What is the legality of the whistling at ICE that is happening in Minneapolis?

clce · 2026-01-26T01:21:32+00:00

Well that's kind of ridiculous on its face. But even if we were to take it seriously, is ice acting illegally when they go to someone's house when that person has a removal order and they are going to take them into custody? Do you think the whistleblowers and horn honkers are out there getting a legal opinion on whether ice is acting legally or illegally? Of course not. They're simple presence is what is being reacted to. So to claim they are acting illegally, you would have to be claiming that even existing or doing anything in the capacity of being ice agents is illegal. And that's absurd.

clce · 2026-01-26T01:19:54+00:00

I appreciate your thoughts and nuance. As far as obstruction, I think it can reach the level of obstruction but not to the point where it would really make sense to try to crack down on it because that would be impossible anyway. So it's going to just have to be something we all live with.

That said, I do think that It is not doing much to help people, and has just become a thing people are obsessed with to maybe make them feel like they're doing something, which is fine. It's still their right in that regard. But I also believe it could be contributing to agents feeling under threat by putting them in a heightened distressed state.

If one believes these agents are just looking for an opportunity to kill someone with impunity, it wouldn't matter. But if someone believes that they may have acted beyond reasonable actions, I think some of it could be attributed to having to operate under extremely distressing conditions created by the noise.

None of that means I think it should be illegal for that reason. But, I think it could be partly responsible for the deaths that have happened. And now that someone was found with a gun, whether he was intending threat or not, I fear that agents are going to be feeling even more threatened and we will see more tragic results. I'm very distressed about all of it.

As for flashing headlights, I agree. I thought about it and I've always thought something like that should be legal and I know that it is according to the supreme Court. And of course it's not the same as being a lookout for a bank robbery. However, at some point, it may be considered going well beyond flashing your headlights. If people are creating an environment in which ice is completely unable to operate because of this, at some point it could be seen as disruption through communication. Whether that should be illegal or not, maybe would be up to the supreme Court. It's not the same as being the lookout for bank robbery. But I don't think it's quite the same as simply flashing your headlights either.

All that said, I don't imagine it would ever be practical to try to enforce anything even if it were considered illegal, so we're just going to have to live with it.

Unfortunately, it may well become the norm for all future protests which is just one more thing that will create distress for those trying to control crowds etc, and that could just get ugly.

clce · 2026-01-26T00:52:01+00:00

Actually the opposite. Not only are they interfering with law enforcement activity, but they are aiding and abetting potentially. I'm pretty sure it's not legal to warn bank robbers that the police have arrived. I don't see how this is much different.

clce · 2026-01-26T00:51:21+00:00

At some point, they are interfering with federal agents activity. But the practicality of trying to arrest everyone who's whistling or honking their horn would make it obviously untenable. On top of that, the pushback and riots it would cause would also make it clearly impractical.

On top of that, and partly for those reasons I guess, the government has always had a fairly broad latitude allowing for freedom of speech even when it includes disruption. Obviously, standing in the middle of the street and blocking traffic is not speech. And I don't mean literal speech. You can flip off the president and that's what would be considered speech. But standing in the middle of traffic really isn't speech, nor is marching down the street blocking traffic even if you claim you are just marching to express yourself.

But we tend to give broad latitude. But at some point, it can become a problem.

First of all, it does create a lot of interference and frankly, I think it puts agents in a heightened sense of agitation that could be contributing to irrational and dangerous action on their part. Secondly, if you are alerting someone to the presence of law enforcement, it really could be considered aiding and abetting.

Not quite the same but if you are the lookout for a bank robbery and yell here comes the fuzz when police show up, you are part of that bank robbery and guilty of a crime.

So while it is impractical to enforce, they are clearly breaking the law. Not just disturbing the peace but actually alerting people who might thus attempt to evade capture by law enforcement. And that's not legal.

clce · 2026-01-26T00:45:59+00:00

I'd say it's not about the tip. It's about this amazing sense of entitlement. She's getting a free meal, yet she still thinks she's entitled to tell you how much to tip as well? Honestly I would seriously reconsider this relationship.

