Please watch.ย As she says the site is called Dunning Kruger and states it is not fake news or lies because it is totally fictional and made up.ย ย But tRump believes it.ย Hugs
Political cartoons / memes / and news I want to share. 11-12-2025
โSorry, guys. Next time, Iโll make sure that Iโm subscribed to N.F.L. First Quarter, N.F.L. Second Quarter, N.F.L. Halftime, N.F.L. Third Quarter, N.F.L. Fourth Quarter, and N.F.L. Overtime.โ
Not just any Democrat will do
https://www.alreporter.com/2025/11/11/opinion-not-just-any-democrat-will-do/
The Democratsโ fold on the shutdown highlights the fact that not just any Democrat can do the job that America needs.
The shutdown is over.Well, not officially, but itโs over. Seven Democrats and a Dem-caucusing independent caved, providing Republicans with the eight votes necessary to shove through a funding bill that will eventually reopen the government.Once again, Republicansโ will to do the wrong thing was greater than Democratsโ to do the right thing.
Amazing how often that happens. With Medicare-for-all. With Senate representation for Puerto Rico and D.C. With revamping the U.S. Supreme Court. With simply seating a properly nominated Supreme Court justice.
Every single time, when the fight got hard, there were just enough Democrats willing to tuck tail and run to give Republicans another win. Just enough Democrats willing to believe that this time the GOP Lucys wonโt move the football.
Itโs coming again, sure as youโre reading this.
There will be no negotiation over Affordable Care Act subsidiesโthe lone concession that Democrats received for their spineless fold. Anyone with a working brain can see the end of this thing.
Republicans are going to renege. Thereโs going to be shock and outrage. Republicans and their media partners will not care. Theyโll spin it in the dumbest possible way. Four million Americans will lose health care coverage. The costs of insurance premiums will go up substantially for all of us.
Itโll probably end up being Obamaโs fault somehow.
Because this is how bad the Democrats are at messaging. Even when every single fact is on their sideโand the facts were decidedly on their sideโthey canโt even get their own caucus to buy in.
I want you to consider what was happening. Take a step back. Consider all of the facts. And behold the breathtaking failure that the Democrats snatched from the jaws of accomplishment.
You have a country that is extremely angry with its current president, because that guy has failed to do anything that he promised he was going to do. (Probably because he lacks both the intelligence and the will to do any of those things.) This guy, whose policies have driven up prices and bankrupted American farmers and businesses, was publicly snatching food from the mouths of hungry children and poor people. At the same time, his partyโs disastrous spending bill, which included ridiculous tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations at the expense of health care subsidies for the poor and working class, was in the beginning stage of jacking up monthly premiums from barely affordable to โI guess weโll just dieโ rates.
For 41 days, the Democrats told everyone who would listen that they simply could not stand aside and allow this pain to fall upon good Americans. That this was a fight they wouldnโt abandon. That this was a fight they were in until the end.
Or until the airports got real busy.
I mean, people starving because food stamps were cut off was one thing. But long lines and cancelled flights, pfft, what are we, some sort of third-world country?
So, seven of them caved. Like sniveling, pathetic cowards.
Because more wasnโt demanded of them.
Iโve been preaching for some time now about the absolute necessity of researching and voting for the right people. For not simply voting for the party-affiliated candidate. To demand more. To vote for the people who best represent you and who have the best answers to your issues.
For most of you, particularly the working class and poor, that will be a Democrat. It just needs to be the right Democrat. We have to stop electing weak, ineffective, soft candidates, and choose people who will fight with intelligence and grit.ย
Look, letโs keep in mind the reality here. The things that were at the center of this fightโfood stamps, health care subsidies, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Securityโnone of them would exist without Democrats, without a progressive party that governs based on morals and decency. A party that made sure the poor have food on the table and access to medical care. A party that said senior citizens deserved to live with dignity and some security.
But what happened with the shutdown cave should highlight the fact that itโs not enough to simply elect Democrats. You have to demand more. You have to demand a commitment, a willingness to fight.
Anything less, as weโve seen, is just a waste of everyoneโs time.
Jon Stewart “Can’t F**king Believe” Democrats Caved on the Shutdown | The Daily Show
(Updated) Thank You, It’s Your Day. We Appreciate You!
And I wish to clarify. Because I push peace so much, some could understandably surmise that I “hate the US military”, which I most assuredly do not, for many reasons, not the least of which is that the US military are human beings who, for their reasons, chose the military path for at least a while.
No, I am thankful. So many did so much for so many more, and I appreciate that. I appreciate even more that the ones who survived to be with us today, are here with us today. I have respect for those who serve in that capacity; sometimes they’re put in positions of great danger and possibly having to take the life of someone else, yet they survive and come back. I am embarrassed that the US (we the people) have yet to fulfill the package veterans ought to expect for serving, and I work so that maybe one day, we will fulfill that. The US military is a special calling for those who are called, and it’s a risk for those who join feeling they have little other path when they begin. So, please accept my thanks even if you don’t feel as if you have it coming. To me, you do, because you did it and you’re here. I always hesitate to say “happy Veteran’s Day,” because it doesn’t strike me as a happy day, but more of a solemn observance day for people who did/do work that not all of us are cut out to do. That leaves thank you, and it is sincere.
Now enjoy the damn cartoon! ๐
Music For Peace
Enjoy some Kevin Brown, from Bee!
I am a huge Stevie Wonder fan; as bad as any given day has ever been, if I hear him, the day gets better. This is not Stevie Wonder, it’s Playing For Change doing a fine job with a Stevie song, in the name of peace. Enjoy!
It’s A Day Of Observance In Poland, Too-
This blogger is a newer subscriber to Scottie’s, and comments here some. Here is a short bit with info on Poland’s November 11th Independence Day observance and history.
My Chromebook translates these posts for me; I think most computers do that. Just let me know if I should do the copy-paste thing here with this.
Freshen Your Beverage, Prepare For Some Fun
It’s time for another “Cover Snark”! (Now usually WordPress sets this up just like a reblog, but not today. So, click through for the full effects and article. It’s not long, but is full of laughs!)
Cover Snark: Let Fate Decide!
by Amanda ยท Nov 10, 2025 at 3:00 am ยท View all 3 comments
Welcome back to Cover Snark!
Kiki: Hey friends, have we considered moving to shelter and NOT standing in the middle of the road while a tornado heads towards us?
Elyse: Pretty fucking relaxed about that tornado.
Sarah: Itโs the tornado of love donโt you get it.
Itโs going to bring them even closer together. By smashing them with debris.
Tara: They are letting fate decide!
Sneezy: I need them to not with this โfirst characters to die in a horror movieโ energy.
Snip-go see it on the page-it’s only 1 click!
https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/11/cover-snark-let-fate-decide/
Health News Updates
Infant formula botulism cluster, black box warning for HRT, flu is waking up, new blood pressure guidelines, and more by Katelyn Jetelina
This is your weekly Dose. Read on Substack
The shutdown may finally be coming to an end. Our health care costs, unfortunately, will not. Iโll be back on Wednesday with a deep dive into just how spectacularly absurd our health care system has become.
In the meantime, RSV and flu are picking up speed, and a concerning infant formula recall has been linked to a rare botulism cluster, thanks to a small but mighty team in California. The FDA is expected to remove the black box warning from hormone replacement therapyโa move thatโs scientifically sound but bound to spark drama from HHS. We also have new blood pressure guidelines that could make prevention a lot more personal. And amidst it all, a few more pieces of genuinely good news to end on a high note.
Letโs dive in!
Disease โweatherโ report: RSV and flu gaining momentum
It will take some time for the CDC data systems to ramp up again after being offline for over 40 days. For now, weโll continue to rely on the alternative sources, such as Dr. Caitlin Riversโ updates and the PopHive dashboards.
RSV continues to climb slowly but steadily, especially among children under five. National growth is still linearโnot yet exponentialโbut that acceleration could occur at any time.
The flu remains relatively low but is beginning to increase, particularly among young children. As Dr. Rivers notes, โHawaii has moved to moderate activity, Arizona has surpassed its seasonal baseline, and New York cases jumped 49% in the past week.โ
U.S. childhood flu vaccination rates have dropped from 62% to 49% over the past five years. Last year saw one of the deadliest seasons on record, with 280 pediatric deathsโthe highest since tracking began in 2004. About 90% of those children werenโt fully vaccinated. Our deadliest flu season came at a time of historically low vaccination rates, which canโt be a coincidence. We donโt yet know this seasonโs coverage, but if it falls further, we could be facing another tragic record.
Covid-19 remains in a lull, though we typically see a winter rise starting in mid-to-late November.
Iโm really hoping these three viruses donโt peak simultaneously. Hospitals strain under just a bad flu season; I couldnโt imagine the โbig threeโ all at the same time. Historically, their peaks have staggered, but given how little we truly understand about these overlapping patterns, that may have been more a matter of luck than a rule. Time will tell.
What this means for you: This is the best time to get vaccinated. Itโs certainly not too late.
Infant formula outbreak and Listeria in pasta
Over the weekend, a troubling cluster of infant botulism cases was linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. Even during a government shutdown and an increasingly challenging environment, outbreak teams have been working around the clock to protect our most vulnerable.
What this is: Infant botulism is extremely rare but serious. It occurs when Clostridium botulinum sporesโcommonly found in soil, dust, and some foodsโgerminate in a babyโs intestines and release toxins that can paralyze muscles, interfere with breathing, and require intensive care. In a typical year, the U.S. sees 160โ180 cases, often linked to environmental exposure or foods like honey. Even a small cluster of cases is a clear red flag.
What we know: Clostridium botulinum spores have been detected in ByHeart infant formula, resulting in the hospitalization of 13 infants across 10 states. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) played a key role in identifying this cluster. CDPH is the only source in the world for BabyBIGโthe lifesaving antitoxinโand manages all clinician calls and treatment distribution. Their team noticed a spike in requests and discovered that the affected infants all consumed the same formula brand, prompting an alert to CDC. Importantly, ByHeart produces just 1% of U.S. infant formula, so this alone is unlikely to cause a national shortage. (Be sure to sign up for YLE CA for a deeper dive this Thursday.)
What we donโt know: Epidemiologists are investigating whether contamination is truly confined to ByHeart or reflects a broader issue in the manufacturing or ingredient sourcing process.
What to do: Stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula immediately. Retailers should pull it from shelves, including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, and Samโs Club.
There is also the ongoing Listeria outbreak associated with frozen pasta dishes, including some sold at Trader Joeโs and other grocery chains. Weโve covered this before, but according to the agencyโs ongoing investigation, two more brands of food are linked to the outbreak. Thereโs a long list of recalled products you can find here. Throw out immediately.
In total, there have been 27 illnesses reported, 25 hospitalizations, and six deaths in 18 states since late September.
HRT โblack boxโ warning may be gone soon
Word is that the FDA will remove the black box warning from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) this week. (It may now be pushed back with the government reopening.) If this announcement reflects the HRT review conducted at HHS last month, it will likely be messy and riddled with inaccuracies. However, if you look at the science without the drama, removing the black label is not unreasonable.
The black box warningโthe strictest warning label, meant for drugs with potentially life-threatening risksโwas enacted after a 2002 Womenโs Health Initiative study found increased risks of stroke and breast cancer. Since then, research has revealed crucial nuance: risks depend on timing, dose, and delivery. Starting HRT earlier, using low-dose or localized estrogen, and tailoring therapy to each woman can be both effective and safe.
What this story is really about: Menopause is universal, yet too often misunderstood. While the science continues to evolve, the major problem is that clinical practice and training have lagged far behind. Women deserve evidence-based care, informed clinicians, and the freedom to make choices rooted in both science and compassion. We are still far from what is needed for women.
POLL
(snip-poll won’t embed here; go to the Substack page. The question is if readers would like to see a deep dive into HRT. If you wish to vote, click “read on Substack”, above.)
New blood pressure guidelines
Major new blood pressure guidelines dropped for the first time in years.
At the center of the update is an enhanced assessment tool called the PREVENT calculator, developed by the American Heart Association. Itโs designed to estimate a personโs 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease using factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes. The model was built using data from 6.5 million U.S. adults aged 30 to 79, making it one of the most representative tools available.
Hereโs what stands out:
- A new threshold for medication.ย The key number to watch is 7.5%. If your 10-year risk of heart disease is at or above that level, physicians are now encouraged to consider medication even if your blood pressure hovers around 130/80 mmHg. If your risk is below that, lifestyle changes, like healthy eating, exercising, and better stress management, remain the first step.
- A focus on home monitoring.ย The guidelines also emphasize checking blood pressure at home. Growing evidence shows that home readings may actually be more accurate predictors of long-term risk than in-office measurements. So spending $45 on an arm monitor if you have hypertension might be a great (even lifesaving!) idea.
What this means for you: This makes heart health more personalized than ever. You can calculate your own 10-year risk using the PREVENT calculator (although you will need some pretty specific numbers from your last blood panel). Regardless, aim for blood pressure readings below 130/80, and use these new tools to guide smarterโand earlierโprevention.
Good news!
Here are some of the great things worth highlighting:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is standing up for science.ย The organization filed anย updated lawsuitย last week against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., asking a court to disband a panel (ACIP) appointed by RFK Jr. and to overturn recent decisions made by that panel. Then, to proceed under court supervision. The legal move is a direct push to restore expert-led vaccine policymaking.
- The Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) is stepping up on Hep B.ย With the next ACIP meeting coming up in early December, where the agenda will likely include the Hepatitis B vaccine for infants, the childhood vaccination schedule, and HPVโVIP, an independent group of scientists formed in response to waning trust in RFK Jr.โs ACIP, is conducting an evidence review ahead of what could be a contentious meeting. Their work helps ensure the science remains front and center.
- Vaping among youth has seen a decline; but we still have a long way to go.ย A newย studyย has found that the number of U.S. teens vaping has decreased overall. Thatโs progress. But among those who still do it, vaping is becoming more frequent and harder to quitโsigns that use is shifting from experimentation toward dependence for some. If you have a teen who vapes, check out theย EX Program, which is a free, anonymous text-messaging program designed specifically for young people who vape. Thereโs alsoย SmokefreeTXT for Teens.
Question grab bag: You ask, we answer!
How long does the Covid-19 vaccine last? I got mine in September, do I need to get another?
A study published last week confirmed what weโve consistently seen: protection against Covid-19 wanes over time. A study of more than 1.8 million Americans from the previous season showed protection against infection and severe disease declined after 4-5 months. The findings underscore the benefit of getting a Covid-19 vaccine every six months, especially for adults over 65, who accounted for nearly 80% of hospitalizations in the study.
In case you missed it
- Help shape our AI + Health conversation.ย Thanks to everyone who responded to our survey last week! Weโre running the AI and health survey to hear your thoughts on using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and PerplexityAI to get health information. If you missed it, take the surveyย here.
- New York YLEโs Marisaย discussed the state reaching a historic low in youth tobacco use.
- California YLE Mattย discussed the impact of ICE raids on access to healthcare.
Have a wonderful week!
Love, YLE (snip)
Scottie's Playtime 