Philip Nel
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philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel
@philnel.bsky.social
770 followers 580 following 690 posts

👨🏼‍🏫 Prof. he/him.
📚 Books on children's books & comics: https://philnel.com/writing/books/
📷 IG: thephilnel
🐘 Mastodon: @[email protected]
🎵 Spotify: thephilnel
🐦 Twitter (deleted acct in 2022): @philnel

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Philip W. Nel is an American scholar of children's literature and University Distinguished Professor of English at Kansas State University. He is best known for his work on Dr. Seuss and Harry Potter, which has led to him being a guest on such media programs as CBS Sunday Morning, NPR's Morning Edition, Talk of the Nation, and CNN's Don Lemon Tonight. .. more

Art 33%
Communication & Media Studies 22%
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philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · Jul 26
1/2 ⬇️ This is an excellent idea & I am co-signing & invite my fellow academics to join me. Academia depends on a lot of unpaid labor. Withhold your labor from Columbia. ⬇️
jtlg.bsky.social James Grimmelmann @jtlg.bsky.social · Jul 25
In light of Columbia's capitulation to the Trump regime's illegal and extortionate demands, I have resolved not to write for Columbia publications, speak at Columbia events, or perform other free labor for a university that has repudated its values.

3d.laboratorium.net/2025-07-25-c...
Columbia’s Capitulation
Universities exist to promote the discovery, preservation, and transmission of knowledge. While they can help make to make a society virtuous, prosperous, and free, they do so by pursing their mission...
3d.laboratorium.net

Reposted by Norbert Schwarz, Brendan Nyhan, Philip Nel , and 3 more

gadyepstein.bsky.social
Gady Epstein @gadyepstein.bsky.social · 2d
“We’ve tried to not have to do it, but we've got direct orders,” the masked ICE agents told them www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i...
"I asked for their names. They didn't give me their full names," Hestmark recalled of the agents. "They didn't show me their badge numbers. They didn't remove their masks. They simply said, 'We have a warrant for his arrest, and they handed me a QR code, and they put my husband in handcuffs. And they took him and said I couldn't follow." "She was just stunned," Paul said. "She kept asking what was wrong, what did we do? We'd done everything right." "We kept asking them if there was something we could do, if there was any way we could keep her from being separated from the family," he continued. We’re just trying to figure out what's happening, and they're just telling us, I'm sorry. We’ve tried to not have to do it, but we've got direct orders."| • "I had to take my baby, our baby, from his crying mother's arms," Paul said. "We were completely shocked, and I feel like we were tricked," Hestmark said. "We went through every possible legal and appropriate channel. We followed the advice of our lawyer. We were told that our case was straight forward." "He just wanted to be part of this country and for us to start our future together. And he wanted to do it… "Tom isn't in the system. I can't find him," Hestmark said. "I can't call him. I can't put money into his account. The lawyer doesn't know how to proceed because he hasn't been charged with anything." Both said their spouses were able to call them Thursday night, and they believed they were still being held in the basement of the federal building as of Friday afternoon. "She said that she was scared. She was anxious, missed her baby. She just wants to come home," Paul said. "She said the agents themselves were in the detention down in the basement of the federal building, saying, What are we doing here? These aren't the sort of people were supposed to be arresting.” "They hadn't given him anything to eat or any information," Hestmark said. "They gave him a mat and a foil blanket to sleep on." As she was detailing his arrest Friday afternoon, Bilger called Hestmark again from detention. She said he told her they had moved him to the Otay Mesa Detention Center and back but he hadn't slept and still hadn't been processed. "My wife's alone and terrified," Paul said. "My baby doesn't have his mom to hold him. I can't work right…

Reposted by Philip Nel

mariopro.bsky.social
paulpro @mariopro.bsky.social · 2d
@anntelnaes.bsky.social

Reposted by Mary Feeney, Philip Nel, Melanie C. Green , and 4 more

carnage4life.bsky.social
Dare Obasanjo @carnage4life.bsky.social · 2d
All DOGE accomplished was purging critical government staff, handing private data to outsiders, and sentencing thousands in developing countries to death by gutting USAID.

I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter
U.S. President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency has disbanded with eight months left to its mandate.
www.cnbc.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com
WTF Just Happened Today? @whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com · 2d
Today's edition is 1,608 words, a 8-minute read.
Day 1770
“Defective.”
whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

ecmclaughlin.bsky.social
Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin @ecmclaughlin.bsky.social · 5d
Here’s what the judge said in ordering Bolsonaro’s arrest.

A study in contrasts.
Screengrab from AP: "Brazil's democracy has reached sufficient maturity to steer away and prosecute pathetic illegal initiatives to defend the criminal organization that is responsible for a coup d'etat attempt in Brazil," he added.

Reposted by Philip Nel

ecmclaughlin.bsky.social
Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin @ecmclaughlin.bsky.social · 5d
Bolsonaro was preemptively arrested to begins serving his jail sentence for the Brazilian coup attempt a la January 6th this morning, because on of his sons made a video calling for his supporters to basically riot.

apnews.com/article/braz...
Brazil's Supreme Court orders Bolsonaro's arrest ahead of prison sentence
Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered the preemptive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro. This decision comes days before he was set to begin a 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt.
apnews.com

Reposted by Timothy Snyder, Kori Schake, Joanna Bryson , and 19 more

anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.bsky.social · 5d
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com

Reposted by John McLaren, Rosemary A. Joyce, Philip Nel , and 4 more

jamellebouie.net
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 5d
speaking as a virginia beach native if these kind of dudes are plotting against ICE then there is wide runway in public opinion for straight up abolishing the agency under a dem presidency
Kempsville High School assistant principal charged for threats against police, ICE
Virginia Beach assistant principal John Bennett and Mark Bennett charged for conspiring threats against police and ICE agents. Both are held without bond.
www.13newsnow.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

democracyforward.org
Democracy Forward @democracyforward.org · 5d
UPDATE: Today a federal court blocked the unprecedented efforts by the IRS to share data on millions of taxpayers with ICE.

This is an important win for millions of people, and represents the first injunction against this unlawful data sharing.

Reposted by Peter Thorne, Philip Nel, Alan Richardson

erosalie.infoepi.com
E. Rosalie @erosalie.infoepi.com · 5d
Imagine, if you will, that NASA updated its website to suggest gravity might not exist, prompting CalTech and CERN to release statements saying, "With great sadness, we can no longer recommend listening to NASA."

This is what's happening in epidemiology.

Reposted by Philip Nel, Lisa Diedrich

hugobookclub.bsky.social
An Unofficial Hugo Book Club Blog @hugobookclub.bsky.social · 5d
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.

These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
Stamps featuring Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas

Reposted by Philip Nel

stevenbeschloss.bsky.social
Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 5d
“But now voters who believed his BS are rejecting him. His overall approvals are down 16% and, according to an analysis by The Economist, every state in the country has ‘moved against Mr. Trump’ except for Idaho.”
www.americaamerica.news/p/refusing-t...
Refusing to Buy Trump's Economic Lies
His increasingly transparent BS isn’t working as Americans struggle to make ends meet
www.americaamerica.news

Reposted by Philip Nel

jysexton.bsky.social
Jared Yates Sexton @jysexton.bsky.social · 5d
Trump and his supporters are in a poisonous feedback loop where his power is based on encouraging their worst behaviors and thoughts.

Calling for the execution of political enemies is an escalation and it makes unchecked fascist violence a reality.

jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/what-the-d...
What the Dictator Wants: The Normalization of Violence and Oppression
Trump is openly calling for the execution of his political enemies. We've stepped into a new chapter of this crisis
jaredyatessexton.substack.com

Reposted by Philip Nel, Göran Bolin, Michael D. McDonald

euanmacdonald.bsky.social
Euan MacDonald @euanmacdonald.bsky.social · 6d
Even the text of the alleged "peace agreement" between Russia and Ukraine being touted by the Trump administration betrays its Kremlin origins. They were in such a such a rush they didn't even have it properly translated.

Reposted by Philip Nel

altcdc.altgov.info
Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 7d
CDC Website has been hacked!
Just kidding (sadly 😩)

Call Senator Bill Cassidy (202- 224-5824) and tell him to DO something! As the man (and MD!) who was the deciding vote in confirming the 🧠 🪱 that is destroying public health, he is also culpable!
C.D.C. Changes Website to Reflect Kennedy’s Vaccine Skepticism
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 7d
“Two weeks after the election the incoming administration is making no attempt to downplay expectations, if anything they are doubling down on them.”

Reposted by Philip Nel

joebrusuelas.bsky.social
Joe Brusuelas @joebrusuelas.bsky.social · 7d
BLS has cancelled the October Jobs Report. It will be rolled into the November Report that will be published in December. No word on if that’s going to be Friday December 5 or not.

Reposted by David H. Kaye, David Rothschild, Philip Nel , and 1 more

repvindman.bsky.social
Congressman Eugene Vindman @repvindman.bsky.social · 8d
Yesterday, Trump defended the Saudi Crown Prince in the Oval Office.

He said he had “nothing” to do with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

But I reviewed a call while serving on Trump’s NSC that I believe would be of interest to the Khashoggi family and the American people.

Release the transcript.

Reposted by Philip Nel, Virginia Sapiro

reuters.com
Reuters @reuters.com · 8d
The Charlie Kirk purge: How 600 Americans were punished in a pro-Trump crackdown reut.rs/4icyBaS
The Charlie Kirk purge: How 600 Americans were punished in a pro-Trump crackdown
Two months after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, a government-backed campaign has led to firings, suspensions, investigations and other action against more than 600 people. Republican officials have endorsed the punishments, saying that those who glorify violence should be removed from positions of trust.
reut.rs

Reposted by Philip Nel

thetnholler.bsky.social
The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 8d
For Trump: extravagant dinners with murderous dictators who fill the pockets of him and his family and friends

For you: higher prices

Reposted by Philip Nel, Bruce D. Baker, David Darmofal

crampell.bsky.social
Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 8d
They’re not sending their best. www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
ICE employee among 16 men arrested in Bloomington sex trafficking sting, police say
According to Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, officers started the three-day sting on Nov. 5. They used several methods to find people who were attempting to solicit a 17-year-old girl for sex.
www.cbsnews.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

boycottcitizens.bsky.social
Boycott Citizens Bank @boycottcitizens.bsky.social · 8d
The people so outraged by the thought of a single taxpayer dollar going to help immigrants have no problem at all with tens of billions of taxpayer dollars going to hurt immigrants.

This was never about fiscal responsibility.

Reposted by Philip Nel

chantalalive.blacksky.app
Chantal James @chantalalive.blacksky.app · 8d
It’s one easy dunk on Americans by people from around the world: “See that sounds like something someone without a Department of Education would say.”

Reposted by Philip Nel

npr.org
NPR @npr.org · 8d
Both the House and Senate have moved to send to President Trump's desk a measure that would compel the Justice Department to release its documents regarding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
House and Senate both approve releasing the Epstein files by a near unanimous margin
https://www.npr.org/2025/11/18/nx-s1-5611438/epstein-files-bill-house-vote
n.pr

Reposted by Philip Nel

mimmymum.bsky.social
Helen 🏳️‍⚧️✊🏻💕 @mimmymum.bsky.social · 8d
A cycling influencer nominated for a list of top 100 women cyclists said she has declined the honour due to the decision not to include trans women.

Claire Sharpe, a cycling coach from Bristol, said: "If they don't want to ride with all women, then it's not the kind of ride I want to be part of" 👏🏻
Woman refuses Cycling UK award over trans women being left out - BBC News
Claire Sharpe says she disagrees with Cycling UK only naming biological women in their top 100 list.
www.bbc.com

Reposted by Naomi Klein, Philip Nel, Marianne Blanchard

rbreich.bsky.social
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 8d
Elon Musk’s new pay package could amount to $100B per year.

That's the same as 3.2 million cashiers’ paychecks combined.

It’s more than 1.4 million elementary school teachers’ paychecks.

It’s more than 2 million janitors’ paychecks.

Billionaire greed is out of control.

Reposted by Philip Nel

theonion.com
The Onion @theonion.com · 8d
From The Archives: ‘We Will Never Speak Of This Again,’ Says Trump To Mohammed Bin Salman As They Dump Khashoggi’s Body Into New Jersey River https://theonion.com/we-will-never-speak-of-this-again-says-trump-to-moha-1830547181/
‘We Will Never Speak Of This Again,’ Says Trump To Mohammed Bin Salman As They Dump Khashoggi’s Body Into New Jersey River

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Philip Nel, Lindsay M. Tedds , and 3 more

moreperfectunion.bsky.social
More Perfect Union @moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 8d
TurboTax is about to be integrated into ChatGPT, where customers will be guided through tasks tied to their tax filings or financial profile by the AI chatbot.

TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.

Reposted by Philip Nel

theonion.com
The Onion @theonion.com · 9d
Dream Vacation Turns Deadly For Area Houseplant
Dream Vacation Turns Deadly For Area Houseplant

philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · 9d
🎶 It’s always… bittersweet, bittersweet… 🎶