Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
@jeffburtka.bsky.social
Writing. Running. Outdoors.
Anishinaabe & Wyandot Land (Metro Detroit)
Writer. Lawyer.
Used to blog about the State of Michigan (Lifelong Michigander blog).
I blame it on my elegance.
#detroit #michigan
https://jburtka.journoportfolio.com
Anishinaabe & Wyandot Land (Metro Detroit)
Writer. Lawyer.
Used to blog about the State of Michigan (Lifelong Michigander blog).
I blame it on my elegance.
#detroit #michigan
https://jburtka.journoportfolio.com
Pinned
Introduction: Writer/editor/lawyer in metro Detroit working in legal publishing. I’ve written freelance articles on sports, outdoors, environment, and more for various publications, including The Guardian and Outside. Runner and sometimes coach. Pro-democracy. Roots against nazis in movies and life.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
This is how you do it.
More elected officials need to speak out!
More elected officials need to speak out!
January 4, 2026 at 12:22 AM
This is how you do it.
More elected officials need to speak out!
More elected officials need to speak out!
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
I’m old enough to remember when there used to be a Congress that knows it’s a separate branch of government with actual responsibilities articulated by the Constitution.
January 3, 2026 at 9:25 PM
I’m old enough to remember when there used to be a Congress that knows it’s a separate branch of government with actual responsibilities articulated by the Constitution.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Specifically, a protest song about how the sons of the rich were able to avoid fighting, like fighting-age Donald Trump who got four deferments for being in college and another for bone spurs.
Trump posts footage of the Maduro raid set to "Fortunate Son" -- a protest song about the Vietnam War draft
January 3, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Specifically, a protest song about how the sons of the rich were able to avoid fighting, like fighting-age Donald Trump who got four deferments for being in college and another for bone spurs.
War criminal
Trump: "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country. And we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so."
January 3, 2026 at 4:51 PM
War criminal
I wish Congress would stop ceding its power to the executive branch.
January 3, 2026 at 1:47 PM
I wish Congress would stop ceding its power to the executive branch.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Donald Trump the Dove babyyyyyyy
January 3, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Donald Trump the Dove babyyyyyyy
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
For the umpteenth time: This is what America looks like without a Legislative Branch.
January 3, 2026 at 12:07 PM
For the umpteenth time: This is what America looks like without a Legislative Branch.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Right. This isn’t just unlawful. It’s fundamentally anti-constitutional, anti-republican (small r), and simply wrong.
Im seeing discussions about consultations with congress, authorizations of force etc. I have to say this transcends any of what I would call sub constitutional technicalities. The president has gone to war with a foreign power and, it seems, kidnapped a foreign head of state on the basis of nothing.
January 3, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Right. This isn’t just unlawful. It’s fundamentally anti-constitutional, anti-republican (small r), and simply wrong.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Q6 #ParkChat 2026 brings me a new adventure. I'm getting on a plane and going to Europe (I don't fly well)! What are some new-to-you plans you have in store for 2026, Parks or otherwise? @59nationalparks.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Q6 #ParkChat 2026 brings me a new adventure. I'm getting on a plane and going to Europe (I don't fly well)! What are some new-to-you plans you have in store for 2026, Parks or otherwise? @59nationalparks.bsky.social
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Q4: Park favorites like Zion and Great Smoky Mountains see millions of visitors yearly, but there are others discussed + visited far less. Which national park(s) do you think deserves attention in 2026? Why do you think this is an underrated gem? What makes 2026 the perfect year to visit? #parkchat
December 31, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Q4: Park favorites like Zion and Great Smoky Mountains see millions of visitors yearly, but there are others discussed + visited far less. Which national park(s) do you think deserves attention in 2026? Why do you think this is an underrated gem? What makes 2026 the perfect year to visit? #parkchat
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Q5 What new experience would you like to have in a national park this year and at which park? hiking? paddling? biking? tours? night sky viewing? photography? camping? lodging? ranger programs? wildlife you want see? something else? #parkchat
canoeing Chain of Lakes
Voyageurs National Park
canoeing Chain of Lakes
Voyageurs National Park
December 31, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Q5 What new experience would you like to have in a national park this year and at which park? hiking? paddling? biking? tours? night sky viewing? photography? camping? lodging? ranger programs? wildlife you want see? something else? #parkchat
canoeing Chain of Lakes
Voyageurs National Park
canoeing Chain of Lakes
Voyageurs National Park
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Q2 #parkchat Were you recently gifted some great new gear - or will you be shopping soon for new gear to add to your camper, campsite, or backpack kit for this coming year? Do you enjoy trying new &/or updating gear?
[For fun: If you owned an outdoor outfitting company, what would you name it?]
[For fun: If you owned an outdoor outfitting company, what would you name it?]
December 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Q2 #parkchat Were you recently gifted some great new gear - or will you be shopping soon for new gear to add to your camper, campsite, or backpack kit for this coming year? Do you enjoy trying new &/or updating gear?
[For fun: If you owned an outdoor outfitting company, what would you name it?]
[For fun: If you owned an outdoor outfitting company, what would you name it?]
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Q3: I'm content to not be in Times Square tonight. Maybe I'll hit a big city in the coming year. What’s an NPS site in a big (or biggish) city you’ve enjoyed or plan to enjoy in 2026? #ParkChat
December 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Q3: I'm content to not be in Times Square tonight. Maybe I'll hit a big city in the coming year. What’s an NPS site in a big (or biggish) city you’ve enjoyed or plan to enjoy in 2026? #ParkChat
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
As fine an actor as he was, Isiah was an even better spirit and the greatest gentleman.
