Daniel Braaten
@danielbraaten.bsky.social
Utility Political Scientist, Dad, sports fan, gardener, northerner exiled in Texas
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
The baby and his family, held in the Dilley site south of San Antonio, were reportedly ‘abandoned’ at the border just the $190 left over from their commissary account.
Two-month-old ICE detainee Juan Nicolás deported while sick with bronchitis
Univision reporter Lidia Terrazas tracked down 2-month-old Juan Nicolás after he and his family were suddenly deported Tuesday. Two-month-old baby Juan
www.sacurrent.com
February 18, 2026 at 6:08 PM
The baby and his family, held in the Dilley site south of San Antonio, were reportedly ‘abandoned’ at the border just the $190 left over from their commissary account.
just great
February 18, 2026 at 6:10 PM
just great
the best critique of MAGA and the Trump admin is still "these guys are just fucking weird"
The US Department of Health and Human Services just released this video.
February 18, 2026 at 5:28 PM
the best critique of MAGA and the Trump admin is still "these guys are just fucking weird"
its funny that a discipline orientated around the study of collective action problems can't seem to put this into practice
how are we all on the same page about only needing reference letters for shortlisted candidates yet we cannot translate that into reality
Please have a long look in the mirror and ask yourself one question: how many reference letters do we really need?
February 18, 2026 at 5:03 PM
its funny that a discipline orientated around the study of collective action problems can't seem to put this into practice
I would add the Lindsey Graham is extremely degrading to the United States as well
Outlet Berlingske reports that Lindsey Graham called Danish Prime Minister a "little lady" during a meeting in Munich on Saturday. "Eyewitnesses describe Graham's "rant" as extremely degrading to both Denmark and Greenland."
February 18, 2026 at 12:53 PM
I would add the Lindsey Graham is extremely degrading to the United States as well
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
A group of pediatricians wrote an op-ed detailing the traumatic, lasting effects kids in detention centers will endure:
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
We're pediatricians. We see how ICE is harming children. | Opinion
Liam Ramos is one of more than 1,700 children to have been put in family detention centers since 2025. We call for these centers to close.
www.usatoday.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:04 PM
A group of pediatricians wrote an op-ed detailing the traumatic, lasting effects kids in detention centers will endure:
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
My Latest: Texas Takes a Flamethrower to Higher Ed (and calls it "reform").
The enshittification of Texas universities by legislators who are aura farming has begun!
abovethelaw.com/2026/02/texa...
The enshittification of Texas universities by legislators who are aura farming has begun!
abovethelaw.com/2026/02/texa...
Texas Takes A Flamethrower To Higher Ed (And Calls It 'Reform') - Above the Law
The enshittification of Texas universities has begun!
abovethelaw.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:52 PM
My Latest: Texas Takes a Flamethrower to Higher Ed (and calls it "reform").
The enshittification of Texas universities by legislators who are aura farming has begun!
abovethelaw.com/2026/02/texa...
The enshittification of Texas universities by legislators who are aura farming has begun!
abovethelaw.com/2026/02/texa...
This is bad but is it as bad as an Oberlin freshman complaining that a baloney sandwich is not actually a Bahn mi? According to the guardians of free speech on campus apparently it is not because I have not heard one peep out the them on this. The Free Press? Persuasion? Quillette? nada
"In recent months, Texas universities have inflicted some of the worst repression of academic freedom we’ve ever witnessed at American colleges, with gag orders, speaker bans and arbitrary firings of dissenting faculty."
Censorship Is Bigger in Texas
Texas officials apparently think Texas students are stupid snowflakes who must be protected from hearing controversial ideas.
www.insidehighered.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:40 PM
This is bad but is it as bad as an Oberlin freshman complaining that a baloney sandwich is not actually a Bahn mi? According to the guardians of free speech on campus apparently it is not because I have not heard one peep out the them on this. The Free Press? Persuasion? Quillette? nada
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
My latest in @texasobserver.org
The ‘Antifa Scare’ Goes on Trial in North Texas: As nine of the "Prairieland 19" face their days in court, the broader constitutional rights of left-wing activists may hang in the balance.
www.texasobserver.org/antifa-scare...
The ‘Antifa Scare’ Goes on Trial in North Texas: As nine of the "Prairieland 19" face their days in court, the broader constitutional rights of left-wing activists may hang in the balance.
www.texasobserver.org/antifa-scare...
The ‘Antifa Scare’ Goes on Trial in North Texas
As nine of the "Prairieland 19" face their days in court, the broader constitutional rights of left-wing activists may hang in the balance.
www.texasobserver.org
February 17, 2026 at 6:18 PM
My latest in @texasobserver.org
The ‘Antifa Scare’ Goes on Trial in North Texas: As nine of the "Prairieland 19" face their days in court, the broader constitutional rights of left-wing activists may hang in the balance.
www.texasobserver.org/antifa-scare...
The ‘Antifa Scare’ Goes on Trial in North Texas: As nine of the "Prairieland 19" face their days in court, the broader constitutional rights of left-wing activists may hang in the balance.
www.texasobserver.org/antifa-scare...
I was not too hopeful for this Twins season and now I am even less so
Twins' Pablo Lopez has tear in UCL, Tommy John surgery on table reut.rs/4bVqtKP
Twins' Pablo Lopez has tear in UCL, Tommy John surgery on table
Minnesota Twins ace right-hander Pablo Lopez will be sidelined for an extended period while he recovers from a significant tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, general manager Jeremy Zoll said Tuesday.
reut.rs
February 17, 2026 at 5:53 PM
I was not too hopeful for this Twins season and now I am even less so
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
today in "campus free speech":
U of North Texas Cancels Exhibit With Anti-ICE Art
The University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design removed an art exhibit that includes anti-ICE artwork, the artist told The Denton Record-Chronicle.
www.insidehighered.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:41 PM
today in "campus free speech":
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
"There's no information. There's no indication that jobs will be secure, so faculty jobs, these people's livelihoods, careers and degrees that are on the line, there's no clarity about it at all."
—Julie Minich, Secretary of @utaustinaaup.bsky.social
—Julie Minich, Secretary of @utaustinaaup.bsky.social
UT Austin students protest looming consolidation of race, ethnic and gender studies
UT President Jim Davis said the university will merge seven Liberal Arts departments, with no confirmed timeline.
www.kvue.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:58 PM
"There's no information. There's no indication that jobs will be secure, so faculty jobs, these people's livelihoods, careers and degrees that are on the line, there's no clarity about it at all."
—Julie Minich, Secretary of @utaustinaaup.bsky.social
—Julie Minich, Secretary of @utaustinaaup.bsky.social
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
🚨 AAUP has received reports that, in at least one UH college, a dean has already implemented a course review process “to ensure alignment with SB37” and “academic integrity” and has directed faculty to remove or modify syllabi content on race, LGBTQ+ and other issues.
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/uh-pr...
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/uh-pr...
UH Proposed Teaching Review Risks Censorship
Social: X @TexasAaup and Bluesky @texasaaup.bsky.social
aaup-texas.org
February 17, 2026 at 4:48 PM
🚨 AAUP has received reports that, in at least one UH college, a dean has already implemented a course review process “to ensure alignment with SB37” and “academic integrity” and has directed faculty to remove or modify syllabi content on race, LGBTQ+ and other issues.
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/uh-pr...
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/uh-pr...
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
I think it’s time for Democratic leaders to start saying “if you’re a pilot or ground crew involved in a deportation that was stayed by a judge, you’ll be held criminally liable for human trafficking.” Everyone involved in these flights should have that fear in the back of their minds.
Overnight, this probable ICE flight landed in Benin and is now returning to Senegal, likely for a crew layover.
February 16, 2026 at 10:57 AM
I think it’s time for Democratic leaders to start saying “if you’re a pilot or ground crew involved in a deportation that was stayed by a judge, you’ll be held criminally liable for human trafficking.” Everyone involved in these flights should have that fear in the back of their minds.
Its very disturbing that Texas A&M Chancellor Glen Hager would donate money to the True Texas Project. An organization the SPLC has labeled a hate group and it openly bigoted towards Muslims and other minority groups @tamu-aaup.bsky.social @texasaaup.bsky.social
February 17, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Its very disturbing that Texas A&M Chancellor Glen Hager would donate money to the True Texas Project. An organization the SPLC has labeled a hate group and it openly bigoted towards Muslims and other minority groups @tamu-aaup.bsky.social @texasaaup.bsky.social
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
📢📢Submit your testimony to the Regents TODAY by 1pm, details below!
⭐️⭐️ Submit online testimony by 1 pm on Tuesday, 2/17: bor@utsystem.edu; include your name and agenda topic (Agenda Item 6 under STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS TO THE BOARD).
🚨🚨UT Regents may vote to limit teaching of 'controversial topics' this week. 👇
www.statesman.com/news/educati...
www.statesman.com/news/educati...
February 17, 2026 at 2:07 PM
📢📢Submit your testimony to the Regents TODAY by 1pm, details below!
album of the day - Long Violent History from Tyler Childers
February 17, 2026 at 3:57 PM
album of the day - Long Violent History from Tyler Childers
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
It is time to reclaim science, health, and democracy for the people and for the common good.
Join your local rally for the @standupforscience.bsky.social's National Day of Action on March 7.
Spread the word.
Register at the link here:
www.standupforscience.net/march7
Join your local rally for the @standupforscience.bsky.social's National Day of Action on March 7.
Spread the word.
Register at the link here:
www.standupforscience.net/march7
February 17, 2026 at 3:38 PM
It is time to reclaim science, health, and democracy for the people and for the common good.
Join your local rally for the @standupforscience.bsky.social's National Day of Action on March 7.
Spread the word.
Register at the link here:
www.standupforscience.net/march7
Join your local rally for the @standupforscience.bsky.social's National Day of Action on March 7.
Spread the word.
Register at the link here:
www.standupforscience.net/march7
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
“Removing the books, rather it denies them access to materials that promote empathy and serve as a guide for their own lives during challenging and confusing times.”
She's with the Banned: Texas librarian shares battle over book bans in PBS documentary
Documentary The Librarians shows public servants on the front line of a national battle against conservative groups fighting to ban books from public schools.
www.sacurrent.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:06 PM
“Removing the books, rather it denies them access to materials that promote empathy and serve as a guide for their own lives during challenging and confusing times.”
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
For generations, Border Patrol has maintained a high presence in South Texas and has operated with minimal oversight and accountability, shaping a culture in which terrorizing immigrants & their families has become part of our daily life.
Now this culture is being exported to the rest of the U.S,
Now this culture is being exported to the rest of the U.S,
My Home Is Treated Like a War Zone. That Militarization Expanded to Minnesota.
There have been many violent murders at the hands of Border Patrol agents. This is not an aberration but part of a broader federal apparatus built and refined over decades.
www.texasobserver.org
February 17, 2026 at 3:12 PM
For generations, Border Patrol has maintained a high presence in South Texas and has operated with minimal oversight and accountability, shaping a culture in which terrorizing immigrants & their families has become part of our daily life.
Now this culture is being exported to the rest of the U.S,
Now this culture is being exported to the rest of the U.S,
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
ICE/CBP have gone unfunded for 3 days; how about 3 years? The best way to claw back the $170 billion immigration enforcement surge in the Big Beautiful Bill is to just claw it back. The 2nd-best way is to slowly drain it by never funding the underlying appropriation. @ryanlcooper.com makes the case:
The Case for Keeping ICE and CBP Defunded - The American Prospect
Democrats should not provide one thin dime to MAGA storm troopers.
prospect.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:25 PM
ICE/CBP have gone unfunded for 3 days; how about 3 years? The best way to claw back the $170 billion immigration enforcement surge in the Big Beautiful Bill is to just claw it back. The 2nd-best way is to slowly drain it by never funding the underlying appropriation. @ryanlcooper.com makes the case:
if you are a faculty member in Texas and you haven't joined @texasaaup.bsky.social yet you should have done that yesterday. (actually this applies to faculty everywhere, join @aaup.org
The AAUP hired a high-powered attorney for Dr. Melissa McCoul after she was attacked then fired for talking about gender in her Texas A&M class.
Union dues protect you and your colleagues - join!
College students deserve to be trusted to have difficult conversations with respect and maturity.
Union dues protect you and your colleagues - join!
College students deserve to be trusted to have difficult conversations with respect and maturity.
Prof. McCoul Fired; Sues Texas A&M Over Free Speech
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
aaup-texas.org
February 16, 2026 at 12:54 PM
if you are a faculty member in Texas and you haven't joined @texasaaup.bsky.social yet you should have done that yesterday. (actually this applies to faculty everywhere, join @aaup.org
Reposted by Daniel Braaten
🤠 Texans: Plesse contact the Board of Regents! Please consider testifying at this week’s meeting! Let’s make ourselves heard!
🚨🚨UT Regents may vote to limit teaching of 'controversial topics' this week. 👇
www.statesman.com/news/educati...
www.statesman.com/news/educati...
New policy proposal could limit 'controversial topics' at UT System schools
The policy states faculty should “ensure a broad and balanced approach” to teaching controversial and contested issues. But the policy does not define controversial.
www.statesman.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:49 PM
🤠 Texans: Plesse contact the Board of Regents! Please consider testifying at this week’s meeting! Let’s make ourselves heard!
my copy was just delivered yesterday!
Russia, Venezuela, Iran, China, the Sahel region, the United States ...
Want to know why state agents carry out brutal repression — or participate in illegal coups?
Our new book "Making a Career in Dictatorship" provides answers — it just got published by @academic.oup.com:
tinyurl.com/ystwm3tf
Want to know why state agents carry out brutal repression — or participate in illegal coups?
Our new book "Making a Career in Dictatorship" provides answers — it just got published by @academic.oup.com:
tinyurl.com/ystwm3tf
February 16, 2026 at 11:15 AM
my copy was just delivered yesterday!