Bess Vanrenen
@bessvanr.bsky.social
A Denver-area writer and editor. A lover of words, books, languages, and travel. A kid wrangler, dream chaser, and social justice advocate.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Millions of Americans remain at jobs they hate for one reason: the health insurance they receive. That’s absurd.
Universal health care will give Americans the freedom to choose the work they want without worrying about health care coverage.
Another reason for Medicare for All.
Universal health care will give Americans the freedom to choose the work they want without worrying about health care coverage.
Another reason for Medicare for All.
December 28, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Millions of Americans remain at jobs they hate for one reason: the health insurance they receive. That’s absurd.
Universal health care will give Americans the freedom to choose the work they want without worrying about health care coverage.
Another reason for Medicare for All.
Universal health care will give Americans the freedom to choose the work they want without worrying about health care coverage.
Another reason for Medicare for All.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
ICE pepper-sprayed this 1-year-old girl.
Once at the hospital, the doctor had to call in a poison control specialist.
They had never seen anyone that young pepper sprayed.
Another horrific story.
More details below.
Once at the hospital, the doctor had to call in a poison control specialist.
They had never seen anyone that young pepper sprayed.
Another horrific story.
More details below.
December 14, 2025 at 11:31 PM
ICE pepper-sprayed this 1-year-old girl.
Once at the hospital, the doctor had to call in a poison control specialist.
They had never seen anyone that young pepper sprayed.
Another horrific story.
More details below.
Once at the hospital, the doctor had to call in a poison control specialist.
They had never seen anyone that young pepper sprayed.
Another horrific story.
More details below.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
What a horrifying weekend of news. Too much.
December 15, 2025 at 3:30 AM
What a horrifying weekend of news. Too much.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Bovino, the man overseeing mass deportations, publicly declared that we must all have our papers on us, at all times, or we could be stopped, harassed, kidnapped, and detained, as they did with the man in this case, who is a US citizen.
December 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Bovino, the man overseeing mass deportations, publicly declared that we must all have our papers on us, at all times, or we could be stopped, harassed, kidnapped, and detained, as they did with the man in this case, who is a US citizen.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Stein-Erik Soelberg beat and strangled his 83-year-old mother at their home after allegedly being encouraged in his delusions by ChatGPT
Man killed his mother ‘after consulting an AI chatbot’
Stein-Erik Soelberg beat and strangled his 83-year-old mother at their home after allegedly being encouraged in his delusions by ChatGPT
www.thetimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Stein-Erik Soelberg beat and strangled his 83-year-old mother at their home after allegedly being encouraged in his delusions by ChatGPT
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
📢 Urgent Action: CALL NOW BEFORE ICE MOVES TO DEPORT YUANXIN AND FEI
2 weeks ago, ICE abducted 6-year-old Yuanxin & his father Fei, separating them & refusing to disclose the 1st grader's location.
YOU CAN HELP. Call ICE. Tell your reps to call ICE.
Now more than ever, pressure is essential.
2 weeks ago, ICE abducted 6-year-old Yuanxin & his father Fei, separating them & refusing to disclose the 1st grader's location.
YOU CAN HELP. Call ICE. Tell your reps to call ICE.
Now more than ever, pressure is essential.
December 10, 2025 at 12:27 AM
📢 Urgent Action: CALL NOW BEFORE ICE MOVES TO DEPORT YUANXIN AND FEI
2 weeks ago, ICE abducted 6-year-old Yuanxin & his father Fei, separating them & refusing to disclose the 1st grader's location.
YOU CAN HELP. Call ICE. Tell your reps to call ICE.
Now more than ever, pressure is essential.
2 weeks ago, ICE abducted 6-year-old Yuanxin & his father Fei, separating them & refusing to disclose the 1st grader's location.
YOU CAN HELP. Call ICE. Tell your reps to call ICE.
Now more than ever, pressure is essential.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The Danish word ‘hygge’ refers to “a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable.”
We hope this list of joyful words makes you feel hygge.
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/ten...
We hope this list of joyful words makes you feel hygge.
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/ten...
Ten Kinds of Happiness
Joyful words from around the world
www.merriam-webster.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Danish word ‘hygge’ refers to “a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable.”
We hope this list of joyful words makes you feel hygge.
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/ten...
We hope this list of joyful words makes you feel hygge.
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/ten...
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
BREAKING: Bernie Sanders just now:
December 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
BREAKING: Bernie Sanders just now:
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The majority in the US oppose a war on Venezuela. We’re joining the call to mobilize against the Trump administration's push toward a catastrophic war against Venezuela this Saturday, December 6. (1/2)
December 3, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The majority in the US oppose a war on Venezuela. We’re joining the call to mobilize against the Trump administration's push toward a catastrophic war against Venezuela this Saturday, December 6. (1/2)
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Pleased to speak with @gregsargent.bsky.social for this piece.
It sounds like the two survivors were shipwrecked and directly targeted.
If you accept the administration's bogus theory that there is an armed conflict (there isn't), then targeting the shipwrecked would be a war crime.
It sounds like the two survivors were shipwrecked and directly targeted.
If you accept the administration's bogus theory that there is an armed conflict (there isn't), then targeting the shipwrecked would be a war crime.
NEWS --> Tons of fresh detail on what video of the strike shows: Rep Adam Smith says two men are sitting on capsized boat, drugs aren't visible. Rationale officials gave for killing is they *may* have been able to keep trafficking.
