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Peter Sagal

@petersagal.bsky.social
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  1. 1

    Reply to @petersagal.bsky.social

    The NYT has now significantly expanded its obit of Graham, including his many policy reversals, and his attempts to undo the 2020 election. (Gift link)

    www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/u...

    Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator and Trump Ally, Dies From ‘Sudden Illness’ (Gift Article)
    He died from “a brief and sudden illness,” his office said. Over more than two decades in the Senate, he consistently pushed for the use of U.S. military power overseas.
    974 262
    Jul 12, 2026
  2. 2

    America:

    Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social
    "Members of the group Patriot Front ride the metro as a commuter looks on, during the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr"
    "Members of the group Patriot Front ride the metro as a commuter looks on, during the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2026. REUTERS/Cheney Orr"
    1,300 201
    Jul 4, 2026
  3. 3

    The WSJ just published two articles in a series on how the US President is in the midst of destroying the Western alliance. Here’s a gift link to #1:

    www.wsj.com/world/europe...

    ‘There Is No Going Back’: The Inside Story of Europe’s Rupture With America
    Trump’s tariffs, threats against Greenland spurred a rebellion by top leaders; the limits of “flattery diplomacy.”
    351 131
    Jul 8, 2026
  4. 4

    specialto.thebulwark.com/p/the-corrup...

    The Corruption of Lindsey Graham
    A case study in the rise of authoritarianism. Sen. Lindsey Graham is a central player in the Republican party’s capitulation to Donald Trump. We can watch the GOP's turn to authoritarianism by review...
    428 91
    Jul 12, 2026
  5. 5

    Justice Roberts’ majority opinion on birthright citizenship traces (accurately) the history of citizenship law. But J Brown-Jackson’s concurrence discusses the larger history of America, and how the 14th A fits into it.

    Of course, the ultimate irony is that for all the talk about the detestable Dred Scott decision, the Government and the principal dissent propose a return to its core tenet. Their bottom line is that, for certain people, being born on American soil will not suffice to confer citizenship. It is that odious conclusion that the Citizenship Clause plainly rejects, as the Court explains. Ante, at 26. I add only that the Fourteenth Amendment's universalist aims should forever be the death knell for this kind of claim—one that seeks to make bloodline the marker of birthright. The America that was reborn from the rubble of the Civil War simply does not countenance that inequitable result. Thankfully, a majority of the Court remembered this today, and has dutifully preserved the most basic animating principle of our Nation's founding—that all human beings are created equal— once more.
    Steven Mazie @stevenmazie.bsky.social
    www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...
    400 87
    Jun 30, 2026
  6. 6

    Least important thing about this, but it’s another distorting effect of the Electoral College. There were more Trump voters in CA, a “blue state,” than in MS, AL and MO combined.

    tony romm @tonyromm.bsky.social
    NEW: In a stunning admission, the Trump administration admitted in court documents that it canceled billions in energy grants to states "based solely" on politics -- and whether that state was represented by Democrats and backed Harris in 2024. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/b...
    Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him
    Federal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election.
    430 83
    Jul 25, 2026
  7. 7

    This is from the new WH report on the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History, calling for what the museum *should* say about slavery and human rights.

    One question: those 750,000 people who died in the Civil War to end slavery… who killed them? And why?

    It should tell the story of how the colonies inherited slavery from both global and European slaving practices, but also how the words, actions, and ideas of America's Founders helped spark a worldwide movement that ultimately ended slavery. It should tell the story of how at least eight American colonies passed or attempted to pass laws to either tax or severely limit the importation of slaves before the Revolutionary War, only to be forced by the British Crown to continue it. It should tell the story of how 750,000 Americans died in the Civil War. It should tell the story of how Americans came to reject Jim Crow and segregation, backing a colorblind standard derived from America's founding documents. In short, it should tell the story of the birth of America and how the United States, because of the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and upheld in the Constitution, has done more to advance and secure fundamental rights than any other nation in the world.
    409 82
    Jul 7, 2026
  8. 8

    Friends: no major paper had an obit ready for Sen Graham, because, why would you? What you’re seeing this morning are fast write-ups to relay the basic news. You’ll see more complete obituaries later today and tomorrow, all of which will mention the thing you’re angry they’re not mentioning.

    923 77
    Jul 12, 2026
  9. 9

    Reply to @petersagal.bsky.social

    Here’s the segment:

    youtu.be/ykbVmZqfpZ0?...

    ‘Unhinged and racist’: Hayes EVISCERATES Trump’s birthright argument
    YouTube video by MS NOW
    344 67
    Jul 1, 2026
  10. 10

    Turn up the sound to get a sense of how substantial that falling piece is.

    Aaron Parnas @aaronparnas.bsky.social
    The stage is falling apart at the rehearsal for Freedom 250's July 4th celebration.
    undefined ▶
    355 65
    Jul 2, 2026
  11. 11

    Subject aside, it is remarkable to see the difference between 10 years ago and now, as in the first clip.

    PEIPolitical 🇨🇦 @peipolitical.bsky.social
    CNN aired a devastating montage of all the times that Trump accused others of using their public office to make money. Trump's net worth has almost tripled since he took office. Everything he accuses others of is an open admission. #cdnpoli
    undefined ▶
    286 61
    Jul 2, 2026
  12. 12

    "One of the prosecutors on the case, Robert Keenan, previously made headlines when he asked a judge to sentence a former Louisville police officer to a single day in prison in the Breonna Taylor case."

    www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

    The Death of Renee Good Has Yet to Be Properly Investigated
    Six months after she and Alex Pretti were shot on the streets of Minneapolis, little has come of the probes into their killings.
    198 60
    Jul 6, 2026
  13. 13

    @petridishes.bsky.social is such a national treasure we should just call her “N.T.” from now on. (Gift link)

    www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...

    I Went to the Great American State Fair and I May Never Sleep Again
    A day at the fair featuring patriotic energy drinks, a George Washington impersonator, and lots of ABBA
    310 51
    Jul 2, 2026
  14. 14

    Lot of commentary on yesterday’s SCOTUS decision on birthright citizenship, making similar points, but for clarity and plain speaking I recommend @chrislhayes.bsky.social’s opening A-block with @sifill.bsky.social from last night.

    www.ms.now/all

    All In with Chris Hayes
    324 51
    Jul 1, 2026
  15. 15

    NYT reports that President Trump’s new plane is a flying target.

    Trump demands the reporters be subpoenaed.

    Times gets subpoenas withdrawn.

    Then:

    Eric Lipton NYT @ericlipton.nytimes.com
    JUST POSTED: A deep investigation by The NYT of shortcuts taken to get President Trump his Qatari-donated plane in time for POTUS to show it off during 250th anniversary events-compromises that leave the plane more vulnerable to potential threats (Free link) www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/u...
    Inside the Rushed Effort to Get Trump His New Air Force One
    A New York Times investigation found that President Trump’s push to speed delivery of the aircraft led to ballooning costs and trade-offs in safety features.
    265 45
    Jul 25, 2026
  16. 16

    Reply to @petersagal.bsky.social

    Here’s #2:

    www.wsj.com/world/europe...

    The Canadian Who Steered Europe Away From the U.S.
    Facing threats from Trump, Carney emerged as a central figure in a project to reshape the Western alliance.
    188 42
    Jul 8, 2026
  17. 17

    My eyes blurred as I read this, not sure from what.

    petebuttigieg.substack.com/p/a-terrible...

    A Terrible Thing Happened to My Family
    Even in today's climate, there should be one fundamental principle everyone respects: whatever you think about someone in politics, you leave their kids alone.
    384 42
    Jun 26, 2026
  18. 18

    Toward the end of this interview, Haberman and Swan make a point that seems obvious, but I haven’t heard anyone lay out: if the Dems do win a house of Congress in the fall, and start issuing subpoenas, what makes anyone expect the WH would honor them?

    youtu.be/y1NlWtFh1p0?...

    How does Trump view his own power? Thinks 'he has more' than 'Napoleon, Stalin, Hitler': Haberman
    YouTube video by MS NOW
    274 40
    Jun 26, 2026
  19. 19

    did he not have a horse

    Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social
    CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appoints Lindsey Graham’s sister to serve remainder of his Senate term.
    407 37
    Jul 13, 2026
  20. 20

    Reply to @petersagal.bsky.social

    Consider: the nail in Nixon’s coffin was a tape of him suggesting he would manipulate the FBI/CIA to serve him politically. These days, the President does that every day and twice on Sundays.

    313 38
    Jun 27, 2026
  21. 21

    Manohla Dargis @manohladargis.bsky.social
    gift article — I encourage you to read about these two beautiful souls who made the world better — may their memory be a blessing Jayson Conner, 48, and Jeffrey Newman, 58, Die; Gave Thousands of Backpacks to Those in Need www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/n...
    Jayson Conner, 48, and Jeffrey Newman, 58, Die; Gave Thousands of Backpacks to Those in Need (Gift Article)
    The couple, who died within a few days of each other, provided needed supplies, like socks and wet wipes, to people living on New York City’s streets.
    231 36
    Jul 12, 2026
  22. 22

    Alito reacted with offended surprise when Sotomayor read a dissent from the bench. Justices are supposed to tell the others in advance.

    SCOTUS official says: he *was* told. “There was a misunderstanding in J Alito’s part.” What was the misunderstanding?

    www.npr.org/2026/06/26/n...

    A day after Alito's testy response to Sotomayor's dissent, court says it was a 'misunderstanding'
    During Supreme Court opinions Thursday, Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the majority opinion in an asylum case, appeared to rebut Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who wrote the dissent. The move was highly un...
    260 35
    Jun 27, 2026
  23. 23

    Part of the role of government is oversight of capital (writ large -- wealth, industry, owners, managers etc) because who else can hold them to account? Now the Government is intentionally refusing to do that. Now there is no one to call.

    www.nytimes.com/2026/07/19/u...

    Trump Gutted Civil Rights Agency, Stifling U.S. Scrutiny of Workplace Bias (Gift Article)
    A little-known federal office spent decades investigating potential discrimination by government contractors — until it was stopped by the Trump administration.
    160 34
    Jul 22, 2026
  24. 24

    I’m mostly struck that as far as anyone knows, yesterday Graham was in good health and this morning he’s gone. And now the Intertubes are gloating and condemning and mocking.

    We are all Scrooge, and today is Christmas morning. It’s not too late. Start working on your obituary now.

    530 33
    Jul 12, 2026
  25. 25

    If you are in or can get to Chicago this summer, cadge a ticket to “ICE BOY!” At the Goodman, just to watch Nick Offerman, as great as he is, get outshined by his astounding wife, Megan Mullaly, in an utterly ridiculous, hilarious musical about Eugene O’Neill, the “theatah,”, and anthropology.

    332 34
    Jul 11, 2026