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dkuofu.bsky.social
David
@dkuofu.bsky.social
550 followers 170 following 1.2K posts
Architect, urbanism, fungophile, good food, democracy, and human rights
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dkuofu.bsky.social
KSL has better reporting on this:

The men arrested turned out to not be involved in the homemade explosive under the news vehicle, and were instead arrested for some fake dynamite found at their house when searched. A different man has been arrested and charged.

kslnewsradio.com/crime-police...
As of Dec. 3, however, no federal indictments have been filed against either man. The state criminal charges also did not make any connection between the Nasirs and the incident with the news vehicle. Less than a month after the Nasirs were arrested, a federal grand jury indicted a different man, Christopher Solomon Proctor, for allegedly placing the homemade device under the news outlet’s SUV. Proctor, 45, was charged with attempted arson in interstate commerce and possession of an unregistered destructive device. According to the federal complaint, on Sept. 12 at about 4:15 a.m., “an incendiary destructive device, a 2.5-gallon plastic gas can with a lit multifoot-long fuse” was placed under a KSTU news vehicle. But the fuse went out before it reached the gas can, so the device did not explode.
December 4, 2025 at 12:50 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy 👀
A 1930's ad for Scot's Tissue Towels with the tagline, "Is your washroom breeding Bolsheviks?" The background of the ad is a black and white photo of a disgruntled employee drying their hands on paper towels. Text below touts the virtues of Scot's paper towels, beginning with, "Employees lose respect for a company that fails to provide decent facilities for their comfort"
December 3, 2025 at 8:43 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
Edible when young, but it quickly auto-digests and dissolves into a black inky goo
Shaggy mane (coprinus comatus) mushrooms on the forest floor A half-auto-digested shaggy mane mushroom dripping black tendrils of inky goo
November 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
This is especially striking from the 2004 poll, and may be the biggest shift in opinion since then. At the time, only 61% of 18-24 year olds would even support 1st tri. abortions for the health of the mother. In the 2022 poll I found, only 7% of Utahns now support no exception bans.
Young people were more likely than their parents to say that a soul enters the egg at fertilization. Of those 18-24, 52 percent agreed that the fertilized egg has a soul, while only 31 percent of those 45-54 said it did. The young are also less likely to favor abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Sixty-one percent of 18- to 24-year-olds would definitely or probably allow it for the health of the mother, while 84 percent of the 45-54 age group would allow it.
November 20, 2025 at 6:24 AM
dkuofu.bsky.social
Looking at 2022 polling it's a slim majority (55%) that is in favor now. Looking back at past years, in 2018 it was 52% against.

In 2004, Utah bucked national trends and young couples were actually less likely to support abortion. Article below.

