Driftless Dan
@driftlessregion.bsky.social
Perspectives on nature and culture from a scientist living in the Driftless Region.
Damn...it turns out "may you live in interesting times" actually IS a curse.
You can't spell revolution without evolution.
Damn...it turns out "may you live in interesting times" actually IS a curse.
You can't spell revolution without evolution.
Pinned
I joined Twitter 16 years ago, but (literally) never posted anything. I got enough enjoyment reading everyone else's posts.
I joined BlueSky a few months ago, planning to post but avoid politics (who needs the extra stress?)
I cannot in good conscience stay silent any longer.
This is the way.
I joined BlueSky a few months ago, planning to post but avoid politics (who needs the extra stress?)
I cannot in good conscience stay silent any longer.
This is the way.
Walz and Trump were both under tremendous pressure about this issue, and it looks like both got some relief from that pressure by publicizing a "positive phone call."
I hope Walz understands that meeting a dictator halfway is NOT a victory.
I hope Walz understands that meeting a dictator halfway is NOT a victory.
President Donald Trump said he and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are on a “similar wavelength” following a phone call regarding protests in the state.
STORY: https://www.wmtv15news.com/2026/01/26/trump-says-he-gov-walz-are-similar-wavelength-after-phone-call/
STORY: https://www.wmtv15news.com/2026/01/26/trump-says-he-gov-walz-are-similar-wavelength-after-phone-call/
January 26, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Walz and Trump were both under tremendous pressure about this issue, and it looks like both got some relief from that pressure by publicizing a "positive phone call."
I hope Walz understands that meeting a dictator halfway is NOT a victory.
I hope Walz understands that meeting a dictator halfway is NOT a victory.
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Bondi needs to face STATE criminal charges
EXTORTION
her letter of demand 'or else' is clear and direct threat
We will (only) remove DHS / ICE from Minneapolis / State of MN ...
IF ...
'you' surrender the voting records of your state's residents
EXTORTION.. implied is MORE VIOLENCE / DEATH
EXTORTION
her letter of demand 'or else' is clear and direct threat
We will (only) remove DHS / ICE from Minneapolis / State of MN ...
IF ...
'you' surrender the voting records of your state's residents
EXTORTION.. implied is MORE VIOLENCE / DEATH
January 26, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Bondi needs to face STATE criminal charges
EXTORTION
her letter of demand 'or else' is clear and direct threat
We will (only) remove DHS / ICE from Minneapolis / State of MN ...
IF ...
'you' surrender the voting records of your state's residents
EXTORTION.. implied is MORE VIOLENCE / DEATH
EXTORTION
her letter of demand 'or else' is clear and direct threat
We will (only) remove DHS / ICE from Minneapolis / State of MN ...
IF ...
'you' surrender the voting records of your state's residents
EXTORTION.. implied is MORE VIOLENCE / DEATH
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is a racist and a liar. A truly reprehensible individual.
They brought him on CNBC to talk about the impact of the weather but he spent most of the time blaming the victims in Minnesota and cheerleading the Nazi strategy.
They brought him on CNBC to talk about the impact of the weather but he spent most of the time blaming the victims in Minnesota and cheerleading the Nazi strategy.
January 26, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is a racist and a liar. A truly reprehensible individual.
They brought him on CNBC to talk about the impact of the weather but he spent most of the time blaming the victims in Minnesota and cheerleading the Nazi strategy.
They brought him on CNBC to talk about the impact of the weather but he spent most of the time blaming the victims in Minnesota and cheerleading the Nazi strategy.
Reposted by Driftless Dan
America, we have reached a moment when silence is no longer acceptable.
Heavily armed forces—funded and directed by the Republican Party—are attacking and killing American citizens.
Trump and his administration must be removed from power immediately. Impeachment cannot wait.
Heavily armed forces—funded and directed by the Republican Party—are attacking and killing American citizens.
Trump and his administration must be removed from power immediately. Impeachment cannot wait.
January 25, 2026 at 5:06 PM
America, we have reached a moment when silence is no longer acceptable.
Heavily armed forces—funded and directed by the Republican Party—are attacking and killing American citizens.
Trump and his administration must be removed from power immediately. Impeachment cannot wait.
Heavily armed forces—funded and directed by the Republican Party—are attacking and killing American citizens.
Trump and his administration must be removed from power immediately. Impeachment cannot wait.
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Minnesota National Guard members have arrived at a federal building and were directed to distribute donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters. Guard members were issued reflective vests so they would not be mistaken for federal agents.
January 25, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Minnesota National Guard members have arrived at a federal building and were directed to distribute donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters. Guard members were issued reflective vests so they would not be mistaken for federal agents.
Reposted by Driftless Dan
We’re airing a new campaign ad, starting tomorrow.
Here it is:
Here it is:
January 25, 2026 at 11:08 PM
We’re airing a new campaign ad, starting tomorrow.
Here it is:
Here it is:
Data from the latest Times/Siena poll, showing support for Donald Trump among young, nonwhite and infrequent voters has plummeted.
January 25, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Data from the latest Times/Siena poll, showing support for Donald Trump among young, nonwhite and infrequent voters has plummeted.
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Alex Pretti was an American hero. He saved lives. He protected people. He cared deeply about his community, unlike the murderous thugs who killed him.
The very last thing he did was try to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and violently shoved to the ground by ICE. 1/
The very last thing he did was try to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and violently shoved to the ground by ICE. 1/
January 25, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Alex Pretti was an American hero. He saved lives. He protected people. He cared deeply about his community, unlike the murderous thugs who killed him.
The very last thing he did was try to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and violently shoved to the ground by ICE. 1/
The very last thing he did was try to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed and violently shoved to the ground by ICE. 1/
If you're in the "we must resist peacefully" camp and not pushing hard for a general strike, you're either a hypocrite or you're willing to accept more killings of innocents while waiting for your preferred solution to (maybe) play out.
So, which are you? Am I missing any other options?
So, which are you? Am I missing any other options?
Sunday thought: Enough
Time for a truly massive general strike
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:52 PM
If you're in the "we must resist peacefully" camp and not pushing hard for a general strike, you're either a hypocrite or you're willing to accept more killings of innocents while waiting for your preferred solution to (maybe) play out.
So, which are you? Am I missing any other options?
So, which are you? Am I missing any other options?
Reposted by Driftless Dan
You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.
January 25, 2026 at 1:15 AM
You have to read this. Firsthand affidavit from one of the women who was there and recording the video. She talks about how Alex Pretti was directing traffic when she arrived. She watched him be killed in front of her. She's afraid to go home, worried she'll be arrested.
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Don’t forget this one.
January 25, 2026 at 3:33 AM
Don’t forget this one.
"Senate Republicans...could potentially strip out the DHS funding bill and attempt to pass the bills funding the other agencies."
And then they'll funnel that money right back to ICE.
What? You think they won't? You think they'll start following the law now?
And then they'll funnel that money right back to ICE.
What? You think they won't? You think they'll start following the law now?
Schumer Says Senate Democrats Will Block DHS Funding After Minneapolis Shooting
Federal agents shot and killed a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Saturday, renewing calls for reforms of ICE.
share.google
January 25, 2026 at 3:06 AM
"Senate Republicans...could potentially strip out the DHS funding bill and attempt to pass the bills funding the other agencies."
And then they'll funnel that money right back to ICE.
What? You think they won't? You think they'll start following the law now?
And then they'll funnel that money right back to ICE.
What? You think they won't? You think they'll start following the law now?
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Greenland's capital Nuuk sees city-wide power outage due to accident reut.rs/4bj3TLN
Greenland's capital Nuuk sees city-wide power outage due to accident
Greenland's capital Nuuk experienced a citywide power outage late on Saturday that local utility provider Nukissiorfiit said was due to an accident, adding that it was working to provide backup power.
reut.rs
January 25, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Greenland's capital Nuuk sees city-wide power outage due to accident reut.rs/4bj3TLN
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Text of the video posted by Mac Randolph “Never wanted to share this video but his speech is very on point.”
January 25, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Text of the video posted by Mac Randolph “Never wanted to share this video but his speech is very on point.”
Reposted by Driftless Dan
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
If you think it's too early to compare the Trump administration to the worst autocratic regimes throughout modern history...the Nazis, Mussolini, Stalin...
...remember that none of them started out the way they ended up, but the clues were always there.
And, boy, do we ever have clues right now.
...remember that none of them started out the way they ended up, but the clues were always there.
And, boy, do we ever have clues right now.
January 25, 2026 at 12:31 AM
If you think it's too early to compare the Trump administration to the worst autocratic regimes throughout modern history...the Nazis, Mussolini, Stalin...
...remember that none of them started out the way they ended up, but the clues were always there.
And, boy, do we ever have clues right now.
...remember that none of them started out the way they ended up, but the clues were always there.
And, boy, do we ever have clues right now.
So, Kristi Noem, in her press conference today, came out against the 1st amendment, The 2nd amendment, and Minnesota's right-to-carry law.
There's something there for everybody to hate.
There's something there for everybody to hate.
January 24, 2026 at 10:40 PM
So, Kristi Noem, in her press conference today, came out against the 1st amendment, The 2nd amendment, and Minnesota's right-to-carry law.
There's something there for everybody to hate.
There's something there for everybody to hate.
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Alex Pretti "used to tell people off when they made sexist comments to female physicians. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern...I laughed alongside him daily. He made a point to teach medical residents without judgement, but with a smile on his face and a joke."
January 24, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Alex Pretti "used to tell people off when they made sexist comments to female physicians. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern...I laughed alongside him daily. He made a point to teach medical residents without judgement, but with a smile on his face and a joke."
To anyone pinning their hopes on midterms to save us, are you okay giving up your Constitutional rights until the midterms in Nov?
...I mean, until January, IF Mike Johnson allows new Reps to be sworn in?
...I mean, however many weeks later, after hearings and new legislation?
...I mean...
...I mean, until January, IF Mike Johnson allows new Reps to be sworn in?
...I mean, however many weeks later, after hearings and new legislation?
...I mean...
January 24, 2026 at 10:28 PM
To anyone pinning their hopes on midterms to save us, are you okay giving up your Constitutional rights until the midterms in Nov?
...I mean, until January, IF Mike Johnson allows new Reps to be sworn in?
...I mean, however many weeks later, after hearings and new legislation?
...I mean...
...I mean, until January, IF Mike Johnson allows new Reps to be sworn in?
...I mean, however many weeks later, after hearings and new legislation?
...I mean...
Reposted by Driftless Dan
The next presidential candiate for the D party better damn well making investigating and prosecuting the people who are committing these crimes one of their top priorities.
Those who won't...you will not have my vote. Plain and simple. You better think long and hard about this, campaign managers.
Those who won't...you will not have my vote. Plain and simple. You better think long and hard about this, campaign managers.
January 24, 2026 at 7:38 PM
The next presidential candiate for the D party better damn well making investigating and prosecuting the people who are committing these crimes one of their top priorities.
Those who won't...you will not have my vote. Plain and simple. You better think long and hard about this, campaign managers.
Those who won't...you will not have my vote. Plain and simple. You better think long and hard about this, campaign managers.
Reposted by Driftless Dan
"We have to let right-leaning Democrats vote with Republicans because their districts are too tight."
Maybe you'd get more votes if you stood up against Republicans instead of playing Republican-Lite.
Maybe you'd get more votes if you stood up against Republicans instead of playing Republican-Lite.
January 23, 2026 at 8:19 PM
"We have to let right-leaning Democrats vote with Republicans because their districts are too tight."
Maybe you'd get more votes if you stood up against Republicans instead of playing Republican-Lite.
Maybe you'd get more votes if you stood up against Republicans instead of playing Republican-Lite.
If you're guessing whether these seven Democrats are feeing guilty this morning for their vote in the days before to keep ICE funding, don't waste your time, THEY'RE NOT!
They care more about keeping their jobs than about our lives.
F*** them!
They care more about keeping their jobs than about our lives.
F*** them!
January 24, 2026 at 9:20 PM
If you're guessing whether these seven Democrats are feeing guilty this morning for their vote in the days before to keep ICE funding, don't waste your time, THEY'RE NOT!
They care more about keeping their jobs than about our lives.
F*** them!
They care more about keeping their jobs than about our lives.
F*** them!
Reposted by Driftless Dan
Minneapolis protester as he's being brutalized by feds: "You're gonna have to kill me! You're gonna have to kill me! I've done nothing wrong! My name is Matthew James! I'm a US citizen! You're gonna kill me! Is that what you want?" (You can hear his wife screaming)
January 24, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Minneapolis protester as he's being brutalized by feds: "You're gonna have to kill me! You're gonna have to kill me! I've done nothing wrong! My name is Matthew James! I'm a US citizen! You're gonna kill me! Is that what you want?" (You can hear his wife screaming)