Amy Fried
@asfried.bsky.social
Political scientist, kayaker
Emeritus, UMaine
Political Sightlines at https://amyfried.substack.com/
Books on how U.S. conservatives weaponized distrust, New England politics, professionalizing polling, and perceptions of public opinion as a resource
Emeritus, UMaine
Political Sightlines at https://amyfried.substack.com/
Books on how U.S. conservatives weaponized distrust, New England politics, professionalizing polling, and perceptions of public opinion as a resource
Pinned
Amy Fried
@asfried.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Blueskyers, I’m a retired political scientist, still actively writing and doing more real politics, whose core research has been on the history and political uses of public opinion. But I've done research other topics, too! My 1st pub was on abortion politics, the latest on ranked choice voting. 1/5
Reposted by Amy Fried
bsky.app/profile/atru... this is as close to “what the fuck” as I’ve seen from a lawmaker
Rep. Seth Moulton: "This is insane. What the hell are we doing? ... this is illegal."
January 3, 2026 at 6:12 PM
bsky.app/profile/atru... this is as close to “what the fuck” as I’ve seen from a lawmaker
Reposted by Amy Fried
A college sophomore at an Occupy rally could not have generated such a grotesque outsized caricature of US imperialism
Trump: "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country. And we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so."
January 3, 2026 at 5:20 PM
A college sophomore at an Occupy rally could not have generated such a grotesque outsized caricature of US imperialism
Reposted by Amy Fried
wild to see every news outlet use the term "capture" to describe what happened. we're not at war with venezuela! this is *objectively* an illegal kidnapping of a sovereign country's leader
January 3, 2026 at 2:25 PM
wild to see every news outlet use the term "capture" to describe what happened. we're not at war with venezuela! this is *objectively* an illegal kidnapping of a sovereign country's leader
Reposted by Amy Fried
Also, as a veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, would like people to remember that toppling Hussein directly led to a power vacuum in which ISIS flourished
January 3, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Also, as a veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, would like people to remember that toppling Hussein directly led to a power vacuum in which ISIS flourished
Reposted by Amy Fried
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Reposted by Amy Fried
If Trump claims it’s drug charges, keep in mind that he just pardoned two major drug kingpins. Wonder if they media will keep that in mind.
Senator Lee said that Secretary of State Rubio told him Venezuelan President Maduro was arrested by U.S. forces to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.
January 3, 2026 at 10:55 AM
If Trump claims it’s drug charges, keep in mind that he just pardoned two major drug kingpins. Wonder if they media will keep that in mind.
I turned on CNN and the reporter was talking about the kidnapping of Maduro as “a daring operation.” He quoted Sen. Mike Lee saying positive things about Maduro’s “capturing.”
January 3, 2026 at 10:53 AM
I turned on CNN and the reporter was talking about the kidnapping of Maduro as “a daring operation.” He quoted Sen. Mike Lee saying positive things about Maduro’s “capturing.”
Reposted by Amy Fried
In the IR & political noise it sometimes gets lost, but this is about human lives - which is why we strive for a safer world *for all*
The U.S. attack has left an unspecified number of Venezuelans dead and injured. The number of casualties is still being assessed.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
The U.S. attack has left an unspecified number of Venezuelans dead and injured. The number of casualties is still being assessed.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Update from Anatoly Kurmanaev
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:26 AM
In the IR & political noise it sometimes gets lost, but this is about human lives - which is why we strive for a safer world *for all*
The U.S. attack has left an unspecified number of Venezuelans dead and injured. The number of casualties is still being assessed.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
The U.S. attack has left an unspecified number of Venezuelans dead and injured. The number of casualties is still being assessed.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Amy Fried
Sources in the Venezuela opposition tell Sky News that tonight’s operation to “capture” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, was part of a “negotiated exit” between Maduro and the United States.
January 3, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Sources in the Venezuela opposition tell Sky News that tonight’s operation to “capture” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, was part of a “negotiated exit” between Maduro and the United States.
Reposted by Amy Fried
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez says the whereabouts of Nicolás Maduro and his wife are unknown, and asks President Trump for a proof of life.
If Maduro is captured, VP Delcy Rodríguez would in theory take over. The opposition would say Edmundo Gonzalez who is currently in exile is the rightful president. Defense minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino Lopez is the only public official to speak in a national address so far, denouncing the attack.
Love that the NYT includes the caveat “Trump Says” in the headlines…as if the president isn’t a trusted narrator and you can’t take his statements as official statements of the gov…
January 3, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez says the whereabouts of Nicolás Maduro and his wife are unknown, and asks President Trump for a proof of life.
