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Dead Reckoning
2 - Analysis / 2026 Election Cycle / 2026 Elections Cycle / California / Dead Reckoning / Elections / elections / Elections & Democracy / Maryland / Politics / Politics / Politics & Power

Two Coasts, One Ceiling

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Republican candidates Steve Hilton in California and Dan Cox in Maryland face significant polling deficits against their Democratic opponents. Both struggle to convert discontent with incumbents into voter support due to entrenched party identification. While Hilton attempts to distance himself from Trump’s influence, Cox’s strategy lacks the same proactive appeal, limiting his effectiveness.

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2 - Analysis / Accountability / Dead Reckoning / First Responders / Government / Government Accountability / History / Institutions & Accountability / Law Enforcement / New York / Public Safety / Retrospective

The Brotherhood That Would Not Break

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

On September 11, 2001, 403 New York first responders died running toward the disaster. Twenty-five years later, more than 600 FDNY members have also died from illnesses linked to Ground Zero. This is the story of the brotherhood that absorbed an unimaginable loss — and kept answering the bell.

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2 - Analysis / Commentary / Dead Reckoning / Editorial

Two Sites, One Fall: A Personal Reckoning with September 11

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Twenty-five years after September 11, a personal reckoning with Ground Zero, the Pentagon, a wounded New York City, and the people and moments that kept connecting one life to that morning long after the smoke cleared.

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2 - Analysis / Dead Reckoning / Political Violence / Politics / Politics

A Year After Kirk: Is the Rate Actually Up, or Is the Coverage Just Louder?

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A year after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the numbers show a genuine rise in threats and targeted violence. What they don’t show is an unprecedented era of political bloodshed—or that every high-profile death belongs in the same statistical bucket.

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2 - Analysis / Cybersecurity (U.S. systems) / Dead Reckoning / Executive Power & Civil Liberties / Government / Government / Intelligence & National Security / National Security / National Security & Governance / National Security & Systems Failures / Politics / Politics & Power / Power / Security / Technology

Dead Reckoning: The Post-9/11 Security State, Twenty-Five Years On

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article examines the lasting impact of post-9/11 security measures, particularly focusing on the Department of Homeland Security and its shift towards immigration enforcement. While some policies have been rolled back, such as bulk phone metadata collection, many core structures remain intact or have adapted to new purposes without proper reassessment by Congress, illustrating an enduring security state.

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2 - Analysis / Artificial Intelligence / Artificial Intelligence / Business / Data Centers / Dead Reckoning / Jobs / Media / News & Media / Technology / Technology

The Vacancy Behind the Anchor Desk

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Recent industry shifts show how AI is justifying job cuts in newsrooms, music, and freelance writing. Major companies like E.W. Scripps have reduced staff citing AI-driven efficiencies, while music platforms face declining payouts due to increased AI-generated content. This trend raises questions about accountability and the real motivations behind layoffs.

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2 - Analysis / Dead Reckoning / Elections / elections / Politics

The Odds Are Everywhere Now. Are They Any Good?

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket present real-time odds on elections, raising questions about their accuracy and legal status. While some studies suggest they may predict outcomes comparably to polls, biases and the influence of large traders complicate interpretation. Legal battles are ongoing, affecting their future operations.

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2 - Analysis / Business / Business / Business & Markets / Business Growth / Dead Reckoning / Economy / Economy & Policy / Jobs

The Private Sector Grew. Government Shrank. The Headline Blurred Both.

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, primarily due to a 53,000 decrease in local government employment, particularly in education. However, private payrolls rose by 30,000. This complex picture indicates a cooling labor market, with misleading headline statistics overshadowing the nuances of private sector growth and labor force participation decline.

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2 - Analysis / Constitutional Law / Constitutional Rights / Dead Reckoning / Government / Immigration / National Affairs / Politics / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

Dead Reckoning: After Barbara, Trump Charts a Narrower Course on Citizenship

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

President Trump signed two executive orders targeting commercial birth tourism and tightening citizenship eligibility for children of foreign enemies. This move follows a recent Supreme Court ruling asserting that children born in the U.S. are automatically citizens, despite their parents’ immigration status. The orders aim to enforce existing regulations with more rigor.

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2 - Analysis / Dead Reckoning / Government / Health & Medical / Health Wellness / Health, Policy & Regulation / Politics / Politics / Politics & Power / Public Health

The Forecast Outlives the Fame

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article compares two historical figures, Col. Irving P. Krick and Group Capt. James Stagg, who provided competing weather forecasts during WWII. It parallels their experiences to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s recent Senate hearing, exploring the relationship between fame and expertise. Both stories highlight how public perception can overshadow scientific accuracy.

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