Billie Hammerski
@billiehammerski.bsky.social
Writer - Philosopher - Retired Lawyer - JD, UCLA (Go Bruins)
Working on a self-issued and directed PhD/MFA in literature, philosophy, creative writing, and film. Join with me in any or all areas!
Working on a self-issued and directed PhD/MFA in literature, philosophy, creative writing, and film. Join with me in any or all areas!
Watched Eddington tonight and was very disappointed given the cast and director. It manages to dredge up the awfulness of 2020 without really grappling with it in any kind of nuanced way. I was particularly repulsed by the cartoonish way young BLM protestors were presented. Vapid failure of a movie.
November 15, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Watched Eddington tonight and was very disappointed given the cast and director. It manages to dredge up the awfulness of 2020 without really grappling with it in any kind of nuanced way. I was particularly repulsed by the cartoonish way young BLM protestors were presented. Vapid failure of a movie.
My favorite college basketball game of the year going all the way back to the 80s is UCLA vs Arizona. I'm amped up for it tonight and find out its on Peacock. Spreading sports across a variety of streaming platforms has become extremely frustrating and is really pushing me away from watching sports.
November 15, 2025 at 2:34 AM
My favorite college basketball game of the year going all the way back to the 80s is UCLA vs Arizona. I'm amped up for it tonight and find out its on Peacock. Spreading sports across a variety of streaming platforms has become extremely frustrating and is really pushing me away from watching sports.
This is a GREAT achievement by UCLA faculty and staff in the fight against fascism. I'm a very proud Bruin tonight and am still dumbfounded and disgusted by the schools who chose capitulation and appeasement over righteous resistance.
WE WON. I am *begging* you to take note of who did this. *Not* UCLA admin—they’re still scuttling around behind closed doors, attempting to appease—but FACULTY AND STAFF, led by AAUP.
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:26 AM
This is a GREAT achievement by UCLA faculty and staff in the fight against fascism. I'm a very proud Bruin tonight and am still dumbfounded and disgusted by the schools who chose capitulation and appeasement over righteous resistance.
I find the haters more grating than the stans and this pretty much applies to everything. Looking down on someone for loving art in whatever form they happen to love says more about their insecurities than they realize.
November 14, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I find the haters more grating than the stans and this pretty much applies to everything. Looking down on someone for loving art in whatever form they happen to love says more about their insecurities than they realize.
Yes. And let's not forget that Dershowitz has repeatedly floated the theory that sex with minors isn't really sex with minors if they're 15-17 or whatever years he creepily defined as "should be okay." They're telling you who they are very clearly.
To all the weirdos defending Megyn Kelly: 15 year olds are underage, and that is statutory rape.
Pretty simple
Pretty simple
November 14, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Yes. And let's not forget that Dershowitz has repeatedly floated the theory that sex with minors isn't really sex with minors if they're 15-17 or whatever years he creepily defined as "should be okay." They're telling you who they are very clearly.
My current favorite 10 films (in no order):
LOTR Trilogy
The Shining
Lost in Translation
Unforgiven
Casablanca
The Insider
Judgment at Nuremberg
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Manchester by the Sea
The Conformist
I wish I could find my way to more film discussions somewhere.
LOTR Trilogy
The Shining
Lost in Translation
Unforgiven
Casablanca
The Insider
Judgment at Nuremberg
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Manchester by the Sea
The Conformist
I wish I could find my way to more film discussions somewhere.
November 14, 2025 at 7:57 PM
My current favorite 10 films (in no order):
LOTR Trilogy
The Shining
Lost in Translation
Unforgiven
Casablanca
The Insider
Judgment at Nuremberg
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Manchester by the Sea
The Conformist
I wish I could find my way to more film discussions somewhere.
LOTR Trilogy
The Shining
Lost in Translation
Unforgiven
Casablanca
The Insider
Judgment at Nuremberg
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Manchester by the Sea
The Conformist
I wish I could find my way to more film discussions somewhere.
Sen. Shaheen on MSNBC right now begins extremely defensively about her daughter criticizing her publicly and immediately expresses no regrets in selling out her fellow Democrats and the American people's fight for health care. SHE. IS. AWFUL. Just cut off the host again.
November 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Sen. Shaheen on MSNBC right now begins extremely defensively about her daughter criticizing her publicly and immediately expresses no regrets in selling out her fellow Democrats and the American people's fight for health care. SHE. IS. AWFUL. Just cut off the host again.
