Lunatech @Lunatech@social.cleverlibre.org

Space Karen induced stress continues, but I'd like to take a moment to thank all of you for the kind words of late. It really means a lot to know that we have the support of an awesome community.

The low point for me was when I updated this blog post from 2011 - I had a really good cry and have been getting better since.

https://furbo.org/2011/03/11/twitterrific-firsts/

Because Mastodon has no timeline re-ordering algorithm and because search is thin (limited in many ways to the posts followed by people on the same instance), when you post something that gets people excited, it flares up and then dies out. Unless you pin it to your profile, it's unlikely to be seen again. I could see some improvements in future Mastodon apps that would provide a personally prioritized and resurfaced timeline.

You know what tech journalists are addicted to?

The narrative that you have to choose between Big Social or no social media at all.

Which is a false choice.

In reality, you can choose ethical social media that isn't build for abuse.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jan/26/the-one-change-that-didnt-work-giving-up-social-media-left-me-bored

OK, let's talk about Meta restoring Trump https://www.platformer.news/p/meta-restores-trump

Question:

If George Santos is not the real name of George Santos, and he was sworn into office under the name George Santos, is he really a member of the 118th Congress? Just curious.

And if that isn't his name, and he really isn't a legitimate member, then they shouldn't need to follow certain rules and protocols to expel his lying ass! I could be wrong. 🤷🏾‍♀️

#georgescamtos #GeorgeWho #GeorgeSantoslies

Seven Fed rate hikes in 2022 didn't dent corporate power to raise prices and profit margins. What should we do?

1. Windfall profits tax
2. Price controls
3. Antitrust enforcement

In other words: Take aim at corporate power, not working people hurting most from rising prices.

.

India's effort to suppress this documentary is having predictable results. (As @mmasnick asks, "Who's the Barbara Streisand of Bollywood?") So much respect for these students. If only the billionaire free-speech absolutist had a fraction of their courage. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/world/asia/india-bbc-modi-documentary.html

my latest for The Post is on how despite the public, and gun owners, overwhelmingly wanting safe storage laws, conservative lawmakers fear gun lobbyists who oppose the regulations more than they fear constituents who support them. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/21/gun-owners-lock-up-weapons-laws/

#goodnews

This guy, Richard Barnett, who was pretty proud of himself for defiling Nancy Pelosi's office on January 6th, was just found guilty on all 8 charges against him.

The death cult formerly known as republicans want everyone who's not rich, white, hetero or disagrees with their particular hateful flavor of christianity to suffer and die as miserably as possible.

Unless they can shoot you first with their combat weapons.

Sick, sick, sick excuses for humans.

Tennessee rejects federal money for HIV treatment, alarming those living with HIV-
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/tennessee-rejects-federal-money-for-hiv-treatment-alarming-those-living-with-hiv

Within the first week of Congress, the GOP intro'd a bill that would kill the IRS.

What would it put in its place?

A national sales tax that would let the rich off the hook AND make working people pay more.

It won’t pass, but what does this say about the GOP’s priorities?

First Look at blendOS: A Blend of #ArchLinux, #Fedora Linux, and #Ubuntu https://9to5linux.com/first-look-at-blendos-a-blend-of-arch-linux-fedora-linux-and-ubuntu

#OpenSource #Linux

Bill Barr asked Italian officials to discredit Russia probe — they responded with evidence linking Trump to crimes https://www.rawstory.com/amp/bill-barr-2659315495-2659315495

"Gaylor says that FFRF’s basic concern remains: This is still an event involving the most powerful U.S. public officials endorsing religion." Yep.

#secularism #ChurchAndState #SeparationOfChurchAndState #PrayerBreakfast #FFRF

https://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/41872-ffrf-calls-national-prayer-breakfast-changes-subterfuge

This will take a few minutes to read, but really explains the problem with this plan that Kevin McCarthy had to agree to put up for a vote in order to get into his position.

VAT is normal in other western democracies but in those other countries, there are also high income tax rates for wealthier individuals. In those countries, regressive VAT taxes are paired with with progressive income taxes. The GOP suggestion is to replace our not-progressive-enough income tax with a very regressive sales tax. Definitely a boon for the very wealthy and a burden for everyone else.

Those other countries also provide their citizens with free national healthcare, family leave, free childcare and more. Americans go bankrupt and die young while every other nation continues to see their citizens make economic gains and live longer.

The FairTax Act, GOP plan for 30 percent national sales tax, explained-
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2023/1/26/23563563/fairtax-national-sales-tax-kevin-mccarthy

Apple users used to give Microsoft shit for baking Internet Explorer into the OS. Yet #macOS not only won’t let you uninstall Apple Music, but it also won’t let you prevent it from launching automatically whenever you connect your bluetooth headphones. This is user hostile design, and #Apple should be embarrassed.

But, anyway, I found a solution. Run the “noTunes” app and it will prevent Apple Music from ever launch. https://github.com/tombonez/noTunes

@SrRochardBunson @Lunatech @AdmiralFrosty Thank you for starting the convo. Although I was never religious, I’ve always been fascinated by religions & cults. Out of all the religions I’ve studied, I’m most partial to Buddhism, as it’s the least dogmatic or “religious”.

In regard to #Cult45 or #MAGA, seems pretty evident IMO that #evangelicals have made a devils bargain for power, by any means necessary -same as the #GOP & both use fear, as tool for control.