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URGENT: 🚨🚨EARN IT ACT IS BACK IN THE SENATE 🚨🚨 TUMBLR’S NSFW BAN HITTING THE ENTIRE INTERNET THIS SUMMER 2023

April 28, 2023

I’m so sorry for the long post but please please please pay attention and spread this

What is the EARN IT Act?

The EARN IT Act (s. 1207) has been roundly condemned by nearly every major LGBTQ+ advocacy and human rights organization in the country.

This is the third time the Senate has been trying to force this through, and I talked about it last year. It is a bill that claims "protects children and victims against CSAM" by creating an unelected and politically appointed national commission of law enforcement specialists to dictate "best practices" that websites all across the nation will be forced to follow. (Keep in mind, most websites in the world are created in the US, so this has global ramifications). These "best practices" would include killing encryption so that any law enforcement can scan and see every single message, dm, photo, cloud storage, data, and any website you have every so much as glanced at. Contrary to popular belief, no they actually can't already do that. These "best practices" also create new laws for "removing CSAM" online, leading to mass censorship of non-CSAM content like what happened to tumblr. Keep in mind that groups like NCOSE, an anti-LGBT hate group, will be allowed on this commission. If websites don't follow these best practices, they lose their Section 230 protections, leading to mass censorship either way.

Section 230 is foundational to modern online communications. It's the entire reason social media exists. It grants legal protection to users and websites, and says that websites aren't responsible for what users upload online unless it's criminal. Without Section 230, websites are at the mercy of whatever bullshit regulatory laws any and every US state passes. Imagine if Texas and Florida were allowed to say what you can and can't publish and access online. That is what will happen if EARN IT passes. (For context, Trump wanted to get rid of Section 230 because he knew it would lead to mass govt surveillance and censorship of minorities online.)

This is really not a drill. Anyone who makes or consume anything “adult” and LGBT online has to be prepared to fight Sen. Blumenthal’s EARN IT Act, brought back from the grave by a bipartisan consensus to destroy Section 230. If this bill passes, we’re going to see most, if not all, adult content and accounts removed from mainstream platforms. This will include anything related to LGBT content, including SFW fanfiction, for example. Youtube, Twitter, Reddit, Tiktok, Tumblr, all of them will be completely gutted of anything related to LGBT content, abortion healthcare, resources for victims of any type of abuse, etc. It is a right-wing fascists wet dream, which is why NCOSE is behind this bill and why another name for this bill is named in reference to NCOSE.

NCOSE used to be named Morality in Media, and has rebranded into an "anti-trafficking" organization. They are a hate group that has made millions off of being "against trafficking" while helping almost no victims and pushing for homophobic laws globally. They have successfully pushing the idea that any form of sexual expression, including talking about HEALTH, leads to sex trafficking. That's how SESTA passed. Their goal is to eliminate all sex, anything gay, and everything that goes against their idea of ‘God’ from the internet and hyper disney-fy and sanitize it. This is a highly coordinated attack on multiple fronts.

The EARN IT Act will lead to mass online censorship and surveillance. Platforms will be forced to scan their users’ communications and censor all sex-related content, including sex education, literally anything lgbt, transgender or non-binary education and support systems, aything related to abortion, and sex worker communication according to the ACLU. All this in the name of “protecting kids” and “fighting CSAM”, both of which the bill does nothing of the sort. In fact it makes fighting CSEM even harder.

EARN IT will open the way for politicians to define the category of “pornography" as they — or the lobbies that fund them — please. The same way that right-wing groups have successfully banned books about race and LGBT, are banning trans people from existing, all under the guise of protecting children from "grooming and exploitation", is how they will successfully censor the internet.

As long as state legislatures can tie in "fighting CSAM" to their bullshit laws, they can use EARN IT to censor and surveill whatever they want.

This is already a nightmare enough. But the bill also DESTROYS ENCRYPTION, you know, the thing protecting literally anyone or any govt entity from going into your private messages and emails and anything on your devices and spying on you.

This bill is going to finish what FOSTA/SESTA started. And that should terrify you.

Senator Blumenthal (Same guy who said ‘Facebook should ban finsta’) pushed this bill all of 2020, literally every activist (There were more than half a million signatures on this site opposing this act!) pushed hard to stop this bill. Now he brings it back, doesn’t show the text of the bill until hours later, and it’s WORSE. Instead of fixing literally anything in the bill that might actually protect kids online, Bluemnthal is hoping to fast track this and shove it through, hoping to get little media attention other than propaganda of “protecting kids” to support this shitty legislation that will harm kids. Blumental doesn't care about protecting anyone, and only wants his name in headlines.

It will make CSAM much much worse.

One of the many reasons this bill is so dangerous: It totally misunderstands how Section 230 works, and in doing so (as with FOSTA) it is likely to make the very real problem of CSAM worse, not better. Section 230 gives companies the flexibility to try different approaches to dealing with various content moderation challenges. It allows for greater and greater experimentation and adjustments as they learn what works – without fear of liability for any “failure.” Removing Section 230 protections does the opposite. It says if you do anything, you may face crippling legal liability. This actually makes companies less willing to do anything that involves trying to seek out, take down, and report CSAM because of the greatly increased liability that comes with admitting that there is CSAM on your platform to search for and deal with. This liability would allow anyone for any reason to sue any platform they want, suing smaller ones out of existence. Look at what is happening right now with book bans across the nation with far right groups. This is going to happen to the internet if this bill passes.

(Remember, the state department released a report in December 2021 recommending that the government crack down on “obscenity” as hard the Reagan Administration did. If this bill passes, it could easily go way beyond shit red states are currently trying. It is a goldmine for the fascist right that is currently in the middle of banning every book that talks about race and sexuality across the US.)

The reason these bills keep showing up is because there is this false lie spread by organizations like NCOSE that platforms do nothing about CSEM online. However, platforms are already liable for child sexual exploitation under federal law. Tech companies sent more than 45 million+ instances of CSAM to the DOJ in 2019 alone, most of which they declined to investigate. This shows that platforms are actually doing everything in their power already to stop CSEM by following already existing laws. The Earn It Act includes zero resources for proven investigation or prevention programs. If Senator Bluementhal actually cared about protecting youth, why wouldn’t he include anything to actually protect them in his shitty horrible bill? EARN IT is actually likely to make prosecuting child molesters more difficult since evidence collected this way likely violates the Fourth Amendment and would be inadmissible in court.

I don’t know why so many Senators are eager to cosponsor the “make child pornography worse” bill, but here we are.

HOW TO FIGHT BACK

EARN IT Act was introduced just two weeks ago and is already being fast-tracked. It will be marked up the week of May 1st and head to the Senate floor immediately after. If there is no loud and consistent opposition, it will be law by JUNE! Most bills never go to markup, so this means they are putting pressure to move this through. There are already 20 co-sponsors, a fifth of the entire Senate. This is an uphill battle and it is very much all hands on deck.

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

This website takes you to your Senator / House members contact info. EMAIL, MESSAGE, SEND LETTERS, CALL CALL CALL CALL CALL. Calling is the BEST way to get a message through. Get your family and friends to send calls too. This is literally the end of free speech online.

(202) 224-3121 connects you to the congressional hotline. Here is a call script if you don't know what to say. Call them every day. Even on the weekends, leaving voicemails are fine.

2. Sign these petitions!

Link to Petition 1

Link to Petition 2

3. SPREAD THE WORD ONLINE

If you have any social media, spread this online. One of the best ways we fought back against this last year was MASSIVE spread online. Tiktok, reddit, twitter, discord, whatever means you have at least mention it. We could see most social media die out by this fall if we don't fight back.

Here is a linktree with more information on this bill including a masterpost of articles, the links to petitions, and the call script.

DISCORD LINK IF YOU WANT TO HELP FIGHT IT

TLDR: The EARN IT Act will lead to online censorship of any and all adult & lgbt content across the entire internet, open the floodgates to mass surveillance the likes which we haven’t seen before, lead to much more CSEM being distributed online, and destroy encryption. Call 202-224-3121 to connect to your house and senate representative and tell them to VOTE NO on this bill that does not protect anyone and harms everyone.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Jack Ohman, Tribune Content Agency

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

October 7, 2024 (Monday)

People in Florida are evacuating before Hurricane Milton is expected to hit the state’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday evening, bringing tornadoes, high winds, a dramatic storm surge, and upwards of 15 inches of rain. Milton grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in a little over a day, fed by water in the Gulf of Mexico that climate change has pushed in some places to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 degrees Celsius) higher than normal. Veteran Florida meteorologist and hurricane specialist John Morales choked up as he called it “horrific.”

President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, enabling the federal government to move supplies in ahead of the storm’s arrival, but the state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, has refused to take a call from Vice President Kamala Harris about planning for the storm. When asked about DeSantis’s refusal at today’s White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that the president and vice president have reached out to give support to the people of Florida.

As for DeSantis, “It’s up to him if he wants to respond to us or not. But what we're doing is we’re working with state and local officials to make sure that we are pre-positioned to make sure that we are ready to be there for the communities that are going to be impacted. We are doing the job… to protect the communities and to make sure that they have everything that is needed." When asked about DeSantis’s snub, Harris answered: “It’s just utterly irresponsible, and it is selfish, and it is about political gamesmanship instead of doing the job that you took an oath to do, which is to put the people first.”

Before this year, Florida had goals of moving toward clean energy, but in May 2024, DeSantis signed a law to restructure the state’s energy policy so that addressing climate change would no longer be a priority. The law deleted any mention of climate change in state laws. Saying that “Florida rejects the designs of the left to weaken our energy grid, pursue a radical climate agenda, and promote foreign adversaries,” the governor posted a graphic on X that said the law would “INSULATE FLORIDA FROM GREEN ZEALOTS….”

Like DeSantis, Trump and Project 2025, a playbook for the next Republican administration, authored by allies of the right-wing Heritage Foundation and closely associated with Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Ohio senator J.D. Vance, take the position that concerns about climate change are overblown. Project 2025 says the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, whose duties include issuing hurricane warnings, is “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future U.S. prosperity.” It calls for either eliminating its functions, sending them to other agencies, privatizing them, or putting them under the control of states and territories.

The U.S. Supreme Court came back in session today in Washington, D.C. It has decided not to hear arguments about whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTLA) overrules Texas’s state abortion ban. EMTLA requires that hospitals provide emergency abortion care to save a woman’s life or stop organ failure or loss of fertility. Texas’s ban remains in place.

As legal analyst Joyce White Vance commented: “At least no one can pretend we don’t understand the consequences for women, & others, of putting appointments to the Court back in [Republican] control.”

The Georgia Supreme Court today reinstated the state’s six-week abortion ban after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, appointed in 2012 by Republican governor Nathan Deal, decided last week that the law violates Georgia’s Constitution. In his decision, McBurney wrote that “liberty in Georgia includes in its meaning, in its protections, and in its bundle of rights the power of a woman to control her own body, to decide what happens to it and in it, and to reject state interference with her healthcare choices.”

McBurney’s decision came shortly after a state investigation revealed that at least two women in Georgia died after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision struck down the abortion protections the court put in place in 1973 with Roe v. Wade. In anticipation of an end to Roe, Georgia governor Brian Kemp in 2019 signed a six-week abortion ban prohibiting the procedure before most women know they’re pregnant. The Dobbs decision allowed that law to go into effect.

The Georgia Supreme Court stayed McBurney’s decision during the state’s appeal of it. Chris Geidner of Law Dork noted that the court did leave in place McBurney’s block on the law’s provision that district attorneys can have access to “health records” where an abortion is performed or where someone who received an abortion lives.

In her attempt to reach new audiences, Vice President Harris sat down for an interview with Alex Cooper of the Call Her Daddy podcast to talk about women’s issues. Call Her Daddy is the second most popular podcast in the country, reaching as many as 2 million downloads per episode. According to NPR’s Elena Moore, Call Her Daddy’s audience is 70% women, 93% under 45.

Cooper began the interview by acknowledging that she does not usually talk about politics, but “at the end of the day, I couldn’t see a world in which one of the main conversations in this election is women and I’m not a part of it…. I am so aware I have a very mixed audience when it comes to politics, so please hear me when I say [that] my goal today is not to change your political affiliation. What I’m hoping is that you’re able to listen to a conversation that isn’t too different from the ones that we’re having here every week.” Cooper said she had also reached out to Trump, adding: “If he also wants to have a meaningful, in-depth conversation about women’s rights in this country, then he is welcome on Call Her Daddy any time.”

On the podcast, Cooper and Harris talked about the prevalence of sexual assault before addressing abortion. When Cooper quoted Trump’s promise to protect women, Harris noted that he was the one who appointed the three extremists to the Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade and that 20 states now have abortion bans, some with no exceptions for rape or incest. Harris pointed out that the majority of women who receive abortion care are mothers and that every state in the South except for Virginia has an abortion ban. For a woman in those states—and one out of every three American women lives in one—the journey is expensive, hard, and traumatic.

“You don’t have to abandon your faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government shouldn’t be telling her what to do,” Harris said. “And that’s what’s so outrageous about it, is a bunch of these guys up in these state capitals are writing these decisions because they somehow have decided that they’re in a better position to tell you what’s in your best interest than you are to know what’s in your own best interest. It’s outrageous.” Harris pointed out that she is the first vice president or president to go to a reproductive health care clinic, and she noted that those clinics perform Pap smears, breast cancer screening, and HIV testing and that they are having to close because of the abortion bans. She noted, though, that since Dobbs, people across the country have chosen to protect abortion rights.

The article in the right-wing National Review about the interview was titled: “Kamala Goes on Sex Podcast to Lie about Georgia Abortion Law.”

On Call Her Daddy, Harris also brought her economic plans for an “opportunity economy” to a younger audience. When Cooper asked her how she was going to help young people “not feel left behind,” Harris agreed it is “a very real issue and we need to take it seriously.” She promised to address housing costs by increasing the housing supply, working with home builders in the private sector to build three million new housing units by the end of her first term; help with $25,000 downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers; and enact tax cuts for 100 million middle-class working people, including a $6,000 tax credit for new parents to help them afford the costs of a child’s first year.

The Committee for a Responsible Budget noted today that a moderate reading of Harris’s economic plans suggest they would increase the U.S. debt by about $3.5 trillion through 2035. A similar examination of Trump’s plans says they would increase the debt by $7.5 trillion.

Meanwhile, today, Trump openly embraced the race science favored by Nazis. In a scattered call to right-wing host Hugh Hewitt’s show, Trump called Harris a communist and lied—again—that she has let 13,000 murderers into the country. And then he claimed that murder is in a person’s genes, and “we got a lot of bad genes in our country right now.” He has also noted that “it would be very dangerous” for anyone to admit they were voting for Kamala Harris at one of his rallies because they would “get hurt.”

Hurricane Milton spurred meteorologist John Morales to step forward to take a stand, sharing his thoughts after Hurricane Helene hit. “Something’s shifted,” he wrote. “And it’s not just the climate.” He noted that with Helene on the way, “I did what I’ve done during my entire 40 year career—I tried to warn people. Except that the warning was not well received by everyone. A person accused me of being a ‘climate militant,’ a suggestion that I’m embellishing extreme weather threats to drive an agenda. Another simply said that my predictions were ‘an exaggeration.’

“But it wasn’t an exaggeration,” he wrote.

“For decades I had felt in control. Not in control of the weather, of course. But in control of the message that, if my audience was prepared and well informed, I could confidently guide them through any weather threat, and we’d all make it through safely…. But no one can hide from the truth. Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, are becoming more extreme. I must communicate the growing threats from the climate crisis come hell or high water—pun intended.”

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[echodrops]

The Promises I Made (2024)

...Okay, so. Last year, I was like "Oh man, 2023 was even more awful than 2022! I hope things improve in 2024!" Yeah... It turns out I just did not actually know the meaning of "awful" until I met 2024.

I mentioned some of the drama at my work in earlier posts this year (we literally don't even know who is going to be leading us starting in January because the vice president quit two weeks before the end of the semester with zero notice... ha... ha... and then the day Fall 2024 grades were due all of our IT systems collapsed on themselves, so students can't even register; all of our classes are currently extremely under-enrolled and some people might not even meet their contract requirements so there might be layoffs)--and I posted a bit ago about someone hitting my car during the one period of my life where I had an expired driver's license...

But I've also been dealing with some other stuff I didn't share earlier, because I was just feeling really down about it all:

In August, my doctors found an unidentified mass in the soft tissue near my hip; further ultrasounds and MRIs have determined I have both a mass in the tissue and, below that, a tumor in the bone marrow of my pelvis. It's still unknown whether the masses are cancerous or not; I have a specialist appointment in January for further action. Just like back in 2021, I'm now being hit with over $1000 in medical bills with more to follow as they continue to monitor the problems.

My 91-year-old grandmother entered hospice in late November and is living out her final days; my family are all fighting over what to do about her situation because she does not have enough insurance or savings to cover the costs of a longer-term stay in in-patient hospice care.

The air conditioning unit in the home I live in in Texas leaked through the ceiling and nearly caused a cave-in. It needs to be entirely replaced before it can be used again ($3500, homeowner's insurance will not cover the unit, only the water spots on the ceiling... thanks...).

And finally, the home I own in Utah experienced a complete pipe failure under the concrete slab foundation of the house, which will require massive portions of the beautiful laminate flooring I installed just a few years ago to be torn out, the entire foundation slab to be jackhammered into pieces, and will cost upwards of $10,000 to repair, also with the homeowner's insurance refusing to pay a penny.

Trump got re-elected.

So like, 2024 was probably the second worst year of my life (next to 2021, the year I got long COVID and spent three and a half months going in and out of the hospital while a tree fell through my house, the dog I had for twelve years died, and the storms in Texas shorted out the circuits in my house, causing the house to rack up thousands of dollars in power bills while I was in the hospital and couldn't fix the problem, la la la...)

Anyway, this wasn't meant to be a pity party, just a preface to explain: I failed so, so, so many promises because I just couldn't accomplish a single thing this year without a disaster occurring. I tried... Really I did...

Here's how it went:

2024 Promises

1) Step down from my administrative position and return to being a full-time faculty member. I literally cannot take the clown show that is admin at my work anymore. It is actually killing me.

Status: Broken. BUT I TRIED. I submitted my resignation letter and everything and my boss just said no??? I wasn't aware that "We don't accept your resignation" was an actual thing that could happen, but it happened to me. (Apparently, an employer can't stop you from quitting but they can stop you from stepping down from an elected position when you're on contract for that position... RIP.)

2) Related to this, redecorate my new office as soon as they decide where they are going to move me.

Status: Broken. I wasn't allowed to leave my office, so I didn't have a different office to decorate either. 🥲

3) Apply for new jobs!! APPLY FOR NEW JOBS!!!

Status: Kept. I actually did this, and even did an interview or two. However, I didn't like the places I interviewed and also did the math and realized a lot of them would pay less than I'm currently making... It's a bad sign when your job is this shitty and other schools still give you the vibe that they'd be worse!!

4) Train my replacement in the chair position well so they are super prepared to take over in fall.

Status: Somewhat kept. While I technically did not have a replacement, my new assistant is much, much more involved than my prior assistant, so he got a lot of training and I think he will be ready to take over when my contract expires.

5) Put a new sink/vanity in the downstairs bathroom of the Utah house.

Status: Broken. It's hard to do this when the piping decides to explode so you have to pay $10,000 to refloor the basement instead. YUP.

6) Get both bedroom floors sanded in the Utah house upstairs.

Status: Kept. I didn't get them sanded; I ended up doing it myself though. They're not perfect but they're usable for now.

7) Finally get rid of the dirt pile in front of the Utah house.

Status: Broken. I just... did not have the mental or physical capability to do this.

8) Take down the remains of the wooden fence posts at the Utah house.

Status: Broken. Okay so I said this wouldn't be a pity party, but the reason so many of the Utah house promises specifically were broken this year is that the people who were staying in the house moved out with zero notice in July and literally left the house an absolute disaster. Like, hundreds of dollars in damage to the house. THERE WERE ROTTEN POTATOES GROWING ROOTS INTO THE PANTRY WALLS, GUYS. THERE WAS BIRD SHIT ON THE CEILINGSSSS. So literally every ounce of energy I had planned to use for DYI projects was instead spent deep cleaning up that nightmare.

9) Fully clean out and prepare the Utah house to be rented out to new renters. Hopefully the next people won’t sneak in a parrot that poops all over the floor… RIP…

Status: Kept. But, as above mentioned--it was a fucking nightmare. I bought a brand new stove last summer and when I opened it, it was completely BLACK inside. Literally the entire inner surface of the stove was CAKED in black grease as if they had just cooked meat straight on the oven rack without even a pan. I almost committed murder on the spot; y'all were about to see me on the 10 o'clock Utah news, not even gonna lie.

10) Clean off my back patio/car port area so I can park my car there again.

Status: Broken. I just... did not do this.

11) Call the plumber and replace the faucets. Even if I end up having to do it myself.

Status: Broken. I had no money to do this.

12) Get the dead tree removed from the Texas house yard and call the internet company to see about the cable around the tree root.

Status: Kept. I cut the tree down myself with a mini chainsaw. It was pretty sick. Also, the cable is old and dead so we chopped it up.

13) Plant roses where the old ones died in front of the Texas house. 

Status: Broken. I'm actually not sure what I was even thinking of with this one; I leave Texas in the summers so there's no point in planting plants that will just die in the summer heat when they don't get watered...

14) Replace my CPU fan; the bearings are going out and it’s making an annoying noise.

Status: Technically kept? In that I just bought a whole brand-new computer so, hey, I don't have to hear the old fan anymore lol. Love it for me that I bought a $1100 computer a month before getting diagnosed with tumors and racking up thousands in medical bills, then having my AC unit fail, then having the plumbing explode in my house. LOVE IT FOR ME.

15) Organize my documents (especially student papers)—my desktop and documents folders give me nightmares just looking at them. 

Status: Technically kept, in that, again, I got a new computer so there's like... nothing on it. I'll be better at organizing the documents this coming year... maybe...?

16) Related to that, lose at least 20 pounds. 2020-2023 was not kind to me and the stress eating was real.

Status: LOL. Broken. If I thought the stress eating was bad last year, you can guess what it was like this year. I feel like I should also clarify that one of the potential causes of the tumors near and in my pelvis is that last year I fell and fractured said pelvis so I couldn't actually do any meaningful exercise for months and the increasing pain from that lingering injury is what drove me to doctor to check the area in the first place, which is how I found out I have said tumors. ...Yay.

17) Do at least one artwork to actually use that paint program I bought. 

Status: Broken. I... yeah... I didn't do this.

18) Pay my credit debt down by at least $2000. I’m still paying off the hell year, but I hope I can make progress on this.

Status: HA. "I'm still paying off the hell year." OH YOU SWEET SUMMER CHILD. You had no idea what was coming...

19) Buy all the Noragami volumes I am missing and do a complete re-read of Noragami now that the series is finishing up.

Status: Somewhat kept. I did get the final volume at last so I should have them all now, but I still need to do the re-read. Mood's been pretty low so "Abuse: The Manga" was not at the top of my reading list this last year. 😂

20) This is super nerdy, but my bro got me the FFXIV cookbook and made me promise to actually use it, so I guess I’d better at least try to make something from it.

Status: Broken. I forgot I made this promise. Next year for sure. T_T

21) Finish at least five books this year.

Status: Broken, maybe? I actually can't remember how many books I read this year because the year is such a nightmarish blur to me. I think it was close but since I can't confirm, I'm just gonna say I didn't make it.

22) Update HaaH at least once. Please, Echo???

Status: Broken. I sure would have loved to have a single bit of mental capacity left to write anything this year, but I didn't. At all.

23) Reach the new level cap with all jobs in FFXIV!

Status: Broken. I feel like this is the most shocking broken promise on the list actually, but I kinda... stopped playing FF throughout this year...

24) Go to the graduation ceremony for my family friend.

Status: Broken. I feel really bad about this, but the timing did not work out--I wasn't able to take enough time off work to go. I did watch the livestream though!

25) Catch up with hanging up all the charms/pins I’ve gotten recently on my corkboards; these are just sitting in boxes/bags around the house. D;

Status: Actually kept. I'm impressed with myself.

26) Fully deep clean and vacuum/detail my own car at home. No more of the “It doesn’t make sense to clean it out now; the dog is just going to go back in it.” The dog is always going to go back in it. Clean it, Echo.

Status: "But I'm going to travel again in just a few weeks. I'll do it after I get back." - Echo, who very much did not detail her car.

27) Help my parents tear out the carpet in my old childhood bedroom.

Status: Broken. It's kind of hard to pull out carpet when there's no place to move the room's furniture to, lol. 2025 though! That'll be the year!

28) See at least three new species of birds. Doesn’t matter where, just three new ones!

Status: Kept and exceeded--I saw eight new species this year, including my first species of cuckoo!

29) Reach 3500 followers. Can I do it? You should follow me if you’re not already; I’m pretty cool. Just sayin’!

Status: Kept. Thanks for following me, guys! I hope that 2025 will give me less trouble so I can go back to posting a bit more reguarly.

30) Cancel all the subscriptions I don’t need. There’s literally no reason to sit around letting companies passively profit off me when I don’t even really use the services/the services keep getting worse while the costs keep going up.

Status: Kept. Fuck you, Netflix. Fuck you, Spotify. Fuck you, Amazon Prime. I'm free!!

31) Go out on at least a day trip to take pictures with my friend. We haven’t done this in quite some time. I need to touch grass.

Status: Kept. We went out to an arboretum and had a lovely day. Here are a few of the photos I took:

32) Repair the lovely one-of-kind ceramic plate that my dog broke with kintsugi. I want to try it at least once!

Status: Broken. I keep asking for one of those "food safe" kintsugi kits for Christmas but I think my family can't spell the word well enough to even search it up online lol.

33) Really look hard for my passport in my house. It’s been missing for like a year and a half now, and I don’t want to have to pay for a new one.

Status: Kept. I did honestly look pretty hard for it, I just never found it. I was also informed by the good old DMV that the passport is now super expired anyway, so I guess there is no point to keep looking.

34) Put all the small prints, postcards, and stickers I have collected in my new mini-print books. I can even use up washi tape to decorate too. (Finally, a purpose for the washi tape…)

Status: Broken. I did not do this. I did buy the small books and collected all the small prints to put in the books, but I did not actually put them in, let alone use the washi tape to do so lol. A project for next year, I guess.

35) Shred the million pieces of old mail I have lying around the house. I finally got the shredder so it just makes sense to use it.

Status: Somewhat kept. I made progress!! I did not shred ALL the things, but I did shred some of the things. That's something...

36) Have more follow-through with chores. It’s not enough to wash the clothes or do the dishes if I then procrastinate on folding the clean laundry and putting the dried dishes back in the cabinets…

Status: Actually, somehow of all things, this was kept. I think because my life was sooo bad in ways outside my control this year that I ended up compensating by overdoing it on things I could control. I definitely had a cleaner house in 2024 than before.

37) Put reminders for birthdays and major events in my phone as well as set a monthly reminder to check these promises. Maybe I’ll be able to keep more promises if I look at the list more often throughout the year!

Status: Kept. I did put the reminders in my phone. I wasn't that great at actually following through and buying cards/hosting parties (nor at keeping the promises) but I did set the reminders lol.

38) Since I can’t afford to go to the salon, spa, etc. too much this year, I should at least do some self-care days at home. Will this be the year I finally manage to use all the fancy scrubs and face masks and bath salts I keep getting from people?

Status: Somewhat kept. Honestly, I feel like I should count this as kept just for the fact that I did finally, FINALLY use the sugar scrub I bought like five years ago, which is the specific item that prompted this promise in the first place. IT'S GONE. I USED IT. I also used like... one of the masks people bought. But it was not as nice of an experience as I thought it would be. I don't know why I didn't anticipate that it would be a cold and slimy feeling lolol.

39) Use up one whole notebook. It doesn’t matter what goes in the notebook, but I gotta use the whole thing from cover to cover. I have so many pretty notebooks that never get used just because they’re pretty.

Status: Broken. I really don't write by hand that much... I just type... And that's when I'm even writing at all... Oof.

40) Change the burned-out lightbulbs in the recessed lighting in the Texas house ceiling. It’s like twelve feet high and the lightbulb changer stick I bought didn’t work, so I’m going to have to find someone with a ladder. Save me, handyman. Save me.

Status: Broken. I have executive dysfunction specifically for the act of calling people to ask them to come fix things. There are probably so many handymen available in my town and yet. The lightbulbs are not changed.

41) Build the pretty koi paper lantern my brother got me, or the Korean temple model my coworker gave me after his trip to Korea.

Status: Broken. I hid under my covers instead of doing anything productive or artistically creative this year.

42) Actually use the yoga mat I bought forever ago. At least a few times, please???

Status: Broken. I feel like I at least have a slight excuse for this one; after my fall last year, I had massive pain from my fractured pelvis that actually grew in intensity over time, so doing certain stretches or heavy exercise was pretty much right out. Turns out that still feeling pain from a fall that took place a year ago is not normal; those are tumors, Echo. I'm hoping that dealing with that situation this year will help relieve some of the pain and make it easier to exercise again.

43) Finish watching the Fruits Basket remake with Kacchan. I think we stopped in the second season, RIP.

Status: I'm going to count this as kept because we have just four more episodes left and we will definitely be able to finish them within the first week of 2025. IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH, OKAY.

44) Spend more time with coworkers—go out to lunch more often.

Status: Kept. I don't think that I really managed to go out to lunch with people that much more often, but I did overall spend more time with coworkers I think; we started getting group tickets to the community theater and saw several plays together this year.

45) See about removing the PMI from at least one of my house loans to try to save money. I’ve been paying on these loans long enough I shouldn’t need PMI anymore.

Status: Broken. I really needed to do this honestly but I didn't.

46) Practice my German skills (or I guess other language skills?) by translating something at least once a month.

Status: Broken. I just... did not do this.

47) Get a new bookshelf. The current ones in both my office and foyer are already overflowing. @_@

Status: Kept! But... I promptly filled the entire new bookshelf, so... I need another new bookshelf already lmaooo.

48) Make more time to call people and talk on the phone. Texting is not the same. D;

Status: Kept! I talked to my lovely friend Kacchan on the phone soooo much more this year!

49) Get the new COVID vaccine to stay healthy.

Status: Kept. I did not get sick for Christmas this year; one bright spot!

50) I will keep my promises! 

Status: Ehhhhhh... A little here, a little there, as always. I guess it could have been worse!

Kept promises: 19

Somewhat kept/broken: 5

Broken: 26

See yah tomorrow for 2025's new promises!

[lboogie1906]

Stephanie Diana Wilson (September 27, 1966) is a NASA astronaut, and engineer, and is the second African American woman to go into space. She was born in Boston. She received a BS in Engineering from Harvard University. She earned an MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas.

She worked for two years at Martin Marietta Astronautics Group, where she served as a loads and dynamics engineer for the Titan IV rockets. She began working for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Her duties were software development and assessing the accuracy and performance of the Galileo spacecraft.

NASA selected her as an astronaut in April 1996. She qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. She was assigned technical duties with the orbiting space station but she worked in mission control as a prime communicator with on-orbit crews.

She flew her first mission in space aboard the space shuttle mission STS-121. She has flown on a total of three shuttle missions. On the STS-121, she was a mission specialist. She flew on the STS-120 mission that delivered the Harmony connecting module to the international space station, and in April 2010, she flew as a mission specialist again aboard the STS-131.

The STS-121 mission, her most important flight, brought new equipment and procedures to the international space station. She was responsible for the transfer of more than twenty-eight thousand pounds of equipment and supplies to the ISS.

She received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. She received the Young Outstanding Texas Exes Award and the NASA Space Flight Medal. She received the Harvard College Women’s Professional Achievement Award, the Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year award, and the Honorary Doctorate of Science from Williams College.

She is a Christian. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Her hobbies include skiing and stamp collecting. She is married to Julius McCurdy. She remains an active astronaut and engineer for NASA. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #alphakappaalpha

[maleswillbemale]

Are there any Lakota feminists you admire?

It's a little hard to compile a list of Lakota feminists specifically. While there are some, there aren't enough, and I'd like to broaden my answer to cover more than just Lakota women fighting for feminism for Indigenous women all over the world. I hope that's okay.

These are women I encourage anyone to look up and check out their work, we all come from different backgrounds so I might not agree with/have experienced everything shared by them but I think every Indigenous woman's voice is important!

Jihan Gearon - Navajo, feminist and artist

Tarcila Rivera Zea - Quechuan, feminist activist, founder of multiple organizations for Indigenous women

Debora Barros Fince - Waayu, activist and human rights defender and lawyer in Colombia

Rauna Kuokkanen - Sami, professor and Indigenous feminist activist

Aileen Moreton-Robinson - Goenpul, Indigenous feminist and author, Australia's first Indigenous Distinguished Professor

Sarah Eagle Heart - Lakota, author and co-founder of Return to the Heart Foundation

Madonna Thunder Hawk - Lakota, civil rights activist and co-founder of Women of All Red Nations

Mandeí Juma - Chief of the Juma

Ávelin Kambiwá - Kambiwá, specialist in public policies on gender/race, feminist in Brazil

Jodi Voice Yellowfish - Creek, Lakota, and Cherokee, founder and chair of the MMIW Texas Rematriate organization

Wilma Mankiller - Cherokee, first female principal chief of her nation

Annie Mae Aquash - Mi'kmaq, member of AIM, deserves justice for her murder

Jolie Varela - Paiute, led a hike with indigenous women across their cultural land as an expression of sovereignty, founder of Indigenous Women Hike

Lee Maracle - Stó꞉lō, feminist author

Tillie Black Bear - Lakota, activist for domestic violence towards Indigenous women

Other Indigenous women I look up to/admire, not necessarily feminist specific:

The Bearhead Sisters - Sister trio singing group, Wilhnemme

Acosia Red Elk - Umatilla, jingle dancer

Deb Haaland - Laguna Pueblo, Interior Secretary for the USA

Amelia Marchand - Colville, warrior against climate change

Lydia Jennings - Pascua Yaqui and Huichol, warrior against climate change

Roberta Tuurraq Glenn-Borade - Iñupiaq, warrior against climate change

Robin Wall Kimmerer - Potwatomi, fantastic author, please read her book Braiding Sweetgrass if you haven't already

Fawn Wood - Cree and Salish musician

Moving Robe Woman - Lakota warrior, fought against Custer in the Battle of Little Big Horn to avenge her murdered brother

Buffalo Calf Road Woman - Cheyenne warrior who was the one to knock General Custer off his horse during the Battle of Little Big Horn

Bernie LaSarte - Coeur d'Alene, program manager for the STOP Violence Program

Mary Jane Miles - Nez Perce, tribal vice chairman

Crystalyne Curley - Navajo, first woman to become Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council

Article about multiple Indigenous women in Mexico who run Indigenous women's centers

Lily Gladstone - Blackfeet and Nez Perce actress

Rebecca Thomas - Mi'kmaw poet and activist

Sacheen Littlefeather - Apache and Yaquim actress. Keeler is a horrible person and not worthy of listening to whatsoever, Sacheen Littlefeather did more activism for Indian Country than Keeler will ever accomplish in her miserable life

Brianna Theobald - Not Indigenous to my knowledge (I could definitely be wrong), but researched and wrote a wonderful book about the treatment of Indigenous women in regards to reproduction and sterilization

The brave woman at Standing Rock photographed by Ryan Vizzions. She has since passed away due to a car accident I believe, but I'm struggling to find her name. Once I find it, I'll update this post.

