Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Brian Beutler @brianbeutler.bsky.social · 15m

Trump and Miller will probably get the blood in the streets they want eventually. We don’t know when or how it will unfold, or how the public will come to perceive it. But we do know that no matter how it unfolds or is perceived, it is already their fault. All we can do is our best.

It'll Be Trump's Fault

Donald Trump created this unstable equilibrium; no matter how it breaks down, it will be his fault.

www.offmessage.net

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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 5m

2/2 Judge Smith's Order from today:

"Defendants’ new condition is not a good faith effort to comply with the order."

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

(h/t @kyledcheney.bsky.social)

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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 2h

Russia’s leader isn’t nearly as strong as he’s made out to be, Andrew Ryvkin writes. “A realistic view of his power would strip Putin of his biggest leverage: the perception of his invincibility”:

Putin Is Not Winning

Underestimating the Russian leader is dangerous, but ascribing dark powers to him plays right into his hands.

bit.ly

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John Sipher @johnsipher.bsky.social · 1h

“If Americans had a more clear-eyed view of Putin, they would see a dictator who’s bet everything on a failed invasion, a country losing its sphere of influence, and an economy…cooling. A realistic view of his power would strip Putin of his biggest leverage: the perception of his invincibility.”

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 2h

Russia’s leader isn’t nearly as strong as he’s made out to be, Andrew Ryvkin writes. “A realistic view of his power would strip Putin of his biggest leverage: the perception of his invincibility”:

Putin Is Not Winning

Underestimating the Russian leader is dangerous, but ascribing dark powers to him plays right into his hands.

bit.ly

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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 1h

Speaker Mike Johnson just said he's completely fine with ICE agents shooting priests in the head with pepper balls and roughing up journalists.

I'm sure he'll tell us soon about how it's the Democrats who are waging a war on religion and free speech though.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1h

Q: We've seen images out of Chicago of federal agents shooting faith leaders with pepper balls and arresting journalists. Where's the limit for you on what's acceptable conduct by federal agents?

MIKE JOHNSON: I've not seen them cross the line yet.

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The Lincoln Project @lincolnproject.us · 1h

US Soybean farmer: This is caused by this administration, and it’s having a negative major consequence on not only farmers, but also on American factory workers..."

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Roger Parloff @rparloff.bsky.social · 1h

"[A] possible Hatch Act violation appears on the very DOJ page advising workers that they’re subject to the Hatch Act." @mollyroberts.bsky.social on all those agency home pages blaming Dems for shutdown.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...

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Jeff W 🌮 @jaydub2099.bsky.social · 9m

It's a death cult.

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Patrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 41m

They said it was about free choice. Now they're going to prevent your kids from getting vaccines.

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · Sep 12

Exclusive: Trump health officials plan to link coronavirus vaccines to the deaths of 25 children as they consider limiting who should get the shots. The findings appear to be based on unverified reports submitted to an online reporting system which is open to anyone.

Trump officials to link child deaths to covid shots, alarming career scientists

The move to link coronavirus vaccines to 25 child deaths alarms career scientists who say the shots have been extensively studied.

www.washingtonpost.com

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The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 40m

The notion, not unfounded, of Democrats as humorless scolds is suddenly being overturned by inflatable frog costumes. Is humor and mockery the key to defeating Trump?
www.thebulwark.com/p/can-democr...

Can Democrats Mock Trump Into Defeat?

As the president embraces strongman politics, Democrats are increasingly trying to make him seem little.

www.thebulwark.com

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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 39m

Here's the piece we discussed:
newrepublic.com/article/2014...

Inside Stephen Miller’s Secret Plan to Normalize Trump’s Dictator Rule

He wants to supercharge searing civil tensions to get low-information voters to embrace their inner authoritarian. Exactly two Democrats appear to fully grasp this.

newrepublic.com

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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 40m

"On the Media" invited me on to chat about my recent piece on Stephen Miller's theory of how to do fascist politics, and how JB Pritzker's understanding of it is shaping a new kind of Democratic response. It's short and well-edited! Hope you enjoy:
www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...

Authoritarianism, but Make It Look Normal. Plus, the Family Taking Over American Media. | On the Media | WNYC Studios

The “Dual State;” and a new media empire.

www.wnycstudios.org

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Jeff W 🌮 @jaydub2099.bsky.social · 11m

In moments like this, do you think to yourself, what would me in 2015 think of me in 2025?

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Patrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 38m

It’s happening.

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 24m

GREER: I think China realizes they've overstepped

CNBC: You think they realize they overstepped? Their statement says 'if forced to fight, China will fight to the end'

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1h

Q: We've seen images out of Chicago of federal agents shooting faith leaders with pepper balls and arresting journalists. Where's the limit for you on what's acceptable conduct by federal agents?

MIKE JOHNSON: I've not seen them cross the line yet.

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Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 25m

Mike Johnson — man of deep faith, we are told — wants pastors to be shot in the head with pepper balls.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1h

Q: We've seen images out of Chicago of federal agents shooting faith leaders with pepper balls and arresting journalists. Where's the limit for you on what's acceptable conduct by federal agents?

MIKE JOHNSON: I've not seen them cross the line yet.

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Bradley P. Moss @bradmossesq.bsky.social · 23m

Anyone heard from the Twitter Files losers lately?

Yashar Ali 🐘 @yasharali.bsky.social · 1h

Statement from AG Pam Bondi:

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Steven Beschloss @stevenbeschloss.bsky.social · 18m

This is not just funny, it's smart. We need more of this mockery that shows these thugs that we see their despicable fascism and give them the respect that they deserve.

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 1h

ICYMI: “And now, a response from the leader of the frog resistance...” 🐸 🎵 #Colbert

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Republicans Against Trumpism @rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social · 17m

Whiny. Little. B!tch

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emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 17m

Mayor Ras Baraka Reaffirms Malicious Prosecution Claim

www.emptywheel.net/2025/10/14/m...

Mayor Ras Baraka Reaffirms Malicious Prosecution Claim - emptywheel

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is not backing down from his claim he was falsely arrested by Ricky Patel.

www.emptywheel.net

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Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 22m

JUST IN: The 3rd Circuit *denies* a push by national GOP to reconsider ruling on misdated mail ballots in Pa.

Judge Emil Bove may have cast his first vote here in dissent of the decision -- and plans to write about it later. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 1h

Trump torpedoed this guy's bid to be Speaker because he was not MAGA enough. Where exactly is the moderate wing of the GOP now?

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3h

Emmer: "We call it the 'Hate America' rally because you'll see the hate for America all over this thing when they show up. The rumor is that they can't end this shutdown because this small but very violent and vocal group is the only one that's happy about this."

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The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 2h

The Army exists to defend the Republic; the press exists to inform it. Together, they protect the same ideal—self-government built on public trust. Hegseth's Pentagon press restrictions would hurt the Army, the press, and us.

New from @markhertling.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/locking-do...

Locking Down the Pentagon Press Is Dangerous

Pete Hegseth’s proposed restrictions would harm the people whom both the military and the press are meant to serve.

www.thebulwark.com

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The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 2h

"Trump is perversely helped by the fact that you can’t tell whether you should attribute a specific Trump claim to his melting brain or his melted soul."

Today's Morning Shots from @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @eggerdc.bsky.social: www.thebulwark.com/p/is-he-lyin...

Is He Lying Or Crazy? Does It Matter?

Living in the world the president dreams up.

www.thebulwark.com

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