Nec Hoc Nec Ilud

* "Thousands of detained Uyghurs pictured in leaked Xinjiang police files:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/24/thousands-of-detained-uyghurs-pictured-in-leaked-xinjiang-police-files

* "Escaping the Taliban: The Last Way Out of Afghanistan:" https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/escaping-the-taliban-the-last-way-out-of-afghanistan-a-d1f4132a-bfe0-4417-8b47-69227910dca0

* CW: Suicide. "Girl tried to kill herself after strip-search by Met officers, mother says:" https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/may/24/girl-tried-to-kill-herself-after-strip-search-by-met-officers-mother-says

They strip searched an innocent underage autistic girl, cutting off her underwear while she was on her period for the pleasure of watching adult male officers.

I don’t understand why this isn’t being prosecuted as sexual assault, but here we are.

* "Germany: Fake doctor gets life in prison for patient deaths:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/germany-fake-doctor-gets-life-in-prison-for-patient-deaths/2022/05/25/631a1040-dc1c-11ec-bc35-a91d0a94923b_story.html

* "New Australian leader Albanese makes whirlwind world debut:" https://apnews.com/article/biden-tokyo-japan-china-australia-b7c1a81270503250ab60019e29761fe7

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* "Brain fog after Covid: New research says neurological impact could last more than a year:" https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/brain-fog-long-covid-symptoms-can-last-year-study-finds-rcna29834

* "What's ailing long COVID patients? A new federal study looks for clues:" https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/05/24/1100505822/whats-ailing-long-covid-patients-a-new-federal-study-looks-for-clues

* "CDC: New Omicron Subvariant Takes Over as Dominant Coronavirus Strain:" https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2022-05-24/cdc-new-omicron-subvariant-ba-2-12-1-takes-over-as-dominant-coronavirus-strain

* "Scientists identify ‘trigger molecule’ for Covid-related changes to smell:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/25/scientists-identify-trigger-molecule-for-covid-related-changes-to-smell

* "1 Million Deaths, 13 Last Messages:" https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/05/20/opinion/one-million-covid-deaths-texts.html

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* "Along Ukraine’s northern border with Russia, fears of a new invasion:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/05/24/urkaine-russia-border-war-chernihiv/

* "Severodonetsk: Battle for key road as fighting reaches Ukraine city:" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61578156

* "Former lawyer now a sniper on front lines in Eastern Ukraine along with other volunteer fighters:" https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukrainian-nationalists-izyum-1.6463544

* "Too late to evacuate civilians in face of Russian attack, says Luhansk official:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/24/ukraine-too-late-to-evacuate-civilians-in-face-of-russian-attack-says-luhansk-official

* "Ukraine: 200 bodies found in basement in Mariupol's ruins:" https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-0c74a0c16b834732b81e460450da3131

* "Ukraine war: Bodies of 44 civilians found as battle for Izyum rages:" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61396800

* "Alleged Wagner Group fighters accused of murdering civilians in Ukraine:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/25/wagner-group-fighters-accused-murdering-civilians-ukraine-war-crimes-belarus

* "Scars of war seem to be everywhere in Ukraine after 3 months:" https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-moscow-d01152d589a482b52f1072ce9886fbe1

* "The flow of Ukrainian refugees has changed direction in Poland. And so has aid relief:" https://www.npr.org/2022/05/23/1100085358/medyka-ukrain-refugees-border-humanitarian-aid

************************

* New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern:

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* Federal only and an extremely minor reform. "Biden has a new executive order on policing, 2 years after George Floyd was killed:" https://www.npr.org/2022/05/24/1101080553/biden-has-a-new-executive-order-on-policing-2-years-after-george-floyd-was-kille

* "7 Million Bad Student Loans With No Way Out, for Anyone:" https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/business/student-loans-default-forgiveness.html

* "“I’ve Been Called Names, Sworn At, and Just SCREAMED At”:" https://slate.com/human-interest/2022/05/rude-hostile-customers-bad-behavior-public-rudeness-isolation-stress-why.html

* "Hard hit by COVID-19, Black Americans are recovering slowly:" https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/hard-hit-by-covid-19-black-americans-are-recovering-slowly

* This is part of a larger voter suppression bill. "Prepare to say goodbye to Missouri’s presidential primary election:" https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/prepare-to-say-goodbye-to-missouri-s-presidential-primary-election/article_c981dbea-1403-5baf-90e2-c4f14bf5c7d5.html

* "Kemp and Raffensperger will win Georgia GOP primaries, CNN projects, as voters reject Trump-backed challengers:" https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/24/politics/georgia-alabama-primary-election/index.html

* "Herschel Walker, Raphael Warnock to face off in crucial Georgia Senate race:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-election/herschel-walker-raphael-warnock-face-crucial-georgia-senate-race-rcna30185

* "Katie Britt, U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in Alabama Senate runoff:" https://apnews.com/article/2022-alabama-senate-primary-7ced0db0eba85c701ecfe098a2a1a47d

* "Sen. John Boozman clinches Republican nomination in Arkansas:" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/sen-john-boozman-clinches-republican-nomination-in-arkansas

* "Texas AG Ken Paxton defeats George P. Bush in GOP primary in bid for re-election:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/ken-paxton-wins-re-election-defeating-george-p-bush-texas-ag-race-rcna30191

* "Seven years later, still no trial for Texas AG Ken Paxton:" https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-dallas-houston-ken-paxton-62273089acc4feb70dd64349bc398f5d

* "Why the Cuellar-Cisneros race is far from over:" https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/25/cuellar-cisneros-garcia-cruz-texas-00035145

* "Recount announced in Pennsylvania Senate race as Mehmet Oz’s lead over David McCormick narrows:" https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/live/pa-republican-senate-primary-recount-mehmet-oz-david-mccormick-20220525.html

* "Opinion: Colorado, stop rewarding fringe candidates:" https://coloradosun.com/2022/05/24/colorado-elections-misinformation-partisanship-opinion/

* "How Trump’s Fear of Getting Pied May Come Back to Cream Him:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-donald-trumps-fear-of-getting-pied-may-come-back-to-cream-him

* "FBI counts 61 'active shooter' incidents last year, up 52% from 2020:" https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-counts-61-active-shooter-incidents-last-year-up-52-2020-2022-05-24/

* "Ominous texts. An earlier shooting. What we know about the Texas elementary school massacre that killed 21 people:" https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/25/us/uvalde-texas-elementary-school-shooting-what-we-know/index.html

* "‘Why are we willing to live with this carnage?’ Biden pushes to tighten gun laws after Texas school shooting:" https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/24/biden-to-address-uvalde-texas-elementary-school-shooting.html

* "Kamala Harris on Texas shooting: "Enough is enough":" https://www.axios.com/2022/05/25/harris-texas-shooting

* "After Texas shooting, Conn. senator begs for gun compromise:" https://apnews.com/article/senator-chris-murphy-pleads-for-action-on-gun-violence-641fb7c7244ff497c7f9c4c1bc96366c

* "Will Congress act on guns after Sandy Hook, Buffalo, Uvalde?:" https://apnews.com/article/uvalde-texas-school-shooting-gun-politics-0a290e15634cf11aa0faa53ed44caeb0

* "'You are doing nothing': O'Rourke accosts Abbott at press conference on shooting:" https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/25/beto-orourke-challenges-abbott-on-gun-violence-at-uvalde-press-conference-00035149

* "Just after Texas shooting, California Senate passes Texas-style bill targeting assault weapons, ghost guns:" https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Just-after-Texas-shooting-California-Senate-17196406.php

* "Guns are banned during Trump's upcoming speech at the NRA conference:" https://www.npr.org/2022/05/25/1101181842/nra-trump-speech-guns-banned-houston

Republican politicians must be kept safe by gun bans, but 'pro-life' Republicans insist elementary children don't deserve the same safety.

* "Donald Trump and Fellow GOP Monsters Will Still Attend NRA Event in Texas on Friday:" https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/05/donald-trump-greg-abbott-ted-cruz-nra-texas-post-shooting

* "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls out ‘pro-life’ Republicans after Texas school shooting:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/05/25/texas-school-shooting-aoc-buttigieg-gun-reform/

* "Why America's gun problem is worse than any other country, by the numbers:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/why-america-s-gun-problem-is-worse-than-any-other-country-by-the-numbers-140837957712

* Have something you want to tell your Congress Crtters? If you can't safely protest in person, here are some other options:

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

Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/

* "‘I feel powerless’: Asylum seekers lament Title 42’s extension:" https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/23/migrants-decry-title-42-as-absurd-excuse-as-it-stays-in-place

* "Why Juvenile Curfews Don’t Work:" https://www.themarshallproject.org/2018/07/31/the-curfew-myth

* "Rural Texas official arrested, charged with stealing cattle:" https://apnews.com/article/texas-crime-arrests-theft-2bf54c441f9dbf13fe0e2e03d09d2f78

* "I Study the Online Spaces That Spawned the Buffalo Shooter. Here’s What People Misunderstand About Red-Pilling.:" https://slate.com/technology/2022/05/red-pill-buffalo-shooter-online-hate-groups-research.html

* CW: Pedophilia. "LGBTQ+ child sexual abuse survivors are being blamed for their own abuse:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/05/24/independent-inquiry-child-sex-abuse-report-lgbtq/

* CW: Sexual Harassment "Florida Democratic Leader Accused of Sexually Harassing Man:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/2022/5/10/florida-democratic-leader-accused-sexually-harassing-man

* CW: Pedophilia, Incest. "Josh Duggar sentenced in child pornography case:" https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/25/entertainment/josh-duggar-sentenced/index.html

************************************************

* "Oklahoma governor signs the nation's strictest abortion ban:" https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-texas-oklahoma-ad37e8db8a0f3fd9f4fcd215f8a3ed0a

* "Ex-girlfriend says anti-abortion Oregon GOP House nominee paid for her abortion:" https://americanindependent.com/oregon-republican-house-nominee-primary-mike-erickson-abortion-6th-congressional-district/

* "Louisiana Senator: Our Maternal Death Rates Are Only Bad If You Count Black Women:" https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/05/bill-cassidy-maternal-mortality-rates

* "An ex-priest, a flier and the arrest that legalized protests at Md. homes:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/05/24/maryland-protest-law-berrigan-brothers-rumsfeld/

* "Mothers pass torch to daughters in abortion's forever war:" https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-politics-health-new-york-db506efe62562b9a44ab4b8377f6627a

************************************************

* "5 Things SCOTUS Justices Alito and Thomas Said About Marriage Equality:" https://www.advocate.com/law/2022/5/12/5-things-scotus-justices-alito-and-thomas-said-about-marriage-equality#media-gallery-media-1

* "Florida teen covertly criticized “Don’t Say Gay” law in graduation speech to slip by principal:" https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/05/florida-teen-covertly-criticized-dont-say-gay-law-graduation-speech-slip-principal/

* "The State Farm hatefest on Twitter tonight:" https://solarbird.dreamwidth.org/1834102.html

* Droplet transmission doesn't care about your sexual orientation. "Monkeypox found in three more countries as experts insist virus is not a 'gay disease':" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/05/25/monkeypox-cases-gay-bisexual-men/

* "'They're not trying to die': How drug checking aims to protect users in a messy market:" https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-05-22/overdoses-drug-checking-aims-to-protect-users

* CW: Suicide "Desperate to leave: Sailors face lack of options when trying to quit the Navy:" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/navy-desertions-doubled-suicide-concerns-sailors-feel-trapped-contract-rcna28516

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* "The town at the center of California’s climate refugee crisis:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/22/california-homelessness-climate-wildfire-refugee

* "Low-Cost Gel Film Can Pluck Drinking Water From Desert Air:" https://news.utexas.edu/2022/05/23/low-cost-gel-film-can-pluck-drinking-water-from-desert-air/

* "Last call: New York City bids an official farewell to its last public pay phone:" https://www.npr.org/2022/05/24/1100931534/last-pay-phone-new-york-city-public-nyc

* "Why are there continent-sized 'blobs' in the deep Earth?:" https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220510-why-are-there-continent-sized-blobs-in-the-deep-earth

* "Stop plucking the endangered 'penis plant', urges Cambodian government:" https://thethaiger.com/news/regional/cambodia/stop-plucking-the-endangered-penis-plant-urges-cambodian-government

* "Grunt, hoo, pant, scream: Chimps use complex vocal communication:" https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/grunt-hoo-pant-scream-chimps-use-complex-vocal-communication-2022-05-19/

* "Dolphins Recognize Each Other By Tasting One Another's Urine:" https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dolphins-recognize-each-other-urine_n_628bc86be4b0415d4d7adccd

* "In a faceoff with Elon Musk, the SEC blinked:" https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/24/in-a-faceoff-with-elon-musk-the-sec-blinked.html

* "Escape From the Gilded Cage:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/escape-from-the-gilded-cage-180980029/

* "Women, Men, and Classical Music:" https://daily.jstor.org/women-men-and-classical-music/

* "Herbalife: Shaken or Scammed:"

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* This is so cool! "Hot Wheels launches first remote-controlled wheelchair toy:" https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/07/business/hot-wheels-wheelchair-toy-trnd/index.html

* "Crypto Celebs Silent As Market Melts Down | Billionaires Get Ready To Trip At Davos:"

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* "Crypto Crash Drags Down Celebrity-Endorsed NFT Prices:"

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* "Meanwhile... Endangered Penis Plant Is NSFW | Kid Goes Viral For Tee-Ball Dance:"

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* "Fashion in the Age of Pirates (& making an Our Flag Means Death historically accurate cosplay):"

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* "Fox News Doesn't Understand Star Trek:"

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* CW: Eating Disorder ""Heartstopper" and Queer Optimism:"

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* "Crypto.com Made A New Matt Damon Ad:"

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* "True Facts: Sea Stars:"

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* "The Platypus Conspiracy:"

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* "Damselfly and Beetle:"

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* "Modern Classics Summarized: Stranger In A Strange Land:"

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Once during a long move that involved driving up and down the I-5 corridor in the late ‘90′s, my partner at the time wanted me to pick a sampling of 20th century Classic Science Fiction, so he could better understand the history of the field. (He liked science Fiction and fantasy, but he grew up with the mass market paperbacks of the ‘70′s and ‘80′s, whereas I was exposed to a much broader range through my father.)