Honor the Grandmothers is a good book to hear Lakota and Dakota women elders share their experiences.

[amymedbiller]

Leading 10 Schools for Medical Billing: Your Guide to a Rewarding Career in Healthcare

Top 10 Schools for Medical Billing: ⁤Your Guide to a Rewarding Career ‍in Healthcare

top ‌10 Schools ‍for Medical Billing: ‌Your Guide to a Rewarding Career in Healthcare

Choosing a career in healthcare, particularly in medical billing, can offer a fulfilling path with notable job⁢ opportunities.‍ As healthcare continues to evolve, the demand for certified medical billing specialists is growing. This article will guide you thru the top 10 schools for medical billing,what they‍ offer,and how they can help pave the way for your ⁢successful career.

Why Pursue a Career in Medical Billing?

Medical billing plays a crucial role in the healthcare system, ensuring that healthcare providers are reimbursed for their services. Here ‌are a few benefits of pursuing a career in this field:

Job Stability: ⁢ The healthcare industry continuously grows, creating a reliable job market.

Competitive Salary: Medical billing specialists can earn a decent salary, often starting around $40,000 ⁣annually.

Flexible Work Options: Many ⁤positions offer remote work opportunities, providing a work-life balance.

Opportunities for​ Advancement: With experience,professionals can advance to ⁣supervisory roles or specialized positions.

Top 10 Schools for Medical Billing​ Programs

School Name

Location

Program Duration

Ashworth College

Online

6 ⁤months

Keiser University

Florida

1 year

Southern Careers Institute

Texas

9 months

American National university

Virginia

1 year

University of Phoenix

Online

2 ‌years

West Coast ⁤University

California

10 months

Fortis College

Multiple ⁢Locations

1 year

california College San Diego

California

9 months

Penn⁤ Foster ‌College

Online

8 months

Ultimate Medical Academy

Online

1 year

1.Ashworth College

Offering an accredited online program, Ashworth College allows students to complete their medical billing training at their own pace, usually within​ six months.

2. Keiser University

Located in Florida, Keiser University provides a thorough curriculum that blends theoretical​ knowledge with practical experience over a year-long program.

3. Southern Careers Institute

This‍ Texas-based institution offers a 9-month diploma in medical billing and coding,focusing ​on hands-on training to prepare⁤ students for real-world challenges.

4. American ⁣National University

American National University offers a strong foundation in medical ‌billing, with a curriculum tailored to the evolving demands of the healthcare industry.

5. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix delivers an Associate’s Degree in Health Details Technology that includes medical billing training over a two-year ‍period.

6. west Coast University

A 10-month diploma program is available at West Coast University, ‌emphasizing coding ‌and billing practices for effective medical reporting.

7.Fortis College

With multiple locations, Fortis College provides training in medical billing and coding aimed at equipping students for immediate employment.

8. California College San Diego

This ​college ⁣offers a practical 9-month program focused on the skills necessary for medical billing roles in various healthcare settings.

9.Penn Foster College

Penn Foster’s online program allows students to learn at their own pace and is designed ​to ​be completed ‍in approximately eight ⁢months.

10. Ultimate Medical ‍Academy

Offering a one-year online‌ program, ultimate Medical Academy supports students with personal mentorship ⁢and a ⁣robust job placement​ program.

Practical Tips for Success in Medical Billing

Here are practical tips to thrive in the medical billing field:

Stay Updated: Regularly update your⁤ knowledge​ about changes in healthcare laws and billing regulations.

Networking: Join local⁢ and online healthcare professional groups to connect and⁢ share ⁣resources.

Utilize Software Tools: ‌Familiarize yourself with common medical billing‍ software to enhance efficiency.

Consider Certification: ⁤Obtaining certifications, such ‌as the Certified Billing and⁤ Coding ⁤Specialist (CBCS), can enhance job prospects.

First-hand Experiences: Success Stories from the Field

many professionals in medical billing find their careers rewarding.For⁢ example, Sarah, a graduate of ‌American National University, shares:

‌ ‌ “Completing my medical billing program opened doors I ​never imagined! Not only did I land a new job ‌almost immediately, but I also learned skills that helped me advance within the first ‍year!”

Conclusion

Embarking ⁢on a career in ​medical billing can be both ⁣fulfilling and lucrative. With ⁣numerous schools offering ⁤quality programs and practical training, aspiring medical billing specialists have various options to choose from. By selecting the right program and following ​best ‍practices,⁤ you‍ can pave the way for a successful career in the ever-growing field of healthcare management.

https://schoolsformedicalbilling.org/leading-10-schools-for-medical-billing-your-guide-to-a-rewarding-career-in-healthcare/

[oubaitoripsychotherapy]

Navigating Professional Stress and Mental Health Challenges in Texas

The Importance of Mental Health Support for Professionals

Professional environments often demand relentless productivity and perfection, leaving little room for error or self-care. These pressures can lead to heightened anxiety, burnout, and even long-term mental health conditions. Seeking therapy not only helps professionals manage their stress but also provides tools to improve focus, resilience, and interpersonal relationships. Therapy For Professionals Texas caters specifically to these needs, ensuring that individuals can navigate the challenges of their careers without compromising their emotional well-being. Mental health support tailored for professionals creates a foundation for long-term personal and professional success.

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder in Depth

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by intense emotional swings, fear of abandonment, and difficulties in maintaining relationships. Individuals with BPD may also struggle with self-image and impulsive behavior, making everyday life challenging. Specialized therapy plays a critical role in managing BPD, helping individuals develop coping strategies and improve emotional regulation. A Borderline Personality Disorder Specialist is equipped with the expertise to provide targeted support, guiding clients toward healthier thought patterns and stronger interpersonal connections.

Addressing Emotional Challenges in Professional Lives

Professionals often grapple with emotional challenges that go unnoticed amidst their busy routines. Unresolved issues such as workplace conflicts, perfectionism, and self-doubt can exacerbate mental health struggles, including symptoms of BPD. Therapy provides a confidential platform to confront these issues, fostering self-awareness and emotional resilience. Through Therapy For Professionals Texas, individuals can learn to manage their emotional triggers and build a healthier work-life balance. Addressing these challenges with professional guidance can significantly enhance both productivity and overall well-being.

The Role of Specialists in Treating Borderline Personality Disorder

Effective treatment for BPD requires specialized knowledge and a compassionate approach. A Borderline Personality Disorder Specialist uses evidence-based therapies, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), to address the unique needs of individuals living with this condition. These specialists focus on helping clients navigate emotional dysregulation, reduce impulsive behaviors, and strengthen their interpersonal skills. With the right support, individuals with BPD can experience profound improvements in their mental health and quality of life, breaking free from the cycles of emotional instability that often accompany the disorder.

[epiomneuro]

EPIOM's Expansion: Bringing Premier Neuromonitoring Services Nationwide

What began as a commitment to providing exceptional neuromonitoring services in San Antonio has grown into a mission to bring our expertise to patients and surgical teams across the country. At EPIOM, we’re proud to announce our expansion, offering high-quality intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) services on a national scale.

This growth is driven by our belief that every patient deserves access to the safest surgical experience possible. By expanding our reach, we’re able to partner with more hospitals and surgical centers, delivering the same level of excellence that has defined our work in Texas.

Our national expansion is built on a foundation of collaboration and innovation. We’ve invested in state-of-the-art technology and a highly trained team of specialists to ensure that our services meet the needs of diverse surgical environments. From complex spinal surgeries to delicate cranial procedures, our expertise is now available to support patients and surgeons across the United States.

As we grow, our commitment to personalized care remains unwavering. Each patient we serve benefits from a tailored neuromonitoring strategy, designed to enhance safety and optimize surgical outcomes. By bringing our services nationwide, we’re setting a new standard for excellence in IONM.

To learn more about EPIOM’s expansion and how we can support your surgical team, visit https://epiomneuro.com and join us on our journey to redefine surgical safety.

[firstpageranks]

Full Service Marketing Agency Zirakpur | Best Digital Marketing Expert Company in India | Top Digital Marketing Services in Dubai | Best Digital Marketing Services Agency in USA

FirstPageRanks is a digital marketing company in Zirakpur with Google certification that is well-known for offering a full range of services specifically designed to cater to the various demands of businesses. FirstPageRanks is an expert team of specialists with the most up-to-date industry knowledge and techniques. Our organization is dedicated to using data-driven techniques to increase the online visibility of its clients and promote long-term success. FirstPageRanks, a Google approved partner, uses cutting-edge technologies and best practices to guarantee efficient campaign administration. With our customer-focused strategy and successful track record, FirstPageRanks is a top option for companies looking to improve their online visibility in a market that is getting more and more competitive.

As a leading supplier of strategic digital marketing services, FirstPageRanks distinguishes itself by focusing on providing brands with results-driven solutions that help them rise above the competition in the online space. FirstPageRanks creates customized marketing tactics that connect with target audiences thanks to its deep understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics. In order to increase brand awareness and generate visitors, we offer a full range of services, such as SEO optimization, pay-per-click advertising, social media management, and content marketing.

The foundation of FirstPageRanks’ methodology is a commitment to making decisions based on data. Our team uses cutting-edge analytics tools to monitor performance data on a regular basis, which enables them to make quick changes to campaigns that optimize return on investment. Our commitment to measurable outcomes is matched with in-depth knowledge of the newest developments in digital marketing trends and technology, guaranteeing that customers remain ahead of the curve.

Moreover, FirstPageRanks takes great satisfaction in cultivating enduring relationships with its customers by placing a premium on open communication and ongoing cooperation. Long-term success is a result of this client-centric mindset, which also raises consumer happiness. Having successfully transformed businesses and produced quantifiable results in the past, FirstPageRanks is the partner of choice when it comes to negotiating the intricacies of the digital marketing environment. Our creative ideas and strategic insights may assist any size organization, from startups to well-established corporations, in meeting its marketing objectives and growing.

If you are looking for a leading digital transformation services provider in Zirakpur that provides affordable and professional internet marketing services in India and the USA, First Page Ranks is your go-to choice. With our expertise in Google marketing, SEO, PPC, social media marketing, website design, website development, e-commerce solutions, conversation rate optimization, performance marketing, domain hosting, domain registration, website maintenance, and more, FirstPageRanks can help you take your business to new heights in the digital world. Choose FirstPageRanks, the top-rated digital marketing company in Dubai, Denver, Dallas, California, Chicago, Florida, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and let us help you unlock your business’s full potential!

[elpasotreeremovals]

EL PASO Tree Removal: Your Trusted Experts for Tree Care in El Paso

A healthy, safe, and aesthetically appealing landscape is sometimes best achieved with the help of professional tree services. If it is a dead or diseased tree that is a danger to your property, branches that are growing too close to your house, or stumps that are an eyesore in your yard, then it is important to have a tree service provider. EL PASO Tree Removal is here to keep your property looking great and safe with our full tree services.

Why Professional Tree Removal Matters?

Tree removal is a decision that every homeowner does not like to make, although it is essential for other reasons apart from the looks. Dead, diseased or leaning trees can become a real threat to you, your family or even your neighbors and your house. These trees may shed some branches or even the whole tree during a storm or even during a very strong wind hence posing a very big threat as they are very expensive to replace. When you employ the services of a company like EL PASO Tree Removal, you are guaranteed a safe, efficient and legal removal of trees.

Here’s why you might need professional tree removal services in El Paso ,Texas:

1. Safety Concerns

A tree with a leaning trunk or broken branches means that it poses serious risks to people and property in case of storms. Cutting of these trees helps to minimize the cases of accidents and destruction of property. 

2. Tree Health and Disease

Now and then, trees develop diseases or are attacked by pests, and these affect the healthy trees that are around it. In case a tree cannot be treated, it is best to have it cut down early to prevent the disease from affecting the other plants in your garden. 

3. Preventing Structural Damage

Trees with extensive root systems are particularly dangerous to the foundation of buildings and structures, driveway, and other underground installations. Eventually, roots may break or heave the concrete, which is rather expensive to fix. 

4. Enhancing the Looks and Area

A tree that grows very big, one that looks unkempt or ugly is likely to reduce the beauty of your compound. Such trees can be cut down to pave way for other landscaping activities like planting of a garden, a patio or even planting of a tree that is appropriate for that region.

Our Comprehensive Tree Services

At EL PASO Tree Removal we provide a full range of tree services to the residents and companies of El Paso. Whether you require tree removal, tree pruning or stump grinding, our company has all the tools and personnel to ensure your work is done safely and efficiently.

1. Tree Removal

Tree removal is our main service and is done in a professional manner with regard to safety. Each tree is assessed individually and the surrounding environment to cause the least possible intrusion to your property. 

2. Tree Trimming and Pruning

Pruning is very important in order to keep trees healthy, looking good and safe for human beings to be around. As much as foliage is important, some branches can be a danger and can also hinder light and air which are important to the tree..

3. Stump Grinding and Removal

After a removal, tree stumps are not just unsightly but can also cause people to trip, are an infestation site for pests, and hinder your landscaping. We provide stump grinding services that help remove stumps of all sizes so that your yard is clean, level and ready for new projects.

4. Emergency Tree Services

After a storm or any natural calamity, chances are there would be trees down or trees that are partly up. We offer emergency tree removal services for those situations where trees and branches have fallen and need to be cleared as soon as possible.

Benefits of Choosing EL PASO Tree Removal

1. A team of professional and certified personnel

Our team is composed of tree care specialists who are also certified and have years of experience on the job. We value safety and our customers and always make sure that every project is done safely and to the best of our ability.

2. State-of-the-Art Equipment

We work with state-of-art tools when it comes to tree removal and trimming no matter how complicated it is. The tools that we use are highly developed to ensure that we achieve the results you want within the shortest time possible with little or no harm to your property.

3. Affordable Pricing

Tree care should be made available for everyone. The prices of our services at EL PASO Tree Removal are relatively affordable without compromising on quality. It is important to note that we offer clear and accurate quotes for all the services we offer.

When to Call EL PASO Tree Removal?

Are you unsure if you require professional tree services? Here are some signs that it's time to call EL PASO Tree Removal:

One day you see a tree bending close to your house or your driveway.

Fruits are rotting or the tree is infested with pests or diseases, or the tree has dead branches.

Their roots are pulling down your property’s compounds or sidewalks or have caused other forms of destruction.

You have a stump in your yard that is causing you a lot of trouble in your landscaping plans.

There is a recent storm, and therefore trees or branches are usually affected and become dangerous.

[trinaphleb]

Open Your Future: Top Phlebotomy Training Programs in Austin, TX

Unlock Your Future: Top Phlebotomy Training Programs in Austin, TX

Unlock Your Future: Top Phlebotomy Training Programs in Austin, TX

Are you considering a career in healthcare? Phlebotomy is a rewarding profession that offers plenty of job opportunities. If you’re in Austin, TX, ‌countless training programs are available​ to get you started. In this ⁤guide, we will explore⁢ the top phlebotomy training programs in Austin, TX, and provide valuable insights,​ benefits, and practical tips to ensure ⁢you unlock your future potential as a certified phlebotomist.

Why Choose Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy is a crucial aspect of healthcare, involving the ‍collection of blood samples for testing and donation. Below are some compelling reasons why you should consider ⁢pursuing a career in phlebotomy:

High Demand: The healthcare industry ⁣continually seeks certified ‍phlebotomists.

Short Training ​Programs: Many programs can be completed within a ⁣few months.

Good Salary: Phlebotomists‌ earn a competitive wage.

Flexible⁤ Hours: Opportunities ‍for full-time and part-time work are widely available.

Top Phlebotomy Training Programs in Austin, TX

Austin boasts several excellent phlebotomy training programs tailored to meet ⁢diverse educational needs. Here’s​ a curated list of the top ⁢programs available in the city:

Program Name

Duration

Cost

Certification Exam

Location

Austin Community College

6 months

$2,100

ASCP

Multiple campuses

Texas State Technical College

1 semester

$1,500

NHA

North Austin

Phlebotomy Training Specialists

4 weeks

$1,295

NCCT

South Austin

Allied Health Careers Institute

8 weeks

$1,250

AMT

Downtown Austin

Benefits of Phlebotomy Training

Enrolling in a phlebotomy training program provides numerous benefits:

Hands-on Experience: Most programs offer practical training ⁢that prepares you for real-world scenarios.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with ⁣professionals in the field, opening doors for future employment.

Job Placement Assistance: ​Many institutions provide resources to help you find a job after completion.

Continued Education: A strong foundation in phlebotomy can lead to advanced healthcare roles.

Firsthand Experiences from Phlebotomy Graduates

Hearing from those who have successfully ‍completed phlebotomy training can be inspiring. Here are some​ testimonials from recent ‍graduates in Austin:

“The hands-on training at Austin Community College was invaluable. I felt ready for my first job from day ⁤one!” – Sarah K.

“I appreciated the supportive staff at Texas State Technical College, who ‌were always available to help with my questions.” – Jason R.

Practical Tips for ⁤Aspiring Phlebotomists

Here are some practical tips for those looking to excel in phlebotomy:

Practice on Your Own: If possible, practice drawing blood from fruit like oranges or use a training arm.

Stay Updated: ​Keep up with the latest tools and techniques in phlebotomy by attending workshops.

Build Your Soft Skills: Communication, empathy, and patience are ‌crucial when dealing with patients.

Conclusion

Phlebotomy is​ not just a job; ⁣it’s a‌ gateway to a ⁢rewarding career in healthcare. By enrolling in one of the top phlebotomy training programs in Austin, TX, you can gain the skills and credentials necessary to succeed. Remember to choose a‌ program that meets your needs, focus on practical ​experience, ​and continuously develop your professional skills. Unlock your future in the healthcare world today!

FAQs

What are the prerequisites ‌for phlebotomy training in​ Austin?

Most ⁤programs require a high school diploma or GED.⁢ Some may also⁤ require⁢ a background check.

How long does it take to become a certified phlebotomist?

Typically, it takes about 4 to 6‌ months to complete the training and certification process.

Can I work part-time while⁤ attending a phlebotomy training program?

Yes, many programs offer flexible scheduling to accommodate ‌working students.

https://phlebotomyschoolsonline.org/open-your-future-top-phlebotomy-training-programs-in-austin-tx/

[sociomi]

Choosing the Right Windows

UV-repellent window tinting film is another option for protecting against UV rays. They keep a house cooler and protect paint and other materials while remaining invisible to the naked eye. Even with just a small amount of color, property owners in the South, the Southwest, and other hot regions can benefit from energy savings.

Window with a Transom A window with a transom above it lets in natural air.

The "eyebrow craftsmanship" of a window is represented by the Plan Transoms. Some manufacturers are producing "dynamic" transoms that open, allowing natural air to enter, as opposed to fixed transoms that are only there for style.

According to Franklin, "the feel of these functioning windows is also more engaging because they require additional packaging." Because dynamic transoms have more depth, they don't look like a flat piece of glass with a touch of packaging stuck to the wall," he understands.

Window designs such as range style windows shaped like half-moons, "sunbursts," or circles, which do not open, should be avoided by property owners looking for ecological benefits.

The Establishment In point of fact, improper installation will render even the most expensive window unit useless. Be wary of any employee who relies too heavily on growing froths or sealants to get a window to fit right because these materials aren't waterproof and can cause problems soon. According to Jim DeLaPlaine, head of tasks for Building Designing Specialists of The Forests, Texas, the best option is pre-establishment waterproofing, which is typically completed some time prior to the installation of windows.

Blasting and real caulking may be the most economical bits of window foundation, but if they're not gotten done to detail, the accompanying water breaks will cause a surge of issues for both maker and buyer that could have been easily forestalled.

In themselves, some window plans are better than others. The most well-known kinds are:

Windows with two sashes. These are common in many homes all over the country, and they are especially common in buildings built before World War II. To open the unit with double-hung windows, the base slides up. Despite the fact that there is a possibility of air interruption between the sliders, they may not be the best choice in extreme circumstances.

Windows with cases. These units, which have an opening wrench and are popular in places where wind is a problem, really close themselves more tightly when the wind is blowing toward the house. However, in order to ensure that they proceed with solidity and effectiveness, they require support on seals and pivots.

Windows with images Even though they don't usually open and come in a variety of sizes and shapes, that doesn't mean they can't be useful. Glass choice and gas-filled interiors are especially important in larger units. Check out vacuum insulated glass manufacturers.

Different designs include transom-opening windows that let natural air flow through. In addition, considering how many more extensive housing units they require, they appear engaging. Setups like half-moon, sunburst, and circle-shaped span-style windows should be avoided.

[dextersdedicatedhomeinspections]

What is the Condition of the Foundation? Understanding the Importance of Foundation Inspections in Houston, Texas

The foundation of a home is quite literally what the house stands on, making it one of the most critical aspects to consider when purchasing a property. In Houston, Texas, where the clay-rich soil and extreme weather conditions can wreak havoc on a home’s foundation, understanding its condition is crucial. Whether you're buying a brand-new house in the suburbs or an older home in the heart of the city, asking about the condition of the foundation should be a top priority.

Why Foundation Issues Are Common in Houston

Houston’s soil is a mix of sand, clay, and silt, with the clay being a major contributor to foundation problems. Clay soil expands when wet and contracts when dry, causing the ground beneath a home to shift. This shifting can lead to cracks, uneven settling, and structural issues over time.

Moreover, Houston’s climate, with its high levels of rainfall, occasional flooding, and extreme summer heat, exacerbates the problem. The cycle of expansion and contraction due to moisture fluctuations puts additional stress on the foundation, making regular inspections and maintenance essential.

Signs of Foundation Problems

Before buying a home in Houston, it's important to ask the home inspector to thoroughly assess the foundation for any signs of damage. Some common indicators of foundation issues include:

Cracks in walls, ceilings, or floors: Small hairline cracks are common in many homes, but large, zigzagging cracks can indicate a more serious foundation problem.

Doors and windows that stick: If doors or windows don’t open or close smoothly, this could be a sign that the foundation has shifted, causing the frames to warp.

Uneven or sloping floors: A noticeable slope or sag in the floors can indicate that the foundation is settling unevenly.

Gaps around windows and doors: If you notice gaps between the wall and window or door frames, it could be a sign that the foundation is moving.

Water pooling near the foundation: Poor drainage or improper grading can lead to water accumulation near the foundation, which can cause soil expansion and damage the foundation over time.

Why You Should Care About Foundation Problems

Foundation issues are not just a cosmetic concern. Left unaddressed, they can lead to serious structural problems that affect the safety, stability, and value of a home. Repairing foundation damage can be costly, with major repairs sometimes running into tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the issue.

For Houston homebuyers, it’s essential to understand the current state of the foundation, as this will help you make informed decisions during the negotiation process. If problems are found, you may need to request repairs from the seller or adjust your offer to account for future repair costs.

What to Ask Your Home Inspector About the Foundation

When having a home inspection done, be sure to ask your inspector specific questions about the foundation, such as:

Are there any visible cracks or signs of movement in the foundation?

Does the property show signs of uneven settling?

Is the grading around the home adequate to prevent water from pooling near the foundation?

Are there any signs of water damage or drainage issues around the foundation?

Should I call a foundation specialist for further evaluation?

A good home inspector will be able to give you a general assessment of the foundation’s condition and alert you to any potential red flags. In some cases, they may recommend bringing in a foundation specialist to provide a more detailed evaluation.

Foundation Repairs: What to Expect

If the home you’re considering does have foundation issues, it’s important to understand what repairs might involve. In Houston, common foundation repair methods include:

Pier and beam systems: Used for homes with significant foundation movement, this method involves installing piers under the foundation to stabilize and lift it.

Slab leveling: This involves injecting materials like polyurethane foam beneath the foundation to level it and prevent further settling.

Drainage improvements: Poor drainage can contribute to foundation issues. Installing proper drainage systems, such as French drains or gutters, can help redirect water away from the foundation and prevent future problems.

The cost of these repairs varies depending on the extent of the damage, but it’s essential to factor this into your decision-making process. The last thing you want is to be surprised by unexpected repair costs after closing on your new home.

Preventing Foundation Issues in the Future

If the foundation is in good condition, it’s still important to take steps to maintain it, especially in Houston’s climate. Homeowners can help prevent future foundation problems by:

Maintaining proper drainage: Ensure that water flows away from the home by keeping gutters clean and installing downspouts that direct water away from the foundation.

Watering the foundation in dry periods: During hot, dry summers, the soil around your home can shrink and cause foundation movement. Watering the soil evenly around the foundation can help maintain moisture levels and prevent shifting.

Fixing plumbing leaks quickly: Undetected leaks in pipes, especially under the slab, can lead to soil expansion and foundation damage. Regularly check for leaks and have them repaired as soon as possible.

Conclusion: Protecting Your Investment in Houston

In a city like Houston, where soil movement and weather extremes are constant challenges, understanding the condition of a home’s foundation is critical. By asking the right questions and ensuring your home inspector thoroughly evaluates the foundation, you can avoid unexpected surprises and make an informed investment in your future.

Whether you're buying a new home or maintaining an existing one, staying vigilant about foundation health will protect your home from costly repairs and keep it stable for years to come.

[grandprairieconcrete]

Grand Prairie Concrete Pros

Grand Prairie Concrete Pros, your local specialist in all things concrete in Grand Prairie, Texas. From driveways to patios, slabs to foundations, we've got Grand Prairie covered.

At Grand Prairie Concrete Pros, concrete isn’t just our job—it’s our passion. We’ve poured, stamped, and shaped concrete into stunning structures across Grand Prairie and the surrounding areas. Our team of experienced concrete contractors knows the ins and outs of concrete construction like nobody else.

Our Services:

Concrete Driveways

Stamped Concrete

Concrete Slabs

Concrete Patios

Concrete Foundations

Concrete Paths and Walkways

https://grandprairieconcretepros.com

300 SE 5th Street, Ste 700, Grand Prairie TX 75051

(682) 222-9008

[yourreddancer]

Heather Cox Richardson 10-7-24

People in Florida are evacuating before Hurricane Milton is expected to hit the state’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday evening, bringing tornadoes, high winds, a dramatic storm surge, and upwards of 15 inches of rain. Milton grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in a little over a day, fed by water in the Gulf of Mexico that climate change has pushed in some places to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 degrees Celsius) higher than normal. Veteran Florida meteorologist and hurricane specialist John Morales choked up as he called it “horrific.”

President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Florida, enabling the federal government to move supplies in ahead of the storm’s arrival, but the state’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, has refused to take a call from Vice President Kamala Harris about planning for the storm. When asked about DeSantis’s refusal at today’s White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that the president and vice president have reached out to give support to the people of Florida. 

As for DeSantis, “It’s up to him if he wants to respond to us or not. But what we're doing is we’re working with state and local officials to make sure that we are pre-positioned to make sure that we are ready to be there for the communities that are going to be impacted. We are doing the job… to protect the communities and to make sure that they have everything that is needed." When asked about DeSantis’s snub, Harris answered: “It’s just utterly irresponsible, and it is selfish, and it is about political gamesmanship instead of doing the job that you took an oath to do, which is to put the people first.”

Before this year, Florida had goals of moving toward clean energy, but in May 2024, DeSantis signed a law to restructure the state’s energy policy so that addressing climate change would no longer be a priority. The law deleted any mention of climate change in state laws. Saying that “Florida rejects the designs of the left to weaken our energy grid, pursue a radical climate agenda, and promote foreign adversaries,” the governor posted a graphic on X that said the law would “INSULATE FLORIDA FROM GREEN ZEALOTS….”

Like DeSantis, Trump and Project 2025, a playbook for the next Republican administration, authored by allies of the right-wing Heritage Foundation and closely associated with Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Ohio senator J.D. Vance, take the position that concerns about climate change are overblown. 

Project 2025 says the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, whose duties include issuing hurricane warnings, is “one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry and, as such, is harmful to future U.S. prosperity.” It calls for either eliminating its functions, sending them to other agencies, privatizing them, or putting them under the control of states and territories.

The U.S. Supreme Court came back in session today in Washington, D.C. It has decided not to hear arguments about whether the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTLA) overrules Texas’s state abortion ban. EMTLA requires that hospitals provide emergency abortion care to save a woman’s life or stop organ failure or loss of fertility. Texas’s ban remains in place.

As legal analyst Joyce White Vance commented: “At least no one can pretend we don’t understand the consequences for women, & others, of putting appointments to the Court back in [Republican] control.”

The Georgia Supreme Court today reinstated the state’s six-week abortion ban after Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, appointed in 2012 by Republican governor Nathan Deal, decided last week that the law violates Georgia’s Constitution. In his decision, McBurney wrote that “liberty in Georgia includes in its meaning, in its protections, and in its bundle of rights the power of a woman to control her own body, to decide what happens to it and in it, and to reject state interference with her healthcare choices.” 

McBurney’s decision came shortly after a state investigation revealed that at least two women in Georgia died after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision struck down the abortion protections the court put in place in 1973 with Roe v. Wade. 

In anticipation of an end to Roe, Georgia governor Brian Kemp in 2019 signed a six-week abortion ban prohibiting the procedure before most women know they’re pregnant. The Dobbs decision allowed that law to go into effect. 

The Georgia Supreme Court stayed McBurney’s decision during the state’s appeal of it. Chris Geidner of Law Dork noted that the court did leave in place McBurney’s block on the law’s provision that district attorneys can have access to “health records” where an abortion is performed or where someone who received an abortion lives. 

In her attempt to reach new audiences, Vice President Harris sat down for an interview with Alex Cooper of the Call Her Daddy podcast to talk about women’s issues. Call Her Daddy is the second most popular podcast in the country, reaching as many as 2 million downloads per episode. According to NPR’s Elena Moore, Call Her Daddy’s audience is 70% women, 93% under 45.

Cooper began the interview by acknowledging that she does not usually talk about politics, but “at the end of the day, I couldn’t see a world in which one of the main conversations in this election is women and I’m not a part of it…. I am so aware I have a very mixed audience when it comes to politics, so please hear me when I say [that] my goal today is not to change your political affiliation. What I’m hoping is that you’re able to listen to a conversation that isn’t too different from the ones that we’re having here every week.” Cooper said she had also reached out to Trump, adding: “If he also wants to have a meaningful, in-depth conversation about women’s rights in this country, then he is welcome on Call Her Daddy any time.”

On the podcast, Cooper and Harris talked about the prevalence of sexual assault before addressing abortion. When Cooper quoted Trump’s promise to protect women, Harris noted that he was the one who appointed the three extremists to the Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade and that 20 states now have abortion bans, some with no exceptions for rape or incest. Harris pointed out that the majority of women who receive abortion care are mothers and that every state in the South except for Virginia has an abortion ban. For a woman in those states—and one out of every three American women lives in one—the journey is expensive, hard, and traumatic.

“You don’t have to abandon your faith or deeply held beliefs to agree the government shouldn’t be telling her what to do,” Harris said. “And that’s what’s so outrageous about it, is a bunch of these guys up in these state capitals are writing these decisions because they somehow have decided that they’re in a better position to tell you what’s in your best interest than you are to know what’s in your own best interest. It’s outrageous.” Harris pointed out that she is the first vice president or president to go to a reproductive health care clinic, and she noted that those clinics perform Pap smears, breast cancer screening, and HIV testing and that they are having to close because of the abortion bans. She noted, though, that since Dobbs, people across the country have chosen to protect abortion rights.

The article in the right-wing National Review about the interview was titled: “Kamala Goes on Sex Podcast to Lie about Georgia Abortion Law.”   

On Call Her Daddy, Harris also brought her economic plans for an “opportunity economy” to a younger audience. When Cooper asked her how she was going to help young people “not feel left behind,” Harris agreed it is “a very real issue and we need to take it seriously.” She promised to address housing costs by increasing the housing supply, working with home builders in the private sector to build three million new housing units by the end of her first term; help with $25,000 downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers; and enact tax cuts for 100 million middle-class working people, including a $6,000 tax credit for new parents to help them afford the costs of a child’s first year.   

The Committee for a Responsible Budget noted today that a moderate reading of Harris’s economic plans suggest they would increase the U.S. debt by about $3.5 trillion through 2035. A similar examination of Trump’s plans says they would increase the debt by $7.5 trillion. 

Meanwhile, today, Trump openly embraced the race science favored by Nazis. In a scattered call to right-wing host Hugh Hewitt’s show, Trump called Harris a communist and lied—again—that she has let 13,000 murderers into the country. And then he claimed that murder is in a person’s genes, and “we got a lot of bad genes in our country right now.” He has also noted that “it would be very dangerous” for anyone to admit they were voting for Kamala Harris at one of his rallies because they would “get hurt.”

Hurricane Milton spurred meteorologist John Morales to step forward to take a stand, sharing his thoughts after Hurricane Helene hit. “Something’s shifted,” he wrote. “And it’s not just the climate.” He noted that with Helene on the way, “I did what I’ve done during my entire 40 year career—I tried to warn people. Except that the warning was not well received by everyone. A person accused me of being a ‘climate militant,’ a suggestion that I’m embellishing extreme weather threats to drive an agenda. Another simply said that my predictions were ‘an exaggeration.’

“But it wasn’t an exaggeration,” he wrote.

“For decades I had felt in control. Not in control of the weather, of course. But in control of the message that, if my audience was prepared and well informed, I could confidently guide them through any weather threat, and we’d all make it through safely…. But no one can hide from the truth. Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, are becoming more extreme. I must communicate the growing threats from the climate crisis come hell or high water—pun intended.”

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