Grits for Breakfast
@gritsforbreakfast.bsky.social
Nom de plume of Scott Henson, Austin, TX. Cancer survivor, househusband, recovering policy wonk (justice systems, civil liberties; innocence). Retirement focus: TX negro-league baseball, female lion tamers. Zines: https://www.gfbpubs.com
Pinned
In Texas, the prison system literally pays more for goods that prisoners produce SO THAT they can continue to produce them with slave labor. There's no cost benefit analysis that justifies it. They just think slave labor is an inherent good and are willing to pay extra to deploy it.
Wouldn't want to embarrass anybody, god forbid
cbsaustin.com/news/local/b...
Keith Jackson, who represents South Carolina player Oscar Adaway, said Monday he was told the county attorney's office would not pursue charges "in an effort to protect and not embarrass" the trooper.
Keith Jackson, who represents South Carolina player Oscar Adaway, said Monday he was told the county attorney's office would not pursue charges "in an effort to protect and not embarrass" the trooper.
February 2, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Wouldn't want to embarrass anybody, god forbid
More likely, Texas A&M: Troopers may come in from out of town to harass black athletes on game days, but you know the current batch of authoritarians running that school are looking for a Bovino type to handle day-to-day bullying and harassment.
February 2, 2026 at 4:04 PM
More likely, Texas A&M: Troopers may come in from out of town to harass black athletes on game days, but you know the current batch of authoritarians running that school are looking for a Bovino type to handle day-to-day bullying and harassment.
The world is on fire rn, but in Austin, the city council STILL hasn't moved to back out of the police contract, even though taxpayers rejected the tax hike to pay for it (the contract let them pull out if that happened). So police will continue to soak up all the $.
This city is SO mismanaged.
This city is SO mismanaged.
February 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM
The world is on fire rn, but in Austin, the city council STILL hasn't moved to back out of the police contract, even though taxpayers rejected the tax hike to pay for it (the contract let them pull out if that happened). So police will continue to soak up all the $.
This city is SO mismanaged.
This city is SO mismanaged.
Worth mentioning the Tarrant state senate result is a direct repudiation of the Muslim bashing strategy seen so prominently in all those John Cornyn commercials. Rs brought Steve Bannon in to demagogue on the topic, and it seems to have backfired badly. www.star-telegram.com/opinion/bud-...
MAGA vs. Muslims: Steve Bannon rallies Texas voters with ‘invasion’ cry | Opinion
Muslim-bashing has resurfaced in Texas politics, with anti-Islam rallies in Grapevine. It’s stirring controversy among Republicans. | Opinion
www.star-telegram.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Worth mentioning the Tarrant state senate result is a direct repudiation of the Muslim bashing strategy seen so prominently in all those John Cornyn commercials. Rs brought Steve Bannon in to demagogue on the topic, and it seems to have backfired badly. www.star-telegram.com/opinion/bud-...
I tried to look up whether the two border patrol agents who shot Alex Pretti were among the BP officers standing around an unlocked door at the Uvalde school shooting, but the CBP accountability memo on the incident redacted all the names. www.cbp.gov/sites/defaul...
www.cbp.gov
February 2, 2026 at 2:48 PM
I tried to look up whether the two border patrol agents who shot Alex Pretti were among the BP officers standing around an unlocked door at the Uvalde school shooting, but the CBP accountability memo on the incident redacted all the names. www.cbp.gov/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
That there so GD many cowardly men who seek out jobs and situations to behave in this way, is yet another signal of the fundamental failure of a large swath of our society. That there are so many courageous women who routinely stand up to such men, is hopeful beyond measure.
Santa Barbara mothers armed with nothing but smartphones refuse to be intimidated by the pedophile führer's ICE Nazis. 🙌💪👏✊️👇
February 2, 2026 at 6:57 AM
That there so GD many cowardly men who seek out jobs and situations to behave in this way, is yet another signal of the fundamental failure of a large swath of our society. That there are so many courageous women who routinely stand up to such men, is hopeful beyond measure.
Body cameras aren't much of an accountability measure IRL, though they're pitched that way. Bystander cell phone video is where ALL the accountability action is, and masking thwarts it. Bodycams are used almost exclusively for making criminal cases, not officer accountability.
Body cams are far less important than demasking the goons.
But Marimar Martinez' case was dismissed based on bodycam footage showing that CBP goon shot her unprovoked. And she's fighting hard to release the footage bc it bears on the murders in MN.
But Marimar Martinez' case was dismissed based on bodycam footage showing that CBP goon shot her unprovoked. And she's fighting hard to release the footage bc it bears on the murders in MN.
Speaker Mike Johnson all over the news this morning saying that him and trump
WANT ICE AGENTS TO HAVE BODY CAMERAS
Because of course they do. They want to expand ICE surveillance capabilities to centralize their authoritarian power.
Any Democrat who calls this "reform" is a liar or a fool.
WANT ICE AGENTS TO HAVE BODY CAMERAS
Because of course they do. They want to expand ICE surveillance capabilities to centralize their authoritarian power.
Any Democrat who calls this "reform" is a liar or a fool.
February 2, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Body cameras aren't much of an accountability measure IRL, though they're pitched that way. Bystander cell phone video is where ALL the accountability action is, and masking thwarts it. Bodycams are used almost exclusively for making criminal cases, not officer accountability.
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
NEW: This isn't about "training." The two agents who murdered Alex Pretti - Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez - have been with Border Patrol for 8 and 12 years respectively. You can't reform CBP. Abolish ICE/CBP. www.propublica.org/article/alex...
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:26 PM
NEW: This isn't about "training." The two agents who murdered Alex Pretti - Jesus Ochoa and Raymundo Gutierrez - have been with Border Patrol for 8 and 12 years respectively. You can't reform CBP. Abolish ICE/CBP. www.propublica.org/article/alex...
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
“Records show both men are from South Texas” 🤬
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 11:25 PM
“Records show both men are from South Texas” 🤬
If you work on criminal justice stuff, it's pretty much 100% guaranteed that every person who tells you "now is not the time" has already made plans in their head to sell you out.
It was my experience watching as George W Bush killed thousands as Democrats offered up weak poll tested pablum on body armor that the party needs to be constantly pilloried to change course and become effective. Following party leadership that “now is not the time” for criticism ultimately kills
February 2, 2026 at 1:27 PM
If you work on criminal justice stuff, it's pretty much 100% guaranteed that every person who tells you "now is not the time" has already made plans in their head to sell you out.
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
Lincoln paid more income in 1864 tax than Trump did 2017, without being adjusted for inflation
www.reddit.com/r/BlueskySke...
www.reddit.com/r/BlueskySke...
February 2, 2026 at 3:57 AM
Lincoln paid more income in 1864 tax than Trump did 2017, without being adjusted for inflation
www.reddit.com/r/BlueskySke...
www.reddit.com/r/BlueskySke...
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
“The Times story casts a legal movement that is repealing Civil Rights era reforms as one committed to anti-discrimination. In reality, this is a white supremacist movement, intent on strengthening its advantage by destroying policies that led to the integration of American organisations”
I wrote about the New York Times refusing to call Neo-segregationists by their true names, the DARVO style of writing about race, and some great articles and books I read this week.
If you haven't subscribed to my newsletter with @hebagowayed.bsky.social yet, now is the time.
If you haven't subscribed to my newsletter with @hebagowayed.bsky.social yet, now is the time.
The New York Times Does PR for Segregationists
The paper of record casts a legal movement that is repealing Civil Rights era reforms as one committed to anti-discrimination.
groupthreat.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:15 AM
“The Times story casts a legal movement that is repealing Civil Rights era reforms as one committed to anti-discrimination. In reality, this is a white supremacist movement, intent on strengthening its advantage by destroying policies that led to the integration of American organisations”
Measles reported at ICE detention center in Dilley, TX where Minnesota 5-year-old was held abcnews.go.com/US/2-measles...
2 measles cases reported inside Dilley, Texas, immigration detention center: DHS
Two people detained at an immigration detention center in Dilley, Texas, were confirmed to have active measles infections.
abcnews.go.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Measles reported at ICE detention center in Dilley, TX where Minnesota 5-year-old was held abcnews.go.com/US/2-measles...
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
4 federal agents pull over an elderly US citizen for the suspected crime of being brown, break her car window, throw her to the ground, then drive off after they find her US Passport in her purse. The Salem Police, when called, say there’s nothing they can do. www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/31/u...
U.S. citizen injured by federal agents in Salem who demanded to see “papers,” union says - Salem Reporter
A home care worker and union worker was pulled from her car and injured by federal agents Thursday according to a statement by SEIU 503. To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the repor...
www.salemreporter.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:47 PM
4 federal agents pull over an elderly US citizen for the suspected crime of being brown, break her car window, throw her to the ground, then drive off after they find her US Passport in her purse. The Salem Police, when called, say there’s nothing they can do. www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/31/u...
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
I testified Friday before Gov. Pritzker's commission studying abuses of ICE and CBP and tried to explain how the agencies went so far off track. It's actually way worse than I ever realized. Please read and share my testimony as Congress considers reform: 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 1, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I testified Friday before Gov. Pritzker's commission studying abuses of ICE and CBP and tried to explain how the agencies went so far off track. It's actually way worse than I ever realized. Please read and share my testimony as Congress considers reform: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
I made this pivot in a column following the 2021 Texas legislative session. After that, to me not using the word "fascist" to describe what was happening made me uncomfortable bc pretending otherwise felt like complicity. It's only gotten worse since.
February 1, 2026 at 3:16 PM
I made this pivot in a column following the 2021 Texas legislative session. After that, to me not using the word "fascist" to describe what was happening made me uncomfortable bc pretending otherwise felt like complicity. It's only gotten worse since.
"Trump is spouting demented nonsense the right way," by Ezra Klein
Biden’s mangling of a few words was a major story. Trump’s public descent into full-blown dementia is not.
February 1, 2026 at 3:03 PM
"Trump is spouting demented nonsense the right way," by Ezra Klein
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
The precinct-level data from last night’s special election in Texas suggest a national win for the Democrats of around D+7 to D+10 come November www.gelliottmorris.com/p/blue-wave-...
Blue wave watch: Democrat flips Trump +17 Texas Senate seat in 32-point swing
A nerdy look at precinct-level data from the TX SD-9 special election
www.gelliottmorris.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:48 PM
The precinct-level data from last night’s special election in Texas suggest a national win for the Democrats of around D+7 to D+10 come November www.gelliottmorris.com/p/blue-wave-...
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
Attending another data center meeting and I'm not shocked that the city is being shady about this. Doesn't want to comply with the FOIA. Doesn't want to have meetings with the public. Just want to usher in the data center and get the rest of us to shut up.
January 31, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Attending another data center meeting and I'm not shocked that the city is being shady about this. Doesn't want to comply with the FOIA. Doesn't want to have meetings with the public. Just want to usher in the data center and get the rest of us to shut up.
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
drew this parody gadsden flag six years ago, and it seems it’s still relevant as the bootlicking has only increased.
(if you’ve shared a version, I’d appreciate if you shared this one — I’m making more stickers, flags and t-shirts to give 100% of profits to MN mutual aid! www.tommysiegel.net)
(if you’ve shared a version, I’d appreciate if you shared this one — I’m making more stickers, flags and t-shirts to give 100% of profits to MN mutual aid! www.tommysiegel.net)
February 1, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
The Other ICE Killings:
Since Trump Took Office, More Than 20 People Have Died in ICE Custody solitarywatch.org/2026/01/30/t...
Since Trump Took Office, More Than 20 People Have Died in ICE Custody solitarywatch.org/2026/01/30/t...
The Other ICE Killings - Solitary Watch
Since Trump Took Office, More Than 20 People Have Died in ICE Custody
solitarywatch.org
February 1, 2026 at 5:39 AM
The Other ICE Killings:
Since Trump Took Office, More Than 20 People Have Died in ICE Custody solitarywatch.org/2026/01/30/t...
Since Trump Took Office, More Than 20 People Have Died in ICE Custody solitarywatch.org/2026/01/30/t...
We heard a lot of bluster in recent years about citizens needing guns to protect themselves from government tyranny, but this is pretty much the state of the 2A crowd now that it's actually arrived. Lotta pompous, faux libertarians getting outed as authoritarian lickspittles in Texas right now.
My personal favorite of the bastardized Gadsden flag for the Republicans.
February 1, 2026 at 12:27 PM
We heard a lot of bluster in recent years about citizens needing guns to protect themselves from government tyranny, but this is pretty much the state of the 2A crowd now that it's actually arrived. Lotta pompous, faux libertarians getting outed as authoritarian lickspittles in Texas right now.
Doesn't particularly feel like ICE is dialing it down.
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Doesn't particularly feel like ICE is dialing it down.
A state senate district in Tarrant County that Trump won by 17 points flipped to Dems in a special election by a 14 point margin. People are mad. Texas' senate seat could flip if Dems put money into it, and actually fight instead of rolling over the moment they're attacked, like Allred did.
Democrat wins special election for red Texas Senate seat
With ballots tallied from all but a handful of voting centers, Rehmet had 57% of the vote, besting the 43% for his GOP opponent, Leigh Wambsganss, who had a massive spending advantage.
www.texastribune.org
February 1, 2026 at 11:28 AM
A state senate district in Tarrant County that Trump won by 17 points flipped to Dems in a special election by a 14 point margin. People are mad. Texas' senate seat could flip if Dems put money into it, and actually fight instead of rolling over the moment they're attacked, like Allred did.