John Pfaff
@johnpfaff.bsky.social
Professor at Fordham Law. Prisons and criminal justice quant. I'm not contrarian, the data are. Author of Locked In. New stuff at johnfpfaff.com.
Oh, this sort of spam has made it to Bsky. Fun.
Guess we have the juice.
Guess we have the juice.
November 11, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Oh, this sort of spam has made it to Bsky. Fun.
Guess we have the juice.
Guess we have the juice.
Went to an art show in Brooklyn tonight, and came across a piece that definitely captures the spirit of the moment.
Link to the not-on-Bluesky artist here: tr.ee/0PMUiFI1bO
Link to the not-on-Bluesky artist here: tr.ee/0PMUiFI1bO
November 9, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Went to an art show in Brooklyn tonight, and came across a piece that definitely captures the spirit of the moment.
Link to the not-on-Bluesky artist here: tr.ee/0PMUiFI1bO
Link to the not-on-Bluesky artist here: tr.ee/0PMUiFI1bO
I really wonder how things are defined here.
The call abt the guy having a mental health episode waving a knife around in his apartment alone, who would be best served by a mental health professional instead of a 24-yr old w mostly gun training:
“Mental health” or “911”? Guessing the latter.
The call abt the guy having a mental health episode waving a knife around in his apartment alone, who would be best served by a mental health professional instead of a 24-yr old w mostly gun training:
“Mental health” or “911”? Guessing the latter.
November 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I really wonder how things are defined here.
The call abt the guy having a mental health episode waving a knife around in his apartment alone, who would be best served by a mental health professional instead of a 24-yr old w mostly gun training:
“Mental health” or “911”? Guessing the latter.
The call abt the guy having a mental health episode waving a knife around in his apartment alone, who would be best served by a mental health professional instead of a 24-yr old w mostly gun training:
“Mental health” or “911”? Guessing the latter.
Glad to see Gallup broke it out by party ID. As is so often the case these days, the change in trends is driven entirely by GOPers’ strange, not-seen-before, fanatical loyalty to man who thinks murdering foreign fishermen will stop the flow of fentanyl.
November 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Glad to see Gallup broke it out by party ID. As is so often the case these days, the change in trends is driven entirely by GOPers’ strange, not-seen-before, fanatical loyalty to man who thinks murdering foreign fishermen will stop the flow of fentanyl.
Hm. This is disappointing.
Odd-year elections are designed to suppress turnout. I get why progressives may think that works in their favor right now, but I'm not a fan of voter suppression in any form.
The housing props all seem likely to win, tho. But this is too bad.
Odd-year elections are designed to suppress turnout. I get why progressives may think that works in their favor right now, but I'm not a fan of voter suppression in any form.
The housing props all seem likely to win, tho. But this is too bad.
November 5, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Hm. This is disappointing.
Odd-year elections are designed to suppress turnout. I get why progressives may think that works in their favor right now, but I'm not a fan of voter suppression in any form.
The housing props all seem likely to win, tho. But this is too bad.
Odd-year elections are designed to suppress turnout. I get why progressives may think that works in their favor right now, but I'm not a fan of voter suppression in any form.
The housing props all seem likely to win, tho. But this is too bad.
Happy Joyous Event That Tragically Opened a Portal to Hell Day to all those who celebrate.
November 4, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Happy Joyous Event That Tragically Opened a Portal to Hell Day to all those who celebrate.
This is an ugly development too. Landlords evicting non-white tenants bc, it seems, it’s not worth the risk of a Kavanaugh Raid.
Privatization of enforcement, of a sort.
Well, not enforcement. Harassment.
Which are synonyms to Miller and his racist crew.
Privatization of enforcement, of a sort.
Well, not enforcement. Harassment.
Which are synonyms to Miller and his racist crew.
November 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
This is an ugly development too. Landlords evicting non-white tenants bc, it seems, it’s not worth the risk of a Kavanaugh Raid.
Privatization of enforcement, of a sort.
Well, not enforcement. Harassment.
Which are synonyms to Miller and his racist crew.
Privatization of enforcement, of a sort.
Well, not enforcement. Harassment.
Which are synonyms to Miller and his racist crew.
This, from Reuben Miller’s Halfway Home, made me wonder:
Is there any data or rigorous work abt extent to which deindustrialization worsened race relations by eliminating an important source of interracial interactions?
Even if home nhbds were highly segregated, factories were importantly less so?
Is there any data or rigorous work abt extent to which deindustrialization worsened race relations by eliminating an important source of interracial interactions?
Even if home nhbds were highly segregated, factories were importantly less so?
November 3, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This, from Reuben Miller’s Halfway Home, made me wonder:
Is there any data or rigorous work abt extent to which deindustrialization worsened race relations by eliminating an important source of interracial interactions?
Even if home nhbds were highly segregated, factories were importantly less so?
Is there any data or rigorous work abt extent to which deindustrialization worsened race relations by eliminating an important source of interracial interactions?
Even if home nhbds were highly segregated, factories were importantly less so?
Perhaps as many as 20,000 active military members get SNAP, and likely over half a million veteran.
We should point out that these ppl apparently hate the military.
Also, Jesus? Didn’t shame sex workers or ppl for what they did. WWJD? Not be an asshole like this guy.
We should point out that these ppl apparently hate the military.
Also, Jesus? Didn’t shame sex workers or ppl for what they did. WWJD? Not be an asshole like this guy.
November 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Perhaps as many as 20,000 active military members get SNAP, and likely over half a million veteran.
We should point out that these ppl apparently hate the military.
Also, Jesus? Didn’t shame sex workers or ppl for what they did. WWJD? Not be an asshole like this guy.
We should point out that these ppl apparently hate the military.
Also, Jesus? Didn’t shame sex workers or ppl for what they did. WWJD? Not be an asshole like this guy.
Did Dan Brown write some new, lame novel about the semiotics of a recipe I haven't heard of?
Because otherwise that "about" is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
Because otherwise that "about" is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
November 3, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Did Dan Brown write some new, lame novel about the semiotics of a recipe I haven't heard of?
Because otherwise that "about" is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
Because otherwise that "about" is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
OT1H, I really don't want to know what this about (guessing stand-your-ground laws, which are correlated with higher homicide rates?).
OTOH, they're not wrong (tho maybe this is getting away with it illegally?).
OTOH, they're not wrong (tho maybe this is getting away with it illegally?).
November 3, 2025 at 2:16 AM
OT1H, I really don't want to know what this about (guessing stand-your-ground laws, which are correlated with higher homicide rates?).
OTOH, they're not wrong (tho maybe this is getting away with it illegally?).
OTOH, they're not wrong (tho maybe this is getting away with it illegally?).
We are at a point where state and local police are repeatedly investigating federal law enforcement for systemically illegal behavior.
To the point that even CBS News has to note that pretty high up in the article.
A truly bad sign, at least in the short run (hoping prompts real change in future).
To the point that even CBS News has to note that pretty high up in the article.
A truly bad sign, at least in the short run (hoping prompts real change in future).
November 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
We are at a point where state and local police are repeatedly investigating federal law enforcement for systemically illegal behavior.
To the point that even CBS News has to note that pretty high up in the article.
A truly bad sign, at least in the short run (hoping prompts real change in future).
To the point that even CBS News has to note that pretty high up in the article.
A truly bad sign, at least in the short run (hoping prompts real change in future).
Ah, yes, bc there is no long-running, pre-internet history in the US of lauding those who are seen as violently fighting the powerful.
“Hit up my Kickstarter to help fund the next heist!” —Jesse James
“Smash the like button for more robberies!” — Bonnie and Clyde
“Hit up my Kickstarter to help fund the next heist!” —Jesse James
“Smash the like button for more robberies!” — Bonnie and Clyde
October 31, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Ah, yes, bc there is no long-running, pre-internet history in the US of lauding those who are seen as violently fighting the powerful.
“Hit up my Kickstarter to help fund the next heist!” —Jesse James
“Smash the like button for more robberies!” — Bonnie and Clyde
“Hit up my Kickstarter to help fund the next heist!” —Jesse James
“Smash the like button for more robberies!” — Bonnie and Clyde
Just got caught up* on the new Martian Manhunter series, and feel like it is a fantastic—and absolutely trippy—take on how it feels to live in a society that seems like it is crashing completely off the rails.
October 29, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Just got caught up* on the new Martian Manhunter series, and feel like it is a fantastic—and absolutely trippy—take on how it feels to live in a society that seems like it is crashing completely off the rails.
And, I mean, the parallels here are strong. Similar jacket, similar head-to-clothing ratio.
October 29, 2025 at 12:27 AM
And, I mean, the parallels here are strong. Similar jacket, similar head-to-clothing ratio.
My god, this picture of Gregory Bovino, the CBP leader who now has to check in w a fed judge in Chicago each day to confirm he has not tear gassed any more children?
Naked Nazi iconography, of the guy who Miller and Lewandowski keep unleashing on our streets.
Naked Nazi iconography, of the guy who Miller and Lewandowski keep unleashing on our streets.
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 AM
My god, this picture of Gregory Bovino, the CBP leader who now has to check in w a fed judge in Chicago each day to confirm he has not tear gassed any more children?
Naked Nazi iconography, of the guy who Miller and Lewandowski keep unleashing on our streets.
Naked Nazi iconography, of the guy who Miller and Lewandowski keep unleashing on our streets.
We are in a timeline in which People Magazine is publishing legit hard-hitting news headlines while CBS and CNN publicly humiliate themselves.
I don’t like this timeline. But I’m loving People Magazine right now.
I don’t like this timeline. But I’m loving People Magazine right now.
October 28, 2025 at 10:34 PM
We are in a timeline in which People Magazine is publishing legit hard-hitting news headlines while CBS and CNN publicly humiliate themselves.
I don’t like this timeline. But I’m loving People Magazine right now.
I don’t like this timeline. But I’m loving People Magazine right now.
Also, I’m actually pro-ballroom right now.
While Miller and Lewandowski impose their Fox News-pilled plans on a public that now has former prosecutors screaming “Nazis!” at law enforcement, the man who could actually rein them in is looking at carpet samples.
While Miller and Lewandowski impose their Fox News-pilled plans on a public that now has former prosecutors screaming “Nazis!” at law enforcement, the man who could actually rein them in is looking at carpet samples.
October 28, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Also, I’m actually pro-ballroom right now.
While Miller and Lewandowski impose their Fox News-pilled plans on a public that now has former prosecutors screaming “Nazis!” at law enforcement, the man who could actually rein them in is looking at carpet samples.
While Miller and Lewandowski impose their Fox News-pilled plans on a public that now has former prosecutors screaming “Nazis!” at law enforcement, the man who could actually rein them in is looking at carpet samples.
Oh my God.
The meaning of this post (in Halo, you slaughter The Flood).
And @microsoft.com refusing to comment. On their IP being used to dehumanize immigrants as aliens worthy of slaughter.
The despicable DHS behavior. Abetted by the feckless cravenness of Microsoft.
The meaning of this post (in Halo, you slaughter The Flood).
And @microsoft.com refusing to comment. On their IP being used to dehumanize immigrants as aliens worthy of slaughter.
The despicable DHS behavior. Abetted by the feckless cravenness of Microsoft.
October 28, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Oh my God.
The meaning of this post (in Halo, you slaughter The Flood).
And @microsoft.com refusing to comment. On their IP being used to dehumanize immigrants as aliens worthy of slaughter.
The despicable DHS behavior. Abetted by the feckless cravenness of Microsoft.
The meaning of this post (in Halo, you slaughter The Flood).
And @microsoft.com refusing to comment. On their IP being used to dehumanize immigrants as aliens worthy of slaughter.
The despicable DHS behavior. Abetted by the feckless cravenness of Microsoft.
Democracy at work!
We are the only country that elects judges, ostensibly bc of the sunlight is a disinfectant for corruption.
But, I mean, this seems inefficient and problematic?
(Voting for judges is generically bad, so can’t decide if this is better or worse than something contested.)
We are the only country that elects judges, ostensibly bc of the sunlight is a disinfectant for corruption.
But, I mean, this seems inefficient and problematic?
(Voting for judges is generically bad, so can’t decide if this is better or worse than something contested.)
October 27, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Democracy at work!
We are the only country that elects judges, ostensibly bc of the sunlight is a disinfectant for corruption.
But, I mean, this seems inefficient and problematic?
(Voting for judges is generically bad, so can’t decide if this is better or worse than something contested.)
We are the only country that elects judges, ostensibly bc of the sunlight is a disinfectant for corruption.
But, I mean, this seems inefficient and problematic?
(Voting for judges is generically bad, so can’t decide if this is better or worse than something contested.)
Doing my part for the Florida real estate market.
October 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Doing my part for the Florida real estate market.
In anticipation of Nov 4’s coverage:
Adams squeaked out a 0.8 point victory in the primary and was hailed as The Future of the Dems. Nate Silver thought he had Presidential possibilities.
Mamdani won by 13 points and ~100,000 more votes, and is still treated as some strange aberration.
Adams squeaked out a 0.8 point victory in the primary and was hailed as The Future of the Dems. Nate Silver thought he had Presidential possibilities.
Mamdani won by 13 points and ~100,000 more votes, and is still treated as some strange aberration.
October 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
In anticipation of Nov 4’s coverage:
Adams squeaked out a 0.8 point victory in the primary and was hailed as The Future of the Dems. Nate Silver thought he had Presidential possibilities.
Mamdani won by 13 points and ~100,000 more votes, and is still treated as some strange aberration.
Adams squeaked out a 0.8 point victory in the primary and was hailed as The Future of the Dems. Nate Silver thought he had Presidential possibilities.
Mamdani won by 13 points and ~100,000 more votes, and is still treated as some strange aberration.
Going to hit early voting this morning, and honestly not sure I’ve ever been this excited to vote.
I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance to cast a ballot for something like this.
I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance to cast a ballot for something like this.
October 27, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Going to hit early voting this morning, and honestly not sure I’ve ever been this excited to vote.
I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance to cast a ballot for something like this.
I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance to cast a ballot for something like this.
ICE claims it has received ~150,000 applications.
But what is an "application"? You might think it is a person. But it is not--it's a job. One person applies for three jobs? Three applications.
Which is ... what is happening. Amazing.
But what is an "application"? You might think it is a person. But it is not--it's a job. One person applies for three jobs? Three applications.
Which is ... what is happening. Amazing.
October 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
ICE claims it has received ~150,000 applications.
But what is an "application"? You might think it is a person. But it is not--it's a job. One person applies for three jobs? Three applications.
Which is ... what is happening. Amazing.
But what is an "application"? You might think it is a person. But it is not--it's a job. One person applies for three jobs? Three applications.
Which is ... what is happening. Amazing.