{"id":58685,"date":"2026-01-31T06:03:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T14:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/?p=58685"},"modified":"2026-01-30T19:04:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T03:04:03","slug":"open-thread-january-31-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.politicsplus.org\/blog\/2026\/01\/31\/open-thread-january-31-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Thread January 31 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday, I observed that ICE (and\/or CBP) is heading to Ohio (Springfield) on or about February 3. Also, Don Lemon has been arrested – I would assume (unconstitutional) charges have been filed, but who knows`. A number of smart people have been warning us it will get worse before it gets better. And, at least some businesses and schools in Denver (though probably not here) closed for the General Strike today. And, The Nation<\/a> has nominated the City of Minneapolis for a Nobel Peace Prize, whilw\u00a0Senate Democrats succeeded in splitting off DHS funding from other funding, thus avoiding a shutdown of the rest of the regime.<\/p>\n

We have heard this from The Conversation<\/a> before, and don’t think it would be out of line to say that we know it, and are aware of it – we who come here. But there are still lots of people out there who don’t. So please feel free to share.<\/p>\n

Harry Litman<\/a> takes a break from the law to address history and music, specifically Philip Glass’s Symphony #15, “Lincoln.” He quotes several points from Lincoln’s “Lyceum” speech, which is featured in the symphony, and is eerily prophetic. I’ll say up front that Glass is a personal friend of Harry’s, since he doesn’t reveal that until close to the end, and I think it colors his understanding.<\/p>\n

I have another extended quote from an email to share today – no link, it only exists in the email. It’s from retired Major General Paul Eaton, who is kind of the voice of VoteVets.<\/p>\n

After months of unjustified and outrageous escalations from Trump\u2019s paramilitary forces, I\u2019ve got a story for you.<\/em>
\nIt\u2019s a small town outside of Fallujah, at the height of the Iraq War. A rifle battalion commander and his men are outfitted in battle dress. A crowd of Iraqis approaches these men, very upset, with a whole lot of riot potential. An exceptionally dangerous situation.<\/em>
\nThat battalion commander did not square up for a fight. He directed his men to take a knee, put the barrels of their rifles in the dirt, and smile. His men thought he was crazy, but they followed orders. And in one fell swoop, everything de-escalated. The Iraqis didn\u2019t riot, no one was shot, and everybody went home.<\/em>
\nA rifle battalion commander, surrounded by young men, in a combat zone, acted with restraint. What we\u2019ve seen these last several weeks on American streets has been anything but restrained.<\/em>
\nI don\u2019t tell you this to advocate pitting American Troops against American citizens, but to further illustrate the vast divide between our Military and the ICE and CBP agents deployed by Trump to stir up trouble.<\/em>
\nThey\u2019re out looking for a fight, and it\u2019s important to understand why. He had Pam Bondi demand access to the Minnesota voter rolls in exchange for a drawdown. The FBI just raided an elections office in Fulton County, Georgia.<\/em>
\nTrump knows the country hates what he\u2019s doing. He knows he\u2019s going to get taken to the woodshed this November. And he\u2019s trying to figure out any way he can to hold on to power \u2014 even if he loses. We\u2019ve already seen it on January 6th, 2021. We see it every day in the lies, provocations, and threats Trump makes. This is an incredibly serious situation, and we can\u2019t wait to act against it.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n