Gail Helt

A huge part of American culture is our creed…human rights, political liberties, out of many, one.

I want people here who embrace that creed. Doesn’t matter their color, race, or religion.

Elon need not apply.

Tennessee needs to hear more from former Senator Alexander.

We are putting innocent people in camps, denying food, water, and medical care, abusing them, and keeping them there indefinitely.

“Concentration camp” is appropriate.

“state sanctioned hellscape” also comes to mind.

Authoritarians need their images to be present everywhere to remind people that their dissent will be seen and noted, and that the state is everywhere. And to make people feel that the authoritarian is wildly popular (you don’t see anyone else’s face) so if you oppose, you must be alone.

Yeah, I don’t eat food that a total stranger has had access to.

And two of those three things can’t exist in the same movement.

Rubio was born in Miami. Who is he speaking of here? Does he mean “men”? And if he does, men didn’t build this nation alone…

Haha! Seriously though, if I were him and had lost food so often, I’d not only triple check my address but I’d give them detailed delivery instructions that included the number of steps to his door.

I wish I had the disposable income of my neighbor, who regularly orders from door dash, doesn’t give the correct address, and won’t come get his food off my porch when they deliver it here.

And before anyone tells me to take it to him, I’ve done that before, and I’m over it.

For those confused: this is what a patriot looks like.

So whatever election interference occurs, Noem has pre-confessed to having a role in it.

The Christian nationalists are tormenting hungry children.

Unbelievable.

Didn’t he already try this and fail?

Oh good grief. He mentions white food. Lordy. Does he think there’s a shortage of biscuits and lard-laden food in this country?

I’m offended and embarrassed by his whole gaslighting speech.

Narrator: that is exactly what ICE was doing.

I hope industries take note that if our parents or children get sick or die young because of their greed, we will use the courts and go after everything they have.

Because they know better. Polluting = depraved indifference.

Trump is going to attempt to pardon Netanyahu, isn’t he?

That number will be zero.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MARK KELLY, Plaintiff, Civil Case No. 26-81 (RJL) V. PETE HEGSETH, et al., Defendants. MEMORANDUM OPINION February 12, 2026 [Dkt. #2] United States Senator Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer, has been censured by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for voicing certain opinions on military actions and policy. In addition, he has been subjected to proceedings to possibly reduce his retirement rank and pay and threatened with criminal prosecution if he continues to speak out on these issues. Secretary Hegseth relies on the well-established doctrine that military servicemembers enjoy less vigorous First Amendment protections given the fundamental obligation for obedience and discipline in the armed forces. Unfortunately for Secretary Hegseth, no court has ever extended those principles to retired servicemembers, much less a retired servicemember serving in Congress and exercising oversight responsibility over the military. This Court will not be the first to do so!

Worse still, Secretary Hegseth contends that this Court is not yet competent to decide the issues in this case. He and his fellow Defendants argue that military personnel 1 Case 1:26-cv-00081-RJL Document 37 Filed 02/12/26 Page 2 of 29 decisions are exempt from judicial review and, in any event, that Senator Kelly should first be required to go through the military appeals process so the military can have the first crack at adjudicating his First Amendment rights. I disagree. This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Senator Kelly's First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees. After all, as Bob Dylan famously said, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." To say the least, our retired veterans deserve more respect from their Government, and our Constitution demands they receive it! Senator Kelly's First Amendment claim is not only justiciable; he is likely to succeed on the merits. He has also shown irreparable harm, and the balance of the equities fall decidedly in his favor. As such, his motion for a preliminary injunction on his First Amendment claim is hereby GRANTED.

BREAKING: Judge blocks Hegseth effort to punish Sen. Kelly.

"This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Senator Kelly's First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees."

Background: www.lawdork.com/p/breaking-k...

He seems to be seeking a job as RFK Jr’s chef…

Disgusting. If we cannot stop this, my hope is that forcing the remaining MAGA supporters to drive by concentration camps on their way to worship on Sunday mornings will tweak the conscience.

Our own government has laid siege to Minneapolis.

Shameful. History won’t look back on this fondly.

Nothing good will come from this

It was a balloon? It wasn’t a “cartel drone”? Do the cartel even operate drones?

They were going to shut down airspace for ten days for a balloon?

Thankfully the explanation seems to be fairly benign.

So when it comes to pollutants that kill us, they worry about costs to American consumers. When it comes to Trump’s grudge-driven tariffs, they don’t care.

Yes, celebrate while you can because our lifespan will be dropping dramatically. We might live to be 65 if the rising temps don’t get us first.

I’m teaching a class on authoritarianism this fall, and will be using @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social’s Strongmen, of course, but I think it’s time to incorporate @andreapitzer.bsky.social’s “One Long Night” — essentially the history of concentration camps—as well.

www.commondreams.org/opinion/why-...

So I guess Trump plans to attack the cartels in the next ten days?

As ICE expands, an AP review of crimes committed by agents shows how their powers can be abused Investigators say one immigration official abused his girlfriend for years. Another admitted he sexually abused a woman in his custody.

As ICE expands, an AP review of crimes committed by agents shows how their powers can be abused

apnews.com/article/ice-...

Sometimes very hard not to feel like the rest of the country has abandoned Minnesota. We STILL have ICE everywhere. Our schools, businesses, and economy are in profound crisis. But without Bovino here throwing tear gas, much of the country seems to not care at all what’s being done to us.