Ben Ross
@benrosstransit.bsky.social
Transit advocate. Social Democrat. Author of Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism.
A really good way to discourage the kind of troll-swarming that hit @simonwdc.bsky.social this weekend would be to make it counterproductive. Donate (even just a few dollars) to his appeal to fund Minnesota Democrats' fight against ICE & repost. A twofer - fight ICE & clean up Bluesky.
Here's my original post and interview with @dfl.org Chair @richardcarlbom.bsky.social.
Again, we all need to do our part to save our democracy. We each have a role to play. We wanted to help in MN the way we do things. And we did. And I'm proud of it. 15/
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/a-new-camp...
Again, we all need to do our part to save our democracy. We each have a role to play. We wanted to help in MN the way we do things. And we did. And I'm proud of it. 15/
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/a-new-camp...
A New Campaign To Support The Courageous People Of Minnesota
“Our job is to do what we can to safeguard democracy" - Richard Carlbom, Minnesota Democratic Party Chair
www.hopiumchronicles.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:24 PM
A really good way to discourage the kind of troll-swarming that hit @simonwdc.bsky.social this weekend would be to make it counterproductive. Donate (even just a few dollars) to his appeal to fund Minnesota Democrats' fight against ICE & repost. A twofer - fight ICE & clean up Bluesky.
Reposted by Ben Ross
Here's my original post and interview with @dfl.org Chair @richardcarlbom.bsky.social.
Again, we all need to do our part to save our democracy. We each have a role to play. We wanted to help in MN the way we do things. And we did. And I'm proud of it. 15/
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/a-new-camp...
Again, we all need to do our part to save our democracy. We each have a role to play. We wanted to help in MN the way we do things. And we did. And I'm proud of it. 15/
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/a-new-camp...
A New Campaign To Support The Courageous People Of Minnesota
“Our job is to do what we can to safeguard democracy" - Richard Carlbom, Minnesota Democratic Party Chair
www.hopiumchronicles.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Here's my original post and interview with @dfl.org Chair @richardcarlbom.bsky.social.
Again, we all need to do our part to save our democracy. We each have a role to play. We wanted to help in MN the way we do things. And we did. And I'm proud of it. 15/
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/a-new-camp...
Again, we all need to do our part to save our democracy. We each have a role to play. We wanted to help in MN the way we do things. And we did. And I'm proud of it. 15/
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/a-new-camp...
Countries that want to stay on Trump's "Board of Peace" for Gaza have to contribute $1 billion. Into what? A slush fund under Trump's personal control?
www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
Trump administration asking for $1 billion from each country on Gaza Board of Peace
* * *
www.timesofisrael.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Countries that want to stay on Trump's "Board of Peace" for Gaza have to contribute $1 billion. Into what? A slush fund under Trump's personal control?
www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
DFL needs $$ to protect their local caucuses. The Democrats-are-always-wrong crowd is blasting this online. Their basic argument is -- with ICE in the streets, why are you worrying about elections?
Guess what. If you want to save democracy, elections are essebtuak.
Guess what. If you want to save democracy, elections are essebtuak.
Re-upping a 🧵 for those in Minnesota wanting to learn more abt a successful fundraising campaign we just ran for the @dfl.org.
Hopium supports candidates and state parties. That's our lane. We just proudly raised $60k+ in 24 hrs to give the DFL more capacity to counter the ICE terror campaign 👇
Hopium supports candidates and state parties. That's our lane. We just proudly raised $60k+ in 24 hrs to give the DFL more capacity to counter the ICE terror campaign 👇
I've noted that some folks are not happy with this campaign. But all I'll say is there has been lots of criticism about Ds not meeting the moment. The DFL has put together a real program and is working to meet the moment. It's a program other state parties can learn from as these tactics spread 1/
January 17, 2026 at 11:50 PM
DFL needs $$ to protect their local caucuses. The Democrats-are-always-wrong crowd is blasting this online. Their basic argument is -- with ICE in the streets, why are you worrying about elections?
Guess what. If you want to save democracy, elections are essebtuak.
Guess what. If you want to save democracy, elections are essebtuak.
Reposted by Ben Ross
Among Gov Spanberger's first-day actions: Housing
Directs a multi-agency review of regulations & permitting practices that affect housing development, with the goal of reducing barriers to housing production.
New commmission to recommend legislative changes
www.wtvr.com/news/local-n...
Directs a multi-agency review of regulations & permitting practices that affect housing development, with the goal of reducing barriers to housing production.
New commmission to recommend legislative changes
www.wtvr.com/news/local-n...
Money, Education, Immigration: Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger just signed 10 executive orders
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed 10 executive orders on her first day, targeting cost of living, healthcare, housing and education issues.
www.wtvr.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Among Gov Spanberger's first-day actions: Housing
Directs a multi-agency review of regulations & permitting practices that affect housing development, with the goal of reducing barriers to housing production.
New commmission to recommend legislative changes
www.wtvr.com/news/local-n...
Directs a multi-agency review of regulations & permitting practices that affect housing development, with the goal of reducing barriers to housing production.
New commmission to recommend legislative changes
www.wtvr.com/news/local-n...
How did WaPo determine that the driver of the Tesla was "trying to change lanes," and it wasn't the Tesla's software that caused it to begin a lane change?
In pedestrian crashes, the story rarely refers to the driver, only the car as if it is an AV. But when an actual AV is hit then there is a driver. Fascinating.
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
Officials showed off a robo-bus in D.C. It got hit by a Tesla driver.
A Beep automated shuttle bus displayed by the U.S. Department of Transportation in D.C. this week got into a collision with a driver on H Street.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:55 PM
How did WaPo determine that the driver of the Tesla was "trying to change lanes," and it wasn't the Tesla's software that caused it to begin a lane change?
Reposted by Ben Ross
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Breaking news: The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation alleging that they are impeding federal law enforcement officers’ abilities to do their jobs in the state.
Justice Dept. launches criminal investigation of Minnesota governor
The Justice Department has issued subpoenas for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as part of an investigation into impeding law enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Two days ago it was Elissa Slotkin. Last week it was Jerome Powell. Before that, Mark Kelly. Weaponizing the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.
Reposted by Ben Ross
allying with the evangelical right was always a terrible bet for Israel ("well thought out alliance with anti-semites"). As the U.S. right largely abandons the end times fantasies that peaked in the 1980s in favor of a vision of fascism-in-our-time, that alliance is collapsing.
Israel is not a country with actual people living in it, in the far right christian conception (see charlie kirk, etc).
It is a religious fetish object that is necessary in their end times fantasies.
The far right in Israel has used this because they see it as useful.
It is a religious fetish object that is necessary in their end times fantasies.
The far right in Israel has used this because they see it as useful.
January 16, 2026 at 3:58 PM
allying with the evangelical right was always a terrible bet for Israel ("well thought out alliance with anti-semites"). As the U.S. right largely abandons the end times fantasies that peaked in the 1980s in favor of a vision of fascism-in-our-time, that alliance is collapsing.
Brutalist house built in 1961 on block of Greek Revival & Gothic Revival houses was lauded by preservationists who rejected replication of 19th-century style & wanted contemporary architecture.
Now owner is told 1961 house can't be made contemporary.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/s...
Now owner is told 1961 house can't be made contemporary.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/s...
The Hip Priest, the Ex-Hedge Funder and the $10 Million Townhouse
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Brutalist house built in 1961 on block of Greek Revival & Gothic Revival houses was lauded by preservationists who rejected replication of 19th-century style & wanted contemporary architecture.
Now owner is told 1961 house can't be made contemporary.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/s...
Now owner is told 1961 house can't be made contemporary.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/s...
This is an important case for socialists. Government-owned enterprises must have a separate legal existence from the government with independent management & ability to go bankrupt, or you invite the ills of a Soviet-style command economy.
www.scotusblog.com/2026/01/just...
www.scotusblog.com/2026/01/just...
Justices wrestle with what, exactly, New Jersey Transit is
The Supreme Court on Wednesday debated whether New Jersey’s public transit agency can be sued in state courts in New York and Pennsylvania. The New Jersey Transit Corporation argues that […]
www.scotusblog.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:55 PM
This is an important case for socialists. Government-owned enterprises must have a separate legal existence from the government with independent management & ability to go bankrupt, or you invite the ills of a Soviet-style command economy.
www.scotusblog.com/2026/01/just...
www.scotusblog.com/2026/01/just...
Reposted by Ben Ross
The core driver of Trump support is the combined effect of economic anxiety and bigotry and misinformation.
For sure, Hitler's support was driven by bigotry and misinformation.
It's also the consensus of historians & contemporaries that Hitler would never have come to power without the Depression.
For sure, Hitler's support was driven by bigotry and misinformation.
It's also the consensus of historians & contemporaries that Hitler would never have come to power without the Depression.
January 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The core driver of Trump support is the combined effect of economic anxiety and bigotry and misinformation.
For sure, Hitler's support was driven by bigotry and misinformation.
It's also the consensus of historians & contemporaries that Hitler would never have come to power without the Depression.
For sure, Hitler's support was driven by bigotry and misinformation.
It's also the consensus of historians & contemporaries that Hitler would never have come to power without the Depression.
Reposted by Ben Ross
Man I am getting a completely different takeaway from this chart than everyone else. This is a sign that electoral politics isn’t really about policy or messaging, it’s about large groups of people reacting to events. People don’t hear arguments, they see things happening and change their stances.
Commiserations to Matty Yglesias, the merry band of well funded centrists, and all the major politics desks behind them
January 14, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Man I am getting a completely different takeaway from this chart than everyone else. This is a sign that electoral politics isn’t really about policy or messaging, it’s about large groups of people reacting to events. People don’t hear arguments, they see things happening and change their stances.
Reposted by Ben Ross
Jane Jacobs' idea of safety through "eyes on the street" has never been more true.
New Yorkers BLOCK ICE from leaving their parking garage ahead of a flopped mass raid attempt on Canal Street
November 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Jane Jacobs' idea of safety through "eyes on the street" has never been more true.
Trump regime in a nutshell.
Complaint to DOL IG charges married Secretary, an ex-congresswoman, had "inappropriate relationship" with subordinate & got goverment to pay for personal travel.
New DOL IG is married ex-congressman who put mistress on government payroll.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/b...
Complaint to DOL IG charges married Secretary, an ex-congresswoman, had "inappropriate relationship" with subordinate & got goverment to pay for personal travel.
New DOL IG is married ex-congressman who put mistress on government payroll.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/b...
Labor Secretary’s Aides Placed on Leave in Misconduct Investigation
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Trump regime in a nutshell.
Complaint to DOL IG charges married Secretary, an ex-congresswoman, had "inappropriate relationship" with subordinate & got goverment to pay for personal travel.
New DOL IG is married ex-congressman who put mistress on government payroll.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/b...
Complaint to DOL IG charges married Secretary, an ex-congresswoman, had "inappropriate relationship" with subordinate & got goverment to pay for personal travel.
New DOL IG is married ex-congressman who put mistress on government payroll.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/b...
A very odd part of the housing debate is that the people who oppose replacing old run-down buildings with big new buildings because the old buildings are affordable are also the people who deny that "filtering" causes new buildings to get less expensive as they age.
Culture flourishes in places with abundant and inexpensive floor space.
If you want cool bars, restaurants, art galleries, nightclubs, and theaters, you need (a) lots of cheap housing for workers, and (b) lots of commercial spaces where people can open a small business on a shoestring budget.
If you want cool bars, restaurants, art galleries, nightclubs, and theaters, you need (a) lots of cheap housing for workers, and (b) lots of commercial spaces where people can open a small business on a shoestring budget.
It's funny how every big city in North America has that one otherwise totally unremarkable strip mall way out in the suburbs that has been taken over by Asian restaurateurs and is now an internationally recognized foodie destination.
January 12, 2026 at 8:39 PM
A very odd part of the housing debate is that the people who oppose replacing old run-down buildings with big new buildings because the old buildings are affordable are also the people who deny that "filtering" causes new buildings to get less expensive as they age.
Reposted by Ben Ross
Where we learn there was actually $100K in the Cava bag
WELKER: Where is that $50,000? Did you keep it?
HOMAN: I didn't take $50k from anybody & that's a question for the FBI. Bottom line I did nothing illegal.
WELKER: But was there $50k in the bag?
HOMAN: I'm not addressing it
WELKER: But did you keep the money?
HOMAN: $50k is ridiculous
HOMAN: I didn't take $50k from anybody & that's a question for the FBI. Bottom line I did nothing illegal.
WELKER: But was there $50k in the bag?
HOMAN: I'm not addressing it
WELKER: But did you keep the money?
HOMAN: $50k is ridiculous
January 11, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Where we learn there was actually $100K in the Cava bag
Reposted by Ben Ross
What's behind the affordability crisis? In large part, it's automobile dependence.
It used to be that housing or rent was a household’s biggest expense, far exceeding any vehicle-related cost. But now those things are neck and neck for a lot of people.” [gift link]
wapo.st/3Lkugqb
It used to be that housing or rent was a household’s biggest expense, far exceeding any vehicle-related cost. But now those things are neck and neck for a lot of people.” [gift link]
wapo.st/3Lkugqb
Column | The new vs. used car debate is dead. They’re both expensive debt traps.
A record number of buyers — of both new and used vehicles — are locked into monthly payments of $1,000 or more, new data shows.
wapo.st
January 10, 2026 at 11:49 PM
What's behind the affordability crisis? In large part, it's automobile dependence.
It used to be that housing or rent was a household’s biggest expense, far exceeding any vehicle-related cost. But now those things are neck and neck for a lot of people.” [gift link]
wapo.st/3Lkugqb
It used to be that housing or rent was a household’s biggest expense, far exceeding any vehicle-related cost. But now those things are neck and neck for a lot of people.” [gift link]
wapo.st/3Lkugqb
Reposted by Ben Ross
ICE is WHIPPING through my suburban neighborhoods — not uncommon to see them going 50 mph — race through red lights, veer across multiple lanes to get to off ramps, no blinkers. They’re going to hurt or kill someone (else)
One detail about the MPLS ICE invasion that I haven't seen many comment on: these goons drive like maniacs and they're eventually going to run someone over. They speed, run red lights every chance they get, and because they don't know the roads, they're constantly going the wrong way down one-ways.
January 10, 2026 at 9:32 PM
ICE is WHIPPING through my suburban neighborhoods — not uncommon to see them going 50 mph — race through red lights, veer across multiple lanes to get to off ramps, no blinkers. They’re going to hurt or kill someone (else)
What's behind the affordability crisis? In large part, it's automobile dependence.
It used to be that housing or rent was a household’s biggest expense, far exceeding any vehicle-related cost. But now those things are neck and neck for a lot of people.” [gift link]
wapo.st/3Lkugqb
It used to be that housing or rent was a household’s biggest expense, far exceeding any vehicle-related cost. But now those things are neck and neck for a lot of people.” [gift link]
wapo.st/3Lkugqb
Column | The new vs. used car debate is dead. They’re both expensive debt traps.
A record number of buyers — of both new and used vehicles — are locked into monthly payments of $1,000 or more, new data shows.
wapo.st
January 10, 2026 at 11:49 PM
What's behind the affordability crisis? In large part, it's automobile dependence.
It used to be that housing or rent was a household’s biggest expense, far exceeding any vehicle-related cost. But now those things are neck and neck for a lot of people.” [gift link]
wapo.st/3Lkugqb
It used to be that housing or rent was a household’s biggest expense, far exceeding any vehicle-related cost. But now those things are neck and neck for a lot of people.” [gift link]
wapo.st/3Lkugqb
Reposted by Ben Ross
ICE caught shooting & lying yet again.
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Anne Arundel County Police dispute ICE’s account of Glen Burnie shooting
A deadly shooting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis on Wednesday renewed scrutiny of a violent Christmas Eve incident involving ICE agents in Glen Burnie, with Anne Arundel County ...
www.thebanner.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:48 PM
ICE caught shooting & lying yet again.
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
More #PurpleLineprogress! Top two photos are first pictures I've seen of the underground chamber for the new Red Line entrance that will connect to the Purple Line (and to the street 1 block from me). Bottom two are the Purple Line station, a little farther in than I can see when I walk by.
See #PurpleLineprogress in Bethesda! From breaking ground to a developed connection, the future Bethesda Station and shaft are key milestones in the ongoing transformation of the corridor. Learn more about our construction updates https://ow.ly/e9kn50XNPq8 #MTAPurpleLine
January 9, 2026 at 8:41 PM
More #PurpleLineprogress! Top two photos are first pictures I've seen of the underground chamber for the new Red Line entrance that will connect to the Purple Line (and to the street 1 block from me). Bottom two are the Purple Line station, a little farther in than I can see when I walk by.
ICE caught shooting & lying yet again.
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Anne Arundel County Police dispute ICE’s account of Glen Burnie shooting
A deadly shooting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis on Wednesday renewed scrutiny of a violent Christmas Eve incident involving ICE agents in Glen Burnie, with Anne Arundel County ...
www.thebanner.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:48 PM
ICE caught shooting & lying yet again.
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
In Maryland case, ICE says van driver tried to run over agents & passenger was injured when car crashed into tree.
Local police now report that injured man was arrested hours earlier & was in ICE vehicle at time of crash.
www.thebanner.com/community/lo...
Reposted by Ben Ross
🧵In my expert opinion as a researcher of vehicle ramming attacks, what has been publicly described in the video evidence does not support the claim that Renee Nicole Good was attempting a deliberate ramming attack when she was shot in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. 1/7
January 8, 2026 at 9:13 PM
🧵In my expert opinion as a researcher of vehicle ramming attacks, what has been publicly described in the video evidence does not support the claim that Renee Nicole Good was attempting a deliberate ramming attack when she was shot in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. 1/7