Indeed.

We have always been at war with Eastasia.

Worse than the worst War on Terror drone strikes. By innocents killed, worse than multiple of the worst drone strike errors combined.

Wherein I note that real life isn't like the end of Return of the Jedi. It’s Easy: Just Kill the Bad Guys – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/its-easy-jus...

Who got us into "a situation like this?"

For years on my old blog I published the names of servicemembers who died in Iraq & Afghanistan. No other outlets were. These are the first 4 Americans to die in the Iran War. Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35 Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42 Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39 Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20

-parsimonious -vituperative

Update: The deaths of three U.S. servicemen mark the first American casualties since the start of operation 'Epic Fury' on Saturday.

Sorting out some polisci terms in the hope of increasing understanding of what is going on in Iran. On Regime Change – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/on-regime-ch...

It is 1991. I am 15 years old. The US has gone to war in the Middle East. It is 2003. I am 27 years old. The US has gone to war in the Middle East. It is 2026. I'm too old for this shit. The US has gone to war in the Middle East.

"Assemble the Board of Peace - I'm starting a war".

I feel a little better after thinking through the possibilities with Trump's threatened EO on elections. More Thoughts on Election Interference – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/more-thought...

Approaching a Major Red Line on Elections – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/approaching-...

On “Heritage Americans” – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/on-heritage-...

Never has so much US combat power been assembled with so little explanation to the public, allies, or Congress regarding why or how it will be used. Never.

CNN's Kristen Holmes reports that Trump blew up during a meeting after learning of the SCOTUS ruling on tariffs. "He started ranting about the decision, not only calling it a disgrace, but started attacking the courts and at one point saying these effing courts, but using the actual language there"

Trump plans to send $10 billion in funds that Congress hasn’t appropriated from the US Treasury to an organization that he will continue to chair personally even after he is out of office. This is looting.

So, the UK and the Republic of Korea (to go along with Brazil from a few years ago), as contrasted with SCOTUS's immunity ruling, are providing quite the illustration of "American exceptionalism."

Thanks to @himself.bsky.social for the inspiration. A Return to the Median Voter – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/a-return-to-...

Now this is a movie plot!!! Someone understands grad school.

@jonathanbernstein.bsky.social explains why the 25th is not a solution and makes me think about why parliamentary systems create better incentives Meanwhile, someone best protect the Stanley Cup! The 25th Amendment isn’t Coming to Save Us – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/the-25th-ame...

In Front of Our Noses: Judicial Nominees and Their Public Obeisance – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/in-front-of-...

Statler and Waldorf have more of a comment than a question

Every American needs to watch this:

I agree. This is a truly remarkable display and is a bit of a gut-punch to think that these individuals will be in positions of power and authority.

Today in "neither our media nor our political system is designed to deal with a far right authoritarian party" What is the point of this farce in February 2026? You're aiding & abetting performative public lying & authoritarianism. Don't bother or ask him actual hard questions.

He literally pulled a "you should smile more" IN RESPONSE TO AN EPSTEIN QUESTION.

A Chapo bit that's really stuck with me is that Trump has the passions of a certain gay stereotype: award shows, celebrity gossip, ostentatious decor, lying about how in shape he is, petty rivalries, and being beguiled by handsome younger men (Mamdani!).

January 2026 Was a Long Month – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/january-2026...

Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept." Astonishing thing for a judge to do.

Among the many reasons why Juan Linz was right that presidentialism was a grave mistake, is that it puts the Justice Minister outside of the Parliament & under the purview of a separately elected Chief Executive, rather than under the control of the legislative branch by direct no confidence vote.

"MindMeld". #gouache #commission on 9"x12" coldpressed cotton paper. #startrek #doctorwho #comicprofessional #art #scifiart #comicart

So, Noem Was Just Following Orders? – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/so-noem-was-...

In Front of Our Noses: Trump’s Values – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/in-front-of-...

The Texas Monthly's food editor was stopped by ICE agents. He wrote about it: www.texasmonthly.com/food/taco-ed...

This week on Ancient Geeks: ancientgeeks.podbean.com/e/ancient-ge...

Comics retailing legend Greg Ketter standing up to ICE in Minneapolis. Yes, that's tear gas. He's 70 years old.

Keeping in mind I am not a fan of carrying a gun as a general matter, but Patel is wrong. Just carrying is NOT incitement. This is just lying to defend an execution.

A thread of MAGA protesting with guns and not getting murdered for it... Arizona, November 2020

I still can’t believe the Broncos didn’t take the points. Even I knew the weather was going to be bad in the second half.

First, all of that is protected by the First Amendment, unless this administration thinks they have repealed it. Second, if you don’t want to be likened to the Gestapo, don’t act like the Gestapo. Also: don’t disappear people if you don’t want to be accused of kidnapping.

Video Tells The Tale – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/video-tells-...

“and then our goons will kidnap that life and send it to a concentration camp if we deem them the wrong color”

I just thought everyone should see this

Assessing what I feared in November of 2024 and where we are a year into Trump 2.0 Revisiting The List One Year In – Outside the Beltway outsidethebeltway.com/revisiting-t...

this is good more cops saying stuff like this please