dfwesten.bsky.social
@dfwesten.bsky.social
"RFK Jr. is a crank and a conspiracy theorist. He does not understand science or medicine, does not understand the idea of risk vs benefit ... (he) has no idea what he is talking about. But he is dangerous. The only real question is how many millions of deaths will he be responsible for."
RFK Jr.’s Attack on Vaccines - NeuroLogica Blog
RFK Jr. is an anti-vaxxer. He will protest that, but it's a dodge. He basically lied (and it was quite transparent) to the senate confirmation committee, and I think Cassidy and others knew full well ...
theness.com
June 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
“There’s just no conception of the public good at all operating with any of these people.”
Trump's rage at the media over failures of Iran bombing sends a message: We can't trust anything the admin says on this via official channels. Everything will be tailored to serve the cult of Trump.

On the pod, national security lawyer Brad Moss is brilliant on this:
newrepublic.com/article/1972...
MAGA Dope Pete Hegseth Accidentally Exposes Trump’s Vile Scam on Iran
As Pete Hegseth and other Trumpists furiously attack reports that Trump’s Iran bombing failed, a veteran national security lawyer explains why all this MAGA propaganda is taking us to a very dangerous...
newrepublic.com
June 26, 2025 at 11:56 AM
"Trade services for apparel retailers remain largely unchanged this year, suggesting that higher selling prices (or lower other acquisition costs) are offsetting the additional cost of tariffs."
Correction: What are inflation surprises telling us about tariffs?
I have corrected my discussion of PPI trade services in my post last week.
stayathomemacro.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted
Five things to remember about war:
June 22, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Reposted
“This latest decision … says that politicians should have a larger voice in determining a child’s identity—and weighing a child’s health care options—than parents, doctors or even the child.”
Krull Commentary: Court gives big government a boost - THE INDIANA CITIZEN
This column was originally published by TheStatehouseFile.com. By John Krull TheStatehouseFile.com June 18, 2025 The U.S. Supreme Court of Chief Justice John Roberts now has established what its legac...
indianacitizen.org
June 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted
Appreciate the clarity in this report from European CDC. While NB.1.8.1 is not giving particular cause for alarm, decreased population immunity *alone* (from lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates over winter and low vax rates) is enough to drive a summer wave similar to last year. Stay safe 🙏🏾
June 17, 2025 at 4:28 AM
“Medicare Advantage … has evolved into a system dominated by a handful of massive insurers who are gaming the rules for profit. … It’s hurting patients.”
thehill.com
June 17, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted
I keep trying to think of ways to get most people to understand what demographic data means to them. The idea for this graph came to me as I ate dinner. I don't understand how eating meat balls gives ideas. Knowing what it is is an ALT click away. 🧪💡☠️ #Sociology #Population #Demography
June 14, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Chicago
June 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
From Don the Con on down…
Republicans Have a Solution for Their Deficit Problem: Flagrant Lies
Rejecting reality, they substitute their own.
prospect.org
June 12, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reposted
(This is a real ad.)
June 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
“For all their caterwauling about how unfairly they’ve been treated by life, most DEI haters know that being white and straight in America is a pretty good gig.”
Krull Commentary: Todd Rokita evades the question - THE INDIANA CITIZEN
This column was originally published by TheStatehouseFile.com By John Krull TheStatehouseFile.com June 6, 2025 When Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced another of his pandering efforts to p...
indianacitizen.org
June 7, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Reposted
Shakespeare described Elon Musk's foray into politics long ago:

He is a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
January 8, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Reposted
Donald Trump sued me for racketeering, I won and did not back down.

Donald Trump tried to have me investigated, I did not back down.

Donald Trump named me in executive orders, I did not back down.

If your lawyers are so afraid that they are cutting deals with Trump, you have the wrong lawyers.
June 2, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted
Trump’s proposed budget:

-Guts a nutrition program that helps 6.7M mothers, infants, and children under 5 access healthy food

-Cuts housing programs that help 5.6M families afford rent

-Eliminates funding entirely for Preschool Development Grants

“Pro-family” values at work.
The war on poor kids
Late Friday afternoon, the Trump administration released the details of its 2026 budget request. The 1,223-page document
popular.info
June 2, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Don't think these were the "family values" Barbara Bush and others lauded at the 1992 Republican National Convention...
House Reconciliation Bill Proposes Deepest SNAP Cut in History, Would Take Food Assistance Away From Millions of Low-Income Families | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The House-passed Republican reconciliation plan would cut nearly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through 2034, based on Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimat...
www.cbpp.org
May 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Reposted
Seven truths about trade: timharford.com/2025/05/seve...
(When the FT published this a month ago, it really struck a chord with lots of people. ICYMI, enjoy.)
May 22, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I urge all Hoosiers to bookmark or obtain a newsletter subscription for The Indiana Citizen!
About us - THE INDIANA CITIZEN
The Indiana Citizen is a nonpartisan, non-profit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed, engaged Hoosier citizens. We are operated by the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation, Inc., a...
indianacitizen.org
May 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
“… Trump Derangement Syndrome. That diagnosis is best left for those who think this guy is going to deliver prosperity.”
Hicks Commentary: It’s TDS to Suppose These Tariffs Are Working - THE INDIANA CITIZEN
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael Hicks May 18, 2025 Judging from email and social media, m...
indianacitizen.org
May 20, 2025 at 11:11 AM
May 19, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Reposted
"This entire debate has been one attempt after another by Republicans to present Medicaid cuts as something other than Medicaid cuts."

On the pod, @citizencohn.bsky.social is so illuminating on how bad the GOP bill's Medicaid cuts truly are:
newrepublic.com/article/1952...
MAGA Senator’s Stunning Admission: GOP Is Badly Screwing Trump Voters
As a staunch Trump ally openly acknowledges the truth about the House GOP’s “big, beautiful bill,” a leading health care reporter explains all the ways it will seriously hurt the Trump-MAGA working-cl...
newrepublic.com
May 15, 2025 at 12:20 PM