ren
@isensmith.bsky.social
IT professional turned English teacher, from the PNW, moved to Kyiv Ukraine in 2023. Into: Art, TRPGs, rationalism, democracy, ПЕРЕМОГА! 🇺🇦🇬🇪🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Pinned
Reposted by ren
There are lots of important books about concentration camps; two that I have used in my own teaching are "KL" by Nikolaus Wachsmann and "Illness and Inhumanity in Stalin’s Gulag" by Golfo Alexopoulos.
February 7, 2026 at 5:24 PM
There are lots of important books about concentration camps; two that I have used in my own teaching are "KL" by Nikolaus Wachsmann and "Illness and Inhumanity in Stalin’s Gulag" by Golfo Alexopoulos.
Reposted by ren
It’s taken all hands: Nearly 30,000 “constitutional observers,” plus tens of thousands to film agents, deliver groceries, and accompany neighbors to school or church
They've shown the world how to fight back—without resorting to the violence being used against them. trib.al/q3Ta0nP
They've shown the world how to fight back—without resorting to the violence being used against them. trib.al/q3Ta0nP
February 7, 2026 at 6:09 PM
It’s taken all hands: Nearly 30,000 “constitutional observers,” plus tens of thousands to film agents, deliver groceries, and accompany neighbors to school or church
They've shown the world how to fight back—without resorting to the violence being used against them. trib.al/q3Ta0nP
They've shown the world how to fight back—without resorting to the violence being used against them. trib.al/q3Ta0nP
Reposted by ren
ɴᴀsᴛʏ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʜᴏʙʙɪᴛsᴇs
May 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
ɴᴀsᴛʏ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʜᴏʙʙɪᴛsᴇs
Reposted by ren
Can we just ACTUALLY do it for God's sake, rather than pathetically THREATENING to do it?
🇬🇧 The UK is threatening to seize a Russia-linked shadow fleet tanker, - The Guardian
British defence sources confirmed that military options to capture a rogue ship had been identified in discussions involving Nato allies.
British defence sources confirmed that military options to capture a rogue ship had been identified in discussions involving Nato allies.
February 7, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Can we just ACTUALLY do it for God's sake, rather than pathetically THREATENING to do it?
Reposted by ren
A large turnout on day 437 of daily, uninterrupted protests in Georgia. 🇬🇪
February 7, 2026 at 4:29 PM
A large turnout on day 437 of daily, uninterrupted protests in Georgia. 🇬🇪
Reposted by ren
No, Ukraine is absolutely not the enemy of Hungary.
Viktor Orban and his lust for Kremlin blood money and life-long power at any price, however, is.
Very much indeed.
Viktor Orban and his lust for Kremlin blood money and life-long power at any price, however, is.
Very much indeed.
February 7, 2026 at 4:34 PM
No, Ukraine is absolutely not the enemy of Hungary.
Viktor Orban and his lust for Kremlin blood money and life-long power at any price, however, is.
Very much indeed.
Viktor Orban and his lust for Kremlin blood money and life-long power at any price, however, is.
Very much indeed.
Reposted by ren
Facebook launched 22 years ago this week.
In 2025, Meta paid an effective federal tax rate of 3.5% — its lowest on record.
Meanwhile, Meta is pumping at least $65 million into super PACs to stifle regulation of AI and tech.
Trickle-down economics isn't just a hoax, it's corrosive to democracy.
In 2025, Meta paid an effective federal tax rate of 3.5% — its lowest on record.
Meanwhile, Meta is pumping at least $65 million into super PACs to stifle regulation of AI and tech.
Trickle-down economics isn't just a hoax, it's corrosive to democracy.
February 6, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Facebook launched 22 years ago this week.
In 2025, Meta paid an effective federal tax rate of 3.5% — its lowest on record.
Meanwhile, Meta is pumping at least $65 million into super PACs to stifle regulation of AI and tech.
Trickle-down economics isn't just a hoax, it's corrosive to democracy.
In 2025, Meta paid an effective federal tax rate of 3.5% — its lowest on record.
Meanwhile, Meta is pumping at least $65 million into super PACs to stifle regulation of AI and tech.
Trickle-down economics isn't just a hoax, it's corrosive to democracy.
Reposted by ren
Trump's racism should be no surprise.
His company got caught committing racial housing discrimination.
He spread lies about the exonerated Central Park 5.
He entered politics with the racist birther lie.
There's a reason Trump was once endorsed by David Duke and the KKK's newspaper.
His company got caught committing racial housing discrimination.
He spread lies about the exonerated Central Park 5.
He entered politics with the racist birther lie.
There's a reason Trump was once endorsed by David Duke and the KKK's newspaper.
February 6, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Trump's racism should be no surprise.
His company got caught committing racial housing discrimination.
He spread lies about the exonerated Central Park 5.
He entered politics with the racist birther lie.
There's a reason Trump was once endorsed by David Duke and the KKK's newspaper.
His company got caught committing racial housing discrimination.
He spread lies about the exonerated Central Park 5.
