Karen Pickell
@karenpickell.bsky.social
Author of AN ADOPTEE LEXICON. Founder @AdopteeReading.bsky.social Budding genealogist/family historian. #adoptee #AdopteeVoices #cnf #genealogy #FamilyHistory -- karenpickell.com
Pinned
Catholic Culpability in Adoption
Let me begin by admitting that it’s taken me two months to write this. In early September, I read The Price of Children: Stolen Lives in a Land Without Choice by Maria Laurino, an Italian American …
karenpickell.com
"Christianity is front and center at this moment in American history. It’s easier to recognize indoctrination in other sects than in the one you’re raised in, and that, of course, is by design." #adoptees #adoption #Catholic
karenpickell.com/2025/11/12/c...
karenpickell.com/2025/11/12/c...
Reposted by Karen Pickell
“Many of the women say that they were pressured to have unwanted or unnecessary gynecological procedures while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
"They tried to shut me up by deporting me."
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
Dozens Of Women Allege Unwanted Surgeries And Medical Abuse In ICE Custody
More women are coming forward to say they were pressured to have reproductive surgeries they did not want or understand, offering a glimpse into alleged medical abuses at an ICE detention center.
www.npr.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:11 AM
“Many of the women say that they were pressured to have unwanted or unnecessary gynecological procedures while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
Reposted by Karen Pickell
🎣 RECOGNIZE PHISHING - Scammers often impersonate Bluesky staff. Our accounts have blue verification checkmarks—if an account looks like Bluesky but lacks the checkmark, it's not official. When in doubt, don't engage. 7/10
November 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
🎣 RECOGNIZE PHISHING - Scammers often impersonate Bluesky staff. Our accounts have blue verification checkmarks—if an account looks like Bluesky but lacks the checkmark, it's not official. When in doubt, don't engage. 7/10
Reposted by Karen Pickell
🚨 MODERATION SCAM WARNING - DMs about account violations or moderation issues are scams. We don't handle moderation via DMs/external sites and would NEVER ask for your password, payment, or credit card details regarding moderation decisions. 6/10
November 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
🚨 MODERATION SCAM WARNING - DMs about account violations or moderation issues are scams. We don't handle moderation via DMs/external sites and would NEVER ask for your password, payment, or credit card details regarding moderation decisions. 6/10
Reposted by Karen Pickell
⚠️ VERIFICATION SCAM WARNING - We will NEVER DM you about account verification. Messages from "Bluesky staff" or services offering to get your account verified through DMs are scams. Report and block immediately. 5/10
November 14, 2025 at 8:00 PM
⚠️ VERIFICATION SCAM WARNING - We will NEVER DM you about account verification. Messages from "Bluesky staff" or services offering to get your account verified through DMs are scams. Report and block immediately. 5/10
Reposted by Karen Pickell
BREAKING: President Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit as pressure builds on consumer prices.
Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruit as pressure builds on consumer prices
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to get rid of tariffs on a broad swath of commodities, including beef, coffee and tropical fruits.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 10:33 PM
BREAKING: President Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit as pressure builds on consumer prices.
Reposted by Karen Pickell
Breaking: A bipartisan group of 58 former state AGs filed an amicus brief in United States v. James.
“This prosecution targets every state’s sovereignty,” the state attorneys general write. www.brennancenter.org/sites/defaul... (1/3)
“This prosecution targets every state’s sovereignty,” the state attorneys general write. www.brennancenter.org/sites/defaul... (1/3)
November 14, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Breaking: A bipartisan group of 58 former state AGs filed an amicus brief in United States v. James.
“This prosecution targets every state’s sovereignty,” the state attorneys general write. www.brennancenter.org/sites/defaul... (1/3)
“This prosecution targets every state’s sovereignty,” the state attorneys general write. www.brennancenter.org/sites/defaul... (1/3)
Reposted by Karen Pickell
The anti abortion movement has always been a terrorist movement. They've shot, murdered, and bombed doctors and clinics for decades.
Mark Baumgartner, known anti-choice protester in South Carolina, has shot someone at a Planned Parenthood in South Carolina. www.fitsnews.com/2025/11/14/s...
Shooting at South Carolina Planned Parenthood - FITSNews
One wounded, one detained in connection with parking lot incident involving pro-life protester...
www.fitsnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The anti abortion movement has always been a terrorist movement. They've shot, murdered, and bombed doctors and clinics for decades.
Reposted by Karen Pickell
⚡️Russian military vessel spotted near Hawaii, US Coast Guard says.
The U.S. Coast Guard detected and monitored a Russian intelligence-gathering ship operating near the Hawaiian Islands on Oct. 29, according to a press release published Nov. 13.
The U.S. Coast Guard detected and monitored a Russian intelligence-gathering ship operating near the Hawaiian Islands on Oct. 29, according to a press release published Nov. 13.
Russian military vessel spotted near Hawaii, US Coast Guard says
The U.S. Coast Guard detected and monitored a Russian intelligence-gathering ship operating near Hawaiian on Oct. 29, according to a press release published Nov. 13.
kyivindependent.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:54 PM
⚡️Russian military vessel spotted near Hawaii, US Coast Guard says.
The U.S. Coast Guard detected and monitored a Russian intelligence-gathering ship operating near the Hawaiian Islands on Oct. 29, according to a press release published Nov. 13.
The U.S. Coast Guard detected and monitored a Russian intelligence-gathering ship operating near the Hawaiian Islands on Oct. 29, according to a press release published Nov. 13.
Reposted by Karen Pickell
NEW: President Trump mentioned over 1,000 times in Epstein files, more than anyone else. (gift) www.miamiherald.com/article31290...
Epstein files reveal his obsession with Trump
The president is mentioned over a thousand times in sex trafficker’s emails
www.miamiherald.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
NEW: President Trump mentioned over 1,000 times in Epstein files, more than anyone else. (gift) www.miamiherald.com/article31290...
Reposted by Karen Pickell
'I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing allegiance to one whose character is that of a sottish, stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man' -- Tom Paine via the great Jill Lepore
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...)
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...)
What Was the American Revolution For?
Amid plans to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial, many are asking whether or not the people really do rule, and whether the law is still king.
www.newyorker.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:54 PM
'I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul by swearing allegiance to one whose character is that of a sottish, stupid, stubborn, worthless, brutish man' -- Tom Paine via the great Jill Lepore
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...)
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...)
Reposted by Karen Pickell
Trump Administration Revokes Biden Ban on Drilling and Mining in Alaska Wilderness
Trump Administration Revokes Biden Ban on Drilling and Mining in Alaska Wilderness
The decision to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s ecologically sensitive North Slope has the support of the state’s governor and senators.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Trump Administration Revokes Biden Ban on Drilling and Mining in Alaska Wilderness
Reposted by Karen Pickell
Former UVA President Jim Ryan has just released a 12-page memo of his own account of his forced resignation last summer. Here’s just a bit in which Paul Manning, a member of the Board, was told by DOJ that unless Ryan departed they would “bleed UVA white.”
November 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Former UVA President Jim Ryan has just released a 12-page memo of his own account of his forced resignation last summer. Here’s just a bit in which Paul Manning, a member of the Board, was told by DOJ that unless Ryan departed they would “bleed UVA white.”
Reposted by Karen Pickell
In Bovino's upside down world, there is no difference between an armed gang member preying on others in his community and a guy working 12 hours a day washing cars, flipping burgers, or installing sheetrock to feed his family — and he wants you to hate and fear both men equally.
Bovino: "Whether they were criminals or individuals that were taking jobs from Americans -- you name it, that's what they were doing. And I'll tell you what's gonna happen. We're gonna go even harder on the streets. If he releases those 650, we're gonna apprehend 1,650 on the streets of Chicago."
November 13, 2025 at 7:49 PM
In Bovino's upside down world, there is no difference between an armed gang member preying on others in his community and a guy working 12 hours a day washing cars, flipping burgers, or installing sheetrock to feed his family — and he wants you to hate and fear both men equally.
😡 #Florida
Florida has new academic standards for teaching the History of Communism. It also adopted the Heritage Foundation's position paper on the "guiding principles" for education.
www.tampabay.com/news/educati...
www.tampabay.com/news/educati...
Florida adopts new standards for teaching ‘evils of communism’
The State Board of Education also adopted a statement of priorities authored by the Heritage Foundation.
www.tampabay.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:01 PM
😡 #Florida
Reposted by Karen Pickell
More US adults identify with no religion (29%) than with the Catholic Church (19%) or evangelical Protestant denominations (23%).
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
November 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
More US adults identify with no religion (29%) than with the Catholic Church (19%) or evangelical Protestant denominations (23%).
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
Nope, that's not it.
JD Vance: "A lot of young people are saying housing is way too expensive. Why is that? Because we flooded the country with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens."
November 13, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Nope, that's not it.
Reposted by Karen Pickell
More than 3,500 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported in Texas so far this year, according to state figures, roughly four times the number as last year and the highest since 2013.
thehill.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
More than 3,500 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) have been reported in Texas so far this year, according to state figures, roughly four times the number as last year and the highest since 2013.
Reposted by Karen Pickell
Wisconsin Republicans are introducing a bill that mandates women use ‘catch kits’ when they have a miscarriage or abortion at home—forcing them to bag up their pregnancy tissue and bring it to the doctor as medical waste.
jessica.substack.com/p/wisconsin-...
jessica.substack.com/p/wisconsin-...
Republicans Are Pushing 'Catch Kits' For Miscarriages & Abortion
11.12.24
jessica.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Wisconsin Republicans are introducing a bill that mandates women use ‘catch kits’ when they have a miscarriage or abortion at home—forcing them to bag up their pregnancy tissue and bring it to the doctor as medical waste.
jessica.substack.com/p/wisconsin-...
jessica.substack.com/p/wisconsin-...
Reposted by Karen Pickell
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
According to the ruling, Diana Santillana will be given a bond hearing in front of an immigration judge, who could order her released while her civil deportation case proceeds.
trib.al
November 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Judge rules mandatory detention of Chicago day care teacher by ICE is illegal
Reposted by Karen Pickell
I finally wrote up my experiences about migrating to a Blacksky server. Hope it's helpful! And big high fives to @rude1.blacksky.team @sharpiepls.com @aliafonzy.blacksky.app @bisprout.writes.fyi and @bradwenner.photo, whose resources & info helped me so much! gregpak.net/2025/11/13/h...
How and why I moved from a Bluesky server to a Blacksky server - gregpak.net
Since Twitter turned into a fascist hellhole under Elon Musk, Bluesky has become my favorite social media site. But Bluesky has its own issues, primarily centered around a series of … Continue reading...
gregpak.net
November 13, 2025 at 6:46 AM
I finally wrote up my experiences about migrating to a Blacksky server. Hope it's helpful! And big high fives to @rude1.blacksky.team @sharpiepls.com @aliafonzy.blacksky.app @bisprout.writes.fyi and @bradwenner.photo, whose resources & info helped me so much! gregpak.net/2025/11/13/h...
Reposted by Karen Pickell
NEW: Jeffrey Epstein said in emails that he had been advising the Russian government on how to deal with Donald Trump, one of several cases in which he wielded his connections to try to influence the course of foreign affairs. w @nahaltoosi
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
November 12, 2025 at 8:43 PM
NEW: Jeffrey Epstein said in emails that he had been advising the Russian government on how to deal with Donald Trump, one of several cases in which he wielded his connections to try to influence the course of foreign affairs. w @nahaltoosi
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Karen Pickell
*Government will reopen
*ACA subsidies NOT extended, causing premiums to rocket for 24M+
*A bunch of Republican senators could net millions in taxpayer dollars for themselves, with at least one hoping to net more than $1M.
*Intoxicating hemp banned
*Govt could shut again 1/31
*ACA subsidies NOT extended, causing premiums to rocket for 24M+
*A bunch of Republican senators could net millions in taxpayer dollars for themselves, with at least one hoping to net more than $1M.
*Intoxicating hemp banned
*Govt could shut again 1/31
November 13, 2025 at 1:35 AM
*Government will reopen
*ACA subsidies NOT extended, causing premiums to rocket for 24M+
*A bunch of Republican senators could net millions in taxpayer dollars for themselves, with at least one hoping to net more than $1M.
*Intoxicating hemp banned
*Govt could shut again 1/31
*ACA subsidies NOT extended, causing premiums to rocket for 24M+
*A bunch of Republican senators could net millions in taxpayer dollars for themselves, with at least one hoping to net more than $1M.
*Intoxicating hemp banned
*Govt could shut again 1/31
Reposted by Karen Pickell
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., tells me tonight the enhanced ACA funds should "absolutely" expire.
What about the Republicans who want to cut a deal to extend the money?
"There's not gonna be any deal cut," Norman says.
Does Speaker Johnson share this view?
"I think he does."
What about the Republicans who want to cut a deal to extend the money?
"There's not gonna be any deal cut," Norman says.
Does Speaker Johnson share this view?
"I think he does."
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., tells me tonight the enhanced ACA funds should "absolutely" expire.
What about the Republicans who want to cut a deal to extend the money?
"There's not gonna be any deal cut," Norman says.
Does Speaker Johnson share this view?
"I think he does."
What about the Republicans who want to cut a deal to extend the money?
"There's not gonna be any deal cut," Norman says.
Does Speaker Johnson share this view?
"I think he does."
Reposted by Karen Pickell
A group of 17 transgender members of the Air Force are suing the U.S. government over what they say is the military's unlawful revocation of their early retirement pensions and benefits.
Transgender members of the Air Force sue over losing retirement pay
www.stripes.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:30 AM
A group of 17 transgender members of the Air Force are suing the U.S. government over what they say is the military's unlawful revocation of their early retirement pensions and benefits.