Jonah Blank
@jonahblank.bsky.social
Anthropologist, author, dad. Order purely alphabetical
Pinned
Jonah Blank
@jonahblank.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God: Retracing the Ramayana T…
The three-thousand-year-old epic Ramayana chronicles Lo…
goodreads.com
Who am I? What am I doing here?
Intro thread with links to some of my work.
My first book was "Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God: Retracing the Ramayana Through India"
goodreads.com/book/show/17...
[🧵 of publications]
"Worst Floridian" contest has enough top-tier entrants to fill a March Madness bracket-- and these definitely belong in the Elite Eight.
Maybe we need another contest for "Best FORMER Floridians." To let redeemable people know that better neighbors exist elsewhere. My pick: LeBron James.
Maybe we need another contest for "Best FORMER Floridians." To let redeemable people know that better neighbors exist elsewhere. My pick: LeBron James.
For "worst Floridian on the national scene," it's been a contest. Ron DeSantis? Matt Gaetz? Pam Bondi? Eileen Cannon? Jeb "Recount" Bush? Etc
*Best* Floridian has been locked up. It's former Gov and Senator, the phenomenal Bob Graham.
But now Marco Rubio making daring bid for 'worst' crown.
*Best* Floridian has been locked up. It's former Gov and Senator, the phenomenal Bob Graham.
But now Marco Rubio making daring bid for 'worst' crown.
January 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
"Worst Floridian" contest has enough top-tier entrants to fill a March Madness bracket-- and these definitely belong in the Elite Eight.
Maybe we need another contest for "Best FORMER Floridians." To let redeemable people know that better neighbors exist elsewhere. My pick: LeBron James.
Maybe we need another contest for "Best FORMER Floridians." To let redeemable people know that better neighbors exist elsewhere. My pick: LeBron James.
Correct.
♦️Everyone's preferred strategy for dealing with Trump is to fade into the woodwork and wait for his attention to stray towards someone else.
♦️That's the case for corporate CEOs, Democrats, universities, law firms-- and the "leaders" of almost every nation on earth.
♦️Stop it. Just stop it.
♦️Everyone's preferred strategy for dealing with Trump is to fade into the woodwork and wait for his attention to stray towards someone else.
♦️That's the case for corporate CEOs, Democrats, universities, law firms-- and the "leaders" of almost every nation on earth.
♦️Stop it. Just stop it.
Now Trump says "we" need Greenland.
Well done weak European leaders who tepidly criticized/welcomed Trump’s invasion of Venezuela yesterday.
You're next.
Well done weak European leaders who tepidly criticized/welcomed Trump’s invasion of Venezuela yesterday.
You're next.
January 4, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Correct.
♦️Everyone's preferred strategy for dealing with Trump is to fade into the woodwork and wait for his attention to stray towards someone else.
♦️That's the case for corporate CEOs, Democrats, universities, law firms-- and the "leaders" of almost every nation on earth.
♦️Stop it. Just stop it.
♦️Everyone's preferred strategy for dealing with Trump is to fade into the woodwork and wait for his attention to stray towards someone else.
♦️That's the case for corporate CEOs, Democrats, universities, law firms-- and the "leaders" of almost every nation on earth.
♦️Stop it. Just stop it.
For this Administration (and, let's be honest, for most of its supporters):
♦️The deaths of people who aren't Americans don't really count.
(Also: The deaths of many people who ARE Americans).
♦️The deaths of people who aren't Americans don't really count.
(Also: The deaths of many people who ARE Americans).
So we now appear to be up to at least 80 Venezuelans killed.
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM
For this Administration (and, let's be honest, for most of its supporters):
♦️The deaths of people who aren't Americans don't really count.
(Also: The deaths of many people who ARE Americans).
♦️The deaths of people who aren't Americans don't really count.
(Also: The deaths of many people who ARE Americans).
Reposted by Jonah Blank
Literally a publication for eight-year olds 40 years ago
January 4, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Literally a publication for eight-year olds 40 years ago
Almost all of #Venezuela 's oil is sold to China.
So, yeah: This will be another case of TACO.
(Which, to be clear, is far less-bad than another forever-war).
So, yeah: This will be another case of TACO.
(Which, to be clear, is far less-bad than another forever-war).
BREAKING: The U.S. won’t govern Venezuela, but will press changes through an oil blockade, Rubio says, after Trump claims of running the country.
Venezuela live updates: Uncertainty and legal questions remain after US captures Maduro
The Trump administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and claims that it will “run” the country are raising stark new questions about the legality of the U.S. actions and its future operations in the South American nation.
bit.ly
January 4, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Almost all of #Venezuela 's oil is sold to China.
So, yeah: This will be another case of TACO.
(Which, to be clear, is far less-bad than another forever-war).
So, yeah: This will be another case of TACO.
(Which, to be clear, is far less-bad than another forever-war).
To catch you up:
♦️Trump, yesterday: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition."
♦️Pentagon, today: Number of US troops in #Venezuela is...zero.
First statement is clearly a lie.
Second probably is too.
This is the dumbest invasion ever.
♦️Trump, yesterday: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition."
♦️Pentagon, today: Number of US troops in #Venezuela is...zero.
First statement is clearly a lie.
Second probably is too.
This is the dumbest invasion ever.
A day after President Trump declared that the U.S. planned to “run” Venezuela for an unspecified period, Defense Department officials said there were no U.S. military personnel in the country. But a force of 15,000 troops on land nearby and on a dozen warships remain “at a high state of readiness.”
U.S. Has No Troops in Venezuela, Defense Department Says
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:23 PM
To catch you up:
♦️Trump, yesterday: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition."
♦️Pentagon, today: Number of US troops in #Venezuela is...zero.
First statement is clearly a lie.
Second probably is too.
This is the dumbest invasion ever.
♦️Trump, yesterday: "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition."
♦️Pentagon, today: Number of US troops in #Venezuela is...zero.
First statement is clearly a lie.
Second probably is too.
This is the dumbest invasion ever.
So:
♦️We recognize Delcy Rodriguez as the president of #Venezuela, and have no indictments (or even informal accusations) against her. We look forward to working with her.
♦️But if she doesn't surrender her nation's oil, we're going to smack her with something "probably bigger" than life in prison.
♦️We recognize Delcy Rodriguez as the president of #Venezuela, and have no indictments (or even informal accusations) against her. We look forward to working with her.
♦️But if she doesn't surrender her nation's oil, we're going to smack her with something "probably bigger" than life in prison.
January 4, 2026 at 6:01 PM
So:
♦️We recognize Delcy Rodriguez as the president of #Venezuela, and have no indictments (or even informal accusations) against her. We look forward to working with her.
♦️But if she doesn't surrender her nation's oil, we're going to smack her with something "probably bigger" than life in prison.
♦️We recognize Delcy Rodriguez as the president of #Venezuela, and have no indictments (or even informal accusations) against her. We look forward to working with her.
♦️But if she doesn't surrender her nation's oil, we're going to smack her with something "probably bigger" than life in prison.
It's been a successful #DryJanuary so far.
But I think, given current events, I've made my point.
But I think, given current events, I've made my point.
January 4, 2026 at 5:07 PM
It's been a successful #DryJanuary so far.
But I think, given current events, I've made my point.
But I think, given current events, I've made my point.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
We're getting legitimately schooled, on international law, by Kim Jong Un.
North Korea condemns US strikes on Venezuela as 'serious encroachment of sovereignty' reut.rs/4jp26Xz
North Korea condemns US strikes on Venezuela as 'serious encroachment of sovereignty'
North Korea has denounced the U.S. strikes on Venezuela as "the most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty," state news agency KCNA said on Sunday.
reut.rs
January 4, 2026 at 5:04 PM
We're getting legitimately schooled, on international law, by Kim Jong Un.
1. He's right.
2. Spain is an American treaty ally.
2. Spain is an American treaty ally.
Spain 'strongly condemns' violation of international law in Venezuela, PM says reut.rs/49CNU9Y
Spain 'strongly condemns' violation of international law in Venezuela, PM says
Spain condemned what it called a violation of international law in Venezuela, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote in a letter sent to members of his Socialist Party on Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump's raid to capture Nicolas Maduro.
reut.rs
January 4, 2026 at 4:42 PM
1. He's right.
2. Spain is an American treaty ally.
2. Spain is an American treaty ally.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
Reminds me of the event with Bush43 when he walked out to BTO’s “Takin Care of Business”, but it was the part of the song lyrics that say “I love to work at nothing all day”…
Trump posts footage of the Maduro raid set to "Fortunate Son" -- a protest song about the Vietnam War draft
January 4, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Reminds me of the event with Bush43 when he walked out to BTO’s “Takin Care of Business”, but it was the part of the song lyrics that say “I love to work at nothing all day”…
Note to Dems:
♦️More like this, please.
♦️More like this, please.
January 4, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Note to Dems:
♦️More like this, please.
♦️More like this, please.
Note to Democrats:
♦️Be more like Sen @chrismurphyct.bsky.social.
(Except for the weird demi-beard. On or off, man-- make up your mind).
♦️Be more like Sen @chrismurphyct.bsky.social.
(Except for the weird demi-beard. On or off, man-- make up your mind).
Chris Murphy: "Clearly this is wildly illegal. This is a president who has been operating illegally since he was sworn in -- stealing from the American people, seizing spending power, now dragging America into a war overseas ... Donald Trump's entire foreign policy is corrupt."
January 4, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Note to Democrats:
♦️Be more like Sen @chrismurphyct.bsky.social.
(Except for the weird demi-beard. On or off, man-- make up your mind).
♦️Be more like Sen @chrismurphyct.bsky.social.
(Except for the weird demi-beard. On or off, man-- make up your mind).
Amen, Sen @chrismurphyct.bsky.social.
One note:
♦️Please make a decision on the beard. One way or another-- it's your face, so it's obviously up to you. FWIW, I think you should keep it. But please stop going back and forth: Kind of sends the rest of us into time-warp whiplash.
One note:
♦️Please make a decision on the beard. One way or another-- it's your face, so it's obviously up to you. FWIW, I think you should keep it. But please stop going back and forth: Kind of sends the rest of us into time-warp whiplash.
Chris Murphy: "Over and over again we have seen these warmongering neocons, many of which have influence in this White House, cheerlead us into war under the guise of removing a very bad man. That ends up getting a lot of Americans killed."
January 4, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Amen, Sen @chrismurphyct.bsky.social.
One note:
♦️Please make a decision on the beard. One way or another-- it's your face, so it's obviously up to you. FWIW, I think you should keep it. But please stop going back and forth: Kind of sends the rest of us into time-warp whiplash.
One note:
♦️Please make a decision on the beard. One way or another-- it's your face, so it's obviously up to you. FWIW, I think you should keep it. But please stop going back and forth: Kind of sends the rest of us into time-warp whiplash.
I almost feel sorry for Marco.
He was just pushing for a simple Neo-Con overthrow of a Saddam-mustached dictator, and his boss declares it a full-on forever-war US military occupation of #Venezuela. And then sends Marco on TV to clean it up.
I ALMOST feel sorry him.
Well, actually: No. I don't.
He was just pushing for a simple Neo-Con overthrow of a Saddam-mustached dictator, and his boss declares it a full-on forever-war US military occupation of #Venezuela. And then sends Marco on TV to clean it up.
I ALMOST feel sorry him.
Well, actually: No. I don't.
WELKER: Mr. Secretary, are you running Venezuela right now?
MARCO RUBIO: Yeah. People are fixating on that. Here's the bottom line -- we expect to see changes in Venezuela
MARCO RUBIO: Yeah. People are fixating on that. Here's the bottom line -- we expect to see changes in Venezuela
January 4, 2026 at 4:13 PM
I almost feel sorry for Marco.
He was just pushing for a simple Neo-Con overthrow of a Saddam-mustached dictator, and his boss declares it a full-on forever-war US military occupation of #Venezuela. And then sends Marco on TV to clean it up.
I ALMOST feel sorry him.
Well, actually: No. I don't.
He was just pushing for a simple Neo-Con overthrow of a Saddam-mustached dictator, and his boss declares it a full-on forever-war US military occupation of #Venezuela. And then sends Marco on TV to clean it up.
I ALMOST feel sorry him.
Well, actually: No. I don't.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
January 4, 2026 at 2:36 AM
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
US Archivist (and holder of several other part-time gigs):
♦️The difference between attack on #Venezuela and invasion of #Iraq is that one took place in Latin America, and one in the Middle East.
(Also, that one of these absolutely awful ideas was preceded by careful strategic planning).
♦️The difference between attack on #Venezuela and invasion of #Iraq is that one took place in Latin America, and one in the Middle East.
(Also, that one of these absolutely awful ideas was preceded by careful strategic planning).
Marco Rubio on comparisons between Venezuela and Iraq: "People need to stop describing the apples of the Middle East to the oranges of the Western Hemisphere
January 4, 2026 at 4:02 PM
US Archivist (and holder of several other part-time gigs):
♦️The difference between attack on #Venezuela and invasion of #Iraq is that one took place in Latin America, and one in the Middle East.
(Also, that one of these absolutely awful ideas was preceded by careful strategic planning).
♦️The difference between attack on #Venezuela and invasion of #Iraq is that one took place in Latin America, and one in the Middle East.
(Also, that one of these absolutely awful ideas was preceded by careful strategic planning).
Reposted by Jonah Blank
"It is virtually certain that this Venezuela operation will turn into a big mess with a heaping side order of corruption. But it is also pretty clear that one of those giant errors can lead to further screw ups and even disasters."
What did those guys standing alongside Trump remind of you of yesterday? I had some thoughts...
open.substack.com/pub/davidrot...
open.substack.com/pub/davidrot...
The FAFO Boys Are About to Find Out
The US is being run by a bunch of guys from the back of high school detention room
open.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:21 PM
"It is virtually certain that this Venezuela operation will turn into a big mess with a heaping side order of corruption. But it is also pretty clear that one of those giant errors can lead to further screw ups and even disasters."
Reposted by Jonah Blank
Best take I’ve heard, IRL: “This operation looks like it was designed by the same people who did the East Wing.”
This makes the Iraq War seem well planned.
January 4, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Best take I’ve heard, IRL: “This operation looks like it was designed by the same people who did the East Wing.”
This is nowhere near the worst thing Rubio has done today, but:
♦️Use of "optionality" is a crime against language.
♦️Use of "optionality" is a crime against language.
BRENNAN: To be clear, there is no plan for US occupation of this country of nearly 30 million people?
MARCO RUBIO: The president always retains optionality on anything and on all of these matters
MARCO RUBIO: The president always retains optionality on anything and on all of these matters
January 4, 2026 at 3:57 PM
This is nowhere near the worst thing Rubio has done today, but:
♦️Use of "optionality" is a crime against language.
♦️Use of "optionality" is a crime against language.
Reporter:
♦️The US doesn't actually seem to control #Venezuela at all. What gives?
US Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, Archivist, and holder of several other part-time jobs:
♦️Well, have YOU got a better plan?
♦️The US doesn't actually seem to control #Venezuela at all. What gives?
US Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, Archivist, and holder of several other part-time jobs:
♦️Well, have YOU got a better plan?
BRENNAN: You're describing the regime as still in place. I'm confused why the Trump admin only arrested Maduro. The chief thug who controls the police & has $25m price on his head is still in place
RUBIO: You're confused?
B: They are still in power
R: You're gonna go in & suck up 5 more people?
RUBIO: You're confused?
B: They are still in power
R: You're gonna go in & suck up 5 more people?
January 4, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Reporter:
♦️The US doesn't actually seem to control #Venezuela at all. What gives?
US Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, Archivist, and holder of several other part-time jobs:
♦️Well, have YOU got a better plan?
♦️The US doesn't actually seem to control #Venezuela at all. What gives?
US Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, Archivist, and holder of several other part-time jobs:
♦️Well, have YOU got a better plan?
After a day of updates, we have an answer to this question:
♦️He was just lying.
US troops did not (and do not) control #Venezuela. Fortunately, that part was just a lie.
Trump's "plan" isn't occupation-- it's just 19th century gunboat diplomacy.
Because that worked out so well for everyone.
♦️He was just lying.
US troops did not (and do not) control #Venezuela. Fortunately, that part was just a lie.
Trump's "plan" isn't occupation-- it's just 19th century gunboat diplomacy.
Because that worked out so well for everyone.
Having seen all of this close up in two other US invasions:
♦️Either he's lying about who currently controls #Venezuela, or there are now a LOT of US troops in harm's way. And there will be far more in the days to come.
♦️It's not just an invasion. It's an occupation.
♦️Any exit strategy is guesswork.
♦️Either he's lying about who currently controls #Venezuela, or there are now a LOT of US troops in harm's way. And there will be far more in the days to come.
♦️It's not just an invasion. It's an occupation.
♦️Any exit strategy is guesswork.
Trump: "We're there now, but we're going to stay until such time as the pop -- proper transition can take place. So we're gonna stay until such time as -- we're gonna run it essentially."
January 4, 2026 at 3:51 PM
After a day of updates, we have an answer to this question:
♦️He was just lying.
US troops did not (and do not) control #Venezuela. Fortunately, that part was just a lie.
Trump's "plan" isn't occupation-- it's just 19th century gunboat diplomacy.
Because that worked out so well for everyone.
♦️He was just lying.
US troops did not (and do not) control #Venezuela. Fortunately, that part was just a lie.
Trump's "plan" isn't occupation-- it's just 19th century gunboat diplomacy.
Because that worked out so well for everyone.
"Right now, we need a full briefing."
In response to a clearly-impeachable offense, I didn't think any Democrat (other than Fetterman, of course) could be any more tepid than Chuck Schumer.
But Sen. @klobuchar.senate.gov proved me wrong.
In response to a clearly-impeachable offense, I didn't think any Democrat (other than Fetterman, of course) could be any more tepid than Chuck Schumer.
But Sen. @klobuchar.senate.gov proved me wrong.
My statement on the administration’s military strikes on Venezuela:
January 4, 2026 at 2:42 AM
"Right now, we need a full briefing."
In response to a clearly-impeachable offense, I didn't think any Democrat (other than Fetterman, of course) could be any more tepid than Chuck Schumer.
But Sen. @klobuchar.senate.gov proved me wrong.
In response to a clearly-impeachable offense, I didn't think any Democrat (other than Fetterman, of course) could be any more tepid than Chuck Schumer.
But Sen. @klobuchar.senate.gov proved me wrong.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
The Democratic Party should hire Samuel L. Jackson to be their spokesperson for the year and have a daily press conference so he can cuss them out every single day all year long.
Elected Dems should yell back at them demanding they do something.
Elected Dems should yell back at them demanding they do something.
January 3, 2026 at 4:51 PM
The Democratic Party should hire Samuel L. Jackson to be their spokesperson for the year and have a daily press conference so he can cuss them out every single day all year long.
Elected Dems should yell back at them demanding they do something.
Elected Dems should yell back at them demanding they do something.