Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 8h

There were waaaay more supportive honks and waves than negative reactions. Though I did find the motorcyclist with the MAGA cap fastened to the top of his helmet (passed by 3-4x) amusing, as well as the driver who hollered at the crowd of largely well-heeled middle-aged protesters, "GET A JOB!"

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 10h

"But on FM 1960, deep in the heart of purple suburbia, we didn’t see or hear a hint of hatred for this great country.
We saw patriots waving American flags. We saw our elders out in the heat. And their message was clear: Now is the time to speak up for the Constitution of the United States."

Blue Heron Farm @blueheronfarm.bsky.social · 12h

Friends, I break my anonymity only to you.
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/edit...

Do Houston No Kings protesters 'hate America'? What they said. | Editorial

More than 1,000 No Kings protesters showed up in Cypress, Texas. We asked them if they 'hate America,' as House Speaker Mike Johnson claims? The flag-waiving patriots gave us a resounding 'no.'

www.houstonchronicle.com

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 11h

It'll be interesting to see how things look at the midterms. I expect Rs still to win, but maybe the percentage will shift.

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 11h

We'd gone to the past rallies in Conroe, but The Woodlands is closer to us and we wanted to support an event there. I hope turnout was good in Conroe this morning as well!

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SUgoiBxMxC1968 @babymetalfanatic.bsky.social · 14h

Happy Saturday, #RushFamily! On this day of protest around the world, today's #Rush Song of the Day is relevant to me. Enjoy!

youtu.be/eV-5iNu6Sd8?...

Rush - A Farewell To Kings

YouTube video by RushVEVO

youtu.be

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 12h

No Kings protest in The Woodlands, Texas (north suburban Houston). This is the first such protest to occur in the community. I overheard a number of folks telling others that they had never attended such an event before but had gotten to the point of feeling they needed to do something.

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The Whimsical Muse @whimsicalmuse.bsky.social · 16h

When you use an Oxford comma, you're doing your part to make the world beautiful, meaningful, and understandable.

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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 14h

Take note of all these people turning out for protests in small towns in red states.

Remember them the next time you’re inclined to write an area off because “they voted for this.”

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Texas Conference of the AAUP @texasaaup.bsky.social · 17h

📢📢 UTAustin students: “Allowing a political entity to control education…is reprehensible enough to warrant a complete rejection of the compact…government overreach could lead to the complete partisan control of education bordering on indoctrination.” ⬇️

AAUP chapter @UT Austin @utaustinaaup.bsky.social · 20h

thedailytexan.com/2025/10/16/a...

Academic freedom should not be for sale

The Editorial Board argues the University should join the league of universities rejecting Trump’s compact in favor of in institutional independence.

thedailytexan.com

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Jarrett Walker @humantransit.bsky.social · 1d

For Tolkien fans, a timely passage for No Kings Eve, from WH Auden’s review of Lord of the Rings.

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Wil Wheaton @wilwheaton.net · 3d

Since the launch of the 2nd #NoKings mobilization, the Trump regime has escalated their authoritarian agenda.

We won’t back down.

On Oct. 18, we’re telling this wannabe dictator: America belongs to us.

No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. app.sosha.ai/s/GLV3dTgM

Find An Event Near You!

app.sosha.ai

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 5d

Was a disappointed not to get better seats at the Rush tour presale this morning. Then my son (who has only seen them once, in 2012) read me online comments from young fans who never got to see them before and are so happy to have a chance now and it helped restore my equilibrium.

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 8d

New requirements for faculty to use Simple Syllabus makes it easier for randos to search syllabi for "hot button" terms and target faculty members.

Texas Systems Review Course Descriptions, Syllabi

Syllabi and course information are becoming increasingly public and Texas institutions are scrambling to scrub them of topics like gender identity.

www.insidehighered.com

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Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 10d

Incredible.

Jack Posobiec references the earliest version of antifa -- the anti-fascists in the Weimar Republic who were opposed to the Nazi Party -- as the bad guys.

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Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 10d

"The Trump administration’s latest move to reshape higher education--its Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education--is a dangerous overreach...This is coercion – an attempt to remake higher education through executive fiat and financial threat."
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...

Trump's higher education compact isn't conservative. It's federal intimidation. | Opinion

President Trump is trying to impose an ideological checklist on universities. That's not conservative reform. That's an abuse of power.

www.usatoday.com

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More Perfect Union @moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 10d

"For instance, CNBC found that one Microsoft data center in Illinois received more than $38 million in data center sales tax exemptions but created just 20 permanent jobs."

www.cnbc.com/2025/06/20/t...

In race to attract data centers, states can forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue to tech companies

Amazon, Meta and Google are among the beneficiaries of state tax exemptions for data centers that help power AI.

www.cnbc.com

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 11d

Supposedly, according to the t&c for a Ft. Worth radio station contest, a 2-ticket prize has an approximate retail value of $300. So that's $150/ticket, not including the Ticketbastard fees. Similar price to floor tix for R40.

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 11d

10/10-10/12 is the Citibank presale. 10/13 is when the fan presale starts for those registered. General ticket sale starts 10/17.

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Penny P @mstmompj.bsky.social · 12d

Did not expect this announcement this morning!

Hallelujah for Fort Worth dates!

Geddy and Alex Send a Message to Rush Fans

YouTube video by Rush

youtu.be

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Texas Observer @texasobserver.org · 14d

From @byjustinmiller.bsky.social: Two days after Kirk’s murder, the Texas House speaker and lieutenant governor announced a select committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education, an Orwellian title for a body to ostensibly oversee two recently enacted laws policing speech.

For Greg Abbott, Free Speech Is Just Another Political Prop

Charlie Kirk defended the First Amendment. Texas betrays it in his defense.

www.texasobserver.org

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History Daily - This Many Years Ago @thismanyyearsago.bsky.social · 14d

89 years ago, on the 4th of October 1936, antifascist counter protesters stopped a British Union of Fascists march through London’s East End. The Metropolitan Police tried to clear the way for the fascists resulting in violent clashes known as the Battle of Cable Street. #otd #history 🗃️

The mounted police conduct a charge against the dense crowd to clear the way to Cable Street.

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Brian Soucek @brsoucek.bsky.social · 15d

Strong statement today from UC's Academic Senate:

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Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 16d

Turn off your phone’s “advertising ID” to make it harder for location data brokers to track you. (2/4)

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Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 16d

IF ANY CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY SIGNS THIS RADICAL AGREEMENT, THEY'LL LOSE BILLIONS IN STATE FUNDING — INCLUDING CAL GRANTS — INSTANTLY.

CALIFORNIA WILL NOT BANKROLL SCHOOLS THAT SELL OUT THEIR STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, RESEARCHERS, AND SURRENDER ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

New York Times: "Trump Administration Asks Colleges to Sign ‘Compact’ to Get Funding Preference."

The White House asked nine top universities to pledge support for President Trump’s agenda to help ensure access to research funding.

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AAUP chapter @UT Austin @utaustinaaup.bsky.social · 16d

www.statesman.com/news/educati...

"If you're in a state where there's been firing of faculty for what they said without any due process, for example, which we just saw happen, this policy only throws gasoline on the fire”—David DeMatthews, a UT professor of education policy and leadership

New Trump plan offers UT funding benefits with conditions on academics

The Trump administration named the University of Texas as one of nine schools that can access funding benefits in exchange for demands outlined in a compact.

www.statesman.com

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