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arcbender.bsky.social
CB Beal
@arcbender.bsky.social
1.3K followers 810 following 480 posts
They/them. Inclusion fairy. Educator. Neurospicy. UU.
Still Coviding. On Nipmuc land.
Preemptive Radical Inclusion. Clean Air, Community Care.
We Can't Fight Fascism If We Keep Getting Sick[er]
justiceandpeaceconsulting.com
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arcbender.bsky.social
Capitulation is capitulation.
Giving in to bullies, whether in Middle School, 🧊-y streets, or Congress, NEVER gets people free.

Dems, if you haven't learned about fascism (which might could explain why you keep doing the same thing you always did), start now.
On Tyranny, by Timothy Snyder.
🧵1/10
This is primarily a word-based image. It is written with the conceit of a To Do List. It reads: Fall chores from Nov 10 until completed Swap bug light string for holiday cheer string Refill sand and salt bins Replace broken snow shovel Get turkey, duck, and oil for the fryer Replace politicians too chickenshit to fight fascism. Tim Kaine Angus King Jeanne Shaheen Dick Durbin Catherine Cortez Masto John Fetterman Maggie Hassan Jacky Rosen “Do not speak of “our institutions unless you make them yours by acting on their behalf.” There is a small meme with a misspelled STOP sign painted on a street. It is spelled STPO, and it reads, "you only had one job." added to this meme is "hold the line against an authoritarian takeover." There is also a snip of the first paragraph of Lesson 2, which is quoted completely in the OP.
November 11, 2025 at 12:01 AM
arcbender.bsky.social
You know what goes up when airplanes stay on the ground?

The amount of other people's exhaled air swirling
around your faceholes.

We protect people by protecting them.
COVID, 🧊, food insecurity; all of it.
We protect and help one another, or we don't.
Simple.

Full alt text in image.
😷🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈♿🗽
This is a word based image. In the background is a partially transparent photo image of abouu 100 people in a weaving line at an airport. The words read, "What goes up when airplanes stay on the ground? The amount of other people's exhaled air swirling around your faceholes. Even though we are in a relative "lull," it's estimated that there will be 2 million new effingvirus cases a week for the next couple of weeks. But we're in month 2 of a CDC data blackout and thousands of people are piled on top of each other in airports and on airplanes for hours at a time.... it is bad. Even if you don't usually, this is a situation where you should wear a good well fitted respirator.."
November 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
lThe primary element is a line graph showing "% Test Positivity" over time, with the title "Where is zero, CDC?". The graph depicts a general downward trend followed by a recent upward spike. The Y-axis ranges from 4.0% to 14.0%, and the X-axis labels dates in 2024 and 2025 It shows 06/21/25 landing on the x axis, as if it were at zero. but the y axis ended too soon. A red arrow points to the left end of the horizontal axis, labeled "zero". It is far below the line meant to be the x axis In the upper right corner, there's a visual reference to the children's book "Harold and the Purple Crayon," showing the book cover and a purple doodle
September 6, 2025 at 2:44 AM
arcbender.bsky.social
Biff234523 over on that other platform noticed it.
I made a couple of images
because I forgot ti take my melatonin tonight

the changes are here
www.cdc.gov/covid/php/su...
The words "Where is zero, CDC?" are displayed in large, red text. Graph: A line graph displays the hospitalization rate per 100,000 population. The x-axis shows dates from "4/24" to "08/30/25." The y-axis shows rates from 1.0 to 4.0. The current specified hospitalization rate is "1.3" for the week ending 2025-08-30, with the previous week at 2.1. The line on the graph follows a downward trend. An arrow points toward the origin and is labeled "zero". this is far below the fake x axis On the right is the cover of the book "Harold and the Purple Crayon." The title is framed by a purple line. A simple drawing of Harold is present.
September 6, 2025 at 2:44 AM
arcbender.bsky.social
SinceTrump/RFK Jr/Doge fired most of the staff, it seems the CDC asked Harold to update the charts
The image is a criticism of the CDC and its handling of COVID-19 data. Top: Text reads "Trump/RFK Jr/Doge fired most of the staff, so the CDC asked Harold to update the charts." next to this is an image of Harold and the Purple Crayon Left Side: A line graph titled "Percentage of Emergency Department Visits with Diagnosed COVID-19 in United States, All Ages." The graph shows a wavy blue line representing the percentage over time, from November 2024 to August 2025. A red line overlays a portion of the blue line, circling it in the May 2025 data. Bottom Left: Text reads "May 28 = .04" beneath the left graph. Right Side: An image of the book cover "Harold and the Purple Crayon", next to a second graph. Right Side Graph: An image of a graph displaying "% ED visits diagnosed as COVID-19". The value '1.6%' is displayed with smaller text indicating the week ending 2025-08-30 and a previous week of 1.5%. Bottom Right: Text , "The same May 28 is now made to look like it is zero". There is a graph next to it with a smaller percent value indicated at the matching time on the horizontal axis these indicate that the graph is now made to appear to "bottom out" at zero, but really they have simply moved it off the graph entirely
September 6, 2025 at 2:44 AM
arcbender.bsky.social
Technically Measles, also airborne, is on the rise (Measles cases are at their highest rate in 33 years in the US) but it's not mistakable for a stomach flu or cold.

in other news, RFKJr gutting Healthcare means we have to tripledown on making sure we share truth
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This is the text from the attached screenshot of an article about the gutting of medical science in the US. "T***p news at a glance: How Robert F Kennedy Jr is cancelling medical science Measles on the rise and va**ination rates falling; EPA to be gutted of its crucial research function. Key US politics stories from Saturday 19 July at a glance Guardian staff Sat 19 Jul 2025 21.30 EDT “The current administration is waging a war on science,” warned Celine Gounder, a professor of medicine and an infectious disease expert at New York University in a keynote talk in May to graduates of Harvard’s School of Public Health. That war appeared to enter a new phase in the aftermath of a recent supreme court decision that empowered health and human services secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a prominent va**ine sceptic, and other agency leaders, to implement mass firings – effectively greenlighting the politicization of science."
July 20, 2025 at 4:40 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
I've seen a lot of posts about folks getting back from vacation exhausted – more than usual post-vacation tiredness – or having a flu or bad bug, allergies, or a 4-day sore throat "from shouting too much," or Norovirus bad.

But the only virus that's rising right now is the effingvirus.

1/
😷
OH! I should probably know this! A month of effingvirus, July 20, 2025. Image description: In the upper left hand of the corner of the image there are a number of speech bubbles that say things like "it's just a summer flu," "stomach bug," "just allergies," "Meh, a sore throat." "Exhausted from vacation," and "Um, honey, we're out of toilet paper…" There is a response that says NOPE. Nope. Nopeerini. No. It's probably not a "flu." The only thing rising in the United States right now is the effingvirus, new variants you aren't immune to. there's a six panel graph put out by waste water scans weekly data for this week, July 18, 2025. It indicates that SARS-COV-2 is high. Influenza A, Influenza B, RSV, HMPV, EV-D68 are all low. Further, it notes that these are not in seasonal onset, and that the effingvirus has medium concentrations and an upward trend in the last 21 days. The graph is displayed inside an image of a vintage television set. The same type comment in a speech bubble response reads, "thanks for the info, but I'm just gonna turn the dial for denial." The written response to that is "Oh, come on, don't be that guy. Be the hero who changes his destiny." Footnotes are provided from wastewater scan weekly data repeating the above with the addition of a commentary that it's probably not Norovirus either, and a quote from wastewater scan that says "Norovirus is in the low category nationally with low concentrations, and no significant upward or downward trend over the last three weeks."
July 20, 2025 at 4:35 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
This person keeps showing up in my Covid conscious feed so I blocked, but I mention it here so that you can too.
this is an screenshot of a post by user Jackie39.bsky.social. This person or bot has posted "bombshell study reveals: long Covid caused by mRNA jobs not "virus". To the right of this image are my own words that say Block. OFFS This is bullshit
July 2, 2025 at 9:13 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
this is an N 95 mask. See how it has a nose piece so it can fit closely around differently shaped noses and cheekbones, and secure straps to pull it over the head and neck so that it will fit tightly all around someone's face. Air and viruses can't get in like with those baggy ones you pictured.
this is an image of a white N 95 mask with two strong head straps. I just called a boat style because it comes in three panels in the middle panel is flat across the front from left to right. In Europe, these are called FFP2 or FFP3 masks. This image was originally slightly modified to avoid algorithmic suppression, but it reads mask up, flu, Covid, RSV, with images of little tiny viruses, and it says that respirator masks, air, filtration, and good ventilation stop all airborne viruses
May 27, 2025 at 6:58 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
It's TRUE FACT SATURDAY!
In a world of disinformation, we will do well to remind ourselves of what is true. Even things so-called papers of record get wrong.
I invite you to reply with things that are factually true. A link would be super helpful.

