200 years ago today, our second and third presidents, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both passed away, in 1826, 50 years to the day from the signing of the Declaration of Independence. One of history’s huge coincidences, but people at the time took it as a sign. Somehow this year does not give us much bang as the Bicentennial did in 1976. People took huge pride in celebrating that year. I know I did. No ormolu, no corruption, no vulgar politics. No evil incarnate.

https://this.dayinhist.com/posts/july-4-the-day-that-keeps-making-history?utm_source=1&lctg=1015d69c-c565-4153-9f47-9ae71fbe6e31

In the first few days after the attack on Iran, it was announced that 13 military personnel had died. Does anyone else wonder just how many more there have been since then that the Pentagon has been hiding? There have been multiple attacks on the various US bases around the Gulf, and I find it hard to believe that there were no other casualties. This is a story waiting for a good journalist to investigate…

It feels really hard to celebrate my country right now. How do I celebrate a country with detention camps? I know there are great people here, who are working toward a better tomorrow, but it feels nuts to want to shoot off fireworks right now. Add on this massive heat wave that most of the United States is going through, and I'm just feeling trapped. Of course, then I feel ungrateful, I have a place to live, I'm not in a camp, I have food, and friends. My mental health feels less than stellar right now. Anyway, sorry for the brain dump, I just wanted to be honest, it feels so complicated right now, what do we do, how do we help? I love you all. I hope you're safe, cool, and have a good weekend. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings too, if you want.

One of the first things a Democratic administration needs to do is to regulate the shadow docket, requiring all cases to be argued before the court unless the court itself is unanimous in its desire to expedite hearing something. There may be other ways, but this seems like common sense to me.

https://www.propublica.org/article/supreme-court-shadow-docket-rulings-milestone?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=majorinvestigations&utm_content=river

Yet another reason why AI needs to be regulated globally. Otherwise the world will become nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

https://www.propublica.org/article/google-ai-reporting?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=majorinvestigations&utm_content=toc

It looks like Xi has created this law to give himself a foundation to attack Taiwan. Supposedly allows the pursuit of those outside the country who oppose ethnic unity within. I hope this doesn’t give any ideas to D-Rump…

https://ground.news/article/china-ethnic-unity-law-comes-into-force_e06e5f?utm_source=mobile-app&utm_medium=article-share

It's a big deal when an active duty servicemember is calling for the impeachment, conviction, and removal of the President and Vice President.

https://youtu.be/k2-AyA3SLEs?si=svg0lL5IiBhflfX5

I guarantee you that one thing they have probably not thought to cover is the fact that the heat index in Washington on Saturday is scheduled to be 110°F. It was built on a swamp. Republicans will be dropping like flies! Long lines, pushy entitled people, and lack of enough water services and ambulances will make for one fun time for all… 😎😱

https://apnews.com/article/america-250-washington-trump-july-4-83af0834a23ba5c9962fe2fabe3b469b

Did you know that Microsoft applied for a permit for a warehouse in southern Sweden - and once they had built the "warehouse" they declared they were going to host a datacenter there with diesel backup generators?

I mean, we hear this happening all the time and so let's hate on data centers, right?

The difference is that this is Sweden, and we don't accept that shit. They were not allowed to run their diesel generators, had to purchase battery power instead and in the end they closed the data center down since they couldn't win this fight.

That's how you deal with it.

(They are now using other datacenters in other locations in Sweden, fully compliant with the laws, with renewable energy and not using water for cooling as far as I can see)

RE: https://mstdn.ca/@dbattistella/116824408640081032

Wow!!!

BREAKING: AOC just introduced the AI Data Center Moratorium Act, which bans the construction of data centers until Congress addresses all impacts of AI on our society and planet…

I support this for everyone’s sake.

Do you?! 🤚

So if anyone needs a designer, freelance/part time or full time (but remote cos I'm out in the wilds) then do please let me know. #FediHire

Edit: Got some feedback. As well as all the design and accessibility experience they said I'm really kind, approachable and good to talk to. So there's that. Little bit of a boost there!

We don’t know just how he might have gotten home from that Waffle House, but you can be sure that he was scattered, smothered, and covered…

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/fema-official-waffle-house-steps-down?cid=eml_maddow_20260626&user_email=f5bb105b5d871c983d216c423bd199f6008f35908d7a9d6867ea8f604ddbf2a4

RE: https://stranger.social/@lednaBM/116810883847777422

... in a few centuries!

Supreme court conservatives accused of advancing ‘white-supremacist agenda’ | US immigration | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/supreme-court-immigration-rulings

No kidding!

#USA #SCOTUS #RightWing

@GGMcBG @kimlockhartga

Beloved and I went out to dinner in Denver, a special occasion, fancy restaurant…girl, I put on heels. And makeup. We get to this place, with the ambience and the candles and the waiter handed me a leather portfolio with a QR code.

I looked at it, I looked at him, I looked back at it, and said “No, I will not be starting this evening with a security breach, thanks. May we please have menus.” And I was fully prepared to walk out if they didn’t have them.

My phone is not your business asset. Do not assume I will provide your infrastructure or architecture for free. Fuck off with all of that.

#ICE #ThreatsAndIntimidation Things just seem to be getting creepier and creepier…

https://www.syracuse.com/news/2026/06/federal-agents-track-down-syracuse-woman-demand-she-remove-instagram-post-about-ice.html?cid=eml_maddow_20260625&user_email=f5bb105b5d871c983d216c423bd199f6008f35908d7a9d6867ea8f604ddbf2a4

“Wasting taxpayer money turning the reflecting pool into a giant duck death trap just in time for America’s 250th birthday party is as Trump as it gets. Cruel, stupid and selfish,” said Tara Zuardo, a senior campaigner at the Arizona-based group.

Or “How to screw up the National Mall in five easy steps.“
1. Fuck up the pool aquaculture
2. Install a truly tacky arch
3. Pave from the Lincoln Memorial to the river…
4. Paint the OEO building white
5. Ballroom from hell

https://apnews.com/article/reflecting-pool-trump-algae-coating-park-police-d2ebb174e98913435d2108d60fb8de44

#ADAP #Biktarvy #Descovy
Here is how various states’ ADAP programs have been affected by cuts and changes. Florida has removed Biktarvy and only allows Descovy for those with renal insufficiency. After the end of this month, there is great uncertainty as to how many people nationwide will lose HIV med coverage. Here is a comparison chart:

file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/81EE543B-9736-42A2-B95C-AA2D44370E33/tmp/TempDocs/adap-watch-april-2026.pdf

https://www.poz.com/article/hiv-advocates-denounce-lawmakers-plan-cut-1-billion-hiv-funding-2027-budget