Message Forum - GENERAL

https://www.factcheck.org/2025/12/examining-trumps-pardon-of-former-honduran-president-convicted-of-trafficking-drugs-to-u-s/

"when it comes to many years of negligently open & ignored US borders resulting in tens of thousands of American drug deaths & millions of illegal immigrants, Trump is behaving like my dad when my mom said "he's home, he's had enough & he's taking off his belt".

Nothing quite as effective as talking off your belt to pardon criminal behavior.

Meanwhile blowing up poor people in little boats.

This is being tough on crime?

01/29/26 10:44 PM

#18867

Nori, didn't you see with your own eyes the video of Alex Pretti. All angles Nori were shown over and over and over again by passersbys who videotaped it..

Pretti did nothing but try to help pick up a woman ICE knocked to the ground and sprayed with a chemical...you could see in the video Nori that he was surrounded and gang jumped on by ICE...then one of them removed Pretti's gun that was in his back pocket that he never brandished...that was clear and they shot him 10 times Nori...TEN TIMES. Doesn't that give you pause. How many times do you have to kill a man before you realize that he's dead......what does it take for you to not see what we all saw with our eyes..Let's have a heart for someone executed in cold blood, defenseless. ...I know its hard for you to believe but Truimp. Miller, Noam (who killed her puppy in cold blood because she found it annoying and Bovino are cruel)...You always give the benefit of the doubt to the aggressors...what about the victims.. I'm so tired of the immigrants being blamed and for people to wanting to get rid of them if they are undocumented...we are so lucky to have immigrants here and most work so hard to contribute to our society. Many undocumented immigrants have been here for years contributing to our society. It should upset you more then finding numbers of people to ship out that these people are being separated from their families and sent back to countries they fled...They are thrown in filthy detention centers. Children are separated from their parents Nori...How about ICE coming in to families that are applying for their assylum but instead thrown out of the country by Trumpy boy...We are in a dangerous time and the only thing that can help us are the lower courts for the most part and we the people who need to keep rising up and showing that we don't support this cruel administration. I'm sorry you are blinded by what is going on... Love, Joanie

01/30/26 09:15 AM

#18868

Jay Shackford

The Trump Index

The number of homicides in Minneapolis during January 2026: three. Two of the victims were nonviolent protesters murdered by masked ICE and Border Patrol agents.
The number of homicides reported in Dallas in January 2026: 11. None of the murders involved federal, state or local enforcement or immigration officers.
Number of illegal immigrants in Texas in 2026: Between 1.6 to 2.1 million.
Number of illegal immigrants in Minnesota in 2026: between 95,000 and 130,000.
Number of nights Melania Trump slept in the White House during the first four months of Trump’s second term: 14 nights. She spends most of her time at Mara Lago or her penthouse in New York City.
Michelle Obama slept about 300 nights at the White House during Barack Obama’s first year in office — 2009 and the first month of 2010. According to White House records, she was away from the White House about 45 to 50 nights during the first year for vacations and official travel. And she slept in the same bed with the President.
Number of rounds of golf played by Donald Trump in the first eight months of his second term (January 2025 until October 2025): 72.
Number of rounds of golf Barack Obama played during his entire first term in office (2009-2012 or 48 months): 115.

01/30/26 11:03 AM

#18869

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/5-year-old-minnesota-boy-fell-ill-and-is-not-doing-great-in-ice-detention-he-s-been-depressed-and-sad/ar-AA1VggTX

Yes, Nori, you should take a closer look at what this Administration is doing...Trump cares nothing about drugs....As Jack said he pardoned the Honduran President who was responsbile for a huge amount of cocaine coming into this country...thats a FACT....Also you are being lied to about immigrants..The majority are not violent criminals. I don't know what your faith is but the Catholic Bishops and the Pope are horrified about the way immigrants are being treated in this country and I might add the way US Citizens are treated...two US citizens lost their lives recently because or the ICE agents who killed them in cold blood. After Jonathen Ross killed Renee Good, he said "fucking bitch." That should tell you a little about this type of person he is. What about the children who are rounded up..Here is a heartbreaking story about a five year old who is getting sick since being rounded up. Love, Joanie Jay, thank you for those facts you posted...

01/30/26 05:53 PM

#18870

Yes. Pretty much all of it gives me pause, Joanie. But none of it gives me a sense of why or bring substantiated answers to pertinent questions only a thorough investigation can reveal. Why was that woman being questioned, taken in, or arrested? Was she purposely falling down to resist arrest? Was Mr. Pretti impeding her arrest? Why did Mr. Pretti come to the protest wilth a (though lawful) fully loaded gun? Why did he kick in the tail light of an official ICE vehicle a few days before? Are ICE agents committing hate crimes? Are they rogue agents? What dynamic was playing out before & after each tragedy? As for language used in the Ms. Good case, are you assuming that those words could only be used by a cold-blooded murderer? Go ahead & assume. Many people do. Even officials. Political games rule the day (even to the point that it matters how many nights Mrs. Trump has spent at the WH?). But I, for one, prefer to KNOW.

01/30/26 07:07 PM

#18871

Lots of questions to us, Nori, but no answers to my questions. I'm not interested in parallel monologues.

01/30/26 10:59 PM

#18872

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_They_Came

After just shooting someone in the face three times at point blank range and then yelling "fucking bitch" it shows a nasty mindset towards a defenseless woman he just shot dead....

Pretti was helping a woman pushed down and sprayed by ICE. Even if your speculations were right (which the video didn't show) that instead of helping a woman Pretti was possibly just impeding an arrest, does that mean you feel that information means he deserved 10 bullets? Now the administration is arresting journalists. This has really become a police state. It makes me think of that famous poem, "First they Came." Love, Joanie

01/31/26 07:55 AM

#18873

https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-30-2026?publication_id=20533&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&r=asnwm

In case you thought it couldn't get any nuttier . . .

"Today Trump announced plans for a massive automobile race into downtown Washington, 'the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. in August as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this summer'. In an executive order, he called the proposed race a tribute to INDYCAR racing and said the race would 'showcase the majesty of our great city as drivers navigate a track around our iconic national monuments in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.'

"Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said: 'To think, 190 miles an hour down Pennsylvania Avenue—this is going to be wild.'

01/31/26 08:34 AM

#18874

Jack, that's a good article by HCR. It's s another fascist move to arrest journalists. Love, Joanie

01/31/26 08:51 AM

#18875

Joanie, please know that I don't pretend to think anybody should be shot, let alone killed, unless there is reason 'under the law'. Only after thorough investigation of each fatal circumstance, with evidence collected & illuminated, can we see the whole picture. And the whole 'apolitical' picture is (in my view) the goal. IOW, not necessarily what we think or wish or hope to see.

01/31/26 10:05 AM

#18876

"Now, many people here are asking a question that is a novel one in America: Is it safe to leave home without proof of citizenship? Has the United States turned into a show-me-your-papers nation?

"For many Minnesotans, the answer has been an unequivocal yes."
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/us/ice-minneapolis-residents-passports.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Even citizens, even veterans. Especially if they don't look "white." Arendt would understand.

01/31/26 11:01 AM

#18877

If you are referring to the arrest of Mr. Lemon, perhaps he was breaking the law (FACE) which protects faith worshippers from intrusion, Joanie?

01/31/26 12:23 PM

#18878

https://www.npr.org/2026/01/30/nx-s1-5693756/don-lemon-arrest-cnn-minneapolis

There are many accounts Nori that say Don Lemon was peacefully reporting on the protesters at the Church...Another reporter was arrested too..Don't you ever wonder why Trump is trying to indict all his political rivals..Aren't you aware that the Justice Dept is supposed to be an independent department but instead its the Trump DOJ...These are bad things and signs or an Authoritarian leader. I know its hard for you to look at things this way, but Trump is not a Democratic leader...they are going after the free press, and fine with ICE swarming cities and grabbing up people whether citizens or not. These are not hardened criminals, for the most part but everyday folks. I am not wanting to get rid of thousands and thousands of immigrants whose only crime is they are undocumented...They contribute to our country and enrich it just by being who they are. Of course there are bad people of any group but mostly they are really contributing to society and don't deserve to be terrorized and in fear every minute of being snatched away or their children snatched away. The Trump admin under ICE grabs up citizens too and two were killed by ICE, poor Renee Good and Alex Pretti. If your reply is that they are not legal, even immigrants on the verge of being granted assylum are taken away by ICE before they can complete the process. This is a lawless group. .Love, Joanie

01/31/26 01:41 PM

#18879

Knowing the law about faith protections, maybe choosing to take part in an invasion of a church of worship is a bad choice, Joanie. I also have a feeling my excuse (that I was "independently reporting") might not fly. Ya think? Now if Mr. Lemon were riding around with ICE agents, reporting about life on the street, one could possibly believe him. That said, I think we both agree that just because one carries a camera, doesn't mean he or she is above the law.
Speaking of laws, entering our country unlawfully is a crime. Though pressure is being put on easing such laws, they remain until they are changed. If you want that law/crime erased, work to change or abolish it. Last I checked, enforcing it is not a crime. It's up to courts, case by case, to decide whether enforcement has been handled in a criminal way or not.
Lastly, when do you think a protester has gone too far in the role of protester?

01/31/26 02:12 PM

#18880

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/08/pope-leo-immigration-church-00598180

They are not enforcing the law. There is no law that says ICE agents can murder US citizens who are not putting their lives in immediate danger. They ICE are committing criminal acts. I'd be less concerned about undocumented immigrants here then the brutal tactics used rounding them and US citizens up. The bigger law broken is the danger ICE is posing to people. They are hiding in their homes. It's not ok to go into schools and grab little immigrant children out of school and separate them from their parents and take them away. As I've said I don't know your faith but the Catholic bishops and Pope Leo are horrified by what is going on. Immigrants and US citizens should not be terrorized and murder of protesters is a horrific crime. If a protester assaults ICE that is too far but most are peaceful. Here is what Pope Leo has to say about the treatment of immigrants...Love, Joanie

01/31/26 05:00 PM

#18881

Joan Ruggles (Young)

Nori, I'm sorry to hear that your father abused you. I lived just a block away and could have helped you if you'd have asked. Maybe that explains some things....like an affinity for an authoritarian government?

But I'll also repeat what Jack asks - You ask questions but never answer ours. I'm not going to answer anything you ask in the future until I hear some answers from you.

Did you actually see the video of the killing of Alex Pettri? Did you see how the ICE officer shoved the woman to the ground? If she was someone who needed to be arrested, as you imply, why would he do that instead of trying to cuff her? Do you really see her "falling down to resist arrest"? Are you joking? LOOK AT THE VIDEO! It's not a question of "what we think or wish or hope to see", it's what we saw with our own eyes from 5 or 6 points of vue.

When people are swept away by ICE as they are reporting as required by law to obtain legal status, something's wrong. MAGA used to say - follow the legal process to become legal residents. What do you say to those who are doing exactly that???

Answer some questions and then we'll answer yours. And by the way I don't care if you're Republican, Green Party, Independent, or unaffiliated. In fact I've never heard anybody on this forum talk about their party affiliation......except you. I know there are a lot of people who like to call themselves "independant" because it makes them sound oh so fair-minded. The way I look at is that Independents have chosen to give up their power in the primaries since they can't vote.

01/31/26 06:26 PM

#18882

What Joan said.

01/31/26 08:04 PM

#18883

Judicial pronouncements are seldom written in a language that compels reading. But Federal District Court Judge Fred Biery has issued a brief, taut, angry ruling ordering ICE to release five year-old Antonio Conejo Arias and his father that very much merits our careful attention.

Note especially the references to the Declaration of Indepence, the Bill of Rights, and Benjamin Franklin; and the final references to Matthew 19:14 and John 11:35. Matthew is, of course, the "Suffer the children . . ." verse; John is the shortest verse in the Bible--"Jesus wept."

(OK, OK. I had to look 'em up.)

01/31/26 10:17 PM

#18884

Robert Hall

I'll second thatJack--What Joan said Nori.

01/31/26 11:09 PM

#18885

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDaPdpwA4Iw

A song called the Streets of Minneapolis by Bruce Springsteen....Love, Joanie

02/01/26 12:37 PM

#18886

Janet Lowry (Deal)

As usual I'm dragging my butt into the conversation much too slowly, but I, too, appreciate what Joan said! And thank you for saying it!

The way I see it, execution as the consequence for protesting, or for observing protests, is beyond outrageous. Nori, are you implying that that's fine with you? That execution is a legitimate consequence for existing in this country while having a different complexion or speaking a different language? If so, who among us is not descended from immigrants? Seriously. Maybe these will be the first questions you answer.

And Jack, I loved your concept of parallel monologues! That thought alone has clarified so many things in my past life.

One other thing. In Pennsylvania, voters registered independent could not vote in primaries, but in WV and IL they can and do. They just have to select one party's ballot at check in. Those are the only states I know about. And haven't lived in PA since 1994, that may have changed.

02/01/26 03:57 PM

#18887

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/us/politics/trump-liam-release.html?smid=url-share

Small victories.

02/01/26 06:18 PM

#18888

Janet--parallel monologues:

"Yes it is!"

"No it isn't!"

"Yes it is!"

"No it isn't! . . . "

Not having that elementary school dialogue with anybody. Verifiable facts, rational argument, inductive and deductive reasoning . . . Adults talking to and listening to each other. No need to agree with each other, the point is to reach an understanding of each other. That usually involves asking--and answering--questions. This kind of argument or discussion can lead to both understanding and respect, even without agreement.

If somebody only asks questions, but won't answer them, it could be they just don't know what they're talking about. Or they're somehow embarrassed by the answers they might have to give.

02/01/26 06:52 PM

#18889

https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/31/us/liam-ramos-judge-release-ice-detention

Hi, this link could be very repetitive to what Jack sent from the NY Times. I can't read the Times on that link so sorry if this is the same info.. Its heartbreaking that little liam was traumatized being taken by ICE. Now he is home again...Love, Joanie Pay close attention to what Judge Biery said about the tactics of ICE going after these immigrants.

02/02/26 03:01 PM

#18890