Sign in

lessenberry.bsky.social

@lessenberry.bsky.social
3.4K followers 2.2K following 616 posts
PostsRepliesMedia
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 20h
One thing everyone can agree on: It's been a bizarre election year, and it's far from over. A survey of the playing field in my Substack column today: Thanks for reading and subscribing: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/one-weird-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
One Weird Election Year
In Michigan, that is, and it’s not over yet
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Third parties -- Libertarians, Greens, etc. -- don't like to admit this, but they are essentially irrelevant in American politics today. But there IS a way they could really matter, for the first time ever. See my Substack column today, and vote! jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-third-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Why Third Parties Are Irrelevant
... and how we could make them finally matter
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Some older Democrats are puzzled by the rise of the Democratic Socialist movement and the disdain young progressives have for them. They need to be aware of their own betrayals. See my Substack today: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/when-democ...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
When Democrats Sell Us Out
And you wonder why the young are cynical
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
It's clear that many are frightened by the mere idea of a state Constitutional Convention, which doesn't surprise me. Liberals are scarcely a brave lot these days. But they ought to know what they are talking about, as I discuss in my Substack today. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/some-comme...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Some Comments On a Con-Con
You can disagree -- but know what you are talking about
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Once upon a time, liberals were fighting warriors, happy to battle for the people and a better world. Now, too many are cringing cowards, afraid to take on the neofascists. This year, we have a golden chance to remake Michigan. Let's seize it: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-coward...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
The Cowardice of the Liberals
They aren’t fighting for the people. They fear them
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Eight years ago, Michigan citizens voted to legalize marijuana. Apart from the idea that people should be free to do what millions were doing anyway, this was supposed to mean lots of new jobs and revenue for the state. So how has this worked out? jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/what-happe...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
What Happens When Your Economy Goes to Pot?
Michigan is still trying to figure this out.
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
irtually every establishment politician in Michigan is against having a Constitutional convention, and are telling you misleading things, because, frankly, they are afraid of the people and like the way things are now. See my substack column today: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/heres-anot...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Here’s Another Reason to Vote For a Con-Con
Virtually the entire political establishment is against one
100
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Once, politicians got in trouble for suggesting their opponents were or might be "communists." Now, a cheerfully amoral Republican congresswoman is encouraging her party to smear all Democrats that way. Please see my Substack column, and subscribe: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/todays-rep...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Today’s Republican: No Decency, No Guilt
From Michigan -- and she’s part of their Congressional leadership team
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Can a sizable, mostly Black suburb become successfully multi-ethnic and middle class? That's what the Metro Detroit city of Southfield is trying to do, and the answer is nationally important. See my Substack column today. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/southfield...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Southfield Really Might Be The Center of It All
Can a middle-class, mostly Black city survive and prosper?
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Can a sizable, mostly Black suburb become successfully multi-ethnic and middle class? That's what the Metro Detroit city of Southfield is trying to do, and the answer is nationally important. See my Substack column today. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/southfield...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Southfield Really Might Be The Center of It All
Can a middle-class, mostly Black city survive and prosper?
001
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
After I wrote about what was wrong with baseball today, I was accused of living in the past. In today's Substack, the poignant story of one man for whom living in the past made perfect sense: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/on-living-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
On Living in the Past
To some extent, nearly all of us do it -- and should
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I've realized that in recent weeks I've been suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome -- paying too much attention to Michigan politics and not enough to the fact that the worst president in history may ruin our lives forever. See my Substack today. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/yes-trump-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Yes, Trump May Kill Us All.
Or certainly make our lives not worth living, if that matters.
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The Detroit Tigers' last game of the year is today, and I am following up yesterday's post on the decline of baseball with some final thoughts - and comments from some of my much-appreciaed readers in today's Substack column. And thanks for reading me. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/some-final...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Some Final Thoughts on Baseball
Despite the tragedy, there are still reminders of what it once was.
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I was once an enormous baseball fan. Tonight, Justin Verlander pitches his final game, and I couldn't care less. A meditation on the demise of the one truly American sport: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-i-no-l...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Why I No Longer Care About Baseball
The national sport has been ruined, much like the nation itself
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Today's post is meant to remind me, and all of us, that we need to stop squabbling over local candidates and remember that Job Only is stopping the worst monster in history from destroying our country and democracy. Please read and subscribe: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/dont-forge...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Don’t Forget: We Have the Worst and Most Dangerous President In Our History
Stopping, at least thwarting, him is the most important thing. Period
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
John James, the GOP's great Black hope, burst on the scene eight years ago by losing to Debbie Stabebow. Then he lost to Gary Peters. This year, if he loses the race for governor, he'll have accomplished a loser trifecta. But will he then disappear? jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/governors-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Governor’s Race: Last Hurrah for John James?
It should be his -- or Jocelyn Benson’s -final curtain cal
001
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A prominent politician and diplomat who was present for the signing of the Camp David accords told me that he and the world need Abdul El-Sayed to do one important thing: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/what-jews-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
What Jews Need Abdul To Do
Anwar Sadat. a true statesman, showed the way before El-Sayed was born.
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Comrades: An earlier version of today’ s column had “Erica” McClain in the headline, not Lisa. This was obviously the work of Communists, and both Erica and Lisa have vowed to hunt them down.
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Time was when people were cautious about calling others "communists." Once you could even get your career ruined for doing so. But in the GOP, not any more. Meet Erica McClain, the perfect embodiment of Donald Trump's idea lackey congressoid. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/meet-erica...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Meet Erica McClain, the Moron McCarthy
She gleefully smears innocent people as Communists, and brags about it
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Sometimes, we end up having to make a choice between two options, neither of which we love, such as radiation and chemo or death, or El-Sayed or Rogers. Some educated thoughts about the latter in my substack column today. Thanks for reading: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/making-a-c...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Making a Choice When the Options Aren’t Great
It’s what adults sometimes have to do.
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Some Democrats and independents, unhappy with the choices for the U.S. Senate this year, are muttering that Gary Peters had no right to retire. Well, I understand the sentiment, but they are wrong. See my Substack today, and please consider subscribing. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/did-gary-p...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Did Gary Peters Betray Us?
Was he letting us all down by not running again?
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
In November, 2004, I spent an afternoon with a man was the son of one of my heroes and seemed to passionately care about the environment. Instead, he turned out to be one of most horrible people ever to hold high office. But he was once different: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-baffli...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
The Baffling Transformation of a Former Hero
People forget that he was once a good guy, or seemed to bee.
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
his year, for the first time in decades, Michigan's Senate race has gotten far more attention than the contest for governor. . A look at the state's oddest gubernatorial race in decades, on Substack today: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/our-semi-v...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Our Semi-visible Governor’s Race
Notes from the campaign’s undercard
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Michigan voters will be asked in November if they want to call a Constitutional convention. The politicians are all against the idea. But I think we need one --and it looks like the voters do, too! jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/maybe-mich...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Maybe Michigan Will Have a Con-Con After All!
The politicians don’t want one. The people seem to disagree
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Michigan voters will be asked in November if they want to call a Constitutional convention. The politicians are all against the idea. But I think we need one --and it looks like the voters do, too! jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/maybe-mich...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Maybe Michigan Will Have a Con-Con After All!
The politicians don’t want one. The people seem to disagree
021
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
There seem to be a lot of Jewish people who believe that while Donald Trump may be horrible. they can rely on him to stand with Israel. They are, to be nice, amazingly and willfully stupid and naive, as the Irish can tell them. See my Substack today: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/what-israe...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
What Israel Should Learn From Ireland
Trusting Donald Trump is the Height of Folly
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
You may not have noticed, but labeling people helps not only define but limit them, and we've been allowing others to do that. See my Substack column today, and try thinking for yourself .. you might like it. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/against-al...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Against Allowing Anyone to Label Us
Final Thoughts on the Centrist-Progressive Nonsense
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Everyone arguing about "progressives" and "centrists" is missing the only real issue: Donald Trump is destroying the country and democracy and the priority is stopping him. Until that's done, everything else DOES NOT MATTER. See my Substack today: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/democrats-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Democrats, Americans --Wake Up, Damn It!
Squabbling over “centrists” and “progressives” only helps the enemy.
011
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/what-reall...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
What Really Was the Lesson of 9-11?
Are we even thinking about what it meant any more?
001
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Newspapers, especially print ones, are dying. The Toledo Blade, a paper I've had a long relationship with, may close for good at the end of the year. In my Substack today, see why the death of a newspaper is more of a loss than you might think. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-a-news...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Why the Newspaper Closing Matters So Much
Print newspapers were the lifeblood of communities
001
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Since the primary election last month, we've heard lots about the bitter split among Democrats over the Senate race. But there's been another division below the surface that's gotten almost no attention until now, and it should: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/is-elissa-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Is Elissa Slotkin Not a Team Player?
Some Democratic leaders believe she sabotaged two strong candidates
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Everyone, regardless of their politics, is sick of the war in Gaza. So why don't we just impose a peace? See my Substack column today, and get ready for Fall. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/diplomacy-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Tuesday
Not one more American dollar or piece of military aid to Israel until Bibi and his gangsters are removed from power.
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
It's Labor Day, and too many Americans have no idea what that really means or how they got where they are. Please read my Substack today, consider becoming a paid subscriber, and then sing or at least listen to Joe Hill. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-people...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
The People Who Gave Us the Weekend
Remembering how important unions are
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
For years, Trump supports smirked that those who protested their mad king were guilty of Trump Derangement Syndrome. You don't hear that much any more, but, I assure you, TDS is real. See my Substack today, and thanks for subscribing. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/yes-trump-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Yes, Trump Derangement Syndrome is Real
It consists of denying that our country is being destroyed
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
If you are following Michigan politics, you've probably heard of Hasan Piker. But there is a scary religious fanatic supporting one of the candidates, and it isn't the Democrat. See my Substack column today, and thank you for reading me. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-scary-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
The Scary Religious Bigot In Our Senate Race
And it isn’t Hasan Piker.
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Some Michigan voters are urging a vote for Mike Rogers because they think Abdul El-Sayed is an antisemite. Well, it is hard to think of a bigger or more dangerous delusion than the idea that Rogers is some sort of moderate. See my Substack today. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/do-you-rea...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Do You Realize Who Mike Rogers Really is?
A vote for him is a vote for fascism.
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
It's been a month since Michigan's primary election, but bitterness over the outcome of the Senate race is still very deep. Can it be healed? Please see my Substack column today. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/will-the-s...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Will The Split Over Israel Cost Democrats a Michigan Senate Seat?
Some Jews say they’ll never support El-Sayed. Others are pragmatic,
111
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
We all need something to laugh about in politics, and Johnny James has just given it to us. And hopefully, another reason to send him back to daddy's business-- oops, the private sector. See my substack column today, and keep smiling, jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/the-copyca...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
The Copycat Idiocy of John James
His plan would finish uttely ruining Michigan
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
There's an old vaudeville routine about a politician who says,"Well, those are my views, and if you don't like 'em, I can change 'em," Say hello to Gretchen Whitmer, political chameleon, in my substack column today: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/how-govern...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Whitmer Line 5
Informed observations from history and the American scene
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
his is a weird election in Michigan in many ways, one of which is that the governor's race seems to have been forgotten. Everyone assumes Jocelyn Benson will win, but what does she stand for? See my Substack today, and thanks to my paying subscribers. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/jocelyn-be...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Jocelyn Benson May Be Our Next Governor ...
But what does she stand for?
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Politics has often had its seamy side, but never as bad as now. But there are still people in it who have class and are capable of honor, and one of them just showed all of us what grace looks like: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/want-to-se...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Want To See What Grace Looks Like in Politics?
Here’s how someone with class handles losing,
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
So overall, how does America at 250 compare to the country at the bicentennial? See my Substack column today, and never give up fighting, or hope. Cheers! jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/decidedly-...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Decidedly Not Ok, From A Boomer
The world has changed, all right. So what do we do now?
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
You could make the case that we boomers were the most self-indulgent people in history, But as we are slowly pushed aside by new generations, if may be amusing to compare then and now, and us vs them. See my Substack for a rare election-free column! jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/confrontin...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Confronting Old Fartism
Have the former victims become the modern perps? Or, are we justified?
010
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Anyone who has ever had a close relationship with a cat or perhaps especially a dog knows how wonderfully complex they are So does it makes sense to regard them legally as only property? See my Substack column, and thanks for subscribing if you do. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/should-som...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Should Some Animals Have the Legal Status of Persons?
Increasingly, people are saying yes.
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Whatever you think about Abdul El-Sayed, his nomination is no excuse for some of the frankly racist and unsubstantiated Muslim-bashing we're seeing. See my Substack today, and become a paying subscriber if you can. Much thanks! Jack jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/enough-wit...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Enough With the Offensive Muslim-Bashing
Much of it is also just ridiculous and stupid
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
There have been so many horrors in the last few years that this one has been largely overlooked: Literacy rates are falling, not in the developing world but in the United States of America. See my Substack column today, and thank you! jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/johnny-and...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Johnny and Susie Often Can’t Read
... and unless this changes, we are all dead.
011
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Many people, most of them Jewish, are facing an agonizing choice in Michigan's U.S. Senate race this fall. But when you look at the bigger picture, i.e. the future of the nation and the world, it isn't hard at all. Please read my Substack column today. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/supporting...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Supporting Mike Rogers is a Moral Betrayal
Not only of the best of our values, but Israel’s as well.
031
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Michigan's entire political class, left and right, is afraid of having a state constitutional convention, because they are afraid of the people. Which might be exactly why we need one. See my Substack column today: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/why-michig...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Why Michigan Needs a Constitutional Convention...
Though we probably won’t get one
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I haven't been a huge fan of the way Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson has run her campaign, but she gets credit for a smart pick for lieutenant gov. See my Substack column today: jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/bensons-li...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Benson’s Lieutenant Governor Pick? Not Bad
State Senator Winnie Brinks could help her a lot
000
lessenberry.bsky.social @lessenberry.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
For years, we've heard that agriculture was the second-biggest part of the Michigan economy. But is that really true? See my Substack today for some surprising facts about the state, and what may happen next. jacklessenberry.substack.com/p/think-agri...
jacklessenberry.substack.com
Think Agriculture Is Important to Our Economy?
Well, in Michigan, not as much as you probably think.
000