John James Dillard
@johnjamesdillard.bsky.social
Retired social sciences librarian. Liberal progressive democrat; happily married for 30+ years. Pro-education, pro-democracy, pro-science, pro-truth, pro-health, and pro-happiness. No kings, no autocrats, no KKKs, and no delusional neo-Nazi dictators.
"...the ICE story will likely get worse before it gets better. With the help of bonuses of up to $50,000 for each new recruit, ICE has more than doubled in size to 22,000 officers and agents — a large, hastily-trained police force that will kill again."
open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
How the Murder of Good Changes the Stakes for Good
ICE won’t melt, but traumatic events of this kind create their own force fields that bring change
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:06 AM
"...the ICE story will likely get worse before it gets better. With the help of bonuses of up to $50,000 for each new recruit, ICE has more than doubled in size to 22,000 officers and agents — a large, hastily-trained police force that will kill again."
open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
open.substack.com/pub/oldgoats...
Bait and switch?
Trump’s Venezuela plan lures investors with oil, minerals — and risk.
By Jacob Bogage, Kevin Sieff and Cat Zakrzewski.
"Others warn that any investment could involve sinking money into a failed state...."
wapo.st/3N6ER8N
Trump’s Venezuela plan lures investors with oil, minerals — and risk.
By Jacob Bogage, Kevin Sieff and Cat Zakrzewski.
"Others warn that any investment could involve sinking money into a failed state...."
wapo.st/3N6ER8N
Trump’s Venezuela plan lures investors with oil, minerals — and risk
U.S. firms are looking for ways into Venezuela as the White House puts out the call.
wapo.st
January 11, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Bait and switch?
Trump’s Venezuela plan lures investors with oil, minerals — and risk.
By Jacob Bogage, Kevin Sieff and Cat Zakrzewski.
"Others warn that any investment could involve sinking money into a failed state...."
wapo.st/3N6ER8N
Trump’s Venezuela plan lures investors with oil, minerals — and risk.
By Jacob Bogage, Kevin Sieff and Cat Zakrzewski.
"Others warn that any investment could involve sinking money into a failed state...."
wapo.st/3N6ER8N
Does tRump pay his bills?
Trump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash.
By Lauren Floyd.
"...shield Venezuelan oil revenue held by the U.S. government from seizure by private creditors...."
www.axios.com/2026/01/10/t...
Trump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash.
By Lauren Floyd.
"...shield Venezuelan oil revenue held by the U.S. government from seizure by private creditors...."
www.axios.com/2026/01/10/t...
Trump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash
Trump said in the order signed late Friday that losing control of these funds would "materially harm" national security and foreign policy.
www.axios.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:28 AM
Does tRump pay his bills?
Trump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash.
By Lauren Floyd.
"...shield Venezuelan oil revenue held by the U.S. government from seizure by private creditors...."
www.axios.com/2026/01/10/t...
Trump declares national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil cash.
By Lauren Floyd.
"...shield Venezuelan oil revenue held by the U.S. government from seizure by private creditors...."
www.axios.com/2026/01/10/t...
Whitewash?
Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment text as it swaps his portrait.
By Samantha Chery, Janay
Kingsberry, and Kelsey Ables.
"... removed ... text that mentioned President Donald Trump’s two impeachments and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection...."
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment text as it swaps his portrait.
By Samantha Chery, Janay
Kingsberry, and Kelsey Ables.
"... removed ... text that mentioned President Donald Trump’s two impeachments and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection...."
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment text as it swaps his portrait
A Trump official previously complained about a caption beside his National Portrait Gallery photo mentioning his impeachments and the U.S. Capitol insurrection.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:46 AM
Whitewash?
Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment text as it swaps his portrait.
By Samantha Chery, Janay
Kingsberry, and Kelsey Ables.
"... removed ... text that mentioned President Donald Trump’s two impeachments and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection...."
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment text as it swaps his portrait.
By Samantha Chery, Janay
Kingsberry, and Kelsey Ables.
"... removed ... text that mentioned President Donald Trump’s two impeachments and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection...."
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
US factory headcount falling despite Trump’s promised manufacturing boom.
By Howard Schneider.
"...the blue-collar jobs boom hasn’t materialized, adding to the soured sentiment about Trump’s economic policies among households concerned about still-rising prices ...."
whbl.com/2026/01/09/u...
