Rita Briar she/they
@ritabriar.bsky.social
Writer of SFF, Secretary of WisCon, gardener of a tiny yard
USian told to be white; bisexual and non-binary
For: kittens & kindness; Against: kierarchy & prison
Pic alt: self-portrait in brush pen
Banner alt: eclipse pic from pi day 2025
USian told to be white; bisexual and non-binary
For: kittens & kindness; Against: kierarchy & prison
Pic alt: self-portrait in brush pen
Banner alt: eclipse pic from pi day 2025
Perhaps I should not be as surprised as I was when my mostly-white former congregation mostly stopped caring about anti-fascist issues the moment trump was defeated in 2020.
What will end ICE’s terroristic regime for good? Recognizing and rejecting its core white nationalism that has been a part of the American fabric for over 400 years. Some of us have never had the privilege to look away and ignore it. Now none of us do. My column: www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/26/o...
Don’t look to Germany for an analogy. The Minneapolis nightmare is uniquely American. - The Boston Globe
In order to defeat the white nationalism that is at the core of ICE’s assault on American democracy, we have to see it and treat it as what it is.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Perhaps I should not be as surprised as I was when my mostly-white former congregation mostly stopped caring about anti-fascist issues the moment trump was defeated in 2020.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and ICE occupation, we're offering free ebooks of three crucial books about migrant justice and border abolition.
We’ve also added a list of additional recommended reading:
We’ve also added a list of additional recommended reading:
Free Ebooks: Abolish ICE, Abolish the Border
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and ICE occupation, we're offering free ebooks of three crucial books about migrant justice an...
www.haymarketbooks.org
January 26, 2026 at 5:13 PM
In solidarity with all those standing up for our communities against the brutality of immigrant detention and ICE occupation, we're offering free ebooks of three crucial books about migrant justice and border abolition.
We’ve also added a list of additional recommended reading:
We’ve also added a list of additional recommended reading:
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
it is probably because they are responding to their earlier errors by taking positive action now, which helps defend their neighbors, rather than by retroactive reputation management in the Atlantic, which does not
January 26, 2026 at 1:48 PM
it is probably because they are responding to their earlier errors by taking positive action now, which helps defend their neighbors, rather than by retroactive reputation management in the Atlantic, which does not
My bro was describing my nibling's social-emotional training at preschool, and it just really gives me hope for the future that kids are getting tools to understand themselves and each other.
January 26, 2026 at 2:55 PM
My bro was describing my nibling's social-emotional training at preschool, and it just really gives me hope for the future that kids are getting tools to understand themselves and each other.
Another cold weather advisory, wind chill today. If you're in my area (Quad Cities area, v different on here than the QC) then friendly reminder to
wait to go outside until after noon if you can,
bundle up and cover all skin if you can't, and
test or run your water.
wait to go outside until after noon if you can,
bundle up and cover all skin if you can't, and
test or run your water.
January 26, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Another cold weather advisory, wind chill today. If you're in my area (Quad Cities area, v different on here than the QC) then friendly reminder to
wait to go outside until after noon if you can,
bundle up and cover all skin if you can't, and
test or run your water.
wait to go outside until after noon if you can,
bundle up and cover all skin if you can't, and
test or run your water.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Tho I will say, in his defense, he's not the first person to be confused by how quickly the romance authors & readers can whip up finely tuned logistics out of nothing. 😂
I mostly just stay off Twitter altogether but after double checking that the Walter Hudson post was still up I ran across this and just had to share so the Romancelandians who bought hand warmers could hear about the PROFESSIONAL GRADE LOGISTICS.
January 26, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Tho I will say, in his defense, he's not the first person to be confused by how quickly the romance authors & readers can whip up finely tuned logistics out of nothing. 😂
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
You don't need to watch the video of someone being killed to know that someone was killed.
On an emotional level, your amygdala can't really tell the difference between the video and being there.
Depending on your personal history, this could be mildly shocking or enduring trauma.
Why bother?
On an emotional level, your amygdala can't really tell the difference between the video and being there.
Depending on your personal history, this could be mildly shocking or enduring trauma.
Why bother?
