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Ian Carrillo @iansociologo.bsky.social · 2h

Why Underachievers Dominate Secret Police Organizations: Evidence from Autocratic Argentina
Adam Scharpf and Christian Gläßel

Autocrats depend on a capable secret police. Anecdotal evidence, however, often characterizes agents as surprisingly mediocre in skill and intellect. To explain this puzzle, this article focuses on the career incentives underachieving individuals face in the regular security apparatus. Low-performing officials in hierarchical organizations have little chance of being promoted or filling lucrative positions. To salvage their careers, these officials are willing to undertake burdensome secret police work. Using data on all 4,287 officers who served in autocratic Argentina (1975-83), we study biographic differences between secret police agents and the entire recruitment pool. We find that low-achieving officers were stuck within the regime hierarchy, threatened with discharge, and thus more likely to join the secret police for future benefits. The study demonstrates how state bureaucracies breed mundane career concerns that produce willing enforcers and cement violent regimes. This has implications for the understanding of autocratic consolidation and democratic breakdown.

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 3h

The authoritarian threat is not just at the federal level

Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 14h

Citing the “martyrdom” of Charlie Kirk, Texas AG Ken Paxton says his office is pursuing sweeping undercover investigations into “leftist” groups. “To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming."

"Leftist political terrorism is a clear and present danger. Corrupted ideologies like transgenderism and Antifa are a cancer on our culture and have unleashed their deranged and drugged-up foot soldiers on the American people," said Attorney General Paxton. "The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk marks a turning point in America.
There can be no compromise with those who want us dead. To that end, I have directed my office to continue its efforts to identify, investigate, and infiltrate these leftist terror cells. To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming."
The radical Left has incubated an environment where political violence is not only justified but celebrated and praised. In July, nearly two dozen armed leftists connected to various Texas-based Antifa-like groups ambushed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") facility in Alvarado, Texas. On September 10, 2025, a leftist assassin connected to the radical transgender movement murdered Charlie Kirk because of Kirk's bold support for truth, love of country, and unshakable faith. Two weeks later, another deranged leftist opened fire at an ICE facility in Dallas.
President Donald Trump has officially designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and instructed his administration to "utilize all applicable authorities to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle any and all illegal operations — especially those involving terrorist actions — conducted by Antifa." Building on President Trump's bold actions, Attorney General Paxton has instructed his office to initiate sweeping investigations into radical leftist organizations engaged in or providing support to those performing political violence.

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Anthony Michael Kreis @anthonymkreis.bsky.social · 3h

File state charges. This is a crime.

Kurt @flglchicago.bsky.social · 6h

Here’s video of the incident

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Zander Furnas @alexanderfurnas.com · 3h

“Separating them by race”

We’ve all heard of Kavanaugh stops by now, is this a Kavanaugh raid? Attack?

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 4h

Monstrous.

"federal agents detained nearly every resident of the 130-unit building—including children and babies—placing them in zip ties and separating them by race into vans for more than two hours early Tuesday morning."

Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · 6h

Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.

Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race

southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...

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John Pfaff @johnpfaff.bsky.social · 5h

Um, ICE just coldly shot an unarmed PRIEST in the head w a pepper ball when he (and everyone around him) clearly posed no threat.

For the crime of … complaining about government policy.

Core 1A speech.

With cameras rolling, they’re sniping priests for sport.

Kurt @flglchicago.bsky.social · 6h

Here’s video of the incident

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Plenary Popehat Power @kenwhite.bsky.social · 4h

These people are evil. Never stop saying so. Don’t be intimidated into shutting up.

Kurt @flglchicago.bsky.social · 6h

Here’s video of the incident

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Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 4h

Boston Globe. “Longstanding policy” is federal law passed in 2019. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/07/n...

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 3h

a cartoon illustration of a sheep sleeping with a dollar sign on its head

ALT: a cartoon illustration of a sheep sleeping with a dollar sign on its head

media.tenor.com

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 3h

Is the mad king watching the History Channel or is this somehow part of the Kash Patel/Bongino clown show?

CNN @cnn.com · 6h

The Trump administration has ordered FBI employees in Washington, DC, to immediately search their workstations and digital media for any records pertaining to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a law enforcement source told CNN.

FBI employees ordered to immediately search for records related to Amelia Earhart, source says | CNN Politics

The Trump administration has ordered FBI employees in Washington, DC, to immediately search their workstations and digital media for any records pertaining to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a la...

www.cnn.com

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 4h

Monstrous.

"federal agents detained nearly every resident of the 130-unit building—including children and babies—placing them in zip ties and separating them by race into vans for more than two hours early Tuesday morning."

Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · 6h

Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.

Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race

southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...

Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children

Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.

southsideweekly.com

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I'm Margaret! I'm the best! Blah Blah Blah! @vt-vagabond.bsky.social · 4h

There’s a lot in here that deserves a pull quote, but this is the most egregious. I need people to recognize the gravity of the situation here in Chicago;

SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY
Donate

"The ones that are getting out are coming home to no home," Watson said.
According to her, after the raid occurred, building management stole or threw out residents belongings, including visas and important documents.

ICIRR is still trying to determine the identities of all the people detained in the raid. Castro said that the organization usually can do that by following up with family members or loved ones. "In this instance, there was nobody left to work with," she said. The only detainee name they're sure of is that of a person who passed their Venezuelan passport to a neighbor as they were being taken away.

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 4h

Happening in America. Right now. To us.

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 7h

Gonna be thinking about this lede for a minute.

(RNS) — Last month, the Rev. David Black stood in front of a Chicago-area U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility and spread his arms wide. Adorned in all black and wearing a clerical collar, the pastor looked up at a group of masked, heavily armed ICE agents on the roof and began to pray.

“I invited them to repentance,” Black, a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), said in an interview. “I basically offered an altar call. I invited them to come and receive that salvation, and be part of the kingdom that is coming.”

But when Black began to lower his arms a few seconds later, the agents responded to his spiritual plea by firing pepper balls, or chemical agents that cause eye irritation and respiratory distress, video footage shows. One struck Black in the head, exploding into a puff of white pepper smoke and forcing him to his knees. Fellow demonstrators rushed to his aid, and as the pastor rubbed his face in pain, the agents continued to fire.

“We could hear them laughing,” Black said.

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 4h

who?

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John Pfaff @johnpfaff.bsky.social · 5h

They said on-line isn’t real life, and Bluesky is a niche social media site.

But here is @akalhan.bsky.social getting “Kavanaugh Stops” into the Boston Globe!

With a pic of Kav looking a little petulant too (but then when doesn’t he?).

Glad to see this is sticking to him.

Critics of Trump’s immigration crackdown are using the term ‘Kavanaugh stop.’ Here’s what it means. - The Boston Globe

The phrase, is "a window into where [the administration] can go next," some advocates say.

www.bostonglobe.com

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Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 13h

Thanks, New Yorker

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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 8h

NEW: I spoke to clergy and faith leaders who've joined protests at the Chicago-area ICE facility.

Three say they've been shot with pepper balls, sometimes while praying.

All say ICE is also violating their religious freedom, and one is arguing it in court. religionnews.com/2025/10/07/i...

Religious protesters say ICE threatens religious freedom in Chicago

(RNS) — Despite potential danger, religious leaders and faith activists have been a visible presence at Chicago-area ICE protests, some waving signs with slogans such as ‘Love thy neighbor’ and ‘Who w...

religionnews.com

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 4h

Where we are as a country

Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 7h

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

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Anne Sosin @annesosin.bsky.social · 8h

“Any institution that yields to these broad and intrusive demands would give up its legal rights and would forever be subservient to the whims of the government.” @brendannyhan.bsky.social & Lisa Fazio

www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

Trump sent a 'compact' to our universities. They should reject this devil's bargain.

Any institution that yields to these broad and intrusive demands would forever be subservient to the whims of the government.

www.msnbc.com

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 8h

Literally unconstitutional; Congress has the power of the purse under Article I. Trump is trying to create a personalist regime where every dollar of federal spending is allocated at his whim.

Lisa Needham @snipy.bsky.social · 9h

absolute mad king behavior here. singlehandedly raise taxes, then singlehandedly dole revenue out whenever advantageous

White House says it will use tariff revenue to fund federal food aid for mothers and young children | CNN Politics

The Trump administration said Tuesday it will use tariff funds to keep afloat a federal food assistance program for nearly 7 million pregnant women, new moms and young children during the government s...

www.cnn.com

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Jason Kuznicki @jkuznicki.bsky.social · 11h

This is personalism. It's the Charles I scenario -- the king rules without the a legislature and simply taxes and spends in whatever way he feels like.

Impeach, remove, disqualify.

George Pearkes @peark.es · 11h

Well that's not how appropriations work at all

*WHITE HOUSE TO TRANSFER TARIFF REVENUE TO FUND WIC: LEAVITT

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 8h

Happening right now. To us. In America.

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 8h

The quiet part out loud

Blanche Devereaux @gingerkap23.bsky.social · 10h

Miller oopsie doodled and said the quiet part out loud, talking about DT aka himself having “plenary authority”:

A plenary power or plenary authority is a complete and absolute power to take action on a particular issue, with no limitations

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Claes de Vreese @claesdevreese.bsky.social · 11h

The 'compact' sent to US universities is a fundamental threat to universities and their faculty. It needs more attention and opposition.

@brendannyhan.bsky.social & @lkfazio.bsky.social unpack it here.

Yield and be "forever subservient to the whims of the government"

www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

Trump sent a 'compact' to our universities. They should reject this devil's bargain.

Any institution that yields to these broad and intrusive demands would forever be subservient to the whims of the government.

www.msnbc.com

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Gary Schwitzer @garyschw.bsky.social · 11h

6 former Surgeons General said, "We took an oath to declare dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today." www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | Six surgeons general: It’s our duty to warn the nation about RFK Jr.

We took an oath to declare dangers when we found them. We’re doing that again today.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Josh Pasek @joshpasek.com · 8h

How should university boards prepare?

- Strategize in advance (could happen here)
- Leverage internal expertise (strategize with political scientists, public policy scholars and law faculty)
- Respond collectively and support one another
-Stay true to the mission

This is the real fiduciary duty!

Jackie Gardina @jackiegardina.bsky.social · 9h

@joshpasek.com, @umich.edu, provides boards of trustees a roadmap for responding to external pressue, like the so-called Educational Compact.

@aaup.org @utaustinaaup.bsky.social @aaup-penn.bsky.social

riverside.fm/shared/expor...

One thing boards can d... | Oct 7, 2025 001 - Riverside - HD Podcast & Video Software

riverside.fm

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