Sherman Patrick
@shermanpatrick3.bsky.social
Politics, process, and poetry
Just preordered @patrickwyman.bsky.social new book *Lost Worlds* at my fav local book store @onemorepagebooks.bsky.social. Not much harder than online, and more support for the people I want to support.
Giving myself a reward for all this virtue by picking up and reading a book I want in May.
Giving myself a reward for all this virtue by picking up and reading a book I want in May.
November 25, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Just preordered @patrickwyman.bsky.social new book *Lost Worlds* at my fav local book store @onemorepagebooks.bsky.social. Not much harder than online, and more support for the people I want to support.
Giving myself a reward for all this virtue by picking up and reading a book I want in May.
Giving myself a reward for all this virtue by picking up and reading a book I want in May.
Who needs humanities majors now? Ahahahhaa
November 25, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Who needs humanities majors now? Ahahahhaa
This issue is so much more complicated than we want it to be. An E-3 should never be analyzing whether an order is legal in a healthy system, only whether it was legally given. And we probably don't want every E-3 analyzing that order.
The whole paradigm simply doesn't contemplate this situation.
The whole paradigm simply doesn't contemplate this situation.
BLITZER: I want to be precise. Should members of the US military obey clearly illegal orders?
McCLAIN: You're asking an enlisted person for their opinion on what they think is legal. That's a pretty slippery slope. Follow your commander in chief. That's the oath that you took
(Not a no!)
McCLAIN: You're asking an enlisted person for their opinion on what they think is legal. That's a pretty slippery slope. Follow your commander in chief. That's the oath that you took
(Not a no!)
November 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
This issue is so much more complicated than we want it to be. An E-3 should never be analyzing whether an order is legal in a healthy system, only whether it was legally given. And we probably don't want every E-3 analyzing that order.
The whole paradigm simply doesn't contemplate this situation.
The whole paradigm simply doesn't contemplate this situation.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
These foreign-run accounts are following the best practices of disinfo:
-ID vulnerable audience
-amplify preexisting grievances, fissures, or hot-button issues
-monetize and watch the cash flow in.
We've seen this movie many times before. We shouldn't be shocked, but we should be vigilant.
/end
-ID vulnerable audience
-amplify preexisting grievances, fissures, or hot-button issues
-monetize and watch the cash flow in.
We've seen this movie many times before. We shouldn't be shocked, but we should be vigilant.
/end
November 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
These foreign-run accounts are following the best practices of disinfo:
-ID vulnerable audience
-amplify preexisting grievances, fissures, or hot-button issues
-monetize and watch the cash flow in.
We've seen this movie many times before. We shouldn't be shocked, but we should be vigilant.
/end
-ID vulnerable audience
-amplify preexisting grievances, fissures, or hot-button issues
-monetize and watch the cash flow in.
We've seen this movie many times before. We shouldn't be shocked, but we should be vigilant.
/end
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
November 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
We've got a cover for Lost Worlds, folks - coming May 5th, 2026. Preorder it here: www.harpercollins.com/products/los...
November 21, 2025 at 12:47 AM
We've got a cover for Lost Worlds, folks - coming May 5th, 2026. Preorder it here: www.harpercollins.com/products/los...
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
The other party is the opposition; the other chamber is the enemy.
we are returning to the state in which the framers intended for the legislature, in which the lower chamber and the upper chamber absolutely despise one another
The House has voted unanimously to repeal the provisions in the shutdown package which allow GOP Senators to sue the federal government and get as much as $1 million in damages - because the feds looked at their phone records in the Jan. 6 investigation.
November 20, 2025 at 3:59 AM
The other party is the opposition; the other chamber is the enemy.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Oh they’re fucking up the entire Massachusetts militia narrative - MA was different than any other colony bc it had 150 years of part time and regular militia service, 20k vets from the last war, and the kind of organization and paperwork you only get from weirdo puritans
November 17, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Oh they’re fucking up the entire Massachusetts militia narrative - MA was different than any other colony bc it had 150 years of part time and regular militia service, 20k vets from the last war, and the kind of organization and paperwork you only get from weirdo puritans
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Hello Ryan I hear you have some extra bamboo
November 18, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Hello Ryan I hear you have some extra bamboo
Dear BlueSky Users: there is more than one person in the Democratic person, and they are both even allowed to speak for themselves!
