“Since 1998, independent researchers have conducted more than 40 high-quality studies involving over 5.6 million people. The conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There’s no link between vaccines and autism." -Dr. Susan Kressly, AAP President on recent changes to the CDC's website

Major media stories about cruelly withheld SNAP funding have typically erased intellectually and developmentally disabled recipients from the narrative. The lazy default is “poor people”. More editors and reporters need to responsibly follow the example below from @slooterman.bsky.social

This is not a deal — it's an empty promise. Trump and his Republican Congress are making healthcare more expensive for the middle class and ending it for working families. Time for Democrats to stand tall for affordable healthcare. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...

This are spectacular images.

Here's a disgusting new twist to the Kavanaugh stop: Are you aware of Zorhan Mamdani? WHAT THE HELL? Read this @chicago.suntimes.com times.com story about how ICE stopped an Illinois state highway worker doing road construction. chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

HERE'S WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE VISUALLY. YOU MIGHT WANT TO SIT DOWN.

I've talked before about power struggles within hardening authoritarianism. Usually, regime supporters fight over using rule-of-law in crackdowns (with massive abuses, of course) vs. completely embracing extrajudicial methods. Here, we see the latter dominating. Which is very bad news going forward.

No better guide to navigate the tech wilderness than @ftrain.bsky.social The pheromone quip reminded me that my most enduring textbook for the financial world has been the late Jane Goodall’s, “The Chimpanzees of Gombe - Patterns of Behavior”.

I’m writing for the local paper again!

Terrific interview.

Japanese pundits coined the term "Galapagos syndrome" to express how their country lost its role as global consumer electronics innovator. But in a world driven mad by tech disruption, is Japan’s having fallen behind turning into a secret super power? blog.pureinventionbook.com/p/super-gala...

I'm not sure you can get more marie antoinette than taking away food stamps before thanksgiving while you build a gold and marble dance hall so the other crooks can bring bribe you over a badly-cooked (argentinian) steak

Premiums for employer-provided health insurance spiked by more than double the rate of inflation this year, driving the cost of a family plan to almost $27,000. Prescription drugs and chronic diseases are contributing to the higher price. www.statnews.com/2025/10/22/h...

Huge crowd in Chicago. #NoKings

Donald Trump's effort to deploy troops in American cities is not normal. There is no rational justification for such a deployment. It is a breach of the most fundamental values and customs that our armed forces operate on.

Tariff costs to companies this year to hit $1.2 trillion, with consumers taking most of the hit, S&P says. www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/t... #Tariffs #Consumers #Economy #Business #Bills

Amazing. *This* work by Kara Walker (and exhibition) is an artistic statement of the highest order. When I saw the image, the first thought that popped into my head was “Guernica”. Thank you @artcrimeprof.bsky.social

As an online MAGA discussion continues, the probability of a laudatory reference or comparison to Hitler or to Nazis all-too-briskly approaches 1.

The people around Donald Trump are taking advantage of his diminished capacity to break the law. Whatever they do now, we won’t forget — and we will hold them accountable.

ICE agents surrounded, seized, and zip-tied a U.S. citizen who had just finished working a double shift because she didn’t “look” American to them. She had her U.S. passport on her when she was detained, yet she was interrogated for an hour. trib.al/hDC7Vgv

Oh, by the way, I wrote in @thenation.com about how Trump is condeming millions of Americans to hunger this Thanksigiving with his accelarated timeline of adding work requirements for SNAP benefits. I also discussed how work requirements provably don't work, for the neoliberals in your life.

No kings = no *shrinking* paychecks and a return to sane fiscal and economic policy. Democrats, independents, and progressives should not ignore the power of the “are you (financially) better off today?” argument in the No Kings messaging this weekend. Kitchen table issues stick.

The call is coming from inside the house. I suspect the honorable Mr. Craven did not hesitate to act. Pretty solid evidence of the corrosion of some formerly great organizations.

For those outside of Chicago today, I rode the “L” into my job in the CBD “loop”. Walked out to get lunch. Saw tons of tourists taking pictures of the river, skyscrapers and each other. It’s Marathon weekend and the Cubs are playing- all as usual. No soldiers wanted or needed here.

This has nothing to do with crime. This is an attempt to crush political dissent. Never before, in our entire 250 year history, has the military or immigration agents been used like this. It's dystopian, illegal, and it should stop.

Pritzker: “The Trump administration is following a playbook: Cause chaos, create fear and confusion, make it seem that peaceful protesters are a mob by firing gas pellets and tear gas canisters at them. Why? To create the pretext for invoking the Insurrection Act.”

This from @govpritzker.illinois.gov on @cnn.com

62 years ago this month: Osamu Tezuka inks a deal with NBC for the broadcast of "Astro Boy," giving the world its first taste of anime:

I will not call up our National Guard to further Trump’s acts of aggression against our people.

In Japan, spooky season is in late summer and August is known as ghost month. Here is a thread about the tradition of telling ghost stories know as hyakumonogatari kaidankai during this time. #FolkloreThursday #JapaneseFolklore

Who controls the House, @washingtonpost.com ? Who controls the Senate, @washingtonpost.com? Who controls the White House, @washingtonpost.com? Who controls the Supreme Court, @washingtonpost.com? Who controls YOU, @washingtonpost.com?

Trump to top military officials: "I told Pete, we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military. National Guard, but our military. Because we're going into Chicago very soon. That's a big city with an incompetent governor. Stupid governor."

Today's the last day for 150K+ feds who took the "Fork" (deferred resignation program), including 800+ at the Social Security Administration. The experience at SSA demonstrates 3 things about the DRP: 1. It's the tip of the iceberg 2. It wasn't really voluntary 3. It hurts service to the public

With a government shutdown looming, I'm getting lots of questions about what happens to Social Security. Key points: 1. By law, Social Security & SSI benefits will keep coming. 2. SSA workers needed to continue benefit payments will keep working (but won't get paid until the gov reopens).

A terrific piece highlighting the power of understanding and respect for one another. We must raise our voices *together* to support and protect everyone impacted by the malevolent policy prescriptions coming from the White House and state houses. I’m delighted @profoundautism.org was included!

Trying to make this make sense is a guaranteed migraine.

The colors are already starting to turn in the Chicago area. Peak autumn colors are predicted to arrive in less than 3 weeks.

Outstanding response to the Trump Administration’s dangerous and unsound autism themed production yesterday:

Yet another baseless proclamation that, like most from this Administration, lacks any credible evidence. I refuse to let this stunt distract me from effectively opposing odious efforts by this gang to harm the health and well being of people and vandalize our democracy and institutions.

A welcome morning reality check from @govpritzker.illinois.gov I remind myself daily is that many, many good and talented people from *all* walks of life are fighting the good fight alongside me.

Program participants are thoroughly vetted. Not only at enrollment but, as all SSI recipients and rep payees know, they can be *monthly* means tests. These relatives and neighbors are typically folks who *cannot* access other means of needed support. Safety net cuts come with a body count.

The CEO of McDonald's says that we're now living in "a two-tier economy." " If you're upper income earning over $100,000 things are good, stock markets are near all time highs... What we see with middle and lower income consumers is actually a different story."

As is now abundantly evident, Kennedy is both unqualified to lead in public health *and* an unstable person. I’ve (unfortunately) seen his act on autism topics for decades. This latest goalpost shift is sadly typical. None of his generated chaos helps autistic people, their families, or the public.

I'm mom to a (lovely) autistic child & so tired of this unscientific, mother-blaming rhetoric. Evidence shows Tylenol doesn't cause autism (& vaccines don't, either). People have blamed autism on moms' choices for nearly 100 yrs, making their challenges even harder. www.npr.org/2016/09/09/4...

Guard Units in Chicago are, just like last winter’s influx of migrants, *involuntary* visitors sent by Trump and Texas to destabilize our city. While they visibly and unconstitutionally stroll around and take in the sights, ICE will be trying to provoke physical responses. Stay cool and record.

This Administration is dedicated to destroying our academic and scientific infrastructure. Probably because it represents a form of oversight and accountability. The termination for convenience is absolutely the weapon.

I suspect teachers around the globe and across time will recognize this classroom.

When I was little, the U.S. military came to our home at gunpoint and took me and my family away. We were imprisoned for years in barbed wire camps simply because we were Japanese American. I have spent my life telling that story, hoping it would never be repeated.