Nathan Casebolt

I disagree with the critics on other grounds, but I understand why they think Thomas Harris ruined Hannibal Lecter by giving him human motivations. Symbols of moral nullification don’t need a conflicted backstory.

I'm pretty excited to serve the Glorious Eternal Empire of This One Weird Trick.

Hannibal Rising (Hannibal Lecter #4) Thomas Harris

Harris's origin story reveals Hannibal as humanity post-WWII: traumatized, facing the choice between pushing through ashes toward light or surrendering to darkness. The tragedy is that we know which he chose. Full review: nwcasebolt.substack.com/p/hannibal-r...

My apartment maintenance guy abruptly asked me last summer, out of nowhere, if I thought Trump was the Antichrist. That sentiment’s been ramping up for a while.

Judging solely by the cops I know, I think law enforcement officers value stability. That can manifest in unpleasant ways if you put an unpleasant person in uniform. Still, most cops want order, and to go home alive. I doubt a majority of cops enjoy a destabilizing invasion of armed, masked thugs.

When you’re going through hell, as they say, keep going. The devil loses in the end.

Lived in L.A. for nine years. Can confirm. Not to mention, for southern California at least, 11+ months every year of "grilling on the patio" weather.

They really can't afford to let an opposition become a majority at this point, even one as milquetoast as the Democratic Party. Too many people are exposed to liability to go quietly. I agree they probably can't stop it; but for those of us who love America as an ideal, it'll hurt to watch them try.

The trick will be to recognize that, in their desperation, they're going to savage so many institutions and hurt so many people that it will feel like they're winning. Separating emotion from reality will difficult.

bonus points if you bring your wig

Unironic if you've ever had to deal with teenagers.

Baptism of Fire (The Witcher #5) Andrzej Sapkowski

Sapkowski's war-torn Witcher tale shows Geralt learning that salvation requires community, not isolation. Best descriptions of war's cruelty meet profound truth: debts to others sustain us through fire. Full review: nwcasebolt.substack.com/p/baptism-of...

In another thread about the Fulton County raid, folks are swooping in to tell me MAGA is changing vote counts, they control the machines, no matter how many of us vote they're going to declare GOP winners and we'll have to fight in the streets.

I'm just instablocking. Life is too short.

They can't.

This is exactly my takeaway about our immigration "system," for lack of a better word. I completely failed to realize how much of it just people stacked forever inside a meat grinder, and we've all just been assuming nobody's cruel enough to turn it on.

Won’t work. The intimidation campaigns are only making people madder. Sucks to suck.

I asked a Jewish friend if this is accurate. He responded, and I quote, “The only thing two Jews can agree on is what a third one should be doing differently.”

I am ALWAYS here for some punching down on Atlas Shrugged. 🏆🏆🏆

A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe #1) P. Djèlí Clark

Clark's debut novel expands his world enjoyably but stumbles with a flawless protagonist, unclear societal norms, and a recycled plot. Supporting characters are better than the primaries in this capable entry that undershoots its potential. Full review: nwcasebolt.substack.com/p/a-master-o...

That's literature, baby.

Reagan's posture toward Soviet tyranny ("trust but verify") is now the only reasonable posture toward his tyrannical party. History has a sick sense of humor.

You been snooping on my Facebook friends? Trumpism won’t allow neutrality. It takes your soul if you don’t oppose it root and branch.

There is no more accurate weather vane than Ted Cruz. The man's a gift.

oh they are going to rip each other to shreds as it becomes clear that the country has decisively turned against them

The only thing I would say differently is that the Trump clown show didn’t hold it together so much as our elites kept backing up. All our universities and media and politicians had to do was stand their ground, but they preferred that everyday Americans die in the streets instead. Never forget.

I wish I could believe anything that comes out of that talking potato. Alas.

😂😂😂 I’ll vote that ticket for the entertainment value alone.