Craig Smith

if you're an older person who finds words like mogg and maxxing annoying, just starting using them. people over the age of 30 have the superpower to end trends by simply adopting them

Seconded

Wild that a sitting member of Congress, a Republican no less, feels compelled to post this.

High School English and the Making of American Readers Abstract. The high school English classroom is the most influential literary institution in the United States, and the most overlooked by literary scholars

As some of you may know, I’m writing a book on the history of high school English in the United States, and I’m excited to share a new article from that project—“High School English and the Making of American Readers”—out today in American Literary History! 🧵

academic.oup.com/alh/article/...

Forget “I wish I believed in hell” and embrace “I wish I believed in the Erinyes.”

Arundhati Roy quits Berlin film festival over ‘stay out of politics’ comment Author says she is ‘disgusted’ by claim from jury president Wim Wenders that film-makers should remain apolitical

“The author Arundhati Roy has withdrawn from the Berlinale after the film festival’s chief jurist said film-makers must stay out of politics”

"Bear with me please. Good morning. I just wanted to start off by acknowledging my wife, Kayla, who is not only the strongest person that I know, but a support system for me every bit as I am for her. Part of what I'm here to share is on behalf of the both of us. I will start off by thanking the Dodgers, Andrew Friedman, Brandon Gomes, Doc, the whole coaching staff and all of my teammates. The amount of support you have given Kay and I has been overwhelming in the best way. We are beyond grateful for this organization and this family. So many of you have stepped up and have been there for us in a big way over the past few months. It has meant the world to both Kay and I. "I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the Toronto Blue Jays, their front office, coaching staff and players for showing us the support. They are a first-class organization and I just want to say thank you to them. When Kay and I were watching the World Series, we noticed that there was (No.) 51 on Louie Varland's hat. I immediately texted Gus Varland, his brother, and I asked him if I was seeing that correctly. He texted me back right away and he said, The Varlands love you dude. The whole Toronto bullpen has it too. It's bigger than baseball. We love you all.' Kay and I, we were very emotional. We were super overwhelmed with emotion and the baseball community, the relationships that you make along the way, it showed that it's much bigger than baseball. "The outpouring of love and support Kay and I have had over the past few months, has been unmatched. We're both grateful to not only Dodger nation, but the fans worldwide. My DMs, messages, my DMs are basically broken on Instagram from all the love and support that we've had. I've tried to read all the comments and everything just because it's meant the world, really. "We even got a jersey from the LA Rams, with all their signatures on it. That was a surprise and very cool as well. We'll have that framed and put up in our house.

"The lessons we've learned from this is that life can change in an instant. Ten minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to here, and love her. Our time together was far too short. Kay and I will keep those precious moments and memories to ourselves. I hope that anyone listening can empathize and respect our wishes for privacy as we continue to heal, and as we navigate the ups and downs of a baseball season. "Stepping away from the team, and the brothers I go to war with every day, was difficult. But it was also an easy decision, because my family needed me. We still watched every pitch of the World Series, and for us, in so many ways, that was a light in our darkness. "We got back to Arizona the first or second of November, and I immediately got back into the gym. I started my throwing program. Having something to look forward to has helped me. The gym has been my mental clarity. Being around the guys again, preparing for spring training, it's been really nice. Gotten a lot of love so far in the clubhouse, and being able to laugh and joke around, that's been really nice for me. "Kay and I started therapy about six weeks ago. It hasn't been easy. But talking to someone has made a difference. For those out there who have lost a child, or are fighting through any struggle, if you can take anything from this, please seek help. Talk to somebody. It's definitely helped Kay and I. Please don't be afraid to speak up. Your mental health matters. "I've learned that what has happened to us has also happened to so many families. And realizing that has deepened our empathy and our gratitude for this community. The baseball community is extremely strong. I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home, but we're carrying here with us everyday. It's been hard, but we're doing OK."

Alex Vesia addressed the media today for the first time about his daughter’s death during the World Series. He thanked the Dodgers and Blue Jays for their support, and encouraged people who are struggling to seek therapy. Hat tip to @fabianardaya.bsky.social for transcribing Vesia’s full statement.

and the mouth

not even trying to channel my inner @radiofreetom.bsky.social on this, but middle age (and beyond) comes for us all.

The least relevant thing I can say about this, but a firmly held belief: if you're beyond a certain age (idk, 23?), wearing your hat backwards is immediately disqualifying if you want to be taken seriously. You're a child not a man.

Naturally, three of these losers wear their hats backwards.

Well that's pretty unambiguous

Wine moms with Molotov cocktails is now the moderate position on ICE.

SO COOL. A great tree

The IOC: lets keep sports and politics separate

Also the IOC:

Agents Who Shot Marimar Martinez Caught On Video Saying 'Do Something, Bitch' Newly released body camera footage shows Border Patrol agents swerving their car into the Chicago woman before shooting her five times.

The Border Patrol agents lied. They always lie. And they lie to destroy other people's lives for fun.

www.huffpost.com/entry/border...

Not only did they murder hundreds of thousands of people. They also stole the money.

Fair enough

Here are the Top 5 Dogs of the week!

"Moderna's CEO announced the company will no longer invest in new Phase 3 vaccine trials for infectious diseases: 'You cannot make a return on investment if you don't have access to the U.S. market. Vaccines for Epstein-Barr virus, herpes, and shingles have been shelved.” 9:12 AM Feb 12, 2026 604.8K Views

In terms of what cures are being lost:

- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease

Felt like Loperfido has a lot of potential upside.

Not convinced this is more than a lateral move at best, as far as the Jays' roster goes, but hope Sanchez surprises.

Current state of things: One Fox News host casually declares that Epstein’s money comes from “Jewish billionaires” and a “Jewish banking family,” another responds that he was a “sex rabbi.” www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/jes...

The Trump administration has spent more than $30 million to send migrants to far-flung countries that are not their own, including, in a few instances, paying over $1 million a person, a new report from the Democratic chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says.
https://cnn.it/3MuzgJk

ICYMI

Gabbard Whistleblower Complaint Based on Intercepted Conversation About Jared Kushner The substance of the conversation, which covered in part issues related to Iran, isn’t known.

WSJ - The highly classified whistleblower complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is related to a conversation intercepted last spring in which two foreign nationals discussed Jared Kushner. www.wsj.com/politics/national...

You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.

They literally did this to Merrick Garland they stole his fucking seat! Republicans were in the majority when they did that. I don't care

This is an extremely Bluesky understanding of the Senate and options the Democrats have if Alito retires before a new Congress is seated

I mean, I grant that he looks like the kind of guy who probably has a superior capacity for getting aroused by videos of manatees rutting.

Is that what they mean?

The Pride flag at the Stonewall Monument is re-raised!

New Yorkers won’t let Donald Trump erase LGBTQ+ history, or trample the rights of our LGBTQ+ neighbors.

Me entering every department meeting since 2014.

Professors in the Epstein Files Begin to Face Consequences Several faculty members who spoke regularly with Epstein have been stripped of their titles or teaching duties.

David Gelernter, a creationist computer scientist who has long been a disgrace to Yale University, has been suspended for referring to an undergraduate student as a "v small goodlooking blonde" in a job recommendation to Jeffrey Epstein. He said later that he was "very glad" to have written it.