Tim Shorrock
@timshorrock.bsky.social
Journalist, writer, musician, DC since 1982. Living with grief since losing my daughter Roxanne in March 2024. Writing on Korea, Japan, Cold War, Capitalism. Crazy Bob Dylan fan. Author of SPIES FOR HIRE. Now on Substack at EMPIRE BLUES.
Pinned
Tim Shorrock
@timshorrock.bsky.social
· Dec 12
The Dark History of The Monkey House
My final story as it appeared in The New Republic on December 2, 2019. Despite the difficulties of getting it into print, it still stands as one of my best pieces ever, enhanced by new, unseen photos.
timshorrock.substack.com
NEW: My original 2019 story on the history of US military prostitution in South Korea, in print finally with photographs from Dongducheon that were never used. A tragic and ongoing saga of remembrance we could help end. One of my best pieces ever. Last of a series. 🌺
Reposted by Tim Shorrock
A group of Buddhist monks has finally reached Washington, D.C., on foot, completing a 15-week trek for peace from Texas apnews.com/article/budd...
February 10, 2026 at 2:50 PM
A group of Buddhist monks has finally reached Washington, D.C., on foot, completing a 15-week trek for peace from Texas apnews.com/article/budd...
From a former top US national security official. "Just a bully: Trump is toying with South Korea for no good reason. Facing China and North Korea, Seoul should take a harder line toward the US." asia.nikkei.com/opinion/just...
Just a bully: Trump is toying with South Korea for no good reason
Facing China and North Korea, Seoul should take a harder line toward the US
asia.nikkei.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:29 PM
From a former top US national security official. "Just a bully: Trump is toying with South Korea for no good reason. Facing China and North Korea, Seoul should take a harder line toward the US." asia.nikkei.com/opinion/just...
Reposted by Tim Shorrock
If you haven't been following along, airlines are canceling flights to Cuba because they're running out of jet fuel.
Marco Rubio's maneuvers in Venezuela are bearing fruit and strengthening the embargo's grip around Cuba's throat.
Please make this call! Cuba is entitled to food and fuel.
Marco Rubio's maneuvers in Venezuela are bearing fruit and strengthening the embargo's grip around Cuba's throat.
Please make this call! Cuba is entitled to food and fuel.
Just got off the phone with Nydia Velazquez's office. She's reintroducing HR943 this week, which calls for (among other things) dropping the criminal and genocidal embargo against Cuba.
It would be worth your time to call your own rep and urge them to support this bill!
It would be worth your time to call your own rep and urge them to support this bill!
February 10, 2026 at 3:16 PM
If you haven't been following along, airlines are canceling flights to Cuba because they're running out of jet fuel.
Marco Rubio's maneuvers in Venezuela are bearing fruit and strengthening the embargo's grip around Cuba's throat.
Please make this call! Cuba is entitled to food and fuel.
Marco Rubio's maneuvers in Venezuela are bearing fruit and strengthening the embargo's grip around Cuba's throat.
Please make this call! Cuba is entitled to food and fuel.
VARIETY -> In the end, the final words shown during Bad Bunny’s performance were seen on a massive video screen: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” The final words on the Turning Point broadcast? “Get involved,” next to a QR code begging for more money.
Bad Bunny crushed Kid Rock's Turning Point USA show, a halfhearted pop-country performance that showed the limitations of booking a big show with minimal talent.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Was an All-American Triumph. Turning Point USA’s Was a Boring MAGA Grift With Kid Rock
Although the Turning Point USA All-American Halftime Show was for the MAGA faithful, Bad Bunny's performance was far more patriotic.
variety.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:35 AM
VARIETY -> In the end, the final words shown during Bad Bunny’s performance were seen on a massive video screen: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” The final words on the Turning Point broadcast? “Get involved,” next to a QR code begging for more money.
Reposted by Tim Shorrock
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Pop star Bad Bunny needed a Puerto Rican history scholar. UW–Madison had just the one.
Bad Bunny collaborated with UW–Madison history professor Jorell Meléndez-Badillo on Puerto Rican narratives that accompany the new album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.”
news.wisc.edu
February 9, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
They're both complete idiots and die-hard imperialists. "Trump's support for Japan's Takaichi masks fury over investment delays." asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
Trump's support for Japan's Takaichi masks fury over investment delays
US leader suspects foot-dragging, but Tokyo wants to be first to announce major project
asia.nikkei.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:18 PM
They're both complete idiots and die-hard imperialists. "Trump's support for Japan's Takaichi masks fury over investment delays." asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
Great discussion of the impact of one of Bob Dylan's greatest songs, which he performed at the 1963 March on Washington. "Only a Pawn in Their Game: Bob Dylan, Medgar Evers and the Delta Folk Jubilee of 1963." overbycenter.com/news-and-ana...
Only a Pawn in Their Game: Bob Dylan, Medgar Evers and the Delta Folk Jubilee of 1963 — Overby Center
The music and early civil rights work of legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will be the focus of a fall program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. “Songs of Freedom: Bob Dyl...
overbycenter.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Great discussion of the impact of one of Bob Dylan's greatest songs, which he performed at the 1963 March on Washington. "Only a Pawn in Their Game: Bob Dylan, Medgar Evers and the Delta Folk Jubilee of 1963." overbycenter.com/news-and-ana...
