Heidi Backes
@heidibackes1.bsky.social
Prof of Spanish lit and cultural history / Gothic fiction / Fascism / Memory & Trauma Studies / Monograph SPECTRAL SPAIN out now with U of Wales Press (2024) / Currently working on Fascist Female Gothic
Pinned
I'm excited to share that I have signed a contract with @uniwalespress.bsky.social for my next book, "Fascist Female Gothic: National Catholicism and the Politics of Fear in Spanish Fascist Women's Writing, 1937-1945," which will be published in their Gothic Literary Studies series.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
From my various social media accounts, group chats, and conversations at a recent conference, it is clear that professors are reaching a breaking point this semester with AI-assisted cheating. Very bleak. This is not sustainable.
November 21, 2025 at 2:06 AM
From my various social media accounts, group chats, and conversations at a recent conference, it is clear that professors are reaching a breaking point this semester with AI-assisted cheating. Very bleak. This is not sustainable.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Trump has reportedly been in conversation with Paramount and his billionaire ally Larry Ellison about a potential takeover of CNN that would include firing journalists he dislikes.
Billionaire control of the media is a danger to us all.
Billionaire control of the media is a danger to us all.
November 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Trump has reportedly been in conversation with Paramount and his billionaire ally Larry Ellison about a potential takeover of CNN that would include firing journalists he dislikes.
Billionaire control of the media is a danger to us all.
Billionaire control of the media is a danger to us all.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
November 20, 1959: Twilight Zone's "Time Enough at Last" debuts. Burgess Meredith, a pair of thick glasses, a nuclear bomb ... and piles upon piles of books. Need I say more?
"It's the one that haunts people," Meredith later said: thenightgallery.wordpress.com/2014/11/20/t... I'll say!
"It's the one that haunts people," Meredith later said: thenightgallery.wordpress.com/2014/11/20/t... I'll say!
November 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
November 20, 1959: Twilight Zone's "Time Enough at Last" debuts. Burgess Meredith, a pair of thick glasses, a nuclear bomb ... and piles upon piles of books. Need I say more?
"It's the one that haunts people," Meredith later said: thenightgallery.wordpress.com/2014/11/20/t... I'll say!
"It's the one that haunts people," Meredith later said: thenightgallery.wordpress.com/2014/11/20/t... I'll say!
Reposted by Heidi Backes
'More than 21% of those surveyed felt the Franco era was “good” or “very good”.'
Not so good for those lying in unmarked shallow graves.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Not so good for those lying in unmarked shallow graves.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘Dangerous nostalgia’: did Spain’s ‘pact of forgetting’ after Franco leave new generation open to far right?
Events to mark the 50th anniversary of dictator’s death are intended to remind Spaniards, particularly the young, of the dangers of fascism
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:07 AM
'More than 21% of those surveyed felt the Franco era was “good” or “very good”.'
Not so good for those lying in unmarked shallow graves.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Not so good for those lying in unmarked shallow graves.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Heidi Backes
He’s calling for the execution of congressional military veterans.
Is there ever a line for the demented cult otherwise known as the GOP?
The completely and utterly deranged POTUS, who constantly acts like a completely unhinged maniac, has now called for killing Democrats in Congress who say the military shouldn’t follow *ILLEGAL* orders. He is a fucking lunatic.
The completely and utterly deranged POTUS, who constantly acts like a completely unhinged maniac, has now called for killing Democrats in Congress who say the military shouldn’t follow *ILLEGAL* orders. He is a fucking lunatic.
November 20, 2025 at 3:45 PM
He’s calling for the execution of congressional military veterans.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Before the midterms of 1866, President Andrew Johnson called his congressional opponents traitors and said they should be hanged.
Voters were so profoundly moved by his words... that they gave his opponents a supermajority in Congress, and the nation got the Fourteenth Amendment.
Voters were so profoundly moved by his words... that they gave his opponents a supermajority in Congress, and the nation got the Fourteenth Amendment.
November 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Before the midterms of 1866, President Andrew Johnson called his congressional opponents traitors and said they should be hanged.
Voters were so profoundly moved by his words... that they gave his opponents a supermajority in Congress, and the nation got the Fourteenth Amendment.
Voters were so profoundly moved by his words... that they gave his opponents a supermajority in Congress, and the nation got the Fourteenth Amendment.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Trump is now calling for the executions of Democratic veterans who reminded the military of their duty to disobey “ILLEGAL” orders.
