Chris Sardo
@mcsardo.bsky.social
Recovering political theorist, current history/government teacher, long-suffering Sabres fan.
Politics, pedagogy, music, Sabres, and other sad things. He/his.
Politics, pedagogy, music, Sabres, and other sad things. He/his.
Pinned
Chris Sardo
@mcsardo.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Hi there, I used to be a political theorist who worked on questions of political responsibility in both the history of political thought (esp Kant, Nietzsche, and Arendt) and contemporary questions (especially climate change and global justice). Now I teach high school history and government.
This 20+ year long Kid Rock arc from rap nu-metal to the "epitome of Americana" (which goes back to him being featured on a rework of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Gimme Back My Bullets" on the latter's 2003 album Viscous Cycle) reflects broader epochal changes in American culture.
In this essay, I will...
In this essay, I will...
the first choice is literally what Jesus would teach, i feel like i'm losing my mind
February 9, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This 20+ year long Kid Rock arc from rap nu-metal to the "epitome of Americana" (which goes back to him being featured on a rework of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Gimme Back My Bullets" on the latter's 2003 album Viscous Cycle) reflects broader epochal changes in American culture.
In this essay, I will...
In this essay, I will...
A 5 year old born in the US doesn't "deserve" their US citizenship anymore than a 5 year old born in another country.
But every child deserves, by virtue of their humanity, the opportunity to live a flourishing and meaningful life.
But every child deserves, by virtue of their humanity, the opportunity to live a flourishing and meaningful life.
What *about* that 5-year-old US citizen? Finish the sentence, Congressman. What does that hypothetical child have to do with Liam Ramos? Spell it out. Don’t just say “but what about our kids” and stop there. Explain your logic.
Gonzales on Liam Ramos and his family: "They're not gonna qualify for asylum. So what do you do with all the people that go through the process and do not qualify for asylum? You deport them. I understand that 5-year-old and it breaks my heart. I also think, what about that 5-year-old US citizen?"
February 8, 2026 at 4:38 PM
A 5 year old born in the US doesn't "deserve" their US citizenship anymore than a 5 year old born in another country.
But every child deserves, by virtue of their humanity, the opportunity to live a flourishing and meaningful life.
But every child deserves, by virtue of their humanity, the opportunity to live a flourishing and meaningful life.
I just heard the most dystopian ad for Tik Tok: "Don't have time to watch a whole show? Tik Tok offers short shows that are easy to follow and hard to stop." We can't even get people to pay attention to a sit com let alone read a book.
February 6, 2026 at 6:56 PM
I just heard the most dystopian ad for Tik Tok: "Don't have time to watch a whole show? Tik Tok offers short shows that are easy to follow and hard to stop." We can't even get people to pay attention to a sit com let alone read a book.
Super bummed to see that the @clppng.bsky.social show at in Santa Ana next week has been postponed till August.
February 6, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Super bummed to see that the @clppng.bsky.social show at in Santa Ana next week has been postponed till August.
Adding to my reading list this afternoon
We have a Boston Review Forum out today on the Democratic Party in a time of authoritarianism
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
February 3, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Adding to my reading list this afternoon
So we have a Bush appointed, Scalia mentored district judge stating in a court order that ICE has violated nearly 100 since January 1 - how is a "code of conduct" supposed to help rein in an agency that has shown no interest in following rules?
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the party agreed on three main goals:
° Require warrants in some cases and ICE coordination with state and local law enforcement
° Create a code of conduct and enforce it
° Require agents to wear body cams and not masks
° Require warrants in some cases and ICE coordination with state and local law enforcement
° Create a code of conduct and enforce it
° Require agents to wear body cams and not masks
Democrats demand new ICE restrictions as government shutdown looms
After federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Senate Democrats say they’ll block a massive government funding package without policy changes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:43 PM
So we have a Bush appointed, Scalia mentored district judge stating in a court order that ICE has violated nearly 100 since January 1 - how is a "code of conduct" supposed to help rein in an agency that has shown no interest in following rules?
This is exactly why the Senate Dem reform package is entirely inadequate - if ICE is routinely flouting court orders in the status quo, simply adding additional legal requirements will do nothing to curb abuses. The only solution is at bare minimum a radical reduction of funding, if not abolition
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 29, 2026 at 4:35 PM
This is exactly why the Senate Dem reform package is entirely inadequate - if ICE is routinely flouting court orders in the status quo, simply adding additional legal requirements will do nothing to curb abuses. The only solution is at bare minimum a radical reduction of funding, if not abolition
I've been trying to gently suggest this point to my AP Gov Students - when we study polarization and read Mason, and Iyengar, and Heatherington, we also discuss the cases or reasons why polarization can be justified or can be beneficial.
January 28, 2026 at 11:48 PM
I've been trying to gently suggest this point to my AP Gov Students - when we study polarization and read Mason, and Iyengar, and Heatherington, we also discuss the cases or reasons why polarization can be justified or can be beneficial.
Reposted by Chris Sardo
Think about it like this. This ICE agent was on camera and unmasked — fulfilling one of three "demands" Democratic leader Chuck Schumer just issued in order to agree to save Republicans and give DHS even more money.
And he was still threatening to kill someone.
And he was still threatening to kill someone.
"You raise your voice, I erase your voice."
ICE in Minneapolis are erasing your rights.
Please share our new video of what's happening in our city. youtu.be/W1dyNcRGRXY
ICE in Minneapolis are erasing your rights.
Please share our new video of what's happening in our city. youtu.be/W1dyNcRGRXY
January 28, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Think about it like this. This ICE agent was on camera and unmasked — fulfilling one of three "demands" Democratic leader Chuck Schumer just issued in order to agree to save Republicans and give DHS even more money.
And he was still threatening to kill someone.
And he was still threatening to kill someone.
👇🏻While these actions have clearly moved beyond immigration enforcement, this is the logical extension of immigration enforcement - if the goal is apprehending, wherever they are, detaining, and then deporting people based on their immigration status, there is no way to accomplish that without force.
It’s true that what ICE & CBP are doing is not immigration enforcement. But resist the narrative that what they are doing can be divorced from immigration enforcement. “Immigration enforcement,” like “counterterrorism,” is what produced these atrocities — and, if not abolished, will produce more.
January 27, 2026 at 5:58 PM
👇🏻While these actions have clearly moved beyond immigration enforcement, this is the logical extension of immigration enforcement - if the goal is apprehending, wherever they are, detaining, and then deporting people based on their immigration status, there is no way to accomplish that without force.
Reposted by Chris Sardo
It’s true that what ICE & CBP are doing is not immigration enforcement. But resist the narrative that what they are doing can be divorced from immigration enforcement. “Immigration enforcement,” like “counterterrorism,” is what produced these atrocities — and, if not abolished, will produce more.
January 27, 2026 at 5:50 PM
It’s true that what ICE & CBP are doing is not immigration enforcement. But resist the narrative that what they are doing can be divorced from immigration enforcement. “Immigration enforcement,” like “counterterrorism,” is what produced these atrocities — and, if not abolished, will produce more.
Even if Noem gets fired - as some of the speculation is pointing towards - that's not enough. There needs to be actual impeachment proceedings and legal investigations. They want to treat her as a PR sacrifice so they can continue what they're doing.
January 26, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Even if Noem gets fired - as some of the speculation is pointing towards - that's not enough. There needs to be actual impeachment proceedings and legal investigations. They want to treat her as a PR sacrifice so they can continue what they're doing.
Don't even know where to begin with this one...
January 25, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Don't even know where to begin with this one...
The details in the witness accounts including in these court filings are truly harrowing and combined with a court order from a Trump appointed judge preventing DHS from "destroying or altering evidence" related to the shooting show the administration's utter contempt for the rule of law.
NEW: The ICE killing of Alex Pretti, the second in Minneapolis, prompts quick legal action.
After ICE agents killed Alex Pretti on Saturday, lawyers responded quickly — leading to one TRO issued before the night's end aimed at preserving evidence of the killing.
My report at Law Dork:
After ICE agents killed Alex Pretti on Saturday, lawyers responded quickly — leading to one TRO issued before the night's end aimed at preserving evidence of the killing.
My report at Law Dork:
The ICE killing of Alex Pretti, the second in Minneapolis, prompts quick legal responses
After ICE agents killed Alex Pretti on Saturday, lawyers took quick action in cases challenging the Trump administration's increasingly deadly efforts.
www.lawdork.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:38 AM
The details in the witness accounts including in these court filings are truly harrowing and combined with a court order from a Trump appointed judge preventing DHS from "destroying or altering evidence" related to the shooting show the administration's utter contempt for the rule of law.
Reposted by Chris Sardo
Wise words from WEB DuBois to gird us today: "It would be shame and cowardice to surrender this glorious land and its opportunities for civilization and humanity to the thugs and lynchers, the mobs and profiteers, the monopolists & gamblers who today choke its soul and steal its resources."
January 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Wise words from WEB DuBois to gird us today: "It would be shame and cowardice to surrender this glorious land and its opportunities for civilization and humanity to the thugs and lynchers, the mobs and profiteers, the monopolists & gamblers who today choke its soul and steal its resources."
Reposted by Chris Sardo
I would argue that the case for dismantling ICE has, at this point, virtually nothing to do with larger questions of immigration enforcement and reform, it's just clearly incompatible with a free and democratic society to maintain a secret police force with sweeping and arbitrary authority.
Senator Gallego weighs in as well. Note that at the start of 2025 he was considered a *moderate* on immigration and co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act. Him and many other Dems have been increasingly horrified at what ICE is doing and shifted away from a "more enforcement" focus.
January 21, 2026 at 11:09 PM
I would argue that the case for dismantling ICE has, at this point, virtually nothing to do with larger questions of immigration enforcement and reform, it's just clearly incompatible with a free and democratic society to maintain a secret police force with sweeping and arbitrary authority.
Reposted by Chris Sardo
"As long as any topic makes an immediate appeal, it is not necessary to ask what it is good for...Some goods are not good for anything; they are just goods. Any other notion leads to an absurdity." Dewey, Democracy and Education
January 19, 2026 at 2:33 AM
"As long as any topic makes an immediate appeal, it is not necessary to ask what it is good for...Some goods are not good for anything; they are just goods. Any other notion leads to an absurdity." Dewey, Democracy and Education
Things like this represent the fundamental flaw with something like @allsidesnow.bsky.social . I get the noble motivation of wanting to show people multiple perspectives, but this isn't actually helpful, as it just shows partisans being partisans (tho Himes actually at least refers to int'l law).
January 17, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Things like this represent the fundamental flaw with something like @allsidesnow.bsky.social . I get the noble motivation of wanting to show people multiple perspectives, but this isn't actually helpful, as it just shows partisans being partisans (tho Himes actually at least refers to int'l law).
I keep coming back to this idea - the current regime is in a way proving all the critics of the American project right: that there is nothing noble or ideal about the American project, that it is just another brute expression of power, that all of its trappings are lies in the face of its cruelty.
The philosophy of the regime is a repudiation of both the "American exceptionalism" and "western civilization" they claim to be so concerned about. They are explicitly saying that we do not stand for anything higher than the contingency of birth and our force of arms. There is no higher aspiration.
January 16, 2026 at 9:04 PM
I keep coming back to this idea - the current regime is in a way proving all the critics of the American project right: that there is nothing noble or ideal about the American project, that it is just another brute expression of power, that all of its trappings are lies in the face of its cruelty.
This young person was protesting in Orange County California. He will likely be permanently blind in one eye.
The full interview is here: ktla.com/news/local-n...
The full interview is here: ktla.com/news/local-n...
January 15, 2026 at 8:41 PM
This young person was protesting in Orange County California. He will likely be permanently blind in one eye.
The full interview is here: ktla.com/news/local-n...
The full interview is here: ktla.com/news/local-n...
This piece is all really good from @ositanwanevu.com - the grand unifying thesis of the Trump administration - from ICE brutality, to defunding USAID, to attacks on DEI, to its outright imperialism - is the belief that the world is ruled by force alone and that we have no moral ties to anyone else.
January 15, 2026 at 5:05 AM
This piece is all really good from @ositanwanevu.com - the grand unifying thesis of the Trump administration - from ICE brutality, to defunding USAID, to attacks on DEI, to its outright imperialism - is the belief that the world is ruled by force alone and that we have no moral ties to anyone else.
This seems right to me. Unfortunately.
More than an attempted coup, where a mob tried to seize Congress on live television did? There's not going to be an implosion about anything. It's either a slow slide towards oblivion where everything gets incrementally worse as people try to live normally, or a slow grind in the opposite direction.
i feel like if the president actually went through with invading greenland, it would implode America
January 14, 2026 at 11:43 PM
This seems right to me. Unfortunately.
Thank you @daveminca.bsky.social for cosponsoring
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Here is the list of impeachment co sponsors from @robinkelly.house.gov
Here is the list of impeachment co sponsors from @robinkelly.house.gov
kristi-noem-impeachment-cosponsor-list
www.documentcloud.org
January 14, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Thank you @daveminca.bsky.social for cosponsoring
Congressman @daveminca.bsky.social you should cosponsor and strongly support this effort
I refuse to stay silent while Secretary Noem breaks the rule of law and terrorizes our communities. I am introducing Articles of Impeachment against her for violating the public trust, obstructing Congress, and self-dealing. Read my full statement: robinkelly.house.gov/media-center...
Rep. Kelly announces plans to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) announced plans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
robinkelly.house.gov
January 8, 2026 at 4:13 AM
Congressman @daveminca.bsky.social you should cosponsor and strongly support this effort