Marc Slemko
@znep.com
Semi-retired weird software engineer. Stuff that interests me, such as reviving democracy.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
January 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
I am. But there are three things at play here regarding ICE collecting private data. Quick rundown on the issue, why you should be paying attention, and what I'm doing about it:
So which politician is calling for the dismantling of the probably illegal database that ice & this government is collecting biometric data of protesters?
January 27, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I am. But there are three things at play here regarding ICE collecting private data. Quick rundown on the issue, why you should be paying attention, and what I'm doing about it:
Reposted by Marc Slemko
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota
Via DonHarris4/X
Via DonHarris4/X
January 27, 2026 at 7:59 PM
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota
Via DonHarris4/X
Via DonHarris4/X
Reposted by Marc Slemko
BREAKING: Trump doesn’t support the 2nd Amendment.
Q: Do you agree with the assessment from some of your own officials that Alex Pretti is a domestic terrorist or assassin?
TRUMP: Well, I haven't heard that, but he certainly shouldn't have been carrying a gun. I don't like that he had a gun.
TRUMP: Well, I haven't heard that, but he certainly shouldn't have been carrying a gun. I don't like that he had a gun.
January 27, 2026 at 8:51 PM
BREAKING: Trump doesn’t support the 2nd Amendment.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
On this day in 1945, the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau exposed the scale of Nazi crimes to the world and became a symbol of the horrors of the Holocaust, the resilience of its survivors, and the guilt of its enablers.
January 27, 2026 at 9:07 PM
On this day in 1945, the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau exposed the scale of Nazi crimes to the world and became a symbol of the horrors of the Holocaust, the resilience of its survivors, and the guilt of its enablers.
"If the president were not to use the Presidential Model for his executive functions, AI gaps would develop between the president and CEOs and the president and his or her own subordinates. The question seems not to be if, but when, the president will use the Presidential Model." Hmm.
Given the government's growing adoption of AI, it seems that an Oval Office centered AI–which could reshape decision-making, records, and constitutional limits–is inevitable, writes Jason R. DiNapoli. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
The Inevitable Presidential AI Model
An Oval Office-centered model could reshape decision-making, records, and constitutional limits on executive power.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 27, 2026 at 9:22 PM
"If the president were not to use the Presidential Model for his executive functions, AI gaps would develop between the president and CEOs and the president and his or her own subordinates. The question seems not to be if, but when, the president will use the Presidential Model." Hmm.
"This year, we largely set aside our editorial voice in a commitment to reporting local news without any appearance of partisanship throughout our 190-year-old operation. But lines have become unmistakable, and I think history might judge silence as complicity at this critical inflection point."
A small community newspaper from a rural area with traditionally conservative leanings lets them have it.
Editorial: Above The Law
This year, we largely set aside our editorial voice in a commitment to reporting local news without any appearance of partisanship throughout our 190-year-old operation. But lines have become unmistak...
www.caledonianrecord.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:23 PM
"This year, we largely set aside our editorial voice in a commitment to reporting local news without any appearance of partisanship throughout our 190-year-old operation. But lines have become unmistakable, and I think history might judge silence as complicity at this critical inflection point."
"Page and Shapiro argue that opinion change requires new information to meet five conditions simultaneously: it must be received by enough people, understood, relevant to the policy question/issue domain, discrepant with prior beliefs, and credible." Is change durable or is it quickly forgotten?
January 27, 2026 at 7:56 PM
"Page and Shapiro argue that opinion change requires new information to meet five conditions simultaneously: it must be received by enough people, understood, relevant to the policy question/issue domain, discrepant with prior beliefs, and credible." Is change durable or is it quickly forgotten?
Reposted by Marc Slemko
“Every day, we are asked to put our trust in tech companies, who shape our lives and our futures in profound ways,” Galen Panger, a user experience researcher at YouTube who co-signed the letter, said in an interview. “But what future are they asking us to imagine now?”
January 27, 2026 at 4:29 PM
“Every day, we are asked to put our trust in tech companies, who shape our lives and our futures in profound ways,” Galen Panger, a user experience researcher at YouTube who co-signed the letter, said in an interview. “But what future are they asking us to imagine now?”
"Imagine being a congressman from Minnesota and caring so little about what’s happening here that you just copy and paste talking points," wrote Jake Johnson, a candidate for his seat. "If you’re not writing your own statements and you’re not holding town halls, what exactly are we paying you for?"
Yikes.
