Shannan Ball Younger
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shannany.bsky.social
Shannan Ball Younger
@shannany.bsky.social
180 followers 230 following 53 posts
“I leave quite an impression, 5 feet to be exact” - Sabrina Carpenter & me
Recovering atty from the Midwest now in NC💙
Big fan of democracy, rule of law, beagles, books, ND, science, vaccines & being kind
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
kairyssdal.bsky.social
We’re going to run the country…?

Howwwwww
January 3, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
ddiamond.bsky.social
5 million-plus kindergartners now live in counties where schools don’t have “herd immunity” for measles, Washington Post reporters found.

WaPo also built a tool to look up your own county.

Exceptional, and alarming work by @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @caitlingilbert.bsky.social et al.

(Gift link.)
U.S. vaccination rates are plunging. Look up where your school stands.
Take a look to see what the kindergarten measles vaccination rates are in your area.
wapo.st
January 1, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
dawnxianamoon.bsky.social
Chicago is having none of this administration's BS.
Sign at the Weiners Circle: "F k T mp we can redact too."
December 20, 2025 at 9:40 PM
shannany.bsky.social
I miss those days
joycewhitevance.bsky.social Joyce White Vance @joycewhitevance.bsky.social · Dec 5
Congress used to have the power of the purse and the power to declare war.
December 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
joycewhitevance.bsky.social
Congress used to have the power of the purse and the power to declare war.
December 5, 2025 at 1:19 PM
shannany.bsky.social
Anyone else think of this often lately?
a woman in a frozen costume is asking why have a ballroom with no balls
ALT: a woman in a frozen costume is asking why have a ballroom with no balls
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
rothschildmd.bsky.social
The optics of Trump building a ballroom that 99.9% of Americans will never set foot in while millions line up for food banks are worth more than any policy paper or economic proposal. This image is a visceral punch in the mouth that needs no words. It should haunt the GOP for a generation.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Oct 22
a live look at the demolition of the White House's East Wing for Trump's ballroom
October 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
gtconway.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
shannany.bsky.social
2025 has been rough, for obvious reasons as well as personal ones. Today’s no exception. The combo of East Wing demolition, shutdown, state lawmakers here in NC passing new maps to appease the orange one and learning I cannot have coffee for 1-2 hrs after waking due to a new medication is a lot.
a man says " i 've had about enough of today " in front of a cell phone
ALT: a man says " i 've had about enough of today " in front of a cell phone
media.tenor.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
adamkinzinger.substack.com
Just a reminder, the layoffs in govt were just done out of spite, not necessity
October 11, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
minakimes.bsky.social
Mood
October 11, 2025 at 3:12 AM
shannany.bsky.social
Who else has been living and dying with every single one of the 400+ pitches in this 15 inning Tigers-Mariners game that's still going after 5 hrs?
a mascot for the detroit tigers stands in front of a fire background
ALT: a mascot for the detroit tigers stands in front of a fire background
media.tenor.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
kairyssdal.bsky.social
The entire American economy is being held hostage to the whims of a guy who doesn’t understand how the economy works
October 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
karaswisher.bsky.social
Exactly this
September 18, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
govpritzker.illinois.gov
A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say.

This is an attack on free speech and cannot be allowed to stand.

All elected officials need to speak up and push back on this undemocratic act.
September 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
demsabroadcanada.bsky.social
The ‘Women’s Rights’ section has been recently removed from the US State Dept Human Rights reports. Apparently the Trump Administration no longer views #womensrights as #humanrights.

Who’s next?

Watch The Feminist Lawyer 🎥 TikTok - vm.tiktok.com/ZNdCxkcFC/
@demsabroad.bsky.social
September 2, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
billkristolbulwark.bsky.social
“The Department of Justice has removed a study showing that white supremacist and far-right violence “continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism” in the United States.”

www.404media.co/doj-deletes-...
DOJ Deletes Study Showing Domestic Terrorists Are Most Often Right Wing
Following Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the Trump administration’s promise to go after the “radical left” a study showing most domestic terrosim is far-right was disappeared.
www.404media.co
September 17, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
gtconway.bsky.social
September 13, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
steveinskeep.bsky.social
It’s not just that Congress allowed the CDC crisis. Key lawmakers, on your payroll, allowed it despite statements showing they believe RFK’s views on vaccines are wrong.

RFK can say he is doing what he believes; the lawmakers can’t.

open.substack.com/pub/steveins...
Will Congress start doing its taxpayer-funded job?
Amid the turmoil over vaccines and RFK, a flicker of independence.
open.substack.com
August 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
alyssaharad.bsky.social
This is a hell of a letter. “The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines…will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer….Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated…”
donmoyn.bsky.social Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Aug 28
Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."
My resignation letter from CDC. Dear Dr. Houry, I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested. This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough. While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles. The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people. It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC. Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc. I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information. The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun. The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed. For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision. Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically. Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.
August 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
petersagal.bsky.social
1) Resignation letters and statements are becoming a niche art form of this era

2) The pronouns at the end are a nice touch
donmoyn.bsky.social Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · Aug 28
Full resignation letter from Demetre C. Daskalakis, a CDC leader, does not hold back.
"The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud."
My resignation letter from CDC. Dear Dr. Houry, I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business. I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested. This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough. While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people. This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles. The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people. The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership. This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors. Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people. It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC. The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense. Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function. Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC. Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults. Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc. I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again. I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season. Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.” We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary. I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us. Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources. At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him. To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information. The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer. I believe in nutrition and exercise. I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability. Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun. The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning. My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so. I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud. I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur. I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed. For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics. I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision. Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically. Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution. If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.
August 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
bedoyausa.bsky.social
Dear journalists:

The President has not fired Lisa Cook. The President is *trying* to illegally fire her.

Your words shape people’s reality. Please be accurate in your reporting.
August 26, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Reposted by Shannan Ball Younger
mims.bsky.social
earth science at NASA includes improving hurricane and wildfire prediction, just so you know
August 15, 2025 at 10:21 PM