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io9_feed) wrote2025-09-19 10:45 pm
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scrubjayspeaks) wrote2025-09-19 04:39 pmsjmerc_opinion_feed) wrote2025-09-19 11:30 pmSubmit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.
Re: “ABC suspends Kimmel over his Kirk comments” (Page A3, Sept. 18).
Donald Trump and his “Make America Great Again” team want to seek out and punish anyone who speaks out against Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a self-described campus rabble rouser, constantly shielded his divisive, incendiary, reckless vitriol beneath the mantle of “free speech.” But free, irresponsible hate speech has its consequences. While I don’t advocate for assassination or the murdering of those with whom we disagree, I understand its genesis. Had Trump, J.D. Vance or any of the other “cowardly liars” expressed outrage over the assassination of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hartman and her husband by a right-winger, I might have had a different reaction.
We must turn the red tide in 2026.
Jon James
Pleasanton
Re: “ABC suspends Kimmel over his Kirk comments” (Page A3, Sept. 18).
I know how much we love our content on Disney and Hulu. However, allowing Donald Trump to dictate our right to free speech while he continues his hateful and divisive rants on Fox is intolerable.
Send a message. Cancel your subscriptions until corporate America can grow a backbone to stand up and fight for our constitutional rights. We are America. Defend your Constitution.
Jay Owen
Castro Valley
Re: “Silicon Valley needs to address its role in Charlie Kirk’s killing” (Page A6, Sept. 18).
Tyler Johnson should have used the word “them” instead of “we” in his article, in my opinion.
They or them, the “digital titans,” invented the devices that “we,” the rest of us, use willingly or unwillingly. They are the ones who are constantly, it seems, wanting “we” to upgrade our applications or “apps”. It is them who are reluctant to monitor content.
Gerald Veiluva
Oakland
Re: “California must make schools safer for Jews” (Page A8, Sept. 7).
Daniel Klein’s article sounds reasonable: Stop antisemitic materials from being presented in schools. The problem is that the legislation in question, Assembly Bill 715, does not specify what constitutes antisemitism. The original bill established the Office of the Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator, under the administration of the State Board of Education. The coordinator would have the power to decide what cannot be presented in a school setting, and, with little oversight, specify the remedies.
The California Teachers Association opposed the bill due to its overreach.
At a minimum, the bill should have been amended to clarify what would constitute antisemitic content. Is expressing outrage at the Israeli government’s program of death in Gaza antisemitic? How about opposing the U.S. government supplying lethal bombs that are being used on innocent Palestinians? How about questioning the establishment of a Jewish state that expelled non-Jewish residents?
Complicated, isn’t it? Gavin Newsom should not sign AB 715.
Jim Boots
Danville
sjmerc_opinion_feed) wrote2025-09-19 11:00 pmSubmit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.
Re: “ABC suspends Kimmel over his Kirk comments” (Page A3, Sept. 18).
Suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s show is the latest in government censorship.
After the cancelling of Stephen Colbert, Donald Trump celebrated and targeted Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers. Two down, two to go. Then, Trump said federal regulators should revoke broadcast licenses over late-night hosts who speak negatively about him. This is a direct assault on free speech and First Amendment rights, and a prime example of Trump’s dictatorship ambitions and methods.
Kimmel’s “offending” words, “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk,” are confirmed by these actions.
Karen Mandel
San Jose
Re: “ABC suspends Kimmel over his Kirk comments” (Page A3, Sept. 18).
The suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is nothing less than an attack on free speech and an assault on our Constitution. This is how censorship starts — silencing voices that dare to challenge, mock or speak truth to power.
Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, who bears responsibility for this disgrace, should resign immediately or be removed. If not, Congress must haul him in to testify and answer for this blatant attack on free speech.
Today, it’s a late-night host. Tomorrow, it could be journalists, writers or any citizen whose views are deemed inconvenient. This is not entertainment news — it is a constitutional crisis.
Willow Bechtel
Campbell
Re: “ABC suspends Kimmel over his Kirk comments” (Page A3, Sept. 18).
Jimmy Kemmel was indefinitely suspended because of Donald Trump’s loyalists.
Trump, via his loyalists, is controlling the U.S. Department of Justice, corporations, our health department, and the judicial and legislative branches. He has and is eliminating the independence of these institutions and agencies that affect our lives and freedoms.
I’m wondering how much freedom Trump’s loyalists will continue to sacrifice for him. Maybe I worded that wrong; I’m wondering what they won’t sacrifice for him.
Thomas Sutton
San Jose
Re: “Silicon Valley needs to address its role in Charlie Kirk’s killing” (Page A6, Sept. 18).
So Charlie Kirk’s assassin spent a great deal of time online, as do the majority of his generation.
It was not his time online that gave him access to a weapon capable of reaching out to kill Mr. Kirk at over 150 yards, or the ability to hit him with one shot. That was the responsibility of those like his family who support the Supreme Court ruling that the first clause of the Second Amendment is effectively null and void.
This is the fruit of today’s political climate of division, coupled with unfettered access to firearms.
William Gascoyne
San Jose
Two weeks ago, I saw a homeless pregnant woman at a city park in San Jose. I reported the situation to a San Jose park employee (at the site). I also reported the situation to a city of San Jose employee who works at the senior center adjacent to the city park. Both city employees seemed concerned and told me that they would report the matter to their supervisors.
I also sent an email to the Silicon Valley Salvation Army. I was informed that they would contact someone about the homeless woman in the park.
A few days ago, I discovered that the homeless woman was still sleeping in the park. What I discovered firsthand is that the system isn’t broken, but rather, there is no system.
Pete Campbell
San Jose
Re: “Palestinians flee carnage” (Page A1, Sept. 17).
Imagine if we were in the war, getting bombed every day, having to move all our belongings to another place and our whole family risking getting killed. This is what’s happening now, and there are no peace negotiations in sight.
Benjamin Netanyahu is coming to the White House again. Hopefully, President Trump can convince him to have a ceasefire to give a chance for the remaining hostages to be released.
Secretary of State Rubio needs to do more, too, if possible, to end this war and the constant displacement of Palestinians.
Celeste McGettigan
San Jose
Re: “Migrants on flight to Ghana were treated harshly, lawsuit says” (Page A4, Sept. 13).
Aside from the atrocities mentioned in the article, what did it cost the U.S. taxpayers to fly 14 deportees to Ghana on a U.S. military cargo plane?
The same can be asked of all deportees flown out of the United States.
Tom Keeble
Saratoga
icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-09-19 03:00 pmCats know the true meaning of TGIF. Thank God It's Feline time. After a long week of hoomans rushing out the door, clacking away on keyboards, and forgetting that laps are made for lounging, Furiday finally brings the purrfect change of pace.
When the workweek ends, cats get their favorite version of happy hour: extra snuggles, bonus play sessions, and their hoomans finally home to provide undivided attention. No more "just one more email" excuses. Now it's all about chin scratches, slow blinks, and cozy couch cuddles. For felines, Furiday is less about deadlines and more about the chance to curl up, stretch out, and revel in the joy of having their people close by.
Whether they're loafing across your laptop, purring in your lap, or sprawling dramatically across the couch, cats remind us how sweet it feels to slow down. So kick off your shoes, grab some snacks, and let your kitty show you how to celebrate the weekend right. Because when Furiday night rolls in, it's officially feline o'clock… and the only agenda is purrs and relaxation.
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sanjosespotlight_feed) wrote2025-09-19 09:30 pmOne Santa Clara councilmember could see his name on a recall ballot.
A group of District 5 residents, led by David Kertes, launched a recall campaign against Councilmember Suds Jain Tuesday after receiving more than the 60 signatures needed to legitimize the effort, according to a news release. The campaign argues Jain has wasted millions of taxpayer dollars, used questionable ethics, ignored residents’ concerns and pushed for poor parking ideas in his four-and-a-half years of service.
The campaign specifically cites slow movement on downtown’s revitalization, which Jain represents, as well as his stance on getting rid of elections for the city’s police chief and clerk. It alleges Jain failed to report misconduct violations against former Councilmember Anthony Becker — who was found guilty of perjury for lying about leaking a Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Report — and stood against accountability measures to address the situation. The campaign also cites Jain’s support of high city staff salaries, among other concerns.
Kertes, who works in sales, unsuccessfully ran against Jain for City Council last year. He is the primary funder of the recall effort and expects to shell out $15,000 alongside donations, he told San José Spotlight. The campaign needs to finish city paperwork before Kertes and supporters can start knocking on doors. He will need to gather at least 2,055 signatures within 120 days from the 10,271 registered voters in District 5 for a recall to be placed on the ballot for a special election.
Kertes said the recall is worth the money because of growing discontent in the district due to Jain’s lack of communication with residents. He confirmed to San José Spotlight he would run again if the recall is successful.
“The residents are fed up,” Kertes told San José Spotlight. “We just can’t have another three years. Enough is enough.”
Jain said the recall’s claims don’t hold water. He said he helped pass the downtown precise plan and didn’t do anything wrong regarding Becker — which he was never censured for. He said he thought changing the elections was the right thing to do because Santa Clara is the only California city to still elect its police chief and city clerk.
Jain said it seems like Kertes isn’t over losing the election.
“The allegations in the letter are very, very vague. There really aren’t specifics,” he told San José Spotlight. “The one thing that he doesn’t seem to realize is that I’m unable to do anything myself. Everything requires four or five votes of the city council.”
Residents have mixed opinions about the recall.
Mary Grizzle, co-chair of Reclaiming Our Downtown, said it isn’t true that downtown has suffered under Jain’s watch. She said he helped the city start the search for developer proposals and often hosts community meetings once a month.
Grizzle said this feels like a power grab.
“He has been such a positive influence on the community,” she told San José Spotlight. “To suggest that he is not worthy of being a councilmember… shows how sad our direction is going.”
Howard Myers, who’s lived in the city for nearly 40 years, wants Jain gone because he said Jain doesn’t vote with residents in mind. Myers said he’s been disappointed by Jain siding with the San Francisco 49ers over city interests.
“He has these crazy ideas,” Myers told San José Spotlight. “I just don’t understand — why is he doing this? He’s not listening to us. We can do better.”
Contact Annalise Freimarck at annalise@sanjosespotlight.com or follow @annalise_ellen on X.
The post Santa Clara resident launches recall against District 5 councilmember appeared first on San José Spotlight.
wychwood) wrote2025-09-19 07:29 pmDo you routinely have part-worn clothes around?
Never. Clothes are on my body or in the laundry.
1 (3.2%)
Maybe one or two items
15 (48.4%)
Half a dozen outfits in various stages of wear at any given time
13 (41.9%)
My entire clothing stock is spread around my living space in a quantum superposition of dry laundry not put away and various stages of wear
2 (6.5%)
Do you think it's totally normal to have multiple part-worn items lying around the bedroom etc?
Absolutely
11 (34.4%)
It's not ideal but mostly, yes
13 (40.6%)
I wouldn't say normal, but people do it
5 (15.6%)
Why... why would you do that
3 (9.4%)
What's worst
Washing clothes every wear
15 (48.4%)
Wearing clothes for multiple days
1 (3.2%)
Not tweaking your outfit every day for the exact circumstances
1 (3.2%)
Clothes
14 (45.2%)
io9_feed) wrote2025-09-19 10:00 pm
mecurtin) wrote2025-09-19 06:01 pm
sholio has been posting Murderbot recs! I will double her rec (if you can stand WIPs) for Robbing the Hood by case) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fandomsecrets2025-09-19 05:51 pm
io9_feed) wrote2025-09-19 09:05 pm
io9_feed) wrote2025-09-19 09:00 pm
io9_feed) wrote2025-09-19 08:50 pm
io9_feed) wrote2025-09-19 08:40 pm
icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-09-19 02:00 pmGracie has been queen of the castle for four years. She gets porch time, catnip, scratchers, and plenty of play. Even after all that enrichment she sometimes drops a pointed meow that feels like a request for something extra. Her pawrent hears it and wonders what box is still unchecked on the enrichment bingo card.
Then came Jacks, the new neighbors' one-year-old. Window appointments became a nightly ritual. He meowed to be let out, she stood on the porch like a furry lighthouse, and they traded long looks and polite sniffs. Not wrestle buddies, more vibe buddies. Then the neighbors moved out overnight. Now the window is empty. Gracie sniffs the sill, perks at every creak, and looks deeply unimpressed by this plot twist.
Here's the fork in the catwalk. The pawrent feels fine as a one-cat household, yet Gracie clearly enjoyed having a nearby friend. Space exists, budget exists, and a tender gap sits where the window romance used to be. Would a second cat soothe that gap or crowd the throne. That's the purrspective to weigh, with Gracie's happiness at center stage.
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icanhascheezburger_feed) wrote2025-09-19 01:00 pmCats, do they even want to be rescued? This is the question that today's story holds within and it is a good question overall. Some stray cats actually have it pretty made in the shade. Sure they might not have a comfy bed to sleep in, or a hooman to attack whenever they are feeling spicy. But many of them do have hoomans who feed them on a pretty regular basis, plenty of interaction with other cats and animals to keep them entertained, not to mention all the trees they could want to climb.
So when a hooman comes across a stray, looking at it with pity, assuming it is lacking a life indoors, they might be rather wrong. Not that we have any idea how to tell if it is the case, well, other than the cat trying to escape. But what we can take away from this story is that sometimes a rescue is more about helping a cat in need than bringing home a cat child to cuddle with.
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ranunculus) wrote2025-09-19 01:46 pmkaberett) wrote2025-09-19 09:32 pm... and doesn't quite make it.
On page 187 (of 218), we finally get this paragraph:
At this point we need to return to a crucial caveat. In most cases of persistent pain, whatever caused the initial injury has healed. Pain is now the primary disease. But there are a number of cases where there is continual damage that triggers nociceptive fibres; chronic inflammatory diseases are good examples. It is also important to point out that not every case of back pain is our brain's overreaction. A small -- but important -- minority of cases are caused by serious conditions -- cancer, some infections, spinal fractures and the nerve-compressing cauda equina syndrome -- but these can usually be ruled out by doctors, who will be on the lookout for 'red flag' symptoms. However, in the majority of cases of persistent pain (and over 90% of cases of back pain), there is no longer any identifiable tissue damage; our brain has become hypersensitive.
In a book that otherwise dedicates a lot of time to talking about gender and racial inequalities in healthcare access, including a solid half-paragraph on how common and how painful endometriosis (a chronic inflammatory condition!) is, the bit where "well this only applies to most people..." gets breezed past is certainly causing me more feelings. And yet it's still the closest anything I've read so far actually gets to engaging with the fact that the rest of us exist, so... no get-out-of-writing-essays-free card for me here, alas.
(The Painful Truth, Monty Lyman, mostly pretty good and definitely got me to think constructively about a few things -- like the merits of classical vs contemporary Pilates for my specific usecase via discussion of knitting -- and introduced me to some more, like open-label placebos and "safe threats" and the impact of paracetamol on empathy. It's incomplete, but not disrecommended.)
tielan) wrote2025-09-19 11:01 pm