Fernando
@fernandobarrera.bsky.social
Writer, runner, former journalist. Son of 🇵🇷 and 🇨🇴. Taking it one day at a time...usually.
A few posters made me realize that Wuthering Heights is a horror/ghost film. I realize now that maybe I didn't hate the movie because it's filled with unlikeable characters doing terrible things, though that is all true, it's because it didn't own the genre it was in.
Ffs, that’s the greatest love story ever told? Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 16, 2026 at 3:55 AM
A few posters made me realize that Wuthering Heights is a horror/ghost film. I realize now that maybe I didn't hate the movie because it's filled with unlikeable characters doing terrible things, though that is all true, it's because it didn't own the genre it was in.
Reposted by Fernando
Just gonna say there are plenty of insurgent, anti-establishment candidates WITHOUT Nazi tattoos that the New Republic could have featured instead of Platner.
You could ABSOLUTELY make the point that Ds are mad at the centrist leaders of the party WITHOUT helping rehabilitate this particular guy.
You could ABSOLUTELY make the point that Ds are mad at the centrist leaders of the party WITHOUT helping rehabilitate this particular guy.
February 15, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Just gonna say there are plenty of insurgent, anti-establishment candidates WITHOUT Nazi tattoos that the New Republic could have featured instead of Platner.
You could ABSOLUTELY make the point that Ds are mad at the centrist leaders of the party WITHOUT helping rehabilitate this particular guy.
You could ABSOLUTELY make the point that Ds are mad at the centrist leaders of the party WITHOUT helping rehabilitate this particular guy.
Ffs, that’s the greatest love story ever told? Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 15, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Ffs, that’s the greatest love story ever told? Happy Valentine’s Day!
Is there a Latin America country that the US did not eventually support, in some way, the disappearance of indigenous people, especially children?
Torn Asunder | Oscar Lopez
As Guatemala and El Salvador were being torn apart by violent US-backed regimes, tens of thousands of children—many of them war orphans, others forcibly taken from their birth parents—were being adopt...
www.nybooks.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Is there a Latin America country that the US did not eventually support, in some way, the disappearance of indigenous people, especially children?
Reposted by Fernando
My Trump-supporting cousin-in-law just texted my husband to say he encountered this Mother Jones on social media, read it, realized I wrote it, and told him to tell me I’m doing good work and to keep going.
Things are changing, y’all.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Things are changing, y’all.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
ICE deportation flights are getting longer and crueler
A private equity–owned airline profits off Trump’s migrant crackdown.
www.motherjones.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:54 PM
My Trump-supporting cousin-in-law just texted my husband to say he encountered this Mother Jones on social media, read it, realized I wrote it, and told him to tell me I’m doing good work and to keep going.
Things are changing, y’all.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Things are changing, y’all.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Fernando
I'll support nearly anyone over Newsom in the primary (he's better than Rahm Emanuel lol), less because he's awful (he is) and more because material conditions will probably propel ANY Dem to a '28 win. That's an opportunity to pick someone who will aggressively push for change. Which is not Newsom.
February 13, 2026 at 6:06 PM
I'll support nearly anyone over Newsom in the primary (he's better than Rahm Emanuel lol), less because he's awful (he is) and more because material conditions will probably propel ANY Dem to a '28 win. That's an opportunity to pick someone who will aggressively push for change. Which is not Newsom.
Reposted by Fernando
Hey remember the shooting in Minneapolis that happened between Renee Good and Alexi Pretti, the guy they claimed was shot by an agent after he had attacked that agent with a shovel? I know it's hard to believe but the agents' story fell apart and charges were dropped. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
February 14, 2026 at 4:37 AM
Hey remember the shooting in Minneapolis that happened between Renee Good and Alexi Pretti, the guy they claimed was shot by an agent after he had attacked that agent with a shovel? I know it's hard to believe but the agents' story fell apart and charges were dropped. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/u...
‘Guidelines’ indeed - WSJ:
“Anthropic’s artificial-intelligence tool Claude was used in the U.S. military’s operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás”
…..
“Anthropic’s usage guidelines prohibit Claude from being used to facilitate violence, develop weapons or conduct surveillance.”
“Anthropic’s artificial-intelligence tool Claude was used in the U.S. military’s operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás”
…..
“Anthropic’s usage guidelines prohibit Claude from being used to facilitate violence, develop weapons or conduct surveillance.”
Pentagon Used Anthropic’s Claude in Maduro Venezuela Raid — The Wall Street Journal
Use of the model through a contract with Palantir highlights growing role of AI in the Pentagon
apple.news
February 15, 2026 at 1:01 AM
‘Guidelines’ indeed - WSJ:
“Anthropic’s artificial-intelligence tool Claude was used in the U.S. military’s operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás”
…..
“Anthropic’s usage guidelines prohibit Claude from being used to facilitate violence, develop weapons or conduct surveillance.”
“Anthropic’s artificial-intelligence tool Claude was used in the U.S. military’s operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás”
…..
“Anthropic’s usage guidelines prohibit Claude from being used to facilitate violence, develop weapons or conduct surveillance.”
Reposted by Fernando
This is so many kinds of good at once.
Brilliantly shot, edited, messaged, the works.
Look! Also, somehow, America!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUp0...
Brilliantly shot, edited, messaged, the works.
Look! Also, somehow, America!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUp0...
The Happiest Government Building In The World
YouTube video by NYC Mayor's Office
www.youtube.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:16 PM
This is so many kinds of good at once.
Brilliantly shot, edited, messaged, the works.
Look! Also, somehow, America!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUp0...
Brilliantly shot, edited, messaged, the works.
Look! Also, somehow, America!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUp0...
Reposted by Fernando
Everyone in the world comes to get married at the NYC Marriage Bureau. Last week, the Mayor stopped by to officiate a few of those ceremonies.
Thank you to all the couples who shared their joy with us. Happy Valentine's Day, New York.
Watch the full video at Youtube.com/nycmayorsoffice
Thank you to all the couples who shared their joy with us. Happy Valentine's Day, New York.
Watch the full video at Youtube.com/nycmayorsoffice
February 14, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Everyone in the world comes to get married at the NYC Marriage Bureau. Last week, the Mayor stopped by to officiate a few of those ceremonies.
Thank you to all the couples who shared their joy with us. Happy Valentine's Day, New York.
Watch the full video at Youtube.com/nycmayorsoffice
Thank you to all the couples who shared their joy with us. Happy Valentine's Day, New York.
Watch the full video at Youtube.com/nycmayorsoffice
Reposted by Fernando
They literally dragged a minor employee out of a Target as he was wailing that he was a US citizen, roughed him up in their car, and then dropped him off bloodied and bruised in the freezing cold a couple of miles away, so miss us with this.
Homan: "ICE is a legitimate federal law enforcement agency. We're not out scouring the streets to disappear people or deny people their civil rights or due process."
February 12, 2026 at 2:49 PM
They literally dragged a minor employee out of a Target as he was wailing that he was a US citizen, roughed him up in their car, and then dropped him off bloodied and bruised in the freezing cold a couple of miles away, so miss us with this.
Reposted by Fernando
Today, the Trump administration repealed the endangerment finding: the ruling that served as the basis for limits on tailpipe emissions and power plant rules. Without it, we’ll be less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change—all so the fossil fuel industry can make even more money.
WATCH: Trump, EPA's Zeldin announce end of scientific basis for U.S. action on climate change
The Trump administration on Thursday revoked a scientific finding that long has been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change, the most aggressiv...
www.pbs.org
February 12, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Today, the Trump administration repealed the endangerment finding: the ruling that served as the basis for limits on tailpipe emissions and power plant rules. Without it, we’ll be less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change—all so the fossil fuel industry can make even more money.
Reposted by Fernando
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 1:35 AM
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Reposted by Fernando
My former student (I taught her 7th grade English) made the NYT bestsellers list. To say I’m proud is an understatement!
February 12, 2026 at 11:58 AM
My former student (I taught her 7th grade English) made the NYT bestsellers list. To say I’m proud is an understatement!
Reposted by Fernando
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Reposted by Fernando
I'll believe it when Minnesota folks confirm it. Otherwise I'll assume it's just an Israeli-style ceasefire
Breaking News: President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said the administration was ending its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.
Trump Administration to End Surge of Immigration Agents in Minnesota
The announcement came more than two months into an operation that has led to tense protests, thousands of arrests and three shootings in the Democratic-led state.
nyti.ms
February 12, 2026 at 2:44 PM
I'll believe it when Minnesota folks confirm it. Otherwise I'll assume it's just an Israeli-style ceasefire
Reposted by Fernando
what is with these people and dogs?
February 11, 2026 at 9:07 PM
what is with these people and dogs?
Reposted by Fernando
Today in "leaving money on the table"
After 40 years of publishing, Harlequin will end its iconic historical romance line in 2027:
#Booksky
#Booksky
Harlequin Is Ending Its Historical Romance Line After Nearly 40 Years - Reactor
The publisher's decision to end its historical romance line in 2027 comes on the heels of controversial changes to its international publishing tactics
reactormag.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Today in "leaving money on the table"
Reposted by Fernando
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate
US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.
www.aljazeera.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:29 PM
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Reposted by Fernando
You’ll see a bunch of lists of Puerto Rican authors…and many won’t feature horror or crime writers. We also exist. We also make history.
February 10, 2026 at 8:23 PM
You’ll see a bunch of lists of Puerto Rican authors…and many won’t feature horror or crime writers. We also exist. We also make history.
Reposted by Fernando
My latest short story (a wee tale of murder and mayhem in London and Edinburgh in 1949) appears in the March/April 2026 Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
February 10, 2026 at 7:12 AM
My latest short story (a wee tale of murder and mayhem in London and Edinburgh in 1949) appears in the March/April 2026 Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
Reposted by Fernando
First shot: sugarcane
The backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy since colonial times
Still used to make rum of course!
The backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy since colonial times
Still used to make rum of course!
February 9, 2026 at 2:33 AM
First shot: sugarcane
The backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy since colonial times
Still used to make rum of course!
The backbone of Puerto Rico's agricultural economy since colonial times
Still used to make rum of course!
Reposted by Fernando
Working on the book after long day at...work...and thinking, "Shit, this is a lot of work. Why do we do this, again?"
Think you have to form the writing muscle memory early so that when it gets even harder, you've done it so long you just keep doing it because you can't imagine doing anything else
Think you have to form the writing muscle memory early so that when it gets even harder, you've done it so long you just keep doing it because you can't imagine doing anything else
February 10, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Working on the book after long day at...work...and thinking, "Shit, this is a lot of work. Why do we do this, again?"
Think you have to form the writing muscle memory early so that when it gets even harder, you've done it so long you just keep doing it because you can't imagine doing anything else
Think you have to form the writing muscle memory early so that when it gets even harder, you've done it so long you just keep doing it because you can't imagine doing anything else
Reposted by Fernando
This is the ur-grift: it’s not the get-rich-quick scheme that makes you rich, it’s teaching other people how to sell it to someone else.
To be very clear, that lady in the NYT article is not making any money with her hundreds of AI slop books.
She makes money by *convincing people* she makes money that way and getting them to pay her to teach them how to do it.
It's an evolved MLM, and the NYT is helping market it.
She makes money by *convincing people* she makes money that way and getting them to pay her to teach them how to do it.
It's an evolved MLM, and the NYT is helping market it.
February 8, 2026 at 10:15 PM
This is the ur-grift: it’s not the get-rich-quick scheme that makes you rich, it’s teaching other people how to sell it to someone else.
Reposted by Fernando
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Pop star Bad Bunny needed a Puerto Rican history scholar. UW–Madison had just the one.
Bad Bunny collaborated with UW–Madison history professor Jorell Meléndez-Badillo on Puerto Rican narratives that accompany the new album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.”
news.wisc.edu
February 9, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...