In at least 21 states plus the District of Columbia, citizens have taken to the streets to protest ICE Agent Jonathan Ross' shooting Renee Good three times in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The mass protests reflect public opinion: "Americans have turned sharply against ICE in Trump’s first year back as president." Today twice as many Americans -- 20% -- have a strongly … [Read more...] about Minneapolis shooting of Renee Good sparks protests across the country
ICE SHOOTING
From Kathmandu to Casablanca, a generation under surveillance is rising up
Amani Braa, Université de Montréal In 2025, youth-led protests erupted everywhere from Morocco to Nepal, Madagascar and Europe. A generation refused to remain silent in the face of economic precariousness, corruption and eroding democratic norms and institutions. Although they arose in different contexts, all the protests were met with the same playbook of responses: … [Read more...] about From Kathmandu to Casablanca, a generation under surveillance is rising up
REJECT THE EVIDENCE OF YOUR EYES AND EARS
ICE agent defied law, DOJ/DHS procedures, in shooting of Renee Nichole Good
UPDATED: Three facts from viewing videos of the murder of Renee Nichole Good on Wednesday are unarguable: ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot at a moving vehicle, crossed in front of Good's SUV and failed to promptly call 9-1-1. These violate some or all of DOJ and DHS procedures. The shooting also defies federal law. These facts fly in the face of the lies from Kristi Noem and … [Read more...] about ICE agent defied law, DOJ/DHS procedures, in shooting of Renee Nichole Good
ICE SHOOTS WOMAN DEAD IN MINNEAPOLIS: SELF-DEFENSE OR MURDER?
An ICE agent fatally shot a 37-year-old woman in the face several times during an immigration blitz in Minneapolis. Bystanders and those on social media analyzing the video say it was murder. DHS and President Donald Trump said the unidentified ICE agent was acting in self defense. It set off a firestorm of outrage and consternation. The city's mayor Jacob Frey told ICE to "get … [Read more...] about ICE SHOOTS WOMAN DEAD IN MINNEAPOLIS: SELF-DEFENSE OR MURDER?
ICE shoots, kills woman in Minneapolis
Video shared by bystanders refutes the official DHS/ICE claim that 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was "attack[ing]" ICE personnel and "attempt[ing] to run them over" as the rational for ICE shooting and killing her: self-defense. In actuality, she backed up and then pulled forward, one assumes to move out of the way (she was partially blocking the street, as were other cars) … [Read more...] about ICE shoots, kills woman in Minneapolis
ON BEING A TEA TASTER
By Amit Bose From cultivation to cup, tea is a multi-billion-dollar business. Professional tea tasters are a crucial part of it. Drawing on our extensive training and industry knowledge, we ensure that only the tastiest teas sold at the best price points reach tea lovers the world over. I have worked as a tea taster for over half a century now. My breadth and depth of … [Read more...] about ON BEING A TEA TASTER
2026 begins with an increasingly autocratic United States rising on the global stage
Explosions are seen at Fort Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, Jan. 3, 2026. Luis Jaimes/AFP via Getty Images Shelley Inglis, Rutgers University The U.S. military operation in Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, 2026, topped off months of military buildup and targeted strikes in the Caribbean Sea. It … [Read more...] about 2026 begins with an increasingly autocratic United States rising on the global stage
Satire: Happy new diversion
(Melody: Auld Lang Syne) By Laurie Baron May the Epstein files be forgot, And never brought to mind. Winning wars to get oil. Renders the public blind. Chorus: Petrol is why Trump fights, Not to stop the flow of drugs. Deflecting from his poor polls. Kidnap a foreign thug. May award jurors not forget. And learn to be more wise. He invades what he … [Read more...] about Satire: Happy new diversion
Ghost Of Invasions Past
Why do the people in charge suck so bad at history? I'm seeing a lot of excitement from MAGAts about the apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. One of them commented on yesterday's cartoon on Facebook, saying, “Cry harder, liberals,” which goes to show that MAGAts don't understand context. Liberals are not fans of Maduro. I am happy that he has been deposed, … [Read more...] about Ghost Of Invasions Past
Can the US ‘run’ Venezuela? Military force can topple a dictator, but it cannot create political authority or legitimacy
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro gather during a demonstration in Caracas on Jan, 4, 2026. Pedro Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images Monica Duffy Toft, Tufts University An image circulated over media the weekend of Jan. 3 and 4 was meant to convey dominance: Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, blindfolded and handcuffed … [Read more...] about Can the US ‘run’ Venezuela? Military force can topple a dictator, but it cannot create political authority or legitimacy
TOPPLING CORRUPT TYRANTS
An Ignominious Postscript to a Splendid Operation
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the constitutional, legal and political aspects of “Operation Absolute Resolve,” the bravery and skills of our military, C.I.A. and law enforcement personnel executing this daring mission cannot be questioned. The virtually flawless operation had been months in the planning by the U.S. military, the C.I.A and other agencies and included … [Read more...] about An Ignominious Postscript to a Splendid Operation
Is a Third Party the Answer?
America has been in the throes of a partisan political war for at least two decades. Over the last ten years, since the first ascension of Donald Trump to the throne in Washington, the partisanship and the disdain for political opponents has grown even worse. With MAGA and America First mantras, chanting and gear, the division between left and right has sharpened even further. … [Read more...] about Is a Third Party the Answer?
MADURO AWAITS HIS PARDON
A predawn op in Latin America? The US has been here before, but the seizure of Venezuela’s Maduro is still unprecedented
A motorcycle rides past graffiti depicting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Jan. 3, 2026. Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images Alan McPherson, Temple University In the dead of night during the holidays, the United States launched an operation inside a Latin American country, intent on seizing its leader on the pretext that he … [Read more...] about A predawn op in Latin America? The US has been here before, but the seizure of Venezuela’s Maduro is still unprecedented
A case for a universal basic income
Headlines and pundits bemoan forthcoming job losses due to corporate adoption of “artificial intelligence.”* Forget that for a moment, because household name corporations are killing jobs in real time. In Lexington, NE, a town of about 11,000, Tyson Foods has announced it is closing its 35-year-old meat packing plant this month and is laying off 3,200 workers. On the east … [Read more...] about A case for a universal basic income
Trump’s attacks on Minnesota reek of hypocrisy and retribution
Let’s be clear: President Joe Biden’s DOJ began investigating $250 million in Covid-era fraud in Minnesota in 2022. During the pandemic. The current media, pundit and MAGA hysteria over possible fraud in day care facilities was triggered by a influencer* video that CBS news has been unable to corroborate. President Donald Trump could care less about fraud, based on his … [Read more...] about Trump’s attacks on Minnesota reek of hypocrisy and retribution
