Joel Mathis
@joelmathis.bsky.social
Opinion at @kansascity.com and @kansas.com. Was in Philly once upon a time. Journalism will never love you back. Occasionally deactivate my account for a day or so to clear my head.
https://joelmmathis.substack.com/
https://joelmmathis.substack.com/
Pinned
Joel Mathis
@joelmathis.bsky.social
· Aug 14
I'll try to make this the last time I tout my little project, but I wrote about our "Crockpot & Criterion" for the @kansascity.com opinion newsletter:
This worked less well than i would have preferred.
November 27, 2025 at 1:41 AM
This worked less well than i would have preferred.
Enjoy yourselves, folks.
November 26, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Enjoy yourselves, folks.
Somebody photoshop Nosferatu with Hellman's dripping from his mouth.
Somehow, like @charlottegarden.bsky.social, I am both shocked and completely unsurprised. There must be a German word for this strange combination of emotions.
According to his wife, Stephen Miller eats only mayonnaise.
I cannot decide if this disgusting fact is the most or least surprising thing I've read this week.
I cannot decide if this disgusting fact is the most or least surprising thing I've read this week.
November 26, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Somebody photoshop Nosferatu with Hellman's dripping from his mouth.
(Chuckles nervously.)
November 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
(Chuckles nervously.)
Lotta journalist alumni of Northwestern. Wonder what they think. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Northwestern University Nears Deal to Resolve Its Conflict With the White House
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Lotta journalist alumni of Northwestern. Wonder what they think. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Right. That's why it's easier to simply not talk to them most of the year. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/o...
Opinion | Life Is Too Short to Fight With Your Family
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Right. That's why it's easier to simply not talk to them most of the year. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/o...
Up with insomnia, reading about General Franco as one does.
November 26, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Up with insomnia, reading about General Franco as one does.
Every Trump Administration quote to mainstream media outlets is reminiscent of the "to the pain" scene from THE PRINCESS BRIDE. "I'll explain, but I'll use small words so that you understand, you warthog-faced buffoon." Probably serves a similar purpose. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUJc...
The Princess Bride (12/12) Movie CLIP - To the Pain! (1987) HD
YouTube video by Movieclips
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Every Trump Administration quote to mainstream media outlets is reminiscent of the "to the pain" scene from THE PRINCESS BRIDE. "I'll explain, but I'll use small words so that you understand, you warthog-faced buffoon." Probably serves a similar purpose. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUJc...
(Checks calendar.)
DIE HARD is not a Christmas movie.
(Shuts off computer.)
DIE HARD is not a Christmas movie.
(Shuts off computer.)
First Star Wars rankings, now pies? this year, I’m thankful for BaitSky
November 25, 2025 at 11:31 PM
(Checks calendar.)
DIE HARD is not a Christmas movie.
(Shuts off computer.)
DIE HARD is not a Christmas movie.
(Shuts off computer.)
Reposted by Joel Mathis
Homeland Security wants access to driver’s license info for its powerful citizenship data system, and may turn to an obscure data sharing network for it — a move that could avoid having to negotiate with states
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/25/h...
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/25/h...
Homeland Security wants state driver’s license data for sweeping citizenship program • Stateline
The Trump administration wants access to state driver’s license data on millions of U.S. residents as it builds a powerful citizenship verification program amid its clampdown on voter fraud and illega...
stateline.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Homeland Security wants access to driver’s license info for its powerful citizenship data system, and may turn to an obscure data sharing network for it — a move that could avoid having to negotiate with states
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/25/h...
My latest for @stateline.org
stateline.org/2025/11/25/h...
Checking in on Claremont's The American Mind....
November 25, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Checking in on Claremont's The American Mind....
My @kansascity.com opinion colleagues take note of misleading texts trying to discourage Missourians from signing onto an anti-gerrymandering petition. If you can't beat them, lie to them I guess. (Gift link.) www.kansascity.com/opinion/edit...
Missouri Alert: Don’t let text scare you away from anti-gerrymander petition | Opinion
A text message is trying to scare people away from petition gatherers on Black Friday. | Opinion
www.kansascity.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:14 PM
My @kansascity.com opinion colleagues take note of misleading texts trying to discourage Missourians from signing onto an anti-gerrymandering petition. If you can't beat them, lie to them I guess. (Gift link.) www.kansascity.com/opinion/edit...
We are headed towards a world where Donald Trump controls the fate of Turner Classic Movies.
The idea that this, of all companies, could take over Warner Brothers is just...horrific and insane. It's like saying, "Hey, I have a great idea--what if the Discovery Channel took over HBO?"
Wait.
Oh shit.
Wait.
Oh shit.
November 25, 2025 at 6:16 PM
We are headed towards a world where Donald Trump controls the fate of Turner Classic Movies.
Both can be true. www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
The NBA’s dress code was seen as policing Black culture. Instead it inspired a fashion revolution
Twenty years after the league introduced its controversial policy, many players see it as helping them develop self-expression
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Both can be true. www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
Something I'm doing as we head into holiday season:
When I extend invites for various events, I always preface with "invitation not obligation." I'm trying to create opportunities to be together, not burdens.
FWIW.
When I extend invites for various events, I always preface with "invitation not obligation." I'm trying to create opportunities to be together, not burdens.
FWIW.
November 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Something I'm doing as we head into holiday season:
When I extend invites for various events, I always preface with "invitation not obligation." I'm trying to create opportunities to be together, not burdens.
FWIW.
When I extend invites for various events, I always preface with "invitation not obligation." I'm trying to create opportunities to be together, not burdens.
FWIW.
My latest: Sen. Roger Marshall is asking DOJ to intervene in any Netflix purchase of Warner Bros Discovery. But he doesn’t mentions Paramount’s bid. Why? GIFT LINK #ksleg www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...
Roger Marshall targets Netflix but not Paramount in Warner Bros. deal. Why? | Opinion
Kansas’ junior senator wants to kill the Netflix bid. Paramount is also bidding, and its owner is a friend of Donald Trump. | Opinion
www.kansascity.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:42 PM
My latest: Sen. Roger Marshall is asking DOJ to intervene in any Netflix purchase of Warner Bros Discovery. But he doesn’t mentions Paramount’s bid. Why? GIFT LINK #ksleg www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...
I wouldn't say that Trump believes "loyalty is more important than legality."
Instead, they clearly believe that loyality IS legality.
Instead, they clearly believe that loyality IS legality.
November 25, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I wouldn't say that Trump believes "loyalty is more important than legality."
Instead, they clearly believe that loyality IS legality.
Instead, they clearly believe that loyality IS legality.
I was originally thinking it was silly to make "Trump pardons a turkey" jokes, but if you can't do it the year that he's abused the pardon power to egregious ends, when can you do it?
November 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
I was originally thinking it was silly to make "Trump pardons a turkey" jokes, but if you can't do it the year that he's abused the pardon power to egregious ends, when can you do it?
It's going to be embarrassing when they re-arrest the turkey five months from now on embezzling and weapons charges.
I hear that Trump isn't going to pardon the Thanksgiving turkeys unless they pay him off.
November 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
It's going to be embarrassing when they re-arrest the turkey five months from now on embezzling and weapons charges.
The Voldemort strategy.
OPINION: "Calling the president a fascist does nothing to advance the Democrats’ cause — and more of the party’s leaders would do well to realize that." — Jonathan Zimmerman
To defeat Trump, stop calling him names
Calling the president a fascist does nothing to advance the Democrats’ cause — and more of the party's leaders would do well to realize that, Jonathan Zimmerman writes.
www.inquirer.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The Voldemort strategy.
This is a dumb comment - making empty promises of action by Trump (who doesn't control the House, technically) but fulsome with praise for the president. What does it even mean? www.axios.com/2025/11/25/c...
November 25, 2025 at 12:39 PM
This is a dumb comment - making empty promises of action by Trump (who doesn't control the House, technically) but fulsome with praise for the president. What does it even mean? www.axios.com/2025/11/25/c...
Reposted by Joel Mathis
Can’t get over that the “Quiet, Piggy!” administration thinks we are up for s lecture on what good behavior looks like.
Sean Duffy: "Dressing with respect -- whether it's a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better which encourages us to maybe behave a little better. Let's try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport."
November 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Can’t get over that the “Quiet, Piggy!” administration thinks we are up for s lecture on what good behavior looks like.
Damn right!
The Surprising Benefits of Giving Up. A recent meta-analysis reveals that “adjusting our goals in response to stress or challenges, rather than grinding on, is often ‘a more appropriate and beneficial response’”. [nautil.us]
The Surprising Benefits of Giving Up
The Surprising Benefits of Giving Up: Ditching or adjusting goals in the face of adversity might often be the best thing for us.
nautil.us
November 24, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Damn right!
We are watching in real time as MAGA Republicans pre-build their "we were just following orders" defense to whatever happens next.
BLITZER: I want to be precise. Should members of the US military obey clearly illegal orders?
McCLAIN: You're asking an enlisted person for their opinion on what they think is legal. That's a pretty slippery slope. Follow your commander in chief. That's the oath that you took
(Not a no!)
McCLAIN: You're asking an enlisted person for their opinion on what they think is legal. That's a pretty slippery slope. Follow your commander in chief. That's the oath that you took
(Not a no!)
November 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
We are watching in real time as MAGA Republicans pre-build their "we were just following orders" defense to whatever happens next.
Only half of these movies are watchable by an adult.
haven’t seen ROS or Solo but this seems like a pretty ball-knowing list from Pritzker, particularly if he volunteered the name “Star Wars” rather than “A New Hope”
November 24, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Only half of these movies are watchable by an adult.