Sign in

Patrick Verbiest

@patrickverbiest.bsky.social
574 followers 862 following 528 posts

My passion lies in: science and technology. I am a Leftist, Anti-Fascist, Anti-Monarchist, Agnostic-Atheist and Anti-Theist. | Den Helder, The Netherlands.

PostsRepliesMedia
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Happy Pride Month to everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community! In the prism of the darkest of rain-haunted night, in moonlight we split in all colours bright. Remember, we all resolve into one. You're right to have pride. Have power in your stride. You'll be alright. #PrideMonth #LGBhugtheT #LGBTQIA+
The Intersex-inclusive Progress Pride Flag.
030
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
This is Geert Wilders to Donald Trump. A Dutch Far-Right politician. Behaving like a child. Telling on another Dutch politician, Rob Jetten. Mr. Jetten is just being correct here. And to put the cherry on top of the Fascism cake, Wilders also crawls underneath Viktor Orban's desk.
Tweet from Geert Wilder to Donald Trump about Rob Jetten.

Text from Tweet:

"Dear President @realDonaldTrump this is what the new Dutch Prime Minister @MinPres Jetten wrote about you after you won the elections in November 2024:

“Trump, a convicted criminal, becomes president of the US. A misogynist who wants to take away hard-won freedoms, such as abortion. A man who openly flirts with dictators. What lies ahead are years of chaos, division, and recklessness.”

Please don’t trust him, the man is a leftish liberal politician and an enemy of the people and he hates your guts. He is now also attacking @PM_ViktorOrban who is a thousand times better leader then Jetten himself."

Date: 22th of March 2026.
Time: 09:04 AM.



PS: Geert Wilders still has not figured out how to spell leftist.
021
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
The Stop Killing Games initiative has just reached it's signature goal. It is now important that it goes way over a million. This because a buffer is needed, due to people who sign double or who aren't EU citizens. And are thus invalid. After that, the hard part, ... #StopKillingGames
Stop Destroying Games Logo.
181
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Happy Pride Month to everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community! Remember, your existence has a wonderful effect upon the blood pressure of those that hate you. So, those that can't change their mind and accept you, will resolve themselves, in time. #PrideMonth #LGBhugtheT #LGBTQIA+
The Intersex-inclusive Progress Pride Flag.
010
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
In another act against academic freedom, the Trump administration has revoked foreign student enrollment to Harvard. With this, they want to exercise tighter control on universities and at the same time, deport more of die unterm...*cough*, foreigners. They want full control of the curriculum.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
For managed democracy! For freedom! 😮‍💨. "(Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had selected a design for the $175-billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and named a Space Force general to head the ambitious program aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia."
GIF of a massive number of Helldivers saluting in the foreground. Super Earth flag in the background.GIF of a Helldiver staring at freedom. With a group of 3 aircraft flying overhead. Ends on a full screen, zoom in, on the Helldiver's hellmet (yes that spelling is intentional).
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
In The Netherlands, too, academic freedom is under pressure. It is high time, that academic freedom gets enshrined into the Dutch Constitution.
Article from The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW):

Title article: Academy: academic freedom in the Netherlands under pressure.

Introduction to article: For scientists in the Netherlands, the scope to choose their own research topic and approach is being continuously squeezed. Freedom to collaborate with foreign colleagues is also under pressure. And due to intimidation, researchers are withdrawing from the social debate. This is the verdict of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in a report published today, in which it analyses a number of current threats against academic freedom and calls on various parties to take measures to better protect this freedom in the Netherlands.

Date of publication: 15-05-2025.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
"Watson Coleman's office says they reviewed the body cam footage and that it proves "nobody 'assaulted' any agents."" Really, the Gestapo, who just want to silence political opposition for the regime, lied. Look below for a selfie of my reaction to this news.
010
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
It wasn't just once... And this time, it's "enhanced" with AI. All you had to do, is put in prompts and check the results. If this is the new level of attention to detail we can expect, then all of America's enemies can sleep tight. The civilians in those countries, on the other hand. #MayThe4th
010
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Ah yes, a fine display of those anti-woke folks being mere tourists of the franchise. Let me put it like this, it's not the Jedi who wield red sabers. And btw Star Wars has always been woke, just ask Mr. Lucas what the Empire and the Rebellion represented. Or Vader and Sidious. One final point,...
110
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Elon Musk:❗️. Concerning. Looking into this. Could it be that millions of people are telling me something? Nah, these must be radical Left, woke, fake news numbers. (See second image.) Soon to be ex-employee: But, sir, these are the numbers your own company reported.
Tweakers.net article (translated).

Article title: X lost millions of users in Europe in recent months. (Dutch: X verloor de afgelopen maanden miljoenen gebruikers in Europa.)

Introduction to article: X, formerly Twitter, lost around 10.5 million users in the European Union over the past five months, according to a transparency report the platform must publish to comply with the Digital Services Act. (Dutch: X, het voormalige Twitter, verloor de afgelopen vijf maanden ongeveer 10,5 miljoen gebruikers in de Europese Unie. Dat blijkt uit het transparantierapport dat het platform moet publiceren om te voldoen aan de Digital Services Act.)

Written by: Daan van Monsjou.

Date & time of publication: 8:02 PM CEST (UTC+2), 30-04-2025.Comic of an employer making an angry face at an employee. The comic then cuts to the, now, ex-employee, flying out of the window of a several story high office building.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
... that the PVV doesn't have the spine to say it with their chest, when called out for it. Bosma: "On such an evening, politics are discussed and about things that could possibly happen, yes.". Stop being such weasels. Say it with your chest. Are you not feeling contempt for your own weakness?...
NRC article (through Google Translate):

Article title: Martin Bosma of the PVV reads, who listens? (Dutch: Martin Bosma van de PVV leest voor, wie luistert?).

Translated text in image: On Thursday, Bosma does not want to say anything about the dinner or about the idea of ​​'Greater Netherlands' that he is said to have expressed there. Only this: "On such an evening, politics are discussed and about things that could possibly happen, yes."

Article written by: Petra de Koning.
Date of publication: 22 April 2025.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
To no one's surprise, the Dutch far-right party, PVV, is still in favor of a Greater Netherlands. It should not be surprising that the "Milders" propaganda, about Geert Wilders, pushed by some of the centrist parties and media, is nonsense. And what also shouldn't be surprising is...
NRC article (through Google Translate):

Article title: Martin Bosma of the PVV reads, who listens? (Dutch: Martin Bosma van de PVV leest voor, wie luistert?).

Translated text in image: In early February, Bosma attended a dinner with a group of members of parliament and the French ambassador. Those members of parliament, and according to them also the ambassador, were astonished when they heard Bosma say what Geert Wilders also said once: that the Netherlands would like to have Flanders included. Then Wallonia could, Bosma said according to the members of parliament, go to France.

Article written by: Petra de Koning.
Date of publication: 22 April 2025.Text from the Greater Netherlands Wikipedia article: 

The Greater Netherlands concept was originally developed by Pieter Geyl, who argued that the "Dutch tribe", encompassing the Flemish and Dutch people, are only separated due to the Eighty Years' War against Spain in the 16th century. While Geyl—an outspoken anti-fascist—argued from a historical and cultural perspective, the fascist Verdinaso and Nazi movements built upon the idea of a Greater Netherlands during the 1930s and 1940s with a focus on ethnic nationalism, a concept still prominent among some on the far-right. Other 21st-century proponents of the Greater Netherlands concept include moderates in Belgium and the Netherlands who seek to elevate the Benelux ideal to a more centralized political union.

Public support for a union of Flanders and the Netherlands is relatively small, especially in Flanders, where Flemish independence is seen as the main alternative to the Belgian state.
110
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Donald Trump, ze Führer, is in such good health, that, if health were a race, he would come in superior *cough*, I mean 1st. He's, if you will, a master, at these races. If insecurity was a WMD, then the Trump regime would be unstoppable, on an intergalactic scale.
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
I scored pretty well, while being a sentientist myself. Not surprising of course, as there is a lot of overlap. The answers to the questions could do with a bit more nuance, though. I had to go with "hmmm, close enough", a few too many times.
My results for the Humanists UK quiz about how much of a Humanist, one is.

My score = 100%.
020
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
The Right, is as predictable as ever, here is a small sampling of the responses from the far-right/anti-democratic forces in europe, to Marine Le Pen's guilty verdict. How dare we protect democracy, against those who break its laws. They say: You're depriving 11 million people of voting for...
110
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Marine Le Pen is barred from seeking office for 5 years. This, as a consequence of her own actions. As a show of true weakness, she stood up and refused to face the music, when the verdict was being read. Weakness, something that the far-right is not very keen on.
Article from: The Associated Press.

Title article: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen barred from seeking office for 5 years, a political earthquake.

Introduction to article: PARIS (AP) — A French court on Monday convicted Marine Le Pen of embezzlement and barred her from seeking public office for five years — a hammer blow to the far-right leader’s presidential hopes and an earthquake for French politics.

Article written by: Sylvie Corbet and John Leicester.

Date & time of publication: Updated 3:42 PM CEST, March 31, 2025.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Donald Trump and his administration basically don't like anything or one, but, accusations in the mirror, are certainly amongst the exceptions. "Trump claimed there has been a “concerted and widespread” effort over the past decade to rewrite American history by replacing “objective facts” with a...
Article from the Associated Press.

Title article: Trump executive order on Smithsonian targets funding for programs with ‘improper ideology’.

Introduction article: WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday revealed his intention to force changes at the Smithsonian Institution with an executive order that targets funding for programs that advance “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology,” the latest step in a broadside against culture he deems too liberal.

Written by: Darlene Superville.

Published: Updated 2:45 AM CET, March 28, 2025.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
We all know who the real enemy is here. @theatlantic.com, how dare you do your job, and inform the public about national security breaches. How dare you show how the Trump regime sees defense as purely transactional (f*** allies). How dare you show what the U.S. thinks of Europe. Shame on you.
Article from: The Atlantic.

Title: Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal.

Introduction to article: The administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief.

Article written by: Jeffrey Goldberg and Shane Harris.

Date & time of publication: March 26, 2025, 8:19 AM ET.
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Here we have yet another threat against the 1st amendment. In this case with a threat against an elected official, Mrs. @repjasmine.bsky.social. A threat that's coming from the AG of the United States. This, in service of the unofficial Dear Leader. She pretends that Mrs. Crockett issued a threat...
TPM (Talking Points Memo) article.

Title article: Bondi Continues Using DOJ As Musk Retribution Weapon In Warning To Dem Who Protested Tesla.

Written by: Khaya Himmelman.
Date and time of publication: March 24, 2025, 11:49 a.m.
110
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
The phrase, "Money does not buy happiness", is partly true. Because it does make people happy, to a point, one that is reached fairly quickly. And for the definition of the truth of that phrase, that you will find when going beyond that base level of wealth, see picture ⬇️.
Picture of Elon Musk. Giving creepy look. Wearing: Black "Make America Great Again" hat with grey lettering. A black jacket. And a grey "Occupy Mars" shirt with white lettering, with said lettering being partly obscured by said jacket.
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
The decision to bar Călin Georgescu has been upheld. Romania has shown that, in fact, you can defend your country against Putin's sock puppets. And of course, instead of seeing this as a consequence of his own actions, Georgescu, like the Far-Right snowflakes always do, cries victim. ...
Article from: Reuters.

Title article: Romanian election mired in uncertainty after far-right Georgescu banned.

Summary:
• Romania to rerun presidential election in May.
• Earlier election voided due to suspicion of Russian meddling.
• Georgescu won initial first-round ballot, remains popular.
• Georgescu stops short of endorsing any other potential candidate.

Introduction to article: BUCHAREST, March 11 (Reuters) - Romanian far-right politician Calin Georgescu on Tuesday stopped short of endorsing any other potential candidate after being definitively barred from standing in May's presidential election rerun, adding to uncertainty over who would replace him.

Article written by: Luiza Ilie.

Date & time of publishing: March 11, 2025, 9:51 PM GMT+1.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Hey America, this is how you deal with anti-democratic forces, unless they do something worse of course, then you should adjust the consequences accordingly. This particular ban happened because of election interference, by Russia, in the Romanian election. Hopefully it'll be upheld. But, in...
Article from Reuters:

Title article: Romania's far-right candidate Calin Georgescu to challenge presidential election ban.

