Once the government decides who qualifies for Fourth Amendment protection, rights stop being rights and start being privileges handed out by those in power…
There is a fundamental contradiction between democracy and capitalism, in that democracy is set up to distribute power equally, whereas capitalism is set up to concentrate power in ever fewer hands. What is happening is capitalism is in a position to buy out democracy and co-opt and privatize its functions, thereby commodifying what we have always assumed to be our core civil rights. Money (bribery) becomes the law of the land.
Yes, though it may depend on how well capitalism is regulated. Some of the European states seem to have worked out how a mix of socialism for the public good and capitalism for economic development can coexist reasonably well (environmental issues are of course another concern). But there the governments keep a tight leash on the big corporations. Of course they have influence, but it isn't allowed to concentrate to the point of taking over.
But it is funny how economic and political systems get confused. I was reading yesterday in a Quincy Institute newsletter how after the Cold War at least some people thought that the spread of capitalism would naturally make places like Russia and China more democratic. Apparently they hadn't read much history.
And then to go a little further it gets really absurd when you bring in religion. "Islamofascist" is a good example, though you can put a hot button term after anybody. After all, we're not murdering people on the high seas, we're exterminating narcoterrorists. The fact that they are good capitalists is beside the point.
This democracy vs capitalism debate was brought up decades ago when I was in college. So now we know which of those two came out ahead. What can be done about it? Who can do what when there is no (seems to be no) modifying element at our disposal to even rein in the snowball rolling us all into hell? The tsunami of bullshit is now the tsunami of power. The tyrants of capitalism will not ever voluntarily give up their money or power.
This is a cry, and a call, for vocal, aggressive, confrontational, inspiring political leadership. Widespread apathy born of (often prideful) ignorance has enabled the accelerating erosion of democracy at the hands of greedy, disdainful domestic enemies of our founding principles. Our challenges go far, far beyond the affordability issues embraced by current leadership, wedded as they are to “pragmatic”, limited-issue strategies. The good, courageous people of Minnesota have made clear that much more than the price of eggs is at stake, and that core values can and must be defended. A new breed of bright, articulate leaders is arising; they deserve our full-throated, and financial, support.
Marvelously articulate. Check out Thom Hartmann’s Substack sometime; he and I are in complete agreement. (This being Mr. Hartmann’s Substack, I’ll refrain from engaging further).
Trump's MAGA war on illegal immigrants is a planned distraction to justify building a huge Gestapo answerable solely to Trump. He has used this scam to justify mass hiring of unqualified thugs while building a national system of concentration camps to fill with citizens who dare challenge his rule.
Governing is clearly not Trump's goal, as this is the most incompetent government in my 78 years on the planet. The recent El Paso toy balloon attack is a great example. The entire administration is staffed by people not loyal to the Constitution, our laws, and the regulations they are supposed to carry out, but to Trump alone. That starts with the US Attorney General.
Unlike the 1776 era, the government of today is more complex, and the size of the empire is far larger than in the days of the British colonies. Otherwise, we would already be greeting each other with "Hail Trump," and embracing a new fascist culture. Also, the average American is used to liberty and justice for all, in addition to enjoying a high standard of living. America's billionaire elites cannot keep draining the Nation's wealth from the bottom 99% without our realizing it. So when do we start seriously start to overthrow this fascist regime?
100% . . . Not for nothing, the Reich's idiots are also violating the Declaration of Independence.
We hold these truths to be self‑evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,
that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…
“Happiness” is actually a metric of legitimacy.
Jefferson channeled the Greek concept eudaimonia, i.e. :
- human flourishing [Is Ms. R. Good flourishing in Dirty Donald's [i.e. Putin's] America?]
- living a life of virtue [Release the Trump-Epstein files. We'll judge Dirty Donnie's virtue.]
- fulfilling one’s potential [Dirty Don is only filling full his bank account.]
- achieving excellence in one’s chosen path [Dirty D. has never known excellence, only a mirage.]
It’s not about feeling good. [Butt, that's all Dirty Don craves. Ask Stormy D. who smacked his butt w/ a rolled up magazine w/ his puffy face on the cover.]
It’s about becoming the best version of yourself through action. {D.D.'s best is Putin's best.]
This is why “pursuit” matters — it’s an activity, not a state.
[Hence, we must "pursue" the obliteration of Dirty Trump's Reich, now, and Forever!!!]
VOTE in pursuit of happiness. Before Putin ships a steamer trunk filled w/ "Dart Frogs* " to DD.
* Dart frogs are in the news because European governments say Alexei Navalny was killed with a rare toxin derived from South American poison dart frogs, specifically epibatidine, found in species like Anthony’s poison arrow frog.
Greater Boston Latino Network v. ICE (Jan 2026): Filed in Boston, this is the first major case challenging a May memo that reportedly authorized agents to enter homes and businesses using only administrative warrants.
Castañon Nava v. DHS (Chicago): A long-standing class action recently saw a major development on February 13, 2026, when a federal judge ruled that ICE must adhere to a consent decree banning warrantless arrests unless agents have probable cause and believe the individual is a flight risk.
Hussen v. Noem (Minnesota, Jan 2026): A class-action lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Minnesota challenges "suspicionless stops" and warrantless arrests that plaintiffs claim are based on racial profiling.
Ramirez Ovando v. Noem (Colorado, Oct 2025): The ACLU of Colorado is suing over "indiscriminate" arrests, with a judge recently ordering agents in the state to stop a pattern of illegal detentions.
Rodriguez v. Porter (Feb 2026): A new ACLU lawsuit representing families who are U.S. citizens or legal residents, challenging ICE tactics that allegedly discriminate based on ethnicity during the current administration's enforcement surge.
Justia (U.S. Law): Offers free access to federal and state court decisions, including specific, categorized sections for Immigration & National Security and Search & Seizure cases.
FindLaw: Provides a extensive collection of free, searchable case law for federal appellate, district, and state supreme courts.
CourtListener: A free, public legal research tool with millions of opinions from federal and state courts, useful for researching specific security cases.
Google Scholar: Allows for searching full-text, published case law by selecting "Case law" in the search options.
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records): The official source for accessing, searching, and viewing federal docket information and case documents, including security-related litigation.
National Security & Specialized Case Tracking
Just Security (Litigation Tracker): Tracks legal challenges to executive actions, specifically focusing on national security, civil liberties, and immigration.
ACLU Court Cases: Offers searchable, thematic archives of lawsuits, particularly those related to privacy, surveillance, and national security.
Department of Justice (DOJ) National Security Division: Provides, as part of the Justice Manual, guidelines and, in some cases, references to case law related to national security, counterterrorism, and espionage.good at reporting.
A lot of it is on the Democracy Docket.
Not all cases are reported. For the most part, criminal settlements, especially plea agreements, are virtually never disclosed.
You didn't understand it then and don't understand it now. Were taking about committing financial sucude.. One does not smite one's nose to smite the face.
On this site, I bet that I've brought more 4th Amendment supression petitions than everybody else combined, going back to whan I first practiced law.
The only way out of these prison, that the right has put us in, is a total collapse of the system, or a D Day event on both coasts.
The latter will never happen, so no pain, no gain.
As far as 4th Amendment Questions. You must be totally blind. The police and military powers are in the hands of a dictatorship, and his minions,like Pam Bondi, don't care about the 4th or any amendment, and there is nothing you can do, when they control everything, especially the Judicial system.
And before you argue about TEMPORARY restraining orders, they are useless, good for 10-14 days, and when the case gets up the chain to SCOTUS? It is a different story.
The only chance of salvation is at the state level, the states are Sovereign and can hold the federal government to account, because as the Constitution says, all rights not given to the Federal government are reserved to the states.
It is that or financial pain.
I take it from you, that in the end you w would rather live under the heel of a fascist boot, than suffer some financial discomfort.
Just an opinon Daniel, based on your own statement.
There is little doubt that "the" line has been crossed, emphatically, unapologetically, arrogantly. The MAGAtocracy believes itself in control and beyond reach. The November midterms offer a last chance at correction via our former system, which worked decently well, especially in the last 80 years, but the odds are it will go for naught. Leaving only one question: not whether we act, if we want to save what we can of this country, but how, and how quickly. I fear we all know the how. The speed will depend on how well the opposition to the grotesqueries now governing us can coordinate, amass resources, and act. I doubt it will or can be peaceful unless November is a miracle. Whether anything can save this country and preserve its ideals is an open question. We may be confronting the circumstances that led the absurd officer in Vietnam to declare "We had to destroy the village in order to save it." Are we there? We might well be.
There must be a legal way to fight back against trump. We the people need to stop paying Federal Taxes Now! Trump is stealing our tax money to do illegal acts! We, the American people, with functioning brains have had enough!
Let’s get it going because we are not the criminals, They are!
I believe some of the most confusing problems for the colonists faced were each other and their division of loyalty. Whereas, today we are being attacked by criminals and being blindsided.
In the colonies there wasn’t the level of communication between home land and the colonists. There weren’t instant instructions, or even monthly communication between King and colonies. It tools close to 2 months for ships to get across the ocean.
The king’s agents were acting out what they thought was just or true on a daily basis, but by their own judgment and puffed-up authority. They were the little bureaucrats in control with a career to protect. On top of that, the colonists became so split in loyalty as to make us positively look united in opinion as a country, now.
Here again, we have an example of an idiot in power and certain agents acting out their parts as string pullers on one side and extensions of that power on the other.
The king wanted money and the colonies represented a funnel for money that few at home could complain about, and he was bleeding us.
But people weren’t nearly as jaded back then as now. The colonists loved and identified with both their home and king across the water as much as they loved their new home. To break with England and the King must have been heart wrenching for even the most adamant of independence minded colonists.
Injustices must have been perpetrated and acted out by local troops, commanders and governors with much more fervor than even today to make those colonists finally unite in defense.
I wonder if a relatively small group of people who were either committed to anarchy or hated the authority overseas continually agitated and infuriated both officials and locals and caused such an uproar among the people to such an extent that a small war between governors and colonists began way before the British government was even aware of what happened?
Retribution and desire to control the power that seemed to be drifting away was communicated to England way after the incidents were committed, and at the same time, local authorities were continuously furious by the lack of respect that a segment of society had for king and country they represented.
In other words, I wonder how much of our country originated by and because of local atrocities and the over reaction of “tin soldiers” to what they felt was a lack of respect and how much of it just snowballed out of control with citizens and families who had struggled to make a civilized new home dragged into the fracas by overwhelming overreaction by both parties?
Today, we are seeing crime bosses carving out territories around the world with megalomaniacal intent. Power and money are at the core, a network of instant communication and programmed “intelligence”are the tools, and we the people are the intended victims, with enslavement as the goal.
"Centralized police departments did not exist in the United States at the time of its founding in 1776. Policing was handled by informal, part-time systems, such as volunteer "night watches" (dating back to 1636 in Boston) and constables. The first formal, publicly funded, municipal police force was established in Boston in 1838, followed by New York in 1845."-AI Overview
Layer after layer we have built our modern interpretations and precedents of these laws.
TRump's psychopathic policy was adopted from the Tech Bros---break things and move fast. Shred every Amendment. Take your dignity and human rights in the process.
The People United have a lot to confront in and out of the courts. Knowing the Nazi playbook is key. Homan wants to say they are the POLICE, let's make them know we see who they really are. See you in the streets.
There is a fundamental contradiction between democracy and capitalism, in that democracy is set up to distribute power equally, whereas capitalism is set up to concentrate power in ever fewer hands. What is happening is capitalism is in a position to buy out democracy and co-opt and privatize its functions, thereby commodifying what we have always assumed to be our core civil rights. Money (bribery) becomes the law of the land.
Yes, though it may depend on how well capitalism is regulated. Some of the European states seem to have worked out how a mix of socialism for the public good and capitalism for economic development can coexist reasonably well (environmental issues are of course another concern). But there the governments keep a tight leash on the big corporations. Of course they have influence, but it isn't allowed to concentrate to the point of taking over.
But it is funny how economic and political systems get confused. I was reading yesterday in a Quincy Institute newsletter how after the Cold War at least some people thought that the spread of capitalism would naturally make places like Russia and China more democratic. Apparently they hadn't read much history.
And then to go a little further it gets really absurd when you bring in religion. "Islamofascist" is a good example, though you can put a hot button term after anybody. After all, we're not murdering people on the high seas, we're exterminating narcoterrorists. The fact that they are good capitalists is beside the point.
"...at least some people thought that the spread of capitalism would naturally make places like Russia and China more democratic."
I was involved with ROLI. Rule of Law Initiative. https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/global-programs/?login
Americans rushed to Russia and other former Warsaw pact countries. The results vary.
I was also an adjunct, teaching democratic concepts to foreign judges.....
My office was a consultant...even to China on US administrative law, via the China project. https://law.yale.edu/china-center
We have't had this kind of conduct since 1781, when Cornwalis surrendered.
Trump is a grifter who covets everyone else's property.
This democracy vs capitalism debate was brought up decades ago when I was in college. So now we know which of those two came out ahead. What can be done about it? Who can do what when there is no (seems to be no) modifying element at our disposal to even rein in the snowball rolling us all into hell? The tsunami of bullshit is now the tsunami of power. The tyrants of capitalism will not ever voluntarily give up their money or power.
This is a cry, and a call, for vocal, aggressive, confrontational, inspiring political leadership. Widespread apathy born of (often prideful) ignorance has enabled the accelerating erosion of democracy at the hands of greedy, disdainful domestic enemies of our founding principles. Our challenges go far, far beyond the affordability issues embraced by current leadership, wedded as they are to “pragmatic”, limited-issue strategies. The good, courageous people of Minnesota have made clear that much more than the price of eggs is at stake, and that core values can and must be defended. A new breed of bright, articulate leaders is arising; they deserve our full-throated, and financial, support.
Earth to Halstead: Dems blocked ICE funding. Partial government shutdown.
Halstead to Solomon. Great, always good to know what you’re against. Now tell me what you’re FOR.
Actually, jujitsu. https://jerryweiss.substack.com/
Marvelously articulate. Check out Thom Hartmann’s Substack sometime; he and I are in complete agreement. (This being Mr. Hartmann’s Substack, I’ll refrain from engaging further).
You diminissh Dems 24/7.
Trump's MAGA war on illegal immigrants is a planned distraction to justify building a huge Gestapo answerable solely to Trump. He has used this scam to justify mass hiring of unqualified thugs while building a national system of concentration camps to fill with citizens who dare challenge his rule.
Governing is clearly not Trump's goal, as this is the most incompetent government in my 78 years on the planet. The recent El Paso toy balloon attack is a great example. The entire administration is staffed by people not loyal to the Constitution, our laws, and the regulations they are supposed to carry out, but to Trump alone. That starts with the US Attorney General.
Unlike the 1776 era, the government of today is more complex, and the size of the empire is far larger than in the days of the British colonies. Otherwise, we would already be greeting each other with "Hail Trump," and embracing a new fascist culture. Also, the average American is used to liberty and justice for all, in addition to enjoying a high standard of living. America's billionaire elites cannot keep draining the Nation's wealth from the bottom 99% without our realizing it. So when do we start seriously start to overthrow this fascist regime?
A distraction from Epstein.
100% . . . Not for nothing, the Reich's idiots are also violating the Declaration of Independence.
We hold these truths to be self‑evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,
that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…
“Happiness” is actually a metric of legitimacy.
Jefferson channeled the Greek concept eudaimonia, i.e. :
- human flourishing [Is Ms. R. Good flourishing in Dirty Donald's [i.e. Putin's] America?]
- living a life of virtue [Release the Trump-Epstein files. We'll judge Dirty Donnie's virtue.]
- fulfilling one’s potential [Dirty Don is only filling full his bank account.]
- achieving excellence in one’s chosen path [Dirty D. has never known excellence, only a mirage.]
It’s not about feeling good. [Butt, that's all Dirty Don craves. Ask Stormy D. who smacked his butt w/ a rolled up magazine w/ his puffy face on the cover.]
It’s about becoming the best version of yourself through action. {D.D.'s best is Putin's best.]
This is why “pursuit” matters — it’s an activity, not a state.
[Hence, we must "pursue" the obliteration of Dirty Trump's Reich, now, and Forever!!!]
VOTE in pursuit of happiness. Before Putin ships a steamer trunk filled w/ "Dart Frogs* " to DD.
* Dart frogs are in the news because European governments say Alexei Navalny was killed with a rare toxin derived from South American poison dart frogs, specifically epibatidine, found in species like Anthony’s poison arrow frog.
Thank you, thank you, thank you: Thom, Louise, Nigel and Sue, Jamie
Exactly. We cannot be content to see our rights rationed and doled out and altered and diminished. We would be but serfs if that comes to pass.
A few ongoing Lawsuits and Rulings
Greater Boston Latino Network v. ICE (Jan 2026): Filed in Boston, this is the first major case challenging a May memo that reportedly authorized agents to enter homes and businesses using only administrative warrants.
Castañon Nava v. DHS (Chicago): A long-standing class action recently saw a major development on February 13, 2026, when a federal judge ruled that ICE must adhere to a consent decree banning warrantless arrests unless agents have probable cause and believe the individual is a flight risk.
Hussen v. Noem (Minnesota, Jan 2026): A class-action lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Minnesota challenges "suspicionless stops" and warrantless arrests that plaintiffs claim are based on racial profiling.
Ramirez Ovando v. Noem (Colorado, Oct 2025): The ACLU of Colorado is suing over "indiscriminate" arrests, with a judge recently ordering agents in the state to stop a pattern of illegal detentions.
Rodriguez v. Porter (Feb 2026): A new ACLU lawsuit representing families who are U.S. citizens or legal residents, challenging ICE tactics that allegedly discriminate based on ethnicity during the current administration's enforcement surge.
Daniel,thanks for the info.Let's hope a few of them are successful. What is the source so we can follow the progress?
Got to use PACER to track cases.
Daniel,is Pacer available to all of us?
Primary Legal Research Sites (Free)
Justia (U.S. Law): Offers free access to federal and state court decisions, including specific, categorized sections for Immigration & National Security and Search & Seizure cases.
FindLaw: Provides a extensive collection of free, searchable case law for federal appellate, district, and state supreme courts.
CourtListener: A free, public legal research tool with millions of opinions from federal and state courts, useful for researching specific security cases.
Google Scholar: Allows for searching full-text, published case law by selecting "Case law" in the search options.
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records): The official source for accessing, searching, and viewing federal docket information and case documents, including security-related litigation.
National Security & Specialized Case Tracking
Just Security (Litigation Tracker): Tracks legal challenges to executive actions, specifically focusing on national security, civil liberties, and immigration.
ACLU Court Cases: Offers searchable, thematic archives of lawsuits, particularly those related to privacy, surveillance, and national security.
Department of Justice (DOJ) National Security Division: Provides, as part of the Justice Manual, guidelines and, in some cases, references to case law related to national security, counterterrorism, and espionage.good at reporting.
A lot of it is on the Democracy Docket.
Not all cases are reported. For the most part, criminal settlements, especially plea agreements, are virtually never disclosed.
It has already been passed.
FYI https://www.bettedangerous.com/p/from-rybolovlev-with-love-how-trumps
Da und Ya.
Impeach President Epstein!
We have it too good. those at the bottom of the social ladder have a cell phone. And as I was told, a week ago. "I wasn't issued a hair shirt"
You didn't understand it then and don't understand it now. Were taking about committing financial sucude.. One does not smite one's nose to smite the face.
On this site, I bet that I've brought more 4th Amendment supression petitions than everybody else combined, going back to whan I first practiced law.
Virtually everybody these days needs a lawyer.
The only way out of these prison, that the right has put us in, is a total collapse of the system, or a D Day event on both coasts.
The latter will never happen, so no pain, no gain.
As far as 4th Amendment Questions. You must be totally blind. The police and military powers are in the hands of a dictatorship, and his minions,like Pam Bondi, don't care about the 4th or any amendment, and there is nothing you can do, when they control everything, especially the Judicial system.
And before you argue about TEMPORARY restraining orders, they are useless, good for 10-14 days, and when the case gets up the chain to SCOTUS? It is a different story.
The only chance of salvation is at the state level, the states are Sovereign and can hold the federal government to account, because as the Constitution says, all rights not given to the Federal government are reserved to the states.
It is that or financial pain.
I take it from you, that in the end you w would rather live under the heel of a fascist boot, than suffer some financial discomfort.
Just an opinon Daniel, based on your own statement.
First thing Bush Jr. did was to dissolve the Intel Interagency Working Groups, and we got 9/11.
First thing Trump did was to dissolve Obama's Epidemic Quick Reaction Group, and we got Covid.
They always promote chaos!
There is little doubt that "the" line has been crossed, emphatically, unapologetically, arrogantly. The MAGAtocracy believes itself in control and beyond reach. The November midterms offer a last chance at correction via our former system, which worked decently well, especially in the last 80 years, but the odds are it will go for naught. Leaving only one question: not whether we act, if we want to save what we can of this country, but how, and how quickly. I fear we all know the how. The speed will depend on how well the opposition to the grotesqueries now governing us can coordinate, amass resources, and act. I doubt it will or can be peaceful unless November is a miracle. Whether anything can save this country and preserve its ideals is an open question. We may be confronting the circumstances that led the absurd officer in Vietnam to declare "We had to destroy the village in order to save it." Are we there? We might well be.
There must be a legal way to fight back against trump. We the people need to stop paying Federal Taxes Now! Trump is stealing our tax money to do illegal acts! We, the American people, with functioning brains have had enough!
Let’s get it going because we are not the criminals, They are!
I believe some of the most confusing problems for the colonists faced were each other and their division of loyalty. Whereas, today we are being attacked by criminals and being blindsided.
In the colonies there wasn’t the level of communication between home land and the colonists. There weren’t instant instructions, or even monthly communication between King and colonies. It tools close to 2 months for ships to get across the ocean.
The king’s agents were acting out what they thought was just or true on a daily basis, but by their own judgment and puffed-up authority. They were the little bureaucrats in control with a career to protect. On top of that, the colonists became so split in loyalty as to make us positively look united in opinion as a country, now.
Here again, we have an example of an idiot in power and certain agents acting out their parts as string pullers on one side and extensions of that power on the other.
The king wanted money and the colonies represented a funnel for money that few at home could complain about, and he was bleeding us.
But people weren’t nearly as jaded back then as now. The colonists loved and identified with both their home and king across the water as much as they loved their new home. To break with England and the King must have been heart wrenching for even the most adamant of independence minded colonists.
Injustices must have been perpetrated and acted out by local troops, commanders and governors with much more fervor than even today to make those colonists finally unite in defense.
I wonder if a relatively small group of people who were either committed to anarchy or hated the authority overseas continually agitated and infuriated both officials and locals and caused such an uproar among the people to such an extent that a small war between governors and colonists began way before the British government was even aware of what happened?
Retribution and desire to control the power that seemed to be drifting away was communicated to England way after the incidents were committed, and at the same time, local authorities were continuously furious by the lack of respect that a segment of society had for king and country they represented.
In other words, I wonder how much of our country originated by and because of local atrocities and the over reaction of “tin soldiers” to what they felt was a lack of respect and how much of it just snowballed out of control with citizens and families who had struggled to make a civilized new home dragged into the fracas by overwhelming overreaction by both parties?
Today, we are seeing crime bosses carving out territories around the world with megalomaniacal intent. Power and money are at the core, a network of instant communication and programmed “intelligence”are the tools, and we the people are the intended victims, with enslavement as the goal.
Police did not formally exist.....
"Centralized police departments did not exist in the United States at the time of its founding in 1776. Policing was handled by informal, part-time systems, such as volunteer "night watches" (dating back to 1636 in Boston) and constables. The first formal, publicly funded, municipal police force was established in Boston in 1838, followed by New York in 1845."-AI Overview
Layer after layer we have built our modern interpretations and precedents of these laws.
TRump's psychopathic policy was adopted from the Tech Bros---break things and move fast. Shred every Amendment. Take your dignity and human rights in the process.
The People United have a lot to confront in and out of the courts. Knowing the Nazi playbook is key. Homan wants to say they are the POLICE, let's make them know we see who they really are. See you in the streets.