Bryan LaVergne
@bryanlavergne.bsky.social
People helper in Houston, Texas. 🌹
I help win social security checks and healthcare for everyday people. Interests in math, biology, and admin law.
I help win social security checks and healthcare for everyday people. Interests in math, biology, and admin law.
Texas land is a favorite subject of mine. Texas was the only state to join the union with all of its public lands: 175 million acres. Vast majority was granted away in the 19th century to, e.g., compensate veterans and build infrastructure.
What could have been if we retained our public lands?
What could have been if we retained our public lands?
Good news: Texas Parks and Wildlife is going on a spending spree to open new parks to the public, a welcome development in a state where some 95 percent of land is privately owned. 🏞️❤️🎉 https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/new-texas-state-parks-expansion/
Texas Is Turning Private Land Into Public Parks in a Historic Spending Spree
A massive push toward public land expansion means more state parks for all Texans to enjoy.
www.texasmonthly.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Texas land is a favorite subject of mine. Texas was the only state to join the union with all of its public lands: 175 million acres. Vast majority was granted away in the 19th century to, e.g., compensate veterans and build infrastructure.
What could have been if we retained our public lands?
What could have been if we retained our public lands?
This is great news.
This change would have joined the continuous stream of legal embarrassments of this administration: it would have likely violated Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act, which requires the consideration of age.
This change would have joined the continuous stream of legal embarrassments of this administration: it would have likely violated Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act, which requires the consideration of age.
The Trump Administration is abandoning plans for the biggest-ever cut to Social Security Disability Insurance, which would have hit older workers hardest.
The rule would have devastated up to 1.5 million workers' financial stability, retirement security & access to health care.
wapo.st/4o48J24
The rule would have devastated up to 1.5 million workers' financial stability, retirement security & access to health care.
wapo.st/4o48J24
Social Security scraps plan to limit disability benefits after uproar
The policy would have fundamentally altered who qualifies for the two federal disability programs by eliminating or limiting a person’s age as a factor to consider.
wapo.st
November 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
This is great news.
This change would have joined the continuous stream of legal embarrassments of this administration: it would have likely violated Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act, which requires the consideration of age.
This change would have joined the continuous stream of legal embarrassments of this administration: it would have likely violated Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act, which requires the consideration of age.
Non-zero probability that Texas' gerrymander for the midterms doesn't work because it was racially motivated, while the California gerrymander holds because it was expressly politically motivated.
If this is how it plays out, it will be one of the most incredible unforced errors by the GOP.
If this is how it plays out, it will be one of the most incredible unforced errors by the GOP.
November 18, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Non-zero probability that Texas' gerrymander for the midterms doesn't work because it was racially motivated, while the California gerrymander holds because it was expressly politically motivated.
If this is how it plays out, it will be one of the most incredible unforced errors by the GOP.
If this is how it plays out, it will be one of the most incredible unforced errors by the GOP.
I want to see the Don Draper pitch for this pamphlet.
“Websites are the future. So is Star Trek. Also, we’re going to put a giant SSA logo on the moon.”
“Websites are the future. So is Star Trek. Also, we’re going to put a giant SSA logo on the moon.”
That era had the best communication ideas and art. Since then, only echoes.
November 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I want to see the Don Draper pitch for this pamphlet.
“Websites are the future. So is Star Trek. Also, we’re going to put a giant SSA logo on the moon.”
“Websites are the future. So is Star Trek. Also, we’re going to put a giant SSA logo on the moon.”
The leader of the LFI caucus in the French National Assembly says that Zohran's election is a lesson in mass politics and transformative political programs, giving hope to the US and the entire world in the battle against the far right.
Mamdani élu à New-York : "Une leçon qui donne beaucoup d'espoir" (Panot) | AFP Extrait
YouTube video by AFP
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The leader of the LFI caucus in the French National Assembly says that Zohran's election is a lesson in mass politics and transformative political programs, giving hope to the US and the entire world in the battle against the far right.
There's a cruel catch-22 in social security disability law.
1. Disabled and unemployed? Apply for benefits so you can get Medicare/Medicaid.
2. Judges heavily rely on medical records in determining "disability."
Hard to produce medical records when you can't afford health care to begin with!
1. Disabled and unemployed? Apply for benefits so you can get Medicare/Medicaid.
2. Judges heavily rely on medical records in determining "disability."
Hard to produce medical records when you can't afford health care to begin with!
November 4, 2025 at 8:19 PM
There's a cruel catch-22 in social security disability law.
1. Disabled and unemployed? Apply for benefits so you can get Medicare/Medicaid.
2. Judges heavily rely on medical records in determining "disability."
Hard to produce medical records when you can't afford health care to begin with!
