BillBenda
@bendabill.bsky.social
The year was 2081, and everyone was finally equal -- Vonnegut.
Blondie/Debbie Harry, rock & roll, nature, history & other fascinating things.
Blondie/Debbie Harry, rock & roll, nature, history & other fascinating things.
Reposted by BillBenda
Speaks to something deeply wrong with capitalism that Lampert was allowed to annihilate the value of this company to less than nothing while still walking away with hundreds of millions in profits for himself from the saga.
Sears had more than 3,400 stores in 2005 -- then it was purchased by a hedge fund magnate.
Why Sears’s Last Great Hope Was a Promise That Never Materialized
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Speaks to something deeply wrong with capitalism that Lampert was allowed to annihilate the value of this company to less than nothing while still walking away with hundreds of millions in profits for himself from the saga.
Reposted by BillBenda
Exactly. "Free Speech" has become conflated with the right to an audience, who must be compelled if necessary
It’s the same situation as with the Free Speech Union in the UK. “Free Speech” in effect becomes compulsory listening to the right and suppression of liberal values.
December 26, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Exactly. "Free Speech" has become conflated with the right to an audience, who must be compelled if necessary
Reposted by BillBenda
This was never about immigration laws; it's always been about ethnic cleansing. Miller and his Brownshirts won't be stopped by the courts; they've repeatedly told us that. The only language they know is force. If they can ignore courts with impunity, we already live in a lawless society.
"Her family has now been told she has been deported, despite US District Judge Brendan Hurson ruling Thursday that she could not be deported pending a hearing...attorneys said Monday that they have...confirm[ed] with the hospital she was born in Maryland." https://bit.ly/3MMdJvz
ICE detains woman whose lawyer insists is US citizen. DHS says she isn't
Federal agents arrested Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales on her way home in Baltimore, Maryland.
bit.ly
December 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
This was never about immigration laws; it's always been about ethnic cleansing. Miller and his Brownshirts won't be stopped by the courts; they've repeatedly told us that. The only language they know is force. If they can ignore courts with impunity, we already live in a lawless society.
Reposted by BillBenda
Phang: If that happened in January, how in the actual hell is Blanche now telling the American people that they suddenly discovered a million more documents?
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
December 26, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Phang: If that happened in January, how in the actual hell is Blanche now telling the American people that they suddenly discovered a million more documents?
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
Reposted by BillBenda
Please folks. Learn the history.
December 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Please folks. Learn the history.
Stephen Miller needs to go in front of "the Hague" after this.
A staffing crisis looms for nursing homes as the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration eliminates work authorization for immigrant employees who care for vulnerable seniors.
Chaos as Trump crackdown triggers massive nursing home crisis: 'I'm expecting the worst'
A staffing crisis looms for nursing homes as the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration eliminates work authorization for immigrant employees who care for vulnerable seniors. At a Miami facility, more than a third of one facility's workforce — mostly immigrants from Haiti — have already los...
bit.ly
December 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Stephen Miller needs to go in front of "the Hague" after this.
❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥
Havnt made a home made deep dish pizza for a while so why not make one for Christmas!
December 26, 2025 at 9:06 PM
❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥
Reposted by BillBenda
We regret to inform you the Yuletide could not be gay in President Trump's America.
December 26, 2025 at 6:31 PM
We regret to inform you the Yuletide could not be gay in President Trump's America.
Reposted by BillBenda
Democrats are not perfect--by their own admission. But let us give thanks.
15 times Democrats made us proud in 2025
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
#VoteBlue #USPol
15 times Democrats made us proud in 2025
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
#VoteBlue #USPol
15 times Democrats made us proud in 2025
Republicans have control over all three branches of government, but that doesn’t mean that Democrats haven’t been fighting back. Whether in media appearances or committee meetings, Democrats ...
www.dailykos.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Democrats are not perfect--by their own admission. But let us give thanks.
15 times Democrats made us proud in 2025
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
#VoteBlue #USPol
15 times Democrats made us proud in 2025
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
#VoteBlue #USPol
Reposted by BillBenda
This thread is why we need historians.
This is why it’s so important to trace things back to the beginning whenever possible.
I believe @rauchway.bsky.social calls these “historical urban legends”
I believe @rauchway.bsky.social calls these “historical urban legends”
looking up the source of quotes, whether for a book or a video script, is great for figuring out when a quote everyone "knows" and has repeated for ages is actually just weird bullshit someone else made up
December 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
This thread is why we need historians.
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MechaHitler, M.D.
December 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
MechaHitler, M.D.
Reposted by BillBenda
“Merry Christmas to all, including the many sleazebags who loved Jeffrey Epstein [and] attended his parties.”
–Donald J. Trump
–Donald J. Trump
December 26, 2025 at 7:48 PM
“Merry Christmas to all, including the many sleazebags who loved Jeffrey Epstein [and] attended his parties.”
–Donald J. Trump
–Donald J. Trump
Reposted by BillBenda
Our broken child care system can learn a lot from New Mexico - the state that is leading the way in guaranteeing free child care for all.
There is no better rate of return than investing in our children.
The rest of the country should follow New Mexico’s lead.
There is no better rate of return than investing in our children.
The rest of the country should follow New Mexico’s lead.
December 26, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Our broken child care system can learn a lot from New Mexico - the state that is leading the way in guaranteeing free child care for all.
There is no better rate of return than investing in our children.
The rest of the country should follow New Mexico’s lead.
There is no better rate of return than investing in our children.
The rest of the country should follow New Mexico’s lead.
Reposted by BillBenda
It’s not “dunking” to point out that racial hierarchies are fluid and that present racists conveniently ignore the racial judgments of prior generations of racists as they attempt to appeal to now-white members of the former underclass
I see a lot of people dunking on Miller, and rightly so. But the point of racism isn't the internal coherence, but the power structure: Getting to determine who is in and who is out. In other words, a small group of people get to decide -- not abstract rules.
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
December 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
It’s not “dunking” to point out that racial hierarchies are fluid and that present racists conveniently ignore the racial judgments of prior generations of racists as they attempt to appeal to now-white members of the former underclass
Reposted by BillBenda
Because in the 1910s, Southern Italians were considered to be “brown immigrants”
What’s the point of stupid comments like this when everyone knows he means black and brown immigrants???
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
December 26, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Because in the 1910s, Southern Italians were considered to be “brown immigrants”
Reposted by BillBenda
Side note: Sinatra’s mom Natalina “Dolly” Garaventa, a midwife by trade, ran an underground free abortion clinic, chained herself to a fence to fight for women’s suffrage and was an extremely influential organizer for the Democratic Party
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eamo...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eamo...
December 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Side note: Sinatra’s mom Natalina “Dolly” Garaventa, a midwife by trade, ran an underground free abortion clinic, chained herself to a fence to fight for women’s suffrage and was an extremely influential organizer for the Democratic Party
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eamo...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eamo...
Reposted by BillBenda
Trump & Nicki Minaj attacked Nigeria to “Protect Christians”
I’m wondering who’s gonna protect Americans from the Christians in the White House?
I’m wondering who’s gonna protect Americans from the Christians in the White House?
December 26, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Trump & Nicki Minaj attacked Nigeria to “Protect Christians”
I’m wondering who’s gonna protect Americans from the Christians in the White House?
I’m wondering who’s gonna protect Americans from the Christians in the White House?
Reposted by BillBenda
Happy Boxing Day! Get 10% OFF all music today only with code BOXING DAY. shop.blondie.net
December 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Happy Boxing Day! Get 10% OFF all music today only with code BOXING DAY. shop.blondie.net
Reposted by BillBenda
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
December 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Reposted by BillBenda
Relatedly, we obtained an unpublished history of Stephen Miller's ancestors' immigration to the US, written by his grandmother. People like them were attacked in terms very similar to the ones Miller and MAGA use about today's immigrants:
newrepublic.com/article/2041...
newrepublic.com/article/2041...
December 26, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Relatedly, we obtained an unpublished history of Stephen Miller's ancestors' immigration to the US, written by his grandmother. People like them were attacked in terms very similar to the ones Miller and MAGA use about today's immigrants:
newrepublic.com/article/2041...
newrepublic.com/article/2041...
Reposted by BillBenda
Imagine watching Sinatra, son of Dolly & Antonini born in Genoa & Sicily, respectively, and Martin, son of Gaetano & Angela, born in Montesilvano, Italy & Ohio respectively, (Angela to parents born in Monasterolo, Italy), and crusading against the value of children of immigrants to the U.S.
December 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Imagine watching Sinatra, son of Dolly & Antonini born in Genoa & Sicily, respectively, and Martin, son of Gaetano & Angela, born in Montesilvano, Italy & Ohio respectively, (Angela to parents born in Monasterolo, Italy), and crusading against the value of children of immigrants to the U.S.
Reposted by BillBenda
Another round of No Exit vinyls finding their way into the hands of Blondie fans! 🎶✨ Who unwrapped theirs on Christmas? Share your photos and tag us!
December 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Another round of No Exit vinyls finding their way into the hands of Blondie fans! 🎶✨ Who unwrapped theirs on Christmas? Share your photos and tag us!
Reposted by BillBenda
Amos left today. Christmas. We'll miss you ♥️
December 26, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Amos left today. Christmas. We'll miss you ♥️
Reposted by BillBenda
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” –Calvin Coolidge
📷: Allan Tannenbaum
📷: Allan Tannenbaum
December 25, 2025 at 2:19 PM
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” –Calvin Coolidge
📷: Allan Tannenbaum
📷: Allan Tannenbaum
Reposted by BillBenda
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I’m so thankful to able to serve you and your family in Congress. I hope everyone has a peaceful day with family and loved ones.
December 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I’m so thankful to able to serve you and your family in Congress. I hope everyone has a peaceful day with family and loved ones.