Mary Beth Williams
@mbwilliams.bsky.social
Made from Maine Wabanakiak, Isles of Shoals fishermen, and Welsh coal miners. Oregon transplant. Constitutional law and state/tribal/fed gov't wonk (JD). North Atlantic historian obsessed with wampum, cod fishing, and dual-host pathogens.
Pinned
If you believe climate change is an existential threat, then don't support any Democratic member of Congress who advocates for:
1. Generative AI
2. Cryptocurrency mining
3. Indoor cannabis cultivation
unless they can immediately point to a detailed plan to make said activity carbon neutral.
1. Generative AI
2. Cryptocurrency mining
3. Indoor cannabis cultivation
unless they can immediately point to a detailed plan to make said activity carbon neutral.
The Norse were in Greenland from 985CE until about 1450CE, longer than the English have been in what is now the US. While Erik Thorvaldsson was born in Norway, Danes also claim Norse exploration and settlement in Greenland and Vinland as a shared cultural legacy.
January 10, 2026 at 1:06 PM
The Norse were in Greenland from 985CE until about 1450CE, longer than the English have been in what is now the US. While Erik Thorvaldsson was born in Norway, Danes also claim Norse exploration and settlement in Greenland and Vinland as a shared cultural legacy.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
BREAKING NEWS: We are opening a formal investigation into the shooting involving federal agents in Portland today.
Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews
Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 AM
BREAKING NEWS: We are opening a formal investigation into the shooting involving federal agents in Portland today.
Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews
Our office will take every step necessary to ensure the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. #orpol #breakingnews
You all know, that if you truly hate MAGA, you'll root for the only Blue State college football team in the playoffs.
January 9, 2026 at 4:30 AM
You all know, that if you truly hate MAGA, you'll root for the only Blue State college football team in the playoffs.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
the news is saying the ICE shooting was at 102nd and SE Main. i live right by there and am trying to figure out where they're talking about. 102nd and main doesn't seem to exist. 102nd doesn't go through to main, it cuts off on either side of the adventist hospital campus
January 9, 2026 at 12:09 AM
the news is saying the ICE shooting was at 102nd and SE Main. i live right by there and am trying to figure out where they're talking about. 102nd and main doesn't seem to exist. 102nd doesn't go through to main, it cuts off on either side of the adventist hospital campus
It's close to both my BFF's house and the group home where my son lived while in crisis during 2023-24. It's definitely Portland.
January 9, 2026 at 12:12 AM
It's close to both my BFF's house and the group home where my son lived while in crisis during 2023-24. It's definitely Portland.
Not a "moment of the threat" test—which would allow the LEO to claim they were addressing an immediate threat, even if they put themselves into that danger by their own actions. Instead, those bad actions are relevant.
One can definitely see the problem here for the perpetrator in Minneapolis.
One can definitely see the problem here for the perpetrator in Minneapolis.
January 8, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Not a "moment of the threat" test—which would allow the LEO to claim they were addressing an immediate threat, even if they put themselves into that danger by their own actions. Instead, those bad actions are relevant.
One can definitely see the problem here for the perpetrator in Minneapolis.
One can definitely see the problem here for the perpetrator in Minneapolis.
So apparently YLS-educated JD Vance—arguing the Minneapolis killer has absolute immunity—hasn't been following the decisions of his own SCOTUS. In May, 2025, the Court unanimously held in Barnes v. Felix that LEO excessive force claims are viewed in the "totality of the circumstances" test,... (1/2)
January 8, 2026 at 7:21 PM
So apparently YLS-educated JD Vance—arguing the Minneapolis killer has absolute immunity—hasn't been following the decisions of his own SCOTUS. In May, 2025, the Court unanimously held in Barnes v. Felix that LEO excessive force claims are viewed in the "totality of the circumstances" test,... (1/2)
That's what MAGA said/says about Derek Chauvin. Even acknowledging that shot 1 might be covered, shots 2 and 3 were outside the "job", just as Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck after restraining him was.
Obvious that Yale law school education was wasted.
Obvious that Yale law school education was wasted.
January 8, 2026 at 7:05 PM
That's what MAGA said/says about Derek Chauvin. Even acknowledging that shot 1 might be covered, shots 2 and 3 were outside the "job", just as Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck after restraining him was.
Obvious that Yale law school education was wasted.
Obvious that Yale law school education was wasted.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
The Utah legislature has filed its appeal of the ruling adopting a new congressional map.
www.abc4.com/news/politic...
www.abc4.com/news/politic...
www.abc4.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:45 PM
The Utah legislature has filed its appeal of the ruling adopting a new congressional map.
www.abc4.com/news/politic...
www.abc4.com/news/politic...
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
The difference between Twitter and other far right social media like Truth Social is that journalists and politicians are there, giving it credibility.
Without the journalists and politicians Twitter would be irrelevant and the far-right would only talk to itself.
Without the journalists and politicians Twitter would be irrelevant and the far-right would only talk to itself.
January 8, 2026 at 11:03 AM
The difference between Twitter and other far right social media like Truth Social is that journalists and politicians are there, giving it credibility.
Without the journalists and politicians Twitter would be irrelevant and the far-right would only talk to itself.
Without the journalists and politicians Twitter would be irrelevant and the far-right would only talk to itself.
Surprise! It's like when people stop taking blood pressure meds and their blood pressure goes back up. For many people (myself included,) these are long-term medications to treat chronic metabolic disorders, not a temporary fix. (The article does address that, but buries it behind the clickbait.)
January 8, 2026 at 3:59 AM
Surprise! It's like when people stop taking blood pressure meds and their blood pressure goes back up. For many people (myself included,) these are long-term medications to treat chronic metabolic disorders, not a temporary fix. (The article does address that, but buries it behind the clickbait.)
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
I want to find the consultant who convinced Dems to stick with this framing, tie them to a stake, light a match, and tell everyone they have to decide between caring about saving them or caring about milk being 2% cheaper
The White House is laser focused on threatening a military takeover of Greenland.
Where’s the same focus on lowering costs?
Where’s the same focus on lowering costs?
January 7, 2026 at 4:38 PM
I want to find the consultant who convinced Dems to stick with this framing, tie them to a stake, light a match, and tell everyone they have to decide between caring about saving them or caring about milk being 2% cheaper
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
He hasn't even been in office a year and he's invaded a country and his goons are shooting people down in the streets
January 7, 2026 at 8:26 PM
He hasn't even been in office a year and he's invaded a country and his goons are shooting people down in the streets
Holding abusive LEOs accountable takes years.
I’m heading to Buffalo in a few days to assist on a highly publicized case from the June 2020 protests. We filed in 2021. Delays and obstruction every step of the way.
I’m heading to Buffalo in a few days to assist on a highly publicized case from the June 2020 protests. We filed in 2021. Delays and obstruction every step of the way.
January 7, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Holding abusive LEOs accountable takes years.
I’m heading to Buffalo in a few days to assist on a highly publicized case from the June 2020 protests. We filed in 2021. Delays and obstruction every step of the way.
I’m heading to Buffalo in a few days to assist on a highly publicized case from the June 2020 protests. We filed in 2021. Delays and obstruction every step of the way.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
Snowballs vs. bullets.
January 7, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Snowballs vs. bullets.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
The number of ways this is unconstitutional lunacy
is…a lot
is…a lot
January 7, 2026 at 12:17 AM
The number of ways this is unconstitutional lunacy
is…a lot
is…a lot
Our family provides the care for my two disabled adult sons, and there are definitely times that I've considered opting for OHP over our agency's meh insurance. But the idea of having to provide proof-of-work (frequently 70+ hours/week) after the Bad, Awful Bill last summer tanked those thoughts.
January 7, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Our family provides the care for my two disabled adult sons, and there are definitely times that I've considered opting for OHP over our agency's meh insurance. But the idea of having to provide proof-of-work (frequently 70+ hours/week) after the Bad, Awful Bill last summer tanked those thoughts.
In Oregon, care providers (usually family) who live with their clients and are paid under Medicaid waiver programs are exempt from federal and state income taxes—since the IRS doesn't view the payments as income. This allows many care providers to qualify for Medicaid despite working full-time.
For a @motherjones.com article, I am looking to speak to caregivers of disabled individuals who are 14 and older who are on Medicaid re Medicaid work requirement exemptions. My email to reach out is jmetraux@motherjones.com and reposts are appreciated.
January 7, 2026 at 12:30 AM
In Oregon, care providers (usually family) who live with their clients and are paid under Medicaid waiver programs are exempt from federal and state income taxes—since the IRS doesn't view the payments as income. This allows many care providers to qualify for Medicaid despite working full-time.
Not sure how many folks are aware that Europeans (Icelandic Norse) resided in Greenland for more than 450 years, from 985 CE to around 1450 CE. The last Grænlendingar were pulling up roots the same time Columbus was teething.
January 7, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Not sure how many folks are aware that Europeans (Icelandic Norse) resided in Greenland for more than 450 years, from 985 CE to around 1450 CE. The last Grænlendingar were pulling up roots the same time Columbus was teething.
There are entire boosted threads promoting this conspiracy theory at The Donald (patriotsdotwin) right now.
January 3, 2026 at 11:44 PM
There are entire boosted threads promoting this conspiracy theory at The Donald (patriotsdotwin) right now.
Reposted by Mary Beth Williams
The DNI has been finally been spotted today.
WAIT, no, this is 2019.
WAIT, no, this is 2019.
January 3, 2026 at 9:46 PM
The DNI has been finally been spotted today.
WAIT, no, this is 2019.
WAIT, no, this is 2019.
Has anyone seen the director of national intelligence lately? Should a missing person report be issued?
January 3, 2026 at 9:58 PM