jess banks
@profbanks.bsky.social
Hypercompetent polyglot know-it-all. Unrepentant SJW troublemaker. Neuroqueer teacher, mom, partner, Official Auntie, best friend, co-conspirator. An American in Aotearoa New Zealand. Always noncompliant. She/her/elle/ia
Reposted by jess banks
Thousands of institutions abandoned programs, ended or rewrote scholarships, closed down clubs and publications, all in pre-emptive compliance.
And you know why?
Mostly because they wanted to do it if they thought they could blame someone else for it.
And you know why?
Mostly because they wanted to do it if they thought they could blame someone else for it.
February 18, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Thousands of institutions abandoned programs, ended or rewrote scholarships, closed down clubs and publications, all in pre-emptive compliance.
And you know why?
Mostly because they wanted to do it if they thought they could blame someone else for it.
And you know why?
Mostly because they wanted to do it if they thought they could blame someone else for it.
Reposted by jess banks
Holy shit.
A lot of people have suggested this, but I don’t think Lieu would make the allegation unless he had seen some evidence.
A lot of people have suggested this, but I don’t think Lieu would make the allegation unless he had seen some evidence.
February 18, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Holy shit.
A lot of people have suggested this, but I don’t think Lieu would make the allegation unless he had seen some evidence.
A lot of people have suggested this, but I don’t think Lieu would make the allegation unless he had seen some evidence.
Reposted by jess banks
I just mixed leftover dirty rice with leftover chana masala, and this is a really good invention.
February 19, 2026 at 12:34 AM
I just mixed leftover dirty rice with leftover chana masala, and this is a really good invention.
Reposted by jess banks
1. DHS surges 3,000 officers to Minneapolis without doing anywhere near enough prep first.
2. Hundreds of habeas cases overwhelm local courts.
3. Dozens of DOJ lawyers quit in disgust/anger.
4. The DOJ brings in JAGs to cover.
5. A JAG was just held in contempt and fined $500/day for ICE's failures.
2. Hundreds of habeas cases overwhelm local courts.
3. Dozens of DOJ lawyers quit in disgust/anger.
4. The DOJ brings in JAGs to cover.
5. A JAG was just held in contempt and fined $500/day for ICE's failures.
February 18, 2026 at 11:09 PM
1. DHS surges 3,000 officers to Minneapolis without doing anywhere near enough prep first.
2. Hundreds of habeas cases overwhelm local courts.
3. Dozens of DOJ lawyers quit in disgust/anger.
4. The DOJ brings in JAGs to cover.
5. A JAG was just held in contempt and fined $500/day for ICE's failures.
2. Hundreds of habeas cases overwhelm local courts.
3. Dozens of DOJ lawyers quit in disgust/anger.
4. The DOJ brings in JAGs to cover.
5. A JAG was just held in contempt and fined $500/day for ICE's failures.
Reposted by jess banks
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
February 17, 2026 at 3:17 PM
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
It’s really hard not having a job right now. I feel like if I’m not banging away at school work of some kind, I’m not doing anything worthwhile. I wish I could tear out the belief that I’m only worth what I can do.
February 18, 2026 at 2:56 AM
It’s really hard not having a job right now. I feel like if I’m not banging away at school work of some kind, I’m not doing anything worthwhile. I wish I could tear out the belief that I’m only worth what I can do.
Reposted by jess banks
The actress Michelle Williams reads Britney Spears autobiography and let me tell you..she should have won a Grammy for her impersonation of Justin Timberlake impersonating a Black dude.
It also gives people with reading disabilities access to rich text that they may not otherwise be able to access. And everyone that dosage disagrees needs to listen to Kate Winslet read “Matilda.”
February 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
The actress Michelle Williams reads Britney Spears autobiography and let me tell you..she should have won a Grammy for her impersonation of Justin Timberlake impersonating a Black dude.
Reposted by jess banks
from the perspective of someone who might want to be president, the best time to run for the white house is now, not later. so if AOC is thinking about it — if the white house is her ambition — then her best bet is to throw her hat in the ring
You Know What? Maybe the Time Is Right for an AOC Presidential Bid
She’s only 36, and there’s a good argument that she should run for Senate and bide her time. But she also could be a formidable White House candidate.
newrepublic.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:13 PM
from the perspective of someone who might want to be president, the best time to run for the white house is now, not later. so if AOC is thinking about it — if the white house is her ambition — then her best bet is to throw her hat in the ring
There are some really dirty mixes of street and festival drugs out there right now in AoNZ, and ODs are picking up at an alarming rate. #kikorangi folks, please spread this far and wide, even if you think you don’t know anyone who’d be at risk. www.highalert.org.nz/alerts-and-n...
www.highalert.org.nz
February 16, 2026 at 8:58 PM
There are some really dirty mixes of street and festival drugs out there right now in AoNZ, and ODs are picking up at an alarming rate. #kikorangi folks, please spread this far and wide, even if you think you don’t know anyone who’d be at risk. www.highalert.org.nz/alerts-and-n...
Reposted by jess banks
hey #StarWars fans.. we are in pre production on the series final of our surprisingly popular webseries #ForTheEmpire. (over 70 million views!!!!)
You can help us finish our story by joining our mailing list at the link below.
#NoAI
#100%HumanMade
You can help us finish our story by joining our mailing list at the link below.
#NoAI
#100%HumanMade
Also - We are coming to the end of the series. We are not far away from launching our kickstarter to fund an epic 90+ minute series finale where we tie up loose ends, give jokes their punchlines and give our 3 heroes their closure.
Sign up below to get notified how you can help get us funded.
Sign up below to get notified how you can help get us funded.
Get Ready for For the Empire – The Final Episode
From Epically Casual - Get Ready for For the Empire – The Final Episode
www.backerkit.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:00 AM
hey #StarWars fans.. we are in pre production on the series final of our surprisingly popular webseries #ForTheEmpire. (over 70 million views!!!!)
You can help us finish our story by joining our mailing list at the link below.
#NoAI
#100%HumanMade
You can help us finish our story by joining our mailing list at the link below.
#NoAI
#100%HumanMade
Reposted by jess banks
Let me tell you a tale of how completely the normies have been mobilized. My 14 year-old niece has done School of Rock for the past 5 years; last summer she was part of their touring band, and the kids loved playing together so much that they decided to keep doing it. (1/?)
February 16, 2026 at 12:45 AM
Let me tell you a tale of how completely the normies have been mobilized. My 14 year-old niece has done School of Rock for the past 5 years; last summer she was part of their touring band, and the kids loved playing together so much that they decided to keep doing it. (1/?)
Reposted by jess banks
Reposted by jess banks
Last chance to vote for your #BugOfTheYear! Voting closes at midnight tonight. www.bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz
February 16, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Last chance to vote for your #BugOfTheYear! Voting closes at midnight tonight. www.bugoftheyear.ento.org.nz
Reposted by jess banks
the Black Panthers were right
February 15, 2026 at 5:47 PM
the Black Panthers were right
Reposted by jess banks
I’ve seen the critique that making these hats isn’t “doing anything” but I’d say raising 3/4s of a million for their local food shelf and rent assistance org seems like doing a lot.
There were only three left in the basket at Needle & Skein until the knitters fill it up again, but I snagged one! The total raised is now over $750,000.
February 15, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I’ve seen the critique that making these hats isn’t “doing anything” but I’d say raising 3/4s of a million for their local food shelf and rent assistance org seems like doing a lot.
Reposted by jess banks
between this and Mamdani's talk of welcoming the stranger, we're getting a lot of valentines to humanity today. 🥰
with alt text, because everyone needs to be able to read this 😭
February 15, 2026 at 8:18 PM
between this and Mamdani's talk of welcoming the stranger, we're getting a lot of valentines to humanity today. 🥰
Reposted by jess banks
This morning in (heart)breaking news:
New Zealand: Multiple states of emergency, right now
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon: State of Origin footy match, 2027 🎉
NZ: Wellington cut off, digging out from huge storm
PM: Yeah gidday from Auckland, it’s raining here too ☂️
NZ: Help?
Luxon: Catch! 🏈
New Zealand: Multiple states of emergency, right now
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon: State of Origin footy match, 2027 🎉
NZ: Wellington cut off, digging out from huge storm
PM: Yeah gidday from Auckland, it’s raining here too ☂️
NZ: Help?
Luxon: Catch! 🏈
February 15, 2026 at 7:40 PM
This morning in (heart)breaking news:
New Zealand: Multiple states of emergency, right now
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon: State of Origin footy match, 2027 🎉
NZ: Wellington cut off, digging out from huge storm
PM: Yeah gidday from Auckland, it’s raining here too ☂️
NZ: Help?
Luxon: Catch! 🏈
New Zealand: Multiple states of emergency, right now
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon: State of Origin footy match, 2027 🎉
NZ: Wellington cut off, digging out from huge storm
PM: Yeah gidday from Auckland, it’s raining here too ☂️
NZ: Help?
Luxon: Catch! 🏈
Okay, #romancelandia and Bluesky friends, give me your top-shelf fanfic recs for smutty smutty smut. I prefer M/F, F/F, and poly queer romances.
February 15, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Okay, #romancelandia and Bluesky friends, give me your top-shelf fanfic recs for smutty smutty smut. I prefer M/F, F/F, and poly queer romances.
Reposted by jess banks
A judge ruled that groups representing residents of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley can proceed with their landmark lawsuit seeking a pause on toxic industrial plants in two majority‑Black districts
Black Residents Win Key Ruling in ‘Cancer Alley’ Environmental Racism Case
The lawsuit could force a jury to decide if turning Black communities into sacrifice zones is a legacy of slavery.
capitalbnews.org
February 15, 2026 at 7:21 PM
A judge ruled that groups representing residents of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley can proceed with their landmark lawsuit seeking a pause on toxic industrial plants in two majority‑Black districts
Reposted by jess banks
"I’ve wanted Marc Elias to be wrong for seven years, or six years, for as long as he’s been coming on my show. I have wanted his warnings to be wrong, but every single one of them has been either affirmed or prescient."--Nicolle Wallace. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/its-...
It’s not too late for states and Congress to stop Trump from subverting the midterms
With only nine months before the midterm elections, Trump is plotting to prevent Democrats from taking control of Congress.
www.democracydocket.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:11 PM
"I’ve wanted Marc Elias to be wrong for seven years, or six years, for as long as he’s been coming on my show. I have wanted his warnings to be wrong, but every single one of them has been either affirmed or prescient."--Nicolle Wallace. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/its-...
Reposted by jess banks
"Tthousands of federal immigration officers sent to Minnesota in the wake of the controversial fraud investigation by MAGAt Nick Shirley" He should be charged with murder 😡
Trump adviser admits citizen revolt spurred admin to change course from 'quagmire': report
www.rawstory.com/ice-26752709...
Trump adviser admits citizen revolt spurred admin to change course from 'quagmire': report
www.rawstory.com/ice-26752709...
Trump adviser admits citizen revolt spurred admin to change course from 'quagmire': report
The ongoing fierce resistance to the surge of federal immigration officers in Minnesota is striking real fear in the Trump administration, one adviser to President Donald Trump revealed Sunday, so muc...
www.rawstory.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:58 PM
"Tthousands of federal immigration officers sent to Minnesota in the wake of the controversial fraud investigation by MAGAt Nick Shirley" He should be charged with murder 😡
Trump adviser admits citizen revolt spurred admin to change course from 'quagmire': report
www.rawstory.com/ice-26752709...
Trump adviser admits citizen revolt spurred admin to change course from 'quagmire': report
www.rawstory.com/ice-26752709...
Reposted by jess banks
Rep Angie Craig voted for the Laken Riley Act, which gave DHS broad authority to arrest, detain, and deport undocumented people for having committed crimes. This has greatly contributed to the excesses of ICE and CBP in Minnesota and elsewhere.
Rep. Angie Craig: "The attacks on Black and brown people in Minnesota have been egregious. At the end of the day, what they wanted out of Minnesota was for us to riot. I think this will go down in American history as one of the greatest examples of peaceful resistance from an entire community."
February 15, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Rep Angie Craig voted for the Laken Riley Act, which gave DHS broad authority to arrest, detain, and deport undocumented people for having committed crimes. This has greatly contributed to the excesses of ICE and CBP in Minnesota and elsewhere.
Daring, but true. “Fretless” is absolutely of a piece with the rest of the album.
I miss when you could post Brave Norman Rockwell Townsperson and the caption could be, like, “R.E.M was wrong to leave ‘Fretless’ off of Out of Time” instead of “The secret police should stop murdering people.”
February 15, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Daring, but true. “Fretless” is absolutely of a piece with the rest of the album.