Drew Starr
@thedrewstarr.bsky.social
he/him
I'd rather be posting bagel and beer opinions.
Siebel/Doemens World Brewing Academy Master Brewer. Occasional food writer (Eater, Boston Globe, The Nosher). Past CPO Mei Mei Restaurant.
I block follow farmers.
Boston MA USA
Signal DrewStarr.66
I'd rather be posting bagel and beer opinions.
Siebel/Doemens World Brewing Academy Master Brewer. Occasional food writer (Eater, Boston Globe, The Nosher). Past CPO Mei Mei Restaurant.
I block follow farmers.
Boston MA USA
Signal DrewStarr.66
Pinned
Please only follow me if you're interested in some combination of beer, food, restaurants, Red Sox, Boston, or any niche other than US politics you see me post about that makes you consider following. I shouldn't be anyone's source for Trump shit. Get your news from journalists, not posters.
I'll talk about awful regime shit until he's gone but I'm not seeking an audience for it. I want bsky to be interesting for me, and that means followers who care about my actual interests. Pinning this in the hopes of kindly scaring away people who want to use this site in ways I don't.
An underappreciated thing is if you came here during tourist season in the '80s, you would have to wait to get close to it. I visit the area fairly often (friends live there and there are good breweries), and it always looks like this now.
Once again posting Plymouth Rock, the final boss of disappointing landmarks
January 17, 2026 at 5:40 PM
An underappreciated thing is if you came here during tourist season in the '80s, you would have to wait to get close to it. I visit the area fairly often (friends live there and there are good breweries), and it always looks like this now.
This gives a false sense of security.
Yes, you should use encrypted apps always, not just for ICE stuff. But any mass movement has to assume their communications are still compromised. You're not protected by encryption if one of the hundreds of people in the chat is an informer or bad at infosec.
Yes, you should use encrypted apps always, not just for ICE stuff. But any mass movement has to assume their communications are still compromised. You're not protected by encryption if one of the hundreds of people in the chat is an informer or bad at infosec.
If you are engaging in following ICE or any kind of organized resistance you really need to do that on encrypted apps.
January 16, 2026 at 4:12 PM
This gives a false sense of security.
Yes, you should use encrypted apps always, not just for ICE stuff. But any mass movement has to assume their communications are still compromised. You're not protected by encryption if one of the hundreds of people in the chat is an informer or bad at infosec.
Yes, you should use encrypted apps always, not just for ICE stuff. But any mass movement has to assume their communications are still compromised. You're not protected by encryption if one of the hundreds of people in the chat is an informer or bad at infosec.
Growing up in WMass, I never got the Boston accent (and still get asked about why I don't have one if I travel far enough), but using "wicked" to mean "very/extremely" is the air I grew up breathing, and this line chilled me:
"Have we hit late-stage wicked?"
"Have we hit late-stage wicked?"
Read this delightful Beth Teitell piece on the death of the Boston accent and then call (617) 798-0874 to tell us your story.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/16/l...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/16/l...
The Boston accent is disappearing. How much longer will its music linger? - The Boston Globe
From call-in radio shows to corner bars, the accent that defined Boston is losing ground. A Dartmouth linguist has research to prove it.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Growing up in WMass, I never got the Boston accent (and still get asked about why I don't have one if I travel far enough), but using "wicked" to mean "very/extremely" is the air I grew up breathing, and this line chilled me:
"Have we hit late-stage wicked?"
"Have we hit late-stage wicked?"
It pains me* as a Longmeadow kid to say this, but hell yeah, East Longmeadow!
*Not really. High school rivalries are dumb and this one stems from rich Longmeadow residents kicking out farmers 130 years ago, resulting in modern crises without the commercial tax base from the now former farmland.
*Not really. High school rivalries are dumb and this one stems from rich Longmeadow residents kicking out farmers 130 years ago, resulting in modern crises without the commercial tax base from the now former farmland.
January 16, 2026 at 1:44 PM
It pains me* as a Longmeadow kid to say this, but hell yeah, East Longmeadow!