I played bass in a band back in the day and we did Seven Nation Army. Even though it was mostly in dive bars to 20 drunk friends, I sure value the memories of my bass firing them up into a semi-frenzy. This was an epic cover by Twenty One Pilots at the HoF worthy of The White Stripes' induction.
full twenty øne piløts cover of “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes from the 40th Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 📣
Twenty One Pilots | Seven Nation Army | Full Performance | Live @ The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2025
YouTube video by RemasterKingdom4K
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I played bass in a band back in the day and we did Seven Nation Army. Even though it was mostly in dive bars to 20 drunk friends, I sure value the memories of my bass firing them up into a semi-frenzy. This was an epic cover by Twenty One Pilots at the HoF worthy of The White Stripes' induction.
This is my redline with @captmarkkelly.bsky.social. I will no longer support him and will work to primary him in 2028. This is 10 minutes of mealy-mouthed typical Democratic bullshit that fails the base and the American people. We're in crisis and he's the same old Democrat. I'm done. I'm out.
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
This is my redline with @captmarkkelly.bsky.social. I will no longer support him and will work to primary him in 2028. This is 10 minutes of mealy-mouthed typical Democratic bullshit that fails the base and the American people. We're in crisis and he's the same old Democrat. I'm done. I'm out.
Dear @democrats.org,
Now that I have had a day to process the shutdown deal, I have something I'd like to say respectfully:
Eat shit.
This veteran is done with anyone not clearly a progressive in word and deed. No more money. No more votes. No more volunteering. After 4 decades, I'm done.
Now that I have had a day to process the shutdown deal, I have something I'd like to say respectfully:
Eat shit.
This veteran is done with anyone not clearly a progressive in word and deed. No more money. No more votes. No more volunteering. After 4 decades, I'm done.
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Dear @democrats.org,
Now that I have had a day to process the shutdown deal, I have something I'd like to say respectfully:
Eat shit.
This veteran is done with anyone not clearly a progressive in word and deed. No more money. No more votes. No more volunteering. After 4 decades, I'm done.
Now that I have had a day to process the shutdown deal, I have something I'd like to say respectfully:
Eat shit.
This veteran is done with anyone not clearly a progressive in word and deed. No more money. No more votes. No more volunteering. After 4 decades, I'm done.
Finally saw Guardians of the Galaxy v3. Is there any better “pure fun” cinema this century than this now-trilogy? The opening to Radiohead’s acoustic Creep letting us know this would be Rocket’s story was brilliant. I nearly shed a tear for Peter over Gamora. Felt good to be a kid again for 2.5 hrs.
November 10, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Finally saw Guardians of the Galaxy v3. Is there any better “pure fun” cinema this century than this now-trilogy? The opening to Radiohead’s acoustic Creep letting us know this would be Rocket’s story was brilliant. I nearly shed a tear for Peter over Gamora. Felt good to be a kid again for 2.5 hrs.
For those celebrating SCOTUS rejecting the gay marriage challenge, you're in for disappointment. This wasn't the case to do it, but the reversal is coming. Remember, Roberts joined Thomas/Alito dissenting in Obergefell. You really think 2 of the 3 Trump appointees are going to save gay marriage?
a man says that hardly seems likely while sitting on a couch
ALT: a man says that hardly seems likely while sitting on a couch
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:17 PM
For those celebrating SCOTUS rejecting the gay marriage challenge, you're in for disappointment. This wasn't the case to do it, but the reversal is coming. Remember, Roberts joined Thomas/Alito dissenting in Obergefell. You really think 2 of the 3 Trump appointees are going to save gay marriage?
Reposted by Billie Hammerski
This right here.
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
This right here.
So emotional watching one of my most favorite bands of all-time get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Soundgarden's music deeply impacted me and Chris Cornell's death hurt me more than any human's that I never met. It was like losing a compass of sorts for my generation. Still hurts. Love you Chris.
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 AM
So emotional watching one of my most favorite bands of all-time get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Soundgarden's music deeply impacted me and Chris Cornell's death hurt me more than any human's that I never met. It was like losing a compass of sorts for my generation. Still hurts. Love you Chris.
I just listened to this podcast, The Preventionist, on child abuse not by parents, but by doctors, courts, and bureaucracy. I'm so disturbed by this Pulitzer-worthy reporting. The harm caused to children by "the system" (i.e., awful individuals doing awful things) is profoundly disturbing.
The Preventionist is excellent on this also. Child welfare system riddled with atrocious forensic science, separating families based on overzealous doctors. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/p...
From Serial Productions: The Preventionist
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I just listened to this podcast, The Preventionist, on child abuse not by parents, but by doctors, courts, and bureaucracy. I'm so disturbed by this Pulitzer-worthy reporting. The harm caused to children by "the system" (i.e., awful individuals doing awful things) is profoundly disturbing.
I'm 20 years late to the party, but halfway through the Deadwood HBO series I just had to say somewhere that this is a fantastic series with outstanding character writing. Possible entry on my Mount Rushmore of TV series.
