Thomas A. Fine
@thomasafine.bsky.social
Unix guru, Internet hacker, security curmudgeon, software engineer, politics fanatic, media critic, bike nerd, astronomy fan, history buff.
The most notable part of this to me is that Ross was previously in the CBP, at the time when CBP added rules prohibiting exactly his behavior. These rules were added in response to a negative report about CBP, and it was a very big deal.
Ross could not have been ignorant of any of this.
Ross could not have been ignorant of any of this.
A former federal agent after watching the New York Times breakdown of the ICE shooting:
January 16, 2026 at 9:55 PM
The most notable part of this to me is that Ross was previously in the CBP, at the time when CBP added rules prohibiting exactly his behavior. These rules were added in response to a negative report about CBP, and it was a very big deal.
Ross could not have been ignorant of any of this.
Ross could not have been ignorant of any of this.
Today is the day where the news is catching up on everything I have been saying for the last week, I guess.
NEW: Trump’s DHS forces have shot 11 people since September. NBC News examined every case, revealing a pattern that policing experts called alarming: officers firing into cars, injuring and killing drivers.
Trump's DHS has shot 11 people during immigration enforcement operations since September
The ICE and Border Patrol shootings show a pattern that policing experts say is alarming: officers firing into cars and injuring and killing drivers.
www.nbcnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Today is the day where the news is catching up on everything I have been saying for the last week, I guess.
I've been saying this. What Trump is doing with Greenland is clearly bad for our security and for global security.
"Why should the U.S. continue to have access to these bases, or receive support from allies’ naval assets, air forces, or even intelligence services, if it tries to take sovereign territory from a NATO member like Denmark?"
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
www.politico.eu/article/dona...
Time to dump Trump? Europeans whisper last-resort options to save Greenland
The alliance is already broken, officials say, so why not threaten to cut ties with America on military collaboration?
www.politico.eu
January 16, 2026 at 8:07 PM
I've been saying this. What Trump is doing with Greenland is clearly bad for our security and for global security.
Look, I don't wanna brag...
But the NYT analysis almost exactly matches my analysis from SIX DAYS AGO:
bsky.app/profile/thom...
And I emphasized the importance of him leaning (as highlighted here) on DAY ONE of the incident:
bsky.app/profile/thom...
(NYT is working from much higher quality video.)
But the NYT analysis almost exactly matches my analysis from SIX DAYS AGO:
bsky.app/profile/thom...
And I emphasized the importance of him leaning (as highlighted here) on DAY ONE of the incident:
bsky.app/profile/thom...
(NYT is working from much higher quality video.)
The NYT has a new video analysis of Renee Good's shooting which is careful, accurate, and clear - he walked across the path of a moving car, then leaned in and shot her with his feet well clear of the vehicle. 1/
Video Analysis of ICE Shooting Sheds Light on Contested Moments
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Look, I don't wanna brag...
But the NYT analysis almost exactly matches my analysis from SIX DAYS AGO:
bsky.app/profile/thom...
And I emphasized the importance of him leaning (as highlighted here) on DAY ONE of the incident:
bsky.app/profile/thom...
(NYT is working from much higher quality video.)
But the NYT analysis almost exactly matches my analysis from SIX DAYS AGO:
bsky.app/profile/thom...
And I emphasized the importance of him leaning (as highlighted here) on DAY ONE of the incident:
bsky.app/profile/thom...
(NYT is working from much higher quality video.)
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
Judging by FaceTec's website, they are not making an app so much as they have developed code libraries that can be licensed and utilized in other applications. Their website has a "Clients & Partners" section including this lovely logo:
January 16, 2026 at 2:03 AM
Judging by FaceTec's website, they are not making an app so much as they have developed code libraries that can be licensed and utilized in other applications. Their website has a "Clients & Partners" section including this lovely logo:
I do not believe that Mobile Fortify was "internally developed".
The model MAGA people have consistently followed is to buy some third party thing and slap their name on it.
If my guess is right, there are critical national security issues in play.
The model MAGA people have consistently followed is to buy some third party thing and slap their name on it.
