Sense & Synthesis
@sensynthesis.bsky.social
Liberal Texan. Appalled American. Pro-democracy mom, strategist, nerd, advocate, accidental science communicator.
No Kings. Good must prevail. 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 Public health is a group project. We’re all vulnerable to disability. Ish shouldn’t be this hard.
No Kings. Good must prevail. 🇺🇦 🇺🇸 Public health is a group project. We’re all vulnerable to disability. Ish shouldn’t be this hard.
Pinned
It’s just wild to me that there has never been an easier time in history to be human and a few groups of lunatics are determined to undo that.
What he says.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
It's hard to express what it meant to watch Maurice, Natalia, Celeste, and Rhea tell their stories—in their own voices—this morning.
The segment revealed a brutal reality: homelessness at this scale isn't about personal failure. It's the result of policy choices and systems built to exploit people.
The segment revealed a brutal reality: homelessness at this scale isn't about personal failure. It's the result of policy choices and systems built to exploit people.
November 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It's hard to express what it meant to watch Maurice, Natalia, Celeste, and Rhea tell their stories—in their own voices—this morning.
The segment revealed a brutal reality: homelessness at this scale isn't about personal failure. It's the result of policy choices and systems built to exploit people.
The segment revealed a brutal reality: homelessness at this scale isn't about personal failure. It's the result of policy choices and systems built to exploit people.
Unfortunately, a lot of average Americans will just see $$$ in their pockets and buy the BS they’re selling.
Zero understanding of how risk pooling and insurance works.
Cassidy: "The president is proposing that we take the $26b that would be going to insurance companies if we just do an extension and give it directly to the American people in which 100% of the money is used for them to purchase healthcare on their own terms. That makes them an informed consumer."
November 16, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Unfortunately, a lot of average Americans will just see $$$ in their pockets and buy the BS they’re selling.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
November 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
NEW: @propublica.org investigated the Chicago apartment raid where kids were zip-tied and citizens detained for hours. They find:
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
- NONE of the arrested were criminally charged
- NO evidence the building was "filled with TdA terrorists."
- ZERO legitimate reason for DHS to rappel from a Blackhawk.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
There's a law on the books to make corporations pay taxes on the huge profits they report to shareholders.
The Trump admin has quietly decided not to enforce it.
This de facto corporate tax break will add hundreds of billions to the deficit.
Why is no one talking about this?
The Trump admin has quietly decided not to enforce it.
This de facto corporate tax break will add hundreds of billions to the deficit.
Why is no one talking about this?
November 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
There's a law on the books to make corporations pay taxes on the huge profits they report to shareholders.
The Trump admin has quietly decided not to enforce it.
This de facto corporate tax break will add hundreds of billions to the deficit.
Why is no one talking about this?
The Trump admin has quietly decided not to enforce it.
This de facto corporate tax break will add hundreds of billions to the deficit.
Why is no one talking about this?
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
Remember: The richest 1% evade over $160 billion in taxes every year.
That amount would fund SNAP for a year with money to spare.
Ask yourself who the real freeloaders are.
That amount would fund SNAP for a year with money to spare.
Ask yourself who the real freeloaders are.
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Remember: The richest 1% evade over $160 billion in taxes every year.
That amount would fund SNAP for a year with money to spare.
Ask yourself who the real freeloaders are.
That amount would fund SNAP for a year with money to spare.
Ask yourself who the real freeloaders are.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
As a hedge fund owner, Scott Bessent avoided over $900K in Medicare taxes by exploiting a major loophole.
As Treasury Secretary, he now oversees the IRS — which has backed away from closing the loophole since Trump took office.
The foxes are guarding the henhouse.
As Treasury Secretary, he now oversees the IRS — which has backed away from closing the loophole since Trump took office.
The foxes are guarding the henhouse.
November 14, 2025 at 10:00 PM
As a hedge fund owner, Scott Bessent avoided over $900K in Medicare taxes by exploiting a major loophole.
As Treasury Secretary, he now oversees the IRS — which has backed away from closing the loophole since Trump took office.
The foxes are guarding the henhouse.
As Treasury Secretary, he now oversees the IRS — which has backed away from closing the loophole since Trump took office.
The foxes are guarding the henhouse.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob."
—FDR, 1936
—FDR, 1936
November 16, 2025 at 12:30 AM
"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob."
—FDR, 1936
—FDR, 1936
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
RFK's food/wellness views are popular. His vaccine stance & research cuts are not.
