James O'Brien
@jamesobriennyc.bsky.social
Writer. Editor. Musician. Filmmaker. Cook.
Last fall, five singers converged on a single project. A song for a time. That project was “Should Not (Cure A Real Disease)”.
The musical collaboration featured Dan Bern, Karaugh Brown, Michael McDermott, James O’Brien, and Erika Nelson.
Now, the single gets its day on vinyl. February 17.
The musical collaboration featured Dan Bern, Karaugh Brown, Michael McDermott, James O’Brien, and Erika Nelson.
Now, the single gets its day on vinyl. February 17.
February 11, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Last fall, five singers converged on a single project. A song for a time. That project was “Should Not (Cure A Real Disease)”.
The musical collaboration featured Dan Bern, Karaugh Brown, Michael McDermott, James O’Brien, and Erika Nelson.
Now, the single gets its day on vinyl. February 17.
The musical collaboration featured Dan Bern, Karaugh Brown, Michael McDermott, James O’Brien, and Erika Nelson.
Now, the single gets its day on vinyl. February 17.
Tulsi Gabbard’s role in election-records raids, ballot seizures, and voting-machine probes is part of a coordinated effort by the Trump regime to poison and pre-empt the 2026 midterm elections. It is time for an American wakeup call. The steal is underway.
open.substack.com/pub/allyourd...
open.substack.com/pub/allyourd...
Gabbard
While America wastes time on whistleblower chaos, Tulsi Gabbard is racing to enact Trump’s midterm-election steal
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Tulsi Gabbard’s role in election-records raids, ballot seizures, and voting-machine probes is part of a coordinated effort by the Trump regime to poison and pre-empt the 2026 midterm elections. It is time for an American wakeup call. The steal is underway.
open.substack.com/pub/allyourd...
open.substack.com/pub/allyourd...
A bit of necrology. A hint of ghosts. Forensic pathology. Detection (and what remains undone). The dead (and their untold tales). A good one for fans of the noir. Darkness. Details. Read “Jealous Dead” at Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved: open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Jealous Dead
The truth about the dead and the living; Detective Bob Roberts needs a late-night bullet
open.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:59 PM
A bit of necrology. A hint of ghosts. Forensic pathology. Detection (and what remains undone). The dead (and their untold tales). A good one for fans of the noir. Darkness. Details. Read “Jealous Dead” at Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved: open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
“And then, the question becomes not just who participated, but who has been guiding such a global plan from whatever point marks its beginning.”
Epstein, Putin, and whatever comes next.
Read All Your Days. Link in comments.
Epstein, Putin, and whatever comes next.
Read All Your Days. Link in comments.
February 7, 2026 at 2:11 PM
“And then, the question becomes not just who participated, but who has been guiding such a global plan from whatever point marks its beginning.”
Epstein, Putin, and whatever comes next.
Read All Your Days. Link in comments.
Epstein, Putin, and whatever comes next.
Read All Your Days. Link in comments.
It’s not unusual to be loved by EUNS. But it takes a special reader to love EUNS back.
You're kinda special.*
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
Link in comments.
*Your kind of special!
You're kinda special.*
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
Link in comments.
*Your kind of special!
February 6, 2026 at 2:46 PM
It’s not unusual to be loved by EUNS. But it takes a special reader to love EUNS back.
You're kinda special.*
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
Link in comments.
*Your kind of special!
You're kinda special.*
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
Link in comments.
*Your kind of special!
From the department of do-you-take-polonium-in-your tea, the Epstein files have prompted Poland to investigate a possible Russian blackmail scheme operating out of the dead multimillionaire’s sex dungeons.
The topic is kompromat. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is kompromat. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Kompromat
As Poland investigates whether Epstein aided a possible Russian blackmail scheme, the underlying truth is already worse than ‘kompromat’
open.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:38 PM
From the department of do-you-take-polonium-in-your tea, the Epstein files have prompted Poland to investigate a possible Russian blackmail scheme operating out of the dead multimillionaire’s sex dungeons.
The topic is kompromat. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is kompromat. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
We made something together that matters. And now it’s on vinyl.
“Should Not (Cure A Real Disease)” - Dan Bern, Karaugh Brown, Michael McDermott, James O’Brien, Erika Nelson
A limited edition of fifty seven-inches. 45rpm. Lyrics on the sleeve. A simple, powerful idea in the grooves.
February 17.
“Should Not (Cure A Real Disease)” - Dan Bern, Karaugh Brown, Michael McDermott, James O’Brien, Erika Nelson
A limited edition of fifty seven-inches. 45rpm. Lyrics on the sleeve. A simple, powerful idea in the grooves.
February 17.
