Maureen Herman
@maureenherman.bsky.social
Writer, former musician (Babes in Toyland). Issues I prioritize: poverty, mental health, addiction recovery, disability, sexual assault & abuse, racism, punk rock, sexism, and our country’s decline into fascism (not necessarily in that order). #dystonia
I’ve long followed you on various platforms (glad you’re here!). Your words have halted bad days, made me remember who I am & what I’ve survived: I live with C-PTSD, MDD, SAD and am 22 years sober from alcohol & crack cocaine. I am raising a daughter from a sexual assault. Thank you for seeing us.
November 9, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I’ve long followed you on various platforms (glad you’re here!). Your words have halted bad days, made me remember who I am & what I’ve survived: I live with C-PTSD, MDD, SAD and am 22 years sober from alcohol & crack cocaine. I am raising a daughter from a sexual assault. Thank you for seeing us.
…said the guy with 5 kids who wrote a book called “Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious”…in 2025.
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
…said the guy with 5 kids who wrote a book called “Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious”…in 2025.
Autumn is the “pause for beauty” season.
November 2, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Autumn is the “pause for beauty” season.
You cannot use an EBT card with SNAP benefits on it to purchase services or non-food items. Highlights the ignorance—their own & the public’s—of how social services works. A basic primer on American social service info in school would benefit both those eligible and those who don’t fucking get it.
November 2, 2025 at 2:10 PM
You cannot use an EBT card with SNAP benefits on it to purchase services or non-food items. Highlights the ignorance—their own & the public’s—of how social services works. A basic primer on American social service info in school would benefit both those eligible and those who don’t fucking get it.
Lake Forest, Illinois USA. Rooting for Toronto!
November 2, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Lake Forest, Illinois USA. Rooting for Toronto!
It’s SO perfect—good eye. And your roommate looks awesome!
November 1, 2025 at 6:52 AM
It’s SO perfect—good eye. And your roommate looks awesome!
Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Happy Halloween!
On 11/1 any funds left on SNAP/EBT/food stamp cards from previous months will be wiped out from cards & not reinstated. Normally USDA uses emergency reserve fund (around $5B) to cover shutdowns. USDA will also not reimburse states who use their own emergency funds to cover SNAP. Check w/your state.
October 27, 2025 at 10:53 AM
On 11/1 any funds left on SNAP/EBT/food stamp cards from previous months will be wiped out from cards & not reinstated. Normally USDA uses emergency reserve fund (around $5B) to cover shutdowns. USDA will also not reimburse states who use their own emergency funds to cover SNAP. Check w/your state.
ICE is driving SUVs into Busytown and rounding up brown people working.
October 24, 2025 at 10:48 PM
ICE is driving SUVs into Busytown and rounding up brown people working.
Considering the extent to which Illinois is already gerrymandered to benefit democrats, not that I’m complaining, it’s a false comparison to imply they’re not doing their part to stand up to republicans gerrymandering. Pritzker’s priorities are in the right place in terms of true impact.
October 24, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Considering the extent to which Illinois is already gerrymandered to benefit democrats, not that I’m complaining, it’s a false comparison to imply they’re not doing their part to stand up to republicans gerrymandering. Pritzker’s priorities are in the right place in terms of true impact.
Critical fact: Food Stamps aka #SNAP are NOT being cut off because of the shutdown, but because Trump ORDERED it. I’m disabled. Note the wording in my text from IL Dept of Human Services. My disability income is $1511/mo & rent is $1200. I can’t qualify for most apts because income ratio is too low
October 18, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Critical fact: Food Stamps aka #SNAP are NOT being cut off because of the shutdown, but because Trump ORDERED it. I’m disabled. Note the wording in my text from IL Dept of Human Services. My disability income is $1511/mo & rent is $1200. I can’t qualify for most apts because income ratio is too low
Critical fact: Food Stamps aka #SNAP are NOT being cut off because of the shutdown, but because Trump ORDERED it. I’m disabled. Note the wording in my text from IL Dept of Human Services. My disability income is $1511/mo & rent is $1200. I can’t qualify for most apts because income ratio is too low
October 18, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Critical fact: Food Stamps aka #SNAP are NOT being cut off because of the shutdown, but because Trump ORDERED it. I’m disabled. Note the wording in my text from IL Dept of Human Services. My disability income is $1511/mo & rent is $1200. I can’t qualify for most apts because income ratio is too low
All the good things are going away: hope when we’re struggling, healing when we’re suffering, education for all, give arts a platform & audience, and tell us we are one, here for each other on a path to wholeness. Stolen by those blind by power who don’t see the goodness democracy makes possible.
October 11, 2025 at 4:43 PM
All the good things are going away: hope when we’re struggling, healing when we’re suffering, education for all, give arts a platform & audience, and tell us we are one, here for each other on a path to wholeness. Stolen by those blind by power who don’t see the goodness democracy makes possible.
Smoky is hiding. Where’s Smoky?
October 10, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Smoky is hiding. Where’s Smoky?
I’ve lived in both CA under Newsom and IL under Pritzker. Newsom is a good thing, but Pritzker is the great thing. I see it in his initiatives, his actions, his presence. Came to a union rally in a small town in rural Illinois a few years ago. He’s on the street for real.
October 8, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I’ve lived in both CA under Newsom and IL under Pritzker. Newsom is a good thing, but Pritzker is the great thing. I see it in his initiatives, his actions, his presence. Came to a union rally in a small town in rural Illinois a few years ago. He’s on the street for real.
As a resident, I can tell you how effective, caring, intelligent, fair, thoughtful and proactive he is. A few years ago, Pritzker came to the tiny town of Marseilles, IL for a union rally Tom Morello (my high school friend) was playing. Tom’s ancestors were coal miners there. Pritzker is the best.
October 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
As a resident, I can tell you how effective, caring, intelligent, fair, thoughtful and proactive he is. A few years ago, Pritzker came to the tiny town of Marseilles, IL for a union rally Tom Morello (my high school friend) was playing. Tom’s ancestors were coal miners there. Pritzker is the best.
My daughter came home from work today in suburban Chicago. A co-worker’s family was taken by ICE while he was at work: his wife, kids—a baby. Imagine that. Your fucking baby detained by ICE. IT IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY.
Photo: another family taken last weekend while visiting Millennium Park.
Photo: another family taken last weekend while visiting Millennium Park.
October 5, 2025 at 4:55 AM
My daughter came home from work today in suburban Chicago. A co-worker’s family was taken by ICE while he was at work: his wife, kids—a baby. Imagine that. Your fucking baby detained by ICE. IT IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY.
Photo: another family taken last weekend while visiting Millennium Park.
Photo: another family taken last weekend while visiting Millennium Park.
Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago. Super chill area. Tree-lined streets, quirky coffee shops. And it’s Chicago, so yeah, traffic. These ICE idiots released tear gas to get through Chicago traffic. How are we holding these dangerous goons accountable? What are our rights here?
October 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago. Super chill area. Tree-lined streets, quirky coffee shops. And it’s Chicago, so yeah, traffic. These ICE idiots released tear gas to get through Chicago traffic. How are we holding these dangerous goons accountable? What are our rights here?
I like my whiskey like I like my men: completely cut out of my life. 22 years sober and counting.
October 1, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I like my whiskey like I like my men: completely cut out of my life. 22 years sober and counting.
Have we reached the bottom yet? Are there enough signs now? What can I do? Every day is a multi-front onslaught of norms-defying and illegal acts by federal government. I don’t know where to start. I want to do something besides show up at a protest. I feel powerless. I guess that’s the intention.
September 30, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Have we reached the bottom yet? Are there enough signs now? What can I do? Every day is a multi-front onslaught of norms-defying and illegal acts by federal government. I don’t know where to start. I want to do something besides show up at a protest. I feel powerless. I guess that’s the intention.
Dark Triad perhaps? That’s my take.
September 28, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Dark Triad perhaps? That’s my take.