Focused reader — 2 sources in 90 days
Norman Brannon on the tragic passing of Bo Lueders and mental health awareness in punk and hardcore
For Life
I have often worried that I talk about mental health "too much." After this week, I am committed to destroying that fear.
antimatter.substack.com
How women in metal are taking on misogyny
More Than a ‘Female-Fronted’ Gimmick: Women in Metal Take on the Scene’s Misogyny
Emma Boster (Dying Wish), Ebonie Butler (Metal and Coffee), and Maria Ferrero (Adrenaline PR) speak on what it's like for them as women in metal.
metalsucks.net
Interesting article on the interpretations (and misinterpretations) of The Punisher
How the Punisher, a murderous anti-hero, became the mascot for increasingly militarized police forces
“He is breaking the very laws…that cops are supposed to uphold.”
reason.com
Inside the resurgence of hardcore
“People are seeking a sense of belonging, a sense of connection, a…
From festivals to fashion to fist-swinging mosh-pits, hardcore is bigger now than it’s ever been – and still growing at an exponential rate. To find out…
kerrang.com
If you didn’t have enough reason to absolutely hate the Drug War and any politician who continues to support it, here’s an excerpt from Jacob Sullum’s new book “Beyond Control: Drug Prohibition, Gun Regulation, and the Search for Sensible Alternatives”.
'Botched' drug raids show how prohibition invites senseless violence
The war on drugs authorizes police conduct that otherwise would be readily recognized as criminal.
reason.com
20 years of Fall Out Boy’s ‘From Under The Cork Tree’
Fall Out Boy's 'From Under The Cork Tree' Turns 20
“AM I MORE THAN YOU BARGAINED FOR YET?” is the perfect introduction to Fall Out Boy, and for millions of listeners, that’s what it became.
stereogum.com
Today marks 250 years since Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death,” declaration. Stacey McKenna has a moving short piece on how our government mistreats drug users, violating their liberty to pursue harm reduction, effectively sentencing them to die.
“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”—For People Who Use Drugs, It’s Literal - R Street Institute
When Patrick Henry spoke that now-infamous line, “Give me liberty or give me death,” he likely intended it as hyperbole, a metaphor, and a call for people to ask themselves what they value. The specifics of what he meant are less clear. Did he want to avoid succumbing to economic shackles in exchange for peace?...
rstreet.org
Revisiting the Descendents' 'I Don't Want to Grow Up' 40 years later and tracking its continued influence on the worlds of pop-punk and hardcore
I (Still) Don’t Want to Grow Up: The Descendents' Sophomore Album Turns 40
Revisiting the Descendents' 'I Don't Want to Grow Up' 40 years later and tracking its continued influence on the worlds of pop-punk and hardcore
lambgoat.com
FIRE’s Sarah McLaughlin on Mahmoud Khalil's case and its similarities to authoritarian regimes’ speech policing and use of deportation as a censorship tool.
Deporting speakers over supposed ‘propaganda’ is a stock authoritarian move | Sarah McLaughlin
You don’t need to hold sympathy for Mahmoud Khalil’s views to see why his targeting is an immense threat to free expression
theguardian.com
It’s the 5th anniversary of the series that got me back into reading graphic novels. Coincidentally, I just started reading Vol. 5 today.
ECCC ’25: James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds celebrate 5 years of ‘Department of Truth’
In ' Department of Truth' it's Bigfoot, and Mothman, and Tulpas. Oh my!
aiptcomics.com
Anti-Matter is sadly going back on Hiatus, but you can view the entirety of the archives for free before new year. Remember, “We believe hardcore is more than music.”
The Best of Anti-Matter
The archives are free and open until 2025. Preorders for the final merch drop are winding down shortly. It's the holiday season, so let's put a bow on it.
antimatter.substack.com
Very sad to see IGD go on hiatus, but glad most of their newer projects are going to continue in a different capacity.
On Hiatus: A Statement from the Editors
10 years ago a group of people set out to create a new media platform to document and give voice to autonomous social movements happening across so-called North America. It's Going Down (IGD) has had an impact and audience beyond what many of us thought was possible, and we're proud of the work that we've...
itsgoingdown.org
Radley Balko on the MAGA threat to free speech
What to watch for: free speech and the free press
Assessing the MAGA threat to the First Amendment
radleybalko.substack.com
You should stop eating Turkey this Thanksgiving, and here’s why. 🦃
10 Reasons Not To Eat Turkey This Thanksgiving
From animal welfare to environmental impact, here are some reasons to opt out.
sentientmedia.org
Kim Kelly on sex workers’ warnings about Project 2025
Sex Workers Are Trying to Warn Us About Project 2025
thenation.com
Interview with Vinnie Stigma of Agnostic Front
In Conversation: Vinnie Stigma of Agnostic Front
A new memoir dubs him "the most interesting man in the world," but the reality of being Vinnie Stigma is a lot more down-to-earth: He has only ever wanted to honor the people and places that made him.
antimatter.substack.com
Reminder that despite what his apologists say, Donald Trump was and still is a warmonger.
Donald the warmonger
Does no one remember this guy's presidency?
theracket.news
Nasal spray vaccines against COVID, the flu, and RSV potentially work better than shots. Even if they only work about equally, it’s still a huge innovation since I suspect a lot of vaccine hesitancy is really discomfort around needles.
New Nasal Vaccines Offer Stronger Protection from COVID, Flu, and More—No Needle Needed
Gentle nasal spray vaccines against COVID, the flu and RSV are coming. They may work better than shots in the arm
scientificamerican.com
An excellent critique by Landry Ayres on why school choice advocates like Corey DeAngelis getting in bed with right-Wing culture warriors is a bad strategy for education freedom.
Promoting School Choice the Wrong Way
A prominent advocate of this worthy cause has done it a disservice by exploiting right-wing rage to advance it
theunpopulist.net
More than 20,000 people are incarcerated in Florida jails and prisons located in counties subject to evacuation orders due to Hurricane Milton. Officials are refusing to evacuate them.
Caught in the Storm: How Florida Prisons and Jails Are Responding to Hurricane Milton
More than 20,000 people are incarcerated in Florida jails and prisons located in counties subject to evacuation orders.
theappeal.org
In These Times interviewed 18 Jewish professionals with 16 different Jewish organizations across the country, all of whom describe being fired, quitting under pressure, or seeing their roles disappear since October 7 for issues surrounding criticism of Israel or support for a permanent cease-fire.
U.S. Jewish Institutions Are Purging Their Staffs of Anti-Zionists
A months-long investigation found even the smallest hints of dissent are often met with unemployment.
inthesetimes.com
Q&A with the Quattrone Center's Marissa Boyers Bluestine about the promise of, and backlash against, Conviction Integrity Units
radleybalko.substack.com
Interesting interview with Nathan Hardy of the band Microwave on his experience as a Mormon missionary and eventually leaving the faith.
Microwave’s Nathan Hardy Speaks on His Experience as a Mormon Missionary — Casey Doran
thesunisflat.org
The always excellent Elia Ayoub on Christian Zionism
Christian Zionism is a Death Cult
A look into Netanyahu's most loyal allies.
hauntologies.net
I watched so many heavy bands trade in their aggression for the potential of more success. Knocked Loose did the opposite, and it paid off more than anyone could’ve imagined.
No compromise: How KNOCKED LOOSE got bigger than ever, but also darker and heavier
"Hardcore isn't for EVERYONE, but it's for ANYONE"
revolvermag.com
On the intersections of comic books and punk rock
Heroes and Villains
If the intersection between comic books and punk rock runs deep, it's because we know: Fitting in is fine, but being a misfit is a superpower.
antimatter.substack.com
Matthew McCartney writes for CCI on the differences and overlaps between Urban Optimists and Marxist Urbanists.
Can CCI Learn Anything from Marxist Urbanists?
This thought-provoking blog contrasts market-driven urbanism with Marxist perspectives on cities, labor, and governance.
chartercitiesinstitute.org
20 times Israel used US arms in likely war crimes
Gaza breakdown: 20 times Israel used US arms in likely war crimes
These detailed cases represent a small fraction of potential human crimes committed with American planes, shells, and bombs.
responsiblestatecraft.org
Daniel Shapiro contra David R. Henderson on Trump being “less bad” than his opponent
Getting it Wrong
David R. Henderson’s case that Trump is less bad than his opponent
prosociallibertarians.substack.com
Donald Trump tells lots of lies, but one of the biggest and most frequently repeated lies is that he is opposed to U.S. foreign wars.
Trump Doesn't Oppose Endless Wars
If it were anyone other than Trump taking these positions, his own supporters would be denouncing him as a neocon.
daniellarison.substack.com
Trump wants absolute immunity for the law enforcement officers and public officials who support him and his policies, and punishment and retribution for those who don't.
Trump wants immunity for the cops who serve him -- and retribution for the cops who don't
The former president's contradictory gibberish on police immunity makes more sense when viewed through the lens of his narcissism.
radleybalko.substack.com
Records obtained by Animal Partisan reveal FBI strategies to use ‘weapons of mass destruction statutes’ against activists.
FBI Records Reveal Ironic Accusations Against Animal Activists
A recent investigation finds the FBI considering ‘weapons of mass destruction statutes’ against activists.
sentientmedia.org
The Cass Report, lauded by conservatives and anti-trans activists, is bullshit.
Opinion | The Strange Report Fueling the War on Trans Kids
For all its claims to science, the Cass report is fundamentally a subjective, political document.
nytimes.com
Kamala Harris should strongly defend the benefits of immigration if she wants to be president.
Opinion | Kamala Harris shouldn’t ignore immigration. She should run on it.
Immigrants help maintain the country's economic stability. Harris should make Trump run against that.
msnbc.com
Ilya Somin gives a positive reaction towards Biden’s proposed SCOTUS reforms, but it depends on the details.
Thoughts on Biden's Proposed Supreme Court Reforms
The proposals include term limits for Supreme Court justices, a binding ethics code, and a constitutional amendment limiting the president's' immunity from prosecution. All 3 are potentially good ideas. But devil is in details.
reason.com
Anthony Gregory is back y’all
Republicans' Calls for 'Law and Order' Have Democratic Roots
The 2024 RNC made "law and order" a key theme—a political strategy that goes back beyond Richard Nixon, to FDR.
time.com
Ethereum creator on why it’s a mistake to support allegedly pro-cryptocurrency politicians just because they claim to support crypto.
Against choosing your political allegiances based on who is
vitalik.eth.limo
Reclassify PrEP and PEP (HIV pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis) as over-the-counter and make them accessible in vending machines.
To make progress on HIV epidemic, put lifesaving medicine in vending machines
If the White House wants to meet its goal of ending the HIV epidemic six years from now, it should make PrEP and PEP OTC and get them into vending machines ASAP.
thehill.com
How plant-based honey could help save the most at-risk bees: native pollinators.
Scientists Are Making Honey Without the Hive
How plant-based honey could help save the most at-risk bees: native pollinators.
sentientmedia.org
Norman Brannon on the intersections of LGBTQ+ Pride and hardcore punk.
Hardcore Pride
As this year's LGBTQ+ Pride Month comes to an end, it's a good time to consider: The concepts of "pride" as a hardcore value and "pride" as a tool for queer liberation are more related than you think.
antimatter.substack.com
Radley Balko on the indigent defense systems of Florida and Georgia
The states of indigent defense, part three: Florida and Georgia
The two states have unusual public defender systems that bring unique problems -- in addition to all the usual ones
radleybalko.substack.com
Libertarian president of the Cato Institute contra Trump and the “Libertarian” Party
Opinion | Trump is hardly libertarian. But neither is today’s Libertarian Party.
Donald Trump’s upcoming appearance at the party’s convention says more about the party than him.
washingtonpost.com
Pacific states appear to have experienced the highest inflation, while the Plains states have experienced the lowest.
The Disparate Geographic Impact of Inflation
Introducing FREOPP’s State Inflation Inequality Indices
freopp.org
On the ahistorical bias against collaboration and cowriting in punk and hardcore.
Write Together, Rock Together
Somewhere in our collective subconscious is the presumption that bands should write every single word and note for themselves. But punk history tells us that collaboration is just what communities do.
antimatter.substack.com
On the recent passing of one of hardcore’s greatest frontmen Eddie Leeway
Keep Fighting For Your Life
Eddie Leeway spent his final years with two feet planted firmly inside the hardcore community he loved. He left us with more than just the music.
antimatter.substack.com
SFL’s Josh Eakle on the right-wing’s sexual misconduct hypocrisy
The Right-Wing Groomers Who Call Everyone Groomers — Queer Majority
When it comes to the right-wing “groomer” police, methinks they doth protest too much.
queermajority.com
On Uri Berliner’s errors and omissions regarding NPR, which is par for the course for The Free Press
How my NPR colleague failed at “viewpoint diversity”
Uri Berliner gave a perfect example of the kind of journalism he says he’s against.
steveinskeep.substack.com
Cato’s Jon Hoffman on the need to truly “normalize” the United States’ relationship with Israel
Israel Is a Strategic Liability for the United States
The special relationship does not benefit Washington and is endangering U.S. interests across the globe.
foreignpolicy.com
Interview with musician and producer Brian McTernan of Be Well, Battery, etc. about mental health and hardcore.
In Conversation: Brian McTernan of Be Well
In his work with Be Well, Brian McTernan has expanded the boundaries of what it means to be open about your mental health in hardcore. He's got to admit: It's getting better.
antimatter.substack.com
Drones are proving invaluable for activists monitoring illegal fishing, hunting and deforestation – as well as keeping tabs on zoos and aquariums
Eyes in the sky: why drones are ‘beyond effective’ for animal rights campaigners around the world
Inexpensive and easy to use, drones are proving invaluable for activists monitoring illegal fishing, hunting and deforestation – as well as keeping tabs on zoos and aquariums
theguardian.com
