Allen Ewing-Merrill
@allenewingmerrill.bsky.social
Executive Director, The BTS Center, Portland, Maine. Child of God. Pastor (but don’t worry – not that kind). Spouse to a badass. Proud father. Seeker of peace + justice. Cooking up good trouble at the intersection of climate + faith.
Micah 6:8. (he/him)
Micah 6:8. (he/him)
Pinned
1/ What I fear most is the runaway climate devastation we can anticipate when all the protections are abolished, all the investments are withdrawn, all the agreements and commitments are abandoned, and any small gains are lost…
In which I have a conversation with Debra Coyman, Chair of @thebtscenter.bsky.social Board of Trustees, about why we at The BTS Center are so focused on cultivating and nurturing “spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world.” Take a listen!
Spiritual Leadership in a Climate-Changed World: What and Why?
Podcast Episode · Climate Changed · 04/15/2025 · 37m
podcasts.apple.com
April 19, 2025 at 9:47 AM
In which I have a conversation with Debra Coyman, Chair of @thebtscenter.bsky.social Board of Trustees, about why we at The BTS Center are so focused on cultivating and nurturing “spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world.” Take a listen!
What is the end game here? I truly don’t get it.
Are we just living the movie “Don’t Look Up,” or what?
Are we just living the movie “Don’t Look Up,” or what?
Today's US EO orders the Attorney General to identify + take expeditious action to stop enforcement of "all State & local laws... purporting to address “climate change” or involving “environmental, social, and governance” initiatives, “environmental justice,” carbon or “greenhouse gas” emissions."
This executive order confirms that. They are attacking all "state laws" that address climate change, ESG, environmental justice and/or greenhouse gases.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
April 9, 2025 at 3:40 AM
What is the end game here? I truly don’t get it.
Are we just living the movie “Don’t Look Up,” or what?
Are we just living the movie “Don’t Look Up,” or what?
Nothing says “Eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse” like a $90 million birthday military parade!
Someone is winning at making America great sgain!
Someone is winning at making America great sgain!
BREAKING NEWS: Donald Trump reportedly wants a HUGE military parade thrown in his honor for his birthday this June in Washington D.C.
Estimates say it could cost over $90 MILLION DOLLARS. This is absolutely nuts.
Estimates say it could cost over $90 MILLION DOLLARS. This is absolutely nuts.
April 9, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Nothing says “Eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse” like a $90 million birthday military parade!
Someone is winning at making America great sgain!
Someone is winning at making America great sgain!
Reposted by Allen Ewing-Merrill
People will die. They don’t care.
Trump administration cuts entire federal heating assistance staff
Trump administration cuts entire federal heating assistance staff
About 20 people in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program office, which serves thousands of Maine households, were among the roughly 10,000 DHHS staffers laid off.
www.pressherald.com
April 2, 2025 at 11:43 AM
People will die. They don’t care.
We cannot afford to be silent.
We must speak up.
We must speak up.
I may be tired and a little hoarse, but as I said again and again on the Senate floor, this is a moment where we cannot afford to be silent, when we must speak up.
April 2, 2025 at 2:08 AM
We cannot afford to be silent.
We must speak up.
We must speak up.
Just when you think Facebook can’t suck more than it already does…
Hi folks: Facebook appears to be taking down my posts. Please remember they are available for free here (no paywall), and can be received by email (also free-- just don't put in your credit card information). I guess if I'm being banned I'm doing something right?
The government ignored his protective legal status & deported Abrego Garcia. “Now they claim that the court is powerless to order any relief. If that’s true, the immigration laws are meaningless because the government can deport ANYONE & no court can do anything about it once it’s done.”
April 2, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Just when you think Facebook can’t suck more than it already does…
Go Corey go!
Sleep deprived Corey Booker is what America needed today. Not kidding.
Go Corey go!
Go Corey go!
April 1, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Go Corey go!
Hey Tulsi, John, Pete, Karoline, and all:
Just because you say it wasn’t classified doesn’t mean it wasn’t classified.
Just because you say you did nothing wrong doesn’t mean you did nothing wrong.
We don’t believe you.
We see you deflecting, denying, and attempting to deceive. We see you.
Just because you say it wasn’t classified doesn’t mean it wasn’t classified.
Just because you say you did nothing wrong doesn’t mean you did nothing wrong.
We don’t believe you.
We see you deflecting, denying, and attempting to deceive. We see you.
March 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Hey Tulsi, John, Pete, Karoline, and all:
Just because you say it wasn’t classified doesn’t mean it wasn’t classified.
Just because you say you did nothing wrong doesn’t mean you did nothing wrong.
We don’t believe you.
We see you deflecting, denying, and attempting to deceive. We see you.
Just because you say it wasn’t classified doesn’t mean it wasn’t classified.
Just because you say you did nothing wrong doesn’t mean you did nothing wrong.
We don’t believe you.
We see you deflecting, denying, and attempting to deceive. We see you.
A terrible omen, indeed.
It’s worth stating this simply: For literally anyone in the US Govt from 1945 to 2025, Signalgate would require an instant resignation—and a criminal investigation. It would be a matter of personal *honor* to resign. The fact Mike Waltz & Pete Hegseth are choosing to fight it out is a terrible omen.
March 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
A terrible omen, indeed.
Hands Off!
Saturday, April 5
Mass mobilization – everywhere
Here are some details for Maine.
Saturday, April 5
Mass mobilization – everywhere
Here are some details for Maine.
March 26, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Hands Off!
Saturday, April 5
Mass mobilization – everywhere
Here are some details for Maine.
Saturday, April 5
Mass mobilization – everywhere
Here are some details for Maine.
Reposted by Allen Ewing-Merrill
Also, if your church "doesn't preach about politics," it is like hanging a sign outside the building that reads, "We have our heads in the sand. Everyone willing to be ignorant of the most important issues of the day is welcome here."
March 23, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Also, if your church "doesn't preach about politics," it is like hanging a sign outside the building that reads, "We have our heads in the sand. Everyone willing to be ignorant of the most important issues of the day is welcome here."
Reposted by Allen Ewing-Merrill
PSA:
DO NOT say to me “Jesus didn’t care about politics. He never mentioned Caesar. He cared about our spiritual lives.”
This announcement was made in the interest of your health and safety.
DO NOT say to me “Jesus didn’t care about politics. He never mentioned Caesar. He cared about our spiritual lives.”
This announcement was made in the interest of your health and safety.
March 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
PSA:
DO NOT say to me “Jesus didn’t care about politics. He never mentioned Caesar. He cared about our spiritual lives.”
This announcement was made in the interest of your health and safety.
DO NOT say to me “Jesus didn’t care about politics. He never mentioned Caesar. He cared about our spiritual lives.”
This announcement was made in the interest of your health and safety.
What a horrible human being. As a parent, this is beyond my comprehension.
March 23, 2025 at 7:55 PM
What a horrible human being. As a parent, this is beyond my comprehension.
Reposted by Allen Ewing-Merrill
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
—FDR, 1937
—FDR, 1937
March 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
—FDR, 1937
—FDR, 1937
Nope.
Can confirm “State of Maine” hasn’t apologized. (As the official keeper of all state records and guardian of the seal ;))
For the record, Maine hasn't apologized.
March 23, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Nope.
Reposted by Allen Ewing-Merrill
Tucson, Arizona today.
Original projected attendance was 3,000 people.
23,000 showed up.
Original projected attendance was 3,000 people.
23,000 showed up.
March 22, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Tucson, Arizona today.
Original projected attendance was 3,000 people.
23,000 showed up.
Original projected attendance was 3,000 people.
23,000 showed up.
Welcome to the United States of America in 2025.
Violently interrogated.
Stripped naked.
