Took my long shadow for a walk after a lovely show in Budleigh Salterton Robinince.com

In 1983, 90% of U.S. media was owned by 50 companies. By 2012, that number was 6. Today, it's just 5. Decades of media consolidation made it "a lot easier for authoritarian government to exercise control," consumer advocate Gigi Sohn says. Much more in my new piece: www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

Why recognize the State of Palestine? Isn't it pointless? Mere symbolism? Isn't the two-state solution an illusion? Or even a trap? Whatever your view, take a minute to read this speech by Palestine's Deputy Ambassador to the UN from June 30. digitallibrary.un.org/record/40861...

In this post I explain why the suspension of Kimmel’s show looks like a blatant 1A violation, as all NINE members of SCOTUS last year made clear.... but also why courts may not be able to do much about it (and yet Kimmel should still sue!) blog.dividedargument.com/p/did-brenda...

More than that. "The FBI ***recorded*** Tom Homan taking the money "after indicating he could help the agents — who were posing as business executives — win government contracts in a second Trump administration."

“What we’re seeing is an unprecedented attempt to silence disfavored speech by the government,” said Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College. “Donald Trump is trying to dictate what Americans can say.” https://to.pbs.org/46AYg7U

Pleased to speak with @theworld.org about the legal implications of the lethal U.S. strikes in the Caribbean, and especially to be featured alongside @becingber.bsky.social. The U.S. president is asserting a license to kill outside the law. theworld.org/segments/202...

I don't know what will happen to this country but I do know that Trump is predictable and that our future depends on the rest of us. And there is real potential for change; Trump is increasingly and deeply unpopular. Our future depends on us. www.newsweek.com/trumps-appro...

Over the last century, many democracies have started down the road to autocracy. Some managed to turn around. What did these 'U-turns' have in common? Political economist @marinanord.bsky.social & colleagues' conclusions are clear and succinct. Full research summary: www.v-dem.net/media/public...

Against defeatism.

people fucking hate this shit and we haven't even fully revved up stagflation yet, or seen the effects of tariffs on holiday season

"Przeworski suggested that while lower-income societies can erupt in all-or-nothing struggle over scarce resources, wealthy societies develop an existential fear of losing the rule of law, dreading that fate as worse than any particular electoral loss."

"Plutocratic populism" is a term that's getting noticed more and more these days.

If someone asked me to give them only one chart that explained the background conditions that facilitated Trumpism, this is the one I'd pick.

Basically

My main tip for those tired of seeing posts about (insert any topic or person here), would rather see posts about (insert any topic or person here): It is 100% worth TAKING THE TIME to learn how to control what you see & don't see on Bluesky. publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/bl... #BlueSkyTips

One of the key ways you refuse to comply with fascism is by becoming even louder and more fearless in supporting vulnerable people. You SHOW that you are unwilling to throw the "undesirables" under the bus if only for self-preservation because under fascism you will also become undesirable one day.

Every statistic about how bad the economy is getting is going to be buried or cooked by the end of the year. Quarterly earnings reports shifting to semi-annual earnings will ensure private companies don’t inject reality too often by talking about declining sales, etc.

Step 1: Cut funding for food stamps Step 2: Stop measuring hunger Step 3: There's no evidence cuts to food stamps led to a rise in hunger www.wsj.com/economy/trum...

genuinely believe that a large number of political, economic and media elites do not realize that nearly half the voting public did not vote for trump

I've had my subscription for years and just canceled it — they're collaborating and don't deserve another dime until it stops

I just called Disney+ to cancel my account and had the most joyful interaction with an operator who was laughing the entire time about how many people had canceled today. I can only imagine how it feels to spend an entire day witnessing how many people want to stop fascism.

"St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in rural northeast Georgia will close its labor and delivery unit next month... "The closure is one of Georgia's first casualties of the GOP budget reconciliation package, colloquially known as the 'big beautiful bill'... www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rura...

NEW: Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom announced today that they have all recognized the State of Palestine

I appreciate all the local reporters focusing on just how awful the prisons holding immigrants throughout their state are and have always been www.inquirer.com/news/ice-imm...

They like Trump and want to help him

Willie Nelson’s son Lucas talks about farm app (jd vance) on Farm Aid. Making it convenient and easy for private equity to scoop it up while they put family farms out of business with their bullshit tariffs.

The Dept. of Education has pulled funding for programs in 8 states that support students with both hearing and vision loss. A staffer at one program says he was told the Trump admin. took issue with 2 words on the grant application: “transition" and “privilege": www.propublica.org/article/trum...

It should be needless to say, but it is perhaps at this moment worth saying, that transgender individuals have the same right as anyone else to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The plot has been completely lost. It feels parodic at this point. Like someone is trying to force a mass delusion. No thank you.

One thing that everyone with any sense will have to do over the next few years is to refuse to accept lies and bullshit.

Two key reports show the US economy may be in a state of early-onset stagflation — a toxic one-two punch of slow economic growth and rising prices. | Analysis https://cnn.it/47XcDFV

Bolsonaro's critics call his guilty verdict a victory for Brazil's rule of law, a reaffirmation of the 1980s constitution created to end two decades of dictatorship. But Bolsonaro's supporters — and there are many — call his prosecution political. https://to.pbs.org/42kt7nE

While religion has far too often been a tool of authoritarianism, faith institutions and communities have also been the life force of so many freedom movements, writes @mariajstephan.bsky.social.

"...only 26 states include 9/11 and the subsequent war on terror in public school curriculums. Where...it is taught, the emphasis is often on national security with scant mention of the effects of Islamophobia, restrictions to civil liberties, or the vast human costs of military interventions."

Elderberries, wild orchids, roses and dahlias: for anyone who needs a timeline cleanse from all the grimness

"I hope that you are showing even more love through the politics you practice and the movements you build. And I hope, with an increased sense of urgency, that you show love by standing in the breach against those who preach the gospel of blood and power."

Heated phone call, eh? Really taking a page from the super effective Biden playbook. If only the U.S. President had some leverage in this situation. www.wsj.com/world/middle...

I always feel my class based differences really strongly when something like this happens. I share zero of my professional colleagues’ impulses.

Dear Dean, I hereby demand to teach all my classes from an open clamshell. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Corey

Just a good dog showing off her pretty eyelashes.

After what will be remembered as a dark day in American higher education, this piece on the challenges and successes of a student parent is good for the soul.

Because of visual issues, I listen to more audiobks these days + borrow ebooks/audio from Toronto Library. I've decided to switch from Audible to @libro.fm, an audiobook company that shares profits w/ indie bookstores. My referral link (if you want to switch, too): libro.fm/referral?rf_...

Maybe read it twice, even

Reminders for following a breaking news story like the shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah ⤵️ ⚠️ Bad actors & opportunists often use such moments when information is being gathered & fact-checked to recklessly push unverified claims & conspiracy theories. 🔗 Download the poster: bit.ly/BreakingNews...

If we let them turn one group of people into a political football, they don't even have to move the goalposts. They can just call anyone a football.

Every fourth woman used to be tiny. Not anymore, thanks to woke

Happy #StarTrekDay! Poll for fellow longtime Star Trek fans: who was your fave ST captain? My sentimental favourite: Kirk Captain I'd go on away mission with: Picard (even if I was a red shirt; it would be worth it) #CommunityPolls