Marshall Power Locke
@marshalllocke.bsky.social
Philosophically conservative. Temperamentally moderate. On the lookout for glimpses of high light and eternal beauty.
Here's to a 2025 where clear thinking, evidence, and a track record of success prevail over alienating our allies/trading partners, wrongheaded protectionism, and ignorant 'America First' isolationism.
Excerpt: @michaelrstrain.bsky.social
www.economicstrategygroup.org/wp-content/u...
Excerpt: @michaelrstrain.bsky.social
www.economicstrategygroup.org/wp-content/u...
December 31, 2024 at 8:37 PM
Here's to a 2025 where clear thinking, evidence, and a track record of success prevail over alienating our allies/trading partners, wrongheaded protectionism, and ignorant 'America First' isolationism.
Excerpt: @michaelrstrain.bsky.social
www.economicstrategygroup.org/wp-content/u...
Excerpt: @michaelrstrain.bsky.social
www.economicstrategygroup.org/wp-content/u...
"Based on the above...there is substantial evidence...Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress."
ethics.house.gov/press-releas...
ethics.house.gov/press-releas...
December 24, 2024 at 5:47 PM
"Based on the above...there is substantial evidence...Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress."
ethics.house.gov/press-releas...
ethics.house.gov/press-releas...
The woodcut nativity scene that has been in my family for decades.
December 15, 2024 at 7:24 PM
The woodcut nativity scene that has been in my family for decades.
Last time Trump was in office:
* He OK'd the release of 5K Taliban terrorists & wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David.
* He effusively praised ChiCom dictator Xi Jinping RE, COVID.
* The nat'l debt skyrocketed ~$8 TRILLION.
The Trump kakistocracy will not end well for America.
* He OK'd the release of 5K Taliban terrorists & wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David.
* He effusively praised ChiCom dictator Xi Jinping RE, COVID.
* The nat'l debt skyrocketed ~$8 TRILLION.
The Trump kakistocracy will not end well for America.
December 15, 2024 at 7:16 PM
Last time Trump was in office:
* He OK'd the release of 5K Taliban terrorists & wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David.
* He effusively praised ChiCom dictator Xi Jinping RE, COVID.
* The nat'l debt skyrocketed ~$8 TRILLION.
The Trump kakistocracy will not end well for America.
* He OK'd the release of 5K Taliban terrorists & wanted to invite the Taliban to Camp David.
* He effusively praised ChiCom dictator Xi Jinping RE, COVID.
* The nat'l debt skyrocketed ~$8 TRILLION.
The Trump kakistocracy will not end well for America.
The anti-institutionalism of populism is understandable in that institutions of science, medicine, etc. are human and hence fallible.
But populism eventually implodes, because it only offers the temporary emotional satisfaction of tearing down and is ill-equipped to build up.
But populism eventually implodes, because it only offers the temporary emotional satisfaction of tearing down and is ill-equipped to build up.
December 15, 2024 at 6:19 PM
The anti-institutionalism of populism is understandable in that institutions of science, medicine, etc. are human and hence fallible.
But populism eventually implodes, because it only offers the temporary emotional satisfaction of tearing down and is ill-equipped to build up.
But populism eventually implodes, because it only offers the temporary emotional satisfaction of tearing down and is ill-equipped to build up.
I've attended my share of meetings where I wanted to stick an icepick in my ear, but running an organization without meetings would be like playing a football game without huddles—like a huddle, meetings should be short and concise, with clear assignments and 'done by' action items.
December 11, 2024 at 9:20 PM
I've attended my share of meetings where I wanted to stick an icepick in my ear, but running an organization without meetings would be like playing a football game without huddles—like a huddle, meetings should be short and concise, with clear assignments and 'done by' action items.
One of Trump's favorite rally slogans is 'Drain The Swamp!'
But all Trump will do is replace current swamp creatures and ways for his swamp creatures and ways.
thedispatch.com/article/swam...
But all Trump will do is replace current swamp creatures and ways for his swamp creatures and ways.
thedispatch.com/article/swam...
December 6, 2024 at 8:00 PM
One of Trump's favorite rally slogans is 'Drain The Swamp!'
But all Trump will do is replace current swamp creatures and ways for his swamp creatures and ways.
thedispatch.com/article/swam...
But all Trump will do is replace current swamp creatures and ways for his swamp creatures and ways.
thedispatch.com/article/swam...
My. Those are big ones.
December 5, 2024 at 7:20 PM
My. Those are big ones.
December 3, 2024 at 4:14 PM
Sunrise in the 'hood (taken by a neighbor).
December 3, 2024 at 3:38 AM
Sunrise in the 'hood (taken by a neighbor).
These two are bad enough, but arguably Trump's worst and most corrupt pardon was that of his former campaign manager and employee of pro-Putin oligarchs Paul Manafort, judged by a Republican-led Senate investigation of being "a grave counterintelligence threat" b/c of his ties to Russian spies.
December 2, 2024 at 8:34 PM
These two are bad enough, but arguably Trump's worst and most corrupt pardon was that of his former campaign manager and employee of pro-Putin oligarchs Paul Manafort, judged by a Republican-led Senate investigation of being "a grave counterintelligence threat" b/c of his ties to Russian spies.
Presidential power—including but not limited to pardons—has expanded in practice to a point where it needs to be checked.
As Bill Galston said in Sept. 2020:
"The ability of a determined executive to get his way over agency as well as congressional resistance is...astounding."
As Bill Galston said in Sept. 2020:
"The ability of a determined executive to get his way over agency as well as congressional resistance is...astounding."
December 2, 2024 at 2:59 AM
Presidential power—including but not limited to pardons—has expanded in practice to a point where it needs to be checked.
As Bill Galston said in Sept. 2020:
"The ability of a determined executive to get his way over agency as well as congressional resistance is...astounding."
As Bill Galston said in Sept. 2020:
"The ability of a determined executive to get his way over agency as well as congressional resistance is...astounding."
In Federalist 76, Alexander Hamilton provides details on why Gaetz is wrong ("prevent the appointment of unfit characters").
The Founders made the Legislative Branch Article 1 for a reason & gave the Senate advice & consent authority for presidential cabinet picks for a reason.
The Founders made the Legislative Branch Article 1 for a reason & gave the Senate advice & consent authority for presidential cabinet picks for a reason.
December 1, 2024 at 5:07 PM
In Federalist 76, Alexander Hamilton provides details on why Gaetz is wrong ("prevent the appointment of unfit characters").
The Founders made the Legislative Branch Article 1 for a reason & gave the Senate advice & consent authority for presidential cabinet picks for a reason.
The Founders made the Legislative Branch Article 1 for a reason & gave the Senate advice & consent authority for presidential cabinet picks for a reason.
"Someone with no background as an agent would never be able to command the respect necessary to run the day-to-day operations of the bureau."
Bill Barr may not be able to understand that Trump wouldn't nominate Kash Patel to *run* the FBI, but to hijack it, weaponize it, and ultimately destroy it.
Bill Barr may not be able to understand that Trump wouldn't nominate Kash Patel to *run* the FBI, but to hijack it, weaponize it, and ultimately destroy it.
December 1, 2024 at 1:46 AM
"Someone with no background as an agent would never be able to command the respect necessary to run the day-to-day operations of the bureau."
Bill Barr may not be able to understand that Trump wouldn't nominate Kash Patel to *run* the FBI, but to hijack it, weaponize it, and ultimately destroy it.
Bill Barr may not be able to understand that Trump wouldn't nominate Kash Patel to *run* the FBI, but to hijack it, weaponize it, and ultimately destroy it.
No lies detected.
November 30, 2024 at 5:13 PM
No lies detected.
November 30, 2024 at 3:06 AM
“There are no better defense dollars the United States will ever spend than the dollars we spend helping Ukraine destroy the conventional Russian military without having to spill a drop of NATO blood or fight on NATO territory.”
- Frederick Kagan
- Frederick Kagan
November 29, 2024 at 11:20 PM
“There are no better defense dollars the United States will ever spend than the dollars we spend helping Ukraine destroy the conventional Russian military without having to spill a drop of NATO blood or fight on NATO territory.”
- Frederick Kagan
- Frederick Kagan
In 2020, Biden beat Trump as the return to normal/place sitter candidate, but once in office Biden had delusions of grandeur/wanted to govern like the 2nd coming of FDR.
Trump's 2024 win was solid—he won all swing states— but his/the GOP's mandate/landslide rhetoric is absurd.
Trump's 2024 win was solid—he won all swing states— but his/the GOP's mandate/landslide rhetoric is absurd.
November 28, 2024 at 8:15 PM
In 2020, Biden beat Trump as the return to normal/place sitter candidate, but once in office Biden had delusions of grandeur/wanted to govern like the 2nd coming of FDR.
Trump's 2024 win was solid—he won all swing states— but his/the GOP's mandate/landslide rhetoric is absurd.
Trump's 2024 win was solid—he won all swing states— but his/the GOP's mandate/landslide rhetoric is absurd.