Avery Kolers
@averykolers.bsky.social
Philosopher at the University of Louisville, specializing in applied ethics & political philosophy. Co-Editor of The Journal of Applied Philosophy.
Radley Balko tracks the law-enforcement side of the descent into fascist dictatorship.
The police militarization debate is over open.substack.com/pub/radleyba...
The police militarization debate is over open.substack.com/pub/radleyba...
The police militarization debate is over
Quaint disputes about the proper role of police and military have been superseded by a more urgent threat: Donald Trump is creating his own, personal paramilitary force
open.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Radley Balko tracks the law-enforcement side of the descent into fascist dictatorship.
The police militarization debate is over open.substack.com/pub/radleyba...
The police militarization debate is over open.substack.com/pub/radleyba...
Reposted by Avery Kolers
Trump realizes people are turning on him, which means he will get more desperate, aggressive, extreme, and violent.
These are all actions of a weak regime and weak man.
These are all actions of a weak regime and weak man.
June 16, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Trump realizes people are turning on him, which means he will get more desperate, aggressive, extreme, and violent.
These are all actions of a weak regime and weak man.
These are all actions of a weak regime and weak man.
Reposted by Avery Kolers
He’s gonna send the troops into our cities to create violence as a pretense for shooting us to control the violence.
Trump is now directing ICE to focus on Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York:
June 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
He’s gonna send the troops into our cities to create violence as a pretense for shooting us to control the violence.
Reposted by Avery Kolers
As this passage from a letter from several Dem lawmakers makes clear, ICE’s refusal appears to violate explicit federal law:
June 8, 2025 at 9:19 PM
As this passage from a letter from several Dem lawmakers makes clear, ICE’s refusal appears to violate explicit federal law:
53 Republican Senators and not a one of them represents the state of any of the universities on Trump's hit list. What a coincidence.
(Source: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/08/u...)
(Source: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/08/u...)
March 15, 2025 at 12:32 PM
53 Republican Senators and not a one of them represents the state of any of the universities on Trump's hit list. What a coincidence.
(Source: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/08/u...)
(Source: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/08/u...)
Reposted by Avery Kolers
Just thinking about what the US looked like before the EPA existed
March 13, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Just thinking about what the US looked like before the EPA existed
Imagine a president so villainous he is trying to destroy Habitat for Humanity.
March 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Imagine a president so villainous he is trying to destroy Habitat for Humanity.
Reposted by Avery Kolers
Again, the goal for this administration isn’t to counter antisemitism or protect Israel. It’s to weaponize antisemitism to go after their political enemies, advance an extreme agenda, and undercut democracy — and it only makes Jews *less* safe.
Donald Trump: "Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I am concerned. He has become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He is not Jewish anymore. He is a Palestinian."
March 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Again, the goal for this administration isn’t to counter antisemitism or protect Israel. It’s to weaponize antisemitism to go after their political enemies, advance an extreme agenda, and undercut democracy — and it only makes Jews *less* safe.
Trump's assault on Kentucky's economy continues. First he spurs retaliatory bourbon tariffs. Now he imposes steel and aluminum tariffs.
Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs are set to hike the cost of making the Ford F-150, America’s most popular vehicle.
More and more people are saying it: Degrowth Donald
www.wsj.com/business/aut...
cc @jeremywallace.bsky.social
More and more people are saying it: Degrowth Donald
www.wsj.com/business/aut...
cc @jeremywallace.bsky.social
One of the Biggest Victims of Trump’s Metals Tariffs: The Ford F-150
New steel and aluminum tariffs threaten to boost car and truck prices, as well as dent automaker profits.
www.wsj.com
March 12, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Trump's assault on Kentucky's economy continues. First he spurs retaliatory bourbon tariffs. Now he imposes steel and aluminum tariffs.
Reposted by Avery Kolers
From 2020-2022, "more than $1 billion flowed from more than 3,500 foundations and high-net-worth donors to about 150 nonprofits that advocate purging people from the voting rolls, restricting vote-by-mail or early voting, removing drop boxes, and other ways of making it harder for people to vote."
Right-Wing Donors and Foundations Spent $1 Billion to Keep People From Voting Last Year
A new study documents the fortunes spent to suppress voting in 2024.
prospect.org
March 12, 2025 at 1:52 PM
From 2020-2022, "more than $1 billion flowed from more than 3,500 foundations and high-net-worth donors to about 150 nonprofits that advocate purging people from the voting rolls, restricting vote-by-mail or early voting, removing drop boxes, and other ways of making it harder for people to vote."
Casting Trump's Canada/Fentanyl lie into further relief: thankfully, this catastrophe, which took off under Trump 1, began to subside well before Trump 2 took office.
www.npr.org/2025/03/07/n...
www.npr.org/2025/03/07/n...
