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John M. Baker

@jmbmn.bsky.social
388 followers 471 following 571 posts

Minneapolis attorney, advocate for planners, lover of old movies, refugee from Musk's mayhem, who rescues from obscurity fascinating people.

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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Zuma in Malibu? 20 years later, they might encounter Neil Young recording his 1975 album "Crazy Horse" in a studio there. #TCMParty #NoirAlley #Loophole.
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Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Back in Trump 1, my EP and I used to spitball every now and then on the first question I'd ask Trump. We settled on "how do tariffs work?"
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Julian Sanchez @normative.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Something weirdly not noted in a lot of the coverage of the extortionate threats to murder the Kennedy Center unless it’s reimagined as a shrine to Trump: There was no dire fiscal crisis until Trump’s goombahs started mucking with it. Its finances were fine. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/o...
projects.propublica.org
John F Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
Since 2013, the IRS has released data culled from millions of nonprofit tax filings. Use this database to find organizations and see details like their executive compensation, revenue and expenses, as...
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Joe Dudek @joedudekjd.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Son of a gun.
Lucy and Charlie Brown. Lucy is placing the football and says "Don't worry; they wouldn't just silently overrule an entire doctrine on the shadow docket again."
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Jay Willis @jaywillis.net · 31/08/2026
Laughed out loud at the section of the Supreme Court opinion upholding Trump's ballroom that's like, "And would you doubt the veracity of these SWORN DECLARATIONS that the ballroom is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY from a BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN TRUMP'S CABINET???" www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...
marks omitted)).
Nor is that all. The government has also presented dec-
larations from the Director of National Intelligence, the Di-
rector of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Director of the United
States Secret Service, and the Secretary of State, the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of the
Army, among others, attesting to national security and
other harms that would likely arise from enjoining a “sin-
gle, coherent” project that cannot be readily cleaved into
distinct below- and above-ground pieces. See, e.g., App. to
Application 229a, 246a–247a, 397a–398a, 426a–429a,
431a–433a, 437a–439a. The Secretary of the Army, for ex-
ample, represents that “[t]he height and mass” of the
planned above-ground ballroom are “crucial” to shield the
planned underground military installation “from kinetic
impacts,” and that, without such height and mass, “engi-
neers would need to dig impractically deep.” Id., at 247a
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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
For this week's Substack, I wrote about the phenomenon of "gradual escalation" as illustrated by the Milgram experiment, and why we are already well into the high-voltage shocks asharangappa.substack.com/p/will-todd-...
asharangappa.substack.com
Will Todd Blanche Get Confirmed? Ask Stanley Milgram
What the psychology behind "just following orders" tells us about changing course once you've already started down the wrong path.
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Seth Cotlar @sethcotlar.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
In his 2004 book, The Anatomy of Fascism, historian Robert Paxton identified the passions that had animated fascistic political cultures over the previous 80 years. These may sound familiar.
eelings t
hem "mobilizing passions":
• a sense of overwhelming crisis beyond the reach of any traditional solutions;
• the primacy of the group, toward which one has duties superior to every right, whether individual or universal, and the subordination of the individual to it;
• the belief that one's group is a victim, a sentiment that justifies any action, without legal or moral limits, against its enemies, both internal and external;
• dread of the group's decline under the corrosive effects of individualistic liberalism, class conflict, and alien influences;
• the need for closer integration of a purer community, by consent if possible, or by exclusionary violence if necessary;
• the need for authority by natural chiefs (always male), culminating in a national chieftain who alone is capable of incarnating the group's historical destiny;
• the superiority of the leader's instincts over abstract and universal
reason;
• the beauty of violence and the efficacy of will, when they are devoted to the group's success;
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The SAVE America Act mandates that all voters must bring to the polls specifically a photo ID which has proof of citizenship “on the front of the document.” So REAL IDs don’t count. If the ID does not precisely conform to that standard, you must also bring separate proof of citizenship.
SEC. 3. PHOTO VOTER
IDENTIFICATION
REQUIRED FOR
VOTING IN A FEDERAL ELECTION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Each
individual voting in an election for Federal office shall present an eligible photo identification document.
(b) PRESENTATION
REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) IN-PERSON
VOTING.—In the case of an individual who votes in-person, the eligible photo identification document shall
(A) be a tangible
(not digital) document; and
(B) be presented at the time of voting.(c) ELIGIBLE PHOTo
IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT.—For purposes of this section:
(1) IN GENERAL.—The
term "eligible photo identification document" means any document which
(A) is issued by an authority described in paragraph (2); and
(B) meets the requirements of paragraph (3).(3) REQUIREMENTS.—A
document meets the
requirements of this paragraph if the document contains
(A) a photograph of the individual identified on the document;
(B) an indication on the front of the document that the individual identified on the document is a United States citizen; and
(C) either
(1) an identification number issues by the entity described in paragraph
(2)(A); or
(11) the last four digits of the social security number of the individual identified on the document.(4) USE OF ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTATION.—
(A) USE OF ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTATION.—A document which fails to meet the requirements of paragraph (3)(B) shall not fail to be treated as an eligible photo identification document if the document is presented together with another identification document that indicates the individual is a United States citizen.
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Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Not a single word about how these tariffs violate both our WTO & USCMA obligations. Every time Trump does this, the NYT & other outlets simply write as if we live in an international vacuum, where the US has no obligations under signed, ratified international treaties. It's journalistic malpractice.
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
One year ago.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Vandals? Of course not. 99 years and 11 months ago in the Reflecting Pool. www.shorpy.com/node/3463?si...
Thirteen children in July 1926 in period swimming suits in the east end of the reflecting pool, along with a toy yacht, with the Lincoln Memorial in the foreground.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
It's Dombrowski v Pfister time (because of "the impropriety of appellees' invoking the statute in bad faith to impose continuing harassment in order to discourage appellants' [constitutionally-protected] activities").
youtube.com
Dombrowski v. Pfister Case Brief Summary | Law Case Explained
YouTube video by Quimbee
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Lindsay Beyerstein @beyerstein.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
This is the best indicator of Trump's declining cognition. He used to phrase these racist statements carefully to make it sound like he was only against the crooked members of his hated minority groups. He's been gradually losing the qualifiers and keeping the racism.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
A conversation that happened far too often in 1945 and 1946: "Dear, I've got an idea! Let's pick 'Veda' as the name for new daughter!" #MildredPierce #TCMParty
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
The actor playing the sailor in the passenger seat in Sam's crunched car? Blake Edwards. #TheStrangeLoveOfMarthaIvers #TCMParty #NoirAlley
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
I think Bernie Taupin read the book ("Love Lies Bleeding") or watched the movie: "Oh, it kills me to think of you with another man . . ." #noiralley #tcmparty #ThestrangelovesofMarthaIvers #GoodbyeYellowBrickRoad
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
That discussion at the local paper's morgue triggered a Model Code of Prof. Conduct Rule 3.7 (Advocate as Witness) moment. #thestrangeloveofmarthaivers #noiralley #tcmparty
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Doesn't it seem odd that - 48+ hours after it was first reported - the operative complaint filed by an ABC-TV affiliate against the FCC arising from retaliatory measures, is still not available, even when the complainant is a media company and the FCC has an online site for electronic comments?
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
The Trump regime keeps citing things that require an ID that do not, in fact, require an ID. They’re elitists who are out of touch with the lives of everyday Americans.
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Schooley @schooley.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Every splashy New York Times profile of a right wing influencer.
Bugs Bunny giving a monster a manicure, caption: My I'll bet you monsters lead interesting lives.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
This is my favorite excerpt from a U.S. Census log. The year is pretty easy to guess. But who can name the address?
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
So which chapter of the contracts law hornbook is most relevant: Formation (there never was a cease fire agreement)? Breach (someone broke the cease fire agreement)? Discharge (we no longer have to obey the cease fire agreement)? Or rescission (there should no longer be a cease fire agreement)?
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Periods before decimals matter, especially when they're left out. #RochesterMN #MarchStormMN
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Professa Murray @kalimurray.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
The real hero of the hour was Joe Neguse. Do you know how hard it is to explain: (a) no-bid contacts v.competitive bid contracts; (b) company incorporation; and (c) sub-contracting in FIVE minutes. As an Admin Nerd, I lost my mind.
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Governor Tim Walz @governorwalz.mn.gov · 25/02/2026
This has nothing to do with fraud. The agents Trump allegedly sent to investigate fraud are shooting protesters and arresting children. His DOJ is gutting the U.S. Attorney’s Office and crippling their ability to prosecute fraud. And every week Trump pardons another fraudster.
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Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
NEW: Don Lemon is set to be arraigned this week on charges tied to a protest at a church. The case has raised press freedom concerns. But the constitutional provision most likely to derail the indictment isn’t the First Amendment—it’s the Commerce Clause. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ www.lawfaremedia.org/article/minn...
lawfaremedia.org
Minnesota FACE Off: A Deep Dive Into the St. Paul Church Protest Case
Unpacking the Don Lemon indictment, its factual allegations, the elements the government must prove to convict, and the potential defenses available to the accused.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Here's an interesting alt-history thought experiment: Assume that, with Justice Garland rather than Justice Gorsuch, SCOTUS does not call political gerrymandering "a political question" in 2019 but declares it unlawful. Safe seats are fewer. Legislatures are less polarized. More voters matter.
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Nick Bednar @nicholasbednar.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
It's almost like having the right people is important for the president to accomplish his agenda. And if you create an environment in which the right people aren't willing to work for the government, nothing is going to get done.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
And the answer to the question on the minds of millions of movie and #Olympics fans - Yes. Francesca Lollobrigida is the great-niece of Gina. #TCMParty
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G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 01/02/2026
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Scott Shapiro @scottjshapiro.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
IF YOU ARE A LAWYER AND ARE INTERESTED IN BEING AN AUSA DM ME!
Trump yelling at kid mowing lawn meme
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☠°。Die Siebenschläfern *.゚☠ @sababausa.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
From ~1925–39, Mussolini was particularly obsessed with Albania, across the Adriatic Sea, professed Italy’s peaceful intention and sent thousands of lira in aid Then suddenly, in April 1939, Italy invaded and made Albania an annexed territory of Italy bibliotekanauki.pl/articles/103...
bibliotekanauki.pl
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Daniel Suitor @danielsuitor.com · 15/01/2026
At one point today, there were 283 Minnesota attorneys doing a training on how to file emergency habeas petitions to keep our neighbors from being shipped out of state and held indefinitely. That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
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Bill Corbett @billcorbett.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
People not in Minnesota: please read this excellent summary of what life is like in Minneapolis since the murderous scum ICE swarmed here. And more are on their way. By local reporter / writer / bike dude / legend @dbrauer.net .
Text: “A friend said those of us who live in Minneapolis should write about what's going on here for folks who live elsewhere. You need to know that whether you're a Republican, Independent or Democrat, the Constitution is being violated by our federal government. This is not about catching criminals, or even deporting people. It is about punishing an entire state, including
citizens, for not supporting the president. Everyone in my part of Minneapolis is affected. On our streets, ICE is stopping people of color and demanding their papers. In America. US citizens do not have to prove citizenship to ICE. Yet people are being intimidated, some cases beaten up and detained, for requiring ICE to follow the law. ICE needs a judicial warrant to enter homes. Yet there are documented cases of them
ignoring the law - violating a bedrock constitutional principle. Americans of color are staying home, afraid to go to work, school, to grocery shop, or fill their cars with gas. This isn't just "illegals" or immigrants with valid work permits, it is citizens who have had their cars rammed by ICE for merely looking Hispanic. Businesses are closing. Schools are 50 percent full. When they are open, fascists are calling in bomb threats because the
president decided to make us a meme. After a daycare teacher with a valid work permit (through 2030) was snatched from her workplace, parents (and grandparents) have had to organize to watch their SCHOOLS, to make sure conditional rights are observed. This is being repeated throughout Minnesota. Imagine trying to do your job or live you life while also taking volunteer shifts to make sure the federal
government doesn't act extrajudicially.
