Reading

Created
Thu, 24/08/2023 - 04:50
It is hard to gauge the importance of the Trumpist Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) event that took place in Sydney this weekend. There were more high-profile figures speaking than previously, and several currently serving politicians alongside white supremacists and antisemites. CPAC’s budget did not allow the recreation of the Nazi “odal” rune stage shape Continue reading »
Created
Thu, 24/08/2023 - 03:00

I wake up earlier than usual, fresh-faced and ready to take on the day. I did not spend the entire night tossing and turning, kept up by anxious dreams in which the movers arrived late, the previous tenants in my new place decided they actually didn’t want to move out, and the box filled with all of my precious family heirlooms was struck by lightning as I carried it out of my apartment.

My cats get into their carriers without any fuss. In fact, they’re ecstatic to be in there and wink at me to let me know, after years of wondering, that they actually have human-like intelligence and love me. Very much.

My landlord is sad I’m leaving and compliments me on the alterations I made to the apartment during my two-year stay. “Striped peel-and-stick wallpaper really brightens up the kitchen,” he beams. He gives me back my security deposit in full and refunds me two months’ rent for being “an absolute delight.” We stay in touch and become lifelong friends. I eventually convince him that landlording is unethical, and he gives it up to start a sanctuary for retired carriage horses.

Created
Thu, 24/08/2023 - 02:00
This is just sad: When Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee began a push in April to address public safety, his family was grieving the loss of two close friends, both educators killed in a mass shooting at a Nashville Christian school. His call for millions of dollars to harden school security was embraced by Republicans in the legislature, who flanked him during a formal announcement. But days later, when Mr. Lee, a Republican, decided to go further and ask for an order of protection law that could temporarily restrict an individual’s access to firearms, he stood alone for the announcement. The legislature would wrap up its work by the end of the month without taking a vote to pass it. Now, Mr. Lee has summoned lawmakers back to Nashville on Monday for a special session on public safety that could include consideration of a limited version of the law. But without the support of most in his own party, that measure appears, once again, destined for failure, underscoring the power dynamics of a Republican supermajority driven by a right-wing base hardened against any potential infringement on gun ownership. They won’t even go for a temporary restriction on firearms.
Created
Thu, 24/08/2023 - 00:30
It’s not just a “Once in a Lifetime” question “Huh, I wonder what happened in 1980?” Dissent magazine’s Matthew Sitman snarked on Tuesday. He referred to a chart posted by David Leonhardt. “Reaganland” author Rick Perlstein replied, “Folks stopped getting a free ride. Now only can enjoy long life if they honor the natural order of things as dictated (if religious) by the Almighty; or (if secular) the almighty market. Or else, they had it coming. Order having been restored, conservatives are satisfied now…” But not really. Not until they’ve fully restored the monarchy on these shores. Barring that, reinstated feudalism will suffice. Surely the peasants will rejoice. Leonhardt has been working on “Ours Was the Shining Future: The Story of the American Dream.” The book that analyzes how over the last half-century “our society has abandoned working-class people – of all races – in crucial ways. Their incomes have stagnated, as has their life expectancy. They no longer trust either political party or other institutions.
Created
Wed, 23/08/2023 - 23:00
Thickly but not well enough Amanda Marcotte comments on the Roger Stone video that “The Beat with Ari Melber” on MSNBC has been reporting on this week. The show ran excerpts of video of Stone shot by Danish filmmaker Christoffer Guldbrandsen for “A Storm Foretold.”  The clips provide further proof that the Trump plot to overturn the election did not arise from a “sincere” belief that the election was “stolen.” Marcotte writes: The video captures Stone’s aggravation at finding he’s been barred from speaking at Trump’s January 6th “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse in Washington D.C.  “I don’t understand how they want us to lead the march but can’t even tell us where to go,” Stone whines, adding that he’s not speaking directly to Rudy Giuliani or the rest of Trump’s inner circle. He complains that it’s “very clear that I was never on their list.” “It’s just childish and it’s amateurish. That’s why they lost.
Created
Wed, 23/08/2023 - 22:00

Looks like you waited too long to strike. Remember, the iron has to be nice and hot before you swing that hammer. Let’s try it again.

- - -

Once an Apple has fallen, you will see it on the ground nearby the Tree from which it dropped.

- - -

Rome is a special area that requires the use of Boost to get around. See those Romans over there? Use Boost to see if you can keep up with them!

- - -

Those empty baskets look rather lonely. Maybe you should put a couple of your Eggs in each one. Why? I… I just don’t like Egg overcrowding, that’s all!

- - -

Notice how after you consumed the Cake, the Cake is no longer in your inventory.

- - -

Change class to Chooser? (WARNING: You will lose all skill points in Beggar.)

- - -

I heard the Merchant at the Bazaar will let you exchange those three Birds-in-Hand for six Birds-in-Bush. Now that’s what I call a deal.

Created
Wed, 23/08/2023 - 18:00
Gerry Gunner and James Waddell Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) is a relatively new form of consumer credit that you might have noticed as a payment option when shopping online or in person. However, there is little analysis in the public domain about who is using BNPL credit in the UK and its contribution to total household debt. … Continue reading Shining light on ‘shadow credit’ – what is Buy-Now-Pay-Later and who uses it?
Created
Wed, 23/08/2023 - 17:46
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how society, and people in my profession (academics), think about activism. It seems to me that there is a widespread insufficient appreciation for the importance of activists in the world; often that attitude is even plainly dismissive. If this is true, then why is this the case, and […]