1/29/24 - 2/1/24
Feb. 1st, 2024 08:43 am* "Photos of life in war: Palestinians flee south in Gaza, Israel mourns dead soldiers:" https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2024/01/29/1225728725/israel-gaza-war-photos
* Verified charities to help Palestinians: https://cleolinda.tumblr.com/post/737312194805612544
******
* "Document spells out allegations against 12 UN employees Israel says participated in Hamas attack:" https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-29-2024-4c49c2fb89c3bfd4963f2260b34943c1
* Sigh. "US says its Israel policy unchanged after report on leveraging weapon sales:" https://www.reuters.com/world/us-says-its-israel-policy-unchanged-after-report-leveraging-weapon-sales-2024-01-28/
* "State Department reviewing options for possible recognition of Palestinian state:" https://www.axios.com/2024/01/31/palestine-statehood-biden-israel-gaza-war
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* "Enemy drone that killed US troops in Jordan was mistaken for a US drone, preliminary report suggests:" https://apnews.com/article/jordan-drone-attack-attack-confusion-f175962e058b9b6f668303faf248d8e6
* "U.S. blames Iran-backed militia for deadly attack, leaving Middle East on edge:" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/u-s-blames-iran-backed-militia-for-deadly-attack-leaving-middle-east-on-edge
* "Hayes on the ‘looming threat’ of a widening Middle East conflict:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/hayes-on-the-looming-threat-of-a-widening-middle-east-conflict-203279941771
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* "‘Kharkiv is their priority’: Deadly Russian attacks hit Ukraine’s northeast:" https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/29/kharkiv-ukraine-intensified-shelling
* "Russian mayor orders quote from ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov on choreography school wall to be replaced by ‘words of a true patriot’:" https://meduza.io/en/news/2024/01/29/russian-mayor-orders-quote-from-ballet-dancer-mikhail-baryshnikov-on-choreography-school-wall-to-be-replaced-by-words-of-a-true-patriot?utm_source=email&utm_medium=briefly&utm_campaign=2024-01-30
* "The right-wing’s latest manufactured outrage? An EU inclusive language toolkit from 2019:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/29/european-union-language-gender/
* "Why has the Maori king of New Zealand called a national meeting?:" https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/19/why-has-the-maori-king-of-new-zealand-called-a-national-meeting
* "China's ageing population threatens switch to new economic growth model:" https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-ageing-population-threatens-switch-new-economic-growth-model-2024-01-18/
* "FBI director warns Chinese hackers aim to 'wreak havoc' on U.S. critical infrastructure:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/fbi-director-warn-chinese-hackers-aim-wreak-havoc-us-critical-infrastr-rcna136524
* "Two LGBTQ+ women may soon be confirmed as lifetime judges: 'It's crucial right now':" https://www.advocate.com/news/federal-judge-lgbtq
* "Lost Highway: The trials of trucking school:" https://harpers.org/archive/2024/02/lost-highway-emily-gogolak/
* "Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady as consumer confidence improves and inflation slows:" https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision-january-2024-increase-decrease-rcna136429
* "Trump slams deal that would give Biden authority to close border:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/27/trump-dunks-on-bipartisan-senate-border-deal-00138210
* ""Chaos Caucus in Action" GOP split over tanking border deal for Trump:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/-chaos-caucus-in-action-gop-split-over-tanking-border-deal-for-trump-203113029829
* "House GOP turns immigration issue into political theater:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/house-gop-turns-immigration-issue-into-political-theater-203382853700
* "Wyden Slams Backroom Scheme to Cut Social Security, Medicare as Bill Clears House Committee:" https://www.finance.senate.gov/chairmans-news/wyden-slams-backroom-scheme-to-cut-social-security-medicare-as-bill-clears-house-committee
* "Can Federal Transit Operations Funding Foster Healthy, Thriving, Sustainable Communities? Yes, Here’s How.:" https://cleantechnica.com/2024/01/19/can-federal-transit-operations-funding-foster-healthy-thriving-sustainable-communities-yes-heres-how/
* This is some more racist bullshit in hopes of distracting people from the fact the Republicans are backing an adjudged sexual predator for president. "House Republicans unveil Mayorkas impeachment articles:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/28/house-republicans-mayorkas-impeachment-articles-00138235
* "Rep. Maxine Waters: Mayorkas impeachment inquiry all comes back to Trump:" https://www.msnbc.com/jonathan-capehart/watch/rep-maxine-waters-mayorkas-impeachment-inquiry-all-comes-back-to-trump-203112005996
* "Gay Democratic reps demand Pentagon resolve cases of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ dishonorable discharges:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/dont-ask-dont-tell-pentagon
* 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/
To get your Critters' numbers to call direct: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
* 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
* We are fucked if the Supreme Court doesn't reverse this decision. "US court will not revisit ruling limiting voting rights lawsuits:" https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-appeals-court-will-not-reconsider-ruling-limiting-voting-rights-laws-scope-2024-01-30/
* "Rep. Nancy Mace's former chief of staff files to run against her in South Carolina:" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-mace-former-chief-of-staff-daniel-hanlon-south-carolina/
* Early voting has already started in a few places.
Democrats: South Carolina votes 2/3/24
Democrats: Nevada votes 2/6/24
Republicans: Nevada votes 2/8/24
Republicans: Virgin Islands votes 2/8/24
Know your state's schedule and where to vote. Make sure you and your friends are registered. If you are voting in person, plan how to get there.
If you live in an open primary state consider voting strategically. Otherwise, vote your heart in the primary. Remember how all those votes for Sanders and Warren pushed Biden and the party platform further left?
Remember to vote in all the races, not just the top of the ticket even if it's in a separate primary. Who runs congress, your state, and your local government really matters. In some states this is a separate primary. Check the rules for your state.
Never, ever sleep on a chance to vote.
Remember, it is always better to vote for someone who will listen to us than to let someone who is actively trying to kill us.
* I forgot to mention I voted the other day. No, not in the Primary. My state is late in the calendar and has a tiny delegate count. No, it was a local special election.
A lot of people ignore special election and local elections, but as I keep saying, a lot of really important things for quality of life happen in local elections.
In this case, it was a pair of really important school funding measures, including one that made sure kids had access to modern computers.
This stuff feels small, but education funding is an important investment in the future.
Wherever you are, if you can legally vote, vote every chance you have.
* "Biden planning post-UAW endorsement trip to Michigan:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/30/biden-uaw-endorsement-trip-michigan-00138594
* "'Booming' Biden economy forces GOP to shift focus to new 'shiny object':" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-booming-biden-economy-forces-gop-to-shift-focus-to-new-shiny-object-203368517740
* "Haley, shy with Trump attacks, reaches for alternative opponents:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/haley-shy-with-trump-attacks-reaches-for-alternative-opponents-203380805772
* "Trump stays on Illinois’ ballot as the election board says it lacks power to remove him over Jan. 6:" https://apnews.com/article/trump-14th-amendment-insurrection-ballot-illinois-8709a8dbf12f845ed30fce22c9bff469
* "Trump Urges States to Send Troops to Texas Border:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/01/trump-abbott-border-send-troops-national-guard-texas/
* "'Extraordinarily destabilizing and dangerous': 10 GOP Governors answer Trump’s call to send troops to border:" https://www.msnbc.com/ayman-mohyeldin/watch/-extraordinarily-destabilizing-and-dangerous-10-gop-governors-answer-trump-s-call-to-defy-biden-and-send-troops-to-border-203102277701
* "Trump calls UAW president a ‘dope’ after union endorses Biden:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/29/trump-uaw-president-dope-biden-00138310
After all, Biden has merely stood with worker's his whole career and fought for union and worker's rights, while Trump has done the massive work of doing a few photo ops and made lies and hollow promises while helping the posses and trying to repeal things workers need.
What a dope for Fain to side with the interest of the people he represents instead of against them, like Republicans generally do.
* "Report: Trump spent $50 million in donor money on legal bills in 2023:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/report-trump-spent-50-million-in-donor-money-on-legal-bills-in-2023-203285061707
* "Trump Allies Pledge ‘Holy War’ Against Taylor Swift:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/donald-trump-more-popular-taylor-swift-maga-biden-1234956829/
* "Right-Wingers Say Super Bowl Is Rigged So Taylor Swift Can Endorse Biden:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/taylor-swift-targeted-conspiracies-chiefs-super-bowl-1234955940/
* "Utah is the latest state to ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus and in government:" https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/utah-is-the-latest-state-to-ban-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-efforts-on-campus-and-in-government/
* This is a fundamental safety issue. "Florida criminalizes changing gender on driver’s licenses in latest attack on LGBTQ+ rights:" https://www.advocate.com/news/florida-criminalizes-changing-gender
* Republicans want you to know that as Pro-life Christians they believe in taking food out of the mouths of children for both the pleasure of it and political gain, just as Jesus would have wanted. "Republican governors in 15 states reject summer food money for kids:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/01/10/republican-governors-summer-lunch-program/
* "Ohio, Michigan Republicans in released audio: 'Endgame' is to ban trans care 'for everyone':" https://www.advocate.com/politics/ohio-republicans-ban-trans-care
* "Michigan’s GOP Chair Drama Takes Another Nasty Turn:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/ousted-michigan-gop-chair-kristina-karamo-now-claims-the-rnc-is-colluding-against-her
* "Arizona GOP boss quits after leaked tape shows him floating a job for Kari Lake to skip Senate race:" https://apnews.com/article/jeff-dewit-resigns-kari-lake-recording-bribe-07319f36b057f804f880a7e07f8d16b1
* "Oklahoma GOP rescinds censure of Sen. Lankford, calls meeting 'illegitimate':" https://okcfox.com/news/local/oklahoma-gop-censures-sen-lankford-for-open-border-deal-collaboration-with-democrats-rep-jacob-rosecrants-border-security-illegal-immigration-anthony-ferate-republican-party-bipartisanship-oath-constitution-ok-politics-chuck-schumer
* "Oregon’s newest Republican lawmaker says LGBTQ+ support is akin to child abuse:" https://www.advocate.com/dwayne-yunker-oregon-lawmaker-gop
* "Judge tosses Disney suit claiming Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis retaliated over 'don't say gay' critique:" https://www.advocate.com/law/disney-desantis-suit-dismissed
* "Nancy Mace said she wanted to 'get punched in the face' by rioters on January 6 for attention:" https://www.businessinsider.com/nancy-mace-wanted-to-get-punched-in-the-face-by-a-rioter-on-january-6-2024-1
* "Trumps Throw Tantrum Over Court Monitor’s Financial Bombshell:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-throw-tantrum-over-court-monitors-financial-bombshell
* "Bad timing for Trump as court-appointed monitor flags accounting of tens of millions of dollars:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/bad-timing-for-trump-as-court-appointed-monitor-flags-accounting-of-tens-of-millions-of-dollars-203297349831
* CW: Rape "E. Jean Carroll says she plans to use $83 million on 'something Donald Trump hates':" https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/jean-carroll-plans-83-million-donald-trump-hates/story?id=106751516
* CW: Rape "Don't fear Donald Trump, say the women who won an $83 million damages award:"
https://www.advocate.com/news/jean-carroll-trump-is-nothing
* CW: Rape "Why E. Jean Carroll's legal defeat of Donald Trump matters :" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/why-e-jean-carroll-s-legal-defeat-of-donald-trump-matters-203201605654
* "‘We beat Donald Trump’: E. Jean Carroll and lawyers on Trump's fallibility:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-we-beat-donald-trump-e-jean-carroll-and-lawyers-on-trump-s-fallibility-203205701999
* "Criminal prosecution of Trump in Georgia bogs down with attacks on Willis:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/criminal-prosecution-of-trump-in-georgia-bogs-down-with-attacks-on-willis-203382853919
* "Meet the woman who secretly taped Trump saying, ‘I need 11,000 votes’:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/meet-the-woman-who-secretly-taped-trump-saying-i-need-11-000-votes-203286085898
* "Arson at Georgia gender-affirming care clinic investigated as hate crime:" https://www.advocate.com/news/gender-care-clinic-arson-georgia
* "Some supporters of a far-right convoy headed to the Texas border are calling for civil war:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/supporters-far-right-convoy-headed-texas-border-are-calling-civil-war-rcna136058
* "An Idealistic Cop, a Forbidden Ticket and a Police Career on the Brink:" https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/nyregion/mathew-bianchi-nypd-traffic-tickets.html
* "Pennsylvania man rants about ‘LGBTQ+, woke-left mob’ in YouTube video with his father’s severed head: report:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/pennsylvania-beheading-youtube-rant
* "Charlie Kirk's 'Black Pilot' Remark Sparks Fury:" https://www.newsweek.com/charlie-kirk-black-pilots-racism-accusations-1863546
* "Florida LGBTQ+ advocates slam ban on sociology, DEI at state’s universities:" https://www.advocate.com/news/dei-florida-lgbtq-advocates
* "Experts say that gender-affirming care bans amount to 'abuse.' Why won't lawmakers listen?:" https://www.advocate.com/gender-affirming-care-bans-abuse
* "Trans patient makes hundreds of paper stars to represent others receiving gender-affirming care in hospital:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/01/paper-stars-trans-patient/
* "Health workers call to make morning-after pill available ‘for everyone’ in shops and petrol stations:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/31/morning-after-pill-supermarket/
* "Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act must be stopped. Now.:" https://www.advocate.com/voices/uganda-anti-homosexuality-law-voices
* "Germany’s transgender community confronts surge in far-right disinformation:" https://www.advocate.com/news/german-transgender-law-disinformation
* "Doctor blames man's chronic back pain on gay sex, couple says:" https://www.advocate.com/news/doctor-blames-pain-gay-sex
* "Seattle gay bars raided over ‘lewd conduct violations’:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/30/seattle-gay-bars-raided-lewd-conduct/
"SAW director Madison Zack-Wu told Capitol Hill Seattle: “These regulations that are so paternalistic, that control people’s bodies and sexualities, pretty much only affect marginalised communities and non-conforming people."
* CW: Harassment. "New York pizzeria to pay $25,000 to settle harassment suit by transgender cook:" https://www.advocate.com/law/trans-cook-settles-pizzeria
* "Are transgender athletes allowed in the Olympics? The truth behind the myths:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/29/are-transgender-athletes-allowed-in-the-olympics-the-truth-behind-the-myths/
* "Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas files lawsuit against World Aquatics:" https://www.advocate.com/sports/lia-thomas-sues-world-aquatics
* "Amber Glenn becomes the first out queer woman to win the US Figure Skating Championship:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/29/amber-glenn-figure-skating/
* "Transgender women have a higher risk of HIV infections. A new CDC report reveals why:" https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-women-hiv-infections-discrimination
* I can't donate, but if you can, consider doing it. "Red Cross declares an emergency blood shortage, as number of donors hits 20-year low:" https://www.npr.org/2024/01/09/1223734878/red-cross-blood-shortage-national-blood-donor-month
* "Drinking black tea linked to longevity:" https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/drinking-black-tea-linked-to-longevity#:~:text=A%20large%20study%20published%20online,associated%20with%20a%20longer%20life.
* "Girls, ages 13 and 14, save tourists from riptide in Barbados:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2024/01/17/teens-save-tourists-riptide-barbados/
* "Elon Musk says he's 'Jewish by association' after Auschwitz visit, sees 'almost no antisemitism':" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elon-musk-says-jewish-association-auschwitz-visit-sees-almost-no-antis-rcna135271
* "LGBTQ+ people have been arrested through social media. Meta must protect them, says human rights groups:" https://www.advocate.com/news/meta-lgbtq-digital-targeting-hrw
* "Stunned devs left scrambling for livelihoods in wake of yesterday's layoff bloodbath: 'In the end the contributions didn't matter':" https://www.pcgamer.com/stunned-devs-left-scrambling-for-livelihoods-in-wake-of-yesterdays-layoff-bloodbath-in-the-end-the-contributions-didnt-matter/
* "‘Serious Sketchball’: How a Crypto Pastor Scammed His Flock:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/colorado-crypto-pastor-was-always-a-serious-sketchball-acquaintances-say#:~:text=This%20month%2C%20Colorado's%20Securities%20Commissioner,misappropriated%20for%20their%20personal%20benefit.
* "Japan becomes the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon:" https://apnews.com/article/japan-moon-landing-jaxa-probe-slim-845d4868636df5ced2e1818c588f29a4
* "In World First, Horned Oryx Upgraded from Extinct in Wild to Endangered Owing to Decades of Zoo Work:" https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/in-world-first-scimitar-horned-oryx-upgraded-from-extinct-in-wild-to-endangered-owing-to-decades-of-zoo-work/
* "Alligators get more intimidating after study reveals they have an amazing ability:" https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article284329364.html
* "‘Incredible.’ Mangled shark off Florida took just months to repair fin, study says:" https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article283553633.html
* "Grizzly Bears Are Mostly Vegan: But humans made them more carnivorous.:" https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2024/01/grizzly-bear-california-carnivore-meat-eating/677070/
* "Billions of cicadas will emerge in the US this year in a rare double-brood event:" https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/national-international/billions-of-cicadas-will-emerge-in-the-us-this-year-in-a-rare-double-brood-event/3317523/
* "Megalodon didn't look like a 50-foot great white shark, controversial study claims:" https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/controversial-study-claims-megalodon-didnt-look-like-a-50-foot-giant-great-white-shark
* "Broadway legend Chita Rivera dies aged 91:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/30/chita-rivera-movies-and-tv-shows/
* "Pioneering LGBTQ+ activist Ann Maguire has died at 80:" https://www.advocate.com/obituaries/pioneering-activist-ann-maguire-obituary
* Tuesday torture appointment was terrible, but not quite as bad as Thursday. Apparently the Medicare Advantage covered para-transit is also a lie as I discovered when I got picked up. Luckily I had a dollar left. so now I need to call around again to various social services that claimed it was a thing and find out WTF.
Being disabled is exhausting.
In other news, I'd forgotten our little storage closet is upstairs. Next to the elevator. The one that filled entirely with water and they had to pump out that still isn't safe to use.
So after physio I hobbled upstairs to check. There is zero chance of me pulling everything or much of anything out by myself, let alone carrying it all downstairs without an elevator. There is no one to help. Still I had to check in case I needed to try to work something out immediately. Asshole Agency Maybe? Idk.
The carpet just inside the closet was dry as were the boxes in front. There is no telling what's going on in the back. We'll still need to pull it all out and move it when they do damage inspections, but I have a little more time. Maybe the elevator will be fixed by then and we can use a dolly? Where to store it idk.
It was encouraging that the cleared and damaged ones were all closer to the waterfall, and the damage didn't look that bad. I am hoping that the closets on the other side of the elevator shaft were spared or partially spared by the water pouring down the shaft.
I think it's mostly paper records in the back in case of need, the ones that are oldest need recycling anyway as you only need to keep the seven years. I am hoping the missing photo album is further front. If the tax stuff sucked up any water it is not a loss. If it's old letter and the like, it's irreplaceable.
We are incredibly lucky. Most of the upper floors of two buildings have mostly been without electricity. some without water. People lost everything and have been living out of hotels. Dire damage happened in the apartments next door; We had a slow drip in the laundry closet that stopped on it's own.
It is apparently much worse in the other building.
Seriously, every time I look up at the darkened upper windows I think of how catastrophic this has been for so many people.
* "Meanwhile… How To Pronounce “Kelce” | Highway Horse | MTA’s $700k Fare Hack:"
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* "Trump Is Big Mad At Nikki Haley | White House Pharmacy Scandal | Many Loose Bolts Found On Planes:"
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* "Sound of Science: Skinny Sharks | Why Dogs Wag Their Tails | Blame Gen Z For The Blood Shortage:"
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* "Taylor Swift Inspires Super Bowl Conspiracies | Trump Ordered To Pay $83M | Biden Blasts Snickers:"
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* "GOP Backs Out Of Border Deal | Abbott’s Texas Rebellion Moves U.S. Towards Civil War:"
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* "MAGA’s Holy War On Taylor Swift | Elmo Taps America’s Angst | God’s Army Convoy Limps Toward Texas:"
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* "The Late Show’s I’s On Edjukashun: Furries Rumor Debunked | Florida’s Ban On Pride Flags:"
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* "The Late Show Presents: “The Twilight Zone: Just The Twists”:"
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* "Alaska Airlines Updates Its Fleet:"
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* "New From Hasbro: Trauma Me Elmo:"
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*****
* 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.
* People have been asking for ways to help trans people in West Virginia, given the scary shit going on there. So far this organization is suggested. I'm keeping an eye out for more ways to help. If you have suggestions, please let me know. "Fairness West Virginia:" https://fairnesswv.org/donate/
* To track more general LGBTQIA+ Legislation: https://www.lgbtmap.org/
* An organization for the parents of trans youths: https://transparentusa.org/
* "2024 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From!:" https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/2024-trans-girl-scouts-to-order-cookies
* "Tell your Representative to Support Rep Tlaib's Resolution for a New Streaming Royalty:" https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-representative-to-support-the-resolution-for-a-new-streaming-royalty/
* "World Central Kitchen:" https://wck.org/
* Verified charities to help Palestinians: https://cleolinda.tumblr.com/post/737312194805612544
* "Palestine Children’s Relief Fund:" https://pcrf1.app.neoncrm.com/forms/gaza-recovery
( Links Underneath: )