magid

This is an advance announcement for the Tuesday, July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. This time the theme will be "Weaponized Incompetence and Malicious Compliance." I'll be soliciting ideas for activists, rebels, traitors, exes, abuse survivors, refugees, runaway youth, slaves or other captives, slavers, housemates, siblings, parents, teachers, clergy, leaders, bosses, employees, superheroes, supervillains, teammates, alien or fantasy species, failure analysts, ethicists, other people who get into untenable situations, protesting, dragging your feet, breaking things, causing problems because you were told to, planning, throwing in the towel, escaping, running like someone left the gate open, adventuring, hitchhiking, quitting school, divorcing, disowning, betraying, teaching, leaving your comfort zone, discovering things, conducting experiments, observation changing experiments, troubleshooting, improvising, adapting, cleaning up messes, cooperating, bartering, taking over in an emergency, saving the day, discovering yourself, studying others, testing boundaries, coming of age, learning what you can (and can't) do, sharing, preparing for the worst, expecting the unexpected, fixing what's broke, upsetting the status quo, changing the world, accomplishing the impossible, recovering from setbacks, returning home, slave ships, slave quarters, abusive homes, trails, sailing ships, campervans or RVs, distant lands, the forest primeval, prehistory, liminal zones, schools, residential school-concentration camps, homeless shelters, hotels, churches, sharehouses, campfires, laboratories, supervillain lairs, nonhuman accommodations and adaptations, stores, starships, alien planets, magical lands, foreign dimensions, other places where the intolerable happens, unhappy relationships, crappy jobs, educational abuse, responsibility without authority is abuse, protest rallies, slavery or captivity, locks or chains, travel mishaps, sudden surprises, the buck stops here, trial and error, intercultural entanglements, asking for help and getting it, enemies to friends/lovers, interdimensional travel, lab conditions are not field conditions, superpower manifestation, the end of where your framework actually applies, ethics, innovation, problems that can't be solved by hitting, teamwork, found family, complementary strengths and weaknesses, personal growth, and poetic forms in particular.

Weaponized incompetence has two modes:
* One is shirking a fair share of work by pretending to be bad at it: for instance, copper-digging men who try to con women into doing all the emotional labor. (Take care to distinguish this from people who don't know how to do things because they were never taught, or people who are genuinely bad at a category of thing.)
* The other is a form of activism, and indeed, one of the leading forms of resistance in slavery: doing work slowly, sloppily, breaking tools, playing dumb, etc. It's exactly how black people got a reputation for being stupid and lazy, because their ancestors were unwilling to be exploited and fought back in subtle ways.

Malicious compliance is following an order to the letter, expecting that to cause problems. It is a form of protest most often used when pointing out a flaw or proposing a better solution would be ignored or even punished.

Among my more relevant series for the main theme:

An Army of One is developing its own neurovariant culture after rebelling against the Galactic Arms.

The Bear Tunnels introduces modern principles to people in the past, touching on slavery and rebellion.

Not Quite Kansas includes demons, who are masters of malicious compliance.

The Ocracies has a wide variety of countries crammed together, each with a totally different government. Sometimes people leave their homeland to find something they like better.

One God's Story of Mid-Life Crisis follows Shaeth as he works on becoming the God of Drunks after quitting as the God of Evili.

Peculiar Obligations mixes Quakers and pirates, among other things. It's another setting where people strive against slavery.

Polychrome Heroics has ordinary humans, supernaries, blue-plate specials, superheroes, supervillains, primal and animal soups all trying to get along and figure out how to make a functional society. The supervillains are the most likely to practice weaponized incompetence and malicious compliance.

Or you can ask for something new.

Linkbacks reveal a verse of any open linkback poem.

If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. (If you're not available that day, or you live in a time zone that makes it hard to reach me, you can leave advance prompts. I am now.) Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog.

( New to the fishbowl? Read all about it! )

Current Mood: busy

conuly

but I still wasn't prepared to pop into a pizza shop on my lunch break only to find that it was cooler in the pizzeria than the outside. If that's not terrifying I don't know what is.

ysabetwordsmith

Yeah, i've known people like this. >_<

Current Mood: busy

wtfjht_feed

Posted by Matt Kiser

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2025/06/24/day-1617/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=daily_update

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2025/06/24/day-1617

1/ A classified U.S. intelligence report found that Trump’s airstrikes on Iran failed to destroy the country’s underground nuclear facilities or enriched uranium stockpile. The Defense Intelligence Agency concluded the attacks set Iran’s program back “maybe a few months, tops,” contradicting Trump’s claim that the sites were “completely demolished.” The strikes damaged aboveground infrastructure at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, but didn’t penetrate deep enough to collapse underground chambers or disable centrifuges. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the leaked assessment “flat-out wrong” and blamed a “low-level loser” for trying to “undermine the President.” Meanwhile, briefings for House and Senate members on the operation were postponed. No explanation was given. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, however, called the delay “outrageous” and said lawmakers were owed a full accounting of what was destroyed. Rep. Mike Quigley, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, said, “They don’t delay briefings that have good news.” (CNN / New York Times / Associated Press / ABC News / Axios / Bloomberg / Washington Post / Reuters / USA Today)

2/ Israel and Iran agreed to a tentative ceasefire despite both sides violating the agreement almost immediately after Trump announced “a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE.” Israel said Iranian missiles killed four civilians, while Iran accused Israel of launching strikes before the truce began. The development prompted Trump to publicly rebuke both countries: “They don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” He warned Israel, “DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION.” Trump said he personally called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told him to stop further strikes: “You gotta call back the planes. It’s enough.” Netanyahu’s office confirmed Israel “refrained from additional attacks” after the call. “I’m not happy with Israel,” Trump told reporters. “You don’t go out in the first hour and just drop everything you have on them.” (Washington Post / USA Today / Politico / Associated Press / New York Times / NBC News / ABC News / Reuters / Bloomberg / The Hill / CNN / NPR / Wall Street Journal)

3/ Trump questioned the U.S. commitment to NATO’s mutual defense pledge hours before arriving at the alliance summit in the Netherlands. Asked if he supported Article 5, Trump replied, “Depends on your definition,” adding, “There’s numerous definitions of Article Five. You know that, right?” and “I’m committed to being their friends.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte privately thanked Trump for his “decisive action in Iran” and said “You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done.” Trump also claimed he would define his stance later, saying: “I just don’t want to do it on the back of an airplane.” Leaders are expected to vote on Trump’s demand to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP. (Politico / Bloomberg / Washington Post / ABC News)

4/ Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering the ceasefire between Israel and Iran hours after a Ukrainian lawmaker withdrew a separate nomination over Trump’s failure to deliver on his promise to end the war with Russia. Rep. Buddy Carter sent a letter to the Nobel Committee praising Trump’s “extraordinary and historic role” and claimed he had prevented Iran from obtaining “the most lethal weapon on the planet.” Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine’s foreign affairs committee, said he had “lost any sort of faith and belief” in Trump and accused him of “dodging” sanctions on Russia. Trump had vowed to end the Ukraine war in 24 hours. Meanwhile, Pakistan condemned Trump’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities less than 24 hours after nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. (The Hill / Newsweek / New York Magazine)

5/ The House voted 344–79 to kill an impeachment resolution against Trump over his strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, with 128 Democrats joining all Republicans to block the effort. Rep. Al Green introduced the resolution, accusing Trump of bypassing Congress and violating its authority to declare war. Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi, opposed the move, calling it a distraction. After the vote, Trump called Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “stupid” and “one of the ‘dumbest’ people in Congress” for saying the strikes were “clearly grounds for impeachment.” He added, “go ahead and try Impeaching me, again, MAKE MY DAY!” Ocasio-Cortez responded: “Don’t take your anger out on me — I’m just a silly girl. Take it out on whoever convinced you to betray the American people and our Constitution by illegally bombing Iran.” (Washington Post / The Hill / Axios / Wall Street Journal / Politico / Washington Post / Axios)

6/ Sen. Bill Cassidy called for a delay of the CDC vaccine panel meeting, saying Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new appointees “lack experience” and could undermine trust in federal vaccine policy. Cassidy, who voted to confirm Kennedy after receiving private assurances that the advisory panel would remain intact, said Kennedy broke that promise by firing all 17 members and replaced them with eight new ones, some with ties to anti-vaccine groups. The CDC’s vaccine panel reviews data and votes on who should get which vaccines and when, shaping national guidelines that affect public health policy, insurance coverage, and school requirements. The panel is expected to meet Wednesday without a Senate-confirmed CDC director to review vaccines for COVID-19, RSV, flu, and anthrax. One CDC vaccine expert quit in protest last week, warning that “a lot of Americans are going to die” if Kennedy’s changes stand. Kennedy, however, defended the firings at a House hearing, calling the former panel “a template for medical malpractice.” (Bloomberg / STAT News / NBC News / Politico / New York Times / Washington Post)

7/ The Trump administration will repeal the 2001 “roadless rule,” which blocked logging and road construction on 58 million acres of national forest land since 2001. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called the Clinton-era rule “absurd” and “outdated” and said repealing it would end “overly restrictive” limits on forest access. The change would affect nearly a third of all U.S. national forest land, including 9 million acres in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, home to centuries-old trees and major carbon stores. (Associated Press / NPR / Washington Post / New York Times)

8/ A fired Justice Department lawyer accused top officials of planning to ignore federal court orders to carry out Trump’s deportation plan, according to a whistleblower complaint submitted to Congress and the DOJ inspector general. Erez Reuveni said senior DOJ leaders, including Emil Bove, told staff that deportation flights should proceed “no matter what” – even if a judge blocked them. Bove is Trump’s nominee to serve a lifetime appointment as a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. During a March 14 meeting, Bove allegedly said DOJ might need to tell courts “fuck you” and move ahead anyway. Reuveni was fired weeks later after admitting in court that a migrant had been deported in violation of a judge’s order. (NPR / Politico / New York Times)

9/ ICE is detaining 59,000 immigrants nationwide – the highest number ever recorded. Nearly half have no criminal record, and fewer than 30% have been convicted of crimes. The detainee count is 40% over the 41,500 beds Congress funded. ICE made most arrests in the U.S. interior, not at the border, and ramped up large-scale raids with the help from other federal agencies. (CBS News)

The midterm elections are in 497 days.

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ysabetwordsmith

You Might Not Recover from Burnout. Ever.

Hea has been unemployed for a little over two years, and she can’t see that ending anytime soon. Her burnout has been catastrophic — and so far, bottomless.

“I went on short-term disability at first, for my mental health, but after that ran out I used up all of my sick days. Then I applied for a longer medical leave, which shockingly, I got for a little while,” she explains. “I was luckier than most people, who don’t get any paid time off. But then they mysteriously eliminated my position. I’ve been floundering ever since.”

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

cellio

We went to Origins Game Fair last week. My previous post covered the games we played; this post is about everything else.

The convention was, overall, pleasant -- not as crowded as I expected for the 50th year, at least in the parts we frequented, but we had critical mass for all the games we played and it was nice to not have to push through crowds like at GenCon.

We had one excellent teacher, several good ones, and a couple terrible ones. In one game it became clear two hours in that we were missing an important rule, and another was very disorganized. There is a wide range from "enthusiastic fan who wants to evangelize the game" at one end to "I'm hoping to book enough game-running slots to get free admission" at the other, and I don't know if there is any sort of feedback to the convention. I didn't see a way to let them know that that person running Terraforming Mars was outstanding and should be invited back, for instance. And maybe that's not even the right model; I have no idea how Origins makes decisions about who can run games, or if they even do. They collect the tickets at games, so they know both how many people registered for a game and how many actually showed up, but I don't know if that affects future years for that game, that game-runner, or nothing.

I was satisfied with most of the games we played; we expected both positive and negative reactions, so a game I don't like very much (or feel neutral about) is still useful data. We can try many more games than we can ultimately bring back to our gaming groups, after all, so eliminating candidates is important too. That said, we identified half a dozen games that we liked enough to want to get (though one of them is way too expensive so we won't unless that changes), so I consider that to be very successful.

We did not do a good job of pacing this year, exacerbated by getting locked out of most of our choices for the middle day, when our first-draft schedule had some breaks built in. We ended up with a lot of long, solid blocks and didn't factor in the cognitive load of learning all those games. We can invite friends over and play games we already know for ten hours and be quite happy, but that doesn't mean ten straight hours of new convention games with strangers are a good idea. I need to remember this for next year. Also, we should front-load more and give ourselves more breaks on Friday and especially Saturday. There is a temptation to book Saturday solid because it's Shabbat so it's not like we're going out for lunch or having dinner much before 10PM, but it's a mistake.

In two or three games this year, the game-runners used an app to choose the starting player (everyone touch this phone). For the game that was on Shabbat I declined and was ready to accept going last, but the person just shrugged and randomized a different way, which was nice. I've see people use that app (or an app, anyway) before, and it always makes me wonder: did this problem need an app? We have been randomly choosing a meeple or rolling dice for this for decades and I've never felt that to be lacking. Only later did the info-security aspect occur to me: I should also maybe not be eager to hand over a fingerprint impression to someone who knows my name (from the event ticket), just on general principle.

We went to two seminars (though both on the same day, so they didn't help as much with pacing as they could have). One was pretty good; in the other one, halfway through I asked Dani if he was enjoying it, he said "no me neither", and we left as discreetly as we could. Three other people followed us out, almost like they were waiting for someone to start. The presenter probably had interesting things to say but did not seem to have prepared the talk. We've had that experience before with this particular fan group (some groups run "tracks" of activities), so I'll pay more attention to that in future years. Origins also has a films room, a few comedy or music performances, and a little bit in the way of crafts, so we should look at those too. I don't think I can lure Dani into the figure-painting area, but I used to enjoy that and it could be a way to break up a non-Shabbat day.

Most of the games are run in one of the big halls in the convention center. I think there's a cumulative draining effect from the harsh fluorescent lights and the background noise of all those other games, and that's another thing to take into account when we try to build a schedule -- if that information is available in April when we choose events, which I don't remember.

Some game-runners were good about accommodating my vision needs, but a few brushed me off and in one game, both the game-runner and two of the other players were kind of rude about it. When I asked for help during the game because I couldn't see and couldn't memorize everything ("which tile is that (points)?" etc), I picked up some sighs and the vague sense that the reaction might have been different if I were not the only woman at the table. I can't point to anything specific and I'm not someone who jumps to conclusions about sexism, but this kinda felt like it. I was often the only woman at the table in the games I played and most of the time I didn't pick up this vibe, so I think it was just that one group of people.

We did one quick run through the dealers' room. We only saw one "general" games vendor, as opposed to publishers selling their own games. We also walked past a lot of banners, plushies, dice, jewelry, miniatures, and LARP gear. Several publishers had raffles for unspecified games or expansions/components, winner must be present at such-and-such time on Sunday. That's easy for the vendor but hard for participants, so even though we got handed free tickets at some games we played, we didn't bother with any of them.

The first year we went to Origins we got a hotel that was about a mile away, so we walked to the convention in the morning and stayed all day. There aren't a lot of good places in the convention center to sit and take a break for an hour, though, so after that, we started paying for closer hotels. This year we were right across the street from the convention center, and being able to go back to the room for an hour between sessions turns out to be a really huge win. Also, our hotel had coffee available all day in the lobby, so that was a nice bonus. We never had to stand in the long lines at the coffee places in the convention center (or pay $5 or more for a cup of coffee).

The multi-day heat wave started during the convention. This made the drive home a little challenging. Under normal circumstances we wouldn't have made that extra stop to get something cold to drink and sit in Panera's air conditioning, but it sure helped this time! Originally we had planned to leave Columbus after the hottest part of the day, but a no-show game-runner messed with our plans and we left earlier.

spiralsheep

Rana Temporaria*

Beloved little frog,
how many varied words
will your long tongue tell
as it reaches from there to here?

Beloved little frog,
what diversity of speech
can fit in your generous mouth
extending from ear to ear -
from your ear to mine?

Oh, beloved little frog,
if I kiss you as you are,
and love you in your own skin,
will you tell us all a story?

- by spiralsheep

(* Temporary Frog, aka the Common European Frog)

ysabetwordsmith

Today is partly sunny and sweltering.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 6/24/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 6/24/25 -- I watered the seedlings in the savanna and the telephone pole garden.

The honeybees have their air conditioning on, roaring away as they flap their wings to cool the hive. The first fireflies are coming out.

EDIT 6/24/25 -- I watered the new picnic table plants, the septic garden, and the old picnic table plants.

There are sooo many fireflies out tonight. The grass is sparkling. :D Cicadas are singing.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

marthawells

Great interview with Murderbot executive producer Andrew Miano:

https://www.nexuspointnews.com/post/interview-murderbot-ep-andrew-miano

First and foremost, my partner Paul Weitz read the book for pleasure, not with any eye towards adaptation, and came in with it and said, "this would make an amazing TV show." We all read it and really sparked to it and thought it was unique and special and funny, which is not something that you always get in a lot of sci-fi. [It is] also very meaningful and emotional. It was the whole package so it was very exciting and we went about it. We met Martha... One of the biggest things to focus on is how do you honor the book? How do you translate that to the screen? It's not easy, but I'm very fortunate to have Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz — two smart, talented partners — creating and running the show with their guidance and Martha's support and involvement to sort of capture and stay true to the books.

minoanmiss

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conuly posting in

agonyaunt

Dear Carolyn: Self-admitted crabby old broad here. My newish next-door neighbors are 24/7 noise. While the apartment is a studio, I can hear at least two adults and two children — one infant, one toddler.

The kids are up at all hours — either screaming in delight and running around or wailing in misery. The adults yell all the time. Movies, TV and music all play at incredible volume, and now a dog was added to the mix. It howls and cries whenever they leave it alone.

I don’t want to be That Person, but I’m tired of asking them, at 1 a.m., to turn down the TV, music, etc. Do I report them to the condo board? They are tenants. I’m hesitant, as I worry this studio may be the only space they can afford, but also frustrated by the noise.

— Crabby Old Broad

( Read more... )

conuly posting in

agonyaunt

Dear Care and Feeding,
My husband and I have a 7-year-old daughter, “Jade,” who my mother-in-law, “Pam,” is in the habit of buying clothes for without consulting us. These are always girly-girl things—mostly dresses, lots of pink—and Jade is absolutely not a girly-girl. She refuses to wear them, and we end up donating them.

The trouble is that Pam takes offense that she never sees Jade wearing “what I worked so hard to pick out” and has even gone so far as to guilt her: “Don’t you like what Nanna gave you?” I have tried explaining to my MIL that while we appreciate her generosity, Jade simply isn’t into those types of things, but she refuses to accept it and thinks that our daughter will come to like them “once she matures.” My husband says we should just carry on as we have and let her waste her money if she wants. Pam has four boys, so he thinks that’s where this is coming from (Jade is her only granddaughter so far). Is that the right approach?

—Dress Distress

( Read more... )

minoanmiss

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Current Mood: amused

ysabetwordsmith

dialecticdreamer is hosting Feathering the Nest, which always has a theme of fluff and comfort. Leave prompts, get ficlets!

Current Mood: busy

conuly

It's gonna be one long, long, long day. Also hot. Long, hot, hard - and miserable.

Happy Mayoral Primaries, I guess? At least the poll site is airconditioned. (At least... I assume it is? Oh god what if it isn't.)

Oh, and I nearly forgot - the Arab/Israeli dove and rose mural has been painted over. Saw that on my way to CVS today.

*******************

( Read more... )

minoanmiss

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Current Mood: hot

wtfjht_feed

Posted by Matt Kiser

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2025/06/23/day-1616/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=daily_update

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2025/06/23/day-1616

1/ Iran launched a missile strike on the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, retaliating for U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites two days earlier. Qatar said its air defenses intercepted most of the 14 missiles fired, with one striking near the base; no casualties were reported. Trump called the strike “very weak” and thanked Iran for giving “early notice,” adding, “Most importantly, they’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system.’” Iran claimed the number of missiles matched the U.S. bomb count and said the attack “posed no danger” to Qatar. The Pentagon said the base had been evacuated and confirmed it was hit with short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. Iran also launched missiles toward the U.S. Ain al-Assad base in Iraq, but they failed to reach their target. On Saturday night, the U.S. launched coordinated airstrikes using B-2 bombers and submarines to hit three Iranian nuclear sites – Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan – marking the first direct U.S. military attack on Iran since 1979. Trump said the sites were “completely and totally obliterated” and warned that if Iran doesn’t make peace, “future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.” He said the mission was a “spectacular military success” aimed at ending the “nuclear threat posed by the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror.” Iran’s foreign minister called the strikes “outrageous” and said the country “reserves all options” to defend itself. Trump ordered the strikes days after saying he would decide on military action “within two weeks.” European allies, U.S. intelligence agencies, and the U.N. nuclear watchdog had warned against attacking active enrichment sites, citing risks of radiation and escalation. While Trump did briefed congressional leaders, he rejected seeking formal approval from Congress to authorize the strikes. Trump later posted, “CONGRATULATIONS WORLD, IT’S TIME FOR PEACE!” (Associated Press / Axios / Politico / NPR / Washington Post / New York Times / ABC News / NBC News / CNBC / CNN / Bloomberg / Wall Street Journal / New York Times / Bloomberg / Politico / NPR / Axios / NBC News / Washington Post)

2/ Trump called for regime change in Iran, posing on social media, “Why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???” The comment directly contradicts his own administration’s repeated claims that the U.S. wasn’t trying to overthrow Iran’s government. “We don’t want to achieve regime change,” JD Vance said, insisting that the U.S. was “not at war with Iran” but “at war with Iran’s nuclear program.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, meanwhile, said Trump was “just simply raising a good question,” but added, “our posture has not changed.” (CNN / Axios / Politico / The Hill / NBC News / Politico / Axios)

3/ Pentagon officials can’t confirm whether U.S. strikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities despite Trump’s claim the program was “completely and fully obliterated.” Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed that the three sites hit sustained “severe damage,” but admitted a final assessment would “take time.” Rafael Grossi, head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said inspectors must be allowed to verify “the stockpiles of uranium, including, most importantly, the 400kg enriched to 60%.” (The Guardian / New York Times / NBC News / Politico / ABC News)

4/ Trump’s strike on three Iranian nuclear sites triggered bipartisan backlash in Congress, with lawmakers accusing him of violating the Constitution by bypassing congressional approval. “This is not Constitutional,” Rep. Thomas Massie said, adding that there was “no imminent threat to the United States.” Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna introduced a resolution to block further strikes unless Congress explicitly authorizes them. Sen. Tim Kaine called the attack “an offensive war of choice” and said he would force a Senate vote under the War Powers Act: “We should not be sending troops and risking lives without a debate in Congress.” Speaker Mike Johnson, meanwhile, rejected efforts to hold a vote on war powers, saying Trump “used that authority judiciously,” claiming U.S. troops and assets were “in imminent danger” but offered no evidence. Democrats were not briefed in advance. “We’ve seen no evidence that an offensive strike of this nature was justified,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called the strike “absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment,” and warned Trump “impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations.” (ABC News / Washington Post / NBC News / Semafor / Politico / New York Times)

5/ Trump demanded energy producers keep oil prices low after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites raised fears of retaliation and supply disruptions. “EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I’M WATCHING! YOU’RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY,” he posted on Truth Social. Trump also ordered the Energy Department to “DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!” despite the agency having no control over private oil production. Oil prices had surged over the weekend, but dropped below $70 a barrel after Iran launched missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq and Qatar without hitting energy infrastructure. (New York Times / Politico / CNBC / The Hill / Bloomberg / Wall Street Journal)

The midterm elections are in 498 days.

✏️ Notables.

The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to deport immigrants with criminal records to countries where they have no ties and may face torture. The justices lifted a lower court’s order that required at least 10 days’ notice and a chance to challenge the removal. Immigrants have already been sent or scheduled for deportation to South Sudan, Libya, and Guatemala – all countries with documented instability, violence, or past abuse of returnees. The unsigned order offered no reasoning, but the court’s three liberal justices dissented. “The Government took the opposite approach,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, saying the ruling rewarded officials who “repeatedly defied” court orders. (NBC News / Politico / NPR / CNBC)
A federal judge ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from jail, rejecting the Trump administration’s claim that the Salvadoran man was a gang-affiliated threat to public safety. Judge Barbara Holmes said the government failed to prove he posed any danger or flight risk, calling its case “strained” and based on “double hearsay” and “contradictory” testimony from informants seeking immigration favors. Prosecutors accused him of smuggling undocumented immigrants after a 2022 traffic stop, but Holmes found the evidence inconsistent and noted the charges involve smuggling – not trafficking or violence. Homeland Security, meanwhile, called the ruling “a mistake,” insisting, “he will never go free on American soil.” Abrego is likely to remain in ICE custody despite the order. (ABC News / CNN / Politico / New York Times / Associated Press)
A federal judge ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate, rejecting the Trump administration’s attempt to keep him jailed without charges. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz called the government’s case “highly, highly unusual” and found “a very strong and uncontested record” that Khalil wasn’t a flight risk or danger. “There is at least something to the underlying claim that there is an effort to use immigration proceedings here to punish the petitioner,” Farbiarz said, calling that “unconstitutional.” Khalil, a legal U.S. resident, was arrested in March after organizing pro-Palestinian protests; he missed his graduation and the birth of his son while detained. Homeland Security, meanwhile, called the ruling “yet another example of how out-of-control members of the judicial branch are undermining national security.” (Axios / Politico / Associated Press / New York Times / NBC News / Wall Street Journal)
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from stripping Harvard of its authority to host international students. Judge Allison Burroughs said the administration couldn’t enforce its May 22 revocation, ordering officials to “disregard” instructions to bar Harvard students at borders and consulates. The move came after Homeland Security pulled the university from the federal student visa program with no warning, prompting Harvard to sue. “Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard,” the school argued in court filings. A Homeland Security spokesperson dismissed the ruling, saying, “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students.” (Associated Press / CNN / New York Times)
Texas will require all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments under a new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. The law mandates a specific English version be posted in every classroom, despite a 1980 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a similar Kentucky law as unconstitutional. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court reached the same conclusion on Friday, blocking nearly identical legislation in Louisiana. (Associated Press / PBS News)
The Trump sent layoff notices to 639 employees at Voice of America, gutting the federally funded news agency and cutting total staff by 85%. Kari Lake, a Trump adviser and head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, said the agency was now “near its statutory minimum” and would retain just 250 staff across all outlets. Lake, who previously promoted a plan for One America News to supply VOA content for free, called VOA “a bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy” and said: “that ends now.” (CNN / New York Times / Politico / Associated Press)

