Neil Abrams
@neilabrams.bsky.social
Corruption, democracy, rule of law, Eastern Europe, Ukraine. Words in WaPo, Slate, Foreign Policy. PhD, political science. He/him.
Subscribe at https://www.readthedetox.com
Subscribe at https://www.readthedetox.com
Pinned
Don’t Do the Dance
To remove Trump, we must shed some illusions about power.
www.readthedetox.com
Taking down Trump when the time comes will require us to shed certain illusions about power. Chief among these is the notion that dictators can *force* people to do things or not do things. They can’t.
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
With Bari Weiss in the news, it’s worth reminding folks that the Free Press is basically The Grayzone for rich guys and Zionists. Both outlets have the same M.O. - stirring up moral panics over bullshit and peddling cheap atrocity denial to people desperate to hear it.
December 23, 2025 at 3:57 AM
With Bari Weiss in the news, it’s worth reminding folks that the Free Press is basically The Grayzone for rich guys and Zionists. Both outlets have the same M.O. - stirring up moral panics over bullshit and peddling cheap atrocity denial to people desperate to hear it.
Reposted by Neil Abrams
Horny nihilist media critics/radical centrist pundits: "whatever else you think of her, Olivia Nuzzi is a brilliant prose stylist"
Olivia Nuzzi:
Olivia Nuzzi:
hands down my favorite line from a book that provides no value add to the written word besides being, possibly, the most narcissistic memoir ever put to paper.
December 3, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Horny nihilist media critics/radical centrist pundits: "whatever else you think of her, Olivia Nuzzi is a brilliant prose stylist"
Olivia Nuzzi:
Olivia Nuzzi:
Reposted by Neil Abrams
Hidden inside this excellent piece:
"Foreign occupations often bring about affirmative action for weirdos and idiots—the kind of people who would never gain real influence but for their treasonous alignment with an occupying power."
That's exactly it. We are in the midst of a FOREIGN OCCUPATION.
"Foreign occupations often bring about affirmative action for weirdos and idiots—the kind of people who would never gain real influence but for their treasonous alignment with an occupying power."
That's exactly it. We are in the midst of a FOREIGN OCCUPATION.
This is really excellent. Don't do the dance.
Taking down Trump when the time comes will require us to shed certain illusions about power. Chief among these is the notion that dictators can *force* people to do things or not do things. They can’t.
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
December 2, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Hidden inside this excellent piece:
"Foreign occupations often bring about affirmative action for weirdos and idiots—the kind of people who would never gain real influence but for their treasonous alignment with an occupying power."
That's exactly it. We are in the midst of a FOREIGN OCCUPATION.
"Foreign occupations often bring about affirmative action for weirdos and idiots—the kind of people who would never gain real influence but for their treasonous alignment with an occupying power."
That's exactly it. We are in the midst of a FOREIGN OCCUPATION.
Reposted by Neil Abrams
This is really excellent. Don't do the dance.
Taking down Trump when the time comes will require us to shed certain illusions about power. Chief among these is the notion that dictators can *force* people to do things or not do things. They can’t.
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
Don’t Do the Dance
To remove Trump, we must shed some illusions about power.
www.readthedetox.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
This is really excellent. Don't do the dance.
Taking down Trump when the time comes will require us to shed certain illusions about power. Chief among these is the notion that dictators can *force* people to do things or not do things. They can’t.
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
Don’t Do the Dance
To remove Trump, we must shed some illusions about power.
www.readthedetox.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Taking down Trump when the time comes will require us to shed certain illusions about power. Chief among these is the notion that dictators can *force* people to do things or not do things. They can’t.
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
Don’t believe me? Ask the Nazis. 1/n
Reposted by Neil Abrams
“Without the people’s assent, the dictator is nothing. He has no power that the people do not willingly cede to him.”
An important essay by @neilabrams.bsky.social .
(Also, I now know the origin of the term “quisling”.)
An important essay by @neilabrams.bsky.social .
(Also, I now know the origin of the term “quisling”.)
Don’t Do the Dance
To remove Trump, we must shed some illusions about power.
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:08 PM
“Without the people’s assent, the dictator is nothing. He has no power that the people do not willingly cede to him.”
An important essay by @neilabrams.bsky.social .
(Also, I now know the origin of the term “quisling”.)
An important essay by @neilabrams.bsky.social .
(Also, I now know the origin of the term “quisling”.)
If the GOP candidate - whoever that is - refuses to step down after an election loss in 2028, the only way to remove him will be through a nonviolent resistance movement. In my latest, I break down a real-life example to show how an effective movement can force a ruler to leave office.
Anatomy of a Nonviolent Revolution
A lesson for Americans
www.readthedetox.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:09 PM
If the GOP candidate - whoever that is - refuses to step down after an election loss in 2028, the only way to remove him will be through a nonviolent resistance movement. In my latest, I break down a real-life example to show how an effective movement can force a ruler to leave office.
