Steve Johnson
@4astevej.bsky.social
Recently retired theologian. Interested in science fiction and fantasy. Concerned about ecology and climate change. Supporter of National Parks and NASA. Worried about the welfare of the poor and other marginalized people. I take Jesus seriously.
Does anyone actually believe we will see unredacted "Epstein files"? With Trump's name included in any incriminating way? I personally won't believe a word of it if it exonerates Trump. I don't need the files to know he is a rapist. It has already been adjudicated. We should move on.
November 16, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Does anyone actually believe we will see unredacted "Epstein files"? With Trump's name included in any incriminating way? I personally won't believe a word of it if it exonerates Trump. I don't need the files to know he is a rapist. It has already been adjudicated. We should move on.
I am disappointed but not outraged that some Democratic Senators reached a compromise to reopen the Government. It would be better to have an agreement on ACA subsidies. But do we really want a month by month fight over SNAP? Pay for federal workers? The fault is the Republicans.
November 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I am disappointed but not outraged that some Democratic Senators reached a compromise to reopen the Government. It would be better to have an agreement on ACA subsidies. But do we really want a month by month fight over SNAP? Pay for federal workers? The fault is the Republicans.
In an abstract sense, I wish the Senators had stood their ground, BUT, I do not need SNAP, I am not a federal employee, I don't expect to go to the airport, I haven't even been to a National Park recently. I have been isolated from the impacts of the shutdown, so my judgement is nuanced.
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
In an abstract sense, I wish the Senators had stood their ground, BUT, I do not need SNAP, I am not a federal employee, I don't expect to go to the airport, I haven't even been to a National Park recently. I have been isolated from the impacts of the shutdown, so my judgement is nuanced.
It is depressing to read Bluesky this morning. The shutdown was 100% on Trump and his enablers. All of it. People are suffering because of it. Some Senators decided they had seen enough suffering and made the best deal they thought they could. I might not agree, but I do not blame them. Blame Trump
November 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
It is depressing to read Bluesky this morning. The shutdown was 100% on Trump and his enablers. All of it. People are suffering because of it. Some Senators decided they had seen enough suffering and made the best deal they thought they could. I might not agree, but I do not blame them. Blame Trump
Well, it appears we might be nearing an end to the government shut down engineered by Trump and his enablers. It is being framed by some on Bluesky as a capitulation by any Democrats who vote for. That's it. Attack the Democrats. Brilliant.
November 9, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Well, it appears we might be nearing an end to the government shut down engineered by Trump and his enablers. It is being framed by some on Bluesky as a capitulation by any Democrats who vote for. That's it. Attack the Democrats. Brilliant.
Donald Trump constantly says things that are demonstrably false. Nonetheless, he truly believes what he says. In his mind prices have to be down because he is such a brilliant leader. Anyone saying otherwise is fake news because Trump is truly convinced he has to be right, regardless of the facts.
November 7, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Donald Trump constantly says things that are demonstrably false. Nonetheless, he truly believes what he says. In his mind prices have to be down because he is such a brilliant leader. Anyone saying otherwise is fake news because Trump is truly convinced he has to be right, regardless of the facts.
Vote today for every Democrat you possibly can,even if you have substantial policy disagreements. Anything else is a vote for Donald Trump, the worst person ever elected President. Vote Blue!
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Vote today for every Democrat you possibly can,even if you have substantial policy disagreements. Anything else is a vote for Donald Trump, the worst person ever elected President. Vote Blue!
Just reviewed the new Ohio redistricting maps. I will be moved from the 13th District represented by Emilia Sykes, a Democrat, to the 6th district, one of the most Republican districts in the state. In reality, I will not be represented at all. At least Representative Sykes should be reelected.
October 31, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Just reviewed the new Ohio redistricting maps. I will be moved from the 13th District represented by Emilia Sykes, a Democrat, to the 6th district, one of the most Republican districts in the state. In reality, I will not be represented at all. At least Representative Sykes should be reelected.
I have been making a few theology adjacent replies recently. Theology is important to me. I care what people think. But one of my theological conclusions is that God cares more about what we do than what we think, especially how we treat those weaker than we are. God sides with the weak. So do I.
