Nick Allison
@nickallison80.bsky.social
Sometimes I write stuff. Sometimes it doesn’t totally suck. But I suppose that’s subjective.
Essays: TCS, HuffPost, CounterPunch, The Fulcrum, elsewhere.
Editor: TheChaosSectionPoetryProject.com
Other stuff: TheTruthAboutTigers.com
Essays: TCS, HuffPost, CounterPunch, The Fulcrum, elsewhere.
Editor: TheChaosSectionPoetryProject.com
Other stuff: TheTruthAboutTigers.com
Pinned
I Saw A Cop Looking At My ‘Veterans Against Trump’ T-Shirt. Then He Started Walking My Way.
"My brain sized him up before he even reached my table. Police officer. White. Middle-aged. Beard. Military tattoos."
www.huffpost.com
New essay live today at @huffpost.com Personal about seeing past stereotypes, tribal thinking, and the lazy stories our brains tell us. As always, very grateful to editor @noahmichelson.bsky.social who is a joy to work with. www.huffpost.com/entry/vetera...
@sethandrews.com being rational and making sense, as usual.
November 11, 2025 at 3:29 AM
@sethandrews.com being rational and making sense, as usual.
Garage jam with my bad-ass 12 year old drummer. I’m sure my neighbors really appreciate the slightly off time Social Distortion and Pixies covers!
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Garage jam with my bad-ass 12 year old drummer. I’m sure my neighbors really appreciate the slightly off time Social Distortion and Pixies covers!
Day 2 of the @texasbookfest.bsky.social. Come down, check out the vendors, grab some good street food, say hi to Sarah at Lioness Books, and if you spot me wandering around, I’ve got a few free copies of “Record of Dissent: Poems of Protest in an Authoritarian Age” to give away. #texasbookfest
November 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Day 2 of the @texasbookfest.bsky.social. Come down, check out the vendors, grab some good street food, say hi to Sarah at Lioness Books, and if you spot me wandering around, I’ve got a few free copies of “Record of Dissent: Poems of Protest in an Authoritarian Age” to give away. #texasbookfest
At the #TexasBookFestival? Swing by and see Sarah at #LionessBooks, Austin’s fiercest indie bookshop on wheels, parked at the corner of 9th and Congress today. She’s built something special and was kind enough to carry Record of Dissent.
November 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
At the #TexasBookFestival? Swing by and see Sarah at #LionessBooks, Austin’s fiercest indie bookshop on wheels, parked at the corner of 9th and Congress today. She’s built something special and was kind enough to carry Record of Dissent.
Thanks to the best editor ever, @noahmichelson.bsky.social
"Democracy isn’t held together by slogans or speeches so much as by a million small moments when people resist the urge to oversimplify one another"
A wonderful new essay from @nickallison80.bsky.social that already has almost 1,000,000 reads on @HuffPost Personal
www.huffpost.com/entry/vetera...
A wonderful new essay from @nickallison80.bsky.social that already has almost 1,000,000 reads on @HuffPost Personal
www.huffpost.com/entry/vetera...
I Saw A Cop Looking At My ‘Veterans Against Trump’ T-Shirt. Then He Started Walking My Way.
"My brain sized him up before he even reached my table. Police officer. White. Middle-aged. Beard. Military tattoos."
www.huffpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Thanks to the best editor ever, @noahmichelson.bsky.social
#Austin friends: at the #TexasBookFestival. One of the best weekends in this city for anyone who loves words and ideas. No TCS Press booth this year, but if you see a guy wandering around in a Vets Against Trump shirt, Wilco cap, and blue backpack, say hi! I’ve got free copies of Record of Dissent.
November 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
#Austin friends: at the #TexasBookFestival. One of the best weekends in this city for anyone who loves words and ideas. No TCS Press booth this year, but if you see a guy wandering around in a Vets Against Trump shirt, Wilco cap, and blue backpack, say hi! I’ve got free copies of Record of Dissent.
Reposted by Nick Allison
Hegseth has purged more than two dozen top generals and admirals, in many cases counter to the advice of senior military leaders who fought alongside the officers in combat
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Hegseth Is Purging Military Leaders With Little Explanation
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Hegseth has purged more than two dozen top generals and admirals, in many cases counter to the advice of senior military leaders who fought alongside the officers in combat
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
Like every project at TCS, this book of protest poetry is available to download or read for free online. Also a paperback version available.
“Record of #Dissent” features 44 #poems of #protest, resistance, and hope in response to the rising authoritarianism of the #Trump era in America. On sale now for $9–or of course you can read it for free online:
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...
thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/record-of-di...
shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...
thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/record-of-di...
Record of Dissent: Poems of Protest in an Authoritarian Age
A free digital chapbook featuring 44 poems of protest, resilience, and rising authoritarianism in the Trump era—published by The Chaos Section Poetry Project.
thechaossectionpoetryproject.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Like every project at TCS, this book of protest poetry is available to download or read for free online. Also a paperback version available.
Reposted by Nick Allison
This is what oligarchy looks like:
If you're Elon Musk, the richest man alive, Tesla gives you a $1 trillion pay package & Trump gives you a huge tax break.
If you're a poor kid on SNAP, Trump appeals a court decision that would have prevented you from going hungry.
Obscene.
If you're Elon Musk, the richest man alive, Tesla gives you a $1 trillion pay package & Trump gives you a huge tax break.
If you're a poor kid on SNAP, Trump appeals a court decision that would have prevented you from going hungry.
Obscene.
November 7, 2025 at 12:18 AM
This is what oligarchy looks like:
If you're Elon Musk, the richest man alive, Tesla gives you a $1 trillion pay package & Trump gives you a huge tax break.
If you're a poor kid on SNAP, Trump appeals a court decision that would have prevented you from going hungry.
Obscene.
If you're Elon Musk, the richest man alive, Tesla gives you a $1 trillion pay package & Trump gives you a huge tax break.
If you're a poor kid on SNAP, Trump appeals a court decision that would have prevented you from going hungry.
Obscene.
A few folks have asked where I got the Veterans Against Trump t-shirt from the @huffpost.com essay: www.teepublic.com/user/cat-cat...
T-Shirts by cat-cat creations | TeePublic
Shop t-shirts, phone cases, hoodies, art prints and mugs created by independent artists from around the globe.
www.teepublic.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:54 PM
A few folks have asked where I got the Veterans Against Trump t-shirt from the @huffpost.com essay: www.teepublic.com/user/cat-cat...
New essay live today at @huffpost.com Personal about seeing past stereotypes, tribal thinking, and the lazy stories our brains tell us. As always, very grateful to editor @noahmichelson.bsky.social who is a joy to work with. www.huffpost.com/entry/vetera...
I Saw A Cop Looking At My ‘Veterans Against Trump’ T-Shirt. Then He Started Walking My Way.
"My brain sized him up before he even reached my table. Police officer. White. Middle-aged. Beard. Military tattoos."
www.huffpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
New essay live today at @huffpost.com Personal about seeing past stereotypes, tribal thinking, and the lazy stories our brains tell us. As always, very grateful to editor @noahmichelson.bsky.social who is a joy to work with. www.huffpost.com/entry/vetera...
New piece up at @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social this morning.
thefulcrum.us/democracy/us...
#SpeakerJohnson #NoKings #HateAmericarally
thefulcrum.us/democracy/us...
#SpeakerJohnson #NoKings #HateAmericarally
An Open Letter to Speaker Johnson: Real Patriots Don’t Fear Democracy
Dear Speaker Johnson,Well, the so-called “Hate America Rally” came and went, and it turns out the only hate anyone could find was the kind directed at it—mostly from you and the Trump regime. You migh...
thefulcrum.us
November 3, 2025 at 3:44 PM
New piece up at @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social this morning.
thefulcrum.us/democracy/us...
#SpeakerJohnson #NoKings #HateAmericarally
thefulcrum.us/democracy/us...
#SpeakerJohnson #NoKings #HateAmericarally
Finally sharing this! I sat down with Melissa Lemay for an interview on Collaborature back in Sept and somehow missed when it went live—totally on me. We talked Record of Dissent, writing, parenting, politics, music, and creative community. Thanks Melissa! collaborature.blogspot.com/2025/09/frac...
Fractions in a Spectrum: An Interview With Nick Allison
Collaborature poetry and fiction journal, interview, Nick Allison, The Chaos Poetry Section
collaborature.blogspot.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Finally sharing this! I sat down with Melissa Lemay for an interview on Collaborature back in Sept and somehow missed when it went live—totally on me. We talked Record of Dissent, writing, parenting, politics, music, and creative community. Thanks Melissa! collaborature.blogspot.com/2025/09/frac...
Honored to have a new #poem, “Notes Toward an Autopsy of a Republic,” in the November issue of Mobius: The Journal of Social Change, published alongside such amazing work from @julielmoore23.bsky.social, David Lee, Jim Tilley, and more. Great fiction and editorial too! mobiusmagazine.com/index.html
November 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Honored to have a new #poem, “Notes Toward an Autopsy of a Republic,” in the November issue of Mobius: The Journal of Social Change, published alongside such amazing work from @julielmoore23.bsky.social, David Lee, Jim Tilley, and more. Great fiction and editorial too! mobiusmagazine.com/index.html
Hey North Austin friends, dropped by #HalfPriceBooks in Cedar Park to grab a couple books and found
#RecordOfDissent rubbing elbows with Frost and Cohen. They still have 4 copies left on the #poetry shelf, just four bucks apiece!
thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/record-of-di...
#protest #resist
#RecordOfDissent rubbing elbows with Frost and Cohen. They still have 4 copies left on the #poetry shelf, just four bucks apiece!
thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/record-of-di...
#protest #resist
October 31, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Hey North Austin friends, dropped by #HalfPriceBooks in Cedar Park to grab a couple books and found
#RecordOfDissent rubbing elbows with Frost and Cohen. They still have 4 copies left on the #poetry shelf, just four bucks apiece!
thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/record-of-di...
#protest #resist
#RecordOfDissent rubbing elbows with Frost and Cohen. They still have 4 copies left on the #poetry shelf, just four bucks apiece!
thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/record-of-di...
#protest #resist
Jeff Tweedy on creation for creation’s sake, the joy of making stuff just to make it.
tcspress.com/2025/10/29/t...
#JeffTweedy #Wilco #Art #Songwriting
tcspress.com/2025/10/29/t...
#JeffTweedy #Wilco #Art #Songwriting
October 30, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Jeff Tweedy on creation for creation’s sake, the joy of making stuff just to make it.
tcspress.com/2025/10/29/t...
#JeffTweedy #Wilco #Art #Songwriting
tcspress.com/2025/10/29/t...
#JeffTweedy #Wilco #Art #Songwriting
Reposted by Nick Allison
Review of Broken Rengay: Unruly Poetry, a sharp, playful collaboration by Melissa Lemay, Nolcha Fox, and @barbaraleonhard.bsky.social, published by #ProlificPulsePress. It’s inventive, funny, and full of life. Like jazz in verse. thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/2025/10/28/b... #BrokenRengay #Poems
Poetry That Breaks the Rules—and Works
Broken Rengay: Unruly Poetry by Nolcha Fox, Melissa Lemay, and Barbara Leonhard(Prolific Pulse Press, 2025) Melissa Lemay, who readers will recognize from Record of Dissent, is back with a new coll…
thechaossectionpoetryproject.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Review of Broken Rengay: Unruly Poetry, a sharp, playful collaboration by Melissa Lemay, Nolcha Fox, and @barbaraleonhard.bsky.social, published by #ProlificPulsePress. It’s inventive, funny, and full of life. Like jazz in verse. thechaossectionpoetryproject.com/2025/10/28/b... #BrokenRengay #Poems
Reposted by Nick Allison
We’re open for #essay #submissions again. Political, philosophical, personal, somewhere in between. We like writing that says something real, makes people feel something, cuts through noise, challenges power, feels lived-in. If it’s honest, sharp, and human, we'd love to read it.
tcspress.com/write/
tcspress.com/write/
October 28, 2025 at 2:36 AM
We’re open for #essay #submissions again. Political, philosophical, personal, somewhere in between. We like writing that says something real, makes people feel something, cuts through noise, challenges power, feels lived-in. If it’s honest, sharp, and human, we'd love to read it.
tcspress.com/write/
tcspress.com/write/
Been helping out some with "Critical Mass: Three Point Five," a project focused on disciplined, nonviolent resistance and civic participation. It’s more of an info and research hub than an organizing site for now, but I think it’s worth checking out if you’re interested: criticalmass35.org #protest
History and data agree: when roughly 3.5 % of people engage in sustained, peaceful action, real change becomes possible.
"Critical Mass 3Point5" is built on that idea, nonviolence as realistic strategy, not wishful thinking. Explore the project: criticalmass35.org #Democracy #Trump #Protest #NoKings
"Critical Mass 3Point5" is built on that idea, nonviolence as realistic strategy, not wishful thinking. Explore the project: criticalmass35.org #Democracy #Trump #Protest #NoKings
Critical Mass: Three Point Five Percent
Authoritarian rule cannot withstand disciplined, organized, nonviolent resistance.
criticalmass35.org
October 25, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Been helping out some with "Critical Mass: Three Point Five," a project focused on disciplined, nonviolent resistance and civic participation. It’s more of an info and research hub than an organizing site for now, but I think it’s worth checking out if you’re interested: criticalmass35.org #protest
My good friend and fellow TCS contributor Adam “Brick” House has a message for every American who still believes in democracy. Watch his call for unity, courage, and action before tomorrow’s #NoKings protests.
tcspress.com/2025/10/17/c...
tcspress.com/2025/10/17/c...
Combat Veteran and Former Republican Calls on Americans to Join the ‘No Kings’ Protests
No Kings. No Tyrants. No Excuses. My good friend Adam “Brick” House is a combat veteran and longtime activist. He’s served his country in uniform, worked on campaigns, marched in protests, and neve…
tcspress.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:09 AM
My good friend and fellow TCS contributor Adam “Brick” House has a message for every American who still believes in democracy. Watch his call for unity, courage, and action before tomorrow’s #NoKings protests.
tcspress.com/2025/10/17/c...
tcspress.com/2025/10/17/c...
We haven’t failed at peaceful resistance in America. We just haven’t tried it yet.
New essay up at @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social, a nonpartisan platform where insiders and outsiders meet to repair our democracy. Follow them for thoughtful, solutions-based dialogue.
thefulcrum.us/civic-engage...
New essay up at @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social, a nonpartisan platform where insiders and outsiders meet to repair our democracy. Follow them for thoughtful, solutions-based dialogue.
thefulcrum.us/civic-engage...
Critical Mass and the 3.5% Rule: Why Nonviolent Protest Can Work When We Actually Try It
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably...
thefulcrum.us
October 8, 2025 at 1:27 PM
We haven’t failed at peaceful resistance in America. We just haven’t tried it yet.
New essay up at @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social, a nonpartisan platform where insiders and outsiders meet to repair our democracy. Follow them for thoughtful, solutions-based dialogue.
thefulcrum.us/civic-engage...
New essay up at @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social, a nonpartisan platform where insiders and outsiders meet to repair our democracy. Follow them for thoughtful, solutions-based dialogue.
thefulcrum.us/civic-engage...
I’m sure you already follow Rachel (@mother-poet.bsky.social) but if not, do so! She is a wonderful writer and a good human!
I originally wrote this with the theme of the second Chaos Section #chapbook in mind, but ultimately I decided to use different poems for this issue - including one filled with simple joys. But right now... I am feeling this one.
@chaossectionpoetry.bsky.social
#poem #poetry #GunViolence #trump
@chaossectionpoetry.bsky.social
#poem #poetry #GunViolence #trump
October 3, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I’m sure you already follow Rachel (@mother-poet.bsky.social) but if not, do so! She is a wonderful writer and a good human!
The Chaos Section Poetry Project Is Accepting Submissions Until Oct. 1
I’m excited to be serving as co-editor on the second installment of The Chaos Section Poetry Project, alongside the talented poet Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social
thetruthabouttigers.com/2025/09/18/t...
I’m excited to be serving as co-editor on the second installment of The Chaos Section Poetry Project, alongside the talented poet Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social
thetruthabouttigers.com/2025/09/18/t...
The Chaos Section Poetry Project Is Accepting Submissions Until Oct. 1
I’m excited to be serving as co-editor on the second installment of The Chaos Section Poetry Project, alongside the talented poet Rachel Armes-McLaughlin (@mother-poet.bsky.social). This new chapbo…
thetruthabouttigers.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The Chaos Section Poetry Project Is Accepting Submissions Until Oct. 1
I’m excited to be serving as co-editor on the second installment of The Chaos Section Poetry Project, alongside the talented poet Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social
thetruthabouttigers.com/2025/09/18/t...
I’m excited to be serving as co-editor on the second installment of The Chaos Section Poetry Project, alongside the talented poet Rachel Armes-McLaughlin @mother-poet.bsky.social
thetruthabouttigers.com/2025/09/18/t...
Do any other combat veterans notice that
the loudest voices calling for or supporting political violence or fantasizing about civil war usually belong to people who’ve never been anywhere near actual violence, or war?
the loudest voices calling for or supporting political violence or fantasizing about civil war usually belong to people who’ve never been anywhere near actual violence, or war?
September 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Do any other combat veterans notice that
the loudest voices calling for or supporting political violence or fantasizing about civil war usually belong to people who’ve never been anywhere near actual violence, or war?
the loudest voices calling for or supporting political violence or fantasizing about civil war usually belong to people who’ve never been anywhere near actual violence, or war?
The Chinese restaurant near my house doesn’t do “fortune cookies.” They’re more into “pragmatic financial advice cookies.”
September 10, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The Chinese restaurant near my house doesn’t do “fortune cookies.” They’re more into “pragmatic financial advice cookies.”