Rep. Brad Finstad, Congressman for Minnesota's 1st District, allegedly sent out this post yesterday and then deleted.
Write-up here from Matthew Chapman: www.rawstory.com/brad-finstad/
Rep. Brad Finstad, Congressman for Minnesota's 1st District, allegedly sent out this post yesterday and then deleted.
Write-up here from Matthew Chapman: www.rawstory.com/brad-finstad/
January 27, 2026 at 7:28 PM
"Imagine being a congressman from Minnesota and caring so little about what’s happening here that you just copy and paste talking points," wrote Jake Johnson, a candidate for his seat. "If you’re not writing your own statements and you’re not holding town halls, what exactly are we paying you for?"
Reposted by Marc Slemko
This is not an electoral college a Democrat can win.
@runforsomething.net’s plan to expand the map includes investing in local political infrastructure in TX, FL, AZ, UT, ID, NC & GA (plus 5 others.)
If we don’t do the work now, we won’t have any options later.
@runforsomething.net’s plan to expand the map includes investing in local political infrastructure in TX, FL, AZ, UT, ID, NC & GA (plus 5 others.)
If we don’t do the work now, we won’t have any options later.
#NEW: 2030 Apportionment Forecast based on 2025 Census Bureau Population Estimates (January 27, 2026).
Forecast prepared by Dr. Jonathan Cervas (CMIST) at Carnegie Mellon University
Forecast prepared by Dr. Jonathan Cervas (CMIST) at Carnegie Mellon University
January 27, 2026 at 4:46 PM
This is not an electoral college a Democrat can win.
@runforsomething.net’s plan to expand the map includes investing in local political infrastructure in TX, FL, AZ, UT, ID, NC & GA (plus 5 others.)
If we don’t do the work now, we won’t have any options later.
@runforsomething.net’s plan to expand the map includes investing in local political infrastructure in TX, FL, AZ, UT, ID, NC & GA (plus 5 others.)
If we don’t do the work now, we won’t have any options later.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
One armed goon loses his shit at an observer who's backing up, and then several more armed goons tackle the observer to the ground, and then even more armed goons form a protective shield around the armed goons handcuffing the observer for hurting an armed goon's feelings.
This can't be "reformed"
This can't be "reformed"
January 27, 2026 at 3:20 PM
One armed goon loses his shit at an observer who's backing up, and then several more armed goons tackle the observer to the ground, and then even more armed goons form a protective shield around the armed goons handcuffing the observer for hurting an armed goon's feelings.
This can't be "reformed"
This can't be "reformed"
"Throwing billions of dollars into top of the ticket races in 2026 and 2028 may be short-term imperatives, but it can’t be the only plan we execute in the next four years. It’s essential we expand our map and prepare for a contentious post-Census redistricting fight." -- @runforsomething.net
Here's the brief memo on our plan, ICYMI earlier this fall. runforsomething.net/wp-content/u...
January 27, 2026 at 6:50 PM
"Throwing billions of dollars into top of the ticket races in 2026 and 2028 may be short-term imperatives, but it can’t be the only plan we execute in the next four years. It’s essential we expand our map and prepare for a contentious post-Census redistricting fight." -- @runforsomething.net
Reposted by Marc Slemko
If you work for DHS and hate your boss / leadership, you have the chance to do the funniest thing.
Be a legend
Be a legend
January 27, 2026 at 5:54 PM
If you work for DHS and hate your boss / leadership, you have the chance to do the funniest thing.
Be a legend
Be a legend
Reposted by Marc Slemko
The USA has a long tradition since its inception of concentration camps. From Native Americans to Japanese-Americans, the state is partly predicated upon the coercive movement, detainment, and policing of large populations in camps across centuries.
This is dystopian… and not just because they’re dressed like a scene from the handmaids tale.
These are mostly children.
This is where Liam Ramos is being held.
They’re screaming “let us out” and protesting the brutal conditions.
These kids are braver than every ICE thug holding them hostages
These are mostly children.
This is where Liam Ramos is being held.
They’re screaming “let us out” and protesting the brutal conditions.
These kids are braver than every ICE thug holding them hostages
January 27, 2026 at 7:27 AM
The USA has a long tradition since its inception of concentration camps. From Native Americans to Japanese-Americans, the state is partly predicated upon the coercive movement, detainment, and policing of large populations in camps across centuries.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
Imagine a paramilitary gang kills 2 observers over 2 weeks, then shows up at your home to say, "You, observer, we know where you live."
