kevingan52
@kevingan52.bsky.social
Retired professor of literature & writing and critical thinking, Yale and USC. Also 10 years’ teaching high school English. NYC native, now in CT. New Deal Democrat, like my parents before me.
“Stockholm syndrome is a proposed condition to explain why hostages occasionally develop a psychological bond with their captors. It is named after an attempted bank robbery in 1973, in Stockholm, Sweden, in which four people were held hostage but later refused to testify against the robbers.”
November 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
“Stockholm syndrome is a proposed condition to explain why hostages occasionally develop a psychological bond with their captors. It is named after an attempted bank robbery in 1973, in Stockholm, Sweden, in which four people were held hostage but later refused to testify against the robbers.”
Quisling (/ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/, Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈkvɪ̂slɪŋ]) is a term used in Scandinavian languages and in English to mean a citizen or politician of an occupied country who collaborates with an enemy occupying force; it may also be used more generally as a synonym for traitor or collaborator.
November 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Quisling (/ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/, Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈkvɪ̂slɪŋ]) is a term used in Scandinavian languages and in English to mean a citizen or politician of an occupied country who collaborates with an enemy occupying force; it may also be used more generally as a synonym for traitor or collaborator.
Spread this poster, and help diminish the Republican reality distortion field. We took President Biden too much for granted, and look where that got us!
October 14, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Spread this poster, and help diminish the Republican reality distortion field. We took President Biden too much for granted, and look where that got us!
Important suggestions for Blue-State self-defense and steps on the way to autonomous self-rule. By Thomas Geoghegan, a labor lawyer who understands the power of organizing.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Blue states should come together to declare an emergency. Here’s how | Thomas Geoghegan
States opposed to Trump can create a compact – a new prototype for American government – even if it’s perceived as political theater
www.theguardian.com
October 6, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Important suggestions for Blue-State self-defense and steps on the way to autonomous self-rule. By Thomas Geoghegan, a labor lawyer who understands the power of organizing.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Pollsters are hired guns, but I was still sad to see that Cornell Belcher, once Obama’s pollster, is working for the Andrew Cuomo campaign. Of course, Cuomo was Clinton’s HUD secretary, so maybe it’s just more evidence that we need a new party, root and branch.
That stink won’t wash off.
That stink won’t wash off.
September 29, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Pollsters are hired guns, but I was still sad to see that Cornell Belcher, once Obama’s pollster, is working for the Andrew Cuomo campaign. Of course, Cuomo was Clinton’s HUD secretary, so maybe it’s just more evidence that we need a new party, root and branch.
That stink won’t wash off.
That stink won’t wash off.
OregonLive has many other good stories about ICE/citizen confrontations, detailing abundant ICE misbehavior and incompetence.
September 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
OregonLive has many other good stories about ICE/citizen confrontations, detailing abundant ICE misbehavior and incompetence.
“The president should be removed from office because he is plainly insane.” Pass it on.
September 27, 2025 at 3:38 PM
“The president should be removed from office because he is plainly insane.” Pass it on.
Reposted by kevingan52
"Common decency stigmatizes people that do not participate in it—removes them from voluntary association. We indeed have to live with one another, but terms and conditions apply."
me on why Ezra Klein should be ashamed / why shame is Good Actually
www.bostonreview.net/articles/how...
me on why Ezra Klein should be ashamed / why shame is Good Actually
www.bostonreview.net/articles/how...
How Can We Live Together? - Boston Review
Ezra Klein is wrong: shame is essential.
www.bostonreview.net
September 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
"Common decency stigmatizes people that do not participate in it—removes them from voluntary association. We indeed have to live with one another, but terms and conditions apply."
me on why Ezra Klein should be ashamed / why shame is Good Actually
www.bostonreview.net/articles/how...
me on why Ezra Klein should be ashamed / why shame is Good Actually
www.bostonreview.net/articles/how...
It would be a public service if someone who still has an X account would go there and post a short explainer, without comment, of what happened to Horst Wessel.
Though I suppose, at this point that would be grounds for arrest, firing, and endless harassment.
Though I suppose, at this point that would be grounds for arrest, firing, and endless harassment.
September 14, 2025 at 6:19 PM
It would be a public service if someone who still has an X account would go there and post a short explainer, without comment, of what happened to Horst Wessel.
Though I suppose, at this point that would be grounds for arrest, firing, and endless harassment.
Though I suppose, at this point that would be grounds for arrest, firing, and endless harassment.
Reposted by kevingan52
On Shutdowns, Get the Wording Right and Other Thoughts talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/on-sh...
On Shutdowns, Get the Wording Right and Other Thoughts
I was very pleased to see that Ezra Klein has joined the...
talkingpointsmemo.com
September 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
On Shutdowns, Get the Wording Right and Other Thoughts talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/on-sh...
I swear that Megan McArdle is the original Pitchbot! She’s been writing crap like this for nigh on three decades. And getting paid! That’s the real shame.
August 30, 2025 at 11:43 PM
I swear that Megan McArdle is the original Pitchbot! She’s been writing crap like this for nigh on three decades. And getting paid! That’s the real shame.
If you’re driving this weekend, strong recommendation for this Pretenders Essentials playlist. Hit after hit after hit!
music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Hats off and windows down for the amazing Chrissie Hynde and her bands.
music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Hats off and windows down for the amazing Chrissie Hynde and her bands.
Pretenders Essentials on Apple Music
Playlist · 27 Songs
music.apple.com
August 29, 2025 at 7:59 PM
If you’re driving this weekend, strong recommendation for this Pretenders Essentials playlist. Hit after hit after hit!
music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Hats off and windows down for the amazing Chrissie Hynde and her bands.
music.apple.com/us/playlist/...
Hats off and windows down for the amazing Chrissie Hynde and her bands.
Dante puts the flatterers deeper in Hell than murderers—buried in shit.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/suck...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/suck...
August 26, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Dante puts the flatterers deeper in Hell than murderers—buried in shit.
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/suck...
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/suck...
I put a version of this question on Bluesky yesterday, asking for constitutional experts to weigh in, tagging a few I follow. As of this morning, no answer – I doubt any saw it! – so I asked Perplexity. If you’re curious, try asking any AI agent – the answer was as frightening as the question!
August 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I put a version of this question on Bluesky yesterday, asking for constitutional experts to weigh in, tagging a few I follow. As of this morning, no answer – I doubt any saw it! – so I asked Perplexity. If you’re curious, try asking any AI agent – the answer was as frightening as the question!
I’m re-upping this question and adding tags for some well-known scholars I follow. Thanks in advance!
@joycevance.bsky.social @stevevladeck.bsky.social
@glennkirschner.bsky.social
@kateshaw.bsky.social
@leahlitman.bsky.social
@elienyc.bsky.social
@joycevance.bsky.social @stevevladeck.bsky.social
@glennkirschner.bsky.social
@kateshaw.bsky.social
@leahlitman.bsky.social
@elienyc.bsky.social
A hypothetical question for constitutional scholars:
A document comes to light in which Trump agrees with Putin to end the NATO alliance. (Bear with me: hypothetical premise!) As part of this agreement, Trump turns a NATO base in the Baltics or Turkey over to Russian control in two weeks.
A document comes to light in which Trump agrees with Putin to end the NATO alliance. (Bear with me: hypothetical premise!) As part of this agreement, Trump turns a NATO base in the Baltics or Turkey over to Russian control in two weeks.
August 18, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I’m re-upping this question and adding tags for some well-known scholars I follow. Thanks in advance!
@joycevance.bsky.social @stevevladeck.bsky.social
@glennkirschner.bsky.social
@kateshaw.bsky.social
@leahlitman.bsky.social
@elienyc.bsky.social
@joycevance.bsky.social @stevevladeck.bsky.social
@glennkirschner.bsky.social
@kateshaw.bsky.social
@leahlitman.bsky.social
@elienyc.bsky.social
A hypothetical question for constitutional scholars:
A document comes to light in which Trump agrees with Putin to end the NATO alliance. (Bear with me: hypothetical premise!) As part of this agreement, Trump turns a NATO base in the Baltics or Turkey over to Russian control in two weeks.
A document comes to light in which Trump agrees with Putin to end the NATO alliance. (Bear with me: hypothetical premise!) As part of this agreement, Trump turns a NATO base in the Baltics or Turkey over to Russian control in two weeks.
August 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
A hypothetical question for constitutional scholars:
A document comes to light in which Trump agrees with Putin to end the NATO alliance. (Bear with me: hypothetical premise!) As part of this agreement, Trump turns a NATO base in the Baltics or Turkey over to Russian control in two weeks.
A document comes to light in which Trump agrees with Putin to end the NATO alliance. (Bear with me: hypothetical premise!) As part of this agreement, Trump turns a NATO base in the Baltics or Turkey over to Russian control in two weeks.
Clearly Acosta knows his Bible— he probably understood Epstein’s behavior as an updated re-enactment of Lot and his daughters. Hence the sweetheart deal, with no need to turn Ghislaine Maxwell into a pillar of salt.
August 11, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Clearly Acosta knows his Bible— he probably understood Epstein’s behavior as an updated re-enactment of Lot and his daughters. Hence the sweetheart deal, with no need to turn Ghislaine Maxwell into a pillar of salt.
The most important story of the year. Will the mainstream media give it sustained coverage and further investigation? I wish I could be confident, but in any case, it’s up to us citizens to keep the pressure on the media and Democratic leadership. There are still pressure points! Use them!
An important new analysis: we’re now seeing a strategy unfold to undermine the 2026 election. It’s unprecedented and often illegal. And it will be a big and growing story for the next year and a half. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
The Trump Administration’s Campaign to Undermine the Next Election
The executive branch is interfering in U.S. elections in unprecedented ways.
www.brennancenter.org
August 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The most important story of the year. Will the mainstream media give it sustained coverage and further investigation? I wish I could be confident, but in any case, it’s up to us citizens to keep the pressure on the media and Democratic leadership. There are still pressure points! Use them!
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
What can we learn from this story? That the quickest and best way to push back on MAGA destructiveness is to BOYCOTT every bit of Red State economic activity. They love money, not truth: hit ‘em hard in their pocketbooks, and watch how fast they stand down.
What can we learn from this story? That the quickest and best way to push back on MAGA destructiveness is to BOYCOTT every bit of Red State economic activity. They love money, not truth: hit ‘em hard in their pocketbooks, and watch how fast they stand down.
Trump says he is willing to let migrant laborers stay on US farms
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he is willing to let migrant laborers stay in the United States if the farmers they work for will vouch for them.
www.reuters.com
July 4, 2025 at 4:31 AM
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
What can we learn from this story? That the quickest and best way to push back on MAGA destructiveness is to BOYCOTT every bit of Red State economic activity. They love money, not truth: hit ‘em hard in their pocketbooks, and watch how fast they stand down.
What can we learn from this story? That the quickest and best way to push back on MAGA destructiveness is to BOYCOTT every bit of Red State economic activity. They love money, not truth: hit ‘em hard in their pocketbooks, and watch how fast they stand down.
I’m surprised I’m not seeing coverage of the Democratic Governors’ Council’s response to Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional abuses, along with an outline of their collective counterstrategies: from boycotts and tax and general work strikes to a redoubled flood of lawsuits.
July 1, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I’m surprised I’m not seeing coverage of the Democratic Governors’ Council’s response to Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional abuses, along with an outline of their collective counterstrategies: from boycotts and tax and general work strikes to a redoubled flood of lawsuits.
Follow this advice to win the immediate battle for public opinion and the longer war for justice and democracy. This is how Gandhi and MLK Jr faced even tougher odds and won in the end: non-violent civil disobedience.
June 8, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Follow this advice to win the immediate battle for public opinion and the longer war for justice and democracy. This is how Gandhi and MLK Jr faced even tougher odds and won in the end: non-violent civil disobedience.
Oh great—the Knicks have reverted to their accustomed management style. You know, decades between playoff appearances—good times!
June 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Oh great—the Knicks have reverted to their accustomed management style. You know, decades between playoff appearances—good times!
This article has a cogent, detailed analysis of the issues and circumstances in this case. Share widely!
FBI’S CRIMINAL COMPLAINT: A POLITICALLY STRUCTURED CASE AGAINST JUDGE DUGAN BUILT ON A HOLLOW LEGAL CLAIM www.milwaukeeindependent.com/articles/ice...
ICE's Fake Warrant: Why Judge Hannah Dugan's arrest is a political stunt for Trump's autocratic agenda | Milwaukee Independent
www.milwaukeeindependent.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:59 AM
This article has a cogent, detailed analysis of the issues and circumstances in this case. Share widely!
Pro-democracy billionaires—there are a number of them—could combine and pledge to use wealth to protect Republicans who vote their consciences from MAGA primary challenges. That’s what they’re most afraid of, and why no one is stopping Trump’s destruction.
Remove the fear, save democracy. Please!
Remove the fear, save democracy. Please!
April 7, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Pro-democracy billionaires—there are a number of them—could combine and pledge to use wealth to protect Republicans who vote their consciences from MAGA primary challenges. That’s what they’re most afraid of, and why no one is stopping Trump’s destruction.
Remove the fear, save democracy. Please!
Remove the fear, save democracy. Please!