Jane French
@janefrench.bsky.social
Writer, caregiver, advocate for low-income older adults.
Pinned
Paraphrasing John Boehner when, after he left the house, he was asked about the always promised, but never materializing GOP healthcare plans: (Laughed hard) Plan!? Republicans don't have a healthcare plan!!
REPORTER: Do you support repealing Obamacare and what's your healthcare plan?
MIKE JOHNSON: We worked on repealing and replacing Obamacare back in 2017. I still have PTSD from the experience. We know that American healthcare needs dramatic reform. We have lots of ideas.
(So, no plan)
MIKE JOHNSON: We worked on repealing and replacing Obamacare back in 2017. I still have PTSD from the experience. We know that American healthcare needs dramatic reform. We have lots of ideas.
(So, no plan)
Aging nicely, unfortunately.
Aging nicely, unfortunately.
Paraphrasing John Boehner when, after he left the house, he was asked about the always promised, but never materializing GOP healthcare plans: (Laughed hard) Plan!? Republicans don't have a healthcare plan!!
REPORTER: Do you support repealing Obamacare and what's your healthcare plan?
MIKE JOHNSON: We worked on repealing and replacing Obamacare back in 2017. I still have PTSD from the experience. We know that American healthcare needs dramatic reform. We have lots of ideas.
(So, no plan)
MIKE JOHNSON: We worked on repealing and replacing Obamacare back in 2017. I still have PTSD from the experience. We know that American healthcare needs dramatic reform. We have lots of ideas.
(So, no plan)
November 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Aging nicely, unfortunately.
Reposted by Jane French
Arianna Sofia Veraza and her parents were driving to Sam's Club for milk, eggs and diapers yesterday when they heard helicopters and horns blaring yesterday. They had turned around to leave when a federal agent pepper-sprayed them through a car window.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
Pepper-sprayed Berwyn family rattled after getting caught up in federal blitz
Southwest Side politicians condemned Saturday’s pepper spraying and the federal sweep of Little Village as “state-sponsored terrorism” at a news conference Sunday.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Arianna Sofia Veraza and her parents were driving to Sam's Club for milk, eggs and diapers yesterday when they heard helicopters and horns blaring yesterday. They had turned around to leave when a federal agent pepper-sprayed them through a car window.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
Follow the money. This administration won't intervene to regulate a cash cow.
“It’s not competition. It’s more like collusion. They don’t care about price.” More health systems, doctor groups, and insurers are merging into giants. The Trump administration may not be willing or able to intervene. ⤵️
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
As Health Companies Get Bigger, So Do the Bills. It’s Unclear if Trump’s Team Will Intervene. - KFF Health News
As health systems, doctor groups, and insurers merge into ever-bigger giants, patient care gets more expensive. Yet the Trump administration has sent mixed signals about its willingness to intervene —...
kffhealthnews.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Follow the money. This administration won't intervene to regulate a cash cow.
Reposted by Jane French
If only Chuck Schumer could be just 5% Mitch McConnell and not 100% Charlie Brown.
November 9, 2025 at 8:35 PM
If only Chuck Schumer could be just 5% Mitch McConnell and not 100% Charlie Brown.
SNAP benefit update: When asked in 1933 why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton replied, “Because that's where the money is.” If you think you see someone shoplifting food at the grocery store, no you didn't. Keep shopping.
November 9, 2025 at 5:29 PM
SNAP benefit update: When asked in 1933 why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton replied, “Because that's where the money is.” If you think you see someone shoplifting food at the grocery store, no you didn't. Keep shopping.
Reposted by Jane French
As we look toward 2026, we need more book club members. Join up now for a year of book mail and, while we have them, a free t-shirt.
malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
2026 Book Club — Malarkey
Buy a year’s worth of books and zines with the Malarkey Book Club. In 2026 you’ll get copies of: The Walls Are Closing In On Us , a novel by Joshua Trent Brown Terrestrial , a novella by Suzy...
malarkeybooks.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM
As we look toward 2026, we need more book club members. Join up now for a year of book mail and, while we have them, a free t-shirt.
malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
malarkeybooks.com/store/2026bo...
