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phyllisbetts.bsky.social

@phyllisbetts.bsky.social
615 followers 1.2K following 72 posts

Sociologist. Retired Professor. Field-based community researcher. Engaged citizen. Data and policy work. Blue collar midwest background. JD Vance cannot tell me about the working class. I expose gaslighting.

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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Amazing how the call for women/families to have more babies is being cast as a SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY—even while JD has already told us that it is only natural and moral that we think almost exclusively in terms of our own immediate blood ties. Would seem to include #children as a “family” decision.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
I enjoy intelligent conversation, about current affairs/politics, policy research, science, medicine, religion and books. Where I learn something NEW. IMHO there is now too much starter pack promotion or endless lists of accounts to follow. And one on one “Good Morning” back and forth.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Never UNDERESTIMATE the size of the low-information voter population, nor the power of “vibes” to engage this voter. That’s it. Dems tying themselves in knots as pundits proclaim they do not communicate a clear, consistent message. People—a message requires a motivated listener. Dems, get a vibe.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
The idea will be to Trump up “good immigrants” here w/ some kind of legal status. Just what ARE the criteria for “fast tracking?” Probably based on some kind of “extra points” for potential “talents.” Picture this: ten Afrikaner “refugees” compete in challenges loosely correlated w/ special talents.
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Reposted by @phyllisbetts.bsky.social
Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Jessica: We have big headlines, getting investment like $8.5 billion out of Qatar, that was already announced in 2023 and 2024. Abu Dhabi, he says $200 billion… announced during the Biden administration… He likes to show up and take credit for things other people did
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
This 8647 stuff being investigated? Nonsense. The Pam&Kash&Tulsi trio can issue an admonition that it could be misunderstood. Then let’s do a compilation of things 47 & his henchmen have said/posted that could be misunderstood as a threat. Or CLEARLY seen as a full-throated call for earthly demise.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
AfterTrump made that announcement about the “deal” with UK—where he referred to UK tariffs on meat, poultry, and dairy of ~200%—I did a search. Google returned an AI answer directly quoting Trump. And I could find no other reference to tariffs. Only discussion of import bans on hormones/chlorine.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Perhaps we should replace “earned” in this context with “took in.” She took in over 700k because she took in racist compatriots. “Earned” implies way too much in terms of value and just compensation.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Setting aside the taking undue credit and feigning insight he does not have—Trump staples—whoever wrote this for him (as a routine statement expected of a President) cannot replicate the adolescent vocabulary and mangled style that Trump and only Trump can conjure up. He did not write this.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Is that Karoline Leavitt?
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
aka MAGA MENGALI Chucky. And with Sweet Ly’in Karoline.
MAGA MENGALI MI13 Chucky
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Excuse me, while I kiss the sky! 😻
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
And, yes, she displays the mandatory cross in the cleavage like a bat signal. She and Karoline have it down to a fine art.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
I know of a chihuahua tethered to a helium balloon 🎈 who got floated around the room at a birthday party. He seemed to enjoy it. But that cat looks petrified!🙀
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
I thought the very YUGE faux-deal with the UK was the VERY BIGGEST ANNOUNCEMENT that was prophesied. He has not re-teased the big announcement since, has he?
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
This mascot for darkness wants you to see the evil within. Vance cultivates the pious facade. Either way, the both of them flatter the figurehead into ever escalating delusions of greatness, the better to manipulate him.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
He was determined to recapture the news cycle—after his concept of an outline for a UK deal got pushed aside—for a Pope that was neither AI generated nor likely to kiss his imaginary ring.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Maybe Jeannine and Pammi Jo can launch a Diamond and Silk style act. Called something like, I don’t know, “Come to Daddy.”
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
I was rooting for Judge Judy, and am disappointed that Lindsay did not see the wisdom of her elder status.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Is there anything to stop this man from naming time-limited “interims” one after another, indefinitely in the case of US Attorneys, to avoid confirmation process? Pirro comes from Theatre of the Absurd. Judge Judy is better qualified.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
The FIRST American Pope at this moment in time! NOT a coincidence. Maybe the AI Pope Donald John the Furher (aka the Fertilization Pope; whoops—of course I meant the First) was just too much even for the fence sitters. Even the choice of Leo XIV . . . Glory be to the Father.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
We might describe the issue as mindless consumerism. It applies to expensive goods (and experiences) and cheap goods. “Materialism” to make us feel good, to pursue status or identity symbols. Egged on by constant marketing. But that sounds “Marxist.”
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
LUTNICK would mistake a welding fixture with an arc of sparks for a piece of modern art.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
He has not had one since Inauguration Eve. He was beginning to feel the DTs.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
I would appreciate someone in a position to know adressing this issue: can Trump and Vance be impeached together as perpetrators of high crimes and misdemeanors? Which, after the midterms, could leave neither Vance nor Johnson assuming the presidency.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
It appears that some folks are not aware that there will be no President and no comedian. More serious program, with hopefully a more serious and thoughtful—and effective—message.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Yes, consistent with earlier and continuing evidence.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Yes. Just going to read the article.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
What is that brace-like device behind Trump’s right calf? Enlarge the photo to see it. Is this an optical illusion? Something special about the chair? This is a serious question. Zelenskyy’s chair is not the same.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Walked this walk on Friday. Felt some of the same things.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
I am dismayed that The University of Chicago is not a signatory. I can speculate about reasons, but none justify their reticence.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Signatories in critical states like North Carolina and Texas, are constrained by MAGA legislators and higher education Boards of Governors/Trustees. As well as public, and sometimes even private, schools in southern/heartland red states with MAGA governors.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
I’m a sociologist and have ALWAYS included conservative thought as part of critical inquiry. E.g Thomas Sowell. Also believe critical theory/critical race theory are essential—AND that colonialism/settler colonialism overgeneralizes. On us to sort that out w/o regressing to mythology of “the west.”
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
This—and nearly everything he utters and does—is nothing less than a national disgrace. Some are keeping track.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
Does c(3) below—allowing latitude for the Treasury Secretary to implement a change to “tax policy”—provide a loophole? Is tax “policy” a Congressional prerogative re power of the purse? If somebody can reply it will save me from having to look up yet another thing! Thank you in advance.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
DOGE/Elon going silent re fake “exposures of fraud” and cost cutting “savings.” But we know they’re rooting around at IRS/other foundational data. INCREDIBLE damage to health, science, education/human services already done. WHO Is writing the best ongoing damage assessment/chronology?
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Was watching news and the Trump Chatty Cathy in the Oval popped up. He really needs some new phrases in his voice box cause he says the VERY same lie-laced voice dumps EVERY SINGLE TIME. I swear even the celebrities being sworn in (Dr Oz today) have to mask their incredulity.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
go.bsky.app/2UhqSzF
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Maybe the insight of “of the people,” by the people,” and “FOR the people”—and the concept of “promoting the general welfare” needs to be rejoinder.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Yep, that’s for sure.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Well, yes, and Chicago is in Cook County, and Chicago and Cook County are in Illinois. I lived in Springfield (18 years) Carbondale (4 years), and Chicago (4 years.) Downstate Illinois is much different socially/culturally/politically. He cannot come off as Chicago “elite” to compete nationally.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
In Chicago or Capital Springfield? He’s lost weight. He’s running. Springfield is my hometown. He needs to be seen more in Springfield and all downstate outside Cook County to build his Midwest cred. Illinois has corn and coal and Cook County.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Existing data probably already sold, w/contract to continue collection and sell newly proprietary data. Some might be altered without contradiction—because no one else will have the contract/funding to collect. Watch for it. Stop the plunder and impeach/convict incumbent, VP, Speaker.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Senator Murkowski, we appreciate your first step, and encourage you to walk the distance as you leave crawling behind. Move holding on from chair to chair if you must—but you are developmentally capable of consistently talking the truth and walking the walk to caucus with the opposition.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
RFK description of autism is more like the original diagnostic criteria before the reconceptualization of a “spectrum”—yet he promotes/thrives on the broadened “1/31 kids are now autistic” criteria. BIG bait and switch vibes here SHOULD be enough to expose his demagoguery.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
These photographic examples need to be shared and reshared. How about a full-body swimmer?
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
He should be asked at the Bukele “press opportunity” tomorrow about the arson at Gov Shapiro’s home, which—my intuition says—he will blame on “the anti-Semitic radical left lunatics” and/or pro-Palestinian campus protestors having visas from the Middle East.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
Never underestimate two things: size of “low information voter” crowd; and power of “vibes.”This is the ONLY way—after YEARS of reading, observing, asking questions, and plain old connecting-the-dots thinking—to understand the OBAMA to TRUMP voter. Which in turn explains almost everything else.
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phyllisbetts.bsky.social @phyllisbetts.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
He is not insane. He is gracious and measured. Bill Maher says so.
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