winterswords
@chriswinters.bsky.social
🇺🇦 🇬🇱 🇩🇰 🇻🇪 Writer of fiction, player of guitars, teacher of culture and history, servant of cats, dweller of Seattle. Nerd of Many Subjects. Real human being. I mute trolls and block abusers. I use em-dashes and semicolons. I am not on Elmo's 12chan.
Pinned
winterswords
@chriswinters.bsky.social
· Sep 26
It's no longer about restoring what was before. It's about building what comes after.
Yes, exactly. The U.S. may not have all the institutions of a fascist government to meet that definition, but the non-fascist parts of the government aren't doing anything to really stop the fascist parts carrying out fascist policies in the name of a fascist president and his fascist minions.
Since we're doing the "fascism" debate again, I have to confess I find it baffling how the "not fascist" argue it can only apply to the specific situations of one historical time period, which is not a standard they would ever apply to any other political label ("socialist," "liberal," whatever.)
January 31, 2026 at 6:27 AM
Yes, exactly. The U.S. may not have all the institutions of a fascist government to meet that definition, but the non-fascist parts of the government aren't doing anything to really stop the fascist parts carrying out fascist policies in the name of a fascist president and his fascist minions.
Reposted by winterswords
i think this is exactly right. fascism is the Death Drive as ideology. it's why the catastrophic end of the Nazi Party does not deter people from worshipping Nazis. that the Nazis destroyed Germany along with the rest of Europe is part of the appeal.
January 30, 2026 at 7:54 PM
i think this is exactly right. fascism is the Death Drive as ideology. it's why the catastrophic end of the Nazi Party does not deter people from worshipping Nazis. that the Nazis destroyed Germany along with the rest of Europe is part of the appeal.
Reposted by winterswords
Six days ago federal officers murdered a man in the streets of Minneapolis and we still don't know their identities. Is there any modern precedent for this?
January 30, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Six days ago federal officers murdered a man in the streets of Minneapolis and we still don't know their identities. Is there any modern precedent for this?
Reposted by winterswords
If you've given biometrics to TSA (Pre-Check and Global Entry members) and you plan to attend a protest, you should wear a medical mask.
January 30, 2026 at 6:45 PM
If you've given biometrics to TSA (Pre-Check and Global Entry members) and you plan to attend a protest, you should wear a medical mask.
That's an awful lot of accusations of rape and murder that never got followed up on.
This was posted in the new Epstein files release and removed about 20 mins later.
Wonder why that is.
Wonder why that is.
January 30, 2026 at 7:20 PM
That's an awful lot of accusations of rape and murder that never got followed up on.
Impeach, remove, charge and convict.
That is the bare minimum the Democrats need to promise to do. Otherwise why bother? They'll have already surrendered.
That is the bare minimum the Democrats need to promise to do. Otherwise why bother? They'll have already surrendered.
‘We Are Coming After You!’
Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a threatening video message to social media Friday morning in the wake of the arrest of independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort.
Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a threatening video message to social media Friday morning in the wake of the arrest of independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort.
January 30, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Impeach, remove, charge and convict.
That is the bare minimum the Democrats need to promise to do. Otherwise why bother? They'll have already surrendered.
That is the bare minimum the Democrats need to promise to do. Otherwise why bother? They'll have already surrendered.
Arresting journalists is just the latest blatant violation of the Constitution.
When is someone going to stop him? Despite what @schumer.senate.gov thinks, no amount of bargaining enticement will make Trump stop. He won't stop until he's stopped.
Saying anything else is pointless.
When is someone going to stop him? Despite what @schumer.senate.gov thinks, no amount of bargaining enticement will make Trump stop. He won't stop until he's stopped.
Saying anything else is pointless.
Federal agents arrested the former CNN anchor Don Lemon on Thursday on charges that he violated federal law during a Jan. 18 protest against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, his lawyer said. The case had been rejected last week by a magistrate judge. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/u...
January 30, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Arresting journalists is just the latest blatant violation of the Constitution.
When is someone going to stop him? Despite what @schumer.senate.gov thinks, no amount of bargaining enticement will make Trump stop. He won't stop until he's stopped.
Saying anything else is pointless.
When is someone going to stop him? Despite what @schumer.senate.gov thinks, no amount of bargaining enticement will make Trump stop. He won't stop until he's stopped.
Saying anything else is pointless.
Reposted by winterswords
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US
Plans for such centers and jails in nearly two dozen communities have sparked protests over suitability, proximity to homes and schools.
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:47 PM
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
There's certainly nothing in the Bible about compassion or empathy, right?
Conservative figures such as Riley Gaines and Allie Beth Stuckey are urging their followers to ward off empathy for victims of ICE’s crackdown
The womanosphere urges dubious followers to back ICE: ‘Don’t let compassion cloud you’
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:55 PM
There's certainly nothing in the Bible about compassion or empathy, right?
Here we go again. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/u...
Where the U.S. Is Building Up Military Force Near Iran
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Here we go again. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/u...
And this is asking the administration kindly to enforce a law already on the books that they never have enforced and don't plan to.
Appeals to Trump's better nature will not work because he doesn't have one.
Appeals to Trump's better nature will not work because he doesn't have one.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries demands ban on deportation of US citizens as part of DHS reforms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation fun…
www.kget.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:40 AM
And this is asking the administration kindly to enforce a law already on the books that they never have enforced and don't plan to.
Appeals to Trump's better nature will not work because he doesn't have one.
Appeals to Trump's better nature will not work because he doesn't have one.
This is how to fight back. Recognize that there can be no collaboration with the federal government when the feds have been thoroughly politicized.
In short: the state is charging him because they don't trust Trump not to pardon him for the federal crime.
In short: the state is charging him because they don't trust Trump not to pardon him for the federal crime.
This was a disturbing assault on @repilhan.bsky.social, who is frequently the target of vilifying language by fellow elected officials and members of the public.
Mr. Kazmierczak has been charged with one felony count of terroristic threats and one count of fifth-degree assault.
Mr. Kazmierczak has been charged with one felony count of terroristic threats and one count of fifth-degree assault.
January 30, 2026 at 1:39 AM
This is how to fight back. Recognize that there can be no collaboration with the federal government when the feds have been thoroughly politicized.
In short: the state is charging him because they don't trust Trump not to pardon him for the federal crime.
In short: the state is charging him because they don't trust Trump not to pardon him for the federal crime.
Reposted by winterswords
Right now, Democrats have the power to defund and abolish ICE. We should do it. This is about right and wrong—and the murder we are seeing on the streets is just plain wrong. Anyone who supports funding DHS and ICE is supporting the murder of Americans. We can stop this.
January 28, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Right now, Democrats have the power to defund and abolish ICE. We should do it. This is about right and wrong—and the murder we are seeing on the streets is just plain wrong. Anyone who supports funding DHS and ICE is supporting the murder of Americans. We can stop this.
Ah, yes. "Reforms."
🚨"They're stealing the car!"
As Tom Homan vows "safer" ICE operations, ICE rammed into a driver's car in Minneapolis—in front of an elementary school—then chased him. After failing to catch him—they stole his car. "Back up before I f*cking spray you!" ICE yelled at observers ⬇️
As Tom Homan vows "safer" ICE operations, ICE rammed into a driver's car in Minneapolis—in front of an elementary school—then chased him. After failing to catch him—they stole his car. "Back up before I f*cking spray you!" ICE yelled at observers ⬇️
January 30, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Ah, yes. "Reforms."
Reposted by winterswords
Here’s a free tip to electeds from a contracts director: when entering a deal always open by asking for the best possible terms. Don’t immediately undercut yourself by trying to compromise out the gate or diminish your value. So in this particular case the opener you’re looking for is “ABOLISH ICE.”
January 29, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Here’s a free tip to electeds from a contracts director: when entering a deal always open by asking for the best possible terms. Don’t immediately undercut yourself by trying to compromise out the gate or diminish your value. So in this particular case the opener you’re looking for is “ABOLISH ICE.”
Miscounted, but I blame my cat's midgame interruption for scritchies.
I solved the daily #CluesBySam, Jan 29th 2026 (Tricky), in 04:35
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cluesbysam.com
I solved the daily #CluesBySam, Jan 29th 2026 (Tricky), in 04:35
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cluesbysam.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Miscounted, but I blame my cat's midgame interruption for scritchies.
I solved the daily #CluesBySam, Jan 29th 2026 (Tricky), in 04:35
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cluesbysam.com
I solved the daily #CluesBySam, Jan 29th 2026 (Tricky), in 04:35
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cluesbysam.com
Reposted by winterswords
NEW from @justinrohrlich.bsky.social:
“I’m not surprised this happened,” Ilhan Omar attacker Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother said. “Not at all. Unfortunately, he and my mother are both right-wing extremists.”
"In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t," he added.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
“I’m not surprised this happened,” Ilhan Omar attacker Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother said. “Not at all. Unfortunately, he and my mother are both right-wing extremists.”
"In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t," he added.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Brother calls Ilhan Omar suspect ‘right-wing extremist,’ has hated Somalis for years
Exclusive: ‘In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t,’ Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother told The Independent
www.independent.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 6:43 PM
NEW from @justinrohrlich.bsky.social:
“I’m not surprised this happened,” Ilhan Omar attacker Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother said. “Not at all. Unfortunately, he and my mother are both right-wing extremists.”
"In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t," he added.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
“I’m not surprised this happened,” Ilhan Omar attacker Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother said. “Not at all. Unfortunately, he and my mother are both right-wing extremists.”
"In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t," he added.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
"Have some tea, comrade!"
Russia is ready for Zelenskyy-Putin meeting — but only if Ukraine's president travels to Moscow.
“Kremlin is prepared to ensure President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's security”.
“Kremlin is prepared to ensure President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's security”.
January 28, 2026 at 11:38 PM
"Have some tea, comrade!"
Read. They've basically made nuclear safety voluntary.
EXCLSUVIE: The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules and shared them with the companies they're meant to regulate, without making the new rules publicly available.
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules
The rewrite was done to speed up the construction of a new generation of nuclear reactors. Critics warn it could compromise safety and public trust.
www.npr.org
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Read. They've basically made nuclear safety voluntary.
Reposted by winterswords
EXCLSUVIE: The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules and shared them with the companies they're meant to regulate, without making the new rules publicly available.
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules
The rewrite was done to speed up the construction of a new generation of nuclear reactors. Critics warn it could compromise safety and public trust.
www.npr.org
January 28, 2026 at 10:23 AM
EXCLSUVIE: The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules and shared them with the companies they're meant to regulate, without making the new rules publicly available.
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
We've obtained a copy of the new rules and here's what we found.
www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
This will change nothing. This is surrender.
SCHUMER says Democrats are “united” behind three DHS reforms
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
January 28, 2026 at 8:21 PM
This will change nothing. This is surrender.
"I'm voting for racism, but not against me."
This is exactly what you voted for, honey.
This is exactly what you voted for, honey.
The co-founder of Latinas for Trump is now condemning Trump’s ICE raids:
“I’m afraid of someone stopping my son.”
“This is not what we voted for.”
“I’m afraid of someone stopping my son.”
“This is not what we voted for.”
January 28, 2026 at 2:09 AM
"I'm voting for racism, but not against me."
This is exactly what you voted for, honey.
This is exactly what you voted for, honey.
This has to be the ultimate goal. Combining the services that weigh asylum cases, process visa and citizenship applications, with law enforcement and detention into one super-agency was a huge mistake.
Abolish DHS. If you can imagine a world before Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you can imagine a world without the Department of Homeland Security. My latest at @startribune.com. (gift link)
Perry: Abolish ICE? How about DHS altogether.
"We have models for how to structure federal immigration oversight that doesn't rely on an unaccountable masked secret police force running rampant in our streets," David M. Perry writes.
www.startribune.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:13 PM
This has to be the ultimate goal. Combining the services that weigh asylum cases, process visa and citizenship applications, with law enforcement and detention into one super-agency was a huge mistake.
Reposted by winterswords
Chuck Schumer's starting position should be as maximalist as possible -- complete abolition of ICE, resignations of Bovino, Homan, Noem and Miller, unmasking of all agents, and prosecution by state authorities of the murderers.
Don't start with what looks like a compromise half-measure.
Don't start with what looks like a compromise half-measure.
Majority of the country now wants to abolish and/or dismantle ICE and yet Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. told the caucus the message had to be to “restrain, reform and restrict ICE.”
Once again it looks like Schumer is about to choke after getting a massive opportunity.
So pathetic and weak.
Once again it looks like Schumer is about to choke after getting a massive opportunity.
So pathetic and weak.
Senate Democrats plot strategy as DHS standoff deepens heading into shutdown week
Two sources who were on a Democratic caucus strategy call Sunday said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the group the message must be to “restrain, reform and restrict ICE.”
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Chuck Schumer's starting position should be as maximalist as possible -- complete abolition of ICE, resignations of Bovino, Homan, Noem and Miller, unmasking of all agents, and prosecution by state authorities of the murderers.
Don't start with what looks like a compromise half-measure.
Don't start with what looks like a compromise half-measure.
Reposted by winterswords
A major newspaper publishing guide to help people identify the munitions their government is using against them is a real "Late Republic America" timepeice that future historians will comment on.
Here's how to identify some crowd control munitions, canisters of which federal agents have left on the ground after deploying them against people in Minnesota. bit.ly/3YWp1jE
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 26, 2026 at 8:54 PM
A major newspaper publishing guide to help people identify the munitions their government is using against them is a real "Late Republic America" timepeice that future historians will comment on.