Joan Allen
@jallensf.bsky.social
I'm here for health policy, health data, unions, California politics, and Giants baseball. There will also be cat pictures.
Why does Sutter Health have Super Bowl ad money?
February 9, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Why does Sutter Health have Super Bowl ad money?
Reposted by Joan Allen
San Francisco's "March for Billionaires" was today.
It was, numbers-wise, a bit of a dud. But not a dull affair: a "We ❤️ you Jeffrey Bezos" sign, at least one polycule, & a participant arguing to "remove" journalists "as a class...just like Germany."
missionlocal.org/2026/02/sf-m...
It was, numbers-wise, a bit of a dud. But not a dull affair: a "We ❤️ you Jeffrey Bezos" sign, at least one polycule, & a participant arguing to "remove" journalists "as a class...just like Germany."
missionlocal.org/2026/02/sf-m...
San Francisco’s billionaire bacchanal a big bust
Only a handful of pro-billionaire agitators actually showed for an apparently earnest “March for Billionaires” at Alta Plaza Park.
missionlocal.org
February 8, 2026 at 1:06 AM
San Francisco's "March for Billionaires" was today.
It was, numbers-wise, a bit of a dud. But not a dull affair: a "We ❤️ you Jeffrey Bezos" sign, at least one polycule, & a participant arguing to "remove" journalists "as a class...just like Germany."
missionlocal.org/2026/02/sf-m...
It was, numbers-wise, a bit of a dud. But not a dull affair: a "We ❤️ you Jeffrey Bezos" sign, at least one polycule, & a participant arguing to "remove" journalists "as a class...just like Germany."
missionlocal.org/2026/02/sf-m...
This is infuriating. Just one more example of this administration choosing to make the world a worse place
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from the CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they …
simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 5:04 AM
This is infuriating. Just one more example of this administration choosing to make the world a worse place
Reposted by Joan Allen
He literally pulled a "you should smile more" IN RESPONSE TO AN EPSTEIN QUESTION.
KAITLAN COLLINS: What would say to Epstein survivo---
TRUMP: You are so bad. You are the worst report. No wonder CNN has no ratings. She's a young woman. I don't think I've ever seen you smile. They should be ashamed of you.
TRUMP: You are so bad. You are the worst report. No wonder CNN has no ratings. She's a young woman. I don't think I've ever seen you smile. They should be ashamed of you.
February 3, 2026 at 10:56 PM
He literally pulled a "you should smile more" IN RESPONSE TO AN EPSTEIN QUESTION.
A senator holding up a key vote explicitly for his own personal financial gain is just wow
NO SENATE VOTE TONIGHT
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
January 30, 2026 at 6:11 AM
A senator holding up a key vote explicitly for his own personal financial gain is just wow
Reposted by Joan Allen
So it’s another blackmail effort.
Homan: "The withdrawal of law enforcement resources here is dependent upon cooperation ... as we see that cooperation happen, then the redeployment will happen"
January 29, 2026 at 1:44 PM
So it’s another blackmail effort.
Reposted by Joan Allen
Two likely contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination have taken opposite sides on California’s proposed wealth tax.
One of them is completely wrong.
Here's what you should know: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/a-wealth-tax-that-will-work
One of them is completely wrong.
Here's what you should know: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/a-wealth-tax-that-will-work
January 28, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Two likely contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination have taken opposite sides on California’s proposed wealth tax.
One of them is completely wrong.
Here's what you should know: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/a-wealth-tax-that-will-work
One of them is completely wrong.
Here's what you should know: https://robertreich.substack.com/p/a-wealth-tax-that-will-work
Finally some good news in San Francisco
January 27, 2026 at 6:14 AM
Finally some good news in San Francisco
Amazing how much of this happens in California
$4,000 per day. 💸
That's what some union-busting consultants pocket while fighting to keep your wages low and your workplace divided.
Read the full report: laborlab.us/union-bustin...
That's what some union-busting consultants pocket while fighting to keep your wages low and your workplace divided.
Read the full report: laborlab.us/union-bustin...
Union-Busting Consultants Command Up to $4,000 Per Day as Workers Fight for Representation: Union-Buster Watch for the Week of January 26, 2025 - LaborLab
Recent federal disclosures have exposed the staggering sums employers spend to prevent workers from organizing. This week’s reveal companies paying up to $4,000 per day for anti-union consultants. Fol...
laborlab.us
January 27, 2026 at 5:41 AM
Amazing how much of this happens in California
Reposted by Joan Allen
Reminder that, as of the latest reports, Liam Ramos is still in prison in Texas - now for 5 days.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
January 27, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Reminder that, as of the latest reports, Liam Ramos is still in prison in Texas - now for 5 days.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
His parents are legal asylum seekers with no criminal record.
Reposted by Joan Allen
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
Reposted by Joan Allen
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
January 25, 2026 at 10:39 PM
One of the best things I’ve read in a while:
Reposted by Joan Allen
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Reposted by Joan Allen
The Trump administration is ending Temporary Protected Status for roughly 350,000 Haitians. The aging care industry is expected to lose many workers as a result.
Elizabeth Trovall reports from a senior community in Florida where 26 staff members are set to lose their work permits.
Elizabeth Trovall reports from a senior community in Florida where 26 staff members are set to lose their work permits.
How Ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians Will Impact Elder Care
YouTube video by Marketplace APM
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:28 AM
The Trump administration is ending Temporary Protected Status for roughly 350,000 Haitians. The aging care industry is expected to lose many workers as a result.
Elizabeth Trovall reports from a senior community in Florida where 26 staff members are set to lose their work permits.
Elizabeth Trovall reports from a senior community in Florida where 26 staff members are set to lose their work permits.
Reposted by Joan Allen
The Republican Study Committee (RSC) in the House is pushing for a *second* budget reconciliation bill & released a plan with more damaging #Medicaid cuts beyond the draconian cuts enacted last year in H.R. 1. My new blog explains and analyzes these proposed cuts: ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/01/22/h...
House Republican Study Committee Pushes for Second Budget Reconciliation Bill and More Damaging Medicaid Cuts
On January 13, the House Republican Study Committee (RSC) unveiled its plan for a second budget reconciliation bill for this Congress, in addition to H.R. 1 (the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” or P.L. 1...
ccf.georgetown.edu
January 22, 2026 at 8:07 PM
The Republican Study Committee (RSC) in the House is pushing for a *second* budget reconciliation bill & released a plan with more damaging #Medicaid cuts beyond the draconian cuts enacted last year in H.R. 1. My new blog explains and analyzes these proposed cuts: ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/01/22/h...
Reposted by Joan Allen
One of the things I’m really struggling with about what’s going on in Minnesota is that if you describe what’s going on in plain, factual ways to someone who’s not paying close attention you sound completely, bugfuck crazy
Minnesota: "School officials say the [5-year-old] child was used as bait. They say [ICE] agents made little Liam knock on the door to ask to be let in in order to see if anyone else was home."
January 22, 2026 at 1:03 AM
One of the things I’m really struggling with about what’s going on in Minnesota is that if you describe what’s going on in plain, factual ways to someone who’s not paying close attention you sound completely, bugfuck crazy
What a jerk
Bessent: "For individuals who want to wire money out of the country, they're gonna have to tick a box whether they are or are not on public assistance. Then we're going to start pushing over the coming days and weeks that if you're on public assistance, you cannot wire money out of the country."
January 13, 2026 at 4:23 AM
What a jerk
Reposted by Joan Allen
He's just straight up rationalizing that it's OK for them to murder people over "hateful rhetoric."
"Contempt of cop" is not, in fact, a crime, especially not one that warrants summary execution on the streets.
"Contempt of cop" is not, in fact, a crime, especially not one that warrants summary execution on the streets.
WELKER: What do you see in that video?
HOMAN: I've said from March -- if the hateful rhetoric doesn't decline there's going to be bloodshed. And unfortunately I was right. You gotta put yourself in the mind of the officer.
HOMAN: I've said from March -- if the hateful rhetoric doesn't decline there's going to be bloodshed. And unfortunately I was right. You gotta put yourself in the mind of the officer.
January 11, 2026 at 3:05 PM
He's just straight up rationalizing that it's OK for them to murder people over "hateful rhetoric."
"Contempt of cop" is not, in fact, a crime, especially not one that warrants summary execution on the streets.
"Contempt of cop" is not, in fact, a crime, especially not one that warrants summary execution on the streets.
Reposted by Joan Allen
This is…
A) …market-moving information. And, in fact, it appears there was action on Polymarket around the time of this post
B) …another attack on the (still reliable) work of the professionals at BLS.
C) …yet another example of him not believing the rules apply to him, and getting away w it
A) …market-moving information. And, in fact, it appears there was action on Polymarket around the time of this post
B) …another attack on the (still reliable) work of the professionals at BLS.
C) …yet another example of him not believing the rules apply to him, and getting away w it
Kai, could you educate us with a few sentences why?
January 9, 2026 at 4:31 PM
This is…
A) …market-moving information. And, in fact, it appears there was action on Polymarket around the time of this post
B) …another attack on the (still reliable) work of the professionals at BLS.
C) …yet another example of him not believing the rules apply to him, and getting away w it
A) …market-moving information. And, in fact, it appears there was action on Polymarket around the time of this post
B) …another attack on the (still reliable) work of the professionals at BLS.
C) …yet another example of him not believing the rules apply to him, and getting away w it
Reposted by Joan Allen
Cartoon by Pat Bagley, The Salt Lake Tribune
January 8, 2026 at 3:55 AM
Cartoon by Pat Bagley, The Salt Lake Tribune
Reposted by Joan Allen
........ do not give the evil owned theft machine your medical records
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, encouraging users to connect their medical records
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health, encouraging users to connect their medical records
But it’s “not intended for diagnosis or treatment.”
buff.ly
January 7, 2026 at 9:48 PM
........ do not give the evil owned theft machine your medical records
Reposted by Joan Allen
This is literally the opposite of insurance.
BARTIROMO: What is the GOP's healthcare plan?
RICK SCOTT: Many times you can buy it way cheaper by just going directly to a doctor or a hospital or surgery center rather than going through the insurance product. Let them buy their own insurance.
RICK SCOTT: Many times you can buy it way cheaper by just going directly to a doctor or a hospital or surgery center rather than going through the insurance product. Let them buy their own insurance.
January 7, 2026 at 5:53 PM
This is literally the opposite of insurance.
Reposted by Joan Allen
Insane
WH sources say Venezuela's opposition leader committed the "ultimate sin": She accepted the Nobel Peace prize.
“If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today,” one said.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
“If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today,” one said.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
January 5, 2026 at 5:59 AM
Insane
Reposted by Joan Allen
this is just insane. I don’t have any other words for it
Trump: "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country. And we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so."
January 3, 2026 at 5:12 PM
this is just insane. I don’t have any other words for it
Reposted by Joan Allen
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.