The bike lane:

That sound like so much fun!

For the last few years I have been heavily involved in scouts due to my kids. It’s the first time I have had a volunteer role that felt semi-professional: I’m organizing other adults, managing money, planning events weeks or months in advance, etc. I didn’t initially want to be so involved. I gradually volunteered for one role after another because shit needed to get done and nobody else was willing to do it. I feel like I’m flying by the seat of my pants, but everyone seems happy with my work so I guess I’m not screwing up too much.

Previously I did a handful of “warm body” volunteer jobs where I just had to show up on schedule and follow instructions. Fixing kids’ bikes was the most fun, but serving the poor was the most rewarding. The best volunteer role was delivering and serving dinners at a tent city hosted by a local church. We would join them for the meal and talk around the table. That was eye-opening. I went away with a lot more compassion for the homeless, and a lot more disdain for all the little ways my country makes their lives unnecessarily hard.

“I’d never done a crazy thing in my life before that night. Why is it that if a man kills another man in battle, it’s called heroic, yet if he kills a man in the heat of passion, it’s called murder?”

Or use their moment to make a visible protest. 1968 comes to mind.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute

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The Tactical Velcro Opening Secret

It works really well sitting around a campfire with kids.

Thanks for posting these. Graham Annable is a gem.

US Constitution Article 1 Section 9 Clause 8, “Titles of Nobility and Foreign Emoluments”:

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

It’s literally unconstitutional. In the past, foreign gifts to presidents were typically turned over to the National Archives to avoid breaking the law. If Congress was a functional governing body they would rake him over the coals for this, among the hundred other laws Trump has casually flaunted.

1.) Any resistance group that wants to use the 2A needs to be very well-organized. A lone wolf here or there will quickly be pounced on by hundreds of ICE goons who have the entire federal government behind them.

2.) Violent resistance would give Trump a justification for declaring an insurrection and imposing martial law. Say goodbye to the 2026 elections (and beyond) if that happens.

And for those people using IRC: which network(s) do you use? I have fuzzy memories of EFnet and DALnet being big, but I’ve been away from IRC for a long time.

Edit: Holy shit, I just logged into a DALnet channel I frequented in the late 90’s and a bunch of the same users are still there! It’s like a time capsule!

KEXP 90.3 Seattle / KEXC 92.7 Alameda-San Francisco

It’s a non-profit radio station with eclectic programming and live DJs 24/7 (meaning no automated playlists, ever).

I hope so, but I’m not optimistic. Starting in 2016 the GOP centered their entire platform around Trump. Candidates completed to be the most dedicated Trump supporters. Republicans who weren’t on board either resigned or were largely replaced at the polls with MAGA candidates. They can’t abandon him; it would be a total identity crisis. They are going to ride the Trump train to the bitter end.

In case anyone forgot, Rittenhouse went to a protest with a loaded rifle looking for a fight, shot two three people, walked away untouched, was acquitted, and got speaking gigs on conservative TV shows. You can do whatever you want as long as you’re on the “right” side.

Too many times I’ve been out of the house with the kids and had people say things like, “You’re on Mom duty today, eh? Ha ha.” It’s frustrating that so many people have such low expectations for dads.

Sorry Colorado and Austin, TX, you’re on your own. Good luck.

Years ago I went to a big Dropkick Murphys show that was all ages. It was fantastic seeing parents and grandparents the seats, watching their kids party in the pit. Good times were had by all. The world needs more of this.

Then who?

It would be a (small) step in the right direction if it had any chance of becoming law. It’s a non-starter in the House, and Trump certainly wouldn’t sign it either.