Redwood
@aowenredwood.bsky.social
Reposted by Redwood
The leading scholars of democratic decline say the US "has descended into competitive authoritarianism" - we "ceased to be a full democracy in the way that Canada, Germany, or even Argentina are democracies" - but caution that it can be contested and reversed
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
December 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The leading scholars of democratic decline say the US "has descended into competitive authoritarianism" - we "ceased to be a full democracy in the way that Canada, Germany, or even Argentina are democracies" - but caution that it can be contested and reversed
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Reposted by Redwood
NEW: The Trump-Vance White House has falsely accused an ally of Pope Leo — Sr. Norma Pimentel — of illegal activity tied to migrant aid, and cut off all federal funding to Catholic Charities in Texas.
Church leaders say it’s a targeted, political reprisal against Pope Leo and the Catholic Church.
Church leaders say it’s a targeted, political reprisal against Pope Leo and the Catholic Church.
Trump-Vance White House Targets Beloved Nun in Texas, Retaliates Against Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley — praised by Pope Leo as an “agent of hope” — now faces a six-year federal funding ban. Church leaders say it’s a vendetta by the Trump-Vance White House.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM
NEW: The Trump-Vance White House has falsely accused an ally of Pope Leo — Sr. Norma Pimentel — of illegal activity tied to migrant aid, and cut off all federal funding to Catholic Charities in Texas.
Church leaders say it’s a targeted, political reprisal against Pope Leo and the Catholic Church.
Church leaders say it’s a targeted, political reprisal against Pope Leo and the Catholic Church.
Reposted by Redwood
Talk about the feds trying to boss the states around and commandeer them, which the Supreme Court has made clear violates the 10th Am. This is a down-the-middle state function that the feds have no business monkeying in, let alone trying to control.
and by the way, Cong has the funding authority.
and by the way, Cong has the funding authority.
Republicans announce the entire state of Indiana will be defunded if they do not obey Trump by gerrymandering their state.
“Roads will not be paved. Guard bases will close. Major projects will stop.”
“Roads will not be paved. Guard bases will close. Major projects will stop.”
December 11, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Talk about the feds trying to boss the states around and commandeer them, which the Supreme Court has made clear violates the 10th Am. This is a down-the-middle state function that the feds have no business monkeying in, let alone trying to control.
and by the way, Cong has the funding authority.
and by the way, Cong has the funding authority.
Reposted by Redwood
A retired general argued that the fool's Golden Dome is feasible using an image stating the US system would defend an area 16 times larger than Iron Dome does for Israel. As the map shows, the US is in fact over 450 times larger. Expect more of this type of analysis from Golden Dome supporters.
December 11, 2025 at 7:12 PM
A retired general argued that the fool's Golden Dome is feasible using an image stating the US system would defend an area 16 times larger than Iron Dome does for Israel. As the map shows, the US is in fact over 450 times larger. Expect more of this type of analysis from Golden Dome supporters.
Reposted by Redwood
11 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Arlington TX becomes first US city to repeal its LGBTQ+ non-discrimination law, after Trump admin threatened to withhold $65m in fed funding. Vote was 5-4. Iowa was first state to do so in Feb 2025.
Texas city votes to overturn LGBTQ+ antidiscrimination protections
Arlington, Texas has removed “gender identity and expression” and “sexual orientation” from its antidiscrimination protections.
www.advocate.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
11 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- Arlington TX becomes first US city to repeal its LGBTQ+ non-discrimination law, after Trump admin threatened to withhold $65m in fed funding. Vote was 5-4. Iowa was first state to do so in Feb 2025.
Reposted by Redwood
Something I have to reiterate is that you are being straight up lied to about trans people and our healthcare on an unfathomable scale, this instance reporting is already being torn to shreds by other people commenting, but the frequency of this kind of reporting is astonishing, it's neverending.
You might think from the headline that this is a story about a trans kid suffering medical consequences from a large drug dose but nope! It is just an interview with an estranged father who is angry that his child happily transitioned.
archive.ph/Tmthz
archive.ph/Tmthz
December 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Something I have to reiterate is that you are being straight up lied to about trans people and our healthcare on an unfathomable scale, this instance reporting is already being torn to shreds by other people commenting, but the frequency of this kind of reporting is astonishing, it's neverending.
Reposted by Redwood
MINNEAPOLIS: “All I did was step outside as a Somali American citizen, and I got chased by a masked person, assaulted, kidnapped. It was inhumane. If this is what’s happening to a 🇺🇸 citizen on camera, imagine what could happen to your loved ones.”
