John Christman
jchristman58.bsky.social
John Christman
@jchristman58.bsky.social

Philosophy Prof, Director of Humanities Inst. (Penn State), author of various things in social political philosophy, most recently Reconceiving Freedom from the Shadows of Slavery (CUP). Cranky lefty

Political science 52%
Philosophy 20%

Nobody believes this. Not even you.
Mike Johnson: "That's the reason the inflation is up, the cost of living is up so high -- because of the policies of the previous administration. Now, we're working to root those policies out and implement our own, but it takes a little time."
Mike Johnson: "That's the reason the inflation is up, the cost of living is up so high -- because of the policies of the previous administration. Now, we're working to root those policies out and implement our own, but it takes a little time."

Talk about a contradiction!

Here's a prediction on this: The reactionary Supremes rebuff tRump's tariff rulings (narrowly) but don't touch the broader emergency powers question.

Then he uses other mechanisms to re-impose the tariff policy (special import taxes, etc.)

wapo.st/4qYPRo6
Supreme Court appears skeptical of legality of most of Trump’s tariffs
The Supreme Court held arguments on one of the most important cases of its term, testing whether the president has authority to impose wide-ranging tariffs.
wapo.st

Argument is that Dems need to include conservatives (Joe Manchin) who represent areas where Dem brand is toxic.

Problem is, what does brand *mean* after that? Need principles as well as people

This Is the Way You Beat Trump — and Trumpism www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
Opinion | This Is the Way You Beat Trump — and Trumpism
www.nytimes.com

Dem voices have to say repeatedly: Mamdani-Spanberger-Sherrill in the same breath. Different candidates to different constituents with the same broad principles. Winning with *all kinds* of voters.

Yes! on big tent Democratic coalition, but I would also favor repeating some principles that guide the coalition's members: economic fairness, protection of individual rights and autonomy, environmental stewardship.

Enough to mark a profound contrast with the fascistic sycophants in the opposition
i want to repeat this: mamdani and spanberger have run similar campaigns tailored to their respective electorates and it is maddening to watch political journalists attempt to create some broad contrast where none exist
the other thing about this is that there is no reason to pit these candidates against each other? each are good fits for their respective electorates and each shows the value of vigorous campaigns focused on the stated material problems of voters.
i want to repeat this: mamdani and spanberger have run similar campaigns tailored to their respective electorates and it is maddening to watch political journalists attempt to create some broad contrast where none exist
the other thing about this is that there is no reason to pit these candidates against each other? each are good fits for their respective electorates and each shows the value of vigorous campaigns focused on the stated material problems of voters.

A key difference from tRump 1.0 is not just that he now has no guardrails, but world leaders now know exactly how to play him.
Trump claimed the meeting was “amazing” and a “12” on a scale of 1-10, but experts have said Xi successfully leveraged China’s rare earths advantage.
Trump-Xi Meeting: Why Experts Say China Came Out Ahead
Trump claimed the meeting was “amazing” and a “12” on a scale of 1-10, but experts have said Xi successfully leveraged China’s rare earths advantage.
www.forbes.com

Reposted by John Christman

Trump claimed the meeting was “amazing” and a “12” on a scale of 1-10, but experts have said Xi successfully leveraged China’s rare earths advantage.
Trump-Xi Meeting: Why Experts Say China Came Out Ahead
Trump claimed the meeting was “amazing” and a “12” on a scale of 1-10, but experts have said Xi successfully leveraged China’s rare earths advantage.
www.forbes.com
Patel's girlfriend performed at Penn State last weekend. A government jet arrived at State College Regional Airport, according to its FAA registration, with an address listing the FBI HQ. The plane then flew to Nashville, where his girlfriend lives.

All on the taxpayer’s dime.
trib.al/TBvPo7A

Mike Johnson: Millions going hungry a small price to pay to avoid release of the Epstein files

Hunger and Cold Loom as Shutdown Imperils Funding for Antipoverty Programs www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/u...
Hunger and Cold Loom as Shutdown Imperils Funding for Antipoverty Programs
www.nytimes.com

Trump mixed up "shut down the government" with "tear down the government"

The man's self-aggrandizement knows no bounds.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/u...
Trump Is Wasting No Time in Tearing Down the East Wing
www.nytimes.com

Rhetoric will be met with bloodshed?

Also, did he get prior assurance that no mention of bags full of cash will be made during this interview?
Homan: "At the No Kings protest, I watched more of the rhetoric. They've lost their minds. And I tell you: the bloodshed is not over if we don't address the rhetoric."

Reposted by John Christman

Homan: "At the No Kings protest, I watched more of the rhetoric. They've lost their minds. And I tell you: the bloodshed is not over if we don't address the rhetoric."

Yeah and Mamdani is the one who makes Bret Stephens uncomfortable. Sheesh
I am pretty gobsmacked by how open and virulent the anti-semitism is in very mainstream popular places in the online right right now.

Reposted by John Christman

I am pretty gobsmacked by how open and virulent the anti-semitism is in very mainstream popular places in the online right right now.

The verb is "built" not "is building". The brown shirts are regularly on patrol.
How Trump is Building a Violent, Shadowy Federal Police Force

www.propublica.org/article/trum...

Reposted by John Christman

How Trump is Building a Violent, Shadowy Federal Police Force

www.propublica.org/article/trum...

Reposted by John Christman

People have to endlessly repeat that "Antifa" is not a group or a movement as often as these idiots refer to it as if it is.

Reposted by John Christman

😉😉😉
After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation

Depraved.

www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
He was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took him
Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation.
www.miamiherald.com

Does the purple stand for "Allowing AI data centers in my state"?
Moody’s chief economist estimates that 22 states are already in or at high risk of a recession, and only 16 are expanding. Notably, California and New York are “treading water”.

Reposted by John Christman

Moody’s chief economist estimates that 22 states are already in or at high risk of a recession, and only 16 are expanding. Notably, California and New York are “treading water”.

This is an amazing amount of resources and energy -- not to mention human suffering -- to avoid admitting a mistake.
JUST IN: Feds say they are incapable of moving Kilmar Abrego Garcia from PA to TN for court session Friday in his criminal case. A week lead time isn't enough, prosecutors say, plus there's a hearing on one of his civil suits Friday in Maryland. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com

Reposted by John Christman

JUST IN: Feds say they are incapable of moving Kilmar Abrego Garcia from PA to TN for court session Friday in his criminal case. A week lead time isn't enough, prosecutors say, plus there's a hearing on one of his civil suits Friday in Maryland. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com

Guy closes a door. Ernst says, farmers really need some doors to open up, and no one can do it better than the guy who closed the door.
Joni Ernst: "Unfortunately, our farmers do need that assistance. They don't like it. They consider it welfare. They want trade, not aid. So we really need to see some of these new markets opening up around the globe ... but if there's anybody that can make a deal, it's President Trump."
Joni Ernst: "Unfortunately, our farmers do need that assistance. They don't like it. They consider it welfare. They want trade, not aid. So we really need to see some of these new markets opening up around the globe ... but if there's anybody that can make a deal, it's President Trump."