Itsa me, Erica!
@ericathemad.bsky.social
She/Her. Epidemiologist, union activist, baby mama, and Civ VI addict.
I have opinions.
I have opinions.
Pinned
I see people talking about the murder budget and saying “organize for ‘26,” and…y’all!? There’s elections this year. Some of us on the ballot will fight to maintain services and protect people the murder budget threatens. Others would surrender to it. Organize NOW. There’s a lot to win this year.
The people making laws about whether police can assist ICE, about affordable housing laws and zoning, about how much money to invest in community services we are desperately going to need - those are your local municipal and county lawmakers.
Change starts locally. And it starts with each of us.
Change starts locally. And it starts with each of us.
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
based on how often the naughty teens of major cities throw the rentable scooters directly into the river i've formed a theory that the many iron age swords and cauldrons found in lakes around europe that we've previously assumed were ceremonial and sacrificial in nature were in fact thrown by teens
August 17, 2024 at 4:38 PM
based on how often the naughty teens of major cities throw the rentable scooters directly into the river i've formed a theory that the many iron age swords and cauldrons found in lakes around europe that we've previously assumed were ceremonial and sacrificial in nature were in fact thrown by teens
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
Two new studies provide insights into a possible cure for HIV, and feature the work of researchers from the UW and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Path to HIV cure includes Seattle scientists
www.seattletimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Two new studies provide insights into a possible cure for HIV, and feature the work of researchers from the UW and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
500,000 violations.
BREAKING: According to a recent investigation by NYC's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, Starbucks illegally violated workers' protection laws in NYC 500,000 times since 2021. Over $35.5 million will be paid in restitution to Starbucks workers!
gothamist.com/news/starbuc...
gothamist.com/news/starbuc...
Starbucks to pay $35M to NYC workers after city alleges years of abuses
The city says about 15,000 employees will get paid $50 for each week worked over a three-year period. For some workers, that's thousands of dollars.
gothamist.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:36 PM
500,000 violations.
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On Tues. 12/2 my office will host a rally/press conference to announce proposed legislation to mitigate President Trump’s austerity budget in Wash. State. The Well Washington Fund protects healthcare, higher ed, and housing. Let’s make sure it passes in the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session.
December 1, 2025 at 4:13 AM
On Tues. 12/2 my office will host a rally/press conference to announce proposed legislation to mitigate President Trump’s austerity budget in Wash. State. The Well Washington Fund protects healthcare, higher ed, and housing. Let’s make sure it passes in the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session.
With UBI, I could afford to try for a second kiddo, and sign my toddler up for swimming and gymnastics classes.
Honest question: If everyone got Universal Basic Income, no strings attached, what would YOU do with it?
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
November 29, 2025 at 10:57 PM
With UBI, I could afford to try for a second kiddo, and sign my toddler up for swimming and gymnastics classes.
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
Solidarity with @teamsters.bsky.social , who sanctioned our strike nationwide and won't be delivering food, picking up trash, or bringing packages across picket lines! ✊🔥
#NoContractNoCoffee
#NoContractNoCoffee
November 25, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Solidarity with @teamsters.bsky.social , who sanctioned our strike nationwide and won't be delivering food, picking up trash, or bringing packages across picket lines! ✊🔥
#NoContractNoCoffee
#NoContractNoCoffee
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
Remember last year when we said we would drop The Tribune's paywall if we raised enough money to support the transition to free? About that… 😁
The Salt Lake Tribune will drop its paywall next year, CEO tells donors at NewsMakers gala
After years of requiring people to pay for online news content, The Tribune announced an upcoming change during its 2025 annual NewsMakers Gala.
www.sltrib.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Remember last year when we said we would drop The Tribune's paywall if we raised enough money to support the transition to free? About that… 😁
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
what if instead of paying to read bad substack writing about some of the worst people on earth you instead subscribed to your local newspaper and donated to your local public radio station to support actual journalism
November 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
what if instead of paying to read bad substack writing about some of the worst people on earth you instead subscribed to your local newspaper and donated to your local public radio station to support actual journalism
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
It’s good to explain that the CDC is lying and vaccines still unequivocally do not cause autism, even if it just reaches one person on here who has doubts. But the fight is out there, not in here; and the time to let go of the information deficit model of science communication was decades ago
November 20, 2025 at 5:40 AM
It’s good to explain that the CDC is lying and vaccines still unequivocally do not cause autism, even if it just reaches one person on here who has doubts. But the fight is out there, not in here; and the time to let go of the information deficit model of science communication was decades ago
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
New to Seattle? November is historically the rainiest month, and with the time change, the sun sets before 5PM until Jan 25th. Here’s a few thoughts on how to make the most of it 🧵:
1) First off, ignore people who insist you have to innately love it or you don’t belong here.
1) First off, ignore people who insist you have to innately love it or you don’t belong here.
a pixel art of a city skyline at night with a green sign that says ' northwest ' on it
Alt: a pixel art of a city skyline at night with a green sign that says ' northwest ' on it
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2024 at 12:43 AM
New to Seattle? November is historically the rainiest month, and with the time change, the sun sets before 5PM until Jan 25th. Here’s a few thoughts on how to make the most of it 🧵:
1) First off, ignore people who insist you have to innately love it or you don’t belong here.
1) First off, ignore people who insist you have to innately love it or you don’t belong here.
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
Learn this lesson 👇🏾
When Amazon 1st announced they would open a 2nd HQ outside of Seattle, the usual WA conservatives gloated that progressives making wealthy corporations pay what they owe in taxes had backfired.
Flash forward 8 years and Amazon's HQ2 is a bust & Seattle's Jumpstart tax is keeping our services afloat
Flash forward 8 years and Amazon's HQ2 is a bust & Seattle's Jumpstart tax is keeping our services afloat
November 20, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Learn this lesson 👇🏾
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The drinking water fandom is dying. Like and share if you're still sipping that clear stuff in 2025
November 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The drinking water fandom is dying. Like and share if you're still sipping that clear stuff in 2025
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
🚨 1199NW nurses at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw are taking our fight for a fair contract to the community and holding an informational picket this Thursday, Nov. 20 🚨
Stand with us on the picket line as we fight for recruitment and retention, staffing, education, and more!
(More info👇)
Stand with us on the picket line as we fight for recruitment and retention, staffing, education, and more!
(More info👇)
November 17, 2025 at 11:03 PM
🚨 1199NW nurses at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw are taking our fight for a fair contract to the community and holding an informational picket this Thursday, Nov. 20 🚨
Stand with us on the picket line as we fight for recruitment and retention, staffing, education, and more!
(More info👇)
Stand with us on the picket line as we fight for recruitment and retention, staffing, education, and more!
(More info👇)
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias: Anarchism, Soccer, Neoliberalism by Tomas Rothaus, a thrilling first-person account of the December 2001 uprising in Argentina that marked the end of the neoliberal experiment of the 1990s, narrated by an anarchist participant.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wrk...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wrk...
Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias
Get hold of our latest book about revolution, soccer, and the Argentinian uprising of 2001.
www.kickstarter.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Argentina, a Tale of Two Utopias: Anarchism, Soccer, Neoliberalism by Tomas Rothaus, a thrilling first-person account of the December 2001 uprising in Argentina that marked the end of the neoliberal experiment of the 1990s, narrated by an anarchist participant.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wrk...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/wrk...
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If the King County Regional Homelessness Authority has its way, a report about an investigation into complaints against agency CEO Kelly Kinnison may remain buried forever; I asked for it after the investigation concluded and they're claiming it is attorney-client privileged in its entirety.
November 18, 2025 at 3:54 AM
If the King County Regional Homelessness Authority has its way, a report about an investigation into complaints against agency CEO Kelly Kinnison may remain buried forever; I asked for it after the investigation concluded and they're claiming it is attorney-client privileged in its entirety.
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling Stone. As a result, the majority of VIBE employees were laid off. If you have the means to give, this team could use the support! www.gofundme.com/f/support-vi...
Donate to Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs, organized by Mya Abraham
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling S… Mya Abraham needs your support for Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs
www.gofundme.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
I keep saying this, but it's important for folks to understand: the disruption to the delivery of benefits, the impact on folks, the pain, the risk of starvation: these are policy goals of the Trump administration.
The shutdown was just the excuse at the time. They want to starve poor folks.
The shutdown was just the excuse at the time. They want to starve poor folks.
These incredible fucking assholes.
These application processes are already so deeply burdensome and frustrating.
They are trying to starve people.
These application processes are already so deeply burdensome and frustrating.
They are trying to starve people.
SNAP benefits update: Trump admin says ‘everyone’ will have to reapply
Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins told Newsmax on Thursday the plan is to “have everyone reapply for their benefits."
www.newsweek.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:59 PM
I keep saying this, but it's important for folks to understand: the disruption to the delivery of benefits, the impact on folks, the pain, the risk of starvation: these are policy goals of the Trump administration.
The shutdown was just the excuse at the time. They want to starve poor folks.
The shutdown was just the excuse at the time. They want to starve poor folks.
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
Cuts to public services hurt everyone, not just public employees. It's time to fix our broken tax code!
Please sign the petition, and when the legislative session starts, commit to calling your legislators.
@wfse.org @wfselocal889.bsky.social #taxtherich #nocuts @organizewithshaun.bsky.social
Please sign the petition, and when the legislative session starts, commit to calling your legislators.
@wfse.org @wfselocal889.bsky.social #taxtherich #nocuts @organizewithshaun.bsky.social
No Cuts — Tax the Rich!
Public employees keep our roads safe, our children educated and fed, our environment clean, and perform many other important jobs. Every year, public servants are asked to do more with less: Psyc...
actionnetwork.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Cuts to public services hurt everyone, not just public employees. It's time to fix our broken tax code!
Please sign the petition, and when the legislative session starts, commit to calling your legislators.
@wfse.org @wfselocal889.bsky.social #taxtherich #nocuts @organizewithshaun.bsky.social
Please sign the petition, and when the legislative session starts, commit to calling your legislators.
@wfse.org @wfselocal889.bsky.social #taxtherich #nocuts @organizewithshaun.bsky.social
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
steam is apparently allowing "this game had AI in it that it didn't disclose" as a valid return statement, so if you or anyone you know actually paid $70 for slop, get that money back
Insulting to the players, insulting to the IP, insulting to the medium, the developers. And the craft itself. Fuck you executives who pushed this garbage.
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI art slop, because your $70 means nothing anymore
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI generated artwork which makes the $70 feel like a complete rip-off.
frvr.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
steam is apparently allowing "this game had AI in it that it didn't disclose" as a valid return statement, so if you or anyone you know actually paid $70 for slop, get that money back
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
The union is asking that you not patronize any Starbucks, even ones that aren't unionized, for the duration! Time to find your new favoriteocal coffee shop. To donate to their strike fund: sbworkersunited.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The union is asking that you not patronize any Starbucks, even ones that aren't unionized, for the duration! Time to find your new favoriteocal coffee shop. To donate to their strike fund: sbworkersunited.org
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
WE WON! After 42 days of striking we have a tentative agreement in hand that protects our existing 4 day work week, establishes a minimum salary, and adds protections against AI replacing jobs at our workplace!
![Graphic with multiple picket signs that reads "[up arrow] Minimum Salary", "4 day Work Week", and a big cancel sign over "AI Replacing Jobs" and so much more. Go to kickstarterunited.org to see it all!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gdife25rfr5drwr2nhncr3rf/bafkreidfgv3xytmgta3x35mjze22ojok7lwh3vlhgrcfbcwr7hjg6bb6eu@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 10:54 PM
WE WON! After 42 days of striking we have a tentative agreement in hand that protects our existing 4 day work week, establishes a minimum salary, and adds protections against AI replacing jobs at our workplace!
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
Everyone is going to focus on Katie being a socialist but what they should be focused on is that she’s a renter and a non-driver!
November 13, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Everyone is going to focus on Katie being a socialist but what they should be focused on is that she’s a renter and a non-driver!
Reposted by Itsa me, Erica!
Exactly this
The thing about Mamdani is that he’s a talented politician but not otherworldly or one in a billion, he’s just a competent guy with popular ideas who ran against an entitled piece of shit and to me it’s a lot more optimistic to imagine 1000 campaigns like his than to view him as a unique phenomenon
November 11, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Exactly this
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Let me get this right… a sufficient number Senate Democrats appear to be willing to reopen government to alleviate air travel for upper & upper-middle income people at the expense of access to healthcare for lower income people. Yes?
November 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Let me get this right… a sufficient number Senate Democrats appear to be willing to reopen government to alleviate air travel for upper & upper-middle income people at the expense of access to healthcare for lower income people. Yes?