Mark Turner
@markturner.net
#Raleigh geek. Tin can salty dog. #Opensource advocate. DevOps dude. #Democrat. Political junkie. #Experiencer (see @ETC.MarkTurner.Net). Aspiring rock star. #ncpol #usnavy #veteran #natsec #infosec #karaoke #dnrnc #antifa AF #blm #ncstate #NAFO He/him
When you gerrymander elections to the point that only primaries matter, it takes a lot of hubris to whine when we use them against you. #ncpol
As early voting began in the 2026 primary, the campaign of Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) bashed “Democrat-aligned dark money groups” for running ads supporting his opponent, Sheriff Sam Page.
By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol
By @kingdollar.bsky.social #ncpol
Berger campaign accuses Democrats of interfering in his primary • NC Newsline
Berger’s campaign accused “Democrat-aligned dark money groups” of running ads supporting his opponent, Sheriff Sam Page.
ncnewsline.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:32 PM
When you gerrymander elections to the point that only primaries matter, it takes a lot of hubris to whine when we use them against you. #ncpol
This is the biggest bunch of corporate-speak ever:
“This reduction in corporate staff allows Lowe’s to strengthen our frontline focus while remaining agile in a dynamic home improvement environment.”
One sentence, whole buzzword bingo card. Boom.
“This reduction in corporate staff allows Lowe’s to strengthen our frontline focus while remaining agile in a dynamic home improvement environment.”
One sentence, whole buzzword bingo card. Boom.
One of the Charlotte region’s biggest employers said slashing 600 jobs allows it “to strengthen our frontline focus while remaining agile...”
Lowe’s home improvement near Charlotte to cut 600 jobs in corporate, other roles
One of the Charlotte region’s biggest employers said slashing 600 jobs allows it “to strengthen our frontline focus while remaining agile...”
bit.ly
February 13, 2026 at 7:14 PM
This is the biggest bunch of corporate-speak ever:
“This reduction in corporate staff allows Lowe’s to strengthen our frontline focus while remaining agile in a dynamic home improvement environment.”
One sentence, whole buzzword bingo card. Boom.
“This reduction in corporate staff allows Lowe’s to strengthen our frontline focus while remaining agile in a dynamic home improvement environment.”
One sentence, whole buzzword bingo card. Boom.
Reposted by Mark Turner
“Cuba is experiencing widespread blackouts and the lack of gasoline has disrupted the government’s ability to deliver food, the UN said. At particular risk are schools, maternity homes, and nursing homes “with the most vulnerable groups being disproportionately impacted.””
Fuel Blockade Taking ‘Increasingly Severe’ Toll on Cuba, UN Says
The US campaign to starve Cuba of fuel is having “an increasingly severe impact” on the island, affecting hospitals, public sanitation, water delivery and food distribution, the United Nations warned.
www.bloomberg.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:24 PM
“Cuba is experiencing widespread blackouts and the lack of gasoline has disrupted the government’s ability to deliver food, the UN said. At particular risk are schools, maternity homes, and nursing homes “with the most vulnerable groups being disproportionately impacted.””
I am tired of assclowns like Rep. Jason Smith ignoring what is clearly spelled out in the Constitution.
Rep. Jason Smith: "Why should you ban ICE from being at polling places? Illegals are not supposed to vote in America. It does not make sense."
February 12, 2026 at 1:28 PM
I am tired of assclowns like Rep. Jason Smith ignoring what is clearly spelled out in the Constitution.
Wait, you got a free tour of the ocean?
February 12, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Wait, you got a free tour of the ocean?
To be fair, that balloon had it coming.
It always pays to read down into the story! The “War Department” scrambled its new laser technology near the southern border and shot down… a party balloon! www.cbsnews.com/news/airspac...
February 11, 2026 at 5:51 PM
To be fair, that balloon had it coming.
I have been to many meetings, both public comment and regular. It all depends on the agenda as to how full it is.
February 11, 2026 at 3:44 PM
I have been to many meetings, both public comment and regular. It all depends on the agenda as to how full it is.
Reposted by Mark Turner
In just 3 hours, we went from El Paso airport & airspace is closed for 10 days for a mystery reason to nope, never mind.
apnews.com/live/faa-el-...
apnews.com/live/faa-el-...
February 11, 2026 at 2:35 PM
In just 3 hours, we went from El Paso airport & airspace is closed for 10 days for a mystery reason to nope, never mind.
apnews.com/live/faa-el-...
apnews.com/live/faa-el-...
Age verification? I used to ride in the back seat of the car with no seatbelt because the back seat was "safe."
Age verification? I was often told by my parents to get up and change the channel on the television.
Age verification? Growing up I used a gramophone to play my mum's 78rpm jazz records. And how to indicate I was about to make a turn by sticking my arm out the driver's side window on vehicles that didn't have indicators. (It was on the driving test back then.)
February 10, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Age verification? I used to ride in the back seat of the car with no seatbelt because the back seat was "safe."
Sad to learn that Greg Brown, founding guitarist of Cake, has died. He was an amazing guitarist with a unique sound who wrote Cake's biggest hit to date, "The Distance."
I'm going to listen to Motorcade of Generosity on repeat today. @thebandcake.bsky.social
I'm going to listen to Motorcade of Generosity on repeat today. @thebandcake.bsky.social
February 8, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Sad to learn that Greg Brown, founding guitarist of Cake, has died. He was an amazing guitarist with a unique sound who wrote Cake's biggest hit to date, "The Distance."
I'm going to listen to Motorcade of Generosity on repeat today. @thebandcake.bsky.social
I'm going to listen to Motorcade of Generosity on repeat today. @thebandcake.bsky.social
I've been buying DVDs and CDs for just this moment.
February 8, 2026 at 1:03 PM
I've been buying DVDs and CDs for just this moment.
Reposted by Mark Turner
We reviewed more than 100 Minnesota license plates attached to immigration enforcement vehicles in recent weeks.
We found that nearly 60% were not registered with the state of Minnesota, including the Chevy Tahoe that federal agent Jonathan Ross traveled in the day he fatally shot Renee Good.
We found that nearly 60% were not registered with the state of Minnesota, including the Chevy Tahoe that federal agent Jonathan Ross traveled in the day he fatally shot Renee Good.
Swapped, covered and removed: The license plate tactics ICE is using in Minnesota
The Department of Homeland Security defends secretive practices as safety measures.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 5:39 PM
We reviewed more than 100 Minnesota license plates attached to immigration enforcement vehicles in recent weeks.
We found that nearly 60% were not registered with the state of Minnesota, including the Chevy Tahoe that federal agent Jonathan Ross traveled in the day he fatally shot Renee Good.
We found that nearly 60% were not registered with the state of Minnesota, including the Chevy Tahoe that federal agent Jonathan Ross traveled in the day he fatally shot Renee Good.
Her husband being a noted badass himself, obviously.
February 6, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Her husband being a noted badass himself, obviously.
Here's a photo of a badass and her husband.
February 6, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Here's a photo of a badass and her husband.
I hope states' attorneys general block this effort in its tracks. The Constitution allocates representation based on population - it does not differentiate between citizens and non-citizens. This is a blatantly unconstitutional effort to deny states their lawful resources and representation.
The Trump administration proposes to include a question about U.S. citizenship status in this year's field test of the 2030 census, as Republicans push to alter the counts behind voting maps. n.pr/46y82Ip
Trump officials propose testing a citizenship question amid a push to alter the census
The Trump administration proposes to include a question about U.S. citizenship status in this year's field test of the 2030 census, as Republicans push to alter the counts behind voting maps.
n.pr
February 6, 2026 at 4:31 PM
I hope states' attorneys general block this effort in its tracks. The Constitution allocates representation based on population - it does not differentiate between citizens and non-citizens. This is a blatantly unconstitutional effort to deny states their lawful resources and representation.
Being in Friday isn't so special now, is it huh.
February 6, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Being in Friday isn't so special now, is it huh.
Melbourne is a beautiful city. Enjoy!
February 5, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Melbourne is a beautiful city. Enjoy!
Reposted by Mark Turner
☎️ Report from the Hotline on Check-Ins with ICE and CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) in North Carolina, especially in the cities of Charlotte and Durham.
February 4, 2026 at 11:10 PM
☎️ Report from the Hotline on Check-Ins with ICE and CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) in North Carolina, especially in the cities of Charlotte and Durham.
I was poll-greeting during the November 2016 election when a man and woman in business attire walked up and quietly asked if I'd seen anything suspicious. They were U.S. DOJ observers. I was impressed they were out ensuring a fair vote.
Now Trump wants to "take over" voting. How far we've fallen.
Now Trump wants to "take over" voting. How far we've fallen.
Trump calls on Republicans to "take over the voting" in 15 states, presumably those run by Democrats, an escalation in his effort to assert control over American elections. @reidepstein.bsky.social @nytnickc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/u...
Trump, in an Escalation, Calls for Republicans to ‘Nationalize’ Elections
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:54 PM
I was poll-greeting during the November 2016 election when a man and woman in business attire walked up and quietly asked if I'd seen anything suspicious. They were U.S. DOJ observers. I was impressed they were out ensuring a fair vote.
Now Trump wants to "take over" voting. How far we've fallen.
Now Trump wants to "take over" voting. How far we've fallen.
BlueSky also broke for me a few hours ago, demanding "age vetification," which I ignored. Did this happen to anyone else?
Bluesky was down for a few hours after I posted this morning. Wanted age verification. It's about kids accessing social media, but I think it's really to silence everyone. 🤷
February 4, 2026 at 7:32 PM
BlueSky also broke for me a few hours ago, demanding "age vetification," which I ignored. Did this happen to anyone else?
Reposted by Mark Turner
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts documenting ICE operations.
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts documenting ICE operations.
techcrunch.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:41 PM
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts documenting ICE operations.