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]
Sen Whitehouse has a long string of posts, expwessing his hurt feewings because he's getting swammed by his constituwents.
Boo.
Hoo.
Hoo.
Eff'in.
Hoo.
Boo.
Hoo.
Hoo.
Eff'in.
Hoo.
The sooner we get past internal recriminations and back to fighting united, the better off we all are — the likelier our victory next November.
November 11, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Sen Whitehouse has a long string of posts, expwessing his hurt feewings because he's getting swammed by his constituwents.
Boo.
Hoo.
Hoo.
Eff'in.
Hoo.
Boo.
Hoo.
Hoo.
Eff'in.
Hoo.
Do your feelings lead to voting for a new Democratic Leader?
If not, Senator, then nobody cares.
If not, Senator, then nobody cares.
Many feel betrayal and frustration, and the feelings are hot right now.
I get it. I have my own feelings.
🧵
I get it. I have my own feelings.
🧵
November 11, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Do your feelings lead to voting for a new Democratic Leader?
If not, Senator, then nobody cares.
If not, Senator, then nobody cares.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
INGRAHAM: “Why are people saying they’re anxious about the economy?”
TRUMP: “The polls are fake 🤥. The economy is the strongest ever 🤥. We have $20 Trillion coming in 🤥 . Largely because of the tariffs 🤥.”
Every sentence is a lie.
TRUMP: “The polls are fake 🤥. The economy is the strongest ever 🤥. We have $20 Trillion coming in 🤥 . Largely because of the tariffs 🤥.”
Every sentence is a lie.
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 AM
INGRAHAM: “Why are people saying they’re anxious about the economy?”
TRUMP: “The polls are fake 🤥. The economy is the strongest ever 🤥. We have $20 Trillion coming in 🤥 . Largely because of the tariffs 🤥.”
Every sentence is a lie.
TRUMP: “The polls are fake 🤥. The economy is the strongest ever 🤥. We have $20 Trillion coming in 🤥 . Largely because of the tariffs 🤥.”
Every sentence is a lie.
Prediction, and I'd bet money on this:
♦️She will not be able to bribe a single "high-profile journalist" to work for her.
Because however much of David Ellison's $$ she throws around, it won't be worth the reputational damage.
(Fox News doesn't count. Because the plan is to hire journalists).
♦️She will not be able to bribe a single "high-profile journalist" to work for her.
Because however much of David Ellison's $$ she throws around, it won't be worth the reputational damage.
(Fox News doesn't count. Because the plan is to hire journalists).
Bari Weiss’ interest in high-profile journalists under contract at rival networks has struck insiders as naïve, and raised questions about her recruiting tactics. Meanwhile, CBS News staffers are bracing for another round of layoffs.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/bari-weiss...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/bari-weiss...
Weiss’ Anchor Wishlist
Bari Weiss’ interest in high-profile journalists under contract at rival networks has struck insiders as naïve, and raised questions about her recruiting tactics. Meanwhile, CBS News staffers are bra...
www.status.news
November 11, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Prediction, and I'd bet money on this:
♦️She will not be able to bribe a single "high-profile journalist" to work for her.
Because however much of David Ellison's $$ she throws around, it won't be worth the reputational damage.
(Fox News doesn't count. Because the plan is to hire journalists).
♦️She will not be able to bribe a single "high-profile journalist" to work for her.
Because however much of David Ellison's $$ she throws around, it won't be worth the reputational damage.
(Fox News doesn't count. Because the plan is to hire journalists).
Reposted by Jonah Blank
Cambodian authorities have arbitrarily arrested and charged at least 16 journalists, social media users, and political opposition members, for expressing their views on social media about the Thai-Cambodia border conflict www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Cambodia: Border Conflict Critics Arrested
Cambodian authorities have arbitrarily arrested and charged at least 16 people for expressing their views on social media about the Thai-Cambodia border conflict in July and August 2025.
www.hrw.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Cambodian authorities have arbitrarily arrested and charged at least 16 journalists, social media users, and political opposition members, for expressing their views on social media about the Thai-Cambodia border conflict www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Counterpoint:
♦️Only if the Dems were hell-bent on proving every stereotype about them to be absolutely accurate.
There were other ways for this to end: Negotiated settlement, or force the GOP to nuke filibuster. But these would have required the Dems to show actual spine.
♦️Only if the Dems were hell-bent on proving every stereotype about them to be absolutely accurate.
There were other ways for this to end: Negotiated settlement, or force the GOP to nuke filibuster. But these would have required the Dems to show actual spine.
Critics couldn’t fathom why Democrats would abandon a seemingly winning hand in the government shutdown, but “this is how the government shutdown was always going to end,” Russell Berman and Jonathan Lemire report.
Why the Democrats Finally Folded
This is how the government shutdown was always going to end.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Counterpoint:
♦️Only if the Dems were hell-bent on proving every stereotype about them to be absolutely accurate.
There were other ways for this to end: Negotiated settlement, or force the GOP to nuke filibuster. But these would have required the Dems to show actual spine.
♦️Only if the Dems were hell-bent on proving every stereotype about them to be absolutely accurate.
There were other ways for this to end: Negotiated settlement, or force the GOP to nuke filibuster. But these would have required the Dems to show actual spine.
SNAP benefits, for a 1-person household, are $298/month. For a family of four, $994. (California figures-- varies by state).
Is there anyone, in the entire nation, who can "leave their job because they figure they can pick this up"?
Is there anyone, in the entire nation, who can "leave their job because they figure they can pick this up"?
Trump on SNAP: It really puts the country in jeopardy. People who are able bodied who can do their job—they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up because it’s easier—that’s not the purpose of it
November 11, 2025 at 1:13 AM
SNAP benefits, for a 1-person household, are $298/month. For a family of four, $994. (California figures-- varies by state).
Is there anyone, in the entire nation, who can "leave their job because they figure they can pick this up"?
Is there anyone, in the entire nation, who can "leave their job because they figure they can pick this up"?
He has no idea what "HBCU" stands for.
(And he definitely hasn't seen Dave Chapelle's skit on a related topic featuring the Wu Tang Clan).
(And he definitely hasn't seen Dave Chapelle's skit on a related topic featuring the Wu Tang Clan).
Trump says that HBCUs would be "all be out of business" if fewer Chinese students were allowed to go to American universities
November 11, 2025 at 12:34 AM
He has no idea what "HBCU" stands for.
(And he definitely hasn't seen Dave Chapelle's skit on a related topic featuring the Wu Tang Clan).
(And he definitely hasn't seen Dave Chapelle's skit on a related topic featuring the Wu Tang Clan).
To be clear: What he's proposing is far, far worse than the current system. You and I can't "negotiate" with insurance companies.
But his main point-- give people $ and let them buy whichever insurance they wish?
♦️Dude, that's ObamaCare.
But his main point-- give people $ and let them buy whichever insurance they wish?
♦️Dude, that's ObamaCare.
This is exactly how the system currently works.
If your income is low enough, you get "the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own insurance."
Will somebody PLEASE staff this man?
If your income is low enough, you get "the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own insurance."
Will somebody PLEASE staff this man?
Trump: I want the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own insurance. They will feel like entrepreneurs. Call it Trumpcare… anything but Obamacare. Obamacare is a disaster just like he was.
November 11, 2025 at 12:32 AM
To be clear: What he's proposing is far, far worse than the current system. You and I can't "negotiate" with insurance companies.
But his main point-- give people $ and let them buy whichever insurance they wish?
♦️Dude, that's ObamaCare.
But his main point-- give people $ and let them buy whichever insurance they wish?
♦️Dude, that's ObamaCare.
Not even a question:
♦️King James is 🐐.
♦️King James is 🐐.
From @theathletic.com: Which NBA players have been the best of the best in the last 25 years? Our basketball experts make their picks for the top 25. nyti.ms/3JsbIDz
Top 25 NBA players of the 21st century: Where do LeBron, Kobe and Steph rank?
Which NBA players have been the best of the best since the 2000-01 season? The Athletic NBA staff makes their picks.
nyti.ms
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Not even a question:
♦️King James is 🐐.
♦️King James is 🐐.
I think all my DC, NoVa & MD peeps will agree:
♦️Ditch the damn "mobile lounges" at Dulles airport.
After a 14-hour flight, what you really want most is to slide into...a 20-minute crawl to the terminal? In a reconfigured subway car that moves slower than walking speed?
And sometimes does this:
♦️Ditch the damn "mobile lounges" at Dulles airport.
After a 14-hour flight, what you really want most is to slide into...a 20-minute crawl to the terminal? In a reconfigured subway car that moves slower than walking speed?
And sometimes does this:
A mobile lounge carrying passengers crashed at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday, injuring more than a dozen people and causing some damage to the terminal.
Mobile Lounge Crashes at Dulles Airport, Causing Injuries and Damage
More than a dozen people were hurt and will be evaluated at a hospital. Air travel has been hampered in recent days by the government shutdown.
nyti.ms
November 11, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I think all my DC, NoVa & MD peeps will agree:
♦️Ditch the damn "mobile lounges" at Dulles airport.
After a 14-hour flight, what you really want most is to slide into...a 20-minute crawl to the terminal? In a reconfigured subway car that moves slower than walking speed?
And sometimes does this:
♦️Ditch the damn "mobile lounges" at Dulles airport.
After a 14-hour flight, what you really want most is to slide into...a 20-minute crawl to the terminal? In a reconfigured subway car that moves slower than walking speed?
And sometimes does this:
This is exactly how the system currently works.
If your income is low enough, you get "the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own insurance."
Will somebody PLEASE staff this man?
If your income is low enough, you get "the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own insurance."
Will somebody PLEASE staff this man?
Trump: I want the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own insurance. They will feel like entrepreneurs. Call it Trumpcare… anything but Obamacare. Obamacare is a disaster just like he was.
November 11, 2025 at 12:20 AM
This is exactly how the system currently works.
If your income is low enough, you get "the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own insurance."
Will somebody PLEASE staff this man?
If your income is low enough, you get "the money to go into an account for people where the people buy their own insurance."
Will somebody PLEASE staff this man?
A guy in real estate really should know that there is no such thing as a 40-year mortgage.
INGRAHAM: Is a 50 year mortgage really a good idea?
TRUMP: It's not even a big deal. You go from 40 to 50 years. All it means is you pay less per month
TRUMP: It's not even a big deal. You go from 40 to 50 years. All it means is you pay less per month
November 11, 2025 at 12:17 AM
A guy in real estate really should know that there is no such thing as a 40-year mortgage.
Right on, @indivisible.org.
If Establishment Dems thought it was just about getting millions of people out to pat our own backs:
♦️Maybe not.
If Establishment Dems thought it was just about getting millions of people out to pat our own backs:
♦️Maybe not.
After yesterday’s surrender, we’re launching the largest Democratic primary program that we’ve ever run.
We will not back any Senate primary candidate unless they call for Schumer to step down as Minority Leader.
If you’re as pissed as we are, join this campaign to rebuild the Democratic Party. 👇
We will not back any Senate primary candidate unless they call for Schumer to step down as Minority Leader.
If you’re as pissed as we are, join this campaign to rebuild the Democratic Party. 👇
Democratic leaders have failed us again. It's time to get new leaders.
After yet another capitulation by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, it's clear we need new leadership capable of mounting a serious opposition to Trump's authoritarian regime. We're launching our la...
www.indivisible2026.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Right on, @indivisible.org.
If Establishment Dems thought it was just about getting millions of people out to pat our own backs:
♦️Maybe not.
If Establishment Dems thought it was just about getting millions of people out to pat our own backs:
♦️Maybe not.
Xi Jinping does have a daughter-- Xi Mingze.
But she's got all the idle royals of the world to chose from.
But she's got all the idle royals of the world to chose from.
King Felipe heads to China for more Spanish courtship reut.rs/43iHppy
King Felipe heads to China for more Spanish courtship
King Felipe VI will start the first state visit to China by a Spanish monarch in 18 years on Tuesday as Madrid pursues the most active courtship of Beijing within the European Union.
reut.rs
November 10, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Xi Jinping does have a daughter-- Xi Mingze.
But she's got all the idle royals of the world to chose from.
But she's got all the idle royals of the world to chose from.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
“After a year spent organizing to try to convince the Democratic Party to unify and oppose this regime, here’s where I am: The time for convincing is over. We need new leadership.” - @ezralevin.bsky.social
Demand that your Dem senators call on Schumer to step aside: indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Demand that your Dem senators call on Schumer to step aside: indivisible.org/resource/cal...
November 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
“After a year spent organizing to try to convince the Democratic Party to unify and oppose this regime, here’s where I am: The time for convincing is over. We need new leadership.” - @ezralevin.bsky.social
Demand that your Dem senators call on Schumer to step aside: indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Demand that your Dem senators call on Schumer to step aside: indivisible.org/resource/cal...
It's just a laugh now.
But bookmark this: Before he leaves office...
But bookmark this: Before he leaves office...
November 10, 2025 at 11:13 PM
It's just a laugh now.
But bookmark this: Before he leaves office...
But bookmark this: Before he leaves office...
Reposted by Jonah Blank
Tapper: You sell trump kneepads—
Newsom: Signature series. Sold out at the moment. Because people have sold out and because universities have been selling out, because law firms have been selling out, because corporate leaders have been selling out, people are selling out this country.
Newsom: Signature series. Sold out at the moment. Because people have sold out and because universities have been selling out, because law firms have been selling out, because corporate leaders have been selling out, people are selling out this country.
November 10, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Tapper: You sell trump kneepads—
Newsom: Signature series. Sold out at the moment. Because people have sold out and because universities have been selling out, because law firms have been selling out, because corporate leaders have been selling out, people are selling out this country.
Newsom: Signature series. Sold out at the moment. Because people have sold out and because universities have been selling out, because law firms have been selling out, because corporate leaders have been selling out, people are selling out this country.
Schumer's explanation:
♦️I'm not a coward, a traitor or a moron. I'm just too weak to exert any influence over members of my own caucus-- including my own Minority Whip.
♦️I'm not a coward, a traitor or a moron. I'm just too weak to exert any influence over members of my own caucus-- including my own Minority Whip.
SCOOP: Schumer privately fought to extend government shutdown
Scoop: Schumer privately fought to extend government shutdown
"We let him know what we were doing," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
www.axios.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Schumer's explanation:
♦️I'm not a coward, a traitor or a moron. I'm just too weak to exert any influence over members of my own caucus-- including my own Minority Whip.
♦️I'm not a coward, a traitor or a moron. I'm just too weak to exert any influence over members of my own caucus-- including my own Minority Whip.
Which brings the total to:
♦️However many people Trump wishes to kill, without anybody even pretending they'll ever do anything.
♦️However many people Trump wishes to kill, without anybody even pretending they'll ever do anything.
November 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Which brings the total to:
♦️However many people Trump wishes to kill, without anybody even pretending they'll ever do anything.
♦️However many people Trump wishes to kill, without anybody even pretending they'll ever do anything.
I kind of miss when my kids were toddlers.
They'd always brighten my day with out-of-the-blue statements that they believed completely, yet were so comically wrong it brought a smile to my face.
On an unrelated note:
They'd always brighten my day with out-of-the-blue statements that they believed completely, yet were so comically wrong it brought a smile to my face.
On an unrelated note:
November 10, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I kind of miss when my kids were toddlers.
They'd always brighten my day with out-of-the-blue statements that they believed completely, yet were so comically wrong it brought a smile to my face.
On an unrelated note:
They'd always brighten my day with out-of-the-blue statements that they believed completely, yet were so comically wrong it brought a smile to my face.
On an unrelated note:
ObamaCare was signed into law more than 15 years ago.
But keep working on those notebooks, Mike.
But keep working on those notebooks, Mike.
Mike Johnson on the Republican healthcare plan: "We've got notebooks full of ideas."
November 10, 2025 at 9:24 PM
ObamaCare was signed into law more than 15 years ago.
But keep working on those notebooks, Mike.
But keep working on those notebooks, Mike.
You don't even need to read the post.
It's all implied by the guy's photo.
It's all implied by the guy's photo.
A felon freed by Trump in his first term is sentenced again, this time to 27 months after a judge found that he sexually assaulted a nanny, swung an IV pole at a nurse and dodged tolls in his Lamborghini and Ferrari. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/n...
Felon Freed by Trump Is Sentenced Again, This Time to 27 Months
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:38 PM
You don't even need to read the post.
It's all implied by the guy's photo.
It's all implied by the guy's photo.
Is "dinged" really the right word, Axios?
Critics dinged Democrats for losing their leverage over Republicans and President Trump.
Here's why Congressional Democrats are furious over the shutdown deal
Many lawmakers, pundits and party leaders have suggested that Democrats folded in their standoff against Republicans.
www.axios.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Is "dinged" really the right word, Axios?
Oh, OK.
In that case, it's all worth it.
Unless Thune delivers 13 GOP votes to PASS the measure, it fails.
If, by some chance, it passes the Senate: It won't get a vote in the House.
Either way: Dem leadership traded away their only leverage, for a 100% meaningless vote.
And they know it.
In that case, it's all worth it.
Unless Thune delivers 13 GOP votes to PASS the measure, it fails.
If, by some chance, it passes the Senate: It won't get a vote in the House.
Either way: Dem leadership traded away their only leverage, for a 100% meaningless vote.
And they know it.
Whoa -- Sen. Durbin went to up Leader Thune during the vote last night to tell him that on the shutdown vote and ACA promise that "8 of us are sticking our neck out that you're going to keep your word. I hope you will. He said 'I assure you I will,'" Durbin says just now
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Oh, OK.
In that case, it's all worth it.
Unless Thune delivers 13 GOP votes to PASS the measure, it fails.
If, by some chance, it passes the Senate: It won't get a vote in the House.
Either way: Dem leadership traded away their only leverage, for a 100% meaningless vote.
And they know it.
In that case, it's all worth it.
Unless Thune delivers 13 GOP votes to PASS the measure, it fails.
If, by some chance, it passes the Senate: It won't get a vote in the House.
Either way: Dem leadership traded away their only leverage, for a 100% meaningless vote.
And they know it.