Steve Saideman
@smsaideman.bsky.social
#CivMil relations; Director, @CdsnRcds; saideman.blogspot.com; Co-host, Battle Rhythm podcast cdsn-rcds.com/battlerhythm, International Relations professor. Used to study nationalism/ethnic conflict.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
The first and last lines of Joni Ernst’s legacy as a human on earth will be that she was instrumental in the confirmation of the Sec of Defense most hostile to women serving in military, and she knew that when she voted for him.
November 12, 2025 at 12:55 AM
The first and last lines of Joni Ernst’s legacy as a human on earth will be that she was instrumental in the confirmation of the Sec of Defense most hostile to women serving in military, and she knew that when she voted for him.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
The fact that this, and every other Trump pardonee who has subsequently broken the law, has not ended Trump's political career, that it barely even registers on the national discourse, underlines just how far we are from a functioning democracy that values accountability.
A man pardoned by Donald Trump for his role in January 6th - he assaulted Capitol Police officers with bear spray & a metal whip - has avoided prison for child sex crimes because of the president’s sweeping pardon, despite pleading guilty to soliciting what he believed was a 15-year-old girl for sex
Trump Pardon Lets Convicted Child Sex Predator Walk Free
Andrew Taake walked free because of Trump’s pardons, despite being convicted of a child sex crime.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:29 AM
The fact that this, and every other Trump pardonee who has subsequently broken the law, has not ended Trump's political career, that it barely even registers on the national discourse, underlines just how far we are from a functioning democracy that values accountability.
To be fair, MAGA is an example of overt white supremacy.
Indiana University removed a Lecturer from her "Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice" course after a student filed a complaint about a graphic the instructor showed in class, which included "Make America Great Again" as an example of "Covert White Supremacy."
www.wfyi.org/news/article...
www.wfyi.org/news/article...
IU lecturer removed from class during intellectual diversity investigation
A lecturer in the Indiana University School of Social Work has been removed from teaching one of her classes Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice while the university investigates a complaint...
www.wfyi.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:02 AM
To be fair, MAGA is an example of overt white supremacy.
Thanks, Trump.
COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT PETRO ORDERS SUSPENSION OF INTELLIGENCE SHARING WITH U.S. SECURITY AGENCIES — VIA X
November 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Thanks, Trump.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
If Pete Hegseth believed in prioritizing merit in the military, he would have stepped down a long time ago.
I’m proud to stand in a long line of badass women who have served or are currently serving their country, even when people like Pete Hegseth refuse to give us equal opportunity to lead.
I’m proud to stand in a long line of badass women who have served or are currently serving their country, even when people like Pete Hegseth refuse to give us equal opportunity to lead.
Exclusive: ‘She was the best man for the job’: Hegseth’s policies are forcing qualified women out of the military | CNN Politics
Active service women and men who spoke to CNN say that goals Hegseth laid out often don’t make sense and will damage the military.
www.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 PM
If Pete Hegseth believed in prioritizing merit in the military, he would have stepped down a long time ago.
I’m proud to stand in a long line of badass women who have served or are currently serving their country, even when people like Pete Hegseth refuse to give us equal opportunity to lead.
I’m proud to stand in a long line of badass women who have served or are currently serving their country, even when people like Pete Hegseth refuse to give us equal opportunity to lead.
Always a privilege to interview the super sharp colonels and captains who are traveling the US and Canada as part of their Halifax Intl Security Forum for the #BattleRhythm podcast.
November 11, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Always a privilege to interview the super sharp colonels and captains who are traveling the US and Canada as part of their Halifax Intl Security Forum for the #BattleRhythm podcast.
The more war crimes the US commits, the less cooperation the US will get from allies.
NEW via CNN: “The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal”
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
www.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The more war crimes the US commits, the less cooperation the US will get from allies.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
It’s insane to treat the filibuster as the most sacrosanct.
Article 1 power of the purse, oversight, and war? Nah.
Emoluments clauses? Bribery prohibition? Meh.
Criminal law? 14A? Doesn’t count.
But maybe the Senate changes a rule it has multiple times before? Gasp! Not that. Anything but that.
Article 1 power of the purse, oversight, and war? Nah.
Emoluments clauses? Bribery prohibition? Meh.
Criminal law? 14A? Doesn’t count.
But maybe the Senate changes a rule it has multiple times before? Gasp! Not that. Anything but that.
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
It’s insane to treat the filibuster as the most sacrosanct.
Article 1 power of the purse, oversight, and war? Nah.
Emoluments clauses? Bribery prohibition? Meh.
Criminal law? 14A? Doesn’t count.
But maybe the Senate changes a rule it has multiple times before? Gasp! Not that. Anything but that.
Article 1 power of the purse, oversight, and war? Nah.
Emoluments clauses? Bribery prohibition? Meh.
Criminal law? 14A? Doesn’t count.
But maybe the Senate changes a rule it has multiple times before? Gasp! Not that. Anything but that.
On this Remembrance Day, I am more focused on WWII than WWI ... for some reason.
November 11, 2025 at 12:39 PM
On this Remembrance Day, I am more focused on WWII than WWI ... for some reason.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
‘Vance is welcoming Nazis in all but name into the GOP. Their oft-stated goal is an ethnic cleansing of the United States and the vice president’s family. And Vance has moved to form a coalition with them, while the press cannot even attempt to explain to America what this means.’
JD Vance now leads the GOP. And he wants the party to welcome Hitler lovers.
And the press refuses to reckon with what this means.
www.thefarce.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:59 AM
‘Vance is welcoming Nazis in all but name into the GOP. Their oft-stated goal is an ethnic cleansing of the United States and the vice president’s family. And Vance has moved to form a coalition with them, while the press cannot even attempt to explain to America what this means.’
the joy of blogging is not having an editor.
A theory I have is that Substack is making people less careful readers, in that so many Substacks do not have an editor going “we don’t need this spoonfeeding or this pointless disclaimer that bad things are bad”, and so people increasingly expect more “bad things are bad” style disclaimers.
Once more I am begging those of you with Substacks to get an editor to look over your long, heartfelt screeds.
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
the joy of blogging is not having an editor.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
Senate Dems are out here posting noise like "omg the Senate GOP just voted against healthcare subsidies and are trying to sneak a bunch of terrible shit into the funding bill" — and people are flooding their mentions with "bitch, please, GTFOH"
Never seen such a dramatic swing in political momentum
Never seen such a dramatic swing in political momentum
November 11, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Senate Dems are out here posting noise like "omg the Senate GOP just voted against healthcare subsidies and are trying to sneak a bunch of terrible shit into the funding bill" — and people are flooding their mentions with "bitch, please, GTFOH"
Never seen such a dramatic swing in political momentum
Never seen such a dramatic swing in political momentum
Reposted by Steve Saideman
Stay and fight. From New York: if you register as an independent, you can't vote in the primary. And in a blue state like NY, primaries can be more decisive than general elections. And in general elections, you can vote on the Working Families Party line and signal the Dems you're a progressive.
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
Hey, a lot of people are talking about changing affiliation from Democratic to Independent.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
November 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Stay and fight. From New York: if you register as an independent, you can't vote in the primary. And in a blue state like NY, primaries can be more decisive than general elections. And in general elections, you can vote on the Working Families Party line and signal the Dems you're a progressive.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
🚨 Have you listened to the latest episode of Sirens? Breaking Defense's Congress/Industry Reporter Valerie Insinna brings you an insider's look at the rift between Pete Hegseth's Pentagon and the press corps that has covered it for decades. Listen wherever you get podcasts. https://ow.ly/aE4750Xpyj9
Sirens: A Bombshell production
News Commentary Podcast · Updated Biweekly · Sirens, a new podcast from the ladies of Bombshell, dissects the institutions of American power. With their trademark wit and charm, join Loren DeJonge Schulman, Radha Iyengar Plumb, and Erin Simpson …
ow.ly
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
🚨 Have you listened to the latest episode of Sirens? Breaking Defense's Congress/Industry Reporter Valerie Insinna brings you an insider's look at the rift between Pete Hegseth's Pentagon and the press corps that has covered it for decades. Listen wherever you get podcasts. https://ow.ly/aE4750Xpyj9
Reposted by Steve Saideman
I can't tell you how many interviews I've done where I've been asked: If Trump's policies are so problematic, why are U.S. stocks rising so rapidly.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I can't tell you how many interviews I've done where I've been asked: If Trump's policies are so problematic, why are U.S. stocks rising so rapidly.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
Don’t pretend it isn’t happening in Canada, and don’t let it get worse.
