Billie Heflin
@billieheflin.bsky.social
Book lover, Science Nerd, Trying to live the Ted Lasso Way: A little kindness goes a long way.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
The Trump regime is dissolving the Union unilaterally, that's what these actions *are*—repudiation of the American constitutional order vis-a-vis federalism.
Next move from OMB - canceling $8 billion in clean energy funds. You will note, all of the projects are in states led by Democrats
October 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The Trump regime is dissolving the Union unilaterally, that's what these actions *are*—repudiation of the American constitutional order vis-a-vis federalism.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Taxpayers and charities helped develop the gene therapy Zolgensma.
Then it debuted at a record price of $2M+ per dose, ushering in a new class of wildly expensive drugs. Its story upends the widely held conception that high prices reflect huge industry investments in innovation.
(Published Feb.)
Then it debuted at a record price of $2M+ per dose, ushering in a new class of wildly expensive drugs. Its story upends the widely held conception that high prices reflect huge industry investments in innovation.
(Published Feb.)
What a $2 Million Per Dose Gene Therapy Reveals About Drug Pricing
Taxpayers and charities helped develop Zolgensma. Then it debuted at a record price, ushering in a new class of wildly expensive drugs. Its story upends the widely held conception that high prices ref...
www.propublica.org
October 1, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Taxpayers and charities helped develop the gene therapy Zolgensma.
Then it debuted at a record price of $2M+ per dose, ushering in a new class of wildly expensive drugs. Its story upends the widely held conception that high prices reflect huge industry investments in innovation.
(Published Feb.)
Then it debuted at a record price of $2M+ per dose, ushering in a new class of wildly expensive drugs. Its story upends the widely held conception that high prices reflect huge industry investments in innovation.
(Published Feb.)
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Just a heads up. I was able to schedule my COVID vaccine appointment. Online it will ask “do you have a condition that puts you at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 virus.”
Click yes and it will allow you to schedule an appointment.
No questions asked.
No proof required.
Pass it on.
Click yes and it will allow you to schedule an appointment.
No questions asked.
No proof required.
Pass it on.
August 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Just a heads up. I was able to schedule my COVID vaccine appointment. Online it will ask “do you have a condition that puts you at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 virus.”
Click yes and it will allow you to schedule an appointment.
No questions asked.
No proof required.
Pass it on.
Click yes and it will allow you to schedule an appointment.
No questions asked.
No proof required.
Pass it on.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
CDC staff held a “clap-out” on Thursday to honor three of the agency’s high-ranking officials, who resigned in protest after President Trump fired the director, Susan Monarez. nyti.ms/4oSxakJ
August 29, 2025 at 12:00 AM
CDC staff held a “clap-out” on Thursday to honor three of the agency’s high-ranking officials, who resigned in protest after President Trump fired the director, Susan Monarez. nyti.ms/4oSxakJ
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Ok, pass a law disbanding the Fed and making the president the nation’s central banker, if that’s your view.
Vance on undermining the Federal Reserve: "I don't think we allow bureaucrats to make decisions about monetary policy and interest rates without any input from the people that were elected to serve the American people...POTUS is much better able to make these determinations."
August 28, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Ok, pass a law disbanding the Fed and making the president the nation’s central banker, if that’s your view.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Bill Maher: "The tariffs, that's not really something the president is allowed to do unilaterally."
George Will: "No. A constitutionally enumerated power of Congress is to regulate trade with foreign nations. Congress, in its absent minded way, has now become a spectator of government."
George Will: "No. A constitutionally enumerated power of Congress is to regulate trade with foreign nations. Congress, in its absent minded way, has now become a spectator of government."
August 9, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Bill Maher: "The tariffs, that's not really something the president is allowed to do unilaterally."
George Will: "No. A constitutionally enumerated power of Congress is to regulate trade with foreign nations. Congress, in its absent minded way, has now become a spectator of government."
George Will: "No. A constitutionally enumerated power of Congress is to regulate trade with foreign nations. Congress, in its absent minded way, has now become a spectator of government."
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Some big "Don't Look Up" energy in Trump's reaction to the jobs report. (Admittedly he's less likeable than Meryl Streep is in the movie).
“Trump realized a dream that he’s had since he was president of the United States the first time: firing the person who informed the world that his economy isn’t as great as he wants to pretend it is.
It was a move so comically autocratic that Recep Erdogan of Turkey already did it in 2022.”
It was a move so comically autocratic that Recep Erdogan of Turkey already did it in 2022.”
August 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Some big "Don't Look Up" energy in Trump's reaction to the jobs report. (Admittedly he's less likeable than Meryl Streep is in the movie).
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Math is over-rated. The dear leader’s feelings are more important.
Oh man, who's he gonna fire this time? Math? Maybe he'll fire math.
U.S. Factory Orders Declined in June
New orders from U.S. factories contracted 4.8% month over month to $611.7 billion in June. Orders have dropped for two of the past three months.
www.wsj.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Math is over-rated. The dear leader’s feelings are more important.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Good.
California Democrats are weighing new political maps that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts.
California could slash 5 GOP US House seats, as Texas moves at Trump's urging to pad GOP margin
California Democrats are weighing new political maps that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts.
bit.ly
August 5, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Good.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
NEW: Oil companies are holding back a large portion of revenue payments to the people they lease drilling rights from, often with little explanation.
But the industry has an outsize influence in the state, and public officials have refused to take action.
With @northdakotamonitor.com
But the industry has an outsize influence in the state, and public officials have refused to take action.
With @northdakotamonitor.com
“You Feel Like You’re Being Cheated”: Oil Companies Unfairly Take Millions, North Dakota Mineral Owners Say
Oil companies are holding back a large portion of revenue payments to the people they lease drilling rights from, often with little explanation. But the industry has an outsize influence in the…
www.propublica.org
August 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: Oil companies are holding back a large portion of revenue payments to the people they lease drilling rights from, often with little explanation.
But the industry has an outsize influence in the state, and public officials have refused to take action.
With @northdakotamonitor.com
But the industry has an outsize influence in the state, and public officials have refused to take action.
With @northdakotamonitor.com
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Democrats in TX left their legislature behind to prevent a mid-decade gerrymander after Trump demanded that Abbott eliminate 5 Democratic seats before the midterms.
Republicans in DC left their legislature behind to block release of the Epstein files to protect Trump.
Republicans in DC left their legislature behind to block release of the Epstein files to protect Trump.
August 5, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Democrats in TX left their legislature behind to prevent a mid-decade gerrymander after Trump demanded that Abbott eliminate 5 Democratic seats before the midterms.
Republicans in DC left their legislature behind to block release of the Epstein files to protect Trump.
Republicans in DC left their legislature behind to block release of the Epstein files to protect Trump.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Question for Mike Flood: With $450 million being allocated to Alligator Alcatraz, and ICE burning through $8.4 million a day to illegally detain people—How much does it cost for fascism? How much do the tax payers have to pay for a fascist country?
August 4, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Question for Mike Flood: With $450 million being allocated to Alligator Alcatraz, and ICE burning through $8.4 million a day to illegally detain people—How much does it cost for fascism? How much do the tax payers have to pay for a fascist country?
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Seems worth pointing out—
“Crypto Now Accounts For Most Of Donald Trump’s Net Worth”
@danalexander21.bsky.social for @forbes.com
“Crypto Now Accounts For Most Of Donald Trump’s Net Worth”
@danalexander21.bsky.social for @forbes.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Seems worth pointing out—
“Crypto Now Accounts For Most Of Donald Trump’s Net Worth”
@danalexander21.bsky.social for @forbes.com
“Crypto Now Accounts For Most Of Donald Trump’s Net Worth”
@danalexander21.bsky.social for @forbes.com
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Finally, a united nation.
August 4, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Finally, a united nation.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
This should be bigger news:
ICYMI - Project 2025’s puppet master Russell Vought just replaced Elon as head of DOGE.
People still in denial & believe Trump knew nothing about Project 2025, need to explain why he just handed the keys to the whole damn thing to its architect. He is the plan. Wake up.
ICYMI - Project 2025’s puppet master Russell Vought just replaced Elon as head of DOGE.
People still in denial & believe Trump knew nothing about Project 2025, need to explain why he just handed the keys to the whole damn thing to its architect. He is the plan. Wake up.
May 16, 2025 at 11:53 AM
This should be bigger news:
ICYMI - Project 2025’s puppet master Russell Vought just replaced Elon as head of DOGE.
People still in denial & believe Trump knew nothing about Project 2025, need to explain why he just handed the keys to the whole damn thing to its architect. He is the plan. Wake up.
ICYMI - Project 2025’s puppet master Russell Vought just replaced Elon as head of DOGE.
People still in denial & believe Trump knew nothing about Project 2025, need to explain why he just handed the keys to the whole damn thing to its architect. He is the plan. Wake up.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
NSF’s grant cuts fall heaviest on scientists from underrepresented groups | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
NSF’s grant cuts fall heaviest on scientists from underrepresented groups
Projects to broaden participation were cut disproportionately—and were often led by Black scientists, women, and those with disabilities
www.science.org
May 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
NSF’s grant cuts fall heaviest on scientists from underrepresented groups | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
Reposted by Billie Heflin
I've said this on here before, but CNN's Victor Blackwell is the best journalist on television today, bar none, which presumably is why he only appears on weekend early mornings when no one (except me) is actually watching
Blackwell to DHS official Tricia McLaughlin: "You suggest I am the one here who is focused on skin color, when the president has let in Afrikaners specifically, and I'm asking, how many of those who are actually facing genocide from Sudan and the Congo are being let in under some expedited path?"
May 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I've said this on here before, but CNN's Victor Blackwell is the best journalist on television today, bar none, which presumably is why he only appears on weekend early mornings when no one (except me) is actually watching
Reposted by Billie Heflin
“Unfortunately, right now, it looks like the polluters won.”
Reorganizations at the EPA may get rid of the agency’s fundamental program for research around the risks of toxic chemicals.
Reorganizations at the EPA may get rid of the agency’s fundamental program for research around the risks of toxic chemicals.
The EPA Will Likely Gut Team That Studies Health Risks From Chemicals
Reorganizations at the EPA may get rid of the agency’s fundamental program for research around the risks of toxic chemicals.
wrd.cm
May 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
“Unfortunately, right now, it looks like the polluters won.”
Reorganizations at the EPA may get rid of the agency’s fundamental program for research around the risks of toxic chemicals.
Reorganizations at the EPA may get rid of the agency’s fundamental program for research around the risks of toxic chemicals.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
*Of course* advance information on US combat operations is classified. Pretending otherwise is an insult to our troops, who all know this.
The Secretary is unfit to lead.
The Secretary is unfit to lead.
April 21, 2025 at 12:01 AM
*Of course* advance information on US combat operations is classified. Pretending otherwise is an insult to our troops, who all know this.
The Secretary is unfit to lead.
The Secretary is unfit to lead.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
When Andrew Tate was charged with rape and human trafficking, Trump intervened to fly him back to the US.
When a working-class father of a disabled 5-year-old child was wrongfully deported and charged with NO crime, Trump refuses to lift a finger.
When a working-class father of a disabled 5-year-old child was wrongfully deported and charged with NO crime, Trump refuses to lift a finger.
April 15, 2025 at 9:55 PM
When Andrew Tate was charged with rape and human trafficking, Trump intervened to fly him back to the US.
When a working-class father of a disabled 5-year-old child was wrongfully deported and charged with NO crime, Trump refuses to lift a finger.
When a working-class father of a disabled 5-year-old child was wrongfully deported and charged with NO crime, Trump refuses to lift a finger.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
This picture may haunt me to the end of my days.
It is an ICE agent taking an axe to the car window of an immigrant in New Bedford, MA. Not far from where I sit now. An immigrant with no criminal record was abducted by this smiling man.
An axe taken to a car window and to our democracy. 1/
#MomSky
It is an ICE agent taking an axe to the car window of an immigrant in New Bedford, MA. Not far from where I sit now. An immigrant with no criminal record was abducted by this smiling man.
An axe taken to a car window and to our democracy. 1/
#MomSky
April 15, 2025 at 11:47 PM
This picture may haunt me to the end of my days.
It is an ICE agent taking an axe to the car window of an immigrant in New Bedford, MA. Not far from where I sit now. An immigrant with no criminal record was abducted by this smiling man.
An axe taken to a car window and to our democracy. 1/
#MomSky
It is an ICE agent taking an axe to the car window of an immigrant in New Bedford, MA. Not far from where I sit now. An immigrant with no criminal record was abducted by this smiling man.
An axe taken to a car window and to our democracy. 1/
#MomSky
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Tom Friedman: The world is now seeing Trump’s America for exactly what it is becoming: a rogue state led by an impulsive strongman disconnected from the rule of law and other constitutional American principles and values. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/o...
Opinion | I Have Never Been More Afraid for My Country’s Future
Trump’s worldview is stuck in the 1970s, and his whole administration is a cruel farce.
www.nytimes.com
April 16, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Tom Friedman: The world is now seeing Trump’s America for exactly what it is becoming: a rogue state led by an impulsive strongman disconnected from the rule of law and other constitutional American principles and values. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/o...
Reposted by Billie Heflin
There's always been reason to believe DOGE was hacking govt systems. Now a whistleblower has substantiated it at NLRB, precisely the kind of data compromise labor unions worried about when they sued re DOL.
EXCLUSIVE: A whistleblower tells Congress and NPR that DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data and hid its tracks. "None of that ... information should ever leave the agency," said a former NLRB official.
A whistleblower's disclosure details how DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data
A whistleblower tells Congress and NPR that DOGE may have taken sensitive labor data and hid its tracks. "None of that ... information should ever leave the agency," said a former NLRB official.
www.npr.org
April 15, 2025 at 10:26 AM
There's always been reason to believe DOGE was hacking govt systems. Now a whistleblower has substantiated it at NLRB, precisely the kind of data compromise labor unions worried about when they sued re DOL.
Reposted by Billie Heflin
Thinking that maybe my unborn grandchildren will have days in school where "Trump survivors" come speak to class to warn them about evil, show their scars from the Salvadoran gulag, and teach them about "never again," again
April 15, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Thinking that maybe my unborn grandchildren will have days in school where "Trump survivors" come speak to class to warn them about evil, show their scars from the Salvadoran gulag, and teach them about "never again," again
Reposted by Billie Heflin
“I was just following orders” was not a defense at Nuremberg. And it won’t be a defense in the future here.
April 15, 2025 at 9:47 AM
“I was just following orders” was not a defense at Nuremberg. And it won’t be a defense in the future here.