@thedissonance.bsky.social
Independent writer and researcher, blogging on politics, history, and the law at The Dissonance on Substack. https://thedissonance.substack.com
By the way, I don't know what to make of my profile pic either. Self portrait from 45 yrs ago.
By the way, I don't know what to make of my profile pic either. Self portrait from 45 yrs ago.
If you feel like campaign finance reformers are swimming upstream against a strong ideological current and a constitutional order architected to foil reform, you are not wrong.
The Dissonance begins to dig into the founding principles of our constitutional order.
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
The Dissonance begins to dig into the founding principles of our constitutional order.
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
Interpreting the Constitution: a question of bias
Anytime a narrator proposes to explore the history of the Constitution, the audience should inquire first into their political bias.
open.substack.com
May 8, 2025 at 8:54 AM
If you feel like campaign finance reformers are swimming upstream against a strong ideological current and a constitutional order architected to foil reform, you are not wrong.
The Dissonance begins to dig into the founding principles of our constitutional order.
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
The Dissonance begins to dig into the founding principles of our constitutional order.
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
Latest post. The Dissonance is about to delve into the origin story of our constitutional order--a history prone to biased interpretations. So first, a sort of disrobing: my own political bias.
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
Interpreting the Constitution: a question of bias
Anytime a narrator proposes to explore the history of the Constitution, the audience should inquire first into their political bias.
open.substack.com
May 7, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Latest post. The Dissonance is about to delve into the origin story of our constitutional order--a history prone to biased interpretations. So first, a sort of disrobing: my own political bias.
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
We campaign-finance reformers should revisit the progressive critique of the Constitution from the early 1900s. If they were correct, it might help explain why it has been so hard to "get money out of politics."
thedissonance.substack.com/p/have-we-ca...
thedissonance.substack.com/p/have-we-ca...
Have we campaign finance reformers been traveling in a circle? (these cherry blossoms *do* look familiar)
Do you think that political power should be commensurate with wealth?
thedissonance.substack.com
April 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM
We campaign-finance reformers should revisit the progressive critique of the Constitution from the early 1900s. If they were correct, it might help explain why it has been so hard to "get money out of politics."
thedissonance.substack.com/p/have-we-ca...
thedissonance.substack.com/p/have-we-ca...
Gee, maybe Columbia U can take a page from trumps playbook and claim they made a mistake when they capitulated to him in a most craven fashion. Try to walk on two feet again, Columbia! Join the ranks of the bipeds!
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/b...
Trump Officials Blame Mistake for Setting Off Confrontation With Harvard
An official on the administration’s antisemitism task force told the university that a letter of demands had been sent without authorization.
www.nytimes.com
April 19, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Gee, maybe Columbia U can take a page from trumps playbook and claim they made a mistake when they capitulated to him in a most craven fashion. Try to walk on two feet again, Columbia! Join the ranks of the bipeds!
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/b...
“Rural counties rallied behind Trump in 2024, giving him a majority in all but 11 of the 444 farming-dependent counties last year, averaging 78% support...”
Explain to me, *please*, why I should support bailing them out this time.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Explain to me, *please*, why I should support bailing them out this time.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Shock to the system’: farmers hit by Trump’s tariffs and cuts say they need another bailout
With extreme weather and Trump’s looming trade war, US farmers are reeling and resigned to needing more cash help
www.theguardian.com
April 17, 2025 at 1:28 AM
“Rural counties rallied behind Trump in 2024, giving him a majority in all but 11 of the 444 farming-dependent counties last year, averaging 78% support...”
Explain to me, *please*, why I should support bailing them out this time.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Explain to me, *please*, why I should support bailing them out this time.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Imagine a Democratic Party that would help build and coordinate an alliance of institutions under attack by trump: Law firms, universities, media/press, corporations, state governments. Why can’t we have *that* Democratic Party?
April 16, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Imagine a Democratic Party that would help build and coordinate an alliance of institutions under attack by trump: Law firms, universities, media/press, corporations, state governments. Why can’t we have *that* Democratic Party?
File under “painfully obvious”
April 10, 2025 at 5:14 PM
File under “painfully obvious”
Collectively, the US big law firms have enough legal horse power to stop the earth from spinning and cause it to fall into the sun. They damn well can stand up to trump. I hope to hell that Susman stays in the fight.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump signs order targeting law firm behind $787.5m Fox defamation suit
Order punishes Susman Godfrey, which helped Dominion Voting Systems get millions from Fox for 2020 election lies
www.theguardian.com
April 10, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Collectively, the US big law firms have enough legal horse power to stop the earth from spinning and cause it to fall into the sun. They damn well can stand up to trump. I hope to hell that Susman stays in the fight.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
this ALEC-led effort to jack up penalties for peaceful climate-change protest brings to mind JFK: “those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable”. At some point, the worm is going to turn.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US intensifies crackdown on peaceful protest under Trump
Forty-one anti-protest bills in 22 states have been introduced since start of 2025, according to law tracker
www.theguardian.com
April 10, 2025 at 1:12 AM
this ALEC-led effort to jack up penalties for peaceful climate-change protest brings to mind JFK: “those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable”. At some point, the worm is going to turn.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This fellow, who has a notably small and fuzzy head, displays more native intelligence than Trump and all his cabinet combined.
April 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
This fellow, who has a notably small and fuzzy head, displays more native intelligence than Trump and all his cabinet combined.
Some new law firms to announce:
Paul Weiss & Quisling
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, Flom & Quisling
Willkie Farr Gallagher & Quisling
Milbank & Quisling
Of course, their corporate clients who did not stand up for them, and their competitors who licked their chops, are also complicit.
Paul Weiss & Quisling
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, Flom & Quisling
Willkie Farr Gallagher & Quisling
Milbank & Quisling
Of course, their corporate clients who did not stand up for them, and their competitors who licked their chops, are also complicit.
April 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Some new law firms to announce:
Paul Weiss & Quisling
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, Flom & Quisling
Willkie Farr Gallagher & Quisling
Milbank & Quisling
Of course, their corporate clients who did not stand up for them, and their competitors who licked their chops, are also complicit.
Paul Weiss & Quisling
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, Flom & Quisling
Willkie Farr Gallagher & Quisling
Milbank & Quisling
Of course, their corporate clients who did not stand up for them, and their competitors who licked their chops, are also complicit.
Dear flood victim,
you are a victim of climate change. Your kids’ lives will be 100 times harder. You can thank powerful fossil fuel companies and their political stooges.
We can help. But help us. It begins with your vote.
Love,
America
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
you are a victim of climate change. Your kids’ lives will be 100 times harder. You can thank powerful fossil fuel companies and their political stooges.
We can help. But help us. It begins with your vote.
Love,
America
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
At least 21 people reportedly killed after storms hit US south and midwest
Region also saw several evacuations amid severe rains, flooding rivers and tornadoes
www.theguardian.com
April 7, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Dear flood victim,
you are a victim of climate change. Your kids’ lives will be 100 times harder. You can thank powerful fossil fuel companies and their political stooges.
We can help. But help us. It begins with your vote.
Love,
America
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
you are a victim of climate change. Your kids’ lives will be 100 times harder. You can thank powerful fossil fuel companies and their political stooges.
We can help. But help us. It begins with your vote.
Love,
America
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Dear soon-to-be flood victim,
Here comes climate change. The real shit. Your wealth—all of it—may be wiped out. Thank powerful fossil fuel companies and their political stooges.
We can help. But help us. It begins with your vote.
Love,
America
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Here comes climate change. The real shit. Your wealth—all of it—may be wiped out. Thank powerful fossil fuel companies and their political stooges.
We can help. But help us. It begins with your vote.
Love,
America
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US prepares for deadly floods with many National Weather Service offices understaffed
Dangerous weather comes after Trump administration job cuts left nearly half of offices with 20% vacancy rates
www.theguardian.com
April 5, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Dear soon-to-be flood victim,
Here comes climate change. The real shit. Your wealth—all of it—may be wiped out. Thank powerful fossil fuel companies and their political stooges.
We can help. But help us. It begins with your vote.
Love,
America
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Here comes climate change. The real shit. Your wealth—all of it—may be wiped out. Thank powerful fossil fuel companies and their political stooges.
We can help. But help us. It begins with your vote.
Love,
America
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump won America’s 444 most farming-dependent counties by 77% on average.
Trump was clear about wanting a trade war.
How are we supposed to feel about all of this complaining from farmers now?
If there’s a farmer reading this, help me understand wtf.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/b...
Trump was clear about wanting a trade war.
How are we supposed to feel about all of this complaining from farmers now?
If there’s a farmer reading this, help me understand wtf.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/b...
U.S. Farmers Brace for Losses in New Trade War With China
China is the third-biggest buyer of U.S. agricultural products. Now that it has punched back with tariffs on American goods, farmers can expect to feel the pain.
www.nytimes.com
April 5, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Trump won America’s 444 most farming-dependent counties by 77% on average.
Trump was clear about wanting a trade war.
How are we supposed to feel about all of this complaining from farmers now?
If there’s a farmer reading this, help me understand wtf.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/b...
Trump was clear about wanting a trade war.
How are we supposed to feel about all of this complaining from farmers now?
If there’s a farmer reading this, help me understand wtf.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/b...
Dear property owners living in the path of these so-called kitty-cats. Your property—your personal wealth—is being blown, washed, or burnt away because of climate change. We can address this. But it has to start with you and your vote.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Severe storms and tornadoes rip across US south and midwest, killing at least seven
White House approves Tennessee’s state of emergency request as further fatalities expected to be confirmed
www.theguardian.com
April 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Dear property owners living in the path of these so-called kitty-cats. Your property—your personal wealth—is being blown, washed, or burnt away because of climate change. We can address this. But it has to start with you and your vote.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
climate change is making an increasing amount of property uninsurable. Uninsurable property can’t be used as collateral. Result: property disappears from credit markets.
Small property owners see their personal wealth vaporized.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Small property owners see their personal wealth vaporized.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Climate crisis on track to destroy capitalism, warns top insurer
Action urgently needed to save the conditions under which markets – and civilisation itself – can operate, says senior Allianz figure
www.theguardian.com
April 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
climate change is making an increasing amount of property uninsurable. Uninsurable property can’t be used as collateral. Result: property disappears from credit markets.
Small property owners see their personal wealth vaporized.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Small property owners see their personal wealth vaporized.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Barbara Jordon. She really towered above the rest of them. Love the part beginning at 11:40: “a president is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution”. Quoting Madison, but doubt he said it this well.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=UG6x...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=UG6x...
B Jordan impeachment speech
YouTube video by Ronald Penny
m.youtube.com
April 2, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Barbara Jordon. She really towered above the rest of them. Love the part beginning at 11:40: “a president is impeachable if he attempts to subvert the Constitution”. Quoting Madison, but doubt he said it this well.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=UG6x...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=UG6x...
They say “terrorism,” we say, “not guilty” www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...
Las Vegas police arrest suspect in Tesla arson attack
Paul Hyon Kim allegedly set vehicles ablaze in latest attack on Tesla amid protests over Elon Musk-led budget cuts
www.theguardian.com
March 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM
They say “terrorism,” we say, “not guilty” www.theguardian.com/global/2025/...
Speaking as an alum, if Columbia doesn’t get up off its knees, I don’t see how I’m going to be able to respect it ever again. Right now, what they’re teaching is something I don’t want taught: Cowardice, subservience, and how to live with no moral purpose.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
Columbia University’s President, Katrina Armstrong, Resigns
Katrina Armstrong is leaving the post a week after the university agreed to a list of demands from the White House.
www.nytimes.com
March 29, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Speaking as an alum, if Columbia doesn’t get up off its knees, I don’t see how I’m going to be able to respect it ever again. Right now, what they’re teaching is something I don’t want taught: Cowardice, subservience, and how to live with no moral purpose.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
Law firms that cave to trump must take their place on the shameful list of collaborators.
Paul Weiss
Skadden Arps
I wouldn’t hire you to contest a parking ticket. No self-respecting lawyer should want their name associated with yours. Ever.
Paul Weiss
Skadden Arps
I wouldn’t hire you to contest a parking ticket. No self-respecting lawyer should want their name associated with yours. Ever.
March 29, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Law firms that cave to trump must take their place on the shameful list of collaborators.
Paul Weiss
Skadden Arps
I wouldn’t hire you to contest a parking ticket. No self-respecting lawyer should want their name associated with yours. Ever.
Paul Weiss
Skadden Arps
I wouldn’t hire you to contest a parking ticket. No self-respecting lawyer should want their name associated with yours. Ever.
Dear Denmark: I apologize for the slanderous comments made by the assclown Vance in Greenland. There are still sane people in the US who are grateful and proud to consider you an ally.
March 29, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Dear Denmark: I apologize for the slanderous comments made by the assclown Vance in Greenland. There are still sane people in the US who are grateful and proud to consider you an ally.
Sounds like a rational, intelligent, measured leader. Can I have one of those, please? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
End of an era for Canada-US ties, says Carney, as allies worldwide decry Trump’s car tariffs
Canadian PM says Donald Trump has permanently altered relations, as countries around the globe insist import taxes are harmful to all, including Washington
www.theguardian.com
March 28, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Sounds like a rational, intelligent, measured leader. Can I have one of those, please? www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
I just published the third post in a short series on the history of political influence buying in the United States. This is an incredibly hard problem to solve, so a correct diagnosis is critical. And understanding the history is a step toward that.
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
Mating rituals of oligarchs and politicians, a history (part 3)
This is the third post in a series on the history of political influence-buying in the United States.
open.substack.com
March 27, 2025 at 4:01 AM
I just published the third post in a short series on the history of political influence buying in the United States. This is an incredibly hard problem to solve, so a correct diagnosis is critical. And understanding the history is a step toward that.
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
open.substack.com/pub/thedisso...
We need a citizens’ war room with one task: any time there is a climate-change related disaster, blanket social media with one message: this is the fault of fossil fuel companies and their political lackeys. And they should pay for the damage caused. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Wildfires threaten North Carolina and South Carolina areas still recovering from hurricane
Fires fueled by wind and trees downed by Hurricane Helene, which struck in September, creating ‘ongoing crisis’
www.theguardian.com
March 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
We need a citizens’ war room with one task: any time there is a climate-change related disaster, blanket social media with one message: this is the fault of fossil fuel companies and their political lackeys. And they should pay for the damage caused. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...