Mick Brooks
@mick666.bsky.social
Anything but Mike. Poole-based, retired from the NHS, with birdy, movie, music and politics interests 🏳️🌈🇵🇸 🏳️⚧️. Ex-Labour now Green. Ex-union rep (Unite). PhD in neutron physics.
Full bird list on eBird.com
Films: https://boxd.it/mBT
Full bird list on eBird.com
Films: https://boxd.it/mBT
Reposted by Mick Brooks
The “Venezuela distracts from Epstein” line is ridiculous because 1) many awful things happen at once 2) Same Iran-Contra crowd pushing Venezuela invasion are or were involved with Epstein/Maxwell 3) Epstein associates (for ex, Dershowitz) want Iran invasion and see Venezuela as a test run for Iran
January 4, 2026 at 12:27 AM
The “Venezuela distracts from Epstein” line is ridiculous because 1) many awful things happen at once 2) Same Iran-Contra crowd pushing Venezuela invasion are or were involved with Epstein/Maxwell 3) Epstein associates (for ex, Dershowitz) want Iran invasion and see Venezuela as a test run for Iran
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Went out to greet 2026 this morning - snow shoeing to a spot where the Bohemian Waxwings and American Robins were getting pretty excited about buffalo berries. Let’s go #birds
January 2, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Went out to greet 2026 this morning - snow shoeing to a spot where the Bohemian Waxwings and American Robins were getting pretty excited about buffalo berries. Let’s go #birds
Reposted by Mick Brooks
The Brazen Illegality of Trump’s Venezuela Operation archive.ph/2026.01.03-2...
archive.ph
January 4, 2026 at 12:38 AM
The Brazen Illegality of Trump’s Venezuela Operation archive.ph/2026.01.03-2...
archive.ph
January 4, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Some thoughts on what Trump has done in Venezuela and what it might mean for US national security. Caveat: not a Latin America scholar so this is focused on US policy. Clearly huge consequences for Venezuela that others can address.
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
January 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Some thoughts on what Trump has done in Venezuela and what it might mean for US national security. Caveat: not a Latin America scholar so this is focused on US policy. Clearly huge consequences for Venezuela that others can address.
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
Reposted by Mick Brooks
At least 40 people Donald Trump murdered in his airstrikes on Venezuela.
Mostly civilians.
He commits War Crimes and the politicians in Europe praise him.
Disgusting.
Mostly civilians.
He commits War Crimes and the politicians in Europe praise him.
Disgusting.
January 4, 2026 at 12:05 AM
At least 40 people Donald Trump murdered in his airstrikes on Venezuela.
Mostly civilians.
He commits War Crimes and the politicians in Europe praise him.
Disgusting.
Mostly civilians.
He commits War Crimes and the politicians in Europe praise him.
Disgusting.
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Starmer and Farage both drape themselves in flags but once again it's really clear where their loyalty really is.
It's Trump first. They will always be on the side of the super rich and powerful - no matter how heinous the crime.
This is not patriotism. It's subservience.
It's Trump first. They will always be on the side of the super rich and powerful - no matter how heinous the crime.
This is not patriotism. It's subservience.
January 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Starmer and Farage both drape themselves in flags but once again it's really clear where their loyalty really is.
It's Trump first. They will always be on the side of the super rich and powerful - no matter how heinous the crime.
This is not patriotism. It's subservience.
It's Trump first. They will always be on the side of the super rich and powerful - no matter how heinous the crime.
This is not patriotism. It's subservience.
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Not that crazy IMO
➡️ The Republican-run Supreme Court has ruled the President can't be prosecuted for doing crimes in office
➡️ The Republican-run Congress has decided Trump's the boss and they are mere spectators
Historically, tell a guy he's a god-king with no consequences and this is the result
➡️ The Republican-run Supreme Court has ruled the President can't be prosecuted for doing crimes in office
➡️ The Republican-run Congress has decided Trump's the boss and they are mere spectators
Historically, tell a guy he's a god-king with no consequences and this is the result
News: Gang of Eight in Congress were only notified about Trump's Venezuela operation after it began, source familiar tells me. That means the heads of the Intelligence Committees in Senate and House were *not* consulted. Just crazy.
January 3, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Not that crazy IMO
➡️ The Republican-run Supreme Court has ruled the President can't be prosecuted for doing crimes in office
➡️ The Republican-run Congress has decided Trump's the boss and they are mere spectators
Historically, tell a guy he's a god-king with no consequences and this is the result
➡️ The Republican-run Supreme Court has ruled the President can't be prosecuted for doing crimes in office
➡️ The Republican-run Congress has decided Trump's the boss and they are mere spectators
Historically, tell a guy he's a god-king with no consequences and this is the result
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Any time Trump does something violent and/or stupid and blames the victim for his actions, I think of this essay by Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
She explains well the motivations of the perennial perpetrator.
www.meditationsinanemergency.com/the-she-made...
She explains well the motivations of the perennial perpetrator.
www.meditationsinanemergency.com/the-she-made...
The She Made Him Do It Theory of Everything
The rhetoric and logic of the abuse of power operates similarly at all scales, which is why I've found feminism such useful equipment for understanding authoritarians in public and political life. Bec...
www.meditationsinanemergency.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Any time Trump does something violent and/or stupid and blames the victim for his actions, I think of this essay by Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social
She explains well the motivations of the perennial perpetrator.
www.meditationsinanemergency.com/the-she-made...
She explains well the motivations of the perennial perpetrator.
www.meditationsinanemergency.com/the-she-made...
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Spoke to @snellarthur.bsky.social earlier on my Times Radio show about Venezuela
@listentotimesradio.bsky.social
@listentotimesradio.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Spoke to @snellarthur.bsky.social earlier on my Times Radio show about Venezuela
@listentotimesradio.bsky.social
@listentotimesradio.bsky.social
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Most of my subscribers follow me for pop culture. This weekend, specifically, they're waiting on my Top 10 TV of 2025 and Critics Choice Awards updates.
I wish those are what I was coming to you with today. Instead, I come with a plea.
www.picketywitch.com/we-stop-this...
I wish those are what I was coming to you with today. Instead, I come with a plea.
www.picketywitch.com/we-stop-this...
We Stop This Or It Gets Worse
Today, I offer no pop culture updates or lists. I come to you with a plea.
www.picketywitch.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Most of my subscribers follow me for pop culture. This weekend, specifically, they're waiting on my Top 10 TV of 2025 and Critics Choice Awards updates.
I wish those are what I was coming to you with today. Instead, I come with a plea.
www.picketywitch.com/we-stop-this...
I wish those are what I was coming to you with today. Instead, I come with a plea.
www.picketywitch.com/we-stop-this...
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Big congrats to the Nobel Committee for awarding the prize "for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy" just so she could immediately conspire with a foreign government to murder civilians on the high seas then invade and stage a coup.
I feel like the history of western imperialism is often like this, where there's an almost-plausible case for resource-grabbing, an almost plausible geopolitical explanation (first Caracas, then Havana), and a sort of liberal imperialist fig leaf to keep democrats from being too mad (the Nobel shit)
January 3, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Big congrats to the Nobel Committee for awarding the prize "for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy" just so she could immediately conspire with a foreign government to murder civilians on the high seas then invade and stage a coup.
Reposted by Mick Brooks
I know it, you know it; the whole world is a pile of shit right now. If you're like me - overloaded with crappy news - take 3hrs to divert your mind. Hang out with me tonight @wfmu.bsky.social Going live in about 40 minutes.
bsky.app/profile/obso...
bsky.app/profile/obso...
Electronic Beauty Noise Analog Improvisation Latin Body Movement Rhythm Science #Vinyl
Sat, Jan 3, 7-10pm(ET) @wfmu.bsky.social
STREAM ▶️ wfmu.org/playlists/sh...
Sat, Jan 3, 7-10pm(ET) @wfmu.bsky.social
STREAM ▶️ wfmu.org/playlists/sh...
January 3, 2026 at 11:20 PM
I know it, you know it; the whole world is a pile of shit right now. If you're like me - overloaded with crappy news - take 3hrs to divert your mind. Hang out with me tonight @wfmu.bsky.social Going live in about 40 minutes.
bsky.app/profile/obso...
bsky.app/profile/obso...
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Here is J.D. Vance's rationale for seizing Maduro. He says Trump "was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States." Very interesting, since the indictment says nothing whatever about oil, stolen or otherwise. /1
January 3, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Here is J.D. Vance's rationale for seizing Maduro. He says Trump "was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States." Very interesting, since the indictment says nothing whatever about oil, stolen or otherwise. /1
Reposted by Mick Brooks
No one is really in charge.
January 3, 2026 at 11:23 PM
No one is really in charge.
Reposted by Mick Brooks
The White House is now posting videos of them doing imperialism in Venezuela set to Creedence Clearwater Revival.
You may want to say “Who could’ve written this???”
Well, I did. It is quite literally the second verse to “devorah” by @ekkoastral.bsky.social.
You may want to say “Who could’ve written this???”
Well, I did. It is quite literally the second verse to “devorah” by @ekkoastral.bsky.social.
January 3, 2026 at 10:24 PM
The White House is now posting videos of them doing imperialism in Venezuela set to Creedence Clearwater Revival.
You may want to say “Who could’ve written this???”
Well, I did. It is quite literally the second verse to “devorah” by @ekkoastral.bsky.social.
You may want to say “Who could’ve written this???”
Well, I did. It is quite literally the second verse to “devorah” by @ekkoastral.bsky.social.
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Qatar's world cup venues were built by literal slaves
I think that if you're wondering if the US should have the World Cup stripped from them after kidnapping a head of state in an illegal military action you need to understand that it's increasingly autocratic regimes that organizations like FIFA prefer to do business
January 3, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Qatar's world cup venues were built by literal slaves
Reposted by Mick Brooks
A useful thing to know about me is whether you're paying big money for a uni course I'm teaching or $55 dollars on a year long exploration of 18th century literature with me, I put in the same amount of effort and research because my off-switch is missing. So, a bit of a steal really!
First up, I have a whole year course! 1 book a month. We're reading our way through the long-eighteenth century, concentrating entirely on women's writing.
The course is through the Regency academe and costs only $55 for non-members! For a whole year!
regencyfictionwriters.org/academe/12-b...
The course is through the Regency academe and costs only $55 for non-members! For a whole year!
regencyfictionwriters.org/academe/12-b...
12 Books Your Regency Heroine Should Read – Regency Fiction Writers
regencyfictionwriters.org
January 3, 2026 at 11:24 PM
A useful thing to know about me is whether you're paying big money for a uni course I'm teaching or $55 dollars on a year long exploration of 18th century literature with me, I put in the same amount of effort and research because my off-switch is missing. So, a bit of a steal really!
Reposted by Mick Brooks
“The dangerous thing here is the idea that a President can just decide that a leader is not legitimate & then invade the country… If that were the case, that’s the end of international law, that’s the end of the UN charter, that’s the end of any kind of legal limits on the use of force.”
So scary.
So scary.
The Brazen Illegality of Trump’s Venezuela Operation
A scholar of international law on the implications of the U.S. arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.
www.newyorker.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:10 PM
“The dangerous thing here is the idea that a President can just decide that a leader is not legitimate & then invade the country… If that were the case, that’s the end of international law, that’s the end of the UN charter, that’s the end of any kind of legal limits on the use of force.”
So scary.
So scary.
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Rachel Maddow is spot fucken on.
January 3, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Rachel Maddow is spot fucken on.
Reposted by Mick Brooks
Never let blatant fascism distract you from the real enemy: People who are against fascism.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
January 3, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Never let blatant fascism distract you from the real enemy: People who are against fascism.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...