The problem is that elections rarely change the office over the long-term; they quickly return to the mean. (Hence why I take a defund/ remove powers/ abolish approach)

Hey, Tennessee. This is our leadership.

It’s like living in China, but without the trust in science, progress on renewable energy, uptake in EVs, amazing high speed rail network, and great food.

This is near constant in CJ reform work.

“Faceless officials with guns and body armor are crying about how scared they are of having their names on the internet, while shooting unarmed Americans in the face.”

We just lit candles for Alex in Midtown #Memphis

Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.

NYT video analysis confirms victim’s gun was removed before he was shot. So he was unarmed. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/us/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agents-video.html

ICE is now responsible for 66% of the homicides in Minneapolis this year.

What we are watching is a paramilitary force learning that they can kill with impunity, that the regime will smear the victim and defend them. Unless politicians and the legal system exerts accountability, it will not stop. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/past-the-b...

All of these constraints … compound the well-documented problem of teen loneliness and poor mental health. And they are a reflection of an adult society that resists taking responsibility for, or even tolerating the presence of, children in public.” www.theatlantic.com/family/2026/...

A must read for Memphians

This guy says it all! He’s here to stand with and protect his community while ICE is harming and hurting it.

🧵

Excellent.

Literally a publication for eight-year olds 40 years ago

Saturday night situation

“Better Than Retail”

Wow. What’s this like? Our Democratic Sheriff in Memphis just signed on to 287(g), and our Democratic mayor is letting ICE agents ride along on patrol in Memphis Police cruisers.

Mayor Young, Gov Lee, & President Trump all say that the Memphis Safe Task Force is necessary to combat violent crime. But apparently not on the weekends. This chart shows hourly bookings for the month of October at the men’s jail at 201 Poplar Avenue.

What if we took all of the skeletons on front porches seriously?

!!!

Grizz win!!!

The Memphis Safe Task Force's goal was always to round up as many people as quickly as possible. Like a citywide ICE raid. It's fantastical for the Mayor to think he's going to convince 1,500 federal agents to solve homicides and do actual police work. www.psrmemphis.org/mayor-young-...

This is the way www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...

Memphis' jail has 200 more people in it this morning than it did last Monday after the President and the Governor unleashed 200 federal agents onto our streets to work w/ a police dept that has been found to routinely violate our rights. Here's the front page of the @dailymemphian.bsky.social

Just like their local comrades, the occupiers park wherever they want. Never mind that it’s an active lane of traffic. This, while they execute a warrant on a hamburger at Huey’s, no doubt.

Whatever would we have done without these 219 "special deputized" federal agents?

The president just gathered the highest ranking officers in the military to tell them that he may order them to kill American citizens -- and that they better follow his orders. All in response to a series of crises that have no basis in reality. I don't know how to yell any louder.

So exhausting..

What Trump's Secret Police did today.

Trump: "Things that take place in the home they call crime....If a man has a little fight with the wife, they say this is a crime."

EXTREMELY excited to report that I have just purchased a gift subscription to the Onion for my local books-to-prisoners program (they also accept periodicals). Support good journalism, give incarcerated people a chance to laugh. Win-win! cc: @theonion.com

"Memphis is crying out for leaders who act with both head and heart, leaders who pray with their feet." I have seen Tami Sawyer in action. She walks this talk. We need more like her.

“This happened because a whole chain of people did not do their jobs. Most of them work for the sheriff.”

Check out our latest email newsletter. Sign up and learn more at justcity.org t.e2ma.net/message/xewe...

The Shelby County Jail is outdated, but an old jail should NOT be deadly anymore than a new one should. Seven men have lost their lives in the jail this year alone - none of them because of the age of the building. We need sweeping changes to leadership and policy before we build a new jail.

“Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Helluva way to sign a birthday card.

900 is a lot.

What might one call a police-type force that insists on operating secretly in this way.

I don't care even a little bit about the Karen Read case but this part is important:

I'm beginning to think the State of Tennessee doesn't prioritize human rights. nashvillebanner.com/2025/06/13/t...

We had a deal. All of the current violence is because Trump pulled us out of the deal.

We defeat fascism on street corners in the rain. We defeat fascism in community centers on a Saturday morning. We defeat fascism by going wherever we have to go. But it’s looking like we’re probably going to have to leave the house.

Totally normal stuff

My friend @kerrycoeo.bsky.social is pretty good at rock n roll shows, but he's much better at writing and pitching good stories to good reporters. Check him out:

Andy Ogles has found his villian. The congressman from Maury County — under investigation for campaign finance problems — is targeting Mayor Freddie O'Connell with a congressional investigation over immigration. And Nashville is stuck in the crossfire. Column: @scavendish.bsky.social

“If we fail to adjust to what is actually happening around us — not just what we think is happening — it won’t just make us think our cities are more dangerous than they really are. It’ll sap energy for the reforms that can really make a difference.” www.vox.com/good-news-ne...