@shawnkevin.bsky.social
B.A. English, University of Texas San Antonio 1992
J.D. University of Texas School of Law 1996
Don't DM me if you don't know me.
J.D. University of Texas School of Law 1996
Don't DM me if you don't know me.
Not a fan of term limits, except for SCOTUS justices, but I favor other reforms, e.g. more house districts, ranked-choice in all races, abolish the electoral college, legislation to overturn Citizens United. Those ain't popular with those in power, either.
November 11, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Not a fan of term limits, except for SCOTUS justices, but I favor other reforms, e.g. more house districts, ranked-choice in all races, abolish the electoral college, legislation to overturn Citizens United. Those ain't popular with those in power, either.
Better than Collins, but not who I would vote for if I could vote in Maine.
I've got two good choices down here: Talarico and Allred.
We need a Dem senate and it needs to be a new generation.
I've got two good choices down here: Talarico and Allred.
We need a Dem senate and it needs to be a new generation.
November 11, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Better than Collins, but not who I would vote for if I could vote in Maine.
I've got two good choices down here: Talarico and Allred.
We need a Dem senate and it needs to be a new generation.
I've got two good choices down here: Talarico and Allred.
We need a Dem senate and it needs to be a new generation.
I assume you support her because you believe she'll change the senate? Fair enough. I don't think her experience and age give her credibility as a reformer, especially radical reform. We don't need to argue that, as our subjective opinions can't be proven without more evidence.
Best wishes, Maine.
Best wishes, Maine.
November 11, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I assume you support her because you believe she'll change the senate? Fair enough. I don't think her experience and age give her credibility as a reformer, especially radical reform. We don't need to argue that, as our subjective opinions can't be proven without more evidence.
Best wishes, Maine.
Best wishes, Maine.
And you want to keep it that way?
Or was it your intention to be enigmatic?
Or was it your intention to be enigmatic?
November 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
And you want to keep it that way?
Or was it your intention to be enigmatic?
Or was it your intention to be enigmatic?
No, it's a place where reform ideas go to die at the hands of "safe" experienced moderate centrist establishment politicians like Chuck Schumer.
November 11, 2025 at 10:28 PM
No, it's a place where reform ideas go to die at the hands of "safe" experienced moderate centrist establishment politicians like Chuck Schumer.
*If* this vote happens, I have to wonder if they realize their Caesar has become a millstone around their necks and this is the equivalent of stabbing him to death in the senate. The outrage from even his base will finally give them the cover to impeach.
November 11, 2025 at 9:55 PM
*If* this vote happens, I have to wonder if they realize their Caesar has become a millstone around their necks and this is the equivalent of stabbing him to death in the senate. The outrage from even his base will finally give them the cover to impeach.
Also Larson's In the Garden of Beasts, anything by Arendt, Karl Popper, Vonnegut, Orwell, Brave New World, Stanislaw Lem...too many billionaire tech-bros have become the evil geniuses in the dystopian sci-fi they say inspired them.
And every day I'm reminded of Cipolla's Five Laws of Stupidity.
And every day I'm reminded of Cipolla's Five Laws of Stupidity.
November 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Also Larson's In the Garden of Beasts, anything by Arendt, Karl Popper, Vonnegut, Orwell, Brave New World, Stanislaw Lem...too many billionaire tech-bros have become the evil geniuses in the dystopian sci-fi they say inspired them.
And every day I'm reminded of Cipolla's Five Laws of Stupidity.
And every day I'm reminded of Cipolla's Five Laws of Stupidity.
My undergrad degree is in English with a minor in Philosophy, yet I was routinely surprised at how little history a former colleague with a history degree knew. When I would compare MAGA and Germany in the late-20s to early 30s, it was new information to him. Shirer ought to be required reading.
November 11, 2025 at 4:04 PM
My undergrad degree is in English with a minor in Philosophy, yet I was routinely surprised at how little history a former colleague with a history degree knew. When I would compare MAGA and Germany in the late-20s to early 30s, it was new information to him. Shirer ought to be required reading.
If y'all don't know who they're covering, it's the East Bay legends, the Tower of Power. You gotta hear them do the original for their legendary horn section.
November 11, 2025 at 1:08 AM
If y'all don't know who they're covering, it's the East Bay legends, the Tower of Power. You gotta hear them do the original for their legendary horn section.
Rocco Prestia was the bassist for Tower of Power, and this bass line is famous, or notorious, for all those sixteenth notes and his fingerstyle funk.
Juna rips it, too.
Juna rips it, too.
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Rocco Prestia was the bassist for Tower of Power, and this bass line is famous, or notorious, for all those sixteenth notes and his fingerstyle funk.
Juna rips it, too.
Juna rips it, too.
Then you might like this, too.
What is hip ? (cover ) - TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI
YouTube video by Juna Serita
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Then you might like this, too.
You're right, 2 from Bush, 3 from Trump.
I wish we could edit posts on this platform.
I wish we could edit posts on this platform.
November 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
You're right, 2 from Bush, 3 from Trump.
I wish we could edit posts on this platform.
I wish we could edit posts on this platform.
Yes, discussed below...or above...I'm a bit disoriented...
November 9, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Yes, discussed below...or above...I'm a bit disoriented...
Exactly, eliminating the need for independent redistricting commissions.
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Exactly, eliminating the need for independent redistricting commissions.
I agree. I was a big proponent of packing before I heard Allen's idea.
My concern with packing is the possibility of an escalating arms race as power switches from election to election.
We need a trustworthy and competent SCOTUS, but we also need stare decisis.
My concern with packing is the possibility of an escalating arms race as power switches from election to election.
We need a trustworthy and competent SCOTUS, but we also need stare decisis.
November 8, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I agree. I was a big proponent of packing before I heard Allen's idea.
My concern with packing is the possibility of an escalating arms race as power switches from election to election.
We need a trustworthy and competent SCOTUS, but we also need stare decisis.
My concern with packing is the possibility of an escalating arms race as power switches from election to election.
We need a trustworthy and competent SCOTUS, but we also need stare decisis.
If we increase the number of house districts so we have more proportional representation in congress, maybe the reform amendments we need become realistically possible.
Abolish the electoral college, more house districts, and SCOTUS term limits is a good start.
Abolish the electoral college, more house districts, and SCOTUS term limits is a good start.
November 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
If we increase the number of house districts so we have more proportional representation in congress, maybe the reform amendments we need become realistically possible.
Abolish the electoral college, more house districts, and SCOTUS term limits is a good start.
Abolish the electoral college, more house districts, and SCOTUS term limits is a good start.
If we pack the court, what number would be the right number of justices?
And what would prevent further packing every time control changes hands?
And what would prevent further packing every time control changes hands?
November 8, 2025 at 10:45 PM
If we pack the court, what number would be the right number of justices?
And what would prevent further packing every time control changes hands?
And what would prevent further packing every time control changes hands?
Danielle Allen of Harvard has suggested 18 year term limits on SCOTUS justices instead of increasing the number of justices. I was skeptical until she explained that each new president would get to appoint two new justices.
I don't consider any of the Trump/McConnell appointees legitimate.
I don't consider any of the Trump/McConnell appointees legitimate.
November 8, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Danielle Allen of Harvard has suggested 18 year term limits on SCOTUS justices instead of increasing the number of justices. I was skeptical until she explained that each new president would get to appoint two new justices.
I don't consider any of the Trump/McConnell appointees legitimate.
I don't consider any of the Trump/McConnell appointees legitimate.
The SCOTUS has four justices nominated by presidents who lost the popular vote, and those justices were approved by a GOP senate majority that represented a minority of the population. The whole game has become increasingly counter-majoritarian.
November 8, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The SCOTUS has four justices nominated by presidents who lost the popular vote, and those justices were approved by a GOP senate majority that represented a minority of the population. The whole game has become increasingly counter-majoritarian.
Musk has cited the sci-fi of Iain M. Banks as an inspiration.
Ironic, considering Banks' philosophy.
Ironic, considering Banks' philosophy.
November 8, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Musk has cited the sci-fi of Iain M. Banks as an inspiration.
Ironic, considering Banks' philosophy.
Ironic, considering Banks' philosophy.
Andor was just brilliant. Star Wars for grown ups and a story of Marxist revolution.
November 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Andor was just brilliant. Star Wars for grown ups and a story of Marxist revolution.
A techie friend was very excited several years ago when AI could be prompted to write a song in the style of any songwriter. I don't want tools for creative stuff, even if I suck at it. I want it to do boring tedious stuff.
November 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
A techie friend was very excited several years ago when AI could be prompted to write a song in the style of any songwriter. I don't want tools for creative stuff, even if I suck at it. I want it to do boring tedious stuff.
Since Tuesday I've heard the usual suspects on each end of the Dem spectrum argue that DSA Mamdani is the model for the party going forward or conversely that centrists Spanberger/Sherrill are the model going forward.
I think they both are. Different horses for different courses.
I think they both are. Different horses for different courses.
November 8, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Since Tuesday I've heard the usual suspects on each end of the Dem spectrum argue that DSA Mamdani is the model for the party going forward or conversely that centrists Spanberger/Sherrill are the model going forward.
I think they both are. Different horses for different courses.
I think they both are. Different horses for different courses.
Getting my Friday groove on, soulful 80s UK hit.
Squeeze - Tempted (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by SqueezeVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Getting my Friday groove on, soulful 80s UK hit.