Wendy Orent
@wendyorent.bsky.social
Science writer, anthropologist, Ph.D. (fieldwork in Israel), member of plague lovers' society, disease evolution nerd, author of Plague, co-author of Biowarrior, I.V. Domaradskij's memoir. Former science writing instructor at Emory.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
"My constituents cannot afford this. Some of my constituents cannot survive this."
December 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
"My constituents cannot afford this. Some of my constituents cannot survive this."
Reposted by Wendy Orent
I’ve had enough of this s***. If Sen Cassidy were really serious about “doing no harm” as he once swore to do, he’d lead calls for impeachment of RFK Jr TODAY!
December 9, 2025 at 11:11 PM
I’ve had enough of this s***. If Sen Cassidy were really serious about “doing no harm” as he once swore to do, he’d lead calls for impeachment of RFK Jr TODAY!
Reposted by Wendy Orent
Walker tried to warn everyone. Over and over again.
What’s wild is that they might actually get their way with Kennedy in charge at HHS and Makary, Prasad, and Høeg at FDA.
Anti-vaxxers are setting the course.
Anti-vaxxers are setting the course.
December 9, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Walker tried to warn everyone. Over and over again.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
Children’s Health Defense is now asking the FDA to revoke “COVID vax licenses” and review the RSV shot.
This is insanity.
This is insanity.
December 9, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Children’s Health Defense is now asking the FDA to revoke “COVID vax licenses” and review the RSV shot.
This is insanity.
This is insanity.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
There are very few people I know well enough to actively hate
but my utter despite for Bhattacharya comes close.
It's truly the laughter of the universe I hear when I realize that he's statistically no more or less likely than anyone else to die when the next pandemic hits.
but my utter despite for Bhattacharya comes close.
It's truly the laughter of the universe I hear when I realize that he's statistically no more or less likely than anyone else to die when the next pandemic hits.
In fall 2021 Bhattacharya aid we should treat covid as 1 of 200 diseases.
He is still tweeting about lockdowns *today* even though he is also NIH director.
He is still tweeting about lockdowns *today* even though he is also NIH director.
December 5, 2025 at 5:05 AM
There are very few people I know well enough to actively hate
but my utter despite for Bhattacharya comes close.
It's truly the laughter of the universe I hear when I realize that he's statistically no more or less likely than anyone else to die when the next pandemic hits.
but my utter despite for Bhattacharya comes close.
It's truly the laughter of the universe I hear when I realize that he's statistically no more or less likely than anyone else to die when the next pandemic hits.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
This is actually a good example of why the customer model is wrong.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
If you are providing me with an education that is low utility in the world then it’s a disservice. My composition class spent four weeks on poetry. I’m sorry, but that only would’ve been useful if I wanted to be a poet. I don’t need to know iambic pentameter in order to be a victim advocate.
December 9, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This is actually a good example of why the customer model is wrong.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
It wasn’t always like this. There was a time when you saw women in Muslim-majority countries wearing swimsuits on public beaches, going to university. There was a time where Islamic countries were embracing progressive ideals, moving forwards not backwards.
March 31, 2025 at 1:54 PM
It wasn’t always like this. There was a time when you saw women in Muslim-majority countries wearing swimsuits on public beaches, going to university. There was a time where Islamic countries were embracing progressive ideals, moving forwards not backwards.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
As I said for many months, Hamas was stealing and hoarding aid to consolidate their control over Gazans and profit from selling aid to desperate Gazans to fund their terrorism.
Thank you, @afalkhatib.bsky.social.
Thank you, @afalkhatib.bsky.social.
December 9, 2025 at 6:47 PM
As I said for many months, Hamas was stealing and hoarding aid to consolidate their control over Gazans and profit from selling aid to desperate Gazans to fund their terrorism.
Thank you, @afalkhatib.bsky.social.
Thank you, @afalkhatib.bsky.social.
As if...
Wheeee….thanks for the tag!!!
This is fun, Fuentes is a virgin And no one is shocked.
@thetimeline.bsky.social
@edengk.bsky.social
@skyyblue6.bsky.social
@grateful-1.bsky.social
@tunk612.bsky.social
This is fun, Fuentes is a virgin And no one is shocked.
@thetimeline.bsky.social
@edengk.bsky.social
@skyyblue6.bsky.social
@grateful-1.bsky.social
@tunk612.bsky.social
Woman-Hating Podcaster Admits He’s Never Slept With a Woman
Nick Fuentes addressed his intimate affairs as he sparred with conservative pundit Piers Morgan.
www.thedailybeast.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
As if...
Reposted by Wendy Orent
I don’t think all the people talking about shingles today appear to know about valacyclovir. It’s an antiviral. You must get on it within 72 hours. It’s a life-changing drug. People need to practice shingles awareness at any age, and even if they’re vaccinated. Breakthrough infections are a thing.
December 9, 2025 at 5:29 AM
I don’t think all the people talking about shingles today appear to know about valacyclovir. It’s an antiviral. You must get on it within 72 hours. It’s a life-changing drug. People need to practice shingles awareness at any age, and even if they’re vaccinated. Breakthrough infections are a thing.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
Reposted by Wendy Orent
James Garfield was murdered by a man who thought he deserved a government job. Chester Arthur—once a machine politician—responded by helping create civil service reform.
Today’s GOP wants to undo that progress and return to patronage politics.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
Today’s GOP wants to undo that progress and return to patronage politics.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
The GOP’s War on Civil Service: A Rejection of Its Own History
A look at how Garfield’s murder and Arthur’s unexpected courage created modern civil service protections—and why today’s GOP is trying to dismantle them.
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
James Garfield was murdered by a man who thought he deserved a government job. Chester Arthur—once a machine politician—responded by helping create civil service reform.
Today’s GOP wants to undo that progress and return to patronage politics.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
Today’s GOP wants to undo that progress and return to patronage politics.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
Reposted by Wendy Orent
"Don't be dramatic" is straight-up misogyny.
another day ending in a Y = another day he belittles or attacks a woman in the media
another day ending in a Y = another day he belittles or attacks a woman in the media
Trump to holiday shoppers concerned about high prices:
"Look, don't be dramatic."
"Look, don't be dramatic."
December 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"Don't be dramatic" is straight-up misogyny.
another day ending in a Y = another day he belittles or attacks a woman in the media
another day ending in a Y = another day he belittles or attacks a woman in the media
Reposted by Wendy Orent
The idea of it sounds romantic and rugged, but the reality is: tiny screen, terrible ergonomics, zero focus, and your thumbs begging for mercy.
Some claims are inspiring… others are just marketing.
Some claims are inspiring… others are just marketing.
I have to say, the notion/claim that someone could seriously write a book on a phone while hiking is simply ridiculous to me.
December 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The idea of it sounds romantic and rugged, but the reality is: tiny screen, terrible ergonomics, zero focus, and your thumbs begging for mercy.
Some claims are inspiring… others are just marketing.
Some claims are inspiring… others are just marketing.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
"Antisemitism was also a significant element of almost every other modern nationalist movement to have emerged in a nation with a significant Jewish minority." They're not only strongly correlated, I'm hard pressed to think of even a single counterexample. Good piece from @ilyasomin.bsky.social:
Nationalism Is Driving the Neo Right’s Virulent Antisemitic Turn
Its zero-sum mentality is fundamentally at odds with American universalism that defends the equal rights of all
www.theunpopulist.net
December 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
"Antisemitism was also a significant element of almost every other modern nationalist movement to have emerged in a nation with a significant Jewish minority." They're not only strongly correlated, I'm hard pressed to think of even a single counterexample. Good piece from @ilyasomin.bsky.social:
Reposted by Wendy Orent
In the general case, Jews had long been seen as "non-white" in European racialist rankings.
In the specific case of the Nazis, the Jews were see as anti-humans, not just as inferior, but rather as creatures undeserving of life.
Also, on a personal note: fuck you, you ignorant bigot.
In the specific case of the Nazis, the Jews were see as anti-humans, not just as inferior, but rather as creatures undeserving of life.
Also, on a personal note: fuck you, you ignorant bigot.
@malachitetiger.bsky.social @mixiekitten.goodgirls.onl @jane.inurhead.lol @gothic.wtf
So you admit that Anne Frank being white made her life easier than if she was Black. That's called WHITE PRIVILEGE.
Stop whitesplaining.
So you admit that Anne Frank being white made her life easier than if she was Black. That's called WHITE PRIVILEGE.
Stop whitesplaining.
At what point did I ever say she would have had an easier time if she was black? I don't imagine it would be.
I'm saying she did not escape from Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
For the record both Jewish and Black people were still able to leave Germany in 1934 when her family did.
I'm saying she did not escape from Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
For the record both Jewish and Black people were still able to leave Germany in 1934 when her family did.
December 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
In the general case, Jews had long been seen as "non-white" in European racialist rankings.
In the specific case of the Nazis, the Jews were see as anti-humans, not just as inferior, but rather as creatures undeserving of life.
Also, on a personal note: fuck you, you ignorant bigot.
In the specific case of the Nazis, the Jews were see as anti-humans, not just as inferior, but rather as creatures undeserving of life.
Also, on a personal note: fuck you, you ignorant bigot.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
So much gutter antisemitism coming from allegedly 'pro-Palestine' ppl.
Half the reason Palestine is so thoroughly fucked is that they have the worst fucking friends. Ppl who see their cause as an excuse to own the Jews, and treat actual Palestinians as nothing other than morality play props.
Half the reason Palestine is so thoroughly fucked is that they have the worst fucking friends. Ppl who see their cause as an excuse to own the Jews, and treat actual Palestinians as nothing other than morality play props.
In the general case, Jews had long been seen as "non-white" in European racialist rankings.
In the specific case of the Nazis, the Jews were see as anti-humans, not just as inferior, but rather as creatures undeserving of life.
Also, on a personal note: fuck you, you ignorant bigot.
In the specific case of the Nazis, the Jews were see as anti-humans, not just as inferior, but rather as creatures undeserving of life.
Also, on a personal note: fuck you, you ignorant bigot.
@malachitetiger.bsky.social @mixiekitten.goodgirls.onl @jane.inurhead.lol @gothic.wtf
So you admit that Anne Frank being white made her life easier than if she was Black. That's called WHITE PRIVILEGE.
Stop whitesplaining.
So you admit that Anne Frank being white made her life easier than if she was Black. That's called WHITE PRIVILEGE.
Stop whitesplaining.
December 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
So much gutter antisemitism coming from allegedly 'pro-Palestine' ppl.
Half the reason Palestine is so thoroughly fucked is that they have the worst fucking friends. Ppl who see their cause as an excuse to own the Jews, and treat actual Palestinians as nothing other than morality play props.
Half the reason Palestine is so thoroughly fucked is that they have the worst fucking friends. Ppl who see their cause as an excuse to own the Jews, and treat actual Palestinians as nothing other than morality play props.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
I'm sure that farmers who were upset that a single mom in Atlanta was receiving SNAP benefits to buy their product to feed her child will be just as outraged that Trump's giving them a $12B bailout, right? Right? RIGHT?!?!
December 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I'm sure that farmers who were upset that a single mom in Atlanta was receiving SNAP benefits to buy their product to feed her child will be just as outraged that Trump's giving them a $12B bailout, right? Right? RIGHT?!?!
Maybe we need a Glorious Revolution of our own.
Like, now.
Like, now.
In The New Republic, historian Holly Brewer compares the Court's decision to Godden v. Hales, a 1686 case affirming that James II was above the law – which was only repudiated when James II was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution. newrepublic.com/article/1833...
December 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Maybe we need a Glorious Revolution of our own.
Like, now.
Like, now.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
If ya'll didn't have a problem with Beto O'Rourke running for senate and losing, then running for governor and losing, then contemplating yet ANOTHER run for senate earlier this year, then ya'll can shut the fuck up about Jasmine Crockett taking her shot at it.
December 9, 2025 at 4:56 AM
If ya'll didn't have a problem with Beto O'Rourke running for senate and losing, then running for governor and losing, then contemplating yet ANOTHER run for senate earlier this year, then ya'll can shut the fuck up about Jasmine Crockett taking her shot at it.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
Unforgivable in every single way.
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Torture Techniques from CIA Black Sites Were Used at Alligator Alcatraz
Amnesty International, interviewing migrant detainees, identifies use of the confinement box. There can be no denying it is a torture prison
www.forever-wars.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Unforgivable in every single way.
Mass block this MAGAt.
December 9, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Mass block this MAGAt.
Reposted by Wendy Orent
That’s a white supremacist privileged take. Your entitlement always wants more handed to you on a silver platter. Newsflash for Black people protection of Civil Rights and Voting Rights is the most fundamental progressive issue and Democrats always fight to protect that. I despise you far leftists
December 9, 2025 at 4:15 PM
That’s a white supremacist privileged take. Your entitlement always wants more handed to you on a silver platter. Newsflash for Black people protection of Civil Rights and Voting Rights is the most fundamental progressive issue and Democrats always fight to protect that. I despise you far leftists
Reposted by Wendy Orent
The guy at the heart of the Moosejaw wellness center is not even a real physician. When will the provincial government finally step in and do something. This is not the first quack who has set up shop hurting people poisoning people.
www.ctvnews.ca/regina/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/regina/artic...
College of Physicians confirms man leading Goodenowe Health Center not a licensed physician
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) has confirmed the man operating a wellness centre in Moose Jaw is not licensed as a physician in the province.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The guy at the heart of the Moosejaw wellness center is not even a real physician. When will the provincial government finally step in and do something. This is not the first quack who has set up shop hurting people poisoning people.
www.ctvnews.ca/regina/artic...
www.ctvnews.ca/regina/artic...
Yeah American farmers by and large supported Trump.
December 9, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Yeah American farmers by and large supported Trump.