We did okay with folks like Bradbury and Silverberg (They have their issues, but still are readable), but he insisted we tackle Asimov. I tried to talk him out of it. I didn’t know about the rapes yet at this point, but his short fiction, non-fiction, and essays were way better than his long form fiction where stiff writing and a refusal to even attempt to characterize women as whole people really make it tough going, but Skye thought he should at least read Foundation because it got referenced a lot. It... did not go over well.

He asked for Heinlein next.

Me: Are you sure? I mean really, really sure?

He was sure. I picked this one on the grounds that there were things in there still referenced in the culture at the time, and really, they are pretty much all offensive in the same ways to one degree or another. (I remember as a tween wanting to hit the author after I read Podkayne of Mars ).

At least I had an amusing time watching Skye’s face as he took in how utterly fucked up and gross the whole thing was.

As bad as the summary makes it sound, the book is so much worse. For years after all one of us would have to say was “Erect Nipples,” in response to something sexist and poorly written, and the other would either crack up or nod knowingly depending on context.

* "The Transphobes Can’t Transphobe:"

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* "It's A Baby | Gender Reveal Fails:"

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* Tuesday night was my last AS pill until after surgery. Sigh. Wednesday was day two of people waking me up for long, necessary medical conversations. i also had to stay up for an appointment. The pollen count was high and there was much cleaning here at the Cat Asylum in advance of next week. There will be very little quality asleep until this is over.

* We are trying to get a working oven. I am disabled and medically fragile. Not having a working oven is messing with my nutrition. I need about 600.00ish:

If you would like to help: paypal.me/Gwydion

* I love this movie so much. "John Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus Still Stimulates After 15 Years:" https://www.advocate.com/exclusives/2022/3/03/john-cameron-mitchells-shortbus-still-stimulates-after-15-years

* Sumerian dog jokes: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1505646738627088389.html

* "Hollywood’s No 1 penis-maker: ‘Chris Hemsworth keeps his next to Thor’s hammer!’:" https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/28/hollywoods-no-1-penis-maker-chris-hemsworth-thors-hammer-prosthetic-schlong

* "Indiana Jones and the Porcelain Throne:" https://nowiknow.com/indiana-jones-and-the-porcelain-throne/

* "Every Batman Movie And The Real-World Fears They Highlight:" https://www.slashfilm.com/807028/every-batman-movie-and-the-real-world-fears-they-highlight/

* "Blackbeard's No Kill Rule In Our Flag Means Death Might've Been Real:" https://screenrant.com/our-flag-means-death-blackbeard-no-kill-rule/

* On Mary Bonnet in Our Flag Means Death: https://notebooks-and-laptops.tumblr.com/post/685188736318865408/you-know-there-are-so-many-ways-they-could-have

* "Let Me Save You Some Time: On Transitioning Like You're Opening A Candy Bar In A Crowded Movie Theater With A Really Loud Wrapper:" https://www.thechatner.com/p/let-me-save-you-some-time-on-transitioning?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxNjEzMzc4LCJwb3N0X2lkIjo1NjUyNDU5NiwiXyI6IlFhcSt1IiwiaWF0IjoxNjUzNTI4MTEwLCJleHAiOjE2NTM1MzE3MTAsImlzcyI6InB1Yi01Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.viIbzQGFiV4JDC66JcM2VguSDFfrsCiGMEXS1bdk3XY&s=r

* "33 Men Represent Their Country's National Dress in Male Beauty Pageant:" https://mymodernmet.com/mister-global-pageant-costumes-2022/

* "Idyllic vintage photographs capture the rustic rural life in Victorian England, 1857:" https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/rural-victorian-england-photos-william-grundy/

* "Photographer's 3,200 Undeveloped Film Rolls Hold History of Rock 'n' Roll:" https://petapixel.com/2022/03/20/photographers-3200-undeveloped-film-rolls-hold-history-of-rock-n-roll/

* "This Life-Size Crochet Skeleton Is So Intricate, The Stomach Even Has Half-Digested Food In It:" https://www.boredpanda.com/life-sized-anatomically-correct-crocheted-skeleton-shanell-papp/?utm_source=conuly.dreamwidth&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=organic

* "Artist Uses Leaves And Flowers To Create Mesmerizing Bird Portraits:" https://www.boredpanda.com/plant-flower-birds-hannah-bullen-ryner/?utm_source=conuly.dreamwidth&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=organic

* "You are the Chosen One. The Dark Overlord is currently trying to seduce you to their cause. To their great surprise, you accept almost immediately because you absolutely loathe your job and your companions.:" https://caffeinewitchcraft.tumblr.com/post/679083663093383168/writing-prompt-s-you-are-the-chosen-one-the-dark

* Gene O’Neil at The Midnight Society: https://twitter.com/midnight_pals/status/1510291264805085191

* JK Rowling's Failed movie at The Midnight Society: https://twitter.com/midnight_pals/status/1514352150209445888

* Stephen King of The Midnight Society Checks on Rowling: https://twitter.com/midnight_pals/status/1510732633369575427

* On that Antisemetic Potterverse Game: https://twitter.com/della_morte_/status/1504943008650829834

* "JK Rowling's Antisemitic Game at The Midnight Society:" https://twitter.com/midnight_pals/status/1505219831829708804

* "I Know What It Sounds Like But My Liege Lord Just Happens To Be Exemplary In Form and Countenance:" https://www.thechatner.com/p/i-know-what-it-sounds-like-but-my?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoxNjEzMzc4LCJwb3N0X2lkIjo1MzYwMjc4MSwiXyI6Im1CaDVoIiwiaWF0IjoxNjUxODIwNDg5LCJleHAiOjE2NTE4MjQwODksImlzcyI6InB1Yi01Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.7QXqToks_SA9Gsdk0EOhYTOROEYxB8ItYeSmSdrqf0g&s=r

* "Sunday Sweets In Black & White :" https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2022/4/10/sunday-sweets-in-black-amp-white

* "Sunday Sweets: Fun and Fondant Free:" https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2022/3/27/sunday-sweets-fun-and-fondant-free

* "Sunday Sweets: Stained Glass:" https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2022/4/3/sunday-sweets-stained-glass

* "Sunday Sweets: Flowery Praise:" https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2022/5/1/sunday-sweets-flowery-praise

* "Sunday Sweets Finds A Rainbow:" https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2022/4/24/sunday-sweets-finds-a-rainbow

* "Spring Sweets:" http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2022/3/20/spring-sweets

* "Sunday Sweets Kicks It Old School :" https://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2022/5/14/sunday-sweets-kicks-it-old-school

*****
* 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.


* "War in Ukraine! Support LGBTQ people.:" https://secure.wayforpay.com/payment/s047412e502b6

* "DONATE TO EMILY'S LIST:" https://win.emilyslist.org/a/donate-to-emily

* How to Support the Women's Reproduction Protection Act: https://laughingacademy.tumblr.com/post/684465183144476672/womens-health-protection-act

* "Supporting Abortion Funds in the South:" https://laughingacademy.tumblr.com/post/682207036936732672/supporting-abortion-funds-in-the-south

* "These Organizations Accept Donations To Help People in Ukraine:" https://www.snopes.com/news/2022/03/01/where-to-donate-help-ukraine/

* "Russia-Ukraine War: Info and ways to help:" https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/

* "This is where you can donate to support LGBT+ Ukrainians:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/02/25/donate-support-lgbt-ukraine/

* "Support OVD-Info:" https://beste-glatisant.tumblr.com/post/677388506851606528/hi-ive-donated-to-the-ukranian-refugees-and-now

* Ways to help Trans Youth resisting Transphobic laws in Texas: https://the-cimmerians.tumblr.com/post/677204004210688000

* Help LGBTQIA+ people escape Afghanistan: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-lgbtq-afghan-refugees-rebuild-their-lives

* "The Rainbow Railroad:" https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/take-action

* Want to help Charles Booker beat Rand Paul? https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pccc_2022_charles_booker_only

* We are drowning from one domestic disaster after another this winter. Paypal Lethran@gmail.com or paypal.me/Gwydion

( Links Underneath: )

* Reminder: We aren't doing all this damage to our own economy for any strategic or tactical reasons, but because 45 mistakenly thought Trade Wars were "fun and easy to win." Just saying."Trump offering farmers extra $4.9 billion in trade relief:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/17/trump-farmers-trade-relief-usda-1067716

* "Chance of recession rises to the highest level of the Trump presidency:" https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/18/cnbc-fed-survey-chance-of-recession-rises-to-23percent.html

* "Trump launches unprecedented reelection machine:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/18/trump-machine-swallows-rnc-1067875

* So I guess this is happening. "Trump Revives U.S. Space Command As Pence Unveils Plan In Florida:" https://www.npr.org/2018/12/18/677760140/u-s-space-command-is-revived-as-vice-president-pence-unveils-plan-in-florida

* "Isikoff reacts to Trump citing him to debunk dossier:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/isikoff-reacts-to-trump-citing-him-to-debunk-dossier-1401580611695

* "Trump agrees to shut down his charity amid allegations that he used it for personal and political benefit:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-agrees-to-shut-down-his-charity-amid-allegations-he-used-it-for-personal-and-political-benefit/2018/12/18/dd3f5030-021b-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.74ad86d47e0f

* "Corruption allegations force Trump to dissolve charity foundation:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/corruption-allegations-force-trump-to-dissolve-charity-foundation-1401710659828

* "Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/russian-disinformation-teams-targeted-robert-s-mueller-iii-says-report-prepared-for-senate/2018/12/17/0e0047f6-0230-11e9-8186-4ec26a485713_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.261590756b9c

* "Michael Flynn’s sentencing delayed after judge tells the ex-Trump adviser he might not avoid prison time:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/michael-flynn-trumps-former-national-security-adviser-scheduled-to-be-sentenced/2018/12/17/19ce1bb4-0247-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.187172fad8f1

* "Mueller releases memo summarizing FBI's interview with Michael Flynn:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/17/politics/mueller-memo-michael-flynn-interview/index.html

* "Roger Stone admits he pushed false statements on Infowars:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/12/18/roger-stone-admits-he-pushed-false-statements-infowars/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.0f57478ba0ac

* "Former business associate of Michael Flynn pleads not guilty:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/18/politics/bijan-kian-michael-flynn-plea/index.html

* "Legalizing marijuana is now one of Cuomo’s priorities. He’s been resisting it for years.:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/12/17/legalizing-marijuana-is-now-one-cuomos-priorities-hes-been-resisting-it-years/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a9e8d28c4dde

* "Trump administration officially bans bump stocks:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/18/politics/bump-stocks-ban/index.html

* "Trump Administration Report on School Safety Plays Down Role of Guns:" https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/us/politics/trump-administration-school-safety-report.html

* "GOP talks Trump off the shutdown ledge:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/18/white-house-indicates-it-wants-to-avoid-partial-government-shutdown-1067922

* "A cold night at the border, as asylum seekers wait:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/a-cold-night-at-the-border-as-asylum-seekers-wait-1401606211831

* "Ethics complaints against Kavanaugh dismissed:" https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ethics-complaints-kavanaugh-dismissed-59891174

* "CBS Paid the Actress Eliza Dushku $9.5 Million to Settle Harassment Claims:" https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/13/business/media/cbs-bull-weatherly-dushku-sexual-harassment.html

* "CBS Board Denies Les Moonves $120 Million Settlement :" https://jezebel.com/cbs-board-denies-les-moonves-120-million-settlement-1831158806

* "Study: Women Will Make What Men Make in 202 Years:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/study-women-will-make-what-men-make-in-202-years

* "I am a trans woman. Will Facebook censor my breasts?:" https://mashable.com/2015/09/30/do-i-have-boobs-now/#_3NIaehoJiqa

* "Heart left behind on Southwest flight delivered to recipient on time:" https://www.newsweek.com/heart-left-behind-southwest-flight-delivered-donor-recipient-time-1259716

* "Southwest Airlines makes college student abandon her pet: “I don't know where my fish is at":" https://www.newsweek.com/southwest-airlines-makes-college-student-abandon-her-pet-i-dont-know-where-my-1262731

* "Legalized Nunchucks in New York, Gender Wage Gap Prediction & Arizona's Self-Driving Car Backlash:"

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* "Russia Slides Into Americans' DMs to Suppress the Black Vote:"

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* "Trump Gets A Message From The Mob:"

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* "The President Is Facing 17 Investigations:"

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* "Does Mick Mulvaney Like Donald Trump? 'No':"

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* Tuesday the Imperial couple insisted stay in bed with them until very late, which made sense to me given the tired and the headache. I ended up trapped under Tavy for two whole episodes of Versailles at lung time too. I did eventually get free to eat and do a few necessary things.

I was gone from the cat asylum about seven minutes to take books to the time traveling drop. I'm not sure the Imperial couple knew I was gone. I slipped out the back and propped it shut in hopes they wouldn't notice and escape, because it's much faster to get back in that way and my headache is massive. All three cats were in their rooms when I left. when I returned, There was Livia's head peering through my bedroom window, perfectly centered and framed like a decoration by coloured lights. She was so beautiful. Also Alarmed. she looked like she'd seen a ghost. It dawned on me that while she spends a lot of time on her hind legs peering out that window, it's always been with me inside (or presumably gone entirely off somewhere). She has stood in the doorway and watched me container garden. She has never seen me return from anywhere while looking out a window at me doing it. If she hadn't known I'd left, it might have been as if I suddenly teleported from the livingroom to the Wrong Side of the Window!

* Versailles has been a terrible mess for the most part, but damned if the last few minutes didn't give me the one still possible thing I wanted most.

* Free Murderbot Prequel: https://www.wired.com/story/future-of-work-compulsory-martha-wells/

* Solstice Reading Sign Ups are here: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/2050603.html

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

* Trans Helplines: https://www.translifeline.org/

* Want to complaint about Betsy DeVos's plan to coddle college rapists? https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/29/2018-25314/nondiscrimination-on-the-basis-of-sex-in-education-programs-or-activities-receiving-federal#open-comment

* "Trump’s New Wall to Keep Out the Disabled:" https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/29/opinion/trumps-disability-public-charge.html

They are soliciting public comment on these draconian regulations until December 10th here: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=USCIS-2010-0012-0001

* Naral https://actnow.prochoiceamerica.org/donate/supportnaral/#.W7nPzmNRfIU

* Planned Paranthood: https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/onlineactions/hkv0R7LN0E-Q-U5mXFaXRA2?sourceid=1004272&ms=4NALz1800K1N1A&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4I2IxID03QIVA7bACh3CCwHWEAAYASAAEgKlD_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

* "Resources for Male Victims of Abuse:" http://butlerbookbinding.tumblr.com/post/178933672694/resources-for-male-victims-of-abuse

* Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is doing a fundraiser for legal defense of refugee children in ICE detention. https://blackphoenixalchemylab.com/product-category/activism/deliver-them-from-the-hands-of-the-wicked/

* Donate to HIAS to help refugees: https://act.hias.org/page/6048/donate/1

* Want to contribute directly to the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services fund? "Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services:" https://www.raicestexas.org/

* Support Kids at the Border: http://brigdh.tumblr.com/post/175022384240/support-the-kids-at-the-border

* How to help Rohingya refugees: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/asia/rohingya-aid-myanmar-bangladesh.html?emc=edit_nn_20171012&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=50784086&te=1&_r=0

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

* Have something you want to tell your Congress Critters? If you can not protest in person, here are some other options:
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the representative of your choice.

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

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

* This is a cool person and the swimsuits are being made from an ethical source. LGBTQIA+ swimsuits: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NerdyKeppie?ref=l2-shopheader-name§ion_id=24021616

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

* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/1925021.html

* I know this is from tumblr, but it explains how nightmarishly cruel and unfair the Tory persecution of the Windrush Generation is: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/173416347477/problem-with-the-windrush-generation-none-of-them

* "Trump seeks credit for South Korea-North Korea summit:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/trump-to-meet-with-north-korean-dictator-1221992003952

* "Waters: Republicans ‘scared president will take them down’:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/maxine-waters-slams-house-intel-committee-on-political-report-1221989443526

* "Public defenders in Louisiana really hate this bill to increase funding for public defenders in Louisiana:" https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2018/04/a-louisiana-bill-would-give-public-defenders-more-funding-public-defenders-arent-happy/

* "Just Say Noh. But Also Say Kyogen: Crash Course Theater #11:"

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* "India: Crash Course History of Science #4:"

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* "Earliest known biography of an African woman translated to English for the first time:" https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/03/earliest-known-biography-of-an-african-woman-translated-to-english-for-the-first-time

* The tale of Veneida Smith: http://rejectedprincesses.tumblr.com/post/173292668590/god-bless-veneida-smith-so-this-whole-thing#notes

* NWS "Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer [Emotion Picture]:"

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* Doing up the imp lots took until 2:20AM. I was too tired to do the bottle sacrifices I picked out this weekend, and I haven't mailers for them anyway, so I have decided just to do the relist and the two lots. I'll worry about more mailers after the 3nd, and thus be ready for the next batch then. I am so tired and discouraged. It ate my weekend and I'm just... out of spoons, hope, what have you.

* "Sunday Sweets: Flowery Praise:" http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2018/4/29/sunday-sweets-flowery-praise.html

* I am doing National Poetry Month again this year, but I'm confining it to Tumblr on the grounds of tired. What the poems I selected? Five or so should turn up daily over here if you want to look them over: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/tagged/Poem

* I used all my money on housing and insurance last month, and this month it's all went to housing and car things. I need the car to get around as I am disabled. I need to raise about $400 to stay afloat. If you'd like to chip in: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com

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

* "Help us stop the humanitarian crisis on Manus:" https://www.asrc.org.au/donate-now/

* "RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees):" https://www.givenow.com.au/riserefugee/donate

* How to help Rohingya refugees: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/asia/rohingya-aid-myanmar-bangladesh.html?emc=edit_nn_20171012&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=50784086&te=1&_r=0

* Help fight for Net Neutrality restoration: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/170010496350/democrats-are-just-one-vote-shy-of-restoring-net

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

* Trans Lifeline is one of those organizations you can call at (877) 565-8860 in the US and in Canada (877) 330- 6366.

* The Trevor Project has a 24 hour hotline geared toward helping our youth, and you can call it at 1-866-488-7386

* 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/

* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com

* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/1925021.html

* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.com

* "Jacob Zuma recalled by South Africa's ruling party:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/13/africa/jacob-zuma-south-africa-recall-intl/index.html

* "Protest in Kabul as Afghan officials press Pakistan over attacks:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-afghanistan/protest-in-kabul-as-afghan-officials-press-pakistan-over-attacks-idUSKBN1FL4MS

* "The Women Who Took on the Mafia:" https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/01/22/the-women-who-took-on-the-mafia

* "Disconnect between US and South Korea grows amid rapprochement with North:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/12/disconnect-between-us-and-south-korea-exposed-by-seouls-new-approach-to-north

* "Gillibrand: Congress should take action if Trump doesn’t resign:" http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/373351-gillibrand-congress-should-take-action-if-trump-doesnt-resign

* "Donald Trump’s Inaugural Committee Still Won’t Say What It’s Doing With Its Leftover Money:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trumps-inaugural-committee-still-wont-say-what-its-doing-with-its-leftover-money

* "Top DOJ official quit partly over fear she might be asked to oversee Russia probe:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/justice-department-official-brand-leaves-partly-over-fear-she-might-n847156

* This needs the same kind of pressure that went into the Tom Price resignation only so much harder and faster. "First-class travel distinguishes Scott Pruitt’s EPA tenure:" https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/11/scott-pruitt-first-class-travel/

* "Trump Unveils $4.4 Trillion 2019 Budget Proposal:" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-12/trump-s-4-4-trillion-budget-boosts-defense-with-more-red-ink

* "Trump's Budget Proposal Is a Manifesto Against the Poor:" https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qvev4b/trumps-budget-proposal-is-a-manifesto-against-the-poor

* "The 22 agencies and programs Trump's budget would eliminate:" http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/373441-the-federal-programs-trump-proposes-cutting-in-2019-budget

* "'Never been a more discouraging time' for Washington's deficit hawks:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/12/budget-congress-deficit-hawks-406863

* The details make zero sense. "Trump launches $1.5 trillion sales pitch:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/11/trump-infrastructure-plan-transportation-trillion-403248

* This is legitimately terrifying. "Texas Republicans are trying to purge Democrats from ballots: report:" https://www.salon.com/2018/01/22/texas-republicans-are-trying-to-purge-democrats-from-ballots-report/

* "Pennsylvania Republicans are trying to replace one gerrymander with another:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/02/pennsylvania-republicans-are-trying-to-replace-one-gerrymander-with-another/

* "Devin Nunes creates his own alternative news site:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/11/devin-nunes-alternative-news-site-402097

* "What they're saying about the guilty verdict in Baltimore Police corruption case:" http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-what-theyre-saying-baltimore-corruption-20180212-story.html

* "ICE Grants Stay To Arizona Father Whose 5-Year-Old Son Is Battling Cancer:" https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ice-deport-arizona-father-cancer_us_5a7e6fbbe4b08dfc93043436

* You can't convince me they'd have arrested nearly 70 people for less than an ounce of pot if it was a white frat party. "Less Than 1 Ounce Of Marijuana Leads To Arrests Of More Than 60 Georgia Partygoers:" https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/marijuana-ounce-arrests-georgia_us_5a4c5785e4b06d1621bb9898

* "Police Move In As Clashes Erupt At Right-Wing Rally At University Of Washington:" https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/five-arrested-at-right-wing-seattle-rally_us_5a7fbb5ce4b0c6726e141d0c

* TW: Pedophilia. "TransGriot Perv Watch- Kentucky Fried GOP Predator:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2018/02/transgriot-perv-watch-kentucky-fried.html

* "Stripes of wildflowers across farm fields could cut pesticide spraying:" https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/31/stripes-of-wildflowers-across-farm-fields-could-cut-pesticide-spraying

* Snerk. "Trump's "Immigrant Crime Stories Round Up" lists the latest crimes committed by immigrant gangs:" https://boingboing.net/2018/02/12/trumps-immigrant-crime-sto.html

* Monday I went in for a filling. My hope was I could library and forage after and then try to force a sleep reset. I failed at all but the dentist. Mostly because it went so fast the library wasn't even open, let alone forage, so I ended up just going home to bed.

Today's random dentist was young enough that I suspect he was right out of dental school. He was also so breathtakingly beautiful, that it took me a moment to find words. (Not that he would have any interest in me, me being an elderly ruin). I did not ogle, or do anything untoward, it's just one does not expect to be confronted with a face like that at a dentist's office at 8:30 in the morning. Seriously folks, Rafael and Michelangelo might have fought each other for the chance to have him model. He wasn't quite a Michelangelo twink in build, but rather the classic wiry outdoorsy PNW build that is very much my taste. Black curly hair. A face I swear I've seen hanging in the Louvre as a youth. Large eyes, distinctive nose, and Cheekbones. It was startling.

Alas, he didn't use nearly enough Novocaine for someone with my genetic resistance and the drilling really hurt. (Novocaine resistance often comes with the red hair gene. I am a chestnut, of course, but I used to have natural red highlights until I was past forty, so it's not that weird I also got partial expression of the Novocaine resistance gene). So it's been a painful sort of day, and I'm still loathe to chew, given it hasn't stopped hurting since the drill went in and my cheek is still swollen. Apparently it was not two more cavities, but four, so three more months of this. Sigh.

* Car renewal is 70.00 again this year. If you'd like to kick in to keep my transport legal: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com

* "Social Justice from the Twilight Zone: Rod Serling as Human Rights Activist:" http://journaldialogue.org/issues/v5-issue-1/social-justice-from-the-twilight-zone-rod-serling-as-human-rights-activist/

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

* "Help us stop the humanitarian crisis on Manus:" https://www.asrc.org.au/donate-now/

* "RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees):" https://www.givenow.com.au/riserefugee/donate

* How to help Rohingya refugees: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/asia/rohingya-aid-myanmar-bangladesh.html?emc=edit_nn_20171012&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=50784086&te=1&_r=0

* Help fight for Net Neutrality restoration: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/170010496350/democrats-are-just-one-vote-shy-of-restoring-net

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

* Trans Lifeline is one of those organizations you can call at (877) 565-8860 in the US and in Canada (877) 330- 6366.

* The Trevor Project has a 24 hour hotline geared toward helping our youth, and you can call it at 1-866-488-7386

* 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/

* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com

* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/1925021.html

* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.com

* "Venomous Snakes Ride Ocean Currents Around the World:" http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/08/venomous-sea-snakes-travel-oceans-miles/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_fb20160823news-seasnakes&utm_campaign=Content&sf34181186=1

* "Biden reassures Baltic NATO allies of US fidelity:"

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* "GOP establishment's chief antagonist is Trump's biggest backer:"

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* I originally from the Philly area. Me watching the footage of Mike Pence awkwardly trying to explain to a barber in NORRISTOWN who he his because the guy had never heard of him and that barber's reaction to the Trump reveal: Bwahahahahaha! He went to NORRISTOWN and expected to find a TRUMP SUPPORTER. Bwahahahahaha!

Look, I did my internship at sixteen in Norristown. We called the zoo there "Grandad's Zoo" because it was the one Grand dad took us to often when he was alive (as opposed to the vastly bigger Philadelphia Zoo were Mom or school would take us). I had friends from Noristown who I used to drive home. My sister and her husband live there. This is not some sideways mock of Norristown. I'm just saying, ask any local where in Philadelphia and environs, you were likely to find the trump voters, not only would Norristown not be on the list, it would be on the short list of places one would assume Trump would lose in a landslide. Like, all they had to do was ask a local.

* "Hundreds protest over murder of trans woman in Istanbul:" http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/08/hundreds-protest-murder-trans-woman-istanbul-160821192103933.html

* "Diabetes Patients Are Losing Limbs And Sight Because They Can’t Afford Insulin:" https://consumerist.com/2016/08/23/diabetes-patients-are-losing-limbs-and-sight-because-they-cant-afford-insulin/

* "Lawmakers demand answers over soaring cost of potentially life-saving EpiPens:" http://www.cbsnews.com/news/epipen-price-hike-senator-amy-klobuchar-charles-grassley-martin-shkreli/

* "Charter Schools: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO):"

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* Tuesday night after swimming, I came down with pretty brutal food poisoning, hence the relative quiet between then and now.

* I'm only somewhere mid-season three of Shameless, so grain of salt, but I wanted to say how glad I am that they included Mickey Milkovich as a character, because you don't see guys like him on shows, and it matters.
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Mickey's story is not a pretty one. He's not a model gay or bisexual character. His story is an incredibly important one, because boys in homes like that and neighborhoods like that need to see themselves in media. Boys like that need to see that they aren't alone. Yes, there are white gay men on TV all the time, but nearly all of them present more educated, higher class, cleaner, more together. Mickey's struggle with himself, with his culture, with his father? That's a story that needs to be seen and understood, because boys like Mickey die. A lot. And they only way it gets better is if they can see that there are options like the ones Ian represents, and if their fathers and neighbors get used to the idea and stop killing them or driving them into the streets or to suicide either slow or fast.

* "This Game Of Thrones Theory Changes EVERYTHING:" https://www.buzzfeed.com/cassandra6/this-game-of-thrones-theory-changes-everything-1pp7z

* Current Tavy in characteristic pressed against chest cuddle position: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/149497305982

* How to Fix Olympics Opening Ceremony coverage: 1. Fire Matt Lauer and don't let Hoda anywhere near the place. 2. Hire a bilingual person from the host country as one of the commentators, preferably one well versed in the history, politics, and visual language of that culture (symbolism and the like can vary from culture to culture). 3. The second commentator must be a person of colour whether or not the first commentator is. 4. Subtitle musical performances not in English. Make sure all three commentators completely understand that not everything is about us.

* Aliens vs Wildlife: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/149495000282/shrewreadings-mehay1-slashersivi

* Props to Ripper Street for not only tying in Dracula with it's blood transfusions to a blood fusion case while also seeding the end with the demonstration that said who's blood type matched up between named characters at the precinct. That was some tight writing even without the B plot arc bits.

