John McLaren
johnmclaren.bsky.social
John McLaren
@johnmclaren.bsky.social

Economist, classical music nerd, and family man.

Economics 44%
Political science 23%
Pinned
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)
Wow
Minneapolis today
in case you're curious about how angry Minnesota is about ICE, it was -20 today

Reposted by John McLaren

NOW: Massive crowd in Minneapolis for the ‘ICE OUT’ general strike.

Reposted by John McLaren

Can confirm. I learn a *lot* about the goings on on this annoying planet from The Racket.
Also if you like the stuff I post on here also subscribe to The Racket. Social is great, and we're all having fun, but the newsletter and books are my literal bread and butter. You'll learn more too. theracket.news/p/the-monroe...
The Monroe Doctrine is fake
As Trump fantasizes about flying the flag over Greenland, Venezuela, Cuba and the rest of the Western Hemisphere, some old Fake History is new again.
theracket.news

PACEM is a crucial, indispensable local institution.
We are grateful for PACEM and the other organizations and individuals working to support people experiencing homelessness in our area as Charlottesville faces severe weather this week.

Today is a good day to make a financial contribution to PACEM if you’re able: pacemshelter.org/where-will-t...

Reposted by John McLaren

Also if you like the stuff I post on here also subscribe to The Racket. Social is great, and we're all having fun, but the newsletter and books are my literal bread and butter. You'll learn more too. theracket.news/p/the-monroe...
The Monroe Doctrine is fake
As Trump fantasizes about flying the flag over Greenland, Venezuela, Cuba and the rest of the Western Hemisphere, some old Fake History is new again.
theracket.news
I will just keep repeating. I have never never never seen anything like this. 30 years of reporting.
Have a larger story on this coming, but I’ve been embedded with this group, and this story from yesterday is part of what they’ve been doing in the city: religionnews.com/2026/01/22/h...

Reposted by John McLaren

One reason I find DHS's hue and cry over the church protest interesting: Last year, after a Trump executive order, they removed churches' sanctuary protections. ICE can enter your church with guns and no warrant. You can't go into someone else's church with words & signs.
Immigration Enforcement Guidance for Places of Worship | American Civil Liberties Union
www.aclu.org

Congratulations Natalia and Emma! Very proud to have Emma as a colleague.
Congratulations to Natalia Emanuel and Emma Harrington who were recognized for the AEJ Best Paper Award for Applied Economics at #ASSA2026 for the paper “Working Remotely? Selection, Treatment, and the Market for Remote Work.” #econsky www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
NOTE: The politics of grievance has a shelf life, and Trump is incapable of pivoting to governing when the anger stops working.
Congratulations to Natalia Emanuel and Emma Harrington who were recognized for the AEJ Best Paper Award for Applied Economics at #ASSA2026 for the paper “Working Remotely? Selection, Treatment, and the Market for Remote Work.” #econsky www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
The Virginia Senate is wasting no time with calling for the removal of the last few "Confederate monuments and memorials from Capitol Square" in Richmond. 🗃️
We are grateful for PACEM and the other organizations and individuals working to support people experiencing homelessness in our area as Charlottesville faces severe weather this week.

Today is a good day to make a financial contribution to PACEM if you’re able: pacemshelter.org/where-will-t...
“If the person is a U.S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, that individual will be free to go after the brief encounter.”

Justice Brett Kavanaugh

www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...

Reposted by John McLaren

What are you going to do when state violence escalates in our community? How do we stand in solidarity with targeted communities? We CAN prepare together to meet this moment with rapid mass mobilization, political pressure, and community care. Join us TOMORROW JAN 24 to learn more.
People's Activist Series—2026 Jan 24 - Noncooperation in Action — Indivisible Charlottesville
Let’s deepen our use of non-cooperation to fight authoritarianism. In this session, we will engage in scenario-planning to develop strategies we can use to respond to current and future consolidations...
www.indivisiblecharlottesville.org

Once my eldest and I went to see 2001: A Space Odyssey with the music provided live by the New York Philharmonic. Just a jaw dropping experience.

I honestly thought he would get an Oscar for Da Five Bloods.
Hate what brought us together but I'm glad we are together

📷: AP

Reposted by John McLaren

JOIN US TOMORROW. Stand in solidarity with Minnesota and call out Target (a Minnesota-based company) for their complicity in allowing ICE to stage in their parking lots and enter their stores to abduct people. #ICEoutofMinnesota , #ICEOutForGood, #iceoutofourcommunities #AbolishICE
Tomorrow’s front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 23, 2026
Wow -- Fanone coughs "go fuck yourself" to Trey Nehls as Nehls blames Capitol Police leadership for January 6
Deporting children with cancer.
Using a 5-year-old as bait.
Shooting moms.

ICE is beyond reform. And today the House is voting to bankroll more terror. Hell no.
Jack Smith: “Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in criminal activity."
Jack Smith: "My fear is that we have seen the rule of law function in our country for so long that many of us have come to take it for granted. The rule of law is not self-executing. It depends on our collective commitment to apply it."
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges. This leaves in place a federal judge's ruling that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. (Via AP) apnews.com/article/dei-... #ncpol #nced
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com

Bernard Hermann, arguably the greatest film composer of all time! I've got the CD and give it a listen every now and then. Wonderful stuff.

One of the few film scores I have purchased so I can listen to it regularly! All hail Bernard Hermann!

Does this wisecrack win the internet today?
Und thus, modernity comes to a close just like it started, with a guy ranting at windmills
Trump: "There are windmills all over Europe. There are windmills all over the place. And they are losers. One thing I've noticed is that the more windmills a country has, the more money that country loses, and the worse that country is doing. I haven't been able to find any wind farms in China."
Und thus, modernity comes to a close just like it started, with a guy ranting at windmills
Trump: "There are windmills all over Europe. There are windmills all over the place. And they are losers. One thing I've noticed is that the more windmills a country has, the more money that country loses, and the worse that country is doing. I haven't been able to find any wind farms in China."