Ben Bellows
@benbellows.bsky.social
Cofounder & CBO, Nivi Inc
A Michigan farm kid a long time ago. Husband, dad, researcher, neighbor, founder.
pubs: orcid.org/0000-0001-9205-6623
#UMich #Econ #PeaceCorps #Ecuador 🇪🇨 #CDC #UCBerkeley #Epi #PopCouncil #Kenya 🇰🇪 #Zambia 🇿🇲 #digitalhealth #AI
A Michigan farm kid a long time ago. Husband, dad, researcher, neighbor, founder.
pubs: orcid.org/0000-0001-9205-6623
#UMich #Econ #PeaceCorps #Ecuador 🇪🇨 #CDC #UCBerkeley #Epi #PopCouncil #Kenya 🇰🇪 #Zambia 🇿🇲 #digitalhealth #AI
Reposted by Ben Bellows
I met her back in 2018 when she became the first ever American to win a gold medal for cross-country skiing. She's also very vocal about the need to act on climate change, and also eating disorders in sports.
Jessie Diggins, Olympic cross-country skiing gold medalist, from the Twin Cities: “I want to make sure you know who I’m racing for…”
February 5, 2026 at 9:03 PM
I met her back in 2018 when she became the first ever American to win a gold medal for cross-country skiing. She's also very vocal about the need to act on climate change, and also eating disorders in sports.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
Pediatrics published the Vaccine Integrity Project’s hepatitis B birth dose vaccine evidence review online. The review looked at: 400+ studies/reports, 40 years of data—and the conclusion was unmistakable.
There is no evidence supporting a delay in the hepatitis B birth dose.
tinyurl.com/4kbsm49f
There is no evidence supporting a delay in the hepatitis B birth dose.
tinyurl.com/4kbsm49f
Hepatitis B Vaccination at Birth: Safety, Effectiveness, and Public Health Benefit
Since 1991, the CDC has recommended screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnancy and universal hepatitis B vaccination of all medically stable infants at birth, serving as a core strat...
tinyurl.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Pediatrics published the Vaccine Integrity Project’s hepatitis B birth dose vaccine evidence review online. The review looked at: 400+ studies/reports, 40 years of data—and the conclusion was unmistakable.
There is no evidence supporting a delay in the hepatitis B birth dose.
tinyurl.com/4kbsm49f
There is no evidence supporting a delay in the hepatitis B birth dose.
tinyurl.com/4kbsm49f
Reposted by Ben Bellows
It was only ever Vought
From rural elders forced to live in dilapidated homes to families abandoned in the midst of carbon pollution, real people are experiencing material harms as a result of DOGE’s attacks on the administrative state.
DOGE Lives On Through Russell Vought
Trump’s White House OMB director has quietly institutionalized the government demolition agenda set in motion by Elon Musk’s wrecking crew.
buff.ly
February 5, 2026 at 9:10 PM
It was only ever Vought
Reposted by Ben Bellows
Good News! 28 states have publicly rejected Kennedy’s vaccine schedule.
They choose to follow evidence-based guidance from experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians.
🧪 www.kff.org/state-health...
Via @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
They choose to follow evidence-based guidance from experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians.
🧪 www.kff.org/state-health...
Via @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Good News! 28 states have publicly rejected Kennedy’s vaccine schedule.
They choose to follow evidence-based guidance from experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians.
🧪 www.kff.org/state-health...
Via @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
They choose to follow evidence-based guidance from experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians.
🧪 www.kff.org/state-health...
Via @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Bellows
JUST IN: Federal prosecutors in Chicago move to dismiss charges against another defendant tied to Operation Midway Blitz.
Erik Meier faced trial 3/9 for resisting a federal officer. Once the motion is granted, he will be the 16th of 32 known defendants cleared.
No known convictions.
Erik Meier faced trial 3/9 for resisting a federal officer. Once the motion is granted, he will be the 16th of 32 known defendants cleared.
No known convictions.
February 5, 2026 at 8:35 PM
JUST IN: Federal prosecutors in Chicago move to dismiss charges against another defendant tied to Operation Midway Blitz.
Erik Meier faced trial 3/9 for resisting a federal officer. Once the motion is granted, he will be the 16th of 32 known defendants cleared.
No known convictions.
Erik Meier faced trial 3/9 for resisting a federal officer. Once the motion is granted, he will be the 16th of 32 known defendants cleared.
No known convictions.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
We've always done this, but in particular in 2026, one of @runforsomething.net's top priorities is recruiting candidates who have lived experience with the affordability crisis. That's not about ~identity politics~ -- it's about giving people a sense that their leaders *care* because they *get it.*
The people we spoke to - across racial groups, and across geographies in Pennsylvania - told us they feel disconnected from our leaders and our political system, that politics looks like a game played by privileged people. They don't feel like politicians really care about them or their communities.
February 5, 2026 at 8:38 PM
We've always done this, but in particular in 2026, one of @runforsomething.net's top priorities is recruiting candidates who have lived experience with the affordability crisis. That's not about ~identity politics~ -- it's about giving people a sense that their leaders *care* because they *get it.*
Reposted by Ben Bellows
Saving the Wilbur Cohen frescoes is about more than a building―Trump's demolition is a part of his scheme to erase the true history of our Social Security system.
Read the full article here:
Read the full article here:
It’s Been Called the ‘Sistine Chapel of the New Deal.’ Don’t Destroy It.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Saving the Wilbur Cohen frescoes is about more than a building―Trump's demolition is a part of his scheme to erase the true history of our Social Security system.
Read the full article here:
Read the full article here:
Reposted by Ben Bellows
US Senate Republicans block attempt to sue Trump administration over Epstein files minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/05/r...
US Senate Republicans block attempt to sue Trump administration over Epstein files • Minnesota Reformer
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic proposal Thursday to sue the Trump administration over allegations that it did not fully release the Epstein files, as mandated under a law unanimo...
minnesotareformer.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:36 PM
US Senate Republicans block attempt to sue Trump administration over Epstein files minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/05/r...
Reposted by Ben Bellows
Real opening for Dems to run as the law and order party.
So much corruption. So much abuse of individual rights. So much battery. So much contempt of court. Chaos, disorder.
Run as party that will enforce the law against criminal goons.
Of course Dems would need to stop funding the criming, too.
So much corruption. So much abuse of individual rights. So much battery. So much contempt of court. Chaos, disorder.
Run as party that will enforce the law against criminal goons.
Of course Dems would need to stop funding the criming, too.
NEW: The top Trump-appointed proseutor in MN says his office is dropping "pressing priorities" to manage crushing immigration workload.
His short-staffed office is doing constant overtime and bouncing between contempt hearings.
The bleak assessment:
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
His short-staffed office is doing constant overtime and bouncing between contempt hearings.
The bleak assessment:
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 5, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Real opening for Dems to run as the law and order party.
So much corruption. So much abuse of individual rights. So much battery. So much contempt of court. Chaos, disorder.
Run as party that will enforce the law against criminal goons.
Of course Dems would need to stop funding the criming, too.
So much corruption. So much abuse of individual rights. So much battery. So much contempt of court. Chaos, disorder.
Run as party that will enforce the law against criminal goons.
Of course Dems would need to stop funding the criming, too.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
Stalin said "“The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.”
Marco Rubio and Jeremy Lewin have created millions of individual tragedies. They aren't statistics.
@timhirschelburns.bsky.social tells some of their stories.
open.substack.com/pub/timhirsc...
Marco Rubio and Jeremy Lewin have created millions of individual tragedies. They aren't statistics.
@timhirschelburns.bsky.social tells some of their stories.
open.substack.com/pub/timhirsc...
The People They Killed
When the Trump administration destroyed USAID, people died. We know some of their names.
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Stalin said "“The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic.”
Marco Rubio and Jeremy Lewin have created millions of individual tragedies. They aren't statistics.
@timhirschelburns.bsky.social tells some of their stories.
open.substack.com/pub/timhirsc...
Marco Rubio and Jeremy Lewin have created millions of individual tragedies. They aren't statistics.
@timhirschelburns.bsky.social tells some of their stories.
open.substack.com/pub/timhirsc...
Reposted by Ben Bellows
That is a Rhodesia Solution letter for certain.
youtu.be/pGJH_-S_MGs?...
youtu.be/pGJH_-S_MGs?...
The Rhodesia Solution - Yes Minister
YouTube video by damo2353
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 5:17 PM
That is a Rhodesia Solution letter for certain.
youtu.be/pGJH_-S_MGs?...
youtu.be/pGJH_-S_MGs?...
Reposted by Ben Bellows
The banality of evil is shocking. An ex-Big Lots warehouse for cheap consumer junk is bought by ICE to ship as many as 7,500 handcuffed human beings, as the Trump regime builds a U.S. gulag archipelago
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
From Big Lots to warehousing humans: ICE plan sparks fear in Schuylkill County | Will Bunch
A massive warehouse in Tremont. Pa. that once moved cheap goods will now detain migrants in an $119 million ICE deal.
www.inquirer.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:54 PM
The banality of evil is shocking. An ex-Big Lots warehouse for cheap consumer junk is bought by ICE to ship as many as 7,500 handcuffed human beings, as the Trump regime builds a U.S. gulag archipelago
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
Reposted by Ben Bellows
With all of the Epstein news, I feel the need to say again that you probably know several women who have been sexually assaulted; they simply don't talk about it. It's much more common than you think. Where does it happen? Here's a few examples.
February 5, 2026 at 6:06 PM
With all of the Epstein news, I feel the need to say again that you probably know several women who have been sexually assaulted; they simply don't talk about it. It's much more common than you think. Where does it happen? Here's a few examples.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
They're all stewing in a big pot on the stove and largely in delusion and denial about it. Look at Russia, though. It's now or never for the empire-minded.
February 5, 2026 at 6:08 PM
They're all stewing in a big pot on the stove and largely in delusion and denial about it. Look at Russia, though. It's now or never for the empire-minded.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
At the National Prayer Breakfast, everyone's talking about the new Golden Calf. “I had him very lifelike,” Mr. Cottrill said in an interview last month. “The crypto guys said I had to get rid of some of the turkey neck. I had to thin him down.”
‘Don Colossus,’ a Golden Statue of President Trump, Waits for Its Home
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:38 PM
At the National Prayer Breakfast, everyone's talking about the new Golden Calf. “I had him very lifelike,” Mr. Cottrill said in an interview last month. “The crypto guys said I had to get rid of some of the turkey neck. I had to thin him down.”
Reposted by Ben Bellows
One way in which Israeli settler colonialism very closely matches that of North America's is the way in which the "frontier-settler" has a de facto alliance with the army. The army allows settler violence to happen and in many cases actively supports it, without official policy needing to say so.
For Six Hours, Israeli Settlers Rampaged Two West Bank Villages – While Soldiers Looked On www.haaretz.com/middle-east-...
For six hours, Israeli settlers rampaged two West Bank villages – while soldiers looked on
'Settlers Tried to Break Down Our Door, Broke the Window and Sprayed Us With Pepper Spray,' a Resident Recalls
www.haaretz.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:37 PM
One way in which Israeli settler colonialism very closely matches that of North America's is the way in which the "frontier-settler" has a de facto alliance with the army. The army allows settler violence to happen and in many cases actively supports it, without official policy needing to say so.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
This morning at the Minnesota State Capitol.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
February 5, 2026 at 3:26 PM
This morning at the Minnesota State Capitol.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
An ice sculpture that reads "PROSECUTE ICE". I'm told the organization behind the sculpture is Common Defense.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
On immigration, Democrats already tried saying nativists have a point, the Statue of Liberty is wrong, we can be anti- too (though not quite as harshly). Put it into a 2024 bill and everything. Didn't work.
Labour's trying something similar in the UK. Also failing.
Maybe try pro-immigrant instead?
Labour's trying something similar in the UK. Also failing.
Maybe try pro-immigrant instead?
February 5, 2026 at 3:05 PM
On immigration, Democrats already tried saying nativists have a point, the Statue of Liberty is wrong, we can be anti- too (though not quite as harshly). Put it into a 2024 bill and everything. Didn't work.
Labour's trying something similar in the UK. Also failing.
Maybe try pro-immigrant instead?
Labour's trying something similar in the UK. Also failing.
Maybe try pro-immigrant instead?
Reposted by Ben Bellows
The point of getting a warrant from a judge is to get an independent assessment and minimize abuse. Recent polling shows Americans are sympathetic to this: almost half think it's worse for one innocent person to face punishment than for ten guilty people to escape it.
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
February 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM
The point of getting a warrant from a judge is to get an independent assessment and minimize abuse. Recent polling shows Americans are sympathetic to this: almost half think it's worse for one innocent person to face punishment than for ten guilty people to escape it.
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
www.ms.now/opinion/trum...
Reposted by Ben Bellows
How very Protestant of them.
Indeed: Two events, both claiming to be the National Prayer Breakfast, are now happening at the same time.
February 5, 2026 at 1:39 PM
How very Protestant of them.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
On 1 May 1517, xenophobic mobs, riled up by preachers who were in turn pressured by wealthy broker John Lincoln, rioted in London. They claimed that foreigners were stealing their jobs and welfare. Thomas More, then under-sheriff of London, tried to stop the mob with an empassioned speech.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 1:24 PM
On 1 May 1517, xenophobic mobs, riled up by preachers who were in turn pressured by wealthy broker John Lincoln, rioted in London. They claimed that foreigners were stealing their jobs and welfare. Thomas More, then under-sheriff of London, tried to stop the mob with an empassioned speech.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
The CIA World Factbook, a reliable source of information about the countries of the world, has been publicly available since 1997. It is now going away.
Please consider supporting @wikipedia.org and @ourworldindata.org. The world desperately needs trustworthy data.
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Please consider supporting @wikipedia.org and @ourworldindata.org. The world desperately needs trustworthy data.
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
February 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM
The CIA World Factbook, a reliable source of information about the countries of the world, has been publicly available since 1997. It is now going away.
Please consider supporting @wikipedia.org and @ourworldindata.org. The world desperately needs trustworthy data.
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Please consider supporting @wikipedia.org and @ourworldindata.org. The world desperately needs trustworthy data.
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Reposted by Ben Bellows
I'm sure if Alford's wife were to be kidnapped & hauled into a van by a half-dozen guys wearing ski masks with the word "police"slapped on their backs he'd be perfectly fine not knowing who they are.
Rep. Mark Alford: "To make their names and identities public --- that puts them at risk. I understand the trepidation and concern by some for seeing federal officers with masks on, but we got to make sure they are safe."
February 5, 2026 at 1:42 PM
I'm sure if Alford's wife were to be kidnapped & hauled into a van by a half-dozen guys wearing ski masks with the word "police"slapped on their backs he'd be perfectly fine not knowing who they are.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
Trump lied when he said he'd target “the worst of the worst.”
TPS protects those who would otherwise be in grave danger. They are legally residing here & contribute to our economy & communities.
Glad judges have halted Trump’s reckless termination of TPS for Haiti & Ethiopia.
TPS protects those who would otherwise be in grave danger. They are legally residing here & contribute to our economy & communities.
Glad judges have halted Trump’s reckless termination of TPS for Haiti & Ethiopia.
February 5, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Trump lied when he said he'd target “the worst of the worst.”
TPS protects those who would otherwise be in grave danger. They are legally residing here & contribute to our economy & communities.
Glad judges have halted Trump’s reckless termination of TPS for Haiti & Ethiopia.
TPS protects those who would otherwise be in grave danger. They are legally residing here & contribute to our economy & communities.
Glad judges have halted Trump’s reckless termination of TPS for Haiti & Ethiopia.
Reposted by Ben Bellows
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 5, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.