By Howard Schneider.
"...the blue-collar jobs boom hasn’t materialized, adding to the soured sentiment about Trump’s economic policies among households concerned about still-rising prices ...."
whbl.com/2026/01/09/u...
US factory headcount falling despite Trump’s promised manufacturing boom
By Howard Schneider WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - U.S. manufacturing jobs in December continued an eight-month skid that began last spring after President Donald Trump rolled out aggressive import tax...
whbl.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:28 PM
US factory headcount falling despite Trump’s promised manufacturing boom.
By Howard Schneider.
"...the blue-collar jobs boom hasn’t materialized, adding to the soured sentiment about Trump’s economic policies among households concerned about still-rising prices ...."
whbl.com/2026/01/09/u...
By Howard Schneider.
"...the blue-collar jobs boom hasn’t materialized, adding to the soured sentiment about Trump’s economic policies among households concerned about still-rising prices ...."
whbl.com/2026/01/09/u...
Reposted by John James Dillard
Thousands are at Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis rallying against ICE.
Video by Alex Kormann
Video by Alex Kormann
January 10, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Thousands are at Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis rallying against ICE.
Video by Alex Kormann
Video by Alex Kormann
Has oily tRump fallen in a puddle of his own making?
Has Trump landed a dud with his Venezuelan oil play?
By Ian Verrender.
"[The world is] now awash with oil, with prices currently sitting around half the levels of 15 years ago."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Has Trump landed a dud with his Venezuelan oil play?
By Ian Verrender.
"[The world is] now awash with oil, with prices currently sitting around half the levels of 15 years ago."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Has Trump landed a dud with his Venezuelan oil play?
While debate rages over the legality and the potential fallout from America's incursion, there's been a quiet acceptance that it is all about oil.
www.abc.net.au
January 10, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Has oily tRump fallen in a puddle of his own making?
Has Trump landed a dud with his Venezuelan oil play?
By Ian Verrender.
"[The world is] now awash with oil, with prices currently sitting around half the levels of 15 years ago."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Has Trump landed a dud with his Venezuelan oil play?
By Ian Verrender.
"[The world is] now awash with oil, with prices currently sitting around half the levels of 15 years ago."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Tariffs=Taxes
Tariff test: How Trump plans to win even if he loses.
By Shankkar Aiyar.
"... Scott Bessent ... said, “What is not in doubt is our ability to continue collecting tariffs at roughly the same level,” even if the justices strike them down."
www.newindianexpress.com/opinion/colu...
Tariff test: How Trump plans to win even if he loses.
By Shankkar Aiyar.
"... Scott Bessent ... said, “What is not in doubt is our ability to continue collecting tariffs at roughly the same level,” even if the justices strike them down."
www.newindianexpress.com/opinion/colu...
Tariff test: How Trump plans to win even if he loses
There is an old maxim about casinos and players—the house never loses. Last week, punters who placed bets on Polymarket.com correctly predicting an in
www.newindianexpress.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Tariffs=Taxes
Tariff test: How Trump plans to win even if he loses.
By Shankkar Aiyar.
"... Scott Bessent ... said, “What is not in doubt is our ability to continue collecting tariffs at roughly the same level,” even if the justices strike them down."
www.newindianexpress.com/opinion/colu...
Tariff test: How Trump plans to win even if he loses.
By Shankkar Aiyar.
"... Scott Bessent ... said, “What is not in doubt is our ability to continue collecting tariffs at roughly the same level,” even if the justices strike them down."
www.newindianexpress.com/opinion/colu...
Tariffs are a stealth national sales tax on US consumers.
Byron York says Trump should focus on the economy ahead of midterm elections.
By Sydney Topf.
"[Byron] York emphasized ... that it’s Trump’s job to “stay focused” on the economy."
www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/econo...
Byron York says Trump should focus on the economy ahead of midterm elections.
By Sydney Topf.
"[Byron] York emphasized ... that it’s Trump’s job to “stay focused” on the economy."
www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/econo...
Byron York says Trump should focus on the economy ahead of midterm elections
York said that Trump was focusing on the economy around the country where he held rallies focused on affordability.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Tariffs are a stealth national sales tax on US consumers.
Byron York says Trump should focus on the economy ahead of midterm elections.
By Sydney Topf.
"[Byron] York emphasized ... that it’s Trump’s job to “stay focused” on the economy."
www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/econo...
Byron York says Trump should focus on the economy ahead of midterm elections.
By Sydney Topf.
"[Byron] York emphasized ... that it’s Trump’s job to “stay focused” on the economy."
www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/econo...
Reposted by John James Dillard
Felonious assault on the US.
Stop the Steal: Projection, retaliation, and the theft of our republic.
By John Whitehead.
"If elections can be dismissed whenever outcomes are inconvenient, the very premise of self-government collapses."
augustafreepress.com/news/stop-th...
Stop the Steal: Projection, retaliation, and the theft of our republic.
By John Whitehead.
"If elections can be dismissed whenever outcomes are inconvenient, the very premise of self-government collapses."
augustafreepress.com/news/stop-th...
Stop the Steal: Projection, retaliation, and the theft of our republic
There’s an old saying that when you point a finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you.
augustafreepress.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Felonious assault on the US.
Stop the Steal: Projection, retaliation, and the theft of our republic.
By John Whitehead.
"If elections can be dismissed whenever outcomes are inconvenient, the very premise of self-government collapses."
augustafreepress.com/news/stop-th...
Stop the Steal: Projection, retaliation, and the theft of our republic.
By John Whitehead.
"If elections can be dismissed whenever outcomes are inconvenient, the very premise of self-government collapses."
augustafreepress.com/news/stop-th...
Reposted by John James Dillard
The rest of the world continues to work around America’s ongoing reality freak show.
January 9, 2026 at 4:04 PM
The rest of the world continues to work around America’s ongoing reality freak show.
Our very own N....
Donald Trump is reshaping American power and the threat to international order is alarming.
By Laura Tingle.
"Hubris unveiled the real reasons for these actions: Access to oil, but mostly because the United States can."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Donald Trump is reshaping American power and the threat to international order is alarming.
By Laura Tingle.
"Hubris unveiled the real reasons for these actions: Access to oil, but mostly because the United States can."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
The rhetoric of the Trump administration has taken a chilling turn
There have been plenty of examples of the Trump administration's contempt for legalities, diplomacy and alliances, but this week Trump and his lieutenants went further.
www.abc.net.au
January 10, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Our very own N....
Donald Trump is reshaping American power and the threat to international order is alarming.
By Laura Tingle.
"Hubris unveiled the real reasons for these actions: Access to oil, but mostly because the United States can."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Donald Trump is reshaping American power and the threat to international order is alarming.
By Laura Tingle.
"Hubris unveiled the real reasons for these actions: Access to oil, but mostly because the United States can."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Tariffs are a stealth national sales tax on US consumers.
India pushes back at Trump aide's claim about US trade deal breakdown.
By Cherylann Mollan.
"Trump ... warning of an increase in tariffs if Delhi does not stop buying Russian oil."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
India pushes back at Trump aide's claim about US trade deal breakdown.
By Cherylann Mollan.
"Trump ... warning of an increase in tariffs if Delhi does not stop buying Russian oil."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
India denies US trade deal stalled because 'Modi didn't call Trump'
India said the US commerce secretary's claims surrounding discussions with Trump were "not accurate".
www.bbc.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Tariffs are a stealth national sales tax on US consumers.
India pushes back at Trump aide's claim about US trade deal breakdown.
By Cherylann Mollan.
"Trump ... warning of an increase in tariffs if Delhi does not stop buying Russian oil."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
India pushes back at Trump aide's claim about US trade deal breakdown.
By Cherylann Mollan.
"Trump ... warning of an increase in tariffs if Delhi does not stop buying Russian oil."
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Satire?
DHS Warns Any Action By Americans Will Be Treated As Domestic Terrorism https://theonion.com/dhs-warns-any-action-by-americans-will-be-treated-as-domestic-terrorism/
January 9, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Satire?
Empire?
"President Trump’s trusted adviser is casting his hard-right gaze abroad, saying the world must be governed by “force.”
...
... resulted in mass deportations, family separations and the testing of the constitutional tenets that grant American citizenship."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
"President Trump’s trusted adviser is casting his hard-right gaze abroad, saying the world must be governed by “force.”
...
... resulted in mass deportations, family separations and the testing of the constitutional tenets that grant American citizenship."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Stephen Miller Offers a Strongman’s View of the World
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Empire?
"President Trump’s trusted adviser is casting his hard-right gaze abroad, saying the world must be governed by “force.”
...
... resulted in mass deportations, family separations and the testing of the constitutional tenets that grant American citizenship."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
"President Trump’s trusted adviser is casting his hard-right gaze abroad, saying the world must be governed by “force.”
...
... resulted in mass deportations, family separations and the testing of the constitutional tenets that grant American citizenship."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Tariffs are a stealth national sales tax on US consumers.
Supreme Court holds off on Trump tariff ruling for now — what's at stake for economy.
By Jeff Cox.
"It is unclear when the tariff ruling will be released. The court will release its next rulings Wednesday."
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/08/t...
Supreme Court holds off on Trump tariff ruling for now — what's at stake for economy.
By Jeff Cox.
"It is unclear when the tariff ruling will be released. The court will release its next rulings Wednesday."
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/08/t...
Supreme Court holds off on Trump tariff ruling for now — what's at stake for economy
The decision is poised to have far-reaching impacts on not only trade policy but also the U.S. fiscal situation.
www.cnbc.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Tariffs are a stealth national sales tax on US consumers.
Supreme Court holds off on Trump tariff ruling for now — what's at stake for economy.
By Jeff Cox.
"It is unclear when the tariff ruling will be released. The court will release its next rulings Wednesday."
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/08/t...
Supreme Court holds off on Trump tariff ruling for now — what's at stake for economy.
By Jeff Cox.
"It is unclear when the tariff ruling will be released. The court will release its next rulings Wednesday."
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/08/t...
Reposted by John James Dillard
I am outraged by the horrific killing of a legal observer perpetrated by Donald Trump's ICE agents in South Minneapolis. Video footage shows clearly that this killing was unjustified. I demand a full investigation and this agent must be held accountable. www.npr.org/2026/01/07/n...
ICE agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis amid immigration crackdown
The Department of Homeland Security accused the victim of being a "rioter" and that the ICE officer who pulled the trigger was "fearing for his life." Mayor Jacob Frey rejected claims of self-defense.
www.npr.org
January 7, 2026 at 10:06 PM
I am outraged by the horrific killing of a legal observer perpetrated by Donald Trump's ICE agents in South Minneapolis. Video footage shows clearly that this killing was unjustified. I demand a full investigation and this agent must be held accountable. www.npr.org/2026/01/07/n...
Yikes!
Trump’s Greenland fixation curdles into a crisis.
By David Ignatius.
"Trump’s obsession with Greenland, which has grown year by year since 2017, seemed at first just another example of his 19th-century atavism."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Trump’s Greenland fixation curdles into a crisis.
By David Ignatius.
"Trump’s obsession with Greenland, which has grown year by year since 2017, seemed at first just another example of his 19th-century atavism."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Trump’s Greenland fixation curdles into a crisis
Could the president really be so reckless that he would risk undoing America’s strongest alliance?
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Yikes!
Trump’s Greenland fixation curdles into a crisis.
By David Ignatius.
"Trump’s obsession with Greenland, which has grown year by year since 2017, seemed at first just another example of his 19th-century atavism."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Trump’s Greenland fixation curdles into a crisis.
By David Ignatius.
"Trump’s obsession with Greenland, which has grown year by year since 2017, seemed at first just another example of his 19th-century atavism."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Each of these countries' leaders should be concerned about black helicopters on the horizon.
Mapped: The countries Trump is threatening — and why.
By Herb Scribner.
www.axios.com/2026/01/07/t...
Mapped: The countries Trump is threatening — and why.
By Herb Scribner.
www.axios.com/2026/01/07/t...
The 11 countries Trump is threatening — and why
Here are the countries Trump has threatened and why.
www.axios.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Each of these countries' leaders should be concerned about black helicopters on the horizon.
Mapped: The countries Trump is threatening — and why.
By Herb Scribner.
www.axios.com/2026/01/07/t...
Mapped: The countries Trump is threatening — and why.
By Herb Scribner.
www.axios.com/2026/01/07/t...
Live Updates: Trump Pulls Out of Global Climate Agreement
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:23 AM