1. Disabled and unemployed? Apply for benefits so you can get Medicare/Medicaid.
2. Judges heavily rely on medical records in determining "disability."
Hard to produce medical records when you can't afford health care to begin with!
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
The contrast with SNAP is deafening.
The White House is stretching well beyond what anyone could claim is legal in order to pay the troops — while simultaneously stretching beyond what’s legal to NOT pay SNAP benefits.
The White House is stretching well beyond what anyone could claim is legal in order to pay the troops — while simultaneously stretching beyond what’s legal to NOT pay SNAP benefits.
The White House says it’s going to use procurement dollars to illegally pay the troops for rather than do it the legal way of enacting a military pay bill.
You cannot w/ a straight face tell me using procurement dollars to pay the military adheres to the purpose statute and the Antideficiency Act.
You cannot w/ a straight face tell me using procurement dollars to pay the military adheres to the purpose statute and the Antideficiency Act.
October 29, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The contrast with SNAP is deafening.
The White House is stretching well beyond what anyone could claim is legal in order to pay the troops — while simultaneously stretching beyond what’s legal to NOT pay SNAP benefits.
The White House is stretching well beyond what anyone could claim is legal in order to pay the troops — while simultaneously stretching beyond what’s legal to NOT pay SNAP benefits.
Like always @kathleenromig.bsky.social gives important perspective, this time on the current admin's upcoming changes to social security disability.
The White House preaches manufacturing jobs, but they want it to be harder for those workers to get benefits after 50.
The White House preaches manufacturing jobs, but they want it to be harder for those workers to get benefits after 50.
Trump Administration Plans Deep Cuts to Social Security Disability Insurance, Particularly for Older Workers
Despite repeatedly promising not to cut Social Security, the Trump Administration is reportedly preparing a proposed rule that could reduce the share of applicants who qualify for Social Security...
www.cbpp.org
October 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Like always @kathleenromig.bsky.social gives important perspective, this time on the current admin's upcoming changes to social security disability.
The White House preaches manufacturing jobs, but they want it to be harder for those workers to get benefits after 50.
The White House preaches manufacturing jobs, but they want it to be harder for those workers to get benefits after 50.
So the director is taking significant authority away from their ALJs? Not an agency I’m intimately familiar with, but this seems like another instance of this admin’s tendency to consolidate its power. Will have to see what the patent community says!
www.law360.com/articles/240...
www.law360.com/articles/240...
BREAKING: USPTO Director Takes Over AIA Institution Decisions - Law360
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires said Friday he will now make all decisions on whether to institute America Invents Act reviews of patents, including on the merits of the challen...
www.law360.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:48 PM
So the director is taking significant authority away from their ALJs? Not an agency I’m intimately familiar with, but this seems like another instance of this admin’s tendency to consolidate its power. Will have to see what the patent community says!
www.law360.com/articles/240...
www.law360.com/articles/240...
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
One big difference between Mamdani and Cuomo and Sliwa is that one of these people is running seriously, and full time, and always out talking to people. Cuomo’s insane sense of entitlement means he doesn’t think he should have to, and Sliwa always runs for the same reason Trump did for years.
October 17, 2025 at 1:21 AM
One big difference between Mamdani and Cuomo and Sliwa is that one of these people is running seriously, and full time, and always out talking to people. Cuomo’s insane sense of entitlement means he doesn’t think he should have to, and Sliwa always runs for the same reason Trump did for years.
"Where do you work?"
October 17, 2025 at 1:28 AM
"Where do you work?"
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
"It is going to be disastrous if this continues"
Nobel Prize physics laureate John Clarke says Trump cuts will 'cripple' US scientific research
u.afp.com/SmAy
Nobel Prize physics laureate John Clarke says Trump cuts will 'cripple' US scientific research
u.afp.com/SmAy
October 8, 2025 at 2:49 AM
"It is going to be disastrous if this continues"
Nobel Prize physics laureate John Clarke says Trump cuts will 'cripple' US scientific research
u.afp.com/SmAy
Nobel Prize physics laureate John Clarke says Trump cuts will 'cripple' US scientific research
u.afp.com/SmAy
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
“Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty”
-Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951)
-Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951)
September 27, 2025 at 1:34 PM
“Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty”
-Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951)
-Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951)
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
Do you think unbending Clippy until he was a long piece of metal would be painful for him. Or do you think it would cause him to feel a great sense of relief
September 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Do you think unbending Clippy until he was a long piece of metal would be painful for him. Or do you think it would cause him to feel a great sense of relief
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
“The United Nations has historically resettled more refugees in Houston than any other U.S. city. If we were a country, we’d rank fourth in the world for refugees resettlement. That’s because we’re good at it.”
Thank you, Laura Loomer, for showing Houston at our best | Editorial
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/edit...
www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/edit...
