Clay Risen
@risenc.bsky.social
Reporter, The New York Times; author of “Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism and the Making of Modern America”
Reposted by Clay Risen
It does sound weird, but they are “independent” in the sense that they’re not owned by some much larger corporate interest whose income mostly comes from non-journalistic sources that a vengeful gangster president can threaten. Which, alas, turns out to matter quite a bit these days.
Hmm. NY Times popup saying "support independent journalism."
I... do not think of the NY Times as being "independent journalism" which implies smaller, outside the mainstream. The NYT is the most mainstream of mainstream news orgs.
I... do not think of the NY Times as being "independent journalism" which implies smaller, outside the mainstream. The NYT is the most mainstream of mainstream news orgs.
December 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
It does sound weird, but they are “independent” in the sense that they’re not owned by some much larger corporate interest whose income mostly comes from non-journalistic sources that a vengeful gangster president can threaten. Which, alas, turns out to matter quite a bit these days.
“Sidekick”
Just read this press release a little more closely, and... my god...
December 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
“Sidekick”
Reposted by Clay Risen
Remember when it used to be important to have an opinion on Camille Paglia?
December 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Remember when it used to be important to have an opinion on Camille Paglia?
Reposted by Clay Risen
News Analysis: President Trump has long portrayed European allies as freeloaders that fail to pay enough for their own security. That contempt is now official White House policy.
Trump’s Security Doctrine Leaves Europe at a Strategic Crossroads
A new White House policy document formalizes President Trump’s long-held contempt for Europe’s leaders. It made clear that the continent now stands at a strategic crossroads.
nyti.ms
December 6, 2025 at 8:15 PM
News Analysis: President Trump has long portrayed European allies as freeloaders that fail to pay enough for their own security. That contempt is now official White House policy.
Reposted by Clay Risen
The Trump administration has removed MLK Day and Juneteenth as holidays that include free entrance to national parks, adding the president’s birthday instead
National parks change prioritizes Trump birthday over days honoring Black people
Free entrance days at national parks no longer include MLK Day and Juneteenth.
www.sfgate.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:30 AM
The Trump administration has removed MLK Day and Juneteenth as holidays that include free entrance to national parks, adding the president’s birthday instead
Reposted by Clay Risen
this is the Dr. Strangelove War Room
Let me introduce you to the very real executive boardroom at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
December 5, 2025 at 8:42 PM
this is the Dr. Strangelove War Room
Reposted by Clay Risen
Here's Frank on the Simpsons, which he voiced while I worked for him. I can not tell you how often I walked around the Gehry partners office saying "yo Frank Gehry, like curvilinear forms much" after this aired www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MyT...
Frank Gehry as featured in The Simpsons
YouTube video by Arch2O
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Here's Frank on the Simpsons, which he voiced while I worked for him. I can not tell you how often I walked around the Gehry partners office saying "yo Frank Gehry, like curvilinear forms much" after this aired www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MyT...
Reposted by Clay Risen
“Mortician Trying To Figure Out How To Load Frank Gehry’s Body Into Frank Gehry Designed Casket.”
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/a...
Frank O. Gehry, Titan of Architecture, Is Dead at 96
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:52 PM
“Mortician Trying To Figure Out How To Load Frank Gehry’s Body Into Frank Gehry Designed Casket.”
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/a...
Frank O. Gehry, Titan of Architecture, Is Dead at 96
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/a...
Reposted by Clay Risen
Most offensive headline yet in the New York Times www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/d...
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Quit Caffeine
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Most offensive headline yet in the New York Times www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/d...
Reposted by Clay Risen
At the end of this podcast, I said, "Masih Alinejad, I don't know anyone who makes better use of her time than you do." Repeatedly, the Iranian regime targets her life. Yet she keeps standing for the basic rights of human beings. Not bad. Not bad at all.
On the latest episode of FOFCON Pod, RDI Frontline Fellow Masih Alinejad joins RDI Senior Fellow @jaynordlinger.bsky.social for a powerful conversation on life in Iran under the Islamic Republic, the regime’s crusade against women, and the courageous people risking everything for freedom.
FOFCON Pod: The Voice The Regime Couldn't Silence
Masih Alinejad on the courageous people of Iran and the Islamic Republic regime's crusade against women.
www.thenextmove.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
At the end of this podcast, I said, "Masih Alinejad, I don't know anyone who makes better use of her time than you do." Repeatedly, the Iranian regime targets her life. Yet she keeps standing for the basic rights of human beings. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Reposted by Clay Risen
Making the Forever War: Marilyn Young on the Culture and Politics of American Militarism is on sale at the @umasspress.bsky.social holiday sale! 40% discount when you use the code HOLIDAY for this & other books.
www.umasspress.com/978162534568...
www.umasspress.com/978162534568...
Making the Forever War
The late historian Marilyn B. Young, a preeminent voice on the history of U.S. military conflict, spent her career reassessing the nature of American global ...
www.umasspress.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Making the Forever War: Marilyn Young on the Culture and Politics of American Militarism is on sale at the @umasspress.bsky.social holiday sale! 40% discount when you use the code HOLIDAY for this & other books.
www.umasspress.com/978162534568...
www.umasspress.com/978162534568...
Reposted by Clay Risen
European reaction to the new American national strategy document
The headline, the main takeaway from a European viewpoint is this:
The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.
The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.
December 5, 2025 at 11:47 AM
European reaction to the new American national strategy document
Reposted by Clay Risen
French authorities report that five drones have been seen over l’Ile Longue last where the French nuclear submarines are based. Reports are that anti-drone measures were taken (!). More infos to come, I expect.
www.lemonde.fr/pixels/artic...
www.lemonde.fr/pixels/artic...
La base sous-marine de l’île Longue, qui abrite les sous-marins nucléaires lanceurs d’engins, survolée par des drones
Cinq drones ont été détectés techniquement jeudi soir, vers 19 h 30, au-dessus de la base, qui borde la rade de Brest.
www.lemonde.fr
December 5, 2025 at 11:58 AM
French authorities report that five drones have been seen over l’Ile Longue last where the French nuclear submarines are based. Reports are that anti-drone measures were taken (!). More infos to come, I expect.
www.lemonde.fr/pixels/artic...
www.lemonde.fr/pixels/artic...
Reposted by Clay Risen
A few thoughts on the new US national security strategy that was released today.
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www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
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www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 AM
A few thoughts on the new US national security strategy that was released today.
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www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
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www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Clay Risen
Fascinating obit for a centenarian Penobscot hero of WWII. He was not allowed to vote in his state of Maine when he came home from the war. RIP to a remarkable American
a lovely obituary but this in particular really got me
December 5, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Fascinating obit for a centenarian Penobscot hero of WWII. He was not allowed to vote in his state of Maine when he came home from the war. RIP to a remarkable American
Reposted by Clay Risen
"Surely it doesn't need to be said that Paul Dano is one of our greatest actors. Anyone who doesn't get that doesn't know what acting is. He's also a brilliant director and writer, a very snappy dresser, and a gigantic mensch." --Tony Kushner
December 5, 2025 at 4:09 AM
"Surely it doesn't need to be said that Paul Dano is one of our greatest actors. Anyone who doesn't get that doesn't know what acting is. He's also a brilliant director and writer, a very snappy dresser, and a gigantic mensch." --Tony Kushner
Not enough people celebrate the awesomeness of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Not enough people celebrate the awesomeness of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Reposted by Clay Risen
Why is it so hard to construct major projects in the US? I looked at TSMC's computer chip factories in Phoenix, a $165 billion investment, and came away with 18,000 reasons. Our story with extraordinary photos from Loren Elliott. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...
18,000 Reasons It’s So Hard to Build a Chip Factory in America
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Why is it so hard to construct major projects in the US? I looked at TSMC's computer chip factories in Phoenix, a $165 billion investment, and came away with 18,000 reasons. Our story with extraordinary photos from Loren Elliott. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...
Reposted by Clay Risen
This is not true. This is argument that pro-gun people use to discount red flag and waiting period laws. Ease of access and lethality (let alone cheerful instruction in the best method!) is the #1 predictor of attempts leading actual completion. The more barriers, the more people live.
I think it's fine Chat GPT is telling people how to kill themselves. They'll figure it out one way or another if they're serious.
December 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This is not true. This is argument that pro-gun people use to discount red flag and waiting period laws. Ease of access and lethality (let alone cheerful instruction in the best method!) is the #1 predictor of attempts leading actual completion. The more barriers, the more people live.
Reposted by Clay Risen
Reposted by Clay Risen
🚨JOB POSTING: The Institute seeks an accomplished nonprofit leader, strategist, and manager who is passionate about organizational excellence and the Institute’s mission to serve as its Chief of Staff. Details to apply here: knightcolumbia.org/page/chief-o...
| Knight First Amendment Institute
knightcolumbia.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
🚨JOB POSTING: The Institute seeks an accomplished nonprofit leader, strategist, and manager who is passionate about organizational excellence and the Institute’s mission to serve as its Chief of Staff. Details to apply here: knightcolumbia.org/page/chief-o...
Reposted by Clay Risen
On Monday, the University of Alabama suspended two student-run magazines over fears stemming from a July DOJ memo. The student journalists I spoke with yesterday told me that the decision was nonsensical and threatened their First Amendment rights.
www.alreporter.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.alreporter.com/2025/12/03/u...
University of Alabama suspends two student magazines over DEI
The editors of the publications, which focus on women’s wellness and the Black student experience respectively, expressed shock at the decision.
www.alreporter.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
On Monday, the University of Alabama suspended two student-run magazines over fears stemming from a July DOJ memo. The student journalists I spoke with yesterday told me that the decision was nonsensical and threatened their First Amendment rights.
www.alreporter.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.alreporter.com/2025/12/03/u...
Reposted by Clay Risen
I’m glad the NYT is suing over this unconstitutional policy but a little surprised there aren’t other institutional plaintiffs. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...
New York Times Sues Pentagon Over First Amendment Rights
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I’m glad the NYT is suing over this unconstitutional policy but a little surprised there aren’t other institutional plaintiffs. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...
Reposted by Clay Risen
Mike Hale and I came up with our Best TV of 2025 lists and then a funny thing happened: The shows on my list started talking to each other. (giftie) www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/a...
Best TV Shows of 2025
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Mike Hale and I came up with our Best TV of 2025 lists and then a funny thing happened: The shows on my list started talking to each other. (giftie) www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/a...