Jessica Kusiak
@jessicakusiak.bsky.social
Mom to the divas pictured; All-around huge nerd according to the divas; Legal Services attorney in a previous life;
To be fair, it's not QUITE as easy as 30 minutes on the paper. You also need to have a politically-connected family member who can get news of your poorly graded, half-assed effort in the right hands to make it go viral before it can be properly monetized. So they're earning the payday. 🙄
look at how little effort it takes for someone on the conservative grievance circuit to destroy a life
millions of college kids have half assed an assignment at the last minute, you eat the F and move on
but the effort to push trans people out of public life will use whatever it can get
millions of college kids have half assed an assignment at the last minute, you eat the F and move on
but the effort to push trans people out of public life will use whatever it can get
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
To be fair, it's not QUITE as easy as 30 minutes on the paper. You also need to have a politically-connected family member who can get news of your poorly graded, half-assed effort in the right hands to make it go viral before it can be properly monetized. So they're earning the payday. 🙄
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
CBS NEWS: “We can’t report on the current murdering spree until we get the serial killer’s side of the story.”
December 22, 2025 at 8:39 PM
CBS NEWS: “We can’t report on the current murdering spree until we get the serial killer’s side of the story.”
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
It is very unusual for lawyers to march. Alexis de Tocqueville described attorneys as an aristocracy and "the most powerful existing security against the excesses of democracy." Things must be bad when they—when we—take to the streets to oppose dictatorship.
Worked in legal organizing for the last few years, and I never would have thought a movement of lawyers was possible until I had the displeasure of doing this job under Trump 2.0. Attacks on the rule of law are so blatant that even usually nonpartisan lawyers are done newrepublic.com/article/2026...
The Legal Professionals Planning to March Against Trump
Recent history has shown that attorneys and jurists can play a big role in bringing their nations back from the brink of autocracy. That day is coming for us as well.
newrepublic.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:48 PM
It is very unusual for lawyers to march. Alexis de Tocqueville described attorneys as an aristocracy and "the most powerful existing security against the excesses of democracy." Things must be bad when they—when we—take to the streets to oppose dictatorship.
If only we had a viable third. . .or rather 4th. . . option. . .
Much like 2024, Democrats seem to think there’s a binary choice in the 2026 election between voting for Republicans (evil) and voting for Democrats (feckless).
They rarely acknowledge the third option which inevitably harms them the most: staying home.
They rarely acknowledge the third option which inevitably harms them the most: staying home.
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 AM
If only we had a viable third. . .or rather 4th. . . option. . .
We will keep fighting. . . but we won't actually gain anything from the fight.
We'll keep capitulating, and trying to convince you that we accomplished something when we didn't really.
Is this working?
No.
We'll keep capitulating, and trying to convince you that we accomplished something when we didn't really.
Is this working?
No.
Democrats have been fighting for months to address America's healthcare crisis
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
November 10, 2025 at 4:36 AM
We will keep fighting. . . but we won't actually gain anything from the fight.
We'll keep capitulating, and trying to convince you that we accomplished something when we didn't really.
Is this working?
No.
We'll keep capitulating, and trying to convince you that we accomplished something when we didn't really.
Is this working?
No.
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
This is why this surrender isn't just about this narrow issue but is rather the whole constitutional ballgame:
Democrats are affirmatively signaling they do not want political power at the same time Trump is transitioning the political system into an autocratic one wherein they're denied it forever
Democrats are affirmatively signaling they do not want political power at the same time Trump is transitioning the political system into an autocratic one wherein they're denied it forever
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 AM
This is why this surrender isn't just about this narrow issue but is rather the whole constitutional ballgame:
Democrats are affirmatively signaling they do not want political power at the same time Trump is transitioning the political system into an autocratic one wherein they're denied it forever
Democrats are affirmatively signaling they do not want political power at the same time Trump is transitioning the political system into an autocratic one wherein they're denied it forever
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
The Dem base wants the shutdown to continue because it’s the only time we’ve felt like our electeds were representing us: trying to squeeze the GOP instead of squeezing us to accept concessions; directing their anger at the Republicans instead of at their own voters for wanting them to resist
November 10, 2025 at 4:12 AM
The Dem base wants the shutdown to continue because it’s the only time we’ve felt like our electeds were representing us: trying to squeeze the GOP instead of squeezing us to accept concessions; directing their anger at the Republicans instead of at their own voters for wanting them to resist
Yes. This is what they want us to believe. Not unlike Rs, Ds expect people to lap up BS and ask for more. Too many Ds are like, "What are you going to do? Vote for a fascist?" And, as we've seen, a fair few say, "Better the devil who tells blatant lies to oddly seem honest than the two-faced liar."
They caved in March so they could get a better deal now. They’re caving now so they can get a better deal in some indeterminate future. The better deal is always just beyond their reach, but continuing to cave will get them there. And if you don’t agree with that, you don’t understand Politics,
November 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Yes. This is what they want us to believe. Not unlike Rs, Ds expect people to lap up BS and ask for more. Too many Ds are like, "What are you going to do? Vote for a fascist?" And, as we've seen, a fair few say, "Better the devil who tells blatant lies to oddly seem honest than the two-faced liar."
If only they weren't all retiring or 4 years from reelection. . .
Every single Dem that caved and agreed to this deal needs to be primaried and voted out. They are cowards who wasted the last month for a half baked promise vote a month from now.
November 10, 2025 at 3:38 AM
If only they weren't all retiring or 4 years from reelection. . .
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
two contradictory ideas that i hold in my head at the same time: 1) i think the threat to both SNAP recipients and federal workers is significant enough now that even bad deals are worth making to prevent further harm, and, 2) everyone who caves now should retire in shame
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Harm to SNAP recipients, federal workers, and others is real. In a normal democracy it’d make sense to prioritize reducing that harm in the short term.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
In a rapidly backsliding democracy, harm is happening no matter what. Preventing authoritarian consolidation is the most harm-reducing move.
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
Carefully choreographed votes and angry press releases are all cute, but the indication of whether anyone in the caucus really cares is whether there’s any push for leadership changes or punitive action against the cavers.
There won’t be, but that would be the theoretical sign this is different
There won’t be, but that would be the theoretical sign this is different
The caucus meeting was just to orchestrate who would fall on the sword but not be up for a vote in 2026.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Carefully choreographed votes and angry press releases are all cute, but the indication of whether anyone in the caucus really cares is whether there’s any push for leadership changes or punitive action against the cavers.
There won’t be, but that would be the theoretical sign this is different
There won’t be, but that would be the theoretical sign this is different
I saw someone say they were happy to see it as Catholics aren't true Christians and the US is a Christian nation. 🙄
The neverending bigotry is staggering. I thought I'd done my part to curb it by marrying a Dutchman raised in the CRC. He thought the same way this guy did. I was a heathen until. . .
The neverending bigotry is staggering. I thought I'd done my part to curb it by marrying a Dutchman raised in the CRC. He thought the same way this guy did. I was a heathen until. . .
In another era, ICE raids would be described as persecution of Catholics.
November 9, 2025 at 8:16 AM
I saw someone say they were happy to see it as Catholics aren't true Christians and the US is a Christian nation. 🙄
The neverending bigotry is staggering. I thought I'd done my part to curb it by marrying a Dutchman raised in the CRC. He thought the same way this guy did. I was a heathen until. . .
The neverending bigotry is staggering. I thought I'd done my part to curb it by marrying a Dutchman raised in the CRC. He thought the same way this guy did. I was a heathen until. . .
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
Earle-Sears ran what felt like 12 billion ads about how much she hated trans kids and I didn’t hear a single pundit say she should stick to real issues that affect real people.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia governor’s race.
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Earle-Sears ran what felt like 12 billion ads about how much she hated trans kids and I didn’t hear a single pundit say she should stick to real issues that affect real people.
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
If you are a pundit polishing up your hot take about how this election is actually a warning sign for democrats, I’m begging you to STFU.
November 5, 2025 at 1:15 AM
If you are a pundit polishing up your hot take about how this election is actually a warning sign for democrats, I’m begging you to STFU.
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
In hindsight, all the problems started when we moved away from hand-written library catalog cards.
September 23, 2025 at 8:55 PM
In hindsight, all the problems started when we moved away from hand-written library catalog cards.
But. . . I thought the tariffs were going to convince people to move/stay here. 🙄
Rep. Don Bacon on tariffs: "We just heard yesterday from a company we have that makes wind combines that they're moving all their to Europe because the tariffs are too high...That's hundreds of jobs. Iowa and Nebraska are really struggling."
September 21, 2025 at 8:33 PM
But. . . I thought the tariffs were going to convince people to move/stay here. 🙄
Ditto.
I beg of you, please, do not make me have to defend Bill Maher from government censorship
The comedian is coming under fire for his Friday night monologue.
September 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Ditto.
Something that I miss about being a college student majoring in political theory in the '90s was the more flexible thinking about party affiliation. One of my favorite local politicians was a pro-choice Republican. She couldn't be a Republican today being such a friend to reproductive rights.
The issue is not surrendering. It’s understanding that policy differences don’t make a damn bit of difference if you no longer have the democratic structures in place to debate and decide them. Unite over saving democracy, then we can go back to fighting over our policy differences.
Ezra Klein 🤝 Neera Tanden
Despite the overwhelming popularity of abortion rights in all states, we should surrender instead
Despite the overwhelming popularity of abortion rights in all states, we should surrender instead
September 20, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Something that I miss about being a college student majoring in political theory in the '90s was the more flexible thinking about party affiliation. One of my favorite local politicians was a pro-choice Republican. She couldn't be a Republican today being such a friend to reproductive rights.
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
I would call this “consciousness of guilt” in an eventual domestic trial or international war crimes tribunal.
Dems ought to be telling people now these letters are worth absolutely nothing.
September 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I would call this “consciousness of guilt” in an eventual domestic trial or international war crimes tribunal.
This thread. Trump hasn't even been a little coy that this is his goal.
This is what he has consistently done since he won the presidency. He contradicts the law, but acts like he's staked out a perfectly reasonable and legal position because he wants the courts to bend to his will.
This is what he has consistently done since he won the presidency. He contradicts the law, but acts like he's staked out a perfectly reasonable and legal position because he wants the courts to bend to his will.
This lawsuit is asking to be a vehicle for overturning NYT v. Sullivan (which established the actual malice we know and love for public figures).
It is a request to overturn longstanding precedent that allows us to criticize our politicians and remove our free speech.
It is a request to overturn longstanding precedent that allows us to criticize our politicians and remove our free speech.
So this Trump lawsuit is wacko for many, many reasons, but THIS IS NOT WHAT ACTUAL MALICE MEANS in the legal context. At all.
September 16, 2025 at 5:25 PM
This thread. Trump hasn't even been a little coy that this is his goal.
This is what he has consistently done since he won the presidency. He contradicts the law, but acts like he's staked out a perfectly reasonable and legal position because he wants the courts to bend to his will.
This is what he has consistently done since he won the presidency. He contradicts the law, but acts like he's staked out a perfectly reasonable and legal position because he wants the courts to bend to his will.
Outstanding thread. . .
I have a couple of comments about the "free speech hero" narrative about Charlie Kirk.
First, was Charlie Kirk really notable for supporting the free speech of people he disagreed with? I haven't noticed that, though I could have missed it.
/1
First, was Charlie Kirk really notable for supporting the free speech of people he disagreed with? I haven't noticed that, though I could have missed it.
/1
September 11, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Outstanding thread. . .
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
The effort to paint Charlie Kirk as some sort of model for practicing politics and a beloved figure across the spectrum is bizarre.
Just a month ago, South Park was mocking him pretty mercilessly.
Just a month ago, South Park was mocking him pretty mercilessly.
September 11, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The effort to paint Charlie Kirk as some sort of model for practicing politics and a beloved figure across the spectrum is bizarre.
Just a month ago, South Park was mocking him pretty mercilessly.
Just a month ago, South Park was mocking him pretty mercilessly.
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
I know Charlie Kirk valued debate and free speech because he blocked me for fact-checking his lies on Twitter and then put me on his organization's Professor Watchlist for writing a book he didn't like.
September 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I know Charlie Kirk valued debate and free speech because he blocked me for fact-checking his lies on Twitter and then put me on his organization's Professor Watchlist for writing a book he didn't like.
Reposted by Jessica Kusiak
The people who are arguing Democrats shouldn’t engage in the military occupation of American cities are the same kind of people who argued that Democrats should support the Iraq War
September 8, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The people who are arguing Democrats shouldn’t engage in the military occupation of American cities are the same kind of people who argued that Democrats should support the Iraq War
This seems like the terrible ongoing combination of taking big city Ds for granted, (trusting occupation will keep them angry & voting D), while focusing too much on appeasing the "salt of the earth" diner folks who will never vote D, even if Ds do avoid vigorously defending the big city elites.
it’s fascinating. majorities of americans oppose the military occupation of cities. a substantial number of those are fucking furious about it, but rather than lean into this anger and attack trump’s perception of strength, these “strategists” want democrats to avoid the confrontation entirely.
There it is folks. The brilliant Dem strategy, according to the genius pundits with the ear of Dem leadership, is to let Trump keep doing everything he's doing but only if we can also help Republicans avoid paying a political price for hurting people long enough to hold the House and Senate in 2026
September 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
This seems like the terrible ongoing combination of taking big city Ds for granted, (trusting occupation will keep them angry & voting D), while focusing too much on appeasing the "salt of the earth" diner folks who will never vote D, even if Ds do avoid vigorously defending the big city elites.