MB Lakin
@meldwg.bsky.social
Higher Education Expert/Alternative Pathways Advocate/Public Library Enthusiast/Rescue Dog Lover
Reposted by MB Lakin
My thoughts on ABC news- Scientists, not political appointees, should be who advises the public on clinical guidance. RFK needs to meet with CDC career leaders and learn about the agency's responses to outbreaks and overall programs vs directing CDC website changes based on ideology not science
Video Former CDC chief on agency webpage saying autism, vaccines link ignored
Dr. Debra Houry, who resigned from her position as chief medical officer of the CDC in 2025, called the change on the CDC’s website "disturbing."
abcnews.go.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
My thoughts on ABC news- Scientists, not political appointees, should be who advises the public on clinical guidance. RFK needs to meet with CDC career leaders and learn about the agency's responses to outbreaks and overall programs vs directing CDC website changes based on ideology not science
Reposted by MB Lakin
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Reposted by MB Lakin
Remember Jamal Khashoggi.
November 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Remember Jamal Khashoggi.
Reposted by MB Lakin
Reposted by MB Lakin
“The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is deeply concerned by the Department of Education’s decision to move forward with a proposed definition of professional degree programs that excludes nursing… the impact on our already-challenged nursing workforce would be devastating.”
AACN Alarmed Over Department of Education’s Proposed Limitation of Student Loan Access for Nursing
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is deeply concerned by the Department of Education’s decision to move forward with a proposed definition of professional degree programs that exc...
www.aacnnursing.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:20 AM
“The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is deeply concerned by the Department of Education’s decision to move forward with a proposed definition of professional degree programs that excludes nursing… the impact on our already-challenged nursing workforce would be devastating.”
Reposted by MB Lakin
POV: The new singer of the Reading Rainbow theme song and the new host of Reading Rainbow meet for the first time in Canada 🥹📚🌈
Video Description:
Mychal and Bukola meet for the first time! They joyfully dance to the Reading Rainbow theme song, sung by Bukola ✨
youtube.com/@kidzuko?feature=shared
Video Description:
Mychal and Bukola meet for the first time! They joyfully dance to the Reading Rainbow theme song, sung by Bukola ✨
youtube.com/@kidzuko?feature=shared
October 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
POV: The new singer of the Reading Rainbow theme song and the new host of Reading Rainbow meet for the first time in Canada 🥹📚🌈
Video Description:
Mychal and Bukola meet for the first time! They joyfully dance to the Reading Rainbow theme song, sung by Bukola ✨
youtube.com/@kidzuko?feature=shared
Video Description:
Mychal and Bukola meet for the first time! They joyfully dance to the Reading Rainbow theme song, sung by Bukola ✨
youtube.com/@kidzuko?feature=shared
Reposted by MB Lakin
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to acquire TikTok and his family could soon own both Paramount and Warner Bros.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to acquire TikTok and his family could soon own both Paramount and Warner Bros.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
October 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to acquire TikTok and his family could soon own both Paramount and Warner Bros.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to acquire TikTok and his family could soon own both Paramount and Warner Bros.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
Reposted by MB Lakin
Why did Indiana University attack and cut its own student newspaper?
Well, in a twist of irony any English professor would call clichéd, it turns out IU did it because they were angry about the students' reporting on a FIRE report naming IU as the worst public university for free speech in the US.
Well, in a twist of irony any English professor would call clichéd, it turns out IU did it because they were angry about the students' reporting on a FIRE report naming IU as the worst public university for free speech in the US.
October 25, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Why did Indiana University attack and cut its own student newspaper?
Well, in a twist of irony any English professor would call clichéd, it turns out IU did it because they were angry about the students' reporting on a FIRE report naming IU as the worst public university for free speech in the US.
Well, in a twist of irony any English professor would call clichéd, it turns out IU did it because they were angry about the students' reporting on a FIRE report naming IU as the worst public university for free speech in the US.
Reposted by MB Lakin
I have written and deleted a lot of posts but I keep thinking about how the brutal assassination of Minnesota State senator Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their beloved dog Gilbert in June did not prompt this same level of calls for empathy, sympathy, and flags at half-mast.
September 13, 2025 at 10:34 PM
I have written and deleted a lot of posts but I keep thinking about how the brutal assassination of Minnesota State senator Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their beloved dog Gilbert in June did not prompt this same level of calls for empathy, sympathy, and flags at half-mast.
Reposted by MB Lakin
I, for one, don’t think that fearmongering and willfully spreading misinformation is the right way to engage in politics, setting aside the targets of that engagement.
September 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
I, for one, don’t think that fearmongering and willfully spreading misinformation is the right way to engage in politics, setting aside the targets of that engagement.
Reposted by MB Lakin
Haiku by Basho
'with stars in my eyes
I wish for flowers
on the weeping cherry'
Matsuo Bashō | Utagawa Hiroshige
'with stars in my eyes
I wish for flowers
on the weeping cherry'
Matsuo Bashō | Utagawa Hiroshige
August 30, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Haiku by Basho
'with stars in my eyes
I wish for flowers
on the weeping cherry'
Matsuo Bashō | Utagawa Hiroshige
'with stars in my eyes
I wish for flowers
on the weeping cherry'
Matsuo Bashō | Utagawa Hiroshige
Reposted by MB Lakin
“I don’t think I’ve seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business,” said Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations.”
RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development
The Department of Health and Human Services plans to cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu.
apnews.com
August 6, 2025 at 2:14 AM
“I don’t think I’ve seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business,” said Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations.”
Reposted by MB Lakin
The outpouring of community support encouraged the GMU Board of Visitors to not only retain the President, but also give him a raise in pay! Thanks to everyone who supported President Washington and George Mason University!
GMU President Keeps Job Amid Tensions share.google/lvK9KzicuTKf...
GMU President Keeps Job Amid Tensions share.google/lvK9KzicuTKf...
GMU President Keeps Job Amid Tensions
Faculty members feared George Mason’s board would fire its president Friday in the face of ongoing federal investigations they deem politically motivated. The board gave him a raise instead.
share.google
August 2, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The outpouring of community support encouraged the GMU Board of Visitors to not only retain the President, but also give him a raise in pay! Thanks to everyone who supported President Washington and George Mason University!
GMU President Keeps Job Amid Tensions share.google/lvK9KzicuTKf...
GMU President Keeps Job Amid Tensions share.google/lvK9KzicuTKf...
Reposted by MB Lakin
*The NIH-grant cancellation in late March followed the release of data from the CDC revealing that Black women were the only race or ethnic group who didn’t experience a decline in deaths from pregnancy related causes in 2023."
A professor had a $2.4m grant to study Black maternal health. Then Trump was elected
Jaime Slaughter-Acey said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to discover her study on Black maternal health was cancelled after the Trump administration’s NIH cuts
www.theguardian.com
August 2, 2025 at 7:05 PM
*The NIH-grant cancellation in late March followed the release of data from the CDC revealing that Black women were the only race or ethnic group who didn’t experience a decline in deaths from pregnancy related causes in 2023."
Reposted by MB Lakin
It is an extraordinary loss of intellectual expertise that the American people invested millions in developing
Every scientist who earns a graduate degree in the US is the product of an investment by the public
This is like setting money on fire
Every scientist who earns a graduate degree in the US is the product of an investment by the public
This is like setting money on fire
4,000 NASA workers are leaving through deferred resignation. "The cuts amount to an estimated 20% of NASA's workforce" www.npr.org/2025/07/26/n...
Nearly 4,000 NASA employees opt to leave agency through deferred resignation program
The employees who have chosen to leave the agency amount to about 20% of NASA's workforce.
www.npr.org
July 28, 2025 at 8:17 PM
It is an extraordinary loss of intellectual expertise that the American people invested millions in developing
Every scientist who earns a graduate degree in the US is the product of an investment by the public
This is like setting money on fire
Every scientist who earns a graduate degree in the US is the product of an investment by the public
This is like setting money on fire
Reposted by MB Lakin
It’s Abu Ghraib all over again.
But inside our borders.
But inside our borders.
Migrants at a Miami immigration jail were shackled with their hands tied behind their backs and made to kneel to eat food from styrofoam plates “like dogs”, per a report from Human Rights Watch
Migrants at Ice jail in Miami made to kneel to eat ‘like dogs’, report alleges
Incident in which migrants were shackled with hands tied of one succession of alleged abuses at jails in Florida
www.theguardian.com
July 21, 2025 at 10:15 PM
It’s Abu Ghraib all over again.
But inside our borders.
But inside our borders.
Reposted by MB Lakin
Despite promising not to hike prices, Amazon has raised the cost of at least 1,200 essential items by 19% to 136%. (Wall Street Journal)
July 21, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Despite promising not to hike prices, Amazon has raised the cost of at least 1,200 essential items by 19% to 136%. (Wall Street Journal)
Reposted by MB Lakin
In case you missed it today, Alaska local public radio stations
🌊Relayed the emergency tsunami message to service providers
🌊Connected their community to updated information
🌊Answered questions and shared expert information in an emergency.
I know because I directly supported two stations.
🌊Relayed the emergency tsunami message to service providers
🌊Connected their community to updated information
🌊Answered questions and shared expert information in an emergency.
I know because I directly supported two stations.
July 17, 2025 at 5:48 AM
In case you missed it today, Alaska local public radio stations
🌊Relayed the emergency tsunami message to service providers
🌊Connected their community to updated information
🌊Answered questions and shared expert information in an emergency.
I know because I directly supported two stations.
🌊Relayed the emergency tsunami message to service providers
🌊Connected their community to updated information
🌊Answered questions and shared expert information in an emergency.
I know because I directly supported two stations.
Reposted by MB Lakin
These are not strays.
Beloved pets are heading to L.A. shelters as families face deportation. They need new fosters and forever homes.
Beloved pets are heading to L.A. shelters as families face deportation. They need new fosters and forever homes.
July 15, 2025 at 12:35 AM
These are not strays.
Beloved pets are heading to L.A. shelters as families face deportation. They need new fosters and forever homes.
Beloved pets are heading to L.A. shelters as families face deportation. They need new fosters and forever homes.
Reposted by MB Lakin
#ResistanceRoots
Today in history, 1960: Harper Lee publishes her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Noted for its treatment of a child’s awakening to racism in the South, the book won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It was an immediate success, eventually selling more than 40 million copies.
Today in history, 1960: Harper Lee publishes her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Noted for its treatment of a child’s awakening to racism in the South, the book won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It was an immediate success, eventually selling more than 40 million copies.
July 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
#ResistanceRoots
Today in history, 1960: Harper Lee publishes her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Noted for its treatment of a child’s awakening to racism in the South, the book won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It was an immediate success, eventually selling more than 40 million copies.
Today in history, 1960: Harper Lee publishes her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Noted for its treatment of a child’s awakening to racism in the South, the book won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It was an immediate success, eventually selling more than 40 million copies.
Reposted by MB Lakin
Recently, my book THEY CALLED US ENEMY was banned – again – in Tennessee. Book bans are out of control. Huge parts of American history are being restricted. To join me in standing up for the freedom to read, go to pen.org/action. @penamerica.bsky.social @topshelfcomix.bsky.social @idwpublishing.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Recently, my book THEY CALLED US ENEMY was banned – again – in Tennessee. Book bans are out of control. Huge parts of American history are being restricted. To join me in standing up for the freedom to read, go to pen.org/action. @penamerica.bsky.social @topshelfcomix.bsky.social @idwpublishing.com
Reposted by MB Lakin
"Cruz inserted language into the reconciliation bill that eliminates a $150m fund to 'accelerate advances & improvements in research, observation systems, modeling, forecasting, and dissemination of info to the public' around weather forecasting."
Ted Cruz ensured Trump spending bill slashed weather forecasting funding
Senator on vacation abroad while Texas was hit by deadly floods, a disaster worsened by forecasting cuts, critics say
www.theguardian.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
"Cruz inserted language into the reconciliation bill that eliminates a $150m fund to 'accelerate advances & improvements in research, observation systems, modeling, forecasting, and dissemination of info to the public' around weather forecasting."
Reposted by MB Lakin
Again: Regardless of the role NWS played here, Trump/DOGE cutting these key departments is not making us safer and is only paving the way for more tragedies in the future and making them harder to recover from.
Meteorologists Say the National Weather Service Did Its Job in Texas
DOGE cut hundreds of jobs at the NWS, but experts who spoke to WIRED say the agency accurately predicted the flood risk in Texas.
www.wired.com
July 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Again: Regardless of the role NWS played here, Trump/DOGE cutting these key departments is not making us safer and is only paving the way for more tragedies in the future and making them harder to recover from.
Reposted by MB Lakin
This is absurd. @nytimes.com needs to find a better way to convey to readers what it knows to be true: These "findings" are not actual "findings" in any sense that most people would understand the word. The casual reader comes away with zero sense of the deep rot of bad faith at play here.
June 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
This is absurd. @nytimes.com needs to find a better way to convey to readers what it knows to be true: These "findings" are not actual "findings" in any sense that most people would understand the word. The casual reader comes away with zero sense of the deep rot of bad faith at play here.
Reposted by MB Lakin
Just a reminder going forward...
(cartoon from 2003)
(cartoon from 2003)
June 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Just a reminder going forward...
(cartoon from 2003)
(cartoon from 2003)