Old Fucking Punk @lwriemen@librem.one

Jamie Raskin is encouraging people to file Federal Privacy Act requests on their personal DOGE data. Fillable forms here:

https://jamieraskin.com/doge-privacy-act-requests/

#uspol

You may not know that it was funded by Trump supporters and is run by people who have no problem helping right-wing extremists spread and monetize their bile.

If you're thinking of starting a newsletter, by the way, there are many fine alternatives including Ghost (what I use), Buttondown, Beehiv, WordPress Medium and more.

And please ask your friends who use Substack to look at the alternatives as well.
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Please stop calling newsletters "Substacks" --

The vast majority of blogs are created using WordPress software. No one calls their blog a "WordPress" for the very good reason that there are other ways to create and publish blogs.

So if you've been gaslighted into calling someone's newsletter their "Substack' just because they use that platform, please stop. You're just doing PR for a company that manifestly doesn't deserve it.

Why is that?
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The pressure campaign has gotten both Massachusetts Senators to commit to voting "no" on the Republican continuing resolution.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/tally-3

MA residents - please call to thank them and let them know that they are doing the right thing.

Folks in other U.S. states (especially if you have a Democratic Senator) - lean on your Senators too!
https://5calls.org/issue/cr-continuing-resolution-doge-musk/

In the face of the US' abuse of power, the world needs to change. Immediately. Here's a starting point: https://www.cs.ru.nl/~jhh/open-letter-big-tech.html

#DigitalDecolonisation #DigitalSovereignty #ShunTheUS

New Mozilla TOS diff. This is what they just removed:

* Does Firefox sell your personal data?

> Nope. Never have, never will. And we protect you from many of the advertisers who do. Firefox products are designed to protect your privacy. That’s a promise.

The purpose of the new TOS appears to be to enable them to do this - such as for their advertising and AI sidelines.

https://github.com/mozilla/bedrock/commit/d459addab846d8144b61939b7f4310eb80c5470e

Her education was, to be blunt, a complete travesty. She will get a weird look when we are talking about things, and make sure about things that apparently were NOT in the Urban Appalachian educational system she was in.

Things like:

Antarctica existing.

Hey, are you an #REI member? It's time to vote!

REI has been up to some shady shit recently, taking actions that are against worker health, unions, environmental protections, and human rights.

If you're a member, now is the time to vote! A vote against the candidates for Board of Directors will help send a message that members are fed up.

More info here: https://www.ourrei.com/2025-rei-board-elections

DuckDuckGo has started including "AI-Assisted Answers" in response to searches. Any good alternatives for search?

This is a direct affront to the memory of Dr. Anita Kurmann by @CityOfBoston and intentionally puts lives at risk.
With city government failing at its most basic task, public safety, cycle lane users must take it upon ourselves to keep us safe. This means non-violent direct action. There are lots of possibilities. Reply or DM if interested in co-creating actions to combat Boston’s intentional disregard for physical safety.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/07/metro/boston-bike-lanes/

There are a lot of VPN options out there. Here's how you can find the one that fits your needs: https://ssd.eff.org/module/choosing-vpn-thats-right-you.

Massachusetts pals! We’ll be at the Pulp Lit Bazaar (brought to you by Copper Dog Books and Sepulcher Press) at Die With Your Boots On! Mark your calendars!

According to the very serious and intelligent people at the Atlantic Council, if you question the Empire's current narratives or policies, you are a tool of the Kremlin, QED. If you've ever been accused of "spreading Russian disinformation" for pointing out obvious failings in US foreign policy, this is why. If, like me, you've ever been harangued for posting a link to a factual article from one of the listed outlets, this is why.
https://orinocotribune.com/jerusalem-post-targets-mintpress-after-expose-on-israeli-spies-in-us-media/

@mipsytipsy Was buying a copy of Observability Engineering, thought the name was familiar, stumbled onto your blog for the tenth time.

Your latest post on DEI was an absolute banger, but the comments section ate my very long message in praise of it with a "nonce failure" or something.

So here is a short message in praise of it. And a link for other nerds to read it:

https://charity.wtf/2025/02/10/corporate-dei-is-an-imperfect-vehicle-for-deeply-meaningful-ideals/

@FreeScholar #PublicBudgeting, #publicBanking, #PublicAssemblies, #cooperatives, and all the activities advocated by the movement for #solidarityEconomics guard against corruption. And, then also, there are suggestions about how to be antifascist (i.e. "Don't obey in advance.") and antiracist (i.e. recognizing internalized Whiteness, or conducting an equity audit). What do you think?

If you are still actively participating at Musk's vile platform, you are actively supporting him.

Journalists, this goes triple for you. At least be honest about your hypocrisy. You mock your honorable craft.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/elon-musk-calls-mark-kelly-traitor-support-ukraine-rcna195738

From 2021 to 2024 we witnessed things like RICO charges being levied at protesters fighting against "cop city" in Atlanta, mask bans that lock disabled people out of public life, and young college students facing federal charges for peaceful protests, again, all under Democratic leadership. https://www.usermag.co/p/the-attacks-on-free-speech-should

“If the federal government can disappear a legal US permanent resident without reason or warrant, then they can disappear US citizens too.” https://newrepublic.com/post/192558/aoc-ocasio-cortez-arrest-palestinian-activist-mahmoud-khalil

As an American Jew, let me be clear:
-Criticizing Israel is not being "antisemitic"
-Defending the human rights of Palestinians is not being pro-Hamas
-Arresting someone for these things is a violation of our 1st Amendment
-Violating 1st Amendment rights, and bragging there's more to come, is bad