Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
@airhart.me
Data engineering, human rights, Sufism, and liberation theology are my gigs. Ex-journalist. UDayton, Sojourners, and Jesuit Volunteer Corps vet. Pilgrim to Colombia, El Salvador, and Morocco. BLM. Serial comma.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
For all of Biden's presidency, mainstream media tried to hold him accountable while he sought to conceal issues with his mental acuity.
2021: Vanity Fair wrote that reporters’ frustration was rising over limited access and lack of press conferences. www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/03...
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2021: Vanity Fair wrote that reporters’ frustration was rising over limited access and lack of press conferences. www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/03...
🧵1/8
Reporters’ Frustration Is Building Over Lack of Biden Access
While the president regularly takes a handful of questions from the press, he has yet to hold a formal, solo news conference since taking office—a break from his White House predecessors.
www.vanityfair.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:54 AM
For all of Biden's presidency, mainstream media tried to hold him accountable while he sought to conceal issues with his mental acuity.
2021: Vanity Fair wrote that reporters’ frustration was rising over limited access and lack of press conferences. www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/03...
🧵1/8
2021: Vanity Fair wrote that reporters’ frustration was rising over limited access and lack of press conferences. www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/03...
🧵1/8
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Trump supporters:
If we believe in freedom, let's apply it consistently. That means defending it for people we do not like, speech we do not agree with, and voters who do not vote our way.
Character is what we do when we could choose resentment instead.
If we believe in freedom, let's apply it consistently. That means defending it for people we do not like, speech we do not agree with, and voters who do not vote our way.
Character is what we do when we could choose resentment instead.
February 7, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Trump supporters:
If we believe in freedom, let's apply it consistently. That means defending it for people we do not like, speech we do not agree with, and voters who do not vote our way.
Character is what we do when we could choose resentment instead.
If we believe in freedom, let's apply it consistently. That means defending it for people we do not like, speech we do not agree with, and voters who do not vote our way.
Character is what we do when we could choose resentment instead.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
MAGA Trump supporters are not wrong to be tired of being talked down to.
But if anyone wants a stronger country, we have to be strong enough to handle disagreement, different faiths, different languages, and other people’s freedoms…even when it annoys us. That is what real patriotism looks like.
But if anyone wants a stronger country, we have to be strong enough to handle disagreement, different faiths, different languages, and other people’s freedoms…even when it annoys us. That is what real patriotism looks like.
February 7, 2026 at 12:07 AM
MAGA Trump supporters are not wrong to be tired of being talked down to.
But if anyone wants a stronger country, we have to be strong enough to handle disagreement, different faiths, different languages, and other people’s freedoms…even when it annoys us. That is what real patriotism looks like.
But if anyone wants a stronger country, we have to be strong enough to handle disagreement, different faiths, different languages, and other people’s freedoms…even when it annoys us. That is what real patriotism looks like.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Trump supporters are tired of liberal "noise."
Their answer -- mocking, banning, and bullying -- makes the noise worse.
The answer, if Trump supporters want it, is decency, self-control, and letting other Americans live their lives. That is the kind of strength worth admiring.
Their answer -- mocking, banning, and bullying -- makes the noise worse.
The answer, if Trump supporters want it, is decency, self-control, and letting other Americans live their lives. That is the kind of strength worth admiring.
February 7, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Trump supporters are tired of liberal "noise."
Their answer -- mocking, banning, and bullying -- makes the noise worse.
The answer, if Trump supporters want it, is decency, self-control, and letting other Americans live their lives. That is the kind of strength worth admiring.
Their answer -- mocking, banning, and bullying -- makes the noise worse.
The answer, if Trump supporters want it, is decency, self-control, and letting other Americans live their lives. That is the kind of strength worth admiring.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
No one can force you to respect people … but you can choose it.
Choose curiosity over contempt, facts over rumors, and strength over cruelty. If you want to be taken seriously, be the kind of person who can handle a free country that often disagrees with you.
Choose curiosity over contempt, facts over rumors, and strength over cruelty. If you want to be taken seriously, be the kind of person who can handle a free country that often disagrees with you.
February 7, 2026 at 12:07 AM
No one can force you to respect people … but you can choose it.
Choose curiosity over contempt, facts over rumors, and strength over cruelty. If you want to be taken seriously, be the kind of person who can handle a free country that often disagrees with you.
Choose curiosity over contempt, facts over rumors, and strength over cruelty. If you want to be taken seriously, be the kind of person who can handle a free country that often disagrees with you.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Being a good American goes hand in hand with being a good neighbor. We do not have to approve of everyone…but we can still be fair, humble, and kind. Freedom is not just for “our side.” It is for all of us.
February 7, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Being a good American goes hand in hand with being a good neighbor. We do not have to approve of everyone…but we can still be fair, humble, and kind. Freedom is not just for “our side.” It is for all of us.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
If we want freedom, let's defend it for everyone.
If we want respect, show it. If we want a better country, be better in how you treat people.
If we want respect, show it. If we want a better country, be better in how you treat people.
February 7, 2026 at 12:07 AM
If we want freedom, let's defend it for everyone.
If we want respect, show it. If we want a better country, be better in how you treat people.
If we want respect, show it. If we want a better country, be better in how you treat people.
This fact, along with Trump's meme monkifying the Obama family, show us who all your MAGA friends and family really are.
February 6, 2026 at 6:33 PM
This fact, along with Trump's meme monkifying the Obama family, show us who all your MAGA friends and family really are.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
This, from @kenwhite.bsky.social in @theunpopulist.net, is a genuine must-read. If the current state of free speech discourse interests you—and especially if it infuriates you—this is a critical reframe steering us away from the idea that bad-faith actors are actually our free speech heroes.
The Fashionable Notion of 'Free Speech Culture' Is Justifying State Censorship, Ironically
It'll convince people that free speech is a sham
www.theunpopulist.net
February 2, 2026 at 9:55 PM
This, from @kenwhite.bsky.social in @theunpopulist.net, is a genuine must-read. If the current state of free speech discourse interests you—and especially if it infuriates you—this is a critical reframe steering us away from the idea that bad-faith actors are actually our free speech heroes.
"Free speech culture" crucially does not ask questions of the person who speaks first -- whether they support, for example, the free speech of others.
Free speech culture only asks that of those who respond to the speaker.
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Free speech culture only asks that of those who respond to the speaker.
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February 5, 2026 at 10:09 AM
"Free speech culture" crucially does not ask questions of the person who speaks first -- whether they support, for example, the free speech of others.
Free speech culture only asks that of those who respond to the speaker.
🧵1/2
Free speech culture only asks that of those who respond to the speaker.
🧵1/2
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Trump's constant degradation of female reporters is unsurprising but the press corps' collective decision to treat it as background noise is actually kind of sickening
February 4, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Trump's constant degradation of female reporters is unsurprising but the press corps' collective decision to treat it as background noise is actually kind of sickening
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Maybe a dollop of good news today? Here's my newsletter about this week in the Resistance. Includes some awesome judicial verdicts. www.headsupnews.org/p/nimby-but-...
NIMBY, but for concentration camps
ICE is getting major pushback as it tries to buy massive warehouses for people
www.headsupnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Maybe a dollop of good news today? Here's my newsletter about this week in the Resistance. Includes some awesome judicial verdicts. www.headsupnews.org/p/nimby-but-...
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
In Minneapolis, masked federal agents, dressed as soldiers, have fatally shot two American citizens. Both were victims of an occupation.
The lurid fantasy at the heart of the gun rights movement is playing out, but the leading roles, as they were previously imagined, have been reversed.
The lurid fantasy at the heart of the gun rights movement is playing out, but the leading roles, as they were previously imagined, have been reversed.
Minneapolis is the violent reckoning the gun rights movement has long wanted
The Second Amendment crowd isn’t fighting against tyranny.
www.motherjones.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
In Minneapolis, masked federal agents, dressed as soldiers, have fatally shot two American citizens. Both were victims of an occupation.
The lurid fantasy at the heart of the gun rights movement is playing out, but the leading roles, as they were previously imagined, have been reversed.
The lurid fantasy at the heart of the gun rights movement is playing out, but the leading roles, as they were previously imagined, have been reversed.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Claire Parker, Cairo bureau chief of The Washington Post, wrote last week that the Post made no effort to work with staff to cut costs.
The cuts have nothing to do with costs; the cuts represent the owner's ideology.
timothynoah.substack.com/p/on-gutting...
The cuts have nothing to do with costs; the cuts represent the owner's ideology.
timothynoah.substack.com/p/on-gutting...
February 4, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Claire Parker, Cairo bureau chief of The Washington Post, wrote last week that the Post made no effort to work with staff to cut costs.
The cuts have nothing to do with costs; the cuts represent the owner's ideology.
timothynoah.substack.com/p/on-gutting...
The cuts have nothing to do with costs; the cuts represent the owner's ideology.
timothynoah.substack.com/p/on-gutting...
In response to Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the African Americans and I spoke up
Because I am my sisters’ and my brothers’ keeper.
And then they came for the women and I spoke up
Because women hold up half the sky.
