Kathy Cunningham, PhD
@ksocial-024.bsky.social
Bioscience. Data. Bike, pedestrian and mobility advocacy. Pro-environment. Pro-equity, diversity, and civil rights. Anti-disinformation. Anti-corruption.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Must read: Mahmoud Khalil speaks out for the first time since his arrest by the Trump administration in an exclusive letter, dictated over the phone to his family, from ICE detention in Louisiana.
March 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Must read: Mahmoud Khalil speaks out for the first time since his arrest by the Trump administration in an exclusive letter, dictated over the phone to his family, from ICE detention in Louisiana.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
"The abuse of the word 'antisemitism' is meant to generate a sense of plausibility, confuse opposition, and create more space for the actual phenomenon of antisemitism. And this misdirection is an integral part of the effort to replace a constitutional order with an authoritarian one."
Fascism places emotion over reason. Words become just tools to achieve the vision of the Leader. In our post-truth world, this takes the special form of the inversion of meaning: fascists call other people "fascists" and antisemites call other people "antisemites"
snyder.substack.com/p/antisemiti...
snyder.substack.com/p/antisemiti...
"Antisemitism" and Antisemitism
The abuse of the word and the spread of the phenomenon
snyder.substack.com
March 15, 2025 at 2:27 PM
"The abuse of the word 'antisemitism' is meant to generate a sense of plausibility, confuse opposition, and create more space for the actual phenomenon of antisemitism. And this misdirection is an integral part of the effort to replace a constitutional order with an authoritarian one."
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
I think about this a lot in my town where we have a fantastic rail trail, but no on-road infrastructure. The rail trail goes downtown, but not to the office park, the mall, or several schools. Imagine how much more powerful it could be when actually connected to potential destinations.
March 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I think about this a lot in my town where we have a fantastic rail trail, but no on-road infrastructure. The rail trail goes downtown, but not to the office park, the mall, or several schools. Imagine how much more powerful it could be when actually connected to potential destinations.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
NEWS: The USAID official put on leave for disseminating two memos about Rubio's failure to push through life-saving foreign aid was in the process of writing a THIRD memo when fired. We obtained it. It's far more alarming than the first two.
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-a-wee...
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-a-wee...
March 3, 2025 at 2:57 PM
NEWS: The USAID official put on leave for disseminating two memos about Rubio's failure to push through life-saving foreign aid was in the process of writing a THIRD memo when fired. We obtained it. It's far more alarming than the first two.
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-a-wee...
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-a-wee...
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
By @katherinejwu.com
"The NIH... supported 99 percent of the drugs approved in the U.S. from 2010 to 2019. The agency has had a hand in “nearly all of our major medical breakthroughs over the past several decades,”
The NIH is in a struggle for its (and our) lives. This is existential to America:
"The NIH... supported 99 percent of the drugs approved in the U.S. from 2010 to 2019. The agency has had a hand in “nearly all of our major medical breakthroughs over the past several decades,”
The NIH is in a struggle for its (and our) lives. This is existential to America:
Inside the Collapse at NIH
Administration officials pressured NIH to avoid clear advice from the agency’s own lawyers to restart grant funding now.
www.theatlantic.com
February 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
By @katherinejwu.com
"The NIH... supported 99 percent of the drugs approved in the U.S. from 2010 to 2019. The agency has had a hand in “nearly all of our major medical breakthroughs over the past several decades,”
The NIH is in a struggle for its (and our) lives. This is existential to America:
"The NIH... supported 99 percent of the drugs approved in the U.S. from 2010 to 2019. The agency has had a hand in “nearly all of our major medical breakthroughs over the past several decades,”
The NIH is in a struggle for its (and our) lives. This is existential to America:
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
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. 🧵
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
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. 🧵
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. 🧵
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
This is why the military's Chief of Staff was fired this weekend. (Fired by a guy whose relevant work experience was weekend anchor on Fox News). Listen to it, and then help rise to defend the America that produced this noble man.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=brQL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=brQL...
Air Force General Shares Personal Experience as a Black Airman | NowThis
YouTube video by NowThis Impact
www.youtube.com
February 22, 2025 at 10:14 PM
This is why the military's Chief of Staff was fired this weekend. (Fired by a guy whose relevant work experience was weekend anchor on Fox News). Listen to it, and then help rise to defend the America that produced this noble man.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=brQL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=brQL...
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Pritzker: If we don’t want to repeat history, then for god’s sake, in this moment, we better be strong enough to learn from it.
February 20, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Pritzker: If we don’t want to repeat history, then for god’s sake, in this moment, we better be strong enough to learn from it.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
New: Last night, hundreds of CDC post-doc fellows were fired, including all in the group who call themselves the "disease detectors," and are the future of public health lab leaders. One senior official told me, "It is going to cripple public health for decades."
www.nbcnews.com/politics/dog...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/dog...
CDC 'disease detectors' among hundreds fired as Trump administration ramps up agency cuts
Administration officials last week informed CDC leaders of plans to cut up to 10% of its workforce as it targeted federal probationary employees.
www.nbcnews.com
February 17, 2025 at 1:59 AM
New: Last night, hundreds of CDC post-doc fellows were fired, including all in the group who call themselves the "disease detectors," and are the future of public health lab leaders. One senior official told me, "It is going to cripple public health for decades."
www.nbcnews.com/politics/dog...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/dog...
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Government’s wins are often invisible: Systems that avoid plane crashes; alliances that avert war; surveillance that prevent pandemics.
Government wins are often *the avoidance of loss.*
So how do we tell the story of the destruction of government? The story of future losses *not* averted?
Government wins are often *the avoidance of loss.*
So how do we tell the story of the destruction of government? The story of future losses *not* averted?
February 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Government’s wins are often invisible: Systems that avoid plane crashes; alliances that avert war; surveillance that prevent pandemics.
Government wins are often *the avoidance of loss.*
So how do we tell the story of the destruction of government? The story of future losses *not* averted?
Government wins are often *the avoidance of loss.*
So how do we tell the story of the destruction of government? The story of future losses *not* averted?
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Engraving on the exterior of the United States Department of Justice headquarters.
February 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Engraving on the exterior of the United States Department of Justice headquarters.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
How much Elon Musk makes from the government a day: $8 million.
How much a senior on Social Security gets a day: $65
Guess which budget Musk and Trump want to cut?
How much a senior on Social Security gets a day: $65
Guess which budget Musk and Trump want to cut?
February 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
How much Elon Musk makes from the government a day: $8 million.
How much a senior on Social Security gets a day: $65
Guess which budget Musk and Trump want to cut?
How much a senior on Social Security gets a day: $65
Guess which budget Musk and Trump want to cut?
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
A 71-year-old woman has died after her oxygen supply was cut off when Trump announced his federal funding freeze.
US aid freeze claims first victims as oxygen supplies cut off
Seventy-one-year-old woman dies after being sent home from USAID funded hospital. Others die after hospitals close in refugee camps
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 12, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A 71-year-old woman has died after her oxygen supply was cut off when Trump announced his federal funding freeze.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Tell me you're redlining without telling me you're redlining
The US DOT says it's planning to prioritize areas with high marriage & high birth rates for funding.
Our new analysis @urbaninstitute.bsky.social shows this would disproportionately fund:
—Communities with a higher white resident share
—Low-density areas
—High-income areas
—Car-dependent areas
Our new analysis @urbaninstitute.bsky.social shows this would disproportionately fund:
—Communities with a higher white resident share
—Low-density areas
—High-income areas
—Car-dependent areas
DOT’s Plan to Distribute Funding by Birth and Marriage Rates Would Leave Communities Most In Need Behind
If enacted, the new US Department of Transportation memo would prioritize funding to whiter, higher-income, more car-dependent areas over communities of color and people who walk, bike, or take public...
www.urban.org
February 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Tell me you're redlining without telling me you're redlining
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Wikipedia is rolling out anonymity features piloted in countries with authoritarian governments in the US & is making a change to not show editor IP addresses in response to a global "increase in threats" from Elon Musk, Heritage Foundation, and governments
www.404media.co/wikipedia-pr...
www.404media.co/wikipedia-pr...
Wikipedia Prepares for 'Increase in Threats' to US Editors From Musk and His Allies
The Wikimedia Foundation says it will likely roll out features previously used to protect editors in authoritarian countries more widely.
www.404media.co
February 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Wikipedia is rolling out anonymity features piloted in countries with authoritarian governments in the US & is making a change to not show editor IP addresses in response to a global "increase in threats" from Elon Musk, Heritage Foundation, and governments
www.404media.co/wikipedia-pr...
www.404media.co/wikipedia-pr...
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
MAJOR BREAKING: Pope Francis has written a letter to US Bishops saying he’s following “major crisis” of “mass deportations;” takes on Vance saying “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the “Good Samaritan”
February 11, 2025 at 11:53 AM
MAJOR BREAKING: Pope Francis has written a letter to US Bishops saying he’s following “major crisis” of “mass deportations;” takes on Vance saying “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the “Good Samaritan”
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Imagine if university presidents instead of cowering, called up their faculty too speak in a round-the-clock marathon across the nation about how their research serves every American who has ever faced illness and disease.
February 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Imagine if university presidents instead of cowering, called up their faculty too speak in a round-the-clock marathon across the nation about how their research serves every American who has ever faced illness and disease.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Here are some facts about "facilities and administrative" (F&A) costs, what we in the business call "indirects" and what Musk is calling "overhead" as he tries to convince Americans with being ok with cutting billions on dollars from medical and public health research at universities & hospitals
1/
1/
February 9, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Here are some facts about "facilities and administrative" (F&A) costs, what we in the business call "indirects" and what Musk is calling "overhead" as he tries to convince Americans with being ok with cutting billions on dollars from medical and public health research at universities & hospitals
1/
1/
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Whenever you hear someone sneer about scientific research that seems useless to them — “they’re studying the spit of lizards?!” — remind them that’s exactly how we got Ozempic.
globalnews.ca/news/9793403...
globalnews.ca/news/9793403...
How a Canadian scientist and a venomous lizard helped pave the way for Ozempic - National | Globalnews.ca
In 1984, Dr. Daniel Drucker, an endocrinologist from the University of Toronto, discovered a hormone that helped pave the way for popular diabetes drugs such as Ozempic.
globalnews.ca
February 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Whenever you hear someone sneer about scientific research that seems useless to them — “they’re studying the spit of lizards?!” — remind them that’s exactly how we got Ozempic.
globalnews.ca/news/9793403...
globalnews.ca/news/9793403...
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
This website shows you how many jobs NIH funding creates for your state along with the overall economic activity generated.
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
NIH In Your State - United For Medical Research
Select a state on the map to see the impact of NIH funding across America.
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org
February 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This website shows you how many jobs NIH funding creates for your state along with the overall economic activity generated.
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
This is really good!
I'd encourage anyone who has been feeling overwhelmed, scared, and defeated by what's been happening lately to watch this latest video by Ezra Klein.
It explains very well what is happening, how to look at it, and gives you some basic tools for handling news as we go forward.
I'd encourage anyone who has been feeling overwhelmed, scared, and defeated by what's been happening lately to watch this latest video by Ezra Klein.
It explains very well what is happening, how to look at it, and gives you some basic tools for handling news as we go forward.
Don't Believe Him | The Ezra Klein Show
YouTube video by The Ezra Klein Show
youtu.be
February 7, 2025 at 12:37 AM
This is really good!
I'd encourage anyone who has been feeling overwhelmed, scared, and defeated by what's been happening lately to watch this latest video by Ezra Klein.
It explains very well what is happening, how to look at it, and gives you some basic tools for handling news as we go forward.
I'd encourage anyone who has been feeling overwhelmed, scared, and defeated by what's been happening lately to watch this latest video by Ezra Klein.
It explains very well what is happening, how to look at it, and gives you some basic tools for handling news as we go forward.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Mind-boggling wreckage. Among the lifesaving programs now disrupted by Elon’s attack on @USAID: phase 1 trials for a possible HIV vaccine.
February 6, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Mind-boggling wreckage. Among the lifesaving programs now disrupted by Elon’s attack on @USAID: phase 1 trials for a possible HIV vaccine.
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
Of course it’s a coup. Miss the obvious, lose your republic.
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Of course it’s a coup
Miss the obvious, lose your republic
open.substack.com
February 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Of course it’s a coup. Miss the obvious, lose your republic.
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Reposted by Kathy Cunningham, PhD
As infuriating and outrageous as Trump’s latest comments on annexing Gaza are, he is a master of distraction. He deliberately throws out incendiary statements, knowing they will dominate the headlines and divert attention from his dangerous actions at play—in this case, a power grab.
Trump’s Diversion Tactics
Stay Focused on the Hostile Takeover of the U.S. Government
olgalautman.substack.com
February 5, 2025 at 4:38 PM
As infuriating and outrageous as Trump’s latest comments on annexing Gaza are, he is a master of distraction. He deliberately throws out incendiary statements, knowing they will dominate the headlines and divert attention from his dangerous actions at play—in this case, a power grab.