Bill Mitchell
@bostonbill.bsky.social
Retired journalist who can still type. Not the other Bill Mitchell(s). Priors: @ncronline, Poynter, Detroit Free Press, etc. In Boston w/ spouse of 55 years and a dog named Benny, upstairs from grandkids who keep us younger than we look. www.bmitch.org.
Reposted by Bill Mitchell
Bill Mitchell reports that Bill McKibben is modestly optimistic about humankind's ability to innovate its way out of the climate crisis. howtrue.substack.com/p/bill-mckib...
Bill McKibben on Good News That's Also True
The self-described "bummer outer" pinpoints reasons for hope amid the climate crisis.
howtrue.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Bill Mitchell reports that Bill McKibben is modestly optimistic about humankind's ability to innovate its way out of the climate crisis. howtrue.substack.com/p/bill-mckib...
Have you ever fallen for a scam? I did. My true confession and what I learned about the "dysregulation of emotions" that did me in -- and that Trump is using to bamboozle so much of the nation. howtrue.substack.com/p/how-i-fell....
How I Fell for the Jury Duty Scam
And learned how scammers and fear-mongering politicians rely on something known as "dysregulation of emotions" to block people's access to the truth
howtrue.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Have you ever fallen for a scam? I did. My true confession and what I learned about the "dysregulation of emotions" that did me in -- and that Trump is using to bamboozle so much of the nation. howtrue.substack.com/p/how-i-fell....
I spent some time with some extremists the other day. It was time well spent. howtrue.substack.com/p/to-find-th...
To Find the Truth, Go to Extremes
Gathered in the woods in central Massachusetts, a group of everyday extremists connects with the Wood Wide Web and finds solidarity
howtrue.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:01 AM
I spent some time with some extremists the other day. It was time well spent. howtrue.substack.com/p/to-find-th...
Today's topic on HOW TRUE: Humility. Tom Fiedler reflects on the role that humility played in ending the presidential campaign of Gary Hart. And how advice from the late, great Gene Miller shaped the way that Tom has asked questions ever since. howtrue.substack.com/p/how-humili...
How Humility Brought Down a Presidential Campaign
And what that suggests about the role of humility in nailing stuff down
howtrue.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Today's topic on HOW TRUE: Humility. Tom Fiedler reflects on the role that humility played in ending the presidential campaign of Gary Hart. And how advice from the late, great Gene Miller shaped the way that Tom has asked questions ever since. howtrue.substack.com/p/how-humili...
We know Trump's truth decay needs constant fact-checking. But beyond that, what should we be doing about his lies? Five suggestions: howtrue.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
What To Do About Trump's Truth Decay
Five steps we can all take to resist his authoritarian distortion of reality
howtrue.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 10:21 PM
We know Trump's truth decay needs constant fact-checking. But beyond that, what should we be doing about his lies? Five suggestions: howtrue.substack.com/p/what-to-do...
Started a Substack and hoping Bluesky users will take a look. The idea: Tracking what it takes to nail stuff down, sorting fact from fiction. On the advice of Substack friends, I kicked it off with something personal: getting fired from my first newspaper job: howtrue.substack.com/p/fired-at-2...
Fired at 20, Still Sorting Fact from Fiction 56 Years Later
It was 60 years ago this summer that I got my first job as an intern reporter at The Day newspaper in New London, Ct.
howtrue.substack.com
August 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Started a Substack and hoping Bluesky users will take a look. The idea: Tracking what it takes to nail stuff down, sorting fact from fiction. On the advice of Substack friends, I kicked it off with something personal: getting fired from my first newspaper job: howtrue.substack.com/p/fired-at-2...
I got the sample of Red Clay to see what former Detroit Free Press colleague @cbfancher.bsky.social had written. I soon clicked "buy this book." This historical novel is a great read and eye-opening about Reconstruction & Jim Crow. Quite timely as Jim Crow re-appears. www.amazon.com/Red-Clay-Cha...
Red Clay
Red Clay - Kindle edition by Fancher, Charles B.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Red Clay.
www.amazon.com
February 16, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I got the sample of Red Clay to see what former Detroit Free Press colleague @cbfancher.bsky.social had written. I soon clicked "buy this book." This historical novel is a great read and eye-opening about Reconstruction & Jim Crow. Quite timely as Jim Crow re-appears. www.amazon.com/Red-Clay-Cha...
Speaking truth to power: The Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Right Rev. Mariann Budde, addresses Trump directly and asks him to show mercy toward the innocent people his policies are targeting. Watch the minute and a half video here: apnews.com/article/trum...
At inaugural prayer service, bishop pleads for Trump to ‘have mercy’ on LGBTQ+ people and migrants
At the inaugural prayer service, the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, asked President Donald Trump to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and undocumented migrant workers.
apnews.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Speaking truth to power: The Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Right Rev. Mariann Budde, addresses Trump directly and asks him to show mercy toward the innocent people his policies are targeting. Watch the minute and a half video here: apnews.com/article/trum...
Thanks to former student Zolan Kanno-Youngs for this summary of some of Trump's executive orders. Among the most troubling: the cancelation of flights for Afghan refugees who have spent years being vetted & approved for entry to the U.S. www.nytimes.com/video/us/pol...
Video: Trump’s Day 1 Crackdown on Immigration
President Trump’s executive actions on immigration were the leading edge of an effort to upend the United States’ role as a sanctuary for refugees and immigrants. Zolan Kanno-Youngs, a White House cor...
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Thanks to former student Zolan Kanno-Youngs for this summary of some of Trump's executive orders. Among the most troubling: the cancelation of flights for Afghan refugees who have spent years being vetted & approved for entry to the U.S. www.nytimes.com/video/us/pol...
A couple of Catholics with an opportunity to save some lives. The pope did his part. Will the president? www.ncronline.org/vatican/vati...
Pope Francis makes urgent appeal on behalf of U.S. death row inmates
Pope Francis on Dec. 8 made a special appeal for the lives of death row inmates in the United States to be spared.
www.ncronline.org
December 9, 2024 at 2:42 PM
A couple of Catholics with an opportunity to save some lives. The pope did his part. Will the president? www.ncronline.org/vatican/vati...
Insightful and personal audio essay by Carlos Lozada: www.nytimes.com/2024/10/21/o...
Opinion | Sorry, Trump: ‘There Is No American Race or Blood That Outsiders Can Pollute’ (Gift Article)
Identity-first arguments are flawed. The former president forced me to make one.
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2024 at 5:08 PM
Insightful and personal audio essay by Carlos Lozada: www.nytimes.com/2024/10/21/o...
Speaking of pardons & commutations: As a candidate in 2020, President Biden promised to end the federal death penalty. With 40 men on federal death row across the U.S. (another 2,200 are awaiting execution in state prisons), Biden can make good on his word. Will he? www.ncronline.org/news/catholi...
Catholic advocates push Biden to commute federal death penalty sentences
With 40 inmates on federal death row and the clock ticking on President Joe Biden's term, Catholic Mobilizing Network is calling for decisive action. They want Biden to use his remaining time in offic...
www.ncronline.org
December 2, 2024 at 3:35 PM
Speaking of pardons & commutations: As a candidate in 2020, President Biden promised to end the federal death penalty. With 40 men on federal death row across the U.S. (another 2,200 are awaiting execution in state prisons), Biden can make good on his word. Will he? www.ncronline.org/news/catholi...
Another good reason to get to Paris next year. Tip of the hat to Tom Heneghan for this glimpse of the restored Notre Dame. www.thetablet.co.uk/news/transfo...
Transformed Notre Dame revealed after five year reconstruction - The Tablet
Inside Notre Dame cathedral used to be one if the darkest places in Paris. Now, five years after the building was almost destroyed in an accidental fire, it’s
www.thetablet.co.uk
November 30, 2024 at 12:55 PM
Another good reason to get to Paris next year. Tip of the hat to Tom Heneghan for this glimpse of the restored Notre Dame. www.thetablet.co.uk/news/transfo...
One of Boston’s most famous picture frames. Des and Mateo on the case. Mateo: “I have some suspects.”
November 23, 2024 at 6:09 PM
One of Boston’s most famous picture frames. Des and Mateo on the case. Mateo: “I have some suspects.”
Good situationer on Bluesky, explaining why so many of us are enjoying it.
I wrote about this app! It’s good! (But you know that, you’re here)
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/t...
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/22/t...
Bluesky Is Turning Into a Strong X Alternative
Bluesky has a hint of the old Twitter magic, but the feeling of freedom it offers might be even better.
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2024 at 2:01 PM
Good situationer on Bluesky, explaining why so many of us are enjoying it.
Jennifer Rubin on the achievements of ProPublica and the potential of non-profit news (I'm thinking ncronline.org, of course.) www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Our democracy needs a different model for journalism
Informed voters are increasingly an endangered species. ProPublica’s nonprofit model could help save them.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2024 at 2:31 PM
Jennifer Rubin on the achievements of ProPublica and the potential of non-profit news (I'm thinking ncronline.org, of course.) www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
The news is grim -- Trump nominating one bozo after another, the Senate failing to restrain Israel, etc. -- but hope remains. Thanks to @dangillmor.bsky.social and his Cornerstone of Democracy newsletter for recommending this from Elizabeth Warren, which I'd missed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2MS....
