Melissa Vanden Bout
@docvanden.bsky.social
Ethicist and troublemaker. The only way out is through. The only way through is together. (she/her) 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇵🇸
Pinned
(For now, my latest article.)
Betray can mean “break faith,”or it can mean “reveal.” In its choices about who it protects and who it identifies as a threat, an institution tells us who it really was all along.
My story of institutional betrayal: www.advancejournal.org/article/94664
Betray can mean “break faith,”or it can mean “reveal.” In its choices about who it protects and who it identifies as a threat, an institution tells us who it really was all along.
My story of institutional betrayal: www.advancejournal.org/article/94664
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Like, how much of this "I talk to chatgpt 5 hours a day and it is teaching me to to become a god" is the result of a normal person glimpsing the abyss that is *literally* a billionaire's every single social interaction, and it fucking destroying them.
May 12, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Like, how much of this "I talk to chatgpt 5 hours a day and it is teaching me to to become a god" is the result of a normal person glimpsing the abyss that is *literally* a billionaire's every single social interaction, and it fucking destroying them.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
💔 My home in the yellow zone was bombed and is no longer livable. My children and I are now without shelter we urgently need a tent to stay in, and help to buy food. Any support, even a small one, means a lot to us 🙏 chuffed.org/project/148450
Urgent Help for Angham's Displaced Family
Hello I am Amir Hartt from America and I am using my mother's Chuffed account to raise funds for Angham Elkhalili in the Gaza Strip. She has suffered greatly in the genocide against her people, facing...
chuffed.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:15 AM
💔 My home in the yellow zone was bombed and is no longer livable. My children and I are now without shelter we urgently need a tent to stay in, and help to buy food. Any support, even a small one, means a lot to us 🙏 chuffed.org/project/148450
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
There’s a special kind of hell for people from Gaza who aren’t in Gaza- Ahmad has been really struggling to send money to his family and he needs help
I’m sharing a Palestinian account every day and today is Ahmad. Ahmad was an accountant in Gaza but because of the siege moved to Belgium for more opportunities before the war, leaving behind his family including his children Sabri, 9 and Amr, 5 and his mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer.
November 12, 2025 at 11:14 AM
There’s a special kind of hell for people from Gaza who aren’t in Gaza- Ahmad has been really struggling to send money to his family and he needs help
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
I am shooting my shot.
I love writing op-eds.
@teenvogue.com was my main outlet, but if there are any others (especially independently ran) that are looking for a contributing writer on race, gender, and the economy, I'd love to work with you.
Signed,
A Black woman who writes for the public
I love writing op-eds.
@teenvogue.com was my main outlet, but if there are any others (especially independently ran) that are looking for a contributing writer on race, gender, and the economy, I'd love to work with you.
Signed,
A Black woman who writes for the public
November 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I am shooting my shot.
I love writing op-eds.
@teenvogue.com was my main outlet, but if there are any others (especially independently ran) that are looking for a contributing writer on race, gender, and the economy, I'd love to work with you.
Signed,
A Black woman who writes for the public
I love writing op-eds.
@teenvogue.com was my main outlet, but if there are any others (especially independently ran) that are looking for a contributing writer on race, gender, and the economy, I'd love to work with you.
Signed,
A Black woman who writes for the public
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Hey so “underage girls” are…children. The word you’re looking for is children. They’re not like, women-in-waiting or women-lite or whatever. They’re children. I think some of you are very uncomfortable with what that means for you but it is still true.
November 12, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Hey so “underage girls” are…children. The word you’re looking for is children. They’re not like, women-in-waiting or women-lite or whatever. They’re children. I think some of you are very uncomfortable with what that means for you but it is still true.
Happening already for reproductive care. At my local Catholic hospital, they will TAKE AWAY YOUR BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. If that’s the hospital your insurance chose to work with, you’re stuck.
Now Catholic hospitals are cutting gender affirming care for trans folks. They’re going to get people killed.
Now Catholic hospitals are cutting gender affirming care for trans folks. They’re going to get people killed.
Just saw the terrible news that US Bishops just banned gender affirming care at Catholic hospitals.
A reminder, from the reproductive justice front - For a lot of people, Catholic hospitals are their only option. Even places where they aren't, they sometimes set standard of care.
A reminder, from the reproductive justice front - For a lot of people, Catholic hospitals are their only option. Even places where they aren't, they sometimes set standard of care.
November 13, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Happening already for reproductive care. At my local Catholic hospital, they will TAKE AWAY YOUR BIRTH CONTROL PILLS. If that’s the hospital your insurance chose to work with, you’re stuck.
Now Catholic hospitals are cutting gender affirming care for trans folks. They’re going to get people killed.
Now Catholic hospitals are cutting gender affirming care for trans folks. They’re going to get people killed.
Hey folks! Something to watch for when you see a video and wonder whether it’s AI.
OpenAI's Sora video generator places 3 watermarks on its AI generated videos: the top-left or top-right corner, the center-right, and the bottom-left corner.
Each of these Facebook videos has 3 caption overlays which just happen to be placed in these 3 locations.
Each of these Facebook videos has 3 caption overlays which just happen to be placed in these 3 locations.
November 12, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Hey folks! Something to watch for when you see a video and wonder whether it’s AI.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
BREAKING: Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) just signed the discharge petition to force a vote on making the DOJ release all of its Jeffrey Epstein files.
She was the 218th signature, which means the petition is now frozen and no member can remove their name.
She was the 218th signature, which means the petition is now frozen and no member can remove their name.
Discharge Petition No. 9, Bill Number: H.Res. 581, 119th Congress
SPONSOR: Thomas Massie DESCRIPTION: Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XV, I, Thomas Massie, move to discharge the Committee on Rules from the consideration of the resolution entitled, a resolution providi...
clerk.house.gov
November 12, 2025 at 10:06 PM
BREAKING: Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) just signed the discharge petition to force a vote on making the DOJ release all of its Jeffrey Epstein files.
She was the 218th signature, which means the petition is now frozen and no member can remove their name.
She was the 218th signature, which means the petition is now frozen and no member can remove their name.
This.
My takeaway from every new Epstein revelation is that some powerful people victimized many powerless young women, many more knew, some actively enabled it--and we're still being told that MeToo and accountability for sexual violence have gone too far
November 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
This exact same reporter was ousted from the NY Times for soliciting a $30,000 donation from Epstein— and you're telling me that as an employer, the NY Times never bothered to circle back and review this person's correspondence with a convicted pedophile?
A former New York Times staffer quietly left the paper after revealing he had solicited charitable donations from Jeffrey Epstein
Former New York Times reporter Landon Thomas Jr. told his editors he became friends with Epstein after profiling him in 2008, NPR reported Thursday.
www.businessinsider.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
This exact same reporter was ousted from the NY Times for soliciting a $30,000 donation from Epstein— and you're telling me that as an employer, the NY Times never bothered to circle back and review this person's correspondence with a convicted pedophile?
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
🧵Brian Straw is one of the folks charged, along w/ Kat Abughazaleh, w/ felony conspiracy to impede federal officers in Broadview [Chicago].
As it happens, he's also my friend, a deeply decent man whose compassion shines & fairly shimmers off him, no matter what he's doing.
If you can help, pls do.
As it happens, he's also my friend, a deeply decent man whose compassion shines & fairly shimmers off him, no matter what he's doing.
If you can help, pls do.
Some of you have asked how you can support our family. The biggest thing you can do right now is to contribute to Brian’s legal defense fund. secure.actblue.com/donate/straw...
Brian Straw Legal Defense Fund
Together, we can show our neighbors, friends, and children that we have the courage to do what is right.
secure.actblue.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:47 PM
🧵Brian Straw is one of the folks charged, along w/ Kat Abughazaleh, w/ felony conspiracy to impede federal officers in Broadview [Chicago].
As it happens, he's also my friend, a deeply decent man whose compassion shines & fairly shimmers off him, no matter what he's doing.
If you can help, pls do.
As it happens, he's also my friend, a deeply decent man whose compassion shines & fairly shimmers off him, no matter what he's doing.
If you can help, pls do.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Brian Straw and the others charged will be in court today, 11/12/25, at the Dirksen federal building, Courtroom 1025 at 1:30 pm. I will join others to support Brian (and the First Amendment).
🧵Brian Straw is one of the folks charged, along w/ Kat Abughazaleh, w/ felony conspiracy to impede federal officers in Broadview [Chicago].
As it happens, he's also my friend, a deeply decent man whose compassion shines & fairly shimmers off him, no matter what he's doing.
If you can help, pls do.
As it happens, he's also my friend, a deeply decent man whose compassion shines & fairly shimmers off him, no matter what he's doing.
If you can help, pls do.
Some of you have asked how you can support our family. The biggest thing you can do right now is to contribute to Brian’s legal defense fund. secure.actblue.com/donate/straw...
November 12, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Brian Straw and the others charged will be in court today, 11/12/25, at the Dirksen federal building, Courtroom 1025 at 1:30 pm. I will join others to support Brian (and the First Amendment).
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
i know i have some football freak mutuals and gator fans so if you are in a position to, i hope we can help this kid get to the turkey bowl
So, Kamarion is going to the Turkey Bowl!
He is in a family of 7, is 13, getting good grades, serious about football and family. See the next video to see him score an amazing goal.
Kamarion's Turkey Bowl Fund
gofund.me/a6b59d442
He is in a family of 7, is 13, getting good grades, serious about football and family. See the next video to see him score an amazing goal.
Kamarion's Turkey Bowl Fund
gofund.me/a6b59d442
Donate to Help Send Our Son to the Turkey Bowl, organized by Alexis Whitley
Hi I am raising money for my son to go to the turkey bowl which is November 28th-3… Alexis Whitley needs your support for Help Send Our Son to the Turkey Bowl
gofund.me
November 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM
i know i have some football freak mutuals and gator fans so if you are in a position to, i hope we can help this kid get to the turkey bowl
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Good morning! Thank you to everyone who has helped Kamarion so far!
Please help keep the momentum and help send him to the competition.
bsky.app/profile/melo...
Please help keep the momentum and help send him to the competition.
bsky.app/profile/melo...
So, Kamarion is going to the Turkey Bowl!
He is in a family of 7, is 13, getting good grades, serious about football and family. See the next video to see him score an amazing goal.
Kamarion's Turkey Bowl Fund
gofund.me/a6b59d442
He is in a family of 7, is 13, getting good grades, serious about football and family. See the next video to see him score an amazing goal.
Kamarion's Turkey Bowl Fund
gofund.me/a6b59d442
November 12, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
I’ve seen this shared several times with the header and footer not visible, so you can’t see the artists’s name.
Credit: Leo the Alien — alienyrox on redbubble and other platforms.
Credit: Leo the Alien — alienyrox on redbubble and other platforms.
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM
I’ve seen this shared several times with the header and footer not visible, so you can’t see the artists’s name.
Credit: Leo the Alien — alienyrox on redbubble and other platforms.
Credit: Leo the Alien — alienyrox on redbubble and other platforms.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Friendly reminder that dishwashers made after 1995 or so are so water and energy efficient that even if you ran them twice fully loaded it would still use less water than handwashing the same load.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
November 12, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Friendly reminder that dishwashers made after 1995 or so are so water and energy efficient that even if you ran them twice fully loaded it would still use less water than handwashing the same load.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
IT GOT BETTER
📍Central MN
📍Central MN
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 AM
IT GOT BETTER
📍Central MN
📍Central MN
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
UPDATE — Here are the at least 11 congressional Democrats, 11 Democratic-aligned organizations, and 6 Democratic Senate candidates calling for Chuck Schumer to resign as leader:
November 12, 2025 at 1:52 AM
UPDATE — Here are the at least 11 congressional Democrats, 11 Democratic-aligned organizations, and 6 Democratic Senate candidates calling for Chuck Schumer to resign as leader:
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
From southern Missouri
November 12, 2025 at 3:30 AM
From southern Missouri
The Northern lights, from my front yard.
November 12, 2025 at 3:29 AM
The Northern lights, from my front yard.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Shereen told me that she cried when she watched the other little children in the neighborhood go to kindergarten because she can’t afford the cost due to her husband being seriously injured from an Israeli aircraft. She wanted to make sure everyone knew she started the fundraiser just for Ahmed ❤️
I’m sharing a Palestinian account every day and today is Shereen. Shereen and her husband (a house painter) fled their home early in the war thinking it would only be for 2 days. She lost everything as well as many family members. Her main concern is getting her son, Ahmed, 4 into a kindergarten.
November 12, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Shereen told me that she cried when she watched the other little children in the neighborhood go to kindergarten because she can’t afford the cost due to her husband being seriously injured from an Israeli aircraft. She wanted to make sure everyone knew she started the fundraiser just for Ahmed ❤️
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
Abortion is healthcare.
They’re coming for reproductive freedoms and the Dems caving when they finally had momentum and the public on their side has shown the fascists that they can make increasingly cruel and harmful demands.
It’s utterly despicable and not at all surprising.
They’re coming for reproductive freedoms and the Dems caving when they finally had momentum and the public on their side has shown the fascists that they can make increasingly cruel and harmful demands.
It’s utterly despicable and not at all surprising.
Republicans demand tougher abortion restrictions to extend Obamacare funds
Democrats say that’s a nonstarter, arguing there are already limits on abortion access. The dispute could torpedo a deal, leading to higher health insurance premiums for millions.
www.nbcnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Abortion is healthcare.
They’re coming for reproductive freedoms and the Dems caving when they finally had momentum and the public on their side has shown the fascists that they can make increasingly cruel and harmful demands.
It’s utterly despicable and not at all surprising.
They’re coming for reproductive freedoms and the Dems caving when they finally had momentum and the public on their side has shown the fascists that they can make increasingly cruel and harmful demands.
It’s utterly despicable and not at all surprising.
Reposted by Melissa Vanden Bout
So, Kamarion is going to the Turkey Bowl!
He is in a family of 7, is 13, getting good grades, serious about football and family. See the next video to see him score an amazing goal.
Kamarion's Turkey Bowl Fund
gofund.me/a6b59d442
He is in a family of 7, is 13, getting good grades, serious about football and family. See the next video to see him score an amazing goal.
Kamarion's Turkey Bowl Fund
gofund.me/a6b59d442
Donate to Help Send Our Son to the Turkey Bowl, organized by Alexis Whitley
Hi I am raising money for my son to go to the turkey bowl which is November 28th-3… Alexis Whitley needs your support for Help Send Our Son to the Turkey Bowl
gofund.me
November 11, 2025 at 11:55 PM
So, Kamarion is going to the Turkey Bowl!
He is in a family of 7, is 13, getting good grades, serious about football and family. See the next video to see him score an amazing goal.
Kamarion's Turkey Bowl Fund
gofund.me/a6b59d442
He is in a family of 7, is 13, getting good grades, serious about football and family. See the next video to see him score an amazing goal.
Kamarion's Turkey Bowl Fund
gofund.me/a6b59d442