Jon Rauch
@jonrauch.bsky.social
Journalist, writer, unlicensed epistemologist. Brookings and The Atlantic. Please be sane, BlueSky.
"Conspiracy theories define what it means to be a conservative in America today. It used to be the Reaganite agenda of low taxes, deregulation, individual freedom. But it really is whether you believe in these weird theories that partake of a different reality." www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GDA...
Why Populism Is Winning (w/ Francis Fukuyama)
YouTube video by The Bulwark
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:28 AM
"Conspiracy theories define what it means to be a conservative in America today. It used to be the Reaganite agenda of low taxes, deregulation, individual freedom. But it really is whether you believe in these weird theories that partake of a different reality." www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GDA...
DOGE unleashed chaos in federal agencies. Many are rehiring after firing; key talent is gone. www.brookings.edu/articles/how...
How many people can the federal government lose before it crashes? | Brookings
An in-depth look at how sweeping federal workforce cuts under Trump are straining government services and risking operational failures.
www.brookings.edu
November 22, 2025 at 2:56 PM
DOGE unleashed chaos in federal agencies. Many are rehiring after firing; key talent is gone. www.brookings.edu/articles/how...
"The serious way in which to understand this American “peace plan” is that it shows that Trump is the weakest president to occupy the White House for 100 years." open.substack.com/pub/billemmo...
The weakest US president in the past 100 years
English original of article published in Italian by La Stampa this morning, on Trump's capitulation to America's old enemy, Russia, and Europe's moment of destiny
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"The serious way in which to understand this American “peace plan” is that it shows that Trump is the weakest president to occupy the White House for 100 years." open.substack.com/pub/billemmo...
I warmly recommend Josh Szeps's detailed analysis of why Tucker Carlson is the most talented and dangerous rhetorician on the right. youtube.com/watch?v=CURq...
How Tucker Carlson Manipulates An Argument
YouTube video by Josh Szeps
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I warmly recommend Josh Szeps's detailed analysis of why Tucker Carlson is the most talented and dangerous rhetorician on the right. youtube.com/watch?v=CURq...
This is what it looks like to be laughed out of court. Humiliating for DOJ lawyers--the creme de la creme--to be treated this way. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Federal judge blasts potential ‘government misconduct’ in Comey case
A federal magistrate judge excoriated the government’s handling of the case against former FBI director James B. Comey.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:05 PM
This is what it looks like to be laughed out of court. Humiliating for DOJ lawyers--the creme de la creme--to be treated this way. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Worth your time. www.execfunctions.org/p/what-are-w...
What Are We Living Through?
Three ways to understand the Trump administration
www.execfunctions.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Worth your time. www.execfunctions.org/p/what-are-w...
Would someone like to tell me why the Algorithm God is showing me ads for butt-enhancing pants? Better yet...don't.
November 16, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Would someone like to tell me why the Algorithm God is showing me ads for butt-enhancing pants? Better yet...don't.
A social issue I never thought about...but should have. Land hoarding! open.substack.com/pub/kenilgun...
Who owns America?
Plus, utopian ideas for a fairer future
open.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:26 PM
A social issue I never thought about...but should have. Land hoarding! open.substack.com/pub/kenilgun...
It's ironic that gays are called upon to make the case against polygamy, a standard heterosexual concept. Matt Vines does it brilliantly. youtu.be/ZzDh4XfFVN4?...
Matthew Vines: Why Monogamy Matters
YouTube video by The Reformation Project
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 1:16 AM
It's ironic that gays are called upon to make the case against polygamy, a standard heterosexual concept. Matt Vines does it brilliantly. youtu.be/ZzDh4XfFVN4?...
New poll from Buckley Institute finds the plurality of students support Cuban and Russian style socialism.
November 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
New poll from Buckley Institute finds the plurality of students support Cuban and Russian style socialism.
Good question. "How about asking Trump to stop spreading antisemitism via his associations and appointments?" www.thebulwark.com/p/right-wing...
Right-Wing Critics of Antisemitism Keep Weirdly Mum About Trump
But this fish rots from the head.
www.thebulwark.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Good question. "How about asking Trump to stop spreading antisemitism via his associations and appointments?" www.thebulwark.com/p/right-wing...
This is sick, if accurate (The Counteroffensive is a reputable outlet). Russians are using drones to "safari hunt" civilians in Ukraine. www.counteroffensive.news/p/russias-di...
Russia’s disturbing human ‘safaris’
Violating the laws of war, Russians have created a sick game of hunting civilians with FPV drones near the frontline. We take you behind the scenes, to the people most affected.
www.counteroffensive.news
November 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
This is sick, if accurate (The Counteroffensive is a reputable outlet). Russians are using drones to "safari hunt" civilians in Ukraine. www.counteroffensive.news/p/russias-di...
"The president and vice president should explain to backers and all citizens that the Republican Party has no place for bigots, purveyors of vile conspiracy theories, and sycophants of blood-stained anti-American dictators." Yes, they should. Any minute now. www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/202...
www.realclearpolitics.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"The president and vice president should explain to backers and all citizens that the Republican Party has no place for bigots, purveyors of vile conspiracy theories, and sycophants of blood-stained anti-American dictators." Yes, they should. Any minute now. www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/202...
Here are some of the people being summarily executed at sea by the Trump Admin. They're mostly ordinary folks running drugs (to Europe, not the US) as a side gig. Their deaths will have zero effect on drug availability. apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump has accused boat crews of being narco-terrorists. The truth, AP found, is more nuanced
One was a fisherman struggling to eke out a living on $100 a month. Another was a career criminal. A third was a former military cadet.
apnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Here are some of the people being summarily executed at sea by the Trump Admin. They're mostly ordinary folks running drugs (to Europe, not the US) as a side gig. Their deaths will have zero effect on drug availability. apnews.com/article/trum...
Congress loses another good member. It's disgraceful that the problem of threats to MCs and judges isn't taken more seriously. leedrutman.substack.com/p/politics-k...
Politics Keeps Driving Out the People Who Want to Reform It
Jared Golden is the latest problem-solving politician to decide Congress isn’t worth the cost. And so the doom loop takes another turn.
leedrutman.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Congress loses another good member. It's disgraceful that the problem of threats to MCs and judges isn't taken more seriously. leedrutman.substack.com/p/politics-k...
Gov. Pritzker to Trump and DOJ: "Come and get me." www.theunpopulist.net/p/jb-pritzke...
JB Pritzker Might Become the Face of America’s Resistance by Taking on Trump’s Authoritarianism
By targeting Illinois, the president might have created his nemesis even as the national Democratic Party flails around for an effective message
www.theunpopulist.net
November 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Gov. Pritzker to Trump and DOJ: "Come and get me." www.theunpopulist.net/p/jb-pritzke...
What are Trump and MAGA doing to our government? A rollicking discussion with two top political scientists. Short answer: it's patrimonialism, stupid. www.wbur.org/onpoint/2025...
Is Trumpism what you think it is?
President Trump's supporters say he’s a heaven-sent savior, cracking down on bloated government and unauthorized immigrants. Critics call him authoritarian – targeting political opponents and using th...
www.wbur.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:18 PM
What are Trump and MAGA doing to our government? A rollicking discussion with two top political scientists. Short answer: it's patrimonialism, stupid. www.wbur.org/onpoint/2025...
An urgent plea. The hour is late. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Trump’s Plan Is Now Out in the Open
It’s getting ever harder to avoid connecting the authoritarian dots.
www.theatlantic.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:29 PM
An urgent plea. The hour is late. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
This is welcome news. Hopefully breaks US curse of one-off nuclear projects that fail to sustain expertise and supply chains. Cost comes down only thru repeatability, and S.K. and China are already building in bulk. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/b...
Trump Administration Backs Plan for New Nuclear Plants
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
This is welcome news. Hopefully breaks US curse of one-off nuclear projects that fail to sustain expertise and supply chains. Cost comes down only thru repeatability, and S.K. and China are already building in bulk. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/b...
Let's not lose sight of how abnormal it is for a federal judge to feel that she has to behave this way with a US official. Just amazing. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
October 29, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Let's not lose sight of how abnormal it is for a federal judge to feel that she has to behave this way with a US official. Just amazing. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
The case for viewpoint diversity in academia is stronger than ever...despite claims that it's a "MAGA plot." www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
You Can’t Pursue Truth Without Viewpoint Diversity (opinion)
This is what we wish critics of the concept on both the left and right would understand.
www.insidehighered.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The case for viewpoint diversity in academia is stronger than ever...despite claims that it's a "MAGA plot." www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
"This week Trump announced new sanctions that were supposedly aimed at hurting the oil exports that are financing Russia’s war effort, yet they were actually much less potent than Trump claimed." open.substack.com/pub/billemmo...
Europe and America have both just given Putin the gift of time
English original of article published yesterday in Italian by La Stampa
open.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:53 PM
"This week Trump announced new sanctions that were supposedly aimed at hurting the oil exports that are financing Russia’s war effort, yet they were actually much less potent than Trump claimed." open.substack.com/pub/billemmo...
"Abuses of science, enlightenment, and academic authority discredit the abuser, not the thing abused." www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/202...
www.realclearpolitics.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
"Abuses of science, enlightenment, and academic authority discredit the abuser, not the thing abused." www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/202...
Here's a thoughtful and well reported article on what comes after radical gender ideology and medical interventions as first-line treatment for gender dysphoria. www.thenewatlantis.com/publications...
What Comes After Gender Affirmation?
A growing group of psychologists wants to restore the therapeutic relationship.
www.thenewatlantis.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Here's a thoughtful and well reported article on what comes after radical gender ideology and medical interventions as first-line treatment for gender dysphoria. www.thenewatlantis.com/publications...
It's not too late to fix this dangerous law...the closest thing in the US to martial law. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/o...
Opinion | Here’s What Trump Could Unleash by Invoking the Insurrection Act
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:57 PM
It's not too late to fix this dangerous law...the closest thing in the US to martial law. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/o...