Benjamin راغب
@benzado.com
you can also write راغب as Ragheb
I try to be unimpeachable
I try to be unimpeachable
Pinned
Benjamin راغب
@benzado.com
· Nov 12
The Republican Party didn’t create their media ecosystem; right wing activists did. Remember that when you use your left wing podcast to shit all over Democrats.
daddy issues
ICE seems to get completely flummoxed when they’re being yelled at by white men over 35. They kind of put their heads down and shuffle their feet. It’s like their kryptonite.
January 17, 2026 at 8:58 PM
daddy issues
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
There’s no real debate. I have witnessed a very small number of ICE activists advocating for carrying firearms or even trying to agitate by physically striking ICE vehicles, etc. Let’s be clear: the incredibly vast majority of people resisting ICE correctly believe these people are fools.
January 17, 2026 at 7:32 PM
There’s no real debate. I have witnessed a very small number of ICE activists advocating for carrying firearms or even trying to agitate by physically striking ICE vehicles, etc. Let’s be clear: the incredibly vast majority of people resisting ICE correctly believe these people are fools.
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
You need to flip this on its head. If you advocate for violent resistance, or even carrying weapons, you are being selfish, placing your own desire for cathartic violence above the needs of your community. You are selling out the vast majority, who will become targets as a result of your actions.
A great thing to do if you’re an activist is throw other, braver activists under the bus and signal to the fascists that they’re fair game
What we’re doing is working. A few people - mostly angry young men who barely have ideological views, just a yearning to commit justified violence - seem almost upset that it’s working, because they wanted the chance to kill someone. The other 99.5% of us want to help our neighbors.
January 17, 2026 at 8:30 PM
You need to flip this on its head. If you advocate for violent resistance, or even carrying weapons, you are being selfish, placing your own desire for cathartic violence above the needs of your community. You are selling out the vast majority, who will become targets as a result of your actions.
It’s wild how history rhymes and I’m kind of mad none of this was covered when I went to high school.
January 17, 2026 at 7:05 PM
It’s wild how history rhymes and I’m kind of mad none of this was covered when I went to high school.
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
This is fundamentally what ended up happening with the fugitive slave act.
People would commit actual crimes to stop slave catchers, and juries would just nope the shit outta the charges.
People would commit actual crimes to stop slave catchers, and juries would just nope the shit outta the charges.
It's kind of incredible how many of these now are pretty clear cut crimes, and not even *that* trivial of crimes, and juries still just totally don't give a shit. Like shining a laser pointer at a pilot is kind of a big deal, and an entire jury is like 'we wish it had crashed.'
January 17, 2026 at 6:08 PM
This is fundamentally what ended up happening with the fugitive slave act.
People would commit actual crimes to stop slave catchers, and juries would just nope the shit outta the charges.
People would commit actual crimes to stop slave catchers, and juries would just nope the shit outta the charges.
Everyone knows and understands we’re always going to have armed IRS agents, who can grab anyone off the street if they suspect you are cheating on your taxes.
January 17, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Everyone knows and understands we’re always going to have armed IRS agents, who can grab anyone off the street if they suspect you are cheating on your taxes.
If it’s necessary to have an agency of armed officers to enforce immigration law (ICE), then we should also have a similar agency to enforce corporate tax law, which is authorized to detain any wealthy looking people until they can prove they have paid all tax they owe.
January 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM
If it’s necessary to have an agency of armed officers to enforce immigration law (ICE), then we should also have a similar agency to enforce corporate tax law, which is authorized to detain any wealthy looking people until they can prove they have paid all tax they owe.
When I say “we are going to win” it’s because I have witnessed ordinary people continue to observe and stand up to ICE, even after we all saw them
commit a cold blooded murder.
We will suffer losses, no doubt. But we are going to win.
commit a cold blooded murder.
We will suffer losses, no doubt. But we are going to win.
January 17, 2026 at 6:50 PM
When I say “we are going to win” it’s because I have witnessed ordinary people continue to observe and stand up to ICE, even after we all saw them
commit a cold blooded murder.
We will suffer losses, no doubt. But we are going to win.
commit a cold blooded murder.
We will suffer losses, no doubt. But we are going to win.
Here and in the comments I hear echoes of the conversation between Ezra Klein and Ta-Nehesi Coates:
EK: Why are we losing?
TC: We're losing because there are always moments when we lose.
EK: See, that feels very fatalistic to me.
TC: It doesn't feel fatalistic to me. It feels like the truth.
EK: Why are we losing?
TC: We're losing because there are always moments when we lose.
EK: See, that feels very fatalistic to me.
TC: It doesn't feel fatalistic to me. It feels like the truth.
to be clear, this is not a criticism of “we’re going to win.” i’ve just been turning it over in my mind, how we can balance the selflessness of neighbors with the absolute tragedy that so many have been disappeared. maybe we can’t. maybe it’s fight now, mourn later.
January 17, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Here and in the comments I hear echoes of the conversation between Ezra Klein and Ta-Nehesi Coates:
EK: Why are we losing?
TC: We're losing because there are always moments when we lose.
EK: See, that feels very fatalistic to me.
TC: It doesn't feel fatalistic to me. It feels like the truth.
EK: Why are we losing?
TC: We're losing because there are always moments when we lose.
EK: See, that feels very fatalistic to me.
TC: It doesn't feel fatalistic to me. It feels like the truth.
Since the 1960s, artificial intelligence has been subjected to boom-and-bust cycles. Someone makes an impressive demo, FOMO-driven investors throw money everywhere, the hype doesn’t materialize, then “AI winter”.
January 17, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Since the 1960s, artificial intelligence has been subjected to boom-and-bust cycles. Someone makes an impressive demo, FOMO-driven investors throw money everywhere, the hype doesn’t materialize, then “AI winter”.
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
Where are the people who called distance learning tyranny?
Minnesota is doing that now to protect kids from ICE.
Where are you guys?
Minnesota is doing that now to protect kids from ICE.
Where are you guys?
January 17, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Where are the people who called distance learning tyranny?
Minnesota is doing that now to protect kids from ICE.
Where are you guys?
Minnesota is doing that now to protect kids from ICE.
Where are you guys?
State Rep. Weinberger renamed a road and now she’s describing herself as triumphant in a great struggle. Did someone really tell her she couldn’t do it? The she should refer that person to the Florida Attorney General for a retaliatory criminal investigation.
January 17, 2026 at 1:56 PM
State Rep. Weinberger renamed a road and now she’s describing herself as triumphant in a great struggle. Did someone really tell her she couldn’t do it? The she should refer that person to the Florida Attorney General for a retaliatory criminal investigation.
Zohran cleared 50% so it doesn’t really matter, but Cuomo’s theory that he was every Sliwa voter’s second choice doesn’t make any sense. The two major party nominees actually lived in NYC. Adams and Cuomo were just commuting in for a job.
this is the most incredible interview i’ve ever read. the aei guy tries so hard to get sliwa to trash mamdani and he simply won’t. he also brings up flaco (rip) unprompted.
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
![How would you describe Mamdani's politics?
He's not a communist. People call him that. That's ridiculous. He is a democratic socialist. David Dinkins [New York mayor from 1990-93] was a democratic socialist. We've had a long history in New York City of socialism.
What's the biggest challenge Mamdani faces as mayor!
I don't think the Zohranistas totally understand the fiscal irresponsibility we just went through with the Adams years and how little money there's left.
There's not enough money to do all the things that Zohran wants to do.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ssxnmhdtz6le6nxu7jfhglz6/bafkreic7pxra6vmrjmqo4jmw4vdagiluj6xtkovqb3f4ex7fc55m7pzaxu@jpeg)
January 17, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Zohran cleared 50% so it doesn’t really matter, but Cuomo’s theory that he was every Sliwa voter’s second choice doesn’t make any sense. The two major party nominees actually lived in NYC. Adams and Cuomo were just commuting in for a job.
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
Apparently the State Department, led Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the nation's top diplomat, released a strategic plan. Goal 1 is U.S. National Sovereignty. Goal 2 is "The Western Hemisphere and Establishment of the Donroe Doctrine."
There's more, but take that in.
www.state.gov/agency-strat...
There's more, but take that in.
www.state.gov/agency-strat...
Agency Strategic Plan - United States Department of State
The Agency Strategic Plan sets forth the vision and direction for how the Department will implement U.S. foreign policy and foreign assistance.
www.state.gov
January 16, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Apparently the State Department, led Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the nation's top diplomat, released a strategic plan. Goal 1 is U.S. National Sovereignty. Goal 2 is "The Western Hemisphere and Establishment of the Donroe Doctrine."
There's more, but take that in.
www.state.gov/agency-strat...