He entered politics with the racist birther lie.
There's a reason Trump was once endorsed by David Duke and the KKK's newspaper.
Reposted by ren
OH PLEASE LET IT BE TRUE!!!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
BREAKING: Rumors are swirling in DC that Bill Clinton will spill the beans on EVERYTHING he knows about Epstein & tRumpstein, leading not only to impeachment, but prosecution!!
This might be why tRumpstein is suddenly so nice to the Clintons... 🥲
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
BREAKING: Rumors are swirling in DC that Bill Clinton will spill the beans on EVERYTHING he knows about Epstein & tRumpstein, leading not only to impeachment, but prosecution!!
This might be why tRumpstein is suddenly so nice to the Clintons... 🥲
February 6, 2026 at 1:55 PM
OH PLEASE LET IT BE TRUE!!!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
BREAKING: Rumors are swirling in DC that Bill Clinton will spill the beans on EVERYTHING he knows about Epstein & tRumpstein, leading not only to impeachment, but prosecution!!
This might be why tRumpstein is suddenly so nice to the Clintons... 🥲
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
BREAKING: Rumors are swirling in DC that Bill Clinton will spill the beans on EVERYTHING he knows about Epstein & tRumpstein, leading not only to impeachment, but prosecution!!
This might be why tRumpstein is suddenly so nice to the Clintons... 🥲
Reposted by ren
New name for billionaires: societal predators
February 7, 2026 at 7:01 AM
New name for billionaires: societal predators
Reposted by ren
OR, FRANKLY, UNDERSTAND THE ONE BOOK YOU KEEP CLAIMING TO HAVE READ, THAT WOULD ALSO BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT
STOP NAMING THINGS AFTER LORD OF THE RINGS. READ ANOTHER BOOK
Yeah when I think of "places I want to lend money to" it's a Hobbit-themed operation run by this guy.
February 6, 2026 at 10:04 PM
OR, FRANKLY, UNDERSTAND THE ONE BOOK YOU KEEP CLAIMING TO HAVE READ, THAT WOULD ALSO BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT
Reposted by ren
Guile... Guinan... Guilenan
February 6, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Guile... Guinan... Guilenan
Reposted by ren
go off jack white
February 6, 2026 at 7:24 PM
go off jack white
Reposted by ren
Europe is still clinging to the fairytale of “good russians.”
Still pretending it’s “putin’s war,” not russia’s.
While russians kill Ukrainians, other russians compete as “neutral athletes” at the Olympics.
That’s denial, cowardice, and moral rot. #UkrainianView
Still pretending it’s “putin’s war,” not russia’s.
While russians kill Ukrainians, other russians compete as “neutral athletes” at the Olympics.
That’s denial, cowardice, and moral rot. #UkrainianView
February 6, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Europe is still clinging to the fairytale of “good russians.”
Still pretending it’s “putin’s war,” not russia’s.
While russians kill Ukrainians, other russians compete as “neutral athletes” at the Olympics.
That’s denial, cowardice, and moral rot. #UkrainianView
Still pretending it’s “putin’s war,” not russia’s.
While russians kill Ukrainians, other russians compete as “neutral athletes” at the Olympics.
That’s denial, cowardice, and moral rot. #UkrainianView
Reposted by ren
Reap. Sow. All that jazz.
Airline bookings to the U.S. in advance of the World Cup are soft, calling into question whether the high-profile tournament will deliver the boon U.S. tourism officials are expecting.
Fewer Europeans Are Heading To The U.S. This Summer—Here’s What That Could Mean For The World Cup
Airline bookings to the U.S. in advance of the World Cup are soft, calling into question whether the high-profile tournament will deliver the boon U.S. tourism officials are expecting.
www.forbes.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Reap. Sow. All that jazz.
Reposted by ren
Dialogues from the bus that carried Ukrainians released from captivity – reporters.
I am crying, I can’t imagine how much they suffered in russian captivity.
I am crying, I can’t imagine how much they suffered in russian captivity.
February 6, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Reposted by ren
You may recall that in January of 2025, artist Ann Telnaes announced that she had quit The Washington Post after editors killed a cartoon that depicted owner Jeff Bezos, among others, genuflecting to Trump.
This cartoon feels even more relevant this week.
This cartoon feels even more relevant this week.
February 7, 2026 at 12:01 AM
You may recall that in January of 2025, artist Ann Telnaes announced that she had quit The Washington Post after editors killed a cartoon that depicted owner Jeff Bezos, among others, genuflecting to Trump.
This cartoon feels even more relevant this week.
This cartoon feels even more relevant this week.
Reposted by ren
BREAKING: Newly unearthed emails appear to show that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lied to the Senate during his confirmation hearings about his trip to Samoa.
As a result, the island’s vaccination rate plummeted from the 60-70 percent range to just 31 percent, according to Mother Jones. trib.al/H3dfFee
As a result, the island’s vaccination rate plummeted from the 60-70 percent range to just 31 percent, according to Mother Jones. trib.al/H3dfFee
February 7, 2026 at 12:16 AM
BREAKING: Newly unearthed emails appear to show that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lied to the Senate during his confirmation hearings about his trip to Samoa.
As a result, the island’s vaccination rate plummeted from the 60-70 percent range to just 31 percent, according to Mother Jones. trib.al/H3dfFee
As a result, the island’s vaccination rate plummeted from the 60-70 percent range to just 31 percent, according to Mother Jones. trib.al/H3dfFee
and go to the Olympics too. #ruzziaisaterroriststate
The russia is still allowed to do this. #Ukraine #UkrainianView
February 7, 2026 at 7:11 AM
and go to the Olympics too. #ruzziaisaterroriststate
Reposted by ren
One other thing my dearest GOP elected friends, don’t condemn the White House for this…..
CONDEMN TRUMP BY NAME
CONDEMN TRUMP BY NAME
February 7, 2026 at 1:29 AM
One other thing my dearest GOP elected friends, don’t condemn the White House for this…..
CONDEMN TRUMP BY NAME
CONDEMN TRUMP BY NAME
Reposted by ren
⚡️⚡️⚡️A quick announcement!!!⚡️⚡️⚡️
For every win by Ukrainian athletes at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, I'll donate $10 to this fundraising!‼️ @kiwi.qirim.land @waytoukraine.bsky.social 🇺🇦
Please welcome Join with me‼️
For every win by Ukrainian athletes at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, I'll donate $10 to this fundraising!‼️ @kiwi.qirim.land @waytoukraine.bsky.social 🇺🇦
Please welcome Join with me‼️
February 6, 2026 at 7:59 PM
⚡️⚡️⚡️A quick announcement!!!⚡️⚡️⚡️
For every win by Ukrainian athletes at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, I'll donate $10 to this fundraising!‼️ @kiwi.qirim.land @waytoukraine.bsky.social 🇺🇦
Please welcome Join with me‼️
For every win by Ukrainian athletes at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, I'll donate $10 to this fundraising!‼️ @kiwi.qirim.land @waytoukraine.bsky.social 🇺🇦
Please welcome Join with me‼️
Reposted by ren
These are russian drones targeted at a civillians.
This is what almost every night looks like for Ukraine.
#UkrainianView
This is what almost every night looks like for Ukraine.
#UkrainianView
Загальна ситуація:
Скупчення БпЛА через сектор Кам'янське/Горішні Плавні у напрямку Олександрії і далі Кропивницький район.
Також БпЛА через Харківський, Богодухівський райони у напрямку Полтавщини.
БпЛА продовжують рух повз Лубни у напрямку Кременчуцького району.
🧵
Скупчення БпЛА через сектор Кам'янське/Горішні Плавні у напрямку Олександрії і далі Кропивницький район.
Також БпЛА через Харківський, Богодухівський райони у напрямку Полтавщини.
БпЛА продовжують рух повз Лубни у напрямку Кременчуцького району.
🧵
February 7, 2026 at 12:01 AM
These are russian drones targeted at a civillians.
This is what almost every night looks like for Ukraine.
#UkrainianView
This is what almost every night looks like for Ukraine.
#UkrainianView
Reposted by ren
Donald Trump just lost in court again to Illinois.
He’s never had the right to withhold child care funds for Illinoisans — and the District Court’s preliminary injunction tonight has only affirmed that further.
He’s never had the right to withhold child care funds for Illinoisans — and the District Court’s preliminary injunction tonight has only affirmed that further.
February 7, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Donald Trump just lost in court again to Illinois.
He’s never had the right to withhold child care funds for Illinoisans — and the District Court’s preliminary injunction tonight has only affirmed that further.
He’s never had the right to withhold child care funds for Illinoisans — and the District Court’s preliminary injunction tonight has only affirmed that further.
Reposted by ren
Just because good news is worth celebrating:
There is now a Prep medication that is an *every six month* injection.
HIV has, effectively, a vaccination.
There is now a Prep medication that is an *every six month* injection.
HIV has, effectively, a vaccination.
February 7, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Just because good news is worth celebrating:
There is now a Prep medication that is an *every six month* injection.
HIV has, effectively, a vaccination.
There is now a Prep medication that is an *every six month* injection.
HIV has, effectively, a vaccination.
Reposted by ren
⚡️Russia launches mass attack on Ukraine, triggers emergency power outages.
Russia carried out a mass attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the early hours of Feb. 7, triggering emergency power outages across most regions, Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo said.
Russia carried out a mass attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the early hours of Feb. 7, triggering emergency power outages across most regions, Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo said.
Russia launches mass attack on Ukraine, triggers emergency power outages
Russia carried out a mass attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the early hours of Feb. 7, triggering emergency power outages across most regions, Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo said.
kyivindependent.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:01 AM
⚡️Russia launches mass attack on Ukraine, triggers emergency power outages.
Russia carried out a mass attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the early hours of Feb. 7, triggering emergency power outages across most regions, Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo said.
Russia carried out a mass attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the early hours of Feb. 7, triggering emergency power outages across most regions, Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo said.