Reposted by Jane French
Order one on Will's site, or hop one on of his last tours of the season & grab one there. www.brickofchicago.com
Brick of Chicago
Brick is beautiful. At Brick of Chicago you can see pictures of beautiful bricks and brick walls and learn more about brick wall patterns.
www.brickofchicago.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Order one on Will's site, or hop one on of his last tours of the season & grab one there. www.brickofchicago.com
Reposted by Jane French
So many amazing small presses out there putting out interesting stuff you'll never find anywhere else. Four of my favorites are:
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social
@shotgunhoney.com
@cowboyjamboree.bsky.social
Cornerstone Press
They've all put out great stuff this year, with more about to be released
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social
@shotgunhoney.com
@cowboyjamboree.bsky.social
Cornerstone Press
They've all put out great stuff this year, with more about to be released
November 8, 2025 at 12:38 PM
So many amazing small presses out there putting out interesting stuff you'll never find anywhere else. Four of my favorites are:
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social
@shotgunhoney.com
@cowboyjamboree.bsky.social
Cornerstone Press
They've all put out great stuff this year, with more about to be released
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social
@shotgunhoney.com
@cowboyjamboree.bsky.social
Cornerstone Press
They've all put out great stuff this year, with more about to be released
Oof. Read this.
"I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass one day. I was left without adequate words to describe that experience. It reminded me that I am alive."
When Kittens Came to My Prison, I Had Not Petted One in 15 Years
I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass.
prisonjournalismproject.org
November 8, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Oof. Read this.
Reposted by Jane French
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
November 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
Reposted by Jane French
this morning, ICE went into a Spanish language immersion daycare and took a teacher from the building in front of screaming and crying kids and parents at dropoff and the daycare had to shut down for the day (near Lane Tech, where they were yesterday). Really hoping today's "theme" is not "daycare."
November 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
this morning, ICE went into a Spanish language immersion daycare and took a teacher from the building in front of screaming and crying kids and parents at dropoff and the daycare had to shut down for the day (near Lane Tech, where they were yesterday). Really hoping today's "theme" is not "daycare."
I needed this one. All the feels.
We have a great new piece today from Scott Ragland! Check out “Spring Snow.” lost-balloon.com/2025/11/05/s... (photo credit: adamgn)
November 5, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I needed this one. All the feels.
Reposted by Jane French
I will do anything for public libraries because they represent the very best of our society: decency, curiosity, care for our neighbors, empathy. They're a rare place where there is no pressure to buy things or to be anyone other than yourself.
November 5, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I will do anything for public libraries because they represent the very best of our society: decency, curiosity, care for our neighbors, empathy. They're a rare place where there is no pressure to buy things or to be anyone other than yourself.
Reposted by Jane French
It's publication day for Read This When Things Fall Apart! So grateful to our contributors and to @akpress.org for making this book a reality. This is a strange time to be promoting a book, but I believe it's a text that has the potential to help us right now. Please get yourself a copy. ❤️
Read This When Things Fall Apart: Letters to Activists in Crisis
Letters to Activists in Crisis
bookshop.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:43 PM
It's publication day for Read This When Things Fall Apart! So grateful to our contributors and to @akpress.org for making this book a reality. This is a strange time to be promoting a book, but I believe it's a text that has the potential to help us right now. Please get yourself a copy. ❤️
Reposted by Jane French
You read that right! miCRo submissions are OPEN! Send us your best work of 500 words or fewer.
November 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
You read that right! miCRo submissions are OPEN! Send us your best work of 500 words or fewer.
I guess hell needed a shortstop.
November 4, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I guess hell needed a shortstop.
more precisely, it's time for journos to journo.
it's time for journos to start asking Johnson meta questions
"Speaker, on 5 occasions last week you said 'I haven't seen it' when asked about news events w/big implications for public policy. Do you ever read the news, and do you agree it's problematic for the Speaker to be so woefully uninformed?"
"Speaker, on 5 occasions last week you said 'I haven't seen it' when asked about news events w/big implications for public policy. Do you ever read the news, and do you agree it's problematic for the Speaker to be so woefully uninformed?"
November 3, 2025 at 4:59 PM
more precisely, it's time for journos to journo.
Exhibit A as to why stable, equitable federal funding is necessary. Faith-based and private organizations and people cannot meet the need without it. Nor should they have to. Period.
Here in Atlanta yesterday, more than 2,000 people waited in their cars—one woman for 14 hours—for a box of food. The giveaway ended early; there wasn't enough to go around.
Multiply this scene by countless others across the country, and you get a sense of how crushing the desperation is right now.
Multiply this scene by countless others across the country, and you get a sense of how crushing the desperation is right now.
November 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Exhibit A as to why stable, equitable federal funding is necessary. Faith-based and private organizations and people cannot meet the need without it. Nor should they have to. Period.
Reposted by Jane French
The New York Times likes to say Trump "has stretched the limits of his powers” and “tests the boundaries of the presidency.” But this is not a test or a stretching exercise. He’s a lawless politician building a dictatorship. Say it. 🧵 1/3
November 2, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The New York Times likes to say Trump "has stretched the limits of his powers” and “tests the boundaries of the presidency.” But this is not a test or a stretching exercise. He’s a lawless politician building a dictatorship. Say it. 🧵 1/3
Reposted by Jane French
Yet another variety of cop has arrived—NIPAS/assorted suburban Illinois cops from various departments recruited for riot control.
Dogs barking.
ISP just gave another warning, ordering protesters to disperse or potentially face chemical weapons or "pain compliance techniques."
Dogs barking.
ISP just gave another warning, ordering protesters to disperse or potentially face chemical weapons or "pain compliance techniques."
November 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Yet another variety of cop has arrived—NIPAS/assorted suburban Illinois cops from various departments recruited for riot control.
Dogs barking.
ISP just gave another warning, ordering protesters to disperse or potentially face chemical weapons or "pain compliance techniques."
Dogs barking.
ISP just gave another warning, ordering protesters to disperse or potentially face chemical weapons or "pain compliance techniques."
Quiet yesterday because Halloween. IL State Police tried to hand out candy to protesters. No takers. All bets are off today. They are in it. Governor Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov, stop trying to straddle the fence.
Outside Chicago—
State police and sheriff's officers at Broadview detention center are out in riot gear.
A large Halloween demo is being prevented from doing a Jericho walk through the intersection.
Arrests of protesters ongoing. Troopers have also assaulted multiple reporters already.
State police and sheriff's officers at Broadview detention center are out in riot gear.
A large Halloween demo is being prevented from doing a Jericho walk through the intersection.
Arrests of protesters ongoing. Troopers have also assaulted multiple reporters already.
November 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Quiet yesterday because Halloween. IL State Police tried to hand out candy to protesters. No takers. All bets are off today. They are in it. Governor Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov, stop trying to straddle the fence.
Reposted by Jane French
This is an unprecedented historical moment that demands an unprecedented public response.
I’m incredibly thankful for the solidarity shown by elected officials, public figures, constituents, and others over the past few days.
I’m incredibly thankful for the solidarity shown by elected officials, public figures, constituents, and others over the past few days.
November 1, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This is an unprecedented historical moment that demands an unprecedented public response.
I’m incredibly thankful for the solidarity shown by elected officials, public figures, constituents, and others over the past few days.
I’m incredibly thankful for the solidarity shown by elected officials, public figures, constituents, and others over the past few days.
Reposted by Jane French
He has already chosen, what the fuck are we doing here
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
November 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
He has already chosen, what the fuck are we doing here
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
On the nose doesn't convey how on the nose this is.
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”
Per Danny Kemp via press pool
Trump is at the Halloween party at MAL
“Official theme is Gatsby and ‘a little party never killed nobody’, we’re told.”
Trump is at the Halloween party at MAL
“Official theme is Gatsby and ‘a little party never killed nobody’, we’re told.”
November 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM
On the nose doesn't convey how on the nose this is.
Corporate Media, stop blaming the victim. Your slip is showing.
October 31, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Corporate Media, stop blaming the victim. Your slip is showing.