January 24, 2026 at 7:52 PM
You don't need to watch the video of someone being killed to know that someone was killed.
On an emotional level, your amygdala can't really tell the difference between the video and being there.
Depending on your personal history, this could be mildly shocking or enduring trauma.
Why bother?
On an emotional level, your amygdala can't really tell the difference between the video and being there.
Depending on your personal history, this could be mildly shocking or enduring trauma.
Why bother?
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Friends.
I recommend unplugging when you feel safe to breathe. Put your phone down.
Slow your heart rate.
This is too much.
I recommend unplugging when you feel safe to breathe. Put your phone down.
Slow your heart rate.
This is too much.
January 24, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Friends.
I recommend unplugging when you feel safe to breathe. Put your phone down.
Slow your heart rate.
This is too much.
I recommend unplugging when you feel safe to breathe. Put your phone down.
Slow your heart rate.
This is too much.
If you don't follow Kari, maybe fix that, and if you do follow Kari and appreciate their perspective, now's a good time to step up, iff you have it to spare.
I have edited my Ko-Fi goal to reflect the fact that these temperatures are kicking my house's ass and this coming bill is also going to suck so bad. I know it's coming for most of us, but if you got extra, you'll have my thanks.
ko-fi.com/karidru
ko-fi.com/karidru
Support Karidru ❤️
Become a supporter of Karidru today!
ko-fi.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:47 PM
If you don't follow Kari, maybe fix that, and if you do follow Kari and appreciate their perspective, now's a good time to step up, iff you have it to spare.
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
As bad as our electric will be, Kari is working at old home repair while Argh.
So if you have a cuppa to spare this week, they have a huge list of things they're happy to share in exchange. Ghost shorts, a tarot card pull (use caution--last reading nailed a crazed time.) A blindyelling suggestion!
So if you have a cuppa to spare this week, they have a huge list of things they're happy to share in exchange. Ghost shorts, a tarot card pull (use caution--last reading nailed a crazed time.) A blindyelling suggestion!
I have edited my Ko-Fi goal to reflect the fact that these temperatures are kicking my house's ass and this coming bill is also going to suck so bad. I know it's coming for most of us, but if you got extra, you'll have my thanks.
ko-fi.com/karidru
ko-fi.com/karidru
Support Karidru ❤️
Become a supporter of Karidru today!
ko-fi.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:31 PM
As bad as our electric will be, Kari is working at old home repair while Argh.
So if you have a cuppa to spare this week, they have a huge list of things they're happy to share in exchange. Ghost shorts, a tarot card pull (use caution--last reading nailed a crazed time.) A blindyelling suggestion!
So if you have a cuppa to spare this week, they have a huge list of things they're happy to share in exchange. Ghost shorts, a tarot card pull (use caution--last reading nailed a crazed time.) A blindyelling suggestion!
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
So remember how I said that some people are not objecting to oppression, they just object to being one of the oppressed? Yeah so about that...
Jumping in here to point out that most police departments have training that is far more rigorous and rates of use of force that are far far lower than ICE and the CPB. This *isn’t* policing. IMO: It would behoove if folks didn’t conflate them.
January 24, 2026 at 8:19 PM
So remember how I said that some people are not objecting to oppression, they just object to being one of the oppressed? Yeah so about that...
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
man the video is circulating so
settings > content & media > uncheck auto-play video & gifs
settings > content & media > uncheck auto-play video & gifs
January 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
man the video is circulating so
settings > content & media > uncheck auto-play video & gifs
settings > content & media > uncheck auto-play video & gifs
Here's to clawing back a little good news. It's a fraction of what it would've been, but the HIV vaccine study will go forward
www.npr.org/2026/01/17/g...
www.npr.org/2026/01/17/g...
The near death -- and last-minute reprieve -- of a trial for an HIV vaccine
A trial was about to launch for a vaccine that would ward off the HIV virus. It would be an incredible breakthrough. Then it looked as if it would be over before it started.
www.npr.org
January 20, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Here's to clawing back a little good news. It's a fraction of what it would've been, but the HIV vaccine study will go forward
www.npr.org/2026/01/17/g...
www.npr.org/2026/01/17/g...
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
BEEP BOOP THIS IS NORA'S AUTOMATED MED CHECK. today is Sunday. everyone take your meds 🤖💊
January 11, 2026 at 2:30 PM
BEEP BOOP THIS IS NORA'S AUTOMATED MED CHECK. today is Sunday. everyone take your meds 🤖💊
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
May your pen be swift and your demons bleed ink.
January 11, 2026 at 2:44 PM
May your pen be swift and your demons bleed ink.
Agreed, tho they have a Captcha so yeah folx who use screen readers are exempt
There’s a GoFundMe for Jonathan Ross’s legal expenses for murdering Renee Good.
This violates GoFundMe’s Terms of Service. Everyone must report it.
A thread on how to do that 🧵
This violates GoFundMe’s Terms of Service. Everyone must report it.
A thread on how to do that 🧵
January 11, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Agreed, tho they have a Captcha so yeah folx who use screen readers are exempt
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Brother Gregor never spoke and often spooked the neophytes with his appearance, but he was a gentle soul and a phenomenal cook and knew more ways to prepare a fish than the abbot knew hymns
November 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Brother Gregor never spoke and often spooked the neophytes with his appearance, but he was a gentle soul and a phenomenal cook and knew more ways to prepare a fish than the abbot knew hymns
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Hey we heard you have executive dysfunction so we created a giant bureaucratic maze and we're gonna put your executive dysfunction meds at the end of it. maybe.
January 11, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Hey we heard you have executive dysfunction so we created a giant bureaucratic maze and we're gonna put your executive dysfunction meds at the end of it. maybe.
Anyone have a dog who knows the names of several toys?
www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-np...
www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-np...
These dogs can learn new words just by eavesdropping
Some dogs have an amazing ability to learn the names of dozens, even hundreds of toys. Now, a new study suggests these super learners can pick up new words by overhearing people talk, just as toddlers...
www.iowapublicradio.org
January 11, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Anyone have a dog who knows the names of several toys?
www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-np...
www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-np...
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Oh hey, Discord is taking a survey on whether users want generative ai slop machines crowbared into every crevice. They obviously want to but this is an opportunity to hurt a shareholders feelings and that's rare enough these days.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Oh hey, Discord is taking a survey on whether users want generative ai slop machines crowbared into every crevice. They obviously want to but this is an opportunity to hurt a shareholders feelings and that's rare enough these days.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Here is a video of a frozen creek that had begun to thaw, and the water was flowing beneath the thin ice on top. I took this because it was soothing and wonderfully bloopy and I wanted to listen to it for hours. You are all welcome to enjoy it, too. Let your brain settle here and rest for a moment.
January 10, 2026 at 4:57 AM
Here is a video of a frozen creek that had begun to thaw, and the water was flowing beneath the thin ice on top. I took this because it was soothing and wonderfully bloopy and I wanted to listen to it for hours. You are all welcome to enjoy it, too. Let your brain settle here and rest for a moment.
Our loud-purring kittens became quiet-purring cats. Both came in from outside. Hubby says they are just using their inside voices. Mystery solved!
January 10, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Our loud-purring kittens became quiet-purring cats. Both came in from outside. Hubby says they are just using their inside voices. Mystery solved!
If you replace "criminals" with "Black and Brown people," then the news makes a lot more sense
Frikkin dog whistle bs
Frikkin dog whistle bs
January 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
If you replace "criminals" with "Black and Brown people," then the news makes a lot more sense
Frikkin dog whistle bs
Frikkin dog whistle bs
Ever be like, howww am I not following this person? I've gotten like, 5 of those lately!
January 6, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Ever be like, howww am I not following this person? I've gotten like, 5 of those lately!
Reposted by Rita Briar she/they
Introducing our next Guest of Honor: Nebula Award Winning Author Premee Mohamed!
#WisCon2026 #Wiscon #premeemohamed #WisCONline2026
#WisCon2026 #Wiscon #premeemohamed #WisCONline2026
October 5, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Introducing our next Guest of Honor: Nebula Award Winning Author Premee Mohamed!
#WisCon2026 #Wiscon #premeemohamed #WisCONline2026
#WisCon2026 #Wiscon #premeemohamed #WisCONline2026