iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

"All we have left is imagination, and ours is stronger than theirs." - Walter Breuggemann

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

" ... vanquished peoples are not really subjects of the empire until their imagination has been taken captive... until that imagination is broken, domesticated, and reshaped in the image of the empire, the people are still free."‬ - Brian Walsh & Sylvia Keesmaat

001

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

I’ve been obsessive about ‘Close’ for three years now, and kick myself for missing them at the tiniest of local clubs this past year. With an album like ‘The Spin,’ I have a feeling that their days of playing 80-100 cap places will soon be long gone. Such a powerful band.

010

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Listening to Zao’s The Funeral of God in the wake of our solemn Good Friday service.

030

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

‘Civics After Midnight,’ from A Crown For Abba Moses: new and selected poems by Timothy E. G. Bartel

010

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Imagination is a monarchy; they cannot rule where they cannot decree. Just think of Solzhenitsyn underground, his manuscripts in danger, not his mind. Trust not in princes is for poets too; to order what’s within is up to you. They’ll never rule where they cannot decree - imagination is a monarchy.

120

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Part of education is prepping all involved for real life dynamics. In this case, that vacillating school schedule is just like whether or not democracy is still real and even moderately functional today. You just never know, y’know?

010

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

They and the poetry of the Syriac Fathers, particularly Jacob of Serug and Ephrem of Syrus, changed the whole game for me.

010

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Ha! Figured you’d tell me, and that I’d catch hell from others who care about me about any sleep-misogynizing I was doing on the internets.

020

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

I’m teaching about praying with the Desert Fathers & Mothers tonight, and spending time with these old friends reminds me of how much I miss them when I’m away for so long, and just how good it is for my soul to sit with their Sayings and searching.

190

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Obviously I catastrophize when I haven’t gulped down caffeine and slept enough. Goodness.

110

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

The way, my bleary-eyed, pre-coffee brain just went “Wait, is this me? Did Lindsay ever call me pastor, and did I make a shift to ex-Padre? Did I change my handle to this? Am I even on Twitter anymore? Was I sleep-tweeting misogynistic MAGA hot takes? And if so, what the crap did I eat last night?”

110

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

The long understanding of prayer & the Christian spiritual life as that “joy of feeling close to God,” as Romero described it, the joy of a true solidarity exemplified in Christ (who was freaking INCARNATE EMPATHY), and now we’re here: “the heart, in those days… small… hard, and full of meanness.

030

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

A friend just said that our civil liberties might be the only thing more fragile than the ego of a white man, and looking around, he’s not wrong.

020

Reposted by Adam Baker

Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 07/03/2025

1. Today, powerful speeches from trans representatives in Montana SJ Howell and Zooey Zephyr flipped 29 Republicans, killing anti-trans bills. While some Dems like Newsom abandon trans people, these reps show the power of representation. Watch their speech. Subscribe to support our journalism.

erininthemorning.com

Powerful Speeches From Trans Dems Flip 29 Republicans, Anti-Trans Bills Die In Montana

Transgender Reps Zooey Zephyr and SJ Howell delivered powerful speeches on the Montana House floor on Thursday. Republicans defected en masse to join them in voting against anti-trans bills.

11198842502

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

This is both wild and sickly unsurprising.

000

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

I’m always glad when this band gets some appreciation.

110

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

That’s what Jenn was listening to in college, along with Point of Grace. I somehow skipped almost 99% of most CCM, diving right into 90’s alt Christian weirdness like early Tooth & Nail and Blonde Vinyl!

010

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

“I used to illegally download mid-90’s emo & hardcore songs, but I’ve seen the error of my ways.”

120

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

If we’re using classic equipment, we use our classic ninja training.

240

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

The State of the Union had me wishing that our elected officials had the willpower to protest boldly against lies and corruption, even if doing so might cost them, and in a unified, undeniable way. Honestly, it made me longingly remember this, and wish it was us. #haka m.youtube.com/watch?v=25AU...

m.youtube.com

Lawmakers use haka to protest in New Zealand's parliament

YouTube video by Associated Press

041

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

I either rip MP3s directly into my laptop or download the good stuff from certain online locations that enable access to such things - and by “such things,” I do mean “albums that are largely out of print by bands that only a weird old niche of us remember, but that my kids still enjoy”.

140

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

In dark times, I celebrate the gift of so many 90’s emo & indie rock bands I’ve loved (forever) playing in one place. I NEVER thought I’d see Texas is the Reason. This is amazing, #bestfriendsforever.

040

Reposted by Adam Baker

Meghan | The Pursuing Life @meghankgentry.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

“We’ve lost consensual reality, and I don’t know how we get that back.”

A page from the book “The Age of Magical Overthinking,” with a paragraph highlighted describing Emily St. John Mandel discussing a scene from her pandemic novel “Station Eleven,” and including the quote mentioned with the picture.

414230

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

I know that it’s a bit of a haul, friend, but the good news is that it might not be for long. Gathering: West County is strongly being explored right now.

110

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Give me a heads up if you’re ever over this way, and afterward, there’s a Chili’s four miles away. Guarantee that we could get a post-Gathering crew together for a brisket quesadilla.

120

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

I’m fiercely Kodama over here, but Spiritual Instinct is also great.

010

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

I’m afraid that I’ve just been caught up in the new Anxious record and in listening to frenetic bursts of Hella’s ‘Hold Your Horse Is’.

110

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Just another day of me acknowledging that neither End Hits and The Argument are ever quite able to win the battle of ‘what Fugazi record do I want to shout along to again today?’ Give me some locals who want to start a band with me fueled by this energy.

030

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

There’s something really special about this record.

010

Reposted by Adam Baker

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ @kenhomansj.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

In 1947 Cardinal Ritter racially integrated all of the Catholic schools in the STL archdiocese. White parents formed a group & asked the Vatican to intervene. The Vatican refused. Ritter told oppositional Catholics that they would be excommunicated. Food for thought given our present situation.

918142

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Extended versions of the LOTR movies.

020

Reposted by Adam Baker

Jenna DeWitt (she/her) @jennadewitt.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

We already know what happens without accommodations. We already know what happens without gender-affirming care. We already know what happens without HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. And so do they.

1283

Reposted by Adam Baker

Jenna DeWitt (she/her) @jennadewitt.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

We already know what happens without vaccines. We already know what happens without SSRIs. We already know what happens without stimulants. We already know what happens without OSHA. We already know what happens without health insurance.

27220

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

I saw them at a fest within the past two years and… yeah. It’s definitely somebody’s delight - lots of people there were freaking out over them - but what they’re doing just misses me.

010

Reposted by Adam Baker

Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 13/02/2025

Incredible news! The Trump administration's under 19 trans care ban has been BLOCKED in federal court via a bench temporary restraining order. The administration CANNOT withhold funds from hospitals providing trans youth care. ACLU statement here:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2025

CONTACT

Gillian Branstetter, gbranstetter@aclu.org

Tom Warnke, twarnke@lambdalegal.org

BALTIMORE – In a victory for transgender youth, their families, and their medical providers, a federal district court today issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of a Trump administration executive order attempting to shut down access nationwide to gender-affirming medical care for transgender people under 19. The decision by Judge Brendan Hurson was issued from the bench with a written order to come soon.

The nationwide restraining order prohibits federal agencies from conditioning or withholding federal funding based on the fact that a healthcare entity or health professional provides gender-affirming medical care to a patient under nineteen.

“Good and decent parents of transgender kids should never be in the frightening position of having their child’s prescribed, medically necessary care canceled at the whim and threat of a politician. But that’s exactly what President Trump’s executive order did to PFLAG families with trans youth and young adults nationwide,” said Brian K. Bond (he/him), Chief Executive Officer of PFLAG National. “Today’s decision rights a grievous wrong to our nation's families and children, and PFLAG families will be vigilant to ensure our transgender loved ones receive the healthcare they need—as this legal ruling demands.”

“Forcing providers to withhold medically-necessary, evidence-based care not only threatens patient health and well-being, but also undermines the integrity of our healthcare system in its entirety,” said Alex Sheldon (they/them), GLMA executive director. “Today's intervention by the court underscores the cruelty and recklessness that is embedded in this order and affirms our commitment to resist the administration’s extremist agenda that targets trans and non-binary young people and privileges political ideology over medical expertise. We are hopeful that…

In the first week after the order was signed, some hospitals across the country — in Massachusetts, Maryland, Washington, Colorado, and Virginia at least — abruptly halted medical care for transgender people under age 19, canceling appointments and turning away patients, including some who had been receiving this care for most of their life. This prompted protests of support for transgender youth and in opposition to the order nationwide.

On Feb. 4, a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, the ACLU of Maryland, and law firms Jenner & Block and Hogan Lovells on behalf of transgender young adults and adolescents and their families whose health care has been disrupted by President Trump’s order. Also joining the case as plaintiffs are PFLAG National, the nation’s largest organization supporting LGBTQ+ people and their families, with over 550,000 members and supporters and nearly 350 chapters across the country; and GLMA, the country’s largest organization of LGBTQ and allied health professionals.

"Across the country, this unlawful order from the president has sown fear among transgender youth and confusion among their providers,” said Joshua Block, senior staff attorney for the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project. “But today’s decision should restore both their access to healthcare and protections under the Constitution. Providers who’ve suspended healthcare for their transgender patients should be left with no doubt that they can lift those suspensions and continue to provide healthcare and act in their best medical judgment without risking their funding or worse.

“The president’s orders sought to take away from transgender young people the very care that they, their families, and their medical providers all agree is best for them – medical care that is evidence-based and well-established. But these decisions are for patients, their families, and their doctors to make, not for politicians or Washington bureaucrats,” said Omar Gonzale…

6387462553

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

15 years since #ceremony dropped #RohnertPark, which is wild. Still, its seething songs, acknowledging the often desiccated heart of American suburbia, hit differently here and now. It feels larger scale, re: national mythos. bridge9.bandcamp.com/album/rohner... #coresky #hardcore #hardcorepunk

bridge9.bandcamp.com

Rohnert Park, by Ceremony

13 track album

010

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Yes, and yes. Thank you for sharing. We never seem to end up where we expect, and yet life & beauty, even touched at times by longing, is persistent. I’m really glad that you’re doing the work that you’re doing, Tim. It’s important. Peace to you.

110

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Just me on my 47th play through of the new Iron Lung song. It’s only 37 seconds long. Some days just call for bands who play powerviolence.

110

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

So much symbolism, and I’m saying that as someone that likely missed most of it!

000

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Can’t think of a better “No matter what any of you say, we’re still here” during Black History Month and the systematic attempted dismantling of our collective need for diversity, equity, and inclusion education and protections.

030

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam. Sza singing out & Serena Williams out here cripwalking.The American flag, divided & alive, comprised entirely of black & brown bodies, fiercely and unapologetically present. “The revolution about to be televised. You picked the right time, but the wrong guy.”

100

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Still, you’d think that after Beyoncé’s ‘Lemonade’ and the past three years of halftime performances, we’d begin to grasp that music and culture is building monuments that neither depend upon white approval or have any need for white understanding and appreciation.

100

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

I have zero doubt that there’s a ton of folks who look like me up in arms about that Halftime Show.

110

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

I can’t quite express the thoroughly disturbed confusion that ran loudly through my entire family during that commercial. Like, increasing terror with every flex, and then it went full disembodied tongue and there were screams.

060

Reposted by Adam Baker

Bonhoeffer's Child @bonhoefferchild.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Reminder: The cost of discipleship and American Exceptionalism are never compatible. You cannot serve the spirit of Empire at the same time you carry the Cross. Those who carry the Cross, like along the Via Dolorosa, are always under the lash of Empire.

0588

Adam Baker @breathinghope.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

I’m definitely quieter there than I was before January, but I’m making what I say count - or, trying to.

040