Philip Montoro
@pmontoro.bsky.social
Chicago Reader music editor and union cochair, amateur drummer, persistent cook. Signal: pmontoro.39
he/him/y'all
[email protected]
he/him/y'all
[email protected]
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
November 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Eleven years ago, I wrote to Tom Stoppard to ask about this coup de théâtre from 1949. It took me down an unexpected rabbit hole - in memory of Stoppard, here's what I found.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
The Claims of Close Reading - Boston Review
Literary studies have been starved by austerity, but their core methodology remains radical.
www.bostonreview.net
November 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I wrote an essay for @bostonreview.bsky.social about what I learned about close reading when I taught at West Virginia University
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
www.bostonreview.net/articles/the...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Not coincidentally this is a pretty good list of Most Important Companies to Unionize.
The Boston Globe identified the companies in Massachusetts that employ the most SNAP recipients. A key stat: "In Massachusetts, 74% of working-age recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are employed, half of them full-time."
Full article: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/28/m...
Full article: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/28/m...
November 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Not coincidentally this is a pretty good list of Most Important Companies to Unionize.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
The president is about to start a war for no real reason. All of the things he has blamed on the country he’s targeting — fentanyl distribution, “emptying the asylums” and sending patients to the U.S., alignment with Tren de Aragua— are provably, obviously false.
Lots of people are going to die.
Lots of people are going to die.
November 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The president is about to start a war for no real reason. All of the things he has blamed on the country he’s targeting — fentanyl distribution, “emptying the asylums” and sending patients to the U.S., alignment with Tren de Aragua— are provably, obviously false.
Lots of people are going to die.
Lots of people are going to die.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Every single congressional Democrat needs to be out there, right now, insisting that Pete Hegseth resign right now and announcing that he will be held accountable for committing war crimes.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
If you do not demand accountability here and now, they will only become more emboldened.
The only solution is to dismantle ICE and CBP completely. This lawlessness and cruelty cannot be reformed.
Beyond depraved: "Hours after her detainment, court documents obtained by ABC News show that a federal judge ordered the government not to remove the 19-year-old from the U.S. and not to transfer her outside of Massachusetts. But Lopez Belloza was deported to Honduras the next day."
November 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The only solution is to dismantle ICE and CBP completely. This lawlessness and cruelty cannot be reformed.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Trump’s immigration policies have cost Chicago a world famous brewing school
The Siebel Institute will relocate to Montreal
“regulatory changes in the US have made it much more challenging for many of our international students, who have become the majority of our student body, to attend classes”
The Siebel Institute will relocate to Montreal
“regulatory changes in the US have made it much more challenging for many of our international students, who have become the majority of our student body, to attend classes”
World-famous brewing institution leaving U.S. for Canada
A renowned American beer brewing school is heading north and getting ready to settle in at a new address in Montreal.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 27, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Trump’s immigration policies have cost Chicago a world famous brewing school
The Siebel Institute will relocate to Montreal
“regulatory changes in the US have made it much more challenging for many of our international students, who have become the majority of our student body, to attend classes”
The Siebel Institute will relocate to Montreal
“regulatory changes in the US have made it much more challenging for many of our international students, who have become the majority of our student body, to attend classes”
Reposted by Philip Montoro
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
new: i read the 2026 cook county budget so you don't have to.
spoiler: more money for police and prosecutors (plus a lot of other stuff).
spoiler: more money for police and prosecutors (plus a lot of other stuff).
Cook County law enforcement agencies get more money in 2026
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved large investments in policing and prosecutions, over objections from advocates.
chicagoreader.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
new: i read the 2026 cook county budget so you don't have to.
spoiler: more money for police and prosecutors (plus a lot of other stuff).
spoiler: more money for police and prosecutors (plus a lot of other stuff).
Reposted by Philip Montoro
DOGE did not exist to save taxpayers money. It existed to take a wrecking ball to programs that had drifted into the crosshairs of the insane conspiracy right as hiding the secret switch that would turn off liberalism. They found nothing, destroyed entire agencies and gave the data to who knows who.
hey don't be so hard on yourselves; it delivered oceans of sensitive government and citizen data to billionaires
Musk’s DOGE Quietly Killed Off After Delivering Almost Nothing
The agency disbanded eight months ahead of schedule.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
DOGE did not exist to save taxpayers money. It existed to take a wrecking ball to programs that had drifted into the crosshairs of the insane conspiracy right as hiding the secret switch that would turn off liberalism. They found nothing, destroyed entire agencies and gave the data to who knows who.
Having a "goal" to arrest 5,000 people is grotesque on its face. It's a command to invent criminals.
U.S. border agents are set to descend on communities in southeast Mississippi as part of "Swamp Sweep," an operation with a goal of arresting 5,000 people in southern Mississippi and Louisiana.
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
www.mississippifreepress.org/border-agent...
Border Agents Target Mississippi Communities in ‘Swamp Sweep’
Border agents are set to conduct a major immigration crackdown called "Swamp Sweep,” targeting immigrants in southeast Mississippi and Louisiana.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Having a "goal" to arrest 5,000 people is grotesque on its face. It's a command to invent criminals.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
In the middle of a nursing shortage, while he's also busy deporting nursing staff and blocking visas for even more nursing staff
Nursing Excluded as 'Professional' Degree by Department of Education | Discussion
Nursing Excluded as 'Professional' Degree By Department of Education
The Trump administration's "One Big Beautiful Bill" excludes nursing from graduate degree programs deemed as 'professional.' The move impacts loan funding, healthcare delivery, and patient care access.
nurse.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:57 AM
In the middle of a nursing shortage, while he's also busy deporting nursing staff and blocking visas for even more nursing staff
Reposted by Philip Montoro
I interviewed a couple friends of Arthur Banks, the Jugrnaut cofounder and Chicago hip-hop veteran who died last week, for the Reader
Rest in peace to Arthur Banks of Jugrnaut - Chicago Reader
Jugrnaut cofounder Arthur Banks passes away, shuttered house club the Post hosts Sunday nights at the New Celebrity Lounge, and more.
chicagoreader.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I interviewed a couple friends of Arthur Banks, the Jugrnaut cofounder and Chicago hip-hop veteran who died last week, for the Reader
The Reader's People Issue is out! I interviewed Janice Lim, who runs the replication shop at the Field Museum. She makes the fake stuff that helps the museum's exhibits feel more real—and by the end of this story, you'll wish you had her job! chicagoreader.com/city-life/pe...
Janice Lim, The Replicator - The People Issue 2025 - Chicago Reader
Janice Lim is the head of the Field Museum's replication shop and a dummer in the Chicago DIY music scene.
chicagoreader.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The Reader's People Issue is out! I interviewed Janice Lim, who runs the replication shop at the Field Museum. She makes the fake stuff that helps the museum's exhibits feel more real—and by the end of this story, you'll wish you had her job! chicagoreader.com/city-life/pe...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
for those not keeping track: masked feds, upset about being followed during kidnappings, reportedly swerved their car into martinez's, got out and said, "do something bitch," then unloaded five shots into her before driving off.
feds then charged martinez w/ assault and offered $50k for more info.
feds then charged martinez w/ assault and offered $50k for more info.
New: the govt has moved to dismiss its assault case against Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, two people accused of "box[ing] in" a Border Patrol vehicle in Chicago on Oct. 4.
One agent shot Martinez, with evidence presented to the court that he later bragged about in text messages.
One agent shot Martinez, with evidence presented to the court that he later bragged about in text messages.
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
for those not keeping track: masked feds, upset about being followed during kidnappings, reportedly swerved their car into martinez's, got out and said, "do something bitch," then unloaded five shots into her before driving off.
feds then charged martinez w/ assault and offered $50k for more info.
feds then charged martinez w/ assault and offered $50k for more info.
A little refresher on Pictoria Vark and Nothing Sticks, in case you missed the Reader's coverage at the time! chicagoreader.com/music/music-...
November 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
A little refresher on Pictoria Vark and Nothing Sticks, in case you missed the Reader's coverage at the time! chicagoreader.com/music/music-...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Jesus Christ. This is monstrous. Absolutely sickening. The journalists in that room should walk out en masse.
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 5:56 PM
Jesus Christ. This is monstrous. Absolutely sickening. The journalists in that room should walk out en masse.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
It will likely cost Chicago taxpayers approximately $52 million in interest to borrow that money and pay off during the next five years, according to estimates provided to the Chicago City Council.
Chicago must borrow $283.3 million to cover the soaring cost of lawsuits alleging Chicago police officers committed a wide range of misconduct — including wrongful convictions and improper pursuits — as part of the city’s 2026 budget, Mayor Johnson said. https://to.wttw.com/4qZOXYt
Chicago Set to Borrow $283.3M to Resolve Police Misconduct Lawsuits
It will likely cost Chicago taxpayers approximately $52 million in interest to borrow that money and pay off during the next five years, according to estimates provided to the Chicago City Council by ...
to.wttw.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
It will likely cost Chicago taxpayers approximately $52 million in interest to borrow that money and pay off during the next five years, according to estimates provided to the Chicago City Council.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
#NowPlaying Kelan Phil Cohran & Legacy, "African Skies." Fantastic spiritual jazz holy grail recently reissued in all the formats. kelanphilcohranlegacy.bandcamp.com/album/africa...
November 18, 2025 at 12:46 PM
#NowPlaying Kelan Phil Cohran & Legacy, "African Skies." Fantastic spiritual jazz holy grail recently reissued in all the formats. kelanphilcohranlegacy.bandcamp.com/album/africa...
Reposted by Philip Montoro
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Reposted by Philip Montoro
every epstein email is some creep complaining about MeToo and then being like “oh before i forget, any advice on how to use my position of authority to force women into sleeping with me?”
November 17, 2025 at 1:31 PM
every epstein email is some creep complaining about MeToo and then being like “oh before i forget, any advice on how to use my position of authority to force women into sleeping with me?”
FUCKING
NAZIS
NAZIS
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:05 AM
FUCKING
NAZIS
NAZIS
My friend Amanda's Soft Five project plays a record-release show at Elastic tonight as part of the Pleiades Series! Paige Alice Naylor shares the bill, and as per usual at Pleiades, there's also a jam open to femme/trans/nonbinary performers. elasticarts.org/events/pleia...
Pleiades Series: Soft Five, Paige Alice Naylor — Elastic Arts Foundation
November’s Pleiades Series serves as a record release celebration for Amanda Kraus’ project Soft Five! We’ll also hear from abstract voice/electronics composer Paige Alice Naylor. It will be a very sp...
elasticarts.org
November 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
My friend Amanda's Soft Five project plays a record-release show at Elastic tonight as part of the Pleiades Series! Paige Alice Naylor shares the bill, and as per usual at Pleiades, there's also a jam open to femme/trans/nonbinary performers. elasticarts.org/events/pleia...
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 PM