Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Patti Larsen

Miles Taylor @milestaylor.bsky.social · 1d

NEWS: Trump is inching closer to illegally invoking the Insurrection Act.

If ever there was a moment for America’s governors — especially in Blue States — to hold an emergency summit, it’s now.

The federal government is plotting invasions of their states.

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Matthew Dowd @matthewjdowd.bsky.social · 1d

...Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”

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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.bsky.social · 1d

"We always think about America’s postwar role in Europe as an act of great generosity, the defense of allies from Soviet aggression. But by putting democracy at the center of our international identity, we also helped strengthen our own political system"
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

The Beacon of Democracy Goes Dark

For nearly 250 years, America promoted freedom and equality abroad, even when it failed to live up to those ideals itself. Not anymore.

www.theatlantic.com

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The Contrarian @contrariannews.org · 1d

Trump constantly babbles about “waste, fraud, and abuse” in the federal government, but has hauled in an estimated $5B for himself so far.

Words & Phrases We Could Do Without

Removing Trump is the only way to get rid of real ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’

contrarian.substack.com

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Barb McQuade @barbmcquade.bsky.social · 1d

Sadly, it is hard to conclude anything else when you see the US Atty firings and the Adams, Comey and James cases. They taint all of the other good work likely being done around the country by career prosecutors.

Republicans Against Trumpism @rpsagainsttrump.bsky.social · 1d

Chris Christie: “Thie is no longer, the Department of Justice, is no longer the premier prosecuting office in America. What it is now is a capo regime who goes out and executes hits when directed by the Don to do so. That’s what it is.”

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Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 1d

“Dear Pentagon Reporters: Don’t Cave” @ronfournier.bsky.social
substack.com/@ronfournier...

Ron Fournier (@ronfournier)

How to respond to President Trump's latest terms of government censorship.

substack.com

Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 2d

“What the critics don’t acknowledge, or perhaps don’t understand, is that the NFL, unlike MAGA-landia, has a global vision in which it views people outside the continental U.S., many of whom — gasp! — speak languages other than English not as foes to subdue but as potential fans to welcome.”

Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 2d

“…it’s hilarious to watch clips of TV talking heads complain that the NFL demonstrates a disdain for our country by not choosing an American to perform, only to be corrected that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.”
www.expressnews.com/opinion/comm...

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show will reveal where US is on multiple fronts

Those who criticize Bad Bunny as hating America are ignorant or disingenuous, or both.

www.expressnews.com

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Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 2d

Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford Just Can’t Quit the White House www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/a...

Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford Just Can’t Quit the White House

www.nytimes.com

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George Conway 🇺🇸🚫👑🐸 @gtconway.bsky.social · 2d

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 3d

The mainstream media loves making it seam like dysfunction in Washington is coming from both parties.

Hello?

Much of the GOP no longer accepts the rule of law, or the norms of democracy, or the legitimacy of the opposing party.

Enough of the false equivalence.

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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 3d

Thanks, @larryglickman.bsky.social. I think "legitimate clash of perspectives' is a useful way to describe the basic frame and fallacy at the heart of much MSM coverage of MAGA propaganda:

Larry Glickman @larryglickman.bsky.social · 3d

Careful and powerful analysis by @gregsargent.bsky.social of the New York Times treating Trump's propagandists as "provocateurs" and decision to treat MAGA's ideologically-driven lies as part of a legitimate clash of perspectives in describing Portland.
newrepublic.com/article/2016...

MAGA Implodes over Kristi Noem’s “Stare Down” with Man in Chicken Suit

A good New York Times piece on Portland nevertheless demonstrates how the conventions of objective reporting fail to accurately capture the bad faith driving pro-Trump propaganda.

newrepublic.com

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Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 3d

“More than 80% of students are enrolled in traditional public schools, which must serve all children, including those with disabilities. The administration, however, views public schools as a monopoly that should be broken up.”

Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 3d

How Trump’s Department of Education Is Upending Public Schools www.propublica.org/article/trum...

Five Ways the Department of Education Is Upending Public Schools

The Trump administration has made a rapid succession of hires and decisions at the Department of Education that could spur profound changes in how schools operate and children learn. Here’s what to kn...

www.propublica.org

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Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 3d

Trump's compact with higher ed seeks to extort schools, violate academic integrity www.expressnews.com/opinion/edit...

Trump's compact seeks to extort universities, violate academic integrity

It would be more apt to call it the “Compact for Academic Extortion in Higher Education.”

www.expressnews.com

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Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 3d

The biggest news story of the week that you may have missed is the real possibility that TikTok will go MAGA. Subscribe now to have all of Democracy Docket's premium content, including my exclusive newsletters, sent straight to your inbox. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0

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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 3d

At least 6 vehicles racing through a quiet suburban neighborhood; multiple agents, all of them armed and masked.

the excessive response plus the violence against this 15 year old girl is outrageous.

Laguna Beach Democratic Club @lagunabeachdems.bsky.social · 3d

Northwest Chicago Suburb: ICE Agents Rip 15-Year-Old Girl from Car, Slam Her to Ground She Screams “I’m 15!” as Man Kneels on Her Neck

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Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 4d

“…plan that’s big on optics and short on common sense.”
www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/n...

Alamodome was asset not liability for UFL Brahmas - San Antonio Business Journal

In what may be a first for a contemporary American professional sports league with major network television backing already in hand, the UFL has unilaterally embraced a downsizing strategy as its way-...

www.bizjournals.com

Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 4d

“The Autism Alliance of Michigan is now looking at layoffs and budget cuts. This makes so little sense — it’s so maddeningly short-sighted and cruel — that I don’t want to believe it was done on purpose. It must be a mistake.” - @ronfournier.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/convulsi...

Autism or Asphalt? Michigan Makes Wrong Choice

This post is personal.

open.substack.com

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Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 4d

substack.com/@michaelwein...

Michael Weinreb (@michaelweinreb)

Latest newsletter, on what it means to be the last generation to grow up reading (and writing for) the newspaper.

substack.com

Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 4d

substack.com/@michaelwein... @ronfournier.bsky.social

Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 4d

“…Before we have political conversations that divide us immediately, the first step to a country that respects human dignity is for us to find the things which bind us as humans: the hard knockouts, the sorrows, and the joys.”

Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 4d

“we must each live our lives with a soft touch in our soul. We must associate with people who do the same and encourage each other even while the world grows dark and cold. We must step outside our own homogenous circles and connect with those folks who have a soft touch in their soul…

Matthew Dowd @matthewjdowd.bsky.social · 5d

good morning all, my latest column open.substack.com/pub/matthewd...

Demanding Leaders with a Soft Touch in Their Soul

This week I highlighted the birthday of Brazilian writer Mário de Andrade, who was born October 9, 1893.

open.substack.com

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CavsKermit @cavskermit.bsky.social · 4d

The first thing Republicans did after getting sworn in as the majority in the House under Biden was form a committee on the weaponization of government.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 4d

Q: How many layoffs have you authorized?

TRUMP: It'll be a lot. And it'll be Democrat-oriented.

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Patti Larsen @pattijlarsen.bsky.social · 4d

By Annie Lowrey for @theatlantic.com
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

How Are We Still Fighting About Obamacare?

The ACA worked, but nobody seems to know it.

www.theatlantic.com

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