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
The city manager is now slashing programming right and left, but is going to continue to throw good money after bad in the police contract when the city cannot afford it. Truly, somebody must be on the take, because this level of fiscal mismanagement is almost malicious.
I've said before, I assume any attorney still working at DOJ is simply on board with the agenda. Sounds like that was an overstatement and not fully the case, but everyone who's not down w/ what's happening should quit now and band together to begin a new practice suing the malefactors.
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 10:29 PM
I've said before, I assume any attorney still working at DOJ is simply on board with the agenda. Sounds like that was an overstatement and not fully the case, but everyone who's not down w/ what's happening should quit now and band together to begin a new practice suing the malefactors.
Bodycams are fine, fwiw, but they're an accountability nothingburger. We already have video of LOTS of ICE misconduct and there's been no accountability at all. There's no reason to think generating MORE video for prosecutors to ignore will help much.
February 3, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Bodycams are fine, fwiw, but they're an accountability nothingburger. We already have video of LOTS of ICE misconduct and there's been no accountability at all. There's no reason to think generating MORE video for prosecutors to ignore will help much.
"Former officials say the Border Patrol’s insular culture and often a lack of consequences for its actions have stymied efforts to bring more transparency and discipline"
The border patrol was founded in 1924, making it a legacy project from the Second Klan era.
The border patrol was founded in 1924, making it a legacy project from the Second Klan era.
Pretti Shooting Thrusts Border Patrol’s History of Aggressive Tactics Into View
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:23 PM
"Former officials say the Border Patrol’s insular culture and often a lack of consequences for its actions have stymied efforts to bring more transparency and discipline"
The border patrol was founded in 1924, making it a legacy project from the Second Klan era.
The border patrol was founded in 1924, making it a legacy project from the Second Klan era.
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
This ICE related crash into a front yard is close to my area of town. While we're at it, the Austin A-S reports that APD has issued a warrant to an ICE agent for alleged sexual assault of an Austin woman.
www.statesman.com/news/local/a...
www.statesman.com/news/local/a...
February 3, 2026 at 12:25 AM
This ICE related crash into a front yard is close to my area of town. While we're at it, the Austin A-S reports that APD has issued a warrant to an ICE agent for alleged sexual assault of an Austin woman.
www.statesman.com/news/local/a...
www.statesman.com/news/local/a...
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
ICE caused a car chase and accident in one of Austin's north central neighborhoods today. This is not community safety.
APD said officers responded to a call from Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a car crashed into a resident’s front yard in Central Austin. https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/ice-calls-apd-for-assistance-after-crash-in-north-loop/
February 2, 2026 at 11:53 PM
ICE caused a car chase and accident in one of Austin's north central neighborhoods today. This is not community safety.
The fact that Texas state leaders have been shitting on renewables and promoting new natural gas plants is crazy to me: NG plants take years to build and are super expensive, while renewable options are getting cheaper and better. Even if you don't care about climate change, it's dumb economics.
#Battery storage major says costs have fallen 60 pct in two years, helping redefine the #grid and customer needs, and along with #solar is cheapest and easiest to build.
Battery prices plunge 60 pct in two years, changing face of grid and the nature of contracts
Battery storage major says costs have fallen 60 pct in two years, helping redefine the grid and customer needs, and along with solar is cheapest and easiest to build.
reneweconomy.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 10:19 AM
The fact that Texas state leaders have been shitting on renewables and promoting new natural gas plants is crazy to me: NG plants take years to build and are super expensive, while renewable options are getting cheaper and better. Even if you don't care about climate change, it's dumb economics.
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
Again, I have to laugh because if you say racism is central to the thinking of leaders in our society, people will treat you like a loon, but look at all the resources dedicated to racism.
SCOOP: Palantir's AI has been deployed at HHS since last March to audit grants, grant applications, & job descriptions for anything related to "DEI" or "gender ideology"
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
HHS Is Using AI Tools From Palantir to Target ‘DEI’ and ‘Gender Ideology’ in Grants
Since March of 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services has been using tools from Palantir and the startup Credal AI to weed out perceived alignment with “DEI” or “gender ideology.”
www.wired.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Again, I have to laugh because if you say racism is central to the thinking of leaders in our society, people will treat you like a loon, but look at all the resources dedicated to racism.
Reposted by Grits for Breakfast
Trump admin really testing the loyalty of the 189 Republican cosponsors of Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
![119тH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H.R. 38
[Report No. 119-337]
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a means by which nonresidents of a State whose residents may carry concealed firearms may also do so in the State.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY 3, 2025
Mr. HUDSON (for himself, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. HERN of Oklahoma, Mr. JAck-SON of Texas, Mr. CLYDE, Mrs. CAMMAck, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. HAR-RIGAN, Mr. PFLUGER, Mr. ELLZEY, Ms. TENNEY, Mr. BEAN of Florida, Mr. LAMALFA, Mr. MEUSER, Mr. FINSTAD, Mr. SELF, Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. BaBIN, Mr. RosE, Mrs. WAGNER, Mr.
BAcON,
Mr. JoHNsoN of South Dakota,
Mr. ROUZER,
Mrs.
HARSHBARGER, Mr. MOORE of Alabama, Mr. TImmoNs, Mr. BRECHEEN, Mrs. BICE, Mr. CARTER of Georgia, Ms. Foxx, Mr. YakY, Mr.