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Trump is now calling for the executions of Democratic veterans who reminded the military of their duty to disobey “ILLEGAL” orders.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
EPSTEIN BOMBSHELL: my staff is releasing a new report showing JPMorgan Chase executives – all the way to the top – enabled Epstein's sex trafficking operation. You're going to want to read this.
Wyden Presses for Investigation Into JPMorgan Chase and Epstein
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
EPSTEIN BOMBSHELL: my staff is releasing a new report showing JPMorgan Chase executives – all the way to the top – enabled Epstein's sex trafficking operation. You're going to want to read this.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
My new favorite kind of meme is "here are detailed instructions on how to turn off AI". 🔨
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
My new favorite kind of meme is "here are detailed instructions on how to turn off AI". 🔨
Reposted by Heidi Backes
You can oversee the bloody dismemberment of a Washington Post journalist with a bone saw, and the president of the United States will smile, shake your hand and threaten to pull the license of a news outlet whose reporter asks you a question about it.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing
The de facto Saudi ruler was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are approaching a high point.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:11 PM
You can oversee the bloody dismemberment of a Washington Post journalist with a bone saw, and the president of the United States will smile, shake your hand and threaten to pull the license of a news outlet whose reporter asks you a question about it.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Cultura empieza el proceso para la extinción de otras cuatro fundaciones franquistas. Se trata de las actuaciones previas para suprimir los organismos dedicados a José Antonio Primo de Rivera, Blas Piñar, Serrano Suñer y Queipo de Llano social.elpais.com/2vh4p5
Cultura empieza el proceso para la extinción de otras cuatro fundaciones franquistas
El ministro, Ernest Urtasun, anuncia en el Congreso la apertura de las actuaciones previas para suprimir los organismos dedicados a José Antonio Primo de Rivera, Blas Piñar, Serrano Suñer y Queipo de Llano
social.elpais.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Cultura empieza el proceso para la extinción de otras cuatro fundaciones franquistas. Se trata de las actuaciones previas para suprimir los organismos dedicados a José Antonio Primo de Rivera, Blas Piñar, Serrano Suñer y Queipo de Llano social.elpais.com/2vh4p5
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Imagine escaping the literal Nazis, making it to America, living three quarters of a century there making your life, and then this:
79-year-old Paul Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a WWII German refugee camp. His family legally emigrated to the U.S. when he was 5.
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
Sanford grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Paul Bojerski never gained official residency, but he checked in regularly with ICE for years. Then in July, at age 79, he was detained and sent to Alligator Alcatraz.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Imagine escaping the literal Nazis, making it to America, living three quarters of a century there making your life, and then this:
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Trump: I had an MRI and the result was outstanding.
Reporter: Was it your brain?
Trump: I have no idea what they analyzed, but whatever they analyzed, they analyzed it well.
Reporter: Was it your brain?
Trump: I have no idea what they analyzed, but whatever they analyzed, they analyzed it well.
November 15, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Trump: I had an MRI and the result was outstanding.
Reporter: Was it your brain?
Trump: I have no idea what they analyzed, but whatever they analyzed, they analyzed it well.
Reporter: Was it your brain?
Trump: I have no idea what they analyzed, but whatever they analyzed, they analyzed it well.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
El agitador ultra Vito Quiles celebra rodeado de banderas franquistas y entre protestas un acto sin autorización en la Universidad de La Laguna
El agitador ultra Vito Quiles celebra rodeado de banderas franquistas y entre protestas un acto sin autorización en la Universidad de La Laguna
Se dirigió con un megáfono a un centenar de simpatizantes que se congregaron en el aparcamiento situado frente a la Facultad de Derecho, donde se escucharon gritos de "arriba España", insultos al pres...
www.eldiario.es
November 14, 2025 at 5:21 PM
El agitador ultra Vito Quiles celebra rodeado de banderas franquistas y entre protestas un acto sin autorización en la Universidad de La Laguna
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Jeffrey Epstein to Lawrence Summers (both of whom are very bad people):
“i have met some very bad people , none as bad as trump. not one decent cell in his body. so yes- dangerous”
“i have met some very bad people , none as bad as trump. not one decent cell in his body. so yes- dangerous”
November 13, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Jeffrey Epstein to Lawrence Summers (both of whom are very bad people):
“i have met some very bad people , none as bad as trump. not one decent cell in his body. so yes- dangerous”
“i have met some very bad people , none as bad as trump. not one decent cell in his body. so yes- dangerous”
Reposted by Heidi Backes
If **Jeffrey Epstein** thinks you're a evil and demented sociopath, the odds are overwhelming that you are, in fact, an evil and demented sociopath.
November 13, 2025 at 2:18 AM
If **Jeffrey Epstein** thinks you're a evil and demented sociopath, the odds are overwhelming that you are, in fact, an evil and demented sociopath.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Seems possible that this is about even more than underage women.
Perhaps money changing hands— corruptly and internationally, and intertwined with underaged women?
Man, oh man.
Perhaps money changing hands— corruptly and internationally, and intertwined with underaged women?
Man, oh man.
The Kremlin disguised a nearly $100 mn payment to Trump in the form of a brokered real estate deal... and both Jeffrey Epstein and William Pulte were involved in the deal. That's very interesting.
November 13, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Seems possible that this is about even more than underage women.
Perhaps money changing hands— corruptly and internationally, and intertwined with underaged women?
Man, oh man.
Perhaps money changing hands— corruptly and internationally, and intertwined with underaged women?
Man, oh man.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
So, uh, the Jed Rubenfeld referenced here was disciplined by Yale Law for sexually harassing students. He's married to Amy Chua who among other things took to the pages of the NYT to defend Kavanaugh when he was under fire for sexually harassment. Ken Starr, well we know. This is just incredible.
Ken Starr signed an email to Jeffery Epstein with "hugs"
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 AM
So, uh, the Jed Rubenfeld referenced here was disciplined by Yale Law for sexually harassing students. He's married to Amy Chua who among other things took to the pages of the NYT to defend Kavanaugh when he was under fire for sexually harassment. Ken Starr, well we know. This is just incredible.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
On Dec. 8, 2015, Jeffrey Epstein offers a NY Times reporter photos of Donald Trump and "girls in bikinis in my kitchen." Epstein tells the reporter that he "gave" Trump his "20 year old girlfriend...after two years."
When people looked into these type of rumors the Times smugly criticized them.
When people looked into these type of rumors the Times smugly criticized them.
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 AM
On Dec. 8, 2015, Jeffrey Epstein offers a NY Times reporter photos of Donald Trump and "girls in bikinis in my kitchen." Epstein tells the reporter that he "gave" Trump his "20 year old girlfriend...after two years."
When people looked into these type of rumors the Times smugly criticized them.
When people looked into these type of rumors the Times smugly criticized them.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Jeffrey Epstein in 2015: "Have them ask my houseman about donald almost walking through the door leaving his nose print on the glass as young women were swimming in the pool and he was so focused he walked straight into the door."
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Jeffrey Epstein in 2015: "Have them ask my houseman about donald almost walking through the door leaving his nose print on the glass as young women were swimming in the pool and he was so focused he walked straight into the door."
Reposted by Heidi Backes
This exact same reporter was ousted from the NY Times for soliciting a $30,000 donation from Epstein— and you're telling me that as an employer, the NY Times never bothered to circle back and review this person's correspondence with a convicted pedophile?
A former New York Times staffer quietly left the paper after revealing he had solicited charitable donations from Jeffrey Epstein
Former New York Times reporter Landon Thomas Jr. told his editors he became friends with Epstein after profiling him in 2008, NPR reported Thursday.
www.businessinsider.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
This exact same reporter was ousted from the NY Times for soliciting a $30,000 donation from Epstein— and you're telling me that as an employer, the NY Times never bothered to circle back and review this person's correspondence with a convicted pedophile?
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Jeffrey Epstein advised Steve Bannon that the lawyers representing Brett Kavanaugh in his confirmation hearing should accuse Christine Blasey Ford of being on medications that cause false memories or memory loss.
November 12, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Jeffrey Epstein advised Steve Bannon that the lawyers representing Brett Kavanaugh in his confirmation hearing should accuse Christine Blasey Ford of being on medications that cause false memories or memory loss.
Reposted by Heidi Backes
probably something an innocent man would do
November 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
probably something an innocent man would do
Reposted by Heidi Backes
Petition started by students in Modern Languages at the University of Leicester. The department has been told it will close despite its stellar NSS record and brilliant teaching and research - the same devastating short-term thinking as elsewhere. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
www.change.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Petition started by students in Modern Languages at the University of Leicester. The department has been told it will close despite its stellar NSS record and brilliant teaching and research - the same devastating short-term thinking as elsewhere. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Reposted by Heidi Backes
My takeaway from every new Epstein revelation is that some powerful people victimized many powerless young women, many more knew, some actively enabled it--and we're still being told that MeToo and accountability for sexual violence have gone too far
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
My takeaway from every new Epstein revelation is that some powerful people victimized many powerless young women, many more knew, some actively enabled it--and we're still being told that MeToo and accountability for sexual violence have gone too far