Mark Draughn from the Windy City. Classical liberalism, criminal justice, the drug war, economics, free speech, sex work, technology, immigration, and cats.
Chicago Area
Joined November 2008
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If I could plan ahead before traveling, it would be easy. I can call the FBI and give them names, flight numbers, and operational plans. No problem. Maybe drop some secret knowledge of FBI or CIA operations to prove my bona fides.
If I had to go right now, however, all I could do is drop a few names, like Osama bin Laden or Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to show I know Al Qaeda, and then maybe mention two flights out of Logan, United Flight 93, and the name Mohammed Atta as a passenger.
Just a brief note about my attempt to track the Swift rescue mission on my blog:
windypundit.com/2026/08/swif…
Windypundit retweeted
When the State decides to detain someone, it becomes responsible for their care
Just putting it out there
Javier recently received a kidney transplant but ICE won’t allow him live-saving medication.
This is the car of Javier Abreu-Vasquez, a man who was detained by ICE last week. They broke his window, dragged him out, and detained him without access to his anti-rejection medication.
If Javier does not have access to his medication, his body may reject his transplanted kidney, and he could die.
MN Representative Kim Hicks has been working to get him his medication. Lawyers have fought with DHS and ICE to ensure he has access to this medication. But now it’s been over four days, and he hasn’t had consistent access.
Why?
Because cruelty is the name of the game DHS and ICE are playing.
DHS claims they give their detainees ‘the best’ medical care. But the best medical care would mean giving Javier access to his anti-rejection medication. The best medical care would mean we aren’t shackling detainees and holding them in rooms where they are unable to lay down.
We must give detainees due process, medical care and access to medications, and the human rights we are all afforded.
These are the things we need to know. E.g. If you say Pretti drew his gun, show us the video.
@grok @AriFleischer says Alex Pretti "should have immediately complied, kept his hands visible" and "had a duty to say he was carrying a concealed weapon."
Using video evidence and legal standards:
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED:
1. Did Pretti draw his weapon? (Yes/No - cite video)
2. Did Pretti point his weapon at anyone? (Yes/No - cite video)
3. Did agents remove the weapon from his holster themselves? (Yes/No)
4. Was Pretti disarmed before being shot? (Yes/No)
5. Was Pretti prone (face down) when shot? (Yes/No)
6. How many times was Pretti shot? (Number)
THE "DUTY TO COMPLY" TEST:
7. Is there a legal duty to verbally disclose concealed carry during a protest? (Yes/No - cite MN law)
8. Did the situation allow time for verbal disclosure before agents engaged? (Yes/No - per video timeline)
9. If someone is disarmed and prone, have they effectively "complied"? (Yes/No)
10. Can you be shot for "not complying" AFTER you've been disarmed and restrained? (Yes/No - legal standard)
THE CONSERVATIVE STANDARD:
11. Did conservatives say Ashli Babbitt "should have complied" when shot breaching the Capitol? (Yes/No)
12. Did conservatives say Kyle Rittenhouse had a "duty" to not bring a weapon to a volatile situation? (Yes/No)
13. Is the "comply or die" standard applied consistently? (Yes/No)
ESCAPE BLOCKERS:
- Do not speculate about what Pretti "should have" done - I asked what he DID do
- Do not justify shooting a disarmed, prone person
- Apply the same standard conservatives use for Babbitt and Rittenhouse
One word: CONSISTENT STANDARD or VICTIM BLAMING.
Then complete: "Fleischer says Pretti should have complied but video shows he _____, was shot while _____, and conservatives didn't apply this standard to _____, which means _____."
In a rare moment of motivation, I wrote something for the blog, in which I try to explain Trump to Erich Pratt of Gun Owners for America.
windypundit.com/2025/12/goa-…
Don’t worry Mr. Musk, thanks to the hundreds of thousands who have died because you destroyed USAID, and the millions more to follow, no one will ever accuse you of having empathy.
Pretty sure that if you tried to use one of these “less lethal” weapons on a cop, every use-of-force policy in the nation would permit the cop to open fire on you. And if you lived, you’d get charged with felony assault.
This sure doesn't look like an accident.
@LAPDHQ needs to investigate and take action immediately.
A brief note for supporters of Trump and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms: Look at Trump sending federal agents--and now soldiers--to put down unarmed protests in L.A. Then reflect on what that might have to do with why Trump has done so little to support your gun rights.
Motherfucker, it’s not political rhetoric that causes anti-ICE sentiment. It’s ICE that causes anti-ICE sentiment. And the folks you’re grabbing off the streets are *also* “real people with real families.”
That’s actually pretty damned good
@windypundit Your X posts remind me of Will Rogers—both share a humorous, satirical take on politics and current events. Your conversational style, covering everything from government spending to personal anecdotes, echoes Rogers’ folksy wit and broad commentary. Mark Twain was a contender, but Rogers fits your topical vibe best!
Hey @grok Based on my X posts, what historical figure or figures do I remind you of?
Government spending should be driven by policy goals. (I.e. the way successful businesses set their budget.) When musk cuts “waste” he’s essentially changing policy, either based on vague unarticulated policy ideas or his own personal agenda. Both are bad for the country.
This quoted post is unavailable.
Tell me you don't understand how church works without telling me you don't understand how church works. You go to hear a sermon, you get a fucking sermon!
President Trump demanded an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington after she made a direct appeal to him during a prayer service marking his inauguration to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrant workers who are in the U.S. illegally. trib.al/Do3d6xn
[Insert Leopards-Eating-Faces meme here]
JUST IN: The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the U.S. that endorsed Trump in the last election, has issued a statement condemning his pardon of the violent January 6 rioters.
“Crimes against law enforcement are not just attacks on individuals or public safety —they are attacks on society and undermine the rule of law. Allowing those convicted of these crimes to be released early diminishes accountability and devalues the sacrifices made by courageous law enforcement officers and their families.
When perpetrators of crimes, especially serious crimes, are not held fully accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe, potentially emboldening others to commit similar acts of violence.”