Maryjane Osa
@mjosaphd.bsky.social
Political and historical sociologist writing about culture, democracy, and comparative politics (Ph.D., University of Chicago). Publishes "Grounded" on Substack. https://maryjaneosa.substack.com/
#exPostie Currently living under ICE occupation in Chicago.
#exPostie Currently living under ICE occupation in Chicago.
Dahlia:
The Epstein story is also the template …and the proof text for all that is happening … It is an ongoing road map for an administration …[to show] that they are rich and powerful and famous enough to be above the law, and wishes for the rest of us to ultimately learn and accept that fact.
The Epstein story is also the template …and the proof text for all that is happening … It is an ongoing road map for an administration …[to show] that they are rich and powerful and famous enough to be above the law, and wishes for the rest of us to ultimately learn and accept that fact.
Pam Bondi’s Epstein Testimony Exposed the Whole Game
The Epstein files are related to the rest of the legal chaos we are experiencing.
slate.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Dahlia:
The Epstein story is also the template …and the proof text for all that is happening … It is an ongoing road map for an administration …[to show] that they are rich and powerful and famous enough to be above the law, and wishes for the rest of us to ultimately learn and accept that fact.
The Epstein story is also the template …and the proof text for all that is happening … It is an ongoing road map for an administration …[to show] that they are rich and powerful and famous enough to be above the law, and wishes for the rest of us to ultimately learn and accept that fact.
In the Epstein class, there are two tiers: Those men with real accomplishments provide cover for the shady, endlessly greedy, and carelessly wealthy. But only the top-tier men have real freedom: to follow their desires and pursue grievances with abandon, & without real attachments or allegiances.
If Jeffrey Epstein were Alive Today
He would go Nazi. And so would his friends.
maryjaneosa.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:22 PM
In the Epstein class, there are two tiers: Those men with real accomplishments provide cover for the shady, endlessly greedy, and carelessly wealthy. But only the top-tier men have real freedom: to follow their desires and pursue grievances with abandon, & without real attachments or allegiances.
America First patriotism is a sham, a camouflage for chameleons whose commitments are to financial gain, social prestige, and power. The billionaires have no real attachments to any homeland or political ideology; Populism and Nationalism are games for them, and they gamble with the house money.
If Jeffrey Epstein were Alive Today
He would go Nazi. And so would his friends.
maryjaneosa.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:15 PM
America First patriotism is a sham, a camouflage for chameleons whose commitments are to financial gain, social prestige, and power. The billionaires have no real attachments to any homeland or political ideology; Populism and Nationalism are games for them, and they gamble with the house money.
Congress is just debating DHS operations *now*????
Nobody remembers how FEMA "underperformed" after it was ingested into DHS when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans?
That was 2005.
#politics #DHS #sociology
Nobody remembers how FEMA "underperformed" after it was ingested into DHS when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans?
That was 2005.
#politics #DHS #sociology
The Department of Homeland Security Was Always a Bad Idea
DHS was a mess from Day One. Let political hacks hastily reorganize the government in response to a crisis. Sure, why not?
maryjaneosa.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Congress is just debating DHS operations *now*????
Nobody remembers how FEMA "underperformed" after it was ingested into DHS when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans?
That was 2005.
#politics #DHS #sociology
Nobody remembers how FEMA "underperformed" after it was ingested into DHS when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans?
That was 2005.
#politics #DHS #sociology
AI. He did his own research:
We should all by now have worked out that AI is about as sentient as an abacus, and only truly mirrors the human mind in its capacity to lie to humans, telling them what it “thinks” they want to hear.
We should all by now have worked out that AI is about as sentient as an abacus, and only truly mirrors the human mind in its capacity to lie to humans, telling them what it “thinks” they want to hear.
