Alexander Howard
@digiphile.bsky.social
Dad, writer, cyclist, citizen, cereal dilettante. Advocate for freedom of information, open governance, & democracy. Lover of the Oxford Comma, hater of hubris. Recovering journalist. Trying to move carefully, & fix things. https://civic-texts.ghost.io
The power of fear, cowardice, & avarice in a corrupted party is part of why the leader of an authoritarian personality cult reigns over Members who could stop all of this tomorrow.
But the NAR & “vessel theology” is the key to understanding Trump’s hold on them:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Apo...
But the NAR & “vessel theology” is the key to understanding Trump’s hold on them:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Apo...
November 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
The power of fear, cowardice, & avarice in a corrupted party is part of why the leader of an authoritarian personality cult reigns over Members who could stop all of this tomorrow.
But the NAR & “vessel theology” is the key to understanding Trump’s hold on them:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Apo...
But the NAR & “vessel theology” is the key to understanding Trump’s hold on them:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Apo...
Video of @whitehouse-47.bsky.social under construction on a cloudy day in November.
The American flag 🇺🇸 is being flown at half-staff by law after the death of Vice President Richard Cheney, until the date of his internment.
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?p...
The American flag 🇺🇸 is being flown at half-staff by law after the death of Vice President Richard Cheney, until the date of his internment.
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?p...
November 14, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Video of @whitehouse-47.bsky.social under construction on a cloudy day in November.
The American flag 🇺🇸 is being flown at half-staff by law after the death of Vice President Richard Cheney, until the date of his internment.
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?p...
The American flag 🇺🇸 is being flown at half-staff by law after the death of Vice President Richard Cheney, until the date of his internment.
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?p...
5 years ago, I voted remotely online here in DC, after DC government failed to send me an absentee ballot in a pandemic:
www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-...
I still don’t think it’s a good idea at scale, but small experiments & pilots are the right way to manage risk.
www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-...
I still don’t think it’s a good idea at scale, but small experiments & pilots are the right way to manage risk.
November 13, 2025 at 6:57 PM
5 years ago, I voted remotely online here in DC, after DC government failed to send me an absentee ballot in a pandemic:
www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-...
I still don’t think it’s a good idea at scale, but small experiments & pilots are the right way to manage risk.
www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-...
I still don’t think it’s a good idea at scale, but small experiments & pilots are the right way to manage risk.
The US House voted to agree to the Senate amendment to #HR5371, 222 - 209.
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
216 Republicans, 6 Democrats.
(2 did not vote.) clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
The longest government shutdown in American history will end, but a long winter of our discontent lies ahead.
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
216 Republicans, 6 Democrats.
(2 did not vote.) clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
The longest government shutdown in American history will end, but a long winter of our discontent lies ahead.
November 13, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The US House voted to agree to the Senate amendment to #HR5371, 222 - 209.
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
216 Republicans, 6 Democrats.
(2 did not vote.) clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
The longest government shutdown in American history will end, but a long winter of our discontent lies ahead.
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...
216 Republicans, 6 Democrats.
(2 did not vote.) clerk.house.gov/evs/2025/rol...
The longest government shutdown in American history will end, but a long winter of our discontent lies ahead.
“For New Mexico – and New York City — to deliver, it needs to hire a lot of people well & fast, streamline and right-size licensing & certification procedures, manage these processes through appropriate technology, & adjust along the way as the state learns from what’s working & what isn’t.”-
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
“For New Mexico – and New York City — to deliver, it needs to hire a lot of people well & fast, streamline and right-size licensing & certification procedures, manage these processes through appropriate technology, & adjust along the way as the state learns from what’s working & what isn’t.”-
“Greatness does not come about through accumulating great amounts of money, great amounts of publicity, or great power in government. When you help someone in any of thousands of ways, you help the world. Kindness is costless but also priceless”-Warren Buffett
November 11, 2025 at 10:54 PM
“Greatness does not come about through accumulating great amounts of money, great amounts of publicity, or great power in government. When you help someone in any of thousands of ways, you help the world. Kindness is costless but also priceless”-Warren Buffett
Use A.I. “to give people more voice in our policy choices and better results,” not to replace distant, unresponsive institutions with authoritarian algocracies in which there’s no one to hold accountable.
info.vtaiwan.tw
info.vtaiwan.tw
November 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Use A.I. “to give people more voice in our policy choices and better results,” not to replace distant, unresponsive institutions with authoritarian algocracies in which there’s no one to hold accountable.
info.vtaiwan.tw
info.vtaiwan.tw
“The so-called ‘yellow line’ agreed to under Trump’s plan to end the war is set to become the de facto border indefinitely partitioning Gaza, according to at least 18 sources…who spoke to Reuters. The…partition would split Gaza between Israeli & Hamas control.” www.dropsitenews.com/p/al-sharaa-...
November 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
“The so-called ‘yellow line’ agreed to under Trump’s plan to end the war is set to become the de facto border indefinitely partitioning Gaza, according to at least 18 sources…who spoke to Reuters. The…partition would split Gaza between Israeli & Hamas control.” www.dropsitenews.com/p/al-sharaa-...
On #VeteransDay, thank you to everyone who has faithfully served our country, like my grandfather, whether on land, sea, air or space. May we honor them by supporting veterans & their families, every day, ensuring services & health care our nation provides to them are worthy of their sacrifices.
November 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
On #VeteransDay, thank you to everyone who has faithfully served our country, like my grandfather, whether on land, sea, air or space. May we honor them by supporting veterans & their families, every day, ensuring services & health care our nation provides to them are worthy of their sacrifices.
@talkingpointsmemo.com: Trump Completes January 6 Autocoup With Mass Preemptive Pardon
morningmemo.talkingpointsmemo.com/p/trump-comp...
@npr.org: Trump grants pardons to Giuliani, Meadows, others linked to 2020 election efforts
“Election efforts.” 🤬
At least WSJ, NYT, & WaPo used “overturn.”
morningmemo.talkingpointsmemo.com/p/trump-comp...
@npr.org: Trump grants pardons to Giuliani, Meadows, others linked to 2020 election efforts
“Election efforts.” 🤬
At least WSJ, NYT, & WaPo used “overturn.”
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
@talkingpointsmemo.com: Trump Completes January 6 Autocoup With Mass Preemptive Pardon
morningmemo.talkingpointsmemo.com/p/trump-comp...
@npr.org: Trump grants pardons to Giuliani, Meadows, others linked to 2020 election efforts
“Election efforts.” 🤬
At least WSJ, NYT, & WaPo used “overturn.”
morningmemo.talkingpointsmemo.com/p/trump-comp...
@npr.org: Trump grants pardons to Giuliani, Meadows, others linked to 2020 election efforts
“Election efforts.” 🤬
At least WSJ, NYT, & WaPo used “overturn.”
I was today years old when I learned Toyota made a van like this when I saw a ‘90s era HiAce “Super Custom Living Saloon” in DC today.
Seem like it may have a 3.0L turbodiesel engine, swiveling seats, triple sunroofs, & full-time 4WD (!).
But it was designed for 8 passenger transport, not #VanLife.
Seem like it may have a 3.0L turbodiesel engine, swiveling seats, triple sunroofs, & full-time 4WD (!).
But it was designed for 8 passenger transport, not #VanLife.
November 9, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I was today years old when I learned Toyota made a van like this when I saw a ‘90s era HiAce “Super Custom Living Saloon” in DC today.
Seem like it may have a 3.0L turbodiesel engine, swiveling seats, triple sunroofs, & full-time 4WD (!).
But it was designed for 8 passenger transport, not #VanLife.
Seem like it may have a 3.0L turbodiesel engine, swiveling seats, triple sunroofs, & full-time 4WD (!).
But it was designed for 8 passenger transport, not #VanLife.
Amazing chestnut mushrooms from the Manchester Mushroom Farm at Eastern Market in DC made an unforgettable beef stroganoff. Next time, I might just roast them on their own. YUM. So lucky to have greater farmers who come here.
November 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Amazing chestnut mushrooms from the Manchester Mushroom Farm at Eastern Market in DC made an unforgettable beef stroganoff. Next time, I might just roast them on their own. YUM. So lucky to have greater farmers who come here.
DC government has steadily improved online dashboards tracking real-time leaf pickup & snow removal.
experience.arcgis.com/experience/0...
Snow plow trackers can be controversial, given what they reveal about how power shapes who gets help & when.
I bet the wind blows that way with leaves, too. 🍂 🍁
experience.arcgis.com/experience/0...
Snow plow trackers can be controversial, given what they reveal about how power shapes who gets help & when.
I bet the wind blows that way with leaves, too. 🍂 🍁
November 9, 2025 at 5:53 PM
DC government has steadily improved online dashboards tracking real-time leaf pickup & snow removal.
experience.arcgis.com/experience/0...
Snow plow trackers can be controversial, given what they reveal about how power shapes who gets help & when.
I bet the wind blows that way with leaves, too. 🍂 🍁
experience.arcgis.com/experience/0...
Snow plow trackers can be controversial, given what they reveal about how power shapes who gets help & when.
I bet the wind blows that way with leaves, too. 🍂 🍁
The American people know we are living in an oligarchy in which money in our politics has made legalized corruption into an anti-democratic norm in a new Gilded Age.
No major political party can tolerate corruption nor its appearance if its leaders want to keep or hold public trust in government.
No major political party can tolerate corruption nor its appearance if its leaders want to keep or hold public trust in government.
November 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The American people know we are living in an oligarchy in which money in our politics has made legalized corruption into an anti-democratic norm in a new Gilded Age.
No major political party can tolerate corruption nor its appearance if its leaders want to keep or hold public trust in government.
No major political party can tolerate corruption nor its appearance if its leaders want to keep or hold public trust in government.
“Most of the days the federal government has ever been shut down, Donald Trump was the president.”— @howtoreadthisch.art
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
November 8, 2025 at 11:54 PM
“Most of the days the federal government has ever been shut down, Donald Trump was the president.”— @howtoreadthisch.art
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
“Most of the days the federal government has ever been shut down, Donald Trump was the president.”— @howtoreadthisch.art
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
November 8, 2025 at 11:51 PM
“Most of the days the federal government has ever been shut down, Donald Trump was the president.”— @howtoreadthisch.art
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
www.howtoreadthisch.art/red-versus-b...
Perfect fall day for a quiet hike with the dogs in rural Maryland at the Glendening Nature Preserve. JugBay.org
Autumn 🍂 foliage may be past peak, but there were still gorgeous colors illuminated in strong sun.
Autumn 🍂 foliage may be past peak, but there were still gorgeous colors illuminated in strong sun.
November 8, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Perfect fall day for a quiet hike with the dogs in rural Maryland at the Glendening Nature Preserve. JugBay.org
Autumn 🍂 foliage may be past peak, but there were still gorgeous colors illuminated in strong sun.
Autumn 🍂 foliage may be past peak, but there were still gorgeous colors illuminated in strong sun.
I see more stickers & fliers than graffiti on the public streets & infrastructure of Capitol Hill, after months of steady evolution.
They show takedowns & rip-downs of messages, images, & public art someone disliked.
Like fences in 2020, these surfaces are makeshift bulletin boards of dissent.
They show takedowns & rip-downs of messages, images, & public art someone disliked.
Like fences in 2020, these surfaces are makeshift bulletin boards of dissent.
November 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I see more stickers & fliers than graffiti on the public streets & infrastructure of Capitol Hill, after months of steady evolution.
They show takedowns & rip-downs of messages, images, & public art someone disliked.
Like fences in 2020, these surfaces are makeshift bulletin boards of dissent.
They show takedowns & rip-downs of messages, images, & public art someone disliked.
Like fences in 2020, these surfaces are makeshift bulletin boards of dissent.
Today’s protests in DC focus on the Trump administration’s continued abuse of power to seek to repeal civil rights for our fellow Americans on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity & the Supreme Court’s decision to let illiberal policy stand.
www.lawdork.com/p/scotus-tru...
www.lawdork.com/p/scotus-tru...
November 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Today’s protests in DC focus on the Trump administration’s continued abuse of power to seek to repeal civil rights for our fellow Americans on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity & the Supreme Court’s decision to let illiberal policy stand.
www.lawdork.com/p/scotus-tru...
www.lawdork.com/p/scotus-tru...
These protestors outside of the Supreme Court invested in creative signs.
November 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
These protestors outside of the Supreme Court invested in creative signs.
The inflatable costume aesthetic continues to grow at the protests I’ve born witness to in Washington and around the country.
They’re certainly much more comfortable in the fall than the steamy heat of summer, though the gusty winds today will make the experience of wearing one more exciting.
They’re certainly much more comfortable in the fall than the steamy heat of summer, though the gusty winds today will make the experience of wearing one more exciting.
November 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The inflatable costume aesthetic continues to grow at the protests I’ve born witness to in Washington and around the country.
They’re certainly much more comfortable in the fall than the steamy heat of summer, though the gusty winds today will make the experience of wearing one more exciting.
They’re certainly much more comfortable in the fall than the steamy heat of summer, though the gusty winds today will make the experience of wearing one more exciting.
I stopped to bear witness to a protest at the U.S. Supreme Court on our morning walk back from the vet’s office.
I never tire seeing the vigorous expression of our constitutional rights to peaceably assemble, speak, associate, & petition our government for the redress of grievances in civic spaces.
I never tire seeing the vigorous expression of our constitutional rights to peaceably assemble, speak, associate, & petition our government for the redress of grievances in civic spaces.
November 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I stopped to bear witness to a protest at the U.S. Supreme Court on our morning walk back from the vet’s office.
I never tire seeing the vigorous expression of our constitutional rights to peaceably assemble, speak, associate, & petition our government for the redress of grievances in civic spaces.
I never tire seeing the vigorous expression of our constitutional rights to peaceably assemble, speak, associate, & petition our government for the redress of grievances in civic spaces.
The mayoral transition will be “defined by transparency” says Mayor-Elect Mamdani. The way a campaign transitions into governing is a bellwether for what follows, as we’ve seen at every level of government. I’ll be watching, like millions of New Yorkers, to see how this one keeps spreading the news.
November 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM
The mayoral transition will be “defined by transparency” says Mayor-Elect Mamdani. The way a campaign transitions into governing is a bellwether for what follows, as we’ve seen at every level of government. I’ll be watching, like millions of New Yorkers, to see how this one keeps spreading the news.