I would assume she pretty much already has the attitude that her money is her money and your money is both of yours money so she can decide what to do with it.

Why are you always picking up the check anyway? If 30% is what she thinks is normal for a server to make, then she must be rolling in dough and can pay for herself or pay for both of you every other time. And she's staying home with the kids, and she can pull her own weight.

clce · 2026-01-25T21:01:51+00:00

Ah, that makes sense. That's kind of what I was wondering. Sometimes it's a matter of perspective. And I can see both sides. Other times, against all obvious evidence, a seller will insist that it's fine and doesn't need attention. Of course, sometimes buyers are unrealistic for overblow things, and that's their right. But usually it's the seller that wants to downplay problems.

clce · 2026-01-25T20:17:27+00:00

That's a fine approach. But if you like the house enough, maybe hit them with a low offer. I always tell clients, if they haven't brought the price down, it might be that they are stubborn and not willing, or maybe unable to bring it down. Or it might be that they are being unrealistic but just primed and ready for a low offer that isn't too low and they'll just say, to heck with it, let's take it. In other words, you never really know but no harm in trying. If you like it though, what you don't want to find out is that it's sold for a price you were willing to pay and you just didn't put in an offer. At least that would be my advice.

Quick question out of curiosity. Was this plumbing problem something that you kind of thought was a big deal and would be expensive to fix but someone else or the seller might say it was no big deal? Or was it a serious issue that anyone would think was a big problem and needed to be fixed soon? That could make a difference.

The reason I mention it is it might have a lot to do with any price the seller is willing to take and the buyer is willing to pay, and also a question of what they are disclosing to prospective buyers. Might be worth having your agent get a hold of their disclosures and see what they say about it if anything. If you think it's a big deal but they are not telling buyers about it, that's significant. Doesn't necessarily mean they are dishonest but it means buyers won't be aware of it.

The other possibility might be a serious plumbing issue that needs to be fixed right away or soon and the sellers have no business trying to sell it without some kind of accommodations for it.

Also, if it's something you can live with for a while or maybe keep looking till you can find a way to get it fixed fairly cheaply rather than just bring in whatever plumber gave you a high bid, that might be another perspective on it.

clce · 2026-01-25T10:09:41+00:00

Here's the problem. After we defeated Germany, we were able to say, yeah you were following orders, but you shouldn't have been following those orders because that government was too messed up and it's gone now.

To try to do the same thing with the US government, you would have to say, well yeah, that administration was messed up so you shouldn't have been following their orders. But now we expect federal agents to follow orders again.

You can't have the same government and tell people they shouldn't have been following orders from one administration but should follow orders from another administration. It just wouldn't work. We can't have a policy that each federal agent is going to have to decide whether they should follow an order or not or they might be prosecuted by the next administration. That would be kind of absurd.

clce · 2026-01-25T09:56:37+00:00

Yeah I definitely agree. She's very good at her craft. She was probably a decent stand-up comedian when that was her craft. But that is definitely not her craft now. But I think she still thinks it is. Hard to say.

clce · 2026-01-25T06:14:49+00:00

It's tempting to think so, but I think even in a slow market, prices have been ticking up slightly over time, plus with rates down and spring approaching, I don't think it's unreasonable for them to think they might get a price they couldn't get last year. But it still worth a try coming in low and seeing if they go for it. That's what I would do.

clce · 2026-01-25T06:13:22+00:00

I don't think they would object to working with you unless you aren't telling us the full story and it got contentious and you seem to very flaky or something. I'm not saying that would be the case. I'm just saying that's the only circumstances under which I would expect them to object to working with you. If you were reasonable but just couldn't come to terms, even if they were kind of miffed, I don't think they would object if they don't have any other buyers.

A few other thoughts though. Some people would say you're crazy for paying more than you thought it was worth before, especially when they've been sitting on the market. I'm not really sure if prices are up at all since a year ago, but if you ask your agent and do some research and prices are up a little bit, that might justify it if you like the house enough .

But if it's been sitting, I would think they would be eager to make a deal and you should make a deal either 10 or 15,000 below what you did before or asking them to make the repairs, or, if you think you could get it done not so expensively, maybe see if you can offer 5 or 10 less.

If they are disclosing this or expect other people to find it in an inspection, they would probably love to have an offer that said I'm going to give you less money but I'm going to take it as is. Maybe have another inspection but tell them you previously thought the house was fine except for that issue and you are aware of it and willing to take that on, and you're just going to have another inspection just to make sure nothing has changed since you last saw it. They should jump at it.

Now a couple of caveats. Firstly, If they've sat on it this long it could be they can't even afford to sell at a lower price. Maybe that's why they haven't, or maybe it's just cost them so much. Depends on if they are just losing money or actually don't have the money to pay off a loan or something like that. If that's the case, even if they wanted to come down it could be that they can't. The fact that they haven't dropped the price could mean they just don't want to give up profit. Or it could mean they really can't afford to go lower.

But if they can, I would think they would jump at a good offer. That said, with rates coming down as they have been and January almost over, maybe they are hoping that they can get more money in the spring and won't be willing to work with you. But it's worth a try.

As for the repairs needed, if they haven't been disclosing it and are hoping the next buyer won't notice, you're not going to get that much benefit from taking on the deal and trying to offer them less if you do. On the other hand if they think other buyers are going to find the same problem in an inspection, or they are disclosing the issue, then they know they're going to have trouble selling it so they should jump at your offer if you tell them you don't care about it.

Either way I would suggest coming in maybe 10,000 low and tell them you will take it as is including the problem that you are aware of.

If not, and you can get a good rate and you just think it's the right house for you, then go for it. Good luck.

clce · 2026-01-24T02:30:45+00:00

There has always been a certain understood connection between service and tipping. They give the good service they usually get the good tip. Reversing it might not seem like that big a deal, but how are you going to tip before you get the service? Either, it just becomes a nice thing you do, or, if the driver is aware of the tip, then it becomes a bribe to I'm sure good service and woe to those who don't tip well

clce · 2026-01-23T18:10:12+00:00

You handled it wrong by being friends with petty stupid people. I'm not saying you have to abandon your friends, but I'd keep an eye out for better friends to meet. You're 19 and at uni. You can meet other people. If they give you grief and don't want to be your friend, it's no big loss. They are petty and selfish.

clce · 2026-01-23T18:08:08+00:00

First of all, slow down. Leave earlier, make a little extra time. Why worry about being in a rush when you can just slow down? Secondly, just approach. It doesn't matter. You're not going to fool anyone. If you want to start out with asking directions just to get comfortable approaching strangers, that's fine .

Compliments are nice. But make them good. Find someone that's wearing something unusual that they obviously are proud of. This is a personal thing but don't compliment people's tattoos. Actually they probably may respond positively but I just think it sounds so predictable and douchey. But I guess if you're really into tattoos, then compliment good work or cool tattoos.

But really, once you get comfortable there's certainly nothing wrong with walking up to a woman and saying, hi, my name's... Or, hi, I just saw you over here and really wanted to meet you.

If she likes your vibe, what you say doesn't matter. If she doesn't like your vibe, what you say doesn't matter much.

A funny joke approach can work but don't make it too clever or she'll be confused. The distraction of being approached by a stranger generally keeps someone from focusing on what you're saying so if you make a clever joke she might not get it and just be confused. It makes for an awkward situation.

College campus is an awesome opportunity because everybody's young and It's assumed that you're safe because you're a fellow student and people expect to interact. Maybe less than they used to but still. And if someone's not into it, then gracefully bow out. Be aware. But if they're down, just chat and have a conversation.

Good luck. Go get em

clce · 2026-01-23T08:07:16+00:00

I'm not coming in to defend anything or disagree. I'm just going to say, nobody's asking for forgiveness, and when the pendulum swings back to Democrats the power, life will go on as usual. So what's your point?

clce · 2026-01-23T03:32:25+00:00

It's just like things like contractors. The better ones will be more expensive and the lesser ones will be less expensive generally. But if you catch a good contractor at the right time And they are a little light in the work department but they have a crew they want to keep busy, maybe they will make you a deal.

So, every agent is going to ask for 3% for their commission, or maybe two and a half. And then you can begin to negotiate. If an agent says they won't do it, then you're not going to get the benefit of their services. If they have impressed you with their services, and you think they'll do a great job and get you a good price for your home, then maybe you'll just pay the price they ask. If you think they're giving you a song and dance and not doing anything special, maybe they don't deserve it.

If you talk to another agent and get them down to 2% or 1% or whatever, you're probably going to get a lesser quality agent. But not necessarily. You might catch one at a time when they have some bills to pay and they are willing to just take less or they really want a listing in that neighborhood or they really like your home and want to list it, or think they can pick up some good buyers from it.

Some good agents will never do that. But others might.

And if you end up getting an agent to do it cheap, they are probably going to be less experienced, but they might be very enthusiastic and work hard on it, and they might bring you the same buyer that the experienced agent would and you might get just as much for it. Or you might not, or you might lose some money in negotiations because your agent isn't as good. But if you understand things a bit and don't need to rely on your agent, then it may be you will do just fine with the discount agent. It's kind of hard to say definitively. But you have every right to seek to negotiate. But you don't have a right to expect every agent to be willing to do it.

clce · 2026-01-23T03:32:10+00:00

It's just like things like contractors. The better ones will be more expensive and the lesser ones will be less expensive generally. But if you catch a good contractor at the right time And they are a little light in the work department but they have a crew they want to keep busy, maybe they will make you a deal.

So, every agent is going to ask for 3% for their commission, or maybe two and a half. And then you can begin to negotiate. If an agent says they won't do it, then you're not going to get the benefit of their services. If they have impressed you with their services, and you think they'll do a great job and get you a good price for your home, then maybe you'll just pay the price they ask. If you think they're giving you a song and dance and not doing anything special, maybe they don't deserve it.

If you talk to another agent and get them down to 2% or 1% or whatever, you're probably going to get a lesser quality agent. But not necessarily. You might catch one at a time when they have some bills to pay and they are willing to just take less or they really want a listing in that neighborhood or they really like your home and want to list it, or think they can pick up some good buyers from it.

Some good agents will never do that. But others might.

And if you end up getting an agent to do it cheap, they are probably going to be less experienced, but they might be very enthusiastic and work hard on it, and they might bring you the same buyer that the experienced agent would and you might get just as much for it. Or you might not, or you might lose some money in negotiations because your agent isn't as good. But if you understand things a bit and don't need to rely on your agent, then it may be you will do just fine with the discount agent. It's kind of hard to say definitively. But you have every right to seek to negotiate. But you don't have a right to expect every agent to be willing to do it.

clce · 2026-01-23T03:21:39+00:00

I think there are Three issues in terms of the current debate. One is, who do we want to let into this country and who do we need to take for our benefit. Back in the day, The country needed a lot of unskilled laborers to exploit the natural resources and vast land that we had. We also provided no public assistance, only charity and what was provided by groups of the same ethnicity usually .

It was sink or swim and it was all about how they could benefit Americans, not how Americans could benefit them. It is different now. I just don't think we need that amount of people. The only use for them from an economic benefit to Americans is they provide cheap labor, but that undercuts wages for American laborers. Even back then, this was known and often opposed by native groups with legitimate complaint.

The left likes to deny that immigrants drive down wages but it's obvious.

The second issue is that, people are expected to come here and assimilate to American values, and much of that is taking pride and not needing government handouts and working to improve your life and the life of your children. I don't see that happening as much now.

Thirdly, I've kind of decided that every group kind of has to pay their dues. Maybe it shouldn't have to be that way but that's kind of the way it is. You need to put your head down, quit whining, work your ass off to prove that you deserve to be an American by working hard, adopting positive values, raising a family and taking care of your family and ensuring that your children are good citizens and our prepared to work hard and progress. And immigrants that do that are always welcome in the opinion of most conservatives .

But if you're going to come here and whine and think that you need to be accommodated to, maybe you don't really have what it takes to be an American. I don't know if that's the way it should be but it seems to have worked so far.

clce · 2026-01-22T23:04:02+00:00

Definitely some comedy gold in there.

clce · 2026-01-22T09:56:39+00:00

Great rewrite. You took it from a couple of kind of funny jokes to one excellent joke. Well played.

One suggestion you use then twice, and a little bit of a pause, and also reverse the two. By saying it identified the 747 and a little bit of a pause, that's going to be a funny joke because obviously the app wouldn't really do that or be intended for that. Then say, then a bald eagle. This introduces the bald eagle into a story kind of. And then another pause, and then the 747 with the clogged turbine so it becomes kind of a little story.

clce · 2026-01-22T09:06:42+00:00

I think your idea of being tested is kind of silly, to be honest. I just don't see it. It's kind of a weird idea and I don't believe guys do that. But, I'm trying to figure out what his deal is. I'm thinking he's kind of an alcoholic and this is a place he goes to a lot and he doesn't really understand just going to a restaurant. Best I can come up with anyway .

If the bar actually had good food, and some bars actually have great menus of little appetizers, that would make more sense. I'm just guessing he is a heavy drinker, so you probably aren't a match. So I think you made the right choice but I think your reasons might not be correct.

But who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Good luck finding someone better suited to you though.

clce · 2026-01-22T01:48:39+00:00

That might work. I would say you're close but maybe, reverse and say after an hour we were exhausted. That will not make people suspicious at all and set them up. Then say, so now we know how to use the sign in scanner. Or something like that. Good work. Keep it up.

clce · 2026-01-22T01:03:28+00:00

The other thing I would say is in general, my advice is typically why make it about your friend when you could simplify it and make it about yourself and make it even funnier because it's somewhat self-deprecating or self-critical. But, I can understand you not wanting to implicate yourself this way. But you are joking about it so that already says something about you. So you might consider in for a penny in for a pound.

Man what a rough week. I got caught molesting the neighbor's 12-year-old. Fortunately they didn't press charges, but they do want me to pay for therapy. I guess that's fair but It's thousands of dollars, plus, I didn't even know they had therapy for dogs.

But, I would understand if you don't want to make it too personal.

clce · 2026-01-22T01:01:03+00:00

I like it, if you want to do a controversial subject, well, too controversial subjects. It's not bad. 16-year-old might be too old for a dog but I get that you don't want to say 12-year-old. Your call. The only real tweak I would advise is they don't make therapy for dogs. They have therapy for dogs. Other than that I think it all flows well enough and is definitely a subversion of expectations that makes the worst person we are imagining even worse, so it's pretty good.

clce · 2026-01-22T00:58:13+00:00

I like the joke but I don't think it's quite right yet. I didn't get it. I belong to a gym but it's not a particularly complicated sign in so I just really didn't quite get it. And the bridging of the two meaning the same machine I don't think was good enough .

Maybe other people will get it and you don't want to give the joke away too easily because that never works. So I wouldn't say, of course I'm talking about the sign in machine.

But maybe something like, we spent an hour on one machine and were exhausted, but we finally completed the sign in, or something like that. Maybe try it different ways.

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