Lynn Ballen
@lynnhb.bsky.social
Writer, feminist radio & dyke cultural activist. Still South African. Critical optimist on a good day. she/they
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
today in Grokology, the chatbot is doing antisemitism
July 8, 2025 at 7:40 PM
today in Grokology, the chatbot is doing antisemitism
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
My face when I heard that Liberty University offered full ride scholarships to underage teen moms for *decades* contingent on them being shipped off to a maternity home and giving their newborns up to University-approved couples who happened to be big alumni donors:
a man wearing a watch is covering his mouth with his hand
Alt: Miss Jay clutching himself lest the evil of that story reach him.
media.tenor.com
July 8, 2025 at 4:22 PM
My face when I heard that Liberty University offered full ride scholarships to underage teen moms for *decades* contingent on them being shipped off to a maternity home and giving their newborns up to University-approved couples who happened to be big alumni donors:
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
34 million?? Not even close.
There are only about 2 million able-bodied adults on Medicaid who aren't working, going to school, serving as a caregiver, or chronically ill: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss... Some are in their early 60s, retired, & waiting for Medicare. Probably not ideal farm workers.
There are only about 2 million able-bodied adults on Medicaid who aren't working, going to school, serving as a caregiver, or chronically ill: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss... Some are in their early 60s, retired, & waiting for Medicare. Probably not ideal farm workers.
July 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
34 million?? Not even close.
There are only about 2 million able-bodied adults on Medicaid who aren't working, going to school, serving as a caregiver, or chronically ill: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss... Some are in their early 60s, retired, & waiting for Medicare. Probably not ideal farm workers.
There are only about 2 million able-bodied adults on Medicaid who aren't working, going to school, serving as a caregiver, or chronically ill: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss... Some are in their early 60s, retired, & waiting for Medicare. Probably not ideal farm workers.
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
Confused. So (apart from the other crazy assumptions underlying this) will farm workers get health coverage? Bc the idea of kicking people off Medicaid is that they can get jobs that provide health insurance, right? I’m just trying to keep up with the plot
Brooke Rollins on farm laborers: "There will be no amnesty. The mass deportations continue, but in a strategic way. And we move the workforce toward automation and 100% American participation, which with 34 million able-bodied on Medicaid we should be able to do fairly quickly."
July 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Confused. So (apart from the other crazy assumptions underlying this) will farm workers get health coverage? Bc the idea of kicking people off Medicaid is that they can get jobs that provide health insurance, right? I’m just trying to keep up with the plot
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
Brooke Rollins on farm laborers: "There will be no amnesty. The mass deportations continue, but in a strategic way. And we move the workforce toward automation and 100% American participation, which with 34 million able-bodied on Medicaid we should be able to do fairly quickly."
July 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Brooke Rollins on farm laborers: "There will be no amnesty. The mass deportations continue, but in a strategic way. And we move the workforce toward automation and 100% American participation, which with 34 million able-bodied on Medicaid we should be able to do fairly quickly."
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
More perspective (via @talkingpointsmemo.com) below from Harvard sociologist Theda Skocpol on how the massive expansion of ICE is the unlock for fascism in the United States.
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/criti...
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/criti...
Critical Read About the BBB, Federalism and the Future of American Democracy
TPM Reader TS (Harvard sociologist/political scientist Theda Skocpol) and I often compared...
talkingpointsmemo.com
July 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
More perspective (via @talkingpointsmemo.com) below from Harvard sociologist Theda Skocpol on how the massive expansion of ICE is the unlock for fascism in the United States.
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/criti...
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/criti...
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
Like so many elections around the country, today is about organized money vs. organized people.
I believe people will win.
I believe people will win.
June 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Like so many elections around the country, today is about organized money vs. organized people.
I believe people will win.
I believe people will win.
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done.
My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.
I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.
My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.
I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.
June 25, 2025 at 5:54 AM
In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done.
My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.
I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.
My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it.
I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City.
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
I am aware non-citizens don’t have all the same rights that citizens have; I still think we should all agree that it is a Bad sign that the U.S. federal government feels more than comfortable publicly declaring that it wants to punish and/or deport people for “IDEAS” it doesn’t like
I checked, it's real. From the official ICE account on X:
April 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I am aware non-citizens don’t have all the same rights that citizens have; I still think we should all agree that it is a Bad sign that the U.S. federal government feels more than comfortable publicly declaring that it wants to punish and/or deport people for “IDEAS” it doesn’t like
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
LISTEN.
This vote was to start the process of the cuts. It WILL come back for a final vote.
There are some chances to slow or potentially stop it. Need constant pressure on GOP
Focus on GOP swing seats & key committees. Energy & Commerce is where the Medicaid fight will go down. Ways&Means for tax fight.
There are some chances to slow or potentially stop it. Need constant pressure on GOP
Focus on GOP swing seats & key committees. Energy & Commerce is where the Medicaid fight will go down. Ways&Means for tax fight.
@aoc.bsky.social
Please explain what just happened. Is there no way to stop this w the reconciliation to be used by GOP to get around the filibuster? Are we sunk?
Please explain what just happened. Is there no way to stop this w the reconciliation to be used by GOP to get around the filibuster? Are we sunk?
February 26, 2025 at 3:33 AM
LISTEN.
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
This note that Jeff Bezos just sent to Washington Post employees about the opinion page is leading Post employees to speak out publicly.
Reporters like Jeff Stein (who is on the news side) say that if Bezos starts to interfere with his work he will quit immediately.
Reporters like Jeff Stein (who is on the news side) say that if Bezos starts to interfere with his work he will quit immediately.
February 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
This note that Jeff Bezos just sent to Washington Post employees about the opinion page is leading Post employees to speak out publicly.
Reporters like Jeff Stein (who is on the news side) say that if Bezos starts to interfere with his work he will quit immediately.
Reporters like Jeff Stein (who is on the news side) say that if Bezos starts to interfere with his work he will quit immediately.
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS A DEPARTMENT CREATED BY STATUTE; IT CANNOT BE ELIMINATED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER! EXECUTIVE ORDERS CANNOT REPEAL STATUTES! JUST LIKE DEPARTMENTS CANNOT BE CREATED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER!
she shouts into the void
she shouts into the void
BREAKING: The White House is preparing an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education, two sources familiar with the plans tell NBC News.
White House preparing executive order to abolish the Department of Education
The planned order follows years of campaign promises from President Donald Trump to abolish the federal Education Department.
www.nbcnews.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:07 PM
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS A DEPARTMENT CREATED BY STATUTE; IT CANNOT BE ELIMINATED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER! EXECUTIVE ORDERS CANNOT REPEAL STATUTES! JUST LIKE DEPARTMENTS CANNOT BE CREATED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER!
she shouts into the void
she shouts into the void
Will somebody please cover this story?? What is Conservative Governance?
This is what they’re aiming for. We need to know where they want the US to go
@maddow.msnbc.com @chrislhayes.bsky.social @joyannreid.bsky.social
@propublica.org
www.project2025.org/training/con...
This is what they’re aiming for. We need to know where they want the US to go
@maddow.msnbc.com @chrislhayes.bsky.social @joyannreid.bsky.social
@propublica.org
www.project2025.org/training/con...
Conservative Governance 101 | Project 2025
Throughout the Conservative Governance 101 certificate program, you will learn from a distinguished roster of former political appointees who will impart crucial institutional knowledge and best pract...
www.project2025.org
January 29, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Will somebody please cover this story?? What is Conservative Governance?
This is what they’re aiming for. We need to know where they want the US to go
@maddow.msnbc.com @chrislhayes.bsky.social @joyannreid.bsky.social
@propublica.org
www.project2025.org/training/con...
This is what they’re aiming for. We need to know where they want the US to go
@maddow.msnbc.com @chrislhayes.bsky.social @joyannreid.bsky.social
@propublica.org
www.project2025.org/training/con...
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
if he doesn't direct the national archivist to adopt the amendment i think he's using white house letterhead to write a blog post
January 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
if he doesn't direct the national archivist to adopt the amendment i think he's using white house letterhead to write a blog post
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
Biden made a very misleading instagram post today about the ERA. It still is NOT in the constitution and we MUST pressure the National Archives!!!
January 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Biden made a very misleading instagram post today about the ERA. It still is NOT in the constitution and we MUST pressure the National Archives!!!
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
Email the National Archives at socialmedia@nara.gov and demand they publish the ERA. Their instagram handle is @usnatarchives. Send them a message there as well. #equalrights #ERA
January 17, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Email the National Archives at socialmedia@nara.gov and demand they publish the ERA. Their instagram handle is @usnatarchives. Send them a message there as well. #equalrights #ERA
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
California forcibly sterilized hundreds of women. Then, it 'allowed' them to apply for compensation.
But only ≈15% of the affected women have gotten compensation so far. Many were denied.
And the deadline to apply/appeal is in just 10 days, leading to an unfair rush many don't know about:
But only ≈15% of the affected women have gotten compensation so far. Many were denied.
And the deadline to apply/appeal is in just 10 days, leading to an unfair rush many don't know about:
For Survivors of Forced Sterilization in California Prisons, a Rushed Shot at Justice
A state board deciding reparations for women sterilized against their will rejected most applications. Advocates are now racing against a January deadline for victims to appeal.
boltsmag.org
December 22, 2024 at 12:32 AM
California forcibly sterilized hundreds of women. Then, it 'allowed' them to apply for compensation.
But only ≈15% of the affected women have gotten compensation so far. Many were denied.
And the deadline to apply/appeal is in just 10 days, leading to an unfair rush many don't know about:
But only ≈15% of the affected women have gotten compensation so far. Many were denied.
And the deadline to apply/appeal is in just 10 days, leading to an unfair rush many don't know about:
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
'This process includes the replacement of all first-rate talents, regardless of their political loyalties, with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is the best guarantee of their loyalty.' (The Origins of Totalitarianism, renewed version, A Harvest Book New York, 1976, 339)
October 23, 2024 at 1:46 PM
'This process includes the replacement of all first-rate talents, regardless of their political loyalties, with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is the best guarantee of their loyalty.' (The Origins of Totalitarianism, renewed version, A Harvest Book New York, 1976, 339)
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
The notion that Harris lost - despite results indicating it was turnout not swing that sealed her fate - because she ran some sort of ultra leftist commie, Black panther, open borders, queer love fest campaign is to buy the right's premise when that was the right's caricature all along.
November 14, 2024 at 10:34 AM
The notion that Harris lost - despite results indicating it was turnout not swing that sealed her fate - because she ran some sort of ultra leftist commie, Black panther, open borders, queer love fest campaign is to buy the right's premise when that was the right's caricature all along.
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
Much as I hate to bring in my baggage from the Old Place, there’s this
November 13, 2024 at 8:35 PM
Much as I hate to bring in my baggage from the Old Place, there’s this
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
Everyone on this site has a library card
November 13, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Everyone on this site has a library card
Reposted by Lynn Ballen
wait why does the dept of government efficiency have two co-chairs
November 13, 2024 at 2:15 AM
wait why does the dept of government efficiency have two co-chairs