Tom Veenstra
@tomveenstra.bsky.social
Dad, Partner, Teacher, Toronto, NerdStuff, Raptors, plus duties as assigned.
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
The most important thing @mark-carney.bsky.social can do for #CanadaSky is election reform so that we never have to worry about a Conservative majority again. Otherwise, his achievements are temporary. #ElectionReform #FairVote @markgerretsen.bsky.social
It’s impossible to picture a world where the Conservative Party could lead Canada under PP, he’s a certified loser. I don’t know what their play is, whenever you think they’ve found the bottom, they dig deeper and act crazier, too online maybe? Totally detached? for sure.
January 31, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The most important thing @mark-carney.bsky.social can do for #CanadaSky is election reform so that we never have to worry about a Conservative majority again. Otherwise, his achievements are temporary. #ElectionReform #FairVote @markgerretsen.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
A Black man was killed by ICE (off duty) in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. And like Renée Good, he was an American citizen. But most people have not heard about Keith Porter.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
January 10, 2026 at 3:24 PM
A Black man was killed by ICE (off duty) in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. And like Renée Good, he was an American citizen. But most people have not heard about Keith Porter.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
Last book I finished? Apprentice Falconer in the court of Mary Queen of Scots.
Book I’m part way thru? Murderbot.
Either way a pretty interesting change of pace.
Book I’m part way thru? Murderbot.
Either way a pretty interesting change of pace.
Lepidopterist who solves murder mysteries in and around London in the late 1880s with her curmudgeonly yet dashing partner who is a gentleman, scholar, taxidermist, and former soldier with a sweet tooth.
I'm into it.
I'm into it.
December 30, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Last book I finished? Apprentice Falconer in the court of Mary Queen of Scots.
Book I’m part way thru? Murderbot.
Either way a pretty interesting change of pace.
Book I’m part way thru? Murderbot.
Either way a pretty interesting change of pace.
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
On December 6th, 1989, 14 women were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal.
The number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women continues to grow.
Doug Ford has yet to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.
If you need help in KW: wcswr.org
The number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women continues to grow.
Doug Ford has yet to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.
If you need help in KW: wcswr.org
Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
Shelter, outreach and education to keep women, children and families safe today and prevent domestic violence from happening tomorrow.
wcswr.org
December 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM
On December 6th, 1989, 14 women were murdered at Polytechnique Montréal.
The number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women continues to grow.
Doug Ford has yet to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.
If you need help in KW: wcswr.org
The number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women continues to grow.
Doug Ford has yet to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.
If you need help in KW: wcswr.org
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
Always like to jump in with this perspective:
The provincial standard for EQAO is 70%. Kids aren't failing like you think. In the past, 70 was considered average/median — half your students were likely scoring higher than 70 and the other half scored below 70. That didn't necessarily mean failure. 🤷♀️
The provincial standard for EQAO is 70%. Kids aren't failing like you think. In the past, 70 was considered average/median — half your students were likely scoring higher than 70 and the other half scored below 70. That didn't necessarily mean failure. 🤷♀️
NEW: Nearly half of Ontario's Grade 6 students are failing the provincial standards on math, according to newly released testing data, triggering a new system-wide review of the school curriculum and education resources. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1155754...
globalnews.ca/news/1155754...
Low EQAO test results trigger system-wide review of Ontario curriculum | Globalnews.ca
While the results represent a slight improvement from the previous school year, the government said the test scores are 'not enough' progress.
globalnews.ca
December 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Always like to jump in with this perspective:
The provincial standard for EQAO is 70%. Kids aren't failing like you think. In the past, 70 was considered average/median — half your students were likely scoring higher than 70 and the other half scored below 70. That didn't necessarily mean failure. 🤷♀️
The provincial standard for EQAO is 70%. Kids aren't failing like you think. In the past, 70 was considered average/median — half your students were likely scoring higher than 70 and the other half scored below 70. That didn't necessarily mean failure. 🤷♀️
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
It took me a few days to feel ready to read this piece. But I finally felt ready and wow was it worth it.
Made my heart ache in the best way. Highly recommend checking it out.
Made my heart ache in the best way. Highly recommend checking it out.
Lessons from the 2025 Toronto #BlueJays for men and boys on being a present and caring teammate to everyone, openly expressing a variety of emotions, dealing with grief, having wins and facing defeats together.
Step to the plate and check it out here: higherunlearning.com/2025/11/06/t...
———
Step to the plate and check it out here: higherunlearning.com/2025/11/06/t...
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The Blue Jays and The Power of Men’s Friendship
Being better teammates when everything is great and when everything sucks the worst. “Life is a series of bounces. Some will go your way. Some will not.What makes you a man is what you do…
higherunlearning.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:17 AM
It took me a few days to feel ready to read this piece. But I finally felt ready and wow was it worth it.
Made my heart ache in the best way. Highly recommend checking it out.
Made my heart ache in the best way. Highly recommend checking it out.
When we debated coming to the watch party at the dome, I said “What if it goes to extra innings”
Nobody listened, nobody
Nobody listened, nobody
October 28, 2025 at 5:02 AM
When we debated coming to the watch party at the dome, I said “What if it goes to extra innings”
Nobody listened, nobody
Nobody listened, nobody
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
Today is #TruthandReconciliation day today.
People often talk as if residential schools are a thing of the past. They aren’t.
They are still causing damage to this day. People who deny that they happened are still causing damage to this day.
Survivors are still alive to this day.
People often talk as if residential schools are a thing of the past. They aren’t.
They are still causing damage to this day. People who deny that they happened are still causing damage to this day.
Survivors are still alive to this day.
September 30, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Today is #TruthandReconciliation day today.
People often talk as if residential schools are a thing of the past. They aren’t.
They are still causing damage to this day. People who deny that they happened are still causing damage to this day.
Survivors are still alive to this day.
People often talk as if residential schools are a thing of the past. They aren’t.
They are still causing damage to this day. People who deny that they happened are still causing damage to this day.
Survivors are still alive to this day.
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
So now taxpayers will have to pay for traffic safety measures, rather than having law-breakers foot the bill through fines. How is that good for taxpayers? www.cp24.com/local/toront...
September 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
So now taxpayers will have to pay for traffic safety measures, rather than having law-breakers foot the bill through fines. How is that good for taxpayers? www.cp24.com/local/toront...
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
Not nearly enough people are saying “The Palestinians were right all along. We are so sorry.”
August 12, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Not nearly enough people are saying “The Palestinians were right all along. We are so sorry.”
Well THIS little library shelf in my neighbourhood kinda tells a story all by itself…
August 8, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Well THIS little library shelf in my neighbourhood kinda tells a story all by itself…
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
Canada has abandoned the path of reconciliation and nation-to-nation building in favour of a continuation of ruthless settler capitalism disguised as “elbows up” nationalism. This isn’t going to end well.
Prime Minister Mark Carney tells Chiefs there will be no amendments to Bill C-5 in closed door talks, according to audio leaked to APTN News.
www.aptnnews.ca?p=273935
www.aptnnews.ca?p=273935
Leaked tape: PM tells chiefs he'll side with them on development
Carney rejects pleas to amend Bill C-5, but commits to standing with chiefs in conflicts with provinces over development plans.
www.aptnnews.ca
July 19, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Canada has abandoned the path of reconciliation and nation-to-nation building in favour of a continuation of ruthless settler capitalism disguised as “elbows up” nationalism. This isn’t going to end well.
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
One of my sisters is hiking through the French/Swiss/Italian Alps right now so I’m stealing her pictures as reminders of this beautiful world we get to live in that is worth fighting for.
❤️
❤️
July 17, 2025 at 10:14 PM
One of my sisters is hiking through the French/Swiss/Italian Alps right now so I’m stealing her pictures as reminders of this beautiful world we get to live in that is worth fighting for.
❤️
❤️
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
The TDSB has put the brakes on renaming three schools now that Paul Calandra and the Ontario PCs have taken over the board: tinyurl.com/mr2taf5c
I have some name ideas that Doug Ford and the Cons might approve.
#OnPoli
I have some name ideas that Doug Ford and the Cons might approve.
#OnPoli
July 3, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The TDSB has put the brakes on renaming three schools now that Paul Calandra and the Ontario PCs have taken over the board: tinyurl.com/mr2taf5c
I have some name ideas that Doug Ford and the Cons might approve.
#OnPoli
I have some name ideas that Doug Ford and the Cons might approve.
#OnPoli
Saw The Life of Chuck this weekend - terrific, original, totally unpredictable… a GREAT flick. HIGHLY recommend! Shoutout to @stephenking.bsky.social, @markhamillofficial.bsky.social and everyone else involved.
June 24, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Saw The Life of Chuck this weekend - terrific, original, totally unpredictable… a GREAT flick. HIGHLY recommend! Shoutout to @stephenking.bsky.social, @markhamillofficial.bsky.social and everyone else involved.
Wonder if @gailsimone.bsky.social can get to Toronto by Thursday?
HOW COULD SHE SAY NO TO THUNDER GLOVE?!
HOW COULD SHE SAY NO TO THUNDER GLOVE?!
June 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Wonder if @gailsimone.bsky.social can get to Toronto by Thursday?
HOW COULD SHE SAY NO TO THUNDER GLOVE?!
HOW COULD SHE SAY NO TO THUNDER GLOVE?!
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
Important post from an elementary school teacher about heat in classrooms, which disproportionately impacts young children and staff with pre-existing medical xondiriins (eg diabetes, heart disease) www.reddit.com/r/ontario/co... #OntEd
Should schools be open on Monday if the temperature with the humidex is 48°C?
www.reddit.com
June 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Important post from an elementary school teacher about heat in classrooms, which disproportionately impacts young children and staff with pre-existing medical xondiriins (eg diabetes, heart disease) www.reddit.com/r/ontario/co... #OntEd
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
Lecturing activists on being peaceful always implies those standing up for human rights & protecting others are at fault for violence & not the state.
June 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Lecturing activists on being peaceful always implies those standing up for human rights & protecting others are at fault for violence & not the state.
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
The Right Way To Protest is to stand very still in your apartment and whisper “I wish this wasn’t happening” then get your ass to work, you’re gonna be late damn it
June 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The Right Way To Protest is to stand very still in your apartment and whisper “I wish this wasn’t happening” then get your ass to work, you’re gonna be late damn it
Reposted by Tom Veenstra
Not usually one to post sunsets and such, but thought this one was pretty good…
May 5, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Not usually one to post sunsets and such, but thought this one was pretty good…