Allison Wright

Statement from President Joe Biden on Federal Death Row Commutations | The White House I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system. Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40

"I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level."

Amazing. What a day.

www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-roo...

December 16, 2024: Governor Youngkin proposes making service tips exempt from Virginia's income tax Plus: VDOT is taking public comment on whether a public hearing should be held for a new exit on U.S. 33 near Stanardsville

The December 16, 2024 newsletter is now out, with two stories about Greene County, one from Richmond, and a longer summary of the November 19, 2024 BAR discussion about the potential redevelopment of the Violet Crown.

lol let’s talk about the Workday transition at our employer

The Trump-Vance embrace of Daniel Penny isn't just about "law and order" — it's white identity politics. A defense of a racial hierarchy where Penny can kill a Black man on a train and face no consequences. They're reminding us they want to preserve this status quo.

Show you have no idea what Marxism is about without saying you have no idea what Marxism is about.

The Strategist Gift Basket Project We created 76 bundles for the boat dad, mahjong mom, broccoli-haired teen boy, and everyone else on your list.

nymag.com/strategist/a...

Dear @nymag.com, when you say Gift Baskets, I expect gift baskets. Not lists of items to be purchased individually, often from different purveyors, and then placed into a receptacle also of my own procurement. #nothelpful

Why Weight? Researchers Say It’s Fitness That Matters Individuals classified as fit—even when overweight or obese—showed no significant increase in cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality.

“Fitness, it turns out, is far more important than fatness when it comes to mortality risk" [whispers: maybe BMI is an outdated and flawed measure of "health"]

education.virginia.edu/news-stories...

What One Mass Rape Case Shows about the Depth of Rape Culture So many men were willing to rape a woman. And not one was willing to try to stop it.

"Shame must change sides" Read @katemanne.bsky.social on himpathy & "What One Mass Rape Case Shows about the Depth of Rape Culture" open.substack.com/pub/katemann...

Fox News ignores Pete Hegseth misconduct allegations as concerns over Trump pick mount | CNN Business What’s a media outlet supposed to do when its longtime host is picked to run the Pentagon, and then a series of eyebrow-raising news stories trigger doubts about his appointment?

What's a media outlet supposed to do when its host is picked to run the Pentagon, and then a series of eyebrow-raising news stories trigger doubts about his appointment? If you're Fox News, evidently, you just pretend the stories don't exist. I wrote about the blackout >> www.cnn.com/2024/12/03/m...

Give the gift of VQR! 50% off with the code HOLIDAY

Give the gift of VQR! Get 50 percent off subscriptions or single issues with the code HOLIDAY at our online store: www.vqronline.org/store

December 3, 2024: Charlottesville Planning Commission reviews $187.5M capital improvement program for FY26-FY30 Plus: The Charlottesville Fire Department has details on a November 25 fire in the parking lot at Jackson Via Elementary

The afternoon newsletter for December 3, 2024 is out! Information about that November 25, 2024 fire at Jackson-Via, a first glimpse at three new residential buildings at UVA, and a deep dive into the Charlottesville's draft CIP:

communityengagement.substack.com/p/december-3...

The best source of local news, #Charlottesville. Follow here & subscribe to Sean’s newsletter—at the paid tier. Support independent journalism.

Hey! I saw you on the call!

You owe me nothing! Love the music you’ve been posting.

A look into expanding Native American resources on Grounds Student organizations, activist groups and academic programs have focused on highlighting individual differences among Indigenous students and bridging the gap between the University and Virginia trib...

Proud to be a member of the #UVA Native & Indigenous Relations Community.

www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2024...

Happy @theferocity.bsky.social day to all who celebrate! (& to those who don’t, because I feel like that’s Saeed’s vibe)

What Neko Case Can’t Live Without “There’s nothing more satisfying than cracking open a new notebook.”

What a joy to read Neko Case’s What I Can’t Live Without. I can’t live without her music.

nymag.com/strategist/a...

The Editors Protecting Wikipedia from AI Hoaxes WikiProject AI Cleanup is protecting Wikipedia from the same kind of misleading AI-generated information that has plagued the rest of the internet.

1: AI is hallucinating events, historical figures, entire concepts on Wikipedia

2: a task force of Wikipedia editors is detecting and deleting this stuff

www.404media.co/the-editors-...

HOME | Va 4 Repro Freedom

Virginians for Reproductive Freedom is a diverse coalition of orgs who believe ALL Virginians should make decisions abt their healthcare, incl abortion, w/o govt interference. My org, ACLU of #Virginia is a part. Take our pledge & connect to our movement to learn more here: www.va4reprofreedom.org

First page of essay by Sarah Khatry

First page of essay by Meera Subramanian

Cover of VQR

How about that? New issue of @vqr.bsky.social in the mail featuring essays by not one but two former students who became good friends, Sarah Khatry & @meerasub.bsky.social, plus poetry by Forrest Gander, who tho he surely doesn’t remember it bought me my first 10 speed bike about 40 years ago.

Congress: Protect The Right to Dissent Congress is considering a bill that threatens free speech under the guise of national security - and we can’t let it pass. Take action against this harmful reaction to pro-Palestinian protests.

#HR9495 will be voted on again tmrw, 11/21—The bill would hand the incoming President a tool to crush free speech & expression & dismantle advocacy groups & other nonprofits. It *will* be used to target & punish political opponents. Tell yr Reps to vote NO on #HR9495 action.aclu.org/send-message...

>> @ronanfarrow.bsky.social's newest documentary, "Surveilled," should be of particular interest to journalists (and those who love them!) The doc is about the growing commercial spyware industry and its victims, and it's premiering on HBO tonight at 9pm ET...

Here are the winners of the 2024 National Book Awards… After a long ceremony and lots of wonderful speeches about books, presenting the winners of the 2024 National Book Awards: YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE: Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Kareem Between G.P. Putna…

Here is the full list of National Book Award winners:

I don't plan to post much about work here but a submitter described her main characters as "delulus of herself" and I am declaring the plural noun the new word of the day. I challenge you to work it into conversation.

Santa Maria: On Migrant Mother's Land A youthful obsession with Dorothea Lange’s <em>Migrant Mother</em> turns to frustration over how its subject, Florence Owens Thompson, an Indigenous woman, has been misperceived.

One of my favorite emails every week is @roxanegay.bsky.social's Audacious Roundup. Today she shared @lesbrains.bsky.social's essay "Santa Maria: On Migrant Mother's Land," which I might not have encountered otherwise. I encourage you to read it and share. placesjournal.org/article/sant...

#Virginia folks: I've started a list here of Va. electeds, state & local media, & some advocates who I travel amongst or see around on the regular. If it's useful to you, here it is. If you know of folks—esp electeds—I should add (more joining every day), lmk. #VaLeg bsky.app/profile/did:...

Srsly, tho, if I can emphasize one thing, it's this: get to know your state Attorney General candidates. It's such an important under-the-radar role.

Ok, 2 things: Get to know your state house & your local council & school board candidates. Take it back to the foundation & build from the ground up.