Jaym Gates
@jaymgates.bsky.social
Wearer of many hats. TTRPG, video game, and fiction writer & editor. Co-editor of Strategy Strikes Back, War Stories, co-founder of Falstaff Books & Project Lodestar, etc. No kings. Abolish ICE.
A freight train blew its horn on the edge of town and the local coyote pack went up in answer.
45 minutes from Seattle and the wilderness is still here.
45 minutes from Seattle and the wilderness is still here.
January 16, 2026 at 9:17 AM
A freight train blew its horn on the edge of town and the local coyote pack went up in answer.
45 minutes from Seattle and the wilderness is still here.
45 minutes from Seattle and the wilderness is still here.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
Read this. Save it as a favourite. Read it.
Years ago my doctor said that the hardest part of my intense depression was how *convinced* I was by what the filter of depression told me. together we found something that the filter couldn’t deny, and I used that as a tool.
Years ago my doctor said that the hardest part of my intense depression was how *convinced* I was by what the filter of depression told me. together we found something that the filter couldn’t deny, and I used that as a tool.
Watching doc about resilience that reaffirms many changes I made last few years to my mental outlook (I read a LOT of brain books). Brains are hallucination engines. If the story is the world is shit, everything is fucked, brain reframes every interaction this way. It impacts behavior; shuts us down
January 11, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Read this. Save it as a favourite. Read it.
Years ago my doctor said that the hardest part of my intense depression was how *convinced* I was by what the filter of depression told me. together we found something that the filter couldn’t deny, and I used that as a tool.
Years ago my doctor said that the hardest part of my intense depression was how *convinced* I was by what the filter of depression told me. together we found something that the filter couldn’t deny, and I used that as a tool.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
This is why no chase policies are important and it is important to point out the police regulalry violate them.
www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-photograp...
www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-photograp...
Washington Informer Photographer Fatally Struck in Police Chase Near the White House
Remembering Aaron Marckell Williams, a talented photographer known for his work with The Washington Informer, tragically killed in a car accident.
www.washingtoninformer.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:49 PM
This is why no chase policies are important and it is important to point out the police regulalry violate them.
www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-photograp...
www.washingtoninformer.com/dc-photograp...
Reposted by Jaym Gates
ICE activity reported in South Minneapolis. Officers in gas masks have cordoned off the intersection of E 36th Street and Park Ave. They are currently moving down the street on foot and may be conducting door-to-door operations.
January 13, 2026 at 6:43 PM
ICE activity reported in South Minneapolis. Officers in gas masks have cordoned off the intersection of E 36th Street and Park Ave. They are currently moving down the street on foot and may be conducting door-to-door operations.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
I’m seeing lots of people on here misunderstand the purpose of ICE watch.
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 5:37 PM
I’m seeing lots of people on here misunderstand the purpose of ICE watch.
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
Reposted by Jaym Gates
The success of ICE watch interfering with ICE’s mission is almost certainly why DHS keeps sending more agents to Minneapolis.
They used to execute their raids with just a few agents. Now they need 6-12 to even begin to disrupt the social pressure to be nonviolent.
They used to execute their raids with just a few agents. Now they need 6-12 to even begin to disrupt the social pressure to be nonviolent.
January 13, 2026 at 5:37 PM
The success of ICE watch interfering with ICE’s mission is almost certainly why DHS keeps sending more agents to Minneapolis.
They used to execute their raids with just a few agents. Now they need 6-12 to even begin to disrupt the social pressure to be nonviolent.
They used to execute their raids with just a few agents. Now they need 6-12 to even begin to disrupt the social pressure to be nonviolent.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
I really want ppl w/o Minneapolis connections to understand
You might've heard that Mpls public schools went hybrid bc so many families are in hiding. Well, a coworker just told me that today, during his kid's hybrid class, a kid's apt building was raided onscreen
*Everyone has stories like this*
You might've heard that Mpls public schools went hybrid bc so many families are in hiding. Well, a coworker just told me that today, during his kid's hybrid class, a kid's apt building was raided onscreen
*Everyone has stories like this*
January 13, 2026 at 6:06 PM
I really want ppl w/o Minneapolis connections to understand
You might've heard that Mpls public schools went hybrid bc so many families are in hiding. Well, a coworker just told me that today, during his kid's hybrid class, a kid's apt building was raided onscreen
*Everyone has stories like this*
You might've heard that Mpls public schools went hybrid bc so many families are in hiding. Well, a coworker just told me that today, during his kid's hybrid class, a kid's apt building was raided onscreen
*Everyone has stories like this*
Re the Hilton, if you have a Hilton Honors account, you can call them up and cancel it:
bsky.app/profile/horm...
bsky.app/profile/horm...
It's worth your time to call Hilton to cancel your account with them. 1-800-446-6677. Here's why:
They asked me if it was because of the ICE thing. I said it was. Then they suggested I wait a couple days to see if they were going to change course.
The pressure is getting to them. Let's keep it up.
They asked me if it was because of the ICE thing. I said it was. Then they suggested I wait a couple days to see if they were going to change course.
The pressure is getting to them. Let's keep it up.
January 13, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Jaym Gates
"I'm not in Minnesota -- what can I do to help?"
A list of ideas!
A list of ideas!
January 11, 2026 at 10:33 PM
"I'm not in Minnesota -- what can I do to help?"
A list of ideas!
A list of ideas!
Kaya has another good thread on the issue. They are also one of the people I talked to during/after the initial, deeply distressing and unpleasant, explosion.
Thread.
And, listen, for everyone frightened to disengage/risk pissing off publishers who make a lot of how much they do in the field and leverage BIPOC colleagues as shields (which, ugh): there is no industry-wide blocklist.
Publisher grudges are generally personal with minimal scope. ->
And, listen, for everyone frightened to disengage/risk pissing off publishers who make a lot of how much they do in the field and leverage BIPOC colleagues as shields (which, ugh): there is no industry-wide blocklist.
Publisher grudges are generally personal with minimal scope. ->
Emily Bell, Atthis Arts. That's who I am talking about.
I'm done.
I posted this and two minutes later she blocked me.
It's been a year of this. I'm fucking done.
I'm done.
I posted this and two minutes later she blocked me.
It's been a year of this. I'm fucking done.
January 13, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Kaya has another good thread on the issue. They are also one of the people I talked to during/after the initial, deeply distressing and unpleasant, explosion.
I had the 'joy' of being part of the initial blowup in the Writers Symposium discord when several of us, who actually had been trying to help her, asked for details about some accusations and were treated to increasingly incoherent rants about how we were all out to get her.
Emily Bell, Atthis Arts. That's who I am talking about.
I'm done.
I posted this and two minutes later she blocked me.
It's been a year of this. I'm fucking done.
I'm done.
I posted this and two minutes later she blocked me.
It's been a year of this. I'm fucking done.
I'm stuck in a moral quandary.
At what point is my silence protecting a questionable person because of my fear of punching down? At what point does it matter if I have personal experience, or just eyes?
I don't have a problem being a bull. I just don't want to be a bully.
At what point is my silence protecting a questionable person because of my fear of punching down? At what point does it matter if I have personal experience, or just eyes?
I don't have a problem being a bull. I just don't want to be a bully.
January 13, 2026 at 7:01 PM
I had the 'joy' of being part of the initial blowup in the Writers Symposium discord when several of us, who actually had been trying to help her, asked for details about some accusations and were treated to increasingly incoherent rants about how we were all out to get her.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
If you also are sick of Microsoft office trying to push AI and changing subscription prices you can buy a lifetime license on sale for $99 here
bsky.app/profile/simo...
bsky.app/profile/simo...
January 12, 2026 at 4:40 AM
If you also are sick of Microsoft office trying to push AI and changing subscription prices you can buy a lifetime license on sale for $99 here
bsky.app/profile/simo...
bsky.app/profile/simo...
Reposted by Jaym Gates
These assholes hitting doors like they're in Fallujah. These are homes in the United States. This needs to stop yesterday. There's nothing else congress, the senate, the SCOTUS, governors, police chiefs, and damn near every lawyer should be doing until it is stopped.
A video of ICE agents conducting door-to-door searches today in Minneapolis
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
January 12, 2026 at 4:43 AM
These assholes hitting doors like they're in Fallujah. These are homes in the United States. This needs to stop yesterday. There's nothing else congress, the senate, the SCOTUS, governors, police chiefs, and damn near every lawyer should be doing until it is stopped.
Baking shows in general tend to be lovely and delightful, but I'm watching MasterChef Australia: Dessert Masters and every person is just such a joy. The passion, precision, and love necessary to make really high-end, exquisite desserts like these comes through beautifully.
January 12, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Baking shows in general tend to be lovely and delightful, but I'm watching MasterChef Australia: Dessert Masters and every person is just such a joy. The passion, precision, and love necessary to make really high-end, exquisite desserts like these comes through beautifully.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
When criticizing people who are not at protests, please remember those of us who literally fucking can't for one reason or another. Being on the front lines of a protest is one of _many_ ways to stand against what's happening - please do not throw your disabled friends under the bus.
January 11, 2026 at 5:36 PM
When criticizing people who are not at protests, please remember those of us who literally fucking can't for one reason or another. Being on the front lines of a protest is one of _many_ ways to stand against what's happening - please do not throw your disabled friends under the bus.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
One of the best stories written in the wake of last year's fires was by @sammyroth.bsky.social, titled: “Los Angeles is a climate disaster. The fires will change nothing.”
Glad to see him follow up with this very correct assessment that absolutely nothing has changed
Glad to see him follow up with this very correct assessment that absolutely nothing has changed
I was right. The L.A. fires changed nothing
A year after Altadena and Pacific Palisades burned, "climate change" has exited the chat.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:38 PM
One of the best stories written in the wake of last year's fires was by @sammyroth.bsky.social, titled: “Los Angeles is a climate disaster. The fires will change nothing.”
Glad to see him follow up with this very correct assessment that absolutely nothing has changed
Glad to see him follow up with this very correct assessment that absolutely nothing has changed
Reposted by Jaym Gates
ICE just reported its fourth in-custody death of 2026. It’s only January 10.
January 11, 2026 at 12:39 AM
ICE just reported its fourth in-custody death of 2026. It’s only January 10.
I think about this July 2024 threat from the head of the Heritage Foundation quite a lot these days.
January 11, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Jaym Gates
Stop falling for the “untrained” narrative.
NEW: Jonathan Ross is former National Guard and Border Patrol and has been part of ICE's SWAT equivalent, a team leader overseeing FBI, ATF, and IRS agents, and a firearms instructor, according to testimony obtained by WIRED. This is from @hudsongiles.bsky.social and me:
ICE Agent Who Reportedly Shot Renee Good Was a Firearms Trainer, Per Testimony
Jonathan Ross told a federal court in December about his professional background, including “hundreds” of encounters with drivers during enforcement actions, according to testimony obtained by WIRED.
www.wired.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:30 AM
Stop falling for the “untrained” narrative.
In case you were wondering, this is very, very bad.
At last night’s candlelight vigil for Renee Nicole Good, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire announced he had asked the clergy of the diocese to get their affairs in order and to make sure they have their wills written ...,
January 11, 2026 at 6:07 PM
In case you were wondering, this is very, very bad.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
Hi folks, I'm seeing a lot of "Eyes on Minneapolis" & "We support Minnesota" sentiment. Here's a tangible way you can help:
Trump just suspended federal funding for SNAP benefits to Minnesota. Second Harvest Heartland is an MN-based hunger-relief org.
Please donate what you can.
www.2harvest.org
Trump just suspended federal funding for SNAP benefits to Minnesota. Second Harvest Heartland is an MN-based hunger-relief org.
Please donate what you can.
www.2harvest.org
Second Harvest Heartland | Local Minnesota, Wisconsin food bank | 2harvest.org
There is more than enough food for everyone. As one of the nation’s largest hunger relief agencies, it’s our job to make sure healthy, nutritious food gets to the households who need it. Every day, we...
www.2harvest.org
January 10, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Hi folks, I'm seeing a lot of "Eyes on Minneapolis" & "We support Minnesota" sentiment. Here's a tangible way you can help:
Trump just suspended federal funding for SNAP benefits to Minnesota. Second Harvest Heartland is an MN-based hunger-relief org.
Please donate what you can.
www.2harvest.org
Trump just suspended federal funding for SNAP benefits to Minnesota. Second Harvest Heartland is an MN-based hunger-relief org.
Please donate what you can.
www.2harvest.org
Reposted by Jaym Gates
Politically we have had the same disease my entire life. Back when Rodney King was attacked, when the Rampart scandal happened, when the Burge torture case happened, when NYPD was getting caught spying on citizens without a warrant...the signs were wrong red and flashing.
January 10, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Politically we have had the same disease my entire life. Back when Rodney King was attacked, when the Rampart scandal happened, when the Burge torture case happened, when NYPD was getting caught spying on citizens without a warrant...the signs were wrong red and flashing.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
Also, how man of those "just give up" Eeyores are russian bots or bot-like users, on social media to spread dissent and negativity? Plenty. All the more reason to block them.
It's weird, but I suppose not surprising, that the number of "nothing works, give up," Eeyores has exploded on Bluesky — just as we're responding to an incident that has every hallmark of a tide turner.
That seems counterintuitive. Shouldn't people be energized? Well, that's why. Bear with me....
That seems counterintuitive. Shouldn't people be energized? Well, that's why. Bear with me....
January 11, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Also, how man of those "just give up" Eeyores are russian bots or bot-like users, on social media to spread dissent and negativity? Plenty. All the more reason to block them.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
Jonathan Ross, who shot Renee Good in the face, is local. Derek Chauvin, who knelt on George Floyd's neck, is local.
State and local law enforcement know the communities they serve. They’ve built the trust and know how to keep us safe.
As Minnesotans express their first amendment rights, I encourage you to remain peaceful and know that local law enforcement has one goal in mind: your safety.
As Minnesotans express their first amendment rights, I encourage you to remain peaceful and know that local law enforcement has one goal in mind: your safety.
January 10, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Jonathan Ross, who shot Renee Good in the face, is local. Derek Chauvin, who knelt on George Floyd's neck, is local.
Reposted by Jaym Gates
ICE is tagging vehicles with pepper spray as part of their "warning" so they can say they were justified in their arrests of responders once a vehicle has been tagged. If your vehicle gets sprayed:
-Keep windows up
-Close outside vents
-Turn heat/fan OFF
-Get a car wash before any further activity
-Keep windows up
-Close outside vents
-Turn heat/fan OFF
-Get a car wash before any further activity
January 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM
ICE is tagging vehicles with pepper spray as part of their "warning" so they can say they were justified in their arrests of responders once a vehicle has been tagged. If your vehicle gets sprayed:
-Keep windows up
-Close outside vents
-Turn heat/fan OFF
-Get a car wash before any further activity
-Keep windows up
-Close outside vents
-Turn heat/fan OFF
-Get a car wash before any further activity