Jonathan Blanks
@blanksslate.bsky.social
D.C.-based criminal justice writer and socio-cultural critic who spends a lot of time at the library.
Hoosier by birth and college education.
Some would call me a libertarian. I would not.
https://theblanksslate.substack.com/
Signal: @jpblanks.36
Hoosier by birth and college education.
Some would call me a libertarian. I would not.
https://theblanksslate.substack.com/
Signal: @jpblanks.36
Pinned
Jonathan Blanks
@blanksslate.bsky.social
· Jan 27
Now comes the hard part
Making the country a better place starts with being a better American
theblanksslate.substack.com
Anyway, really think about how you are on here/online.
Try to focus your attention where it can do the most good, because being fucked up about everything all the time is not a healthy way to live. theblanksslate.substack.com/p/now-comes-...
Try to focus your attention where it can do the most good, because being fucked up about everything all the time is not a healthy way to live. theblanksslate.substack.com/p/now-comes-...
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
speaking of supposedly objective gatekeepers...
Bari Weiss' first weeks at CBS News marked by all-out warfare against professional ethics standards in the newsroom, part of an effort to convert it from journalism into rank political propaganda.
Bari Weiss wants to take down ‘too much power’ CBS News Standards unit: sources
EXCLUSIVE: Internal rumblings within the newsroom come after the S&P head resigned and the network disbanded its vaunted Race and Culture unit.
www.independent.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
speaking of supposedly objective gatekeepers...
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why Elon Musk Needs Dungeons and Dragons to Be Racist
The fantastical roots of “scientific racism”
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The great @adamserwer.bsky.social takes on racism in D&D and Tolkien www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why Elon Musk Needs Dungeons and Dragons to Be Racist
The fantastical roots of “scientific racism”
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The great @adamserwer.bsky.social takes on racism in D&D and Tolkien www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
I keep yelling this at my phone when I see these photos and I’m going to start yelling it here:
NEVER. POINT. YOUR FIREARM. AT ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT INTEND. TO DESTROY.
NEVER. POINT. YOUR FIREARM. AT ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT INTEND. TO DESTROY.
November 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
I keep yelling this at my phone when I see these photos and I’m going to start yelling it here:
NEVER. POINT. YOUR FIREARM. AT ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT INTEND. TO DESTROY.
NEVER. POINT. YOUR FIREARM. AT ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT INTEND. TO DESTROY.
This whole thread is interesting, but whatever the backroom political logic of it all, a shutdown requires public-facing political support and I cannot imagine Schumer could get buy-in for another one in January.
This isn't something he can use again.
This isn't something he can use again.
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
This whole thread is interesting, but whatever the backroom political logic of it all, a shutdown requires public-facing political support and I cannot imagine Schumer could get buy-in for another one in January.
This isn't something he can use again.
This isn't something he can use again.
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
Look. A two-writer marriage is difficult. But a two-editor marriage? That’s just fun.
“I can tell you’re really mad when you use “sclerotic” and “rejuvenated” in the same Bluesky post.” - @daralind.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Look. A two-writer marriage is difficult. But a two-editor marriage? That’s just fun.
“I can tell you’re really mad when you use “sclerotic” and “rejuvenated” in the same Bluesky post.” - @daralind.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
“I can tell you’re really mad when you use “sclerotic” and “rejuvenated” in the same Bluesky post.” - @daralind.bsky.social
The lessons Dems seem to have taken was that the country blames Congress for a shutdown and the median voter is right of center.
What they should have learned is elections matter, it's the economy stupid, and a sclerotic party that can't recognize these facts should be rejuvenated.
What they should have learned is elections matter, it's the economy stupid, and a sclerotic party that can't recognize these facts should be rejuvenated.
I was wondering last night if this generation of Dem leadership can't shake the trauma of 1994, when Schumer and Durbin were cutting their teeth in the House, taking all the wrong lessons from that era.
November 10, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The lessons Dems seem to have taken was that the country blames Congress for a shutdown and the median voter is right of center.
What they should have learned is elections matter, it's the economy stupid, and a sclerotic party that can't recognize these facts should be rejuvenated.
What they should have learned is elections matter, it's the economy stupid, and a sclerotic party that can't recognize these facts should be rejuvenated.
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
Went back to the history of the Sicilian Mafia to illustrate something obvious but worth stating explicitly: The Trump administration behaves like an organized crime syndicate running a protection racket, not a representative government www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Went back to the history of the Sicilian Mafia to illustrate something obvious but worth stating explicitly: The Trump administration behaves like an organized crime syndicate running a protection racket, not a representative government www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
For some reason, I just thought of this scene.
November 10, 2025 at 3:42 AM
For some reason, I just thought of this scene.
Going to a drug store and trying to buy anything off the shelf now locked in cabinets is like a much less efficient Service Merchandise.
#iamold
#iamold
November 9, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Going to a drug store and trying to buy anything off the shelf now locked in cabinets is like a much less efficient Service Merchandise.
#iamold
#iamold
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
You'd hope most people would have an "are we the baddies?" moment if they had to acknowledge they're a member of a party with a substantial "Cool With Hitler" Wing.
Cool. What would you call the other wing then? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
November 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
You'd hope most people would have an "are we the baddies?" moment if they had to acknowledge they're a member of a party with a substantial "Cool With Hitler" Wing.
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
That the executive can't spend money, and thus do stuff, without the regular and periodic approval of a representative legislature isn't some incidental hiccup. It is the core premise of the power of the purse, the most bedrock foundation of Anglo-American constitutionalism from time immemorial.
The American people expect Congress to get the hard work done.
It’s time we end shutdowns once and for all and get back to the real debate over the things that matter. | Sen. Lankford
https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/11/it-is-time-to-be-done-with-shutdowns/
It’s time we end shutdowns once and for all and get back to the real debate over the things that matter. | Sen. Lankford
https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/11/it-is-time-to-be-done-with-shutdowns/
It Is Time to Be Done with Shutdowns | National Review
We’re five weeks into a government shutdown. It should be the last one.
www.nationalreview.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:40 PM
That the executive can't spend money, and thus do stuff, without the regular and periodic approval of a representative legislature isn't some incidental hiccup. It is the core premise of the power of the purse, the most bedrock foundation of Anglo-American constitutionalism from time immemorial.
It's a case that never should have become a case because Congress should have exercised their clearly enumerated authorities and prerogatives.
Their refusal to do their damn jobs has been, since 2016, the most dangerous enabler of Trump's power.
Their refusal to do their damn jobs has been, since 2016, the most dangerous enabler of Trump's power.
Q: What's your response to Gorsuch's expressing concern about Trump usurping congressional authority?
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't find myself in disagreement with Justice Gorsuch too often, but I think he missed the mark on this one
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't find myself in disagreement with Justice Gorsuch too often, but I think he missed the mark on this one
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
It's a case that never should have become a case because Congress should have exercised their clearly enumerated authorities and prerogatives.
Their refusal to do their damn jobs has been, since 2016, the most dangerous enabler of Trump's power.
Their refusal to do their damn jobs has been, since 2016, the most dangerous enabler of Trump's power.
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
"This win was only possible because the Voting Rights Act ensures fair representation. If the Supreme Court dismantles these protections, we risk silencing the very voices that made last night’s historic outcome possible."
November 5, 2025 at 3:52 PM
"This win was only possible because the Voting Rights Act ensures fair representation. If the Supreme Court dismantles these protections, we risk silencing the very voices that made last night’s historic outcome possible."
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
So, how are things going over on the right?
November 2, 2025 at 6:47 PM
So, how are things going over on the right?
Worstpersonyouknow.jpg
November 2, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Worstpersonyouknow.jpg
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
Can't overstate how fucked up it is that unraveling what is arguably the greatest achievement in the history of humanity is now a motivating issue of one of the two dominant parties in the U.S.
FL is moving forward w/ plan to end all childhood vaccine mandates. Starting with hepatitis B, chickenpox, and the bacteria causing meningitis and pneumonia. Then next year GOP FL legislature is expected to revisit 1977 law re: whooping cough, measles, polio, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, and tetanus.
October 31, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Can't overstate how fucked up it is that unraveling what is arguably the greatest achievement in the history of humanity is now a motivating issue of one of the two dominant parties in the U.S.
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
A 61-year-old Tennessee man posted a liberal meme on Facebook after Charlie Kirk's death. A conservative sheriff had him arrested. Bail was set at $2 million.
He spent nearly 40 days in jail before charges were dropped. Now he's planning to sue. Our story: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
He spent nearly 40 days in jail before charges were dropped. Now he's planning to sue. Our story: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
A retired policeman posted a Charlie Kirk meme. He spent a month in jail.
The 61-year-old Tennessee man plans to sue after authorities dropped charges over a political Facebook post. Free-speech advocates say it’s a symptom of a wider crackdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:40 PM
A 61-year-old Tennessee man posted a liberal meme on Facebook after Charlie Kirk's death. A conservative sheriff had him arrested. Bail was set at $2 million.
He spent nearly 40 days in jail before charges were dropped. Now he's planning to sue. Our story: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
He spent nearly 40 days in jail before charges were dropped. Now he's planning to sue. Our story: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
The Heritage video released after all this weighing in on Fuentes / Tucker is amazing for a number of reasons but my fav was the guy emphasizing that “Christian” have the right to criticize Israel without being tagged automatically as anti-Semitic which is very intentionally just saying Christians
- @willsommer.bsky.social knows this stuff better than anyone so if he says that this was a real shift and escalation, believe him
"Suddenly, nothing—including the racism, Holocaust denialism, and antisemitism Fuentes has championed—seems to be too hot for MAGA media to embrace" —@willsommer.bsky.social www.thebulwark.com/p/one-of-the...
October 31, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The Heritage video released after all this weighing in on Fuentes / Tucker is amazing for a number of reasons but my fav was the guy emphasizing that “Christian” have the right to criticize Israel without being tagged automatically as anti-Semitic which is very intentionally just saying Christians
King Charles with the new track ‘Not Like We’
October 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
King Charles with the new track ‘Not Like We’
Reposted by Jonathan Blanks
this is just the pettiest, stupidist administration
The US has revoked the visa of a Nobel Prize winner in literature after the author called President Trump "Idi Amin in whiteface." Nigerian Wole Soyinka, 91, said the US consulate told him to bring in his passport so it could be canceled in person. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka says his US visa revoked
The 91-year-old Nobel laureate in literature has been a critic of Trump's immigration policy.
www.bbc.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:17 PM
this is just the pettiest, stupidist administration