‘The Wire’ actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. dies at 71
"The Wire" actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. died on Tuesday at age 71.
www.thebanner.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:27 AM
As fine an actor as he was, Isiah was an even better spirit and the greatest gentleman.
Beautiful story from @allisonburtka.bsky.social about her mom finding strength and courage at Glacier National Park
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/i-too... #ParkChat
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/i-too... #ParkChat
I Took My Mom on a Hiking Trip to Glacier National Park
And she found that, with support, she could do more than she expected
www.sierraclub.org
December 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Beautiful story from @allisonburtka.bsky.social about her mom finding strength and courage at Glacier National Park
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/i-too... #ParkChat
www.sierraclub.org/sierra/i-too... #ParkChat
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
What it’s like to use Grok
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM
What it’s like to use Grok
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
If only Americans had a recent way to know how crucial immigrants were for the success of the Manhattan Project. A big Hollywood movie where a lot of the nuclear scientist characters speak with accents and talk about fleeing Europe that makes tons of money and wins a bunch of Oscars, perhaps.
Immigrant-hating Stephen Miller talks about Americans being "first to harness the atom." But the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was conducted by a team led by Italian immigrant Enrico Fermi, who didn't become a U.S. citizen until a year and a half later.
December 29, 2025 at 5:29 AM
If only Americans had a recent way to know how crucial immigrants were for the success of the Manhattan Project. A big Hollywood movie where a lot of the nuclear scientist characters speak with accents and talk about fleeing Europe that makes tons of money and wins a bunch of Oscars, perhaps.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
An industry is 100% white: nothing to see here
An industry becomes 99% white: grab the rocket launchers, file the lawsuits, make up the imaginary white men who are being discriminated against otherwise we will all die
An industry becomes 99% white: grab the rocket launchers, file the lawsuits, make up the imaginary white men who are being discriminated against otherwise we will all die
@startribune.com finally stands up for the truly forgotten! White men! Can't make this shit up
www.startribune.com/2026-reading...
www.startribune.com/2026-reading...
Opinion | You can’t be diverse if you exclude white men
Those year-end book lists that claim to be all about diversity often seem to miss this one major demographic, Annie Holmquist writes.
www.startribune.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
An industry is 100% white: nothing to see here
An industry becomes 99% white: grab the rocket launchers, file the lawsuits, make up the imaginary white men who are being discriminated against otherwise we will all die
An industry becomes 99% white: grab the rocket launchers, file the lawsuits, make up the imaginary white men who are being discriminated against otherwise we will all die
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
All I’m saying is that if Kamala Harris had won, we could afford groceries and health insurance, we wouldn’t be arresting people simply because they’re Black or Brown, and we wouldn’t be doing batcrap crazy stuff like threatening Greenland
December 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
All I’m saying is that if Kamala Harris had won, we could afford groceries and health insurance, we wouldn’t be arresting people simply because they’re Black or Brown, and we wouldn’t be doing batcrap crazy stuff like threatening Greenland
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Black Americans aren't being hyperbolic or bragging (at least most of us) when we say we built the country.
It's just fact.
Last night, when my cousin's answer to "Why did we end up in Florida?" was "Well, after they took that land away from the Seminoles..." and I filled in the rest. (Lord.)
It's just fact.
Last night, when my cousin's answer to "Why did we end up in Florida?" was "Well, after they took that land away from the Seminoles..." and I filled in the rest. (Lord.)
December 22, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Black Americans aren't being hyperbolic or bragging (at least most of us) when we say we built the country.
It's just fact.
Last night, when my cousin's answer to "Why did we end up in Florida?" was "Well, after they took that land away from the Seminoles..." and I filled in the rest. (Lord.)
It's just fact.
Last night, when my cousin's answer to "Why did we end up in Florida?" was "Well, after they took that land away from the Seminoles..." and I filled in the rest. (Lord.)
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
Same. Very likely I’m a descendant of Benjamin Franklin. Not something I brag about. But it’s interesting to think of that and think how many people, many of whom haven’t been here long, think of me as less American than them.
I don't like to share this, but I'm most likely descended from a signer of the Declaration... as are thousands of Black Americans. (It wasn't just Jefferson, most unfortunately.)
Black Americans don't count as American to MAGA unless we parrot their rhetoric. (And really, not even if we sell out.)
Black Americans don't count as American to MAGA unless we parrot their rhetoric. (And really, not even if we sell out.)
December 22, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Same. Very likely I’m a descendant of Benjamin Franklin. Not something I brag about. But it’s interesting to think of that and think how many people, many of whom haven’t been here long, think of me as less American than them.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
My fear is that certain actors will glom onto CBS's decision as somehow precedential & increasingly accuse journalists of malfeasance if we don't let sources unilaterally kill stories by refusing to comment. In some parts of the country, that accusation could activate a mob against a reporter.
One explanation for Bari killing the story is that she did so as a public act of fealty to the administration. But another is that, as an inexperienced journalist, she doesn’t understand that a refusal to go on the record is a kind of comment in and of itself
December 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
My fear is that certain actors will glom onto CBS's decision as somehow precedential & increasingly accuse journalists of malfeasance if we don't let sources unilaterally kill stories by refusing to comment. In some parts of the country, that accusation could activate a mob against a reporter.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
When a news outlet is overly deferential to any source or subject, they aren't just weakening their own brand; they're arming opponents of free expression and warping public media literacy in a way that affects all of us. Anyone who's been threatened over their news coverage knows this.
December 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
When a news outlet is overly deferential to any source or subject, they aren't just weakening their own brand; they're arming opponents of free expression and warping public media literacy in a way that affects all of us. Anyone who's been threatened over their news coverage knows this.
Reposted by Jeff Burtka🇲🇽🇨🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦🇺🇦
December 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM