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Ben Gardner

@benandrewgardner.bsky.social

Artist and writer based in Bloomington, Indiana. ASURTA, Adorcist Books, Theurgiclal Studies Press

65 Followers  |  39 Following  |  1 Posts  |  Joined: 22.10.2023  |  1.5507

Latest posts by benandrewgardner.bsky.social on Bluesky

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While Google’s cofounder is calling for a 60-hour workweek, a reminder that you shouldn’t even be working 40 hours per week.

Every American could work 30-hour weeks and still live in a highly productive, dynamic economy.

But Americans work longer hours to fuel corporate profits.

06.03.2025 18:56 β€” πŸ‘ 45    πŸ” 13    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1
38 Rules ofΒ Writing - Blog+News - David E. Tolchinsky My daughter, the poet Raisa Tolchinsky , asked me what my rules of writing are, in response to ...

@claymcleod.bsky.social I thought you might enjoy this list. you are a great example of the first rule (and a lot of the others)
davidetolchinsky.com/blog/38-rule...

05.02.2025 16:07 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Dark times are here. You will have a chance to perform a heroic deed in the days to come. Take it.

29.01.2025 04:18 β€” πŸ‘ 478    πŸ” 84    πŸ’¬ 12    πŸ“Œ 8
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Everyday office reminder from @sarahboytsyoder.bsky.social

28.01.2025 15:27 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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redesign of the piece that has gotten me restricted/suspended at least 4 times πŸ˜‡

10.12.2024 14:00 β€” πŸ‘ 10673    πŸ” 4224    πŸ’¬ 29    πŸ“Œ 47
Hey friends! We're seeing a lot of terrible things. We're not able to cover all of them, but we felt this latest one is a really big deal and needs much more awareness.

Our summary is this: It's an administrative coup. Trump has ordered tens of billions (maybe up to $3 trillion) of budget halted indefinitely in a blatantly illegal move. He's claiming power to halt and potentially redirect funding that's already been authorized by Congress β€” a classic authoritarian move.

Here's what we know. And we're doing our best to catch up with this story, because it's moving fast.

There's a memo from Matthew Vaeth, the acting head of the Office of Management and Budget. (That's the same government entity who set-up the DEI "snitch" line, that's now been spammed by tens of thousands of our fellow residents.)

In typical Trump-style, the memo gets its facts wrong. It claims in FY2024 the US government spent $10 trillion (actually it was $6.8 trillion). It says money should be used for the administration's priorities β€” "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve." (Again, it's very fact deficient.)

The memo says a pause will begin at 5pm on January 28th where, "Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal."

Anyone promised federal grants might have their money at risk, even states. This is Congressional directed spending and Trump is ordering people to not do it. This funding includes universities for education and research programs, nonprofits, local and tribal governments, disaster relief aid, e…

Hey friends! We're seeing a lot of terrible things. We're not able to cover all of them, but we felt this latest one is a really big deal and needs much more awareness. Our summary is this: It's an administrative coup. Trump has ordered tens of billions (maybe up to $3 trillion) of budget halted indefinitely in a blatantly illegal move. He's claiming power to halt and potentially redirect funding that's already been authorized by Congress β€” a classic authoritarian move. Here's what we know. And we're doing our best to catch up with this story, because it's moving fast. There's a memo from Matthew Vaeth, the acting head of the Office of Management and Budget. (That's the same government entity who set-up the DEI "snitch" line, that's now been spammed by tens of thousands of our fellow residents.) In typical Trump-style, the memo gets its facts wrong. It claims in FY2024 the US government spent $10 trillion (actually it was $6.8 trillion). It says money should be used for the administration's priorities β€” "The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve." (Again, it's very fact deficient.) The memo says a pause will begin at 5pm on January 28th where, "Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal." Anyone promised federal grants might have their money at risk, even states. This is Congressional directed spending and Trump is ordering people to not do it. This funding includes universities for education and research programs, nonprofits, local and tribal governments, disaster relief aid, e…

So what can we do?

It's been a lot. And the shock approach of this administration is to overwhelm us with nonsense and a state of paralysis. We continue to believe the best thing is to stay grounded and keep yourself sane amidst insanity.

At this juncture, three actions we suggest that make sense to us:

1) Urge media to cover this story properly

This is not "possibly illegal" β€” it's "patently illegal." You can read notes on that here.

It's not "temporary" β€” it's "indefinite." There's no timetable for ending it.

It's not just a memo β€” it's an administrative coup.

2) Urge your Representatives to act like this is a big deal

If you know us, this isn't a knee-jerk action we suggest. We think this is a strategic because it's Congress that's being violated β€” their power is being directly undermined.

3) Continue to support ACLU and Democracy Forward

These groups have been preparing litigation for some time. Unless Trump revokes this, this will certainly make its way through the courts. Our read is even the biased courts will have trouble swallowing this β€” so it may end up being shut down.



Keep breathing. β€œDo not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again," Nelson Mandela.

Warmly,

- Choose Democracy

So what can we do? It's been a lot. And the shock approach of this administration is to overwhelm us with nonsense and a state of paralysis. We continue to believe the best thing is to stay grounded and keep yourself sane amidst insanity. At this juncture, three actions we suggest that make sense to us: 1) Urge media to cover this story properly This is not "possibly illegal" β€” it's "patently illegal." You can read notes on that here. It's not "temporary" β€” it's "indefinite." There's no timetable for ending it. It's not just a memo β€” it's an administrative coup. 2) Urge your Representatives to act like this is a big deal If you know us, this isn't a knee-jerk action we suggest. We think this is a strategic because it's Congress that's being violated β€” their power is being directly undermined. 3) Continue to support ACLU and Democracy Forward These groups have been preparing litigation for some time. Unless Trump revokes this, this will certainly make its way through the courts. Our read is even the biased courts will have trouble swallowing this β€” so it may end up being shut down. Keep breathing. β€œDo not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again," Nelson Mandela. Warmly, - Choose Democracy

Hi that was a coup last night in case no one mentioned that to you. The executive branch seized the power of the purse the Constitution gave to Congress, which is a pretty authoritarian / illegal consolidation of powers move. Time to go yell at your reps, the media, etc.

28.01.2025 15:52 β€” πŸ‘ 4016    πŸ” 1586    πŸ’¬ 63    πŸ“Œ 84
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Book giveaway for Wild Spaces by S.L. Coney Oct 20-Nov 15, 2023 Enter to win one of 15 free copies available. Giveaway dates from Oct 20-Nov 15, 2023. Enter for a chance to win a copy of WILD SPACES by S. L. Coney

If you haven't yet bought or read this novella, you've got to enter this sweepstakes for a free copy. Described as "Robert R. McCammon’s Boy’s Life meets H. P. Lovecraft" Book giveaway for Wild Spaces by S.L. Coney Oct 20-Nov 15, 2023 | Goodreads - go.shr.lc/3Q60LXs

22.10.2023 19:39 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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