Chris Sardo

@mcsardo

Recovering political theorist, current history/government teacher, long-suffering Sabres fan. Politics, pedagogy, music, Sabres, and other sad things. He/his.

1.276 Folgt477 Follower770 Posts

Bluesky

Ist das dein Profil?Übernimm es — dann gehört dir mcsardo.dirty.social.Profil übernehmen

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· 7d

Look I'm not saying this isn't problematic in part, but let's start here instead of having kids make "Pilgrim and Indian" costumes out of paper bags.

Thomas Nast's cartoon "Uncle Sam's Thanksgiving Dinner"

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· 7d

For those of you following the College Board's decision to include "core principles" from Adam Smith, and were wondering what exactly they decided were "core principles", the updated "Course and Exam Description" mentions Smith a total of 3 times, with no actual guidance:

Screenshot from the AP USgov CED that lists the required foundational documents.

Screenshot from the AP US Gov CED that indicates that "The writings of Adam Smith, including a study of the principles written in The Wealth of Nations" be taught in Unit 4

A screenshot from the AP US Government CED that lists "Free enterprise (pursuit of self-interest, competition, efficient allocation of resources, and limited government regulation of the market, as espoused by Adam Smith in writings such as The Wealth of Nations)" as a "core value" of the US

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· 10d

@clppng.bsky.social absolutely killed it tonight. I can't think of any other group that would reference William S. Gibson, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Stokley Carmichael in the same set.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jun 29

Truly cursed set of predictions I made in October when my students looked at some of the important cases that SCOTUS would hear this year (Barbara wasn't on the docket yet, hence why it wasn't included)

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jun 6

I'm sorry but in what world are these even remotely the same type of "weaknesses". Saying God is beyond gender binaries (true) and that there is more than two biological sexes (true-ish) are in no way equivalent to what concerns people about Platner.

But can Democrats take advantage of these two opportunities? The Democratic candidates, James Talarico in Texas and presumably Graham Platner in Maine, have impressive strengths but also potentially deal-breaking weaknesses that are only beginning to be put to the test.

In Mr. Talarico, Democrats have a youthful and articulate candidate who emphasizes his Christian faith. But some of his past pronouncements, like saying that God is nonbinary and that there are six biological sexes, may alienate the conservative and religious voters he might need to win.

In Mr. Platner, Democrats have a veteran and an oysterman whose anti-establishment message was resonant enough that it forced a sitting governor off the campaign trail. But he has been dogged by controversy. He wore a now covered tattoo of a Nazi symbol; he left an online trail of derogatory comments about women, and several women who dated him have recalled “unsettling” behavior; he reportedly sent sexual messages to women while married.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jun 3

The idea, in tonight's order, that it's the district court irresponsibly intervening to change maps on the eve of an election is laughable

Here,
the District Court interposed itself into Alabama’s ongoing
efforts to conduct its imminent 2026 congressional elections
under maps that its elected representatives selected. Its
view that conducting the elections under court-imposed
maps would be more convenient for the State was not a
valid justification for that intervention. While federal
courts should not impose changes close to an election, ibid.,
States are free to decide for themselves whether last-mi-
nute changes to an election are in their best interests.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jun 3

Real cool that Scotus can just ignore a 79 page opinion written by a 3 judge panel (including 2 Trump apointees) finding that the Alabama map violated even the standard set by Callais by simply saying..."nope" (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/u...

In a 79-page decision issued on May 26, the panel, which included two Trump appointees, wrote that it had carefully re-examined the evidence and again concluded that the map would be discriminatory. The judges said they could not “see our way clear to requiring Alabamians to cast their votes in the 2026 elections under a districting plan tainted by intentional race-based discrimination.”

The judges added that they were “painfully aware of the gravity of our ruling.” But, they added, “we do not find the issue particularly complex or close.”

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jun 2

This is a good piece in today's times countering the Bezos/Booker/Porter "cut everyone's taxes mantra: What if we all pay a bit more in taxes so that we can play less for everything else: www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/o...

For those who prefer not to live in a failed state, the other option is to keep taxes steady, or even raise them for some who can easily afford the difference, and in exchange give Americans a government that works. A government that builds highways and schools, defends us against adversaries, lifts children out of poverty and supports those who may be displaced by artificial intelligence.

That takes more revenue, not less, but it makes the taxes you pay worth it, because you get so much more in return. And if it’s done right, it makes life in America more affordable. Tax dollars can help the 25 percent of American registered voters whose top affordability concern is not being able to afford housing, and the 16 percent who worry most about the cost of health care. Only 2 percent of voters report that their greatest affordability concern is taxes.

Anti-tax fervor is spreading in part because Americans can’t comprehend that kind of value proposition. We are not like Europe, where the sick can just walk into a hospital and get treated. Or like Japan, where everyone can travel by gleaming, efficient high-speed rail. Or like every other developed country, where the government provides paid maternity leave. And we’re not like any nation where those at the top pay their fair share.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· May 28

Ugh. Fed 39 sure, Gettysburg Address yes, Emancipation Proclamation, fine (but not really needed for political science when the reconstruction amendments are required) but Smith is just 🤡

Dear Colleague,

The AP® U.S. Government and Politics Course and Exam Description will be updated this summer to include four additional required documents.

The following documents will be added to strengthen alignment with college-level courses:

•
The Emancipation Proclamation

•
The Gettysburg Address

•
“The Federalist No. 39”

•
Core principles from the writings of Adam Smith

Analytical reading activities for “The Federalist No. 39” and the core principles from selected writings of Adam Smith will be available in AP Classroom to support instruction and exam preparation.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· May 6

Watching this instead

Title sequence for PBS series "Black and Jewish in America"
Ep 4 crossroads

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Apr 29

Cursed predictions

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Apr 15

Yeah there is a tradition of just war theory. Read some Aquinas:

For it may happen that the war is declared by the legitimate authority, and for a just cause, and yet be rendered unlawful through a wicked intention. Hence Augustine says (Contra Faust. xxii, 74): "The passion for inflicting harm, the cruel thirst for vengeance, an unpacific and relentless spirit, the fever of revolt, the lust of power, and such like things, all these are rightly condemned in war."

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Apr 15

I like the stripped down versions with the live musicians a lot. I saw her live a couple years ago, and she puts on a great show

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Apr 7

This is genocidal language, and it demands not only the removal of this President but also a fundamental transformation of the presidency: no one should have the power to unilaterally destroy another civilization.

New York Times:
President Trump issued another grave threat to Iran if it does not strike a deal to avert Mr. Trump’s threat of massive attacks later Tuesday.

“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that he hoped “maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen” to avoid the attacks before the Tuesday evening deadline.

He continued: “We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World.”

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Apr 7

I'm fairly confident this meets the definition of genocide under the genocide convention

From the new York Times: Here’s the latest.
President Trump threatened to wipe out a “whole civilization,” and the United States hit military targets on Iran’s main oil export hub, as he ramped up pressure on Tehran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz or potentially face a wave of strikes on critical infrastructure in the coming hours

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Apr 5

"We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf."

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Apr 1

It's so...beautiful

NHL standings, with the Buffalo Sabres in second place in the league with 100 points highlighted, as of 3/31/26

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Mar 12

They're robbing us to kill schoolchildren on the other side of the world. How is this not on the lips of every elected Democrat?

First 6 Days of War Cost U.S. $11.3 Billion, Pentagon Says

Defense Department officials told Congress that the estimate excluded many costs tied to the military buildup. Airstrikes were shaking Beirut and Tehran.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Mar 5

My friend, that is not what the word imminent means...

“We have seen Iran as an imminent threat against America not just for the last four days, not just for the last four months or four years, but for the last 40 years,” said Representative Brian Mast of Florida, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Feb 28

Real "We have to destroy the town in order to save it" energy

Trump added the “heavy and pinpoint bombing” will continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Feb 13

The first paragraph alone is a banger - this should be what every person in education shoul dbe shouting from the rooftops, rather than "let's find ways to encourage hybrid AI writing" or "let's teach AI responsibility" www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/o...

"As educators, we are duty bound to defend — and advance — human intelligence. To do that, we first need to recognize that it is under attack. Science fiction has long depicted a future in which artificial intelligence becomes so strong, it overpowers humanity. In fact, the battle between bots and brains has already begun, and educators can see how it might end. Young people are quickly becoming so dependent on A.I. that they are losing the ability to think for themselves. And rather than rallying resistance, academic administrators are aiding and abetting a hostile takeover of higher education."

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Feb 5

I agree with your general point, but I think the poll actually reveals that the word "zionist" is itself a contested concept, because when you ask other questions, you get very different results in the same poll:

One of the survey’s big sticking points emerged around self-identified Zionists. Only 37% of Jews surveyed said they identified as Zionist, while 7% labeled themselves anti-Zionist and another 8% said they were non-Zionist. Another 18% said they weren’t sure, while 30% said none of the labels described them.

At the same time, 88% of surveyed Jews believed that “Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish, Democratic state” — traditionally one of the most historically accepted definitions of Zionism. Seven percent of Jews disagreed with that sentiment, equal to the number who consider themselves anti-Zionist.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jan 28

Um.... Nope

Introducing the AP School Store
Dear Michael,

The AP® School Store is now open!

Browse apparel, accessories, and publications created to celebrate AP students, teachers, and courses. You'll find everything from stickers and totes to printed course and exam descriptions—all designed to help you showcase your school’s pride for its AP program. Plus, enjoy free shipping on orders over $100.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jan 25

Don't even know where to begin with this one...

Headline in New York Times:
Thomas Friedman
I Never Thought the Middle East Would Come to Minneapolis

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jan 17

Things like this represent the fundamental flaw with something like @allsidesnow.bsky.social . I get the noble motivation of wanting to show people multiple perspectives, but this isn't actually helpful, as it just shows partisans being partisans (tho Himes actually at least refers to int'l law).

text from allsides.com email:
Did the operation to capture Maduro violate international law?

“I’ve heard a lot about this violating the ‘post-war order.’ Was this against international law, and does that even matter anymore?”

Submitted by Joseph R | Austin, Texas |

It’s illegal
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT)

“Under international law, it’s not ambiguous… it’s illegal. The U.N. charter just says you don’t get to use military forces in other people’s countries. So under international law, it’s clearly illegal.”

Absolute legal right
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche (R)

“What we did was not only right and not only legal, but it’s what the American people expect us to do when we file charges against individuals like him.”

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jan 15

This piece is all really good from @ositanwanevu.com - the grand unifying thesis of the Trump administration - from ICE brutality, to defunding USAID, to attacks on DEI, to its outright imperialism - is the belief that the world is ruled by force alone and that we have no moral ties to anyone else.

text from article:
Miller’s laws are the laws of animals. It is true, obviously, that high ideals have long been deployed to obscure or justify predation, here and elsewhere. But Miller’s stance and the stance of the administration is that there aren’t, actually, any high ideals worth pursuing or even pretending to – that the human being, in itself, is nothing so much ⁠and that we are, fundamentally and forever, primitives.

Against the demands and best aspirations of civilization – western or any kind – they tell us the human being is a creature that yearns for nothing more than blood and soil, which is, of course, just mud. The lust for mud has taken up many guises in our history and has been many given names of late – neo-reaction, post-liberalism, fascism. But the name familiar to most is evil.

It was evil – the standpoint that only might matters, that human morality, and our sense of reality itself, must yield to the turfism of the primates with the biggest clubs – that ginned up the propaganda that provoked an act of terrorism against our legislature and the policemen defending it five years ago.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jan 3

They're not even trying to hide the raw imperial ambition here. We have taken over a country and are going to extract profits from it.

Trump put no time limit on the American occupation. It would be up to the United States to decide when to return the country to Venezulan control. And then he turned to oil, saying that American companies would fix the infrastructure, “and start making money for the country.”

David E. Sanger
Jan. 3, 2026, 11:46 a.m. ET2m ago
David E. SangerWhite House reporter

“We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said, suggesting an occupation. The United States has done this before, in Germany, in Japan, and of course Iraq. But the history is checkered.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jan 3

Apparently you only have immunity from indictments in the United States if you live in a palace in Palm Beach.

Text from NY Times post reading:
Vice President JD Vance justified the U.S. operation that captured Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, as legal and necessary, praising it in a social media post on Saturday.

“PSA for everyone saying this was ‘illegal’: Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don’t get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas,” he said, referring to the Venezuelan capital.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jan 2

Buried in this piece about rolling out AI in schools is the admission: we literally have no data or findings on the effect of AI use on student learning or well being to guide this implementation. We're literally using our kids as a giant experimental subject. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/t...

Text from article:
Teachers currently have few rigorous studies to guide generative A.I. use in schools. Researchers are just beginning to follow the long-term effects of A.I. chatbots on teenagers and schoolchildren.

Chris Sardo@mcsardo· Jan 2

This year I read or listened to 50 books. Some were good (have an asterisk), some were okay. I learned and thought a lot. My conclusion is everyone should Read More Books.