*Not really. High school rivalries are dumb and this one stems from rich Longmeadow residents kicking out farmers 130 years ago, resulting in modern crises without the commercial tax base from the now former farmland.
*Not really. High school rivalries are dumb and this one stems from rich Longmeadow residents kicking out farmers 130 years ago, resulting in modern crises without the commercial tax base from the now former farmland.
Real shame to lose the last Orinico. Ominous news for these other three spots, too. I'm hoping they find new locations.
Restaurant scoop: Orinoco is closing in Brookline Village, and the building that houses it and three other restaurants might be demolished by the owner, who is looking at building housing.
That would mean uncertain fate for Noah's Kitchen, Cafe Itadaki, and Merai.
brookline.news/orinoco-clos...
That would mean uncertain fate for Noah's Kitchen, Cafe Itadaki, and Merai.
brookline.news/orinoco-clos...
Orinoco closing as building's owner considers demolition, new housing project - Brookline.News
The restaurant, one of four currently housed in 14-24 Harvard Street, is shutting down after 20 years operating in Brookline.
brookline.news
January 16, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Real shame to lose the last Orinico. Ominous news for these other three spots, too. I'm hoping they find new locations.
Reposted by Drew Starr
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
January 16, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
Fuck it. Ken for Governor
Dropkick Murphys are releasing a new song called "Citizen I.C.E."
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
Dropkick Murphys' Unveil Anti-ICE Song: "Too Scared to Join the Military, Too Dumb to Be a Cop"
Dropkick Murphys are releasing an anti-I.C.E. song, "Citizen I.C.E.," as part of their tour-only split LP with Haywire. Learn more.
consequence.net
January 16, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Fuck it. Ken for Governor
Reposted by Drew Starr
Dropkick Murphys are releasing a new song called "Citizen I.C.E."
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
Dropkick Murphys' Unveil Anti-ICE Song: "Too Scared to Join the Military, Too Dumb to Be a Cop"
Dropkick Murphys are releasing an anti-I.C.E. song, "Citizen I.C.E.," as part of their tour-only split LP with Haywire. Learn more.
consequence.net
January 15, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Dropkick Murphys are releasing a new song called "Citizen I.C.E."
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
The lyrics go: "Too scared to join the military/ Too dumb to be a cop."
consequence.net/2026/01/drop...
I think it was a mistake to drive Mark Cuban off this platform. It seems this site needs a common lightning pole so all the built up energy gets released on a single expendable target instead of at each other
January 15, 2026 at 9:52 PM
I think it was a mistake to drive Mark Cuban off this platform. It seems this site needs a common lightning pole so all the built up energy gets released on a single expendable target instead of at each other
Reposted by Drew Starr
Constant on-brand activist but toothless press releases are one thing from our City Councilors - but long silence is another. It would be good to know now if we can count on Ed and Erin and others when a violent Minneapolis scale ICE surge comes to Boston.
January 15, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Constant on-brand activist but toothless press releases are one thing from our City Councilors - but long silence is another. It would be good to know now if we can count on Ed and Erin and others when a violent Minneapolis scale ICE surge comes to Boston.
Reposted by Drew Starr
A buddy in MN shared a drawing a classmate of his kid made. They've been making thank you notes for parents who have volunteered to carpool them to school so their own parents don't have to risk waiting out by the bus stop.
January 15, 2026 at 4:43 PM
A buddy in MN shared a drawing a classmate of his kid made. They've been making thank you notes for parents who have volunteered to carpool them to school so their own parents don't have to risk waiting out by the bus stop.
This story is at least as much a cybersecurity and likely international sabotage story as it is about demand shifts. Stoli never fully recovered after a ransomware attack in 2024.
A democracy might see this is a crucial problem in need of solutions.
A democracy might see this is a crucial problem in need of solutions.
January 15, 2026 at 3:51 PM
This story is at least as much a cybersecurity and likely international sabotage story as it is about demand shifts. Stoli never fully recovered after a ransomware attack in 2024.
A democracy might see this is a crucial problem in need of solutions.
A democracy might see this is a crucial problem in need of solutions.
If It Happens today, it would make future anniversaries of this date much more tolerable.
My mom died 7 years ago today. This is the first year I'm not a wreck over it, and I'm 100% sure it has nothing to do with the passage of time and everything to do with being entirely drained by living in an increasingly authoritarian country.
January 15, 2026 at 2:46 PM
If It Happens today, it would make future anniversaries of this date much more tolerable.
What if all the AI datacenters nobody asked for being built are just distractions from all the pickleball courts nobody asked for being built?
They're not. As with Trump, two dumb things can happen at the same time with neither designed as a "distraction" from the other.
They're not. As with Trump, two dumb things can happen at the same time with neither designed as a "distraction" from the other.
January 15, 2026 at 2:37 PM
What if all the AI datacenters nobody asked for being built are just distractions from all the pickleball courts nobody asked for being built?
They're not. As with Trump, two dumb things can happen at the same time with neither designed as a "distraction" from the other.
They're not. As with Trump, two dumb things can happen at the same time with neither designed as a "distraction" from the other.
I'm just glad Dick Cheney didn't live to see this; it would have made him so happy.
The Trump administration is preparing to use private military contractors to protect oil and energy assets in Venezuela rather than deploying US troops, according to two sources familiar with the plans. https://cnn.it/3LIPdLw
January 15, 2026 at 12:25 PM
I'm just glad Dick Cheney didn't live to see this; it would have made him so happy.
My mom died 7 years ago today. This is the first year I'm not a wreck over it, and I'm 100% sure it has nothing to do with the passage of time and everything to do with being entirely drained by living in an increasingly authoritarian country.
January 15, 2026 at 5:19 AM
My mom died 7 years ago today. This is the first year I'm not a wreck over it, and I'm 100% sure it has nothing to do with the passage of time and everything to do with being entirely drained by living in an increasingly authoritarian country.
Reposted by Drew Starr
As it happens though, the framers of the US constitution did say it: in the 4th amendment, the 5th, the 10th, etc.
What they didn’t provide for is federal immigration enforcement of any kind, only “a uniform rule of naturalization.” Nor did they give the federal government a plenary police power.
What they didn’t provide for is federal immigration enforcement of any kind, only “a uniform rule of naturalization.” Nor did they give the federal government a plenary police power.
It goes without saying that in the US you’re not supposed to have a masked secret police that snatches people off the streets without knowing if they’ve committed a crime. That’s about as basic a requirement for a democracy as exists.
Having seen several abductions up close, it is really hard to convey how much the thing they’re doing is roaming in military convoys until they see someone who is alone and isn’t white, and then jumping out in large numbers, pulling them into a van, and screeching off, all in 90 seconds or so.
January 14, 2026 at 5:12 PM
As it happens though, the framers of the US constitution did say it: in the 4th amendment, the 5th, the 10th, etc.
What they didn’t provide for is federal immigration enforcement of any kind, only “a uniform rule of naturalization.” Nor did they give the federal government a plenary police power.
What they didn’t provide for is federal immigration enforcement of any kind, only “a uniform rule of naturalization.” Nor did they give the federal government a plenary police power.
Periodic reminder to follow Matt if you find historic (as in prior to Trump II) context around ICE important.
I think a lot of Americans have (understandably) assumed that this kind of brutal randomized street-level "papers please" enforcement has been how ICE has always done business.
It very much was not, until the past year.
It very much was not, until the past year.
Can confirm I have personally seen three attempts just today of agents in a convoy of ICE vehicles trying to snatch random POCs along Central Ave - and then being chased off by neighbors with whistles. It's blatant racial profiling.
Minneapolis city council member says POC should stay home:
Minneapolis city council member says POC should stay home:
January 14, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Periodic reminder to follow Matt if you find historic (as in prior to Trump II) context around ICE important.
Bello to 3rd? (Base or in the rotation, take your pick)
Breaking News
Heyman: Ranger Suárez to sign with the Red Sox.
Heyman: Ranger Suárez to sign with the Red Sox.
