iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Brian K Gruber

David Simon @audacityofdespair.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

American journalism has reached that point wherein if you cover the White House or opine on national events as a columnist for a major news organization, you must be called "piggy," "sleazebag," or "human scum" by this president. If you are not, you must -- as a gutless and craven cipher -- resign.

1227348

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

My god, stop kowtowing to the absurd sloganeering of American fascists by demanding to know if she is a capitalist or believes in some form of social democracy. It’s an insult. It degrades the debate. Republicans call anyone resisting their fascist behaviors a communist. Stop it.

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

PAST EXCESSES!?!?!?!?!?!?!? The Republican Party is demolishing the rule of law, the separation of powers, independent judiciaries, and grifting billions and you are slinging this merde about PAST EXCESSES!?!?!?!?!?!?!? You are failing your country.

051

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Oh dear may I have another I traversed the heartland and found things are just fine and Platner’s gone so what me worry about a new dark age of fascism Atlantic feature?

000

Reposted by Brian K Gruber

James Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Taking a hit for the team: Watching Caligula at Mt. Rushmore. The "idea" part of the speech, read from script, is extended, Joe McCarthy-toned denunciation of Communism as the era's greatest threat. Recall that his three closest chums internationally are: -Putin -Xi Jinping -Kim Jong Un

501228284

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Why in the world are you legitimizing one more grift by a child rapist?

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Gee, Democrats might have won a lot more races if they abandoned gay rights and gay marriage, Barney. Identity politics! Not acceptable to mainstream America! Frank was a wonderful legislator. No idea WTF he is talking about. Defund the police is one poorly chosen slogan for a legit social issue.

020

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Nah, I'm good, I have no desire to "treat faith as a decision that transcends scientific proof;" my Brooklyn public school teachers taught me not to believe bullshit. Learned that when I was around 10. And it need not get as far as scientific proof, how about having faith in what is evidently true.

020

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

A Christian country! Saturated with gambling, booze, opioids, obsessive materialism, violence and hatred. Save me!!!!

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

SHE DIDN’T HAVE POLICIES AND DIDN’T EXPLAIN THEM?? They said the same about Secretary Clinton who had REAMS of online policy papers and a billion hours of policy speeches. Maybe we have an idiot electorate that never ever spends any time studying or caring about policy and elects a carnival barker.

240

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Maybe. Or maybe a Democrat with lifelong liberal views and demonstrated competence and experience needs to be attacked relentlessly by democratic voters encouraging folks to stay home on Election Day while Trump and the fascist GOP can spout all manner of untrue irrational shit and get elected.

270

Reposted by Brian K Gruber

David Simon @audacityofdespair.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Worth a re-up 11 days later. And I honestly wish it wasn't.

10486104

Reposted by Brian K Gruber

Max Berger @maxberger.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

I promise you that the government that murdered Alex Pretti and Renee Good does not give a flying fuck about the protests in Iran.

308190153902

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Ooh, let’s hope the fellow does not pivot to the center. Pivoting to the center - allowing the decimation of the country’s working class, health care system, public education system, labor protections, environmental protections, and civil rights - has brought the country to the brink of fascism.

030

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Agree that the solution is extensive campaign finance reform. I’m ok with no term limits if someone tells me how to extract an entire generation of elected officials comfortable with being owned by moneyed interests.

100

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Clever response Josh and I am fully aware of the literature and arguments on the issue. Not less thinking. Less thinking mired in perpetuating a status quo that has us ushering in a dark age of fascist oligarchy. Lobbyists OWN the government. Today. Remove them from the levers of power. #lizwarren

120

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Sounds reasonable. Also sounds like, let’s not tamper too much with a system that is sending us headlong into fascist oligarchy.

110

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

I’ve heard public thinkers like the great Norm Ornstein make similar points. We are beyond the point of pondering such intricacies. The first system is profoundly corrupt and drowning in moneyed interests. And we are worried lobbyists… might have sway? Let’s throw them out too. There are solutions.

400

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

I remember when they did those stories characterizing Biden's aging as "signs of defiance."

0281

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

I love how submissive morons in the world at large insist Trump won twice because Democrats failed to fulfill their promises - a largely bullshit claim - but when Trump fails at every step to deliver real advances for the working class, no one cares.

010

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Yes, idiots talking about idiots, but no doubt an interesting phenomenon to have Marj Greene and this moron dissecting and challenging MAGA orthodoxies. Also, I hold Fuentes in contempt, but I can get how his on-air persona appeals to certain young men.

030

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Under control? They long ago sold their souls and manage a billion dollar gambling addiction ecosystem that convinces every ten year old boy that sports cannot be enjoyed without gambling.

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

I have a great idea! Let’s get an early start on a circular firing squad slaughtering every competent governor and legislator for failing to pass every fabricated litmus test we can think up. “A liberal ex sf mayor and Cali governor fails on transgender issues so let’s keep fascists in power.”

120

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Ukraine Day One: Punk Medical Surgeon, Kids Art Workshop, Athletes Competing Under Attack After a 20-hour long haul from Bangkok and a 13-hour jaunt through the Polish and Ukrainian countrysides, a first day in #Ukraine for my cross country journey. open.substack.com/pub/briangru...

open.substack.com

Ukraine Day One: Punk Medical Surgeon, Kids Art Workshop, Athletes Competing Under Attack

Stories of bravery, service, and resistance are everywhere

021

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

I leave tomorrow for Warsaw then across the border to Ukraine for my monthlong jaunt gathering stories of life, love and art during the time of resistance to the Russian invasion. Here is a short video describing the project with ways for you to follow along and participate. #Ukraine

youtu.be

Time to Go: A Video Descriptor of My Ukraine Project

YouTube video by Brian Gruber

011

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Ukrainians offer lodging, personal assistants, train tickets, long distance rides, connections, advice, and astounding stories. Hit the road and open your eyes and ears and stuff hits you in the heart. Onward!

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

The early weather report on my impending three weeks traversing Ukraine (Lviv-Kyiv-Kharkiv-Odesa and some mystery destinations) is the extraordinary kindness of strangers on these fantastic voyages.

100

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

My Ukraine adventure begins with a ferry to Surat Thani. On to Bangkok. Then a weekend of celebration and a flight to Warsaw 9pm August 4 on my birthday. I get to enjoy 69 (years) 4 more days. #ukraine #kyiv #travel #lviv #kharkiv #odesa

230

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

If you know of Ukrainian musicians, artists, journalists, NGO volunteers, refugees, anarchists, or anyone particularly remarkable stories to tell about life, love, and art during the time of resistance, please let me know. Also, places to visit, ideas to chase, social media channels.

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

I will adjust my travel schedule as I go but the basic plan is an August 4 (birthday!) departure from Bangkok; Warsaw 5-7; Lviv 7-9; Kyiv 9-16; Kharkiv 16-20; Odessa 20-24, with possible stopovers in other cities such as Poltava and Dnipro. taxiingtheplanet.com

substack.com

Brian Gruber (@briangruber)

110

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

I wil be traveling across Ukraine in August gathering stories and music. If you know Ukrainian artists, teachers, activists, public servants, or storytellers who deserve an audience, please contact me. Details at: briangruber.substack.com/p/updated-pl... #Ukraine #resistance #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Odesa

briangruber.substack.com

Updated Plans for "My Fabulous Ukrainian Vacation: Get Involved!

Art and Love in the Time of Resistance

032

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

🌍 New Adventures. New Name. Same Mission. I’ve just relaunched my Substack as 6C48: Taxiing the Planet—a tribute to my father’s NYC cab and to the stories that move us across borders. The first dispatches will be coming from Ukraine next month. You can follow along at: 👉 briangruber.substack.com

briangruber.substack.com

6C48: Taxiing the Planet | Brian Gruber | Substack

Dispatches from the road—interviews, stories, and reflections on art, love, and resistance. Click to read 6C48: Taxiing the Planet, by Brian Gruber, a Substack publication. Launched 2 months ago.

111

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

I’m a 60 year Celtics fan. I don’t like how the team discards loyal players like IT and Marcus like trash so for me I hope he is super successful on the Lakers. I care more about the humans wearing the uniform than the color of the laundry.

010

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Ukraine offers a vital set of lessons as to how to throw off a corrupt leader. I visited in 2019 for Surmountable book and share the chapter in Substack. Resistance. Massive protests for months. What to watch for as Trump calls in the thugs. #Ukraine #Euromaidan open.substack.com/pub/briangru...

open.substack.com

What I Saw in Ukraine and Why I'm Going Back (Part Two)

Excerpts from my Kyiv interviews for Surmountable

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Here is an excerpt from the EuroMaidan chapter. The book is available here or follow this Substack for serialized chapter excepts.

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

And to examine how the EuroMaidan protests are a model for how to resist government repression and paid thugs Surmountable: How Citizens from Selma to Seoul Changed the World chronicles the victories and setbacks of ten American and three international citizen movements from the past century.

100

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

I will be returning to Ukraine in August, six years after my visit to Kyiv to write about the EuroMaidan revolution. I’ll go to express my solidarity with the Ukrainian peoples’ resistance to Russian aggression. bit.ly/3Tq3ywE

bit.ly

What I Saw in Ukraine and Why I'm Going Back

Excerpts from my Kyiv interviews for Surmountable

110

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

I will also be riffing on the lyrics and meanings of these songs by patriotic Americans who opposed fascism and aggression. Do you have any experience with these songs or stories to share on these artists? The Power and the Glory btw is a Phil Ochs song, though I like Pete's rendition.

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

I will be singing these seven songs each day on my 70th birthday jaunt through Ukraine. I will be seeking out Ukrainian songs and songwriters on similar matters of social justice, peace, and ecology. And gathering stories of living under the threat of violence from the air.

130

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Wow. This woman is magnificent.

000

Brian K Gruber @briankgruber.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

I will traverse Ukraine from Lviv to Kharkiv to Odessa with a backpack and a guitar playing 60s protest songs, gathering stories, and visiting scenes of Russian aggression, since JD Vance is too much of a weasel to go himself.

000