Ralf W
@raflw.bsky.social
The press, 2026: Everything Biden did was imputed to reflect how old and feeble he was. NOTHING Trump does is imputed to reflect his abhorrent personal character.
Peripatetic. Infuriated.
Hanger-on at Balloon Juice.
MSP / CO / WI
Peripatetic. Infuriated.
Hanger-on at Balloon Juice.
MSP / CO / WI
Pinned
Ralf W
@raflw.bsky.social
· 8d
I absolutely hate paragraphs like this. Seems to whom? What facts are being advanced here in the nations leading newspaper? This voiceless opinioning is shoddy, and gives cover to the deeply improper tactic the WH uses frequently.
Stick to reporting, dang it.
Stick to reporting, dang it.
They do this *all the time*. NYT finds whichever mealy-mouthed way they can to distance Trump from the things Trump explicitly does.
Everything Biden did was imputed to reflect how old and feeble he was. NOTHING Trump does is imputed to reflect his abhorrent personal charachter.
Everything Biden did was imputed to reflect how old and feeble he was. NOTHING Trump does is imputed to reflect his abhorrent personal charachter.
Reposted by Ralf W
This is what authoritarians are never gonna understand: average, everyday citizens do not like watching paramilitary thugs brutalize children. All the vaporware memes in the world can't fix that for them
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 3:53 PM
This is what authoritarians are never gonna understand: average, everyday citizens do not like watching paramilitary thugs brutalize children. All the vaporware memes in the world can't fix that for them
Roses are red
Skin is like leather
Did lots of uppers
Still have no tether
Skin is like leather
Did lots of uppers
Still have no tether
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Cocaine is better
With a small bit of poo
Violets are blue
Cocaine is better
With a small bit of poo
RFK Jr: I'm not scared of a germ. I used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats.
February 14, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Roses are red
Skin is like leather
Did lots of uppers
Still have no tether
Skin is like leather
Did lots of uppers
Still have no tether
Gut punch writing:
"as context, working for the Justice Dept. used to be one of the most competitive, prestigious jobs you could get. Most people—even top law students —spent several years working for law firms before vying for highly coveted spots.
Now you send a DM on X to some guy named Chad.
"as context, working for the Justice Dept. used to be one of the most competitive, prestigious jobs you could get. Most people—even top law students —spent several years working for law firms before vying for highly coveted spots.
Now you send a DM on X to some guy named Chad.
Some thoughts on what de-magafication of our institutions might look like when this nightmare is over (free post) open.substack.com/pub/asharang...
Excising the Cancer in Our Institutions
We need to start thinking about how we are going to separate the sheep from the wolves in sheep's clothing.
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Gut punch writing:
"as context, working for the Justice Dept. used to be one of the most competitive, prestigious jobs you could get. Most people—even top law students —spent several years working for law firms before vying for highly coveted spots.
Now you send a DM on X to some guy named Chad.
"as context, working for the Justice Dept. used to be one of the most competitive, prestigious jobs you could get. Most people—even top law students —spent several years working for law firms before vying for highly coveted spots.
Now you send a DM on X to some guy named Chad.
Reposted by Ralf W
Good morning team.
They are building a network of concentration camps.
They are building a network of concentration camps.
🚨ICE just got access to one of its biggest private detention center operators last night, thanks to a Navy contract.
The move lets ICE bypass normal contracting processes to tap GEO Group to operate its detention centers as they race to buy detention sites to house 92,000 detainees nationwide.
The move lets ICE bypass normal contracting processes to tap GEO Group to operate its detention centers as they race to buy detention sites to house 92,000 detainees nationwide.
ICE Gains Fast-Track Access to Private Prison Giant as It Plans to Nearly Double Detention Capacity
Navy contract allows immigration agency to bypass normal bidding and hire one of its largest detention operators directly as it plans to add 92,000 beds by November
projectsaltbox.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Good morning team.
They are building a network of concentration camps.
They are building a network of concentration camps.
Acting director of ICE Todd Lyons told the House Homeland Security Committee this week that ICE is training agents adequately before they go into the field and that once there, they are properly enforcing U.S. immigration laws.
“And,” he added, “we are only getting started.”
HCR February 13, 2026
“And,” he added, “we are only getting started.”
HCR February 13, 2026
February 13, 2026
At midnight tonight, most of the agencies and services in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will run out of funding, as popular fury over the violence and lawlessness of federal agents from Im...
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Acting director of ICE Todd Lyons told the House Homeland Security Committee this week that ICE is training agents adequately before they go into the field and that once there, they are properly enforcing U.S. immigration laws.
“And,” he added, “we are only getting started.”
HCR February 13, 2026
“And,” he added, “we are only getting started.”
HCR February 13, 2026
But, yeah, sure the Republican Party is doing great, and there's no reason to think November will be a problem for Johnson or Thune.
New Mexico Republicans have made history, just not in a way anyone wants to: For the first time since the Land of Enchantment became a state in 1912, Republicans won’t field a candidate in a U.S. Senate race.
Morning Digest: For the first time ever, New Mexico Republicans won't field a Senate candidate
It's one of three statewide races that the GOP is forfeiting this year
www.the-downballot.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:27 PM
But, yeah, sure the Republican Party is doing great, and there's no reason to think November will be a problem for Johnson or Thune.
Reposted by Ralf W
Trump-appointed judge: “The Constitution does not permit the government to arrest thousands of individuals and then disregard their constitutional rights because it would be too challenging to honor those rights.”
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Court rebukes Trump administration for denying immigration detainees access to lawyers
It’s the latest and perhaps most pointed rebuke yet from Minnesota federal judges.
www.politico.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Trump-appointed judge: “The Constitution does not permit the government to arrest thousands of individuals and then disregard their constitutional rights because it would be too challenging to honor those rights.”
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Ralf W
Minnesota Reformer reports from Worthington: "You can feel it, the sadness from town. There’s no people walking around." minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/13/n...
‘Not the same town anymore:’ ICE surge hit businesses in Worthington, where 1 in 3 are immigrants • Minnesota Reformer
WORTHINGTON — Typically about 10 to 15 cars and their new owners drive off the lot each month at Los Partners Auto Sales in Worthington, a small city in southwest Minnesota where roughly 1 in 3 reside...
minnesotareformer.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Minnesota Reformer reports from Worthington: "You can feel it, the sadness from town. There’s no people walking around." minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/13/n...
Reposted by Ralf W
i think nominating Gavin Newsom will lose the White House again for Democrats. The party's left flank will stay home again because he's an empty corporate shell. The age of Democrats punching left to appeal to the center is over and it's now a matter of if the party as a whole realizes that or not.
February 13, 2026 at 12:12 PM
i think nominating Gavin Newsom will lose the White House again for Democrats. The party's left flank will stay home again because he's an empty corporate shell. The age of Democrats punching left to appeal to the center is over and it's now a matter of if the party as a whole realizes that or not.
The language used in that video are predicate to mass human rights violations or even atrocities.
That DHS has now bought five massive warehouses (for half a billion dollars!) to shunt away detainees is another warning sign that the administration may cause immense human suffering and loss.
That DHS has now bought five massive warehouses (for half a billion dollars!) to shunt away detainees is another warning sign that the administration may cause immense human suffering and loss.
"Footage shot by ICE and CBP agents is edited into perverse sizzle reels, which are often accompanied by dehumanizing rhetoric that positions immigrants as animals being hunted.
“'Bag it. Tag it. Take it down, read the caption on one video."
www.salon.com/2026/02/13/t...
“'Bag it. Tag it. Take it down, read the caption on one video."
www.salon.com/2026/02/13/t...
The real reason Kristi Noem wants ICE body cams
The DHS secretary’s effort to avoid a shutdown is about propaganda, not transparency
www.salon.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:46 PM
The language used in that video are predicate to mass human rights violations or even atrocities.
That DHS has now bought five massive warehouses (for half a billion dollars!) to shunt away detainees is another warning sign that the administration may cause immense human suffering and loss.
That DHS has now bought five massive warehouses (for half a billion dollars!) to shunt away detainees is another warning sign that the administration may cause immense human suffering and loss.
"The ICE director's autopen was used to sign" Lewandowski's authorization for a badge and gun.
So much insane, ego-stroking nonsense going on there. It would be pretty funny except that they have so much power over people’s lives
February 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
"The ICE director's autopen was used to sign" Lewandowski's authorization for a badge and gun.
Reposted by Ralf W
I don't believe for a second that Ice is rolling out of town like the Soviets leaving Afghanistan. I think they've only just begun their war on the Constitution
February 12, 2026 at 9:35 PM
I don't believe for a second that Ice is rolling out of town like the Soviets leaving Afghanistan. I think they've only just begun their war on the Constitution
Reposted by Ralf W
“Immigrant detainees are regularly released without their work permits and other documents, attorneys say, even though federal judges have ruled they were illegally arrested in the first place.”
Fire them now. Anyone who does this. Bar them from working for any LE agency forever.
Fire them now. Anyone who does this. Bar them from working for any LE agency forever.
February 13, 2026 at 4:32 AM
“Immigrant detainees are regularly released without their work permits and other documents, attorneys say, even though federal judges have ruled they were illegally arrested in the first place.”
Fire them now. Anyone who does this. Bar them from working for any LE agency forever.
Fire them now. Anyone who does this. Bar them from working for any LE agency forever.
The worst people. Not just to the public, as we see all the dang time, but to the people there to serve in government.
Firing a pilot for leaving Kristi Noem's blanket behind. Berating staff when she's not on TV enough. Inside the constant chaos at DHS.
A Pilot Fired Over Kristi Noem’s Missing Blanket and the Constant Chaos Inside DHS
Secretary faces fire for confrontational immigration crackdown and self-promotional style; White House to wind down Minnesota operations.
on.wsj.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:07 AM
The worst people. Not just to the public, as we see all the dang time, but to the people there to serve in government.
Amen!
We're serious when we say that the Democrat(s) who run on this platform will get OVERWHELMING support. Votes, but also money, volunteers and energy.
We're serious when we say that the Democrat(s) who run on this platform will get OVERWHELMING support. Votes, but also money, volunteers and energy.
OPINION: "The outrageous lies of Trump regime, from ICE shootings to a Commerce Secretary's Epstein falsehoods, must be punished ... America desperately needs truth and consequences." — Inquirer columnist Will Bunch
The lying is out of control. People need to go to prison. | Will Bunch
www.inquirer.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Amen!
We're serious when we say that the Democrat(s) who run on this platform will get OVERWHELMING support. Votes, but also money, volunteers and energy.
We're serious when we say that the Democrat(s) who run on this platform will get OVERWHELMING support. Votes, but also money, volunteers and energy.
Reposted by Ralf W
ICE “left” Chicago in November, but they’ve disappeared three people from my community in two days this week.
Don’t believe the hype about them, leaving Minnesota, either.
Don’t believe the hype about them, leaving Minnesota, either.
February 12, 2026 at 6:27 PM
ICE “left” Chicago in November, but they’ve disappeared three people from my community in two days this week.
Don’t believe the hype about them, leaving Minnesota, either.
Don’t believe the hype about them, leaving Minnesota, either.
Reposted by Ralf W
Someone was abducted at 10 AM by ICE on Central Ave. Their coworker says they’ve lived here for over 20 years, are documented, and have 3 kids who were born here.
Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
February 12, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Someone was abducted at 10 AM by ICE on Central Ave. Their coworker says they’ve lived here for over 20 years, are documented, and have 3 kids who were born here.
Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
Don’t be fooled by headlines when they’ve been lying to us the whole time. We still need you out patrolling until every agent is gone.
Saw that allegedly ICE made 4,000 arrests during the MN surge.
So thats just barely over a 1:1 agent to arrestee ratio. Across TWO months!
Stunningly inefficient! Wow.
Republicans constantly yell about waste, fraud and abuse. And are telling on themselves. Every time.
So thats just barely over a 1:1 agent to arrestee ratio. Across TWO months!
Stunningly inefficient! Wow.
Republicans constantly yell about waste, fraud and abuse. And are telling on themselves. Every time.
February 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Saw that allegedly ICE made 4,000 arrests during the MN surge.
So thats just barely over a 1:1 agent to arrestee ratio. Across TWO months!
Stunningly inefficient! Wow.
Republicans constantly yell about waste, fraud and abuse. And are telling on themselves. Every time.
So thats just barely over a 1:1 agent to arrestee ratio. Across TWO months!
Stunningly inefficient! Wow.
Republicans constantly yell about waste, fraud and abuse. And are telling on themselves. Every time.
The one god thing about Ron Johnson is that he's dumb. Not, like, Sean Duffy pathetically sense.
But dumb enough that a guy like Ellison (who has been a Congressman so he knows the boxing ring) can rope-a-dope him frequently.
But dumb enough that a guy like Ellison (who has been a Congressman so he knows the boxing ring) can rope-a-dope him frequently.
RON JOHNSON: Did you ever encourage people to go out there and exercise their First Amendment rights?
KEITH ELLISON: I freely admit being in favor of the First Amendment
KEITH ELLISON: I freely admit being in favor of the First Amendment
February 12, 2026 at 4:34 PM
The one god thing about Ron Johnson is that he's dumb. Not, like, Sean Duffy pathetically sense.
But dumb enough that a guy like Ellison (who has been a Congressman so he knows the boxing ring) can rope-a-dope him frequently.
But dumb enough that a guy like Ellison (who has been a Congressman so he knows the boxing ring) can rope-a-dope him frequently.
Reposted by Ralf W
My suspicion is that a drawdown is happening in Minnesota because they're not getting the numbers they want.
They are buying massive warehouses. Those aren't going to fill themselves.
The plan hasn't changed. They need softer, bigger targets. They only question is where that will be.
They are buying massive warehouses. Those aren't going to fill themselves.
The plan hasn't changed. They need softer, bigger targets. They only question is where that will be.
February 12, 2026 at 3:33 PM
My suspicion is that a drawdown is happening in Minnesota because they're not getting the numbers they want.
They are buying massive warehouses. Those aren't going to fill themselves.
The plan hasn't changed. They need softer, bigger targets. They only question is where that will be.
They are buying massive warehouses. Those aren't going to fill themselves.
The plan hasn't changed. They need softer, bigger targets. They only question is where that will be.
Admittedly I'm not in the legal profession, but if lawyers are doing this over and over like these AUSAs, shouldn't Bar Associations be holding emergency revocation processes?
What is the law if faithless people can engage in such hollow behavior?
What is the law if faithless people can engage in such hollow behavior?
Yet asst. U.S. attorneys—AUSA used to be an esteemed title—continue to make this frivolous argument over and over in bald-faced arguments in case after case. They’ve been told no many thousands of times. They admit (remarkably) in their filings that they know their arguments are meritless.
15/
15/
February 11, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Admittedly I'm not in the legal profession, but if lawyers are doing this over and over like these AUSAs, shouldn't Bar Associations be holding emergency revocation processes?
What is the law if faithless people can engage in such hollow behavior?
What is the law if faithless people can engage in such hollow behavior?
Here is what Democratic pollsters and consultants just do not hear.
This dear man is in his early 70s, and retired seven years ago from a long and storied career at Minnesota Public Radio. Where he was moderate, careful, ethical and thorough.
And he's THIS ANGRY.
Get on the clue bus @democrats.org
This dear man is in his early 70s, and retired seven years ago from a long and storied career at Minnesota Public Radio. Where he was moderate, careful, ethical and thorough.
And he's THIS ANGRY.
Get on the clue bus @democrats.org
February 11, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Here is what Democratic pollsters and consultants just do not hear.
This dear man is in his early 70s, and retired seven years ago from a long and storied career at Minnesota Public Radio. Where he was moderate, careful, ethical and thorough.
And he's THIS ANGRY.
Get on the clue bus @democrats.org
This dear man is in his early 70s, and retired seven years ago from a long and storied career at Minnesota Public Radio. Where he was moderate, careful, ethical and thorough.
And he's THIS ANGRY.
Get on the clue bus @democrats.org
Reposted by Ralf W
"Switzerland’s military has terminated its contract with Palantir… following a security audit… concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies could potentially access sensitive Swiss defense data… significant reputational warning for the data analytics firm"
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
Palantir's Swiss Exit Highlights Global Data Sovereignty Challenge | NewsCase
Switzerland's military has terminated its contract with Palantir Technologies Inc. following a security audit. The review concluded that U.S. intelligence ag
www.newscase.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:05 AM
"Switzerland’s military has terminated its contract with Palantir… following a security audit… concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies could potentially access sensitive Swiss defense data… significant reputational warning for the data analytics firm"
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
Reposted by Ralf W
Historians will say that all these institutions were debased by Trump through threats and intimidation. This will be a fucking lie. They all debased themselves. Trump's threats were always empty paper tiger crap. They capitulated because they were either cowardly idiots or secretly on his side.
February 11, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Historians will say that all these institutions were debased by Trump through threats and intimidation. This will be a fucking lie. They all debased themselves. Trump's threats were always empty paper tiger crap. They capitulated because they were either cowardly idiots or secretly on his side.
When the GOP says "America has the best health care in the world" they look at the quoted skeet *and want to make it worse*.
Love how colon cancer keeps killing people under 50 and yet insurance doesn't cover colonoscopy without cost-sharing until age 45.
I just paid $1,584 out of pocket for mine thanks to my deductible and copays
I just paid $1,584 out of pocket for mine thanks to my deductible and copays
February 11, 2026 at 8:16 PM
When the GOP says "America has the best health care in the world" they look at the quoted skeet *and want to make it worse*.