Ben Epstein
@benepstein55.bsky.social
Dad, Husband, Minnesotan, Poli sci prof at DePaul. I study political behavior, political communication, civic education, media, APD & REP. Fan of MN sports, nice people, podcasts & Twizzlers. He/Him
As far as threats to a representative democracy goes, this is a five alarm fire, and it is entirely in the hands of the Supreme Court. They essentially ruled on this two years ago and are now reconsidering.... democracy I guess.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
October 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
As far as threats to a representative democracy goes, this is a five alarm fire, and it is entirely in the hands of the Supreme Court. They essentially ruled on this two years ago and are now reconsidering.... democracy I guess.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Every shooting in this country is tragic. Today’s mass shooting of children just blocks from where I grew up in my favorite place anywhere is off the charts horrific. Nearly 47,000 Americans died from gun related deaths in 2023, including 18,000 murders. 1/3
August 27, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Every shooting in this country is tragic. Today’s mass shooting of children just blocks from where I grew up in my favorite place anywhere is off the charts horrific. Nearly 47,000 Americans died from gun related deaths in 2023, including 18,000 murders. 1/3
For those of you interested in (or concerned about) news media and news bias, there are a few different media bias measurement organizations out there. One of my favorites is Ad Fontes, which updates its ratings constantly. Here is their latest chart. Hope it is useful!
August 14, 2025 at 5:24 PM
For those of you interested in (or concerned about) news media and news bias, there are a few different media bias measurement organizations out there. One of my favorites is Ad Fontes, which updates its ratings constantly. Here is their latest chart. Hope it is useful!
Elections have consequences. The GOP led House followed Trump's lead and created a horrendous bill that rips healthcare, food, & security from poor & working class & gave it to the rich. The GOP led Senate made it worse. Never let them forget it. And remember this every election.
July 1, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Elections have consequences. The GOP led House followed Trump's lead and created a horrendous bill that rips healthcare, food, & security from poor & working class & gave it to the rich. The GOP led Senate made it worse. Never let them forget it. And remember this every election.
Evergreen message from our son from back in 2017. True every day.
June 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Evergreen message from our son from back in 2017. True every day.
Statement from Melissa and Mark Hortman’s children. ❤️🩹
June 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Statement from Melissa and Mark Hortman’s children. ❤️🩹
Even images that are real are sometimes used out of context or to show outlier events that do not represent the tone and context of a situation. However, images and video can also be used to shine a light on situations that can change public opinion and uncover wrongdoing.
June 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Even images that are real are sometimes used out of context or to show outlier events that do not represent the tone and context of a situation. However, images and video can also be used to shine a light on situations that can change public opinion and uncover wrongdoing.
I am including the "thinking" that gemini said it was doing during the creation of the images.
June 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
I am including the "thinking" that gemini said it was doing during the creation of the images.
I just created each of these images with the most recent free version of gemini (by google).
June 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
I just created each of these images with the most recent free version of gemini (by google).
The unnecessary escalation of military presence in Los Angeles continues as hundreds of marines have been called in. There is no crisis. There is no insurrection. There are protesters concerned for their neighbors, family, and communities. #LosAngelesProtests via NY Times👇
June 9, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The unnecessary escalation of military presence in Los Angeles continues as hundreds of marines have been called in. There is no crisis. There is no insurrection. There are protesters concerned for their neighbors, family, and communities. #LosAngelesProtests via NY Times👇
As Trump Says He’s Stamping Out Antisemitism, He Advances Similar Tropes www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/u...
June 3, 2025 at 6:52 PM
As Trump Says He’s Stamping Out Antisemitism, He Advances Similar Tropes www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/u...
The Constitution (specifically the Foreign Emoluments Clause (art. I, § 9, cl. 8):
“No Person holding any Office... shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
Trump:¯\_(ツ)_/¯
“No Person holding any Office... shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
Trump:¯\_(ツ)_/¯
May 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The Constitution (specifically the Foreign Emoluments Clause (art. I, § 9, cl. 8):
“No Person holding any Office... shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
Trump:¯\_(ツ)_/¯
“No Person holding any Office... shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.”
Trump:¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nothing suggests the GOP led Congress' confidence in sharing their "big beautiful bill" with the country more than scheduling their rules hearing for 1:00AM EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. Seems convenient for everyone, not to mention how it radiates transparency!
May 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Nothing suggests the GOP led Congress' confidence in sharing their "big beautiful bill" with the country more than scheduling their rules hearing for 1:00AM EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. Seems convenient for everyone, not to mention how it radiates transparency!
When you see a blatantly racist policy, call it out as what it is. "Trump Officials Seek to Bring First White Afrikaners to U.S. as Refugees Next Week" via @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/w...
May 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
When you see a blatantly racist policy, call it out as what it is. "Trump Officials Seek to Bring First White Afrikaners to U.S. as Refugees Next Week" via @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/w...
ESPN, I fixed your headline for you.
#WolvesBack
#WolvesBack
May 1, 2025 at 3:16 PM
ESPN, I fixed your headline for you.
#WolvesBack
#WolvesBack
Wolves … in … 5!
First time in franchise history the Timberwolves are in the second round of the playoffs two years in a row.
So proud of this squad! #Wolvesback
First time in franchise history the Timberwolves are in the second round of the playoffs two years in a row.
So proud of this squad! #Wolvesback
May 1, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Wolves … in … 5!
First time in franchise history the Timberwolves are in the second round of the playoffs two years in a row.
So proud of this squad! #Wolvesback
First time in franchise history the Timberwolves are in the second round of the playoffs two years in a row.
So proud of this squad! #Wolvesback
Fantastic roundtable speaking to the moment at #MPSA. Great context, thoughtful insights, scary realism. Short version: a lot has led to this moment of remarkable democratic backsliding and a lot will be needed. This is not a test. This is the emergency siren screaming.
April 4, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Fantastic roundtable speaking to the moment at #MPSA. Great context, thoughtful insights, scary realism. Short version: a lot has led to this moment of remarkable democratic backsliding and a lot will be needed. This is not a test. This is the emergency siren screaming.
Don't sell yourself short, seems like a LOT of people learned a LOT of things from this group chat.
March 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Don't sell yourself short, seems like a LOT of people learned a LOT of things from this group chat.
Just a Thursday in 2025 when I get an email from my University responding to the President signing an executive order to work to end the Department of Education which affects millions of K-12 and College students especially those who are poor and have IEPs
March 21, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Just a Thursday in 2025 when I get an email from my University responding to the President signing an executive order to work to end the Department of Education which affects millions of K-12 and College students especially those who are poor and have IEPs
While this is not a social movement, it is a war to protect an independent Ukraine from takeover, the power dynamics still fit.
When kids were attacked by police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham in 1963 it moved JFK to act. Now it needs to move congress and the public to act.
When kids were attacked by police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham in 1963 it moved JFK to act. Now it needs to move congress and the public to act.
February 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
While this is not a social movement, it is a war to protect an independent Ukraine from takeover, the power dynamics still fit.
When kids were attacked by police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham in 1963 it moved JFK to act. Now it needs to move congress and the public to act.
When kids were attacked by police dogs and fire hoses in Birmingham in 1963 it moved JFK to act. Now it needs to move congress and the public to act.
The meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky is stunning and embarrassing. But the fact that it is on live TV matters... historically those who have less leverage need to use media events to show a wider audience they are on the right side of a conflict but need broader support.
February 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
The meeting between Trump, Vance, and Zelensky is stunning and embarrassing. But the fact that it is on live TV matters... historically those who have less leverage need to use media events to show a wider audience they are on the right side of a conflict but need broader support.
Good morning Timberwolves fans!
February 25, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Good morning Timberwolves fans!
On Friday evening, the Department of Education Office Civil Rights issued a memo that was distributed to schools across the nation. It mandates that schools whitewash history, and must stop any curricula, events, & communications that could possibly be judged as DEI, or risk losing funding.
February 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
On Friday evening, the Department of Education Office Civil Rights issued a memo that was distributed to schools across the nation. It mandates that schools whitewash history, and must stop any curricula, events, & communications that could possibly be judged as DEI, or risk losing funding.
Checking in from Los Angeles. So much devastation and so many lost everything. My family and I are safe and haven’t had to evacuate. We’re so thankful for all those who are on the front lines fighting these fires. So many are taking care of one another. Take care out there. #LosAngelesFire
January 9, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Checking in from Los Angeles. So much devastation and so many lost everything. My family and I are safe and haven’t had to evacuate. We’re so thankful for all those who are on the front lines fighting these fires. So many are taking care of one another. Take care out there. #LosAngelesFire