It is great to celebrate good news ! But it's a sign how SICK we are if we're celebrating Pretti's murderers being placed "on leave." How many of them? Which ones? He was mobbed, beaten and then killed. Talk about 'domestic terror'.
Their names were released. ProPublica found them. And yes it’s sad that we have to celebrate that, I agree. Nevertheless, since they were previously sent right back to work, I will celebrate it.
Geez. It's bad enough that people from my culture voted for the thing in '24, but to actually become ICE and CBP thugs? Do they not recognize the irony of this?
“First, anyone who has suffered under the boot of fascism knows that the worst people are often those who collaborate with oppressors against their own communities. The visceral hatred toward these betrayers is understandably more intense. After all, they sold their own souls to join the monsters devouring their own people.”
More information but still not much. "The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez."
My ResistBot letter for Feb 1: ICE is already expanding mass detention—buying warehouses—before Congress has approved funding or defined its mission. Courts are being ignored. The public is opposed. Congress must hold DHS funding until ICE is reformed or dismantled. Use this link to send letters to your members of Congress.
This afternoon I suited up for the Florida cold snap and protested in Brevard County. Good turnout! The Minneapolis protests and the courage of those who stood in that frigid air gave us courage. This is the time to take a stand. If not now, our time may pass as the dictator cracks down. Stand up, people!
Thank you for this post. We have to stay positive and loud. Keep raising your voice.
These are unprecedented times. Be LOUD 💔🤍💙
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) to contact members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Reach out (beyond your own) to as many in the Senate and House as you can. All of this is bigger than “I only represent my constituents” issues.
Thank you, Jess. I really look forward to this list every week. And it also helps me to remember during the week to notice and hold on to good news when it happens, because every bit helps fuel all our determination to keep fighting.
I would encourage (and help fund) anyone who could track down (erm, “locate”) these two bullet-counting federal, taxpayer-funded employees / “Deerhunters,” then arrange a 24/7 vigil of candles and protest on a public street or sidewalk across from there these people live.
Their families, neighbors, and kids must also never forget the shame upon them (I like kids; but this is now a family legacy for them to bear for generations).
“According to a preliminary DHS report sent to Congress, two officers fired their weapons at Pretti during a scuffle.”
Let's not forget the Haitians in Springfield, OH who are the apparent next targets for mass deportation after their TDS is removed. 10,000 people, including about 1500 children are at extreme risk.
Having more blue representatives can only help to restore trust—at home and abroad—and to repair broken relationships. I’ve been a therapist for decades and have seen miracles happen in AA. I believe that it can happen in our country too, if we’re willing to do a complete moral inventory and make amends to those we have harmed.
In the meantime, November is 9 months away. What is currently an embryo of hope will be birthed fully formed. Here’s my list of priorities: 1. Win the house and senate. 2. Impeach 3. Pursue criminal charges (and disbarment). 4. Join ICC and cooperate with their criminal charges re: Venezuela 5. The 40+ item punch list previously posted. This country has sustained a total moral collapse but new growth will continue to emerge. That new growth will reflect the dominant value system. Which wolf will we feed?
Here is a list of expected DNC planks for November. I expect incumbents and candidates to support every one of them and to explicitly name and explain any they don’t. Repost: Here’s a list—admittedly incomplete—amended by readers. Please consider forwarding the planks you support to your elected representatives. This is an existential moral imperative and the world is watching. It’s up to us to give them their marching orders. This year, it’s the platform, not the person. Like Quincy Jones said, they need to check their egos at the door. Or emigrate.
1. Medicare for all, including mental health.
2. Running water for all.
3. Safe, affordable, adequate housing for all.
4. Climate change course correction.
5. National “Annual Yearly Progress” educational standards that apply to all students: public school, private school, home school.
6. Nutrition and pesticides. There’s a reason why US wheat imports are banned in EU.
7. Paths to citizenship.
8. Metric system instead of imperial measurements. Every country in the world has made the switch except the US, Liberia, and Myanmar.
9. Reading and math literacy.
10. Maternal and infant survival (US has the worst rates among developed countries).
11. Restore DEI. My disability requires electronic communication (email or chat with a transcript) but legal teams don’t like written records. I have to surrender agency and assign a proxy to manage a credit card issue or schedule a mammogram. Disney sent me an email stating that they’re “phones only.” What’s next? Telling guests in wheelchairs to manage the stairs?
12. Zero tolerance of corruption.
13. Child care. Montessori is Head Start in Italy. It was developed there to lift up disadvantaged children. In the US, we’ve made it a designer brand that’s unaffordable for those who need it most and for whom it was intended.
14. Amend the 2nd amendment. Texas has more than 4000 gun deaths per year. FL takes silver with more than 3000. Together, they’re responsible for more than 17% of the 40,000 annual gun deaths in the US. The UK has 28. Not 28,000. Not 2800. 28. Their cops are unarmed. Everyone wins.
15. FOIA restored without the loopholes.
16. Enforcement of the laws, regs and court decisions that are on the books but ignored.
17. Abortion rights enshrinement.
18. Marriage equality enshrinement.
19. Infrastructure investment.
20. Internet for all.
21. We need to stop flushing drinking-quality water. We’re running out.
22. Return the Black Hills.
23. Reparations.
24. Liveable wages in decent working conditions, ideally in a union environment.
25. End citizens united.
26. Inheritance reform.
27. Enshrine social security.
28. Reform SCOTUS and court system.
29. Campaign finance reform.
30. Tax reform.
31. Commitment to ethical conduct.
32. Commitment to “truthfulness, transparency, and accountability.”
33. Enshrine voting rights.
34. Outlaw NDAs. They were meant to protect secret formulas, not silence the voices of victims.
35. Join ICC.
36. Restore the covenant of “good faith and fair dealing.”
37. Term limits. Public service is not for accumulating power and influence, it’s for serving the people.
38. Mandatory service to by all citizens reaching 18 for two years in public works, AmeriCorp, National Guard, or other similar organization.
39. Prison reform.
40. Free college or vocational training.
41. Eliminate electoral college.
42. End private equity investment.
43.End tipping. It’s out of control and our global neighbors don’t do it.
44.Issue new SS numbers to each citizen now that ours have been compromised.
Just want to add that I was at the Motion City Soundtrack concert last night in Philly, and the band stopped in the middle of their set to talk about the occupation of Minneapolis and encourage people to speak out and protect their neighbors. Justin Pierre said “I don’t think it’s political to want to protect children” - to massive cheers and hundreds of people shouting “F*ck ICE!” I love Philly.
It is great to celebrate good news ! But it's a sign how SICK we are if we're celebrating Pretti's murderers being placed "on leave." How many of them? Which ones? He was mobbed, beaten and then killed. Talk about 'domestic terror'.
Their names were released. ProPublica found them. And yes it’s sad that we have to celebrate that, I agree. Nevertheless, since they were previously sent right back to work, I will celebrate it.
Aaron Parnas released their names. Sadly Hispanic. I know nothing else.
Geez. It's bad enough that people from my culture voted for the thing in '24, but to actually become ICE and CBP thugs? Do they not recognize the irony of this?
From Jay Kuo:
“First, anyone who has suffered under the boot of fascism knows that the worst people are often those who collaborate with oppressors against their own communities. The visceral hatred toward these betrayers is understandably more intense. After all, they sold their own souls to join the monsters devouring their own people.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/statuskuo/p/theyre-losing-the-ice-battle?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Thanks for sending this, Kathy. I'll definitely read it.
I read it this morning and found it very informative.
Apparently not. I guess they needed jobs?
The 2 shooters, I have read,
https://www.propublica.org/article/alex-pretti-shooting-cbp-agents-identified-jesus-ochoa-raymundo-gutierrez
More information but still not much. "The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez."
My ResistBot letter for Feb 1: ICE is already expanding mass detention—buying warehouses—before Congress has approved funding or defined its mission. Courts are being ignored. The public is opposed. Congress must hold DHS funding until ICE is reformed or dismantled. Use this link to send letters to your members of Congress.
Text SIGN PEMIIT to 50409 or go to: https://resist.bot/petitions/PEMIIT
Love it Coleman thank you!
Coleman, thank you for the Resistbot letters. I see your work every day, and it’s a lot.
I agree he’s incredible!
I think i automatically get your ResistBots, so I had already signed this one.
This afternoon I suited up for the Florida cold snap and protested in Brevard County. Good turnout! The Minneapolis protests and the courage of those who stood in that frigid air gave us courage. This is the time to take a stand. If not now, our time may pass as the dictator cracks down. Stand up, people!
Thank you for doing that, Signe!
We need go fund me accounts for Keith Porter and the detainees that have died in custody.
There are a couple for Porter. see this: https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=keith+porter
Thank you for this post. We have to stay positive and loud. Keep raising your voice.
These are unprecedented times. Be LOUD 💔🤍💙
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) to contact members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly.
Reach out (beyond your own) to as many in the Senate and House as you can. All of this is bigger than “I only represent my constituents” issues.
Comments/reactions help keep this bumped ✊
Thank you, Megan!!! 💜❤️🎉
Hi! 👋☺️
Thank you, Jess. I really look forward to this list every week. And it also helps me to remember during the week to notice and hold on to good news when it happens, because every bit helps fuel all our determination to keep fighting.
And send it to me! 😊
“A Scuffle” … are you freaking kidding me?!
#USA Federal Employees
#Our Tax Dollars
#Murderers In Plain Sight
#We All Saw Multiple Videos and Angles
I would encourage (and help fund) anyone who could track down (erm, “locate”) these two bullet-counting federal, taxpayer-funded employees / “Deerhunters,” then arrange a 24/7 vigil of candles and protest on a public street or sidewalk across from there these people live.
Their families, neighbors, and kids must also never forget the shame upon them (I like kids; but this is now a family legacy for them to bear for generations).
“According to a preliminary DHS report sent to Congress, two officers fired their weapons at Pretti during a scuffle.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgn0w129lqo
I saw multiple videos … this was NOT a “scuffle”; ten shots in the back of an unarmed human is murder, not a “scuffle.”
Sooo uplifting after a frightful couple of weeks…thank you Jessica 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🩷
Thank YOU!
Let's not forget the Haitians in Springfield, OH who are the apparent next targets for mass deportation after their TDS is removed. 10,000 people, including about 1500 children are at extreme risk.
I haven’t forgotten. I fear for them.
I think we all do. My concern is that there is so little notice being taken of it.
Tim Snyder’s wrote a long piece about that here: https://open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p/ethnic-cleansing-in-ohio?r=1hfuu&utm_medium=ios
Thank you! What Snyder reveals Vance and Nazis can do with their lies is horrific.
I read Dr. Snyder's piece, my comment here was a digest. Thanks for providing the link to his essay.
Jess.....all I can say to you is this....you are one helluva activist.
Best compliment I could receive, thank you!
Having more blue representatives can only help to restore trust—at home and abroad—and to repair broken relationships. I’ve been a therapist for decades and have seen miracles happen in AA. I believe that it can happen in our country too, if we’re willing to do a complete moral inventory and make amends to those we have harmed.
In the meantime, November is 9 months away. What is currently an embryo of hope will be birthed fully formed. Here’s my list of priorities: 1. Win the house and senate. 2. Impeach 3. Pursue criminal charges (and disbarment). 4. Join ICC and cooperate with their criminal charges re: Venezuela 5. The 40+ item punch list previously posted. This country has sustained a total moral collapse but new growth will continue to emerge. That new growth will reflect the dominant value system. Which wolf will we feed?
Love it!
I can’t find email addresses for DNC leadership but readers can leave a message at this website. https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-to-speak-with-dnc-leadership
This is what I sent:
Here is a list of expected DNC planks for November. I expect incumbents and candidates to support every one of them and to explicitly name and explain any they don’t. Repost: Here’s a list—admittedly incomplete—amended by readers. Please consider forwarding the planks you support to your elected representatives. This is an existential moral imperative and the world is watching. It’s up to us to give them their marching orders. This year, it’s the platform, not the person. Like Quincy Jones said, they need to check their egos at the door. Or emigrate.
1. Medicare for all, including mental health.
2. Running water for all.
3. Safe, affordable, adequate housing for all.
4. Climate change course correction.
5. National “Annual Yearly Progress” educational standards that apply to all students: public school, private school, home school.
6. Nutrition and pesticides. There’s a reason why US wheat imports are banned in EU.
7. Paths to citizenship.
8. Metric system instead of imperial measurements. Every country in the world has made the switch except the US, Liberia, and Myanmar.
9. Reading and math literacy.
10. Maternal and infant survival (US has the worst rates among developed countries).
11. Restore DEI. My disability requires electronic communication (email or chat with a transcript) but legal teams don’t like written records. I have to surrender agency and assign a proxy to manage a credit card issue or schedule a mammogram. Disney sent me an email stating that they’re “phones only.” What’s next? Telling guests in wheelchairs to manage the stairs?
12. Zero tolerance of corruption.
13. Child care. Montessori is Head Start in Italy. It was developed there to lift up disadvantaged children. In the US, we’ve made it a designer brand that’s unaffordable for those who need it most and for whom it was intended.
14. Amend the 2nd amendment. Texas has more than 4000 gun deaths per year. FL takes silver with more than 3000. Together, they’re responsible for more than 17% of the 40,000 annual gun deaths in the US. The UK has 28. Not 28,000. Not 2800. 28. Their cops are unarmed. Everyone wins.
15. FOIA restored without the loopholes.
16. Enforcement of the laws, regs and court decisions that are on the books but ignored.
17. Abortion rights enshrinement.
18. Marriage equality enshrinement.
19. Infrastructure investment.
20. Internet for all.
21. We need to stop flushing drinking-quality water. We’re running out.
22. Return the Black Hills.
23. Reparations.
24. Liveable wages in decent working conditions, ideally in a union environment.
25. End citizens united.
26. Inheritance reform.
27. Enshrine social security.
28. Reform SCOTUS and court system.
29. Campaign finance reform.
30. Tax reform.
31. Commitment to ethical conduct.
32. Commitment to “truthfulness, transparency, and accountability.”
33. Enshrine voting rights.
34. Outlaw NDAs. They were meant to protect secret formulas, not silence the voices of victims.
35. Join ICC.
36. Restore the covenant of “good faith and fair dealing.”
37. Term limits. Public service is not for accumulating power and influence, it’s for serving the people.
38. Mandatory service to by all citizens reaching 18 for two years in public works, AmeriCorp, National Guard, or other similar organization.
39. Prison reform.
40. Free college or vocational training.
41. Eliminate electoral college.
42. End private equity investment.
43.End tipping. It’s out of control and our global neighbors don’t do it.
44.Issue new SS numbers to each citizen now that ours have been compromised.
45.Other____________________
Just want to add that I was at the Motion City Soundtrack concert last night in Philly, and the band stopped in the middle of their set to talk about the occupation of Minneapolis and encourage people to speak out and protect their neighbors. Justin Pierre said “I don’t think it’s political to want to protect children” - to massive cheers and hundreds of people shouting “F*ck ICE!” I love Philly.
Woooow! Amazing! Thank you for sharing that!
Reid Hoffman's op-ed may signal a weakening of the corporate pillar upholding the regime.
That’s my hope. If we can get Silicon Valley to shift that’s a big deal.
I was very happy to see that op-ed. It's time for the business community to speak out. This is not politics as usual.
My new saying:
APOLITICAL ISN'T.
👏👏👏 we persist! Bruce has been on repeat here all weekend, a true patriot.
Another great video to watch on YouTube is "Norway Wants to Buy America" GREAT!!
Thank you for taking the time to write this out.