Mark Welch
@markwelch.bsky.social
• ex-reporter ex-teacher ex-attorney, he/him
• law, journalism, education, security, privacy, surveillance tech, AI fairness, bias, face recognition, Blue Dot, LFL
• Springfield MO <NorCal <NH <MA <WI
• UC Berkeley JD'89; UMass Amherst BA'83
• law, journalism, education, security, privacy, surveillance tech, AI fairness, bias, face recognition, Blue Dot, LFL
• Springfield MO <NorCal <NH <MA <WI
• UC Berkeley JD'89; UMass Amherst BA'83
Pinned
If not now, then when?
If not us, then who?
If not me, then who?
What action?
If not us, then who?
If not me, then who?
What action?
Reposted by Mark Welch
Texas A&M University is ending its women’s and gender studies program, changing the syllabuses of hundreds of courses and canceling six classes as part of a new policy that limits how professors can discuss some race and gender topics, school officials announced Friday.
Texas A&M University to end women's studies due to new policy on race and gender topics
Texas A&M University is ending its women’s and gender studies program and changing the syllabuses of hundreds of courses.
bit.ly
January 31, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Texas A&M University is ending its women’s and gender studies program, changing the syllabuses of hundreds of courses and canceling six classes as part of a new policy that limits how professors can discuss some race and gender topics, school officials announced Friday.
Reposted by Mark Welch
You can test new tech ideas using the Seinfeld Test
Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs)
Good tech.
Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales)
Bad tech.
Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs)
Good tech.
Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales)
Bad tech.
January 31, 2026 at 6:57 AM
You can test new tech ideas using the Seinfeld Test
Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs)
Good tech.
Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales)
Bad tech.
Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs)
Good tech.
Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales)
Bad tech.
Reposted by Mark Welch
🧵 I missed a good thing coming from Trump’s hellscape. At the start of this month California’s “Freedom to Read Act” became law 🥳 Fascist organisations have been targeting teachers and librarians for years for refusing to ban books.
January 31, 2026 at 8:58 AM
🧵 I missed a good thing coming from Trump’s hellscape. At the start of this month California’s “Freedom to Read Act” became law 🥳 Fascist organisations have been targeting teachers and librarians for years for refusing to ban books.
"President Trump has long expressed a cleareyed understanding...."
To anyone who thinks the Greenland issue is settled. Trump’s Greenland Envoy: We Need ‘Total, Unfettered Access’ ↘️ www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/o...
Opinion | Trump’s Greenland Envoy: We Need ‘Total, Unfettered Access’
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:28 AM
"President Trump has long expressed a cleareyed understanding...."
Reposted by Mark Welch
food for thought: instead of general strikes, which are difficult for many to participate in without union support, what if we simply had a day where we all decided to go to the bank and withdraw a ton of money?
it costs nothing individually but collectively would be an economic threat
it costs nothing individually but collectively would be an economic threat
January 31, 2026 at 9:10 AM
food for thought: instead of general strikes, which are difficult for many to participate in without union support, what if we simply had a day where we all decided to go to the bank and withdraw a ton of money?
it costs nothing individually but collectively would be an economic threat
it costs nothing individually but collectively would be an economic threat
Reposted by Mark Welch
So no one is going to mention that the 4 journalists arrested yesterday all identified as Black?
From @murielvieux.bsky.social
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
From @murielvieux.bsky.social
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
So no one is going to mention that the 4 journalists arrested yesterday all identified as Black?
Am I crazy? Has no one else made that connection? Is this normal? Why is this not making headlines along with the arrests? Where is the outrage?
www.dailykos.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:49 AM
So no one is going to mention that the 4 journalists arrested yesterday all identified as Black?
From @murielvieux.bsky.social
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
From @murielvieux.bsky.social
www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
Reposted by Mark Welch
Why is @nytimes.com reporting this as though ICE can just claim this power by issuing a memo? This is totally illegal. What the effin eff!
ICE Expands Power of Agents to Arrest People Without Warrants
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:41 AM
Why is @nytimes.com reporting this as though ICE can just claim this power by issuing a memo? This is totally illegal. What the effin eff!
Reposted by Mark Welch
amazing seeing photos from all over the country of people showing up—even on the coldest of cold days—to say hell no to this government. keep it up, everyone.
January 31, 2026 at 3:02 AM
amazing seeing photos from all over the country of people showing up—even on the coldest of cold days—to say hell no to this government. keep it up, everyone.
Gosh, release 3 million pages of Epstein documents on a Friday when millions of Americans are participating (openly or not) in a general strike. Make sure no journalists get the day "off." Also, hint that any congressmen who ask to review the redactions are disgusting perverts.
January 30, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Gosh, release 3 million pages of Epstein documents on a Friday when millions of Americans are participating (openly or not) in a general strike. Make sure no journalists get the day "off." Also, hint that any congressmen who ask to review the redactions are disgusting perverts.
Reposted by Mark Welch
Like the demand that ICE obtain arrest warrants before entering homes, Democrats are just bargaining for the Trump administration to follow existing law, which is an insanely stupid negotiating position.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries demands ban on deportation of US citizens as part of DHS reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation fun…
www.kget.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Like the demand that ICE obtain arrest warrants before entering homes, Democrats are just bargaining for the Trump administration to follow existing law, which is an insanely stupid negotiating position.
Reposted by Mark Welch
Our vote is no longer a private matter.
The feds know YOUR vote!
With knowledge comes oppression.😒
The feds know YOUR vote!
With knowledge comes oppression.😒
January 29, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Our vote is no longer a private matter.
The feds know YOUR vote!
With knowledge comes oppression.😒
The feds know YOUR vote!
With knowledge comes oppression.😒
Reposted by Mark Welch
January 29, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Mark Welch
ICE agents just seem to consider pepper spraying people in the face to be an appropriate casual greeting. www.noozhawk.com/federal-ice-...
Federal ICE Agent Pepper Sprays Person in Face in Santa Barbara Eastside Incident
A masked federal agent wearing a vest labeled “police” pepper sprayed a person in the face at close range Wednesday morning on Santa Barbara’s Eastside.
www.noozhawk.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 PM
ICE agents just seem to consider pepper spraying people in the face to be an appropriate casual greeting. www.noozhawk.com/federal-ice-...
Reposted by Mark Welch
Reposted by Mark Welch
He's getting ROASTED
Confronted Congressman Tom Suozzi, one of seven Democrats casting the decisive votes to increase ICE funding by $10,000,000,000.
January 29, 2026 at 7:54 AM
He's getting ROASTED
Reposted by Mark Welch
The Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals aligning with ICE are “prying Christianity further and further away from the ethic and teachings of Jesus,” Peter Wehner argues.
MAGA Jesus Is Not the Real Jesus
Trump is causing incalculable damage to the Christian faith, yet most evangelicals will never break with him.
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 8:15 AM
The Christian fundamentalists and evangelicals aligning with ICE are “prying Christianity further and further away from the ethic and teachings of Jesus,” Peter Wehner argues.
Reposted by Mark Welch
What rules there are no rules anymore that’s the point
Since we published this, Pam Bondi's X account has started posting mugshots of Minnesotans arrested for impeding ICE/CBP. Sharing a defendant's photo publicly in this way is forbidden under DOJ rules
ICE and CBP are at the head of Trump's campaign to terrorize Minnesotans. But the Justice Department is not far behind.
January 29, 2026 at 3:54 AM
What rules there are no rules anymore that’s the point
Reposted by Mark Welch
Moving Special Ed to HHS Will Treat It Like a Medical Problem. It’s Not www.the74million.org/article/movi...
Moving Special Ed to HHS Will Treat It Like a Medical Problem. It’s Not
Hinds & Floyd: Shifting the focus from education to diagnosis could mark a return to low expectations and lack of services for kids with disabilities.
www.the74million.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Moving Special Ed to HHS Will Treat It Like a Medical Problem. It’s Not www.the74million.org/article/movi...
Reposted by Mark Welch
There is mounting evidence that suggests federal law enforcement has lost the plot on what protesters “impeding” their work actually looks like. Federal agents have aggressively approached citizen ICE watchers simply monitoring their operations, threatening to arrest them—or worse, TNR reported.
Pam Bondi Tries New Intimidation Tactic With Protester Arrest Photos
The attorney general posting photos of people in Minnesota who have been arrested but not convicted.
newrepublic.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:32 AM
There is mounting evidence that suggests federal law enforcement has lost the plot on what protesters “impeding” their work actually looks like. Federal agents have aggressively approached citizen ICE watchers simply monitoring their operations, threatening to arrest them—or worse, TNR reported.
Reposted by Mark Welch
An extraordinary document. Read it.
“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. … ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. … ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
January 28, 2026 at 10:42 PM
An extraordinary document. Read it.
“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. … ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
“Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. … ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”
Reposted by Mark Welch
Well, I rarely participate in documentaries, and I got introduced to the people who made The AI Doc by someone I respect. Should have declined but hindsight is 20/20.
I was interviewed for two documentaries about "AI" that both premiered at Sundance this year: @ghostdoc2026.bsky.social ("Ghost in the Machine") and "The AI Doc: How I Became an Apocaloptimist". As a pair, these films are a study in contrasts.
Another long 🧵>>
Another long 🧵>>
January 29, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Well, I rarely participate in documentaries, and I got introduced to the people who made The AI Doc by someone I respect. Should have declined but hindsight is 20/20.
Reposted by Mark Welch
What are the names?
How can the regime's claim about putting on leave immigration agents be trusted without knowing their names?
Trump upgraded the lifestyle of Epstein pedophile sex ring operator Ghislaine Maxwell, but didn't release the Epstein files.
Who trusts Trump or his DHS goons, really?
How can the regime's claim about putting on leave immigration agents be trusted without knowing their names?
Trump upgraded the lifestyle of Epstein pedophile sex ring operator Ghislaine Maxwell, but didn't release the Epstein files.
Who trusts Trump or his DHS goons, really?
Minneapolis live updates: Two Border Patrol agents who fired their guns in Alex Pretti’s fatal shooting have been put on leave
Follow live updates on a preliminary Department of Homeland Security report sent to Congress on Alex Pretti’s fatal shooting in Minnesota that said two officers fired their guns during the struggle.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:47 PM
What are the names?
How can the regime's claim about putting on leave immigration agents be trusted without knowing their names?
Trump upgraded the lifestyle of Epstein pedophile sex ring operator Ghislaine Maxwell, but didn't release the Epstein files.
Who trusts Trump or his DHS goons, really?
How can the regime's claim about putting on leave immigration agents be trusted without knowing their names?
Trump upgraded the lifestyle of Epstein pedophile sex ring operator Ghislaine Maxwell, but didn't release the Epstein files.
Who trusts Trump or his DHS goons, really?
Reposted by Mark Welch
"The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver. 🌻
January 27, 2026 at 9:37 PM
"The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver. 🌻
Reposted by Mark Welch
Trump’s acting cyber chief uploaded sensitive files into a public version of ChatGPT, which triggered an internal cybersecurity warning — & a DHS-level damage assessment. www.politico.com/news/2026/01... Incompetence is his qualification—it’s not a bug it’s a an utterly putinous feature. #loligarchy
Trump’s acting cyber chief uploaded sensitive files into a public version of ChatGPT
The interim director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency triggered an internal cybersecurity warning with the uploads — and a DHS-level damage assessment.
www.politico.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Trump’s acting cyber chief uploaded sensitive files into a public version of ChatGPT, which triggered an internal cybersecurity warning — & a DHS-level damage assessment. www.politico.com/news/2026/01... Incompetence is his qualification—it’s not a bug it’s a an utterly putinous feature. #loligarchy
Reposted by Mark Welch
👀 Judge Schlitz, the chief federal judge in Minnesota, has ordered the head of ICE, Todd Lyons, to appeal personally in court Friday and threatened him with contempt for the agency’s repeated violation of court orders.
“The court’s patience is at an end.” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
“The court’s patience is at an end.” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 27, 2026 at 11:34 AM
👀 Judge Schlitz, the chief federal judge in Minnesota, has ordered the head of ICE, Todd Lyons, to appeal personally in court Friday and threatened him with contempt for the agency’s repeated violation of court orders.
“The court’s patience is at an end.” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
“The court’s patience is at an end.” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...