Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
@ajcousins.bsky.social
Queer romance author. Obsessive book buyer. Slow runner. Newly fascinated birder. She/her, bi. Rep'd by Handspun Literary Agency. Volunteer Child Advocate for detained immigrant kiddos. Views my own.
Pinned
I released a new audiobook last year and neglected to tell anyone! 😂 Grumpy-grumpy, found-family holiday romance.
Adam Beckett did a FANTASTIC job with this one. He's an amazing performer.
Glass Tidings: www.amazon.com/Audible-Glas...
Adam Beckett did a FANTASTIC job with this one. He's an amazing performer.
Glass Tidings: www.amazon.com/Audible-Glas...
THE SOCK IS TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY DOLLARS. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
November 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
THE SOCK IS TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY DOLLARS. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
Another species no longer on the global Endangered list:
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
A few decades after a Star Trek movie where the central conflict was the total extinction of the humpback, their numbers are rising fast enough to put them at "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List.
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
A few decades after a Star Trek movie where the central conflict was the total extinction of the humpback, their numbers are rising fast enough to put them at "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List.
a man with a mustache says there be whales here in a dark room
Alt: Scotty from Star Trek Original Series (played by Jimmy Doohan) says there be whales here in a Klingon vessel's cargo hold.
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Another species no longer on the global Endangered list:
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
A few decades after a Star Trek movie where the central conflict was the total extinction of the humpback, their numbers are rising fast enough to put them at "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List.
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).
A few decades after a Star Trek movie where the central conflict was the total extinction of the humpback, their numbers are rising fast enough to put them at "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List.
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
There's something that feels a bit dead about the world right now, but tens of thousands of people just came together to help us solve a 100 year old mystery about a little blue jelly, and I find that heartbreakingly hopeful:
November 10, 2025 at 11:52 PM
There's something that feels a bit dead about the world right now, but tens of thousands of people just came together to help us solve a 100 year old mystery about a little blue jelly, and I find that heartbreakingly hopeful:
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
doing God's work by vigorously pitching Rose Lerner and Cecilia Grant's God-tier historical romances to my friends who haven't read them yet
if I have not pestered you to read Rose Lerner and Cecilia Grant yet, please @ me so I can convince you.
if I have not pestered you to read Rose Lerner and Cecilia Grant yet, please @ me so I can convince you.
November 10, 2025 at 10:49 PM
doing God's work by vigorously pitching Rose Lerner and Cecilia Grant's God-tier historical romances to my friends who haven't read them yet
if I have not pestered you to read Rose Lerner and Cecilia Grant yet, please @ me so I can convince you.
if I have not pestered you to read Rose Lerner and Cecilia Grant yet, please @ me so I can convince you.
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
I missed this awful detail in the Senate deal: helping politicians who conspired against America as part of Trump's coup hide their phone records.
That's right, as ICE brutally violates rights in ways that leave people with no recourse, the Senate found time to protect their colleagues from justice.
That's right, as ICE brutally violates rights in ways that leave people with no recourse, the Senate found time to protect their colleagues from justice.
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Shutdown Deal Would Let Senators Sue Over Jack Smith Searches
Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
I missed this awful detail in the Senate deal: helping politicians who conspired against America as part of Trump's coup hide their phone records.
That's right, as ICE brutally violates rights in ways that leave people with no recourse, the Senate found time to protect their colleagues from justice.
That's right, as ICE brutally violates rights in ways that leave people with no recourse, the Senate found time to protect their colleagues from justice.
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
"Ceisler hopes officials in other parts of the country are watching. “It sends a message to elected public safety leaders across the country that partnering with ICE is a loser in any district that’s remotely a swing district,” he said."
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
"Ceisler hopes officials in other parts of the country are watching. “It sends a message to elected public safety leaders across the country that partnering with ICE is a loser in any district that’s remotely a swing district,” he said."
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
A scorpion sitting atop a frog sitting atop Lucy's football
Whoa -- Sen. Durbin went to up Leader Thune during the vote last night to tell him that on the shutdown vote and ACA promise that "8 of us are sticking our neck out that you're going to keep your word. I hope you will. He said 'I assure you I will,'" Durbin says just now
November 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
A scorpion sitting atop a frog sitting atop Lucy's football
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
Shortly after teargassing Little Village, a Mexican-Americsn neighborhood, the Nazis did what? 🤔
"While Border Patrol photographers snapped photos, one agent shouted, “Everyone say, ‘Little Village!’”"
"While Border Patrol photographers snapped photos, one agent shouted, “Everyone say, ‘Little Village!’”"
To Hell with these swine. They are irredeemable. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/10/b...
Border Patrol Agents Pose At The Bean For Apparent Photo Op
The photo op came after agents tear-gassed a Little Village street and were spotted in the area numerous times. At the Bean, one agent shouted, "Everyone say, 'Little Village!'"
blockclubchicago.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Shortly after teargassing Little Village, a Mexican-Americsn neighborhood, the Nazis did what? 🤔
"While Border Patrol photographers snapped photos, one agent shouted, “Everyone say, ‘Little Village!’”"
"While Border Patrol photographers snapped photos, one agent shouted, “Everyone say, ‘Little Village!’”"
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
Start following you congress people with shame bells
Go full THEATRE KID
they want to act a monkey give them a CIRCUS
Go full THEATRE KID
they want to act a monkey give them a CIRCUS
November 10, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Start following you congress people with shame bells
Go full THEATRE KID
they want to act a monkey give them a CIRCUS
Go full THEATRE KID
they want to act a monkey give them a CIRCUS
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
This Black Friday, if you are able, please shop local and small businesses *only.*
Consumers cannot continue rewarding these billionaires. We're helping to fund the architects of this administration and big donors. And they show no signs of ending their cruelty.
www.aol.com/articles/inf...
