jrtom

* I'm in the process of a minor shift in how items are organized.

---

* "US and Iran launch new attacks as they wrestle for control of Gulf waters:" https://archive.ph/wip/9VaDX

* "South Korean-run vessel ablaze in Strait of Hormuz; Trump says Iran fired at the ship:" https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/05/world/south-korean-vessel-hormuz/

******

* "Trump Being ‘Humiliated’ in Iran Talks, German Chancellor Says:" https://archive.ph/SAp1d

* "Trump Seems To Confuse Ukraine and Iran: ‘They’re Defeated’:" https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-seems-to-confuse-ukraine-and-iran-theyre-defeated/

* "There's growing disquiet in the military. The Iran war made it worse:" https://www.npr.org/2026/04/10/nx-s1-5771612/military-iran-war-trump-conscientious-objector?

* "The Iran war now has a price tag ($25 billion), but still no end date:" https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/g-s1-119333/the-iran-war-now-has-a-price-tag-25-billion-but-still-no-end-date

* "The U.S. Started the War. The Rest of the World Is Feeling the Effects.:" https://archive.ph/f1EA0

* "Helium Is Hard to Replace:" https://www.construction-physics.com/p/helium-is-hard-to-replace

* "Oil surges to highest level in 4 years on Iran fears:" https://www.semafor.com/article/04/30/2026/oil-surges-to-highest-level-in-4-years-on-iran-fears

* "‘Simply wrong’: GOP lawmakers caught lying about gas prices:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/simply-wrong-gop-lawmakers-caught-lying-about-gas-prices-2498438211836

* "Oil shock could backfire on fossil fuel-loving Trump, ignite ‘green future’:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/oil-shock-could-backfire-on-fossil-fuel-loving-trump-ignite-green-future-2498581571902

* "Energy secretary says fuel prices may not get back under $3 until 2027:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/19/chris-wright-fuel-prices-gasoline-00880043

******

* "MAGA figures are pushing Trump’s campaign to grab Greenland. But it’s tough sledding:" https://archive.ph/kqIKT

* "One thin allegation fueled a national trans panic & an FBI mission to Cuba touted by Kash Patel:" https://www.advocate.com/news/evidence-thin-trans-child-cuba

******

* "Inside Chornobyl: 40 years after disaster, nuclear site still at risk in Russia’s war:" https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/25/chornobyl-power-plant-at-risk-amid-russia-war-ukraine?

* "Ukraine’s army evolves under fire, with new units challenging Soviet legacy:" https://apnews.com/article/war-russia-ukraine-army-technology-business-military-a135fe06f5a4ffd9ea0fb49a6c41e0e4?

****

* "Photos of daily life in Sudan as war enters its fourth year:" https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/sudan-war-photos-4c6fcc61ce0e56404b62c9b85508908a?

* "They scour the Mexican cartel lands for the missing — and for closure:" https://apnews.com/article/search-mexico-missing-people-drug-cartels-5e4acba628fbb827e76ca1d46f3ac4b9?

* "‘A well-known secret’: inside Toronto’s violent tow truck wars:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/22/toronto-tow-truck-shootings-canada?

---

* "2027 French presidential election: Who's already running, who could be, and key dates:" https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2026/04/30/2027-french-presidential-election-who-s-already-running-who-could-be-and-key-dates_6752856_9.html

* "One year from presidential election, a 'quiet anger' in France's streets:" https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/05/01/one-year-from-presidential-election-a-quiet-anger-in-france-streets_6753031_5.html

---

* "White House Posts Photo of 'Two Kings' Donald Trump and King Charles During Royals' State Visit:" https://people.com/white-house-posts-photo-of-two-kings-donald-trump-and-king-charles-during-royals-state-visit-11960786

* "King Charles schools Trump on democracy in speech to Congress about checks and balances:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/king-charles-schools-trump-on-democracy-in-speech-to-congress-about-checks-and-balances-2498157123575

I am angry I have to report something positive about King Charles.

* "India voices anger after Trump shares comments calling it a ‘hellhole’:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/24/india-trump-hellhole-post

* "Trump says currency swap with UAE is under consideration:" https://archive.ph/S687l

---

* "May Day protests across US draw huge crowds – in pictures:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2026/may/01/photos-may-day-protests

* "Nationwide May Day protests pick up mantle of 'No Kings':" https://www.npr.org/2026/05/01/nx-s1-5805805/may-day-protests-boycott-schools-trump

* "Kids Over Corporations: Thousands of N.C. educators gather in Raleigh, call for more funds:" https://abc45.com/news/local/kids-over-corporations-thousands-of-nc-educators-gather-in-raleigh-call-for-more-funds

* "Thousands rally in L.A. for May Day to protest immigration sweeps, high cost of living:" https://archive.ph/LIaNe

* "S.F. supervisors, state senator arrested as May Day protest closes SFO roadway:" https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/may-day-protest-sfo-22236936.php

* "Maddow: Trump is terrible at everything except this one thing:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/maddow-trump-is-terrible-at-everything-except-this-one-thing-2498863683829

* "Department of Education threatens to pull Smith College's funding for admitting trans women:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/smith-college-trans-women

---

**** Corruption of the Justice System, Pushback, and Related ****

* "FBI raids office of Dem state lawmaker in Virginia who led redistricting efforts:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/06/louise-lucas-fbi-virginia-00908222

* "‘But do you trust them?’: Hayes questions timing of FBI raid in Virginia:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/but-do-you-trust-them-hayes-questions-timing-of-fbi-raid-in-virginia-2499120707781

* "Supreme Court rejects bid to punish school for respecting trans student’s identity:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/supreme-court-student-identity-florida

* "Supreme Court grapples with use of ‘geofence warrants’ by law enforcement:" https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5848192-geofence-warrants-fourth-amendment-supreme-court/

* "Justice Samuel Alito restores medication abortion access nationwide:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/sam-alito-restores-medication-abortion

---

* "Powell plans to remain on Fed board, cites legal actions by Trump administration:" https://apnews.com/article/powell-warsh-trump-federal-reserve-inflation-4e09e4cdb25856635c94abe0021fc1d3

* "Democrats Explore Suing Trump If He Ignores Congress on Iran War:" https://time.com/article/2026/04/28/exclusive-democrats-explore-suing-trump-if-congress-doesn-t-authorize-iran-war/

* "Dems file 6 impeachment articles against Hegseth:" https://www.axios.com/2026/04/15/iran-war-pete-hegseth-congress-impeachment-articles-democrats-reflecting-search-interest-order

* "Senate bans its own members and staff from betting in prediction markets:" https://apnews.com/article/senate-prediction-markets-betting-congress-ban-f067c97278654caeacd9e336b5474f1d

Your move House of Reps.

* "Trump pulls Means' nomination for surgeon general:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/30/trump-pulls-means-nomination-for-surgeon-general-00900671

* "Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Has Disappeared From Capitol Hill. He’s Still Trading Stocks.:" https://www.notus.org/congress/tom-kean-trading-stocks

* "Tom Kean Jr. says he’ll be back ‘very soon’ :" https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/04/27/congress/tom-kean-jr-says-hell-be-back-very-soon-00894191

* "Puerto Rico Senate leader attacks trans Miss Universe beauty pageant contestant:" https://www.advocate.com/news/culture/miss-universe-puerto-rico-transphobia

---

* Our until Midterms is to survive, to build grassroots resistance, to do all in our power to slow the republican Christo-fascist agenda, and to prepare for 2026 in case there is still Democracy.

"Take action with Indivisible:" https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/

Trump 2.0 Indivisible Guide.  https://indivisible.org/resource/guide

If you can't safely contact them in person, here are some other options for contacting your Congress Critters:

Five Calls to your critters: https://5calls.org/

Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/

And another: https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php

Snail Mail Campaigns: https://conuly.dreamwidth.org/3622760.html

"Congress. gov:" https://www.congress.gov/

White house (Possibly Dangerous): https://www.whitehouse.gov/

ACLU advice for writing to your Critters: https://www.aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives

This tracks legislation: https://www.govtrack.us/

"The Public Comment Process (+ how to write effective public comments):" https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/781844516804149248?source=share

"Swing Left:" https://swingleft.org/

Run for Something: https://runforsomething.net/

"Vote Smart:" https://justfacts.votesmart.org/

Protests: "50501 Events:" https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events

"ICE Raids Toolkit: Defend Against ICE Raids and Community Arrests:" https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/raids-toolkit/

Contains a raid tip hotline amoung other things. "Know Your Rights
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY:" https://wearecasa.org/know-your-rights/

---

* "Southern state Republicans look to capitalize on Supreme Court ruling weakening Voting Rights Act:" https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-supreme-court-voting-rights-act-b4e3a7be89305f94a4f05c09981406ce

* "Louisiana congressional primaries are suspended as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling:" https://apnews.com/article/congress-louisiana-primaries-supreme-court-03cdb6951d7fefb448bfd2f37f98c0ea

I don't understand how it is legal to stop an election that has already started for political gain or how black people having representation in congress counts as an emergency.

* "DeSantis signs Florida's new GOP-friendly congressional map into law — and is swiftly sued:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/04/florida-desantis-map-sign-redistricting-00905256?can_id=afc248c8f33ebb5b04607e2a45c1c1c7&email_referrer=email_3224606&email_subject=progress-florida-daily-clips-5-5-26&link_id=2&source=email-progress-florida-daily-clips-5-5-26

* "Tennessee Republicans move to eliminate state’s last Democratic district following Voting Rights Act carnage:" https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/tennessee-republicans-eye-new-gerrymander-to-eliminate-states-last-democratic-district/

* "Alabama and Tennessee set special sessions to consider new congressional maps after Supreme Court ruling:" https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/alabama-governor-calls-special-session-move-primaries-redistricting-ge-rcna343125

* We are in primary season now. States vote at different times, so I beg ALL of you to check when your state is voting. If you are in an in-person vote state, research ahead of time so you can vote for the candidate with views closest to your own. If you vote by mail, take the time to look them up when your ballot comes.

THIS is how you move the party further LEFT.

PLAN YOUR VOTE!!!

Primary schedule here:

* "2026 Statewide Primary Calendar:" https://www.270towin.com/2026-state-primary-calendar/

I don't know where you live, so I can't link this for you, but I find the Progressive Voter Guide online very helpful in narrowing down candidates in the often packed primaries where I live.

I also suggest looking at things like volunteer work and endorsements, because it really, really helps with things like sheriff and judicial elections, but can be useful in all sorts of primaries when you have multiple good options.

REMEMBER: Don't just vote for the big things like US Congress. Vote in every State and local race down to the smallest and on all the referendums.

State and local elections have a massive impact on your quality of life.

* Nebraska, North Carolina, and West Virginia! Don't forget to vote May 12!

* Louisiana! Don't forget to vote May 16!

* "Democrats Keep Michigan Senate Majority With Special Election Win:" https://archive.ph/zMyEs

* "Brown, Ramaswamy and Beatty advance to November. See Ohio election results:" https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/05/05/election-day-live-updates-coverage-results-more-at-columbus-dispatch--live/89932416007/

* "Five Indiana senators who voted against redistricting lose primary election to Trump-endorsed candidates:" https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/five-indiana-senators-who-voted-against-redistricting-lose-primary-election-to-trump-endorsed-candidates/531-6be2b783-dfb5-476d-9187-25a59b242cff

All the once with an once of backbone and some lingering patriotism, because of course.

* "Life after Trump: Elections show political adjustments as Trump fades from relevance:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/life-after-trump-elections-show-political-adjustments-as-trump-fades-from-relevance-2498999363966

* "Michigan Dem claims trans primary opponent violated law by not running under deadname:" https://www.advocate.com/news/michigan-dem-claims-trans-primary-opponent-violated-law-by-not-running-under-deadname

I hope Frank Liberati loses.

* "Graham Platner On Service, Messaging & the Future for Democrats | The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart:"

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* "‘Shut this White House down’: Platner talks strategy to stop Trump:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/shut-this-white-house-down-platner-talks-strategy-to-stop-trump-2498463811655

* "NYC’s voters will decide if representation still matters in historic LGBTQ+ district:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/election/stonewall-district-manhattan-election

* "In NYC’s Stonewall district, voters want rent relief over representation debates:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/election/stonewall-district-special-election-reactions

* "Trump-backed House candidate tied to New Mexico church with extreme anti-women & anti-LGBTQ+ views:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/election/greg-cunningham-extremist-church-ties

* "Two NYC Democrats running for a U.S. House seat battle to prove who’s more pro-LGBTQ+:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/election/dan-goldman-brad-lander-lgbtq

* "Colorado takes new shot to curb harmful ‘conversion therapy’ abuse:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/colorado-conversion-therapy-ban-workaround

* "At least 13 hurt in shooting at Oklahoma campground party:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/04/edmond-oklahoma-mass-shooting

* CW: Child Abuse. "Florida man charged with beating 5-year-old boy ‘for being gay’:" https://www.advocate.com/news/crime/florida-boy-beaten-gay

* "Pride flag burned outside gay couple’s Pennsylvania home:" https://www.advocate.com/news/pride-flag-burned-outside-gay-couples-pennsylvania-home

* "Cruise ship at center of suspected deadly hantavirus outbreak refused permission to dock:" https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hantavirus-cruise-ship-docking-cape-verde-hondius-who-rcna343415

* "What to know about hantavirus, the illness suspected in a cruise ship outbreak:" https://apnews.com/article/what-to-know-hantavirus-cruise-ship-366c781ff168656ff47ae9796965daaa

* "Florida sits on millions in unspent funds for disability care while thousands wait:" https://www.fox13news.com/news/florida-millions-unspent-funds-disability-care-thousands

---

* "United flight strikes light pole, damages truck while landing in Newark:" https://abc7ny.com/post/united-flight-strikes-light-pole-landing-newark-airport/19030820/

The dash cam footage is scary. The truck driver is injured but is expected to be all right.

