Russell D. Vines
@rdvines.bsky.social
NY Dem. 💙Author, composer, musician, cyber-security expert. Wrote 10 cyber-security books, some best-selling. Author of “Composing Digital Music For Dummies”. Former bassist with the Rat Pack, George Benson, MGM, etc. No fascists! #resist
Pinned
Russell D. Vines
@rdvines.bsky.social
· Nov 26
Post you from a different era
Me conducting Jazz legend Art Pepper performing my work "Everytime" at the Reno International Jazz Festival in March 1975.
Me conducting Jazz legend Art Pepper performing my work "Everytime" at the Reno International Jazz Festival in March 1975.
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
"I didn’t realize, in the hours before his name was released to the public, that the man millions of people had seen lying facedown on the pavement from multiple angles of eyewitness video was my childhood best friend."
Read more from @kristenradtke.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/86856...
Read more from @kristenradtke.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/86856...
January 27, 2026 at 4:47 PM
"I didn’t realize, in the hours before his name was released to the public, that the man millions of people had seen lying facedown on the pavement from multiple angles of eyewitness video was my childhood best friend."
Read more from @kristenradtke.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/86856...
Read more from @kristenradtke.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/86856...
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
This mid-afternoon Alex Pretti vigil at the Portland VA was not heavily promoted. But the crowd probably stretches a quarter mile or more. Americans are galvanized and grieving.
January 27, 2026 at 11:47 PM
This mid-afternoon Alex Pretti vigil at the Portland VA was not heavily promoted. But the crowd probably stretches a quarter mile or more. Americans are galvanized and grieving.
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
“ICE will accompany the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics in Italy next month, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Tuesday,” the NYT reports. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/w...
Outcry in Italy as U.S. Says ICE Agents Will Join Olympics Delegation
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:33 PM
“ICE will accompany the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics in Italy next month, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Tuesday,” the NYT reports. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/w...
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Ellison: "The Bondi letter reveals what this is all about. This is not about fraud and it's not even about immigration, and it's certainly not about law enforcement. It's about handing over documents of the state of Minnesota, private information, including voting information, to the federal govt."
January 26, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Ellison: "The Bondi letter reveals what this is all about. This is not about fraud and it's not even about immigration, and it's certainly not about law enforcement. It's about handing over documents of the state of Minnesota, private information, including voting information, to the federal govt."
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Alex Pretti's Phone Is What ICE
IS Afraid Of; The Truth......
IS Afraid Of; The Truth......
January 27, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Alex Pretti's Phone Is What ICE
IS Afraid Of; The Truth......
IS Afraid Of; The Truth......
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
I have no words🤔...
January 27, 2026 at 1:59 AM
I have no words🤔...
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
“The shooting of Porter, who leaves behind daughters aged 10 and 20, was not caught on camera”
How convenient for ICE
How convenient for ICE
Family of man killed by off-duty ICE agent in LA demands charges: ‘The ache will never go away’
After Renee Good’s killing in Minneapolis, calls grow for accountability in the shooting of Keith Porter Jr on New Year’s Eve
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:20 PM
“The shooting of Porter, who leaves behind daughters aged 10 and 20, was not caught on camera”
How convenient for ICE
How convenient for ICE
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
I wonder how many people need to get killed in the street by masked agents of the state before conservatives stop pretending that they’re being oppressed by the existence of HR departments bsky.app/profile/shar...
fuck. off.
"Meanwhile, the modes through which Europe and Canada have sought to suppress populism involve harsh restrictions on speech, elite collusion and other expression of managerial illiberalism"
"Meanwhile, the modes through which Europe and Canada have sought to suppress populism involve harsh restrictions on speech, elite collusion and other expression of managerial illiberalism"
January 25, 2026 at 1:54 PM
I wonder how many people need to get killed in the street by masked agents of the state before conservatives stop pretending that they’re being oppressed by the existence of HR departments bsky.app/profile/shar...
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
I’m out here in Los Angeles, where hundreds have gathered in response to the ICE execution of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Chants and speeches underway here outside the Federal Building in DTLA. Working multiple cameras today so posts may be sparse
January 25, 2026 at 1:23 AM
I’m out here in Los Angeles, where hundreds have gathered in response to the ICE execution of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Chants and speeches underway here outside the Federal Building in DTLA. Working multiple cameras today so posts may be sparse
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Holy shit. This speaks volumes about the midterms ahead.
January 25, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Holy shit. This speaks volumes about the midterms ahead.
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse. 😢💔🙏 He spent his life helping people, and now our government is peddling lies in an attempt to make you believe them.
January 24, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, an ICU nurse. 😢💔🙏 He spent his life helping people, and now our government is peddling lies in an attempt to make you believe them.
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Saw a list of "one-hit wonders who didn't even deserve that". One of 15 was Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin. I'll admit to not liking the song. That said, calling McFerrin a one-hit wonder shows they know nothing about either McFerrin or music.
January 25, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Saw a list of "one-hit wonders who didn't even deserve that". One of 15 was Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin. I'll admit to not liking the song. That said, calling McFerrin a one-hit wonder shows they know nothing about either McFerrin or music.
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
“Heartbroken but also very angry… sickening lies by the administration… reprehensible and disgusting… Alex is clearly not holding a gun… please get the truth out about our son, he was a good man…”
January 25, 2026 at 1:01 AM
“Heartbroken but also very angry… sickening lies by the administration… reprehensible and disgusting… Alex is clearly not holding a gun… please get the truth out about our son, he was a good man…”
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Just fixed my Bluesky following count - removed 0 inaccurate accounts using blueskytracker.app
This app is very useful
This app is very useful
Bsky Tracker - The must-have Bluesky Followers Analytics & Network Manager
Track followers, analyze engagement, and manage your Bluesky network with real-time insights. Free app with advanced filtering and bulk actions for iOS & Android.
blueskytracker.app
January 25, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Just fixed my Bluesky following count - removed 0 inaccurate accounts using blueskytracker.app
This app is very useful
This app is very useful
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
LA doesn’t miss 🔥
Freeway overpass just now (405)
Freeway overpass just now (405)
January 25, 2026 at 12:03 AM
LA doesn’t miss 🔥
Freeway overpass just now (405)
Freeway overpass just now (405)
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
We are not the first people, or the first country, to suffer under a tyrannical government that does not respect our lives, or our rights.
There is a method for how to effectively resist, and eventually topple, such a regime. We can learn from others who came before us.
This is my favorite guide.
There is a method for how to effectively resist, and eventually topple, such a regime. We can learn from others who came before us.
This is my favorite guide.
CANVAS Core Curriculum: A Guide to Effective Nonviolent Struggle | ICNC
You may also be interested in: A Guide to Nonviolent Activism (Ekta Parishad)Ekta Parishad is a mass-based peoples’ movement for land rights with an active membership of 250,000 landless poor and is r...
www.nonviolent-conflict.org
January 24, 2026 at 7:54 PM
We are not the first people, or the first country, to suffer under a tyrannical government that does not respect our lives, or our rights.
There is a method for how to effectively resist, and eventually topple, such a regime. We can learn from others who came before us.
This is my favorite guide.
There is a method for how to effectively resist, and eventually topple, such a regime. We can learn from others who came before us.
This is my favorite guide.
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
To those blaming Walz for not mobilizing the Guard, he did that six days ago. I have to say it's disturbing to see people angry at Walz instead of the government agents that just executed a man. As though we should all be experts about what to do when a secret police force invades an American city.
January 24, 2026 at 6:14 PM
To those blaming Walz for not mobilizing the Guard, he did that six days ago. I have to say it's disturbing to see people angry at Walz instead of the government agents that just executed a man. As though we should all be experts about what to do when a secret police force invades an American city.
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Microsoft Gave FBI Keys To Unlock Encrypted Data, Exposing Major Privacy Flaw
Microsoft Gave FBI BitLocker Encryption Keys, Exposing Privacy Flaw
The tech giant said providing encryption keys was a standard response to a court order. But companies like Apple and Meta set up their systems so such a privacy violation isn’t possible.
www.forbes.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Microsoft Gave FBI Keys To Unlock Encrypted Data, Exposing Major Privacy Flaw
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
The Star Tribune reports that federal agents "attempted to order local police from the scene" where a man was shot and killed by feds this morning, but Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara refused and "instructed his officers to preserve the scene."
Live: Man shot and killed by federal agents in south Minneapolis this morning, police chief says
A video appears to shows federal agents wrestling a man to the ground then shooting him.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:40 PM
The Star Tribune reports that federal agents "attempted to order local police from the scene" where a man was shot and killed by feds this morning, but Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara refused and "instructed his officers to preserve the scene."
Reposted by Russell D. Vines
Breaking MS NOW:
Aides to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche directed the U.S. Attorney's office and FBI agents in Minnesota to shut down the civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good and instead alter it to probe Good for possible criminal liability.
Aides to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche directed the U.S. Attorney's office and FBI agents in Minnesota to shut down the civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good and instead alter it to probe Good for possible criminal liability.
DOJ sought to probe Renee Good for criminal liability, even after her death: Sources
A judge refused an FBI warrant that proposed investigating dead Minnesota mom for suspected assault on an officer.
www.ms.now
January 23, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Breaking MS NOW:
Aides to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche directed the U.S. Attorney's office and FBI agents in Minnesota to shut down the civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good and instead alter it to probe Good for possible criminal liability.
Aides to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche directed the U.S. Attorney's office and FBI agents in Minnesota to shut down the civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good and instead alter it to probe Good for possible criminal liability.