Ora Tor
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splitrailfence.bsky.social
Ora Tor
@splitrailfence.bsky.social
2K followers 970 following 8.9K posts
Civil War historian. Kind to nonhumans. CORE and NOW for ERA activist. Former union rep. Retired from social studies, financial analysis, & small business. Traveled over 50k US miles for my research. Nature knows best & intends no ill will.
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ceaubin.com
Hey! Scholars! If you're using someone's work in your class, sometimes it's nice to email them and tell them, because then they might feel good about their research instead of entirely crushed by the academic humanities' ongoing descent into the grave
February 19, 2026 at 6:05 PM
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bakerdphd.bsky.social
Last week of the "first principles" section of my public policy theory class. We've defined the state, considered whether utopia is possible, and now we're talking about power with The Power Broker, some Foucault, The Racial Contract, and a bit of The Jungle.
Screenshot of readings for the class on Power. February 19 Power Required Readings: Caro, R. (1974). The power broker series. The New Yorker: Read parts I and I. -Part I: https://www.newvorker.com/maeazinc/1974/07/22/the-power-broker-i-the-best-bill-drafier- in-albany -Part II: https://www.newvorker.com/magazine/1974/07/29/the-power-broker-ii-if-the-end-doesnt- justify-the-means-what-does Foucault, M. (1978). Governmentality. Lecture given at the College de France. Mills, C. W. (1997). The racial contract. Cornell University Press. Intro and Ch 1. Supplemental Readings: Caro, R. (1974). The power broker series. The New Yorker: -Part III: https://www.newvorker.com/magazine/1974/08/12/the-power-broker-iii-how-things-get- done -Part IV: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1974/08/19/he-power-broker-iv-point-ofno-retu Sinclair, U, (1906). The jungle. Doubleday. Ch 6.
February 19, 2026 at 5:24 PM
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mississippifreepress.org
Data center operators that register hundreds of diesel engines as backup power sources are exploiting a federal exemption, says Chris Miller of the Piedmont Environmental Council.

“They're taking a loophole that was designed for hospitals and they're driving a literal Mack Truck through it.”
Amazon’s Canton AI Data Center Brings Dust, Noise and Pollution Fears for Neighbors
Canton residents say that a new Amazon data center is bringing unwanted dust and noise, raising concerns about pollution and falling property values.
buff.ly
February 19, 2026 at 5:45 PM
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sodrock.bsky.social
“You need bases and alliances for overseas logistics?”
February 19, 2026 at 5:42 PM
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taniel.bsky.social
“my children might see the children I voted to put in shackles, how shall they grow up”
Stacy Bradley voted for President Trump because of his border policies, and she likes that he has restored “law and order.” But she is unsettled by one aspect of his immigration agenda. Last month, the federal government bought a warehouse next to her cheerleading gym in Surprise, Ariz., which the administration plans to convert into a detention center for up to 1,500 immigrants. Ms. Bradley, the co-owner of Woodlands Elite Cheer, said she worried that a detainee could escape, or that protests could break out. The children who train at her gym are as young as 3 and could see “people in shackles” next door, she said.
February 19, 2026 at 4:44 AM
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beyerstein.bsky.social
""In hindsight, mistakes may have been made, but it was just out of naivete," Russ McMahon, a former administrator, said of the ability Epstein had to access the campus." Dude, y'all allowed an endowed Pedo Lodge at your children's camp, mistakes were definitely made.
How Epstein and Maxwell used an elite Midwest arts school to prey on girls
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell lavished money on the Interlochen Center for the Arts to gain access, documents show — even funding an on-campus lodge they stayed in. In the process, two teenage...
www.npr.org
February 19, 2026 at 1:20 PM
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viktorwinetrout.bsky.social
Watching the rest of the world's leaders face consequences
a turtle looking out the window with the caption: watching the rest of the world's leaders face consequences
February 19, 2026 at 1:43 PM
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kyivindependent.com
⚡️ US reportedly presses allies to block Ukraine from full participation at NATO summit.

The reported move would limit Kyiv's role at a key gathering of NATO leaders.
US reportedly presses allies to block Ukraine from full participation at NATO summit
The reported move would limit Kyiv's role at a key gathering of NATO leaders.
kyivindependent.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:27 PM
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galenstone.bsky.social
Now do Donald.
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol jailed for life for leading insurrection
Ex-leader sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour over failed martial law declaration in 2024
www.theguardian.com
February 19, 2026 at 11:53 AM
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lameep.bsky.social
We can't have nice things like this here.
February 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM
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mikezaccardi.bsky.social
$AMZN P/E near a record low of 26x
$WMT 44x @koyfincharts
February 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM
splitrailfence.bsky.social
While other nations arrest and incarcerate members of their Epstein class, the US Epstein class are cancelling luncheons and speaking engagements and scholarships. Whatever we can do to keep the offenders comfy like Maxwell.
techmeme.com Techmeme @techmeme.com · 7h
The Gates Foundation says Bill Gates will not deliver his keynote at India's AI Summit after "careful consideration" amid controversy over his Epstein ties (Cherylann Mollan/BBC)

Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
February 19, 2026 at 11:56 AM
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saintbaz.bsky.social
Thats how its done....
myhlee.bsky.social Michelle Ye Hee Lee @myhlee.bsky.social · 11h
BREAKING: Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been convicted of insurrection for declaring martial law in December 2024, and has been sentenced to life in prison.
February 19, 2026 at 11:37 AM
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adamjschwarz.bsky.social
She never lived to see this moment, but it’s worth remembering that none of this would have happened without Virginia Giuffre.