* How to prepare for extreme heat at the local and personal level: https://ysabetwordsmith.dreamwidth.org/15465979.html#cutid1

---

* "That "Pending PayPal Charge" Email Is a Scam — Even Though It Really Came From PayPal:" https://www.tedcromwell.com/blog/that-pending-paypal-charge-email-is-a-scam-even-though-it-really-came-from-paypa

* "From hospice, Barney Frank urges Democrats to rethink trans rights approach:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/barney-frank-hospice-trans-rights

Barney Frank, not content with throwing trans people under the bus every chance he got in a long political career decides to give trans people a last fuck you from his death bed.

He was dragged out of the closet kicking and screaming against his will and only reluctantly took up gay and lesbian rights, yet has been treated as some great gay elder statesman, while doing so very little.

Like a lot of respectability politics well off white cis gays of the '90 and oughts, the only rights he really cared about were those that made things a little easier for people just like him with zero care about what the rest of the community need.

Too bad he didn't just die in silence instead of going on right wing media to harm us, but it is oh so in character for him.

* "Barney Frank’s final interview from hospice was painful. His comments on trans people made it worse:" https://www.advocate.com/opinion/barney-frank-painful-cnn-interview

* "Streamer crushes MrBeast charity record with $70 million raised for kids with cancer:" https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/streamer-crushes-mrbeast-charity-record-with-50m-fundraiser-for-kids-with-cancer-3356823/

* So I had two days of extreme pain and spasms Tuesday and Wednesday. It's exhausting and time consuming. I ended up giving myself more days off physio than intended because my body just couldn't. Spasms are involuntary exercise and I basically ran a marathon.

Amoung my inevitable Insurance scam calls Friday was a real call from the New Aid, who was distraught. Asshole Agency suspended her for "asking too many questions" at another job, which is bullshit. She needs to know what the person wants and where things he is putting away go. She's so sweet and hard working. She also is doing really well with English despite having spoken it less than three years, but no one is perfect that fast so it's best to go slower and keep vocabulary reasonably simple for clarity. I am wondering if the real issue is that she needs to ask extra clarifying questions some times to make sure she understands, and the woman didn't like her doing that.

I reassured her that there is no such thing as too many questions as far as I'm concerned, that I'd happily vouch for her, and her job with me is safe. I told her we can reschedule the hours after it's sorted out and if she needs any help with Asshole Agency I would be happy to give it.

I am angry at the person who did this to her. It's one thing to decide you don't think the aid is a good fit, it's a whole other thing to fuck with her employment generally. She wants to be a nurse. Her money is going to pay for her classes. Other people depend on her. That woman could have just let her go and hired someone else. Complaints are for things like endangering someone, not "asks too many question."

So now both my aids are getting jerked around again.

I did manage to do the physio exercises Saturday, but it took 4-5 hours to complete them because I kept needing really long rests. I am achy and tired. There is still no word on kittens. IDK.

* Sunday, I ventured out intending to pick up OTC perishables, bagels, and do a quick run to the pharmacy, but the grocery store so completely wore me out that I did not make it to the pharmacy and I had premade salad for dinner, followed by a couple hour lie down. *facepalms* I didn't even do physio, because I wanted to make sure I had time to hit the pharmacy and add oil to the car.

* "The terrible cost of the Bezos Met Gala:" https://www.advocate.com/opinion/bezos-met-gala-backlash

* "Trump Spins Dinner Shooting for Ballroom Agenda & Blitzer Is CNN's One-Shoed Hero | The Daily Show:"

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* "Trump and Republicans Want YOU to Pay $400 Million for His Ballroom | The Daily Show:"

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* "Trump Indicts Comey Over Seashells & King Charles Is King of Congressional Comedy | The Daily Show:"

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* "SCOTUS Deals Blow to Voting Rights Act & Trump Deals Blow to NASA Chief’s Ears | The Daily Show:"

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* "Jordan Klepper Checks In on California's High-Stakes Governor Race | The Daily Show:"

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* "Gas Station Drugs: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO):"

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* Note: I don't approve of accent humor, but most of the rest of it is good. "Trump Ignores 60-Day Iran Deadline & King Charles Urges Congress to Do Its Job | The Daily Show:"

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* "Limitless Legions:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ynQtzhsnv7o

* "Foundational Fabian Strategems:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qIIfJmIJ3V0

* "Pilfering Pompey:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Nd7wM5e22JI

* "Civilly Caesar Wars 2:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XW2iFGr0THQ

* "Civilly Caesar Wars 3:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ql2jNESiBaw

* "Ancient Vikings Invented The Rap Battle:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/J6gH03lFsRo

* "Paternal Problems:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hr4GOsUnwys

* "Meticulous Marriages:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/U-xmuShrRd0

* "Frivolous Feudal Friendships:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qlPjIXWKpsQ

* "Princely Piers:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ajfC1jmdwME

* "Dastardly Dating Apps:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2vQaPtvQMjA

* "Home Security Ad - SNL:"

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* "My Room - SNL:"

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* "Rescue Dog Rescue: Where Arf They Now?:"

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* "Walk of the Rings:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MAUJ4YsP-O8

* "Strong Samwise:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HreGlv7aZ5c

* "NASA releases 12,000 Artemis pics! See our faves here:" https://earthsky.org/spaceflight/nasa-releases-12000-artemis-pics/

* "Met Gala Review:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iA13dJSRV9k

* From ReL Dracula: "Dracula's Guest:" https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rk4KeVKxJr1zKigY3jPjy?go=1&sp_cid=049bb227f8f3cefc612e99cfdd7d5345&nd=1&dlsi=67a23476b7614ce2

* I keep thinking about the Plague Ballet:

Picture the Rat Dancers and the Genoese forming the shape of a ship together, rats on the bottom, moving across the stage, a central sailor lifting the sail high. One by one, rat dancers fall over and roll away off stage, until it's just the men. Then, one by one the men fall sick and roll away until it'd just the bare minimum to make the shape of the ship as they dance towards a gathered mass of people representing a city. The sailors reaching longingly towards the safety of hope, the townsfolk reaching their hands out for their returning loved ones.

The hands touch, the ship breaks apart into the last dying survivors who are lifted up by their loved ones and carried around the stage as the rats dance around them. One by one, the rats fall sick….

*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.

The help links are at the bottom under the cut.

* The public comment period is open now through May 22, 2026: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/docket-detail/19-41

* "Transcontinental Pipeline:" https://tcpipeline.org/steps/

* "Project Salt Box:" https://projectsaltbox.substack.com/

* "When the Feds Come to Your City: Standing Up to ICE :" https://crimethinc.com/2025/12/03/when-the-feds-come-to-your-city-standing-up-to-ice-a-guide-from-chicago-organizers

* Links to Help organize in advance of ICE Occupation: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/807226885129060352?source=share

* "Swing Left:" https://swingleft.org/

* "2026 Statewide Primary Calendar:" https://www.270towin.com/2026-state-primary-calendar/

( More )

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* "1 killed in Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on 1st full day of ceasefire deal:" https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/lebanon-israel-ceasefire-hezbollah-9.7167688

* "Is this what war looks like now?:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/apr/24/gaza-israel-lebanon-war

* "Israel entrenches hold on south Lebanon, warns residents to stay out:" https://archive.ph/sgd0Q

* "Satellite images reveal scale of Israeli demolitions as Lebanese villages destroyed:" https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxkk1vnp57o

* "Israeli killing of Lebanese journalist draws international condemnation:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/23/lebanon-journalist-amal-khalil-israel-death-threat

****** Sort is Rough and speed of news means som e items may be already out of date ******

* "Annalena Baerbock - The United Nations is “Life Insurance for Everyone” | The Daily Show:"

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I'm including this here because it has some things to do with the war, though it is more generally to do with the U.N. itself.

* "John Kerry's Advice To Trump's Iran Negotiators: Take Time To Be Reasonable:"

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* "The Fog Of War Is Emanating From The White House - Anderson Cooper On Trump's War Against Iran:"

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* "Congress Could Tell Trump: Put A Stop To This War - Sen. Elizabeth Warren:"

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* "Democrats Raise Concerns Over Civilian Casualties From Iran War:" https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-israel-us-strait-hormuz-2026/card/dZGJlN62opWnTvCTohsj

* "U.S. considers $20 billion cash-for-uranium deal with Iran:" https://www.axios.com/2026/04/17/iran-us-deal-20-billion-frozen-funds-uranium

* "Iran doubles down on closing Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire nears expiration:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/19/iran-doubles-down-on-closing-strait-of-hormuz-as-ceasefire-nears-expiration-00879967

* "U.S. military will target Iran-linked ships worldwide, broadening scope beyond blockade:" https://archive.ph/zujxT

* "US ready to hit Iran with ‘financial equivalent’ to bombings, treasury secretary says:" https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-04-15-2026

* "Bombshell Report Reveals Trump Was Begging for Iran to Join Ceasefire:" https://newrepublic.com/post/208815/trump-asked-iran-ceasefire

* "Trump is stuck looking for military solution to an economic problem in Iran:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-is-stuck-looking-for-military-solution-to-an-economic-problem-in-iran-2496754755521

* "The one Trump gaffe that sums up his entire Iran failure:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/the-one-trump-gaffe-that-sums-up-his-entire-iran-failure-2496874563518

* "Iran takes Donald Trump down a peg with costly lesson in compromise:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/iran-takes-donald-trump-down-a-peg-with-costly-lesson-in-compromise-2496586819906

* "Trump’s Illegalist War Gets Illegaler:"

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* "‘This is not serious leadership’: Donald Trump and Marco Rubio watch UFC in Miami as Iran talks fail:" https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/apr/12/donald-trump-marco-rubio-ufc-iran-war

* "Vought: White House doesn’t have ‘ballpark’ total for Iran war funding:" https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/04/15/congress/no-iran-funding-ballpark-00872934

* "Trump pretends he’s in no rush on Iran as Americans lose patience with war’s fallout:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-pretends-he-s-in-no-rush-on-iran-as-americans-lose-patience-with-war-s-fallout-2497614915693

* "Iran says it seized ships in Strait of Hormuz as U.S. blockade continues amid ceasefire:" https://www.npr.org/2026/04/22/nx-s1-5795405/iran-middle-east-updates

* "US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say :" https://archive.ph/hE4WP

* "Only five ships pass through Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours:" https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/only-five-ships-pass-through-strait-hormuz-24-hours-2026-04-24/

* "Trump orders U.S. military to 'shoot and kill' Iranian small boats choking Strait of Hormuz:" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/trump-orders-u-s-military-to-shoot-and-kill-iranian-small-boats-choking-strait-of-hormuz

* "US military says it seizes another oil tanker associated with Iran:" https://apnews.com/article/us-iran-war-hormuz-israel-pakistan-ceasefire-april-22-2026-267230f7f32b436822484479313840f7

* "U.S. Intelligence Shows China Taking a More Active Role in Iran War:" https://archive.ph/Nm2eO

* "In the Gulf, GPS jamming leaves delivery drivers navigating blind:" https://restofworld.org/2026/gps-disruption-gulf-gig-workers/

* "Why Would Pentagon Allegedly Threaten Pope's Ambassador With 'Avignon Papacy'?:" https://religiondispatches.org/2026/04/10/why-would-pentagon-allegedly-threaten-popes-ambassador-avignon-papacy

* "Pope Leo: “I Have No Fear” of Trump:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/pope-leo-trump-i-have-no-fear-war-iran/

* "Johnson backs Trump, Vance in criticism of pope:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/15/mike-johnson-trump-vance-pope-criticism-00873232

* "Pope condemns killing of protesters in Iran, reaffirms stance against war:" https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-condemns-killing-protesters-iran-reaffirms-stance-against-war-2026-04-23/

* "Hegseth Quotes Made-Up Bible Verse From Pulp Fiction:" https://newrepublic.com/post/209145/hegseth-fake-bible-verse-pulp-fiction

* "As Vance rallies with Turning Point, some supporters bristle at Trump’s war, memes and feuds:" https://apnews.com/article/vance-pope-leo-donald-trump-jesus-meme-2488d70793a21909b1026ccad0ac42a7

* "‘Veep-like week’: Hayes reacts to JD Vance’s recent ‘string of failures’ :" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/veep-like-week-hayes-reacts-to-jd-vance-s-recent-string-of-failures-2496419907890

* "Navy secretary is out amid Pentagon infighting:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/22/navy-secretary-out-00887887

* "Navy secretary fired amid naval blockade in Strait of Hormuz:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/navy-secretary-fired-amid-naval-blockade-in-strait-of-hormuz-2497438787825

* "Trump's new Navy secretary seems very afraid of witches and drag queens:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/hung-cao-witches-drag-queens

* "Jared Kushner’s Mysterious Role in the Trump Administration:" https://archive.ph/md4Rx

* "Eric Trump-Backed Startup Lands $24 Million Contract from His Father's Administration:" https://people.com/eric-trump-backed-startup-lands-usd24-million-contract-from-his-father-administration-11957625

* "Trump’s sons are fooling no one cashing in on Trump’s war:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-s-sons-are-fooling-no-one-cashing-in-on-trump-s-war-2497609283553

* "‘Incredible grift’: Rep. Garcia criticizes Eric Trump’s $24 million Pentagon contract:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/incredible-grift-eric-trump-brags-about-scoring-24-million-pentagon-deal-2497583171767

* "Trump’s corruption becomes a campaign issue as GOP Congress flunks on accountability:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-s-corruption-becomes-a-campaign-issue-as-gop-congress-flunks-on-accountability-2497458755554

* "Detention of journalist in Kuwait raises questions about crackdown on freedom of speech:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/14/detention-journalist-ahmed-shihab-eldin-kuwait-crackdown-freedom-speech-iran-war

* "‘Outrageous’: American journalist detained in Kuwait after posting Iran war video:" https://www.ms.now/all-in/watch/outrageous-american-journalist-detained-in-kuwait-after-posting-iran-war-video-2496571459985

* "Journalist detained in Kuwait acquitted of ‘spreading false information’, says press monitor:" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/23/journalist-detained-in-kuwait-acquitted-of-spreading-false-information-says-press-monitor

******

* "Cuba runs on oil, and the oil is running out:" https://archive.ph/GY83K

* "Trump going ‘Access Hollywood’ on Cuba and threatening THIS:"

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******

* "After years of war with Russia, Ukraine's farmers are hit by Iran conflict:" https://archive.ph/XsL8L

******

* "Children make up half of Haiti’s gangs. They’re about to face a new foreign force.:" https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/06/americas/haiti-gang-children-face-new-foreign-force-latam-intl

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* "5 things to know about Péter Magyar, Hungary's new prime minister:" https://www.npr.org/2026/04/13/nx-s1-5783657/peter-magyar-hungary-prime-minister-orban-election

* "He exposed corruption and walked across Hungary. Now Péter Magyar has defeated a powerful state machine:" https://theconversation.com/he-exposed-corruption-and-walked-across-hungary-now-peter-magyar-has-defeated-a-powerful-state-machine-280455

* "Viktor Orbán won't be the last anti-LGBTQ+ strongman to topple:" https://www.advocate.com/opinion/viktor-orban-strongman-topple

* "How to Defeat a Very Trumpy Authoritarian Leader:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/authoritarian-prime-minister-viktor-orban-hungary-defeated-by-peter-magyar-tisza-fidesz-party/

* "Maddow: Trump’s fear is palpable as authoritarian peer Orbán is resoundingly rejected in Hungary:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/maddow-trump-s-fear-is-palpable-as-authoritarian-peer-orban-is-resoundingly-rejected-in-hungary-2496282179662

---

* "Whistleblower says Trump officials thought USAID did 'just abortions,' asked for 'Barney-style' slides before gutting agency, per new book:" https://www.thehandbasket.co/p/trump-usaid-abortions-barney-nicholas-enrich-into-the-wood-chipper-book-exclusive

*** Immigration/I.C.E/Autocracy/Slow Motion Civil War/Violent Illegal Occupation of Blue Cities News (Sort likely a little rough)***

* "Appeals court again blocks Boasberg contempt probe into Alien Enemies Act deportations:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/14/james-boasberg-contempt-deportations-ruling-00871317

* "Trump Removes 2 Judges Who Dismissed Student Deportation Cases:" https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2026/04/13/judges-who-dismissed-student-deportation-cases-removed

* "ICE Makes SHOCK ADMISSION in Court on use of SPYWARE?!?!:"

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* "Mexican surveillance giant you’ve never heard of is now watching the U.S. border:" https://restofworld.org/2026/mexico-seguritech-government-surveillance-profile/

* "He came here for safety. America made him fight for it.:" https://www.advocate.com/opinion/examining-lgbtq-asylum-seekers

* Cruelty is the Point. "Afghan high school senior is detained by ICE as he prepared to graduate:" https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/afghan-high-school-senior-detained-ice-rihan-afghanistan-zia-rcna331785

* "Minnesota county investigates federal agents’ removal of US citizen from home as possible kidnapping:" https://www.wvtm13.com/article/criminal-investigation-ice-arrest-chongly-thao/71006228

* "Minnesota has charged an ICE officer with assault for alleged actions during immigration surge:" https://www.npr.org/2026/04/16/nx-s1-5787958/minnesota-charged-ice-officer-assault-immigration-surge

* "He was detained by ICE. When he got out, he couldn’t find his car:" https://themainemonitor.org/cars-towed-ice-detainment/

* "The American Gulag:" https://pghrev.com/the-american-gulag/

* "Surprise inspection finds ICE stuffing migrants ‘like sardines’ into a facility with no bed, showers:" https://azmirror.com/2026/04/10/ice-overcrowding-like-sardines-congressional-oversight-arizona/

* "Congressman calls for end to ICE detention at Indiana prison after oversight visit:" https://www.wfyi.org/statewide/2026-04-09/congressman-calls-for-end-to-ice-detention-at-indiana-prison-after-oversight-visit

* "Alligator Alcatraz phones were cut off. Then the beatings began, court docs say:" https://archive.ph/BcUFJ

* CW: Rape. "Democrats pay visit to ICE detention facility where abuse claims are rife:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/02/democrats-ice-detention-center

* "DHS appeals Pennsylvania's order blocking ICE detention centers:" https://www.wgal.com/article/dhs-appeals-pennsylvania-order-blocking-ice-detention-centers/70989121

* "Protesters rally against planned Maryland immigration detention facility that's now paused:" https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/protesters-rally-against-planned-maryland-immigration-detention-facility-thats-now-paused/4088194/

* "Trump administration waves the white flag in some ICE cases:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/20/ice-detention-cases-doj-judges-00837850

* "PETITION TO WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL - Support the Civil Detention and Enforcement Facility Prohibition Ordinance :" https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/petition-to-the-whatcom-county-council-support-the-civil-detention-and-enforcement-facility-prohibition-ordinance?source=direct_link&

If you live in Whatcom County Washington State, please sign.

* Here are some ways to help Immigrants and the anti-ICE Protesters:

"Project Salt Box:" https://projectsaltbox.substack.com/
"MASTER LIST OF WAYS TO HELP IN MINNEAPOLIS:" https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/807223113540599808?source=share
"Here are Minnesota groups that need your help organizing against ICE and DHS operations:" https://www.advocate.com/news/minnesota-mutual-aid-groups-ice
Links to Help organize in advance of ICE Occupation: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/807226885129060352?source=share
"How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota:" https://naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/how-to-help-if-you-are-outside-minnesota/
"Support minnesotans defending their communities from ICE:" https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
"When the Feds Come to Your City: Standing Up to ICE :" https://crimethinc.com/2025/12/03/when-the-feds-come-to-your-city-standing-up-to-ice-a-guide-from-chicago-organizers
Immigrant Defenders: https://give.immdef.org/give/545119/#!/donation/checkout
The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/
National Bail Fund Network: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/en/nbfn-directory
Amnesty International: protect asylum-seekers: https://donate.amnestyusa.org/page/113080/donate/1
The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights: https://www.theyoungcenter.org/
CHIRLA: https://www.chirla.org/
AL Otro Lado: https://alotrolado.networkforgood.com/projects/63833-al-otro-lado-fund
"Know Your Rights:" https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights
"Disappeared In America:" https://www.disappearedinamerica.us/

---

* Some items below this point may be older.

* There is a "Stop Ice" National day of Protest April 25 2026. I want to thank all of you protesting this weekend!

* "Nationwide General Strike Planned for May 1: No Kings Organizer:" https://www.commondreams.org/news/no-kings-general-strike

* "Trump’s FCC targets LGBTQ+ television content. GLAAD sounds alarm:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/fcc-lgbtq-ratings-glaad-warning

A character just being queer is enough. Trans characters will automatically be considered "adult content" just for existing.

This is another way to try to make it impossible for queer people to exist in public. If queer characters are automatically considered obscene even while fully dressed and not doing anything remotely sexual, it's an easy leap to me being dressed and minding my business in a grocery store becoming an arrestable offense.

* "Trans characters are not adult-oriented entertainment:" https://thisfinecrew.dreamwidth.org/325499.html

* The public comment period is open now through May 22, 2026: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/docket-detail/19-41

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* "People Who Love Corporate BS Are Bad at Their Jobs, New Cornell Research Confirms

The psychologist behind a new study confirming the link between dumb jargon and dumb decisions explains how to fight corporate BS. :" https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/people-who-love-corporate-bs-are-bad-at-their-jobs-new-cornell-research-confirms/91314405

* "The Looming College-Enrollment Death Spiral:" https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/04/college-enrollment-demographic-cliff/686750/

* "New York City Council Member Chi Ossé arrested at Brooklyn anti-eviction protest:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/advocacy/chi-osse-nyc-council-arrested

* "The Paperwork Problem Behind the Housing Shortage:" https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2026-2-18-the-paperwork-problem-behind-the-housing-shortage

* "Rent jumps 113% at College Station manufactured home community in 14 months:" https://www.kbtx.com/2026/02/11/rent-jumps-113-college-station-manufactured-home-community-14-months/

The housing bill is a good and important piece of legislation that will free up so much housing being hoarded by corporations and the like to make it possible for people to have affordable homes.

The House Republicans do not like it, but they have only a two vote majority if you count the independent caucusing with them.

It is essential to contact your Congress Critter in the house and ask them to vote for this bill.

* "Senate extends controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies:" https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/senate-extends-controversial-surveillance-program-used-by-u-s-spy-agencies

They started debate after midnight to avoid scrutiny and to try to push it over democratic demands for things like warrants.

* "The Emerging Push to Extend Some US Benefits to IDF Soldiers :" https://www.military.com/feature/2026/04/19/emerging-push-extend-some-us-benefits-idf-soldiers.html?ESRC=eb_260423.nl

* "Senate votes to kickstart partisan funding process for ICE. Here's how that works:" https://www.npr.org/2026/04/23/g-s1-118330/congress-dhs-spending-reconciliation

The issues are simple: Democrats want ICE to have to follow the law and Republicans want them to have unlimited power to do whatever they want to whomever they want with impunity.

Please contact your House member and encourage them to vote against the DHS Funding Bill. Say what you need to say if it's a Republican. The important thing is to get them to make changes to the bill as that would create more delay. We want delay. We want them to keep having to debate it while people protest and flood their offices with calls.

* "House Ethics panel issues rare statement committing to helping secure a sexual harassment-free workplace:" https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/04/20/congress/house-ethics-doubles-down-00880963

* "Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida resigns before the House can sanction her in ethics case:" https://apnews.com/article/cherfilusmccormick-ethics-hearing-house-376eaaa9ff51a7bf66a9a5528822d2ef

* "Kevin Warsh hearing takeaways: Trump Fed chair nominee defends finances, says president never demanded rate cuts:" https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/21/kevin-warsh-fed-confirmation-hearing-trump-live-updates.html

Putting a Trump puppet in will be disastrous in likely a permanent sort of way.

Delay is our friend.

* "Warsh Pledges Independence But Dodges Questions on Rates:" https://archive.ph/JNtwE

* "Trump’s Fed scheme is busted as hearing shows he picked a puppet:" https://www.ms.now/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-s-fed-scheme-is-busted-as-hearing-shows-he-picked-a-puppet-2497301571538

* ""If The Sock Fits..." - Sen. Warren Believes Trump Seeks To Appoint A Sock Puppet To Lead The Fed:"

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* "Trump to Pick Ousted FEMA Head to Lead Agency Again:" https://archive.ph/hYbc8

* "Trump pick for State Department drops out after drawing heat for comments about ‘white culture’:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/10/trump-state-department-white-culture-00822112

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* Our until Midterms is to survive, to build grassroots resistance, to do all in our power to slow the republican Christo-fascist agenda, and to prepare for 2026 in case there is still Democracy.

"Take action with Indivisible:" https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/

Trump 2.0 Indivisible Guide.  https://indivisible.org/resource/guide

If you can't safely contact them in person, here are some other options for contacting your Congress Critters:

Five Calls to your critters: https://5calls.org/

Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resist.bot/

And another: https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.php

Snail Mail Campaigns: https://conuly.dreamwidth.org/3622760.html

"Congress. gov:" https://www.congress.gov/

White house (Possibly Dangerous): https://www.whitehouse.gov/

ACLU advice for writing to your Critters: https://www.aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives

This tracks legislation: https://www.govtrack.us/

"The Public Comment Process (+ how to write effective public comments):" https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/781844516804149248?source=share

"Swing Left:" https://swingleft.org/

Run for Something: https://runforsomething.net/

"Vote Smart:" https://justfacts.votesmart.org/

Protests: "50501 Events:" https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events

"ICE Raids Toolkit: Defend Against ICE Raids and Community Arrests:" https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/raids-toolkit/

Contains a raid tip hotline amoung other things. "Know Your Rights
LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY:" https://wearecasa.org/know-your-rights/

---

* We are in primary season now. States vote at different times, so I beg ALL of you to check when your state is voting. If you are in an in-person vote state, research ahead of time so you can vote for the candidate with views closest to your own. If you vote by mail, take the time to look them up when your ballot comes.

THIS is how you move the party further LEFT.

PLAN YOUR VOTE!!!

Primary schedule here:

* "2026 Statewide Primary Calendar:" https://www.270towin.com/2026-state-primary-calendar/

I don't know where you live, so I can't link this for you, but I find the Progressive Voter Guide online very helpful in narrowing down candidates in the often packed primaries where I live.

I also suggest looking at things like volunteer work and endorsements, because it really, really helps with things like sheriff and judicial elections, but can be useful in all sorts of primaries when you have multiple good options.

REMEMBER: Don't just vote for the big things like US Congress. Vote in every State and local race down to the smallest and on all the referendums.

State and local elections have a massive impact on your quality of life.

* Indiana! Ohio! Don't forget to vote in the Primaries May 5!

* Congratulations Virginia!!! "Virginia voters approve redistricting plan that could boost Democrats’ seats in Congress:" https://apnews.com/article/virginia-redistricting-election-congress-trump-78e0e68100119011b1b439634f6b6fa1

* "Democrats notch Virginia redistricting victory in battle over House maps:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/virginia-democrats-win-redistricting-vote

* "Court pauses redistricting in Virginia, day after voters approve new maps:" https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ywnjw7qj2o

This is just a stay, which is expected, and the court deciding on it is the same one that let them go forward with the vote in the first place. There is reason to think it will be all right. It is too early to panic.

* "‘All eyes are on Ron DeSantis’: Florida could make or break the GOP’s redistricting edge:" https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/23/florida-redistricting-desantis-republicans-maps-trump-00887120

Now is a great time for Floridians to contact their state reps to say they don't want redistricting.

* "Florida redistricting push divides Republicans:" https://www.semafor.com/article/04/23/2026/florida-redistricting-push-divides-republicans

Remember, delay is our friend. The closer to the election the harder to change the map. It is to our benefit for Republicans to stay divided.

* "A Republican Dark Money Group Blankets Virginia With Deceptive Mailers Ahead of Redistricting Vote:" https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/dark-money-group-per-aspera-blankets-virginia-with-deceptive-mailers-ahead-of-redistricting-vote/

* "Jon Ossoff calls out ‘Mar-a-Lago mafia’ amid presidential bid rumors:" https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/18/jon-ossoff-fiery-speech-presidential-rumors

* "The Attack On Trans People Is Ramping Up:"

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* "Tennessee Republicans advance flurry of bills to make life unlivable for transgender people:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/tennessee-republicans-transgender-attacks

Now would be a great time to protest.

* "Colorado governor signs law recognizing that trans kids have privacy rights:" https://www.advocate.com/politics/states/colorado-polis-name-change-law

* "California attorney who tried to help overturn 2020 election loses law license:" https://apnews.com/article/john-eastman-trump-2020-election-loss-disbarred-abf3b3ab8f83a692992615c59db73c92

* "Alex Jones Has Shirtless Meltdown as ‘The Onion’ Prepares to Relaunch Infowars:" https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-onion-deal-relaunch-alex-jones-infowars-1235550918/

* "Alex Jones’ Infowars to become a joke on purpose as accountability finally catches up:" https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow/watch/alex-jones-infowars-to-become-a-joke-on-purpose-as-accountability-finally-catches-up-2497148483591

* "Polygraphs Aren’t Very Accurate. Are There Better Options?:" https://undark.org/2026/03/25/lie-detection-polygraph-accuracy/

* "Blindsided staff at Hampshire College launch relief fund as liberal school prepares to close:" https://www.advocate.com/news/education/hampshire-college-relief-fund

* "Support Hampshire College Staff and Faculty:" https://www.helphampshireworkers.com/

* CW: CSA. "Anti-LGBTQ+ Christian author indicted on child sex abuse charges in Ohio:" https://tiffinohio.net/posts/anti-lgbtq-christian-author-indicted-on-child-sex-abuse-charges-in-ohio/

* "Gen Z Men Twice as Likely as Boomers To Say Wives Should ‘Always Obey’:" https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-men-twice-likely-boomers-say-wives-should-obey-11620626

* "The Queer Rebrand Pipeline (JoJo Siwa Isn’t the Only One):"

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* "My existence is not an ideology:" https://www.libdemvoice.org/my-existence-is-not-an-ideology-79434.html

* "Pope Leo XIV signals no new ground for LGBTQ+ Catholics:" https://www.advocate.com/news/religion/pope-leo-disappoints-lgbtq-catholics

* "Conversion therapy is soul-crushing — and it doesn't work:" https://religionnews.com/2026/04/02/conversion-therapy-is-soul-crushing-and-it-doesnt-work/

* "Beloved San Francisco trans elder Dannielle Spillman killed in hit-and-run after dispute:" https://www.advocate.com/news/crime/dannielle-spillman-killed-san-francisco

* "Adult star Ty Roderick hospitalized after 'brutal' stabbing:" https://www.advocate.com/news/ty-roderick-stabbing-gofundme

* "Women have the same rates of autism as men – but get diagnosed less:" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/autism-diagnosis-males-females-asd-sweden-b2914367.html

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* "The California town with less than 30 residents begging for young people to move in:" https://www.sfgate.com/california/article/darwin-ghost-town-21281656.php?src=longreads

* "The ultra-rich are fortifying themselves inside one of America’s last intact ecosystems:" https://inthesetimes.com/article/yellowstone-billionaires-conservation-montana-deforest-amazon?

* "Scientists invented a fake disease. AI told people it was real:" https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01100-y

* "The Bra-and-Girdle Maker That Fashioned the Impossible for NASA:" https://nautil.us/the-bra-and-girdle-maker-that-fashioned-the-impossible-for-nasa-1279841

* "It Was the Most Violent Prison in America. Then the Guards Went on Strike:" https://www.gq.com/story/walpole-prison-uprising

* "Journalist plans to create new archive of residential school survivor stories — before it's too late:" https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/connie-walker-tmu-residential-schools-9.7162497

* The big, time sensitive bureaucracy packet came Friday, but I just didn't have it in my to deal with right away. Friday was forage delivery as always, plus… I think it was 7 phone calls, two of them real and important, the rest insurance scammers, plus lots of small things needing doing that nickle and dimed time and energy away.

I did manage to do the packet Saturday evening and it is ready to go, but it inevitably took hours. I still have the other packet and some phone bureaucracy to do, plus driving the paperwork in on Monday. I also submitted an app for sibling kittens. (A friend has raised a kitten fund.

In related news, I finally got a call back from a supplemental care giver. (This is a two hour a week gig to do the things that require an able bodied person like taking out trash and bed changes. This was one of the real calls Friday. Now I need to get her set up to work, so it is also a bureaucracy).

I am at that point where I have spent the last two days playing allergy or low grade virus. Sigh.

* Sunday the pain woke me about an hour before I wanted to be awake. Sigh. I only get two days a week I'm not constantly beset by insurance scammers, and my body does this. I tried the hot bath when no position could even mitigate it. I didn't even try to do physio, it was that bad. It's been a rough night.

In other news, I finished the 2nd pandemic in Western Asia and north Africa and have moved on to the Genoa debate. I really am appreciating how much attention the author pays to source bias, which really matters with history in general and Medieval history in particular.

In other news, Livia spent a good chunk of the afternoon and early evening when she wasn't getting pettins in her living room window box for the first time since Tavy died.

* I ended up getting up a couple hours earlier than intended, which was likely lucky given the massive to do list.

Paperwork got turned in. I picked up a frozen pizza as I knew today was going to be too much, especially with the inland heat made worse by all the black top and concrete and not enough green spaces. It's all also in the part of town with the outdoor farmer's market thing that has limited hours and is on the way to the library. I stopped by and picked up two early girl tomato starts.

Then to the library, where all the close parking was gone. Sigh. Bonus for hot and humid and a visibly high pollen count, as in my shirt and car were collecting it. Then to get new wind shield wipers as mine shredded during the march rains. Then to spend the gas money on litter. Sigh.

Too many things, really.

After the plants were in the ground and the oven set to preheat I spent over an our and half on hold hiring the supplemental disability aid, which is urgent as they stopped paying New Millennial and might not for another month or more. Sigh. If we are lucky, she starts Thursday. If not? Next week.

Miles to go before I sleep. Sigh. And more bureaucracy waiting like a ticking time bomb.

* The New Home Aid is very sweet, young and strong and healthy enough to do the harder bits of the job. We have 8 hours a month for her and she's planning to do all eight before month's end, which will be incredibly helpful. I have clean sheets, clean floors, the trash and recycling are cleared out, and she's organized the tea cupboard, put away dishes, and cleaned a bunch of surfaces including the micro-wave. She's coming for four hours tomorrow. I have a list of stuff she can work on.

After she left, I went out to get cleaning supplies that had been depleted, and stopped by the market garden for more tomato starts and yet another attempt at lavender. The last one did all right but didn't survive the move indoors last autumn. I will want a couple more varietals, plus next month's basil and a couple other things, but my lettuce and spearmint are doing very well. The strawberries have not entirely recovered from last year's HOA attacks, so fingers crossed there. There is already a little asparagus coming up. I really do feel good about the garden.

I don't want to ask her to mess around with compost, so that's still on my plate, but she seemed excited at the prospect of weeding out there, which is constant this time of year.

* New Aid came Friday, and OMG did so Much. Dishes done, Garden fully weeded and swept, lots of small things fixed including a bunch of pinwheels, the bathroom under-sink reorganized and heater put away, two drawers reorganized and tools put away in the tool box, bathroom cleaned (tub will need a second pass, but it is hard and I told her she could stop when she got tired of it. It has to be washed with dish detergent and can't have harsh anything), all litter boxes changed, some heavy things moved, She made a start on tall desk. I will need to mess with it more later, but it means the Last Bedroom Box just has books I need to rearrange some book shelf books for, so that has to be me. She was here long enough to put dishes away before she left. Composting and assorted bureaucracy is still on my personal to do list.

She'll be back Monday. If this seems like a lot to you, she is allotted a certain number of hours for the month and was only released to work here Wednesday. I'm like, you want to do all eight hours in the week we have left and she was like yes please, so we are catching up a lot of things set aside for various emergencies in the last year.

* "A Just War Of Words With The Pope | Great Vengeance And Furious Anger | AI's New Bird:"

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* "Prediction Markets: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO):"

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* "Jordan Klepper Gets MAGA's Take on the Iran War & Trump's War with the Pope | The Daily Show:"

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* "The Pitt season one had the sauce in a manner season 2 has lost for many reasons.:" https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/814468144142991360/i-kept-waiting-for-someone-possibly-dr-baran?source=share

* "About the Pitt's Dr. al-Hashimi Reveal:" https://www.vulture.com/article/the-pitt-finale-al-hashimi-ending-robby-fight-explained.html

* So exciting! "Lost film by French cinema pioneer Georges Méliès retrieved from US attic:" https://www.france24.com/en/culture/20260413-lost-film-by-french-cinema-pioneer-georges-m%C3%A9li%C3%A8s-retrieved-from-us-attic

* "Pompey Pharsalus Problems:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/y0jp4ofEFZs

* "Wandering Wotan:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JNWFo9Ekmnk

* "Blokey Bromance:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xMiqOf_JEsE

* "Byzantine Bros:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/im-PCwzndWE

* "Constantinople Commerce:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/32PewgLY2Nk

* "Pesky Privateering Pirates:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Vmg7GTswymI

* "Amiable American Revolutionaries:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tn6ft17xlmE

* "Joyful John Paul Jones:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kSp-GPp66UQ

* "Needling Napoleon:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YiQK2KyYZr8

* "Woeful War (of 1812):" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aoy7joE0HOA

* "Neurodivergent Nosferatu:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VxfkTSkvnJA

* "Vivid Vampires:" https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8YjGyWqX3ng

* "Tonight On TMZ DC:"

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* Me watching Cracow Monsters: Yeah. College be like That.

* It is Poetry Month. I post them here if you are interested: https://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/tagged/Poetry

*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.

The help links are at the bottom under the cut.

* "Transcontinental Pipeline:" https://tcpipeline.org/steps/

* "Project Salt Box:" https://projectsaltbox.substack.com/

* "When the Feds Come to Your City: Standing Up to ICE :" https://crimethinc.com/2025/12/03/when-the-feds-come-to-your-city-standing-up-to-ice-a-guide-from-chicago-organizers

* Links to Help organize in advance of ICE Occupation: https://www.tumblr.com/gwydionmisha/807226885129060352?source=share

* "Swing Left:" https://swingleft.org/

* "2026 Statewide Primary Calendar:" https://www.270towin.com/2026-state-primary-calendar/

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