cylindr magazine
@cylindrmag.bsky.social
The online magazine & meetinghouse for democracy, human rights, and rule of law (cylindrmag.substack.com)
LinkedIn and IG @cylindrmag
LinkedIn and IG @cylindrmag
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D.B.A.
The Evolution of David Brooks Arnold
open.substack.com
From child piano prodigy to Foreign Service Officer, Vietnam whistleblower, refugee repatriator, husband, father, gay lover, and AIDS activist, DBA traces the life arc of an extraordinary man through some of the most transformative times in modern American history.
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
It really is that simple.
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:13 PM
It really is that simple.
Perhaps Trump should have gotten them on board first? Also this is such a stupid idea and expensive
January 9, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Commissioned by NPR in December in partnership with Ipsos, the share of people who believe the U.S. is a moral leader dropped to 39% from 60% in a similar poll conducted in 2017. n.pr/3Z3IbnD
Many Americans say the U.S. is not a moral leader but want it to be: NPR/Ipsos poll
Commissioned by NPR in December in partnership with Ipsos, the share of people who believe the U.S. is a moral leader dropped to 39% from 60% in a similar poll conducted in 2017.
n.pr
January 9, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Asked if there any limits on his global powers, Trump tells @nytimes.com "Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” He adds, “I don’t need international law.” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:53 PM
In Venezuela, @markhertling.bsky.social will be looking out for "some type of plan." Because we sure don't have one yet. Hertling talks that and more with @samsteindc.bsky.social:
January 8, 2026 at 5:43 PM
The Trump Regime Smear Machine is now a taxpayer funded venture that smears victims of state violence by justifying their killing. This should be familiar, it is a common practice in the aftermath of police shootings of black people (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 8, 2026 at 5:42 PM
“The thing to know about Donald Trump is that he doesn’t give a shit.”
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
Past Is Prologue Is Present
January 6 keeps coming.
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:42 AM
“The thing to know about Donald Trump is that he doesn’t give a shit.”
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
January 6, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Trump’s invasion of Venezuela is many things, a few of them good and many bad, with most of the latter yet to be realized. One of the main things it is: Yet more attempted conditioning of the American people and the world for American autocracy.
January 3, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Trump’s invasion of Venezuela is many things, a few of them good and many bad, with most of the latter yet to be realized. One of the main things it is: Yet more attempted conditioning of the American people and the world for American autocracy.
Happy to share cylindr’s year-end review of its work since formally launching in Septmember, and its resolutions for what will be a pivotal 2026 for democracy, human rights, and a just rule of law. Deep thanks to our subscribers!
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cylindrmag.substack.com
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cylindrmag.substack.com
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Review '25 / Resolutions '26
'Tis the season for fightin' some treason.
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Happy to share cylindr’s year-end review of its work since formally launching in Septmember, and its resolutions for what will be a pivotal 2026 for democracy, human rights, and a just rule of law. Deep thanks to our subscribers!
Subscribe
cylindrmag.substack.com
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
Subscribe
cylindrmag.substack.com
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
December 30, 2025 at 2:53 AM
“Justice Defenders.” Ginna Anderson and Lana Baydas on their work supporting human rights defenders worldwide. Rule of Law Defenders podcast. #TreatPeopleRight
Listen in and subscribe!
cylindrmag.substack.com/p/justice-de...
Listen in and subscribe!
cylindrmag.substack.com/p/justice-de...
December 27, 2025 at 6:27 PM
“Justice Defenders.” Ginna Anderson and Lana Baydas on their work supporting human rights defenders worldwide. Rule of Law Defenders podcast. #TreatPeopleRight
Listen in and subscribe!
cylindrmag.substack.com/p/justice-de...
Listen in and subscribe!
cylindrmag.substack.com/p/justice-de...
BREAKING: it is a gross violation of the 1st Amend. for State to target @imranahmed.bsky.social because of his & @counterhate.com fighting antisemitism & protecting kids in the digital sphere
That's why we @democracydefendersfund.org joined w/ @robbiekaplan.bsky.social &
an all-star team to sue!
That's why we @democracydefendersfund.org joined w/ @robbiekaplan.bsky.social &
an all-star team to sue!
Statement on the unconstitutional attempt to arrest and expel Imran Ahmed from the United States — Center for Countering Digital Hate | CCDH
Statement on CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed's unlawful deportation.
counterhate.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Supreme Court bars Trump from deploying National Guard troops in the Chicago area over the objection of Illinois officials, signaling that the justices are likely to immediately block similar deployments in other American cities. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
Trump Administration Live Updates: Borrowers in Default on Student Loans Could Have Wages Garnished Starting in January
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
BREAKING: The Supreme Court upholds a lower court block on Trump’s attempt to send the National Guard to Chicago, ruling the president unlawfully used an archaic statute to federalize hundreds of state troops.
Supreme Court Upholds Block to Trump’s Chicago Military Takeover
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
NEW PODCAST EPISODE (Free)
Rule of Law Defenders
“Faith and Power”
Marc Hawk, law student and community advocate, on his evolving path to leadership.
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
Rule of Law Defenders
“Faith and Power”
Marc Hawk, law student and community advocate, on his evolving path to leadership.
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
December 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM
NEW PODCAST EPISODE (Free)
Rule of Law Defenders
“Faith and Power”
Marc Hawk, law student and community advocate, on his evolving path to leadership.
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
Rule of Law Defenders
“Faith and Power”
Marc Hawk, law student and community advocate, on his evolving path to leadership.
open.substack.com/pub/cylindrm...
“.. When Trump realized he was in danger of losing his own conservative allies on the [Supreme] court, he lashed out in a series of social media posts, condemning those who questioned his authority.”
@thehill.com #IEEPA
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
@thehill.com #IEEPA
thehill.com/opinion/cong...
December 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
This is Trump’s peculiar genius. He gets virtually everything he wants by simply speaking it into being. Which, in turn, to him, renders it ‘legitimate.’
It all might make more sense if he actually were drinking. But Trump, with his "alcoholic's personality," seems even less inhibited in a way that has many in Washington shaking their heads and wondering if the leader of the free world has lost it. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
Shouting, Ranting, Insulting: Trump’s Uninhibited Second Term
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:07 PM
This is Trump’s peculiar genius. He gets virtually everything he wants by simply speaking it into being. Which, in turn, to him, renders it ‘legitimate.’
I also have been assuming that the primary purpose of this conflict is domestic
I keep saying this but no one is connecting the dots. The war is to satisfy legal preconditions for mass removal *domestically* of Latinos (i.e., suddenly a lot of people are going to be “Venezuelan” for purposes of removal). This is 100% Stephen Miller…oil claim is to make grandpa go along
December 19, 2025 at 12:59 PM
A state service branded to the leader is a hallmark of personalist governance. Benefits appear to flow from Trump, not the institution. Citizens are repositioned as clients. Well-being becomes linked to political allegiance. The Constitution recedes, and Trump becomes the perceived gatekeeper.
December 19, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Ask not how Trump got to be such an obvious, insufferable, criminal fraud. Ask how he got elected once, never mind twice. #JFK #KennedyCenter
December 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Ask not how Trump got to be such an obvious, insufferable, criminal fraud. Ask how he got elected once, never mind twice. #JFK #KennedyCenter
The #banalityofevil in a nutshell.
Susie Wiles tells Chris Whipple that she had a "loose agreement" with Trump to end the "score settling" after 90 days, but acknowledges that prosecutions of his enemies has been driven in part by the president's desire for retribution. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Trump’s Top Aide Acknowledges ‘Score Settling’ Behind Prosecutions
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The #banalityofevil in a nutshell.
The #banalityofevil in a nutshell.
The banality of evil in a nutshell.
December 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The #banalityofevil in a nutshell.
On December 13, Belarusian authorities released 123 prisoners following US-led negotiations.
Their release brings relief, but more than 1,100 individuals remain behind bars for no more than peacefully exercising their rights.
Their release brings relief, but more than 1,100 individuals remain behind bars for no more than peacefully exercising their rights.
More than 1,000 Belarusians Remain in Prison for Exercising Their Rights
On December 13, Belarusian authorities released 123 prisoners following negotiations led by the US administration. Most of those released had been prosecuted and imprisoned for the peaceful exercise o...
www.hrw.org
December 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM