Fright Merkin
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magneticsara.bsky.social
Fright Merkin
@magneticsara.bsky.social
She/her I like science and people and food. Seattle-based, but not based in general. Black lives matter.
I started out joking that these people are hostile to children, but they just are.
RFK Jr. has cancelled grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics because “they no longer align with departmental priorities”.

The grants were on such topics as “reducing sudden infant death, rural access to health care, and mental health…”

The AAP has criticized RFK Jr. That’s the real reason.
American Academy of Pediatrics loses government funding after criticizing RFK Jr
Cuts, which affect projects focused on issues including early identification of autism, made without prior notice to AAP
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Reposted by Fright Merkin
Scorpionfish hiding
December 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I can't get excited about Republicans looking bad. Call me when they look interesting or funny.
December 17, 2025 at 10:35 PM
A nice sunny day, but I'm too tired to go out and enjoy it. Not sure why.
December 17, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Appalling. What do these people have against babies?
RFK Jr. has awarded $1.6 million to a group in Denmark to conduct a randomized, single-blind study of the birth dose of Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) to be conducted in Guinea-Bissau.

In my opinion, this is, quite simply, completely unethical, unacceptable, and predatory.

Here’s why.

1/7
December 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
There's an underdiscussed emotional dynamic to people going fash (in whatever way), and it's a feeling of betrayal.

"I was taught all my life it was important to respect people and follow the rules, but that's not even true and you didn't tell me the truth because you never loved me."
December 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Fright Merkin
They developed the "high school girl's sports" angle as a wedge issue, to lever their way up to full society-wide discrimination. What's endlessly stunning to me is how many purported liberals a) helped them when it started & b) are still helping them even after the larger purpose has become clear!
December 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
lolllllllllllllllllll merry christmas, mfers
Vulnerable Republicans are siding with the House Democrats to force Johnson to hold a vote on extending ACA subsidies for three years. It's the third discharge petition under his gavel. The Epstein vote was one. I don't remember the other.
December 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I had an extremely easy pregnancy on purpose, but it does take some mental gymnastics to experience pregnancy as something other than pathology.
December 17, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Send in the army if you want to keep it operating.
This evening, as communities across Washington state are reeling from historic flooding, DOE issued an emergency order directing continued operation of a Washington coal plant that would have closed by the end of the year due to a new state law banning coal-powered electricity generation.
DOE orders WA coal plant to continue operating despite state ban
A state law requires Washington utilities to stop using coal-fired electricity beginning next year.
www.seattletimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Oh of course, the answer was listening to this gasbag from the very beginning.
The Democrats don’t have an answer to Trump. Do the neoconservatives? David Brooks on why the moral tenor of their political writings could be a tonic for a society in crisis:
Bring Back the Neocons
They could be an antidote to Trumpism.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Reposted by Fright Merkin
Everyone thinks GHOSTBUSTERS is a libertarian fantasy about the triumph of business but it's actually a cautionary tale about how the 80s antipathy towards government & push for privatization results in dangerously incompetent bureaucrats & a private sector exploiting natural disasters for profit.
March 27, 2024 at 2:10 AM
My daughter looks so stoned here.
December 17, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Reposted by Fright Merkin
All discourse is the same now.
December 17, 2025 at 3:42 AM
I love it that every city has a giant Ferris wheel for the tourists. I will go on every one I have an opportunity to.
December 17, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Ugh.
“But the gays and the transgenders are perverts who want to abuse our kids!”
BREAKING: The House of Representatives just passed a bill that would subject immigrant children to invasive bodily searches and keep them in detention instead of releasing them to their families.

The Senate must vote no on this horrific bill.
December 17, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Does our president think Venezuela is an island?
Trump: "Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled ... It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the USA all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us."
December 17, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Reposted by Fright Merkin
Trump: Oh yeah? would someone flailing from the almost imminent release of damming Epstein revelations distract you like this?

“Venezuela must return our stolen land”
December 17, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I've been told all my life that x y and z were impossible because the business lobbies were too powerful. With Republicans deprecating industries left and right I am wondering when those unstoppable forces will make themselves known.
December 17, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Reposted by Fright Merkin
i think their plan is "go on vacation while medical costs triple for everyone", and i think it's gonna work out great for them
December 16, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Beating new paths in animals with people names, I introduce you to Laura Garcia, the giant anteater. www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/s...
Welcome to the San Diego Zoo, anteater Laura Garcia
Laura Garcia — the new female giant anteater — has moved into the San Diego Zoo, the organization announced last week. But why the name "Laura Garcia"?
www.nbcsandiego.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I was totally under the impression that Jim Henson died of complications of AIDS for some reason. I guess I just assume cool people who died in the 80s die that way.
December 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Yay it's vaccine day! 🥳💉💉
December 16, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Fright Merkin
the time of the little drummer boy is over now is the time of the giant keyboard girl
December 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM