Author: Thomas L. Knapp

The Killing of Alex Pretti Is a Reminder That All State Laws Are Backed Up by Violence

Source: Reason
by Christian Britschgi

“If enforcing a law isn’t worth killing someone over, it probably shouldn’t be a law.” (01/28/26)

https://reason.com/2026/01/28/the-killing-of-alex-pretti-is-a-reminder-that-all-state-laws-are-backed-up-by-violence/

Thomas L. Knapp

CA: Officials confirm tuberculosis outbreak at San Francisco private school

Source: SFGate

“The San Francisco Department of Public Health is investigating an active outbreak of tuberculosis at a local high school that has sickened at least three individuals. In an emailed statement to SFGATE, department officials said all students and staff at Archbishop Riordan High School are being tested for TB and they have implemented contact tracing to stop the outbreak from spreading. … Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that can cause cough, fever and weight loss, and can progress into severe symptoms if untreated. A person can have a latent form of the disease, where they have no symptoms, or active TB, where they have symptoms and are infectious. The latent form can switch to active at any time.” (01/28/26)

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/san-francisco-tuberculosis-school-21320252.php

Thomas L. Knapp

Patriot! Here’s How to Identify a Domestic Terrorist

Source: The Atlantic
by Alexandra Petri

“The terrorists are the ones without masks. They’re the ones yelling ‘No!’ or ‘Stop!’ or ‘Shame!’ or blowing whistles. Sometimes they brandish cameras at federal agents. Sometimes they wantonly swallow whole canisters of pepper spray. These are just some of their diabolical tactics. The terrorists are the ones who call this place home (that’s what makes it domestic terror). The terrorists are the ones who are dressed as clergy. Some of them, confusingly, are even ordained as clergy. As you look, ask yourself: Is that a Minnesota nice person (not even guaranteed to be ‘nice!’) or a Minnesota ICE person? (The former is a terrorist; the latter basically has total immunity.) Is he a nurse who works for the VA, or a masked man shooting him in the back? Remember, the terrorist is the one trying to protect his neighbor.” (01/28/26)

https://archive.is/kIxK9

Thomas L. Knapp

He Served Those Who Served: Portrait of a Man Named Pretti

Source: Liberal Currents
by Justin Briley

“Our nation never called him a hero. He didn’t serve himself, he served those who served. But I think that you can learn a lot about someone through a study of their enemies: First, a preening octogenarian dilettante in clownface with little more than the skill to keep talking, just keep talking, when shame would’ve already killed better men. It turns out that in this nation of broken heroes you can rise quite high with so little, provided you have a sufficient amount of money to start. Then, the incarnation of daddy issues as a concept, soft at the jowls and so ashamed of where he’s from that he’s also ashamed of where he pretends to be from. … Next, a worm who never should have been born and whose every day spent breathing is an insult to the universal commonwealth of all humanity.” (01/28/26)

https://www.liberalcurrents.com/he-served-those-who-served-portrait-of-a-man-named-pretti/

Thomas L. Knapp