@lessenberry.bsky.social
Pinned
Jack Lessenberry - Lessenberry Ink
Award-winning journalist Jack Lessenberry examines the issues facing the state, country and world and searches for possible solutions for the politics of today.
Lessenberryink.com
Hello! This is Jack Lessenberry, writer and author. Good to live here from Twitter. Follow my work at Lessenberryink.com, and thank you.
What's going on now, the insanity, the murder of American citizens, and the threats to attack a NATO member over Greenland cannot continue. See my Substack today, and think about what you are going to do to help save us. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/this-canno...
This Cannot Last
We simply can't endure another three years of this.
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:59 AM
What's going on now, the insanity, the murder of American citizens, and the threats to attack a NATO member over Greenland cannot continue. See my Substack today, and think about what you are going to do to help save us. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/this-canno...
The federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is Monday, though his actual birthday was yesterday. But besides giving us another day when post offices are closed, how many of us really remember who he was? See my substack, and thanks for reading me.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/who-martin...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/who-martin...
Who Martin Luther King Jr. Really Was
He was actually a human being, not a statue
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:40 AM
The federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is Monday, though his actual birthday was yesterday. But besides giving us another day when post offices are closed, how many of us really remember who he was? See my substack, and thanks for reading me.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/who-martin...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/who-martin...
Nobody much likes Congress these days. But there was a time when it mostly worked. Here's a story of two congressmen who did great things, one of whom learned from the other and went on to do even more,
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/he-showed-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/he-showed-...
He Showed What Being a Congressman Should Be
He saved New York City, and created a blueprint for saving Chrysler
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Nobody much likes Congress these days. But there was a time when it mostly worked. Here's a story of two congressmen who did great things, one of whom learned from the other and went on to do even more,
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/he-showed-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/he-showed-...
A week ago, Michigan's first Black lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist, was trying to become governor. Then he suddenly gave that up and is running for secretary of state instead. But why? And will he win? See my Substack column today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-garlin...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-garlin...
Why Garlin Gilchrist Will Be Michigan's Next Secretary of State
Democratic nominee, at least
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:33 AM
A week ago, Michigan's first Black lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist, was trying to become governor. Then he suddenly gave that up and is running for secretary of state instead. But why? And will he win? See my Substack column today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-garlin...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-garlin...
You don't need a degree in criminal justice to recognize a thug when you see one. The one in the White House is trying to intimidate the head of the Fed to lower interest rates, thereby risking inflation, and worse. See my Substack today:
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-econom...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-econom...
The Economy Meets Donald Trump, Thug
Screwing with the Federal Reserve could have disastrous consequences
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:54 AM
You don't need a degree in criminal justice to recognize a thug when you see one. The one in the White House is trying to intimidate the head of the Fed to lower interest rates, thereby risking inflation, and worse. See my Substack today:
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-econom...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-econom...
It's hard sometimes to be objective when a band of neo-Nazis are destroying your country, but in the interest of fairness and balance, I am in my Substack today listing all the good things about the Trump regime and its gauleiters, I mean officials.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/in-the-int...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/in-the-int...
In the Interest of Fairness: The Good Things About Trump and Co.
Nobody is all bad ... or are they?
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:31 AM
It's hard sometimes to be objective when a band of neo-Nazis are destroying your country, but in the interest of fairness and balance, I am in my Substack today listing all the good things about the Trump regime and its gauleiters, I mean officials.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/in-the-int...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/in-the-int...
It's easy to be dissatisfied with the Democrats, and the Republicans are beyond redemption. But could a new party be the answer? See my Substack today, and thanks for reading me.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/do-we-need...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/do-we-need...
Do We Need a New Political Party to Save Us? Trump?
And could that, and how would that, work?
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:09 PM
It's easy to be dissatisfied with the Democrats, and the Republicans are beyond redemption. But could a new party be the answer? See my Substack today, and thanks for reading me.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/do-we-need...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/do-we-need...
There's no doubt, especially after his interview in the New York Times yesterday, that Donald Trump is a fascist. But are we a fascist country? See my Substack today for the answer.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/are-we-a-f...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/are-we-a-f...
Are we a fascist country?
Not yet, but we have a fascist wannabe administration
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM
There's no doubt, especially after his interview in the New York Times yesterday, that Donald Trump is a fascist. But are we a fascist country? See my Substack today for the answer.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/are-we-a-f...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/are-we-a-f...
I know you are all out there celebrating President Nixon's birthday, but it is a good occasion to reflect on the differences between him and the real crook in the White House.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/rememberin...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/rememberin...
Remembering Nixon; Fearing Trump
We'd be so much better off with the old crook than we are today
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
I know you are all out there celebrating President Nixon's birthday, but it is a good occasion to reflect on the differences between him and the real crook in the White House.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/rememberin...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/rememberin...
We've had to endure a bunch of lower animals in Washington, but ... should "higher animals" like elephants and chimps have rights? The Michigan Supreme Court has been asked to decide. See my Substack today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/should-hig...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/should-hig...
Should Higher Animals Have Some Rights?
Legally, they are only property. But in Michigan, that could change
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:35 AM
We've had to endure a bunch of lower animals in Washington, but ... should "higher animals" like elephants and chimps have rights? The Michigan Supreme Court has been asked to decide. See my Substack today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/should-hig...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/should-hig...
Two years ago, you likely never heard of Tim Walz. Fifteen months ago, he seemed likely to be our next vice-president. Now, his career appears over ... or is it? See my Substack today, and thanks for reading (and hopefully subscribing) to me.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-agony-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-agony-...
Walz
I suspect that less than a year and a half ago, Tim Walz may have thought he had been transported to heaven without having had to die.
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Two years ago, you likely never heard of Tim Walz. Fifteen months ago, he seemed likely to be our next vice-president. Now, his career appears over ... or is it? See my Substack today, and thanks for reading (and hopefully subscribing) to me.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-agony-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-agony-...
We're always told that we shouldn't compare Donald Trump (or anyone) to Hitler. But was voting for Trump in this last election as bad as voting for Hitler? You might be surprised by the answer.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/was-voting...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/was-voting...
Was Voting for Trump as Bad as Voting for Hitler?
Actually, in many ways, it was morally worse
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:28 AM
We're always told that we shouldn't compare Donald Trump (or anyone) to Hitler. But was voting for Trump in this last election as bad as voting for Hitler? You might be surprised by the answer.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/was-voting...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/was-voting...
You may think, as I did, that you know enough about the Nuremberg trials. But after seeing the gripping new psychological thriller Nuremberg, I realized I didn't, and this is a movie all of us should see, especially now.
See my Substack today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-you-sh...
See my Substack today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-you-sh...
Nuremberg
Karl Marx said somewhere that history repeats itself, first time as tragedy, then as farce.
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
You may think, as I did, that you know enough about the Nuremberg trials. But after seeing the gripping new psychological thriller Nuremberg, I realized I didn't, and this is a movie all of us should see, especially now.
See my Substack today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-you-sh...
See my Substack today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-you-sh...
Well, so much for sunny optimism. As you know, we have now started a slimy, illegal, undeclared war as morally bad as Hitler's takeover of Austria. But on the plus side, as I note today, there's plenty of reasons to think this will do Trump in
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
Welcome to Trump's New War
This. comrades, will do him in
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Well, so much for sunny optimism. As you know, we have now started a slimy, illegal, undeclared war as morally bad as Hitler's takeover of Austria. But on the plus side, as I note today, there's plenty of reasons to think this will do Trump in
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/welcome-to...
I wrote today's Substack column, sounding a note of opimism (silly me) before our glorious kidnapping of Venezuela's president. I shall have more to say about this when the hair stops growing on my chest. But I think what I wrote is relevant anyway.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/a-note-of-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/a-note-of-...
A Note of Optimism for the Weekend
We are marching in the right direction, or at least the calendar is.
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:45 AM
I wrote today's Substack column, sounding a note of opimism (silly me) before our glorious kidnapping of Venezuela's president. I shall have more to say about this when the hair stops growing on my chest. But I think what I wrote is relevant anyway.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/a-note-of-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/a-note-of-...
Well, it's a new year, and one which may decide whether we save our democracy. And there are some hopeful signs. See my Substack today, and don't go outside without a parka.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/as-we-face...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/as-we-face...
As We Face the New Year...
Thoughts on our opportunities and predicament
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Well, it's a new year, and one which may decide whether we save our democracy. And there are some hopeful signs. See my Substack today, and don't go outside without a parka.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/as-we-face...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/as-we-face...
Happy New Year! Seven years ago today, Michigan's three women leaders took office. One year from today, they will all leave those jobs permanently, thanks to term limits. What will become of them after that? See my Substack today, and stay warm.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/michigans-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/michigans-...
Michigan's Three Women Leaders Have One More Year in Power
What will they do after that?
jacklessenberry.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Happy New Year! Seven years ago today, Michigan's three women leaders took office. One year from today, they will all leave those jobs permanently, thanks to term limits. What will become of them after that? See my Substack today, and stay warm.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/michigans-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/michigans-...
Well, it's the last day of a dreadful year, but there are a few signs of hope. And tomorrow, we start marching towards spring, the midterm elections, and hopefully better times when our nation remembers who we are supposed to be. Stay safe, and warm.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/goodbye-to...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/goodbye-to...
Goodbye to a Truly Terrible Year
We found out some unpleasant truths about ourselves.
jacklessenberry.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Well, it's the last day of a dreadful year, but there are a few signs of hope. And tomorrow, we start marching towards spring, the midterm elections, and hopefully better times when our nation remembers who we are supposed to be. Stay safe, and warm.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/goodbye-to...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/goodbye-to...
Donald Trump treats many people, certainly journalists, worse than any president or even any serious candidate I can remember. So do we still need to treat him with respect? See my Substack today, and thank for reading me this cold morning.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/does-trump...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/does-trump...
Does Trump Deserve Respect?
No, but the Presidency itself does.
jacklessenberry.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Donald Trump treats many people, certainly journalists, worse than any president or even any serious candidate I can remember. So do we still need to treat him with respect? See my Substack today, and thank for reading me this cold morning.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/does-trump...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/does-trump...
Have you wondered why other presidents would be skewered by the press and have their popularity drop for relatively minor policy mistakes, while Donald Trump can seemingly do anything and few seem to care? See my substack today, before you shovel snow.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-journa...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-journa...
Why Journalists Fail at Covering Trump
They've been trained to operate in a rational world
jacklessenberry.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Have you wondered why other presidents would be skewered by the press and have their popularity drop for relatively minor policy mistakes, while Donald Trump can seemingly do anything and few seem to care? See my substack today, before you shovel snow.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-journa...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-journa...
Two years ago, a group called Rank MI Vote appeared and began making an effort to bring Rank Choice Voting to Michigan, which would have given small parties more chance. Then, abruptly, they quit. Is something fishy going on? See my substack today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/how-michig...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/how-michig...
How Michigan Was Betrayed by Rank MI Vote
The group behind Ranked Choice Voting ran out on us
jacklessenberry.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Two years ago, a group called Rank MI Vote appeared and began making an effort to bring Rank Choice Voting to Michigan, which would have given small parties more chance. Then, abruptly, they quit. Is something fishy going on? See my substack today.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/how-michig...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/how-michig...
As everyone who reads me knows, I am a great supporter of Diaper Don, I mean our Great President, but today I felt compelled to offer a tiny bit of constructive criticism. I hope if someone reads it to him, he will take it for what it's worth.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/a-tiny-bit...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/a-tiny-bit...
A Tiny Bit of Criticism for the President
Sometimes, he's just a little less than absolutely perfect.
jacklessenberry.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:42 AM
As everyone who reads me knows, I am a great supporter of Diaper Don, I mean our Great President, but today I felt compelled to offer a tiny bit of constructive criticism. I hope if someone reads it to him, he will take it for what it's worth.
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/a-tiny-bit...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/a-tiny-bit...
Happy Saturnalia. I will, of course, spend the day promoting godless communism. but it also may be interesting to consider which party most deserves a lump of coal in its stocking,
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/which-part...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/which-part...
Which Party Deserves Coal in Their Stocking?
Ah, what a difference a year can make ...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Happy Saturnalia. I will, of course, spend the day promoting godless communism. but it also may be interesting to consider which party most deserves a lump of coal in its stocking,
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/which-part...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/which-part...
Did you ever expect to see a day when Mississippi public school kids were reading better than Michigan's? Well, that's the case, and this time, it's not Donald Trump's fault. See my Substack today, just in case you were feeling optimistic!
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/mississipp...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/mississipp...
Mississippi schools are succeeding; Michigan's, not
We deserve to be embarrassed, and here's why
jacklessenberry.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Did you ever expect to see a day when Mississippi public school kids were reading better than Michigan's? Well, that's the case, and this time, it's not Donald Trump's fault. See my Substack today, just in case you were feeling optimistic!
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/mississipp...
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/mississipp...