I asked AI to name my wife. To the hopelessly incorrect people it cited, my deepest apologies | Martin Rowson
Authors, a newsreader, a lawyer and an esteemed colleague: they’re all great – but I’m not married to any of them. Can we really depend on this technology, asks cartoonist and author Martin Rowson
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
AI. He did his own research:
We should all by now have worked out that AI is about as sentient as an abacus, and only truly mirrors the human mind in its capacity to lie to humans, telling them what it “thinks” they want to hear.
We should all by now have worked out that AI is about as sentient as an abacus, and only truly mirrors the human mind in its capacity to lie to humans, telling them what it “thinks” they want to hear.
"A mishmash of old and new, the DHS combined venerable government organizations like the US Coast Guard (1716) and baby orgs like the TSA (2001). But the most volatile unit added to this administrative grab bag was CBP (1924), a collection of cowboys operating under the cover of law."
#politics
#politics
The Department of Homeland Security Was Always a Bad Idea
DHS was a mess from Day One. Let political hacks hastily reorganize the government in response to a crisis. Sure, why not?
maryjaneosa.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:08 PM
"A mishmash of old and new, the DHS combined venerable government organizations like the US Coast Guard (1716) and baby orgs like the TSA (2001). But the most volatile unit added to this administrative grab bag was CBP (1924), a collection of cowboys operating under the cover of law."
#politics
#politics
Kudos to Ms Martinez & Atty Parente! Every step forward helps
The feds say the release of a Border Patrol agent's texts could "sully" his reputation.
But a judge says they're fair game, partly because Homeland Security has shown "zero concern" for the rep of Chicago's Marimar Martinez.
UPDATED @chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/2026/02/06/f...
But a judge says they're fair game, partly because Homeland Security has shown "zero concern" for the rep of Chicago's Marimar Martinez.
UPDATED @chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/2026/02/06/f...
Federal judge will let Marimar Martinez release text messages sent by Border Patrol agent who shot her
U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis pointed out that Martinez is "presumed innocent of any offense of which she has not been convicted." Martinez's attorney said the text messages and other evidence ...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Kudos to Ms Martinez & Atty Parente! Every step forward helps
When moderate Democratic politicians radicalize, watch out!
( and you know things have gotten bad if the centrists are to the left of Bernie)
( and you know things have gotten bad if the centrists are to the left of Bernie)
‘Grind the country to a halt’: Democrat urges national strike if Trump meddles in midterms
In wake of Donald Trump’s call for Republicans to ‘take over’ voting, senator Ruben Gallego urges citizens to take a stand and give the ‘ultimate response’
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:07 PM
When moderate Democratic politicians radicalize, watch out!
( and you know things have gotten bad if the centrists are to the left of Bernie)
( and you know things have gotten bad if the centrists are to the left of Bernie)
Why bother invoking the Insurrection Act, when you can occupy Blue cities with your masked, armed & angry paramilitary forces whenever you please? And demonstrate how you act "strongly" with impunity at the same time?
Following the law is for sissies. /s
Following the law is for sissies. /s
Revising My Argument
I was wrong to think that the Insurrection Act would be a "red line." Does Trump really care about invoking the Act? Threatening to do so keeps the news cycle focused on him. And ICE is on the ground.
maryjaneosa.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Why bother invoking the Insurrection Act, when you can occupy Blue cities with your masked, armed & angry paramilitary forces whenever you please? And demonstrate how you act "strongly" with impunity at the same time?
Following the law is for sissies. /s
Following the law is for sissies. /s
Landlord neglected building maintenance, & tired of tenant complaints, he tipped off DHS to undocumented residents in his building. What an asshole!
Noem & Bovino got their social media content and everyone else had their civil rights trampled. Check this out:
Noem & Bovino got their social media content and everyone else had their civil rights trampled. Check this out:
Building owner OK’d Trump administration’s raid of Chicago apartment complex, court records show
Federal officials claimed the area surrounding the building in South Shore was a hub for Venezuelan gangs, but new arrests reports show it was targeted in the jarring raid because “illegal aliens were...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Landlord neglected building maintenance, & tired of tenant complaints, he tipped off DHS to undocumented residents in his building. What an asshole!
Noem & Bovino got their social media content and everyone else had their civil rights trampled. Check this out:
Noem & Bovino got their social media content and everyone else had their civil rights trampled. Check this out:
“I love it. We can’t mutual aid our way out of state failure. But in times of terror and crisis, it’s heartwarming,” Seale said. “It’s good to have this safety in community.”
#chicago #minneapolis
#chicago #minneapolis
Hundreds Of CPS Students Protest Federal Immigration Crackdown During School Walk-Out
At least 400 Chicago Public Schools students from across the North Side took part in a walk-out Monday to protest immigration raids. “We are fed up,” one student said.
blockclubchicago.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:51 AM
“I love it. We can’t mutual aid our way out of state failure. But in times of terror and crisis, it’s heartwarming,” Seale said. “It’s good to have this safety in community.”
#chicago #minneapolis
#chicago #minneapolis
Hard to tell if the glass is half full or half empty. Today I'm going with 3/4 empty.
#politics #minnesota #sociology
#politics #minnesota #sociology
Revising My Argument
I was wrong to think that the Insurrection Act would be a "red line." Does Trump really care about invoking the Act? Threatening to do so keeps the news cycle focused on him. And ICE is on the ground.
maryjaneosa.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Hard to tell if the glass is half full or half empty. Today I'm going with 3/4 empty.
#politics #minnesota #sociology
#politics #minnesota #sociology
Start the day off with a smile 😃
February 2, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Start the day off with a smile 😃
JFC
NEW: This isn't about "training." The two agents who murdered Alex Pretti - Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez - have been with Border Patrol for 8 and 12 years respectively. You can't reform CBP. Abolish ICE/CBP. www.propublica.org/article/alex...
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:50 PM
JFC
Protect your neighbors--have a whistle-packing party!
What’s With the Whistles?
“We have whistles. They have guns." How this simple tool creates solidarity, protects communities, and defends democracy.
maryjaneosa.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Protect your neighbors--have a whistle-packing party!
WINE MOMS and
CHILDLESS CAT LADIES
UNITED
If someone wants to make t-shirts, I’d buy one
CHILDLESS CAT LADIES
UNITED
If someone wants to make t-shirts, I’d buy one
January 29, 2026 at 7:14 PM
WINE MOMS and
CHILDLESS CAT LADIES
UNITED
If someone wants to make t-shirts, I’d buy one
CHILDLESS CAT LADIES
UNITED
If someone wants to make t-shirts, I’d buy one
Without the humanities and social sciences there is no understanding humans and societies.
We study &research to advance knowledge, prevent wars, plagues, & exploitation.
OR quash humanities & Soc sci:
make (avoidable) mistakes at every step, increase human suffering & and shorten life spans.
We study &research to advance knowledge, prevent wars, plagues, & exploitation.
OR quash humanities & Soc sci:
make (avoidable) mistakes at every step, increase human suffering & and shorten life spans.
You should study the humanities because when people only study programming they don't understand how society works and they come up with cryptocurrency and the metaverse.
Literally one sociology class could have stopped these.
Literally one sociology class could have stopped these.
Are the humanities the only disciplines whose classes begin with modules speaking to the importance of studying the humanities? "Why study the humanities?" and "Why the humanities are important" must be cliches.
January 28, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Without the humanities and social sciences there is no understanding humans and societies.
We study &research to advance knowledge, prevent wars, plagues, & exploitation.
OR quash humanities & Soc sci:
make (avoidable) mistakes at every step, increase human suffering & and shorten life spans.
We study &research to advance knowledge, prevent wars, plagues, & exploitation.
OR quash humanities & Soc sci:
make (avoidable) mistakes at every step, increase human suffering & and shorten life spans.
Chicago stands with our sister Twin Cities to the north.
“I can’t help but see myself in Alex Pretti,” said Scott Mechanic, a local intensive care unit nurse. “This is a call to every health care worker, to every union member, to every American”
“I can’t help but see myself in Alex Pretti,” said Scott Mechanic, a local intensive care unit nurse. “This is a call to every health care worker, to every union member, to every American”
Chicago Nurses, Veterans Grow Memorial For Alex Pretti Outside VA Hospital, Rally Against ICE
Chicago hospital workers and union members came together Tuesday after the killing of one of their own: Alex Pretti, an intensive-care nurse at a VA hospital, shot at least 10 times by federal agents ...
blockclubchicago.org
January 28, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Chicago stands with our sister Twin Cities to the north.
“I can’t help but see myself in Alex Pretti,” said Scott Mechanic, a local intensive care unit nurse. “This is a call to every health care worker, to every union member, to every American”
“I can’t help but see myself in Alex Pretti,” said Scott Mechanic, a local intensive care unit nurse. “This is a call to every health care worker, to every union member, to every American”
The ICE occupation of Chicago, and now Minneapolis, prompts me to take a trip down memory lane to . . . Warsaw, Krakow, and Lublin in 1982 and 1983, during martial law in Poland.
This feels familiar.
maryjaneosa.substack.com/p/a-state-of...
This feels familiar.
maryjaneosa.substack.com/p/a-state-of...
A State of War . . . by any other name
Why does the ICE occupation of Chicago and Minneapolis remind me of martial law in Poland? My trip down memory lane . . .
maryjaneosa.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:05 AM
The ICE occupation of Chicago, and now Minneapolis, prompts me to take a trip down memory lane to . . . Warsaw, Krakow, and Lublin in 1982 and 1983, during martial law in Poland.
This feels familiar.
maryjaneosa.substack.com/p/a-state-of...
This feels familiar.
maryjaneosa.substack.com/p/a-state-of...
Reposted by Maryjane Osa
I think this seems like something of a tipping point for centrist leaning Ds and for D leaning independents, and possibly for some people who don't pay a lot of attention to politics.
there's not really the same level of fracturing on the right there was with, say, Jimmy Kimmel.
there's not really the same level of fracturing on the right there was with, say, Jimmy Kimmel.
January 25, 2026 at 5:11 AM
I think this seems like something of a tipping point for centrist leaning Ds and for D leaning independents, and possibly for some people who don't pay a lot of attention to politics.
there's not really the same level of fracturing on the right there was with, say, Jimmy Kimmel.
there's not really the same level of fracturing on the right there was with, say, Jimmy Kimmel.
“There’s 15 ICE agents, and they shot her, like, because she wouldn’t open her car door,” one caller said.
(NYT gift link.)
(NYT gift link.)
Emergency Call Transcripts Record a Crisis Unfolding in Real Time
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:36 PM
“There’s 15 ICE agents, and they shot her, like, because she wouldn’t open her car door,” one caller said.
(NYT gift link.)
(NYT gift link.)
Why doesn’t ICE violence achieve its goal of frightening people into submission? Why do ordinary citizens resist when the danger is obvious?
Social movement scholars have studied this phenomenon. It’s called …
Social movement scholars have studied this phenomenon. It’s called …
The Protest-Repression Paradox
Tragedy and Its Discontents
maryjaneosa.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Why doesn’t ICE violence achieve its goal of frightening people into submission? Why do ordinary citizens resist when the danger is obvious?
Social movement scholars have studied this phenomenon. It’s called …
Social movement scholars have studied this phenomenon. It’s called …
A courageous artist has decorated the former Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital (across the street from us) that is in the process of demolition.
January 12, 2026 at 5:53 PM
A courageous artist has decorated the former Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital (across the street from us) that is in the process of demolition.
Gonna forget about state repression for a couple of hours.
Affirming my soul
Affirming my soul
January 11, 2026 at 1:27 AM
Gonna forget about state repression for a couple of hours.
Affirming my soul
Affirming my soul