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marybentley.bsky.social
@marybentley.bsky.social
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marybentley.bsky.social
This is a must-read.

“A democracy that tolerates the shrinking of national symbols and civic honors in order to amplify the leader is a democracy in retreat.”

Recognize and resist!
Text reads: In the long and saddening record of how democratic erosion unfolds, these small gestures are rarely small in effect. They are markers — signals — of a deeper, more deliberate shift in the relationship between the state and the individual who leads it. These gestures are the breadcrumbs that, when followed, trace the outline of an emerging cult of personality. We have seen a series of them already: the President’s image projected four stories tall on government buildings; the escalation of public displays of personal loyalty; the reshaping of national ceremonies to center around the leader rather than the nation. And now, national park admission is made “free” not in honor of a national event, not to mark a shared civic achievement, not to commemorate a sacrifice or a milestone — but to celebrate one man’s birthday.
December 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
marybentley.bsky.social
I give you an actual headline in the Opinion section of The New York Times today:
Headline from the New York Times app that reads, “did women ruin the workplace? “
November 6, 2025 at 12:53 PM
marybentley.bsky.social
This guy is no longer a puppy. I hope these pictures bring a smile to your mom’s face.
Dog with golden fur and very boop-able snoot rests on the sidewalk.
October 21, 2025 at 3:09 AM
marybentley.bsky.social
Big Ed Rooney vibes.
Still of the Ed Rooney character from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off wearing a very 1980s grey suit, white shirt and maroon tie.
August 25, 2025 at 1:51 AM
marybentley.bsky.social
Reminds me of Loie Fuller’s performances at the Folies Bergère in the late 1800s.
Promotional poster of a performance by Laurie Fuller at the Folies Bergère. An image of a woman dancing in a billowing costume.
July 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
marybentley.bsky.social
No Kings protest sign that says love thy neighbor* (*no exceptions) No Kings protest sign that says I made a sign because unconstitutional doesn’t fit on a button
June 14, 2025 at 3:08 AM
marybentley.bsky.social
Our first ever coq au vin. It was delicious.
A white pot sitting on a burner on a stove. The pot contains coq au vin, a delicious chicken stew with red wine.
March 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM