Nicole Guenther Discenza
@ndiscenza1.bsky.social
Medievalist who loves reading, especially science fiction & fantasy. I don't speak for my employer or anyone else.
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"the warrant they did have only allowed them to go into the building and seize documents, not kidnap a woman while she was on the toilet"
'“I guess we found the men going into women’s bathrooms,” one X user mused.'
newrepublic.com/post/204732/...
'“I guess we found the men going into women’s bathrooms,” one X user mused.'
newrepublic.com/post/204732/...
ICE Agents Break Into Women’s Bathroom: “Pull Your Pants Up!”
Remember when Republicans pretended to care about men in women’s bathrooms?
newrepublic.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:01 PM
"the warrant they did have only allowed them to go into the building and seize documents, not kidnap a woman while she was on the toilet"
'“I guess we found the men going into women’s bathrooms,” one X user mused.'
newrepublic.com/post/204732/...
'“I guess we found the men going into women’s bathrooms,” one X user mused.'
newrepublic.com/post/204732/...
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
It’s just so demoralizing that Trumps name can be illegally added to the Kennedy Center within 24 hrs and yet here we are still waiting for the hero J6 plaque to be hung in the Capitol. The GOP fighting it is
completely disgusting.
completely disgusting.
December 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
It’s just so demoralizing that Trumps name can be illegally added to the Kennedy Center within 24 hrs and yet here we are still waiting for the hero J6 plaque to be hung in the Capitol. The GOP fighting it is
completely disgusting.
completely disgusting.
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
NEW: Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Officer Danny Hodges have filed their response to the government's arguments against hanging the January 6th plaque in the Capitol pursuant to federal law. I'll post a link to the full filing once it's on the docket.
December 23, 2025 at 9:24 PM
NEW: Former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and Officer Danny Hodges have filed their response to the government's arguments against hanging the January 6th plaque in the Capitol pursuant to federal law. I'll post a link to the full filing once it's on the docket.
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.
December 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
BREAKING: The Supreme Court has concluded "regular forces" means the military, and has therefore ruled that Trump does NOT have authority to deploy the National Guard under §12406. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
December 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
BREAKING: The Supreme Court has concluded "regular forces" means the military, and has therefore ruled that Trump does NOT have authority to deploy the National Guard under §12406. s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
A disturbing update to this story: Despite the fact that he was about to be released from a US prison after completing a sentence here, when Kelvin Membreño was deported to El Salvador he was sent to CECOT prison and remains there. The family has not heard from him since.
NEW — Kelvin Membreño will be deported to El Salvador by ICE tomorrow. He’s the birth father of three US citizen daughters and has become an important part of their lives.
Here their adoptive mother makes a last ditch plea to let him stay in the same country as the girls. A gutting guest essay:
Here their adoptive mother makes a last ditch plea to let him stay in the same country as the girls. A gutting guest essay:
A mother's urgent plea to stop ICE from deporting her daughters’ birth father tomorrow
He served his time in the US. He deserves to heal here, too.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
A disturbing update to this story: Despite the fact that he was about to be released from a US prison after completing a sentence here, when Kelvin Membreño was deported to El Salvador he was sent to CECOT prison and remains there. The family has not heard from him since.
I feel like the TARDIS should arrive soon, because this definitely feels like the opening sequence.
It will not go well for everyone involved.
It will not go well for everyone involved.
Put it back whatever it is.
Mystery as hundreds of Victorian shoes wash up on Ogmore beach
December 23, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I feel like the TARDIS should arrive soon, because this definitely feels like the opening sequence.
It will not go well for everyone involved.
It will not go well for everyone involved.
"USF Sarasota–Manatee is worth fighting for. And together, we will fight."
www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
www.heraldtribune.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
"USF Sarasota–Manatee is worth fighting for. And together, we will fight."
www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
Notice of upcoming lecture on 13 Jan. Sponsored by @csmbr-pisa.bsky.social. Of interest to #MedievalSky #EarlyModern #VastEarlyAmerica #EpiSky #histmed
Registration is now open for my 13 Jan 2026 public lecture, "The Transformation of Infectious Disease Histories: Three Decades of Paleogenetics and Historians’ Responses," csmbr.fondazionecomel.org/events/onlin.... Sponsored by @csmbr-pisa.bsky.social. #histmed #aDNA #PandemicThinking
Infectitious Disease Histories - CSMBR
In this lecture, Monica Green explores how pathogen palaeogenetics, through ancient microbial genomes, is transforming our understanding of the evolution and global circulation of premodern infectious...
csmbr.fondazionecomel.org
December 23, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Notice of upcoming lecture on 13 Jan. Sponsored by @csmbr-pisa.bsky.social. Of interest to #MedievalSky #EarlyModern #VastEarlyAmerica #EpiSky #histmed
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
Bill Clinton releasing a statement saying 'release the Epstein files, you cowards' was not on my bingo list.
December 22, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Bill Clinton releasing a statement saying 'release the Epstein files, you cowards' was not on my bingo list.
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
This is paywalled, but those who can get access thru their libraries should have a look. This is the heart of the LLM problem. In History, we have a concept of "common knowledge." I don't have to cite a source for Lincoln's death date b/c "everybody knows." Where will that new standard be drawn?
Suppose you ask #AI for improvements to your writing.
The #LLM was trained on, but doesn’t mention, Smith’s work.
You adopt the suggestions containing Smith’s ideas.
You don’t even realize YOU’VE PLAGIARIZED because you’ve never read or heard of Smith.
The #LLM was trained on, but doesn’t mention, Smith’s work.
You adopt the suggestions containing Smith’s ideas.
You don’t even realize YOU’VE PLAGIARIZED because you’ve never read or heard of Smith.
LLM use in scholarly writing poses a provenance problem
Nature Machine Intelligence - LLM use in scholarly writing poses a provenance problem
doi.org
December 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
This is paywalled, but those who can get access thru their libraries should have a look. This is the heart of the LLM problem. In History, we have a concept of "common knowledge." I don't have to cite a source for Lincoln's death date b/c "everybody knows." Where will that new standard be drawn?
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
I've also read in multiple sources that people who try to collect the money to "self-deport" have sometimes received it, sometimes not—and sometimes been thrown in detention for a time before being deported without it, and with a multi-year ban on reentry to boot.
Christians who made a fuss over Starbucks cups: Santa is based on Saint Nicholas, a wonderful Catholic saint, and I plan to get good and offended over this.
ICE has posted a video of Santa Claus arresting immigrants. Your government is hijacking a symbol of charity to spread fear and hate. it’s up to all of us to defeat these twisted fascists.
December 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I've also read in multiple sources that people who try to collect the money to "self-deport" have sometimes received it, sometimes not—and sometimes been thrown in detention for a time before being deported without it, and with a multi-year ban on reentry to boot.
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
It’s still up on my Substack. Muellershewrote.com
Of course they are — good luck putting the cat back in the bag, Bari. All you’re doing is guaranteeing more people will see it. #CBSNewsmax
December 23, 2025 at 2:39 AM
It’s still up on my Substack. Muellershewrote.com
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
these are the kind of numbers that, *at the end of a president's term*, herald a total wipeout for his party in the next election.
we are in december of year one.
we are in december of year one.
![Gallup poll | 12/1-12/15
President Trump approval crosstabs (%)
🟥Overall (59/36 disapprove) [-23]
🟥Democratic (93/3 disapprove) [-90]
🟩Republican (89/8 approve) [+81]
🟥Independent (68/25 disapprove) [-43]
🟥18-34 (68/25 disapprove) [-43]
🟥35-54 (59/36 disapprove) [-23]
🟥55+ (53/43 disapprove) [-10]
🟥No college (55/37 disapprove) [-18]
🟥College graduate (59/37 disapprove) [-22]
🟥Male (53/42 disapprove) [-11]
🟥Female (64/30 disapprove) [-34]
🟥White (52/46 disapprove) [-6]
🟥Non-white (71/21 disapprove) [-50]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreifnv6vxufu6icjvsd5toirz3lmqkzertdpdnlqh7q44momevhfjqq@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 2:26 AM
these are the kind of numbers that, *at the end of a president's term*, herald a total wipeout for his party in the next election.
we are in december of year one.
we are in december of year one.
Vernor's
Cheesesteak
Bell
Bell
December 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Vernor's
The oiriginal has been deleted, but you can see at www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
Read, watch, or both. Know what our government did in our name and with our money: torture that should NOT do even to the worst of the worst, but many weren't criminals of any kind.
Read, watch, or both. Know what our government did in our name and with our money: torture that should NOT do even to the worst of the worst, but many weren't criminals of any kind.
December 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The oiriginal has been deleted, but you can see at www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
Read, watch, or both. Know what our government did in our name and with our money: torture that should NOT do even to the worst of the worst, but many weren't criminals of any kind.
Read, watch, or both. Know what our government did in our name and with our money: torture that should NOT do even to the worst of the worst, but many weren't criminals of any kind.
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
yes yes yes it was so good Mr President sir! absolutely it should be your full time job! much better than the presidency! the whole administration would make wonderful hosts actually! I’m always saying this
December 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
yes yes yes it was so good Mr President sir! absolutely it should be your full time job! much better than the presidency! the whole administration would make wonderful hosts actually! I’m always saying this
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
this article is also a gift in accordance with the Trump Gifting Guidelines (no more than 2 of a possible 37 pencils)
The Trump Administration’s Guide to Christmas Giving
A piece of East Wing Rubble? An MRI for no reason? The options are endless!
www.theatlantic.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
this article is also a gift in accordance with the Trump Gifting Guidelines (no more than 2 of a possible 37 pencils)
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
The full Weiss memo is dogshit
-who cares if administration figures “regret” sending people to CECOT
-who cares about the criminal histories of the people we sent to CECOT, we sent them to a torture prison
—who cares about the “debate” over the legality of sending people to a torture prison
-who cares if administration figures “regret” sending people to CECOT
-who cares about the criminal histories of the people we sent to CECOT, we sent them to a torture prison
—who cares about the “debate” over the legality of sending people to a torture prison
December 22, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The full Weiss memo is dogshit
-who cares if administration figures “regret” sending people to CECOT
-who cares about the criminal histories of the people we sent to CECOT, we sent them to a torture prison
—who cares about the “debate” over the legality of sending people to a torture prison
-who cares if administration figures “regret” sending people to CECOT
-who cares about the criminal histories of the people we sent to CECOT, we sent them to a torture prison
—who cares about the “debate” over the legality of sending people to a torture prison
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
WOW. Trump's approval rating is now 36%. And I don't remember ever seeing him underwater with white people.
December 22, 2025 at 6:17 PM
WOW. Trump's approval rating is now 36%. And I don't remember ever seeing him underwater with white people.
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
The Portland Frog Brigade
YouTube video by Portland Frog Brigade
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
she's just doing what she was hired to do
Why would you need to put a pause on a story that has been meticulously fact-checked and lawyered?
Sounds like the kind of story you’d want to run right away!
Sounds like the kind of story you’d want to run right away!
December 22, 2025 at 2:22 AM
she's just doing what she was hired to do
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
As a multiple language speaker it's also frustrating to see people using AI for translation because the English speaking world tends to treat translators like workers for hire instead of co authors of text and this feels like more of it. Translation at the literary level is creative work.
(2/?)
(2/?)
December 21, 2025 at 4:26 PM
As a multiple language speaker it's also frustrating to see people using AI for translation because the English speaking world tends to treat translators like workers for hire instead of co authors of text and this feels like more of it. Translation at the literary level is creative work.
(2/?)
(2/?)
Reposted by Nicole Guenther Discenza
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
Why Do Historians Still Have To Go To Archives?
Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
contingentmagazine.org
December 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.