Don Dechert
@dondechert.bsky.social
Lawyer, veteran. Ex-baby historian, current litigator, lapsed social scientist, still playing TTRPGs. Unabashedly pro-cat because cats are awesome. Various thoughts, some well articulated in 🇺🇲/🇩🇪.
📍Chicago, IL, Vereinigte Staaten, Terra
📍Chicago, IL, Vereinigte Staaten, Terra
Pinned
Don Dechert
@dondechert.bsky.social
· Dec 27
I'm a lawyer with a lot of interests. I went to law school after getting my MA in social science from U Chicago, which I got after transitioning from active duty Army to the Reserves. I still play TTRPGs (and have soft spot for Battletech). And cats are awesome. Manchmal auch auf Deutsch.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Dude. Yes. Alito and Thomas are of course the standout examples, but all of the Republican justices have tells in their writing and their questioning indicating that they are, to varying degrees, marinating their brains in dumb bitch juice
My theory, fwiw, is that Supreme Court Justices are not immune to Twitter brain poisoning. I suspect all six have horrific information environments and have therefore lost the ability to understand the people who don't agree with them.
The part that I can't figure out is what John Roberts thinks he is doing. He used to seem to be a judge who was very attentive to appearances, I think on a theory that you can't draw too much attention to yourself without undermining your ability to continue to shape the law.
December 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Dude. Yes. Alito and Thomas are of course the standout examples, but all of the Republican justices have tells in their writing and their questioning indicating that they are, to varying degrees, marinating their brains in dumb bitch juice
Reposted by Don Dechert
In terms of what’s understood to be socially acceptable behavior, normalizing the filming/taking pictures of people in public who are minding their own business (and putting it online) is one of the worst developments of the past 15 years.
Woman Hailed as Hero for Smashing Man's Meta Smart Glasses on Subway
A New York subway rider has accused a woman of breaking his Meta smart glasses. She was later hailed as a hero.
futurism.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
In terms of what’s understood to be socially acceptable behavior, normalizing the filming/taking pictures of people in public who are minding their own business (and putting it online) is one of the worst developments of the past 15 years.
Thinking back to Dunnigan's How to Make War, slightly-ish dated, but these sorts of aid missions really, really bouy good feelings.
Maybe there's a loathsomeness aspect, but the NSS is such a joke and irrtum that this happens & shows utter ineptness of the US.
Maybe there's a loathsomeness aspect, but the NSS is such a joke and irrtum that this happens & shows utter ineptness of the US.
"A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission targeted at Venezuela."
Chinese Hospital Ship Visits Jamaica as US Gunboats Ply Caribbean
A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission ...
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Thinking back to Dunnigan's How to Make War, slightly-ish dated, but these sorts of aid missions really, really bouy good feelings.
Maybe there's a loathsomeness aspect, but the NSS is such a joke and irrtum that this happens & shows utter ineptness of the US.
Maybe there's a loathsomeness aspect, but the NSS is such a joke and irrtum that this happens & shows utter ineptness of the US.
Reposted by Don Dechert
I cannot imagine under any circumstances being in a situation where, as a federal employee, I would approve or think it was acceptable to pepper spray a sitting Member of Congress.
December 5, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I cannot imagine under any circumstances being in a situation where, as a federal employee, I would approve or think it was acceptable to pepper spray a sitting Member of Congress.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Yes, that too, but Congress is supposed to be our bosses in a very real way (don't talk to me about unitary executive theory, Congress is still supposed to have oversight and budget authority). It just shows how much we've completely lost any shred of accountability and control over these agencies.
December 5, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Yes, that too, but Congress is supposed to be our bosses in a very real way (don't talk to me about unitary executive theory, Congress is still supposed to have oversight and budget authority). It just shows how much we've completely lost any shred of accountability and control over these agencies.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Wer genau spielt #ReadDeadRedemption 1 (Playstationspiel von fugging 2010!) über Netflix auf seinem Handy?
December 5, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Wer genau spielt #ReadDeadRedemption 1 (Playstationspiel von fugging 2010!) über Netflix auf seinem Handy?
Reposted by Don Dechert
It really doesn't help that success in American liberal academia and politics depend on pedigree and networks in a way that is VERY amenable to producing the most milquetoast, useless pundits in the world.
This is a really smart piece by @zackbeauchamp.bsky.social, which echoes something I've long thought. The American right is simply better at creating an ecosystem of social mobility for intellectuals than the left broadly is...
www.vox.com/on-the-right...
www.vox.com/on-the-right...
How conservatives help their young thinkers — and why liberals don’t
Liberalism has a serious pipeline problem.
www.vox.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
It really doesn't help that success in American liberal academia and politics depend on pedigree and networks in a way that is VERY amenable to producing the most milquetoast, useless pundits in the world.
Might as well have appeared as an annecdote in @attackerman.bsky.social 's man's book. Not enjoying SecDef's Richard Dawson impression from The Running Man.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces another boat strike in response to a request/wish from Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet.
December 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Might as well have appeared as an annecdote in @attackerman.bsky.social 's man's book. Not enjoying SecDef's Richard Dawson impression from The Running Man.
There's a horror TTRPG or 4 where this has to be mentioned.
in the movies this is the screensaver on the computers at the world’s most evil company
December 5, 2025 at 9:32 PM
There's a horror TTRPG or 4 where this has to be mentioned.
Reposted by Don Dechert
please understand that I will never get over my grudge against E. Gordon Gee for what he did to WVU, to the group of people—the students, faculty, staff, alums — who make up the university, and to the citizens of West Virginia to whom it belongs
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
please understand that I will never get over my grudge against E. Gordon Gee for what he did to WVU, to the group of people—the students, faculty, staff, alums — who make up the university, and to the citizens of West Virginia to whom it belongs
Reposted by Don Dechert
This is why Trump's National Security Strategy is a fantasy.
"A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission targeted at Venezuela."
Chinese Hospital Ship Visits Jamaica as US Gunboats Ply Caribbean
A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission ...
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
This is why Trump's National Security Strategy is a fantasy.
Reposted by Don Dechert
So often lately it looks like China is truly the future.
"A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission targeted at Venezuela."
Chinese Hospital Ship Visits Jamaica as US Gunboats Ply Caribbean
A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission ...
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
So often lately it looks like China is truly the future.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Counterpoint:
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in birthright citizenship challenge
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration.
n.pr
December 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Counterpoint:
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
Reposted by Don Dechert
THIS
Every legal story now is either
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
December 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
THIS
Reposted by Don Dechert
The Roberts Six have thoroughly politicized the Court and turned it into a reliable arm of the RNC.
Democrats should have no reservations about calling them out for it, demanding resignations from these bought-off hacks and running on a promise to enact sweeping reforms.
Democrats should have no reservations about calling them out for it, demanding resignations from these bought-off hacks and running on a promise to enact sweeping reforms.
Democrats need to lay the groundwork for reform by attacking the villains on the Supreme Court - loudly, angrily, personally, relentlessly. And they should start now.
paulwaldman.substack.com/p/democrats-...
paulwaldman.substack.com/p/democrats-...
Democrats Need to Treat the Supreme Court Like the Villain It Is
The Court is out of control, and we'll never see reform unless we build the case for it. Starting now.
paulwaldman.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The Roberts Six have thoroughly politicized the Court and turned it into a reliable arm of the RNC.
Democrats should have no reservations about calling them out for it, demanding resignations from these bought-off hacks and running on a promise to enact sweeping reforms.
Democrats should have no reservations about calling them out for it, demanding resignations from these bought-off hacks and running on a promise to enact sweeping reforms.
Just wonderful. And should be a rallying cry for torches & pitchforks against the Gees of the world.
CRUCIAL! by Stephanie Foote
"I...lived through the devastation of a solid public university by a professional grifter who imagines himself as a visionary, and who takes every opportunity to express his vision. That person was Gordon Gee, and the university he destroyed was West Virginia University"
"I...lived through the devastation of a solid public university by a professional grifter who imagines himself as a visionary, and who takes every opportunity to express his vision. That person was Gordon Gee, and the university he destroyed was West Virginia University"
Project MUSE - Almost Heaven: West Virginia University and the Transcendental Grifter
muse.jhu.edu
December 5, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Just wonderful. And should be a rallying cry for torches & pitchforks against the Gees of the world.
Reposted by Don Dechert
We need to talk about the massive loophole that the Supreme Court just carved into election law over the shadow docket—giving states a free pass to enact patently unconstitutional voting rules within nearly *one year* of an election. A stunning new limit on judicial review. slate.com/news-and-pol...
December 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
We need to talk about the massive loophole that the Supreme Court just carved into election law over the shadow docket—giving states a free pass to enact patently unconstitutional voting rules within nearly *one year* of an election. A stunning new limit on judicial review. slate.com/news-and-pol...
Reposted by Don Dechert
If you want a read about the recent anti-constituonal attempt to denaturalize American children from their claim to birthright citizenship using bad history, @evanbernick.bsky.social, @gowder.io, I wrote about it in the Cornell Law Review Online. publications.lawschool.cornell.edu/lawreview/wp...
December 5, 2025 at 7:27 PM
If you want a read about the recent anti-constituonal attempt to denaturalize American children from their claim to birthright citizenship using bad history, @evanbernick.bsky.social, @gowder.io, I wrote about it in the Cornell Law Review Online. publications.lawschool.cornell.edu/lawreview/wp...
Quite a counterpoint to the NSS recently released, as I thought this soft power projection wasn't supposed tp happen per the NSS.
"A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission targeted at Venezuela."
Chinese Hospital Ship Visits Jamaica as US Gunboats Ply Caribbean
A Chinese hospital ship quietly docked in hurricane-hit Jamaica this week, projecting soft power into the heart of the Caribbean where a US armada is conducting a controversial anti-narcotics mission ...
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Quite a counterpoint to the NSS recently released, as I thought this soft power projection wasn't supposed tp happen per the NSS.
Reposted by Don Dechert
The US National Security Strategy is not only fully endorsing Europe's far-right and ignores the threat by Russia.
The "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine" is also paving the way for the new Forever War on Drugs/Migration in Central and South America
The "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine" is also paving the way for the new Forever War on Drugs/Migration in Central and South America
December 5, 2025 at 7:48 AM
The US National Security Strategy is not only fully endorsing Europe's far-right and ignores the threat by Russia.
The "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine" is also paving the way for the new Forever War on Drugs/Migration in Central and South America
The "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine" is also paving the way for the new Forever War on Drugs/Migration in Central and South America
Reposted by Don Dechert
>pilot watching super cool missile launch
>>realizes he’s the target
>>realizes he’s the target
December 5, 2025 at 6:35 PM
>pilot watching super cool missile launch
>>realizes he’s the target
>>realizes he’s the target
Reposted by Don Dechert
The Necessary and Proper Clause grants Congress power in institutional design. Plus, Article II grants Congress to create “inferior offices” in the President, the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of the Departments. If the President has such unbounded power, what the heck is that sentence doing?
In shameless self-promotion, see my recent article on this first point. Who implements law, how they are appointed, and how they are removed shapes the skills, expertise, and normative values brought to execution. Congress decides what is necessary and proper.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
December 5, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The Necessary and Proper Clause grants Congress power in institutional design. Plus, Article II grants Congress to create “inferior offices” in the President, the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of the Departments. If the President has such unbounded power, what the heck is that sentence doing?
Well, the movie that was supposed to inform them bombed, so without a baseline informed by entertainment, I guess Americans are berefted.
December 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Well, the movie that was supposed to inform them bombed, so without a baseline informed by entertainment, I guess Americans are berefted.
Protagonists also have plot armor to protect them...mostly.
In general Hollywood is inconsistent on the power of guns. In the hands of protagonists, guns are laser death rays. In the hands of enemy mooks, guns are little better than throwing rocks. In the hands of villains, it varies depending on how dead a protagonist needs to be.
December 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Protagonists also have plot armor to protect them...mostly.
Reposted by Don Dechert
Ladder press conference.
December 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Ladder press conference.