Bess Vanrenen
@bessvanr.bsky.social
A Denver-area writer and editor. A lover of words, books, languages, and travel. A kid wrangler, dream chaser, and social justice advocate.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
BREAKING: Bernie Sanders just now:
December 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
BREAKING: Bernie Sanders just now:
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The majority in the US oppose a war on Venezuela. We’re joining the call to mobilize against the Trump administration's push toward a catastrophic war against Venezuela this Saturday, December 6. (1/2)
December 3, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The majority in the US oppose a war on Venezuela. We’re joining the call to mobilize against the Trump administration's push toward a catastrophic war against Venezuela this Saturday, December 6. (1/2)
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Pleased to speak with @gregsargent.bsky.social for this piece.
It sounds like the two survivors were shipwrecked and directly targeted.
If you accept the administration's bogus theory that there is an armed conflict (there isn't), then targeting the shipwrecked would be a war crime.
It sounds like the two survivors were shipwrecked and directly targeted.
If you accept the administration's bogus theory that there is an armed conflict (there isn't), then targeting the shipwrecked would be a war crime.
NEWS --> Tons of fresh detail on what video of the strike shows: Rep Adam Smith says two men are sitting on capsized boat, drugs aren't visible. Rationale officials gave for killing is they *may* have been able to keep trafficking.
"It's bad," Smith says.
Read here:
newrepublic.com/article/2039...
"It's bad," Smith says.
Read here:
newrepublic.com/article/2039...
Hegseth Defense Collapses as Dems Reveal Horrific Video Strike Details
The ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services committee tells TNR after watching the video: “This is a big, big problem.”
newrepublic.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Pleased to speak with @gregsargent.bsky.social for this piece.
It sounds like the two survivors were shipwrecked and directly targeted.
If you accept the administration's bogus theory that there is an armed conflict (there isn't), then targeting the shipwrecked would be a war crime.
It sounds like the two survivors were shipwrecked and directly targeted.
If you accept the administration's bogus theory that there is an armed conflict (there isn't), then targeting the shipwrecked would be a war crime.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
At one point or another, we're all going to need to see a doctor.
But our health care system remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and deeply dysfunctional. It is unacceptable.
That’s why a strong majority of Americans agree: We need Medicare for All.
But our health care system remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and deeply dysfunctional. It is unacceptable.
That’s why a strong majority of Americans agree: We need Medicare for All.
December 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
At one point or another, we're all going to need to see a doctor.
But our health care system remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and deeply dysfunctional. It is unacceptable.
That’s why a strong majority of Americans agree: We need Medicare for All.
But our health care system remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and deeply dysfunctional. It is unacceptable.
That’s why a strong majority of Americans agree: We need Medicare for All.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
i'd say the midterm-level turnout for a special election is even more ominous than the swing
December 3, 2025 at 3:18 AM
i'd say the midterm-level turnout for a special election is even more ominous than the swing
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
December 2, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Thou shalt not pretend that you’re at war with drug traffickers while pardoning drug traffickers.
Thou Shalt Not Murder Fishermen While Pardoning Drug Lords
This is evil.
www.thegodpodcast.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Thou shalt not pretend that you’re at war with drug traffickers while pardoning drug traffickers.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Republicans are FREAKING OUT about how close this race is. We can elect @aftynbehn.bsky.social and send a massive message to MAGA - help GOTV here:
It’s clear that Republicans are very worried about the upcoming special election in a Tennessee district that Trump won by double digits.
Help us GOTV for @aftynbehn.bsky.social (a state representative and former Indivisible organizer) before Election Day on Tuesday: www.mobilize.us/indivisible/...
Help us GOTV for @aftynbehn.bsky.social (a state representative and former Indivisible organizer) before Election Day on Tuesday: www.mobilize.us/indivisible/...
Scoop: Trump and Johnson to hold tele-rally for GOP in tight Tennessee House race
Should Republicans lose — or win narrowly — it would further expectations that the party is heading toward a perilous midterm.
www.axios.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Republicans are FREAKING OUT about how close this race is. We can elect @aftynbehn.bsky.social and send a massive message to MAGA - help GOTV here:
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
November 28, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Spotify is running ads to recruit for the regime’s secret police. Stop paying for or using Spotify until the ICE ads stop: indivisible.org/cancel-spotify?source=bluesky
November 27, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Spotify is running ads to recruit for the regime’s secret police. Stop paying for or using Spotify until the ICE ads stop: indivisible.org/cancel-spotify?source=bluesky
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The President doesn't want you standing up and speaking out against him, so he's coming after me to intimidate all of us.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The President doesn't want you standing up and speaking out against him, so he's coming after me to intimidate all of us.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The gun industry is using fear tactics to make more gun sales online—urging customers to build mini arsenals before time runs out, and sacrificing public safety for their own profits.
These practices are dangerous and wrong.
These practices are dangerous and wrong.
The Gun Industry Is Embracing Digital Tactics to Turn Gun Buying Into a Habit
Records reveal how the National Shooting Sports Foundation, or NSSF, is expanding efforts to sell more weapons online.
www.thetrace.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The gun industry is using fear tactics to make more gun sales online—urging customers to build mini arsenals before time runs out, and sacrificing public safety for their own profits.
These practices are dangerous and wrong.
These practices are dangerous and wrong.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
High school senior, a U.S. citizen, detained by ICE in Oregon
The 17-year-old was held more than five hours Friday in an ICE facility, his brother said.
www.oregonlive.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Utterly lawless
November 23, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Utterly lawless
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden. n.pr/49Yn5Oc
Trump administration seeks to roll back protections for imperiled species and habitat
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden.
n.pr
November 19, 2025 at 11:54 PM
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden. n.pr/49Yn5Oc
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
TN-07, you’ve got one week left to vote early for @aftynbehn.bsky.social!
November 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
TN-07, you’ve got one week left to vote early for @aftynbehn.bsky.social!
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
A US citizen filmed federal agents smashing his car window, as authorities begin a surge of immigration enforcement operations in North Carolina.
The Honduran-born Charlotte resident filed a police report after the officers let him go.
The Honduran-born Charlotte resident filed a police report after the officers let him go.
November 16, 2025 at 9:14 AM
A US citizen filmed federal agents smashing his car window, as authorities begin a surge of immigration enforcement operations in North Carolina.
The Honduran-born Charlotte resident filed a police report after the officers let him go.
The Honduran-born Charlotte resident filed a police report after the officers let him go.
Supreme Court Denies Request to Revisit Same-Sex Marriage Decision www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Supreme Court Denies Request to Revisit Same-Sex Marriage Decision
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Supreme Court Denies Request to Revisit Same-Sex Marriage Decision www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Good morning! AI is being force-fed to you by a handful of billionaires who will lose a bunch of money if they fail to convince you that you need it. You do not need it 🫶
November 6, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Good morning! AI is being force-fed to you by a handful of billionaires who will lose a bunch of money if they fail to convince you that you need it. You do not need it 🫶
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
NEW: Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky has conceded. A stunning defeat for a MAGA media fixture who built a national profile on claims of a "complete gang takeover" of Aurora that led President Trump to visit and falsely proclaim the city "conquered" by an immigrant gang
November 6, 2025 at 12:09 AM
NEW: Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky has conceded. A stunning defeat for a MAGA media fixture who built a national profile on claims of a "complete gang takeover" of Aurora that led President Trump to visit and falsely proclaim the city "conquered" by an immigrant gang
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to our analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
(Published February)
(Published February)
Texas Banned Abortion. Then Sepsis Rates Soared.
ProPublica’s first-of-its-kind analysis is the most detailed look yet into a rise in life-threatening complications for women experiencing pregnancy loss under Texas’ abortion ban.
www.propublica.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Pregnancy became far more dangerous in Texas after the state banned abortion, according to our analysis, which found the sepsis rate for women hospitalized as they miscarried in the 2nd trimester shot up by more than 50%.
(Published February)
(Published February)
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Congratulations to all the Democratic candidates who won tonight. It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win. We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter.
November 5, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Congratulations to all the Democratic candidates who won tonight. It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win. We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
New Jersey and Virginia have chosen well by electing
@mikiesherrill.bsky.social and @spanbergerforva.bsky.social as their next governors!
They are proven leaders who won by focusing on what matters most - how politics and policy can make everyday life better and more affordable.
@mikiesherrill.bsky.social and @spanbergerforva.bsky.social as their next governors!
They are proven leaders who won by focusing on what matters most - how politics and policy can make everyday life better and more affordable.
November 5, 2025 at 2:49 AM
New Jersey and Virginia have chosen well by electing
@mikiesherrill.bsky.social and @spanbergerforva.bsky.social as their next governors!
They are proven leaders who won by focusing on what matters most - how politics and policy can make everyday life better and more affordable.
@mikiesherrill.bsky.social and @spanbergerforva.bsky.social as their next governors!
They are proven leaders who won by focusing on what matters most - how politics and policy can make everyday life better and more affordable.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
I wrote this yesterday about what to tell young people who are worried about what work will be in the age of AI:
naomialderman.substack.com/p/preparing-...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/preparing-...
preparing for the working world in the age of AI
or: seven things to tell your kids when they ask what they should study now, or what the point of studying is
naomialderman.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I wrote this yesterday about what to tell young people who are worried about what work will be in the age of AI:
naomialderman.substack.com/p/preparing-...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/preparing-...
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Agents forcibly opened the woman's car door and pulled her out by her legs, dragging her through the street. They did not identify themselves or tell her that she was under arrest.
The citizen was held for hours before being released without charge. trib.al/tYMBPec
The citizen was held for hours before being released without charge. trib.al/tYMBPec
November 3, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Agents forcibly opened the woman's car door and pulled her out by her legs, dragging her through the street. They did not identify themselves or tell her that she was under arrest.
The citizen was held for hours before being released without charge. trib.al/tYMBPec
The citizen was held for hours before being released without charge. trib.al/tYMBPec