V
@vallistar.bsky.social
I’m a constant work in progress. Choosing solidarity and understanding. Still 😷
Reposted by V
One powerful narrative strain from close analysis of commentary about, & most critically from, upstanders in MN is true dawning no one is coming to save them. Justified belief some force will intervene shattered & alongside incredible moral purpose & community cohesion, catalyzed current heroism.
January 31, 2026 at 6:13 PM
One powerful narrative strain from close analysis of commentary about, & most critically from, upstanders in MN is true dawning no one is coming to save them. Justified belief some force will intervene shattered & alongside incredible moral purpose & community cohesion, catalyzed current heroism.
Reposted by V
Today’s Daily Cartoon, by Matt Reuter. #NewYorkerCartoons
January 30, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Today’s Daily Cartoon, by Matt Reuter. #NewYorkerCartoons
Reposted by V
Now I’m personally of the view that we shouldn’t be doing aggressive immigration enforcement. But if you cared about that, you’d never pick this tactic.
“Immigration enforcement” is almost entirely pretextual here in Minnesota, an excuse to flood our communities with fear and violence.
“Immigration enforcement” is almost entirely pretextual here in Minnesota, an excuse to flood our communities with fear and violence.
January 28, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Now I’m personally of the view that we shouldn’t be doing aggressive immigration enforcement. But if you cared about that, you’d never pick this tactic.
“Immigration enforcement” is almost entirely pretextual here in Minnesota, an excuse to flood our communities with fear and violence.
“Immigration enforcement” is almost entirely pretextual here in Minnesota, an excuse to flood our communities with fear and violence.
Reposted by V
Yes, as people here in Minneapolis keep shouting, ICE’s Minnesota siege is, among other things, A HORRIBLE WAY TO DO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. To randomly grab a single pedestrian who probably ends up being a citizen, they need 12 guys and to tear gas a bunch of people! It’s insanely inefficient!
IDK why right-wingers keep bringing up Obama's record deportations, it just shows that if you wanted to have a conservative immigration policy without partisan militias occupying cities and gunning people down in the streets you could do it and a lot of americans would be fine with it
January 28, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Yes, as people here in Minneapolis keep shouting, ICE’s Minnesota siege is, among other things, A HORRIBLE WAY TO DO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. To randomly grab a single pedestrian who probably ends up being a citizen, they need 12 guys and to tear gas a bunch of people! It’s insanely inefficient!
Reposted by V
I don't know how many times we will be told by the legacy media that Trump is moderating or backing off only to then see he is worse than ever. He is an authoritarian. He enjoys the cruelty. And the first thing he had Pam Bondi do after the shooting was to try to leverage it to get the voter files.
January 28, 2026 at 3:30 AM
I don't know how many times we will be told by the legacy media that Trump is moderating or backing off only to then see he is worse than ever. He is an authoritarian. He enjoys the cruelty. And the first thing he had Pam Bondi do after the shooting was to try to leverage it to get the voter files.
Reposted by V
Earlier today I warned Democracy Docket members not to confuse Trump’s tactical pause as a change of heart. Here is just some of what I wrote.
Join now to access all its premium content. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Join now to access all its premium content. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
January 28, 2026 at 1:56 AM
Earlier today I warned Democracy Docket members not to confuse Trump’s tactical pause as a change of heart. Here is just some of what I wrote.
Join now to access all its premium content. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Join now to access all its premium content. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Reposted by V
This is a really crucial and important read by @joho.bsky.social on how COVID minimizing, and the laundering of anti-vax myths into the mainstream helped bring us to where we are today. It will keep happening until we make a major cultural shift. sciencebasedmedicine.org/maha-gave-us...
MAHA Gave Us MAGA 2.0. Remember the Enablers.
When the history of this sad era is written, MAHA doctors will be disgraced pariahs and cautionary tales. Everyone else should be remembered based only on whether they tried to put the brakes on MAH
sciencebasedmedicine.org
January 27, 2026 at 10:40 PM
This is a really crucial and important read by @joho.bsky.social on how COVID minimizing, and the laundering of anti-vax myths into the mainstream helped bring us to where we are today. It will keep happening until we make a major cultural shift. sciencebasedmedicine.org/maha-gave-us...
Reposted by V
never been a better moment to go after qualified immunity for EVERYONE, not just ICE. Pressley never misses
There's no ICE accountability without ending qualified immunity.
They're murdering people. There won't be justice for the lives they've stolen, but there must be accountability.
My bill with @markey.senate.gov would ensure families can sue the agents murdering their loved ones.
They're murdering people. There won't be justice for the lives they've stolen, but there must be accountability.
My bill with @markey.senate.gov would ensure families can sue the agents murdering their loved ones.
January 27, 2026 at 10:04 PM
never been a better moment to go after qualified immunity for EVERYONE, not just ICE. Pressley never misses
Reposted by V
It's not voters' fault that they cannot keep up with the machinations of politicians. But once you DO know what they have done in the past, it should inform your views of them.
January 27, 2026 at 1:19 PM
It's not voters' fault that they cannot keep up with the machinations of politicians. But once you DO know what they have done in the past, it should inform your views of them.
Reposted by V
She just really sounds like a person that would throw herself an office birthday party and make attendance mandatory.
NEWS: Bari Weiss will hold an all-hands meeting to discuss the future of CBS News tomorrow, per note that just went out to employees.
January 26, 2026 at 11:38 PM
She just really sounds like a person that would throw herself an office birthday party and make attendance mandatory.
Reposted by V
There’s a lot being said about ICE paralleling fugitive slave patrols. As a historian of slavery, I think it’s far more complicated than most are articulating. A lot of historical context and power dynamics are being mashed up in the process.
January 23, 2026 at 4:09 PM
There’s a lot being said about ICE paralleling fugitive slave patrols. As a historian of slavery, I think it’s far more complicated than most are articulating. A lot of historical context and power dynamics are being mashed up in the process.
Reposted by V
Unfortunately, 🇩🇪 government's response is NOT to organise infection control at the workplace, but to call for less paid sick leave + more pressure to work longer hours. The science is clear, COVID damages individual health + the economy in our societies. Mask up & ventilate (+ demand better policy).
January 25, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Unfortunately, 🇩🇪 government's response is NOT to organise infection control at the workplace, but to call for less paid sick leave + more pressure to work longer hours. The science is clear, COVID damages individual health + the economy in our societies. Mask up & ventilate (+ demand better policy).
Reposted by V
The second killing by ICE of a civilian in Minnesota is terribly upsetting.
And the subsequent DARVOing by the government is predictable and horrifying. Our research indicates that educating people about DARVO reduces its power to manipulate.
Here I explain:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eea...
And the subsequent DARVOing by the government is predictable and horrifying. Our research indicates that educating people about DARVO reduces its power to manipulate.
Here I explain:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eea...
January 25, 2026 at 5:28 PM
The second killing by ICE of a civilian in Minnesota is terribly upsetting.
And the subsequent DARVOing by the government is predictable and horrifying. Our research indicates that educating people about DARVO reduces its power to manipulate.
Here I explain:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eea...
And the subsequent DARVOing by the government is predictable and horrifying. Our research indicates that educating people about DARVO reduces its power to manipulate.
Here I explain:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eea...
Reposted by V
Concentration camp victims protest! The incredible bravery and fortitude and care involved in doing this ✊🏽
‘some of them holding signs that included “Libertad para los niños,” or “Liberty for the kids.”‘
‘some of them holding signs that included “Libertad para los niños,” or “Liberty for the kids.”‘
Immigrant families protest at Texas facility housing 5-year-old boy, father detained in Minnesota
Dozens of immigrant families protested behind the fences of a Texas detention facility where a 5-year-old boy Ecuadorian boy and his father were sent this week after being detained in Minnesota.
apnews.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Concentration camp victims protest! The incredible bravery and fortitude and care involved in doing this ✊🏽
‘some of them holding signs that included “Libertad para los niños,” or “Liberty for the kids.”‘
‘some of them holding signs that included “Libertad para los niños,” or “Liberty for the kids.”‘
Reposted by V
Also, if you can’t imagine a world without police, here’s some inspiration
It seems clear Alex Pretti, a healthcare worker, was murdered for engaging in the exact kind of community care we hope all care workers to embody: the kind that doesn’t stop at the threshold of the hospital, the clinic, but that aims to care for and support the community where and how they can
January 25, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Also, if you can’t imagine a world without police, here’s some inspiration
Reposted by V
I just want to point out that Alex Pretti became a registered nurse in early 2021 -- the height of death from Covid. And he chose the ICU, the sickest patients, in Veterans Affairs.
January 24, 2026 at 10:33 PM
I just want to point out that Alex Pretti became a registered nurse in early 2021 -- the height of death from Covid. And he chose the ICU, the sickest patients, in Veterans Affairs.
Reposted by V
“You got signed judicial warrant to gain access to the scene and we’re still denied access by federal agents?”
“Yes, that’s accurate.”
We are so cooked 🇺🇸
“Yes, that’s accurate.”
We are so cooked 🇺🇸
January 25, 2026 at 3:30 PM
“You got signed judicial warrant to gain access to the scene and we’re still denied access by federal agents?”
“Yes, that’s accurate.”
We are so cooked 🇺🇸
“Yes, that’s accurate.”
We are so cooked 🇺🇸
Reposted by V
“If constitutional constraints are real limits on government power, their violation must sometimes justify…defensive responses. Otherwise, we …just admit that Americans have no rights against federal agents—only privileges that disappear the moment an agent decides to violate the Constitution.”
"...we maintain this weird double standard: Soldiers in combat zones must refuse unlawful orders, but civilians facing unlawful force from domestic law enforcement must submit."
publicseminar.org/2026/01/the-...
publicseminar.org/2026/01/the-...
The Moral Right to Defend Yourself Against ICE - Public Seminar
If you saw an armed stranger forcing his way into your neighbor's home at dawn, would you have the right to stop him?
publicseminar.org
January 25, 2026 at 3:26 PM
“If constitutional constraints are real limits on government power, their violation must sometimes justify…defensive responses. Otherwise, we …just admit that Americans have no rights against federal agents—only privileges that disappear the moment an agent decides to violate the Constitution.”
Reposted by V
Documents from lawsuit claiming Meta & Google purposely marketed addictive & dangerous products to children reveal corporate strategies for pushing into a schools to force young kids into their ecosystems.
Below slide from internal Google pitch deck.
www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-...
Below slide from internal Google pitch deck.
www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-...
January 25, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Documents from lawsuit claiming Meta & Google purposely marketed addictive & dangerous products to children reveal corporate strategies for pushing into a schools to force young kids into their ecosystems.
Below slide from internal Google pitch deck.
www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-...
Below slide from internal Google pitch deck.
www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-...
Reposted by V
i think they are bad consolidating authoritarianism choices because effective consolidation involves carrots as well as (secret) sticks. this administration is doing the opposite. no carrots whatsoever and ostentatious public violence against members of the dominant racial/ethnic/religious group
Definitely. What my paranoia forces me to ask, "Are these bad political choices but good consolidating authoritarian choices?"
Because the media, as it has been lubricated for fascists' pleasure, is in the business of rewarding authoritarianism.
Because the media, as it has been lubricated for fascists' pleasure, is in the business of rewarding authoritarianism.
i think this attitude — that all opposition is illegitimate and nothing we do can be questioned— is probably pervasive in the white house and helps explain why they keep making terrible political choices
January 25, 2026 at 3:11 PM
i think they are bad consolidating authoritarianism choices because effective consolidation involves carrots as well as (secret) sticks. this administration is doing the opposite. no carrots whatsoever and ostentatious public violence against members of the dominant racial/ethnic/religious group
Reposted by V
Alex Pretti "used to tell people off when they made sexist comments to female physicians. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern...I laughed alongside him daily. He made a point to teach medical residents without judgement, but with a smile on his face and a joke."
January 24, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Alex Pretti "used to tell people off when they made sexist comments to female physicians. He bought me coffee when I had a really bad day as an intern...I laughed alongside him daily. He made a point to teach medical residents without judgement, but with a smile on his face and a joke."
Reposted by V
Das sollte nicht untergehen in der Flut der Ereignisse: Die US-Regierung übt wegen des Verfahrens gegen Le Pen massiven Druck aus auf die französische Justiz. Wer solche Verbündete hat, braucht keine Feinde mehr.
Trump-Regierung nimmt Einfluss auf Marine Le Pens Gerichtsverfahren
US-Diplomaten üben Druck auf französische Justiz aus. Marine Le Pen kämpft gegen Veruntreuungsvorwürfe und drohende Unwählbarkeit.
www.fr.de
January 24, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Das sollte nicht untergehen in der Flut der Ereignisse: Die US-Regierung übt wegen des Verfahrens gegen Le Pen massiven Druck aus auf die französische Justiz. Wer solche Verbündete hat, braucht keine Feinde mehr.
Reposted by V
Democrat leaders should be in Minnesota right now, standing side by side with Walz and Frey and the community.
They need to show solidarity and a united front.
They must say Abolish ICE.
They won't but they should. Trump is going to unleash hell on that state.
They need to show solidarity and a united front.
They must say Abolish ICE.
They won't but they should. Trump is going to unleash hell on that state.
January 24, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Democrat leaders should be in Minnesota right now, standing side by side with Walz and Frey and the community.
They need to show solidarity and a united front.
They must say Abolish ICE.
They won't but they should. Trump is going to unleash hell on that state.
They need to show solidarity and a united front.
They must say Abolish ICE.
They won't but they should. Trump is going to unleash hell on that state.
Reposted by V
This is the most important decision point today.
The people of Minneapolis are mobilizing. They are fighting. They will eventually win.
However, we will win more quickly if our representatives stand up and fight. So far our leadership is not fighting. Will that change? That is the decision point.
The people of Minneapolis are mobilizing. They are fighting. They will eventually win.
However, we will win more quickly if our representatives stand up and fight. So far our leadership is not fighting. Will that change? That is the decision point.
There has been an increasing sense in Minneapolis that we are on our own, that our elected representatives are unwilling and/or unable to take action to get these murderous Nazi thugs out of our community. I really hope that changes today. The time for pleading TV hits ended weeks ago.
January 24, 2026 at 7:02 PM
This is the most important decision point today.
The people of Minneapolis are mobilizing. They are fighting. They will eventually win.
However, we will win more quickly if our representatives stand up and fight. So far our leadership is not fighting. Will that change? That is the decision point.
The people of Minneapolis are mobilizing. They are fighting. They will eventually win.
However, we will win more quickly if our representatives stand up and fight. So far our leadership is not fighting. Will that change? That is the decision point.