I think the most frustrating gap between insider knowledge and outsider conventional wisdom is the belief that Ds do or even CAN coordinate messages.
I think the most frustrating gap between insider knowledge and outsider conventional wisdom is the belief that Ds do or even CAN coordinate messages.
November 17, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Dear BlueSky Users: there is more than one person in the Democratic person, and they are both even allowed to speak for themselves!
I think the most frustrating gap between insider knowledge and outsider conventional wisdom is the belief that Ds do or even CAN coordinate messages.
I think the most frustrating gap between insider knowledge and outsider conventional wisdom is the belief that Ds do or even CAN coordinate messages.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
"Control" is not in the lexicon of a Senate floor leader in describing his relationship with party colleagues. Never has been. Not even LBJ. But PR is something that a leader is expected to manage well. Schumer rose over Durbin for this reason, but he doesn't get a passing grade in this episode.
November 11, 2025 at 6:19 PM
"Control" is not in the lexicon of a Senate floor leader in describing his relationship with party colleagues. Never has been. Not even LBJ. But PR is something that a leader is expected to manage well. Schumer rose over Durbin for this reason, but he doesn't get a passing grade in this episode.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Can't be certain of the full story for each of the eight Dems. I'm more certain that Schumer prefers to let us believe that he orchestrated or at least allowed the outcome than that he failed to keep his party united.
November 10, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Can't be certain of the full story for each of the eight Dems. I'm more certain that Schumer prefers to let us believe that he orchestrated or at least allowed the outcome than that he failed to keep his party united.
The people who talk for a living and don't use SNAP and don't rely on government contracts for paychecks are sure those that those who do could have suffered a little longer to vindicate their strategy threads.
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The people who talk for a living and don't use SNAP and don't rely on government contracts for paychecks are sure those that those who do could have suffered a little longer to vindicate their strategy threads.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
I know everyone is upset about the deal, but don’t worry. We’ll be doing this again in a month.
November 10, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I know everyone is upset about the deal, but don’t worry. We’ll be doing this again in a month.
Strong divide this morning between people who talk for a living and people who actually do stuff.
Reminds me of @radiofreetom.bsky.social Death of Expertise theory.
Maybe primarily interacting in a forum specifically designed to reward communication savvy over information is a mistake
Reminds me of @radiofreetom.bsky.social Death of Expertise theory.
Maybe primarily interacting in a forum specifically designed to reward communication savvy over information is a mistake
November 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Strong divide this morning between people who talk for a living and people who actually do stuff.
Reminds me of @radiofreetom.bsky.social Death of Expertise theory.
Maybe primarily interacting in a forum specifically designed to reward communication savvy over information is a mistake
Reminds me of @radiofreetom.bsky.social Death of Expertise theory.
Maybe primarily interacting in a forum specifically designed to reward communication savvy over information is a mistake
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Without UC, remaining hurdles in the Senate:
– Up to 30 hours of debate
– Vote on adoption of the motion to proceed (simple majority)
– Wait two days
– Vote on cloture on the substitute amendment (60 votes)
– Up to 30 hours of debate
– Vote on adoption of the...
– Up to 30 hours of debate
– Vote on adoption of the motion to proceed (simple majority)
– Wait two days
– Vote on cloture on the substitute amendment (60 votes)
– Up to 30 hours of debate
– Vote on adoption of the...
November 10, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Without UC, remaining hurdles in the Senate:
– Up to 30 hours of debate
– Vote on adoption of the motion to proceed (simple majority)
– Wait two days
– Vote on cloture on the substitute amendment (60 votes)
– Up to 30 hours of debate
– Vote on adoption of the...
– Up to 30 hours of debate
– Vote on adoption of the motion to proceed (simple majority)
– Wait two days
– Vote on cloture on the substitute amendment (60 votes)
– Up to 30 hours of debate
– Vote on adoption of the...
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Sure. Which in turn would kick the ball out to mid-January, where we'll be right back where we are now, but with SNAP and federal employee firings off the table, at least.
And again: He'll have to swear in Grijalva, which means 218 for the Epstein files. At least that's my understanding.
And again: He'll have to swear in Grijalva, which means 218 for the Epstein files. At least that's my understanding.
November 10, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Sure. Which in turn would kick the ball out to mid-January, where we'll be right back where we are now, but with SNAP and federal employee firings off the table, at least.
And again: He'll have to swear in Grijalva, which means 218 for the Epstein files. At least that's my understanding.
And again: He'll have to swear in Grijalva, which means 218 for the Epstein files. At least that's my understanding.
Need to go to bed, counting on you @ringwiss.bsky.social to track it Thune fills the tree. This could be a fun one for some "strike" amendments that would be germane post-cloture. A guy can dream.
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Need to go to bed, counting on you @ringwiss.bsky.social to track it Thune fills the tree. This could be a fun one for some "strike" amendments that would be germane post-cloture. A guy can dream.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Any bets that the Antideficiency Act and Impoundment Control Act will double or triple in length four years from now (with a Dem in the White House)? Some tricky issues, but plenty of good ideas summarized in a few places...
November 8, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Any bets that the Antideficiency Act and Impoundment Control Act will double or triple in length four years from now (with a Dem in the White House)? Some tricky issues, but plenty of good ideas summarized in a few places...
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Wrote about the election (at length). An excerpt:
www.pbump.net/o/democracy-...
www.pbump.net/o/democracy-...
November 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Wrote about the election (at length). An excerpt:
www.pbump.net/o/democracy-...
www.pbump.net/o/democracy-...
Hell of a thing to say when you have a two seat majority that includes 15 members from California and New York
Mike Johnson: "What happened last night is blue states and blue cities voted blue. We all saw that coming. And no one should read too much into last night's election results."
November 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Hell of a thing to say when you have a two seat majority that includes 15 members from California and New York
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Democrats should do this, Democrats should do that. There is no such thing as "Democrats" making such decisions except in the broadest and most diffuse sense of Dem primary voters. And in purple-red states and districts, they generally do choose the more electable moderate when one's on offer.
November 4, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Democrats should do this, Democrats should do that. There is no such thing as "Democrats" making such decisions except in the broadest and most diffuse sense of Dem primary voters. And in purple-red states and districts, they generally do choose the more electable moderate when one's on offer.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
This is an important point about the whole debate. "The Democratic Party" isn't really a political party that can make centralized decisions because that's not the US system. It's a ballot label. The party org and leadership are functionally powerless over who gets nominated and what they run on.
I agree that national party images and policy matters. What continues to elude me is your proposal on how to enforce a shared policy across state level parties (especially major ones) or how you're going to ensure that minor Democrats don't set the image of the national party.
My argument is super simple, it’s that according to Elliott Morris’s data:
1. Moderates do better on average
2. National party images are increasingly important
Morris is a smart guy and Democrats should follow his advice and moderate their national image.
1. Moderates do better on average
2. National party images are increasingly important
Morris is a smart guy and Democrats should follow his advice and moderate their national image.
November 4, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This is an important point about the whole debate. "The Democratic Party" isn't really a political party that can make centralized decisions because that's not the US system. It's a ballot label. The party org and leadership are functionally powerless over who gets nominated and what they run on.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
Crazy day for your natsec lib friends who also understand the differences between Twelver and non-Twelver Shi'a Islam.
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Crazy day for your natsec lib friends who also understand the differences between Twelver and non-Twelver Shi'a Islam.
Reposted by Sherman Patrick
The winning Democratic message in 2025:
November 5, 2025 at 1:23 AM
The winning Democratic message in 2025: