Ben Raderstorf
@raders.bsky.social
defend democracy and build homes / policy advocate @protectdemocracy.org / author ifyoucankeep.it / co-prez @sacyimby.bsky.social / rash opinions my own
No kings but Sac Kings
📍Sacramento
No kings but Sac Kings
📍Sacramento
Pinned
Ben Raderstorf
@raders.bsky.social
· Jan 12
I can already tell social media is gonna be a heavy and stressful place this year.
Going to try to counteract it with an ongoing thread of moments, places, and scenes of thriving from my real world.
Here’s #1: Capitol Park rules. I love that the heart of California civic life is so peaceful
Going to try to counteract it with an ongoing thread of moments, places, and scenes of thriving from my real world.
Here’s #1: Capitol Park rules. I love that the heart of California civic life is so peaceful
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
November 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino and his masked raiders have now left not one, but *two* American cities they sought to terrorize. Their lawlessness was simply no match for the public's commitment to the Constitution. @raders.bsky.social lays out lessons from Charlotte and Chicago.
The antidote to lawlessness is the law
Anti-legalism, Charlotte, and why the Constitution is winning
www.ifyoucankeepit.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino and his masked raiders have now left not one, but *two* American cities they sought to terrorize. Their lawlessness was simply no match for the public's commitment to the Constitution. @raders.bsky.social lays out lessons from Charlotte and Chicago.
Even in threatening Senator Kelly with persecution for telling the truth, the administration can't help confirming exactly what Kelly said
November 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Even in threatening Senator Kelly with persecution for telling the truth, the administration can't help confirming exactly what Kelly said
Elon Musk — who is worth $460,400,000,000 — seemingly endorsing eugenics as a way to avoid $187 a month in average SNAP food assistance payments.
November 24, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Elon Musk — who is worth $460,400,000,000 — seemingly endorsing eugenics as a way to avoid $187 a month in average SNAP food assistance payments.
Pretty embarrassing that the new @postopinions.bsky.social can't even defend the memory of their murdered colleague without kissing Trump's butt
November 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Pretty embarrassing that the new @postopinions.bsky.social can't even defend the memory of their murdered colleague without kissing Trump's butt
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
The Coast Guard changed its policy on use of swastikas & nooses, lowering threshold of liability from these as symbols of "hate" to just being "harassment". The new policy removes "hate incident" altogether, a willingness to support Nazi & racist expression. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The Coast Guard changed its policy on use of swastikas & nooses, lowering threshold of liability from these as symbols of "hate" to just being "harassment". The new policy removes "hate incident" altogether, a willingness to support Nazi & racist expression. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Collective courage beats anticipatory obedience ten days out of ten
NEW: Churches in Charlotte are hosting trainings on how to response to ICE agents — with *hundreds* filling pews.
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
At one training, a child led those gathered in "This Little Light of Mine" — but changed the words to “All around Border Patrol, I’m gonna let it shine" religionnews.com/2025/11/20/a...
As ICE descends on Charlotte, faith leaders draw on other cities' actions to aid immigrants
(RNS) — As many as 500 people, a mix of clergy and other volunteers, have appeared at the training sessions on how to counter ICE.
religionnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Collective courage beats anticipatory obedience ten days out of ten
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
BREAKING: Judge Cobb rules that the Pentagon's National Guard deployment into D.C. was illegal.
However, she has stayed the effect of her order until Dec. 11 to prevent disorder while the matter is under appeal.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
However, she has stayed the effect of her order until Dec. 11 to prevent disorder while the matter is under appeal.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
November 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
BREAKING: Judge Cobb rules that the Pentagon's National Guard deployment into D.C. was illegal.
However, she has stayed the effect of her order until Dec. 11 to prevent disorder while the matter is under appeal.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
However, she has stayed the effect of her order until Dec. 11 to prevent disorder while the matter is under appeal.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
All things being equal, *of course* people prefer more space and a yard. Who wouldn't want a big house in the middle of a city! The question is tradeoffs with location, amenities, walkability, and access to urban life.
Revealed preference suggests they're willing to spend far more for the latter.
Revealed preference suggests they're willing to spend far more for the latter.
as will notes, people tend to *say* they want suburban living. they want a big house and a big yard and etc. this is not however what is suggested by their actual purchasing practices, which invariably result in something like this:
raincitymaps.com/maps/inspect...
raincitymaps.com/maps/inspect...
November 20, 2025 at 8:21 PM
All things being equal, *of course* people prefer more space and a yard. Who wouldn't want a big house in the middle of a city! The question is tradeoffs with location, amenities, walkability, and access to urban life.
Revealed preference suggests they're willing to spend far more for the latter.
Revealed preference suggests they're willing to spend far more for the latter.
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
A Trump supporter started murdering his way through an assassination list of Democratic law makers FIVE MONTHS AGO. He murdered my colleague Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark — and attempted to assassinate my dear friend John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I was also on the hit list. WTF
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
A Trump supporter started murdering his way through an assassination list of Democratic law makers FIVE MONTHS AGO. He murdered my colleague Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark — and attempted to assassinate my dear friend John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. I was also on the hit list. WTF
Yet another "Sacramento grows, rest of California shrinks" headline.
Here is what the area immediately around Sac Sate looks like. Notice anything?
Here is what the area immediately around Sac Sate looks like. Notice anything?
November 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Yet another "Sacramento grows, rest of California shrinks" headline.
Here is what the area immediately around Sac Sate looks like. Notice anything?
Here is what the area immediately around Sac Sate looks like. Notice anything?
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
It seems like if you are mad about Trump covering up the Esptein files you should be equally, if not more, animated and called to take action over Trump's amplification of the idea members of Congress be hanged.
Esp if you are a member of Congress. Can we get a vote on that?
Esp if you are a member of Congress. Can we get a vote on that?
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
It seems like if you are mad about Trump covering up the Esptein files you should be equally, if not more, animated and called to take action over Trump's amplification of the idea members of Congress be hanged.
Esp if you are a member of Congress. Can we get a vote on that?
Esp if you are a member of Congress. Can we get a vote on that?
Struggling to find a more "plain language" way to explain condo defect reform in a presentation and this is the best I can come up with. But curious if others have ideas? (CC: @muhammadspeaks.bsky.social)
November 20, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Struggling to find a more "plain language" way to explain condo defect reform in a presentation and this is the best I can come up with. But curious if others have ideas? (CC: @muhammadspeaks.bsky.social)
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
I love how the firefighters union, when confronted with data about the safety of single stair, argue “Well New York and Seattle have good firefighters, unlike here in California where we suck ass at our jobs”
November 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I love how the firefighters union, when confronted with data about the safety of single stair, argue “Well New York and Seattle have good firefighters, unlike here in California where we suck ass at our jobs”
Thank god. Pretty disappointed in the local environmental groups that were, frankly, very much on the wrong side of this one. Climate action over NIMBYism!
www.abridged.org/news/sacrame...
www.abridged.org/news/sacrame...
Sacramento County leaders approve 2,700-acre solar farm after hours of debate
Sacramento County leaders approved a solar energy project despite concerns over the destruction of local oak forests and grasslands.
www.abridged.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Thank god. Pretty disappointed in the local environmental groups that were, frankly, very much on the wrong side of this one. Climate action over NIMBYism!
www.abridged.org/news/sacrame...
www.abridged.org/news/sacrame...
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
The fact that no one in the room stood up for her says a lot about how we got here bsky.app/profile/pale...
"Quiet! Quiet, Piggy."
November 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The fact that no one in the room stood up for her says a lot about how we got here bsky.app/profile/pale...
"Things* happen," says the U.S. president.
*A journalist, permanent U.S. resident, and parent to three U.S. citizen children was abducted at a routine consular visit, murdered, dismembered with a bone saw, and smuggled out in multiple suitcases on the direct orders of the man to Trump's right.
*A journalist, permanent U.S. resident, and parent to three U.S. citizen children was abducted at a routine consular visit, murdered, dismembered with a bone saw, and smuggled out in multiple suitcases on the direct orders of the man to Trump's right.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 11:33 PM
"Things* happen," says the U.S. president.
*A journalist, permanent U.S. resident, and parent to three U.S. citizen children was abducted at a routine consular visit, murdered, dismembered with a bone saw, and smuggled out in multiple suitcases on the direct orders of the man to Trump's right.
*A journalist, permanent U.S. resident, and parent to three U.S. citizen children was abducted at a routine consular visit, murdered, dismembered with a bone saw, and smuggled out in multiple suitcases on the direct orders of the man to Trump's right.
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
Want to get involved in your local elections? Serving as a poll worker is one of the most meaningful ways to support your community and see firsthand the checks and balances that ensure every legitimate vote is counted.
November 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Want to get involved in your local elections? Serving as a poll worker is one of the most meaningful ways to support your community and see firsthand the checks and balances that ensure every legitimate vote is counted.
🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txwd.1150387/gov.uscourts.txwd.1150387.1437.0_4.pdf
November 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
🚨 🚨 🚨 🚨https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txwd.1150387/gov.uscourts.txwd.1150387.1437.0_4.pdf
"Whether this is a conscious strategy on the part of the Trump administration or not, the signal is being sent that following the law will put you in harm’s way." - @ansleyskipper.bsky.social in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/arrested-f...
www.thebulwark.com/p/arrested-f...
Arrested for Following the Rules
The danger of ICE’s strategy of targeting immigrants fulfilling their legal responsibilities.
www.thebulwark.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Whether this is a conscious strategy on the part of the Trump administration or not, the signal is being sent that following the law will put you in harm’s way." - @ansleyskipper.bsky.social in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/arrested-f...
www.thebulwark.com/p/arrested-f...
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
NEW: "Arresting immigrants during child wellness checks and at courthouses and immigration interviews pushes people further into the shadows."
www.thebulwark.com/p/arrested-f...
www.thebulwark.com/p/arrested-f...
Arrested for Following the Rules
The danger of ICE’s strategy of targeting immigrants fulfilling their legal responsibilities.
www.thebulwark.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
NEW: "Arresting immigrants during child wellness checks and at courthouses and immigration interviews pushes people further into the shadows."
www.thebulwark.com/p/arrested-f...
www.thebulwark.com/p/arrested-f...
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
Don't look away. Soliman: "My experience was more traumatizing than my detention in Egypt....I don't think this gov't will stop....Immigrants will be the first target. After that, they will target any opposition. Violating due process this time means they will violate it again and again and again."
Opinion | We Followed the Rules. ICE Jailed Us Anyway.
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Don't look away. Soliman: "My experience was more traumatizing than my detention in Egypt....I don't think this gov't will stop....Immigrants will be the first target. After that, they will target any opposition. Violating due process this time means they will violate it again and again and again."
And it's not just academia. There are monsters like Summers in every industry who all do this exact thing
Look, I know this weaponization of male academic interest is the oldest story in the book, but it’s just so, so pernicious. It’s awful to the women directly involved, but it’s also awful to *all* women in the academy, who have to live in its shadow all the time.
I mean
November 17, 2025 at 4:41 AM
And it's not just academia. There are monsters like Summers in every industry who all do this exact thing
Reposted by Ben Raderstorf
I am well aware that they are and will continue to do massive damage to this country
but does it feel like they’re on a glide path to successful authoritarian consolidation anymore? I submit that it does not
but does it feel like they’re on a glide path to successful authoritarian consolidation anymore? I submit that it does not
November 15, 2025 at 4:27 AM
I am well aware that they are and will continue to do massive damage to this country
but does it feel like they’re on a glide path to successful authoritarian consolidation anymore? I submit that it does not
but does it feel like they’re on a glide path to successful authoritarian consolidation anymore? I submit that it does not