* "UN Peacekeepers Fathered Dozens Of Children In Haiti. The Women They Exploited Are Trying To Get Child Support.:"
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/karlazabludovsky/haiti-earthquake-un-peacekeepers-sexual-abuse* "Deadly unrest reported in Myanmar after opposition urges 'defensive war':"
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/deadly-unrest-reported-myanmar-after-opposition-urges-defensive-war-2021-09-10/* "Myanmar shadow government calls for revolt against military rule:"
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-shadow-government-unveils-new-strategy-oppose-military-rule-2021-09-07/* "Why payment apps that thrive in India struggle to succeed in Mexico:"
https://restofworld.org/2021/mexico-payment-apps-india/* "Return of migrant vessels: a violation of maritime law and moral duty:"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/09/returning-migrant-vessels-violates-maritime-law-and-moral-obligation* "Guinea military consolidates takeover, opposition leader signals openness to transition:"
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/guinean-junta-replaces-provincial-governors-after-coup-media-say-2021-09-07/* "Bitcoin crashes on first day as El Salvador's legal tender:"
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58459098* "Rallies for and against Bolsonaro on Brazil national day:"
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/9/7/photos-rallies-for-and-against-bolsonaro-on-national-day* "Lebanon’s power problems: serious talk but no easy fixes:"
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/9/8/lebanons-power-problems-serious-talk-but-no-easy-fixes* "Lebanon Is Facing One of the Worst Economic Crises in History:"
( Embed: )* "The Man Who Gets People Out of the Hospital:"
https://nowiknow.com/the-man-who-gets-people-out-of-the-hospital/*********************************************************************************************************
* I saw the earlier tests in other countries went well. I’m glad we’re starting to implement it here. "Coronavirus-sniffing dogs unleashed at Miami airport to detect virus in employees:"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/09/09/covid-sniffer-dogs/* "Unvaccinated people were 11 times more likely to die of covid-19, CDC report finds:"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/09/10/moderna-most-effective-covid-vaccine-studies/* "How does COVID-19 affect the brain? A troubling picture emerges.:"
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-does-covid-19-affect-the-brain-a-troubling-picture-emerges* "New Study Finds Yet Another Health Benefit Of The COVID Vaccine:"
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/covid-vaccine-mental-health-benefits_l_6138c73be4b0aac9c01ea4c2* "Fight-or-flight response is altered in healthy young people who had COVID-19:"
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210809144104.htm* "Vaccinated People Who Get COVID Have These 3 Things in Common:"
https://bestlifeonline.com/vaccinated-people-who-get-covid-news/* "New study finds people with COVID-19 have antibodies that target their own immune systems:"
https://massivesci.com/notes/covid-autoantibodies-immune-system/* "This Is How Long It Takes to Get COVID in a Room, Research Shows:"
https://bestlifeonline.com/close-contacts-covid/* "Keeping indoor air clean can reduce the chance of spreading coronavirus:"
https://knowridge.com/2020/11/keeping-indoor-air-clean-can-reduce-the-chance-of-spreading-coronavirus/* "How your diet can impact the severity of Covid-19 infection:"
https://www.fitandwell.com/news/how-your-diet-can-impact-the-severity-of-covid-19-infection* "TMH docs break down COVID side effects, pediatrics, ivermectin, death, and, yes, vaccines:"
https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/tmh-docs-break-down-covid-side-effects-pediatrics-ivermectin-death-and-yes-vaccines* "‘Assume the worst’: coronavirus variants in Africa worry scientists:"
https://www.smh.com.au/world/africa/assume-the-worst-coronavirus-variants-in-africa-worry-scientists-20210911-p58qtc.html* "Turkey's COVID-19 deaths up to mid-May levels as new cases dip:"
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-covid-19-deaths-up-mid-may-levels-new-cases-dip-2021-08-27/* "U.S. covid death toll hits 1,500 a day amid delta scourge:"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/09/03/delta-deaths-us-fourth-wave/* "Biden administration's September 20 booster rollout may be scaled back to just Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at first:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/03/politics/booster-shots-covid-19-vaccines/index.html* "Sweeping new vaccine mandates for 100 million Americans:"
https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be* "Biden flexes executive power in Covid vaccine push; leaves GOP, pundits sputtering:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/biden-flexes-executive-power-in-covid-vaccine-push-leaves-gop-pundits-sputtering-120557125773* "Elie Mystal: Government can require people to be healthy, but cannot require people to get sick:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/biden-initiating-federal-covid-19-vaccination-mandates-praised-by-experts-120546885656* "Biden presses states to require vaccines for all teachers:"
https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-c4db6f7f3f63d0083581ac9eeb576077* "As American as apple pie: Vaccine requirements aren't new—and they work:"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/chris-hayes-on-vaccine-requirements-and-why-they-work-120627269552* "Hayes: GOP tantrums over vaccine mandates are ridiculous—and getting people killed:"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/chris-hayes-gop-tantrums-over-vaccine-mandates-are-ridiculous-and-getting-people-killed-120622661891 * "Solid legal basis for Biden vaccination rules less certain with radicalized Supreme Court:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/solid-legal-basis-for-biden-vaccination-rules-less-certain-with-radicalized-supreme-court-120641605695* "'You have to give people the tools': Biden boosts supply of at-home rapid Covid tests:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-you-have-to-give-people-the-tools-biden-boosts-supply-of-at-home-rapid-covid-tests-120555077921* "First responders nationwide resist COVID vaccine mandates:"
https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-f459b8d187cd915e17588873e07e8bdf* "Dr. Fauci: People want to say we're done with COVID. But COVID's not done with us:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/covid-19-delta-variant-and-need-to-vaccinate-75-million-eligible-americans-discussed-by-dr-anthony-fauci-120373317703* "Monday Florida COVID update: 1,064 more deaths, hospitalizations, ICU patients decrease:"
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article254037598.html* "In Florida, a summer of death and resistance as the coronavirus rampaged:"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/09/05/florida-coronavirus-delta-surge/* "Florida Schools Are Fighting the Governor for Kids to Mask Up:"
( Embed: )* "Court rules for Florida governor, reinstates ban on mask mandates in state's schools:"
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/appeals-court-rules-favor-florida-governor-reinstates-ban-mask-mandates-florida-2021-09-10/* "North Texas school districts feel COVID-19 surge, report thousands of new cases:"
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2021/09/06/north-texas-school-districts-feel-covid-19-surge-report-thousands-of-new-cases/* "Texas Reopened Classrooms for Students... and COVID-19:"
( Embed: )* "Hospitals in crisis in least vaccinated state: Mississippi:"
https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-cbc4d9aa87d4f74991f9bea959bf0939* "'We’re taking it day by day' | COVID-19 numbers spike in South Carolina after holiday weekend:"
https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/covid-spike-south-carolina-holiday-weekend-dhec-quarantine/275-4533de91-1de4-4284-82e9-71452e4bf9e3* "Two South Carolina schoolchildren die of COVID-19:"
https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/two-south-carolina-schoolchildren-die-of-covid19/101-3a1447e8-c653-4461-83cf-fd1ed47f8501* "The Latest: N. Carolina has 170 clusters in schools, centers:"
https://apnews.com/article/europe-business-health-elections-germany-977669b0af4fb346d05ddf407bd14e73* "COVID-19 numbers climb among Oklahoma school-aged children:"
https://kfor.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-numbers-climb-among-oklahoma-school-aged-children/ * "Crisis Standards of Care activated in North Idaho:"
https://www.kivitv.com/news/crisis-standards-of-care-activated-in-north-idaho* "'Reconsider high risk activities': Overcrowded Idaho hospitals forced to ration care:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-reconsider-high-risk-activities-overcrowded-idaho-hospitals-forced-to-ration-care-120465989786* "Idaho suffering tragic mismatch of severe Covid crisis and misguided political leadership:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/idaho-suffering-tragic-mismatch-of-severe-covid-crisis-and-misguided-political-leadership-120639045736* "Tennessee sets record for COVID hospitalizations for 7th straight day:"
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/tennessee-sets-record-for-covid-hospitalizations-for-7th-straight-day* "ICU doctor 'frustrated' as COVID hospitalizations spike in Tennessee:"
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/icu-doctor-frustrated-as-covid-hospitalizations-spike-in-tennessee* "Alabama man dies of cardiac event after 43 hospitals with full ICUs turned him away:"
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/09/10/cullman-al-man-dies-hospitals-full-icus-turn-away-covid/8281712002/* "Los Angeles mandates Covid vaccine for students over 12:"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/los-angeles-mandates-covid-vaccine-for-students-over-12-120543813555* "Mormon vaccine push ratchets up, dividing faith's members:"
https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-health-religion-coronavirus-pandemic-f42772097cf7557086f12b549e03b18a* "Central District Health ratifies Dr. Cole's appointment to health board:"
https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/health/central-district-health-ratifies-dr-ryan-cole-appointment-health-board/277-a25d9dc9-a6b3-41c0-8059-8fa496197c9d* "Jewish Ohio Senate candidate compares Biden’s vaccine mandate to the Gestapo:"
https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-ohio-senate-candidate-compares-bidens-vaccine-mandate-to-the-gestapo/* "NIH director debunks ‘personal freedom’ argument in wake of vaccine mandate:"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/nih-director-dr-francis-collins-debunks-personal-freedom-argument-in-wake-of-vaccine-mandate-120542277508* "Chicago’s Resurrection Medical Center resists pressure to provide unauthorized ivermectin treatment for COVID-19:"
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-resurrection-hospital-covid-ivermectin-20210908-3cencoxuiza6jmwb5fjatbchhq-story.html* "Student mocked by adults after sharing personal Covid-19 connection at school board meeting:"
https://www.wsmv.com/news/local/student-mocked-by-adults-after-sharing-personal-covid-19-connection-at-school-board-meeting/article_6c18121e-1115-11ec-9a36-37576ac1e7e8.html* "Parents urge maskless kids to enter Michigan school, violating order:"
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/parents-urge-maskless-children-enter-michigan-school-violation-health-order-n1278803* "Three Schools Forced Into Lockdown After Anti-Masker Proud Boys Try to Infiltrate:"
https://www.thedailybeast.com/anti-mask-protests-and-proud-boys-shut-down-three-schools-in-vancouver* "Mask mandate clashes show GOP is now a party of grievance McCaskill says:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/covid-19-mask-mandates-spark-clashes-with-conservatives-at-local-school-boards-120374853608* "Grand Blanc woman facing 20-year felony for alleged death threat over mask mandate:"
https://www.abc12.com/2021/08/27/grand-blanc-woman-facing-20-year-felony-alleged-death-threat-over-mask-mandate/*********************************************************************************************************
* "Taliban Say They Took Panjshir, Last Holdout Afghan Province:"
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-09-06/taliban-say-they-took-panjshir-last-holdout-afghan-province* "Taliban form all-male Afghan government of old guard members:"
https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-afghanistan-arrests-islamabad-d50b1b490d27d32eb20cc11b77c12c87* "Photos: Afghan Women Are Protesting For Their Rights:"
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/09/1035214735/women-afghanistan-protest-taliban* "Taliban fighters use whips against Afghan women protesting the all-male interim government:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/08/asia/afghanistan-women-taliban-government-intl/index.html* "Afghan Family Says Errant U.S. Missile Killed 10, Including 7 Children:"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/world/asia/afghanistan-drone-attack-ISIS.html* "Afghanistan's last Jew leaves after Taliban takeover:"
https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-religion-israel-afghanistan-evacuations-c616b5b847da79f0cfc1de6f0f37b0b7* "How the US created a world of endless war:"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/31/how-the-us-created-a-world-of-endless-war* "The US Is Scrambling to Resettle Afghan Translators:"
( Embed: )* "President of Ukraine vows to fight for LGBT+ equality after Joe Biden meeting:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/02/ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-joe-biden-lgbt/* "20 States Sue Over Biden Administration's LGBTQ+ Rights Guidelines:"
https://www.advocate.com/news/2021/8/31/20-states-sue-over-biden-administrations-lgbtq-rights-guidelines* "White House competition council seeks lower consumer prices:"
https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-economy-prices-consumer-prices-7ea68c9157a0c72403a8e3da5fae8bcc* "Trump Loyalists Push Back As Biden Ousts Them From Military Academy Boards:"
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/09/1035508121/trump-administration-officials-military-academy-boards-spicer-conway* "Why is this former Democratic senator trying to help millionaires avoid taxes?:"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/why-is-former-democratic-senator-heidi-heitkamp-trying-to-help-millionaires-avoid-taxes-120625221717* "Biden Asks Congress For $30 Billion To Help Disaster Relief And Afghan Evacuees:"
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/07/1034923509/biden-asks-congress-for-30-billion-to-help-disaster-relief-and-afghan-evacuees* "Millions in U.S. lose jobless benefits as federal aid expires, thrusting families and economy onto uncertain path:"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/09/05/unemployment-benefits-economy/* "Manchin calls on Democrats to ‘pause,’ cut $3.5 trillion spending plan, dealing potential blow to Biden agenda:"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/09/02/manchin-senate-democrats-reconciliation/* "Extreme weather amplifies calls for Congress to pass infrastructure legislation:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/extreme-weather-amplifies-calls-for-congress-to-pass-infrastructure-legislation-120236613854* "Schumer rejects Manchin’s ‘strategic pause’ on $3.5T bill:"
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/08/schumer-manchin-megabill-510446* "Biden administration says solar energy has the potential to power 40% of US electricity by 2035:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/08/politics/solar-energy-doe-report-climate/index.html* "Dems vow to pass Biden’s budget, despite internal setbacks:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/dems-vow-to-pass-biden-s-budget-despite-internal-setbacks-120698949995* "Democrats near a compromise on a federal voting rights bill:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/democrats-near-a-compromise-on-a-federal-voting-rights-bill-120700485560* "This Town Was Paradise, Then Everyone Started Working From Home:"
( Embed: )* 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.
This App phones your rep for you:
http://takeastance.us/Here is one that will send your reps a fax:
https://resistbot.io/* "Ohio House Republicans propose voter photo ID law, ending most absentee voting:"
https://www.10tv.com/article/news/politics/ohio-house-republicans-propose-voter-photo-id-law-ending-most-absentee-voting/530-a09063ea-a47c-424d-801e-2cac6a25b29e* "Texas governor signs voting restrictions bill into law:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/07/politics/texas-greg-abbott-voting-bill/index.html* "Mess in Texas: A Theocracy That Enshrines White, Male Power:"
https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/9/02/mess-texas-theocracy-enshrines-white-male-power* "State GOP leaders push new 2020 election reviews as Arizona report looms:"
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/07/state-gop-2020-election-review-510023* "Arizona's Election "Audit" Isn't Done, But Two Trump-Supporting Republicans Are Declaring Victory Anyway:"
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/sarahmimms/arizona-election-audit-trump-decertify* Want a say in Washington redistricting? "Draw Your WA | Washington State 2021 Redistricting Commission:"
https://www.redistricting.wa.gov/* "The Bye Line: Don’t sit out the midterms:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/the-bye-line-don-t-sit-out-the-midterms-120238149594* "California's recall election 'threatens to roll back years of LGBT+ progress':"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/05/gavin-newsom-california-recall-election-lgbt/* "California holds recall election this month for Gov. Gavin Newsom:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/california-holds-recall-election-this-month-for-gov-gavin-newsom-120237637923* "Fmr. California Gov. Jerry Brown says California recall ‘is all about money’:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/california-recall-election-gavin-newsom-larry-elder-analyzed-by-former-california-gov-jerry-brown-120629317645* "24-year-old gun reform activist runs for Rep. Val Demings’ House seat:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/24-year-old-gun-reform-activist-runs-for-rep-val-demings-house-seat-120237125832* Want to help Maxwell frost go to congress?
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/119806* Want to help Val Demings unseat Marco Rubio?
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/117824* "Neguse reacts to redistricting map that would put Boebert against him in 2022 :"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/rep-joe-neguse-reacts-to-redistricting-map-that-would-put-rep-lauren-boebert-against-him-in-2022-120372293605* "Aaron Schock and Richard Grenell to lead Republican Pride event:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/10/aaron-schock-richard-grenell-republican-pride/* "‘There is no legal authority McCarthy has to issue threats’ to telecom, social media firms expert says:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/kevin-mccarthy-s-phone-records-are-subject-to-preservation-requests-jan-6-select-committee-issued-reports-say-120178245982* "GOP not conducting own Jan. 6 investigation despite McCarthy's vow:"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/gop-not-conducting-own-jan-6-investigation-despite-mccarthy-s-vow-120370757678* "McCarthy flirts with felony by threatening telecom companies on Jan. 6 Committee request:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/mccarthy-flirts-with-felony-by-threatening-telecom-companies-on-jan-6-committee-request-120556101722* "Threats, harassment inspired by Trump's Big Lie terrorize election officials: Reuters:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/threats-harassment-inspired-by-trump-s-big-lie-terrorize-election-officials-reuters-120468037922* "Lawyers organize to protect elections officials threatened with violence:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/lawyers-organize-to-protect-elections-officials-threatened-with-violence-120469573765* "The increasing danger of America’s domestic terrorism:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/the-increasing-danger-of-america-s-domestic-terrorism-120699973588* "Capitol Police memo warns of potential for violence during September 18 rally:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/08/politics/capitol-hill-security-september-18-rally/index.html* "Ex-Marine held without bond in shooting of Florida family:"
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/marine-held-bond-shooting-florida-family-79858656* "How to Persuade Americans to Give Up Their Guns:"
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/10/responsible-gun-ownership-is-a-lie/619811/* "9 steel gates of Arizona's border wall ripped off by monsoon storms, 5 completely missing:"
https://www.12news.com/article/news/special-reports/at-the-border/9-steel-gates-of-arizona-border-wall-ripped-off-by-monsoon-storms-5-completely-missing/75-d1140599-f255-4b95-ad58-79f8b65cdce0* CW: Suicide "The U.S. Must Release All LGBTQ+ Immigrants From Detention:"
https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/8/31/us-must-release-all-lgbtq-immigrants-detention* "Biden administration appeals ruling that found DACA unlawful:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/10/politics/daca-biden-administration-appeals-ruling/index.html* "Stuck at the border, migrant mothers confront a complex maze:"
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/stuck-at-the-border-migrant-mothers-confront-toughened-us-policies* "A mother and her four daughters were separated at the border in 2018. This is what they lost:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/01/us/us-mexico-border-family-separation-mother-daughters/index.html* "How True Crime Reveals the Corruption and Failures of the Legal System:"
( Embed: )* "Teacher under investigation for lessons on LGBT+ rights and Black Lives Matter:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/03/illinois-teacher-lgbt-tiktok/* "Hayes: What Robert E. Lee's statue says about battle for multi-racial democracy:"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/chris-hayes-what-robert-e-lee-s-statue-says-about-battle-for-multi-racial-democracy-120456261554* "Antiracism educator questions celebrating Lee statue removal 156 years after Civil War:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/robert-e-lee-statue-removal-sign-that-right-wing-fringe-is-losing-culture-wars-120459845960* "The Bye Line: Donald Trump and Robert E. Lee:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/the-bye-line-donald-trump-and-robert-e-lee-120699461792* "QAnon & Sovereign Citizens Are Coming for the Child Welfare System:"
( Embed: )* "California poised to become the first state to outlaw ‘stealthing’:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/11/stealthing-remove-condom-sex-california-outlaw/* CW: Domestic Violence and Domestic Homicide. "Ending the Myths about Domestic Homicide:"
https://daily.jstor.org/ending-myths-domestic-homicide/* "Mexico Supreme Court strikes down abortion ban in contrast with neighbor, Texas:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/mexico-supreme-court-strikes-down-abortion-ban-in-contrast-with-neighbor-texas-120383045554* "UN experts condemn Texas abortion law as sex discrimination ‘at its worst’:"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/07/un-experts-condemn-texas-anti-abortion-law* "Justice Department will 'protect' abortion seekers in Texas:"
https://apnews.com/article/abortion-business-health-texas-738cfb097227037ac0ce33ccb79c2e4f* "Senate Judiciary Committee to hold hearing on Supreme Court's abortion ruling and 'shadow docket':"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/03/politics/senate-judiciary-hearing-supreme-court-shadow-docket/index.html* "Late night Supreme Court decision on Texas abortion law spotlights controversial shadow docket:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/supreme-court-decision-on-texas-abortion-law-sparks-calls-for-democrats-to-pay-attention-to-courts-120179269793* "Supreme Court upholds restrictive abortion law in Texas:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/supreme-court-upholds-restrictive-abortion-law-in-texas-120236613838* How to help clog the snitch line:
https://magnesiumflare.tumblr.com/post/661634297427542016* "How the case of one bar's liquor license could bring down the new Texas abortion ban:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/how-the-case-of-one-bar-s-liquor-license-could-bring-down-the-new-texas-abortion-ban-120383557676b* "Rep. Jayapal: We must 'enshrine' women's right to choose as federal law:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/watch/texas-abortion-law-and-enacting-federal-legislation-to-protect-women-s-right-to-choose-discussed-by-rep-jayapal-120461381814 * CW: Rape. Greg Abbot insists that Republicans have had a secret magic power that stops all rape all this time and they’ve been refusing to use it, just like they don’t prioritize rape kit processing and rape prosecution. "Texas governor defends abortion ban with promise to ‘eliminate’ rapists:"
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/texas-governor-greg-abbott-defends-abortion-ban-with-promise-to-eliminate-rapists-120456773657* "Justice Department sues Texas over six-week abortion ban:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/09/politics/biden-administration-texas-abortion-law/index.html* "Texas abortion ‘whistleblower’ website forced offline:"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/07/texas-abortion-whistleblower-website-forced-offline* "This Black Queer Woman Counsels Texas Women on Terminating Pregnancies:"
https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/9/09/black-queer-woman-counsels-texas-women-terminating-pregnancies* "Garland meets first challenge of defeating Texas abortion ban: getting the law into court:"
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/garland-meets-first-challenge-of-defeating-texas-abortion-ban-getting-the-law-into-court-120556613595* "Tucker Carlson targets trans men in unhinged abortion rant riddled with falsities:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/03/tucker-carlson-fox-news-trans-abortion/* "Stephen Breyer calls Supreme Court decision on Texas abortion law 'very, very, very wrong':"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/09/politics/stephen-breyer-texas-abortion/index.html* "DOJ sues Texas over restrictive abortion law:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/doj-sues-texas-over-restrictive-abortion-law-120699973615* I haven't been covering this much because so much is speculation and she said vs she said vs untrustworthy cops said, and I'd like way more facts before commenting. However, this does a decent job of laying out the complications in a reasonably nuanced way. "Sex Offender Charged In Wi Spa Incident... Let's Talk About It:"
( Embed: )* "I've Been Targeted & Doxxed By Transphobic Hate Raids:"
( Embed: )* "Bible passages justifying homophobia have been woefully 'misinterpreted':"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/05/catholic-church-lgbt-gay-relationships-bible-wigngaards-institute-study-mary-mcaleese/* "China Bans Effeminate, 'Sissy' Men from Television Broadcasts:"
https://www.advocate.com/world/2021/9/03/chinese-bans-effeminate-sissy-men-television-broadcasts* "Tens of thousands march for same-sex marriage in Switzerland ahead of national referendum:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/05/switzerland-pride-march-same-sex-marriage/* "Six Men Convicted of Killing LGBTQ+ Activist and USAID Worker:"
https://www.advocate.com/world/2021/9/02/six-men-convicted-killing-lgbtq-activist-and-usaid-worker* "Bisexual, non-binary student scared to leave home after hateful street attack:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/10/non-binary-zerhanah-galway/* "Anti-trans protesters in suffragette colours boo Nicola Sturgeon without irony:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/03/nicola-sturgeon-anti-trans-protest-suffragette-holyrood-edinburgh/* "Couple beaten and stabbed in another homophobic attack in Birmingham Gay Village:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/06/birmingham-gay-village-homophobic-attack-2/* "Police ‘stepping up’ presence in Birmingham following violent attack on gay couple:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/04/birmingham-police-patrols-attack-gay-couple/* "Violent homophobe pushes man into canal in dangerous, 'despicable' hate crime:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/06/liverpool-canal-hate-crime/* "Teen walks free after violently attacking gay couple while singing song from Frozen:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/02/lancashire-attack-gay-couple-homophobia/* "Preacher who called gay man 'worse than a terrorist' convicted of hate crime:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/02/omar-mohamad-hate-crime-speakers-corner-preacher/* "A Message for Black LGBTQ+ Youth:"
https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/9/03/message-black-lgbtq-youth*CW: Suicide. "I'm a Doctor: Gender-Affirming Care Saves Trans Lives:"
https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/03/im-doctor-gender-affirming-care-saves-trans-lives* "California passes America’s first bill tracking violent deaths of LGBT+ people:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/04/california-passes-ab-1094-violent-deaths-lgbt/* "Trans Makeup Artist Pooh Johnson Murdered in Louisiana:"
https://www.advocate.com/crime/2021/9/01/trans-makeup-artist-pooh-johnson-murdered-louisiana* "Killer who strangled trans teen Nikki Kuhnhausen to death sentenced to 20 years:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/10/nikki-kuhnhausen-killer-sentenced-20-years/* "Gay teacher forced to quit after school banned him from discussing his sexuality:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/09/missouri-teacher-resigns-gay/* "Todrick Hall tears into wedding venues refusing gay couples over religious beliefs:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/02/todrick-hall-boycott-wedding-venues/* "LGBT history exhibit pulled from Missouri Capitol after just four days following complaints:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/04/lgbt-history-exhibit-missouri-capitol-museum/* "Parents of queer teen ‘stopped loving’ them when they came out. Now, they’re looking for a new family:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/11/queer-teen-new-family-dax-oklahoma-come-out/* "Skater Amber Glenn on How Coming Out Changed Her Life:"
https://www.advocate.com/exclusives/2021/8/26/skater-amber-glenn-how-coming-out-changed-her-life* "Former HRC president Alphonso David says he was unjustly fired:"
https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/former-hrc-president-alphonso-david-says-he-was-unjustly-fired-120700485568* "How Transphobes Weaponize Burnout Against Neurodivergent Trans People:"
( Embed: )* "Study: Combining PrEP With U=U Yields Incredible Results:"
https://www.hivplusmag.com/news/2021/9/01/study-combining-prep-uu-yields-incredible-results* "The Gruesome Tale of the Laughing Death Epidemic:"
( Embed: )* "Black Lives Are Shorter in Chicago. My Family’s History Shows Why.:"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/27/magazine/life-expectancy-racial-gap.html* "The Plan to Stop Every Respiratory Virus at Once:"
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/09/coronavirus-pandemic-ventilation-rethinking-air/620000/* CW: Elder Abuse. "Phony Diagnoses Hide High Rates of Drugging at Nursing Homes:"
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/11/health/nursing-homes-schizophrenia-antipsychotics.html* "Smallpox and the photos anti-vaxxers don't want you to see:"
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/smallpox-and-the-photos-anti-vaxxers-dont-want-you-to-see/24MJGHWAIJRJYD6LIPQ6ZTBKHI/* "Will Americans wear masks to prevent sickness beyond COVID-19?:"
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/will-americans-wear-masks-to-prevent-sickness-beyond-covid-19*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The World is basically on Fire/Melting. I'm putting stuff to do with it here.
* "Climate change: Big increase in weather disasters over the past five decades:"
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58396975* "16 die as floods swamp public hospital in central Mexico:"
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/flooding-central-mexico-kills-10-hospital-79877433* "Floods sweep cars into sea, damage homes in northeast Spain:"
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/floods-sweep-cars-sea-damage-homes-northeast-spain-79784040* "Growing wildfire near Penticton sparks evacuation alerts by First Nation and regional district:"
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-wildfires-sept-4-2021-1.6165208* "Nearly 1 in 3 Americans experienced a weather disaster this summer:"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/09/04/climate-disaster-hurricane-ida/* "Engineers Bent the Rules, and May Have Saved New Orleans:"
https://time.com/6094221/hurricane-ida-engineering-protection/* "Ida and COVID-19: 'Twin-demic' slams Louisiana hospitals:"
https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-ida-environment-and-nature-louisiana-pandemics-health-e1ba589ce2b70b6fb3994fbe101c514f* "What a hurricane means when you live in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley':"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/06/us/hurricane-ida-cancer-alley-pollution/index.html* "Louisiana areas hardest-hit by Hurricane Ida need a fundamental change in how they're protected, official says:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/10/us/hurricane-ida-aftermath-louisiana-friday/index.html* "Shortages of supplies and workers will delay Gulf rebuilding:"
https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-1ebb836d454ad09b0da429e0ba10e98a* "New Orleans: Seniors left in dark, hot facilities after Ida:"
https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-dd7efb4ba9b29389fa5888fd930dec5a* "New York City's illegally converted apartments proved deadly in Ida's path:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/03/us/new-york-city-flooding-illegal-basement-apartments/index.html* "New York City was never built to withstand a deluge like the one Ida delivered. It showed.:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/us/new-york-infrastructure-climate-change/index.html* "Scenes from Ida’s Chaotic, Tragic Night in New York City:"
https://www.curbed.com/2021/09/tropical-storm-ida-new-york-city.html* "NYC's Subway Flooding Isn't A Fluke. It's The Reality For Cities In A Warming World:"
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/02/1021185475/climate-change-means-more-subway-flooding-worldwide-like-new-york-just-experienc* "Climate change’s ‘fingerprint’ seen in Ida flooding, including in Pennsylvania:"
https://www.witf.org/2021/09/07/climate-changes-fingerprint-seen-in-ida-flooding-including-in-pennsylvania/* "One week later, some Phoenixville flood victims still taking stock of damage:"
https://6abc.com/phoenixville-flooding-pennslvania-chester-county-hurricane-ida/11009127/* "Satellite Photos Show Just How Bad The Flooding From Ida Has Been In New Jersey:"
https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2021/09/05/1034459845/satellite-photos-flooding-ida-new-jersey* "Responders Are Gaining On The Caldor Fire, But Now They've Got New Blazes To Battle:"
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/07/1034711477/updates-wildfires-california* "Lightning threatens California as fires continue to burn across the state:"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/09/california-fire-weather-caldor-dixie-latest* "An Unprecedented Fire Season Is Devastating California… Again:"
( Embed: )*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
* "‘They just forgot about us’: a US motel of climate refugees with nowhere to go:"
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/26/oregon-wildfires-climate-change-motel* "Watch Pets And People Run For Cover As A Powerful Earthquake Strikes Mexico:"
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/08/1035108690/mexico-earthquake-video-acapulco-damage* "Imagine If We Had Spent the Last 20 Years Fighting Climate Change Instead of the War on Terror:"
https://inthesetimes.com/article/climate-change-floods-war-on-terror-crisis-china* "Climate change: Shetland's power struggle between oil and wind:"
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-58464439* "The snows of Kilimanjaro:"
http://www.bbc.com/storyworks/travel/fit-for-purpose/climate-change-kilimanjaro* "Ancient fleece paving method used to protect soft peatland route:"
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/ancient-fleece-paving-method-used-to-protect-soft-peatland-route-1.4659414* "The World’s First Underwater Veggie Garden is Growing Lettuce, Tomatoes & More. Because, Waterworld.:"
https://www.messynessychic.com/2021/09/01/the-worlds-first-underwater-veggie-garden-is-growing-lettuce-tomatoes-mushrooms-and-more-because-waterworld/* "The lost generation of ancient trees:"
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210908-the-lost-generation-of-ancient-trees* ""The unlikely protector against Bangladesh's rising seas:"
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210827-the-unlikely-protector-against-rising-seas-in-bangladeshCare at Scale:"
https://www.cardus.ca/comment/article/care-at-scale/* "There’s One Surefire Way to End Big Sewage Spills: End Big Sewage:"
https://undark.org/2021/09/02/end-big-sewage/* "Is Mycelium Fungus the Plastic of the Future?:"
( Embed: )* "Judge loosens Apple's grip on app store in Epic decision:"
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/judge-loosens-apples-grip-app-store-epic-decision-79942612* "DoorDash, Grubhub And Uber Eats Sue New York City Over Price Caps:"
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/10/1035905604/doordash-grubhub-uber-eats-lawsuit-sue-new-york-city* Not Okay. "Bar live-streams footage from bathrooms for rest of patrons to see, says it's for "safety":"
https://www.newsweek.com/bar-live-streams-footage-bathrooms-rest-patrons-see-says-its-safety-1627171* "UN hails end of poisonous leaded gas use in cars worldwide:"
https://apnews.com/article/business-health-environment-and-nature-united-nations-d59bba0c54004966f16e4af38246194d* "Streamers angry at Twitch changes that force them to work long hours or lose money:"
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/11/twitch-streamers-local-subscription-pricing/* "One man’s plan to resurrect the animal species we can’t save:"
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/natures-safe* "In the Absence of Cruise Ships, Humpbacks Have Different Things to Say:"
https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/in-the-absence-of-cruise-ships-humpbacks-have-different-things-to-say/* "DNA of Giant ‘Corpse Flower’ Parasite Surprises Biologists:"
https://www.quantamagazine.org/dna-of-giant-corpse-flower-parasite-surprises-biologists-20210421/* "New pumpkin toadlet species found—and it secretly glows in the dark:"
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/new-pumpkin-toadlet-species-found%E2%80%94and-it-secretly-glows-in-the-dark/ar-BB1gehYu* "Worms found to share "memories" by swapping RNA to warn of danger:"
https://newatlas.com/biology/celegans-worms-share-memories-rna/* "Researchers complete first-ever detailed map of global coral:"
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/researchers-complete-first-ever-detailed-map-global-coral-rcna1943* "‘Genetic fossil’: intact DNA from woman who lived 7,200 years ago discovered in Indonesia:"
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/aug/26/genetic-fossil-intact-dna-from-woman-who-lived-7200-years-ago-discovered-in-indonesia* "Prehistoric human bones in Guernsey discovered by coastal walker:"
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-56663491* "Dig in southern Spain reveals decapitation, trepanation and other extraordinary burial rituals:"
https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2021/03/dig-in-southern-spain-reveals.html* "The far-reaching effects the Vikings had when they settled down:"
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2021/0406/1208207-vikings-anthropocene-settling-effects/* "Archaeologists uncover evidence of Northumberland fishing community dating back 900 years:"
https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/archaeologists-uncover-evidence-of-northumberland-fishing-community-dating-back-900-years-3192422* "Getting dressed in the middle ages, while Jewish: 11th century medieval Jews, England vs Spain:"
( Embed: )* "How Exactly Did One Become an Executioner in Medieval Times?:"
( Embed: )* "Medieval gold coin hoards and skull ring discovered in Wales:"
https://www.livescience.com/uk-metal-detector-medieval-treasures.html* "Aztec Pictograms Are the First Written Records of Earthquakes in the Americas:"
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/aztec-code-earthquakes-pictograms-180978534/* "Princess Susana: The Colonial Con Woman:"
( Embed: )* "Like Washington and Jefferson, he championed liberty. Unlike the founders, he freed his slaves:"
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/us/robert-carter-iii-deed-of-gift-slavery-anniversary/index.html* "The Dred Scott Decision: Crash Course Black American History #16:"
( Embed: )* "Margaretta Peter vs The Devil:"
( Embed: )* CW: Pedophilia, Child Abuse. "The Cult That Made Your Grandmother's Fine Silverware:"
( Embed: )* "3 Black People You Should Know!:"
( Embed: )* "Wyatt Earp: The Great American... Villain?:"
( Embed: )* "The Crystal Palace: An Omen of Things to Come:"
( Embed: )* "The Erie Strangler: Michigan's Accidental Pirate:"
( Embed: )* "How the Airline Industry Got Wise to Seat Belts:"
https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/how-airline-industry-got-wise-seat-belts-180978271/* "How Bicycles Caused the Downfall of the British Empire:"
( Embed: )* CW: Cannibalism "The Acid Bath Murderer: No Body, No Crime (Not Quite):"
( Embed: )* "Bible John: Scotland's High-Minded Jack the Ripper:"
( Embed: )* "The Stone of Scone: A Very Scottish Heist:"
( Embed: )* CW: Stalking "The Circleville Letters:"
( Embed: )* "Mona Fandey: The Pop Princess Turned Black Magic Killer:"
( Embed: )* "Hassan and Abbas O: The Perfect Crime:"
( Embed: )* "The Phantom of Heilbronn:"
( Embed: )* CW: Stalking "The Westfield Watcher:"
( Embed: )* CW: Rape, Cannibalism "The Chijon Family: The Korean Cannibal Clan:"
( Embed: )* "Actor Michael K. Williams, Omar on 'The Wire,' dead at 54:"
https://apnews.com/article/michael-k-williams-dead-ee851aa32e91c879c89952eb431a2869* "Forgetting My First Language:"
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/forgetting-my-first-language* "Racist and Sexist School Dress Codes Continue to Fail Students:"
( Embed: )* "Tenacious Unicorn Ranch Is Pioneering a New and Queer Wild West:"
( Embed: )* "Was Cloris Leachman Television's First Beard?:"
( Embed: )* "Disney's Gay Cultural Appropriation (1/2):"
( Embed: )* Wednesday, the Nearby Millenial did her first training shift under the supervision of caregiver Millenial, now promoted to Head Millenial. It was charming. The plan is we all forage Wednesday afternoons, and then Nearby Millenial clocks in for her two hours. Wednesday's are crazy busy work wise for Head Millenial at it's a huge help to everyone involved. The goal is for nearby Millenial to register to work other caregiving gigs in the area, but also be available if Head Millenial gets sick, etc..
Tavy is on day three of nightmares and high anxiety, which I am doing my best to help him with. I long for good sleep though. It'll pass eventually.
I need to take the car in again. *fingers crossed*
* Tavy was feeling much better by Friday. I alas, had crap for sleep. I had to get up mid sleep cycle to take the car in to get poked at by the honest mechanics. I was lucky. It was the lower end of the range, rather than the high end. They can't actually fix it properly until the 20th, as they are swamped and short staffed, but they patched it together so I can drive it until then if I am careful and don't drive it too much. The fix is going to be about 90, which means I can't pay a bill this month, but luckily, I have not paid it yet, so the money physically exists.
Want to help fund the car repair? Paypal Lethran@gmail.com or paypal.me/Gwydion
Friday was also forage food delivery. It arrived while I was out and I brought it right in and unpacked it. No mice. It was also pharmacy delivery day. I was also double booked to finish a scene on line I'd started Wednesday that was rather important for both plot and character reasons, while I was also supposed to get a visit from a Millennial to do a thing. Luckily, the timing worked pretty well and everything got done.
From the time I got up for pharmacy delivery to the actual arrival of the Millennial, poor Tavy was in an agony of excitement. From my behavior, clearly a Millennial was coming, possibly his personal favorite Millennial. Unfortunately, said Millennial arrived two hour after the usual Millennial visitor arrival time, so every time he heard a small noise or caught movement out of the corner of his eye through one of the windows he went running over to check. He was too worked up to settle. At one point he escaped onto the patio to see if the millennial was out there gardening.
The Visitor was only here for about an hour, and the Emperor tried to leave with him. Poor Button. Saturday game will be more satisfying as he likes both Millennials who are coming and they will arrive at the usualish time. (Don't worry, we mask. we are taking delta seriously. These are also the ones who literally work in the apartment and they follow proper infectious disease protocols when in public and visiting me or each other. So basically a bubble with masks.
* Saturday's game the players planned a raid/heist against the Imperial Palace of the East Roman Empire. Initially, we had four mages (plus a mortal+ henchperson), and three assorted shifts. Two of the shifters had to drop off over the summer for assorted life reasons. Last season one of the characters acquired an NPC through play, but they are still not sure what he can do. This means we have 1 Garou Ragabash in a group of mages. <.< >.> They were not a fight heave group as the other two shifters were not werewolves, so the game is designed with the best fighters in the group being the mortal plus and a literal goose. (Long story on the goose. Basically this is a group that gathers information, and ideally sneaks rather than fights.
The way I world built, some places tend to be one or another species dominant, but the big, cosmopolitan centers are generally neutral by treaty and often have mixed defenses made and maintained by mixed species. there is also some cross species cooperation, particularly between certain groups in cosmopolitan settings. (Some factions, tribes, species, etc. don't cooperate ever. Some do in limited emergency circumstances. Some are way more open and relaxed. When I run mixed groups we select for backgrounds tribes, factions, clans, traditions, species that would ICly be more open and for play balance. shifters are first level to start. mages are arete two to start which makes sense if you've ever played mage. You can do A Lot with arete two, arete one not so much. A level one shifter is about as competent as a level two mage for dealing with starter character challenges). My general way of running things is to put makes sense and fun over often conflicting source books.
The Palace is species neutral by treaty (between a limited number of species), defended by multiple species, with a whole lot of political faction ebb and flow within. The group was working as outsiders to the city power structure so the important faction heads could have plausible deniability. They infiltrated the palace and have been spying basically. Studying the physical and political layout, trying to track down the mystical source of a virulent fever that had been burning off and on for a couple of years. they discovered that and more. So much more.
In the previous session they'd found something so big it really did require a city wide response. A council of the assorted friendly Shifter and Mage faction heads from various species was called on neutral ground. The group reported the fever source and called for help with some taint cleansing in the Palace, because one Ragabash with a cleansing ritual was not going to cut it. The mage PCs couldn't go inside because the Euthantos PC had done what amounted to a plague return to sender type thing. The mystic fever did not effect Garou, but is a pain in the ass to heal in the few mages likely to catch it. (level two and up life mages aren't catching it, but not everyone has two levels in Life.) Also, the mages needed to make and hold a temporary opening in a weak place in the wards to allow Garou in the penumbra through. They also reported the threat big enough to destroy the whole city they'd discovered.
The initial higher up plan to deal with the big threat turned out to be likely worse than doing nothing when it turned out the NPC had information about a similar previous attempt a very, very long time ago. That got tabled, but the raid/heist went ahead. Mages got the cleansing party in lead by our Garou who had found the taint and knew how to get to both sites. Some of them held the hole open, while the others fought the guards who inevitably found them and a cluster of mages come to investigate the hoopla. There had been a tiny combat once before, but this was their first multi-wave, multi-round combat. Meanwhile, the Garou used a thing he'd gotten in the umbra previously to bribe some small spider spirits into helping. They stealthed about, did their cleansings, avoided spirit guardians, and did some nice looting. A guard was beheaded. a mage was cleaved in two. A couple people were battered and bitten unconscious by a Horrible Goose. (Unleash the goose of war. Some others ran away. The group escaped.
They are now at the point where they are ready to formalize the group. Progress!
* After Saturday game, I needed to get gas so I could take Head Millennial home. I usually budget $30, but prices were so high it was just short of $50. This on top of the repairs I need to the car. I was just loading back into the car, when an out of breath man jogged up. He had very little English. I have even less Spanish, since it's just random words and phrases I picked up living here over the years (slowly deteriorating since I quit teaching), plus things I can deduce from what is left of my deteriorating French and Latin vocabulary. Plus Mime.
I worked out his car had run out of gas and he'd left his family there to come try to get some. He seemed legitimately freaked out and desperate for help. I gave him one of my cheap emergency cloth masks I keep in the car so we could go inside. At some point I had a gas can, but Skye gave it away in a move, and they were now charging 18+tax for a one gallon plastic can. (Jesus, Fuck!) Luckily he had it, because I didn't, having just blown it gassing my car. I negotiated the purchase. He only had cash and the change wasn't enough, so I bought him the gallon of fuel with what was left on my card, which legitimately startled him. I kept saying and miming zero when he asked how much. I was imagining he'd need what else he might have to gas up and possibly find food and lodging for his family, and it was the least I could do. There was no question of me not offering him a ride. I've been rescued by strangers when I had car trouble before and there was simply no question of me not doing the same.
Now we had to figure out where his car was. O.o Luckily Head Millennial had taken a little Spanish via language learning program, so had about as much as the gentleman had English. This was not enough for anything like clear directions, but we did manage to work out he wanted us to get on the highway going south, which was odd, because he was definitely saying North also, but I worked it out.
They'd been travelling North through the twisty, foggy, mostly unlit mountain pass at night, which can be scary on it's own. Also, there is a very long stretch of farmland with no gas South of the mountain, and literally one place to get gas in the pass. It's not as bad as the 40ish miles of farmland on a stretch further south where I got stranded on a shoulder at night once, but it is bad and waaaaaay the fuck scarier. The shoulder is narrow, and people get nervous driving a twisty two laner that high up. especially in fog. (South bound is far lower of the slope and nowhere near as alarming at night). No one was going to stop for a latino man, even with kids anywhere up there. Odds are no one would much notice them, being too busy driving and not tangling with trucks. If you runout there you are fucked 'til morning and there is a non zero chance of someone messing up and clipping you or your car. Jesus fuck! No wonder he was so happy to see us and grateful for our help. It was a massive relief to him when I mimed turning around. he must have been terrified. I'd suspected that when he was willing to get in a beat up old car with two strange white people at night).
It was a very, very long drive to the next exit south of the gas station where we collected him. I'm not kidding about how little flatland there is on that stretch of coast. The small ass community where the last gas station before the really rocky bit is well past the high bits. We found the north on ramp after a bit of fumbling with shitty signage in the dark. (I've pulled off here maybe three times since I moved up here in '98. I know how empty the passes are, so I am super careful about enough gas. A non-local wouldn't know that though). Then there was the long drive back, with us not sure how far they'd gotten before their gas ran out.
I spotted the car in time to stop. They cleverly owned flares (I don't) and had blinkers going. He must have jogged two to three miles for help, luckily down hill, but if I hadn't offered the ride, he'd have had to do that uphill going the wrong way. I just kept thinking how scary this would have been for him even without the language barrier and not knowing if American convenience stores carried gas can. They were so happy when they saw him get out of the car with the gas, I was incredibly happy they were all safe. (We could have easily been a car full of MAGA monsters or Proud Boys with guns or bats instead of someone bringing their husband and father back).
Yes, I've had people try to scam me with out of gas stories. Yes, the PNW has a history of robbing people who stop to help stranded drivers. Yes, there is always a risk taking a stranger into one's car. It's just I am good at reading people, and I absolutely believed him. He was clearly trying very hard not to freak the fuck out and was just as clearly out of breath. He had way more reason to be frightened of approaching white strangers at night. I'm glad it was us, a couple of mild mannered goth weirdos and not some asshole he approached in his desperation. We’re a blue state because of the cities strung like necklaces on the highway strings, but scratch blue here and you get red. I hope wherever they are going, they get there safely.
* "The Creepy Doll Adoption Agency:"
https://www.neatorama.com/2021/09/08/The-Creepy-Doll-Adoption-Agency/* "Sunday Sweets: Sweet Things In Small Packages:"
https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2021/9/12/sunday-sweets-sweet-things-in-small-packages* "Sunday Sweets: Taste The Rainbow:"
https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2021/9/5/sunday-sweets-taste-the-rainbow* "‘Game of Thrones’ type Michigan home hits market with moat, drawbridge, dungeon, secret passageways, grotto:"
https://www.mlive.com/news/2021/09/game-of-thrones-type-michigan-home-hits-market-with-moat-drawbridge-dungeon-secret-passageways-grotto.html* ToS: Season 2 Rewatch:
- 3.3: The Paradise Syndrome.
Kirk, Spock, and McCoy beam down to an 'improbably' earthlike planet. ('Improbable' despite lots of AU planets they've landed on already). They find an ancient advanced large metal artifact. They need to deflect an asteroid from the planet in thirty minutes, so clearly faffing about on the surface instead of solving the problem at any time before the last minute. They find a mix of Navaho, Mohican, and Delaware native Americans living traditional lifestyles there. There is a lot of extremely unfortunate dialog here, but it's nothing next to the appropriation, use of red face, and white savior crap to come.
Spock wants them to stop wasting time while a planet is at stake. (I agree, Spock, I agree). Kirk insists on futzing about with the obelisk for fun and to raise the stakes by wasting more time and gets sucked in. The search parties fail. Spock beams everyone up to go save the planet. McCoy has hysterics about abandoning Kirk even though logically saving the planet will save Kirk, while not saving the planet will definitely kill Kirk. Um, duh! Despite supposedly being a Doctor, McCoy somehow couldn't grasp this without it being explained as if to a three year old. McCoy gives no fucks that the entire planetary population of Native Americans will die if they don't stop the asteroid hitting the planet.
Kirk has amnesia. When he emerges from the obelisk the locals take him for their long awaited Savior God which...*head desk* Seriously, this is painful to watch. The local Elders want Kirk to prove he's a God. Kirk is supposed to rouse the Temple spirits to save them from the asteroid. Kirk vaguely remembers being from the sky and saves a drowned child with CPR, thus proving his white savior godhood. If you can not hear my disgust with this whole plot line in my typing, trust me, it's there.
Spock exceeds the safety margin to make up time for the time Kirk and McCoy wasted for no good reason. Scotty tells him off. Whatever they are paying Spock is clearly not enough. They try to deflect the asteroid, but the engines are damaged and they don't deflect the asteroid enough. Spock puts the ship in front of the asteroid in hopes of breaking it up. McCoy is still hysterical and obstructionist, unable to grasp that they need to save the planet or everyone on it dies, including Kirk.
Apparently the white lady made up in red face named Miramanee was engaged to a local named "Salish," which is the name of a real tribe near where I live. I have so many questions this episode will never answer. She breaks up with him to be Kirk's lover, because of course. Somehow Miramanee isn't bright enough to pull a tunic off using the head hole. Way to depict a grown woman as childlike. The Elders grovel in a way that turns my stomach and want to know how to advance and improve to please the Sky Gods. Ugh. I just... Why even is this episode? Kirk is happy and relaxed for the first time ever.
Miramanee is betrothed to Kirk because tribal law demands it. Suuuuurrrre. Anyway Kirk is into it, so they are to be married tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Enterprise is reduced to impulse power and they need to go to a repair base. The Rock is still headed for the planet. They will arrive in months, but four hours ahead of the asteroid. McCoy has more hysterics and berates Spock.
Salish attacks Kirk. The blood proves he's not a God. Kirk refuses to kill Salish. He and Miramanee marry. Months later, he's having nightmares and believes he doesn't deserve this happiness. Miramanee is pregnant. He invents irrigation and a lamp even though they would have had that technology.
Spock refuses to go to sick bay, being busy deciphering the obelisk. McCoy berates Spock and threatens to call security. Spock pretends to rest, then goes back to work. The symbols are both notes and an alphabet. The Preservers seeded "primitive cultures" throughout the galaxy. Their asteroid deflector has become defective. They need to fix it fast.
The asteroid approaches. Kirk tells them to go to the caves, but the locals say the caves aren't safe and he needs to go rouse the temple spirits. He prays fruitlessly. Chaos ensues. The mob stones Kirk and Miramanee. Spock and McCoy beam in, terrifying the locals. They save Kirk, but let Miramanee and her unborn baby die with only palliative care. Spock mind melds with Kirk to bring back his memory. Kirk resists, but it eventually works.
Spock catches Kirk up on the plot. He repeats his original message which accidentally opens the trap door. They try to figure out what Kirk did to screw up the system. Spock sorts it. Zap! Miramanee dies still believing in Kirk. They all bugger off having endangered a planet and contaminated another culture because they like site seeing.
*****
* 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.
* Organizations working for reproductive rights in Texas:
https://minoanmiss.dreamwidth.org/796848.html* Even more Organizations working for reproductive rights in Texas:
https://wendelah1.dreamwidth.org/788132.html* How to help Louisiana:
https://auressea.tumblr.com/post/661189695761530880* "How You Can Help LGBTQ+ Afghans in Crisis:"
https://www.advocate.com/world/2021/8/17/how-you-can-help-lgbtq-afghans-crisis* Hey! Want to propose Washington State geographical features to be renamed? "Committee on Geographic Names:"
https://www.dnr.wa.gov/about/boards-and-councils/board-natural-resources/committee-geographic-names* My oldest continuous friend's next project. "Goblingrief: A D&D 5e Adventure:"
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/482738549/goblingrief-a-dandd-5e-adventure?fbclid=IwAR0jBz9AdmIPSOk4KiCxiykxktX_ePCGTI0iCv9YFcnN2ENmdj5zna3LZnk* Want to help Maxwell frost go to congress?
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/119806* Want to help Val Demings unseat Marco Rubio?
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/117824* Want a say in Washington redistricting? "Draw Your WA | Washington State 2021 Redistricting Commission:"
https://www.redistricting.wa.gov/( Links Underneath: )![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
