ERTBen
@ertben.bsky.social
Figuring out where we go from here. Seeking community and new ways to engage people in progressive ideas. Weather, wildfire, wilderness and front-yard gardening. Midwest-born Californian. Exvangelical.
Reposted by ERTBen
“There are many people who are trying to argue the legality. Everyone else is trying to argue the morality.”
Holy cow, was this powerful. Highly recommend Josh Johnson’s latest hour on ICE & Minneapolis.
youtu.be/p68TXmnOy60?...
Holy cow, was this powerful. Highly recommend Josh Johnson’s latest hour on ICE & Minneapolis.
youtu.be/p68TXmnOy60?...
It's Literally ICE vs. Good
YouTube video by Josh Johnson
youtu.be
January 14, 2026 at 4:51 AM
“There are many people who are trying to argue the legality. Everyone else is trying to argue the morality.”
Holy cow, was this powerful. Highly recommend Josh Johnson’s latest hour on ICE & Minneapolis.
youtu.be/p68TXmnOy60?...
Holy cow, was this powerful. Highly recommend Josh Johnson’s latest hour on ICE & Minneapolis.
youtu.be/p68TXmnOy60?...
Reposted by ERTBen
We've gone from broken windows policing to breaking windows policing.
January 14, 2026 at 4:06 AM
We've gone from broken windows policing to breaking windows policing.
Reposted by ERTBen
this is all to say that should democrats win the house and senate this november, they should hold similarly dramatic — which is to say televised and highly publicized — hearings on the conduct of ICE and CBP, with testimony from victims. we want as much of *this* as possible in the record. (3/?)
ICE detained Arlit Maria Martinez on her way to work. 2 days later, her 15 yo son died of cancer. They wouldn't let her out to say goodbye. The family had planned to move back to Mexico prior to the cancer diagnosis but stayed for his treatment. Now, Mr Martinez has lost his wife to ICE & his son.
Teen dies of cancer days after mother arrested by ICE: ‘She’s never gonna see him’
The mother's family pleaded with federal officers for her release from custody to say her final goodbyes to her son, but their requests went unanswered.
www.wsaz.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:09 AM
this is all to say that should democrats win the house and senate this november, they should hold similarly dramatic — which is to say televised and highly publicized — hearings on the conduct of ICE and CBP, with testimony from victims. we want as much of *this* as possible in the record. (3/?)
Reposted by ERTBen
I’m seeing lots of people on here misunderstand the purpose of ICE watch.
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 5:37 PM
I’m seeing lots of people on here misunderstand the purpose of ICE watch.
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
It’s de-escalation. And it’s grounded in the social science of violence. 🧵
Cause one war crime wasn’t enough, they’re now stacking war crimes simultaneously.
The Pentagon is said to have used a plane that looked like a civilian aircraft in its first boat strike in September that killed 11 people, possibly committing a war crime, experts say.
GIFT ARTICLE:
GIFT ARTICLE:
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Cause one war crime wasn’t enough, they’re now stacking war crimes simultaneously.
Reposted by ERTBen
Washington politicians love to talk about what a good idea it is to ban stock trading in Congress, but then keep doing it.
Here's my message to them: You don’t need to wait for it to be banned. Stop trading right now.
I don’t trade stocks because it’s the right thing to do.
Here's my message to them: You don’t need to wait for it to be banned. Stop trading right now.
I don’t trade stocks because it’s the right thing to do.
January 13, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Washington politicians love to talk about what a good idea it is to ban stock trading in Congress, but then keep doing it.
Here's my message to them: You don’t need to wait for it to be banned. Stop trading right now.
I don’t trade stocks because it’s the right thing to do.
Here's my message to them: You don’t need to wait for it to be banned. Stop trading right now.
I don’t trade stocks because it’s the right thing to do.
Reposted by ERTBen
"Argentina's done it. Russia's done it. Turkey's done it. Venezuela's done it. And Zimbabwe's done it. It's a thing that tin pot dictators do... right before starting a hyperinflation and destroying their own economies."
January 12, 2026 at 10:56 PM
"Argentina's done it. Russia's done it. Turkey's done it. Venezuela's done it. And Zimbabwe's done it. It's a thing that tin pot dictators do... right before starting a hyperinflation and destroying their own economies."
Reposted by ERTBen
Today, Attorney General Ellison announced a lawsuit to end ICE’s aggressive and unconstitutional surge into Minnesota.
This operation was never about safety, it’s a targeted political operation and Minnesota won’t stand for it.
This operation was never about safety, it’s a targeted political operation and Minnesota won’t stand for it.
January 12, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Today, Attorney General Ellison announced a lawsuit to end ICE’s aggressive and unconstitutional surge into Minnesota.
This operation was never about safety, it’s a targeted political operation and Minnesota won’t stand for it.
This operation was never about safety, it’s a targeted political operation and Minnesota won’t stand for it.
Again, for the people in the back: Kamala Harris was Right.
January 12, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Again, for the people in the back: Kamala Harris was Right.
Reposted by ERTBen
Blue state politicians with presidential hopes are limp on ICE because they’re already trying to appeal to the center. They don’t realize confronting ICE is the centrist position.
In addition to being morally right, it’s a national name-recognition strategy there for the taking.
In addition to being morally right, it’s a national name-recognition strategy there for the taking.
January 12, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Blue state politicians with presidential hopes are limp on ICE because they’re already trying to appeal to the center. They don’t realize confronting ICE is the centrist position.
In addition to being morally right, it’s a national name-recognition strategy there for the taking.
In addition to being morally right, it’s a national name-recognition strategy there for the taking.
Reposted by ERTBen
Holy shit moment. Good statement. The corrupt authoritarians and oligarchs are at the gates. There’s no alternative to fierce resistance and putting down their lawless crusade against the American Republic. x.com/federalreser...
x.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Holy shit moment. Good statement. The corrupt authoritarians and oligarchs are at the gates. There’s no alternative to fierce resistance and putting down their lawless crusade against the American Republic. x.com/federalreser...
Reposted by ERTBen
Your twice-weekly reminder that the Supreme Court’s opinion giving presidents criminal immunity is not a serious decision for a serious democracy. @brennancenter.org
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
January 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Your twice-weekly reminder that the Supreme Court’s opinion giving presidents criminal immunity is not a serious decision for a serious democracy. @brennancenter.org
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by ERTBen
This is horrifying.
PBS News notes this Sunday will be “PBS News Weekend’s” last due to federal budget cuts
January 11, 2026 at 2:36 AM
This is horrifying.
Reposted by ERTBen
Zac Kinney shared this photo from the second of two ICE deportation flights at MSP today - one of the 47 deportees was still in their Amazon uniform.
(I counted 127 deportees on the first flight)
(I counted 127 deportees on the first flight)
January 11, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Zac Kinney shared this photo from the second of two ICE deportation flights at MSP today - one of the 47 deportees was still in their Amazon uniform.
(I counted 127 deportees on the first flight)
(I counted 127 deportees on the first flight)
Reposted by ERTBen
Authoritarians lie as a loyalty test. They don’t care about actual belief, just that their lemmings are willing to prostrate themselves before the great leaders provably false claims.
So we’re not supposed to believe our eyes when we’ve seen multiple videos that confirm what we know we saw?
January 10, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Authoritarians lie as a loyalty test. They don’t care about actual belief, just that their lemmings are willing to prostrate themselves before the great leaders provably false claims.
Reposted by ERTBen
Yesterday Elon Musk retweeted "white solidarity is the only way to survive". In our numb overwhelmed media environment it barely made headlines that the world's richest man endorsed blood-curdling white nationalism. My brief writeup for @religiondispatches.org
religiondispatches.org/elon-musk-ju...
religiondispatches.org/elon-musk-ju...
Elon Musk Just Endorsed Blatant White Nationalism And the Silence is Deafening
On Thursday morning Elon Musk retweeted (with a ‘100%’ endorsement) a post declaring that:
If white men become a minority, we will be slaughtered. Remember, if non-Whites openly hate White men while...
religiondispatches.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Yesterday Elon Musk retweeted "white solidarity is the only way to survive". In our numb overwhelmed media environment it barely made headlines that the world's richest man endorsed blood-curdling white nationalism. My brief writeup for @religiondispatches.org
religiondispatches.org/elon-musk-ju...
religiondispatches.org/elon-musk-ju...
Reposted by ERTBen
Across the country, Americans are honoring Renee Nicole Good and mourning all the lives ICE has taken and destroyed.
Hundreds of marches and vigils are planned this weekend. Please join us to say ICE Out For Good: www.mobilize.us?tag_ids=2913...
Hundreds of marches and vigils are planned this weekend. Please join us to say ICE Out For Good: www.mobilize.us?tag_ids=2913...
