One of my friends emailed me yesterday and said, "I've been meaning to ask you, I've been reading a lot of blogs about how horrible the situation is in Minnesota with ICE and I've been wondering how much of it is true and how much of it is hype. What's your take on the situation?"
I will give the caveat that first, I was out of town for most of January, and second, things seem mostly OK in my neighborhood. However my social media algorithms have been busy and on one site my feed seems to be all ICE, all the time. And based on that (observers' actual footage) I can say that things are pretty bad here.
My perception is that the situation improved slightly when Gregory Bovino (little Hitler) was replaced by Tom Homan. Before that, ICE agents were using tear gas and flash bang bombs at the drop of a hat, to try to disperse the many observers that their presence anywhere drew in. Homan supposedly drew down 700 agents, but remember, we were at 3,000 before that drawdown so we still have more ICE agents than the Minneapolis and St. Paul police forces combined.
There is a pretty strong consensus that the feds are employing facial recognition to gather information on who is at protests. I read a disturbing thread where a woman reported being aggressively tailed on the freeway by a big black SUV with tinted windows. So, OK, maybe it was just one of those weird cases of road rage. Except several other people chimed in and said they had had similar experiences. ICE agents have been recorded on video saying to observers - "OK ,now you're in the domestic terrorist app".
The Whipple Building, where people are being detained, has seen the most protest activity. A light moment occurred last Saturday when everyone brought dildos and threw them at the ICE and sheriff vehicles. 😂
Yesterday ICE vehicles were chasing someone and caused a multi vehicle crash in St. Paul...
What have I been doing? I was NOT able to make it to either of the two huge Friday protests downtown, I had conflicts both days and not really up for standing around for a couple hours in subzero weather. But I've been giving money - to a friend's daughter who is buying groceries for families in hiding, to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, to an organization that is providing phones, coats, and warm food and beverages and rides to people who are being released from the Whipple Building in freezing weather. Last weekend I went to a small march with a good friend. It was organized by the Twin Cities Buddhist/meditation community and was a silent walk. We walked from Powderhorn Park to the SAY THEIR NAMES memorial that was put up after George Floyd was murdered.
Then we walked over to Portland Avenue and made our way to the spot where Renee Good died. Here we are drawing near to it:
It's filled with flowers, signs and other mementos. A pretty emotionally heavy moment.
It was surprisingly difficult for me to keep my mouth shut for an hour, ha. My friend said the same thing, which surprised me since she's a very experienced meditator who's done multi-day silent retreats.
As of this morning Tom Homan said that the "surge" in Minnesota will be ending. Most of the reactions I've seen are "I'll believe it when I see it". Cynical me thinks it's just a bid to get continuing funding for Homeland Security approved.
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I just read where our (Democratic) Governor caved and turned over SNAP data to the feds. In a TOTALLY unrelated story we've seen our first ICE activity in the state too.
These Project 2025 guys are GENIUSES! (Evil ones, but geniuses none the less.) They've thought of EVERYTHING, every lever to be pulled - reference the latest on tariffs.
Evil geniuses is about right. I am grateful that our state didn't cave in and turn over voter roll data. I can only imagine what might get done with THAT.
I am glad that you are okay you are doing something by helping to feed people. We all can do things in our own way. I would be cautious because I had a knee replacement. But when the names of the people who shot and killed Alex Pretti, and Renee Good I plastered there names all over my social media, or when they identify an ICE officer. I am hopeful that soon they will have to stop wearing masks so we can see who they are. But I also doubt that will happen. These are nothing but gestapo tactics and if we don't do something I'm afraid of what might happen.
Is it safe to assume that the person you were going to block is the person commenting here? I usually won't say anything because it's not my blog. I do one a friends blog because she knows how I feel about Trump. All I'm going to say is thank you for keeping your campaign promises? He promised to lower housing, gas, and grocery prices and I don't know about Minnesota but in Ohio they are going up. He said that he has a plan to lower health care costs with the BBB that's not going to happen. He said that he was going after the illegal Immigrants with high criminal records but he's doing the opposite. The tactics they are using are the same ones Putin would use. That's all I'm going to say because although we don't talk that much we have known each other for a long time, and I am not going to stat something on your blog out of respect for you.
Yes, your assumption is correct. It's a little strange because some of his comments have disappeared (at least they have for me, maybe others can still see them) but others are still visible to me.
The Boss says it himself...
It was nice of Bruce to spotlight us (and to come play at First Avenue!). I think this one is still my favorite though 😊
Thanks for an update from the 'front line'
You’re welcome, of course.
Thank you for your update... I knew you were away during a lot of what was happening so I wondered how the vibe was now. Hope you block the trolls from here on out.
Yeah I think I will block them, but let the comments on this post stand just so people can see what yahoos they are. 😊
@spunkycumfun @bbuckwwheat I’m pondering deleting some of the abusive comments and blocking the commenter. In general my tendency is to let comments stay up so that the writer can get hung by their own rope, so to speak. But let me know if you’d like them removed.
@bbuckwwheat I try to operate that way as well.
As I emailed, I'm okay for you to leave the abusive comments. As they stand, others can see what is happening.
Many thanks for your report on Minneapolis. From afar, it seems Minneapolis is quite a battleground, and I don't mean that noun as in a war-like frontline. But more as a key dividing line between what Trump wants and what ordinary Americans want. Trump rules by division and fear. He's no statesman or peacemaker.
Between the tactical combat gear and the tear gas, there have been times when it does feel like a war zone.
@smartasswoman I can see that. I've heard, possibly wrongly, that ICE has recruited a lot of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members in their ranks. And that there's been little vetting, plus very little training in how they go about their business.
@spunkycumfun It is great Thank you president Trump for keeping your campaign promises.
@spunkycumfun Your a limy fruit Brit now i see where your coming from stick to your Muslim problem brit the USA doesn't need any advice from a brit
@Johnnymac2026 Trump hasn't kept his promises. He first promised that he was after criminal illegal immigrants, then it changed to any illegal immigrants, and then it changed to anyone who doesn't look like an American, meaning non-white.
I seriously recommend that you follow the news. I'm from Britain and I'm following the news about America better than you.
@Johnnymac2026 More abuse. And please tell me what the problem being a Muslim is? You're such an intellectual!
@spunkycumfun some well all Brit are very stupid sad your parents didn't use birth control.
@spunkycumfun Brit limy fruits are by far the best to trigger
@Johnnymac2026 That's at least the third time you've used that line. Do you have another line that Donald Trump allows you to use?
Thank you President Trump and ICE for doing an excellent Job
Even though two innocent American protesters get murdered in the process!?
@spunkycumfun Well said lib they both where moron's play stupid games win stupid prizes no true American stops law enforcement form doing there are Jobs they are illegal look up the definition of the word you lib's are a cancer. The world is truly a better place with out two liberal morons .Please go cry to the salad I'm not listening
@spunkycumfun Sorry forgot to ad sadly you where not there to suffer the same fait sadly your parents didn't know what a condom was.
@Johnnymac2026 There's no need to be abusive. Both were innocent protesters who got killed while protesting. I'm assuming the right to protest in America is still allowed. And there's the American citizens who ICE wrongly round up. Is this the price you want to pay?
And as I said your abuse is not needed. And I have to say that your abuse is rather tame by MAGA standards. You need to up your game if your cult leader is going to recognise you. Get a brain!
@spunkycumfun nothing better than a limy fruit triggered stick to your tiny Muslum infested island Brit MAGA continues to win sadly your parent didn't use birth control.
@Johnnymac2026 Have you ever visited Britain? I notice you're peddling the same abuse. Has your abuse playbook been used up?
@spunkycumfun The brit fruit is triggered one again all too easy get those teeth fixed limy .ICE is doing a great job of getting rid of liberal morons .Ill pay for a one way ticket for you to Minnesota for you you can be the third victim with any luck 💩👨🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Johnnymac2026 It was difficult to make much sense of your comment other than you want me dead. Charming! I'm sure your parents, wife and children are proud of what you do here.
I'm now going to follow Mark Twain's maxim: "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
@spunkycumfun cunt blocked me still a liberal BRIT fruit sad your mum and dad didn't use birth control
Did you ever ask the question why there are so many feds I. Minneapolis??? ICE is all over the country arresting illegal migtants. Without almost none of the violence. Could it be that the mayor and governor will not work with the feds??? So instead of handing them over in jail, they release them onto the streets and the frfs now have to go look for Ghent. Not really a safe way to do it is it?? Ask your self that question. Without any backup the feds need more agents for their own protection form the agitators. Peaceful protest is fine. But when you interfere with their operations incidents happen. Do you really want criminals released onto your streets?? Use done common sense and not liberal emotions
well said thank you
@Johnnymac2026 thanks, but most progressives never think just for everything on emotion
The Minnesota Department of Corrections has already been cooperating with DHS and notifying them when undocumented prisoners are about to be released. They got tired of the administration’s misinformation and put a website up with the facts.
mn.gov
Most of the people being taken in the neighborhoods are not criminals. Do you really think a five yr old is a criminal?
@smartasswoman do you really think they arrested a 5 year old ?? Talk about disinformation. They were after his Steven's away an absndobed the kid. Mother refused to take him. Should they keft him on the street??? Gave him to child services, the tight thing to do. I understand they finally started cooperating with the Feds like they should do, typical no response to my questions for a liberal
@smartasswoman entering the country illegally is a crime!!!!! Come on the right way
@Giantsrangers I stopped responding because your comments are irrational and borderline incoherent. Maybe try proofreading your comments before hitting the reply button? 😌
@bbuckwwheat Nothing better than a triggered liberal
@smartasswoman well said lib and a clue will help
@smartasswoman Illegal look up the meaning of the word liberal they came into this country illegally you like most liberals are still wondering why the salad lost to President Trump
@bbuckwwheat Triggered another lib moron so incredibly easy next.
@smartasswoman More like you stop responding be cause he is correct and you are wrong libs are very rarely right about anything well they are never right about anything .
@bbuckwwheat it's all about working together if the local police will not provide security and crowd control the Feds will. Hence the surge. I do not understand how liberals are ok with criminals walking their streets. Just look up some of the crimes they have committed. Obama deported way more than Trump has. But TDS is an epidemic with liberals
@Giantsrangers Obama focused on illegal immigrants who were documented to have committed crimes while in the united states (other than coming here illegally) and focused on illegal immigrants who had only been here for a few weeks/months. You are correct. Obama did deport more illegals by focusing on those two groups. So why doesn't Trump focus on those two groups and match those high numbers? We all know that illegal immigrants have broken the law by coming here without going through the right process. There are far more dangerous crimes than that, committed by all races and religions, for which law enforcement could focus on, if they weren't looking for people with brown skin. We agree and always have agreed that any illegal immigrant who has committed a crime, other than a traffic ticket or coming here illegally, needs to be arrested and deported. That is not what is happening. I encourage you to find sources for stats on crimes committed by illegals that is not biased for Trump. Don't just take their stats because they say that's what is what. Where the division happens in our society right now, imo, is that half the nation has empathy for those illegals who are trying to navigate the lengthy process of becoming citizens while also contributing to their communities through hard work. Half the nation values what they contribute and we count them as our friends. I believe that the other half of the nation does blame anyone with brown skin for all of our problems, as that is what the republicans are all saying. So to target brown people, irregardless of whether they have committed a crime (other than coming here illegally) is supported by those people who have no empathy, who just want someone to blame for all our problems. That is why trump is focusing ICE on sanctuary cities...he knows we will protest that policy and it will make his followers happy. IMO, it is not making America safe again. It is doing the exact opposite. Again, just my opinion.
@AmyGood4Mea think for a minute!!! Why did Biden let all these people in ???? To increase the dem voting bloc only reason. That why you progressives are fighting deportation. Fighting voter ID. The only way to win national elections is to CHEAT . No other reason Think about it
@Giantsrangers I strongly disagree that the only way to win a national election is to cheat and if you truly believe that, then what you are saying is that the republicans will cheat, along with everyone else, right? Illegal immigrants cannot vote in national elections. To register to vote in most states, you have to have a state id, a driver's license or a social security card. To get a state id or a driver's license, you have to provide a copy of your birth certificate , U.S. passport, or legal permanent resident card. Once these documents have been reviewed and determined to be legitimate, the person is registered to vote. I read some of the stats on registering to vote and I do see some loopholes that could be tightened up: at the time of actual voting, if someone tries to register at the voting place and they have no state id, no ss number and no driver's license, they can vote under a provisional ballot but it is not counted until the person provides a state id, driver's license or social security number that matches info the gov't has in it's records. However, some states do allow for alternative forms of identification and I would like to see that list go away. The identification must be provided no later than the day before certification of the primary or election,.for the provisional ballot to be counted. Validated instances of voting by illegal immigrants and other non-citizens are consistently found to be extremely rare, typically accounting for less than 0.0001% to 0.001% of total votes cast in U.S. federal elections.
@SNGLDADLKNFORFUN I wish there was a way for you to provide where you saw this clip of obama saying this. i will try to find it on my own. As you know, I don't take people's word that something is fact. When I quoted that information about Obama, I found several sites that reported what I reported. I know that doesn't make it true but what am I to do? There are plenty of times when I fact check what trump has said in a speech or posted online, using many sources and people still come back that I am spreading misinformation. btw, i read the site's posting guidelines and have asked them to clarify if I can start a blog for people to post just the name of a site that they feel is less biased.
@SNGLDADLKNFORFUN wow. 2012 was 14 years ago. I understand what you are saying, about people changing their tune...isn't that true with everyone? didn't vance speak out against trump several years ago? I'm not saying that obama and dems in general don't change their tune; I know you are right but I personally have changed my way of thinking when someone presents information that is contrary to what I believe...after I research it and find that they are correct. The reason I don't trust Fox news is because I know they don't fact check anything, anymore than you do. I have stopped watching the news, for the most part, because I know the major news outlets are all biased, one way or the other...believe it or not, when I do watch the news that you would call fake news, I don't just take their word for what they report. I fact check what they report.
@SNGLDADLKNFORFUN You often refer to 'it doesn't fit your narrative' as the reason we dismiss information that you deem valid. But, you do the same thing, I think. If I state something that I say I have researched and you disagree with it...which of course, you are entitled to do....aren't you automatically dismissing it because it doesn't fit into your narrative? I know when I say i have fact checked something, it doesn't mean much and I agree that fact checking has it's downfalls. You don't fact check anything. You believe everything Trump, fox news, republicans in general say, without fact checking anything...because it fits what you want to hear. Do you think only democrats lie? Some of what you believe does come from videos, same as with me and that does count as fact checking, as you stated above. I looked at the white house webpage about immigration and it is full of stats. The thing I remember tho is an interview a 'fake news' outlet did of Noems where she stated some fact about how many illegal immigrants they have arrested who had criminal history. I think she stated it was 70 percent. The interviewer told her that the gov't's website stated it was something like 40 percent. Noems said no, that was not correct and the interviewer again said that was taken directly from the white house website. And it was. I checked. And Trump did change his tune about arresting illegal immigrants, didn't he? As you stated above, he campaigned on deporting illegal immigrants who were criminals....the worst of the worst... and even the dems agreed that needed to be done. But shortly after trump got into office, he changed it to deporting all illegal immigrants...and now he may deport Cubans who's protective status has expired. Isn't this the 'changing of the tune'?