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John McLaren

@johnmclaren.bsky.social

2.2K followers 830 following 1.3K posts

Economist, classical music nerd, and family man.

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Economics 44%

Political science 23%

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John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · Apr 4

I'm seeing a huge spike in interest in tariffs from people who normally don't work in the economics of international trade. Here are a few useful things to know about them. (1/14)

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Reposted by John McLaren

Ben @benhixon.bsky.social · 7h

The mainstream media isn't playing the clips of ICE abuse, or at least not enough to sink in yet. Most people still don't know it's happening. Elected Democrats need to cart large portable tv screens around with them and just have the clips playing on loop behind them in every interview from now on.

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Reposted by John McLaren

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 11h

“This is not sustainable”

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Heartland Signal @heartlandsignal.bsky.social · 1d

BREAKING: Masked Border Patrol agents aggressively arrested WGN video producer Debbie Brockman in Lincoln Square Friday morning, supposedly for "obstructing justice." (Video via Josh Thomas on Facebook)

Follow @heartlandsignal for more.

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Reposted by John McLaren

Kat Abughazaleh @katmabu.bsky.social · 1d

Trump just threatened to impose severe, unprecedented tariffs on Chinese imports. He won’t negotiate with Xi at the upcoming APEC summit, choosing to sink the global economy. The Dow is already down 300 points. This will devastate American small businesses and cause your expenses to skyrocket.

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John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

I was amazed at the woman who compared acknowledging one’s own transgender children to letting the kid use the meat slicer at the deli. He could lose a finger!

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

“Key Trump nominee accused of sexual harassment.” I have a shortcut key programmed up to produce this line of text since it comes up so often.

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Reposted by John McLaren

cvilledems.bsky.social @cvilledems.bsky.social · 1d

Newly rescheduled Charlottesville School Board Candidate Forum!
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 6:00pm-7:00pm at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.

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Reposted by John McLaren

20 Nate Days Later @nathanalderman.com · 2d

“That’s not discrimination!” Oh my dear sweet Lord, just make this entire exchange a tv ad right now.

American Bridge 21st Century @ab21.bsky.social · 2d

WATCH: Winsome Earle-Sears says her opposition to marriage equality or her support for LGTBQ+ Americans being fired for being gay is "not discrimination." #VAGov

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Reposted by John McLaren, Karen O’Leary

Rebecca @bluebec.bsky.social · 2d

For newer users of BlueSky, please alt-text your images. It helps people who use screen-readers or who have slow internet connections understand the image you've uploaded. Make the web accessible.

I rarely reshare images without alt-text & I know others do the same. Alt-text your images for reach

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John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

We salute Andrew for this summary of the highlights of the Albemarle County School Board meeting 10/9/25.

The speakers were overwhelmingly disproportionately pro-TPUSA and anti-trans, but the community came out in force and in great spirits to support Allison and trans youth.

Andrew @tjsleakyroof.bsky.social · 2d

school board meeting kicking off. not going to fully live skeet, but will do my best to hit the important points.

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John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

I don’t know if any of this was recorded, but I would love to be able to share Allison’s remarks with the world. That was beautiful.

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Reposted by John McLaren

Andrew @tjsleakyroof.bsky.social · 2d

school board meeting kicking off. not going to fully live skeet, but will do my best to hit the important points.

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Reposted by John McLaren, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò

Kathryn @kathrynlaughon.bsky.social · 2d

Today the UVA School of Nursing passed, with overwhelming support, a resolution demanding that the rector and interim president reject the compact. bit.ly/3KPRMKV

SON resolution against the compact

The University of Virginia School of Nursing places the ethical principles of our profession at the center of its work. The American Nurses Association's Nursing Code of Ethics affirms nurses' obligat...

bit.ly

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John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Maybe there should be a special briefing for incoming Secretaries of Health and Human Services to make sure they know how babies are made.

Seems to be a problem.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

You should put this post on your CV. It’s quite wonderful.

Reposted by John McLaren, Samantha Brennan

Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 2d

1. Anti-trans outrage is losing its bite.

Last week, Elon Musk led a mass boycott campaign to get trans characters removed from shows on the platform.

Major conservatives joined in.

Now, we have the result: the boycott was a fizzle, and Netflix stock is up.

Subscribe to support my journalism.

Netflix Stock Up As Elon Musk's Anti-Trans Boycott Fails To Materialize

Last week, conservatives tried to cancel Netflix to force the carrier to remove transgender characters.

www.erininthemorning.com

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Reposted by John McLaren

Matthew Kirschenbaum @mkirschenbaum.bsky.social · 2d

Just to underscore: VA Senate Dems brought the 🔥, but it’s very clear the text of their letter was directly inspired by public writing from @sivav.bsky.social, a UVA faculty member. Each party worked with the tools at hand, be they brain and words or force of law.

Resistance is an ecology.

Matthew Kirschenbaum @mkirschenbaum.bsky.social · 3d

Virginia State Senate Dems just brought down fire and fury regarding the “Compact,” notifying the President and Rector that UVA would lose ALL STATE APPROPRIATIONS if it signs and cedes the University to “federal political control.” Notably, their letter directly restates points made here by @siva.

Siva @sivav.bsky.social · 3d

The “compact” for higher ed is an unserious document written by unserious people from a position of spectacular ignorance. No one should take it seriously. Sadly, my bosses are taking it seriously.

newrepublic.com/article/2013...

