Michael Clark
@smintheus.bsky.social
Ancient historian, now a temple attendant for two dainty-pawed gods who sometimes make their epiphanies. Looking for more honesty and less malice in politics, but getting this thing instead.
Democrats would do well to take the hint and begin demanding in unison that Trump fire Miller, Noem, Bondi and Bovino in the knowledge that he'd sacrifice any of them to get even a momentary boost in public support. Miller is the most dangerous of the lot and this is the opportunity to push him out.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) on CNN: “I think the death of Americans, what we're seeing on TV, it's causing deep concerns over federal tactics and accountability. Americans don't like what they're seeing right now. … [Trump’s] getting bad advice right now.”
January 25, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Democrats would do well to take the hint and begin demanding in unison that Trump fire Miller, Noem, Bondi and Bovino in the knowledge that he'd sacrifice any of them to get even a momentary boost in public support. Miller is the most dangerous of the lot and this is the opportunity to push him out.
Reposted by Michael Clark
A very similar image was used for the Sardines movement that protested against the right wing in Italy a while back. Spotted a t-shirt with the image in northern Italy in January 2020.
January 25, 2026 at 7:36 PM
A very similar image was used for the Sardines movement that protested against the right wing in Italy a while back. Spotted a t-shirt with the image in northern Italy in January 2020.
It's a gangland killing not a 'tragedy'. And if Obama imagines there are "legitimate law enforcement goals" that Noem's DHS is seeking to achieve in Minneapolis, well...he ought to specify what those might be. Bc yesterday Bondi said they'd pack up and leave if Walz hands Trump the MN voting lists.
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.
January 25, 2026 at 7:16 PM
It's a gangland killing not a 'tragedy'. And if Obama imagines there are "legitimate law enforcement goals" that Noem's DHS is seeking to achieve in Minneapolis, well...he ought to specify what those might be. Bc yesterday Bondi said they'd pack up and leave if Walz hands Trump the MN voting lists.
I think the most accurate description is 'gangland killing'. The DHS goons are trying to extort support from the public and they'll kill those who refuse to show obeisance to their power as an example for others.
There are no gratuitous executions. "Execution" imports the rigor of justice, the opposite pole to the grace of mercy.
I think what everyone here is trying to say, but doesn't dare, is that it looks for all the world like a cold-blooded murder.
I think what everyone here is trying to say, but doesn't dare, is that it looks for all the world like a cold-blooded murder.
Worth noting that the @wsj.com has joined with the @nytimes.com and Bellingcat to say that ICE is lying in its description of the shooting of Alex Pretti. The video evidence more and more supports the view that this was a gratuitous execution. www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
January 25, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I think the most accurate description is 'gangland killing'. The DHS goons are trying to extort support from the public and they'll kill those who refuse to show obeisance to their power as an example for others.
Reposted by Michael Clark
A federal judge effectively ordered the U.S. government not to cover up evidence that it illegally executed a civilian, at the request of local prosecutors seeking to investigate federal agents for murder.
Don’t want to overstate things but it feels reminiscent of the run-up to the Civil War.
Don’t want to overstate things but it feels reminiscent of the run-up to the Civil War.
Understand that 370 days ago even bringing a motion like this would probably have been treated as sanctionably frivolous
Today it was granted ex parte
Today it was granted ex parte
A federal judge issues a restraining order against the feds, barring them from "destroying or altering evidence"
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 25, 2026 at 3:17 PM
A federal judge effectively ordered the U.S. government not to cover up evidence that it illegally executed a civilian, at the request of local prosecutors seeking to investigate federal agents for murder.
Don’t want to overstate things but it feels reminiscent of the run-up to the Civil War.
Don’t want to overstate things but it feels reminiscent of the run-up to the Civil War.
By this afternoon I expect to hear from RW media that the handgun has a history of accidentally pistol whipping prone victims.
From the NY Post. You know they are really scrambling when they are running "The gun was no angel" stories.
January 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM
By this afternoon I expect to hear from RW media that the handgun has a history of accidentally pistol whipping prone victims.
John Fetterman must resign. He just endorsed a gangland slaying in Minneapolis committed under color of law.
January 25, 2026 at 2:01 AM
John Fetterman must resign. He just endorsed a gangland slaying in Minneapolis committed under color of law.
Here's an example of a person who really should consider wearing a wristwatch. Not only has she never once met the moment, she gives every indication that she could not even find the moment if it were ever written down on her daily calendar, choc a bloc as it is with across-the-aisle study groups.
When Congress gets its act together and works in a bipartisan way, we get legislation that delivers solutions tailored to our communities’ needs and values.
January 25, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Here's an example of a person who really should consider wearing a wristwatch. Not only has she never once met the moment, she gives every indication that she could not even find the moment if it were ever written down on her daily calendar, choc a bloc as it is with across-the-aisle study groups.
Reposted by Michael Clark
So when Republicans say they are for "freedom," what they mean is the freedom for them to kill Americans without consequences.
Bovino shamelessly lies: "This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement"
January 24, 2026 at 8:20 PM
So when Republicans say they are for "freedom," what they mean is the freedom for them to kill Americans without consequences.
For those who don't know: this is Pam Bondi showing her true colors 20 years ago - a self styled 'dog lover' now running interference for an infamous dog killer who herself has moved on to killing Americans.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
January 24, 2026 at 11:43 PM
For those who don't know: this is Pam Bondi showing her true colors 20 years ago - a self styled 'dog lover' now running interference for an infamous dog killer who herself has moved on to killing Americans.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Michael Clark
A pretty good rule of thumb to follow right now is that whatever super-radical line you're trying to draw will be a compromise position by the time we can do more than poast about it, and accounts trying to split the popular front don't actually want to win anything but a social game On Here.
January 24, 2026 at 8:53 PM
A pretty good rule of thumb to follow right now is that whatever super-radical line you're trying to draw will be a compromise position by the time we can do more than poast about it, and accounts trying to split the popular front don't actually want to win anything but a social game On Here.
Reposted by Michael Clark
The Trump regime does not believe that being armed is sufficient reason to kill someone. They believe they should be able to murder people they dislike. They just aren’t comfortable saying that yet so they make up transparently insincere justifications. Distrust those who pretend to believe them.
As you encounter Trump regime defenses of summarily executing a man on the streets of America because he was (supposedly) armed, I invite you to recall the Bundy Ranch standoff, and the Right’s celebration of a man who aimed a rifle at law enforcement.
www.findinggravity.net/the-next-tim...
www.findinggravity.net/the-next-tim...
The Next Time Will Be Worse
If we don't disincentivize right-wing political violence, we will get more of it.
www.findinggravity.net
January 24, 2026 at 6:05 PM
The Trump regime does not believe that being armed is sufficient reason to kill someone. They believe they should be able to murder people they dislike. They just aren’t comfortable saying that yet so they make up transparently insincere justifications. Distrust those who pretend to believe them.
The executed man brandished a weapon exactly like how the executed woman aimed her SUV at the poor maligned storm troopers.
Just like how the hate-filled two year old recklessly crayoned outside the fake and dishonest lines.
Just like how the hate-filled two year old recklessly crayoned outside the fake and dishonest lines.
Border Patrol Union post w/in last half hour, seeming to blame protesters, media, and politicians for this morning’s shooting.
January 24, 2026 at 8:04 PM
The executed man brandished a weapon exactly like how the executed woman aimed her SUV at the poor maligned storm troopers.
Just like how the hate-filled two year old recklessly crayoned outside the fake and dishonest lines.
Just like how the hate-filled two year old recklessly crayoned outside the fake and dishonest lines.
Reposted by Michael Clark
Related: Anyone else notice how the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, Oath Keepers, Patriot Front, etc. were always out there marching to support and protect law enforcement...until recently?
They're never out there supporting ICE.
It's so odd, like Superman and Clark Kent.
They're never out there supporting ICE.
It's so odd, like Superman and Clark Kent.
January 24, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Related: Anyone else notice how the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, Oath Keepers, Patriot Front, etc. were always out there marching to support and protect law enforcement...until recently?
They're never out there supporting ICE.
It's so odd, like Superman and Clark Kent.
They're never out there supporting ICE.
It's so odd, like Superman and Clark Kent.
Your daily reminder that immigration violations are misdemeanors that rarely warrant jail time if a case even goes to court and results in conviction.
The amount of money that is currently going to fund immigration enforcement in the US is larger than the military budgets of every country in the world other than the US and China. We are witnessing a military assault on American cities by a wildly unpopular governing party.
January 24, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Your daily reminder that immigration violations are misdemeanors that rarely warrant jail time if a case even goes to court and results in conviction.
Vance playing 'man of deep learning' about as well as could be predicted.
Ancient brothels tended to be on the outskirts of towns, esp on the main roads. Cemeteries were on the outskirts of towns, esp on the main roads. Cemeteries held many bodies of children, who died esp often before vaccines.
Ancient brothels tended to be on the outskirts of towns, esp on the main roads. Cemeteries were on the outskirts of towns, esp on the main roads. Cemeteries held many bodies of children, who died esp often before vaccines.
January 24, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Vance playing 'man of deep learning' about as well as could be predicted.
Ancient brothels tended to be on the outskirts of towns, esp on the main roads. Cemeteries were on the outskirts of towns, esp on the main roads. Cemeteries held many bodies of children, who died esp often before vaccines.
