barbarabirch.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

For me, one of the most important findings is that nonviolent civil resistance to dictatorship tends to lead to stable democracies. Of course, this is observational research rather than the discovery of a law of nature. However, we can have hope. We can win this, and we can have a democracy.

submitted 19 hours ago • 2 comments

Image borrowed from the interwebby.

submitted 19 hours ago • 0 comments

I lived in Franco's Spain for five years or so & one thing I remember is how fond he was of #militaryparades. Of course he was a winning general, but still, it was nothing but pure narcissistic propaganda meant to create the appearance of authority & legitimacy. #GeneralBonespurs #June14 #Resist

submitted 19 hours ago • 0 comments

Quaker rage be like....🧡

submitted 2 days ago • 4 comments

#Sundaymorning I'm feeling down-at-heart the sorry state of our nation the impact on so many lives

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

TCL's Morning Message: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

My first “new-to-me” bike after giving up car dependency. I quickly realized that I needed gears even in flat Emeryville and that swinging my leg over the bar got old fast. I sold the bike to a Chinese visiting scholar and bought another used step thru bike with 3 gears. Big improvement!

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Today I am being attacked by pessimists because I celebrated the fact that the Supreme Court decided to free Kilmar Abrego Garcia and bring him home. Are they right? or just severely and rightfully damaged?

submitted 5 days ago • 402 comments

If we want culture to thrive, not just survive, it’s on all of us now.

submitted 6 days ago • 419 comments

"Empathy is seen as a "feminine" emotion by both the atheistic techbro right and the Christian nationalist right. Both firmly agree that femininity is the root of all evil... Plenty of MAGA leaders will say the misogynist part out loud." www.salon.com/2025/04/11/m...

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

As a Jewish person, I have to agree.

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

"I was just riding my bike" A good news story about cycling and church: rain or shine, local Vicar carries out parish ministry by bicycle. Church grows in faith and number, "we saw you cycling and thought it would be nice to go to church" said local resident. #ClergyWhoCycle @roadcc.bsky.social

submitted 8 days ago • 8 comments

From a public ownership rescue plan in the 1970s to a thriving patchwork of UK micro-breweries in the 21st century. There's a lot to hate about Britain in the 2020s (including pub closures), but I don't think beer is one of them. We're living in a bit of a Golden Age. 🍻

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

“Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you'll be criticized anyway.“ -Eleanor Roosevelt

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

When Jesus said “the kingdom of God is at hand,” he meant that no one has to bow to this world’s want-to-be kings. We don’t have to cooperate with evil. We can treat one another like children of God & experience the beloved community here & now.

submitted 9 days ago • 2 comments

I was asked to offer a playful, imaginative presentation as a last thought for our day long conference looking at George Fox's 400th birthday (last year). My question is where Friends might be at the time 2052. This is what I shared: www.gatheringinlight.com/where-do-we-... #quakerstudies

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

In planning nonviolent resistance, we tend to default to the first thing that comes to mind (eg, massive protest marches) or to something that gives us warm feelings (eg, holding hands and singing Kumbaya). What if we asked instead what we wanted to accomplish, and what tactics are most effective?

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

I would like to trade my body in for one that does not “keep the score” please and thank you

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

1/Gandhi about Nonviolent Resisters-- He or she must have a living faith in nonviolence. This is impossible without a living faith in God. A nonviolent man can do nothing save by the power and grace of God. #Resist Do you agree?

submitted 9 days ago • 1 comment

A commitment to nonviolence is serious AF. It requires courage and training; it involves serious risks. (Legal trouble, injury, death.) Just like a commitment to armed conflict, a commitment to nonviolence does not shield anyone from danger. AND it's about twice as effective as armed resistance.

submitted 10 days ago • 7 comments

2Timothy Chapter 1: For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. #HandsOff

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

1/ #SundayFunday Today, as I do a little writing before M4W, I'm thinking of what this quote might mean for Quakers today: “the body is a divine revelation that can offer spiritual understanding, discrimination, and wisdom.” Friend, does it hold any meaning for thee?

submitted 10 days ago • 1 comment

The. Truth. About. Fox. News. ✨

submitted 11 days ago • 785 comments

ICYMI: From March 23rd, protestors from both sides of the US and Canada border held a protest against the Trump regime. This is what the US oligarch media isn't showing you. The protests grow bigger every month. #3E #Handsoff #FiftyFiftyOne

submitted 11 days ago • 92 comments

Today we remember Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Not just with words, but with action. Keep pushing for justice.

submitted 12 days ago • 8 comments

47 and his fellows in crime are sticking greedy fingers everywhere

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

#handsoff Much Too Much to list

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

#handsoff Thousands gathered to protest the unconstitutional thievery and undemocratic thuggery by t-rump and m-usk.

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

Two old Quakeresses At the rally #handsoff

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

Carpooling in a car caravan to North Berkeley BART #handsoff Peace Corps

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

I'm excited to see #handsoff posts starting from Boston & NYC while I figure out my garb (What's a girl to wear?") It's a huge blue wave across the nation to Chicago, Denver, SF and Hawaii. We say 'no way' to oligarchs & thieves. BTW #Handsoff the Peace Corps #Handsoff the US Institute of Peace

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Or maybe this one is better? #resistance #handsoff

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Looking thru my protest wardrobe for today’s massive #handsoff rally for #democracy & #decency

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

I guess that awful was inevitable. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

The Light within us is greater than the darkness around us. For the Light did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love.

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

www.axios.com/2025/04/04/n...

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

1/ Quaker Caroline Stephen, Light Arising: Thoughts on the Central Radiance 1908. Many great gems: We as #Christians have no need of fine speculative distinctions. All we need is that it should be our delight to do and to suffer the will of God — that his law should be truly within our hearts.

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

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submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

Had a lovely time chatting to Emma over at Quakerology about my Quaker journey and the call for A NEW VALIANT SIXTY Please do subscribe to Quakerology as well if that is something you do! I’m travelling a lot at the moment and enjoying the longer format right now! youtu.be/o4mZB4mzsk0?...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

Two great articles by Quakers in the last two days: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/s...

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

handsoff2025.com

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments