Testudo Aubrei
@ritterteufeltod.bsky.social
Queer Episcopalian thirty something. History, theology, trees, heavy metal.
Soc-Dem Left-Lib I guess, with a soft spot for anarchist thought
Soc-Dem Left-Lib I guess, with a soft spot for anarchist thought
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
a republic with no republican virtues cannot stand
There has to be a term, concept for how the virtues of a free society fall apart in the face of nothing but advertising, soliciting, and propagating, and glorifying vice.
December 1, 2025 at 3:06 AM
a republic with no republican virtues cannot stand
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
the layers lmao what a bunch of losers, the riley gaines of academia bsky.app/profile/skye...
she also resigned from the springfield missouri city council amid a campaign to recall her. when she ran for mayor, she lost by 36 points
funny bit of the OU TPUSA bible essay thing that's not being reported on: her mom was a defense lawyer for january 6th defendants. when her client was sentenced to 12 years in prison for attacking police officers she claimed he was a "political prisoner"
December 1, 2025 at 6:33 AM
the layers lmao what a bunch of losers, the riley gaines of academia bsky.app/profile/skye...
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Penalizing a team bc the sideline celebrates too hard is sooooooooooo lame
November 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Penalizing a team bc the sideline celebrates too hard is sooooooooooo lame
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
…I find myself rooting for a Commanders touchdown solely bc I want to hear Cris yell Mariota’s name with the lil flourish on his name
December 1, 2025 at 4:42 AM
…I find myself rooting for a Commanders touchdown solely bc I want to hear Cris yell Mariota’s name with the lil flourish on his name
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Alina Habba’s parents emigrated to the US from Iraq citing persecution.
November 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Alina Habba’s parents emigrated to the US from Iraq citing persecution.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Yep. And there is, by design, no clear successor.
Vance was chosen precisely because the base would never accept him as the next MAGA savior, and the base is already fracturing too quickly for any one faction leader to find a path to uniting the movement.
When he goes: chaos.
Vance was chosen precisely because the base would never accept him as the next MAGA savior, and the base is already fracturing too quickly for any one faction leader to find a path to uniting the movement.
When he goes: chaos.
JP Morgan’s CEO going “we’re not funding the ballroom, the next DOJ will hit us with the book over it” is a pretty big sign that the winds are shifting as far as Trump having a glorious 1000 year reich. I doubt he’ll even make the full four years, and his entourage have their future to pay for it
December 1, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Yep. And there is, by design, no clear successor.
Vance was chosen precisely because the base would never accept him as the next MAGA savior, and the base is already fracturing too quickly for any one faction leader to find a path to uniting the movement.
When he goes: chaos.
Vance was chosen precisely because the base would never accept him as the next MAGA savior, and the base is already fracturing too quickly for any one faction leader to find a path to uniting the movement.
When he goes: chaos.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
The core problem is that in a state, something has to be sovereign - in a democracy, it is the people - and you can design and tinker as much as you like but there is no way to design around a loss of virtue in that sovereign entity.
If the people keep elected maniacs, no guardrails can hold.
If the people keep elected maniacs, no guardrails can hold.
one of the things dr schake and i were both wrestling with in this conversation--i think not really conclusively--is how you maintain the norm of civilian supremacy when the civilians are issuing objectively illegal, murderous orders
Neon Liberalism #54: Join Samantha and guest Kori Schake, author of "The State and the Soldier," as they discuss the history of civil-military relations in America—and how that relationship is being pushed to the breaking point. www.liberalcurrents.com/neon-liberal...
November 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The core problem is that in a state, something has to be sovereign - in a democracy, it is the people - and you can design and tinker as much as you like but there is no way to design around a loss of virtue in that sovereign entity.
If the people keep elected maniacs, no guardrails can hold.
If the people keep elected maniacs, no guardrails can hold.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
I like how every six months or so we get a big "This Obscure Fasicst Thinker Is Key To Understanding The Modern Right" and without fail every one of those is the biggest loser you've ever heard of writing the stupidest articles you've ever read for Racism Monthly
November 30, 2025 at 2:23 PM
I like how every six months or so we get a big "This Obscure Fasicst Thinker Is Key To Understanding The Modern Right" and without fail every one of those is the biggest loser you've ever heard of writing the stupidest articles you've ever read for Racism Monthly
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Uhhhhhhhhhhh
Was expecting WAKE UP DEAD MAN to be a fun @rianjohnson.bsky.social mystery flick and it absolutely was but was NOT expecting it to be one of the best movies about the Church that I have ever seen?!
I feel like I knew all those characters. And a sacramental formula brought me tears?!
Was expecting WAKE UP DEAD MAN to be a fun @rianjohnson.bsky.social mystery flick and it absolutely was but was NOT expecting it to be one of the best movies about the Church that I have ever seen?!
I feel like I knew all those characters. And a sacramental formula brought me tears?!
December 1, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Uhhhhhhhhhhh
Was expecting WAKE UP DEAD MAN to be a fun @rianjohnson.bsky.social mystery flick and it absolutely was but was NOT expecting it to be one of the best movies about the Church that I have ever seen?!
I feel like I knew all those characters. And a sacramental formula brought me tears?!
Was expecting WAKE UP DEAD MAN to be a fun @rianjohnson.bsky.social mystery flick and it absolutely was but was NOT expecting it to be one of the best movies about the Church that I have ever seen?!
I feel like I knew all those characters. And a sacramental formula brought me tears?!
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Did a tent company write this?
November 20, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Did a tent company write this?
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Government actors who refuse to be bound by the rule of law are not morally entitled to its protection.
KARL: Did you know about the judge's order when you issued your order for the planes to continue?
KRISTI NOEM: This is an activist judge. We comply with all federal orders that are lawful and binding.
KRISTI NOEM: This is an activist judge. We comply with all federal orders that are lawful and binding.
December 1, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Government actors who refuse to be bound by the rule of law are not morally entitled to its protection.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
went to college and they tried to “cancel” me because I “can’t read”
December 1, 2025 at 2:50 AM
went to college and they tried to “cancel” me because I “can’t read”
I mean it has to be some golden age stalwart right?
Jimmy Stewart would be solid. So would Bogart. Katherine Hepburn. Or for foreign films Toshiro Mifume. For modern stars maybe Denzel?
Jimmy Stewart would be solid. So would Bogart. Katherine Hepburn. Or for foreign films Toshiro Mifume. For modern stars maybe Denzel?
This is a Bill Simmons game, but you’re stranded on a desert island. You can only have one actor’s filmography. You get it all, including cameos. But just the one performer.
I’m taking Cate Blanchett: Talented Mr. Ripley, LOTR, Life Aquatic, Black Bag, Tár, Ponyo, Hot Fuzz, Eyes Wide Shut, Thor
I’m taking Cate Blanchett: Talented Mr. Ripley, LOTR, Life Aquatic, Black Bag, Tár, Ponyo, Hot Fuzz, Eyes Wide Shut, Thor
December 1, 2025 at 3:12 AM
I mean it has to be some golden age stalwart right?
Jimmy Stewart would be solid. So would Bogart. Katherine Hepburn. Or for foreign films Toshiro Mifume. For modern stars maybe Denzel?
Jimmy Stewart would be solid. So would Bogart. Katherine Hepburn. Or for foreign films Toshiro Mifume. For modern stars maybe Denzel?
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
"The median voter is a bastard, and we need a vanguard party of the decent" is pretty much my stance.
February 24, 2025 at 3:31 AM
"The median voter is a bastard, and we need a vanguard party of the decent" is pretty much my stance.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Unscientific vibe shift prediction: wouldn't be surprised if you saw a shift among liberal artists who take politics more seriously/are very tapped into the zeitgeist from "you can't trust THE MAN, who has AN AGENDA" to "you can't trust selfish people who won't cooperate when it's needed"
February 24, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Unscientific vibe shift prediction: wouldn't be surprised if you saw a shift among liberal artists who take politics more seriously/are very tapped into the zeitgeist from "you can't trust THE MAN, who has AN AGENDA" to "you can't trust selfish people who won't cooperate when it's needed"
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
I think the reason that ‘civic duty socialism’, or ‘socialism with small c conservative characteristics’ is having a moment in left of center circles is that the long hangover of the 60s, where the assumption was that the median citizen would be a square too trusting, too patriotic, is finally over.
February 24, 2025 at 3:28 AM
I think the reason that ‘civic duty socialism’, or ‘socialism with small c conservative characteristics’ is having a moment in left of center circles is that the long hangover of the 60s, where the assumption was that the median citizen would be a square too trusting, too patriotic, is finally over.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Christian: "Nothing But a Child", Steve Earle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=icco...
Secular: "Christmas in Washington", Steve Earle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jk4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=icco...
Secular: "Christmas in Washington", Steve Earle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jk4...
What is your favorite "Christian" Christmas song and what is your favorite "Secular" Christmas song?
I will probably always adore "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" for Christian.
And "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for secular.
I will probably always adore "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" for Christian.
And "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for secular.
December 1, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Christian: "Nothing But a Child", Steve Earle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=icco...
Secular: "Christmas in Washington", Steve Earle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jk4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=icco...
Secular: "Christmas in Washington", Steve Earle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jk4...
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
Thats the thing people have forgotten, in the military, the judicial system, the media, etc.
Its that the law is first and foremost interpreted by we the people. Judges are not there to interpret the law, but to decide on edge cases what the law means.
Its that the law is first and foremost interpreted by we the people. Judges are not there to interpret the law, but to decide on edge cases what the law means.
anyways read theory. american soldiers do not swear loyalty to the commander-in-chief. they swear loyalty to the constitution. the difference matters--not in sunny skies and good weather, but on bad days, when you are pressed to the breaking point--that is precisely when it matters most.
November 30, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Thats the thing people have forgotten, in the military, the judicial system, the media, etc.
Its that the law is first and foremost interpreted by we the people. Judges are not there to interpret the law, but to decide on edge cases what the law means.
Its that the law is first and foremost interpreted by we the people. Judges are not there to interpret the law, but to decide on edge cases what the law means.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
unbelievable. the canonical example of an illegal order in the Law of War Manual is "an order to fire upon the shipwrecked."
November 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
unbelievable. the canonical example of an illegal order in the Law of War Manual is "an order to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
He’ll try to march on Rome and get beaten up and robbed by a roving band of underemployed priest-bandits before succumbing to the plague
November 30, 2025 at 9:20 PM
He’ll try to march on Rome and get beaten up and robbed by a roving band of underemployed priest-bandits before succumbing to the plague
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
The main thing that's annoying and offensive about this is it's usually not framed as simply a factual observation about all the obvious hurdles, as if anybody needs reminding. It's how it's said in a mood of cynical, condescending hostility to even advocating for accountability. Ditto impeachment.
While this usually isn't the intent, "no one will ever be held accountable for this" doomerism is an excuse not to try.
There'll be at least some accountability if enough Americans work for it. And this time really is different. Doesn't guarantee the aftermath will be, but it increases the chances.
There'll be at least some accountability if enough Americans work for it. And this time really is different. Doesn't guarantee the aftermath will be, but it increases the chances.
November 30, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The main thing that's annoying and offensive about this is it's usually not framed as simply a factual observation about all the obvious hurdles, as if anybody needs reminding. It's how it's said in a mood of cynical, condescending hostility to even advocating for accountability. Ditto impeachment.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
"Republicans won't vote for it." "But the Supreme Court..." etc. etc.
These things aren't savvy realism. They're nihilistic defeatism, indistinguishable in substance and effect from outright support for Trumpism. Human institutions are not immutable facts of nature. We make and we can remake them.
These things aren't savvy realism. They're nihilistic defeatism, indistinguishable in substance and effect from outright support for Trumpism. Human institutions are not immutable facts of nature. We make and we can remake them.
November 30, 2025 at 9:45 PM
"Republicans won't vote for it." "But the Supreme Court..." etc. etc.
These things aren't savvy realism. They're nihilistic defeatism, indistinguishable in substance and effect from outright support for Trumpism. Human institutions are not immutable facts of nature. We make and we can remake them.
These things aren't savvy realism. They're nihilistic defeatism, indistinguishable in substance and effect from outright support for Trumpism. Human institutions are not immutable facts of nature. We make and we can remake them.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
conservatives basically want to implement the caricature of affirmative action for conservative students. acceptance without meeting qualifications, good grades and degrees without having to do the work.
OU has put the professor here on administrative leave:
December 1, 2025 at 1:29 AM
conservatives basically want to implement the caricature of affirmative action for conservative students. acceptance without meeting qualifications, good grades and degrees without having to do the work.
Reposted by Testudo Aubrei
"We get to invade you and you're being hateful if you get mad"
November 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
"We get to invade you and you're being hateful if you get mad"