January 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Bello to 3rd? (Base or in the rotation, take your pick)
Nordic businesses invented a disproportionate amount of the technology that runs the US's cellular networks.
Extremely unlikely that means anything, but still feels like a throwaway plot element that turns out to mean something later
Extremely unlikely that means anything, but still feels like a throwaway plot element that turns out to mean something later
January 14, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Nordic businesses invented a disproportionate amount of the technology that runs the US's cellular networks.
Extremely unlikely that means anything, but still feels like a throwaway plot element that turns out to mean something later
Extremely unlikely that means anything, but still feels like a throwaway plot element that turns out to mean something later
"I have been told that's just how the FM of Denmark usually looks" is amazing (complimentary)
Update:
I have been told that’s just how the FM of Denmark usually looks.
The Danish FM and his Greenlandic counterpart also exchanged a fist bump, which the Danish press reportedly described as a “good sign.”
So we’ll see how this plays out.
I have been told that’s just how the FM of Denmark usually looks.
The Danish FM and his Greenlandic counterpart also exchanged a fist bump, which the Danish press reportedly described as a “good sign.”
So we’ll see how this plays out.
January 14, 2026 at 7:20 PM
"I have been told that's just how the FM of Denmark usually looks" is amazing (complimentary)
This dude has clearly never tried to activate an app on his TV with a QR code while sitting on his couch
I am introducing the Quick Recognition (QR) Act, which requires ICE and CBP officers to wear uniforms featuring QR codes. When scanned, the code would generate a digital ID displaying the officer’s name, badge number, and law enforcement agency.
ICE should be unmasked both physically and digitally.
ICE should be unmasked both physically and digitally.
January 14, 2026 at 7:18 PM
This dude has clearly never tried to activate an app on his TV with a QR code while sitting on his couch
"President Trump has set his sights on Iran. Amid the regime’s brutal repression of antigovernment protests, the White House let it be known that the president would be briefed Tuesday on possible military options."
'the regime' seems ambiguous here. Which one?
'the regime' seems ambiguous here. Which one?
“The Islamic republic would like nothing better than the opportunity to distract from its crimes against humanity by returning to gilded European ballrooms for endless, fruitless dialogue.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/o...
Opinion | There’s a Way to Topple the Ayatollah. Bombing Iran Isn’t It.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:11 PM
"President Trump has set his sights on Iran. Amid the regime’s brutal repression of antigovernment protests, the White House let it be known that the president would be briefed Tuesday on possible military options."
'the regime' seems ambiguous here. Which one?
'the regime' seems ambiguous here. Which one?
If Schumer were an outfielder with a slow line drive heading directly into his mit, he'd duck and yell "you got it!" to a kid eating popcorn in the stands 50 feet away
New - Chuck Schumer to haters: “The answer to these critics is to win. If we win back the Senate, that will answer every question"
Peltola “was the last piece to the puzzle"
He says Dem path to Senate is Ohio, Alaska, Maine and NC. Dems are watching Texas/Iowa
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
Peltola “was the last piece to the puzzle"
He says Dem path to Senate is Ohio, Alaska, Maine and NC. Dems are watching Texas/Iowa
www.semafor.com/article/01/1...
Exclusive: Schumer lauds recruits as Democrats see Senate within reach
The minority leader took an Al Davis-style approach as he sat down with Semafor: “The answer to these critics is to win.”
www.semafor.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:04 PM
If Schumer were an outfielder with a slow line drive heading directly into his mit, he'd duck and yell "you got it!" to a kid eating popcorn in the stands 50 feet away
Every person who grew up in Massachusetts watched the Fallon bit just to make sure we got named by Matt or Ben. I'm proud to have won the Affleck lottery, even if it's more of a Damon town.
He sucks so performed as expected.
Grateful to Ben for my new Facebook profile pic though
Grateful to Ben for my new Facebook profile pic though
January 14, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Every person who grew up in Massachusetts watched the Fallon bit just to make sure we got named by Matt or Ben. I'm proud to have won the Affleck lottery, even if it's more of a Damon town.