She had the courage to speak out against power and privilege when it was just her word against Andrew’s.

Thanks to her, justice & accountability may finally have its day.
February 19, 2026 at 10:59 AM
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lameep.bsky.social
FINALLY a contempt order somewhere! Let's hope this starts a trend.
February 19, 2026 at 11:39 AM
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nicholasbednar.bsky.social
A few days ago I said a contempt order was inevitable. Now, it has happened. USAO again blamed a lack of proper staffing. $500 fine per day until order is complied with.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/u...
Justice Dept. Lawyer Is Found in Contempt by Federal Judge
www.nytimes.com
February 19, 2026 at 9:28 AM
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mikezaccardi.bsky.social
Packed macro calendar today... plenty of Fed speak @seekingalpha
February 19, 2026 at 11:39 AM
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splitrailfence.bsky.social
Gotta bring up Norway, too, because making Epstein people pay seems to be catching on in lots of places except for where the trafficking ring was headquartered out of--the US and A.

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Norway's former PM Jagland charged with gross corruption over Epstein links
The charge was brought after the Council of Europe lifted his immunity, which he had as its former secretary general.
www.bbc.com
February 19, 2026 at 11:39 AM
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olbermann.bsky.social
Note: the British arrest the King's brother as part of the investigations into Epstein and the South Koreans send their former president to jail for life for trying to overthrow democracy after he attempted a coup over false election integrity charges.

Here? We take NO action against Trump
February 19, 2026 at 11:10 AM
splitrailfence.bsky.social
From #Oakland to #Sac-town, the #BayArea and back down
Cali is where they put they mack down, shake it, Cali.
legal.reuters.com Reuters Legal @legal.reuters.com · 6h
A legal clash between the Trump administration and California over auto-pollution rules is coming to a head, with enormous financial implications for EV makers including Tesla and traditional automakers dependent on fossil-fuel vehicles.
US automakers caught in crossfire of Trump, California EV battle
A legal clash between the Trump administration and California over auto-pollution rules is coming to a head, with enormous financial implications for EV makers including Tesla and traditional automakers dependent on fossil-fuel vehicles.
reut.rs
February 19, 2026 at 11:28 AM
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amymtraub.bsky.social
I’m reading new research from @npwf.bsky.social finding that after years of progress, Black women’s union gains declined under Trump in 2025 nationalpartnership.org/after-years-...
After Years of Progress, Black Women's Union Gains Decline Under Trump in 2025 | National Partnership for Women & Families
Recent growth in Black women's unionization rates was reversed in 2025, echoing a larger overall trend in declining employment opportunities for Black women during the first year of the second Trump a...
nationalpartnership.org
February 18, 2026 at 8:24 PM
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dbernstein.bsky.social
… This Iran sitch is gonna make tomorrow’s first meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace a little tense, I would think
February 19, 2026 at 12:32 AM
splitrailfence.bsky.social
“I’m not defending the president, but I will say that he hasn’t defied a single court order yet,” said Fetterman. “He hasn’t.”
February 19, 2026 at 2:21 AM
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brooklynmarie.bsky.social
These stories are showing me that Epstein was at the very heart of the global shadow economy
February 19, 2026 at 1:25 AM
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mdstamper.bsky.social
"Armelle" by Elizabeth Colomba (French) - Oil on canvas / 1997 - Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) #WomenInArt #WomensArt #WomanArtist #WomenArtists #ElizabethColomba #Colomba #TheMet #BlackArt #BlackArtist #art #artText #BlueskyArt #PortraitofaWoman #WomenPaintingWomen #MetropolitanMuseumofArt
American artist Elizabeth Colomba painted her cousin Armelle while thinking with (and against) the language of canonical portraiture. The pose and polish nod toward John Singer Sargent’s "Madame X," but the remake shifts what is centered. It's not spectacle, not rumor, but presence and Black womanhood held with dignity and specificity. Armelle stands in an elegant interior, her body angled slightly while her face turns in profile. Her eyes look up and to our right, toward a framed painting on the wall. Her skin is a beautiful warm brown tone under soft, controlled light. Her black hair is gathered into a neat bun, and small earrings catch a faint highlight. She wears a crisp black-and-white ensemble with a white, button-front top with a deep black collar and black trim at the sleeves, paired with a long black skirt that falls in a smooth, heavy drape over a white underskirt hem. One hand rests lightly on a small wooden table, fingertips relaxed. The other hand holds a single pale pink flower on a long stem, hanging downward like a quiet punctuation mark. The floor beneath her is a bold black-and-white checkerboard, sharpening the geometry of the room. In the upper right, the framed picture shows an outdoor scene with a standing figure beneath palms. It's an image that pulls her attention and organizes the whole moment around looking. Armelle’s sideways glance toward the “painting-within-the-painting” (a 1885 watercolor painted in the Bahamas by Winslow Homer called "Under the Palm Tree" at the National Gallery of Art) creates a triangle of looking: we look at her, she looks toward art history, and art history looks back ... all reframed through family, roots, and choice. Colomba has described beginning from an existing story and remaking it to feel true to her mixed French and Caribbean inheritance. Here, that remaking reads as both critique and care, claiming the museum’s visual grammar as a space where Black beauty is not an exception but a standard.
February 18, 2026 at 5:42 PM