mbdowney
@mathgrenades.bsky.social
Artist, musician, geologist. Owned by several cats. Currently in a liminal space. But hey - home is just a sad abstraction, right?
Reposted by mbdowney
They're going after vets' care.
VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs
Strains on the Veterans Affairs system could grow with the elimination of as many as 35,000 mostly unfilled health care positions, including doctors and nurses.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
They're going after vets' care.
Reposted by mbdowney
35,000 jobs?
Aside from the DOGE cuts, when was the last time any U.S. institution cut that many jobs?
Aside from the DOGE cuts, when was the last time any U.S. institution cut that many jobs?
This is unacceptable.
The VA plans to eliminate up to 35,000 health care positions while veterans already face staffing shortages and long wait times.
These jobs are described as “unfilled,” but that did not happen by chance.
The VA plans to eliminate up to 35,000 health care positions while veterans already face staffing shortages and long wait times.
These jobs are described as “unfilled,” but that did not happen by chance.
December 13, 2025 at 8:24 PM
35,000 jobs?
Aside from the DOGE cuts, when was the last time any U.S. institution cut that many jobs?
Aside from the DOGE cuts, when was the last time any U.S. institution cut that many jobs?
Reposted by mbdowney
EDITOR'S NOTE: Four years after graduating with a journalism degree, "I'd largely given up on pursuing a career in the news business after realizing how hard it would be to find a job doing the kind of journalism I believed in," Ashton Pittman writes.
buff.ly/U3O0YsX
buff.ly/U3O0YsX
Editor’s Note | I Almost Gave Up on Journalism Until the Free Press Found Me
News Editor Ashton Pittman writes about why he almost gave up on a career in journalism before he began working for the Free Press.
www.mississippifreepress.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:14 PM
EDITOR'S NOTE: Four years after graduating with a journalism degree, "I'd largely given up on pursuing a career in the news business after realizing how hard it would be to find a job doing the kind of journalism I believed in," Ashton Pittman writes.
buff.ly/U3O0YsX
buff.ly/U3O0YsX
Reposted by mbdowney
A lava "whirlpool" formed during the 2011 Axial Seamount eruption and frozen in time. When subsurface magma erupts onto the seafloor as 1200°C lava, it hits near-freezing seawater and crusts over with a layer of glass, forming incredible river-like shapes! 🌊🚢🧪
PC: UW/NSF/OOI/WHOI; J2-1737, V25.
PC: UW/NSF/OOI/WHOI; J2-1737, V25.
December 12, 2025 at 9:40 PM
A lava "whirlpool" formed during the 2011 Axial Seamount eruption and frozen in time. When subsurface magma erupts onto the seafloor as 1200°C lava, it hits near-freezing seawater and crusts over with a layer of glass, forming incredible river-like shapes! 🌊🚢🧪
PC: UW/NSF/OOI/WHOI; J2-1737, V25.
PC: UW/NSF/OOI/WHOI; J2-1737, V25.
Reposted by mbdowney
Remember: The recipe for economic growth isn’t tax cuts for the rich. It’s investment in our people — in health care, infrastructure and education — to build a strong middle class.
You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.
You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.
December 12, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Remember: The recipe for economic growth isn’t tax cuts for the rich. It’s investment in our people — in health care, infrastructure and education — to build a strong middle class.
You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.
You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.
Reposted by mbdowney
Everyday Americans get nickel and dimed while the rich dodge taxes.
They struggle to get by while the wealth of the 1% skyrockets.
They see their voices drowned out while the well-connected avoid accountability.
There are two sets of rules in America: One for the rich. Another for everyone else.
They struggle to get by while the wealth of the 1% skyrockets.
They see their voices drowned out while the well-connected avoid accountability.
There are two sets of rules in America: One for the rich. Another for everyone else.
December 12, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Everyday Americans get nickel and dimed while the rich dodge taxes.
They struggle to get by while the wealth of the 1% skyrockets.
They see their voices drowned out while the well-connected avoid accountability.
There are two sets of rules in America: One for the rich. Another for everyone else.
They struggle to get by while the wealth of the 1% skyrockets.
They see their voices drowned out while the well-connected avoid accountability.
There are two sets of rules in America: One for the rich. Another for everyone else.
Reposted by mbdowney
The devastation I feel about this attack on science in particular is hard to cope with. It’s like watching my dad die all over again. I would do anything to spare someone a death via pancreatic cancer.
A tiny trial in New York has shown that personalized mRNA vaccines can provoke massive, lasting immune responses against pancreatic cancer, even as sweeping federal cuts now threaten the fragile labs required to produce them.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
December 12, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The devastation I feel about this attack on science in particular is hard to cope with. It’s like watching my dad die all over again. I would do anything to spare someone a death via pancreatic cancer.
Reposted by mbdowney
This is just some ordinary dude no one had ever heard of, quietly getting by, and the administration has decided in a fit of pique to hound him for the rest of his life because otherwise they'd have to tacitly admit they're capricious incompetent villains. Just let him live, ffs
BREAKING: At 7am ET, in response to the emergency overnight filing, Judge Xinis issued a TRO barring the Trump administration from re-detaining Abrego Garcia.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71191...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71191...
Memorandum and Order – #114 in Abrego Garcia v. Noem (D. Maryland, 8:25-cv-02780) – CourtListener.com
MEMORANDUM ORDER granting 112 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order; Respondents are enjoined from re-detaining Petitioner in ICE custody until this Court can receive further briefing from the partie...
www.courtlistener.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This is just some ordinary dude no one had ever heard of, quietly getting by, and the administration has decided in a fit of pique to hound him for the rest of his life because otherwise they'd have to tacitly admit they're capricious incompetent villains. Just let him live, ffs
Reposted by mbdowney
The administration is quite literally breaking all the laws of God and man to destroy Kilmar Abrego Garcia as an example to everyone.
His freedom is our freedom.
His freedom is our freedom.
December 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
The administration is quite literally breaking all the laws of God and man to destroy Kilmar Abrego Garcia as an example to everyone.
His freedom is our freedom.
His freedom is our freedom.
Reposted by mbdowney
BREAKING: Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released from immigration detention after a federal judge's order Thursday, his attorney's office says.
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
A federal judge in Maryland has ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from immigration detention while his legal challenge against his deportation moves forward. U.S.
bit.ly
December 11, 2025 at 10:27 PM
BREAKING: Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released from immigration detention after a federal judge's order Thursday, his attorney's office says.
Reposted by mbdowney
so many of our current problems stem from americans not being able to comprehend that a guy they know from tv might actually be stupid
December 11, 2025 at 9:55 PM
so many of our current problems stem from americans not being able to comprehend that a guy they know from tv might actually be stupid
Reposted by mbdowney
Denmark’s intelligence service has labeled the US a security threat to itself and Europe, putting us in the same category as Russia and China.
Amid Greenland dust-up, Denmark says US is a national security risk
Denmark singled out the U.S. as a security concern because of what it said was 'uncertainty' about its role as a guarantor of European security.
www.usatoday.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Denmark’s intelligence service has labeled the US a security threat to itself and Europe, putting us in the same category as Russia and China.
Reposted by mbdowney
Companies including OpenAI have stolen vast libraries of works owned by the studios and created by WGA members to train their artificial intelligence systems. We have repeatedly called on studios to take legal action and defend the intellectual property we help create. variety.com/2025/digital...
Disney’s OpenAI Deal ‘Appears to Sanction’ AI Company’s ‘Theft of Our Work,’ WGA Says
The Writers Guild of America said that Disney's huge licensing deal with OpenAI appears to "sanction" the AI company's "theft of our work."
variety.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Companies including OpenAI have stolen vast libraries of works owned by the studios and created by WGA members to train their artificial intelligence systems. We have repeatedly called on studios to take legal action and defend the intellectual property we help create. variety.com/2025/digital...
Reposted by mbdowney
Around 70% of the U.S. economy depends on consumer spending. As wealth concentrates in the richest 10%, the rest of America can’t afford to buy enough to keep the economy running.
This is a huge problem — and even America’s most powerful CEOs are starting to sound the alarm.
This is a huge problem — and even America’s most powerful CEOs are starting to sound the alarm.
Our Economy Is in Danger. Here’s Why
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Around 70% of the U.S. economy depends on consumer spending. As wealth concentrates in the richest 10%, the rest of America can’t afford to buy enough to keep the economy running.
This is a huge problem — and even America’s most powerful CEOs are starting to sound the alarm.
This is a huge problem — and even America’s most powerful CEOs are starting to sound the alarm.
Reposted by mbdowney
GREAT news
Kilmar Abrego Garcia leaves ICE detention after federal judge ordered his release, attorney says
A federal judge in Maryland on Thursday ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia's immediate release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
www.cbsnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:26 PM
GREAT news
Reposted by mbdowney
Rep. Thompson never raises his voice. He never gets sarcastic. He just asks the next logical question. And he keeps asking until it becomes obvious that the guy from the Trump admin doesn't have real answers.
December 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Rep. Thompson never raises his voice. He never gets sarcastic. He just asks the next logical question. And he keeps asking until it becomes obvious that the guy from the Trump admin doesn't have real answers.
Reposted by mbdowney
Let Rep. Thompson give a lesson in Reporting 101 to about half the DC press corps.
GLASHEEN: Antifa is our primary concern right now. That's the most immediate violent threat we're facing
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
December 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Let Rep. Thompson give a lesson in Reporting 101 to about half the DC press corps.
Reposted by mbdowney
Reposted by mbdowney
Multiple U.S. citizens have been arrested during ICE operations.
The forcefulness, lack of communication, and unlawful practices displayed by federal agents will not be tolerated in Minnesota.
The forcefulness, lack of communication, and unlawful practices displayed by federal agents will not be tolerated in Minnesota.
December 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Multiple U.S. citizens have been arrested during ICE operations.
The forcefulness, lack of communication, and unlawful practices displayed by federal agents will not be tolerated in Minnesota.
The forcefulness, lack of communication, and unlawful practices displayed by federal agents will not be tolerated in Minnesota.
Reposted by mbdowney
The way that this administration is targeting and harassing Somalians in Minneapolis is disgusting and vile. Keep filming this because one day we are going to hold these agents accountable. Last I heard peacefully protesting doesn’t warrant being sprayed with chemical irritants.
December 10, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The way that this administration is targeting and harassing Somalians in Minneapolis is disgusting and vile. Keep filming this because one day we are going to hold these agents accountable. Last I heard peacefully protesting doesn’t warrant being sprayed with chemical irritants.
Reposted by mbdowney
Immigrants ‘plucked out of line’ at citizenship ceremony at Faneuil Hall “the cradle of liberty”.
If you ever claimed you want immigrants to do it the right way, this should outrage you. On the other hand, If you think this was okay, you need to come to terms with your white nationalist views.
If you ever claimed you want immigrants to do it the right way, this should outrage you. On the other hand, If you think this was okay, you need to come to terms with your white nationalist views.
December 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Immigrants ‘plucked out of line’ at citizenship ceremony at Faneuil Hall “the cradle of liberty”.
If you ever claimed you want immigrants to do it the right way, this should outrage you. On the other hand, If you think this was okay, you need to come to terms with your white nationalist views.
If you ever claimed you want immigrants to do it the right way, this should outrage you. On the other hand, If you think this was okay, you need to come to terms with your white nationalist views.
Reposted by mbdowney
not to harp on this every hour but you could literally pluck a thousand pieces of U.S. journalism from the newswires, and find maybe TWO that hint at the fact our President is completely insane, and has no idea how literally anything works even if he wasn't
December 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
not to harp on this every hour but you could literally pluck a thousand pieces of U.S. journalism from the newswires, and find maybe TWO that hint at the fact our President is completely insane, and has no idea how literally anything works even if he wasn't
Reposted by mbdowney
it's all quite by design, billionaires don't want a functional, critical press
December 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
it's all quite by design, billionaires don't want a functional, critical press
Reposted by mbdowney
When entire infrastructures are built around cruelty and sadism – it rationalizes and justifies their existence. Resist.
December 10, 2025 at 9:45 PM
When entire infrastructures are built around cruelty and sadism – it rationalizes and justifies their existence. Resist.