Thomas Beck
@tomfodw.bsky.social
Historian of 19th & 20th century Russia/Europe (mostly pre-1921); science fiction author & fan; lover of cats, dogs, chocolate, books, movies, television, baseball, soccer, ice hockey, cricket, Hawaii.
Follow my Substack! https://thomasbeck.substack.com
Follow my Substack! https://thomasbeck.substack.com
Reposted by Thomas Beck
🇺🇦💡 For the first time in a long time, Kyiv is almost completely powered — 95% of the capital without outages this evening
February 15, 2026 at 9:20 PM
🇺🇦💡 For the first time in a long time, Kyiv is almost completely powered — 95% of the capital without outages this evening
“But let’s be clear-eyed about Russia: Russia is no superpower. After more than a decade of a conflict, including 4 years of full-scale war in Ukraine. Russia has barely advanced beyond the 2014 lines, and the cost? 1.2 million casualties.
"Today, Russia is broken, its economy is in shreds. It is
"Today, Russia is broken, its economy is in shreds. It is
[EU] Kaja Kallas Exposes "The Art of the Deal" Perfectly.
News from the other side of the pond.
*I have decided to concentrate on: News from the other side of the pond. Kaja Kallas is Estonian and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. 'Contrary to what som...
www.dailykos.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:55 PM
“But let’s be clear-eyed about Russia: Russia is no superpower. After more than a decade of a conflict, including 4 years of full-scale war in Ukraine. Russia has barely advanced beyond the 2014 lines, and the cost? 1.2 million casualties.
"Today, Russia is broken, its economy is in shreds. It is
"Today, Russia is broken, its economy is in shreds. It is
Putin's pet historian, Vladimir Medinsky, claims the Russian people are willing to suffer millions of deaths and live on bread and water to achieve victory in the "Special Military Operation."
I wonder, Mr. Russian Historian, if you recall that the Feb. 1917 Revolution was sparked by bread riots?
I wonder, Mr. Russian Historian, if you recall that the Feb. 1917 Revolution was sparked by bread riots?
February 15, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Putin's pet historian, Vladimir Medinsky, claims the Russian people are willing to suffer millions of deaths and live on bread and water to achieve victory in the "Special Military Operation."
I wonder, Mr. Russian Historian, if you recall that the Feb. 1917 Revolution was sparked by bread riots?
I wonder, Mr. Russian Historian, if you recall that the Feb. 1917 Revolution was sparked by bread riots?
"Basically a trend of the last two months is showing the Russians losing a statistically significant number of soldiers more than they have been able to replace. It is worth noting and watching. ...
"As a war progresses, if one side starts experiencing losses at a higher rate than they can
"As a war progresses, if one side starts experiencing losses at a higher rate than they can
Weekend Update #172: Is Ukraine Causing More Russian Losses Than Putin Can Replace?
Rubio, Russia, Ukraine And The European Reaction: A Notable Ukrainian Reaction To Developments In The War
phillipspobrien.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:46 PM
"Basically a trend of the last two months is showing the Russians losing a statistically significant number of soldiers more than they have been able to replace. It is worth noting and watching. ...
"As a war progresses, if one side starts experiencing losses at a higher rate than they can
"As a war progresses, if one side starts experiencing losses at a higher rate than they can
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Losing our words is a writer’s worst nightmare. Don’t forget to backup your work.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #5amWritersClub
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #5amWritersClub
February 15, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Losing our words is a writer’s worst nightmare. Don’t forget to backup your work.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #5amWritersClub
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #5amWritersClub
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Leading Russia's delegation once again Medinsky said that Russians are "ready to lose millions and live on bread and water for the SVO" according to Russian media. If true that says all you need to know about the February 17-18 talks.
February 15, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Leading Russia's delegation once again Medinsky said that Russians are "ready to lose millions and live on bread and water for the SVO" according to Russian media. If true that says all you need to know about the February 17-18 talks.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
A rare chronicle of war, survival and devastation in Darfur – in pictures
A rare chronicle of war, survival and devastation in Darfur – in pictures
Images taken by the French humanitarian Jérôme Tubiana document the shifting patterns of a gruelling conflict that shows no sign of abating
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:19 AM
A rare chronicle of war, survival and devastation in Darfur – in pictures
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Apologies to those in, or with friends/relatives in, Odesa.
