Clinical trials canceled; NIH gagged; NSF on pause; an abrupt silence at the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; HIV drugs denied: what is to be done?
I really appreciate your writing here and your comparative analysis.
Mostly, I wanted to chime in on your choice to watch Band of Brothers. I watched it last year, and I can’t tell you how hard I cried after almost every episode and certainly after the entire thing. Each episode is preface by an interview with one of the survivors. All of these soldiers? They were kids! Kids! And they did this hard thing which left all of us in a better place. It left me with the sense of loss; I started asking myself how could all those supposedly patriotic people so easily forget this huge sacrifice. I still don’t have an answer. I think that alone is tragic. That this band of Neo Nazis is now doing things like throttling the funding for VA healthcare is just beyond the pale. Anyway, I had to chime that in. For those reading this, if you have not yet seen this HBO series, it is extraordinary and I urge you to watch it and the companion series – The Pacific.
Thanks, Lola. I, too, cried often watching it. And at the closing credits, I could barely catch my breath, I was crying so hard. "All that loss!" I shouted to my partner. "And for what? So we could repeat these sins again today?" I felt hopeless! Then I started writing this. It's my only form (for now) of protest, I guess. xx
Very, very deep. I found myself dropping the F bomb upon viewing the title of this entry, because it so succinctly captures this moment. Thank you again for YOUR service, we need your voice as we make our way through this, as Davids amongst the very obvious Goliath. The personal IS political, whether the measures are purposefully directed by either commission or omission. It's definitely time to 'buckle up, Buttercup...'
The statement issued regarding the Federal government's attempt to freeze spending; "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve,” leaves no doubt that this is a sworn mission to drown us. FFS it reads like a totalitarian missive.
Wishing you a smooth, speedy recovery from the flu.
I was up past 1 AM reading news and watching analysis of what's going on. Very disturbing. It's like being on an airplane that's plunging into a death spiral. There's a small opportunity to pull out, but what is going to save us? Trump keeps lying. His appointments are the worst of the worst.
My feelings exactly. I think we simply take it day by day and do what we can, when we can. But staying up until 1 am is bad for your health, and we need all of our soldiers to be healthy! :)
So important. So important to keep saying NO NONONONO and refuse the gaslighting (I now see JDVance as gaslight in a human form). When I visited the cemetary in Normandy, the thing that struck me is that there were enough crosses that if I bent down, I could see the curve of the earth, or so I thought--and also that the dates on the graves in the German graveyard made it clear that by the end, Germany was sending children to fight.) HCR is a goddman national treasure and I hope that she has police protection b/c you know there are folks out there who would like to silence her, as terrifying as that is. And--final rant--anyone who says there aren't "politics" in the study of health...is almost certainly ill-informed and/or a middle-aged white guy. Because please. PLEASE. One of the earliest studies of the impact of estrogen was conducted on thousands of ...men. not a woman in the group. Hey, that's cool, right? GAAAAH. Thank you for this post.
I didn't notice that last time I was there, about the curvature of the earth, but I will be sure to pay much closer attention when I'm there in February. And yes: GAAAAAAH!
Three of the students behind the White Rose leaflets were caught by the Nazis and executed — by guillotine. How very brave they were to put their own lives at risk. Downfall is a masterpiece.
Also have had the poem on mind since several days ago..
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me."
I so look forward to everything you write, Deb Copaken, but this one really hit me for so many reasons, not the least of which is that my husband is a scientist who has been hearing from scientists in the US about the insanity, and talking about the insanity there with scientist colleagues from around the world. I hope some of those scientists can find another country to ply their important trade, but in the meantime, so much important work is done in the US. I think to myself, "Surely there are Republicans in Congress with ill family members who must realize that the research that has led to life-saving treatments is often begun in academic settings funded by bodies like the NIH and CDC. Or maybe they really believe that it's God who heals and will save them." And then I looked at the pic you posted of the cemetery with all the crosses and all I could think of was the new Trump Barbie, Karoline Leavitt (and yes, I know name-calling isn't nice, but indulge me here) and how all I could see in the picture of her yesterday was that massive cross hanging from her neck and I wanted to look her in the eye and say, "Please, explain to me what that symbol means to you Because you're sure not carrying out any Christian values that I'm familiar with." (Also, I hope you feel better soon. You're in good hands there with your partner—I remember him and B taking care of me when I got sick at their house after my mom died. Such caring people.)
Great piece. BOB was my husband’s favorite show during its original run on HBO; brilliantly written and acted. Agree also about HCR; loved, loved, loved Democracy Awakening. This week has been rough, as the OMB funding freeze affects agencies like mine (I work for a 501(c)(3) domestic violence agency) where our only mission is to help victims and their families. This is nothing more than cruelty as sport; watching the most marginalized and vulnerable among us struggle to survive. Hard to get through a day without screaming. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
The brilliant photo you took of the American Cemetery in Normandy fills me with utter sadness, but also a sense of hope. That lower quarter of the frame, with what appear to be endless white crosses and their sacred remains underneath, speaks to the horrors of war and the depth of man's depravity. And yet, just above all that horror, filling up a full 3/4 of the frame are trees and clouds and sky; life in all its glory going on in spite of it all.
"...something that has carried us through every moment in this White House and every moment of our lives...is the power of hope -- the belief that something better is always possible if you're willing to work for it and fight for it..." - Michelle Obama
Perceptive comments, as usual. Katelin Jetelina has a very helpful weekly blog with current figures on Covid and flu [I think she was part of the John’s Hopkins crew in 2020 that first started collecting and disseminating such local data to a national audience [yourlocalepidemiologist@substack.com], and her blog yesterday is complementary to your own post—a list of suggestions of what we can do, and encouragement not to get discouraged by the firehouse of shit [it’s entitled: “Power also comes from the bottom up”]. As the old union motto says: “don’t complain, organize!”
“It’s no coincidence that we are simultaneously experiencing a rise in tyranny, a dismantling of our reproductive rights, and a minimizing of the importance of science and data. These things, throughout history, have always gone hand-in-hand.” Truth!
Thank you for this important post, Deborah, and for being willing to write and speak up about the terrible things that need to be exposed, and that need to be faced, discussed, and fought.
Thank you! Brilliantly written and so important!!!
Thank you, Dorothy! I hope you're doing okay these days. We all need each other now more than ever.
I really appreciate your writing here and your comparative analysis.
Mostly, I wanted to chime in on your choice to watch Band of Brothers. I watched it last year, and I can’t tell you how hard I cried after almost every episode and certainly after the entire thing. Each episode is preface by an interview with one of the survivors. All of these soldiers? They were kids! Kids! And they did this hard thing which left all of us in a better place. It left me with the sense of loss; I started asking myself how could all those supposedly patriotic people so easily forget this huge sacrifice. I still don’t have an answer. I think that alone is tragic. That this band of Neo Nazis is now doing things like throttling the funding for VA healthcare is just beyond the pale. Anyway, I had to chime that in. For those reading this, if you have not yet seen this HBO series, it is extraordinary and I urge you to watch it and the companion series – The Pacific.
Thanks, Lola. I, too, cried often watching it. And at the closing credits, I could barely catch my breath, I was crying so hard. "All that loss!" I shouted to my partner. "And for what? So we could repeat these sins again today?" I felt hopeless! Then I started writing this. It's my only form (for now) of protest, I guess. xx
Very, very deep. I found myself dropping the F bomb upon viewing the title of this entry, because it so succinctly captures this moment. Thank you again for YOUR service, we need your voice as we make our way through this, as Davids amongst the very obvious Goliath. The personal IS political, whether the measures are purposefully directed by either commission or omission. It's definitely time to 'buckle up, Buttercup...'
Thanks, Ondine. I think all of us feel at a loss right now as to how to cope in the face of the firehose. It's meant to drown us out. We cannot drown.
The statement issued regarding the Federal government's attempt to freeze spending; "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve,” leaves no doubt that this is a sworn mission to drown us. FFS it reads like a totalitarian missive.
Wishing you a smooth, speedy recovery from the flu.
I was up past 1 AM reading news and watching analysis of what's going on. Very disturbing. It's like being on an airplane that's plunging into a death spiral. There's a small opportunity to pull out, but what is going to save us? Trump keeps lying. His appointments are the worst of the worst.
My feelings exactly. I think we simply take it day by day and do what we can, when we can. But staying up until 1 am is bad for your health, and we need all of our soldiers to be healthy! :)
So well said.
Thank you, Pat. Appreciate it.
So important. So important to keep saying NO NONONONO and refuse the gaslighting (I now see JDVance as gaslight in a human form). When I visited the cemetary in Normandy, the thing that struck me is that there were enough crosses that if I bent down, I could see the curve of the earth, or so I thought--and also that the dates on the graves in the German graveyard made it clear that by the end, Germany was sending children to fight.) HCR is a goddman national treasure and I hope that she has police protection b/c you know there are folks out there who would like to silence her, as terrifying as that is. And--final rant--anyone who says there aren't "politics" in the study of health...is almost certainly ill-informed and/or a middle-aged white guy. Because please. PLEASE. One of the earliest studies of the impact of estrogen was conducted on thousands of ...men. not a woman in the group. Hey, that's cool, right? GAAAAH. Thank you for this post.
I didn't notice that last time I was there, about the curvature of the earth, but I will be sure to pay much closer attention when I'm there in February. And yes: GAAAAAAH!
I've been obsessed with WWII lately, and I love the idea of going to see the beaches of Normandy. Speaking of resistance, have you read the leaflets of the White Rose? A campaign by students to get citizens of Germany to oppose the Nazi regime. Here is a link: https://www.weisse-rose-stiftung.de/white-rose-resistance-group/leaflets-of-the-white-rose/
I look forward to watching Band of Brothers, and I highly recommend the movies "Zone of Interest" and "Downfall."
I loved Zone of Interest. Brilliant. Will check out Downfall. And no, I did not read those leaflets. I'll check them out, too! Thank you.
Three of the students behind the White Rose leaflets were caught by the Nazis and executed — by guillotine. How very brave they were to put their own lives at risk. Downfall is a masterpiece.
I believe in us too!
Also have had the poem on mind since several days ago..
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me."
Eyes on the Prize we will resist and persist!
Yes, these are the words to which I was referring in my post. Powerful.
I so look forward to everything you write, Deb Copaken, but this one really hit me for so many reasons, not the least of which is that my husband is a scientist who has been hearing from scientists in the US about the insanity, and talking about the insanity there with scientist colleagues from around the world. I hope some of those scientists can find another country to ply their important trade, but in the meantime, so much important work is done in the US. I think to myself, "Surely there are Republicans in Congress with ill family members who must realize that the research that has led to life-saving treatments is often begun in academic settings funded by bodies like the NIH and CDC. Or maybe they really believe that it's God who heals and will save them." And then I looked at the pic you posted of the cemetery with all the crosses and all I could think of was the new Trump Barbie, Karoline Leavitt (and yes, I know name-calling isn't nice, but indulge me here) and how all I could see in the picture of her yesterday was that massive cross hanging from her neck and I wanted to look her in the eye and say, "Please, explain to me what that symbol means to you Because you're sure not carrying out any Christian values that I'm familiar with." (Also, I hope you feel better soon. You're in good hands there with your partner—I remember him and B taking care of me when I got sick at their house after my mom died. Such caring people.)
History will not look kindly on Leavitt or on any of those who pander to a madman. And yes, T is an excellent caregiver. I feel lucky every day. xx
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’d rather read about interesting times than live through them.
I agree with you that history will not look kindly on any of the enablers. I hope I’m around for that history, but who knows how long it will take.
Geez I wish I were more optimistic!
Great piece. BOB was my husband’s favorite show during its original run on HBO; brilliantly written and acted. Agree also about HCR; loved, loved, loved Democracy Awakening. This week has been rough, as the OMB funding freeze affects agencies like mine (I work for a 501(c)(3) domestic violence agency) where our only mission is to help victims and their families. This is nothing more than cruelty as sport; watching the most marginalized and vulnerable among us struggle to survive. Hard to get through a day without screaming. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Oh, I think it's good to scream now and then! Part of the process of grieving all we've lost.
The brilliant photo you took of the American Cemetery in Normandy fills me with utter sadness, but also a sense of hope. That lower quarter of the frame, with what appear to be endless white crosses and their sacred remains underneath, speaks to the horrors of war and the depth of man's depravity. And yet, just above all that horror, filling up a full 3/4 of the frame are trees and clouds and sky; life in all its glory going on in spite of it all.
"...something that has carried us through every moment in this White House and every moment of our lives...is the power of hope -- the belief that something better is always possible if you're willing to work for it and fight for it..." - Michelle Obama
Know hope.
It'll be interesting to see the same cemetery in winter. Without all of its leaves. Thank you for this kind note.
Thank you, Deborah. We need your voice lifting up women's issues among the many voices who are speaking out.
Thank YOU!
Thank you for speaking truth to power. The truth is always political but especially the truth of the oppressed.
You'd be surprised how many subscriptions I just lost this morning posting this. Never mind. There is no women's health without politics. Sigh.
Appalling that anti-vax RFK Jr is actually going to be running federal health. So discouraging.
I’ve read that the Senate is confirming these terrible picks because Trump is threatening any Republican dissenters with being “primaried.”
I won't write his name, but yes, that man is a bully and always has been.
Perceptive comments, as usual. Katelin Jetelina has a very helpful weekly blog with current figures on Covid and flu [I think she was part of the John’s Hopkins crew in 2020 that first started collecting and disseminating such local data to a national audience [yourlocalepidemiologist@substack.com], and her blog yesterday is complementary to your own post—a list of suggestions of what we can do, and encouragement not to get discouraged by the firehouse of shit [it’s entitled: “Power also comes from the bottom up”]. As the old union motto says: “don’t complain, organize!”
Herb Leventer
Oh, thank you! Useful.
What would Varian Fry think today?
I know. Sigh.
“It’s no coincidence that we are simultaneously experiencing a rise in tyranny, a dismantling of our reproductive rights, and a minimizing of the importance of science and data. These things, throughout history, have always gone hand-in-hand.” Truth!
Thank you for this important post, Deborah, and for being willing to write and speak up about the terrible things that need to be exposed, and that need to be faced, discussed, and fought.