Paul Avey
@paulcavey.bsky.social
Associate professor of political science at Virginia Tech. IR, foreign policy, nuclear politics. Views are my own & reposts ≠ endorsements.
Reposted by Paul Avey
👇🎯 People will do literally anything to avoid embracing multiparty democracy institutional reforms
Using AI makes it even less likely this scheme will work www.npr.org/2025/12/01/g...
An independent effort says AI is the secret to topple 2-party power in Congress
Using artificial intelligence to identify congressional districts where independent candidates could win, an organization called the Independent Center is aiming to disrupt the two-party system.
www.npr.org
December 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
👇🎯 People will do literally anything to avoid embracing multiparty democracy institutional reforms
Reposted by Paul Avey
Trump’s echo chamber:
Very little U.S travel
No rallies or contact with supporters
Right-wing media
Dinners with rich donors and billionaires
Truth Social
Lack of staff to tell him no www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Very little U.S travel
No rallies or contact with supporters
Right-wing media
Dinners with rich donors and billionaires
Truth Social
Lack of staff to tell him no www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
The Bubble-Wrapped President
Trump surrounds himself with those who flatter him in places where he is comfortable.
www.theatlantic.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Trump’s echo chamber:
Very little U.S travel
No rallies or contact with supporters
Right-wing media
Dinners with rich donors and billionaires
Truth Social
Lack of staff to tell him no www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Very little U.S travel
No rallies or contact with supporters
Right-wing media
Dinners with rich donors and billionaires
Truth Social
Lack of staff to tell him no www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Paul Avey
While Citizens United became shorthand for unlimited political spending, a less-recognized campaign finance case made super PACs a reality. Check out the latest in The Post's Billionaire Nation series from @bethreinhard.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Case that lets billionaires spend big on elections never reached Supreme Court
A less-recognized campaign finance case from 2010 paved the way for the super PACs frequently used by billionaires such as Elon Musk to spend big on elections.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:57 PM
While Citizens United became shorthand for unlimited political spending, a less-recognized campaign finance case made super PACs a reality. Check out the latest in The Post's Billionaire Nation series from @bethreinhard.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Paul Avey
Trump insiders fear he is isolating himself as public rallies grind to a halt
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Trump insiders fear he is isolating himself as public rallies grind to a halt
President Donald Trump’s allies are reportedly concerned he has ‘become out of touch’ with the public amid approval plunging ratings
www.independent.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Trump insiders fear he is isolating himself as public rallies grind to a halt
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Reposted by Paul Avey
On this occassion, I am reupping a piece Jacob Tuckey and I wrote for the Réseau d'analyse stratégique this past summer about Canada and its participation in ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030. ras-nsa.ca/canada-and-r...
Canada and ReArm Europe: More Buck, More Bang? - Network for Strategic Analysis (NSA)
With the world becoming “increasingly dangerous and divided,” Prime Minister Mark Carney has declared his intention to revive the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) through a major spending program aimed at ...
ras-nsa.ca
December 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
On this occassion, I am reupping a piece Jacob Tuckey and I wrote for the Réseau d'analyse stratégique this past summer about Canada and its participation in ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030. ras-nsa.ca/canada-and-r...
Reposted by Paul Avey
"Canada has reached a final agreement to join the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe program, two EU diplomats told POLITICO, marking the first time a third country will formally participate in the bloc’s flagship joint procurement initiative." www.politico.eu/article/cana...
Canada clinches deal to join Europe’s €150B defense scheme
The deal concludes months of tough talks and will allow Ottawa to take part in procurements financed by the EU’s SAFE program.
www.politico.eu
December 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
"Canada has reached a final agreement to join the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe program, two EU diplomats told POLITICO, marking the first time a third country will formally participate in the bloc’s flagship joint procurement initiative." www.politico.eu/article/cana...
Reposted by Paul Avey
More Americans say Trump has helped raise prices rather than lower them: Survey
thehill.com/business/eco...
thehill.com/business/eco...
thehill.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
More Americans say Trump has helped raise prices rather than lower them: Survey
thehill.com/business/eco...
thehill.com/business/eco...
Reposted by Paul Avey
"People are not imagining that Trump is becoming more out of control, that he’s becoming more misogynistic, that he lacks impulse control," @davidrlurie.com tells @gregsargent.bsky.social. Great conversation about an aging president raging against facts and reality. newrepublic.com/article/2037...
Trump’s Fury at NYT Explodes Amid Fresh Concerns About Mental Decline
As Trump’s rage at the paper of record reveals too much, the author of a piece on Trump as a “lame duck dictator” explains how devastating it is for him that his carefully cultivated illusion of stren...
newrepublic.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
"People are not imagining that Trump is becoming more out of control, that he’s becoming more misogynistic, that he lacks impulse control," @davidrlurie.com tells @gregsargent.bsky.social. Great conversation about an aging president raging against facts and reality. newrepublic.com/article/2037...
Reposted by Paul Avey
Virginia — specifically Northern Virginia — has more data centers than anywhere else in the world ; almost one-fifth of the total. How did this happen? Who approved these? They are driving electricity rates sky high, and require massive amounts of ground water.
richmond.com/news/state-r...
richmond.com/news/state-r...
Data Centers: Why Virginia?
The state's telecommunications infrastructure, tax breaks, workforce and officials' welcoming attitude have helped make Virginia the world's data center capital.
richmond.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Virginia — specifically Northern Virginia — has more data centers than anywhere else in the world ; almost one-fifth of the total. How did this happen? Who approved these? They are driving electricity rates sky high, and require massive amounts of ground water.
richmond.com/news/state-r...
richmond.com/news/state-r...
Reposted by Paul Avey
“Trump has delivered many of the rewards that Biden merely dangled before the Saudis,” Franklin Foer writes. One reason may be the kingdom “licensing the Trump name for a series of lavish mega-projects across the Gulf”:
Why the Gulf Monarchs Shower Trump With Gifts
Until now, no president had yielded to royal temptations from abroad.
bit.ly
December 1, 2025 at 12:15 AM
“Trump has delivered many of the rewards that Biden merely dangled before the Saudis,” Franklin Foer writes. One reason may be the kingdom “licensing the Trump name for a series of lavish mega-projects across the Gulf”:
Reposted by Paul Avey
Michigan State gave a coach they hired after he had a losing coaching record at Oregon State a $33 million buyout...
SOURCES: Michigan State is firing head coach Jonathan Smith, @theathletic.com has learned.
He went 9-15 in two seasons, including 1-8 in the Big Ten this year. (ESPN first reported).
MSU players meeting called for 2:45. Smith has a $33 million buyout (with offset).
He went 9-15 in two seasons, including 1-8 in the Big Ten this year. (ESPN first reported).
MSU players meeting called for 2:45. Smith has a $33 million buyout (with offset).
December 1, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Michigan State gave a coach they hired after he had a losing coaching record at Oregon State a $33 million buyout...
Reposted by Paul Avey
bsky.app/profile/tomp...
by 2030, the Vance-Dreher-Douthat wing of the U.S. Catholic community will identify as Catholic schismatics, electing their own “cardinals," refusing to recognize Roman authority, and terming themselves the American Catholic Church (Fundamentalist) or some such
by 2030, the Vance-Dreher-Douthat wing of the U.S. Catholic community will identify as Catholic schismatics, electing their own “cardinals," refusing to recognize Roman authority, and terming themselves the American Catholic Church (Fundamentalist) or some such
It's pretty funny how the Silicon Valley tech bros have all suddenly decided that the actual Pope is the villain in their little narrative. sfstandard.com/2025/11/10/m...
Marc Andreessen v. the pope: VC starts meme-war with Leo XIV
The venture capitalist quickly deleted his social media posts mocking the pontiff’s call to build moral AI.
sfstandard.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:18 AM
bsky.app/profile/tomp...
by 2030, the Vance-Dreher-Douthat wing of the U.S. Catholic community will identify as Catholic schismatics, electing their own “cardinals," refusing to recognize Roman authority, and terming themselves the American Catholic Church (Fundamentalist) or some such
by 2030, the Vance-Dreher-Douthat wing of the U.S. Catholic community will identify as Catholic schismatics, electing their own “cardinals," refusing to recognize Roman authority, and terming themselves the American Catholic Church (Fundamentalist) or some such
Reposted by Paul Avey
lane kiffin, forever a victim
December 1, 2025 at 12:22 AM
lane kiffin, forever a victim
Reposted by Paul Avey
Interesting Virginia election post-mortem with @samshirazi.bsky.social and Ben Tribbett (who I wish was on Bluesky) that also spends a lot of time on potential redistricting and a bit of a history lesson on Virginia maps.
open.substack.com/pub/samshira...
open.substack.com/pub/samshira...
Episode 39: Ben Tribbett Returns
Hi everyone, I’m Sam Shirazi and this is Federal Fallout the 2025 Virginia Elections.
open.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Interesting Virginia election post-mortem with @samshirazi.bsky.social and Ben Tribbett (who I wish was on Bluesky) that also spends a lot of time on potential redistricting and a bit of a history lesson on Virginia maps.
open.substack.com/pub/samshira...
open.substack.com/pub/samshira...
Reposted by Paul Avey
Mike Tomlin trying to make his winning season streak look more impressive when the Steelers eek out a 9-8 record.
It's the 4th Quarter and Pittsburgh has 90 total yards on offense. It's time for a complete overhaul. Also, Rodgers is done.
December 1, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Mike Tomlin trying to make his winning season streak look more impressive when the Steelers eek out a 9-8 record.
Reposted by Paul Avey
With a backup offensive line, against the most expensive defense in football, the Bills conceded one sack, a 24% pressure rate, 6 total pressures, and 249 rushing yards
December 1, 2025 at 12:23 AM
With a backup offensive line, against the most expensive defense in football, the Bills conceded one sack, a 24% pressure rate, 6 total pressures, and 249 rushing yards
Reposted by Paul Avey
SOURCE: Michigan State is now finalizing the deal to hire Pat Fitzgerald as its new head coach, @theathletic.com has learned.
The Detroit Free Press first reported the expected hire.
The Detroit Free Press first reported the expected hire.
December 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM
SOURCE: Michigan State is now finalizing the deal to hire Pat Fitzgerald as its new head coach, @theathletic.com has learned.
The Detroit Free Press first reported the expected hire.
The Detroit Free Press first reported the expected hire.
Reposted by Paul Avey
Trump & Vance causing higher electricity prices in the rural parts of one of the most important swing states.
Electricity prices jump after Trump rejects disaster aid for Michigan utilities
The president denied the state’s request for federal aid to rebuild power lines after a fierce ice storm last March, a move that could force thousands of rural electricity customers to pay the entire ...
www.politico.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Trump & Vance causing higher electricity prices in the rural parts of one of the most important swing states.
Reposted by Paul Avey
Note two things about GOP Rep. Mike Turner's solid remarks on Hegseth's reported order:
1) Turner: "I agree that that would be an illegal act."
2) Implicitly confirms the Washington Post's reporting that this information has been kept from Congress
1) Turner: "I agree that that would be an illegal act."
2) Implicitly confirms the Washington Post's reporting that this information has been kept from Congress
Rep. Mike Turner on the double strike to comply with Hegseth's orders: "If that occurred, that would be very serious and I agree that would be an illegal act…This is completely outside of anything that has been discussed with Congress and there is an ongoing investigation."
November 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Note two things about GOP Rep. Mike Turner's solid remarks on Hegseth's reported order:
1) Turner: "I agree that that would be an illegal act."
2) Implicitly confirms the Washington Post's reporting that this information has been kept from Congress
1) Turner: "I agree that that would be an illegal act."
2) Implicitly confirms the Washington Post's reporting that this information has been kept from Congress
Reposted by Paul Avey
interested to see how Iowa attacks the portal this year. Could already be set at QB (even if Brown leaves). Should be attractive for Defense (DL, LB, S). Need WR and maybe 1-2 OL.
November 29, 2025 at 9:19 PM
interested to see how Iowa attacks the portal this year. Could already be set at QB (even if Brown leaves). Should be attractive for Defense (DL, LB, S). Need WR and maybe 1-2 OL.
Reposted by Paul Avey
The White House’s new anti-media website includes denunciations of:
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
November 30, 2025 at 3:15 AM
The White House’s new anti-media website includes denunciations of:
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
-ABC, which bribed the president
-CBS, which bribed the president and moved away from fact-based journalism trying to appeal to him and his fans
-WaPo, which spiked a Harris endorsement and tilts coverage in Trump’s favor
Fools.
Reposted by Paul Avey
In addition to cancer, a growing body of research has shown that vaccines can reduce the risk of developing dementia and heart conditions.
Here are the common vaccines experts recommend:
Here are the common vaccines experts recommend:
The common vaccines that can prevent chronic disease or some cancers
In addition to cancer, a growing body of research has shown that vaccines can reduce the risk of developing dementia and heart conditions.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In addition to cancer, a growing body of research has shown that vaccines can reduce the risk of developing dementia and heart conditions.
Here are the common vaccines experts recommend:
Here are the common vaccines experts recommend:
Reposted by Paul Avey
Silicon Valley’s Man in the White House, David Sacks, Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t...
Silicon Valley’s Man in the White House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Silicon Valley’s Man in the White House, David Sacks, Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/t...
Reposted by Paul Avey
Both the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee said separately that they would conduct "oversight" into the circumstances around the strikes.
House and Senate committees launch inquiries into reported second strike on alleged drug boat
Both the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee said separately that they would conduct "oversight" into the circumstances around the strikes.
nbcnews.to
November 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Both the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee said separately that they would conduct "oversight" into the circumstances around the strikes.
Reposted by Paul Avey