While I was frantically making calls about the Crimea Bridge/Krasnodar, the now nightly Russian drone attack on Odesa happened again.
Over 20 UAVs flew in & there were hits, especially north of the city, on the coast.
While I was frantically making calls about the Crimea Bridge/Krasnodar, the now nightly Russian drone attack on Odesa happened again.
Over 20 UAVs flew in & there were hits, especially north of the city, on the coast.
February 15, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Apologies to those in, or with friends/relatives in, Odesa.
While I was frantically making calls about the Crimea Bridge/Krasnodar, the now nightly Russian drone attack on Odesa happened again.
Over 20 UAVs flew in & there were hits, especially north of the city, on the coast.
While I was frantically making calls about the Crimea Bridge/Krasnodar, the now nightly Russian drone attack on Odesa happened again.
Over 20 UAVs flew in & there were hits, especially north of the city, on the coast.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
February 14, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Thomas Beck
My mom sent me a link to this bookshop website that curates interesting and unusual books. Great looking selection, here.
societyforunusualbooks.com
societyforunusualbooks.com
Society for Unusual Books | Online Bookstore | New and Preloved Books
The Society is a bookstore specializing in fantasy, horror, romance, sci-fi, nonfiction, and other genres. We place particular emphasis on small press and independently published titles. We also curat...
societyforunusualbooks.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:48 AM
My mom sent me a link to this bookshop website that curates interesting and unusual books. Great looking selection, here.
societyforunusualbooks.com
societyforunusualbooks.com
My favorite bit in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” is when Indy’s mine cart accidentally breaks into the Bombay-to-Calcutta subway.
February 15, 2026 at 1:37 AM
My favorite bit in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” is when Indy’s mine cart accidentally breaks into the Bombay-to-Calcutta subway.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Reposted by Thomas Beck
We have received and seen the videos.
The regime cannot hide from its crimes anymore.
#iran #iranprotests #iranrevolution #digitalbackoutiran #freeiran
iran-hrm.com/2026/01/27/i...
The regime cannot hide from its crimes anymore.
#iran #iranprotests #iranrevolution #digitalbackoutiran #freeiran
iran-hrm.com/2026/01/27/i...
Iran: From Execution Shots to Night Burials in Mass Graves
The Pattern of Killings During the 2026 Nationwide Uprising As the nationwide uprising of 2026 was violently suppressed, a body
iran-hrm.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:56 PM
We have received and seen the videos.
The regime cannot hide from its crimes anymore.
#iran #iranprotests #iranrevolution #digitalbackoutiran #freeiran
iran-hrm.com/2026/01/27/i...
The regime cannot hide from its crimes anymore.
#iran #iranprotests #iranrevolution #digitalbackoutiran #freeiran
iran-hrm.com/2026/01/27/i...
Short-track speed skating would make a hell of a movie, “F1” style.
February 15, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Short-track speed skating would make a hell of a movie, “F1” style.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Now this is a movie plot!!! Someone understands grad school.
February 14, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Now this is a movie plot!!! Someone understands grad school.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
#ResistanceRoots
#BlackHistoryMonth
Today in history, 1920: Andrew “Rube” Foster organizes the first Negro National League in Kansas City, Mo. It was the first Africa American baseball circuit to last more than one season, providing a platform for stars such as Satchel Paige and Cool Papa Bell. /1
#BlackHistoryMonth
Today in history, 1920: Andrew “Rube” Foster organizes the first Negro National League in Kansas City, Mo. It was the first Africa American baseball circuit to last more than one season, providing a platform for stars such as Satchel Paige and Cool Papa Bell. /1
February 14, 2026 at 1:58 AM
#ResistanceRoots
#BlackHistoryMonth
Today in history, 1920: Andrew “Rube” Foster organizes the first Negro National League in Kansas City, Mo. It was the first Africa American baseball circuit to last more than one season, providing a platform for stars such as Satchel Paige and Cool Papa Bell. /1
#BlackHistoryMonth
Today in history, 1920: Andrew “Rube” Foster organizes the first Negro National League in Kansas City, Mo. It was the first Africa American baseball circuit to last more than one season, providing a platform for stars such as Satchel Paige and Cool Papa Bell. /1
I was Today Years Old when I found out about Soca Music. I always thought “soca” was a slang Caribbean pronunciation of “soccer”—the Trinidad and Tobago national team is nicknamed the “Soca Warriors”—I never heard of “soul calypso” music. I’m sure I’ve heard it being played but no clue
February 14, 2026 at 11:18 PM
I was Today Years Old when I found out about Soca Music. I always thought “soca” was a slang Caribbean pronunciation of “soccer”—the Trinidad and Tobago national team is nicknamed the “Soca Warriors”—I never heard of “soul calypso” music. I’m sure I’ve heard it being played but no clue
Hitler is having bad dreams, so he goes to see a fortune teller. She looks at his palm and stares into her crystal ball. Finally, she sighs and says, “Herr Hitler, it is foretold that you will die on a Jewish holiday.”
Furious, Hitler snarls, “Which one?”
The fortune teller responds,
Furious, Hitler snarls, “Which one?”
The fortune teller responds,
February 14, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Hitler is having bad dreams, so he goes to see a fortune teller. She looks at his palm and stares into her crystal ball. Finally, she sighs and says, “Herr Hitler, it is foretold that you will die on a Jewish holiday.”
Furious, Hitler snarls, “Which one?”
The fortune teller responds,
Furious, Hitler snarls, “Which one?”
The fortune teller responds,
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Protesters in Minnesota have used “tactical frivolity,” a method of using humor as a form of peaceful protest.
‘Power hates being mocked’: Minnesota protestors embrace the absurd
Protesters in Minnesota have used “tactical frivolity,” a method of using humor as a form of peaceful protest.
www.mprnews.org
February 14, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Protesters in Minnesota have used “tactical frivolity,” a method of using humor as a form of peaceful protest.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Yes it’s Valentine’s Day. But it’s also the chosen birthday of Frederick Douglass who was born in 1818 on a plantation in Talbot County, Maryland. He escaped from slavery & rose to become the most eloquent and forceful voice for the abolition of slavery & for Black voting rights in the U.S.
February 14, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Yes it’s Valentine’s Day. But it’s also the chosen birthday of Frederick Douglass who was born in 1818 on a plantation in Talbot County, Maryland. He escaped from slavery & rose to become the most eloquent and forceful voice for the abolition of slavery & for Black voting rights in the U.S.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Ayn Rand texting this pic to Alan Greenspan at 2am
can you imagine how disappointed you’d be if you knew nothing about this book and only picked it up for this particular cover
February 14, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Ayn Rand texting this pic to Alan Greenspan at 2am
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Whole 🧵 worth reading.
In 1854, after watching the federal government deploy 2000 federal troops and spend $40,000 sending Anthony Burns back into slavery, Boston's Amos Adams Lawrence said “we went to bed one night old-fashioned, conservative, Compromise Union Whigs and waked up stark mad Abolitionists.”
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Whole 🧵 worth reading.
Reposted by Thomas Beck
Reposted by Thomas Beck
"At the heart of Born Equal, then, is a theory of American history that posits a direct link between the framers of the Constitution to opponents of slavery to contemporary liberals. Such a link, however, elides some of the complexity of the eras that Amar touches on."
Who Owns the Founding? Akhil Reed Amar’s "Born Equal: Remaking America's Constitution"
Amar's book is a useful history that nevertheless smooths over some of the real complexity of the eras it touches on.
www.liberalcurrents.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:51 PM
"At the heart of Born Equal, then, is a theory of American history that posits a direct link between the framers of the Constitution to opponents of slavery to contemporary liberals. Such a link, however, elides some of the complexity of the eras that Amar touches on."
Reposted by Thomas Beck
"The report cites evidence of mass killings, summary executions, torture, abductions and sexual violence against civilians. These amount to war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, it says."
@bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...
@bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sudan civil war: RSF war crimes saw 6,000 killed in three days in el-Fasher, UN says
Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) committed the atrocities in el-Fasher, says a UN report.
www.bbc.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:26 AM