This post is an experiment.
The New York Times books posted, "with Jules Vern and the publisher Hugo Gurnsback, HG Wells invented the genre of science fiction. Mame-Fatou Niang post a response to this incorrect statement. when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818, (age 19) neither Jules Vern nor HG Wells were born yet. Allen Poe was nine. A teenage girl wrote what is still today considered the first science fiction novel. This article continues the long-standing tradition of erasing her.
May 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
Good Wednesday morning!

I have been playing Survival Songs by Derek Webb since it came out last week. I'm pretty sure you can find it on any platform.

Reply and let me know what you are listening to.
this is an image of the cover photo of the album Survival Songs by Derek Webb. It shows a light skinned person with brown hair from the back, holding headphones over their ears with each hand. The title, Survival Songs, is painted on the back of the denim jacket the person is wearing. note: I assume, but do not know, that the person is Derek Webb.
April 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
“Stay home if you don't feel well” doesn't help us protect each other when abt 1/2 of infectious Covid cases are people who don't have symptoms.
If they don't feel sick, they won't stay home.
But it sure passes the buck from organizations to individuals. It's time to take control of our air.
😷♿🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🗽
This is an image that contains a colorful pie chart that indicates that approximately 47% of Covid cases are asymptomatic. The words read: “Stay home if you don't feel well,” doesn't help us protect each other when almost half of infectious effingvirus cases are in people who don't experience symptoms. If they don't feel sick, they won't stay home. But, it surely does pass the buck from difficult decisions about upgrading air handling systems, ventilation, filtration, and wearing respirators from organizational/school/church/business leadership to the personal judgment of individuals. As the Republicans dismantle the federal safety net, we must double down on collective care.
April 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
Don't fall for FAKE images.
A falsified quote from Pam Bondi showed up in an Indivisible group yesterday. Using TINEYE dotcom, I created the comparison image below.

Outrage about falsified images and quotes is not actionable.

It is getting harder to tell, but there are ways to check.
🧵1/
Image description: a comparison between the original shots of Pam Bondi on Fox News. She has blonde hair and a light colored jacket, a slightly offcenter cross hanging around her neck, and black lapel microphone. On the original image, the caption reads, "one on one with Attorney General Pam Bondi." For comparison, there is an identical image where the only differences are that the caption reads: Bondi: "we hear you say "fuck Trump," and that's 15 years and El Salvador" and the words for the upcoming interview subject are blurred This image is identified as false.
April 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
MOOD. But not only mood, also invitation.

This is also an invitation to not give up. It is going to stay hard, and get harder. Create joy and connection. Increase interdependance and belonging.
Remember to rest, but not quit.
Love your people and let them love you.

#AllOfUsMeansAllOfUs
😷♿🏳️‍🌈🗽🏳️‍⚧️
This is a three panel comic. The first panel is a photograph if an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer and police officer in full gear including vests and huge ass guns, on an Amtrack train. The other two panels are a doodle 2 people. The first person has a freaking out expression. The second has a curious expression. The first asks the second, 'What are you freaking out about? You're citizen." the first says, "ICE going on trains and asking EVERYONE for ID. and in Florida a US Citizen is jail, and ICE isn't letting him out.": The second person says, "What's the worse that can happen? I mean, it' like people will decide to do like Covid, stop doing not the hard thing, and just take their chances?" There is a third person, sitting dejected on the floor. They are thinking, "Oh. shit." It is signed by me, cb/jpc
April 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
This Mask Fights Fascists. An Essay.
The same people dismantling our fed gov are those who got us to stop masking. This made us weaker, sicker, and less able to resist. & bonus for them- the Overton Window of Empathy shifted toward "Meh, not my problem."
justiceandpeaceconsulting.com/this-respira...
This is an image of lady liberty in WWII anti-fash clothing pointing firectly at the viewer. n N95 mask has been added to the original image. The original stated, 'RESISTING FASCISM IS YOUR AMERICAN DUTY! Added along with the N95 are the words, "Do all you can to stay healthy enough to be good at your part in the resistance. THIS MASK HELPS SAVE DEMOCRACY,'
April 9, 2025 at 1:37 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
Protect the vulnerable. You don't have to do a sit-in, get arrested, or hide someone in your closet; just wear a mask. The more we wear masks, the fewer airborne viruses can spread from person to person, and fewer people will die. It's science.
Be brave. Wear a respirator in closed, indoor spaces.
This is an image with a colorful flu virus. an MSN headline that reads Flu activity now highest in 15 years. and commentary. Damn. I wish there was something we could do to block viruses from getting inside our bodies. Oh, wait. If you are local to me, I have many different shapes and sizes of N95 quality respirator masks to give away. If you live elsewehere, check out Maskbloc.org to find free, high quality masks near you. love, CB
February 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
Are you losing your farm because USAID can't buy your grain? Or Elon yanked something else you contracted for? Can you afford to get sick?

