Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 8h

They also won't accept a solution that bypasses the need to funnel money through an employer. "Here, have health insurance!" "No, I don't want government insurance. I want insurance paid for by a major corporation, because I'm independent like that."

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 10h

A lot of National Guard members have day jobs as civilian feds. You know, the people who have been furloughed.

Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 15h

Assignment hits your inbox at 3:30 on December 23 (happens reliably before the client shuts down for the holidays):

"Normal two-week turnaround"

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 15h

All that technology and overthinking to arrive at the most generic, least personal message ever. Also, it sounds kind of final. Even "want to get coffee some time and continue our discussion of X?" shows you remember who she is, reminds her who you are, and gives her more options to respond.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 15h

Ooo, I like that author! The Cold Millions is one of my favorites. I'll have to check this one out.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 17h

Makes sense for analytical/scholarly purposes, but does the person doing it experience the distinction? Many paid caregiving/service jobs are extensions of domestic roles and rely on employees transferring skills they developed at home.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 17h

That's a lot of words to say "we're wrong."

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 17h

Does the distinction matter if the person doing it is financially dependent at home? Many a stay-at-home homemaker treats family life as a job.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 17h

Overpriced. I'd say enough cash equivalents to not freak out when the market tanks. What that means depends on how close you are to retiring and how willing you are to run risks.

Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 17h

And the "vision" they offer is so profoundly unappealing that it's driving people further left. I'm a lot less indulgent towards American business, churches, and the media than I was before they made their deal with the devil.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 1d

Totally. I think of AI and surveillance tech as one and the same, and I wish vast destruction on those who are pushing it. But since it's the only thing holding up the stock market, anyone who does have a 401(k) invested in the S&P needs to think hard about options.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 1d

I'd go along with that, but the big new stupid thing is AI data centers. Hope you've got any retirement money you have out of the stock market so you can enjoy the bubble bursting as much as I plan to.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 1d

Just ordered a bunch of little Virginia flags on sticks to pass out at a No Kings rally in Virginia next weekend. You just have to look at them to see the design is a protest sign, and I'll give them to people (especially kids) who don't have signs.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 1d

All they want to do is steal money and commit violence. Both of which have long traditions among the politically powerful, but we're not used to seeing it in such naked form.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 1d

Yesterday I saw something (can't remember where) that said the US economy is just three data centers in a trench coat.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

Everything, onion, or garlic, with cream cheese and (if feeling rich) lox. If feeling poor, I've been known to make a toaster over pizza on one. See also, the last third of a baguette.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

Also, if you aren't near one that's already planned, have your own. People will see you in real life and not as filtered by the media, so it will be harder to make lies about who protests stick.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

It doesn't have to be one of the big rallies, either. The big ones in the big cities make the news individually, but seeing small and medium rallies EVERYWHERE means more people see them in real life and not as filtered by the media.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

It's a nice day to vote early. I went yesterday.

Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

Just got my protest sign, which I paid for with my own money. It's the Virginia state flag.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

If you can't risk one of the big city marches in places with federal deployments (e.g., if you have physical limitations and worry about the need to get out fast), there are lots of smaller suburban events. Show strength in numbers wherever and however you can.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

Putting a triumphal arch in a cemetery seems about right for Trump.

Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

Most government trips land your in a Courtyard or Hampton Inn. Sometimes you can be clever and get a non-chain B&B, but it's extra work. Fancy places are only an option when (1) it's way off season and they have the government rate available, or (2) it's a major event and that's the last place left.

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 2d

Doesn't matter. The courts have prevented us from limiting money in politics. So we have to take the money away from them if we want to have a free society.

(Note to Republican judges: it's all your fault.)

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Maggie Marbles @maggiemarbles.bsky.social · 3d

I've learned to build in a gap between when I stuff the information I need to start a project into my head and when I actually start to put words down. The marinating time seems to be part of it, not a vice or something to fight. I can force myself to do the background reading, but not to write.

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