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Andrew Kydd

@andrewkydd.bsky.social

230 followers 120 following 250 posts

Political science, game theory, music, wooden boats, vintage airplanes and motorcycles.

Videos

Political science 68%

Sociology 14%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 2h

And of course, we do not know that Trump is not the Anti-Christ. Thiel’s only evidence for this is that liberals don’t make that argument, which is hardly conclusive.

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 2h

Although, in fairness, from a Christian theological perspective the argument might be, “only the Anti-Christ is known a prioi to be not good,” “Trump is not the Anti-Christ,” therefore “it is possible that Trump is good.” However, it is also possible that he is bad, as evidence suggests.

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 2h

To belabor the point, as we old philosophy majors like to do. The statements “Trump is not the Anti-Christ“ and “Trump is not good,” would be a contradiction only if the statement “only the Anti-Christ is not good” were true. Examples abound that the third statement is false. QED

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 2h

I hear Peter Thiel majored in philosophy. He does not appear to have taken a course in logic.

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 3h

“If you, in a sincere, rational, well-reasoned way are willing to make the argument that Trump is the Antichrist, I will give you a hearing,” he said. “If you’re not willing to make that argument, maybe you have to be open to possibility that he’s at least relatively good.” Peter Thiel

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 1d

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Henry Kissinger, Le Duc Tho, Menachim Begin and Anwar Sadat, each of whom was directly responsible for thousands of deaths and the imposition or maintenance of authoritarian regimes. I assume their portraits also gaze down on the committee as they deliberate.

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Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 1d

Trump has two unique sources of leverage in the Israel-Hamas conflict. 1) He wouldn’t care if the Palestinians were expelled from Gaza so can credibly threaten to let Israel do this. 2) His base is anti-Semitic so he can threaten to withhold aid from Israel. In mediation, leverage is everything.

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Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, James Q. Wilson, Patrick A. Jansen , and 25 more Ben H. Ansell, James Q. Wilson, Patrick A. Jansen, Nicole Dubilier, Steve Peers, Carl Henrik Knutsen, Michael A. Clemens, Efrén O. Pérez, Juan Cole, John Collins, Jussi T. Eronen, Laurent Pech, David R. Miller, Ben Tonra, Michael D. McDonald, Philipp Sarasin, Henry Jones, Greg Linden, Matthew P. McAllister, Cullen S. Hendrix, Nancy M. Wingfield, Aviel Roshwald, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Nathan P. Kalmoe, Francesco Nicoli, Colin Woodard, Andrew Kydd, David Darmofal

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 3d

I will not back down.

Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power.

What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?

Donald Trump Truth Social Post: Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor Pritzker also.

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Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 6d

MEMO
To: SEC HEGSETH
RE: THE “WARRIOR ETHOS”

WAR MUST BE, WHILE WE DEFEND OUR LIVES AGAINST A DESTROYER WHO WOULD DEVOUR ALL; BUT I DO NOT LOVE THE BRIGHT SWORD FOR ITS SHARPNESS, NOR THE ARROW FOR ITS SWIFTNESS, NOR THE WARRIOR FOR HIS GLORY. I LOVE ONLY THAT WHICH THEY DEFEND.

V/R
CPT FARAMIR

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 8d

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Due to the Democrat-led shutdown, website updates will be limited until full operations resume.

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 8d

Official government websites are now headlined with Republican talking points.

www.state.gov

U.S. Department of State – Home

Leading U.S. foreign policy to advance the interests and security of the American people.

www.state.gov

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 9d

The “too” is great, but don’t forget the “I didn’t see it.” It’s fascinating that it’s better to lie that you are uninformed and remiss in your duties rather than admit to being informed and then have to explain why you still support him. It’s a common response.

Reposted by Joseph Schafer, Andrew Kydd

Kori Schake @kschake.bsky.social · 10d

My thoughts on the Quantico meeting

Trump’s Speech to Generals Was Incitement to Violence Against Americans

Military leaders’ quiet professionalism offers hope amid a maelstrom.

foreignpolicy.com

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Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 11d

Trump/Hegseth to the military: you work for me now, I’m going to use you to control US cities, you can kill anyone you want, and anyone who disagrees is fired.

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Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 11d

“There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning.” Very Good Friday Agreement.

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 11d

Easy to make cracks about British UN mandates and how well they worked last time. But seriously, with no troops, what are we even talking about. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/w...

Tony Blair Emerges as Potential Figure in Postwar Gaza

www.nytimes.com

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 14d

Took our good friend Saule flying and she took some beautiful pictures of the Wisconsin countryside.

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 14d

And lest you think I was engaging in hyperbole. The money quote: “Honestly, what do we have to complain about these days?https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/23/us/politics/trump-far-right.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

In Trump’s Second Term, Far-Right Agenda Enters the Mainstream

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Southern Africa

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 14d

The great thing about people who actually use data is that they give you the information needed to challenge their framing. Which in this case should be “Sudden drop in right wing terrorism, due to satisfaction of extremist goals,” with quotes from Enrique Tarrio to that effect. #CSIS #Byman

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Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 21d

And to top it all off, a plane just flew bravely by towing what looked like a Blue Moon beer banner. But it was hard to tell because the visibility is so bad.

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 21d

Feeling bad for the scow racers on Lake Mendota today. Pouring rain in a thunderstorm. At least they got some racing in yesterday. www.mendotayc.org/2025-mc-scow...

Mendota Yacht Club - 2025 MC-Scow National Regatta

www.mendotayc.org

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Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · 24d

And don’t forget:

Reposted by Erika Franklin Fowler, Andrew Kydd, David Darmofal

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 25d

These estimates of public support for violence (from www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/o...) are inflated - *much* higher than what we and others have found using question wording that reduces acquiescence bias: brightlinewatch.org/accelerated-... The vast majority of Americans reject political violence.

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Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · Sep 10

Political violence, whatever the immediate target, is ultimately an attack on democracy.

Andrew Kydd @andrewkydd.bsky.social · Sep 6

A popular book, once, about the guys who won WWII.