Woo hoo!

Hi Devin, my specialty was international political economy, not international security. But Russia obviously invaded Ukraine, so everything Trump says about the conflict is a lie. Plus, the rule of law is under sustained attack, and I doubt the Supreme Court will stop it. It's a complete nightmare.

JFC is right. I have no words.

According to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-t..., four states had already passed such laws before 1947, in 1944 and 1946 specifically. But the numbers increased substantially beginning in 1947, so I'm sure you're right.

Republicans have been preparing this for decades. There was a whole ecosystem of ultra-conservative groups mostly below the radar in the 1970s. Maybe you've heard of Richard Viguerie? How about Americans Against Union Control of Government? Even in its name, it was prefiguring Republican Newspeak.

I had this naive belief when I graduated from college almost 50 years ago that things would be a lot better by now than they were then -- and that was a great time to be middle class.

"Needing to defend democracy" was not on my bingo card I couldn't have dreamed such a thing was possible.

It's true. French author Susan George wrote in her book, "Another World is Possible...If" that the French are not afraid of their government. There should be millions in the streets here.

University of Pittsburgh is a major research university. That this could be happening there is beyond shocking

I wasn't saying things are good, only that there is a tiny bit of progress. Derek Chauvin would never even have been considered for indictment when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s. And also note I limited progress to "some jurisdictions." This action by the Trump admin is effing evil.

I think a tiny bit. Derek Chauvin wouldn't even have been indicted when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s. Prosecutors wouldn't even have considered indicting him. But there's no question that "tiny" is the operative word.

What precisely are you disagreeing with?

Yes, of course, now at least it's national news rather than just local news. And we are taking baby steps toward an end to impunity, at least in some jurisdictions. But it's painfully slow, and that is shameful.

As another commenter mentioned, this is heartbreaking.

I always thought of Freedom House as sort of right wing, going back to the Cold War. I'm glad to see that it's being a fairly honest umpire.

I wonder what the U.S. Polity score for democracy is now? I'm pretty sure it's sinking, too.