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
· 6d
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
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*.
Call. Phone your senators today!
The script at the link takes less than one minute to say into their voice-mail, or to the always-courteous people paid to take these calls.
It MATTERS. Call.
Thanks.
The script at the link takes less than one minute to say into their voice-mail, or to the always-courteous people paid to take these calls.
It MATTERS. Call.
Thanks.
Congress is scrambling to pass a DHS funding bill by Friday, and we need to make it loud and clear that our senators and representatives must oppose any bill that hands ICE and Border Patrol more funding or fails to include strict safeguards to protect our communities.
Tell Your Members of Congress to rein in ICE NOW
On January 24, federal forces with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. This was just over two weeks after the killing of Renee Good. These killings are a direc...
act.indivisible.org
February 11, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Call. Phone your senators today!
The script at the link takes less than one minute to say into their voice-mail, or to the always-courteous people paid to take these calls.
It MATTERS. Call.
Thanks.
The script at the link takes less than one minute to say into their voice-mail, or to the always-courteous people paid to take these calls.
It MATTERS. Call.
Thanks.
Almost had a human-driven Waymo dart out in front of me at 19th & I-94 frontage rd today.
2nd Waymo I've seen in the city in 2 days.
DO. NOT. WANT.
Why are we legalizing this job-killer (esp. when many folks driving for Lyft/Uber are already under intense pressure due to the ICE occupation here)?
2nd Waymo I've seen in the city in 2 days.
DO. NOT. WANT.
Why are we legalizing this job-killer (esp. when many folks driving for Lyft/Uber are already under intense pressure due to the ICE occupation here)?
February 11, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Almost had a human-driven Waymo dart out in front of me at 19th & I-94 frontage rd today.
2nd Waymo I've seen in the city in 2 days.
DO. NOT. WANT.
Why are we legalizing this job-killer (esp. when many folks driving for Lyft/Uber are already under intense pressure due to the ICE occupation here)?
2nd Waymo I've seen in the city in 2 days.
DO. NOT. WANT.
Why are we legalizing this job-killer (esp. when many folks driving for Lyft/Uber are already under intense pressure due to the ICE occupation here)?
Gallup complying with fascism was not on my dance card.
This is VERY BAD.
This is VERY BAD.
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years
Gallup will no longer track presidential approval ratings after more than eight decades doing so, the public opinion polling agency confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday. The company said starting thi…
thehill.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Gallup complying with fascism was not on my dance card.
This is VERY BAD.
This is VERY BAD.
303,000 of the jobs 'created' in 2025 were, you got it, FAKE NEWS.
To be more fair, BLS often has to revise employment data. Gathering info from a nation of 340 million people is admittedly not easy, and revisions are routine.
The key is ~ Trump is presiding over an anemic and bleeding economy.
To be more fair, BLS often has to revise employment data. Gathering info from a nation of 340 million people is admittedly not easy, and revisions are routine.
The key is ~ Trump is presiding over an anemic and bleeding economy.
Solid number January 2026 (+130k). However, the change in total nonfarm employment for 2025 was revised from +584,000 to +181,000 (seasonally adjusted). So much weaker than initially estimated
February 11, 2026 at 2:27 PM
303,000 of the jobs 'created' in 2025 were, you got it, FAKE NEWS.
To be more fair, BLS often has to revise employment data. Gathering info from a nation of 340 million people is admittedly not easy, and revisions are routine.
The key is ~ Trump is presiding over an anemic and bleeding economy.
To be more fair, BLS often has to revise employment data. Gathering info from a nation of 340 million people is admittedly not easy, and revisions are routine.
The key is ~ Trump is presiding over an anemic and bleeding economy.
Trump, RFK Jr. and the rest are chasing innovation out of the U.S.
We'll be runners-up for a generation, at least.
We'll be runners-up for a generation, at least.
We’re this close to something that might resemble a universal flu vaccine someday.
I really don’t know how Moderna doesn’t take this as a signal move to Europe. How do you operate like this for another three years if you have a fiduciary obligation to shareholders?
I really don’t know how Moderna doesn’t take this as a signal move to Europe. How do you operate like this for another three years if you have a fiduciary obligation to shareholders?
February 11, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Trump, RFK Jr. and the rest are chasing innovation out of the U.S.
We'll be runners-up for a generation, at least.
We'll be runners-up for a generation, at least.
Reposted by Ralf W
i think this more than anything is what miller wants. vast detention camps with all of the suffering and death that means.
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:56 AM
i think this more than anything is what miller wants. vast detention camps with all of the suffering and death that means.
The right in this country has completely, utterly lost their collective minds.
February 11, 2026 at 12:37 AM
The right in this country has completely, utterly lost their collective minds.
Reposted by Ralf W
Friends from Minneapolis reporting to me that things are at the point where folks are being hidden in other people's houses and we are in the "again" part of "never again" which the "never" was supposed to preclude
February 10, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Friends from Minneapolis reporting to me that things are at the point where folks are being hidden in other people's houses and we are in the "again" part of "never again" which the "never" was supposed to preclude
Reposted by Ralf W
After the Trump regime empties out its concentration camps by deporting all the dark-skinned immigrants it rounds up, those camps will still be operational and ready for use against the next groups of people the regime targets as enemies. Such as, perhaps, you.
February 10, 2026 at 11:19 PM
After the Trump regime empties out its concentration camps by deporting all the dark-skinned immigrants it rounds up, those camps will still be operational and ready for use against the next groups of people the regime targets as enemies. Such as, perhaps, you.
Reposted by Ralf W
This is the second time an ICE employee has been arrested in in a Bloomington, MN underage sex trafficking sting www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
Police in Bloomington, MN just announced that one of the guys they arrested in an underage sex trafficking sting was a **background checker for ICE agents.**
He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.
He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.
February 10, 2026 at 9:26 PM
This is the second time an ICE employee has been arrested in in a Bloomington, MN underage sex trafficking sting www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/ne...
Man with a high security clearance is booked by local police as a sex offender.
Epstein is gone, but not the horrible people who traffic and abuse women.
Epstein is gone, but not the horrible people who traffic and abuse women.
Bloomington police announce arrests in sex trafficking bust: "Rashad Johnson out of Maple Grove. This is the most disturbing arrest that we've had here. He is a backgrounder for ICE, Homeland Security, and federal agencies."
February 10, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Man with a high security clearance is booked by local police as a sex offender.
Epstein is gone, but not the horrible people who traffic and abuse women.
Epstein is gone, but not the horrible people who traffic and abuse women.