Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 1d

OH at a coffee shop near Georgetown, uttered unironically, on what seems to be a date: "I can't believe you were born in the 1900s."

4 8 65

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 1d

This is such a fun read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

And reminds me of my high school days running "Suicides," though I have to imagine the name has since been changed...

I tried to pass Pat Riley’s infamous conditioning test. Hint: I did not

www.nytimes.com

1 6

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 7d

Pete Hegseth gathered generals from around the globe to unveil new physical-fitness standards in a speech that felt like a TED Talk. @nancyayoussef and @Missy Ryan talked to military officers about what it all means:
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...

Hundreds of Generals Try to Keep a Straight Face

Pete Hegseth gathered commanders from around the globe to unveil new physical-fitness standards.

www.theatlantic.com

1 11 27

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 9d

6-yr-old: “Music is the key to life.”

Me: “I thought we were just talking about how reading is the key to life.”

6-yr-old: “Yeah, I know that. BUT in KPop Demon Hunters…”

3 2 21

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 13d

Having kids apparently means finding handcuffs in the silverware drawer; a single Pokeman card on every stair; and no one willing to take a bath (except under threat of no Harry Potter at bedtime).

1 24

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 20d

"It’s just autumn: The perfect time to discuss approved subjects." Always read @petridishes.bsky.social, even when she's saying nothing, nothing at all... www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...

A Beautiful Day for Saying Nothing

That chill in the air isn’t Jimmy Kimmel’s show being suspended. It’s just autumn!

www.theatlantic.com

3 12

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 22d

Worth listening to NYT's David Marchese's The Interview podcast w Cameron Crowe, just to hear Marchese float not one but three (!!!) theories directly to Crowe, on why his latest work just isn't as good. Riveting stuff.

4

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 27d

A death in the MAGA Family. @isaacstanleybecker.bsky.social + I on how Charlie Kirk became who he was, and how much he meant to the president and his inner circle. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

Charlie Kirk Built the MAGA Youth Movement

The conservative activist was one of the most influential unelected people in America.

www.theatlantic.com

1 2 7

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · 28d

Read the first excerpt of Kamala Harris's new book—"107 Days"—here in @theatlantic.com: www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

The Constant Battle

The first excerpt from 107 Days

www.theatlantic.com

2 4

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Sep 8

6-yr-old, trying to ride an electric scooter, sans hands: “Isn’t it cool and impressive when I do this?”

Me: “No! It’s unsafe is what it is.”

6-yr-old: “Is it unsafe and impressive then?”

2 11

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Sep 5

The 6-yr-old, regaling me on the rules she broke at school today: “It was weird. It didn’t even feel like I was breaking rules. It just felt like I was… free.”

3 6 80

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Aug 29

Defense Sec. Hegseth has repeatedly described his desire to create a U.S. military force focused on lethality. But the National Guard in D.C., w their wheelbarrows full of mulch, can feel more like a focus on "leafality," a former Obama/Biden aide joked. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

A Postcard From an Occupied Washington

The presence of the National Guard on the streets of D.C. has terrified some, relieved others, and left even the troops themselves confused.

www.theatlantic.com

2 13 36

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Aug 29

At 3 pm Wed., a woman was stabbed just off a busy intersection on H Street, NE. National Guard members were dining al fresco at a taqueria DIRECTLY across the street, yet the suspect got away. "So safe," a local texted us.

Our postcard from an Occupied D.C.: www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

A Postcard From an Occupied Washington

The presence of the National Guard on the streets of D.C. has terrified some, relieved others, and left even the troops themselves confused.

www.theatlantic.com

22 370 1K

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Aug 29

The sudden appearance of the National Guard in D.C. brings with it an absurdist sheen—their tasks quotidian (“beautification”), their backdrops farcical (a Dupont Circle Krispy Kreme), their very presence sitcom-esque (as if lifted from an episode of Veep). www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

A Postcard From an Occupied Washington

The presence of the National Guard on the streets of D.C. has terrified some, relieved others, and left even the troops themselves confused.

www.theatlantic.com

2 12 42

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Aug 29

The National Guard in DC often feels more notional than national, with an absurdist sheen to their very presence. But that doesn't mean it's not complicated.

A postcard from an occupied Washington, w @nancyayoussef.bsky.social: www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

A Postcard From an Occupied Washington

The presence of the National Guard on the streets of D.C. has terrified some, relieved others, and left even the troops themselves confused.

www.theatlantic.com

1 8

Reposted by Ashley Parker

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Aug 29

Even the men and women of the National Guard seem flummoxed, at times, over what exactly they are supposed to be doing in the nation’s capital, @ashleyrparker.bsky.social and @nancyayoussef.bsky.social write.

A Postcard From an Occupied Washington

The presence of the National Guard on the streets of D.C. has terrified some, relieved others, and left even the troops themselves confused.

bit.ly

6 21 79

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Aug 29

My 2-year-old is mainly an adorable dictator. But at least once a day, she leans close to me and whispers, "Mommy, you're funny." And I forgive everything.

3 2 81

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Aug 26

Fun talking to Stinson Carter of Esquire (who I first met when he was bartending at the Chateau Marmont) about my now 10+ (!) years covering Donald Trump, in some capacity. www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a6...

I’ve Reported on Trump for a Decade. Here’s How I Cover Someone Who Doesn’t Trust the Press.

I never know what’s going to happen in his White House, but it’s always a show.

www.esquire.com

3 9

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Jul 28

Jasmine Crockett gets the @elainegodfrey.bsky.social treatment: www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

A Democrat for the Trump Era

Jasmine Crockett is testing out the coarse style of politics that the GOP has embraced.

www.theatlantic.com

14 46 240

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Jul 25

My 6-year-old takes a school bus about an hour to camp each day. And I have just learned that a poor bus wrangler has an official Vomit Bucket to deal with all the inevitable puke each day. #hero 🤢

15

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Jul 24

NEW: Tension at the NGA. Dem governors are frustrated w what they view as the group’s silence in the Trump era—and two governors (Walz and Kelly) are about to step back and stop paying dues. W @michaelscherer.bsky.social: www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

A Bipartisan Governors’ Group Is Splintering in the Trump Era

Two Democratic governors are stepping back from the NGA over what they see as a tepid response to the president.

www.theatlantic.com

1 7 19

Reposted by Ashley Parker

Michael Scherer @michaelscherer.bsky.social · Jul 24

Scoop: Minnesota Gov Tim Walz and Kansas Gov Laura Kelly are dropping membership of National Governors Association over frustrations with how the group has responded to Trump, other concerns. W/ @ashleyrparker.bsky.social www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

A Bipartisan Governors’ Group Is Splintering in the Trump Era

Two Democratic governors are stepping back from the NGA over what they see as a tepid response to the president.

www.theatlantic.com

1 7 14

Ashley Parker @ashleyrparker.bsky.social · Jul 23

My husband: “Stop squirming. Stop dancing. Sit on your bottom. Eat your dinner.”

6-year-old: “I get that compliment ALL the time!”

15

Reposted by Ashley Parker

Dave Jorgenson @davejorgenson.bsky.social · Jul 22

Dear Jeff Bezos …

67 520 3.3K

Reposted by Ashley Parker

The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jul 21

As the Jeffrey Epstein story persists despite his efforts, Trump has felt deeply betrayed by his base and raged against MAGA influencers whom he believes have grown famous off their association with him, @ashleyrparker.bsky.social and @jonlemire.bsky.social report:

Inside Trump’s Unsuccessful Attempt to End the Epstein News

The president was adamant about doing nothing. But the story wouldn't go away.

bit.ly

12 35 140