John Halloran
@profhalloran.bsky.social
By day: Professoring; social work/social policy/complex systems; PhD/JD. By night: Food/drinks; burritos; vapid entertainment; sport. 24/7: brash tweedy impertinence; epistemic humility; tepid legality; personal account.
Reposted by John Halloran
Reposted by John Halloran
The best potato chip is the first one out of the bag. Everything else is chasing the dragon tail.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The best potato chip is the first one out of the bag. Everything else is chasing the dragon tail.
We’re listening to The Canadian Railway Trilogy.
Are we doing this right?
Are we doing this right?
November 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM
We’re listening to The Canadian Railway Trilogy.
Are we doing this right?
Are we doing this right?
Did I mention that I’m signing the Messiah in December? And did I mention that I’m wearing a tux for the performance?
And did I mention that you can livestream the 7pm concert on Saturday, December 13?
Well, it’s all been mentioned now. Link:
saintclement.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/9...
And did I mention that you can livestream the 7pm concert on Saturday, December 13?
Well, it’s all been mentioned now. Link:
saintclement.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/9...
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Did I mention that I’m signing the Messiah in December? And did I mention that I’m wearing a tux for the performance?
And did I mention that you can livestream the 7pm concert on Saturday, December 13?
Well, it’s all been mentioned now. Link:
saintclement.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/9...
And did I mention that you can livestream the 7pm concert on Saturday, December 13?
Well, it’s all been mentioned now. Link:
saintclement.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/9...
It’s days like this that make me think that we might have made Whitefish Bay if we’d put fifteen more miles behind us.
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
It’s days like this that make me think that we might have made Whitefish Bay if we’d put fifteen more miles behind us.
The seventh grader has been going through an allergy desensitization protocol since 2020. It's somewhat of an imposition into her lifestyle—she's up at 5:30 every day—so we try to do things to make it easier.
One of those things? Fluffernutter sandwiches, with ground nuts mixed with peanut butter.
One of those things? Fluffernutter sandwiches, with ground nuts mixed with peanut butter.
November 10, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The seventh grader has been going through an allergy desensitization protocol since 2020. It's somewhat of an imposition into her lifestyle—she's up at 5:30 every day—so we try to do things to make it easier.
One of those things? Fluffernutter sandwiches, with ground nuts mixed with peanut butter.
One of those things? Fluffernutter sandwiches, with ground nuts mixed with peanut butter.
Reposted by John Halloran
“As they exited, Bovino called Block Club Chicago “Chicago’s Liars Club.” He questioned the publication’s coverage of federal immigration operations in the city.”
“How come you never report on the work we do to improve the community?” Bovino inquired.“
“How come you never report on the work we do to improve the community?” Bovino inquired.“
Border Patrol Agents Pose At The Bean For Apparent Photo Op
The photo op came after agents tear-gassed a Little Village street and were spotted in the area numerous times. At the Bean, one agent shouted, "Everyone say, 'Little Village!'"
blockclubchicago.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
“As they exited, Bovino called Block Club Chicago “Chicago’s Liars Club.” He questioned the publication’s coverage of federal immigration operations in the city.”
“How come you never report on the work we do to improve the community?” Bovino inquired.“
“How come you never report on the work we do to improve the community?” Bovino inquired.“
This puts a point on something: Folks, in general, understand what is right. Or, at least, what they think is right. If you're telling them that "the Senate" or "politics" stands in the way of what is right, well, then it can't just be a deus ex machina. Otherwise we're just fucking peasants.
This is my favorite part of this cycle we've been repeating for my entire adult life: when they sit backwards on the chair for some real talk and explain that you're a fucking peasant who doesn't understand how things work.
Durbin said critics of his vote “need to understand how the Senate works”
November 10, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This puts a point on something: Folks, in general, understand what is right. Or, at least, what they think is right. If you're telling them that "the Senate" or "politics" stands in the way of what is right, well, then it can't just be a deus ex machina. Otherwise we're just fucking peasants.
It’s November 10.
I’ve already been tagged by Wham!’s Last Christmas.
I’ve already been tagged by Wham!’s Last Christmas.
November 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
It’s November 10.
I’ve already been tagged by Wham!’s Last Christmas.
I’ve already been tagged by Wham!’s Last Christmas.
Hey, Chicago, we’ve got a little snow on the ground! Don’t forget to shovel your walk! This is a concrete way that we can take care of our neighbors.
Snow removal is a justice issue.
Shovel your walk if you can. Shovel your neighbor’s if you can and they can’t.
Folks should be able to get around.
Shovel your walk if you can. Shovel your neighbor’s if you can and they can’t.
Folks should be able to get around.
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Hey, Chicago, we’ve got a little snow on the ground! Don’t forget to shovel your walk! This is a concrete way that we can take care of our neighbors.
So Trump is pardoning Giuliani and Powell and a bunch of other folks today?
November 10, 2025 at 12:09 PM
So Trump is pardoning Giuliani and Powell and a bunch of other folks today?
Reposted by John Halloran
If only one actor in the political system has an agenda they're willing to use the levers of power available to them to advance, & no one else is willing to shoulder the costs to stop them using the leverage they have, then that actor is sovereign—king in all but name—and his will is law.
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
If only one actor in the political system has an agenda they're willing to use the levers of power available to them to advance, & no one else is willing to shoulder the costs to stop them using the leverage they have, then that actor is sovereign—king in all but name—and his will is law.
Reposted by John Halloran
A 1-year-old girl has to get specialist care after ICE pepper-sprayed her family’s car—and a host of others—while they were in line to exit a Sam’s Club parking lot
1-year-old, pepper sprayed by federal agent in Cicero: 'My daughter didn't have to go through this'
Video shows federal agents spraying chemical irritants from a moving vehicle at a line of cars waiting to leave a Cicero Sam's Club on Saturday morning. The action appears to violate a judge's restric...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:57 AM
A 1-year-old girl has to get specialist care after ICE pepper-sprayed her family’s car—and a host of others—while they were in line to exit a Sam’s Club parking lot
There are things that I would have liked to have extracted for my vote to end the shutdown. Among those things would have been impoundment triggers and various other things to curb authoritarianism. And, like, healthcare? The stated purpose of this whole thing?
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 AM
There are things that I would have liked to have extracted for my vote to end the shutdown. Among those things would have been impoundment triggers and various other things to curb authoritarianism. And, like, healthcare? The stated purpose of this whole thing?
Reposted by John Halloran
It sows distrust to do democracy theater while those in power line up to support authoritarianism
November 10, 2025 at 1:52 AM
It sows distrust to do democracy theater while those in power line up to support authoritarianism
Where have you gone, Tom Skilling? A city turns its snowy eyes to you.
November 10, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Where have you gone, Tom Skilling? A city turns its snowy eyes to you.
This is so dumb. This is unbelievably dumb. Who gets the money is ultimately the same. EXCEPT you cut a whole lot of folks out by employing an unbelievably dumb mechanism.
How many folks who are using exchanges have FSAs? Why would you design it like this?
How many folks who are using exchanges have FSAs? Why would you design it like this?
"A development that appeared to break the logjam: Republicans proposed that healthcare funding be provided directly to households rather than used to pay for a 1-year extension of ACA subsidies. That involves sending federal money into FSAs instead of insurance companies" www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Republicans Pitch Alternative to ACA Extension to End Government Shutdown
A proposal by GOP senators to send money directly to consumers’ health accounts rather than to insurance companies showed signs of breaking a stalemate on negotiations.
www.wsj.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This is so dumb. This is unbelievably dumb. Who gets the money is ultimately the same. EXCEPT you cut a whole lot of folks out by employing an unbelievably dumb mechanism.
How many folks who are using exchanges have FSAs? Why would you design it like this?
How many folks who are using exchanges have FSAs? Why would you design it like this?
Reposted by John Halloran
JUST IN: The Justice Department formally appeals U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis' preliminary injunction, which restricts the use of force against protesters and journalists.
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
JUST IN: The Justice Department formally appeals U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis' preliminary injunction, which restricts the use of force against protesters and journalists.
First seventh grade basketball game of the season. Our tallest player is shorter than their shortest player. And that’s not the only way we’re outclassed.
2–38 at half.
Eek.
2–38 at half.
Eek.
November 9, 2025 at 9:34 PM
First seventh grade basketball game of the season. Our tallest player is shorter than their shortest player. And that’s not the only way we’re outclassed.
2–38 at half.
Eek.
2–38 at half.
Eek.
If I win the lottery, I won’t tell anyone. But there will be signs.
When I hit the Mega on Tuesday night, I’m going to dedicate the rest of my life to visiting and documenting New Deal-era Post Office buildings.
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
If I win the lottery, I won’t tell anyone. But there will be signs.
Reposted by John Halloran
Photos of the Feds with weapons out taken by @chicagotribune.com photographers yesterday @briancassella.bsky.social @mandophotos.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Photos of the Feds with weapons out taken by @chicagotribune.com photographers yesterday @briancassella.bsky.social @mandophotos.bsky.social
This is bananapants. Just absolutely bonkers.
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This is bananapants. Just absolutely bonkers.
Reposted by John Halloran
I'm struck by how many Chicagoans have seemingly felt compelled to write and share reflections on "this is what it feels like in Chicago right now". We know we're going through something awful together and we want the world to understand it.
Threading several of these pieces below.
Threading several of these pieces below.
November 9, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I'm struck by how many Chicagoans have seemingly felt compelled to write and share reflections on "this is what it feels like in Chicago right now". We know we're going through something awful together and we want the world to understand it.
Threading several of these pieces below.
Threading several of these pieces below.
Reposted by John Halloran
The WSJ on how unbelievably stupid Noem and Lewandowski are.
I don’t care that I’m late to this; it’s to good to pass up.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
I don’t care that I’m late to this; it’s to good to pass up.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
November 9, 2025 at 12:13 AM
The WSJ on how unbelievably stupid Noem and Lewandowski are.
I don’t care that I’m late to this; it’s to good to pass up.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
I don’t care that I’m late to this; it’s to good to pass up.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...