Chuck Twardy
@chucktwardy.bsky.social
What oft was thought. Writer, teacher, mostly retired. Book of short stories “Middle Distance”: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P6DR243
Commentary at https://medium.com/@catwardy
Commentary at https://medium.com/@catwardy
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Walz: "To Americans who are watching this, I've got a question for you: What side do you want to be on? The side of an all powerful federal govt that can kill, injury, menace, & kidnap its citizens off the streets? Or on the side of a nurse at the VA hospital who died bearing witness to such govt?"
January 25, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Walz: "To Americans who are watching this, I've got a question for you: What side do you want to be on? The side of an all powerful federal govt that can kill, injury, menace, & kidnap its citizens off the streets? Or on the side of a nurse at the VA hospital who died bearing witness to such govt?"
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Detained by ICE, two women became first responders during agent’s seizure
The women say they guided agents through the emergency, later raising concerns about medical protocols, weapons safety and accountability.
www.startribune.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
ICE agent asked why he's taking pictures of a legal observer's car, replies: "Cuz we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist. So have fun with that."
January 23, 2026 at 5:32 PM
ICE agent asked why he's taking pictures of a legal observer's car, replies: "Cuz we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist. So have fun with that."
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
A lot of prominent pundits and public intellectuals claimed—frequently and spuriously—that DEI measures in higher ed are anti-free speech. The standing federal ruling on this question, though says the opposite—only after their polemics helped fuel worse censorship than the McCarthy Era.
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges. This leaves in place a federal judge's ruling that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. (Via AP) apnews.com/article/dei-... #ncpol #nced
Trump administration drops legal appeal over anti-DEI funding threat to schools and colleges
The Trump administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colle...
apnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:24 AM
A lot of prominent pundits and public intellectuals claimed—frequently and spuriously—that DEI measures in higher ed are anti-free speech. The standing federal ruling on this question, though says the opposite—only after their polemics helped fuel worse censorship than the McCarthy Era.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
The Trump administration will now take an ownership stake in a defense contractor, but no, it would never dream of interfering with its management or with competition for contracts, no way. From my colleague Tad DeHaven.
www.cato.org/blog/trump-a...
www.cato.org/blog/trump-a...
January 20, 2026 at 8:54 PM
The Trump administration will now take an ownership stake in a defense contractor, but no, it would never dream of interfering with its management or with competition for contracts, no way. From my colleague Tad DeHaven.
www.cato.org/blog/trump-a...
www.cato.org/blog/trump-a...
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
If they come for LGTBQ they come for you.
Incredible quote here from a Somali small business owner in Minneapolis who voted for Trump. minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/19/a...
January 20, 2026 at 8:52 PM
If they come for LGTBQ they come for you.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Trump’s goons don't just put their fingers on the scales of justice here in the U.S. They do it in cases involving other countries’ corrupt leaders, from France to Brazil, who face prosecution. Shameful.
January 20, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Trump’s goons don't just put their fingers on the scales of justice here in the U.S. They do it in cases involving other countries’ corrupt leaders, from France to Brazil, who face prosecution. Shameful.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
A French judge explains how Trump sent people from the US Embassy to try to intimidate her during Marine Le Pen's trial for embezzlement — something they've done to other judges around the world
January 20, 2026 at 2:07 PM
A French judge explains how Trump sent people from the US Embassy to try to intimidate her during Marine Le Pen's trial for embezzlement — something they've done to other judges around the world
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
“I get the Peace Prize or a country near the Prize-giving country gets it” is a very normal foreign policy, relieved at least that the existential threat of student loan forgiveness was avoided.
January 19, 2026 at 5:14 PM
“I get the Peace Prize or a country near the Prize-giving country gets it” is a very normal foreign policy, relieved at least that the existential threat of student loan forgiveness was avoided.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
"I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace.”
January 19, 2026 at 1:40 PM
"I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace.”
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Fight and help win a world war.
Establish a global order that cements your national power for 80 years.
Blow it all up.
What am I missing?
Establish a global order that cements your national power for 80 years.
Blow it all up.
What am I missing?
January 18, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Fight and help win a world war.
Establish a global order that cements your national power for 80 years.
Blow it all up.
What am I missing?
Establish a global order that cements your national power for 80 years.
Blow it all up.
What am I missing?
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Bemused by how many people I know are feeding 10-year old photos of themselves into Meta's slop funnel. You don't have to do this.
January 18, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Bemused by how many people I know are feeding 10-year old photos of themselves into Meta's slop funnel. You don't have to do this.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Just a reminder that Trump is selling Venezuelan oil and depositing the proceeds into a bank account in Qatar that is NOT under any control by the US government or Congress.
He's just stealing it. It really is that simple.
He's just stealing it. It really is that simple.
January 17, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Just a reminder that Trump is selling Venezuelan oil and depositing the proceeds into a bank account in Qatar that is NOT under any control by the US government or Congress.
He's just stealing it. It really is that simple.
He's just stealing it. It really is that simple.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Another data point indicating that Polymarket is not a “prediction market” but a public persuasion operation—here it spreads disinformation about Minnesota and DHS signals boosts the disinformation:
January 16, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Another data point indicating that Polymarket is not a “prediction market” but a public persuasion operation—here it spreads disinformation about Minnesota and DHS signals boosts the disinformation:
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
The threat to freedom of the press is real, we used to say. Can't say that any more. It's not a threat. The first small laps in a far larger wave are here.
That part in blue. Agonizingly true. What looked sturdy was way flimsier than we — than I — thought. view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/176...
That part in blue. Agonizingly true. What looked sturdy was way flimsier than we — than I — thought. view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/176...
January 16, 2026 at 6:52 PM
The threat to freedom of the press is real, we used to say. Can't say that any more. It's not a threat. The first small laps in a far larger wave are here.
That part in blue. Agonizingly true. What looked sturdy was way flimsier than we — than I — thought. view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/176...
That part in blue. Agonizingly true. What looked sturdy was way flimsier than we — than I — thought. view.newsletters.cnn.com/messages/176...
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
I find it necessary these days to affirm the obvious because the descent into fascism is mostly a continuous, not discrete, process so here it goes:
these are internal checkpoints by secret police for what is routine freedom of movement.
these are internal checkpoints by secret police for what is routine freedom of movement.
It’s been reported locally, but I’m not sure how much national notice this has gotten. As part of this invasion by shithead goons, they are putting ICE agents in jetbridges and other parts of the airport at Minneapolis-Saint Paul. If you are flying Delta via MSP, you are putting yourself at risk.
ICE agents to begin checking documents at MSP airport, patrol jet bridges - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will begin checking documents of travelers and workers at MSP airport, with patrols inside jet bridges.
www.bizjournals.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:29 PM
I find it necessary these days to affirm the obvious because the descent into fascism is mostly a continuous, not discrete, process so here it goes:
these are internal checkpoints by secret police for what is routine freedom of movement.
these are internal checkpoints by secret police for what is routine freedom of movement.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
It’s a moral AND strategic failure to not hammer this @schumer.senate.gov
these are some pretty catastrophic approval numbers for ICE mom-murderers
they will not improve
they will not improve
January 16, 2026 at 3:48 PM
It’s a moral AND strategic failure to not hammer this @schumer.senate.gov
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
these are some pretty catastrophic approval numbers for ICE mom-murderers
they will not improve
they will not improve
January 16, 2026 at 2:45 AM
these are some pretty catastrophic approval numbers for ICE mom-murderers
they will not improve
they will not improve
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Grinning like a 5-year old getting his participation trophy at the post-season T-ball pizza party.
January 16, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Grinning like a 5-year old getting his participation trophy at the post-season T-ball pizza party.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
He's Moloch...an Old Testament pagan god demanding a constant supply of blood, burnt offerings & gold from cowering mortals, terrified lest he smite them.
Last week, Renee Good was made a human sacrifice to Trump.
This week, another woman has to offer her gold.
Minneapolis, the burnt offering.
Last week, Renee Good was made a human sacrifice to Trump.
This week, another woman has to offer her gold.
Minneapolis, the burnt offering.
Grinning like a 5-year old getting his participation trophy at the post-season T-ball pizza party.
January 16, 2026 at 9:37 AM
He's Moloch...an Old Testament pagan god demanding a constant supply of blood, burnt offerings & gold from cowering mortals, terrified lest he smite them.
Last week, Renee Good was made a human sacrifice to Trump.
This week, another woman has to offer her gold.
Minneapolis, the burnt offering.
Last week, Renee Good was made a human sacrifice to Trump.
This week, another woman has to offer her gold.
Minneapolis, the burnt offering.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
SCOOP: Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activities on the ground.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
‘ELITE’: The Palantir App ICE Uses to Find Neighborhoods to Raid
Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activit...
www.404media.co
January 15, 2026 at 2:05 PM
SCOOP: Internal ICE material and testimony from an official obtained by 404 Media provides the clearest link yet between the technological infrastructure Palantir is building for ICE and the agency’s activities on the ground.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Inside the app called ELITE—what ICE uses to find neighborhoods to raid.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
This Post-ABC poll result from March 2016, explaining what factors made people more likely to back Trump in the GOP primary that year, was always underappreciated.
January 15, 2026 at 1:15 PM
This Post-ABC poll result from March 2016, explaining what factors made people more likely to back Trump in the GOP primary that year, was always underappreciated.
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
Everyone in America deserves better than this shit
🚨BREAKING: ICE unleashes ONSLAUGHT of flash bang grenades and chemical ammunition at unarmed Minneapolis protesters in WAR-LIKE attack. Several protesters struck. Our reporter @zdroberts.bsky.social struck in the head.
"I got hit in the head really bad." LIVE NOW ⬇️
"I got hit in the head really bad." LIVE NOW ⬇️
January 15, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Everyone in America deserves better than this shit
Reposted by Chuck Twardy
👇🎯 The Endogeneity of Popularism
As others have noted, "Abolish ICE" is in positive territory without Democrats even pushing the message. If they actually leaned into this, they could easily move that number much higher.
BTW, while "Abolish ICE?" is currently polling at 46/43, the same weekly poll had "Abolish the Department of Education?" at 28% support, 58% opposed before Trump did it anyway.
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/ec...
d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/ec...
January 13, 2026 at 9:00 PM
👇🎯 The Endogeneity of Popularism