Arlene Stein

The destruction of schools and universities is an attempt to destroy the possibility of imagining a future.

Judith Butler, Barnard College, Feb. 28, 2026 (paraphrased)

Opinion | Why Have You Started This War, Mr. President?

Trump’s failure to articulate either goals or a strategy for a potential military intervention has created shocking levels of uncertainty about this attack.

Why Have You Started This War, Mr. President? www.nytimes.com/2026/02/28/o...

Opinion | How Israel Lost Americans

Israel, by behaving appallingly and then trying to silence any condemnation of its appalling behavior as antisemitic, gives ammunition to Jew haters.

How Israel Lost Americans www.nytimes.com/2026/02/27/o...

Tuesday night's State of the Union speech was a stark reminder that the Republican Party has wholly given over to fascism and that its transformation into an anti-liberal and anti-democratic institution is going to outlive Trump.

Alan Elrod, Liberal Currents, Feb. 26

Trump Administration Withholds $259 Million in Medicaid Funds From Minnesota

It’s retaliation pure and simple—for Minneapolis protests.

Trump Administration Withholds $259 Million in Medicaid Funds From Minnesota www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/u...

Epstein Files Are Missing Records About Woman Who Made Claim Against Trump

Trump criminally assaulted women, and yet it has not brought him down. It's important that these latest claims are brought to light. But in an authoritarian presidency, where Trump's illegal activities are already widely known, will they have much impact?

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/u...

There’s a reason Trump’s approval rating is hanging around 20%. He’s boring. And not particularly competent. And that’s becoming increasingly apparent.

Joyce Vance, Feb. 25

Millions of Americans are losing their healthcare because the president has chosen to pad the pockets of his billionaire friends.

You're not going to hear any of that in that speech tonight. - @chrismurphyct.bsky.social

Of all Presidementia's prior State-of-the-Unions I've not watched in the past, tonight's State-of-the-Union is the State-of-the-Union I'm not watching the most. 🍊🚫

Do animals have a future on Hollywood sets? The turn to CGI has sidelined many of the dogs, bears and horses of yesteryear. But ethical questions aside, there’s still some magic in filming and seeing the real thing.

Do animals have a future on Hollywood sets?
theconversation.com/do-animals-h...

Fun reminder that Jared Kushner's dad is a convicted felon who along with his other crimes hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law and record it when he learned the brother-in-law was cooperating with authorities, and Trump not only pardoned him but made him ambassador to France.

Live Updates: Winter Storm Intensifies Across Eastern Seaboard

The trains, with what passengers they have, are filled with mostly working class New Yorkers — mechanics, building porters and civil servants. These folks keep the lights on when inclement weather strikes.

www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02...

Opinion | The Bible Tells Us to Love Immigrants

Demonizing, mocking or dehumanizing immigrants — let alone violently pursuing them — is, religiously speaking, an abomination, a direct affront to a biblical vision of what a good and holy society ought to look like.

The Bible Tells Us to Love Immigrants www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/o...

Opinion | Historians Confirm: Tomorrow Won’t Be Better Than Today

We are nowhere near the disastrous circumstances of Berliners in 1945, 1939, 1935 or even 1934. But as humans, we are prey to similar kinds of self-deception. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/o...

New Jersey Democrats Send Coarse but Clear Message to ICE With New Bill

Jersey proud!

New Jersey Democrats Send Coarse but Clear Message to ICE With New Bill www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/n...

New Jersey Democrats Send Coarse but Clear Message to ICE With New Bill

Jersey proud!

New Jersey Democrats Send Coarse but Clear Message to ICE With New Bill www.nytimes.com/2026/02/21/n...

The Trump administration’s privileging of racial and civilizational concerns in foreign relations, even bringing racial purity considerations into thinking about international alliances, should be front-page news.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Feb. 19

Opinion | Netanyahu Plays Trump and American Jews for Fools — Again

If Netanyahu’s government stays on this course, it will rip apart Jewish institutions everywhere as members of the Jewish diaspora are forced to decide whether to stand with or against an apartheid-like state.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/o...

Detention, deportation and family separation don’t merely cause social and legal harm; they also create profound medical stress that exacerbates chronic disease, worsens mental health and induces medical crises.

Our Patients Are More Frightened and Sicker Than Ever’ www.nytimes.com/2026/02/19/o...

As Emmanuel Macron pointed out, free speech loses its meaning when algorithms secretly shape what we see.

Platforms influence debates, fuel division & push harmful content.

Without transparency, how can we trust the information we see? Accountability is a democratic necessity.

As ICE Buys Up Warehouses, Even Some Trump Voters Say No

More please!

As ICE Buys Up Warehouses, Even Some Trump Voters Say No www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/u...

you can't get a copy of "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" in a public school library, but the State Dept. is going to build an online portal so little German boys & girls can read Mein Kamp without drawing the scorn of their community.

ALRIGHT.

Opinion | Trump Is Raising Billions in Federal Funds. That’s Not a Good Thing.

Over the past year, one-quarter of the I.R.S.’s work force has been eliminated. Hundreds of billions of dollars in tax revenue will .. be lost, eroding the government’s fiscal dependency on the public and further weakening electoral tethers on presidential power.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/o...

Opinion | The Democratic Party, ICE, Trump: 13 Democratic Voters Discuss The group discusses the Democratic Party’s response to Trump and his reshaping of American life.

‘Show Up for Us’: 13 Democratic Voters on Trump, ICE and Their Frustrations With the Democratic Party www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

The key to defeating Trump? Mass non-cooperation | Mark Engler and Paul Engler Our studies in civil resistance offer insight into the level of popular organizing needed to repel assaults on democracy

The potential of civil resistance is not just in holding large demonstrations. It is in drawing from a vast array of strikes, boycotts, noncooperation tactics and artistic protest.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Constant Sexual Aggression Drives Female Tortoises to Walk Off Cliffs

Constant Sexual Aggression Drives Female Tortoises to Walk Off Cliffs www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/s...

Democrats’ Debate: ‘Abolish ICE,’ or ‘Abolish Trump’s ICE’?

abolish ICE!

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...

Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why | Joan Wallach Scott Texas A&M University is the latest school to end women’s and gender studies programs and teaching race. We know why

Defending gender studies is not a parochial feminist project, but a vital stand that extends to the “validity of the entire American system” as a democracy, one based on aspirations for equality and justice for all.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Tempered by Turmoil, Many in Twin Cities Now Feel Empowered

Heroes!

Tempered by Turmoil, Many in Twin Cities Now Feel Empowered www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...

Opinion | A New Jersey Primary Shows the Depth of Democratic Fury

New Jersey pollster Patrick Murray told me he wasn’t surprised, because “this is an incredibly angry Democratic electorate.”

A New Jersey Primary Shows the Depth of Democratic Fury www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/o...