Elizabeth Warren Responds to the 2024 Election
YouTube video by Elizabeth Warren
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2024 at 2:11 PM
The news is grim -- Trump nominating one bozo after another, the Senate failing to restrain Israel, etc. -- but hope remains. Thanks to @dangillmor.bsky.social and his Cornerstone of Democracy newsletter for recommending this from Elizabeth Warren, which I'd missed. www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2MS....
Biden is ending his term with a whimper, caving to Netanyahu yet again. Biden had warned that, if Israel failed to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza significantly within 30 days, there would be consequences. Deadline was a week ago. There have been no consequences. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/13/w...
Aid Deliveries to Gaza Remain Low Despite U.S. Warning to Israel
The Biden administration gave Israel 30 days to increase the flow of aid, warning that aid shipments into Gaza in September had reached an alarmingly low level.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Biden is ending his term with a whimper, caving to Netanyahu yet again. Biden had warned that, if Israel failed to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza significantly within 30 days, there would be consequences. Deadline was a week ago. There have been no consequences. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/13/w...
Reposted by Bill Mitchell
Pope Francis is calling for an investigation into whether genocide is taking place in Gaza. Francis has also offered one the strongest defenses of Israel by a sitting pope www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
Pope calls for investigation on whether genocide is taking place in Gaza
While Pope Francis has criticized the war before, this is the first time he has publicly suggested an investigation, according to excerpts from a new book.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2024 at 8:31 PM
Pope Francis is calling for an investigation into whether genocide is taking place in Gaza. Francis has also offered one the strongest defenses of Israel by a sitting pope www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/1...
Here's a good Terry Gross interview w/ David Remnick and Marty Baron. Baron's list of ways Trump will go after the press is staggering, but simply reflects Trump's own words. Baron's take on where journalism has fallen short sounds right to me. What do you think? www.npr.org/2024/11/20/n...
Veteran news editor expects Trump 'to go after the press in every conceivable way'
Former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron says he thinks Trump is "salivating for the opportunity to prosecute and imprison journalists." New Yorker editor David Remnick agrees.
www.npr.org
November 20, 2024 at 8:52 PM
Here's a good Terry Gross interview w/ David Remnick and Marty Baron. Baron's list of ways Trump will go after the press is staggering, but simply reflects Trump's own words. Baron's take on where journalism has fallen short sounds right to me. What do you think? www.npr.org/2024/11/20/n...
Here's an anecdotal but interesting (and sobering) take on how a few leaders of the resistance to Trump's first term are feeling this time around. About a half hour of audio from the NYT The Daily: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/p...
From Resistance to Reflection
When Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016, it prompted an outpouring of protests. What will happen this time?
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Here's an anecdotal but interesting (and sobering) take on how a few leaders of the resistance to Trump's first term are feeling this time around. About a half hour of audio from the NYT The Daily: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/p...
Reposted by Bill Mitchell
Hope Musk sees this headline.
Bluesky brings the fun, weird vibes of old Twitter back to life
As more users flee X, a clearer, sunnier social media age is dawning.
www.vox.com
November 16, 2024 at 6:16 AM
Hope Musk sees this headline.
If only my church could get its head screwed on right when it comes to sex, what a wonderful world it would be. www.ncronline.org/news/transge...
Transgender Catholics face barriers to religious life, find peace in communities
Despite faith and commitment, transgender Catholics face rejection from religious orders due to their gender identities. Yet, they find support in faith communities and have an informal network to nav...
www.ncronline.org
November 15, 2024 at 5:48 PM
If only my church could get its head screwed on right when it comes to sex, what a wonderful world it would be. www.ncronline.org/news/transge...
I'd throw in a couple of issues, especially Gaza, but I think Bernie Sanders gets it mostly right in explaining Trump's victory: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/15/p...
Bernie Sanders Says Democrats Have Lost Their Way
An interview with the Vermont senator on the fallout of the election defeat.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2024 at 5:37 PM
I'd throw in a couple of issues, especially Gaza, but I think Bernie Sanders gets it mostly right in explaining Trump's victory: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/15/p...
Reposted by Bill Mitchell
Every so often I think of this deeply reported story from January about Black religious leaders warning Biden about Gaza. www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/u...
Black Pastors Pressure Biden to Call for a Cease-Fire in Gaza
Black congregants’ dismay at President Biden’s posture on the war could imperil his re-election bid.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2024 at 3:38 PM
Every so often I think of this deeply reported story from January about Black religious leaders warning Biden about Gaza. www.nytimes.com/2024/01/28/u...