February 4, 2026 at 3:49 PM
We made something together that matters. And now it’s on vinyl.
“Should Not (Cure A Real Disease)” - Dan Bern, Karaugh Brown, Michael McDermott, James O’Brien, Erika Nelson
A limited edition of fifty seven-inches. 45rpm. Lyrics on the sleeve. A simple, powerful idea in the grooves.
February 17.
“Should Not (Cure A Real Disease)” - Dan Bern, Karaugh Brown, Michael McDermott, James O’Brien, Erika Nelson
A limited edition of fifty seven-inches. 45rpm. Lyrics on the sleeve. A simple, powerful idea in the grooves.
February 17.
The regime will take away America’s vote. It’s saying so out loud. Before us is an expanding battle over ballots. It is one America must head off and win.
The topic is Trump’s call to nationalize elections. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is Trump’s call to nationalize elections. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Nationalize
Trump’s call to 'nationalize the voting' is an open administrative coup to seize U.S. election machinery for the regime
open.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:10 PM
The regime will take away America’s vote. It’s saying so out loud. Before us is an expanding battle over ballots. It is one America must head off and win.
The topic is Trump’s call to nationalize elections. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is Trump’s call to nationalize elections. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
For years, the reclusive genius J. Skelton Fogglepock tried to get two of America’s favorite films together in a follow-up that would have landed us all in the dark, gotten us wet, and fed us after midnight.
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved: open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved: open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Goonies vs. Gremlins
From the annals of lost Hollywood, a 1980s sequel that America would have eaten after midnight
open.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:46 PM
For years, the reclusive genius J. Skelton Fogglepock tried to get two of America’s favorite films together in a follow-up that would have landed us all in the dark, gotten us wet, and fed us after midnight.
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved: open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved: open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
The Epstein files are important. Fighting back against ICE is critical. But if Americans can’t vote to change their circumstances, that’s all wallpaper and window dressing, folks.
The topic is ballots. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is ballots. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Ballots
The regime is stealing the U.S. midterms right now, extorting states for protected voter rolls that it can use to invalidate election outcomes
open.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:57 PM
The Epstein files are important. Fighting back against ICE is critical. But if Americans can’t vote to change their circumstances, that’s all wallpaper and window dressing, folks.
The topic is ballots. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is ballots. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
"What kind of thing is Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved?"
Trust no one. Other than maybe this one guy on the street in 1980s England.
Read EUNS. Link in comments.
Trust no one. Other than maybe this one guy on the street in 1980s England.
Read EUNS. Link in comments.
January 30, 2026 at 4:20 PM
"What kind of thing is Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved?"
Trust no one. Other than maybe this one guy on the street in 1980s England.
Read EUNS. Link in comments.
Trust no one. Other than maybe this one guy on the street in 1980s England.
Read EUNS. Link in comments.
The regime is stealing the 2026 midterm elections from the American people; extorting Minnesota for voter rolls, waging lawfare for voting records in 44 states, and raiding voting-record warehouses in Georgia.
The topic is ballots. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is ballots. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Ballots
The regime is stealing the U.S. midterms right now, extorting states for protected voter rolls that it can use to invalidate election outcomes
open.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:30 PM
The regime is stealing the 2026 midterm elections from the American people; extorting Minnesota for voter rolls, waging lawfare for voting records in 44 states, and raiding voting-record warehouses in Georgia.
The topic is ballots. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is ballots. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
We can't make time go any faster, nor can we make people behave any better, but we can point to a single constant throughout history: the fever breaks and the darkness gives.
Listen to the new single: "First Ray of Hope" on Spotify. Link in comments.
Listen to the new single: "First Ray of Hope" on Spotify. Link in comments.
January 28, 2026 at 2:06 PM
We can't make time go any faster, nor can we make people behave any better, but we can point to a single constant throughout history: the fever breaks and the darkness gives.
Listen to the new single: "First Ray of Hope" on Spotify. Link in comments.
Listen to the new single: "First Ray of Hope" on Spotify. Link in comments.
If the goal is to stop fascist agents from doing what they are doing in Minneapolis and the U.S., then “defund DHS through a shutdown” is not a plan. It’s a mood. A gesture. And it stands to hurt Americans.
The topic is defunding. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is defunding. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Defunding
The fascists won’t be stopped by funding-fight nonsense, and America needs to dispense with the fantasy
open.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:40 PM
If the goal is to stop fascist agents from doing what they are doing in Minneapolis and the U.S., then “defund DHS through a shutdown” is not a plan. It’s a mood. A gesture. And it stands to hurt Americans.
The topic is defunding. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is defunding. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
A fable of greed and restitution. A cold and emerald coast. A ruthless fisherman. Losing everything. Redemption. Mussels and peat. Mercy.
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
The Fried Mussels of Caern Inish
Selfishness, admonitions, revenge and restitution—a tale from the dream coast of an emerald isle
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:44 PM
A fable of greed and restitution. A cold and emerald coast. A ruthless fisherman. Losing everything. Redemption. Mussels and peat. Mercy.
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
It’s about nobody’s coming to save democracy.
It’s about we’re still here fighting for it.
Read about it: All Your Days.
Link in comments.
It’s about we’re still here fighting for it.
Read about it: All Your Days.
Link in comments.
January 24, 2026 at 3:17 PM
It’s about nobody’s coming to save democracy.
It’s about we’re still here fighting for it.
Read about it: All Your Days.
Link in comments.
It’s about we’re still here fighting for it.
Read about it: All Your Days.
Link in comments.
Have you ever tuned-in?
Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
Broadcasting from the strange. Weekly.
Link in comments.
Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
Broadcasting from the strange. Weekly.
Link in comments.
January 23, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Have you ever tuned-in?
Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
Broadcasting from the strange. Weekly.
Link in comments.
Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved.
Broadcasting from the strange. Weekly.
Link in comments.
While Republican House Representative James Comer may think he’s baiting a trap for the Clintons, he’s likely to unleash an Epstein-files shitstorm if the DOJ actually springs it.
The topic is contempt. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is contempt. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Contempt
Comer’s contempt stunt is supposed to put the Clintons on trial; instead, it may put more of the Epstein files on the stand
open.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:55 PM
While Republican House Representative James Comer may think he’s baiting a trap for the Clintons, he’s likely to unleash an Epstein-files shitstorm if the DOJ actually springs it.
The topic is contempt. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is contempt. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
May this small offering, a new song and video, remind us of what we already know: the threat is coming from inside the building, but so will the solution.
The song is “First Ray of Hope.” The topic is America on the precipice. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The song is “First Ray of Hope.” The topic is America on the precipice. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Precipice
Watch now | For a crucial week in the fate of America, a new song for fortifying hearts: “First Ray of Hope”
open.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:17 PM
May this small offering, a new song and video, remind us of what we already know: the threat is coming from inside the building, but so will the solution.
The song is “First Ray of Hope.” The topic is America on the precipice. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The song is “First Ray of Hope.” The topic is America on the precipice. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
A taste of buttery goodness might change a broken person’s heart, and for Winkelvoss Robie, the bite of benefit is an Apple Butter Bubble Bun. Also, Ken Impenetrable returns.
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved. Read it like you eat your dessert.
open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved. Read it like you eat your dessert.
open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Jacob Jessep Robie’s Apple Butter Bubble Buns
Freedom’s just another word for a delicious baked-fruit snack; Ken Impenetrable returns
open.substack.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:21 PM
A taste of buttery goodness might change a broken person’s heart, and for Winkelvoss Robie, the bite of benefit is an Apple Butter Bubble Bun. Also, Ken Impenetrable returns.
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved. Read it like you eat your dessert.
open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Read Everything Is Useless And Nothing Is Solved. Read it like you eat your dessert.
open.substack.com/pub/uselessu...
Making better sense of 2026. Read All Your Days.
January 17, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Making better sense of 2026. Read All Your Days.
To see the light, just look for the apple cozies. Read Everything Is Useless and Nothing Is Solved.
Link in comments.
Link in comments.
January 16, 2026 at 5:11 PM
To see the light, just look for the apple cozies. Read Everything Is Useless and Nothing Is Solved.
Link in comments.
Link in comments.
Any student of history can tell you what the record says about communities, artistic or otherwise, in which the members are encouraged—and who then celebrate the opportunity—to report on each other.
The topic is Bandcamp. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is Bandcamp. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Bandcamp
Even the songwriters are getting in on the report-your-neighbor vibe
open.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Any student of history can tell you what the record says about communities, artistic or otherwise, in which the members are encouraged—and who then celebrate the opportunity—to report on each other.
The topic is Bandcamp. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The topic is Bandcamp. The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
As Minnesota's state leadership's years-long attempt to dodge uncomfortable conversations about bad actors in their system creates a new authoritarian flashpoint for the besieged Republic, the topic is fraud.
The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
Fraud
Minnesota’s fraud failures are a gift to Trump’s authoritarian playbook
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:01 PM
As Minnesota's state leadership's years-long attempt to dodge uncomfortable conversations about bad actors in their system creates a new authoritarian flashpoint for the besieged Republic, the topic is fraud.
The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...
The newsletter is All Your Days.
open.substack.com/pub/jamesobr...