chasingmicrobes
@chasingmicrobes.bsky.social
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Personal Account
All posting done on personal time, using personal device, and only reflect my personal opinions.
Personal Account
All posting done on personal time, using personal device, and only reflect my personal opinions.
Opinion | I Understand MAHA’s Appeal, but It Threatens My Life
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I've lived a block or so from Mag Mile for a decade. It's not the crime.
Retail has been killed by Amazon.
Restaurants that are full every day have closed with no reason given or because of landlord issues.
Retail has been killed by Amazon.
Restaurants that are full every day have closed with no reason given or because of landlord issues.
Call in the troops to solve the commercial real estate crisis in our swanky downtown cores
You can’t make this shit up, folks
You can’t make this shit up, folks
November 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I've lived a block or so from Mag Mile for a decade. It's not the crime.
Retail has been killed by Amazon.
Restaurants that are full every day have closed with no reason given or because of landlord issues.
Retail has been killed by Amazon.
Restaurants that are full every day have closed with no reason given or because of landlord issues.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Equatorial Guinea is routinely ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It has been ruled by the same person since 1982 - for 45 years. Despite the title of President, he rules with near-absolute power.
The Trump admin just deposited $7.5 million in his government's bank account.
The Trump admin just deposited $7.5 million in his government's bank account.
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Equatorial Guinea is routinely ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It has been ruled by the same person since 1982 - for 45 years. Despite the title of President, he rules with near-absolute power.
The Trump admin just deposited $7.5 million in his government's bank account.
The Trump admin just deposited $7.5 million in his government's bank account.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
The Trump administration State Department is taking money that's supposed to be used for helping vulnerable refugees around the world and using it to bribe corrupt governments into taking people that ICE can't deport to their home countries.
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 AM
The Trump administration State Department is taking money that's supposed to be used for helping vulnerable refugees around the world and using it to bribe corrupt governments into taking people that ICE can't deport to their home countries.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Democrats seem to think the pivoting to the center makes them most electable but all it does it piss *everyone* off.
Having beliefs/a backbone and being authentic is the best way to win elections. People are fucking sick of croneyism and corporate suck ups and that is why Zohran cruised to victory
Having beliefs/a backbone and being authentic is the best way to win elections. People are fucking sick of croneyism and corporate suck ups and that is why Zohran cruised to victory
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Democrats seem to think the pivoting to the center makes them most electable but all it does it piss *everyone* off.
Having beliefs/a backbone and being authentic is the best way to win elections. People are fucking sick of croneyism and corporate suck ups and that is why Zohran cruised to victory
Having beliefs/a backbone and being authentic is the best way to win elections. People are fucking sick of croneyism and corporate suck ups and that is why Zohran cruised to victory
1/3
Trusting the current congressional GOP to stick to its not-binding-in-any-way word on ACA subsidies was a hell of a way for @durbin.senate.gov to end a career
Trusting the current congressional GOP to stick to its not-binding-in-any-way word on ACA subsidies was a hell of a way for @durbin.senate.gov to end a career
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
1/3
Trusting the current congressional GOP to stick to its not-binding-in-any-way word on ACA subsidies was a hell of a way for @durbin.senate.gov to end a career
Trusting the current congressional GOP to stick to its not-binding-in-any-way word on ACA subsidies was a hell of a way for @durbin.senate.gov to end a career
Ive been trying to set up business accounts at Fisher and Millipore for over a month.
I knew it was going to be a pain but this is stupid.
I knew it was going to be a pain but this is stupid.
November 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Ive been trying to set up business accounts at Fisher and Millipore for over a month.
I knew it was going to be a pain but this is stupid.
I knew it was going to be a pain but this is stupid.
😑
“As they exited, Bovino called Block Club Chicago “Chicago’s Liars Club.” He questioned the publication’s coverage of federal immigration operations in the city.”
