Rebecca M. Townsend
@rmtownsend.bsky.social
Deliberation, democracy & public engagement scholar #TeamRhetoric politics in US & #CEE #transportation, public memory, Town Meeting. Lifter. Aromanian. Views here are personal & do not represent my employer #WMASS @TownModerator.bsky.social
Pinned
#BeyondTheColdWar Presidential Rhetoric in Central and Eastern Europe
#teamrhetoric #CEE #CentralEasternEurope
#teamrhetoric #CEE #CentralEasternEurope
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
This your king?
California governor vetoes bill banning use of ‘pervert glasses’ to secretly record people
California governor vetoes bill banning use of ‘pervert glasses’ to secretly record people
The California state bill would have penalized people who secretly recorded people in public with wearables equipped with cameras and microphones.
techcrunch.com
October 2, 2026 at 8:04 PM
This your king?
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
The stark reality is that Putin’s strategic goal is the EU’s destruction and Ru political control over as much of Europe as possible. Wherever he succeeds will be unfree, just like the Soviet Bloc was, and therefore any European who doesnt want to defend from Russia now is an enemy of freedom.
October 2, 2026 at 11:20 PM
The stark reality is that Putin’s strategic goal is the EU’s destruction and Ru political control over as much of Europe as possible. Wherever he succeeds will be unfree, just like the Soviet Bloc was, and therefore any European who doesnt want to defend from Russia now is an enemy of freedom.
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
It’s like Vance really wanted everyone to understand what Mason was talking about:
bsky.app/profile/tomj...
bsky.app/profile/tomj...
October 2, 2026 at 11:50 PM
It’s like Vance really wanted everyone to understand what Mason was talking about:
bsky.app/profile/tomj...
bsky.app/profile/tomj...
Local Participatory Democracy: India’s Mendha-Lekha and New England’s Town Meetings
UMass Amherst
Friday, October 16, 3:30pm to 5:00pm EDT
#TownMeeting #LocalDemocracy #MAPOLI
@umassamherst.bsky.social
Thompson Hall Rm420 & on Zoom.
events.umass.edu/event/local-...
UMass Amherst
Friday, October 16, 3:30pm to 5:00pm EDT
#TownMeeting #LocalDemocracy #MAPOLI
@umassamherst.bsky.social
Thompson Hall Rm420 & on Zoom.
events.umass.edu/event/local-...
Local Participatory Democracy: India’s Mendha-Lekha and New England’s Town Meetings
events.umass.edu
October 3, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
CA's jungle primaries created one less pickup opportunity in CA.
CA-40 was recreated to be a Republican seat, but given that it's just R+6, it would be competitive in the current national environment.
But because of CA's jungle primaries, it's just two Republicans in November
CA-40 was recreated to be a Republican seat, but given that it's just R+6, it would be competitive in the current national environment.
But because of CA's jungle primaries, it's just two Republicans in November
October 2, 2026 at 1:49 AM
CA's jungle primaries created one less pickup opportunity in CA.
CA-40 was recreated to be a Republican seat, but given that it's just R+6, it would be competitive in the current national environment.
But because of CA's jungle primaries, it's just two Republicans in November
CA-40 was recreated to be a Republican seat, but given that it's just R+6, it would be competitive in the current national environment.
But because of CA's jungle primaries, it's just two Republicans in November
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
As part of a new research study on understanding parent-children perspectives of food insecurity, Assistant Professor Alex Forté is searching for potential participants.
Learn more: socialwork.uconn.edu/foodinsecuri...
Learn more: socialwork.uconn.edu/foodinsecuri...
Research Study: Understanding Parent-Child Perspectives of Food Insecurity | School of Social Work | University of Connecticut
PARTICIPANTS NEEDED Does your family have enough to eat? Can you afford to feed your family nutritious meals? Do you know where your next meal will come fro ...
socialwork.uconn.edu
September 29, 2026 at 2:07 PM
As part of a new research study on understanding parent-children perspectives of food insecurity, Assistant Professor Alex Forté is searching for potential participants.
Learn more: socialwork.uconn.edu/foodinsecuri...
Learn more: socialwork.uconn.edu/foodinsecuri...
"There can be no compact when one party is not acting in good faith, nor under conditions of duress."
I'm someone who studies and supports deliberation as a means to engage productively across disagreement. But one cannot be forced to engage.
I'm someone who studies and supports deliberation as a means to engage productively across disagreement. But one cannot be forced to engage.
Good column on Danielle Allen being wrong on this. She's also one of the leading proponents of MA's ballot measure to create a top-two primary. Both are examples of Allen believing her own normative preferences should be normative for society. That's not what political science is or should be about.
Danielle Allen Is Wrong About Trump
Dealmaking under duress is always undemocratic.
www.chronicle.com
September 30, 2026 at 1:01 AM
"There can be no compact when one party is not acting in good faith, nor under conditions of duress."
I'm someone who studies and supports deliberation as a means to engage productively across disagreement. But one cannot be forced to engage.
I'm someone who studies and supports deliberation as a means to engage productively across disagreement. But one cannot be forced to engage.
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
I think this is all of us these days.
September 26, 2026 at 2:00 AM
I think this is all of us these days.
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
Please try to reclaim your precious precious attention, at all costs. Do puzzles. Take walks without a phone. Dear god, try to read, almost anything that isn’t a manifesto will really do. You are going to need your brain.
September 25, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Please try to reclaim your precious precious attention, at all costs. Do puzzles. Take walks without a phone. Dear god, try to read, almost anything that isn’t a manifesto will really do. You are going to need your brain.
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
When I teach my various Transportation & Logistics courses I always tell students that - armchair generals talk strategy - realy generals talk logistics. Logistics are essential also to the functioning of economies www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/w...
Stuck on the Battlefield, Russia Wages ‘Total War’ on Ukraine’s Economy
The economic damage from Russian strikes, resulting in lost sales, disrupted workdays and logistical snarls, is in the billions of dollars.
www.nytimes.com
September 25, 2026 at 11:22 AM
When I teach my various Transportation & Logistics courses I always tell students that - armchair generals talk strategy - realy generals talk logistics. Logistics are essential also to the functioning of economies www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/w...
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
Ironically, the White House Media ban should remind journalists to center American democracy - rather than the President.
Sure "access journalism" has its place, but when power is being consolidated in the Executive Branch as it is now, access journalism can reinforce autocratization.
Sure "access journalism" has its place, but when power is being consolidated in the Executive Branch as it is now, access journalism can reinforce autocratization.
September 25, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Ironically, the White House Media ban should remind journalists to center American democracy - rather than the President.
Sure "access journalism" has its place, but when power is being consolidated in the Executive Branch as it is now, access journalism can reinforce autocratization.
Sure "access journalism" has its place, but when power is being consolidated in the Executive Branch as it is now, access journalism can reinforce autocratization.
Powerful article. A must-read.
Reader, I sobbed at the end of this.
Because ALL our children deserve better than the world we are bequeathing them.
Because ALL our children deserve better than the world we are bequeathing them.
In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own? (Gift Article)
A decade ago, I made a decision about my daughter’s education that I hoped would challenge New York City’s separate and unequal school system. Now 16, she thinks I made the wrong choice.
www.nytimes.com
September 20, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Powerful article. A must-read.
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
I need you all to pay attention to Jonathan if you live in Massachusetts.
Vote NO on Ballot Question 3 in November. One of the most important things you can do in this election cycle. Even in this blue state, we have our battles, and this is one of them.
Vote NO on Ballot Question 3 in November. One of the most important things you can do in this election cycle. Even in this blue state, we have our battles, and this is one of them.
When it comes to ballot questions, follow the money.
The funding for Question 3 isn’t coming from democracy advocates. It’s coming from private equity execs and venture capitalists who bankroll education privatization, conservative Dems, and Republicans across the country.
#NoOn3
The funding for Question 3 isn’t coming from democracy advocates. It’s coming from private equity execs and venture capitalists who bankroll education privatization, conservative Dems, and Republicans across the country.
#NoOn3
September 18, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
Closed (intra-party) primaries are one of the few systems in the US that actually helps level the playing field for organized people against big money. Without it, the Left would be unable to defeat corporate interests as often as we do—which is why the wealthy want jungle primaries instead. #NoOn3
September 18, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
As a progressive in California, I can assure the voters in Massachusetts that they want nothing to do with jungle primaries.
#NoOn3
#NoOn3
When it comes to ballot questions, follow the money.
The funding for Question 3 isn’t coming from democracy advocates. It’s coming from private equity execs and venture capitalists who bankroll education privatization, conservative Dems, and Republicans across the country.
#NoOn3
The funding for Question 3 isn’t coming from democracy advocates. It’s coming from private equity execs and venture capitalists who bankroll education privatization, conservative Dems, and Republicans across the country.
#NoOn3
September 18, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
Grateful to be with the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee this morning, and honored to work with such great leaders all across the Commonwealth.
September 19, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Grateful to be with the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee this morning, and honored to work with such great leaders all across the Commonwealth.
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
Republican South Dakota secretary of state endorses Democrat to succeed her
“South Dakota deserves a Secretary of State who will strengthen confidence through performance rather than provocation,” Monae Johnson wrote in a column published Saturday.
“South Dakota deserves a Secretary of State who will strengthen confidence through performance rather than provocation,” Monae Johnson wrote in a column published Saturday.
Republican South Dakota secretary of state endorses Democrat to succeed her
“South Dakota deserves a Secretary of State who will strengthen confidence through performance rather than provocation,” Monae Johnson wrote in a column published Saturday.
www.politico.com
September 19, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Republican South Dakota secretary of state endorses Democrat to succeed her
“South Dakota deserves a Secretary of State who will strengthen confidence through performance rather than provocation,” Monae Johnson wrote in a column published Saturday.
“South Dakota deserves a Secretary of State who will strengthen confidence through performance rather than provocation,” Monae Johnson wrote in a column published Saturday.
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied entry to the White House on Saturday. First Amendment experts condemned President Trump’s ban on the news outlets as unconstitutional. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/09...
September 19, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico were denied entry to the White House on Saturday. First Amendment experts condemned President Trump’s ban on the news outlets as unconstitutional. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/09...
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
C’est flagrant:Trump’s new statues block language inscribed to share Washington DC’s vision of an inclusive, cultural hub for America. They also block Article 1 —powers of Congress.
September 19, 2026 at 9:43 PM
C’est flagrant:Trump’s new statues block language inscribed to share Washington DC’s vision of an inclusive, cultural hub for America. They also block Article 1 —powers of Congress.
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
People who run festivals and markets need to add "No AI" to their signage rules. AI "photos" of food probably violate truth in advertising laws, but they also just look like crap and devalue the experience for everyone.
AI generated posters report from Somerville Fluff Fest.
Guys it's bleak out there. Not as many as I feared but... Ugh.
Guys it's bleak out there. Not as many as I feared but... Ugh.
September 19, 2026 at 9:22 PM
People who run festivals and markets need to add "No AI" to their signage rules. AI "photos" of food probably violate truth in advertising laws, but they also just look like crap and devalue the experience for everyone.
A couple weeks ago for me. How about you?
Got vaxxed. Twice.
Go on, now. Git yours.
Go on, now. Git yours.
September 19, 2026 at 2:10 PM
A couple weeks ago for me. How about you?
Reposted by Rebecca M. Townsend
THANK YOU, Norm Eisen for pointing out that you can’t declare bankruptcy on charitable trust, which would make it difficult in the case of administrative trust.
The judge asked the govt if the Kennedy Center is going bankrupt. You should've seen them backpedal
Why so fast? If it's broke, a court puts someone else in charge & they lose control of it
@cnn.com👇 -TN
Why so fast? If it's broke, a court puts someone else in charge & they lose control of it
@cnn.com👇 -TN
September 19, 2026 at 2:06 PM
THANK YOU, Norm Eisen for pointing out that you can’t declare bankruptcy on charitable trust, which would make it difficult in the case of administrative trust.