Withholding Help

It's three times harder to get disaster relief funding under the current regime if you're living in a blue state as opposed to a red state. It's not supposed to work like that. It doesn't matter who your reps are or who your governor is, you should get help if a disaster befalls you. I would not wish such a thing on my worst enemy, and yet, here we are, dealing with the fallout of a manbaby throwing a tantrum about helping fellow Americans in need. 

FEMA said yes, but the manbaby said no, so it became no. And now, with the wildfires in Oregon, the senators are demanding why FEMA won't help them out. Why are we paying into a system that denies helping us when we need it? 

(Although, the same could be said of our healthcare system...)

Since we can't rely on the government, it's time to look into mutual aid organizations. Donate if you can. When you hear about disasters in blue states, make sure to amplify any group that's helping, as that might be the only help that's coming. 

And make your displeasure known to your representatives. They know this is wrong. Remind them that they work for us, not the other way around. It's their job to stand up against the executive branch. They're supposed to be a check, not a rubber stamp. 

Only Marmots

Did you know it's illegal to wager on an election you're casting a vote in (in Wisconsin)? 

(I would hope that this wasn't isolated to Wisconsin. Time to call your state reps to get this law on the books. *looks up phone number for my California state rep*)

It turns out that those prediction market betting apps don't like this law, so they're pushing back. (Because those prediction market betting apps are horrible. If you want to gamble--please gamble responsibly--use a bookie like an adult.) 

It turns out the road to fascism is paved by idiots pursuing riches. Deep sigh. 

Speaking of scams, let's talk about all the research funding that was cut to provide tax cuts for billionaires. Or rather, let's talk about Daniel Blumstein, whose funding for studying marmots had been cut, so in an effort to raise money (and awareness), he started an OnlyFans for marmots called OnlyMarms. 

It's a great idea. It's too bad that science funding has had to resort to this sort of thing. 

Immigration Enforcement Database

While I was out of town, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents killed some more people. Because that's what they do now. Kill people. 

Via my Member of Congress: "Fear does not secure our border. Violence does not secure our border. Terrorizing our communities does not secure our border."

There's a list of all the terrible things they've done here. There's also a place to report instances of misconduct if you've witnessed any. (I believe I've linked to this resource before, but it bears repeating.) 

We need to keep pushing. Keep witnessing. Keep protesting. 

Someday we'll (as a nation) regain our sanity, and those responsible must be held accountable. Right now all we can do is keep the records. The records will be needed later. 

(I have to believe that the records will be needed later.) 

Let people know about the Immigration Enforcement Database. The more people who know about it, the more useful it'll be. 

The Pros of Bad Leadership

I haven't really been following the news lately. So much bad news. But, there is some good. 

This clip from Rachel Maddow's show last week talks about all the things that are good about having a bad president. Mainly, his incompetence is making it harder for his policies to be implemented. 

I mean... not great. But it's something. Keep pushing back. It's us pushing back that's helping. 

America250

I only found this out recently, so some of you may also be unaware. 

This July 4th is our semiquincentennial (that's 250th). And now that I've been seeing things about it, I wondered about who was organizing this thing. Turns out that ten years ago a bipartisan congressional committee was formed to organize the celebrations. 

Here's the official website. 

Very forward thinking of them. Very organized. They're ready to go. 

But, a certain someone who has to be the center of everything signed an executive order to create his own little party. (Here's an article explaining this.) It's called Freedom 250. And we get to ignore it.

Because the official celebration stuff is America250. 

(That concert that was announced? And then all the acts backed out? Yeah, that was the fake celebration.) 

I hope this clears things up.

Make the Big Things Fail

Did you hear? They're taking his name off the Kennedy Center.

I couldn't find video of it completed (on Sunday), but if you go on YouTube you can find an eleven hour video of the workmen setting up the equipment to get the job done. (I considered putting that video here, but meh. It doesn't get done in the video, so why bother?)

And then one more video:

I hope we hear more about the little acts of resistance that made the big things fail. I'm sure they're out there. 

I wish you a week of little acts of resistance to help make the big things fail. 

The Tantrum

He's a toddler, and we're placating a toddler. How did we get here? 

You probably already saw the infamous Meet the Press interview where he stormed out. In case you haven't: 

Or, if you're like me and can't listen to his voice, you can find a quick overview here. 

Election Day

It's primary election day here in California. This is your reminder that all elections are important, not just the presidential ones. 

It's the local municipalities that have done the resisting. The national offices have basically rolled over and let this regime do what it wants. But the various state and local governments, depending on affiliation, have done much in the way of pushing back. They've sued. They've resisted. They've sent people to check the concentration camps. 

Local races matter. Make sure to vote in November, even if the only national race is for Congress. (All the representatives are up for reelection this year.) Who your governor is matters. Who your mayor is matters. Who your state reps are matters. 

Let Washington know we're pissed. Effectively end the regime by making sure those checks are in place. 

More Worried About the Boom

Remind me... It is a good thing or a bad thing when randos keep coming at you with guns? I think it might be a bad thing...? 

While the national news media has been fixated by that latest debacle, locally my corner of California is a bit more concerned by a potential environmental catastrophe. By the time you read this, hopefully the tank has finally blown up or cracked open. 

A tank at an aerospace company is leaking methyl methacrylate, a volatile and flammable liquid used to make acrylic plastics. This links to the story in the picture. The good news is I'm not in the evacuation zone. The bad news is if this thing does explode, I'll definitely feel the after effects. 

As for the rest of the country, our primary election is June 2nd (which I need to sit down and get my ballot filled out. We get mail in ballots, and I've had mine for almost a month now). 

When the Speaker of the House admits on right-wing TV that losing the midterms would end Trump's presidency... that's not a warning. That's a TO-DO LIST. Challenge accepted. 

"If we lost the midterms--heaven forbid--it would be the end of the Trump presidency in real effect." --Mike Johnson

Follow the Money

It's all about the grift. 

Headline: Suing His Own IRS? Creating a $1.8 Billion Slush Fund? What the Hell Is Trump Trying to Pull?

Answer: It was always about the money. 

That's what they're after, after all. Enriching themselves. 

Carefully Crafted Insults

Last week I came across this article: "Is Trump a Racist? Let’s Look at the Stats." I have some thoughts...

First, uh, yeah. Duh. There's a whole lot of rather racist things happening, emboldened by this regime. If you find someone defending any of that as not racist, they're probably racist too. They just don't want to admit it. 

So, then I read the article. And they tried to quantify his racism via the percentages of people he calls, "Low I.Q." Okay, whatever. I don't know if you can "prove" racism via data like that, but it's something to write. 

My second thought, on reading the article, was about projection. How people will take things they don't want to look at about themselves, and they'll attribute those qualities to others. I wonder when he was tested and how that test was explained to him. Because he uses this low IQ thing a lot.

When I was in school, I wanted to take an IQ test. They weren't administering them anymore. When I took psychology in high school, I did a research paper on the IQ tests. And the thing is, they're not really great tests of intelligence. They have their biases. That's not something you can measure, anyway. There's a reason they've been sidelined for decades. 

Then the third thing I thought was about how he's been going on and on about those cognitive tests. How clearly he's had a few of them. Why else would he be constantly touting them (as if they were something to brag about)? 

Yes, I've drawn some conclusions. They're not the ones the article set out to prove. 

What do you think? What thoughts does the article bring forth in you?

Stoppable

"So far, despite their best efforts, it's not working out for them." 

One of the things that I've been so afraid/angry about is the attempt to build more concentration camps. Rachel Maddow had something to say about these last week, and it's very good news. It seems I'm not the only one who absolutely is against these things. 

In case the video doesn't work for you, here's a direct link. 

"We have got to stop suing people for hurting our feelings." 

This one's just for fun. In case you're in the mood for a giggle: 

And if you can't see that one either, here's that link. 

That's enough for today. The comments are open for those who wish to vent (or giggle). 

X It Out

May 1st is Friday. And there's a May Day event:

You can find information about it here. And in anticipation of May Day, there's a cancel party (hence today's post title) for May Day Eve:

The idea behind this one is that by using the services that give the billionaires the profits that make them billionaires, we're supporting them in oppressing us. Of course, it's really easy to say, but a lot of these services are things that we use and like, so it's harder to do.

Information about the cancel party can be found here. 

It's a virtual event. In case you're interested. 

As I do every Tuesday, the comments are open for venting. (I may not respond, but I am reading all of your comments.) 

Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...

Rage Over Reckless Destruction

A new book came out last week. It's called Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower’s Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID. 

I've been trying to figure out what I wanted to write about today that had something to do with the letter R, and I came up blank. But then I remembered the game. For A to Z, my game is to write what I would normally write for the day and then try to figure out a title with the letter of the day. This week is proving to be troublesome. Although my Tuesday theme is on point (see graphic above). 

And this week it's that book. Because the damage those idiots did to the world at large is massive. They've been making the rounds publicizing the book: 

• Whistleblower says Trump officials thought USAID did 'just abortions,' asked for 'Barney-style' slides before gutting agency, per new book
• “Into the Wood Chipper”: Whistleblower’s Inside Story of DOGE Shredding USAID, 14 Million May Die

Check out the book if you're so inclined. And remember, the regime killed people just to "fix the deficit", and they didn't fix anything. 

Link for Amazon. Link for Bookshop.org (in case you don't do Amazon). 

No questions today. Just an open forum to rant if you are so inclined.

Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...

Letters from Children

So many terrible things happening all the time now. So, what can I find to talk about for this L day? How about: 

Protesters Fill Minnesota Capitol, Read Letters from Children Held in Immigration Custody

I'm still a little salty from the conversation I had where they said, "It's not really that bad". 

It's really that bad. 

The concentration camps are "unbelievably inhumane". A family held at Texas' Dilley ICE detention center wrote letters describing neglectful medical care, inedible food and a disregard for their religious accommodations. 

And this sort of thing will traumatize these kids for the rest of their lives. Even if the kids aren't taken. 

Tuesdays are my day to rail against the current regime in power in the U.S. Even in April. Feel free to vent in the comments. 

Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...

Fascist State?

Fascism: a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition. 

Last week I covered a world history class, and the above poster was on the wall in the classroom. 

The term fascism has been bandied about a lot as of late with regards to our government. Have we gone full fascism? According to that dictionary definition, no. But, we are headed that way. Especially if those in charge get their way. 

I mean, if you look, you can see all the awful things that are happening: 

• ICE Violence Is Fueled by Misogyny and White Nationalism
• Holocaust Memorial Museum quietly changed content after Trump returned to office
• Donald Trump and the Deconstruction of America
• Wormy Food, Intimidating Guards, Sick Kids: Inside ICE’s Only Family Detention Center
• Worms in food, poor medical care, lights on 24/7: Families tell of life in Texas detention center
• Trump Admin Confirms 91 Wrongful Deportations of Asylum Seekers
• Fear Is the Goal: Trump’s anti-immigration push is backed by intense propaganda for a reason.
• ICE agents seen 'terrorizing' woman and child at SFO, Calif. senator says
• Hiding out with an immigrant family in ICE-occupied Memphis
• Musk Endorsed White Nationalism And the silence is deafening
• Is empathy a sin? Some conservative Christians argue it can be
• Immigrant truck drivers were supposed to get their licenses back. Why California’s DMV is stalling

Enough. For today. There's more, if you look. 

I'm so tired of living in interesting times.

Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...

How Many?

The other day I had an exchange with someone who actually still supports the regime. (When I expressed my views, she didn't trust my facts because I follow "the fake news". Deep sigh.) I said something about the fact that we now have concentration camps and those in charge are committing atrocities. 

Her response? It's not actually that bad. 

Um... 

And so, a few days later I had this thought. What if there was a website somewhere keeping a tally? Of those who have died as a direct result of this regime? 

How many have died in ICE custody? (Like this guy.) How many have died as a result of the gutting of USAID? How many have died of measles? How many have died in the attacks on other countries? How many have been openly just killed? 

I'm sure this number is way higher than people think. 

I do not know how to even begin to compile such stats. And I do not have the skills to create the website (although that part I could probably figure out). 

But I think it's something we need. A tally. That is updated regularly. Supported by facts. 

Some still won't believe it, but we somehow need to bear witness. Keep track. 

I hope for a reckoning someday. Until then, I want a list of everything. So we don't forget. 

(After I wrote all this, I stumbled upon an article that basically says the killing of people is a feature, not a bug: Our nation is quickly being destroyed by “necropolitics.")

Thugs in the Airport

Have you heard about this? ICE officers set to deploy to airports as delays mount, border czar Homan confirms. This is such a bad idea. The largest federal workers union says 'untrained, armed' ICE agents should not replace TSA. 

"ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security. TSA officers spend months learning to detect explosives, weapons, and threats specifically designed to evade detection at checkpoints — skills that require specialized instruction, hands-on practice, and ongoing recertification," Everett Kelley, president of American Federation of Government Employees, said on Sunday in a statement posted online.

The ACLU is also sounding the alarm: 

President Trump and his allies in Congress refused to fund TSA and manufactured a crisis at airports across the country. Now, the president apparently wants to use ICE as his private security force, reminding all of us that ICE is not retreating from lawlessness but assigned at will by the president for political retribution.

This makes me rethink plans to go away this summer. Probably best to stay home, eh? Some others' thoughts, too: 

Stunned by all the “ICE isn’t gonna do anything more than what TSA already does” rhetoric. 

Untrained white supremacists who’ve been told by bosses they’re not subject to laws will have POC and women lined up in front of them to grope and abuse and they don’t even have to chase them.

I've linked to the Bluesky post (as embed seems to be not working for me today). It's an interesting thread. I urge you to click the link and follow it. And one more thread that says a lot more than I can: 

4) ICE is not trained! And the public in airports is annoying and nasty! And they are going to be having them do sensitive things with sensitive people!

What do you think is going to happen when someone doesn't respect their authority?

Do you have to fly anytime soon? Are you rethinking any travel plans now? 

Housing Bill

This popped up in my feed last week. (If you can't see the video, here's the link.)

Or, if you want written, here's an article about it: Senate approves sweeping bipartisan housing bill, but roadblocks remain in the House. 

And this sounds like a good idea. This might be something to call your congressional reps about, if you're so inclined. 

Too Much News

I don't know what I want to wail about today. Do I mention the moving forward of the building and staffing of the concentration camps?

• Construction Contracts Awarded for ICE Detention Facilities in Maryland and Arizona
• A "Humanitarian Response" Firm With No Federal Contract History Is Staffing Planned Immigration Detention Center in Maryland
• For ICE to build concentration camps quickly, they're leaning on this 'Dept. of War' program
• Texas’ one-of-a-kind concentration camp for children and families
• How a Planned Disney World Vacation Turned Into Four Months in Immigration Detention

Or do I talk about how the main thing the regime wants is to enrich themselves?

• Documents Reveal a Web of Financial Ties Between Trump Officials and the Industries They Help Regulate
• Explore Financial Disclosures From President Trump and 1,500 of His Appointees
• The Case For Billionaire Realism

Or maybe about how whack-a-doodle they are about the Middle East?

• US commanders want to make war with Iran as ‘bloody’ as possible to bring about biblical end times, officers report

It's hard to narrow it down, really. I want to talk about all of this. And more. There's just too much to keep track of. Why did this madman have to become president? Why?