John McLaren

@johnmclaren.bsky.social

2.3K followers 850 following 1.6K 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)

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 13h

Teen Beauty Queens Say Trump Walked In On Them Changing

“Don’t worry, ladies, I’ve seen it all before.”

www.buzzfeednews.com

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 13h

Maybe a scrawny, wrinkled turkey buzzard?

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 13h

Horrible.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

I look forward to the day when we all join hands and sing songs to commemorate the Dear Leaders' birthday.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

He seems nice.

Reposted by John McLaren

Jason Melendez @jasonmelendezva.bsky.social · 1d

Fantastic turnout and great conversations at tonight’s Metro Richmond Latino Democrats Post-Election Celebration. I was thrilled to remind folks about the SD-15 primary this Sunday and the road ahead.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

Imagine the fire storm of rage from the DOJ if men fell to 35% of the student body!

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

I hadn’t heard that one. That’s hilarious. Are we sure that’s not from The Onion?

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

I was not aware of this. This is *hugely* important.

Reposted by John McLaren

Janet Spittler @janetspittler.bsky.social · 1d

“Boys also have lower mean scores on the SAT in reading and writing, score lower overall on the ACT and have lower grade point averages in high school. “If we were going to eliminate preferences for men, the undergraduate population would skew to 65 percent female overnight,” Mitchell said.”

Trump’s attack on DEI may hurt college men, particularly White men

The Trump administration’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion also targets gender. The ban may impact gender balancing practices that often benefit college men.

wapo.st

Reposted by John McLaren

CNN @cnn.com · 1d

Standing in Arizona’s largest dry lakebed, Wilcox Playa, astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy steadied himself as freight trains thundered by, threatening to blur the shot that took months to prepare. https://cnn.it/4oFyhmK

Reposted by John McLaren

bookies101.bsky.social @bookies101.bsky.social · 1d

Underworld by Don DeLillo is a smart, challenging read. An exploration of isolation, impermanence and American individualism. Full review linked below. #booksky

youtu.be/LCjrsk_QaSg?...

Bookies! No Spoiler Book Review: Underworld By Don DeLillo. A Novel of Isolation and Impermanence.

YouTube video by Bookies!

youtu.be

Reposted by John McLaren

Keith Boykin @keithboykin.bsky.social · 1d

Trump has removed MLK Day and Juneteenth as national holidays for visitors to get free admission to national parks and replaced them with his own birthday.

Trump admin removes MLK Day, Juneteenth from National Parks fee-free days

In place of these days, the Trump administration has opted to celebrate more former presidents' birthdays and Trump's birthday.

www.newsweek.com

Reposted by John McLaren

Joe Calhoun @jbc3.bsky.social · 1d

What does this remind me of? 🤔

Truthout @truthout.org · 1d

Former Philippine President Duterte awaits trial in the ICC for using the pretext of a drug war for his murder campaign.

Trump’s Illegal Boat Strikes Recall Duterte’s “Drug War” Mass Killings

Former Philippine President Duterte awaits trial in the ICC for using the pretext of a drug war for his murder campaign.

buff.ly

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 1d

I’d love to make a side trip to Philadelphia to see this. It’s not gonna happen, unfortunately.

flaminghydra.com/issue-456/#c...

The mighty jungle

David Moore visits the new Rousseau exhibit

flaminghydra.com

Reposted by John McLaren

Razzball @razzball.bsky.social · 1d

Sabrina Carpenter is now our President. Sorry, don't make the rules

Sabrina Carpenter ratioed the White House and they deleted their tweet

Reposted by John McLaren, Aaron Sojourner, Jacob T. Levy , and 1 more John McLaren, Aaron Sojourner, Jacob T. Levy, Scott A. Imberman

Timothy Burke @bubbaprog.xyz · 1d

ICE raided a James Beard award winning restaurant & because the chef/owner was prepared, left emptyhanded:

Photo shared by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025 tagging @naomi.marie__, @nathanmiller612, @rubyscher, @holaarepa, @birksg, @chefjholig, and @haihaimpls. May be an image of text that says 'AS SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, I.C.E. PAID US A VISIT AT AREPA YESTERDAY. OUR GM NAOMI & TEAM MEMBERS FOLLOWED OUR ICE PROTOCOL PERFECTLY, THE AGENTS LEFT & NO ONE WAS DETAINED. tO WHOEVER NEEDS THIS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO I.C.E. (1/5)'.

christinanguyenmpls

11h
We had an ICE scare yesterday and even though we’re afraid of the repercussions of being vocal, we feel that it’s also important to inform people that this is right at our front door. ICE is not some far away boogeyman. They are here right now, spreading fear in our community.

We’re so grateful to our entire staff and their bravery. They did the right things and couldn’t have dealt with this situation in a better way. We are grateful to our community activists that came to support us from @miracmn @litosonlake and Monarcha. We hope that if you find yourself in the same situation, that you find these resources helpful. Peace and take care of each other ❤️

Photo by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025. May be an image of text that says 'IF I.C.E. COMES TO YOUR RESTAURANT: UNLESS THE AGENTS HAVE A SIGNED JUDICIAL WARRANT, THEY CANNOT ENTER A PRIVATE AREA LIKE THE KITCHEN WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION EVEN IF THEY LIE AND SAY THY DON'T NEED A WARRANT, STAND YOUR GROUND AND INSIST THAT YOU NEED PAPERWORK (2/5)'.

Photo by Christina Nguyen on December 04, 2025. May be an image of text that says 'IF I.C.E. COMES TO YOUR RESTAURANT: HAVE OTHER STAFF OR PEOPLE PRESENT RECORD THEM AND EVERYTHING THEY ARE SAYING. (PEOPLE DOING UNLAWFUL THINGS HATE BEING CAUGHT IN TH ACT) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to REFUSE SERVICE & YOU CAN ASK M tO LEAVE YOUR PRIVATE PROPERTY IF THY DON'T HAVE A WARRANT. (3/5)'.

WE ARE HEARTBROKEN THAT OUR IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES IN THE TWIN CITIES ARE BEING
TARGETED AND TERRORIZED BY THE CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION. THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE THAT
ARE BEING USED AS POLITICAL PAWNS AND IT'S
APPALLING.

REGARDLESS OF THEIR LEGAL STATUS, THERE ARE
SO MANY LATINOS & SOMALIANS WHO ARE AFRAID
OF BEING DETAINED DUE TO MISTAKEN IDENTITY
BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY MIGHT NOT GET DUE
PROCESS & A FAIR TRIAL. THEY WILL JUST END UP IN
DETENTION CENTERS & A LEGAL PROCESS THAT
HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A BLACK HOLE.

WE STAND IN SUPPORT OF OUR IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITY, WHO ARE THE BACKBONE OF THIS
COUNTRY. WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS, AMERICA IS NOT
THE SAME PLACE. STAY SAFE OUT THERE & TAKE
CARE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS.

LOVE,
HOLA AREPA & HAI HAI

(5/5)

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Wow, that's quite a tip. Thanks!!

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Haven't heard of this! I'll look into it. Thank you.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Any horror stories?

Reposted by John McLaren

Michael Crenshaw @crenshaw-dev.bsky.social · 2d

I'm at the Three Notched Trail meeting at Western Albermarle Hugh School. Not gonna skeet too much, but I'll post any major highlights.

Great turnout, probably 100 people here.

There are maps up for major trail sections with 3 route options each. We're to write sticky notes with our thoughts.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Finally we'll be visiting the Monacan museum in Amherst, VA this week. Really looking forward to it.

Any recommendations for dinner in Amherst would be welcome.

www.monacannation.gov/museum.html

Museum

Meet our Museum Director, Edith Branham Parrish (Lou) in this video and get a preview of what you can find at the Museum.

www.monacannation.gov

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

[He keeps it pretty quiet.]

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

It’s a perfectly viable career strategy. Look at Riley Gaines: she’s set for life.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

I’ve been waiting and waiting for this. Polls show that most Americans are strongly in favor of immigration in general. Why are Democrats not making the affirmative case for it?

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 3d

Democratic politicians need to stop accepting Trump’s white nationalist premise that immigration is bad and proudly and loudly make a positive case for why America’s identity and history as a nation of immigrants is so important.

John McLaren @johnmclaren.bsky.social · 2d

Never heard of this before. I’m gobsmacked.

Reposted by John McLaren

Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 2d

BINGO by @rgoodlaw.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2025/12/thur...

Ryan Goldman notes that "Even under a law of armed conflict, they were all civilians, and we are not actually in armed conflict. EIther way, it was all murder."

Reposted by John McLaren

SarahBCalif @sarahbca.bsky.social · 3d

Please help me understand this 🤷🏼‍♀️

Did Somalians think after Trump called several African countries “shithole countries” that they would be exempt from his overt bigotry and racism?
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...

Reposted by John McLaren

Jake at Law @zoinks.bsky.social · 3d

I am so proud of our work at the Blue Ridge Community Bail Fund

Please share and donate if you can.

We provide nothing less than freedom.

blueridgebailfund.org/donate

Reposted by John McLaren, Gerald Friedman

Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 3d

Blatant corruption on full display.

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