"It's bad," Smith says.
Read here:
newrepublic.com/article/2039...
"It's bad," Smith says.
Read here:
newrepublic.com/article/2039...
Hegseth Defense Collapses as Dems Reveal Horrific Video Strike Details
The ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services committee tells TNR after watching the video: “This is a big, big problem.”
newrepublic.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Pleased to speak with @gregsargent.bsky.social for this piece.
It sounds like the two survivors were shipwrecked and directly targeted.
If you accept the administration's bogus theory that there is an armed conflict (there isn't), then targeting the shipwrecked would be a war crime.
It sounds like the two survivors were shipwrecked and directly targeted.
If you accept the administration's bogus theory that there is an armed conflict (there isn't), then targeting the shipwrecked would be a war crime.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
At one point or another, we're all going to need to see a doctor.
But our health care system remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and deeply dysfunctional. It is unacceptable.
That’s why a strong majority of Americans agree: We need Medicare for All.
But our health care system remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and deeply dysfunctional. It is unacceptable.
That’s why a strong majority of Americans agree: We need Medicare for All.
December 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
At one point or another, we're all going to need to see a doctor.
But our health care system remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and deeply dysfunctional. It is unacceptable.
That’s why a strong majority of Americans agree: We need Medicare for All.
But our health care system remains unaffordable, inaccessible, and deeply dysfunctional. It is unacceptable.
That’s why a strong majority of Americans agree: We need Medicare for All.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
i'd say the midterm-level turnout for a special election is even more ominous than the swing
December 3, 2025 at 3:18 AM
i'd say the midterm-level turnout for a special election is even more ominous than the swing
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
December 2, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Thou shalt not pretend that you’re at war with drug traffickers while pardoning drug traffickers.
Thou Shalt Not Murder Fishermen While Pardoning Drug Lords
This is evil.
www.thegodpodcast.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Thou shalt not pretend that you’re at war with drug traffickers while pardoning drug traffickers.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Republicans are FREAKING OUT about how close this race is. We can elect @aftynbehn.bsky.social and send a massive message to MAGA - help GOTV here:
It’s clear that Republicans are very worried about the upcoming special election in a Tennessee district that Trump won by double digits.
Help us GOTV for @aftynbehn.bsky.social (a state representative and former Indivisible organizer) before Election Day on Tuesday: www.mobilize.us/indivisible/...
Help us GOTV for @aftynbehn.bsky.social (a state representative and former Indivisible organizer) before Election Day on Tuesday: www.mobilize.us/indivisible/...
Scoop: Trump and Johnson to hold tele-rally for GOP in tight Tennessee House race
Should Republicans lose — or win narrowly — it would further expectations that the party is heading toward a perilous midterm.
www.axios.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Republicans are FREAKING OUT about how close this race is. We can elect @aftynbehn.bsky.social and send a massive message to MAGA - help GOTV here:
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
November 28, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Spotify is running ads to recruit for the regime’s secret police. Stop paying for or using Spotify until the ICE ads stop: indivisible.org/cancel-spotify?source=bluesky
November 27, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Spotify is running ads to recruit for the regime’s secret police. Stop paying for or using Spotify until the ICE ads stop: indivisible.org/cancel-spotify?source=bluesky
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The President doesn't want you standing up and speaking out against him, so he's coming after me to intimidate all of us.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The President doesn't want you standing up and speaking out against him, so he's coming after me to intimidate all of us.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The gun industry is using fear tactics to make more gun sales online—urging customers to build mini arsenals before time runs out, and sacrificing public safety for their own profits.
These practices are dangerous and wrong.
These practices are dangerous and wrong.
The Gun Industry Is Embracing Digital Tactics to Turn Gun Buying Into a Habit
Records reveal how the National Shooting Sports Foundation, or NSSF, is expanding efforts to sell more weapons online.
www.thetrace.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The gun industry is using fear tactics to make more gun sales online—urging customers to build mini arsenals before time runs out, and sacrificing public safety for their own profits.
These practices are dangerous and wrong.
These practices are dangerous and wrong.
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
High school senior, a U.S. citizen, detained by ICE in Oregon
The 17-year-old was held more than five hours Friday in an ICE facility, his brother said.
www.oregonlive.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
Utterly lawless
November 23, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Utterly lawless
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden. n.pr/49Yn5Oc
Trump administration seeks to roll back protections for imperiled species and habitat
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden.
n.pr
November 19, 2025 at 11:54 PM
The Interior Department proposed reviving a suite of changes to Endangered Species Act regulations first made during the Republican's first term. Those changes were reversed under former President Biden. n.pr/49Yn5Oc
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
TN-07, you’ve got one week left to vote early for @aftynbehn.bsky.social!
November 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
TN-07, you’ve got one week left to vote early for @aftynbehn.bsky.social!
Reposted by Bess Vanrenen
A US citizen filmed federal agents smashing his car window, as authorities begin a surge of immigration enforcement operations in North Carolina.
The Honduran-born Charlotte resident filed a police report after the officers let him go.
The Honduran-born Charlotte resident filed a police report after the officers let him go.
November 16, 2025 at 9:14 AM
A US citizen filmed federal agents smashing his car window, as authorities begin a surge of immigration enforcement operations in North Carolina.
The Honduran-born Charlotte resident filed a police report after the officers let him go.
The Honduran-born Charlotte resident filed a police report after the officers let him go.