Summary:
• Far-right candidate barred from running for presidency.
• Candidate Georgescu to contest ban at top court.
• Elon Musk criticises ban as 'crazy'.
• Analysts expect ban to be upheld amid geopolitical worries.

Introduction to article: 

BUCHAREST, March 10 (Reuters) - Romanian far-right presidential contender Calin Georgescu said on Monday he would challenge a decision to bar him from taking part in an election rerun in May, but analysts said his chances of standing were slim amid fears of Russian meddling.

Written by: Luiza Ilie.
Date & time of publication: March 10, 2025, 1:09 PM GMT+1.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
From the State of the Union. Restoring "True democracy™", one might even call it, managed democracy.
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
After the clown show from yesterday, where Zelenskyy and Ukraine were effectively told to go F*** themselves, this was published. A 1984 style rewrite of what happened and how The Party, says, events are to be interpreted. (1/3)
From whitehouse.gov:

Title: Support Pours in for President Trump, VP Vance’s America First Strength.

Date: February 28, 2025.

Introduction: Today, President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance made clear to the world that the United States will not be taken advantage of — a sentiment echoed by the cabinet and members of Congress from across the country.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
@reuters.com, @apnews.com and @bloomberg.com are quite right in stating that, "It is essential in a democracy for the public to have access to news about their government from an independent, free press.". However, the Trump administration has nothing but contempt for Democracy. And... (1/7)
Published by Reuters.

Text from statement:

Statement from the editors of Reuters, The Associated Press and Bloomberg News.

Date: 26 February 2025

By: Reuters News Agency


Reuters, The Associated Press and Bloomberg News today issued the following statement:

The three permanent wires in the White House pool, The Associated Press, Bloomberg News and Reuters, have long worked to ensure that accurate, fair and timely information about the presidency is communicated to a broad audience of all political persuasions, both in the United States and globally. Much of the White House coverage people see in their local news outlets, wherever they are in the  world, comes from the wires.

It is essential in a democracy for the public to have access to news about their government from an independent, free press. We believe that any steps by the government to limit the number of wire services with access to the President threatens that principle. It also harms the spread of reliable information to people, communities, businesses and global financial markets that heavily depend on our reporting.

Julie Pace, Executive Editor, The Associated Press
John Micklethwait, Editor-in-Chief, Bloomberg
Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief, Reuters

 

Media Contact:
Heather Carpenter
Heather.Carpenter@tr.com
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
The #GOP: The Left keeps calling us fascists and other awful things, just for having different opinions/beliefs than them. Why is the "tolerant" Left not tolerant of us? (Said while grinning from ear to ear, knowing how disingenuous they are when saying these things).
Twitter post from: @RightWingCope. Saying: "Interesting!".

Underneath text from tweet it shows a collage of three images: 1st: Is from CPAC 2021, where the podium is in the shape of an Odal rune as used by the Nazis. 2nd: Of a black Odal rune against a white background. 3rd: of a German WWII officer with the Odal rune on their collar.

Posted on: February 24, 2025, 7:31 PM.Text in Image: "I (and others) have written about the Nazi use of runes as logos before, but if you haven't paid a lot of attention, one to watch for from the Alt-Right is the Odal rune. In the Reich it was the symbol of the Blood and Soil movement [highlighted in image], the Nazi idea of making a world where German people were destined to live on German land. It was a mystical bond between the land and the soul of the people. The movement flourished throughout the SS leadership. The Odal rune was the symbol of the Waffen-SS (the combat arm of the SS) division Prinz Eugen. It was also used by Reichs Bauernschaft and the Hitlerjugend (the Hitler Youth). Today it is used in place of the Swastika."

Underneath the text it shows an image of a black patch with a white Odal rune embroidered on it.Bluesky post by: @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social. Post's text: "It's a cult.".

Underneath the post's text it shows a picture of a banner on which it shows an Eagle logo with the text: "Third Term Project". Underneath that, on the same banner, you see a fake Roman bust with Donald Trump's face. Underneath that, on the same banner, it has the text: "For Trump 2028 ...And Beyond!"

