Jill Piggott

@jillpiggott

Philosophy & lit professor, now disabled by migraine & ME/CFS. Cofounder, headsUPmigraine. Volunteer prison educator, Equal Justice Initiative. Progressive activist. Midcoast Maine & on the lake in New Brunswick, Canada.

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Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· 24d

It takes a matter of seconds to factcheck "personal opinions" to be sure they're accurate: ME DSA *endorsed* Jackson as their candidate for governor this year.

Graphic: Maine DSA endorses Troy Jackson for Maine for Governor. "From being an incredibly active member of multiple unions to passing countless progressive bills in his previous position as ME Senate President, we know that Troy is the working class hero for the job."

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· 25d

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jul 13

@tomkindlon.bsky.social My ME/CFS symptoms are so improved on sunny days that I looked for studies of light therapy as a treatment &, alas, found this. Does natural light help you (or anyone with ME/CFS reading along)? Thanks always for your good work.

Assessing fatigue in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients before and after treatment with bright light therapy: A prospective randomized controlled crossover study

The primary outcome variable fatigue was not significantly improved after treatment with BLT compared to wait list in the full crossover design, although fatigue scores improved immediately after two weeks of BLT. Additionally, patients showed decreased reaction time after treatment with BLT in a subtest of TAP compared to wait list. Over 45 % of patients were diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome.

BLT for two weeks is not effective for the treatment of fatigue in ME/CFS, but it might have beneficial effects on attention in patients with ME/CFS.

Ludwig B, et al. Assessing fatigue in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients before and after treatment with bright light therapy: A prospective randomized controlled crossover study. Sleep Medicine. 2025 May 1;129:369-74.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jul 11

Platner's letter is worth reading in full. Up the Hearts, Maine.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jul 7

Susan Collins said Blanche--"with no equivocation at all"--told her that he won't pursue the anti-weaponization fund & she said she'll wait to decide how to vote. This is exactly the scenario that precedes her votes in favor of ppl like Kavanaugh, Oz, RFKJr.: "He assured me..."

Tweet by Laura Weiss (6/16) summarized in post.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jul 3

Are you aware that Platner's former skull tattoo has been used as an insignia by a US Special Forces unit (sources in alt text)? The Marines didn't have a problem w/ the tattoo nor did the Jewish members of P's immediate family, including his stepdad.

Sources: "US Army Special Forces Team History and Insignia 1975 to the Present" by Gary Perkowski. Discussed in https://medium.com/the-bread-roses-tribune/graham-platner-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-b5868fdeea83

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 27

Here's further evidence that the "death head" has been used by the US military. "Many" Marine units from the Iraq War used the design in their insignia. This explains why the Marines had no problem with Platner's tattoo.

From "The Graham Platner Story: What it Says about our Media & What it Means for the Midterms": Platner and his buddies got the tattoo, he wrote, “because we were Marines and skulls and crossbones are [a] pretty standard military thing.” Many Marine units have favored death’s head designs in their insignia. These include Marine Amphibious Reconnaissance, Special Operations Command, the “Alpha Raiders” of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1/7 Marines with their “Suicide Charley” motif, and the legendary “Khaos Company” – a nickname for Platner’s own Kilo Company – of the 3/8 Marines. It is also featured on the guidon of the Marine Mortuary Affairs unit that served in Fallujah and was charged, among other things, with ensuring that the remains of dead Iraqis were buried in strict accordance with Islamic tradition. (By George Black for The Washington Spectator, 26 June 2026)

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 27

Maybe if you won't read info that would challenge your assumption, you'd be willing to look at a photo. To assume the tattoo can only be understood as a Nazi emblem is to deny the evidence that it's been used officially by the US Special Forces. Source in alt text.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 26

I agree. I was interested that Platner polled 61% to 86% across the political spectrum in UNH's last primary poll. I think what moderates saw in the progressive candidate was someone who's candid & authentic.

Table from UNH's Pine Tree poll (5-27-26). Political ideology of voters who ranked Platner first: Socialist 85%, Progressive 86%, Liberal 76%, Moderate 61%. Full poll: https://scholars.unh.edu/survey_center_polls/960/

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 23

Platner's right: Collins is wrong to claim Roe was overturned 6-3. Roe was overturned 5-4. Roberts voted in favor of MS's ban but against overturning Roe. Collins was the decisive vote for Kavanaugh. He was the decisive vote against Roe.

From SCOTUSblog 6/24/2022: "Supreme Court overturns constitutional right to abortion--The vote to overturn Roe was 5-4." Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, & Barrett joined Alito's decision. Chief Justice Roberts did not. "He agreed with the majority that the MS abortion restriction at issue in the case should be upheld, but in a separate opinion, he argued that the court should not have overturned Roe."
From The Catholic Times 6/24/2022: Headline: "Read about the 5 Supreme Court Justices who Voted to Overturn Roe." Pictured are Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh, Barrett, & Gorsuch.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 21

Shame on Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins. She's done NO oversight of an admin characterized by refusing to spend as appropriated. Yet she's banking on her job as Chair to win reelection by claiming sole credit for every federal penny that comes to ME. #VoteBlue

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 19

It's phoebe fledging day here in midcoast Maine! I'm their first human. They didn't seem impressed.

A nest of 4 Eastern Phoebe chicks. At least 1 is almost ready to fledge. Three seem to pout at the camera.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 19

Maine Dem primary: Data from the 4 rounds of ranked choice primary voting that resulted in Pingree's win. She moved into first place in round 3 and won in round 4 56.2% to Shah's 43.8%. #mepolitics www.maine.gov/sos/news/mai...

Spreadsheet from the ME Secretary of State's website (link in post). Pingree's final count after 4 rounds of ranked choice voting was 111,750. Shah's final count was 86,950.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 7

Platner: “Not a single taxpayer dollar should be spent on arming and defending a country that commits a genocide... The fact that it is being done by bombs that are built in this country & paid for with our tax dollars is utterly unconscionable. And it needs to end.” 4/5/26 x.com/DropSiteNews...

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner on U.S. support for Israel:

“Not a single taxpayer dollar should be spent on arming and defending a country that commits a genocide.

I would absolutely support Senator Sanders' bill to restrict military aid, but I'll be entirely honest, looking down the road, this is a nation that right now is exterminating people.

It is going to be very difficult for me to ever be able to look at them again and see someone that we should be working with closely…

What I am witnessing now is the height of horror. And the fact that it is being done by bombs that are built in this country and paid for with our tax dollars is utterly unconscionable. And it needs to end.” (4/5/26 posted on X)

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 3

If you're accused, you do 73+ townhalls with no screened questions & nearly nonstop interviews & address the concerns head-on. Mainers have the most exposure to Platner's views. 5/27 UNH poll found 77% of ME Ds see him favorably, 9% neutrally, 12% unfavorably. scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcont...

UNH 5/27: The Pine Tree State Poll--Platner favorability w/ Ds & independents likely to vote in the D primary: 73% favorable, 11% neutral, 14% unfavorable, 3% don't know. Groups w/ highest favorable ratings (84%): voters 18-34 & progressives. People w/ lowest favorable rating (44%): independents & Republicans. Poll found in general match-up that 51% would vote for Platner, 42% for Collins. In Feb, the poll found that 49% supported Platner, 38% supported Collins.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 1

Platner's favorability in Maine is different than his favorability on Bluesky. In a recent UNH poll of likely ME primary voters (taken prior to the sexting news), he was viewed as favorable by 73% & neutrally by 11%. 14% viewed him unfavorably & 3% didn't know. scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcont...

Breakdown of Platner's favorability among likely Dem primary voters. Highest favorability (84%) w/ voters 18-34 & progressives. Favorability among men is 75%; among women, 71%. The Pine Tree State Poll, UNH, 27 May 2026

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Jun 1

Exactly, SP24. And women don't forget what Susan Collins did when she cast the decisive vote for Kavanaugh.

Photo of Susan Collins announcing her support for Kavanaugh. Caption: "Maine GOP Senator seen as key swing vote."

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· May 31

Eyes on the prize. #MEpolitics

Shay Stewart-Bouley: People's marriages aren't my business and if the two people in a marriage work out their issues, it's really no one else's business. That said when a once trusted friend of said married couple decides to publicly share what was privately shared, it's a reflection on the person sharing. Especially when the sharing person definitely has their own agenda.
At this rate, we are gonna end up with more Concerned Susie and more of this oppressive boot on our collective necks because we are insistent on wading in weeds instead of keeping our eye on the prize.
The only options on the menu are what's on the menu. So wishful thinking here isn't useful.
PS: seeing as how this aide knew this information last fall when they left the campaign, why not spill the secret then? I mean wouldn't that have been the logical time seeing as how they were spilling tea then? Nah, this is some last minute messy with a goal and it's awfully hurtful to the wife. The wife didn't ask for this.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· May 31

Well said! You reminded me of this from James Baldwin's 1963 interview with LIFE magazine.

"You think your pain & heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world. But then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all people who were alive, who had ever been alive." --James Baldwin

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· May 31

Platner's condemned the genocide in Gaza since day 1. It's a centerpiece of his campaign. If you think he's not progressive, I'd encourage you to watch his rallies w/ Eliz Warren & Bernie Sanders & his long conversation w/ Jon Stewart, all on youtube.

Graham Platner for Senate post: "I said on the day of our campaign's launch that the genocide in Gaza is the moral test of our time. That's rooted in a belief in universal human rights, in the belief that every life has dignity. It's why I condemn the war crimes of Oct 7th & why I'm committed to ending this US-funded genocide in Palestine." 10/7/25

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· May 11

Collins's vote to take away health care tax credits affected more than 60,000 Mainers, who saw an average premium increase of $886, per the Center for American Progress. Source: The ME Report 5/11/26

"Susan Collins voted with Trump to raise health insurance premiums. Mainers see average increase of $886--The Maine Report." Photo of Collins. Ad paid for by Majority Forward.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· May 11

Quintessential Collins: She had already announced support for SAVE when I wrote & criticized her decision. Instead of articulating her position, she prevaricates. "Should the SAVE Act or similar legislation concerning federal elections be considered by the full Senate, I will review it carefully."

Dear Dr. Piggott,

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. I appreciate your taking the time to do so.

The SAVE Act, which was introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), would amend the National Voter Registration Act to require proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, but this legislation would establish means for confirming citizenship, require states to establish a process for removing noncitizens from voter rolls, and create federal penalties for knowingly registering a noncitizen to vote in federal elections. It would also establish an alternative verification pathway for individuals who lack proper documentation but are, in fact, United States citizens. The SAVE Act has been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, on which I do not serve.

Should the SAVE Act or similar legislation concerning federal elections be considered by the full Senate, I will review it carefully. Again, thank you for contacting me.

Sincerely, Susan Collins (signature)

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· May 3

Graham Platner's town hall today in a chicken barn in Appleton, Maine. He's done more than 65 town halls. No questions are screened. Susan Collins has held 0 town halls in 25 years. No questions are taken. Photo: Jim Dugan Photography #MEpolitics

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner speaking to a full house in an Appleton chicken barn.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Apr 25

Despite 2 GOP votes against the measure, Susan Collins cast the decisive vote to give ICE, CBP $70 billion in a move that covers the remainder of T's term, preempting post-midterm changes by the Dems. Maine needs to retire Collins. mainenewsroom.substack.com/p/senator-co...

Sen Collins votes to give ICE, CBP another $70 billion. - Senate GOP used an approach that avoided need for Dem votes. - In unusual move, the bill budgets thru the end of T's term, instead of just the next FY to thwart a potential future Dem Congress. - Money must still be appropriated.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Apr 16

Despite being pressed, Gov Janet Mills won't describe Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide. #MEpolitics www.mainepublic.org/politics/202...

Students repeatedly questioned whether Mills would halt military aid to Israel over its prosecution of the conflict in Gaza.
Mills said she would have to evaluate the specifics of any bill that would halt arms shipments to Israel. While she criticized Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military response to the 2023 terrorist attacks that ignited the conflict, she stopped short of calling it a genocide when pressed by an audience member.
"The things happening in Gaza are also horrific and unnecessary and cruel. I think bombing civilian facilities of any sort is a violation of international law," she said, adding, "There's genocide going on right now in Sudan. Rwanda has genocide. There's genocide going on in Somalia. I'm concerned about those countries as well as the Middle East, OK? There's a lot we have to be concerned about, a lot on our plate." SOURCE: Maine Public 4/15

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Mar 28

A recent favorite Irish read: Audrey Magee's Booker-finalist "The Colony" (2022) about a linguist & artist who spend a summer w/ a multigenerational family on a remote Irish island during The Troubles. Thoughtful, compelling work with interesting characters that's told in careful, precise prose.

Book cover of Audrey Magee's novel "The Colony," with a painting of a hand painting a woman's portrait and an image of a remote rocky island. Photo of Audrey Magee in a bookstore with her 2 novels, "The Undertaking" and "The Colony."

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Mar 26

Platner holds a 27-pt lead over Mills in ME Senate primary per new poll. He & Mills both edge out Collins (48% Platner, 41% Collins; 46% Mills, 43% Collins), but Platner's lead is outside MOE (+/- 4.2%). Poll taken after Mills's 1st negative ad. #MEpolitics emersoncollegepolling.com/maine-2026-p...

Emerson College Polling: Maine 2026 Democratic Primary for Senate shows Platner 55%, Mills 28%, Someone else 4%, Undecided 13%. Likely ME Democratic Primary Voters were polled. MOE=+/-4.2%.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Mar 25

Do you know "Open Water" by Caleb Azumah Nelson? It was one of my favorite reads of '25.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Mar 19

Trump & Harris were both wrong about Gaza. But failing to stop Trump has meant that more than 762,000 people died in '25 because he cut USAID, including 500,000+ kids. Those USAID deaths could reach 14 million by '30. T pledged he'd cut USAID before the election. Harris would not have done so.

2025 DEATH TOLL FROM Trump’s USAID CUTS: 762,000 people died, including more than 500,000 children
“One year after the Trump administration began its dismantling of USAID, a model that tracks the impact of USAID funding cuts on global disease prevention programs estimates that more than 762,000 people have died as a result of those cuts, including more than 500,000 children. According to ImpactCounter, … cuts to funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have had the largest impact, resulting in more than 158,000 adult deaths and 16,000 child deaths.
Terminated USAID funding has also resulted in more than 164,000 additional child deaths from pneumonia, 125,000 additional child deaths from diarrhea, 70,000 additional adult and child deaths from malaria, and 48,000 additional adult and child deaths from tuberculosis.” - 21 January 2026 | CIDRAP - Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy Research and Innovation Office, University of Minnesota
USAID cuts may lead to more than 14 million deaths globally, including 4.5 million children under 5 by 2030, per a comprehensive analysis in The Lancet, 19 July 2025 (Vol. 406, Issue 10500). Free full text online.

Jill Piggott@jillpiggott· Mar 18

Susan Collins Illogic: "A provision requiring a 1-time proof of citizenship when you register to vote I do not believe is burdensome. If you had to do it every time, I would not support this bill." Collecting & paying for docs in order to (re)register is as problematic as needing them yearly.