Ancient brothels tended to be on the outskirts of towns, esp on the main roads. Cemeteries were on the outskirts of towns, esp on the main roads. Cemeteries held many bodies of children, who died esp often before vaccines.
We already had this debate in the 1930s; the authoritarians lost.
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
January 24, 2026 at 6:06 PM
We already had this debate in the 1930s; the authoritarians lost.
Reposted by Michael Clark
I was in a meeting with senior Irish policymakers during their boom and when the UK was imploding politically.
The combination of disdain and delight in witnessing a historical comeuppance was something.
A small slice of what US leaders are in for I think.
The combination of disdain and delight in witnessing a historical comeuppance was something.
A small slice of what US leaders are in for I think.
January 24, 2026 at 11:39 AM
I was in a meeting with senior Irish policymakers during their boom and when the UK was imploding politically.
The combination of disdain and delight in witnessing a historical comeuppance was something.
A small slice of what US leaders are in for I think.
The combination of disdain and delight in witnessing a historical comeuppance was something.
A small slice of what US leaders are in for I think.
Reposted by Michael Clark
We went out for a walk while we still can and a lady actually pulled her car over to say how cute Ollie was with his snowman, he won’t leave the house without it. Note-Rosie is in every way just as cute if not more cute
January 23, 2026 at 8:40 PM
We went out for a walk while we still can and a lady actually pulled her car over to say how cute Ollie was with his snowman, he won’t leave the house without it. Note-Rosie is in every way just as cute if not more cute
Reposted by Michael Clark
Never miss an opportunity for a fistful of cash.
Nigel Farage attended Davos on a pass sponsored by the family office of Iranian billionaire Sasan Ghandehari, which told the World Economic Forum that the Reform UK leader had advised the company since 2018. ft.trib.al/V138xDu
January 23, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Never miss an opportunity for a fistful of cash.
Reposted by Michael Clark
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA02) to GOP: "We have a madman in the White House...running the biggest, most corrupt criminal grift in American history... and you people want to whistle right past the graveyard of democracy... It seems that all of you took an oath to Donald Trump."
bsky.app/profile/koja...
bsky.app/profile/koja...
January 23, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA02) to GOP: "We have a madman in the White House...running the biggest, most corrupt criminal grift in American history... and you people want to whistle right past the graveyard of democracy... It seems that all of you took an oath to Donald Trump."
bsky.app/profile/koja...
bsky.app/profile/koja...
MY ancestors came here the RIGHT way (promising an untraceable hit near the Canadian border on a rival bootlegger)
MY ancestors came here the RIGHT way (larger family members hiding smaller ones in their coats in recursive manner similar to a matryoshka)
MY ancestors came here the RIGHT way (exchanged a playstation 5 preorder code for a green card)
January 23, 2026 at 5:37 PM
MY ancestors came here the RIGHT way (promising an untraceable hit near the Canadian border on a rival bootlegger)
Trump says he's considering a pardon for an unrepentent criminal alien sex offender named Ghislaine Maxwell, whom he recently had moved to a minimum security spa in contravention of law.
Vance in MN: "It's really cold outside. We in the Trump administration want to deport criminal aliens who are sex offenders. It takes a certain level of committed to sex offender criminal aliens to stand outside in -40 temperatures and attack the vice president, but they're committed to the bit."
January 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Trump says he's considering a pardon for an unrepentent criminal alien sex offender named Ghislaine Maxwell, whom he recently had moved to a minimum security spa in contravention of law.
Hug your little darlings close tonight.
Me and Merci are bracing ourselves for the fierce arctic cold headed our way this weekend into next week.
Please bring in your pets, leave extra food for strays and warm up the water.
Warmings and blessings to all.
❄️☃️🧊🥶🤍🩵
#CatsOfBluesky #CatsAreFamily
Please bring in your pets, leave extra food for strays and warm up the water.
Warmings and blessings to all.
❄️☃️🧊🥶🤍🩵
#CatsOfBluesky #CatsAreFamily
January 23, 2026 at 3:34 AM
Hug your little darlings close tonight.
If we're being candid about the most critical opportunities to prosecute Trump that were fumbled, apart from his career of sexual abuse & tax crimes, the failure to torpedo his 2016 campaign when he flagrantly conspired w/ Putin looms very large. There is no way to excuse those who let him traitor.
January 22, 2026 at 11:26 PM
If we're being candid about the most critical opportunities to prosecute Trump that were fumbled, apart from his career of sexual abuse & tax crimes, the failure to torpedo his 2016 campaign when he flagrantly conspired w/ Putin looms very large. There is no way to excuse those who let him traitor.