Michael Watson
@payton7622.bsky.social
Liberal Iowan by birth and choice and not going anywhere | Father | Happily Married
Reposted by Michael Watson
ICE has taken Chinese dissident Guan Heng into custody and is threatening to return him to China.
Guan Heng risked his life to film the Uyghur concentration camps—the same camps Secretary of State Rubio opposed when he sponsored the “Uyghur Force Labor Prevention Act” as a US senator.
Guan Heng risked his life to film the Uyghur concentration camps—the same camps Secretary of State Rubio opposed when he sponsored the “Uyghur Force Labor Prevention Act” as a US senator.
In late 2020 a Chinese man called Guan Heng travelled to Xinjiang with our BuzzFeed map of detention facilities to provide ground truth for our work - he provided the first corroborating evidence for many sites.
He escaped to the US - then ICE detained him.
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
He escaped to the US - then ICE detained him.
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
ICE Holding Chinese Man Who Documented Uyghur Camps
Heng Guan is awaiting an immigration hearing on Monday that could lead to his removal from the U.S. and ultimately land him back in China, according to his lawyer and a New York-based activist group.
www.wsj.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM
ICE has taken Chinese dissident Guan Heng into custody and is threatening to return him to China.
Guan Heng risked his life to film the Uyghur concentration camps—the same camps Secretary of State Rubio opposed when he sponsored the “Uyghur Force Labor Prevention Act” as a US senator.
Guan Heng risked his life to film the Uyghur concentration camps—the same camps Secretary of State Rubio opposed when he sponsored the “Uyghur Force Labor Prevention Act” as a US senator.
Reposted by Michael Watson
Say what you want about Epstein, but he took the concept of intellectual diversity seriously
Well, there's a photo I never expected to see in my life. Noam Chomsky palling around with Steve Bannon.
December 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Say what you want about Epstein, but he took the concept of intellectual diversity seriously
Reposted by Michael Watson
As a GOP activist, Harmeet Dhillon frequently insisted that the federal government has “little to say” about how states run their elections. Now, as head of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), she claims the feds have “sweeping” authority to seize state voter rolls.
Harmeet Dhillon Was an Outspoken Advocate for the Right of States to Run Elections. Then She Took a Top Job at Trump’s DOJ
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:13 PM
As a GOP activist, Harmeet Dhillon frequently insisted that the federal government has “little to say” about how states run their elections. Now, as head of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), she claims the feds have “sweeping” authority to seize state voter rolls.
Reposted by Michael Watson
🤡
"House Democrats on Thursday voted to return Rep. Henry Cuellar to his leadership role on the House Appropriations Committee following his presidential pardon on federal corruption charges."
JICYMI - Shameful, repulsive move by House Democrats and their leaders. Disgraceful.
JICYMI - Shameful, repulsive move by House Democrats and their leaders. Disgraceful.
Democrats Return Henry Cuellar to Powerful Spending Post After Trump Pardon
“We got ratified,” Cuellar told reporters after the vote.
www.notus.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:52 PM
🤡
Reposted by Michael Watson
Just fwiw the first season of Fallout had a budget of 153 MILLION DOLLARS.
They can't afford like $50k or whatever for like 3 people to work a week to make a proper season recap?
They can't afford like $50k or whatever for like 3 people to work a week to make a proper season recap?
December 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Just fwiw the first season of Fallout had a budget of 153 MILLION DOLLARS.
They can't afford like $50k or whatever for like 3 people to work a week to make a proper season recap?
They can't afford like $50k or whatever for like 3 people to work a week to make a proper season recap?
Reposted by Michael Watson
They should be pounding on Trump’s culture of corruption instead of creating their own.
"House Democrats on Thursday voted to return Rep. Henry Cuellar to his leadership role on the House Appropriations Committee following his presidential pardon on federal corruption charges."
JICYMI - Shameful, repulsive move by House Democrats and their leaders. Disgraceful.
JICYMI - Shameful, repulsive move by House Democrats and their leaders. Disgraceful.
Democrats Return Henry Cuellar to Powerful Spending Post After Trump Pardon
“We got ratified,” Cuellar told reporters after the vote.
www.notus.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:46 PM
They should be pounding on Trump’s culture of corruption instead of creating their own.
Reposted by Michael Watson
What's hilarious is that a bunch of MAGA influencers pushed the Angel film studio as not having trans content but now they're releasing Animal Farm with a major character voiced by Laverne Cox.
December 12, 2025 at 11:29 PM
What's hilarious is that a bunch of MAGA influencers pushed the Angel film studio as not having trans content but now they're releasing Animal Farm with a major character voiced by Laverne Cox.
Reposted by Michael Watson
Q: At the end of this year, those extended Obamacare subsidies expire. What's your message to those 24m Americans who will see their premiums go up?
