Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
@matthardwick.bsky.social
Salus populi lex suprema est. -- Cicero, De Legibus. #ActuallyAutistic All tweets not views of past or current employers. Concord & Union. he/him/el, cis
A classic case study of the long term self-destructiveness of Colonial Fact.
www.youtube.com/shorts/xBOHY...
www.youtube.com/shorts/xBOHY...
Trump Plan for Palestinian Surrender
YouTube video by uncivilized
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:22 AM
A classic case study of the long term self-destructiveness of Colonial Fact.
www.youtube.com/shorts/xBOHY...
www.youtube.com/shorts/xBOHY...
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
"Did the President kill over 40 people in boats without justification?"
WH: "Yes and he'll do it again."
"Did the President suck off Bill Clinton?"
WH: [Full crisis response mode]
WH: "Yes and he'll do it again."
"Did the President suck off Bill Clinton?"
WH: [Full crisis response mode]
White House aggressively posting “trump is straight” content amid the blow job e-mail
November 16, 2025 at 9:16 PM
"Did the President kill over 40 people in boats without justification?"
WH: "Yes and he'll do it again."
"Did the President suck off Bill Clinton?"
WH: [Full crisis response mode]
WH: "Yes and he'll do it again."
"Did the President suck off Bill Clinton?"
WH: [Full crisis response mode]
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Los Angeles Plays Itself youtu.be/Ifii8LvR-ss?...
Los Angeles Plays Itself (trailer)
YouTube video by The Cinema Guild
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Los Angeles Plays Itself youtu.be/Ifii8LvR-ss?...
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
I get that maybe the NYT writer was trying to say, actually it's good the era of The Club is past.
But here's the thing: some topics are beyond irony & sarcasm. Some things are just pure horror with no other lens to look through.
The sexual abuse of children & the survivors' pain are just that.
But here's the thing: some topics are beyond irony & sarcasm. Some things are just pure horror with no other lens to look through.
The sexual abuse of children & the survivors' pain are just that.
November 16, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I get that maybe the NYT writer was trying to say, actually it's good the era of The Club is past.
But here's the thing: some topics are beyond irony & sarcasm. Some things are just pure horror with no other lens to look through.
The sexual abuse of children & the survivors' pain are just that.
But here's the thing: some topics are beyond irony & sarcasm. Some things are just pure horror with no other lens to look through.
The sexual abuse of children & the survivors' pain are just that.
Counterpoint posted as Jimi Hendrix's talk about who Turned Nazi in the Wolfenstein Gaming Universe. Very relevant to our own timeline:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2c...
November 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Counterpoint posted as Jimi Hendrix's talk about who Turned Nazi in the Wolfenstein Gaming Universe. Very relevant to our own timeline:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2c...
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Fascism was also when American women had no right to their own bodies or their own money, something he's never experienced.
November 16, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Fascism was also when American women had no right to their own bodies or their own money, something he's never experienced.
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
that atlantic writer thread about how this isn’t fascism because it doesn’t remind him of the movies he’s seen in which fascism is presented as an almost inhuman omni-evil — instead of what it actually is: a particularly shitty way to run a society — is, it turns out, not a useful contribution 😲
November 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
that atlantic writer thread about how this isn’t fascism because it doesn’t remind him of the movies he’s seen in which fascism is presented as an almost inhuman omni-evil — instead of what it actually is: a particularly shitty way to run a society — is, it turns out, not a useful contribution 😲
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
"The Boulder Star now has a sensor that shuts off during high winds to prevent fires. The upgrade preserves the tradition while addressing fire safety. To stream 9NEWS on your phone, you need the 9NEWS app." #boulder
Boulder's iconic star gets safety upgrade to combat wildfire risk | 9news.com
The Boulder Star now has a sensor that shuts off during high winds to prevent fires. The upgrade preserves the tradition while addressing fire safety.
www.9news.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
"The Boulder Star now has a sensor that shuts off during high winds to prevent fires. The upgrade preserves the tradition while addressing fire safety. To stream 9NEWS on your phone, you need the 9NEWS app." #boulder
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Look, again, one very easy way for the New York Times to escape the constant criticism which it has found itself subject to these last years would be for it to stop acting in ways that <completely justify> all of the constant criticism which it has found itself subject to these last years.
