Denali
@denali.bsky.social
Early childhood and public systems researcher.
Rich inner life. No inside voice. I live in Chicago.
Photo by https://www.greginda.com/
Rich inner life. No inside voice. I live in Chicago.
Photo by https://www.greginda.com/
The current USDA sec is the former president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. If you hate everything happening nationally with SNAP, you should vocally oppose that org and any of its people directing public education policy or funding.
February 16, 2026 at 9:16 PM
The current USDA sec is the former president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. If you hate everything happening nationally with SNAP, you should vocally oppose that org and any of its people directing public education policy or funding.
A lot of my thoughts in honesty are shaped by my thoughts on talking to kids. In general my principles are
- factually accurate
- developmentally appropriate
- directionally correct
It guides hard conversations and leaves enough room to discuss heaven, Bigfoot, and other mysteries of the heart.
- factually accurate
- developmentally appropriate
- directionally correct
It guides hard conversations and leaves enough room to discuss heaven, Bigfoot, and other mysteries of the heart.
February 16, 2026 at 8:54 PM
A lot of my thoughts in honesty are shaped by my thoughts on talking to kids. In general my principles are
- factually accurate
- developmentally appropriate
- directionally correct
It guides hard conversations and leaves enough room to discuss heaven, Bigfoot, and other mysteries of the heart.
- factually accurate
- developmentally appropriate
- directionally correct
It guides hard conversations and leaves enough room to discuss heaven, Bigfoot, and other mysteries of the heart.
Something accidentally turned on the AI assistant on my phone and we all yelled at it until it turned off
The best part was when I shouted "hey go kick rocks!" And the little voice goes "understood"
Then we all cheered.
The best part was when I shouted "hey go kick rocks!" And the little voice goes "understood"
Then we all cheered.
February 16, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Something accidentally turned on the AI assistant on my phone and we all yelled at it until it turned off
The best part was when I shouted "hey go kick rocks!" And the little voice goes "understood"
Then we all cheered.
The best part was when I shouted "hey go kick rocks!" And the little voice goes "understood"
Then we all cheered.
Reposted by Denali
"Exploring, being lost for a while... Ordinary things open whole lines of thought when they reveal hidden systems of use, risk, habit, or maintenance... What adults lose is this patient, bodily acquisition of distinctions — learning land and water as processes rather than abstractions."
February 16, 2026 at 5:06 AM
"Exploring, being lost for a while... Ordinary things open whole lines of thought when they reveal hidden systems of use, risk, habit, or maintenance... What adults lose is this patient, bodily acquisition of distinctions — learning land and water as processes rather than abstractions."
I do campaign finance research and fundraising is a place where A LOT of electeds are disingenuous with their constituents in part bc of the amount of money it takes to run a serious campaign.
I think a candidate must be honest (in fact AND frame) right off the bat when asked about their $.
I think a candidate must be honest (in fact AND frame) right off the bat when asked about their $.
February 16, 2026 at 1:07 PM
I do campaign finance research and fundraising is a place where A LOT of electeds are disingenuous with their constituents in part bc of the amount of money it takes to run a serious campaign.
I think a candidate must be honest (in fact AND frame) right off the bat when asked about their $.
I think a candidate must be honest (in fact AND frame) right off the bat when asked about their $.
One reason why it's important to frame-check people running for office is bc it's often a great way to understand when they are knowingly being disingenuous and when their communication is largely signalling (itself a complicated thing).
Recently had a great conversation about this w/ a friend
Recently had a great conversation about this w/ a friend
February 16, 2026 at 12:48 PM
One reason why it's important to frame-check people running for office is bc it's often a great way to understand when they are knowingly being disingenuous and when their communication is largely signalling (itself a complicated thing).
Recently had a great conversation about this w/ a friend
Recently had a great conversation about this w/ a friend
I think this is a solid example of what I was asking about re: frame-checking. This kind of context/subtext examination is helpful when you're trying to asses the content and function of an argument.
The community included in #IL09 is incredible diverse and includes tons of immigrants and people of different backgrounds, including a very! diverse list of candidates she’s running against
She also said a line “if where I’m born is your dealbreaker”
That’s also very much not the argument
She also said a line “if where I’m born is your dealbreaker”
That’s also very much not the argument
February 16, 2026 at 4:07 AM
I think this is a solid example of what I was asking about re: frame-checking. This kind of context/subtext examination is helpful when you're trying to asses the content and function of an argument.
