Ben Spackman
@bspackman.bsky.social
PhD, American Religious History, minor Reformation+ history of science; MA/PhD work in Semitics. Apple fan, LDS, francophile, bibliophile, gourmand, cyclist, husband. Ramblings at http://BenSpackman.com
Reposted by Ben Spackman
From Rasmus Jarlov, chair of Denmark’s Defence Committee:
September 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
From Rasmus Jarlov, chair of Denmark’s Defence Committee:
Reposted by Ben Spackman
We are fast becoming a banana republic, with two standards of justice. If you oppose the leader, you go to jail just for speech. If you're a loyalist, you get immunity for your crimes.
That's what happens in Iran - not the United States. This is a decision moment for America.
That's what happens in Iran - not the United States. This is a decision moment for America.
September 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
We are fast becoming a banana republic, with two standards of justice. If you oppose the leader, you go to jail just for speech. If you're a loyalist, you get immunity for your crimes.
That's what happens in Iran - not the United States. This is a decision moment for America.
That's what happens in Iran - not the United States. This is a decision moment for America.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
korean reporting is nightmarish on the conditions Korean workers were contained in
September 14, 2025 at 6:06 PM
korean reporting is nightmarish on the conditions Korean workers were contained in
Reposted by Ben Spackman
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but nobody goes to the park to be chased and almost attacked by your off-leash dog. I’m so so tired of this. It’s out of control in SLC
September 13, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but nobody goes to the park to be chased and almost attacked by your off-leash dog. I’m so so tired of this. It’s out of control in SLC
Reposted by Ben Spackman
“Trump’s decision on the Rhode Island wind farm…undermines what he claims to be his most important goals: making America strong and energy-independent while lowering the cost of living and helping the forgotten working class.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-econ...
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-econ...
The Real Reason Trump Is a Threat to the Economy
It’s not just the agenda. It’s also the shambolic, vibes-based way he’s pursuing it.
www.thebulwark.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:47 PM
“Trump’s decision on the Rhode Island wind farm…undermines what he claims to be his most important goals: making America strong and energy-independent while lowering the cost of living and helping the forgotten working class.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-econ...
www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-econ...
Reposted by Ben Spackman
If he can do the first three things without me having broken the law, he already took away my freedom.
Miller: The power of law enforcement under President Trump's leadership will be used to find you, will be used to take away your money, take away your power and if you have broken the law, take away your freedom
September 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
If he can do the first three things without me having broken the law, he already took away my freedom.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
I think the disconnect we’re seeing online is between pundits who are imagining a Charlie Kirk in their heads and professors who have lived for a decade with the (often literal) targets he and his anti-free speech organization placed on their backs.
Weird how when a Trump supporter, white supremacist, and reportedly, a former member of Turning Point USA shot up Florida State University (FSU) several months ago and killed two people - there wasn't the same national conversation about "political violence." www.mediaite.com/news/mass-sh...
September 13, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I think the disconnect we’re seeing online is between pundits who are imagining a Charlie Kirk in their heads and professors who have lived for a decade with the (often literal) targets he and his anti-free speech organization placed on their backs.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
“.. I can’t remember anyone ever telling me we can’t say anything critical about a civilian like this. He was not in our chain of command or anything,” the officer said.
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
September 12, 2025 at 11:12 PM
“.. I can’t remember anyone ever telling me we can’t say anything critical about a civilian like this. He was not in our chain of command or anything,” the officer said.
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
@nbcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Ben Spackman
Well said.
Kirk didn't serve in the military or hold office. The war hero treatment -- half-mast flags, military guard, Air Force Two escort, calls for a statue at the Capitol or to lie in the Rotunda -- shows that for MAGA, service to Trump has become the highest, most honorable form of service.
September 12, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Well said.
If you're a runner/cyclist, this is nice. Make your workout on your iPhone, not your Apple Watch.
www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/09/appl...
www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/09/appl...
Apple's Secret New Custom Workout Builder in iOS26/WatchOS26: Hands-on
Apple has secretly included a nice feature for endurance athletes in iOS 26: The ability to create full structured workouts. Now what’s interesting about this is the fact that it wasn’t mentioned an...
www.dcrainmaker.com
September 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
If you're a runner/cyclist, this is nice. Make your workout on your iPhone, not your Apple Watch.
www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/09/appl...
www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/09/appl...
Reposted by Ben Spackman
Some pockets near Boston: KTonic Demon Hunters
September 12, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Some pockets near Boston: KTonic Demon Hunters
Reposted by Ben Spackman
JUST IN: All job sectors except healthcare are down. We are in a “no hire” economy. And unemployment for young people just hit 10%. - Bureau of Labor Statistics
September 12, 2025 at 11:40 AM
JUST IN: All job sectors except healthcare are down. We are in a “no hire” economy. And unemployment for young people just hit 10%. - Bureau of Labor Statistics
Reposted by Ben Spackman
Nicely done, America
brazil’s president lula says he will respond to “tariff blackmail” by pursuing closer ties with brics countries who have become “victims of unjustified and illegal trade practices.”
September 12, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Nicely done, America
Reposted by Ben Spackman
Decrying violence against political opponents rings a bit hollow when you pull Secret Service protection from your political opponents.
September 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Decrying violence against political opponents rings a bit hollow when you pull Secret Service protection from your political opponents.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
GOOD NEWS: Despite RFK Jr saying he would cancel $500 million in mRNA research, the House Committee on Appropriations has passed a spending package, that includes $1.1 billion for “advanced research and development” at BARDA, which includes research on mRNA vaccines.
September 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
GOOD NEWS: Despite RFK Jr saying he would cancel $500 million in mRNA research, the House Committee on Appropriations has passed a spending package, that includes $1.1 billion for “advanced research and development” at BARDA, which includes research on mRNA vaccines.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
It is weird that the assassination of essentially a celebrity influencer is a bigger deal than the shooting of two top state legislators + their spouses
September 10, 2025 at 11:56 PM
It is weird that the assassination of essentially a celebrity influencer is a bigger deal than the shooting of two top state legislators + their spouses
Meanwhile a few miles away from the Charlie Kirk shooting, byu is hosting a peacemakers conference. Patrick Mason is speaking.
September 10, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Meanwhile a few miles away from the Charlie Kirk shooting, byu is hosting a peacemakers conference. Patrick Mason is speaking.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
Political violence is antithetical to the precious, fragile blessing of American democracy. If we do not already understand this from our history, we risk being forced to learn it again from experience.
September 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Political violence is antithetical to the precious, fragile blessing of American democracy. If we do not already understand this from our history, we risk being forced to learn it again from experience.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.
Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.
Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.
September 10, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.
Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.
Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
Political violence from any party or any ideology is a direct assault on the foundations of democracy and the rule of law; it seeks not to persuade but to intimidate, not to debate but to destroy.
September 10, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Political violence from any party or any ideology is a direct assault on the foundations of democracy and the rule of law; it seeks not to persuade but to intimidate, not to debate but to destroy.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.
In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
September 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.
In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
The White House Press Secretary, the official spokesperson for the Trump administration, told reporters in an official briefing that the president wants to invade "every Democrat-run city" with troops.
Any media still pretending that this is about "crime" is making a conscious choice to lie to you.
Any media still pretending that this is about "crime" is making a conscious choice to lie to you.
Leavitt: "These are the bad guys that we are picking up in Washington DC every day. The president would love to do this in every Democrat-run city across the country."
September 10, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The White House Press Secretary, the official spokesperson for the Trump administration, told reporters in an official briefing that the president wants to invade "every Democrat-run city" with troops.
Any media still pretending that this is about "crime" is making a conscious choice to lie to you.
Any media still pretending that this is about "crime" is making a conscious choice to lie to you.
Again, mercy and winks and loopholes for the super-rich and white-collar crime.
When Trump said "I am your voice," this is who he was talking to.
September 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Again, mercy and winks and loopholes for the super-rich and white-collar crime.
Reposted by Ben Spackman
If these allegations are true, the FBI is being weaponized for political retribution, exactly as we warned.
Agents must be able to do their jobs without fear of retaliation, or Americans will pay the price with our security and safety.
Agents must be able to do their jobs without fear of retaliation, or Americans will pay the price with our security and safety.
September 10, 2025 at 5:35 PM
If these allegations are true, the FBI is being weaponized for political retribution, exactly as we warned.
Agents must be able to do their jobs without fear of retaliation, or Americans will pay the price with our security and safety.
Agents must be able to do their jobs without fear of retaliation, or Americans will pay the price with our security and safety.