Alex Blackwood
@alexblackwood.bsky.social
Navigating dystopia.
Interested in vaccine and science advocacy,
disability and neurodiversity.
Interested in vaccine and science advocacy,
disability and neurodiversity.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
President Trump won’t forget John Fetterman’s vote to end the shutdown on Republican terms. The senator can expect a full pardon the next time he pulls a gun on a black jogger.
by Karoline Leavitt
by Karoline Leavitt
November 10, 2025 at 11:39 PM
President Trump won’t forget John Fetterman’s vote to end the shutdown on Republican terms. The senator can expect a full pardon the next time he pulls a gun on a black jogger.
by Karoline Leavitt
by Karoline Leavitt
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
Don't call the cops on someone in a mental health crisis unless you want them dead.
Three former San Antonio police officers were acquitted on Monday of all charges related to the fatal shooting of a woman who appeared to be having a mental health crisis when they were dispatched to her apartment in 2023. nyti.ms/4qRnvvT
3 San Antonio Officers Acquitted in Fatal Shooting of Woman in 2023
Melissa Perez, 46, swung a hammer in their direction and appeared to be in distress in her home when the officers arrived, officials said.
nyti.ms
November 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Don't call the cops on someone in a mental health crisis unless you want them dead.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
The thing about the "I voted against this" position Schumer is taking is that either he is trying to mislead Dem voters by implying he didn't support reopening right now, or he has no control over his caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 9:35 PM
The thing about the "I voted against this" position Schumer is taking is that either he is trying to mislead Dem voters by implying he didn't support reopening right now, or he has no control over his caucus.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
Tiny urban forests can help #rewild urban settings and help fight #climatechange. The brainchild of the Japanese botanist Miyawaki is taking his idea global.
We have so many solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate
#climate #forests #nature #biodiversity
We have so many solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate
#climate #forests #nature #biodiversity
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Tiny urban forests can help #rewild urban settings and help fight #climatechange. The brainchild of the Japanese botanist Miyawaki is taking his idea global.
We have so many solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate
#climate #forests #nature #biodiversity
We have so many solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate
#climate #forests #nature #biodiversity
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
This is how cognitive dissonance theory works. He is, like all of us, the hero of his own story. He is a good person so his decision must have been good. He will rationalize away any thoughts that are not congruent with his self image. Many terrible people sleep like babies.
Tim Kaine on backlash he's getting: "I got the first good night's sleep last night that I've gotten since Oct 1, b/c I wasn't worried about being able to look Capitol Police in the eye when I walked in, or what a furloughed fed worker would say to me at church, or what somebody would say about SNAP"
November 10, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This is how cognitive dissonance theory works. He is, like all of us, the hero of his own story. He is a good person so his decision must have been good. He will rationalize away any thoughts that are not congruent with his self image. Many terrible people sleep like babies.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
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 Alex Blackwood
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
I don't care how Schumer himself votes. The bottom line is that as Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon Johnson would have last night had on his desk eight sealed mason jars with the severed hands of every senator who even thought about raising them to vote yes. As a majority leader should.
November 10, 2025 at 5:19 AM
I don't care how Schumer himself votes. The bottom line is that as Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon Johnson would have last night had on his desk eight sealed mason jars with the severed hands of every senator who even thought about raising them to vote yes. As a majority leader should.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
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 2:20 AM
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
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
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
I can't understand not wanting this for everyone. I just can't.
I just want everyone to have the experience of living in dignity with access to sufficient food, safe housing, needed medical care, high quality education, and time to engage with what sparks their curiosity and spirit
this should not be controversial 🫠
this should not be controversial 🫠
November 10, 2025 at 3:58 AM
I can't understand not wanting this for everyone. I just can't.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
Sen. Lucy Football (D-NH)
Agree.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Sen. Lucy Football (D-NH)
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
NYT - Dozens of Venezuelans sent by the US to a maximum security prison in El Salvador describe being beaten, sexually assaulted by guards and driven to the brink of suicide. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/wo...
Inside Trump’s Deportation of Venezuelans: Four Months in a Salvadoran Prison
The Times interviewed dozens of migrant men sent to a prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration. Independent forensic analysts called the testimony credible and consistent and said the treatment met the U.N.’s definition of torture.
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:21 PM
NYT - Dozens of Venezuelans sent by the US to a maximum security prison in El Salvador describe being beaten, sexually assaulted by guards and driven to the brink of suicide. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/wo...
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
If Mitch McConnell could still understand things he'd be laughing so hard at what the Democrats are considering
November 10, 2025 at 12:29 AM
If Mitch McConnell could still understand things he'd be laughing so hard at what the Democrats are considering
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
Donald Trump’s approval rating has tanked and Republican suffered heavy losses in last week’s elections. There’s never been a better time for Senate Democrats to cave on the ACA extension.
November 9, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Donald Trump’s approval rating has tanked and Republican suffered heavy losses in last week’s elections. There’s never been a better time for Senate Democrats to cave on the ACA extension.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
I'm hearing the same thing. Dems are nearing a surrender. I'm shocked. Largest protest in history + best election night in years + polling showing we're kicking their ass in public opinion. And now Dems may cave.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I'm hearing the same thing. Dems are nearing a surrender. I'm shocked. Largest protest in history + best election night in years + polling showing we're kicking their ass in public opinion. And now Dems may cave.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
It ain't over til it's over, so please do call if you've got a Dem senator.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
We don’t talk enough about how Operation Warp Speed saved many lives in spite of Trump, nor how many people died because of his failure of leadership. Great piece from my great colleague @maciekboni.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/maciekbo...
open.substack.com/pub/maciekbo...
COVID’s leadership failures
Two moments that were too big for us, and the unfixable chain of mistakes that was set off after November 2020
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
We don’t talk enough about how Operation Warp Speed saved many lives in spite of Trump, nor how many people died because of his failure of leadership. Great piece from my great colleague @maciekboni.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/maciekbo...
open.substack.com/pub/maciekbo...
A James Watson obituary worth reading, and a reminder of what we lost in Sharon Begley. She had pre-written this obituary when she died in 2021.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:43 AM
A James Watson obituary worth reading, and a reminder of what we lost in Sharon Begley. She had pre-written this obituary when she died in 2021.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
I write my columns sitting in a New Haven café, eating waffles and lattés served by comely young immmigrant waitresses. Here’s how women ruined my workplace.
by Ross Douthat
by Ross Douthat
November 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I write my columns sitting in a New Haven café, eating waffles and lattés served by comely young immmigrant waitresses. Here’s how women ruined my workplace.
by Ross Douthat
by Ross Douthat
A clear, useful explanation of Justice Jackson's actions.
If you’re trying to catch up on what went down with #SNAP late last night at #SCOTUS, here’s my attempt to read the breadcrumbs on the “administrative stay” issued by Justice Jackson—and why a justice so critical of the Court’s grants of emergency relief to Trump still granted temporary relief here:
190. SNAP WTF?
A very quick explainer on why Justice Jackson issued an "administrative stay" in the SNAP case late on Friday night, and on what's likely to happen next
www.stevevladeck.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:01 PM
A clear, useful explanation of Justice Jackson's actions.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
Three masked agents questioned an Illinois Department of Transportation employee about his immigration status — and if he had traveled to New York and was “aware” of the mayor-elect in New York City, the governor’s office said.
Indian IDOT employee stopped by ICE agents, questioned if he was 'aware' of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani
chicago.suntimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Three masked agents questioned an Illinois Department of Transportation employee about his immigration status — and if he had traveled to New York and was “aware” of the mayor-elect in New York City, the governor’s office said.
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
“It’s kind of a shocking number."
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
November 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
“It’s kind of a shocking number."
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
The median age of first-time home buyers in the U.S. hit an all-time high of 40 in 2025, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. nyti.ms/4hKc58V
Reposted by Alex Blackwood
ICE agents in Chicago violently detain a non verbal autistic man for being “non compliant”
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
November 8, 2025 at 8:15 AM
ICE agents in Chicago violently detain a non verbal autistic man for being “non compliant”
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota