Dan & Michael talked about their book "Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change" on an episode of the CASBS podcast, Human Centered. Both worked on the book during their respective CASBS fellows ships (Dan, 2018-19; Michael, 2019-20) 😏
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bsky.app/profile/casb...
Why China’s renminbi push matters even if it never rivals the dollar ft.trib.al/dQ4TbYj | opinion
Good morning!
Since Trump was re-elected, Forbes estimates—
💰His net worth is up $2.1 billion, to $6.4 billion
💰Eric’s is up 10x, to $400 million
💰Don Jr.’s is up 6x, to $300 million
💰19-year-old Barron is worth $150 million
And Jared became a billionaire last year.
Have a great day!
So about that "Pentagon spends millions for luxury crab and Dora stickers!!^!@" piece...
Just to be clear: that's not how oil markets work! Oil is a global commodity, with prices set by global supply & demand.
So basically, we're living through America's version of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Sigh.
With Trump and MAGA convinced that "we are winning in Iran!" then conditions will ripen for a "stabbed in the back" theory as it becomes clear that we are not. The question is: who will they frame as holding the knife?
If the only thing that binds Americans is wealthy & war, then we are headed towards Lasswell's Garrison State.
Naively hoping that Trump's Iran debacle drives oil prices so high, and for so long, that the switch to renewables accelerates, thereby addressing climate change & ruining the economies of all the oil authoritarian-military states in one fell swoop. I'm just looking for silver linings here.
Even Goldman is tracking the mixed messages.
Pleased to speak with @economist.com for this excellent discussion of Iran's threat to the Strait of Hormuz
www.economist.com/middle-east-...
This is clearly fine with the GOP.
On fertilizer supply disruption:
“The effects are likely to materialize with a 6-9 month lag through weaker crop yields, resulting in higher food inflation, tighter grain stocks, and elevated food security risks for import-dependent countries.”
Working link www.caitlintalmadge.com/uploads/8/5/...
Counting in Whitfield Co. is all done in the GA-14 special election:
The most Hispanic precincts and how they voted in 2024 vs tonight:
5A (64% Hispanic CVAP): Kamala +21, Dems +74
6A (69%): Kamala +23, Dems +64
AN (48%): Trump +14, Dems +30
ES (39%): Trump +41, GOP +4
GL (32%): Trump +39, GOP +13
Billionaires’ % share of federal election spending in:
2008: 0.3%
2024: 19%
@nytimes.com #GildedAge
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/u...
This is going to be politically toxic to the US-ROK alliance under a progressive administration in Seoul: South Korea took the brunt of PRC sanctions for this deployment back in 2016-2017, only to have assets relocated for a war of choice in the Middle East that threatens its energy security.
Riyadh gets 90% of its fresh water from one desalination plant. About 85% of Israel’s domestic fresh water consumption comes from five major desalination plants. Teheran is already in severe drought. Let’s hope cooler heads prevail. A water war would be absolutely catastrophic.
This is a technical story with stunning strategic implications. It is quite possible the US launched a massive war because Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff lacked the technical expertise to even understand what the Iranians were offering in negotiations. Absolute idiocy.
www.ms.now/news/trump-i...
Wondering why the U.S. Navy doesn't simply go in and escort tankers through the Strait? 1/4 www.cnn.com/2026/03/09/b...
1. Create problem
2. Do something & call it a solution
3. Declare victory
Regarding Iran's threats to the Strait, Trump claims, "We have the greatest mine sweeping ability." Um, no. 1/4
I've been promoted to Full Professor (official July 1)!
Thank you to my wonderful Chairs, to my colleagues at Carter School of Public Policy & across the Ivan Allen College at Georgia Tech, to my fellow scholars in political science, and to my family/friends for their support these past decades!
Q: You said the war is 'very complete.' But your defense secretary says 'this is just the beginning.' So which is it?
TRUMP: You could say both
"If Trump were a 'normal' president with high net negatives, he’d get a normal result this November. But he’s not. He looks to create chaos. He understands chaos creates opportunities for him—both political and legal. The war in Iran can help him on both fronts."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Billionaires Are Swaying Elections in All Corners of America www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/u...
A dude in Texas who makes bomb shelters for nuclear war has seen his business skyrocket this week.
Recent clients include 2 Trump admin members, and the rest were almost all “Christian, conservative CEOs,” which included “several of the wealthiest men on the planet."
www.rawstory.com/iran-war/
Wow! This essentially says "your can have policy & legislation or democracy, you choose!"
It worked out in WWII b/c the US: 1) totally destroyed Germany and Japan, militarily & economically; 2) took full control of each country with massive occupations; 3) kept much of the old regime in power (decapitating only the very highest levels); 4) enforced law & dignity for locals.
