AQL

You can't have an "adult" conversation about the federal budget if you ask us to think of the US like a household. That's how you have a childish conversation.
Chapter 1 of The Deficit Myth

Monstrous Victor Hugo, Frozen People, endless Picasso Things to see and do

My newsletter on Victor Hugo's mute nightmare drawings, a festival on a frozen sea and lots of other interesting things to see and do.

open.substack.com/pub/helenbar...

... and get over the idea that this is just from the current regime. America has been propagandized for 80 years, and the fruits are heavy...

Costco to raise hourly pay for most US store workers to over $30 Retailer Costco Wholesale will increase pay for most of its hourly U.S. store workers to more than $30, according to a memo sent to employees this week.

Costco - the only company to publicly come out in support of Diversity initiatives despite pressure from the GOP and they just raised the pay for their workers. Stop shopping at Target.

Costco to raise hourly pay for most US store workers to over $30 www.reuters.com/business/ret...

Idgaf I’m still fighting for guaranteed healthcare.

Aspiration is the answer. Not just “we’re not the bad guys.”

We need something more meaningful than that. I want a future worth fighting for. They have no vision. We do. Lean into our strengths and knock them out. 👊🏽

The Democrats’ Fear Factor It’s the consultants, stupid! Future candidates need to be themselves, take control on social media, and immediately push back on right-wing spin.

I wrote about the consultants

www.vanityfair.com/news/story/d...

ISTM it would be very interesting if ICE agents didn't have so much anonymity; part of their ability to terrorize and intimidate comes from that.

How to Take Heart From What Really Worked in the First Resistance Marches and lawsuits are fine, but the real wins over MAGA last time were powered by grassroots activists pushing from thousands of districts across the country.

Marches and lawsuits are fine, but the real wins over MAGA last time were powered by grassroots activists pushing from thousands of districts across the country.

Bryan MacCormack, the executive director of a New York-based immigrant rights group, was pulled over by CBP with two undocumented passengers in the vehicle. He knew his rights, refused to acknowledge their "warrant", and despite CBP threatening him, the agents eventually were forced to let him go.

We failed to stop the rise of fascism. What comes next? How to navigate the future without a map.

We failed to stop fascism's rise. Now it's dancing about on the White House lawn. I don't know how to fix all this but I do know that the shit we've been doing won't get us out of this one.

shatterzone.substack.com/p/we-failed-...

10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won The key to taking effective action if Trump wins is to avoid perpetuating his goals of fear, isolation, exhaustion and disorientation.

This is really good. Have been trying to find practical info on steps that individuals and groups can take. This breaks it down.

wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-t...

I wonder though: in Italy, the equivalent wages would leave an American destitute, yet people I know (and know their income) live well, go on vacations, have nice things... is it possible that there are other mechanics involved? "The other side" may just be the same side in a more sane system?

You do it because you must.

This is so spot on. As a climate scientist and public intellectual, I see or experience these often

I have to admit I have a real bug up my ass about people referring to the substance of creative output as "content". I feel like I need to get over myself with this frustration, but it's becoming an unrelenting drumbeat by people and here's why it annoys me: 🧵

Gideon the Ninth series by Tamsyn Muir - necromancer lesbians in space; they're a fave in our house, and the audiobooks are /excellent/. Also: The Seafarer's Kiss by Julia Ember - retelling of Little Mermaid, sort-of - in Norse mythos

1 Go have experiences - anything. Take a friend out, go for a hike, visit a museum, go on a trip, get out of your space...
2 do your practice: sketches, prompts, études. Nothing that's supposed to be Art
3 play in another form
4 "I don't feel it" is your cue to do it