If my guess is right, there are critical national security issues in play.
January 15, 2026 at 11:10 PM
I do not believe that Mobile Fortify was "internally developed".
The model MAGA people have consistently followed is to buy some third party thing and slap their name on it.
If my guess is right, there are critical national security issues in play.
The model MAGA people have consistently followed is to buy some third party thing and slap their name on it.
If my guess is right, there are critical national security issues in play.
1. Violate peoples rights
2. When people complain, call them insurrectionists
3. Use #2 as excuse to violate even more rights.
4. Repeat this cycle
The end game of this cycle is martial law, mass arrests, long term imprisonment without due process, and even mass killings.
2. When people complain, call them insurrectionists
3. Use #2 as excuse to violate even more rights.
4. Repeat this cycle
The end game of this cycle is martial law, mass arrests, long term imprisonment without due process, and even mass killings.
January 15, 2026 at 8:49 PM
1. Violate peoples rights
2. When people complain, call them insurrectionists
3. Use #2 as excuse to violate even more rights.
4. Repeat this cycle
The end game of this cycle is martial law, mass arrests, long term imprisonment without due process, and even mass killings.
2. When people complain, call them insurrectionists
3. Use #2 as excuse to violate even more rights.
4. Repeat this cycle
The end game of this cycle is martial law, mass arrests, long term imprisonment without due process, and even mass killings.
This means almost 10% of all ICE agents in the nation are in Minnesota right now. And about 7% of ICE and CBP agents combined.
Minnesota has a bout 1% of all U.S. immigrants (i.e. a below-average share, with "fair share" being 1/50th aka 2%).
Minnesota has a bout 1% of all U.S. immigrants (i.e. a below-average share, with "fair share" being 1/50th aka 2%).
The Star Tribune had an insane graphic about the presence of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. There are more immigration officers in the metro right now than local police officers.
January 15, 2026 at 4:57 PM
This means almost 10% of all ICE agents in the nation are in Minnesota right now. And about 7% of ICE and CBP agents combined.
Minnesota has a bout 1% of all U.S. immigrants (i.e. a below-average share, with "fair share" being 1/50th aka 2%).
Minnesota has a bout 1% of all U.S. immigrants (i.e. a below-average share, with "fair share" being 1/50th aka 2%).
Maybe it'll actually be verified that Enrique Tarrio is now in ICE, but it seems at least as likely that this is all just trolling, so cool your jets until there's more info.
January 15, 2026 at 6:07 AM
Maybe it'll actually be verified that Enrique Tarrio is now in ICE, but it seems at least as likely that this is all just trolling, so cool your jets until there's more info.
I guess the silver lining is that in a couple years I'll be able to buy a knockoff Conn 20K sousaphone on aliexpress or temu for like $800. (A new one right now is about $14,000.)
Heard of billionaire hedge-fund manager John Paulson?
In 2024 he made lots of TV appearances defending Trump tariffs because they would keep jobs in the U.S.
In 2026, he's moving Conn Selmer, the last U.S. brass musical instrument maker, to China.
www.youtube.com/shorts/vJtZN...
In 2024 he made lots of TV appearances defending Trump tariffs because they would keep jobs in the U.S.
In 2026, he's moving Conn Selmer, the last U.S. brass musical instrument maker, to China.
www.youtube.com/shorts/vJtZN...
This is a moral failure, not a financial failure.
YouTube video by UAW
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:45 AM
I guess the silver lining is that in a couple years I'll be able to buy a knockoff Conn 20K sousaphone on aliexpress or temu for like $800. (A new one right now is about $14,000.)
FYI, I have briefly looked into the "one of ours, all of yours" thing. As others have pointed out, stories about Nazis and Generalissimo Francisco Franco have not panned out in sources.
But I do find three recent books that include this phrase, more or less.
But I do find three recent books that include this phrase, more or less.
January 15, 2026 at 2:46 AM
FYI, I have briefly looked into the "one of ours, all of yours" thing. As others have pointed out, stories about Nazis and Generalissimo Francisco Franco have not panned out in sources.
But I do find three recent books that include this phrase, more or less.
But I do find three recent books that include this phrase, more or less.
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
A barely altered play on "Which Way Western Man?" a foundational white nationalist text arguing Jews, racial mixing & equality are destroying society. DHS prev tweeted in August. It required no interpretation, but the media's role was to pretend it was a Rorschach test and help surface WH denials.
January 14, 2026 at 9:24 PM
A barely altered play on "Which Way Western Man?" a foundational white nationalist text arguing Jews, racial mixing & equality are destroying society. DHS prev tweeted in August. It required no interpretation, but the media's role was to pretend it was a Rorschach test and help surface WH denials.
I still want an answer to this.
It still looks like the FBI blocked a state investigation, and then blocked their own investigation.
All the really accomplished was tampering with and removing evidence?
It still looks like the FBI blocked a state investigation, and then blocked their own investigation.
All the really accomplished was tampering with and removing evidence?
Is there a source that reconciles the fact that FBI blocked Minnesota from the investigation, and also that the FBI division that would normally be in charge is declining to investigate?
Is there just no investigation now? Or is some department in the FBI handling this that wouldn't normally?
Is there just no investigation now? Or is some department in the FBI handling this that wouldn't normally?
January 15, 2026 at 1:13 AM
I still want an answer to this.
It still looks like the FBI blocked a state investigation, and then blocked their own investigation.
All the really accomplished was tampering with and removing evidence?
It still looks like the FBI blocked a state investigation, and then blocked their own investigation.
All the really accomplished was tampering with and removing evidence?
"Internal bleeding" might mean many things. Including these:
• A bruise
• An ulcer
• Hemorrhoids
• Menstruation
• They lied
• A bruise
• An ulcer
• Hemorrhoids
• Menstruation
• They lied
January 15, 2026 at 12:50 AM
"Internal bleeding" might mean many things. Including these:
• A bruise
• An ulcer
• Hemorrhoids
• Menstruation
• They lied
• A bruise
• An ulcer
• Hemorrhoids
• Menstruation
• They lied
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
Here's what it looks like if you put all the ICE shootings I know of from the last year on a map. For no particular reason other than that it was just handy, I used the 2024 Presidential election map.
January 14, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Here's what it looks like if you put all the ICE shootings I know of from the last year on a map. For no particular reason other than that it was just handy, I used the 2024 Presidential election map.
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
What's the difference between most of us and Donald Trump?
When someone screams "pedophile protector," most of us know it's not directed at us.
When someone screams "pedophile protector," most of us know it's not directed at us.
January 14, 2026 at 2:42 AM
What's the difference between most of us and Donald Trump?
When someone screams "pedophile protector," most of us know it's not directed at us.
When someone screams "pedophile protector," most of us know it's not directed at us.
I'm sure it's just a coincidence that every single claimed vehicle-as-weapon ICE shooting incident I found in the last six months happened in states that voted for Biden?
Here's the full list (so far), from the last five months plus one week:
• 7/31/2025 Colorado
• 8/16/2025 San Bernadino
• 10/5/2025 Chicago
• 10/21/2025 Los Angeles
• 10/30/2025 Ontario, CA
• 12/22/2025 St. Paul
• 12/24/2025 Maryland
• Today's tragedy.
• 7/31/2025 Colorado
• 8/16/2025 San Bernadino
• 10/5/2025 Chicago
• 10/21/2025 Los Angeles
• 10/30/2025 Ontario, CA
• 12/22/2025 St. Paul
• 12/24/2025 Maryland
• Today's tragedy.
January 14, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I'm sure it's just a coincidence that every single claimed vehicle-as-weapon ICE shooting incident I found in the last six months happened in states that voted for Biden?
Reposted by Thomas A. Fine
We are so far past the Rubicon that it isn't worth having a discussion anymore as to whether Trump is acting as an authoritarian. The only question is whether we have the strength and courage to get back to the other side.
January 14, 2026 at 1:13 PM
We are so far past the Rubicon that it isn't worth having a discussion anymore as to whether Trump is acting as an authoritarian. The only question is whether we have the strength and courage to get back to the other side.
What are Trump apologists saying about Greenland?
January 14, 2026 at 3:07 PM
What are Trump apologists saying about Greenland?
Disrespect is punishable by death now.
I really don't understand why anyone would think that's fascist. [/s]
I really don't understand why anyone would think that's fascist. [/s]
Q: "Do you believe that deadly force was necessary?"
Trump: "It was highly disrespectful of law enforcement. The woman and her friend were highly disrespectful of law enforcement…Law enforcement should not be in a position where they have to put up with this stuff."
Trump: "It was highly disrespectful of law enforcement. The woman and her friend were highly disrespectful of law enforcement…Law enforcement should not be in a position where they have to put up with this stuff."
January 13, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Disrespect is punishable by death now.
I really don't understand why anyone would think that's fascist. [/s]
I really don't understand why anyone would think that's fascist. [/s]
Why would any NATO country cooperate with the United States if we unilaterally took control of any part of Greenland?
What happens to all of our European military bases after that? Does our entire global defense network just collapse?
What happens to all of our European military bases after that? Does our entire global defense network just collapse?
January 13, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Why would any NATO country cooperate with the United States if we unilaterally took control of any part of Greenland?
What happens to all of our European military bases after that? Does our entire global defense network just collapse?
What happens to all of our European military bases after that? Does our entire global defense network just collapse?
Is there a source that reconciles the fact that FBI blocked Minnesota from the investigation, and also that the FBI division that would normally be in charge is declining to investigate?
Is there just no investigation now? Or is some department in the FBI handling this that wouldn't normally?
Is there just no investigation now? Or is some department in the FBI handling this that wouldn't normally?
January 13, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Is there a source that reconciles the fact that FBI blocked Minnesota from the investigation, and also that the FBI division that would normally be in charge is declining to investigate?
Is there just no investigation now? Or is some department in the FBI handling this that wouldn't normally?
Is there just no investigation now? Or is some department in the FBI handling this that wouldn't normally?
Wait... FBI decided not to investigate? Are they still withholding evidence from Minnesota?
NEW: Top DOJ officials quit after their division refused to probe Minnesota ICE shooting - At least four leaders of the Civil Rights Division resigned because the section's head, Harmeet Dhillon, decided not to investigate shooting of Renee Good.
www.ms.now/news/doj-civ...
www.ms.now/news/doj-civ...
A new spate of Justice Department officials quit because their section didn't want to probe Renee Good's shooting
At least four leaders of the Civil Rights Division resigned because the section's head, Harmeet Dhillon, decided not to investigate shooting of Renee Good.
www.ms.now
January 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Wait... FBI decided not to investigate? Are they still withholding evidence from Minnesota?
Hey Grok, please change all U.S. military uniforms into white bikinis...
...would be a funny joke if LLMs weren't so completely wrong so often; or if human beings were not so willing to blindly trust LLM answers despite their ridiculously high error rates.
...would be a funny joke if LLMs weren't so completely wrong so often; or if human beings were not so willing to blindly trust LLM answers despite their ridiculously high error rates.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the integration of Elon Musk's xAI platform, Grok, into military networks as part of a new "AI acceleration strategy" during a visit to SpaceX.
January 13, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Hey Grok, please change all U.S. military uniforms into white bikinis...
...would be a funny joke if LLMs weren't so completely wrong so often; or if human beings were not so willing to blindly trust LLM answers despite their ridiculously high error rates.
...would be a funny joke if LLMs weren't so completely wrong so often; or if human beings were not so willing to blindly trust LLM answers despite their ridiculously high error rates.
You know, the people protesting in Iran are probably not experts on U.S. politics. So when the President of the United States seems to make some sort of promise to side with the protesters, the people in Iran make decisions based on that, as if it's some sort of real promise...
January 13, 2026 at 6:28 AM
You know, the people protesting in Iran are probably not experts on U.S. politics. So when the President of the United States seems to make some sort of promise to side with the protesters, the people in Iran make decisions based on that, as if it's some sort of real promise...