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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Patrick Redford

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 5: Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., walks through the House chamber before the start of the 7th failed attempt to elect a speaker in the Capitol on Thursday, January 5, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Politics

George Santos Claimed To Be A Volleyball Star At College He Never Attended

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Media Meltdowns

Celebrated Public Intellectual Attempts Math, Falls Down Open Manhole

This Is So Stupid

Do We Suspect, To Our Horror, That There May Well Be Some Frankenstein Coalition Created From This Impasse, An Abhorrent Manifestation Of House Rule That America Has Never Witnessed And The American People Have Never Authorized?


<p>Lam Thuy Vo is a journalist who marries data analysis with on-the-ground reporting to examine how systems and policies affect individuals. She is currently a <a href="https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/soros-justice-fellowships" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soros Justice Fellow</a>, a <a href="https://www.typeinvestigations.org/blog/2021/06/14/announcing-the-2021-ida-b-wells-fellows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Type Investigations Ida B. Wells Fellow</a>, and a <a href="https://www.journalism.cuny.edu/2021/03/lam-thuy-vo-named-to-new-role-to-strengthen-data-journalism-curriculum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data-journalist-in-residence at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism</a>. Previously, she worked for BuzzFeed News, The Wall Street Journal, Al Jazeera America and NPR&#8217;s Planet Money.</p>


Lam Thuy Vo

A copy of Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing at the Brooklyn Public Library. Access to Gyasi's book was recently restricted at a high school in Nixa, Missouri.

When Adults Banned Their Books, These Teens Fought Back By Organizing


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

AL RAYYAN, QATAR - NOVEMBER 30: General view outside the stadium prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and France at Education City Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

A World Cup Of Blood And Gold

David Roth

“Major Announcement” From Donald Trump Turns Out To Be NFTs Of His Head Photoshopped Onto A Skinny Man In A Tuxedo

Elon Musk wearing his stupid Halloween costume.

The Eternal Mystery Of A Rich Man’s Politics

Laura Wagner

Brittney Griner in Russian court in Moscow, Russia on July 27, 2022.

WNBA

Brittney Griner Is Free

Hundreds of graduate students gather in Sproul Plaza

48,000 UC Workers Are On Strike Because You Can’t Eat Prestige

Matt Birk exiting porta potty looking upset

Matt Birk Eats Shit Then Compares Himself To Jesus

Aubrey Huff sells weird supplements on YouTube.

Aubrey Huff’s Chapped Buttcheeks Karate-Kicked Off In School Board Election

Kelsey McKinney

I Love That I Finally Have A Senator To Annoy


<p>Jay Willis is a writer who covers law and democracy. His work has appeared in GQ, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. He is the editor-in-chief at Balls &amp; Strikes, an outlet for progressive commentary on the legal system.</p>


Jay Willis

Supreme Court Justice and Philadelphia Phillies fan Samuel Alito seen at the July 2019 swearing-in of Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense.

Spare A Thought For Samuel Alito, America’s Worst Phillies Fan

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<div>Casey Taylor is a writer living and working in Pittsburgh. He is currently writing a book for St. Martin&#8217;s Press about cannabis religions, Haile Selassie I, and the Cold War in the Caribbean. He also writes a free newsletter called <a href="https://weedchurch.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://weedchurch.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1709306863919000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mVH2xiID6S0zvlyj6yHco">Weed Church</a> covering foolish spiritual things that occur to him. His work has appeared in The New Republic, WIRED, New York Magazine, and a sports blog he can’t currently recall the name of. You can <a href="mailto:caseyt7@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">email</a> him if you’d like.</div>
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Casey Taylor

HUNTINGTON BEACH CA - FEBRUARY 4 : A SWAT team member enacts defense against school violence . SWAT teams from many Police forces throughout America and Canada participate in a realistic training exercises at various High Schools throughout America to help combat the rise in shooting and violence on Campus. April 19, 2001 Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach California (Photo By Paul Harris/Getty Images)

Dadfector

How To Train A Lamb For The Slaughter

A still image from the Citizens For Sanity ads that ran during the MLB Playoffs, this one juxtaposing Bernie Sanders and words accusing him of having a love affair with violent criminals.

The Disgust Is The Product

Ray Ratto

Relegation-Bound United Kingdom Sacks Liz Truss

Ominous clouds over LIV Golf's slogan, "Golf, But Louder" at the tour's October event in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Future Feels Like LIV Golf

Dave McKenna

1916: Soldiers survey the interior of the completely wrecked Post Office in Sackville Street, Dublin, during the Easter Rising of 1916. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Irish Rebel Song Sneaked Into MNF Broadcast Hours After Queen’s Funeral; ESPN Claims Coincidence

Empty voting booths are seen during Primary Election Day at PS 10 on August 23, 2022 in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn borough in New York City.

Oh Great, Now Conspiracy Theorists Are Abusing FOIA Laws

Albert Burneko

Prince Charles, or I guess he is the king now

I Don’t Have A King

a news conference about the arrest of robert telles

Local Public Official Arrested In Murder Of Vegas Reporter

How To Stay Out Of The Right-Wing Outrage Machine

Former President Donald Trump's follow-through on a drive during a LIV Golf pro-am event at his golf club in Bedminster, NJ. He looks boiled.