Rick Vecchio
@bklynsoutham.bsky.social
Tourism mgt/ops, small business development & marketing, journalism
Pinned
Rick Vecchio
@bklynsoutham.bsky.social
· Mar 15
“We know it’s a tough time to be a journalist, but I think what strengthens all of us is that there is probably no better time to be a journalist because this is when we live our values and we live our mission.”
— Maria Ressa
Support fact-based journalism.
@mariaressa.bsky.social
— Maria Ressa
Support fact-based journalism.
@mariaressa.bsky.social
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
In violation of FLE training.
'intermediate weapons [pepper spray] are excessive when any reasonable officer would know that they are likely to cause serious injuries.'
'use of force must be objectively reasonable'
'OC spray is reasonable against a combative suspect who poses an immediate threat.'
'intermediate weapons [pepper spray] are excessive when any reasonable officer would know that they are likely to cause serious injuries.'
'use of force must be objectively reasonable'
'OC spray is reasonable against a combative suspect who poses an immediate threat.'
Use of Force - Part VI | Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
Part VI: Intermediate Weapons
www.fletc.gov
November 26, 2025 at 4:42 PM
In violation of FLE training.
'intermediate weapons [pepper spray] are excessive when any reasonable officer would know that they are likely to cause serious injuries.'
'use of force must be objectively reasonable'
'OC spray is reasonable against a combative suspect who poses an immediate threat.'
'intermediate weapons [pepper spray] are excessive when any reasonable officer would know that they are likely to cause serious injuries.'
'use of force must be objectively reasonable'
'OC spray is reasonable against a combative suspect who poses an immediate threat.'
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
The president had a record net worth of $7.3 billion in September.
Trump’s Net Worth Drops $1.1 Billion
The president had a record net worth of $7.3 billion in September.
www.forbes.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The president had a record net worth of $7.3 billion in September.
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
RIP, Jimmy Cliff
so as sure as the sun will shine
i'm gonna get my share of what's mine
and then they harder they come,
the harder they fall
one and all
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpQr...
so as sure as the sun will shine
i'm gonna get my share of what's mine
and then they harder they come,
the harder they fall
one and all
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpQr...
The Harder They Come
YouTube video by Jimmy Cliff - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
RIP, Jimmy Cliff
so as sure as the sun will shine
i'm gonna get my share of what's mine
and then they harder they come,
the harder they fall
one and all
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpQr...
so as sure as the sun will shine
i'm gonna get my share of what's mine
and then they harder they come,
the harder they fall
one and all
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpQr...
"It’s also a good time to remind people not to download apps from untrusted sources, even if they appear to be a legitimate Google Chrome update, which seems to be one of the distribution methods for the Sturnus malware."
www.forbes.com/sites/daveyw...
www.forbes.com/sites/daveyw...
Hackers Bypass Signal, Telegram And WhatsApp Encryption To Read Messages
How private and secure are your end-to-end encrypted instant messages? Not so much when Sturnus attacks.
www.forbes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"It’s also a good time to remind people not to download apps from untrusted sources, even if they appear to be a legitimate Google Chrome update, which seems to be one of the distribution methods for the Sturnus malware."
www.forbes.com/sites/daveyw...
www.forbes.com/sites/daveyw...
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
November 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
Warrant? They don't need no stinking warrant. Fourth Amendment of the Constitution? Who cares?
Immigration agents STORM New York family's home at gunpoint
YouTube video by MS NOW
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Warrant? They don't need no stinking warrant. Fourth Amendment of the Constitution? Who cares?
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
"I used to think if you're not hiding anything, you have nothing to be worried about. If you didn't do anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about. And now I know that even if you did nothing wrong, you still have something to worry about."
November 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM
"I used to think if you're not hiding anything, you have nothing to be worried about. If you didn't do anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about. And now I know that even if you did nothing wrong, you still have something to worry about."
