Offering asides, recommended links, blogworthy quotations, and more, In Brief is the Northwest Progressive Institute's microblog of world, national, and local politics.
Welcome to In Brief, the Northwest Progressive Institute's microblog. In Brief provides a continuously curated collection of asides, recommended links, quotations, audio and video clips, still images, and transcribed dialogue. Click on a thumbnail to open an item.
“It has been widely forgotten, but soon after taking office Ronald Reagan proposed major cuts to Social Security. But he backed down in the face of a political backlash, leading analysts at the Cato Institute to call for a ‘Leninist’ strategy — their word — creating a coalition ready to exploit a future crisis if and when one arrived,” Paul Krugman writes.
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KING5’s Leah Pezzetti: “There are many factors that can add to a vibrant sunset, and winter lends itself to these conditions. Here’s a look at the science behind the perfect sunset.”
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Here’s a roundup of some of the best comments on President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address from former and current Republicans who decided to share their thoughts on the speech.
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Watch highlights from the tenth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Michael B. Jordan, with Lil Baby as the musical guest, including the classified press conference cold open.
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Watch the speaking program of the January 26th, 2023 rally to support our state’s capital gains tax on the wealthy organized by Invest in Washington Now.
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“When it comes to keeping kids from reading much, if at all, DeSantis’ policy is a smashing success,” writes Amanda Marcotte. “He’s established the idea that no student should ever be allowed to just grab a book and read on their own.”
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Watch highlights from the ninth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Aubrey Plaza, with Sam Smith (and Kim Petras) as musical guests, including the Fox playoffs cold open.
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“We don’t deserve to be shoved back into poorly ventilated workplaces while our politicians and press assure us that only crazy people would demand to breathe clean air,” writes Julia Doubleday.
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Via Oregon Public Broadcasting: “Attendees asked about her thoughts on issues ranging from homelessness to wind-powered energy to abortion. District residents submitted their questions in writing, which a moderator seated on a dais read aloud.”
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“After the chaos of the first week of the 118th Congress, many Americans wondered: If it took them 15 ballots just to choose a speaker, how could Republicans possibly govern? Now we know. They are going to govern by fantasy and legislate on the basis of fiction,” Dana Milbank writes.
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The White House has accepted Kevin McCarthy’s invitation to schedule the State of the Union for February 7th. The speech is expected to occur at 6 PM Pacific Time.
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Pew’s Stateline: “With their eyes on the 2024 presidential election, state lawmakers around the country are preparing to reshape voting rules in what election experts expect will be another busy legislative season.”
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Izzie Ramirez of Vox on how the cult of consumerism ushered in an era of badly made products.
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“Kevin McCarthy is kicking his bid for the speaker’s gavel into a historic third day after Republicans adjourned Wednesday without a single defector reversing course,” Politico reports.
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Recently elected Republicans are ready to fire up the base with anger over billions spent to protect allies overseas.
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“Something was ‘proved without a shadow of doubt’ in Kari Lake’s election trial, all right. And it should be followed up with sanctions, for bringing sour grapes instead of evidence,” Laurie Roberts writes.
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“As Corporate America prepares for a possible recession in 2023, companies big and small are axing thousands of positions amid the holidays,” Taylor Telford reports.
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A survey conducted by Public Policy Polling shows as the 2024 election cycle begins, renegade Senator Kyrsten Sinema is “broadly unpopular and trails United States Representative Ruben Gallego significantly in a three-way race.”
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“Has the worst of the pandemic-induced inflation already passed? The latest economic data released this week suggest so. That leaves Republicans in a quandary,” Jennifer Rubin writes.
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Watch highlights from the eighth episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Austin Butler, with Lizzo as the musical guest, including the Trump NFT cold open and Cecily Strong’s goodbye.
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Watch highlights from the seventh episode of SNL’s forty-eighth season, hosted by Steve Martin and Martin Short, with the PNW’s own Brandi Carlile as the musical guest.
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