CBC uncovers a secret neo-Nazi gathering in Vancouver — attended by MMA gym owners, trainers & far-right extremists.
A chilling look at how hate is spreading in Canada — and why public journalism matters.
📰 r.pebmac.ca/https://www....
#SaveTheCBC #cdnpoli #AntiHate #Democracy
A chilling look at how hate is spreading in Canada — and why public journalism matters.
📰 r.pebmac.ca/https://www....
#SaveTheCBC #cdnpoli #AntiHate #Democracy
November 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Don’t pretend it isn’t happening in Canada, and don’t let it get worse.
as much as i am miffed at the Senato Dems for getting very little for their votes, I am pretty sure this scene portrays the dynamics that will most most next November.
Trump just got massively booed and flipped off by the crowd at the Commanders game.
(Video: Marisa Schultz)
(Video: Marisa Schultz)
November 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
as much as i am miffed at the Senato Dems for getting very little for their votes, I am pretty sure this scene portrays the dynamics that will most most next November.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
Supreme Court suggests that Kim Davis go fuck herself and/or one of her 37 ex-husbands.
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Supreme Court suggests that Kim Davis go fuck herself and/or one of her 37 ex-husbands.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
Why can't we have nice things for even one week
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Why can't we have nice things for even one week
Reposted by Steve Saideman
November 10, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Reposted by Steve Saideman
Congrats to the eight Democrats who gave this regime a huge win over the weekend. Here’s your reward.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Trump Pardons Giuliani and Others Involved in Effort to Overturn 2020 Election
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Congrats to the eight Democrats who gave this regime a huge win over the weekend. Here’s your reward.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Reposted by Steve Saideman
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
March 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
Reposted by Steve Saideman
Who Pays Trump’s Tariffs?
By October, 2025, Importers now bore only 27% of the tariff cost—less than half the estimate for June. A slightly higher 18% was now borne by exporters, and a much higher 55% was being passed on to consumers.
www.cfr.org/article/who-...
By October, 2025, Importers now bore only 27% of the tariff cost—less than half the estimate for June. A slightly higher 18% was now borne by exporters, and a much higher 55% was being passed on to consumers.
www.cfr.org/article/who-...
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Who Pays Trump’s Tariffs?
By October, 2025, Importers now bore only 27% of the tariff cost—less than half the estimate for June. A slightly higher 18% was now borne by exporters, and a much higher 55% was being passed on to consumers.
www.cfr.org/article/who-...
By October, 2025, Importers now bore only 27% of the tariff cost—less than half the estimate for June. A slightly higher 18% was now borne by exporters, and a much higher 55% was being passed on to consumers.
www.cfr.org/article/who-...
Reposted by Steve Saideman
The CPL Final is in the middle of a snowstorm in Canada, true North American soccer heritage...how could it get any better?
HOW ABOUT A FREAKIN' BICYCLE KICK EQUALIZER!!!
HOW ABOUT A FREAKIN' BICYCLE KICK EQUALIZER!!!
November 9, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The CPL Final is in the middle of a snowstorm in Canada, true North American soccer heritage...how could it get any better?
HOW ABOUT A FREAKIN' BICYCLE KICK EQUALIZER!!!
HOW ABOUT A FREAKIN' BICYCLE KICK EQUALIZER!!!