David Lauter
@davidlauter.bsky.social
Journalist, birder. Former Washington Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Times. Enjoying retirement, but still writing.
Reposted by David Lauter
I promise this Tufted Titmouse isn't judging you! If you've never had one stare deep into your soul...you should try it!
What's your favorite small songbird?
#birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #natureisbeautiful
What's your favorite small songbird?
#birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #natureisbeautiful
January 1, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I promise this Tufted Titmouse isn't judging you! If you've never had one stare deep into your soul...you should try it!
What's your favorite small songbird?
#birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #natureisbeautiful
What's your favorite small songbird?
#birds #birdnerd #birdphotography #natureisbeautiful
Reposted by David Lauter
The master of disguise, the Least Bittern. These birds are so tiny and their coloration blends in perfectly with the vegetation, they can be impossible to spot, even when they're right in front of you. At Medio Queso, #costarica
#birds #herons
#birds #herons
December 31, 2024 at 4:47 PM
The master of disguise, the Least Bittern. These birds are so tiny and their coloration blends in perfectly with the vegetation, they can be impossible to spot, even when they're right in front of you. At Medio Queso, #costarica
#birds #herons
#birds #herons
I’ve watched Matea Gold’s career for years, since she was a young reporter at the LA Times. She’s terrific. She’ll be a great asset for The NY Times and a loss for the Washington Post.
The loss of our managing editor Matea Gold, who is leaving the @washingtonpost.com for the New York Times is devastating. She is deeply respected and deeply beloved -- two things that don't always go together in a setting as cynical as a newsroom. Wishing her the very, very best.
December 9, 2024 at 4:13 PM
I’ve watched Matea Gold’s career for years, since she was a young reporter at the LA Times. She’s terrific. She’ll be a great asset for The NY Times and a loss for the Washington Post.
Reposted by David Lauter
I'm sad to see @davidlauter.bsky.social end his column, but this is an excellent one to go out on - It's so critically important to keep things in perspective. History is really instructive, here.
www.latimes.com/politics/new...
www.latimes.com/politics/new...
Biggest lesson from my four decades of covering politics: Prepare to be surprised
Trump's election was just the latest surprise in U.S. politics. If I've learned anything, it's that there will be more.
www.latimes.com
November 23, 2024 at 3:48 PM
I'm sad to see @davidlauter.bsky.social end his column, but this is an excellent one to go out on - It's so critically important to keep things in perspective. History is really instructive, here.
www.latimes.com/politics/new...
www.latimes.com/politics/new...
Reposted by David Lauter
It's official: North Carolina's supreme court race is going to a recount.
Griffin, the Republican, requested one. He trails Justice Riggs, the Democratic incumbent, by 625 votes.
Griffin, the Republican, requested one. He trails Justice Riggs, the Democratic incumbent, by 625 votes.
November 19, 2024 at 9:10 PM
It's official: North Carolina's supreme court race is going to a recount.
Griffin, the Republican, requested one. He trails Justice Riggs, the Democratic incumbent, by 625 votes.
Griffin, the Republican, requested one. He trails Justice Riggs, the Democratic incumbent, by 625 votes.
Reposted by David Lauter
NEW: California opponents of solitary confinement have been pushing to restrict its use, & they thought this year they'd ban its use on pregnant women.
But the bill signed into law this fall, for 1st time in California, codifies solitary *can* be used on them. boltsmag.org/california-s...
But the bill signed into law this fall, for 1st time in California, codifies solitary *can* be used on them. boltsmag.org/california-s...
On Solitary Confinement, California Officials Side With the Prison System—Again
Organizers wanted to ban the use of solitary confinement against pregnant Californians. They got something else entirely.
boltsmag.org
November 19, 2024 at 8:19 PM
NEW: California opponents of solitary confinement have been pushing to restrict its use, & they thought this year they'd ban its use on pregnant women.
But the bill signed into law this fall, for 1st time in California, codifies solitary *can* be used on them. boltsmag.org/california-s...
But the bill signed into law this fall, for 1st time in California, codifies solitary *can* be used on them. boltsmag.org/california-s...
Reposted by David Lauter
This is really getting quite remarkable
• BlueSky user numbers have doubled in the past week and now total 3.5 million across US & UK 🚀
• Number of people deleting their X/Twitter account remains way up
And the next chart is particularly notable...
• BlueSky user numbers have doubled in the past week and now total 3.5 million across US & UK 🚀
• Number of people deleting their X/Twitter account remains way up
And the next chart is particularly notable...
November 19, 2024 at 9:39 PM
This is really getting quite remarkable
• BlueSky user numbers have doubled in the past week and now total 3.5 million across US & UK 🚀
• Number of people deleting their X/Twitter account remains way up
And the next chart is particularly notable...
• BlueSky user numbers have doubled in the past week and now total 3.5 million across US & UK 🚀
• Number of people deleting their X/Twitter account remains way up
And the next chart is particularly notable...
Reposted by David Lauter
I wrote about the things I think are missing from the Dem discourse:
1) scope of the losses (you'd think this was 1984)
2) how media struggles to explain a second Trump win; easier to yell at Dems
3) there might not be a grand theory. it might be uninformed voters' vibes.
njour.nl/s/726851?unl...
1) scope of the losses (you'd think this was 1984)
2) how media struggles to explain a second Trump win; easier to yell at Dems
3) there might not be a grand theory. it might be uninformed voters' vibes.
njour.nl/s/726851?unl...
Decisive margin probably came from whims of low-information voters
Many swing voters only pay attention to politics long enough to cast their ballots.
njour.nl
November 19, 2024 at 10:18 PM
I wrote about the things I think are missing from the Dem discourse:
1) scope of the losses (you'd think this was 1984)
2) how media struggles to explain a second Trump win; easier to yell at Dems
3) there might not be a grand theory. it might be uninformed voters' vibes.
njour.nl/s/726851?unl...
1) scope of the losses (you'd think this was 1984)
2) how media struggles to explain a second Trump win; easier to yell at Dems
3) there might not be a grand theory. it might be uninformed voters' vibes.
njour.nl/s/726851?unl...
Reposted by David Lauter
BIG NEWS: A Wyoming judge just struck down WY's abortion bans.
And get this: The judge invoked a constitutional amendment codifying a right to make health care decisions... that was passed in 2012 by conservatives who thought it'd screw Obamacare! Just backfired.
We explained this lawsuit here:
And get this: The judge invoked a constitutional amendment codifying a right to make health care decisions... that was passed in 2012 by conservatives who thought it'd screw Obamacare! Just backfired.
We explained this lawsuit here:
How Attacks Against Obamacare Turned Into Tools to Protect Abortion Access
Conservatives amended state constitutions to affirm broad rights for people to choose their health care. Now abortion rights proponents are taking them at their word.
boltsmag.org
November 19, 2024 at 5:26 AM
BIG NEWS: A Wyoming judge just struck down WY's abortion bans.
And get this: The judge invoked a constitutional amendment codifying a right to make health care decisions... that was passed in 2012 by conservatives who thought it'd screw Obamacare! Just backfired.
We explained this lawsuit here:
And get this: The judge invoked a constitutional amendment codifying a right to make health care decisions... that was passed in 2012 by conservatives who thought it'd screw Obamacare! Just backfired.
We explained this lawsuit here:
Reposted by David Lauter
Good stuff in there.
Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez proposed a new task for to look at electoral reforms which could break up the two party system in Congress, expand the number of House districts, and move the House to a form of proportional representation.
It's a very, very good idea.
It's a very, very good idea.
Blue Dogs Propose New Task Force to Look at ‘Winner-Take-All’ Election System
The bipartisan task force would investigate structural reforms like multimember districts and adding more House members in an effort to address growing polarization and distrust of Congress.
www.notus.org
November 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Good stuff in there.
Now that I’ve moved over here, here’s my most recent column for @latimes.bsky.social — on Trump’s nominees and the tests they pose for both his adversaries and his allies. www.latimes.com/politics/new...
Trump's early moves send strong signals about what to expect
President-elect Donald Trump opened his transition back to the White House this week with a flurry of personnel announcements that sent forceful messages to major constituent groups, potential politic...
www.latimes.com
November 19, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Now that I’ve moved over here, here’s my most recent column for @latimes.bsky.social — on Trump’s nominees and the tests they pose for both his adversaries and his allies. www.latimes.com/politics/new...
Just 102 votes separate candidates in nation’s closest House race. www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
Just 102 votes separate candidates in nation's closest House race, with more ballots to count
Democrat Derek Tran is leading Republican Rep. Michelle Steel by 102 votes in what's become the tightest House race in the nation.
www.latimes.com
November 19, 2024 at 7:19 PM
Just 102 votes separate candidates in nation’s closest House race. www.latimes.com/politics/sto...
This Roseate Spoonbill flew so low overhead that I could feel the wind from its wing flaps. #everglades #birds #birdphotography 🪶
November 19, 2024 at 7:16 PM
This Roseate Spoonbill flew so low overhead that I could feel the wind from its wing flaps. #everglades #birds #birdphotography 🪶
Reposted by David Lauter
One of my unpopular opinions is that creators are dramatically more exposed to ugly market forces than the imperfect mass media they’re replacing, and we’re going to miss the anticommercial tendencies inside of legacy newsrooms once they’re finally gone.
www.usermag.co/p/the-majori...
www.usermag.co/p/the-majori...
The majority of news influencers are conservative men, study finds
The latest Pew Research report on news content creators paints a damning picture of our skewed information ecosystem
www.usermag.co
November 18, 2024 at 5:14 PM
One of my unpopular opinions is that creators are dramatically more exposed to ugly market forces than the imperfect mass media they’re replacing, and we’re going to miss the anticommercial tendencies inside of legacy newsrooms once they’re finally gone.
www.usermag.co/p/the-majori...
www.usermag.co/p/the-majori...
American Kestel showing off its breakfast, #everglades national park. #birds 🪶
November 19, 2024 at 7:10 PM
American Kestel showing off its breakfast, #everglades national park. #birds 🪶
Reposted by David Lauter
On Saturday I was on the Pacific Ocean for roughly 8 hours and I took a little over 10,000 shots.
Of those 1200 were of birds and dolphins in feeding frenzies where it's utter chaos for lunch.
Most of them, although fun, weren't the shot I was looking for.
This is the shot I was looking for. 🦑🪶
Of those 1200 were of birds and dolphins in feeding frenzies where it's utter chaos for lunch.
Most of them, although fun, weren't the shot I was looking for.
This is the shot I was looking for. 🦑🪶
November 19, 2024 at 5:12 AM
On Saturday I was on the Pacific Ocean for roughly 8 hours and I took a little over 10,000 shots.
Of those 1200 were of birds and dolphins in feeding frenzies where it's utter chaos for lunch.
Most of them, although fun, weren't the shot I was looking for.
This is the shot I was looking for. 🦑🪶
Of those 1200 were of birds and dolphins in feeding frenzies where it's utter chaos for lunch.
Most of them, although fun, weren't the shot I was looking for.
This is the shot I was looking for. 🦑🪶
In the 19th century, Great Egrets were hunted nearly to extinction for their feathers. Today, however, it’s safe to display its breeding plumage — even in NYC’s Morningside Park. 🪶 #birdphotography #nybirds #migration
April 10, 2024 at 7:14 PM
In the 19th century, Great Egrets were hunted nearly to extinction for their feathers. Today, however, it’s safe to display its breeding plumage — even in NYC’s Morningside Park. 🪶 #birdphotography #nybirds #migration
California’s image nationwide has been battered by partisanship—Republicans see the state as embodying all they dislike—and its high cost of living, new poll for LA Times finds. www.latimes.com/california/s...
Golden State loses luster: Half of Americans say California in decline
A new poll shows California's reputation battered by its high cost of living and by partisanship -- half of Republicans say the state isn't really American
www.latimes.com
February 13, 2024 at 3:49 PM
California’s image nationwide has been battered by partisanship—Republicans see the state as embodying all they dislike—and its high cost of living, new poll for LA Times finds. www.latimes.com/california/s...
My last photo of 2023: This Gadwall swimming as the sun sets in the old year. Best wishes for the new year to come. #birds #birdphotography 🪶
January 1, 2024 at 12:51 AM
My last photo of 2023: This Gadwall swimming as the sun sets in the old year. Best wishes for the new year to come. #birds #birdphotography 🪶
The case for excluding Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment has a potentially fatal flaw. Congress could fix it, but of course they won’t. My latest: www.latimes.com/politics/new...
Kicking Trump off the ballot won't be easy. Here's why
Trump's opponents have succeeded in getting to the U.S. Supreme Court with their argument the 14th Amendment disqualifies him from the ballot. But they face hurdles.
www.latimes.com
December 22, 2023 at 2:17 PM
The case for excluding Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment has a potentially fatal flaw. Congress could fix it, but of course they won’t. My latest: www.latimes.com/politics/new...
Reposted by David Lauter
American leftists who have given up on democracy do not know how bad it can get. Admittedly, I only know second hand.
December 18, 2023 at 7:36 PM
American leftists who have given up on democracy do not know how bad it can get. Admittedly, I only know second hand.
The last five years, a Yellow-throated Warbler has spent the winter at Washington’s Hains Pt. Yesterday, it showed up for Year 6. Remarkable and lovely. #birds 🪶 #birdphotography
December 14, 2023 at 3:46 AM
The last five years, a Yellow-throated Warbler has spent the winter at Washington’s Hains Pt. Yesterday, it showed up for Year 6. Remarkable and lovely. #birds 🪶 #birdphotography
The latest Harvard Youth Poll can tell us a lot about how young people are viewing their political choices. My latest: www.latimes.com/politics/new...
Young voters may be disenchanted with Biden, but they still oppose Trump, poll finds
The president's problem with young voters isn't as dire as some recent surveys have indicated, a major new poll of young Americans shows. But the level of disenchantment is still serious, and lowered ...
www.latimes.com
December 8, 2023 at 4:42 PM
The latest Harvard Youth Poll can tell us a lot about how young people are viewing their political choices. My latest: www.latimes.com/politics/new...
Why do Texas & CA differ so much? Sophisticated look by Jack Herrera at how the conflicting priorities of the white minority in both states tip them in opposite directions. Using poll data from YouGov www.latimes.com/world-nation...
Why do California, Texas differ so much? Religion, priorities of white minority play huge roles, pol...
Average Texans and Californians agree a lot more than their states' policies would suggest, even on issues like abortion and guns. Each tips slightly in one direction, but politics magnify the differe...
www.latimes.com
December 4, 2023 at 4:10 PM
Why do Texas & CA differ so much? Sophisticated look by Jack Herrera at how the conflicting priorities of the white minority in both states tip them in opposite directions. Using poll data from YouGov www.latimes.com/world-nation...