mthiatt.bsky.social
@mthiatt.bsky.social
This is why people get so mad at those who suggest some Dem pols might need to run as moderates. If 60% of the electorate holds a particular set of beliefs, you either have to accept losing, find a way to change the beliefs of people or moderate/compromise your beliefs to make it palatable to…
People want to believe that the GOP’s electoral success in red states is the result of dirty tricks and gerrymandering instead of the sincerely held beliefs of a majority of the population because a mechanical issue is easier to fix than wrestling with how to make people not believe what they do.
November 16, 2025 at 4:12 AM
This is why people get so mad at those who suggest some Dem pols might need to run as moderates. If 60% of the electorate holds a particular set of beliefs, you either have to accept losing, find a way to change the beliefs of people or moderate/compromise your beliefs to make it palatable to…
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
The entirety of every urban area, including its suburbs, should be governed by one central local government with one school district. No more exclusive enclaves with snob zoning and pseudo-private schools.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The entirety of every urban area, including its suburbs, should be governed by one central local government with one school district. No more exclusive enclaves with snob zoning and pseudo-private schools.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
why would someone spend millions on building a factory in the US under the presumption that US-made products will be protected if the protection comes and goes on a whim?
November 15, 2025 at 2:04 AM
why would someone spend millions on building a factory in the US under the presumption that US-made products will be protected if the protection comes and goes on a whim?
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
>he was still meeting with Epstein while he was president
November 13, 2025 at 1:40 AM
>he was still meeting with Epstein while he was president
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
Fireside this week, laying out a brief historiography (the 'history of the history') of the Roman strategy debate - the argument that has swirled since 1976 on the degree if Romans engaged in state-level strategic policy or if they were even able to do so.
(yes)
acoup.blog/2025/11/07/f...
(yes)
acoup.blog/2025/11/07/f...
Fireside Friday, November 7, 2025 (On the Roman Strategy Debate)
Hey folks! Fireside this week. I had wanted to have my post on the hoplite debate (the othismos over othismos) ready for this week, but it’s not quite done, so I am shifting that to next week…
acoup.blog
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Fireside this week, laying out a brief historiography (the 'history of the history') of the Roman strategy debate - the argument that has swirled since 1976 on the degree if Romans engaged in state-level strategic policy or if they were even able to do so.
(yes)
acoup.blog/2025/11/07/f...
(yes)
acoup.blog/2025/11/07/f...
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
I want a Star Wars movie in vein The Longest Day that’s just one epic battle from multiple perspectives. All Star cast. Jakku.
Like the end of Jedi but the whole damn movie and no Skywalkers.
Like the end of Jedi but the whole damn movie and no Skywalkers.
November 8, 2025 at 6:54 PM
I want a Star Wars movie in vein The Longest Day that’s just one epic battle from multiple perspectives. All Star cast. Jakku.
Like the end of Jedi but the whole damn movie and no Skywalkers.
Like the end of Jedi but the whole damn movie and no Skywalkers.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
Across the developed world, big city conservative mayors and council majorities are quite common—except in the US. Why are Republicans are so much less relevant in cities than their peers in every other developed country? My latest:
mnolangray.substack.com/p/why-are-re...
mnolangray.substack.com/p/why-are-re...
Why Are Republicans So Irrelevant In Big City Politics?
A little armchair political science among friends.
mnolangray.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Across the developed world, big city conservative mayors and council majorities are quite common—except in the US. Why are Republicans are so much less relevant in cities than their peers in every other developed country? My latest:
mnolangray.substack.com/p/why-are-re...
mnolangray.substack.com/p/why-are-re...
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
The fact that a lot of leftists despise Parks and Rec - one of the best and most sympathetic depictions of non-cop government in modern media - is a symptom of the fact that a lot of the left has no idea how to actually implement the policy proposals they want to enact.
The reason 30 Rock succeeds years later while parks and rec has aged like a toilet full of milk, is that 30 Rock doesnt shy away from portraying Liz Lemon as an obvious villian with a victim/hero complex, whereas Leslie Knope was played just a straight hero character, even tho she is a neolib shill
November 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The fact that a lot of leftists despise Parks and Rec - one of the best and most sympathetic depictions of non-cop government in modern media - is a symptom of the fact that a lot of the left has no idea how to actually implement the policy proposals they want to enact.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
the one thing that I will say in defense of Eric Adams is that it's sort of absurd how poorly elected officials are treated in terms of creature comforts and salary and it does create lots of incentives for corruption. it's fine, actually for the public to spring for first class and stuff like that.
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
the one thing that I will say in defense of Eric Adams is that it's sort of absurd how poorly elected officials are treated in terms of creature comforts and salary and it does create lots of incentives for corruption. it's fine, actually for the public to spring for first class and stuff like that.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
It’s hard to believe but there was a cartoon about an immigrant mouse and it was seen as totally fine and not controversial and not woke because it was an aspirational and nice thing about America that people could come here and find a better life
November 5, 2025 at 9:08 PM
It’s hard to believe but there was a cartoon about an immigrant mouse and it was seen as totally fine and not controversial and not woke because it was an aspirational and nice thing about America that people could come here and find a better life
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
the ballroom will never be built and he’ll just pocket whatever money he collects because he is a grifter first and foremost
Trump raises the price of the ballroom to $350 million
(It changed from $200 million, then $300 million, now $350 million within the course of a few days)
(It changed from $200 million, then $300 million, now $350 million within the course of a few days)
October 23, 2025 at 9:07 PM
the ballroom will never be built and he’ll just pocket whatever money he collects because he is a grifter first and foremost
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
Reminder the issue is not lack of funds in the treasury (as with debt ceiling crises), but Congress did not legally authorize using those funds funds to disburse paychecks after 10/1
Admin now asserts they can both refuse to spend as Congress said in law, and, can spend without legal appropriations
Admin now asserts they can both refuse to spend as Congress said in law, and, can spend without legal appropriations
Despite the government shutdown, paychecks will be going out to the U.S. military...and to the Coast Guard.
The administration has begun tapping funds from Trump’s tax breaks and budget law to pay for priorities during the shutdown, ensuring that the Coast Guard doesn’t go without paychecks.
The administration has begun tapping funds from Trump’s tax breaks and budget law to pay for priorities during the shutdown, ensuring that the Coast Guard doesn’t go without paychecks.
Trump’s ‘big bill’ will help ensure Coast Guard salaries get paid
Despite the government shutdown, paychecks will be going out to the U.S. military ... and to the Coast Guard.
www.stripes.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reminder the issue is not lack of funds in the treasury (as with debt ceiling crises), but Congress did not legally authorize using those funds funds to disburse paychecks after 10/1
Admin now asserts they can both refuse to spend as Congress said in law, and, can spend without legal appropriations
Admin now asserts they can both refuse to spend as Congress said in law, and, can spend without legal appropriations
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
In that, dreadful, terrible moment, every black bloc protestor in the world is useless, but a line of concerned senior citizens, office workers and house-spouses is actually a 'harder' target.
And 'the soldiers stood aside' is the sentence in the history book that goes before 'and the regime fell.'
And 'the soldiers stood aside' is the sentence in the history book that goes before 'and the regime fell.'
October 13, 2025 at 4:08 AM
In that, dreadful, terrible moment, every black bloc protestor in the world is useless, but a line of concerned senior citizens, office workers and house-spouses is actually a 'harder' target.
And 'the soldiers stood aside' is the sentence in the history book that goes before 'and the regime fell.'
And 'the soldiers stood aside' is the sentence in the history book that goes before 'and the regime fell.'
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
Fundamentally, there is no on-the-page institutional structure that can protect you from an absence of virtue among the citizenry.
That's just where we are - voters have learned a lot of bad habits. A lot of people thought they could vote MAGA again and it wouldn't matter; bad habits.
That's just where we are - voters have learned a lot of bad habits. A lot of people thought they could vote MAGA again and it wouldn't matter; bad habits.
October 12, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Fundamentally, there is no on-the-page institutional structure that can protect you from an absence of virtue among the citizenry.
That's just where we are - voters have learned a lot of bad habits. A lot of people thought they could vote MAGA again and it wouldn't matter; bad habits.
That's just where we are - voters have learned a lot of bad habits. A lot of people thought they could vote MAGA again and it wouldn't matter; bad habits.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
I know this might be cringe but if you know any cops in your life, (family, friends, neighbors, or acquaintances) you should be talking to them about what’s going on now.
as we skirt ever closer to the precipice, ensuring domestic law enforcement sides with us over the fascists will be important
as we skirt ever closer to the precipice, ensuring domestic law enforcement sides with us over the fascists will be important
October 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I know this might be cringe but if you know any cops in your life, (family, friends, neighbors, or acquaintances) you should be talking to them about what’s going on now.
as we skirt ever closer to the precipice, ensuring domestic law enforcement sides with us over the fascists will be important
as we skirt ever closer to the precipice, ensuring domestic law enforcement sides with us over the fascists will be important
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
Who's telling you to "wait?" My argument is: act using the tools of democracy because *you still have them* Constantly saying that "it's over, fascism is now here" is incorrect, defeatist, and a dead-end.
When did we become such a rigid and blinkered people that everything is either fine or fatal?
When did we become such a rigid and blinkered people that everything is either fine or fatal?
Actually, I know very well what fascism means.
My father is a holocaust survivor. My mother‘s family ran away just in time.
What you don’t seem to understand is that some of us who know that we to call what is happening by its rightful name.
If we wait, so we have totalitarianism it’s too late
My father is a holocaust survivor. My mother‘s family ran away just in time.
What you don’t seem to understand is that some of us who know that we to call what is happening by its rightful name.
If we wait, so we have totalitarianism it’s too late
If we were living under fascism, none of you would be here daring to post things. You'd be erasing your social media accounts and keeping your head down; you'd know that peacocking your faux-bravery on a network would expose you to being disappeared.
You have no idea what "fascism" really means.
You have no idea what "fascism" really means.
October 6, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Who's telling you to "wait?" My argument is: act using the tools of democracy because *you still have them* Constantly saying that "it's over, fascism is now here" is incorrect, defeatist, and a dead-end.
When did we become such a rigid and blinkered people that everything is either fine or fatal?
When did we become such a rigid and blinkered people that everything is either fine or fatal?
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
One of the things that doesn't come out in the soundbites but does in the full speech is Hegseth's repeated, explicit emphasis on viewing problems from the perspective of an E-6 or O-3, wholly unaware (as a bad O-4) that the job of the 0-7s to O-10s in front of him is quite different.
One of the challenges in trying to write something about Hegseth's speech at The Quantico Disgrace is you have to listen to the whole speech but it is very difficult to listen so much and not have the style of speech bleed into your writing and you *really* don't want to write like Hegseth talks.
October 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
One of the things that doesn't come out in the soundbites but does in the full speech is Hegseth's repeated, explicit emphasis on viewing problems from the perspective of an E-6 or O-3, wholly unaware (as a bad O-4) that the job of the 0-7s to O-10s in front of him is quite different.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
"no more superficial individual expression"
September 30, 2025 at 10:52 PM
"no more superficial individual expression"
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
You're mistaking for "we can get 55% of the public to vote on this issue" for "the same 55% of the public is willing to vote for all of the issues."
September 29, 2025 at 6:55 AM
You're mistaking for "we can get 55% of the public to vote on this issue" for "the same 55% of the public is willing to vote for all of the issues."
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
People mistake red states voting for left single issue ballot measures as a sign of actual appetite for left politics and the simple reality is that they may be fine with a $15 minimum wage but they hate everything else on the platform.
September 29, 2025 at 6:49 AM
People mistake red states voting for left single issue ballot measures as a sign of actual appetite for left politics and the simple reality is that they may be fine with a $15 minimum wage but they hate everything else on the platform.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
I think this is fundamentally right: dem electeds and thought leaders seem to me to be afraid to lay out the 'grand vision' of the kind of society they want.
Afraid that it will be rejected by The People and also by members of their own big tent coalition.
They need to get over it and Do Anyway.
Afraid that it will be rejected by The People and also by members of their own big tent coalition.
They need to get over it and Do Anyway.
I think the case for “this was a decisive affirmation of the MAG ideology” is extremely weak & I think the view that we ought to take the election as an expression of where The People stand owes more to the insecurity and lack of confidence that is pervasive among our liberal elites than the facts.
September 28, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I think this is fundamentally right: dem electeds and thought leaders seem to me to be afraid to lay out the 'grand vision' of the kind of society they want.
Afraid that it will be rejected by The People and also by members of their own big tent coalition.
They need to get over it and Do Anyway.
Afraid that it will be rejected by The People and also by members of their own big tent coalition.
They need to get over it and Do Anyway.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
To put it another way, you don't walk 3,000 miles through deadly jungle and cartel-infested territory to get here if you don't think this country is worth coming to.
September 25, 2025 at 12:54 PM
To put it another way, you don't walk 3,000 miles through deadly jungle and cartel-infested territory to get here if you don't think this country is worth coming to.
Reposted by mthiatt.bsky.social
Oh my
September 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Oh my