Having been enlightened by one of yesterday's commenters, despite my opposition to what ICE is doing, I don't want to see the precedent established of local authorities successfully resisting the enforcement of federal law. THERE IS A VIABLE COMPROMISE! If the administration were to agree that no one else will be detained if it gets FULL cooperation from local officials in the detention of those charged with or convicted of crimes, I'm almost certain that those protests would quickly disappear.
"I’m hesitant to trust much of what comes from them unless it can be truly backed by evidence and affidavit."
That is a very damning statement. Taken with Mary Ham's comments Kristi Noem should at least be immediately relieved (if that is a thing) pending the investigation, then fire her, or just fire her now.
There is no memo for Obama to Lois Lerner telling her to target conservative organizations. She knew what her boss expected.
Noem knows what Trump wants, Trump is absolutely the catalyst and reason for how ICE and CBP are operating.
No, Trump didn't want people to die, he wants to swing his big d**k. Now here we are. If Democrats get the House Trump will be impeached again.
I've included the above link because I think the man who made it provides the most sensible explanation for what happend in Minesotta the other day. It was unquestionably tragic as the video's creator points out because it arose out of series of unintented consequences.
First: I don't know what happened.
Second: When Senator Kolbuchar says, "I know what I've seen." My response is, "Well, you've formed a belief based upon what you saw." There's a subtle difference there.
Third: What you believe can influence your preception. That's why ten (10) people can look at an ink blot and come up with ten (10) different explanations.
Fourth: The videos aren't clear. To some people, yes. I get that. But they're not dispositive.
Fifth: Do I think Border Patrol and ICE agents "deliberately" formed the intent to murder someone? Absolutely, not.
Sixth: Do I think Mr. Pretti was there intending an act of mass murder? No, not at all.
The truth is, videos shown in slow motion are a useful tool to determine what happened. BUT, they have to be viewed in context. That means in real time.
I've officiated at over a hundred fencing meets where trained athletes weilding blades at 150 mph were competing. At the World Championships several years ago (well...many years ago) we held a seminar about whether slow motion cameras should be used. After watching a video of a bout one official had called in slow motion, he tore up his director's license (we call them referees now), threw it in the air, and walked out. A quick poll of the other officials there resulted in a host of opinions. Most who watched in real time remained the same, while a few reversed course and changed their minds. Ultimately we now use slow motion to review a questionable or disputed call, but it's not definitive. The referee still has to make the final decision and that means blending what he or she saw with what the camera recorded.
What stands out to me about Alex Pretti's death are: the totality of the circumstances; someone shouting "gun;" the poisoned atmosphere; and the amount of time that elapsed between the shout and the shot that was fired killing him. Add to this, human reaction time in light of the above...and you still won't have an ironclad answer.
Was it an assinssation? No.
Do the pundits with their own adgendas have it wrong? Probably.
Would the man still be alive if the governor and mayor had followed the law and not decided they were above it? Absolutely.
Minnesota doesn't get to choose which federal laws it will follow and which it won't. The word "insurection" has been thrown around a lot over the last few years. When states decide they won't follow the law, that is the very definition of insurection. The governor and mayor can spin it anyway they want, but this one's on them.
Sorry, but that is not the definition of insurrection. Violence is what elevates a mere political disagreement or standoff into an insurrection. And unlike in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing, almost all of the violence seems to be coming from the federal government.
I saw your last comment and have to agree to some extent.
18 U.S. Code § 2383, doesn't provide a definition of insurrection per se, but most legal scholars agree that insurrection involves some level of violence. Civil disobedience doesn't rise to that, but in candor, inciting people to do violent things might well qualify.
Parenthetically, urging them to impede a federal officer in the performance of their job is unquestionably a felony.
We could debate whether all felonies are crimes of violence (yes, even white collar crimes), but I definitely get what you're saying, Neil.
My encounters with the law have occasionally been less than friendly. Now that I have a carry permit I do exactly as told and am deferential and keep my hands fully in view as much as possible. I do not want to give them an excuse to shoot me
Thank you for a thoughtful and reasoned analysis. In this day of instant video to be the first out there with I'm right and you are wrong this is a breath of fresh air. Thank you.
Thank you for this sober analysis. A relief to read such a thoughtful take amidst the rush to judgment with both sides eager to fit the facts into their narrative, defining, as you put it, "the situation before facts could be pieced together."
May Ms. Noem and Mr. Bovino soon find themselves looking for work.
In 2015 I said that Trump was a bully. He managed to serve his first term decently, but this time around the bully is back and we are weaker for it. What I want to know is this: where are the checks and balances in Congress? Why don't more Republicans act like reasonable adults and deal with Noem and others now? After the midterms they'll have no power and no support from moderate/centrists and we'll be right back where we were under Biden (or whomever was running the government then.)
So, do I have this right? The people in power in Minnesota are encouraging others to create, "good trouble", but they themselves are not there? Are these people in power really hoping for worse trouble? What a mess. Thank you for sharing this Erick.
I totally agree with you, Erick. I looked at several videos of the Pretti shooting and could not see in any of them, Mr. Pretti attacking or taunting federal agents. I also read that Kristi Noem is looking to push Greg Bovino into a higher position in DHS and that is why he's in the forefront of the Minnesota reporting. I understand the Signal coordination has gotten out of hand and have created "no-go" areas as was previously done in Seattle. Walz and Frey need to back off on advocating for these activists and Border Patrol needs to be pulled from MN and leave ICE to deal with securing the illegal criminals in that state.
"Mr. Pretti extracted that person and, with another person, walked away. But border patrol agents followed, shoved one of the people, and Mr. Pretti attempted to help that person up. "
In other words, Mr. Pretti 'dearrested' the person, interfering with law enforcement officers, which is illegal. The CPB Agents were within their rights to go back after the person.
I still am not convinced the officer was justified in firing at Pretti. But if he had not gotten involved, this would not have happened.
And this definitely would not have happened if Walz & Frey would allow MPD to honor I.C.E. requests, instead of letting people walk free from jail, and would stop spewing irresponsible, inciteful rhetoric.
There's more than enough blame to go around. But to me, most of it lies with Walz & Frey.
From the article re: an interview with CBS: "The president said in the interview he was 'not concerned' about the appearance of corruption. " 'I’d rather not have you ask the question.' "
Wow. Herein lies the problem with his fiefdom he's creating in the so-called "Board of Peace" where he's a chairman for life and collects billions of dollars.
Having been enlightened by one of yesterday's commenters, despite my opposition to what ICE is doing, I don't want to see the precedent established of local authorities successfully resisting the enforcement of federal law. THERE IS A VIABLE COMPROMISE! If the administration were to agree that no one else will be detained if it gets FULL cooperation from local officials in the detention of those charged with or convicted of crimes, I'm almost certain that those protests would quickly disappear.
Pretty sad news, bu;t thanks for passing on this information.
"I’m hesitant to trust much of what comes from them unless it can be truly backed by evidence and affidavit."
That is a very damning statement. Taken with Mary Ham's comments Kristi Noem should at least be immediately relieved (if that is a thing) pending the investigation, then fire her, or just fire her now.
There is no memo for Obama to Lois Lerner telling her to target conservative organizations. She knew what her boss expected.
Noem knows what Trump wants, Trump is absolutely the catalyst and reason for how ICE and CBP are operating.
No, Trump didn't want people to die, he wants to swing his big d**k. Now here we are. If Democrats get the House Trump will be impeached again.
1/26, 8:08 PM
News Nation...
Gregory Bovino relieved as Border Patrol commander-at-large
The last paragraph ought not get lost. The cuts ought to be retained and trimming continued.
Alex Pretti's death.
https://youtu.be/_ktY_amK35A?si=L8uQcEw7N005BsnR
I've included the above link because I think the man who made it provides the most sensible explanation for what happend in Minesotta the other day. It was unquestionably tragic as the video's creator points out because it arose out of series of unintented consequences.
First: I don't know what happened.
Second: When Senator Kolbuchar says, "I know what I've seen." My response is, "Well, you've formed a belief based upon what you saw." There's a subtle difference there.
Third: What you believe can influence your preception. That's why ten (10) people can look at an ink blot and come up with ten (10) different explanations.
Fourth: The videos aren't clear. To some people, yes. I get that. But they're not dispositive.
Fifth: Do I think Border Patrol and ICE agents "deliberately" formed the intent to murder someone? Absolutely, not.
Sixth: Do I think Mr. Pretti was there intending an act of mass murder? No, not at all.
The truth is, videos shown in slow motion are a useful tool to determine what happened. BUT, they have to be viewed in context. That means in real time.
I've officiated at over a hundred fencing meets where trained athletes weilding blades at 150 mph were competing. At the World Championships several years ago (well...many years ago) we held a seminar about whether slow motion cameras should be used. After watching a video of a bout one official had called in slow motion, he tore up his director's license (we call them referees now), threw it in the air, and walked out. A quick poll of the other officials there resulted in a host of opinions. Most who watched in real time remained the same, while a few reversed course and changed their minds. Ultimately we now use slow motion to review a questionable or disputed call, but it's not definitive. The referee still has to make the final decision and that means blending what he or she saw with what the camera recorded.
What stands out to me about Alex Pretti's death are: the totality of the circumstances; someone shouting "gun;" the poisoned atmosphere; and the amount of time that elapsed between the shout and the shot that was fired killing him. Add to this, human reaction time in light of the above...and you still won't have an ironclad answer.
Was it an assinssation? No.
Do the pundits with their own adgendas have it wrong? Probably.
Would the man still be alive if the governor and mayor had followed the law and not decided they were above it? Absolutely.
Minnesota doesn't get to choose which federal laws it will follow and which it won't. The word "insurection" has been thrown around a lot over the last few years. When states decide they won't follow the law, that is the very definition of insurection. The governor and mayor can spin it anyway they want, but this one's on them.
Sorry, but that is not the definition of insurrection. Violence is what elevates a mere political disagreement or standoff into an insurrection. And unlike in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing, almost all of the violence seems to be coming from the federal government.
I saw your last comment and have to agree to some extent.
18 U.S. Code § 2383, doesn't provide a definition of insurrection per se, but most legal scholars agree that insurrection involves some level of violence. Civil disobedience doesn't rise to that, but in candor, inciting people to do violent things might well qualify.
Parenthetically, urging them to impede a federal officer in the performance of their job is unquestionably a felony.
We could debate whether all felonies are crimes of violence (yes, even white collar crimes), but I definitely get what you're saying, Neil.
Peter Townsend wrote the words decades ago...
"Meet the new boss.. same as the old boss"
Doge is blasphemy to the Congress.. they just move the pieces on the
Chess board around until it's checkmate again.
It's all Kabuki Theater. The grift has to continue to keep the NGO/Consultant class
on board.
How could a kid with a camera go and find all the blatant thievery in Minn. while
most every other "reporter" drove by those places for years? They were part of the scam.
This is just the tip of the iceberg too.
California, New York.. Hopefully we can get a peek at their books too.
The amount of graft is going to be unbelievable..
My encounters with the law have occasionally been less than friendly. Now that I have a carry permit I do exactly as told and am deferential and keep my hands fully in view as much as possible. I do not want to give them an excuse to shoot me
Thank you for a thoughtful and reasoned analysis. In this day of instant video to be the first out there with I'm right and you are wrong this is a breath of fresh air. Thank you.
Thank you for this sober analysis. A relief to read such a thoughtful take amidst the rush to judgment with both sides eager to fit the facts into their narrative, defining, as you put it, "the situation before facts could be pieced together."
May Ms. Noem and Mr. Bovino soon find themselves looking for work.
We can always be assured that politicians will be politicians while the people get screwed.
In 2015 I said that Trump was a bully. He managed to serve his first term decently, but this time around the bully is back and we are weaker for it. What I want to know is this: where are the checks and balances in Congress? Why don't more Republicans act like reasonable adults and deal with Noem and others now? After the midterms they'll have no power and no support from moderate/centrists and we'll be right back where we were under Biden (or whomever was running the government then.)
So, do I have this right? The people in power in Minnesota are encouraging others to create, "good trouble", but they themselves are not there? Are these people in power really hoping for worse trouble? What a mess. Thank you for sharing this Erick.
Don't know if someone somewhere is listening, but I read a few minutes ago that Trump is sending Tom Homan to Minneapolis tonight.
I totally agree with you, Erick. I looked at several videos of the Pretti shooting and could not see in any of them, Mr. Pretti attacking or taunting federal agents. I also read that Kristi Noem is looking to push Greg Bovino into a higher position in DHS and that is why he's in the forefront of the Minnesota reporting. I understand the Signal coordination has gotten out of hand and have created "no-go" areas as was previously done in Seattle. Walz and Frey need to back off on advocating for these activists and Border Patrol needs to be pulled from MN and leave ICE to deal with securing the illegal criminals in that state.
"Mr. Pretti extracted that person and, with another person, walked away. But border patrol agents followed, shoved one of the people, and Mr. Pretti attempted to help that person up. "
In other words, Mr. Pretti 'dearrested' the person, interfering with law enforcement officers, which is illegal. The CPB Agents were within their rights to go back after the person.
I still am not convinced the officer was justified in firing at Pretti. But if he had not gotten involved, this would not have happened.
And this definitely would not have happened if Walz & Frey would allow MPD to honor I.C.E. requests, instead of letting people walk free from jail, and would stop spewing irresponsible, inciteful rhetoric.
There's more than enough blame to go around. But to me, most of it lies with Walz & Frey.
He did not de-arrest someone. That person was not arrested by border patrol.
I stand corrected on that point. But he did, still, interfere with law enforcement.
. . . as it battered a female who had committed no crime.
So what is going on with the Somali fraud?
Beverly, while you're wating for information on the Somali fraud, here's some other fraud that you might find interesting. Enjoy! https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trumps-pardons-forgive-financial-crimes-came-hundreds-millions-punishm-rcna248277
Thank you Dan. Trust me, all fleecing of the American taxpayers is infuriating to me.
From the article re: an interview with CBS: "The president said in the interview he was 'not concerned' about the appearance of corruption. " 'I’d rather not have you ask the question.' "
Wow. Herein lies the problem with his fiefdom he's creating in the so-called "Board of Peace" where he's a chairman for life and collects billions of dollars.