Throughout this horror shitshow, I have had been almost overwhelmed by anger, depression, futility, fear, and a whole host of other negative feelings.
Once again, before I get into it, I have to give thanks that people are videotaping what is happening on the daily because it’s so much easier to refute the lies coming out of this federal administration on a regular basis.
Because of this, Gregory Bovino, is being pulled out of Minnesota. Rumors are that he’s being demoted or ‘allowed’ to retired (read, forced to retire). If this happens, I will be dancing in the streets because rightly or wrongly (probbaly wrongly), he has become the focus of my ire. Why? Because he’s here. He’s actively hurting my state. Like, physically. Because he dresses like he’s part of SEAL or some elite military squad like that.
He so desperately wants to be John Wayne, it’s pathetic. Also, I did not realize/remember that border ppatrol and ICE are not actually law enforcement. They want people to think they are, but they are not. Despite what the leaked memo says, they don’t have the legal right to go into the home of a legal citizen without a federal warrant. That’s not going to stop them, but I needed to remember that, for my own sanity.
He lies without hesitation and without remorse. He did it so relentlessly to a judge, she said that she could not take anything he said as truth (paraphrasing). I’ll post a video below of Jana Shortal, a local news anchor (and my local crush) and a colleague talking about this very topic. I have to give reporters credit for trying to hold his feet to the fire, but he just blusters, gets angry, talks over them, or the interview gets cut short.
I hope he steps on a Lego ever three to seven minutes at varying intervasls. I hope he never finds the cool part of his pillow as he tries to sleep. I hope his pants are always just a bit too tight and I hope that he never sleeps well again. Also, if he’s ‘allowed’ to retire, I hope that his every minute in of retirement is empty and painful.
As for Noem, the call for her impeachment grows louder. 140 signatures so far, and it’s only growing. There are also calls to remove Stephen Miller. Let’s throw the whole lot out and try again. Can we have a do-over on the 2024 election?
And, you know what? All these MAGA types who are regretting their votes–I don’t give a fuck. I mean, congrats, I guess, that you have buyer’s remorse, but what the fuck were you voting for? It’s not like he was an unknown quantity when he got reelected. He is who he is. Listen to him for five minutes, and it’s pretty clear what kind of man he is.
And, yes, it’s better that people see him as he really is. But, goddamn it. I just can’t find it in me to give a shit right now. In fact, there’s a part of me that is furious with them and hopes that they reap what they have sown. It’s a small part, yes, but it’s burning strongly.
Here’s the thing about the small silver lining. Yes, Bovino is being ousted, along with some other federal agents (apparently). But the guy coming in isn’t any better. And, I hate ‘czar’ as a term for anyone in government. Deeply hate it, so I’ve learned. The other troglodytes are still in office, and there’s no way this president is going to completely back down. Yes, even he has realized that he looks terrible right now (which, by the way, has gotta hurt. Good!). That’s what’s motivating the pullback, but I’ll take it.
The other thing that is different since the two murders is how openly angry so many people across vast swathes of the country are. And not just ordinary every day people and/or Democrats, but people in sports, too. Politicians. Everyone but the most ardent Trump lovers were appalled, shocked, angry, and just incensed.
Not just at the shooting (which, again, thank god there are multiple videos of it), but also at how blatantly the feds are lying about it. And the fact that MN had to sue in order to ensure that the feds would not destroy evidence. Several reporters were incredulous over this last fact. The idea that feds would openly destroy evidence and refuse to share it locally, well, that’s mindblowing.
Not that they would destroy evidence, mind. I’m sadly used to that. But that they would simply refuse to coopperate with local officials/law enforcement.
Oh, also, another thing that I’ve paid close attention to is how incompetent these people are. They are not trained well (or at all), which makes it dangerous to have them doing what they do. Also, there have been 3 killings in Minnesota–two of them by federal agents. Let that sink in.
I don’t think this is the end. I think this is Trump scrambling to stop his numbers from falling. Everyone has a line, and it seems like many people have reached theirs. Again, it’s pretty hard to ignore what’s happening in front of their eyes for all but the most stalwart Trump stans.
I am so proud of my fellow Minnesotans. I am grateful for the support across the country. do I think this is the end? Not by a long shot. But do I think the peaceful protests made a difference? Hell yes I do. The reaction to this shooting is in stark contrast to the shooting of Renee Macklin Good 20 days ago means that we are making a difference.
Little by little. Quavery voice by quavery voice. Whether attending the protests or working behind the scenes, my fellow Minnesotans have done the damn work. And our officials have stood up as one. Well, most of them. Not all Republicans, sadly, but the governor, the mayors, the representatives, the senators (both local and federal), the AG, the head of the BCA, they are all speaking as one.
There is a phrase, “Minnesota Nice”, and it’s true. Minnesotans are polite, nice, will try to feed you if you need food, will give you a hot drink if you’re cold, and pparent you in many different ways. But there we are also Minnesota Strong, and they better not forget it.