October 31, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I have been making a few theology adjacent replies recently. Theology is important to me. I care what people think. But one of my theological conclusions is that God cares more about what we do than what we think, especially how we treat those weaker than we are. God sides with the weak. So do I.
If you have access to a newspaper with comics make sure you read NON SEQUITUR for Monday, October 27
October 28, 2025 at 11:47 AM
If you have access to a newspaper with comics make sure you read NON SEQUITUR for Monday, October 27
If you want the Trumpians to continue into 2027 and 2029, then don't vote for the Democratic candidate for any of the following reasons: they are too progressive, too centrist, too old, wrote something stupid in a post, have the wrong kind of tattoo, don't fight hard enough, policy differences, etc.
October 27, 2025 at 2:32 PM
If you want the Trumpians to continue into 2027 and 2029, then don't vote for the Democratic candidate for any of the following reasons: they are too progressive, too centrist, too old, wrote something stupid in a post, have the wrong kind of tattoo, don't fight hard enough, policy differences, etc.
When are Democrats going to stop bashing other Democrats? The Democrats of New York chose their nominee for mayor. Every Democrat should get behind him. If we continue to attack Schumer and Jefferies, we will lose the next election - and our Republic with it. Democrats must stand together.
October 21, 2025 at 6:20 PM
When are Democrats going to stop bashing other Democrats? The Democrats of New York chose their nominee for mayor. Every Democrat should get behind him. If we continue to attack Schumer and Jefferies, we will lose the next election - and our Republic with it. Democrats must stand together.
Do you hate the Democratic Party? Polls suggest many of you do. Apparently you'd rather have the Republicans in charge because the Democrats aren't left enough, or center enough or fighting hard enough or finding the right compromise (double meaning intended). You know an actual alternative?
October 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Do you hate the Democratic Party? Polls suggest many of you do. Apparently you'd rather have the Republicans in charge because the Democrats aren't left enough, or center enough or fighting hard enough or finding the right compromise (double meaning intended). You know an actual alternative?
Someone on Bluesky just accused me of being a Libertarian, I guess because I didn't agree with their understanding of communism. This is our problem on the left. We are all perfectionists and some of us cannot accept people who don't agree with us on everything.
October 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Someone on Bluesky just accused me of being a Libertarian, I guess because I didn't agree with their understanding of communism. This is our problem on the left. We are all perfectionists and some of us cannot accept people who don't agree with us on everything.
Warning: I am making a point.
It is no exaggeration to say that Trump always speaks in hyperbole. Always. He never means to describe the world as it is. He intends to shape emotions, not communicate facts. Fact ✔️ is a waste of time because facts are never the point.
It is no exaggeration to say that Trump always speaks in hyperbole. Always. He never means to describe the world as it is. He intends to shape emotions, not communicate facts. Fact ✔️ is a waste of time because facts are never the point.
October 10, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Warning: I am making a point.
It is no exaggeration to say that Trump always speaks in hyperbole. Always. He never means to describe the world as it is. He intends to shape emotions, not communicate facts. Fact ✔️ is a waste of time because facts are never the point.
It is no exaggeration to say that Trump always speaks in hyperbole. Always. He never means to describe the world as it is. He intends to shape emotions, not communicate facts. Fact ✔️ is a waste of time because facts are never the point.
I am reading Katabasis by RF Kuang, a curious story of magic students in Hell. One of them reflected on the Ever Better Wine Paradox. The longer you wait, the better the wine. If you wait for perfection, you never drink the wine at all. Perfection becomes the enemy of the good, even the better.
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I am reading Katabasis by RF Kuang, a curious story of magic students in Hell. One of them reflected on the Ever Better Wine Paradox. The longer you wait, the better the wine. If you wait for perfection, you never drink the wine at all. Perfection becomes the enemy of the good, even the better.
On Bluesky there seems to be an assumption that there are "more of us." But when I hear about polls that continue to say people who voted in the last election still prefer Republicans to Democrats by a significant margin, I have to wonder. Are we deceiving ourselves?
