Martha Whitten Howell
@lubec.bsky.social
Born Auburn, Maine. Retired banking attorney. Married Peter Howell. Living our best life in DownEast Maine.
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
It’s old-fashioned to defend mainstream journalism these days but some of the most reliable reporting from people actually on the ground will be the AP and Reuters the next 24 hours. Your Substack journalist writing takes will be using frontline reporting from them.
January 3, 2026 at 8:09 AM
It’s old-fashioned to defend mainstream journalism these days but some of the most reliable reporting from people actually on the ground will be the AP and Reuters the next 24 hours. Your Substack journalist writing takes will be using frontline reporting from them.
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
Rules-based international order has had a rough couple of decades, but this pretty much ends it entirely. Both the strikes and the capture of Maduro are also blatant violations of US domestic law too, of course.
January 3, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Rules-based international order has had a rough couple of decades, but this pretty much ends it entirely. Both the strikes and the capture of Maduro are also blatant violations of US domestic law too, of course.
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
Tonight, the President of the United States has launched an unconstitutional war of aggression, dooming another generation to spill their blood for oil, and lay waste to a sovereign nation.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
January 3, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Tonight, the President of the United States has launched an unconstitutional war of aggression, dooming another generation to spill their blood for oil, and lay waste to a sovereign nation.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
I demand that Congress exercise its power, halt this conflict, and impeach this war criminal president.
My brain hurts.
LOL
👺 Russia backs Maduro, says disputes must be settled through dialogue
January 3, 2026 at 1:40 PM
My brain hurts.
He is a hateful man. I fear for our nation.
January 3, 2026 at 1:36 PM
He is a hateful man. I fear for our nation.
This is horrifying!
Venezuela attack: what we know so far as Trump claims Maduro captured
Venezuela attack: what we know so far as Trump claims Maduro captured
US president confirms attack on Venezuela and says Nicolás Maduro and wife Cilia Flores have been flown out of country
www.theguardian.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:27 PM
This is horrifying!
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
we have not "apprehended" the president of venezuela. we have invaded a foreign country and kidnapped its leader. what the fuck are we doing here, i am going to lose my mind
January 3, 2026 at 9:34 AM
we have not "apprehended" the president of venezuela. we have invaded a foreign country and kidnapped its leader. what the fuck are we doing here, i am going to lose my mind
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
“We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!” he said in a social media post Wednesday.
It's been a terrible year for American democracy, with the dictator Trump breaking laws left and right and the Supreme Court and Congress mostly letting him do it.
But sometimes when we fight, we win. And we must hold fast to our belief that the battle is worth it.
Here's to resistance in 2026.
But sometimes when we fight, we win. And we must hold fast to our belief that the battle is worth it.
Here's to resistance in 2026.
Trump says he's dropping push for National Guard in Chicago, LA and Portland, Oregon, for now
President Donald Trump says he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.
apnews.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:54 PM
“We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!” he said in a social media post Wednesday.
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
As Americans' thoughts turned to friendships, family, and the year ahead on New Year's Eve, President Trump raged online against Colorado, telling the Governor to "rot in hell."
January 1, 2026 at 12:28 AM
As Americans' thoughts turned to friendships, family, and the year ahead on New Year's Eve, President Trump raged online against Colorado, telling the Governor to "rot in hell."
He cannot truly be that out of touch with reality, can he?
Chief Justice John Roberts touted the independence of the federal judiciary as a “counter-majoritarian check” and urged Americans rattled by partisan politics to keep faith with the Constitution. https://cnn.it/3LsloyF
January 1, 2026 at 12:59 AM
He cannot truly be that out of touch with reality, can he?
Crass
The quiet dignity of a self-confident nation.
I’m currently at the Washington Monument:
January 1, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Crass
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
Did the United States really spend trillions of dollars on winning the Cold War, only for its president in 2025 take orders from a Russian dictator?
This is an earth-shattering humiliation for America of which its reputation may never recover.
This is an earth-shattering humiliation for America of which its reputation may never recover.
December 28, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Did the United States really spend trillions of dollars on winning the Cold War, only for its president in 2025 take orders from a Russian dictator?
This is an earth-shattering humiliation for America of which its reputation may never recover.
This is an earth-shattering humiliation for America of which its reputation may never recover.
So was there a contract or not?
MOM SAYS YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH ME
New at the Kennedy Center: declining to perform may now require a lawyer.
December 28, 2025 at 2:15 AM
So was there a contract or not?
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
Russia attacked Ukraine with 500 drones and around 40 missiles, including Kinzhal missiles. The main strike targeted #Kyiv, hitting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.
The Russian attack left nearly one third of Kyiv without heating.
Russia is a terrorist state.
The Russian attack left nearly one third of Kyiv without heating.
Russia is a terrorist state.
December 27, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Russia attacked Ukraine with 500 drones and around 40 missiles, including Kinzhal missiles. The main strike targeted #Kyiv, hitting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.
The Russian attack left nearly one third of Kyiv without heating.
Russia is a terrorist state.
The Russian attack left nearly one third of Kyiv without heating.
Russia is a terrorist state.
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
Dec 26, 1941. Churchill addresses Congress:
"I have been in full harmony all my life with the tides which have flowed on both sides of the Atlantic against privilege and monopoly...In my country as in yours public men are proud to be the servants of the state and would be ashamed to be its masters."
"I have been in full harmony all my life with the tides which have flowed on both sides of the Atlantic against privilege and monopoly...In my country as in yours public men are proud to be the servants of the state and would be ashamed to be its masters."
December 26, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Dec 26, 1941. Churchill addresses Congress:
"I have been in full harmony all my life with the tides which have flowed on both sides of the Atlantic against privilege and monopoly...In my country as in yours public men are proud to be the servants of the state and would be ashamed to be its masters."
"I have been in full harmony all my life with the tides which have flowed on both sides of the Atlantic against privilege and monopoly...In my country as in yours public men are proud to be the servants of the state and would be ashamed to be its masters."
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
In the spirit of the season in the year 2025, the Bulwark offers you this all-star rendition of the Twelve Days of Grift-mas.
Take-aways:
1. Some of my colleagues can actually sing.
2. Not me, though.
3. We shouldn't do this more than once a year.
youtu.be/D2XX4TMC_SY?...
Take-aways:
1. Some of my colleagues can actually sing.
2. Not me, though.
3. We shouldn't do this more than once a year.
youtu.be/D2XX4TMC_SY?...
The Bulwark Wishes You a Very Corrupt Christmas
YouTube video by The Bulwark
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
In the spirit of the season in the year 2025, the Bulwark offers you this all-star rendition of the Twelve Days of Grift-mas.
Take-aways:
1. Some of my colleagues can actually sing.
2. Not me, though.
3. We shouldn't do this more than once a year.
youtu.be/D2XX4TMC_SY?...
Take-aways:
1. Some of my colleagues can actually sing.
2. Not me, though.
3. We shouldn't do this more than once a year.
youtu.be/D2XX4TMC_SY?...
Which leg are they pulling?
The Justice Department said it found over a million more pages of Jeffrey Epstein documents, extending the time it will take for a full release. A law passed by Congress gave the department a deadline of last Friday to release the files. nyti.ms/49rG0QL
A Million More Epstein Documents Have Been Found, Justice Dept. Says
Democratic lawmakers, who had criticized the Justice Department’s release of the material, accused the Trump administration of violating the law mandating the release of the files.
nyti.ms
December 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Which leg are they pulling?
Well, duh.
Recent U.S. actions against ships near Venezuela may embolden other countries to use similar tactics when it suits them, legal experts say. If such seizures and detentions become more common, that could hurt the shipping industry and international trade. nyti.ms/492VFGh
Trump’s Seizures of Oil Tankers Challenge Maritime Rules and Customs
Recent U.S. actions against ships near Venezuela may embolden other countries to seize or detain ships, legal experts said.
nyti.ms
December 24, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Well, duh.
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County. It’s not the only county government that is delayed in analyzing its finances.
Nearly half of Maine’s counties are behind on their audits
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County. It’s not the only county government that is delayed in analyzing its finances.
www.bangordailynews.com
December 21, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County. It’s not the only county government that is delayed in analyzing its finances.
I would laugh if it were not so obscenely possible.
Before Charlie Kirk was fatally shot, he was readying for JD Vance to become the next president of the United States. Now, Erika Kirk is determined to make that happen.
Charlie Kirk’s Empire Is Lining Up Behind a JD Vance Presidential Bid
The vice president will speak Sunday at Turning Point USA’s premier event, days after Erika Kirk endorsed him for a 2028 run.
on.wsj.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I would laugh if it were not so obscenely possible.
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
DOJ broke the law today by refusing to produce all the Epstein files. It also broke the law by redacting information other than to protect victims. Yet, the corporate media is acting that DOJ did us a huge favor.
Now, more than ever, help build independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Now, more than ever, help build independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
December 20, 2025 at 1:00 AM
DOJ broke the law today by refusing to produce all the Epstein files. It also broke the law by redacting information other than to protect victims. Yet, the corporate media is acting that DOJ did us a huge favor.
Now, more than ever, help build independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Now, more than ever, help build independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
When cats are under stress, they sometimes pee to mark territory and claim ownership. Same with fascists.
December 19, 2025 at 12:19 PM
When cats are under stress, they sometimes pee to mark territory and claim ownership. Same with fascists.
Reposted by Martha Whitten Howell
Most weak-kneed phrase in journalism right now?
“Critics say…”
“Critics say…”
December 19, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Most weak-kneed phrase in journalism right now?
“Critics say…”
“Critics say…”