Weekly Email - 2/9/26

A Redlands Rainbow

Photo credit: Christina Schultz 

Topic of the Week: This Judge Has Had Enough

"The court's patience has run out."

So wrote District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz recently in an order demanding that the Director of ICE appear in his courtroom to explain why scores of people arrested had been held without the right to challenge their detentions. He had previously criticized and challenged the Department of Justice over "frivolous" demands from the DOJ to issue arrest warrants for Don Lemon and others who participated in a protest in St. Paul, Minnesota. The subject article on this order states that Judge Schiltz "attached to his order a list of 96 court orders that he said ICE has violated across 74 cases."

Schiltz, a George W. Bush appointee to the federal bench in 2006, graduated from Harvard Law School, clerked for conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and is widely considered a staunch conservative who has written numerous criticisms of the "overwhelmingly leftist" bent of today's lawyers.

In spite of the irrefutability of Schiltz's conservative credentials, the Trump administration's reaction was predictable. A spokesperson dismissed Judge Schiltz's concerns as a "diatribe from this activist judge." The Trump disinformation campaign continues, despite the facts of the matter.

Whether liberal or conservative, a member of the Democratic or Republican Party, this federal judge represents what the judicial branch should mean for all of us. This is what RTB believes, and we urge you to read the following article and stand up for the Constitution and the Rule of Law regardless of your political views.

An Ethicist 'in the Scalia Mold': The Minnesota Judge Blasting ICE - Read here

Other News and Upcoming Events!

• February Social Hour - Wednesday, February 18

  • We want to support many downtown businesses! For the February social hour, we will meet at The Feisty Pint.

  • Wednesday, February 18

  • 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

  • The Feisty Pint, 359 Colorado Ave., Grand Junction

  • No RSVP needed - just show up!

• Get Involved: Volunteer Board Opportunities

  • Interested in learning more about volunteer board positions in your city or county? Check out the Grand Junction and Mesa County boards here:

    • Mesa County Volunteer Boards

    • City of Grand Junction Boards & Commissions

    • City of Fruita Boards & Commissions

  • For our members in other parts of the state, we encourage you to check your own city and county websites for volunteer board positions and to participate in public meetings.

• Supporting Local Businesses with a Mission

  • Looking for a lunch spot that gives back? Check out Community Cafe GJ - a pay-what-you-can restaurant serving healthy, delicious meals while fighting food insecurity in our community. Whether you can pay full price, volunteer your time, or need a nutritious meal, everyone is welcome at the same table.

  • 519 28th St, Grand Junction - Learn more here

• Save the Date: April Roundtable on Healthcare

  • The next RTB roundtable event in April will focus on healthcare. Please watch this space to confirm the date and venue.

• On the Radar, Local Meetings: 

  • Board of County Commissioners: Tuesdays @ 9 am

  • Grand Junction City Council: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 5:30 pm

  • Palisade City Council: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6 pm

  • Fruita City Council: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7 pm

  • D51 School Board: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays @ 5 pm (public comments accepted on 3rd Tuesdays only)

  • Mesa County Library Board: Last Thursdays @ 5:30 pm

  • Public Health Board: Monthly Tuesdays @ 3 pm 

Check local government websites for agendas, locations, and virtual attendance options.

Thanks to a member for the School Board clarification - we listen and respond to your feedback!

RTB Member Insights.

Here are some recommendations from our members:

• Listen:

  • The Rule of Law in Minneapolis - A Daily Politics Podcast with Brian Lehrer - Listen here

• For a smile:

  • Bob Marley & The Wailers - "Three Little Birds" - Sometimes we all need a reminder that "every little thing is gonna be alright." This timeless classic, with its beautiful animated video, offers exactly the kind of uplifting message we need. Don't worry! - Listen here

• Thank you to all who have submitted photos, podcasts, and video recommendations. We will publish a recommendation in each category every week. Please keep them coming!

  • Want to Contribute to Our Weekly Newsletter?

    • Our best recommendations come from you! Have you read a thought-provoking book? Listened to an insightful podcast? Found an article worth sharing? Captured a beautiful photo of Western Colorado? We want to feature your discoveries and perspectives in our Monday Update. You can share resources, suggest topics you'd like RTB to address, or submit photos from around our community. All submissions can be anonymous or attributed to you; it's your choice.

      • Submit your recommendations here

        
        

Vote 2026. Primaries in June. General in November. Are you ready?