Alex Trimble Young
@alextyoung.bsky.social
UCWAZ Member, Teaching Prof at Barrett Honors, and Associate Director of the BRIDGS Initiative for Gun Studies; co-host of Guns Unpacked. Thinking about US literature, settler colonialism, gun culture, radical politics, and the US West. Views are my own.
Pinned
Season II of Guns Unpacked is live! Check out our first episode with Gerald Higginbotham on gun rights, race, and the psychology of gun ownership:
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
The most fundamental question raised by this video is this: Is it reasonable to fear Trump actually is giving illegal orders, or is it not reasonable? I see almost *no* discussion of this question in coverage of the video, which is treating this largely as a dispute over optics. Why?
Oddly enough, in media coverage of Dems' video warning against carrying out illegal orders, there's very little discussion of *whether it's actually reasonable to fear Trump is giving illegal commands or not.*
The evidence is strong that he is. Media should say so:
newrepublic.com/article/2035...
The evidence is strong that he is. Media should say so:
newrepublic.com/article/2035...
November 23, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The most fundamental question raised by this video is this: Is it reasonable to fear Trump actually is giving illegal orders, or is it not reasonable? I see almost *no* discussion of this question in coverage of the video, which is treating this largely as a dispute over optics. Why?
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
when I was young, i used to wonder how people like this would fare in life, as they didn't seem suited for gainful employment. it turns out, the internet allowed them to accumulate a massive audience of similar idiots, enriching them and turning them into a presidential advisor
November 20, 2025 at 12:58 AM
when I was young, i used to wonder how people like this would fare in life, as they didn't seem suited for gainful employment. it turns out, the internet allowed them to accumulate a massive audience of similar idiots, enriching them and turning them into a presidential advisor
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Authoritarianism is the bailout.
White House drafts order directing Justice Department to sue states that pass AI regulations
The draft order comes after Republicans in Congress failed to pass a federal ban on state AI regulation, as more lawmakers raise concerns about the technology.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Authoritarianism is the bailout.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
![Mylie Biggs on X
I'm running for AZ State Senate in Legislative District 14! [American flag emoji, cowboy emoji]
Learn more, sign my petition, or donate here:
[link to her campaign page]
2:22 PM • Nov 18, 2025 - 8,130 Views](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cvhu7p2bziajywpce7yrlevy/bafkreiclinrtkjgvlfp6r5wzuveaiqzqrw3icna5jr4ybwixhdqgultch4@jpeg)
!["Honestly, I don't know if I would vote for any female.
I don't know if females should be in office," [Mylie] Biggs told McCurdy and an unknown third person on the Aug. 6, 2024, episode, laughing about the extreme take. If anyone thought it was a joke, Biggs was sure to clear it up that she wasn't kidding.
"There are a lot of really good women in office, I'm not trying to hate on anyone - like, some really good congresswomen," [Mylie] Biggs added. "Yeah, I don't think women should hold office in general. That's my position. That's my stance. I think women should run the home."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cvhu7p2bziajywpce7yrlevy/bafkreib3mcc2pp67q5rjtxm7be5ulhihlmhggpzkv42rzik23hsqxtigoe@jpeg)
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
The reason all the Nuzzi stuff makes me so angry is that I've seen journalists who have worked their asses off for pretty low salaries get laid off for no reason and get pushed out of the industry.
Nuzzi's offense was egregious and banishable, but for some reason got a flowery second chance.
Nuzzi's offense was egregious and banishable, but for some reason got a flowery second chance.
November 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The reason all the Nuzzi stuff makes me so angry is that I've seen journalists who have worked their asses off for pretty low salaries get laid off for no reason and get pushed out of the industry.
Nuzzi's offense was egregious and banishable, but for some reason got a flowery second chance.
Nuzzi's offense was egregious and banishable, but for some reason got a flowery second chance.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Turning Point Action lead and former state rep. Austin Smith pled guilty today to two charges related to a 2024 forgery scheme where he falsified voter signatures in his bid for reelection.
Smith will be sentenced to probation, a fine of at least $5,500 and a 5-year ban from seeking public office.
Smith will be sentenced to probation, a fine of at least $5,500 and a 5-year ban from seeking public office.
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Turning Point Action lead and former state rep. Austin Smith pled guilty today to two charges related to a 2024 forgery scheme where he falsified voter signatures in his bid for reelection.
Smith will be sentenced to probation, a fine of at least $5,500 and a 5-year ban from seeking public office.
Smith will be sentenced to probation, a fine of at least $5,500 and a 5-year ban from seeking public office.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
apropos of nothing, here’s a photo of a young chuck schumer attending trump lawyer & confidante (& joe mccarthy associate) roy cohn’s birthday party at studio 54, in 1979
November 9, 2025 at 10:43 PM
apropos of nothing, here’s a photo of a young chuck schumer attending trump lawyer & confidante (& joe mccarthy associate) roy cohn’s birthday party at studio 54, in 1979
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
gotta give it to the post's cover game, like obviously it's anti but they also know half of brooklyn is getting this framed
November 5, 2025 at 3:13 AM
gotta give it to the post's cover game, like obviously it's anti but they also know half of brooklyn is getting this framed
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Gentlemen: thank you for your service.
I support everyone giving vast sums of money to Andrew Cuomo. It’s the “lighting a million quid on fire” art piece but this time performed by the worst people in the world.
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Gentlemen: thank you for your service.
My interview with Zusha Elinson and Cameron McWhirter on the history and politics of the AR-15 is out now! This was one of my favorite conversations. Link below, or listen via your favorite streaming service.
November 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
My interview with Zusha Elinson and Cameron McWhirter on the history and politics of the AR-15 is out now! This was one of my favorite conversations. Link below, or listen via your favorite streaming service.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Really wish opinion editors would reject the premise “democrats should be republicans to win elections because i myself want to vote for democrats but i myself am a republican” which is the same thing over and over from the manhattan institute.
It is time to admit that Republicans won the 2024 election by running to the center.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
November 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Really wish opinion editors would reject the premise “democrats should be republicans to win elections because i myself want to vote for democrats but i myself am a republican” which is the same thing over and over from the manhattan institute.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Breaking character: This is a good thread. One my fixations is that Dems blow money on ads rather than building political infrastructure. My theory is they do this because the data tells them too just like the data told Robert McNamara to destroy Ford by cutting R&D to the bone.
Republicans have studied all of the Democratic ecosystem's ideas and strategies. They've directly copied every major left institution and then honed their own ideas in key ways:
1) Republicans use their money efficiently. They build institutions rather than rent them.
1) Republicans use their money efficiently. They build institutions rather than rent them.
What Republicans Know (Full Book) | Flux Community
Get more from Flux Community on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Breaking character: This is a good thread. One my fixations is that Dems blow money on ads rather than building political infrastructure. My theory is they do this because the data tells them too just like the data told Robert McNamara to destroy Ford by cutting R&D to the bone.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
"Developing our linguistic capacities — to master diverse concepts, to follow an intricate argument, to form judgments, to communicate those to others — is the development of our capacity to think. Cognitive degradation threatens democratic processes."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | Why Even Basic A.I. Use Is So Bad for Students
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:49 AM
"Developing our linguistic capacities — to master diverse concepts, to follow an intricate argument, to form judgments, to communicate those to others — is the development of our capacity to think. Cognitive degradation threatens democratic processes."
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Alpha School will crash & burn (is already?) but Price & her partners will launch another pseudo-science ‘puter school with loads of venture money, because the goal is not to produce a functional educational enterprise, but to extract resources from & erode trust in not-for-profit schools.
MacKenzie Price is recycling a star text beloved in EdTech. A photogenic founder’s desire to disrupt education allegedly begins with frustration her very special babies are sad ☹️ at school, NOT the many failed EdTech startups she already worked for across 3 decades. It’s lean-in copter-mom bullshit.
October 30, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Alpha School will crash & burn (is already?) but Price & her partners will launch another pseudo-science ‘puter school with loads of venture money, because the goal is not to produce a functional educational enterprise, but to extract resources from & erode trust in not-for-profit schools.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Just when you think Hurricane Melissa is done intensifying, it says, “Are you sure?” Drop in central pressure measured by both NOAA and AF between center fixes suggests Melissa may incredibly be intensifying further.
October 28, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Just when you think Hurricane Melissa is done intensifying, it says, “Are you sure?” Drop in central pressure measured by both NOAA and AF between center fixes suggests Melissa may incredibly be intensifying further.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
“They’ve got money for ICE and golden ballrooms but not for hungry families” is so easy it’s almost funny
Johnson: Snap benefits is a unique situation. I got a summary of the legal analysis…the contingency funds are not legally available to cover the benefits right now
October 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
“They’ve got money for ICE and golden ballrooms but not for hungry families” is so easy it’s almost funny
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Here's a gift link to the New York Times' coverage of the initial Tea Party rallies in April 2009 which inspired the media to treat it like a massive movement.
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Tax Day Is Met With Tea Parties (Published 2009)
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Here's a gift link to the New York Times' coverage of the initial Tea Party rallies in April 2009 which inspired the media to treat it like a massive movement.
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
Two excellent journalists talking about why all of us need to show up for No Kings:
If Republicans are going to label you a terrorist for peacefully protesting Trump's failing presidency, abuses of power, and treatment of blue America as an enemy nation, let's turn out in even bigger numbers.
On the pod, @jilldlawrence.bsky.social and me on this:
newrepublic.com/article/2016...
On the pod, @jilldlawrence.bsky.social and me on this:
newrepublic.com/article/2016...
MAGA Rage at “No Kings” Boils Over—and It Quickly Backfires on Trump
As Trump allies smear the coming protests, a good writer on MAGA skewers the absurdity of these attacks on large swaths of Americans—and explains why our best recourse will be to turn out in force.
newrepublic.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Two excellent journalists talking about why all of us need to show up for No Kings:
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
I can’t help but think today about how many young people were savaged on social media, branded as anti-semites and abandoned by their schools for daring to call for a ceasefire. I remember saying that it was the first time I can remember that calling for ceasefire was regarded as a hostile demand.
October 14, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I can’t help but think today about how many young people were savaged on social media, branded as anti-semites and abandoned by their schools for daring to call for a ceasefire. I remember saying that it was the first time I can remember that calling for ceasefire was regarded as a hostile demand.
Breaking the pipes out of the case for the first time in way too long to get ready for #nokings this Saturday. If you’re in Phoenix, be down at the Capitol at 11! If not, hope you’re organizing and making noise wherever you are!
October 14, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Breaking the pipes out of the case for the first time in way too long to get ready for #nokings this Saturday. If you’re in Phoenix, be down at the Capitol at 11! If not, hope you’re organizing and making noise wherever you are!
Hey American studies folks - whether or not you consider yourself a “gun scholar,” if your work engages gun culture or gun violence, consider applying! Abstract deadline coming up Wednesday.
October 13, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Hey American studies folks - whether or not you consider yourself a “gun scholar,” if your work engages gun culture or gun violence, consider applying! Abstract deadline coming up Wednesday.
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
attempting to describe the vibes of the moment. have yet to do better than: "imagine watching a documentary reenacting the burning of the Library of Alexandria set to the soundtrack of 'Yakety Sax'"
February 6, 2025 at 3:59 AM
attempting to describe the vibes of the moment. have yet to do better than: "imagine watching a documentary reenacting the burning of the Library of Alexandria set to the soundtrack of 'Yakety Sax'"
Reposted by Alex Trimble Young
My boss: so how's our fourth quarter looking?
Me, the sales manager at the company that makes inflatable frog suits: well, you're never going to believe this, but
Me, the sales manager at the company that makes inflatable frog suits: well, you're never going to believe this, but
October 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
My boss: so how's our fourth quarter looking?
Me, the sales manager at the company that makes inflatable frog suits: well, you're never going to believe this, but
Me, the sales manager at the company that makes inflatable frog suits: well, you're never going to believe this, but