Ruth Zakarin
@ruthz.bsky.social
CEO of the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. Knitter, cat lady, grey hair evangelist. Oh, and I box. #COYS. Opinions strong, plentiful, and my own.
Check out my essays at: https://ruthzakarin.substack.com/
Check out my essays at: https://ruthzakarin.substack.com/
Pinned
Violence thrives in silence
On Bari Weiss, Pam Bondi, and the army of silencers
open.substack.com
Widespread abuse can only happen with an army of enablers. The army recruits water carriers & know nothings, tongue holders & blinder wearers. It is staffed by battalions of liars and obfuscators, its ranks filled with people looking down at their shoes. My latest: open.substack.com/pub/ruthzaka...
Every pediatrician is gonna be dealing with parents challenging them on the immunization schedule that was previously just a given.
I do not envy them. It will absolutely be chaos.
This is insane.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/05/m...
I do not envy them. It will absolutely be chaos.
This is insane.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/05/m...
Massachusetts may not be immune from ‘chaos’ after federal vaccine changes - The Boston Globe
Massachusetts policies should protect vaccine access, for now, but won't stop the spread of confusion in the wake of dramatic changes to federal childhood vaccination recommendations.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Every pediatrician is gonna be dealing with parents challenging them on the immunization schedule that was previously just a given.
I do not envy them. It will absolutely be chaos.
This is insane.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/05/m...
I do not envy them. It will absolutely be chaos.
This is insane.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/05/m...
So Trump is screaming at women (again), including the yt women he just called the most damaging creatures on earth. And he expects women to think he has their best interest at heart?
Do I have that right??
Do I have that right??
January 6, 2026 at 12:29 AM
So Trump is screaming at women (again), including the yt women he just called the most damaging creatures on earth. And he expects women to think he has their best interest at heart?
Do I have that right??
Do I have that right??
I don’t want to hear the word bipartisan until the GOP — on an institutional level — calls Trump out for his violent lies. Because that’s what this is: violence.
This is the reason why counselors won’t work with couples when there’s violence in the relationship. 1/2
This is the reason why counselors won’t work with couples when there’s violence in the relationship. 1/2
Just when you think Trump couldn't stoop any lower...
Tim Walz Slams 'Depraved' Trump For Post Implying Walz Had Dem State Rep. Killed
www.comicsands.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM
I don’t want to hear the word bipartisan until the GOP — on an institutional level — calls Trump out for his violent lies. Because that’s what this is: violence.
This is the reason why counselors won’t work with couples when there’s violence in the relationship. 1/2
This is the reason why counselors won’t work with couples when there’s violence in the relationship. 1/2
I love vaccines. I love all the vaccines.
January 5, 2026 at 8:17 PM
I love vaccines. I love all the vaccines.
We’ve long seen white women throw other women under the bus in service to white supremacy. And we’ve long known that their proximity to power would cease to protect them once they are no longer seen as useful to those who hold that power.
We have reached that moment.
We have reached that moment.
January 5, 2026 at 5:41 PM
We’ve long seen white women throw other women under the bus in service to white supremacy. And we’ve long known that their proximity to power would cease to protect them once they are no longer seen as useful to those who hold that power.
We have reached that moment.
We have reached that moment.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
Please stop saying that the regime's violence in/on Venezuela is a distraction from Epstein - they've been telegraphing it since at least Sept & it's all p dang precedented.
And having said that:
They'll be thrilled if it *serves* to distract us from the Epstein files. That part is up to us.
And having said that:
They'll be thrilled if it *serves* to distract us from the Epstein files. That part is up to us.
January 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Please stop saying that the regime's violence in/on Venezuela is a distraction from Epstein - they've been telegraphing it since at least Sept & it's all p dang precedented.
And having said that:
They'll be thrilled if it *serves* to distract us from the Epstein files. That part is up to us.
And having said that:
They'll be thrilled if it *serves* to distract us from the Epstein files. That part is up to us.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
The promise of transparency was an empty one. A debt to survivors they clearly had no intention on paying.
These survivors have had to lay their trauma bare. They’ve seen their trauma become a political football.
And they still don’t have accountability.
Imagine how much more pain this causes.
These survivors have had to lay their trauma bare. They’ve seen their trauma become a political football.
And they still don’t have accountability.
Imagine how much more pain this causes.
Despite a statutory deadline requiring all of the files to be released by Dec. 19, 5.2 million documents remain to be reviewed and disclosed. It’s likely that the final public release will not occur until the end of February — one full year after Pam Bondi ordered the release of the records.
For Trump, the Epstein Cover-Up Beats the Truth
As one of her first acts as Attorney General, Pam Bondi wrote a letter to the new head of the FBI, Kash Patel, demanding that the “full and complete Epstein files” be delivered to her office by the ne...
www.democracydocket.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM
The promise of transparency was an empty one. A debt to survivors they clearly had no intention on paying.
These survivors have had to lay their trauma bare. They’ve seen their trauma become a political football.
And they still don’t have accountability.
Imagine how much more pain this causes.
These survivors have had to lay their trauma bare. They’ve seen their trauma become a political football.
And they still don’t have accountability.
Imagine how much more pain this causes.
Pete Hegseth is an abuser. You cross me? I punish you. It’s all about power and control.
And we knew this about Pete Hegseth. Men who abuse women should never be given more power. But Hegseth found just the right person to hand him that power.
Our Abuser-in-Chief.
And we knew this about Pete Hegseth. Men who abuse women should never be given more power. But Hegseth found just the right person to hand him that power.
Our Abuser-in-Chief.
NEW: Pentagon initiates proceedings to demote U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, a retired captain, over video telling soldiers to refuse illegal orders
January 5, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Pete Hegseth is an abuser. You cross me? I punish you. It’s all about power and control.
And we knew this about Pete Hegseth. Men who abuse women should never be given more power. But Hegseth found just the right person to hand him that power.
Our Abuser-in-Chief.
And we knew this about Pete Hegseth. Men who abuse women should never be given more power. But Hegseth found just the right person to hand him that power.
Our Abuser-in-Chief.
What the right wingers have done to Walz is awful. What Trump is doing to Melissa Hortman’s family is awful. I don’t want to figure out how to get along with the other side. I want the other side to stop hurting & abusing people.
There’s no getting along with someone who wants to cause you pain.
There’s no getting along with someone who wants to cause you pain.
January 5, 2026 at 3:08 PM
What the right wingers have done to Walz is awful. What Trump is doing to Melissa Hortman’s family is awful. I don’t want to figure out how to get along with the other side. I want the other side to stop hurting & abusing people.
There’s no getting along with someone who wants to cause you pain.
There’s no getting along with someone who wants to cause you pain.
The promise of transparency was an empty one. A debt to survivors they clearly had no intention on paying.
These survivors have had to lay their trauma bare. They’ve seen their trauma become a political football.
And they still don’t have accountability.
Imagine how much more pain this causes.
These survivors have had to lay their trauma bare. They’ve seen their trauma become a political football.
And they still don’t have accountability.
Imagine how much more pain this causes.
Despite a statutory deadline requiring all of the files to be released by Dec. 19, 5.2 million documents remain to be reviewed and disclosed. It’s likely that the final public release will not occur until the end of February — one full year after Pam Bondi ordered the release of the records.
For Trump, the Epstein Cover-Up Beats the Truth
As one of her first acts as Attorney General, Pam Bondi wrote a letter to the new head of the FBI, Kash Patel, demanding that the “full and complete Epstein files” be delivered to her office by the ne...
www.democracydocket.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM
The promise of transparency was an empty one. A debt to survivors they clearly had no intention on paying.
These survivors have had to lay their trauma bare. They’ve seen their trauma become a political football.
And they still don’t have accountability.
Imagine how much more pain this causes.
These survivors have had to lay their trauma bare. They’ve seen their trauma become a political football.
And they still don’t have accountability.
Imagine how much more pain this causes.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
I cannot stress this enough but the internet was a mistake. It could have been many things but we made it this. We are not the people for this kind of power.
www.fox9.com/news/minneso...
www.fox9.com/news/minneso...
Minnesota GOP worked with YouTuber on child care fraud viral video
www.fox9.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:30 PM
I cannot stress this enough but the internet was a mistake. It could have been many things but we made it this. We are not the people for this kind of power.
www.fox9.com/news/minneso...
www.fox9.com/news/minneso...
Only abusers hurt people and then tell them it’s for their own good.
In case there’s any doubt what this Regime actually thinks about Venezuelans.
They treat Venezuelan refugees who fled Maduro’s brutality like garbage, even sending them to El Salvador.
Trump invaded Venezuela for his own power & his cronies’ wealth, not to help Venezuelans.
They treat Venezuelan refugees who fled Maduro’s brutality like garbage, even sending them to El Salvador.
Trump invaded Venezuela for his own power & his cronies’ wealth, not to help Venezuelans.
January 4, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Only abusers hurt people and then tell them it’s for their own good.
Imagine if we had a government that invested in care instead of cruelty.
The @chicagotribune.com did back of the envelope math and conservatively found that Operation Midway Blitz cost the taxpayer $59 million. Good reporting from @danvock.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/04/o...
Cost of Operation Midway Blitz: $59M and counting
A Tribune review of court filings, databases and other public records detailing the scope of the incursion and typical costs shows how much the federal government has spent since September.
www.chicagotribune.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Imagine if we had a government that invested in care instead of cruelty.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
This is what I thought of too when I heard Hegseth's statement. Rapist logic at work.
In 2005 Trump famously said that when you’re a star you can do anything you want.
In 2026 Hegseth said America can project our will anywhere at any time.
You can draw a direct line from one to the other. Trump told us who he was — a deeply abusive and hateful man. 1/2
In 2026 Hegseth said America can project our will anywhere at any time.
You can draw a direct line from one to the other. Trump told us who he was — a deeply abusive and hateful man. 1/2
Hegseth: "America can project our will anywhere, any time"
January 4, 2026 at 6:13 PM
This is what I thought of too when I heard Hegseth's statement. Rapist logic at work.
In today’s shocking news, Marco Rubio is a liar. 🙃
January 4, 2026 at 5:09 PM
In today’s shocking news, Marco Rubio is a liar. 🙃
People died yesterday. Killed by the United States government, along with a whole lot of other people on boats these past several weeks.
Seems to me that should be bigger news.
Seems to me that should be bigger news.
This bit of news — at least 40 dead— appears around the 27th graf of the NYT story. Which is a really bizarre choice.
(And we find out a few grafs down that several US soldiers were injured)
(And we find out a few grafs down that several US soldiers were injured)
January 4, 2026 at 1:24 PM
People died yesterday. Killed by the United States government, along with a whole lot of other people on boats these past several weeks.
Seems to me that should be bigger news.
Seems to me that should be bigger news.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
This bit of news — at least 40 dead— appears around the 27th graf of the NYT story. Which is a really bizarre choice.
(And we find out a few grafs down that several US soldiers were injured)
(And we find out a few grafs down that several US soldiers were injured)
January 4, 2026 at 5:09 AM
This bit of news — at least 40 dead— appears around the 27th graf of the NYT story. Which is a really bizarre choice.
(And we find out a few grafs down that several US soldiers were injured)
(And we find out a few grafs down that several US soldiers were injured)
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
FFS what we wanted was the National Guard to come and stop an insurrection at our own damn Capitol.
But instead, here we are.
But instead, here we are.
GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: "We don't want to have troops on the ground. Iowans don't want that, Americans don't want that. We do not want nation building. This is not what's going to occur."
January 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM
FFS what we wanted was the National Guard to come and stop an insurrection at our own damn Capitol.
But instead, here we are.
But instead, here we are.
In 2005 Trump famously said that when you’re a star you can do anything you want.
In 2026 Hegseth said America can project our will anywhere at any time.
You can draw a direct line from one to the other. Trump told us who he was — a deeply abusive and hateful man. 1/2
In 2026 Hegseth said America can project our will anywhere at any time.
You can draw a direct line from one to the other. Trump told us who he was — a deeply abusive and hateful man. 1/2
January 4, 2026 at 12:28 PM
In 2005 Trump famously said that when you’re a star you can do anything you want.
In 2026 Hegseth said America can project our will anywhere at any time.
You can draw a direct line from one to the other. Trump told us who he was — a deeply abusive and hateful man. 1/2
In 2026 Hegseth said America can project our will anywhere at any time.
You can draw a direct line from one to the other. Trump told us who he was — a deeply abusive and hateful man. 1/2
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
It is the third day of the year and it’s already time to unplug 2026 and plug it back in.
January 3, 2026 at 11:53 AM
It is the third day of the year and it’s already time to unplug 2026 and plug it back in.
FFS what we wanted was the National Guard to come and stop an insurrection at our own damn Capitol.
But instead, here we are.
But instead, here we are.
GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks: "We don't want to have troops on the ground. Iowans don't want that, Americans don't want that. We do not want nation building. This is not what's going to occur."
January 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM
FFS what we wanted was the National Guard to come and stop an insurrection at our own damn Capitol.
But instead, here we are.
But instead, here we are.
Reposted by Ruth Zakarin
Members of Congress: stop posting online and APPEAR, PHYSICALLY on the steps of the Capitol to decry this unconstitutional violation of domestic & international law. SHOW THE PEOPLE the level of danger we are facing as a country.
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Members of Congress: stop posting online and APPEAR, PHYSICALLY on the steps of the Capitol to decry this unconstitutional violation of domestic & international law. SHOW THE PEOPLE the level of danger we are facing as a country.
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
@housedemocrats.bsky.social
@senatedemocrats.bsky.social
And… WaPo’s gonna WaPo.
January 3, 2026 at 5:46 PM
And… WaPo’s gonna WaPo.
All I can think of right now is how people refused to believe Anita Hill and refused to vote for Kamala Harris. And how racism and misogyny have driven us full force into this very moment in time.
January 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
All I can think of right now is how people refused to believe Anita Hill and refused to vote for Kamala Harris. And how racism and misogyny have driven us full force into this very moment in time.
These men embody violence. And a country led by these men will never know peace.
January 3, 2026 at 4:50 PM
These men embody violence. And a country led by these men will never know peace.