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5/15/25 - 5/17/25
May. 17th, 2025 12:40 pm* News keeps moving fast, so some items may be already out of date.
* "Israel expands attacks in Gaza and Yemen as Trump wraps up trip to region:" https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-israel-gaza-hamas-hostages-05-16-2025-fb5e3b08af46a55b6faeead7b8647dc6
* "Israeli bombing wave kills dozens in Gaza including at least 22 children, say reports:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/14/israel-hits-gaza-hospitals-in-deadly-strikes-after-pause-to-allow-release-of-edan-alexander
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* "Russia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire:" https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-turkey-peace-talks-9a75e2069cea6c73d1276a9e53e7d6e5
* "Russia building major new explosives facility as Ukraine war drags on:" https://www.reuters.com/investigations/russia-building-major-new-explosives-facility-ukraine-war-drags-2025-05-08/?
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* "Kurdish PKK ends 40-year Turkey insurgency, bringing hope of regional stability:" https://archive.ph/EaRb3
* "What Would It Take to Rebuild Syria?:" https://thewalrus.ca/what-would-it-take-to-rebuild-syria
* "Romania’s Election Rerun: What’s at Stake as the Far Right Rises:" https://archive.ph/oC8Lf
* "Romania’s Destiny Rides on Trump Follower Versus Math Prodigy:" https://archive.ph/dyqPS
* "Libyan protesters demand prime minister quit as three ministers resign:" https://archive.ph/dI6bW
* "Workers strike in protest against job cuts at Ford Germany:" https://archive.ph/ZTztC
* "Protesters in Budapest demonstrate against 'Transparency Bill' with banner and red paint:" https://www.euronews.com/2025/05/16/protesters-in-budapest-demonstrate-against-transparency-bill-with-banner-and-red-paint
* "NATO mulls US demand for a big increase in defense spending as some struggle to meet today’s goal:" https://apnews.com/article/nato-rubio-trump-russia-ukraine-turkey-5c8b5ac67a05690635cab5e793a5e97d
* "Iran’s Khamenei Brands Trump a Liar in Escalation of Rhetoric:" https://archive.ph/Tfxv0
* "Dems move to block Middle East arms sales over Qatar plane deal:" https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/05/15/congress/dems-block-middle-east-arms-sales-00351865
* "No, You Can't Keep A "Free" Plane:"
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* "‘Hand-me-down’: How Trump got his jet from Qatar:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-hand-me-down-how-trump-got-his-jet-from-qatar-239693381917
* "The Trump Administration Leaned on African Countries. The Goal: Get Business for Elon Musk.:" https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-musk-starlink-state-department-gambia-africa-pressure
* "Walmart says higher prices from tariffs coming as soon as this month:" https://www.npr.org/2025/05/15/nx-s1-5399154/walmart-higher-prices-tariffs
* "U.S. AG Pam Bondi Sold More than $1 Million in Trump Media Stock the Day Trump Announced Sweeping Tariffs:" https://www.propublica.org/article/pam-bondi-trump-media-stock-tariffs
* "Supreme Court halts Trump’s deportations of Venezuelan immigrants under Alien Enemies Act:" https://www.advocate.com/news/supreme-court-stops-deportations
* "Supreme Court leaves Trump disgruntled after rejecting his deportation plans:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-reduced-to-whiny-complaints-on-social-media-after-supreme-court-rejects-his-deportation-plans-239808581906
* "Boo-hoo! A petulant Trump whines about flying on the majestic Air Force One:" https://www.advocate.com/voices/trump-complains-air-force-one
* "D.H.S. Requests 20,000 National Guard Members to Help With Immigration Crackdown:" https://archive.ph/XGvxY
The National Guard dragging people Trump doesn't like out of their houses does not lead anywhere good.
* "Gabbard fires intel officials who oversaw memo contradicting White House claims on Venezuelan gang:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gabbard-fires-intel-officials-oversaw-memo-contradicting-white-house-c-rcna206918
Remember how cherry picking intelligence at the White house's direction contributed to 9/11? I do.
