Stepping Razor 🇯🇲✊🏾✌🏾

I know it's hard to track all the threats to democracy out there right now, but this is at the top of the list.

That's the real red line now.

“This is Not About Visas. It is About Identity”. For years, the visa has carried a weight far heavier than travel — it became a mirror in which many learned to measure their worth, a quiet promise that life would begin elsewhere. When borders tighten, what aches is not only opportunity, but belonging; not only movement, but meaning. Who am I if I cannot leave? What becomes of me if my value is not confirmed beyond these shores? Yet identity that depends on permission is always fragile. This moment asks something deeper of us — to root ourselves where we stand, to remember who we are without applause or approval, and to discover that dignity does not arrive stamped in a passport.

This reflection begins a longer conversation — Beyond the Visa — a Semaj MindSpa series exploring what happens when old exit stories lose their power and new definitions of success must be formed.

Metallica in Reggae and in Funk. Done through AI. Slaps like hell. AI videos may suck, but the AI music redos are quite intriguing.

Today the Belgian chapter of IAH - International Association of Hydrogeologists organises the '𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆'.

𝗔 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 💧🪨👷‍♀️👨‍🔬

This morning there is one Nobel Peace Prize winner, 8.1 billion or so people who did not win the Nobel Peace Prize, and one Nobel Peace Prize loser.

The elimination of USAID is a moral atrocity and all involved made a choice to enable, and then lie about, ending the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

My husband was detained by ICE today

Juan Muñoz, an American citizen, father of 2, and local government official, was peacefully protesting w. other elected officials. He was assaulted and taken away

I have had zero contact or updates since

#SOS
@duckworth.senate.gov @durbin.senate.gov

Jimmy Kimmel Returns: ABC Ends Suspension Starting Tuesday Jimmy Kimmel will return to late night on Tuesday

"Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that."

Looking forward to seeing Jimmy back on the air.

Listening to Snarky Puppy is pretty much a spiritual experience.

State of Global Water Resources 2024

The State of Global Water Resources report of @wmo-global.bsky.social is out...... but don't read it now if you're looking for some light-hearted end-of-week reading material.

wmo.int/publication-...

I don't think the party is united, but that's not my business. If dem nuh want to challenge, so be it; but the fractures will remain.

Get enumerated. It might be too late for this election, but you'll be in time for the next one.

Be sure to vote on Sept 3.

It won't be found in this world for sure.

I researched every attempt to stop fascism in history. The success rate is 0%. Once they win elections, it's already too late.

carmitage.substack.com/p/i-research...

Do with it as you must.

You don't say.

"Reich citizenship will not be laid in the cradle of every one born in Germany, but will be ceremoniously conferred on him after he has shown himself worthy of it through special accomplishments, through loyal services to the State." NY Times, July 6, 1933.

Election need to call soon, while the people still vex over the school bus opposition.

BREAKING: Scientists are staging a “science fair” in the lobby of a Congressional building to tell elected officials about the critical knowledge the US will lose because their research grants have been canceled.

How the World Bank left African hospital patients "detained" and in crushing debt It promised to improve health care for the poor through its investments with private equity firms.

Detained hospital patients. Crushing debt. "Profit before life."

How IFC-backed, for-profit hospitals have destabilized the finances of families across East Africa, co-published with our friends @icij.org

Greed is a hell of a thing. #Bosch #S3e10

As Floods Hit, Key Roles Were Vacant at Weather Service Offices in Texas

🚨 NYT: As Floods Hit, Key Roles Were Vacant at Weather Service Offices in Texas

Some experts say staff shortages might have complicated forecasters’ ability to coordinate responses with local emergency management officials.

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ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!

Don't share anything about ICEBlock. That might cause more people to download ICEBlock, which would be bad. ICEBlock.

In my experience, MOST white allyship is 100% conditional on the white person’s feelings.

And if a member of the group they claim to support steps out of line, they immediately threaten to revoke their allyship—they will often even ✨literally✨ voice this openly!! It’s really something.