Consumers cannot continue rewarding these billionaires. We're helping to fund the architects of this administration and big donors. And they show no signs of ending their cruelty.
www.aol.com/articles/inf...
Inflation is so bad Americans are counting on Black Friday just to afford groceries and everyday essentials
"Black Friday is still a make-or-break moment for retailers, but shopper behavior is shifting," says Lightspeed Commerce founder and CEO Dax Dasilva.
www.aol.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:17 PM
This Black Friday, if you are able, please shop local and small businesses *only.*
Consumers cannot continue rewarding these billionaires. We're helping to fund the architects of this administration and big donors. And they show no signs of ending their cruelty.
www.aol.com/articles/inf...
Consumers cannot continue rewarding these billionaires. We're helping to fund the architects of this administration and big donors. And they show no signs of ending their cruelty.
www.aol.com/articles/inf...
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
I'm real real close to feeling like we can't ever know who these 8 took the fall for, so maybe we should just throw them all out and start from scratch.
November 10, 2025 at 2:55 AM
I'm real real close to feeling like we can't ever know who these 8 took the fall for, so maybe we should just throw them all out and start from scratch.
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
the shame of illinois, reeking rancid shame
Senators on the brink of retirement who lived full, wealthy lives and never feared the loss of their own healthcare voting for their constituents to die from their inability to afford the same is treasonous
November 10, 2025 at 3:21 AM
the shame of illinois, reeking rancid shame
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
The model of holding individual senators responsible is broken here. The retirees clearly agreed to take the fall. Which is why the nos should get no credit for voting no unless they move to oust Schumer
November 10, 2025 at 3:20 AM
The model of holding individual senators responsible is broken here. The retirees clearly agreed to take the fall. Which is why the nos should get no credit for voting no unless they move to oust Schumer
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
agreeing to make a terrible deal while your main opponent is quite literally being boo'd on live tv by an entire stadium of people is the kind of political instinct you'd normally only find in a 3 week old dead goldfish
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
That’s why I say keep calling.
I recognize this is, to some extent, cope/bargaining, but
this is the the first of several votes necessary to end the shutdown, right? so even the present unfathomable fecklessness doesn't mean it's over over, and there are multiple potential blockage points ahead to reject a no-concessions 'deal'?
this is the the first of several votes necessary to end the shutdown, right? so even the present unfathomable fecklessness doesn't mean it's over over, and there are multiple potential blockage points ahead to reject a no-concessions 'deal'?
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM
That’s why I say keep calling.
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
November 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Not that he didn’t already know, but now Trump knows for sure he can roll the Dems every time and there’s no need to negotiate for anything
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
For 19 minutes, I thought this Emma Thompson suspense/mystery tv show had gone *wildly* off the rails in a weird scifi/aliens direction. Then I realized it autoplayed a different tv show when I finished the last episode that's out. A weird scifi/alien show. Peculiar screenwriting choices, explained.
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 AM
For 19 minutes, I thought this Emma Thompson suspense/mystery tv show had gone *wildly* off the rails in a weird scifi/aliens direction. Then I realized it autoplayed a different tv show when I finished the last episode that's out. A weird scifi/alien show. Peculiar screenwriting choices, explained.
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
Caving now will teach Trump and Republicans that they can win any fight simply by threatening to cause terrible harm to regular people. no possible way that could have future adverse consequences
November 10, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Caving now will teach Trump and Republicans that they can win any fight simply by threatening to cause terrible harm to regular people. no possible way that could have future adverse consequences
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
Arianna Sofia Veraza and her parents were driving to Sam's Club for milk, eggs and diapers yesterday when they heard helicopters and horns blaring yesterday. They had turned around to leave when a federal agent pepper-sprayed them through a car window.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
Pepper-sprayed Berwyn family rattled after getting caught up in federal blitz
Southwest Side politicians condemned Saturday’s pepper spraying and the federal sweep of Little Village as “state-sponsored terrorism” at a news conference Sunday.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 PM
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
Reposted by Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins
look I know being an engaged citizen IS the work of democracy but it is also the work of elected officials not to create situations where everyone has to be mobilized all the time to prevent them from allowing some kind of Dickensian horror on a Sunday night while you're in between loads of laundry
November 9, 2025 at 11:37 PM
look I know being an engaged citizen IS the work of democracy but it is also the work of elected officials not to create situations where everyone has to be mobilized all the time to prevent them from allowing some kind of Dickensian horror on a Sunday night while you're in between loads of laundry
Absolutely not, @durbin.senate.gov. No promises. They're worthless. Get the actual commitment or no deal. People will die without healthcare.
Major concession from Democrats here is enhanced ACA funds aren’t extended. Preserving them was Dems’ central demand in this fight. They secured a promise of a vote (which Thune has been offering for weeks), but that could still fail. Even if it passes, Johnson has made no promise of a House vote.
Tentative Senate deal to end shutdown, multiple sources tell me & @frankthorp.bsky.social:
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Absolutely not, @durbin.senate.gov. No promises. They're worthless. Get the actual commitment or no deal. People will die without healthcare.
Do we have a name for a post that only gets more true as time passes? 😒
The average Dem Senator vs the average Dem Voter
November 9, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Do we have a name for a post that only gets more true as time passes? 😒