WOMACK, Mr. GROTHMAN, Mr. LANGWORTHY, Mr. GUEST, Mr. EZELL, Mr. MOOLENAAR, Ms. MACE, Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania, Mr. STAUBER, Mr. RESCHENTHALER, Mr. FEENSTRA, Mr. LATTA, Mrs. FISCHBACH, Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. PERRY, Mr.
OGLES, Mr. GRAVES, Mr. CRANE, Mr. WILLIAMs of Texas, Mr. RUTHER-FORD, Mr. FLEISCHMANN, Ms. HAGEMAN, Mr. CRANK, Mr. MoRAN, Mrs.
HINSON, Mr. Tony GONZALES of Texas, Ms. VAN DUYNE, Mr. ZINKE, Mr. Bost, Mr. PALMER, Mr. FRY, Mr. ESTES, Mr. DUNN of Florida, Mr.
GUTHRIE, Mr. AUSTIN ScoTT of Georgia, Ms. LETLOW, Mr. IssA, Mr.
CLINE, Mr. COLE, Mrs. MILLER of Illinois, Mr. MoORE of Utah, Mr.
WEBER of Texas, Mr. NEHLS, Mr. GOLDMAN of Texas, Mr. PULCHER, Mr. BIgGs of Arizona, Mrs. HOUCHIN, Mr. ScoTT FRANKLIN of Florida, Mr. BUCHANAN, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. KUSTOFF, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. DAVID-SON, Mr. GIll, of Texas, Mr. BRESNAHAN, Mr. WILSON of South Caro-lina, Mr. ALFORD, Mr. ARRINGTON, Mrs. BigGs of South Carolina, Mr.
BERGMAN, Mr. GOODEN, Mr. LAHOOD, Mrs. LUNA, Mr. CoLLINs, Mr.
NORMAN, Mr. CISCOMANI, Mr. OWENS, Mr. BALDERSON, Mr. COMER, Mr. STRoNG, Mr. SmiTH of Missouri, Mr. LUTTRELL, Mr. ScHmIDt, Mr.
FITZGERALD, Mr. HUNT, Mr. WITTMAN, Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia,](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:beirch5u3d3ybvuct27mtyxd/bafkreih2aqaipxpaqx5nuwoatjod2ivod6l4kfhncmqropnbvo5gb6hblm@jpeg)
February 2, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Trump admin really testing the loyalty of the 189 Republican cosponsors of Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
Every accusation is a confession: Texas state officials mandated these a-holes have a presence on every campus, and immediately they ramp up their censorship drive.
Supposed free speech enthusiasts Turning Point USA got an abortion providers' speech canceled at Texas Tech www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Abortion Rights Advocate Talk Canceled After TPUSA Pressure
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center canceled a talk by a retired doctor who advocates for a woman’s right to receive a third-trimester abortion, the conservative Texas Scorecard website repor...
www.insidehighered.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Every accusation is a confession: Texas state officials mandated these a-holes have a presence on every campus, and immediately they ramp up their censorship drive.
Cannibalizing his own firms for financing projects that don't have business plans any bank wd ever conceivably back. Space X is the big backstop bc it's a government-funded grift and he figures they'll ultimately backstop it if his AI and social media grifts fail.
So X was acquired by xAI in March of last year. And now xAI is being acquired by SpaceX? Interesting.
A memo just went out to employees at two of Musk's companies: SpaceX has acquired xAI.
February 2, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Cannibalizing his own firms for financing projects that don't have business plans any bank wd ever conceivably back. Space X is the big backstop bc it's a government-funded grift and he figures they'll ultimately backstop it if his AI and social media grifts fail.
Figuring out FOP represents ICE officers got me thinking about the early George Floyd protests when the Minneapolis FOP guy said protesters were part of "a terrorist movement" -- 6 years later, you're supposedly a terrorist for protesting ICE. Once senses a pattern.
February 2, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Figuring out FOP represents ICE officers got me thinking about the early George Floyd protests when the Minneapolis FOP guy said protesters were part of "a terrorist movement" -- 6 years later, you're supposedly a terrorist for protesting ICE. Once senses a pattern.
TIL ICE officers are represented by the Fraternal Order of Police. www.nioa.us?zone=/uniona...
Welcome From the National Fraternal Order of Police President
It is with great excitement that we welcome ICE to become a part of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world's largest organization of sworn rank and file law enforcement officers.
www.nioa.us
February 2, 2026 at 6:23 PM
TIL ICE officers are represented by the Fraternal Order of Police. www.nioa.us?zone=/uniona...
Most Americans don't seem to understand what a self immolating act it was to eliminate foreign aid w/o a Plan B. The human harm is not incalculable -- it will some day be calculated -- but it's harder to measure the ↓ in American soft power or the harms from demonstrated untrustworthiness.
Maybe they shouldn't have killed USAID and left all those opportunities to China.
Trump officials overhaul aid to Africa in bid to counter China in ‘priority sectors’
February 2, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Most Americans don't seem to understand what a self immolating act it was to eliminate foreign aid w/o a Plan B. The human harm is not incalculable -- it will some day be calculated -- but it's harder to measure the ↓ in American soft power or the harms from demonstrated untrustworthiness.
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”