Dick Polman
@dickpolman.bsky.social
I teach journalism at UPenn. I’ve been a journo since 1973, including 28 yrs at the Phila Inquirer. I write at dickpolman.substack.com and I’m archived at dickpolman.net
Trying to sustain equilibrium in a land turned upside down.
Trying to sustain equilibrium in a land turned upside down.
Reposted by Dick Polman
The exit of more than a dozen staffers follows turmoil at Heritage and the larger conservative movement over the role of right-wing influencers who've promoted antisemitic and other extremist ideas. n.pr/4qeX9Te
A rift in MAGA has top Heritage Foundation officials leaving to join with Mike Pence
The exit of more than a dozen staffers follows turmoil at Heritage and the larger conservative movement over the role of right-wing influencers who've promoted antisemitic and other extremist ideas.
n.pr
December 22, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The exit of more than a dozen staffers follows turmoil at Heritage and the larger conservative movement over the role of right-wing influencers who've promoted antisemitic and other extremist ideas. n.pr/4qeX9Te
Reposted by Dick Polman
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
Reposted by Dick Polman
Why did CBS delete this promo and cancel this from airing in full?
December 22, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Why did CBS delete this promo and cancel this from airing in full?
And math teachers are going, “Why should we bother?”
FOX: If you cut something by 100%, the cost goes down to 0. If you cut it by 600%, the drug companies are actually paying you
LUTNICK: What he's saying is if a drug was $100 and you bring it down to $13, it's down 7 times
F: Not a 600% cut
L: But it's 700% higher price before. It's down 700% now
LUTNICK: What he's saying is if a drug was $100 and you bring it down to $13, it's down 7 times
F: Not a 600% cut
L: But it's 700% higher price before. It's down 700% now
December 19, 2025 at 9:59 PM
And math teachers are going, “Why should we bother?”
Trump said last night that he has forced pharmaceutical firms “to slash prices on drugs…by as much as 400, 500 and even 600 percent.”
Which means that not only are drugs now free (100 percent reduction), but the companies are paying US when we pick up prescriptions.
Can’t wait! Are they on Venmo?
Which means that not only are drugs now free (100 percent reduction), but the companies are paying US when we pick up prescriptions.
Can’t wait! Are they on Venmo?
December 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Trump said last night that he has forced pharmaceutical firms “to slash prices on drugs…by as much as 400, 500 and even 600 percent.”
Which means that not only are drugs now free (100 percent reduction), but the companies are paying US when we pick up prescriptions.
Can’t wait! Are they on Venmo?
Which means that not only are drugs now free (100 percent reduction), but the companies are paying US when we pick up prescriptions.
Can’t wait! Are they on Venmo?
Next on Capitol Hill...
"Speaker Johnson, what's your reaction to your president's post about Rob Reiner?"
"I haven't seen it."
"He said Reiner 'passed away' from his anger at Trump."
"I'm deaf in both ears, so I can't hear you."
"We can show it to you."
"I'm blind in both eyes, so I can't read it."
"Speaker Johnson, what's your reaction to your president's post about Rob Reiner?"
"I haven't seen it."
"He said Reiner 'passed away' from his anger at Trump."
"I'm deaf in both ears, so I can't hear you."
"We can show it to you."
"I'm blind in both eyes, so I can't read it."
December 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Next on Capitol Hill...
"Speaker Johnson, what's your reaction to your president's post about Rob Reiner?"
"I haven't seen it."
"He said Reiner 'passed away' from his anger at Trump."
"I'm deaf in both ears, so I can't hear you."
"We can show it to you."
"I'm blind in both eyes, so I can't read it."
"Speaker Johnson, what's your reaction to your president's post about Rob Reiner?"
"I haven't seen it."
"He said Reiner 'passed away' from his anger at Trump."
"I'm deaf in both ears, so I can't hear you."
"We can show it to you."
"I'm blind in both eyes, so I can't read it."
Reposted by Dick Polman
👇
December 14, 2025 at 6:55 PM
👇
My latest, on a noteworthy anniversary.
25 years ago today, Al Gore didn't yell "RIGGED!" Instead, "I offer my concession."
Happy anniversary to the way things used to be in the country we used to be.
dickpolman.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
My latest, on a noteworthy anniversary.
Reposted by Dick Polman
As a GOP activist, Harmeet Dhillon frequently insisted that the federal government has “little to say” about how states run their elections. Now, as head of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), she claims the feds have “sweeping” authority to seize state voter rolls.
Harmeet Dhillon Was an Outspoken Advocate for the Right of States to Run Elections. Then She Took a Top Job at Trump’s DOJ
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:13 PM
As a GOP activist, Harmeet Dhillon frequently insisted that the federal government has “little to say” about how states run their elections. Now, as head of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), she claims the feds have “sweeping” authority to seize state voter rolls.
Reposted by Dick Polman
This AP story will be in about 100 papers tomorrow. He did the racist "they're coming in caravans to rape our wives" routine in his first midterm, Dems netted 41 House seats
December 10, 2025 at 3:26 AM
This AP story will be in about 100 papers tomorrow. He did the racist "they're coming in caravans to rape our wives" routine in his first midterm, Dems netted 41 House seats
Reposted by Dick Polman
If a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a cause that is right and moral, then it’s not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power. - Dwight Eisenhower
December 8, 2025 at 11:37 PM
If a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a cause that is right and moral, then it’s not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power. - Dwight Eisenhower
“Living is easy with eyes closed / Misunderstanding all you see…”
-John Lennon
-John Lennon
December 3, 2025 at 6:38 PM
“Living is easy with eyes closed / Misunderstanding all you see…”
-John Lennon
-John Lennon
Man. Man. Camera. Incompetent. Incompetent.
Aced it!
Aced it!
Trump on Tim Walz: "I think the man is a grossly incompetent man. I thought that from the day I watched JD destroy him in the debate. I was saying, 'Who's more incompetent, that man or my man?' I had a man and he had a man. They were both incompetent."
December 3, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Man. Man. Camera. Incompetent. Incompetent.
Aced it!
Aced it!
Who could have possibly imagined that a convicted criminal, if elected, would trigger a national and international crime spree?
Not 77 million voters, apparently.
Makes ya proud to be an American.
Not 77 million voters, apparently.
Makes ya proud to be an American.
December 2, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Who could have possibly imagined that a convicted criminal, if elected, would trigger a national and international crime spree?
Not 77 million voters, apparently.
Makes ya proud to be an American.
Not 77 million voters, apparently.
Makes ya proud to be an American.
Reposted by Dick Polman
Sen. Kelly: “This is about a president who doesn't want anybody to say anything that he does not like. I don't think he understands the Constitution. I think he is ignorant to the Constitution and the rule of law…This isn't about me. This is about what he will do next.”
December 1, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Sen. Kelly: “This is about a president who doesn't want anybody to say anything that he does not like. I don't think he understands the Constitution. I think he is ignorant to the Constitution and the rule of law…This isn't about me. This is about what he will do next.”
Reposted by Dick Polman
No child should go hungry simply because their parents are immigrants. As mayor, I’ll join @newyorkstateag.bsky.social in using every lever of government for the families who fear if they can afford tomorrow’s meals.
November 30, 2025 at 10:02 PM
No child should go hungry simply because their parents are immigrants. As mayor, I’ll join @newyorkstateag.bsky.social in using every lever of government for the families who fear if they can afford tomorrow’s meals.
The voice in Trump’s teeth have told him that blowing up shipwreck survivors will clinch him the Nobel Peace Prize.
December 1, 2025 at 8:54 PM
The voice in Trump’s teeth have told him that blowing up shipwreck survivors will clinch him the Nobel Peace Prize.
My latest. And believe it or not, the most apt quote comes from Groucho Marx.
Sarah Beckstrom died for Trump's optics, a casualty of his vainglorious foolery
Her blood is on his hands. As if he cares.
open.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM
My latest. And believe it or not, the most apt quote comes from Groucho Marx.
Reposted by Dick Polman
Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Sec. 18.3.2.1 states the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders.
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
December 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Department of Defense Law of War Manual, Sec. 18.3.2.1 states the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders.
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
What’s its key example? Wait for it . . . It’s "orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Reposted by Dick Polman
Let's not confuse the people giving the stupid orders with the people who have to deal with following them, who are often good and decent people.
Apparently she offered to cover other people's shifts so they could go home to their families for the holiday.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/u...
Two National Guard members were tasked with serving the nation. One is dead as the other fights for his life after shooting | CNN
On a day when many families gather across the country to give thanks, a National Guard member’s family is mourning her death after an ambush-style shooting in Washington, DC, as her colleague fights f...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Let's not confuse the people giving the stupid orders with the people who have to deal with following them, who are often good and decent people.
Reposted by Dick Polman
Our convicted felon president, who pardoned Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspiracy, wants to charge Mark Kelly, a decorated war veteran and astronaut, with seditious conspiracy.
That’s some next-level banana republic shit right there.
That’s some next-level banana republic shit right there.
November 26, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Our convicted felon president, who pardoned Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys convicted of seditious conspiracy, wants to charge Mark Kelly, a decorated war veteran and astronaut, with seditious conspiracy.
That’s some next-level banana republic shit right there.
That’s some next-level banana republic shit right there.
Reposted by Dick Polman
No matter how long I live after we get through this dark chapter, I will never get over the immorality, the amorality, the corruption, the criminality and the cruelty in service to one of the worst humans to ever walk the earth.
November 26, 2025 at 1:13 AM
No matter how long I live after we get through this dark chapter, I will never get over the immorality, the amorality, the corruption, the criminality and the cruelty in service to one of the worst humans to ever walk the earth.
My latest. Hard as it was to write this with humor, I tried.
"Quiet, Piggy!" oinked the pig who was twice hired by an electorate infested with pigs
He's the end product of a misogynist culture that gives him permission.
dickpolman.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:12 PM
My latest. Hard as it was to write this with humor, I tried.
One of these wee-hour mornings Trump will wake up during his toilet squat and realize with the full fury of a brain fart that he’s incandescently jealous of Mamdani and then hoo boy the Army and Pam Bondi will have to snap to attention.
November 22, 2025 at 10:19 PM
One of these wee-hour mornings Trump will wake up during his toilet squat and realize with the full fury of a brain fart that he’s incandescently jealous of Mamdani and then hoo boy the Army and Pam Bondi will have to snap to attention.