Uhh, “trusting the experts” is rather famously *not* a feature of religion and totalitarianism…
…which might give RFK Jr. pause if he had any self-awareness.
…which might give RFK Jr. pause if he had any self-awareness.
RFK Jr: We need to stop trusting the experts... Trusting the experts is not a feature of science or democracy, it's a feature of religion and totalitarianism.
August 30, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Uhh, “trusting the experts” is rather famously *not* a feature of religion and totalitarianism…
…which might give RFK Jr. pause if he had any self-awareness.
…which might give RFK Jr. pause if he had any self-awareness.
Read this whole thread. A cop threatens Amanda, who then proceeds to unmask his socials, revealing him to be a sex fiend with a kink for cuck.
Who the hell uses social media for porn anyway?
Who the hell uses social media for porn anyway?
Found the cop who found me.
August 30, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Read this whole thread. A cop threatens Amanda, who then proceeds to unmask his socials, revealing him to be a sex fiend with a kink for cuck.
Who the hell uses social media for porn anyway?
Who the hell uses social media for porn anyway?
Reposted by Neil Abrams
🧵 Authoritarianism, Democratization, and Coalition Politics.
The consensus around here is, more or less, that the United States is currently a consolidating authoritarian regime controlled by a mix of reactionary populists and fascists.
The consensus around here is, more or less, that the United States is currently a consolidating authoritarian regime controlled by a mix of reactionary populists and fascists.
August 30, 2025 at 8:10 PM
🧵 Authoritarianism, Democratization, and Coalition Politics.
The consensus around here is, more or less, that the United States is currently a consolidating authoritarian regime controlled by a mix of reactionary populists and fascists.
The consensus around here is, more or less, that the United States is currently a consolidating authoritarian regime controlled by a mix of reactionary populists and fascists.
Reposted by Neil Abrams
👇🎯 University presidents, take note & start getting in front of microphones, en masse, now:
“Texas Democrats lost. But they drew attention to Republicans’ efforts to put their thumb on the scale, and demonstrated a valuable tactic for galvanizing their beleaguered party.
They lost, but they lost loudly. Losing loudly has been a crucial feature of successful political movements.” Gift:
They lost, but they lost loudly. Losing loudly has been a crucial feature of successful political movements.” Gift:
Opinion | Why the Texas Democrats’ Walkout Worked
www.nytimes.com
August 30, 2025 at 9:48 PM
👇🎯 University presidents, take note & start getting in front of microphones, en masse, now:
Reposted by Neil Abrams
It’s that time again
August 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
It’s that time again
This is so, so stupid. Yeah, they did follow up on it. Turns out that kids with preexisitng conditions are more vulnerable to starvation, and that this kid, in particular, actually was suffering from starvation. (link in next skeet)
NPR still hasn't corrected their sloppy journalism.
Don't forget this when your station's next pledge drive rolls around. They will ask you for money.
Don't give them a cent.
Don't forget this when your station's next pledge drive rolls around. They will ask you for money.
Don't give them a cent.
August 20, 2025 at 1:52 AM
This is so, so stupid. Yeah, they did follow up on it. Turns out that kids with preexisitng conditions are more vulnerable to starvation, and that this kid, in particular, actually was suffering from starvation. (link in next skeet)
Reposted by Neil Abrams
I emailed Olivia yesterday and editor Peter Savodnik today to point out a couple of glaring errors in this piece about famine classification. No response from either of them.
Wow! A lot of feedback here—thank you for engaging with our work at @thefp.com and for reading about this important issue.
Full story: www.thefp.com/p/they-becam...
Full story: www.thefp.com/p/they-becam...
They Became Symbols for Gazan Starvation. But All 12 Suffer from Other Health Problems.
A Free Press investigation found that the viral photos lacked important context: The subjects have cystic fibrosis, rickets, or other serious ailments.
www.thefp.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:43 AM
I emailed Olivia yesterday and editor Peter Savodnik today to point out a couple of glaring errors in this piece about famine classification. No response from either of them.
Recent weeks have seen an upsurge in atrocity denial absolving Israel for its famine in Gaza. In my latest, I show that Israel is, in fact, deliberately starving Gaza’s Palestinians. I do it using Israel’s own data and the statements of its leaders, officials, and soldiers. 🧵
The Fix: Israel Admits What It Is Doing
Israel is intentionally starving Palestinians. Its leaders, officials, and soldiers acknowledge it.
www.readthedetox.com
August 19, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Recent weeks have seen an upsurge in atrocity denial absolving Israel for its famine in Gaza. In my latest, I show that Israel is, in fact, deliberately starving Gaza’s Palestinians. I do it using Israel’s own data and the statements of its leaders, officials, and soldiers. 🧵
“Ignoring polls and being coarse pushed swing to Republicans, giving them a trifecta. But if Dems too ignore polls and be coarse it will push swing voters away.”
Pretty sharp.
Pretty sharp.
This piece makes it extremely clear what Democratic leadership and their consultants are telling everyone in private.
