Brenton Wiernik
@bwiernik.bsky.social
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
8 in-custody deaths in 50 days—one every 6 days. This needs to be a much larger story.
I received notification of yet another death at an ICE facility, meaning 38 people have died in custody since Trump returned to office.
ICE is failing to ensure the health and safety of the people it is responsible for.
We need immediate oversight of this entire operation.
ICE is failing to ensure the health and safety of the people it is responsible for.
We need immediate oversight of this entire operation.
February 20, 2026 at 1:34 AM
8 in-custody deaths in 50 days—one every 6 days. This needs to be a much larger story.
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
"It is beyond comprehension that the Senate confirmed this man to oversee America’s health. The risks are so immediate and constant that it can be difficult to keep track of them all."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
The Disastrous First Year of RFK Jr.
The damage the HHS secretary has done to science and public health is appalling—and it could have been avoided.
open.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:09 PM
"It is beyond comprehension that the Senate confirmed this man to oversee America’s health. The risks are so immediate and constant that it can be difficult to keep track of them all."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
Where the teens are
YouTube 92%
TikTok 68%
Instagram 63%
Snapchat 55%
Facebook 31% (down from 71%)
WhatsApp 24%
Reddit 17%
X 16% (down from 33%)
www.pewresearch.org/internet/202...
YouTube 92%
TikTok 68%
Instagram 63%
Snapchat 55%
Facebook 31% (down from 71%)
WhatsApp 24%
Reddit 17%
X 16% (down from 33%)
www.pewresearch.org/internet/202...
February 16, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Where the teens are
YouTube 92%
TikTok 68%
Instagram 63%
Snapchat 55%
Facebook 31% (down from 71%)
WhatsApp 24%
Reddit 17%
X 16% (down from 33%)
www.pewresearch.org/internet/202...
YouTube 92%
TikTok 68%
Instagram 63%
Snapchat 55%
Facebook 31% (down from 71%)
WhatsApp 24%
Reddit 17%
X 16% (down from 33%)
www.pewresearch.org/internet/202...
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
Belated congrats to my Pew Research colleagues on publishing this groundbreaking study - one of the first surveys to have a probability-based sample of transgender adults large enough to reliably report their views and experiences. www.pewresearch.org/social-trend...
The Experiences of LGBTQ Americans Today
How lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer adults view the impact of Obergefell and social acceptance for LGBTQ people more broadly 10 years after the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex...
www.pewresearch.org
June 2, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Belated congrats to my Pew Research colleagues on publishing this groundbreaking study - one of the first surveys to have a probability-based sample of transgender adults large enough to reliably report their views and experiences. www.pewresearch.org/social-trend...
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
This is actually an ESSENTIAL articulation of this admin’s immigration policy.
Policymaking is about weighing equities. In normal policymaking, the rights of the people you’re going after count as an equity. It appears for all the world that this administration’s decisionmaking simply ignores them.
Policymaking is about weighing equities. In normal policymaking, the rights of the people you’re going after count as an equity. It appears for all the world that this administration’s decisionmaking simply ignores them.
BREAKING: Judge Nancy Brasel, a Trump appointee, has issued a TRO in the Minnesota access-to-counsel case about treatment at Whipple.
"It appears that in planning for Operation Metro Surge, the government failed to plan for the constitutional rights of its civil detainees."
"It appears that in planning for Operation Metro Surge, the government failed to plan for the constitutional rights of its civil detainees."
February 13, 2026 at 12:41 AM
This is actually an ESSENTIAL articulation of this admin’s immigration policy.
Policymaking is about weighing equities. In normal policymaking, the rights of the people you’re going after count as an equity. It appears for all the world that this administration’s decisionmaking simply ignores them.
Policymaking is about weighing equities. In normal policymaking, the rights of the people you’re going after count as an equity. It appears for all the world that this administration’s decisionmaking simply ignores them.
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
this is incredibly frustrating. By framing this as a policy demand Dems are aiding a disinformation campaign that is intended to confuse the public about what is constitutionally required.
This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 10, 2026 at 2:11 PM
this is incredibly frustrating. By framing this as a policy demand Dems are aiding a disinformation campaign that is intended to confuse the public about what is constitutionally required.
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
Hi everyone -- there is a general strike in Minnesota tomorrow to protest what the Trump administration and DHS are doing to our community. In solidarity with the action, I am going to donate my revenue from tmrw's newsletter to People over Papers, the Midway-Hamline Diaper Bank, & Every Meal. (1/2)
January 22, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Hi everyone -- there is a general strike in Minnesota tomorrow to protest what the Trump administration and DHS are doing to our community. In solidarity with the action, I am going to donate my revenue from tmrw's newsletter to People over Papers, the Midway-Hamline Diaper Bank, & Every Meal. (1/2)
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
literally every bad thing in this country right now is the result of Republicans saying "we'll get sued over this, but..."
it's genuinely pathetic that Democrats won't do the same in order to protect people's rights
it's genuinely pathetic that Democrats won't do the same in order to protect people's rights
On his last day in office, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy vetoed legislation to restrict local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, saying the bill would have invited legal challenges. Immigrant rights advocates say his concerns were misplaced.
On His Way Out, New Jersey Governor Vetoes Legislation to Bar Local Assistance to ICE
Phil Murphy killed a bill that’d have codified restrictions on how sheriffs and police can partner with ICE. Some restrictions remain in place, for now, due to an attorney general directive.
boltsmag.org
January 22, 2026 at 4:50 AM
literally every bad thing in this country right now is the result of Republicans saying "we'll get sued over this, but..."
it's genuinely pathetic that Democrats won't do the same in order to protect people's rights
it's genuinely pathetic that Democrats won't do the same in order to protect people's rights
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
Just shitty things being done by shitty people for even shittier reasons.
I’ve been writing Popular Information for 8 years, and this is one of the most important stories I’ve ever published. This is a humanitarian crisis that has gone unreported.
ICE has stopped paying for detainee medical treatment
ICE halted payments in October, and the situation will persist for at least several more months
popular.info
January 20, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Just shitty things being done by shitty people for even shittier reasons.
@rmcelreath.bsky.social I was watching Jeopardy! today and there was a clue about Ulam—I shouted “Father of Monte Carlo computation” but apparently answer was “Father of the H-Bomb”
January 10, 2026 at 12:47 AM
@rmcelreath.bsky.social I was watching Jeopardy! today and there was a clue about Ulam—I shouted “Father of Monte Carlo computation” but apparently answer was “Father of the H-Bomb”
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
December 27, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
#rstats
It is with profound sadness I heard that my long-time friend and colleague, John Fox passed away this week.
He was the author of {car}, {effects}, {Rcmdr}, ... and numerous influential books. I will miss him greatly.
www.john-fox.ca
It is with profound sadness I heard that my long-time friend and colleague, John Fox passed away this week.
He was the author of {car}, {effects}, {Rcmdr}, ... and numerous influential books. I will miss him greatly.
www.john-fox.ca
John Fox: Books and Software
www.john-fox.ca
November 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM
#rstats
It is with profound sadness I heard that my long-time friend and colleague, John Fox passed away this week.
He was the author of {car}, {effects}, {Rcmdr}, ... and numerous influential books. I will miss him greatly.
www.john-fox.ca
It is with profound sadness I heard that my long-time friend and colleague, John Fox passed away this week.
He was the author of {car}, {effects}, {Rcmdr}, ... and numerous influential books. I will miss him greatly.
www.john-fox.ca
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
I appreciate the intention but I really wish that faculty paid much less attention to these personal statements. You have no idea who wrote them (esp. in the age of LLMs) and applicants for whom English is not their primary language may be stellar but not be able to ace these types of nuances.
It’s grad school application season, and I wanted to give some public advice.
Caveats:
-*-*-*-*
> These are my opinions, based on my experiences, they are not secret tricks or guarantees
> They are general guidelines, not meant to cover a host of idiosyncrasies and special cases
Caveats:
-*-*-*-*
> These are my opinions, based on my experiences, they are not secret tricks or guarantees
> They are general guidelines, not meant to cover a host of idiosyncrasies and special cases
November 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I appreciate the intention but I really wish that faculty paid much less attention to these personal statements. You have no idea who wrote them (esp. in the age of LLMs) and applicants for whom English is not their primary language may be stellar but not be able to ace these types of nuances.
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
In the last week, states of emergency declared for kidnappings & starvation.
Washington County declares emergency over increased ICE activity
Hillsboro, Washington County set aside a combined $400,000 to help communities impacted by immigration arrests.
opb.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:18 AM
In the last week, states of emergency declared for kidnappings & starvation.
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
How does employer access to prisoners’ labor through work release impact the well-being of those workers & of free workers?
New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
November 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
How does employer access to prisoners’ labor through work release impact the well-being of those workers & of free workers?
New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
New working paper by Sue Helper, Suresh Naidu, Akseli Palomaki, Adam Reich, + me provides evidence, focus on auto manufacturing in AL
#EconSky
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
Drivers kill 40,000 Americans and injure and maim hundreds of thousands every year and throw ranging temper tantrums when anyone suggests they delay arriving at their destination by five minutes to stem the bloodletting.
It's not that every individual driver is a murderous asshole (I'm not!). It's that car dependency as a whole is dangerous. It's that cars are deadly when they hit people. It's that our society prioritizes drivers above all else. It's about a system that is dangerous for anyone not in a car.
October 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Drivers kill 40,000 Americans and injure and maim hundreds of thousands every year and throw ranging temper tantrums when anyone suggests they delay arriving at their destination by five minutes to stem the bloodletting.
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
Python Software Foundation put their money where their mouth is. Bravo. It’s easy to be inclusive when it’s popular, but PSF chose valuing people over $1.5m in gov money.
TLDR; The PSF has made the decision to put our community and our shared diversity, equity, and inclusion values ahead of seeking $1.5M in new revenue. Please read and share. pyfound.blogspot.com/2025/10/NSF-...
🧵
🧵
The official home of the Python Programming Language
www.python.org
October 29, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Python Software Foundation put their money where their mouth is. Bravo. It’s easy to be inclusive when it’s popular, but PSF chose valuing people over $1.5m in gov money.
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
I think my favorite planning term is “traffic calming” because it shows planners admit cars are more often problematic to cities
October 4, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I think my favorite planning term is “traffic calming” because it shows planners admit cars are more often problematic to cities
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
man, that's wild, what killed them?
In 2024, 7,100 pedestrians were killed on the road, and in recent years, more than 1,000 cyclists have been hit and killed annually. Safety experts explain how bikers and walkers can stay safe.
8 walking and biking safety tips that just might save your life
In 2024, 7,100 pedestrians were killed on the road, and in recent years, more than 1,000 cyclists have been hit and killed annually. Safety experts explain how bikers and walkers can stay safe.
n.pr
September 27, 2025 at 11:20 AM
man, that's wild, what killed them?
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
“He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
“He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.”
-Declaration of Independence
“He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.”
-Declaration of Independence
Trump says he authorizes Hegseth to deploy the military to Portland, which he lyingly calls "war ravaged," and says he is authorizing "full force."
September 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
“He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
“He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.”
-Declaration of Independence
“He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.”
-Declaration of Independence
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
"No vaccine was tested more extensively than the RNA vaccines, and no vaccine was given to more people than the mRNA vaccines, & they were found to be incredibly safe...and effective. They saved 20 million lives, & they stopped a pandemic that was shutting down the world."
-Drew Weissman
-Drew Weissman
Winner of mRNA Nobel Prize says ACIP member’s claim that Covid vaccines persist is “absolutely impossible”
In Q&A, Drew Weissman says vast literature shows Covid shots are safe, refutes claims from Retsef Levi
www.statnews.com/2025/09/20/d...
In Q&A, Drew Weissman says vast literature shows Covid shots are safe, refutes claims from Retsef Levi
www.statnews.com/2025/09/20/d...
Winner of mRNA Nobel Prize says ACIP member’s claim that Covid vaccines persist is “absolutely impossible”
In a Q&A with STAT, Nobel winner Drew Weissman addressed concerns raised about Covid shots at a recent meeting of federal vaccine advisers.
www.statnews.com
September 20, 2025 at 3:23 PM
"No vaccine was tested more extensively than the RNA vaccines, and no vaccine was given to more people than the mRNA vaccines, & they were found to be incredibly safe...and effective. They saved 20 million lives, & they stopped a pandemic that was shutting down the world."
-Drew Weissman
-Drew Weissman
This post is a fascinating appreciation of what makes #rstats work so well, and in a lot of ways, #CSL_citationstyles is very similar. The centralization and fierce attention to non-programmer end users is what makes these projects work.
Really insightful post from Julie Tibshirani (spotted in LinkedIn, can't find on Bsky) reflecting on #rstats 's unique governance structure and what can be learned for other languages
jtibs.substack.com/p/if-all-the...
jtibs.substack.com/p/if-all-the...
If all the world were a monorepo
The R ecosystem and the case for extreme empathy in software maintenance
jtibs.substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 12:30 AM
This post is a fascinating appreciation of what makes #rstats work so well, and in a lot of ways, #CSL_citationstyles is very similar. The centralization and fierce attention to non-programmer end users is what makes these projects work.
Reposted by Brenton Wiernik
🚨Border Patrol arrested two firefighters who were actively fighting a wildfire at the time.
When the other members of the crew asked for a chance to say goodbye, a Border Patrol agent told the crew member “you need to get the f*ck out of here. I’m going to make you leave.”
When the other members of the crew asked for a chance to say goodbye, a Border Patrol agent told the crew member “you need to get the f*ck out of here. I’m going to make you leave.”
August 28, 2025 at 2:51 AM
🚨Border Patrol arrested two firefighters who were actively fighting a wildfire at the time.
When the other members of the crew asked for a chance to say goodbye, a Border Patrol agent told the crew member “you need to get the f*ck out of here. I’m going to make you leave.”
When the other members of the crew asked for a chance to say goodbye, a Border Patrol agent told the crew member “you need to get the f*ck out of here. I’m going to make you leave.”