Betsy

Betsy

@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

words | music | art | kids | justice | games | puzzles | queer | looking for what comes next

275 followers193 following31 posts

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

@fooddatanerd.com Randy told me so many times how amazing the Bluesky community is—genuine and supportive and passionate and creative and inclusive. His relationships with y’all meant so much to him. It hurts me to post this, but I know you’d want to know. www.endersandshirley.com/obituary/ran...

endersandshirley.comObituary for Randy Rosenblatt Rosso at Enders & Shirley Funeral HomeRandy Rosenblatt Rosso, a stellar and silly human with a big heart, a sensitive soul, and a fierce commitment to social justice died May 19, 2026 at home in Arlington, Virginia. Randy survived for nin...
Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Celebrating #Pride with my fave #queer authors & books No. 2) Becky Albertalli www.beckyalbertalli.com Fabulous for readers of all ages, her books are compassionate, funny & sweet and teach me something about how to be a good and authentic human in a world that doesn’t always reward those traits.

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Celebrating #Pride by posting about my fave queer authors & books No. 1) TJ Klune has a marvelous talent for creating characters–whether human or in any number of other fantastical forms–who immediately take up residence in your heart. His books are achingly good. I want to live inside them.

tjklunebooks.comTJ Klune

Betsy reposted

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
@aoc.bsky.social

It is perfectly legal to know your rights and to educate others about them, too. EVERYONE in the United States, citizen or not, has rights. I will not allow this administration to intimidate us from helping you know about them. Here’s our shareable guide ⬇️: (pt. 1/2)

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Randy Rosso
@fooddatanerd.com

🥗 #SNAP Roses are red, Violets are blue, Here's the latest monthly state SNAP data, I archived for you, because a hostile foreign agent is setting fire to the federal government and vital data keep disappearing! Happy SNAPentine's Day! ❤️❤️❤️ doi.org/10.7910/DVN/...

doi.orgMonthly State SNAP DataMonthly SNAP participation data for the United States and every state, from October 1988 through the latest month published by USDA Food and Nutrit...

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The 51st
@51st.news

We believe news is a public service, but we're currently only reaching 1% of D.C.'s population. Let's get more news to neighbors, spread the word and sign up for our free weekly newsletter: 51st.news/signup

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Alt National Park Service
@altnps.bsky.social

Replying to @altnps.bsky.social

dates of birth, Social Security numbers, performance appraisals, home addresses, pay grades, and length of service for government employees. In response to employees speaking out, Musk’s aides locked civil servants out of computer systems and offices, with reports of personal items being searched.

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Alt National Park Service
@altnps.bsky.social

Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were ordered to withdraw any pending publications, at any scientific journal, that mention terms such as “transgender,” “immigrant,” “L.G.B.T.” or “pregnant people.”

Betsy reposted

Alt National Park Service
@altnps.bsky.social

Replying to @altnps.bsky.social

USAID, founded in 1961 as the primary U.S. foreign aid agency, is now under threat of being dismantled by President Trump. Signs outside the USAID building have been removed, the agency’s website went offline, and its X account disappeared.

Betsy reposted

Alt National Park Service
@altnps.bsky.social

Replying to @altnps.bsky.social

Hundreds of USAID employees have been fired or furloughed, and foreign aid operations were suspended after Trump issued a freeze on aid. The agency’s public affairs team has also been placed on leave and locked out of their systems. This situation is escalating quickly. More details to come.

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Dear World, Apparently some other voters elected this unfathomably cruel, heartless, short-sighted, ignorant individual to the White House. It's hard for me to understand why they did this. I voted for Kamala Harris.

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Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

We are sailing in rough waters through a violent storm. Hold on. Hold on to each other. Cry when you need to cry. Laugh when you can laugh. Find ways to keep creating, building, sheltering, protecting, uplifting, singing, listening, learning, teaching, nurturing, giving, imagining, caring, loving.

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

We need that energy. Let your righteous indignation and holy anger fuel your work. And remember to breathe. We're going to need stamina for this fight. And snacks. Don't give up. If you need me, let me know. If I need you, I will do the same. We need each other to survive. And we will. Together.

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Dear World, Apparently some other voters elected this unfathomably cruel, heartless, short-sighted, ignorant individual to the White House. It's hard for me to understand why they did this. I voted for Kamala Harris.

View full thread
Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

It is clear they intend to throw everything they possibly can in our faces until they beat us down. We have to stand tall, and when we fall, help each other up. There's no panacea for this insipid sickness.

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

There ARE a lot of humans committed to doing good in their communities and in the world. There ARE a million little things we can do to care for each other, support those who are doing the hard work, do what we can when we can & step back & rest when we need to, because that's just as important.

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Dear World, Apparently some other voters elected this unfathomably cruel, heartless, short-sighted, ignorant individual to the White House. It's hard for me to understand why they did this. I voted for Kamala Harris.

View full thread
Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

People's lives will be irrevocably changed. People are going to suffer. People are going to die. Not just liberals or immigrants or queer people, but millions of innocent people across the United States and around the world who are (in many cases unknowingly) being targeted...

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

by the dangerous and destructive policies this administration is implementing. What's happening is heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. We cannot let this man or his enablers break us. We cannot let them win.

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Dear World, Apparently some other voters elected this unfathomably cruel, heartless, short-sighted, ignorant individual to the White House. It's hard for me to understand why they did this. I voted for Kamala Harris.

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Nevertheless, not only my family and friends and many people I know, but millions more who I don't know are being or will soon be directly and egregiously harmed by the likely illegal actions of the administration in its first two weeks alone.

Betsy reposted

DC Action
@wearedcaction.bsky.social

Replying to @wearedcaction.bsky.social

llame este número si está en DC, MD O VA Para reportar redadas de ICE u otras actividades o si su ser querido ha sido detenido por ICE y necesita información sobre recursos disponibles 202-335-1183

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DC Action
@wearedcaction.bsky.social

Call this number in the DC metro area to report ICE raids or other activity or if your loved one has been taken by ICE and you need information on available resources 202-335-1183

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DC Action
@wearedcaction.bsky.social

If you're aged 18-24 or are calling on behalf of someone who is, and want to be directed to a youth rather than an adult shelter, please specify the call is about a young adult.

DC Action@wearedcaction.bsky.social

For transportation to shelter for yourself or someone else please call (202) 399-7093 or 311

Betsy reposted

Randy Rosso
@fooddatanerd.com

I feel moved to link to Langston Hughes’ poem (Let America Be America Again) so his powerful and searingly painful words can wash over all of us. “The free? Who said the free? Not me? Surely not me? The millions on relief today?” @betsylpretzel.bsky.social poets.org/poem/let-ame...

poets.orgLet America Be America AgainLet America be America again.
Randy Rosso@fooddatanerd.com

This is not my America... yet. My latest for Make the Math Work, co-authored by my wife, @betsylpretzel.bsky.social. makethemathwork.substack.com/p/this-is-no...

makethemathwork.substack.comThis Is NOT My America… YetIn an especially jarring juxtaposition, Donald Trump is being inaugurated on the same day we honor the life and legacy of The Rev.

Betsy reposted

Sen. Danica Roem
@pwcdanica.bsky.social

Replying to @pwcdanica.bsky.social

"The Governor should be focused on reducing traffic fatalities after the fourth consecutive year of 900+ roadway deaths in Virginia — which didn’t even get a mention during his State of the Commonwealth Address — instead of singling out and stigmatizing the very people he’s elected to serve.”

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Sen. Danica Roem
@pwcdanica.bsky.social

"All of the anti-trans bills are going to be defeated, just like the House patron of the 2023 bill, HB 1387, was defeated at the ballot box that November when the Republicans lost their House of Delegates majority and lost my race after going all-in on fear and loathing of their trans constituents.”

Richmond Times-Dispatch @richmond.com

Virginia’s top Republicans joined to call on the General Assembly to keep transwomen – who they called “biological males” – out of women’s sports.

richmond.comGOP leaders call for ban on trans women in women's sportsVirginia’s top Republicans joined to call on the General Assembly to keep transwomen – who they called “biological males” – out of women’s sports.

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Erin Reed
@erininthemorning.com

1. Did you know that Girl Scouts has, for a long time, accepted trans girls and nonbinary scouts? Trans kids are under attack. Every year, I make a thread of trans and nonbinary girl scouts you can get your cookies from. Lets get our cookies from them this year in solidarity!

erininthemorning.com2025 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From!This year, consider ordering your Girl Scout cookies from a trans girl scout to make their day!
Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Just finished listening to Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki and absolutely loved it. Fabulous characters and creative twists on some traditional tropes that surprise and delight the reader. Highly recommend!

Betsy
@betsylpretzel.bsky.social

Another wonderful way to celebrate @fooddatanerd.bsky.social's birthday--make a donation of any size (may I suggest $50 fro his 50 years? But even $5 helps!) to smyal.org a phenomenal organization that brings joy to LGBTQIA+ kids and young people. Thanks!

smyal.orgHome - SMYALSMYAL meets the needs of LGBTQ youth in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, building advocacy skills and access to crucial resources.
Randy Rosso@fooddatanerd.com

My enby 10-yo is in a local SMYAL group. They are never happier and more in their element than when they’re with their SMYAL friends. It’s beautiful to see. This is what you support when you donate to SMYAL: a safe space for LGBTQIA+ kids to find joy and thrive.