Charles Xavier Van Damme
@charlesxavier.bsky.social
Nerd, Bostonian in exile, Catherine Wheel superfan.
“One half of my heart is Erin's, and the other half is America's. God bless America, and ever preserve her the asylum of all the oppressed of the earth, is the sincere prayer of my heart” - M. Corcoran
“One half of my heart is Erin's, and the other half is America's. God bless America, and ever preserve her the asylum of all the oppressed of the earth, is the sincere prayer of my heart” - M. Corcoran
Pinned
I spent 20 minutes trying to force myself not to write a post that would have gotten me a visit from the FBI. So new plan, every time I feel the need to write one of these posts, I’m just putting an unpopular opinion in this thread. Ideally one of these will get me run off BlueSky so I stop posting.
Reposted by Charles Xavier Van Damme
Seeing a bunch of normal ass midwestern moms and dads marching in -20 degrees knowing they might be tear gassed or worse really drives home what a cowardly lot of people the pundit class is
January 23, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Seeing a bunch of normal ass midwestern moms and dads marching in -20 degrees knowing they might be tear gassed or worse really drives home what a cowardly lot of people the pundit class is
Also true for middle-aged men.
Adolescents would rather skeet than go to therapy
January 23, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Also true for middle-aged men.
Reposted by Charles Xavier Van Damme
no matter how hard Greg Bovino tries to exude rugged masculinity he always comes off like Don Knotts in a Portlandia sketch
January 23, 2026 at 2:41 AM
no matter how hard Greg Bovino tries to exude rugged masculinity he always comes off like Don Knotts in a Portlandia sketch
The combination of the guy in Chicago winning the about his fedposting and this tweet is definitely making me rethink my no fedposting policy.
January 23, 2026 at 1:52 AM
The combination of the guy in Chicago winning the about his fedposting and this tweet is definitely making me rethink my no fedposting policy.
Let’s ignore, for a second, the environmental disaster of fossil fuels that will leave my hometown (Boston) underwater at some point during my life.
From a pure nationalist perspective, Trump 47 and 49 crippled American leadership in clean power, just giving multiple industries to China for nothing
From a pure nationalist perspective, Trump 47 and 49 crippled American leadership in clean power, just giving multiple industries to China for nothing
The Trump administration today announced a new government-backed fossil fuel industry mascot.
Meet Coalie the lump of coal!
Meet Coalie the lump of coal!
January 22, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Let’s ignore, for a second, the environmental disaster of fossil fuels that will leave my hometown (Boston) underwater at some point during my life.
From a pure nationalist perspective, Trump 47 and 49 crippled American leadership in clean power, just giving multiple industries to China for nothing
From a pure nationalist perspective, Trump 47 and 49 crippled American leadership in clean power, just giving multiple industries to China for nothing
Except our media has determined that white non-college educated Americans are the only "real" Americans, so we act like there's a 50% approval rate for Trump, and not one massively below water.
This is nice work by Elliott. Note too that the only demographic group in which Trump has majority support is white non-college-educated respondents, and there he is just barely holding on. There is no electoral downside to opposing authoritarianism.
January 22, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Except our media has determined that white non-college educated Americans are the only "real" Americans, so we act like there's a 50% approval rate for Trump, and not one massively below water.
The Trump administration claims the mantle as “protector of Christendom” but in reality these people hate Christianity outside of a narrow window of evangelicism.
Worth noting that among those participating in ICE/DHS watch in Minneapolis today — who Emmer appears to frame as “chaos agents” here — are literally hundreds of clergy.
January 22, 2026 at 7:44 PM
The Trump administration claims the mantle as “protector of Christendom” but in reality these people hate Christianity outside of a narrow window of evangelicism.
The Minnesota accent is like the Boston accent, in the sense that it's immediately obvious to someone from the area if it's fake. So what kind of genius dialogue coach has trained all of these protestors to have note-perfect accents that fool everyone in the Twin Cities?
Emmer: "The people you're seeing in these videos, the vast majority of them I do not believe are from Minnesota. These are organized chaos agents, paid agitators. The vast majority of Minnesotans that are talking to me appreciate that law enforcement has arrived, and they are happy they're there."
January 22, 2026 at 5:18 PM
The Minnesota accent is like the Boston accent, in the sense that it's immediately obvious to someone from the area if it's fake. So what kind of genius dialogue coach has trained all of these protestors to have note-perfect accents that fool everyone in the Twin Cities?
As a political force, the a Catholic Church is obviously not nearly as powerful as it was 400 years ago. But I still feel the election of Francis, and all the downstream implications of it, might be one of the most important events in Church history.
Pope Leo has appointed Archbishop Carlo Redaelli as Secretary at the Dicastery for Clergy; Redaelli is known for his pastoral outreach to same-sex couples, and has often been referred to as a “protege” of the late Cardinal Martini.
January 22, 2026 at 3:07 PM
As a political force, the a Catholic Church is obviously not nearly as powerful as it was 400 years ago. But I still feel the election of Francis, and all the downstream implications of it, might be one of the most important events in Church history.
Reposted by Charles Xavier Van Damme
There is absolutely no need to use their stupid slogan.
Live updates: ICE’s ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ continues in Maine
Live updates: ICE’s ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ continues in Maine
Federal agents have descended on the state this week in an effort to target the 'worst of the worst,' although some local officials are questioning the aggressive tactics.
www.pressherald.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:52 PM
There is absolutely no need to use their stupid slogan.
Abolish ICE is the current moderate choice, but at this rate criminal charges for everyone that’s ever worked for ICE will be the moderate choice.
An observer arrested in Suth Minneapolis. Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 21, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Abolish ICE is the current moderate choice, but at this rate criminal charges for everyone that’s ever worked for ICE will be the moderate choice.
You say I’m a citizen, Canada, but I still can’t care about hockey.
Big news: Canada changed their citizenship rules and now if you've ever had a direct ancestor who was a citizen, you are now automatically a citizen too! www.canada.ca/en/immigrati...
I've been sharing this around, and I know a few people who've discovered they're now Canadian citizens!
I've been sharing this around, and I know a few people who've discovered they're now Canadian citizens!
Change to citizenship rules in 2025 - Canada.ca
Bill C-3 changes the first-generation limit for Canadian citizenship by descent. Find out who is affected and how the law impacts citizenship eligibility.
www.canada.ca
January 21, 2026 at 12:50 PM
You say I’m a citizen, Canada, but I still can’t care about hockey.
Don’t worry, the armed racist thugs roaming our streets arresting and killing innocent immigrants and citizens at random are definitely not going to be antisemitic as well, you’ll be much safer here.
The Trump administration has discussed offering asylum to Britain’s Jewish population, a lawyer for the president has said.
Robert Garson, Trump’s personal lawyer, said that the UK was “no longer a safe place for Jews” ⬇️
Robert Garson, Trump’s personal lawyer, said that the UK was “no longer a safe place for Jews” ⬇️
Trump lawyer says US discussed offering asylum to British Jews
Trump lawyer says US discussed offering asylum to British Jews
www.thetimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Don’t worry, the armed racist thugs roaming our streets arresting and killing innocent immigrants and citizens at random are definitely not going to be antisemitic as well, you’ll be much safer here.
Are Americans ready to listen to the national anthem to be booed during the Olympics? Because the national anthem is going to be booed next month at the Olympics.
January 19, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Are Americans ready to listen to the national anthem to be booed during the Olympics? Because the national anthem is going to be booed next month at the Olympics.
Reposted by Charles Xavier Van Damme
The Pats:
a man in a blue shirt is saying i want you to get the word out there
ALT: a man in a blue shirt is saying i want you to get the word out there
media.tenor.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:20 PM
The Pats:
“NFL announcers go 20 minutes without talking about the owners” challenge.
Difficulty Level: Impossible
Difficulty Level: Impossible
January 18, 2026 at 11:13 PM
“NFL announcers go 20 minutes without talking about the owners” challenge.
Difficulty Level: Impossible
Difficulty Level: Impossible
What a catch!!!!
January 18, 2026 at 10:41 PM
What a catch!!!!
1. Got to go sledding with my daughters today!
2. The song Got to Have Love by Pulp is incredible, 48 year old bands have no business being this good
3. I have 2 coffee shops where all the baristas know my name.
2. The song Got to Have Love by Pulp is incredible, 48 year old bands have no business being this good
3. I have 2 coffee shops where all the baristas know my name.
This site needs a break.
Post three good things, none of which are the cessation of a negative.
Post three good things, none of which are the cessation of a negative.
January 17, 2026 at 11:23 PM
1. Got to go sledding with my daughters today!
2. The song Got to Have Love by Pulp is incredible, 48 year old bands have no business being this good
3. I have 2 coffee shops where all the baristas know my name.
2. The song Got to Have Love by Pulp is incredible, 48 year old bands have no business being this good
3. I have 2 coffee shops where all the baristas know my name.
The one exception to my everyone needs to block ICE policy
follow me @icegov.bsky.social you cowards
January 17, 2026 at 12:30 AM
The one exception to my everyone needs to block ICE policy
ABB* everyone
*Always Be Blocking
*Always Be Blocking
January 16, 2026 at 11:44 PM
ABB* everyone
*Always Be Blocking
*Always Be Blocking
Every ICE agent should be jailed is the moderate position.
I’m one of the ProPublica reporters who has been documenting the aggressive tactics federal agents are using against immigrants & U.S. citizens
All eyes are on Minnesota right now, but I want to tell you about Arnoldo Bazan, a 16-YO citizen in Houston who was choked by immigration agents in October
All eyes are on Minnesota right now, but I want to tell you about Arnoldo Bazan, a 16-YO citizen in Houston who was choked by immigration agents in October
January 15, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Every ICE agent should be jailed is the moderate position.
I never know this man existed, but he might be my new hero.
Holy hell, what an obituary
Renfrew Christie Dies at 76; Sabotaged Racist Regime’s Nuclear Program
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:11 PM
I never know this man existed, but he might be my new hero.
The US invading Minnesota is obviously the biggest issue, but I can’t get over how all of these images MAGA produces has him weighing 120+ pounds less than he does.
January 15, 2026 at 1:37 PM
The US invading Minnesota is obviously the biggest issue, but I can’t get over how all of these images MAGA produces has him weighing 120+ pounds less than he does.
I’m in Dulles for a work trip and it’s as dead as I’ve ever seen in 15 years living in the DMV. I know anecdotes are not data but it seems bad!
January 13, 2026 at 12:00 AM
I’m in Dulles for a work trip and it’s as dead as I’ve ever seen in 15 years living in the DMV. I know anecdotes are not data but it seems bad!