Author Archives: David S. Meyer

About David S. Meyer

Author and professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine

Convictions test convictions (2)

The sentences for the January 6 insurrectionists are getting far more harsh. Partly, it’s because the first sentences reflected plea bargains, and then prosecutors worked up to the trials of the worst offenders–and they’re not done yet. Stewart Rhodes, founder … Continue reading

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Convictions test convictions: Oath Keepers, Proud Boys, and the Republican Party (1)

Seditious conspiracy is a heavy criminal charge in the United States, hard to prove, rarely used, and harshly punished. But this week a jury convicted four members of the Proud Boys–a far right group–of the charge, along with a range … Continue reading

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May Day 2023

Same as it ever was, May Day is an international day of protest for workers rights.  Below is a picture of a march in France, where people are protesting against raising the national retirement age to 64. In France, protests … Continue reading

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The Tennessee Three and what a win looks like (2)

Now that Justin Pearson has (again) taken the oath of office, the Tennessee Three is reunited in the state House of Representatives. On Wednesday, the Shelby County Council voted on appointing an interim representative to replace the one who was … Continue reading

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The Tennessee Three show what a win looks like

A few days after suffering expulsion from the Tennessee House of Representatives, Justin Jones (again) took the oath of office and reentered the legislative chamber. Rep. Gloria Johnson, the unexpelled member of the Three, enthusiastically accompanied him on his return … Continue reading

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Expelling the Tennessee 3: Bad for democracy, bad politics. And not so good for “decorum.”

The Republican Party had nothing to gain by voting to expel two Democratic state reps (Justin Jones and Justin Pearson), and just barely deciding not to expel a third (Gloria Johnson). The expulsions were about the dumbest thing the Republicans … Continue reading

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Pushing protest outdoors in Tennessee

Tennessee state representatives Tennessee State Representatives Justin Pearson, Justin Jones, and Gloria Johnson (l-r above) broke the rules. In the wake of the most a recent mass shooting at a Christian school in Nashville, protesters filled the chamber’s galleries and … Continue reading

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Protests against Trump’s indictment?

New Yorkers laughed at Donald Trump when he came to vote in 2016. (Okay, some booed.) Trump had the next laugh, who gets the last one is still up in the air. The next episode is Trump’s return to New … Continue reading

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Israeli protest continues, along with challenges to democracy

The massive extended protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued, even as protesters claimed credit for a victory. Netanyahu postponed consideration a plan to severely limit the independence of the judiciary, frustrating hard right allies within his coalition and, for … Continue reading

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Cesar Chavez Day, 2023

Commemoration of Cesar Chavez Day is an annual ritual in California–and in Politics Outdoors. The day is a chance to reflect on Chavez, the movement he led, which continues, and the issues he and that movement addressed. (It also seems to … Continue reading

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