Blogaround

 Links not related to the antichrist:

1. The Walmart Effect (2024, via) "In it, the economist Justin Wiltshire compares the economic trajectory of counties where a Walmart did open with counties where Walmart tried to open but failed because of local resistance. In other words, if Walmart is selecting locations based on certain hidden characteristics, these counties all should have them. Still, Wiltshire arrives at similar results: Workers in counties where a Walmart opened experienced a greater decline in earnings than they made up for with cost savings, leaving them worse off overall."

2. Against fallacy-spotting (May 4) "Most arguments are not about logical inferences. Arguments are about warring narratives. I tell a story, you tell a story, and we each decide what story is most compelling."

Also from Siggy: Why does asexual representation need to be explicit? (May 4) "So what exactly do we want asexual representation to do, and why does non-explicit representation fail to accomplish it?"

3. Not fleeing: New report shows more wealthy residents in Mass., 2 years into 'millionaire's tax' (April 28, via) "Voters narrowly approved a 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million in a statewide ballot referendum in November 2022."

4. Federal judge says results of North Carolina court race with Democrat ahead must be certified (May 6) Good news here. Hopefully this is over. I've been following this because I'm an overseas voter, and the Republican candidate was trying to get the overseas absentee ballots thrown out.

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Links related to the antichrist:

1. Action item: You can leave a public comment on this proposal about Rescinding the Definition of Harm under the Endangered Species Act (via). The deadline is May 19. See this article for info about what this proposed change means: Destroying endangered species' habitat wouldn't count as 'harm' under proposed Trump rule (April 17)

2. Moving to Canada: Immigration Overview for Transgender U.S. Citizens (February 11) This is useful- it's about the reality of how immigration systems work- if you're privileged enough to be able to find a job in another country, you'll be able to immigrate and it won't be much of a problem. If you're in danger in your home country and applying for asylum, you need to know that is very tricky.

3. Fact Check: Trump's HHS Review On Trans Care Filled With Pseudoscience, Pushes Conversion Therapy (May 2) "Before delving into the document’s most egregious factual distortions, it’s worth emphasizing that it has no listed author and bears none of the hallmarks of scientific rigor. There is no evidence of peer review. Instead, the report reads less like a medical analysis and more like an anti-trans screed—politicized, inflammatory, and devoid of scholarly grounding."

Also from Erin in the Morning: "Focus On Real Issues That Matter," AZ Governor Hobbs Vetoes Anti-Trans Bills (May 6)

And: SCOTUS Allows Military Ban That Calls Trans People "Dishonorable" To Go Into Effect (May 7)

4. Trump says he's ending federal funding for NPR and PBS. They say he can't (May 2) "'CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President's authority,' the corporation wrote in a statement issued Friday morning. 'Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government.'"

Hey now is a great time to donate to NPR~

5. Trump orders 100% tariff on foreign-made movies to save 'dying' Hollywood (May 6) "It was unclear if the tariffs would apply to movies on streaming services as well as those shown in theaters, or if they would be calculated based on production costs or box office revenue." What? What on earth?

6. 'We took on Trump and won': USDA will unfreeze money meant for Maine (May 5) "This development marks the latest chapter in the ongoing legal battle between the state and the Trump administration over Title IX, presidential power, and transgender athletes."

7. The ruling against Trump's law firm order shows how to respond in this moment (May 5) "As one amicus aptly put it, '[o]ur judicial system is under serious threat when determining whether to file an Amicus Curiae brief could be a career-ending decision. But, when lawyers are apprehensive about retribution simply for filing a brief adverse to the government, there is no other choice but to do so.'"

8. U.S. intelligence memo says Venezuelan government does not control Tren de Aragua gang (May 6) "The memo contradicts claims by President Trump, who has accused Maduro of controlling the gang, which Trump says is invading the U.S. The government has relied on this argument to justify the deportation of alleged gang members under the Alien Enemies Act."

9. Trump, asked if he has to 'uphold the Constitution,' says, 'I don't know' (May 4)