“…her rhetoric could alienate the more moderate voters the party needs to win…
Democratic leadership had instructed members to focus on Medicaid cuts and tax breaks [for the rich].”
“…her rhetoric could alienate the more moderate voters the party needs to win…
Democratic leadership had instructed members to focus on Medicaid cuts and tax breaks [for the rich].”
August 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
“Ignoring polls and being coarse pushed swing to Republicans, giving them a trifecta. But if Dems too ignore polls and be coarse it will push swing voters away.”
Pretty sharp.
Pretty sharp.
“Believe polls as if they’re divine revelation except when they violate my personal priors.”
The centrist consultant quoted in the article is specifically rebutting this assertion. He says “voters say they want fight, but they don’t want fight they really want deliverism.”
No. But you can see why that’s appealing to those who want the status quo.
No. But you can see why that’s appealing to those who want the status quo.
It’s clear to me that the current polling that indicates very low approval numbers for Dems is the result of them NOT fighting.
August 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
“Believe polls as if they’re divine revelation except when they violate my personal priors.”
Read this whole thread about trad wives shiving each other on Twitter.
responding to “you suck black dick and have aids” with “I don’t have aids” is incredible. “you got fingered in a hotel lobby at a TPUSA event” is incredible. “you’re a disgusting feminist whore with a jezebel spirit who uses filters in all of her videos” is one of the best lines I’ve ever heard
August 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Read this whole thread about trad wives shiving each other on Twitter.
Reposted by Neil Abrams
If that will be the outcome it's just because the western democracies want it that way. So far nobody has made any real effort to resist Russia. They all plan for having Russia around, they all fear that Russia would lose because they lack the imagination to deal with that.
🗣️ Reporter: Do you believe 🇺🇦Ukraine should sign a deal that includes giving up any part of their territory?
🇺🇸 Senator Graham: I want to be honest with you. Ukraine is not going to evict every Russian. And Russia is not going to Kyiv. There will be some land swaps at the end.
🇺🇸 Senator Graham: I want to be honest with you. Ukraine is not going to evict every Russian. And Russia is not going to Kyiv. There will be some land swaps at the end.
August 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
If that will be the outcome it's just because the western democracies want it that way. So far nobody has made any real effort to resist Russia. They all plan for having Russia around, they all fear that Russia would lose because they lack the imagination to deal with that.
Tomorrow's Reuters: "The Tigers jizzed all over the White Sox this afternoon."
August 3, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Tomorrow's Reuters: "The Tigers jizzed all over the White Sox this afternoon."
Get a load of the ADL's "antisemitism training" material that Northwestern University, at the Trump administration's behest, is forcing students to learn.
Nice, huh?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Nice, huh?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
August 3, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Get a load of the ADL's "antisemitism training" material that Northwestern University, at the Trump administration's behest, is forcing students to learn.
Nice, huh?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Nice, huh?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Neil Abrams
The DOJ says it will investigate a US citizen for saying “fuck Isr**l” to a guy in an IDF shirt.
Absolutely the most anti-free speech admin of my lifetime. Probably since the Red Scare, if not earlier.
Absolutely the most anti-free speech admin of my lifetime. Probably since the Red Scare, if not earlier.
August 1, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The DOJ says it will investigate a US citizen for saying “fuck Isr**l” to a guy in an IDF shirt.
Absolutely the most anti-free speech admin of my lifetime. Probably since the Red Scare, if not earlier.
Absolutely the most anti-free speech admin of my lifetime. Probably since the Red Scare, if not earlier.
In my latest, I examine Bret Stephens’s silly attempt to deny Israel’s genocide. More revealing than the incompetence and bad faith on display is his motive for writing it in the first place—a motive he does not divulge lest he trash his own credibility in the process. 🧵
The Fix: Genocide Denial in the NYT
A New York Times writer dabbled in genocide denial. It did not go well.
www.readthedetox.com
July 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
In my latest, I examine Bret Stephens’s silly attempt to deny Israel’s genocide. More revealing than the incompetence and bad faith on display is his motive for writing it in the first place—a motive he does not divulge lest he trash his own credibility in the process. 🧵
Reposted by Neil Abrams
Attack on judiciary is entirely possible because SCOTUS has signaled they will give this administration what they want.
DOJ escalates its attacks on judges who rule against Trump
July 29, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Attack on judiciary is entirely possible because SCOTUS has signaled they will give this administration what they want.
Reposted by Neil Abrams
Please share this widely. We need as many people to submit comments supporting access to this care as possible.
The FTC is seeking public comment about gender affirming care in order to go after providers and restrict access. Share your stories instead of how this care has helped you and how it is life saving.
We need to counteract their false narratives. Please share!
www.regulations.gov/docket/FTC-2...
We need to counteract their false narratives. Please share!
www.regulations.gov/docket/FTC-2...
Regulations.gov
www.regulations.gov
July 29, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Please share this widely. We need as many people to submit comments supporting access to this care as possible.