Geoff A.
@pseudonymice.bsky.social
Been ill, missed the conversations. He/him. Have degrees in history and law. Had a career in politics and research. Mostly just coping with matters beyond my control these days.
Pinned
Geoff A.
@pseudonymice.bsky.social
· Apr 24
This post is intended to serve as an anchor point for topics and/or passing thoughts I might want to revisit later. It's purely procedural.
Reposted by Geoff A.
Like, if the boss says “We’re trying a bold new business strategy: ruthless, environmentally catastrophic imperial state fascism” and everyone coughs and shuffles nervously but doesn’t leave, then that means they’re all willing to hear him out and consider what it means for their next career move”.
January 9, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Like, if the boss says “We’re trying a bold new business strategy: ruthless, environmentally catastrophic imperial state fascism” and everyone coughs and shuffles nervously but doesn’t leave, then that means they’re all willing to hear him out and consider what it means for their next career move”.
Reposted by Geoff A.
When Vichy liberal fucks say ICE just needs more training, *this guy* is literally the person that would be doing that training.
Along with Israeli soldiers with the latest new tips and tricks for enforcing genocidal apartheid.
Along with Israeli soldiers with the latest new tips and tricks for enforcing genocidal apartheid.
NEW: Jonathan Ross is former National Guard and Border Patrol and has been part of ICE's SWAT equivalent, a team leader overseeing FBI, ATF, and IRS agents, and a firearms instructor, according to testimony obtained by WIRED. This is from @hudsongiles.bsky.social and me:
ICE Agent Who Reportedly Shot Renee Good Was a Firearms Trainer, Per Testimony
Jonathan Ross told a federal court in December about his professional background, including “hundreds” of encounters with drivers during enforcement actions, according to testimony obtained by WIRED.
www.wired.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:45 AM
When Vichy liberal fucks say ICE just needs more training, *this guy* is literally the person that would be doing that training.
Along with Israeli soldiers with the latest new tips and tricks for enforcing genocidal apartheid.
Along with Israeli soldiers with the latest new tips and tricks for enforcing genocidal apartheid.
Reposted by Geoff A.
BREAKING NEWS: We are opening a formal investigation into the shooting involving federal agents in Portland today.
Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews
Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 AM
BREAKING NEWS: We are opening a formal investigation into the shooting involving federal agents in Portland today.
Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews
Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews
Reposted by Geoff A.
Hollywood trained people to think "no FBI cooperation = no case." Wrong. Under the rules of evidence, eyewitness testimony is proof. Video authenticated under oath is proof. Minnesota has both. You don't need a ballistics report when multiple witnesses watched an ICE agent shoot a woman in the face.
Trump Regime Can't Stop Minnesota From Prosecuting (And This Isn't CSI) | Shouldn't Need to Be a Lawyer by Matthew Cortland
Get more from Shouldn't Need to Be a Lawyer by Matthew Cortland on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Hollywood trained people to think "no FBI cooperation = no case." Wrong. Under the rules of evidence, eyewitness testimony is proof. Video authenticated under oath is proof. Minnesota has both. You don't need a ballistics report when multiple witnesses watched an ICE agent shoot a woman in the face.
Reposted by Geoff A.
When I’ve interviewed people who are experts in authoritarianism they always say that keep democracy is a game of inches not feet. Everything matters …
January 9, 2026 at 2:40 AM
When I’ve interviewed people who are experts in authoritarianism they always say that keep democracy is a game of inches not feet. Everything matters …
Reposted by Geoff A.
These fucking politicians need to STOP CONSTANTLY admonishing protestors to be "peaceful" while they are being brutalized regularly by the gatekeepers of the state. You should be up there telling ICE and Border Patrol to be fucking peaceful.
January 8, 2026 at 5:51 PM
These fucking politicians need to STOP CONSTANTLY admonishing protestors to be "peaceful" while they are being brutalized regularly by the gatekeepers of the state. You should be up there telling ICE and Border Patrol to be fucking peaceful.
Reposted by Geoff A.
This is the thing about the "Don't give them the pretext to send in more feds" arguments. The administration is using its own murder of an unarmed civilian as the pretext to send in more agents. They do not need a pretext and will invent them if they want.
Trump Administration Deploying More Border Patrol Agents to Minnesota
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
This is the thing about the "Don't give them the pretext to send in more feds" arguments. The administration is using its own murder of an unarmed civilian as the pretext to send in more agents. They do not need a pretext and will invent them if they want.
Reposted by Geoff A.
I also think this has a very real chance of occurring.
Media should be considering explainers on why there’s no universe where Maduro rigged the election bc this is one of those rumors that’s built up lore for years in bespoke realities, & normies may register it as a “shocking revelation”.
Media should be considering explainers on why there’s no universe where Maduro rigged the election bc this is one of those rumors that’s built up lore for years in bespoke realities, & normies may register it as a “shocking revelation”.
Can't wait for Pardon Attorney Ed Martin to broker a deal where Maduro "confesses" to rigging the 2020 election in exchange for clemency and cushy exile.
I predict that 2026 will be a big year for the “Hey Ed!” series.
January 8, 2026 at 11:07 PM
I also think this has a very real chance of occurring.
Media should be considering explainers on why there’s no universe where Maduro rigged the election bc this is one of those rumors that’s built up lore for years in bespoke realities, & normies may register it as a “shocking revelation”.
Media should be considering explainers on why there’s no universe where Maduro rigged the election bc this is one of those rumors that’s built up lore for years in bespoke realities, & normies may register it as a “shocking revelation”.
Reposted by Geoff A.
The best I've ever heard it described is that tech bros consider the law to be the beginning point of any negotiation, and their end result will end up somewhere between the law and what they want. So Child Porn Sexualization Plagiarism Machine...good, actually? in Musk's eyes. Because MuH fReEdOmS!
Grok producing vile sexualized deepfakes of women and children isn’t an accident
www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/t...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/t...
January 8, 2026 at 10:43 PM
The best I've ever heard it described is that tech bros consider the law to be the beginning point of any negotiation, and their end result will end up somewhere between the law and what they want. So Child Porn Sexualization Plagiarism Machine...good, actually? in Musk's eyes. Because MuH fReEdOmS!
Reposted by Geoff A.
Women's Aid said that it will no longer maintain a presence on X.
"This online violence against women and children - especially girls - has often devastating real-life impacts and we no longer view it as appropriate to use such a platform to share our work.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
"This online violence against women and children - especially girls - has often devastating real-life impacts and we no longer view it as appropriate to use such a platform to share our work.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Minister wants X meeting over 'disturbing' Grok concerns
Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Niamh Smyth has requested a meeting with X over concerns that the AI tool Grok is being used to create sexually explicit images of adults and children.
www.rte.ie
January 8, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Women's Aid said that it will no longer maintain a presence on X.
"This online violence against women and children - especially girls - has often devastating real-life impacts and we no longer view it as appropriate to use such a platform to share our work.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
"This online violence against women and children - especially girls - has often devastating real-life impacts and we no longer view it as appropriate to use such a platform to share our work.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Reposted by Geoff A.
The only logical conclusion from this now is that the Government here, and governments around Europe, are absolutely terrified of being dragged into another battle with the richest man in the world who is hellbent on their removal; or with his ally in the White House over regulation.
January 8, 2026 at 9:37 AM
The only logical conclusion from this now is that the Government here, and governments around Europe, are absolutely terrified of being dragged into another battle with the richest man in the world who is hellbent on their removal; or with his ally in the White House over regulation.
Reposted by Geoff A.
…it should break your heart to kill.
January 8, 2026 at 4:02 AM
…it should break your heart to kill.
Reposted by Geoff A.
You do not need to watch people die. It does not make you a better person or a better leftist.
Choosing to act in the face of profound suffering (especially when caused in your name) is what makes you a better person.
Choosing to act in the face of profound suffering (especially when caused in your name) is what makes you a better person.
January 8, 2026 at 4:06 AM
You do not need to watch people die. It does not make you a better person or a better leftist.
Choosing to act in the face of profound suffering (especially when caused in your name) is what makes you a better person.
Choosing to act in the face of profound suffering (especially when caused in your name) is what makes you a better person.
Reposted by Geoff A.
This morning, ICE surrounded multiple Shakopee homes under construction stranding multiple workers on the roof.
Our observer network had a very large, wonderful response, plus Shakopee PD, and the management at DR Horton.
Our observer network had a very large, wonderful response, plus Shakopee PD, and the management at DR Horton.
January 8, 2026 at 1:15 AM
This morning, ICE surrounded multiple Shakopee homes under construction stranding multiple workers on the roof.
Our observer network had a very large, wonderful response, plus Shakopee PD, and the management at DR Horton.
Our observer network had a very large, wonderful response, plus Shakopee PD, and the management at DR Horton.
Reposted by Geoff A.
One thing I'm always on about is how much we talk about "mass manipulation" when the real game of the last decade has--i think obviously--been various kinds of elite influence operations.
wondering when the last time was that Trump watched footage that wasn't manipulated by AI
January 8, 2026 at 12:34 AM
One thing I'm always on about is how much we talk about "mass manipulation" when the real game of the last decade has--i think obviously--been various kinds of elite influence operations.
Reposted by Geoff A.
I hate to break it to you, but heavily-armed government militias are roaming unchecked through US cities and shooting human rights observers dead in the streets. That's happening in our country.
January 7, 2026 at 11:36 PM
I hate to break it to you, but heavily-armed government militias are roaming unchecked through US cities and shooting human rights observers dead in the streets. That's happening in our country.
Reposted by Geoff A.
This is heartbreaking, and also upsetting to see it amplified instantaneously when video shows her wife crying and talking about their kid at school. We have no idea what kind of family dynamics are at play and a same-sex partner is vulnerable to being muscled out of the story, so we should use care
January 7, 2026 at 10:54 PM
This is heartbreaking, and also upsetting to see it amplified instantaneously when video shows her wife crying and talking about their kid at school. We have no idea what kind of family dynamics are at play and a same-sex partner is vulnerable to being muscled out of the story, so we should use care
Reposted by Geoff A.
If I was in, say, Harvey Milk's place and you told me how long the lean times would last after my death I'd wonder what the point even was. But I don't think he would, so I have no right to.
January 7, 2026 at 10:23 PM
If I was in, say, Harvey Milk's place and you told me how long the lean times would last after my death I'd wonder what the point even was. But I don't think he would, so I have no right to.
Reposted by Geoff A.
This is fascinating.
January 7, 2026 at 10:32 PM
This is fascinating.
Reposted by Geoff A.
The Trump administration is inflaming rhetoric about a community and commissioning the endangerment of its citizens—and now ICE just killed a woman.
They are increasingly out of control. Call this what it is: a police state.
It’s past time to abolish ICE once and for all.
They are increasingly out of control. Call this what it is: a police state.
It’s past time to abolish ICE once and for all.
January 7, 2026 at 8:34 PM
The Trump administration is inflaming rhetoric about a community and commissioning the endangerment of its citizens—and now ICE just killed a woman.
They are increasingly out of control. Call this what it is: a police state.
It’s past time to abolish ICE once and for all.
They are increasingly out of control. Call this what it is: a police state.
It’s past time to abolish ICE once and for all.
Reposted by Geoff A.
here’s me in @newrepublic.com back in ‘20 on coptalk, “resisting arrest,” the standard of “reasonable fear,” police impunity, painfully blatant lies, and more of what we’re seeing, again, right now newrepublic.com/article/1568...
Policing and the English Language
The poisonous contradictions of coptalk
newrepublic.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:08 PM
here’s me in @newrepublic.com back in ‘20 on coptalk, “resisting arrest,” the standard of “reasonable fear,” police impunity, painfully blatant lies, and more of what we’re seeing, again, right now newrepublic.com/article/1568...
Reposted by Geoff A.
"Secret police" is often misunderstood to mean a force that operates covertly, with all their operations secret.
But a secret police force's actions are often public. The secret part is hiding their identities, because they're breaking laws to hurt politically disfavored people, and fear reprisals.
But a secret police force's actions are often public. The secret part is hiding their identities, because they're breaking laws to hurt politically disfavored people, and fear reprisals.
January 7, 2026 at 9:09 PM
"Secret police" is often misunderstood to mean a force that operates covertly, with all their operations secret.
But a secret police force's actions are often public. The secret part is hiding their identities, because they're breaking laws to hurt politically disfavored people, and fear reprisals.
But a secret police force's actions are often public. The secret part is hiding their identities, because they're breaking laws to hurt politically disfavored people, and fear reprisals.
Reposted by Geoff A.
A reminder that James K. Polk also offered to “buy” California from Mexico, and when Mexico refused to even meet his envoy, sent troops into disputed territory, provoked a war, took the territory, and then paid Mexico $15 million for the territory he stole so that he could say he bought it.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that recent administration threats against Greenland didn’t signal an imminent invasion and that the goal is to buy the island from Denmark, according to people familiar with the discussions."
Exclusive | Rubio Tells Lawmakers Trump Aims to Buy Greenland, Downplays Military Action
The secretary of state said the White House is using rhetoric to pressure Denmark into negotiations.
www.wsj.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:55 AM
A reminder that James K. Polk also offered to “buy” California from Mexico, and when Mexico refused to even meet his envoy, sent troops into disputed territory, provoked a war, took the territory, and then paid Mexico $15 million for the territory he stole so that he could say he bought it.
Reposted by Geoff A.
the natsec folks can maybe sketch out the logistics of how this happens after the fact, political scientists can offer insight about what it might mean in the future, but all of this is like stumbling into an angry werewolf hanging from the ceiling in your living room, none of it should be possible
January 7, 2026 at 12:50 AM
the natsec folks can maybe sketch out the logistics of how this happens after the fact, political scientists can offer insight about what it might mean in the future, but all of this is like stumbling into an angry werewolf hanging from the ceiling in your living room, none of it should be possible