So I got laid off yesterday. Effective next month, so anyone looking for an experienced center-right writer of the #neverTrump variety, let me know.

Damn globalization

how ridiculous for Tampa Bay Lightning fans to chant "USA, USA" last night against Montreal Canadians? Montreal has more USA born players than Tampa, and Tampa has more than half its team from Canada.

Speaking at KU School of Law, Justice Sotomayor embarrasses the high court | Opinion Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor apologized for her remarks in Lawrence, but justices should treat one another with more respect, says David Mastio.

My latest ... www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Opinion | It’s the 1970s Again. Democrats Should Study Up on Reagan.

It’s the 1970s Again. Democrats Should Study Up on Reagan.
by EJ Dionne
www.nytimes.com/2026/04/17/o...

How an Image Depicting Trump as Christ Sparked a Backlash on the Religious Right The president’s social-media posts triggered strong pushback from the religious right, and it could be a liability for Republicans in the midterms.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that America's Catholics may finally be starting to grasp who Trump really is. But considering everything that he's said and done over the last 11 years, I'm surprised that an AI-generated image of him as Jesus Christ appears to be a bridge too far.

🎁🔗

Hell, no. Donald Trump isn’t Jesus Christ | Opinion Our president may have finally done something awful enough to wake up the country. He has used AI to portray himself as the Savior. From David Mastio:

www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Amid quarrel with pope, Trump strips Miami charity of funding to house migrant kids The move comes amid rising tensions between the administration and American Catholics.

One thing about the Trump administration: it's just so small. Here is an example of that flagrant pettiness. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

Why Democrats Should Worry About Graham Platner (And Janet Mills) In the fight between Platner and Mills, Democrats seem to face a choice between the reckless and the listless.

"Why Democrats Should Worry About Graham Platner (And Janet Mills)" -- my latest for @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social

washingtonmonthly.com/2026/04/17/w...

Kansas City hasn’t cracked the affordable housing code. What will it take? | Opinion DoubleTake: Mayor Lucas and the City Council have gotten creative about building codes, permits and zoning. It’s still not enough. | Opinion

@davidmastio.bsky.social and I discussed affordable housing in Kansas City in our latest installment of DoubleTake. David thinks the city is making progress. I have questions: www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

We're going to miss him.

The Male Feminism Con Job | National Review The loudest voices claiming to support women often belong to the worst men.

There are plenty of men who identify as feminists and who behave appropriately. But there are others who use it as a ruse to mistreat women. Me today at @nationalreview.bsky.social: link.nationalreview.com/click/69e0f5...

Forget it, Hawley: AI data centers will go orbital if they have to | Opinion The future is coming whether voters and Josh Hawley stand in the way or not. A better idea is to work to make sure we all have a place there. From David Mastio:

My latest is on Fergus, Mo., Josh Hawley and the war against AI data centers www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Forget it, Hawley: AI data centers will go orbital if they have to | Opinion The future is coming whether voters and Josh Hawley stand in the way or not. A better idea is to work to make sure we all have a place there. From David Mastio:

My latest is on Fergus, Mo., Josh Hawley and the war against AI data centers www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Driverless Big Rigs Are Coming to American Highways, and Soon

There will be hundreds of driverless 18-wheelers on US highways by the end of this year, and next year thousands.

Trump’s Latest Meltdown Attacking the pope was only part of the president’s disturbing night on Truth Social.

@radiofreetom.bsky.social on the obligations of the House, Senate, and voters as Trump deteriorates in plain sight: "America cannot keep ignoring the dysfunction of the commander in chief, the sole steward of the codes to a massive nuclear arsenal." 🎁
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

Sure seems like it’s negotiable.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has sent the "assault firearms" ban back to the legislature requesting changes. She would make any semi-auto that has a magazine capable of holding more than 15 rounds an "assault firearm."

Text: lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/121940...

This is a daring exception to the drift of our country.

This is culturally really dangerous. Functioning societies depend on most people mostly following the rules even when they could probably get away with not doing so. That breaks down very fast once a critical mass decide that makes them saps and suckers.

30 years of pickup lines:
1996: 'I have email.'
2000: 'I have a cell phone.'
2005: 'I have a blog.'
2012: 'I have a podcast.'
2026: 'I have a newsletter about my podcast I can email you on your cell phone.'

Adam Wren / Politico: Iowa looks competitive, according to new Dem poll — Iowa looks to be seriously in play for Democrats in November up and down the ballot, according to a new survey from a Democratic group that backs moderate candidates. Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand holds an eight-point lead in the governor's race …

Man, I've heard this one before.

Hell, no. Donald Trump isn’t Jesus Christ | Opinion Our president may have finally done something awful enough to wake up the country. He has used AI to portray himself as the Savior. From David Mastio:

Good Lord, the anti-Christ talk has made the news pages ... I took you there first: www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

ICYMI www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

On a brand new #ReaganCaucus Podcast, we talked to @davidmastio.bsky.social about Pam Bondi being fired, the Iran War, Twitter/X's role in politics, AI, and more! (AEI's Brent Orrell helped host this one).

Watch/listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VI2...

Hell, no. Donald Trump isn’t Jesus Christ | Opinion Our president may have finally done something awful enough to wake up the country. He has used AI to portray himself as the Savior. From David Mastio:

So ... we've reached the "he might be the anti-Christ" moment of the Trump administration www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

I fully agree with @davidmastio.bsky.social's column about how awful Trump is.

www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-...

Blasphemy, Blockades, and Blowouts Orban, Iran, and Donald-as-Jesus

Bear with me, but it is possible that J.D. Vance’s powers of persuasion might leave something to be desired. And perhaps Donald Trump’s political skills are not quite as razor sharp as we’ve been led to believe.

open.substack.com/pub/charlies...

A president cosplaying as Christ and trashing the pope crosses a moral red line | Opinion Trump’s attack on Pope Leo is wrong — morally, constitutionally, and for the nearly two million Florida Catholics he claims to represent.

A president who portrays himself as Christ while treating the pope as a political enemy is doing more than attacking a religious leader. Trump is claiming authority that no American president is meant to have.

Read more at: www.miamiherald.com/opinion/arti...