Thursday, April 03, 2025

Our Police State Has Arrived

"It's the unmarked cars," a friend who grew up under an Argentine dictatorship said. He had watched the video of the Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil's abduction. In the video, which Khalil's wife recorded, she asks for the names of the men in plainclothes who handcuffed her husband. "We don't give our name," one responds. "Can you please specify what agency is taking him?" she pleads. No response. We know now that Khalil was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security. Those of us who have lived in countries terrorized by a secret police force can't shake a feeling of dreadful familiarity.

More

In which I try to call things what they are. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/o ...

[image or embed]

-- M Gessen (@mashagessen.bsky.social) April 2, 2025 at 2:21 PM

Comments

"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrn and chinga tu madre! Come out there from that -------- of yours. I have to speak to you."

United States official policy for immigrants, Jan 20, 2025.

#1 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-04-02 11:33 AM

When the Big Nazis get into power they can always find people who will fill the roles of Little Nazis.

The banality of evil.

Next step, stealing children.

This is you, ROBSON.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2025-04-02 12:52 PM

Hmm, a NYT article.

I still remember 23-odd years ago when the NYT helped start all of this by printing easily-debunked propaganda so those who are currently shaping both foreign and domestic policy could get their wish to invade Iraq.

#3 | Posted by ExpectingReign at 2025-04-02 01:28 PM

Republican think that 'Reacher' is a documentary program.

And that Trump47 is a, 'The Apprentice' sequel.

#4 | Posted by Corky at 2025-04-02 02:05 PM

Pretty soon the "patriots" will be saying "if you have nothing to hide, just show them your papers!"

#5 | Posted by jpw at 2025-04-02 07:45 PM

Pretty soon the Party that opposes a National ID will say,

"If you cannot prove your citizenship on demand, you get sent to El Salvador Gulag."

Deine Papielen, Bitte!

#6 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-04-02 07:51 PM

Time Zone - World Destruction (Meltdown Remix) (1984)
www.youtube.com

Lyrics excerpt ...

www.musixmatch.com

...
Speak about destruction.
This is a world destruction, your life aint nothing.
The human race is becoming a disgrace.
Countries are fighting with chemical warfare.
Not giving a damn about the people who live.

Nostradamus predicts the coming of the Antichrist.
Hey, look out, the third world nations are on the rise.
The Democratic-Communist Relationship,
Won't stand in the way of the Islamic force.
The CIA is looking for other detectives.
The KGB is smarter than you think.

Brainwash mentalities to control the system.
Using TV and movies -- religions of course.
Yes, the world is headed for destruction.

Is it a nuclear war?
What are you asking for?

This is a world destruction. Your life aint nothing.
The human race is becoming a disgrace.
The rich get richer.
The poor are getting poorer.

Fascist, chauvinistic government fools.
People, Moslems, Christians and Hindus.
Are in a time zone just searching for the truth.
...


#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-04-03 08:13 PM

@#3 ... Hmm, a NYT article. ...

So, ya got nothing to question the content of the article?


Lame.


#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-04-03 08:15 PM

You have a knack for introducing me to the most bland, oatmeal music I've never heard of!

#9 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-04-03 08:17 PM

@#9 ... You have a knack for introducing me to the most bland, oatmeal music I've never heard of! ...

I try.

Yeah, that tune was about fmr Pres Reagan.

But when I heard it yesterday on a playlist, it reminded me of the current Oval Office.

:)

#10 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-04-03 08:32 PM

Maybe I should have gone with ...

The Lover Speaks - No More "I Love You's" (1986)
www.youtube.com

Yeah, that tune was covered, and gained fame, by Annie Lennox. Yeah, that Annie Lennox, formerly of the Eurythmics.

But, the original version of the tune by The Lover Speaks, imo, is the one to enjoy.

YMMV, and all that.


#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-04-03 08:56 PM

I liked the "Deep Blues" complication that the Guitar Player from the Eurhythmics put together. Dave Edmunds if memory serves. Has this song, not this take:

R.L. Burnside: See My Jumper Hanging On the Line (1978)
www.youtube.com

#12 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-04-03 10:49 PM

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