Randall Gross
@randallgross.bsky.social
(he/him) Retired Global Sr. tech manager, & inveterate news junkie. Everyone is my friend until they firmly prove otherwise. Active on social media since the '80's
@Tarkloon@mastodon.social
formerly @tarkloon @ birdsite
Ego tantum loquor
@Tarkloon@mastodon.social
formerly @tarkloon @ birdsite
Ego tantum loquor
Pinned
New to Bluesky? You can stay reasonably well-informed if you add a column for my bluesky news list:
bsky.app/profile/rand...
Yes, that is Howard Beale, mad prophet of the airwaves.
bsky.app/profile/rand...
Yes, that is Howard Beale, mad prophet of the airwaves.
Reposted by Randall Gross
I would add: if a person who is here legally is held for more than half an hour (or whatever is a reasonable amount of time to check), that person shall receive $1000 per extra minute, with the first $10k to come from the detaining officer’s salary and the rest to come from the ICE budget.
in real terms, #7 would give states leverage to put an end to surges, #8 would give states the ability to outright stop construction of new detention facilities, #1 and #6 would slow the rate at which DHS could train and deploy officers, #2 and #10 would likely shrink the pool of recruits
Schumer & Jeffries lay out the Democratic demands for a DHS funding deal in a letter to the top Republican leaders
February 5, 2026 at 4:05 AM
I would add: if a person who is here legally is held for more than half an hour (or whatever is a reasonable amount of time to check), that person shall receive $1000 per extra minute, with the first $10k to come from the detaining officer’s salary and the rest to come from the ICE budget.
Reposted by Randall Gross
PSA: at the back of the store, the real flu shot is free.
getmyflushot.org
getmyflushot.org
America: where you can sell a random “wellness” drink at CVS, claim it “may” somehow “reinforce” your immune system, and literally call it “The Flu Shot.”
February 5, 2026 at 3:28 AM
PSA: at the back of the store, the real flu shot is free.
getmyflushot.org
getmyflushot.org
Reposted by Randall Gross
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts
Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?
boltsmag.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:36 PM
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Reposted by Randall Gross
We believe there are few investigations that deserve more sunlight and public scrutiny than this one, in which two masked agents fired 10 shots at Alex Pretti as he lay on the ground after being pepper-sprayed.
Read our full story: https://propub.li/4qUNfXH
Read our full story: https://propub.li/4qUNfXH
February 5, 2026 at 4:00 AM
We believe there are few investigations that deserve more sunlight and public scrutiny than this one, in which two masked agents fired 10 shots at Alex Pretti as he lay on the ground after being pepper-sprayed.
Read our full story: https://propub.li/4qUNfXH
Read our full story: https://propub.li/4qUNfXH
Reposted by Randall Gross
This is another effort that has taken a HUGE amount of local activism, led by community folks who care.
It CAN be done. Get involved where you live and push back.
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/i...
It CAN be done. Get involved where you live and push back.
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/i...
New Mexico Senate approves bill to ban ICE detention centers
The New Mexico Legislature approved the Immigration Safety Act. House bill 9 bars the state from allowing ICE detention centers.
www.elpasotimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:20 PM
This is another effort that has taken a HUGE amount of local activism, led by community folks who care.
It CAN be done. Get involved where you live and push back.
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/i...
It CAN be done. Get involved where you live and push back.
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/i...
Reposted by Randall Gross
RUN. RUN FAR AWAY FROM THIS CONTEST.
Venerable magazine Harper's Bazaar is running its short story contest again, with the winner receiving "the chance" of publication in the magazine. Just one catch: per the wording of the guidelines, _just by entering_ you transfer copyright ownership of your story to Harper's parent, Hearst. 1/3
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 PM
RUN. RUN FAR AWAY FROM THIS CONTEST.
Reposted by Randall Gross
Another concentration camp is going up in NY
www.monroegazette.com/p/frequently...
www.monroegazette.com/p/frequently...
Frequently Asked Questions About the Concentration Camp Next Door
You have questions about what’s happening in Chester and how it impacts our region. I have answers.
www.monroegazette.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Another concentration camp is going up in NY
www.monroegazette.com/p/frequently...
www.monroegazette.com/p/frequently...
Reposted by Randall Gross
February 5, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Reposted by Randall Gross
These D. Minn. judges are soon going to have little choice but to insist that the U.S. Att'y and senior ICE officials appear in court themselves ... and keep those hearings open and ongoing until those officials' orders to release the prisoners are carried out, in real time. [4]
February 5, 2026 at 1:42 AM
These D. Minn. judges are soon going to have little choice but to insist that the U.S. Att'y and senior ICE officials appear in court themselves ... and keep those hearings open and ongoing until those officials' orders to release the prisoners are carried out, in real time. [4]
Reposted by Randall Gross
The Huu-ay-aht First Nation on Vancouver Island has issued an "urgent travel advisory" for any of it's members thinking of heading to the United States.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation issues advisory for travel to United States
The Huu-ay-aht First Nation on Vancouver Island has issued an "urgent travel advisory" for any of it's members thinking of heading to the United States.
cheknews.ca
February 4, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Reposted by Randall Gross
Reposted by Randall Gross
This is one of the most important debates of our lifetimes.
Your face belongs to you.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZThf969nG/
Your face belongs to you.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZThf969nG/
"These are very gross images." Reuters cybersecurity correspondent Raphael Satter (@razhael) shares his personal experience investigating Grok’s AI chatbot and the disturbing images it generated. #AI ...
TikTok video by Audie Cornish
www.tiktok.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:56 AM
This is one of the most important debates of our lifetimes.
Your face belongs to you.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZThf969nG/
Your face belongs to you.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZThf969nG/
Reposted by Randall Gross
Locus Awards voting is OPEN!
Anyone can vote, and you can write in any eligible titles, editors, publishers, artists, magazines, and more!
Even the Hugos usually see only two or three thousand votes, far fewer in some categories - your votes matter!🗳️
poll.voting.locusmag.com
Anyone can vote, and you can write in any eligible titles, editors, publishers, artists, magazines, and more!
Even the Hugos usually see only two or three thousand votes, far fewer in some categories - your votes matter!🗳️
poll.voting.locusmag.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Locus Awards voting is OPEN!
Anyone can vote, and you can write in any eligible titles, editors, publishers, artists, magazines, and more!
Even the Hugos usually see only two or three thousand votes, far fewer in some categories - your votes matter!🗳️
poll.voting.locusmag.com
Anyone can vote, and you can write in any eligible titles, editors, publishers, artists, magazines, and more!
Even the Hugos usually see only two or three thousand votes, far fewer in some categories - your votes matter!🗳️
poll.voting.locusmag.com
Reposted by Randall Gross
To “Yes, and” this thread, even in the heyday of the independent press,wealthy white men had an outsize influence on what was reported in American papers. See also: media barons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer (or Citizen Kane if you prefer).
As terrible as what is happening right now to journalism, we actually should dismantle the romantic myths we have of the press in America.
I teach in my class about colonial press censorship, and then how the independent press was a tool for the wealthy, white power holders to maintain dominance.
I teach in my class about colonial press censorship, and then how the independent press was a tool for the wealthy, white power holders to maintain dominance.
This is it.
And the founders also never really envisioned a system like industrial and post-industrial capitalism that would be *fundamentally at odds* with their vision of a democratic republic.
Which is why capitalism must be dismantled.
And the founders also never really envisioned a system like industrial and post-industrial capitalism that would be *fundamentally at odds* with their vision of a democratic republic.
Which is why capitalism must be dismantled.
February 5, 2026 at 12:13 AM
To “Yes, and” this thread, even in the heyday of the independent press,wealthy white men had an outsize influence on what was reported in American papers. See also: media barons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer (or Citizen Kane if you prefer).
Reposted by Randall Gross
“It is a test of whether the Constitution as we know it will survive.”
In Minnesota, ICE and Border Patrol operations are raising alarms about violations of multiple constitutional rights.
Take it from historians: buff.ly/ubSMRzk
In Minnesota, ICE and Border Patrol operations are raising alarms about violations of multiple constitutional rights.
Take it from historians: buff.ly/ubSMRzk
ICE and Border Patrol in Minnesota − accused of violating 1st, 2nd, 4th and 10th amendment rights − are testing whether the Constitution can survive
In Minnesota, can constitutional protections withstand the actions of a federal government seemingly intent on aggressively violating the rule of law?
theconversation.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:47 AM
“It is a test of whether the Constitution as we know it will survive.”
In Minnesota, ICE and Border Patrol operations are raising alarms about violations of multiple constitutional rights.
Take it from historians: buff.ly/ubSMRzk
In Minnesota, ICE and Border Patrol operations are raising alarms about violations of multiple constitutional rights.
Take it from historians: buff.ly/ubSMRzk
Reposted by Randall Gross
The latest on Gabbard as fringe conspiracy drives her voting investigation: “The sources said the goal was to work with the FBI to investigate claims that Venezuela had hacked voting machines in Puerto Rico.”
Exclusive: US spy chief's office investigated voting machines in Puerto Rico
A team working for President Donald Trump's spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard, last spring led an investigation into Puerto Rico's voting machines, said Gabbard's office and three sources familiar with the pre...
www.reuters.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM
The latest on Gabbard as fringe conspiracy drives her voting investigation: “The sources said the goal was to work with the FBI to investigate claims that Venezuela had hacked voting machines in Puerto Rico.”
Reposted by Randall Gross
So fucking much this
Trump's constant degradation of female reporters is unsurprising but the press corps' collective decision to treat it as background noise is actually kind of sickening
February 5, 2026 at 12:23 AM
So fucking much this
Reposted by Randall Gross
This Claremont twit is so fearful of “wine moms” with cell phones and whistles that he’s demanding Trump crush them with violence.
Or rather, more violence.
Or rather, more violence.
February 4, 2026 at 9:46 PM
This Claremont twit is so fearful of “wine moms” with cell phones and whistles that he’s demanding Trump crush them with violence.
Or rather, more violence.
Or rather, more violence.
Reposted by Randall Gross
This is not a joke to him.
Trump on NBC doesn't slam the door on shredding the Constitution and serving an illegal third term
February 4, 2026 at 11:57 PM
This is not a joke to him.
Reposted by Randall Gross
if you see this man outside of your kid’s daycare, call the police!
a Republican witness in the GOP's "Somali Scammers" hearing details how he drives by childcare centers and looks at how many footprints in the snow there are to determine how many kids are there. Psycho stuff.
February 4, 2026 at 9:30 PM
if you see this man outside of your kid’s daycare, call the police!
Reposted by Randall Gross
Wisconsin is electing all of its sheriffs this year, and several swing counties, such as Kenosha and Sauk, are currently run by sheriffs who have signed on to a key program to collaborate with ICE.
In Criminal Justice Elections This Year, ICE Contracts Are on the Hot Seat
With roughly 2,400 elections for prosecutor and sheriff in 2026, Bolts reviews the map and early hotspots that will shape criminal punishment and law enforcement practices.
boltsmag.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Wisconsin is electing all of its sheriffs this year, and several swing counties, such as Kenosha and Sauk, are currently run by sheriffs who have signed on to a key program to collaborate with ICE.
Reposted by Randall Gross
Yet more pointless, despicable cultural vandalism of public property by Republicans in their all-out war on the very idea of general knowledge
The CIA World Factbook, a reliable source of information about the countries of the world, has been publicly available since 1997. It is now going away.
Please consider supporting @wikipedia.org and @ourworldindata.org. The world desperately needs trustworthy data.
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Please consider supporting @wikipedia.org and @ourworldindata.org. The world desperately needs trustworthy data.
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
February 4, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Yet more pointless, despicable cultural vandalism of public property by Republicans in their all-out war on the very idea of general knowledge
Reposted by Randall Gross
Miller clumsily deployed an army of masked goons to commit crimes across the nation and, in the process, destroyed Trump's best-polling issue and sent his approval plummeting to an all-time low.
But sure, this was a "rare misstep" and not part of a larger pattern of incompetence
But sure, this was a "rare misstep" and not part of a larger pattern of incompetence
Stephen Miller called Alex Pretti a “domestic terrorist” after the VA nurse was killed by federal agents, a rare misstep for Miller, the White House aide stoking President Trump’s boundary-pushing impulses.
🔗: on.wsj.com/49XmNXz
🔗: on.wsj.com/49XmNXz
February 4, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Miller clumsily deployed an army of masked goons to commit crimes across the nation and, in the process, destroyed Trump's best-polling issue and sent his approval plummeting to an all-time low.
But sure, this was a "rare misstep" and not part of a larger pattern of incompetence
But sure, this was a "rare misstep" and not part of a larger pattern of incompetence
Reposted by Randall Gross
Great work by Greg Sargent. We are, right now, deciding whether we want to be a land of giant concentration camps and ethnic cleanings.
newrepublic.com/article/2060...
newrepublic.com/article/2060...
Trump’s New “Prison Camp” Threat Unleashes Fury Even in MAGA Country
The next phase of ICE’s big ramp-up: a nationwide network of vast detention facilities. But guess what? Even parts of Red America are saying no.
newrepublic.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Great work by Greg Sargent. We are, right now, deciding whether we want to be a land of giant concentration camps and ethnic cleanings.
newrepublic.com/article/2060...
newrepublic.com/article/2060...
Reposted by Randall Gross
Not enough. Every single ICE and CBP agent should be out of Minnesota. The terror campaign must stop.
ICE must be abolished.
ICE must be abolished.
February 4, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Not enough. Every single ICE and CBP agent should be out of Minnesota. The terror campaign must stop.
ICE must be abolished.
ICE must be abolished.