Peter Howitt
@peterhowitt.bsky.social
AI optimist (Iain M Banks / James Lovelock variety). Full time lawyer, part-time poet and fumbling philosopher - "That is not what I meant, at all.”
https://compossible.blog/
https://compossible.blog/
Pinned
Peter Howitt
@peterhowitt.bsky.social
· Nov 19
🧵Portrait of a poem:
for me it usually starts with some half forgotten feeling that's monkeying around in my subconscious. In this case, a feeling of beauty & the grief of my wife during a piano concert by Joep Beving. I didn't have the exact line to start (sometimes I get given that to work with)
for me it usually starts with some half forgotten feeling that's monkeying around in my subconscious. In this case, a feeling of beauty & the grief of my wife during a piano concert by Joep Beving. I didn't have the exact line to start (sometimes I get given that to work with)
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Well how very convenient that Kushner got a loan from Qatar and that just happens to be the same country Trump opened an account for the Venezuelan oil.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022...
Top senator seeks answers over Qatar link to $1.2bn Kushner property rescue
Senate finance panel chair sends detailed questions to financial firm on deal for property owned by then White House aide’s family
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Well how very convenient that Kushner got a loan from Qatar and that just happens to be the same country Trump opened an account for the Venezuelan oil.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022...
Honestly these fucking people, we have a paedophile racist rapist gangster in his second term of office breaking every ethical and actual law known to humankind. They have corrupted every element of the State including the courts.. and Obama neo liberal says the courts will save us. Get real FFS.
"Unlike other authoritarians... where they went slowly... Trump went too fast."
Former Obama official @normeisen.bsky.social tells @johnjharwood.bsky.social why he believes Trump won’t be able to get away with defying orders from the Supreme Court.
Watch the discussion: zeteo.com/p/norm-eisen...
Former Obama official @normeisen.bsky.social tells @johnjharwood.bsky.social why he believes Trump won’t be able to get away with defying orders from the Supreme Court.
Watch the discussion: zeteo.com/p/norm-eisen...
February 12, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Honestly these fucking people, we have a paedophile racist rapist gangster in his second term of office breaking every ethical and actual law known to humankind. They have corrupted every element of the State including the courts.. and Obama neo liberal says the courts will save us. Get real FFS.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
ICE operations increasingly resemble Israeli occupation. That’s no coincidence
U.S. immigration enforcement has long cultivated ties with Israel. Now it adapts algorithmic surveillance tactics from Gaza for use on American streets.
www.972mag.com/ice-immigrat...
U.S. immigration enforcement has long cultivated ties with Israel. Now it adapts algorithmic surveillance tactics from Gaza for use on American streets.
www.972mag.com/ice-immigrat...
ICE operations increasingly resemble Israeli occupation. That’s no coincidence
U.S. immigration enforcement has long cultivated ties with Israel. Now it adapts algorithmic surveillance tactics from Gaza for use on American streets.
www.972mag.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:13 PM
ICE operations increasingly resemble Israeli occupation. That’s no coincidence
U.S. immigration enforcement has long cultivated ties with Israel. Now it adapts algorithmic surveillance tactics from Gaza for use on American streets.
www.972mag.com/ice-immigrat...
U.S. immigration enforcement has long cultivated ties with Israel. Now it adapts algorithmic surveillance tactics from Gaza for use on American streets.
www.972mag.com/ice-immigrat...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
By moving to the “center,” Democrats have failed to fight the forces that led us to Trump: widening inequality and the unchecked power of billionaires.
There's no "center" anymore between a takeover of the government by oligarchs and true freedom.
Dems need to learn this.
There's no "center" anymore between a takeover of the government by oligarchs and true freedom.
Dems need to learn this.
February 12, 2026 at 8:30 PM
By moving to the “center,” Democrats have failed to fight the forces that led us to Trump: widening inequality and the unchecked power of billionaires.
There's no "center" anymore between a takeover of the government by oligarchs and true freedom.
Dems need to learn this.
There's no "center" anymore between a takeover of the government by oligarchs and true freedom.
Dems need to learn this.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Depressing stuff but recommended reading
Mehr Details auch noch hier. Es ist ein antidemokratisches Programm, weil es demokratische Institutionen entmachten soll. Wirtschaftsvertreter geben bisweilen direkt ihre Wunschlisten durch. Mit Merz steht D im Abseits eines Europas, das geeint handeln müsste/will. Daher die Distanz zu Macron.
February 12, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Depressing stuff but recommended reading
Reposted by Peter Howitt
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:23 PM
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Pointing out antisemitism on the left is one of the most annoying experiences one can have on Bluesky, not only do you get actual antisemites in your replies but also other leftists who are reflexively defensive and who bristle at the slightest critique.
February 11, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Pointing out antisemitism on the left is one of the most annoying experiences one can have on Bluesky, not only do you get actual antisemites in your replies but also other leftists who are reflexively defensive and who bristle at the slightest critique.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Donald Trump isn’t going unchallenged — at least by us.
ash.harvard.edu/programs/cro...
@chenoweth.bsky.social
ash.harvard.edu/programs/cro...
@chenoweth.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Donald Trump isn’t going unchallenged — at least by us.
ash.harvard.edu/programs/cro...
@chenoweth.bsky.social
ash.harvard.edu/programs/cro...
@chenoweth.bsky.social
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Ukrainian drones have hit a Russian oil refinery in a record breaking long-distance strike, according to Ukrainian military sources.
The Ukhta oil refinery in Russia that was hit is around 1,750 kilometers from the Ukrainian-Russian border.
The Ukhta oil refinery in Russia that was hit is around 1,750 kilometers from the Ukrainian-Russian border.
Ukrainian drones achieve ‘record’ long-distance strike on Russia
Ukraine says the facility produces fuel for Russia’s armed forces.
tvpworld.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Ukrainian drones have hit a Russian oil refinery in a record breaking long-distance strike, according to Ukrainian military sources.
The Ukhta oil refinery in Russia that was hit is around 1,750 kilometers from the Ukrainian-Russian border.
The Ukhta oil refinery in Russia that was hit is around 1,750 kilometers from the Ukrainian-Russian border.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
💥Dramatic turn in Hungary’s election race: Orbán rival Péter Magyar says that in 2024 his ex-girlfriend set a honey trap to secretly record them having sex—footage he claims Orbán’s camp plans to publish to ruin and blackmail him.
Magyar currently holds a big lead in the polls. Election in 59 days.
Magyar currently holds a big lead in the polls. Election in 59 days.
February 12, 2026 at 6:16 PM
💥Dramatic turn in Hungary’s election race: Orbán rival Péter Magyar says that in 2024 his ex-girlfriend set a honey trap to secretly record them having sex—footage he claims Orbán’s camp plans to publish to ruin and blackmail him.
Magyar currently holds a big lead in the polls. Election in 59 days.
Magyar currently holds a big lead in the polls. Election in 59 days.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Just sent out this free piece. For two weeks now we have heard senior European policy makers speak lies. Europe cannot defend itself without the USA, the USA under Trump it committed to NATO, Europe is too weak. It is a generation of failure justifying its mistakes. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The Worst Argument Possible
Of course Europe can defend itself, indeed it should.
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Just sent out this free piece. For two weeks now we have heard senior European policy makers speak lies. Europe cannot defend itself without the USA, the USA under Trump it committed to NATO, Europe is too weak. It is a generation of failure justifying its mistakes. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
BREAKING
Judge Boasberg ORDERS the Trump admin to facilitate the return of the more than 100 men spirited out of the country last year without notice or a hearing.
Plaintiffs may also submit habeas petitions from abroad, he says.
Doc buff.ly/rccakD7
Judge Boasberg ORDERS the Trump admin to facilitate the return of the more than 100 men spirited out of the country last year without notice or a hearing.
Plaintiffs may also submit habeas petitions from abroad, he says.
Doc buff.ly/rccakD7
February 12, 2026 at 4:04 PM
BREAKING
Judge Boasberg ORDERS the Trump admin to facilitate the return of the more than 100 men spirited out of the country last year without notice or a hearing.
Plaintiffs may also submit habeas petitions from abroad, he says.
Doc buff.ly/rccakD7
Judge Boasberg ORDERS the Trump admin to facilitate the return of the more than 100 men spirited out of the country last year without notice or a hearing.
Plaintiffs may also submit habeas petitions from abroad, he says.
Doc buff.ly/rccakD7
Reposted by Peter Howitt
To confront Israeli fascism, we need a new Jewish-Arab party
I have seen firsthand the limitations of existing Arab parties. If we want to bring about real change in this land, an entirely new political model is required.
By Dr. Basheer Karkabi.
www.972mag.com/jewish-arab-...
I have seen firsthand the limitations of existing Arab parties. If we want to bring about real change in this land, an entirely new political model is required.
By Dr. Basheer Karkabi.
www.972mag.com/jewish-arab-...
To confront Israeli fascism, we need a new Jewish-Arab party
I have seen firsthand the limitations of existing Arab parties. If we want to bring about real change in this land, an entirely new political model is required.
www.972mag.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:51 PM
To confront Israeli fascism, we need a new Jewish-Arab party
I have seen firsthand the limitations of existing Arab parties. If we want to bring about real change in this land, an entirely new political model is required.
By Dr. Basheer Karkabi.
www.972mag.com/jewish-arab-...
I have seen firsthand the limitations of existing Arab parties. If we want to bring about real change in this land, an entirely new political model is required.
By Dr. Basheer Karkabi.
www.972mag.com/jewish-arab-...
One of my favourite EPs - from Sufjan. Great songs - perhaps my favourite is the 17 minute epic to his sister Djohariah which only gets going after 8 mins:
"For the mother is, the mother is the glorious victorious
The mother of the heart of the world" indeed!
"For the mother is, the mother is the glorious victorious
The mother of the heart of the world" indeed!
All Delighted People
open.spotify.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:51 PM
One of my favourite EPs - from Sufjan. Great songs - perhaps my favourite is the 17 minute epic to his sister Djohariah which only gets going after 8 mins:
"For the mother is, the mother is the glorious victorious
The mother of the heart of the world" indeed!
"For the mother is, the mother is the glorious victorious
The mother of the heart of the world" indeed!
Reposted by Peter Howitt
You don't need to wonder any longer!
July 28, 2025 at 11:35 PM
You don't need to wonder any longer!
"If parasitic billionaires like Jim Ratcliffe paid what they owe – and politicians weren’t in their pockets – our NHS, schools and public services wouldn’t be on their knees.
It is textbook divide and rule. The real enemy of the working class travels by private jet, not migrant dinghy."
It is textbook divide and rule. The real enemy of the working class travels by private jet, not migrant dinghy."
Jim Ratcliffe sorry his ‘choice of language offended some people’ after saying UK colonised by immigrants – politics live
Manchester United owner responds to criticism by saying: ‘It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK’
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:44 PM
"If parasitic billionaires like Jim Ratcliffe paid what they owe – and politicians weren’t in their pockets – our NHS, schools and public services wouldn’t be on their knees.
It is textbook divide and rule. The real enemy of the working class travels by private jet, not migrant dinghy."
It is textbook divide and rule. The real enemy of the working class travels by private jet, not migrant dinghy."
"There are no words in the English language that capture the horror of what happened,” said provincial lawmaker Larry Neufeld."
‘No words that capture the horror’: small Canada town shattered by mass school shooting
Remote coalmining community of Tumbler Ridge struggles to make sense of attack that has left Canada in shock
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 PM
"There are no words in the English language that capture the horror of what happened,” said provincial lawmaker Larry Neufeld."
Reposted by Peter Howitt
🇦🇺🇵🇸 Be At The Right Side Of History
No more illusions: people everywhere are waking up to the harsh reality of what Israel really is.....👏👏👏👏👏
February 12, 2026 at 8:30 AM
🇦🇺🇵🇸 Be At The Right Side Of History
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Every so often I come across a fairly simple reported story that perfectly illustrates a big and *pervasive* reality that is fundamental to understanding how the world works, but rarely made explicit: giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Dassault Aviation: the defence group blocking the €100bn Franco-German jet project
The fate of FCAS hangs on whether French President Emmanuel Macron can get the contractor to bend
giftarticle.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Every so often I come across a fairly simple reported story that perfectly illustrates a big and *pervasive* reality that is fundamental to understanding how the world works, but rarely made explicit: giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Peter Howitt
AOC to @premthakker.bsky.social: Pam Bondi was behaving so erratically at a hearing today because she knows she’s implicated in a cover-up to protect a pedophile ring by redacting perpetrators’ names, withholding files, and unexplainably transferring Ghislaine Maxwell to a cushy facility.
February 12, 2026 at 1:00 AM
AOC to @premthakker.bsky.social: Pam Bondi was behaving so erratically at a hearing today because she knows she’s implicated in a cover-up to protect a pedophile ring by redacting perpetrators’ names, withholding files, and unexplainably transferring Ghislaine Maxwell to a cushy facility.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Hundreds of #JewsAgainstICE protested outside ICE headquarters in DC today.
We won’t stand idly by while they abduct our neighbors.
Thanks @truahrabbis.bsky.social @bendthearc.bsky.social (and rabbis & cantors & lay leaders from pretty much every synagogue, youth group & summer camp I’ve gone to)
We won’t stand idly by while they abduct our neighbors.
Thanks @truahrabbis.bsky.social @bendthearc.bsky.social (and rabbis & cantors & lay leaders from pretty much every synagogue, youth group & summer camp I’ve gone to)
February 11, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Hundreds of #JewsAgainstICE protested outside ICE headquarters in DC today.
We won’t stand idly by while they abduct our neighbors.
Thanks @truahrabbis.bsky.social @bendthearc.bsky.social (and rabbis & cantors & lay leaders from pretty much every synagogue, youth group & summer camp I’ve gone to)
We won’t stand idly by while they abduct our neighbors.
Thanks @truahrabbis.bsky.social @bendthearc.bsky.social (and rabbis & cantors & lay leaders from pretty much every synagogue, youth group & summer camp I’ve gone to)
Reposted by Peter Howitt
"Nigel Farage heckled at launch of Reform Jewish group"
As is right and proper when faced with a fascist.
As is right and proper when faced with a fascist.
Nigel Farage heckled at launch of Reform Jewish group
Jewish activists interrupt speech at synagogue and accuse party of paving way for persecution of other minorities
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:06 PM
"Nigel Farage heckled at launch of Reform Jewish group"
As is right and proper when faced with a fascist.
As is right and proper when faced with a fascist.
Reposted by Peter Howitt
Goldman: "Will the survivors and victims who are here please stand up one more time. By show of hands, how many of you or your loved ones actually have met with the DOJ? None ... How many of you were ignored by the DOJ? All of them." (Bondi responds by smearing Goldman.)
February 11, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Goldman: "Will the survivors and victims who are here please stand up one more time. By show of hands, how many of you or your loved ones actually have met with the DOJ? None ... How many of you were ignored by the DOJ? All of them." (Bondi responds by smearing Goldman.)
Reposted by Peter Howitt
You can joke about Pam Bondi’s ridiculous unprofessionalism all you want, but I’m deeply shocked by it: She acts as if she fears absolutely no consequences, convinced that there will be no more political power transfers. — This should shake everyone to their core.
February 11, 2026 at 5:48 PM
You can joke about Pam Bondi’s ridiculous unprofessionalism all you want, but I’m deeply shocked by it: She acts as if she fears absolutely no consequences, convinced that there will be no more political power transfers. — This should shake everyone to their core.