Thank you, Laura Loomer, for showing Houston at our best | Editorial
Palestinian children wounded in Gaza came to Houston for care. Loomer tried to vilify them. Our city showed the world what real welcome looks like.
www.houstonchronicle.com
August 22, 2025 at 12:52 PM
“The United Nations has historically resettled more refugees in Houston than any other U.S. city. If we were a country, we’d rank fourth in the world for refugees resettlement. That’s because we’re good at it.”
“Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.” – Carl Jung
August 5, 2025 at 3:19 PM
“Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.” – Carl Jung
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
Support for Medicaid work requirements spikes at 65—right when Medicare kicks in.
At 65, people stop needing Medicaid and suddenly start supporting cuts to it.
At 65, people stop needing Medicaid and suddenly start supporting cuts to it.
July 2, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Support for Medicaid work requirements spikes at 65—right when Medicare kicks in.
At 65, people stop needing Medicaid and suddenly start supporting cuts to it.
At 65, people stop needing Medicaid and suddenly start supporting cuts to it.
I enjoy thinking about the stories of people who take pay cuts to work for the government because they believe in an agency's mission. It's nice to think we can still believe in something bigger than ourselves. We too often lose sight of the immense potential of what a civil workforce can be.
June 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I enjoy thinking about the stories of people who take pay cuts to work for the government because they believe in an agency's mission. It's nice to think we can still believe in something bigger than ourselves. We too often lose sight of the immense potential of what a civil workforce can be.
adam curtis releases his documentaries at the right moments
June 16, 2025 at 12:34 PM
adam curtis releases his documentaries at the right moments
I close my eyes and whisper to myself,
“Please give me the patience of a CSPAN host fielding call-ins.”
“Please give me the patience of a CSPAN host fielding call-ins.”
May 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I close my eyes and whisper to myself,
“Please give me the patience of a CSPAN host fielding call-ins.”
“Please give me the patience of a CSPAN host fielding call-ins.”
Pope Leo being an American is overshadowing his mathematics education. There exists a large cardinal!
May 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Pope Leo being an American is overshadowing his mathematics education. There exists a large cardinal!
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
Beautiful tribute to former Acting Social Commissioner Michelle King:
“Michelle King did not just administer benefits; she protected the foundation of Social Security itself. And for that, every American—whether they realize it or not—owes her a debt of gratitude.”
msmagazine.com/2025/05/05/p...
“Michelle King did not just administer benefits; she protected the foundation of Social Security itself. And for that, every American—whether they realize it or not—owes her a debt of gratitude.”
msmagazine.com/2025/05/05/p...
Profiles in Courage: Michelle King Refused to Hand Over Your Data to DOGE. Then She Lost Her Job.
Profiles in Courage is a new series honoring the extraordinary women and men who have transformed American institutions through principled public service. At a time when trust in government is fragile...
msmagazine.com
May 6, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Beautiful tribute to former Acting Social Commissioner Michelle King:
“Michelle King did not just administer benefits; she protected the foundation of Social Security itself. And for that, every American—whether they realize it or not—owes her a debt of gratitude.”
msmagazine.com/2025/05/05/p...
“Michelle King did not just administer benefits; she protected the foundation of Social Security itself. And for that, every American—whether they realize it or not—owes her a debt of gratitude.”
msmagazine.com/2025/05/05/p...
Reposted by Bryan LaVergne
Beautiful tribute from former Social Security Commissioner @martinomalley.bsky.social on the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City domestic terrorist attack.
168 people were murdered on April 19, 1995, including SSA employees serving the public. We will always remember.
168 people were murdered on April 19, 1995, including SSA employees serving the public. We will always remember.
April 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Beautiful tribute from former Social Security Commissioner @martinomalley.bsky.social on the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City domestic terrorist attack.
168 people were murdered on April 19, 1995, including SSA employees serving the public. We will always remember.
168 people were murdered on April 19, 1995, including SSA employees serving the public. We will always remember.
“the overjoyed lotto winner said he ‘just can't wait to get off the streets.’”
And the store manager drove the guy over 2 hours to turn it at the California Lottery!
people.com/homeless-man...
And the store manager drove the guy over 2 hours to turn it at the California Lottery!
people.com/homeless-man...
Homeless Man Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize from Scratch-Off Ticket: 'Is That Real?'
A California man says he “can’t wait to get off the streets” after winning $1 million on a scratch-off ticket
people.com
April 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
“the overjoyed lotto winner said he ‘just can't wait to get off the streets.’”
And the store manager drove the guy over 2 hours to turn it at the California Lottery!
people.com/homeless-man...
And the store manager drove the guy over 2 hours to turn it at the California Lottery!
people.com/homeless-man...