Brad Vertrees
@bradwvertrees.bsky.social
Adjunct English instructor. Addicted to books and coffee.
I speak only for myself. No DMs.
I speak only for myself. No DMs.
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
In-person Early Voting starts Tuesday, February 10 in DuPage County! See all Early Voting locations below:
Find all election info here: www.dupagecounty.gov/election
Find all election info here: www.dupagecounty.gov/election
February 9, 2026 at 5:51 PM
In-person Early Voting starts Tuesday, February 10 in DuPage County! See all Early Voting locations below:
Find all election info here: www.dupagecounty.gov/election
Find all election info here: www.dupagecounty.gov/election
I was very, very proud to see protesters from two local high schools marching outside today. They were making their voices heard!
I didn't take any pictures to respect their privacy and prevent facial recognition AI from being used against them.
#AbolishICE #ICE #Resist #protest
I didn't take any pictures to respect their privacy and prevent facial recognition AI from being used against them.
#AbolishICE #ICE #Resist #protest
February 9, 2026 at 8:32 PM
I was very, very proud to see protesters from two local high schools marching outside today. They were making their voices heard!
I didn't take any pictures to respect their privacy and prevent facial recognition AI from being used against them.
#AbolishICE #ICE #Resist #protest
I didn't take any pictures to respect their privacy and prevent facial recognition AI from being used against them.
#AbolishICE #ICE #Resist #protest
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
If your kids are excited about the winter Olympics, they might enjoy my most recent book! It includes a number of athletes currently competing- Lindsay Vonn, Chloe Kim, Alex and Maia Shibutani- as well as icons like Michelle Kwan, Johnny Weir and Surya Bonaly!
February 9, 2026 at 4:06 AM
If your kids are excited about the winter Olympics, they might enjoy my most recent book! It includes a number of athletes currently competing- Lindsay Vonn, Chloe Kim, Alex and Maia Shibutani- as well as icons like Michelle Kwan, Johnny Weir and Surya Bonaly!
February 9, 2026 at 12:20 PM
I don't think anyone, while lying in their deathbed, wishes they had spent more time at work.
www.businessinsider.com/996-work-cul...
www.businessinsider.com/996-work-cul...
The '996' work culture taking over Silicon Valley is coming at a 'human expense,' these AI researchers say
Two AI researchers said the 996 work culture, which is gaining traction in Silicon Valley, can lead to burnout for tech workers.
www.businessinsider.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:46 AM
I don't think anyone, while lying in their deathbed, wishes they had spent more time at work.
www.businessinsider.com/996-work-cul...
www.businessinsider.com/996-work-cul...
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
Keep resisting, keep standing up, and keep speaking out, Illinois.
February 8, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Keep resisting, keep standing up, and keep speaking out, Illinois.
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
Right now, we have a meaningful opportunity to stop ICE's violent, cruel tactics and hold its federal agents accountable for their actions.
Congress has until February 13 to negotiate the Department of Homeland Security budget, which includes ICE and border patrol.
Congress has until February 13 to negotiate the Department of Homeland Security budget, which includes ICE and border patrol.
Hold ICE Accountable and Prioritize Student, Community Safety | NEA
Funding for ICE and the Department of Homeland Security must prioritize accountability, civil rights, and the safety of our students and communities.
www.nea.org
February 8, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Right now, we have a meaningful opportunity to stop ICE's violent, cruel tactics and hold its federal agents accountable for their actions.
Congress has until February 13 to negotiate the Department of Homeland Security budget, which includes ICE and border patrol.
Congress has until February 13 to negotiate the Department of Homeland Security budget, which includes ICE and border patrol.
"He Just Loves His Screen Time" | Psychology Today share.google/iMOANuLgtZzs...
"He Just Loves His Screen Time"
They are tapping, giggling, and totally immersed. But what are they missing?
share.google
February 8, 2026 at 4:24 AM
"He Just Loves His Screen Time" | Psychology Today share.google/iMOANuLgtZzs...
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
Concentration camps:
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
Exclusive: Detention Center Captives Are Throwing Lotion Bottles Wrapped With Notes to Organizers Outside Otay Mesa Facility ~ L.A. TACO
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh," an Otay Mesa captive communicated through handwritten note. "We are all in one big room with no doors...
lataco.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Concentration camps:
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
Lawyer sets new standard for abuse of AI; judge tosses case - Ars Technica share.google/nDN4HTC8Tmxg... #AI
Lawyer sets new standard for abuse of AI; judge tosses case
Behold the most overwrought AI legal filings you will ever gaze upon.
share.google
February 8, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Lawyer sets new standard for abuse of AI; judge tosses case - Ars Technica share.google/nDN4HTC8Tmxg... #AI
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
AI Chatbot That Only Responds ‘Huh’ Valued At $200 Billion https://theonion.com/ai-chatbot-that-only-responds-huh-valued-at-200-billion/
February 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM
AI Chatbot That Only Responds ‘Huh’ Valued At $200 Billion https://theonion.com/ai-chatbot-that-only-responds-huh-valued-at-200-billion/
Being a teacher is antithetical to what ICE is doing to our communities. Students cannot learn if they don't feel safe.
www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/s... #ICE #AbolishICE #Educationsky
www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/s... #ICE #AbolishICE #Educationsky
Suburban teacher resigns following backlash over social media post supporting ICE
An elementary school teacher in suburban West Chicago has resigned after backlash for allegedly sharing a social media post supporting ICE.
www.nbcchicago.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Being a teacher is antithetical to what ICE is doing to our communities. Students cannot learn if they don't feel safe.
www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/s... #ICE #AbolishICE #Educationsky
www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/s... #ICE #AbolishICE #Educationsky
February 7, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Don't be jealous that I have a picture of Emily Dickinson hanging on the wall in my home office.
#poetry #emilydickinson
#poetry #emilydickinson
February 6, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Don't be jealous that I have a picture of Emily Dickinson hanging on the wall in my home office.
#poetry #emilydickinson
#poetry #emilydickinson
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
No human being is illegal.
February 24, 2025 at 11:48 PM
No human being is illegal.
Please buy from your local bookstores. If you don't have one, buy your books on bookshop.org and you can find an indie bookstore anywhere in the country to support. A portion of every purchase you make will go to that bookstore.
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
February 6, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Please buy from your local bookstores. If you don't have one, buy your books on bookshop.org and you can find an indie bookstore anywhere in the country to support. A portion of every purchase you make will go to that bookstore.
People banning books have never been on the right side of history.
www.salon.com/2026/02/06/s... #bookbans #censorship #booksky
www.salon.com/2026/02/06/s... #bookbans #censorship #booksky
Shock Democratic upset in Texas shows voters still hate book bans
Running against Moms for Liberty is a winning 2026 strategy
www.salon.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:05 PM
People banning books have never been on the right side of history.
www.salon.com/2026/02/06/s... #bookbans #censorship #booksky
www.salon.com/2026/02/06/s... #bookbans #censorship #booksky
February 6, 2026 at 12:17 PM
"Library bookmobiles would be barred from school property and the bill prohibits schools from letting students use school IDs to access books and other materials from public libraries."
www.radioiowa.com/2026/02/05/b... #libraries #bookbans #censorship
www.radioiowa.com/2026/02/05/b... #libraries #bookbans #censorship
Bill would bar students from using school IDs to check out public library books - Radio Iowa
Some agreements between public schools and local libraries would be blocked under a bill approved by Education Committee in the Iowa House. Library bookmobiles would be barred from school property and...
www.radioiowa.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:21 AM
"Library bookmobiles would be barred from school property and the bill prohibits schools from letting students use school IDs to access books and other materials from public libraries."
www.radioiowa.com/2026/02/05/b... #libraries #bookbans #censorship
www.radioiowa.com/2026/02/05/b... #libraries #bookbans #censorship
"Librarians and education advocates are warning that a bill moving through the state Legislature could cause Georgia’s librarians to self-censor controversial materials and lead to more challenges on books about LGBTQ people or issues."
georgiarecorder.com/2026/02/03/g... #bannedbooks #censorship
georgiarecorder.com/2026/02/03/g... #bannedbooks #censorship
Georgia librarians could face criminal charges for ‘harmful materials’ • Georgia Recorder
Librarians and education advocates are warning that a bill moving through the state Legislature could cause Georgia’s librarians to self-censor controversial materials and lead to more challenges on b...
georgiarecorder.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:14 PM
"Librarians and education advocates are warning that a bill moving through the state Legislature could cause Georgia’s librarians to self-censor controversial materials and lead to more challenges on books about LGBTQ people or issues."
georgiarecorder.com/2026/02/03/g... #bannedbooks #censorship
georgiarecorder.com/2026/02/03/g... #bannedbooks #censorship
February 5, 2026 at 12:22 PM
"The Department of Homeland Security has been quietly demanding tech companies turn over user information about critics of the Trump administration, according to reports."
techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/h...
techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/h...
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts docu...
techcrunch.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:03 PM
"The Department of Homeland Security has been quietly demanding tech companies turn over user information about critics of the Trump administration, according to reports."
techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/h...
techcrunch.com/2026/02/03/h...
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
“There are book challenges; that is not new. What is happening now is brazen breaking of protocol on a scope that has never been seen like this.” @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social @la-cac.org @oif.bsky.social @uabookbans.bsky.social
deadline.com/2026/02/the-...
deadline.com/2026/02/the-...
‘The Librarians’ To Premiere On PBS ‘Independent Lens’ As Political Backlash Mounts Against Book Banning
'The Librarians,' directed by Kim A. Snyder, will debut on PBS amid a backlash to book banning campaigns across the country.
deadline.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:11 AM
“There are book challenges; that is not new. What is happening now is brazen breaking of protocol on a scope that has never been seen like this.” @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social @la-cac.org @oif.bsky.social @uabookbans.bsky.social
deadline.com/2026/02/the-...
deadline.com/2026/02/the-...
Reposted by Brad Vertrees
If Jeff Bezos could afford to spend $75 million on the Melania movie & $500 million for a yacht to sail off to his $55 million wedding to give his wife a $5 million ring, please don't tell me he needed to fire one-third of the Washington Post staff.
Democracy dies in oligarchy.
Democracy dies in oligarchy.
February 5, 2026 at 12:16 AM
If Jeff Bezos could afford to spend $75 million on the Melania movie & $500 million for a yacht to sail off to his $55 million wedding to give his wife a $5 million ring, please don't tell me he needed to fire one-third of the Washington Post staff.
Democracy dies in oligarchy.
Democracy dies in oligarchy.