Naomi Ruff
@ruffdraft.bsky.social
Editor and writer helping scientists communicate clearly and effectively at ruffdraftwriting.com | reader, gardener, volunteer | still trying to find the best balance between facing the world and hiding with cute animal pictures
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
One of the most upsetting parts about covering the start of the Covid pandemic was having to report on all the perfectly healthy younger people whose first symptom - very first symptom - was dropping dead of a stroke.
Jay Bhattacharya's plan for a new pandemic is for everyone to suddenly be healthy.
November 15, 2025 at 12:09 AM
One of the most upsetting parts about covering the start of the Covid pandemic was having to report on all the perfectly healthy younger people whose first symptom - very first symptom - was dropping dead of a stroke.
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
Scientists point to a long list of findings that emerged out of fundamental research, the type of studies the US government is cutting, and went on to change the world. Nature lists a few of their examples. 🧪
7 basic science discoveries that changed the world
Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.
go.nature.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
“Trump looks out for himself at our expense” is not that complicated
I don’t understand why Dems have to choose? “Trump is a corrupt billionaire pedo whose self-serving policies have made your life more expensive” is not that hard of a message imo
The usual suspects are telling Dems that Epstein won’t win elections, get back to “affordability” and I think my head might explode. www.offmessage.net/p/force-a-re...
November 15, 2025 at 5:17 PM
“Trump looks out for himself at our expense” is not that complicated
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
Seeing this chart as an impressionable young man was a formative moment in my political development
November 4, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Seeing this chart as an impressionable young man was a formative moment in my political development
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
This struck me as one of the best instances I've seen of a Dem politician—in this case, @joeneguse.bsky.social—taking a badly-framed press question & both *calling it out* as a badly-framed question & answering it with passion & smarts.
bsky.app/profile/cory...
bsky.app/profile/cory...
November 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
This struck me as one of the best instances I've seen of a Dem politician—in this case, @joeneguse.bsky.social—taking a badly-framed press question & both *calling it out* as a badly-framed question & answering it with passion & smarts.
bsky.app/profile/cory...
bsky.app/profile/cory...
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
Here is a corrected version of it. It should have any and all typos taken care of - but feel free to point out any! I want this to be squared away before I make any prints! Thanks, #JewSky for your enthusiasm!
October 26, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Here is a corrected version of it. It should have any and all typos taken care of - but feel free to point out any! I want this to be squared away before I make any prints! Thanks, #JewSky for your enthusiasm!
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
Yesterday, millions marched against fascism. Now our elected leaders need to take action to confront Trump’s assault on Democratic cities and states.
In The Guardian today, I outline a strategy: “fiscal disobedience” as one part of an “anti-fascist federalism.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In The Guardian today, I outline a strategy: “fiscal disobedience” as one part of an “anti-fascist federalism.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
How can blue states fight back against Trump? With fiscal disobedience | Eric Reinhart
By holding back federal tax revenues, Democratic governors can turn a one-sided assault into a constitutional showdown
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Yesterday, millions marched against fascism. Now our elected leaders need to take action to confront Trump’s assault on Democratic cities and states.
In The Guardian today, I outline a strategy: “fiscal disobedience” as one part of an “anti-fascist federalism.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In The Guardian today, I outline a strategy: “fiscal disobedience” as one part of an “anti-fascist federalism.”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
MSNBC Grandmas in Skechers seamlessly reclaiming the frog from 4chan Nazis in about six weeks has gotta be the political upset of the century.
October 18, 2025 at 5:52 PM
MSNBC Grandmas in Skechers seamlessly reclaiming the frog from 4chan Nazis in about six weeks has gotta be the political upset of the century.
Yes! We wouldn’t (peacefully) fight for it if we didn’t love it—and its enormous promise, if we can live up to it.
NYC #NOKINGS so many American flags we don’t hate America. We love democracy. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
October 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Yes! We wouldn’t (peacefully) fight for it if we didn’t love it—and its enormous promise, if we can live up to it.
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
I had to listen to the audio to confirm it, but yes, as troops are being deployed to American cities, as masked goons are disappearing citizens from our streets, as ICE agents are shooting pepper balls at priests ... Mike Johnson thinks nude bicyclists are "the most threatening thing I've seen yet."
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson calls Sunday's naked bike ride in protest of the Portland ICE facility and and Trump troop deployment "the most threatening thing I’ve seen yet"
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
October 14, 2025 at 11:46 PM
I had to listen to the audio to confirm it, but yes, as troops are being deployed to American cities, as masked goons are disappearing citizens from our streets, as ICE agents are shooting pepper balls at priests ... Mike Johnson thinks nude bicyclists are "the most threatening thing I've seen yet."
YES 💯 Lots of ways the system could be improved, but going back to status quo ante is not one of them. No way I would be able to get insurance, and without insurance I might not be able to work, pay taxes, and all that good stuff.
I like to remind people about lifetime limits and the refusal of insurers to sell coverage to people with preexisting conditions.
The ACA has issues. But those 2 things alone make it worth saving and fixing.
The ACA has issues. But those 2 things alone make it worth saving and fixing.
October 14, 2025 at 3:12 AM
YES 💯 Lots of ways the system could be improved, but going back to status quo ante is not one of them. No way I would be able to get insurance, and without insurance I might not be able to work, pay taxes, and all that good stuff.
Yes!!
if we'd treated their obvious baldfaced lies and deflections more like this over the past eight years maybe we wouldn't be in this situation
shocking how easy it is when you actually see it done
shocking how easy it is when you actually see it done
STEPHANOPOULOS: I didn't insinuate anything. I asked you whether Tom Homan accepted $50k as was heard on an audio tape recorded by the FBI in September 2024. You did not answer the question. Thank you for your time.
VANCE: No, George, I sai--
STEPHANOPOULOS: We'll be right back
VANCE: No, George, I sai--
STEPHANOPOULOS: We'll be right back
October 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Yes!!
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
This is a really well done—I hope it catches on: A silent roadside protest staged over the weekend in Westerville, Ohio, and posted to the Facebook page of the Westerville Progressive Alliance.
www.youtube.com/shorts/TpZFS...
www.youtube.com/shorts/TpZFS...
Signs of Fascism!
YouTube video by COOLHAND
www.youtube.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:01 AM
This is a really well done—I hope it catches on: A silent roadside protest staged over the weekend in Westerville, Ohio, and posted to the Facebook page of the Westerville Progressive Alliance.
www.youtube.com/shorts/TpZFS...
www.youtube.com/shorts/TpZFS...
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
He has…sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people…
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
—Declaration of Independence, 1776
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
—Declaration of Independence, 1776
ICE agents to US citizen: Turn around or you're getting the dog.
October 13, 2025 at 3:41 AM
He has…sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people…
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
—Declaration of Independence, 1776
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
—Declaration of Independence, 1776
Anyone know what’s going on with this carrot? The orange splotches on the ground literally dripped out of it—consistency of honey, approximately. Nearby carrots were fine.
October 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Anyone know what’s going on with this carrot? The orange splotches on the ground literally dripped out of it—consistency of honey, approximately. Nearby carrots were fine.
C’mon guys, get a room! 😂🌱
October 12, 2025 at 8:41 PM
C’mon guys, get a room! 😂🌱
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
Just a reminder that Banned Books Week isn’t about selling more copies of 1984. It’s about keeping authors and teachers and librarians safe and making sure all of us have the freedom to read widely. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Children’s Authors on the Real-World Cost of Book Banning
Authors discuss how having their work targeted by censors has directly affected their livelihood and their well-being.
www.publishersweekly.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Just a reminder that Banned Books Week isn’t about selling more copies of 1984. It’s about keeping authors and teachers and librarians safe and making sure all of us have the freedom to read widely. www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
OMG yes!
We 💯 support Amphifa! Give me ribbety, or give me death. 🐸
October 11, 2025 at 2:10 PM
OMG yes!
Sleeping bees! 🐝
Mkay timeline cleanse.
Welcome to my bee motel.
Bed *is* breakfast. 🌱
Welcome to my bee motel.
Bed *is* breakfast. 🌱
October 7, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Sleeping bees! 🐝
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
This video of Chicagoans intervening to save a man from being abducted off the streets by ICE is making the rounds on Instagram.
Community action works.
Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DPZL2AL...
Community action works.
Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DPZL2AL...
October 5, 2025 at 5:24 PM
This video of Chicagoans intervening to save a man from being abducted off the streets by ICE is making the rounds on Instagram.
Community action works.
Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DPZL2AL...
Community action works.
Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DPZL2AL...
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
Alrght everybody, get your Tin Can Telephones out. We need your help!
We reach new people by word of mouth. Send all your educator friends this pic! Teachers, librarians, scout troop leaders, etc! We offer our program for free, so we need help getting the word out without advertising $$.
We reach new people by word of mouth. Send all your educator friends this pic! Teachers, librarians, scout troop leaders, etc! We offer our program for free, so we need help getting the word out without advertising $$.
September 30, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Alrght everybody, get your Tin Can Telephones out. We need your help!
We reach new people by word of mouth. Send all your educator friends this pic! Teachers, librarians, scout troop leaders, etc! We offer our program for free, so we need help getting the word out without advertising $$.
We reach new people by word of mouth. Send all your educator friends this pic! Teachers, librarians, scout troop leaders, etc! We offer our program for free, so we need help getting the word out without advertising $$.
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
wait what
This is my regular reminder to everyone that jstor is open to the general public now; a free account there will give you access to 100 papers a year.
regrettably if you try to point this out online you'll get yelled out by 79208 journalists going OH SO YOU WANT JOURNALISTS TO STARVE??? even if you're, say, a journalist yourself, and point out that while there are clearly no easy answers, the status quo isn't exactly working for society
September 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
wait what
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
When I was at NIH and shutdowns loomed, it was discovered that the administration was planning to shut down PubMed. The head of NCBI called the powers that be and pointed out that this would threaten patient safety
Who knows what will happen now
Just in case, remember Euruope-PMC
(europepmc.org )
Who knows what will happen now
Just in case, remember Euruope-PMC
(europepmc.org )
a cartoon of donald trump with the words be prepared above him
ALT: a cartoon of donald trump with the words be prepared above him
media.tenor.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:35 PM
When I was at NIH and shutdowns loomed, it was discovered that the administration was planning to shut down PubMed. The head of NCBI called the powers that be and pointed out that this would threaten patient safety
Who knows what will happen now
Just in case, remember Euruope-PMC
(europepmc.org )
Who knows what will happen now
Just in case, remember Euruope-PMC
(europepmc.org )
Reposted by Naomi Ruff
More than 1800 detainees are missing after the closure of Alligator Alcatraz. Their families and lawyers can’t find them and they’ve vanished from the ICE database. Feels like this should be a much bigger story www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid after leaving site
As of the end of August, the whereabouts of two-thirds of more than 1,800 men detained at Alligator Alcatraz during the month of July could not be determined by the Miami Herald.
www.miamiherald.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:39 PM
More than 1800 detainees are missing after the closure of Alligator Alcatraz. Their families and lawyers can’t find them and they’ve vanished from the ICE database. Feels like this should be a much bigger story www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
I can’t believe it , but @anjalikdayal.bsky.social actually made me laugh out loud with her description of Trump’s speech. My thanks to her for that and for listening she I don’t have to.
You should be following Anjali to learn more about what's happening at the UN General Assembly! (She is also very funny)
they're ringing that UNGA bell SO hard to try and get people to sit down again for the next speech but they should just let these people run around the chamber and scream like toddlers for a few minutes and get it out of their system before making them sit back down
September 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I can’t believe it , but @anjalikdayal.bsky.social actually made me laugh out loud with her description of Trump’s speech. My thanks to her for that and for listening she I don’t have to.