David S. Meyer

Massive congratulations!

The Trump/OMB/Vought threat is all about taking tens of thousands of government employees hostage. Use the language.

Jimmy Kimmel, free speech, and turning points When the Trump episode (epoch?) in American life ends, the brief suspension of a late night talk show host may well mark the turning point when Republicans and conservatives began to abandon this p…

The win on Kimmel is one of what will be many turning points that end up mattering.

Jimmy Kimmel, free speech, and turning points politicsoutdoors.com/2025/09/24/j...

Cho toner did a really good job in prepping and conducting the interview. Sunstein comes off as someone confident that he can continue to get by primarily on charm.

When is the president of antifa going to issue a statement?

I can imagine a future where ABC bringing Kimmel back while Trump calls for immediate prosecution of his "enemies" is a turning point in American politics and life--and things get better. Point: we don't have to give in to every dangerous initiative from the White House.

President Trump can do a lot now to promote peace and comity by condemning political violence from any corner--just as he did when crazed men attacked Paul Pelosi and, more recently, Josh Shapiro, and Melissa and Mark Hortman.

Oh, wait, he didn't do that.

Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot during event at Utah Valley University Turning Point USA executive director in critical condition after being struck while hosting UVU event

We are horrified to learn of the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Political violence has no place in democracy. The foundation of democracy rests on the principle that differences can be debated vigorously, but peacefully, without intimidation or acts of violence.

Searching for Solidarity in Higher Education (1) I want to know what we’re doing to save higher education in America from the Trump Administration. Tell me what you know about. Here’s what I’ve seen: The victims of the Trump Adm…

Searching for Solidarity in Higher Education (1) Trying to figure the response to a mass attack on higher education in the United States. There's lots of opposition, but it seems scattered--and lacking an overarching message or strategy. Help me think it through. politicsoutdoors.com/2025/09/05/s...

Labor Day (repost and rewritten) (2021) Here’s a repost and re-edit of some thoughts about Labor Day and its origins. As long as I’ve been aware, Labor has faced a moment of crisis–an extended moment. But things can al…

Labor Day (repost and rewritten) politicsoutdoors.com/2025/09/01/l...

Curious about why everyone is talking about "central bank independence" in the context of Trump's attempt to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook?

This paper is a bit old now, but remains one of the more useful things I have written: a critical review of the Political Science scholarship on central banking.

He didn't just invoke MLK's "arc of the moral universe" line.

He added that the arc won't bend itself and people need to step up to make that change happen.

Absolutely right. Pitch perfect.

Russia is fine with any and all security guarantees that won't guarantee security for Ukraine.

I was pretty joyful when Pete Seeger was honored by the Kennedy Center in 1994.

Sen. Bill Cassidy knows he violated his Hippocratic oath by voting to confirm RFK, Jr. at Health and Human Services. He also knows RFK lied to him. But right now Cassidy has some leverage, and can withhold his vote on the awful budget bill until Trump fires RFK. Maybe he already told Trump his plan.

Polling data from Harris & Associates 1966. Q: Do you approve of what Freedom Riders are Doing? 22% approve 61%disapprove18%no opinion.

I just like to post these data from time to time to puncture the mythological aura of mid 20th c protests. They were less popular than pretty much any 21st c mass action & people criticizing them used the same lines. Protest is about people coming together, shaping narratives, & building power.

Froze and reversed the arms race: anniversary, repost. I’m reposting this reminder about the massive nuclear freeze march, part of an important campaign in the 1980s. Of course, nuclear weapons are rarely the most salient story today, when a war rages …

One million marched against nuclear weapons in NYC in 1982. It may be time to get back out there.

Froze and reversed the arms race: anniversary, repost. politicsoutdoors.com/2025/06/12/f...

Why do people protest, and do protests work? - SciLine

Covering protests and want to add in evidence-based research on why people protest? Check out our resource on this topic for text and video to clip/use/quote in news stories. bit.ly/4kYDowE

@davidsmeyer.bsky.social @ucirvine.bsky.social ‪@jhu.edu

How the LA protests might work for activists and politicians. A note on strategy. The fallout from the immigration protests in Los Angeles that started this weekend will play out for a long while, far long than the protests–which are likely to continue and, maybe, change f…

Trump has an interest in turning up the heat and escalating--it's scary.
How the LA protests might work for activists and politicians. A note on strategy. politicsoutdoors.com/2025/06/09/h...

Polarization and the National Guard President Trump federalized the National Guard, promising to promote public order and protect Immigration agents in Los Angeles. You see, protesters had turned up to bear witness and maybe stop the…

The emerging battle in the streets of Los Angeles is Trump's effort to rekindle support and distract Americans from the fight w/ Musk, the unpopular budget bill, and everything else that's gone wrong.
Polarization and the National Guard politicsoutdoors.com/2025/06/08/p...

Elon Musk Left the White House, but Tesla’s Protesters Aren’t Finished

The anti-Musk Tesla protests were a win for the growing resistance to Trump II. It's important for activists to claim the W.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/b...

Protest and Policy in the Iraq, Nuclear Freeze and Vietnam Peace Movements Cambridge Core - Political Sociology - Protest and Policy in the Iraq, Nuclear Freeze and Vietnam Peace Movements

So excited that this important piece by longtime peace activist, David Cortright, just dropped. For just two weeks, it's available FREE--and it's really indispensable.

www.cambridge.org/core/element...

Thanks to @theguardian.com and @rachelleingang.bsky.social for spotlighting the work of our grassroots movement!

Got to be a product of hard work and dedication.

One of the challenges is figuring out how what appeals to me (like e Warren!) translates to other people. When Warren ran, I was shocked that even liberal citizens of Irvine—not associated with UCI—so quickly and solidly displayed antipathy to her, invoking all sorts of sexist tropes.

Being a good president overlaps only a little with being an effective candidate. Michael Dukakis was an outstanding governor. He made good decisions and recruited competent and effective staff. His career as a nominee was substantially less impressive.

Protest and Policy in the Iraq, Nuclear Freeze and Vietnam Peace Movements Cambridge Core - Political Sociology - Protest and Policy in the Iraq, Nuclear Freeze and Vietnam Peace Movements

So excited that this important piece by longtime peace activist, David Cortright, just dropped. For just two weeks, it's available FREE--and it's really indispensable.

www.cambridge.org/core/element...

Thank you for reposting. Done.

Presumably, you weren’t previously speaking ex cathedra. If so, no one should expect infallibility.

Thanks for posting this. Yesterday I heard colleagues make a pretty persuasive case that the term paper was obsolete, and that it was irresponsible for faculty to fail to teach students how to use AI. I’m not there yet, but very curious. You’ve helped.