iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Heather Cox Richardson (TDPR) @hcrichardson.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

This. Write your name in the history books on the right side of the ledger.

Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Senthorun S. Raj @senthorun.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

You know you live in authoritarian times when it’s acceptable to vilify/harass LGBT folk, migrants, Palestinians, disabled people but those who speak up for such groups are caged or deported. Bigots are free to speak while those who endure bigotry are silenced. This isn’t free speech — it’s fascism.

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Absolutely the wrong side to align with, APA. I can’t imagine members will tolerate this decision.

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

The concept of “self-harm” being applied to federal politics right now - clinically - totally tracks.

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

This is completely terrifying, a huge violation of the first amendment, and part of the coopting of a distorted version of anti-semitism to justify persecution of people speaking out against Israel's genocide. And the broader pursuit of a police state.

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

The service industry is essential to our country’s social and economic wellbeing, and one of the roles where many of us learned how to not be the kind of assholes Trump and Musk clearly are. I credit my years of customer service for strengthening my patience, humility, and hard work ethic.

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Danielle Langlois @langwa.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

THIS IS ALSO A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE Some of you may be thinking: This is very sad, but why is it our job to keep kids alive in poor countries?

Some of you may be thinking: This is very sad, but why is it our job to keep kids alive in poor countries?

There are two answers to that. The first is that U.S.A.I.D. was established to advance our national interests as well as our values, and its demolition means that the United States loses soft power and China gains. Already, China has moved to replace the United States as the most visible supporter of Cambodia, and we’ll see the same elsewhere, particularly in Africa and the South Pacific.

Antiterrorism programs in Syria and West Africa are faltering and may lead to new attacks on Americans. Surveillance for early detection of avian flu and Ebola are weakened, and an epidemic of either disease could reach America and cost billions of dollars. Trump’s defunding of the polio eradication effort may lead, by one U.S.A.I.D. official’s estimate, to 200,000 cases of paralytic polio each year.

The same official warned that the aid stoppage could lead to nearly a one-third increase in tuberculosis cases. Some of those will reach the United States and lead to enormous expense — a single case of extensively drug-resistant TB can cost $500,000 to manage.

The second answer to that query reflects not a calculation of self-interest but the moral code we live by. In this century, we are all blessed with miraculous, almost biblical powers: We can heal the sick and save children’s lives, all inexpensively: America spends just 0.24 percent of gross national income on humanitarian aid. We properly honor a firefighter who saves a single child, but three cheers for us as taxpayers for rescuing millions of children around the world from AIDS, starvation and disease.

That is, until January.

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Indigoflaxweed @indigoflaxweed.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

US gun makers knowingly supply guns to traffickers & cartels. US citizens buy the cartel drugs. “It’s a cycle that depends on the guns. You would not have these powerful criminal organizations if they didn’t have firepower. That is their life’s blood. And they get 70 to 90% of [the guns] from us.”

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Call to action for all cis folks to intervene if someone is being harassed or denied their civil rights in any bathroom. Speak up and shut this discrimination down every single time it happens.

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Trump reportedly told Justin Trudeau he does not believe the border between the US and Canada is “valid” and he wants to “revise” it. Trump has also said he wants to bring Canada to its knees by driving them into economic ruin.

nytimes.com

How Trump’s ‘51st State’ Canada Talk Came to Be Seen as Deadly Serious

President Trump, in an early February call, challenged the border treaty between the two countries and told Justin Trudeau he didn’t like their shared water agreements.

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 27/02/2025

NEW: Career DOJ spokesman — a Marine Corps vet — is resigning, saying “basic decency” has come to an end and there’s a “hostile and toxic work environment” inside DOJ. Reporting from NBC News:

While the relentless attacks on federal workers have certainly taken their toll, I remain incredibly proud of my 23 years in public service, including nearly a decade on active duty in the U.S.
Marine Corps. When I left the Marines as a disabled veteran, I was unsure what my future would hold, and so it was an honor of a lifetime when I was offered the chance to serve my country again as a federal employee. Since 2010, I have served as a spokesman for agencies within the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice, and have witnessed the extraordinary expertise, patriotism, selflessness, and steadfast commitment to mission of public servants throughout the federal service.
To be clear, the outcome of the most recent general election did not influence my decision. In fact, it has been an honor to serve this department under multiple administrations led by both Republicans and Democrats, each of whom have previously treated career staff with respect and dignity. It is heartbreaking to see that basic decency come to an end. Simply put, I cannot continue to serve in such a hostile and toxic work environment, one where leadership at the highest levels makes clear we are not welcome or valued, much less trusted to do our jobs.
I sincerely wish you and those who remain the very best. You all have been such wonderful teammates over the years - dedicated, honest, loyal public servants who do the job not for the title, and certainly not for the miniscule paycheck, but for your deep passion for the mission and service to your country. You are true patriots and the very best our country has to offer.
Semper Fidelis,
Joshua Stueve

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Eroding trust in America across the globe. Seeding fear in indigenous communities. This man is a monster and he makes us all monsters when we play along.

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

This is such a good idea. Too afraid to host a Town Hall and answer to the public? No problem; we’ll host it for you!

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Jaclyn A. Siegel, PhD @jacasiegel.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Apropos of nothing, now is a good time to brush up on your rights as a protester or protest organizer. You are largely protected under the first amendment, thiugh there are limitations. www.aclu.org/know-your-ri...

aclu.org

Know Your Rights | Protesters’ Rights | ACLU

The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exerc...

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

I can’t be the only one who sees this.

Image of Linda McMahon,
United States Secretary of Education

Image of Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

NEW—Dept of Ed staff received an email from Sec. McMahon tonight with the subject, “Our Department’s Final Mission.” McMahon writes that plan is, “to send education back to the states.” Notably doesn’t mention executive order like earlier draft, but some think it’s still coming. Full text:

From: Linda McMahon
Subject: Our Department's Final Mission
When I took the oath of office as Secretary of Education, I accepted responsibility for overseeing the U.S. Department of Education and those who work here. But more importantly, I took responsibility for supporting over 100 million American children and college students who are counting on their education to create opportunity and prepare them for a rewarding career.
I want to do right by both.
As you are all aware, President Trump nominated me to take the lead on one of his most momentous campaign promises to families. My vision is aligned with the President's: to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children. As a mother and grandmother, I know there is nobody more qualified than a parent to make educational decisions for their children. I also started my career studying to be a teacher, and as a Connecticut Board of Education member and college
trustee, I have long held that teaching is the most noble of professions. As a businesswoman, I know the power of education to prepare workers for fulfilling careers.
American education can be the greatest in the world. It ought not to be corrupted by political ideologies, special interests, and unjust discrimination. Parents, teachers, and students alike deserve better.
After President Trump's inauguration last month, he steadily signed a slate of executive orders to keep his promises: combatting critical race theory, DEl, gender ideology, discrimination in admissions, promoting school choice for every child, and restoring patriotic education and civics. He has also been focused on eliminating waste, red tape, and harmful programs in the federal government.
The Department of Education's role in this new era of accountability is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington.
This restoration will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency

As l've learned many times throughout my career, disruption leads to innovation and gets results. We must start thinking about our final mission at the department as an overhaul-a last chance to restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great. Changing the status quo can be daunting. But every staff member of this Department should be enthusiastic about any change that will benefit students.
True change does not happen overnight—especially the historic overhaul of a federal agency. Over the coming months, as we work hard to carry out the President's directives, we will focus on a positive vision for what American education can be.
These are our convictions:
1. Parents are the primary decision makers in their children's education.
2. Taxpayer-funded education should refocus on meaningful learning in math, reading, science, and history—not divisive DEl programs and gender ideology.
3. Postsecondary education should be a path to a well-paying career aligned with workforce needs.
Removing red tape and bureaucratic barriers will empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children. An effective transfer of educational oversight to the states will mean more autonomy for local communities.
Teachers, too, will benefit from less micromanagement in the classroom-enabling them to get back to basics.
I hope each of you will embrace this vision going forward and use these convictions as a guide for conscientious and pragmatic action. The elimination of bureaucracy should free us, not limit us, in our pursuit of these goals. I want to invite all employees to join us in this historic final mission on behalf of all students, with the same dedication and excellence that you have brought to your careers as public servants.
This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students. I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete, we will all be able to say

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Pam Herd @pamherd.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

We explain here how Musk’s and Trump’s staff cuts at SSA will cause this. Managing 1/5 of the federal budgrt, and tracking earnings for nearly all Americans, is a huge task. They were already understaffed—now they’ll be gutted altogether donmoynihan.substack.com/p/trump-is-t...

donmoynihan.substack.com

Trump's Assault on Social Security

The plan to cut America's most successful safety net program

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

So what I’m reading is trans youth have more courage than these “leaders.” When marginalized children and their families are more willing to stand up for who they are in the face of violent threats than our elected officials, we have a huge problem.

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

A lot of people are going to die from this

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

News Eye @newseye.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

NEW: A searing editorial in the The Kyiv Independent. “It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up. “A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.” @kyivindependent.com

kyivindependent.com

Editorial: A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky

It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up. In the past several weeks, the U.S. leadership has demonstrate...

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

JUST IN: A federal judge in Washington has barred the Trump administration from enforcing EOs related to medical care for transgender youth and grant funds for institutions that offer medical services to transgender people — but only in the 4 states that sued (CO, MN, WA, OR)

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Alessandro Nai @alessandronai.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Managing the feat of being stupid, vulgar, unhinged, racist, imperialist, cruel, cringeworthy, tasteless, dangerous, morally corrupt and - frankly - ridiculous in 30 short seconds. The perfect proof that time travel will never exist - we would absolutely go back and show this to our younger selves

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

bsky.app/profile/kevi... Maybe someone can keep him busy with peekaboo? It will cost tax payers less than golfing. 🫣

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Reposted by Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D.

Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

I present to you the next deputy director of the FBI!

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

bsky.app/profile/news... Short story…we’re the bad guys.

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

I see the Dunning-Kruger effect is having a great year. People with zero training and expertise believing they are the winners as they burn our country to the ground.

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

bsky.app/profile/muel... @cantwell.senate.gov what are you going to do about this breach now?

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Reminder to use RESISTBOT to contact Congress about important confirmation hearings and other crucial issues. This week I am particularly concerned about RFK’s potential confirmation. You can sign petitions or send a letter RESISTBOT or you write. Text TRENDING or SUPPORT to 50409 to start.

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

bsky.app/profile/ghos... Definitely recommend calling. The rep I just spoke with sounded weary and told me they are getting a lot of calls urging them to abandon DEI policies. They link your comment to your membership number and send it up to the Board. Please call.

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Rosemarie Downey-McCarthy, Ph.D. @rosemariedm.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Looking forward to being as inactive here as I was on previous platforms.

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