October 8, 2025 at 10:54 PM
On Bluesky there seems to be an assumption that there are "more of us." But when I hear about polls that continue to say people who voted in the last election still prefer Republicans to Democrats by a significant margin, I have to wonder. Are we deceiving ourselves?
Reposted by Steve Johnson
🙌🏾 In a moment where history related to slavery in the United States has been targeted for removal from national parks, national websites, and Smithsonian museums, a United Church of Christ congregation located in the heart of Washington, D.C., is determined to remember.
📰 👇🏾 Read more
📰 👇🏾 Read more
‘We must tell the story’: D.C. church art installation honors people enslaved on their land - United Church of Christ
In a moment where history related to slavery in the United States has been targeted for removal from national parks, national websites, and Smithsonian
ow.ly
October 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🙌🏾 In a moment where history related to slavery in the United States has been targeted for removal from national parks, national websites, and Smithsonian museums, a United Church of Christ congregation located in the heart of Washington, D.C., is determined to remember.
📰 👇🏾 Read more
📰 👇🏾 Read more
I have been told that people on the left and right simply don't understand one another. Must be true, because the truth of almost every statement I make is blindingly obvious. Therefore, those who don't agree with me must misunderstand.
October 5, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I have been told that people on the left and right simply don't understand one another. Must be true, because the truth of almost every statement I make is blindingly obvious. Therefore, those who don't agree with me must misunderstand.
It has been said, even here on Bluesky, that people on the left hate America. I'm sure you can find a few. But none of them hate America as it is as much as Trump and his followers. They hate the pluralist America which the left acknowledges, even celebrates.
October 4, 2025 at 8:30 PM
It has been said, even here on Bluesky, that people on the left hate America. I'm sure you can find a few. But none of them hate America as it is as much as Trump and his followers. They hate the pluralist America which the left acknowledges, even celebrates.
Are we, liberals and radical left lunatics alike, responsible for some of the political atmosphere that has led to recent political violence? Perhaps, but if so it is because we have been the victims of unrelenting attacks since before I was born in 1958. Trump and his minions are only the most vile
September 25, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Are we, liberals and radical left lunatics alike, responsible for some of the political atmosphere that has led to recent political violence? Perhaps, but if so it is because we have been the victims of unrelenting attacks since before I was born in 1958. Trump and his minions are only the most vile
So a white man ambushed police in rural Pennsylvania - MAGA country, but media don't dare mention the race of the murderer. If it had been a black man or an immigrant they would have identified him as such multiple times. The most dangerous people in America are white men with guns.
September 18, 2025 at 10:42 PM
So a white man ambushed police in rural Pennsylvania - MAGA country, but media don't dare mention the race of the murderer. If it had been a black man or an immigrant they would have identified him as such multiple times. The most dangerous people in America are white men with guns.
The myth of Charlie Kirk amazes me. A paragon of civil discourse and debate to be imitated and admired. I do admire the myth. I do admire civil discourse and debate. But that hardly sums up Charlie Kirk. He said vile things about blacks, Jews, LGBTQ+ folk, especially trans folk.
September 17, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The myth of Charlie Kirk amazes me. A paragon of civil discourse and debate to be imitated and admired. I do admire the myth. I do admire civil discourse and debate. But that hardly sums up Charlie Kirk. He said vile things about blacks, Jews, LGBTQ+ folk, especially trans folk.
I've heard that the murderer of Charlie Kirk was a radical leftist. I also heard that he was from a far-right group. Don't know which is true. I do know he was a white man with a gun. That's all I need to know.
September 14, 2025 at 2:10 AM
I've heard that the murderer of Charlie Kirk was a radical leftist. I also heard that he was from a far-right group. Don't know which is true. I do know he was a white man with a gun. That's all I need to know.
The MAGA version of free speech is "We can say whatever we want and you can't criticize us. But if you say something we don't like we are going to get you fired."
September 14, 2025 at 1:21 AM
The MAGA version of free speech is "We can say whatever we want and you can't criticize us. But if you say something we don't like we are going to get you fired."