Laura Kittel, PhD 🦋

Tyrants, whether fascist, authoritarian, or some other type, rule illegitimately. Even if they gained power through democratic means, a tyrant is never legitimate, because TYRANNY ITSELF UNDERMINES & NULLIFIES ANY CLAIM TO RIGHTFUL GOVERNANCE.

Human rights are non-partisan. They include & protect everyone: Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc. Rights are the good towards which the gov't is geared. Groups can have different ideas about how to implement them, but if groups become hostile to rights; they're no longer operating justly.

Human rights are the justification of the modern nation-state. Meaning that human rights are *the* reason for establishing a nation & its govt. This innovation came about during the American Revolution. The purpose of America--& all modern nations--is to protect & advance human rights.

If you think that people accessing basic human rights like food, clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social services, w help from gov't, *prevents* them from becoming self-reliant or self-actualized, then my advice on your views: revise & resubmit.

DOGE was never about savings. It was always about surveillance.

Over the weekend, we released new details—and now whistleblowers are coming forward too. What’s becoming clearer by the day: DOGE isn’t a government efficiency program. It’s a data weapon aimed at the American people.

I was an international visa-holding doctoral student speaking truth to power in Australia.

Never once did I fear being disappeared.

You can't appease a madman.

"In democracies, universities are there to teach facts." - Jason Stanley

In fascist regimes, they teach falsehoods so that students are coerced into approving the fascist state without question.

Thought of the day: Thank God for Bernie Sanders 🙏

Asteroid's chances of hitting Earth have nearly doubled in a week, ESA scientist warns An steroid up to 300ft wide now has a 2.2% chance of colliding into Earth. It could prompt a space mission to intercept it.

It really says a lot about the state of the world when this is one of the least alarming headlines I've read all day.

Well, there was ONE King!

Fascism "aims at refashioning not only the forms of life but their content--man, his character, and his faith. To achieve this purpose it enforces discipline and uses authority, entering the soul and ruling with undisputed sway." -Benito Mussolini, 'The Doctrine of Fascism," 1932

Day One of our mission to save democracy. Stay hopeful, active, and engaged. Learn how you can help your community to preserve its strength and support of democratic norms.

To an apathetic grave;
Analysed all in his book,
The enlightenment driven away,
The habit-forming pain,
Mismanagement and grief:
We must suffer them all again."

W. H. Auden, September 1, 1939

"Exiled Thucydides knew
All that a speech can say
About Democracy,
And what dictators do,
The elderly rubbish they talk

Glad I didn't waste my time going to law school. And instead invested in something that exists, like philosophy.

Weakening and stripping the state of democratic institutions is the point of Trump's cabinet picks. When gov't fails by this design, will supporters correctly understand who is to blame?

Stealing from the university's most vulnerable employees. Not a good look for Monash.

@rindieca.bsky.social

Entering the resistance era. 👇

Excellent thread of advice for the new year, which promises to test us beyond current limits.

👇

What we actually crave—& what capital has almost totally destroyed—is real, lived meaning in community. Its absence has caused so much fraying, but it’s not something that can be manufactured or mass produced. It requires shared purpose built in space.

Hey I got offered $200/semester more than rock bottom bc I have a PhD, above the master's. Could almost pay 1 month internet/phone bill. LIVING LARGE!! 🤣🤦‍♀️🤢

US is still failing to secure this human right. Only developed nation to violate it.

I read this as New Yorker's Eve movie

Jimmy Carter once spoke at my college, sharing about his work in Africa. Hearing about how many people died for lack of clean water, he worked to help bring it to them. From start to finish, Carter's life exudes goodness and the active desire to alleviate the suffering of others. RIP PresidentCarter

I wonder what would happen if we elected leaders that actually care about us. 🤔