Finished: To Climates Unknown, by Arturo Serrano 📚. I’m generally a fan of alternate history, but the technology in this one is so preposterous (17th century undetectable battle submarines? Atomic bombs without electronics?) that I just couldn’y get interested. Finished the book but will never re-read.
This Revolutionary New Telescope Will Observe the Whole Sky Every Three Days
Terabytes of data per night. I’m glad there are still things like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory being built to awe and delight me (well, and for other reasons, too).
Trump cancels landmark Columbia River agreement with tribes, WA, OR
Years of negotiation wiped out with one stroke of the petulant pen. There is nothing these morons can’t fuck up.
“Mystery”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 14mm, f/9, 1/2.5s, ISO 1250. Fisher Creek Trail
#mbjune Day 13: pathway 📷
Padilla forcibly removed from Noem press conference, handcuffed
Will this be the thing that makes the Republicans in Congress grow a spine? No, of course not.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’ APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
District Court judge just told the Trump administration that their reasons for federalizing the California National Guard are bullshit (he uses many pages of legal argument, I’m just summarizing) and told them to give the Guard back to California. Order stayed till noon tomorrow to give the government a chance to file appeals.
RFK announces new ACIP members, including vaccine critics
The MAHA program to kill children continues to ramp up.
Consolidated - This is Fascism
Seems like time to give this one another spin, 35 years or so since I reviewed the album.
As of today I have hiked over 750 miles this year. That probably explains why my feet hurt.
“Hiding”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 45mm f/1.8 lens @ f/7.1, 1/200s, ISO 500. Steller’s Jay at Spencer Butte..
#mbjune Day 12: hidden 📷
“Around the Bend”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 14mm, f/8, 1/30s, ISO 100. Shot at the Vivian Lake Trail crossing.
Finished: War, by Sebastian Junger 📚. The story of a single platoon engaged in heavy combat in Afghanistan, told by a reporter who spent months embedded, sharing much of the soldiers' danger. In addition to reportage, Junger also digs into the meaning of courage and why men are willing to fight (and die) for one another.
“Stumpseat”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 20mm, f/8, 1/13s, ISO 2500. Chainsaw art along the Diamond Creek Falls Trail.
Entire Fullbright board resigns, citing Trump administration interference
Another Congressionally-mandated, bipartisan, democratic institution destroyed by the narrow-minded thugs who have seized power in Washington.
US Marines arrive in LA; California governor warns ‘democracy under assault’
I think most of us knew democracy was under assault last November, or even earlier. Politicians can be kinda slow sometimes.
Disney and Universal sue Midjourney for making AI ripoffs of their biggest characters
I hope Midjourney gets sued out of existence - along with every other VC-backed company that thinks “fuck the law, I’ll do what I want” (including AirBnB and Uber). This Silicon Valley attitude, I think, bears some responsibility for the continuing breakdown of any social contract in this country.
“Mind the Edge”
Olympus E-M10 IV with 14-42mm kit lens @ 27mm, f/8, 1/15s, ISO 250. Top of a small waterfall near Salt Creek Falls.
How to Protest Safely: What to Bring, What to Do, and What to Avoid
A guide from WIRED.
“Memory”
Olympus TG-6 @ 5.1mm, f/3.2, 1/200s, ISO 100. Remnant of an old homestead in Suzanne Arlie Park.
#mbjune Day 11: brick 📷
Hitler Used a Bogus Crisis of ‘Public Order’ to Make Himself Dictator
We’ve reached the point where comparing Trump to Hitler is not hyperbole.