Rianne
@riannestowell.bsky.social
Writer, neuroscience PhD, artist, coffee addict, ruled by a cat overlord 🐈⬛. she/her 🌈 💖💜💙
Reposted by Rianne
I am no longer employed so I'm not blogging Zohran tonight but I can just repeat exactly what I said in June :-)
he won on the back of a pro-migrant, pro-trans, pro-working class campaign. and also: Dem pundits are full of shit
he won on the back of a pro-migrant, pro-trans, pro-working class campaign. and also: Dem pundits are full of shit
The Democratic Party Needs to Learn from Zohran Mamdani's Guts and Backbone
Zohran Mamdani did something different, and it made all the difference.
www.teenvogue.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I am no longer employed so I'm not blogging Zohran tonight but I can just repeat exactly what I said in June :-)
he won on the back of a pro-migrant, pro-trans, pro-working class campaign. and also: Dem pundits are full of shit
he won on the back of a pro-migrant, pro-trans, pro-working class campaign. and also: Dem pundits are full of shit
Reposted by Rianne
Once thing we can say for certain is that Donald Trump has been convicted of more crimes than some of the people he is deporting to a black hole in el salvador with no due process or recourse www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Trump’s Salvadoran Gulag
To be deported, one does not need to be a drug dealer or a terrorist; apparently, having tattoos and being Venezuelan is enough.
www.theatlantic.com
April 2, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Once thing we can say for certain is that Donald Trump has been convicted of more crimes than some of the people he is deporting to a black hole in el salvador with no due process or recourse www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Rianne
You literally cannot tell this incredibly cool part of American history without centering Native American identity. It is an powerful demonstration of how diversity provided tangible military advantages over an enemy committed to White supremacy.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whitewashi...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whitewashi...
March 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
You literally cannot tell this incredibly cool part of American history without centering Native American identity. It is an powerful demonstration of how diversity provided tangible military advantages over an enemy committed to White supremacy.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whitewashi...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/whitewashi...
Reposted by Rianne
Cloture has met the 60 votes to pass in the senate with the help of at least 9 Democrats: Schumer, Fetterman, Hassan, Cortez Masto, Durbin, Gillibrand, Shaheen, Schatz, and Peters.
They sold out our country to Trump and Elon. They're traitors to democracy.
They sold out our country to Trump and Elon. They're traitors to democracy.
March 14, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Cloture has met the 60 votes to pass in the senate with the help of at least 9 Democrats: Schumer, Fetterman, Hassan, Cortez Masto, Durbin, Gillibrand, Shaheen, Schatz, and Peters.
They sold out our country to Trump and Elon. They're traitors to democracy.
They sold out our country to Trump and Elon. They're traitors to democracy.
Reposted by Rianne
The thing about scientific research is that it’s one of the few national investments that’s a clear public good even if you entirely discount the actual ostensible point of it.
New report shows that NIH grants fueled $95 billion in economic activity and 407,782 jobs in 2024.
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
That's not to mention the countless lives that biomedical research has saved.
Show me a better investment than that.
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
NIH Grants Fueled $95 Billion In FY 2024 Economic Activity, Finds New Report
National Institutes of Health grants generated almost $95 billion in economic activity nationwide in FY 2024 according to a new report by United for Medical Research.
www.forbes.com
March 13, 2025 at 2:36 AM
The thing about scientific research is that it’s one of the few national investments that’s a clear public good even if you entirely discount the actual ostensible point of it.
Reposted by Rianne
It is honestly wild to me that Republicans cooked up a bill that would prohibit D.C. from spending more than $1 billion of its own budget, devastating our city services out of pure spite, *and Senate Democrats might actually vote for it.* Utterly appalling. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
House spending bill would lead to $1B in D.C. cuts. Here’s what that means.
The bill, also known as a continuing resolution, now moves to the Senate, where D.C. officials hope Democrats will help them defeat the measure.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
It is honestly wild to me that Republicans cooked up a bill that would prohibit D.C. from spending more than $1 billion of its own budget, devastating our city services out of pure spite, *and Senate Democrats might actually vote for it.* Utterly appalling. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Reposted by Rianne
The news media gave more coverage to the idea Tim Walz retiring from the National Guard after 20 years was scandalous than to Trump's promise to destroy the department of education
This guy could have been our Vice President
NEW from me -
Tim Walz is headed back out on the road – this time, for a tour of House districts represented by Republicans who have stopped holding in-person town halls amid the raucous receptions some of their colleagues have gotten across the country. www.cnn.com/2025/03/12/p...
Tim Walz is headed back out on the road – this time, for a tour of House districts represented by Republicans who have stopped holding in-person town halls amid the raucous receptions some of their colleagues have gotten across the country. www.cnn.com/2025/03/12/p...
March 13, 2025 at 2:28 AM
The news media gave more coverage to the idea Tim Walz retiring from the National Guard after 20 years was scandalous than to Trump's promise to destroy the department of education
Reposted by Rianne
The government-subsidized post-war research university system in the US will likely go down in history as our country’s single greatest contribution to the world.
And, for the selfish, likely our greatest source of soft (if not often hard) power.
And it is getting torched to the ground.
And, for the selfish, likely our greatest source of soft (if not often hard) power.
And it is getting torched to the ground.
UMASS IS RESCINDING ALL GRAD POSITIONS FOR THIS YEAR
March 13, 2025 at 2:49 AM
The government-subsidized post-war research university system in the US will likely go down in history as our country’s single greatest contribution to the world.
And, for the selfish, likely our greatest source of soft (if not often hard) power.
And it is getting torched to the ground.
And, for the selfish, likely our greatest source of soft (if not often hard) power.
And it is getting torched to the ground.
Reposted by Rianne
Ten years ago if you had written a dystopian SF story in which the person in charge of U.S. public health did a press event at a fast food joint to say that fried food is good but measles vaccines cause measles the ghost of Philip K. Dick would have said that you were being too bleak and unrealistic
RFK Jr on the measles vaccine: "There are adverse events from the vaccine. It does cause deaths every year. It causes all the illnesses that measles itself cause."
March 12, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Ten years ago if you had written a dystopian SF story in which the person in charge of U.S. public health did a press event at a fast food joint to say that fried food is good but measles vaccines cause measles the ghost of Philip K. Dick would have said that you were being too bleak and unrealistic
Reposted by Rianne
🚨BREAKING: Columbia students stage a protest to demand the release of grad Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by ICE Saturday night. The school has not yet issued a statement about Khalil’s case.
March 11, 2025 at 4:04 PM
🚨BREAKING: Columbia students stage a protest to demand the release of grad Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by ICE Saturday night. The school has not yet issued a statement about Khalil’s case.
Reposted by Rianne
This should be a national scandal but we only care about Da Troopz if it means more blood for the blood god or stopping the military justice system when it dares to impose justice upon the military.
March 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This should be a national scandal but we only care about Da Troopz if it means more blood for the blood god or stopping the military justice system when it dares to impose justice upon the military.
Reposted by Rianne
To be absolutely, 100% clear, THIS is something that ends in “then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out”
This extreme escalation is an egregious violation of first amendment rights. Now is the moment to speak out and oppose this as fiercely and loudly as possible.
March 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
To be absolutely, 100% clear, THIS is something that ends in “then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out”
Reposted by Rianne
I need this sentence included in every single article about Musk from now on:
“DOGE is led by Elon Musk, a wealthy tech executive who is, as a matter of constitutional law, a random asshole with no authority to override Congress.”
“DOGE is led by Elon Musk, a wealthy tech executive who is, as a matter of constitutional law, a random asshole with no authority to override Congress.”
