Mark Welch
@markwelch.bsky.social
• ex-reporter ex-teacher ex-attorney, he/him
• law, journalism, education, security, privacy, surveillance tech, AI fairness, bias, face recognition, Blue Dot, LFL
• Springfield MO <NorCal <NH <MA <WI
• UC Berkeley JD'89; UMass Amherst BA'83
• law, journalism, education, security, privacy, surveillance tech, AI fairness, bias, face recognition, Blue Dot, LFL
• Springfield MO <NorCal <NH <MA <WI
• UC Berkeley JD'89; UMass Amherst BA'83
Pinned
We've refreshed our little free library's contents, replacing about two-thirds of the books.
3263 N Dysart, Springfield MO 65803.
map.lflapp.org/knthQmRquVb
#240480
3263 N Dysart, Springfield MO 65803.
map.lflapp.org/knthQmRquVb
#240480
Reposted by Mark Welch
5 headlines tonight on Charlotte Observer’s homepage:
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
November 16, 2025 at 4:25 AM
5 headlines tonight on Charlotte Observer’s homepage:
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
“Manolo's Bakery closes to protect customers”
“Church members flee as federal agents arrive”
“Super G executive describes agents dragging out teen employee”
“Border Patrol questions people at Walmart”
“Border Patrol sweep sparks fear”
Reposted by Mark Welch
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
“When the 8 African American sheriffs took over the largest counties in North Carolina, it became a threat to the good ol’ boy system,” says the sheriff of Charlotte. These new sheriffs broke ties with ICE.
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
North Carolina GOP Is Cracking Down on the Black Sheriffs Who Stood Up to ICE
Boosted by new supermajorities, Republicans are closing in on legislation to mandate more collaboration with ICE and preempt local policies hard-won by immigrants’ rights advocates.
boltsmag.org
November 15, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
Reposted by Mark Welch
"A citizens group in Ontario, California is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving federal immigration agents.
They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..."
abc7.com/post/ontario...
They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..."
abc7.com/post/ontario...
Immigrant rights group placing 'ICE stole someone here' signs in Ontario
A citizens group in Ontario is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving ICE agents detaining and arresting undocumented immigrants.
abc7.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:38 AM
"A citizens group in Ontario, California is spearheading an effort to make the community aware of incidents involving federal immigration agents.
They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..."
abc7.com/post/ontario...
They're placing signs at the locations that read, 'ICE stole someone here'..."
abc7.com/post/ontario...
Reposted by Mark Welch
This is rich from MTG.
God knows how many trans people have had to deal with hate and abuse because of her.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
God knows how many trans people have had to deal with hate and abuse because of her.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Marjorie Taylor Greene says she’s had ‘warnings for my safety’ after posts by Trump
One-time Maga loyalist diverges with Trump on issues including Epstein, so US president has withdrawn support
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:06 AM
This is rich from MTG.
God knows how many trans people have had to deal with hate and abuse because of her.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
God knows how many trans people have had to deal with hate and abuse because of her.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Mark Welch
We found that a company with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly got money from DHS contracts.
“It’s corrupt, is the word,” a contract law expert said. “Hiding your friends as subcontractors is like playing hide the salami with the taxpayer.”
“It’s corrupt, is the word,” a contract law expert said. “Hiding your friends as subcontractors is like playing hide the salami with the taxpayer.”
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rule...
www.propublica.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:00 AM
We found that a company with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly got money from DHS contracts.
“It’s corrupt, is the word,” a contract law expert said. “Hiding your friends as subcontractors is like playing hide the salami with the taxpayer.”
“It’s corrupt, is the word,” a contract law expert said. “Hiding your friends as subcontractors is like playing hide the salami with the taxpayer.”
Reposted by Mark Welch
@siriusxmprog.bsky.social I pay for two subscriptions for family cars, and am outraged that you are allowing Ms. Kelley, who has publicly stated that sex with 15 year old girls is not pedophilia, to have a show on your network. Please cancel it post haste.
November 16, 2025 at 6:34 AM
@siriusxmprog.bsky.social I pay for two subscriptions for family cars, and am outraged that you are allowing Ms. Kelley, who has publicly stated that sex with 15 year old girls is not pedophilia, to have a show on your network. Please cancel it post haste.
Reposted by Mark Welch
A Venezuelan identified as Daniel B said he was taken to “the island” and hit in the stomach until he started choking on the blood. "My cellmates shouted for help, saying they were killing us, but the officers said they just wanted to make us suffer.”
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Trump sent men to torture in El Salvador, report confirms
Human Rights Watch found that Venezuelans shipped to El Salvador by the United States were beaten almost every day.
www.motherjones.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:44 AM
A Venezuelan identified as Daniel B said he was taken to “the island” and hit in the stomach until he started choking on the blood. "My cellmates shouted for help, saying they were killing us, but the officers said they just wanted to make us suffer.”
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Mark Welch
This is an important new line being crossed. Trump isn't just pardoning the act of attempting to overthrow the government on January 6: he's pardoning *those people* for committing crimes generally. He may be creating a group of (federally) legally untouchable people.
Trump re-pardons a Jan. 6 defendant to erase unrelated gun conviction
Trump re-pardons a Jan. 6 defendant to erase unrelated gun conviction
The new pardon ends a legal clash over the limits of Trump’s sweeping Day One clemency for those who stormed the Capitol.
dlvr.it
November 16, 2025 at 12:49 AM
This is an important new line being crossed. Trump isn't just pardoning the act of attempting to overthrow the government on January 6: he's pardoning *those people* for committing crimes generally. He may be creating a group of (federally) legally untouchable people.
Reposted by Mark Welch
This sounds like a keystone cops scenario, but is actually an incredibly dangerous situation and an upshot of poor coordination.When I was U.S attorney, we took great pains to minimize this precise risk, which happens when diff agencies are working the same area.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Fullerton police stop man pointing gun at female driver, only to learn he is ICE agent
A Fullerton police officer told the agent he couldn't help 'with someone following or recording him if no crime had occurred.' Under state law, local police cannot enforce federal immigration law.
www.latimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 AM
This sounds like a keystone cops scenario, but is actually an incredibly dangerous situation and an upshot of poor coordination.When I was U.S attorney, we took great pains to minimize this precise risk, which happens when diff agencies are working the same area.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Mark Welch
“…I can’t help but see ominous echoes of Jim Jones in Trump.” — Don Lattin, a legendary SF journo who covered Jones, his religious cult, The Peoples Temple, and its horrific ending that shocked the world in November 1978. #JonestownMurderSuicides www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
I covered the Jonestown massacre. Donald Trump is giving me flashbacks
OPINION: As we approach the anniversary of the Jonestown massacre, I can’t help but see ominous echoes of Jim Jones in President Trump, former reporter Don Lattin writes.
www.sfchronicle.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:05 AM
“…I can’t help but see ominous echoes of Jim Jones in Trump.” — Don Lattin, a legendary SF journo who covered Jones, his religious cult, The Peoples Temple, and its horrific ending that shocked the world in November 1978. #JonestownMurderSuicides www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/open...
Reposted by Mark Welch
a 50 year mortgage is more like debt peonage or renting from the bank. Why not 75 year mortgage?
Here's why Trump's 50-year mortgage policy is a terrible idea that will not bring down housing costs and will trap Americans in debt for generations:newsletter.ofthebrave.org/p/heres-why-...
Here’s Why Trump’s “50-Year Mortgage” is a Terrible Idea
It’s a “solution” no one asked for, and it would only make the housing crisis worse.
newsletter.ofthebrave.org
November 16, 2025 at 12:05 AM
a 50 year mortgage is more like debt peonage or renting from the bank. Why not 75 year mortgage?
Donald Trump shows his commitment to "populism" by offering ordinary Americans "health insurance" that will fail to protect them if they need health insurance.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The cheap health insurance promoted by Trump officials has this catch
As millions brace for higher insurance prices, plans touted by the Trump administration are attracting attention. They are cheaper, but coverage is often skimpy.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Reposted by Mark Welch
The cheap health insurance promoted by Trump officials has this catch
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The cheap health insurance promoted by Trump officials has this catch
As millions brace for higher insurance prices, plans touted by the Trump administration are attracting attention. They are cheaper, but coverage is often skimpy.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The cheap health insurance promoted by Trump officials has this catch
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Mark Welch
Listen to this Border Patrol agent cry about how he's going to be DOXXED after being arrested for drunkenly barging into a woman's restroom with a loaded gun, demanding a date from the woman inside, and then punching the arresting officers.
November 14, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Listen to this Border Patrol agent cry about how he's going to be DOXXED after being arrested for drunkenly barging into a woman's restroom with a loaded gun, demanding a date from the woman inside, and then punching the arresting officers.
Reposted by Mark Welch
smdh those menacing transgender people in women’s bathr—hold on a second
Listen to this Border Patrol agent cry about how he's going to be DOXXED after being arrested for drunkenly barging into a woman's restroom with a loaded gun, demanding a date from the woman inside, and then punching the arresting officers.
November 15, 2025 at 7:53 PM
smdh those menacing transgender people in women’s bathr—hold on a second
Reposted by Mark Welch
Yeah okay, abolish ICE or whatever OR
Eliminate the Department of Homeland Security altogether. Move TSA back to Transportation and restore FEMA as an independent agency. Sort the other half-dozen component agencies back into their natural homes.
Less criminal abuse and around $40 billion savings.
Eliminate the Department of Homeland Security altogether. Move TSA back to Transportation and restore FEMA as an independent agency. Sort the other half-dozen component agencies back into their natural homes.
Less criminal abuse and around $40 billion savings.
November 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Yeah okay, abolish ICE or whatever OR
Eliminate the Department of Homeland Security altogether. Move TSA back to Transportation and restore FEMA as an independent agency. Sort the other half-dozen component agencies back into their natural homes.
Less criminal abuse and around $40 billion savings.
Eliminate the Department of Homeland Security altogether. Move TSA back to Transportation and restore FEMA as an independent agency. Sort the other half-dozen component agencies back into their natural homes.
Less criminal abuse and around $40 billion savings.
Reposted by Mark Welch
Women swung last week’s elections for Democrats, and some on the right are responding with calls to strip women of the vote. At the same time, the recent shutdown revealed how political power is used—and sometimes wasted. Here’s what you need to know. thinkbigpicture.substack.com
The Big Picture | Substack
The Big Picture provides a deep dive into the cultural, political, and societal issues shaping our world today, from a variety of unique perspectives. Click to read The Big Picture, a Substack…
thinkbigpicture.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Women swung last week’s elections for Democrats, and some on the right are responding with calls to strip women of the vote. At the same time, the recent shutdown revealed how political power is used—and sometimes wasted. Here’s what you need to know. thinkbigpicture.substack.com
Reposted by Mark Welch
What if rest isn’t just about sleep, but about pausing to reflect—on what’s working, what’s not, and what your soul is really craving? When was the last time you gave yourself permission to just *be* with your thoughts?
November 15, 2025 at 4:40 PM
What if rest isn’t just about sleep, but about pausing to reflect—on what’s working, what’s not, and what your soul is really craving? When was the last time you gave yourself permission to just *be* with your thoughts?
Reposted by Mark Welch
If a US president authorizes the murder of a civilian who has not been given due process anywhere in the world, and further decides that an “acceptable” number of additional civilians are also be murdered around that initial target, should that president be arrested for murder? #PresidentialQuiz
November 15, 2025 at 5:02 PM
If a US president authorizes the murder of a civilian who has not been given due process anywhere in the world, and further decides that an “acceptable” number of additional civilians are also be murdered around that initial target, should that president be arrested for murder? #PresidentialQuiz
Reposted by Mark Welch
Picked this up at Neighborly, a cozy little home goods store down the street. It's a good example of how strongly the city has unified against the ICE/CBP occupation. I can't walk down the street without seeing "HANDS OFF" signs (or more colorful language) in the windows of houses and businesses.
November 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Picked this up at Neighborly, a cozy little home goods store down the street. It's a good example of how strongly the city has unified against the ICE/CBP occupation. I can't walk down the street without seeing "HANDS OFF" signs (or more colorful language) in the windows of houses and businesses.
Reposted by Mark Welch
"It was tough to beat Apple, but the Swiss did it." said one administration official.
How the Swiss convinced Trump to drop tariffs with gifts of a Rolex desk clock and a 1 kg gold bar.
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
How the Swiss convinced Trump to drop tariffs with gifts of a Rolex desk clock and a 1 kg gold bar.
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
How to lobby Trump with Swiss precision: gifts, gold and gab
How the Swiss broke a diplomatic logjam on tariffs by arriving with tributes fit for a king.
www.axios.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"It was tough to beat Apple, but the Swiss did it." said one administration official.
How the Swiss convinced Trump to drop tariffs with gifts of a Rolex desk clock and a 1 kg gold bar.
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
How the Swiss convinced Trump to drop tariffs with gifts of a Rolex desk clock and a 1 kg gold bar.
www.axios.com/2025/11/14/t...
Reposted by Mark Welch
Good morning, BlueSky fam. Let’s try our best today. Drink some water, eat something delicious, call someone you love, and remember..being informed isn’t a burden, it’s a flex. Go be the smartest person in the room.
November 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Good morning, BlueSky fam. Let’s try our best today. Drink some water, eat something delicious, call someone you love, and remember..being informed isn’t a burden, it’s a flex. Go be the smartest person in the room.
Reposted by Mark Welch
Lawmakers Want to Ban VPNs—And They Have No Idea What They're Doing
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/lawmakers-want-ban-vpns-and-they-have-no-idea-what-theyre-doing
#politics #vpn
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/lawmakers-want-ban-vpns-and-they-have-no-idea-what-theyre-doing
#politics #vpn
Lawmakers Want to Ban VPNs—And They Have No Idea What They're Doing
It's unfortunately no longer enough to force websites to check your government-issued ID before you can access certain content, because politicians have now discovered that people are using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to protect their privacy and bypass these invasive laws. Their solution? Entirely ban the use of VPNs.
www.eff.org
November 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Lawmakers Want to Ban VPNs—And They Have No Idea What They're Doing
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/lawmakers-want-ban-vpns-and-they-have-no-idea-what-theyre-doing
#politics #vpn
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/lawmakers-want-ban-vpns-and-they-have-no-idea-what-theyre-doing
#politics #vpn
Reposted by Mark Welch
Healthcare costs are a major source of financial stress.
And Big Pharma uses patent abuse to keep prices high long after they should have dropped—costing families $40 billion annually.
Accountability and policy reform can’t wait.
🔗 Link 👇
bit.ly/47ALh6G
And Big Pharma uses patent abuse to keep prices high long after they should have dropped—costing families $40 billion annually.
Accountability and policy reform can’t wait.
🔗 Link 👇
bit.ly/47ALh6G
Big Pharma Can Tweak Drugs to Keep Generics Off the Market
Taking advantage of a broken patent system, Big Pharma is making minor tweaks to medications just to keep affordable generics off the market, a new report suggests. They’ve made billions of dollars in...
bit.ly
November 15, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Healthcare costs are a major source of financial stress.
And Big Pharma uses patent abuse to keep prices high long after they should have dropped—costing families $40 billion annually.
Accountability and policy reform can’t wait.
🔗 Link 👇
bit.ly/47ALh6G
And Big Pharma uses patent abuse to keep prices high long after they should have dropped—costing families $40 billion annually.
Accountability and policy reform can’t wait.
🔗 Link 👇
bit.ly/47ALh6G
Reposted by Mark Welch
Discretion in immigration proceedings is fundamentally incompatible with due process. Meet every requirement Congress set, but get denied because of the arbitrary animus of the executive, making an inherently legislative determination on what requirements exist.
p.s.: Asylum is also discretionary.
p.s.: Asylum is also discretionary.
The Trump admin is planning to say that being from Cuba (or any other travel ban country) is a "significant negative factor" that could lead to a denial of any of several discretionary immigration benefits (like green cards).
Seriously; national origin discrimination as official government policy.
Seriously; national origin discrimination as official government policy.
November 14, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Discretion in immigration proceedings is fundamentally incompatible with due process. Meet every requirement Congress set, but get denied because of the arbitrary animus of the executive, making an inherently legislative determination on what requirements exist.
p.s.: Asylum is also discretionary.
p.s.: Asylum is also discretionary.