Reposted by Amy Fried
Every one of these deals exceeds the severity of the Clinton Foundation and Hunter Biden controversies by orders of magnitude. And there are already dozens, probably hundreds.
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
An illustrated guide of the first year of profiteering.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches (Gift Article)
The president, his family and some of their closest associates have engaged in a sprawling campaign of deals that stretches across industries and the globe.
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Every one of these deals exceeds the severity of the Clinton Foundation and Hunter Biden controversies by orders of magnitude. And there are already dozens, probably hundreds.
Reposted by Amy Fried
At some point in 2015 I knew Trump was here to destroy the country. When I talked about it, friends rolled their eyes and exhaled. They told me I needed "balance."
I never did figure out how one "balances" fascism in life. I just hope me and mine survive this revolting mess.
I never did figure out how one "balances" fascism in life. I just hope me and mine survive this revolting mess.
The Americans Who Saw All This Coming—but Were Ignored and Maligned
Call them the Cassandras: the people—mostly not white and male—who smelled the fascism all over Trump from jump street. Why were they “alarmists,” and how did “anti-alarmism” become cool?
newrepublic.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:23 PM
At some point in 2015 I knew Trump was here to destroy the country. When I talked about it, friends rolled their eyes and exhaled. They told me I needed "balance."
I never did figure out how one "balances" fascism in life. I just hope me and mine survive this revolting mess.
I never did figure out how one "balances" fascism in life. I just hope me and mine survive this revolting mess.
Happy new year, #mepolitics folks! It’s going to be an intense year with high consequences. Let us commit to kindness, communication and commitment.
January 1, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Happy new year, #mepolitics folks! It’s going to be an intense year with high consequences. Let us commit to kindness, communication and commitment.
Reposted by Amy Fried
Matt Dunlap, running to represent Maine's 2nd congressional district, with a Happy New Year 2026 message.
Happy New Year, Matt – lots of Mainers ready to stand with you.
#MEpolitics
Happy New Year, Matt – lots of Mainers ready to stand with you.
#MEpolitics
Happy New Year! This campaign is powered by people who believe Maine can do better—and together, we’re proving it. We wish everyone peace, good health, and a strong start to the year ahead.
#mepolitics
#mepolitics
January 1, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Matt Dunlap, running to represent Maine's 2nd congressional district, with a Happy New Year 2026 message.
Happy New Year, Matt – lots of Mainers ready to stand with you.
#MEpolitics
Happy New Year, Matt – lots of Mainers ready to stand with you.
#MEpolitics
Reposted by Amy Fried
The destruction of knowledge and history is haphazard & breathtaking.
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts.
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts.
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The destruction of knowledge and history is haphazard & breathtaking.
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts.
NASA’s Largest Library Is Closing Amid Staff and Lab Cuts.
Reposted by Amy Fried
This is a painting by a Polish artist depicting TR’s actions in Cuba during the Spanish-American war. But sure, we all hate (((globalists))).
January 1, 2026 at 12:03 AM
This is a painting by a Polish artist depicting TR’s actions in Cuba during the Spanish-American war. But sure, we all hate (((globalists))).
Reposted by Amy Fried
“Gone are the days when companies like Instacart and DoorDash can bully their way into record profits on the backs of workers and consumers," said Sam Levine, the incoming head of the Dept. of Consumer and Worker Protection under Mayor Mamdani.
Mamdani Appoints Pro-Labor Lawyer To Run Worker Protection Agency - Streetsblog New York City
"My life's work has been about ensuring that money and power cannot trample the rights and dignity of working people," said the incoming DCWP commissioner, Sam Levine.
buff.ly
December 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
“Gone are the days when companies like Instacart and DoorDash can bully their way into record profits on the backs of workers and consumers," said Sam Levine, the incoming head of the Dept. of Consumer and Worker Protection under Mayor Mamdani.
Reposted by Amy Fried
The plan here seems pretty clear: Deputize the right and turn right-wing cultural warriors into an occupying army.
Exclusive: ICE officials plan to spend $100 million to recruit gun-rights supporters and military enthusiasts through online influencers and a geo-targeted ad campaign, part of what the agency called a “wartime recruitment” strategy to hire thousands of officers, according to an internal document.
ICE plans $100 million ‘wartime recruitment’ push targeting gun shows, military fans
An internal ICE document shared among immigration officials details plans to use influencers and geo-targeted ads to rapidly hire thousands of deportation officers.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The plan here seems pretty clear: Deputize the right and turn right-wing cultural warriors into an occupying army.
Reposted by Amy Fried
He was supposed to serve 10 years and pay $36 million in restitution for defrauding investors. Never served a day. Not Somali.
December 31, 2025 at 1:20 AM
He was supposed to serve 10 years and pay $36 million in restitution for defrauding investors. Never served a day. Not Somali.
Reposted by Amy Fried
Breaking:
Emails just released by a federal judge show that Justice Department leaders pushed to charge Kilmar Abrego Garcia — raising serious questions about whether Department officials had misled a judge in telling him that local prosecutors had acted alone in charging Abrego.
Emails just released by a federal judge show that Justice Department leaders pushed to charge Kilmar Abrego Garcia — raising serious questions about whether Department officials had misled a judge in telling him that local prosecutors had acted alone in charging Abrego.
Justice Dept. Leaders Pushed to Charge Abrego Garcia, Emails Show
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Breaking:
Emails just released by a federal judge show that Justice Department leaders pushed to charge Kilmar Abrego Garcia — raising serious questions about whether Department officials had misled a judge in telling him that local prosecutors had acted alone in charging Abrego.
Emails just released by a federal judge show that Justice Department leaders pushed to charge Kilmar Abrego Garcia — raising serious questions about whether Department officials had misled a judge in telling him that local prosecutors had acted alone in charging Abrego.
Reposted by Amy Fried
Trump guys are about to Comet Pizza every third daycare center because they think they are all fronts for Somali money laundering. They're only doing this near cities with progressive mayors. This is straight up Government by LibsOfTikTok.
December 30, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Trump guys are about to Comet Pizza every third daycare center because they think they are all fronts for Somali money laundering. They're only doing this near cities with progressive mayors. This is straight up Government by LibsOfTikTok.
Joe Baldacci is 60 years old and has less leadership experience than Jared Golden did when he was elected in 2018 after being Assistant House Majority Leader. And what a contrast to Matt Dunlap, who led the Sportsmen's Alliance and has been the Secretary of State and State Auditor. #mepolitics
It's clear from this that Baldacci is the choice of the Golden crowd, probably because Joe stuck with Jared as rank and file Dems got increasingly upset at him lying when he backed a voter suppression bill and found Trump acceptable. Dunlap is better. #mepolitics www.notus.org/2026-electio...
New Democratic Candidate Poised to Enter Maine’s Ultra-Competitive 2nd District Congressional Race
Joe Baldacci’s entrance to the race will likely please some national Democrats, who have struggled to recruit a competitive candidate for the right-leaning district.
www.notus.org
December 30, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Joe Baldacci is 60 years old and has less leadership experience than Jared Golden did when he was elected in 2018 after being Assistant House Majority Leader. And what a contrast to Matt Dunlap, who led the Sportsmen's Alliance and has been the Secretary of State and State Auditor. #mepolitics
It's clear from this that Baldacci is the choice of the Golden crowd, probably because Joe stuck with Jared as rank and file Dems got increasingly upset at him lying when he backed a voter suppression bill and found Trump acceptable. Dunlap is better. #mepolitics www.notus.org/2026-electio...
New Democratic Candidate Poised to Enter Maine’s Ultra-Competitive 2nd District Congressional Race
Joe Baldacci’s entrance to the race will likely please some national Democrats, who have struggled to recruit a competitive candidate for the right-leaning district.
www.notus.org
December 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM
It's clear from this that Baldacci is the choice of the Golden crowd, probably because Joe stuck with Jared as rank and file Dems got increasingly upset at him lying when he backed a voter suppression bill and found Trump acceptable. Dunlap is better. #mepolitics www.notus.org/2026-electio...
It wasn't all that long ago when Maine Republicans were courting voters in immigrant communities. Now Trump/MaineWire/MaineGOP line is that Dems "imported" immigrants so they'd vote for Democratic. #mepolitics
2022: LePage courts new Mainer votes in Portland
www.pressherald.com/2022/04/05/l...
2022: LePage courts new Mainer votes in Portland
www.pressherald.com/2022/04/05/l...
Former Gov. Paul LePage courts new Mainer votes in Portland
Maine's former governor takes his re-election campaign to the opening of the Maine Republican Party's multicultural center in Portland.
www.pressherald.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
It wasn't all that long ago when Maine Republicans were courting voters in immigrant communities. Now Trump/MaineWire/MaineGOP line is that Dems "imported" immigrants so they'd vote for Democratic. #mepolitics
2022: LePage courts new Mainer votes in Portland
www.pressherald.com/2022/04/05/l...
2022: LePage courts new Mainer votes in Portland
www.pressherald.com/2022/04/05/l...