MEJ
@mountainvalleys.bsky.social
Ph.D. in political sociology. I have a fluffy cat!
Reposted by MEJ
Trump treats foreign countries like he treats women. ICYMI @saletan.bsky.social:
Greenland’s Persistent Predator
Trump keeps threatening, no matter how many times his victims ask him to stop.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Trump treats foreign countries like he treats women. ICYMI @saletan.bsky.social:
Reposted by MEJ
A Black man was killed by ICE (off duty) in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. And like Renée Good, he was an American citizen. But most people have not heard about Keith Porter.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
January 10, 2026 at 3:24 PM
A Black man was killed by ICE (off duty) in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. And like Renée Good, he was an American citizen. But most people have not heard about Keith Porter.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
Reposted by MEJ
The Myth of a Rightward Realignment
Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election that are obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment of the established order.
New piece:
Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election that are obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment of the established order.
New piece:
The Myth of a Rightward Realignment
Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election that are obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment
steady.page
November 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
The Myth of a Rightward Realignment
Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election that are obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment of the established order.
New piece:
Let’s discard some stubborn misconceptions about Trump’s support and what happened in the 2024 election that are obscuring our understanding of a profound de-alignment of the established order.
New piece:
Reposted by MEJ
Do me a favor: If you find this analysis helpful, consider subscribing to Democracy Americana for free.
Or better yet: Become a paid member. Democracy Americana is funded by readers and it’s my main source of income. Your support makes this work possible.
steady.page/en/democracy...
Or better yet: Become a paid member. Democracy Americana is funded by readers and it’s my main source of income. Your support makes this work possible.
steady.page/en/democracy...
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Do me a favor: If you find this analysis helpful, consider subscribing to Democracy Americana for free.
Or better yet: Become a paid member. Democracy Americana is funded by readers and it’s my main source of income. Your support makes this work possible.
steady.page/en/democracy...
Or better yet: Become a paid member. Democracy Americana is funded by readers and it’s my main source of income. Your support makes this work possible.
steady.page/en/democracy...
Reposted by MEJ
In response to this claim that the "strategy didn't work."
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
November 10, 2025 at 5:43 PM
In response to this claim that the "strategy didn't work."
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
Reposted by MEJ
Where America stands, one year after the election.
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are building an authoritarian state; but they have not been able yet to extend authoritarian rule across society. A democracy no more, but not a consolidated autocratic regime yet.
New piece:
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are building an authoritarian state; but they have not been able yet to extend authoritarian rule across society. A democracy no more, but not a consolidated autocratic regime yet.
New piece:
Escalation, Authoritarian “Normalization,” or a Democratic Turnaround?
One year after the election: What we can say with certainty about the state of the Trumpist assault, where uncertainty lies, and where America might go from here
steady.page
November 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Where America stands, one year after the election.
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are building an authoritarian state; but they have not been able yet to extend authoritarian rule across society. A democracy no more, but not a consolidated autocratic regime yet.
New piece:
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are building an authoritarian state; but they have not been able yet to extend authoritarian rule across society. A democracy no more, but not a consolidated autocratic regime yet.
New piece:
Reposted by MEJ
This is the first installment of what will be a regular feature, tentatively called “For the Record”:
A selective chronicle, a roundup of what I believe deserves our attention – an attempt to bear witness and perhaps create, over time, a record of our extraordinary moment.
A selective chronicle, a roundup of what I believe deserves our attention – an attempt to bear witness and perhaps create, over time, a record of our extraordinary moment.
Sunday Reading: A Constant Torrent of Authoritarian Arrogance, Corruption, and Complicity
American politics is an exasperating, frenzied, and acutely dangerous mess. Let’s sort through the events of the past week to separate what matters from what does not.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
American politics is an exasperating, frenzied, and acutely dangerous mess. Let’s sort through the events of the past week to separate what matters from what does not.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
A Constant Torrent of Authoritarian Arrogance, Corruption, Complicity
American politics is an exasperating, frenzied, and acutely dangerous mess. Let’s sort through the events of the past week to separate what matters from what does not.
democracyamericana.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
This is the first installment of what will be a regular feature, tentatively called “For the Record”:
A selective chronicle, a roundup of what I believe deserves our attention – an attempt to bear witness and perhaps create, over time, a record of our extraordinary moment.
A selective chronicle, a roundup of what I believe deserves our attention – an attempt to bear witness and perhaps create, over time, a record of our extraordinary moment.
Reposted by MEJ
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
October 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Hi, I'm the ProPublica reporter who's been tracking an unusual stat: U.S. citizens grabbed by immigration agents.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
I did it because the government isn’t.
This is what I found.
Reposted by MEJ
This piece is just an essential, important and excellent intervention as Coates' Vanity Fair essay was. One NYT column isn't that important, but an accommodationist mindset has spread in center-left elite circles. And it should be rejected forcefully. democracyamericana.com/posts/c5d024...
Where Is the Line?
On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America
democracyamericana.com
October 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
This piece is just an essential, important and excellent intervention as Coates' Vanity Fair essay was. One NYT column isn't that important, but an accommodationist mindset has spread in center-left elite circles. And it should be rejected forcefully. democracyamericana.com/posts/c5d024...
Reposted by MEJ
I published this piece as a free post. I would love to continue to offer long-form essays like this for a broad audience. However, it is solely the support of my paid members that makes this possible.
If you think this is valuable work, consider becoming a member of Democracy Americana:
If you think this is valuable work, consider becoming a member of Democracy Americana:
Where Is the Line?
On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America
steady.page
October 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I published this piece as a free post. I would love to continue to offer long-form essays like this for a broad audience. However, it is solely the support of my paid members that makes this possible.
If you think this is valuable work, consider becoming a member of Democracy Americana:
If you think this is valuable work, consider becoming a member of Democracy Americana:
Reposted by MEJ
Where Is the Line?
On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America. If we can’t even agree to hold the line against Trumpism, democracy must perish.
New piece:
steady.page/en/democracy...
On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America. If we can’t even agree to hold the line against Trumpism, democracy must perish.
New piece:
steady.page/en/democracy...
Where Is the Line?
On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America
steady.page
October 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Where Is the Line?
On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America. If we can’t even agree to hold the line against Trumpism, democracy must perish.
New piece:
steady.page/en/democracy...
On Ezra Klein, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the struggle to define the boundaries of what is acceptable in America. If we can’t even agree to hold the line against Trumpism, democracy must perish.
New piece:
steady.page/en/democracy...
Reposted by MEJ
Reposted by MEJ
“MeToo went too far!” was the rallying cry in elite opinion and polite society basically the minute #MeToo became a thing. And eight years later, the few prominent “victims” of MeToo who we’ve been told had their lives irrevocably destroyed by the cancel mob are back without ever showing contrition.
I've said it many times before and Andrew Cuomo is making me say it again: we don't have a cancellation problem. We have never had a cancellation problem. To the contrary, we have a problem that "disgrace" is a very temporary embarrassment— an brief entr'acte more than an intermission.
June 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
“MeToo went too far!” was the rallying cry in elite opinion and polite society basically the minute #MeToo became a thing. And eight years later, the few prominent “victims” of MeToo who we’ve been told had their lives irrevocably destroyed by the cancel mob are back without ever showing contrition.
Reposted by MEJ
Here's how a long NYT profile of Erica Vandal, one of the trans women the wildly incompetent Whiskey Pete Hegseth threw out of the military, ends.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/u...
June 17, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Here's how a long NYT profile of Erica Vandal, one of the trans women the wildly incompetent Whiskey Pete Hegseth threw out of the military, ends.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/u...
Reposted by MEJ
Absolutely horrifying.
A politically motivated assassination of Democratic lawmakers. The regime calling protesters in LA “animals,” sending troops to “liberate” the city from Democratic governance. A military parade in the nation’s capital.
All these events are intimately connected.
A politically motivated assassination of Democratic lawmakers. The regime calling protesters in LA “animals,” sending troops to “liberate” the city from Democratic governance. A military parade in the nation’s capital.
All these events are intimately connected.
Suspect in ‘politically-motivated assassination’ of Minnesota state lawmaker identified, officials say | CNN
Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, were shot and killed early Saturday morning in “what appears to be a politically-motivated assassination,” Minnesota Governor Tim W...
edition.cnn.com
June 14, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Absolutely horrifying.
A politically motivated assassination of Democratic lawmakers. The regime calling protesters in LA “animals,” sending troops to “liberate” the city from Democratic governance. A military parade in the nation’s capital.
All these events are intimately connected.
A politically motivated assassination of Democratic lawmakers. The regime calling protesters in LA “animals,” sending troops to “liberate” the city from Democratic governance. A military parade in the nation’s capital.
All these events are intimately connected.
Reposted by MEJ
💯 ⬇️
With the attacks on science and academia by the current administration, if those of us who have tenure don't speak up, it's really hard to continue justifying the tenure system based on academic freedom.
April 20, 2025 at 9:08 AM
💯 ⬇️
Reposted by MEJ
This is our country now. www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/...
U.S. citizen child recovering from brain cancer deported to Mexico with undocumented parents
The Texas family was on their way to an emergency medical checkup, they said, when they were detained at an immigration checkpoint.
www.nbcnews.com
March 13, 2025 at 12:56 AM
This is our country now. www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/...
Reposted by MEJ
We need to trust our eyes.
Nazi salutes, racist purges, an ambush on the Ukrainian president by a far-right regime. If what we see aligns with what we know and is also in line with an established track record, our default assumption should be that what is happening is actually what it looks like.
Nazi salutes, racist purges, an ambush on the Ukrainian president by a far-right regime. If what we see aligns with what we know and is also in line with an established track record, our default assumption should be that what is happening is actually what it looks like.
March 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
We need to trust our eyes.
Nazi salutes, racist purges, an ambush on the Ukrainian president by a far-right regime. If what we see aligns with what we know and is also in line with an established track record, our default assumption should be that what is happening is actually what it looks like.
Nazi salutes, racist purges, an ambush on the Ukrainian president by a far-right regime. If what we see aligns with what we know and is also in line with an established track record, our default assumption should be that what is happening is actually what it looks like.
Reposted by MEJ
People who claim Zelensky was at fault yesterday and should have been more “diplomatic” or “respectful” are either deliberately propagating the Trumpist attack line – or they fundamentally misunderstand what the Trumpist project is and who is now in power in the United States.
March 1, 2025 at 4:57 PM
People who claim Zelensky was at fault yesterday and should have been more “diplomatic” or “respectful” are either deliberately propagating the Trumpist attack line – or they fundamentally misunderstand what the Trumpist project is and who is now in power in the United States.
Reposted by MEJ
After playing a fictional member of the Resistance a long time ago, I never could have imagined it ever happening in real life, but here we are.
Mark Hamill posting rebellious content in a battle against a dictator and his robotic sidekick is the most Star Wars shit ever.
February 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
After playing a fictional member of the Resistance a long time ago, I never could have imagined it ever happening in real life, but here we are.
Reposted by MEJ
📢 PODCAST
The Path to Authoritarianism
One month into the Trumpist regime, we reflect on what has happened since Trump returned to the presidency, what might be coming next, and what we have learned about America along the way.
New episode of Is This Democracy:
The Path to Authoritarianism
One month into the Trumpist regime, we reflect on what has happened since Trump returned to the presidency, what might be coming next, and what we have learned about America along the way.
New episode of Is This Democracy:
39. The Path to Authoritarianism
Podcast Episode · Is This Democracy · 02/21/2025 · 1h 11m
podcasts.apple.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
📢 PODCAST
The Path to Authoritarianism
One month into the Trumpist regime, we reflect on what has happened since Trump returned to the presidency, what might be coming next, and what we have learned about America along the way.
New episode of Is This Democracy:
The Path to Authoritarianism
One month into the Trumpist regime, we reflect on what has happened since Trump returned to the presidency, what might be coming next, and what we have learned about America along the way.
New episode of Is This Democracy:
Reposted by MEJ
Sunday reading: A MAGA Feeding Frenzy Is Ravaging the Constitutional Order
The assault is coming from different angles: Project 2025. The feudal tech barons. The America First nativists. Less a single master plan – and more comprehensive chaos.
This week’s piece:
The assault is coming from different angles: Project 2025. The feudal tech barons. The America First nativists. Less a single master plan – and more comprehensive chaos.
This week’s piece:
MAGA Feeding Frenzy Has Caused a Constitutional Crisis
The assault is coming from different angles: Project 2025. The feudal tech barons. The America First nativists. It’s not a single master plan – it’s comprehensive chaos
thomaszimmer.substack.com
February 9, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Sunday reading: A MAGA Feeding Frenzy Is Ravaging the Constitutional Order
The assault is coming from different angles: Project 2025. The feudal tech barons. The America First nativists. Less a single master plan – and more comprehensive chaos.
This week’s piece:
The assault is coming from different angles: Project 2025. The feudal tech barons. The America First nativists. Less a single master plan – and more comprehensive chaos.
This week’s piece:
Reposted by MEJ
When Musk talks about “democracy,” he really means “freedom,” and by freedom he means his ability to do as he please - which he thinks is in line with “the will of the people” because he sees his interests as identical with those of humanity itself as he is “chosen” to take us into a better future.
Elon’s very dumb argument that bureaucracy is at odds with democracy is rooted in his delusion that he acting on behalf of the people. The people strongly disagree.
Gift link: wapo.st/3X3cD0z
Gift link: wapo.st/3X3cD0z
Opinion | Trump, Musk and America are headed for a very rude awakening
Elon Musk is trying to gut government programs, claiming it's what the people want. But is it really?
wapo.st
February 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
When Musk talks about “democracy,” he really means “freedom,” and by freedom he means his ability to do as he please - which he thinks is in line with “the will of the people” because he sees his interests as identical with those of humanity itself as he is “chosen” to take us into a better future.
Reposted by MEJ
This is a great idea. Do you know anyone in Congress you can talk to?
Congress must take action to restore the rule of law.
February 4, 2025 at 1:38 PM
This is a great idea. Do you know anyone in Congress you can talk to?
Reposted by MEJ
“I don’t think the United States Senate should vote for a single nominee until this is over!” - @chrismurphyct.bsky.social
February 4, 2025 at 10:20 PM
“I don’t think the United States Senate should vote for a single nominee until this is over!” - @chrismurphyct.bsky.social