* "Kirsti Noem won’t say if gay asylum-seeker deported to El Salvador’s ‘hellhole’ prison is still alive:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/robert-garcia-andry-hernandez-romero
* "Trump’s DHS considers reality TV show where immigrants fight for citizenship:" https://www.advocate.com/news/trump-immigration-reality-show
* "Protesters demand release of Dalton teen from ICE detention outside Rep. Greene's office:" https://newschannel9.com/news/local/right-thing-to-do-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-approves-of-dalton-students-deportation-ximena-arias-cristobal-immigrations-and-customs-enforcement-ice-whitfield-county-immigration-undocumented
* Know your rights and plan ahead. "Reacting To Hasan Piker's CBP Detention:"
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* "DHS Threatens To Arrest Sitting Members Of Congress:"
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* "The rise of end times fascism:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/13/end-times-fascism-far-right-trump-musk
* We could be spending this money on keeping Social Security offices open. "Trump, US Army birthday bash plans include 25 Abrams tanks:" https://archive.ph/tF0ne
* This is all Dear Leader type stuff. "The huge banner of a glaring Trump in front of the USDA is a literal sign the U.S. has lost its democracy:" https://www.advocate.com/voices/huge-trump-banner-signals-despotism
* "'Most Transparent’ White House In History Keeps Majority Of Trump’s Remarks Secret:" https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-secret-transcripts_n_6824fe20e4b021b5064adc84
* Trump also threatened Springsteen's safety and freedom. "After Bruce Springsteen calls Trump "treasonous," the president responds by criticizing the rock star's skin:" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bruce-springsteen-land-of-hopes-and-dreams-tour-trump-truth-social-post/
* "How Trump unleashed executive power:" https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-TRUMP/EXECUTIVE-ORDERS/gdpznealwpw/
* "Stephen Miller re-emerges as an ‘untouchable’ force in Trump’s White House:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/stephen-miller-untouchable-force-trump-white-house-rcna206180
* Anyone surprised the fraud they were using to dismantle the phone system was imaginary? "DOGE went looking for phone fraud at SSA — and found almost none:" https://www.nextgov.com/digital-government/2025/05/doge-went-looking-phone-fraud-ssa-and-found-almost-none/405346/
* "Disabled workers have faced prejudice. Now they face DOGE firings:" https://apnews.com/article/disabled-federal-workers-layoffs-trump-77528e68350b62e52bab3455f0a87591
* "Pentagon begins mass removal of transgender troops:" https://www.advocate.com/news/trans-troops-purge-medical-records
* "NOAA database for extreme weather disasters cancelled:" https://flowingdata.com/2025/05/13/noaa-database-for-extreme-weather-disasters-cancelled/
* "FEMA 'not ready' for hurricane season, internal review finds:" https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fema-ready-hurricane-season-internal-review-finds/story?id=121837637
* I think we all know why. "Trump Administration Cancels Scores of Grants to Study Online Misinformation:" https://archive.ph/QoBiE
* "RFK Jr. Pledge to Review Abortion Pill Draws Quick Criticism:" https://news.bgov.com/health-law-and-business/rfk-jr-commitment-to-review-abortion-pill-draws-quick-criticism
* A thing on why RFK Jr,'s vaccine placebo studies are unethical: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/783809081015238656/cancer-treatment-studies-rarely-have-placebo?source=share
* "Sen. Sanders presses Secretary Kennedy on cuts to cancer research:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/sen-sanders-presses-secretary-kennedy-on-cuts-to-cancer-research-239647813845
* "Two Supreme Court Justices Invited an All-Out Assault on the Voting Rights Act. Now It’s Here.:" https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/05/supreme-court-justices-neil-gorsuch-clarence-thomas-voting-rights.html
* "Amy Coney Barrett Tears Into Trump Official to Defend Liberal Justice at Supreme Court:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/amy-coney-barrett-tears-into-trump-official-to-defend-liberal-justice-elena-kagan-at-supreme-court/
* "“Incalculable” Damage: How a “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise Left a Trail of Financial Wreckage Across Texas:" https://www.propublica.org/article/homevestors-fraud-charles-carrier-texas
* "Under ‘Crime-Free Housing’ Laws, Families May Be Evicted for Minor Offenses:" https://archive.ph/pdv8I
* "How Part-Time Jobs Became a Trap:" https://archive.ph/OKhcM
* We need to fight the Budget Bill
If this budget passes, people die because they won't be able to afford the copays, especially as Trump economic policies kill jobs and keep causing prices to rise.
They are sacrificing people for the billionaires that bought them.
When you contact your Congress Critter, say what you need to say to keep Republicans split and keep Democratic spines stiff in the House.
* It is working! Every delay helps! The more we can split Republicans, the better!
* "House budget panel rejects GOP megabill amid conservative opposition:" https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/16/house-budget-panel-approves-gop-megabill-for-floor-action-as-leaders-mull-tweaks-00353326
* Stay Noisy! Flood the Republicans with complaints! "GOP infighting sends Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' off the rails:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/-big-brutal-setback-gop-infighting-sends-trump-s-big-beautiful-bill-off-the-rails-239811141510
* RE: SAVE ACT "Do This Today: Call Senators:" https://solarbird.dreamwidth.org/2036106.html
If these are your Senators, please stop what you are doing and call now:
KELLY (AZ)
WARNOCK (GA)
PETERS (MI)
SHAHEEN (NH)
HASSAN (NH)
CORTEZ MASTO (NV)
ROSEN (NV)
* This one is a super dangerous attack on the judiciary's ability to protect citizen's rights. "H.R. 1526: NORRA of 2025:" https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/119/hr1526
* "New Republican House bill bans transgender troops & seeks to strip trans vets of security clearances:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/gop-bill-bans-transgender-military
* Our job for the next two years is to survive, to build grassroots resistance, to do all in our power to slow the republican Christo-fascist agenda, and to prepare for 2026 in case there is still Democracy.
We are trying to build a good list of resistance resources.
Please add more below if you have them.
* "Take action with Indivisible:" https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/
* Trump 2.0 Indivisible Guide. https://indivisible.org/resource/guide
* "Democracy 2025:" https://www.democracy2025.org/?utm_source=df-ad&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=21912407002&utm_content=721373734297&source=df-ad-gs&gad_source=1
* "Resisting Fascism in 2025 and Beyond:" https://www.prideandpagesbookclub.com/resisting-fascism-in-2025-and-beyond
* If you can't safely contact them in person, here are some other options for contacting your Congress Critters:
Five Calls to your critters: https://5calls.org/
Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/
Snail Mail Campaigns: https://conuly.dreamwidth.org/3622760.html
"Congress. gov:" https://www.congress.gov/
White house (Possibly Dangerous): https://www.whitehouse.gov/
ACLU advice for writing to your Critters: https://www.aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives
This tracks legislation: https://www.govtrack.us/
"The Public Comment Process (+ how to write effective public comments):" https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/781844516804149248?source=share
Run for Something: https://runforsomething.net/
"Vote Smart:" https://justfacts.votesmart.org/
Useful organizing links and resources: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/771859083592613888/hater-of-terfs-ive-already-reblogged-a-link-to?source=share
Protests: "50501 Events:" https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events
How to render emergency aid in a riot: https://riotmedicine.net/static/downloads/riot-medicine_a5.pdf
"How to Safely and Ethically Film Police Misconduct:" https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-film-police-safely
"ICE Raids Toolkit: Defend Against ICE Raids and Community Arrests:" https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/raids-toolkit/
Contains a raid tip hotline amoung other things. "Know Your Rights
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY:" https://wearecasa.org/know-your-rights/
* "From trauma to triumph, will NYC Councilman Erik Bottcher become the city's first out gay mayor one day?:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/erik-bottcher-nyc-city-council
* "Texas House moves toward repealing anti-sodomy law:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/texas-advances-sodomy-law-repeal
* "DeSantis signs bill making Florida second state to ban fluoride from its water system:" https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/desantis-signs-bill-making-florida-2nd-state-ban-121846716
* "American Dental Association Objects to Florida Surgeon General’s Stance, Reaffirms Strong Support for Community Water Fluoridation:" https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/american-dental-association-objects-to-florida-surgeon-generals-stance
* "Florida just created a law to ban fluoride in water. What should you do now?:" https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/05/17/florida-just-passed-a-bill-to-ban-fluoride-what-should-you-do-now/
* "Rep. Libby’s rhetoric spoils high school running | Letter:" https://www.pressherald.com/2025/05/14/rep-libbys-rhetoric-spoils-high-school-running-letter/
* "Nevada man used antigay slur in death threats to U.S. senator:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/death-threats-senator-nevada
* "How the MAGA 'manosphere' exploits attention to attract eager, young voters:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/how-the-maga-manosphere-exploits-attention-to-attract-eager-young-voters-239811141612
* "Teen ‘innocent bystander’ fatally shot during a fight near a New York City school:" https://apnews.com/article/girl-killed-stray-bullet-new-york-bronx-2698416723a3afa59705f16513f79a93
* "Judge orders ‘remediation manager’ to oversee Rikers Island jails:" https://gothamist.com/news/judge-orders-remediation-manager-to-oversee-rikers-island-jails
* "What you need to know about the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, & Biphobia (IDAHOBIT):" https://www.advocate.com/news/what-is-idahobit
* "Why June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month:" https://www.advocate.com/news/why-june-lgbtq-pride-month
* "Adolescents of the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study: Sexual Orientation, Sexual Behavior, and Sexual Risk Exposure:" https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210350/
* Sigh. "Pope Leo XIV says marriage is 'between a man and a woman':" https://www.advocate.com/news/pope-leo-heterosexual-marriage
* "MEPs protest Hungary’s Budapest Pride ban:" https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/16/meps-protest-hungarys-budapest-pride-ban
* "NYU withholds degree from gay transgender student over commencement speech:" https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-student-nyu-speech
* "All of the biggest U.S. cities are sinking:" https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112609.htm
* "A century ago, suspended monorails were serious mass-transit contenders:" https://www.popsci.com/technology/suspended-monorails-history/
* "The Day Grok Told Everyone About ‘White Genocide’:" https://archive.ph/05Wqh
* "Four bad AI futures take root:" https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/four-bad-ai-futures-arrived-this
* "Yes, the Lopez v. Apple lawsuit over Siri allegedly snooping on users is real. Here's how to cash in:" https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/lopez-apple-siri-lawsuit/
* "Scientists Have Just Discovered a New Type of Electricity-Conducting Bacteria:" https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-have-just-discovered-a-new-type-of-electricity-conducting-bacteria/
* "A rare New Zealand snail is filmed for the first time laying an egg from its neck:" https://apnews.com/article/zealand-snail-egg-neck-powelliphanta-augusta-3cb8082547a83b8c47848b6621c06cb0?
* "In Order to Unravel the Many Mysteries of Squids, Scientists Dive Into Their Mating Frenzies:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/in-order-to-unravel-the-many-mysteries-of-squids-scientists-dive-into-their-mating-frenzies-180986551/
* "Young bats learn to be discriminating when listening for their next meal:" https://theconversation.com/young-bats-learn-to-be-discriminating-when-listening-for-their-next-meal-253321
* "Scientists once thought only humans could bob to music. Ronan the sea lion helped prove them wrong:" https://apnews.com/article/ronan-dancing-sea-lion-boogie-wonderland-ef575607db2f710fe102e2dd7c994049
* "The surprising evolution of the weirdest animals on Earth, according to a new study:" https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/30/science/platypus-echidna-monotremes-evolution/index.html
* "Antarctica has a huge, completely hidden mountain range. New data reveals its birth over 500 million years ago:" https://theconversation.com/antarctica-has-a-huge-completely-hidden-mountain-range-new-data-reveals-its-birth-over-500-million-years-ago-256231
* "Explore Rome’s Hidden Underworld, Where a City Lurks Beneath a City:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/explore-romes-hidden-underworld-city-beneath-city-180986228/
* "The Cult of Whiteness | How a 17th Century Idea Shaped Modern History:"
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* "The Hell We Raised: How Texas Shaped the Gunfighter Era:" https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/gunfighters-old-west-wilder-bloodier/
* "Marie Curie and Spooky Rays: Crash Course History of Science #31:"
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* "Carved in Memory: How a family heirloom uncovered the life of a man imprisoned in a First World War internment camp.:" https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/carved-in-memory
* "100 Years Ago: The Man Who Singlehandedly Stopped Thousands of Illegal Deportations:" https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2025/05/100-years-ago-the-man-who-singlehandedly-stopped-thousands-of-illegal-deportations/
* "Amaze Yourself With the Unbelievable Story of Bessie Coleman, the Black Aviator Who Wowed the Nation With Her High-Flying Achievements:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/amaze-yourself-unbelievable-story-bessie-coleman-black-aviator-wowed-nation-high-flying-achievements-180986564/
* "The Art Spy who Stopped Hitler from Emptying the Louvre:" https://www.messynessychic.com/2025/05/14/the-artful-spy-who-stopped-hitler-from-emptying-the-louvre/
* "The Daring Polish Resistance Fighter Who Volunteered to Be Sent to Auschwitz So He Could Sabotage the Nazi Death Camp From the Inside:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-daring-polish-resistance-fighter-who-volunteered-to-be-sent-to-auschwitz-so-he-could-sabotage-the-nazi-death-camp-from-the-inside-180986559/
* "‘A Priceless Inheritance’: Preserving Memories of Black Life in Memphis:" https://archive.ph/W0q1Q
* "Veteran Crushes Tesla in Protest:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CKnQo5ZyFqA
* "Captivating Classics:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BQPj-DSaZ_U
* "Ruinous Rome:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0YMZBCsC9WE
* "Sizzling Senate Houses:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uORP0eOj7Vc
* "Pernicious Plantagenets:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JSHSEjKsznw
* "Rowdy Robert the Bruce:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KLFouMTMhOc
* "Devilish Dinners:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JlOrGs_1y7Y
* "Terrifying Townton:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HmGMOhDMryY
* "Triumphant Tudors:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I1JK-_XUijE
* "Sulking Samurai:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/woxDfQtNCmE
* "Gilded Fish: Illustrations from Histoire naturelle des dorades de la Chine (1780) :" https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/chinese-fishes/
* "Sam Stone - Call ACab (Lyrics):"
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* "1953 Lavender Marriage Song:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/En3pf6qGyO8
* I am watching Murderbot with a friend.
We both found them putting Murderbot's bare face in the promotional stuff disturbing. Sec Unit would hate that and really in the books one lives inside Murderbot's head. It's just really jarring to be looking at it like that.
I have thought about it while watching the episodes. I think I would prefer if during the bits where the humans make it retract the helmet, all shots were either Murderbot POV of the other person or via the cameras/drones, whatever, so it's Murderbot's view of Murderbots via the remotes.
I know they'd never have done it that way as Skarsgard is expensive, so odds are they want his face on screen as much as they can justify.
I just, idk. I am so used to thinking of murderbot as genderless and from the inside. Having such a famous face embodying this character is super distracting.
(I have nothing against Mr. Skarsgard. He's beeen great in everything I've seen him in previously and he has a lot of range and a sense of humor about himself. It's not that I think he's doing anything wrong acting wise here, I just think having someone so famous doing this makes sense financially, but not artistically).
I think the rest of the casting is excellent and the characterizations seems good so far. I have some other concerns, but I'm happy with it over all. It's just a bit disorienting.
*****
* 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.
