Dave Plunk
@chettmanley.bsky.social
lover of Batman, physical media, bourbon, shoes
Pinned
Dave Plunk
@chettmanley.bsky.social
· May 12
Shor, w/ Barro and Yglesias working the PowerPoint clicker: “My model suggests you focus all your attention and resources on conservative white men. And shit on everyone else every chance you get.”
Democratic leaders: “Oh thank goodness. I thought for a sec we might have to do something different.”
Democratic leaders: “Oh thank goodness. I thought for a sec we might have to do something different.”
Reposted by Dave Plunk
Waiting for every elected official who backed a thinly-veiled anti-trans bill called the "Kids Online Safety Act" to say anything about the fact that formerly-twitter is now offering its users a literal child p**n generator. I mean you are all deeply worried about the safety of kids, right?
January 5, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Waiting for every elected official who backed a thinly-veiled anti-trans bill called the "Kids Online Safety Act" to say anything about the fact that formerly-twitter is now offering its users a literal child p**n generator. I mean you are all deeply worried about the safety of kids, right?
Reposted by Dave Plunk
National political media will spend way more time and energy parsing every development in Minnesota than they will spend on the fucking enormous and raging actual scandals, corruption, law breaking and war-mongering from and by Trump
They're wired to hound Dems but never apply same standards to him
They're wired to hound Dems but never apply same standards to him
January 5, 2026 at 2:38 PM
National political media will spend way more time and energy parsing every development in Minnesota than they will spend on the fucking enormous and raging actual scandals, corruption, law breaking and war-mongering from and by Trump
They're wired to hound Dems but never apply same standards to him
They're wired to hound Dems but never apply same standards to him
Wonder what the polling from Schumer and Jefferies favorite pollsters is saying? Cause if it’s anything like this I don’t know why they wouldn’t feel more comfortable with the impeachment talk other than not understanding that it’s important to talk about even if you can’t make it happen.
One of the most lopsided results you'll ever see in a poll, from our weekend Washington Post poll www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
January 5, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Wonder what the polling from Schumer and Jefferies favorite pollsters is saying? Cause if it’s anything like this I don’t know why they wouldn’t feel more comfortable with the impeachment talk other than not understanding that it’s important to talk about even if you can’t make it happen.
Reposted by Dave Plunk
While conservatives are debating work requirements, waste, abuse, and fraud for social safety net programs
The Pentagon has failed 8 consecutive audits
www.reuters.com/world/us/pen...
The Pentagon has failed 8 consecutive audits
www.reuters.com/world/us/pen...
January 5, 2026 at 2:49 PM
While conservatives are debating work requirements, waste, abuse, and fraud for social safety net programs
The Pentagon has failed 8 consecutive audits
www.reuters.com/world/us/pen...
The Pentagon has failed 8 consecutive audits
www.reuters.com/world/us/pen...
Reposted by Dave Plunk
At PN, I argued that Trump attacked Venezuela not to prevent drug trafficking, and not even really to get oil, but mostly because he is a fascist who thinks military action and murder are fun and manly. www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-vene...
Trump's Venezuela coup sends America down a dark path
He got a taste of violence and clearly wants more.
www.publicnotice.co
January 5, 2026 at 4:15 PM
At PN, I argued that Trump attacked Venezuela not to prevent drug trafficking, and not even really to get oil, but mostly because he is a fascist who thinks military action and murder are fun and manly. www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-vene...
Reposted by Dave Plunk
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
Reposted by Dave Plunk
the default, cringe pose of "I must support Tough Military Action because I am Tough" is both morally wrong and bad politics
One of the most lopsided results you'll ever see in a poll, from our weekend Washington Post poll www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
January 5, 2026 at 4:15 PM
the default, cringe pose of "I must support Tough Military Action because I am Tough" is both morally wrong and bad politics
Reposted by Dave Plunk
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
a lot of problems wouldn't exist if we had a congress with even an ounce of self interest
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Reposted by Dave Plunk
Comically over-lawyered and under-inspiring. Just resign, man. Take a lobbying job or something.
This is why Democrats look to a mayor like Zohran Mamdani for national leadership.
This is why Democrats look to a mayor like Zohran Mamdani for national leadership.
January 3, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Comically over-lawyered and under-inspiring. Just resign, man. Take a lobbying job or something.
This is why Democrats look to a mayor like Zohran Mamdani for national leadership.
This is why Democrats look to a mayor like Zohran Mamdani for national leadership.
Why is Schumer asking these questions instead of saying "You won't pursue regime change or take military action because there's a shitton of laws against such things and you are an illegitimate president who shouldn't have the ability to exercise powers even a legitimate president has"?
The Trump regime repeatedly lied to Congress about their intention to pursue regime change in Venezuela. They didn’t get Congressional approval for regime change, but did it anyway.
Demanding a briefing in response is both pathetic and nonsensical. Calling for impeachment is the obvious response.
Demanding a briefing in response is both pathetic and nonsensical. Calling for impeachment is the obvious response.
January 4, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Why is Schumer asking these questions instead of saying "You won't pursue regime change or take military action because there's a shitton of laws against such things and you are an illegitimate president who shouldn't have the ability to exercise powers even a legitimate president has"?
Reposted by Dave Plunk
“Trump cares more about running another country than this one. He’s spending money on them, not your health care.”
January 3, 2026 at 4:59 PM
“Trump cares more about running another country than this one. He’s spending money on them, not your health care.”
Reposted by Dave Plunk
One reason Trump says & does whatever he wants is because every societal institution, including the media, has completely normalized & internalized the idea that the laws, the Constitution, & the international treaties we have signed & ratified simply don’t apply to this one guy. It’s maddening.
July 5, 2025 at 4:40 AM
One reason Trump says & does whatever he wants is because every societal institution, including the media, has completely normalized & internalized the idea that the laws, the Constitution, & the international treaties we have signed & ratified simply don’t apply to this one guy. It’s maddening.
Reposted by Dave Plunk
Don't forget folks: allowing yourself a vision of the future you'd want for our country and planet - not the one you'd settle for, not the one you fear, but the future of your dreams - isn't naive, it's a vital cognitive skill. That's how we articulate what we most value. What's worth fighting for.
Instead of whatever this is, we should have a government getting lots of new homes and apartments built, lots of clean energy built, lots of high speed rail and transit and bike lanes built, human rights for everyone, economic & healthcare opportunities for all, & innovation that leads the world.
January 4, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Don't forget folks: allowing yourself a vision of the future you'd want for our country and planet - not the one you'd settle for, not the one you fear, but the future of your dreams - isn't naive, it's a vital cognitive skill. That's how we articulate what we most value. What's worth fighting for.
Once a paper critical of bullshit when Democrats engaged in it sometimes, the Washington Post is little different from the New York Times, residing itself under new billionaire ownership to laundering bullshit conservative ideas to the public under the guise of authenticity and journalist integrity.
Once a critic of overseas entanglements, President Trump now appears willing to embrace regime change as a tool of American influence, raising questions about whether his “America First” doctrine is being redefined.
Trump’s Venezuela move pushes the limits of ‘America First’
Once a critic of entanglements abroad, Trump now appears willing to embrace regime change as a tool of American influence, risking a backlash from his MAGA base.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Once a paper critical of bullshit when Democrats engaged in it sometimes, the Washington Post is little different from the New York Times, residing itself under new billionaire ownership to laundering bullshit conservative ideas to the public under the guise of authenticity and journalist integrity.
Reposted by Dave Plunk
New euphemism for "bottomless corruption and naked abuses of power" just dropped
January 4, 2026 at 11:35 AM
New euphemism for "bottomless corruption and naked abuses of power" just dropped
Reposted by Dave Plunk
It’s sobering to look back on the run-up to the Iraq war—a period of unceasing chattering-class debate, elaborate official lies, media complicity, unavailing global protest, in the end a giant stitch-up—and have it seem like some sort of paradise of public deliberation compared to these gangsters.
January 3, 2026 at 9:51 PM
It’s sobering to look back on the run-up to the Iraq war—a period of unceasing chattering-class debate, elaborate official lies, media complicity, unavailing global protest, in the end a giant stitch-up—and have it seem like some sort of paradise of public deliberation compared to these gangsters.
At some point can we have a conversation about the fact that elite law schools exist mostly so that conservatives can learn the (absurd) language of our law simply so they can give their deranged worldview the veneer of authenticity while the liberals nod along and they all enjoy cocktails together?
January 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
At some point can we have a conversation about the fact that elite law schools exist mostly so that conservatives can learn the (absurd) language of our law simply so they can give their deranged worldview the veneer of authenticity while the liberals nod along and they all enjoy cocktails together?
Poured some of 2025’s Russell’s Reserve 13. Thinking 126 proof isn’t high enough for the insanity that was today. Might need to go to the Jack Daniel’s Tanyard Hill release from 2025 which clocks in at 141 proof.
January 4, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Poured some of 2025’s Russell’s Reserve 13. Thinking 126 proof isn’t high enough for the insanity that was today. Might need to go to the Jack Daniel’s Tanyard Hill release from 2025 which clocks in at 141 proof.
Reposted by Dave Plunk
mexico is one of our two largest trading partners, a democracy with 130 million people, where the president won 61% of the vote in the last election. trump is literally threatening a decapitation strike against her. this is utter insanity, it's like saying we're going to airstrike Keir Starmer
January 4, 2026 at 3:19 AM
mexico is one of our two largest trading partners, a democracy with 130 million people, where the president won 61% of the vote in the last election. trump is literally threatening a decapitation strike against her. this is utter insanity, it's like saying we're going to airstrike Keir Starmer
Reposted by Dave Plunk
absolutely bizarre to see a violent, rogue american regime, which is threatening military attacks on a bunch of major trading partners and close allies, and openly fantasizing about hitler-style wars of territorial conquest, covered in the tone of horse-race political commentary
January 4, 2026 at 3:14 AM
absolutely bizarre to see a violent, rogue american regime, which is threatening military attacks on a bunch of major trading partners and close allies, and openly fantasizing about hitler-style wars of territorial conquest, covered in the tone of horse-race political commentary
Reposted by Dave Plunk
NYT gonna NYT: "Both Mr. Mamdani and Mr. Maduro identify as socialists, though they have no relationship.” — would be funny if they did this every time you write about two capitalists.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/w...
Mamdani Called Trump to Criticize Venezuela Strikes
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:01 PM
NYT gonna NYT: "Both Mr. Mamdani and Mr. Maduro identify as socialists, though they have no relationship.” — would be funny if they did this every time you write about two capitalists.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/w...
Reposted by Dave Plunk
How are voters meant to understand how serious things are if in lieu of shouting fire AND going into building with hoses, you're simply posting fire safety suggestions on social media?
Not introducing articles of impeachment is a message that Trump hasn't committed impeachable offenses.
Not introducing articles of impeachment is a message that Trump hasn't committed impeachable offenses.
January 4, 2026 at 1:25 AM
How are voters meant to understand how serious things are if in lieu of shouting fire AND going into building with hoses, you're simply posting fire safety suggestions on social media?
Not introducing articles of impeachment is a message that Trump hasn't committed impeachable offenses.
Not introducing articles of impeachment is a message that Trump hasn't committed impeachable offenses.
Reposted by Dave Plunk
This observation deserves to be re-upped for a new year.
Planners should have to design cities from behind a Rawlsian veil of ignorance. That is to say: the planner will have to live in the city they design, but they don't know *where* in the city.
January 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
This observation deserves to be re-upped for a new year.
Our already awful media has become significantly worse very quickly.
A CBS News staffer told me this after Tony Dokoupil kicked off his CBS Evening News tenure tonight with a lengthy Pete Hegseth interview:
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
"If this is what Bari and Tony’s CBS Evening News is going to look like, then the we may as well just call ourselves Trump Administration State TV. Pathetic."
January 4, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Our already awful media has become significantly worse very quickly.