www.deseret.com/2004/12/4/19...
2022 Utah poll on abortion 55% of Utahns think abortion should be legal in all or most cases. 86% of Utahns believe that decisions about pregnancy related healthcare should by made by individuals in consultation with their doctors, as opposed to lawmakers being involved. This majority opinion holds across religious faiths and political affiliations, with 86% of Republicans, 86% of Independents, and 92% of Democrats believing decisions should be made by individuals with their doctors. 52% of Utahns would vote to uphold Roe v Wade were it up for reconsideration. The issue is split straight down party lines: 29% of Republicans would vote to uphold, while 83% of Democrats would uphold. The state average is pulled up by Independent voters, of whom 52% would vote to uphold. Most Utahns would oppose the state’s trigger ban law taking effect should Roe v. Wade be overturned, with 52% opposing this law compared to 40% supporting it. Opposition to the enactment of this law is strongest amongst young people, with 70% of 18-to 24-year-olds opposing this law taking effect.
November 20, 2025 at 6:19 AM
dkuofu.bsky.social
The US is failing to prevent the spread of bird flu because RFK is an anti-vax eugenicist based on a flawed understanding of darwinism rooted in his core. "Survival of the fittest" to him means that we should let disease rip through the world and kill who it may—human or livestock.
If bird flu is airborne, the government’s current biosecurity-based strategy cannot protect farms on its own. A poultry vaccine likely would have stemmed the damage from this outbreak, experts told me. Yet while other countries have curbed infections through vaccination, the U.S. has not authorized those efforts amid political and economic pushback.
November 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
If you say you like "modern" building designs, you're going to have to be more specific.
Xkcd comic caption: The use of the word "modern" to refer to a bunch of specific historical periods is a fun prank by historians. Comic: Shows a timeline from 1850 until now broken into "early modern, modernist, mid-century modern, postmodern, and modern" periods
November 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
🔥🔥🔥
The conceit at the heart of that belief is that poor white people are too racist, and too uniquely ignorant of their racism, to vote in their best interests. Therefore, Democrats have to accept a little racism to win the working class. It is an old argument. History will tell you that negotiating with racism or fascism or authoritarianism never ends well. Our culture is built to eternally forgive men, generally, and white men of means, especially, for their mistakes. Every single time, they were young and immature and it would be a shame to hold them accountable for anything they did wrong. The rest of us just need to be strong-armed into the forgiving and forgetting portion of the program. Here’s the thing. The Democratic Party has a problem. The party’s leaders think they have a problem with Trump voters. Some polling says white men without college degrees don’t like them, don’t trust them and won’t vote for them, so they think the only logical way forward is to pander. Their polling addiction ignores more complex political instruments telling them that the working class isn’t just white men and that centrism isn’t enough to bring white voters back into the fold. It is going to take hard politics. The kind that shows up in communities between elections and solves problems that don’t sound glamorous on television talk shows. It looks like facing down the Klan in a trailer park, not complaining about racism while doing far too little to avert it. It means believing that racism is not a natural condition of poverty but a political weapon that rich men use to constrain poor people’s political power. And — most critically — it looks like not wanting, even for a second, to be confused with the people who would do that. You don’t wear a red hat as a joke. You don’t fly the ironic flag of historical hate to get a rise out of people. You don’t wear the cool tattoo for over a decade that maybe, kind of, possibly, probably looks like something horrible and hateful. But, I do care about the political trade-offs we will ask people to make in the name of pragmatism. If the Democratic future requires us to exchange our discomfort with casual Nazism to advance a political agenda, I am not interested. Maybe other voters are — some polling suggests that young voters still support Platner. And maybe Platner will find a way to redeem himself. No one owes him that chance, but there is still a way forward. It’s called doing the work. But don’t tell me that excusing that tattoo is good politics. It is the exact same politics that the right is selling, in a different outfit.
October 29, 2025 at 2:20 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
You inspired me to make a spooky-themed paella for our family Halloween party this week 😁
A squid ink paella with octopus tentacles, scallops, and skull-carved mushrooms
October 27, 2025 at 12:49 AM
dkuofu.bsky.social
This map may help corroborate your assessment of the types of news sources that many Bluffdale residents subscribe to...
A detailed 2024 voting map of the Salt Lake valley. Bluffdale is the reddest region on the map, indicating they voted heavily for trump.
October 22, 2025 at 3:28 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
I think the assumption that anyone who wants to run for a major office will have to take a pay cut to do so is indicative of one of the major problems in our political system. With few exceptions, you have to be wealthy first to even have a shot.
Last year, it was a 2.5% increase, which pushed the governor’s salary up to $193,100, while the Supreme Court justices are making $241,175 this year. The members discussed how the legislative economist is uncertain what the state’s outlook will be in the coming year, so they opted to take a cautious approach. Commissioner Meg Holbrook said she believes that holding an elected office is a choice individuals make because it is an honor and a public service. They know what the salaries are going into office, members agreed, and are willing to make the financial sacrifice.
October 22, 2025 at 3:10 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
Well right now the sitting mayor's top reelection campaign priorities (in the 2nd most populous city in Utah) are:

1. Blocking housing
2. Widening roads.
A campaign mailer for Karen Lang. Karen and her husband have lived in West Valley since 1984. The Lang's own Oakbridge greenhouse and are the parents of four children and grandparents of nine. As mayor, she has fought against additional high density apartments along with supporting: - Expanded East-West transportation corridors - continued Business development which lowers residential taxes - safe neighborhoods and school zones Collaboration with other County officials and neighboring city leaders to benefit West Valley residents
October 17, 2025 at 3:46 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
This kills me—"as mayor I have fought against increased housing and demanded roads be widened to further carve up our neighborhoods. Vote for me again!"
A campaign mailer for Karen Lang. Karen and her husband have lived in West Valley since 1984. The Lang's own Oakbridge greenhouse and are the parents of four children and grandparents of nine. As mayor, she has fought against additional high density apartments along with supporting: - Expanded East-West transportation corridors - continued Business development which lowers residential taxes - safe neighborhoods and school zones Collaboration with other County officials and neighboring city leaders to benefit West Valley residents
October 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
I'll fight anyone on this.
Pink Lady Honey Crisp Wild Twist SweeTango Cosmic Crisp Kanzi Jazz Braeburn Lemonade Envy Gala Pazzazz Ambrosia Granny Smith Jonagold Fuji Golden Delicious (Good for Apple sauce) Red Delicious (Landfill apples)
October 17, 2025 at 4:34 AM
dkuofu.bsky.social
Cox is going to pack the court.

I've said it before—Cox is happy to do almost anything the legislature wants, but he's very conscious of appearances so they have to sell him on some veneer of an excuse he can parrot to the media. In this case? "He's giving the court more resources"
Cox said Tuesday he may now support a dead proposal from earlier this year to expand the number of justice on the Utah Supreme Court. The Utah Constitution says the court must have "at least five" justices.
October 15, 2025 at 3:42 AM
dkuofu.bsky.social
Here's a free book with plenty of examples, and an explanation of the theory behind it. Srdja Popovic was instrumental in Otpor!, the Serbian revolutionary group, and has since formed CANVAS, a group that trains revolutionaries all around the world.

www.amazon.com/dp/B08HB7JTH...
The cover of "Pranksters vs. Autocrats: Why Dilemma Actions Advance Nonviolent Activism" by Srdja Popovic and Sophia A McLennen.
October 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
Srdja Popovic played an important role in the nonviolent strategies behind the Otpor! Serbian Revolution, and went on to teach those tactics to leaders of the revolutionaries behind the Arab Spring. He helped form CANVAS, the Center for Applied NonViolent Actions and Strategies to teach other groups
The cover of "Pranksters vs. Autocrats by Srdja Popovic and Sophia A McLennen.
October 13, 2025 at 4:17 AM
dkuofu.bsky.social
A few excerpts from "Pranksters vs. Autocrats" (it's free at the link below!)

"Laughtivism" or "Dilemma Actions" as they call it make fascists look weak, are excellent recruiting opportunities, and have a big sway on media coverage and general public sentiment!

www.amazon.com/dp/B08HB7JTH...
Dilemma actions are an effective tool for a range of situations. They have been used to advance democracy, human rights, and accountability struggles across the globe. They break down fear and apathy and offer the public an energizing way to resist oppressive authority. They can shift public narratives of mighty opponents from “scary and powerful” to “weak and laughable.” They also work as a recruiting tool for new members because they show the public that engaging in nonviolent resistance can be fun and satisfying. They lead to media coverage and social media awareness because these tactics make for entertaining stories—authoritarians look foolish and the protesters look creative, cool, and unafraid. Dilemma actions succeed: they often lead to social change and advances in democracy. And, even more important, groups that engage in dilemma actions inspire others, leading to replication of their tactics, adjusted for different contexts and types of struggles. valuable component of successful nonviolent struggle. They produce outsized benefits for the practitioners, catch their opponents off guard, and even trigger self-harming responses from opposing stakeholders. Furthermore, dilemma actions— especially when they include humor—can counteract fear and apathy, two underestimated enemies of reform. Fear and apathy drive the status quo and block positive social change in any society that hopes for a better future. But humor melts fear and earns goodwill, often adding a “cool factor” to activism that draws support.
October 13, 2025 at 4:13 AM
dkuofu.bsky.social
A few other notable Dr. Seuss political cartoons:
Cartoon: Two men stand on a platform with an intertwined beard. One says "America First" and the other wears a swastika. A circus manager announces to the crowd: Caption: And on this platform, folks, those most perplexing people... The Lads with the Siamese Beard! Unrelated by blood, they are joined in a manner that mystifies the mightiest minds in the land! Cartoon: a woman with an "America First" sweater reads to two children from a book entitled "Adolf the Wolf" Caption: and the Wolf chewed up the children and spit out their bones... But those were FOREIGN CHILDREN and it really didn't matter. Cartoon: A man with a "Profiteer" emblazoned coat sells umbrellas during a flood to people taking refuge on rooftops. A swastika can be seen in the torrential rain. Caption: Beware the man who makes a fortune in a flood!
October 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
So many dog whistles throughout the GOP questioning here. Garciaz is the only woman of color on the U's board of trustees.

She was the only one who didn't get a recommendation for reappointment.

www.sltrib.com/news/educati...
The trustee hearings held Sept. 12 lasted about two hours total. Some candidates were approved by the confirmation committee without any conversation or questions. Others were asked only about their priorities for their school. The committee lingered on Garciaz. Three conservative lawmakers on the confirmation committee — all who voted for HB261 — appeared to pick apart Garciaz’s comments as support for DEI, though Garciaz never explicitly said she favored those efforts and repeated several times she wanted to improve access for all. McKell and Sen. Heidi Balderree, R-Saratoga Springs, also said they took the unusual step to look through Garciaz’s social media, with Balderree saying she found some posts “concerning,” without specifying which. She was also the only one asked about her position on equity when it comes to race and gender, as well as past posts on social media about recent protests. Garciaz was the only woman of color among those candidates. And she’s one of only two women of color currently serving among the more than 70 trustees across the state’s eight traditional public universities and colleges, according to The Salt Lake Tribune’s counts. The senator said she and her colleagues feel Garciaz might be “elevating one group or minority above one another.” So Balderee asked: How would Garciaz support conservative students at the U., who she said are “the minority in their political party and affiliation on campus”?
October 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
We will pay for abandoning the hungry, the poor, and vulnerable.

Of everything that has been going on, the vast scale of death we have wrought by cutting off all humanitarian aid is the most horrific.
MAE SOT, Thailand (AP) — Mohammed Taher clutched the lifeless body of his 2-year-old son and wept. Ever since his family’s food rations stopped arriving at their internment camp in Myanmar in April, the father had watched helplessly as his once-vibrant baby boy weakened, suffering from diarrhea and begging for food. On May 21, exactly two weeks after Taher’s little boy died, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat before Congress and declared: “No one has died” because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program. Rubio also insisted: “No children are dying on my watch.” That, Taher says, “is a lie.”
October 8, 2025 at 3:18 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
See, now was that so hard NYT?
NYT heading that says "President Trump signals that he may try to deny federal workers back pay after the shutdown, in contradiction to US law."
October 7, 2025 at 11:34 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
"[You] can’t beat the radical right by becoming a pale imitation of it."

Can someone inject this straight into the veins of Democratic leadership and strategists? It may just be the life support the party needs right now.

Mimicking Trump is useless. Democrats need to be proud of their own identity
As political scientists, we’ve spent years investigating what happens when mainstream parties “get tough” on immigration, and how this affects support for the radical right. We recently studied what happened to people’s assessment of Labour, and their likelihood of voting for the party or Reform, shortly after Starmer gave his island of strangers speech. The speech helpfully coincided with a period when people were answering a survey for the British Election Study, so we gathered responses from people who were interviewed immediately before the speech, and those interviewed immediately after. The results: the speech made Labour and Starmer less popular, especially among Labour’s own voters. It significantly boosted immigration as an issue in people’s minds. There is no evidence it helped to reduce support for Reform, or convince Reform voters that they should vote Labour. Recent research from Persuasion UK, a nonprofit, told much the same story. It found that Labour’s messaging around deportations strengthened the importance of the issue while potentially strengthening Reform. This is hardly unique to Labour. We studied more than 70 different elections that took place in 12 western European countries over several decades, and found that when mainstream parties take more anti-immigration positions, it leads to more support for the radical right, not less. We’ve also found that when social democratic parties propose strongly reducing immigration numbers, this leads to less support for social democratic parties at the ballot box. When progressive parties imitate the right, they weaken their own electoral prospects. The picture that emerges from this research is clear: moving right on immigration doesn’t help Labour. It alienates Labour’s progressive base and fails to win over Reform voters. When Labour defines itself as a party happy to mimic those who scapegoat migrants, liberally minded voters feel betrayed. Many decide that they can no longer vote for the party. Even under first past the post, these voters will move to another party such as the Greens, or stay at home on election day. In the short term, presenting Labour as a party that’s tough on immigration is a vote-losing strategy. In the long term, it may even have the opposite effect of bolstering the success of the very party Labour seeks to outmanoeuvre. When radical-right words come from Labour mouths, the nativist and illiberal values attached to these words become increasingly normalised, shifting the boundaries of what is politically acceptable. Copying the radical right is electorally self-defeating. Social democratic parties that try this route lose their own supporters without gaining new ones, and help to legitimise their opponents in the process. It’s time for Labour to engage in some self-reflection about the type of party it wants to be. At the moment it operates as if advancing a progressive agenda and being in government are mutually exclusive. That is far from the case. It can’t beat the radical right by becoming a pale imitation of it.
October 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
dkuofu.bsky.social
This is the closest the NYT has come yet to the drumbeat "Biden old" coverage.
He mentioned that he used to love watching “Victory at Sea,” the old black-and-white television series about World War II. There is also the matter of his delivery. It has become harder to perceive the occasionally revealing things the president says — like Tuesday’s admission that he saw American cities as “training grounds” for troops — because of the way he sometimes says them. For a 79-year-old, he’s often shown a great deal of energy, but he seemed a bit sapped Tuesday. As his remarks went on and on, his voice took on a more monotonous quality. A day earlier, when he spoke at the White House while standing beside Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Trump sounded out of breath at times.
October 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
dkuofu.bsky.social
Here Cox is trying to prove that he CAN hate enough, and he's still getting slimed by his own.
When confronted about his past declarations celebrating pride month, Cox touted his recent signing of a law banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth and banning transgender individuals from bathrooms aligning with their gender identity in government-owned buildings. "When any words — including those that are prejudicial — are perceived as violent, then violence is justified as speech, Cox told the audience. “That mindset is only coming from one side,” Cox said. “That idea that speech is violence and violence is speech — that is not coming from the right.""
October 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM