Alex Hiniker
@hiniker.bsky.social
Disarmament fan after working with landmine and cluster bomb clearance programs in Cambodia, Laos, and Lebanon.
Syria also has a place in my heart.
I dig public transit and local government, too.
Proudly from PG County. Now in Pittsburgh.
Syria also has a place in my heart.
I dig public transit and local government, too.
Proudly from PG County. Now in Pittsburgh.
It would be great if donors in Pittsburgh could rent some of these snow hot tubs now.
NYC’s 'snow hot tubs' have already melted 23 million pounds of snow share.google/SJAlsGNJoTie...
NYC’s 'snow hot tubs' have already melted 23 million pounds of snow share.google/SJAlsGNJoTie...
NYC’s 'snow hot tubs' have already melted 23 million pounds of snow
Giant snow melters are turning truckloads into water across the five boroughs, easing the post-storm cleanup as cold weather keeps piles from shrinking on their own.
share.google
January 31, 2026 at 9:17 PM
It would be great if donors in Pittsburgh could rent some of these snow hot tubs now.
NYC’s 'snow hot tubs' have already melted 23 million pounds of snow share.google/SJAlsGNJoTie...
NYC’s 'snow hot tubs' have already melted 23 million pounds of snow share.google/SJAlsGNJoTie...
Which private companies profit most from ICE operations?
What are their connections to global security and arms production?
What are their connections to global security and arms production?
JUST OUT: We have put a call for Qs about local & state responses to ICE.
We're hearing you ask variations of what could be done about instances of brutality, about how police helps ICE.
So let us know anything you're wondering; we'll do our best to answer: boltsmag.org/send-us-your...
We're hearing you ask variations of what could be done about instances of brutality, about how police helps ICE.
So let us know anything you're wondering; we'll do our best to answer: boltsmag.org/send-us-your...
Send Us Your Questions on Local and State Responses to ICE - Bolts
The killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and other scenes of violence by ICE and Border Patrol agents this month are startling reminders of the turmoil that... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Which private companies profit most from ICE operations?
What are their connections to global security and arms production?
What are their connections to global security and arms production?
Reposted by Alex Hiniker
I think a lot of us get hope wrong. Hope, I do not believe, is an emotion. In fact, hope makes space for lots of emotions to exist alongside it. You can DO hope scared, angry, sad etc...
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
January 25, 2026 at 2:05 AM
I think a lot of us get hope wrong. Hope, I do not believe, is an emotion. In fact, hope makes space for lots of emotions to exist alongside it. You can DO hope scared, angry, sad etc...
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
Pittsburgh friends, I'll be there. And so should you!
🚘The car industry promised freedom. Instead, it gave us traffic, pollution, and massively deadly roads. So, now what?
Join BikePGH + @thewaroncars.bsky.social hosts Sarah Goodyear & Doug Gordon for a discussion of their book, Life After Cars, live in #Pittsburgh Jan 29
bikepgh.org/2025/12/18/l...
Join BikePGH + @thewaroncars.bsky.social hosts Sarah Goodyear & Doug Gordon for a discussion of their book, Life After Cars, live in #Pittsburgh Jan 29
bikepgh.org/2025/12/18/l...
Register now for the Life After Cars book talk on January 29, 2026 - BikePGH
Join BikePGH and the hosts of podcast The War on Cars, Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear, for a live discussion on their new book
bikepgh.org
January 23, 2026 at 3:19 AM
Pittsburgh friends, I'll be there. And so should you!
Six years ago, I moved from NYC to Pittsburgh. I'll never tire of these views from the plane, no matter how gray the sky is.
January 16, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Six years ago, I moved from NYC to Pittsburgh. I'll never tire of these views from the plane, no matter how gray the sky is.
Don't forget non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations! I've worked for all four types and fully agree with the point to focus on those in charge and their incentives.
Reject all claims that either government or the private sector is intrinsically more competent.
Both can be run well or badly. Both have ways of rewarding either competence or incompetence.
Focus on the people in charge, and their incentives.
Both can be run well or badly. Both have ways of rewarding either competence or incompetence.
Focus on the people in charge, and their incentives.
January 8, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Don't forget non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations! I've worked for all four types and fully agree with the point to focus on those in charge and their incentives.
Reposted by Alex Hiniker
🧵Collection of concerns expressed about US actions in #Venezuela today (Jan 3, 2026) -- from Congress, civil society, and others.
Feel free to share and add on.
(The Forum does not take responsibility for these statements. It does share them for public awareness)
Feel free to share and add on.
(The Forum does not take responsibility for these statements. It does share them for public awareness)
January 3, 2026 at 3:30 PM
🧵Collection of concerns expressed about US actions in #Venezuela today (Jan 3, 2026) -- from Congress, civil society, and others.
Feel free to share and add on.
(The Forum does not take responsibility for these statements. It does share them for public awareness)
Feel free to share and add on.
(The Forum does not take responsibility for these statements. It does share them for public awareness)
Reposted by Alex Hiniker
The administration counts on USians' very short attention spans especially as it relates to people and issues outside its borders.
January 5, 2026 at 4:13 AM
The administration counts on USians' very short attention spans especially as it relates to people and issues outside its borders.
For years, I worked to educate people about Laos, the most heavily bombed country per capita due to the Secret US War from 64-73. It was a secret! Five decades later, the US bombs Venezuela openly while 80 million unexploded US bombs continue to kill and main civilians in Laos.
legaciesofwar.org
legaciesofwar.org
January 5, 2026 at 4:17 AM
For years, I worked to educate people about Laos, the most heavily bombed country per capita due to the Secret US War from 64-73. It was a secret! Five decades later, the US bombs Venezuela openly while 80 million unexploded US bombs continue to kill and main civilians in Laos.
legaciesofwar.org
legaciesofwar.org
See a bridge, post a bridge
January 5, 2026 at 3:39 AM
See a bridge, post a bridge
I'm still surprised Mayor Mamdani hasn't created a Deputy Mayor for International Affairs, as Los Angeles did back in 2017.
I worked for the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs (under de Blasio) and believe this designation would rightly elevate such issues.
I worked for the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs (under de Blasio) and believe this designation would rightly elevate such issues.
Mayor Mamdani suggests the Trump admin's arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro is "an act of war and a violation of federal and international law."
January 4, 2026 at 7:56 PM
I'm still surprised Mayor Mamdani hasn't created a Deputy Mayor for International Affairs, as Los Angeles did back in 2017.
I worked for the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs (under de Blasio) and believe this designation would rightly elevate such issues.
I worked for the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs (under de Blasio) and believe this designation would rightly elevate such issues.
Reposted by Alex Hiniker
I set up a GoFundMe for former @pghcitypaper.com staff. This will be used to help us submit last year's stories for awards, defray loss of income and insurance, and support laid-off single moms with childcare. Chip in if you'd like:
Donate to Support former Pittsburgh City Paper staff, organized by Colin Williams
R.I.P. Pittsburgh City Paper, 1991-2025.
After over three decades, Block… Colin Williams needs your support for Support former Pittsburgh City Paper staff
gofund.me
January 4, 2026 at 1:49 PM
I set up a GoFundMe for former @pghcitypaper.com staff. This will be used to help us submit last year's stories for awards, defray loss of income and insurance, and support laid-off single moms with childcare. Chip in if you'd like:
Reposted by Alex Hiniker
January 1, 2026 at 1:25 AM
I know there are reasons to question the safety and legality of robotaxis, but I am still am stuck on the why. What is the benefit in the first place? Same amount (or more) cars sitting in traffic?
The only benefit I see is for venture capitalists (like the one who wrote this terrible op-ed).
The only benefit I see is for venture capitalists (like the one who wrote this terrible op-ed).
IMO this was one of the worst op-eds of 2025.
The writer is a neurosurgeon and venture capitalist with no transportation experience, and it showed.
Here’s my exchange with him on LinkedIn.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
The writer is a neurosurgeon and venture capitalist with no transportation experience, and it showed.
Here’s my exchange with him on LinkedIn.
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
December 31, 2025 at 3:23 AM
I know there are reasons to question the safety and legality of robotaxis, but I am still am stuck on the why. What is the benefit in the first place? Same amount (or more) cars sitting in traffic?
The only benefit I see is for venture capitalists (like the one who wrote this terrible op-ed).
The only benefit I see is for venture capitalists (like the one who wrote this terrible op-ed).
Reposted by Alex Hiniker
Perhaps 2026 will be the year when everyone who thinks they can do something better than what's on offer will just go ahead and do it themselves.
December 28, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Perhaps 2026 will be the year when everyone who thinks they can do something better than what's on offer will just go ahead and do it themselves.
Thailand is bombing Battambang, over 100 km from the border with Cambodia.
I visited Banon district countless times while working on UN landmine and bomb clearance programs 15 plus years ago. Devastating that the area's being recontaminated due to senseless violence. Civilians will suffer the most.
I visited Banon district countless times while working on UN landmine and bomb clearance programs 15 plus years ago. Devastating that the area's being recontaminated due to senseless violence. Civilians will suffer the most.
Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said this morning that Thai T-50 fighter jet dropped four bombs near Phnom Sampov, a popular tourist destination in Banon district, Battambang province, over 100 km from the border.
December 24, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Thailand is bombing Battambang, over 100 km from the border with Cambodia.
I visited Banon district countless times while working on UN landmine and bomb clearance programs 15 plus years ago. Devastating that the area's being recontaminated due to senseless violence. Civilians will suffer the most.
I visited Banon district countless times while working on UN landmine and bomb clearance programs 15 plus years ago. Devastating that the area's being recontaminated due to senseless violence. Civilians will suffer the most.
Reposted by Alex Hiniker
The U.S. Has Killed More than 100 People in Boat Strikes. We’re Tracking Them All.
@theintercept.com is keeping count of all U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
theintercept.com/2025/11/17/t...
@theintercept.com is keeping count of all U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
theintercept.com/2025/11/17/t...
December 23, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The U.S. Has Killed More than 100 People in Boat Strikes. We’re Tracking Them All.
@theintercept.com is keeping count of all U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
theintercept.com/2025/11/17/t...
@theintercept.com is keeping count of all U.S. attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
theintercept.com/2025/11/17/t...
The obsession with seeing the Epstein photos hasn't sat right with me but I couldn't say exactly why. Senate Gabe lays it out. Why does everyone want to see the photos that retraumatize the victims and also are (should be!) disturbing for everyone else?
People keep waiting for the smoking gun with Epstein and maybe there is actual photo evidence of Trump with an underage girl.
But I don’t know what to tell people. What more do you need? Stop waiting for the next files and start saying 2+2=4.
But I don’t know what to tell people. What more do you need? Stop waiting for the next files and start saying 2+2=4.
December 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The obsession with seeing the Epstein photos hasn't sat right with me but I couldn't say exactly why. Senate Gabe lays it out. Why does everyone want to see the photos that retraumatize the victims and also are (should be!) disturbing for everyone else?
At the same time that the US Department of Defense calls for a new landmine policy that removes geographic barriers, the Department of State says Cambodia and Thailand should cease use.
I guess Rubio didn't read Hegseth’s memo?
www.state.gov/releases/off...
I guess Rubio didn't read Hegseth’s memo?
www.state.gov/releases/off...
December 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
At the same time that the US Department of Defense calls for a new landmine policy that removes geographic barriers, the Department of State says Cambodia and Thailand should cease use.
I guess Rubio didn't read Hegseth’s memo?
www.state.gov/releases/off...
I guess Rubio didn't read Hegseth’s memo?
www.state.gov/releases/off...
"The border will become a more dangerous place...Trump'll...attempt to militarize the border. Trump's wanted to treat the border as a war zone, and reportedly sought to emulate Israel and South Korea, citing the latter’s barbed wire and landmines."
ACLU on immigration
www.aclu.org/trump-on-imm...
ACLU on immigration
www.aclu.org/trump-on-imm...
December 22, 2025 at 2:14 AM
"The border will become a more dangerous place...Trump'll...attempt to militarize the border. Trump's wanted to treat the border as a war zone, and reportedly sought to emulate Israel and South Korea, citing the latter’s barbed wire and landmines."
ACLU on immigration
www.aclu.org/trump-on-imm...
ACLU on immigration
www.aclu.org/trump-on-imm...
Reposted by Alex Hiniker
On Dec. 19, the WaPo reported that a Dec. 2 Dept of Defense memo called for a new landmine policy in 90 days that would remove geographic limitations on the U.S. use of so-called non-persistent landmines, amongst other changes. @minefreeworld.bsky.social www.forumarmstrade.org/uslandmine.h...
December 20, 2025 at 10:29 AM
On Dec. 19, the WaPo reported that a Dec. 2 Dept of Defense memo called for a new landmine policy in 90 days that would remove geographic limitations on the U.S. use of so-called non-persistent landmines, amongst other changes. @minefreeworld.bsky.social www.forumarmstrade.org/uslandmine.h...
"In 2024, civilians constituted 90% of landmine and other explosive remnants of war casualties – with children constituting 46% of civilian casualties where data was available, according to the Landmine Monitor."
Hegsgeth wants the US to have absolute freedom to use landmines anywhere, anytime.
Hegsgeth wants the US to have absolute freedom to use landmines anywhere, anytime.
"Landmines inflict unspeakable harm on their victims – projecting metal fragments into deep wounds, destroying limbs, causing burns, traumatic brain injuries, blindness, and deafness, and fatally wounding through decapitation, blood loss, or other means."
www.noclusterbombs.org/news/2025/12...
www.noclusterbombs.org/news/2025/12...
US Campaign to Ban Landmines Condemns Pres. Trump’s New Landmine Policy
The United States Campaign to Ban Landmines condemns the Trump Administration’s decision to lift the United States’ prohibition on the use of anti-personnel landmines.
www.noclusterbombs.org
December 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
"In 2024, civilians constituted 90% of landmine and other explosive remnants of war casualties – with children constituting 46% of civilian casualties where data was available, according to the Landmine Monitor."
Hegsgeth wants the US to have absolute freedom to use landmines anywhere, anytime.
Hegsgeth wants the US to have absolute freedom to use landmines anywhere, anytime.
"Landmines inflict unspeakable harm on their victims – projecting metal fragments into deep wounds, destroying limbs, causing burns, traumatic brain injuries, blindness, and deafness, and fatally wounding through decapitation, blood loss, or other means."
www.noclusterbombs.org/news/2025/12...
www.noclusterbombs.org/news/2025/12...
US Campaign to Ban Landmines Condemns Pres. Trump’s New Landmine Policy
The United States Campaign to Ban Landmines condemns the Trump Administration’s decision to lift the United States’ prohibition on the use of anti-personnel landmines.
www.noclusterbombs.org
December 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
"Landmines inflict unspeakable harm on their victims – projecting metal fragments into deep wounds, destroying limbs, causing burns, traumatic brain injuries, blindness, and deafness, and fatally wounding through decapitation, blood loss, or other means."
www.noclusterbombs.org/news/2025/12...
www.noclusterbombs.org/news/2025/12...
Also, thanks to @hrw.org Sarah Yager for continuing to highlight Biden's unforgivable decision to send landmines to Ukraine, beating Trump to the punch.
Hegseth reverses landmine policy to allow use of banned weapon
Anyone who's ever spent any time in any place where landmines have been used knows that civilians suffer most from this weapon, which is militarily useless.
wapo.st/4b67v3s
Anyone who's ever spent any time in any place where landmines have been used knows that civilians suffer most from this weapon, which is militarily useless.
wapo.st/4b67v3s
Hegseth reverses land mine policy to allow use of controversial weapon
The Trump administration will reverse a Biden-era policy that prohibits the use of antipersonnel land mines, according to a Dec. 2 document reviewed by The Post.
wapo.st
December 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Also, thanks to @hrw.org Sarah Yager for continuing to highlight Biden's unforgivable decision to send landmines to Ukraine, beating Trump to the punch.
(Also, because I know this will start popping up again, the issue isn't the *indiscriminate* use of landmines. It's that landmines are inherently indiscriminate.)
Hegseth reverses landmine policy to allow use of banned weapon
Anyone who's ever spent any time in any place where landmines have been used knows that civilians suffer most from this weapon, which is militarily useless.
wapo.st/4b67v3s
Anyone who's ever spent any time in any place where landmines have been used knows that civilians suffer most from this weapon, which is militarily useless.
wapo.st/4b67v3s
Hegseth reverses land mine policy to allow use of controversial weapon
The Trump administration will reverse a Biden-era policy that prohibits the use of antipersonnel land mines, according to a Dec. 2 document reviewed by The Post.
wapo.st
December 20, 2025 at 5:49 PM
(Also, because I know this will start popping up again, the issue isn't the *indiscriminate* use of landmines. It's that landmines are inherently indiscriminate.)