Practical Progressive Gini
@leftcoastgin.bsky.social
80 years old and still into learning. News junkie. Atlantic Monthly for 50 years. Last classes in poetry workshop at Stanford. New lectures from Peter Zeihan. in Foreign Affairs. Looking for what will be next.
Autocratic movements throughout history have been distinguished by leaders repeating lies and suggestions that whip up anger among supporters, “That is exactly what Trump did.”
February 1, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Autocratic movements throughout history have been distinguished by leaders repeating lies and suggestions that whip up anger among supporters, “That is exactly what Trump did.”
The killing of two white American citizens—Renee Good and Alex Pretti—by federal agents hammered home to white Americans that they are as much at risk from the authoritarian system Trump is building as are Black Americans and people of color who are not citizens.
January 31, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The killing of two white American citizens—Renee Good and Alex Pretti—by federal agents hammered home to white Americans that they are as much at risk from the authoritarian system Trump is building as are Black Americans and people of color who are not citizens.
At its most basic level, the attack on two independent journalists, Lemon and Fort is undoubtedly designed to intimidate other independent news producers from covering the Trump administration, particularly the violence of ICE and Border Patrol agents.
January 31, 2026 at 2:47 PM
At its most basic level, the attack on two independent journalists, Lemon and Fort is undoubtedly designed to intimidate other independent news producers from covering the Trump administration, particularly the violence of ICE and Border Patrol agents.
humanism: examples of people trying to inspire moral motivations, pursue justice and move people to become better versions of themselves.
January 30, 2026 at 11:50 PM
humanism: examples of people trying to inspire moral motivations, pursue justice and move people to become better versions of themselves.
"We’re abandoning our humanistic core. The elements of our civilization that lift the spirit, nurture empathy and orient the soul now play a diminished role in national life" D.Brooks
January 30, 2026 at 11:42 PM
"We’re abandoning our humanistic core. The elements of our civilization that lift the spirit, nurture empathy and orient the soul now play a diminished role in national life" D.Brooks
Americans lost their moral compass and elected bullies to high places. In 2024, 77 million American voters looked at Trump and saw nothing morally disqualifying about the man.
January 30, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Americans lost their moral compass and elected bullies to high places. In 2024, 77 million American voters looked at Trump and saw nothing morally disqualifying about the man.
Withering Heights: " I did not find it romantic. Lots of people thought that way about the book weather they just read it or 65 years ago or tesyrtday.
January 30, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Withering Heights: " I did not find it romantic. Lots of people thought that way about the book weather they just read it or 65 years ago or tesyrtday.
Vance and NoemÑ You get the feeling that if they could charge the dead with crimes, they’d do so, with glee.
January 29, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Vance and NoemÑ You get the feeling that if they could charge the dead with crimes, they’d do so, with glee.
Unfortunately, President Trump and Republicans in Congress recently cut tax credits that helped Americans buy heat pumps and insulate their homes as part of a Republican tax law. These incentives, which were originally meant to last into the 2030s, expired at the end of December.
January 28, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Unfortunately, President Trump and Republicans in Congress recently cut tax credits that helped Americans buy heat pumps and insulate their homes as part of a Republican tax law. These incentives, which were originally meant to last into the 2030s, expired at the end of December.
Homeland Security Should Be Abolished.
January 27, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Homeland Security Should Be Abolished.
The Trump administration is lying in the manner of authoritarian regimes that require people to accept lies as a demonstration of power.
January 26, 2026 at 1:25 AM
The Trump administration is lying in the manner of authoritarian regimes that require people to accept lies as a demonstration of power.
When President Harry Truman left office in 1953, he did not even own a car. He and his wife returned to Missouri by train and lived for a time on his Army pension. He refused to take any job that he regarded as commercializing his public service,
January 26, 2026 at 12:32 AM
When President Harry Truman left office in 1953, he did not even own a car. He and his wife returned to Missouri by train and lived for a time on his Army pension. He refused to take any job that he regarded as commercializing his public service,
This is the United States. We don't murder our citizens...until now.
January 25, 2026 at 9:19 PM
This is the United States. We don't murder our citizens...until now.
Trump loves violence. He promotes it. He incites it. He glorifies it. Ten years ago on 1/23/2016, Trump said: "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters."
January 25, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Trump loves violence. He promotes it. He incites it. He glorifies it. Ten years ago on 1/23/2016, Trump said: "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters."
To the people in Minneapolis in standing up for yourselves you are standing up for us. Now we have to stand up for you.
January 25, 2026 at 3:09 PM
To the people in Minneapolis in standing up for yourselves you are standing up for us. Now we have to stand up for you.
People of Minneapolis out in sub freezing weather to video this goon squad should get the Nobel Peace Prize.
January 25, 2026 at 3:07 PM
People of Minneapolis out in sub freezing weather to video this goon squad should get the Nobel Peace Prize.
Masked police: That is how a nation and an army loses its soul.
January 25, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Masked police: That is how a nation and an army loses its soul.
Good and Pretti were both clearly present as observers
January 25, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Good and Pretti were both clearly present as observers
Since when have America’s domestic policing forces, charged with defending the Constitution and the rule of law, felt the need to hide their identities?
January 25, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Since when have America’s domestic policing forces, charged with defending the Constitution and the rule of law, felt the need to hide their identities?
People wear masks because they are up to something bad and don’t want their faces captured on camera. ICE wears a mask.
January 25, 2026 at 2:45 PM
People wear masks because they are up to something bad and don’t want their faces captured on camera. ICE wears a mask.
Hamas and ICE also share one very visible trait that I never thought I’d see in the United States: Almost all of their foot soldiers wear masks.
January 25, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Hamas and ICE also share one very visible trait that I never thought I’d see in the United States: Almost all of their foot soldiers wear masks.
War in Iran, Gaza and in Minneapolis have much more in common than you might think. All are driven, in my view, by terrible leaders who prefer easy, violent solutions to the hard work of negotiated problem-solving.
January 25, 2026 at 2:39 PM
War in Iran, Gaza and in Minneapolis have much more in common than you might think. All are driven, in my view, by terrible leaders who prefer easy, violent solutions to the hard work of negotiated problem-solving.
“Minnesota’s justice system will have the last word on this.” Tim Walz said that “the federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation.”
January 24, 2026 at 7:50 PM
“Minnesota’s justice system will have the last word on this.” Tim Walz said that “the federal government cannot be trusted to lead this investigation.”
Canada has warmed relations with China. France recently cut deals with Beijing on technology and trade that hurt America. The Dutch have declared they will limit intelligence sharing with Washington because of Mr. Trump’s autocratic actions.
January 24, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Canada has warmed relations with China. France recently cut deals with Beijing on technology and trade that hurt America. The Dutch have declared they will limit intelligence sharing with Washington because of Mr. Trump’s autocratic actions.
The ONLY time NATO has activated its guarantee of collective defense was after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. The U.S. ally that suffered the most casualties per capita in the ensuing war in Afghanistan was Denmark.
January 24, 2026 at 3:28 PM
The ONLY time NATO has activated its guarantee of collective defense was after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States. The U.S. ally that suffered the most casualties per capita in the ensuing war in Afghanistan was Denmark.