David Bonowitz
@dbonowitz.bsky.social
Buildings. Earthquakes. Public policy.
Functional Recovery <--> Community Resilience.
Giants baseball. Princeton hoops.
contact: djbonowitz (with a 'j') at gmail
Functional Recovery <--> Community Resilience.
Giants baseball. Princeton hoops.
contact: djbonowitz (with a 'j') at gmail
Love it, but oh, the irony. Just making this change would already be a move against our American Exceptionalist identity and the idea that the Founders were demi-gods. We'll never admit that failure (we fought a Civil War last time we tried).
January 17, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Love it, but oh, the irony. Just making this change would already be a move against our American Exceptionalist identity and the idea that the Founders were demi-gods. We'll never admit that failure (we fought a Civil War last time we tried).
Yes, though I confess I'm frightened more by the rose-colored hindsight. T1 was felt as a failure in 2017, but 7 years later it's remembered as a success? Can't fix that one with even a constitutional change.
January 17, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Yes, though I confess I'm frightened more by the rose-colored hindsight. T1 was felt as a failure in 2017, but 7 years later it's remembered as a success? Can't fix that one with even a constitutional change.
Yes, shifting to tariffs de-escalates in a worthwhile way, but it probably increases support for the acquisition overall, since tariffs are already plausible in the minds of R influencers, while a shooting war isn't. Prob worth it, but now harder to recruit opposition. And it punts to scotus.
January 17, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Yes, shifting to tariffs de-escalates in a worthwhile way, but it probably increases support for the acquisition overall, since tariffs are already plausible in the minds of R influencers, while a shooting war isn't. Prob worth it, but now harder to recruit opposition. And it punts to scotus.
way ahead of you ;-)
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
T has 3 groups of supporters:
1. The "deplorable" maga base
2. The R elites -- Senators, plutocrats, the McConnell wing
3. Historic R voters who take cues from Grp 2 and wind up victims of the con
Grp 3 are the folks we need to persuade. But Grp 2 is by FAR the most venal & dangerous of the three.
1. The "deplorable" maga base
2. The R elites -- Senators, plutocrats, the McConnell wing
3. Historic R voters who take cues from Grp 2 and wind up victims of the con
Grp 3 are the folks we need to persuade. But Grp 2 is by FAR the most venal & dangerous of the three.
Romney spoke about shutting down the EPA. George W. Bush tried to privatize Social Security. This is what they've wanted all along. The problem isn't Trump. It's Republicans.
January 17, 2026 at 5:04 PM
way ahead of you ;-)
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
This is why I call the Dodgers a "front office dynasty." They don't win everything on the field (tho lately they win plenty), but they win EVERY free agent battle by being open and creative -- Ohtani (SFG were also willing), Yamamoto, Sasaki, Glasnow, Freeman, Betts, Scherzer (as a rental), etc.
January 17, 2026 at 8:17 AM
In addition to explaining their tactics, this article answers a question I've had about the resistance in Mpls: Is ICE still making all the arrests it intends to make?
A: They're making far fewer, often leaving a scene empty-handed, and expending way more resources on the arrests they do make.
👍
A: They're making far fewer, often leaving a scene empty-handed, and expending way more resources on the arrests they do make.
👍
For @msnownews.bsky.social, I wrote an article about how ICE Watch is grounded in sociological theories of violence prevention.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
Opinion | I'm a Minneapolis sociologist who studies violence. Here's how ICE observers are helping.
Research into how violence occurs shows that disapproval from the people around you can help reduce it.
www.ms.now
January 17, 2026 at 7:41 AM
In addition to explaining their tactics, this article answers a question I've had about the resistance in Mpls: Is ICE still making all the arrests it intends to make?
A: They're making far fewer, often leaving a scene empty-handed, and expending way more resources on the arrests they do make.
👍
A: They're making far fewer, often leaving a scene empty-handed, and expending way more resources on the arrests they do make.
👍
Spot on.
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
w/ respect, you're over-simplifying. You "cancel the midterms" by redistricting, voter intimidation, & giving a green light to state legislatures -- all of which he and R govs are already doing.
If they win a handful more seats than they would in a fair election, that's effectively cancellation.
If they win a handful more seats than they would in a fair election, that's effectively cancellation.
January 17, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Spot on.
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
Reposted by David Bonowitz
Wasow’s study supports the use of nonviolent direct action during the civil rights movement, a protest technique that King favored for both moral and STRATEGIC reasons.
Excerpt from a paper by me (currently under peer review):
Excerpt from a paper by me (currently under peer review):
January 17, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Wasow’s study supports the use of nonviolent direct action during the civil rights movement, a protest technique that King favored for both moral and STRATEGIC reasons.
Excerpt from a paper by me (currently under peer review):
Excerpt from a paper by me (currently under peer review):
Hmm, attempted chemistry. Maybe Sideshow Bob was on to something.
January 16, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Hmm, attempted chemistry. Maybe Sideshow Bob was on to something.
I'm no expert, but based on what I've learned today from @stevevladeck.bsky.social and @cohen489.bsky.social , this may be less about prosecuting Walz and Frey than it is to establish a pretext for the Insurrection Act.
Which doesn't make it better. It's just useful to understand the gears turning.
Which doesn't make it better. It's just useful to understand the gears turning.
January 16, 2026 at 11:28 PM
I'm no expert, but based on what I've learned today from @stevevladeck.bsky.social and @cohen489.bsky.social , this may be less about prosecuting Walz and Frey than it is to establish a pretext for the Insurrection Act.
Which doesn't make it better. It's just useful to understand the gears turning.
Which doesn't make it better. It's just useful to understand the gears turning.
Reposted by David Bonowitz
Can Trump Actually Use the Insurrection Act?... smartest take on this you will hear open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Can Trump Actually Use the Insurrection Act?
Steve Vladeck explains the rarely-used law
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Can Trump Actually Use the Insurrection Act?... smartest take on this you will hear open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Follow up: So the original post I referenced has been replaced with this update. That said, "No increase" does not mean "decrease."
bsky.app/profile/pabl...
bsky.app/profile/pabl...
🚨BREAKING: DEMS DRAW RED LINE IN DHS APPROPS: NO FUNDING INCREASE FOR ICE. POLICY RIDERS GROWING. STORY COMING IN MIGRANT INSIDER
🚨NEWS: Senate Dems are reportedly offering ICE funding increases in exchange for body cams and de-escalation training for agents.
Body cams can be turned off. De-escalation training can be ignored.
Unclear if no masks, requiring ID badges, and no immunity is on the table.
Body cams can be turned off. De-escalation training can be ignored.
Unclear if no masks, requiring ID badges, and no immunity is on the table.
January 16, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Follow up: So the original post I referenced has been replaced with this update. That said, "No increase" does not mean "decrease."
bsky.app/profile/pabl...
bsky.app/profile/pabl...
Your post, sir, is enigmatical.
January 16, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Your post, sir, is enigmatical.
I know you're wary of giving "legal advice," but as a lawyer, do you have thoughts on effective protest styles or tactics?
I had some thoughts last summer (below) but I don't think they're as effective against the kind of surge we're seeing in Mpls.
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
I had some thoughts last summer (below) but I don't think they're as effective against the kind of surge we're seeing in Mpls.
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
Not sure we've learned the right lesson from the sandwich guy. I continue to think we are not yet making effective use of ketchup squirt bottles (for their cars), glitter, or food-coloring water balloons & super-soakers -- anything with a soft impact that can be launched from a distance.
January 16, 2026 at 7:56 PM
I know you're wary of giving "legal advice," but as a lawyer, do you have thoughts on effective protest styles or tactics?
I had some thoughts last summer (below) but I don't think they're as effective against the kind of surge we're seeing in Mpls.
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
I had some thoughts last summer (below) but I don't think they're as effective against the kind of surge we're seeing in Mpls.
bsky.app/profile/dbon...
I also just left a message at @padilla.senate.gov 's SF office.
@schiff.senate.gov 's voicemail box is full and would not accept a message.
@schiff.senate.gov 's voicemail box is full and would not accept a message.
January 16, 2026 at 7:42 PM
I also just left a message at @padilla.senate.gov 's SF office.
@schiff.senate.gov 's voicemail box is full and would not accept a message.
@schiff.senate.gov 's voicemail box is full and would not accept a message.
@padilla.senate.gov , @schiff.senate.gov
This is NOT an acceptable position.
I've been supportive of body cams, mask prohibitions, visible ID, and QR codes because they might produce useful info, but NOT as a substitute for de-funding.
This is NOT an acceptable position.
I've been supportive of body cams, mask prohibitions, visible ID, and QR codes because they might produce useful info, but NOT as a substitute for de-funding.
January 16, 2026 at 7:32 PM
@padilla.senate.gov , @schiff.senate.gov
This is NOT an acceptable position.
I've been supportive of body cams, mask prohibitions, visible ID, and QR codes because they might produce useful info, but NOT as a substitute for de-funding.
This is NOT an acceptable position.
I've been supportive of body cams, mask prohibitions, visible ID, and QR codes because they might produce useful info, but NOT as a substitute for de-funding.
Thanks for sharing this. Some lessons in the piece:
- They were under-insured, a common condition.
- They DID get a SBA loan, w/o conditions (we'll see if the Admin changes that too)
- The flood was April '25. It's unclear when the conditions were imposed and when the church became aware of them.
- They were under-insured, a common condition.
- They DID get a SBA loan, w/o conditions (we'll see if the Admin changes that too)
- The flood was April '25. It's unclear when the conditions were imposed and when the church became aware of them.
January 16, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Thanks for sharing this. Some lessons in the piece:
- They were under-insured, a common condition.
- They DID get a SBA loan, w/o conditions (we'll see if the Admin changes that too)
- The flood was April '25. It's unclear when the conditions were imposed and when the church became aware of them.
- They were under-insured, a common condition.
- They DID get a SBA loan, w/o conditions (we'll see if the Admin changes that too)
- The flood was April '25. It's unclear when the conditions were imposed and when the church became aware of them.
Reposted by David Bonowitz
The politicization of disaster aid continues.
“No, we were definitely not going to help them conduct raids on the people who come into this church on a weekly basis,” she said. “The vote wasn’t unanimous, but most felt it would be limiting to our ministry if we took that money.”
“No, we were definitely not going to help them conduct raids on the people who come into this church on a weekly basis,” she said. “The vote wasn’t unanimous, but most felt it would be limiting to our ministry if we took that money.”
January 16, 2026 at 7:06 PM
The politicization of disaster aid continues.
“No, we were definitely not going to help them conduct raids on the people who come into this church on a weekly basis,” she said. “The vote wasn’t unanimous, but most felt it would be limiting to our ministry if we took that money.”
“No, we were definitely not going to help them conduct raids on the people who come into this church on a weekly basis,” she said. “The vote wasn’t unanimous, but most felt it would be limiting to our ministry if we took that money.”
If he's referring to proposal E24-24 by @stephenjacobsmith.com , is he saying that a public comment has been submitted for hearing in April?
He also appears to be referencing the WJE / U Minn report that got some discussion here last month?
www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
He also appears to be referencing the WJE / U Minn report that got some discussion here last month?
www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
www.dli.mn.gov
January 16, 2026 at 6:08 PM
If he's referring to proposal E24-24 by @stephenjacobsmith.com , is he saying that a public comment has been submitted for hearing in April?
He also appears to be referencing the WJE / U Minn report that got some discussion here last month?
www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
He also appears to be referencing the WJE / U Minn report that got some discussion here last month?
www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
I think you mistook my meaning, but no worries. I believe the accents described in the OP can be heard in the movie, w/ some exaggeration. I am familiar w/ St. Louis Park, and I agree that A Serious Man is a truer representation of the Coens' personal histories.
January 16, 2026 at 6:47 AM
I think you mistook my meaning, but no worries. I believe the accents described in the OP can be heard in the movie, w/ some exaggeration. I am familiar w/ St. Louis Park, and I agree that A Serious Man is a truer representation of the Coens' personal histories.
Not even the characters who live in the Cities?
January 16, 2026 at 6:23 AM
Not even the characters who live in the Cities?
Good time to rewatch Fargo.
January 16, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Good time to rewatch Fargo.
Not disagreeing, but interesting that neither of last year's ALCS teams is represented. Presumably, Vlad Jr. (and maybe Springer) make the second team.
January 16, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Not disagreeing, but interesting that neither of last year's ALCS teams is represented. Presumably, Vlad Jr. (and maybe Springer) make the second team.
Will be interesting to see how it's structured to pay out. Dodgers have been leading the majors in contract innovation for several years now.
January 16, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Will be interesting to see how it's structured to pay out. Dodgers have been leading the majors in contract innovation for several years now.
(Btw, Brannagh's Hank Cinq is currently "free with ads" on youtube.)
January 16, 2026 at 3:36 AM
(Btw, Brannagh's Hank Cinq is currently "free with ads" on youtube.)