Dems crafting messaging for 2026 think the latter will matter more.
"Those policies are much more dangerous than how much red dye is in your food," @protectourcare.org's leader said. "You can’t eat if you’re dead”
Dems crafting messaging for 2026 think the latter will matter more.
"Those policies are much more dangerous than how much red dye is in your food," @protectourcare.org's leader said. "You can’t eat if you’re dead”
November 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
RFK's food/wellness views are popular. His vaccine stance & research cuts are not.
Dems crafting messaging for 2026 think the latter will matter more.
"Those policies are much more dangerous than how much red dye is in your food," @protectourcare.org's leader said. "You can’t eat if you’re dead”
Dems crafting messaging for 2026 think the latter will matter more.
"Those policies are much more dangerous than how much red dye is in your food," @protectourcare.org's leader said. "You can’t eat if you’re dead”
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
Leyden's photos sparked multiple reactions on X-Twitter.
Among them:
Gulf War veteran Stan Walters opined that the inflated cost of the construction for Trump's ballroom didn't add up, writing: "Ballrooms don't cost $3,000 sq/ft. This is weird as all hell."
www.rawstory.com/americans-ho...
Among them:
Gulf War veteran Stan Walters opined that the inflated cost of the construction for Trump's ballroom didn't add up, writing: "Ballrooms don't cost $3,000 sq/ft. This is weird as all hell."
www.rawstory.com/americans-ho...
Americans 'horrified' as new image of Trump's White House 'wreckage' emerges
One new photo of the construction site of what used to be the East Wing of the White House is prompting outrage among Americans on social media.While on assignment for Getty Images, freelance photogra...
www.rawstory.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Leyden's photos sparked multiple reactions on X-Twitter.
Among them:
Gulf War veteran Stan Walters opined that the inflated cost of the construction for Trump's ballroom didn't add up, writing: "Ballrooms don't cost $3,000 sq/ft. This is weird as all hell."
www.rawstory.com/americans-ho...
Among them:
Gulf War veteran Stan Walters opined that the inflated cost of the construction for Trump's ballroom didn't add up, writing: "Ballrooms don't cost $3,000 sq/ft. This is weird as all hell."
www.rawstory.com/americans-ho...
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
YELLEN: “.. businesses feel paralyzed by the uncertainty about policies that represent the strong but really personal whims of a single individual.”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 14, 2025 at 12:54 PM
YELLEN: “.. businesses feel paralyzed by the uncertainty about policies that represent the strong but really personal whims of a single individual.”
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
Michael Wolff stood at the hinge of history. He could have stopped a predator. He could have exposed a liar and authoritarian before he reached the White House. Instead, he guarded their secrets. Survivors are paying the price. Our country is paying the price.
November 14, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Michael Wolff stood at the hinge of history. He could have stopped a predator. He could have exposed a liar and authoritarian before he reached the White House. Instead, he guarded their secrets. Survivors are paying the price. Our country is paying the price.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
30 years ago, companies laid people off as a last resort during financial crises. Now, Amazon, Meta, & Microsoft lay off 1000s while posting record profits - not because they're struggling, but because Wall Street rewards layoffs with stock price bumps. Workers went from assets to expenses #Layoffs
October 28, 2025 at 6:38 PM
30 years ago, companies laid people off as a last resort during financial crises. Now, Amazon, Meta, & Microsoft lay off 1000s while posting record profits - not because they're struggling, but because Wall Street rewards layoffs with stock price bumps. Workers went from assets to expenses #Layoffs
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
the depravity...
the depravity...
November 14, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
the depravity...
the depravity...
Seriously, Bluesky? The unwarranted suspension smacks of incompetent AI, but how you’re handling this suggests human incompetence. Hire an experienced strategic comms professional posthaste, and let them build a team.
November 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Seriously, Bluesky? The unwarranted suspension smacks of incompetent AI, but how you’re handling this suggests human incompetence. Hire an experienced strategic comms professional posthaste, and let them build a team.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
So….we’re headed in to the Caligula part, aren’t we?
Madness, crazy immorality, the humiliation of senators…
Madness, crazy immorality, the humiliation of senators…
America has long feared it would suffer the same fate as the Roman republic, but never quite truly appreciated how utterly absurd Roman elites had become by the time of the late republic.
November 13, 2025 at 1:25 PM
So….we’re headed in to the Caligula part, aren’t we?
Madness, crazy immorality, the humiliation of senators…
Madness, crazy immorality, the humiliation of senators…
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
A Conservative view of mine: Hume was spot on to criticize the Stoics for disregarding reputation.
We need to bring back shame, fear for reputation.
Like: giving a public speech to defend promoting a proud, sneering NAZI—then mumbling “I don’t know much about him”—is craven and filthy.
We need to bring back shame, fear for reputation.
Like: giving a public speech to defend promoting a proud, sneering NAZI—then mumbling “I don’t know much about him”—is craven and filthy.
In Explaining His Gaffe, Heritage Foundation Leader Pleads Ignorance
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
A Conservative view of mine: Hume was spot on to criticize the Stoics for disregarding reputation.
We need to bring back shame, fear for reputation.
Like: giving a public speech to defend promoting a proud, sneering NAZI—then mumbling “I don’t know much about him”—is craven and filthy.
We need to bring back shame, fear for reputation.
Like: giving a public speech to defend promoting a proud, sneering NAZI—then mumbling “I don’t know much about him”—is craven and filthy.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
Go take a listen to this starting at about the 3:50 minute mark & then ponder it a little.
youtu.be/XGnfLs-G2p4?...
youtu.be/XGnfLs-G2p4?...
Lawrence: Trump says 65% of Americans are ‘FOOLS!’
YouTube video by MSNBC
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Go take a listen to this starting at about the 3:50 minute mark & then ponder it a little.
youtu.be/XGnfLs-G2p4?...
youtu.be/XGnfLs-G2p4?...
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
Please find our comment describing concerns about this review:
www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
@mikejohansenmd.medsky.social @hswapnil.medsky.social @rnflex.bsky.social
www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
@mikejohansenmd.medsky.social @hswapnil.medsky.social @rnflex.bsky.social
www.cochranelibrary.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Please find our comment describing concerns about this review:
www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
@mikejohansenmd.medsky.social @hswapnil.medsky.social @rnflex.bsky.social
www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10....
@mikejohansenmd.medsky.social @hswapnil.medsky.social @rnflex.bsky.social
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
Texans over the age of 45 are among those statewide who are seeing the highest rise in their premiums this open enrollment, according to health policy experts.
Older Texans among those paying the most for ACA insurance
About 1 million Texans with ACA health plans are over the age of 45, and many of them will pay monthly premiums that are more than $1,000.
www.texastribune.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Texans over the age of 45 are among those statewide who are seeing the highest rise in their premiums this open enrollment, according to health policy experts.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
I realize there's a collective shrug from the media but I personally find it so deeply shameful & so utterly repulsive that the Director of the NIH, Jay Bhattacharya, and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Martin Makary, are rubbing shoulders with RFK Jr's buddy Russell Brand
Russell Brand FFS
Russell Brand FFS
i’ve added alt text
November 11, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I realize there's a collective shrug from the media but I personally find it so deeply shameful & so utterly repulsive that the Director of the NIH, Jay Bhattacharya, and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Martin Makary, are rubbing shoulders with RFK Jr's buddy Russell Brand
Russell Brand FFS
Russell Brand FFS
I wish @sharonastyk.bsky.social were wrong, but I don’t think she is.
November 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I wish @sharonastyk.bsky.social were wrong, but I don’t think she is.
Reposted by Sense & Synthesis
NEW: ProPublica examined months of Fox News’ coverage and reviewed over 700 videos posted on social media.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence was misleading.
www.propublica.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
NEW: ProPublica examined months of Fox News’ coverage and reviewed over 700 videos posted on social media.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
This is a big, important story, a long time coming.
I just worry that media coverage of it will eclipse reporting on the blatant, unprecedented corruption and dysfunction at highest levels of U.S. government.
This regime is media-savvy knows how to use whack-a-mole as a strategy.
I just worry that media coverage of it will eclipse reporting on the blatant, unprecedented corruption and dysfunction at highest levels of U.S. government.
This regime is media-savvy knows how to use whack-a-mole as a strategy.
In case you’re wondering whether NYT considers this to be an important story.
November 12, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This is a big, important story, a long time coming.
I just worry that media coverage of it will eclipse reporting on the blatant, unprecedented corruption and dysfunction at highest levels of U.S. government.
This regime is media-savvy knows how to use whack-a-mole as a strategy.
I just worry that media coverage of it will eclipse reporting on the blatant, unprecedented corruption and dysfunction at highest levels of U.S. government.
This regime is media-savvy knows how to use whack-a-mole as a strategy.