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ysabetwordsmith

Americans share their hopes for the country on 'wish walls' nationwide. The responses are surprisingly unifying

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th birthday. To prepare for the big celebration, museums across the country are inviting the public to answer the question: “What’s your wish for America’s future?”

In a project designed by 26-year-old artist Katie Costa and developed by Made By Us, a nonprofit that promotes civic engagement among Gen-Z, thousands are responding.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

New cheese packaging decomposes in 300 days, not 1,000 years: 'The solution was in the cheese itself'

As an alternative to single-use plastic wrapping, Ogilvy Colombia and Nestlé Central America have created “Self-Packing Cheese.”

The new biodegradable film is designed to decompose within 300 days of disposal — in stark contrast to the estimated 1,000 years it takes for standard plastic to break down.

And it’s entirely made from cheese waste and whey.

Now that's brilliant! Admittedly, we tend to buy block cheese or shredded cheese rather than slices, but lots of people prefer slices.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Photos: Barnyard Picture
Birdfeeding
Book Bans
Philosophical Questions: Harm
Today's Adventures
Books
Birdfeeding
Photos: Charleston Food Forest
Photos: Coles County Community Garden
Recipe: "Pretzel Bread Savory Bread Pudding with Ham"
Birdfeeding
Heat
Photos: Charleston Library Butterfly Gardens
Follow Friday 6-20-25: Highlander
Today's Adventures
Recipe: "Chicken Stir-Fry with Mushrooms and Swiss Chard"
Birdfeeding
Wildlife
Birdfeeding
Cuddle Party

"Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 36 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 141 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 91 comments.

summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the current theme is "Theme for June 16th throuth 30th: Forced 69."

"In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" belongs to the Antimatter and Stalwart Stan thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It needs $66 to be fully funded. Lawrence shows Stan the Iron Courtyard garden.

The weather has been sweltering here and is predicted to remain so for the rest of the week. The weekend currently predicts rain, though. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, several mourning doves, a male cardinal, a catbird, a skunk, a fox squirrel, and at least 1 probably 2 bats. Zucchini has flower buds. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, red coreopsis, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, astilbe, daylilies, snowball bush, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory. The first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato ripened. Blackberries and tomatoes have fruit showing color. Wild strawberries, mulberries, and black raspberries are ripe.

Current Mood: busy

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Poetry Fishbowl on Tuesday, July 1

The air today went from "walking around in soup" to "walking around in an oven"

Read "The Child Who Could Not Scream"

Day 1617: "Low-level loser."

Burnout

Origins: other stuff

In which there is a love poem for a temporary frog

Birdfeeding

New Interview

Two and One

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enjoy this witticism

Feathering the Nest

So not looking forward to tomorrow

Kakotheres

Day 1616: "This is not Constitutional."

✏️ Notables.

Communication

Solutions

Monday Update 6-23-25

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June 2025

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