what’s funny is that if pro-cuomo centrist democrats were less myopic they might see that mamdani was running the kind of campaign that could help rebuild the party brand — accessible with an outsider persona and a focus on “kitchen table” issues.

A gorgeous sight, especially juxtaposed against the crowds who showed up for protests all across the country.

Really important story - army officials asked soldiers to identify themselves if they don't agree with Trump's politics that way he'd get only supportive soldiers in uniform during his political rally on base. Heavier soldiers were also barred from participating.

Loved every second talking with @chrisdstedman.bsky.social. Thanks to the team at Magers & Quinn—what a great bookstore!—and to all who showed up amidst the thunderstorms.

This country.... We are truly not far from the Hunger Games come to grotesque life.

Every few days, some ex-evangelical in my feed points fingers and says, "That's not Christianity." It's tiresome and also untrue. Christianity has multiple strands. Owning the harm *we* have done and acknowledging the injustice our family of faith still perpetuates would be more compelling.

I know Pope Leo XIV to be a kind, open, humble, modest, decisive, hard-working, straightforward, trustworthy, and down-to-earth man. A brilliant choice. May God bless him.

A Chicago Pope implies the existence of an MLA Pope and APA Pope

"Peace be with you. This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming and humble and preserving peace. It comes from God. God, who loves all of us, without any limits or conditions.... God loves us, all of us. Evil will not prevail." —Pope Leo XIV www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...

Cassocks are red Conclaves are dope Wake up babe we got a

Love this story.

My deep gratitude to @kcrwevan.bsky.social for having me on @kcrw.com's "Good Food" to talk about "Good Soil." It was a delight to talk about regenerating the land, how my father's people cook chicken, and, of course, my late grandmother's fried rice.

Grateful to be on my friend Kate Bowler's podcast today, talking about compost, cooking, being small, and why Mary Oliver sometimes is super-annoying. katebowler.com/podcasts/goo...

A few words about the moon, the flowers, and the people who help me remember not to give up all hope. (Gift link via @nytopinion.nytimes.com.) www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/o...

Stand up for Mahmoud Khalil like you hope a stranger would stand up for you. Because the way this administration is going, you may one day need it. Call your reps now, no matter what their political affiliation is.

We can't wait to welcome award-winning journalist @byjeffchu.com to Houston to celebrate his new book, GOOD SOIL! Jeff Chu will be in conversation with @sarahbessey.bsky.social. We highly recommend this book and hope you'll join us! Get your tickets now: buff.ly/43g1EVl

I am so grieved by this speech, full of false witness and loathsome rhetoric, arrogance and attacks on the marginalized. It seems right and good that a penitential season should begin tomorrow.

So we finally watched "Conclave." Beautifully shot. Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini were great; Stanley Tucci too. But that conclusion? Come on. Habemus a ridiculous ending.

A+ to these protest signs.

Houston: Please come and hang out with @sarahbessey.bsky.social and me!

"Greatness" does not shame or bully, lie or demand gratitude.

"To feel the bedrock of your theology shifting might sound abstract, but it’s almost impossible to underestimate the terror it brings for someone who has made this their whole life." Remarkable and unusual essay: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

"Good Soil" Book Tour, Part I! Would love to see you at one of these stops. Details at byjeffchu.com/tour.

You cannot make this stuff up: This guy is our new acting undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. Yes, you read that correctly: *for public diplomacy*—a role that involves leading the State Department's outreach and communications.

This is unconscionable.

I once used two sets of em dashes and a semicolon in one sentence and I have never felt so alive

As usual, @roxanegay.bsky.social is so perceptive and wise. I really appreciate her analysis of what TikTok reveals about us: "We want. We want. We want."

The duck is a traditional Chinese symbol for fidelity and devotion. I guess it's going to take that kind of loyalty for this lifelong Oregon Ducks fan ever to see a national championship.

local news headline that is indisputably, eternally true

God bless America.

For those who aren't feeling much Christmas spirit: Bless you who feel grumpy, you who are blah. May you be met right where you are. Bless you who are weary, you who are flailing. May you find rest.

"He is our new hero!" seems to be the modern American equivalent to the ancient "Give us a king!"

I've been struck by the frequency with which leaders of both parties talk about their ambitions to boost the "lethality" of the U.S. military. It troubles me. War has no winners. Even those who claim victory suffer tremendous losses. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/u...

My publisher has some "Good Soil" galleys to give away over on Goodreads.

Even as I wish it weren't necessary and even as I know some folks might not get it, I deeply admire Sarah McBride's almost painfully gracious posture. It takes such fortitude and groundedness to hold and make space as she does. "I am maintaining my power," she said, "by turning the other cheek."

Neil Postman warned of the shriveling of the American mind and spirit, in which "culture becomes a burlesque." This administration seems dangerously beyond even his wildest warnings.

"If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong..." —Martin Luther

"bleet" is better than "skeet."

It’s mostly white people who talk about echo chambers. Maybe you need the internet to meet people with different ideas but the rest of us do not. We know what the “other side” thinks because we deal with it every day! Everywhere! We’re fine. Carry on. Happy Saturday!

Sometimes I wonder if white progressive Christians, especially those who used to be evangelical, are so busy looking in the mirror or back at the white evangelical churches they left that they forget the rest of us exist. But, sure, keep talking about justice and "the Church."

Yes, this is what the place feels like right now. 😬 (My favorite dinosaur is the stegosaurus—peaceable, striking, a bit slow, underestimated because of the size of its brain.)

I just wrote, then rewrote, then instantly deleted 12 skeets, just like in the rollicking old days of That Other Place. Feels so good to be back!

I am here. 🥰

The writers of this season of the show are really pushing the boundaries now.

Forgot about the Bluesky. Hello, lovely humans!

At some point we just need to acknowledge that nothing will satisfy other than the near-total resegregation of elite and governing institutions in the United States.

This whole conversation is weirdly delightful.

Tempted to just make this a Fozzie-appreciation feed.