Irish citizen Seamus Culleton has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years, is married to a U.S. citizen, has no criminal record, owns a business and holds a valid work permit as part of an application for a green card. Yet he's been in detention in Texas for nearly five months. The Irish Times spoke to him about what's happening.

https://flip.it/fIuK9g

#Ireland #Immigration #UnitedStates #USPolitics

While we talk about the declining democracy in USA, rightly so, and there are many parts of the world where it already is much worse.

Jimmy Lai and eight more got long sentences in HongKong. For non-crimes.

Hong Kong Free Press reports:
https://hongkongfp.com/2026/02/09/breaking-jimmy-lai-jailed-for-20-years-in-hong-kong-after-nat-security-conviction/

Link from Kinamedia newsletter.

#HongKong #China #democracy #freepress #humanrights

The Thwaites Glacier is melting.
“The result was stark:the ocean there is five and a half degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the freezing point of glacier ice in seawater—direct evidence of the heat eating the glacier from below.”
#ClimateChange #Glaciers #Science
https://milesobrien.substack.com/p/a-hole-in-the-ice-a-hard-stop-and

I'm currently reading some Roberto Bolaño. I'm loving the book so far! Bolaño's writing style is beautiful. You can tell he's an excellent poet by the way he writes in prose.

I also like how the protagonist is only seen through the eyes of others. One never knows what they really think.

I recommend this book to everyone looking for something refreshing.

#book #books #read #reading

lost on winter's quilt
stitch the moments together
mend the broken days

#DailyHaikuPrompt

'Canada, better the 28th EU member than the 51st US state'

The Canadian prime minister has called for an alliance of middle powers to stand up to the world's great powers. This is a compelling idea, and one that Europe has been pursuing for 60 years, writes Le Monde columnist Pascal Riché.

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/02/05/canada-better-the-28th-eu-member-than-the-51st-us-state_6750176_23.html

"The #Canada #Health Act guarantees reasonable access to medically necessary care. This is being violated daily, everywhere. The Act is meaningless if it is not enforced." https://canadahealthwatch.ca/2026/02/01/deaths-in-er-waiting-rooms-are-a-policy-choice

#healthCare #humanRights #PublicHealth #cdnpoli

I am reading Katherine Applegate's newest book, Pocket Bear, and it is the most darling, beautiful book for children! I love that it brings in history lessons and lessons on the horrors of war (including featuring a mother and daughter who are refugees of the current Ukraine War). This would be a perfect read aloud for ages 7 and up. There is much to discuss in these pages and the chapters are only 1-3 pages long so breaks are easy to take. I am in love with this book!

@bookstodon
#books

Canada’s farmers rely on federal research to help them overcome drought and pests. Now, Agriculture Canada is closing facilities and cutting 12 per cent of its workforce, while climate pressures mount https://thenarwhal.ca/canada-agricultural-science-cuts/

Another toxic mess likely to be abandoned in #NWT. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/we-want-them-gone-artificial-islands-a-concern-for-norman-wells-clean-up-says-fort-good-hope-chief-9.7074487

#BigOil #WaterisLife #environment #ecosystems

Going through my things last night, I came across a booklet that my grandfather gave me when I was young. A man who, incidentally, was awarded a bronze star for valor in the fight against fascism in WWII.

I don't know how I managed to hold on to it all these years. I've misplaced and forgotten so many other treasures. But, looking at it now, I'm grateful that I did.

The book is "I am an American: What Every Citizen Should Know" Compiled and edited by Francis Cavanah and Lloyd E. Smith. Published by Whitman Publishing Company, Racine, Wisconsin 1940.

It includes the complete texts of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and it's amendments (up to the 21st), excerpts from the Monroe Doctrine, and various quotes and letters from prominent (albeit mostly white) historical figures, along with some musings on the nature of citizenship and civic duty and other miscellany.

A cursory internet search reveals that I am not alone in having a grandparent bestow this gift. There are a few other, similar accounts, and some copies available on etsy and ebay. But, I was unable to find a digital copy.

I'm contemplating risking damage to the spine in order to scan and upload the contents. If there's enough interest in such an endeavor, I'll do it. Thanks to my uncle's generosity, I have quite a few other mementoes with which to remember grandpa.

#america #history #grandparents #wwii

I grew up with the Washington Post, wrote editorials for the Washington Post and published a column there for more than 15 years. To watch its owners destroy it, seemingly deliberately, in just an year and a half is devastating.

‘Today’ show ramps up security to protect NBC staff as Savannah Guthrie’s mom remains missing https://www.inbella.com/1492629/today-show-ramps-up-security-to-protect-nbc-staff-as-savannah-guthries-mom-remains-missing/ #Celeb #CelebNews #Celebrity #CelebrityGossip #CelebrityNews #Entertainment #EntertainmentNews #Fashion #Gossip #media #NancyGuthrie #NancyGuthrieMissing #NBC #News #PageSix #PageSixStyle #PageSixTv #pagesix #PopCulture #SavannahGuthrie #SavannahGuthrieFamily #SavannahGuthrieMesage #SavannahGuthrieMomMissing #SavannahGuthrieSister #TodayShowSecurity

#NVO987 #ArtHistory #Culture #Fashion
📰 The Dolomites Are Ready for Their Olympic Close‑Up
With the Winter Games returning to Italy, the famed pink mountains are likely to steal the show.
🔗 https://www.elle.com/culture/travel-food/a70006546/milan-cortina-dolomites-italy-travel-guide-2026/

An #artist and #writer, PJ was a living example of Greenwich Village’s “revolution of #consciousness.” Coming to the Village (NYC) in 1919, he soon was immersed in the Bohemian lifestyle. Over the years, through his heightened awareness, he created his own #philosophy. In his old age he becomes friends with Erin, a young #poet and together they embark on a journey through the human psyche. #memoir #bookstodon https://www.amazon.com/Tally-Intuitive-Life-Mary-Clark-ebook/dp/B00ES29YIA

Car decoration this morning.

Ice by Osoyoos lake after a fountain failure during a cold winter night.#photography, #nature