@Karstan Today is your lucky day...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/28/us-court-blocks-trump-tariffs

@NickGates That route is one of the marquee routes of the system.. the California mountains on the first day, Utah and Colorado the second day (the Glenwood Canyon portion is among the most scenic in the US, if not the world). It *can* run late (really late, like... six hours), so have contingency plans for severe tardiness at the end.

If you can afford it, a sleeper berth is a good idea (it includes meals), but you only see one side of the train.

Talk to train "veterans" for more tips.

@DestinieA Funny thing, last time we were in Europe (2001), we did find a "common language for Europe" that everyone was learning, and it wasn't Esperanto (not one person brought it up)... it was ENGLISH.

Why would anyone learn a language with 0 native speakers, when all of the people with money are speaking English?

BTW, every international traveller we know says the same thing: Europeans speak English to communicate with each other.

This hits hard.

The stupidity of the #orangeDipshit has no bounds. He's trying to shut down the Digital Equity Act because it has the word 'equity' in the name. But it's mostly to help rural white people get online.

“...he didn’t actually look at what this program does... who doesn’t want grandma to be safe online? Who doesn’t want a veteran to be able to talk to their doctor rather than get in a car and drive two hours? Who doesn’t want students to be able to do their homework?”
https://lacrossetribune.com/news/state-and-regional/ia/article_60ca2e4d-6145-5352-af55-95ba7602a31e.html

Harvard is offering free online courses to everyone.

I’m going to Harvard, y’all! So can you!

No better way to fight fascism than a well-educated, well-informed population.

https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog/free.

@danwentzel "Senate Republicans will allow Murkowski and Collins to vote 'no'”...

"allow"... as if Senate Repugnantans have no free will of their own.

@cyclists_of_msn Rerun

@katemorley On a 2001 exploration of UK, we were at a connecting station near the Lake District and the announcement said, "We're dreadfully sorry for the delay, but the train has encountered a herd of cows." We were simultaneously amused, and impressed by the directness and transparency. Amtrak would make a vague reference to "delays" and leave it at that.

@meganhadley Looking closely, I think I see a boot on the front drivers-side wheel.

That said, if someone is sleeping in that car, putting the outside wheel on the curb makes the car level. (I used this trick when living in a step-van many years ago.)

Gene Purcell was a friend of ours...

"If you are on two wheels when you are killed, you are guilty until proven innocent. In 2021, Gene Purcell was riding his motorcycle to work. The initial report states the crash occurred 'after the motorcyclist pulled out in front of the vehicle....'

"...Later reports indicate Purcell was turning left into the driveway at work in a 30 mph zone when a car attempted to pass him on the left.. at 65 mph. .. the driver ran a stop sign just before the crash."

If you're a cyclist (or know one), this story will make your blood boil...

"Tom Heninger was killed by a motorist as he crossed John Nolen Drive on his bicycle. The.. driver drove his truck through .. a red light [at] between '59 and 63 mph.' He was using his cell phone...

"The charge of homicide was dropped. The driver.. was sentenced to 240 hours of community service...

".. but he was 'running late to work' according to [the] assistant district attorney..."
https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-bicyclists-in-wisconsin-are-second-class-citizens/article_5a172c2a-23ce-40e2-844e-91bdbad93422.html #cycling

Chevron (and others) *BROKE THE LAW*!!! They pumped fracking chemicals into the ground without providing disclosures (legally required in Colorado) of what they were up to, or what those chemicals are.

Shut down their wells, confiscate their equipment, and ban them from doing business in the state. Clean up the wells, and fine the oil barons triple the clean-up costs.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/20/us-oil-firms-chemicals-colorado #fracking #oil #pollution #oiligarchy #oligarchy

This "petty gripe" column has me nodding in agreement; and thinking of the lolly-gaggers with wheely carts wandering along the narrow platforms at Chicago's Union Station... totally oblivious to their wandering carts cutting the legs out from walkers trying to get around them.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/20/my-petty-gripe-save-your-leisurely-ramble-for-the-park-and-pick-up-the-pace-in-the-city

@jcriecke ..and if the car's designed/built right, it'll charge up on the way back down.

tl;dr: STFU!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/17/hasan-piker-us-customs-story-backlash

"[David Hogg] describes a generation that played by the rules, only to learn the game was rigged. They pursued higher education, avoided drugs and underage drinking, lowered teen pregnancy rates, voted, often in record numbers, and yet they are saddled with student loan debt, struggling to afford rent, and deeply disillusioned with a political system that has failed to deliver economic fairness or financial security.

“'We still find ourselves fucked, frankly,' he said."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/16/david-hogg-dnc-democrats-trump

@nev Ditto on Audacity. If you have a Mac, you can also do some trimming in QuickTime player.

"The number 86 can often refer to throwing something out, while 47 refers to Trump’s current term in office as the 47th president. According to online publication Distractify, “8647” was originally meant as a form of silent resistance to Trump and his policies. Others have suggested it could be a call for impeachment." https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/may/16/donald-trump-gulf-tax-bill-medicaid-us-politics-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-682741698f0812fb9704172e#block-682741698f0812fb9704172e #FYDT #8647 #snowflake #WhinyLittleBitch

@danwentzel Gee, what could go wrong?