Author | Lightnews

Elise__Mae

@elisemae.bsky.social

2.5K followers 1.6K following 970 posts

cities ≠ overgrown strip malls | #Pittsburgh #PGH #transit #climate #walkable #pedbike #completestreets #YIMBY #publicspace maybe try some actual campaign finance reform(?) #getmoneyout 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ ally n'at | 🌎 #heathen #devoutmusician #USPS fam | she/her

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Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

No question!

I was living in NH then. Certainly no cities of comparable size to Portland OR. I lived in Nashua, NH then (25% non-white) but many other (less diverse) communities in the state really put in the time re: #BLM. But #PDX got the absolute worst of the negative spotlight from the regime.

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

Yes. Big difference there.

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

Nobody hates dogs more than the orange menace; I'd wager he also detests cats. Unfortunately for too many US pet folk, he also doesn't give a f#$k about most humans, either ... and it shows.

I'm a pro petsitter w/ (mostly) privileged clients. But I will be giving to this #PGH #pet #pantry, STAT.

Sue Kerr @pghlesbian.bsky.social · 2d

Pittsburgh Based Pet Food Pantry Seeks Donations, Will Offer Emergency Resources to Neighbors Losing SNAP Benefits - Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents bit.ly/4oiGoWU

bit.ly

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Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

Of course. He's got to mark his newly-claimed territory.

Reposted by Elise__Mae

Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 3d

NEW: Court filings reveal that states using the Trump administration’s untested citizenship verification system to purge voter rolls may be mistakenly flagging eligible voters at an alarming rate, risking the chance of voters being disenfranchised.

Trump’s Voter Citizenship Database Is ‘Flawed’ and Could Lead to Disenfranchisement, Election Administrator Warns

Read more here.

www.democracydocket.com

150 780 1.5K

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

The two cities are pretty similar in terms of percentage of white residents. From City-Data.com:

PGH: 63.9% white
PDX: 65.4% white

What I found truly surprising is that PGH's median age is a few years *younger* than PDX's. I wasn't expecting that!

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

... and I'm not even much of a SciFi fan, normally.

a picture of a woman with a flower in her hair is displayed on a wall

ALT: a picture of a woman with a flower in her hair is displayed on a wall

media.tenor.com

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Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

With those book sale numbers, justice (in this specific case) has been served!

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

Feel better soon!

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

... but probably gets to keep the 3 apartments and large expense account.

He was low enough on the succession list that it hardly matters. He can spend the rest of his life doing whatever, with no worries about new library ribbon cuttings. Other than some embarrassment, it's probably a win for him.

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

Ah! Got it. Living in gorgeous Laurel Canyon and writing wonderfully musical social commentary. Over the past decade, he's been verrrrry vocal about his critiques of US government during his concerts, too.

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 2d

Stroke can change one's ability to communicate, for sure. But a big shift in ethics seems less likely. Perhaps he lost his ability to be as discerning as before and instead started listening to nonsense from high-$ prospective donors.

Regardless, he's my Senator and I'm depressed AF about it...

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 3d

That gorgeous and classic piece of musical social commentary probably wouldn't have gone over well at the ballpark.

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Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 3d

@leejamiller.bsky.social for Explainer in Chief, 2025.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4q7...

This Shutdown Is About To Get SO Much Worse

YouTube video by Leeja Miller

www.youtube.com

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 3d

From which of his two nationalities, though? (Yes, he changed some words to the Canadian anthem, but the end result was a pretty profound dig at the USA).

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 3d

That would describe about 20 musical artists ...

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 3d

Same, Anne. Same!

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 3d

Interesting counterpoint opinion. As a music educator, my main focus was his handling the chromaticism of the tune, a capella, with musicality. Additionally, if you want a straight-down-the-fairway performance of just about anything, simply don't hire Rufus Wainwright. He has never been that guy.

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Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 3d

Love it. Rufus' corresponding tune might be "Dinner at 8."

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 4d

... at the time, Reagan was considered to be off on the right, as well! The Overton Window has shattered from sheer torque over and over again since then, only to be re-installed by governments further to the right. Reagan would be immediately run out of town on a rail by today's MAGA GOP.

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 4d

He seems like he was such a sweetie! That's my professional catsitter's POV. So sorry for this very big loss ♥️

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 4d

My heart sank for a second when I saw his name trending, since he's not exactly a household name. Thankfully, it was for a great reason!

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 4d

Very proud of the California-dwelling, largely Montreal-raised dual national/world citizen Rufus Wainwright. There was no better choice on the planet for the honor of this singular assignment -- particularly this year.

#RufusWainwright #worldseries #OCanada #bilingual #francophone #anglophone

𝚃𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚜 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚎 🚇 @taras-grescoe.com · 4d

Rufus Wainwright sings O Canada in English and French at World Series — and changes lyrics to “only *us* command.”

That’s some #Montréal spirit, là!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYA4...

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT: O CANADA: MLB WORLD SERIES 2O25 GAME 5: TORONTO BLUE JAYS VS. LOS ANGELES DODGERS

YouTube video by SPORTS VIDEO CHANNEL

www.youtube.com

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Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 4d

Hey GOP! Please stop flip-flopping for just a second: Do you support vote-by-mail, or not?

Your voters sure seem to.

It's also served our armed forces well for decades and is the most constitutionally protected form of communication we've got.

#votebymail #USPS

www.wesa.fm/politics-gov...

Republican voters drive increase in mail ballot requests in Pennsylvania

The uptick could be a sign that this year’s judicial retention races are stirring interest in the 2025 election.

www.wesa.fm

Elise__Mae @elisemae.bsky.social · 5d

Turning Point USA sent me a fundraising mailing today, complete with a heartfelt little note from Erika Kirk. I appreciate their supporting the USPS and all -- but wow, are they ever barking up the wrong tree.

I'm sure they "did their research," though.