NRP Dispatch 

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Political News Commentary, Fiction Insights, and Real-World Parallels from R.W. Calderin

The NRP Dispatch is where political news commentary meets the world of fiction. Here, R.W. Calderin connects the headlines shaping today’s America with the themes at the heart of The Vanishing State series. From current political events to deep dives on democratic stress and institutional fracture, each post offers analysis, behind-the-scenes insight, and real-world context that informs political thriller storytelling. Whether you follow politics, read political fiction, or want to see how real events can shape credible narratives, the NRP Dispatch delivers perspectives built for readers who prefer realism over spectacle.

wag the dog image.
Behind the FictionNRP Dispatch

Wag the Dog, Again, But With Bigger Toys

Washington has a coping mechanism for disgrace: find a bigger headline and climb inside it. When the story turns ugly ...
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Venezuela boat strikes illustration with U.S. warship, shattered boat, and distant Capitol symbolizing presidential impunity
Behind the FictionNRP Dispatch

Venezuela Boat Strikes: Missiles Down, Accountability Missing

By J.T. Mercer I write near-future political fiction for a living. Lately, the future keeps showing up ahead of schedule ...
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Traders in a modern newsroom watching volatile charts during an AI bubble driven tech selloff.
AINRP Dispatch

Are We Already Living in an AI Bubble?

Are We Already Living in an AI Bubble? By JT Mercer — 2025-11-28 Investors cannot ...
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Republican control of the media illustrated inside a Falcon News broadcast control room and studio
Behind the FictionNRP Dispatch

Republican Control of the Media: Why Jimmy Kimmel’s Blackout Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Republican Control of the Media: Kimmel’s Blackout Reads Like a Manual By JT Mercer — ...
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SAVE Act voter registration flat lay with forms, folders, and date stamp
Behind the FictionNRP Dispatch

Paper Walls at the Ballot Box: The SAVE Act and Voter Roll Purges

By JT Mercer — 2025-09-14 The pitch is tidy: pass the SAVE Act, “clean” the ...
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what vs how in creative work
AIReader Resources

What vs How in Creative Work: Programmers and Writers Compared

Everyone has an opinion on tools. It’s easy to get caught up in arguing about ...
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Connect with the Author

Interested in the thinking behind The Vanishing State or want to follow the latest commentary and updates from R.W. Calderin? Use the links below to stay connected, then explore Vera2 for sharp, timely reporting and analysis.

About the Author
Learn more about R.W. Calderin, the writing approach behind The Vanishing State series, and the real-world patterns that shaped the story’s institutional pressure points.
[Learn more about R.W. Calderin]

NRP Dispatch Blog
Follow the NRP Dispatch for author updates, behind-the-scenes context, and commentary on current events, democratic stress, and the writing process.
[Read the NRP Dispatch]

Vera2 — News & Analysis
For reporting, explainers, and investigative pieces, visit Vera2, North River Publications’ news and analysis hub. Vera2 covers politics, civil society, global affairs, courts, technology, and more, with context built for readers who want clarity over noise.
[Explore Vera2]

These resources are the best way to stay connected to the world of The Vanishing State and to the broader reporting and analysis published through Vera2.

Want to Know More?

The story told in The Vanishing State draws on real events and documented pressure points shaping democracy in the United States today. If you want the facts behind the fiction, the resources below offer reliable insight into voting rights, democratic resilience, civil liberties, and free expression.
 
Brennan Center for Justice
 
A nonpartisan law and policy institute focused on democracy, voting rights, and justice reform in the United States. Their research covers election administration, voter access, and institutional safeguards.
 
Pew Research Center — Voting and Elections
 
Data-driven research on U.S. elections, voter participation, polarization, and public attitudes toward democracy and institutions.
 
Freedom House — Freedom in the World
 
An annual global assessment of political rights and civil liberties, with reporting that helps place U.S. democratic trends in broader context.
 
ACLU — Voting Rights
 
Legal advocacy and updates on voting rights, including litigation, legislation, and civil liberties issues connected to elections and access.
 
PEN America — Free Expression and Press Freedom
 
Reports and resources on free speech, press freedom, censorship pressures, and threats to open discourse in the U.S. and abroad.
 
Whether you are a concerned citizen, a student of politics, or simply curious about the themes explored in The Vanishing State, these resources can help you deepen your understanding of the forces shaping the country’s future.
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