Michael Pollak
@mdpollak.bsky.social
I love big books and I cannot lie
Reposted by Michael Pollak
An hour after NY Attorney General announces Betar must stop targeting New Yorkers, Betar tweets "Islamaphobia . org" asking: "What should we do with it?"
Site targets NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as "an enemy to the West."
(Betar is subject to a $50,000 fine for violating the deal)
Site targets NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as "an enemy to the West."
(Betar is subject to a $50,000 fine for violating the deal)
January 13, 2026 at 11:24 PM
An hour after NY Attorney General announces Betar must stop targeting New Yorkers, Betar tweets "Islamaphobia . org" asking: "What should we do with it?"
Site targets NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as "an enemy to the West."
(Betar is subject to a $50,000 fine for violating the deal)
Site targets NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani as "an enemy to the West."
(Betar is subject to a $50,000 fine for violating the deal)
Reposted by Michael Pollak
After federal troops forced a fugitive slave named Anthony Burns back into slavery in the 1850s, one Bostonian wrote, “we went to bed one night old-fashioned, conservative, Compromise Union Whigs and waked up stark mad Abolitionists.” The abuse of power radicalizes people. We are seeing that now.
April 18, 2025 at 1:33 AM
After federal troops forced a fugitive slave named Anthony Burns back into slavery in the 1850s, one Bostonian wrote, “we went to bed one night old-fashioned, conservative, Compromise Union Whigs and waked up stark mad Abolitionists.” The abuse of power radicalizes people. We are seeing that now.
Reposted by Michael Pollak
I regret to inform you that the decision to invade Venezuela for It’s oil is actually most likely an example of ass-backwards state autonomy, rather than of state capture by the oil companies.
January 5, 2026 at 5:29 AM
I regret to inform you that the decision to invade Venezuela for It’s oil is actually most likely an example of ass-backwards state autonomy, rather than of state capture by the oil companies.
Reposted by Michael Pollak
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal warns ICE:
"No law enforcement professional wears a mask... Those that come into our communities wearing a mask to commit crime... You getting arrested".
"Fake wannabe law enforcement... The criminal in the WH will not be able to keep you from going to jail".
"No law enforcement professional wears a mask... Those that come into our communities wearing a mask to commit crime... You getting arrested".
"Fake wannabe law enforcement... The criminal in the WH will not be able to keep you from going to jail".
January 10, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal warns ICE:
"No law enforcement professional wears a mask... Those that come into our communities wearing a mask to commit crime... You getting arrested".
"Fake wannabe law enforcement... The criminal in the WH will not be able to keep you from going to jail".
"No law enforcement professional wears a mask... Those that come into our communities wearing a mask to commit crime... You getting arrested".
"Fake wannabe law enforcement... The criminal in the WH will not be able to keep you from going to jail".
Reposted by Michael Pollak
Again, absolutely consistent with decades of right wing politics: *they* have unlimited rights and freedoms, and when you oppose them in pretty much any way, you threaten them intolerably and they are fully justified in meeting that aggression by having the cops smash your face in.
He says that ICE was justified in shooting Good simply because she was (somehow) “impeding” them. So self-defense had nothing to do with it. They can murder you if they feel you’re getting in their way.
January 11, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Again, absolutely consistent with decades of right wing politics: *they* have unlimited rights and freedoms, and when you oppose them in pretty much any way, you threaten them intolerably and they are fully justified in meeting that aggression by having the cops smash your face in.
Great article on the details and the politics by @lizafeatherstone.bsky.social
jacobin.com/2026/01/mamd...
jacobin.com/2026/01/mamd...
Zohran Mamdani Is Already Winning on Childcare
We’re less than two weeks into Zohran Mamdani’s mayoralty, and he has already notched an impressive victory on one of his key campaign promises: universal childcare.
jacobin.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Great article on the details and the politics by @lizafeatherstone.bsky.social
jacobin.com/2026/01/mamd...
jacobin.com/2026/01/mamd...
January 11, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Reposted by Michael Pollak
Oof. Hats off to the guy who took the video. That took some onions.
I think it is probably a bad idea to put clearly unhinged, angry psychopaths in federal law enforcement positions.
January 9, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Oof. Hats off to the guy who took the video. That took some onions.
Reposted by Michael Pollak
The most chilling thing to read.
“The bottom line is this: When a federal officer gives you instructions, you abide by them and then you get to keep your life,” Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas said on Newsmax."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/o...
“The bottom line is this: When a federal officer gives you instructions, you abide by them and then you get to keep your life,” Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas said on Newsmax."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/o...
Opinion | By Killing Renee Good, ICE Sent a Message to Us All
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:29 PM
The most chilling thing to read.
“The bottom line is this: When a federal officer gives you instructions, you abide by them and then you get to keep your life,” Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas said on Newsmax."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/o...
“The bottom line is this: When a federal officer gives you instructions, you abide by them and then you get to keep your life,” Representative Wesley Hunt of Texas said on Newsmax."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/o...
Reposted by Michael Pollak
Since last year, Trump admin planned what to do if ICE agents were accused of crimes (even murder):
Protect them “no matter what."
Trump laid out ways to retaliate:
—Refuse to hand over an agent
—Charge local officials with “obstructing"
—Threaten to cut off more funding
led by @swin24.bsky.social
Protect them “no matter what."
Trump laid out ways to retaliate:
—Refuse to hand over an agent
—Charge local officials with “obstructing"
—Threaten to cut off more funding
led by @swin24.bsky.social
Inside Trump’s Plans To Protect Killer ICE Agents ‘No Matter What’
Minnesota officials want to investigate ICE’s killing of a mother in Minneapolis. Team Trump has been planning for a moment like this.
zeteo.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Since last year, Trump admin planned what to do if ICE agents were accused of crimes (even murder):
Protect them “no matter what."
Trump laid out ways to retaliate:
—Refuse to hand over an agent
—Charge local officials with “obstructing"
—Threaten to cut off more funding
led by @swin24.bsky.social
Protect them “no matter what."
Trump laid out ways to retaliate:
—Refuse to hand over an agent
—Charge local officials with “obstructing"
—Threaten to cut off more funding
led by @swin24.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Pollak
I have a new piece up @slate.com, on the politics of Minneapolis's DA going after the ICE officer (now ID'd as Jonathan Ross) who killed Renee Good.
She's been aggressive on police shooting in the past, residents are outraged at the killing, and she can charge even without a fed or local arrest.
She's been aggressive on police shooting in the past, residents are outraged at the killing, and she can charge even without a fed or local arrest.
The FBI Is Obstructing the Minneapolis Probe. The ICE Shooter Should Still Be Very Worried.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty can bring charges even without any arrest and is not one to back down from a case like this.
slate.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:35 PM
I have a new piece up @slate.com, on the politics of Minneapolis's DA going after the ICE officer (now ID'd as Jonathan Ross) who killed Renee Good.
She's been aggressive on police shooting in the past, residents are outraged at the killing, and she can charge even without a fed or local arrest.
She's been aggressive on police shooting in the past, residents are outraged at the killing, and she can charge even without a fed or local arrest.
Reposted by Michael Pollak
Capitalism for developers and communism for landlords is, imo, simply the correct approach to housing policy.
January 8, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Capitalism for developers and communism for landlords is, imo, simply the correct approach to housing policy.
Reposted by Michael Pollak
lmao don’t vote for a fucking DHS budget at all!!!
Democrats cannot vote for a DHS budget that doesn’t restrain the growing lawlessness of this agency.
A witness shared this video with me showing an ICE officer shooting a driver in an SUV in south Minneapolis. DHS says the woman is dead.
January 7, 2026 at 8:54 PM
lmao don’t vote for a fucking DHS budget at all!!!
Reposted by Michael Pollak
Governor I was not familiar with your game
January 8, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Governor I was not familiar with your game
Reposted by Michael Pollak
You and your wife drop your 6-year-old off at school. You just moved here. You see ICE terrorizing your new neighbors. You film them, as is your legal right. Your wife complies with orders. She is then shot in the head. You still have to pick up your child later today.
This could be you.
This could be you.
January 8, 2026 at 12:15 AM
You and your wife drop your 6-year-old off at school. You just moved here. You see ICE terrorizing your new neighbors. You film them, as is your legal right. Your wife complies with orders. She is then shot in the head. You still have to pick up your child later today.
This could be you.
This could be you.
Reposted by Michael Pollak
Cea Weaver is the real deal. Her presence in the Mamdani administration is a very good sign.
I gotta say it is cool as fuck that our millennial movement mayor is actually appointing millennial movement people.
As my friend @atgenevieve.bsky.social pointed out, Cea scares the richest people in the world, and they’ll do anything to stop effective organizers.
As my friend @atgenevieve.bsky.social pointed out, Cea scares the richest people in the world, and they’ll do anything to stop effective organizers.
This Activist Has Long Been Polarizing. Mamdani Is Standing by Her.
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Cea Weaver is the real deal. Her presence in the Mamdani administration is a very good sign.
Reposted by Michael Pollak
At the @status.news newsletter that I read daily, they're saying...
"A chaotic on-air rollout, cringe social media posts, and MAGA-friendly editorial choices have turned Tony Dokoupil’s “CBS Evening News” debut into a source of embarrassment and growing alarm inside the network’s newsroom.
"A chaotic on-air rollout, cringe social media posts, and MAGA-friendly editorial choices have turned Tony Dokoupil’s “CBS Evening News” debut into a source of embarrassment and growing alarm inside the network’s newsroom.
January 7, 2026 at 3:31 AM
At the @status.news newsletter that I read daily, they're saying...
"A chaotic on-air rollout, cringe social media posts, and MAGA-friendly editorial choices have turned Tony Dokoupil’s “CBS Evening News” debut into a source of embarrassment and growing alarm inside the network’s newsroom.
"A chaotic on-air rollout, cringe social media posts, and MAGA-friendly editorial choices have turned Tony Dokoupil’s “CBS Evening News” debut into a source of embarrassment and growing alarm inside the network’s newsroom.
To loosely paraphrase Gandhi on colonial law, it is shitting on the word "law" to say that what Trump did to Venezuela is legal. It is established only by the naked sword, wielded arbitrarily over those who had no say its appointing its government.
January 6, 2026 at 1:08 AM
To loosely paraphrase Gandhi on colonial law, it is shitting on the word "law" to say that what Trump did to Venezuela is legal. It is established only by the naked sword, wielded arbitrarily over those who had no say its appointing its government.
Reposted by Michael Pollak
I'm old enough to remember when Elon Musk said it was so easy to remove bots that any social platform that failed to do it was prima facie committing fraud
January 5, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I'm old enough to remember when Elon Musk said it was so easy to remove bots that any social platform that failed to do it was prima facie committing fraud
Reposted by Michael Pollak
I have a new paper w Andrea Prat & Jake Spitz. We show that Republican appointed Supreme Court Justices vote in favor of the richer party by over 70% today, as compared to D’s at 30%. In the 1950s and both were at 50%. This strong trend may contribute to rising inequality. www.nber.org/papers/w34643
Ruling for the Rich: the Supreme Court over Time
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org
January 5, 2026 at 9:14 AM
I have a new paper w Andrea Prat & Jake Spitz. We show that Republican appointed Supreme Court Justices vote in favor of the richer party by over 70% today, as compared to D’s at 30%. In the 1950s and both were at 50%. This strong trend may contribute to rising inequality. www.nber.org/papers/w34643