Ben Harding
@blhiiii.bsky.social
Outlive the bastards. Edward Abbey
Oh Lord, lead me to utter words that are soft and sweet for someday I may have to eat them. Mo Udall
Moderate drinker with a cycling problem; Reality-based life form; not a hater. Curious.
Oh Lord, lead me to utter words that are soft and sweet for someday I may have to eat them. Mo Udall
Moderate drinker with a cycling problem; Reality-based life form; not a hater. Curious.
Pinned
Ben Harding
@blhiiii.bsky.social
· Oct 12
It’s Time for Americans to Start Talking About “Soft Secession”
Blue states are finally learning what red states have known all along: you don’t need federal permission to govern.
cmarmitage.substack.com
#SoftSecession resources.
I’ll keep adding things as I come across them.
Let’s start here:
cmarmitage.substack.com/p/its-time-f...
I’ll keep adding things as I come across them.
Let’s start here:
cmarmitage.substack.com/p/its-time-f...
Reposted by Ben Harding
🚨"This is nuts! What the f*ck is going on, this is insane! ICE is just trying to scare people; they tell you it's only immigrants—it's f*cking anybody!" -furious Minneapolis resident tells our @zdroberts.bsky.social after ICE shot a man in the leg tonight. LIVE NOW ⬇️
January 15, 2026 at 3:59 AM
🚨"This is nuts! What the f*ck is going on, this is insane! ICE is just trying to scare people; they tell you it's only immigrants—it's f*cking anybody!" -furious Minneapolis resident tells our @zdroberts.bsky.social after ICE shot a man in the leg tonight. LIVE NOW ⬇️
Reposted by Ben Harding
I mean, true.
John Cassidy: Powell put to shame heads of law firms, universities & public companies who have caved to the White House. He demonstrated that, at least in economic arena, there are still some institutional constraints that Trump cannot sweep aside, or not easily. www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Jay Powell, the Prepster Banker Who Is Standing Up to Trump
The seventy-two-year-old Fed chairman put to shame the heads of law firms, universities, and public companies who have caved to the White House.
www.newyorker.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:11 PM
I mean, true.
Reposted by Ben Harding
Stunning photos from Minneapolis, including this one by John Locher for the Associated Press. www.theatlantic.com/photography/...
January 15, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Stunning photos from Minneapolis, including this one by John Locher for the Associated Press. www.theatlantic.com/photography/...
@protectdemocracy.org, this is a great idea but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits
But, cops don’t arrest other cops, and that culture won’t change easily. We need new, special law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government officials and agents
#SoftSecession
But, cops don’t arrest other cops, and that culture won’t change easily. We need new, special law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government officials and agents
#SoftSecession
The Universal Constitutional Remedies Act, explained
The Universal Constitutional Remedies Act is a state law that allows individuals to sue any official — federal, state, or local — who violates the Constitution in court.
protectdemocracy.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:29 PM
@protectdemocracy.org, this is a great idea but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits
But, cops don’t arrest other cops, and that culture won’t change easily. We need new, special law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government officials and agents
#SoftSecession
But, cops don’t arrest other cops, and that culture won’t change easily. We need new, special law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government officials and agents
#SoftSecession
@mdoughertyco.bsky.social , @jenagriswold.bsky.social
This would be a good start for Colorado, but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits.
We need a CO law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government agents. We now have video evidence of hundreds of assaults.
This would be a good start for Colorado, but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits.
We need a CO law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government agents. We now have video evidence of hundreds of assaults.
The Universal Constitutional Remedies Act, explained
The Universal Constitutional Remedies Act is a state law that allows individuals to sue any official — federal, state, or local — who violates the Constitution in court.
protectdemocracy.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:21 PM
@mdoughertyco.bsky.social , @jenagriswold.bsky.social
This would be a good start for Colorado, but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits.
We need a CO law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government agents. We now have video evidence of hundreds of assaults.
This would be a good start for Colorado, but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits.
We need a CO law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government agents. We now have video evidence of hundreds of assaults.
@bennet.senate.gov, @philweiser.bsky.social
This would be a good start for Colorado, but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits.
We need a CO law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government agents. We now have video evidence of hundreds of assaults.
Lock them up!
This would be a good start for Colorado, but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits.
We need a CO law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government agents. We now have video evidence of hundreds of assaults.
Lock them up!
The Universal Constitutional Remedies Act, explained
The Universal Constitutional Remedies Act is a state law that allows individuals to sue any official — federal, state, or local — who violates the Constitution in court.
protectdemocracy.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:16 PM
@bennet.senate.gov, @philweiser.bsky.social
This would be a good start for Colorado, but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits.
We need a CO law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government agents. We now have video evidence of hundreds of assaults.
Lock them up!
This would be a good start for Colorado, but we need handcuffs more than lawsuits.
We need a CO law enforcement agency to investigate and prosecute criminal acts by government agents. We now have video evidence of hundreds of assaults.
Lock them up!
Reposted by Ben Harding
Holy hell, what an obituary
Renfrew Christie Dies at 76; Sabotaged Racist Regime’s Nuclear Program
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Holy hell, what an obituary
@nasrin-2.bsky.social urges us not to forget the brave Iranians. She knows the price their courage carries.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I know the terrible cost of speaking out in Iran – and I beg the world to stand with those speaking out now | Nasrin Parvaz
Survivors of the regime like me are reliving our nightmares as brave Iranians fight for their freedom. They say they have nothing to lose but their chains, says women’s rights activist and torture sur...
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:25 PM
@nasrin-2.bsky.social urges us not to forget the brave Iranians. She knows the price their courage carries.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
ICE is holding these three men to coerce the Oglala Sioux into signing an agreement.
This is a kidnapping. They are hostages.
www.axios.com/2026/01/13/o...
This is a kidnapping. They are hostages.
www.axios.com/2026/01/13/o...
Oglala Sioux Tribe says ICE illegally holding tribal members from Minneapolis raids
Tribe says ICE wanted it to enter into agreements for info.
www.axios.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:52 AM
ICE is holding these three men to coerce the Oglala Sioux into signing an agreement.
This is a kidnapping. They are hostages.
www.axios.com/2026/01/13/o...
This is a kidnapping. They are hostages.
www.axios.com/2026/01/13/o...
Reposted by Ben Harding
"The Environmental Protection Agency says it will stop calculating how much money is saved in healthcare costs avoided and deaths prevented from air pollution rules that curb two deadly pollutants."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
EPA to stop calculating money and lives saved by curbs on air pollution
Agency to focus rules for fine particulate matter and ozone only on cost to industry, aligning with Trump approach
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:22 PM
"The Environmental Protection Agency says it will stop calculating how much money is saved in healthcare costs avoided and deaths prevented from air pollution rules that curb two deadly pollutants."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Excellent piece of bad news. Of course, the Mad President _would_ start WWIII to take the focus off of the Epstein Files.
Danish and Greenland ministers just left the White House. It did not go well.
I have a long discussion here of Trump's attempt to get Greenland and why it could lead to World War III.
(Gifted.)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
I have a long discussion here of Trump's attempt to get Greenland and why it could lead to World War III.
(Gifted.)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Trump’s Most Dangerous Gambit
His irrational obsession with Greenland could lead to global conflict.
www.theatlantic.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Excellent piece of bad news. Of course, the Mad President _would_ start WWIII to take the focus off of the Epstein Files.
Reposted by Ben Harding
Of course the message here is to sources. STFU.
Reporters are going to need to encrypt their contacts and refuse to give the key to the regime. Yes, some will become political prisoners, but that will hasten the overthrow.
At least they won’t be tortured or killed. Yet.
wapo.st/4pFh6lw
Reporters are going to need to encrypt their contacts and refuse to give the key to the regime. Yes, some will become political prisoners, but that will hasten the overthrow.
At least they won’t be tortured or killed. Yet.
wapo.st/4pFh6lw
FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home
The search came as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials.
wapo.st
January 14, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Of course the message here is to sources. STFU.
Reporters are going to need to encrypt their contacts and refuse to give the key to the regime. Yes, some will become political prisoners, but that will hasten the overthrow.
At least they won’t be tortured or killed. Yet.
wapo.st/4pFh6lw
Reporters are going to need to encrypt their contacts and refuse to give the key to the regime. Yes, some will become political prisoners, but that will hasten the overthrow.
At least they won’t be tortured or killed. Yet.
wapo.st/4pFh6lw
@oregonian.com, asking a second time. Do you have any idea why he was not charged and prosecuted criminally?
The federal government Friday agreed to pay $125,000 after a judge found a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent liable for civil assault for pointing a gun at a hotel maintenance man who came to the agent’s room to unclog a toilet.
Feds pay $125K after Border Patrol agent pointed gun at Portland hotel worker
The payout amount was finalized during a settlement conference Friday after a judge found the officer civilly liable for assault.
www.oregonlive.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:44 PM
@oregonian.com, asking a second time. Do you have any idea why he was not charged and prosecuted criminally?
@portlandpolice.bsky.social, asking for the second time. Why was Mr. Jones not arrested and charged with assault?
The federal government Friday agreed to pay $125,000 after a judge found a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent liable for civil assault for pointing a gun at a hotel maintenance man who came to the agent’s room to unclog a toilet.
Feds pay $125K after Border Patrol agent pointed gun at Portland hotel worker
The payout amount was finalized during a settlement conference Friday after a judge found the officer civilly liable for assault.
www.oregonlive.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:42 PM
@portlandpolice.bsky.social, asking for the second time. Why was Mr. Jones not arrested and charged with assault?
@governorwalz.mn.gov, @ag.state.MN.us,
@mayorfrey.com
Asking again, urging again, prosecute these criminals.
cc: @carmitage.bsky.social
@mayorfrey.com
Asking again, urging again, prosecute these criminals.
cc: @carmitage.bsky.social
A video of ICE agents conducting door-to-door searches today in Minneapolis
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
January 14, 2026 at 3:40 PM
@governorwalz.mn.gov, @ag.state.MN.us,
@mayorfrey.com
Asking again, urging again, prosecute these criminals.
cc: @carmitage.bsky.social
@mayorfrey.com
Asking again, urging again, prosecute these criminals.
cc: @carmitage.bsky.social
The easiest explanation for this is that ICE gets the personal data live from local law enforcement.
This emphasizes one of the big problems we will face with #SoftSecession. We should, as @carmitage.bsky.social advocates, use “handcuffs not lawsuits”—states should enforce their own laws.
🧵 1/2
This emphasizes one of the big problems we will face with #SoftSecession. We should, as @carmitage.bsky.social advocates, use “handcuffs not lawsuits”—states should enforce their own laws.
🧵 1/2
These peaceful observers I spoke to had ICE show up at their homes in what they see as attempts at intimidation. ICE has somehow been accessing Minnesotans' private data in likely violation of state law, according to privacy advocates.
share.google/J00lpWzPzOu2...
share.google/J00lpWzPzOu2...
Privacy advocates: ICE using private data to intimidate observers and activists
MPR News has looked into reports that federal agents have accessed private data to track and intimidate anti-ICE activists since the immigration crackdown surged in Minnesota in December. Privacy advo...
share.google
January 13, 2026 at 6:04 PM
The easiest explanation for this is that ICE gets the personal data live from local law enforcement.
This emphasizes one of the big problems we will face with #SoftSecession. We should, as @carmitage.bsky.social advocates, use “handcuffs not lawsuits”—states should enforce their own laws.
🧵 1/2
This emphasizes one of the big problems we will face with #SoftSecession. We should, as @carmitage.bsky.social advocates, use “handcuffs not lawsuits”—states should enforce their own laws.
🧵 1/2
Good thread. Way, way beyond irony.
“Jack-booted government thugs" … "Masked, massively armed mobs of screaming, swearing agents invading the homes of innocents.”
A description of the current Homeland Security reign of terror? Nope. This was the National Rifle Association's rhetoric in 1995. 1/5🧵
A description of the current Homeland Security reign of terror? Nope. This was the National Rifle Association's rhetoric in 1995. 1/5🧵
January 13, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Good thread. Way, way beyond irony.
He’s really mastered the thug strut.
ICE just indiscriminately stopped a citizen at a bus stop in front of the co-op. If this is how they treat the President of the Minneapolis City Council who is legally observing, just think of what they’re doing to everyone else in our City.
January 13, 2026 at 5:32 PM
He’s really mastered the thug strut.
Good insight from Epictetus for today. It’s not futile to try to influence things outside our will, but perspective is necessary.
January 13, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Good insight from Epictetus for today. It’s not futile to try to influence things outside our will, but perspective is necessary.
Economists are saying that current conditions are worse than the Special Period, 1991-1995, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. If true, then things are _bad_.
In 2019 we heard a lot of criticism of the gov. and the Revolution, but also a lot of pride that Cubans had resisted the Yanquis.
In 2019 we heard a lot of criticism of the gov. and the Revolution, but also a lot of pride that Cubans had resisted the Yanquis.
‘History will tell’: as US pressure grows, Cuba edges closer to collapse amid mass exodus
Disillusioned with the revolution after 68 years of US sanctions and a shattered economy, one in four Cubans have left in four years. Can the regime, and country, survive the engulfing ‘polycrisis’?
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Economists are saying that current conditions are worse than the Special Period, 1991-1995, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. If true, then things are _bad_.
In 2019 we heard a lot of criticism of the gov. and the Revolution, but also a lot of pride that Cubans had resisted the Yanquis.
In 2019 we heard a lot of criticism of the gov. and the Revolution, but also a lot of pride that Cubans had resisted the Yanquis.
I’ll tell you what, the people who figure out how to lay out all the geometries for 3-D printing are much better at geometry and trigonometry than I am or ever was.
#IndistinguishableFromMagic
#IndistinguishableFromMagic
January 12, 2026 at 7:22 PM
I’ll tell you what, the people who figure out how to lay out all the geometries for 3-D printing are much better at geometry and trigonometry than I am or ever was.
#IndistinguishableFromMagic
#IndistinguishableFromMagic
@carmitage.bsky.social this is the obstacle to handcuffs. It’s harder to solve than the tax escrow issue.
Do we need to form new state law enforcement agencies with clear legislative direction? What? I’m just an engineer and this problem is above my pay grade.
#SoftSecession
Do we need to form new state law enforcement agencies with clear legislative direction? What? I’m just an engineer and this problem is above my pay grade.
#SoftSecession
You notice how thousands and thousands of cops aren't coming out to condemn Jonathan Ross for senselessly killing Renee Good?
This is what people mean by "all cops are bastards". If this were any other profession, the entire group would condemn it. With cops it's the reverse, they all justify it.
This is what people mean by "all cops are bastards". If this were any other profession, the entire group would condemn it. With cops it's the reverse, they all justify it.
January 12, 2026 at 5:39 PM
@carmitage.bsky.social this is the obstacle to handcuffs. It’s harder to solve than the tax escrow issue.
Do we need to form new state law enforcement agencies with clear legislative direction? What? I’m just an engineer and this problem is above my pay grade.
#SoftSecession
Do we need to form new state law enforcement agencies with clear legislative direction? What? I’m just an engineer and this problem is above my pay grade.
#SoftSecession
No! “We don’t need lawsuits, we need handcuffs.” @carmitage.bsky.social
I hope they sue the pants of these fuckers. This is a clear violation.
January 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM
No! “We don’t need lawsuits, we need handcuffs.” @carmitage.bsky.social
@governorwalz.mn.gov, @ag.state.NN.us,
@mayorfrey.com
Prosecute these criminal terrorists.
cc: @carmitage.bsky.social
@mayorfrey.com
Prosecute these criminal terrorists.
cc: @carmitage.bsky.social
A video of ICE agents conducting door-to-door searches today in Minneapolis
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
January 12, 2026 at 5:28 PM
@governorwalz.mn.gov, @ag.state.NN.us,
@mayorfrey.com
Prosecute these criminal terrorists.
cc: @carmitage.bsky.social
@mayorfrey.com
Prosecute these criminal terrorists.
cc: @carmitage.bsky.social