David Watkins
@djw172.bsky.social
Political Science at the University of Dayton, occasional blogging at @lawgunsmoney.bsky.social.
I agree, but it's not going to mean much if it doesn't come with a willingness to impose/enforce penalties for driving w/o a license onerous enough to deter. Because the bad/dangerous drivers *really* don't want to stop driving, those penalties will probably seem excessively severe to normal people.
There should be a point, publicized well in advance, at which you lose your license, and this should be strictly enforced. I never want to read another story about someone killed by a driver who somehow still gets to drive after their tenth dui or fortieth ticket for going over 20mph over the limit.
all respect, what should be done about people who rack up speeding infractions and DUIs? i do not want to throw them in prison. i do want to limit their ability to do harm. and there seems to be almost no concern for the fact that speeding or driving under the influence is not a victimless crime.
December 16, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I agree, but it's not going to mean much if it doesn't come with a willingness to impose/enforce penalties for driving w/o a license onerous enough to deter. Because the bad/dangerous drivers *really* don't want to stop driving, those penalties will probably seem excessively severe to normal people.
In a world where employers were prohibited from firing employees for hurling racial epitaphs at paying consumers, it's considerably less likely they would give someone with a questionable past (like this woman) the job in the first place.
“Those of us on the left should be fighting to improve protections for workers of all races, and thereby for the betterment of people’s material conditions regardless of their views,” Arash Azizi argues:
Why the Cinnabon Story Doesn’t Make Me Happy
The left should be promoting working-class solidarity, not delighting in seeing workers summarily dismissed.
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 7:36 PM
In a world where employers were prohibited from firing employees for hurling racial epitaphs at paying consumers, it's considerably less likely they would give someone with a questionable past (like this woman) the job in the first place.
The specific decision bothers me less than that politicians, even the "good" ones, still find it acceptable to describe allowing ever-so-slightly more housing in a place as "attacking" that place. There's no journey to that conclusion that isn't incredibly pernicious and ugly.
"attack the palisades" with duplexes. lmao. fucking nimbys are so weird. i am sorry but no. a duplex is not attacking you. that isn't real
"We will not allow outside groups — even longstanding allies — to attack the Palisades," @gavinnewsom.bsky.social spokesperson on a now-filed YIMBY Law lawsuit against his July executive order banning duplexes in L.A. wildfire rebuilding www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
December 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The specific decision bothers me less than that politicians, even the "good" ones, still find it acceptable to describe allowing ever-so-slightly more housing in a place as "attacking" that place. There's no journey to that conclusion that isn't incredibly pernicious and ugly.
Just witnessed someone absolutely torpedo a first date by going all in on "Michael Jackson was innocent" trutherism. You could tell he knew exactly what was happening in real time, but he just couldn't stop himself. Just a brutal thing to witness.
December 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Just witnessed someone absolutely torpedo a first date by going all in on "Michael Jackson was innocent" trutherism. You could tell he knew exactly what was happening in real time, but he just couldn't stop himself. Just a brutal thing to witness.
I, too am pro-Gondola, buy my reasons are less about to my general pro-transit views than my equally strongly felt anti-busybody views.
Encouraging these people by letting them win is bad for their souls. They desperately need to find more edifying, less socially corrosive hobbies.
Encouraging these people by letting them win is bad for their souls. They desperately need to find more edifying, less socially corrosive hobbies.
I'm definitely getting negatively polarized into being pro-gondola. it's not like an essential transit or housing project but it's private money, it would be cool, it's not hurting anyone and is a large portion of this is literally because *it goes over a non-profit's headquarters*
The coalition of LA residents who oppose the Dodger Stadium gondola shut down the Metro board of directors meeting Thursday.
They forced the meeting into recess and demanded that officials at minimum allow public discussion on the project. This is a developing story.
They forced the meeting into recess and demanded that officials at minimum allow public discussion on the project. This is a developing story.
December 6, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I, too am pro-Gondola, buy my reasons are less about to my general pro-transit views than my equally strongly felt anti-busybody views.
Encouraging these people by letting them win is bad for their souls. They desperately need to find more edifying, less socially corrosive hobbies.
Encouraging these people by letting them win is bad for their souls. They desperately need to find more edifying, less socially corrosive hobbies.
Spotify once again making me feel a little ridiculous by pointing out just how much of my life I spend listening to Nick Cave/Warren Ellis soundtracks.
December 4, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Spotify once again making me feel a little ridiculous by pointing out just how much of my life I spend listening to Nick Cave/Warren Ellis soundtracks.
Reposted by David Watkins
wonder if mamdani tried to single stair pill him
single stair, folks. you’re hearing it more and more. single stair. it’s a beautiful term. makes wonderful homes - and we love a lot of beautiful, affordable homes. i think i probably just coined it. i’m not sure. but you’re hearing it more and more.
single stair, folks. you’re hearing it more and more. single stair. it’s a beautiful term. makes wonderful homes - and we love a lot of beautiful, affordable homes. i think i probably just coined it. i’m not sure. but you’re hearing it more and more.
November 21, 2025 at 9:22 PM
wonder if mamdani tried to single stair pill him
single stair, folks. you’re hearing it more and more. single stair. it’s a beautiful term. makes wonderful homes - and we love a lot of beautiful, affordable homes. i think i probably just coined it. i’m not sure. but you’re hearing it more and more.
single stair, folks. you’re hearing it more and more. single stair. it’s a beautiful term. makes wonderful homes - and we love a lot of beautiful, affordable homes. i think i probably just coined it. i’m not sure. but you’re hearing it more and more.
Very curious to see what his running game looks like going forward. It seems like even modest adjustments from opposing pitchers/defenses could have shut down his base-stealing pretty easily, but they just didn't ever do it for some reason.
Of the 32 MLB free agents with 400+ plate appearances this year, Josh Naylor had the slowest sprint speed and the most stolen bases. 😮
November 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Very curious to see what his running game looks like going forward. It seems like even modest adjustments from opposing pitchers/defenses could have shut down his base-stealing pretty easily, but they just didn't ever do it for some reason.
I would like to believe MTG's recent turn against Trump was motivated by cynical calculation to advance her political career, because then we could expect others Rs similarly situated to reach similar conclusions. Alas, I suspect she's just an idiosyncratic conspiracist following her muse.
Good question & good answer. But - MTG has spent YEARS participating in Jan 6 planning & cover up. Harassing people like highschooler David Hogg, celebrating attacks on people like Paul Pelosi. She's shown us who she is & now, she's trying on a new persona in order to advance her political career.
November 16, 2025 at 3:28 PM
I would like to believe MTG's recent turn against Trump was motivated by cynical calculation to advance her political career, because then we could expect others Rs similarly situated to reach similar conclusions. Alas, I suspect she's just an idiosyncratic conspiracist following her muse.
It's wild that the city in the US making the most significant investments in public transit expansion is also the city with the deepest, most unwaivering commitment to the principle that as few people as possible should be allowed to leave near transit stops.
After failing to stop a major state housing bill from becoming law, Los Angeles leaders are turning to plan B: Delaying Senate Bill 79's implementation and pushing for unspecified legislative changes next year. My dispatch for @politico.com Pro subscribers subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Los Angeles failed to defeat a major housing law, so it's turning to Plan B: Delay, delay, delay
A report from the city planning department outlines strategies for pushing off many of the effects of SB 79 through 2030.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
It's wild that the city in the US making the most significant investments in public transit expansion is also the city with the deepest, most unwaivering commitment to the principle that as few people as possible should be allowed to leave near transit stops.
Never has that Norm McDonald "I know this may seem harsh" meme been more apt
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Never has that Norm McDonald "I know this may seem harsh" meme been more apt
The answer to the question "Can you see a large body of water when you look out the window?" is a strikingly effective predictor of voting behavior in Seattle.
seattle's political geography is as wild as (and presumably at some level is reflective of) its physical geopraphy
November 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The answer to the question "Can you see a large body of water when you look out the window?" is a strikingly effective predictor of voting behavior in Seattle.
Something like this was inevitable, and I'm sure there's more to come, but I figured it'd be a fringe-major leaguer journeyman. Clase hadn't made big money yet but it's not hard to imagine him getting an 80-100 million dollar contract in the next few years.
November 9, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Something like this was inevitable, and I'm sure there's more to come, but I figured it'd be a fringe-major leaguer journeyman. Clase hadn't made big money yet but it's not hard to imagine him getting an 80-100 million dollar contract in the next few years.
This article suggests fare-free transit is "normal" in Europe; it's far more common in the US.
Europe: Tallinn, Luxembourg, Dunkirk, Komarno (17th largest city in Slovakia)
US: Kansas City, Lawrence, Albuquerque, Chapel Hill, Alexandria, Worchester, Missoula, dozens of smaller systems.
Europe: Tallinn, Luxembourg, Dunkirk, Komarno (17th largest city in Slovakia)
US: Kansas City, Lawrence, Albuquerque, Chapel Hill, Alexandria, Worchester, Missoula, dozens of smaller systems.
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani’s supposedly radical policies as ‘normal’ -- Critics of New York City’s mayor-elect have said his pledges of free bus service and universal childcare are unrealistic, but in Europe it’s a given www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani’s supposedly radical policies as ‘normal’
Critics of New York City’s mayor-elect have said his pledges of free bus service and universal childcare are unrealistic, but in Europe it’s a given
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
This article suggests fare-free transit is "normal" in Europe; it's far more common in the US.
Europe: Tallinn, Luxembourg, Dunkirk, Komarno (17th largest city in Slovakia)
US: Kansas City, Lawrence, Albuquerque, Chapel Hill, Alexandria, Worchester, Missoula, dozens of smaller systems.
Europe: Tallinn, Luxembourg, Dunkirk, Komarno (17th largest city in Slovakia)
US: Kansas City, Lawrence, Albuquerque, Chapel Hill, Alexandria, Worchester, Missoula, dozens of smaller systems.
I'll do a brief thread about this in the next few days, but I just noticed my contribution to the Oxford Handbook of Republicanism, on the place of Public Administration in Republican theory, has gone live. Happy to send a PDF to interested parties w/o access.
academic.oup.com/edited-volum...
academic.oup.com/edited-volum...
Public Administration
AbstractThis chapter considers the place of administrative state actors and the choices they face in republican political theory. Under Philip Pettit’s inf
academic.oup.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I'll do a brief thread about this in the next few days, but I just noticed my contribution to the Oxford Handbook of Republicanism, on the place of Public Administration in Republican theory, has gone live. Happy to send a PDF to interested parties w/o access.
academic.oup.com/edited-volum...
academic.oup.com/edited-volum...
Ventured out into the wilds of East Dayton this afternoon to try Taqueria La Cuchilla. Well worth it; cachete (torta) and al pastor (taco) both exceptional. The creamy/spicy avocado sauce they give you is something I had no idea how much I needed in my life.
November 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Ventured out into the wilds of East Dayton this afternoon to try Taqueria La Cuchilla. Well worth it; cachete (torta) and al pastor (taco) both exceptional. The creamy/spicy avocado sauce they give you is something I had no idea how much I needed in my life.
Reposted by David Watkins
Happy Middle Housing Day in Berkeley. As of today, multifamily housing up to 3 stories at 70 units per acre is byright and ministerial on all Berkeley lots in the flatlands and foothills for the first time in history, stretching from Kensington to Oakland.
November 1, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Happy Middle Housing Day in Berkeley. As of today, multifamily housing up to 3 stories at 70 units per acre is byright and ministerial on all Berkeley lots in the flatlands and foothills for the first time in history, stretching from Kensington to Oakland.
Apparently, it's national cat day. Here's Willow and Nova, stealing my chair just seconds after I made the mistake of getting up.
October 31, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Apparently, it's national cat day. Here's Willow and Nova, stealing my chair just seconds after I made the mistake of getting up.
Pleased to see DSA's better angels prevail on a very important vote. If you're voting for Mamdani and want his mayoral term to be successful on his own terms, passing these propositions is not optional.
NYC: Vote YES on ballot props 2-4. We at DSA' Social Housing campaign @housethefuture.bsky.social support them to move affordable and social housing along at the city AND state levels.
October 27, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Pleased to see DSA's better angels prevail on a very important vote. If you're voting for Mamdani and want his mayoral term to be successful on his own terms, passing these propositions is not optional.
This is revealing. Fryer is, for all intents and purposes, a Harrell campaign operative. He's given this prime real estate for an opinion piece a week before the election, and the number of specific, positive Harrell accomplishments he chooses to identify and promote in the piece is zero.
I don't know who Alex is talking to other than "Seattle cops," but what I have heard consistently is that the race for mayor is about affordability and quality of life in an increasingly unequal city—not "let's take our anger at Trump out on City Hall." www.seattletimes.com/opinion/race...
If the Seattle electorate is angry at Trump, does it make sense to take it out on City Hall?
At a national inflection point, voters face a choice between incumbents who have met the moment and challengers who want to tax, spend and take us backward.
www.seattletimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This is revealing. Fryer is, for all intents and purposes, a Harrell campaign operative. He's given this prime real estate for an opinion piece a week before the election, and the number of specific, positive Harrell accomplishments he chooses to identify and promote in the piece is zero.
An early memory of mine is asking my parents to explain the (utterly deranged) Bircher political messages on this sign as a kid. It gives me a small amount of pleasure to learn it is now owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis reservation.
October 25, 2025 at 12:40 AM
An early memory of mine is asking my parents to explain the (utterly deranged) Bircher political messages on this sign as a kid. It gives me a small amount of pleasure to learn it is now owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis reservation.
Reposted by David Watkins
People kvetch about the chaos-inducing serial comma, but you can also do a lot with a colon! Beware, biographers!!
October 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
People kvetch about the chaos-inducing serial comma, but you can also do a lot with a colon! Beware, biographers!!
Is there any remotely plausible path toward some sort of sanction or punishment for Adrienne Adams, or whoever whoever else is directly behind these obviously illegal mailers?
@council.nyc.gov is blatantly violating the City Charter's prohibition on using government resources for electioneering with their mailers and social media posts opposing pro-housing measures 2-4. Chapter 49, §1136.1: there is no ambiguity about how illegal this is. www.nyccfb.info/law/charter/...
October 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Is there any remotely plausible path toward some sort of sanction or punishment for Adrienne Adams, or whoever whoever else is directly behind these obviously illegal mailers?
Good. Pujols deserves better.
Albert Pujols won't be the Angels' manager, per Mark Feinsand.
Orioles and Padres remain interested.
Orioles and Padres remain interested.
October 20, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Good. Pujols deserves better.
Regardless of whether this guy gets a windfall by selling, "people who value not living near apartments more than they value being in the walkshed of a major transit stop moving out of that walkshed" seems like a highly desirable bit of Tiebout sorting.
The funny thing is that if Gerisch decides to move because he finds living near apartments intolerable, he'll probably make a killing by selling his home to a multifamily developer.
won't anyone think of the uhhhh sales executives who will be harmed by transit-oriented development in California
October 12, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Regardless of whether this guy gets a windfall by selling, "people who value not living near apartments more than they value being in the walkshed of a major transit stop moving out of that walkshed" seems like a highly desirable bit of Tiebout sorting.