"Due process is not a constitutional right afforded only to citizens; legal restrictions on unlawful detention apply to all people on U.S. soil."
Inside ICE Detention: Stripped, Shackled, Starved
YouTube video by New York Times Opinion
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 1:57 PM
"Due process is not a constitutional right afforded only to citizens; legal restrictions on unlawful detention apply to all people on U.S. soil."
"ICE agents then surrounded the judge’s car and demanded everyone to exit the vehicle, threatening to smash in the windows if they did not comply."
America 2025.
November 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
"ICE agents then surrounded the judge’s car and demanded everyone to exit the vehicle, threatening to smash in the windows if they did not comply."
"Though the Coast Guard is not part of the Defense Department, the service has been reworking its policies to align with the Trump administration’s changing tolerances for hazing and harassment within the U.S. military."
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
"Though the Coast Guard is not part of the Defense Department, the service has been reworking its policies to align with the Trump administration’s changing tolerances for hazing and harassment within the U.S. military."
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
Trump administration halts naturalization ceremonies in upstate NY
wnyt.com/top-stories/... wtf?! lawless, vile, heartbreaking & dumbly harmful to all of us.
attending naturalization ceremonies is the best of this country:( so embarrassed & ashamed.
wnyt.com/top-stories/... wtf?! lawless, vile, heartbreaking & dumbly harmful to all of us.
attending naturalization ceremonies is the best of this country:( so embarrassed & ashamed.
Trump administration halts naturalization ceremonies in upstate NY
According to several county clerks contacted by NewsChannel 13, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) informed them that naturalization ceremonies are canceled indefinitely. This has left ...
wnyt.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Trump administration halts naturalization ceremonies in upstate NY
wnyt.com/top-stories/... wtf?! lawless, vile, heartbreaking & dumbly harmful to all of us.
attending naturalization ceremonies is the best of this country:( so embarrassed & ashamed.
wnyt.com/top-stories/... wtf?! lawless, vile, heartbreaking & dumbly harmful to all of us.
attending naturalization ceremonies is the best of this country:( so embarrassed & ashamed.
Violence against law enforcement is never okay. Watch the whole video.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0P_8...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0P_8...
"I refuse to be part of this charade" – Padilla Walks Out of Republican Immigration Hearing
YouTube video by Senator Alex Padilla
m.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Violence against law enforcement is never okay. Watch the whole video.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0P_8...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=0P_8...
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
NEW: In resolving the standoff between the U.S. Attorney's Office and Zia Faruqui, Judge James Boasberg arrivals at a startling conclusion:
D.C. Code overrides rules of criminal procedure, and magistrates must still accept indictments secured in D.C. Superior Court. And essentially without limit.
D.C. Code overrides rules of criminal procedure, and magistrates must still accept indictments secured in D.C. Superior Court. And essentially without limit.
Judge Concludes Prosecutors Can Circumvent Federal Grand Juries in D.C.
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:12 AM
NEW: In resolving the standoff between the U.S. Attorney's Office and Zia Faruqui, Judge James Boasberg arrivals at a startling conclusion:
D.C. Code overrides rules of criminal procedure, and magistrates must still accept indictments secured in D.C. Superior Court. And essentially without limit.
D.C. Code overrides rules of criminal procedure, and magistrates must still accept indictments secured in D.C. Superior Court. And essentially without limit.
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
Politicians in 3 states have passed legislation mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools.
We've sued in all 3. We've won in all 3.
Don't mess with the separation of church and state.
We've sued in all 3. We've won in all 3.
Don't mess with the separation of church and state.
November 20, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Politicians in 3 states have passed legislation mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools.
We've sued in all 3. We've won in all 3.
Don't mess with the separation of church and state.
We've sued in all 3. We've won in all 3.
Don't mess with the separation of church and state.
The AP reveals a significant nationwide domestic surveillance program by U.S. Border Patrol. The surveillance program reaches well into the interior of the United States and is monitoring drivers nationwide.
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The AP reveals a significant nationwide domestic surveillance program by U.S. Border Patrol. The surveillance program reaches well into the interior of the United States and is monitoring drivers nationwide.
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
“If you’re quiet now, you would’ve been quiet in 1940.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:44 AM
“If you’re quiet now, you would’ve been quiet in 1940.”
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
‘The Great Task Remaining Before Us’: Lincoln’s Vision at Gettysburg
www.thebulwark.com
‘The Great Task Remaining Before Us’: Lincoln’s Vision at Gettysburg
twp.ai
November 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
‘The Great Task Remaining Before Us’: Lincoln’s Vision at Gettysburg
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
Don't be evil?
"Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed to warn local communities about the presence of ICE officers..."
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
"Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed to warn local communities about the presence of ICE officers..."
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable gr...
www.404media.co
November 16, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Don't be evil?
"Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed to warn local communities about the presence of ICE officers..."
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
"Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed to warn local communities about the presence of ICE officers..."
www.404media.co/google-has-c...
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
Raskin: If this were to pass, this astounding provision would give eight Republican senators a personal payday of at least a million dollars each, paid for by the U.S. Taxpayers at a time when we are throwing millions of people off of their health care…
November 12, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Raskin: If this were to pass, this astounding provision would give eight Republican senators a personal payday of at least a million dollars each, paid for by the U.S. Taxpayers at a time when we are throwing millions of people off of their health care…
USAID's entire budget for FY 2025, before Trump illegally dismantled it, was approximately $34 billion.
Compare that to Trump's $40 billion bailout of Argentine President Milei's political party.
Compare that to Trump's $40 billion bailout of Argentine President Milei's political party.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
USAID's entire budget for FY 2025, before Trump illegally dismantled it, was approximately $34 billion.
Compare that to Trump's $40 billion bailout of Argentine President Milei's political party.
Compare that to Trump's $40 billion bailout of Argentine President Milei's political party.
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
The first honest thing Steve Bannon has ever said.
Steve Bannon: If we lose the midterms and we lose 2028, some in this room are going to prison, myself included.
November 7, 2025 at 12:51 AM
The first honest thing Steve Bannon has ever said.
Reposted by Rick Vecchio
Of course I'm worried about socialism. I mean, just imagine if Mamdani one day becomes President and nationalizes industry, imposes historic tax hikes, goes after the media, builds a secret national police force, militarizes the country, and sends people to camps.
November 5, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Of course I'm worried about socialism. I mean, just imagine if Mamdani one day becomes President and nationalizes industry, imposes historic tax hikes, goes after the media, builds a secret national police force, militarizes the country, and sends people to camps.
NY Times headlines:
Musk Wins $1 Trillion Pay Package, Creating Split Screen on Wealth in America
Scroll, scroll...
Trump Administration Live Updates: Flight Cancellations Begin Ahead of F.A.A. Air Traffic Cuts
Scroll...
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund Food Stamps This Month
Musk Wins $1 Trillion Pay Package, Creating Split Screen on Wealth in America
Scroll, scroll...
Trump Administration Live Updates: Flight Cancellations Begin Ahead of F.A.A. Air Traffic Cuts
Scroll...
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund Food Stamps This Month
November 7, 2025 at 1:32 AM
NY Times headlines:
Musk Wins $1 Trillion Pay Package, Creating Split Screen on Wealth in America
Scroll, scroll...
Trump Administration Live Updates: Flight Cancellations Begin Ahead of F.A.A. Air Traffic Cuts
Scroll...
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund Food Stamps This Month
Musk Wins $1 Trillion Pay Package, Creating Split Screen on Wealth in America
Scroll, scroll...
Trump Administration Live Updates: Flight Cancellations Begin Ahead of F.A.A. Air Traffic Cuts
Scroll...
Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund Food Stamps This Month