Lynn Erskine

It's a pretty big deal that the NYC Bar Association--one of the most prominent and respected bar associations in the country--is accusing the President of ordering the "unlawful summary execution," i.e. murder--of civilians in violation of US and international law. www.nycbar.org/press-releas...

Bronzeville Homeless Shelter Residents 'Traumatized' After Feds Chase, Arrest 4 People The federal agents arrived in unmarked minivans and detained four people Wednesday outside a shelter run by a local pastor's nonprofit.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/01/b...

Chicago cares — “The city-funded shelter in Bronzeville opened in 2023 to serve migrants bused to Chicago from Texas and Colorado… serve homeless people from across the city.”https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/01/bronzeville-homeless-shelter-residents-traumatized-after-feds-chase-arrest-4-people/

Mayor Brandon Johnson calls for ‘dramatic’ response ahead of imminent National Guard deployment Mayor Brandon Johnson told Chicagoans to stand together against the White House’s threats of a military occupation, which he dubbed “the war on Chicago.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson told Chicagoans to stand together against the White House’s threats of a military occupation, which he dubbed “the war on Chicago.”

Gaza protest in Amsterdam now.

YouTube video by Taylor Swift Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia (Official Music Video)

“The Fate of Ophelia” official music video directed by and starring Taylor Swift with choreography from Mandy Moore and Cinematography from Rodrigo Prieto is out now on YouTube. 🥀🎭🖼️

Watch here:

Today, I drove an hour and a half with my wife and a couple friends to pick up a neighbor who was summarily, inexplicably arrested by ICE at a check-in ten days ago and then just as inexplicably released, 100 miles from home today. It was a happy occasion, all things considered, but...

I've never seen such escalation and use of force toward ends I just could not see. There was no real property destruction, no pushing into the neighborhoods to make arrests, very little obstructing of traffic. Saw chemicals and bangs deployed down streets the feds were not facing and did not travel.

🔥 Finally an EU leader says it out loud:

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks that are controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies, whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies.”

Also not true in DC schools, they are still assigning full books. Although the teachers often have students read aloud chapters in class to keep them engaged. (Anya, I reread Catcher in the Rye, one of my fav books as a student in 80s, and it is misogynistic. Happy DC is not assigning that one!

My view is that Netanyahu has no room to manoeuvre. He cannot defy Trump. He will try to sabotage the process and he's the absolute master in delays, obfuscation and distraction. But if the WH really wants this war over - then that's what will happen.

Biden administration never forced Netanyahu to end its horrific siege of Gaza, thus enabling Trump to claim peacemaker.

Editorial: A society that stops reading stops thinking Daily reading for pleasure in the U.S. has fallen more than 40% over the past 20 years — roughly 3% per year, according to researchers at the University of Florida and University College London.

From the Editorial Board:

Neuroscientists have found that when people read, their brains don’t just process words — they simulate the story world.
By contrast, social media rarely demands such deep simulation.

Will it finally end? “A senior Hamas official, Mousa Abu Marzouk, said… on Friday that Hamas was willing to give up “any kind of weapons” provided that “the occupation ends and the Palestinian control themselves.” He added, “We don’t need the weapons if there is no occupation.” -NYT Oct. 3

Jane Fonda relaunches free speech group started by her father during the McCarthy era In wake of the Trump administration’s censorship threats, the actor re-established the Committee for the First Amendment with A-list support

Jane Fonda relaunches free speech group started by her father during the McCarthy era www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...

Border Patrol/ICE are visually indistinguishable from the military now, and their marching orders are that they are part of the "war" to stop the "invasion"

Happening now: Hundreds of rabbis and Jewish community members gather in Brooklyn for a mass public memorial service on Yom Kippur, demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for the U.S. to stop arming Israel.

Protests today in Europe for Israel’s illegal interception of the Sumud Flotilla, but here in Washington, DC, I’m not hearing a strong reaction.

People seem to be talking about the federal govt shutdown and first cool weather of Autumn season.

Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist, dies aged 91 Jane Goodall Institute says ‘tireless advocate’ for natural world died in California during US speaking tour

Jane Goodall was not only a pioneering primatologist, she also campaigned more relentlessly and selflessly for the natural world than anyone I know.

A great soul if ever there was one
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Appalling.

What’s striking is Hegseth’s absolute confidence in making these drastic and illegal changes to the military. He is deluded. Congress, courts and courageous leadership are coming, but it takes time.

Hegseth to military brass: "An entire generation of generals and admirals were told that they must parrot the insane fallacy that 'our diversity is our strength."

Yes, Fox News guy, diversity IS our strength.

Trump is talking about how its important to get fancy paper when military is promoted. The superficiality, the ego, the idiocy. Trump just now: "Actually I love my signature, everyone loves my signature."

"Just yesterday, we mourned...the killing of three members of the family of my father’s cousin Yousef. The building where they had found shelter in the south was bombed just days after they fled Gaza City. Nedaa, Yousef’s wife...children Roaa, 19, and Hamoud, 11, were killed." -Huda Skaik Sept. 29

Today, a few miles from my home, Netanyahu is meeting with our corrupt president at the White House to discuss Israel’s horrific siege of Gaza. Israel’s own experts say its a genocide. Millions of people — Israelis, Palestinians and many around the world — urge a hostage deal & permanent ceasefire!

I am heartbroken by the news of a mass shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan. No one should fear the threat of gun violence in their place of worship, at their school, or anywhere.

Raffi, are you in Portland now? Any performance plans? I’m in DC but will share…

I never had any desire to visit the Midwest until a fall trip to Door County changed my entire outlook on travel A fall trip to Door County, Wisconsin, in the fall was so incredible and had amazing foliage. It changed my perspective on traveling to the Midwest.

A fall trip to Door County, Wisconsin, in the fall was so incredible and had amazing foliage. It changed my perspective on traveling to the Midwest.

Scholars of the 50s and 60s, now’s your time to remind people of how the FBI infiltrates left-wing groups and foments violent action.

Yes agree. Recall how senior military regretted June 1, 2020 when they violently cleared Lafayette Square so Trump could hold a bible upside down