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benjamin-c.bsky.social
@benjamin-c.bsky.social
71 followers 120 following 29 posts
Luckiest father and husband. Infectious diseases physician with the best colleagues in the world. Lover of science and nature. Views and post entirely MY OWN. Reposts are not necessarily agreement.
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benjamin-c.bsky.social
Special Report: Meta is earning a fortune on a deluge of fraudulent ads, documents show - Reuters
November 7, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Reposted
donmoyn.bsky.social
Let’s hear more of the dangers of democratic socialism under Mamdani
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 24d
Trump to the Novo Nordisk CEO: "Maybe you should give us a piece of the company like I've been asking for."
November 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Reposted
cidrap.bsky.social
Today in @NEJM: The Vaccine Integrity Project reviews the latest data on flu, COVID, & RSV immunizations, filling a vital evidence gap for clinicians and the public.
Independent science matters more than ever.
Read the paper ➡️ www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa2514268
www.nejm.org
October 29, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Reposted
chrismurphyct.bsky.social
I just introduced a major bipartisan bill with Senators Hawley, Blumenthal, and Britt to stop AI companies from preying on our kids with friendship chat bots that push kids to self harm and self loathing.

What we propose is simple: ban friendship chat bots for kids under 18.
October 28, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Reposted
annabower.bsky.social
Next up on CBS News: Constitutional law scholar Nicholas Cage!
October 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
Our future is so dumb
Zuck wearing stupid glasses
September 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted
voices4vaccines.bsky.social
Hey, turns out we recommend the Hep B birth dose for a reason.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/n...
It was the late 1980s and the American plan to combat hepatitis B wasn’t working. A vaccine had been available since 1982 and recommended for those deemed to be at highest risk, such as health care workers and men who have sex with men. But the infection rates had gone up, not down. When epidemiologists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dug into the data, they noticed one figure that had stayed alarmingly stable: Between 30% and 40% of hepatitis B patients had no identifiable risk factors at all. When they published their paper in 1990, it was subtitled, “Need for Alternative Vaccination Strategies.” The next year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — the CDC body that sets such guidelines — recommended vaccinating all infants. Over the next two decades, case numbers plummeted by 99% among children and teens.
September 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Reposted
crampell.bsky.social
ICE arrested former Afghan Nat'l Army soldier—our ally against Taliban—at his home in TX.
He entered legally and atty says he has no criminal record. Was applying for asylum. Appears to be casualty of Trump decision de-documenting legal Afghan immigrants
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/new...
Former Afghan soldier arrested at Houston-area home by ICE, stripped of asylum protections, attorney says | Houston Public Media
The soldier is one of at least 20,000 Afghans seeking asylum nationwide, having fled Afghanistan after aiding the U.S. military during the two-decades-long war there.
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
June 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted
davidjbier.bsky.social
Cato has published my comprehensive review of the ~240 Venezuelans the US government renditioned 2 months ago to Salvador’s notorious prison. We identified FIFTY who came legally, never violated any immigration law, but are imprisoned at the US government’s request and at US taxpayer expense.
May 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted
idsainfo.bsky.social
Disbanding CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) jeopardizes decades of progress in preventing healthcare-associated infections. IDSA, APIC, SHEA and PIDS comment on President Trump's decision to terminate the HICPAC: bit.ly/4m1jpyV
May 7, 2025 at 9:33 PM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
I’ve always felt libertarian positions were intellectually dishonest
mcford.bsky.social Matt Ford @mcford.bsky.social · Apr 15
The failure of libertarians to pick the right side in this has exposed their whole thought system. A principled libertarian attack on limiting government overreach would be welcome at this time. Put no such thing exists. Libertarian just means selfish.
April 16, 2025 at 1:31 AM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
The lasting damage of brain-drain is one of many things I’ve been worried about
nature.com Nature @nature.com · Mar 30
"This is my home - I really love my country. But a lot of my mentors have been telling me to get out, right now"

75% of US scientists who answered our poll are considering relocating. Read the full story: https://go.nature.com/3QS4TLC
A graphic entitled "so long, farewell". It reads: "Many of the 1608 respondents who answered the question below in a Nature survey said that the election of Donald Trump as president had affected their future plans." It then shows the question: "Are you a US researcher who is considering leaving the country following disruptions to science prompted by the Trump administration?" An orange bar shows 75.3% respondents said yes. A blue bar shows 24.7% respondents said no.
March 31, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Reposted
youranoncentral.bsky.social
Italy has suspended the Starlink $1.6 billion purchase negotiations with SpaceX amid Musk being a Nazi and a Trump / Russia collaborator. Italy cites security concerns about the reliability of the US.
A small, starlink dish sits on uneven stones, with a power cord attached, on a wet, gravel surface. Green moss peeks through gaps.
March 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Reposted
reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
NEW! Sworn declarations filed last night confirm the Trump admin sent INNOCENT people to rot in prison El Salvador, including a professional soccer player jailed and tortured by the Maduro regime, who entered this country LEGALLY to seek asylum, and who has NO CRIMINAL RECORD in either country.
I am the immigration attorney for Jerce Reyes Barrios, born in January 16, 1989 in Venezuela. 2. In February and March 2024, Mr. Reyes Barrios marched in two demonstrations in Venezuela protesting the authoritarian rule of Maduro. At the second demonstration, he was detained and taken to a clandestine building where he was tortured (electric shocks and suffocation) along with other demonstrators. 3. Shortly after his release, he fled Venezuela for the United States. He registered with CBP One in Mexico, then presented himself to CBP officials on the day of his appointment. He was taken into custody and detained at Otay Mesa Detention Facility in September 2024. 4. We applied for asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT protection in December 2024. His final individual hearing is set for April 17, 2025 before Judge Robinson at the Otay Mesa Immigration Court. 5. On March 15, 2025, Mr. Reyes Barrios was deported to El Salvador with no notice to counsel or family. It was not until March 18, 2025 that counsel was able to reach an ICE official and learn that he had in fact been deported. 6. Mr. Reyes Barrios was/is a professional soccer player in Venezuela. He has never been arrested or charged with a crime. He has a steady employment record as a soccer player, as well as a soccer coach for children and youth. 7. Initially, Mr. Reyes Barrios was placed in maximum security at Otay Mesa and accused of being a Tren de Aragua gang member. The accusation is based on two things. First, he has a tattoo on his arm of a crown sitting atop a soccer ball with a rosary and the word "Dies." OHS alleges that this tattoo is proof of gang membership. In reality, he chose this tattoo, because it is similar to the logo for his favorite soccer team Real Madrid. See logo below. [pictures of the tattoo and the pictures of the logo]. 8. Second, OHS reviewed his social media posts and found a photo of Mr. Reyes Barrios making a hand gesture that they allege is proof of gang membership. 9. After submitting a police clearance from Venezuela indicating no criminal record, multiple employment letters, a declaration from the tattoo artist who rendered the tattoo, and various online images showing similar soccer ball/crown tattoos and explaining the meaning of the hand gesture, Mr. Reyes Barrios was transferred out of maximum security. 10. Nevertheless on March 10th or 11th, he was transferred from Otay Mesa to Texas without notice. Then, on March 15, 2025, he was deported to El Salvador. Counsel and family have lost all contact with him have no information regarding his whereabouts or condition.
March 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
Colombian-Venezuelan migrant held in El Salvador has no ties to feared gang, wife says - www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Colombian-Venezuelan migrant held in El Salvador has no ties to feared gang, wife says
A Colombian-Venezuelan migrant deported from the U.S. over the weekend and being held in a high-security prison in El Salvador has no criminal record or ties to a Venezuelan gang and his rights are being violated, his wife said on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
March 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
US reports first outbreak of deadly H7N9 bird flu since 2017
The United States reported the first outbreak of the deadly H7N9 bird flu on a poultry farm since 2017, as the country continues to grapple with another bird flu strain that has infected humans and caused egg prices to hit record highs.
www.reuters.com
March 19, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Reposted
mattcameron.bsky.social
this is the single most fascist thing a US federal official has ever said on the record in two hundred and forty nine years
Trump official quoted as saying that a lack of criminal records for alleged Tren de Aragua members "actually highlights the risk they pose"
March 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
🎁 Gift Link: Peter Thiel’s Network Is Quietly Shaping Trump’s Government
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Peter Thiel’s Network Is Quietly Shaping Trump’s Government
The tech magnate has many links to the new Trump administration and the cost-slashing effort led by Elon Musk.
www.bloomberg.com
March 18, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Reposted
premthakker.bsky.social
…this is insane????
interview between NPR (Martin) and Troy Edgar, deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Martin: Is any criticism of the United States government a deportable offense? Edgar: Like I said, if you go through the process and you're a student and you're here on a visa and you go through it, at any point … Martin: Is any criticism of the government a deportable offense? Edgar: Let me put it this way, Michel, imagine if he came in and filled out the form and said, 'I want a student visa.' They asked him, 'What are you going to do here?' And he says, 'I'm going to go and protest.' We would have never let him into the country. Martin: Is protesting a deportable offense? Edgar: You're focused on protests. I'm focused on the visa process. He went through a legal process ... Martin: Are you saying he lied on his application? He's a lawful permanent resident, married to an American citizen. Edgar: I think if he would have declared he's a terrorist, we would have never let him in. Martin: And what did he engage in that constitutes terrorist activity? Edgar: I mean, Michel, have you watched it on TV? It's pretty clear. Michel: No, it isn't. Well, explain it to those of us who have not or perhaps others have not. What exactly did you do? Edgar: Well, I think it's clear or we wouldn't be talking about it. I mean, the reality is that if you watch and see what he's done on the university … Martin: Do you not know? Are you telling us that you're not aware? Edgar: I find it interesting that you're not aware.
March 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
“For over 11 years, 18F has been proudly serving you to make government technology work better. We are non-partisan civil servants. 18F has worked on hundreds of projects, all designed to make government technology not just efficient but effective, and to save money for American taxpayers.”
18f.org
18F: We are dedicated to the American public and we're not done yet
For over 11 years, 18F has been proudly serving the American people to make government technology work better. We are non-partisan civil servants. 18F has worked on hundreds of projects, all designed ...
18f.org
March 2, 2025 at 2:53 AM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
Let’s say this differently - The guy “cutting wasteful gov spending” has received a MILLION dollars in government handouts 38 THOUSAND times.
He doesn’t hate the system, he wants to own the system.
apple.news/AFBHntiEaQFK...
Elon Musk’s business empire is built on $38 billion in government funding — The Washington Post
Government infusions at key moments helped Tesla and SpaceX flourish, boosting Musk’s wealth.
apple.news
March 2, 2025 at 2:40 AM
benjamin-c.bsky.social
www.cdc.gov/media/releas...
I can’t get over what a nothing statement this is. Just a pile of words, not a modicum of substance.
CDC Statement on Measles Outbreak
CDC is in close communication with Texas health authorities over the recent measles outbreak.
www.cdc.gov
February 28, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Reposted
agawande.bsky.social
Rubio terminated 5800 USAID contracts – more than 90% of its foreign aid programs – in defiance of the courts.

Here’s a list of just some of the lifesaving awards that were terminated. Nearly all were Congressionally mandated. They’ve saved millions of lives. 🧵
February 27, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Reposted
helenbranswell.bsky.social
RFK Jr. said today that there have been 2 measles deaths this year, not one in the US.
STAT doesn't know of a second death, #CDC is referring queries to #HHS & HHS hasn't answered our call or email. If you know anything, please pass the information along. www.statnews.com/2025/02/26/t...
Texas measles outbreak marks first fatality as more cases reported
A child in Texas has died from measles, the first death from measles in the United States since 2015.
www.statnews.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted
davidho.bsky.social
So @lastweektonight.com called out alternatives to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp that are not falling in line with Trump. 👀
Screenshot featuring a television host (John Oliver) speaking while displaying a list of social media platforms: Bluesky, Pixfed, Mastodon, and Signal. The background is a modern, stylized set, and the host is dressed in a suit, gesturing to express…something.
February 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM