Doug Mack
@douglasmack.bsky.social
Snacks, Americana, and other curiosities.
📖 The Not-Quite States of America, about the U.S. territories (W. W. Norton).
🍟Agreeably nerdy food history newsletter: https://snackstack.net
He/him, just another dad in Minneapolis.
📖 The Not-Quite States of America, about the U.S. territories (W. W. Norton).
🍟Agreeably nerdy food history newsletter: https://snackstack.net
He/him, just another dad in Minneapolis.
Pinned
Doug Mack
@douglasmack.bsky.social
· Oct 5
The Not-Quite States of America
'To truly understand the United States, one must understand the 'not-quite states of America.' —Mark Stein, best-selling author of <em>How the States Got Their Shapes</em>, The Not-Quite States ...
wwnorton.com
Anyway, if you want to learn about the U.S. territories, read my book!
I traveled more than 30,000 miles to report it. Deep-dive history. Legal analysis. Tons of interviews. Funny travel stories.
Smithsonian said it was one of the 10 best travel books of the year!
wwnorton.com/books/978039...
I traveled more than 30,000 miles to report it. Deep-dive history. Legal analysis. Tons of interviews. Funny travel stories.
Smithsonian said it was one of the 10 best travel books of the year!
wwnorton.com/books/978039...
Reposted by Doug Mack
UP Chuck’s
Kenton, MI
Kenton, MI
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
UP Chuck’s
Kenton, MI
Kenton, MI
Reposted by Doug Mack
Introducing the Apple Schmatta
Listen. This "inspiration" is unacceptable.
You've gotta at least say it was inspired by the traditional Scottish sporran or invent some personal story like "So I was in my kitchen, high as a kite, and then a DISHCLOTH stood up and recited the entirety of THE JABBERWOCKY and then ATE MY PHONE..."
You've gotta at least say it was inspired by the traditional Scottish sporran or invent some personal story like "So I was in my kitchen, high as a kite, and then a DISHCLOTH stood up and recited the entirety of THE JABBERWOCKY and then ATE MY PHONE..."
November 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Introducing the Apple Schmatta
Reposted by Doug Mack
It’s another strong northern lights forecast tonight. There will be a small line of clouds to deal with from the Twin Cities to the north, but pay attention Tuesday night!
NOAA SWPC has modeled the X5.1 CME, and it's a strong one! Impact is around Nov 12, 14 UT. A G4/Kp 8/SEVERE geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for Nov 12.
#heliophysics #aurora #spaceweather
#heliophysics #aurora #spaceweather
November 11, 2025 at 5:43 PM
It’s another strong northern lights forecast tonight. There will be a small line of clouds to deal with from the Twin Cities to the north, but pay attention Tuesday night!
Reposted by Doug Mack
Yesterday, when Bovino announced ICE would be returning to Little Village today, some of us donated and fundraised to buy out street vendors in the neighborhood. This morning, volunteers hit the streets at 6:30 am, looking for vendors to buy out. Tamales make an excellent breakfast.
November 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Yesterday, when Bovino announced ICE would be returning to Little Village today, some of us donated and fundraised to buy out street vendors in the neighborhood. This morning, volunteers hit the streets at 6:30 am, looking for vendors to buy out. Tamales make an excellent breakfast.
Reposted by Doug Mack
Wayne Thiebaud, Rabbit, 1966 pastel on paper, 15 x 20 in.
September 27, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Wayne Thiebaud, Rabbit, 1966 pastel on paper, 15 x 20 in.
so many writers and journalists take fact-checking and standards seriously with their newsletters and podcasts, even when they're just scraping by.
getting it right isn't a frivolous thing, it's the POINT of journalism.
meanwhile, at cbs...
getting it right isn't a frivolous thing, it's the POINT of journalism.
meanwhile, at cbs...
“I’ve been hearing that standards will be eliminated or severely cut back. Bari has told people that she wants to get rid of standards and is shocked that they have so much power. She also asked openly, ‘What’s the point of standards?’” one CBS source said.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Bari Weiss wants to take down ‘too much power’ CBS News Standards unit: sources
EXCLUSIVE: Internal rumblings within the newsroom come after the S&P head resigned and the network disbanded its vaunted Race and Culture unit.
www.independent.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
so many writers and journalists take fact-checking and standards seriously with their newsletters and podcasts, even when they're just scraping by.
getting it right isn't a frivolous thing, it's the POINT of journalism.
meanwhile, at cbs...
getting it right isn't a frivolous thing, it's the POINT of journalism.
meanwhile, at cbs...
Reposted by Doug Mack
I'm mad about the shut down and worried about healthcare, but not letting people starve is a pretty good reason to cave on this bureaucratic fight, the more I think about it. So just say that: Republicans wanted you to starve rather than compromise, so we let this one go.
November 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I'm mad about the shut down and worried about healthcare, but not letting people starve is a pretty good reason to cave on this bureaucratic fight, the more I think about it. So just say that: Republicans wanted you to starve rather than compromise, so we let this one go.
Reposted by Doug Mack
I have seen several conflicting takes on the ag bill banning THC. Anyone seen a Minnesota article that seems definitive?
(I’ve seen one report that seemed to indicate THC drinks would still be allowed, but not sold over state lines)
(I’ve seen one report that seemed to indicate THC drinks would still be allowed, but not sold over state lines)
November 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I have seen several conflicting takes on the ag bill banning THC. Anyone seen a Minnesota article that seems definitive?
(I’ve seen one report that seemed to indicate THC drinks would still be allowed, but not sold over state lines)
(I’ve seen one report that seemed to indicate THC drinks would still be allowed, but not sold over state lines)
Reposted by Doug Mack
The US advances planning efforts for offshore mineral resources, impacting the Northern Mariana Islands' economy and environment.
ecomagazine.com/news/industr...
ecomagazine.com/news/industr...
ecomagazine.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The US advances planning efforts for offshore mineral resources, impacting the Northern Mariana Islands' economy and environment.
ecomagazine.com/news/industr...
ecomagazine.com/news/industr...
Reposted by Doug Mack
I still want to publish something super dumb on the time I got bored and figured out via Google Maps that Osama bin Laden absolutely could have ordered Dominoes from his hideout in Abbottabad
November 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I still want to publish something super dumb on the time I got bored and figured out via Google Maps that Osama bin Laden absolutely could have ordered Dominoes from his hideout in Abbottabad
Listen. This "inspiration" is unacceptable.
You've gotta at least say it was inspired by the traditional Scottish sporran or invent some personal story like "So I was in my kitchen, high as a kite, and then a DISHCLOTH stood up and recited the entirety of THE JABBERWOCKY and then ATE MY PHONE..."
You've gotta at least say it was inspired by the traditional Scottish sporran or invent some personal story like "So I was in my kitchen, high as a kite, and then a DISHCLOTH stood up and recited the entirety of THE JABBERWOCKY and then ATE MY PHONE..."
November 11, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Listen. This "inspiration" is unacceptable.
You've gotta at least say it was inspired by the traditional Scottish sporran or invent some personal story like "So I was in my kitchen, high as a kite, and then a DISHCLOTH stood up and recited the entirety of THE JABBERWOCKY and then ATE MY PHONE..."
You've gotta at least say it was inspired by the traditional Scottish sporran or invent some personal story like "So I was in my kitchen, high as a kite, and then a DISHCLOTH stood up and recited the entirety of THE JABBERWOCKY and then ATE MY PHONE..."
Reposted by Doug Mack
This is the article from Newsweek magazine that inspired Gordon Lightfoot to write a song.
November 10, 2024 at 7:43 PM
This is the article from Newsweek magazine that inspired Gordon Lightfoot to write a song.
replace pickleball with jai alai. problem solved.
Zoning Practice magazine devotes an entire issue to *checks notes* pickleball noise
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 AM
replace pickleball with jai alai. problem solved.
Reposted by Doug Mack
Still can’t seem to figure out if this will fully pre-empt the state’s regulatory framework or if it’ll just prevent companies from shipping to other states.
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Still can’t seem to figure out if this will fully pre-empt the state’s regulatory framework or if it’ll just prevent companies from shipping to other states.
My wife and I are having a disagreement over who had the more sheltered childhood, based on the following real data points:
- She cannot name a single specific Bob Dylan song
- I have never inhaled helium from a balloon (or otherwise)
- She cannot name a single specific Bob Dylan song
- I have never inhaled helium from a balloon (or otherwise)
November 11, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My wife and I are having a disagreement over who had the more sheltered childhood, based on the following real data points:
- She cannot name a single specific Bob Dylan song
- I have never inhaled helium from a balloon (or otherwise)
- She cannot name a single specific Bob Dylan song
- I have never inhaled helium from a balloon (or otherwise)
Reposted by Doug Mack
The Palestinian tradition of olive picking and dates harvest in the occupied West Bank is under threat from Israeli settlers who have increased their attacks on farmers this season.
The struggle to preserve the Palestinian olive and date harvest
The UN says October saw the highest number of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in nearly 20 years of tracking that violence. More than half the attacks targeted olive harvesters.
n.pr
November 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
The Palestinian tradition of olive picking and dates harvest in the occupied West Bank is under threat from Israeli settlers who have increased their attacks on farmers this season.
Reposted by Doug Mack
spoiler alert: I went rogue and suggested a breakfast sandwich
Last week the “D.C. Sandwich Guy” was found not guilty of misdemeanor assault. We can’t foresee the full implications of this verdict yet; only time will tell the true meaning of this acquittal as precedent. But from where we’re sitting: sure seems like sandwich terrorism is now legal in the USA.
Sandwich Terrorism Is Now Legal. Also, Here Are Some Sandwiches We Like
COYOTE does not condone violence, only sandwiches.
www.coyotemedia.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
spoiler alert: I went rogue and suggested a breakfast sandwich
Reposted by Doug Mack
This shot from the Minnesota Historical Society’s Edmund Fitzgerald ceremony may be my favorite drone footage to date. Stunning.
November 10, 2025 at 10:44 PM
This shot from the Minnesota Historical Society’s Edmund Fitzgerald ceremony may be my favorite drone footage to date. Stunning.
Reposted by Doug Mack
Nationally, every single one of Zohran Mamdani's policies has higher "strong support" than "strong opposition." But tell me again how pro-worker policies only work in NYC.
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Nationally, every single one of Zohran Mamdani's policies has higher "strong support" than "strong opposition." But tell me again how pro-worker policies only work in NYC.
attn: all the freelance writers
(My brain is currently stuck on esoteric food history, but maybe YOU have something more appropriate for Slate)
(My brain is currently stuck on esoteric food history, but maybe YOU have something more appropriate for Slate)
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 8:17 PM
attn: all the freelance writers
(My brain is currently stuck on esoteric food history, but maybe YOU have something more appropriate for Slate)
(My brain is currently stuck on esoteric food history, but maybe YOU have something more appropriate for Slate)
Reposted by Doug Mack
When November 10th falls on the second weekday, that's Taconite Tuesday
November 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
When November 10th falls on the second weekday, that's Taconite Tuesday
Reposted by Doug Mack
Shoutout to all of the freelancers about to be fucked by rising healthcare costs.
November 10, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Shoutout to all of the freelancers about to be fucked by rising healthcare costs.
Like Senators, my family has fairly affordable health insurance thanks to the quirks and good fortune of my specific job—but unlike some Senators, I desperately want EVERYONE to have that (or better!), and I'm furious they don't. I want everyone to get the care they need. Pretty simple!
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Like Senators, my family has fairly affordable health insurance thanks to the quirks and good fortune of my specific job—but unlike some Senators, I desperately want EVERYONE to have that (or better!), and I'm furious they don't. I want everyone to get the care they need. Pretty simple!
Minnesota Senator contacts
Klobuchar
Metro office: 612-727-5220
DC: 202-224-3244
More: www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index...
Smith
Metro: 651-221-1016
DC: 202-224-5641
More: www.smith.senate.gov
Klobuchar
Metro office: 612-727-5220
DC: 202-224-3244
More: www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index...
Smith
Metro: 651-221-1016
DC: 202-224-5641
More: www.smith.senate.gov
November 9, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Minnesota Senator contacts
Klobuchar
Metro office: 612-727-5220
DC: 202-224-3244
More: www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index...
Smith
Metro: 651-221-1016
DC: 202-224-5641
More: www.smith.senate.gov
Klobuchar
Metro office: 612-727-5220
DC: 202-224-3244
More: www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index...
Smith
Metro: 651-221-1016
DC: 202-224-5641
More: www.smith.senate.gov
