Ben Waterhouse
@beninoregon.bsky.social
Editor of Oregon Humanities magazine, occasional theater critic, plant enthusiast.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
After a document leak from DHS outed him, Enrique Tarrio, head of the Proud Boys militia group, acknowledged that he was now an ICE officer. www.telemundo.com/noticias/not...
Enrique Tarrio, exlíder de los Proud Boys, dice que se ha convertido en agente de ICE
Tarrio, quien recibió un indulto de Trump por su participación en el asalto al Capitolio en 2021, fue detenido un mes después de su liberación por un cargo de agresión en Washington D.C.
www.telemundo.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:55 AM
After a document leak from DHS outed him, Enrique Tarrio, head of the Proud Boys militia group, acknowledged that he was now an ICE officer. www.telemundo.com/noticias/not...
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
The Department of Homeland Security is refusing to release information on 3 detained Oglala Lakota tribal members who are being held at Fort Snelling, a former concentration camp for Native people, unless the tribe enters into an immigration agreement with ICE.
Oglala Sioux Tribe accuses federal authorities of treaty violation after four members detained by ICE
“Members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe are United States citizens. We are the first Americans.”
www.wjtv.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:05 AM
The Department of Homeland Security is refusing to release information on 3 detained Oglala Lakota tribal members who are being held at Fort Snelling, a former concentration camp for Native people, unless the tribe enters into an immigration agreement with ICE.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
The Times went to non urban Minnesota to ask people why they dislike urban Minneapolis. If someone were to ask me to teach a journalism school course on helicopter reporting, this story - so cliche it’s almost hard to believe they really did this - would immediately go on the syllabus.
NYTimes has truly outdone itself with this latest in its "ask white guys in diner" genre. Thank goodness we get a perspective on what's happening in Minneapolis from people in **Nisswa** who probably mean Brainerd when they say they "prefer not to go the city anymore" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
One State, Two Very Different Views of Minneapolis
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The Times went to non urban Minnesota to ask people why they dislike urban Minneapolis. If someone were to ask me to teach a journalism school course on helicopter reporting, this story - so cliche it’s almost hard to believe they really did this - would immediately go on the syllabus.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
Having seen several abductions up close, it is really hard to convey how much the thing they’re doing is roaming in military convoys until they see someone who is alone and isn’t white, and then jumping out in large numbers, pulling them into a van, and screeching off, all in 90 seconds or so.
"“They specifically asked me if I knew where the Hmong families lived on my street & in the neighborhood.” Lugert-Thom responded, “I don’t know anything about that” & she said they then asked, “Well, what about the Asian families?”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
A St. Paul resident says federal officers knocked on her door and asked her to identify Hmong and Asian households in her North End neighborhood last week.
January 14, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Having seen several abductions up close, it is really hard to convey how much the thing they’re doing is roaming in military convoys until they see someone who is alone and isn’t white, and then jumping out in large numbers, pulling them into a van, and screeching off, all in 90 seconds or so.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
U.S. citizen detained by ICE:
“…they finally told me that they could offer undocumented family members of mine legal protection if I have any…or money, in exchange for giving them the names of protest organizers, or undocumented persons. I was shocked, and told them no.”
“…they finally told me that they could offer undocumented family members of mine legal protection if I have any…or money, in exchange for giving them the names of protest organizers, or undocumented persons. I was shocked, and told them no.”
just a reminder that we aren’t even seeing the worst of what is happening in Minneapolis from someone detailed at the Whipple Federal Building yesterday
January 13, 2026 at 3:05 PM
U.S. citizen detained by ICE:
“…they finally told me that they could offer undocumented family members of mine legal protection if I have any…or money, in exchange for giving them the names of protest organizers, or undocumented persons. I was shocked, and told them no.”
“…they finally told me that they could offer undocumented family members of mine legal protection if I have any…or money, in exchange for giving them the names of protest organizers, or undocumented persons. I was shocked, and told them no.”
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
Reminder that these kind of door-to-door “general warrants” are both explicitly illegal and also a major trigger for the American Revolution.
A video of ICE agents conducting door-to-door searches today in Minneapolis
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
The homeowner requests a warrant repeatedly, is told they don't require one, then is told they're getting it, then the agents storm in anyway
They also point a taser at her to try and disrupt filming
January 12, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Reminder that these kind of door-to-door “general warrants” are both explicitly illegal and also a major trigger for the American Revolution.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
This isn't just a casual observation. Fascism scholars have long made this point. It's why calling them "weird" was a more effective strategy than talking about the prices of eggs. Fascism is an aesthetic political movement - you need to make people feel embarassed and horrified by it.
one of the most effective weapons we have against fascism is mockery, especially when its really funny
It occurs to me all the yelling at ICE in MPLS isn't merely funny. Getting made fun of like this is awful for morale. ICE is losing field officers faster than it can wave them through training, and a big part of it is how little of this these little weasels can take.
January 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM
This isn't just a casual observation. Fascism scholars have long made this point. It's why calling them "weird" was a more effective strategy than talking about the prices of eggs. Fascism is an aesthetic political movement - you need to make people feel embarassed and horrified by it.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
It would take a two-word amendment to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to subject ICE agents and other federal law enforcement officers to the same liability for constitutional violations that local and state officers currently face.
If Congress actually cared about what it's seeing, it could pass that overnight.
If Congress actually cared about what it's seeing, it could pass that overnight.
January 12, 2026 at 10:56 PM
It would take a two-word amendment to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to subject ICE agents and other federal law enforcement officers to the same liability for constitutional violations that local and state officers currently face.
If Congress actually cared about what it's seeing, it could pass that overnight.
If Congress actually cared about what it's seeing, it could pass that overnight.
Santiam
My favorite Twitter prompt was "RT this with your home river," so reskeet this with your home river.
Mine is the Patuxent.
Mine is the Patuxent.
January 13, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Santiam
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
As succinct a summary as there has ever been.
January 10, 2026 at 9:12 PM
As succinct a summary as there has ever been.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
Read the poem in it's entirety: poets.org/poem/renee-n...
January 10, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Read the poem in it's entirety: poets.org/poem/renee-n...
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
As an Indigenous person, watching Trump make plans to invade an Indigenous territory is fucking terrifying. Everyone is making this about Denmark, but it will be Inuit facing this new wave of violent colonization.
January 11, 2026 at 6:25 PM
As an Indigenous person, watching Trump make plans to invade an Indigenous territory is fucking terrifying. Everyone is making this about Denmark, but it will be Inuit facing this new wave of violent colonization.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
It was me!
As we digest more and more incredibly shitty news, I wrote this for @oregonhumanities.org as an offering for each of us to take in and learn all that we can from the resiliency of the ocean.
As we digest more and more incredibly shitty news, I wrote this for @oregonhumanities.org as an offering for each of us to take in and learn all that we can from the resiliency of the ocean.
A beautiful piece from a friend writing back in Oregon about life by the ocean, the energy that it generates, and the need for community in order to meet possible emergencies. Brilliant, @katelovesmath.bsky.social.
Wave Lessons
Kate Ertmann on what the ocean can teach us about rural emergency preparedness.
oregonhumanities.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:16 PM
It was me!
As we digest more and more incredibly shitty news, I wrote this for @oregonhumanities.org as an offering for each of us to take in and learn all that we can from the resiliency of the ocean.
As we digest more and more incredibly shitty news, I wrote this for @oregonhumanities.org as an offering for each of us to take in and learn all that we can from the resiliency of the ocean.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
WELL NOW, would you look at that? A massive, 24-YEAR-LONG study of MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION people in Denmark found NO LINK between aluminum in childhood vaccines and autism, asthma, OR chronic disorders.
Aluminum is an ADJUVANT.
It ENHANCES your immune response to a vaccine.
That’s it.
Aluminum is an ADJUVANT.
It ENHANCES your immune response to a vaccine.
That’s it.
January 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
WELL NOW, would you look at that? A massive, 24-YEAR-LONG study of MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION people in Denmark found NO LINK between aluminum in childhood vaccines and autism, asthma, OR chronic disorders.
Aluminum is an ADJUVANT.
It ENHANCES your immune response to a vaccine.
That’s it.
Aluminum is an ADJUVANT.
It ENHANCES your immune response to a vaccine.
That’s it.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
I am mourning the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis yesterday. My heart is with her family—especially her child—and with all who loved her.
This was not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a growing scourge of violence /1
This was not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a growing scourge of violence /1
January 8, 2026 at 2:59 PM
I am mourning the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis yesterday. My heart is with her family—especially her child—and with all who loved her.
This was not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a growing scourge of violence /1
This was not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a growing scourge of violence /1
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
Weighing evidence is fine but it’s wild how US media never starts from the presumption that cops should never shoot citizens dead
Three videos taken of the scene and reviewed by CNN, however, show nuance. What took place prior to the shooting remains unclear. | Analysis
DHS says woman attempted to run over ICE officers before being shot in Minneapolis. Here’s what the videos show. | CNN
Three videos taken of the scene and reviewed by CNN show nuance. What took place prior to the shooting remains unclear.
www.cnn.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Weighing evidence is fine but it’s wild how US media never starts from the presumption that cops should never shoot citizens dead
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
I read this paragraph four times. Not because it's murky, but to let the message sink in. www.cjr.org/tow_center/b...
If an information company is clear and determined in supporting (not "saving') democracy, then it can be a home for good journalism. If not then the press must disengage. Now.
If an information company is clear and determined in supporting (not "saving') democracy, then it can be a home for good journalism. If not then the press must disengage. Now.
January 8, 2026 at 3:51 PM
I read this paragraph four times. Not because it's murky, but to let the message sink in. www.cjr.org/tow_center/b...
If an information company is clear and determined in supporting (not "saving') democracy, then it can be a home for good journalism. If not then the press must disengage. Now.
If an information company is clear and determined in supporting (not "saving') democracy, then it can be a home for good journalism. If not then the press must disengage. Now.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
That Maduro bet may be the pinnacle of financial nihilism to date, in that it raises the question of whether gambling markets are now directly setting political policy. www.theverge.com/policy/85807...
Snatching Maduro was all about the spectacle
Kidnapping a world leader for online clout
www.theverge.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:40 PM
That Maduro bet may be the pinnacle of financial nihilism to date, in that it raises the question of whether gambling markets are now directly setting political policy. www.theverge.com/policy/85807...
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
it is outright murder. talking about it on here means bracing for the inevitable "they do this all the time," which is true!, but probably not a useful comment, as the point is not to engender dialogue & analysis, but to join together in outrage at state violence
there is now a second angle (video going around). it is worse. this is murder. period.
losing my mind at the "she should have followed directions" people
really? really? you're cool with "if you don't follow directions, they get to kill you"? that seems like a good state of affairs to you? that seems like how law enforcement ought to work: instant obeisance or death?
really? really? you're cool with "if you don't follow directions, they get to kill you"? that seems like a good state of affairs to you? that seems like how law enforcement ought to work: instant obeisance or death?
January 7, 2026 at 6:33 PM
it is outright murder. talking about it on here means bracing for the inevitable "they do this all the time," which is true!, but probably not a useful comment, as the point is not to engender dialogue & analysis, but to join together in outrage at state violence
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
This Langston Hughes poem is relevant af.
January 5, 2026 at 4:27 PM
This Langston Hughes poem is relevant af.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
Twitter is owned by a fascist, Facebook and the Washington Post have gone MAGA, and now CBS News is about to be turned into far-right state TV. Here’s why America has a liberal media bias problem.
January 5, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Twitter is owned by a fascist, Facebook and the Washington Post have gone MAGA, and now CBS News is about to be turned into far-right state TV. Here’s why America has a liberal media bias problem.
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
"Look, the U.S. has not got a perfect record. There’s no doubt about that, and it has betrayed its values many times, but this is of a different order. This is just a blatant throwing-the-whole-thing-out and making a claim to be able to use force whenever it wants." - @oonahathaway.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 2:28 AM
"Look, the U.S. has not got a perfect record. There’s no doubt about that, and it has betrayed its values many times, but this is of a different order. This is just a blatant throwing-the-whole-thing-out and making a claim to be able to use force whenever it wants." - @oonahathaway.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
Al Jazeera, last month, quoting a prof at Leiden University.
Where, WHERE is this kind of clear explanation in the US press.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Where, WHERE is this kind of clear explanation in the US press.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
January 4, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Al Jazeera, last month, quoting a prof at Leiden University.
Where, WHERE is this kind of clear explanation in the US press.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Where, WHERE is this kind of clear explanation in the US press.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Ben Waterhouse
Glad to see the news that more artists are cancelling on Richard Grenell dadadrummer.substack.com/p/what-is-th...
What is the Artist to Fascism?
Richard Grenell explains
dadadrummer.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Glad to see the news that more artists are cancelling on Richard Grenell dadadrummer.substack.com/p/what-is-th...