Firthermor
@firthermor.bsky.social
Mid-Atlantic nature. Natural world. Photography. Plays with words. Grovers Mill Martian invasion survivor 😉. Popular sovereignty, voting rights, democracy, and good governance stan.
Pinned
Firthermor
@firthermor.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Hi! I am new around here.
Sometime doomscroller. Sometime hopescroller. Sometime serendipitous learnscroller. First time BlueSky poster.
It may look dark now, but with our work & what we build can reconstruct our democracy for the better. Succession happens, sometimes with a bit of engineering.
Sometime doomscroller. Sometime hopescroller. Sometime serendipitous learnscroller. First time BlueSky poster.
It may look dark now, but with our work & what we build can reconstruct our democracy for the better. Succession happens, sometimes with a bit of engineering.
Reposted by Firthermor
Horrifying and unnerving. DHS sent an administrative subpoena to Google for this retiree's records and even sent armed agents out to his house for the "offense" of writing the following completely anodyne email to a federal prosecutor using an email address he found via Google.
February 3, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Horrifying and unnerving. DHS sent an administrative subpoena to Google for this retiree's records and even sent armed agents out to his house for the "offense" of writing the following completely anodyne email to a federal prosecutor using an email address he found via Google.
Reposted by Firthermor
I think people often wonder this, and it's a great question, so let me explain the advantages of 3D printing whistles. There are many.
The 3D printing effort started from one of our organizers who started by sourcing mass-produced whistles.
The 3D printing effort started from one of our organizers who started by sourcing mass-produced whistles.
I mean, are they really cheaper or easier to produce than just sourcing the right thing from a mass distributor? it's sweet but doesn't seem Pareto efficient, and I feel like that's important to the revolution
February 4, 2026 at 3:00 AM
I think people often wonder this, and it's a great question, so let me explain the advantages of 3D printing whistles. There are many.
The 3D printing effort started from one of our organizers who started by sourcing mass-produced whistles.
The 3D printing effort started from one of our organizers who started by sourcing mass-produced whistles.
Reposted by Firthermor
So TL;DR, it costs us 1.5 cents per 3D printed whistle (approximately) in filament and electric costs, compared to about 6 for drop shipping; we're more nimble with a distributed network, and also, they can't just seize our whistles off the ship and stop the whole thing; and we pay less in shipping.
February 4, 2026 at 3:13 AM
So TL;DR, it costs us 1.5 cents per 3D printed whistle (approximately) in filament and electric costs, compared to about 6 for drop shipping; we're more nimble with a distributed network, and also, they can't just seize our whistles off the ship and stop the whole thing; and we pay less in shipping.
Reposted by Firthermor
Well look at this.
This’ll be the seat Trump will use to put Watch in as Chair.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/b...
This’ll be the seat Trump will use to put Watch in as Chair.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/b...
Stephen Miran resigns from the White House, keeping his seat at the Fed | CNN Business
Stephen Miran, one of President Donald Trump’s top economists, on Tuesday resigned from his leadership role at the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers as his term as a Federal Reserve Governor ...
www.cnn.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Well look at this.
This’ll be the seat Trump will use to put Watch in as Chair.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/b...
This’ll be the seat Trump will use to put Watch in as Chair.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/b...
Reposted by Firthermor
This cannot be something a civilian law enforcement agent is allowed to wear in the US — and an agency that has a culture that tolerates this cannot be saved.
Fucking surreal that people dressed like this and carrying assault rifles are permitted to kidnap people off our streets
February 4, 2026 at 12:53 AM
This cannot be something a civilian law enforcement agent is allowed to wear in the US — and an agency that has a culture that tolerates this cannot be saved.
Reposted by Firthermor
Some years ago, I was chatting with a Retropolis reader, a young history student, and I mentioned there were several dozen people enslaved in New Jersey up until the day the 13th Amendment kicked in in December 1865.
Y’all. He identified every one of them.
njs.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/nj...
Y’all. He identified every one of them.
njs.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/nj...
February 4, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Some years ago, I was chatting with a Retropolis reader, a young history student, and I mentioned there were several dozen people enslaved in New Jersey up until the day the 13th Amendment kicked in in December 1865.
Y’all. He identified every one of them.
njs.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/nj...
Y’all. He identified every one of them.
njs.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/nj...
Reposted by Firthermor
One of Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement officers was caught bragging about shooting a young woman in Chicago.
Border Patrol Goon’s Vile Texts After Shooting Exposed
The disturbing messages were read out during a hearing in which the brothers of slain Minneapolis mother Renee Good also spoke out.
trib.al
February 4, 2026 at 2:45 AM
One of Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement officers was caught bragging about shooting a young woman in Chicago.
Reposted by Firthermor
A retiree wrote this email to a DHS attorney. Within five hours, DHS demanded Google turn over records for his account.
A Kafkaesque form of domestic surveillance, intimidating Americans for lawful speech.
New from us at the Post: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio... @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social
A Kafkaesque form of domestic surveillance, intimidating Americans for lawful speech.
New from us at the Post: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio... @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
A retiree wrote this email to a DHS attorney. Within five hours, DHS demanded Google turn over records for his account.
A Kafkaesque form of domestic surveillance, intimidating Americans for lawful speech.
New from us at the Post: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio... @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social
A Kafkaesque form of domestic surveillance, intimidating Americans for lawful speech.
New from us at the Post: www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio... @johnwoodrowcox.bsky.social
Reposted by Firthermor
Reposted by Firthermor
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Reflections, any bird reflection. @robcrank68.bsky.social #birds
#Fuut
#Fuut
February 3, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #Reflections, any bird reflection. @robcrank68.bsky.social #birds
#Fuut
#Fuut
Reposted by Firthermor
A February 3 raid on the offices of X by the Paris prosecutor's office followed a year-long investigation that began in January 2025 and was expanded to include allegations related to the Grok ‘undressing’ controversy earlier this year. We’re tracking details here:
Tracking the Paris Prosecutor's Investigation into Elon Musk's X
A raid on the offices of X in Paris followed a year-long investigation that began in January 2025.
www.techpolicy.press
February 4, 2026 at 12:11 AM
A February 3 raid on the offices of X by the Paris prosecutor's office followed a year-long investigation that began in January 2025 and was expanded to include allegations related to the Grok ‘undressing’ controversy earlier this year. We’re tracking details here:
Reposted by Firthermor
"Criminality is so rampant inside CBP that it has seen one of its own agents or officers arrested every 24 to 36 hours since 2005."
"it appears the crime rate of CBP agents and offices was higher PER CAPITA than the crime rate of undocumented immigrants." www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
"it appears the crime rate of CBP agents and offices was higher PER CAPITA than the crime rate of undocumented immigrants." www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Accountability for ICE and CBP
However bad you think the corruption and misconduct at ICE and CBP is — the reality is far far worse.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
"Criminality is so rampant inside CBP that it has seen one of its own agents or officers arrested every 24 to 36 hours since 2005."
"it appears the crime rate of CBP agents and offices was higher PER CAPITA than the crime rate of undocumented immigrants." www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
"it appears the crime rate of CBP agents and offices was higher PER CAPITA than the crime rate of undocumented immigrants." www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Reposted by Firthermor
They just blindly shot through the fucking door.
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Photographic evidence from the shooting scene of a Venezuelan man by federal agents last month in Minneapolis supports the account of witnesses there – and appears to undercut the narrative provided by federal officials." www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Live: Judge orders release of suspects in alleged shovel attack on agent
Department of Homeland Security says agent fired in self-defense after being attacked with a snow shovel and broom.
www.startribune.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:25 PM
They just blindly shot through the fucking door.
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
Reposted by Firthermor
While vetting the Epstein files, the FBI created a list of prominent names mentioned in the documents—and they noted which people had "salacious information" about them in the records. Trump was on the "salacious" list. Bill Clinton was not.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
February 3, 2026 at 11:36 PM
While vetting the Epstein files, the FBI created a list of prominent names mentioned in the documents—and they noted which people had "salacious information" about them in the records. Trump was on the "salacious" list. Bill Clinton was not.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
Reposted by Firthermor
An intelligence community watchdog has handed over a highly classified whistleblower complaint that includes an allegation of wrongdoing by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to top congressional leaders
www.cbsnews.com/news/intelli...
www.cbsnews.com/news/intelli...
Intelligence watchdog shares whistleblower complaint involving Gabbard with Congress after monthslong delay
The complaint was closed administratively by the intelligence community inspector general's office in June 2025, under prior leadership, watchdog says.
www.cbsnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:42 PM
An intelligence community watchdog has handed over a highly classified whistleblower complaint that includes an allegation of wrongdoing by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to top congressional leaders
www.cbsnews.com/news/intelli...
www.cbsnews.com/news/intelli...
Reposted by Firthermor
Remember the incident where DHS claimed officers shot a guy because he attacked them with a snow shovel?
Yeah. It didn't happen. They shot him through the door of his own home. And then arrested him. And then lied about it. Again.
And they almost shot some kids in the process.
Yeah. It didn't happen. They shot him through the door of his own home. And then arrested him. And then lied about it. Again.
And they almost shot some kids in the process.
They just blindly shot through the fucking door.
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Additional photographs show damage consistent with a bullet fragment lodged in a bedroom wall down the hallway — suggesting it traveled between a mattress and a portable crib in a room where several small children sleep."
"Photographic evidence from the shooting scene of a Venezuelan man by federal agents last month in Minneapolis supports the account of witnesses there – and appears to undercut the narrative provided by federal officials." www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
February 3, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Remember the incident where DHS claimed officers shot a guy because he attacked them with a snow shovel?
Yeah. It didn't happen. They shot him through the door of his own home. And then arrested him. And then lied about it. Again.
And they almost shot some kids in the process.
Yeah. It didn't happen. They shot him through the door of his own home. And then arrested him. And then lied about it. Again.
And they almost shot some kids in the process.
Reposted by Firthermor
Reposted by Firthermor
Per Yahoo, Le was previously an immigration court attorney for ICE and volunteered* to help the U.S. Attorney's Office in MN.
And it broke her. “We have no guidance or direction on what we need to do,” Le said.
* "Volunteered" could be her boss saying, "you must volunteer for this."
And it broke her. “We have no guidance or direction on what we need to do,” Le said.
* "Volunteered" could be her boss saying, "you must volunteer for this."
According to FOX 9, a Minneapolis federal judge demanded to know why DOJ is missing deadlines & AUSA Julie Le said, "The system sucks, this job sucks" & asked to be held in contempt so she could sleep.
PACER shows she got assigned to defend the govt in 88+ cases since Operation Metro Surge started.
PACER shows she got assigned to defend the govt in 88+ cases since Operation Metro Surge started.
February 3, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Per Yahoo, Le was previously an immigration court attorney for ICE and volunteered* to help the U.S. Attorney's Office in MN.
And it broke her. “We have no guidance or direction on what we need to do,” Le said.
* "Volunteered" could be her boss saying, "you must volunteer for this."
And it broke her. “We have no guidance or direction on what we need to do,” Le said.
* "Volunteered" could be her boss saying, "you must volunteer for this."
Reposted by Firthermor
Most Herons stand and wait for the fish to come to them.
Tricoloured do it differently, surprising the fish where they least expect the Beakspear from the sky! 💦
Tricoloured do it differently, surprising the fish where they least expect the Beakspear from the sky! 💦
Fishing on the fly. Tricolor herons are so much fun to watch when they are actively fishing. Taken at Circle B Bar Reserve (a former ranch converted into wetlands), Florida. For the #reflections theme of #BirdOfTheDay. #EastCoastKin #BirdsInFlight #birds
February 3, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Most Herons stand and wait for the fish to come to them.
Tricoloured do it differently, surprising the fish where they least expect the Beakspear from the sky! 💦
Tricoloured do it differently, surprising the fish where they least expect the Beakspear from the sky! 💦
Reposted by Firthermor
My latest, for the MIT Press Reader: Why is an anti-immigrant extremist force cracking down on non-immigrants? Because when extremists can't win over their in-group, they must assign dissenting members to an out-group in order to maintain legitimacy.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/anatomy-of-e...
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/anatomy-of-e...
Anatomy of Extremism: What ICE Is Revealing in Minnesota
The federal persecution of immigrants and white citizens alike lays bare the unstable logic of in-group power.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
January 26, 2026 at 3:41 PM
My latest, for the MIT Press Reader: Why is an anti-immigrant extremist force cracking down on non-immigrants? Because when extremists can't win over their in-group, they must assign dissenting members to an out-group in order to maintain legitimacy.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/anatomy-of-e...
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/anatomy-of-e...
Reposted by Firthermor
The Utah Historical Society just produced a new, excellent map of "The Peoples of North America in 1776." Great resource for anyone teaching, writing, presenting about Native peoples as part of their 250th work. america250.utah.gov/power-of-pla...
February 3, 2026 at 1:49 PM
The Utah Historical Society just produced a new, excellent map of "The Peoples of North America in 1776." Great resource for anyone teaching, writing, presenting about Native peoples as part of their 250th work. america250.utah.gov/power-of-pla...
Reposted by Firthermor
Unrelated to everything — but relevant to everything — this map is worth spending some time examining and thinking about. We know so little of our own history — and this wasn't that long ago.
Your grandparents' grandparents' grandparents were likely born around the time of this map.
Your grandparents' grandparents' grandparents were likely born around the time of this map.
The Utah Historical Society just produced a new, excellent map of "The Peoples of North America in 1776." Great resource for anyone teaching, writing, presenting about Native peoples as part of their 250th work. america250.utah.gov/power-of-pla...
February 3, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Unrelated to everything — but relevant to everything — this map is worth spending some time examining and thinking about. We know so little of our own history — and this wasn't that long ago.
Your grandparents' grandparents' grandparents were likely born around the time of this map.
Your grandparents' grandparents' grandparents were likely born around the time of this map.
Reposted by Firthermor
Three rules in FBI firearm training:
1. Always point your weapon downrange
2. Do not point your weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot
3. Don’t put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to shoot
Guns are not for threatening compliance for unarmed people doing things you don’t like
1. Always point your weapon downrange
2. Do not point your weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot
3. Don’t put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to shoot
Guns are not for threatening compliance for unarmed people doing things you don’t like
happening this morning in Minneapolis -- ICE agents drawing guns on observers. I reiterate again that it is only a matter of time before DHS kills more innocent people in Minnesota. Congress needs to shut this shit down right now.
February 3, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Three rules in FBI firearm training:
1. Always point your weapon downrange
2. Do not point your weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot
3. Don’t put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to shoot
Guns are not for threatening compliance for unarmed people doing things you don’t like
1. Always point your weapon downrange
2. Do not point your weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot
3. Don’t put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to shoot
Guns are not for threatening compliance for unarmed people doing things you don’t like
Reposted by Firthermor
I don't know if non-lawyers understand how insane this statement is. I honestly can't think of anything remotely comparable in non-lawyer speak. I guess the closest would be a surgeon saying "Imagine if I had to wash my HANDS before doing surgery!"
Mike Johnson speaks out against the use of judicial warrants in immigration cases:
"Imagine if we had to go through the process of getting a judicial warrant"
"Imagine if we had to go through the process of getting a judicial warrant"
February 3, 2026 at 4:08 PM
I don't know if non-lawyers understand how insane this statement is. I honestly can't think of anything remotely comparable in non-lawyer speak. I guess the closest would be a surgeon saying "Imagine if I had to wash my HANDS before doing surgery!"
Reposted by Firthermor
Musk described the explosion of one of his space rockets as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.”
He did the same with your government.
...and it's time for a reckoning, says political scientist and policy expert, @donmoyn.bsky.social.
www.lincolnsquare.media/p/the-doge-d...
He did the same with your government.
...and it's time for a reckoning, says political scientist and policy expert, @donmoyn.bsky.social.
www.lincolnsquare.media/p/the-doge-d...
The DOGE Disaster: One Year Later
The day after Christmas gave rise to one of the most remarkable social media posts you are likely to see.
www.lincolnsquare.media
February 3, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Musk described the explosion of one of his space rockets as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly.”
He did the same with your government.
...and it's time for a reckoning, says political scientist and policy expert, @donmoyn.bsky.social.
www.lincolnsquare.media/p/the-doge-d...
He did the same with your government.
...and it's time for a reckoning, says political scientist and policy expert, @donmoyn.bsky.social.
www.lincolnsquare.media/p/the-doge-d...