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GNR for Tuesday, September 16, 2025 — More and more good news! [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-09-16
Give ‘em a taste of their own medicine
It looks like Chicago is no longer a target, thanks to Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson standing up to the Felon. But this absolutely brilliant strategy could be used by any police department anywhere.
Rigged Maps, Fierce Resistance: The Battle for American Democracy
The Substack “The Digital Drumbeat” highlighted all the resistance against the current tsunami of gerrymandering from Rethuglican governors and state legislatures. Here’s the list of states where voters are fiercely pushing back. Click the link to the full article for details.
From The Digital Drumbeat by DemCast:
Across America, Republican gerrymandering is threatening to lock in congressional majorities and silence millions of voters. From the Midwest to the South to the Rocky Mountains, GOP legislatures (egged on by Donald Trump) are carving up districts for partisan gain and undermining representative government. But Democrats and pro-democracy activists aren’t standing idly by. State by state, they’re mounting a scrappy, rebellious resistance: sometimes in court, sometimes at the ballot box, always in defiance of rigged power grabs. Let’s take a look at the national counteroffensive driving the fight in 6 key states Ohio: GOP Manipulation vs. Democratic Comeback Indiana: Trump’s Pressure, Grassroots Fury Florida: DeSantis’s Power Grab Meets Defiance Utah: Citizen Reform vs. GOP Defiance Missouri: Trump’s Map Sparks Revolt North Carolina: Rigging Meets Resistance National Counteroffensive: Legal Blitz and Grassroots Fire Nationwide, Democrats are fighting back. The Democratic National Committee and National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC) have joined forces with activists, lawyers, and progressive champions. Eric Holder leads a legal blitz against mid-decade gerrymandering and urges blue states to “fight fire with fire” by redrawing maps of their own. The NDRC is mobilizing electoral campaigns, referenda, and tactical redraws in places like California and New York. Meanwhile, grassroots powerhouses—League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Indivisible, Black Voters Matter—are multiplying. Petitions, protests, lawsuits, mapping competitions: the resistance is building the broadest possible front. War has come to the maps. The pro-democracy movement is loud and furious: We will not be silent, sidelined, or robbed of our votes. Every district, every vote, every voice counts. And this rebellion just might save American democracy.
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Good news in politics
Republican Rep. Michael McCaul won’t seek reelection [joining fellow Texas Republican Rep. Morgan Luttrell]
Not having to run against incumbents should help our TX Dem candidates in these districts.
From KVUE:
Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul announced Sunday that he will not seek reelection in 2026. McCaul, a former chairman of the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs committees, joins two other House Republicans who announced their retirement from public office this year: McCaul's fellow Texan Rep. Morgan Luttrell and Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska. ✂️ McCaul’s district, which represents parts of Austin and spans as far east as the Houston suburbs, leans heavily Republican. He handily won reelection in 2024, defeating his Democratic opponent by nearly 30 points. Texas Republicans redrew their congressional maps last month in an attempt to capture five new GOP-leaning House seats in next year’s midterms, slightly weakening McCaul’s district. Under the previous map, 61.6% of the district's population voted for President Donald Trump, compared to 60.5% of the population under the newly drawn lines, according to data from the Texas Legislative Council.
The House Should Have the Votes to Release the Epstein Files in Two Weeks
From The American Prospect:
Donald Trump had successfully pushed the Jeffrey Epstein scandal out of front-page coverage in the mainstream media through his signature strategy of doing a dozen insane and/or illegal things per day—though it’s not exactly hard to do, given the fact that right-wing billionaires are rapidly consolidating control over formerly independent outlets like CBS News, and the egregious pro-Trump slant at The New York Times. But yet again the scandal has come roaring back, thanks once more to The Wall Street Journal—one of the few papers, remarkably, that has consistently stood up to Trump. ... There is an effort afoot in the House, led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), to pass a measure forcing the Department of Justice to release the full Epstein files. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), a shameless Trump toady, has blocked the measure from coming to the House floor, but if supporters can get 218 votes for a discharge petition, they can go around Johnson. So far, they have 216 votes—every Democrat, and four Republicans: Massie, plus Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Nancy Mace (R-SC). There are two special elections coming up soon at time of writing, replacing elderly Democrats who keeled over dead in office. One was in Virginia yesterday to replace Gerry Connolly; another is in Arizona on September 23 to replace Raúl Grijalva. Democrats James Walkinshaw and Adelita Grijalva (Grijalva’s daughter) are both certain to win and vote for the petition. (In fact, Walkinshaw was named the winner rather quickly on Tuesday.) So unless Trump can pressure at least one of the Republicans to reverse course, in two weeks the petition will go through, as will a floor vote rebuking the president.
Kaine Leads Pressure on Trump Administration for Answers on Strike in Caribbean
From kaine.senate.gov:
[On September 10,] U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)...led 24 senators in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding the September 2 U.S. military strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea that reportedly killed all 11 passengers on board. The Trump Administration has yet to provide Congress or the American people with any legitimate legal justification for the strike, or any evidence to support its claims regarding the basis for this strike or the future strikes it has openly threatened to launch across the region. ✂️ In their letter, the senators ask President Donald Trump for answers regarding the legality of the strike, the intelligence that led the Administration to strike the vessel, the rationale for striking the vessel rather than conducting a standard interdiction operation, and the Administration’s threats to launch additional illegal lethal military strikes in the Caribbean and across the Hemisphere. In addition to Kaine, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Graham Platner Just Sent The Best Fundraising Text I've Ever Seen
We’ve already seen a lot about Platner in the GNR, but I think Qasim Rashid’s take is worth reading.
BTW, Jordan Wood, another Dem contender for Susan Collins’ seat, has lost his initial luster since it was revealed that his husband, Jake Lipsett, is one of the founders of Mothership Strategies, the now-disgraced source of all those hair-on-fire email and text fundraising appeals for shady PACs. So it’s a really good thing that Platner has stepped up to take on Collins.
From Qasim Rashid’s Substack, “Let’s Address This”:
If you have a cell phone, you’ve no doubt received dozens, if not hundreds of texts from politicians crowing about how they’re “fighting to save democracy and just $5 will help them meet their fundraising goal.” Too many of them are instead funded by the same corporations who fund MAGA Republicans, accept money from the same corrupt and exploitative orgs like AIPAC, and sit cowardly silent on the genocide in Palestine, funded by our U.S. tax dollars. This is why my jaw dropped when I saw the text on my phone today from Graham Platner, who is running for U.S. Senate in Maine against Susan Collins. Graham’s text convinced me to donate to him, and my ask of you is to take a moment to read his text first. ✂️ Maine oysterman and progressive candidate, Graham Platner Graham wrote: Nothing pisses me off more than getting a fundraising text from Democrats talking about how they're fighting fascism... Because it's such B.S. We're not idiots. Everyone knows most of them aren't doing jack right now to fight back. As usual, I got ready to respond, asking if he condemns the genocide in Palestine? And that’s when I realized how wrong I was to even doubt him. Graham continued: People are being kidnapped into unmarked vans by masked police. There is a genocide happening in Palestine. Literal billionaires have taken over our government. And all Democratic leadership can do is send us another fundraising text? I was astounded! A Democrat for office speaking so clearly, plainly, honestly, and with such courage of his convictions to condemn fascism and genocide. Who was this person? Some super leftist candidate running in a deep blue safe seat, no doubt? The next paragraph answered my question, and proved me wrong once again. My name is Graham Platner, and I'm the oyster farmer, Marine Corps veteran, and Democrat running for U.S. Senate against Susan Collins here in Maine. I'm not going to speak in platitudes or shy away from what I believe. There is a war going on in this country, and the oligarchy and the fascists are winning right now. A U.S. Marine veteran, running in a purple state, who rejects billionaire funding, condemns ICE raids, condemns fascism, condemns genocide, and acknowledges the fact that the status quo isn’t working. Refreshing doesn’t begin to describe how I felt reading his text. Graham closed his text with a stark truth: In the history of this nation, power has never been just willingly handed to the people. Another mealy-mouthed Democrat isn't going to fix things or protect our constitution. I'm ready to go to the U.S. Senate and fight - but I need your help today to get there. In solidarity, Graham Platner What Graham Platner represents is the kind of politics we’ve been demanding for years but so rarely see: honesty, courage, and an unflinching rejection of corrupt money and cowardly silence. And here’s the truth—simply demanding that politicians reject billionaire cash and AIPAC’s blood money isn’t enough. When candidates like Graham step up, it’s on us to step up too. Donate to Graham Platner for Senate
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The media messing up
The Washington Post Fired Me — But My Voice Will Not Be Silenced.
I don’t have either room or permission to quote Karen Attiah’s full statement, so please click the link. I believe it’s really important for all of us to read it.
I’ll bet WaPo’s oligarch ownership and management were itching for an excuse to fire Attiah, who after Columbia canceled her classes began teaching classes online on race and media. If you’re interested in signing up for the fall classes (starting at $200), here’s the link: Resistance Summer School.
A less pricey way you can support her is to pay for a subscription to her Substack. Click the link at the top right corner of her page.
By Karen Attiah on her Substack “The Golden Hour”:
“I refuse to be silenced. Washington Post can fire me, but, my pen and my voice will only get sharper from here.” Last week, the Washington Post fired me. The reason? Speaking out against political violence, racial double standards, and America’s apathy toward guns. Eleven years ago, I joined the Washington Post’s Opinions department with a simple goal: to use journalism in service of people. I believed in using the pen to remember the forgotten, question power, shine light in darkness, and defend democracy. Early in my career, late Washington Post editorial page editor Fred Hiatt told me that opinion journalism is not just about writing the world as it is, but as it should be. He told me we should use our platform to do good. That has been my north star every day. As the founding Global Opinions editor, I created a space for courageous, diverse voices from around the world — especially those exiled for speaking the truth. I was inspired by their bravery. When my writer, Global Opinions columnist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered by Saudi Arabia regime agents for his words, I fought loudly for justice for years, putting my life and safety on the line to pursue accountability and defend global press freedom. For this work, I was honored with global recognition, prestigious awards and proximity to the world’s most powerful people. As a columnist, I used my voice to defend freedom and democracy, challenge power and reflect on culture and politics with honesty and conviction. Now, I am the one being silenced - for doing my job. On Bluesky, in the aftermath of the horrific shootings in Utah and Colorado, I condemned America’s acceptance of political violence and criticized its ritualized responses — the hollow, cliched calls for “thoughts and prayers” and “this is not who we are” that normalize gun violence and absolve white perpetrators especially, while nothing is done to curb deaths. I expressed sadness and fear for America. x I wish I had hope for gun control and that I could believe “political violence has no place in this country”. But we live in a country that accepts white children being massacred by gun violence. Not just accepts, but worships violence. — Karen Attiah (@karenattiah.bsky.social) September 10, 2025 at 1:57 PM x Political violence has no place in this country… But we will also do nothing to curb the availability of the guns used to carry out said violence. The denial and empty rhetoric is learned helplessness— because the truth is.. America is sick and there is no cure in sight. — Karen Attiah (@karenattiah.bsky.social) September 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM x Because America, especially white America is not going to do what it needs to do to get rid of the guns in their country. It will be thoughts and prayers, “violence has no place” out of a performance of goodness, not out of the resolve to convince their communities to disarm. — Karen Attiah (@karenattiah.bsky.social) September 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM (screenshot from Attiah’s article) My most widely shared thread was not even about activist Charlie Kirk, who was horribly murdered, but about the political assassinations of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman, her husband and her dog. I pointed to the familiar pattern of America shrugging off gun deaths, and giving compassion for white men who commit and espouse political violence. This cycle has been documented for years. Nothing I said was new or false or disparaging— it is descriptive, and supported by data. ✂️ My journalistic and moral values for balance compelled me to condemn violence and murder without engaging in excessive, false mourning for a man who routinely attacked Black women as a group, put academics in danger by putting them on watch lists, claimed falsely that Black people were better off in the era of Jim Crow, said that the Civil Rights Act was a mistake, and favorably reviewed a book that called liberals “Unhumans”. In a since-deleted post, a user accused me of supporting violence and fascism. I made clear that not performing over-the-top grief for white men who espouse violence was not the same as endorsing violence against them. My only direct reference to Kirk was one post— his own words on record. ✂️ My commentary received thoughtful engagement across platforms, support, and virtually no public backlash. And yet, the Post accused my measured Bluesky posts of being "unacceptable”, “gross misconduct” and of endangering the physical safety of colleagues — charges without evidence, which I reject completely as false. They rushed to fire me without even a conversation...
And just to prove Attiah’s point:
(There’s no information on what publication this article came from.)
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Good news from my corner of the world
Portland refugee farm transforms vacant lot into healing community
I’ve bought wonderful produce from Rainbow Farm at my favorite Portland farmers market, including amaranth greens, which are an awesomely nutritious alternative to spinach. They’re especially delicious cooked in coconut milk. 😋
The Portland Clean Energy Fund is funded through a 1% surcharge on the Portland sales of large retailers with $1 billion in national revenue and $500,000 in local revenue.
From The Oregonian:
Roseline Vakkai holding a root vegetable harvest [Roseline Jinedri Yunusa] Vakkai, a transplant from Nigeria, has helped dozens of women – most of them refugees from remote corners of the globe such as Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Afghanistan and Somalia – transform what was once a vacant lot in Southeast Portland near Powell Butte into a lush farm where the women and their families are growing fresh food, healing from traumas and building community. They’re also using regenerative farming methods to restore soil health, reduce emissions and help Portland fight climate change, with the financial support of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, the city’s voter-approved climate justice fund that has raised more than $920 million for community and city-led projects. ✂️ Rainbow Farm [In 2023,] the women [planted] more than 40 crops, including varieties from their home countries – African spinach, yams and beans. This time, the plants survived. “When I saw the seeds for vegetables from my country, I cried. It was like seeing an old friend,” Ame Na, a participant from Thailand, told Vakkai. In the program’s first season last summer, they grew 5,300 pounds of food. They were taught how to can and dehydrate the vegetables. Vakkai handed out leftover bounty to other refugee families and turned the rest into meals for her nonprofit’s food giveaways. In addition to paying for seeds, plants and other supplies, the grant also pays the women a monthly stipend of $300 to $400 to farm. Some of the participants also sell their products at the farm and at local refugee-owned stores.
'We're having a fruitful day': Volunteers help fight food insecurity by picking fruit
Too much fruit on neighborhood trees? Local families who can’t afford to buy fruit? Here’s an obvious win-win.
From KGW News:
Pears that would have otherwise gone to waste. A local nonprofit is working to ease food insecurity in Portland by tapping into a local source. The Portland Fruit Tree Project collects fruit from trees around town before it goes bad and donates the harvest to local food pantries. One group of volunteers gathered in a backyard of a Northeast Portland home on Thursday to pick pears from a tree. ✂️ Heather Kiesler Fornes, Executive Director of the Portland Fruit Tree Project, said the project was created around 20 years ago as a way to address the large amounts of fruit that were dropping and rotting in yards across North and Northeast Portland each year. "It's a really obvious problem to have a bunch of extra fruit and a bunch of people who need it, so just fix it, right?" Keisler Fornes said. "We see that we have a distribution problem with fruit and food in our country. We don't have a lack of food in our country. Mostly true globally as well, so we are happy to be a small part of that distribution." Last year, Keisler Fornes said the group completed over 100 harvests, totaling more than 15,000 pounds of fruit, and this year they're on track to outpace that total. ✂️ The nonprofit does outreach on social media and at community events to find volunteers -- both the ones who pick the fruit and the ones who add their trees to the group's list for harvest. ...At Lift Urban Portland, one of the food pantries that receives the fruit, Volunteer Manager Julie Ramos said the Portland Fruit Tree Project has been especially helpful this year in the wake of USDA cuts. "Getting fresh fruit in bulk is really exciting because then we know it's a really high quality product that we're able to give to our neighbors, so even though it's free food, we give high quality food," Ramos said.
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Good news from around the nation
Johnson County supervisors chair defies governor's order to lower flags for Charlie Kirk
Some very welcome pushback against the canonization of Charlie Kirk.
From the Des Moines Register:
The chair of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors is saying no to Gov. Kim Reynolds' order that flags on public grounds be lowered to half-staff in honor of assassinated conservative figure Charlie Kirk. Jon Green posted on social media that by his “personal authority as Chairman of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors," the county, home of Iowa City and the University of Iowa, will defy the governor’s order. While condemning Kirk’s killing, Green, a Democrat, wrote that he will "not grant Johnson County honors to a man who made it his life’s mission to denigrate so many of the constituents I have sworn an oath to protect, and who did so much to harm not only to the marginalized, but also to degrade the fabric of our body politic. Johnson County flags will fly as usual. I will accept any consequence, whether legal or electoral, for my decision. It is mine alone,” he wrote. His message sparked quick rebukes from Reynolds as well as Republican Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.
California lawmakers pass bill to ban ICE agents from wearing masks
🎩 to T Maysle for mentioning this excellent news in a GNR comment on Sunday.
From Politico:
California lawmakers on Thursday sent Gov. Gavin Newsom legislation that would ban federal immigration agents from wearing masks while conducting raids throughout the state. The legislation, passed by Democrats over Republican objections in this deep blue state, would prohibit ski masks, balaclavas and other face coverings for local and federal law enforcement, as well as officials from other states operating in California. Another bill that would require law enforcement to wear badges or name tags identifying themselves was also on track to advance from the Capitol on Thursday. Newsom now has about a month to decide whether to sign or veto the mask bill. The Democratic governor has publicly questioned whether the state has the authority to regulate federal law enforcement, although he’s railed against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents covering their faces while arresting Californians on the street, in Home Depot parking lots and at car washes.
California bill shielding patients’ names from abortion pill bottles reaches Newsom’s desk
More good news from CA.
A bill that aims to protect health care providers sending abortion pills and patients who receive them has made its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. AB 260, authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), would “authorize a pharmacist to dispense mifepristone or other drug used for medication abortion without the name of the patient, the name of the prescriber, or the name and address of the pharmacy, subject to specified requirements,” according to the bill’s text. Pharmacists would be required to maintain a log “that is not open to inspection by law enforcement without a subpoena and would prohibit the disclosure of the information to an individual or entity from another state.” “California must stand firm in the facts and our values,” Aguiar-Curry previously said in a statement. “This is especially important with the federal government trying to restrict access and the proposed state budget cuts to healthcare. Reproductive healthcare is basic, essential health care. AB 260 ensures we protect patients, providers, and our fundamental rights.”
California lawmakers pass bill to ban ‘ultraprocessed’ foods in school lunches
But wait, there’s even more good news from CA!
From Politico:
The proposal would define as ultraprocessed any food or beverage that includes flavor or color enhancers and that is high in saturated fats, sodium, or specific added sugars or sweeteners. Those foods would be phased fully out of schools by July 2032. The bill’s author, Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, called the moment “historic” and told POLITICO that he’s been working on these issues “before anyone had ever heard of MAHA,” or Make America Healthy Again. The bill passed both houses with only a single “no” vote. It now goes to Newsom for a signature or veto.
Rhode Island and Connecticut sue over Trump administration’s wind farm halt
The lawsuits are working. Keep ‘em coming!
From The Guardian:
Wind turbine foundation components at the Revolution Wind construction hub at the Port of Providence in Rhode Island, in June 2024.
Rhode Island and Connecticut will sue the Trump administration over its decision to halt the huge Revolution Wind electricity project off the north-east coast of the US, the two announced on Thursday morning. “This kind of erratic and reckless governing is blatantly illegal, and we’re suing to stop it,” said Connecticut attorney general, William Tong, in a statement. ...“Wind power is one of the fastest, safest, cheapest ways to meet rising electricity demand and cut energy prices. The only winners here are the corrupt fossil fuel donors who bankrolled Trump’s campaign,” [said Sheldon Whitehouse, the Rhode Island senator and ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works committee]. Located about 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast and 32 miles south-east of the Connecticut coast, the Revolution Wind power generating project is a joint venture between Danish energy company Ørsted and German wind developer Skyborn Renewables. The project has obtained all necessary federal and state permits, and construction is 80% complete. ✂️ The lawsuits come as the Trump administration has rolled out an all-out assault on offshore wind energy, instructing several agencies to draft plans to thwart the sector. That includes some agencies that are not typically involved in wind power, such as the health and human services department and defense department, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. If it comes online, the Revolution Wind project is expected to deliver enough electricity to the New England grid to power 350,000 homes, supplying 2.5% of the region’s electricity supply beginning in 2026. The project is also expected to slash Rhode Island’s planet-warming pollution by 11m metric tons, helping the state achieve its stated goal of zeroing out emissions by 2050.
Iowa must pay $85K because state troopers blocked trans students from Capitol restrooms
The victims of this of kind of egregious stupidity absolutely deserve a $85,000 settlement.
From LGBTQ Nation:
Six months after Iowa removed gender identity as a protected class from its civil rights laws, the state now must pay $85,000 to LGBTQ+ students ejected from the Iowa Capitol in 2020, among them trans students who were denied access to the building’s bathrooms. Iowa Safe Schools, an LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group, sponsored the visit of about 150 Iowa students and chaperones to the Capitol to meet with legislators in 2020. The group’s then-executive director, Nate Monson, told the Iowa Register that, at the time, Iowa State Patrol troopers told several transgender students they couldn’t use one of the bathrooms and had to use a gender-neutral restroom instead. When Monson intervened, arguing that the troopers’ directions were inconsistent with state law, the entire group was ordered to leave. “I went up to the trooper and said, ‘No, that’s not what the law says,’” Monson said. “The civil rights code includes gender identity. He told me it did not. Then I told him yes, it did. And he said, ‘Well it doesn’t include bathrooms.’” The students were then told to leave the Capitol altogether, that they had been banned from the Capitol grounds, and they would be arrested if they returned. The students and several Iowa Safe Schools leaders filed suit in 2022, alleging sex-based discrimination, harassment, and unlawful retaliation. Under terms of a settlement agreement — filed in July and approved by the Iowa State Board of Appeals on [September 9th] — the state will pay the students and group leaders to settle the case without admitting any wrongdoing.
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An important reminder
🎩 to Jess Craven for using this GIF as the title image in Thursday’s “Chop Wood, Carry Water”
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Good news from around the world
Nepal Gets New Granny Leader After Gen Z Riots Set Everything On Fire
I was going to post The Guardian’s deep dive on this story, but then Wonkette’s hit my inbox, and of course I have to use it, if only for Marcie Jones’ celebration of “granny energy”!
By Marcie Jones on Wonkette:
Sushila Karki, Nepal’s anti-corruption Interim Prime Minister In chilling news for corrupt, tyrannical governments and their enablers everywhere, after a 48-hour spree dubbed by media as the “GenZ revolution” burned down government buildings, politicians’ homes, and the Kathmandu Hilton, Nepal has a new leader. Former chief justice Sushila Karki, 73, has been sworn in Friday as interim Prime Minister, she is anti-corruption and seems to have the granny energy to turn the place around if anybody can. ✂️ The blowup came on top of the simmering pot of an unemployment rate of 12.6 percent on an average annual income of $2,000 a year. A young population, median age 27. And meanwhile, government officials’ children were out on social media having the time of their lives, with the fucking audacity and stupidity to flaunt their extravagant lifestyles online like wannabe influencers, posing themselves in their fancy mansions and doing shit like sipping cocktails in luxury hotels in their designer clothes. One politician's son posed beside a Christmas tree made from Louis Vuitton, Louboutin, and Cartier boxes. Nice gifts on a public servant’s salary! Disgusting. And unwise. x YouTube Video While most of the country is living something like this. The government responded to the embarrassing hashtags by banning 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X, WhatsApp, and Youtube, with some feeble lie that they weren’t paying taxes. That also disrupted communications for the roughly 15 percent of the population that works abroad and sends money back home, and remittances make up 26 percent of the country’s GDP. So protestors organized on Discord and hit the streets of Kathmandu. The government made and tried to enforce a curfew, and police killed 19 unarmed protestors and injured more than 200 by firing live ammunition and/or water cannons and tear gas at them. And then protestors burned shit DOWN. Government buildings! Influencers’ houses! The Hilton! ✂️ Protestors also rescued the wheelchair-bound wife of Energy Minister Sharad Singh Bhandari after her dickbag husband abandoned her and fled the country. And the now-former Prime Minister made it out alive. ✂️ Maybe the first female leader will bring stability. Here’s hoping! And let this be a lesson to you rich, tyrant trashbags! Nobody wants to see your fucking designer handbags, cars, houses, trips and gold watches. If you are a billionaire, it behooves you to live your life in such a way that when the revolution comes, nobody wants to burn your house down.
Major Dutch pension fund withdraws from BlackRock, L&G in sustainability push
People have the power to force changes in their governments’ pension funds, and they’re using that power at last.
From Green Central Banking
A big Dutch pension fund has withdrawn mandates from BlackRock, Legal & General and AQR Capital Management due to a shift in investment strategy that puts a bigger emphasis on sustainability. PFZW, the Dutch pension fund for the care and welfare sector which is the 11th biggest pension fund in the world, withdrew €15bn from L&G, €14.5bn from BlackRock and €4bn from AQR Capital Management, according to Bloomberg. PFZW is shifting from being an index tracker to a more conscious investor, Sander van Stijn, head of mandate management for PFZW’s service provider PGGM, said in a blog. “Our aim as an asset manager is to contribute to robust pensions while supporting the major societal transitions of our time, such as the energy transition, the food transition and other large-scale transformations.” Pressure is mounting on pension funds to take more account of climate risks, with campaigners calling on trustees to make sustainable investment decisions and use their voting power to push companies they invest in to go green. They also want governments to consider tighter regulation to force transparency.
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My favorite recent quotes, memes, and cartoons
Amazingly, all the meanings of “trumpery” through the centuries apply perfectly to the Felon:
I wish a reporter had the guts to do this:
This is not only funny but quite possibly true:
This one hit home for me:
Yes, please!
And I’ll end with the groaner which Jay Kuo used to close this week’s “Just For Skeets and Giggles”:
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Good news in medicine
Single dose of medical LSD shows promise in reducing anxiety
I hope this treatment makes it through Phase 3 testing. Getting relief from anxiety disorder with a single dose instead of an ongoing regimen of medication sounds like a welcome breakthrough.
