Joel Mathis
@joelmathis.bsky.social
Opinion at @kansascity.com and @kansas.com. Was in Philly once upon a time. Journalism will never love you back. Occasionally deactivate my account for a day or so to clear my head.
https://joelmmathis.substack.com/
https://joelmmathis.substack.com/
Pinned
Joel Mathis
@joelmathis.bsky.social
· Aug 14
I'll try to make this the last time I tout my little project, but I wrote about our "Crockpot & Criterion" for the @kansascity.com opinion newsletter:
Found this piece oddly comforting. (Not least because my friend Chuck Epp is quoted in it.) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Third Red Scare
The Trump administration is cracking down on Americans’ freedom of speech, but the First Amendment won’t go down without a fight.
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Found this piece oddly comforting. (Not least because my friend Chuck Epp is quoted in it.) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
So the Sixers won that championship right? RIGHT?
(I think it's dumb that this is so celebrated.)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
(I think it's dumb that this is so celebrated.)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
So the Sixers won that championship right? RIGHT?
(I think it's dumb that this is so celebrated.)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
(I think it's dumb that this is so celebrated.)
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Looking forward to Kelvin Universe Bond.
James Bond’s death in No Time to Die is causing a nightmare for the next film. Writers are stuck because Bond “was blown to pieces.”
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
November 11, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Looking forward to Kelvin Universe Bond.
Reposted by Joel Mathis
Some of Trump’s fundamentalist Christian fans might take note that among the deportees sent back to Iran were converts to Christianity who feared persecution from the Islamic regime. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/w...
‘It Feels Like I’m in a Nightmare’: Inside the First Deportation Flight to Iran
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Some of Trump’s fundamentalist Christian fans might take note that among the deportees sent back to Iran were converts to Christianity who feared persecution from the Islamic regime. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/w...
The Democrats are in disarray, actually.
November 11, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The Democrats are in disarray, actually.
Josh Hawley egged on Jan. 6.
That means he - entirely righteously - got caught up in the investigation.
Now he might profit financially from it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
That means he - entirely righteously - got caught up in the investigation.
Now he might profit financially from it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Josh Hawley egged on Jan. 6.
That means he - entirely righteously - got caught up in the investigation.
Now he might profit financially from it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
That means he - entirely righteously - got caught up in the investigation.
Now he might profit financially from it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Never go Full Juggalo.
November 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Never go Full Juggalo.
Reposted by Joel Mathis
There is a mysterious effort underway to prevent signature gathering against redistricting measures in Missouri. Here's the latest from @kacen.bsky.social
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Inside mysterious push to block signature-gathering against Missouri redistricting
The source of the contract remains a mystery. But its existence has raised alarm as Missouri gears up for a potential statewide vote.
www.kansascity.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
There is a mysterious effort underway to prevent signature gathering against redistricting measures in Missouri. Here's the latest from @kacen.bsky.social
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Give me a fucking break.
The political party that forges new weapons for itself to wield in the ongoing culture war will see those instruments turned against it soon enough. | Noah Rothman
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/biden-set-the-stage-for-todays-pardon-disgrace/
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/biden-set-the-stage-for-todays-pardon-disgrace/
Biden Set the Stage for Today’s Pardon Disgrace | National Review
The political party that forges new weapons for itself to wield in the ongoing culture war will see those instruments turned against it soon enough.
www.nationalreview.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Give me a fucking break.
Reposted by Joel Mathis
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
WWJD? YIMBY. www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/hosp...
Charity Begins with Zoning Reforms - Christianity Today
Stewarding our neighborhoods is part of Christian hospitality.
www.christianitytoday.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
WWJD? YIMBY. www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/hosp...
Why I spend a silly amount of time with movies right now. (TLDR: Have you *seen* the world lately?) joelmmathis.substack.com/p/100-movies
100 movies
My year (so far) with the big screen
joelmmathis.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Why I spend a silly amount of time with movies right now. (TLDR: Have you *seen* the world lately?) joelmmathis.substack.com/p/100-movies
There's a distinct possibility that the message of BUGONIA is "QAnon is right."
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
There's a distinct possibility that the message of BUGONIA is "QAnon is right."
Shame clearly a limiting principle for Trumpist Republicans.
Agree.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
November 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Shame clearly a limiting principle for Trumpist Republicans.
If you won’t solve a problem because you want to keep the issue alive, you are the problem.
November 10, 2025 at 1:28 PM
If you won’t solve a problem because you want to keep the issue alive, you are the problem.
Reposted by Joel Mathis
NEW - A year out from the midterms, intense battles that will shape what state-level ballot measures go before voters — and how they’re described — are already underway in courtrooms and statehouses across the country
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/10/t...
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/10/t...
The midterm ballot measure battles have already begun • Stateline
A year out from the 2026 midterm elections, legal fights and procedural maneuvering over ballot measures and referendums are already well underway in states across the country.
stateline.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 PM
NEW - A year out from the midterms, intense battles that will shape what state-level ballot measures go before voters — and how they’re described — are already underway in courtrooms and statehouses across the country
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/10/t...
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/10/t...
(Gets back from movie.)
(Checks the news.)
(Good mood ends.)
(Checks the news.)
(Good mood ends.)
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 AM
(Gets back from movie.)
(Checks the news.)
(Good mood ends.)
(Checks the news.)
(Good mood ends.)
Crowd gathering for David Lynch’s DUNE @libertyhall.bsky.social
My 100th big screen movie of the year. I have never wanted more to hide in a dark room. A luxury I realize.
My 100th big screen movie of the year. I have never wanted more to hide in a dark room. A luxury I realize.
November 10, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Crowd gathering for David Lynch’s DUNE @libertyhall.bsky.social
My 100th big screen movie of the year. I have never wanted more to hide in a dark room. A luxury I realize.
My 100th big screen movie of the year. I have never wanted more to hide in a dark room. A luxury I realize.
After today’s David Lynch movie @libertyhall.bsky.social, my wife and I want to have a nice meal.
A little After DUNE Delight, if you will.
A little After DUNE Delight, if you will.
November 9, 2025 at 5:13 PM
After today’s David Lynch movie @libertyhall.bsky.social, my wife and I want to have a nice meal.
A little After DUNE Delight, if you will.
A little After DUNE Delight, if you will.
(Traveling Wilburys)
Well she’s Albright
She was Secretary of State
Well she’s Albright
The first woman with that fate
She’s Albright
And her first name is Made-Line.
Well she’s Albright
She was Secretary of State
Well she’s Albright
The first woman with that fate
She’s Albright
And her first name is Made-Line.
November 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
(Traveling Wilburys)
Well she’s Albright
She was Secretary of State
Well she’s Albright
The first woman with that fate
She’s Albright
And her first name is Made-Line.
Well she’s Albright
She was Secretary of State
Well she’s Albright
The first woman with that fate
She’s Albright
And her first name is Made-Line.
I'd just like to re-up this and encourage you to see this in a cinema, if possible. The last new movie I gave 5 stars to on Letterboxd was PERFECT DAYS. That was beautiful. This is searing, but masterful. #filmsky
IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT is the most extraordinary film I have seen this year. #filmsky
November 9, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I'd just like to re-up this and encourage you to see this in a cinema, if possible. The last new movie I gave 5 stars to on Letterboxd was PERFECT DAYS. That was beautiful. This is searing, but masterful. #filmsky
(Nods.)
Restoring Confederate statues while removing memorial to Black soldiers proves Trump administration isn't driven by honoring history but White Supremacy
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 3:37 PM
(Nods.)
Washington's football team: Trading one horrific name for another.
Good luck figuring this one out, Josh Harris.
Sources: Trump wants D.C. stadium named for him
A senior White House source says there have been backchannel communications with a member of the Commanders ownership group, led by Josh Harris, to express Trump's desire to have the $3.7 billion dome...
www.espn.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Washington's football team: Trading one horrific name for another.