A Minor Threat
When the War on Immigrants targets toddlers, cancer patients, and first-graders: a satirical look at immigration policy in Trump's America.
– Joe Pagliarulo
Undocumented immigrants are arrested for violent crimes at rates far lower than legal migrants or native-born citizens, but the number is not zero. Politicizing the murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student killed by a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally, Trump was swept back into office in part on the promise to conduct mass deportations. His campaign promised a focus “on immigrants who have committed crimes.”
While far from the 11 million undocumented immigrants he vowed to expel, Trump has had some success ridding the country of "dangerous" criminals. For example, we can all rest easier knowing that “VML,” as she is referenced in court papers, was deported swiftly, her menace neutralized.
VML is at a stage in life when defiance is common and authority is regularly questioned. People at this age are known to be disrupters of society, threatening the economy as they turn quiet evenings at local restaurants into chaotic scenes. They are lazy freeloaders with an unemployment rate that approaches 100%.
Under weaker Presidents, VML, born two years ago in Louisiana, would have been considered a citizen and protected from a deportation “with no meaningful process.” Trump ended the protections of birthright citizenship with a stroke of his Sharpie, declaring in an Executive Order that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution did not mean to include the children of undocumented immigrants when it stated that “all persons born…in the United States…are citizens of the United States”.
Thanks to the swift actions of the INS, VML was removed from the country before the courts could meddle in the process. Because he refused to turn himself in, the girl’s father, who was not required to be at the routine check-in appointment at the New Orleans immigration office where his family was taken into custody, was prohibited from coordinating his child’s care with his partner. ICE also refused to honor a temporary transfer of legal authority to the girl’s Aunt who is a US citizen. A judge tried to speak with the girl’s mother but she had already been released to Honduras.
Trump administration’s decisive governance shone again when they acted swiftly to rid the country of a sickly four-year-old who was born in the United States illegally. While some would have allowed the process to be slowed down so that the doctors treating this child for Stage 4 cancer could be consulted, Trump understands that the right to life ends at birth and sent this family on their way. Officials did not even wait for his medications to be gathered. That is decisiveness.
Some woke, radical leftist, Marxist politicians are too busy promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to understand how much of a threat immigrants pose to our country as we enter Trump’s Golden Age. In Los Angeles, school district Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho had the audacity to deny entry to Federal officials at two LAUSD schools because they would not present signed judicial warrants.
Carvalho has complained that it was "a falsehood" when these agents from Homeland Security told principals at the schools that "caretakers of these students [had] authorized them to go to the school." How is law enforcement supposed to do their job of protecting citizens if facts, ethics, and the Constitution bind them?
Before Trump, our “stupid” leaders have refused to enter schools and other “sensitive locations” to capture these elementary school criminals While these rules were put into place to ensure access to “essential services,” why do children awaiting rulings on their refugee status need an education, health care or to practice their religion?
The Constitution should only apply to citizens. What’s next? Access to legal services as these kids negotiate their way through the court system?
Carvalho wants to know “how a first-, second-, third-, fourth- or sixth-grader would pose any type of risk to the national security of our nation that would require Homeland Security to deploy its agents to elementary schools,” as if an eight year old has never been charged with murder. Sure, the cases of this happening are exceedingly rare, but would you want to risk the lives of your family by letting these children run free?
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Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, and serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD’s District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him “a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles.” For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own.
About the Creator
Carl J. Petersen
Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for students with SpEd needs and public education. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD’s District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Opinions are his own.
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County School Board Punts
“Why is accountability too much to ask of charter schools?” – Steven Singer, Gadfly On The Wall Under AB 1505, the decision to uphold the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) vote to close down the Crete Academy Charter School should have been easy. Unfortunately, the unelected Board of the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has a history of overlooking charter school failures. I, therefore, took the opportunity to remind them of their responsibilities to students and taxpayers before they considered the appeal of the Crete Academy Charter School on Tuesday, May 13, 2025:
By Carl J. Petersen8 months ago in The Swamp
Berlin Suspects ‘Leftwing Extremists’ of Causing Huge Power Outage
Berlin authorities are investigating whether leftwing extremist groups were responsible for a major power outage that plunged large parts of the German capital into darkness, disrupting transport networks, businesses, and essential services. The incident has raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and has sparked renewed debate over political extremism and domestic security in Germany. The outage, which occurred suddenly and without warning, affected thousands of households and commercial districts, temporarily halting public transport and forcing emergency services to activate contingency plans. While electricity was gradually restored, officials say the scale and nature of the disruption point to possible deliberate sabotage rather than a technical fault. What Happened During the Blackout The power outage struck parts of Berlin during peak hours, cutting electricity to residential areas, offices, traffic systems, and sections of the city’s rail network. Subway lines were suspended, traffic lights went dark at busy intersections, and shops and offices were forced to close early. Hospitals and critical facilities switched to backup generators, preventing major medical emergencies, but authorities acknowledged that the situation could have been far worse if the outage had lasted longer. Residents described scenes of confusion as commuters were stranded and mobile phone networks became overloaded. While power was restored within hours, the disruption left the city shaken and searching for answers. Suspicion of Deliberate Sabotage Berlin police and security agencies quickly ruled out routine equipment failure after initial assessments. Investigators discovered signs suggesting intentional damage to power infrastructure, prompting officials to consider sabotage as a leading possibility. City authorities later confirmed that they suspect leftwing extremist groups may be behind the incident. Germany has a history of radical activist movements targeting infrastructure to protest capitalism, energy policy, housing shortages, and state authority. “These acts go far beyond protest,” a senior security official said. “If confirmed, this would represent a serious criminal attack on public infrastructure with potentially dangerous consequences.” No group has yet claimed responsibility, and the investigation remains ongoing. Why Leftwing Extremists Are Under Scrutiny Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has long monitored leftwing extremist networks, particularly in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Leipzig. These groups often oppose private energy companies, large corporations, and government policies, sometimes advocating direct action rather than peaceful protest. In the past, such groups have been linked to: Sabotage of construction projects Attacks on corporate property Disruption of transport and logistics While most leftwing activism in Germany is non-violent, authorities warn that small radical factions are increasingly willing to engage in criminal acts to attract attention to their causes. Officials stress that the investigation does not target lawful protest movements but focuses on individuals or groups suspected of engaging in illegal and dangerous actions. Impact on the City The blackout caused significant economic and social disruption. Businesses reported financial losses due to forced closures, while transport delays rippled across the city for hours. Tourists and residents alike were affected, particularly in central districts. Public trust was also shaken. Berliners are accustomed to protests and political demonstrations, but a citywide power outage triggered fears about security and preparedness. Urban planners and security experts say the incident highlights how modern cities are deeply dependent on fragile infrastructure, where even a single point of failure — intentional or accidental — can have widespread consequences. Political Reactions and Public Debate The suspected sabotage has triggered sharp reactions across Germany’s political spectrum. Government officials condemned any attack on public infrastructure, warning that such actions endanger lives and undermine democratic society. Conservative politicians called for stronger surveillance and tougher penalties for extremist crimes, while left-leaning parties cautioned against broad accusations that could stigmatize peaceful activists. Civil liberties groups emphasized the importance of distinguishing between legitimate protest and criminal extremism, warning that overreach could harm democratic freedoms. Despite differing views, there is broad consensus that sabotaging power systems crosses a clear line and cannot be justified as political expression. Security and Infrastructure Concerns The outage has renewed concerns about the security of Germany’s energy networks. Experts note that while cyberattacks often dominate headlines, physical sabotage remains a serious and sometimes underestimated threat. Energy providers and city authorities are now reviewing security protocols, including: Physical protection of substations Surveillance and monitoring systems Rapid response coordination between police and utility companies Germany, like many European countries, is under pressure to modernize infrastructure while also defending it against both physical and digital threats. A Broader European Context The Berlin incident comes amid growing anxiety across Europe about attacks on critical infrastructure. In recent years, authorities have reported attempted sabotage of rail lines, communication cables, and energy facilities in several countries. Security analysts say rising political polarization, climate activism, and economic pressures have contributed to a more volatile protest landscape. While most activists reject violence, authorities warn that extremist fringes on both the left and right are becoming more confrontational. Berlin’s case is now being closely watched by other European capitals as a test of preparedness and response. Investigation Ongoing Police have launched a wide-ranging investigation involving forensic analysis, surveillance footage, and intelligence cooperation. Officials say arrests are possible but caution that identifying suspects in infrastructure sabotage cases can take time. Authorities have urged the public not to speculate or spread misinformation while the investigation continues. They also reassured residents that there is no immediate threat of further outages, though security remains heightened. Conclusion The massive power outage in Berlin has exposed the vulnerability of urban infrastructure and reignited debate over political extremism and public safety. While investigators have yet to confirm responsibility, the suspicion of leftwing extremist involvement has raised serious questions about how far radical activism may be willing to go. As Berlin returns to normal, the incident serves as a stark reminder: in an interconnected city, attacks on infrastructure are not symbolic acts — they have real consequences for millions of people. The outcome of the investigation will likely shape future security policy and how Germany balances civil protest with the protection of essential public services.
By Muhammad Hassan7 days ago in The Swamp
'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan6 days ago in Beat
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