Ron Miller
@ronsreflections.bsky.social
Christian, husband & dad, educator, veteran, nerd. I strive to live Romans 12 & follow Jesus only.
"By destroying knowledge, Trumpists seek to make the country more amenable to their political domination, and to prevent meaningful democratic checks on their behavior."
I wrote about this in "American Idiocracy." It is a threat that those of us in the knowledge space should not take lightly.
I wrote about this in "American Idiocracy." It is a threat that those of us in the knowledge space should not take lightly.
The New Dark Age
The Trump administration has launched an attack on knowledge itself.
www.theatlantic.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
"By destroying knowledge, Trumpists seek to make the country more amenable to their political domination, and to prevent meaningful democratic checks on their behavior."
I wrote about this in "American Idiocracy." It is a threat that those of us in the knowledge space should not take lightly.
I wrote about this in "American Idiocracy." It is a threat that those of us in the knowledge space should not take lightly.
This is essential reading for anyone trying to grasp the current moment. It has made me think, “Can I do more?” even though I believe I’ve been clear-eyed about the times we’re in.
The Emergency We Cannot Feel: On the Psychological Unreadiness for American Collapse
Why the most dangerous political crisis in modern American history is met with emotional denial, moral distortion, and cultural distraction.
www.notesfromthecircus.com
May 29, 2025 at 8:45 PM
This is essential reading for anyone trying to grasp the current moment. It has made me think, “Can I do more?” even though I believe I’ve been clear-eyed about the times we’re in.
Every President-elect promises to appoint “the best and the brightest” to political positions in government...But what happens when the litmus test is loyalty to the near-total exclusion of any other consideration, including experience, expertise, and fealty to the truth and the laws of the land?
American Idiocracy
We have become a culture that celebrates ignorance
ronsreflections.substack.com
May 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Every President-elect promises to appoint “the best and the brightest” to political positions in government...But what happens when the litmus test is loyalty to the near-total exclusion of any other consideration, including experience, expertise, and fealty to the truth and the laws of the land?
We live in an age of disinformation and obfuscation where clarity is essential. Our church adopted nine essentials to make it clear who we are in the Kingdom of God, and one in particular has meaning in our current age:
May 19, 2025 at 3:23 AM
We live in an age of disinformation and obfuscation where clarity is essential. Our church adopted nine essentials to make it clear who we are in the Kingdom of God, and one in particular has meaning in our current age:
"A popular saying goes, ‘When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.’ Although they are still privileged by several measures, they are no longer calling the shots, and they fear that loss of control.”
Deafening Dog Whistles
The Trump administration’s politics of white grievance extends overseas
ronsreflections.substack.com
May 13, 2025 at 9:35 PM
"A popular saying goes, ‘When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.’ Although they are still privileged by several measures, they are no longer calling the shots, and they fear that loss of control.”
I offer my thoughts on the first 100 days of a consequential presidency.
The other side of the Rubicon
We aren't coming back from this, and far too many don't want to.
ronsreflections.substack.com
May 4, 2025 at 3:57 AM
I offer my thoughts on the first 100 days of a consequential presidency.
“It didn’t have to be this way. There are 77,302,580 co-authors of this catastrophe. They have left a crimson stain on this Republic.”
America’s Mad King
The president has grown more impulsive, more vindictive, and more anarchic.
www.theatlantic.com
April 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
“It didn’t have to be this way. There are 77,302,580 co-authors of this catastrophe. They have left a crimson stain on this Republic.”
As a former Republican, this is one of the best explanations of what happened to the GOP that I've read. Watching the nation disintegrate, I feel like I should have seen this coming. I wonder whether I overlooked the indicators due to naivety, trust, denial, or a combination of these factors.
The rise of the infinite fringe
How the internet immortalized the conspiracy theory
www.theverge.com
April 17, 2025 at 5:32 PM
As a former Republican, this is one of the best explanations of what happened to the GOP that I've read. Watching the nation disintegrate, I feel like I should have seen this coming. I wonder whether I overlooked the indicators due to naivety, trust, denial, or a combination of these factors.
We have crossed the Rubicon; what happens next is anyone's guess. This administration's actions have exceeded my worst expectations.
Trump to the USA: There is no rule of law
What might he try next? Illegal arrests or deportations of American citizens?
www.motherjones.com
April 15, 2025 at 12:44 PM
We have crossed the Rubicon; what happens next is anyone's guess. This administration's actions have exceeded my worst expectations.
This article is very good. When you have time and mental space, please read the whole thing. It explains our current moment as well as anything I've read lately.
I Should Have Seen This Coming
When I joined the conservative movement in the 1980s, there were two types of people: those who cared earnestly about ideas, and those who wanted only to shock the left. The reactionary fringe has won...
www.theatlantic.com
April 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
This article is very good. When you have time and mental space, please read the whole thing. It explains our current moment as well as anything I've read lately.
"I dedicated nearly a decade of my life to defend America against nations who deploy masked government agents in street clothes to seize civilians off the streets and detain them without charges. I never envisioned that America would become one of those nations."
Closer than they appear
Rethinking my optimism about the future under Trump 2.0
ronsreflections.substack.com
April 1, 2025 at 4:35 PM
"I dedicated nearly a decade of my life to defend America against nations who deploy masked government agents in street clothes to seize civilians off the streets and detain them without charges. I never envisioned that America would become one of those nations."
Just think - smaller or less powerful nations are now thinking of the U.S. as a security threat like Russia and China. Is that what they mean by "America First"?
Trump annexation talk prompted defence talks with Europe, Joly says
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canada is in the “advanced” stages of negotiations with Europe on joining its new defence partnership — prompted in large part by growing concern about Russi...
www.ctvnews.ca
March 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Just think - smaller or less powerful nations are now thinking of the U.S. as a security threat like Russia and China. Is that what they mean by "America First"?
Like many of you, I’ve been trying to make sense of these times. It’s a long read, but I hope it helps you in your journey of understanding.
What have we got?
Is Trump 2.0 the genesis of a 21st century American autocracy?
ronsreflections.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Like many of you, I’ve been trying to make sense of these times. It’s a long read, but I hope it helps you in your journey of understanding.
I recently contacted a friend who had reached some conclusions about a news item based on the current administration’s “take.” I advised her I wouldn’t trust anything they say without independent verification. That prompted me to reshare an article on how to be a discerning consumer of information.
The news that's fit
Some advice on becoming a discerning consumer of news and being a light in the darkness
ronsreflections.substack.com
March 12, 2025 at 2:35 AM
I recently contacted a friend who had reached some conclusions about a news item based on the current administration’s “take.” I advised her I wouldn’t trust anything they say without independent verification. That prompted me to reshare an article on how to be a discerning consumer of information.
I served four years in a NATO bunker in Germany, which was the primary war headquarters for central Europe in case of a conflict. I regularly shared intelligence with my German and British counterparts. It's embarrassing that our allies now fear we will share their intelligence with Russia.
As Trump pivots to Russia, allies weigh sharing less intel with U.S.
Members of the so-called Five Eyes spy alliance, as well as Israeli and Saudi officials, fear the identities of foreign assets could inadvertently be shared with Moscow.
www.nbcnews.com
March 7, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I served four years in a NATO bunker in Germany, which was the primary war headquarters for central Europe in case of a conflict. I regularly shared intelligence with my German and British counterparts. It's embarrassing that our allies now fear we will share their intelligence with Russia.
The perspective of our erstwhile allies is sobering. Since Americans live in a “disinformation space” of their own creation and preference, it’s instructive to know how the world sees us because it’s probably more accurate than the jingoistic fever dream in which we find ourselves.
The Rise of the Brutal American
This is how the bad guys act.
www.theatlantic.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The perspective of our erstwhile allies is sobering. Since Americans live in a “disinformation space” of their own creation and preference, it’s instructive to know how the world sees us because it’s probably more accurate than the jingoistic fever dream in which we find ourselves.
OMB director Russell Vought ran the Center for Renewing America, so I attribute this abuse of Scripture to him. The article mentions that CRA cites 1 Samuel 8 to justify massive cuts to the federal workforce, but the warning isn’t about the king’s courtiers, advisors, or staff - it’s about the king.
A Project 2025 author carries out his vision for mass federal layoffs
The Trump administration’s demand that federal agencies plan to radically downsize is driven by a key figure in the conservative movement who has long planned this move.
apnews.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:10 PM
OMB director Russell Vought ran the Center for Renewing America, so I attribute this abuse of Scripture to him. The article mentions that CRA cites 1 Samuel 8 to justify massive cuts to the federal workforce, but the warning isn’t about the king’s courtiers, advisors, or staff - it’s about the king.
This is the act of a malignant narcissist so desperate to get a peace deal that brings him glory that he'll risk Ukrainian lives for it. U.S. intelligence is a force multiplier for Ukraine; pausing it will hurt their combat readiness, leading to the deaths of more Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
Trump Suspends Intelligence Sharing With Ukraine
The pause, expected to cripple Kyiv’s ability to target Russian forces, follows a contentious Oval Office meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump on Friday.
www.wsj.com
March 5, 2025 at 2:41 PM
This is the act of a malignant narcissist so desperate to get a peace deal that brings him glory that he'll risk Ukrainian lives for it. U.S. intelligence is a force multiplier for Ukraine; pausing it will hurt their combat readiness, leading to the deaths of more Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
GOP members of Congress, if you’re not doing anything or you’re doing something wrong, the people have the right to tell you so. As servants of the people, you have an obligation to hear them and not make up ridiculous excuses for avoiding the consequences of your actions or inactions.
thehill.com
March 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
GOP members of Congress, if you’re not doing anything or you’re doing something wrong, the people have the right to tell you so. As servants of the people, you have an obligation to hear them and not make up ridiculous excuses for avoiding the consequences of your actions or inactions.
"I am a self-described news junkie, and I am more than willing to pay for quality journalism and opinion writing to the tune of thousands of dollars a year. That said, I confess the rush of news generated by the Trump administration since January 20th has been overwhelming."
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
I'm catching my breath under Trump 2.0, doing some housekeeping, and thinking about what's next
ronsreflections.substack.com
March 4, 2025 at 7:17 PM
"I am a self-described news junkie, and I am more than willing to pay for quality journalism and opinion writing to the tune of thousands of dollars a year. That said, I confess the rush of news generated by the Trump administration since January 20th has been overwhelming."
And J.D. Vance has the nerve to lecture Europe about "censorship." The hypocrisy is breathtaking.
Trump White House Bans AP Indefinitely From Oval Office, Air Force One Over ‘Gulf of America’ Controversy
White House indefinitely bans AP from the Oval Office, Air Force One because it is still calling it the Gulf of Mexico and not the 'Gulf of America.'
variety.com
February 18, 2025 at 1:34 PM
And J.D. Vance has the nerve to lecture Europe about "censorship." The hypocrisy is breathtaking.
What a condescending presentation. The notion that these democratically elected leaders are a greater threat to European security than Russia is ridiculous. His audience with the AfD party leader after his public temper tantrum reveals his true colors. What a contemptible man he's become.
Vance turns on European allies in blistering speech that downplayed threats from Russia and China | CNN
US Vice President JD Vance vented at European leaders Friday, telling them that the biggest threat to their security was “from within,” rather than China and Russia.
www.cnn.com
February 18, 2025 at 1:33 PM
What a condescending presentation. The notion that these democratically elected leaders are a greater threat to European security than Russia is ridiculous. His audience with the AfD party leader after his public temper tantrum reveals his true colors. What a contemptible man he's become.
And they say this isn't a cult of personality. The GOP is no longer a credible political party; it's a sect of sycophants.
New York congresswoman introduces bill to make Trump's birthday a federal holiday
Rep. Claudia Tenney introduced a bill that would make Trump’s birthday a federal holiday to recognize him as 'the founder of America's Golden Age.'
www.usatoday.com
February 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
And they say this isn't a cult of personality. The GOP is no longer a credible political party; it's a sect of sycophants.
From a friend, pastor, and former higher education colleague:
“If your theology makes you mean, it’s probably not your theology. You might be a jerk. If your politics makes you mean, it’s probably not your politics. You might be a jerk. No matter what you believe, don’t be a jerk.”
“If your theology makes you mean, it’s probably not your theology. You might be a jerk. If your politics makes you mean, it’s probably not your politics. You might be a jerk. No matter what you believe, don’t be a jerk.”
February 18, 2025 at 1:22 PM
From a friend, pastor, and former higher education colleague:
“If your theology makes you mean, it’s probably not your theology. You might be a jerk. If your politics makes you mean, it’s probably not your politics. You might be a jerk. No matter what you believe, don’t be a jerk.”
“If your theology makes you mean, it’s probably not your theology. You might be a jerk. If your politics makes you mean, it’s probably not your politics. You might be a jerk. No matter what you believe, don’t be a jerk.”
This is cruel and unnecessary. These students played by the rules and planned the start of their careers based on the government living up to the commitments they made to them.
Hiring freeze cancels internships with federal agencies
Thousands of students, some of whom received job offers last October, have lost federal internships, threatening their graduation plans and future careers.
www.insidehighered.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This is cruel and unnecessary. These students played by the rules and planned the start of their careers based on the government living up to the commitments they made to them.