Ben Toll

This woman speaks for the majority of Americans. 🙌🙏🫶👇

I’ve covered authoritarian regimes all around the world. We know how we got here: 1. A Supreme Court that has given the Executive almost unchecked power 2. A broken political party system where the party in power refuses to act as a check on the executive and a leaderless (for now) opposition 3. A federal government that has been gutted of independent levers of power 4. A President who seemingly believes he has total authority to use crushing federal power and is emboldened and enabled by his cabinet. 5. An activated and angry civilian population that has no trust in institutions. 6. The use of federal forces in defiance of the will of states 7. A business and elite class that is largely willing to bear the cost of the chaos. 8. A weakened independent Press and an expanding propaganda network that profits from partisan alliances on the left and right.

@Cubs @WatchMarquee: my kids are super excited the Cubs are coming to Yankee Stadium. Looking forward to taking them on Sunday and hoping for a PCA home run. This is what my 14 year old made getting ready for Sunday.

@philvischer As a political scientist, teaching a presidency course this semester, this has been a rough start to the semester.

For those of you who didn't grow up with a deep understanding of the Constitution, suffice it to say, this ain't it.

@ryanburge A man whom I had an immense amount of respect for. Got to meet him once and my opinions were still high.

Tony Campolo passed away today. He was 89 years old. He was one of the most gifted preachers I have ever heard. If you have a few minutes, listen to him tell the story of throwing a birthday party for a prostitute in Hawaii. It's worth your time.

@BucciSays Add that to students who genuinely don’t care about doing well and I feel very defeated.

Want to read a paper about public opinion of the Electoral College while waiting for results? Check out this paper I published with a former undergrad on that topic! Email/message if you want a copy. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15…

@Nate_Birkhead I live in rural PA. More signs for Dem candidate this cycle than in past. 15% of signs is higher than 0. We also have signs saying that if you are still a democrat, then you are a pedophile. I love living in a battleground…

@profsamperry I could see some revisionist history if Dems still lose presidency that goes after him. But, this is an example (one of very few) where national politicians give up their ego for the good of others.

I am doing a review of a paper that was resubmitted I previously reviewed and was saddened to figure out that I am reviewer 2...

I normally end the school year tired but happy that I was able to witness growth, maturation, and the development of students. This year I just feel defeated. It feels rough right now even with my upper level classes that I love teaching.

@KSPrior @scott_m_coley @mbird12 @MikeCosper @JohnInazu @profntwright As a professor of political science I desperately want to do nothing but read each of these books. But, with it nearing the end of the semester I have to wait until the term is over and I can read for fun again.

My friends are grappling with these dark days and the big questions in powerful and inspiring ways. They are writing helpful books. More airplane reading for me! Maybe for you?

@Nate_Birkhead Well, I am 3/3. So, clearly I am killing it (literally).

I am so proud of one of my students who has graduate acceptances to two top 15 programs, and three others in the top 25. Now, they get to decide which of the great schools to go to.

@tcinternets Hey, I saw that text!

Just confirmed that my college pal’s older brother is the white kid in the fairly famous Wesley Willis keyboard pic

The Justin Fields vs. Caleb Williams quarterback debate in Chicago feels like a political battle at this point So I made political attack ads for both of them, as though they’re candidates who need your vote this spring:

@tcinternets Flights are booked! ;)

Hey @bentoll you wanna come over and play

The 2 year old had another seizure this morning and I still have a student who won’t quit asking me to give them free points so they can pass. Which one do I care about more? Pretty obvious to me.

@TimAlberta Very much looking forward to reading the book, even if it makes me incredibly sad as one who grew up in this world as well.

My first book excerpt is here. It's about the betrayal of a grieving son—and the idols we've made for ourselves inside the church. Please read it. (And please pre-order a copy: amazon.com/Kingdom-Power-…) theatlantic.com/magazine/archi…