TRUMP: Don't make it sound so bad. Obviously you're a sycophant for Democrats. You're obviously a provider of bad news for Republicans.
TRUMP: Don't make it sound so bad. Obviously you're a sycophant for Democrats. You're obviously a provider of bad news for Republicans.
December 12, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Q: At the end of this year, those extended Obamacare subsidies expire. What's your message to those 24m Americans who will see their premiums go up?
TRUMP: Don't make it sound so bad. Obviously you're a sycophant for Democrats. You're obviously a provider of bad news for Republicans.
TRUMP: Don't make it sound so bad. Obviously you're a sycophant for Democrats. You're obviously a provider of bad news for Republicans.
Reposted by Michael Watson
BREAKING
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released after a federal judge ordered it earlier today.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released after a federal judge ordered it earlier today.
December 11, 2025 at 10:35 PM
BREAKING
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released after a federal judge ordered it earlier today.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released after a federal judge ordered it earlier today.
Reposted by Michael Watson
You can thank Tim Kaine, Angus King, Maggie Hassan, Catherine Cortes-Masto, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Jacky Rosen and Jeanne Shaheen for your loss of healthcare
Shaheen’s office just told me that nobody is fighting harder for the ACA subsidies than she is
And that the ACA subsidy vote outcome was not predictable
The gaslighting 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
And that the ACA subsidy vote outcome was not predictable
The gaslighting 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
December 11, 2025 at 11:41 PM
You can thank Tim Kaine, Angus King, Maggie Hassan, Catherine Cortes-Masto, Dick Durbin, John Fetterman, Jacky Rosen and Jeanne Shaheen for your loss of healthcare
Reposted by Michael Watson
Jesus Christ, Washington Post: he's a corrupt slumlord whose BFF murdered one of your columnists. Just say that.
The sudden reappearance of Jared Kushner — President Trump’s son-in-law — as a major player in Trump’s second-term foreign policy has raised questions about his significant overseas financial interests.
How Jared Kushner became Trump’s indispensable second peace envoy
Despite promising to stay on the sidelines this administration, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has become enmeshed in critical diplomatic negotiations.
wapo.st
December 10, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Jesus Christ, Washington Post: he's a corrupt slumlord whose BFF murdered one of your columnists. Just say that.
Reposted by Michael Watson
JUST IN: Democrats are in comfortable leads in Albuquerque, as the early + mail vote has come in.
Democratic mayor Tim Keller leads his Republican opponent 58/42.
And in a city council race, Stephanie Telles leads 60% to 24%: her victory would flip the city council to the liberal faction.
Democratic mayor Tim Keller leads his Republican opponent 58/42.
And in a city council race, Stephanie Telles leads 60% to 24%: her victory would flip the city council to the liberal faction.
December 10, 2025 at 2:28 AM
JUST IN: Democrats are in comfortable leads in Albuquerque, as the early + mail vote has come in.
Democratic mayor Tim Keller leads his Republican opponent 58/42.
And in a city council race, Stephanie Telles leads 60% to 24%: her victory would flip the city council to the liberal faction.
Democratic mayor Tim Keller leads his Republican opponent 58/42.
And in a city council race, Stephanie Telles leads 60% to 24%: her victory would flip the city council to the liberal faction.
Reposted by Michael Watson
One more reason to never watch Fallon.
Jimmy Fallon: "And do you use ChatGPT when raising your baby?"
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
December 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
One more reason to never watch Fallon.
Reposted by Michael Watson
No one is going to want to come here
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 AM
No one is going to want to come here
Reposted by Michael Watson
This is a terrifying escalation of government surveillance and Trump’s attack on civil liberties.
U.S. Plans to Scrutinize Foreign Tourists’ Social Media History
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
This is a terrifying escalation of government surveillance and Trump’s attack on civil liberties.
Reposted by Michael Watson
We’ve had a lot of folks tell us we’re burning resources too early by launching field first. We disagree. Both candidates we’ve worked with (Akbar Ali and Eric Gisler) won their specials this year. The infrastructure we’re building can flip both the mansion and State House!
In a stealth upset, Democrat Eric Gisler flips a GOP-held Georgia House seat spanning parts of Athens and Oconee County. Gisler won 39% of vote last November. He captured 51% tonight to defeat a Republican backed by Gov. Brian Kemp and other GOP leaders.
December 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
We’ve had a lot of folks tell us we’re burning resources too early by launching field first. We disagree. Both candidates we’ve worked with (Akbar Ali and Eric Gisler) won their specials this year. The infrastructure we’re building can flip both the mansion and State House!
Reposted by Michael Watson
Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment.
Trump: "Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is. With her little turban. I love her. She comes in, does nothing but bitch ... we ought to get her the hell out ... she's here illegally."
The crowd in Pennsylvania then starts chanting "send her back!"
The crowd in Pennsylvania then starts chanting "send her back!"
December 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment.
Reposted by Michael Watson
just as close as the polls predicted. this is why they’re trying to gerrymander every red state they can — they know most people are sick of their shit.
NBC News projects: Matt Van Epps (R) wins TN-7 special election.
Trump won the district by 22 points in 2024.
Now with 90% of the vote in, Van Epps is winning by 4.1%.
Trump won the district by 22 points in 2024.
Now with 90% of the vote in, Van Epps is winning by 4.1%.
December 3, 2025 at 2:52 AM
just as close as the polls predicted. this is why they’re trying to gerrymander every red state they can — they know most people are sick of their shit.
Reposted by Michael Watson
Everyone involved in this child’s kidnapping is going to hell.
A 6-year-old boy is missing after ICE arrested him and his dad in NYC last week and shipped them off to separate facilities. www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/02/i... @thecity.nyc @gwynnefitz.bsky.social
ICE Arrested and Separated Chinese Father From 6-Year-Old Son, Advocates Say
The father and son were detained at an ICE check-in on Nov. 26, advocates say. The son’s location is currently unknown, while the father is being held at an upstate ICE facility.
www.thecity.nyc
December 3, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Everyone involved in this child’s kidnapping is going to hell.
Reposted by Michael Watson
If you ever wondered what GOP gerrymandering looks like in red states with blue cities, I present:
December 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
If you ever wondered what GOP gerrymandering looks like in red states with blue cities, I present:
Reposted by Michael Watson
Shocking footage out of Minneapolis emerges as activists on the ground report ICE is pulling people out of their cars simply because they look Somali:
Jordan Uhl on Instagram: "ICE is reportedly increasing its presence in Minneapolis/St. Paul to target Somali communities."
The Trump administration's plan to increase ICE's presence in Minneapolis and St. Paul has sparked concerns among local leaders and residents. Critics argue it amounts to racial profiling, violating d...
www.instagram.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Shocking footage out of Minneapolis emerges as activists on the ground report ICE is pulling people out of their cars simply because they look Somali:
Reposted by Michael Watson
Reposted by Michael Watson
The FBI Director for the United States of America, everyone. This is where we are at. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Kash Patel: "If Eric Swalwell wants to come online and talk about what jacket size I wear, I'm hearing to send him a women's medium so him and Fang Fang can go out again."
December 3, 2025 at 1:04 AM
The FBI Director for the United States of America, everyone. This is where we are at. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Reposted by Michael Watson
This dissent supporting the Texas GOP's racial gerrymandering reads like it's from some right-wing PR flack, but the author is federal appellate judge appointed by Ronald Reagan
The TX dissent is so unhinged it's making me queasy.
It's also wickedly antisemitic, mentioning "Soros" no fewer than 17 times, including gems like:
"Plaintiffs’ top expert Matt Barreto is a Soros operative. His CV confirms it. He expects to receive $2.5 million in his Soros piggybank."
It's also wickedly antisemitic, mentioning "Soros" no fewer than 17 times, including gems like:
"Plaintiffs’ top expert Matt Barreto is a Soros operative. His CV confirms it. He expects to receive $2.5 million in his Soros piggybank."
Order – #1439 in League of United Latin American Citizens v. Abbott (W.D. Tex., 3:21-cv-00259) – CourtListener.com
DISSENT from 1437 Memorandum Opinion and Order Granting Motion for Preliminary Injunction, signed and issued by Judge Jerry E. Smith. (kc) (Entered: 11/19/2025)
www.courtlistener.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This dissent supporting the Texas GOP's racial gerrymandering reads like it's from some right-wing PR flack, but the author is federal appellate judge appointed by Ronald Reagan
Reposted by Michael Watson
We got our decision in August.
The AG said Abbott's office must release some emails with Musk. About a month later, we got nearly 1,400 pages of emails.
I was stoked. Until I took a look at the records. They were almost completely redacted. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA
The AG said Abbott's office must release some emails with Musk. About a month later, we got nearly 1,400 pages of emails.
I was stoked. Until I took a look at the records. They were almost completely redacted. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA
November 19, 2025 at 3:26 PM
We got our decision in August.
The AG said Abbott's office must release some emails with Musk. About a month later, we got nearly 1,400 pages of emails.
I was stoked. Until I took a look at the records. They were almost completely redacted. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA
The AG said Abbott's office must release some emails with Musk. About a month later, we got nearly 1,400 pages of emails.
I was stoked. Until I took a look at the records. They were almost completely redacted. www.kut.org/politics/202... #txlege #FOIA