Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
@airhart.me
Data engineering, human rights, LGBTQ equity, Sufism, pro-feminism, and liberation theology are my gigs. Ex-journalist. UDayton, Sojourners, and Jesuit Volunteer Corps vet. Pilgrim to Colombia, El Salvador, and Morocco. BLM. Serial comma.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
What does social psychology say about why Americans like the policies and behavior of Donald Trump?
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November 10, 2025 at 2:03 AM
What does social psychology say about why Americans like the policies and behavior of Donald Trump?
1/12
1/12
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Centrists and moderates, what have you done for America lately?
Reminds me of the white moderates MLK warned about so many years ago.
Just useless.
Reminds me of the white moderates MLK warned about so many years ago.
Just useless.
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Centrists and moderates, what have you done for America lately?
Reminds me of the white moderates MLK warned about so many years ago.
Just useless.
Reminds me of the white moderates MLK warned about so many years ago.
Just useless.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
📚 Meanwhile the right-wing extremist war books continues unabated here in Tennessee, now forcing temporary library closures across RUTHERFORD COUNTY to review materials some may be offended by.
More: www.instagram.com/p/DQuLMlfjbn...
More: www.instagram.com/p/DQuLMlfjbn...
November 6, 2025 at 6:01 PM
📚 Meanwhile the right-wing extremist war books continues unabated here in Tennessee, now forcing temporary library closures across RUTHERFORD COUNTY to review materials some may be offended by.
More: www.instagram.com/p/DQuLMlfjbn...
More: www.instagram.com/p/DQuLMlfjbn...
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
If rednecks actually read books, they would see that a book can’t change their sexual orientation.
November 6, 2025 at 6:08 PM
If rednecks actually read books, they would see that a book can’t change their sexual orientation.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Eugene Debs, Dorothy Day, Marcantonio, Nkrumah. I like hearing about our connection to the past. Other candidates have lately assumed the worst about us. And we know why that is. Anyway, here's the post election speech. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFH2...
“Trump, Turn the Volume Up!” — Zohran Mamdani’s Fiery Victory Speech Rocks NYC | AC1G
YouTube video by DRM News
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Eugene Debs, Dorothy Day, Marcantonio, Nkrumah. I like hearing about our connection to the past. Other candidates have lately assumed the worst about us. And we know why that is. Anyway, here's the post election speech. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFH2...
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
He quotes Dorothy Day's words of support for Marcantonio: "The poor of East Harlem felt that he loved them and was interested in them."
As if he didn't already have the Catholic Worker vote!
As if he didn't already have the Catholic Worker vote!
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 5: Vito Marcantonio
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
November 4, 2025 at 4:51 AM
He quotes Dorothy Day's words of support for Marcantonio: "The poor of East Harlem felt that he loved them and was interested in them."
As if he didn't already have the Catholic Worker vote!
As if he didn't already have the Catholic Worker vote!
Politics is about excuses. Politics is mass delusion.
Observers of China and Russia understand this. Why can't American media see this in our own politics?
Observers of China and Russia understand this. Why can't American media see this in our own politics?
November 1, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Politics is about excuses. Politics is mass delusion.
Observers of China and Russia understand this. Why can't American media see this in our own politics?
Observers of China and Russia understand this. Why can't American media see this in our own politics?
“You suffer from the oldest delusion in politics. You think you can change the world by talking to a leader. Leaders are the effects, not the causes of changes.”
-- Alasdair Gray
-- Alasdair Gray
November 1, 2025 at 3:28 AM
“You suffer from the oldest delusion in politics. You think you can change the world by talking to a leader. Leaders are the effects, not the causes of changes.”
-- Alasdair Gray
-- Alasdair Gray
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
"Mobilizing under the slogan #Free_Koulchi—meaning 'free everyone'—young protesters led by the Gen Z 212 movement, organized fresh demonstrations."
Police "have arrested more than 2,100 protesters."
"[H]igh cost of dreaming of a better homeland."
#Morocco #Policing #Healthcare #Incarceration
Police "have arrested more than 2,100 protesters."
"[H]igh cost of dreaming of a better homeland."
#Morocco #Policing #Healthcare #Incarceration
Gen Z Uprising in Morocco: Youth Defy Crackdown to Free Jailed Protesters
Protesters returned to Morocco's streets a month after anti-corruption rallies swept the country, this time demanding freedom and justice for more than 1,500 detained demonstrators.
www.occrp.org
October 27, 2025 at 8:52 PM
"Mobilizing under the slogan #Free_Koulchi—meaning 'free everyone'—young protesters led by the Gen Z 212 movement, organized fresh demonstrations."
Police "have arrested more than 2,100 protesters."
"[H]igh cost of dreaming of a better homeland."
#Morocco #Policing #Healthcare #Incarceration
Police "have arrested more than 2,100 protesters."
"[H]igh cost of dreaming of a better homeland."
#Morocco #Policing #Healthcare #Incarceration
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
AI water usage is so small when compared to golf courses and mining operations, you can't even see it on a chart. www.understandingai.org/p/16-charts-...
October 27, 2025 at 9:31 PM
AI water usage is so small when compared to golf courses and mining operations, you can't even see it on a chart. www.understandingai.org/p/16-charts-...
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Resistance violence is birthed in response to violence from systemic oppression.
Violence from Systems of oppression is integral to systems of oppression.
Systems of oppression do not need an external motivator for violence, they just are violent. They are built entirely through violence.
Violence from Systems of oppression is integral to systems of oppression.
Systems of oppression do not need an external motivator for violence, they just are violent. They are built entirely through violence.
September 11, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Resistance violence is birthed in response to violence from systemic oppression.
Violence from Systems of oppression is integral to systems of oppression.
Systems of oppression do not need an external motivator for violence, they just are violent. They are built entirely through violence.
Violence from Systems of oppression is integral to systems of oppression.
Systems of oppression do not need an external motivator for violence, they just are violent. They are built entirely through violence.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
LETTERS FROM A LIVING UTOPIA is a love letter to liberation. A journey of resilient repair that will leave you with the deeply felt certainty that Palestine WILL be free. That Palestine HAS ALWAYS been free.
September 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
LETTERS FROM A LIVING UTOPIA is a love letter to liberation. A journey of resilient repair that will leave you with the deeply felt certainty that Palestine WILL be free. That Palestine HAS ALWAYS been free.
Where is the interview with Palestinian leaders and with any anti-Hamas dissidents?
<crickets>
<crickets>
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner discussed brokering a fragile deal between Israel and Hamas and rejected allegations that Israeli forces had committed genocide in Gaza during an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" that aired this evening.
"Absolutely not": Witkoff, Kushner reject Gaza genocide claims in "60 Minutes" interview
Addressing their business in the Middle East, Kushner said: "What people call conflicts of interests, Steve and I call experience."
www.axios.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Where is the interview with Palestinian leaders and with any anti-Hamas dissidents?
<crickets>
<crickets>
I am grateful to @lukeslamdunkwilson.bsky.social, @cdamianwrites.bsky.social, @mfsavoices.org, and Darren Calhoun for courageously raising their voices for queer youth and for reform in religious communities. ❤️
The Supreme Court seems likely to overrule a law banning conversion therapy for minors, horrifying queer faith leaders and their allies after years of fighting to protect queer children.
sojo.net/articles/new...
sojo.net/articles/new...
The Christian Activists Supporting a Conversion Therapy Ban
“It’s about affirming that every person, including every queer person, bears the divine image and deserves to live free from psychological and spiritual harm,” Bridget Cabrera said.
sojo.net
October 16, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I am grateful to @lukeslamdunkwilson.bsky.social, @cdamianwrites.bsky.social, @mfsavoices.org, and Darren Calhoun for courageously raising their voices for queer youth and for reform in religious communities. ❤️
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Two more members of a Young Republican group chat strewn with racist epithets and hateful jokes stepped down from their jobs Tuesday after we published an exclusive report on the Telegram exchanges.
‘It’s revolting’: More Young Republican chat members out of jobs as condemnation intensifies
POLITICO report on private Telegram chat filled with racist slurs and tropes ignites debate from New York to Washington.
www.politico.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Two more members of a Young Republican group chat strewn with racist epithets and hateful jokes stepped down from their jobs Tuesday after we published an exclusive report on the Telegram exchanges.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
"People often ask me what journalism I trust. So today I’m handing out letter grades to some major players." —Mark Jacob. www.stopthepresses.news/p/im-handing...
I’m handing out pro-democracy grades to the media
The Guardian gets an A, the NY Times gets a C, CBS gets an F
www.stopthepresses.news
October 14, 2025 at 11:45 PM
"People often ask me what journalism I trust. So today I’m handing out letter grades to some major players." —Mark Jacob. www.stopthepresses.news/p/im-handing...
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Hmm. No mention of fact-checking.
October 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Hmm. No mention of fact-checking.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
POLITICO: “.. They referred to Black people as monkeys and ‘the watermelon people’ and mused about putting their political opponents in gas chambers. They talked about raping their enemies .. and lauded Republicans who they believed support slavery.
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
October 14, 2025 at 5:25 PM
POLITICO: “.. They referred to Black people as monkeys and ‘the watermelon people’ and mused about putting their political opponents in gas chambers. They talked about raping their enemies .. and lauded Republicans who they believed support slavery.
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
@politico.com
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
When scientists look under the tinfoil hat, they see that conspiracy mentality is linked to distress, impulsivity, negative affect, and lack of intellectual humility.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
October 13, 2025 at 12:39 AM
When scientists look under the tinfoil hat, they see that conspiracy mentality is linked to distress, impulsivity, negative affect, and lack of intellectual humility.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Back at #Bradford2025 for Rizwan Muazzam Qawwals. The only other Qawwali band I ever saw was their uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in the 80s (also at St George's Hall), so this was a treat. Not quite as big a treat as the Master himself but hey. Highly energised. Loving the audience response.
October 3, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Back at #Bradford2025 for Rizwan Muazzam Qawwals. The only other Qawwali band I ever saw was their uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in the 80s (also at St George's Hall), so this was a treat. Not quite as big a treat as the Master himself but hey. Highly energised. Loving the audience response.
Who will the U.S. armed services obey when Trump gives unconstitutional orders?
Nine percent of active-duty troops said they would “obey any order” from the president. Another 9% “didn’t know,” and 2% had “no comment.”
1/3
theconversation.com/4-out-of-5-u...
Nine percent of active-duty troops said they would “obey any order” from the president. Another 9% “didn’t know,” and 2% had “no comment.”
1/3
theconversation.com/4-out-of-5-u...
4 out of 5 US troops surveyed understand the duty to disobey illegal orders
As National Guard troops head to the streets of Washington, and likely civilian encounters, a new survey reveals service members’ understanding of the distinction between legal and illegal orders.
theconversation.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Who will the U.S. armed services obey when Trump gives unconstitutional orders?
Nine percent of active-duty troops said they would “obey any order” from the president. Another 9% “didn’t know,” and 2% had “no comment.”
1/3
theconversation.com/4-out-of-5-u...
Nine percent of active-duty troops said they would “obey any order” from the president. Another 9% “didn’t know,” and 2% had “no comment.”
1/3
theconversation.com/4-out-of-5-u...
What many people (including the media) call "liberals" are, 43 percent of the time (not including independent voters), moderate or rightist.
A short thread:
1/3
A short thread:
1/3
October 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
What many people (including the media) call "liberals" are, 43 percent of the time (not including independent voters), moderate or rightist.
A short thread:
1/3
A short thread:
1/3
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Well put. At some point we might need to call them fascists but let’s hold that word in reserve until they meet the definition. Bigoted and racist authoritarians is still correct.
Violence: Not even close to a fascist regime
Popular mobilization: Not remotely
Extreme nationalism: Weak beer compared to fascist regimes
Dictatorial leadership: They wish
Militarism: Nope (unless you just got drafted)
Personality cult: Check
Scapegoating: Check
Popular mobilization: Not remotely
Extreme nationalism: Weak beer compared to fascist regimes
Dictatorial leadership: They wish
Militarism: Nope (unless you just got drafted)
Personality cult: Check
Scapegoating: Check
Extreme nationalism: check
Dictatorial leadership: check
Militarism: check
Violence: check
Personality cult: check
Scapegoating: check
Popular mobilization: check
What am I missing? This admin fits the classic definition of fascism. Or wants to.
Dictatorial leadership: check
Militarism: check
Violence: check
Personality cult: check
Scapegoating: check
Popular mobilization: check
What am I missing? This admin fits the classic definition of fascism. Or wants to.
October 2, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Well put. At some point we might need to call them fascists but let’s hold that word in reserve until they meet the definition. Bigoted and racist authoritarians is still correct.
Reposted by Michael Airhart (عارف) (ميخائيل )
Hertling: His comments about putting hands back on recruits… We moved away from that 30 years ago because it’s ineffective…
You know where it didn’t go away? The Russian army.
You know where it didn’t go away? The Russian army.
October 1, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Hertling: His comments about putting hands back on recruits… We moved away from that 30 years ago because it’s ineffective…
You know where it didn’t go away? The Russian army.
You know where it didn’t go away? The Russian army.