Keep yourself healthier by wearing a respirator in crowded spaces to protect you from viruses. Just like you do in a silo to avoid Farmer’s Lung. Same thing.
A Fox news screenshot shows flu statistics: 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths. Damn, this is bad. I wish there was something we could do to block viruses from getting inside our bodies. Oh, wait. If you are local to me, I have many different shapes and sizes of N95 quality respirator masks to give away. If you live elsewehere, check out Maskbloc.org to find free, high quality masks near you. love, CB
February 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
If you time it right, your smart watch will congratulate 🎉you for getting up off the toilet. 🤣

Follow me here for more solid Anti-Fash exercise advice.

But for real, hydrate and mask. 😷 We can't fight fascism if we keep getting sicker.

love, me

#CovidIsNotOver #MaskingIsAntiFascist
♿🏳️‍⚧️🗽🏳️‍🌈
This is an image of a smiling piece of toast popping up out of an old fashioned toaster. it is colored mustard and teal. The words read: Anti-Fascist Toaster sez: If you time it right, your smart watch will congratulate you for getting up off the toilet. Hourly Stand Goal Achieved! Huzzah! Follow me for more Anti-Fascist exercise advice! But for real, hydrate with water, move your body as much as you can, and wear an N95/KN95/KF94-quality respirator mask to block airborne aerosol backwash. We can’t fight fascism if we keep getting sicker.
February 1, 2025 at 2:41 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
Nick Gottleib resisted.
We can resist in large and small ways, and must, every day.

It's not polite to resist, but it's the right thing.

The entire text of the email, as well as Marisa Kabas' context posted here on bsky, is in the alt description.
This is a three part image. The overall caption os WWMSD, or What Would Mr. Smith Do? Referring to the movie Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. it is then a snip of Marisa Kabas here on bluesky, providing context for the attached email. These texts read: Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social 2h Background: 60 USAID employees had been placed on leave for "undermining" Trump's executive orders. Nick Gottlieb was told by DOGE to then fire them. Instead he emailed all of them earlier saying he found no evidence of misconduct and used his power to take them off leave. Then he was put on leave. Update: Cancellation of Your Administrative Leave Status Under My Authority 1 message Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 2:04 PM All: [redacted] Attached, please find a memorandum documenting the cancellation of your administrative leave status under my authority. Before you get your hopes up, your systems accesses remain severed; you may receive another email within the day reinstating your leave status. However, that notice will not come from me. I have reviewed the materials that served as the purported basis for your placement in this status. Most of you had no role whatsoever in those materials. For the small number of you actually involved, the materials show no evidence that you engaged in misconduct. As a result, I no longer have authority to maintain you in this status. Someone else may claim to have that authority and I wish them the best in making a colorable argument to that end. I may not maintain my own accesses for much longer, so if you would like to stay in touch, I can be reached at |[redacted] I wish you all the best - you do not deserve this. Sincerely,
January 31, 2025 at 3:12 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
FYI.
The Mr. Smith Goes To Washington memes are designed for the older white Boomers and Builders in your lives. A hook of sorts, to help them imagine not continuing silent acquiescence which has served them via white supremacy for decades. Resisting with urgency and directness may be new to them.
This is an image from the movie Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. Mr. Smith stands on the floor of the House holding dozens of letters in his hand. The image reads: WWMSD? What Would Mr. Smith Do? Be like Mr. Smith. Resist.
January 31, 2025 at 2:44 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
Be Like Mr. Smith. Resist.

Has your public school system or state Dept of Edu reiterated its legal obligation and right to retain local control over curriculum, teaching, and learning for ALL students? Drop them an email of encouragement.

Full text of the email itself is in the alt description.
This is an image with snips form a letter to the Montgomery County Public Schools Community, with an image of Mr. Smith from Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, the statement, "this is how you refuse fo comply," and What Would Mr. Smith Do. This is the full text of the email sent by the Montgomery County Public Schools Board President and Superintendent that is snipped in the image below. "Dear Montgomery County Public Schools community, We recognize news about recent executive orders raises some concerns and questions about public education for Montgomery County students. All our children deserve a high-quality education that fosters both academic excellence and well-being regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, disability, religion, or any other identifying characteristic. We stand by our community and school system values, which include learning, relationships, respect, excellence and equity. They guide us every day and anchor us when navigating difficult times. We intend to use all legal means necessary to uphold them. We are committed to maintaining local authority over our curriculum, teaching and learning. And we will fiercely support our teachers and staff as they implement our curriculum and policies. Education is a fundamental right guaranteed to all children and foundational to our society. A strong and thriving public school system is essential to the success, prosperity, and future of our communities, states, and nation. MCPS and the Montgomery County Board of Education will remain focused on our mission to provide the very best education to each and every student. Julie Yang President, Board of Education Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., MBA Superintendent"
January 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
The "Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) stated "these termination notices do not comply with the requirements set out in law and therefore are not effective at this time."

What Would Mr. Smith Do?

He would be like Phyllis Fong.

Don't comply with illegal orders.
The image is a black-and-white still from "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," depicting a man in a dark suit with wavy hair, standing with papers in hand. He is distressed amidst a scene filled with seated men in suits who stare at him. In the background, there are stacks of papers and a wire bin. Overlay text includes “WWMSD?” "What Would Mr. Smith Do?" and a statement about the USDA Inspector General, Phyllis Fong's firing and refusal to comply by leaving her office until security escorted her out.
January 30, 2025 at 10:59 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
Niemöller's entire poem is being enacted this week.

Now is the time for courage rather than partisanship, Congress.

If you keep complying, everyone loses everything.

1/2
This is a simple image of light words on a black background. It reads the OP. Niemöller's entire poem is being enacted this week. Now is the time for courage rather than partisanship, Congress. If you keep complying, everyone loses everything.
January 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
Newbies! You can block bullshit/evil/crypto/bot new followers. or your ex. When new follower pops up, click to their profile. Next to the big button that says "follow back," there are three small dots. Click those dots. Then block them. There are tools here to control your experience. Use them.
This is a screenshot of bitcoin breakdown's Basic information. It says how many people are following them how many they follow and how many posts they've done. This Is a screenshot of the image that pops up when someone clicks the three dots that are next to the words follow back. The choices are add to list, mute account, block, account, and report account. The words block account is circled in red for emphasis. This Is a screenshot of what happens after one clicks the words "block account." blue sky, double checks, and says block account? Blocked accounts cannot reply to your threads, mention you, or otherwise interact with you." There is then a big red block button This Is a screenshot of what one sees after having blocked bitcoin breakdown. Their address/handle is visible then it says user blocked and post hidden.
January 25, 2025 at 1:56 PM
arcbender.bsky.social
No need to be bitter, Donald. There are now lots of computer fan based MERV 13 systems. I have three I use at home and for public workshops, and am building a smaller one for hotel rooms. This one has 8 total fans, and it cleans about 400 cubic feet per minute. High quality fans w/ low noise.
This is an image of a MERV13 filter made with 5 visible computer fans. Three of the fans change color, making patterns. It is placed at the front of a large bookshelf between books and large plants. The bookshelf also holds an image of a man paddling into the sunset, and my pile of recent book acquisitions such as Rolling Warrior, "Prisons Make Us Safer," I have Nothing To Hide, Trumping Democracy, To Be A Prioblem, 24 Hours In Charlottesville, Loving Our Own Bones, The End of Love, and What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat.
January 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM