Chad Rector
@chadrector.bsky.social
Political Science, Marymount University. International organizations, Asia. Occasional hobbies: pro-housing activism in Silver Spring MD, playing the Pontian lyra, making Alsatian tarts. Johnny-come-lately Bluesky's 2.2 millionth user. www.chadrector.net
Pinned
Chad Rector
@chadrector.bsky.social
· Jan 10
Montgomery County calls itself progressive but in practice it is a deeply conservative place that cannot abide conflict or discomfort. I grew up here, I love it, and it continues to let me down montgomeryperspective.com/2025/01/10/m...
Mink Joins Jawando in Opposing Attainable Housing - Montgomery Perspective
By Adam Pagnucco. On Tuesday, Council Member Will Jawando became the first council member to openly oppose the Planning Board’s Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative. (County...
montgomeryperspective.com
On my street, 3 blocks from a future purple line stop, homes get torn down to build mansions but duplexes are illegal.
People are allowed to build mansions for millionaires, but not quads for everyone else. On land that they own. By a transit station. In America. It's obscene.
See thread ->
People are allowed to build mansions for millionaires, but not quads for everyone else. On land that they own. By a transit station. In America. It's obscene.
See thread ->
Reposted by Chad Rector
Reposted by Chad Rector
Common Sense, published 250 years ago today.
January 10, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Common Sense, published 250 years ago today.
Theory: GOP insiders think odds are rising of a sudden Vance presidency this year.
- No major bills: negotiations take months, and the final veto player might shift
- SCOTUS stalling in hopes Vance might moot issues (also: delayed retirements, preferring Vance pick successor)
- No major bills: negotiations take months, and the final veto player might shift
- SCOTUS stalling in hopes Vance might moot issues (also: delayed retirements, preferring Vance pick successor)
January 5, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Theory: GOP insiders think odds are rising of a sudden Vance presidency this year.
- No major bills: negotiations take months, and the final veto player might shift
- SCOTUS stalling in hopes Vance might moot issues (also: delayed retirements, preferring Vance pick successor)
- No major bills: negotiations take months, and the final veto player might shift
- SCOTUS stalling in hopes Vance might moot issues (also: delayed retirements, preferring Vance pick successor)
Reposted by Chad Rector
16 hours in, my guess this was all intended basically as a coup to put VP Delcy Rodriguez in power (likely without her knowledge but 🤷).
At least for democracy & human rights, that might be even worse than the "opening shots in a war" scenario.
All speculation, but let me explain:
At least for democracy & human rights, that might be even worse than the "opening shots in a war" scenario.
All speculation, but let me explain:
January 3, 2026 at 11:14 PM
16 hours in, my guess this was all intended basically as a coup to put VP Delcy Rodriguez in power (likely without her knowledge but 🤷).
At least for democracy & human rights, that might be even worse than the "opening shots in a war" scenario.
All speculation, but let me explain:
At least for democracy & human rights, that might be even worse than the "opening shots in a war" scenario.
All speculation, but let me explain:
Reposted by Chad Rector
52% disapproval among white people seems like a notable problem for a party with a one-issue platform of white supremacy.
![Gallup poll | 12/1-12/15
President Trump approval crosstabs (%)
🟥Overall (59/36 disapprove) [-23]
🟥Democratic (93/3 disapprove) [-90]
🟩Republican (89/8 approve) [+81]
🟥Independent (68/25 disapprove) [-43]
🟥18-34 (68/25 disapprove) [-43]
🟥35-54 (59/36 disapprove) [-23]
🟥55+ (53/43 disapprove) [-10]
🟥No college (55/37 disapprove) [-18]
🟥College graduate (59/37 disapprove) [-22]
🟥Male (53/42 disapprove) [-11]
🟥Female (64/30 disapprove) [-34]
🟥White (52/46 disapprove) [-6]
🟥Non-white (71/21 disapprove) [-50]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreifnv6vxufu6icjvsd5toirz3lmqkzertdpdnlqh7q44momevhfjqq@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 2:59 AM
52% disapproval among white people seems like a notable problem for a party with a one-issue platform of white supremacy.
We tell our kids that they have to get each other a Christmas present.
So they've started going to the store together. They each pick out something they want of equal price, and each one pays for the other's. They think they are getting away with something but actually I couldn't be prouder.
So they've started going to the store together. They each pick out something they want of equal price, and each one pays for the other's. They think they are getting away with something but actually I couldn't be prouder.
December 23, 2025 at 12:27 AM
We tell our kids that they have to get each other a Christmas present.
So they've started going to the store together. They each pick out something they want of equal price, and each one pays for the other's. They think they are getting away with something but actually I couldn't be prouder.
So they've started going to the store together. They each pick out something they want of equal price, and each one pays for the other's. They think they are getting away with something but actually I couldn't be prouder.
Reposted by Chad Rector
Just so we are all on the same page, when Trump says that 11 months ago he inherited a ‘mess,’ this is the mess he inherited.
December 18, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Just so we are all on the same page, when Trump says that 11 months ago he inherited a ‘mess,’ this is the mess he inherited.
Reposted by Chad Rector
25 years ago today, SCOTUS elected George W Bush president of the United States by blocking completion of a voting canvass in Florida. A subsequent canvass by the Associated Press showed that Bush's rival, Al Gore, had won the race in Florida—and thus the contest for the presidency—by 700 votes.
December 12, 2025 at 5:36 AM
25 years ago today, SCOTUS elected George W Bush president of the United States by blocking completion of a voting canvass in Florida. A subsequent canvass by the Associated Press showed that Bush's rival, Al Gore, had won the race in Florida—and thus the contest for the presidency—by 700 votes.
A $12 billion bailout for farmers sounds like a lot, but / 3 million farmers = $4,000 each. The tariffs cost the avg family $4,900 each (Yale budget Lab) so they don't even cover tariffs alone (farmers still have to buy food, unless their families just eat mountains of raw, unpurchased soybeans).
December 10, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A $12 billion bailout for farmers sounds like a lot, but / 3 million farmers = $4,000 each. The tariffs cost the avg family $4,900 each (Yale budget Lab) so they don't even cover tariffs alone (farmers still have to buy food, unless their families just eat mountains of raw, unpurchased soybeans).
Reposted by Chad Rector
I really can't emphasize enough that if you care about local politics, all you gotta do is show up. Just a regular schmegular person showing up. Literally just show up consistently in person and within a remarkably short amount of time, you will have a shocking amount of influence.
December 5, 2025 at 6:07 AM
I really can't emphasize enough that if you care about local politics, all you gotta do is show up. Just a regular schmegular person showing up. Literally just show up consistently in person and within a remarkably short amount of time, you will have a shocking amount of influence.
Reposted by Chad Rector
Social scientists spent the last 50 years arguing that racism is still prevalent in US even if it's covert (racism w/ a veneer), unconscious (racism w/out intent), or systemic (racism w/out racists).
Along comes MAGA, which embraces gutter racism while claiming that teaching about racism is racist.
Along comes MAGA, which embraces gutter racism while claiming that teaching about racism is racist.
Trump: "It’s a hellhole right now. And those Somalians should be out of here. They've destroyed our country. And all they do is complain, complain, complain. You have her. She’s always talking about the Constitution provides me with – go back to your own country and figure out your constitution."
December 4, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Social scientists spent the last 50 years arguing that racism is still prevalent in US even if it's covert (racism w/ a veneer), unconscious (racism w/out intent), or systemic (racism w/out racists).
Along comes MAGA, which embraces gutter racism while claiming that teaching about racism is racist.
Along comes MAGA, which embraces gutter racism while claiming that teaching about racism is racist.
The hustle that Trump's fixers are putting into getting the pardons signed ASAP suggests that *they* think he's near the end of his term.
Or maybe they just want to fuel the perception that time is running out, as that increases the price?
Or maybe they just want to fuel the perception that time is running out, as that increases the price?
December 3, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The hustle that Trump's fixers are putting into getting the pardons signed ASAP suggests that *they* think he's near the end of his term.
Or maybe they just want to fuel the perception that time is running out, as that increases the price?
Or maybe they just want to fuel the perception that time is running out, as that increases the price?
Reposted by Chad Rector
This is one of the most important exposés published in WSJ in several years, and it derives from intercepts and analyses by foreign intelligence services studying the conduct of Trump and his inner team. It's first and foremost a wake up call to the people of the United States.
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
This is one of the most important exposés published in WSJ in several years, and it derives from intercepts and analyses by foreign intelligence services studying the conduct of Trump and his inner team. It's first and foremost a wake up call to the people of the United States.
Reposted by Chad Rector
This is murder. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This is murder. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Chad Rector
Republicans are purposely and strategically incompetent on antiterror; they hope for violent attacks they can frame as terrorist, to justify accelerating the terrorist violence they’re already enacting against the US civilian population.
2/ nor can we forget Thomas Fugate, the 22 year old Trump campaign worked appointed as the lead counter terrorism coordinator at DHS.
November 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Republicans are purposely and strategically incompetent on antiterror; they hope for violent attacks they can frame as terrorist, to justify accelerating the terrorist violence they’re already enacting against the US civilian population.
Reposted by Chad Rector
AOC: "This is about, do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now? And they assignment is to come together across difference no matter what."
November 5, 2025 at 3:21 AM
AOC: "This is about, do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now? And they assignment is to come together across difference no matter what."
Reposted by Chad Rector
Show us on the doll where the sandwich hit you.
November 4, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Show us on the doll where the sandwich hit you.
Reposted by Chad Rector
This right here, this exact sentence, is THE problem in American political journalism.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
November 1, 2025 at 12:13 PM
This right here, this exact sentence, is THE problem in American political journalism.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
The IRA *was* cheap energy and good jobs! That was the whole bill! Democrats did precisely what political pundits are telling them to do and the pundits just ignore it.
My grandfather still participated in the *most dangerous* anti-fascist gathering in American history! But sorry Wendell; it's no longer the largest. (He would understand, and approve.)
October 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
My grandfather still participated in the *most dangerous* anti-fascist gathering in American history! But sorry Wendell; it's no longer the largest. (He would understand, and approve.)
Reposted by Chad Rector
It's dangerous to say, but since it is true, it's more dangerous to not say: The Supreme Court of the United States is not a legitimate body. It's been deliberately and systematically captured by ideologues on behalf of an anti-Constitutional project, and its extremist members have been bribed.
October 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
It's dangerous to say, but since it is true, it's more dangerous to not say: The Supreme Court of the United States is not a legitimate body. It's been deliberately and systematically captured by ideologues on behalf of an anti-Constitutional project, and its extremist members have been bribed.
Reposted by Chad Rector
Picture how big the Hoover Dam is. An absolute unit. The Hoover Dam has a power capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW).
The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
SCOOP: The Bureau of Land Management says the largest solar project in Nevada — the Esmeralda 7 mega-farm — has been canceled
The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency
@heatmap.news
The news was quietly dropped via a sudden website update with no public word from any of the companies involved or a statement from the agency
@heatmap.news
Esmeralda 7 Solar Project Has Been Canceled, BLM Says
It would have delivered a gargantuan 6.2 gigawatts of power.
heatmap.news
October 10, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Picture how big the Hoover Dam is. An absolute unit. The Hoover Dam has a power capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW).
The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
The solar farm that the Admin just cancelled could have produces 6.2 GW of power. That's more than 3 Hoover Dams.
Reposted by Chad Rector
Everything that's wrong with legal journalism in one New York Times headline and pie chart.
If all these "legal experts" are so shocked by the threats to the rule of law, maybe they're not the experts we should be asking in the first place.
All of this was foreseeable. Many forecast it.
If all these "legal experts" are so shocked by the threats to the rule of law, maybe they're not the experts we should be asking in the first place.
All of this was foreseeable. Many forecast it.
October 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Everything that's wrong with legal journalism in one New York Times headline and pie chart.
If all these "legal experts" are so shocked by the threats to the rule of law, maybe they're not the experts we should be asking in the first place.
All of this was foreseeable. Many forecast it.
If all these "legal experts" are so shocked by the threats to the rule of law, maybe they're not the experts we should be asking in the first place.
All of this was foreseeable. Many forecast it.
Reposted by Chad Rector
This is such an essential phrase: “The only Constitutional rights upon which we can depend are those we extend to the weakest and most reviled among us.”
Judge Young then proposes that maybe Americans just don't care because there aren't many immigrant Palestinians among us and Gaza is far away. He then concludes this section with a robust defense of WHY people should care about what this admin is doing, which I'm reproducing in full.
Read it all.
Read it all.
![Here's why: The United states is a great nation, not because any of us say so. It is great because we still practice our frontier tradition of selflessness for the good of us all. Strangers go out of their way to help strangers when they see a need. In times of fire, flood, and national disaster, everyone pitches in to help people we've never met and first responders selflessly risk their lives for others. Hundreds of firefighters rushed into the Twin Towers on 9/11 without hesitation desperate to find and save survivors. That's who we are. And on distant battlefields our military “fought and died for the men [they]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreianfbathhbvefrnll3y3kq5tvm7mdcto6topuv6ha7rrlxgichb3y@jpeg)
September 30, 2025 at 6:57 PM
This is such an essential phrase: “The only Constitutional rights upon which we can depend are those we extend to the weakest and most reviled among us.”
Reposted by Chad Rector
The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders Honored for rejecting illegal orders during martial law, Marine death probe
www.chosun.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...