Not Even Close to Caught Up.

* "Australia bushfires: two NSW volunteer firefighters killed and up to 40 properties destroyed:" https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/dec/19/australia-bushfires-20-structures-destroyed-as-nsw-firefighters-hospitalised-with-severe-burns

* "Modi Makes His Bigotry Even Clearer:" https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/opinion/india-citizenship-bill-muslims.html

* "Terrorists tried to blow up plane carrying their gay brother:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/18/terrorists-tried-blow-up-plane-gay-brother/

* Ya think? "Former White House officials say they feared Putin influenced the president’s views on Ukraine and 2016 campaign:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/former-white-house-officials-say-they-feared-putin-influenced-the-presidents-views-on-ukraine-and-2016-campaign/2019/12/19/af0fdbf6-20e9-11ea-bed5-880264cc91a9_story.html

* "Trump belief in bogus Ukraine conspiracy theory started early:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/wapo-trump-belief-in-bogus-ukraine-conspiracy-theory-started-early-75477061803

* "Shocking new documents in Trump-Ukraine scandal emerge:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/trump-ukraine-docs-show-concern-withholding-aide-was-illegal-75545157799

* "Facebook says a pro-Trump media outlet used artificial intelligence to create fake people and push conspiracies:" https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/facebook-says-pro-trump-media-outlet-used-artificial-intelligence-create-n1105951

* "Russia working social media to manipulate American voters (again):" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/russia-working-social-media-to-manipulate-american-voters-again-75485765668

* "Facebook bans massive fake pro-Trump network as election looms:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/facebook-bans-massive-fake-pro-trump-network-as-election-looms-75485253955

* "Maloney: No confidence in Facebook's moral compass:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/maloney-no-confidence-in-facebook-s-moral-compass-75487301533

* He's claiming the conservation evangelical magazine founded by Billy Graham is somehow far left. "Christianity Today, an influential evangelical magazine, says Trump ‘should be removed from office’:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/12/19/christianity-today-an-influential-evangelical-magazine-says-president-trump-should-be-removed-office/

* 45's handler weighs in. "Putin says Trump won’t be removed on ‘trumped-up charges’:" https://www.politico.eu/article/vladimir-putin-says-us-president-donald-trump-wont-be-impeached-on-trumped-up-charges/

* "Durham Is Scrutinizing Ex-C.I.A. Director’s Role in Russian Interference Findings:" https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/19/us/politics/durham-john-brennan-cia.html

* "Historian discusses Trump’s ‘meanspirited, petty’ letter to Dems:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/trump-s-legacy-and-impeachment-weighed-by-historian-75509829770

* "The Republicans Failed America and the Nation's Founders:" https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/12/19/republicans-failed-america-and-nations-founders

* "Was Manafort’s work in Ukraine the real start of Russiagate?:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/-black-ledger-shows-payments-to-manafort-from-pro-russia-ukraine-75545669985

* "Former Republican criticizes McConnell for stacking the courts:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/senate-confirms-187-trump-judges-mcconnell-vows-for-more-75508293966

* Random debate observations: I really missed Kamila Harris, Corey Booker, and Julian Castro. My opinions on the policies of these there are complicated, but something important was lost this time around. I think this i hands down the best performance Andrew Yang has had at these things. It's a clear improvement. the women were both really solid today, this despite the occasional hit scored against them, and my not being all that fond of Klobacher generally. I feel like both gave better than they got. Steyer still clearly doesn't understand how government works on a practical, above high school civics level, and I wildly resent himself basically buying his way in. Bernie was awkward and kept not properly answering the question in favour of going off on a rant about what he wanted to rant about. Biden was Biden bland, but occasionally eloquent enough to remind me why other people like them. They really went for Buttigeig, which is not surprising, given the polls, and honestly he still strikes me as not quite ready for prime time and too narrow of experience in a host of key areas.

It was good to see them directly addressing the slow motion genocide against trans women of colour, but I with there had been more people answering that one and more concrete things. At the same time, I'm not sure anything in the small slice of allotted time would have satisfied me.

There were a bunch of things that have been in every debate and I am tired of the rehashing. I feel like the time would be better spent on topics that were lightly, barely, or not at all covered.

O.o, that last question was cruel. I do like particularly Buttigieg’s let’s all vote for whoever wins one.

* It was thin. "Finally, LGBTQ Issues Get Attention in a Democratic Debate:" https://www.advocate.com/election/2019/12/19/finally-lgbtq-issues-get-attention-democratic-debate

* "Democratic debate divides candidates on healthcare:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/democrats-hold-first-debate-since-trump-s-impeachment-75511365597

* 45 got them to strip out the language requiring prompt aid to Ukraine. "Congress sends spending deal to Trump, ending shutdown threat:" https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/19/senate-moves-to-avoid-shutdown-with-passage-of-spending-deal-087898

* "Lindsey Graham’s challenger: His ‘word is like mud’:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/lindsey-graham-s-challenger-his-word-is-like-mud-75478085781

Want to get rid of Lindsey Graham? Help Jaime Harrison: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_harrison_fr_q12019_jaime-a?refcode=MS_AD_D-DD_2019.03.08_X_GG_KW__X__eyJjcmVhdGl2ZSI6IkFkZCBEb25hdGlvbiBOb3ciLCJhdWRpZW5jZSI6IkphaW1lSGFycmlzb24ifQ&recurring=TRUE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn4a_583I5gIVC8RkCh0MowFeEAAYASAAEgIXZfD_BwE

* "Senate removes phrase 'white nationalist' from measure intended to screen military enlistees:" https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/19/politics/us-military-white-nationalist-ndaa/index.html

* "As Washington Rep. Matt Shea refuses to resign following accusation of domestic terrorism, Ammon Bundy challenges House report:" https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/as-washington-rep-matt-shea-refuses-to-resign-ammon-bundy-challenges-house-report/

* "Washington State lawmaker engaged in ‘domestic terrorism:’ inquiry:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/washington-state-lawmaker-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism-inquiry-75478085840

* "Doctors with flu shots for migrant children turned away from Calif. facility; 6 arrested:" https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2019/12/11/doctors-with-flu-shots-migrant-children-turned-away-calif-facility-arrested/?fbclid=IwAR0Y-U5TRjMEa8VIBtZqsiq75nYJpwhGG1mzIM01emra-IpQdQ1KgKFBm2Y

"People die of the flu, but the people who have died of the flu in CPB custody, it was completely preventable,” Dr. Julie Sierra said. “Keeping people in hygienic conditions and not overcrowding them and giving them soap and access to showers, that can help prevent illness. But nothing prevents the flu like a flu vaccine.”

"At least three children in U.S. immigration custody died from flu infections during the 2018 flu season. That’s nine times the mortality rate of the general pediatric population, according to Doctors for Camp Closure."

* TW: Pedophilia. Confessional seal stays intact. "Pope lifts 'pontifical secret' rule over sex abuse:" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50824842

* "Let's Talk About (Gay) Sex:" https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/12/20/lets-talk-about-gay-sex

* "Boris Johnson has passed his Brexit deal. This is what it could mean for LGBT rights:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/20/brexit-deal-withdrawal-agreement-bill-passed-lgbt-rights/

* "European Parliament Condemns Poland's LGBTQ-Free Zones:" https://www.advocate.com/world/2019/12/20/european-parliament-condemns-polands-lgbtq-free-zones

* "The Home Office told this man he wasn’t ‘gay enough’ to stay in the UK. Now, he’s been given asylum in time for Christmas:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/21/home-office-asylum-christmas-malaysia-gay-man-liverpool-echo/

* "Bouncers told two men who were abused for kissing in a club that ‘homophobia isn’t a crime’:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/22/button-factory-dublin-homophobia-hate-crime-laws-ireland/

* "Teen who targeted same-sex couple in brutal London bus attack avoids prison sentence:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/19/teen-prison-court-same-sex-couple-brutal-london-bus-attack-referral-order-melania-geymonat-christine-hannigan/

* "If you’re feeling sad about JK Rowling, here’s a heartwarming story about Buffy’s Anthony Stewart-Head going out of his way for a young trans fan:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/20/jk-rowling-anthony-stewart-head-trans-fan/

* "Golden Globes Host Ricky Gervais Goes on Transphobic Tweetstorm:" https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2019/12/20/golden-globes-host-ricky-gervais-goes-transphobic-tweetstorm

* "These Are the Trans People Killed in 2019:" https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2019/5/22/these-are-trans-people-killed-2019#media-gallery-media-2

* "Utah Child Shamed by Teacher for Gay Dads Speaks Out After Adoption:" https://www.advocate.com/youth/2019/12/20/utah-child-shamed-teacher-gay-dads-speaks-out-after-adoption

* "Number 24- Rest in Power Yahira Nesby:" https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2019/12/number-24-rest-in-power-yahira-nesby.html

* "New Jersey just took a huge step forward in banning the gay panic defence:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/18/new-jersey-gay-panic-defence-senate-house-vote/

* "Australia Sees Outbreak of Drug-Resistant Shigella Among Gay & Bi Men:" https://www.advocate.com/health/2019/12/19/australia-sees-outbreak-drug-resistant-shigella-among-gay-bi-men

* "Scientists are baffled about a ‘female’ skeleton found in a male-only Greek mountain despite the fact that trans people literally exist:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/17/female-skeleton-trans-mount-athos-guardian/

* "Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood 2019 - SNL:"

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* "PBS Democratic Debate Cold Open - SNL:"

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* "Boyz II Menorah: 'A Week and a Day':"

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* Poor elder kitty is arthritic and was never a much of a jumper anyway. She now has a road that goes floor -> pettin throne -> onto my chair and over my butt -> the left hand desk where cats are not supposed to be, but I let her because she's old and reasonably careful -> over the snack cauldron where I keep dried fruit, granola bars, and nuts when I have them -> across the computer desk -> Back of the sofa -> arm of the sofa -> sofa. She goes back the same way instead of going the long way around.

It's strategically valid. She doesn't have to go past my bedroom door and risk ambush from there and her eye sight is not good, but she can tell pretty easily if any part of the sofa is occupied (high contrast, doesn’t have to peek over the top and risk Tavy being above her) before she commits all the way. It still is amusing to watch.

* It turned out we did not need a new part; he could fix it with the tools he had, but we need to fully defrost it over the weekend.  I used half the money set to pay my share of his fee and half to buy a really big cooler to put all my frozen goods and some perishables in. It's on the porch.  Let's hope no one steals it.  I only got a few hours sleep, but I needed to bake so that I can turn perishables into the things I need for Sunday before they go bad.

It was literally hours of carrying things outside and throwing stuff out and clean up. I also did phone bureaucracy. I still have more baking and pies tomorrow. I get to spend tomorrow baking and cleaning for company and I'll need to get up and test the fridge Sunday and if it's live restock it, before people show up.

I told them pot luck and that I was doing desserts. It could be worse: I could also be trying to make dinner with all my fresh veg turned to slime. Softened butter I have. Ingredients for company main courses not so much. Squirrel has a mini-fridge and took in a few refugees like my cheese, extra butter, some lettuce for tomorrow's dinner, eggs for if the cooler didn't save the ones for pavlova, but my milk and the picante I just opened are sitting on top of the cooler hoping for a cold snap.

I did listen to the debate while working, but I’m stupid tired and I don’t think there will be news tonight.

While I was gimping to the register from the garden center past the Christmas display area, dragging the monster cooler, I overheard a guy talking to a worker bout his need for C9 bulbs.

Me, silently in my head, with genuine empathy: Oh you poor bastard. C-9 buying season is the first half of November and super dicey post-Thanksgiving, and it's too late for amazon to ship them mostly likely. I have to my Halloween bulbs a year in advance when I buy them for a reason. You're hosed. I'm so sorry.

Her: I'm sorry, but we sold out right after Thanksgiving.

Me, in my head: I know waaaaay to much about specialty light bulbs.

* Saturday I managed to make three pies, but not the intended forth. The cooler seems to be holding up really well, the eggs were definitely cold wen I pulled them out for pavlova and shoofly making.

I really, really hate not having ice, but I have hopes of a working fridge tomorrow night. *Fingers crossed* I am dead exhausted, but there are things I need to finish.

* Some RL friends of mine who were barely scraping by just lost one of the part time jobs they collectively hold and it's really fucking things up for them. These are good people, who do so much for others. Want to help? https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-gig-worker-get-through-the-winter/share

* I feel validated in my instinctive dislike of Ricky Gervais.

*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.

* A small, cheap thing to help climate change if you have little money to spare: https://onetreeplanted.org/products/amazon-rainforest-peru

* How to donate to Rainbow Road: https://www.rainbowrailroad.com/donate

* Here are a bunch of state level links to help people in immigrant detention: https://taibhsearachd.tumblr.com/post/186058182962/woundability-this-4th-of-july-celebrate-the

* Angry about the concentration camps on our Southern Border? Here is a list of useful things you can do: https://medium.com/@togetherandfree/feel-helpless-amidst-the-horrific-immigration-news-youre-not-how-you-can-make-difference-today-108dc42de88e

* "More Organizations to Support Helping Kids in Concentration Camps:" https://thisfinecrew.dreamwidth.org/201920.html

* Here is a massive list of things you can do to help refugees inside and outside of the Camps: https://s-leary.tumblr.com/post/185783586806/so-youve-probably-seen-the-post-going-around

* A list of organizations to help you run for office: http://lovingmyselfishard.tumblr.com/post/167330144634/psst-hey

* The Indivisble guide exists to help you organize effective resistance: https://indivisible.org/

* Want to support Christy Smith in the primary for Katie Hill's seat?: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dw_ca25

* Want to get rid of Mitch McConnell? Help Amy McGrath: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/am-website?refcode=website-nav

* Want to get rid of Lindsey Graham? Help Jaime Harrison: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_harrison_fr_q12019_jaime-a?refcode=MS_AD_D-DD_2019.03.08_X_GG_KW__X__eyJjcmVhdGl2ZSI6IkFkZCBEb25hdGlvbiBOb3ciLCJhdWRpZW5jZSI6IkphaW1lSGFycmlzb24ifQ&recurring=TRUE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn4a_583I5gIVC8RkCh0MowFeEAAYASAAEgIXZfD_BwE

* Have something you want to tell your Congress Critters? If you can not protest in person, here are some other options:

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the representative of your choice.

This App phones your rep for you: http://takeastance.us/

Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resistbot.io/

* Some RL friends of mine who were barely scraping by just lost one of the part time jobs they collectively hold and it's really fucking things up for them. These are good people, who do so much for others. Want to help? https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-gig-worker-get-through-the-winter/share

* HorrorMux is currently running a Max Mad type thing. Available Archetypes are here. I'm Martyr if you want to find me.: http://horrormu.com/index.php/Available

* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com or paypal.me/Gwydion

* If you are interested in helping, right now the Cat thing we need most is:
https://www.chewy.com/wellness-core-signature-selects/dp/147047

The dry food I was going to try (less urgent) is this one: https://www.chewy.com/blue-buffalo-wilderness-flatland/dp/176663

Or possibly this: https://www.chewy.com/instinct-by-natures-variety-limited/dp/44654

* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/2108835.html