iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Citizenship challenge days #83 - 94: Even though I'm behind on posting, I've been busy behind the scenes! My latest citizenship challenges include attending to a medical emergency while at a friend's party; serving breakfast at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless ...

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #82: My favorite challenge of the week was making a donation to support Doug Ruch, a 55 y/o man diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in January, whose wish is to volunteer and serve others in every state before he dies. #beautiful www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/20...

washingtonpost.com

Given months to live, he decided to volunteer in every state

Doug Ruch, who was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in January, has volunteered at food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens, senior centers and more.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #81: I participated in a fun Crossing Party Lines workshop last night called "Your Brain on Politics" where we discussed the role of the limbic system and its impacts on how we interact and converse with others across the political spectrum. Now, it's time to practice!

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #80: I co-wrote an op-ed with two colleagues about the impact of potential Medicaid cuts on the viability of rural hospitals and the local economic ripple effects that will ensue. (Will post it when it gets published!) #makeyourvoiceheard

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Citizenship challenge days #78 - 79: 1) I spent an hour this afternoon sweeping and cleaning up trash from the parking lot by my building. 2) I dropped off several items I no longer need at Goodwill today.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Citizenship challenge days #75 - 77: 1) I participated in a Denver Democrats and climate change discussion earlier this week. 2) I helped organize support for a friend whose son is going through a lot at the moment. 3) I attended my HOA board meeting this week. #community #getinvolved

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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

By distracting us with fake terrorism, this administration is inviting the real thing. snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...

snyder.substack.com

The Next Terrorist Attack

And What Comes After

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Adam Kinzinger @adamkinzinger.substack.com · 20/04/2025

My Easter message: You don’t have to share my faith to find meaning in it. In an age of chaos and lies, the story of Easter still offers hope, truth, and redemption adamkinzinger.substack.com/p/resurrecti...

adamkinzinger.substack.com

Resurrection in the Age of Outrage

Easter lessons for a nation teetering on the edge—and why I still have hope

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #74 (4/16): I attended a thought-provoking 2-hour session w/ 4 Attorneys General from CO, NV, HI, + WA. We discussed the environment, education, voting laws, tariffs, ICE, LGBT rights, public health, immigration, health care, healthy food, due process, + the rule of law.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #72 (4/14): I picked up my new license plates today at the DMV, and it was the easiest "yes" I've had in a long time to pay $29 for the annual Colorado state parks pass. Citizenship made easy!

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #71 (4/14): I signed up this evening to attend a Community Impact Hearing: A Town Hall with State Attorneys General "Protecting Your Rights Against Illegal Federal Action" on 4/16. Here's the link to join: coag.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

coag.sjc1.qualtrics.com

Community Impact Hearing Registration | April 16

Registration form for the Community Impact Hearing with state attorneys general in Denver, Colorado, on April 16, 2025.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #70 (4/14): I learned today that the Community College of Aurora that offers 10-week Citizenship Preparation courses for individuals studying for their naturalization exams recently lost a major grant through the US Department of Homeland Security.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #69 (4/10): Started this excellent book, narrated by @joyannreid.bsky.social herself. I love when travel and history come together. I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument in Jackson, MS ...

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Citizenship challenge days #67 (4/7) and #68 (4/7): 1) I supported a friend applying for a new role. 2) I signed up for Crossing Party Lines Your Brain on Politics workshop in a couple of weeks. #keepshowingup #keeplearning

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Citizenship challenge day #66 (3/31): I finished a great book: The Whiteness of Wealth by Dorothy A. Brown. In my work, I have become familiar with red lining and discriminatory housing and real estate policies - and their long-lasting effects upon intergenerational wealth building.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #65 (3/30): I just experienced the coolest thing: my first time being a "reader" in the @humanlibrary.bsky.social and "checking out" two amazing human "books" for thoughtful conversations.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #64 (3/29): I attended @degette.house.gov town hall this morning on Medicaid. I had the opportunity to share my perspectives on why preserving this popular and effective program is so important from both health care and economic standpoints.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #63 (3/27): I signed up to attend Rep. @degette.house.gov town hall tomorrow morning on Medicaid. Looking forward to the discussion!

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #62 (3/25): I had leftover narcotics from my ankle surgery that I didn't use and properly disposed of them at a local pharmacy.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #61 (3/25): I participated in my first-ever Primary Care for All Americans organizing call this past Tuesday evening.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #59 (3/24): Sometimes citizenship isn't necessarily glamorous (and in fact, most of the time it's not), such as serving on one's HOA board and calling to get quotes to steam clean your building's carpeted stairwells. But, the deeds must be done!

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #60 (3/25): I helped support a dear friend whose son faced a health crisis this past week.

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." —FDR, 1937

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #58 (3/22): Donated in honor of my friend Rachel's son Brooks who lives with epilepsy. Rachel is aiming to raise $50K for the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado and Wyoming. I would be delighted if you could support this incredible family! www.classy.org/team/638195

classy.org

COLORADO EPILEPSY WALK - Denver

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #57 (3/21): Last night was incredible. I made my way to the Civic Center to join @aoc.bsky.social @sanders.senate.gov and a crowd of 34,000 in protest against oligarchy, totalitarianism, and the dismantling of democratic institutions.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #56 (3/20): I joined three other incredible family physicians on a Zoom press call today with the Committee to Protect Health Care sharing our concerns re: potential Medicaid cuts in CO Districts 3 and 8 (Rep. Jeff Hurd and Rep. Gave Evans).

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #55 (3/19): Truth be told, Life of Pi was one of my least favorite books I’ve ever read. The Broadway version? Off the charts good. To watch Richard Parker come alive at the hands of three puppeteers was an incredible feat to witness.

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WTF Just Happened Today? by Matt Kiser @whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com · 17/03/2025

🗓️ Today in one sentence for Monday, March 17, 2025. Trump, Day 1518: "Overdrive." whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2025/03/17/d...

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Millions of Americans — especially seniors, small businesses, and rural communities — rely daily on USPS's affordable rates and universal service. Privatization would make the mail more expensive and less reliable — all to enrich the billionaire class. We cannot let it happen.

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Joyce White Vance @joycewhitevance.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

If the Supreme Court ultimately agrees with what the gov't is arguing today, that the President has broad Article II powers that would permit it to deport people & there can be no judicial review, then literally no one is safe.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #54 (3/17): I signed up for two Crossing Party Lines events next week, a conversation on tariffs and a workshop called "Listening Politics." I can't wait! crossingpartylines.com

crossingpartylines.com

Crossing Party Lines | Change through civil conversation

Uniting Americans across divides, one conversation at a time. Crossing Party Lines is here to unite Americans and help America live and work together.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #53 (3/16): In my health policy world, the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, especially its Center for Primary Care Research, is critical to improving how primary care is financed, organized, and delivered.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #52 (3/15): My schedule doesn't allow me to attend any one of @bennet.senate.gov in-person town halls this coming week. I reached out to Senator Hickenlooper and Rep. DeGette's offices to ask about their plans to hold virtual or in-person town halls with constituents.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #50 (3/14): I researched and shared resources with a friend of mine who is navigating a new health diagnosis. #supportoneanother

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

We need a new free speech movement. And universities should sue the Trump regime for abridging the First Amendment rights of their institutions and their students. Some thoughts... robertreich.substack.com/p/we-need-…

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Joyce White Vance @joycewhitevance.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Trump is dismantling democracy right in front of us. He operates on the principle that people will think that if he does it openly and in public, there can't be anything wrong with it. Do not be deceived.

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WTF Just Happened Today? by Matt Kiser @whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com · 13/03/2025

🗓️ Today in one sentence for Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Trump, Day 1513: "This is not a game." whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2025/03/12/d...

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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 12/03/2025

one thing i keep thinking about is how there is simply no way to design a constitutional system that can resist authoritarian incursion if participants in that system do not actually care that much

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Congratulations, Tynesia Boyea-Robinson!!! My friend made this fabulous @forbes.com list of 11 Inspiring Black Entrepreneurs and Business Women! She's right there alongside Issa Rae and Beyonce! www.forbes.com/sites/britne...

forbes.com

11 Inspiring Black Business Women Revolutionizing Industries

Discover the trailblazing achievements of 11 Black entrepreneurs and businesswomen who are redefining industries and creating opportunities for future innovators.

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #49 (3/12): I don't always agree w/ David Brooks, but I find him to be a talented writer who makes me think. I enjoyed this 15-minute speech and was reminded of how critical it is to be a student of history. #beadefianthumanist www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSa5...

youtube.com

How the Elite rigged Society (and why it’s falling apart) | David Brooks

YouTube video by Alliance for Responsible Citizenship

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Citizenship challenge day #48 (3/12): I wrote my two Senators and asked them to vote no on the continuing budget resolution. The power of the purse belongs to Congress. @bennet.senate.gov

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Lauren Hughes @laurenshughes.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Citizenship challenge days #47 (3/12): I signed up for a Human Library conversation on 3/30. The @humanlibrary.bsky.social, a Danish concept, is designed to "build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue." #unjudgesomeone humanlibrary.org

humanlibrary.org

Unjudge someone - The Human Library Organization

The Human Library® is, a library of people. We host events where readers can borrow human beings serving as open books and have conversations.

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Joyce White Vance @joycewhitevance.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Let’s be clear about what this isn’t. This is not an attempt to protect Jewish Americans from antisemitism. That is a complicated problem that requires education and a long-term commitment. joycevance.substack.com/p/first-they...

joycevance.substack.com

First They Came For…

Mahmoud Khalil is a household name at the moment.

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Peter Sagal @petersagal.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

This letter appeared in the Bloomsburg PA Press Enterprise this morning. I am assured the writer is who he purports to be, an Air Force veteran.

benion
Grieving a wasted life
At a point in life when there are far too many days behind than ahead, one tends to
re-elected in contrast to standing up for the
reflect on a life lived. In my lifetime decades
greater good?
were devoted to protecting America. Sacri
A compromised Supreme Court recently
fices were made both by myself and my fam-
trotted out a shallow token standards of
Ily in military service. The tip of the spear:
conduct for themselves. Apparently it's
Countless weeks over the years were spent
not a bribe to accept favors after a deci-sion; only before. Corporations are people?
living at the end of a runway on alert with an Really? Whatever happened to Superman's armed B-52 as generations of aviators have motto of "truth, justice, and the American done before and since.
way?"
The purpose: if required, be airborne
Pay-to-play is the theme of the day. Un-
in minutes on a one-way trip bringing a
challenged and uncontested blatant conflicts
nuclear Armageddon to an adversary. Fly:
of interest abound. The rule of law is situ-
ing the unfriendly skies over North Viet-
ational if adhered to at all. America can no
nam provided a brief interlude, but overall,
longer be trusted. The unbridled pursuit of
this long line of silent sentinels stood firm
power and wealth driven by unquenchable
to protect America by deterring external
greed has left service above self and Con-
threats to our freedoms and way of life
stitutional norms in the dustbin of a quaint
across the decades. I was privileged to serve past. with men and women of integrity imbued
Recently the VA said exposure to Agent
with a sense of service.
Orange is the probable cause of the can-
I'm truly grateful that the B-52s we flew, which were built tough, were engineered
cers I live with. Actually I suspect it's more from yet unspecified sources, which cause
on scientific principles and fabricated by experienced, skilled workers rather than
military pilots to have significantly higher
founded on mere beli…

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

As Trump tries to dismantle the Department of Education, remember that his plan to cut the corporate tax rate to 15% would give the 100 largest corporations a tax cut larger than the entire department's K-12 budget. Really think about how twisted this all is.

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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

The Columbia deportation case is bad enough on its own — but the precedent is worse. People can be deported without breaking a law because of a vague reference to foreign policy.

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