Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
@wardqnormal.bsky.social
Teacher, knitter, widower, Phish head, provincial park, strategy puzzle video game, type of volcanic crater, electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, species of moth of the family Tortricidae, ...
What causes me despair? Life-long GOP voters in my family who are almost completely divorced from reality, have no fixed principles beyond R=good, D=bad, and live in a state of constant fear, anger, and racist resentment.
What gives me hope? Everyday folks in MN and elsewhere fighting back.
What gives me hope? Everyday folks in MN and elsewhere fighting back.
January 15, 2026 at 9:10 PM
What causes me despair? Life-long GOP voters in my family who are almost completely divorced from reality, have no fixed principles beyond R=good, D=bad, and live in a state of constant fear, anger, and racist resentment.
What gives me hope? Everyday folks in MN and elsewhere fighting back.
What gives me hope? Everyday folks in MN and elsewhere fighting back.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
If all you're willing to do is say "We're cooked" on a social media site, maybe it is all over.
If you're willing to struggle alongside your friends and neighbors for democracy, then we've got a chance.
If you're willing to struggle alongside your friends and neighbors for democracy, then we've got a chance.
January 15, 2026 at 8:38 PM
If all you're willing to do is say "We're cooked" on a social media site, maybe it is all over.
If you're willing to struggle alongside your friends and neighbors for democracy, then we've got a chance.
If you're willing to struggle alongside your friends and neighbors for democracy, then we've got a chance.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
is this about Greenland or Minneapolis?
How about we not get into a fight with Scandinavian soldiers in a frozen landscape. Foreign invaders trying that while going "we're bigger than you, back down" has a bad record.
January 14, 2026 at 9:41 PM
is this about Greenland or Minneapolis?
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
In a world of Chucks Schumer, be a Brad Lander
ICE must be abolished. It has become a lawless, rogue agency. Federal law enforcement agencies must follow the law, if they're going to have any credibility enforcing it.
We are demanding justice for Renee Good and the prosecution of ICE agent Jonathan Ross for her murder.
We are demanding justice for Renee Good and the prosecution of ICE agent Jonathan Ross for her murder.
January 15, 2026 at 5:44 PM
In a world of Chucks Schumer, be a Brad Lander
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
People are arguing with Jamelle again about “what if Trump cancels elections” and Janelle keeps going back to “okay but HOW” and talking about how hard that would be, and he’s right, but I think we should seriously engage with the “how” question and use the answers to prepare.
January 15, 2026 at 6:17 PM
People are arguing with Jamelle again about “what if Trump cancels elections” and Janelle keeps going back to “okay but HOW” and talking about how hard that would be, and he’s right, but I think we should seriously engage with the “how” question and use the answers to prepare.
"I wish that I could push a button
And talk in the past
And not the present tense."
- Elvis Costello, "Brilliant Mistake"
And talk in the past
And not the present tense."
- Elvis Costello, "Brilliant Mistake"
January 15, 2026 at 6:37 PM
"I wish that I could push a button
And talk in the past
And not the present tense."
- Elvis Costello, "Brilliant Mistake"
And talk in the past
And not the present tense."
- Elvis Costello, "Brilliant Mistake"
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
ICE can't even deal with irate middle-aged midwesterners. how does he occupy hundreds, if not thousands, of polling cites and precincts? trump v. illinois clarified that he has no legal authority to unilaterally commandeer national guards, how does he move forward from there?
January 15, 2026 at 4:32 PM
ICE can't even deal with irate middle-aged midwesterners. how does he occupy hundreds, if not thousands, of polling cites and precincts? trump v. illinois clarified that he has no legal authority to unilaterally commandeer national guards, how does he move forward from there?
Midwest Nice Beats ICE
January 15, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Midwest Nice Beats ICE
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
The crown is just sitting on the ground, waiting for someone to pick it up.
But, as I say, it'll take a bunch of mad-as-hell newbs flushing out older Dems in the upcoming primaries to really get the old guard's attention
But, as I say, it'll take a bunch of mad-as-hell newbs flushing out older Dems in the upcoming primaries to really get the old guard's attention
I can't believe that all of Minneapolis is rising up with magnificent courage in the face of *obviously thuggish trash* and no politician is smart enough to go be the face of that movement.
January 15, 2026 at 4:07 PM
The crown is just sitting on the ground, waiting for someone to pick it up.
But, as I say, it'll take a bunch of mad-as-hell newbs flushing out older Dems in the upcoming primaries to really get the old guard's attention
But, as I say, it'll take a bunch of mad-as-hell newbs flushing out older Dems in the upcoming primaries to really get the old guard's attention
We need a guillotine emoji.
January 15, 2026 at 5:35 AM
We need a guillotine emoji.
Old enough to remember when "conservatives" were angry about schools closing and online classes being a massive detriment to kids' learning.
Annnnnddddd St Paul schools are closing next week for 2 days to prepare for virtual learning options.
January 15, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Old enough to remember when "conservatives" were angry about schools closing and online classes being a massive detriment to kids' learning.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
Doing normal things feels really deeply off right now.
January 15, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Doing normal things feels really deeply off right now.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
As others have said, eliminating ICE from the federal org chart is the _moderate_ position.
January 15, 2026 at 2:39 AM
As others have said, eliminating ICE from the federal org chart is the _moderate_ position.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
Senate Democrats absolutely have to shut the govt down to stop this ICE insanity in the Twin Cities. This is not sustainable & cannot be normalized. Any Democratic vote to provide money to the thugs who are brutalizing this community is a grave betrayal to the people here. Accountability can't wait.
January 15, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Senate Democrats absolutely have to shut the govt down to stop this ICE insanity in the Twin Cities. This is not sustainable & cannot be normalized. Any Democratic vote to provide money to the thugs who are brutalizing this community is a grave betrayal to the people here. Accountability can't wait.
Lotta people gonna be hoping their kids never find out what they did for a living.
January 15, 2026 at 3:53 AM
Lotta people gonna be hoping their kids never find out what they did for a living.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
And he hasn't even been President for a full year yet...
January 14, 2026 at 10:56 PM
And he hasn't even been President for a full year yet...
Whether they're repeating the nonsensical, unconstitutional ravings of the madman in the White House, or the ludicrous, unsubstantiated promises of tech bros, the credulity of the press is a big part of the reason we are here.
January 14, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Whether they're repeating the nonsensical, unconstitutional ravings of the madman in the White House, or the ludicrous, unsubstantiated promises of tech bros, the credulity of the press is a big part of the reason we are here.
So far, everyone who has said, "they're not going to do that; it's just a joke; don't overreact" has been proven wrong over and over again. Not sure how many times people need that to happen before they start taking every threat seriously.
Folks in the US still like to treat the whole Greenland invasion stuff as sufficiently unserious to engage with, but it is sufficiently serious that NATO allies are actively deploying tripwire forces to deter the US. That is *already* a political and actual cost to them, and to US relationships
January 14, 2026 at 9:43 PM
So far, everyone who has said, "they're not going to do that; it's just a joke; don't overreact" has been proven wrong over and over again. Not sure how many times people need that to happen before they start taking every threat seriously.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
Folks in the US still like to treat the whole Greenland invasion stuff as sufficiently unserious to engage with, but it is sufficiently serious that NATO allies are actively deploying tripwire forces to deter the US. That is *already* a political and actual cost to them, and to US relationships
January 14, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Folks in the US still like to treat the whole Greenland invasion stuff as sufficiently unserious to engage with, but it is sufficiently serious that NATO allies are actively deploying tripwire forces to deter the US. That is *already* a political and actual cost to them, and to US relationships
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
Dear World, cripple our economy.
-An American
-An American
January 14, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Dear World, cripple our economy.
-An American
-An American
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
I know people on Bsky know this but I hope it filters out: The feds are OCCUPYING the Twin Cities. This is a blockade, a siege. They are shutting down economic and civic activity. They are conducting "papers please" stops. They are criminalizing being a bystander/witness.
You could be next.
You could be next.
January 14, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I know people on Bsky know this but I hope it filters out: The feds are OCCUPYING the Twin Cities. This is a blockade, a siege. They are shutting down economic and civic activity. They are conducting "papers please" stops. They are criminalizing being a bystander/witness.
You could be next.
You could be next.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
ive seen more articles this week about how the phrase “abolish ice” could hurt dems in the midterms than ive seen articles about how paramilitary death squads terrorizing cities will hurt republicans in the midterms
January 14, 2026 at 1:09 PM
ive seen more articles this week about how the phrase “abolish ice” could hurt dems in the midterms than ive seen articles about how paramilitary death squads terrorizing cities will hurt republicans in the midterms
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
ICE as an institution is exactly 23 years old. The republic thrived for 2 centuries without it. Most adults are old enough to remember a time when it did not exist. It was crammed through at a time when the country was reeling in shock. We should have known better. 9/11 was not an immigration issue.
January 13, 2026 at 7:40 PM
ICE as an institution is exactly 23 years old. The republic thrived for 2 centuries without it. Most adults are old enough to remember a time when it did not exist. It was crammed through at a time when the country was reeling in shock. We should have known better. 9/11 was not an immigration issue.
Reposted by Ward Q. Normal (he/him)
You cannot reform this.
Abolish ICE in its entirety.
Abolish ICE in its entirety.
January 13, 2026 at 10:43 PM
You cannot reform this.
Abolish ICE in its entirety.
Abolish ICE in its entirety.