sekharn
@sekharn.bsky.social
Bay Area Dad, Cal Alum #GoBears, Sports Fan, Electrical Engineer/Circuit Designer by training, he/him
Reposted by sekharn
It's way down the list, but as a political historian I'm obligated to note that calling his 2024 win a "historic landslide" is laughable bullshit.
Trump did not even clear 50% of the popular vote. His margin of victory was a narrow 1.48%, which means that Jimmy Carter had a much bigger win in 1976.
Trump did not even clear 50% of the popular vote. His margin of victory was a narrow 1.48%, which means that Jimmy Carter had a much bigger win in 1976.
January 26, 2026 at 12:11 AM
It's way down the list, but as a political historian I'm obligated to note that calling his 2024 win a "historic landslide" is laughable bullshit.
Trump did not even clear 50% of the popular vote. His margin of victory was a narrow 1.48%, which means that Jimmy Carter had a much bigger win in 1976.
Trump did not even clear 50% of the popular vote. His margin of victory was a narrow 1.48%, which means that Jimmy Carter had a much bigger win in 1976.
Reposted by sekharn
When you're a paramilitary force, they let you do it
CBP chief Bovino has confirmed that the officers who executed Alex Pretti in the street yesterday are not only *not on administrative leave,* they have all been reassigned to other jurisdictions and are all on the street today.
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
January 25, 2026 at 9:48 PM
When you're a paramilitary force, they let you do it
Reposted by sekharn
It was obvious from how Bovino answered this question that his only concern in this situation was that the public not learn the killers' names. He is at best absolutely indifferent to people under his command wantonly executing people in the street, and more likely privately celebrating it
January 25, 2026 at 8:26 PM
It was obvious from how Bovino answered this question that his only concern in this situation was that the public not learn the killers' names. He is at best absolutely indifferent to people under his command wantonly executing people in the street, and more likely privately celebrating it
Reposted by sekharn
To be clear, I am referring here to Bovino's press conference of a few minutes ago. He told CNN earlier today that the officers would likely be assigned to "administrative duties" in other places, which is both different from what he said later and still not admin leave
fox40.com/news/nationa...
fox40.com/news/nationa...
Agents in fatal Minneapolis shooting ‘likely’ assigned to administrative duties, Bovino says
The agents will be taken off the streets in Minneapolis but “remain Border Patrol agents.”
fox40.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:23 PM
To be clear, I am referring here to Bovino's press conference of a few minutes ago. He told CNN earlier today that the officers would likely be assigned to "administrative duties" in other places, which is both different from what he said later and still not admin leave
fox40.com/news/nationa...
fox40.com/news/nationa...
Reposted by sekharn
An important point here: admin leave is a necessary and expected minimum response after someone has been fatally shot, even in cases in which there is no real question that it was justified. You just took a life.
bsky.app/profile/toob...
bsky.app/profile/toob...
Literally EVERYTHING else aside:
Officers involved in shootings - even shootings that everybody agrees were justified - always take time off to emotionally process their experience, go to therapy, process it.
Sending somebody right back out says "this is an everyday part of your job, expect it."
Officers involved in shootings - even shootings that everybody agrees were justified - always take time off to emotionally process their experience, go to therapy, process it.
Sending somebody right back out says "this is an everyday part of your job, expect it."
CBP chief Bovino has confirmed that the officers who executed Alex Pretti in the street yesterday are not only *not on administrative leave,* they have all been reassigned to other jurisdictions and are all on the street today.
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
January 25, 2026 at 8:18 PM
An important point here: admin leave is a necessary and expected minimum response after someone has been fatally shot, even in cases in which there is no real question that it was justified. You just took a life.
bsky.app/profile/toob...
bsky.app/profile/toob...
Reposted by sekharn
In none of his appearances today did Bovino acknowledge that this was in any way regrettable or could have been prevented. Because he doesn't regret it, and he wants it to happen again. Terrorizing anyone who is trying to hold them accountable is their only play rn
January 25, 2026 at 8:14 PM
In none of his appearances today did Bovino acknowledge that this was in any way regrettable or could have been prevented. Because he doesn't regret it, and he wants it to happen again. Terrorizing anyone who is trying to hold them accountable is their only play rn
Reposted by sekharn
I watched the entire DHS press conference which Bovino just held a few minutes ago. They are tripling down on the fascism. Bovino could not have not been more clear that there is nothing that can't be justified in the name of immigration enforcement, and that there will never be consequences for ICE
January 25, 2026 at 8:10 PM
I watched the entire DHS press conference which Bovino just held a few minutes ago. They are tripling down on the fascism. Bovino could not have not been more clear that there is nothing that can't be justified in the name of immigration enforcement, and that there will never be consequences for ICE
Reposted by sekharn
CBP chief Bovino has confirmed that the officers who executed Alex Pretti in the street yesterday are not only *not on administrative leave,* they have all been reassigned to other jurisdictions and are all on the street today.
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
January 25, 2026 at 8:01 PM
CBP chief Bovino has confirmed that the officers who executed Alex Pretti in the street yesterday are not only *not on administrative leave,* they have all been reassigned to other jurisdictions and are all on the street today.
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
This is totally unheard of for any officer-involved shooting
Reposted by sekharn
Today in luxury surveillance.
Amazon's AI 'Bee' Gadget Sounds Like A Privacy Nightmare - Here's Why - BGR
Amazon's Bee AI wearable promises convenient voice-focused features, but like most Amazon devices, the company's privacy record cannot be ignored.
www.bgr.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Today in luxury surveillance.
Reposted by sekharn
❄️ VIDEO: Mayor Mamdani seen with a shovel assisting a car stuck in the snow in the Hasidic-populated neighborhood of Williamsburg.
January 25, 2026 at 8:25 PM
❄️ VIDEO: Mayor Mamdani seen with a shovel assisting a car stuck in the snow in the Hasidic-populated neighborhood of Williamsburg.
Reposted by sekharn
Right-wingers have spent the past decade acting like they need a gun to ride the subway, yet when someone carries a firearm while a paramilitary force occupies their city it's all, "Why would you need a weapon???"
January 25, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Right-wingers have spent the past decade acting like they need a gun to ride the subway, yet when someone carries a firearm while a paramilitary force occupies their city it's all, "Why would you need a weapon???"
Reposted by sekharn
This makes me think of that 1990 interview Trump did with Playboy where he admitted that when it came to Tiananmen Square, he was rooting for the tanks.
January 25, 2026 at 7:56 PM
This makes me think of that 1990 interview Trump did with Playboy where he admitted that when it came to Tiananmen Square, he was rooting for the tanks.
Reposted by sekharn
I almost appreciate how Trump has exposed how vacant every single high profile conservative belief was: free speech, states’ rights, letting the market decide, NATO, the right to bear arms, democracy, all of it. It’s been an empty, malicious political project for decades and decades now
Folks have been noting the creepiness of this NRA statement on the Minneapolis murder that DOESN'T affirm Alex Pretti's right to have a gun at a protest, instead blaming "radical progressive politicians lie Tim Walz" who have "incited violence against law enforcement officers" for his death....
January 25, 2026 at 8:27 PM
I almost appreciate how Trump has exposed how vacant every single high profile conservative belief was: free speech, states’ rights, letting the market decide, NATO, the right to bear arms, democracy, all of it. It’s been an empty, malicious political project for decades and decades now
Reposted by sekharn
The NRA hasn't been a gun rights organization for decades. They have had two purposes:
1) Make a lot of money for the gun industry by convincing insecure men to collect expensive weapons.
2) Stoke right-wing paranoia for political gain.
So of course they're taking this stance.
1) Make a lot of money for the gun industry by convincing insecure men to collect expensive weapons.
2) Stoke right-wing paranoia for political gain.
So of course they're taking this stance.
Folks have been noting the creepiness of this NRA statement on the Minneapolis murder that DOESN'T affirm Alex Pretti's right to have a gun at a protest, instead blaming "radical progressive politicians lie Tim Walz" who have "incited violence against law enforcement officers" for his death....
January 25, 2026 at 8:27 PM
The NRA hasn't been a gun rights organization for decades. They have had two purposes:
1) Make a lot of money for the gun industry by convincing insecure men to collect expensive weapons.
2) Stoke right-wing paranoia for political gain.
So of course they're taking this stance.
1) Make a lot of money for the gun industry by convincing insecure men to collect expensive weapons.
2) Stoke right-wing paranoia for political gain.
So of course they're taking this stance.
Reposted by sekharn
To be clear: First of all, no. The obligation of protesters in the street--whether mere observers or the civilly disobedient--is in no way EQUAL to the obligation of a masked, poorly trained, unaccountable, armed federal force rolling through American streets at the behest of an authoritarian.>
January 25, 2026 at 8:11 PM
To be clear: First of all, no. The obligation of protesters in the street--whether mere observers or the civilly disobedient--is in no way EQUAL to the obligation of a masked, poorly trained, unaccountable, armed federal force rolling through American streets at the behest of an authoritarian.>
Reposted by sekharn
This is from the NYT masthead editorial about the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The highlighted line invalidates not just the editorial, but the very idea of newspaper editorials crafted by the consensus of a board. Better to publish nothing at all than to publish a line like this.
!["The temperature in Minneapolis is dangerously high. There is an urgent need for the federal agents deployed to the city to step back and take a breath before more Americans are hurt or killed. [Highlighted]: Those protesting the Trump administration have an equal obligation to avoid violence.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:zknk3rjsatent75sdbbopown/bafkreid6g5bmlf3gyxj2egzcy33hkwiaqgrzuoh3yhbpenmvdmvyyobfq4@jpeg)
January 25, 2026 at 8:08 PM
This is from the NYT masthead editorial about the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. The highlighted line invalidates not just the editorial, but the very idea of newspaper editorials crafted by the consensus of a board. Better to publish nothing at all than to publish a line like this.
Reposted by sekharn
I remember the moment, ages ago, when I first realized that the South seceded from the IS not because Lincoln had actually done anything about slavery, but just because he had been elected. I thought: either you believe in democracy or you don’t, and at that moment the South showed where it stood.
furthermore, the GOP is just furthest along the track a lot of non-American far-right parties are running. Turning to fascism when you don't get your way 100% of the time is just, apparently, an inherent vice of conservative politics
January 25, 2026 at 8:11 PM
I remember the moment, ages ago, when I first realized that the South seceded from the IS not because Lincoln had actually done anything about slavery, but just because he had been elected. I thought: either you believe in democracy or you don’t, and at that moment the South showed where it stood.
Reposted by sekharn
“… the term has been overused … by left-leaning types who call you a fascist if you oppose abortion or affirmative action”:
Er, people can oppose abortion or affirmative action while not being fascist, but many oppose them _as part of_ their fascism. Drop the holier-than-thou act, Rauch.
Er, people can oppose abortion or affirmative action while not being fascist, but many oppose them _as part of_ their fascism. Drop the holier-than-thou act, Rauch.
January 25, 2026 at 7:10 PM
“… the term has been overused … by left-leaning types who call you a fascist if you oppose abortion or affirmative action”:
Er, people can oppose abortion or affirmative action while not being fascist, but many oppose them _as part of_ their fascism. Drop the holier-than-thou act, Rauch.
Er, people can oppose abortion or affirmative action while not being fascist, but many oppose them _as part of_ their fascism. Drop the holier-than-thou act, Rauch.
Reposted by sekharn
Today I wrote about a good man summarily executed on the streets by Republican death squads, and how, given the inevitable alternatives, even tyrants should hope for a people's liberation from tyranny. www.the-reframe.com/the-shovel-n...
The Shovel Next Time
Liberation from tyranny is also liberation for the tyrants.
www.the-reframe.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Today I wrote about a good man summarily executed on the streets by Republican death squads, and how, given the inevitable alternatives, even tyrants should hope for a people's liberation from tyranny. www.the-reframe.com/the-shovel-n...
Reposted by sekharn
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
January 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
Reposted by sekharn
These people have absolutely zero ability to say "I was wrong, y'all were right."🤷🏿♂️
The closest they get is "I was right then when I said you were panicking for no reason and deranged, and I'm also right now, when I'm saying what you were saying, but way too late. I alone decide when it's right."🤡
The closest they get is "I was right then when I said you were panicking for no reason and deranged, and I'm also right now, when I'm saying what you were saying, but way too late. I alone decide when it's right."🤡
January 25, 2026 at 5:33 PM
These people have absolutely zero ability to say "I was wrong, y'all were right."🤷🏿♂️
The closest they get is "I was right then when I said you were panicking for no reason and deranged, and I'm also right now, when I'm saying what you were saying, but way too late. I alone decide when it's right."🤡
The closest they get is "I was right then when I said you were panicking for no reason and deranged, and I'm also right now, when I'm saying what you were saying, but way too late. I alone decide when it's right."🤡
Reposted by sekharn
The political socialization literature suggests that the present moment is likely to have enormous impact on the political views of young people for decades to come.
January 25, 2026 at 2:02 PM
The political socialization literature suggests that the present moment is likely to have enormous impact on the political views of young people for decades to come.
Reposted by sekharn
Extremely funny that the champion of the revolutionary left/socialist boogeyman of Republicans everywhere is basically Leslie Knope.
One of the hardest things to do is bring campaign-level communications to the work of governance, and snowstorms are notoriously one of the biggest litmus tests that less-engaged voters use to judge mayoral administrations. This is an excellent way to communicate.
January 25, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Extremely funny that the champion of the revolutionary left/socialist boogeyman of Republicans everywhere is basically Leslie Knope.
Reposted by sekharn
The only thing they’ll need to add, now that it’s a remote learning day tomorrow, is an explanation for the kids why there aren’t enough school days on the calendar to do a snow day.
January 25, 2026 at 4:39 PM
The only thing they’ll need to add, now that it’s a remote learning day tomorrow, is an explanation for the kids why there aren’t enough school days on the calendar to do a snow day.
Reposted by sekharn
One of the hardest things to do is bring campaign-level communications to the work of governance, and snowstorms are notoriously one of the biggest litmus tests that less-engaged voters use to judge mayoral administrations. This is an excellent way to communicate.
January 25, 2026 at 4:39 PM
One of the hardest things to do is bring campaign-level communications to the work of governance, and snowstorms are notoriously one of the biggest litmus tests that less-engaged voters use to judge mayoral administrations. This is an excellent way to communicate.