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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 1d

This is why I now send ProPublica the money I used to pay the @washingtonpost.com for daily delivery of their increasingly worthless rag. I'm not sure the current Post editors know how to spell "journalism", much less what it means.

Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 12d

The Fairfax County Office of Elections tells me that my ballot for the November election has been received and counted. Happily voted for Spanberger and the rest of the sane side of the aisle. Hopefully this fall will mark the start of some meaningful push back.

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 16d

I support ProPublica for investigative journalism. Their national work is very good but they really shine at the local level. The Guardian is also an excellent source of national and foreign news.

For your grandmother, most crosswords have an option to print the online version.

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 16d

My wife finally agreed to cancel the @washingtonpost.com. Today is the first since we moved to the DC area waaaay back in the previous century that an analog copy of the paper hasn't landed on our door step. I shall not miss it.

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 17d

National Weather Service at ‘breaking point’ as storm approaches

No data means no problems, right?

wapo.st/3VDCrPO

National Weather Service at ‘breaking point’ as storm approaches

The National Weather Service is struggling to maintain its weather forecasting operations due to significant staffing cuts under the Trump administration.

wapo.st

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 17d

I got the COVID and RSV shots at the same time and one month later I’m still alive. Taking a risk by going back for a flu shot next week.

Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 19d

My ballot for the Virginia elections arrived in the mail today. It was completed just now and will be returned tomorrow. It's just that easy for anyone in the state. Request your ballot or find the early voting location near you. This election is too important to sit out. Or worse, to vote GOP.

Virginia Voter Information – Citizen Portal

vote.elections.virginia.gov

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 20d

Spanish techno? 🫤

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 21d

I assume that’s a rhetorical question.

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 23d

Having a hard time finding something to boycott. Can’t remember the last ABC show I watched (does Kimmel on YouTube count?). Got tired of Only Murders after third season & dropped Disney. Never liked food at Chick-fil-A or McDonalds. Don’t drink coffee so no Starbucks. Am I missing something? 🤔

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 24d

I bet you can find a protest or two out there. :)

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 24d

Found two nearby No Kings protests for October 18 and not sure which one to join. Maybe the one in West Springfield (www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...) since I might run into @jenorr.bsky.social. :-)

www.mobilize.us

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 25d

If you want to “cancel” something at Disney, skip the trip to Disney World and take the kids to Mexico, Costa Rica, Iceland, or somewhere else that’s at least a little more authentic.

Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 25d

Ok, Virginia, it’s time to start paying attention to the election! Early voting starts today. Plenty of time to register, vote in person, or get a mail ballot. Indifferent cynics can claim there’s “no difference” between candidates but the past nine months shows just how wrong that is. #voteblue

Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 26d

Repeat creepy meat problems at Boar’s Head plants draw congressional scrutiny

The "markets-can-regulate-themselves" types want to cut more regulations and eliminate even the few meat packing inspectors that are left on the job. I guess America was great when Upton Sinclair was writing.

Repeat creepy meat problems at Boar’s Head plants draw congressional scrutiny

Boar’s Head plans to reopen the plant linked to an outbreak that killed 10 people.

arstechnica.com

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · 27d

I hope Mamdani is able to close the deal. Simply based on how many traditional politicians are nervous about him, I imagine his “dangerous” ideas will be really good for anyone in NYC who is not wealthy.

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Sep 13

Meta finally gets around to building an iPad-specific app for Instagram and... it really, really sucks. This is why I hope the new Foto app/service (fotoapp.co) is able to succeed. I signed up for photo sharing. I don't want to see lots of random video clips, with ads after every three posts.

Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Sep 11

I guess I don’t spend enough time on social media because I really have no idea who Charlie Kirk was. Should I?

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Sep 5

AI Doesn’t Make Learning Personal

Drill-and-practice dispensed by an AI bot is NOT the same as learning. No matter how much you pay for it.

AI Doesn’t Make Learning Personal

Continuing on the topic of AI, how much would you pay to have a bot teach your kids?

www.assortedstuff.com

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Sep 4

“Bunch said that during a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump last week, he had sensed Trump’s ‘admiration and regard for the Smithsonian.’”

Some call that “diplomacy”. Others, just plain BS.

Has TACO ever actually visited a Smithsonian museum?

Smithsonian responds to Trump’s push to review ‘divisive narratives’

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III told staff in a letter that the institution will set up an internal team to review exhibitions at eight of its museums.

wapo.st

Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Sep 3

Defending Yourself Against AI

Why not copyright yourself?

Defending Yourself Against AI

When it comes to artificial intelligence, we are very much at the beginning stages of development. Most of the tools have a lot of bugs in them and the results can be anywhere from almost real to c…

www.assortedstuff.com

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Aug 30

Alaska flies from DCA but not to where I need to go. A friend who regularly flies to Denver and Seattle swears by them.

Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Aug 30

I’ve flown American Airlines six times this year.

Their record: on time, late, late, (cancel, cancel, late), late, late. Plus their “loyalty” program has been turned into crap.

Are any of the other carriers better?

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Aug 29

My niece in Paris and friends in Mexico listen to the WWDTM podcast so that's global-ish.

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Tim Stahmer @timstahmer.bsky.social · Aug 29

The Good and Bad of Saying No

In the milquetoast verbal style of the Washington Post, this is going to be a “challenging” year for public schools in this area.

The Good and Bad of Saying No

Last week was the start of a new school year here in the overly-large school district, along with most of the others in Northern Virginia. The rest of the DC area began this week.

www.assortedstuff.com