Reposted by Tim Shorrock
Finally! I've said for years that the ROK can't be a true democracy until it gets rid of its fascistic 1948 National Security Law. "Lawmakers pushing to scrap 1948 bill that bans possession of North Korean media." asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/po...
South Korea security law under fire as Seoul seeks warmer Pyongyang ties
Lawmakers pushing to scrap 1948 bill that bans possession of North Korean media
asia.nikkei.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Finally! I've said for years that the ROK can't be a true democracy until it gets rid of its fascistic 1948 National Security Law. "Lawmakers pushing to scrap 1948 bill that bans possession of North Korean media." asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/po...
Finally! I've said for years that the ROK can't be a true democracy until it gets rid of its fascistic 1948 National Security Law. "Lawmakers pushing to scrap 1948 bill that bans possession of North Korean media." asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/po...
South Korea security law under fire as Seoul seeks warmer Pyongyang ties
Lawmakers pushing to scrap 1948 bill that bans possession of North Korean media
asia.nikkei.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Finally! I've said for years that the ROK can't be a true democracy until it gets rid of its fascistic 1948 National Security Law. "Lawmakers pushing to scrap 1948 bill that bans possession of North Korean media." asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/po...
Reposted by Tim Shorrock
"Transformative national security disclosures like the Pentagon Papers, CIA torture program, NSA secret mass domestic surveillance, & war crimes in Iraq & Afghanistan came through unauthorized revelations to the press. People who complained internally were often silenced or punished." -Thomas Drake
The Perilous Myth that Only "Lawful" Whistleblowing Counts
by Jesselyn Radack and Thomas Drake
We are living in an age when exposing the truth is a dangerous, even criminal act. The First Amendment, designed to protect dissent against the government, is bein...
eyewitness-for-history.mymagic.page
February 7, 2026 at 11:18 PM
"Transformative national security disclosures like the Pentagon Papers, CIA torture program, NSA secret mass domestic surveillance, & war crimes in Iraq & Afghanistan came through unauthorized revelations to the press. People who complained internally were often silenced or punished." -Thomas Drake
Yes, we are seeing this. He's finally restored the Confederacy and the KKK to a place of power in the United States of America, his lifetime ambition.
Ossoff: "You're seeing what I'm seeing, right? The president posting about the Obamas like a Klansman."
February 8, 2026 at 12:24 AM
Yes, we are seeing this. He's finally restored the Confederacy and the KKK to a place of power in the United States of America, his lifetime ambition.
The song Martin Carthy taught Bob Dylan: “We just swapped songs all the time” faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-song-mar...
The song Martin Carthy taught Bob Dylan to play
At 84 years old, Martin Carthy became the oldest Mercury Prize nominee. But 60 years ago, he made a bigger impact on music.
faroutmagazine.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 10:18 PM
The song Martin Carthy taught Bob Dylan: “We just swapped songs all the time” faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-song-mar...
Cuba scrambles to build Asian ties beyond China under US pressure - Rare Tokyo investment seminar held amid warnings of humanitarian 'collapse'
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
Cuba scrambles to build Asian ties beyond China under US pressure
Rare Tokyo investment seminar held amid warnings of humanitarian 'collapse'
asia.nikkei.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Cuba scrambles to build Asian ties beyond China under US pressure - Rare Tokyo investment seminar held amid warnings of humanitarian 'collapse'
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...
How to buy your way into Trump's Bored of Peace. "Eurasian states recruit high-priced US lobbyists in Trump outreach." asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
Eurasian states recruit high-priced US lobbyists in Trump outreach
'Board of Peace' member Kazakhstan's $3.3m deal follows moves by Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan
asia.nikkei.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:54 PM
How to buy your way into Trump's Bored of Peace. "Eurasian states recruit high-priced US lobbyists in Trump outreach." asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/tr...
Reposted by Tim Shorrock
"3 parties—[JCP, Reiwa, & SDP]—explicitly oppose any revision to Article 9 in their platforms."
Positive amendments are conceivable, but opening it up is more likely to result in killing Article 9. The stance of these parties is safer.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Positive amendments are conceivable, but opening it up is more likely to result in killing Article 9. The stance of these parties is safer.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Constitutional revision backers hope to gain supermajority | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
With the ruling coalition poised for a major victory in the Feb. 8 Lower House election, attention is focusing on whether forces favoring constitutional revision can win a supermajority in the Diet.
www.asahi.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:07 PM
"3 parties—[JCP, Reiwa, & SDP]—explicitly oppose any revision to Article 9 in their platforms."
Positive amendments are conceivable, but opening it up is more likely to result in killing Article 9. The stance of these parties is safer.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Positive amendments are conceivable, but opening it up is more likely to result in killing Article 9. The stance of these parties is safer.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
👍👍👍👍
February 7, 2026 at 4:26 PM
👍👍👍👍
❤️
Springsteen's cover of Dylan's I Want You from this show is a fabulous, slow burn gem. It features short-term E Streeter Suki Lahav on violin.
youtu.be/fyPD68BT2Lk?...
youtu.be/fyPD68BT2Lk?...
February 6, 2026 at 5:12 PM
❤️
The US military's crime spree in Okinawa, from the great Welsh reporter @jonmitchell.bsky.social.
"in 2025, US service members, their dependents or civilian employees committed at least 101 criminal offenses [in #Okinawa], the highest number in 22 years."
www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/1...
www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/1...
Okinawa ’24 boat blaze: Paris prosecutors launch investigation into elite French military cadets on suspicion of property destruction, theft and removal of evidence | Jon Mitchell Investigates | 沖縄タイム...
The burning workboat in Haneji Inland Sea, Okinawa Prefecture, on 25 November 2024.
www.okinawatimes.co.jp
February 6, 2026 at 5:07 PM
The US military's crime spree in Okinawa, from the great Welsh reporter @jonmitchell.bsky.social.
This is for all the Epstein survivors and the few brave reporters who exposed the worst human trafficking scandal in US history since the slavery trade. Bob Dylan's beautiful I BELIEVE IN YOU as performed by the late, great Sinead O'Connor. 🌺
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlke...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlke...
Sinead O'Connor - I Believe in You
YouTube video by sonicrick78
www.youtube.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:05 PM
This is for all the Epstein survivors and the few brave reporters who exposed the worst human trafficking scandal in US history since the slavery trade. Bob Dylan's beautiful I BELIEVE IN YOU as performed by the late, great Sinead O'Connor. 🌺
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlke...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlke...
Gym Jordan is carrying out Trump's economic war on South Korea in the US Congress. Coupang is rightly being investigated by the ROK for a data privacy breach that may have exposed up to 30 million Korean citizens. This is no alliance, this is neocolonialism. english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
US House launches probe into alleged ‘discriminatory targeting’ of Coupang by Korea
The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Harold Rogers, the interim CEO of Korea-based Coupang Corp., and requested communication records between Coupang and the Korean government for the past six yea...
english.hani.co.kr
February 6, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Gym Jordan is carrying out Trump's economic war on South Korea in the US Congress. Coupang is rightly being investigated by the ROK for a data privacy breach that may have exposed up to 30 million Korean citizens. This is no alliance, this is neocolonialism. english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
This is why Trump and Hegseth love Takaichi. They all worship at the Alter of Militarism.
did you catch this? www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Coalition pushes revival of ranks from imperial military days | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
The ruling coalition aims to restore Japanese military ranks used in World War II for members of the Self-Defense Forces, a plan that has drawn concern and bewilderment in the Defense Ministry.
www.asahi.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:40 AM
This is why Trump and Hegseth love Takaichi. They all worship at the Alter of Militarism.
GROTESQUE. It's the Axis all over again. "Trump backs Japan's Takaichi before election, unveils her March U.S. visit." english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...
Trump backs Japan's Takaichi before election, unveils her March U.S. visit
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday gave his full endorsement to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of the country's general election and said he would welcome her to the White House on ...
english.kyodonews.net
February 6, 2026 at 6:04 AM
GROTESQUE. It's the Axis all over again. "Trump backs Japan's Takaichi before election, unveils her March U.S. visit." english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/6...
Reposted by Tim Shorrock
The Brazilian federal police detained me for an hour as I had once overstayed a visa by accident for two weeks.
After giving me a lecture on immigration policies, they released me.
If I had been a Brazilian in the United States, I'd be in jail.
paydayreport.com/brazilian-fe...
After giving me a lecture on immigration policies, they released me.
If I had been a Brazilian in the United States, I'd be in jail.
paydayreport.com/brazilian-fe...
Brazilian Federal Police Detain Melk, But Release Him After Lecture on Immigration Policies
The Brazilian federal police officer immediately started joking with me, “What do you think, we were gonna throw you in jail? We’re not ICE, we’re Brazilians.”
paydayreport.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:05 AM
The Brazilian federal police detained me for an hour as I had once overstayed a visa by accident for two weeks.
After giving me a lecture on immigration policies, they released me.
If I had been a Brazilian in the United States, I'd be in jail.
paydayreport.com/brazilian-fe...
After giving me a lecture on immigration policies, they released me.
If I had been a Brazilian in the United States, I'd be in jail.
paydayreport.com/brazilian-fe...
This is the heart of American anti fascism. He says it right here.❤️
February 6, 2026 at 5:04 AM
This is the heart of American anti fascism. He says it right here.❤️
💯👇👇👇
As I've always said, this is the danger of ever expanding of the term "terrorism". It is the gateway to oppression of all civil rights, and so it is being demonstrated. It will also be the predicate of the application of the Insurrection Act. This is not a joke or slippery slope anymore, it's here.
Unfortunately very timely essay from @ssinnar.bsky.social & Darryl Li about some states’ effort to reframe civil rights advocacy as terrorism. knightcolumbia.org/blog/red-sta...
February 6, 2026 at 4:59 AM
💯👇👇👇