@michaelepley.bsky.social
Almost like China thinks it's the real winner in the current geopolitical climate.
February 16, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Almost like China thinks it's the real winner in the current geopolitical climate.
But the constitutional authority statement clearly states "it's fine".
February 11, 2026 at 11:29 PM
But the constitutional authority statement clearly states "it's fine".
Generally the 8th applies to criminal punishment. But the mere fact we need to ask this sort of question is testament to the punitive nature of what should be a civil law process. Custodial detention for civil enforcement is supposed to be the exception and only used as necessary to compel presense.
February 11, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Generally the 8th applies to criminal punishment. But the mere fact we need to ask this sort of question is testament to the punitive nature of what should be a civil law process. Custodial detention for civil enforcement is supposed to be the exception and only used as necessary to compel presense.
The concept of a shrink wrap license (i.e. terms of service) is predicated on the ability to reject said license after examining terms and unwinding the transaction. Major modifications to products generally require new assent or compensation.
February 11, 2026 at 4:05 AM
The concept of a shrink wrap license (i.e. terms of service) is predicated on the ability to reject said license after examining terms and unwinding the transaction. Major modifications to products generally require new assent or compensation.
That is some amazing alt text.
February 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM
That is some amazing alt text.
It seems like ICE's stated goal to make detention conditions so bad people are willing to self deport is an admission the conditions are in fact punative and in violation of due process.
February 7, 2026 at 1:39 PM
It seems like ICE's stated goal to make detention conditions so bad people are willing to self deport is an admission the conditions are in fact punative and in violation of due process.
An entirely predictable strategy for China. Which made it puzzling we would ever try to use tariffs as a tactic, or anyone would think they would work.
February 7, 2026 at 1:34 PM
An entirely predictable strategy for China. Which made it puzzling we would ever try to use tariffs as a tactic, or anyone would think they would work.
Immigration detention is supposed to be in a civil, non-penal, custodial detention...aka not a jail or prison. Constitutionally, they must be treated better than a convicted criminal would be and any conditions imposed must serve a valid administrative purpose.
February 7, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Immigration detention is supposed to be in a civil, non-penal, custodial detention...aka not a jail or prison. Constitutionally, they must be treated better than a convicted criminal would be and any conditions imposed must serve a valid administrative purpose.
Before accepting a guilty plea, Judges must affirm a factual basis for guilt and must be satisfied that the defendant actually committed the crime.
February 6, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Before accepting a guilty plea, Judges must affirm a factual basis for guilt and must be satisfied that the defendant actually committed the crime.
Break out the oft overlooked "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances".
February 3, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Break out the oft overlooked "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances".
Judicial settlements, particularly in civil cases, generally require court approval to ensure they are just, fair, and consistent with the law. While courts often encourage settlement to clear dockets and resolve disputes efficiently, a judge acts as a gatekeeper and may reject a proposal.
February 1, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Judicial settlements, particularly in civil cases, generally require court approval to ensure they are just, fair, and consistent with the law. While courts often encourage settlement to clear dockets and resolve disputes efficiently, a judge acts as a gatekeeper and may reject a proposal.
This is where the "qualified" part comes in. They are only "working" when acting within the scope of their legitimate duties. If they knowingly exceed those legal duties they are no longer "working" and do not have immunity.
January 31, 2026 at 9:38 PM
This is where the "qualified" part comes in. They are only "working" when acting within the scope of their legitimate duties. If they knowingly exceed those legal duties they are no longer "working" and do not have immunity.
There has been a massive distortion of the meaning of "impeding a federal investigation" as a pretext for this sort of abuse. Courts have already said what does and does not count as impeding. ICE is simply ignoring the law, thinking they are immune. They are not if they should know the law is.
January 31, 2026 at 5:47 PM
There has been a massive distortion of the meaning of "impeding a federal investigation" as a pretext for this sort of abuse. Courts have already said what does and does not count as impeding. ICE is simply ignoring the law, thinking they are immune. They are not if they should know the law is.
A 5 year old that is supposed to be in a civil, non-penal, custodial detention...aka not a jail or prison.
January 30, 2026 at 6:06 PM
A 5 year old that is supposed to be in a civil, non-penal, custodial detention...aka not a jail or prison.
Qualified immunity does not apply when officers violate the law that they should know. And they should know well settled 4th amendment rights and that a mere touch, shouting, filming, following is not legally 'impeding'.
January 29, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Qualified immunity does not apply when officers violate the law that they should know. And they should know well settled 4th amendment rights and that a mere touch, shouting, filming, following is not legally 'impeding'.
Lest we forget Ukraine. Understand the role of quota systems in the dysfunction of the early Soviet era. It may have - maybe by design to suppress independence & punish political adversaries - contributed to tragedies like the Holodomor. Potential parallels to the incentives we see with ICE today.
January 26, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Lest we forget Ukraine. Understand the role of quota systems in the dysfunction of the early Soviet era. It may have - maybe by design to suppress independence & punish political adversaries - contributed to tragedies like the Holodomor. Potential parallels to the incentives we see with ICE today.
4th amendment does not distinguish between US citizens and others. It says 'people'. And it does not say you need probable cause to violate the security of your house, it says you need a warrant.
January 22, 2026 at 7:58 PM
4th amendment does not distinguish between US citizens and others. It says 'people'. And it does not say you need probable cause to violate the security of your house, it says you need a warrant.
Besides the obvious and unsurprising whiff world grift, this 'board of peace' raises so many questions. Is this a US government entity? Is it a personal project? Who controls the money? What authority does it have? Does Congress need to authorize this, or fund it? Does it conflict with US law?
January 22, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Besides the obvious and unsurprising whiff world grift, this 'board of peace' raises so many questions. Is this a US government entity? Is it a personal project? Who controls the money? What authority does it have? Does Congress need to authorize this, or fund it? Does it conflict with US law?
It's been obvious for years Russia has no ability to project power,. Ukraine has made that not just speculation but fact. Any claims that we need Greenland to defend from Russia are on their face ludicrous.
January 19, 2026 at 1:26 PM
It's been obvious for years Russia has no ability to project power,. Ukraine has made that not just speculation but fact. Any claims that we need Greenland to defend from Russia are on their face ludicrous.
Almost by definition, isn't risk avoidance a non-emergency planning activity? You know the kind addressed with careful strategic lawmaking and policymaking?
January 18, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Almost by definition, isn't risk avoidance a non-emergency planning activity? You know the kind addressed with careful strategic lawmaking and policymaking?
Waste of resources under normal circumstances. Pretty sure they feel they are buying something else with that investment of resources.
January 17, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Waste of resources under normal circumstances. Pretty sure they feel they are buying something else with that investment of resources.