“How come you never report on the work we do to improve the community?” Bovino inquired.“
“How come you never report on the work we do to improve the community?” Bovino inquired.“
Border Patrol Agents Pose At The Bean For Apparent Photo Op
The photo op came after agents tear-gassed a Little Village street and were spotted in the area numerous times. At the Bean, one agent shouted, "Everyone say, 'Little Village!'"
blockclubchicago.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
😑
How the morning started.
How the morning is now.
How the morning is now.
November 10, 2025 at 3:23 PM
How the morning started.
How the morning is now.
How the morning is now.
Also there will be less pressure of holiday season approaching while airports are under distress
The centrist argument will probably be: this is a short term (Jan 30) extension and if we don't see real movement on the ACA subsidies by then we can shut it down again. We will keep the ACA subsidies as a key issue in a election year. But not sure there will be appetite to go through this again.
November 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Also there will be less pressure of holiday season approaching while airports are under distress
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
The centrist argument will probably be: this is a short term (Jan 30) extension and if we don't see real movement on the ACA subsidies by then we can shut it down again. We will keep the ACA subsidies as a key issue in a election year. But not sure there will be appetite to go through this again.
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 AM
The centrist argument will probably be: this is a short term (Jan 30) extension and if we don't see real movement on the ACA subsidies by then we can shut it down again. We will keep the ACA subsidies as a key issue in a election year. But not sure there will be appetite to go through this again.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
The politics of the shutdown:
*GOP had a strong opening position
*Undercut themselves with the RIFs and unnecessary cuts to blue states/SNAP
*Polls showed GOP getting most of the blame, no reason to assume that would change
*Dem centrists then folded on their key issue of ACA subsidies
*GOP had a strong opening position
*Undercut themselves with the RIFs and unnecessary cuts to blue states/SNAP
*Polls showed GOP getting most of the blame, no reason to assume that would change
*Dem centrists then folded on their key issue of ACA subsidies
November 10, 2025 at 2:11 AM
The politics of the shutdown:
*GOP had a strong opening position
*Undercut themselves with the RIFs and unnecessary cuts to blue states/SNAP
*Polls showed GOP getting most of the blame, no reason to assume that would change
*Dem centrists then folded on their key issue of ACA subsidies
*GOP had a strong opening position
*Undercut themselves with the RIFs and unnecessary cuts to blue states/SNAP
*Polls showed GOP getting most of the blame, no reason to assume that would change
*Dem centrists then folded on their key issue of ACA subsidies
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
Rafael Veraza was trying to leave a Sam’s Club parking lot when a federal agent drove alongside a line of cars, spraying chemical irritants occupants of the vehicles through open windows — including his 1-year-old daughter, Ariana.
“My daughter didn’t have to go through this."
“My daughter didn’t have to go through this."
1-year-old, pepper sprayed by federal agent in Cicero: 'My daughter didn't have to go through this'
Video shows federal agents spraying chemical irritants from a moving vehicle at a line of cars waiting to leave a Cicero Sam's Club on Saturday morning. The action appears to violate a judge's restric...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Rafael Veraza was trying to leave a Sam’s Club parking lot when a federal agent drove alongside a line of cars, spraying chemical irritants occupants of the vehicles through open windows — including his 1-year-old daughter, Ariana.
“My daughter didn’t have to go through this."
“My daughter didn’t have to go through this."
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
In a normal democracy, a total collapse of party leadership would result in an no-confidence vote and immediate snap elections to find leaders who can lead
November 10, 2025 at 3:18 AM
In a normal democracy, a total collapse of party leadership would result in an no-confidence vote and immediate snap elections to find leaders who can lead
Dems falling back to shielding Americans from Repub policies so we stay stuck in this never ending cycle of bad policymaking.
November 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Dems falling back to shielding Americans from Repub policies so we stay stuck in this never ending cycle of bad policymaking.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
What will Mike Johnson's new excuse be for not swearing in Grijalva?
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 AM
What will Mike Johnson's new excuse be for not swearing in Grijalva?
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
This is not a deal — it's an empty promise.
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Senate reaches deal on ending the shutdown
Democrats are coalescing around a bipartisan agreement to fund the government.
www.politico.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This is not a deal — it's an empty promise.
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families.
Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
A leader would not have lost eight colleagues tonight. This happened because you let it happen or because you’ve totally lost control of the caucus in one of the most important moments since you’ve been Democratic leader. Either way, it’s on you. You need to step down. We need someone who can lead.
Democrats have been fighting for months to address America's healthcare crisis
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
November 10, 2025 at 4:23 AM
A leader would not have lost eight colleagues tonight. This happened because you let it happen or because you’ve totally lost control of the caucus in one of the most important moments since you’ve been Democratic leader. Either way, it’s on you. You need to step down. We need someone who can lead.
This. Last night's vote made the shutdown seem petty and pointless.
After a 40-day shutdown over healthcare premiums increasing, 8 Democrats broke ranks to end it.
What they got in exchange? A dedicated Senate vote on raising premiums that Republicans will obviously win.
So, the shutdown was pointless. Democrats just won on Tuesday and still found a way to lose
What they got in exchange? A dedicated Senate vote on raising premiums that Republicans will obviously win.
So, the shutdown was pointless. Democrats just won on Tuesday and still found a way to lose
November 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM
This. Last night's vote made the shutdown seem petty and pointless.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
After a 40-day shutdown over healthcare premiums increasing, 8 Democrats broke ranks to end it.
What they got in exchange? A dedicated Senate vote on raising premiums that Republicans will obviously win.
So, the shutdown was pointless. Democrats just won on Tuesday and still found a way to lose
What they got in exchange? A dedicated Senate vote on raising premiums that Republicans will obviously win.
So, the shutdown was pointless. Democrats just won on Tuesday and still found a way to lose
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 AM
After a 40-day shutdown over healthcare premiums increasing, 8 Democrats broke ranks to end it.
What they got in exchange? A dedicated Senate vote on raising premiums that Republicans will obviously win.
So, the shutdown was pointless. Democrats just won on Tuesday and still found a way to lose
What they got in exchange? A dedicated Senate vote on raising premiums that Republicans will obviously win.
So, the shutdown was pointless. Democrats just won on Tuesday and still found a way to lose
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
This single loss doomed immigrants for over a decade and counting
Not that the Gang of 8 bill was great. But it was the last gasp of a real chance at bipartisan compromise. Gone.
Not that the Gang of 8 bill was great. But it was the last gasp of a real chance at bipartisan compromise. Gone.
thinking back to when eric cantor got knocked out in a primary in 2014
November 10, 2025 at 3:20 AM
This single loss doomed immigrants for over a decade and counting
Not that the Gang of 8 bill was great. But it was the last gasp of a real chance at bipartisan compromise. Gone.
Not that the Gang of 8 bill was great. But it was the last gasp of a real chance at bipartisan compromise. Gone.
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
That's a nice O-H stretch, low signal to noise though
(Post for the chemists)
(Post for the chemists)
AAR Rail Traffic in October: Carloads Flat, Intermodal Down
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/11/aar-...
www.calculatedriskblog.com/2025/11/aar-...
AAR Rail Traffic in October: Carloads Flat, Intermodal Down
From the Association of American Railroads (AAR) AAR Data Center . Graph and excerpts reprinted with permission . In October 2025, total U...
www.calculatedriskblog.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:24 PM
That's a nice O-H stretch, low signal to noise though
(Post for the chemists)
(Post for the chemists)
Because free-market healthcare was famously so much better pre-ACA
November 9, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Because free-market healthcare was famously so much better pre-ACA
Reposted by chasingmicrobes
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
So it turns out... the US air travel system was incredibly, deeply dependent on federal funding to just run day-to-day all this time, to the benefit of private airline shareholders, when everyone thinks that state-run trains are leeching off the government. Weird!