Philip Nel
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philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel
@philnel.bsky.social
780 followers 590 following 710 posts

👨🏼‍🏫 Prof. he/him.
📚 Books on children's books & comics: https://philnel.com/writing/books/
📷 IG: thephilnel
🐘 Mastodon: @philnel@mastodon.green
🎵 Spotify: thephilnel
🐦 Twitter (deleted acct in 2022): @philnel

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Philip W. Nel is an American scholar of children's literature and University Distinguished Professor of English at Kansas State University. He is best known for his work on Dr. Seuss and Harry Potter, which has led to him being a guest on such media programs as CBS Sunday Morning, NPR's Morning Edition, Talk of the Nation, and CNN's Don Lemon Tonight. .. more

Art 33%
Communication & Media Studies 22%
Posts Replies Media Videos
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philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · Jul 26
1/2 ⬇️ This is an excellent idea & I am co-signing & invite my fellow academics to join me. Academia depends on a lot of unpaid labor. Withhold your labor from Columbia. ⬇️
jtlg.bsky.social James Grimmelmann @jtlg.bsky.social · Jul 25
In light of Columbia's capitulation to the Trump regime's illegal and extortionate demands, I have resolved not to write for Columbia publications, speak at Columbia events, or perform other free labor for a university that has repudated its values.

3d.laboratorium.net/2025-07-25-c...
Columbia’s Capitulation
Universities exist to promote the discovery, preservation, and transmission of knowledge. While they can help make to make a society virtuous, prosperous, and free, they do so by pursing their mission...
3d.laboratorium.net

Reposted by Elizabeth Saunders, Mark A. Lemley, Kevin J. Anchukaitis , and 26 more

paleofuture.bsky.social
Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 1d
Minnesota: "School officials say the [5-year-old] child was used as bait. They say [ICE] agents made little Liam knock on the door to ask to be let in in order to see if anyone else was home."

philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · 2d
The lethal consequences of mass-murderer/p*rnographer Elon Musk’s destruction of USAID.
melissasweetdr.bsky.social Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2d
"To date, 757,314 people – the majority children – have died from the funding cuts, according to ImpactCounter, which tracks the effect of USAID cuts via sophisticated modelling tools. That is 88 deaths every hour."
melissasweetdr.bsky.social Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2d
One Year Later: The Effect of US 'Chainsaw' on Global Health healthpolicy-watch.news/the-human-co...

philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · 2d
In 1999, the notion of a US war with Canada was absurd enough to feature in the South Park movie. In 2026, Canada is preparing for an actual war. #ImpeachTrumpNOW
emilylhauser.bsky.social Emily L. Hauser (she/her) ❌👑 @emilylhauser.bsky.social · 2d
"The Canadian Armed Forces have modelled a hypothetical US invasion of Canada & the country’s potential response.... The military envisions unconventional warfare in which small groups of irregular military or armed civilians would resort to ambushes, sabotage, drone warfare or hit-&-run tactics."
Military models Canadian response to hypothetical American invasion
Armed Forces envision insurgency tactics like those used by Afghan mujahedeen, sources say. But officials and experts stress a U.S. operation is unlikely, and the scenarios are conceptual
www.theglobeandmail.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

emilylhauser.bsky.social
Emily L. Hauser (she/her) ❌👑 @emilylhauser.bsky.social · 2d
"The Canadian Armed Forces have modelled a hypothetical US invasion of Canada & the country’s potential response.... The military envisions unconventional warfare in which small groups of irregular military or armed civilians would resort to ambushes, sabotage, drone warfare or hit-&-run tactics."
Military models Canadian response to hypothetical American invasion
Armed Forces envision insurgency tactics like those used by Afghan mujahedeen, sources say. But officials and experts stress a U.S. operation is unlikely, and the scenarios are conceptual
www.theglobeandmail.com

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Michael A. Clemens, Mark D. White , and 1 more

hunterw.bsky.social
Hunter Walker @hunterw.bsky.social · 2d
So far, I am only seeing TPM, Mediaite, and Daily Beast focusing on this.

We live in a world where the president calling an ethnic group "very low IQ" and "bad for our country" while insisting they "ought to get the hell out of here" barely makes headlines. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-m...
Trump Marks First Year In Office With Unhinged Racist Rant Targeting ‘Very Low IQ’ Somalis
President Donald Trump spent the first anniversary of his second term on...
talkingpointsmemo.com

Reposted by Philip Nel, Jason Lyall

melissasweetdr.bsky.social
Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · 2d
"To date, 757,314 people – the majority children – have died from the funding cuts, according to ImpactCounter, which tracks the effect of USAID cuts via sophisticated modelling tools. That is 88 deaths every hour."

Reposted by Philip Nel, Mary L. Dudziak

strictlychristo.bsky.social
StrictlyChristo 🇺🇦🌻🚫👑 @strictlychristo.bsky.social · 2d
"No Kings" in bright lights above the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
"No kings" above the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

Reposted by Philip Nel

stevenbeschloss.bsky.social
Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 2d
In a sign of how untethered from reality members of Trump’s cabinet are, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went on CNBC to support Trump’s Greenland push and assert this proudly: “The U.S. is back, and this is what U.S. leadership looks like.”

www.americaamerica.news/p/snapshot-t...
Snapshot: The Deranged Escalation of Conflict
In a sane world, Trump's letter to Norway would be the final straw, convincing responsible leaders to invoke the 25th Amendment. Instead, we can expect more madness ahead.
www.americaamerica.news

Reposted by Philip Nel

leahmcelrath.bsky.social
Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 2d
If you read or share only one article today, make it this:

HOW TRUMP HAS POCKETED $1,408,500,000

(Historically, one thing that has helped bring down authoritarians is public awareness of their use of the power of the office for self-enrichment.)

Gift link:
Opinion | How Trump Has Used the Presidency to Make at Least $1.4 Billion (Gift Article)
The president took an oath to serve the American people. Instead, he’s focused his second term on enriching himself and his family.
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

bcdreyer.social
Benjamin Dreyer @bcdreyer.social · 2d
This is kinda like the difference between "Surrender Dorothy" and "Surrender, Dorothy," isn't it.
"This is sell America," reads the headline.

Reposted by Philip Nel

johnmoe.bsky.social
John Moe @johnmoe.bsky.social · 2d
A small note: terrible things are happening in Minneapolis. But also in Saint Paul. And in the suburbs. And though most of the push is in the metro, things are happening all over the state.

I've been trying to refer to the events as happening in the Twin Cities or in Minnesota.

Reposted by Philip Nel

chanda.blacksky.app
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 2d
Meanwhile the front runner for the senate race in Maine is … talking about how fucked up ICE is and helping connect people with resources www.instagram.com/p/DTlgRppklM...

Reposted by Steve Peers, Philip Nel, Molly Scott Cato , and 4 more

carlquintanilla.bsky.social
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 2d
CARNEY: “.. You cannot live within the lie of mutual benefit through integration when integration becomes the source of your subordination.” 🔥
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d
Carney: "American hegemony in particular helped provide public goods, a stable financial system... this bargain no longer works. Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition... recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as a weapon. Tariffs as leverage ... "

Reposted by Anne Applebaum, Daniela Gabor, Matthew Bunn , and 25 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d
Carney: "American hegemony in particular helped provide public goods, a stable financial system... this bargain no longer works. Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition... recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as a weapon. Tariffs as leverage ... "

Reposted by Philip Nel

followthelede.bsky.social
Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 3d
"The Catholic archbishop of the U.S. military services said it “would be morally acceptable to disobey” orders if troops considered them against their conscience"
wapo.st/45kMRJz
‘Morally acceptable’ for U.S. troops to disobey orders, archbishop says
Timothy P. Broglio, a Vatican senior cleric, expressed concern at President Donald Trump’s U.S. military policy as he pursues Greenland.
wapo.st

Reposted by Philip Nel, Fabián Muniesa, Dunlap

nbcnews.com
NBC News @nbcnews.com · 3d
A third immigrant detainee at facility in El Paso has died, ICE says.
Third immigrant detainee at facility in El Paso has died, ICE says
Camp East Montana on Fort Bliss in El Paso is one of the largest ICE detention centers in the country.
nbcnews.to

Reposted by Marc Lynch, Brendan Nyhan, Nicole Dubilier , and 13 more

vanhollen.senate.gov
Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · 3d
This is pure, unabashed bigotry.

If a politician said this about any other faith, they would rightfully be run out of their party.

But this kind of despicable anti-Muslim rhetoric is so normalized that a sitting Senator uses it without consequence.

A stain on our Congress.

Reposted by Philip Nel, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

rgoodlaw.bsky.social
Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 4d
Local news Fox9 reports:

ICE detains Minnesota city worker, a snow plow driver, and transfers him to detention facility in Texas. Where he remains.

"He had every federal authorization to be here," public works director in interview.

hat tip: @longtimehistory.bsky.social

Reposted by Marc Lynch, Lisa W. Fazio, Ben H. Ansell , and 22 more

polgreen.bsky.social
Lydia Polgreen @polgreen.bsky.social · 4d
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
Opinion | In Minneapolis, I Glimpsed a Civil War
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

anniekp.bsky.social
Annie Strike Friday 1/23 @anniekp.bsky.social · 5d
Along with 600 other Minnesotans, I sang and marched today near and on Lake street with the Minneapolis singing resistance choir. It was beautiful and bittersweet as we marked places our neighbors have been abducted.

Reposted by Philip Nel

nishb.bsky.social
🌀Blue Crone @nishb.bsky.social · 7d
thanedar.house.gov/media/press-...
Congressman Shri Thanedar to Introduce Abolish ICE Act | U.S. Congressman Shri Thanedar
The Official U.S. Congressional website of Congressman Shri Thanedar
thanedar.house.gov

Reposted by Philip Nel, Olivier Mannoni

mollyjongfast.bsky.social
Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 7d
Abolish Ice should be a centrist position

philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · 7d
It’s time to CHUCK Schumer. He is unfit to lead. Leaving him in leadership is an ongoing indictment of the Democratic Party. He & others who pretend this is all business as usual are why I delete & block every single Democratic fundraising email and text. Every. Single. One.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 7d
Schumer as a major American metro is being brutally occupied by Trump goons: "The affordability crisis will be our focus throughout 2026 because that's what the American people are demanding"

philnel.bsky.social
Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · 7d
Abolish ICE. Period. It is an unregulated paramilitary terrorist group. It cannot be reformed. Take a stand for the Constitution and the rule of law.

Reposted by Kim L. Scheppele, Philip Nel

sarahkendzior.bsky.social
Sarah Kendzior @sarahkendzior.bsky.social · 7d
New article! On life, death, and the rampage of ICE.
sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/a-shining-...
A Shining Mausoleum on a Hill
Life, death, and the rampage of ICE.
sarahkendzior.substack.com

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Steve Peers, Rosemary A. Joyce , and 5 more

ziibiing.com
ashley fairbanks @ziibiing.com · 7d
crazy that the website that I randomly decided to put together at 10AM yesterday has had over 25k unique visitors in 24 hours.

please keep sharing with your networks.
Stand With Minnesota
A directory of places to give to as Minnesota defends itself from ICE occupation
www.standwithminnesota.com

Reposted by Philip Nel

whstancil.bsky.social
Will Stancil @whstancil.bsky.social · 7d
There are 600 Minneapolis police officers. There are 3000 federal thugs in the Twin Cities.

There are probably 5000 people plugged into one of the nested rapid response networks FOR MY NEIGHBORHOOD ALONE. Across the region, the number is probably 50,000.

THAT'S how you beat them. Build that.

Reposted by Philip Nel, Alan Richardson, David R. Miller , and 4 more

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 7d
Schumer as a major American metro is being brutally occupied by Trump goons: "The affordability crisis will be our focus throughout 2026 because that's what the American people are demanding"

Reposted by Philip Nel

altnoaa.bsky.social
altNOAA 🇺🇸 @altnoaa.bsky.social · 9d
Courts have authority to end this. Judges should be ready with a pen when an ice operation starts in their city. There were enough constitutional violations within the first few hours to shut this down and Renee Good would still be alive. If they do so today, someone tomorrow might live. Demand it.

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Philip Nel, Jacob T. Levy

dennislytton.bsky.social
Dennis Lytton @dennislytton.bsky.social · 9d
I have young kids like this author in Minneapolis—I'm so gutted reading this

But despite being occupied by a massive force of DHS paramilitaries, civil society is alive and meeting the threat. We will owe our freedom to the people of MSP, thank you!

@taylorcarik.bsky.social @liberalcurrents.com
So, How’s the Occupation Going for You?
What’s it like to live in America with a domestic military occupation? Minnesota has the answer.
www.liberalcurrents.com