9/28/23 - 10/8/23
Oct. 8th, 2023 06:19 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwydion* "An Attack From Gaza and an Israeli Declaration of War. Now What?:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-palestinians.html
There is no such thing as neutral coverage. I will do my best in picking things; none of my choices will be even close to perfect. My giving up and going with the NY Times as the most reasonable thing I could find in my disheartened poking about the news sitesgives you an idea. I have so may thoughts about this and the bigger consequences. They are too complicated for me to be doing commentary right now, especially given my physical state at the moment.
People are already dead. Figures from earlier this evening US Time were 250ish Israelis and 1600ish Palestinians and rising. It will likely be more by the time you see this.
Bad things have happened, and I can see all sorts of likely things that will happen long term no matter what happens in the short. I know the messy, messy whys of this. I watched so many better paths not taken pass by, and I can see to many options closing, just as I have so many times before.
So I will weep for the dead civilians on both sides. What else can I do, but witness and weep.
* "Pope Francis insists Europe doesn't have a migrant emergency and challenges countries to open ports:" https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pope-francis-insists-europe-migrant-emergency-challenges-countries-103430932
* "Elon Musk attacked German support for migrants and promoted a call to support a far-right extremist political party:" https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-immigration-migrants-germany-far-right-extremism-twitter-x-2023-9
* "Nobel Prize Awarded to Covid Vaccine Pioneers:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/health/nobel-prize-medicine.html
* "Food prices are rising as countries limit exports. Blame climate change, El Nino and Russia’s war:" https://apnews.com/article/food-prices-export-bans-climate-change-aa7135b3a7f5ef9df440e94825880346
* "Fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh on the mountain road west :" https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/armenia-azerbaijan-picture/
* "Three quarters of Karabakh population already out in swift exodus:" https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/three-quarters-karabakh-population-already-out-swift-exodus-2023-09-29/
* "The Rebel Drone Maker of Myanmar:" https://www.wired.com/story/the-rebel-drone-maker-of-myanmar/
* "Kaczyński pulls out of Polish election debate. ‘I’ll be there,’ says Tusk:" https://www.politico.eu/article/kaczynski-pulls-out-of-polish-election-debate-ill-be-there-says-tusk/
* "Meet the Gay Man Elected to Lead Greece's Leftist Party in Historic First :" https://www.advocate.com/world/stefanos-kasselakis-greece-leader
* "Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk says change ‘is inevitable’ as election supporters rally:" https://apnews.com/article/poland-opposition-march-tusk-ade1aed36d598b3e24fd12ef24d8ba66
* "Polish democracy champion Lech Walesa turns 80 and comments on his country’s upcoming election:" https://apnews.com/article/poland-walesa-birthday-80-elections-de7a7925a6b56c7cb950a8b75c54dc24
* "Poland election turns Germany into punching bag, straining Western alliance:" https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-election-turns-germany-into-punchbag-straining-western-alliance-2023-10-05/
* "Elon Musk attacked German support for migrants and promoted a call to support a far-right extremist political party:" https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-immigration-migrants-germany-far-right-extremism-twitter-x-2023-9
* "Blasting Bullhorns and Water Cannons, Chinese Ships Wall Off the Sea:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/23/world/asia/china-sea-philippines-us.html
* "Saudi Arabia sentences schoolgirl to 18 years over tweets, says rights group:" https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-sentences-schoolgirl-18-years-tweets
* "Trans SNP candidate gives powerful response after public misgendering by anti-trans campaigners:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/05/amber-roberts-trans-snp-for-women-scotland/
* "Teenager stabbed to death in Croydon school bus horror after ‘girl rejects flowers’:" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/croydon-stabbing-school-bus-girl-death-b2420005.html
* "Elianne Andam: family of girl killed in Croydon pay tribute to ‘light of our live:" https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/28/teenage-girl-killed-in-croydon-stabbing-named-as-elianne-andam
* "Let's talk about 2 questions about Ukraine and talking points....:"
* "'They're just meat': Russia deploys punishment battalions in echo of Stalin:" https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/theyre-just-meat-russia-deploys-punishment-battalions-echo-stalin-2023-10-03/
* "Elon Musk was right to cede Starlink access to Pentagon, says biographer:" https://news.yahoo.com/elon-musk-cede-starlink-access-210000355.html?guccounter=1
* "Biden offers dire warnings about Trump, accuses mainstream GOP of ‘deafening’ silence:" https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-donald-trump-democracy-arizona-788d5203b3ac970dbf6b71ca74d6b386
* "Biden says he had to use Trump-era funds for the border wall. Asked if barriers work, he says 'No':" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/05/biden-us-mexico-border-wall-immigration-texas/8a37c978-63a3-11ee-b406-3ea724995806_story.html
* "Let's talk about Biden, walls, and laws....:"
* "Biden Administration Looks to Protect LGBTQ+ Foster Kids With New Rule:" https://www.advocate.com/news/foster-care-hhs-lgbtq-youth
* "First White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/first-white-house-office-of-gun-violence-prevention-193651781888
* "White House Blasts Online Harassment of Federal Employee by Hate Group Libs of TikTok:" https://www.advocate.com/news/white-house-libs-of-tiktok
* "Pete Buttigieg Has to Keep Explaining to Republicans That Seasons Aren't Climate Change:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/seasons-arent-climate-change-buttigieg
* "As employers face labor shortages, Biden administration rolls out playbook for training workers:" https://apnews.com/article/biden-worker-training-apprentice-d2a8dbefa5d5d70431e9cd7073b1baa0
* "The Supreme Court seems skeptical of a challenge to consumer agency:" https://www.npr.org/2023/10/03/1203422184/the-supreme-court-seems-skeptical-of-a-challenge-to-consumer-agency
If they side with Pay Day Lenders on these grounds, it would disestablish Social Security, Medicare, every banking regulating agency, and the Federal Reserve which most definitely completely destroy the economy.
I think I spot where the skepticism comes from.
* "The Hollywood writers’ strike is over — and they won big:" https://www.vox.com/culture/2023/9/24/23888673/wga-strike-end-sag-aftra-contract
* "Let's talk about Biden, Bernie, and UAW....:"
* "How Unions CRUSH Capitalists:"
* "More schools are adopting 4-day weeks. For parents, the challenge is day 5:" https://apnews.com/article/four-day-week-schools-classes-parents-af7686cb78a39a136c9b97d7d59c1b71
* "The US is forgiving more federal student loans in a bid to tackle ‘unsustainable debt’ for borrowers:" https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-student-loan-forgiveness-e2459b41a442133e9615ed03cd54ca67
* "Shutdown averted, White House prepares to fight for Ukraine aid:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/30/biden-administration-congress-government-shutdown-deal-ukraine-aid-00119296
"They weren’t displeased with the outcome either. The bill didn’t just fund the government, it also included $16 billion in disaster relief and, as one White House official noted, avoids “any version of the deep cuts to essential domestic programs that were proposed in the past few days.”
But the final measure did not include aid for Ukraine, and its absence was not just a blow for Biden but to Volodymyr Zelenskyy too. The Ukrainian president had just met with the president and lawmakers last week to once again make the case for additional funds for Kyiv’s defense against Moscow."
* "Pres. Biden signs 45-day stopgap bill into law, avoiding potential govt. shutdown:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/pres-biden-signs-45-day-stopgap-bill-into-law-avoiding-potential-govt-shutdown-194169925684
* "Hayes: 'I can't believe this needs to be said,' but the GOP is to blame for the GOP chaos:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/hayes-i-can-t-believe-this-needs-to-be-said-but-the-gop-is-to-blame-for-the-gop-chaos-194454597717
* "‘Ludicrous on its face’: Neguse says blaming Democrats for GOP disarray is ‘nonsensical’:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-ludicrous-on-its-face-neguse-says-blaming-democrats-for-gop-disarray-is-nonsensical-194455109596
* "White House prepares to fight for Ukraine aid after shutdown averted:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/30/biden-administration-congress-government-shutdown-deal-ukraine-aid-00119296
* "‘We can’t do it alone’: Ukrainians react to lack of additional funding in US spending bill :" https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/01/europe/ukraine-us-government-shutdown-aid-intl-hnk/index.html
* Why we should be sending aid to Ukraine: https://www.tumblr.com/rubynye/730233293363200001/hwy-dod-we-even-need-to-send-more-money-to-ukraine?source=share
* "McCarthy becomes the first speaker ever to be ousted from the job in a House vote:" https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555
* "Elizabeth Warren: GOP extremists are sowing chaos because they think it helps Trump:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/elizabeth-warren-gop-extremists-are-sowing-chaos-because-they-think-it-helps-trump-194368581570
* "Kevin McCarthy learns the hard way: 'You cannot appease the mob':" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/kevin-mccarthy-learns-the-hard-way-you-cannot-appease-the-mob-194373701803
* "For modern Republican House speakers, ignominy is part of the job:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/for-modern-republican-house-speakers-ignominy-is-part-of-the-job-194375749561
*** I'm leaving the Trump stuff in for the curious ***
* "Right Wingers Push for Alleged Felon to Become New House Speaker:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-floated-house-speaker-republicans-1234838871/
*headdesk*
* "‘I will do it if necessary’: Trump not ruling out being new House Speaker:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-i-will-do-it-if-necessary-trump-not-ruling-out-being-new-house-speaker-194538565970
* "‘Break the glass moment’: Claire McCaskill on a Trump Speakership:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-break-the-glass-moment-claire-mccaskill-on-a-trump-speakership-194539589913
*** ***
* "How Trump was talked into — and out of — a run for speaker:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/06/trump-jim-jordan-house-speaker-endorsements-00120320
* "Trump says he’s focused on the White House amid calls for a speaker bid:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/04/trump-2024-house-speaker-00119925
* "Scalise and Jordan’s battle for centrists:" https://www.politico.com/newsletters/huddle/2023/10/04/scalise-and-jordans-battle-for-centrists-00120015
Reminder: Steve Scalise is proudly KKK and Jim Jordan tried to overthrow the Us Government and install a Fascist Dictatorship.
* "Leading candidates' baggage complicates GOP search for new speaker:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/leading-candidates-baggage-complicates-gop-search-for-new-speaker-194462789569
* "GOP Rep. Graves: There Would Have Been Fist Fights If We Did Not Recess, "There Is A Lot Of Raw Emotions Right Now":" https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/10/05/gop_rep_graves_there_would_have_been_fist_fights_if_we_did_not_recess_there_is_a_lot_of_raw_emotions_right_now.html
* "From a Capitol Hill Basement, Bannon Stokes the Republican Party Meltdown:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/us/politics/bannon-republicans-gaetz-mace.html
* "House members float bipartisan deals after McCarthy goes down:" https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/house-bipartisan-deals-speaker-mccarthy
* "Trump endorses Jim Jordan as next House speaker:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/06/trump-endorses-jim-jordan-as-next-house-speaker-00120312
* "Trump endorses coup supporter Jim Jordan for Speaker:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-endorses-coup-supporter-jim-jordan-for-speaker-194627141654
* "Rep. Jamie Raskin on Jim Jordan’s ‘tragic flaw’:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/rep-jamie-raskin-on-jim-jordan-s-tragic-flaw-194627141803
* Because Republicans are nothing if not petty. "Nancy Pelosi says the interim House speaker asked her to vacate her Capitol office:" https://www.npr.org/2023/10/04/1203566052/pelosi-office-patrick-mchenry-speaker
* "House impeachment inquiry off to an awkward start:" https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/09/28/congress/impeachment-chugs-along-00118731
* "Alabama Sen. Tuberville says military is 'not an equal-opportunity employer':" https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/09/27/alabama-sen--tuberville-denounces-racial-diversity-in-the-military
The US Military is literally an "equal-opportunity employer" as a matter of law.
It's a merit based system, like the post office. What Tuberville is saying is we need to throw out the merit system and replace it with a racist, sexist affirmative action system for straight white cis men. This would be incredibly damaging to our military, but as republicans have repeatedly made clear they give no fucks about national defense or unit cohesion or morale, only racist ideology and putting Putin's interests ahead of our own.
* "You Can Help Stop These Bad Internet Bills:" https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/07/you-can-help-stop-these-bad-internet-bills
* Have something you want to tell your Congress Critters? If you can't safely contact them 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.
Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/
* The Indivisible Guide: "A Practical Guide to defeating MAGA:" https://indivisible.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/20220104_Indivisible_%20A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Defeating%20MAGA.pdf
* "Alabama finally has a new congressional map after a lengthy legal fight:" https://www.npr.org/2023/10/05/1203309716/alabama-2024-congressional-map
* "The Growing Threat of Republican Election Vigilantes:" https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/the-growing-threat-of-republican-election-vigilantes/
* "Marjorie Taylor Greene Says States Should ‘Consider Seceding From the Union’:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/marjorie-taylor-greene-states-consider-seceding-from-the-union-1234822567/
* "Pennsylvania governor announces automatic voter registration in key swing state:" https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pennsylvania-governor-announces-automatic-voter-registration-key-swing/story?id=103321334
* "Wisconsin AG slams GOP for ‘consistent attacks on our democracy’ after top election official ousted :" https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4207444-wisconsin-ag-slams-gop-for-ousting-top-election-official/
* "Let's talk about Pennsylvania and a trend in voting....:"
* "David McCormick Says He Lives in Pennsylvania. Flight Records Appear to Tell a Different Story:" https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/09/david-mccormick-says-he-lives-in-pennsylvania-flight-records-appear-to-tell-a-different-story
* "Why can't Pennsylvania Republicans find someone to run for Senate?:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/why-can-t-pennsylvania-republicans-find-someone-to-run-for-senate-194629701512
* "Who Is Laphonza Butler, California's New, History-Making U.S. Senator?:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/laphonza-butler-dianne-feinstein-successor
* "Olivia Hill sworn in as Tennessee’s first-ever transgender elected representative:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/03/tennessee-trans-olivia-hill/
* "How Bob Menendez’s Gold Bars Led This New Jersey Democrat to Run for Senate:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/andy-kim-bob-menendez-senate-seat-new-jersey-1234833928/
* "Rep. Kim joins New Jersey senate race, as Sen. Menendez refuses to step down:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/rep-kim-joins-new-jersey-senate-race-as-sen-menendez-refuses-to-step-down-194132037918
* Want to help Andy Kim beat Bob Menendez? https://www.andykim.com/
* "US Sen. Bob Menendez pleads not guilty to pocketing bribes in a wide-ranging corruption case:" https://apnews.com/article/bob-menendez-gold-bars-bribery-arraignment-49599ba95fbf19ed5169055e24817fea
* "Staggering Corruption of Senator Bob Menendez:"
* I'd actually been thinking of him recently in the context of New Jersey politics. "Gay Former N.J. Governor, Jim McGreevey, Considering Run for Jersey City Mayor:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/jim-mcgreevey-mayor-candidate
* "'There is no way to both-sides this': Republican meltdown paints stark contrast with Democrats:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-there-is-no-way-to-both-sides-this-republican-meltdown-paints-stark-contrast-with-democrats-194282565976
* "Newsom pans GOP debate: 'More disappointing than I was expecting':" https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/newsom-pans-gop-debate-more-disappointing-than-i-was-expecting-193944645680
* "Maddow: DeSantis hurting his own party with lies about abortion:" https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/maddow-desantis-hurting-his-own-party-with-lies-about-abortion-193945669590
* "Republican group running anti-Trump ads finds little is working:" https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/republican-group-running-anti-trump-ads-finds-little-is-working/?utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all&utm_source=press.coop
* "General Milley Reveals He’s Taking ‘Appropriate Measures to Ensure My Safety’ Following Trump Death Penalty Comment:" https://www.mediaite.com/tv/general-milley-reveals-hes-taking-appropriate-measures-to-ensure-my-safety-following-trump-death-penalty-comment/
* "Republican Rep. Paul Gosar Calls for Death to 'Sodomy-Promoting Traitor' Gen. Mark Milley:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/paul-gosar-execution-sodomy-milley
* "Nobody in the Republican Party Bats An Eye at Trump’s Military Insults - Anderson Cooper:"
* "Trump plans to become a dictator — denial will not save you:" https://www.salon.com/2023/09/07/plans-to-become-a-dictator--denial-will-not-save-you/
* "Trump's violent rhetoric threatens democracy to its core:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/trump-s-violent-rhetoric-threatens-democracy-to-its-core-pt-1-194243141785
https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/trump-s-violent-rhetoric-threatens-democracy-to-its-core-pt-2-194244165510
* "'How did Dr. Frankenstein deal with his monster?'; Trump era GOP struggles with old school politics :" https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/-how-did-dr-frankenstein-deal-with-his-monster-trump-era-gop-struggles-with-old-school-politics-193947205842
* "Why Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York matters the most to him:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/why-donald-trump-s-civil-fraud-trial-in-new-york-matters-the-most-to-him-194283589827
* "'The Donald Trump show is over': Trump leaves court in a huff; A.G. calls out 'political stunts':" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/-the-donald-trump-show-is-over-trump-leaves-court-in-a-huff-a-g-calls-out-political-stunts-194460229973
* "'Staggering deceit': Bogus Trump property valuations laid bare at fraud trial:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/-staggering-deceit-bogus-trump-property-valuations-laid-bare-at-fraud-trial-194635845538
* "Mute challenge: Judge hammers Trump with gag order for attacks on court staff:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/mute-challenge-judge-hammers-trump-with-gag-order-for-attacks-on-court-staff-194374213510
* "“It Seems Hard To Imagine” Trump Doing Jail Time For Violating a Gag Order - Anderson Cooper:"
* "Trump said to have revealed nuclear submarine secrets to Australian businessman :" https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/trump-said-to-have-revealed-nuclear-submarine-secrets-to-australian-businessman/
* "'We never talk about subs!': Loose lips Trump is said to have blurted U.S. secrets (again): reports:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/-we-never-talk-about-subs-loose-lips-trump-is-said-to-have-blurted-u-s-secrets-again-reports-194632773928
* "Political violence on the rise in the age of Trump:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/political-violence-on-the-rise-in-the-age-of-trump-194544709528
* "Far-right Christian dominionists target schools, civic offices in Texas:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/far-right-christian-dominionists-target-schools-civic-offices-in-texas-194547781789
* "Students fight to defend school against takeover by fringe religious ideology:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/students-fight-to-defend-school-against-takeover-by-fringe-religious-ideology-194551365554
* "The Manosphere to Alt-Right Pipeline (we should all be talking about this):"
* CW: Domestic Violence. "Transgender Man's Decomposing Body Found in Closet of Abusive Ex:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/transgender-man-killed-puerto-rico
* "A Woman Was Denied Medication for Being of ‘Childbearing Age.’ She Just Sued the Hospital:" https://jezebel.com/childbearing-age-medication-denied-lawsuit-1850899899
* "Oklahoma Black Trans Woman DéVonnie J’Rae Johnson Fatally Shot in Los Angeles:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/transgender-woman-shot-los-angeles
* "Gay Philadelphia Journalist, Josh Kruger, Shot to Death in His Home:" https://www.advocate.com/news/josh-kruger-gay-journalist-killed
* "Police ID 19-Year-Old Suspect in Murder of Gay Philadelphia Journalist Josh Kruger:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/josh-kruger-murder-suspect-identified
* "2 Men Plead Guilty to Hate Crime Against Trans Woman Hours Before Her Murder:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/alexa-neulisa-luciano-hate-crime
* "What is POTS? This strange disorder has doubled since the pandemic:" https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/pots-exercise-harm-fatigue-long-covid
* " Unknown Costs: Forty-three million Americans need substance addiction treatment, but only a tiny fraction receive it. We know why.:" https://longreads.com/2023/09/07/drugs-alcohol-addiction-recovery-problems/
* "India’s devastating monsoon season is a sign of things to come, as climate and poor planning combine:" https://apnews.com/article/monsoons-climate-change-disasters-india-himalayas-landslides-rains-b1d095811f252ab82268dbefbeef5b3a
* "Attempt to pass a tanker may have led to the deadly chemical crash in Illinois, official says:" https://apnews.com/article/teutopolis-effingham-illinois-truck-accident-chemical-spill-4e86653cb60515022dea05c45046329d
* "Garbage In, Toxics Out:" https://theintercept.com/2023/09/28/braven-plastic-recycling-toxic-waste/
* "Sam Bankman-Fried trial jurors hear competing explanations for FTX collapse:" https://www.reuters.com/legal/sam-bankman-frieds-trial-resume-with-jury-selection-opening-statements-2023-10-04/
* "'He couldn't let go of it': Inside the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-he-couldn-t-let-go-of-it-inside-the-rise-and-fall-of-sam-bankman-fried-194369605862
* "What was Elon Musk’s strategy for Twitter? :" https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/was-elon-musks-strategy-twitter-rcna118490
* "Elon Musk’s X is a black hole of value:" https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/elon-musks-x-is-black-hole-value-2023-10-03/
* "X stops showing headlines because Elon Musk thinks it will make posts look better:" https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23903859/x-elon-musk-headlines-links-image-twitter
* "Twitter Was for News: Elon Musk keeps finding inventive ways to ruin the one thing his social network was great for.:" https://slate.com/technology/2023/10/elon-musk-x-twitter-news-links-headlines-why.html
* "The Moral Case for No Longer Engaging With Elon Musk’s X:" https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-10-05/the-moral-case-for-no-longer-engaging-with-elon-musk-s-x
* "The food industry pays ‘influencer’ dietitians to shape your eating habits:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/09/13/dietitian-instagram-tiktok-paid-food-industry/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNjk1MjY4ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNjk2NjUxMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE2OTUyNjg4MDAsImp0aSI6IjdlZjAxZWMyLTM0MDAtNDQwZS1hMTExLTAxOGVmYzA1ZTEzMyIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS93ZWxsbmVzcy8yMDIzLzA5LzEzL2RpZXRpdGlhbi1pbnN0YWdyYW0tdGlrdG9rLXBhaWQtZm9vZC1pbmR1c3RyeS8ifQ.gMf6UilsapzdUFXsmY6JN-g7tgOl0hBLuHjnRLeeWus
* "Scientists will unleash an army of crabs to help save Florida’s dying reef:" https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/2023/9/27/23883039/florida-coral-reef-caribbean-king-crabs-restoration
* "It's bears versus robot wolves in ageing Japan:" https://news.yahoo.com/bears-versus-robot-wolves-ageing-220113686.html
* "Earliest Baskets in Europe, From Almost 10,000 Years Ago, Found in Spanish Cave:" https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-09-27/ty-article/earliest-baskets-in-europe-from-almost-10-000-years-ago-found-in-spanish-cave/0000018a-d71f-d476-abcf-f7ff5b860000
* "25 Years After Matthew Shepard's Killing, Lesléa Newman Helps Us Make Sense of It :" https://www.advocate.com/history/matthew-shepard-leslea-newman
* "As Jimmy Carter turns 99, here's a look back at his decades of work to eradicate Guinea worm disease:" https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/09/28/jimmy-carter-turns-99-heres-look-back-at-his-decades-of-work-eradicate-guinea-worm
* "Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Trailblazing LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate, Dies at 90:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/dianne-feinstein-dies-90
* "Tributes flood in for ‘trailblazer’ Dianne Feinstein following death aged 90:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/09/30/dianne-feinstein/
* "For a third time, Tank the tortoise has been returned home :" https://www.npr.org/2023/10/04/1203547991/for-a-third-time-tank-the-tortoise-has-been-returned-home
* "‘Probably haunted’ funeral home goes up for sale in Massachusetts with a $769,000 asking price:" https://fortune.com/2023/09/26/probably-haunted-funeral-home-for-sale-massachusetts-769000/
* "A fast-moving monkey named Momo has been captured after being "on the loose" for hours in Indianapolis:" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/monkey-on-the-loose-indianapolis-momo-escaped-home/
* "Diarrhea ‘All The Way Through’ Airplane Forces Delta Flight To Do U-Turn:" https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2023/09/07/diarrhea-all-the-way-through-airplane-forces-delta-flight-to-do-u-turn/?sh=4c574fdf4a53
* I got my COVId Booster Saturday. It was very streamlined at Wallgreens and free.
I am hearing from some correspondents that CVS may be trying to trick people into paying. If your insurance isn't covering it, odds are you can get it covered via the bridge program. Insist on an application. Do not pay them even if they say you will be reimbursed.
I had to switch from Pfiser to Moderna due to the same shipping issues that forced me to wait. This version of the Moderna is robust against the current most dangerous variant and is looking about as flexible as the Pfiser, so I was happy to get it.
I think switching made the Sunday reaction more severe, but that's not a scientific opinion. My breathing was so bad for a while that I seriously considered going to the hospital for oxygen, but it turned out all right. I'm still dealing with the pain, fatigue, and general ick Monday afternoon. The acute phase was about six hours of hell. Six hours is still very much worth it compared to what the actual disease would do. I remember how miserable squirrel was, and the vaccine is safe; COVID is not.
I was improved enough to past myself together with strong medication for the Newest Millennial's birthday, which was delightful, even if I was very tired. I went to bed right after and am taking it slow today.
I was up for a little while scuffling about on Monday, but had to go back to bed. I did score the best sleep since the shot and it was worth it.
Bonus: I have discovered the source of the mystery bruises inside my arm. It is the pillow! And here I was blaming poor Tavy, who is the source of most minor injuries I acquire in my sleep. So now I know I must pad my warms against my pillow.
* Good pics of Tavy and Livia Cats: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/729944198267142144/livia-is-extremely-camera-averse-and-not-fond-of?source=share
* Wednesday I was dragged out of a particularly interesting supernatural adventure dream by a different person calling to tray to get me to move out of my apartment. It was 10AM, less than two hours into what was already a short sleep cycle. I started my Do Not Call List banishing chant and he hung up. (Saturday's asshole was a woman.
In my exhaustion I could not remember the block number code before a person who could have either been a Medicare person or a medicare scammer called me. I had to engage them in a long dialog to tell which, which was unusual. Scammers are usually faster and more transparent. This one had enough information about who she was calling to keep me on the line, because medicare makes a ton of annoying and intrusive early sleep cycle calls including one last week trying to talk me into a home inspection I don't need or want. I can't afford to accidentally block Medicare, so I needed to trick her into disambiguating. she sounded a lot like last week's lady. Very similar voice, identical regional accent, but her background sound was slightly off. Her reason for calling was plausible. I did my usual thing where I make them tell me my own details, which she could do, but so did the try to make me move person that had just called, so I'm guessing an online registry or bought data base. No social security number or other id number though.
Then she tried to talk me into going to get my Medicare card out so she could "verify my information was correct." Me, internally: Aha! Got her! So I pressed her on why she needed me to do that when she could just read me what's in her computer and I could say if it was correct or not. She tried the hard sell. I hung up. Very tricksey, she was. Sometimes real Medicare wants proof I'm me, but I can also get them to mail me things or call them back on an official line I verify myself.
I am annoying as fuck to the endless people from assorted departments and subcontractors and what have you, because I don't trust shit. I know the scripts for the annoying flock of intrusive mandatory wake me up phone calls Medicare does. Every time a new department or service contacts me they get the third degree because I get so many identity theft attempt phone calls. I once hung up on the same new bullshit hassle call thing multiple times a week for approximately three months, because instead of properly identifying themselves as Medicare and explaining immediately what they wanted, they started a long byzantine thing that sounded like half sales pitch and half identity theft fishing and after the first time I wasted five minutes of sleep trying to play scam or no scam and getting no straight answers as to what they actually wanted, I would recognize the opening sentences and hang right up. I didn't block them because they were ambiguous. I figured if it were actually important they'd contact me and tell me what they wanted instead of wasting my time. Eventually, I got a frantic sounding lady was like "This is Medicare. Please don't hang up, it's important." And then she actually told me why she was calling specifically and demonstrated and actual knowledge of who she was calling. It was real. I've no idea why they were trying to sound like scammers when the thing was something straightforward we were able to clear up in less time than their opener took before I gave up on it the first time they called.
If this thing Wednesday morning was real, bet I'll get a letter. Betting it's not though. I am 95% sure it was a scammer who was doing a well above average job at mimicking Medicare.
…And then I got a couple more calls spaced to prevent REM sleep for medical things. Sigh. So I started out tired. People still have not remembered how to drive with other cars on the roads particularly at dusk and I nearly saw a car T-Boned when I stopped at the bank drivethru ATM, but the car stopped inches from the driver side door. There were lines everywhere. There were cars and people everywhere. It was so loud and crowded at the grocery that every baby and toddler under the age of four that we saw started screaming because it was so overwhelming and we didn't blame them.
We ended up skipping two stops and going back to my place the fast way. Poor New Millennial was waiting in the dark as i haven't gotten them a key yet and spaced turning on the Millennial Signal lights before I went out. Goth Millennial had alerted them we were coming but running late and had pizza making stuff for dinner. We all worked together to square things away and while we were waiting for thing to cook, we were sitting quietly in the living room chatting.
There was a moth that had gotten in! Imagine the excitement amoungst the feline population of the apartment. The Imperial couple were so excited that they hunted it together in the living room. This is a thing that does not happen. Tavy loves catching bugs, but his balance issues mean he basically has to corner something against the screen where it is damaged or confused enough not to fly away. Livia is, of course, a first rate hunter of any and all live prey that foolishly enters her domain, so even though New Millennial was right there on the sofa, she went right past. She managed to damage the wing, which meant Tavy had a chance! He could hunt too! He ended up having the best time hunting it. Meanwhile, Livia spotted a Live Thing on the Porch, so she got really into menacing whatever it was, then they both sat on the widow bench to watch outside things and wonder what that noise was, which is a thing he does when visitors are here, but she doesn't normally do because she has to turn her back on the Visitors. So Brave!
Goth Millennial got great pictures which I will post when I have them. (The ones above are older ones).
After dinner, Goth Millennial did crafter surgery on poor Geoff Peterson Jr. who is starting to come apart. He's a fifteen year old cheap plastic skeleton and these things happen. They redressed him and were taking him outside when his bottom half came off. I was like, we should try displaying him like that as a Beetlejuice tribute, so we are experimenting with that.
Meanwhile, New Millennial put the plastic cloth we are trying this year on the widow bench and secured the Halloween trees against cat panic. Prezzies started arriving this week, so they displayed them there as is the custom. None of the other decorations were up, but this was a lot for us given the givens.
Pics of black tree corner: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/730385555928547328/the-halloween-tree-is-bare-but-the-presents?source=share
* I don't want to get into it, but Livia's having a lot of stress and a great deal of labor intensive work was involved on top of all the trying to reassure her. It basically ate Friday and Saturday. I hurt, I'm exhausted, I'm mostly over my shot but not entirely.
* An old friend of mine's beloved dog needs money for vet bills and special food: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pay-rosies-dental-bills
* "Prison Health Care: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver:"
* "Stephen Colbert Recaps A Crazy Summer, Part 1: Trump’s Mugshot, Cocaine in The White House:"
* "Stephen Colbert Recaps A Crazy Summer, Part 2: Travis & Taylor’s Couple Name, Trump’s Fantasy World:"
* "McCarthy Removed As House Speaker | Trump Slams “Talentless, Low Rated CREEPS” of Late Night:"
* "Thenwhile… Haunted Real Estate | Diarrhea Plane | Somalia’s Slow Sprinter | Kraft Singles Recall:"
* "Stephen Colbert’s Cyborgasm: iPhone 15 Pro | Robocar Sex | NYPD’s Subway Robot:"
* "Sleazy Matt Gaetz Shared X-Rated Videos on House Floor | Trump For Speaker? | Rudy’s Booze Problem:"
* "Meanwhile… Stevie Nicks Barbie | Gen Z Dropping Southern Accents | Monkey on the Lam:"
* "Paint it Black - The Rolling Stones (Bardcore | Hildegard von Blingin':"
* For the spooky season: "Babysitting instructions:" https://www.tumblr.com/cleolinda/729452020240662528/babysitting-instructions?source=share
* "Monster that feeds on suffering becomes a professional caretaker for people with chronic pain and terminal illnesses.:" https://www.tumblr.com/cleolinda/729891061853470720?source=share
* "Your roommate is so bad at pretending to be a human, you’ve started to just automatically back him up in public.:" https://derinthescarletpescatarian.tumblr.com/post/725097478764085248/writing-prompt-s-your-roommate-is-so-bad-at
* “One you bore, the other is a Changeling. Choose wisely,” https://dycefic.tumblr.com/post/681090034954371072/writing-prompt-s-two-identical-infants-lay-in-the
* Snerk: https://xkcd.com/2837/
* "Hamlet, But Hamlet’s a Chicken:" https://www.tumblr.com/fweet-prince/729894071224647680/naomitess-fanonical-i-want-there-to-be-more?source=share
* "Midnight Pals: The Running Grave:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/729913568326238208/midnight-pals-the-running-grave?source=share
* "Midnight Pals: More Running Grave:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/730005087553994752/midnight-pals-more-running-grave?source=share
* "Midnight Pals: Final Girl:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/730360660997931008/midnight-pals-final-girl?source=share
* "Midnight Pals: Belated birthday:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/730449779150209024/midnight-pals-belated-birthday?source=share
*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.
The help links are at the bottom under the cut.
* An old friend of mine's beloved dog needs money for vet bills and special food: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pay-rosies-dental-bills
* Apply for Project 2025 so they have to pick through resumes, using their resources: https://apply.project2025.org/ords/r/p25/pub/questionnaire?p4_qid=1
* Want to help Andy Kim beat Bob Menendez? https://www.andykim.com/
* Help Adam Frisch beat Lauren Boebert: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/defeatlaurenboebertnowz
* Want to contribute to Gloria Johnson's senate run in Tennessee? https://www.votegloriajohnson.com/
* "US Patent Bureau call for comment on AI:" https://amaebi.dreamwidth.org/2286373.html
* "STOP Moms for "Liberty":" https://www.stopmomsforliberty.com/
* Want to help the people of Maui?
Maui Food Bank: https://mauifoodbank.org/
Maui Humane Society: https://www.mauihumanesociety.org/
Center for Native Hawaiian Advancement: https://www.memberplanet.com/campaign/cnhamembers/kakoomaui
Hawai'i Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii/ways-to-donate.html
* Support the WGA. "Entertainment Community Fund:" https://entertainmentcommunity.org/
* Cool Blackwork Embroidery Patterns for Beginners: https://www.etsy.com/shop/thehaberdasheress/?etsrc=sdt
* If you would like to help support me and the Cats: paypal.me/Gwydion
* I admit to having a wicked good time tormenting myself and other history geeks with my polls: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydpolls
* Want to help queer folk in Russia?
Queer Svit - https://queersvit.taplink.ws/ Helping LGBTQ+ and BIPOC аffected by the war and political repressions
Center-T - https://centre-t.com/english Helping transgender people in Russia
КилькоТ-Действие - https://boosty.to/kilkota
Delo LGBT+ - https://www.delo.lgbt/ || https://boosty.to/delolgbt
* Want to help Journalists without Borders? https://donate.rsf.org/us/donate/~my-donation
* How to donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate
* "The Rainbow Railroad:" https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/take-action
* "These Organizations Accept Donations To Help People in Ukraine:" https://www.snopes.com/news/2022/03/01/where-to-donate-help-ukraine/
* "Russia-Ukraine War: Info and ways to help:" https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/
* "Support OVD-Info:" https://beste-glatisant.tumblr.com/post/677388506851606528/hi-ive-donated-to-the-ukranian-refugees-and-now
* "War in Ukraine! Support LGBTQ people.:" https://secure.wayforpay.com/payment/s047412e502b6
* What to help fight for queer people in Africa? Try the Initiative Sankofa D’Afrique de l’Ouest www.ISDAO.org
* Organizations to help trans folk: https://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/620857152453640195/about-us
* "How to Safely and Ethically Film Police Misconduct:" https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-film-police-safely
* Master Post for how to help organizations fighting Police violence: https://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/620861026680881152/oberynmartell-list-of-black-lives-matter-and
* Black Phoenix Activism Fundraisers: https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/product-category/activism/
* "The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund!:" https://secure.actblue.com/donate/midwestibf
* A resistance website for organizing and publicizing anti-censorship pro-education etc. rallies/protests/walkouts. "Walkout2learn:" https://www.walkout2learn.org/
* New Indivisible Guide! "A Practical Guide to defeating MAGA:" https://indivisible.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/20220104_Indivisible_%20A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Defeating%20MAGA.pdf
* Have something you want to tell your Senators? If you can't safely 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.
Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/
* "DONATE TO EMILY'S LIST:" https://win.emilyslist.org/a/donate-to-emily
* Tiny hand knit stocking earrings made by a good friend: https://forestgirlclothing.com/collections/autumn-winter-collection/products/fairy-stocking-earrings?fbclid=IwAR0EjmUHcdv_cQOwQt4tRAouQRVtZfhSMdQDtoazj5mIKgK6cOiVCvUFU2A
* Chicksaw bead artist and cool person has Kiamichi Beading suitable for non-native sale: https://www.instagram.com/kiamichi_beading/
* This is a long time friend of mine. They have secured future housing, but have spent everything in the previous fundraiser on gofundme to survive to this point and they need They need $3000 over the next couple months until their move in date.
Gofundme here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hdykv-housing-crisis?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
You can also support them via their Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/Kandrinchae/shop?fbclid=IwAR0E1PRHlG45LWhBfDtVpGigD1YUk9Njm-__SviL4W7C8JZUCppFc1oG9Gs%22
* My Oldest Continuous friend's Elder Cat is getting up there and her special diet and health care for kidney failure is expensive. Gigi is a sweet, extremely cuddly girl and could use extra help. :
SupportGigiInHerOldAge:" https://www.spotfund.com/story/18393388-9914-4f6c-9f99-876aa019bdee
They are also trying to GM for pay. They are an excellent GM. Here's where to sign up: https://startplaying.games/gm/1617744454089x564714756631343740
* What to help support all of us all here at the Cat Asylum? https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Gwydion
There is no such thing as neutral coverage. I will do my best in picking things; none of my choices will be even close to perfect. My giving up and going with the NY Times as the most reasonable thing I could find in my disheartened poking about the news sitesgives you an idea. I have so may thoughts about this and the bigger consequences. They are too complicated for me to be doing commentary right now, especially given my physical state at the moment.
People are already dead. Figures from earlier this evening US Time were 250ish Israelis and 1600ish Palestinians and rising. It will likely be more by the time you see this.
Bad things have happened, and I can see all sorts of likely things that will happen long term no matter what happens in the short. I know the messy, messy whys of this. I watched so many better paths not taken pass by, and I can see to many options closing, just as I have so many times before.
So I will weep for the dead civilians on both sides. What else can I do, but witness and weep.
* "Pope Francis insists Europe doesn't have a migrant emergency and challenges countries to open ports:" https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pope-francis-insists-europe-migrant-emergency-challenges-countries-103430932
* "Elon Musk attacked German support for migrants and promoted a call to support a far-right extremist political party:" https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-immigration-migrants-germany-far-right-extremism-twitter-x-2023-9
* "Nobel Prize Awarded to Covid Vaccine Pioneers:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/health/nobel-prize-medicine.html
* "Food prices are rising as countries limit exports. Blame climate change, El Nino and Russia’s war:" https://apnews.com/article/food-prices-export-bans-climate-change-aa7135b3a7f5ef9df440e94825880346
* "Fleeing from Nagorno-Karabakh on the mountain road west :" https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/armenia-azerbaijan-picture/
* "Three quarters of Karabakh population already out in swift exodus:" https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/three-quarters-karabakh-population-already-out-swift-exodus-2023-09-29/
* "The Rebel Drone Maker of Myanmar:" https://www.wired.com/story/the-rebel-drone-maker-of-myanmar/
* "Kaczyński pulls out of Polish election debate. ‘I’ll be there,’ says Tusk:" https://www.politico.eu/article/kaczynski-pulls-out-of-polish-election-debate-ill-be-there-says-tusk/
* "Meet the Gay Man Elected to Lead Greece's Leftist Party in Historic First :" https://www.advocate.com/world/stefanos-kasselakis-greece-leader
* "Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk says change ‘is inevitable’ as election supporters rally:" https://apnews.com/article/poland-opposition-march-tusk-ade1aed36d598b3e24fd12ef24d8ba66
* "Polish democracy champion Lech Walesa turns 80 and comments on his country’s upcoming election:" https://apnews.com/article/poland-walesa-birthday-80-elections-de7a7925a6b56c7cb950a8b75c54dc24
* "Poland election turns Germany into punching bag, straining Western alliance:" https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-election-turns-germany-into-punchbag-straining-western-alliance-2023-10-05/
* "Elon Musk attacked German support for migrants and promoted a call to support a far-right extremist political party:" https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-immigration-migrants-germany-far-right-extremism-twitter-x-2023-9
* "Blasting Bullhorns and Water Cannons, Chinese Ships Wall Off the Sea:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/23/world/asia/china-sea-philippines-us.html
* "Saudi Arabia sentences schoolgirl to 18 years over tweets, says rights group:" https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-sentences-schoolgirl-18-years-tweets
* "Trans SNP candidate gives powerful response after public misgendering by anti-trans campaigners:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/05/amber-roberts-trans-snp-for-women-scotland/
* "Teenager stabbed to death in Croydon school bus horror after ‘girl rejects flowers’:" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/croydon-stabbing-school-bus-girl-death-b2420005.html
* "Elianne Andam: family of girl killed in Croydon pay tribute to ‘light of our live:" https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/sep/28/teenage-girl-killed-in-croydon-stabbing-named-as-elianne-andam
* "Let's talk about 2 questions about Ukraine and talking points....:"
* "'They're just meat': Russia deploys punishment battalions in echo of Stalin:" https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/theyre-just-meat-russia-deploys-punishment-battalions-echo-stalin-2023-10-03/
* "Elon Musk was right to cede Starlink access to Pentagon, says biographer:" https://news.yahoo.com/elon-musk-cede-starlink-access-210000355.html?guccounter=1
* "Biden offers dire warnings about Trump, accuses mainstream GOP of ‘deafening’ silence:" https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-donald-trump-democracy-arizona-788d5203b3ac970dbf6b71ca74d6b386
* "Biden says he had to use Trump-era funds for the border wall. Asked if barriers work, he says 'No':" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/05/biden-us-mexico-border-wall-immigration-texas/8a37c978-63a3-11ee-b406-3ea724995806_story.html
* "Let's talk about Biden, walls, and laws....:"
* "Biden Administration Looks to Protect LGBTQ+ Foster Kids With New Rule:" https://www.advocate.com/news/foster-care-hhs-lgbtq-youth
* "First White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/first-white-house-office-of-gun-violence-prevention-193651781888
* "White House Blasts Online Harassment of Federal Employee by Hate Group Libs of TikTok:" https://www.advocate.com/news/white-house-libs-of-tiktok
* "Pete Buttigieg Has to Keep Explaining to Republicans That Seasons Aren't Climate Change:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/seasons-arent-climate-change-buttigieg
* "As employers face labor shortages, Biden administration rolls out playbook for training workers:" https://apnews.com/article/biden-worker-training-apprentice-d2a8dbefa5d5d70431e9cd7073b1baa0
* "The Supreme Court seems skeptical of a challenge to consumer agency:" https://www.npr.org/2023/10/03/1203422184/the-supreme-court-seems-skeptical-of-a-challenge-to-consumer-agency
If they side with Pay Day Lenders on these grounds, it would disestablish Social Security, Medicare, every banking regulating agency, and the Federal Reserve which most definitely completely destroy the economy.
I think I spot where the skepticism comes from.
* "The Hollywood writers’ strike is over — and they won big:" https://www.vox.com/culture/2023/9/24/23888673/wga-strike-end-sag-aftra-contract
* "Let's talk about Biden, Bernie, and UAW....:"
* "How Unions CRUSH Capitalists:"
* "More schools are adopting 4-day weeks. For parents, the challenge is day 5:" https://apnews.com/article/four-day-week-schools-classes-parents-af7686cb78a39a136c9b97d7d59c1b71
* "The US is forgiving more federal student loans in a bid to tackle ‘unsustainable debt’ for borrowers:" https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-student-loan-forgiveness-e2459b41a442133e9615ed03cd54ca67
* "Shutdown averted, White House prepares to fight for Ukraine aid:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/30/biden-administration-congress-government-shutdown-deal-ukraine-aid-00119296
"They weren’t displeased with the outcome either. The bill didn’t just fund the government, it also included $16 billion in disaster relief and, as one White House official noted, avoids “any version of the deep cuts to essential domestic programs that were proposed in the past few days.”
But the final measure did not include aid for Ukraine, and its absence was not just a blow for Biden but to Volodymyr Zelenskyy too. The Ukrainian president had just met with the president and lawmakers last week to once again make the case for additional funds for Kyiv’s defense against Moscow."
* "Pres. Biden signs 45-day stopgap bill into law, avoiding potential govt. shutdown:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/pres-biden-signs-45-day-stopgap-bill-into-law-avoiding-potential-govt-shutdown-194169925684
* "Hayes: 'I can't believe this needs to be said,' but the GOP is to blame for the GOP chaos:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/hayes-i-can-t-believe-this-needs-to-be-said-but-the-gop-is-to-blame-for-the-gop-chaos-194454597717
* "‘Ludicrous on its face’: Neguse says blaming Democrats for GOP disarray is ‘nonsensical’:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-ludicrous-on-its-face-neguse-says-blaming-democrats-for-gop-disarray-is-nonsensical-194455109596
* "White House prepares to fight for Ukraine aid after shutdown averted:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/30/biden-administration-congress-government-shutdown-deal-ukraine-aid-00119296
* "‘We can’t do it alone’: Ukrainians react to lack of additional funding in US spending bill :" https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/01/europe/ukraine-us-government-shutdown-aid-intl-hnk/index.html
* Why we should be sending aid to Ukraine: https://www.tumblr.com/rubynye/730233293363200001/hwy-dod-we-even-need-to-send-more-money-to-ukraine?source=share
* "McCarthy becomes the first speaker ever to be ousted from the job in a House vote:" https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555
* "Elizabeth Warren: GOP extremists are sowing chaos because they think it helps Trump:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/elizabeth-warren-gop-extremists-are-sowing-chaos-because-they-think-it-helps-trump-194368581570
* "Kevin McCarthy learns the hard way: 'You cannot appease the mob':" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/kevin-mccarthy-learns-the-hard-way-you-cannot-appease-the-mob-194373701803
* "For modern Republican House speakers, ignominy is part of the job:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/for-modern-republican-house-speakers-ignominy-is-part-of-the-job-194375749561
*** I'm leaving the Trump stuff in for the curious ***
* "Right Wingers Push for Alleged Felon to Become New House Speaker:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-floated-house-speaker-republicans-1234838871/
*headdesk*
* "‘I will do it if necessary’: Trump not ruling out being new House Speaker:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-i-will-do-it-if-necessary-trump-not-ruling-out-being-new-house-speaker-194538565970
* "‘Break the glass moment’: Claire McCaskill on a Trump Speakership:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-break-the-glass-moment-claire-mccaskill-on-a-trump-speakership-194539589913
*** ***
* "How Trump was talked into — and out of — a run for speaker:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/06/trump-jim-jordan-house-speaker-endorsements-00120320
* "Trump says he’s focused on the White House amid calls for a speaker bid:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/04/trump-2024-house-speaker-00119925
* "Scalise and Jordan’s battle for centrists:" https://www.politico.com/newsletters/huddle/2023/10/04/scalise-and-jordans-battle-for-centrists-00120015
Reminder: Steve Scalise is proudly KKK and Jim Jordan tried to overthrow the Us Government and install a Fascist Dictatorship.
* "Leading candidates' baggage complicates GOP search for new speaker:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/leading-candidates-baggage-complicates-gop-search-for-new-speaker-194462789569
* "GOP Rep. Graves: There Would Have Been Fist Fights If We Did Not Recess, "There Is A Lot Of Raw Emotions Right Now":" https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2023/10/05/gop_rep_graves_there_would_have_been_fist_fights_if_we_did_not_recess_there_is_a_lot_of_raw_emotions_right_now.html
* "From a Capitol Hill Basement, Bannon Stokes the Republican Party Meltdown:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/04/us/politics/bannon-republicans-gaetz-mace.html
* "House members float bipartisan deals after McCarthy goes down:" https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/house-bipartisan-deals-speaker-mccarthy
* "Trump endorses Jim Jordan as next House speaker:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/06/trump-endorses-jim-jordan-as-next-house-speaker-00120312
* "Trump endorses coup supporter Jim Jordan for Speaker:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-endorses-coup-supporter-jim-jordan-for-speaker-194627141654
* "Rep. Jamie Raskin on Jim Jordan’s ‘tragic flaw’:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/rep-jamie-raskin-on-jim-jordan-s-tragic-flaw-194627141803
* Because Republicans are nothing if not petty. "Nancy Pelosi says the interim House speaker asked her to vacate her Capitol office:" https://www.npr.org/2023/10/04/1203566052/pelosi-office-patrick-mchenry-speaker
* "House impeachment inquiry off to an awkward start:" https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/09/28/congress/impeachment-chugs-along-00118731
* "Alabama Sen. Tuberville says military is 'not an equal-opportunity employer':" https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/09/27/alabama-sen--tuberville-denounces-racial-diversity-in-the-military
The US Military is literally an "equal-opportunity employer" as a matter of law.
It's a merit based system, like the post office. What Tuberville is saying is we need to throw out the merit system and replace it with a racist, sexist affirmative action system for straight white cis men. This would be incredibly damaging to our military, but as republicans have repeatedly made clear they give no fucks about national defense or unit cohesion or morale, only racist ideology and putting Putin's interests ahead of our own.
* "You Can Help Stop These Bad Internet Bills:" https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/07/you-can-help-stop-these-bad-internet-bills
* Have something you want to tell your Congress Critters? If you can't safely contact them 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.
Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/
* The Indivisible Guide: "A Practical Guide to defeating MAGA:" https://indivisible.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/20220104_Indivisible_%20A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Defeating%20MAGA.pdf
* "Alabama finally has a new congressional map after a lengthy legal fight:" https://www.npr.org/2023/10/05/1203309716/alabama-2024-congressional-map
* "The Growing Threat of Republican Election Vigilantes:" https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/the-growing-threat-of-republican-election-vigilantes/
* "Marjorie Taylor Greene Says States Should ‘Consider Seceding From the Union’:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/marjorie-taylor-greene-states-consider-seceding-from-the-union-1234822567/
* "Pennsylvania governor announces automatic voter registration in key swing state:" https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pennsylvania-governor-announces-automatic-voter-registration-key-swing/story?id=103321334
* "Wisconsin AG slams GOP for ‘consistent attacks on our democracy’ after top election official ousted :" https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4207444-wisconsin-ag-slams-gop-for-ousting-top-election-official/
* "Let's talk about Pennsylvania and a trend in voting....:"
* "David McCormick Says He Lives in Pennsylvania. Flight Records Appear to Tell a Different Story:" https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/09/david-mccormick-says-he-lives-in-pennsylvania-flight-records-appear-to-tell-a-different-story
* "Why can't Pennsylvania Republicans find someone to run for Senate?:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/why-can-t-pennsylvania-republicans-find-someone-to-run-for-senate-194629701512
* "Who Is Laphonza Butler, California's New, History-Making U.S. Senator?:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/laphonza-butler-dianne-feinstein-successor
* "Olivia Hill sworn in as Tennessee’s first-ever transgender elected representative:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/10/03/tennessee-trans-olivia-hill/
* "How Bob Menendez’s Gold Bars Led This New Jersey Democrat to Run for Senate:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/andy-kim-bob-menendez-senate-seat-new-jersey-1234833928/
* "Rep. Kim joins New Jersey senate race, as Sen. Menendez refuses to step down:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/rep-kim-joins-new-jersey-senate-race-as-sen-menendez-refuses-to-step-down-194132037918
* Want to help Andy Kim beat Bob Menendez? https://www.andykim.com/
* "US Sen. Bob Menendez pleads not guilty to pocketing bribes in a wide-ranging corruption case:" https://apnews.com/article/bob-menendez-gold-bars-bribery-arraignment-49599ba95fbf19ed5169055e24817fea
* "Staggering Corruption of Senator Bob Menendez:"
* I'd actually been thinking of him recently in the context of New Jersey politics. "Gay Former N.J. Governor, Jim McGreevey, Considering Run for Jersey City Mayor:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/jim-mcgreevey-mayor-candidate
* "'There is no way to both-sides this': Republican meltdown paints stark contrast with Democrats:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-there-is-no-way-to-both-sides-this-republican-meltdown-paints-stark-contrast-with-democrats-194282565976
* "Newsom pans GOP debate: 'More disappointing than I was expecting':" https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/newsom-pans-gop-debate-more-disappointing-than-i-was-expecting-193944645680
* "Maddow: DeSantis hurting his own party with lies about abortion:" https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/maddow-desantis-hurting-his-own-party-with-lies-about-abortion-193945669590
* "Republican group running anti-Trump ads finds little is working:" https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/republican-group-running-anti-trump-ads-finds-little-is-working/?utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all&utm_source=press.coop
* "General Milley Reveals He’s Taking ‘Appropriate Measures to Ensure My Safety’ Following Trump Death Penalty Comment:" https://www.mediaite.com/tv/general-milley-reveals-hes-taking-appropriate-measures-to-ensure-my-safety-following-trump-death-penalty-comment/
* "Republican Rep. Paul Gosar Calls for Death to 'Sodomy-Promoting Traitor' Gen. Mark Milley:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/paul-gosar-execution-sodomy-milley
* "Nobody in the Republican Party Bats An Eye at Trump’s Military Insults - Anderson Cooper:"
* "Trump plans to become a dictator — denial will not save you:" https://www.salon.com/2023/09/07/plans-to-become-a-dictator--denial-will-not-save-you/
* "Trump's violent rhetoric threatens democracy to its core:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/trump-s-violent-rhetoric-threatens-democracy-to-its-core-pt-1-194243141785
https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/trump-s-violent-rhetoric-threatens-democracy-to-its-core-pt-2-194244165510
* "'How did Dr. Frankenstein deal with his monster?'; Trump era GOP struggles with old school politics :" https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/-how-did-dr-frankenstein-deal-with-his-monster-trump-era-gop-struggles-with-old-school-politics-193947205842
* "Why Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York matters the most to him:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/why-donald-trump-s-civil-fraud-trial-in-new-york-matters-the-most-to-him-194283589827
* "'The Donald Trump show is over': Trump leaves court in a huff; A.G. calls out 'political stunts':" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/-the-donald-trump-show-is-over-trump-leaves-court-in-a-huff-a-g-calls-out-political-stunts-194460229973
* "'Staggering deceit': Bogus Trump property valuations laid bare at fraud trial:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/-staggering-deceit-bogus-trump-property-valuations-laid-bare-at-fraud-trial-194635845538
* "Mute challenge: Judge hammers Trump with gag order for attacks on court staff:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/mute-challenge-judge-hammers-trump-with-gag-order-for-attacks-on-court-staff-194374213510
* "“It Seems Hard To Imagine” Trump Doing Jail Time For Violating a Gag Order - Anderson Cooper:"
* "Trump said to have revealed nuclear submarine secrets to Australian businessman :" https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/trump-said-to-have-revealed-nuclear-submarine-secrets-to-australian-businessman/
* "'We never talk about subs!': Loose lips Trump is said to have blurted U.S. secrets (again): reports:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/-we-never-talk-about-subs-loose-lips-trump-is-said-to-have-blurted-u-s-secrets-again-reports-194632773928
* "Political violence on the rise in the age of Trump:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/political-violence-on-the-rise-in-the-age-of-trump-194544709528
* "Far-right Christian dominionists target schools, civic offices in Texas:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/far-right-christian-dominionists-target-schools-civic-offices-in-texas-194547781789
* "Students fight to defend school against takeover by fringe religious ideology:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/students-fight-to-defend-school-against-takeover-by-fringe-religious-ideology-194551365554
* "The Manosphere to Alt-Right Pipeline (we should all be talking about this):"
* CW: Domestic Violence. "Transgender Man's Decomposing Body Found in Closet of Abusive Ex:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/transgender-man-killed-puerto-rico
* "A Woman Was Denied Medication for Being of ‘Childbearing Age.’ She Just Sued the Hospital:" https://jezebel.com/childbearing-age-medication-denied-lawsuit-1850899899
* "Oklahoma Black Trans Woman DéVonnie J’Rae Johnson Fatally Shot in Los Angeles:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/transgender-woman-shot-los-angeles
* "Gay Philadelphia Journalist, Josh Kruger, Shot to Death in His Home:" https://www.advocate.com/news/josh-kruger-gay-journalist-killed
* "Police ID 19-Year-Old Suspect in Murder of Gay Philadelphia Journalist Josh Kruger:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/josh-kruger-murder-suspect-identified
* "2 Men Plead Guilty to Hate Crime Against Trans Woman Hours Before Her Murder:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/alexa-neulisa-luciano-hate-crime
* "What is POTS? This strange disorder has doubled since the pandemic:" https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/pots-exercise-harm-fatigue-long-covid
* " Unknown Costs: Forty-three million Americans need substance addiction treatment, but only a tiny fraction receive it. We know why.:" https://longreads.com/2023/09/07/drugs-alcohol-addiction-recovery-problems/
* "India’s devastating monsoon season is a sign of things to come, as climate and poor planning combine:" https://apnews.com/article/monsoons-climate-change-disasters-india-himalayas-landslides-rains-b1d095811f252ab82268dbefbeef5b3a
* "Attempt to pass a tanker may have led to the deadly chemical crash in Illinois, official says:" https://apnews.com/article/teutopolis-effingham-illinois-truck-accident-chemical-spill-4e86653cb60515022dea05c45046329d
* "Garbage In, Toxics Out:" https://theintercept.com/2023/09/28/braven-plastic-recycling-toxic-waste/
* "Sam Bankman-Fried trial jurors hear competing explanations for FTX collapse:" https://www.reuters.com/legal/sam-bankman-frieds-trial-resume-with-jury-selection-opening-statements-2023-10-04/
* "'He couldn't let go of it': Inside the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-he-couldn-t-let-go-of-it-inside-the-rise-and-fall-of-sam-bankman-fried-194369605862
* "What was Elon Musk’s strategy for Twitter? :" https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/was-elon-musks-strategy-twitter-rcna118490
* "Elon Musk’s X is a black hole of value:" https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/elon-musks-x-is-black-hole-value-2023-10-03/
* "X stops showing headlines because Elon Musk thinks it will make posts look better:" https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/4/23903859/x-elon-musk-headlines-links-image-twitter
* "Twitter Was for News: Elon Musk keeps finding inventive ways to ruin the one thing his social network was great for.:" https://slate.com/technology/2023/10/elon-musk-x-twitter-news-links-headlines-why.html
* "The Moral Case for No Longer Engaging With Elon Musk’s X:" https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-10-05/the-moral-case-for-no-longer-engaging-with-elon-musk-s-x
* "The food industry pays ‘influencer’ dietitians to shape your eating habits:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/09/13/dietitian-instagram-tiktok-paid-food-industry/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNjk1MjY4ODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNjk2NjUxMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE2OTUyNjg4MDAsImp0aSI6IjdlZjAxZWMyLTM0MDAtNDQwZS1hMTExLTAxOGVmYzA1ZTEzMyIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS93ZWxsbmVzcy8yMDIzLzA5LzEzL2RpZXRpdGlhbi1pbnN0YWdyYW0tdGlrdG9rLXBhaWQtZm9vZC1pbmR1c3RyeS8ifQ.gMf6UilsapzdUFXsmY6JN-g7tgOl0hBLuHjnRLeeWus
* "Scientists will unleash an army of crabs to help save Florida’s dying reef:" https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/2023/9/27/23883039/florida-coral-reef-caribbean-king-crabs-restoration
* "It's bears versus robot wolves in ageing Japan:" https://news.yahoo.com/bears-versus-robot-wolves-ageing-220113686.html
* "Earliest Baskets in Europe, From Almost 10,000 Years Ago, Found in Spanish Cave:" https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2023-09-27/ty-article/earliest-baskets-in-europe-from-almost-10-000-years-ago-found-in-spanish-cave/0000018a-d71f-d476-abcf-f7ff5b860000
* "25 Years After Matthew Shepard's Killing, Lesléa Newman Helps Us Make Sense of It :" https://www.advocate.com/history/matthew-shepard-leslea-newman
* "As Jimmy Carter turns 99, here's a look back at his decades of work to eradicate Guinea worm disease:" https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/09/28/jimmy-carter-turns-99-heres-look-back-at-his-decades-of-work-eradicate-guinea-worm
* "Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Trailblazing LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate, Dies at 90:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/dianne-feinstein-dies-90
* "Tributes flood in for ‘trailblazer’ Dianne Feinstein following death aged 90:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/09/30/dianne-feinstein/
* "For a third time, Tank the tortoise has been returned home :" https://www.npr.org/2023/10/04/1203547991/for-a-third-time-tank-the-tortoise-has-been-returned-home
* "‘Probably haunted’ funeral home goes up for sale in Massachusetts with a $769,000 asking price:" https://fortune.com/2023/09/26/probably-haunted-funeral-home-for-sale-massachusetts-769000/
* "A fast-moving monkey named Momo has been captured after being "on the loose" for hours in Indianapolis:" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/monkey-on-the-loose-indianapolis-momo-escaped-home/
* "Diarrhea ‘All The Way Through’ Airplane Forces Delta Flight To Do U-Turn:" https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2023/09/07/diarrhea-all-the-way-through-airplane-forces-delta-flight-to-do-u-turn/?sh=4c574fdf4a53
* I got my COVId Booster Saturday. It was very streamlined at Wallgreens and free.
I am hearing from some correspondents that CVS may be trying to trick people into paying. If your insurance isn't covering it, odds are you can get it covered via the bridge program. Insist on an application. Do not pay them even if they say you will be reimbursed.
I had to switch from Pfiser to Moderna due to the same shipping issues that forced me to wait. This version of the Moderna is robust against the current most dangerous variant and is looking about as flexible as the Pfiser, so I was happy to get it.
I think switching made the Sunday reaction more severe, but that's not a scientific opinion. My breathing was so bad for a while that I seriously considered going to the hospital for oxygen, but it turned out all right. I'm still dealing with the pain, fatigue, and general ick Monday afternoon. The acute phase was about six hours of hell. Six hours is still very much worth it compared to what the actual disease would do. I remember how miserable squirrel was, and the vaccine is safe; COVID is not.
I was improved enough to past myself together with strong medication for the Newest Millennial's birthday, which was delightful, even if I was very tired. I went to bed right after and am taking it slow today.
I was up for a little while scuffling about on Monday, but had to go back to bed. I did score the best sleep since the shot and it was worth it.
Bonus: I have discovered the source of the mystery bruises inside my arm. It is the pillow! And here I was blaming poor Tavy, who is the source of most minor injuries I acquire in my sleep. So now I know I must pad my warms against my pillow.
* Good pics of Tavy and Livia Cats: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/729944198267142144/livia-is-extremely-camera-averse-and-not-fond-of?source=share
* Wednesday I was dragged out of a particularly interesting supernatural adventure dream by a different person calling to tray to get me to move out of my apartment. It was 10AM, less than two hours into what was already a short sleep cycle. I started my Do Not Call List banishing chant and he hung up. (Saturday's asshole was a woman.
In my exhaustion I could not remember the block number code before a person who could have either been a Medicare person or a medicare scammer called me. I had to engage them in a long dialog to tell which, which was unusual. Scammers are usually faster and more transparent. This one had enough information about who she was calling to keep me on the line, because medicare makes a ton of annoying and intrusive early sleep cycle calls including one last week trying to talk me into a home inspection I don't need or want. I can't afford to accidentally block Medicare, so I needed to trick her into disambiguating. she sounded a lot like last week's lady. Very similar voice, identical regional accent, but her background sound was slightly off. Her reason for calling was plausible. I did my usual thing where I make them tell me my own details, which she could do, but so did the try to make me move person that had just called, so I'm guessing an online registry or bought data base. No social security number or other id number though.
Then she tried to talk me into going to get my Medicare card out so she could "verify my information was correct." Me, internally: Aha! Got her! So I pressed her on why she needed me to do that when she could just read me what's in her computer and I could say if it was correct or not. She tried the hard sell. I hung up. Very tricksey, she was. Sometimes real Medicare wants proof I'm me, but I can also get them to mail me things or call them back on an official line I verify myself.
I am annoying as fuck to the endless people from assorted departments and subcontractors and what have you, because I don't trust shit. I know the scripts for the annoying flock of intrusive mandatory wake me up phone calls Medicare does. Every time a new department or service contacts me they get the third degree because I get so many identity theft attempt phone calls. I once hung up on the same new bullshit hassle call thing multiple times a week for approximately three months, because instead of properly identifying themselves as Medicare and explaining immediately what they wanted, they started a long byzantine thing that sounded like half sales pitch and half identity theft fishing and after the first time I wasted five minutes of sleep trying to play scam or no scam and getting no straight answers as to what they actually wanted, I would recognize the opening sentences and hang right up. I didn't block them because they were ambiguous. I figured if it were actually important they'd contact me and tell me what they wanted instead of wasting my time. Eventually, I got a frantic sounding lady was like "This is Medicare. Please don't hang up, it's important." And then she actually told me why she was calling specifically and demonstrated and actual knowledge of who she was calling. It was real. I've no idea why they were trying to sound like scammers when the thing was something straightforward we were able to clear up in less time than their opener took before I gave up on it the first time they called.
If this thing Wednesday morning was real, bet I'll get a letter. Betting it's not though. I am 95% sure it was a scammer who was doing a well above average job at mimicking Medicare.
…And then I got a couple more calls spaced to prevent REM sleep for medical things. Sigh. So I started out tired. People still have not remembered how to drive with other cars on the roads particularly at dusk and I nearly saw a car T-Boned when I stopped at the bank drivethru ATM, but the car stopped inches from the driver side door. There were lines everywhere. There were cars and people everywhere. It was so loud and crowded at the grocery that every baby and toddler under the age of four that we saw started screaming because it was so overwhelming and we didn't blame them.
We ended up skipping two stops and going back to my place the fast way. Poor New Millennial was waiting in the dark as i haven't gotten them a key yet and spaced turning on the Millennial Signal lights before I went out. Goth Millennial had alerted them we were coming but running late and had pizza making stuff for dinner. We all worked together to square things away and while we were waiting for thing to cook, we were sitting quietly in the living room chatting.
There was a moth that had gotten in! Imagine the excitement amoungst the feline population of the apartment. The Imperial couple were so excited that they hunted it together in the living room. This is a thing that does not happen. Tavy loves catching bugs, but his balance issues mean he basically has to corner something against the screen where it is damaged or confused enough not to fly away. Livia is, of course, a first rate hunter of any and all live prey that foolishly enters her domain, so even though New Millennial was right there on the sofa, she went right past. She managed to damage the wing, which meant Tavy had a chance! He could hunt too! He ended up having the best time hunting it. Meanwhile, Livia spotted a Live Thing on the Porch, so she got really into menacing whatever it was, then they both sat on the widow bench to watch outside things and wonder what that noise was, which is a thing he does when visitors are here, but she doesn't normally do because she has to turn her back on the Visitors. So Brave!
Goth Millennial got great pictures which I will post when I have them. (The ones above are older ones).
After dinner, Goth Millennial did crafter surgery on poor Geoff Peterson Jr. who is starting to come apart. He's a fifteen year old cheap plastic skeleton and these things happen. They redressed him and were taking him outside when his bottom half came off. I was like, we should try displaying him like that as a Beetlejuice tribute, so we are experimenting with that.
Meanwhile, New Millennial put the plastic cloth we are trying this year on the widow bench and secured the Halloween trees against cat panic. Prezzies started arriving this week, so they displayed them there as is the custom. None of the other decorations were up, but this was a lot for us given the givens.
Pics of black tree corner: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/730385555928547328/the-halloween-tree-is-bare-but-the-presents?source=share
* I don't want to get into it, but Livia's having a lot of stress and a great deal of labor intensive work was involved on top of all the trying to reassure her. It basically ate Friday and Saturday. I hurt, I'm exhausted, I'm mostly over my shot but not entirely.
* An old friend of mine's beloved dog needs money for vet bills and special food: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pay-rosies-dental-bills
* "Prison Health Care: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver:"
* "Stephen Colbert Recaps A Crazy Summer, Part 1: Trump’s Mugshot, Cocaine in The White House:"
* "Stephen Colbert Recaps A Crazy Summer, Part 2: Travis & Taylor’s Couple Name, Trump’s Fantasy World:"
* "McCarthy Removed As House Speaker | Trump Slams “Talentless, Low Rated CREEPS” of Late Night:"
* "Thenwhile… Haunted Real Estate | Diarrhea Plane | Somalia’s Slow Sprinter | Kraft Singles Recall:"
* "Stephen Colbert’s Cyborgasm: iPhone 15 Pro | Robocar Sex | NYPD’s Subway Robot:"
* "Sleazy Matt Gaetz Shared X-Rated Videos on House Floor | Trump For Speaker? | Rudy’s Booze Problem:"
* "Meanwhile… Stevie Nicks Barbie | Gen Z Dropping Southern Accents | Monkey on the Lam:"
* "Paint it Black - The Rolling Stones (Bardcore | Hildegard von Blingin':"
* For the spooky season: "Babysitting instructions:" https://www.tumblr.com/cleolinda/729452020240662528/babysitting-instructions?source=share
* "Monster that feeds on suffering becomes a professional caretaker for people with chronic pain and terminal illnesses.:" https://www.tumblr.com/cleolinda/729891061853470720?source=share
* "Your roommate is so bad at pretending to be a human, you’ve started to just automatically back him up in public.:" https://derinthescarletpescatarian.tumblr.com/post/725097478764085248/writing-prompt-s-your-roommate-is-so-bad-at
* “One you bore, the other is a Changeling. Choose wisely,” https://dycefic.tumblr.com/post/681090034954371072/writing-prompt-s-two-identical-infants-lay-in-the
* Snerk: https://xkcd.com/2837/
* "Hamlet, But Hamlet’s a Chicken:" https://www.tumblr.com/fweet-prince/729894071224647680/naomitess-fanonical-i-want-there-to-be-more?source=share
* "Midnight Pals: The Running Grave:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/729913568326238208/midnight-pals-the-running-grave?source=share
* "Midnight Pals: More Running Grave:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/730005087553994752/midnight-pals-more-running-grave?source=share
* "Midnight Pals: Final Girl:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/730360660997931008/midnight-pals-final-girl?source=share
* "Midnight Pals: Belated birthday:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/730449779150209024/midnight-pals-belated-birthday?source=share
*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.
The help links are at the bottom under the cut.
* An old friend of mine's beloved dog needs money for vet bills and special food: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pay-rosies-dental-bills
* Apply for Project 2025 so they have to pick through resumes, using their resources: https://apply.project2025.org/ords/r/p25/pub/questionnaire?p4_qid=1
* Want to help Andy Kim beat Bob Menendez? https://www.andykim.com/
* Help Adam Frisch beat Lauren Boebert: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/defeatlaurenboebertnowz
* Want to contribute to Gloria Johnson's senate run in Tennessee? https://www.votegloriajohnson.com/
* "US Patent Bureau call for comment on AI:" https://amaebi.dreamwidth.org/2286373.html
* "STOP Moms for "Liberty":" https://www.stopmomsforliberty.com/
* Want to help the people of Maui?
Maui Food Bank: https://mauifoodbank.org/
Maui Humane Society: https://www.mauihumanesociety.org/
Center for Native Hawaiian Advancement: https://www.memberplanet.com/campaign/cnhamembers/kakoomaui
Hawai'i Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/local/hawaii/ways-to-donate.html
* Support the WGA. "Entertainment Community Fund:" https://entertainmentcommunity.org/
* Cool Blackwork Embroidery Patterns for Beginners: https://www.etsy.com/shop/thehaberdasheress/?etsrc=sdt
* If you would like to help support me and the Cats: paypal.me/Gwydion
* I admit to having a wicked good time tormenting myself and other history geeks with my polls: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydpolls
* Want to help queer folk in Russia?
Queer Svit - https://queersvit.taplink.ws/ Helping LGBTQ+ and BIPOC аffected by the war and political repressions
Center-T - https://centre-t.com/english Helping transgender people in Russia
КилькоТ-Действие - https://boosty.to/kilkota
Delo LGBT+ - https://www.delo.lgbt/ || https://boosty.to/delolgbt
* Want to help Journalists without Borders? https://donate.rsf.org/us/donate/~my-donation
* How to donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate
* "The Rainbow Railroad:" https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/take-action
* "These Organizations Accept Donations To Help People in Ukraine:" https://www.snopes.com/news/2022/03/01/where-to-donate-help-ukraine/
* "Russia-Ukraine War: Info and ways to help:" https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/
* "Support OVD-Info:" https://beste-glatisant.tumblr.com/post/677388506851606528/hi-ive-donated-to-the-ukranian-refugees-and-now
* "War in Ukraine! Support LGBTQ people.:" https://secure.wayforpay.com/payment/s047412e502b6
* What to help fight for queer people in Africa? Try the Initiative Sankofa D’Afrique de l’Ouest www.ISDAO.org
* Organizations to help trans folk: https://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/620857152453640195/about-us
* "How to Safely and Ethically Film Police Misconduct:" https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-film-police-safely
* Master Post for how to help organizations fighting Police violence: https://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/620861026680881152/oberynmartell-list-of-black-lives-matter-and
* Black Phoenix Activism Fundraisers: https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/product-category/activism/
* "The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund!:" https://secure.actblue.com/donate/midwestibf
* A resistance website for organizing and publicizing anti-censorship pro-education etc. rallies/protests/walkouts. "Walkout2learn:" https://www.walkout2learn.org/
* New Indivisible Guide! "A Practical Guide to defeating MAGA:" https://indivisible.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/20220104_Indivisible_%20A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Defeating%20MAGA.pdf
* Have something you want to tell your Senators? If you can't safely 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.
Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/
* "DONATE TO EMILY'S LIST:" https://win.emilyslist.org/a/donate-to-emily
* Tiny hand knit stocking earrings made by a good friend: https://forestgirlclothing.com/collections/autumn-winter-collection/products/fairy-stocking-earrings?fbclid=IwAR0EjmUHcdv_cQOwQt4tRAouQRVtZfhSMdQDtoazj5mIKgK6cOiVCvUFU2A
* Chicksaw bead artist and cool person has Kiamichi Beading suitable for non-native sale: https://www.instagram.com/kiamichi_beading/
* This is a long time friend of mine. They have secured future housing, but have spent everything in the previous fundraiser on gofundme to survive to this point and they need They need $3000 over the next couple months until their move in date.
Gofundme here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hdykv-housing-crisis?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
You can also support them via their Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/Kandrinchae/shop?fbclid=IwAR0E1PRHlG45LWhBfDtVpGigD1YUk9Njm-__SviL4W7C8JZUCppFc1oG9Gs%22
* My Oldest Continuous friend's Elder Cat is getting up there and her special diet and health care for kidney failure is expensive. Gigi is a sweet, extremely cuddly girl and could use extra help. :
SupportGigiInHerOldAge:" https://www.spotfund.com/story/18393388-9914-4f6c-9f99-876aa019bdee
They are also trying to GM for pay. They are an excellent GM. Here's where to sign up: https://startplaying.games/gm/1617744454089x564714756631343740
* What to help support all of us all here at the Cat Asylum? https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Gwydion