We can always count on the 5th Circuit to vote against the Dems. The judges are bought and paid for to invoke cruelty. There is a very warm place for these people which waiting on them.
I saw a post on substack today of a Patriots player who walked down the hall to the locker room barefoot and with handcuffs, to make a point about all the political kidnappings. I was really impressed. Because the owner Kraft is a Tump buddy.
[Substack's] co-founder, Hamish McKenzie addressed its decision to host Nazi content in one of his own posts on the site in 2023.
“I just want to make it clear that we don’t like Nazis either – we wish no one held those views,” he wrote. “But some people do hold those and other extreme views. Given that, we don’t think that censorship (including through demonetising publications) makes the problem go away – in fact, it makes it worse.
I agree with the horror of ICE and all Dems and others are doing to protest, fight, etc. I’m protesting, calling, writing, etc., too.
I hope that soon the Dem party will add to this list of demands some sort of framework for fixing the broken immigration system. For example, the cuts to ICE could instead be spent on immigration judges, or enforcing employment laws, etc. I listened to the NYT DAILY this morning. One speaker I felt for was a mason who found it difficult to build a business WITHOUT hiring undocumented workers, which he refused to do on moral grounds. But he reports that means he can’t compete and build a business. So he hates what is happening with ICE, but he supports eliminating undocumented residents/workers.
I actually think combining a humane, fair, reasonable, effective immigration system could expand the pro-democracy coalition even further. As we are seeing in polls, the number of Americans who want zero immigrants is a pretty small percentage.
Robert. I have a question. I always am confused by the term "immigrant who entered the US illegally." Does this include people who have been granted temporary asylum status while they await their day in court? Are such people being incarcerated along with other noncitizen immigrants? I personally have always thought that such people were in our country legally until a court made a decision on their asylum claim. Am I wrong about that?
That is such a good question and important point! Yes those immigrants have/had a temporary legal status while their asylum claim pends in court, and typically are assigned social security numbers with work authorization to work and pay taxes as they wait. However, MAGA'S have long lumped these people in with undocumented immigrants who have no legal status other than the right to due process under the law becuase they were admitted during the Biden years. Most of these originally legal non-citizens have recently had their temporary protected or parole status revoked (Ukrainians, Iraqis, Hondurans, Venezuelans, Cubans, etc) along with their work authorization. Many have been offered financial assistance by the Dept of Homeland Security to self deport right away (a plane ticket and $1,000) and after years of waiting in line to have their cases heard- are now without any protective legal status and vulnerable to ICE raids. They are being deported after faithfully following the assurances of the US Govt for a fair hearing of their claim.
Thanks for keeping us up on the latest insanity, Robert! Always appreciate your views.
As for the Super Bowl, not really into football so we didn't watch the game, but we did watch Bad Bunny! Entertaining show with a great message. BTW, Lady Gaga sang "Die with a Smile" in English, not Spanish.
Local news has been touting the fact that the Seahawks quarterback is from San Clemente, so we had a little more interest in this year's game than normal.
As i read Part I of Robert's editorial today, 2/9/26, a Frank Sinatra song came to mind:
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows
I took the blows
And did it my way
By referencing the above, the intent is clear. First, my heart and my donations go out to the brave Minnesotans. In Aussie talk: GOOD ON YOU. I am proud to be a member of your club.
But this ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court (2 of 3 Judges), will bear testimony to the morality, civility and humanity of the three states: Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Now we will see if the designation RED vs BLUE is more powerful than the fight for freedom, democracy, and civility. My appraisal: I do not have faith in Louisiana or Mississippi regarding caring for other people, despite the large Black population. Texas, with its huge Hispanic population, will or should be a tipping point. If there are mass protestations, other Red mentality states might follow. Texans could lead the way, left or right.
The "MO" or modus operandi of Trumpelstilskin, (aka tyrantosaurus Rex) is clear. Deplete as much of the Democratic voting pool as possible, and in any way possible.
Part II of today's editorial regarding Gabbard. Not enough factual information for me to comment.
Part III: the EPSSTEIN FILES.
The opinion I express below is likely to be heavily criticized, but that's okay. If I were a child or a teenager and violated sexually, and the course of history could be changed by my speaking out as to who the violators were, then I would rather be outspoken than be silenced.
If the concern is a legal suit for alleged defamation and the victim of that sexual crime was not super wealthy, I would consider the following.
A television marathon lasting one to two days or more to raise funds via contributions from the public. We saw this many times with marathons to raise money for multiple sclerosis led by the comedian Jerry Lewis. Why not have a survivor's fund that is a financial reservoir to be used in any lawsuit directed against a survivor that names those persons who assaulted her or him?
One opinion I'd like to express relates to the Super Bowl that I watched off and on yesterday. First, I am ex-military, having spent two years caring for active and retired military during the Vietnam conflict. I saw the incredible waste of taxpayer dollars during my basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas in 1970. While a diphtheria epidemic was killing children in San Antonio, hundreds of doctors were taught how to march in military style as if they were at all pertinent to what they would do in the future. There would be a full military band accompanying us. And yesterday's Super Bowl, after the national anthem was sung beautifully by Charlie Pugh, why was there a need for military jets to fly over for that transient two or three seconds that cost millions of taxpayer dollars when such monies could be used to feed starving people in this country, if they exist, or elsewhere in the world? I say the same with fireworks, and I say that as a kid growing up loving fireworks, but it is a waste of money and it pollutes the atmosphere. So why do we accept this bullshit hypocrisy in our society? We are supposed to be enlightened, civilized people, not spectators in the Roman Coliseum, and yet that is how I feel or felt watching the Super Bowl.
I also have to speak out and say that I thought that the Bad Bunny performance was mostly about ass. I am a great admirer of the woman's body, and even at my advanced age, I can appreciate the gyrations and the pelvic thrusts. But what in the world are we doing, having this as a performance of one of the most watched media productions seen by many millions, if not billions, of people? This is the stuff of the fall of the Roman Empire. This is the stuff that I want to see when I go out with my friends to a club in Chicago or elsewhere, but not on national television. I thought it was a ridiculous performance, and I appreciated Bad Bunny much more when he spoke out about the things that matter at the Golden Globe Awards.
As I said above, I am sure to receive many criticisms on my voicing this opinion.
Please remember that this decision is by a three judge panel of the fifth circuit. It will likely be reversed, and hopefully soon, when the entire court hears the case. Making a ruckus wI'll hopefully speed things up.
Benito Martinez Ocasio is an American treasure-for all of the Americas, as he noted with his list of American countries, Chile to Canada-and Puerto Rico.
My heart aches for the people in "detention." It isn't just detention; it is the kind of deliberate cruelty that is (or should be) illegal for anyone, anywhere in the world, with bad food, not enough beds, no medical treatment, etc. And, the detainees include children. What human being would inflict that on any child? The people running our government are truly "the worst of the worst."
A good Robert update! The 5th Circuit is way off. Why? What is conservative, if that is what they claim, about that decision that flies in the face of prior decisions and our Constitution? I don't get it. Good on Bad Bunny! 135 million people watched a show celebrating togetherness, love, and our Latin population and neighbors. Biggest audience for a half-time show ever! Giving the Grammy to a young boy was a clear message about ICE seizing poor Liam. I was told Fatsby said Bad Bunny was from a Puerto Rican province in Mexico or something like that. Hello? This is what we are dealing with. He also bad mouthed the show in real time on his social media. Come on.,he can't really be president, right? Who would vote for someone like that? Great protest pictures as usual and special kudos to those people in New Hampshire braving the brutal cold!
Prior to the Golden Globes, I knew very little of Bad Bunny other than that he was incredibly popular. I thought highly of what he said at the Globe Awards. I did not think that the Super Bowl performance came across to me as a tribute to the Latino population, of which I have a great deal of affection and love for. For me, it was more testosterone-driven, tits-and-ass type of thing, and as much as my male endocrine system was stirred by the performance I considered a lost opportunity. The fact that Trump was not present was a perfect milieu to say the things that we wanted someone, anyone, to say to the billions that were watching the Super Bowl. Instead, it will be a performance that will be rapidly forgotten.
How much do you think this push to incarcerate has to do with the facilities being run by wealthy private contractors who’d like to increase their profits by upping the numbers? Here’s an ugly picture: contractors paying off politicians to increase incarcerations, all paid by our tax dollars.
We readers and those found in the daily photos Robert shares certainly recognize that we are in a long overdue fight that will not end soon and most likely not before the November 2026 elections. The courage and fortitude protesters are demonstrating bode well for even harder times at the ballot box and beyond since Trump and his accomplices will continue to do everything they can to avoid accountability and justice for the citizens of the United States of America. I am grateful for all who are standing firm. You are the best of our citizenry.
“The decision by the Fifth Circuit panel and the upcoming showdown over DHS funding are unsettling, but these are necessary fights. We must endure a period of instability and uncertainty, even as we have seized the momentum. Any rational administration would recalibrate a policy detested by a strong majority of Americans. But Trump and Steven Miller will double down on their evil policies because they are unable to do otherwise.
American citizens continue to rally to the defense of their neighbors, friends, co-workers, and community members. The worst of Trump’s policies have brought out the best in Americans. The fight is not over, but we are winning the most important battle of all—for the hearts and minds of the voters. In the end, that victory will matter most.”
We can always count on the 5th Circuit to vote against the Dems. The judges are bought and paid for to invoke cruelty. There is a very warm place for these people which waiting on them.
I saw a post on substack today of a Patriots player who walked down the hall to the locker room barefoot and with handcuffs, to make a point about all the political kidnappings. I was really impressed. Because the owner Kraft is a Tump buddy.
Here is the link if it works:
https://substack.com/@rawstory/note/c-212102610?r=dvmn6&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
This is so distressing. Please read:
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/07/revealed-how-substack-makes-money-from-hosting-nazi-newsletters
His excuse does not make it better:
[Substack's] co-founder, Hamish McKenzie addressed its decision to host Nazi content in one of his own posts on the site in 2023.
“I just want to make it clear that we don’t like Nazis either – we wish no one held those views,” he wrote. “But some people do hold those and other extreme views. Given that, we don’t think that censorship (including through demonetising publications) makes the problem go away – in fact, it makes it worse.
I DISAGREE!
Hey, Robert--Not that it matters, but you keep misspelling Stephen Miller's name as "Steven." Other than that, keep on keepin' on! Best, Will Holland
I agree with the horror of ICE and all Dems and others are doing to protest, fight, etc. I’m protesting, calling, writing, etc., too.
I hope that soon the Dem party will add to this list of demands some sort of framework for fixing the broken immigration system. For example, the cuts to ICE could instead be spent on immigration judges, or enforcing employment laws, etc. I listened to the NYT DAILY this morning. One speaker I felt for was a mason who found it difficult to build a business WITHOUT hiring undocumented workers, which he refused to do on moral grounds. But he reports that means he can’t compete and build a business. So he hates what is happening with ICE, but he supports eliminating undocumented residents/workers.
I actually think combining a humane, fair, reasonable, effective immigration system could expand the pro-democracy coalition even further. As we are seeing in polls, the number of Americans who want zero immigrants is a pretty small percentage.
Trump and ICE are building concentration camps for thousands of innocent people. Is this the American we now live in?
Looks like it unless we act.
Robert. I have a question. I always am confused by the term "immigrant who entered the US illegally." Does this include people who have been granted temporary asylum status while they await their day in court? Are such people being incarcerated along with other noncitizen immigrants? I personally have always thought that such people were in our country legally until a court made a decision on their asylum claim. Am I wrong about that?
Thank you.
That is such a good question and important point! Yes those immigrants have/had a temporary legal status while their asylum claim pends in court, and typically are assigned social security numbers with work authorization to work and pay taxes as they wait. However, MAGA'S have long lumped these people in with undocumented immigrants who have no legal status other than the right to due process under the law becuase they were admitted during the Biden years. Most of these originally legal non-citizens have recently had their temporary protected or parole status revoked (Ukrainians, Iraqis, Hondurans, Venezuelans, Cubans, etc) along with their work authorization. Many have been offered financial assistance by the Dept of Homeland Security to self deport right away (a plane ticket and $1,000) and after years of waiting in line to have their cases heard- are now without any protective legal status and vulnerable to ICE raids. They are being deported after faithfully following the assurances of the US Govt for a fair hearing of their claim.
Thanks for keeping us up on the latest insanity, Robert! Always appreciate your views.
As for the Super Bowl, not really into football so we didn't watch the game, but we did watch Bad Bunny! Entertaining show with a great message. BTW, Lady Gaga sang "Die with a Smile" in English, not Spanish.
Local news has been touting the fact that the Seahawks quarterback is from San Clemente, so we had a little more interest in this year's game than normal.
As i read Part I of Robert's editorial today, 2/9/26, a Frank Sinatra song came to mind:
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows
I took the blows
And did it my way
By referencing the above, the intent is clear. First, my heart and my donations go out to the brave Minnesotans. In Aussie talk: GOOD ON YOU. I am proud to be a member of your club.
But this ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court (2 of 3 Judges), will bear testimony to the morality, civility and humanity of the three states: Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Now we will see if the designation RED vs BLUE is more powerful than the fight for freedom, democracy, and civility. My appraisal: I do not have faith in Louisiana or Mississippi regarding caring for other people, despite the large Black population. Texas, with its huge Hispanic population, will or should be a tipping point. If there are mass protestations, other Red mentality states might follow. Texans could lead the way, left or right.
The "MO" or modus operandi of Trumpelstilskin, (aka tyrantosaurus Rex) is clear. Deplete as much of the Democratic voting pool as possible, and in any way possible.
Part II of today's editorial regarding Gabbard. Not enough factual information for me to comment.
Part III: the EPSSTEIN FILES.
The opinion I express below is likely to be heavily criticized, but that's okay. If I were a child or a teenager and violated sexually, and the course of history could be changed by my speaking out as to who the violators were, then I would rather be outspoken than be silenced.
If the concern is a legal suit for alleged defamation and the victim of that sexual crime was not super wealthy, I would consider the following.
A television marathon lasting one to two days or more to raise funds via contributions from the public. We saw this many times with marathons to raise money for multiple sclerosis led by the comedian Jerry Lewis. Why not have a survivor's fund that is a financial reservoir to be used in any lawsuit directed against a survivor that names those persons who assaulted her or him?
One opinion I'd like to express relates to the Super Bowl that I watched off and on yesterday. First, I am ex-military, having spent two years caring for active and retired military during the Vietnam conflict. I saw the incredible waste of taxpayer dollars during my basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas in 1970. While a diphtheria epidemic was killing children in San Antonio, hundreds of doctors were taught how to march in military style as if they were at all pertinent to what they would do in the future. There would be a full military band accompanying us. And yesterday's Super Bowl, after the national anthem was sung beautifully by Charlie Pugh, why was there a need for military jets to fly over for that transient two or three seconds that cost millions of taxpayer dollars when such monies could be used to feed starving people in this country, if they exist, or elsewhere in the world? I say the same with fireworks, and I say that as a kid growing up loving fireworks, but it is a waste of money and it pollutes the atmosphere. So why do we accept this bullshit hypocrisy in our society? We are supposed to be enlightened, civilized people, not spectators in the Roman Coliseum, and yet that is how I feel or felt watching the Super Bowl.
I also have to speak out and say that I thought that the Bad Bunny performance was mostly about ass. I am a great admirer of the woman's body, and even at my advanced age, I can appreciate the gyrations and the pelvic thrusts. But what in the world are we doing, having this as a performance of one of the most watched media productions seen by many millions, if not billions, of people? This is the stuff of the fall of the Roman Empire. This is the stuff that I want to see when I go out with my friends to a club in Chicago or elsewhere, but not on national television. I thought it was a ridiculous performance, and I appreciated Bad Bunny much more when he spoke out about the things that matter at the Golden Globe Awards.
As I said above, I am sure to receive many criticisms on my voicing this opinion.
Please remember that this decision is by a three judge panel of the fifth circuit. It will likely be reversed, and hopefully soon, when the entire court hears the case. Making a ruckus wI'll hopefully speed things up.
Benito Martinez Ocasio is an American treasure-for all of the Americas, as he noted with his list of American countries, Chile to Canada-and Puerto Rico.
My heart aches for the people in "detention." It isn't just detention; it is the kind of deliberate cruelty that is (or should be) illegal for anyone, anywhere in the world, with bad food, not enough beds, no medical treatment, etc. And, the detainees include children. What human being would inflict that on any child? The people running our government are truly "the worst of the worst."
‼️📢🔊‼️📢🔊‼️📢🔊
Thanks for highlighting that PROTEST is the essence of American history and our culture!⚖️⚖️⚖️
A good Robert update! The 5th Circuit is way off. Why? What is conservative, if that is what they claim, about that decision that flies in the face of prior decisions and our Constitution? I don't get it. Good on Bad Bunny! 135 million people watched a show celebrating togetherness, love, and our Latin population and neighbors. Biggest audience for a half-time show ever! Giving the Grammy to a young boy was a clear message about ICE seizing poor Liam. I was told Fatsby said Bad Bunny was from a Puerto Rican province in Mexico or something like that. Hello? This is what we are dealing with. He also bad mouthed the show in real time on his social media. Come on.,he can't really be president, right? Who would vote for someone like that? Great protest pictures as usual and special kudos to those people in New Hampshire braving the brutal cold!
Prior to the Golden Globes, I knew very little of Bad Bunny other than that he was incredibly popular. I thought highly of what he said at the Globe Awards. I did not think that the Super Bowl performance came across to me as a tribute to the Latino population, of which I have a great deal of affection and love for. For me, it was more testosterone-driven, tits-and-ass type of thing, and as much as my male endocrine system was stirred by the performance I considered a lost opportunity. The fact that Trump was not present was a perfect milieu to say the things that we wanted someone, anyone, to say to the billions that were watching the Super Bowl. Instead, it will be a performance that will be rapidly forgotten.
How much do you think this push to incarcerate has to do with the facilities being run by wealthy private contractors who’d like to increase their profits by upping the numbers? Here’s an ugly picture: contractors paying off politicians to increase incarcerations, all paid by our tax dollars.
We readers and those found in the daily photos Robert shares certainly recognize that we are in a long overdue fight that will not end soon and most likely not before the November 2026 elections. The courage and fortitude protesters are demonstrating bode well for even harder times at the ballot box and beyond since Trump and his accomplices will continue to do everything they can to avoid accountability and justice for the citizens of the United States of America. I am grateful for all who are standing firm. You are the best of our citizenry.
“The decision by the Fifth Circuit panel and the upcoming showdown over DHS funding are unsettling, but these are necessary fights. We must endure a period of instability and uncertainty, even as we have seized the momentum. Any rational administration would recalibrate a policy detested by a strong majority of Americans. But Trump and Steven Miller will double down on their evil policies because they are unable to do otherwise.
American citizens continue to rally to the defense of their neighbors, friends, co-workers, and community members. The worst of Trump’s policies have brought out the best in Americans. The fight is not over, but we are winning the most important battle of all—for the hearts and minds of the voters. In the end, that victory will matter most.”