Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Margaret Nielsen

@margaretnielsen.bsky.social

1.8K followers 930 following 260 posts

Retired professor, married, grandmother, post- #polio #disability, social justice and peace advocate @msunielsen on other social media

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Margaret Nielsen @margaretnielsen.bsky.social · Sep 12

Excellent idea - #GrandparentsForVaccines can share experiences from the decades before vaccines could protect us from diseases like measles and polio.

Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · Sep 8

"The group brings together hundreds of grandparents nationwide who lived through diseases such as polio, tuberculosis and measles — illnesses once thought eliminated in the United States..."

www.kgw.com/article/news...

Grandparents for Vaccines launches to share stories of life before immunizations

New volunteer group aims to educate parents about vaccine importance by sharing personal experiences with preventable diseases.

www.kgw.com

6 14

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

FCNL @fcnl.bsky.social · 1d

This moment could mark the beginning of the long path toward healing.

But only if all parties take the steps needed to turn the world's hopes for peace into reality.

www.fcnl.org/updates/2025...

Quaker Lobby Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire Announcement, Calls for Justice, Accountability, and Enduring Peace | Friends Committee On National Legislation

After two horrific years of bombardment and blockade, we welcome news of a possible reprieve from the violence and genocide in Gaza and a return of all hostages. Any pause that spares lives is an oppo...

www.fcnl.org

1 3

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

SummerReed @cafsbsky.bsky.social · 16h

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

ICE is hounding Chicago area locals with excessive chemical munitions

Agents are firing tear gas and pepper balls on lawful protesters, lawsuits say, sickening even uninvolved residents.

www.motherjones.com

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 16h

OOOPS! UPDATE: Two HHS officials tell me that disease detectives, measles response officers, global health officials and the MMWR staff were laid off by mistake and will be reinstated. But Washington office is still RIFed

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 1d

BREAKING: Friday night massacre underway at CDC. Doznes of "disease detectives," high-level scientists, entire Washington staff and editors of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) have all been RIFed and received the following notice:

31 220 620

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

tony romm @tonyromm.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: It looks like the number of federal layoffs -- so far -- is over 4,000, we've learned from court documents

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...

White House Signals Federal Layoffs Have Begun During Government Shutdown

www.nytimes.com

42 210 410

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 1d

The entire American economy is being held hostage to the whims of a guy who doesn’t understand how the economy works

290 1.3K 6.6K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

David Wessel @davidmwessel.bsky.social · 2d

What shutdown? Treasury Secy Scott Bessent says (on X) Treasury bought Argentine pesos today -- and finalized a $20 billion swap line with Argentina's central bank. Wonder if the Fed had to sign off on the swaps. x.com/SecScottBess...

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on X: "The @USTreasury has concluded 4 days of intensive meetings with Minister @LuisCaputoAR and his team in DC. We discussed Argentina’s strong economic fundamentals, including structural changes already underway that will generate significant dollar-denominated exports and foreign" / X

The @USTreasury has concluded 4 days of intensive meetings with Minister @LuisCaputoAR and his team in DC. We discussed Argentina’s strong economic fundamentals, including structural changes already underway that will generate significant dollar-denominated exports and foreign

x.com

13 50 150

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Garrett M. Graff @vermontgmg.bsky.social · 2d

Jim Comey was first, but let's be clear: Donald Trump is coming for the rest of us too. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/we-are-all...

6 96 360

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

David Gura @davidgura.bsky.social · 2d

During a government shutdown, the Trump administration is bailing out Argentina, whose president is fond of saying, “The state isn’t the solution, it’s the problem.”

David Gura @davidgura.bsky.social · 2d

Secretary Scott Bessent says the U.S. has “directly purchased Argentine pesos,” and the Treasury Department has “finalized a $20 billion currency swap framework with Argentina’s central bank.”

42 430 1.2K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Heather Cox Richardson (TDPR) @hcrichardson.bsky.social · 3d

20 paragraphs down in the NBC News story that broke the information that the administration is considering invoking the Insurrection Act is the report that Stephen Miller is driving the issue.

690 5.5K 14K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 3d

Did DOGE save us $2 trillion?

