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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 1d

I first met Cecil Roberts in Grundy when we were both a lot younger. Cecil fired up the crowd outside the Department of Labor today, rallying to demand enforcement of the silica rule. Way past time to protect coal miners from BLD.
Cecil Roberts has led the UMWA so long it’s like a geologic era.

A selfie of Michael Shea and Cecil Roberts.

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 1d

Hope to see y’all in DC at this rally later this morning. Stand with the miners and stop BLD.
actionnetwork.org/forms/join-t...

Join the Black Lung Associations to rally in DC!

Black lung disease is a horrible condition — but it’s preventable. Coal companies should have to follow a new, commonsense rule that would help protect miners from dust that causes black lung disease....

actionnetwork.org

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 1d

I'll be down in Grundy this weekend, volunteering at the free medical clinic that serves many miner families. Shout out to Dr. Smiddy, who's been advocating for and helping heal miners with BLD for many years.
We need more politicians to have the backs of people in the community doing good work.

Mark Teel @teelmj.bsky.social · 1d

Trump & Youngkin rig our economy for the rich. Democrats fight for an economy that works for all of us. - Coal Miners With Black Lung Say They Are ‘Cast Aside to Die’ Under Trump

Coal Miners With Black Lung Say They Are ‘Cast Aside to Die’ Under Trump

www.nytimes.com

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 1d

I have an editing backlog for covering community events. But here's a video of the Remembrance part of the candlelight vigil Arlington had in August on International Overdose Death Awareness Day. The Rev. Alyssa Densham led this part of the gathering.
Save the date for 8/31/26.
youtu.be/bLzXw2ALj58

International Overdose Awareness: Remembrance 2025

YouTube video by ICYMI at AIM

youtu.be

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 2d

If you're ever out on the WOD trail, just east of Leesburg, you will go through the construction site for the Milestone Reservoir project. Used to be quiet trails off to the side. Between a drinking water reservoir in a quarry and data center water cooling needs, Loudoun is "rethinking" the Potomac.

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 2d

Before we all jump to conclusions and say that Kristi Noem is unhinged and delusional when she insists Portland is war ravaged, remember Noem could have ranidaphobia, or fear of frogs.
Not all disabilities are seen.

Three people in frog costumes, with a sign: Frogs Together Strong.

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 2d

Josiele Berto and her family from Brazil have legal status to be in Massachusetts and work in the US. ICE detained her 13 yo son and moved him to the ICE facility in Winchester, Virginia.

Glenn Youngkin and Winsome Earle-Sears brag on being for parental rights. Why are they silent on this case?

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 2d

Reported by Boston Globe that ICE detained a 13 year old in Massachusetts, and without notice secreted him to the NWR juvenile detention facility in Winchester, Virginia.
Family is from Brazil, has an asylum case being adjudicated- and is authorized to work in US.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...

Everett 13-year-old arrested by ICE and sent to Virginia detention facility - The Boston Globe

The boy’s mother, Josiele Berto, was called to pick her son up from the Everett Police Department on Thursday, the day he was arrested.

www.bostonglobe.com

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 3d

Halligan took shortcuts to get a grand jury indictment. The incentive against that is supposed to be long odds against then getting a conviction.
But Trump and MAGA put no value on convictions.
They make bank on losing in court. It gives them more "enemies."
The DOJ today is trying to lose in court.

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 4d

TY to the Goodwin House Green Team members who came to the "Affirming Support for Science" poetry reading in Jennie Dean Park. They joined the other readers in our presentation of "Pledge."
Special shout out to Dick Graham, who will be 100 yo in February. He is still showing up and speaking out.

Five residents of a senior living community at a picnic area in a park.

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 4d

GEFTA, the bill Trump signed into law in 2019 is direct and specific: furloughed emplyees during a shutdown get back pay. No grey area.
Only way Trump gets away with stiffing the furloughed workers is if the Supreme Court has an un-American idea that Trump is immune from the laws.
Oh, wait...

Text from a bill that was signed into law: "Each employee of the United States Government or of a District of Columbia public employer furloughed as a result of a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for the period of the lapse in appropriations, and each excepted employee who is required to perform work during a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for such work, at the employee’s standard rate of pay, at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates."

