Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · 2d

Here's my radical note to bureaucracies providing something of value (e.g., healthcare, insurance, finance). Please test the efficacy of your client communication. Do people understand the information? Do they read it all? Does it avoid useless jargon and prevent error? If not, who are you serving?

‘Acting like jack booted thugs’: Gov. JB Pritzker slams Trump’s Chicago military deployment

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · 8d

I once lived in Chicago. The Governor makes me want to go back.
youtu.be/MeevKgaYAjI?...

Opinion | The Comey Indictment Plunges the Country Into a Grave New Period

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · 10d

If America really does come to an end, this will be a key chapter in the official history.

[gift link] www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/o...

Amazon to Pay $2.5 Billion to Settle Claims It Tricked Prime Customers

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · 12d

Wait. So Amazon has to pay $2.5B for using misleading info to entice customers into signing up for something online, and then making it difficult or confusing to cancel it? Um, hello, most other online businesses... and newspapers!

[gift link] www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/t...

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · 13d

Seeing Bill & Ted's Excellent Beckett this evening.

'Unconscionably irreconcilable': Justice Sotomayor RIPS colleagues in fiery dissent

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · 27d

youtu.be/41EJLucJX-E?...

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Sep 5

I'll promise to stop posting snarky criticisms of his ignorant behavior if he'll name me Ambassador to New Zealand. Or Norway. Yeah, I'd also take Norway.

When people say crime is a big problem, are they really talking about crime?

Reposted by Jeffrey Butts

John Roman @johnkroman.bsky.social · Sep 2

Polls show most Americans think crime is rising because 'crime' is a catch-all term. But, there are dozens of evidence-based ways to reduce disorder and fight crime, and many of the most effective approaches do not involve the police. open.substack.com/pub/johnkrom...

Sometimes, but not always

open.substack.com

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Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Sep 2

The problem isn't RTM data. It's what communities do with RTM data. How about using it to strengthen employment support, housing supply, food access, and school quality? If the answer is always stronger, faster policing, RTM is just a quick way to replicate essential flaws of U.S. justice policy.

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Sep 2

Amusing to hear journalists and pundits confused by the GOP abandoning "principles" like local control and "States' Rights." What? You believed those were principles? You thought the GOP based its arguments and political strategies on principles?

'You talk tough and you ridicule them': Philadelphia DA explains how he plans to fight Trump

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Aug 29

Exactly

youtu.be/CE_0jr62YqY?...

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Aug 25

I just watched the whole statement. Makes me want to move back to Chicago.

Video shows Department of Justice official urging Jan. 6 rioters to 'kill' cops

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Aug 21

Can't believe at my age that I would excitedly call out to my wife, "oooh, there's a new South Park episode!"

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Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Aug 9

At my age, waking up at 5 a.m. is routine. Maybe your conference was organized by old, er, I mean, "senior" scholars.

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Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Aug 7

A Department of Justice spokesperson said in a statement, "Jared Wise is a valued member of the Justice Department and we appreciate his contributions to our team."

www.npr.org/2025/08/07/n...

The Department of Justice hired a former Jan. 6 defendant who was caught on tape urging rioters to "kill" police. The department calls him a "valued member" of the administration.

www.npr.org

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Aug 5

youtu.be/VQbDgOaOh4c?...

Maddow: U.S. profoundly changed by authoritarian leader; 'We're beyond waiting and seeing now'

Trump’s Efforts to Control Information Echo an Authoritarian Playbook

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Aug 3

Our only hope is that the U.S. hangs on until the 2026 midterm elections, and the nation's most gullible voters realize all the faux-patriotic stuff Republicans have been telling them since Nixon and Reagan has been utter bullshit.

www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...

Economy Updates: After a Weak Jobs Report, Trump Fires That Agency’s Commissioner

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Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Aug 2

So, when BJS and the FBI report falling crime numbers, does Trump fire them for reducing the political salience of the crime issue?

(Gift link) www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07...

Assistant Professor, Sociology and Criminology - Gonzaga Main Campus, Washington, United States

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Reposted by Jeffrey Butts

Mike DeLand @mfdeland.bsky.social · Jul 30

The sociology & criminology dept at gonzaga is hiring! We're searching for somebody with a focus on criminology, law, or social control (broadly conceived).

We're a liberal arts teaching university. Very collegial department. Spread the word to interested folks. I'm happy to answer questions!

Title: Assistant Professor, Sociology and Criminology Area: College of Arts and Sciences Department: Sociology and Criminology Telework Availability: On-campus Position Employee Classification: Tenure...

employment.gonzaga.edu

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Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Jul 29

Well, we have to trust his judgment on questions of science, right? I mean, his uncle used to teach at MIT.

www.politico.com/news/2025/07...

Trump administration moves to repeal climate ‘holy grail’

The repeal of the finding on the dangers greenhouse gases pose to human health and welfare will face fierce legal challenges.

www.politico.com

Jeffrey Butts @jeffreybutts.bsky.social · Jul 28

I live near Lincoln Center, where this event will be held on Sept 4. I look forward to seeing the protests and demonstrations that I assume are being planned now.

Jacob Rosenberg @jacobrosenberg.bsky.social · Jul 28

👍 www.thefp.com/p/amy-coney-...