The Gleeful Profiteers of Trump’s Police State
Palantir’s stock soared this week as its CEO cheerfully screamed, “We’re doin’ it,” on an investor call—clarifying that “it” includes “on occasion” killing people.
By Sophie Hurwitz from Mother Jones, 2-6-2025
“If Elon Musk comes across a conflict of interest with the contracts and the funding that DOGE is overseeing, then Elon will excuse himself from those contracts.”
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 8:17 PM
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C.D.C. Posts, Then Deletes, Data on Bird Flu Spread Between Cats and People
The data, which appeared fleetingly online on Wednesday, confirmed transmission in two households. Scientists called on the agency to release the full report.
By Apoorva Mandavilli and Emily Anthes for the NYT, 2-6-2025
Trump already empowering the worst bosses to just.. ignore labor law. Whole Foods workers won their union vote, and now Whole Foods (owned by Jeff Bezos) is saying they simply won't recognize the vote because nobody is going to make them.
— Fight For A Union (@fightforaunion.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 10:24 AM
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White House budget proposal could shatter the National Science Foundation
“This kind of cut would kill American science and boost China.”
By Eric Berger for Ars Technica , 2-6-2025
New — The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) was told this week by DOJ that they'd lose their funding if the org didn't remove any mentions of LGBTQIA+ issues from their public materials, I've learned. Staff were told they need to deadname trans kids in their reports to comply.
— Marisa Kabas (@marisakabas.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Medical debt reforms threatened by Trump pause on new regulations
Treasury secretary paused all work at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, agency that was enacting reform.
By Jessica Glenza for the Gardian, 2-6-2025
Ellen Weintraub, chair of the Federal Election Commission, announced that President Trump sent her a letter declaring her immediate removal. However, Weintraub rejected the action, stating it was not legally valid.
— Alt National Park Service (@altnps.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
FCC Investigates SF Radio Station for ICE Reporting, Sparking Press Freedom Fears
The Federal Communications Commission is investigating San Francisco-based KCBS for its coverage of immigration enforcement actions in San José last month, sparking concerns from press freedom advocates and drawing right-wing backlash to the radio station.
By Juan Carlos Lara for KQED, 2-6-2025
You may wonder why altCDC is so political. Public health is as much about the disease as it is about the society in which that disease occurs. We are battling an admin that wants to dismantle US public health, sow misinformation, devalue science, and cripple our ability to respond to health threats.
— Alt CDC (they/them) (@altcdc.bsky.social) February 6, 2025 at 10:36 AM
NSA museum covered plaques honoring women and people of color, provoking an uproar
Late last week, a national museum literally papered over history.
By Frank Langfitt for NPR , 2-5-2025