From Medical News Today:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 4% of the world’s population lives with an anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) — a mental health condition where a person constantly worries about everyday occurrences, such as home life, work or school. Common symptoms of GAD include continuous worrying about everyday things, fatigue, restlessness, headaches, muscle cramps, concentration issues, shortness of breath, and sleeping problems. Current treatment options for GAD include psychotherapy, medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and certain lifestyle changes like getting enough sleep, learning relaxation techniques, and avoiding foods that can raise anxiety levels, like caffeine. ✂️ [Dr. Reid] Robison is the principal investigator of a new study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reporting results of a phase 2b clinical trial of a novel LSD medication that shows promise in treating GAD. “MM120 is a medical form of LSD (that) MindMed is investigating for the treatment of GAD,” Robison explained. “MM120 works by increasing connections between areas of the brain that aren’t normally connected, enabling changes that could potentially help treat the underlying cause of anxiety, along with other conditions such as depression.” ✂️ For this clinical trial, researchers recruited 198 adults with an average age of about 41 with moderate to severe GAD. Study participants were randomly given one of four doses of MM120 — 25, 50, 100, or 200 micrograms — or a placebo. At the clinical trial’s conclusion, scientists found that study participants receiving the 100 microgram dose of MM120 achieved a 7.6-point larger reduction in their Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) scores at week four of the study, compared to placebo, as well as a 65% clinical response rate and 48% clinical remission rate sustained to week 12. ✂️ “These results highlight the promise of psychedelics in psychiatric medicine and demonstrate that psychedelic treatments can be evaluated with care and scientific rigor. This study represents a critical step toward expanding effective options for those who are suffering. I am eager to see continued development of MM120, a treatment that is clinically meaningful and presents a potentially paradigm-shifting option for the millions affected by GAD.”
— Reid Robison, MD “MindMed’s focus is now on Phase 3 trials, which will test MM120 in even more patients, to fully understand its safety and efficacy,” Robison added.
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Good news in science
World’s Smallest Snake Rediscovered in Barbados After 20 Years
Given how tiny this snake is, it really is a wonder that scientists were able to find it again!
From Good News Network:
The Barbados threadsnake The world’s smallest snake was rediscovered under a rock in central Barbados during an ecological survey in March. The Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae) had been lost to science for nearly 20 years—meaning it had not had a sighting verified and documented by a scientist—and was on a global list of 4,800 plant, animal, and fungi species lost to science compiled by Re:wild’s Search for Lost Species. At the limit of how small a snake can be, the species measures only about 3 to 4 inches long (9 to 10 centimeters) when fully grown. Each confirmed sighting of the species has had several decades between them, leading scientists to believe that the snake has possibly always been rare and difficult to find in the wild. The Barbados Ministry of the Environment and Beautification had been searching for the threadsnake and several other endemic reptiles for more than a year as part of the Conserving Barbados’ Endemic Reptiles (CBER) project. “Barbados threadsnakes are blind snakes, so they’re very cryptic,” said Connor Blades, a project officer with the ministry, who helped rediscover the animal and photograph it “They’re quite rare also, it seems. There have only been a handful of confirmed sightings since 1889, so there are not many people who have ever seen it, unfortunately.”
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Good news for the environment
Resourceful Singapore Finds Perfect Place for 86 MW Solar Farm–its Biggest Reservoir
From Good News Network:
How do you decarbonize a city state? With so little space, so many demands on power, and so many citizens, generating any meaningful electricity from renewable energy is a major challenge for urban planners. But over its history, the planners of Singapore have shown themselves to be nothing if not resourceful, and so maybe it’s no surprise they’re set to begin construction on an 86-megawatt solar farm. The surprise though comes from where they’ve built it—on top of the country’s largest reservoir—forming a floating solar farm that will join two others already present on two other reservoirs. The contractor, Singapore-based engineering firm Sembcorp Solar Singapore, won the bidding process with designs for an 86MW PV solar farm on Pandan Reservoir, issued by Singapore’s national water agency. It will be the third such floating solar farm built by Sembcorp, with the other two located on Singapore’s two other reservoirs. One was built in 2021, and another was commissioned this year by Facebook parent company Meta to power the data center for its local subsidiary. All tolled [told], the solar panels will generate 296 megawatts of clean energy.
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Recipe corner
🎩 to niftywriter for introducing recipes into Tuesday GNRs! The unusual beverage recipe below got on my radar while I was researching foods that combat inflammation. (I’m currently dealing with an inflammatory condition in my right eye for which I’m undergoing tests. While waiting for results and treatment decisions, I want to do what I can to reduce the symptoms). I happen to love matcha drinks, and I also like turmeric, both of which are highly anti-inflammatory (see here and here). And it turns out that a drink combining the two is delicious!
Golden Matcha Latte (2 Ways!)
The author’s recommendation for buying matcha powder is here.
From Minimalist Baker (an all-around excellent recipe site):
It’s a great day, friends! Two of our favorite things have come together to create a new and delicious drink: The Golden Matcha Latte! After trying alllll the different dairy-free milks and various combinations of spices, we found it! A creamy, subtly sweet, spice-infused drink that happens to be a beautiful mustard green color (anybody else getting vintage vibes?!). But seriously, all the best things about golden milk and matcha in one mug? Count us in! This antioxidant-rich drink is made in 1 blender or 1 pot with just 7 ingredients and 10 minutes required. It’s delicious hot or cold, so we’ll certainly be drinking it a latte. Let’s do this! Ingredients 1/3 cup canned light coconut milk (choose a smooth, creamy brand (we like Whole Foods 365 brand) or sub other dairy-free milk) [You can also use cow’s milk.]
3/4 cup water (replace with more milk if not using canned coconut milk)
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch ground cardamom ( optional ) [I say “Use it!”]
1/2 – 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub stevia to taste)
1/2 – 3/4 tsp matcha powder (use the lesser amount if using a high-quality, potent brand) Instructions HOT Add all ingredients except matcha powder to a small saucepan and warm gently, whisking frequently, until smooth and warmed. Whisk matcha (with a bamboo whisk if you have it) with 1 Tbsp (15 ml) hot water in a small bowl or mug until smooth then pour into the saucepan and whisk again to combine.
Enjoy immediately. Shake or stir if the spices start settling to the bottom of the mug. ICED Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and frothy — about 30-45 seconds.
Enjoy immediately over ice. Shake or stir if the spices start settling to the bottom of the mug.
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Good news for and about animals
Brought to you by Rascal and Margot, and the beautiful spirits of Rosy and Nora.
Rascal chose this sweet video in honor of Rosy, whom he adored. Our bird vet told us that birds consider any other family pets to be their own personal pets, and Rascal’s behavior has definitely proved that.
x This is Nora and Sophie. Their family was a little nervous how Sophie would react to Nora. Had no idea their cockatoo has always wanted a puppy of her own. 12/10 for both (TT: iamtylerrayn)
[image or embed] — WeRateDogs (@weratedogs.com) September 9, 2025 at 8:50 AM
UK Railway Line ‘Hires’ Three New Cats Found Sleeping Rough Nearby
Margot was thrilled to read this rescue story — what lucky kitties, and what lucky folks seeing them at the station!
From Good News Network:
Titch, Clinker and Ash After their previous mouser passed away, the North Yorkshire Moors Heritage Railway Line, were hiring—until they found a trio of black strays sleeping rough nearby. ...they were perfect for the dual responsibilities of mousing and guest-charming. Titch, Clinker, and Ash are still in job training, sneaking up on acorns or each other before executing the take down maneuvers needed to surprise their rodent quarry. When not on the clock, they are doted on by this heritage railway service’s many visitors. The line runs through one of the UK’s oldest national parks: the North Yorkshire Moors. Characterized by rolling hills and heather, it’s ideal rodent country. “We’ve always had shed cats, for many, many years and they all do a great job for us, looking after the rodent population and being lovely for the public,” said Grosmont Station shop supervisor Simon Wall. ...Wall says the public absolutely loves to see them. When the pressures of the job and the public become too much, the mousers retire to a smaller building off-station where beds, a space heater, and refreshments await them.
Life-saving puppy raises alarm after owner's fall
Rosy would have adored this amazing canine heroine! It’s almost impossible to believe that an 11-week-old untrained puppy could figure out the need to push a pendant alarm, but apparently she did. What a smart girl!!
From BBC:
Catherine Anderson holds her heroic pup Chloe and a letter of congratulations from Queen Camilla Catherine Anderson, 71, from Ruabon, Wrexham, lives alone and normally wears a pendant alarm to alert carers to any issues. She was getting up from sleeping on her living room sofa with 11-week-old Jack Russell Chloe to answer a call when she fell and hit her head on the wall. Despite leaving her pendant in the bedroom, she woke to paramedics around her and Chloe fussing at her feet after pressing the red button. Hearing barking on the phone along with Ms Anderson's alarm activated, staff at Delta Wellbeing dispatched NHS paramedics after they failed to reach anyone at the address. Ms Anderson, who woke to a suspected skull fracture, said both her and the paramedics were left wondering "how on earth" they were alerted. "The alarm was in the bedroom, I was in the living (room), it was just me and an 11-week-old puppy," she said. "I'm still baffled and scratching my head until this day," she added. Doctors told Ms Anderson they would not know how long she would have been lying there or "how bad it would have got" without Chloe. Emotional support dogs usually require training, Ms Anderson said, but as she only had Chloe for two days, she was yet to start. Ms Anderson said the whole right side of her skull was black with bruising, and doctors wanted her to stay in hospital overnight. But despite her own health, she remained worried about Chloe, who is registered as a support puppy, but was yet to receive her certificate. "All I could think about was her, to make sure she's OK. But I saw a lovely doctor, who said you can't go home just yet," she said. Ms Anderson spent a night in the hospital but was keen to get home to her doting pup, who she describes as her "shadow".
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