* Louisiana is having a major flooding disaster, the worst disaster in this country since sandy. Want to help? http://thewightknight.tumblr.com/post/148963870683/the-lonely-one96-almalexiaslouisiana-is

* California is now an official disaster due to out of control fire made worse by the drought. https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation

* "How to help Flint, Michigan:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/how-help-flint-michigan

* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com

* Donate to help refugees "UN Refugee Agency:" http://donate.unhcr.org/international/general

* Organizations helping with the refugee crisis: http://captainofalltheships.tumblr.com/post/128790538169/an-updated-list-of-organizations-to-donate-to-help

* A list of LGBTQA Charities: http://awkward0w1.tumblr.com/post/126399233673

* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We desperately need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.comhttp://www.cnn.com/2016/07/28/asia/indonesia-drug-executions/

* "The U.S. got a human rights report card from the rest of the world. They think we can do better.:" http://www.upworthy.com/the-us-got-a-human-rights-report-card-from-the-rest-of-the-world-they-think-we-can-do-better?c=tbs

* "Why We Should Spend Billions More On Trains:" http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/05/19/3660218/amtrak-save-lives/

* "No Birds For You! House Passes Provision to End All Migratory Bird Protections in the United States :" http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/awetzler/no_birds_for_you_house_committ.html

* "Bullies Couldn't Stop This 8-Year-Old From Growing His Hair to Donate to Cancer Patients:" http://mic.com/articles/120164/bullies-couldn-t-stop-this-8-year-old-from-growing-his-hair-to-donate-to-cancer-patients?utm_source=policymicTBLR&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social

* "Do you applaud Caitlyn Jenner because she's brave, or because she's pretty?:" http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/02/applaud-caitlyn-jenner-brave-or-pretty

* "A Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers:" http://www.dol.gov/asp/policy-development/TransgenderBathroomAccessBestPractices.pdf

* "REPORT: Trans Students Have Caused Zero Incidents in Bathrooms Nationwide:" http://www.advocate.com/2015/06/03/report-trans-students-use-gender-affirming-bathrooms-causes-zero-incidents-nationwide

* "Slices of Tree Trunk Played on a Record Player:" http://www.weird-wood.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/slices-of-tree-trunk-played-on-record.html

* And I have now entered the inevitable secondary infection phase where I black out when I cough. Charming.

* I'm so proud of hector kitty. his usual response to me being ill is panic, howling, and generally making himself as labour intensive as possible. This time, he called off his hunger strike immediately. He's being sweet and cuddly. It was when he accidentally woke me by accidentally poking me in the mouth while checking my breath that I figured out what he was doing: Taking over Mache's role. These are the things Mache was in charge of when I was sick: the keeping the sick human warm, the checking to see if the human has died, the being a good companion. He's been such a good little guy, such a perfect Cat, it's a little unnerving. I'm not used to him giving comfort, but demanding it. Sixteen years old and going slowly senile and he finally figures out how to Cat.

* "Colorblind: On Witcher 3, Rust, and gaming's race problem:" http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/3/8719389/colorblind-on-witcher-3-rust-and-gamings-race-problem

* "It’s like this…:" http://bibulous.tumblr.com/post/120642857318/karnythia-becausedragonage-makingfists

* "Hip Hop Songs Performed as Broadway Hits:" http://www.tastefullyoffensive.com/2015/06/hip-hop-songs-performed-as-broadway-hits.html

* Ebay Time, Four lots:
( Cut for your pleasure: )

* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We desperately need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.com

* Nepal Relief: http://thewynne.tumblr.com/post/117524778471/nepal-donations

* Trying to stay afloat until August: http://www.gofundme.com/cuovws or Lethran@gmail.com

* This whole double the bills plus hook up and transfer fees thing just stole Christmas. Gah!

* The pathogen lingers, more as a cold, fatigue, and occasional fevers. Annoying, but more nuisance than a real problem.

* I did manage to mail out the thing needing mailing out within the one hour window of mailing time, then came home for a nap.

I'm a little worried about LM. My room is smaller than the old one, and there are dramatically fewer off the bed mests. She's still too nervous to share the bed with me and Mache, so she's increasingly more isolated from the rest of the clowder. The fighting out in the living room has turned rather viscous, as territorial competition ramps up for all four.

* I just spent the last three days dealing with 1200 emails in the account I couldn't reach and catching up on a month of BPAL board. *facepalm*

* Watching the third Doctor battle a tentacle monster, my thoughts were rather different than those of the original audience, I expect. Also, I had forgotten they'd stolen the animated manikin idea for that New Who Christmas special from the Pertwee opener.

* When I heard they were remaking Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, I was skeptical, but seeing the cast list, it really might work. If anyone can step into Alec Guinness' shoes, Gary Oldman might be the one with the right direction. I hope, anyway. It remains to be seen if they can pull it off, if the script is tight enough, if they manage the exposition well enough, if the direction and performances are the right sort of understated if the sets/lighting/camera work are the right sort of claustrophobic. Maybe. I am certainly interested to see if they can pull this rabbit out of a hat.

* Snerk: http://xkcd-rss.livejournal.com/248134.html

* Moment of zen: http://youtu.be/wjU1B_nYtcI



* Haunting: http://youtu.be/DVKYg2gY7EQ

* Q is for Queer SF: http://djibrilalayad.blogspot.com/2011/09/q-is-for-queer-sf.html

* neo_prodigy found, "5 Doctor Who characters who deserve their own spinoff series:" http://blastr.com/2011/09/5-doctor-who-characters-w.php

* John Barrowman brings the awesome: http://lettersfromtitan.tumblr.com/post/10334560948/when-you-watch-torchwood-there-is-a-warning-at-the

* Interesting thoughts on some of the women in Harry Potter who fandom hates; http://lettersfromtitan.tumblr.com/post/10322259544/not-language-but-a-map-if-you-hate-fleur-delacour-cho

* psbelle found, snerk: http://i.imgur.com/5LdZT.jpg

* Less than three days: THIRTEEN 13: August 2010 (LE): (Company says: A base of bitter dark chocolate with thirteen baneful and beneficial bits including pimento berry, pink pepper, tolu balsam, bergamot, golden honey, tobacco absolute, champaca flower, and paprika.) ¾ aprox. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300598332567

* The Clutch:

There are reports of mercenaries firing indiscriminately into crowds in Tripoli.

* From a BPAL forum discussion of historical birth control, photos of early modern douches (possibly NWS): http://bigblogofmedievalmiscellany.blogspot.com/search/label/douche

It is amazing how much I know about ancient world, medieval, and late 19th-early twentieth century prophylactics.

The site is well worth exploring for it's odds and ends of culture just generally.

* RIP, Nicholas Courtney, best known as "The Brigadier." I grew up watching this man act on Doctor Who, and he was as familiar and comforting to my child self as Mr. Rogers. http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/02/nicholas-courtney-doctor-who-actor-dies-at-81.html

* A lovely thing on Nicholas Courtneyt, with pictures of "the Brig" with various Doctors: http://box-in-the-box.livejournal.com/486668.html?style=mine

* I have never and will never benefit from WIC, but I support prenatal care and early nutrition for newborns and their mothers. Why are they cutting WIC while claiming women need to die from ectopic pregnancy to protect the "life" of nonviable cells? If the reason they want to let women with miscarriages die is because even already dead fetuses are more important than the lives of women, why don't they want to retain funding that increases the chances of healthy fetuses and newborns? Isn't that incredibly hypocritical? Pro life my ass.

* Also, if they consider fetuses so sacred, why don't they have the same reverence for toddlers? Why is the same budget cutting head start money, when head start is the most effective thing you can do to improve the future health and learning of those small human beings as they grow? It seems to me, all those supposedly "pro-life" republicans should be in favour of the well being of toddlers and small children and not just fetuses, and yet somehow, they are vehemently against it. It's almost like they don't give a damn about the children in poverty they are demanding to be brought into the world whether or not there is any money to pay for them. I say, if you are "pro-life" you need to also be in favour of preserving the lives, health, education, and wellbeing of the already born instead of insisting the only lives that matter are the ones that have never drawn breath. One can debate when life begins, but I have trouble seeing how breathing, eating, moving toddlers, teenagers, adult women, and doctors don't count as alive.

* Possibly NWS, though only the man is topless. I just really like how this is drawn: http://www.lutherlevy.com/?p=979

* Ezra Klein and Chris Hayes on Republican Union busting:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

* I spent all day in the living room waiting for UPS. USPS came 2:30ish, and there was a missed package notice from UPS. We have a "please ring bell" sign and if they'd rung the door bell, there is no way i wouldn't have heard it. That means, they did their usual, knock once and run. This is why I hate UPS. It's only 50/50 they ring, and they run without waiting, which makes it hard for me to gimp to the door fast enough to catch them. a single knock through our thick door is hard to distinguish from a single thump, bang, or knock through the walls or ceiling here. If they'd even knocked properly, like a normal person, it's unlikely I'd have missed that, given I was right there with no music or TV on. This leaves their favorite single knock and leave. sigh. I called to complain this time as there was no chance of it being my fault, and they really need to do something about this carrier. I doubt we're the only one they do the knock once time instead of ring thing to. It turns out it's Mike's package anyway, so he can take a turn at waiting for packages tomorrow.

I am so grateful for our wonderful USPS lady as she rings, knocks three times, waits, rings once more before leaving, which means even if I'm asleep in my room, I have a good chance of gimping out to the door before she's out of hailing distance. There is no chance of ever missing her from the front room.

* I have a tea swap box, which I had to fight the Butt for. (No cats are allowed in tea boxes because people have allergies. I'm going to be seriously over caffeinated the next week.

I am already seriously impressed with the Edinburgh tea I sampled first.

* Pocket of Ancient Greek speakers found: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/jason-and-the-argot-land-where-greeks-ancient-language-survives-2174669.html

To give non-classicists an idea of scale, back when I was really good at both Latin and Greek, it was easier for me to read Romanian than either Italian or modern Greek, but I could generally get the gist of written Italian, while Modern Greek was right out. I've known people who spoke modern Greek and read ancient and they do say a knowledge of one is of some help to learning the other, but you really can't default one off the other and the grammar is quite different.

* I think hell may have frozen over. There's a member on the BPAL board, who I'm nearly only on opposite sides of debates with. (Politely. It's the BPAL board, after all). We've been fundamentally in agreement on two topics twice in one week. (1. We both support smoking bans in businesses, but think people should be able to buy flavored smokables. 2. Apparently, we are fairly similar, though not identical, on reincarnation and karma and ended up on the same side of a religion debate. O.o. The latter is the real startle as we are about as ethically dissimilar as you can get and have otherwise nearly completely incompatible religious beliefs.) This is one of the main reasons, I love the BPAL board, honestly. i don't get much debate in meat space these days. it pleases the hell out of me that there's somewhere on the net i can argue polite;ly with people so different from me and still randomly end up on the same side of some other topic, all without anger or rancor.

* For the record, the Buddhist concept of Karma and the colloquial American usage are not the same. To me, it feels like straw man to attack Buddhism as a whole using a simplistic western version, instead of addressing the more subtle and complex concept, especially as there are so many sects of Buddhism, with some really different ideas of how the core concepts work. earlier in the discussion, I'd pointed out that it's rude of us to lump all Christians into one group when there are sects as different as Quakers and Baptists, just as it's offensive for christians to lump all pagans into one group when we are so different from each other.

In chat, Karjack mentioned a friend's opinion that you could group Buddhist sects into two groups: the Buddha point sects, and the no point sects. I pretty much agree. Most of you have heard my why I think Pure Land is toxic rant, so I'll spare you. I'm am not into the Buddha points. I'm more into the spirit of the journey. Most of you have heard my zen marshmallow analogy, so I'll spare you that too.

* The thing that I am taking away from the religion discussion as a thought needing contemplating is how many people take the idea of karma and use it to negate free will, where as for me, Buddhism restores agency in a radical sort of way. For me, it's all about individual choices and the personal pursuit of likely unattainable perfection. It's about the individual deciding what things mean and how to react to them. A lot of people looking in see something akin to predestination. O.o

* In another thread, I mentioned my first sesame oil fail, way back when because i didn't know you needed to add something sweet if you are using it. It amuses me a bunch of people responded with things like, "I bet that's what's wrong with my fried rice!" sharing knowledge = a good thing.

* Wow, John Stewart was on tonight in the first half of the first act, though I think the puppet segment was over the top and not funny at all, just mean.

* Re: Bowdlerizing Twain (I meant to write this yesterday, but got distracted.)
In my district, we showed Roots to the 8th graders. It contains partial nudity and the n-word. How we handled it was, before each segment, I'd stand up there and warn people about the historically accurate nudity and use of the n-word. We'd talk a little about how the n-word is used in the mini-series, and I'd let people opt out. No one ever did. As with anything controversial, you run it by the school board first for liability reasons. We did something similar with the cursing in Of Mice and Men up at the high school.

My feeling is, you can teach things like Huckleberry Finn just fine as written as long as you talk about the complexity of what Mr. Twain was doing with language there and the historical context generally. I agree with the African American studies Scholars that replacing the n-word with "slave" is problematic and actually worse in it's own way than using the n-word there. My feeling is, it's of vastly more educational value to teens to talk about the historical context and what Twain is trying to do with the characterizations and language use than to mindlessly gut a 125 year old piece of literature to make it easier to digest. I don't think hiding the ugliness of slavery from teens does the teens or the truth a service.

* Magazine living: http://curbed.com/tags/magazine-living

* I think I want Niki Minaj to win Fug Madness this year.

* I meant to go to Meet up tonight, but was simply too damned tired.

* Doctor Who talk going on in comments here: http://gwyd.livejournal.com/1081045.html?view=2121685#t2121685

* Buffy/Angel talk going on over here: http://lettersfromtitan.com/2011/01/05/buffy-angel-and-a-whole-bucketload-of-spoilers/

* "Claiming Butch Identity:" http://www.bilerico.com/2011/01/claiming_butch_identity.php

I think the peer pressure to transition can be pretty fucking toxic. There is a real difference between being open and supportive and pushing people to do something dangerous and expensive to keep all the identity boxes tidy. Sometimes real life is messy and ambiguous and fundamentally untidy. That goes extra for identity. I'm not comfortable with gender policing no matter who it comes from.

* Thekitsune found: http://www.weregeek.com/2011/01/04/

* In yet more Who news, lurkitty found: http://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/11/01/05/1735205/Doctor-Marries-Doctors-Daughter-TARDIS-Explodes?from=rss:

* Tulaq found, this makes me so angry, I can't frame a response: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/03/scalia-women-discrimination-constitution_n_803813.html