My 20s were spent in grad school hoping to change the world. My 30s were spent trying to survive.

When the dust settles, we'll see. It's unfortunately difficult to prove something like that, but if we ever overcome fascism (hopefully peacefully...) then the case can be revisited or they can be pardoned. At the very least, I can believe that was their intention, though.

I know you're making the point that ICE murderers should be tried and convicted, but real talk, the Jan 6 convictions (mentioned in the article) are more in line with what a violent conviction would look like).

They, of course, got pardoned... but naturally if the system worked as intended, pardons wouldn't exist or be needed and sentencing wouldn't be politically motivated. Ironically at this point the only possibility for justice for these 9 are pardons, though...

You're referring to this part?

"Prosecutors in the case charged and secured conviction of eight of the nine defendants for providing material support for terrorists. The ninth defendant, Daniel Sanchez-Estrada was not at the protest, but was convicted of corruptly concealing a document or record after prosecutors said he moved leftwing zines and other materials at the request of Rueda, his wife, after she was arrested. Sanchez-Estrada was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Tuesday."

I don't know the details but it sounds like a concealment charge, which again isn't much of a thing unless you're falsely charged with terrorism. It's not so much the zines as the association-- but 30 years is again, obviously bullshit.

I can't look into specifics now, but is that one able to appeal? I recall it's the odd case of the 9.

That's exactly what happens, but I'm not sure if it would be that painful. These things are generally pretty small, too, obviously.

Better to just say Midwestern.

Also, White folks around here, 1) is firing a semi-automatic into your home or car. We have a lot of meth heads...

Reading the article, the guy who shot an officer with an AK probably should get time while the people who were just setting off fireworks and slashing tires, probably a misdemeanor, all things equal. (It being a government vehicle might count it as a felony, though IANAL).

The part that should disturb people isn't their arrest, but the upcharge to terrorism, which frankly has been a potential problem we've had since Bush era politics but only now getting utilized in this way. That changes due process, and if they continue to push for those types of charges, that's a problem and patriot act era laws absolutely need to get reversed if we're to ever really be safe.

That said, just to clarify those who only read the headline: this isn't the administration just targeting political opponents and calling them antifa to get them arrested. They got arrested for crimes like vandalism and assault and the antifa terrorism crap was tagged on. You're still mostly safe to participate in peaceful protests, so continue putting on pressure.

My 2014 Ford Fusion is too busy wondering when I'm going to get XM Sirius radio finally.

I'm glad they're doing ok. I actually didn't mind their drama at all, they just had a bad string of things going on in their life. I recall them moving to Europe (or saying they were) at some point and then gone.

Ah yes, my first exposure to Hamster Dance was in that room...

I mean... unless you've got toddlers.

With how his cult is, making them disappear is probably just too much trouble. His audience is gullible enough they likely don't even need to make arrests, though.