ICE’s Theater of War

Source: Mother Jones
by Inae Oh

“The Trump administration may be starting to show small signs of regret after its lies about Alex Pretti’s killing proved too much for Americans. But make no mistake: The wind-down is about quelling a PR crisis amid tanking poll numbers — not regret for their terrorist-like behavior. President Trump and his inner circle still insist that rounding people up and crushing dissidents brings peace to American cities besieged by the assault of having an immigrant community. In fact, some, like Steve Bannon, are calling for further escalation.” (01/29/26)

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/how-ice-dresses-cbp-minneapolis-military-theater-of-war/

Thomas L. Knapp

Judge rejects Brad Raffensperger’s bid to loosen spending limits in Georgia governor’s race

Source: WRAL News

“A federal judge has rejected for now Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ‘s bid to gain more spending power in the state’s race for governor, upholding campaign finance rules that some Republicans argue give certain candidates an unfair advantage. Raffensperger’s independent political action committee, Safe Affordable Georgia, filed a federal lawsuit in December asking permission to raise unlimited funds for his campaign. One of his opponents in the GOP primary, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, has been able to do that under a 2021 state law that created leadership committees like the one he chairs, which can raise unlimited funds for candidates. Attorneys for Safe Affordable Georgia argued current law violates Raffensperger’s First Amendment rights by subjecting him to different rules than his opponent and requested that the limits for his committee be waived during the ongoing campaign.” (01/29/26)

https://www.wral.com/news/ap/74de9-judge-rejects-brad-raffenspergers-bid-to-loosen-spending-limits-in-georgia-governors-race/

Thomas L. Knapp

France: Lawmakers approve bill to end “marital duty” over consent concerns

Source: France 24 [French state media]

“French lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill seeking to end the notion of ‘marital duty’ after criticism from women’s rights groups about how it ignores the idea of sexual consent in marriage and marital rape. The text – backed by more than 120 MPs in the lower house National Assembly – clarifies in the civil code that cohabitation does not create any obligation for spouses to have sexual relations. The cross-party bill will now have to go through the Senate upper chamber. The French civil code lists four duties attached to marriage – fidelity, support, assistance and cohabitation – but it does not mention sexual obligation.” (01/29/26)

https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260128-french-lawmakers-bill-end-marital-duty

Thomas L. Knapp

A Statement of Policy

Source: Notablog
by Chris Matthew Sciabarra

“I’ve been around various social media platforms since the 1990s. I’ve had lots of spirited disagreements with people through the years. I’ve also seen the toxicity that can result when intellectually dishonest bad-faith actors engage in reprehensible personal attacks. I have learned not to even dignify those kinds of attacks with a ‘No comment.’ … I don’t require agreement with my posts. I don’t require that people agree with one another. But if you can’t practice civility with me and other discussants, you’re out of here. Go peddle your poisons elsewhere.” (01/29/26)

https://notablog.net/2026/01/29/a-statement-of-policy/

Thomas L. Knapp

Raiders of the Lost Cause

Source: The Bulwark
by Andrew Egger

“Although it feels insane to have to write this in 2026, I guess I probably should: All Trump’s claims about the supposed mendacity of the 2020 election have been endlessly litigated and relitigated. The votes have been counted, recounted, investigated, and audited. Every investigation into the matter has confirmed the same thing: Trump’s claims were preposterous lies in 2020, and they remain just as preposterously untrue six years on. There’s one thing that’s new, though. It’s possible that now, unlike in 2020, we no longer live in a world where the actual truth or falsehood of such claims actually matters.” (01/29/26)

https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-still-obsessed-with-stealing-elections-georgia-fulton-fbi-2020-2026-2028

Thomas L. Knapp