That's a death threat.
If it happened to me or a colleague when I was a human rights observer in N. Ireland, we would've lodged complaints with three govts.
That's a death threat.
If it happened to me or a colleague when I was a human rights observer in N. Ireland, we would've lodged complaints with three govts.
One human rights observer in Maine said agents followed her home, blocked off her street, and came to her door to say they know where she lives. Her children are now staying elsewhere, to keep them safe.
Now in Maine: ICE watchers say federal agents are coming to their house to threaten and intimidate them.
www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
January 27, 2026 at 5:38 AM
Imagine a paramilitary gang kills 2 observers over 2 weeks, then shows up at your home to say, "You, observer, we know where you live."
That's a death threat.
If it happened to me or a colleague when I was a human rights observer in N. Ireland, we would've lodged complaints with three govts.
That's a death threat.
If it happened to me or a colleague when I was a human rights observer in N. Ireland, we would've lodged complaints with three govts.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
January 27, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Downfall Bovino Edition. You're welcome.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
The ocean freighting industry is woke now (the containers spell Renee, for Renee Good).
www.reddit.com/r/Tacoma/com...
www.reddit.com/r/Tacoma/com...
January 27, 2026 at 4:13 AM
The ocean freighting industry is woke now (the containers spell Renee, for Renee Good).
www.reddit.com/r/Tacoma/com...
www.reddit.com/r/Tacoma/com...
MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKING "SIR, WHY DIDN'T YOU WIN THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE YET?" AND IT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION! THE HEAD OF NORWAY CALLED ME, TEARS IN HIS EYES, HE SAID "MR. PRESIDENT, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE MEDAL BUT STEPHEN MILLER IS SCARING EVERYONE!"
I continue to believe that the fastest way to get Stephen Miller fired is to convince Trump that Miller's ICE operations are what cost him the Nobel Peace Prize.
January 27, 2026 at 5:37 AM
MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKING "SIR, WHY DIDN'T YOU WIN THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE YET?" AND IT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION! THE HEAD OF NORWAY CALLED ME, TEARS IN HIS EYES, HE SAID "MR. PRESIDENT, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE MEDAL BUT STEPHEN MILLER IS SCARING EVERYONE!"
Reposted by Marc Slemko
"Let us go." Immigration attorney Eric Lee shares a drawing by his five-year-old client, stuck in an immigration prison.
January 27, 2026 at 4:34 AM
"Let us go." Immigration attorney Eric Lee shares a drawing by his five-year-old client, stuck in an immigration prison.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
Assembly Member Alex Bores worked at Palantir for a few years right out of college, but says he quit in protest of their work with ICE.
Now a Palantir co-founder is helping fund ads attacking Bores for working with an ICE contractor (i.e. Palantir):
Now a Palantir co-founder is helping fund ads attacking Bores for working with an ICE contractor (i.e. Palantir):
January 27, 2026 at 4:02 AM
Assembly Member Alex Bores worked at Palantir for a few years right out of college, but says he quit in protest of their work with ICE.
Now a Palantir co-founder is helping fund ads attacking Bores for working with an ICE contractor (i.e. Palantir):
Now a Palantir co-founder is helping fund ads attacking Bores for working with an ICE contractor (i.e. Palantir):
Reposted by Marc Slemko
You can’t tell me we have a functioning economic system when the richest man in human history is one of the most profoundly stupid people in human history
January 27, 2026 at 2:11 AM
You can’t tell me we have a functioning economic system when the richest man in human history is one of the most profoundly stupid people in human history
Reposted by Marc Slemko
Okay I think I've mapped out ICE politics as of Monday night
January 27, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Okay I think I've mapped out ICE politics as of Monday night
Reposted by Marc Slemko
Chris Madel is the lawyer of Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who murdered Renee Good.
Chris Madel: "The president posted something on Truth Social saying it was a time of reckoning and retribution on the citizens of my state, and I've seen that happen and I cannot be a part of it, and I can't be a part of a party that's a part of that"
January 27, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Chris Madel is the lawyer of Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who murdered Renee Good.
Reposted by Marc Slemko
Okay. Time to call your democratic senators and tell them that Bovino’s demotion and humiliation WILL NOT SUFFICE to fund DHS.
January 27, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Okay. Time to call your democratic senators and tell them that Bovino’s demotion and humiliation WILL NOT SUFFICE to fund DHS.