Thomas Beck
@tomfodw.bsky.social
Historian of 19th & 20th century Russia/Europe (mostly pre-1921); science fiction author & fan; lover of cats, dogs, chocolate, books, movies, television, baseball, soccer, ice hockey, cricket, Hawaii.
Follow my Substack! https://thomasbeck.substack.com
Follow my Substack! https://thomasbeck.substack.com
Reposted by Thomas Beck
This seems like the kind of declaration by a U.S. president that should be mentioned *somewhere* on the front page of CNN or the NY Times, but the fact that it isn't (as of right now) tells us so much both about how this president is covered and the credibility of the U.S. government.
November 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
This seems like the kind of declaration by a U.S. president that should be mentioned *somewhere* on the front page of CNN or the NY Times, but the fact that it isn't (as of right now) tells us so much both about how this president is covered and the credibility of the U.S. government.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Under Trump, 591 books by Black authors have been banned from Pentagon-run schools and libraries, according to Onyx Impact.
www.axios.com/2025/11/29/f...
www.axios.com/2025/11/29/f...
America stares down erasure of Black history and progress
In the last year, federal, state and institutional decisions have gutted pillars of America's civil rights protections.
www.axios.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Under Trump, 591 books by Black authors have been banned from Pentagon-run schools and libraries, according to Onyx Impact.
www.axios.com/2025/11/29/f...
www.axios.com/2025/11/29/f...
Reposted by Thomas Beck
“Sanction Georgian Dream.”
A message to the world from Georgian protesters on day 367 of uninterrupted, nationwide protests.
📷 Megi Benia
A message to the world from Georgian protesters on day 367 of uninterrupted, nationwide protests.
📷 Megi Benia
November 29, 2025 at 5:53 PM
“Sanction Georgian Dream.”
A message to the world from Georgian protesters on day 367 of uninterrupted, nationwide protests.
📷 Megi Benia
A message to the world from Georgian protesters on day 367 of uninterrupted, nationwide protests.
📷 Megi Benia
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Reposted by Thomas Beck
This was a fellow human put in harm’s way for no good reason. Her death is a tragedy. May it strengthen our resolve to defy this depraved and lawless regime.
Sarah Beckstrom's ex-boyfriend told NBC News she dreamed of becoming an FBI special agent.
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
National Guard member killed in D.C. shooting remembered for 'heart of gold'
The slain soldier’s former boyfriend recalled her empathy and generosity. “She doesn’t even have to know you and she’ll do anything for you,” he said.
www.nbcnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:16 AM
This was a fellow human put in harm’s way for no good reason. Her death is a tragedy. May it strengthen our resolve to defy this depraved and lawless regime.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
That same evening, protests erupted across Georgia, and they have continued ever since.
Georgians have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to European values, but the Kremlin does not want to allow them to live in peace and progress.
Georgians have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to European values, but the Kremlin does not want to allow them to live in peace and progress.
November 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
That same evening, protests erupted across Georgia, and they have continued ever since.
Georgians have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to European values, but the Kremlin does not want to allow them to live in peace and progress.
Georgians have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to European values, but the Kremlin does not want to allow them to live in peace and progress.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Robyn Maynard, Ismail Adam (VP of the Darfur Diaspora Association) and I wrote this op-ed about Canada's complicity in Sudan, calling among other things for the loophole to be closed that allows Can. weapons to get to the RSF through the US + UAE.
breachmedia.ca/in-the-genoc...
breachmedia.ca/in-the-genoc...
In the genocide in Sudan, Canada has a hand in the violence ⋆ The Breach
The massacres of civilians in Sudan are being fuelled by Canadian weapons, mining interests, and refugee restrictions. It’s time for Canada to end its complicity
breachmedia.ca
November 28, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Robyn Maynard, Ismail Adam (VP of the Darfur Diaspora Association) and I wrote this op-ed about Canada's complicity in Sudan, calling among other things for the loophole to be closed that allows Can. weapons to get to the RSF through the US + UAE.
breachmedia.ca/in-the-genoc...
breachmedia.ca/in-the-genoc...
Reposted by Thomas Beck
#OpEd As draft peace proposals suggest handing Russia Ukraine’s Donbas, we cannot ignore the human rights abuses Moscow committed in occupied territory, warns Natalia Morozova.
Make No Mistake – Handing Moscow the Donbas Condemns Its Inhabitants - The Moscow Times
Opinion | Remember how everyone recently laughed at the UN for publishing a tearful report saying that no one reads its reports?
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
#OpEd As draft peace proposals suggest handing Russia Ukraine’s Donbas, we cannot ignore the human rights abuses Moscow committed in occupied territory, warns Natalia Morozova.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
November 28, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reposted by Thomas Beck
A year ago today, Georgians flooded the streets after Georgian Dream said it would suspend EU accession. The people haven’t stopped since — protests have taken place every day in 8+ cities.
Tonight, Tbilisi is packed with protesters marching toward Parliament.
🎥 Netgazeti
Tonight, Tbilisi is packed with protesters marching toward Parliament.
🎥 Netgazeti
November 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM
A year ago today, Georgians flooded the streets after Georgian Dream said it would suspend EU accession. The people haven’t stopped since — protests have taken place every day in 8+ cities.
Tonight, Tbilisi is packed with protesters marching toward Parliament.
🎥 Netgazeti
Tonight, Tbilisi is packed with protesters marching toward Parliament.
🎥 Netgazeti
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Watching someone who is fluent in Latin slowly realize that general English speakers have never heard the term “transitive verb”
November 28, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Watching someone who is fluent in Latin slowly realize that general English speakers have never heard the term “transitive verb”
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Tonight marks one year of uninterrupted protests by the Georgian people against the current pro-Russian regime.
https://www.europesays.com/2598028/
Tonight marks one year of uninterrupted protests by the Georgian people against the current pro-Russian regime. https://i.redd.it/st67ff204v3g1.png …
https://www.europesays.com/2598028/
Tonight marks one year of uninterrupted protests by the Georgian people against the current pro-Russian regime. https://i.redd.it/st67ff204v3g1.png …
Tonight marks one year of uninterrupted protests by the Georgian people against the current pro-Russian regime. - EUROPE SAYS
Tonight marks one year of uninterrupted protests by the Georgian people against the current pro-Russian regime. https://i.redd.it/st67ff204v3g1.png by
www.europesays.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Tonight marks one year of uninterrupted protests by the Georgian people against the current pro-Russian regime.
https://www.europesays.com/2598028/
Tonight marks one year of uninterrupted protests by the Georgian people against the current pro-Russian regime. https://i.redd.it/st67ff204v3g1.png …
https://www.europesays.com/2598028/
Tonight marks one year of uninterrupted protests by the Georgian people against the current pro-Russian regime. https://i.redd.it/st67ff204v3g1.png …
Shocking, horrifying that for ICE the default is illegal, detainable, deportable. If they don’t like you, they can just assume you’re illegal. They don’t have to prove it or give you any due process. They’d rather grab 100 people who are here legally than let one here illegally go free.
November 28, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Shocking, horrifying that for ICE the default is illegal, detainable, deportable. If they don’t like you, they can just assume you’re illegal. They don’t have to prove it or give you any due process. They’d rather grab 100 people who are here legally than let one here illegally go free.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
One year of continuous resistance
#GeorgiaProtests
The fight for freedom continues! ✊🏻🇬🇪🇪🇺
Video by David Tsintsadze
#GeorgiaProtests
The fight for freedom continues! ✊🏻🇬🇪🇪🇺
Video by David Tsintsadze
November 27, 2025 at 8:32 PM
One year of continuous resistance
#GeorgiaProtests
The fight for freedom continues! ✊🏻🇬🇪🇪🇺
Video by David Tsintsadze
#GeorgiaProtests
The fight for freedom continues! ✊🏻🇬🇪🇪🇺
Video by David Tsintsadze
Reposted by Thomas Beck
7/ "But what about those who were wounded but died in the pre-hospital stage, before they could be registered as 300 [wounded]?
This entire stage of care is practically unstudied. It's not subject to statistics and is not tracked.
This entire stage of care is practically unstudied. It's not subject to statistics and is not tracked.
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
7/ "But what about those who were wounded but died in the pre-hospital stage, before they could be registered as 300 [wounded]?
This entire stage of care is practically unstudied. It's not subject to statistics and is not tracked.
This entire stage of care is practically unstudied. It's not subject to statistics and is not tracked.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Despite the numerous sanctions against Russian energy companies, banks, military suppliers, and "shadow fleet", there are still invisible vulnerabilities that often go unnoticed⤵️
November 27, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Despite the numerous sanctions against Russian energy companies, banks, military suppliers, and "shadow fleet", there are still invisible vulnerabilities that often go unnoticed⤵️
Reposted by Thomas Beck
The guy's race and nationality are less relevant than the fact a CIA contractor shot two National Guard soldiers
National Guard shooter faces assault charges as CIA ties emerge
National Guard shooter faces assault charges as CIA ties emerge
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said additional charges may come as the investigation continues to unfold.
dlvr.it
November 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The guy's race and nationality are less relevant than the fact a CIA contractor shot two National Guard soldiers
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Look at the sample of headlines about the shooter. Only the UK's Guardian notes in the headline that the shooter of the National Guard troops was trained by the CIA. Wonder why US media wants to downplay that?!
November 27, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Look at the sample of headlines about the shooter. Only the UK's Guardian notes in the headline that the shooter of the National Guard troops was trained by the CIA. Wonder why US media wants to downplay that?!
The pirate ship is the oldest float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade--39 years old.
I wonder how much of the original float is left--Pirate Ship (Float) of Theseus, anyone? ;-)
I wonder how much of the original float is left--Pirate Ship (Float) of Theseus, anyone? ;-)
November 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The pirate ship is the oldest float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade--39 years old.
I wonder how much of the original float is left--Pirate Ship (Float) of Theseus, anyone? ;-)
I wonder how much of the original float is left--Pirate Ship (Float) of Theseus, anyone? ;-)
Reposted by Thomas Beck
I'm old.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
November 27, 2025 at 4:21 AM
I'm old.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Ukrainian soldiers, a chief rabbi, and the fighter's father gathered on Kyiv's Independence Square on Thursday to bid farewell to Benjamin Aser, a 21-year-old Hungarian volunteer who died in May while serving with Ukraine's Third Assault Brigade.
Kyiv bids farewell to fallen Hungarian volunteer who fought in Third Assault Brigade (PHOTO REPORT)
Ukrainian soldiers, a chief rabbi and the fighter's father gathered on Kyiv's Independence Square on Thursday to bid farewell to Benjamin Aser, a 21-year-old Hungarian volunteer who died in ...
hromadske.ua
November 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Ukrainian soldiers, a chief rabbi, and the fighter's father gathered on Kyiv's Independence Square on Thursday to bid farewell to Benjamin Aser, a 21-year-old Hungarian volunteer who died in May while serving with Ukraine's Third Assault Brigade.
I *LOVE* Derpy Tiger!!! 😍😃👍🏻🥹🐯
November 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I *LOVE* Derpy Tiger!!! 😍😃👍🏻🥹🐯
Reposted by Thomas Beck
This Memorial Lecture will be published in full in a future issue of First World War Studies, for now you can watch online!
Last week's wonderful Dennis Showalter Memorial Lecture by @juliarsct.bsky.social on the subject of 'Poetry under fire: what poems did during the First World War', is now available to watch on the Society YouTube Channel: youtu.be/yoaRVrmjDLw?...
Dennis Showalter Lecture 2025 by Julia Ribeiro Thomaz: 'Poetry under fire'
YouTube video by International Society for First World War Studies
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 9:47 AM
This Memorial Lecture will be published in full in a future issue of First World War Studies, for now you can watch online!