Posts by Matt Bernius

Matt Bernius
About Matt Bernius
Matt Bernius is a design researcher working to create more equitable government systems and experiences. He's currently a Principal User Researcher on Code for America's "GetCalFresh" program, helping people apply for SNAP food benefits in California. Prior to joining CfA, he worked at Measures for Justice and at Effective, a UX agency. Matt has an MA from the University of Chicago.

A Bit Of Wheat Among The Chaff

Trump’s Deputy AG nominee is an promising choice

Meritocracy, Mediocrity, & DEI: SECDEF* Edition

There is no such thing as “the perfect candidate.”

President-Elect Trump Pushing For Recess Appointments

In which I agree with Trump about the problem, but NOT the solution

[Pope Francis] [Pope Francis]

Advice From Popehat

Definitely not advice from the pope

[Insert This_Guy.gif] [Insert This_Guy.gif]

Whose Predictions Were Wrong?

Like Guy Fawkes, I got burnt!

[Guy Fawkes Mask] [Guy Fawkes Mask]

9ish Guy Fawkes Day & Beyond Predictions [Updated]

Remember, remember the fifth of November…

Trump Advisors Promise A Recession (And Worse) If He Wins

Elon is on record warning Trump supporters to be prepared for “temporary hardship”

Companies Go On Record About Future Tariff-Related Price Increases

Trump’s core policies will drive inflation

With Early Voting Comes Early Claims Of Vote Switching

And the real destruction of mail-in ballots

Why We Can Say Crime Is Down Despite The FBI Upward Revision 2021’s Crime Estimates

Ignorance and motivated reasoning are never a good combination

President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, takes questions from the press at a coronavirus update briefing Saturday, March 14, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead) President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence and members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, takes questions from the press at a coronavirus update briefing Saturday, March 14, 2020, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

A Question For Our Anti-Anti-Trump Commenters

What prevents you from affirmatively supporting Trump?

Thoughts Related To Second Trump Assassination Attempt

On security details and conflicting MAGA views about the danger of rhetoric

Another Day, More Trump Racism, More Bomb Threats

And more silence from our MAGA aligned commenters

[Springfield and Dayton police officers outside the City Hall building following an evacuation due to a threat Thursday. Bill Lackey, staff photographer, Springfield News-Sun] [Springfield and Dayton police officers outside the City Hall building following an evacuation due to a threat Thursday. Bill Lackey, staff photographer, Springfield News-Sun]

The Real World Consequences Of Trump’s Racism

Trump’s Anti-Black, Anti-Haitian Propaganda Is Harming Real People

More On MAGA Attacks On Haitian Migrants

Thoughts that didn’t fit in my last post

The Trump Campaign Goes All In On Xenophobia And Racism

Racism this explicit needs to be directly confronted

Xtter Reactions To The Donald’s Bigly Bad Night

Sometimes the bird gives you the bird

Image of a scupture of a snake eating it's tail. Photographer: Leo Reynolds Image of a scupture of a snake eating it's tail. Photographer: Leo Reynolds

The Fox News/Trump Ororboros

To what degree is right wing media shaping Trump’s view of Harris?

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Where’s The Line Between Paraphrasing And “Sanewashing?”

Is it the press’s responsibility to turn nonsense into sense?

Meme from the movie Dodgeball saying "That's a Bold Move, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off" Meme from the movie Dodgeball saying "That's a Bold Move, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off"

[Updated] Hunter Biden Attempts A Novel Plea Strategy

I suspect it isn’t going to work

Being A Useful Idiot Pays Well (Allegedly)

Where’s my $400,000 a month contract?

Tucker Carlson Promotes Hitler Apologist

Who did Nazi this coming?

[JD Vance] [JD Vance]

“Leopards Eating People’s Faces Party” VP Candidate Publicly Eats Supporter’s Face

J. D. Vance seems to have a cruel sense of humor and issues with women. Weird!

The Lack Of Economy In Trump’s “Economy” Speech

I love a good data visualization!

[Graph of Monmouth Survey on Enthusiasm for 2024 Presidential Race] [Graph of Monmouth Survey on Enthusiasm for 2024 Presidential Race]

The Problem Of A High Floor & Low Ceiling

A graph that shows why Trump should be concerned

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Loose Lips Sink Ships (Or Campaigns)

Trumps undercuts current messaging & brings up past military service controversies

[167th St. Station. James Baldwin Mural. New York, NY by Kathy Drasky] [167th St. Station. James Baldwin Mural. New York, NY by Kathy Drasky]

Once You Start Running On Anger & Outrage It’s Hard To Stop

A reflection the Trump campaign with helpf from James Baldwin

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson) Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks to the National Congress of American Indians Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 12, 2021 in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

The Gift Of F.A.I.L.ure

What Trump and many supporters get wrong about Kamala Harris

Softball Questions And The Limits Of Running On Anger

Unpacking J. D. Vance’s bad PR instincts

Update On The Trump/Brown/Helicopter Story

Trump was in an emergency landing in 1990, just with another politician

Is Donald Trump Okay?

That’s not a rhetorical question.

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

[Updated] Reviewing 5 Claims About Tim Walz Military Record

I don’t think its stolen valor, but Walz has played it loose when referring to his service

Trump Campaign’s Alleged Role In The Whisper Campaign Against Shapiro

Stoking anti-Semitism for political gain

[ Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks with the press. MAY 27, 2022 - PHILADELPHIA, PA photographer: Governor Tom Wolf] [ Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks with the press. MAY 27, 2022 - PHILADELPHIA, PA photographer: Governor Tom Wolf]

Reasons Emerge For Why Josh Shapiro Wasn’t Picked

His Presidential aspirations may have played a big factor

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

[Updated x 3] Picking Walz Is NOT Antisemitism

The anti-DEI party is suddenly really concerned about identity

Help Us Identify Migration Bugs

Help us help you by helping us help you.

3D rendering artificial intelligence AI research of robot and cyborg development for future of people living. Digital data mining and machine learning technology design for computer brain. 3D rendering artificial intelligence AI research of robot and cyborg development for future of people living. Digital data mining and machine learning technology design for computer brain.

OTB Update – Going Temporarily Offline Later Today

Commenting will turn off at 1pm ET today

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Trump Lies About Hostage Release Record

Or more charitably, forgets due to cognitive decline

[Text Message App on Iphone] [Text Message App on Iphone]

The Blurry Line Between Legitimate PACs And Scams

Spoiler: the same people often work at both

Jimmy Carter Proves The Simpsons Right*

* if you are an African parasite

[JD Vance] [JD Vance]

What Exactly Did The Trump Campaign Vet J.D. Vance For?

It’s not been a great few days for J. D. Vance

[a cartoon of a diverse group of people] [a cartoon of a diverse group of people]

Additional Thoughts On “DEI” In Politics

Facts versus framing, with a little Mandela effect thrown in for good measure.

Kamala Harris in front of American Flag Kamala Harris in front of American Flag

Some Brief(ish) Thoughts On Kamala Harris’s Potential Running Mates

Taking a closer look at Cooper, Kelly, and Shapiro

[Documents taken in August Mar-A-Lago search] [Documents taken in August Mar-A-Lago search]

Judge Cannon Dismisses Trump’s Classified Document Case

Expect an appeal and a long wait

Airpods Airpods

An Unexpectedly Timely Podcast Recommendation

History rhymes in uncanny ways

Good Advice For A Somber Day

Sometimes all we have is the choice of how we react to events.