Lawrence Whitney
@brlawrencelc.com
Chaplain | Scholar | Changemaker
https://brlawrencelc.com
https://brlawrencelc.com
Pinned
Can confirm.
This is naive. As I reported years ago in C Street, the chaplaincy even then was overrun by militant fundamentalists. Of course there are wonderful chaplains. But as many of them told me, they're sidelined.
"As Hegseth correctly pointed out, military chaplains are the conscience of the force, and I expect that many of them—all clergy—would take offense at the suggestion that any Army publication could shake their religious and moral foundations."
December 23, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Can confirm.
Tragedy abounds.
We've got an update in the fatal Brookline shooting from last night: The victim was a 47-year-old MIT professor, Nuno Loureiro, police confirm to @brooklinenews.bsky.social
brookline.news/person-taken...
brookline.news/person-taken...
MIT professor fatally shot on Gibbs Street - Brookline.News
Police initially responded to shots fired on Gibbs Street between 8 and 9 p.m. One person was taken to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and died overnight.
brookline.news
December 16, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Tragedy abounds.
Good God!
Breaking news: Police reported to Gibbs Street for reports of shots fired tonight, and a person was transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
We will update this story with more information when it becomes available.
brookline.news/person-taken...
We will update this story with more information when it becomes available.
brookline.news/person-taken...
Person taken to hospital after shots fired on Gibbs Street - Brookline.News
Brookline police responded to reports of shots fired on Gibbs Street on Monday night and a person was taken to the hospital, according to a police spokesperson. Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell con...
brookline.news
December 16, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Good God!
Reposted by Lawrence Whitney
Breaking news: Police reported to Gibbs Street for reports of shots fired tonight, and a person was transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
We will update this story with more information when it becomes available.
brookline.news/person-taken...
We will update this story with more information when it becomes available.
brookline.news/person-taken...
Person taken to hospital after shots fired on Gibbs Street - Brookline.News
Brookline police responded to reports of shots fired on Gibbs Street on Monday night and a person was taken to the hospital, according to a police spokesperson. Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell con...
brookline.news
December 16, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Breaking news: Police reported to Gibbs Street for reports of shots fired tonight, and a person was transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
We will update this story with more information when it becomes available.
brookline.news/person-taken...
We will update this story with more information when it becomes available.
brookline.news/person-taken...
There’s some talk of Josh Shapiro as a potential Dem presidential candidate in 2028 but as far as I’m concerned this is a dealbreaker on that idea:
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) does not keep the trains and trams running. It will not retitle my vehicle. It does not plow the streets of Pennsylvania. If PennDOT maintains neither the public transit nor the vehicular transit infrastructure, does it actually exist?
December 15, 2025 at 10:23 PM
There’s some talk of Josh Shapiro as a potential Dem presidential candidate in 2028 but as far as I’m concerned this is a dealbreaker on that idea:
Reposted by Lawrence Whitney
Rob Reiner religion note: One of his last film projects was “God & Country,” a documentary released last year based on Katherine Stewart’s book.
The film turned a critical lens toward Christian nationalism.
Disclosure: I know this, because I’m in it. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
The film turned a critical lens toward Christian nationalism.
Disclosure: I know this, because I’m in it. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Rob Reiner's 'God & Country' explores the politicization of Christianity
The new documentary looks at the rise of Christian Nationalism as a political movement through the eyes of theologians and conservative thinkers.
www.wbur.org
December 15, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Rob Reiner religion note: One of his last film projects was “God & Country,” a documentary released last year based on Katherine Stewart’s book.
The film turned a critical lens toward Christian nationalism.
Disclosure: I know this, because I’m in it. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
The film turned a critical lens toward Christian nationalism.
Disclosure: I know this, because I’m in it. www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
Notably, invoking a pandemic resonated very differently in 2012 than today.
Wanted to make a longer post about the mass shooting at Brown and found this post about Sandy Hook from 2012 and how sad is it that I can literally copy paste the exact same post because gun violence has only gotten worse without federal legislation to stop the ~40K annual preventable gun deaths.😓
December 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Notably, invoking a pandemic resonated very differently in 2012 than today.
This series presents a fascinating conception of chaplaincy/spiritual care, amongst other things. Highly recommend!
Still time to get the "Too Like the Lightning" ebook for $2.99 today in the goldbox sale: www.amazon.com/Too-Like-Lig...
December 11, 2025 at 10:40 PM
This series presents a fascinating conception of chaplaincy/spiritual care, amongst other things. Highly recommend!
Also, this is just one of the best written obituaries I’ve ever read.
Oh no.
Nick wasn’t technically on my dissertation committee but he did more to shape it than anyone who was. An amazing mentor and an utter mensch.
Nick wasn’t technically on my dissertation committee but he did more to shape it than anyone who was. An amazing mentor and an utter mensch.
Thinking about one of my all-time favorite historians, CUNY grad Nick Salvatore, & what he did for cultural/political biography, radical history, Af-Am history. I am always telling folks about We All Got History: The Memory Books of Amos Webber.
www.ithacavoice.org/2025/12/obituary-nick-salvatore/
www.ithacavoice.org/2025/12/obituary-nick-salvatore/
December 10, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Also, this is just one of the best written obituaries I’ve ever read.
To quote James Comey: “Let’s have a trial!”
DOJ makes it clear: If Judge Boasberg wants to pursue a contempt case against Kristi Noem, he's going to have to pierce privileged conversations she had with Blanche, Bove and DHS lawyers – something DOJ says shoudl only happen at a trial. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
December 10, 2025 at 8:52 PM
To quote James Comey: “Let’s have a trial!”
Reposted by Lawrence Whitney
A big subtext here: The GOP and Trump administration — including Trump himself! — have repeatedly bemoaned the plight of persecuted Christians over the years, often referencing Iranian Christians in particular.
But per this priest, the admin is trying to deport Iranian Christians back to Iran.
But per this priest, the admin is trying to deport Iranian Christians back to Iran.
Via me and @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social: CBP posted a pic of two detained Iranians, saying, “No fun in the sun when you are unlawfully present.”
According to their Episcopal priest, they’re Christian converts seeking asylum, and deporting them may be a death sentence religionnews.com/2025/12/09/b...
According to their Episcopal priest, they’re Christian converts seeking asylum, and deporting them may be a death sentence religionnews.com/2025/12/09/b...
Priest says sisters slated for deportation are Christians who could face persecution by Iran
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘We all feel a wound in our body of Christ, knowing what’s happening to them,’ said the Rev. Fran Gardner-Smith.
religionnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A big subtext here: The GOP and Trump administration — including Trump himself! — have repeatedly bemoaned the plight of persecuted Christians over the years, often referencing Iranian Christians in particular.
But per this priest, the admin is trying to deport Iranian Christians back to Iran.
But per this priest, the admin is trying to deport Iranian Christians back to Iran.
This seems like an even bigger deal than the news out of Miami.
In a stealth upset, Democrat Eric Gisler flips a GOP-held Georgia House seat spanning parts of Athens and Oconee County. Gisler won 39% of vote last November. He captured 51% tonight to defeat a Republican backed by Gov. Brian Kemp and other GOP leaders.
December 10, 2025 at 2:56 AM
This seems like an even bigger deal than the news out of Miami.
Reposted by Lawrence Whitney
I love Massachusetts.
It's for that reason that I fight so hard every day for change.
Headlines like this disturb me deeply.
If we continue to refuse to recognize the severity of our housing crisis, & act accordingly, we will destroy everything we all love about Massachusetts.
It's for that reason that I fight so hard every day for change.
Headlines like this disturb me deeply.
If we continue to refuse to recognize the severity of our housing crisis, & act accordingly, we will destroy everything we all love about Massachusetts.
December 8, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I love Massachusetts.
It's for that reason that I fight so hard every day for change.
Headlines like this disturb me deeply.
If we continue to refuse to recognize the severity of our housing crisis, & act accordingly, we will destroy everything we all love about Massachusetts.
It's for that reason that I fight so hard every day for change.
Headlines like this disturb me deeply.
If we continue to refuse to recognize the severity of our housing crisis, & act accordingly, we will destroy everything we all love about Massachusetts.
Reposted by Lawrence Whitney
This must become a permanent stain on the Trump administration and all of its lackeys, like Marco Rubio and Elon Musk. Their dismantling of USAID has literally killed children. Their decimation of scientific research will kill many more. May the mark of shame follow them wherever they go.
For the first time this century, the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday is projected to rise, according to a new study published by the Gates Foundation.
Child deaths under 5 believed to be rising for first time in decades
Cuts to development aid from several countries is a key factor, researchers said.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:43 AM
This must become a permanent stain on the Trump administration and all of its lackeys, like Marco Rubio and Elon Musk. Their dismantling of USAID has literally killed children. Their decimation of scientific research will kill many more. May the mark of shame follow them wherever they go.
All too familiar indeed.
Have you heard of “The Populist Playbook?”
A few years ago, I posted what I still consider one of my most important messages.
It was about “The Populist Playbook” that I’ve watched play out often over my 33+ years of city planning.
Since then, it’s only gotten worse.
Do the steps sound familiar?
A few years ago, I posted what I still consider one of my most important messages.
It was about “The Populist Playbook” that I’ve watched play out often over my 33+ years of city planning.
Since then, it’s only gotten worse.
Do the steps sound familiar?
December 8, 2025 at 2:43 AM
All too familiar indeed.
So much for the myth of meritocracy.
December 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
So much for the myth of meritocracy.
Be the traffic you wish to see in the world.
December 5, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Be the traffic you wish to see in the world.
Amen!
I love trains so much. We deserve more (and better!) trains in this country. 😭
bsky.app/profile/anna...
bsky.app/profile/anna...
PSA: Amtrak’s NYC ➡️ Albany route is gorgeous.
December 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Amen!
Reposted by Lawrence Whitney
People don’t adopt flat-Earth theories and conspiracy myths out of nowhere.
A new review of the research shows experiences like sleep paralysis, sensory illusions and ritual practices can make extraordinary beliefs feel very true. buff.ly/khbNn7V
A new review of the research shows experiences like sleep paralysis, sensory illusions and ritual practices can make extraordinary beliefs feel very true. buff.ly/khbNn7V
Flat Earth, spirits and conspiracy theories – experience can shape even extraordinary beliefs
Conspiracy thinking, supernatural beliefs and pseudoscience can seem impervious to evidence. An anthropologist suggests the opposite: Extraordinary beliefs may be supported by an individual’s…
theconversation.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:02 AM
People don’t adopt flat-Earth theories and conspiracy myths out of nowhere.
A new review of the research shows experiences like sleep paralysis, sensory illusions and ritual practices can make extraordinary beliefs feel very true. buff.ly/khbNn7V
A new review of the research shows experiences like sleep paralysis, sensory illusions and ritual practices can make extraordinary beliefs feel very true. buff.ly/khbNn7V
Reposted by Lawrence Whitney
If crimes against humanity are not an impeachable offense, what’s the point? www.axios.com/2025/12/01/j...
Jeffries says not to expect Democrats to pursue Hegseth impeachment over boat strikes
"Republicans will never allow articles of impeachment to be brought to the floor," he said.
www.axios.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:45 PM
If crimes against humanity are not an impeachable offense, what’s the point? www.axios.com/2025/12/01/j...
Reposted by Lawrence Whitney
said this irl a bunch so might as well post it: i do often wonder what world we're living in today had jan. 6 trials just been televised.
December 1, 2025 at 8:05 PM
said this irl a bunch so might as well post it: i do often wonder what world we're living in today had jan. 6 trials just been televised.
This hits awfully close to home: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
I’m part of the triple-decker sandwich generation. You probably are as well
You’ve heard of caregivers in the sandwich generation. In this anti-compassion Trump 2.0 era, it’s more like a triple-decker sandwich. Alissa Quart has experienced this first-hand
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:26 PM
This hits awfully close to home: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
November 30, 2025 at 2:29 PM