1/4
First they came for the African Americans and I spoke up
Because I am my sisters’ and my brothers’ keeper.
And then they came for the women and I spoke up
Because women hold up half the sky.
1/4
January 28, 2026 at 4:25 AM
In response to Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the African Americans and I spoke up
Because I am my sisters’ and my brothers’ keeper.
And then they came for the women and I spoke up
Because women hold up half the sky.
1/4
First they came for the African Americans and I spoke up
Because I am my sisters’ and my brothers’ keeper.
And then they came for the women and I spoke up
Because women hold up half the sky.
1/4
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
“Restrain, reform, and restrict ICE.”
That’s what Democrats are giving us as we’re being murdered in cold blood and broad daylight.
It’s time to accept the Democratic Party enables fascism so that we can start fighting for ourselves.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/get-out-of...
That’s what Democrats are giving us as we’re being murdered in cold blood and broad daylight.
It’s time to accept the Democratic Party enables fascism so that we can start fighting for ourselves.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/get-out-of...
Get Out of the Way: The Democratic Party Prevents Us From Fighting Fascism
This article is free for educational and organizing purposes, but Dispatches From A Collapsing State desperately needs your support.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:19 PM
“Restrain, reform, and restrict ICE.”
That’s what Democrats are giving us as we’re being murdered in cold blood and broad daylight.
It’s time to accept the Democratic Party enables fascism so that we can start fighting for ourselves.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/get-out-of...
That’s what Democrats are giving us as we’re being murdered in cold blood and broad daylight.
It’s time to accept the Democratic Party enables fascism so that we can start fighting for ourselves.
jaredyatessexton.substack.com/p/get-out-of...
Noem merely followed the orders she was given by Miller and Trump.
She is the Nazi who was merely following orders.
She is the Nazi who was merely following orders.
January 27, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Noem merely followed the orders she was given by Miller and Trump.
She is the Nazi who was merely following orders.
She is the Nazi who was merely following orders.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Tressie McMillan Cottom says the second Trump administration has revealed uncomfortable truths about power in America. She talks with Geoff Bennett about trust in institutions and how to keep your sense of purpose in an onslaught of news.
The stories we tell ourselves about America
Tressie McMillan Cottom says the second Trump administration has revealed uncomfortable truths about power in America. She talks with Geoff Bennett about trust in institutions and how to keep your sen...
www.pbs.org
January 27, 2026 at 4:24 AM
Tressie McMillan Cottom says the second Trump administration has revealed uncomfortable truths about power in America. She talks with Geoff Bennett about trust in institutions and how to keep your sense of purpose in an onslaught of news.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Don’t. Print. Lies. In. The. Newspapers.
Don’t. Speak. Lies. On. The. Teevee. Shows.
What is journalism, anyway?
Don’t. Speak. Lies. On. The. Teevee. Shows.
What is journalism, anyway?
CNN calling Tom Homan "well respected" and "not as hardline as Bovino" is an interesting choice. The dude took a $50,000 bribe in a fucking Cava bag and says all the same fascist shit as Bovino and Noem.
January 27, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Don’t. Print. Lies. In. The. Newspapers.
Don’t. Speak. Lies. On. The. Teevee. Shows.
What is journalism, anyway?
Don’t. Speak. Lies. On. The. Teevee. Shows.
What is journalism, anyway?
MAGA white nationalists and corrupt evangelicals claim to uphold freedom for the Iranian people, but look here: They are deporting gay immigrants to be killed by Iran's authoritarian regime.
Trump administration is potentially sending two gay men to their death by preparing to deport them to Iran
“They are textbook asylum cases,” attorney Rebekah Wolf told The Advocate. “People from a country where who they are is criminalized and punishable by torture or death — that is literally the definiti...
www.advocate.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:28 PM
MAGA white nationalists and corrupt evangelicals claim to uphold freedom for the Iranian people, but look here: They are deporting gay immigrants to be killed by Iran's authoritarian regime.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes (2026)
"On the agenda for today's briefing is an overview of the basics of fleet management and combat, which you will need to master in order to survive Cylon attacks and reach the Galactica."
"On the agenda for today's briefing is an overview of the basics of fleet management and combat, which you will need to master in order to survive Cylon attacks and reach the Galactica."
Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes | Gameplay Overview Trailer
YouTube video by Dotemu
www.youtube.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes (2026)
"On the agenda for today's briefing is an overview of the basics of fleet management and combat, which you will need to master in order to survive Cylon attacks and reach the Galactica."
"On the agenda for today's briefing is an overview of the basics of fleet management and combat, which you will need to master in order to survive Cylon attacks and reach the Galactica."