Brian Straw

Kids have an incredible sense of right and wrong. We would all do well to listen to our kids more often.

This morning, I focused on my parents' reaction, but I had another really important conversation a year ago today. @shannonstraw.bsky.social and I talked to our kids and asked them what we should do.

When federal judges pick the top prosecutor (like they did in Chicago), who gets to say "you're fired"? A federal appeals court is set to weigh in. From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/10...

A year ago I got what I originally thought was a scam call. The caller claimed to be FBI, said that I had been indicted for a conspiracy, and told me to schedule a time to self surrender if I did not want to be arrested at my home. It was not a scam call, at least not in the manner I suspected.

But a couple hours after I told my parents I got a short email from my dad: I am proud of you! The times are hard. You have stood up for what we all believe in. Now is the time for all of us to look to stand up to the tyranny that is being pushed upon us.

It's sad that this is the first time I've heard of a right triangle day... and it is likely the last one I will ever see!

🧵 from one of the Broadview Six, my friend @brianstraw.bsky.social

"[P]art of the throughline of this ride is we’re going to ride infrastructure that, in some ways, has been made possible by all these kids coming out and participating in the decision-making process in our village,” said Eriksen.

Bike Walk Oak Park and @ericksoen.bsky.social is hosting a fun (read: all ages and abilities) bike bus to “Roll to the Polls” for early voting on 10/25 from 1 to 2 PM. The ride will highlight some of the awesome bike/pedestrian infrastructure that’s been installed in Oak Park over the last year!

Remember! Just because the dead can’t vote in Cook County anymore doesn’t mean they don’t like being invited along for the ride! Check your tires. Check your judges! Tell your friends! And let’s ride!

None of us has a responsibility to be a hero, but each of us has a moral imperative in this moment to respond with empathy and do what we can to stand up for our neighbors.

In some ways, I agree with @brianstraw.bsky.social that it feels like 10 years. On the other hand, everything from one year ago—the constant alerts of the presence of federal agents, the abduction of our neighbors in broad daylight, the start of this case—feels so fresh.

Holy moly, a *majority* of evangelical Christians believe empathy is bad

Listen all the way to the end. Folks who swear by Christian Nationalist ideologies lack a basic understanding of our Constitution.

It's great to be a fucking wolverine.

The answer is: 1 Zacharia = 5/11 of a Scaramucci

If the crock of shit juror ever wanted to step forward, I would love to buy them a beer/coffee/ice cream/whatever! I really believe that the grand jurors who, over multiple days refused to indict despite extraordinary pressure from prosecutors are unsung heroes of this whole mess.

It's great to be a fucking wolverine.

I’m sorry to have to be the bad guy here but we need to recognize that we live in a compressed air thrusters world now. If you’re not finding ways to teach the critical use of compressed air thrusters in your classroom, you’re setting your students up to fail when you could be setting them up to fly

If the crock of shit juror ever wanted to step forward, I would love to buy them a beer/coffee/ice cream/whatever! I really believe that the grand jurors who, over multiple days refused to indict despite extraordinary pressure from prosecutors are unsung heroes of this whole mess.

This exchange happened a year ago today. What a wild year it's been.

Marjorie Taylor Greene comes out with a statement opposing the raid on Ilhan Omar before Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democratic Party

And probably the best comments of the night (paraphrased): “OP has long had many housing options that made it possible to find a new place to live that fit our needs when our circumstances change without having to leave Oak Park” Yassss

Oak Park is considering major zoning changes to address housing affordability. While Wright's buildings would remain protected by Oak Park's Historic Preservation Ordinance, we stress the importance of preservation easements & ongoing advocacy to safeguard this legacy. buff.ly/u53oyuh

I do not regret to inform you that the wolves are wolving these days... tracker.oak-park-bikes.com

The federal judge considering potential sanctions in the “Broadview Six” case made discovery requests to the US attorney’s office Friday, demanding any written communications with anyone outside the office regarding “investigatory or charging decisions”... www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/09/b...

Look at these gorgeous little nonconformities!

Ever since the "Broadview 6" scandal broke, much has been made of alleged misconduct by one federal prosecutor. Judge April Perry is going a different direction, testing claims made by U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and others. UPDATED from @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/1...

"Testimony from witnesses may be requested at a later time."

Among other things, Perry asks for "the October 14, 2025 email sent to U.S. Attorney Boutros attaching the October 9, 2025 Grand Jury transcript and any replies to or forwards of that email." She also wants metadata.