Put in a cold shower.
Pressured to give up his green card.
This is where we are, and all signs indicate it’s going to get much worse.
The time to speak up is now.
Violently interrogated.
Stripped naked.
Put in a cold shower.
Pressured to give up his green card.
This is where we are, and all signs indicate it’s going to get much worse.
The time to speak up is now.
Green card holder from New Hampshire 'interrogated' at Logan Airport, detained
Fabian Schmidt’s family said they are unsure of why he is being held. They said he has a recently renewed green card, and no active issues in court.
www.nhpr.org
March 17, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Welcome to the United States of America in 2025.
Violently interrogated.
Stripped naked.
Put in a cold shower.
Pressured to give up his green card.
This is where we are, and all signs indicate it’s going to get much worse.
The time to speak up is now.
Violently interrogated.
Stripped naked.
Put in a cold shower.
Pressured to give up his green card.
This is where we are, and all signs indicate it’s going to get much worse.
The time to speak up is now.
“The @DeptofDefense does not do climate change crap,” Hegseth wrote on X on Sunday. “We do training and warfighting.”
🙄🤦🏻♂️
The Pentagon said canceling studies on climate will save $30 million.
And at what greater expense? (1/2)
🙄🤦🏻♂️
The Pentagon said canceling studies on climate will save $30 million.
And at what greater expense? (1/2)
Pentagon starts purging ‘climate change crap’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants to end the Defense Department’s climate efforts. Some experts say the move could hurt military readiness.
www.eenews.net
March 14, 2025 at 6:09 PM
“The @DeptofDefense does not do climate change crap,” Hegseth wrote on X on Sunday. “We do training and warfighting.”
🙄🤦🏻♂️
The Pentagon said canceling studies on climate will save $30 million.
And at what greater expense? (1/2)
🙄🤦🏻♂️
The Pentagon said canceling studies on climate will save $30 million.
And at what greater expense? (1/2)
Reposted by Allen Ewing-Merrill
"They'll never cut Social Security" is the new "they'll never overturn Roe v Wade."
March 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
"They'll never cut Social Security" is the new "they'll never overturn Roe v Wade."
So many lies.
So many devastating decisions that will lead to great suffering.
So much effort to pretend they aren’t doing what we know they’re doing.
We aren’t stupid. We’re paying attention. And we care that millions of our neighbors, friends & family members will lose access to health care.
So many devastating decisions that will lead to great suffering.
So much effort to pretend they aren’t doing what we know they’re doing.
We aren’t stupid. We’re paying attention. And we care that millions of our neighbors, friends & family members will lose access to health care.
BREAKING: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office just confirmed Republicans who say their budget doesn't cut Medicaid are lying.
Their budget *requires* the largest Medicaid cuts in American history - all while delivering a $4.5 TRILLION giveaway to billionaire donors.
Their budget *requires* the largest Medicaid cuts in American history - all while delivering a $4.5 TRILLION giveaway to billionaire donors.
March 6, 2025 at 4:09 AM
So many lies.
So many devastating decisions that will lead to great suffering.
So much effort to pretend they aren’t doing what we know they’re doing.
We aren’t stupid. We’re paying attention. And we care that millions of our neighbors, friends & family members will lose access to health care.
So many devastating decisions that will lead to great suffering.
So much effort to pretend they aren’t doing what we know they’re doing.
We aren’t stupid. We’re paying attention. And we care that millions of our neighbors, friends & family members will lose access to health care.
This is, of course, utterly predictable. We knew it was coming. But what a blow, nonetheless.
The impacts will be devastating — to public education, to Pell grants and financial aid for college students, to early intervention programs like Head Start, to special education, and more. (1/2)
The impacts will be devastating — to public education, to Pell grants and financial aid for college students, to early intervention programs like Head Start, to special education, and more. (1/2)
“President Trump is expected to issue an executive order as soon as Thursday aimed at abolishing the Education Department, according to people briefed on the matter.”
Exclusive | Draft of Trump Executive Order Aims to Eliminate Education Department
Secretary Linda McMahon would be directed to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” based on “the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”
www.wsj.com
March 6, 2025 at 2:42 AM
This is, of course, utterly predictable. We knew it was coming. But what a blow, nonetheless.
The impacts will be devastating — to public education, to Pell grants and financial aid for college students, to early intervention programs like Head Start, to special education, and more. (1/2)
The impacts will be devastating — to public education, to Pell grants and financial aid for college students, to early intervention programs like Head Start, to special education, and more. (1/2)
Reposted by Allen Ewing-Merrill
Conscience of Congress
Removed: Al Green
Walked Out: Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost, Maxine Dexter, Andrea Salinas, LaMonica McIver, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and several others
Refused to Attend: AOC, Chris Murphy, Ron Wyden, Patty Murray, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer
History will honor these names 🔝
Removed: Al Green
Walked Out: Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost, Maxine Dexter, Andrea Salinas, LaMonica McIver, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and several others
Refused to Attend: AOC, Chris Murphy, Ron Wyden, Patty Murray, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer
History will honor these names 🔝
March 5, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Conscience of Congress
Removed: Al Green
Walked Out: Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost, Maxine Dexter, Andrea Salinas, LaMonica McIver, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and several others
Refused to Attend: AOC, Chris Murphy, Ron Wyden, Patty Murray, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer
History will honor these names 🔝
Removed: Al Green
Walked Out: Jasmine Crockett, Maxwell Frost, Maxine Dexter, Andrea Salinas, LaMonica McIver, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and several others
Refused to Attend: AOC, Chris Murphy, Ron Wyden, Patty Murray, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer
History will honor these names 🔝
Here we go. 🤬
SCOOP: Now that Linda McMahon is confirmed/sworn in as secretary, Trump will be imminently issuing an executive order eliminating the Department of Education.
I’ve obtained a draft of an email that McMahon will be sending to staff re: the EO and the department’s “final mission”.
Here is a portion:
I’ve obtained a draft of an email that McMahon will be sending to staff re: the EO and the department’s “final mission”.
Here is a portion:
![After President Trump's inauguration last month, he has steadily signed a slate of executive orders to keep these education promises: combatting critical race theory, DEl, gender ideology extremism, and discrimination in admissions. President Trump has also been focused on eliminating wasteful bureaucracy and harmful programs in the federal government. To that end, today he signed [Executive Order XYZ, entitled "Eliminating the Department of Education,] which has given us a clear and final mission.
We are to identify which of the Department's functions, programs, and offices are not mandated by statute, and eliminate them. This reorganization will impact staff, budgets, reporting, and more —and in coming months, we will determine how it can be accomplished with minimal delay and disruption. The President further tasked us with creating a plan to reallocate and reassign functions of the Department of Education that would be more effectively managed by other agencies. This plan will offer Congress a road map toward fulfilling the expectations of the President and the American people.
The new vision—which I hope each of you will embrace going forward—can be expressed as four main convictions:
Parents are the primary decision makers in their children's education.
Students deserve to be protected from physical violence, racial discrimination, medical tyranny, and gender extremism ideology on campus.
Postsecondary education should be a path to a well-paying career aligned with workforce needs.
Taxpayer-funded education should refocus on meaningful learning: proficiency in math, reading, and core subjects, and patriotism in American history and civics.
As we move to reduce the Department's middleman role in education, these four convictions must guide us toward conscientious and pragmatic action. The elimination of bureaucracy should free us, not limit us, in our pursuit of these goals
Removing red tape and bureaucratic barriers will empower parents to make th](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ejihld4sywvvqwe67cdkn4jq/bafkreictcxubqhd7foyjwbms62bj3cxmfyepqk2ms3l6ctabsa6fvpm5ju@jpeg)
March 4, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Here we go. 🤬