Posted on: February 22, 2025, 2:21 AM.
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
The CDU/CSU, according to the latest exit polls has won the German election. Now, speaking to the CDU/CSU, don't work together with the fascists from the AfD. Never again means never again. You can get to a majority, while leaving the AfD out, which means doing otherwise is a choice.
German election 2025 exit polls:

Updated at 21:42 CET
Federal elections · Second vote
From ARD via dpa-infocom · Predicted results · More information
Not all votes have been counted
630 seats in total · Results reported by 29 of 299 constituencies

CDU/CSU
208 seats
Friedrich Merz
28.5%

AfD
150 seats
Alice Weidel
20.5%

SPD
120 seats
Olaf Scholz
16.4%

GRÜNE
88 seats
Robert Habeck
12%

Die Linke
63 seats
Heidi Reichinnek, Jan van Aken
8.6%

BSW
0 seats
Sahra Wagenknecht
4.9%

FDP
0  seats
Christian Lindner
4.6%

Other
1 seat
4.5%
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
To the U.S.. This is what it looks like when you defend your democracy, when you have a spine. Trump, Bolsonaro and everyone involved in their crimes should get life in prison without the possibility of parole. But, a prison sentence will only, possibly, happen for one of them. The other, ... (1/3)
Article from: The Guardian.

Title article: Jair Bolsonaro charged over alleged far-right coup plot to seize power in Brazil.

Introduction to article: Former president has denied breaking the law, while attorney general alleges plot included a plan to poison Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Article written by: Tom Phillips and Tiago Rogero in Rio de Janeiro.

Date & Time: Wed 19 Feb 2025 01.43 CET.
111
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
This is a complete and utter betrayal of Ukraine by the U.S., but, a predictable one. This will only result in a fake peace, a chance for Russia to rebuild and get more at a later date. The U.S. is giving Ukraine away to a fascist. If a "peace" deal is reached, it will be on Russia's terms. (1/4)
Text from the beginning of a The Guardian article:

Title article: Trump says he has spoken to Putin and agreed to negotiate Ukraine ceasefire.

Introduction to article: US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth says Ukraine would have to cede territory, alarming Kyiv and European allies.

Written by: Andrew Roth in Washington, Dan Sabbagh in Brussels and Pjotr Sauer.

Date & Time: Wed 12 Feb 2025 23.35 CET.

Donald Trump has said that he and Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine, later adding that it was unlikely Kyiv would win back all its territory or join Nato if a deal is to be reached.

Trump said that he was “OK” with Ukraine not having Nato membership and that it was “unlikely” that Ukraine would take much land back in the negotiations.

Russia “took a lot of land, and they fought for that land and they lost a lot of soldiers”, he told reporters later in the Oval Office.

Trump said he was not closely concerned with which territories were handed over.

“I’m just here to try and get peace,” he said. “I don’t care so much about anything other than I want to stop having millions of people killed.”
101
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
If there's one thing fascists, like Donald Trump, hate, it's an independent media. He revokes @apnews.com' access to the Oval Office, because they don't use the "correct" names in their reporting. He's chipping away at #PressFreedom bit by bit. Fight against this. Power is testing what it can do.
Text APNews:

Announcements

AP statement on Oval Office access
The Associated Press issued this statement on Tuesday from Executive Editor Julie Pace:

As a global news organization, The Associated Press informs billions of people around the world every day with factual, nonpartisan journalism.

Today we were informed by the White House that if AP did not align its editorial standards with President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, AP would be barred from accessing an event in the Oval Office. This afternoon AP’s reporter was blocked from attending an executive order signing.

It is alarming that the Trump administration would punish AP for its independent journalism. Limiting our access to the Oval Office based on the content of AP’s speech not only severely impedes the public’s access to independent news, it plainly violates the First Amendment. 

AP’s guidance on the Gulf of Mexico and Trump’s executive order regarding the name is available here.

By Lauren Easton,
The Associated Press

FEB. 11, 2025Text APNews:

AP style guidance on Gulf of Mexico, Mount McKinley
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The body of water has shared borders between the U.S. and Mexico. Trump’s order only carries authority within the United States. Mexico, as well as other countries and international bodies, do not have to recognize the name change.

The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. APNews will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences. 

The AP regularly reviews its style guidance regarding name changes, in part to ensure its guidance reflects common usage. We’ll continue to apply that approach to this guidance and make updates as needed.

There are other examples where the AP refers to a geographical place by more than one name. For example, the Gulf of California is sometimes referred to as the Sea of Cortez. The U.S. government has designated that body of water as the Gulf of California, while Mexico recognizes it as the Sea of Cortez.

President Trump also signed an executive order to revert the name of North America’s tallest peak, Denali in Alaska, to Mount McKinley. Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. Trump said in his executive order that he wanted to “restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley.”

The Associated Press will use the official name change to Mount McKinley. The area lies solely in the United States and as president, Trump has the authority to change federal geographical names within the country.

The AP Stylebook will be updated to reflect both decisions.

By Amanda Barrett,
APNews

JAN. 23, 2025
120
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Good, sadly they don't have the numbers to get this done, but, standing up to Trump and his Fascist administration needs to be done and be on the record. The same goes for the Fascist that is de facto in charge in my country. They should bring a vote of no confidence, for being in favor of this.
010
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Can't wait to be told (again), in effect, that committing ethnic cleansing/genocide is an act of self defence. And I already know what I'll be called, for pointing out, that what's proposed here, is a war crime & crime against humanity, for which everyone involved should be tried in The Hague. (1/2)
Text in image: 

Title Reuters article: Trump's Gaza plan for 'Riviera of the Middle East' triggers international condemnation.

By Steve Holland, Matt Spetalnick, Jeff Mason and John Irish.

February 5, 2025 2:30 PM GMT+1
Updated 2 hours ago.
 
Summary:
•	Trump's plan draws international condemnation.
•	Saudi Arabia rejects displacement of Palestinians, demands Palestinian state.
•	Russia backs Palestinian state.
•	Palestinians fear another 'Nakba' amid Trump's controversial proposal.
•	Netanyahu says Trump is thinking with fresh ideas.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Can't wait for the #GOP to give the January 6th 2021 investigation the full 1984 treatment. The party says what did & didn't happen and therefore that's how it has always been. It wouldn't surprise me if Trump's accusation of all the evidence having been destroyed turns out to be one in the mirror.
Image has George Orwell on the left and a quote of his on the right that reads: 

He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
But for now, let's fight the not so dear leader every step of the way. Let's make these (at minimum) 4 years as difficult as possible. There will be no obeying in advance. #Inauguration #Inauguration2025 #DonaldTrump #Democracy (11/11)
Text in image:

Do not obey in advance.

Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do.
010
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
But at least there will be a peaceful transfer of power. Protecting democracy is a partisan act after all. January 6th 2021 should have resulted in mass arrests. And life in prison without parole for everyone involved. The United States of America. Born: 07-04-1776. 🪦: 01‐20‐2025. (2/11)
Text in image:

Quote: This will always remain one of the best jokes of democracy, that it gave its deadly enemies the means by which it was destroyed.

By: Joseph Goebbels, Reich Minister of Propaganda, 1933-1945.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 25/12/2024
Merry Christmas to everyone, no matter where you are.
Image shows a black background with a white border and fancy drawings for each corner. Inside those borders, is on the left a black and white portrait of Thomas Paine. On the the right is a quote by Thomas Paine. 

Quote: "The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion."
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
And then I thought that they lacked self-awareness at Twitter. I guess I was wrong.
Screenshot from Twitter. At top right corner, Twitter displays an alarm clock emoji, next to which it says: Expiring soon. This is displayed right next to the Twitter logo. An equals sign was added by me, between the Twitter logo and the text from the advertisement for a Twitter subscription.
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
If you've been wondering why so much media has a Right-Wing bend. And why our discourse gets shifted to the Right. A large part of the answer is: media monopolization. Meet: Mathias Döpfner. A wannabe Rupert Murdoch. A person who considers antitrust laws, an obstacle. Not a societal good. (1/2)
Article in: New York Magazine.

Title article: Achtung, Baby Axel Springer’s Mathias Döpfner wants to be a press baron for the digital age, part Murdoch but also part Musk. And still very German.

Article written by: Shawn McCreesh.

Date of publication: Nov. 10, 2022.
200
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Sarah McBride, like a true Liberal, just rolls over and dies upon the slightest pressure from the Right. Not even when her own existence is on the line, does she put up a fight. But sure, it would be an extremist view, to defend your own identity. (1/2)
Text statement by: Sarah McBride.

I'm not here to fight about bathrooms. I'm here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Like all members, I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.

This effort to distract from the real issues facing this country hasn't distracted me over the last several days, as I've remained hard at work preparing to represent the greatest state in the union come January.

Serving in the 119th Congress will be the honor of a lifetime - and I continue to look forward to getting to know my future colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Each of us were sent here because voters saw something in us that they value. I have loved getting to see those qualities in the future colleagues that I've met and I look forward to seeing those qualities in every member come January. I hope all of my colleagues will seek to do the same with me.

- Delaware Congresswoman - elect Sarah McBride
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
The #GOP has voted against the release of the House Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz. Not a single Republican voted for its release. This by a party that when it comes to increasing surveillance, uses the well... if you have nothing to hide logic. They are the... (1/3)
Article in: The Associated Press.

Title article: Republicans on the House Ethics Committee reject releasing report on Matt Gaetz.

Introduction to article: WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing a report on the panel’s long-running investigation into President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, the top Democrat on the panel said.

Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania said the ethics panel, which is evenly split between the two parties, voted at a lengthy closed-door meeting, and no Republican joined Democrats who wanted to release the report.

Wild said she was compelled to speak up after the panel’s Republican chairman, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, characterized what had transpired at its session. He had said there was no agreement reached on the matter.

“It was not my intention to make any comment,” Wild said. But she said she did not want “the American public or anyone else to think that Mr. Guest’s characterization of what transpired today would be some sort of indication that the committee had unanimity or consensus on this issue not to release the report.”

Article written by: Lisa Mascaro, Stephen Groves and Farnoush Amiri.

Date & Time: Updated 10:50 PM CET, November 20, 2024.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, do we really need to tap the sign? Like I've said before, both of you are cowards. And you should feel shame, that's of course, if you're even capable of that. (1/2)
Text in image: 1. Do not obey in advance.

Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do.Article on: CNN.

Title article: ‘Morning Joe’ meeting with Trump was driven by fears of retribution from incoming administration, sources say.

Written by: Brian Stelter.

Published: 8:43 AM EST, Tue November 19, 2024.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
... high ranking military officials, academics and others. Trump and people like him, those around him, aren't friends, they aren't our buddies, they're to be opposed. But, thank you for telling us what you would've done, in the early 20th century. Feel shame, if you can. (2/3)
Text in image: 1. Do not obey in advance.

Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do.
100
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
And so the collaboration with fascists begins. The normalization of the far-right will only get worse. No beliefs, no principles and no opposition. Just premature capitulation. Donald Trump, has been admitted to be a fascist by: #TheDemocrats, Liberal media outlets, ... (1/3)
Article in: The Hollywood Reporter

Title article: MSNBC ‘Morning Joe’ Hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski Meet With Trump in Bid for “New Approach” to Coverage.

Introduction to article: The hosts traveled to Mar-a-Lago over the weekend, where they agreed to "restart communications" with the President-Elect.

Article written by: Alex Weprin.

Date and time of publication: November 18, 2024 at 4:54 AM.Text from article: The duo, who used to be friends with Trump, turned into fierce critics during his first term in office, and he returned the favor, occasionally ripping into them in posts on X (formerly Twitter). At the top of Monday’s program, they disclosed their trip, acknowledging that his decisive win influenced their decision.

“Joe and I realized it’s time to do something different and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump, but also talking with him,” Brzezinski said. “For those asking why we would go speak to the president-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, why wouldn’t we? Five years of political warfare has deeply divided Washington and the country.”
211
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
I'm doing my part!
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
This is done to create a chilling-effect. To shutdown dissent. And if you think that this will end with just the reasons mentioned in the bill, well, then you haven't paid attention to Fascist regimes like Russia. They will go after, amongst others, the "Fake News Media". (2/2)
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 07/11/2024
Thank you Jeff Bezos, for confirming what we already thought.
Tweet by: Jeff Bezos

Twitter handle: @JeffBezos

Text from tweet: Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. No nation has bigger opportunities. Wishing @realDonaldTrump all success in leading and uniting the America we all love.
000
Patrick Verbiest @patrickverbiest.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Really. It's not like one of the things that Fascists are famous for is lying or anything. (1/2) #Harris #Biden #Trump #Election2024
110