MassAppeal74
@matthewpehl.bsky.social
Historian, filmmaker, and Boston Celtics affectioniado
Reposted by MassAppeal74
A profound tragedy, not just for those involved but for public knowledge overall.
Completely avoidable tragedy, wrought by plutocrat who has entered "they were careless people, they smashed up things..." hall of infamy.
(WaPo's Sports section is legendary; Books excellent too. Semafor screenshot)
Completely avoidable tragedy, wrought by plutocrat who has entered "they were careless people, they smashed up things..." hall of infamy.
(WaPo's Sports section is legendary; Books excellent too. Semafor screenshot)
February 4, 2026 at 3:21 PM
A profound tragedy, not just for those involved but for public knowledge overall.
Completely avoidable tragedy, wrought by plutocrat who has entered "they were careless people, they smashed up things..." hall of infamy.
(WaPo's Sports section is legendary; Books excellent too. Semafor screenshot)
Completely avoidable tragedy, wrought by plutocrat who has entered "they were careless people, they smashed up things..." hall of infamy.
(WaPo's Sports section is legendary; Books excellent too. Semafor screenshot)
Texas Tech struggles with new rules that changed what students learn about race, gender, sexuality www.texastribune.org/2026/02/04/t...
This piece captures the situation nicely.
This piece captures the situation nicely.
Texas Tech struggles with new policy on gender, race
The system’s chancellor meant to instill clarity and accountability, but three weeks into the spring semester, some instructors say the standards have led to “censorship.”
www.texastribune.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Texas Tech struggles with new rules that changed what students learn about race, gender, sexuality www.texastribune.org/2026/02/04/t...
This piece captures the situation nicely.
This piece captures the situation nicely.
Reposted by MassAppeal74
“We are being asked to predict the future of our classroom discussions. To sanitize our lessons in advance and do so under threat of losing our jobs. That demand is not serious. It is incompatible with serious teaching.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social, @tamu-aaup.bsky.social President
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social, @tamu-aaup.bsky.social President
February 2, 2026 at 8:10 PM
“We are being asked to predict the future of our classroom discussions. To sanitize our lessons in advance and do so under threat of losing our jobs. That demand is not serious. It is incompatible with serious teaching.”
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social, @tamu-aaup.bsky.social President
— @drleonardbright.bsky.social, @tamu-aaup.bsky.social President
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Groundhog Day reminds us how easy it is to feel trapped in a loop. History shows us change happens when people act with knowledge of the past. That’s why OAH brings historical evidence into public conversations that shape our collective future.
https://www.oah.org/news/category/advocacy-news/
https://www.oah.org/news/category/advocacy-news/
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Groundhog Day reminds us how easy it is to feel trapped in a loop. History shows us change happens when people act with knowledge of the past. That’s why OAH brings historical evidence into public conversations that shape our collective future.
https://www.oah.org/news/category/advocacy-news/
https://www.oah.org/news/category/advocacy-news/
Reposted by MassAppeal74
“.. Whatever inroads the GOP was making recently among Latinos in Texas has begun to really revert back to what it was originally,” he said. .. “That will have implications around Texas and around the country.”
@wsj.com #SSD9
www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
@wsj.com #SSD9
www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
February 1, 2026 at 10:16 PM
“.. Whatever inroads the GOP was making recently among Latinos in Texas has begun to really revert back to what it was originally,” he said. .. “That will have implications around Texas and around the country.”
@wsj.com #SSD9
www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
@wsj.com #SSD9
www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
Reposted by MassAppeal74
🔔 PRESS RELEASE:
Gov. Abbott's H-1B decision threatens innovation, economic growth, and student experience at Texas public universities.
Governor Abbott seeks political points at the expense of Texas’ future.
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/gov-a...
Gov. Abbott's H-1B decision threatens innovation, economic growth, and student experience at Texas public universities.
Governor Abbott seeks political points at the expense of Texas’ future.
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/gov-a...
Gov. Abbott’s H-1B Freeze Endangers Texas’ Future
January 27, 2026
aaup-texas.org
January 28, 2026 at 1:15 AM
🔔 PRESS RELEASE:
Gov. Abbott's H-1B decision threatens innovation, economic growth, and student experience at Texas public universities.
Governor Abbott seeks political points at the expense of Texas’ future.
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/gov-a...
Gov. Abbott's H-1B decision threatens innovation, economic growth, and student experience at Texas public universities.
Governor Abbott seeks political points at the expense of Texas’ future.
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/gov-a...
Reposted by MassAppeal74
one of the least-appreciated own-goals happening right now is the deliberate sabotage of our knowledge/research sector www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Texas Halts Hiring of H-1B Workers at State Colleges, Agencies
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies and public universities to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions, curtailing a program that has also been overhauled by President Donald Trump.
www.bloomberg.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:06 PM
one of the least-appreciated own-goals happening right now is the deliberate sabotage of our knowledge/research sector www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by MassAppeal74
NEW: In August, the nursing home industry gave Trump's Super PAC $5M and had a private lunch with him at his golf course.
They asked him to repeal a rule that would have increased nursing home staffing.
Here's what happened next --> w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
They asked him to repeal a rule that would have increased nursing home staffing.
Here's what happened next --> w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
After Donations, Trump Administration Revoked Rule Requiring More Nursing Home Staff
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:03 PM
NEW: In August, the nursing home industry gave Trump's Super PAC $5M and had a private lunch with him at his golf course.
They asked him to repeal a rule that would have increased nursing home staffing.
Here's what happened next --> w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
They asked him to repeal a rule that would have increased nursing home staffing.
Here's what happened next --> w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/u...
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Tell me again history doesn't matter...
New at The Watch:
I dug into archival witness accounts of the British siege of Boston prior to the American Revolution.
They are remarkably similar to what we're seeing in Minneapolis.
open.substack.com/pub/radleyba...
I dug into archival witness accounts of the British siege of Boston prior to the American Revolution.
They are remarkably similar to what we're seeing in Minneapolis.
open.substack.com/pub/radleyba...
Two cities under siege
Remarkably similar scenes from Boston and Minneapolis, 260 years apart, show a federal government betraying its founding principles.
open.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Tell me again history doesn't matter...
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Chris Madel didn’t just exit the Minnesota governor race, he walked away from the Republican Party itself, saying he cannot support “retribution” against the people of this state. When punishment replaces governance and fear replaces law, even party insiders bolt.
The cracks are widening🔥
The cracks are widening🔥
January 26, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Censorship comes to the University of Arkansas Little Rock: arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
UPDATE: Lectures on race and history canceled in latest assault on academic freedom in Arkansas - Arkansas Times
Two planned lectures on race and history have been canceled at UALR after campus leadership was apparently concerned conservative lawmakers might take offense and withhold future funding.
arktimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Censorship comes to the University of Arkansas Little Rock: arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Target Center dunkers wear “ICE OUT” t-shirts
January 26, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Target Center dunkers wear “ICE OUT” t-shirts
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Attention @politico.com, when one side is telling bald-faced lies, it’s not a “battle over the truth”
A battle over the truth erupts after deadly Minneapolis shooting
A battle over the truth erupts after deadly Minneapolis shooting
Federal and local leaders are sharply divided over what happened and who is to blame.
dlvr.it
January 26, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Attention @politico.com, when one side is telling bald-faced lies, it’s not a “battle over the truth”
I just signed the bsky.app/profile/tamu... petition: Defend Academic Freedom at Texas A&M University! Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/de...
bsky.app
January 25, 2026 at 6:34 PM
I just signed the bsky.app/profile/tamu... petition: Defend Academic Freedom at Texas A&M University! Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/de...
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Internal emails show Gov Abbott demanding info on immigrant employees using H-1B visas at the Texas A&M University System bit.ly/4qAUKCZ
Quorum Report: Internal emails show Gov. Abbott is demanding info on immigrant workers using H1B visas at the Texas A&M University system
The emails reviewed by Quorum Report say Abbott wants info on this by close of business Monday
bit.ly
January 25, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Internal emails show Gov Abbott demanding info on immigrant employees using H-1B visas at the Texas A&M University System bit.ly/4qAUKCZ
I just signed the bsky.app/profile/tamu... petition: Defend Academic Freedom at Texas A&M University! Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/de...
bsky.app
January 25, 2026 at 6:10 PM
I just signed the bsky.app/profile/tamu... petition: Defend Academic Freedom at Texas A&M University! Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/de...
Reposted by MassAppeal74
January 25, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Reposted by MassAppeal74
What's happening in Minnesota is one reason the Reconstruction Amendments banned insurrectionists from holding office. Unfortunately, the originalists on the Supreme Court interpreted the plain language of the amendment to mean its opposite.
January 24, 2026 at 11:31 PM
What's happening in Minnesota is one reason the Reconstruction Amendments banned insurrectionists from holding office. Unfortunately, the originalists on the Supreme Court interpreted the plain language of the amendment to mean its opposite.
Reposted by MassAppeal74
finally.
Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.
January 24, 2026 at 11:59 PM
finally.
Reposted by MassAppeal74
“We demand that TAMU end classroom censorship immediately, restore academic freedom to the faculty, reinstate improperly cancelled courses, let Plato out of his cage, guarantee truthful, rigorous education for our students, & end retaliation against faculty who refuse to voluntarily censor courses.”
We were getting things said that needed to be said!
AAUP, MOVE Texas hold press conference on course cancellation, academic freedom
The Texas A&M chapter of the American Association of University Professors, or AAUP, held a press conference at Academic Plaza alongside A&M’s chapter of MOVE Texas to condemn attacks on academic freedom and course cancellation on Thursday, Jan. 22. Faculty speakers at the conference included professor and President of A&M’s AAUP chapter Leonard Bright, Ph.D.,...
thebatt.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:50 AM
“We demand that TAMU end classroom censorship immediately, restore academic freedom to the faculty, reinstate improperly cancelled courses, let Plato out of his cage, guarantee truthful, rigorous education for our students, & end retaliation against faculty who refuse to voluntarily censor courses.”
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Plato is one of the most famous ancient philosophers of all time. He also thought there were more than 2 genders & homosexuality was normal — that's why Texas A&M wants to censor him.
"How can a serious research university, an R1 university, censor Plato in a philosophy class?"
— Martin Peterson
"How can a serious research university, an R1 university, censor Plato in a philosophy class?"
— Martin Peterson
January 22, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Plato is one of the most famous ancient philosophers of all time. He also thought there were more than 2 genders & homosexuality was normal — that's why Texas A&M wants to censor him.
"How can a serious research university, an R1 university, censor Plato in a philosophy class?"
— Martin Peterson
"How can a serious research university, an R1 university, censor Plato in a philosophy class?"
— Martin Peterson
Reposted by MassAppeal74
🗣️NO ICE IN OUR STREETS!
#MOworkers in Kansas City are joining the nationwide Day of Truth and Freedom, right as our siblings in Minnesota launch their historic general strike 💪
#MOworkers in Kansas City are joining the nationwide Day of Truth and Freedom, right as our siblings in Minnesota launch their historic general strike 💪
January 23, 2026 at 9:16 PM
🗣️NO ICE IN OUR STREETS!
#MOworkers in Kansas City are joining the nationwide Day of Truth and Freedom, right as our siblings in Minnesota launch their historic general strike 💪
#MOworkers in Kansas City are joining the nationwide Day of Truth and Freedom, right as our siblings in Minnesota launch their historic general strike 💪
Reposted by MassAppeal74
This must be weird news to see if you’re one of the literally hundreds or even thousands of university administrators who preemptively censored faculty, scrubbed websites, changed the names of centers, etc.
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges. This leaves in place a federal judge's ruling that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. (Via AP) apnews.com/article/dei-... #ncpol #nced
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:45 PM
This must be weird news to see if you’re one of the literally hundreds or even thousands of university administrators who preemptively censored faculty, scrubbed websites, changed the names of centers, etc.
Reposted by MassAppeal74
Legalize Plato at Texas A&M.
#DefendHigherEd
@tamu-aaup.bsky.social
@texasaaup.bsky.social
@texasaft.org
#DefendHigherEd
@tamu-aaup.bsky.social
@texasaaup.bsky.social
@texasaft.org
January 22, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Legalize Plato at Texas A&M.
#DefendHigherEd
@tamu-aaup.bsky.social
@texasaaup.bsky.social
@texasaft.org
#DefendHigherEd
@tamu-aaup.bsky.social
@texasaaup.bsky.social
@texasaft.org