Rob MacDonald
@rhmacdonald.bsky.social
Editor of Sixth Finch / poet / educator / consultant at Trey Education (he/him)
sixthfinch.com
treyeducation.com
sixthfinch.com
treyeducation.com
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
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 Rob MacDonald
Kristi Noem has claimed that "no American citizens have been arrested or detained" by immigration agents, despite copious evidence to the contrary.
Immigration policy expert @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social says the Homeland Security chief "is either ignorant of the facts or not telling the truth."
Immigration policy expert @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social says the Homeland Security chief "is either ignorant of the facts or not telling the truth."
October 31, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Kristi Noem has claimed that "no American citizens have been arrested or detained" by immigration agents, despite copious evidence to the contrary.
Immigration policy expert @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social says the Homeland Security chief "is either ignorant of the facts or not telling the truth."
Immigration policy expert @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social says the Homeland Security chief "is either ignorant of the facts or not telling the truth."
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
The reason 42 million Americans are on SNAP is because employers aren’t paying living wages.
October 30, 2025 at 10:27 PM
The reason 42 million Americans are on SNAP is because employers aren’t paying living wages.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Not being even vaguely sarcastic:
At some point, a journalist needs to ask Johnson “you regularly claim you have no idea what your own government is doing. If we take you at your word, how are you so poorly informed, and do you this level of ignorance should disqualify you as speaker?”
At some point, a journalist needs to ask Johnson “you regularly claim you have no idea what your own government is doing. If we take you at your word, how are you so poorly informed, and do you this level of ignorance should disqualify you as speaker?”
Q: What's your message to the 170 US citizens who have been detained by ICE? About 20 of them are children
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't know what you're talking about with the children. I haven't seen that so I'm not going to comment on it.
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't know what you're talking about with the children. I haven't seen that so I'm not going to comment on it.
October 18, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Not being even vaguely sarcastic:
At some point, a journalist needs to ask Johnson “you regularly claim you have no idea what your own government is doing. If we take you at your word, how are you so poorly informed, and do you this level of ignorance should disqualify you as speaker?”
At some point, a journalist needs to ask Johnson “you regularly claim you have no idea what your own government is doing. If we take you at your word, how are you so poorly informed, and do you this level of ignorance should disqualify you as speaker?”
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Our fall issue is now live: sixthfinch.com
Featuring @elliekblack.bsky.social @sarahgreenpoet.bsky.social @msstefaniekirby.bsky.social @dlassell.bsky.social @jeffreymorganpoet.bsky.social @ship-on-the-line.bsky.social @hanawiderman.bsky.social @scottferry.bsky.social @leewelch.bsky.social and more
Featuring @elliekblack.bsky.social @sarahgreenpoet.bsky.social @msstefaniekirby.bsky.social @dlassell.bsky.social @jeffreymorganpoet.bsky.social @ship-on-the-line.bsky.social @hanawiderman.bsky.social @scottferry.bsky.social @leewelch.bsky.social and more
October 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Super excited to have one of my new airplane poems up in the latest issue of @sixthfinch.bsky.social!
October 16, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Super excited to have one of my new airplane poems up in the latest issue of @sixthfinch.bsky.social!
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
How W. E. B. Du Bois responded to government policing of "anti-American" sentiment during the 1910s:
"I took great satisfaction in being able to sit back in my chair and answer blandly, 'We are seeking to have the Constitution of the United States thoroughly and completely enforced.' ”
"I took great satisfaction in being able to sit back in my chair and answer blandly, 'We are seeking to have the Constitution of the United States thoroughly and completely enforced.' ”
October 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
How W. E. B. Du Bois responded to government policing of "anti-American" sentiment during the 1910s:
"I took great satisfaction in being able to sit back in my chair and answer blandly, 'We are seeking to have the Constitution of the United States thoroughly and completely enforced.' ”
"I took great satisfaction in being able to sit back in my chair and answer blandly, 'We are seeking to have the Constitution of the United States thoroughly and completely enforced.' ”
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Italian Unions Lead General Strike Demanding End to Israel’s Assault on Gaza
Italian Unions Lead General Strike Demanding End to Israel's Assault on Gaza
In Italy, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of dozens of cities Monday as Italian labor unions led a nationwide 24-hour general strike to demand an end to Israel's assault on Gaza.
www.democracynow.org
September 23, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Italian Unions Lead General Strike Demanding End to Israel’s Assault on Gaza
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
We are witnessing a full blown war on science, public health & truth itself.
