A Moderate View
@moderateview.bsky.social
Posts about politics, public policy and world affairs from a mostly moderate viewpoint, occasionally with some snark, and with the recognition that there is no middle ground when it comes to dictators and fascism. Written by AEB in Massachusetts.
Dumb question: how dependent are reporters covering the Defense Department on actually being in the building, anyway?
October 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Dumb question: how dependent are reporters covering the Defense Department on actually being in the building, anyway?
Kudos to Pam Bondi for having a sense of humor about the SNL parody. More targets of such spoofs would be wise to laugh it off good-naturedly rather than insisting it's "not funny." Charlie Kirk apparently loved that South Park episode, again handling it well.
October 14, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Kudos to Pam Bondi for having a sense of humor about the SNL parody. More targets of such spoofs would be wise to laugh it off good-naturedly rather than insisting it's "not funny." Charlie Kirk apparently loved that South Park episode, again handling it well.
Unclear how much credit the Trump administration should really get for it (certainly some, probably a lot), but a cease-fire is always a good thing and should be applauded.
October 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Unclear how much credit the Trump administration should really get for it (certainly some, probably a lot), but a cease-fire is always a good thing and should be applauded.
Both sides of the political spectrum need to do a better job remembering the humanity of people involved in any issue — immigrants (legal and illegal), federal workers, ICE agents, military, Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, Sudanese, etc., etc. These aren't objects we're talking about.
October 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Both sides of the political spectrum need to do a better job remembering the humanity of people involved in any issue — immigrants (legal and illegal), federal workers, ICE agents, military, Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, Sudanese, etc., etc. These aren't objects we're talking about.
It's awful to think this way, but if Joe Biden passes or deteriorates (mentally and/or physically) fast before Trump leaves office, a number of Democrat hopefuls will immediately be forced from offense to defense about their role in hiding his situation and "what ifs" about his possible second term.
October 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
It's awful to think this way, but if Joe Biden passes or deteriorates (mentally and/or physically) fast before Trump leaves office, a number of Democrat hopefuls will immediately be forced from offense to defense about their role in hiding his situation and "what ifs" about his possible second term.
Both parties should lose equally when the government shuts down.
September 30, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Both parties should lose equally when the government shuts down.
It's possible, or even likely, that independent executive agencies are both constitutionally invalid (i.e., unitary executive theory is right) *and* good for the country. The Supreme Court has its hands full with Humphrey’s Executor v. U.S.
September 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
It's possible, or even likely, that independent executive agencies are both constitutionally invalid (i.e., unitary executive theory is right) *and* good for the country. The Supreme Court has its hands full with Humphrey’s Executor v. U.S.
There's nothing technically illegal (probably) about bringing flimsy charges against someone like Comey. And he's certain to get off. But what about the inconvenience to him — time, money, stress? How do we inoculate against that? Maybe some kind of donated fund to cover legal fees?
September 27, 2025 at 12:39 AM
There's nothing technically illegal (probably) about bringing flimsy charges against someone like Comey. And he's certain to get off. But what about the inconvenience to him — time, money, stress? How do we inoculate against that? Maybe some kind of donated fund to cover legal fees?
True, the left isn’t pure on free speech. But Biden officials screaming/cursing at social media companies to stop COVID disinformation is ≠ the FCC threatening action (or inaction on merger approval). Same with discouragement of speech from the left by private individuals vs. government.
September 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
True, the left isn’t pure on free speech. But Biden officials screaming/cursing at social media companies to stop COVID disinformation is ≠ the FCC threatening action (or inaction on merger approval). Same with discouragement of speech from the left by private individuals vs. government.
I think we can all get behind a lot, probably all, of what was in Erika Kirk's speech at her husband's funeral. A much-needed moment of grace no matter what your political leanings are.
September 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I think we can all get behind a lot, probably all, of what was in Erika Kirk's speech at her husband's funeral. A much-needed moment of grace no matter what your political leanings are.
Yay, Kimmel is coming back! Oh, and Ukraine is still getting slaughtered, Russia incursions into NATO continue, the economy is slowing, political violence is intensifying, Gazans are starving, not all the Israelis hostages are back, social media is poisoning our kids, etc. Let's focus, people.
September 23, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Yay, Kimmel is coming back! Oh, and Ukraine is still getting slaughtered, Russia incursions into NATO continue, the economy is slowing, political violence is intensifying, Gazans are starving, not all the Israelis hostages are back, social media is poisoning our kids, etc. Let's focus, people.
More of THAT Ted Cruz, please.
September 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
More of THAT Ted Cruz, please.
I'm not convinced many of the Republican critics of Jimmy Kimmel actually know what he said on Monday night.
September 19, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I'm not convinced many of the Republican critics of Jimmy Kimmel actually know what he said on Monday night.
It's legit to call jokes of any kind about Charlie Kirk's killing, even if tangential and about the various reactions not the killing itself, in poor taste and unhelpful in this moment. But ABC and Disney leadership still look like a bunch of cowards for benching Kimmel. Call him out but let him go.
September 18, 2025 at 12:58 PM
It's legit to call jokes of any kind about Charlie Kirk's killing, even if tangential and about the various reactions not the killing itself, in poor taste and unhelpful in this moment. But ABC and Disney leadership still look like a bunch of cowards for benching Kimmel. Call him out but let him go.
Words and opinions do not ever justify violent action. Period.
September 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Words and opinions do not ever justify violent action. Period.
It's a sad day when our politicians resort, effectively, to accusing others' hateful, violence-inducing comments as being more effective than their own.
September 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
It's a sad day when our politicians resort, effectively, to accusing others' hateful, violence-inducing comments as being more effective than their own.
Great news that Face the Nation is now committed to ensuring every lie gets its fair and proper air time!
September 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Great news that Face the Nation is now committed to ensuring every lie gets its fair and proper air time!
Among the many problems with RFK Jr. is that he clearly can't stand it when senators dare to challenge him
September 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Among the many problems with RFK Jr. is that he clearly can't stand it when senators dare to challenge him
The word secession has no place in American politics, even if used metaphorically. Find a different term for what the Democratic states are talking about.
September 2, 2025 at 12:58 PM
The word secession has no place in American politics, even if used metaphorically. Find a different term for what the Democratic states are talking about.
Trump: "a Highly Partisan Appeals Court." Any reasonable person's immediate assumption: it's a balance court making a decision not split down ideological lines. Confirmation by WSJ: "The court didn’t break along partisan lines; judges appointed by presidents of both parties were on each side."
August 30, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Trump: "a Highly Partisan Appeals Court." Any reasonable person's immediate assumption: it's a balance court making a decision not split down ideological lines. Confirmation by WSJ: "The court didn’t break along partisan lines; judges appointed by presidents of both parties were on each side."
Who would have thought that the two pillars of resistance to the Trump administration, and thereby the heroes of moderates everywhere, would be Gavin Newsom and John Bolton.
August 27, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Who would have thought that the two pillars of resistance to the Trump administration, and thereby the heroes of moderates everywhere, would be Gavin Newsom and John Bolton.
Newsom doing the Trump STYLE. VERY FUNNY, even GENIUS some say. Shows how RIDICULOUS Trump is. Total CLOWN SHOW! But here’s the problem—DEMOCRATS don’t WIN with jokes. They need STRATEGY, they need POWER, not comedy. Everybody knows it! Thank you for your attention to this important matter!
August 25, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Newsom doing the Trump STYLE. VERY FUNNY, even GENIUS some say. Shows how RIDICULOUS Trump is. Total CLOWN SHOW! But here’s the problem—DEMOCRATS don’t WIN with jokes. They need STRATEGY, they need POWER, not comedy. Everybody knows it! Thank you for your attention to this important matter!
Republicans ought to try substituting "ICE" and "immigrants" with "ATF" and "gun owners" and think about how it would make them feel about recent actions and headlines.
August 23, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Republicans ought to try substituting "ICE" and "immigrants" with "ATF" and "gun owners" and think about how it would make them feel about recent actions and headlines.
There'd better be a very, very good and surprising reason to raid John Bolton's home or it's a very, very bad thing.
August 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
There'd better be a very, very good and surprising reason to raid John Bolton's home or it's a very, very bad thing.
Texas: "let the anti-democratic redistricting escalation start here."
August 21, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Texas: "let the anti-democratic redistricting escalation start here."