William M. Cavert
@williamcavert.bsky.social
Historian of Britain, its animals, pollution, energy, climate, nature, and people. Author of The Smoke of London: Energy and Environment in the Early Modern City. Living in St Paul, MN.
Reposted by William M. Cavert
NYPD taking photos of Columbia faculty during our vigil for CU students seized by ICE
November 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
NYPD taking photos of Columbia faculty during our vigil for CU students seized by ICE
It's this easy.
Last night, the Trump Administration sent a letter suggesting Wisconsin should return our FoodShare payments.
My response ⬇️
My response ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 11:23 PM
It's this easy.
Reposted by William M. Cavert
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
Agreed, and perhaps "be yourself and advocate for clear and meaningful policies that would help people" is a good strategy.
I have actually not seen Mamdani give a formal speech and what I’ll say is that unlike so many of his peers he is not trying to mimic anyone in his delivery. He is simply being himself and it is very effective.
I’ve been interested in political speeches for as long as I can remember. I’ve listened to nearly every inaugural and major address, and I’ve given tons of public speeches myself.
Zohran’s talent in this arena ranks among the best. He’s damn good. Hella good. Remarkably good.
Crazy to watch.
Zohran’s talent in this arena ranks among the best. He’s damn good. Hella good. Remarkably good.
Crazy to watch.
November 5, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Agreed, and perhaps "be yourself and advocate for clear and meaningful policies that would help people" is a good strategy.
Reposted by William M. Cavert
🚨 BREAKING: A federal judge in Rhode Island rules from the bench that the Trump admin **must** pay SNAP benefits.
"The court is orally ordering that USDA must distribute the contingency money timely or as soon as possible for the November 1 payments to be made."
Story to come.
"The court is orally ordering that USDA must distribute the contingency money timely or as soon as possible for the November 1 payments to be made."
Story to come.
This directly puts the ball in the Trump administration's court.
There's no longer a question of "can they issue SNAP benefits." They now **must** issue the payments.
So will they? And if so, how much?
These are now policy (and political) questions solely for the Trump administration.
There's no longer a question of "can they issue SNAP benefits." They now **must** issue the payments.
So will they? And if so, how much?
These are now policy (and political) questions solely for the Trump administration.
‼️ On SNAP, very significant here:
A federal judge rules that the Trump admin is "required" to spend the $5.5 billion in contingency funds to pay SNAP benefits.
But there will still be a gap in benefits; she gave the admin until Nov. 3 to share if/how they will issue payments.
A federal judge rules that the Trump admin is "required" to spend the $5.5 billion in contingency funds to pay SNAP benefits.
But there will still be a gap in benefits; she gave the admin until Nov. 3 to share if/how they will issue payments.
October 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM
🚨 BREAKING: A federal judge in Rhode Island rules from the bench that the Trump admin **must** pay SNAP benefits.
"The court is orally ordering that USDA must distribute the contingency money timely or as soon as possible for the November 1 payments to be made."
Story to come.
"The court is orally ordering that USDA must distribute the contingency money timely or as soon as possible for the November 1 payments to be made."
Story to come.
Reposted by William M. Cavert
34 people killed in 50 days. Their guilt or innocence unknown, for an alleged crime that doesn't carry a death sentence. That's a lot of death.
adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
October 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM
34 people killed in 50 days. Their guilt or innocence unknown, for an alleged crime that doesn't carry a death sentence. That's a lot of death.
adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
adamisacson.com/boat-strikes/
"Involved in" by driving the car which hit the man who then died. If only active verbs existed to express who does what.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Inter keeper involved in crash, 81-year-old dies
Inter Milan's Spanish goalkeeper Josep Martínez was involved in a crash Tuesday morning that killed an 81-year-old man, the Carabinieri confirmed.
www.espn.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:39 PM
"Involved in" by driving the car which hit the man who then died. If only active verbs existed to express who does what.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
If faculty tell their university that more support for research is necessary, how about the university does not ask faculty for donations to support faculty research.
October 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
If faculty tell their university that more support for research is necessary, how about the university does not ask faculty for donations to support faculty research.
Good point Lisa, call your senator to demand congress perform its constitutional duties.
“The Congress is adrift,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska. “It’s like we have given up. And that’s not a good signal to the American public.”
1/4
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/b...
1/4
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/b...
The Abdication of Congress
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Good point Lisa, call your senator to demand congress perform its constitutional duties.
Reposted by William M. Cavert
One of her students became so overwhelmed that he had a panic attack. “It’s very scary because this is their normal,”...”You start forming your memories more solidly around 4 or 5 years old, so they have some happy kindergarten memories. But now all of sudden, this is going to take over…”
Teachers Scrambled After ICE Released Tear Gas Outside a Chicago Elementary School
Chicago teachers said they’re dealing with traumatized students in underfunded schools — while Trump spends millions to militarize American cities.
theintercept.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
One of her students became so overwhelmed that he had a panic attack. “It’s very scary because this is their normal,”...”You start forming your memories more solidly around 4 or 5 years old, so they have some happy kindergarten memories. But now all of sudden, this is going to take over…”
Reposted by William M. Cavert
Lots of US companies have done lots of dreadful things to Americans. But the symbolism of paying to destroy the White House is hard to top.
This is who is paying for the destruction of the White House East Wing, per @wsj.com
Altria Group Inc.
Amazon
Apple Inc.
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.
Caterpillar Inc.
Coinbase Global
Comcast Corp.
Hard Rock International
Google
HP Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corp.
Meta Platforms Inc.
1/3
Altria Group Inc.
Amazon
Apple Inc.
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.
Caterpillar Inc.
Coinbase Global
Comcast Corp.
Hard Rock International
HP Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corp.
Meta Platforms Inc.
1/3
October 22, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Lots of US companies have done lots of dreadful things to Americans. But the symbolism of paying to destroy the White House is hard to top.
Reposted by William M. Cavert
I want more people to care that SNAP benefits are being cut off on November 1. 40% of SNAP beneficiaries are children. This is callous and vile.
October 22, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I want more people to care that SNAP benefits are being cut off on November 1. 40% of SNAP beneficiaries are children. This is callous and vile.
Amazon stock up 1.5% today, why not.
October 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Amazon stock up 1.5% today, why not.
Amazing.
Mike Johnson: "We've always stood with Capitol police and law enforcement. We've shown that in word and deed."
October 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Amazing.
Congratulations to Joel Mokyr, who once provided me with expert mentorship in economic history by advising against picking some particular battles. "You don't want to talk about that" can be the right advice.
Economics Nobel celebrates researchers who showed how science and technology drive growth | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Economics Nobel celebrates researchers who showed how science and technology drive growth
Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt explained why the past 2 centuries have seen sustained economic growth rather than stagnation
www.science.org
October 14, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Congratulations to Joel Mokyr, who once provided me with expert mentorship in economic history by advising against picking some particular battles. "You don't want to talk about that" can be the right advice.
Reposted by William M. Cavert
We're delighted to announce that @williamcavert.bsky.social has been awarded the Dyos Prize for 2024!
The Dyos Prize is awarded to the best article submitted to #UrbanHistory in the previous calendar year.
Check out 'Industrial brewing in early modern London' here: doi.org/10.1017/S096...
The Dyos Prize is awarded to the best article submitted to #UrbanHistory in the previous calendar year.
Check out 'Industrial brewing in early modern London' here: doi.org/10.1017/S096...
October 10, 2025 at 3:20 PM
We're delighted to announce that @williamcavert.bsky.social has been awarded the Dyos Prize for 2024!
The Dyos Prize is awarded to the best article submitted to #UrbanHistory in the previous calendar year.
Check out 'Industrial brewing in early modern London' here: doi.org/10.1017/S096...
The Dyos Prize is awarded to the best article submitted to #UrbanHistory in the previous calendar year.
Check out 'Industrial brewing in early modern London' here: doi.org/10.1017/S096...
Reposted by William M. Cavert
Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.
Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race
southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...
Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race
southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...
Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children
Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.
southsideweekly.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.
Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race
southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...
Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race
southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...
Reposted by William M. Cavert
A federal immigration agent grabbed a Chicago citizen by the neck on Kedzie Avenue, with four other agents dogpiling him. One of them says "she's next" to someone recording the interaction. (Video shared by Don Lemon)
October 7, 2025 at 3:55 PM
A federal immigration agent grabbed a Chicago citizen by the neck on Kedzie Avenue, with four other agents dogpiling him. One of them says "she's next" to someone recording the interaction. (Video shared by Don Lemon)
Reposted by William M. Cavert
Crucial from @asharangappa.bsky.social: It's a stunning omission that in media coverage of Trump and Stephen Miller blaming the left for political violence, Jan 6 is largely absent.
"It almost seems like the whitewashing is successful."
On the pod, she's so good:
newrepublic.com/article/2004...
"It almost seems like the whitewashing is successful."
On the pod, she's so good:
newrepublic.com/article/2004...
Trump Hit by Harsh Fox News Report Showing Kash Patel Imploding at FBI
As a surprising Fox News report says the FBI Director is in trouble—even as Trump’s threats to unleash law enforcement on enemies are escalating—a former FBI agent explains why this moment is so dange...
newrepublic.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Crucial from @asharangappa.bsky.social: It's a stunning omission that in media coverage of Trump and Stephen Miller blaming the left for political violence, Jan 6 is largely absent.
"It almost seems like the whitewashing is successful."
On the pod, she's so good:
newrepublic.com/article/2004...
"It almost seems like the whitewashing is successful."
On the pod, she's so good:
newrepublic.com/article/2004...
I've been wondering if Donald Trump truly has the best interests of the American people at heart, and Senator Schumer has persuaded me that he does not. This is huge.
Donald Trump is ordering Republicans not to even bother talking with Democrats about the budget.
The American people know it would be him shutting the government down.
The American people know it would be him shutting the government down.
September 15, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I've been wondering if Donald Trump truly has the best interests of the American people at heart, and Senator Schumer has persuaded me that he does not. This is huge.
Reposted by William M. Cavert
Some personal news:
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
The Washington Post Fired Me — But My Voice Will Not Be Silenced.
I spoke out against hatred and violence in America — and it cost me my job.
substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Some personal news:
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
Reposted by William M. Cavert
Ice murdered Silverio Villegas-Gonzales as he was trying to flee
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US immigration officers kill man trying to flee vehicle stop near Chicago
Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez shot and killed and officer injured in incident in Franklin Park, Illinois
www.theguardian.com
September 13, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Ice murdered Silverio Villegas-Gonzales as he was trying to flee
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Don-na Tartt do do do do-do-do, Donna Tartt!
September 13, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Don-na Tartt do do do do-do-do, Donna Tartt!
Often lost in the gun violence conversation: the trauma of false alarms. In this incident no one was hurt or even really in danger, police responded well, school leaders communicated effectively, and yet hundreds very reasonably feared for their lives.
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne...
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne...
Student suspected of gun theft sparks shelter-in-place, school lockdown in Richfield
Richfield police say officers quickly found the student, who did not have a gun in their possession.
bringmethenews.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Often lost in the gun violence conversation: the trauma of false alarms. In this incident no one was hurt or even really in danger, police responded well, school leaders communicated effectively, and yet hundreds very reasonably feared for their lives.
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne...
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-ne...