Dael Norwood
@dael.bsky.social
Historian of America's old, weird political economy. Unincorporated but proudly unionized citizen of Delaware. Adding “levity to discussions of financing and high politics” since 2022. Wrote Trading Freedom: How Trade with China Defined Early America.
Pinned
Dael Norwood
@dael.bsky.social
· Jul 14
The Best Thing to Ever Happen to the State of … Delaware?
This post argues that the forces pushing DExit – and thus the death of the corporate franchise –cannot be appeased by Delaware, so we must consider the future without the franchise ourselves,…
daelnorwood.com
A moderate-length but immodest proposal: it's time for Delawareans to start planning for a future beyond the corporate franchise – and we need to do it before angry billionaires force it on us first.
Reposted by Dael Norwood
"OpenAI, Meta, Google, donated large sums.That money is supporting a government overseeing the execution of American citizens in the streets, the detainment of children as young as 5, the filling of concentration camps with families wailing “let us out.” www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/the-lines-...
The lines have been drawn
Silicon Valley must decide which side it's on
www.bloodinthemachine.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:36 PM
"OpenAI, Meta, Google, donated large sums.That money is supporting a government overseeing the execution of American citizens in the streets, the detainment of children as young as 5, the filling of concentration camps with families wailing “let us out.” www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/the-lines-...
Reposted by Dael Norwood
Once more for the back to work crowd.
"You have to use it. You have to trust it.": Forced Adoption of AI is The Subtext of Davos
Authoritarianism is the AI Bailout; But If AI Doesn't Need a Bailout, Does it Need Authoritarianism?
open.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Once more for the back to work crowd.
Reposted by Dael Norwood
Not a one of these would have prevented the murders of Good or Pretti, nor would they have protected any residents from abduction or family separation, nor would that have constrained an administration that regularly ignores courts.
Dems coalescing around 5 restrictions on ICE, I'm told:
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
A Dem Senator’s Harsh Takedown of Trump Hits Home: “Breaking Point”
As Trump scrambles to contain the damage from the latest ICE horrors, Senator Chris Murphy offers a sharp indictment of Trump-ICE lawlessness—and explains how Dems can meet the urgency of the moment.
newrepublic.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Not a one of these would have prevented the murders of Good or Pretti, nor would they have protected any residents from abduction or family separation, nor would that have constrained an administration that regularly ignores courts.
Reposted by Dael Norwood
The usual dem practice of coalescing around an insufficent announced compromise which they will then at least partially cave on because they can't think one week ahead
Dems coalescing around 5 restrictions on ICE, I'm told:
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
DHS required to cooperate with state probes (big)
CBP stays at border
warrants for arrests
IDs, bodycams
ICE out of churches, schools
"That package unites a lot of Dems," Sen Chris Murphy tells me on the pod:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
A Dem Senator’s Harsh Takedown of Trump Hits Home: “Breaking Point”
As Trump scrambles to contain the damage from the latest ICE horrors, Senator Chris Murphy offers a sharp indictment of Trump-ICE lawlessness—and explains how Dems can meet the urgency of the moment.
newrepublic.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:15 PM
The usual dem practice of coalescing around an insufficent announced compromise which they will then at least partially cave on because they can't think one week ahead
Reposted by Dael Norwood
And both me and Kevin mentioned on Friday, we‘re only just beginning to learn just how much got changed at NPS sites in the past week. It seems like every label and panel that was “under review” is now gone.
"At Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana, exhibit text that described the United States being “hungry for gold and land” and breaking promises to Native Americans was ordered changed or removed." #NationalParks 🗃️ www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Trump’s censors hit Grand Canyon and 16 other national parks
A new wave of takedown orders from Trump officials targets signs about climate and Native Americans at several national parks, including Grand Canyon, Big Bend and Glacier.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:04 PM
And both me and Kevin mentioned on Friday, we‘re only just beginning to learn just how much got changed at NPS sites in the past week. It seems like every label and panel that was “under review” is now gone.
Reposted by Dael Norwood
Friends, I recommend you ALL get on the phones and or send emails first thing tomorrow telling @democrats.senate.gov NO FUNDING FOR ICE. NONE.
They are, per Chris Coons, planning to negotiate body cameras. This willl not change the violence, the invasions of our cities.
They are, per Chris Coons, planning to negotiate body cameras. This willl not change the violence, the invasions of our cities.
January 27, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Friends, I recommend you ALL get on the phones and or send emails first thing tomorrow telling @democrats.senate.gov NO FUNDING FOR ICE. NONE.
They are, per Chris Coons, planning to negotiate body cameras. This willl not change the violence, the invasions of our cities.
They are, per Chris Coons, planning to negotiate body cameras. This willl not change the violence, the invasions of our cities.
Reposted by Dael Norwood
Clergy and faith leaders joined the effort.
"We have a God squad," said Reverend Jane Field, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches"
"We have a God squad," said Reverend Jane Field, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches"
Westbrook, ME community members form a human wall to keep local workers safe from ICE www.mainepublic.org/maine/2026-0...
Westbrook community members form a human wall to keep local workers safe from ICE
At apparel manufacturer American Roots in Westbrook, staff and community volunteers are trying to protect immigrant workers by standing watch as they arrive and leave for the day.
www.mainepublic.org
January 27, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Clergy and faith leaders joined the effort.
"We have a God squad," said Reverend Jane Field, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches"
"We have a God squad," said Reverend Jane Field, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches"
Apostolic succession ftw I guess?
I’ll withhold judgment until
I see some Hussite bishops call for dissolving the border patrol
I’ll withhold judgment until
I see some Hussite bishops call for dissolving the border patrol
January 27, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Apostolic succession ftw I guess?
I’ll withhold judgment until
I see some Hussite bishops call for dissolving the border patrol
I’ll withhold judgment until
I see some Hussite bishops call for dissolving the border patrol
Reposted by Dael Norwood
if bovino is out and conservatives are turning on noem then there is a real opportunity to demand that miller resign too.
January 27, 2026 at 1:07 AM
if bovino is out and conservatives are turning on noem then there is a real opportunity to demand that miller resign too.
Reposted by Dael Norwood
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced the Democrats have to push their hand immediately. The parallels with the delays and subsequent failures after January 6th are blaring warning signs about what will happen if they don’t go after the issues with ICE and CBP at the root RIGHT NOW.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced the Democrats have to push their hand immediately. The parallels with the delays and subsequent failures after January 6th are blaring warning signs about what will happen if they don’t go after the issues with ICE and CBP at the root RIGHT NOW.
Reposted by Dael Norwood
Everything they learned in Minnesota they’re applying in Maine from day one. They started off doing fast-moving snatch and grabs on the street, recording and using facial id on observers, and threatening observers directly. They’ll do it all where you live too.
Why is the msm outside of Maine not covering this? It seems like a huge and very troubling story to me. ICE coming to observers houses or calling them on the phone warning them to back off??!! www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE watchers in Maine say they were threatened by federal agents
Community members have been monitoring the activity of immigration agents in Greater Portland.
www.pressherald.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Everything they learned in Minnesota they’re applying in Maine from day one. They started off doing fast-moving snatch and grabs on the street, recording and using facial id on observers, and threatening observers directly. They’ll do it all where you live too.
Reposted by Dael Norwood
This is because our elected officials haven't been helping with any of our institutions for years except the military and law enforcement. Schools, libraries and other public services have been held together by immense amounts of volunteer labor and community funding.
All of this happened with basically no help from elected officials of the opposition party. This was entirely the people.
January 26, 2026 at 10:23 PM
This is because our elected officials haven't been helping with any of our institutions for years except the military and law enforcement. Schools, libraries and other public services have been held together by immense amounts of volunteer labor and community funding.
It is encouraging to see this movement in the right direction.
(As a purely factual matter, Rep. McBride is incorrect that the US immigration system was humane before the latest surge in attacks, however.)
(As a purely factual matter, Rep. McBride is incorrect that the US immigration system was humane before the latest surge in attacks, however.)
2/ He is the exact kind of individual that our asylum system is meant to protect.
My full statement ⤵️
My full statement ⤵️
January 26, 2026 at 9:52 PM
It is encouraging to see this movement in the right direction.
(As a purely factual matter, Rep. McBride is incorrect that the US immigration system was humane before the latest surge in attacks, however.)
(As a purely factual matter, Rep. McBride is incorrect that the US immigration system was humane before the latest surge in attacks, however.)
Reposted by Dael Norwood
Here's how to identify some crowd control munitions, canisters of which federal agents have left on the ground after deploying them against people in Minnesota. bit.ly/3YWp1jE
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 26, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Here's how to identify some crowd control munitions, canisters of which federal agents have left on the ground after deploying them against people in Minnesota. bit.ly/3YWp1jE
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Reposted by Dael Norwood
From Whittier's poem The Rendition, about Anthony Burns, who was captured in Boston and sent in chains to Virginia:
And Law, an unloosed maniac, strong,
Blood-drunken, through the blackness trod,
Hoarse-shouting in the ear of God
The blasphemy of wrong.
www.gutenberg.org/files/9580/9...
And Law, an unloosed maniac, strong,
Blood-drunken, through the blackness trod,
Hoarse-shouting in the ear of God
The blasphemy of wrong.
www.gutenberg.org/files/9580/9...
January 26, 2026 at 7:31 PM
From Whittier's poem The Rendition, about Anthony Burns, who was captured in Boston and sent in chains to Virginia:
And Law, an unloosed maniac, strong,
Blood-drunken, through the blackness trod,
Hoarse-shouting in the ear of God
The blasphemy of wrong.
www.gutenberg.org/files/9580/9...
And Law, an unloosed maniac, strong,
Blood-drunken, through the blackness trod,
Hoarse-shouting in the ear of God
The blasphemy of wrong.
www.gutenberg.org/files/9580/9...
Reposted by Dael Norwood
reported ICE activities in the Twin Cities this morning
-- terrorizing a daycare
-- drawing weapons outside a bank
-- terrorizing a daycare
-- drawing weapons outside a bank
January 26, 2026 at 5:44 PM
reported ICE activities in the Twin Cities this morning
-- terrorizing a daycare
-- drawing weapons outside a bank
-- terrorizing a daycare
-- drawing weapons outside a bank
Of course there's a kaiju off Delmarva
a not insignificant number of people on Threads seem to believe the snow storm was The Government's attempt to refreeze the Leviathan, the world-eating serpent, which was getting loose (to eat the world, I assume)
January 26, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Of course there's a kaiju off Delmarva
In the bad old days, the Cossacks worked for the Tsar.
In the new American empire, however
In the new American empire, however
Trump sends border tsar to Minnesota after second fatal ICE shooting
President tasks Tom Homan with overseeing operations as outcry grows over the death of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
www.scmp.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:34 PM
In the bad old days, the Cossacks worked for the Tsar.
In the new American empire, however
In the new American empire, however
First the website, then the lectures, next the classrooms - the logic of this era’s censorship tracks backwards from what materials are most easily algorithmically discoverable and aggregateable by the regime’s AI bots and bureaucrats
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
January 26, 2026 at 4:13 PM
First the website, then the lectures, next the classrooms - the logic of this era’s censorship tracks backwards from what materials are most easily algorithmically discoverable and aggregateable by the regime’s AI bots and bureaucrats
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
Reposted by Dael Norwood
Censorship comes to the University of Arkansas Little Rock: arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
UPDATE: Lectures on race and history canceled in latest assault on academic freedom in Arkansas - Arkansas Times
Two planned lectures on race and history have been canceled at UALR after campus leadership was apparently concerned conservative lawmakers might take offense and withhold future funding.
arktimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Censorship comes to the University of Arkansas Little Rock: arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
Reposted by Dael Norwood
This is one of the things that I find is most shocking to people outside Minnesota who don’t realize it yet—the scale at which everyone who isn’t white has been forced into a spectrum of hiding.
Very good article drawing out the Tahrir Square comparison.
Very good article drawing out the Tahrir Square comparison.
January 26, 2026 at 4:01 AM
This is one of the things that I find is most shocking to people outside Minnesota who don’t realize it yet—the scale at which everyone who isn’t white has been forced into a spectrum of hiding.
Very good article drawing out the Tahrir Square comparison.
Very good article drawing out the Tahrir Square comparison.
For any other poor fool, so that you may not suffer in the darkness of ignorance as I have
www.census.gov/programs-sur...
www.census.gov/programs-sur...
January 26, 2026 at 2:18 AM
For any other poor fool, so that you may not suffer in the darkness of ignorance as I have
www.census.gov/programs-sur...
www.census.gov/programs-sur...
I'm simultaneously overjoyed to find that the US Census Bureau does an "Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections" – that breaks down each state by source, including personal income vs corporate license fees - and also ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS that it took me so long to find it
January 26, 2026 at 2:15 AM
I'm simultaneously overjoyed to find that the US Census Bureau does an "Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections" – that breaks down each state by source, including personal income vs corporate license fees - and also ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS that it took me so long to find it
Bondi’s request for voter rolls confuses me. Surely the real ask is for *ongoing control* of the voter rolls, not simply the list as it is today?
Surely the list as-is, or something close to it, is something they could easily buy or steal (if the spam texts I get are any indication).
Surely the list as-is, or something close to it, is something they could easily buy or steal (if the spam texts I get are any indication).
January 26, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Bondi’s request for voter rolls confuses me. Surely the real ask is for *ongoing control* of the voter rolls, not simply the list as it is today?
Surely the list as-is, or something close to it, is something they could easily buy or steal (if the spam texts I get are any indication).
Surely the list as-is, or something close to it, is something they could easily buy or steal (if the spam texts I get are any indication).