Michael Fletcher
@mefletcher54.bsky.social
Retired Intelligence Analyst. Cold War era US Army Vet. Fairly familiar with System Dynamics and History. Personal eccentricities: Scadian KSCA, USCF NM&LM. Details and periodic commentary at http://mefletcher.blogspot.com/
Pinned
Mad King Donald's Royal Decree.
Brief reminder: the Constitution gives the President no authority to control elections. None. Zero. Nada.
Warning: Trump is going to interfere in the midterms bigly because he and the GOP are fearful of Democrats getting control of even one Chamber of Congress./1
Brief reminder: the Constitution gives the President no authority to control elections. None. Zero. Nada.
Warning: Trump is going to interfere in the midterms bigly because he and the GOP are fearful of Democrats getting control of even one Chamber of Congress./1
Yet not one Trump official has been held to be in contempt of Court.
Courts have ruled 4,400 times that ICE jailed people illegally. It hasn’t stopped.
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Courts have ruled 4,400 times that ICE jailed people illegally. It hasn’t stopped.
The decisions amount to a huge legal rebuke, but the administration has continued jailing people indefinitely.
www.reuters.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Yet not one Trump official has been held to be in contempt of Court.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Getting this???
Pushing for federal IDs, and then shutting down methods for getting it.
This is about control and about manipulating our elections.
Full Stop.
Resist fascism.
Pushing for federal IDs, and then shutting down methods for getting it.
This is about control and about manipulating our elections.
Full Stop.
Resist fascism.
February 14, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Getting this???
Pushing for federal IDs, and then shutting down methods for getting it.
This is about control and about manipulating our elections.
Full Stop.
Resist fascism.
Pushing for federal IDs, and then shutting down methods for getting it.
This is about control and about manipulating our elections.
Full Stop.
Resist fascism.
Protest songs. The most American an American can be. 😎
Let's all sing along.
Together, now. Turn it up 🎵
February 14, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Protest songs. The most American an American can be. 😎
Americans were so mad when troops occupied their cities and forced their way into their homes that the put the Third Amendment into the Constitution.
In 1854, after watching the federal government deploy 2000 federal troops and spend $40,000 sending Anthony Burns back into slavery, Boston's Amos Adams Lawrence said “we went to bed one night old-fashioned, conservative, Compromise Union Whigs and waked up stark mad Abolitionists.”
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Americans were so mad when troops occupied their cities and forced their way into their homes that the put the Third Amendment into the Constitution.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
There’s something so powerful about seeing a man moved to tears:
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 3:19 PM
There’s something so powerful about seeing a man moved to tears:
It's not just the NYT that strives to sane-wash Trump.
Rubio speech at MSC—in short: US sees global trade, diplomacy, migration, immigration, global institutions and global affairs in general as a “foolish post-WWII mistake” and invites Europe “so save itself by each protecting sovereignty, closed borders, and Christianity” alike Trump’s America.
February 14, 2026 at 10:12 AM
It's not just the NYT that strives to sane-wash Trump.
Mad King Donald's Royal Decree.
Brief reminder: the Constitution gives the President no authority to control elections. None. Zero. Nada.
Warning: Trump is going to interfere in the midterms bigly because he and the GOP are fearful of Democrats getting control of even one Chamber of Congress./1
Brief reminder: the Constitution gives the President no authority to control elections. None. Zero. Nada.
Warning: Trump is going to interfere in the midterms bigly because he and the GOP are fearful of Democrats getting control of even one Chamber of Congress./1
February 14, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Mad King Donald's Royal Decree.
Brief reminder: the Constitution gives the President no authority to control elections. None. Zero. Nada.
Warning: Trump is going to interfere in the midterms bigly because he and the GOP are fearful of Democrats getting control of even one Chamber of Congress./1
Brief reminder: the Constitution gives the President no authority to control elections. None. Zero. Nada.
Warning: Trump is going to interfere in the midterms bigly because he and the GOP are fearful of Democrats getting control of even one Chamber of Congress./1
Great news. At least one High Court can get it right.
This British law wasn't about stopping terror. It was just a crude attempt to stifle protests against genocide as such could embarrass a government which has done little to challenge the actions of the government perpetrating that genocide.
This British law wasn't about stopping terror. It was just a crude attempt to stifle protests against genocide as such could embarrass a government which has done little to challenge the actions of the government perpetrating that genocide.
Humiliation for UK government as High Court rules Palestine Action terror ban was unlawful
Palestine Action latest: Home Office terror ban was unlawful, High Court rules
Lawyers for Palestine Action founder Huda Ammori have argued the ban is unlawful and should be quashed
www.independent.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Great news. At least one High Court can get it right.
This British law wasn't about stopping terror. It was just a crude attempt to stifle protests against genocide as such could embarrass a government which has done little to challenge the actions of the government perpetrating that genocide.
This British law wasn't about stopping terror. It was just a crude attempt to stifle protests against genocide as such could embarrass a government which has done little to challenge the actions of the government perpetrating that genocide.
Europe needs to become a powerhouse protecting democratic ideals and good governance, because, let's face it, its a dirty job but someone has to do it. They have no choice but to assume the USA is a lost cause. Dreaming of restoring the good old days creates potentially fatal delays.
/1
/1
If Putin, Trump, and Xi all agree that the EU should be destroyed, the answer is obvious.
We need more EU, not less.
Their opposition is the best endorsement we could ask for.
A united Europe is their nightmare and our salvation
We need more EU, not less.
Their opposition is the best endorsement we could ask for.
A united Europe is their nightmare and our salvation
February 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Europe needs to become a powerhouse protecting democratic ideals and good governance, because, let's face it, its a dirty job but someone has to do it. They have no choice but to assume the USA is a lost cause. Dreaming of restoring the good old days creates potentially fatal delays.
/1
/1
A while ago, I conjectured that the Trump Regime would ultimately kill and harm more people with their reckless drill-baby-drill environmental policies that ignore climate change than anything his proto-dictatorship has and will otherwise. /1
February 13, 2026 at 8:50 AM
A while ago, I conjectured that the Trump Regime would ultimately kill and harm more people with their reckless drill-baby-drill environmental policies that ignore climate change than anything his proto-dictatorship has and will otherwise. /1
More details on the airspace shutdown. This whole incident reminds me the end of a Frederic Brown short story. It ends with, "Only a madman would give a revolver to an idiot."
That tracks perfectly, given that we have both madmen and idiots in the Trump Regime.
www.axios.com/2026/02/12/e...
That tracks perfectly, given that we have both madmen and idiots in the Trump Regime.
www.axios.com/2026/02/12/e...
Laser weapon that shut down El Paso's skies was LOCUST system
What we know about the bizarre events leading up to the airspace closure.
www.axios.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:18 AM
More details on the airspace shutdown. This whole incident reminds me the end of a Frederic Brown short story. It ends with, "Only a madman would give a revolver to an idiot."
That tracks perfectly, given that we have both madmen and idiots in the Trump Regime.
www.axios.com/2026/02/12/e...
That tracks perfectly, given that we have both madmen and idiots in the Trump Regime.
www.axios.com/2026/02/12/e...
A remote island would be too kind for people who bet on which 5-year-old gets blown to bits next.
I recommend something like the Phantom Zone. I'm sure General Zod would welcome a few more like-minded people while they pass time in the Void.
I recommend something like the Phantom Zone. I'm sure General Zod would welcome a few more like-minded people while they pass time in the Void.
Really wondering when people in general are going to wake up to how thoroughly diseased this entire practice is
Just utterly wretched and corrosive in every possible way, the people behind it are moral voids and should be banished to a remote island
Just utterly wretched and corrosive in every possible way, the people behind it are moral voids and should be banished to a remote island
Polymarket should be burned to the ground for even offering shit like this
February 12, 2026 at 4:57 PM
A remote island would be too kind for people who bet on which 5-year-old gets blown to bits next.
I recommend something like the Phantom Zone. I'm sure General Zod would welcome a few more like-minded people while they pass time in the Void.
I recommend something like the Phantom Zone. I'm sure General Zod would welcome a few more like-minded people while they pass time in the Void.
Reposted by Michael Fletcher
Ellison: "It felt like we were being occupied by the federal govt, & I started returning to reading about the Boston Massacre. How did those Bostonians feel when a far away govt in England had imperial troops marching all over their city, harassing & abusing the citizenry. That's kind of how I felt"
February 12, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Ellison: "It felt like we were being occupied by the federal govt, & I started returning to reading about the Boston Massacre. How did those Bostonians feel when a far away govt in England had imperial troops marching all over their city, harassing & abusing the citizenry. That's kind of how I felt"
It's difficult to say for sure. Things will happen, and things will get worse, most likely far worse.
In preparing ourselves, we must lose any assumption that there is a limit to what the Trump Regime will do.
Don't be shocked. Be prepared. To resist.
In preparing ourselves, we must lose any assumption that there is a limit to what the Trump Regime will do.
Don't be shocked. Be prepared. To resist.
M., I’m reminded of our stunned, motionless silence watching the Jan. 6 rioters.
The way our brains attempt to reason: This isn’t really happening here. This can’t be happening here.
What else will we witness?
The way our brains attempt to reason: This isn’t really happening here. This can’t be happening here.
What else will we witness?
February 12, 2026 at 12:03 PM
It's difficult to say for sure. Things will happen, and things will get worse, most likely far worse.
In preparing ourselves, we must lose any assumption that there is a limit to what the Trump Regime will do.
Don't be shocked. Be prepared. To resist.
In preparing ourselves, we must lose any assumption that there is a limit to what the Trump Regime will do.
Don't be shocked. Be prepared. To resist.
Update on the air closure mystery:
It appears the massive militarization of law enforcement has now extended to giving them anti-aircraft weapons.
My hunch was wrong, but only in part. I feared that the USG was about to do something stupid along the border.
It appears the massive militarization of law enforcement has now extended to giving them anti-aircraft weapons.
My hunch was wrong, but only in part. I feared that the USG was about to do something stupid along the border.
oh so just dumb luck these idiots didn’t shoot down a passenger aircraft
According to multiple NYT sources, it wasn’t even military personnel at Fort Bliss that fired an anti-drone laser at alleged cartel drones. It was CBP who used the weapon on loan from DoD against a child’s party balloon they mistook for a drone. The Pentagon gave CBP an anti-aircraft weapon.
February 12, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Update on the air closure mystery:
It appears the massive militarization of law enforcement has now extended to giving them anti-aircraft weapons.
My hunch was wrong, but only in part. I feared that the USG was about to do something stupid along the border.
It appears the massive militarization of law enforcement has now extended to giving them anti-aircraft weapons.
My hunch was wrong, but only in part. I feared that the USG was about to do something stupid along the border.
I've warned about this also. Trump is intent to use the terrorist label as an excuse to jail and even kill opponents.
If you think that last is a stretch, the families of the over 120 victims of extrajudicial killings on the high seas by the Trump Administration would like a word.
If you think that last is a stretch, the families of the over 120 victims of extrajudicial killings on the high seas by the Trump Administration would like a word.
Trump Calls His Enemies Terrorists. Does That Mean He Can Just Kill Them?
From boat strikes to killings in the streets of Minnesota to NSPM-7, the White House leans on the word “terror” to justify its violence.
theintercept.com/2026/02/02/t...
From boat strikes to killings in the streets of Minnesota to NSPM-7, the White House leans on the word “terror” to justify its violence.
theintercept.com/2026/02/02/t...
Trump Calls His Enemies Terrorists. Does That Mean He Can Just Kill Them?
From boat strikes to killings in the streets of Minnesota to NSPM-7, the White House leans on the word “terror” to justify its violence.
theintercept.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:37 AM
I've warned about this also. Trump is intent to use the terrorist label as an excuse to jail and even kill opponents.
If you think that last is a stretch, the families of the over 120 victims of extrajudicial killings on the high seas by the Trump Administration would like a word.
If you think that last is a stretch, the families of the over 120 victims of extrajudicial killings on the high seas by the Trump Administration would like a word.
Ah, the power despots have to erase the truth and replace it with their lies.
Seriously people? You are obeying in advance. Stop doing that!
You fear the proto-dictator might frown in your direction? Grow a spine!
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Seriously people? You are obeying in advance. Stop doing that!
You fear the proto-dictator might frown in your direction? Grow a spine!
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Gallup will no longer track presidential approval ratings after nearly 90 years
Gallup, the analytics firm that has tracked presidential approval for nearly 90 years, will stop measuring job performance ratings starting in 2026.
www.usatoday.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Ah, the power despots have to erase the truth and replace it with their lies.
Seriously people? You are obeying in advance. Stop doing that!
You fear the proto-dictator might frown in your direction? Grow a spine!
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Seriously people? You are obeying in advance. Stop doing that!
You fear the proto-dictator might frown in your direction? Grow a spine!
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Go Monks! 👍😎
Seeing the monks arrive in Alexandria, Virginia on day 107, just before their journey concludes in Washington, D.C., was deeply moving.
Here are some highlights.
#WalkforPeace
Here are some highlights.
#WalkforPeace
February 12, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Go Monks! 👍😎
Immigration has been part of the human experience since the beginning of humans. It is as natural to humans as swaying in the wind is to grass.
The problem of xenophobia is exacerbated by human density and, sorry about this -- the math. /1
The problem of xenophobia is exacerbated by human density and, sorry about this -- the math. /1
I've never known anyone who was obsessed with immigration who wasn't an out and out loser and an absolute racist bigot.
I'm saying it because it's simply not said enough.
I'm saying it because it's simply not said enough.
February 12, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Immigration has been part of the human experience since the beginning of humans. It is as natural to humans as swaying in the wind is to grass.
The problem of xenophobia is exacerbated by human density and, sorry about this -- the math. /1
The problem of xenophobia is exacerbated by human density and, sorry about this -- the math. /1
39% of Americans still support Trump despite the fact that he raped children, staged an insurrection, is a convicted felon and is the most corrupt federal official in US history by far.
/1
/1
February 11, 2026 at 4:49 PM
39% of Americans still support Trump despite the fact that he raped children, staged an insurrection, is a convicted felon and is the most corrupt federal official in US history by far.
/1
/1
Our system of having the DOJ directly under and answerable to the President does not work well. It needs to be restructured.
While the statement below is technically true, the reality is that DOJ, as an institution, has an implicit and at sometimes /1
While the statement below is technically true, the reality is that DOJ, as an institution, has an implicit and at sometimes /1
Quick reminder:
The attorney general is NOT the presidents personal attorney.
The attorney general is NOT the presidents personal attorney.
February 11, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Our system of having the DOJ directly under and answerable to the President does not work well. It needs to be restructured.
While the statement below is technically true, the reality is that DOJ, as an institution, has an implicit and at sometimes /1
While the statement below is technically true, the reality is that DOJ, as an institution, has an implicit and at sometimes /1
25 years ago, analysts and futurists joked that "Water is the new oil." We already knew it was going to be a huge problem way back then.
In the years since, nations and corporations have quietly been moving to control more water and acquire water rights.
/1
In the years since, nations and corporations have quietly been moving to control more water and acquire water rights.
/1
Next, they'll try to privatize the air we breathe. Or maybe they'll go after gravity, to charge us fees for its "service" of preventing us from flying into space.
The sickness is the capitalist system that prioritizes profits over people.
February 11, 2026 at 11:53 AM
25 years ago, analysts and futurists joked that "Water is the new oil." We already knew it was going to be a huge problem way back then.
In the years since, nations and corporations have quietly been moving to control more water and acquire water rights.
/1
In the years since, nations and corporations have quietly been moving to control more water and acquire water rights.
/1
I have this hunch that this out-of-blue action is a precursor to the Trump Administration doing something reckless along the border that requires this airspace to be closed.
Just a thought. As usual, I'd love to be wrong.
Just a thought. As usual, I'd love to be wrong.
BREAKING: The FAA has closed airspace over El Paso and parts of southern New Mexico for 10 days under a “national defense airspace” designation, offering no explanation for the rare move. The order warns violators could face interception and possible deadly force.
elpasomatters.org/2026/02/11/u...
elpasomatters.org/2026/02/11/u...
El Paso, New Mexico airspace closed by FAA without explanation; flights restricted under national defense noticeWithout explanation, FAA closes El Paso and New Mexico airspace for 10 days, cites national defense airspace - El Paso Matters
The Federal Aviation Administration has closed airspace over El Paso and parts of southern New Mexico for 10 days under a national defense designation, offering no explanation for the rare move.An…
elpasomatters.org
February 11, 2026 at 11:27 AM
I have this hunch that this out-of-blue action is a precursor to the Trump Administration doing something reckless along the border that requires this airspace to be closed.
Just a thought. As usual, I'd love to be wrong.
Just a thought. As usual, I'd love to be wrong.
Today we resist a growing dictatorship, its police state, and injustice.
We should recall that people have always resisted such things, often successfully.
We should take to heart the bravery, grit, determination and thirst for justice that turned ordinary people into heroes.
We should recall that people have always resisted such things, often successfully.
We should take to heart the bravery, grit, determination and thirst for justice that turned ordinary people into heroes.
“Historians call this passageway a masterwork of deliberate concealment, designed to be absolutely invisible to slave catchers or city marshals during the 19th-century”
Safe house linked to Underground Railroad discovered in Manhattan
The Merchant's House is the first landmarked building in Manhattan.
ny1.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Today we resist a growing dictatorship, its police state, and injustice.
We should recall that people have always resisted such things, often successfully.
We should take to heart the bravery, grit, determination and thirst for justice that turned ordinary people into heroes.
We should recall that people have always resisted such things, often successfully.
We should take to heart the bravery, grit, determination and thirst for justice that turned ordinary people into heroes.
The Trump Regime hasn't found a way around the jury system. Give them time.
In other respects, the rule of law his hanging on by it's fingernails, if at all. Trump's goons have resorted to abducting and disappearing people and defying court orders.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
In other respects, the rule of law his hanging on by it's fingernails, if at all. Trump's goons have resorted to abducting and disappearing people and defying court orders.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Grand jury declines to indict Democrats asking troops to refuse illegal orders
Trump, outraged by clip of six lawmakers, called them ‘traitors’ and said behavior was ‘punishable by death’
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:11 AM
The Trump Regime hasn't found a way around the jury system. Give them time.
In other respects, the rule of law his hanging on by it's fingernails, if at all. Trump's goons have resorted to abducting and disappearing people and defying court orders.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
In other respects, the rule of law his hanging on by it's fingernails, if at all. Trump's goons have resorted to abducting and disappearing people and defying court orders.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...