There's more, but take that in.
www.state.gov/agency-strat...
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
There is no mechanism for canceling elections. It doesn't exist and no made up, fascist language will make it exist. They will have to blow us away to the fucking moon to cancel elections. You be there! I will be there! Get involved as a poll worker, or something else productive. It's up to us!
January 17, 2026 at 12:09 AM
There is no mechanism for canceling elections. It doesn't exist and no made up, fascist language will make it exist. They will have to blow us away to the fucking moon to cancel elections. You be there! I will be there! Get involved as a poll worker, or something else productive. It's up to us!
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
Because the posture he maintained, keeping himself at a remove from the protests, and keeping the state police mostly neutral, is, uh, rather unenthusing from a political perspective.
But it is basically tailored made to deny any oxygen to this Insurrection Act thrust.
But it is basically tailored made to deny any oxygen to this Insurrection Act thrust.
January 17, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Because the posture he maintained, keeping himself at a remove from the protests, and keeping the state police mostly neutral, is, uh, rather unenthusing from a political perspective.
But it is basically tailored made to deny any oxygen to this Insurrection Act thrust.
But it is basically tailored made to deny any oxygen to this Insurrection Act thrust.
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
For @msnownews.bsky.social, I wrote an article about how ICE Watch is grounded in sociological theories of violence prevention.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
Opinion | I'm a Minneapolis sociologist who studies violence. Here's how ICE observers are helping.
Research into how violence occurs shows that disapproval from the people around you can help reduce it.
www.ms.now
January 16, 2026 at 6:55 PM
For @msnownews.bsky.social, I wrote an article about how ICE Watch is grounded in sociological theories of violence prevention.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
I don’t think people quite understand that the occupation by ICE in the Twin Cities has more or less erased non-white people from public life. They cannot safely exist in any space accessible to the public and moving between private places leaves folks vulnerable to kidnapping by armed masked goons.
January 16, 2026 at 10:15 PM
I don’t think people quite understand that the occupation by ICE in the Twin Cities has more or less erased non-white people from public life. They cannot safely exist in any space accessible to the public and moving between private places leaves folks vulnerable to kidnapping by armed masked goons.
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Breaking news: The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation alleging that they are impeding federal law enforcement officers’ abilities to do their jobs in the state.
Justice Dept. launches criminal investigation of Minnesota governor
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation into impeding law enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Oh! I thought it was only a name change. How come?
January 17, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Oh! I thought it was only a name change. How come?
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
MAGA, a movement of cynical cruelty that is fueled by atomization, has accidentally created the conditions for in person communities to be formed around resisting their repression bsky.app/profile/aaro...
They have quite an operation going.
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...
Minneapolis church has delivered more than 12,000 boxes of groceries to families in hiding
DHH church has hundreds of volunteers packing and delivering groceries to families who have been too scared to leave their homes during the immigration operation.
www.mprnews.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:11 PM
MAGA, a movement of cynical cruelty that is fueled by atomization, has accidentally created the conditions for in person communities to be formed around resisting their repression bsky.app/profile/aaro...
The most thrilling thing I have recently read is that, in 1860, among all the writers making predictions about the next decade, none expected that slavery would be abolished.
January 16, 2026 at 4:13 PM
The most thrilling thing I have recently read is that, in 1860, among all the writers making predictions about the next decade, none expected that slavery would be abolished.
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
Yes. ICE service is being sold to disaffected MAGA goons as an opportunity to wage a campaign of cleansing, restorative violence against Americans as an act of patriotic national service. And most normies now see that this isn't anything akin to real law enforcement.
newrepublic.com/article/2052...
newrepublic.com/article/2052...
January 16, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Yes. ICE service is being sold to disaffected MAGA goons as an opportunity to wage a campaign of cleansing, restorative violence against Americans as an act of patriotic national service. And most normies now see that this isn't anything akin to real law enforcement.
newrepublic.com/article/2052...
newrepublic.com/article/2052...
Reposted by Benjamin راغب
When you focus on the regular people showing up magnificently in all of their flawed beauty, it helps you to keep going.
January 16, 2026 at 11:34 AM
When you focus on the regular people showing up magnificently in all of their flawed beauty, it helps you to keep going.
Schumer and Jeffries don’t control our elections either. They can “let” all they want, it changes nothing!
January 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Schumer and Jeffries don’t control our elections either. They can “let” all they want, it changes nothing!