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Reposted by John McLaren

Climate Dad @climatedad.bsky.social · 2d

Up to 90% of all life on this planet died during the Permian Triassic extinction event when temperatures increased by 8C across 60,000 years.

We’re on track for a rise of 4C+ just in our children’s lifetimes.

It’s impossible to overestimate how much trouble we’re in.

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Reposted by John McLaren, Philip Nel, Smith , and 4 more John McLaren, Philip Nel, Smith, Alan Richardson, Mary Jane Curry, Larry W. Hunter, Katelyn K. Jetelina

Governor Tim Walz @governorwalz.mn.gov · 3d

Can’t believe I have to say this, but in Minnesota you will continue to have the freedom to get your COVID and flu shots.

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Reposted by John McLaren

Newfie912 @newfie912.bsky.social · 3d

Canada vs USA. Not the same.

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alix e. harrow @alixeharrow.bsky.social · 3d

if you'd like to hear more about their stances, there's an interview in Cville Tomorrow, and some recent coverage specifically of SROs. it's one of the few concrete policies up for discussion, and one of the few areas you'll find real differences of opinion. www.29news.com/2025/10/07/c...

Candidates for Charlottesville City School Board are split on school resource officers

All four candidates tell 29News that safety is a priority - they just have different ideas of how to get there.

www.29news.com

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Reposted by John McLaren

alix e. harrow @alixeharrow.bsky.social · 3d

hi charlottesville! if you're voting in the city school board election this november, there are four candidates running for three seats. here's where they stand on the return of police to our schools:

keep police out of cville schools! 2025 school board candidate guide.
zyahna bryant [✓]: opposed school resource officers
lisa torres [✓]: voted against SROs
dashad cooper: supports SROs
emily dooley: voted for SROs as chair
VOTE NOV. 4 2025

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Reposted by Jan W. Mueller, John McLaren, Rebecca Tushnet

Matthew Kirschenbaum @mkirschenbaum.bsky.social · 3d

Siva @sivav.bsky.social · 3d

Why This Essay Could Cause the University of Virginia to Shut Down

How Linda McMahon’s latest “compact” would do deep and permanent harm to American higher education

newrepublic.com

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John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 3d

Agreed. At least it sounds as if he is big on educating students about the perils of the stuff, and why they shouldn’t let it do their writing for them. I hope I’m reading that part right.

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Reposted by Scott L. Greer, John McLaren, Christopher Wright , and 9 more Scott L. Greer, John McLaren, Christopher Wright, Megan L. Ranney, Rosemary A. Joyce, Philip N. Cohen, James M. Graham, Gerald Friedman, Helen Jefferson Lenskyj, Terence Wood, Nicole Guenther Discenza, Nathan P. Kalmoe

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 3d

i desperately want everyone involved in the destruction of USAID to have to, st the very least, answer to the american people for the suffering and misery they have caused apnews.com/article/myan...

Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died" because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program.

apnews.com

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Reposted by John McLaren

Rare Book School @rarebookschool.bsky.social · 3d

Rare Book School is searching for a detail-oriented, self-motivated, and forward-thinking full-time Program Manager to assist in facilitating excellent educational programming.

Review of applications begins 30 October.

Details at rarebookschool.org/about-rbs/employment/

#Booksky

A vertically oriented rectangular graphic with a blue background has white text reading, “Join our team! Rare Book School at the University of Virginia is searching for a detail-oriented, self-motivated, and forward-thinking full-time Program Manager to assist the Director of Programs & Education in facilitating excellent educational programming. Review of applications will begin 30 October 2025 and continue until the position is filled.” The lower right quadrant has a circular frame with a photo of a group of adults standing around a long table on which a number of books are laid out on foam supports, listening to a man on the right as he gestures over the books. At the bottom of the graphic, white text on a green background reads, “Visit our website to learn more: rarebookschool.org/about-rbs/employment”.

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Reposted by John McLaren, Daxton R. Stewart

Amanda Katz @katzish.bsky.social · 4d

The Oatmeal, ladies and gents. Really thoughtful illustrated essay on the use and misuse of AI art and why it often feels…bad

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Reposted by John McLaren

Zyahna Bryant. @zysaidso.bsky.social · 4d

We’ve had a couple of candidate events that have been canceled/postponed. With that said, I decided to sit down and make a video that shares a little bit about my background and my reason for running. view at the link below! 💚

www.instagram.com/reel/DPhofwf...

zysaidso on Instagram: "Can we chat? I want to tell you my “why”! My name is Zyahna Bryant, I’m a 24 year old advocate for educational equity and I am runn…"

Can we chat? I want to tell you my “why”! My name is Zyahna Bryant, I’m a 24 year old advocate for educational equity and I am running for the Charlottesville School Board.Thank you for taking the time to listen. 💚View all comments

www.instagram.com

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Reposted by John McLaren

Livable Cville @livablecville.bsky.social · 4d

Come join us this Thursday at Ix @brazos.bsky.social! Stay as briefly or as long as you want. The weather is looking fantastic!

Livable Cville Meetup!
Thursday, October 9, 5-7pm

Brazos Tacos
IX Art Park
923 2nd St SE

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John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 4d

Noted torturer. https://reason.com/2003/11/05/the-case-of-allen-west/

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