I understand how people might feel about that cover but I recently read Bridget Read's excellent writing on MLMs and their influence on American culture I wouldn't automatically write off the story.
February 15, 2026 at 5:38 PM
I understand how people might feel about that cover but I recently read Bridget Read's excellent writing on MLMs and their influence on American culture I wouldn't automatically write off the story.
Stevie Nicks baton twirling in the Tusk video is just the coolest
February 15, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Stevie Nicks baton twirling in the Tusk video is just the coolest
Reposted by Denali
You could wake me up out of a dead sleep and demand a haiku about migration federalism and I could do it. 😆
February 15, 2026 at 9:55 AM
You could wake me up out of a dead sleep and demand a haiku about migration federalism and I could do it. 😆
It is a 20+ year running joke in my family that our parents claim to be exceedingly proud of us and have never bothered to learn what either of us do.
My commie dad: here's how grocery prices affected the 2024 election
Me: here's how different types of regulation affect grocery prices and how knowing what the govt does matters
My sister (who worked on FTC legal strategy re: Albertson/Kroger) *silently makes a sandwich*
Me: here's how different types of regulation affect grocery prices and how knowing what the govt does matters
My sister (who worked on FTC legal strategy re: Albertson/Kroger) *silently makes a sandwich*
February 15, 2026 at 9:33 AM
It is a 20+ year running joke in my family that our parents claim to be exceedingly proud of us and have never bothered to learn what either of us do.
I don't know if frame checking (like fact checking but for larger rhetorical arcs) is a term or if there's a better term for it but talking to my parents about things they've learned from cable news suggests that we really need a term for this.
February 15, 2026 at 9:07 AM
I don't know if frame checking (like fact checking but for larger rhetorical arcs) is a term or if there's a better term for it but talking to my parents about things they've learned from cable news suggests that we really need a term for this.
Reposted by Denali
NEW: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem joined election deniers in Arizona to rally support for a suppressive bill that would disenfranchise millions.
Noem also encouraged state election officials to use the department’s citizenship verification program, despite it incorrectly flagging dozens of citizens.
Noem also encouraged state election officials to use the department’s citizenship verification program, despite it incorrectly flagging dozens of citizens.
Noem joins Arizona election deniers to rally for SAVE America Act
“Your state has been an absolute disaster on elections,” Noem said
www.democracydocket.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:14 PM
NEW: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem joined election deniers in Arizona to rally support for a suppressive bill that would disenfranchise millions.
Noem also encouraged state election officials to use the department’s citizenship verification program, despite it incorrectly flagging dozens of citizens.
Noem also encouraged state election officials to use the department’s citizenship verification program, despite it incorrectly flagging dozens of citizens.
I saw that video too and look I can't tell you how to live your life but I can tell you that there are moments where it's really important to wear closed toed shoes.
February 13, 2026 at 6:16 PM
I saw that video too and look I can't tell you how to live your life but I can tell you that there are moments where it's really important to wear closed toed shoes.
All three IL Congressional Republican meet States United Actions criteria for election denial
February 13, 2026 at 5:55 PM
All three IL Congressional Republican meet States United Actions criteria for election denial
Fetal personhood laws, including this one, are often passed under the cover of protecting people while they are pregnant. Outside of medical reasons, pregnancy is incredibly dangerous with increased risk of partner violence and murder.
And yet, these conversations never center the pregnant person.
And yet, these conversations never center the pregnant person.
Puerto Rico governor signs law to recognize fetus as human being as critics warn of consequences
Puerto Rico’s governor has signed a bill that amends a law to recognize a fetus as a human being. It's a move that doctors and legal experts warn will have deep ramifications for the U.S. territory.
apnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Fetal personhood laws, including this one, are often passed under the cover of protecting people while they are pregnant. Outside of medical reasons, pregnancy is incredibly dangerous with increased risk of partner violence and murder.
And yet, these conversations never center the pregnant person.
And yet, these conversations never center the pregnant person.
Reposted by Denali
“Pretextual traffic stops are the new stop-and-frisk,” said Amy Thompson, staff counsel at Impact for Equity and a researcher on the new study. Police “are not only concentrating traffic stops in communities of color, but also for drivers of color driving throughout the city.”
Black and Hispanic drivers get the majority of Chicago’s traffic tickets — including in mostly white areas. blockclubchi.co/4aLWrrL
February 13, 2026 at 2:03 PM
“Pretextual traffic stops are the new stop-and-frisk,” said Amy Thompson, staff counsel at Impact for Equity and a researcher on the new study. Police “are not only concentrating traffic stops in communities of color, but also for drivers of color driving throughout the city.”
"A spreadsheet mistake that turned into my lived experience for a year"
February 13, 2026 at 1:17 PM
"A spreadsheet mistake that turned into my lived experience for a year"
Kitt...stated that it was not an issue of “delinquency,” instead young Americans were:
"angry because their parents are angry ...because there is a war going on that they don’t understand...You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. They rebel in the street."
"angry because their parents are angry ...because there is a war going on that they don’t understand...You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. They rebel in the street."
Already under CIA observiation for her community activism, Eartha Kitt was blacklisted in the U.S. for nearly a decade (1968–1978) after publicly criticizing the Vietnam War at a 1968 White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson.
Kitt was forced to work in Europe and Asia during that time.
Kitt was forced to work in Europe and Asia during that time.
Jan. 18, 1968: Eartha Kitt Spoke Truth at the White House
When asked at a White House luncheon about “juvenile delinquency,” Eartha Kitt responded by talking about the root causes of rebellion, including the Vietnam War and the draft.
www.zinnedproject.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Kitt...stated that it was not an issue of “delinquency,” instead young Americans were:
"angry because their parents are angry ...because there is a war going on that they don’t understand...You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. They rebel in the street."
"angry because their parents are angry ...because there is a war going on that they don’t understand...You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. They rebel in the street."
Reposted by Denali
I am interested in as much lore about Tyler Technologies as I can get right now.
Cook County’s troubled tech overhaul boils over, as political leaders start pointing fingers
The latest delays to the Cook County property tax system upgrade by controversial contractor Tyler Technologies is leading to fighting among county leaders.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:09 AM
I am interested in as much lore about Tyler Technologies as I can get right now.
*Puts Big Freedia on in the car*
"This is my hype song"
Husband: "aren't you moderating a book talk?"
Me: "Yuuuup."
"This is my hype song"
Husband: "aren't you moderating a book talk?"
Me: "Yuuuup."
February 12, 2026 at 11:22 PM
*Puts Big Freedia on in the car*
"This is my hype song"
Husband: "aren't you moderating a book talk?"
Me: "Yuuuup."
"This is my hype song"
Husband: "aren't you moderating a book talk?"
Me: "Yuuuup."
Once again since we are talking about the SAVE act
A lot of people in government now went to Yale Law at the same time as my sister. In one of her classes MULTIPLE people argued that they couldn't think up a situation where a legitimate voter couldn't present documents to verify their identity.
A lot of people in government now went to Yale Law at the same time as my sister. In one of her classes MULTIPLE people argued that they couldn't think up a situation where a legitimate voter couldn't present documents to verify their identity.
February 12, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Once again since we are talking about the SAVE act
A lot of people in government now went to Yale Law at the same time as my sister. In one of her classes MULTIPLE people argued that they couldn't think up a situation where a legitimate voter couldn't present documents to verify their identity.
A lot of people in government now went to Yale Law at the same time as my sister. In one of her classes MULTIPLE people argued that they couldn't think up a situation where a legitimate voter couldn't present documents to verify their identity.
Reposted by Denali
Congress is moving on the SAVE Act bills, all of which would restrict the freedom to vote for millions of Americans.
These Jim Crow 2.0 bills target vulnerable people in our communities, who are less likely to have ready access to the documents the bills require.
These Jim Crow 2.0 bills target vulnerable people in our communities, who are less likely to have ready access to the documents the bills require.
February 12, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Congress is moving on the SAVE Act bills, all of which would restrict the freedom to vote for millions of Americans.
These Jim Crow 2.0 bills target vulnerable people in our communities, who are less likely to have ready access to the documents the bills require.
These Jim Crow 2.0 bills target vulnerable people in our communities, who are less likely to have ready access to the documents the bills require.
I cried at work today but it was good crying
February 12, 2026 at 7:49 PM
I cried at work today but it was good crying
While also NOT regulating businesses to ensure they pay their workers enough to feed themselves and their families...
Alternatively: We are imposing new requirements to private businesses that will discourage them from serving people on SNAP.
Brooke Rollins: "You talk about those on food stamps. A lot of people buy their groceries, especially those that are on food stamps, from convenience stores. We're now requiring those retailers to double the amount of healthy food that they stock if they're gonna take the EBT card."
February 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
While also NOT regulating businesses to ensure they pay their workers enough to feed themselves and their families...