Diana Butler Bass
@dianabutlerbass.bsky.social
Author - "A Beautiful Year" and 11 other books on faith, culture, politics & history. Duke PhD. Myriad bylines. The Cottage newsletter: https://dianabutlerbass.substack.com. Opposed to theocrats. Struggling gardener and dog mom.
The challenge of the saints of the 21st century is to begin again to comprehend the sacred in the ten thousand things of our world; to reverence what we have come to view as ordinary and devoid of spirit.
— Edward Hays
— Edward Hays
October 30, 2026 at 9:10 PM
The challenge of the saints of the 21st century is to begin again to comprehend the sacred in the ten thousand things of our world; to reverence what we have come to view as ordinary and devoid of spirit.
— Edward Hays
— Edward Hays
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
FIRST ON MS NOW: Rep. Jamie Raskin alleges that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and a key negotiator in Middle East peace talks, has drawn “from off-the-books secret slush funds used by the Saudi and Emirati governments” for purposes including “funding war crimes.”
Raskin targets Kushner over alleged foreign money ties
The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is already staking out jurisdiction over Jared Kushner investigations if Democrats take back the House.
www.ms.now
October 30, 2026 at 1:03 PM
FIRST ON MS NOW: Rep. Jamie Raskin alleges that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and a key negotiator in Middle East peace talks, has drawn “from off-the-books secret slush funds used by the Saudi and Emirati governments” for purposes including “funding war crimes.”
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
Great New Yorker cartoon about how AI is being shoved in our faces whether we want it or not.
October 30, 2026 at 12:24 AM
Great New Yorker cartoon about how AI is being shoved in our faces whether we want it or not.
"Seize the time ... Live now. Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again."
- Sir Patrick Stewart, in STNextGen, "Inner Light"
You followed your own advice. Thank you for sharing your journey with us all.
- Sir Patrick Stewart, in STNextGen, "Inner Light"
You followed your own advice. Thank you for sharing your journey with us all.
October 29, 2026 at 8:30 PM
"Seize the time ... Live now. Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again."
- Sir Patrick Stewart, in STNextGen, "Inner Light"
You followed your own advice. Thank you for sharing your journey with us all.
- Sir Patrick Stewart, in STNextGen, "Inner Light"
You followed your own advice. Thank you for sharing your journey with us all.
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
Obama: "The President of the United States is spending time supergluing gold medallions to the mantle in the Oval Office…He is literally doing arts and crafts. While we are fighting a war and trying to deal with out-of-control prices."
October 29, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Obama: "The President of the United States is spending time supergluing gold medallions to the mantle in the Oval Office…He is literally doing arts and crafts. While we are fighting a war and trying to deal with out-of-control prices."
Of all the things I thought the 21st century might bring, Presbyterian seminarian-vs-trillionaire Nazi was not on the list….
October 28, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Of all the things I thought the 21st century might bring, Presbyterian seminarian-vs-trillionaire Nazi was not on the list….
And for so many years they marketed themselves as the "anti-pedophile" party....
After some initial shock, MAGA media figures like Glenn Beck and Ben Shapiro have come to embrace Vivek Ramaswamy's ad starring Amy Acton's estranged mother.
My latest False Flag for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-media...
My latest False Flag for @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/maga-media...
MAGA Media Learns to Love Vile Vivek Ramaswamy Ad
For these supposed moral authorities, the only question is whether it works.
www.thebulwark.com
October 23, 2026 at 2:36 PM
And for so many years they marketed themselves as the "anti-pedophile" party....
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
I've understood this a long time as an academic, but I think it's important to say that the party of the culture wars is now definitively the party of depravity.
October 22, 2026 at 9:29 PM
I've understood this a long time as an academic, but I think it's important to say that the party of the culture wars is now definitively the party of depravity.
No human being who runs an ad featuring the rape of another human is never again fit for the company of decent humans -- much less fit to lead them.
October 22, 2026 at 7:03 PM
No human being who runs an ad featuring the rape of another human is never again fit for the company of decent humans -- much less fit to lead them.
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
Very valuable and very sober analysis
www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-puti...
www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-puti...
The plot against Ukraine (and Europe)
We are now part of the axis of evil.
www.publicnotice.co
October 21, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Very valuable and very sober analysis
www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-puti...
www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-puti...
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
Ramaswamy has produced an attack ad weaponizing the rape of his opponent, Amy Acton, when she was 12 years old. It features Acton’s mother, who abandoned Acton after she was raped by her step-father, fleeing the state with her husband.
Here is the corporate money helping fund that ad.
Here is the corporate money helping fund that ad.
October 22, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Ramaswamy has produced an attack ad weaponizing the rape of his opponent, Amy Acton, when she was 12 years old. It features Acton’s mother, who abandoned Acton after she was raped by her step-father, fleeing the state with her husband.
Here is the corporate money helping fund that ad.
Here is the corporate money helping fund that ad.
Both JD and Vivek should be forever shunned by decent people.
This is MONSTROUS behavior on the part of both of these men.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
This is MONSTROUS behavior on the part of both of these men.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
Vance says Republicans should ‘stop whining’ about Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad if they want to win
Vance told reporters that whether the ad in the Ohio governor’s race, featuring Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother, “was appropriate or not is not really my concern.”
www.nbcnews.com
October 21, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Both JD and Vivek should be forever shunned by decent people.
This is MONSTROUS behavior on the part of both of these men.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
This is MONSTROUS behavior on the part of both of these men.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
My grandfather used to do this - "Do what I want and I keep you in my will. If you don't, there's no money."
Everyone in the family came to hate him. Not a person cried at his funeral. Instead, we all talked about what a hideous person he was and how glad we were that he was gone.
Everyone in the family came to hate him. Not a person cried at his funeral. Instead, we all talked about what a hideous person he was and how glad we were that he was gone.
Trump on Camp Lejeune water contamination claims: "If we win the House and Senate, I am directing the Department of Justice to settle all remaining legitimate claims as soon as possible ... if we don't win, there's no money."
October 21, 2026 at 2:08 PM
My grandfather used to do this - "Do what I want and I keep you in my will. If you don't, there's no money."
Everyone in the family came to hate him. Not a person cried at his funeral. Instead, we all talked about what a hideous person he was and how glad we were that he was gone.
Everyone in the family came to hate him. Not a person cried at his funeral. Instead, we all talked about what a hideous person he was and how glad we were that he was gone.
Maybe he wants an indoor pool so no one can see him in a bathing suit?
President Trump has pushed to move briefings out of the White House press room. Aides say he wants an indoor swimming pool instead. nyti.ms/4eoW3AV
October 20, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Maybe he wants an indoor pool so no one can see him in a bathing suit?
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
AI shouldn't be able to fire you, fire a weapon, or deny you healthcare.
October 20, 2026 at 4:04 PM
AI shouldn't be able to fire you, fire a weapon, or deny you healthcare.
An important point to be taken from PRRI's big survey today:
Mainline Protestants still don't know what Christian nationalism is. In general, they believe that Christian nationalism is what should be called patriotism - flags in churches, a Boy Scout troop, singing the national anthem, etc.
Mainline Protestants still don't know what Christian nationalism is. In general, they believe that Christian nationalism is what should be called patriotism - flags in churches, a Boy Scout troop, singing the national anthem, etc.
October 20, 2026 at 4:45 PM
An important point to be taken from PRRI's big survey today:
Mainline Protestants still don't know what Christian nationalism is. In general, they believe that Christian nationalism is what should be called patriotism - flags in churches, a Boy Scout troop, singing the national anthem, etc.
Mainline Protestants still don't know what Christian nationalism is. In general, they believe that Christian nationalism is what should be called patriotism - flags in churches, a Boy Scout troop, singing the national anthem, etc.
These people do not read the Bible. That's the only conclusion to be drawn from this.
Simple instructions extol empathy - like "rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" (Rom 12:13)
And, of course, the greatest command: Love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.
Simple instructions extol empathy - like "rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" (Rom 12:13)
And, of course, the greatest command: Love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.
"A survey released Tuesday (Oct. 20) found that Republicans and evangelicals increasingly see empathy as a danger that can lead society away from God." religionnews.com/2026/10/20/a...
October 20, 2026 at 4:42 PM
These people do not read the Bible. That's the only conclusion to be drawn from this.
Simple instructions extol empathy - like "rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" (Rom 12:13)
And, of course, the greatest command: Love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.
Simple instructions extol empathy - like "rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" (Rom 12:13)
And, of course, the greatest command: Love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
"A world in which the White House is allied to the Kremlin was, until now, the stuff of paranoid fiction. Manchurian candidates and red presidents were fantasies, dark tales Americans told themselves like ghost stories...
"But this alliance now exists."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/1...
"But this alliance now exists."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/1...
America Is Now an Ally of Russia
Donald Trump has abandoned the Western order.
www.theatlantic.com
October 19, 2026 at 5:42 PM
"A world in which the White House is allied to the Kremlin was, until now, the stuff of paranoid fiction. Manchurian candidates and red presidents were fantasies, dark tales Americans told themselves like ghost stories...
"But this alliance now exists."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/1...
"But this alliance now exists."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/1...
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
What most people know about Project 2025 is the document that lists goals for the incoming Trump administration.
Another part was an extensive cache of prepared documents including legislation and court filings. This is one of the reasons everything happened so quickly after inauguration.
Another part was an extensive cache of prepared documents including legislation and court filings. This is one of the reasons everything happened so quickly after inauguration.
October 19, 2026 at 7:54 PM
What most people know about Project 2025 is the document that lists goals for the incoming Trump administration.
Another part was an extensive cache of prepared documents including legislation and court filings. This is one of the reasons everything happened so quickly after inauguration.
Another part was an extensive cache of prepared documents including legislation and court filings. This is one of the reasons everything happened so quickly after inauguration.
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
Team Sand is out talking to voters & setting up yard signs all across the state. Thank you to everyone who's helping out! Sign up to volunteer and help us win on Nov 3rd at RobSand.com/volunteer
October 18, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Team Sand is out talking to voters & setting up yard signs all across the state. Thank you to everyone who's helping out! Sign up to volunteer and help us win on Nov 3rd at RobSand.com/volunteer
"You should read history, Tommy."
Yes. Yes, Tommy should. And so should many others.
Yes. Yes, Tommy should. And so should many others.
This is Tommy. Tommy had a question about my allegiances. Listen to the end to hear about his.
October 18, 2026 at 2:00 AM
"You should read history, Tommy."
Yes. Yes, Tommy should. And so should many others.
Yes. Yes, Tommy should. And so should many others.
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
The first subpoena from the new Democratic Congress should be to Mark Zuckerberg, for taking down the No Kings Instagram account in the middle of one of the largest days of civic activism in American history.
No Kings. No Courtiers.
No Kings. No Courtiers.
October 17, 2026 at 8:32 PM
The first subpoena from the new Democratic Congress should be to Mark Zuckerberg, for taking down the No Kings Instagram account in the middle of one of the largest days of civic activism in American history.
No Kings. No Courtiers.
No Kings. No Courtiers.
Reposted by Diana Butler Bass
Students from North Carolina A&T can be seen marching back to their HBCU after voting on the first day of early voting in the state.
The Guilford County Board of Elections voted to remove the school’s on-campus polling site. (video via Todd Simmons) greensboro.com/news/local/g...
The Guilford County Board of Elections voted to remove the school’s on-campus polling site. (video via Todd Simmons) greensboro.com/news/local/g...
October 17, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Students from North Carolina A&T can be seen marching back to their HBCU after voting on the first day of early voting in the state.
The Guilford County Board of Elections voted to remove the school’s on-campus polling site. (video via Todd Simmons) greensboro.com/news/local/g...
The Guilford County Board of Elections voted to remove the school’s on-campus polling site. (video via Todd Simmons) greensboro.com/news/local/g...
Trump only fires women.
October 16, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Trump only fires women.