Virtual Vanaprastha
@virtualvanaprastha.bsky.social
Poet, essayist, amateur scholar of cultural anthropology and literary history who loves the small details. A throwback Progressive dedicated to the canon, rigorous rational analysis and ballasting the present with a strong knowledge of the past. No DMs.
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Yesterday, Powell said that payrolls maybe overstated by about 60K per month. That would leave us with net negative job growth since April.
December 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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"Soon, an unknown number of children will lose access to care through their health insurance at Children’s Mercy, a number that could climb into the tens of thousands.
...coverage for families who rely on plans purchased through the ACA health insurance marketplace."
...coverage for families who rely on plans purchased through the ACA health insurance marketplace."
Thousands to lose in-network access to Children’s Mercy Hospital
Soon an unknown number of children will lose access to care through their health insurance at Children’s Mercy a number that could climb into the tens of thousands.
www.newsnationnow.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
"Soon, an unknown number of children will lose access to care through their health insurance at Children’s Mercy, a number that could climb into the tens of thousands.
...coverage for families who rely on plans purchased through the ACA health insurance marketplace."
...coverage for families who rely on plans purchased through the ACA health insurance marketplace."
"The Point Pleasant, New Jersey, couple will no longer be able to afford their Obamacare plan after the enhanced premiums subsidies lapse at year’s end. They decided to forgo coverage after learning that their plan’s premium will skyrocket to $1,928 a month, up from $340 this year."
These small business owners will become uninsured after key ACA subsidies expire
By Tami Luhby, CNN (CNN) — When patients come to Eric Frankenfeld’s chiropractic practice with insurance woes, his wife, Lisa, the office manager, tells them not to worry because she’ll work with them...
ktvz.com
December 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"The Point Pleasant, New Jersey, couple will no longer be able to afford their Obamacare plan after the enhanced premiums subsidies lapse at year’s end. They decided to forgo coverage after learning that their plan’s premium will skyrocket to $1,928 a month, up from $340 this year."
Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate.
As families come together to light the kinara, Jen and I wish all those celebrating a joyful Kwanzaa.
May the seven principles of Kwanzaa, in particular community, purpose, and unity, guide our way toward a better future.
Happy Kwanzaa, California!
May the seven principles of Kwanzaa, in particular community, purpose, and unity, guide our way toward a better future.
Happy Kwanzaa, California!
December 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate.
"More than 800 storm victims around Helene-battered western North Carolina have applied under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program....
So far, they say, not a single approval has come through.
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local governments continue to wait for federal reimbursements for debris cleanup and other projects."
So far, they say, not a single approval has come through.
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local governments continue to wait for federal reimbursements for debris cleanup and other projects."
Hundreds of residents signed up for FEMA buyouts after Helene. Not one has been approved.
More than a year after applying for a federal buyout, many North Carolina homeowners have heard almost nothing definitive.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
"More than 800 storm victims around Helene-battered western North Carolina have applied under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program....
So far, they say, not a single approval has come through.
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local governments continue to wait for federal reimbursements for debris cleanup and other projects."
So far, they say, not a single approval has come through.
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local governments continue to wait for federal reimbursements for debris cleanup and other projects."
Ditto! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!
From our family to yours, merry Christmas! We hope your day is filled with good people and good food.
December 25, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Ditto! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!
Headline: *Q3 GDP Surprises, But Investments Vanished*
The top 10% of earners now account for 50% of all consumer spending. Not sure why there is no breakout shown for business-to-business spending which is actually the biggest component of GDP. AI-related company spending is through the roof.
The top 10% of earners now account for 50% of all consumer spending. Not sure why there is no breakout shown for business-to-business spending which is actually the biggest component of GDP. AI-related company spending is through the roof.
seekingalpha.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Headline: *Q3 GDP Surprises, But Investments Vanished*
The top 10% of earners now account for 50% of all consumer spending. Not sure why there is no breakout shown for business-to-business spending which is actually the biggest component of GDP. AI-related company spending is through the roof.
The top 10% of earners now account for 50% of all consumer spending. Not sure why there is no breakout shown for business-to-business spending which is actually the biggest component of GDP. AI-related company spending is through the roof.
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Discovered that I mistakenly bought decaf coffee beans on my most recent grocery trip, so I ask you to please refrain from telling me that bad things don’t happen to good people.
December 22, 2025 at 11:13 PM
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“A key reason inflation cooled unexpectedly is a big easing in rent costs. That doesn’t match up with private sector data, and doesn’t pass the 'sniff test' of reasonability.”
Media is trying hard not to say outright that the CPI report is obviously *intentionally* bogus.
Media is trying hard not to say outright that the CPI report is obviously *intentionally* bogus.
CPI inflation print draws caution from economists: 'It’s hard to take this data seriously'
Thursday's release of November's CPI data showed inflation had unexpectedly eased to an annual rise of 2.7% that month, but economists expressed caution as the government shutdown impacted results.
www.aol.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
“A key reason inflation cooled unexpectedly is a big easing in rent costs. That doesn’t match up with private sector data, and doesn’t pass the 'sniff test' of reasonability.”
Media is trying hard not to say outright that the CPI report is obviously *intentionally* bogus.
Media is trying hard not to say outright that the CPI report is obviously *intentionally* bogus.
At my area grocery stores Canola Oil up 60% immediately after the tariffs on Canada. Mayonnaise up over 20% at the same time. Coffee up at the stores and online 60-100%. Store brand crackers recently up over 40%. Fresh produce and store brand butter have held steady. I hear beef is up nearly 100%.
Trump Says Grocery Prices Are 'Falling Rapidly:' Here's What The Data Shows
President Donald Trump says grocery prices are "falling rapidly" under his economic policies, but the government's own data says otherwise.
www.investopedia.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:21 PM
At my area grocery stores Canola Oil up 60% immediately after the tariffs on Canada. Mayonnaise up over 20% at the same time. Coffee up at the stores and online 60-100%. Store brand crackers recently up over 40%. Fresh produce and store brand butter have held steady. I hear beef is up nearly 100%.
""Like many other companies with significant exports, the debtor also has experienced challenges with the president's tariffs, causing debtor simply to run out of working capital and, therefore, time," Compton said in the declaration."
Hansen-Mueller Blames Failed Ventures, Trump Tariffs for Leaving Farms Unpaid
Omaha-based Hansen-Mueller Co. points to millions lost in failed business ventures and the impact of Trump tariffs as the reason for filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday.
www.dtnpf.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
""Like many other companies with significant exports, the debtor also has experienced challenges with the president's tariffs, causing debtor simply to run out of working capital and, therefore, time," Compton said in the declaration."
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"Since January 2020, according to an Associated Press report, there have been two mass shootings in Australia. In the U.S., that number is 3,499."
slate.com/news-and-pol...
slate.com/news-and-pol...
People Are Taking the Wrong Lesson From This Weekend’s Dual Massacres
We are extremely tired of being terrified in our classrooms. There’s a better way.
slate.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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Again "Owner's Equivalent Rent" inflation down by over 50%. "Primary Residence Rent", inflation down over 75%. While utilities are up over 5% y.o.y. Insurance far more still. Almost impossible to verify Trump numbers. But they are waaay down from trend. They are two of the biggest components of CPI.
CPI Cools In A Big Way, Shocking Wall Street (Live)
Stocks have yet to take advantage of a more-dovish Fed outlook.
www.investors.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Again "Owner's Equivalent Rent" inflation down by over 50%. "Primary Residence Rent", inflation down over 75%. While utilities are up over 5% y.o.y. Insurance far more still. Almost impossible to verify Trump numbers. But they are waaay down from trend. They are two of the biggest components of CPI.
September's report had inexplicable housing-cost data that suppressed the numbers. October's was not released at all. November's does not include most of the detail indexes because... the President's word is good enough. BLS Oversight Boards were fired at the beginning of the Trump Admin.
Inflation drops to lowest level in months, defying expectations of uptick
Prices climbed 2.7% in November compared to a year earlier.
abcnews.go.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:05 PM
September's report had inexplicable housing-cost data that suppressed the numbers. October's was not released at all. November's does not include most of the detail indexes because... the President's word is good enough. BLS Oversight Boards were fired at the beginning of the Trump Admin.
'Wiles said Trump governs with “a view that there’s nothing he can’t do. Nothing, zero, nothing.”
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In another striking comment, Wiles described Russell Vought, a co-author of Project 2025 and head of the Office of Management and Budget, as “a right-wing absolute zealot.”'
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In another striking comment, Wiles described Russell Vought, a co-author of Project 2025 and head of the Office of Management and Budget, as “a right-wing absolute zealot.”'
Trump chief of staff Susie Wiles says president ‘has an alcoholic’s personality’ and more in candid interviews | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, delivered a series of unusually candid and at times caustic assessments of the president, his second-term agenda and some of his closest allies in...
www.cnn.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM
'Wiles said Trump governs with “a view that there’s nothing he can’t do. Nothing, zero, nothing.”
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In another striking comment, Wiles described Russell Vought, a co-author of Project 2025 and head of the Office of Management and Budget, as “a right-wing absolute zealot.”'
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In another striking comment, Wiles described Russell Vought, a co-author of Project 2025 and head of the Office of Management and Budget, as “a right-wing absolute zealot.”'
After Trump's FBI grossly blundered to start the Brown University shooting investigation, Fox and Maga influencers have gone on the attack blaming Providence officials with being incompetent. An organized rumor is being aggressively pushed that the shooting targeted a Republican student activist.
December 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
After Trump's FBI grossly blundered to start the Brown University shooting investigation, Fox and Maga influencers have gone on the attack blaming Providence officials with being incompetent. An organized rumor is being aggressively pushed that the shooting targeted a Republican student activist.
A raging narcissist for a president. Too, too sad.
Who could have imagined, watching *All in the Family*, all those years ago, that Rob Reiner would have accomplished all he did? And that his life would end in such a tragic way?
Who could have imagined, watching *All in the Family*, all those years ago, that Rob Reiner would have accomplished all he did? And that his life would end in such a tragic way?
December 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A raging narcissist for a president. Too, too sad.
Who could have imagined, watching *All in the Family*, all those years ago, that Rob Reiner would have accomplished all he did? And that his life would end in such a tragic way?
Who could have imagined, watching *All in the Family*, all those years ago, that Rob Reiner would have accomplished all he did? And that his life would end in such a tragic way?
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December 15, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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'“Just this past year, because of tariffs, nitrogen tariffs are up 10%,” he said. “Herbicide, pesticide, insecticide are up 20%. Ag equipment, up 13%; tractors, up 16%. So there are huge implications because of the tariffs on a lot of the inputs.”'
Illinois Agriculture Director Says Trump Trade Policies Are ‘Crushing’ Farmers
Jerry Costello II, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said the money being offered is not nearly enough to make up for the losses farmers are suffering.
news.wttw.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:27 AM
'“Just this past year, because of tariffs, nitrogen tariffs are up 10%,” he said. “Herbicide, pesticide, insecticide are up 20%. Ag equipment, up 13%; tractors, up 16%. So there are huge implications because of the tariffs on a lot of the inputs.”'
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December 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
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'A leaked memo by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directs the Justice Department and FBI to compile a list of groups that may be labeled “domestic terrorism” organizations based on political views related to immigration, gender and U.S. policy.'
Newly leaked memo targets 'anyone who isn’t a Trump supporter': investigator
A leaked memo by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directs the Justice Department and FBI to compile a list of groups that may be labeled “domestic terrorism” organizations based on political views rela...
www.alternet.org
December 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
'A leaked memo by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directs the Justice Department and FBI to compile a list of groups that may be labeled “domestic terrorism” organizations based on political views related to immigration, gender and U.S. policy.'
Reposted by Virtual Vanaprastha
I had fun reading to some Burke Elementary students at the Chicago Public Library today. When the Obama Presidential Center opens next year, we’ll have a new branch of the library for the community to enjoy.
December 10, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I had fun reading to some Burke Elementary students at the Chicago Public Library today. When the Obama Presidential Center opens next year, we’ll have a new branch of the library for the community to enjoy.
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December 7, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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December 6, 2025 at 9:11 PM
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December 6, 2025 at 9:01 PM
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