January 9, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Across the country, Americans are honoring Renee Nicole Good and mourning all the lives ICE has taken and destroyed.
Hundreds of marches and vigils are planned this weekend. Please join us to say ICE Out For Good: www.mobilize.us?tag_ids=2913...
Hundreds of marches and vigils are planned this weekend. Please join us to say ICE Out For Good: www.mobilize.us?tag_ids=2913...
Reposted by ERTBen
2025 is now, officially, the worst year for job creation outside of recession since 2003.
@byheatherlong.bsky.social
@byheatherlong.bsky.social
January 9, 2026 at 1:43 PM
2025 is now, officially, the worst year for job creation outside of recession since 2003.
@byheatherlong.bsky.social
@byheatherlong.bsky.social
Reposted by ERTBen
So a CBS Evening News reporter actually did a pretty solid breakdown of the ICE murder video, talking to a former agent who details all the ways Ross messed up. And yet: It didn’t air on the actual show tonight. CBS did post it to YouTube—and it has nearly 800k views already youtu.be/6ywLEESFDu0?...
Retired ICE agent breaks down deadly Minneapolis shooting
YouTube video by CBS Evening News
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 7:04 AM
So a CBS Evening News reporter actually did a pretty solid breakdown of the ICE murder video, talking to a former agent who details all the ways Ross messed up. And yet: It didn’t air on the actual show tonight. CBS did post it to YouTube—and it has nearly 800k views already youtu.be/6ywLEESFDu0?...
Reposted by ERTBen
Democrats will continue to vote for Republican judges (like this guy, who refused to say who won the 2020 election) until Democrats are punished for voting for Republican judges
Alexander Van Hook is confirmed 53-40 to be a District Judge of Western Louisiana. According to @senatepress.bsky.social, the Dems yeas are Dick Durbin (IL), Maggie Hassan (NH), Tim Kaine (VA), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Peter Welch (VT). Angus King (I-ME) was also a yea.
January 8, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Democrats will continue to vote for Republican judges (like this guy, who refused to say who won the 2020 election) until Democrats are punished for voting for Republican judges
Reposted by ERTBen
Have you ever searched how many Trump nominees Amy Klobuchar voted to approve?
January 5, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Have you ever searched how many Trump nominees Amy Klobuchar voted to approve?
Reposted by ERTBen
Bravo, Minnesota. This shooting was completely avoidable. Officers are trained to de-escalate, not to callously kill civilians. When our streets are militarized, the loss of innocent lives is inevitable.
A friend in Minneapolis just sent me this video. Looks like thousands have come together for a vigil after an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. This was my neighborhood for several years before coming to Portland.
January 8, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Bravo, Minnesota. This shooting was completely avoidable. Officers are trained to de-escalate, not to callously kill civilians. When our streets are militarized, the loss of innocent lives is inevitable.
Reposted by ERTBen
The danger of this moment cannot be overstated. Trump/Noem's vile defense of the killing shows that the heavily-armed government agents roaming our cities are unbound/unaccountable even when they kill Americans.
On the pod, @felipedlh.bsky.social and I dig into this:
newrepublic.com/article/2050...
On the pod, @felipedlh.bsky.social and I dig into this:
newrepublic.com/article/2050...
Trump’s ICE Agents Killed a Citizen. Then Damning New Details Emerged.
As the ICE shooting horror in Minneapolis gets worse, a writer who focuses on ICE accountability explains why the government’s cover story is full of holes—and what recourse we have now.
newrepublic.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:40 PM
The danger of this moment cannot be overstated. Trump/Noem's vile defense of the killing shows that the heavily-armed government agents roaming our cities are unbound/unaccountable even when they kill Americans.
On the pod, @felipedlh.bsky.social and I dig into this:
newrepublic.com/article/2050...
On the pod, @felipedlh.bsky.social and I dig into this:
newrepublic.com/article/2050...
Reposted by ERTBen
Excellent, damning analysis of the video of the killing of Ms Good, from the NYT, including a quick debunking of the “evidence” the President showed other Times reporters last night.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles shows that the motorist was driving away from — not toward — a federal officer when he opened fire.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Excellent, damning analysis of the video of the killing of Ms Good, from the NYT, including a quick debunking of the “evidence” the President showed other Times reporters last night.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Reposted by ERTBen
there is no reason to vote for anything or move any process along at all until the lawlessness ends, at minimum
January 8, 2026 at 4:02 AM
there is no reason to vote for anything or move any process along at all until the lawlessness ends, at minimum