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 AM
MINNEAPOLIS: “All I did was step outside as a Somali American citizen, and I got chased by a masked person, assaulted, kidnapped. It was inhumane. If this is what’s happening to a 🇺🇸 citizen on camera, imagine what could happen to your loved ones.”
Reposted by Redwood
NEW: Emil Bove, thumbing his nose at America, is making a mockery of the rule of law.
Attending Trump's rally on Tuesday, Judge Emil Bove let it be known that his DOJ actions were just the beginning. Bove must face accountability, and ultimately impeachment.
Today, at Law Dork:
Attending Trump's rally on Tuesday, Judge Emil Bove let it be known that his DOJ actions were just the beginning. Bove must face accountability, and ultimately impeachment.
Today, at Law Dork:
Emil Bove, thumbing his nose at America, is making a mockery of the rule of law
Attending Trump's rally on Tuesday, Judge Emil Bove let it be known that his DOJ actions were just the beginning. Bove must face accountability, and ultimately impeachment.
www.lawdork.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:50 PM
NEW: Emil Bove, thumbing his nose at America, is making a mockery of the rule of law.
Attending Trump's rally on Tuesday, Judge Emil Bove let it be known that his DOJ actions were just the beginning. Bove must face accountability, and ultimately impeachment.
Today, at Law Dork:
Attending Trump's rally on Tuesday, Judge Emil Bove let it be known that his DOJ actions were just the beginning. Bove must face accountability, and ultimately impeachment.
Today, at Law Dork:
Reposted by Redwood
People keep wondering why they're going after Venezuela. It's because they want to do regime change and control its oil, then use a big tract of land there to keep a tax free "network state" that looks like Dubai but operates like Rhodesia. They are saying this out loud! Believe them!
December 10, 2025 at 6:57 PM
People keep wondering why they're going after Venezuela. It's because they want to do regime change and control its oil, then use a big tract of land there to keep a tax free "network state" that looks like Dubai but operates like Rhodesia. They are saying this out loud! Believe them!
Reposted by Redwood
As a constituent, I am asking that @governorwalz.mn.gov and @keithellison.bsky.social arrest these men and prosecute them before they kidnap someone and intentionally freeze them to death
ICE detain U.S. citizen for looking Somali—use illegal chokehold to tackle him to ground.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
December 10, 2025 at 10:06 PM
As a constituent, I am asking that @governorwalz.mn.gov and @keithellison.bsky.social arrest these men and prosecute them before they kidnap someone and intentionally freeze them to death
Reposted by Redwood
BREAKING: "Trump launches $1m ‘gold card’ visa scheme amid immigration crackdown. Wealthy immigrants will be able to buy residency, and $5m ‘platinum card’ will exempt holders from some US taxes."
Trump launches $1m ‘gold card’ visa scheme amid immigration crackdown
Wealthy immigrants will be able to buy residency, and $5m ‘platinum card’ will exempt holders from some US taxes
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:06 PM
BREAKING: "Trump launches $1m ‘gold card’ visa scheme amid immigration crackdown. Wealthy immigrants will be able to buy residency, and $5m ‘platinum card’ will exempt holders from some US taxes."
Reposted by Redwood
Trump’s Attack on Somali Americans Is Vile Fascism
He’s testing our country’s tolerance for ethnic persecution. And we’re failing the test.
He’s testing our country’s tolerance for ethnic persecution. And we’re failing the test.
Trump’s Attack on Somali Americans Is Vile Fascism
He’s testing our country’s tolerance for ethnic persecution. And we’re failing the test.
www.thebulwark.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Trump’s Attack on Somali Americans Is Vile Fascism
He’s testing our country’s tolerance for ethnic persecution. And we’re failing the test.
He’s testing our country’s tolerance for ethnic persecution. And we’re failing the test.
Reposted by Redwood
Requiring foreign visitors to hand over 5 years of social media isn’t “security,” it’s unchecked government control.
All-seeing surveillance systems don’t make us safer. They are in direct opposition to our civil liberties.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
All-seeing surveillance systems don’t make us safer. They are in direct opposition to our civil liberties.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Foreign tourists could be required to disclose 5 years of social media histories under Trump administration plan
The Customs and Border Protection proposal would apply even to countries that don't require visas to enter.
www.nbcnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Requiring foreign visitors to hand over 5 years of social media isn’t “security,” it’s unchecked government control.
All-seeing surveillance systems don’t make us safer. They are in direct opposition to our civil liberties.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
All-seeing surveillance systems don’t make us safer. They are in direct opposition to our civil liberties.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Reposted by Redwood
It's hard to find the right words for this level of absurdity, but this is how intense anti-Palestinian (and anti-Arab) racism is in the United States, all under the guise of philosemitism but often at the expense of Jewish students.
via Palestine Legal instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DSFzYLWCcZ...
via Palestine Legal instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DSFzYLWCcZ...
December 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
It's hard to find the right words for this level of absurdity, but this is how intense anti-Palestinian (and anti-Arab) racism is in the United States, all under the guise of philosemitism but often at the expense of Jewish students.
via Palestine Legal instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DSFzYLWCcZ...
via Palestine Legal instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DSFzYLWCcZ...
Reposted by Redwood
They also gifted us with this PRACTICAL TOOLKIT: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
1. How to schedule and run trainings for ICE Watch Patrols and other key volunteer roles
2. How to build out patrol shifts and zones, including the practical nuts and bolts of the technology and systems used in NC
1. How to schedule and run trainings for ICE Watch Patrols and other key volunteer roles
2. How to build out patrol shifts and zones, including the practical nuts and bolts of the technology and systems used in NC
Toolkit: how we dealt with Border Patrol
In November 2025, Border Patrol announced it would be coming to Charlotte, North Carolina. We only had a few days’ notice. Just like in Chicago and Los Angeles, they weren’t coming to “keep the peace....
docs.google.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM
They also gifted us with this PRACTICAL TOOLKIT: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
1. How to schedule and run trainings for ICE Watch Patrols and other key volunteer roles
2. How to build out patrol shifts and zones, including the practical nuts and bolts of the technology and systems used in NC
1. How to schedule and run trainings for ICE Watch Patrols and other key volunteer roles
2. How to build out patrol shifts and zones, including the practical nuts and bolts of the technology and systems used in NC
Reposted by Redwood
The accomplished lesbian MS NOW anchor will be honored with the award in Washington, D.C., alongside NBC’s Peter Alexander, CBS’s Scott Pelley, and The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart.
Rachel Maddow snags 2025 Walter Cronkite Award for excellence in political journalism
The accomplished lesbian MS NOW anchor will be honored with the award in Washington, D.C., alongside NBC’s Peter Alexander, CBS’s Scott Pelley, and The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart.
bit.ly
December 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The accomplished lesbian MS NOW anchor will be honored with the award in Washington, D.C., alongside NBC’s Peter Alexander, CBS’s Scott Pelley, and The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart.
Reposted by Redwood
Reposted by Redwood
Wow: Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (named for Holocaust survivor Raphael Lemkin, who coined term "genocide") calls Clinton's remarks "genocide denial."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
![Statement on Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Genocide Denial at the Israel Hayom Summit
December 9, 2025
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security feels called to point out that former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s recent remarks at the Israel Hayom Summit on 2 December amount to outright genocide denial.
During her remarks, the Secretary correctly noted that the recent deterioration of Israel’s standing among U.S. voters is not a “Republican versus Democrat kind of divide” but rather a generational one. Nevertheless, she incorrectly diagnosed the reasons for the shift as a matter purely of optics, stating that “Israel [has] the worst PR of any group” and accusing social media, particularly TikTok, of presenting “pure propaganda” that American youth are uncritically ingesting.
Secretary Clinton’s framing is not at all an accurate reflection of why Americans are growing more critical of Israel. Young Americans of all political stripes have not fallen prey to propaganda, though that is always a legitimate concern. Rather, they have consumed two years of videos depicting Israel’s genocide against Palestinians that have been uploaded by Palestinian journalists, ordinary people trying to survive in Gaza, IDF soldiers, and ordinary Israelis themselves. There has been no convincing refutation of the sheer amount of raw evidence of genocide coming out of Palestine. Young people in the U.S. are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well.
Secretary Clinton appears not to be bothered by the reality of genocidal violence – in fact, she did not mention anything about it. Her concern is, rather, in her words, “the narrative” – the fact that these crimes are no longer hidden and are now being live-streamed and documented in real time, making it harder for her and others to control it. TikTok cannot be blamed for the fact that many members of Gen Z understand that Israel is …](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pwsjq3xnal6auzgeqho4ecw7/bafkreiafbjju65esvo6htynkkl6or6muv4qqhwo5fghkkbyvclgnxxmchy@jpeg)
December 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Wow: Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (named for Holocaust survivor Raphael Lemkin, who coined term "genocide") calls Clinton's remarks "genocide denial."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
Reposted by Redwood
"UN says world must jointly tackle issues of climate change, pollution, biodiversity and land loss" by Tammy Webber for the @apnews.com: www.seattlepi.com/business/un-...
UN says world must jointly tackle issues of climate change, pollution, biodiversity and land loss
The United Nations says the world needs a new way of thinking about environmental crises threatening the health of people and the planet. The scientists in the new report say climate change,...
www.seattlepi.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
"UN says world must jointly tackle issues of climate change, pollution, biodiversity and land loss" by Tammy Webber for the @apnews.com: www.seattlepi.com/business/un-...
Reposted by Redwood
1. Paramount's hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery exposes Jared Kushner's game
Kushner is not running a private equity fund. He's running an influence peddling operation.
It's spelled out on page 42 of Paramount's new SEC filing
Kushner is not running a private equity fund. He's running an influence peddling operation.
It's spelled out on page 42 of Paramount's new SEC filing
Kushner and Saudis back hostile takeover of Hollywood giant
Jared Kushner is funneling $24 billion from Middle Eastern governments to back a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery—all while advising President Trump on foreign policy.
popular.info
December 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
1. Paramount's hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery exposes Jared Kushner's game
Kushner is not running a private equity fund. He's running an influence peddling operation.
It's spelled out on page 42 of Paramount's new SEC filing
Kushner is not running a private equity fund. He's running an influence peddling operation.
It's spelled out on page 42 of Paramount's new SEC filing
Reposted by Redwood
This is nothing short of mandatory right wing indoctrination at Texas high schools & colleges. Wow.
The Texas GOP orders that the TurningPoint USA Trump youth organization will be obligatory at all high schools and colleges in the Lone Star State.
Abbott says Turning Point USA will expand in Texas schools
Republican officials in Oklahoma and Florida have also launched plans to expand the presence of the conservative youth organization founded by Charlie Kirk.
www.texastribune.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:54 AM
This is nothing short of mandatory right wing indoctrination at Texas high schools & colleges. Wow.
Reposted by Redwood
Reposted by Redwood
⚠️ BREAKING:
Europe 🇪🇺 Ordered to Boost Hospitals, Reinstate Masks, and Quarantine Sick Amid Bird Flu Pandemic Threat
European countries have been advised to be ready to boost hospital capacity, encourage mask-wearing and quarantine sick people under a new plan to prevent a bird flu pandemic.
Europe 🇪🇺 Ordered to Boost Hospitals, Reinstate Masks, and Quarantine Sick Amid Bird Flu Pandemic Threat
European countries have been advised to be ready to boost hospital capacity, encourage mask-wearing and quarantine sick people under a new plan to prevent a bird flu pandemic.
December 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
⚠️ BREAKING:
Europe 🇪🇺 Ordered to Boost Hospitals, Reinstate Masks, and Quarantine Sick Amid Bird Flu Pandemic Threat
European countries have been advised to be ready to boost hospital capacity, encourage mask-wearing and quarantine sick people under a new plan to prevent a bird flu pandemic.
Europe 🇪🇺 Ordered to Boost Hospitals, Reinstate Masks, and Quarantine Sick Amid Bird Flu Pandemic Threat
European countries have been advised to be ready to boost hospital capacity, encourage mask-wearing and quarantine sick people under a new plan to prevent a bird flu pandemic.
Reposted by Redwood
Exclusive: ICE has developed a plan to arrest undocumented migrants who try to voluntarily leave the U.S. via the Mexico border, so they can face formal removal.
Why bother? Possibly to juice deportation numbers.
It's being referred to as "Operation Irish Goodbye."
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-pl...
Why bother? Possibly to juice deportation numbers.
It's being referred to as "Operation Irish Goodbye."
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-pl...
ICE Has A Surprising New Plan To Arrest People Already Leaving The U.S.
“Operation Irish Goodbye,” as it’s being called, could be aimed at boosting numbers for Trump’s much-hyped deportation campaign.
www.huffpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Exclusive: ICE has developed a plan to arrest undocumented migrants who try to voluntarily leave the U.S. via the Mexico border, so they can face formal removal.
Why bother? Possibly to juice deportation numbers.
It's being referred to as "Operation Irish Goodbye."
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-pl...
Why bother? Possibly to juice deportation numbers.
It's being referred to as "Operation Irish Goodbye."
www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-pl...
Reposted by Redwood
A leaked DOJ memo obtained by @kenklippenstein.bsky.social reveals an effort to build a list of supposedly "anti-American" groups and individuals, an escalation of the administration's crackdown on dissent. The list targets "not just the left" but "anyone who isn't a Trump supporter," he says.
December 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A leaked DOJ memo obtained by @kenklippenstein.bsky.social reveals an effort to build a list of supposedly "anti-American" groups and individuals, an escalation of the administration's crackdown on dissent. The list targets "not just the left" but "anyone who isn't a Trump supporter," he says.