Lowell West
@lowellakwest.bsky.social
Tennis enthusiast, Europhile, Astros fan. I know some things about bargaining, international political economy, international relations and applied statistics too. All posts reflect only my views and no one else’s.
Okay, then introduce a constitutional amendment for proportional representation in Congress while introducing another one where the presidency is stripped of all nonceremonial powers and power coalesces in coalitions led by a prime minister like every other functioning democracy.
December 14, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Okay, then introduce a constitutional amendment for proportional representation in Congress while introducing another one where the presidency is stripped of all nonceremonial powers and power coalesces in coalitions led by a prime minister like every other functioning democracy.
My favorite part of reading the transcript for this is that they make a lot of assertions with very few specifics and very little evidence. Even better is that when they do cite evidence, they realize as a group the evidence actually supports the opposite of what they’re asserting. 10/10. No notes.
November 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
My favorite part of reading the transcript for this is that they make a lot of assertions with very few specifics and very little evidence. Even better is that when they do cite evidence, they realize as a group the evidence actually supports the opposite of what they’re asserting. 10/10. No notes.
I barely remember and never used MySpace and I’m in my mid-30’s. What’s next? An ad in the yellow pages?
November 4, 2025 at 7:10 PM
I barely remember and never used MySpace and I’m in my mid-30’s. What’s next? An ad in the yellow pages?
Didn’t this civil war start because two factions in the provisional government stopped trusting each other and have a falling out? Also, the Muslim Brotherhood very distinctly does not govern Egypt. I am always baffled by the weird pretzels these people create in their brains to fit narratives.
November 4, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Didn’t this civil war start because two factions in the provisional government stopped trusting each other and have a falling out? Also, the Muslim Brotherhood very distinctly does not govern Egypt. I am always baffled by the weird pretzels these people create in their brains to fit narratives.
Oh I’d so much rather Houston than Dallas. Good food, Bayou culture, Galveston nearby,…it more than makes up for the humidity.
November 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Oh I’d so much rather Houston than Dallas. Good food, Bayou culture, Galveston nearby,…it more than makes up for the humidity.
There are at least four cities just in Texas that I’d pick over Dallas. Dallas is terrible on its own terms, let alone compared to New York.
November 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM
There are at least four cities just in Texas that I’d pick over Dallas. Dallas is terrible on its own terms, let alone compared to New York.
There is no altruistic foreign aid. Stable neighbors are better economic partners, send fewer refugees, take care of cross-border nuisances more quickly and act more predictably. Of course the US has been operating in its own interests. But stability is one of those interests.
November 1, 2025 at 6:27 PM
There is no altruistic foreign aid. Stable neighbors are better economic partners, send fewer refugees, take care of cross-border nuisances more quickly and act more predictably. Of course the US has been operating in its own interests. But stability is one of those interests.
I mean, the Cold War ended in 1989, so there’s about 35 years your story is missing there. Also any intro to international relations textbook can tell you that trade agreements more often than not have political motives, including stabilizing neighbors.
November 1, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I mean, the Cold War ended in 1989, so there’s about 35 years your story is missing there. Also any intro to international relations textbook can tell you that trade agreements more often than not have political motives, including stabilizing neighbors.
All the ones who voted for and implemented the buckets and buckets of aid that flowed into the region for decades? The ones who negotiated and ratified NAFTA and CAFTA-DR? The ones who provided extensive intelligence support for fighting cartels? The ones who approve US money going to OAS?
November 1, 2025 at 3:47 AM
All the ones who voted for and implemented the buckets and buckets of aid that flowed into the region for decades? The ones who negotiated and ratified NAFTA and CAFTA-DR? The ones who provided extensive intelligence support for fighting cartels? The ones who approve US money going to OAS?
Ummm…(1) We have a free trade agreement with Nicaragua and have had one in effect since 2009. (2) Just because most of the emigrants are fleeing to Costa Rica doesn’t mean they’re not leaving and that Nicaragua is not stable.
November 1, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Ummm…(1) We have a free trade agreement with Nicaragua and have had one in effect since 2009. (2) Just because most of the emigrants are fleeing to Costa Rica doesn’t mean they’re not leaving and that Nicaragua is not stable.
Yeah, a better, more interesting discussion would be about why the myriad efforts to make Mexico and Central America more stable and prosperous failed, or at least failed in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. People in power after Reagan had agency over those things.
November 1, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Yeah, a better, more interesting discussion would be about why the myriad efforts to make Mexico and Central America more stable and prosperous failed, or at least failed in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. People in power after Reagan had agency over those things.
I'm pretty sure this was the defining conflict of English history from the 12th century through the end of the 17th century. I suppose the good news is that it ended with parliamentary supremacy. The bad news is that it took them 500 years to get there. Let's speed run that learning curve please.
October 31, 2025 at 2:57 AM
I'm pretty sure this was the defining conflict of English history from the 12th century through the end of the 17th century. I suppose the good news is that it ended with parliamentary supremacy. The bad news is that it took them 500 years to get there. Let's speed run that learning curve please.
I mean, she’s a Democrat and an Illinois resident and she’s running for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Illinois. From what I’ve seen, she does lots of local events and tries to meet and listen to her prospective constituents. I don’t think much else is relevant.
October 30, 2025 at 4:45 AM
I mean, she’s a Democrat and an Illinois resident and she’s running for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Illinois. From what I’ve seen, she does lots of local events and tries to meet and listen to her prospective constituents. I don’t think much else is relevant.
Do I think the governor should be directing a coaching search? No. But since we’re already there, just fire the AD and save everyone a lot of awkward conversations.
October 29, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Do I think the governor should be directing a coaching search? No. But since we’re already there, just fire the AD and save everyone a lot of awkward conversations.
I mean, just fire the AD if this is your attitude. What’s Scott Woodward’s purpose if he’s not involved in selecting the head football coach?
October 29, 2025 at 10:44 PM
I mean, just fire the AD if this is your attitude. What’s Scott Woodward’s purpose if he’s not involved in selecting the head football coach?
How to say that you know nothing about J.R.R. Tolkien without saying you know nothing about J.R.R. Tolkien.
October 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM
How to say that you know nothing about J.R.R. Tolkien without saying you know nothing about J.R.R. Tolkien.
Reposted by Lowell West
(6) This idea that democrats should abandon trans people and immigrants and climate change (in 2025!) is just unconscionably dumb.
Declaring “I’m focused on prescription drug prices” sounds like pandering because it IS pandering. Everyone can tell.
Try standing for something. See how it feels.
Declaring “I’m focused on prescription drug prices” sounds like pandering because it IS pandering. Everyone can tell.
Try standing for something. See how it feels.
October 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
(6) This idea that democrats should abandon trans people and immigrants and climate change (in 2025!) is just unconscionably dumb.
Declaring “I’m focused on prescription drug prices” sounds like pandering because it IS pandering. Everyone can tell.
Try standing for something. See how it feels.
Declaring “I’m focused on prescription drug prices” sounds like pandering because it IS pandering. Everyone can tell.
Try standing for something. See how it feels.
Oh my god after reading the whole thing, it was so much worse than I imagined. I feel dumber for having read it.
October 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Oh my god after reading the whole thing, it was so much worse than I imagined. I feel dumber for having read it.
That is a lot of words to say “incoherent with no clear objectives”
October 26, 2025 at 12:59 AM
That is a lot of words to say “incoherent with no clear objectives”
I love Albania. Great place. Great people. I’m not sure many places besides maybe Kosovo aspire to be like Albania though…
October 16, 2025 at 2:50 AM
I love Albania. Great place. Great people. I’m not sure many places besides maybe Kosovo aspire to be like Albania though…