefings now.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Last week’s release of Trump’s National Security Strategy made one thing brutally clear and that is that the United States is no longer fully shaping its own foreign policy. The document reads like parts of it were written in Moscow and stamped in Washington
America’s Foreign Policy Now Alligns With Russia
Last week’s release of Trump’s National Security Strategy made one thing brutally clear and that is that the United States is no longer fully shaping its own foreign policy.
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Last week’s release of Trump’s National Security Strategy made one thing brutally clear and that is that the United States is no longer fully shaping its own foreign policy. The document reads like parts of it were written in Moscow and stamped in Washington
1/ “…the Utah Legislature’s Republican supermajority, with Cox’s acquiescence, has taken a hard turn against solar power…” UT Gov. Cox signed a pair of bills passed this year that will make it more difficult and expensive to develop and produce solar energy in>
www.propublica.org/article/utah...
www.propublica.org/article/utah...
Utah Leaders Are Hindering Efforts to Develop Solar Despite a Goal to Double the State’s Energy Supply
Solar power accounts for two-thirds of the new projects waiting to connect to the state’s power grid. Utah Republicans’ hard turn against solar mirrors President Donald Trump’s hostile approach to the...
www.propublica.org
December 13, 2025 at 12:12 PM
1/ “…the Utah Legislature’s Republican supermajority, with Cox’s acquiescence, has taken a hard turn against solar power…” UT Gov. Cox signed a pair of bills passed this year that will make it more difficult and expensive to develop and produce solar energy in>
www.propublica.org/article/utah...
www.propublica.org/article/utah...
“This is what it must be like to live in North Korea, but the flag out there is the Stars and Stripes.”
x.com/lucianktrusc...
x.com/lucianktrusc...
x.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
“This is what it must be like to live in North Korea, but the flag out there is the Stars and Stripes.”
x.com/lucianktrusc...
x.com/lucianktrusc...
thread
For nearly two years, the City was failing to provide people with their SNAP and cash assistance benefits on-time. Every delay represented a New Yorker who couldn’t feed their families or pay for basic necessities.
December 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
thread
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Last year, Council investigators visited Benefits Access Centers across NYC to examine and speak to staff about their operations and the challenges they face. We learned of the software issues and glitches that slow down application review and benefits processing.
December 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Last year, Council investigators visited Benefits Access Centers across NYC to examine and speak to staff about their operations and the challenges they face. We learned of the software issues and glitches that slow down application review and benefits processing.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
For nearly two years, the City was failing to provide people with their SNAP and cash assistance benefits on-time. Every delay represented a New Yorker who couldn’t feed their families or pay for basic necessities.
December 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
For nearly two years, the City was failing to provide people with their SNAP and cash assistance benefits on-time. Every delay represented a New Yorker who couldn’t feed their families or pay for basic necessities.
“‘It’s called a GLAH’-uhl stop,”’I explain uselessly. I resent it when people attribute my pronunciation to a lowbrow trend instead of a lowbrow heritage. I will not change my accent — nor could I. It’s an insur-MAH’ihble problem.” 1/
But in St. Louis, problems collide. x.com/sarahkendzio...
But in St. Louis, problems collide. x.com/sarahkendzio...
x.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
“‘It’s called a GLAH’-uhl stop,”’I explain uselessly. I resent it when people attribute my pronunciation to a lowbrow trend instead of a lowbrow heritage. I will not change my accent — nor could I. It’s an insur-MAH’ihble problem.” 1/
But in St. Louis, problems collide. x.com/sarahkendzio...
But in St. Louis, problems collide. x.com/sarahkendzio...
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Whenever someone tells me we should stop using the term "Christian nationalism" because it's too vague (it's not) and some folks use it as a slur (which I agree is wrong), I ask them what they think of the term "woke."
Invariably I find they don't really have a problem with vague slur terms.
Invariably I find they don't really have a problem with vague slur terms.
December 9, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Whenever someone tells me we should stop using the term "Christian nationalism" because it's too vague (it's not) and some folks use it as a slur (which I agree is wrong), I ask them what they think of the term "woke."
Invariably I find they don't really have a problem with vague slur terms.
Invariably I find they don't really have a problem with vague slur terms.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
✨Contributor Features from ballast 3.4✨
Here’s Ted Jean with “Ecclesiastes”
www.ballastjournal.com/ted-jean
#contributorfeature
#poem
#poems
#ballast
#TedJean
Here’s Ted Jean with “Ecclesiastes”
www.ballastjournal.com/ted-jean
#contributorfeature
#poem
#poems
#ballast
#TedJean
December 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
✨Contributor Features from ballast 3.4✨
Here’s Ted Jean with “Ecclesiastes”
www.ballastjournal.com/ted-jean
#contributorfeature
#poem
#poems
#ballast
#TedJean
Here’s Ted Jean with “Ecclesiastes”
www.ballastjournal.com/ted-jean
#contributorfeature
#poem
#poems
#ballast
#TedJean
“‘You’re asking us to destroy the structure of government,’ Justice Sonia Sotomayor observed Monday, ‘and to take away from Congress its ability to protect its idea that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent.’”
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
SCOTUS's GOP justices are about to hand Trump way more power
The court's right-wing bloc sounds ready to axe independent federal agencies—and the precedents that guard them.
www.motherjones.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:52 PM
“‘You’re asking us to destroy the structure of government,’ Justice Sonia Sotomayor observed Monday, ‘and to take away from Congress its ability to protect its idea that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent.’”
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Trump's pet court is clearly preparing to strip even more power from the legislative branch.
SCOTUS' GOP justices are about to hand Trump way more power
The Court's right-wing bloc sounds ready to axe independent federal agencies—and the precedents that guard them.
www.motherjones.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Trump's pet court is clearly preparing to strip even more power from the legislative branch.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
The six Republican appointees appear ready to race headlong into a Trumpian future in which no agency or decision is beyond the reach of the president’s political cronies.
SCOTUS's GOP justices are about to hand Trump way more power
The court's right-wing bloc sounds ready to axe independent federal agencies—and the precedents that guard them.
www.motherjones.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The six Republican appointees appear ready to race headlong into a Trumpian future in which no agency or decision is beyond the reach of the president’s political cronies.
NEW: The Trump administration has argued that Fed board member Lisa Cook may have committed mortgage fraud by declaring more than one primary residence on her loans.
We found that Trump once did the very thing he claimed could be a crime.
We found that Trump once did the very thing he claimed could be a crime.
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
The Trump administration has argued that Fed board member Lisa Cook may have committed mortgage fraud by declaring more than one primary residence on her loans. We found Trump once did the very thing he called “deceitful and potentially criminal.”
www.propublica.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:36 PM
This is good!
NCAA ought to replace Div I football and basketball with AI. No need to play or watch games. Simply ask ChatGPT who would win. More efficient, less expensive, and basically the same thing, right?
Something like this will be my reply to suggestions we need AI in the classroom.
Something like this will be my reply to suggestions we need AI in the classroom.
December 7, 2025 at 6:17 PM
This is good!
1/This is what they’re going for.
It’s not ALL they’re going for, but the same US bishops who mmsacrificed migrants rights to get their so-called “pro-life” president, have buyers’ remorse & are making lemonade out of the lemon.>
It’s not ALL they’re going for, but the same US bishops who mmsacrificed migrants rights to get their so-called “pro-life” president, have buyers’ remorse & are making lemonade out of the lemon.>
Still can't believe that this administration has got me cheering the Catholic Church
Church displays ‘ICE was here’ sign in Nativity scene
A church in Massachusetts is making a statement with its Nativity scene.
www.wowt.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
1/This is what they’re going for.
It’s not ALL they’re going for, but the same US bishops who mmsacrificed migrants rights to get their so-called “pro-life” president, have buyers’ remorse & are making lemonade out of the lemon.>
It’s not ALL they’re going for, but the same US bishops who mmsacrificed migrants rights to get their so-called “pro-life” president, have buyers’ remorse & are making lemonade out of the lemon.>
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
73% of ICE detainees have no criminal convictions, according to govt data.
Don’t fall for Trump’s lies about targeting the “worst of the worst.”
As ICE terrorizes cities to fill up detention centers, remember that some of Trump's major donors are private prison corporations.
Don’t fall for Trump’s lies about targeting the “worst of the worst.”
As ICE terrorizes cities to fill up detention centers, remember that some of Trump's major donors are private prison corporations.
December 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
73% of ICE detainees have no criminal convictions, according to govt data.
Don’t fall for Trump’s lies about targeting the “worst of the worst.”
As ICE terrorizes cities to fill up detention centers, remember that some of Trump's major donors are private prison corporations.
Don’t fall for Trump’s lies about targeting the “worst of the worst.”
As ICE terrorizes cities to fill up detention centers, remember that some of Trump's major donors are private prison corporations.
Reposted by Michele Somerville she/her
Palantir sells AI tools that help law enforcement agencies like ICE analyze massive amounts of personal data.
It's a big reason why it is quickly becoming the most dangerous corporation in America.https://youtu.be/x_VwyhErd88?si=4Ptdx0tQBOBOUin1
It's a big reason why it is quickly becoming the most dangerous corporation in America.https://youtu.be/x_VwyhErd88?si=4Ptdx0tQBOBOUin1
The Most Dangerous Corporation in America?
Robert Reich
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Palantir sells AI tools that help law enforcement agencies like ICE analyze massive amounts of personal data.
It's a big reason why it is quickly becoming the most dangerous corporation in America.https://youtu.be/x_VwyhErd88?si=4Ptdx0tQBOBOUin1
It's a big reason why it is quickly becoming the most dangerous corporation in America.https://youtu.be/x_VwyhErd88?si=4Ptdx0tQBOBOUin1
“In this war, Russia is trying to kill a culture. But what is far more interesting is the work that is being done within that culture -- which has implications for all of the rest of us…”
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Ukrainian History Global Initiative
The Creative Humanities During a War of Destruction
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:49 AM
“In this war, Russia is trying to kill a culture. But what is far more interesting is the work that is being done within that culture -- which has implications for all of the rest of us…”
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
“In this war, Russia is trying to kill a culture. But what is far more interesting is the work that is being done within that culture -- which has implications for all of the rest of us…” open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Ukrainian History Global Initiative
The Creative Humanities During a War of Destruction
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
“In this war, Russia is trying to kill a culture. But what is far more interesting is the work that is being done within that culture -- which has implications for all of the rest of us…” open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
“The president’s dehumanizing and dangerous attacks on minority immigrant communities are nothing new. When he first ran for president a decade ago, he launched his campaign with claims that he was going to pause Muslim immigration to this country. >1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/o...
Opinion | Ilhan Omar: Trump Knows He’s Failing. Cue the Bigotry.
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:56 AM
“The president’s dehumanizing and dangerous attacks on minority immigrant communities are nothing new. When he first ran for president a decade ago, he launched his campaign with claims that he was going to pause Muslim immigration to this country. >1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/o...