Melissa Vanden Bout
@docvanden.bsky.social
Ethicist and troublemaker. The only way out is through. The only way through is together. (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇵🇸
Pinned
(For now, my latest article.)
Betray can mean “break faith,”or it can mean “reveal.” In its choices about who it protects and who it identifies as a threat, an institution tells us who it really was all along.
My story of institutional betrayal: www.advancejournal.org/article/94664
Betray can mean “break faith,”or it can mean “reveal.” In its choices about who it protects and who it identifies as a threat, an institution tells us who it really was all along.
My story of institutional betrayal: www.advancejournal.org/article/94664
Somebody needs this.
I designed a horseshoe crab sweater and published it on Ravelry on National horseshoe crab day! If you ever thought to yourself “man, I really want a hand knit sweater with horseshoe crabs on it” boy do I have great news for ya
www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib...
www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib...
November 11, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Somebody needs this.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Bluesky suspended Sarah Kendzior today for no reason whatsoever. She just shared excerpts of her articles, which were as always incisive and not offensive at all. Hey @pfrazee.com this is super not OK. I know her- we've interacted a fair bit via chats and her work is essential.
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Bluesky suspended Sarah Kendzior today for no reason whatsoever. She just shared excerpts of her articles, which were as always incisive and not offensive at all. Hey @pfrazee.com this is super not OK. I know her- we've interacted a fair bit via chats and her work is essential.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Yo, @support.bsky.team, bring back @sarahkendzior.bsky.social.
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Yo, @support.bsky.team, bring back @sarahkendzior.bsky.social.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
One of my HS classmates is a trucker who has hit hard times because of an on the job injury and since this country’s social safety net is trash, needs to raise funds to support his recovery. Please consider donating, even if you can’t offer much 🫶🏽
www.gofundme.com/f/help-jason...
www.gofundme.com/f/help-jason...
Donate to Help Jason Bell's Family During Spinal Surgery & Recovery, organized by Jason Bell
Hello everyone,
My name is Tony Patterson and I’m reaching ou… Jason Bell needs your support for Help Jason Bell's Family During Spinal Surgery & Recovery
www.gofundme.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:10 AM
One of my HS classmates is a trucker who has hit hard times because of an on the job injury and since this country’s social safety net is trash, needs to raise funds to support his recovery. Please consider donating, even if you can’t offer much 🫶🏽
www.gofundme.com/f/help-jason...
www.gofundme.com/f/help-jason...
This is OUR opposition party. And we’re kicking Schumer out.
Fighters only.
Fighters only.
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Indivisible Launches its Largest Primary Program in Response to Senate Democrats Surrendering on the Shutdown Vote
indivisible.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:57 AM
This is OUR opposition party. And we’re kicking Schumer out.
Fighters only.
Fighters only.
This is OUR opposition party. And we’re kicking Schumer out.
Fighters only.
Fighters only.
November 11, 2025 at 5:56 AM
This is OUR opposition party. And we’re kicking Schumer out.
Fighters only.
Fighters only.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Indivisible Launches its Largest Primary Program in Response to Senate Democrats Surrendering on the Shutdown Vote
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Rick Scott was CEO of a large, for-profit healthcare company called HCA. While Rick Scott was CEO, HCA stole so much money from Medicare they were fined $1.7 Billion.
Rick Scott told me his plan would be to take all of the remaining ACA subsidies and redistribute them to HSA accounts and people can then buy whatever insurance a state certifies. Basically a repeal/replace.
He denied when I asked wouldn’t that create two-tiered system where sick pay much more…
He denied when I asked wouldn’t that create two-tiered system where sick pay much more…
November 11, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Rick Scott was CEO of a large, for-profit healthcare company called HCA. While Rick Scott was CEO, HCA stole so much money from Medicare they were fined $1.7 Billion.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
In the struggle against authoritarianism, the pro-democracy opposition needs ruthlessly strategic leadership.
Chuck Schumer ain’t it. It’s time for him to resign. We don’t have time for more Schumer Surrenders.
Chuck Schumer ain’t it. It’s time for him to resign. We don’t have time for more Schumer Surrenders.
“If Schumer really wanted to use his considerable influence and leverage to stop this, he could have done that,” a senior Democratic Senate aide tells Zeteo. “He didn’t.”
Furious Liberals Call for Schumer to Step Aside, Senate Dems Mostly Quiet
After their shutdown surrender, liberal lawmakers are begging their base to unite behind them anyway – as Trumpland celebrates that their opposition is a bunch of 'p*ssies.'
zeteo.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 AM
In the struggle against authoritarianism, the pro-democracy opposition needs ruthlessly strategic leadership.
Chuck Schumer ain’t it. It’s time for him to resign. We don’t have time for more Schumer Surrenders.
Chuck Schumer ain’t it. It’s time for him to resign. We don’t have time for more Schumer Surrenders.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
It’s wild to suggest this is a circular firing squad or something when it’s millions of citizen Democrats who hate it versus 47 elected Democrats who conspired to surrender for nothing.
We’re not fighting “each other,” we’re fighting you. There’s only a few dozen of you, but you hold all the power.
We’re not fighting “each other,” we’re fighting you. There’s only a few dozen of you, but you hold all the power.
But there are real dangers out there that must be fought; and energy spent fighting each other is energy lost to that bigger fight.
November 11, 2025 at 1:27 AM
It’s wild to suggest this is a circular firing squad or something when it’s millions of citizen Democrats who hate it versus 47 elected Democrats who conspired to surrender for nothing.
We’re not fighting “each other,” we’re fighting you. There’s only a few dozen of you, but you hold all the power.
We’re not fighting “each other,” we’re fighting you. There’s only a few dozen of you, but you hold all the power.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Oh no a more representative Congress. Can’t have that
November 11, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Oh no a more representative Congress. Can’t have that
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Have you considered kicking out the people who gave up the fight and picking a new leader who is capable of leading the same
The sooner we get past internal recriminations and back to fighting united, the better off we all are — the likelier our victory next November.
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Have you considered kicking out the people who gave up the fight and picking a new leader who is capable of leading the same
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
“If Schumer really wanted to use his considerable influence and leverage to stop this, he could have done that,” a senior Democratic Senate aide tells Zeteo. “He didn’t.”
Furious Liberals Call for Schumer to Step Aside, Senate Dems Mostly Quiet
After their shutdown surrender, liberal lawmakers are begging their base to unite behind them anyway – as Trumpland celebrates that their opposition is a bunch of 'p*ssies.'
zeteo.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
“If Schumer really wanted to use his considerable influence and leverage to stop this, he could have done that,” a senior Democratic Senate aide tells Zeteo. “He didn’t.”
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
So....you gonna pay the extra $500 a month in premiums I have to come up with (or I die)?
My promise to you: I will never stop fighting to protect your health care.
November 11, 2025 at 1:21 AM
So....you gonna pay the extra $500 a month in premiums I have to come up with (or I die)?
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
So...you gonna publicly call for Schumer to be replaced as leader with someone who is actually effective?
blacksky.community/profile/did:...
blacksky.community/profile/did:...
My promise to you: I will never stop fighting to protect your health care.
November 11, 2025 at 1:25 AM
So...you gonna publicly call for Schumer to be replaced as leader with someone who is actually effective?
blacksky.community/profile/did:...
blacksky.community/profile/did:...
Absolutely the fuck not.
Get Schumer out. Now.
Get Schumer out. Now.
The sooner we get past internal recriminations and back to fighting united, the better off we all are — the likelier our victory next November.
November 11, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Absolutely the fuck not.
Get Schumer out. Now.
Get Schumer out. Now.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
This is a fantastic mutual aid opportunity, friends. Share and give as you can.
Yes, I made a list of things that can go in the next round of deliveries. I'm able to help 8-10 families every week, buying half the groceries myself. D lives close to me so we can help her weekly. I've got many canned goods, other items are good to supplement:
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Check out my list on Amazon
www.amazon.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 PM
This is a fantastic mutual aid opportunity, friends. Share and give as you can.
This is so deeply evil it’s mind-boggling.
The Trump administration State Department is taking money that's supposed to be used for helping vulnerable refugees around the world and using it to bribe corrupt governments into taking people that ICE can't deport to their home countries.
November 11, 2025 at 1:22 AM
This is so deeply evil it’s mind-boggling.
This is a fantastic mutual aid opportunity, friends. Share and give as you can.
Yes, I made a list of things that can go in the next round of deliveries. I'm able to help 8-10 families every week, buying half the groceries myself. D lives close to me so we can help her weekly. I've got many canned goods, other items are good to supplement:
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
Check out my list on Amazon
www.amazon.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 PM
This is a fantastic mutual aid opportunity, friends. Share and give as you can.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
An anonymous donor just offered to match up to $1,000 to my fundraiser in support of health benefits for @scarleteen.com's staff and an as-needed health fund for volunteers, which means your $1 is worth $2! Anyone want to join in with ANOTHER match to turn that into $3?
Scarleteen Staff and Volunteer Healthcare Fund
{{MetaTags.description}}
www.classy.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 PM
An anonymous donor just offered to match up to $1,000 to my fundraiser in support of health benefits for @scarleteen.com's staff and an as-needed health fund for volunteers, which means your $1 is worth $2! Anyone want to join in with ANOTHER match to turn that into $3?
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
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 7:12 PM
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:
The entire point of AI is to have that magic mystery black box as origin point: unquestionable and impervious. A puppet god that tech companies control but are never responsible for.
Its not at all surprising though. Once stuff goes into the black box suddenly no one is accountable or responsible for the results! The best in corporate handwashing.
With an added bonus runaround of "only the vendor can fix it" trying to exhaust the customer so they give up.
With an added bonus runaround of "only the vendor can fix it" trying to exhaust the customer so they give up.
November 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The entire point of AI is to have that magic mystery black box as origin point: unquestionable and impervious. A puppet god that tech companies control but are never responsible for.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
we should not be letting any company get away with blaming AI for their failures. I'm not even sure how we got to this point. people are like "it's just a tool" okay so is a forklift and we still hold somebody responsible when it goes wrong and hurts someone. this is YOUR AI!
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
we should not be letting any company get away with blaming AI for their failures. I'm not even sure how we got to this point. people are like "it's just a tool" okay so is a forklift and we still hold somebody responsible when it goes wrong and hurts someone. this is YOUR AI!
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
MSNBC is going to have a bunch of Dem operatives on to lie to Dem voters. All of it is WWF.
November 10, 2025 at 7:51 PM
MSNBC is going to have a bunch of Dem operatives on to lie to Dem voters. All of it is WWF.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Rewaa sent me all these sketches of her interior design work- I think about how difficult it must be to have focused your life on making things beautiful and to live in Gaza
November 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Rewaa sent me all these sketches of her interior design work- I think about how difficult it must be to have focused your life on making things beautiful and to live in Gaza