* "United States Disappeared Tracker:" https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/danielleharlow/viz/UnitedStatesDisappearedTracker/Map
* "Nationwide Economic Blackout: Boycott Dates for Target, Amazon, Others:" https://www.newsweek.com/nationwide-economic-blackout-boycott-dates-target-amazon-others-2037986
* "Introducing Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network:" https://aflcio.org/2025/4/16/introducing-rise-federal-workers-legal-defense-network
( More Links Underneath: )
* "Israel expands attacks in Gaza and Yemen as Trump wraps up trip to region:" https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-israel-gaza-hamas-hostages-05-16-2025-fb5e3b08af46a55b6faeead7b8647dc6
* "Israeli bombing wave kills dozens in Gaza including at least 22 children, say reports:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/14/israel-hits-gaza-hospitals-in-deadly-strikes-after-pause-to-allow-release-of-edan-alexander
******
* "Russia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire:" https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-turkey-peace-talks-9a75e2069cea6c73d1276a9e53e7d6e5
* "Russia building major new explosives facility as Ukraine war drags on:" https://www.reuters.com/investigations/russia-building-major-new-explosives-facility-ukraine-war-drags-2025-05-08/?
******
* "Kurdish PKK ends 40-year Turkey insurgency, bringing hope of regional stability:" https://archive.ph/EaRb3
* "What Would It Take to Rebuild Syria?:" https://thewalrus.ca/what-would-it-take-to-rebuild-syria
* "Romania’s Election Rerun: What’s at Stake as the Far Right Rises:" https://archive.ph/oC8Lf
* "Romania’s Destiny Rides on Trump Follower Versus Math Prodigy:" https://archive.ph/dyqPS
* "Libyan protesters demand prime minister quit as three ministers resign:" https://archive.ph/dI6bW
* "Workers strike in protest against job cuts at Ford Germany:" https://archive.ph/ZTztC
* "Protesters in Budapest demonstrate against 'Transparency Bill' with banner and red paint:" https://www.euronews.com/2025/05/16/protesters-in-budapest-demonstrate-against-transparency-bill-with-banner-and-red-paint
* "NATO mulls US demand for a big increase in defense spending as some struggle to meet today’s goal:" https://apnews.com/article/nato-rubio-trump-russia-ukraine-turkey-5c8b5ac67a05690635cab5e793a5e97d
* "Iran’s Khamenei Brands Trump a Liar in Escalation of Rhetoric:" https://archive.ph/Tfxv0
* "Dems move to block Middle East arms sales over Qatar plane deal:" https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/05/15/congress/dems-block-middle-east-arms-sales-00351865
* "No, You Can't Keep A "Free" Plane:"
( Embed: )
* "‘Hand-me-down’: How Trump got his jet from Qatar:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-hand-me-down-how-trump-got-his-jet-from-qatar-239693381917
* "The Trump Administration Leaned on African Countries. The Goal: Get Business for Elon Musk.:" https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-musk-starlink-state-department-gambia-africa-pressure
* "Walmart says higher prices from tariffs coming as soon as this month:" https://www.npr.org/2025/05/15/nx-s1-5399154/walmart-higher-prices-tariffs
* "U.S. AG Pam Bondi Sold More than $1 Million in Trump Media Stock the Day Trump Announced Sweeping Tariffs:" https://www.propublica.org/article/pam-bondi-trump-media-stock-tariffs
* "Supreme Court halts Trump’s deportations of Venezuelan immigrants under Alien Enemies Act:" https://www.advocate.com/news/supreme-court-stops-deportations
* "Supreme Court leaves Trump disgruntled after rejecting his deportation plans:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-reduced-to-whiny-complaints-on-social-media-after-supreme-court-rejects-his-deportation-plans-239808581906
* "Boo-hoo! A petulant Trump whines about flying on the majestic Air Force One:" https://www.advocate.com/voices/trump-complains-air-force-one
* "D.H.S. Requests 20,000 National Guard Members to Help With Immigration Crackdown:" https://archive.ph/XGvxY
The National Guard dragging people Trump doesn't like out of their houses does not lead anywhere good.
* "Gabbard fires intel officials who oversaw memo contradicting White House claims on Venezuelan gang:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gabbard-fires-intel-officials-oversaw-memo-contradicting-white-house-c-rcna206918
Remember how cherry picking intelligence at the White house's direction contributed to 9/11? I do.
* "Kirsti Noem won’t say if gay asylum-seeker deported to El Salvador’s ‘hellhole’ prison is still alive:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/robert-garcia-andry-hernandez-romero
* "Trump’s DHS considers reality TV show where immigrants fight for citizenship:" https://www.advocate.com/news/trump-immigration-reality-show
* "Protesters demand release of Dalton teen from ICE detention outside Rep. Greene's office:" https://newschannel9.com/news/local/right-thing-to-do-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-approves-of-dalton-students-deportation-ximena-arias-cristobal-immigrations-and-customs-enforcement-ice-whitfield-county-immigration-undocumented
* Know your rights and plan ahead. "Reacting To Hasan Piker's CBP Detention:"
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* "DHS Threatens To Arrest Sitting Members Of Congress:"
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* "The rise of end times fascism:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/13/end-times-fascism-far-right-trump-musk
* We could be spending this money on keeping Social Security offices open. "Trump, US Army birthday bash plans include 25 Abrams tanks:" https://archive.ph/tF0ne
* This is all Dear Leader type stuff. "The huge banner of a glaring Trump in front of the USDA is a literal sign the U.S. has lost its democracy:" https://www.advocate.com/voices/huge-trump-banner-signals-despotism
* "'Most Transparent’ White House In History Keeps Majority Of Trump’s Remarks Secret:" https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-secret-transcripts_n_6824fe20e4b021b5064adc84
* Trump also threatened Springsteen's safety and freedom. "After Bruce Springsteen calls Trump "treasonous," the president responds by criticizing the rock star's skin:" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bruce-springsteen-land-of-hopes-and-dreams-tour-trump-truth-social-post/
* "How Trump unleashed executive power:" https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-TRUMP/EXECUTIVE-ORDERS/gdpznealwpw/
* "Stephen Miller re-emerges as an ‘untouchable’ force in Trump’s White House:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/stephen-miller-untouchable-force-trump-white-house-rcna206180
* Anyone surprised the fraud they were using to dismantle the phone system was imaginary? "DOGE went looking for phone fraud at SSA — and found almost none:" https://www.nextgov.com/digital-government/2025/05/doge-went-looking-phone-fraud-ssa-and-found-almost-none/405346/
* "Disabled workers have faced prejudice. Now they face DOGE firings:" https://apnews.com/article/disabled-federal-workers-layoffs-trump-77528e68350b62e52bab3455f0a87591
* "Pentagon begins mass removal of transgender troops:" https://www.advocate.com/news/trans-troops-purge-medical-records
* "NOAA database for extreme weather disasters cancelled:" https://flowingdata.com/2025/05/13/noaa-database-for-extreme-weather-disasters-cancelled/
* "FEMA 'not ready' for hurricane season, internal review finds:" https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fema-ready-hurricane-season-internal-review-finds/story?id=121837637
* I think we all know why. "Trump Administration Cancels Scores of Grants to Study Online Misinformation:" https://archive.ph/QoBiE
* "RFK Jr. Pledge to Review Abortion Pill Draws Quick Criticism:" https://news.bgov.com/health-law-and-business/rfk-jr-commitment-to-review-abortion-pill-draws-quick-criticism
* A thing on why RFK Jr,'s vaccine placebo studies are unethical: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/783809081015238656/cancer-treatment-studies-rarely-have-placebo?source=share
* "Sen. Sanders presses Secretary Kennedy on cuts to cancer research:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/sen-sanders-presses-secretary-kennedy-on-cuts-to-cancer-research-239647813845
* "Two Supreme Court Justices Invited an All-Out Assault on the Voting Rights Act. Now It’s Here.:" https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/05/supreme-court-justices-neil-gorsuch-clarence-thomas-voting-rights.html
* "Amy Coney Barrett Tears Into Trump Official to Defend Liberal Justice at Supreme Court:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/amy-coney-barrett-tears-into-trump-official-to-defend-liberal-justice-elena-kagan-at-supreme-court/
* "“Incalculable” Damage: How a “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise Left a Trail of Financial Wreckage Across Texas:" https://www.propublica.org/article/homevestors-fraud-charles-carrier-texas
* "Under ‘Crime-Free Housing’ Laws, Families May Be Evicted for Minor Offenses:" https://archive.ph/pdv8I
* "How Part-Time Jobs Became a Trap:" https://archive.ph/OKhcM
* We need to fight the Budget Bill
If this budget passes, people die because they won't be able to afford the copays, especially as Trump economic policies kill jobs and keep causing prices to rise.
They are sacrificing people for the billionaires that bought them.
When you contact your Congress Critter, say what you need to say to keep Republicans split and keep Democratic spines stiff in the House.
* It is working! Every delay helps! The more we can split Republicans, the better!
* "House budget panel rejects GOP megabill amid conservative opposition:" https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/16/house-budget-panel-approves-gop-megabill-for-floor-action-as-leaders-mull-tweaks-00353326
* Stay Noisy! Flood the Republicans with complaints! "GOP infighting sends Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' off the rails:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/-big-brutal-setback-gop-infighting-sends-trump-s-big-beautiful-bill-off-the-rails-239811141510
* RE: SAVE ACT "Do This Today: Call Senators:" https://solarbird.dreamwidth.org/2036106.html
If these are your Senators, please stop what you are doing and call now:
KELLY (AZ)
WARNOCK (GA)
PETERS (MI)
SHAHEEN (NH)
HASSAN (NH)
CORTEZ MASTO (NV)
ROSEN (NV)
* This one is a super dangerous attack on the judiciary's ability to protect citizen's rights. "H.R. 1526: NORRA of 2025:" https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/119/hr1526
* "New Republican House bill bans transgender troops & seeks to strip trans vets of security clearances:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/gop-bill-bans-transgender-military
* Our job for the next two years is to survive, to build grassroots resistance, to do all in our power to slow the republican Christo-fascist agenda, and to prepare for 2026 in case there is still Democracy.
We are trying to build a good list of resistance resources.
Please add more below if you have them.
* "Take action with Indivisible:" https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/
* Trump 2.0 Indivisible Guide. https://indivisible.org/resource/guide
* "Democracy 2025:" https://www.democracy2025.org/?utm_source=df-ad&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=21912407002&utm_content=721373734297&source=df-ad-gs&gad_source=1
* "Resisting Fascism in 2025 and Beyond:" https://www.prideandpagesbookclub.com/resisting-fascism-in-2025-and-beyond
* If you can't safely contact them in person, here are some other options for contacting your Congress Critters:
Five Calls to your critters: https://5calls.org/
Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/
Snail Mail Campaigns: https://conuly.dreamwidth.org/3622760.html
"Congress. gov:" https://www.congress.gov/
White house (Possibly Dangerous): https://www.whitehouse.gov/
ACLU advice for writing to your Critters: https://www.aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives
This tracks legislation: https://www.govtrack.us/
"The Public Comment Process (+ how to write effective public comments):" https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/781844516804149248?source=share
Run for Something: https://runforsomething.net/
"Vote Smart:" https://justfacts.votesmart.org/
Useful organizing links and resources: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/771859083592613888/hater-of-terfs-ive-already-reblogged-a-link-to?source=share
Protests: "50501 Events:" https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events
How to render emergency aid in a riot: https://riotmedicine.net/static/downloads/riot-medicine_a5.pdf
"How to Safely and Ethically Film Police Misconduct:" https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-film-police-safely
"ICE Raids Toolkit: Defend Against ICE Raids and Community Arrests:" https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/raids-toolkit/
Contains a raid tip hotline amoung other things. "Know Your Rights
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY:" https://wearecasa.org/know-your-rights/
* "From trauma to triumph, will NYC Councilman Erik Bottcher become the city's first out gay mayor one day?:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/erik-bottcher-nyc-city-council
* "Texas House moves toward repealing anti-sodomy law:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/texas-advances-sodomy-law-repeal
* "DeSantis signs bill making Florida second state to ban fluoride from its water system:" https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/desantis-signs-bill-making-florida-2nd-state-ban-121846716
* "American Dental Association Objects to Florida Surgeon General’s Stance, Reaffirms Strong Support for Community Water Fluoridation:" https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/american-dental-association-objects-to-florida-surgeon-generals-stance
* "Florida just created a law to ban fluoride in water. What should you do now?:" https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/05/17/florida-just-passed-a-bill-to-ban-fluoride-what-should-you-do-now/
* "Rep. Libby’s rhetoric spoils high school running | Letter:" https://www.pressherald.com/2025/05/14/rep-libbys-rhetoric-spoils-high-school-running-letter/
* "Nevada man used antigay slur in death threats to U.S. senator:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/death-threats-senator-nevada
* "How the MAGA 'manosphere' exploits attention to attract eager, young voters:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/how-the-maga-manosphere-exploits-attention-to-attract-eager-young-voters-239811141612
* "Teen ‘innocent bystander’ fatally shot during a fight near a New York City school:" https://apnews.com/article/girl-killed-stray-bullet-new-york-bronx-2698416723a3afa59705f16513f79a93
* "Judge orders ‘remediation manager’ to oversee Rikers Island jails:" https://gothamist.com/news/judge-orders-remediation-manager-to-oversee-rikers-island-jails
* "What you need to know about the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, & Biphobia (IDAHOBIT):" https://www.advocate.com/news/what-is-idahobit
* "Why June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month:" https://www.advocate.com/news/why-june-lgbtq-pride-month
* "Adolescents of the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study: Sexual Orientation, Sexual Behavior, and Sexual Risk Exposure:" https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210350/
* Sigh. "Pope Leo XIV says marriage is 'between a man and a woman':" https://www.advocate.com/news/pope-leo-heterosexual-marriage
* "MEPs protest Hungary’s Budapest Pride ban:" https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/16/meps-protest-hungarys-budapest-pride-ban
* "NYU withholds degree from gay transgender student over commencement speech:" https://www.advocate.com/news/transgender-student-nyu-speech
* "All of the biggest U.S. cities are sinking:" https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112609.htm
* "A century ago, suspended monorails were serious mass-transit contenders:" https://www.popsci.com/technology/suspended-monorails-history/
* "The Day Grok Told Everyone About ‘White Genocide’:" https://archive.ph/05Wqh
* "Four bad AI futures take root:" https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/four-bad-ai-futures-arrived-this
* "Yes, the Lopez v. Apple lawsuit over Siri allegedly snooping on users is real. Here's how to cash in:" https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/lopez-apple-siri-lawsuit/
* "Scientists Have Just Discovered a New Type of Electricity-Conducting Bacteria:" https://www.wired.com/story/scientists-have-just-discovered-a-new-type-of-electricity-conducting-bacteria/
* "A rare New Zealand snail is filmed for the first time laying an egg from its neck:" https://apnews.com/article/zealand-snail-egg-neck-powelliphanta-augusta-3cb8082547a83b8c47848b6621c06cb0?
* "In Order to Unravel the Many Mysteries of Squids, Scientists Dive Into Their Mating Frenzies:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/in-order-to-unravel-the-many-mysteries-of-squids-scientists-dive-into-their-mating-frenzies-180986551/
* "Young bats learn to be discriminating when listening for their next meal:" https://theconversation.com/young-bats-learn-to-be-discriminating-when-listening-for-their-next-meal-253321
* "Scientists once thought only humans could bob to music. Ronan the sea lion helped prove them wrong:" https://apnews.com/article/ronan-dancing-sea-lion-boogie-wonderland-ef575607db2f710fe102e2dd7c994049
* "The surprising evolution of the weirdest animals on Earth, according to a new study:" https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/30/science/platypus-echidna-monotremes-evolution/index.html
* "Antarctica has a huge, completely hidden mountain range. New data reveals its birth over 500 million years ago:" https://theconversation.com/antarctica-has-a-huge-completely-hidden-mountain-range-new-data-reveals-its-birth-over-500-million-years-ago-256231
* "Explore Rome’s Hidden Underworld, Where a City Lurks Beneath a City:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/explore-romes-hidden-underworld-city-beneath-city-180986228/
* "The Cult of Whiteness | How a 17th Century Idea Shaped Modern History:"
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* "The Hell We Raised: How Texas Shaped the Gunfighter Era:" https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/gunfighters-old-west-wilder-bloodier/
* "Marie Curie and Spooky Rays: Crash Course History of Science #31:"
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* "Carved in Memory: How a family heirloom uncovered the life of a man imprisoned in a First World War internment camp.:" https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/carved-in-memory
* "100 Years Ago: The Man Who Singlehandedly Stopped Thousands of Illegal Deportations:" https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2025/05/100-years-ago-the-man-who-singlehandedly-stopped-thousands-of-illegal-deportations/
* "Amaze Yourself With the Unbelievable Story of Bessie Coleman, the Black Aviator Who Wowed the Nation With Her High-Flying Achievements:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/amaze-yourself-unbelievable-story-bessie-coleman-black-aviator-wowed-nation-high-flying-achievements-180986564/
* "The Art Spy who Stopped Hitler from Emptying the Louvre:" https://www.messynessychic.com/2025/05/14/the-artful-spy-who-stopped-hitler-from-emptying-the-louvre/
* "The Daring Polish Resistance Fighter Who Volunteered to Be Sent to Auschwitz So He Could Sabotage the Nazi Death Camp From the Inside:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-daring-polish-resistance-fighter-who-volunteered-to-be-sent-to-auschwitz-so-he-could-sabotage-the-nazi-death-camp-from-the-inside-180986559/
* "‘A Priceless Inheritance’: Preserving Memories of Black Life in Memphis:" https://archive.ph/W0q1Q
* "Veteran Crushes Tesla in Protest:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CKnQo5ZyFqA
* "Captivating Classics:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BQPj-DSaZ_U
* "Ruinous Rome:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0YMZBCsC9WE
* "Sizzling Senate Houses:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uORP0eOj7Vc
* "Pernicious Plantagenets:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JSHSEjKsznw
* "Rowdy Robert the Bruce:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KLFouMTMhOc
* "Devilish Dinners:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JlOrGs_1y7Y
* "Terrifying Townton:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HmGMOhDMryY
* "Triumphant Tudors:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/I1JK-_XUijE
* "Sulking Samurai:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/woxDfQtNCmE
* "Gilded Fish: Illustrations from Histoire naturelle des dorades de la Chine (1780) :" https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/chinese-fishes/
* "Sam Stone - Call ACab (Lyrics):"
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* "1953 Lavender Marriage Song:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/En3pf6qGyO8
* I am watching Murderbot with a friend.
We both found them putting Murderbot's bare face in the promotional stuff disturbing. Sec Unit would hate that and really in the books one lives inside Murderbot's head. It's just really jarring to be looking at it like that.
I have thought about it while watching the episodes. I think I would prefer if during the bits where the humans make it retract the helmet, all shots were either Murderbot POV of the other person or via the cameras/drones, whatever, so it's Murderbot's view of Murderbots via the remotes.
I know they'd never have done it that way as Skarsgard is expensive, so odds are they want his face on screen as much as they can justify.
I just, idk. I am so used to thinking of murderbot as genderless and from the inside. Having such a famous face embodying this character is super distracting.
(I have nothing against Mr. Skarsgard. He's beeen great in everything I've seen him in previously and he has a lot of range and a sense of humor about himself. It's not that I think he's doing anything wrong acting wise here, I just think having someone so famous doing this makes sense financially, but not artistically).
I think the rest of the casting is excellent and the characterizations seems good so far. I have some other concerns, but I'm happy with it over all. It's just a bit disorienting.
*****
* 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.
* "United States Disappeared Tracker:" https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/danielleharlow/viz/UnitedStatesDisappearedTracker/Map
* "Nationwide Economic Blackout: Boycott Dates for Target, Amazon, Others:" https://www.newsweek.com/nationwide-economic-blackout-boycott-dates-target-amazon-others-2037986
* "Introducing Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network:" https://aflcio.org/2025/4/16/introducing-rise-federal-workers-legal-defense-network
( More Links Underneath: )
