Twirling towards Freedom
@twirlingtofreedom.bsky.social
Sometimes I rage against the machine.
Sometimes I anxiety bake.
But always I'm twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom.
Grew up in Texas, lived in NYC, live in Colorado, survive in the USofA
Sometimes I anxiety bake.
But always I'm twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom.
Grew up in Texas, lived in NYC, live in Colorado, survive in the USofA
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
a lot of words, none of them denying that Hegseth gave an order to kill helpless people who were stranded at sea after he blew up their boats
November 29, 2025 at 12:47 AM
a lot of words, none of them denying that Hegseth gave an order to kill helpless people who were stranded at sea after he blew up their boats
When asked by a reporter about the fact that as a former CIA asset, Lakanwal had been vetted, Trump repeatedly berated the reporter as "stupid."
Asked by another reporter whether he blamed all Afghans for the alleged actions of one, Trump said: "No, but there's a lot of problems with Afghans."
Asked by another reporter whether he blamed all Afghans for the alleged actions of one, Trump said: "No, but there's a lot of problems with Afghans."
After the alleged shooter was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal — a 29-year-old Afghan national — Trump said he would permanently shut down immigration from impoverished countries. n.pr/4roPiE2
Trump vows 'permanent pause' on some immigration after National Guard shooting
After the alleged shooter was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal — a 29-year-old Afghan national — Trump said he would permanently shut down immigration from impoverished countries.
n.pr
November 28, 2025 at 11:57 PM
When asked by a reporter about the fact that as a former CIA asset, Lakanwal had been vetted, Trump repeatedly berated the reporter as "stupid."
Asked by another reporter whether he blamed all Afghans for the alleged actions of one, Trump said: "No, but there's a lot of problems with Afghans."
Asked by another reporter whether he blamed all Afghans for the alleged actions of one, Trump said: "No, but there's a lot of problems with Afghans."
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
The DHS account continues to show the Trump regime’s true colors
November 28, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The DHS account continues to show the Trump regime’s true colors
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
Don’t forget to take advantage of matching to make your #HCWvsHunger dollars go further.
5x match @unicefusa.org
5x match @careorg.bsky.social
3x match @nokidhungry.org
And then log your donation under your favorite team at HCWvsHunger.org
5x match @unicefusa.org
5x match @careorg.bsky.social
3x match @nokidhungry.org
And then log your donation under your favorite team at HCWvsHunger.org
Healthcare Workers vs Hunger
Healthcare workers vs Hunger is an annual friendly competition between teams of healthcare workers to help relieve food insecurity.
HCWvsHunger.org
November 28, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Don’t forget to take advantage of matching to make your #HCWvsHunger dollars go further.
5x match @unicefusa.org
5x match @careorg.bsky.social
3x match @nokidhungry.org
And then log your donation under your favorite team at HCWvsHunger.org
5x match @unicefusa.org
5x match @careorg.bsky.social
3x match @nokidhungry.org
And then log your donation under your favorite team at HCWvsHunger.org
When I lived in NYC, I would religiously wash my hands and remove my shoes at the door when I got home.
But also, NYC folx were awesome during COVID, re: masks and distancing. When I visited other states in the fuzzy aftermath, I was shocked by the indifferent lack of masking.
Learn from the subway.
But also, NYC folx were awesome during COVID, re: masks and distancing. When I visited other states in the fuzzy aftermath, I was shocked by the indifferent lack of masking.
Learn from the subway.
More seriously, one time I was riding the subway and I saw a guy (pre-Covid) sneeze a bucket of snot onto his hands and then wipe it on the subway pole.
Unrelated, I always wash my hands when I get off the subway.
Unrelated, I always wash my hands when I get off the subway.
November 28, 2025 at 10:20 PM
When I lived in NYC, I would religiously wash my hands and remove my shoes at the door when I got home.
But also, NYC folx were awesome during COVID, re: masks and distancing. When I visited other states in the fuzzy aftermath, I was shocked by the indifferent lack of masking.
Learn from the subway.
But also, NYC folx were awesome during COVID, re: masks and distancing. When I visited other states in the fuzzy aftermath, I was shocked by the indifferent lack of masking.
Learn from the subway.
