Jake Cline
@jakecline.bsky.social
Writer, editor, book critic. Bylines, etc., at jakecline.net. I live in Miami.
Pinned
Jake Cline
@jakecline.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Review | At 81, Joy Williams is as good as she’s ever been
The new story collection “The Pelican Child” is her best book since the 2000 novel “The Quick and the Dead.”
wapo.st
Hello! I wrote about Joy Williams and her new book for @washingtonpost.com.
Reposted by Jake Cline
In its unexpected assault on the 2A, the Trump administration comes out AGAINST open carry. As someone who has fought passage of open carry in multiple states such as Minnesota, glad to have the support of @KristiNoem today.
January 24, 2026 at 10:58 PM
In its unexpected assault on the 2A, the Trump administration comes out AGAINST open carry. As someone who has fought passage of open carry in multiple states such as Minnesota, glad to have the support of @KristiNoem today.
Reposted by Jake Cline
Pray you once more,
Is not your father grown incapable
Of reasonable affairs? Is he not stupid
With age and alt’ring rheums? Can he speak? Hear?
Know man from man? Dispute his own estate?
Lies he not bed-rid? And again does nothing
But what he did being childish?
Is not your father grown incapable
Of reasonable affairs? Is he not stupid
With age and alt’ring rheums? Can he speak? Hear?
Know man from man? Dispute his own estate?
Lies he not bed-rid? And again does nothing
But what he did being childish?
January 21, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Pray you once more,
Is not your father grown incapable
Of reasonable affairs? Is he not stupid
With age and alt’ring rheums? Can he speak? Hear?
Know man from man? Dispute his own estate?
Lies he not bed-rid? And again does nothing
But what he did being childish?
Is not your father grown incapable
Of reasonable affairs? Is he not stupid
With age and alt’ring rheums? Can he speak? Hear?
Know man from man? Dispute his own estate?
Lies he not bed-rid? And again does nothing
But what he did being childish?
Reposted by Jake Cline
It’s a good day to follow @bookcritics.bsky.social. Our finalist lists drop today!
January 20, 2026 at 12:40 PM
It’s a good day to follow @bookcritics.bsky.social. Our finalist lists drop today!
Reposted by Jake Cline
Thousands march in Greenland against Trump’s threats to take it over https://aje.news/f70j2d
![An Inuit woman sings during the protest against Trump's policy towards Greenland in front of the US consulate in Nuuk. [Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/bafkreifnusjknikhyakrcwke6eitehhk7bs5x2372t24bcsnf7a5lael74@jpeg)
![People protest in front of the US consulate in Nuuk, Greenland. [Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/bafkreihzjvowztmmi3knjx4lh2i54zdvdumfuedts6ymdgv4m3m7jwedby@jpeg)
![Donald Trump on Saturday escalated his quest to acquire Greenland, threatening multiple European nations with tariffs. [Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/bafkreigc336tarck7fywgfxqkfb2736janhbfmsbe2eccsi4vchnpirrmu@jpeg)
![In a statement, EU leaders said the bloc "stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland". [Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2lofqead276vtc5647ye7sl2/bafkreiftjcr55fomubbbnlb4iqpkxiz5rrgo5phnydljjmdqjtxl6vojwe@jpeg)
January 18, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Thousands march in Greenland against Trump’s threats to take it over https://aje.news/f70j2d
Dad, they broke me: Tickets to see Pavement in Richmond sold out in five minutes.
January 16, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Dad, they broke me: Tickets to see Pavement in Richmond sold out in five minutes.
Reposted by Jake Cline
One of the stories that makes me the saddest out of this ICE invasion is one out of the Minnesota Star Tribune today about ICE agents eating at a little Mexican restaurant in the small town of Willmar, Minn, —and then, when they were done, arresting some of the workers.
January 16, 2026 at 12:56 AM
One of the stories that makes me the saddest out of this ICE invasion is one out of the Minnesota Star Tribune today about ICE agents eating at a little Mexican restaurant in the small town of Willmar, Minn, —and then, when they were done, arresting some of the workers.
Reposted by Jake Cline
We’re back today, with JS Mill (and as we’ll hear Harriet Taylor Mill) on the case for personal liberty and the limits of state interference. The presenter is Misha Glenny www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, On Liberty
John Stuart Mill's argument for the limits of power that society has over the individual.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 7:38 AM
We’re back today, with JS Mill (and as we’ll hear Harriet Taylor Mill) on the case for personal liberty and the limits of state interference. The presenter is Misha Glenny www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Jake Cline
Fifteen of these countries—Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, and Haiti—have qualified for the 2026 World Cup
January 14, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Fifteen of these countries—Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, and Haiti—have qualified for the 2026 World Cup
Reposted by Jake Cline
Gift link to FBI-targeted Post reporter Hannah Natanson's sweeping look at how federal workers have been targeted by Trump. wapo.st/49BQBrh
I am The Post’s ‘federal government whisperer.’ It’s been brutal.
One reporter’s effort to show how Trump was transforming government brought her 1,168 new sources — and nearly broke her.
wapo.st
January 14, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Gift link to FBI-targeted Post reporter Hannah Natanson's sweeping look at how federal workers have been targeted by Trump. wapo.st/49BQBrh
Reposted by Jake Cline
Don't doubt that Jay Powell is ready to lob back whatever grenades are thrown his way.
I've never seen a central bank release an evening video so directly taking on a head of state. In this case, the medium is the message: Powell is taking his case to the people.
I've never seen a central bank release an evening video so directly taking on a head of state. In this case, the medium is the message: Powell is taking his case to the people.
January 12, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Don't doubt that Jay Powell is ready to lob back whatever grenades are thrown his way.
I've never seen a central bank release an evening video so directly taking on a head of state. In this case, the medium is the message: Powell is taking his case to the people.
I've never seen a central bank release an evening video so directly taking on a head of state. In this case, the medium is the message: Powell is taking his case to the people.
Reposted by Jake Cline
This is a big one. The Washington National Opera was one of the Kennedy Center's few mainstays, and this break is evidence that the Trump-zombie version is simply not a viable arts venue. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/a...
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:23 PM
This is a big one. The Washington National Opera was one of the Kennedy Center's few mainstays, and this break is evidence that the Trump-zombie version is simply not a viable arts venue. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/a...
Reposted by Jake Cline
On Renee;
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
American shot dead by Ice agent remembered for ‘formative years’ in Northern Ireland
Renée Nicole Good took part in Christian youth missions to Northern Ireland as a teenager
www.irishtimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:38 PM
On Renee;
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
Reposted by Jake Cline
"Renee was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” her mother said. “She was extremely compassionate. She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.” www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
‘She was an amazing human being:’ Mother identifies woman shot, killed by ICE agent
Renee Nicole Good, 37, lived in the Twin Cities with her partner.
www.startribune.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:57 PM
"Renee was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” her mother said. “She was extremely compassionate. She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.” www.startribune.com/she-was-an-a...
Reposted by Jake Cline
Hannah Arendt’s point in Imperialism was that there is no end to imperialism. It goes on and on. The nation-state is rooted in imperialism and imperialism is rooted in expansionism. Trump is doubling down on 19th-century nation-state politics, and doing the once quiet part aloud.
January 7, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Hannah Arendt’s point in Imperialism was that there is no end to imperialism. It goes on and on. The nation-state is rooted in imperialism and imperialism is rooted in expansionism. Trump is doubling down on 19th-century nation-state politics, and doing the once quiet part aloud.
Reposted by Jake Cline
"Marco Rubio, we salute you!"
A real thing that was said by the CBS Evening News anchor tonight.
A real thing that was said by the CBS Evening News anchor tonight.
January 7, 2026 at 1:02 AM
"Marco Rubio, we salute you!"
A real thing that was said by the CBS Evening News anchor tonight.
A real thing that was said by the CBS Evening News anchor tonight.
Reposted by Jake Cline
Question that needs to be asked and answered: "If this was an 'arrest operation,' as in law enforcement, then how do you feel about 40 civilians being killed in the process?"
STEPHANOPOULOS: Why wasn't congressional authorization necessary?
RUBIO: It wasn't necessary because this was not an invasion. We didn't occupy a country. This was an arrest operation.
RUBIO: It wasn't necessary because this was not an invasion. We didn't occupy a country. This was an arrest operation.
January 4, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Question that needs to be asked and answered: "If this was an 'arrest operation,' as in law enforcement, then how do you feel about 40 civilians being killed in the process?"
Reposted by Jake Cline
To sum up, a US president is going to war without congressional authorization against a sovereign nation that has not attacked or threatened it, and is doing so like a thief in the night, with no explanation for the American people or the world. It is all so unimaginable that it strains credulity.
January 3, 2026 at 9:38 AM
To sum up, a US president is going to war without congressional authorization against a sovereign nation that has not attacked or threatened it, and is doing so like a thief in the night, with no explanation for the American people or the world. It is all so unimaginable that it strains credulity.
Happy new year from Swamplandia!
January 1, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Happy new year from Swamplandia!
Still true.
Last year went down the drain
They all do really
Why complain?
Drink a cup of kindness yet
And say goodbye to our regrets.
They all do really
Why complain?
Drink a cup of kindness yet
And say goodbye to our regrets.
11:59 (It's January)
YouTube video by Scrawl - Topic
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Still true.
Reposted by Jake Cline
We’ll be back - at 09.02 on 15th January 2026 - with Misha Glenny! www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
Misha Glenny to present BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time
The much loved series returns on 15 January 2026
www.bbc.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:09 PM
We’ll be back - at 09.02 on 15th January 2026 - with Misha Glenny! www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
Reposted by Jake Cline
PEN America Elects New President at Fraught Time for Free Speech
The novelist Dinaw Mengestu will lead the literary group at a time of escalating threats to free expression at home and abroad.
Read more (gift link): www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/a...
The novelist Dinaw Mengestu will lead the literary group at a time of escalating threats to free expression at home and abroad.
Read more (gift link): www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/a...
PEN America Elects New President at Fraught Time for Free Speech
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:51 AM
PEN America Elects New President at Fraught Time for Free Speech
The novelist Dinaw Mengestu will lead the literary group at a time of escalating threats to free expression at home and abroad.
Read more (gift link): www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/a...
The novelist Dinaw Mengestu will lead the literary group at a time of escalating threats to free expression at home and abroad.
Read more (gift link): www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/a...
![A screenshot of an IMDB quote from A Christmas Story: “Ralphie as an Adult: [narrating] ‘The old man stood there, quivering with fury, stammering as he tried to come up with a real crusher. All he got out was...’ “](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jhuh66uoa2w3zrejneli46xx/bafkreihaqezf4aqpfzusoj6p2a2cr2fs7zofki7gc7f3i4g4z565iiycgq@jpeg)
Reposted by Jake Cline
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Criticism
December 15, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Criticism