In other places without a robust democracy, is there a large portion of low information citizens who don't see a problem with deprivation of due process and other civil rights? Assuming it's not happening to them personally? Or does the threat start to feel universal?

Is there a large portion that's okay with vindictive retaliation and corruption, because they see themselves as being able to leverage these mechanisms for gain, even if they're actually low-power individuals? Like they see themselves as temporarily embarrassed corrupt powerful officials?

Is there often a rural/urban loose divide that resembles the US? Where people in cities tend to grow more tolerant and collaborative and seek collective action solutions, and people in rural parts are more attached to traditional ways and independence? Or does it sometimes shake out totally differently?

Mossy sends in without comment: The Untold Story of Polish Refugees in Uganda: A forgotten chapter of survival in exile during World War II

It's a great read!

The church and cemetery are almost all that is left from this little-remembered event in Ugandan -- and African -- history, when the country took in over 7,000 displaced people in total from Poland between 1942 and 1948. They lived in relatively isolated communities in remote settlements, far removed from European expatriates already living in Uganda. With the help of African laborers, they built their own schools, hospitals and church, constructing self-sufficient communities that were managed by the British protectorate government and guarded by African soldiers, known as "askaris." The Poles developed ostensibly friendly relations with the African Ugandans with whom they interacted in the camps. However, a closer look at the sources shows that beneath this veneer lay the same structural racism that was pervasive throughout the British Empire.

The details of their lives there are super interesting.

Harvard is showing some cajones and standing up to Trump (but maybe they've gauged that this is the most economical way to play their hand).

Predictions on how this will play out?

LW writes: Can't tell your players without a scorecard.

The dead hand on the tiller of republican policy is apparently that of a deranged successor of John Calhoun. Not an analogy, rather something else.

Interesting article pointing to a book from a friend: Meet the Hidden Architect Behind America's Racist Economics.

Buchanan, in contrast, insisted that people were primarily driven by venal self-interest. Crediting people with altruism or a desire to serve others was "romantic" fantasy: politicians and government workers were out for themselves, and so, for that matter, were teachers, doctors, and civil rights activists. They wanted to control others and wrest away their resources: "Each person seeks mastery over a world of slaves," he wrote in his 1975 book, The Limits of Liberty.

Also, this Chinese video (with English subtitles ) about Chinese mercenaries on both sides of the Ukrainian war, mostly Russia. Some stoic guys there, unbelievably grim position. Scavenged weapons, stolen equipment with punishment for complaining.

Heebie's take: Well that's depressing.

I've assumed there is zero chance that the SAVE act gets through the Senate, and it's basically just grandstanding. Am I correct about this? I'm surprised by how much fear and worry I'm seeing.

Also it's not obvious to me that it would disenfranchise more Democrats than Republicans anymore, for what it's worth.