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 4d

We are at 75% cloud cover, but I’m more of a 25% sunny guy. No rain expected this morning in Arlington!
Join us in Jennie Dean Park to affirm your support for a science that serves all humanity and for caring for the Earth.
9:30 am at the picnic shelter.

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 7d

Join us in Arlington's Jennie Dean Park for a poetry reading to reaffirm our commitment to the Earth, all life on it, all its peoples, and to a science that serves all humanity.

Gathering at 9:30 am, Saturday, October 11th.
Speaking and reading starting at 10 am.
poems.travelingstanzas.com/pledge

The green roofed picnic shelter at Jennie Dean Park in Arlington.

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 4d

Squeaker of the House Mike Johnson has only shown up for work 5 days a month lately.
Good grief, he could be my dentist!
I'm sure Johnson heads out to work every day, hears an Epstein files story on the radio, and puts the car back in the garage.

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 4d

Key takeaway from last night's gubernatorial debate in Virginia between @abigailspanberger.com and LG Earle-Sears:

When Winsome Earle-Sears can't pose with an assault rifle, she seems to get cranky and doesn't have a cogent message.

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 5d

The Nobel Peace Prize committee chose between:
- María Corina Machado, opposition leader in Venezuela, leading to build a nonviolent democracy in that country, and
-Trump, who summarily executes people in boats, claiming without evidence they are Venezuelan drug runners.

Seems like an easy call.

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 5d

Who do I talk to in Richmond to make sure that when the 2026-2027 State Health Policy Fellows are announced, the Commonwealth of Virginia is on this list? I'm cc:'ing @abigailspanberger.com @senatorhashmi.bsky.social @hopeforvirginia.bsky.social @atoosareaser.bsky.social here
nam.edu/news-and-ins...

NAM Announces 5 State Health Policy Fellows

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) today announced the selection of five fellows for the 2025–26 class of its State Health Policy Fellowship (SHPF)

nam.edu

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 6d

His next offering from his bitcoin company will be "Nobel medallions."

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 6d

China's autocratic leaders are not tree-huggers or even concerned about the fate of the planet. BUT they know business. They know wind and renewables are the future and that future is now.
No one has done more to ensure China's economic dominance than Trump.
gcaptain.com/trumps-offsh...

Trump’s Offshore Wind Crackdown Sends Shockwaves Through Supplier Industry

The Trump administration’s attack on the offshore wind industry is squeezing a key revenue stream for the subcontractors that help build wind farms, forcing many to put investment plans on ice.

gcaptain.com

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 6d

Seems obvious that Trump is getting a Nobel Peace Prize. Same way he got the Club World Cup trophy that Chelsea won: crash the party and walk out with the medal. Plan B is to raid Obama's house and confiscate his Nobel Peace Prize. SCOTUS will rule that Trump needs a presumption of immunity.

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 6d

The fetus does not grow inside the placenta. It grows next to it.
RFK Jr. is a moron. The worm is inside his brain, not next to it.
Time for the dude to shut the front door.

Text from a Google search for what being inside the placenta would mean for a fetus.

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 6d

Todd Gilbert, a good lawyer who knows his business, was a good choice for US Attorney, backed by Kaine/Warner.
Trump pushed him out for refusing to allow Trump’s meddling in DOJ.

Todd Gilbert saw the texts when Jay Jones sent them- and not take it as a threat.
www.virginiascope.com/gilbert-resi...

Gilbert resigned from his United States attorney post

Western District of Virginia United States Attorney Todd Gilbert has resigned from his position effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the office. Robert Tracci, who was servin...

www.virginiascope.com

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 6d

Overlooked fact in the Jay Jones case: Todd Gilbert also saw the hate texts when Jones sent them to Coyner.
Gilbert justifiably developed a low opinion of Jones- but took no action. Did not see it as a threat. Did not think it crossed a line. Did not report it.
I condemn the texts. But not a crime.

Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 6d

I support all Virginia politicians condemning political violence. Let’s start with any candidates whose brand is built on the threat of an assault rifle not in a military or law enforcement context. Let’s have those candidates withdraw from their race.
Are we serious about not tolerating violence?

Winsome Earle-Sears with an assault rifle.

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Reposted by Michael A. Shea

WOFAVA @wofava.bsky.social · 6d

Virginia is for Lovers — NOT KINGS! ➡️ www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...

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Reposted by Michael A. Shea

calliesue.bsky.social @calliesue.bsky.social · 7d

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