Ben Wheeler
@benjiwheeler.bsky.social
municipal politics, creative technology, good faith debate, justice. Imagine a friend said it. techno-social.com
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
“I’ve never protested before - but I just watched 4th & 5th grade kids run away from our own government.” 😕🇺🇸💔
(From @crindivisible.bsky.social )
(From @crindivisible.bsky.social )
February 15, 2026 at 12:45 AM
“I’ve never protested before - but I just watched 4th & 5th grade kids run away from our own government.” 😕🇺🇸💔
(From @crindivisible.bsky.social )
(From @crindivisible.bsky.social )
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
February 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
I feel like the point that the FBI is offering sworn factual affidavits that are false is kind of buried in this article. Does the FBI have anything to say about how it plans to avoid falsely swearing by facts that are not true, in the future? Did the reporters ask?
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
ICE says federal agents appear to have lied about confrontation that led to shooting
Officers claimed they were attacked, prompting one to open fire.
www.politico.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:06 PM
I feel like the point that the FBI is offering sworn factual affidavits that are false is kind of buried in this article. Does the FBI have anything to say about how it plans to avoid falsely swearing by facts that are not true, in the future? Did the reporters ask?
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
Minneapolis breaking the Trump regime is such an incredible testament to the resolve and courage of the people who live there and I hope they know that they are an inspiration to all of us.
"officials in the Trump-Vance administration and others close to the White House paint a stark portrait of a president attempting to save face and declare “Mission Accomplished,” as one Trump adviser ironically puts it, after starting a war that Team Trump knows it’s losing badly."
Trump’s Losing His War in Minnesota. He’s Ready to Declare ‘Mission Accomplished’
Trump may trim back his terror campaign in Minneapolis, because it’s bleeding political support. It’s not over.
zeteo.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Minneapolis breaking the Trump regime is such an incredible testament to the resolve and courage of the people who live there and I hope they know that they are an inspiration to all of us.
Google Workers Demand End to Cloud Services for Immigration Agencies
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:15 PM
😂😂😂 "Military-grade intelligence tactics"... These insecure goons really can't abide the possibility that people might just get together in the name of justice and decency, and refuse to comply
February 6, 2026 at 3:39 AM
😂😂😂 "Military-grade intelligence tactics"... These insecure goons really can't abide the possibility that people might just get together in the name of justice and decency, and refuse to comply
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
They’re trying to run the Kilmar Abrego Garcia playbook with a five year old boy in a bunny hat because nobody can find peace if they embarrass the Trump administration publicly. Normal people didn’t like it with Garcia and they really aren’t going to like it for Liam.
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM
They’re trying to run the Kilmar Abrego Garcia playbook with a five year old boy in a bunny hat because nobody can find peace if they embarrass the Trump administration publicly. Normal people didn’t like it with Garcia and they really aren’t going to like it for Liam.
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
I’m having a hard time thinking of an interview between two human beings I enjoyed more than tonight’s interview of the great Ian McKellen by the great Stephen Colbert. Every moment of it was a pleasure that I highly recommend… but then came the most REMARKABLE ending that you really HAVE to watch.
"There's Nothing I Enjoy More Than Acting In The Theater" - Ian McKellen EXTENDED INTERVIEW
YouTube video by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
youtube.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:26 AM
I’m having a hard time thinking of an interview between two human beings I enjoyed more than tonight’s interview of the great Ian McKellen by the great Stephen Colbert. Every moment of it was a pleasure that I highly recommend… but then came the most REMARKABLE ending that you really HAVE to watch.
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
Aaron Peterson "refused to give a direct answer on whether Trump can run for president in 2028. ... refused to give a direct answer to the question of whether Trump lost the 2020 election." thealaskacurrent.com/2025/12/15/s...
By a vote of 58-39, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Aaron Christian Peterson to be United States District Judge for the District of Alaska. Democrat Senators voting aye: Duckworth, Durbin, Hassan, Kaine, Kelly, Shaheen, and Whitehouse. Senators not voting: Crapo, McConnell, and Murphy.
February 5, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Aaron Peterson "refused to give a direct answer on whether Trump can run for president in 2028. ... refused to give a direct answer to the question of whether Trump lost the 2020 election." thealaskacurrent.com/2025/12/15/s...
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
This is absolutely insane: DHS claims the right to subpoena your emails and to send investigators to your house. In this case, because a retiree sent the mildest possible criticism to a prosecutor. No judges involved.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Homeland Security is targeting Americans with this secretive legal weapon
Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has weaponized administrative subpoenas to attack free speech, according to privacy and civil rights groups.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:41 PM
This is absolutely insane: DHS claims the right to subpoena your emails and to send investigators to your house. In this case, because a retiree sent the mildest possible criticism to a prosecutor. No judges involved.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
It’s 2026. There is a measles outbreak in the prison for babies
February 2, 2026 at 7:15 AM
It’s 2026. There is a measles outbreak in the prison for babies
Dismayed that many campus left groups are still often taking the tactic of aggressive refusal to engage.
Sure, push back on people who are partially with you, but partially against you. But convince people! If someone offers you a microphone, say yes!
www.timesofisrael.com/anti-zionist...
Sure, push back on people who are partially with you, but partially against you. But convince people! If someone offers you a microphone, say yes!
www.timesofisrael.com/anti-zionist...
February 1, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Dismayed that many campus left groups are still often taking the tactic of aggressive refusal to engage.
Sure, push back on people who are partially with you, but partially against you. But convince people! If someone offers you a microphone, say yes!
www.timesofisrael.com/anti-zionist...
Sure, push back on people who are partially with you, but partially against you. But convince people! If someone offers you a microphone, say yes!
www.timesofisrael.com/anti-zionist...
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Yesterday, five-year-old Liam and his dad Adrian were released from Dilley detention center. I picked them up last night and escorted them back to Minnesota this morning.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack.
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
He’s just describing The American Dream but you’re supposed to hate it for some reason
February 1, 2026 at 3:33 PM
He’s just describing The American Dream but you’re supposed to hate it for some reason
I suspect that if the fascists had just started by forbidding agents to wear masks, there would be minimal actual consequences for the agents. But now they're in a place where the masking is increasingly unpopular, but they feel they can't reverse it without looking weak
Mike Johnson on unmasking ICE agents: "It would create further danger ... taking the mask off and putting their names and addresses on their uniforms -- I don't think the president would approve it and he shouldn't"
February 1, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I suspect that if the fascists had just started by forbidding agents to wear masks, there would be minimal actual consequences for the agents. But now they're in a place where the masking is increasingly unpopular, but they feel they can't reverse it without looking weak
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
What the fuck does this even mean? “File charges”? Congressional Dems impeached him twice, he was indicted twice on state charges and twice on federal charges. Obv none of this “worked” in the grand scheme but none of us know what other “charges” would’ve worked better bsky.app/profile/ghos...
We should have collectively abandoned the party the second they wouldn’t file charges against Trump.
But here we are.
It is impossible to reform a party that wields 3-5 billion in dark and soft money. They will crush 90% of primary challengers.
It’s just the reality.
But here we are.
It is impossible to reform a party that wields 3-5 billion in dark and soft money. They will crush 90% of primary challengers.
It’s just the reality.
January 29, 2026 at 7:44 PM
What the fuck does this even mean? “File charges”? Congressional Dems impeached him twice, he was indicted twice on state charges and twice on federal charges. Obv none of this “worked” in the grand scheme but none of us know what other “charges” would’ve worked better bsky.app/profile/ghos...
I feel like the MSM sleeps on implicit admissions, systematically.
Here is Kristi Noem implicitly admitting that her department is breaking the law on a daily basis by deporting people with ongoing asylum applications:
www.instagram.com/reel/DSJb8Vh...
Here is Kristi Noem implicitly admitting that her department is breaking the law on a daily basis by deporting people with ongoing asylum applications:
www.instagram.com/reel/DSJb8Vh...
bulwarkonline on Instagram: "@repdangoldman: “If your department then deports anyone with an ongoing asylum application, you are violating the law, correct?”Noe…"
@repdangoldman: “If your department then deports anyone with an ongoing asylum application, you are violating the law, correct?”Noem: “Joe Biden left us…”Goldman: “I’m not asking about Joe Biden…If your department deports anyone with an ongoing asylum application. You are violating the law. Is that correct?”Noem: “It was greatly violated when they allowed 1.5 million people to come in.”Goldman: “Why are you filibustering? Why can't you answer the question?”Noem: “Your president and your secretary did not follow the law.”Goldman: “If your department deports anyone with an ongoing asylum application. You are violating the law. Isn't that correct?”Noem: “The asylum system was broken under the last administration.”Goldman: “I will reclaim my time. She's not answering the question. But the obvious answer is that yes. If you follow a lawful pathway, asylum is a lawful pathway. If you have an open asylum case, you are here lawfully, but the problem that we are seeing around the country is that you are not following the law.”View all 5,587 comments
www.instagram.com
February 1, 2026 at 4:26 PM
I feel like the MSM sleeps on implicit admissions, systematically.
Here is Kristi Noem implicitly admitting that her department is breaking the law on a daily basis by deporting people with ongoing asylum applications:
www.instagram.com/reel/DSJb8Vh...
Here is Kristi Noem implicitly admitting that her department is breaking the law on a daily basis by deporting people with ongoing asylum applications:
www.instagram.com/reel/DSJb8Vh...
At a conference about the impacts of AI on higher education teaching, at MIT.
Prof. Shen Shen making some fascinating points about how you can no longer conclude much about a student's understanding from a cursory look at their work
Prof. Shen Shen making some fascinating points about how you can no longer conclude much about a student's understanding from a cursory look at their work
January 30, 2026 at 2:40 PM
At a conference about the impacts of AI on higher education teaching, at MIT.
Prof. Shen Shen making some fascinating points about how you can no longer conclude much about a student's understanding from a cursory look at their work
Prof. Shen Shen making some fascinating points about how you can no longer conclude much about a student's understanding from a cursory look at their work
Thinking about this today:
“The truth is that there are no races: There is nothing in the world that can do all we ask race to do for us.”
-from Racecraft by Barbara J. Fields and Karen Fields
“The truth is that there are no races: There is nothing in the world that can do all we ask race to do for us.”
-from Racecraft by Barbara J. Fields and Karen Fields
January 30, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Thinking about this today:
“The truth is that there are no races: There is nothing in the world that can do all we ask race to do for us.”
-from Racecraft by Barbara J. Fields and Karen Fields
“The truth is that there are no races: There is nothing in the world that can do all we ask race to do for us.”
-from Racecraft by Barbara J. Fields and Karen Fields
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
If you haven’t seen this before, a warning, you might end up liking Bill Nye even more.
x.com/CarsRuinedCi...
x.com/CarsRuinedCi...
The Inefficiency of Cars Explained by Bill Nye the Science Guy! #science #green #climatechange
YouTube video by Science Savant
youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:13 AM
If you haven’t seen this before, a warning, you might end up liking Bill Nye even more.
x.com/CarsRuinedCi...
x.com/CarsRuinedCi...
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota
Via DonHarris4/X
Via DonHarris4/X
January 27, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota
Via DonHarris4/X
Via DonHarris4/X
Some of the best news I've heard in months: Dianna "Physics Girl" Cowern, long seriously ill due to long COVID and complications, has released the teaser for her first science exploration video in years... on neutrinos!
www.patreon.com/posts/sneak-...
www.patreon.com/posts/sneak-...
Patreon
Patreon is empowering a new generation of creators. Support and engage with artists and creators as they live out their passions!
www.patreon.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Some of the best news I've heard in months: Dianna "Physics Girl" Cowern, long seriously ill due to long COVID and complications, has released the teaser for her first science exploration video in years... on neutrinos!
www.patreon.com/posts/sneak-...
www.patreon.com/posts/sneak-...
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
A retired Minneapolis couple who had guns pointed at them by ICE in a church parking lot.
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 7:09 PM
A retired Minneapolis couple who had guns pointed at them by ICE in a church parking lot.
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
"They were obviously not trained at all. I've known many police officers in my life. These people were right off the streets."
"They had the professional demeanor of criminals."
ht: @paulgraham.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
January 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The majority of organizing happening in Minnesota isn’t just peaceful, it’s INVISIBLE. Moms showing up who won’t be interviewed on TV, people whose ICE patrols don’t turn into viral video. The grocery runs, the donations, the people filming bc they happen to be there. Please remember this.
Reposted by Ben Wheeler
If you are running for president you should make clear you’re gonna send Greg Bovino to prison
January 25, 2026 at 2:58 PM
If you are running for president you should make clear you’re gonna send Greg Bovino to prison