1/6 I'm intrigued by any article expressing optimism in the MAGAcene era of politics, if for no other reason than it's so rare, and I also am an optimist. But the difference between my view and @annelamott.bsky.social's optimism is stark: I don't see spring 🌷 - I see a forest fire 🔥

wapo.st/3Y9oOtg

1/5 This article tells the uplifting story of leaders across the nation carefully considering ways to take on racial injustice that don't lay blame or punish those living now to address past injustices, and to build a nation that overcomes its sad history on race:

www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

1/8 This is a really good analysis piece by @sangernyt.bsky.social putting what seems like a random tantrum by Donald Trump in broader context. A few thoughts follow.

Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/u...

What prevents us from being an authoritarian state, where those whose opinions displease the government have a nasty tendency to meet unfortunate, mysterious ends, is the following:

1. A free press.
2. An apolitical military

I am less confident in 2 than in 1 - stay the course, AP

wapo.st/3CHIc9s

1/2 A fascinating, if depressing, read, but it begs a question, @andrewvandam.bsky.social - what does data tell us about the cumulative historical effects of racial disadvantage in the United States?

wapo.st/4hwmJ1E

They can call it Bob's Big Boy Airport for all I give a shit, I will refer to it as the ICAO code IAD moving forward, just like I call Reagan National DCA. Means fuck all to me.

wtop.com/loudoun-coun...

I'm shocked, shocked that Trump would implement as many elements of Project 2035 as he could get away with! Said no one ever. Democrats, you let this happen, now what are going to do about it? And "The same as we've been doing all along" is not an acceptable answer. 🤨

At this point I am less ashamed of the Republican Party who chose to let Donald Trump lead them than I am the Democratic Party who failed to stop Donald Trump from taking back the White House ☹️

wapo.st/4habjB6

Though I think @benwikler.bsky.social has a lot of good to say, I think @kenmartin.bsky.social nails it on the head. Democrats have largely lost their ability to resonate with anyone who lives outside big cities or college towns, or who work with their hands. Time to fix that. 🔧

I may write Mayor Walsh, first to offer that he's missing the boat on racial equity - it can be done, if done well. Second, to find out who the hell else in the party thinks like this, because if it's not just him, that's a start.

www.post-gazette.com/opinion/gues...

Pinging out into the Bluesky - I am someone who is politically engaged, but cannot be engaged with either party. The Democrats are completely self-absorbed and have lost their connection with anyone outside big cities and university towns. The Republicans, well, yeah. Anyone else out there like me?