“Not even close. .. Total spending excluding interest rose $220 billion, or 4%, for the entire fiscal year.” 🤡

@wsj.com
www.wsj.com/economy/tari...

100 870 2.2K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 3d

Had a chat with @profgalloway.com

Give a listen

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

How Long Can the American Economy Hold? — with Kai Ryssdal

Podcast Episode · The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway · 10/09/2025 · 58m

podcasts.apple.com

11 30 220

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 3d

This is the lesson of 2025

Quinta Jurecic @qjurecic.bsky.social · 3d

he's going to come after you either way, so you might as well act with integrity

45 1.3K 6K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 2d

“.. the first time a Republican governor has questioned the interstate deployment of National Guard troops over a governor’s objections.”

@nytimes.com #OKgov
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/u...

150 990 3.6K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 16h

Wow.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 17h

Yesterday I was told that the class I’m scheduled to teach this month, Confronting Oppression & Injustice, is no longer part of our curriculum. This is a required class yet there was no discussion, no faculty vote, just an email saying the class no longer exists. This is what it’s like in Texas now.

21 240 760

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

The Nation Magazine @thenation.com · 18h

"We will remember the martyrs—those who died teaching, reporting, healing, mothering, surviving. We will carry their memory like fire in our hearts. And we will begin again." Read Ali Skaik, a 19-year-old from Gaza, on the ceasefire that will hopefully bring an end to genocide.

We Are Genocide Survivors. But Our War Is Far From Over.

We in Gaza will remember the martyrs--those who died teaching, reporting, healing, mothering, surviving. We will carry their memory like fire in our hearts. And we will begin again.

www.thenation.com

3 58 200

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Leah Litman @leahlitman.bsky.social · 1d

More judges speak to the press (the NYT) about what a disaster the Supreme Court (specifically the shadow docket) has been - “incredibly demoralizing & troubling”; a “judicial crisis”; a “slap in the face to district courts.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...

120 1.9K 5K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 21h

Important piece by Prof. Kate Andrias. This is why treating SCOTUS as the only word on the Constitution gives away our power as citizens.

As I frequently say “we are founders and framers” of the next iteration of democracy in this country.
GIFT LINK
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...

Opinion | The Constitution Doesn’t Belong to Trump or the Supreme Court

www.nytimes.com

28 260 690

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 22h

We have the timidity of countless corporate and university GCs to thank for the fact DEI is treated as though it were illegal.

Anna Gifty @itsafronomics.bsky.social · 23h

lol gentle reminder that DEI is not illegal. Supporting marginalized groups is not illegal. Anyone reneging on support is making a CHOICE to do so.

22 470 1.7K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 1d

A note and a caution about “planting season.”

@visionandjustice

15 120 360

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 1d

So not for cause, or to address fraud, waste & abuse.

For partisan political pain.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

Q: How many layoffs have you authorized?

TRUMP: It'll be a lot. And it'll be Democrat-oriented.

51 370 1.3K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Sheryl Gay Stolberg @sherylnyt.bsky.social · 1d

860 8.4K 15K

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 2d

Wow.

Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 2d

Machado issues her first statement since being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and makes a thinly-veiled appeal to Trump for US intervention in Venezuela:

María Corina Machado ©
@MariaCorinaYA
Follow
This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom.
We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy.
I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!
8:34 AM • 10/10/25 • 30K Views

51 66 290

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Charles Ghoul-ba ✡️ @charlesgaba.com · 16h

A quick reminder of what the whole #ACA tax credit fuss looks like visually.

This example is for my own family here in Oakland County, Michigan (middle-aged couple w/1 college-age son). 1/

5 43 74

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Miaganga @miaganga.bsky.social · 20h

6 150 420

Reposted by Margaret Nielsen

Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · 16h

BREAKING: Some of the layoffs at CDC are being REVERSED.
Here is my updated story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

More than 1,000 CDC staff receive layoff notices during government shutdown

Another round of mass layoffs has struck CDC. The agency had already been cut during a reorganization this year, and more employees are now being shed amid the government shutdown.

www.washingtonpost.com

35 270 700