Larry J. Simon
@larryjsimon.bsky.social
Historian, teacher, editor; Antifascist, book lover, 3-chord strummer; Fan of Americana, Blues, Country, Dylan, Earle, FCBarcelona; UCLA Ph.D.; Southwesterner in Midwestern Exile. Not here for day job or to promote career. Opinions mine; not my employer’s.
Pinned
Larry J. Simon
@larryjsimon.bsky.social
· Mar 28
I’ve acquired these six volumes (of 7 published to date), formerly owned by Harry Belafonte, of The Papers of Martin Luther King Jr. As racist resegregationists have captured the White House we need now more than ever the astonishing courage, public moral vision, and works of MLK Jr.
#booksky
#booksky
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
And on this kind of garbage hang the fates of nations
January 5, 2026 at 4:07 AM
And on this kind of garbage hang the fates of nations
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
"For who? For what?" Not for felon 47, that's for sure. Gift article for those who want a good read: share.inquirer.com/KaYbuk
We need to be honest with ourselves and our leaders about Venezuela
We are a rogue state, a global pariah
Trump is ruling as a dictator, period
An axis of evil wants to carve up small, resource-rich nations
The message for 2026 is clear: No kings!
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
We are a rogue state, a global pariah
Trump is ruling as a dictator, period
An axis of evil wants to carve up small, resource-rich nations
The message for 2026 is clear: No kings!
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/trum...
America launches its 250th birthday year by becoming a rogue state | Will Bunch
Trump's illegal war on Venezuela cemented his claim to dictatorship and marked the U.S. as a global pariah.
www.inquirer.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:35 AM
"For who? For what?" Not for felon 47, that's for sure. Gift article for those who want a good read: share.inquirer.com/KaYbuk
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
👇🎯 Once again, I ask, in good faith & without trying to be overly alarmist, what anyone has seen in the last year to make them believe that the 2026/28 elections will be free, fair, & democratic by any traditional meaning of the words?
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Trump sees dollar signs with Venezuelan oil, has designs on other countries, and clearly sees himself as some kind of emperor of the world. I don’t think he has plans to leave in 2028. And he’s showing he’ll use the military however he wants
January 5, 2026 at 4:34 AM
👇🎯 Once again, I ask, in good faith & without trying to be overly alarmist, what anyone has seen in the last year to make them believe that the 2026/28 elections will be free, fair, & democratic by any traditional meaning of the words?
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
I wrote about reporters’ refusal to use “act of war,” “invasion” or “coup” when covering Trump’s brazen attacks on Venezuela, instead echoing WH-approved euphemisms, and the broader trend of our press dutifully giving Trump’s lawlessness the vague whiff of international legitimacy when it has none.
By framing this brazen act of aggression in euphemistic terms, the media is falling in line with Trump.
The Media Refuses to Call Trump’s Venezuela Attack an Act of War
By framing the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro in euphemistic terms, the media is falling in line with Trump.
interc.pt
January 4, 2026 at 11:17 PM
I wrote about reporters’ refusal to use “act of war,” “invasion” or “coup” when covering Trump’s brazen attacks on Venezuela, instead echoing WH-approved euphemisms, and the broader trend of our press dutifully giving Trump’s lawlessness the vague whiff of international legitimacy when it has none.
“We can lay a lot of blame for this change on the internet. The interconnection of the world’s knowledge was expected to democratize education. Instead, and particularly with the advent of social media, it democratized cherry-picking. The internet universalized subjectivity instead of objectivity.”
The collapse of confidence in the importance of college sits alongside the collapse in authority generally and the rise of people (including some politicians and media outlets) giving feelings more weight than facts.
www.ms.now/opinion/inte...
www.ms.now/opinion/inte...
Opinion | Trump's power grab met less resistance than expected. This phenomenon helps explain why.
Philip Bump: We have reverted from acting on what we know to acting on what we think.
www.ms.now
January 5, 2026 at 1:52 AM
“We can lay a lot of blame for this change on the internet. The interconnection of the world’s knowledge was expected to democratize education. Instead, and particularly with the advent of social media, it democratized cherry-picking. The internet universalized subjectivity instead of objectivity.”
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
I spoke with María Corina Machado today. I affirmed Canada’s support for a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition of power — one that respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people.
January 5, 2026 at 1:02 AM
I spoke with María Corina Machado today. I affirmed Canada’s support for a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition of power — one that respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Q: There's about $17 billion of oil reserves in Venezuela
TRUMP: You mean trillion. Did you say billion or trillion?
Q: I said billion
TRUMP: It's much more than that
Q: So what is going to happen to those reserves?
TRUMP: We're going to run everything
TRUMP: You mean trillion. Did you say billion or trillion?
Q: I said billion
TRUMP: It's much more than that
Q: So what is going to happen to those reserves?
TRUMP: We're going to run everything
January 5, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Q: There's about $17 billion of oil reserves in Venezuela
TRUMP: You mean trillion. Did you say billion or trillion?
Q: I said billion
TRUMP: It's much more than that
Q: So what is going to happen to those reserves?
TRUMP: We're going to run everything
TRUMP: You mean trillion. Did you say billion or trillion?
Q: I said billion
TRUMP: It's much more than that
Q: So what is going to happen to those reserves?
TRUMP: We're going to run everything
UCLA 80, USC 46. Slow start for Bruins but domination; embarrassing FG %s for USC.
Not sure anyone else can compete with UConn, TX, South Carolina, UCLA.
S. Betts work in progress. Dugalic needs more minutes. Bilic ready for more. Is Timea Gardiner going to red shirt?
Now or never for the natty.
Not sure anyone else can compete with UConn, TX, South Carolina, UCLA.
S. Betts work in progress. Dugalic needs more minutes. Bilic ready for more. Is Timea Gardiner going to red shirt?
Now or never for the natty.
January 4, 2026 at 7:43 PM
UCLA 80, USC 46. Slow start for Bruins but domination; embarrassing FG %s for USC.
Not sure anyone else can compete with UConn, TX, South Carolina, UCLA.
S. Betts work in progress. Dugalic needs more minutes. Bilic ready for more. Is Timea Gardiner going to red shirt?
Now or never for the natty.
Not sure anyone else can compete with UConn, TX, South Carolina, UCLA.
S. Betts work in progress. Dugalic needs more minutes. Bilic ready for more. Is Timea Gardiner going to red shirt?
Now or never for the natty.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
New euphemism for "bottomless corruption and naked abuses of power" just dropped
January 4, 2026 at 11:35 AM
New euphemism for "bottomless corruption and naked abuses of power" just dropped
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
María Machado won the last election in Venezuela by a landslide only to be targeted by Nicholas Maduro, who stole the election from the people of Venezuela.
If Trump really cared about democracy or human rights, he would have already invited Machado back. Instead, he declared that he will not.
If Trump really cared about democracy or human rights, he would have already invited Machado back. Instead, he declared that he will not.
January 3, 2026 at 7:57 PM
María Machado won the last election in Venezuela by a landslide only to be targeted by Nicholas Maduro, who stole the election from the people of Venezuela.
If Trump really cared about democracy or human rights, he would have already invited Machado back. Instead, he declared that he will not.
If Trump really cared about democracy or human rights, he would have already invited Machado back. Instead, he declared that he will not.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
REP. GOLDMAN: “Trump promised oil executives if they gave him $1 billion for his campaign, he’d do right by them. They gave about $500 million. This is a massive gift in violation of international law, essentially just co-opting an entire country's natural resources for the benefit of 🇺🇸 Companies.”
January 4, 2026 at 4:16 AM
REP. GOLDMAN: “Trump promised oil executives if they gave him $1 billion for his campaign, he’d do right by them. They gave about $500 million. This is a massive gift in violation of international law, essentially just co-opting an entire country's natural resources for the benefit of 🇺🇸 Companies.”
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
If the NYTimes and Washington Post knew the day *BEFORE* the attack on Venezuela and kidnapping of Maduro - so did Putin. Whether directly or from that make-believe SCIF in MAL.
That Maduro and Venezuelan military were not tipped off is consistent w/this bargain discussed by Fiona Hill in 2019.
That Maduro and Venezuelan military were not tipped off is consistent w/this bargain discussed by Fiona Hill in 2019.
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 4:48 AM
If the NYTimes and Washington Post knew the day *BEFORE* the attack on Venezuela and kidnapping of Maduro - so did Putin. Whether directly or from that make-believe SCIF in MAL.
That Maduro and Venezuelan military were not tipped off is consistent w/this bargain discussed by Fiona Hill in 2019.
That Maduro and Venezuelan military were not tipped off is consistent w/this bargain discussed by Fiona Hill in 2019.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Will it solve everything? No.
Is it still better to demand accountability than it is to type out “LOL nothing matters” on your phone? Yes.
I’ll block anyone I see doing this helpless shit. Go stick your head in the sand if you want but stop clucking at people online for giving a shit.
Is it still better to demand accountability than it is to type out “LOL nothing matters” on your phone? Yes.
I’ll block anyone I see doing this helpless shit. Go stick your head in the sand if you want but stop clucking at people online for giving a shit.
January 3, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Will it solve everything? No.
Is it still better to demand accountability than it is to type out “LOL nothing matters” on your phone? Yes.
I’ll block anyone I see doing this helpless shit. Go stick your head in the sand if you want but stop clucking at people online for giving a shit.
Is it still better to demand accountability than it is to type out “LOL nothing matters” on your phone? Yes.
I’ll block anyone I see doing this helpless shit. Go stick your head in the sand if you want but stop clucking at people online for giving a shit.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
$40 billion dollars to Argentina
$45 billion to ICE .
Kristi Noem gets private jets.
Kash Patel gets a fleet of BMWs.
Trump gets a multi million dollar ballroom.
Now billions more will be spent on war with Venezuela.
All while Americans can’t afford food, housing or healthcare.
$45 billion to ICE .
Kristi Noem gets private jets.
Kash Patel gets a fleet of BMWs.
Trump gets a multi million dollar ballroom.
Now billions more will be spent on war with Venezuela.
All while Americans can’t afford food, housing or healthcare.
January 4, 2026 at 4:38 AM
$40 billion dollars to Argentina
$45 billion to ICE .
Kristi Noem gets private jets.
Kash Patel gets a fleet of BMWs.
Trump gets a multi million dollar ballroom.
Now billions more will be spent on war with Venezuela.
All while Americans can’t afford food, housing or healthcare.
$45 billion to ICE .
Kristi Noem gets private jets.
Kash Patel gets a fleet of BMWs.
Trump gets a multi million dollar ballroom.
Now billions more will be spent on war with Venezuela.
All while Americans can’t afford food, housing or healthcare.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Imagine being the person brave enough to leak this in the hopes that media attention could stop it and then the media just……buries it.
NEW: Plans for secret U.S. raid to capture Maduro leaked to the Washington Post and New York Times before it happened, but both decided not to publish to protect U.S. troops - Semafor
January 4, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Imagine being the person brave enough to leak this in the hopes that media attention could stop it and then the media just……buries it.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
The New York Times has just confirmed that 40 civilians died in President Trump's invasion.
This is the aftermath in one area
This is the aftermath in one area
January 4, 2026 at 3:56 AM
The New York Times has just confirmed that 40 civilians died in President Trump's invasion.
This is the aftermath in one area
This is the aftermath in one area
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
Donald Trump is now reposting videos on Truth Social suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman assassinated.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
January 3, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Donald Trump is now reposting videos on Truth Social suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman assassinated.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.
Me: Look at Reggie and Cheryl Miller.
Wife looks up: Cheryl looking good; don’t know about that shirt she’s wearing.
UCLA 61, USC 39 1:44 to play in 3rd quarter.
Wife looks up: Cheryl looking good; don’t know about that shirt she’s wearing.
UCLA 61, USC 39 1:44 to play in 3rd quarter.
January 4, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Me: Look at Reggie and Cheryl Miller.
Wife looks up: Cheryl looking good; don’t know about that shirt she’s wearing.
UCLA 61, USC 39 1:44 to play in 3rd quarter.
Wife looks up: Cheryl looking good; don’t know about that shirt she’s wearing.
UCLA 61, USC 39 1:44 to play in 3rd quarter.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
President Trump said on Saturday that Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president and would act as a partner in letting the U.S. run the country. Less than two hours later, Rodríguez made clear she viewed the U.S. as an illegal invader that must be rejected.
Venezuela’s Interim Leader Defies Trump and Calls Maduro the ‘Only President’
President Trump said that Venezuela’s new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, would help the United States run Venezuela. She quickly said the opposite.
nyti.ms
January 3, 2026 at 11:55 PM
President Trump said on Saturday that Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president and would act as a partner in letting the U.S. run the country. Less than two hours later, Rodríguez made clear she viewed the U.S. as an illegal invader that must be rejected.
“promoting pro-natalism while dismantling the safety net that protects children and families, and trying to sell lies about the administration’s disastrous handling of the economy. He does all of this as an ally to those who have helped his rise, from Christian nationalists to tech billionaires.”
The vice president is a cynical shapeshifter, willing to say anything—and be anybody—to become the most powerful person in America. trib.al/WsmZmHF
There is nobody he won’t betray, and no principle he won’t cast aside, in his quest to accrue more fame and power.
There is nobody he won’t betray, and no principle he won’t cast aside, in his quest to accrue more fame and power.
January 4, 2026 at 1:55 AM
“promoting pro-natalism while dismantling the safety net that protects children and families, and trying to sell lies about the administration’s disastrous handling of the economy. He does all of this as an ally to those who have helped his rise, from Christian nationalists to tech billionaires.”
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
If you are a foreign president who commits crimes overseas, America will come get you, arrest you, and lock you up.
But if you are a US president who commits crimes here in the United States, America will give you immunity from prosecution, reelect you, and bribe you with billions of dollars.
But if you are a US president who commits crimes here in the United States, America will give you immunity from prosecution, reelect you, and bribe you with billions of dollars.
January 4, 2026 at 12:26 AM
If you are a foreign president who commits crimes overseas, America will come get you, arrest you, and lock you up.
But if you are a US president who commits crimes here in the United States, America will give you immunity from prosecution, reelect you, and bribe you with billions of dollars.
But if you are a US president who commits crimes here in the United States, America will give you immunity from prosecution, reelect you, and bribe you with billions of dollars.
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
We're Iraq now invading Kuwait but there's no America to stop us. Gonna need Reuters and that dumbass to tell me how awesome this is. We're criminals. Trump is using my tax money to murder people and steal oil.
Q: Is it possible that the US ends up administering Venezuela for years?
TRUMP: Well, you know, it won't cost us anything because the money coming out of the ground is very substantial
TRUMP: Well, you know, it won't cost us anything because the money coming out of the ground is very substantial
January 3, 2026 at 5:42 PM
We're Iraq now invading Kuwait but there's no America to stop us. Gonna need Reuters and that dumbass to tell me how awesome this is. We're criminals. Trump is using my tax money to murder people and steal oil.
“For might makes right
And till they've seen the light
They've got to be protected
All their rights respected
Till somebody we like can be elected
Members of the corps
All hate the thought of war
…
Stop calling it aggression
Ooh, we hate that expression!”
youtu.be/HHhZF66C1Dc
And till they've seen the light
They've got to be protected
All their rights respected
Till somebody we like can be elected
Members of the corps
All hate the thought of war
…
Stop calling it aggression
Ooh, we hate that expression!”
youtu.be/HHhZF66C1Dc
January 3, 2026 at 5:50 PM
“For might makes right
And till they've seen the light
They've got to be protected
All their rights respected
Till somebody we like can be elected
Members of the corps
All hate the thought of war
…
Stop calling it aggression
Ooh, we hate that expression!”
youtu.be/HHhZF66C1Dc
And till they've seen the light
They've got to be protected
All their rights respected
Till somebody we like can be elected
Members of the corps
All hate the thought of war
…
Stop calling it aggression
Ooh, we hate that expression!”
youtu.be/HHhZF66C1Dc
Reposted by Larry J. Simon
OMG my Time Machine worked. It’s 2003!
Trump: "It's not going to cost us anything because of the money coming out of the ground."
January 3, 2026 at 5:35 PM
OMG my Time Machine worked. It’s 2003!