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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

David Roth

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, seen here deep in thought.

College Football

Don’t Worry, Tommy Tuberville Can Explain This Whole Russia Thing To You

Lauren Theisen

A pedestrian walks on a bridge over a road

Politics

On Bridges

Justin Ellis

Media Meltdowns

Minneapolis Deserves More Than Jacob Frey’s Story

New York's own Eric Adams speaking at the National Conference Of Mayors.

Eric Adams: Do Not Worry About What Is On Eric Adams’s Plate

Aaron Rodgers, seen here on the field thinking freely during his Packers' loss to the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.

Cheer Up, Aaron Rodgers

Kelsey McKinney

A tattered American flag flies outside a tornado-damaged home in Joplin, Missouri.

Back To Normal Isn’t Enough

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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

The Cold War Killed Cannabis As We Knew It. Can It Rise Again?


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

How Philadelphia Gets Ahead Of Drug Trends

Harry Reid Was A True Believer

Laura Wagner

The Supreme Court Is Working As Designed

Patrick Redford

Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg's spokesperson Lis Smith speaks to the press in the Spin Room after participating in the second Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season hosted by NBC News at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida, June 27, 2019. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Let’s All Laugh At Andrew Cuomo’s Pathetic Crisis Team

Which U.S. Presidents Could Parallel Park? An Investigation

Jason England

Side-by-side images of Dave Chappelle and Kyrie Irving.

The Limits Of Dave Chappelle And Kyrie Irving’s Free-Thinking


<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

Olympic gold medal gymnast Jordyn Wieber, Olympic bronze medal gymnast Jamie Dantzcher, speedskater Bridie Farrell and figureskater Craig Maurizi testify before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee's Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security Subcommittee during a hearing in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill April 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. The atheleats testified during the hearing titled 'Olympic Abuse: The Role of National Governing Bodies in Protecting Our Athletes.'

Olympics

Congress Won’t Fund The Commission It Created To Fix Olympic Sports

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a campaign event with US President Joe Biden at Long Beach City Collage in Long Beach, California on September 13, 2021. - US President Joe Biden kicked off a visit to scorched western states Monday to hammer home his case on climate change and big public investments, as well as to campaign in California's recall election. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Well That Was A Big Waste Of Time

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Protesters hold up signs as they march down Congress Ave at a protest outside the Texas state capitol on May 29, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Thousands of protesters came out in response to a new bill outlawing abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected signed on Wednesday by Texas Governor Greg Abbot.

A Minor Ordeal

DULUTH, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Michael Lindell, CEO of MyPillow Inc., speaks during a campaign rally for President Donald Trump at the Duluth International Airport on September 30, 2020 in Duluth, Minnesota. The rally is Trump's first after last night's Presidential Debate. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Pillow Guy Mike Lindell Had A Very Strange Week In South Dakota

A photograph of Michael Irvin with the hideous image of Jerry Jones reflected in his sunglass lenses.

Michael Irvin Is The Future Of The COVID Vaccine Push

Anonymous

An eviction notice is posted and the lock is changed on a residence in the unincorporated community of Galloway on March 3, 2021 west of Columbus, Ohio.

The U.S. Is Failing Tenants, And It’s About To Get Even Worse

A protest sign is seen in front of the Montgomery County Courthouse ahead of the start of jury deliberations in the retrial of actor and comedian Bill Cosby's sexual assault case in Norristown, Pennsylvania on April 25, 2018.

Bill Cosby Didn’t Win

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, seen here in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

Tom Cotton Demands That U.S. Olympians Safeguard Their Sacred Purity Of Essence Against Communist Perfidy


<p>Amy Pedulla is a writer and audio producer. She can be reached at pedullaa@gmail.com.</p>


Amy Pedulla

Inside The Fight To Unionize CorePower Yoga

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>
