Smedley's Butler
@smedleysbutler.bsky.social
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
Billionaires are seeing their investments in politics as paying off, so they keep spending more. Think about how much worse everything has gotten for society over the last decade. This is cause --> effect.
I'm still SHOCKED by the obscene rise in billionaire election spending since Citizens United in the NYT piece, despite already knowing that election corruption w/ $ was profound. (Recall that BCRA fought dangerous campaign $ in *2002*)
The article data didn't have a graph, so I made one to show it.
The article data didn't have a graph, so I made one to show it.
February 15, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Billionaires are seeing their investments in politics as paying off, so they keep spending more. Think about how much worse everything has gotten for society over the last decade. This is cause --> effect.
A heavily armed militarized group who see themselves in perpetual conflict with the public, who can also act with near total impunity, should not feel good to anyone.
Is Portland afraid of its own police force? | Opinion
Is Portland afraid of its own police force? | Opinion
The new oversight board does not fill me with confidence.
www.pressherald.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:54 PM
A heavily armed militarized group who see themselves in perpetual conflict with the public, who can also act with near total impunity, should not feel good to anyone.
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
when they have me flying a bomber in Civil War Woke im painting this on the payload
February 13, 2026 at 11:44 PM
when they have me flying a bomber in Civil War Woke im painting this on the payload
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
Just pure evil.
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
February 13, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Just pure evil.
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
Every single time a story like this is reported, we must assume that there are many many more that do not.
CBP didn’t give her or anyone any water; she asked 3 times accg to other reports. CBP killed a 7yr old.
“8 hours after the girl & her father were taken into custody, she began having seizures & her body temperature was measured at 105.7 degrees by emergency medical technicians. shorturl.at/d2OTJ
“8 hours after the girl & her father were taken into custody, she began having seizures & her body temperature was measured at 105.7 degrees by emergency medical technicians. shorturl.at/d2OTJ
7-Year-Old Migrant Girl Dies Of Dehydration And Shock In U.S. Border Patrol Custody
The girl's death underscores the crisis precipitated by large groups of families seeking asylum where there are inadequate facilities to detain them.
shorturl.at
February 13, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Every single time a story like this is reported, we must assume that there are many many more that do not.
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
“…officers used racial slurs and sorted everyone in the crowd into groups “based on perceived immigration status,” the lawsuit says”
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 8:03 AM
“…officers used racial slurs and sorted everyone in the crowd into groups “based on perceived immigration status,” the lawsuit says”
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
"Driving while Black" is the same as it ever was.
normal behavior in this country to threaten to kill a teenager with his hands on the steering wheel for asking why he’s being pulled over
youtube.com/shorts/eju7r...
youtube.com/shorts/eju7r...
"I Will F--ing Kill You" Cops Rip Teens Out Of Car After Anti-Ice Protest
YouTube video by good morning, bad news
youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:53 PM
"Driving while Black" is the same as it ever was.
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
She pleaded with Armando, “You don’t have to go with them.” But the agents had their guns pointed at them. He said: “I don’t want to die.”
So he went with them.
So he went with them.
The Minnesotans trapped at home, too terrified of ICE to go outside: ‘Our house is like a jail’
The surge of federal immigration agents has forced many families to remain inside for weeks, living in fear of roving ICE patrols snatching people off the street
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:54 PM
She pleaded with Armando, “You don’t have to go with them.” But the agents had their guns pointed at them. He said: “I don’t want to die.”
So he went with them.
So he went with them.
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
I was asked to check this, the journal uses a Rail Fence Cipher, so you read each line up and down, left to right. The deciphered text in the article below is accurate, and names names. The file itself can be found here:
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
February 8, 2026 at 9:30 AM
I was asked to check this, the journal uses a Rail Fence Cipher, so you read each line up and down, left to right. The deciphered text in the article below is accurate, and names names. The file itself can be found here:
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
In California, police didn't investigate after two men were shot by federal immigration agents in separate incidents.
Police in Phoenix said they are leaving it to the FBI and ICE to probe the shooting of a man who allegedly fled immigration agents.
Police in Phoenix said they are leaving it to the FBI and ICE to probe the shooting of a man who allegedly fled immigration agents.
Local and State Police Can Investigate Federal Agents, But Rarely Do
It doesn’t happen often, but local law enforcement can arrest and charge federal agents. Legal experts say there’s a moral obligation to at least try to hold federal immigration officers accountable w...
www.propublica.org
February 8, 2026 at 2:00 AM
In California, police didn't investigate after two men were shot by federal immigration agents in separate incidents.
Police in Phoenix said they are leaving it to the FBI and ICE to probe the shooting of a man who allegedly fled immigration agents.
Police in Phoenix said they are leaving it to the FBI and ICE to probe the shooting of a man who allegedly fled immigration agents.
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
ICE has grabbed so many people from their vehicles that there are abandoned cars across Minnesota.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
Twin Cities tow truck driver returns abandoned vehicles to families after ICE arrests
Juan Leon sends a "chase" car to check out where abandoned vehicles are located and arranges discreet drop-offs. Since late December, he estimated they have dropped off 250 cars.
www.cbsnews.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:30 AM
ICE has grabbed so many people from their vehicles that there are abandoned cars across Minnesota.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
This tow truck driver returns the cars for free as a public service, and he’s been getting death threats.
They hate the helpers.
Which is why must keep helping.
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
Tear gas is banned in international warfare, yet classified as a “riot control agent” that law enforcement can use for crowd control.
“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.
“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.
Tear Gas Is Way More Dangerous Than Police Let On
In the middle of a respiratory pandemic, law enforcement agencies have used tear gas in especially dangerous ways. The chemical agent also seeps into homes, contaminates food, furniture, skin and surf...
www.propublica.org
February 3, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Tear gas is banned in international warfare, yet classified as a “riot control agent” that law enforcement can use for crowd control.
“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.
“It just doesn’t work well, and it hits the weakest people the most, and causes the most complications in them,” an anesthesiology professor at Duke University said.
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
Meet some of the winners of this year’s South Portland business awards
Meet some of the winners of this year’s South Portland business awards
Winners include local restaurants, a farm and a coffee shop.
www.pressherald.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Meet some of the winners of this year’s South Portland business awards
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
CBS censored Billie Eilish saying “Fuck ICE” at the Grammys. Here’s the uncensored version:
February 2, 2026 at 4:12 AM
CBS censored Billie Eilish saying “Fuck ICE” at the Grammys. Here’s the uncensored version:
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
"Four hours after his arrest, he was taken to a hospital emergency room in Edina with swelling and bruising around his right eye and bleeding. A CT scan revealed at least eight skull fractures and life-threatening hemorrhages in at least five areas of his brain..."
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
ICE claim that a man shattered his skull running into wall triggers tension at a Minnesota hospital
Nurses in Minneapolis doubted federal immigration officers' claims about a Mexican immigrant's severe injuries.
apnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:04 AM
"Four hours after his arrest, he was taken to a hospital emergency room in Edina with swelling and bruising around his right eye and bleeding. A CT scan revealed at least eight skull fractures and life-threatening hemorrhages in at least five areas of his brain..."
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
This is true. Someone at work said to me, "George Soros is paying these people to show up, they obviously dont really give a shit about any of those other people."
February 1, 2026 at 1:56 AM
This is true. Someone at work said to me, "George Soros is paying these people to show up, they obviously dont really give a shit about any of those other people."
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
Thank you Maine! 💙
January 31, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Thank you Maine! 💙
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here.
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
January 31, 2026 at 6:13 PM
This is just insane. It’s only a matter of time before DHS kills another innocent person here.
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
(clip via MPR and @davidjbier.bsky.social on X)
Mornings like this make me question my career choices, but at least I'm lucky enough to have a roof over my head. 🥶⛺
January 31, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Mornings like this make me question my career choices, but at least I'm lucky enough to have a roof over my head. 🥶⛺
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
abolition is not enough
"Healthcare workers confirm that ICE is abandoning half-naked kidnapping victims in the woods of Minnesota to die. "Individuals have shown up in emergency rooms who require amputations—some with cracked skulls." (1/29/26)"
www.reddit.com/r/ICE_Watch/...
www.reddit.com/r/ICE_Watch/...
From the ICE_Watch community on Reddit: Healthcare workers confirm that ICE is abandoning half-naked kidnapping victims in the woods of Minnesota to die. "Individuals have shown up in emergency rooms ...
Explore this post and more from the ICE_Watch community
www.reddit.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:10 AM
abolition is not enough
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
NEW: The @wired.com Security desk put together a comprehensive guide to filming ICE—with tips for reducing risk at the forefront. No paywall, but please consider subscribing to help find these kinds of resources. And stay safe out there. www.wired.com/story/how-to...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
How to Film ICE
Filming federal agents in public is legal, but avoiding a dangerous—even deadly—confrontation isn’t guaranteed. Here’s how to record ICE and CBP agents as safely as possible and have an impact.
www.wired.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:55 AM
NEW: The @wired.com Security desk put together a comprehensive guide to filming ICE—with tips for reducing risk at the forefront. No paywall, but please consider subscribing to help find these kinds of resources. And stay safe out there. www.wired.com/story/how-to...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
www.wired.com/v2/offers/wi...
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
Maine volunteers form human wall to protect immigrant workers * Free to access
Maine volunteers form human wall to protect immigrant workers
Immigrant workers at American Roots in Westbrook remain fearful of federal immigration enforcement, despite reports that ICE has scaled down its operations in Maine.
www.pressherald.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Maine volunteers form human wall to protect immigrant workers * Free to access
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
A bill in the State House would limit the amount 'competitive electricity providers' can charge low-income customers using public aid:
Watchdog says Mainers overcharged $156 million by unregulated electric companies
A bill in the State House would limit the amount 'competitive electricity providers' can charge low-income customers using public aid.
www.mainepublic.org
January 30, 2026 at 12:11 AM
A bill in the State House would limit the amount 'competitive electricity providers' can charge low-income customers using public aid:
Reposted by Smedley's Butler
ICE observers in South Portland say agents shot paintballs at their cars * Free to access
ICE observers in South Portland say agents shot paintballs at their cars
After the incident in the parking lot of Home Depot, a man who followed the agents into traffic said a gun was pointed at him through the window of their vehicle.
www.pressherald.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:56 AM
ICE observers in South Portland say agents shot paintballs at their cars * Free to access