Melanie Figg
@mafigg.bsky.social
Poet, essayist, teacher, writing coach. She/her. Poetry book: TRACE ~ www.melaniefigg.net
This week’s Just for Skeets and Giggles is out! Have a great weekend. open.substack.com/pub/statusku...
November 8, 2025 at 9:55 PM
beyond disgusting
November 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
beyond disgusting
A non-profit has built a massive internet database—and served training data to AI firms despite pleas from publishers to stop, Alex Reisner reports:
The Nonprofit Doing the AI Industry’s Dirty Work
Common Crawl claims to provide a public benefit, but it lies to publishers about its activities.
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Reposted by Melanie Figg
This is Adelita Grijalva. She was elected 43 days ago.
Republicans still refuse to swear her in because she is the final vote needed to release the Epstein Files.
Republicans still refuse to swear her in because she is the final vote needed to release the Epstein Files.
November 5, 2025 at 11:38 PM
This is Adelita Grijalva. She was elected 43 days ago.
Republicans still refuse to swear her in because she is the final vote needed to release the Epstein Files.
Republicans still refuse to swear her in because she is the final vote needed to release the Epstein Files.
Reposted by Melanie Figg
LA: “They took a US citizen father out and left a toddler in the backseat. Two heavily armed border patrol agents got in that car and drove the child and the vehicle away.”
What are we doing?
What are we doing?
November 5, 2025 at 11:07 PM
LA: “They took a US citizen father out and left a toddler in the backseat. Two heavily armed border patrol agents got in that car and drove the child and the vehicle away.”
What are we doing?
What are we doing?
Reposted by Melanie Figg
It got drowned out in all the good news from last night, but Boston Mayor Michelle Wu became the youngest person to be reelected in the city's history.
She ran unopposed because her opponent--Patriots owner Bob Kraft's son--withdrew a few months ago after realizing he had no hope of winning.
She ran unopposed because her opponent--Patriots owner Bob Kraft's son--withdrew a few months ago after realizing he had no hope of winning.
November 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
It got drowned out in all the good news from last night, but Boston Mayor Michelle Wu became the youngest person to be reelected in the city's history.
She ran unopposed because her opponent--Patriots owner Bob Kraft's son--withdrew a few months ago after realizing he had no hope of winning.
She ran unopposed because her opponent--Patriots owner Bob Kraft's son--withdrew a few months ago after realizing he had no hope of winning.
Reposted by Melanie Figg
REV. BLACK (who was shot in the head with a pepper ball): “If this is what they’re doing to pastors, journalists, teachers, mothers, and the elderly gathered to sing and pray outside ICE facilities… what might they be doing to our neighbors who are behind those walls?”
October 31, 2025 at 2:33 AM
REV. BLACK (who was shot in the head with a pepper ball): “If this is what they’re doing to pastors, journalists, teachers, mothers, and the elderly gathered to sing and pray outside ICE facilities… what might they be doing to our neighbors who are behind those walls?”
One way we've been making an impact is with corporate boycotts. Please consider cancelling your Spotify subscription until the ICE ads are removed. Streaming hate is a choice; refuse to fund it. #CancelSpotify app.sosha.ai/s/5xwPbr9h
Don’t Stream Fascism: Cancel Spotify
app.sosha.ai
October 31, 2025 at 2:49 AM
One way we've been making an impact is with corporate boycotts. Please consider cancelling your Spotify subscription until the ICE ads are removed. Streaming hate is a choice; refuse to fund it. #CancelSpotify app.sosha.ai/s/5xwPbr9h
Reposted by Melanie Figg
This enrages me. Honestly, you should just roll up the paper, throw it in the trash can, and join the White House Office of Communications if this is what you’re going to do these days.
October 24, 2025 at 4:48 AM
This enrages me. Honestly, you should just roll up the paper, throw it in the trash can, and join the White House Office of Communications if this is what you’re going to do these days.
good riddance
Mamdani hasn’t been elected yet and he’s already driving criminals out of New York.
October 22, 2025 at 12:50 PM
good riddance
no one does a major "renovation" who plans to move in a few years. The GOP is calling our alarm/grief "manufactured furor" of course
October 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM
no one does a major "renovation" who plans to move in a few years. The GOP is calling our alarm/grief "manufactured furor" of course
TERRIFYING
Trump’s ICE Jacks Up Weapons Spending by 700%—Including ‘Guided Missile Warheads’ | Common Dreams
The Trump administration's massive increase in funding for ICE weapons is alarming. ICE is now armed to the teeth, treating its officers as a private military to deploy against Americans. Why does ICE...
www.commondreams.org
October 20, 2025 at 10:31 PM
TERRIFYING
Reposted by Melanie Figg
Does he even know his "peace deal" has fallen apart already? Maybe no one told him because they didn't want to deal with his inevitable tantrum?
Q: Do you feel Israel was justified with striking when it did?
TRUMP: Striking where?
Q: In Gaza. Today. And overnight.
TRUMP: I'd have to get back to you on that
TRUMP: Striking where?
Q: In Gaza. Today. And overnight.
TRUMP: I'd have to get back to you on that
October 20, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Does he even know his "peace deal" has fallen apart already? Maybe no one told him because they didn't want to deal with his inevitable tantrum?
Reposted by Melanie Figg
It's Prison Banned Books Week — a week dedicated to shining a light on the widespread denial of incarcerated people's freedom to read.
We all have a First Amendment right to read and receive information, in and out of prison. Censorship has no place in a democracy.
We all have a First Amendment right to read and receive information, in and out of prison. Censorship has no place in a democracy.
October 19, 2025 at 11:33 PM
It's Prison Banned Books Week — a week dedicated to shining a light on the widespread denial of incarcerated people's freedom to read.
We all have a First Amendment right to read and receive information, in and out of prison. Censorship has no place in a democracy.
We all have a First Amendment right to read and receive information, in and out of prison. Censorship has no place in a democracy.
Dear Israel, A "ceasefire" doesn't mean you get to bomb shit again and then resume the ceasefire FFS - www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Israel strikes Gaza and halts aid, accusing Hamas of attacks in gravest test of truce so far
The fighting is the gravest test yet to the Gaza ceasefire and is dimming hopes that the U.S.-mediated truce would lead to a lasting peace.
www.reuters.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Dear Israel, A "ceasefire" doesn't mean you get to bomb shit again and then resume the ceasefire FFS - www.reuters.com/world/middle...
The hat says it all -
'Naked Corruption': Trump Commutes Fraud Sentence of Ex-GOP Congressman George Santos | Common Dreams
"Trump says it plainly: Crimes don’t count if you 'vote Republican,'" said one Democratic congressman. "Just like his pardons of those who violently attacked police."
www.commondreams.org
October 20, 2025 at 1:15 AM
The hat says it all -
Reposted by Melanie Figg
Well, you can finally cross “I’ve seen a handcuffed, inflatable penis” off your bucket list
October 19, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Well, you can finally cross “I’ve seen a handcuffed, inflatable penis” off your bucket list
Reposted by Melanie Figg
The DHS bought two luxury Gulfstream private jets for Kristi Noem and other top officials at a cost of $172 million, per the New York Times.
October 19, 2025 at 1:35 AM
The DHS bought two luxury Gulfstream private jets for Kristi Noem and other top officials at a cost of $172 million, per the New York Times.
Writers! Get your act together next Thursday! We meet in Gaithersburg, MD. Registration in the comments. #writers #poets #writing #writingpractice
October 15, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Writers! Get your act together next Thursday! We meet in Gaithersburg, MD. Registration in the comments. #writers #poets #writing #writingpractice
Reposted by Melanie Figg
When they tell you they plan on throwing out the constitution, believe them.
October 13, 2025 at 2:04 AM
When they tell you they plan on throwing out the constitution, believe them.
SERIOUSLY ?! Democrats, you are gross and lost.
#democraticchickens
#democraticchickens
Fetterman Is Sole Democrat to Vote Against Blocking Caribbean Drug Boat Attacks
Republicans in the Senate voted down an war powers bill to block Trump's deadly attacks on alleged Venezuelan drug boats in the Caribbean.
theintercept.com
October 12, 2025 at 11:32 PM
SERIOUSLY ?! Democrats, you are gross and lost.
#democraticchickens
#democraticchickens
Netanyahu sucked up and nominated Trump. He didn't win it. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/w...
Who Is María Corina Machado, Winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize?
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Netanyahu sucked up and nominated Trump. He didn't win it. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/w...
Reposted by Melanie Figg
It's ALWAYS the same dude
Fox is a joke & should be sued...AGAIN
Fox is a joke & should be sued...AGAIN
October 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM
It's ALWAYS the same dude
Fox is a joke & should be sued...AGAIN
Fox is a joke & should be sued...AGAIN
Sick of your quick internet search fueling toxic data centers that suck electricity and water from nearby communities? This free and easy extension is for you! #fuckai chromewebstore.google.com/detail/bye-b...
Bye Bye, Google AI: Turn off Google AI Overviews, Discussions and Ads - Chrome Web Store
Filter Google search results to hide AI overviews, ads, discussions or videos. You choose.
chromewebstore.google.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Sick of your quick internet search fueling toxic data centers that suck electricity and water from nearby communities? This free and easy extension is for you! #fuckai chromewebstore.google.com/detail/bye-b...
Reposted by Melanie Figg
I spoke to a Venezuelan woman who was arrested in this raid and later released with her 4yo son. She said agents broke down their door, pointed guns at them and made sexualized remarks about Venezuelan women. When she returned to her apartment it was boarded up and all her possessions were gone.
US Border Patrol raid sweeps in citizens, families as Chicago crackdown intensifies, w/ @reneehickman.bsky.social @kristinacooke.bsky.social www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
US Border Patrol raid sweeps in citizens, families as Chicago crackdown intensifies
U.S. Border Patrol agents deployed to Chicago led a late-night raid on an apartment building this week, rappelling from helicopters onto rooftops and breaking down doors in an operation authorities said targeted gang members but which swept up U.S. citizens and families.
www.reuters.com
October 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I spoke to a Venezuelan woman who was arrested in this raid and later released with her 4yo son. She said agents broke down their door, pointed guns at them and made sexualized remarks about Venezuelan women. When she returned to her apartment it was boarded up and all her possessions were gone.