It's both very good that the Supreme Court thinks Trump isn't a king, and very bad that the vote is 5-4
Four Republican Justices “Stunned” Trump Isn’t a King Yet
The Court's decision in the USAID lawsuit reveals an institution perilously close to making Donald Trump a king.
ballsandstrikes.org
March 6, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I need this sentence included in every single article about Musk from now on:
“DOGE is led by Elon Musk, a wealthy tech executive who is, as a matter of constitutional law, a random asshole with no authority to override Congress.”
“DOGE is led by Elon Musk, a wealthy tech executive who is, as a matter of constitutional law, a random asshole with no authority to override Congress.”
Reposted by Rianne
How many federal workers would DOGE need to fire to make up for Musk not paying his fair share of taxes?
Answer: 677,000. That's 44% of the entire non-DoD federal workforce.
Again, this power grab is not about the budget. It’s about politics.
Answer: 677,000. That's 44% of the entire non-DoD federal workforce.
Again, this power grab is not about the budget. It’s about politics.
February 21, 2025 at 1:12 AM
How many federal workers would DOGE need to fire to make up for Musk not paying his fair share of taxes?
Answer: 677,000. That's 44% of the entire non-DoD federal workforce.
Again, this power grab is not about the budget. It’s about politics.
Answer: 677,000. That's 44% of the entire non-DoD federal workforce.
Again, this power grab is not about the budget. It’s about politics.
Reposted by Rianne
Lol they need to stop doing the Airbud meme
February 21, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Lol they need to stop doing the Airbud meme
Reposted by Rianne
What is my answer for a Constitutional crisis that tears at the heart of the republic? The same answer that Lincoln had for the one he faced: Set a boundary, call the bluff, and punish them for trying.
Despite what many of us learned in history class, there were no rules or guidelines for how to deal with states unilaterally leaving the Union. In fact, for months, nobody did anything! Putting down the illegal secession crisis was a choice, and the same goes for putting down the Musk coup.
Sunday Meditation: Set the Line | Kaitlin Byrd - GothamGirlBlue
Get more from Kaitlin Byrd - GothamGirlBlue on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 9, 2025 at 8:44 PM
What is my answer for a Constitutional crisis that tears at the heart of the republic? The same answer that Lincoln had for the one he faced: Set a boundary, call the bluff, and punish them for trying.
Reposted by Rianne
Unquestionably, major policy changes, edicts and directives handed down by the new Trump administration will upend lives. But I've also been struck by the widespread efforts to erase/whitewash history. Stick with me for a pretty shocking series of events from just the past few weeks.
February 8, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Unquestionably, major policy changes, edicts and directives handed down by the new Trump administration will upend lives. But I've also been struck by the widespread efforts to erase/whitewash history. Stick with me for a pretty shocking series of events from just the past few weeks.
Reposted by Rianne
I'll note again that it would have been pretty good if universities stood up for themselves and the value of education and research when they were under attack the last several years by these same forces, rather than folding like cheap tables.
From what I hear from multiple people in the space, the latest NIH indirect costs for medical research grants will basically mean the end most academic medical centers.
February 8, 2025 at 3:28 AM
I'll note again that it would have been pretty good if universities stood up for themselves and the value of education and research when they were under attack the last several years by these same forces, rather than folding like cheap tables.
Reposted by Rianne
In Michigan –
NIH AWARDS FUNDING:
$991M
JOBS SUPPORTED:
11,965
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUPPORTED:
$2.42B
NIH AWARDS FUNDING:
$991M
JOBS SUPPORTED:
11,965
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUPPORTED:
$2.42B
In Connecticut -
NIH FUNDING:
$770M
JOBS SUPPORTED:
6609
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUPPORTED:
$1.68B
NIH FUNDING:
$770M
JOBS SUPPORTED:
6609
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUPPORTED:
$1.68B
In Georgia-
NIH FUNDING:
$780 M
JOBS SUPPORTED:
11,816
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUPPORTED:
$2.18 B
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
NIH FUNDING:
$780 M
JOBS SUPPORTED:
11,816
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUPPORTED:
$2.18 B
www.unitedformedicalresearch.org/nih-in-your-...
February 8, 2025 at 4:15 AM
In Michigan –
NIH AWARDS FUNDING:
$991M
JOBS SUPPORTED:
11,965
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUPPORTED:
$2.42B
NIH AWARDS FUNDING:
$991M
JOBS SUPPORTED:
11,965
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUPPORTED:
$2.42B
Reposted by Rianne
Executive wants to frame the NIH indirects cut as $4B in savings.
But given that NIH returns $2.5 on every $1 investment, this would actually cost US economy a net $6 BILLION (per year!). Not to mention the human costs of wrecking education and research sectors and the communities they serve.
But given that NIH returns $2.5 on every $1 investment, this would actually cost US economy a net $6 BILLION (per year!). Not to mention the human costs of wrecking education and research sectors and the communities they serve.
Direct Economic Contributions
NIH directly supports the economy through investments in research institutions and job formation.
www.nih.gov
February 8, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Executive wants to frame the NIH indirects cut as $4B in savings.
But given that NIH returns $2.5 on every $1 investment, this would actually cost US economy a net $6 BILLION (per year!). Not to mention the human costs of wrecking education and research sectors and the communities they serve.
But given that NIH returns $2.5 on every $1 investment, this would actually cost US economy a net $6 BILLION (per year!). Not to mention the human costs of wrecking education and research sectors and the communities they serve.
Reposted by Rianne
The NIH move to cut funding for “indirects” landed a few hours ago and my phone hasn’t stopped buzzing with messages from researchers, scientific leaders and others warning of dire consequences for academia and the biomedical enterprise.
Here’s a txt from someone who personally funds some research:
Here’s a txt from someone who personally funds some research:
February 8, 2025 at 4:25 AM
The NIH move to cut funding for “indirects” landed a few hours ago and my phone hasn’t stopped buzzing with messages from researchers, scientific leaders and others warning of dire consequences for academia and the biomedical enterprise.
Here’s a txt from someone who personally funds some research:
Here’s a txt from someone who personally funds some research:
Reposted by Rianne
is it woke to want to end cancer?
NEW: The N.I.H. will cut about $4 Billion from federal research grants that support cancer, virus and heart disease research.
#Project2025 called for the cuts to end subsidies to "leftist" university agendas.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/u...
#Project2025 called for the cuts to end subsidies to "leftist" university agendas.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/u...
Deep Cuts to Medical Research Funds Could Hobble University Budgets
Grants from the National Institutes of Health come with additional money for overhead. Proposed funding cuts would leave colleges with large budget gaps.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2025 at 3:15 AM
is it woke to want to end cancer?
Reposted by Rianne
FBI Uncovers Al-Qaeda Plot To Just Sit Back And Enjoy Collapse Of United States
FBI Uncovers Al-Qaeda Plot To Just Sit Back And Enjoy Collapse Of United States
WASHINGTON—Putting the nation on alert against what it has described as a “highly credible terrorist threat,” the FBI announced today that it has uncovered a plot by members of al-Qaeda to sit back an...
theonion.com
February 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
FBI Uncovers Al-Qaeda Plot To Just Sit Back And Enjoy Collapse Of United States
Reposted by Rianne
At the newsletter right now:
The Trump administration has scrubbed information about HIPAA protections for reproductive rights from the Department of Health and Human Services website.
The Trump administration has scrubbed information about HIPAA protections for reproductive rights from the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Breaking: Trump is Scrubbing HIPAA Info off HHS Website
The White House is deleting information on reproductive health privacy and discrimination at pharmacies
jessica.substack.com
February 3, 2025 at 8:29 PM
At the newsletter right now:
The Trump administration has scrubbed information about HIPAA protections for reproductive rights from the Department of Health and Human Services website.
The Trump administration has scrubbed information about HIPAA protections for reproductive rights from the Department of Health and Human Services website.