Paul Rosenberg
@paulrosenberg.bsky.social
Words. At Salon: https://www.salon.com/writer/paul_rosenberg
& Random Lengths News: https://www.randomlengthsnews.com/archives/author/paul-rosenberg
Election take: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xy5et7tjp2m5vcse6ky23v2x/post/3lajp4jwy2s2n
& Random Lengths News: https://www.randomlengthsnews.com/archives/author/paul-rosenberg
Election take: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xy5et7tjp2m5vcse6ky23v2x/post/3lajp4jwy2s2n
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
Pennsylvania and Lancaster PA: We need journalism like this.
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The first installment in a series of stories about private school enrollment is out today. @williesha.bsky.social and I spent a ton of time nailing down the numbers and talking with schools and parents about how Alabama’s newest school choice program is unfolding. www.al.com/educationlab...
How a new $7,000 tax credit will reshape school choice, education in Alabama: ‘Balancing act’
There has been intense demand for new school choice options, but oversight remains unclear.
www.al.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Pennsylvania and Lancaster PA: We need journalism like this.
Like, specifically the topics in this series.
Like, ASAP.
1/
Like, specifically the topics in this series.
Like, ASAP.
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Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
Unless the country's name starts with "V"?
"If you have some drug dealers in your country and you’re the president, you don’t necessarily put the president in jail for 45 years.” -- Donald Trump, last month.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Former President of Honduras Is Freed From Prison After Trump Pardon
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Unless the country's name starts with "V"?
"If you have some drug dealers in your country and you’re the president, you don’t necessarily put the president in jail for 45 years.” -- Donald Trump, last month.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Former President of Honduras Is Freed From Prison After Trump Pardon
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:02 PM
"If you have some drug dealers in your country and you’re the president, you don’t necessarily put the president in jail for 45 years.” -- Donald Trump, last month.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
it's the total incoherence, stupid!
any which way you look at it it's wrong, ergo there's no one right way to look at it ergo, total incoherence spreads to those who would call it out & oppose it.
any which way you look at it it's wrong, ergo there's no one right way to look at it ergo, total incoherence spreads to those who would call it out & oppose it.
If this whole thing were to be looked at as a "law enforcement" operation, the issue of 80 dead to make an arrest should be a huge scandal
Remember Waco? Remember 82 people dead in the Branch Davidian compound? If this *wasn't* an act of war, shouldn't the casualties be looked at in civilian terms?
Remember Waco? Remember 82 people dead in the Branch Davidian compound? If this *wasn't* an act of war, shouldn't the casualties be looked at in civilian terms?
No mention of the 80 dead Venezuelans in his address; shameless mention of Venezuela’s natural resources
January 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
it's the total incoherence, stupid!
any which way you look at it it's wrong, ergo there's no one right way to look at it ergo, total incoherence spreads to those who would call it out & oppose it.
any which way you look at it it's wrong, ergo there's no one right way to look at it ergo, total incoherence spreads to those who would call it out & oppose it.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
This is, of course, the opposite of the usual approach to learning most things, which begins from a place of discipline and obligation, rather than pleasure and desire.
So much of what's wrong with musical instruction has to do with the idea that everyone *should* play a musical instrument.
Everyone should be exposed to music and have the chance to learn an instrument as part of their education.
But forcing one on an unwilling student doesn't do anyone any good.
Everyone should be exposed to music and have the chance to learn an instrument as part of their education.
But forcing one on an unwilling student doesn't do anyone any good.
January 5, 2026 at 6:32 PM
This is, of course, the opposite of the usual approach to learning most things, which begins from a place of discipline and obligation, rather than pleasure and desire.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
Another way to put this is that in learning anything, but especially something like music, art or wine, one should be guided by pleasure and desire. You don't go back for a second date because you think you *should* like someone. You go back because you *do* like someone. Treat learning like dating.
If I were responsible for teaching a young person a musical instrument, the first thing I'd ask them is, What is a song you have a burning desire to play?
I'd then start with that song.
And if they didn't have one, I'd tell their parents to come back when they do.
I'd then start with that song.
And if they didn't have one, I'd tell their parents to come back when they do.
January 5, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Another way to put this is that in learning anything, but especially something like music, art or wine, one should be guided by pleasure and desire. You don't go back for a second date because you think you *should* like someone. You go back because you *do* like someone. Treat learning like dating.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
The main thing is that you don't have to "understand" art or wine, or why you like it, in order to develop a taste for it. Just gravitate to what you like, and if becomes important enough to you, the understanding will follow.
My own advice for jazz, but also classical, opera and even wine, is simple: Start with your taste.
That means going through a few compilations and noting the artists that you like. Then follow up on a few of them and build outward by finding out who they influenced and collaborated with.
That means going through a few compilations and noting the artists that you like. Then follow up on a few of them and build outward by finding out who they influenced and collaborated with.
I’m New to Jazz. Where Do I Start?
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:21 PM
The main thing is that you don't have to "understand" art or wine, or why you like it, in order to develop a taste for it. Just gravitate to what you like, and if becomes important enough to you, the understanding will follow.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
At the rate they're just tweeting it out, I may have to abandon the book I'm working on and go straight to writing the sequel.
Eyes wide open, folks. They're revealing the supervillain plot.
January 5, 2026 at 8:35 PM
At the rate they're just tweeting it out, I may have to abandon the book I'm working on and go straight to writing the sequel.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
As @chrispps.bsky.social suggested, today, class, we will once again discuss "revealed preferences"
The entire backlash is ex post rationalization of undesired personal outcomes & every family of means & status continues to want to send their kids to the highest ranked universities & colleges.
The entire backlash is ex post rationalization of undesired personal outcomes & every family of means & status continues to want to send their kids to the highest ranked universities & colleges.
Despite the reported skepticism of higher education, Americans “still recognize the value of a degree for themselves and their children. And they’re correct to do so,” @rosehorowitch.bsky.social writes.
The College Backlash Is a Mirage
Americans are more pessimistic than ever about the value of a degree—but enrollment keeps going up.
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 4:33 PM
As @chrispps.bsky.social suggested, today, class, we will once again discuss "revealed preferences"
The entire backlash is ex post rationalization of undesired personal outcomes & every family of means & status continues to want to send their kids to the highest ranked universities & colleges.
The entire backlash is ex post rationalization of undesired personal outcomes & every family of means & status continues to want to send their kids to the highest ranked universities & colleges.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
Really appreciate that Mark is pointing this out.
There's a rising faction of the legal academy that stays quiet when their MAGAdemic colleagues produce fraudulent psuedo-scholarship in service to the cruelest aspects of Trump's agenda ... then leap in to police the discourse when their progressive colleagues criticize those MAGAdemics too bluntly.
January 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Really appreciate that Mark is pointing this out.
Routine GOP #MafiaState lawlessness.
Pentagon cuts Sen. Mark Kelly’s military retirement pay as punishment over ‘illegal orders’ video. www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/p...
Pentagon cuts Sen. Mark Kelly’s military retirement pay as punishment over ‘illegal orders’ video | CNN Politics
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced Monday that the Pentagon is taking administrative action to punish Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, by cutting his retirement pay for participating ...
www.cnn.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Routine GOP #MafiaState lawlessness.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
This fucking story does not even mention that Trump & Co have been whipping up a firestorm of baseless allegations against him which are almost certainly fueling violent threats
January 5, 2026 at 2:52 PM
This fucking story does not even mention that Trump & Co have been whipping up a firestorm of baseless allegations against him which are almost certainly fueling violent threats
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
Schrödinger's American power/hegemony
The other problem is that these claims of a totally transformed world order run directly against the other dominant claim in IR right now, i.e., the death knell of 🇺🇸 power/hegemony. Somehow, 🇺🇸 is in terminal decline & also so powerful that our domestic politics can <entirely transform> world order.
January 5, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Schrödinger's American power/hegemony
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
If you want Senate Democrats to do more, we must put more Democrats in the Senate. The depravity and evil of the Republican party is a singular national problem and reducing their political power is a matter of urgency. Help local organizers in Maine do the work.
secure.actblue.com/donate/jrsli...
secure.actblue.com/donate/jrsli...
Help Democrats organize and win!
Help Democrats organize and win in Maine!
secure.actblue.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:42 PM
If you want Senate Democrats to do more, we must put more Democrats in the Senate. The depravity and evil of the Republican party is a singular national problem and reducing their political power is a matter of urgency. Help local organizers in Maine do the work.
secure.actblue.com/donate/jrsli...
secure.actblue.com/donate/jrsli...
Agree with the premise here, but what we've just seen with Venezuela shows just where serious danger lies.
Trump's out to destroy the entire liberal world order & Dem foreign policy cowardice & complicity are keys to his potential success.
Trump's out to destroy the entire liberal world order & Dem foreign policy cowardice & complicity are keys to his potential success.
"I'm not going to say that things are going to be OK.
I don't think the next three years are going to be a cakewalk.
We have to do a lot in order to survive the next three years and minimize the harm that the Trump administration could do." www.liberalcurrents.com/neon-liberal...
I don't think the next three years are going to be a cakewalk.
We have to do a lot in order to survive the next three years and minimize the harm that the Trump administration could do." www.liberalcurrents.com/neon-liberal...
Neon Liberalism #58: We Are Going to Win
Take a step back and recall where you were on election night 2024. Recall the way the future looked in January 2025 at Trump's inauguration. In this episode, Samantha and Adam Gurri, editor-in-chief o...
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Agree with the premise here, but what we've just seen with Venezuela shows just where serious danger lies.
Trump's out to destroy the entire liberal world order & Dem foreign policy cowardice & complicity are keys to his potential success.
Trump's out to destroy the entire liberal world order & Dem foreign policy cowardice & complicity are keys to his potential success.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
A related problem is that models for mainstream news, K-12, and higher ed functionally forbid saying that Republicans are the primary problem in American politics, even tho ignoring that fact undermines their supposed missions to inform.
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
January 5, 2026 at 6:29 PM
A related problem is that models for mainstream news, K-12, and higher ed functionally forbid saying that Republicans are the primary problem in American politics, even tho ignoring that fact undermines their supposed missions to inform.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
WS Burroughs's Nova Trilogy
What's your favourite thing that's been made by an absolute cunt?
January 5, 2026 at 6:34 PM
WS Burroughs's Nova Trilogy
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
I don't know how many more demonstrations we need that under-moderation is a more serious problem than over-moderation of social media at this point
Well shit. Sad Trombone Karl (now suspended) sent his followers last night to brigade and death threat Sky Marchini (plus misgendering them), and Sky has now left Bluesky. I hate this!
Looks like his account is gone/suspended
January 5, 2026 at 7:24 PM
I don't know how many more demonstrations we need that under-moderation is a more serious problem than over-moderation of social media at this point
New frontiers in "population control":
RFK Jr.'s America: The new CDC guidelines recommend all children get vaccines for 11 diseases, compared with the 18 previously on the schedule.
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
CDC overhauls childhood vaccine schedule to resemble Denmark in unprecedented move
The new U.S. guidelines recommend all children get vaccines for 11 diseases, compared with the 18 previously on the schedule.
www.nbcnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
New frontiers in "population control":
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
I’m so tired: bsky.app/profile/mcop...
This framing based on Trump's putative "desires" and "interests" and what he says--without any reality checks in the hed or subhed--is incredibly dangerous. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
What to Know About Trump’s Desire to Take Over Greenland
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:40 PM
I’m so tired: bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Manufactured scandal destroys top Dem voice.
Like that's never happened before.
But record fast this time.
Like that's never happened before.
But record fast this time.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he is dropping re-election bid www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he is dropping re-election bid
The announcement from Walz, a Democrat, comes amid heightened scrutiny of the state's handling of alleged fraud.
www.nbcnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Manufactured scandal destroys top Dem voice.
Like that's never happened before.
But record fast this time.
Like that's never happened before.
But record fast this time.
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
I'm sure all the "this is great, actually" hawks have fully thought through what happens when you give a Trump a war cookie
January 5, 2026 at 2:20 PM
I'm sure all the "this is great, actually" hawks have fully thought through what happens when you give a Trump a war cookie
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
👋🏼
FYI: Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns today.
January 5, 2026 at 2:21 PM
👋🏼
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
“Rubio’s approval ratings are the highest in the GOP, even as he is the architect of what is arguably Trump’s single most cynical policy: the scheme to appoint drug cartel bosses and their cronies atop the governments of every Latin American country, in the name of fighting drug cartels.”
The Narco-Terrorist Elite - The American Prospect
Why is Marco Rubio so hell-bent on making Iran-Contra again?
prospect.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:28 PM
“Rubio’s approval ratings are the highest in the GOP, even as he is the architect of what is arguably Trump’s single most cynical policy: the scheme to appoint drug cartel bosses and their cronies atop the governments of every Latin American country, in the name of fighting drug cartels.”
Reposted by Paul Rosenberg
Maduro’s mistake wasn’t dealing drugs with cartels, it was dealing drugs with the wrong cartels.
As a teenager, Marco Rubio worked for his brother-in-law Orlando Cicilia in an import and sale business of exotic animals. It was a front for moving nearly half a million pounds of cocaine and marijuana
Maureen Tkacik
prospect.org/2025/12/23/n...
Maureen Tkacik
prospect.org/2025/12/23/n...
The Narco-Terrorist Elite - The American Prospect
Why is Marco Rubio so hell-bent on making Iran-Contra again?
prospect.org
January 5, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Maduro’s mistake wasn’t dealing drugs with cartels, it was dealing drugs with the wrong cartels.