I am indifferent about CTG, but Ben Shapiro is a hard pass.

Irony

@chrischirp.bsky.social I love the tracker but I feel like some of the items you track need some context to support the claim. This one comes across as “we just assume this dude is going to eff up the immigration courts.” Even one sentence explanation of how this undermines democracy would help.

It's Time For Mike Lee To Resign. act.betterutah.org/sign/its-tim...

Edwin Kneedler, a ‘Citizen Lawyer,’ Gets a Standing Ovation at the Supreme Court (Gift Article) In a remarkable scene, the justices applauded Edwin S. Kneedler, a government lawyer with a reputation for candor, care and integrity.

This is the type of public servant I want.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/u...

I am presuming that a finding of contempt in a federal court is pardonable by POTUS????

I feel called out. 😬

Trump's Tariffs -- My Take and That of Terry Savage Trump's tariffs are playing with dynamite.

While this was written before Mexico and Canada were able to cool Trump’s tariff threats for the time being, the analysis is still worth reading. hlarrykotlikoff.substack.com/p/trumps-tariffs-my-take...

Hegseth’s Nomination Faces Test Vote All but two Republicans voted to advance Pete Hegseth’s nomination as secretary of defense to a final vote, as Democrats raced to bolster fresh allegations about his personal conduct.

We deserve better.

www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/u...

A New Age of American Interference in Europe (Gift Article) Elon Musk and MAGA are already disrupting the status quo, and Europe seems ill-prepared.

The lede nails it, Europe doesn't just don't have to worry about political interference from Russia and China, but now it has to worry about it from the US via MAGA and Elon Musk. A very worthwhile read.

www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/w...

I’ve had a lot going on, pulling my attention from political news, which can be anxiety-ridden. Just read a great summary and commentary by @hcrichardson.bsky.social of Biden's speech yesterday. This paragraph stood out. heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/december-1... #SupplySideEconomics

This Is No Time for Cynicism Writing off institutions like the Senate, which has a duty to scrutinize Donald Trump’s nominees, only plays into a would-be authoritarian’s hand.

I wrote about the case against cynicism in @vanityfair.com

www.vanityfair.com/news/story/k...

4/4 Post-Nixon laws reflected lesson learned. If the US institutions do not collapse during Trump’s next term, I can envision someday a discussion on eliminating presidential pardon which I would support.

3/4 If Trump follows through with pardoning J6 defendants; it will not be close to anything equivalent - a father pardoning his son vs a strong man rewarding those who attempted to stop the certification.

2/4 The GOP did their best to use Hunter for political purposes, but had they not an equally unfair outcome probably would have been made which is happens with rich white guys with connection to power. The pardon is nepotism.

1/4 Not super thrilled about Hunter pardon. Hunter was guilty of multiple crimes and deserves some punishment in line what any other person would have received.

While the endorsement of @washingtonpost.com editorial board would not have changed the outcome of this election, I really don’t care to read any of their coverage for at least the next four years. My subscription was canceled the day after Bezos bent the knee.

Welcome To... Design the most appealing 1950s neighborhood, with fences, parks, and swimming pools.

We are pulling out “Welcome to…” after the #Thanksgiving feast. I feel like it can include lots of people, everyone is playing at once vs waiting for turns and it has a low enough weight that someone can sit next to Grandma to help her play also. boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/23...

Biden WH Holds Nose At Trump Team Refusal To Sign Key Transition Doc: ‘While We Disagree—‘ President Joe Biden's White House held its nose at Trump's team refusing to sign key transition documents, putting a positive spin through gritted teeth.

Why is that he must make every norm not a norm? I am okay with taxpayer money being spent on the incoming transition team because it shoud adhere to the security, transparency and oversight as a typical government entity. www.mediaite.com/news/biden-w...

Already ordered “Let’s Go! to Japan” by Alderac / AEG via an Amazon #BlackFriday deal since we are thinking of going to Japan as a family for spring break and thought that this might be a fun way to tell the kids on Christmas morning if we decide to do that. #boardgames

What do you think is the solution to keep the broader public better informed with legitimate journalism?

Moreover it is so polarized for Trumpism that I would worry that the church could have a problem if Trump ever decides to go after it that the MAGA crowd might choose Trump over the church.

I have to disagree with you about polarization for LDS population (at least within the Utah/Idaho and maybe Arizona). There is a strong culture of fitting in vs belonging so if you hold any liberal beliefs you can feel extremely ostracized.

This is fantastic and something that I hope other news organizations adopt. It is critical that legitimate news using journalistic practices become accessible to all (not behind paywalls) to combat disinformation.

This paper is independent from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, unlike its main in-state competitor The Deseret News. It therefore is a better spotlight on in state politics which often is heavily influenced by the church. It would be considered the “liberal” paper in Utah.

Lance Homer’s 'democracy-dialogues' books on Goodreads (4 books) Lance Homer has 4 books on his democracy-dialogues shelf: Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality by Renee DiResta, The Origins of Totali...

Here’s what I am thinking about www.goodreads.com/review/list/... Other recommendations?

I’ve never even been in a book club, let alone started one, but I'm thinking of starting one. Would any other Utahans be interested in joining - “Democracy Dialogues” - A book club exploring the forces that shape & threaten democracy, informed by history & global perspectives?

Is this in regard to something in particular?

So true! I love all of Brené Brown’s books!

Bruh, we aren’t the ones disrespecting the office of the presidency.