Deadliest phase of fentanyl crisis eases, as all states see recovery
In some parts of the U.S., drug deaths have plunged to levels not seen since the fentanyl crisis exploded. Addiction experts say communities still face big challenges.
www.npr.org
March 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Casting Trump's Canada/Fentanyl lie into further relief: thankfully, this catastrophe, which took off under Trump 1, began to subside well before Trump 2 took office.
www.npr.org/2025/03/07/n...
www.npr.org/2025/03/07/n...
Reposted by Avery Kolers
A recent report showed that the destruction of just one USAID program, the anti-AIDS PEPFAR initiative, would lead to the deaths of one million people *every year* www.vox.com/future-perfe...
March 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A recent report showed that the destruction of just one USAID program, the anti-AIDS PEPFAR initiative, would lead to the deaths of one million people *every year* www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Reposted by Avery Kolers
Glad to see a statement from AAU on Columbia, since AAU can afford to be more assertive than any particular targeted university can be. But disappointed to see "unprecedented" not spelled out.
1/
www.aau.edu/newsroom/pre...
1/
www.aau.edu/newsroom/pre...
Statement of AAU President Barbara R. Snyder Regarding the Cancellation of $400 Million in Federal Contracts and Grants to Columbia University | Association of American Universities (AAU)
Statement of AAU President Barbara R. Snyder regarding the cancellation of $400 million in federal contracts and grants to Columbia University.
www.aau.edu
March 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Glad to see a statement from AAU on Columbia, since AAU can afford to be more assertive than any particular targeted university can be. But disappointed to see "unprecedented" not spelled out.
1/
www.aau.edu/newsroom/pre...
1/
www.aau.edu/newsroom/pre...
Reposted by Avery Kolers
Not only does the ADL support Trump's DHS/ICE goons disappearing a legal permanent resident, they openly hope that it will scare others into being quiet.
March 10, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Not only does the ADL support Trump's DHS/ICE goons disappearing a legal permanent resident, they openly hope that it will scare others into being quiet.
"Sorry, did I say Canada? Heh. Kentucky. I meant Kentucky."
Kevin Hassett suggests Canadian authorities are covering up major fentanyl operations: "I can tell you that in the situation room I've seen photographs of fentanyl labs in Canada that the law enforcement folks were leaving alone. Canada's got a big drug problem."
March 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
"Sorry, did I say Canada? Heh. Kentucky. I meant Kentucky."
If you haven't yet fired your bank, why not fire your bank?
(Specifically: Bank of America, BMO, CIBC, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, National Bank, TD Bank Group, and Wells Fargo.)
www.wired.com/story/big-ba...
(Specifically: Bank of America, BMO, CIBC, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, National Bank, TD Bank Group, and Wells Fargo.)
www.wired.com/story/big-ba...
The Biggest US Banks Have All Backed Out of a Commitment to Reach Net Zero
In the lead up to the inauguration, the six largest US banks left a voluntary alliance with the UN to reach net zero by 2050. Now, critics are calling for new climate laws.
www.wired.com
March 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
If you haven't yet fired your bank, why not fire your bank?
(Specifically: Bank of America, BMO, CIBC, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, National Bank, TD Bank Group, and Wells Fargo.)
www.wired.com/story/big-ba...
(Specifically: Bank of America, BMO, CIBC, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, National Bank, TD Bank Group, and Wells Fargo.)
www.wired.com/story/big-ba...
Reposted by Avery Kolers
JOAP SPECIAL ISSUE ON PROCREATION, INTERGENERATIONAL JUSTICE, AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS | Guest Eds: Serena Olsaretti & Isa Trifan onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14685930... #philsky #appliedphilosophy
Journal of Applied Philosophy: Vol 42, No 1
Click on the title to browse this issue
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 28, 2025 at 1:12 PM
JOAP SPECIAL ISSUE ON PROCREATION, INTERGENERATIONAL JUSTICE, AND THE CLIMATE CRISIS | Guest Eds: Serena Olsaretti & Isa Trifan onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14685930... #philsky #appliedphilosophy
Reposted by Avery Kolers
Rather than get mad at "retaliatory tariffs" maybe the Kentucky Distillers' Association should place the blame where it belongs: on Donald Trump. whiskeynetwork.net/2025/03/kda-...
KDA Statement on “Retaliatory Tariffs” on Bourbon - Whiskey Network
Kentucky Distillers' Association President Eric Gregory released the following statement today on what the KDA calls "retaliatory tariffs" against bourbon:"Kentucky bourbon is a great American success...
whiskeynetwork.net
March 6, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Rather than get mad at "retaliatory tariffs" maybe the Kentucky Distillers' Association should place the blame where it belongs: on Donald Trump. whiskeynetwork.net/2025/03/kda-...
Reposted by Avery Kolers
Commentary by Tom FitzGerald
Shortsighted and unconstitutional
Senate Bill 84 would tip scales of justice against health and safety, encroach on KY courts’ independence.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/03/05/s...
Shortsighted and unconstitutional
Senate Bill 84 would tip scales of justice against health and safety, encroach on KY courts’ independence.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/03/05/s...
Bill would tip scales of justice against health and safety, encroach on KY courts' independence • Kentucky Lantern
A bill moving in the Kentucky legislature would hamstring the courts in their independent role and state agencies in their duty to implement laws.
kentuckylantern.com
March 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Commentary by Tom FitzGerald
Shortsighted and unconstitutional
Senate Bill 84 would tip scales of justice against health and safety, encroach on KY courts’ independence.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/03/05/s...
Shortsighted and unconstitutional
Senate Bill 84 would tip scales of justice against health and safety, encroach on KY courts’ independence.
kentuckylantern.com/2025/03/05/s...
Reposted by Avery Kolers
FACT: Immigrants are our nation's strength! Immigrants make up 17% of all health care workers, 28.2% of physicians, 27% of direct care workers, and a staggering 38% of home health aides. #ProtectImmigrantFamilies #MOMSky
March 5, 2025 at 3:13 AM
FACT: Immigrants are our nation's strength! Immigrants make up 17% of all health care workers, 28.2% of physicians, 27% of direct care workers, and a staggering 38% of home health aides. #ProtectImmigrantFamilies #MOMSky
Reposted by Avery Kolers
My favorite explanation, which isn't a complete one (nor would the author claim it was), is this by @johnkroman.bsky.social, who points to the not-much-help-from-the-Feds restoration of local social services, who are in many ways even more "first-responders" than the police.
Why did crime decline in 2023?
Because local government went back to normal
johnkroman.substack.com
March 4, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My favorite explanation, which isn't a complete one (nor would the author claim it was), is this by @johnkroman.bsky.social, who points to the not-much-help-from-the-Feds restoration of local social services, who are in many ways even more "first-responders" than the police.
Reposted by Avery Kolers
It's true homicides are still higher than they were in the early 2010s, when they hit near-historic lows.
But the decline in homicide since 2021 has been truly staggering. It's a huge public safety win, and thousands of ppl are alive bc of it.
It deserves--demands--the same attention as the spike.
But the decline in homicide since 2021 has been truly staggering. It's a huge public safety win, and thousands of ppl are alive bc of it.
It deserves--demands--the same attention as the spike.
March 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It's true homicides are still higher than they were in the early 2010s, when they hit near-historic lows.
But the decline in homicide since 2021 has been truly staggering. It's a huge public safety win, and thousands of ppl are alive bc of it.
It deserves--demands--the same attention as the spike.
But the decline in homicide since 2021 has been truly staggering. It's a huge public safety win, and thousands of ppl are alive bc of it.
It deserves--demands--the same attention as the spike.
Seconding this idea. The only good response in the joint address today is to walk out 25 at a time every third sentence, then gather at some designated meaningful spot outside for an event foregrounding T&M's victims, and formally announce the end of their cooperation with the coup.
March 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Seconding this idea. The only good response in the joint address today is to walk out 25 at a time every third sentence, then gather at some designated meaningful spot outside for an event foregrounding T&M's victims, and formally announce the end of their cooperation with the coup.
Reposted by Avery Kolers
We are not starting from scratch. The strategies and tactics are out there to resist the #Trump mafia state. But it’s time to put it all into action. Find some friends and start making some beautiful, good trouble. beautifultrouble.org
Beautiful Trouble
Creative tools for a more just world.
beautifultrouble.org
March 4, 2025 at 10:08 AM
We are not starting from scratch. The strategies and tactics are out there to resist the #Trump mafia state. But it’s time to put it all into action. Find some friends and start making some beautiful, good trouble. beautifultrouble.org
Reposted by Avery Kolers
Resources for philosophers on Bluesky:
1. Starter packs
go.bsky.app/kiKSKZ (people)
go.bsky.app/RMuQBg3 (orgs)
2. New PhilSky＋ feed 🦋
bsky.app/profile/did:... – uses #PhilSky & other common hashtags (see profile for more)
3. Lists
bsky.app/profile/did:... (people)
bsky.app/profile/did:... (orgs)
1. Starter packs
go.bsky.app/kiKSKZ (people)
go.bsky.app/RMuQBg3 (orgs)
2. New PhilSky＋ feed 🦋
bsky.app/profile/did:... – uses #PhilSky & other common hashtags (see profile for more)
3. Lists
bsky.app/profile/did:... (people)
bsky.app/profile/did:... (orgs)
March 4, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Resources for philosophers on Bluesky:
1. Starter packs
go.bsky.app/kiKSKZ (people)
go.bsky.app/RMuQBg3 (orgs)
2. New PhilSky＋ feed 🦋
bsky.app/profile/did:... – uses #PhilSky & other common hashtags (see profile for more)
3. Lists
bsky.app/profile/did:... (people)
bsky.app/profile/did:... (orgs)
1. Starter packs
go.bsky.app/kiKSKZ (people)
go.bsky.app/RMuQBg3 (orgs)
2. New PhilSky＋ feed 🦋
bsky.app/profile/did:... – uses #PhilSky & other common hashtags (see profile for more)
3. Lists
bsky.app/profile/did:... (people)
bsky.app/profile/did:... (orgs)