Because of ICE's documented abuses, neighbors have organized to monitor federal actions. This observation is legal, as long as it doesn't interfere with a valid action. Yet since ICE killed Renee Good, they are increasingly stopping this observation, breaking car windows and …”
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
America has had another Sandy Scheuer/Bill Schroeder moment. They were 2 of the 4 coeds killed by scared national guardsmen at Kent State, and fit few if any of the stereotypes that most attributed to antiwar protesters. This time, White House & Fox News created & spread the big lies about Renee.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
The opening scene on the train, with Jeff's conversation with a doctor, takes place in the pre-HIPAA car, where no federal regulations stand in the way of speedy plot development. #TCMParty #TheSecondWoman
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
The next true journalist who interviews Trump should show him a photo of this inscription on one of the #KennedyCenter 's walls, and ask Trump to tell us who Pericles, Phidias, and Lorenzo De Medici were, and what their contributions were to public life or progress in the arts. #NoJackKennedy
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Steve Liesman @steveliesman.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Remarkable. US attorney general Pam Bondi tweets out a chart showing deaths from drug overdoses plummeting and giving the president credit. “Elections have consequences,” she says. One problem. The data ends in Oct 2024. www.researchgate.net/publication/...
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Boris Dralyuk @bdralyuk.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Just heard Duke Ellington use a magnificent phrase in a 1974 BBC interview with Stanley Dance. Asked whether he regrets never having received a grant to sit at a university somewhere and compose in peace, he says he has no interest in such a stretch of “ornamental stagnation.”
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Rep. Joyce Beatty @repbeatty.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
media.tenor.com
a man in a military uniform is sitting in a chair holding a cigarette .
ALT: a man in a military uniform is sitting in a chair holding a cigarette .
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Eric Idle @ericidle.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Shocked by the awful death of Rob Reiner. I spoke with him for over an hour last night. We talked about his work and his plans for the future. I always enjoyed his company. We met at his Dad's in 1975. Last thing he said to me was "See you next year.." Such a terrible end. Such a sweet man.
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Two billion people say, when seeing Peter Cushing in movie, "I've seen that guy someplace before." #NoirAlley #TCMParty #CashOnDemand #ANewHope
media.tenor.com
a man stands in front of a star wars death star in a dark room
ALT: a man stands in front of a star wars death star in a dark room
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John M. Baker @jmbmn.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Busy bee! The rageaholic Swan couple melts down in #BestInShow #TCMParty
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Coming Up On TCM @comingupontcm.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
#ComingUpOnTCM BEST IN SHOW (2000) Fred Willard, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara Dir.: Christopher Guest 6:45 PM PT A behind-the-scenes look at the competitive and cut-throat world of dog shows. 1h 30m | Mockumentary | TV-14 #TCM #TCMParty
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MPR News @mprnews.org · 09/12/2025
Susan Tincher, a 55-year-old American citizen, said agents told her in the truck that if she didn’t watch herself “they were going to pull me over to the side of the road and give me this OC,” law enforcement shorthand for pepper spray.
mprnews.org
Federal agents arrest citizen observer watching ICE detain neighbors on her north Minneapolis block
Susan Tincher, a 55-year-old American citizen, appears to be the first observer arrested by federal immigration enforcement officers since the agency launched an immigration surge in the Twin Cities l...
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the babahuck @tylerhuckabee.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
we all got cowed into avoiding "virtue signaling" as if the public affirmation of socially agreed upon ethical principles was somehow cringey instead of a significant part of what a "society" even is. now all there's left is vice signaling, and it's reshaping society.
Tweet from Homeland Security with ICE agents wearing Christmas gear. The caption says "YOU'RE GOING HO HO HOME."
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Senator Ron Wyden @wyden.senate.gov · 05/12/2025
There is blood on the hands of Donald Trump, RFK, and every Republican who has allowed this sham to go on for far too long. When kids die unnecessarily and once-eradicated diseases darken the doors of terrified families and pediatricians, Americans will know who is responsible.
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Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 30/11/2025
"Never spread the lie in the headline" should be a hard rule of 21st century journalism. Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
How it started / How it’s going
The WHITE HOUSE
45
47
K PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS
RESTORING FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ENDING FEDERAL
CENSORSHIP
The White House
January 20, 2025The WHITE HOUSE
Offender Hall of Shame
A record of the media's false and misleading stories flagged by The White House. Scroll for the Truth.
The Washington Post
EXPOSED
OCBS
NEWS
EXPOSED
EXPOSED
i msnbc
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