Let me be clear: Vaccines have prevented more than 1.1 million deaths, 500 million cases of illness & 32 million hospitalizations.
That's a lot of moms and dads who don't have to bury their children.
Let me be clear: Vaccines have prevented more than 1.1 million deaths, 500 million cases of illness & 32 million hospitalizations.
That's a lot of moms and dads who don't have to bury their children.
September 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM
We are witnessing a full blown war on science, public health & truth itself.
Let me be clear: Vaccines have prevented more than 1.1 million deaths, 500 million cases of illness & 32 million hospitalizations.
That's a lot of moms and dads who don't have to bury their children.
Let me be clear: Vaccines have prevented more than 1.1 million deaths, 500 million cases of illness & 32 million hospitalizations.
That's a lot of moms and dads who don't have to bury their children.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Hope to see you on Sunday! bit.ly/Barot25
September 18, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Hope to see you on Sunday! bit.ly/Barot25
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Monarez: "Kennedy demanded 2 things of me that were were inconsistent w/ my oath of office. He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence. He also directed me to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without cause"
September 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Monarez: "Kennedy demanded 2 things of me that were were inconsistent w/ my oath of office. He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence. He also directed me to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without cause"
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Big thanks to those of you who have already sent us your chapbook manuscripts. If your work is looking for a home, we'd love to see it.
September 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Big thanks to those of you who have already sent us your chapbook manuscripts. If your work is looking for a home, we'd love to see it.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Very excited to announce that we're now taking preorders for the newest addition to the Sixth Finch catalog, "The Emperor of the Cut Sleeve" by Rick Barot.
More details here: sixthfinch.com/store
More details here: sixthfinch.com/store
August 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Very excited to announce that we're now taking preorders for the newest addition to the Sixth Finch catalog, "The Emperor of the Cut Sleeve" by Rick Barot.
More details here: sixthfinch.com/store
More details here: sixthfinch.com/store
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
The story of solar energy development in Spain reveals something important about our current crisis and how to resolve it.
Spain has achieved a massive increase in solar capacity in recent years, outpacing the rest of the EU.
Spain has achieved a massive increase in solar capacity in recent years, outpacing the rest of the EU.
August 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
The story of solar energy development in Spain reveals something important about our current crisis and how to resolve it.
Spain has achieved a massive increase in solar capacity in recent years, outpacing the rest of the EU.
Spain has achieved a massive increase in solar capacity in recent years, outpacing the rest of the EU.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
The top 1% now owns more than $54 trillion in wealth.
That’s 468 times more than the bottom 50%.
One man — Elon Musk — owns more than the bottom half COMBINED.
This is what I mean when I talk about oligarchy.
That’s 468 times more than the bottom 50%.
One man — Elon Musk — owns more than the bottom half COMBINED.
This is what I mean when I talk about oligarchy.
August 5, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The top 1% now owns more than $54 trillion in wealth.
That’s 468 times more than the bottom 50%.
One man — Elon Musk — owns more than the bottom half COMBINED.
This is what I mean when I talk about oligarchy.
That’s 468 times more than the bottom 50%.
One man — Elon Musk — owns more than the bottom half COMBINED.
This is what I mean when I talk about oligarchy.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
New summer issue
Featuring @1andrewcollard.bsky.social, @katiekemple.bsky.social, @alisonpelegrin.bsky.social, @sambranopoet.bsky.social, @kellyrsamuels.bsky.social, @mhwack.bsky.social, @ellenwelcker.bsky.social, @tracylchandler.bsky.social, @gregory-euclide.bsky.social, @todaysaaron.bsky.social
Featuring @1andrewcollard.bsky.social, @katiekemple.bsky.social, @alisonpelegrin.bsky.social, @sambranopoet.bsky.social, @kellyrsamuels.bsky.social, @mhwack.bsky.social, @ellenwelcker.bsky.social, @tracylchandler.bsky.social, @gregory-euclide.bsky.social, @todaysaaron.bsky.social
Sixth Finch
Sixth Finch: a quarterly online journal of poetry and art. The current issue features poems by Katie Berta, Conor Bracken, Ava Chen, Andrew Collard, Sofia Fall, Kelle Groom, Katie Kemple, W. M. Lobko,...
sixthfinch.com
July 16, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Shout this!
July 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Shout this!
Grateful to have a couple of new poems in here. Big thanks, @adamclay.bsky.social
Issue one of @autocorrectmag.bsky.social is live: autocorrectmag.com
May 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Grateful to have a couple of new poems in here. Big thanks, @adamclay.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
At this juncture I’d like to point out:
* we’re on the brink of a golden age of medical healing
* there’s enough money in the world to solve every problem in the world
* a united approach could stop the climate crisis
But a small group of sociopaths seeking personal power are going to throw it away.
* we’re on the brink of a golden age of medical healing
* there’s enough money in the world to solve every problem in the world
* a united approach could stop the climate crisis
But a small group of sociopaths seeking personal power are going to throw it away.
April 26, 2025 at 10:52 PM
At this juncture I’d like to point out:
* we’re on the brink of a golden age of medical healing
* there’s enough money in the world to solve every problem in the world
* a united approach could stop the climate crisis
But a small group of sociopaths seeking personal power are going to throw it away.
* we’re on the brink of a golden age of medical healing
* there’s enough money in the world to solve every problem in the world
* a united approach could stop the climate crisis
But a small group of sociopaths seeking personal power are going to throw it away.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
I don't really care what the "political consequences" are of fighting for the proposition that *everyone* is entitled to due process before they are removed from the United States and sent to a Salvadoran prison.
It's not really a principle if you only adhere to it when it's politically expedient.
It's not really a principle if you only adhere to it when it's politically expedient.
April 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I don't really care what the "political consequences" are of fighting for the proposition that *everyone* is entitled to due process before they are removed from the United States and sent to a Salvadoran prison.
It's not really a principle if you only adhere to it when it's politically expedient.
It's not really a principle if you only adhere to it when it's politically expedient.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Our spring issue is live: sixthfinch.com
Featuring @meganalpert.bsky.social @mikhailbazharov.bsky.social @timothyliupoet.bsky.social @thatjanemorton.bsky.social @katnuernberger.bsky.social @lisaallenortiz.bsky.social @dustinkpearson.bsky.social @dia-roth.bsky.social @pagestar.bsky.social and more
Featuring @meganalpert.bsky.social @mikhailbazharov.bsky.social @timothyliupoet.bsky.social @thatjanemorton.bsky.social @katnuernberger.bsky.social @lisaallenortiz.bsky.social @dustinkpearson.bsky.social @dia-roth.bsky.social @pagestar.bsky.social and more
Sixth Finch
Sixth Finch: a quarterly online journal of poetry and art. The current issue features poems by Megan Alpert, Michael Bazzett, Matt Daly, Chris Haven, Rebecca Hawkes, David Dodd Lee, Timothy Liu, Malia...
sixthfinch.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
If you want a general strike we need at least 10 million people to commit to ensure a successful action.
The numbers are still too low. Use a burner email and name if needed to sign.
Sign here: generalstrikeus.com
#3E #GSUS #GeneralStrike
The numbers are still too low. Use a burner email and name if needed to sign.
Sign here: generalstrikeus.com
#3E #GSUS #GeneralStrike
April 6, 2025 at 8:26 PM
If you want a general strike we need at least 10 million people to commit to ensure a successful action.
The numbers are still too low. Use a burner email and name if needed to sign.
Sign here: generalstrikeus.com
#3E #GSUS #GeneralStrike
The numbers are still too low. Use a burner email and name if needed to sign.
Sign here: generalstrikeus.com
#3E #GSUS #GeneralStrike
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Unidentified men grabbing someone off the street and putting her in a car because she wrote an op-Ed. This as flatly authoritarian as anything we’ve seen in this country in a very long time.
Video of the international student at Tufts being arrested by "federal authorities" in Massachusetts has been released and it's terrifying.
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
March 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Unidentified men grabbing someone off the street and putting her in a car because she wrote an op-Ed. This as flatly authoritarian as anything we’ve seen in this country in a very long time.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
When scholars of authoritarianism and fascism leave U.S. universities because of the deteriorating political situation here, we should really worry.
March 26, 2025 at 12:50 AM
When scholars of authoritarianism and fascism leave U.S. universities because of the deteriorating political situation here, we should really worry.
Reposted by Rob MacDonald
Tucson, Arizona today.
Original projected attendance was 3,000 people.
23,000 showed up.
Original projected attendance was 3,000 people.
23,000 showed up.
March 22, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Tucson, Arizona today.
Original projected attendance was 3,000 people.
23,000 showed up.
Original projected attendance was 3,000 people.
23,000 showed up.