Jacob Harkey

UCLA ‘21

[Caitlin Johnstone @caitoz]

Today some DSA person told me the best way to make changes in US politics is to work within the Democratic Party to elect left-wing candidates and advance progressive agendas.

I said, "You guys have been trying that for ten years with nothing to show for it."

I mean, how much longer is it going to take before people admit that the "change the party from within" strategy isn't working? Do you want another twenty years? Another fifty? Do you need to spend the next century watching a handful of vaguely progressive imperialists get elected to Congress and then getting primaried out by opponents with mountains of special interest funding before you admit that you're not making any meaningful gains? Our planet could be lifeless before then.

The Bernie Sanders "revolution" was ten years ago. Large factions of the American left took up his call to take over the Democratic Party using primary elections throughout the nation, and ever since then it's been a two-steps-forward, two-steps-back addition of zeros. The people never got President Bernie, and the few progressive gains made on Capitol Hill were either kicked out like Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman or went full pro-establishment like John Fetterman. The few who stuck around have turned out to be perpetually disappointing empire managers like AOC who know how to straddle the line between left-wing lip service and status quo swamp monster.

It's time to admit the commies were right, kids. The factions on the so-called "far left" who've been rejecting electoral politics and calling for real revolution against a system designed to suppress leftward movement have been completely vindicated over the last decade. You cannot change the system using a political party that is designed to prevent change.

The Atlantic has an article out by David Brooks titled "Democrats Became Great by Fighting the Left," and in a sense this claim is absolutely correct. It's not correct for the reasons David Brooks suggests, but it is correct that the reason the Democratic Party has been allowed to remain so dominant is because it is such an effective tool for thwarting all leftward political movement in the United States.

In the article, Brooks (who last year published an article titled "The Epstein Story? Count Me Out" shortly before showing up in the Epstein Files) begins by rehashing the same tired old Hillary 2016 talking points arguing that the loony left is full of communists who must be forcefully opposed by the sensible center. What's more interesting is the brief history lesson that comes later, in which Brooks notes that after World War II the Democratic Party leadership took action deliberately "in order to block the leftward advance" toward socialism within its ranks.

That's all the Democratic Party has ever existed to do. If it wasn't such a successful tool for suppressing leftward advancement, the party would not be permitted to exist as a mainstream political force by the capitalist oligarchs who run the country.

It is the Democratic Party's job to prevent peace, equality, justice and socialism. That's the only reason it is permitted to exist in the hub of the capitalist empire, and that is the only reason why ten years of effort to change the party from within has produced no meaningful results.

The experiment has been run, and the results are in. You can't conduct a socialist revolution using a party whose primary function is to suppress socialist revolution. This has been conclusively established.

It's time to find another way.

[United Nations Geneva @UNGeneva]

“It is clear there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.”

UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry's report shows #Israel has committed #genocide in #Gaza.

https://t.co/UGjepPwmwo

[Tony Ortega @TonyOrtega94]

It became pretty obvious a few months ago that Joy Villa had left #Scientology and had doubled-down on her involvement as a Christian. We had heard that she was preparing to make a statement about leaving the church, and today she is doing so in a live video.

[Joy Villa @theJoyVilla]

Why I Left Scientology - The Joy Villa Show Ep 42 https://t.co/V1kyqzoJWu

[Jacob Harkey @JacobAHarkey]

@caitoz I’m a big fan of @RevLeftRadio and their sister series @guerrilla_pod ! The latter prob has more of an emphasis on war and foreign policy

[Assal Rad @AssalRad]

“Palestinian under 18”

[Jacob Harkey @JacobAHarkey]

@HossamShabat Rest in peace❤️

[BreakThrough News @BTnewsroom]

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant admits the Israeli military fired on and killed its own civilians on October 7 under the "Hannibal Directive,” which allows the IDF to use any means necessary to prevent the capture of soldiers.

[Khadija @khadljasays]

I hope people realise that the ceasefire is for the Palestinians in Gaza. Absolutely nothing changes for the rest of us in dismantling Zionism and fighting for a free Palestine. No pauses, no breaks, no rest until every inch of Palestine is free.

[Claire Headley @claireheadley]

My heart is broken, and yet I feel compelled to share this. Words do not feel possible in this moment, and yet they are necessary.

On January 5, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., we lost a true hero, a legend, a warrior, a survivor, a husband, a father, our family of choice, an amazing person, and a friend in the truest sense of the word.

Mike Rinder, you will always be loved, always be missed, and you will always be celebrated.

Do you believe in second chances? Well, I do.

And god damn it, Mike, you made the most of your second chance like none I’ve ever seen. You were dragged into an abusive and dangerous cult as a child. Your response? You did as many humans would do—myself included—you worked hard to excel, to make your family proud, to commit to a cause, and doing so led you to some very dark places indeed. What makes you unique, Mike, is that you knew the dangers of this abusive organization better than most—firsthand. And yet, when your opportunity came to escape, you turned right around and fought back, knowing full well the weight the consequences of this would bear—on yourself, on your family, on your loved ones. But you did it anyway, because you knew it was the truly right and only honorable thing to do.

It is a rare human who has the courage, integrity, perseverance, and humility to walk out of a fire, turn around, and walk right back in to save others.

While Marc and I escaped before you, and while we experienced fair game at your hand, we never once blamed you nor held any hard feelings toward you. We knew full well the consequences of our decision to speak out, just like you did. And if it wasn’t you, it would have been someone else. We never doubted that for one second. We were just so grateful to have the opportunity to reunite with you in the free world—something we NEVER imagined would happen until it did.

I had the honor of knowing you for 23 years. I think it’s fair to say that I saw you at your best and at your worst. Through it all, you were special and unique. When I was at my utmost lowest point, banished to the Hole in January 2005 and having lost my husband, you showed me kindness and compassion, despite consequences, when no one else did.

My heart broke the many times I witnessed David Miscavige physically, emotionally, and verbally abuse you, brutally. I’m so sorry I did not stand up for you in those moments, even if it would have meant the end of my story.

It has truly been my honor and blessing to count you as a dear friend, as my family of choice, as my brother, as my fellow warrior.

You have always inspired me to keep going, to continue advocating for victims, and to keep fighting for the end of Scientology abuses, even as it was exhausting and took a huge toll on my mental well-being, my safety, and my happiness.

Mike, you inspire me to be a better person; to keep fighting the good fight; to keep my head up with the knowledge and commitment that I can do hard things, even when I don’t believe in myself. You never once doubted me.

I don’t remember the first time you coined the name “Claire Bear” for me, but however many years ago that was, it stuck. You recognized me for who I am, and while I will shed tears, I will lean into that and learn to appreciate and respect the hole that has been left in my heart.

You are so very loved, Mike Rinder. We will take care of Christie and your boys as you asked. Sweet Christie, I love you to the moon and back, more than my own sisters. Shane and Jack, you will be our family forever. We love you as the auntie and uncle Scientology deprived you of.

And Mike, thank you for your incredibly beautiful vision: I well remember our conversation back in 2013, where we talked about the impact of disconnection on our kids. “What if we spend time together, vacation together, and have our kids grow up as cousins?” you suggested. Of course, we immediately loved the idea, and so it came to be.

F**k you, Scientology and David Miscavige. Mike Rinder is a legend and will always be a legend. He leaves behind a legacy of love, integrity, advocacy, and truth, and you will NEVER take that away.

I commit to continuing to fight this fight, even when I feel the need to bow my head in exhaustion, in Mike’s honor.

I am truly so grateful I was able to be with you to the end. We love you deeply, brother! Rest easy. We’ve got this. Fly high. 🙏🏻

Mike’s final blog post: https://t.co/8nsPidXOv4

GoFundMe in honor of Mike’s wishes: https://t.co/TLYKs3Mf0V

With love, Claire
#ClaireBear

[Leah Remini @LeahRemini]

On Sunday, we lost a giant, and I lost a man who was more than a friend—he was my family.

It’s impossible to imagine the last 13 years of my life without Mike Rinder. He was my anchor, my trusted partner, and my closest confidant. The thought of moving forward without him feels unbearable.

When I left Scientology, Mike was one of the first people I turned to. From that moment, he became my lifeline. Together, we embarked on an incredible journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Fair Game. But Mike was so much more than my partner in this fight—he was my brother, my father, my best friend… in every way that mattered.

Mike saved my life and the life of my daughter. He stood by me through battles that felt insurmountable, giving me strength when I had none left. I owe him a debt I could never repay.

I haven’t yet come to terms with the reality that I can’t call him, text him, or hear his voice anymore. I am shattered in ways I never thought possible, overwhelmed by the weight of this loss. I have cried endlessly and can’t seem to move from my bed since coming home from being with him and his grieving family.

I’ll have so much more to say about Mike and the legacy he leaves behind—words that will attempt to honor his immeasurable contribution to this world, to my life, and to the lives of countless others.

But for now, I want to honor his memory by fulfilling one of his last wishes: encouraging support for his son Jack’s college fund.

In his post-Scientology life, Mike was a man transformed. He worked tirelessly to right the wrongs of his past and beyond. He owed no one anything. Mike was offered a lot of money to stay silent about Scientology’s criminal activities, and he refused and did the work. There was not one call that Mike didn’t take, not one person Mike didn’t try to help, despite the many heartbreaks he endured from those who needed him. Mike also became an incredible husband and an attentive, loving father to Jack and his stepson Shane.

One of the many heartbreaks Mike suffered was the absence of his older children, Taryn and Benjamin, who disconnected from him due to Scientology’s cruel policies after he courageously escaped its abuse.

Mike adored Jack, who is just 12 years old. He was consumed with knowing he wouldn’t be there to see Jack grow into adulthood.

If you’re able, I hope you’ll join me in contributing to Jack’s college fund, ensuring that Mike’s dreams for his son can still come true.

Click Here To Contribute: https://t.co/gGoyPc9XLE

Please keep Mike’s brave and devoted wife, Christie, their son Jack, and Mike’s stepson Shane in your thoughts and prayers. They’ve lost a husband and father whose love knew no bounds, and I’ve lost someone whose presence in my life was irreplaceable.

My Mikey, I will miss you every day, and I just don’t know how to do it without you.

[Jacob Harkey @JacobAHarkey]

@caitoz Can anyone share any background about why Ukraine already didn’t have many people aged 18-25 before the war?

[Caitlin Johnstone @caitoz]

One of the very few good things coming out of the relentless nightmare happening in Gaza is that at long last the western world is getting a clear look at Israel. The real Israel.

Not the Israel they teach you about in school. Not “the only democracy in the middle east,” where Jews were given safe haven after their victimization at the hands of the Nazis and managed to create a thriving society despite existing in a sea of savage enemies bent on their destruction.

Not that Israel. The real one. Arguably the most racist society on earth, whose existence has depended on nonstop violence, theft, tyranny and abuse since its very inception.

The real Israel, whose government is deliberately and methodically starving Palestinian civilians to death by the tens of thousands just for being the wrong ethnicity.

The real Israel, whose snipers routinely murders Palestinian children by shooting them in the head.

The real Israel, whose military is so sadistic that it created an AI system to specifically target suspected Hamas fighters when they are at home with their families, and called the AI “Where’s Daddy?” because it would be killing fathers when they are at home with their children.

The real Israel, whose soldiers cannot stop posting footage of themselves mockingly dressed in the undergarments of dead and displaced Palestinian women and playing with the toys of dead and displaced Palestinian children.

The real Israel, where Palestinian doctors are raped and tortured to death.

The real Israel, where the majority of men do not believe acquaintance rape or spousal rape are real crimes, and where the majority do not believe the soldiers accused of raping and torturing a Palestinian prisoner to the point of severe injury should face criminal charges.

The real Israel, who routinely bombs buildings full of civilians and then uses sniper drones to pick off the survivors, including children.

The real Israel, whose drones have been heard playing the sounds of crying babies and screaming women in order to lure out civilians so they can be killed.

The real Israel, who has damaged or destroyed 94 percent of the healthcare facilities in Gaza with hundreds of targeted attacks.

The real Israel, whose military forces target medical staff so methodically that doctors and nurses in Gaza reportedly change out of their uniforms when they leave the hospital in order to avoid assassination.

The real Israel, who hates truth so much that it has been killing historic numbers of journalists in Gaza while preventing foreign journalists from entering the enclave.

The real Israel, who has been knowingly attacking the locations of humanitarian aid workers.

The real Israel, whose citizens are so warped and twisted that they attend boat tours to cheerfully witness the devastation in the Gaza Strip.

The real Israel, whose citizens set up blockades to prevent aid trucks from getting to starving civilians in Gaza while they enjoy barbecues and set up bouncy castles and cotton candy machines for their children.

The real Israel, whose TikTok influencers started a viral trend mocking the suffering of civilians in Gaza.

The real Israel, whose citizens will travel to another country and tear down Palestinian flags and sing about how there are no children left in Gaza and then cry victim when people fight back.

This is the real Israel, in all its glory. And it is good that it is being seen.

The sooner everyone stops supporting this freakish, murderous society and begins insisting that normal human values win out over the demented forces which keep it going, the sooner there can be peace in the region. And the better off our entire species will be.

[민주일반노조 오스틴 ♥️🌻 @BashoreForOhio]

The Green Party does not "only run every 4 years."

YOU only pay attention every 4 years.

[Tired Peasant @HorrorGorl]

If you didn’t vote
If you voted for Jill
If you voted for Claudia De la Cruz
I am proud of you
You’re on the right side of history
You took a stance and decided to not vote for genocide

[Rathbone @_rathbone]

5% of the vote is all that Gazans are asking for in our “election”. 5% of the American public can’t put the Palestinians first while they are currently victims of the worst crime against humanity?

[Power to the People ☭🕊 @ProudSocialist]

I just voted for Jill Stein and couldn’t be prouder that for the 2nd election in a row I didn’t fall for the Democrat’s propaganda, which conditions us to think we have to settle for their corrupt corporate party. It’s a lie. Break free from the duopoly & vote for a better world!

[Danny Haiphong @GeopoliticsDH]

Just voted. It was an easy choice.

I voted for peace and against war.

For Palestine 🇵🇸 and against genocide.

For workers and against the banks and monopolies.

I voted for humanity. I voted @DrJillStein.