Dr Lena H
@lenarivkah.bsky.social
artist; lefty Jew; ragey, radical poli sci PhD/fmr prof; cat person; grackle enthusiast; disabled/chronically ill/Covid conscious;
(she/her)
For art licensing: www.reveandbloom.com
For Judaica: www.lenarivkah.com
(she/her)
For art licensing: www.reveandbloom.com
For Judaica: www.lenarivkah.com
Pinned
Dr Lena H
@lenarivkah.bsky.social
· Nov 19
This is the way to know me best, not through a list of questions, but as a soul living the journey from grackle terror into grackle stan.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
TIL that blood platelets have serotonin receptors, which is why anemia can mimic depression symptoms and that is absolutely fucking fascinating.
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
TIL that blood platelets have serotonin receptors, which is why anemia can mimic depression symptoms and that is absolutely fucking fascinating.
In related horrors, one time had people over, and there was much cooing over Ben, as there should be. But then this woman told me of her struggle: see, she loved cats so much before she had a baby. But then she had her kid and suddenly she despised her cat. Thought it was dirty, disgusting, etc.
what a beautiful day for a breakup
(boyfriend refuses to propose because he's grossed out that girlfriend kisses cat on cat's perfect, beautiful, adorable little nose)
boyfriend does not deserve nice things including but not limited to girlfriend, cat, kisses, love
slate.com/advice/2025/...
(boyfriend refuses to propose because he's grossed out that girlfriend kisses cat on cat's perfect, beautiful, adorable little nose)
boyfriend does not deserve nice things including but not limited to girlfriend, cat, kisses, love
slate.com/advice/2025/...
Help! My Girlfriend Has a Nasty Habit with Our Cat. Now I’m Questioning Our Future.
I can’t decide if this is a deal-breaker, or if I am being overly squeamish.
slate.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 AM
In related horrors, one time had people over, and there was much cooing over Ben, as there should be. But then this woman told me of her struggle: see, she loved cats so much before she had a baby. But then she had her kid and suddenly she despised her cat. Thought it was dirty, disgusting, etc.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
Angus King says that there was a 0% chance that Republicans would discuss extending the subsidies if Democrats didn't cave and agree to reopen the government, but there's a 50% chance that they'll do it now.
I think it's been demonstrated that there is a 0% chance. They lied. That's what they do.
I think it's been demonstrated that there is a 0% chance. They lied. That's what they do.
The Senate has rejected a plan from Sen. Tammy Baldwin D-WI to extend the expiring Obamacare health insurance subsidies for 1 year. Party line vote.
November 11, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Angus King says that there was a 0% chance that Republicans would discuss extending the subsidies if Democrats didn't cave and agree to reopen the government, but there's a 50% chance that they'll do it now.
I think it's been demonstrated that there is a 0% chance. They lied. That's what they do.
I think it's been demonstrated that there is a 0% chance. They lied. That's what they do.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
I don’t care who you are, the one thing that links all of the -isms and bigotries together and sets them on fire is eugenics and ableism.
They’ve been playing you all the entire time. There is no progress in this country for ANYTHING without equity for disabled people.
They’ve been playing you all the entire time. There is no progress in this country for ANYTHING without equity for disabled people.
November 11, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I don’t care who you are, the one thing that links all of the -isms and bigotries together and sets them on fire is eugenics and ableism.
They’ve been playing you all the entire time. There is no progress in this country for ANYTHING without equity for disabled people.
They’ve been playing you all the entire time. There is no progress in this country for ANYTHING without equity for disabled people.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
The bigger fight? Buddy, I die without health care and your pals in the Senate — none of whom will ever go without access to lifesaving medical care — told me they were gonna fight so my premiums don't go up 50%. And then they folded.
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 10, 2025 at 11:32 PM
The bigger fight? Buddy, I die without health care and your pals in the Senate — none of whom will ever go without access to lifesaving medical care — told me they were gonna fight so my premiums don't go up 50%. And then they folded.
Rage watching First Wives Club—may Chuck Schumer et al be ruined forever!
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Rage watching First Wives Club—may Chuck Schumer et al be ruined forever!
Reposted by Dr Lena H
The Dems who are caving are doing so not because their base wants them to, not because the voters want them to, and not because SNAP recipients want them to. They are caving because their DONORS want them to. And that’s really all that ever matters to the establishment.
November 9, 2025 at 10:11 PM
The Dems who are caving are doing so not because their base wants them to, not because the voters want them to, and not because SNAP recipients want them to. They are caving because their DONORS want them to. And that’s really all that ever matters to the establishment.
There is SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY here as Dulles is about 35 unexplained construction sites away from downtown DC, even/especially on a Sunday night.
The procedural vote stands at 59–40, and the Senate is waiting for John Cornyn to get to the Capitol from Dulles
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
There is SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY here as Dulles is about 35 unexplained construction sites away from downtown DC, even/especially on a Sunday night.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
if you genuinely think Schumer and Democratic leadership opposed this & Republicans coincidentally got exactly the number of votes they needed to avoid a filibuster and none of those votes are from Democratic Senators who are up for reelection in the midterms next year, I have a bridge to sell you.
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 AM
if you genuinely think Schumer and Democratic leadership opposed this & Republicans coincidentally got exactly the number of votes they needed to avoid a filibuster and none of those votes are from Democratic Senators who are up for reelection in the midterms next year, I have a bridge to sell you.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
Reposted by Dr Lena H
Really seeing once again, it seems, that the real divide in the Democratic coalition is not left/lib/moderate or anything like that.
It's the fight/no-fight divide. And the 'fight' dems are the ones winning elections.
It's the fight/no-fight divide. And the 'fight' dems are the ones winning elections.
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Really seeing once again, it seems, that the real divide in the Democratic coalition is not left/lib/moderate or anything like that.
It's the fight/no-fight divide. And the 'fight' dems are the ones winning elections.
It's the fight/no-fight divide. And the 'fight' dems are the ones winning elections.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
I’ve voted 7 times to reopen the government in a way that holds Trump accountable for his lawlessness and prevents a health care crisis.
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
November 10, 2025 at 12:48 AM
I’ve voted 7 times to reopen the government in a way that holds Trump accountable for his lawlessness and prevents a health care crisis.
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
Reposted by Dr Lena H
I too have issues with phone calls, even voicemails, and I might have flubbed a word or two reading from my pre-written script, yet I have lived to tell the tale. If you are able and feeling feisty enough to overcome any barriers you have, this is a good phone call to make.
So, listen, call Schumer’s office no matter where you live, no matter if you’re registered to vote. Leave a voicemail that says if Senate Dems cave without an ACA premiums fix, you will never vote for or donate to another Senate Democrat as long as he is Leader
Call them:
Schumer (NY)
202 224-6542
Booker (NJ)
202 224-3224
King (ME)
202 224-5344
Hassan (NH)
202 224-3324
Durbin (IL)
202 224-2152
Ossoff (GA)
202 224-3521
Shaheen (NH)
202 224-2841
Gillibrand (NY)
202 224-4451
Masto (NV)
202 224-3542
Warner (VA)
202 224-2023
Fetterman (PA)
No Point
Schumer (NY)
202 224-6542
Booker (NJ)
202 224-3224
King (ME)
202 224-5344
Hassan (NH)
202 224-3324
Durbin (IL)
202 224-2152
Ossoff (GA)
202 224-3521
Shaheen (NH)
202 224-2841
Gillibrand (NY)
202 224-4451
Masto (NV)
202 224-3542
Warner (VA)
202 224-2023
Fetterman (PA)
No Point
November 10, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I too have issues with phone calls, even voicemails, and I might have flubbed a word or two reading from my pre-written script, yet I have lived to tell the tale. If you are able and feeling feisty enough to overcome any barriers you have, this is a good phone call to make.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
Somebody needs to tell @schumer.senate.gov to stop playing with his imaginary friends and listen to real voters.
The Baileys aren't real, but people missing their SNAP payments and about to have their insurance doubling or more? They're real.
Don't cave, Chuck. For once in your life, don't cave.
The Baileys aren't real, but people missing their SNAP payments and about to have their insurance doubling or more? They're real.
Don't cave, Chuck. For once in your life, don't cave.
November 9, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Somebody needs to tell @schumer.senate.gov to stop playing with his imaginary friends and listen to real voters.
The Baileys aren't real, but people missing their SNAP payments and about to have their insurance doubling or more? They're real.
Don't cave, Chuck. For once in your life, don't cave.
The Baileys aren't real, but people missing their SNAP payments and about to have their insurance doubling or more? They're real.
Don't cave, Chuck. For once in your life, don't cave.
“I don’t care if you personally vote for it or not—make it stop or I’ll never vote for you again” are the words I just almost shouted into an answering machine.
On the one hand, no one's "caved" yet, as far as I can see? On the other hand, I just called my senators and told them I'll hold them responsible for any deal that doesn't fix the health insurance mess and address impoundment, whether they vote for it themselves or not
November 10, 2025 at 12:10 AM
“I don’t care if you personally vote for it or not—make it stop or I’ll never vote for you again” are the words I just almost shouted into an answering machine.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
Reposted by Dr Lena H
HOW IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO FUCK UP THIS BADLY
“People are blaming republicans for food prices and flight cancellations and health insurance costs and are furious about gilded ballrooms and Gatsby parties and the president is falling asleep on tv and is the most deeply unpopular president in history, time to cave” is a hell of an argument
November 9, 2025 at 11:53 PM
HOW IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO FUCK UP THIS BADLY
Reposted by Dr Lena H
In addition to being an excellent guide for anyone in a role that might be called to talk to the ideologically captured legacy press, it's also an important object lesson for the rest of us in a crucial bit of media literacy. Definitely worth taking a few minutes to read this.
I havent read such a banger of an essay in a very long time. This is so well-written!
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:04 AM
In addition to being an excellent guide for anyone in a role that might be called to talk to the ideologically captured legacy press, it's also an important object lesson for the rest of us in a crucial bit of media literacy. Definitely worth taking a few minutes to read this.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
I think we need to stop calling it empathy and go back to calling it decency. It isn't a favour you're doing someone else, it's you proving that you aren't a fucking ghoul
November 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I think we need to stop calling it empathy and go back to calling it decency. It isn't a favour you're doing someone else, it's you proving that you aren't a fucking ghoul
Reposted by Dr Lena H
I understand why we shut down American airspace for a few days after 9-11 to avoid a repeat attack but imagine shutting down American airspace to avoid releasing the Epstein files.
November 7, 2025 at 11:03 PM
I understand why we shut down American airspace for a few days after 9-11 to avoid a repeat attack but imagine shutting down American airspace to avoid releasing the Epstein files.
Reposted by Dr Lena H
This is what the Met said about having the security cameras not face the bathroom—they only protect art—and look what happened in Oceans 8! A cautionary tale 😂
Okay, yes, but also that's kind of what they're there for.
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This is what the Met said about having the security cameras not face the bathroom—they only protect art—and look what happened in Oceans 8! A cautionary tale 😂
Reposted by Dr Lena H
Lina Khan, as she is announced as being part of Zohran Mamdani’s transition team:
“I think what we saw last night was New Yorkers not just electing a new mayor, but clearly rejecting a politics where outside corporate power and money too often.”
“I think what we saw last night was New Yorkers not just electing a new mayor, but clearly rejecting a politics where outside corporate power and money too often.”
November 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Lina Khan, as she is announced as being part of Zohran Mamdani’s transition team:
“I think what we saw last night was New Yorkers not just electing a new mayor, but clearly rejecting a politics where outside corporate power and money too often.”
“I think what we saw last night was New Yorkers not just electing a new mayor, but clearly rejecting a politics where outside corporate power and money too often.”