Nec Hoc Nec Ilud

* Duplications may occur for the next while due to laptop issue.

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* "Number of Gazans Detained in Israel Jumps by 150% in a Month; Witness: Soldiers Abuse Detainees in Military Facility:" https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-03/ty-article/.premium/number-of-gazans-detained-in-israel-jumps-150-witness-soldiers-abuse-detainees/0000018c-ca0b-d6c4-ab8d-ebbf60380000

* "Editorial | Israel Must Stop Abusing and Humiliating Palestinian Prisoners:" https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/2024-01-03/ty-article-opinion/israel-must-stop-the-beating-and-humiliation-of-palestinian-prisoners/0000018c-cbf7-dc35-adee-cbf7961c0000

* "Gaza Is Starving:" https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/gaza-is-starving

* Verified charities to help Palestinians: https://cleolinda.tumblr.com/post/737312194805612544
******

* "PALESTINIANS SUE BIDEN FOR FAILING TO PREVENT GENOCIDE IN GAZA:" https://theintercept.com/2023/11/13/gaza-lawsuit-biden-israel-genocide/

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* "Did anything good happen in 2023?:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/12/26/2023-positive-good-news-stories/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzAzNzM5NjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzA1MTIxOTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3MDM3Mzk2MDAsImp0aSI6IjU5NzMxNTE2LTI2ZTMtNDEzMy1hY2I1LTc1OWUwMWQyMDIxMSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9saWZlc3R5bGUvMjAyMy8xMi8yNi8yMDIzLXBvc2l0aXZlLWdvb2QtbmV3cy1zdG9yaWVzLyJ9.GYl7lLrKb-oJhv00PFdP9NwehUYHQKc1pg9jx6byYy0

* The rule protects LGBTQIA+ Foster children from being sent to live with queerphobes in order to protect them from abuse. "Biden foster care rule draws GOP opposition:" https://thehill.com/newsletters/health-care/4387908-biden-foster-care-rule-draws-gop-opposition/?utm_source=press.coop

* "The Pentagon's 2nd in command was not informed of defense secretary's hospitalization:" https://www.npr.org/2024/01/06/1223333029/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-hospitalized-secrecy

* "Supreme Court takes up Colorado's decision to kick Trump off its primary ballot:" https://www.npr.org/2024/01/05/1222859510/supreme-court-colorado-ballots

* People will die. "Supreme Court allows Idaho abortion ban to be enacted, first such ruling since Dobbs:" https://www.npr.org/2024/01/05/1216284896/supreme-court-allows-idaho-abortion-ban-to-be-enacted-first-such-ruling-since-do

* "Video Game Voice Actors Express Worry and Confusion After SAG-AFTRA Deal With AI Studio:" https://www.ign.com/articles/video-game-voice-actors-sag-aftra-ai-deal

* "Mailchimp cancels podcast after refusing to work with union producers:" https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/14/24002001/mailchimp-pineapple-street-union-podcast-canceled

* "Happy New Year: A Bunch of Minimum Wage Increases Just Took Effect:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/01/minimum-wage-increases-2024-states-nelp/

* "Broadband subsidy program that millions use will expire next year if Congress doesn’t act:" https://apnews.com/article/broadband-federal-subsidy-internet-access-congress-biden-f196179935b45632d45169698fd31672

* "Congressional leaders reach a deal to fund the government, avert a shutdown:" https://www.npr.org/2024/01/07/1223378237/congressional-deal-shutdown

13 Republicans in the House are already furious about it and there are twoish weeks left to actually pass both House and Senate.

* "US Senate Republicans say stopgap needed to avert shutdown, potential problem for Johnson:" https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-republicans-say-stopgap-needed-avert-shutdown-potential-problem-2024-01-09/

* Republicans are such huge cowards that they've refused his request to testify publicly six times. "House GOP advances effort to hold Hunter Biden in contempt:" https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/01/10/congress/hunter-biden-contempt-resolution-advances-00134798

* "Hunter Biden makes a surprise appearance at his own contempt hearing:" https://www.npr.org/2024/01/10/1224021556/hunter-biden-surprise-contempt-appearance

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

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

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

* The Indivisible Guide: "A Practical Guide to defeating MAGA:" https://indivisible.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/20220104_Indivisible_%20A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Defeating%20MAGA.pdf

* "Wisconsin Supreme Court rules legislative maps unconstitutional, orders new boundaries for 2024 vote:" https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/12/22/wisconsin-supreme-court-rules-legislative-maps-unconstitutional/72010456007/

* "Georgia court weighs voting machines at heart of Trump election fraud claims:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/09/georgia-court-voting-machines-trump-election-fraud-00134420

* "Attacked by conservatives, UW misinformation researcher gears up for 2024:" https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/attacked-by-conservatives-uw-misinformation-researcher-gears-up-for-2024/

* "WA GOP fights secretary of state’s effort to track election misinformation:" https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-gop-fights-secretary-of-states-effort-to-track-election-misinformation/?utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all&utm_source=press.coop

* "RFK Jr. backs out of his own birthday fundraiser gala after Martin Sheen, Mike Tyson said they're not attending:" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-backs-out-birthday-fundraiser-gala-martin-sheen-mike-tyson-not-attending/

* "Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson rail against Biden to a crowd of seventh graders:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/08/dean-philips-marianne-williamson-debate-00134405

Forget they were running? So did almost everybody else.

* "Chris Christie ends his Republican presidential bid, criticizing his rivals on his way out:" https://apnews.com/article/christie-presidential-race-5e974cfa407d39af878f066a71af35ad

* "How Chris Christie dropping out changes the Republican primary race:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/how-chris-christie-dropping-out-changes-the-republican-primary-race-201734213748

* "Insults fly as Haley's rise makes her target at U.S. Republican debate:" https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fourth-us-republican-debate-pits-haley-vs-desantis-no-2-spot-white-house-race-2023-12-06/

* "Republican debate again marked by anti-trans tropes, as DeSantis claims Disney is 'transing' kids:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/haley-desantis-transphobia-disney

* "2024 Republican candidates: Who’s running and how bad would they be for LGBTQ+ rights?:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/11/2024-republican-candidates-lgbtq/

* "2024's also-rans find campaign trail is a rocky road:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/2024-s-also-rans-find-campaign-trail-is-a-rocky-road-201658437692

* "Bringing birther back, Donald Trump questions Nikki Haley's right to be president:" https://www.npr.org/2024/01/10/1223940451/donald-trump-birther-nikki-haley-citizenship-president-14th-amendment

* "Donald Trump didn’t sign loyalty oath for Illinois ballot that pledges not to ‘advocate the overthrow of the government’:" https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/1/6/24027720/donald-trump-loyalty-oath-illinois-ballot-advocate-overthrow-government-pledge-mccarthy-red-scare

* "Biden slams Trump as ‘revealing twisted true colors’ after Trump says he hopes economy crashes in 2024:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/08/trump-seeks-georgia-dismissal-immunity-00134305

* "Trump suggests that, if re-elected, he would have Biden indicted:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-suggests-re-elected-biden-indicted-rcna132810

* "Former Trump Aide Recounts His Calls for Staffer to Be Executed:" https://truthout.org/articles/former-trump-aide-recounts-his-calls-for-staffer-to-be-executed/

* "‘Dictator’ Trump Plans to Deploy Massive Number of Troops on U.S. Soil:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/dictator-trump-troops-border-1234929369/

* "U.S. GOP shows unique rejection of democracy with embrace of Trump: Maddow:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/u-s-gop-shows-unique-rejection-of-democracy-with-embrace-of-trump-maddow-201585221527

* "Trump's day-one dictatorship tops litany of contrasts targeted by Biden campaign:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-s-day-one-dictatorship-tops-litany-of-contrasts-targeted-by-biden-campaign-201584197946

* "'The Republican Party is in terribly ill health': Schiff cites frailty of U.S. political system:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-the-republican-party-is-in-terribly-ill-health-schiff-cites-frailty-of-u-s-political-system-201587781728

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* "Judge says Donald Trump won’t give own closing argument at civil fraud trial after disputing rules:" https://apnews.com/article/trump-fraud-trial-closing-arguments-420997f889922423dbce8a0945f0c348

* "Judge preempts Trump ploy to turn New York trial into circus:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/judge-preempts-trump-ploy-to-turn-new-york-trial-into-circus-201734213956

* "Trump seeks dismissal of Georgia indictment, again claiming broad immunity:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/08/trump-seeks-georgia-dismissal-immunity-00134305

* "Filing alleges ‘improper’ relationship between Fulton DA, top Trump prosecutor:" https://www.ajc.com/politics/breaking-filing-alleges-improper-relationship-between-fulton-da-top-trump-prosecutor/A2N2OWCM7FFWJBQH2ORAK2BKMQ/

* "Trump’s immunity claim gets frosty reception at appeals court:" https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/09/trumps-immunity-claim-gets-frosty-reception-at-appeals-court-00134512

* "New report cites Trump aides' testimony on damning new details about Trump on Jan. 6:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/new-report-cites-trump-aides-testimony-on-damning-new-details-about-trump-on-jan-6-201658949634

* "Trump lawyer: Assassination of enemies covered under presidential immunity:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-lawyer-assassination-of-enemies-covered-under-presidential-immunity-201649221631

* "‘Ludicrous’: Hear the ‘strangest’ argument from Trump’s immunity hearing:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-ludicrous-hear-the-strangest-argument-from-trump-s-immunity-hearing-201650245821

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* "Special Counsel Jack Smith among spate of officials targeted by holiday hoax 'swatting': NBC News:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/special-counsel-jack-smith-among-spate-of-officials-targeted-by-holiday-hoax-swatting-nbc-news-201587781628

* "Judge Targeted With Bomb Threat Hours Before Closing Arguments In Trump Fraud Trial :" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/judge-engoron-swatted-hours-before-trump-closing-arguments-1234944593/

* "Several state Capitols evacuated after bomb threats:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/state-capitol-buildings-evacuated-bomb-threats-rcna132096

* "Antisemitism has a long history in Los Angeles:" https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-05/patt-morrison-antisemitism-is-not-new-certainly-not-in-los-angeles

* "Opinion: Latest threats to synagogues in San Diego and across the U.S. reflect growing antisemitism:" https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/story/2024-01-09/opinion-antisemitism-san-diego-synagogue-threats-israel-hamas

* "Homicides in U.S. set to drop by record numbers this year:" https://www.axios.com/2023/12/28/us-murder-violent-crime-rates-drop

* "Most people think the U.S. crime rate is rising. They're wrong.:" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/people-think-crime-rate-up-actually-down-rcna129585

* "He Was Wrongly Convicted of Killing Her Father. She Set Out to Free Him.:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/20/nyregion/wrongful-conviction-murder.html

* "Court blocks Ohio law requiring parental consent for TikTok, Instagram. What it means:" https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/government/2024/01/07/parents-can-soon-limit-kids-social-medwhat-to-know-about-new-ohio-law-limiting-kids-social-media-use/72140568007/

* "Lawmakers consider plan to restrict book banning:" https://www.salemnews.com/news/lawmakers-consider-plan-to-restrict-book-banning/article_7566961d-8f1a-536b-8941-255a160fe703.html

* "These kids want to go to school. The main obstacle? Paperwork:" https://apnews.com/article/school-enrollment-atlanta-paperwork-22f4b2e1fc15f73f370da9f2679c02f1

* CW: CSA, Human Trafficking. "A Quick Guide to the Jeffrey Epstein Documents Unsealed on Jan. 3, 2024:" https://www.snopes.com/news/2024/01/04/jeffrey-epstein-unsealed-document-guide/

* "MAGA Hero Jason Whitlock slams women's right to vote:" https://boingboing.net/2023/12/19/maga-hero-denounces-womens-voting-rights.html

* "What is a ‘trad wife’? The conservative social media movement explained:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/11/what-is-a-trad-wife-social-media-movement-explained/

* "No, trans women aren’t causing an HRT shortage:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/11/trans-women-hormone-shortage-hrt/

* "Ohio House overrides Gov. DeWine's veto of gender-affirming care ban; Senate votes January 24:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/ohio-house-trans-veto-override

* "‘We are afraid’: Trans kids and medics urge South Carolina lawmakers to block trans healthcare ban:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/11/trans-kids-south-carolina-ban/

* If you live in Ohio, please comment to help save bodily Autonomy for transfolk: https://mha.ohio.gov/about-us/rules-and-regulations/rules/draft-rules/gender-transition-care

* "The increasing risk of criminal charges for women who experience a miscarriage:" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/the-increasing-risk-of-criminal-charges-for-women-who-experience-a-miscarriage

* "Emergency rooms not required to perform life-saving abortions, federal appeals court rules:" https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/02/texas-abortion-fifth-circuit/

* People are dying. "Did an Abortion Ban Cost a Young Texas Woman Her Life?:" https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/15/abortion-high-risk-pregnancy-yeni-glick

* "Greece drafting bill to legalise same-sex marriage:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/11/greece-same-sex-marriage-bill/

* "‘I grew up in a homophobic cult and prayed to God to make me straight’:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/11/homophobic-cult-growing-up-gay-tiktok/

* "World Athletics boss Sebastian Coe supports trans inclusion in local sport:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/01/11/world-athletics-association-sebastian-coe-defends-trans-participation-in-local-sport/

* "Millions Die of Malaria With Miracle Drugs at Hand:" https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/03/opinion/malaria-vaccine-funding.html

* "FDA Approves First Gene Therapies to Treat Patients with Sickle Cell Disease:" https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-gene-therapies-treat-patients-sickle-cell-disease

* "Magnetic surgical robot makes international debut in Chile hospital:" https://www.reuters.com/science/magnetic-surgical-robot-makes-international-debut-chile-hospital-2023-12-06/

* "The Most Mysterious Cells in Our Bodies Don’t Belong to Us:" https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2024/01/fetal-maternal-cells-microchimerism/676996/

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* "Earth shattered global heat record in ’23 and it’s flirting with warming limit, European agency says:" https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-warming-heating-earth-europe-copernicus-60eb12d11b7e5f694848673bb58512d3

* "Snow loss pinned to human-induced emissions:" https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03993-5

* "U.S. Carbon Emissions Fell in 2023 as Coal Use Tumbled to New Lows:" https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/10/climate/us-carbon-emissions-2023-climate.html

* "The United States is producing more oil than any country in history:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/19/business/us-production-oil-reserves-crude/index.html

---

* "Cocoa grown illegally in a Nigerian rainforest heads to companies that supply major chocolate makers:" https://apnews.com/article/chocolate-deforestation-cocoa-farming-nigeria-8813c4656635a4ae8b49c6fd7ced6d28

* "Ethical Questions Arise After AI “Completes” Keith Haring Painting:" https://hyperallergic.com/865291/ethical-questions-arise-after-ai-completes-keith-haring-painting/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=D010924&utm_content=D010924+CID_60293e60ec7f70af8338050e1e6e4210&utm_source=hn&utm_term=Ethical+Questions+Arise+After+AI+Completes+Keith+Haring+Painting

* "OpenAI says it’s “impossible” to create useful AI models without copyrighted material:" https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/01/openai-says-its-impossible-to-create-useful-ai-models-without-copyrighted-material/

* "JUST SAY NO TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN YOUR CREATIVE PURSUITS, PLEASE, JFC, WTAF:" https://terribleminds.com/ramble/2024/01/10/just-say-no-to-artificial-intelligence-in-your-creative-pursuits-please-jfc-wtaf/

* "Elon Musk criticized by civil rights groups over claim that diversity efforts make flying less safe:" https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/elon-musk-boeing-dei-diversity-x-posts-pilots-rcna133351

* "How these parrots went from the tropical jungle to the concrete jungle:" https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/los-angeles-flocks-wild-parrots-how-they-get-there

* "Ancient Romans lost these gemstones—down a bathhouse drain:" https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/ancient-romans-lost-gemstones-bathhouse-drain

* "Mysterious Section of the Great Wall of China Isn't What We Thought, Study Reveals:" https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7e5mb/mysterious-section-of-the-great-wall-of-china-isnt-what-we-thought-study-reveals

* "The American Soldier Whose Fear of Fighting in Vietnam Led Him to Defect to North Korea. He Stayed There for 40 Years:" https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-american-soldier-whose-fear-of-fighting-in-vietnam-led-him-to-defect-to-north-korea-he-stayed-there-for-40-years-180983530/

* "Happy Public Domain Day 2024!:" https://publicdomainreview.org/blog/2024/01/public-domain-day-2024/

* I'm doing my best with Klaus, migrating functions. It's way less efficient this way and a bunch of other things I normally do on Klaus need to keep on happening, so there are zero promises about me getting any number of things done when I normally do them. Some friends have clubbed together and are planning to send something I can do some of my messaging, etc. on, which mostly effects my private life. (Important for me and my close friends, but no one else).

The power still hasn't drained from Aidan, so we can't tell if reboot would help. A Millennial may look at it next week to see if anything can be done. I don't have a lot of hope. This is infuriating. Aidan is only a couple years old and was in great shape.

There is a good chance of me double posting accidentally for a bit, as I'm not sure which news items were just prepped or posted.

* "Christie Drops Out | Trump: A President Can Assassinate Rivals | Celebs Ruin RFK Jr.’s Birthday:"

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* "Stephen Colbert’s Cyborgasm: Chatbots Run Wendy’s Drive Thru | AI Dating Apps | Robotic Third Arm:"

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* "Texas Library Association’s Excuse for Dropping Chuck Tingle Appearance Doesn’t Add Up:" https://www.themarysue.com/texas-library-associations-excuse-for-dropping-chuck-tingle-appearance-doesnt-add-up/

* Chuck Tingle explains the ableism of the TLA in refusing accommodation. "My Masks:" https://www.tumblr.com/drchucktingle/739177829397331968/my-masks?source=share

* "Antigone to go (Sophocles in 11 minutes, English version):"

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* "‘Our Flag Means Death’ Canceled After Two Seasons at Max:" https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/our-flag-means-death-canceled-max-1235866718/

* "A Quick Fix To Improve Your Historical Drama, Fast: The Thing About The Past Is People Still Liked Being Clean:" https://www.thechatner.com/p/a-quick-fix-to-improve-your-historical?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=5&post_id=140517747&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=ykw2&utm_medium=email

* "That’s Ludacris!:"

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* "Prompt: After a lackluster 1st year as a Hero, you’re ready to go rogue. The problem is that the new guy in the team is definitely onto you.:" https://www.tumblr.com/caffeinewitchcraft/692435372447285248/that-nerdy-guy-knows-your-secret-you-scan-the

*****
* 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.

* Help the Lenape Nation get recognition from Pennsylvania: https://www.lenape-nation.org/

* "World Central Kitchen:" https://wck.org/

* Verified charities to help Palestinians: https://cleolinda.tumblr.com/post/737312194805612544

* "Palestine Children’s Relief Fund:" https://pcrf1.app.neoncrm.com/forms/gaza-recovery

* CW: Animal Death. Fundraiser to cover costs of final treatment. "Dine's expenses for Olivier's last week:" https://www.gofundme.com/f/dines-expenses-for-oliviers-last-week

( Links Underneath: )

* My body is very difficult for the last week and a half and no one is letting me sleep. (Pharmacy called me twice friday, for example, and I think that was the fifth or sixth pharmacy call waking me up in the last wee. Ilost track for obvious reasons. Every medical appointment requires three robo calls now and one appointment per week is a minimum for me. Plus all the car stuff and all the other calls waking me up, and Tavy's nightmare Monday and all the other things... No sleep. My eyelid is twitching right now.

* "Climate advocates urge World Bank overhaul as leader exits:" https://apnews.com/article/politics-climate-and-environment-world-bank-david-malpass-donald-trump-8e5da6c379e8452cc75f6b919a463889

* "Iranians are protesting their government on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution:"`https://www.npr.org/2023/02/11/1156305970/iranians-are-protesting-their-government-on-the-anniversary-of-the-islamic-revol

* "Despite Khamenei's amnesty, most protesters in Iran won't go free, advocate says:" https://www.npr.org/2023/02/14/1156115697/iran-amnesty-protests-arrests-khamenei

* "Death toll from Islamic State attack in Syria at least 53:" https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/death-toll-islamic-state-attack-syria-53-97306662

* "Insecurity threatens Nigeria's democracy as voters elect a new president:"`https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/insecurity-threatens-nigerias-democracy-voters-elect-new-president-2023-02-17/

* What Netanyahu is trying to do is terrifying. "100,000 Israelis gather in Jerusalem to protest judicial overhaul amid mass strike:"`https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-13/ty-article-live/as-nationwide-strike-launches-across-israel-protesters-block-airport/00000186-495d-d80f-abff-6bdd90c30000

* "Israelis set to protest Netanyahu's judicial overhaul for seventh consecutive week:" https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-02-17/ty-article/.premium/israelis-set-to-protest-netanyahus-judicial-overhaul-for-seventh-consecutive-week/00000186-5e99-dba0-a5c6-5efd92720000

* "France braces for protests as Macron pushes forward with pension reform:" https://www.politico.eu/article/france-emmanuel-macron-braced-for-protests-pushes-forward-with-pension-reform/

* "South Africa invokes disaster law to tackle energy crisis:" https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-president-declares-state-disaster-over-power-crisis-2023-02-09/

* "Explainer: How will South Africa's 'state of disaster' resolve power crisis?:" https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/how-will-south-africas-state-disaster-resolve-power-crisis-2023-02-10/

* "Brazil pushes illegal miners out of Yanomami territory:" https://apnews.com/article/brazil-government-climate-and-environment-indigenous-people-a902ff2529068ccb7965e505f250f0f7

* "Ukraine to summon Hungarian envoy over 'unacceptable' remarks by Orban:" https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-summon-hungarian-envoy-over-unacceptable-remarks-by-orban-2023-01-27/

* "Moldovan prime minister announces government resignation:" https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovan-prime-minister-announces-government-resignation-2023-02-10/

* "Moldova names new pro-EU prime minister after government falls amid Russian pressure:" https://www.politico.eu/article/moldova-government-resign-pro-european-union-natalia-gavrilita/

* "What is happening in Moldova, Ukraine's tiny European neighbor with a pro-Russian movement?:" https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/17/what-is-happening-in-moldova-is-it-putins-next-target-after-ukraine.html

* "Facebook ran ads in Moldova for oligarch sanctioned by US:" https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-us-department-of-the-treasury-russia-6277b515a552c980c262c72731dccdbe

* "India tax officers search BBC offices weeks after critical Modi documentary:" https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-income-tax-department-conducts-searches-bbc-offices-sources-2023-02-14/

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* "Government risks undermining plans to ban ‘no fault’ tenant evictions, say MPs - Committees:" https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/17/levelling-up-housing-and-communities-committee/news/186104/government-risks-undermining-plans-to-ban-no-fault-tenant-evictions-say-mps/

* "Tory MP Who Said Foodbank Users 'Can't Budget' Appointed Deputy Party Chairman:" https://ca.style.yahoo.com/tory-mp-said-foodbank-users-141545922.html

* "Nicola Sturgeon to resign as Scotland's first minister:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/15/nicola-sturgeon-resigns-quits-lgbtq-trans/

* "SNP 'frontrunner' Kate Forbes has a troubling record on abortion and trans rights:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/16/kate-forbes-snp-trans-church-abortion/

* "UK strikes hit a 30-year high as inflation erodes pay:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/14/economy/uk-strikes-wages-inflation/index.html

* "Tory crackdown on gender reform suggests government might ‘take away rights altogether’, trans dad fears:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/10/freddy-mcconnell-trans-gender-recognition-act-grc/

* "Tory government would block Welsh gender recognition reform:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/10/tory-government-block-welsh-gender-recognition-reform/

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* Please, please, wear your mask! "The COVID-19 pandemic in 2023: far from over:" https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00050-8/fulltext

* Republicans continue to try to criminalize life saving medical care. "Idaho lawmakers introduce legislation to criminalize those who administer COVID vaccines:" https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/capitol-watch/idaho-lawmakers-introduce-legislation-to-criminalize-those-who-administer-covid-vaccines-legislature/277-2436a514-e7da-4b31-9762-f9be10300075

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* "Ukrainian president addresses UK parliament:" https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/02/08/volodymyr-zelensky-addresses-parliament-sot-intl-vpx.cnn

* "Romania says Russian missile flew over Moldova just outside NATO airspace:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/10/romania-moldova-russia-missiles-ukraine-nato/

* "Russia-Ukraine War: U.S. Says Restocking Ukraine With Ammunition Is Urgent to Allies:" https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/02/14/world/russia-ukraine-news

* "Russian diplomat says ties with US in 'unprecedented crisis':" https://apnews.com/article/politics-russia-government-united-states-moscow-cbc9e5e628564a6ac36caae94a082eb6

* "United States tells citizens: Leave Russia immediately:" https://www.reuters.com/world/us/united-states-tells-citizens-depart-russia-immediately-2023-02-13/

* "Zelenskyy predicts Russian loss and warns Belarus against attack:" https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-predict-russia-loss-warn-belarus-attack-munich-security-conference/

* "Russia is draining a massive Ukrainian reservoir, endangering a nuclear plant:" https://www.npr.org/2023/02/10/1155761686/russia-is-draining-a-massive-ukrainian-reservoir-endangering-a-nuclear-plant

* "Russian forces strike Ukraine, air raid sirens wail across the country:" https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-strike-ukraine-air-raid-sirens-wail-across-country-2023-02-10/

* "Russia's rare thermobaric rocket launcher taken out by Ukraine, video shows:" https://www.newsweek.com/russia-thermobaric-rocket-launcher-destroyed-ukraine-video-1781454

* "Russia may have lost an entire elite brigade near a Donetsk coal-mining town:" https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-may-have-lost-an-entire-elite-brigade-near-a-coal-mining-town-in-donbas-ukraine-says/

* " On the road from Donetsk, evacuation ends in heartbreak :" https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/ukraine-crisis-evacuation-picture/

* I’m so glad she escaped. "Russian TV Journalist Who Protested Ukraine War On Air Added To Wanted List:" https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-journalist-ukraine-protest-ovsyannikova-wanted-escaped/32063391.html

Want to help Journalists without Borders? https://donate.rsf.org/us/donate/~my-donation

* "Opinion | They clicked once. Then came the dark prisons.:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2023/political-protest-new-generation-faces/

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* "US intercepts Russian bombers off Alaska for 2 straight days:" https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-intercepts-russian-bombers-off-alaska-2-straight/story?id=97260923

* "North Korea displays enough ICBMs to overwhelm U.S. defense system against them:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/08/north-korea-missile-capability-icbms-00081993

* "What we know about the unidentified object shot down over Alaska:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/11/politics/unidentified-object-alaska-military-latest/index.html

* "U.S. declassifies balloon intelligence, calls out China for spying:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/02/09/chinese-balloon-surveillance-program/

* "Congress unites to condemn China — but splits again over Biden — after spy balloon incident:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/09/house-passes-measure-condemning-china-for-spy-balloon-419-0-00082038

* "Chinese Spy Balloon: Legal To Shoot Down?:"

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* "Did the Pentagon use a jet to shoot down a hobby group's balloon?:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/did-the-pentagon-use-a-jet-to-shoot-down-a-hobby-group-s-balloon-163535429550

* "Biden says objects shot down over North America last week appear to not be part of China's spy balloon operation :" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/16/politics/president-biden-downed-objects

* "Outside of balloon spotlight, Chinese hacks threaten U.S. infrastructure, security:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/outside-of-balloon-spotlight-chinese-hacks-threaten-u-s-infrastructure-security-163391045627

* "After helping prince’s rise, Trump and Kushner benefit from Saudi funds:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/12/after-helping-princes-rise-trump-kushner-benefit-saudi-funds/

* "Democrat seeks documents about $2 billion Saudi investment in Kushner fund:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/15/democrats-jared-kushner-saudi-investment-documents/

* "Raskin calls for investigation into Kushner’s $2 billion Saudi deal:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/raskin-calls-for-investigation-into-kushner-s-2-billion-saudi-deal-163456581726

* "New details on how Trump, Kushner continue to profit off Saudi ties:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/new-details-on-how-trump-kushner-continue-to-profit-off-saudi-ties-163301445596

* "Apparent cyberattack forces Florida hospital system to divert some emergency patients to other facilities:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/03/politics/cyberattack-hospital-tallahassee-memorial-florida/index.html

* "Exclusive: Former top FBI official involved in Trump-Russia investigation under scrutiny by federal prosecutors for his own ties to Russia:" https://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-fbi-charles-mcgonigal-trump-russia-grand-jury-oleg-deripaska-2022-9

* "New report raises questions about indicted former FBI spy chief's Russia contacts:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/new-report-raises-questions-about-indicted-former-fbi-spy-chief-s-russia-contacts-163531845694

* "Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s strange ‘woke’ rant reveals a big GOP problem:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/08/sarah-huckabee-sanders-sotu-response-biden-woke-ron-desantis/

* "One-on-One with Karine Jean-Pierre:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/one-on-one-with-karine-jean-pierre-163207237765

* "Biden to name Fed's Lael Brainard as top economic advisor, source says:" https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/14/biden-to-name-feds-lael-brainard-as-top-economic-advisor-source-says.html

* "Black History Flag Flies Over Federal Building For First Time:" https://advocatechannel.com/black-history-flag-flies-over-federal-building-first-time

* "Supreme Court justices discussed, but did not agree on, code of conduct:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/09/supreme-court-ethics-code/

* "String of scandals prompts push for Supreme Court code of conduct:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/string-of-scandals-prompts-push-for-supreme-court-code-of-conduct-163067461908

* Some Republican Supreme Court justices insist that they are Lawmakers, not judges and the importance of their rulings means they can't be constrained by any ethical rules when changing law in accordance with their political beliefs.

My suspicion is the ethical constraint that most would chafe is an end to them being allowed to take bribes for access.

* "The Supreme Court Could Destroy the Internet. Really.:"

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* "Inflation eases again, but bringing prices further down will take work:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/02/14/inflation-easing-cpi-january/

* "Rick Scott pivots on Social Security Medicare after bipartisan backlash:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/rick-scott-pivots-on-social-security-medicare-after-bipartisan-backlash-163605573683

* And yet they don’t examine the massive tax cuts they gave the rich. "Republicans take aim at food stamps in growing fight over federal debt:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2023/02/16/food-stamps-gop-proposed-cuts/

* "Ohio train crash crisis highlights need for safety net GOP seeks to cut:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/ohio-train-crash-crisis-highlights-need-for-safety-net-gop-seeks-to-cut-163614277858

* "582,462 and Counting:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/03/business/economy/us-homeless-population-count.html

* "Striking HarperCollins Workers Reach Tentative Agreement With Publisher:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/books/harper-collins-strike-tentative-agreement.html

* "Temple University cuts tuition and health benefits for striking graduate students:" https://www.npr.org/2023/02/10/1155762537/temple-university-grad-strike

Graduate student workers do a lot of the things professors do (grading, some teaching, particularly discussion sections, etc.), and being a grad student is incredibly expensive. Tuition is astronomically higher, and not always covered by grants, scholarships, etc.. The cost of books is massive even compared to undergraduates in the more expensive disciplines. (The books you need for things like advanced language classes and history cost almost as much as housing did for me in grad school per term). The same housing shortages and skyrocketing housing prices effect them as they do everyone else and on campus graduate housing tends to be super limited, especially if you have a spouse or family, which means dealing with expensive city housing markets).

I absolutely support the strikers. Universities use grad students and adjunct professors as a way to avoid paying for tenure track and tenured professors in the quantities they need. Seriously, given the geometric tuition inflation in my lifetime, most universities can afford to pay all their workers properly, they just chose not to.

* "Uber, Lyft drivers announce strike across Pittsburgh region:" https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/uber-lyft-drivers-announce-strike-across-pittsburgh-region/T7SE5T7GHJB7VOD4LG3J4VF34A/

* "Actors strike at California medieval-themed dinner theater:" https://apnews.com/article/california-los-angeles-business-strikes-409905e3e61b5611da872f4f25be8e96

* "Starbucks: A Grande Union Busting With Two Pumps of Racism:"

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* "Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins' parents, sister sue Alec Baldwin over 'Rust' shooting:" https://abcnews.go.com/US/cinematographer-halyna-hutchins-parents-sister-sue-alec-baldwin/story?id=97006332

* "Chris Hayes: The real reason behind the Republican Party infighting:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/chris-hayes-the-real-reason-behind-the-republican-party-infighting-163162693902

* "Plaskett: GOP using ‘weaponization’ panel to air conspiracy theories ahead of 2024:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/plaskett-gop-using-weaponization-panel-to-air-conspiracy-theories-ahead-of-2024-163164229889

* "Specificity key to advancing goals of public safety, police reform: Rep. Horsford:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/specificity-key-to-advancing-goals-of-public-safety-police-reform-rep-horsford-163170885872

* "Gay Dem Blasts Marjorie Taylor Greene for Going After Drag Shows at Hearing:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-robert-garcia

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

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

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

* "Democrats look for opportunities to secure democracy against GOP election deniers:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/democrats-look-for-opportunities-to-secure-democracy-against-gop-election-deniers-163463237813

* "Fox knew vote rigging claims were false, Dominion says, as network defends coverage:" https://www.reuters.com/legal/dominion-voting-systems-says-fox-knew-vote-rigging-claims-it-broadcast-were-2023-02-16/

* "Mehdi: Bombshell text evidence confirms Fox 'is not a news channel':" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/mehdi-bombshell-text-evidence-confirms-fox-is-not-a-news-channel-163603525730

* "On air vs. off air: How Fox News lied about the 2020 election:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/on-air-vs-off-air-how-fox-news-lied-about-the-2020-election-163603013893

* "Court brief exposes Fox News fear of fickle, Trump-supporting audience:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/court-brief-exposes-fox-news-fear-of-fickle-trump-supporting-audience-163611205944

* "Fox News exposed for disingenuous coverage of Trump's Big Lie:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/fox-news-exposed-for-disingenuous-coverage-of-trump-s-big-lie-163613253706

* "Who knew a far-right election denier would do Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs' bidding?:" https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/laurieroberts/2023/02/07/gov-katie-hobbs-ally-in-election-denier-rep-liz-harris/69881091007/

* "Nikki Haley Launches Her Campaign Beside Doomsday Antisemitic Pastor:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/nikki-haley-launches-her-campaign-beside-doomsday-antisemitic-pastor-john-hagee

* "Trump attacks Nikki Haley from the left on Social Security, Medicare:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/trump-attacks-nikki-haley-from-the-left-on-social-security-medicare-163455557771

* "Nikki Haley stumbles over federal abortion ban issue:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/nikki-haley-stumbles-over-federal-abortion-ban-issue-163527749727

* "Trump Plans to Bring Back Firing Squads, Group Executions if He Retakes White House:" https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-death-penalty-firing-squad-executions-1234679447/

* "Trump Vows to Gut Transgender Rights if Reelected:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/donald-trump-transgender-rights

* "Big GOP donors plot to replace Trump in 2024:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/big-gop-donors-plot-to-replace-trump-in-2024-163050565957

* "California's Rep. Lee files to seek Feinstein's Senate seat:" https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-dianne-feinstein-barbara-lee-82e9988882c50b6514b7ee22f946a884

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* "'This is a lie': Sinema's office denies Santos' account of friendly exchange during State of Union:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/10/politics/sinema-santos-state-of-the-union/index.html

* "FEC orders Santos to formally declare his 2024 candidacy or 'disavow' post-midterm fundraising :" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/10/politics/fec-george-santos-campaign-fundraising/index.html

* "George Santos Reportedly Hires Lawyer Convicted of Brazilian Gang Killing:" https://www.advocate.com/news/george-santos-lawyer-gang-execution

* "Santos was charged with theft in 2017 case tied to Amish dog breeders:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/09/santos-charged-theft-2017-dog-breeders-00082091

* "House Democrats file resolution attempting to expel George Santos from Congress:" https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-santos-house-democrats-resolution-remove-from-congress/

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* "The First Gen Z Congressman Has Landed in Washington:"

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* If this is what he needed then I am very glad he was willing and able to do it. My thoughts are with him. "Fetterman checks into hospital to seek treatment for clinical depression:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/fetterman-checks-into-hospital-to-seek-treatment-for-clinical-depression-163527749542

* White lawmakers are planning to end democracy for a majority black city so they can have their way with the city, much as happened in Flint Michigan only worse. "Controversial Bill in Mississippi:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/controversial-bill-in-mississippi-163208261638

* "Unnerving authoritarian patterns seen from right-wing U.S. governors:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/unnerving-authoritarian-patterns-seen-from-right-wing-u-s-governors-163312709674

* "First step to authoritarianism: attack the free press:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/first-step-to-authoritarianism-attack-the-free-press-163311173811

* This is terrifying in every country where it’s happening. "Authoritarian style attacks on judiciary expected as potential Trump indictment looms:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/authoritarian-style-attacks-on-judiciary-expected-as-potential-trump-indictment-looms-163312197935

* "Feds bust company using child labor to clean meatpacking plants:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/feds-bust-company-using-child-labor-to-clean-meatpacking-plants-163611717920

* "Portions of Georgia grand jury report cite suspicions of false testimony:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/portions-of-grand-jury-report-cite-suspicions-of-false-testimony-163534917814

* "FBI removes one document marked classified from former Vice President Mike Pence's home:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/10/politics/mike-pence-house-fbi-search/index.html

* "Trump team turns over additional classified records and laptop to federal prosecutors:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/10/politics/trump-classified-records-laptop/index.html

* "Trump lawyers turn over more classified material, including digital copies:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/trump-lawyers-turn-over-more-classified-material-including-digital-copies-163170885625

* "Trump legal spotlight increasingly difficult for Pence to avoid:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/trump-legal-spotlight-increasingly-difficult-for-pence-to-avoid-163169349927

* "Mark Meadows subpoenaed by DOJ special counsel in Jan. 6 probe:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/report-mark-meadows-subpoenaed-by-doj-special-counsel-in-jan-6-probe-163455045531

* "Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows received DOJ subpoena in January: reports:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/trump-chief-of-staff-mark-meadows-received-doj-subpoena-in-january-reports-163464261634

* "What the DOJ special counsel might hope to learn from Mike Pence under subpoena:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/what-the-doj-special-counsel-might-hope-to-learn-from-mike-pence-under-subpoena-163067461596

* "‘He’s going to lose this’: Mike Pence’s chance of challenging DOJ subpoena:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-he-s-going-to-lose-this-mike-pence-s-chance-of-challenging-doj-subpoena-163049029764

* "Schiff: No excuse for Pence to do anything but cooperate with DOJ subpoena:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/schiff-no-excuse-for-pence-to-do-anything-but-cooperate-with-doj-subpoena-163161157968

* "'Wrongheaded on many levels': Lofgren knocks Pence foot-dragging on DOJ subpoena:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/-wrongheaded-on-many-levels-lofgren-knocks-pence-footdragging-on-doj-subpoena-163391045695

* "Rep. Goldman: Pence is trying Trump's delay strategy in subpoena fight:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/rep-goldman-pence-is-trying-trump-s-delay-strategy-in-subpoena-fight-163526725796

* "Four Takeaways From the Proud Boys Jan. 6 Sedition Trial So Far:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/10/us/politics/proud-boys-jan-6-sedition-trial.html

* "Elon Musk Is An Idiot (and so are Zuck and SBF):"

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* "Joe Rogan Can’t Figure Out Why People Think Elon Musk Is a ‘Right-Winger’ Now:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/joe-rogan-cant-figure-out-why-people-think-elon-musk-is-a-right-winger-now

* "Marjorie Taylor Greene accuses gay former Twitter exec of sexualising children:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/08/marjorie-taylor-greene-yoel-roth-twitter-hunter-biden-hearing/

* "Extremist influencers are generating millions for Twitter, report says:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/02/09/twitter-ads-revenue-suspended-account/

* "FBI says Baltimore County woman plotted to 'shoot up' BGE electric substations:" https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2023-02-06/fbi-says-baltimore-county-woman-plotted-to-shoot-up-bge-electric-substations

* "Molotov Cocktail Thrown at New Jersey Synagogue:" https://advocatechannel.com/molotov-cocktail-new-jersey-synagogue

* "Florida could soon have permitless carry. It’s not enough, some gun owners say.:" https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/02/07/desantis-permitless-carry-bill-gun-open-constitutional/

* "LGBTQ+ Activists Speak Out as Florida Considers Loosening Gun Access:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/permitless-carry-lgbtq-florida

* "New push for assault weapons ban, nearly five years after Parkland shooting:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/new-push-for-assault-weapons-ban-nearly-five-years-after-parkland-shooting-163206725800

* "Maxwell Frost: Gen Z is the 'mass shooting generation’ :" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/maxwell-frost-gen-z-is-the-mass-shooting-generation-163380805669

* CW: Suicide. "Suspect has died of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after mass shooting at Michigan State University left 3 dead and 5 injured, police say:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/13/us/michigan-state-university-shots-fired/index.html

* "Suspect killed former partner, five others in Mississippi shootings, sheriff says:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/02/17/mississippi-shooting-tate-county/

* "White House struggles to explain the fate of Title 42:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/06/public-health-emerdency-title-42-00081390

* "Lawsuit can proceed against Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse:" https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-legal-proceedings-kenosha-lawsuits-shootings-3bdc03586a45f1ebee16a3df8a5a4f63

* "How True Crime Exploits Victims:"

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* "Missouri man who killed 4 executed despite innocence claims:" https://apnews.com/article/missouri-state-government-california-homicide-94fe2fefa47faa618d3826c7f32e6f1d

* "Are Inmates Being Sentenced to a Painful Death?:"

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* "Yale Honors Black Girl Reported to Police For Spraying Lanternflies:" https://advocatechannel.com/yale-honors-black-girl-reported-to-police-for-spraying-lanternflies

* "Who’s Afraid of Black History?:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/17/opinion/desantis-florida-african-american-studies-black-history.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Opinion

* "Gov. Greg Abbott tells state agencies to stop considering diversity in hiring:" https://www.texastribune.org/2023/02/07/greg-abbott-diversity-equity-inclusion-illegal/

* "New College of Florida board trustee wants to replace president and fire all faculty and staff to eliminate ‘dogmatic wokeness’:" https://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/new-college-of-florida-board-trustee-wants-to-replace-president-and-fire-all-faculty-and-staff-to-eliminate-dogmatic-wokeness-33448774

* I was super skeptical of the guy from the college board I saw interviewed recently claiming there was no contact and they just decided to gut the course independently. I feel vindicated in my skepticism. "Florida Officials Had Repeated Contact With College Board Over African American Studies:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/us/florida-college-board-african-american-studies.html

* "DeSantis retrograde war on education, social progress stirs protest in Florida capital:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/desantis-retrograde-war-on-education-social-progress-stirs-protest-in-florida-capital-163463237757

* "200 students stage walkout at Hillcrest High School in protest over Black History Month program:" https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/200-students-stage-walkout-at-hillcrest-high-school-in-protest-over-black-history-month-program/

* "North Dakota Bill Would Jail Librarians for Not Removing Certain Books:" https://www.advocate.com/news/north-dakota-library-jail-books

* "Right-Wing Group Targets LGBTQ+ Existence in Michigan Schools:" https://www.advocate.com/news/right-wing-targets-lgbtq-michigan

* "Libs of TikTok Targets 'Kinky Boots' Event:" https://www.advocate.com/news/chaya-raichik-unaware-kinky-boots#rebelltitem1

* "Former Mayor Pleads No Contest in Grindr Child Sex Crime Case:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/robert-jacob-child-sex-crime

* CW: Sexual Assault. "Male Staffer Who Accused CPAC's Matt Schlapp of Groping Sues GOP Operative:" https://www.advocate.com/news/matt-schlapp-gop-operative

* "Gay Man Sues Canada Over Sperm Donation Restrictions:" https://www.advocate.com/news/sperm-donation-canada-gay-men

* For Republicans, the Handmaid's Tale is aspirational. "Florida Wants Teen Athletes to Report Periods — Why?:" https://www.advocate.com/news/florida-teen-athletes-periods

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* I’m not holding my breath for this Supreme Court to side with the constitution and civil and human rights over their theocracy agenda. I’d love for this to work though. "Federal judge says constitutional right to abortion may still exist, despite Dobbs:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/06/federal-judge-constitutional-right-abortion-dobbs-00081391

* "Biden administration braces for ruling that could ban abortion pills:" https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/09/court-ban-abortion-pills-nationwide-00081946

* "Texas judge could end access to abortion medication mifepristone nationwide:" https://www.msnbc.com/alex-wagner-tonight/watch/texas-judge-could-end-access-to-abortion-medication-mifepristone-nationwide-163068485515

* "TX lawsuit could pull abortion drug off the U.S. market:" https://www.msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/tx-lawsuit-could-pull-abortion-drug-off-the-u-s-market-163206725797

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* "Focus on the Family Hates Your (Non-Straight) Family:"

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* "Egyptian Police Entrapping Queer Men Through Dating Apps: Report:" https://www.advocate.com/news/gay-egypt

* "Photographer Charged With Murder of LGBTQ Activist, Model Edwin Chiloba:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/edwin-chiloba-murder-suspect

* "India could legalise same-sex marriage. It would change these couples' lives:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/09/india-same-sex-marriage-supreme-court-ruling/

* "Slovenia becomes first eastern European country to recognise same-sex marriage:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/02/slovenia-same-sex-marriage/

* "Church of England votes to offer blessings to same sex couples:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/09/church-of-england-synod-votes-to-offer-blessings-to-same-sex-couples/

* "Protesters face off with bishops over paltry same-sex marriage blessings proposal:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/08/protestors-rally-against-church-of-englands-same-sex-marraige-law/

* "Doctors warn 'NHS is failing trans people' amid row over Tavistock gender clinic:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/09/tavistock-gender-clinic-closure-staff-open-letter-trans-healthcare/

* "91 Percent of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills Failed in 2022:" https://www.advocate.com/news/anti-lgbtq-bills-failed-2022

* "Democrats kill off anti-trans bills targeting life-saving healthcare and trans kids:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/05/virginia-senate-democrats-trans-bills-healthcare/

* "Here Are the 21 States Trying to Ban Gender-Affirming Care:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/what-states-trying-ban-gender-affirming-care

* "Utah Gov. Signs Bill Banning Most Gender-Affirming Care for Youth:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/gender-affirming-care-utah-ban

* "North Dakota Bill Targets Nonexistent Trend of Students Identifying as Animals:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/students-identifying-as-animals-bill

* "Queer Prom Targeted by Far-Right Influencers and Lawmakers:" https://www.advocate.com/news/libs-of-tiktok-queer-prom

* "Trans pharmacist asked if she 'has a penis' during senate hearing speaks out: 'Dehumanising':" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/17/gwendolyn-herzig-trans-pharmacy-doctor-arkansas/

* "Baker Jack Phillips Loses Appeal in Trans Woman's Discrimination Suit:" https://www.advocate.com/news/jake-phillips-loses-appeal-transgender

* "Two men charged over tragic 2019 killing of Black trans woman Pebbles LaDime Doe:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/04/pebbles-ladime-doe-death-south-caroline-black-trans/

* "Gay Man Robbed, Beaten Beyond Recognition in San Francisco:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/gay-man-robbed-beaten

* "FBI Investigating Threats Against 3 LGBTQ+ Bars:" https://www.advocate.com/news/fbi-investigation-lgbtq-bar-threats

* "School District Rallies Behind Superintendent Targeted by Antigay Letter:" https://www.advocate.com/news/georgia-school-district-superintendent

* "Trans employee wins $20K settlement against Shake Shack:" https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/02/trans-employee-wins-20k-settlement-against-shake-shack/

* "World Athletics Seeks Stricter Rules for Transgender Women:" https://www.advocate.com/world/world-athletics-transgender-women

* "Feds Seek Input on National PrEP Coverage:" https://www.advocate.com/news/feds-seek-prep-coverage-input

* "Mpox Is Almost Gone in the US, Leaving Lessons & Mysteries Behind:" https://www.advocate.com/health/mpox-monkeypox-numbers-down-lessons

* "Ex-Mormons Have Started a Magic Mushroom Church:"

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* Yet more proof insurance companies are evil and we need free universal healthcare. "Trans doctor forced to spend life savings to keep clinic open and treat patients:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/09/trans-doctor-tiffany-najberg-life-savings-to-keep-clinic-open/

* "Seizure Drug Can Reprogram Donor Hearts to Last Longer Until Transplant:" https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/594420-Seizure-Drug-Can-Reprogram-Donor-Hearts-to-Last-Longer-Until-Transplant/

* "900% increase in babies born with syphilis in Mississippi may be part of nationwide trend:" https://www.livescience.com/900-increase-in-babies-born-with-syphilis-in-mississippi-may-be-part-of-nationwide-trend

* "An 82-year-old woman was found alive at a New York funeral home after she was pronounced dead hours earlier, police say:" https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/07/us/new-york-woman-found-alive-funeral-home/index.html

* "Opioid Tapering Disrupts Healthcare and Worsens Doctor-Patient Relationships:" https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2023/2/8/opioid-tapering-disrupts-healthcare-and-worsens-doctor-patient-relationshipsnbsp

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* "How search and rescue teams pull survivors from rubble:" https://www.reuters.com/graphics/TURKEY-QUAKE/SEARCH/klpygdjoapg/

* "Turkey-Syria quake: Death toll tops 41,000; First U.N. aid convoy enters Syria via new border crossing:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/14/turkey-syria-earthquake-updates-deaths/

Link to help Turkey: https://www.tumblr.com/star-burp/708846519515774976?source=share

White Helmets Syria: https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/

UN help for both countries: https://donate.unhcr.org/int/en/turkiye-syria-earthquake-emergency

Queer relief fund for the 6 February Earthquake LGBTQIA+ and/or SW survivors: https://gogetfunding.com/queer-relief-fund-for-the-6-february-earthquake-lgbtqia-and-or-sw-survivors/

Doctors without Borders: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate?_gl=1*659c3c*_ga*NzkzMjQ0NzgxLjE2NzU4MzgzMzk.*_ga_C7EW6Q0J9K*MTY3NTgzODMzOC4xLjEuMTY3NTgzODQyMC4wLjAuMA..&_ga=2.197021998.387868859.1675838340-793244781.1675838339&_gac=1.52586970.1675838340.CjwKCAiAioifBhAXEiwApzCzthT21ylvvR7E5iLT-s-1Ob5DuAW4jst5eWVg1o0d89Pq6HwlGqUEPRoC-K0QAvD_BwE

* "Turkey’s Earthquake Response Is as Political as the Conditions That Increased the Devastation:" https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/turkeys-earthquake-response-is-as-political-as-the-conditions-that-increased-the-devastation

* "Devastation, loss and hope in Antakya after earthquake:" https://abcnews.go.com/International/earthquake-levels-city-antakya-southern-turkey/story?id=97034631

* "Syrian refugees starting over in Turkey are hit hard by the earthquake:" https://www.npr.org/2023/02/09/1155632055/syrian-refugees-starting-over-in-turkey-are-hit-hard-by-the-earthquake

* "Three people rescued from Syria rubble 110 hours after earthquake:" https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/three-people-rescued-syria-rubble-110-hours-after-earthquake-state-media-2023-02-10/

* "Survivors ever fewer in earthquake rubble of Turkey and Syria:" https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/survivors-ever-fewer-earthquake-rubble-turkey-syria-2023-02-12/

* "How Syria's war has hindered earthquake relief:" https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-syrias-war-has-hindered-earthquake-relief-2023-02-13/

* "Rescues dwindle in Turkey after earthquake as aid trickles into Syria:" https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/teenager-rescued-rubble-turkey-10-days-after-quake-2023-02-16/

* "A Crisis Within a Crisis in Syria:" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/podcasts/the-daily/syria-turkey-earthquake-aid.html

* "A Dramatic Rescue From Turkey's Earthquake Epicenter:"

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* "What to know about the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio:" https://www.npr.org/2023/02/16/1157333630/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment

* "Health concerns grow in East Palestine, Ohio, after train derailment:" https://www.npr.org/2023/02/14/1156567743/health-east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment-chemicals

* "Ohio train derailment prompts evacuations, uncertainty:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/ohio-train-derailment-prompts-evacuations-uncertainty-163303493603

* "Republicans use Ohio train disaster to pursue culture wars, ignore solutions:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/republicans-use-ohio-train-disaster-to-pursue-culture-wars-ignore-solutions-163379781729

* "Ohio Governor DeWine, FEMA Regional Administrator Sivak issue joint statement on East Palestine:" https://highlandcountypress.com/Content/In-The-News/Headlines/Article/Ohio-Governor-DeWine-FEMA-Regional-Administrator-Sivak-issue-joint-statement-on-East-Palestine/2/73/88183

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* "“Potential Environmental Nuclear Bomb”: The Disappearing Salt Lake:"

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* "When AI Art Becomes Exploitative and Unethical:"

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* "How Humans Domesticated Just About Everything:"

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* "19th century register gives glimpse into lives of free blacks in Pittsylvania County:" https://www.chathamstartribune.com/news/article_48c8c108-a88d-11ed-a5bc-a31f47080ded.html

* "How Robert Smalls sailed his crew and family to freedom during the Civil War:" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-robert-smalls-sailed-his-crew-and-family-to-freedom-during-the-civil-war

* "First Black combatant of Civil War to be honored in Loudoun Co. battlefield cemetery:" https://wtop.com/loudoun-county/2023/02/first-black-combatant-of-civil-war-to-be-honored-in-loudoun-co-battlefield-cemetery/

* "History Thread: Robert Elliott and the Rhetoric of Liberty:" https://the-avocado.org/2023/02/14/history-thread-robert-elliott-and-the-rhetoric-of-liberty/

* "Boston’s only Black hospital was founded in 1908 — in the South End apartment building where I lived:" https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2023/02/09/historic-boston-plymouth-hospital-cornelius-garland-lisa-gordon

* "How Hollywood was Born Gay:"

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* "Wikipedia’s Intentional Distortion of the History of the Holocaust:" https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/25785648.2023.2168939

* "The Little Known History of World War II's All-Black, All-Female Battalion:" https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/all-black-women-battalion-wwii-6888th?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=a57267612e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_02_16&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-a57267612e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=a57267612e&mc_eid=5723490053

* "James Dean: The Bi Hollywood Icon We Lost Too Soon:"

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* "50 Black Women in STEM You Should Know About:" https://medium.com/rediscover-steam/50-black-women-in-stem-you-should-know-about-f74bd23503fd

* "Jo-Raquel Tejada wanted to make it in Hollywood. She had to become Raquel Welch.:" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/raquel-welch-stealth-latina-tejada-changing-times-rcna71174

* "George Santos: Bring On The Ethics Investigation:"

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* "Meanwhile… Subway Is For Sale | Japan’s Monkey Mermaid Mummy | Pizza Delivery Squirrel Attack:"

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* "Rihanna Wins! | Are The Balloons Sent By Aliens? | George Santos Stole Puppies:"

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* "The Last of Us EP4: Building a Bond — Therapist Reacts!:"

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* "The Last of Us HBO EP5: The Importance of Great Role Models — Therapist Reacts!:"

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* "How Glass Onion Calls Out Capitalism:"

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* "Hogwarts Legacy release prompts more antisemitism allegations:" https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/02/10/hogwarts-legacy-antisemitism-goblin-artefact/

* "The Queer Joy of Everything Everywhere All At Once:"

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* "Everyone Everywhere Needs Waymond Wang:"

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* "I Don't See Color: Where Bucky's Apology Fails:"

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* "Boyz II Men (ft. Stephen Colbert) -- "I'll Make Love To You (But We Don't Have To)":"

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* "Captain Kirk Has A New Enemy In Space:"

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* "Vladagra Will Help You Launch Your Missile:"

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* "The Bright Side of Dylan's Journey:"

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* This is a long time friend of mine. They have secured future housing, but have spent everything in the previous fundraiser on gofundme to survive to this point and they need They need $6800 over the next three months until their move in date.

Gofundme here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hdykv-housing-crisis?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

You can also support them via their Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/Kandrinchae/shop?fbclid=IwAR0E1PRHlG45LWhBfDtVpGigD1YUk9Njm-__SviL4W7C8JZUCppFc1oG9Gs%22

* Thursday was really bad mobility wise. Bonus points for hours of intermittent Internet connection. Monday was astonishingly difficult physically as well for no apparent reason. Tuesday was a touch better. We have dropped off the car for the procedure. Let's hope Medicare transport goes okay.

* The car ended up being $450.00. When they lifted the assembly out, they discovered the spark plugs were close to the end, so they just charged parts to replace them. I vaguely remember this being what happened more than a decade ago, last time they redid this part of the car, so was rather expecting it.

I have raised 100ish towards the bills I didn't pay in order to fix the car. I'll need to sort out the exact size of the hole once everything settled..

My chronic illness stuff remains stunningly bad. I was going to explain what's going on, but frankly, it exhausts me. We are at the trapped on the kitchen floor weeping because I couldn't find the safe for me spaghetti pot and then discovered I couldn't get up level Wednesday. Thursday was supposed to be full rest after I got the car back in the morning, but Ha! No! People kept calling me, and then it turned out I'd forgotten to sign my check so I had to go back to the mechanic before the 5 O'clock close.

(One of the things I love about Honest Mechanic is their super strict business hours. They are opened 8-5 weekdays. Everyone gets a full hour of lunch and is paid what they deserve for their skilled labor. Everyone is treated decently and they are never asked to work even a minute early or late. No bothering people when they are off the clock. Work/life balance encouraged. I will weep when the owner retires, though it will likely be okay with his son in his footsteps. I noticed tonight his son is about the age the father was when I first went there, and looks so like him they could almost be clones. I love when businesses are ethical in every respect).

As I'd already spent the gas to go downtown, I forced myself to do pharmacy and library, since medicare transport only does to and from doctor's appointments, so no errands happened Wednesday. I am already weepy tired, and in pain. We have one week of special girl cat food left, and I have concerns. I think there may be enough gas to last the month. We'll see.

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Gwydion

* A thing on Shaw Deadnaming Seven of Nine in Star Trek: Picard: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/709591413032189952/i-want-to-state-right-off-that-i-cant-speak-for?source=share

* I only agree with about 80% of this, but a lot of it is very good and the rest worth mulling and debating.
Contains Locked Tomb spoilers: "John is Ra and Alecto is Mehet-Weret:" https://chaos-has-theories.tumblr.com/post/686969277229727744/part-1-the-eye-of-john

* "What's happening to your body book for lyctors :" https://www.tumblr.com/yuck-pfaugh/709602095818571776?source=share

* "International Snow Sculpture Championships 2023: See the Incredible Winning Creations:" https://nicenews.com/culture/2023-international-snow-sculpture-championships/

* "In world where there is two types of tower-dwellers, a Princess is locked in a tower.:" https://www.tumblr.com/seananmcguire/708978195414859776?source=share

* I'd like to take a moment to appreciate how good the young actors are/have been on The Last of Us. So good and real and natural I never questioned it until listening to the creators talk about it.

* Alfred orients the Wayne Manor Staff: https://www.tumblr.com/seananmcguire/709087024924278784?source=share

* Time travel cop, fish & wildlife division: https://www.tumblr.com/magnesiumflare/709291424936607744?source=share

* "Midnight Pals: Fuckenstein:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/708804745928802305/midnight-pals-fuckenstein?source=share

* "Midnight Pals: The Protocols of Hogwarts:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/708894743941300224/midnight-pals-the-protocols-of-hogwarts?source=share

* "Midnight Pals: A Field So English:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/709004466549129216/midnight-pals-a-field-so-english?source=share

* "Midnight Pals: Legally Binding:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/709268715375558656/midnight-pals-legally-binding?source=share

* "Midnight Pals: The Real Victims:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/709340610840182784/midnight-pals-the-real-victims?source=share

* "Midnight Pals: more of this shit:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/709438054266552320/midnight-pals-more-of-this-shit?source=share

* "Midnight Pals: Penguins on Parade:" https://www.tumblr.com/bitterkarella/709619008102711296/midnight-pals-penguins-on-parade?source=share

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

The help links are at the bottom under the cut.

Earthquake Relief:
Link to help Turkey: https://www.tumblr.com/star-burp/708846519515774976?source=share

White Helmets Syria: https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/

UN help for both countries: https://donate.unhcr.org/int/en/turkiye-syria-earthquake-emergency

Queer relief fund for the 6 February Earthquake LGBTQIA+ and/or SW survivors: https://gogetfunding.com/queer-relief-fund-for-the-6-february-earthquake-lgbtqia-and-or-sw-survivors/

Doctors without Borders: https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/secure/donate?_gl=1*659c3c*_ga*NzkzMjQ0NzgxLjE2NzU4MzgzMzk.*_ga_C7EW6Q0J9K*MTY3NTgzODMzOC4xLjEuMTY3NTgzODQyMC4wLjAuMA..&_ga=2.197021998.387868859.1675838340-793244781.1675838339&_gac=1.52586970.1675838340.CjwKCAiAioifBhAXEiwApzCzthT21ylvvR7E5iLT-s-1Ob5DuAW4jst5eWVg1o0d89Pq6HwlGqUEPRoC-K0QAvD_BwE

* Want to help Journalists without Borders? https://donate.rsf.org/us/donate/~my-donation

* Where to order your free COVID tests. "COVID Home Tests:" https://special.usps.com/testkits

* "LGBTQ Refugees Welcome campaign:" https://www.gofundme.com/f/lgbtq-refugees-welcome

* Want to help Lucas Kunce beat Josh Hawley? https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pccc_2022_lucas_kunce_only

* "Alternative Library ~ New Home Fundraiser, organized by Alternative Library:" https://www.gofundme.com/f/alternative-library-new-home-fundraiser

* This is a long time friend of mine. They have secured future housing, but have spent everything in the previous fundraiser on gofundme to survive to this point and they need They need $6800 over the next three months until their move in date.

Gofundme here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hdykv-housing-crisis?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

You can also support them via their Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/Kandrinchae/shop?fbclid=IwAR0E1PRHlG45LWhBfDtVpGigD1YUk9Njm-__SviL4W7C8JZUCppFc1oG9Gs%22

* My Oldest Continuous friend's Elder Cat is getting up there and her special diet and health care for kidney failure is expensive.  Gigi is a sweet, extremely cuddly girl and could use extra help. :

SupportGigiInHerOldAge:" https://www.spotfund.com/story/18393388-9914-4f6c-9f99-876aa019bdee

They are also trying to GM for pay. They are an excellent GM. Here's where to sign up: https://startplaying.games/gm/1617744454089x564714756631343740

* If you would like to help support me and the Cats: paypal.me/Gwydion

( Links Underneath: )

* "Netanyahu is leading Israel into civil war between Jews and Palestinians:" https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium.HIGHLIGHT-netanyahu-is-leading-israel-into-civil-war-between-jews-and-palestinians-1.9797672

* "Israeli seriously injured from rocket debris; IDF hits Gaza with ground, air strikes:" https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/gaza-israel-diverts-flights-rocket-barrage-palestinians-death-67-1.9796891

* "‘Morally shocking’: Inside the escalation between Israel and Gaza:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/chris-hayes-on-the-morally-shocking-tension-between-israel-and-gaza-111920709846

* "Israel destroys Gaza tower housing AP and Al Jazeera offices:" https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-tower-housing-ap-al-jazeera-collapses-after-missile-strike-witness-2021-05-15/

* "Biden administration approved $735 million arms sale to Israel:" https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/biden-administration-approved-735-million-arms-sale-israel-sources-2021-05-17/

* "Myanmar election: No evidence fraud in 2020 vote, observers say:" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57144397

* "Myanmar jails local journalist, to free Japanese reporter:" https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/14/myanmar-jails-local-journalist-to-free-japanese-reporter

* "Myanmar army battles anti-coup rebels in northwestern town:" https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/myanmar-army-battles-anti-coup-rebels-northwestern-town-2021-05-15/

* "Russia charges 19-year-old over school shooting:" https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/russians-pay-tribute-victims-mass-shooting-kazan-school-2021-05-12/

* "African Union mission urges return to 'constitutional order' in Chad:" https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/african-union-mission-urges-return-constitutional-order-chad-2021-05-12/

* "Man Accused of Promoting Extermination of Gays Says He's Queer Himself:" https://www.advocate.com/world/2021/5/11/man-accused-promoting-extermination-gays-says-hes-queer-himself

* "Colombia protesters: We're not scared anymore:" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57105000

* "Ugandan Security Forces Deployed Ahead of Museveni Inauguration:" https://www.voanews.com/africa/ugandan-security-forces-deployed-ahead-museveni-inauguration

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

* "Can't Get an Erection — This Could Be Why:" https://www.hivplusmag.com/news/2021/5/17/research-reveals-link-between-covid-and-erectile-dysfunction

* "The Last Mile: Uganda’s Covid-19 vaccine struggle:" https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/uganda-covid-vaccine-struggle/

* "Brazil braces for renewed Covid surge as Bolsonaro faces parliamentary inquiry over pandemic response:" https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/14/brazil-fears-third-covid-wave-as-bolsonaro-faces-parliamentary-inquiry.html

* "How India's vaccine drive went horribly wrong:" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57007004

* "The volunteer network sending oxygen to India's Covid patients:" https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/06/india/india-covid-srinivas-iyc-delhi-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

* "Misinformation surges amid India's COVID-19 calamity:" https://apnews.com/article/india-coronavirus-pandemic-misinformation-business-technology-c52d04de1c3b2332d572736ee069a495

* How to help India: https://www.khalsaaid.org/donate

* "How to Help India Amid the Covid Crisis:" https://www.nytimes.com/article/india-covid-how-to-help.html

* "Biden announces US will share more vaccines globally:" https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/17/politics/vaccines-global-sharing-biden-administration/index.html

* "People vaccinated against Covid-19 can go without masks indoors and outdoors, CDC says:" https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/13/health/cdc-mask-guidance-vaccinated/index.html

* "Everything you need to know about the new CDC mask guidance for fully vaccinated people:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/cdc-director-rochelle-walensky-on-what-fully-vaccinated-people-need-to-know-about-mask-guidance-111921733671

* "A Gay Doctor on Convincing Doubters to Get Vaccinated:" https://www.advocate.com/2021/5/11/gay-doctor-convincing-doubters-get-vaccinated

* "Without Including LGBTQI+ People, the Pandemic Will Not End:" https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/16/without-including-lgbtqi-people-pandemic-will-not-end

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

* "USPS fills leadership ranks with new deputy postmaster general, 2 board members:" https://federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2021/05/usps-fills-leadership-ranks-with-new-deputy-postmaster-general-board-member/

* "Hope for repairing Trump, DeJoy damage to post office as new board members are seated:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/hope-for-repairing-trump-dejoy-damage-to-post-office-as-new-board-members-are-seated-111995973820

* "Piggy bank-filling payments for nearly 90 percent of kids will start July 15:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/17/child-tax-credit-payments-488969

* "John Podesta and other progressive leaders want Biden to drop the GOP's 'small-minded' infrastructure plans:" https://news.yahoo.com/john-podesta-other-progressive-leaders-161202273.html

* "Progressive groups caution Biden on weakening infrastructure bill for GOP bait and switch:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/progressive-groups-caution-biden-on-weakening-infrastructure-bill-for-gop-bait-and-switch-111927365847

* The Republican War on the Poor continues. "More than a dozen GOP-led states are ending federal unemployment benefits early:" https://www.axios.com/states-federal-unemployment-benefits-end-5ec90d27-4b43-4399-abaa-3a57925df671.html

* "Why stocks soared while America struggled:" https://www.vox.com/business-and-finance/22421417/stock-market-pandemic-economy

* "Rising commodities costs hit Americans at home and on road:" https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-business-3af1bc787f3333bf89f5e9e91b92161a

* "Pulse nightclub could become national memorial to 49 'angels' murdered:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/13/pulse-nightclub-orlando-us-house-vote-memorial/

* "Stefanik voted in as House GOP's new No. 3 leader:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/14/stefanik-voted-in-as-house-gops-new-no-3-leader-488312

* "Rep. Greene aggressively confronts Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, causing New York congresswoman to raise security concerns:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/greene-ocasio-cortez/2021/05/12/fd61d664-b37e-11eb-a3b5-f994536fe84a_story.html

* "Rep. Greene 'aggressively confronts' Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in halls of Congress:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/marjorie-taylor-greene-aggressively-confronts-aoc-in-halls-of-congress-111919685641

* "Chris Hayes: GOP is moderating on policy, radicalizing against democracy:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/chris-hayes-on-how-republicans-are-moderating-on-policy-and-radicalizing-against-democracy-111991365660

* "America Needs a Sane and Functioning Republican Party:" https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/14/america-needs-sane-and-functioning-republican-party

* "Leaked video: Dark money group brags about writing GOP voter suppression bills across the country:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/05/heritage-foundation-dark-money-voter-suppression-laws/

* "Leaked video shows right-wing group bragging about drafting GOP anti-voter bills:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/mother-jones-leaked-video-show-conservative-group-bragging-about-writing-voter-restriction-bills-111919173785

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

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

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

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

* "While Republicans Cry About Cancel Culture, They’re Canceling Democracy:" https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/05/gop-cancel-culture-ending-democracy.html

* "Arizona makes it easier to purge some from early voting list:" https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arizona-race-and-ethnicity-bills-elections-f66f8b032bd081092715f55dc1195134

* "Youngkin seeks to reverse Virginia GOP's Trump-era carnage:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/11/youngkin-trump-virginia-reverse-487300

* "Strap in, Virginia — the 2021 governor’s race is suddenly at full speed:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/glenn-youngkin-virginia-governors-race/2021/05/15/65caa178-b356-11eb-ab43-bebddc5a0f65_story.html

* "Caitlyn Jenner wants to bring the death penalty back to California:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/11/caitlyn-jenner-death-penalty-california/

* "POLITICO Playbook: How Palm Beach is preparing for a possible Trump indictment:" https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2021/05/13/how-palm-beach-is-preparing-for-a-possible-trump-indictment-492836?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=0000014e-f0ed-dd93-ad7f-f8edad790000&nlid=630318

* "Shielding Trump from extradition if he's indicted is an actual thing people are working on:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/shielding-trump-from-extradition-if-he-s-indicted-is-an-actual-thing-people-are-working-on-111925829964

* "Activists and Ex-Spy Said to Have Plotted to Discredit Trump ‘Enemies’ in Government:" https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/us/politics/mcmaster-fbi-trump-project-veritas.html

* "Rudy Giuliani: I Am Being Treated Like ‘Head of Drug Cartel’:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/rudy-giuliani-says-he-is-being-treated-like-head-of-drug-cartel-after-raid-on-home-office

* "House Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Deal On Panel To Investigate Jan. 6 Attack:" https://www.npr.org/2021/05/14/996822835/house-lawmakers-reach-bipartisan-deal-on-panel-to-investigate-jan-6-attack

* "Fox News host confronted over election lies by defiant union boss live on air:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/12/fox-news-randi-weingarten-martha-maccullum-1619-project-misinformation/

* "‘Truth matters’: Rep. Cicilline moves to censure GOP reps ‘downplaying’ Jan. 6:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/-truth-matters-rep-cicilline-moves-to-censure-gop-reps-downplaying-jan-6-111991365995

* "A Border Town Confronts the Reality of Police Surveillance:" https://www.wired.com/story/border-town-confronts-reality-police-surveillance/

* "Atlanta Spa Shootings Were Hate Crimes, Prosecutor Says:" https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/us/atlanta-spa-shootings-hate-crimes.html

* "How A Consent Decree Has Changed Policing In Newark, N.J.:" https://www.npr.org/2021/05/02/992846138/how-a-consent-decree-has-changed-policing-in-newark-n-j

* "LGBTQ+ People Receive More Scrutiny, Negativity From Police: Study:" https://www.advocate.com/news/2021/5/14/lgbtq-people-receive-more-scrutiny-negativity-police-study

* "Online trolls take anti-vaxx hate speech to new level, attacking Peter Hotez:" https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/health/article/Trolls-take-anti-vaxx-hate-speech-to-a-new-level-16160138.php

* "Gaetz associate agrees to cooperate in federal investigation:" https://apnews.com/article/greenberg-gaetz-investigation-sex-trafficking-596299907a6a4db09554cdf4a59d8ef7

* CW: Rape. "4 Women Say Matt Gaetz’s Wingman Pressured Them to Have Sex:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/4-women-say-matt-gaetzs-wingman-pressured-them-to-have-sex

* "'It's not just Greenberg.': Prosecutors building thorough case around Gaetz associate:" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-it-s-not-just-greenberg-prosecutors-building-thorough-case-around-gaetz-associate-111998533715

* "Good news and bad news for Gaetz as associate takes plea deal (and the good news is bad):" https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/good-news-and-bad-news-for-gaetz-as-associate-takes-plea-deal-and-the-good-news-is-bad-111996997667

* "Shocking new allegations about how Matt Gaetz used campaign funds:" https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/new-allegations-about-gaetz-use-of-campaign-funds-after-a-gop-fundraiser-111990853746

* "Supreme Court will hear direct challenge to Roe v. Wade:" https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/17/supreme-court-abortion-case-roe-challenge-488983

* "They Told Her Women Couldn’t Join the Ambulance Corps. So She Started Her Own.:" https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/us/ezras-nashim-womens-EMT.html

* "Cameroonian transgender women convicted of 'attempted homosexuality':" https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/cameroonian-transgender-women-convicted-attempted-homosexuality-2021-05-11/

* "Ugandan LGBT+ activist urges world to speak out against brutal homophobic regime:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/14/pride-uganda-lgbt-yoweri-museveni-gay-queer-africa-same-sex/

* "UK slides even further down rankings of most LGBT-friendly nations in Europe:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/17/uk-europe-rainbow-map-ranking-ilga-idahobit-lgbt-rights/

* "Bishops urge lawmakers to ban ‘abusive and traumatising’ conversion therapy in Wales:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/17/bench-bishops-conversion-therapy-wales-uk-ban/

* "Conversion therapy survivor told to 'vomit up the evil inside her' during Christian 'exorcism':" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/12/conversion-therapy-ban-christian-religious-jayne-ozanne/

* "'Notorious homophobe' Edwin Poots wins DUP leadership:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/14/dup-leadership-edwin-poots-new-leader/

* "Life-changing penis surgery for trans men currently unavailable on NHS:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/14/nhs-bottom-surgery-trans-men-penis-phalloplasty-st-peters-andrology-centre/

* "Serial killer to marry prison fiancée who gave her a ‘no more murders’ ultimatum:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/14/joanna-dennehy-serial-killer-wedding-fiancee-prison/

* "First non-binary mayor 'of any city, anywhere' wins landslide election aged 22:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/12/non-binary-mayor-bangor-wales-owen-hurcum-genderqueer-agender/

* "Thug denies rape after beating man and fleeing with his £700 cardigan:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/11/luke-burling-reading-crown-court-rape-robbery-cashmere-cardigan/

* "NCAA Allows Games in States With Anti-Trans Laws:" https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2021/5/17/ncaa-allows-games-states-anti-trans-laws

* "Unequal Access to Puberty Blockers Is Producing Two Classes of Trans Kids:" https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/05/puberty-blocker-access-trans-youth.html

* "2021 now worst year for anti-LGBT+ legislation in US history – we're not even half-way:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/11/anti-lgbt-laws-passed-2021-any-other-us-history-trans-hrc/

* "Alaska launches its own cruel, 'horrific' attack on trans girls playing sports:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/14/alaska-trans-school-sports-ban-girls-shelley-hughes/

* "Ban on abhorrent gay and trans panic defence unanimously passed by Oregon:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/14/oregon-house-representatives-lgbt-gay-trans-panic-defence/

* "Tennessee Governor Signs Anti-Trans School 'Bathroom Bill' Into Law:" https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2021/5/14/tennessee-governor-signs-anti-trans-school-bathroom-bill-law

* "Nonbinary Indigenous Person Killed During Robbery in Pennsylvania:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/2021/5/11/nonbinary-indigenous-person-killed-during-robbery-pennsylvania

* "Two More Trans Women of Color Reportedly Killed:" https://www.advocate.com/crime/2021/5/12/two-more-trans-women-color-reportedly-killed

* "University condemns 'horrific incident' after student mob ​'broke into' LGBT+ safe space:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/15/bucknell-university-frans-house-break-in-lgbt-safe-space-fraternity/

* "Transphobia is Not Equality | Reacting to Transphobic Ad:"

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* "Judge: Man Convicted of Sodomy Shouldn't Be on Sex Offender Registry:" https://www.advocate.com/news/2021/5/13/judge-man-convicted-sodomy-shouldnt-be-sex-offender-registry

* "A Gay Man Says He Was Tormented at Liberty University. Now He's Suing:" https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/13/gay-man-says-he-was-tormented-liberty-university-now-hes-suing

* "Evangelical Lutheran Church Elects First Transgender Bishop:" https://www.advocate.com/religion/2021/5/10/evangelical-lutheran-church-elects-first-transgender-bishop

* "Christian School Reportedly Tells Teachers: Expel Gay Kids or Leave:" https://www.advocate.com/youth/2021/5/10/christian-school-reportedly-tells-teachers-expel-gay-kids-or-leave

* "Legalization of MDMA as PTSD Treatment Speeds Ahead:" https://www.hivplusmag.com/news/2021/5/11/legalization-mdma-ptsd-treatment-speeds-ahead

* "Paralysed man uses ‘mindwriting’ brain computer to compose sentences:" https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/12/paralysed-man-mindwriting-brain-computer-compose-sentences

* "They Told Their Therapists Everything. Hackers Leaked It All:" https://www.wired.com/story/vastaamo-psychotherapy-patients-hack-data-breach/

* "The tragedy of the commons is a false and dangerous myth:" https://aeon.co/essays/the-tragedy-of-the-commons-is-a-false-and-dangerous-myth

* "People of Color Breathe More Hazardous Air. The Sources Are Everywhere.:" https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/28/climate/air-pollution-minorities.html

* "A story of slavery — and space:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2021/brazil-alcantara-launch-center-quilombo/

* "When the Push Button Was New, People Were Freaked:" https://daily.jstor.org/when-the-push-button-was-new-people-were-freaked/

* "The Mysterious Murder of The Atlanta Math Teacher:"

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* "How ACT UP Shook the Straight Power Structure:" https://www.advocate.com/books/2021/5/10/Sarah-schulman-act-up-hiv-book

* "New designs unveiled for Marsha P Johnson State Park after controversial plans ditched:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/15/marsha-p-johnson-state-park-new-design-brooklyn-plan-complaints/

* "Fleeing a Modern War, Syrians Seek Refuge in Ancient Ruins:" https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/world/middleeast/fleeing-a-modern-war-syrians-seek-refuge-in-ancient-ruins.html

* "James Williams, American Gay Activist Working in India, Dies of COVID:" https://www.advocate.com/world/2021/5/05/james-williams-american-gay-activist-working-india-dies-covid

* "Lesbian penguins are this mating season’s hot new couple:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/12/lesbian-penguin-gentoo-couple-sea-life-london-aquarium/

* "The Most Frivolous Lawsuits Ever:"

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* "How Superhero Films Misunderstand Revolutionaries:"

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* "The Utopian's Code is BROKEN! (Jupiter's Legacy Netflix):"

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* "How Slash Fiction Saved Star Trek (Ft. Mary Chieffo):"

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* "IT'S BETTER BUT ALSO WORSE? Bonding Season 2 Review:"

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* "Rap Diss - SNL:"

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* "The Muppet Show - SNL:"

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* So here's what's going on: I can't remember if I told y'all they had an opening at the hospital, so they moved my exploratory procedure up to next week. This is a good thing, given how quickly I'm deteriorating. It is quite possible in two weeks I'll be properly medicated and feeling better, assuming I don't also have cancer. I'm going to have a bunch of medic al stuff next week just generally, just like this week.

In other news, my glasses were ready a week early, so I am adjusting to bifocals again. These lack the line and are disconcerting if I move my head wrong, but are a dramatic improvement over the emergency non-bifocals I've been wearing and today was easier than yesterday, so I've hopes of being adjusted soon. These are by far the nicest glasses I've owned ever.

In other news, three of the millennials came over for an outdoor chargen picnic, held in accordance with current CDC guidelines. At some point in June my local friends will all be out of COVID jail. (Currently Squirrel, one of the Millennials, and I are all completely done. The others are half vax).

* I kept getting awakened Friday. Except for another beg from the Police Union, they were all important calls, but having long conversations, fetching my calendar etc., is not good for quality sleep.

Saturday I was too uncomfortable to sleep much. We did go and buy way too much juice and restricted diet/sick people foods for me to eat. I'm already in restriction, but I go up a level Monday and it gets worse from there. I need to sort out transport to the hospital, which is meant to be free and easy on my health plan, but the 24/7 number didn't connect. Like no error beep or message. No Ringing. Just dead line. Mmmmm... thanks? I spent like an hour looking for the direction sheet to get the number that went nowhere. I then tried typing in the title from the direction sheet which led me to another non-working number. O.o I added more search terms, found more directions. The first number it listed tried to sell me direct TV. WTF!?! The second number sounded correct, but says they are only Monday through Friday which is clearly not correct. My options are now call them Monday and see if they can give me the correct number or call my Social Worker and see if she has it. I don't understand why they would send me a directiion sheet with the wrong number and why my health plan site also lists a fake number.

squirrel will collect me after the proceedure and is trying to get off work. Caregiver Millennial has agreed to come and look after me in the evening. We plan to make good lemonade and sweet tea to store in the fridge on sunday, amoung other things.

I apparently have two different medical appointments at opposite ends of the day Monday. Fun!

* Monday was a nightmare. a scammer woke me at 7:59, fifteen minutes before the alarm. I spent a stupid amount of time trying to straighten out medical stuff on the phone. I spent the morning on medical stuff and other errands, all involving long waits, most of it standing up in stunning pain. I do not resent the lady with the baby taking one of two waiting room seats. I do resent the other six able bodied people who monopolized them during my 45 minute wait to drop off my specimen. I am visibly disabled, with a crutch and was obviously in massive pain, but I guess those able bodied people needed those two chairs more.

I went home to eat and lung and the like, then went out again for more medical stuff. Luckily the pre-proceedure COVID testing was drive through and very efficient. I am exhausted and in terrible pain. I get to do more medical stuff tomorrow. Sigh.

*****
* 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.

* How to help India: https://www.khalsaaid.org/donate

* "How to Help India Amid the Covid Crisis:" https://www.nytimes.com/article/india-covid-how-to-help.html

* Mutual Aid Link Round Up: https://laughingacademy.tumblr.com/post/645696532415447040/popss-great-big-mutual-aid-masterpost

* Want to help the Asian Community?
https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-to-help-asian-communities-2021.html
https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/stop-aapi-hate
https://www.advancingjustice-atlanta.org/

* What to help save bats, and essential part of our ecosystem? "Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation:" https://www.merlintuttle.org/

* My oldest continuous Real Life friend is doing this project. "Bed, Bath, & Behemoth: An Epic D&D 5e Adventure:" https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/482738549/bed-bath-and-behemoth-an-epic-dandd-5e-adventure?fbclid=IwAR2pA1NFVGG7aZyrLDC5h9Q0a_g7yMh_rY5rWxrnpZ3sJRSe6yO8gAAEq4M

( Links Underneath: )

* "Why People Are Protesting in India:" https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/world/asia/india-protests-citizenship-muslims.html

"All 33 million residents of Assam, a state bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, had to provide documentary evidence, such as a property deed or a birth certificate, showing that they or their ancestors lived in India before 1971. Those who could not would be declared foreign migrants, at risk of being sent to huge new detention camps.

More than two million people, many of them Muslims, failed to pass the test and could end up stateless. The governing party of Mr. Modi has vowed to extend the test to other parts of India.

The government has said the test was intended to root out undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh. India’s home minister, Amit Shah, has repeatedly referred to these migrants as “termites.”"

* "The year in protests: What happened next?:" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-50822363

* "Hong Kong protest tide turns into sea of flames:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-poy-hong-kong-widerimage/hong-kong-protest-tide-turns-into-sea-of-flames-idUSKBN1YR1T4

* "U.S. Braces for Major North Korean Weapons Test as Trump’s Diplomacy Fizzles:" https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/21/world/asia/north-korea-missile-test-trump-kim.html

* "Russia’s State TV Calls Trump Their ‘Agent’:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/russias-state-tv-calls-trump-their-agent

* "Trump airs his grievances as MAGA millennials mingle:" https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/21/trump-turning-point-usa-speech-089182

* "‘Who is Mar-a-Lago?’ Arrested Chinese woman appears confused after intrusion at Trump club:" https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article238538558.html

* "Trespassing Chinese nationals suggest an alarming pattern:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trespassing-chinese-nationals-suggest-an-alarming-pattern-75638341667

* "Rev. Barber on relationship between Evangelical movement and Trump:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/rev-barber-on-relationship-between-evangelical-movement-and-trump-75629637959

* "Donald Trump’s vendetta against the wind:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/donald-trump-s-vendetta-against-the-wind-75631173743

* "President Trump’s written tirade to Nancy Pelosi, annotated:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/12/17/president-trumps-written-tirade-nancy-pelosi-annotated/

* "Battle lines harden over Trump impeachment trial witnesses:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-impeachment-idUSKBN1YQ0I6

* "House counsel suggests Trump could be impeached again:" https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/23/doj-impeachment-vote-undercut-house-mcgahn-testimony-089604

* "New evidence shows fears about legality of Trump Ukraine scheme:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/new-evidence-shows-fears-about-legality-of-trump-ukraine-scheme-75635781983

* "Sen. Van Hollen: Trump violated another law with Ukraine aid hold:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/sen-van-hollen-trump-violated-another-law-with-ukraine-aid-hold-75630149899

* "Chris Hayes on the ‘damning’ emails sent right after the Ukraine phone call:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/chris-hayes-on-the-damning-emails-sent-right-after-the-ukraine-phone-call-75631685829

* "Does media coverage appear to attack Democrats for impeachment?:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/trump-impeachment-media-coverage-seems-to-criticize-democrats-75549765878

* "Millions of Americans Are at Risk of Losing Health Care, Yet Again:" https://www.hivplusmag.com/treatment/2019/12/23/millions-americans-are-risk-losing-health-care-yet-again

* "Trump adviser: Expect more aggressive poll watching in 2020:" https://apnews.com/af2f0ede054d8baebbe1bb6ca47b4895

* "Democrats strategize against renewed GOP vote suppression efforts:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/democrats-strategize-against-renewed-gop-vote-suppression-efforts-75637317560

* "50+ LGBTQ Women, Nonbinary Activists Back Elizabeth Warren:" https://www.advocate.com/election/2019/12/24/exclusive-50-lgbtq-women-nonbinary-activists-back-elizabeth-warren

* "Elizabeth Warren launches investigation into FOSTA/SESTA on International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/17/fosta-sesta-elizabeth-warren-international-day-end-violence-sex-workers-trans-rights/

* "Under secret Stephen Miller plan, ICE to use data on migrant children to expand deportation efforts:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/under-secret-stephen-miller-plan-ice-to-use-data-on-migrant-children-to-expand-deportation-efforts/2019/12/20/36975b34-22a8-11ea-bed5-880264cc91a9_story.html

* "Does white nationalism remain a problem for active-duty troops?:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/-white-nationalist-term-removed-from-military-screening-measure-75547717869

* "New Jersey Is Third State to Ban Discrimination Based on Hair:" https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/20/us/nj-hair-discrimination.html

* "Antigay, Tax-Exempt Mormon Church Accused of Misusing Billions:" https://www.advocate.com/religion/2019/12/17/antigay-tax-exempt-mormon-church-accused-misusing-billions

* "Modern Life: Crash Course European History #30:"

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* "Indonesia Is Trying to Screen Out Queer Teachers:" https://www.advocate.com/world/2019/12/23/indonesia-trying-screen-out-queer-teachers

* "U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Relieved of Duty After Denouncing Homophobia:" https://www.advocate.com/world/2019/12/23/us-ambassador-zambia-relieved-duty-after-denouncing-homophobia

* "An Open Letter to My LGBTQ Family This Holiday Season:" https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/12/23/open-letter-my-lgbtq-family-holiday-season

* "Will a Post-HB 2 North Carolina Elect Its First Trans Senator?:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/2019/12/23/will-post-hb2-north-carolina-elect-its-first-trans-senator

* TW: Death Threat "High school student makes a powerful statement after being called a ‘f****t’ one too many times:" https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/12/17/high-school-student-pride-flag-cape-eastern-hancock-indiana/

* "'Lost crops' could have fed as many as maize:" https://phys.org/news/2019-12-lost-crops-fed-maize.html

* "‘Tis Impeachment Season:"

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* "Why Are People Protesting in Hong Kong? Part 1:"

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* "Why Are People Protesting in Hong Kong? Part 2:"

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* ""Once Upon Impeachment," A Late Show Animated Christmas Classic:"

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* The Refrigerator is officially fixed. It really was a very easy repair of yu have the right toolsand know what you're doing. It was absolutely nothing I could fix myself. It turns out Rubbermaid makes a kick ass cooler. As in, the large baby sized ice block I had put in the bottom was barely even a tiny bit melted and most of the loose ice stayed intact. It did fit in the storage unit with the small borrowed cooler inside. Like, all the perishables made it through from Friday to Sunday. I lost half my food at least in the initial emergency, but nothing over the weekend. It's nice and cool/cold and the ice maker is happily making ice.

I did my Solstice thing, but was too tired after to even touch a computer, hence Sunday being all preprogrammed stuff on tumblr and it being crickets on Dreamwidth. I am till finding things and returning them to their proper homes, as the table clearing had to be hasty.

The great fish migration is going to be next Saturday. *crosses fingers* I spotted a live whiptail in the by the door twenty and those are the worst to catch and transport. Current plan is to migrate the other twenty across to the thirty and what until I hear from the contractor in January to see if I actually have to move the door twenty at all. If I do, they will join their comrades in the office thirty. If not, after the renovation I'll move the tank with fish inside across the living room and put the thirty back on it's pedestal in the living room where the door twenty currently is.

Today I went out to do forage, library and pick up a few replacements for things that died in the fridge last week. It was a good forage in a lot of ways (pistachios!), but was light on bread and fresh veg. Then I went through a stack of yet more phone bureaucracy. They are not cancelling my medicaid, it turns out, but the COLA on Social security starting January was just enough to push everyone on Social Security out of the Categorically needy program into the Medically needy program, which despite the you are going to lose some benefits wording is essentially the same according to the Health and Human Services guy. I have not started the end of year bureaucracy packet, which came last Friday, but a lot of Friday's phone bureaucracy was me calling around to get people to mail me the documentation I need to do the packet. Obviously, none of that is here yet. The weekend ate all the spoons, and I'm wiped today from errands. Hopefully, I'll get my shit to do the parts I can manage with the paperwork I have in the next three days, and fill in the bits that need documents when they turn up. Then I laboriously put forage away. Squirrel emptied the dishwasher yesterday, so there was room for me to reload it. Which meant exhausting and painful prewashing. I still have one side of the sink worth of prewashed things ready for the next load. Sigh.

I still have a lot of last week's news to chew through on top of toy's stuff. My hope is, I'll have a chance to catch up this week.

* I want to thank all of my readers. no really, y'all make me feel less like a voice crying in the wilderness or Cassandra speaking prophecy to those who don't listen.

I especially want to thank those of you who helped keep Livia kitten alive through her medical crisis. Seriously, she would have died without you all coing together to pay her vet bills and get her the food she needed/s to stay alive. She seems to be doing really well on limited ingredient shreds and odds are I'll be getting normal limited ingredient turkey based grain free kibbles and try transitioning her off the prescription kibbles in January once I'm in funds again. She likes the shreds so much she looks forward to them every day, milling around excitedly when she thinks I'm making them and giving one small worried squeak if I'm too slow. I make the sounds that means it's coming and she is reassured. Elder kitty thinks the shreds are the best food ever, and I think they are helping her digestion. Elder Kitty is doing so well, it like the clock has turned back to when her cohort clowder were alive. she's still frail, but she's eating better, has taken back all her common area nap spots and seems to have mostly recovered from her long depression.

I also wanted to give a special thanks to everyone who helped keep the car, dishwasher, and refrigerator running. You are all super stars.

* "The 30 Best LGBTQ Films of the Decade:" https://www.advocate.com/film/2019/12/23/30-best-lgbtq-films-decade#media-gallery-media-31

* TW: Eating Disorders. "Why Can't Marvel Superheroes Have 'Normal' Bodies?:" https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2019/12/18/why-cant-marvel-superheroes-have-normal-bodies

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

* A small, cheap thing to help climate change if you have little money to spare: https://onetreeplanted.org/products/amazon-rainforest-peru

* How to donate to Rainbow Road: https://www.rainbowrailroad.com/donate

* Here are a bunch of state level links to help people in immigrant detention: https://taibhsearachd.tumblr.com/post/186058182962/woundability-this-4th-of-july-celebrate-the

* Angry about the concentration camps on our Southern Border? Here is a list of useful things you can do: https://medium.com/@togetherandfree/feel-helpless-amidst-the-horrific-immigration-news-youre-not-how-you-can-make-difference-today-108dc42de88e

* "More Organizations to Support Helping Kids in Concentration Camps:" https://thisfinecrew.dreamwidth.org/201920.html

* Here is a massive list of things you can do to help refugees inside and outside of the Camps: https://s-leary.tumblr.com/post/185783586806/so-youve-probably-seen-the-post-going-around

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

* The Indivisble guide exists to help you organize effective resistance: https://indivisible.org/

* Want to support Christy Smith in the primary for Katie Hill's seat?: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dw_ca25

* Want to get rid of Mitch McConnell? Help Amy McGrath: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/am-website?refcode=website-nav

* Want to get rid of Lindsey Graham? Help Jaime Harrison: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_harrison_fr_q12019_jaime-a?refcode=MS_AD_D-DD_2019.03.08_X_GG_KW__X__eyJjcmVhdGl2ZSI6IkFkZCBEb25hdGlvbiBOb3ciLCJhdWRpZW5jZSI6IkphaW1lSGFycmlzb24ifQ&recurring=TRUE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn4a_583I5gIVC8RkCh0MowFeEAAYASAAEgIXZfD_BwE

* 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/

* Some RL friends of mine who were barely scraping by just lost one of the part time jobs they collectively hold and it's really fucking things up for them. These are good people, who do so much for others. Want to help? https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-gig-worker-get-through-the-winter/share

* HorrorMux is currently running a Max Mad type thing. Available Archetypes are here. I'm Martyr if you want to find me.: http://horrormu.com/index.php/Available

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

* If you are interested in helping, right now the Cat thing we need most is:
https://www.chewy.com/wellness-core-signature-selects/dp/147047

The dry food I was going to try (less urgent) is this one: https://www.chewy.com/blue-buffalo-wilderness-flatland/dp/176663

Or possibly this: https://www.chewy.com/instinct-by-natures-variety-limited/dp/44654

* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/2108835.html

* "At least 23 die in weekend of Ethiopia ethnic violence:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-violence/at-least-23-die-in-weekend-of-ethiopia-ethnic-violence-idUSKCN1LX0VK

* "Trucking Is the Security Crisis You Never Noticed:" https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/19/trucking-is-the-security-crisis-you-never-noticed/

* Don't hold your breath. "U.S. ready to resume North Korea talks, seeks denuclearization by 2021:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-southkorea-summit/u-s-ready-to-resume-north-korea-talks-seeks-denuclearization-by-2021-idUSKCN1LY30R

* "Pompeo Prioritizes Arms Sales Over Civilian Lives in Yemen:" http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/09/pompeo-prioritizes-arms-sales-over-civilian-lives-in-yemen.html

* *headdesk* "Donald Trump urged Spain to 'build the wall' – across the Sahara:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/19/donald-trump-urged-spain-to-build-the-wall-across-the-sahara

* "Michael Cohen spoke to Mueller team for hours; asked about Russia, possible collusion:" https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/michael-cohen-spoke-mueller-team-hours-asked-russia/story?id=57959664

* No surprise here. "Trump taps Darrell Issa to lead trade agency:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/19/trump-darrell-issa-trade-agency-830654

* "Trump claim that FBI can't probe Kavanaugh allegations is wrong, ex-officials say:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/19/fbi-kavanaugh-allegations-trump-830150

* His seat is very vulnerable and he’s running against Rep. Jacky Rosen. Don’t approve Nevadans? Make sure you are registered to vote and show up in November. "GOP senator sees 'little hiccup' in Kavanaugh confirmation:" https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/407565-gop-senator-kavanaugh-accusation-is-a-little-hiccup

* Her seat is vulnerable! Missouri voters, make sure you are registered and don't forget to turn out in November! "McCaskill to vote no on Kavanaugh confirmation:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/19/mccaskill-vote-no-kavanaugh-830630

* "Classmate of Kavanaugh's accuser says not a case of mistaken identity:" https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/christine-blasey-fords-high-school-classmate-controversy-felt/story?id=57935927

* "Sen. Chuck Grassley: No Need For FBI To Investigate Kavanaugh Allegation:" https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chuck-grassley-fbi-brett-kavanaugh-senate-hearing_us_5ba1a7f0e4b013b097800719

* "'Unfazed and determined': Top Grassley aide vows to confirm Kavanaugh despite allegations:" https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/09/20/brett-kavanaugh-confirmation-furor-over-mike-davis-tweets/1366391002/

* "Protesters arrested on Capitol Hill after Senate office demonstrations:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/20/politics/congress-protests-brett-kavanaugh/index.html

* "Fresh out of F***s to Give, Senator Mazie Hirono Has Harsh Words for Kavanaugh Defenders:" https://www.themarysue.com/senator-mazie-hirono-badass/

* Please, please, please if you can manage it, contact your Senators to get them to fight the Kavanaugh nomination. This is geometrically more important if you have a centrist Democrat like Joseph Manchin, Joe Donnelly, Doug Jones, Jon Tester, and Heidi Heitkamp; or Republicans like Tim Scott, Marco Rubio, Susan Collins or Lisa Murkowski. (For Scott and Rubio emphasize Kavanaugh's racism and support for racial profiling, for Collins and Murkowski emphasize the right to chose, the nominee allegedly having attempted to violently rape someone, and the Jane Doe case where he tried to force a raped immigrant teen to carry against her will, With Murowski, you might also mention his opposition to programs benefiting Alaska Natives). Jeff Flake of Arizona may be softening! Please, if you are from Arizona, keep the pressure on! Contact Chuck Schumer and ask him to whip the Democrats so as to get them to stand in united opposition. It wouldn't hurt to demand your Republican Senators call for a proper FBI Background investigation. They won't, but pressuring them shows them there might be consequences.

Protest in person if you can, but if you can’t, 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/

* "Trump Boasts About Steel Industry’s ‘New Life' As More Steelworkers Vote To Strike:" https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/steelworkers-strike-arcelormittal_us_5ba1f222e4b046313fc09016

* "Despite a "Trump bump," steelworkers are mad as hell — and ready to revolt:" https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/59a3bd/despite-a-trump-bump-steelworkers-are-mad-as-hell-and-ready-to-revolt

* "Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to ban teachers from talking politics, government in school:" http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pennsylvania-tallman-political-speech-ban-bill-20180917-story.html

This is broad and dangerous. My experience was that students often ask about things like politics and the war and the like. What about Current Events? Debate? Projects in which they research an issue and propose various solutions? It can be handled ethically. I never endorsed a candidate, refused to tell them who I'd voted for no matter how they begged, and responded to questions about politics, candidates, and issues factually and wit a great deal of thought about how to phrase things fairly. Teaching Social Studies is in part about preparing students to be informed citizens and voters. Part of that is teaching them to research issues and make and evaluate arguments based on evidence and reason. Part of that is letting them talk about and research issues important to them. Part of that is helping them understand how government works and getting them invested in the idea of participation when they are old enough to vote. this seriously infringes on the 1st Amendment rights of teachers, since it is definitely the government barring speech, but it also guts the social studies curriculum and deprives students of the very education they need to be well informed citizens as adults.

* "New racial controversy batters DeSantis:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/09/20/ron-desantis-florida-racial-issues-830726

* "Exclusive: With more immigrant children in detention, HHS cuts funds for other programs — like cancer research:" https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-immigrant-children-detention-hhs-cuts-funds-programs-like-cancer-research-230259583.html

* So if judges aren't allowed to judge what ARE they allowed to do? "Sessions limits U.S. judges' ability to dismiss deportation cases:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-sessions/sessions-limits-u-s-judges-ability-to-dismiss-deportation-cases-idUSKCN1LZ2TG

* "What so many men are missing about #MeToo:" https://www.vox.com/2018/9/10/17826168/me-too-louis-ck-men-comeback

* "Texan Behind 3D-Printed Gun Legal Battle Charged With Sexual Assault of a Minor:" http://time.com/5400664/cody-wilson-3d-printed-guns-charged-sexual-assault/

* TW: Pedophilia, Suicide. "'Maria Generation': Puerto Rican kids face harsh realities:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/17/health/sutter-maria-generation-children-puerto-rico/index.html

* Wednesday I did make it out to forage, though later than I like. Thursday I had people over for dinner, hence the super late start on Internet things.

The whole injury/illness thing means I've made very little progress on Gothmas phase one. As of tonight, I'm still working on lighting. the string of white lights plus science fiction/fantasy light up ornaments finally died, so I need to transfer the ornaments to a new string. Given the string of white is from the turn of the century or possibly older and half the lights have been dead for two Gothmas seasons, this death was not a surprise and I got a string on deep discount last year or the year before at super steep end of season discount in anticipation. It's tomorrow's problem now, since this process is a pain if memory serves.

As it turns out, my decision to dramatically upgrade anchoring for the big Halloween Tree turns out to have been wise. I have a whole bunch of new hooks and I have made an entire support web out of that lovely deep purple yarn remnant I finger crocheted into a sturdier,more Livia resistant string. Tavy isn't the problem here for all his ferocity. His disability does make him clumsy and he does tend to knock over an occasionally off bit of Halloweentown by accident, but he pays very little attention to the trees and their ornaments. Livia though? Is at the age where she routinely roots around on the bedroom shelves to steal ew and interesting things she shouldn't have to play with. Kaiju kitten has already partially knocked over the little tree batting at ornaments. (It doen't go over because it's light strings form a support web. Tonight I had to confiscate two small Halloween things that had gotten separated from their box of compatriots, which I had set on the big tree stand while the guests were here. I then watch her stand on her hind legs to explore some of the big tree lights, though she didn't try to play with them. I think this will be a challenging year for Ornaments and the Halloweentown denizens.

I am very proud of the junior kitties today though. Tonight's guests did not include the one Tavy now lets touch him, but they both sent most of the evening on my bed, instead of Livia spending the whole time in her hiding closet. I even convinced Livia to let me give her a quick head pet, even though I was wearing the scary goth trousers, so either she's getting more accustomed, or my attempts to move more quietly are helping or both. I did briefly set of the screamers by not turning the hood on full, because I can't hear conversation when it's up that high. It went off ironically just after I'd taken the food off the burners. Sigh. It's getting really sensitive to steam, alas. They both hid, of course, but were on the bed again later when I took the plates back to the kitchen. I am so proud of them for being so brave.

* Snerk. When the school did not believe Tony Stark was Peter Parker's second emergency contact: http://seananmcguire.tumblr.com/post/178304100650/tamaranianprincess-stark-tony-i-adore-tony

* It's ebay time again. I am now I am about $150.00 behind on bills and can no longer cover insurance auto withdraw near month's end. If you'd like to chip in directly towards helping me pay my bills Paypal Lethran@gmail.com or paypal.me/Gwydion

The all items for sale link is here: https://www.ebay.com/sch/lethran/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

( Individual items listed below the cut: )

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

* "Fires in Greece: how to help:" https://medium.com/@theo.k/fires-in-greece-how-to-help-41ad32fc9232

* Practical ways to protest with scripts. "On the Helsinki summit, election integrity and Mueller:" https://medium.com/@Celeste_pewter/on-the-helsinki-summit-election-integrity-and-mueller-b8ed1acde2c0

* 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/

* 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

This has a call script to help you talk your Republican Senator into voting for the Keep Families Together Act: http://rockinhamburger.tumblr.com/post/175022988673/captacorn-marvelsmostwanted-heres-a-call

* 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? 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

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

* "Zuma bows to party pressure and quits:" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43066443

* "US joins UK in blaming Russia for NotPetya cyber-attack:" https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/15/uk-blames-russia-notpetya-cyber-attack-ukraine

* "Medecins Sans Frontieres fired 19 people for sexual abuse in 2017:" http://www.dw.com/en/medecins-sans-frontieres-fired-19-people-for-sexual-abuse-in-2017/a-42592652

* "Mueller Accuses Russians of Pro-Trump, Anti-Clinton Meddling:" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-16/u-s-charges-13-russians-3-companies-for-hacking-election

* Because of course they are. "Russian bots promote guns after Florida shooting:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/16/us/russian-bots-florida-shooting-intl/index.html

* "President Trump’s New Record: The Longest Time Without a Formal Press Conference in Half a Century:" https://www.thedailybeast.com/president-trumps-new-record-the-longest-time-without-a-formal-press-conference-in-half-a-century

* "Is Donald Trump a traitor?:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/is-donald-trump-a-traitor-1163774531861

* "U.S. seeks to block AT&T from citing Trump opposition in merger...:" https://www.reuters.com/article/us-time-warner-m-a-at-t/u-s-seeks-to-block-att-from-citing-trump-statements-in-arguments-idUSKCN1G02HG

* "Trump words on gun tragedy ring hollow given past legislation:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-words-on-gun-tragedy-ring-hollow-given-past-legislation-1162946115643?playlist=associated

* "Florida vice mayor slams 'absurd' Trump visit:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/16/politics/trump-broward-county-vice-mayor-florida-shooting-cnntv/index.html

* "FBI failed to follow up on Florida shooting suspect tip in January:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/16/fbi-florida-shooting-errors-415664

* "Mueller Accuses Russians of Pro-Trump, Anti-Clinton Meddling:" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-16/u-s-charges-13-russians-3-companies-for-hacking-election

* "A top Trump campaign adviser close to plea deal with Mueller:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/15/politics/rick-gates-plea-deal-mueller-russia-investigation/index.html

* "Mueller levels new claim of bank fraud against Manafort:" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/16/mueller-manafort-bank-fraud-accusations-416509

* "VA Secretary Shulkin worsens scandal with dubious explanation:" http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/va-secretary-shulkin-worsens-scandal-with-dubious-explanation-1162938947547?playlist=associated

* "EPA head flies in first because coach passengers were mean:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/epa-head-flies-in-first-because-coach-passengers-were-mean-1163777091687

* "Pruitt's security threat? A passenger shouting, 'You're f---ing up the environment':" https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/15/scott-pruitt-first-class-travel-epa-351669

* "White House Chief of Staff Orders Security Clearance Overhaul:" https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-16/white-house-chief-of-staff-orders-security-clearance-overhaul

* Things that make me go hmmm.... "Kushner Quietly Made More Fixes To His Financial Disclosures, May Have More To Come:" https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/exclusive-kushner-quietly-made-more-fixes-to-his-financial-disclosures-may-have-more-to-come

* "Senators advance criminal justice reform bill:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/15/politics/sentencing-prison-reform-senate-grassley-sessions/index.html

* "Oregon passes bipartisan gun control bill:" http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/oregon-passes-bipartisan-gun-control-bill-1162882627875

* "Mitt Romney Takes Veiled Swipes At Trump In Senate Run Announcement:" https://www.npr.org/2018/02/16/578043160/mitt-romney-announces-return-to-politics-with-utah-senate-run

* "Ajit Pai faces investigation into moves that benefit Sinclair Broadcasting:" https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/02/ajit-pai-faces-investigation-into-moves-that-benefit-sinclair-broadcasting/

* "The Rundown with Robin Thede Highlight: Bonded for Life – The Fight for Cash Bail Reform:" https://www.bet.com/video/the-rundown-with-robin-thede/season-1/highlights/episode-116-s3-john-legend-talks-the-fight-for-cash-bail-reform.html

* A completely different set of concerns than the ones I wrote about earlier in the week, which I also share. "The Librarians, Season 4, Episode 12: Echoes of Memory:" http://www.fangsforthefantasy.com/2018/02/the-librarians-season-4-episode-12.html#more

* "The complicated history of the black superhero:" http://theweek.com/articles/749013/complicated-history-black-superhero?utm_source=links&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=tumblr

*****
* 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

* "Ron Perlman talks Trump speech patterns:"

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* "Trump’s voter fraud panel holds first public meeting:"

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* "Lee calls Ryan ‘autocratic’ over war authorization amendment...:"

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* This terrifies me. "When conservative news devolves into right-wing propaganda:"

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* "NRA ad suggests journalists are more dangerous than every NRA member combined:" https://mic.com/articles/182393/the-nra-releases-another-horrifying-ad-this-time-threatening-journalists-and-politicians#.WjGa0RaAB

* "IBM's Message To Its Employees:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2017/07/ibms-message-to-its-employees.html

* "Dee Whigham Killer Sentenced To 40 Years:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2017/07/dee-whigham-killer-sentenced-to-40-years.html

* "Cosplaying Sistahs Exist At Comic Con:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2017/07/cosplaying-sistahs-exist-at-comic-con.html

* They are planning to vote gender essentialism into Federal Law, stripping Trans People of Civil Rights protections in all jurisdictions throughout the country. "H.B. 2796:" https://genderidentitywatch.com/2017/07/17/h-b-2796-usa/

* "World Cinema - Part 1: Crash Course Film History #14:"

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* "How Norway Avoided Becoming a Fascist State:" http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/science/how-norway-avoided-becoming-a-fascist-state-20170216

* "Artifacts suggest humans arrived in Australia earlier than thought:" https://phys.org/news/2017-07-artifacts-humans-australia-earlier-thought.html

* "Zeidwig – The Gong Show:"

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* "Intrepid Dance – The Gong Show:"

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* Internet, multiple people have been asking me for book reccies and I am failing miserably at thinking of things they haven't already read. I'm looking for recommendations with either a strong woman protagonist with women friends (avoid not like other girls trope) and/or LGBTQIA protagonist in the fantasy and/or historical fiction genres, with no major character deaths an a happy ending. I am excellent at the first half, but my taste runs dark and I can't top of my head find sufficient happy endings. Diverse cast a plus.

Help me out folks! Help me find awesome new books to read and share!

* First full branch of white lilies harvested this season. http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/163353867412/first-full-branch-of-white-lilies-harvested-this

* "Aspic aspirations - is savoury jelly worth reviving?:" https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/apr/30/aspic

* "Superhero Sweets For SDCC:" http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2017/7/23/superhero-sweets-for-sdcc.html

* On Marvel Deciding to make Supergirl a NAZI: https://vaspider.tumblr.com/post/163354710181/polymathic-polyphony-murdershegoat

* Kinky Medieval Art: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/163324702127/wolvesdreamofnewdays-thoodleoo-this-is

* TNG Rewatch, Season 6:

- Relics. The return of Montgomery Scott. This one was incredibly exciting when it was new, and at the same time as heartbreaking as Spock's father's dementia, though the ending is so much more upbeat.

- Schism. Data's infamous cat poem. I know the whole Riker can't sleep/sensor glitch thing is the main plot, but let's face it, Data's struggle with poetry is very relateable and the interesting bit of the episode, until it starts getting creepy round about Worf at the Barber. Side note: How can anyone sleep in that position? No wonder Riker is having trouble even absent the McGuffin. This episode really does an excellent job of creating a spooky atmosphere even with the way the enterprise looks and the holodeck scene is really effective.

- True Q. Environmental commentary is unfortunately completely on point here in the 21st century. Poor young Q. Horrible usual Q.

- Rascals. I have so many questions about how this transportaer accident worked. Why is Picard the oldest child when Guinan is the dramatically older adult, for example? Why did their clothes shrink? Like the people got younger, and smaller is a side effect of that, but why does making clothes younger make them child sized instead of, say reducing them to component parts? Look, this is a fun episode and I really enjoy this sort of character exploration, but I can't help pick at the illogic. How can I not enjoy Mini-Picard? The mini-Guinan/Ro interaction? The flagrant swashbuckling?

I continue to give no fucks about the O'Brien marriage. I also think it's way too early to have serious conversations about long term what to do if she's stuck twelve. Fuck's sake, give it a little time to figure out if it's temp or if it's longer term! Yes, figure out who is sleeping where tonight because otherwise eeeew; yes comfort because what happened is genuinely scary and pull the rug out from under you fuck with your head, but why invite pointless drama over long term results of something that could be fixable soon? Deal with now, now, and save long term planning for when you have a prognosis. Of course, this is why a lot of conventional relationships in media are boring and unpleasant. I am not conflict avoidant in real life, but my RL relationship style is to have serious conversations as needed but not to make drama for the fun of getting angry at each other. It always seemed to me that the O'Brian marriage is about escalating situations that call for calm discussion and negotiation. I just... ugh.

There are so many nice little moments in here, like mini-Picard enjoying his hair, Riker using technobabble as a weapon, and the bed Jumping. Seriously, season six is comparatively well written despite it's flaws. I love how good Guinan is at this and how clever. I love how Picard mini-Picard is. I love them using the appearance of childhood including the undignified Picard tantrum.

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

* "What can I do to help Syria?:" http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/161385222607/what-can-i-do-to-help-syria

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

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

* Want to fight Climate Change? "Ready to Mobilize? Start Here!:" http://www.theclimatemobilization.org/start_here

* Distressed by the anti-gay genocide in Chechnya and the anti-gay laws in Russia? Donate here: https://lgbtnet.org/en

* The Rainbow Road and other ways to help Gay Refugees: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/160470723507/the-rainbow-railroad-is-helping-gay-men-escape

* This is a Real Life friend of mine. They do very much need the money and a number of people and beasts depend on him and his husband. They have been incredibly helpful and supportive of me. If you can kick in, it is a kindness.: https://www.youcaring.com/tod-788345

* This is my oldest continuous Real Life friend. She is disabled and really needs the money for herself and beasts. To buy jewelry from her: https://www.etsy.com/shop/karjack

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

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

* "My Family’s Slave:" https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/06/lolas-story/524490/?utm_source=twb

* "Syria conflict: Turkey opens 'city' for orphans of the war:" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39960471

* "Exclusive: Trump campaign had at least 18 undisclosed contacts with Russians: sources:" http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-contacts-idUSKCN18E106

* Let's hope is passes with enough to over ride a veto.... "Congress Just Gave Trump Awful News About His Next Golf Trip:" http://occupydemocrats.com/2017/05/16/congress-just-gave-trump-awful-news-next-golf-trip/

* "Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke says he's taking job in Department of Homeland Security:" http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2017/05/17/sheriff-david-clarke-accepts-job-department-homeland-security/328342001/

* "Stephen Miller Is Writing Trump's NATO Speech, Too:" https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnhudson/nato-skeptic-stephen-miller-is-writing-trumps-nato-speech?utm_term=.gh5MYZV0K#.ebo8vDpor

* "Flynn stopped military plan Turkey opposed – after being paid as its agent:" http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article151149647.html

* "Trump Team Knew Flynn Was Under Investigation Before He Came to White House:" https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/us/politics/michael-flynn-donald-trump-national-security-adviser.html

* Of course he does. *head desk* "Donald Trump Talked Michael Flynn Into White House Job—and Wants Him Back in the Administration:" http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/05/18/donald-trump-talked-michael-flynn-into-white-house-job

* "Senate intel chair backtracks on claim Flynn won't honor subpoena:" http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-flynns-lawyers-honor-subpoena-senate-intel-chair/story?id=47488145

* "Rosenstein knew Comey was going to be fired before writing his memo, senators say:" http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-rosenstein-knew-comey-was-going-to-be-1495136617-htmlstory.html

* "Trump weighs downsizing Spicer’s public role:" http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/18/will-sean-spicer-be-fired-238548

* "Sexism and Second Chances:" http://www.jimchines.com/2017/04/sexism-and-second-chances/

* "Beyond Alt: Understanding the New Far Right:" http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/04/beyond-alt-understanding-the-new-far-right.html

* "Betty Shelby was acquitted in the shooting death of Terence Crutcher:" http://circa.com/circa-now/happening/betty-shelby-was-acquitted-in-the-shooting-death-of-terrence-crutcher

* "Russian Activists Say They’ve Been Told US Visas Are Out Of Reach For Gay Chechens:" https://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/us-denies-visas-to-gay-russians-fleeing-kidnapping-and?utm_term=.gp5YXALlg&bftb#.xpzvrGEpO

* "Monsantos manipulation on science attempts to silence scientists revealed:" http://english.astroawani.com/technology-news/monsantos-manipulation-science-attempts-silence-scientists-revealed-139997

* "Miles of Ice Collapsing Into the Sea:" https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/18/climate/antarctica-ice-melt-climate-change.html?_r=1

* Want to fight Climate Change? "Ready to Mobilize? Start Here!:" http://www.theclimatemobilization.org/start_here

* "The Doomsday Glacier:" http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/the-doomsday-glacier-w481260

* Today I blew the last of the food allotment on Greek things I could make and eat easily, because I'm solidly booked until... Tuesday, with various commitments. The peak of the Lizard Lion festival is this weekend and I'm heavily committed there, plus the usual physically demanding stuff on Monday. I am still covered in bruises from Inspection and tank cleaning, and my muscles hate me. Easy foods are a must. My Thursday thing got cancelled, so I am picking at the kitchen, and doing small things needing doing, including brewing a fresh pitcher of sweet huckleberry tea. I think this will be the last summer for it, as the supply of leaves is fast dwindling, but I have hopes of it lasting through July at least.

* I am so burnt out on the destruction of my country that I spent over an hour today looking at beautifully shot nearly naked male dancers in dance poses instead of sensibly reading and clearing links.

* Ageism and Superheroines: http://butlerbookbinding.tumblr.com/post/160801212199/rainnecassidy-p1ratew3nch-wombatking

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

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

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

* Distressed by the anti-gay genocide in Chechnya and the anti-gay laws in Russia? Donate here: https://lgbtnet.org/en

* The Rainbow Road and other ways to help Gay Refugees: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/160470723507/the-rainbow-railroad-is-helping-gay-men-escape

* This is a Real Life friend of mine. They do very much need the money and a number of people and beasts depend on him and his husband. They have been incredibly helpful and supportive of me. If you can kick in, it is a kindness.: https://www.youcaring.com/tod-788345

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

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

* "The hypocritical Jason Chaffetz:"

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* "Trump likes ex-Goldman Sachs 'foreclosure machine' for Treasury:"

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* "Trump taps health policy extremist for HHS:"

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* "Trump lays out pre-inauguration tour:"

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* "Pence makes Indiana taxpayers part of Trump Carrier jobs plan:"

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* "Donald Trump just hired "one of America's most notorious Islamophobes" :" https://mic.com/articles/159586/donald-trump-adds-notorious-islamophobe-to-his-transition-team?utm_source=policymicTBLR&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social#.icqct92Wc

* "Trump has already defeated the news media. And it’s unclear what we can do about it.:" https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2016/11/28/trump-has-already-defeated-the-news-media-and-its-unclear-what-we-can-do-about-it/?utm_term=.e2a2d3e6bd95

* ""Coastal elites" are in a bubble. So are white working-class Americans.:" http://www.vox.com/identities/2016/11/11/13589118/trump-voters-media-bubble

* "Prospect of Trump presidency raises free speech concerns:"

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* "4 people have died since April in jail run by potential Trump...:"

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* "Mitt Romney Dines with President-Elect Trump:"

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* "Profiles in Tremendousness: Treasury Secretary Nominee Steven Mnuchin:"

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* "Adapting to Donald Trump's Lies:"

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* "Holocaust-Themed Ice Skating in Russia:"

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* All right, Incorporated. You caught me. I'm officially intrigued. Let's see if you can live up to it.

* "A woman makes a deal with the devil… but before signing, she actually reads the contract. She is the first to do so.:" http://caffeinewitchcraft.tumblr.com/post/151903308089/writing-prompt-s-a-woman-makes-a-deal-with-the

* Tony Stark and Steve Rogers discuss the "alt-right:" http://textsfromsuperheroes.com/image/153885834428

*****

* Suicide Crisis numbers: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/153016816845/non-us-crisis-line-list

* Victim of a Hate Crime? Report to the police first, but also report here to help the SPLC track incidents: https://www.splcenter.org/reporthate

* Trans Relief Project: http://transrelief.com/

* "Donate to the SPLC:" https://donate.splcenter.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=463

* General Charities list to help groups being targeted in Trump's America: http://lovingmyselfishard.tumblr.com/post/153111297079/charities-that-may-need-some-love-in-the-upcoming

* Where to donate to help Immigrants: http://colinfirth.tumblr.com/post/152963467726/carecen-la-center-for-community-change

* Ways to protest: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/174f0WBSVNSdcQ5_S6rWPGB3pNCsruyyM_ZRQ6QUhGmo/htmlview?usp=sharing&sle=true#

* More ways to protest "So here’s the deal:" http://the-cimmerians.tumblr.com/post/153516131819/so-heres-the-deal

* "10 ways we can help Standing Rock Indian Reservation.:" http://browngurlwfro.tumblr.com/post/153755459138/dooder-tooder-this-is-a-photo-my-friend-posted

* "List of Standing Rock Resources:" https://laughingacademy.tumblr.com/post/152671392633/list-of-standing-rock-resources

* "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

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

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