November 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Look, again, one very easy way for the New York Times to escape the constant criticism which it has found itself subject to these last years would be for it to stop acting in ways that <completely justify> all of the constant criticism which it has found itself subject to these last years.
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Amen. They're dodging responsibility.
Also, what is it with spelling & journalism lingo?
Did they all phale fonix?
Also, what is it with spelling & journalism lingo?
Did they all phale fonix?
November 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Amen. They're dodging responsibility.
Also, what is it with spelling & journalism lingo?
Did they all phale fonix?
Also, what is it with spelling & journalism lingo?
Did they all phale fonix?
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Yes, but the heds, deks, & ledes shape & frame the National Conversation™️. They know this & do it anyway. And then they circle the wagons & complain about the criticism. There is a very easy way to fix this problem & the good content later in the articles doesn't do it:
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
That "clubby" NYT headline is awful, but the piece itself is clear-eyed & observant, if cool in tone — it's by a strong writer & it documents the creepy, backpatting insider world of guys griping about MeToo as it happens. The NYT is always doing this! If the hed was different, the piece wd be legit
November 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Yes, but the heds, deks, & ledes shape & frame the National Conversation™️. They know this & do it anyway. And then they circle the wagons & complain about the criticism. There is a very easy way to fix this problem & the good content later in the articles doesn't do it:
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Hey NYTIMES your headlines stop us from reading your articles
That "clubby" NYT headline is awful, but the piece itself is clear-eyed & observant, if cool in tone — it's by a strong writer & it documents the creepy, backpatting insider world of guys griping about MeToo as it happens. The NYT is always doing this! If the hed was different, the piece wd be legit
November 16, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Hey NYTIMES your headlines stop us from reading your articles
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
No, it's not. It's cruel and hipper than thou. Imagine reading any of it to the face of the Epstein survivors.
There is no 'cool tone' to the sexual abuse of children.
There is no 'cool tone' to the sexual abuse of children.
That "clubby" NYT headline is awful, but the piece itself is clear-eyed & observant, if cool in tone — it's by a strong writer & it documents the creepy, backpatting insider world of guys griping about MeToo as it happens. The NYT is always doing this! If the hed was different, the piece wd be legit
November 16, 2025 at 6:50 PM
No, it's not. It's cruel and hipper than thou. Imagine reading any of it to the face of the Epstein survivors.
There is no 'cool tone' to the sexual abuse of children.
There is no 'cool tone' to the sexual abuse of children.
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
truly, they keep picking the hot ones. Or maybe it's just the volume that means they have a lot to choose from 😐
Incredibly smart PR tactic from ICE to continue assaulting very handsome priests
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 16, 2025 at 4:10 AM
truly, they keep picking the hot ones. Or maybe it's just the volume that means they have a lot to choose from 😐
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
There is much resistance to be had in our everyday life. There isn't a neat word to describe what is going on in our country now. But we must stand up.
November 16, 2025 at 5:21 AM
There is much resistance to be had in our everyday life. There isn't a neat word to describe what is going on in our country now. But we must stand up.
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
This is a good thread.
There are many in this administration who are fascists.
But on Monday, I will walk into my classroom and teach good science to my students, no matter the immigration status of them or their parents. I will use the names and pronouns that they have asked me to use.
There are many in this administration who are fascists.
But on Monday, I will walk into my classroom and teach good science to my students, no matter the immigration status of them or their parents. I will use the names and pronouns that they have asked me to use.
My mistake has been trying to explain what "fascism" is to people who don't care what it is.
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
November 16, 2025 at 5:21 AM
This is a good thread.
There are many in this administration who are fascists.
But on Monday, I will walk into my classroom and teach good science to my students, no matter the immigration status of them or their parents. I will use the names and pronouns that they have asked me to use.
There are many in this administration who are fascists.
But on Monday, I will walk into my classroom and teach good science to my students, no matter the immigration status of them or their parents. I will use the names and pronouns that they have asked me to use.
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
There are smarter people posting about this, but there were years when Hitler had some power, before Nazis took full control. He was still a fascist, even if he hadn't taken full control yet. THAT'S what people are trying to prevent.
My mistake has been trying to explain what "fascism" is to people who don't care what it is.
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
November 16, 2025 at 5:21 AM
There are smarter people posting about this, but there were years when Hitler had some power, before Nazis took full control. He was still a fascist, even if he hadn't taken full control yet. THAT'S what people are trying to prevent.
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
His definition of fascism is "authoritarian+" which is completely dumb and fictional. It's an ideology that seeks to have authoritarian control through astroturfing and tribalism, not a description of a government.
Meanwhile, our regime seeking control through astroturfing and tribalism...
Meanwhile, our regime seeking control through astroturfing and tribalism...
November 16, 2025 at 1:56 PM
His definition of fascism is "authoritarian+" which is completely dumb and fictional. It's an ideology that seeks to have authoritarian control through astroturfing and tribalism, not a description of a government.
Meanwhile, our regime seeking control through astroturfing and tribalism...
Meanwhile, our regime seeking control through astroturfing and tribalism...
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Fascism isn’t just “the strictest and most violent kind of authoritarianism” pol pot was worse than plenty of fascist regimes
November 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Fascism isn’t just “the strictest and most violent kind of authoritarianism” pol pot was worse than plenty of fascist regimes
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Like it’s weird to read Tom, a prominent commentator, offer a very cartoonish view of fascism as iron clad and ferocious which people cannot resist without instantly getting shot. It’s not true! There were loads of fascist regimes resisted loads of ways!
November 16, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Like it’s weird to read Tom, a prominent commentator, offer a very cartoonish view of fascism as iron clad and ferocious which people cannot resist without instantly getting shot. It’s not true! There were loads of fascist regimes resisted loads of ways!
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
People are correctly dunking on this for being ahistorical in a bunch of ways but one weird thing with it is “authoritarianism can be beaten but fascism is basically impossible to defeat without a civil war or invasion” is way more defeatist than ”yeah they’re loser fascists let’s kick their asses”
My mistake has been trying to explain what "fascism" is to people who don't care what it is.
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
November 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM
People are correctly dunking on this for being ahistorical in a bunch of ways but one weird thing with it is “authoritarianism can be beaten but fascism is basically impossible to defeat without a civil war or invasion” is way more defeatist than ”yeah they’re loser fascists let’s kick their asses”
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
I have to keep my passport ON me because ICE is more or less on every corner in my city.
My cousin had to travel out of state to get an abortion and hope she didn’t get jailed for it.
You’re saying it isn’t fascism because it hasn’t affected you personally yet.
My cousin had to travel out of state to get an abortion and hope she didn’t get jailed for it.
You’re saying it isn’t fascism because it hasn’t affected you personally yet.
My mistake has been trying to explain what "fascism" is to people who don't care what it is.
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
November 16, 2025 at 11:51 AM
I have to keep my passport ON me because ICE is more or less on every corner in my city.
My cousin had to travel out of state to get an abortion and hope she didn’t get jailed for it.
You’re saying it isn’t fascism because it hasn’t affected you personally yet.
My cousin had to travel out of state to get an abortion and hope she didn’t get jailed for it.
You’re saying it isn’t fascism because it hasn’t affected you personally yet.
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Fascism is not a binary state. There are fascists in America. They currently hold a great deal of power. They have not yet succeeded in breaking the republic and replacing it with a dictatorship. But they have committed a lot of extrajudicial violence.
My mistake has been trying to explain what "fascism" is to people who don't care what it is.
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
November 16, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Fascism is not a binary state. There are fascists in America. They currently hold a great deal of power. They have not yet succeeded in breaking the republic and replacing it with a dictatorship. But they have committed a lot of extrajudicial violence.
Reposted by Matt Hardwick, Public Policy Wonk
Tom's mistake here is known as a "motte and bailey fallacy" --- he's retreating to the narrow argument of "is the government of the United States a fully empowered fascist regime?"
My mistake has been trying to explain what "fascism" is to people who don't care what it is.
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
So I'm going to try something else. Let's do this as a practical thought exercise.
If America *were* fascist *today* - what would you have to do differently in your daily life? /1
November 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Tom's mistake here is known as a "motte and bailey fallacy" --- he's retreating to the narrow argument of "is the government of the United States a fully empowered fascist regime?"