Patrick Schmiedt
@pschmiedt.bsky.social
Journalism professor and student media adviser, Citrus College. Microfilm enthusiast.
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
Look, it’d be hypocritical for me to say “we don’t need any more professional opinon-havers,” but opinion writing in 2026 doesn’t need the institutional support of a newsroom, and certainly not as a priority over reporting. Canning journalists to purchase more takes is a betrayal of mission.
The new CBS contributors:
Elliot Ackerman, Peter Attia, Masih Alinejad, Arthur Brooks, Caroline Chambers, Clare de Boer, Niall Ferguson, Roland Fryer Jr., Andrew Huberman, Coleman Hughes, Mark Hyman, Janna Levin, Casey Lewis, HR McMaster, Patrick McGee, Reihan Salam, Lauren Sherman, Derek Thompson
Elliot Ackerman, Peter Attia, Masih Alinejad, Arthur Brooks, Caroline Chambers, Clare de Boer, Niall Ferguson, Roland Fryer Jr., Andrew Huberman, Coleman Hughes, Mark Hyman, Janna Levin, Casey Lewis, HR McMaster, Patrick McGee, Reihan Salam, Lauren Sherman, Derek Thompson
January 27, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Look, it’d be hypocritical for me to say “we don’t need any more professional opinon-havers,” but opinion writing in 2026 doesn’t need the institutional support of a newsroom, and certainly not as a priority over reporting. Canning journalists to purchase more takes is a betrayal of mission.
Written by a former colleague of mine. Worth the time it will take to read it.
"Watching America Unravel in Minneapolis."
This is oustanding journalism by a New York Times reporter. It helped me realize what is happening there, and just how bad everything is. I recommend it, which doesn't mean I endorse every line.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/m... [gift link]
This is oustanding journalism by a New York Times reporter. It helped me realize what is happening there, and just how bad everything is. I recommend it, which doesn't mean I endorse every line.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/m... [gift link]
Watching America Unravel in Minneapolis
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Written by a former colleague of mine. Worth the time it will take to read it.
Generally not much of a fan of TMZ. But when they venture into these kinds of stories, they usually do so with clear eyes and a level of fearlessness that others could learn from.
Very good that TMZ is running this headline on its top story rn: www.tmz.com/2026/01/24/n...
January 25, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Generally not much of a fan of TMZ. But when they venture into these kinds of stories, they usually do so with clear eyes and a level of fearlessness that others could learn from.
If I shot and killed someone 100% in self-defense, I would still have to prove that to a jury. We should hold everyone to that standard.
January 24, 2026 at 9:58 PM
If I shot and killed someone 100% in self-defense, I would still have to prove that to a jury. We should hold everyone to that standard.
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
It's straight from the fascist playbook to create chaos and then demand unquestioned authority to stop the chaos.
January 24, 2026 at 5:49 PM
It's straight from the fascist playbook to create chaos and then demand unquestioned authority to stop the chaos.
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
Counterpoint: I think it'd be even more newsworthy if the Rams DIDN'T know this....
Rams know special teams vs. Seahawks could make or break their Super Bowl hopes
Rams know special teams vs. Seahawks could make or break their Super Bowl hopes
Special teams blunders played significant roles in the Rams' loss to the Seahawks in December. Have they finally fixed those issues heading into the NFC championship game?
www.latimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Counterpoint: I think it'd be even more newsworthy if the Rams DIDN'T know this....
I've been looking for this song for more than 20 years! All I could remember was that I heard it on ESPN, but I didn't know the artist, the title or the show I saw it on. Got lucky today and found it! "Last Man Standing" by Cash Brown from ESPN's "The Life": www.youtube.com/watch?v=E51d...
Cash Brown - Last Man Standing
YouTube video by HerculesRockefeller
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:12 AM
I've been looking for this song for more than 20 years! All I could remember was that I heard it on ESPN, but I didn't know the artist, the title or the show I saw it on. Got lucky today and found it! "Last Man Standing" by Cash Brown from ESPN's "The Life": www.youtube.com/watch?v=E51d...
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
This must be weird news to see if you’re one of the literally hundreds or even thousands of university administrators who preemptively censored faculty, scrubbed websites, changed the names of centers, etc.
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges. This leaves in place a federal judge's ruling that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. (Via AP) apnews.com/article/dei-... #ncpol #nced
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:45 PM
This must be weird news to see if you’re one of the literally hundreds or even thousands of university administrators who preemptively censored faculty, scrubbed websites, changed the names of centers, etc.
In these *gestures wildly* times, having something to laugh with has been critically important in maintaining my balance. For example ⬇️⬇️⬇️
How long has it been for you between watches of "Beavis and Butt-head Do the Universe," where the BnB multiverse came to fruition? Was it as long a gap as one of our hosts? New episode of TP For Your Earholes out now wherever you get your podcasts!
January 22, 2026 at 9:36 PM
In these *gestures wildly* times, having something to laugh with has been critically important in maintaining my balance. For example ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
One court decision, two different headlines.
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
January 22, 2026 at 3:30 AM
One court decision, two different headlines.
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
Guardian on the left, NY Times on the right. Which one more directly conveys information and the stakes to the reader?
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
Even after Trump is gone, the world will remember that he threatened to forcibly seize the territory of a peaceful democratic ally, and our institutions failed to immediately remove him. That makes US dangerously unreliable, not just one senile gangster.
His not being impeached by the end of the business day as a result of this threat is as much a problem as the threat itself. It’s not just Trump that the world has to worry about, it’s a GOP that supports him and Democrats who suck their thumbs and refuse to even discuss pushing to remove him
January 21, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Even after Trump is gone, the world will remember that he threatened to forcibly seize the territory of a peaceful democratic ally, and our institutions failed to immediately remove him. That makes US dangerously unreliable, not just one senile gangster.
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
I went ahead and made an unofficial guide to Bluesky, the official app of sports. I hope it helps you find your various sports/team communities.
badfaithtimes.com/your-guide-t...
badfaithtimes.com/your-guide-t...
Your Guide To Bluesky, The Official App of Sports
Using the power of sports, we can extract people from the society-destroying influence of Elon Musk
badfaithtimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:35 AM
I went ahead and made an unofficial guide to Bluesky, the official app of sports. I hope it helps you find your various sports/team communities.
badfaithtimes.com/your-guide-t...
badfaithtimes.com/your-guide-t...
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
Fairly sure it’s unintentional, but the end date on this mug being sold by the Smithsonian does make it sound a little like they’re saying America dies in 2026…
January 19, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Fairly sure it’s unintentional, but the end date on this mug being sold by the Smithsonian does make it sound a little like they’re saying America dies in 2026…
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
Did not realize that the Rams’ kicker was this dude! All of a sudden, our house has a team (and player) to root for in the NFL playoffs! #mevis
January 19, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Did not realize that the Rams’ kicker was this dude! All of a sudden, our house has a team (and player) to root for in the NFL playoffs! #mevis
Mountain View Subs in Casper, Wyoming. The best chicken cashew salad was what got me hooked; getting to know the owners (since @ohtheprofanity.com and I ate there every Friday for lunch, after the rush when they had time to chat) kept us coming back.
Sunday night timeline cleanse
please tell me about your favorite lost restaurant (closed for at least 5 years, like I really want you to go back into the vault), why you loved it and what you ate there
please tell me about your favorite lost restaurant (closed for at least 5 years, like I really want you to go back into the vault), why you loved it and what you ate there
January 19, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Mountain View Subs in Casper, Wyoming. The best chicken cashew salad was what got me hooked; getting to know the owners (since @ohtheprofanity.com and I ate there every Friday for lunch, after the rush when they had time to chat) kept us coming back.
Why I came to Bluesky in this moment. @jonbois.bsky.social doesn’t disappoint.
January 18, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Why I came to Bluesky in this moment. @jonbois.bsky.social doesn’t disappoint.
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
The Minnesota Star Tribune has reporters write about the ICE crackdown in Minnesota, then emails the next day’s layouts to Des Moines, Iowa, to be printed, then trucks the printed papers back to Minnesota for delivery, then can’t get the newspapers delivered because of the ICE crackdown in Minnesota
January 17, 2026 at 1:53 PM
The Minnesota Star Tribune has reporters write about the ICE crackdown in Minnesota, then emails the next day’s layouts to Des Moines, Iowa, to be printed, then trucks the printed papers back to Minnesota for delivery, then can’t get the newspapers delivered because of the ICE crackdown in Minnesota
This was fun! Hashtag Meeteetse
New ep Thursday! Nearly 30 years after its release, we take a look back at “Beavis and Butt-head Do America,” the movie that sent our dumbass duo to the big screen. And, because we can, Meeteetse. Download wherever you get your podcasts!
January 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM
This was fun! Hashtag Meeteetse
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
Saint Paul schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare for optional online learning.
I’ve seen schools close for snow, for pandemic, for natural disaster. I’ve never seen schools close because of threat from our own government.
I’ve seen schools close for snow, for pandemic, for natural disaster. I’ve never seen schools close because of threat from our own government.
January 15, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Saint Paul schools will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare for optional online learning.
I’ve seen schools close for snow, for pandemic, for natural disaster. I’ve never seen schools close because of threat from our own government.
I’ve seen schools close for snow, for pandemic, for natural disaster. I’ve never seen schools close because of threat from our own government.
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
A competent opposition political party would cut together the footage of what ICE had been doing in the twin cities with Mike Johnson saying "ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do" and have it in ads all across the country
Mike Johnson comes out against additional guardrails on ICE as Democrats call for it.
“I think there's a lot of Democrats playing games right now with national security and with law enforcement. And I think it's dangerous. Ice is doing what ice is designed to do by its very name.”
“I think there's a lot of Democrats playing games right now with national security and with law enforcement. And I think it's dangerous. Ice is doing what ice is designed to do by its very name.”
January 14, 2026 at 11:58 PM
A competent opposition political party would cut together the footage of what ICE had been doing in the twin cities with Mike Johnson saying "ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do" and have it in ads all across the country
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
"Protesters clashed with Birmingham authorities, who attempted to disperse the crowd with less-lethal canine crowd dispersal techniques after repeated requests to leave the area."
January 13, 2026 at 3:26 PM
"Protesters clashed with Birmingham authorities, who attempted to disperse the crowd with less-lethal canine crowd dispersal techniques after repeated requests to leave the area."
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
"The wall looks permanent until the day it comes down."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-wall-l...
Several people I know have used the word "beautiful" for this piece, and that's exactly right. A beautifully phrased essay on the bind we're in— until we aren't.
Recommended, in an extreme way.
data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-wall-l...
Several people I know have used the word "beautiful" for this piece, and that's exactly right. A beautifully phrased essay on the bind we're in— until we aren't.
Recommended, in an extreme way.
The Wall Looks Permanent Until It Falls
On the optimism of preparation in a time of democratic decay.
data4democracy.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:32 AM
"The wall looks permanent until the day it comes down."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-wall-l...
Several people I know have used the word "beautiful" for this piece, and that's exactly right. A beautifully phrased essay on the bind we're in— until we aren't.
Recommended, in an extreme way.
data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-wall-l...
Several people I know have used the word "beautiful" for this piece, and that's exactly right. A beautifully phrased essay on the bind we're in— until we aren't.
Recommended, in an extreme way.
@jonbois.bsky.social A thought: hoping the next big @secretbase.bsky.social project can be the history of tearing down the goalposts in college football... complete with searchable database?
January 11, 2026 at 9:28 PM
@jonbois.bsky.social A thought: hoping the next big @secretbase.bsky.social project can be the history of tearing down the goalposts in college football... complete with searchable database?
Reposted by Patrick Schmiedt
Joshes Allen like Attorneys General
When you have two Josh Allens in the same game, I believe you call that "Alleni."
January 11, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Joshes Allen like Attorneys General