Francine McKenna
@fmckenna.bsky.social
16K followers 19K following 2.9K posts
Teacher/writer/speaker/reader. CPA. Using tools so tools can’t use me. Dogs rule! She/her “In the sunset of dissolution, everything is illuminated by the aura of nostalgia.” Kundera. I Dig. https://TheDig.Substack.com @retheauditors Chgo-born, Philly-based
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Reposted by Francine McKenna
Reposted by Francine McKenna
lopatto.bsky.social
does seem like a tactical mistake to crack down hard on chicago when there's a chicago pope
jackjenkins.me
Oh — new reporting on Pope Leo from El Paso Matters, citing footage they have of yesterday's meeting.

Sounds like the pope was even *more* forceful in urging U.S. bishops to speak out about immigration than first reported.

I mean, that's…not subtle. elpasomatters.org/2025/10/08/e...
“I was struck at the beginning (of the video), it talks about the feeling of powerlessness, which I think is so much. I think it’s so important that we as a church give a message of hope in the midst of these horrible struggles, what’s going on in so many cities in the United States right now. At least the church cannot be silent,” the pope told the El Pasoans, according to a video of the meeting provided to El Paso Matters by Hope Border Institute.

Seitz responded: “You’ve spoken very strongly. We’re trying to do the same in our country and yet not get into the political fray the best that we can.”

Pope Leo told Seitz that he’d like to see the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops become more vocal on immigration issues.

“I mean, even within the conference, there are challenges. That’s one place they should be … I wish they were stronger in their own voice,” Leo said, adding that Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the president of the conference, should speak out more on immigration.

“There’s been some good movement in that sense, but I certainly intend to continue to encourage” U.S. bishops to address immigration, Leo said.
Reposted by Francine McKenna
edburmila.bsky.social
Remember when the head of the cop union in Chicago promised "800-1000" cops would quit if Brandon Johnson won and it was actually six, all of whom were "quitting" by taking a lucrative early retirement.
robertscotthorton.bsky.social
The essence of Bari Weiss: not reporting, but crude partisan propaganda presented in the form of reporting—and usually pronounced from the mouths of anonymous sources which likely don't exist. Expect this sort of prolefeed at CBS News soon.
fmckenna.bsky.social
The Canadian girlfriend? 🙃
Reposted by Francine McKenna
atrupar.com
Pritzker: "He wants to militarize major cities because he wants us to get used to the idea of troops on the streets. I believe he's gonna post people outside of polling places and if he needs to in order to control those elections, he'll assume control of the ballot boxes & count the votes himself"
Reposted by Francine McKenna
jacobsoboroff.bsky.social
just talked to Gov. Pritzker who dared President Trump to “come and get me” after POTUS threatened him with arrest. But Pritzker said he thinks Trump will chicken out.
Reposted by Francine McKenna
carlquintanilla.bsky.social
ANDREESSEN: Even if AI ends up destroying all the jobs, “the result would be hyper-deflation of prices, which is the thing that people miss. .. Things that today cost a lot of money will all of a sudden be cheap or free.”

@fortune.com
fortune.com/2025/10/08/b...
Reposted by Francine McKenna
amykristinsanders.bsky.social
Six federal circuits—the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th—all agree that the First Amendment protects the right to record police performing their duties in public.

Taught my students last week that they have a First Amendment right to record in Pennsylvania. So do folks in Chicago and Portland.
Reposted by Francine McKenna
emptywheel.bsky.social
Make sure you read the report about how Stephen Miller deported Waco's favorite Mexican restaurant owner.

www.texastribune.org/2025/10/07/t...
A picture of Sergio Garcia and George W and Laura Bush. It is signed, To Sergio Garcia with best wishes.
Reposted by Francine McKenna
kenwhite.bsky.social
These people are evil. Never stop saying so. Don’t be intimidated into shutting up.
flglchicago.bsky.social
Here’s video of the incident
Reposted by Francine McKenna
jackjenkins.me
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
Reposted by Francine McKenna
jackjenkins.me
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.
Reposted by Francine McKenna
denisedwheeler.bsky.social
Reuters photographer Jonathan Ernst noticed that Bondi flipped open a file during the Senate hearing and he zoomed in.

Inside were her crib notes for attacking the senators.

The GOP now practicing Cliff's Notes Fascism

In other words, under oath Bondi was purely a performance.
Bondi senate hearing had a folder full of notes for attacking the senators Bondi senate hearing had a folder full of notes for attacking the senators Bondi senate hearing had a folder full of notes for attacking the senators Bondi senate hearing had a folder full of notes for attacking the senators
Reposted by Francine McKenna
premthakker.bsky.social
I fear if things don’t change right now, this image is going to come back to haunt us
Laura Rodriguez, on Twitter:

A federal agent points a weapon at a woman who was recording them.

Jess, a U.S. citizen and member of a neighborhood patrol team that documents and shares ICE activity across the city, was filming when the incident occurred earlier today in the Berwyn area.
Reposted by Francine McKenna
lukeepplin.bsky.social
For the 75th anniversary of "Peanuts," here's what I consider to be the quintessential strip of the entire run. No one else but Charles Schulz could've gotten away with this on the newspaper funny pages.
fmckenna.bsky.social
After I get through every version of every Led Zeppelin song.
Reposted by Francine McKenna
atrupar.com
"This is supposed to be an oversight hearing" -- Schiff helpfully ticks through all of the incriminating questions -- and there are many of them -- that Bondi refused to answer during today's hearing