November 7, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I'm 20 years late to the party, but halfway through the Deadwood HBO series I just had to say somewhere that this is a fantastic series with outstanding character writing. Possible entry on my Mount Rushmore of TV series.
Woke up feeling so bad for Blue Jays fans and everyone in their organization. The pain of that loss will never go away. Someone has to lose, but to build their team the way they have and come within inches, wow. Baseball wounds cut deeper and last longer than any other sport.
November 2, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Woke up feeling so bad for Blue Jays fans and everyone in their organization. The pain of that loss will never go away. Someone has to lose, but to build their team the way they have and come within inches, wow. Baseball wounds cut deeper and last longer than any other sport.
I feel terribly sad for the Blue Jays and their fans. And I feel terribly sad for anyone that doesn't love baseball. That was some of the most compelling sports drama I have ever witnessed.
a man in a dark room says " how can you not be romantic about baseball "
ALT: a man in a dark room says " how can you not be romantic about baseball "
media.tenor.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:31 AM
I feel terribly sad for the Blue Jays and their fans. And I feel terribly sad for anyone that doesn't love baseball. That was some of the most compelling sports drama I have ever witnessed.
My two favorite horror films are The Shining and The Silence of the Lambs. I could write a book about how I feel about each one. Everyone thinks of Hannibal, and he is one of the GOAT cinematic villains. But Foster's Clarice Starling is one of my favorite protagonists. Anyway, Happy Halloween.
October 31, 2025 at 6:14 AM
My two favorite horror films are The Shining and The Silence of the Lambs. I could write a book about how I feel about each one. Everyone thinks of Hannibal, and he is one of the GOAT cinematic villains. But Foster's Clarice Starling is one of my favorite protagonists. Anyway, Happy Halloween.
Watched The Dead Zone (1983) tonight. This Stephen King adaptation was different, and better, than I expected. If I read the book as a teenager (I probably did), I didn't remember it so was surprised to find a strange sci-fi meditation on fate and morality centered on a great Walken performance. 👍
a man says " the ice ... is gonna break "
ALT: a man says " the ice ... is gonna break "
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Watched The Dead Zone (1983) tonight. This Stephen King adaptation was different, and better, than I expected. If I read the book as a teenager (I probably did), I didn't remember it so was surprised to find a strange sci-fi meditation on fate and morality centered on a great Walken performance. 👍
Tonight I rewatched The Shining (1980). Is there a better Jungian takedown of my fellow white American males in all of cinema (along with the parallel takedown of America as a whole)? America is in the "wandering around shouting incoherently while lost in a frozen hedge maze" phase of this cycle.
a man in a red jacket and plaid shirt is standing in a doorway .
ALT: a man in a red jacket and plaid shirt is standing in a doorway .
media.tenor.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Tonight I rewatched The Shining (1980). Is there a better Jungian takedown of my fellow white American males in all of cinema (along with the parallel takedown of America as a whole)? America is in the "wandering around shouting incoherently while lost in a frozen hedge maze" phase of this cycle.
Annihilation (2018) is an underrated masterpiece of science-fiction horror. I have lived the annihilation it describes over the last 15 years. I understand myself better because of this film, and what it will take to come out the other side (if I do).
October 19, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Annihilation (2018) is an underrated masterpiece of science-fiction horror. I have lived the annihilation it describes over the last 15 years. I understand myself better because of this film, and what it will take to come out the other side (if I do).
I could not make a NoKings protest due to poor health, but I'm there in spirit and I'm particularly proud of my original hometown, sweet home Chicago. I have a shortlist of places to live next and returning home is one of them. The city of broad shoulders showed up today and made me very proud.
October 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I could not make a NoKings protest due to poor health, but I'm there in spirit and I'm particularly proud of my original hometown, sweet home Chicago. I have a shortlist of places to live next and returning home is one of them. The city of broad shoulders showed up today and made me very proud.
Preach, Bobby. How 90% of the population doesn't see him this way when it is so obvious is a great mystery to me.
October 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Preach, Bobby. How 90% of the population doesn't see him this way when it is so obvious is a great mystery to me.
Watching Annihilation (2018) this morning. How the hell does this film get left off the various "100 Best of the 21st Century" lists? Too inaccessible even for most critics? Flawed in ways that I do not see? I find it mesmerizing and profoundly thought provoking. For me, this is cinema at its best.
October 18, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Watching Annihilation (2018) this morning. How the hell does this film get left off the various "100 Best of the 21st Century" lists? Too inaccessible even for most critics? Flawed in ways that I do not see? I find it mesmerizing and profoundly thought provoking. For me, this is cinema at its best.