Scott Cory
@jscottcory.bsky.social
Sometimes funny, sometimes thoughtful, makes mistakes.
Husband, father, cat and dog dad. Grumpy, old, gay, and many other things: proud of all of 'em.
@jscottcory in the Meta ecosystem.
scory.blogspot.com
Husband, father, cat and dog dad. Grumpy, old, gay, and many other things: proud of all of 'em.
@jscottcory in the Meta ecosystem.
scory.blogspot.com
Because of radically reduced circumstances I don't have the luxury of subscribing to or participating in much of what I was previously able to. @thomaszimmer.bsky.social's "Democracy Americana" is one I will continue to support as long as I can. You should as well.
If you’ll indulge me for a second:
The newsletter has really struggled to attract new subscribers since I left Substack - while the monthly churn (existing subscribers canceling their subscription) has gone up significantly.
Not sure what the reasons are. But it is definitely concerning.
The newsletter has really struggled to attract new subscribers since I left Substack - while the monthly churn (existing subscribers canceling their subscription) has gone up significantly.
Not sure what the reasons are. But it is definitely concerning.
Sunday reading:
America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. There is reason to feel more optimistic now than last spring.
But the country needs a democratic transformation rather than merely a restoration of the pre-Trump status quo.
This week’s piece:
America is no longer a democracy. That doesn’t mean authoritarianism has won. There is reason to feel more optimistic now than last spring.
But the country needs a democratic transformation rather than merely a restoration of the pre-Trump status quo.
This week’s piece:
January 4, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Because of radically reduced circumstances I don't have the luxury of subscribing to or participating in much of what I was previously able to. @thomaszimmer.bsky.social's "Democracy Americana" is one I will continue to support as long as I can. You should as well.
Can we please stop believing that how the United States was governed from January 2001 until now comports to small d democratic norms and values? Because the evidence has been accumulating for (checks calendar) a quarter century that it's been hegemonic, imperial state avoiding the rule of law.
January 4, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Can we please stop believing that how the United States was governed from January 2001 until now comports to small d democratic norms and values? Because the evidence has been accumulating for (checks calendar) a quarter century that it's been hegemonic, imperial state avoiding the rule of law.
Top of today's to-do list: avoid the digital rabbit hole and the strong pull of complete dissociation.
Second item: do something constructive for myself and for the greater community.
I expect many of us have the same things in one form or another at the tops of our lists.
Second item: do something constructive for myself and for the greater community.
I expect many of us have the same things in one form or another at the tops of our lists.
January 4, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Top of today's to-do list: avoid the digital rabbit hole and the strong pull of complete dissociation.
Second item: do something constructive for myself and for the greater community.
I expect many of us have the same things in one form or another at the tops of our lists.
Second item: do something constructive for myself and for the greater community.
I expect many of us have the same things in one form or another at the tops of our lists.
I'm in good company.
Completely agree. Always pull these threads back to the Reagan Administration and Bush I.
Once again, one of the primary reasons we have arrived at this point (completely out-of-control & unconstitutional abuse of executive power to conduct wildly illegal foreign policy) is that no one, including the most senior people involved, went to jail for the rest of their lives for Iran-Contra.
January 3, 2026 at 7:43 PM
I'm in good company.
What @definitelyjustbob.bsky.social said.
Check on the Vietnam and Gulf War combat Veterans in your life. A lot of them have kids or grandkids in the service and in harm's way and are probably struggling not to decompensate. There is help available.
Veterans Crisis Line
24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.
www.veteranscrisisline.net
January 3, 2026 at 7:23 PM
What @definitelyjustbob.bsky.social said.
You know what would be really great? Have Venezuela's petroleum assets managed like Norway's and create a sovereign wealth fund to benefit *everyone* in Venezuela and minimize or fully offset the carbon produced by use of the oil and gas.
January 3, 2026 at 7:22 PM
You know what would be really great? Have Venezuela's petroleum assets managed like Norway's and create a sovereign wealth fund to benefit *everyone* in Venezuela and minimize or fully offset the carbon produced by use of the oil and gas.
Reposted by Scott Cory
"We're going to be taking a lot of wealth out of the ground." The American president.
Reporters are doing a good job here! Trump is lower than absolute-zero in sanity. Marco, Hegseth, even lower in dignity.
Reporters are doing a good job here! Trump is lower than absolute-zero in sanity. Marco, Hegseth, even lower in dignity.
January 3, 2026 at 5:36 PM
"We're going to be taking a lot of wealth out of the ground." The American president.
Reporters are doing a good job here! Trump is lower than absolute-zero in sanity. Marco, Hegseth, even lower in dignity.
Reporters are doing a good job here! Trump is lower than absolute-zero in sanity. Marco, Hegseth, even lower in dignity.
10/10. No notes.
Deeply researched reporting and pitch perfect snark is a rare combination, @marisakabas.bsky.social. Thank you.
Deeply researched reporting and pitch perfect snark is a rare combination, @marisakabas.bsky.social. Thank you.
January 3, 2026 at 5:43 PM
10/10. No notes.
Deeply researched reporting and pitch perfect snark is a rare combination, @marisakabas.bsky.social. Thank you.
Deeply researched reporting and pitch perfect snark is a rare combination, @marisakabas.bsky.social. Thank you.
I would add that there's been a 40 plus year run-up to this moment that really started with the so-called "Reagan Revolution" and has evolved and metastasized to what we have today.
Trump voters have turned the most powerful country in the world - the longtime leader of the democratic West - into a violent rogue state.
In doing so, they have smashed any semblance of international law and order.
This ‘might is right’ world MAGA have inflicted upon us endangers all of humanity.
In doing so, they have smashed any semblance of international law and order.
This ‘might is right’ world MAGA have inflicted upon us endangers all of humanity.
January 3, 2026 at 5:12 PM
I would add that there's been a 40 plus year run-up to this moment that really started with the so-called "Reagan Revolution" and has evolved and metastasized to what we have today.
That "New World Order" people were worried about?
This is it.
This is it.
January 3, 2026 at 4:59 PM
That "New World Order" people were worried about?
This is it.
This is it.
The post-World War consensus of liberal democracies held at bay the rule of force and the division of the world into spheres of influence. What's likely to follow will be nasty, brutish, and bereft of humanity and human rights.
“Russian commentators have frequently suggested that Latin America lies in America’s domain just as Ukraine was under the Russian shadow. Vladimir Putin thinks the same of much of eastern Europe. Xi Jinping will draw his own conclusions.”
Global wars are coming
January 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM
The post-World War consensus of liberal democracies held at bay the rule of force and the division of the world into spheres of influence. What's likely to follow will be nasty, brutish, and bereft of humanity and human rights.
Reposted by Scott Cory
Some thoughts on what Trump has done in Venezuela and what it might mean for US national security. Caveat: not a Latin America scholar so this is focused on US policy. Clearly huge consequences for Venezuela that others can address.
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
January 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Some thoughts on what Trump has done in Venezuela and what it might mean for US national security. Caveat: not a Latin America scholar so this is focused on US policy. Clearly huge consequences for Venezuela that others can address.
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
First, despite the buildup, I didn't think Trump would do it.
1/
I'm gonna shut up after this and try and avoid voluntary intoxication. But burning down the international order to loot fossil fuels to enrich a few people while making the global climate worse is simultaneously cartoonish, evil, and ignorant.
January 3, 2026 at 3:12 PM
I'm gonna shut up after this and try and avoid voluntary intoxication. But burning down the international order to loot fossil fuels to enrich a few people while making the global climate worse is simultaneously cartoonish, evil, and ignorant.
Also: this didn't start with Trump. US interventions in Central and South America repeatedly destabilized civil society, economies, and the rule of law. Hugo Chavez found space and support because of US policies.
Hegemony and imperialism are antithetical to the rule of law and human rights.
Hegemony and imperialism are antithetical to the rule of law and human rights.
January 3, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Also: this didn't start with Trump. US interventions in Central and South America repeatedly destabilized civil society, economies, and the rule of law. Hugo Chavez found space and support because of US policies.
Hegemony and imperialism are antithetical to the rule of law and human rights.
Hegemony and imperialism are antithetical to the rule of law and human rights.
I didn't have waking to the existential dread of the country I was born in demonstrating the worst of hegemonist, imperialist power making me feel worse than the illness from which I'm suffering.
That's all.
That's all.
January 3, 2026 at 2:17 PM
I didn't have waking to the existential dread of the country I was born in demonstrating the worst of hegemonist, imperialist power making me feel worse than the illness from which I'm suffering.
That's all.
That's all.
Reposted by Scott Cory
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
January 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
Happy New Year! TIL that ....
1. Working out in your 60s means more aches and longer recovery times, or
2. it was a mistake not to wear an N95 or equivalent respirator in a city with a lot of cases of influenza, or
3. Negronis, grappa, and wine are much harder on me at 64 than in my youth.
1. Working out in your 60s means more aches and longer recovery times, or
2. it was a mistake not to wear an N95 or equivalent respirator in a city with a lot of cases of influenza, or
3. Negronis, grappa, and wine are much harder on me at 64 than in my youth.
January 1, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Happy New Year! TIL that ....
1. Working out in your 60s means more aches and longer recovery times, or
2. it was a mistake not to wear an N95 or equivalent respirator in a city with a lot of cases of influenza, or
3. Negronis, grappa, and wine are much harder on me at 64 than in my youth.
1. Working out in your 60s means more aches and longer recovery times, or
2. it was a mistake not to wear an N95 or equivalent respirator in a city with a lot of cases of influenza, or
3. Negronis, grappa, and wine are much harder on me at 64 than in my youth.
Through Christmas. Ramping up for 2026, or the year of reduced expectations and doing no harm, but nevertheless doing things to make life better in ways large and small.
December 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Through Christmas. Ramping up for 2026, or the year of reduced expectations and doing no harm, but nevertheless doing things to make life better in ways large and small.
It's never too late to start Christmas shopping.
No, seriously.
No, seriously.
December 23, 2025 at 8:25 PM
It's never too late to start Christmas shopping.
No, seriously.
No, seriously.
In another timeline, where the law was applied equally, justly, and fairly, Larry Nasser, Jeffery Epstein, and Donald Trump all would have been investigated and indicted for their serial sexual abuse of minors decades ago.
Wealth, power, and authority shouldn't allow impunity of action.
Wealth, power, and authority shouldn't allow impunity of action.
December 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
In another timeline, where the law was applied equally, justly, and fairly, Larry Nasser, Jeffery Epstein, and Donald Trump all would have been investigated and indicted for their serial sexual abuse of minors decades ago.
Wealth, power, and authority shouldn't allow impunity of action.
Wealth, power, and authority shouldn't allow impunity of action.
The effort to cover up the sexual abuse of minors is appalling.
The obeisance to corrupt people allowing the open violation of law is appalling.
The failure to censure and exact consequences for cruel, illegal, and inhumane actions is appalling.
The obeisance to corrupt people allowing the open violation of law is appalling.
The failure to censure and exact consequences for cruel, illegal, and inhumane actions is appalling.
December 23, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The effort to cover up the sexual abuse of minors is appalling.
The obeisance to corrupt people allowing the open violation of law is appalling.
The failure to censure and exact consequences for cruel, illegal, and inhumane actions is appalling.
The obeisance to corrupt people allowing the open violation of law is appalling.
The failure to censure and exact consequences for cruel, illegal, and inhumane actions is appalling.
This. @emptywheel.bsky.social calls out some top-line names for recognition, but as a former Fed, I know hundreds of smart, articulate, knowledgeable people who can tell the story of why the services they provide are important, can listen and respond to the people who use them, need more of them,
The Storytelling We Need to Rebuild Belief in Government - emptywheel
As we look ahead to the new year, we need to figure out ways to tell the story of the damage Trump caused so we can hold him accountable.
www.emptywheel.net
December 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
This. @emptywheel.bsky.social calls out some top-line names for recognition, but as a former Fed, I know hundreds of smart, articulate, knowledgeable people who can tell the story of why the services they provide are important, can listen and respond to the people who use them, need more of them,
Reposted by Scott Cory
What is hard is to keep alive on a world you don't belong to.
December 22, 2025 at 4:57 PM
What is hard is to keep alive on a world you don't belong to.
My Monday morning provocation, before I run off to work on my list.
1. There's a reason the term "Balkanization" exists and isn't an expression that reflects favorably on the states and cultures that created it. The history of the Balkans is brutal, bloody, and fraught with conflict.
1. There's a reason the term "Balkanization" exists and isn't an expression that reflects favorably on the states and cultures that created it. The history of the Balkans is brutal, bloody, and fraught with conflict.
December 22, 2025 at 4:51 PM
My Monday morning provocation, before I run off to work on my list.
1. There's a reason the term "Balkanization" exists and isn't an expression that reflects favorably on the states and cultures that created it. The history of the Balkans is brutal, bloody, and fraught with conflict.
1. There's a reason the term "Balkanization" exists and isn't an expression that reflects favorably on the states and cultures that created it. The history of the Balkans is brutal, bloody, and fraught with conflict.
Reposted by Scott Cory
"Staffers in the Heritage Foundation’s economic, legal, and data centers resigned over the weekend to join a conservative advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence" www.nationalreview.com/news/exclusi...
Resignations Continue at Heritage Foundation amid Frustrations with Leadership | National Review
www.nationalreview.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:49 PM
"Staffers in the Heritage Foundation’s economic, legal, and data centers resigned over the weekend to join a conservative advocacy group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence" www.nationalreview.com/news/exclusi...