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
📣 Being a journalist can take a heavy toll. Media Resilience Network is working to lessen the load.
If you're a U.S.-based journalist, fill out their mental health survey to help them shape peer support, trauma-informed care, and community partnerships:
If you're a U.S.-based journalist, fill out their mental health survey to help them shape peer support, trauma-informed care, and community partnerships:
Stay Tuned: a US journalism mental health survey
Being a journalist these days is tough and we know you are going through a lot.
The Media Resilience Network aims to enhance the well-being and capacity of journalists and media organizations through peer support, trauma-informed care, collaborative problem-solving and community partnerships — building resilience from the inside out.
To better help us help you, please fill out the following questionnaire.
Many of the prompts are open for you to share as much, or as little, as you feel comfortable with.
If you need mental help immediately, please contact our team at [email protected]....
docs.google.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
📣 Being a journalist can take a heavy toll. Media Resilience Network is working to lessen the load.
If you're a U.S.-based journalist, fill out their mental health survey to help them shape peer support, trauma-informed care, and community partnerships:
If you're a U.S.-based journalist, fill out their mental health survey to help them shape peer support, trauma-informed care, and community partnerships:
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
h/t @adamwren.bsky.social
Michael Bohacek, a Republican state senator from Indiana who has a daughter with down syndrome, says he will vote against redistricting in Indiana after Trump used the word "retarded."
Michael Bohacek, a Republican state senator from Indiana who has a daughter with down syndrome, says he will vote against redistricting in Indiana after Trump used the word "retarded."
November 28, 2025 at 8:57 PM
h/t @adamwren.bsky.social
Michael Bohacek, a Republican state senator from Indiana who has a daughter with down syndrome, says he will vote against redistricting in Indiana after Trump used the word "retarded."
Michael Bohacek, a Republican state senator from Indiana who has a daughter with down syndrome, says he will vote against redistricting in Indiana after Trump used the word "retarded."
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
If you want to know why Hegseth is panicking about reminders that there is accountably for giving or carrying out illegal orders, it’s likely because he knows he has given illegal orders to murder people.
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
If you want to know why Hegseth is panicking about reminders that there is accountably for giving or carrying out illegal orders, it’s likely because he knows he has given illegal orders to murder people.
The lowest of the low for ICE to detain Native Americans. Disgusting.
"Elaine Miles, an Indigenous actor, was stopped by 4 masked men... She offered them her ID card from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon but was told by an ICE agent that “anyone can make that.”"
"Elaine Miles, an Indigenous actor, was stopped by 4 masked men... She offered them her ID card from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon but was told by an ICE agent that “anyone can make that.”"
Native American actor says she was detained by ICE officers who said tribal ID ‘looked fake’
Elaine Miles of Northern Exposure was stopped by four masked men in Seattle while walking to bus stop
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The lowest of the low for ICE to detain Native Americans. Disgusting.
"Elaine Miles, an Indigenous actor, was stopped by 4 masked men... She offered them her ID card from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon but was told by an ICE agent that “anyone can make that.”"
"Elaine Miles, an Indigenous actor, was stopped by 4 masked men... She offered them her ID card from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon but was told by an ICE agent that “anyone can make that.”"
Humans are so species-centric we assume no other animals can do what we do, rather than acknowledge that we don't understand animals (as opposed to them not understanding us).
Macaques can tap along to a musical beat, according to a new study in Science—findings that upend the assumption that only animals with vocal-learning abilities can find and move to a groove.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/484iqZS
Learn more: https://scim.ag/484iqZS
November 28, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Humans are so species-centric we assume no other animals can do what we do, rather than acknowledge that we don't understand animals (as opposed to them not understanding us).
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
Collective, racist punishment.
November 27, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Collective, racist punishment.
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
Dear foreign nationals in war-torn countries, terrorism hot-spots, and amidst our enemies:
If you help the United States, we’ll fuck you over and abandon you. Not the individual servicepeople or intelligence officers — they’ll fight for you. I mean the depraved, soulless leadership of the nation.
If you help the United States, we’ll fuck you over and abandon you. Not the individual servicepeople or intelligence officers — they’ll fight for you. I mean the depraved, soulless leadership of the nation.
So now they’re going to be doing individualized re-review of tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees’ cases on TOP of the re-review of 200,000+ refugees who entered under Biden?
November 27, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Dear foreign nationals in war-torn countries, terrorism hot-spots, and amidst our enemies:
If you help the United States, we’ll fuck you over and abandon you. Not the individual servicepeople or intelligence officers — they’ll fight for you. I mean the depraved, soulless leadership of the nation.
If you help the United States, we’ll fuck you over and abandon you. Not the individual servicepeople or intelligence officers — they’ll fight for you. I mean the depraved, soulless leadership of the nation.
Without knowing any details, it is horrific, saddening and wholly unsurprising that Trump & Co jump to attack the US immigration system and Afghans who supported our troops. I'm very concerned for our refugee neighbors.
(I appreciate the Guardian's use of "In a deeply partisan statement...")
(I appreciate the Guardian's use of "In a deeply partisan statement...")
Washington DC shooting: Trump calls shooting of national guard members ‘an act of terror’, vows new scrutiny of immigrants – as it happened
This live blog is now closed.
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Without knowing any details, it is horrific, saddening and wholly unsurprising that Trump & Co jump to attack the US immigration system and Afghans who supported our troops. I'm very concerned for our refugee neighbors.
(I appreciate the Guardian's use of "In a deeply partisan statement...")
(I appreciate the Guardian's use of "In a deeply partisan statement...")
Our country is whack; you deserve a treat.
From the Magnolia Bakery Handbook, bake up the recipe for Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
#anxietybaking
Surprisingly, not overpowered by the eponymous ingredients. Tastes like scrumptious, chocolatey brownies.
From the Magnolia Bakery Handbook, bake up the recipe for Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
#anxietybaking
Surprisingly, not overpowered by the eponymous ingredients. Tastes like scrumptious, chocolatey brownies.
November 27, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Our country is whack; you deserve a treat.
From the Magnolia Bakery Handbook, bake up the recipe for Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
#anxietybaking
Surprisingly, not overpowered by the eponymous ingredients. Tastes like scrumptious, chocolatey brownies.
From the Magnolia Bakery Handbook, bake up the recipe for Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
#anxietybaking
Surprisingly, not overpowered by the eponymous ingredients. Tastes like scrumptious, chocolatey brownies.
Tell me you're a thug without scrolling it out in tacky stick-on gold lettering. Trump is a thug; a petty, vindictive, snowflake-y thug.
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
November 27, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Tell me you're a thug without scrolling it out in tacky stick-on gold lettering. Trump is a thug; a petty, vindictive, snowflake-y thug.
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
About 40% of SNAP recipients are children. Around half of ALL children in the country are covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
And the so-called “party of family values” gutted both programs by billions of dollars.
Doesn’t sound very pro-family to me.
And the so-called “party of family values” gutted both programs by billions of dollars.
Doesn’t sound very pro-family to me.
November 26, 2025 at 10:30 PM
About 40% of SNAP recipients are children. Around half of ALL children in the country are covered by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
And the so-called “party of family values” gutted both programs by billions of dollars.
Doesn’t sound very pro-family to me.
And the so-called “party of family values” gutted both programs by billions of dollars.
Doesn’t sound very pro-family to me.
While Trump's remodeling, he should paint the White House black in commemoration of all of the deaths he's caused.
"Cuts by the US and other countries could result in 10 million additional HIV infections, including 1 MILLION CHILDREN + 3 MILLION ADDITIONAL DEATHS over the next 5 years."
"Cuts by the US and other countries could result in 10 million additional HIV infections, including 1 MILLION CHILDREN + 3 MILLION ADDITIONAL DEATHS over the next 5 years."
SCOOP: The Trump administration has instructed employees and grantees not to use U.S. funds to commemorate World AIDS Day — because the observance was started by the World Health Organization.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/h...
Trump Administration Cancels U.S. Observance of World AIDS Day
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
While Trump's remodeling, he should paint the White House black in commemoration of all of the deaths he's caused.
"Cuts by the US and other countries could result in 10 million additional HIV infections, including 1 MILLION CHILDREN + 3 MILLION ADDITIONAL DEATHS over the next 5 years."
"Cuts by the US and other countries could result in 10 million additional HIV infections, including 1 MILLION CHILDREN + 3 MILLION ADDITIONAL DEATHS over the next 5 years."
Should you need it...
Leslie Jones Stops Your Annoying Relatives from Ruining Thanksgiving | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Should you need it...
Why deter international visitors to our parks? Perhaps just to lower NPS income and justify future resource removal?
Also, dreading getting a new annual pass w his friggin’ mug on it. Will have to find a Mr Yuck sticker to cover it up.
Also, dreading getting a new annual pass w his friggin’ mug on it. Will have to find a Mr Yuck sticker to cover it up.
US triples national park fee for non-residents, amid ‘new’ fee for Americans
Interior department, which has defunded conservation organizations, claims fee hike is for conservation
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Why deter international visitors to our parks? Perhaps just to lower NPS income and justify future resource removal?
Also, dreading getting a new annual pass w his friggin’ mug on it. Will have to find a Mr Yuck sticker to cover it up.
Also, dreading getting a new annual pass w his friggin’ mug on it. Will have to find a Mr Yuck sticker to cover it up.
A ProPublica and FRONTLINE "review found 24+ cases in which officers deployed 'less lethal' weapons in ways that appear to flout the government’s own rules, including by aiming at someone’s head, spine or groin and deploying chemical agents at moving vehicles or near children."
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear g...
www.propublica.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:04 PM
A ProPublica and FRONTLINE "review found 24+ cases in which officers deployed 'less lethal' weapons in ways that appear to flout the government’s own rules, including by aiming at someone’s head, spine or groin and deploying chemical agents at moving vehicles or near children."
May karma be swift on anyone who has sold their soul by working as an ICE thug.
Where ICE Takes People—And Where They Send Them Next
www.wired.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:03 PM
May karma be swift on anyone who has sold their soul by working as an ICE thug.
People are already being violently abducted, despite 70% not having criminal convictions and/or lawfully attending court hearings regarding their status. Now they're going to hunt them down as if they're terrorists? This is vile, inhumane and xenophobic.
NEW: ICE has torn up its $180M cap on a proposed immigrant-tracking program and is now guaranteeing private surveillance firms at least $7.5M each, with potential payouts reaching $281M per vendor. The change signals a shift from “pilot” to full-scale outsourcing of street-level investigative work.
ICE Offers Up to $280 Million to Immigrant-Tracking ‘Bounty Hunter’ Firms
Immigration and Customs Enforcement lifted a $180 million cap on a proposed immigrant-tracking program while guaranteeing multimillion-dollar payouts for private surveillance firms.
www.wired.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM
People are already being violently abducted, despite 70% not having criminal convictions and/or lawfully attending court hearings regarding their status. Now they're going to hunt them down as if they're terrorists? This is vile, inhumane and xenophobic.
This effin' guy.
At an NRA convention, Patel had his gf protected by "two agents, members of a specialized unit trained to storm barricaded buildings and rescue hostages." They left early, and "Patel ripped into the team’s commander, saying (she) had been left without taxpayer-funded defenders."
At an NRA convention, Patel had his gf protected by "two agents, members of a specialized unit trained to storm barricaded buildings and rescue hostages." They left early, and "Patel ripped into the team’s commander, saying (she) had been left without taxpayer-funded defenders."
Patel Under Scrutiny for Use of SWAT Teams to Protect His Girlfriend
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
This effin' guy.
At an NRA convention, Patel had his gf protected by "two agents, members of a specialized unit trained to storm barricaded buildings and rescue hostages." They left early, and "Patel ripped into the team’s commander, saying (she) had been left without taxpayer-funded defenders."
At an NRA convention, Patel had his gf protected by "two agents, members of a specialized unit trained to storm barricaded buildings and rescue hostages." They left early, and "Patel ripped into the team’s commander, saying (she) had been left without taxpayer-funded defenders."
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
As a survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Viola Ford Fletcher bravely shared her story so that we’d never forget this painful part of our history. Michelle and I are grateful for her lifelong work to advance civil rights, and send our love to her family.
Viola Fletcher, Oldest Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Dies at 111
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:45 AM
As a survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, Viola Ford Fletcher bravely shared her story so that we’d never forget this painful part of our history. Michelle and I are grateful for her lifelong work to advance civil rights, and send our love to her family.
Reposted by Twirling towards Freedom
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.