#but it's work and is regulated as such including under health and safety laws

[setnet]

sex work was decriminalised in NZ in 2003. Afaik NZPC/nz sex workers collective is not formally a union but it provides similar services in terms of advocacy legal and practical advice and representation and its made up almost entirely of current or former sex workers.

The NZPC were big advocates for the decriminalisation and have a lot of research about its effects - their website is well worth a look:

if sex work was legal the workers could unionize

[sayruq]

The Malawi government has finally spoken out on the arrest of Malawian farm workers in Israel, clarifying that 12 out of 40 individuals detained are from the country. According to Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu, the 40 individuals, representing 13 nationalities, were arrested for leaving their designated work stations and seeking employment in town without proper authorization. Kunkuyu revealed that the group, including the 12 Malawians, had abandoned their farm work to seek jobs at a bakery in Bnei Brak, violating Israel’s labor laws and regulations.

Malawi and Israel signed a labor export deal in 2022, allowing Malawi to send unskilled laborers to Israel to work in various sectors, including agriculture and construction. The deal aimed to generate more foreign exchange revenue for Malawi and provide employment opportunities for its citizens. Under the deal, Malawian workers are expected to work in Israel for a maximum of 5 years, with a minimum salary of $1,500 per month. The deal also includes provisions for workers’ safety, health insurance, and protection from exploitation. However, the deal has faced criticism and controversy, with some opposition politicians and human rights organizations expressing concerns about the secrecy surrounding the deal and the potential risks to workers’ safety.

The arrest of the Malawian workers has raised concerns about the treatment of foreign workers in Israel and the effectiveness of the labor deal in protecting their rights. Human rights organizations have called on the Malawian government to take action to ensure the safe return of the detained workers and to review the labor deal to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident has also sparked debate about the benefits and risks of labor export deals and the need for greater transparency and accountability in such agreements.

The mistreatment of foreign workers in Israel is well documented and would explain why the 45 workers escaped the farm to look for work elsewhere

[queerpunktomatoes]

Project 2025 for the Conservatives in Your Life

Look, I know we can't get everyone to vote blue. But all we have to do is create genuine doubt. Someone who opts out of voting instead of voting for Trump is still a win.

From the mouth of Trump's team themselves, here are some policies from Project 2025 that even conservatives raise their eyes at.

Page 97 "Senior acquisition leaders should design a system that allows decision-makers to stay within the law but bypass unnecessary departmental regulations that are not in the best interest of the government and hamper the acquisition of capabilities that warfighters require." Translation: Reduce workplace safety regulations in the interest of making more money.

Page 285 "The department [of education] is a convenient one-stop shop for the woke education cartel, which—as the COVID era showed—is not particularly concerned with children’s education. Schools should be responsive to parents, rather than to leftist advocates intent on indoctrination—and the more the federal government is involved in education, the less responsive to parents the public schools will be. This department is an example of federal intrusion into a traditionally state and local realm. For the sake of American children, Congress should shutter it and return control of education to the states." Translation: The Department of Education should be eliminated.

Page 320-322 "In July of that year, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, after Congress reached a consensus that the mistreatment of [B]lack Americans was no longer tolerable and merited a federal response... In 1973, [Congress] passed the Rehabilitation Act, and, in 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act... The next Administration will need a plan to redistribute the various congressionally approved federal education programs across the government, eliminate those that are ineffective or duplicative, and then eliminate the unproductive red tape and rules by entrusting states and districts with flexible, formula-driven block grants." Translation: Repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Page 372 "The U.S. nuclear arsenal needs to be updated and reinvigorated... Fund the design, development, and deployment of new nuclear warheads, including the production of plutonium pits in quantity. Expand the U.S. Navy and develop new nuclear naval reactors to ensure that the Navy has the nuclear propulsion it needs to secure America’s strategic interests. End ineffective and counterproductive nonproliferation activities like those involving Iran and the United Nations." Translation: Withdraw from "let's not use nuclear weapons" agreements, build more nuclear weapons, and resume nuclear weapons testing.

Page 482 "Eliminate the Head Start program." Translation: Remove free education/health programs for low-income families.

Page 524 "Rescind the Biden rules and reinstate the Trump rules regarding... The Endangered Species Act rules defining Critical Habitat and Critical Habitat Exclusions."Translation: Remove protections for endangered animals.

Page 587 "The Working Families Flexibility Act would allow employees in the private sector the ability to choose between receiving time-and-a-half pay or accumulating time-and-a-half paid time off." Translation: Employers are not required to pay extra for overtime.

Page 664 "The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) should be dismantled and many of its functions eliminated, sent to other agencies, privatized, or placed under the control of states and territories." Translation: Americans should not get free extreme weather warnings. We should have to pay for it, and watch commercials between segments.

Remember, quality over quantity.

Only use the talking points you think will really stick with that conservative person. We do not want to give them more reasons to support Trump.

For example, do not tell a conservative homeschool mother that Trump wants to get rid of the Department of Education. It will backfire.

And importantly, Trump is lying about not endorsing Project 2025. His press secretary stars in the recruitment ads and he is mentioned over 300 times by name in it.

Learn this stuff so you can back your arguments and talk to the conservatives in your life about what their vote might contribute to.

[autisticadvocacy]

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) condemns the United States Supreme Court ruling on two combined cases, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Department of Commerce. The decision overturns a decades-old legal principle known as the Chevron Doctrine, which gives federal agencies the authority to reasonably interpret ambiguous laws when they create federal regulations. These regulations are made legally binding through a rulemaking process that is shaped by the public servants within federal agencies, the input of subject area experts across fields, and anyone who chooses to share their opinion. Instead, federal courts will now have the final say in circumstances where knowledge of highly specialized, complex, and technical issues is required. This ruling will weaken the regulatory authority of all federal agencies, including the Departments of Labor (DOL), Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Federal agencies create regulations or rules that fill in the gaps of laws intended to protect disability rights, civil rights laws, housing, healthcare, and more. The overturning of Chevron and the deference it gives to the courts will have devastating impacts on all marginalized people, including disabled people and particularly disabled people of color. Often, these rules concern subjects well outside of the scope of legal training, including, as Marissa Ditkowsky noted, drug safety evidentiary standards, eligibility criteria for public benefits, the threshold for disability discrimination, or guidance around worker protections. This change will lead to inconsistent and conflicting adjudication across the country, driving avoidable litigation, confusion, and decisions that do not work well for the people they affect. These harms will fall disproportionately on marginalized people, including the disability community. As the American Cancer Society explained in its amicus brief, “The resulting uncertainty would be extraordinarily destabilizing, not just to the Medicare and Medicaid programs but also – given the size of these programs – to the operational and financial stability of the country’s health care system as a whole.” The same can be said for programs within DOL, ED, SSA, and many other federal agencies. This decision is also undemocratic, moving crucial decisions out of a process where the public has an opportunity to weigh in and into the purview of the courts.

This decision invites challenges to the forty years of legal precedents relying on Chevron. While these cases and the existing Code of Federal Regulations are not automatically overturned by Loper and Relentless, many will be challenged in the months and years to come. Future regulations are also under threat. Agencies may be less ambitious in fulfilling their mandates, protecting the public, and using taxpayers’ resources well in the face of increased risk that courts will undo their work. The endangered regulations include the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule, the final rule implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the final rule implementing Title IX of the Education Amendments, and the final rule regarding section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

ASAN echoes the demands of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT): “Congress should urgently enact Chevron deference into law by passing the Stop Corporate Capture Act (H.R. 1507), a comprehensive blueprint for modernizing, improving and strengthening the regulatory system. That would ensure public input into regulatory decisions, promote scientific integrity and restore our government’s ability to help the workers and consumers it is meant to serve.”

ASAN will fight to safeguard federal agencies’ ability to protect the people we serve. We will continue to do what we always have: defend the rights, health, services, safety, and well-being of all people with disabilities.

Here are statements on this issue from our allies:

Democracy Forward

National Health Law Program (NHeLP)

National Education Association (NEA)

American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a national grassroots disability rights organization run by and for autistic people. We believe that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities. ASAN works to make sure autistic people are included in policy-making, so that laws and policies meet our community’s needs. Our members and supporters include autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators, and friends.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Robert Reich's Substack:

Friends, For years, conservatives have railed against what they call the “administrative state” and denounced regulations. But let’s be clear. When they speak of the “administrative state,” they’re talking about agencies tasked with protecting the public from corporations that seek profits at the expense of the health, safety, and pocketbooks of average Americans. Regulations are the means by which agencies translate broad legal mandates into practical guardrails. Substitute the word “protection” for “regulation” and you get a more accurate picture of who has benefited — consumers, workers, and average people needing clean air and clean water. Substitute “corporate legal movement” for the “conservative legal movement” and you see who’s really mobilizing, and for what purpose.

**

[...] Last week, the Supreme Court made it much harder for the FTC, the Labor Department, and dozens of other agencies — ranging from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Food and Drug Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and National Highway and Safety Administration — to protect Americans from corporate misconduct.

On Thursday, the six Republican-appointed justices eliminated the ability of these agencies to enforce their rules through in-house tribunals, rather than go through the far more costly and laborious process of suing corporations in federal courts before juries. On Friday, the justices overturned a 40-year-old precedent requiring courts to defer to the expertise of these agencies in interpreting the law, thereby opening the agencies to countless corporate lawsuits alleging that Congress did not authorize the agencies to go after specific corporate wrongdoing. In recent years, the court’s majority has also made it easier for corporations to sue agencies and get public protections overturned. The so-called “major questions doctrine” holds that judges should nullify regulations that have a significant impact on corporate profits if Congress was not sufficiently clear in authorizing them.

[...] In 1971, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, then a modest business group in Washington, D.C., asked Lewis Powell, then an attorney in Richmond, Virginia, to recommend actions corporations should take in response to the rising tide of public protections (that is, regulations). Powell’s memo — distributed widely to Chamber members — said corporations were “under broad attack” from consumer, labor, and environmental groups. In reality, these groups were doing nothing more than enforcing the implicit social contract that had emerged at the end of World War II, ensuring that corporations be responsive to all their stakeholders — not just shareholders but also their workers, consumers, and the environment.

[...] The so-called “conservative legal movement” of young lawyers who came of age working for Ronald Reagan — including Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. — were in reality part of this corporate legal movement. And they still are. Trump’s three appointments to the Supreme Court emerged from the same corporate legal movement. The next victory of the corporate legal movement will occur if and when the Supreme Court accepts a broad interpretation of the so-called “non-delegation doctrine.” Under this theory of the Constitution, the courts should not uphold any regulation in which Congress has delegated its lawmaking authority to agencies charged with protecting the public. If accepted by the court, this would mark the end of all regulations — that is, all public protections not expressly contained in statutes — and the final triumph of Lewis Powell’s vision.

Robert Reich wrote an interesting Substack piece on the history of the right-wing war on regulatory power that began with the infamous Powell Memo by Lewis Powell, and culminated with the recent Loper Bright Enterprises, Jarkesy, and Trump rulings.

[mariacallous]

After passing the Senate nearly unanimously last week, the future of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) appears uncertain. Congress is now on a six-week recess, and reporting from Punchbowl News indicates that the House Republican leadership may not prioritize bringing the bill to the floor for a vote when legislators return.

In response to Punchbowl’s reporting, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement saying, “Just one week ago, Speaker Johnson said that he’d like to get KOSA done. I hope that hasn’t changed. Letting KOSA and [the Children and Teens’ Online Protection Act] collect dust in the House would be an awful mistake and a gut punch—a gut punch to these brave, wonderful parents who have worked so hard to reach this point.” The bill has also received support from vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

But the bill created a massive divide among the digital rights and tech accountability community. If passed, the legislation would require online platforms to block users under 18 from seeing certain types of content that the government considers harmful.

Proponents of the measure, which included the Tech Oversight Project, an nonprofit focused on tech accountability through antitrust legislation, saw the bill as a meaningful step toward holding tech companies accountable for the way their products impact children.

“Too many young people, parents, and families have experienced the dire consequences that result from social media companies’ greed,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, in a statement in June. “The accountability KOSA would provide for these families is long overdue.”

Others, like the nonprofit digital rights organization the Center for Technology and Democracy, said that, if enacted, the law could be used to prevent young users from accessing critical information about topics like sexual health and LGBTQ+ issues. This meant that some organizations that regularly lobby to hold Silicon Valley accountable found themselves siding with tech companies and their lobbyists in trying to kill the bill.

“KOSA is not ready for a floor vote,” said Aliya Bhatia, policy analyst with the Center for Technology and Democracy’s Free Expression Project, in a statement in July. “In its current form, KOSA can still be misused to target marginalized communities and politically sensitive information.”

Evan Greer, director of the nonprofit advocacy group Fight for the Future, which opposed the bill, tells WIRED that KOSA and legislation like it “divides our coalition” while allowing tech companies to “keep getting away with murder and avoiding regulation.”

“This was never really about protecting kids,” Greer says. “It was sort of about lawmakers wanting to say that they’re protecting kids, and that doesn’t actually help kids.” Instead of legislators focusing on the “flawed” legislation, Greer says that Congress could have spent that same time and energy on antitrust-focused legislation like the American Innovation and Choice Online and the Open App Markets Act, or on the American Privacy Rights Act.

“When our coalition is divided in fighting each other, we’re going to get rolled every time by Big Tech,” she says.

Meanwhile, Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, has said that she supports KOSA, as has the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a tech accountability nonprofit that was sued by X last year for exposing hate speech on its platform.

Although the House Republican leadership’s decision may signal the beginning of the end of KOSA itself, Gautam Hans, an associate law professor at Cornell University, says that “given the bipartisan interest in enacting this law, I suspect other proposals will follow—with hopefully more extensive safeguards against potential censorship by the state.”

[ukrfeminism]

Pornography creators, law enforcement, parents and the public asked for views as government investigates impact of pornography

views to be collected on impact of emerging tech, such as AI and virtual reality, on pornography

results will inform independent Pornography Review that will cover harm caused to sexual relationships and violence against women in wider society

Law enforcers, pornography makers, parents and the public are being asked to help shape the future of pornography regulation in the UK from today (Thursday 11 January) as the government launches a wide-ranging call for evidence as part of its review of the pornography industry.

The questionnaire, which closes on Thursday 7 March will collect evidence on the impact of pornographic content on relationships, sexual behaviours, mental health and people’s views of women and girls.

This exercise will provide independent Lead Reviewer Baroness Bertin with evidence that represents the views of those in the industry itself and the public, which will be used to develop recommendations for the government to undertake.

The substantial impact that new technologies have had on the pornography industry will also be covered, with respondents asked for their thoughts on how AI and virtual reality have changed how pornography is made, accessed and viewed, as well as how this impacts viewers and the industry.

Law enforcement and the criminal justice system will have an opportunity to raise what challenges face them in identifying and tackling these issues in pornography – as well as giving the industry an opportunity to set out what it is doing to tackle them more effectively.

Lead Reviewer Baroness Bertin said:

Throughout this review, it is essential we engage directly with those who are most involved in the pornography industry and accurately establish what the general public thinks of the current rules governing pornography. We want to hear from a wide range of views, whether it be a worried parent, those enforcing the laws to stop exploitation or someone directing or performing in pornography themselves, to speak up and support our review. Extreme pornography can have a damaging impact - we owe it to our children and indeed to the whole of society to put the guard rails back in place. This review will help us fully understand what we must now do to protect those most affected as well as future proofing the law to keep pace with an ever-evolving pornography industry.

Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy Saqib Bhatti said:

The Pornography Review will be key to informing what we do next to tackle any harmful impact the industry may have on those working within it, or society at large. The invaluable evidence the public, experts and industry provide will be integral to what Baroness Bertin recommends later this year.

Ian Critchley, QPM, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Child Abuse and Investigation said:

I very much welcome this government commissioned review led by Baroness Bertin. It is one that is essential in tackling harmful sexual behaviours. This is in addition to the whole scale use of smart devices by teenagers and now under 10s, which gives them increased access to harmful material including violent pornography and indecent images of children. The Online Safety Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation for a generation and it will help us to improve the safety of children and young people. In tandem with this review will provide a greater evidence base allowing us to better understand the impact violent pornography is having on the behaviour of young people and adults who continue to pose the greatest risk of harm to children. It will then ensure we can work together across agencies to prevent what has become normalised behaviour which is causing some of the greatest harm often with lifelong consequences.

The Pornography Review, announced last year, builds on the government’s work to take the long-term decisions for a better future for our children and grandchildren through the Online Safety Act, by stopping children from accessing pornography online by requiring services to establish the age of their users, including through age verification and age estimation tools.

Read the pornography regulation, legislation and enforcement call for evidence here.

[tomorrowusa]

The Biden administration has established the first ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. It's met with approval from anti-violence activists.

Speaking in front of gun violence survivors, activists, and lawmakers, President Joe Biden on Friday announced a new White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, an effort he promised would “centralize, accelerate, and intensify” the federal government’s efforts to combat gun violence. “After every mass shooting, we hear a very simple message ... do something,” Biden said in the White House Rose Garden. “My administration has been working tirelessly to do something,” Biden added, pointing to executive actions his administration had taken on ghost guns and gun trafficking, as well as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, landmark legislation that became law in 2022. The new office, according to Biden, is one more attempt to answer that call, helping, for example, to “coordinate support for survivors, families, and communities affected by gun violence,” an effort that he said would be similar to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the government’s on-the-ground emergency response team. The office will also seek to identify more executive actions the president can take. Biden noted that he would continue to urge Congress to take legislative action on banning assault weapons and implementing universal background checks. Until then, he said the White House and activists will move forward with or without them.

The establishment of this office is not dependent on Congressional approval. House Republicans are probably too busy trying to shut down the government while seeking new ways to humiliate Speaker McCarthy.

Stefanie Feldman, an aide to President Biden who’s been working on gun safety policy with him for over a decade, will be the director of the new office. In an interview with Vox, she said that the office is meant to implement the laws and policies passed during Biden’s tenure, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the president’s executive actions on gun violence. [ ... ] Currently, multiple government agencies are involved in efforts to reduce gun violence, including the Department of Justice, which gives grants to communities working to prevent gun violence; the Department of Health and Human Services, which funds research studying gun violence as a health epidemic; the FBI, which runs criminal background checks; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which enforces national gun laws and regulates firearms sales. The White House, its gun reform allies in Congress, and advocates have been coordinating with one another for years. This office puts all of those efforts under one roof, with a dedicated leadership team inside the executive branch.

David Hogg, a Parkland shooting survivor and co-founder of March For Our Lives, has been calling for such an office.

[thequietmanno1]

TheLreads, Vigilantes ch 90, Replies Part 1

“Now, what was happening on Vigilantes- Oh yeah, blatant fuckery in the wordlbuilding department, the usual, then Number 5 showed up to the party.”- Number Hood just wanted to get in on the fighting action with the rest of the battle junkies.

2) “Ah, upstairs, in the picnic the police squad set up. Glad to see they are having fun frolicking around while everybody dies downstairs.”- There is some merit to be made that the Police become a bit too complacent in the heyday of All Might’s era, what with him running about all over the place doing their jobs tenfold before they could lift a finger. Still, some little more pro-active measures on their behalf would have been appreciated.  

3) “Yeah guys, what you think we are? law enforcers? Fuck that, let the pro hero handle it, he was the one that asked for in the first place. God knows why so many cops were needed for that.”-  If nothing else, I’d love to see a cop drama set in MHA’s world, with a young rookie wanting to be a good outstanding and efficient officer in the line of duty, dealing with a cynical mentor and the actions of heroes always bursting in and taking the credit, as he tried to work his way through the complicated system 4) “IS THAT WEED? NOW ITS TIME FOR THE POLICE TO ACT

LEAVE NO SURVIVORS, ANYBODY WITH RED EYES NEED TO BE EXTERMINATED WITH MAXIMUM FORCE POSSIBLE

you know, like in `murica”- AFO getting people hooked on drugs and illegal narcotics young, whether they want to or not. Truly, the most villainous evil that ever existed.

5) “Alright now, Furuhashi, you got the three best characters to be stuck working together, you absolutely must make sure to put them to good use, you got that?”- How about matching them up against the early-model version of one of the most interesting Nomus we’ve yet seen? That’d be a fight I’d pay to watch.

6) “Huh, I don’t know, this just looks like a normal punk rave to me, nothing out of the ordinary here alright”- 7) “And once again, we are faced with a place that is not up the fire safety regulations, smh… Although, unlike the sky egg, this one is deliberate, still I want to see AfO explaining that to the safety inspector.”- He probably happily outlined to him all the health and safety violations he’d deliberately included in the building because he wanted to make it as unsafe as possible for others to hurt themselves on for his idle amusement, before he stole his Quirk and killed him/repurposed the body for “materials”.

8) “I want to know where they kept those masks, because they are a bit too big to keep hidden under their clothes without gathering some unwanted attention.”- They pulled them straight from the plot hole dimension….assuming AFO didn’t have said gas masks stored in boxes over to the side somewhere. They are standing in front of a shelving rack, after all. 9) “Oh perish that thought Knuckles! Goodness gracious, what sort of lowly scallywag would ever dare to commit such acts?”- AFO is the type of man to commit all action of villainy, from dastardly, all the way down to just plain dick. 10) “Good thing you don’t expend a lot of oxygen while using your quirk and thus need to be constantly breathing in, even whilst inside a cloud of drug-laced gas, right Knuckles?”- Knuckles probably trained himself like a deep-sea diver, finding ways to ensure maximum lung capacity if he was ever in an environment where breathable oxygen was getting into short supply, to maximise his speed bursts 11) “GUNKLEDUSTER STRIKES AGAIN

WHY THE FUCK WOULD THE STAFF HAVE A FAKE GUN INSTEAD OF A REAL ONE? OR EVEN SOME TRANQUILIZER WEAPONS? YOU GUYS THINK A PROP WILL DEFUSE TROUBLE? THOSE GUYS WILL EAT YOU ALIVE, EVEN MORE WHEN THEY SEE THE GUN IS FAKE”- I can see AFO issuing unloaded firearms to his security staff just for the Lulz when they try to bring them to bear and find out they’re empty in a crisis situation.

12) “again, you guys think that those batons would stop a stampede of desperate brutes? you twinks there would be snapped in half, and not even the furry guy there would be able to stand there.

Just bring the heavy weaponry, nobody is gonna complain, the police is too busy making flower crowns for each other.”- Again, AFO wouldn’t want any good Quirks getting killed off by a heavy shot before he was ready to stealthily steal them in the chaos. These guys are here to look intimidating and act as a big distraction whilst he moves in the shadows doing what he wants, so if the sight of them brings the rioters up short just for a second, that’s long enough for him.

13) “Oh, really heroic of you Knuckles… Can you imagine if something had happened to them? You could kiss your hero license bye-bye, well, that is, four years before it actually happened I mean.”-  Knuckles already knows them well enough to know that A), they’re simple-minded and like a simple plan, B) they got no issues risking themselves, and C) they wanna fight. So let them fight.

14) “Wait, you are gonna give the signal? Wouldn’t be better for them to give a signal if they are in trouble? Knuckles I’m starting to think they are not just bait, but meat for the grinder.”- That’s assuming either of them can see danger and not go “awesome! I’mma fight that!”

15) “You guys need to ask? You know that kicking ass is not optional here. Go nuts, show those fuckers who’s the alpha team.”- Well, it is technically optional…as in, Rappa and Mirko are split over whether kicking or punching ass is better to proceed with.

16) “Bullshit Knuckles, and you know it. And you Rappa, keep quiet, Mirko got the gist of it, she just needs to promise that she won’t kill anyone and then kick people so hard their vertebrae pop out through their mouth like they are pez dispensers”- Arguably the main difference between them. Mirko knows when to play along before she can cut loose once she’s gained permission, whereas Rappa’s just too upfront and is entirely honest about his desire to fight to the death. Weird seeing the hero being the deceitful one, honestly.

17) “There go my two kids, they are always so happy when they are curb-stomping people into a mush…”- The joys of simple violence. Poetry in motion, to the chorus of breaking bones.

18) “Oh don’t worry Knuckles, they have no need for help. You should worry about who’s going to pay the medical bills of the people they are beating up tho, you said yourself they are ~civilians dosed without consent~”- I presume Knuckles made the police foot the bill, since they’ve contributed pretty much nothing else to this raid.

19) “THAT’S RIGHT GUNKLE! SHOT AT AfO THROUGH THE PORTAL, I THINK NOBODY ACTUALLY BOTHERED TO CHECK IF A HEADSHOT WOULDN’T SOLVE ALL THOSE PROBLEMS, WE DON’T KNOW IF HE ALREADY HAD THE ANTI-HEAD-CRUSHING MEASURE READY BY THEN”- Him still possessing his facial features is a sign that he still doesn’t have Hyper Regeneration specifically but from what we see of Hood, he’s already working on a pseudo-means of being able to heal injuries, presumably with the final product intended for his own use, but this research didn’t proceed far enough until All Might finally caught up to him and crushed his dreams along with his face. From what I can tell, it doesn’t seem to be that Hood is specifically ‘healing’ himself, but rather ‘fixing’ himself, using his unique construction as a modded human, rather than a healing Quirk outright, hence why AFO can’t exactly steal it if it comes down to the way his body’s been rebuilt rather than a power he’s using.  

20) “oh wow, a prop gun you said? Thank fuck they didn’t bothered to get a real one then, it would probably have the wield of a fucking nuclear weapon.”- I fully believe that Knuckles is the kind of guy to keep a few bullets on him in reserve in case he ever needs to shoot somebody, even if he doesn’t always bring an accompanying gun.

21) “HEEEY- THERE WE HAVE IT, OUR FIRST LOOK AT PRE-POTATO AfO, AND HE IMMEDIATELY GOES D:  HILARIOUS “- Honestly, it’s just nice to see something other than ‘smug satisfaction’ on his mug for once, even if it is only a minor victory at best.

@thelreads

[conniejoworld]

LETTERS These are our thoughts Re: “Our classes are full of life, learning — not hate,” by Tyra Damm, May 6 column. Thank you, Tyra Damm, for speaking truth to power. How refreshing to read this column. She clearly and succinctly communicated the thoughts of many of us who have worked in public schools. “There is no time or proclivity for hate. There is no hidden agenda, woke or otherwise.” For obvious reasons of political expediency, our public schools have come under the Republican gun (purposeful choice of words). Public school employees who bravely persisted through a pandemic now suffer harmful rhetoric from Gov. Greg Abbott and also experience attacks from parents and legislators who display an obtunded and obstructive mindset. Yet, with little encouragement, praise or meaningful pay, and in spite of the negativity being levied toward them, those who have chosen to continue their valuable work meet our children and grandchildren with smiles and love, committed to teaching basics and useful, meaningful life lessons. I hope Abbott and his cohorts read her column and hang their heads in shame. That would be refreshing. And thank you, Dallas Morning News , for the incredibly incisive political cartoon on Wednesday (Uncle Sam taken down by a gun addiction). Well done. Theresa Riggs, Arlington More praise for cartoon Regarding Wednesday’s editorial cartoon, what a powerful and impactful graphic representation of national maladies! Bill Bramhall has married two American tragedies into one pictorial representation that grabs our hearts and highlights the tragic results of both evils. Here’s hoping that this gripping cartoon will affect continued progress in reigning in both gun violence and drug deaths. Dan Siculan, Royse City

Some ideas to consider After the Allen Premium Outlets shooting, those who believe a right to life supersedes a right for everyone to possess a firearm, regulations derived from the Second Amendment, the expression “well-regulated” must apply. First, a firearm owner must be licensed through an extensive background check which will include psychological testing to eliminate those suicidal or psychotic. Gov. Greg Abbott insists the problem is mental health, but he provides guns to crazy people. The licensee must have a picture I.D. and thumbprint, and be over 21. Those under 21 must have an adult with them to handle a firearm. Second, for a licensee to purchase a gun, a 10-day waiting period must be used to research behavior since licensing. The purchaser must undergo training in firearm safety. No military-style rifles are to be in any one’s possession other than the military. Third, if a person has a firearm in bodily possession, he will forfeit it if intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, or if he threatens to use it illegally or exhibits family violence. Finally, private militias must not be allowed firearms. Public militias will be controlled by the Department of Public Safety and have all firearms registered. Criminals must not have guns. Walter Lindrose, Denton He blames gerrymandering Re: “Uphill battle for gun control — Amid growing pressure, GOP leaders unlikely to push reform,” Thursday news story. This story concludes that reasonable gun control laws fail in Texas because GOP lawmakers are “driven by a more powerful force: Republican primary voters.” True enough, but where is the rest of the story? In a democracy, why are only Republican primary voters in control and not the entire electorate? The missing explanation to the story: gerrymandering. When voters are “packed” and “cracked” into district lines that dilute the voting power of some groups in favor of others, the will of the majority can be thwarted and we inevitably end up with legislators narrowly focused on the extreme demands of primary voters. A third of the members of the Texas House (58 out of 150) and Texas Senate (10 out of 31) didn’t even have general-election opponents in 2022. Even in the general election, only one contested Texas Senate race and only four contested Texas House races were won by less than a 10% margin. Legislators chose their voters, not the other way around. The “powerful force” driving GOP lawmakers is one of their own choosing. Those lawmakers created that force, by rigging district lines to favor certain voters. Dave Jones, Sherman President, Clean Elections Texas What will they take next? Re: “Neighbors, not short-term rentals, foster community — Restricting these dwellings in residentially zoned areas will protect homeowners, home values,” by Douglas Newby, May 7 opinion. If my worst fears hold true, the state of Texas is forging ahead to preempt local control of neighborhood property rights with House Bill 2665. My family bought a home in a quiet neighborhood zoned for single-family residential homes, and that’s the way we want to keep it. As citizens of Arlington, a city with the foresight to restrict businesses to areas zoned for business, we are able to plan for our future and prosper here. A state so eager to usurp our ability to enjoy the fruits of our labor in a quiet, single-family-residence neighborhood doesn’t appear to stand for personal choice or personal control over the biggest longterm investment many families ever make. It seems, rather, that the once-upon-a-time-limited-government proponents at the helm of Texas government want control over local government as well as state government in order to cull the favors of business interests rather than protect the rights of individual citizens. If my own state representatives can take my property rights away, what are they going to take next? Pat Sanchez, Arlington

[uirukii]

So tell me again how ‘both sides are the same’ or ‘just as bad’?

In the agenda, “our administration will release federal funding to support programs that help parents affirm their LGBTQ+ kids and advance new regulations to protect LGBTQ+ youth in foster care”.

More of the progressive agenda under the cut that includes youth mental health and homelessness help, tackling the epidemic of bigoted book bans and creating a partnership specifically for LGBTQ safety that works with LOCAL LGBTQ community organizations.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will partner with the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to form a new LGBTQI+ Community Safety Partnership, to provide safety resources to local LGBTQ+ community organizations and help them prevent and respond to threats.

It also admits cops have been problematic with the LGBTQ+ community and will work towards fixing that massive problem.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will take the lead with initiatives to protect the health and safety of LGBTQ+ kids and their families. Pointing to a nationwide mental health crisis among LGBTQ+ youth, the administration will strengthen mental health resources and launch a new federal initiative to address LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.

The Department of Education will address the epidemic of book bans targeting LGBTQ+-themed content in schools and libraries. “Book banning erodes our democracy, removes vital resources for student learning, and can contribute to the stigma and isolation that LGBTQI+ people and other communities face,” the White House said.

The Department’s Office for Civil Rights will appoint a new coordinator to address “the growing threat that book bans pose for the civil rights of students,” and ensure local stakeholders understand how targeting specific communities, LGBTQ+ and communities of color among them, may violate federal civil rights laws.

[stout-stoat]

here's a list!! :>

LABOR

- expanded protections for pregnant and nursing workers - already in place for larger employers - to almost everyone in the state.

- created new worker protections for Amazon warehouse workers and refinery workers.

- banned "captive audience meetings" where employers force employees to watch anti-union presentations.

- passed new wage protections for the construction industry, against industry resistance.

- banned noncompete agreements and created statewide paid sick leave.

- created a huge new statewide paid family and medical leave program, raising the number of workers receiving paid leave from 25% to 100%.

SCHOOLING

- passed a bunch of labor protections for teachers, including requiring school districts to negotiate class sizes as part of union contracts.

- raised education spending by 10%, or about 2.3 billion.

- made hourly school workers (e.g. bus drivers and paraprofessionals) eligible for unemployment during summer break, when they're not working or getting paid.

- made public college education free for Minnesota families that make under $80k per year.

- made school breakfast and lunches free for all students.

ENVIRONMENT

- spent nearly a billion dollars on a variety of environmental programs, from heat pumps to reforestation.

- created an energy standard for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040.

HEALTH

- created a state board to govern labor standards at nursing homes.

- banned conversion therapy for minors.

- laid the groundwork for a public health insurance option.

- made the largest increase to nursing home funding in state history.

- expanded the publicly subsidized health insurance program to undocumented immigrants.

- bumped up salaries for home health workers to address the shortage of in-home nurses.

- legalized drug paraphernalia: allows social service providers to conduct needle exchanges and address substance abuse with reduced fear of incurring legal action.

- created a Prescription Drug Affordability Board: sets price caps for high-cost pharmaceuticals.

- passed strict new regulations on PFAS ("forever chemicals"). the law, "Amara's Law," is named after a 20 year old cancer victim.

- signed a $240 million lead pipe removal bill. (this passed with unanimous support!)

- codified Roe v. Wade, protecting abortion rights.

- fully legalized marijuana.

CLASS

- created a new child tax credit that will cut child poverty by about a quarter.

- banned price gouging in public emergencies.

- put $50 million into homelessness prevention programs.

- put $1 billion into affordable housing programs, including by creating a new state housing voucher program.

TRANSIT

- forced signal priority changes to Twin Cities transit. right now the trains have to wait at intersections for cars, "which, i can say from experience, is terrible."

- passed a law to prevent catalytic converter thefts. (this is a car part that people steal and sell for scrap platinum)

- going to build a passenger train from the Twin Cities to Duluth.

- created a new sales tax to fund bus and train lines, an enormous victory for the sustainability and quality of public transit. transit will be more pleasant to ride, more frequent, and have better shelters along more lines.

- created new protections for Uber and Lyft drivers, "leading to State Senator Omar Fateh to be adorably mobbed by Uber and Lyft drivers."

POLICING

- banned white supremacists and extremists from police forces.

- capped probation at 5 years for most crimes.

- mostly banned no-knock warrants.

- made prison phone calls free.

- restored voting rights to convicted felons as soon as they leave prison.

- expanded background checks and enacted red-flag lavws, passing gun safety measures that the GOP has thwarted for years.

- massively increased funding for the state's perpetually-underfunded public defenders, which lets more public defenders be hired and existing public defenders get a salary increase.

ETC.

- passed the largest bonding bill in state history! total of $2.6 billion in funding improvements to parks, colleges, water infrastructure, bridges, etc. etc. etc.

- made a digital fair repair law that requires electronics manufacturers to make tools and parts available so that consumers can repair their electronics rather than purchase new items.

- made Juneteenth a state holiday.

- ensured that everyone, including undocumented immigrants, can get drivers' licenses.

- "you belong here:" made a raft of laws to make the state a trans refuge, and ensure people receiving trans care here can't be reached by far-right governments in places like Florida and Texas.

- already has some of the strongest election infrastructure (and highest voter participation) in the country, but the legislature just made it stronger, with automatic registration, preregistration for minors, and easier access to absentee ballots.

Massive Minnesota W read em for yourself

[highlinetreecare]

Why Opting for Professional Tree Removal is a Wise Decision

When it comes to tree removal within areas near your home or business, particularly in the urban setting of Werribee, taking down a tree is not merely a question of aesthetics or need for space but of planning and safety while adhering to the appropriate legal codes. It is thus clear that hiring tree removal services has to be considered as one of the wager investments towards making sure that people are safe from the destructive forces of trees. This blog will delve into the reasons why employing professionals for tree removal in Werribee is a wise decision

Ensuring Safety

Hire a professional tree removal service to prevent injuries and damage. Cutting large mature trees is inherently risky, with the potential for accidents and significant loss of life or property if safety protocols are ignored. Professional arborists trained in these operations minimise risks by employing techniques such as cutting tree trunks with ropes, pulleys, harnesses, and sometimes cranes. This approach ensures the safer removal of large tree sections, reducing the likelihood of harm or damage to nearby structures.

Access to Specialised Equipment

Companies that offer professional tree removal in Colac know that they have to bring the appropriate tools for both basic and complicated procedures. Equipment used in the mission entails, amongst others, chainsaws, woodchippers, stump grinders, and cranes. This makes the work quicker and cleaner, and it additionally lets the tree be correctly removed without endangering the rest of the tree branches.

Compliance with Local Regulations

Tree removal in populated cities is regulated under laws that ensure the process is environmentally responsible and safe for the public. These may include the requisites for getting a permit or a notification on legally removing the tree with extra emphasis on the size or kinds of trees that cannot be chopped down. Professional tree services are familiar with these regulations. They can navigate the bureaucratic hurdles to ensure your tree removal is not in legal trouble, avoiding fines or mandatory reinstatements.

Expertise and Experience

Professional arborists do much more than simply cut trees; they possess specialised knowledge to assess tree conditions and determine if removal is necessary to mitigate potential threats. This expertise is crucial, especially in urban areas where old or diseased trees pose risks during storms or high winds. Their training also allows them to evaluate the health of nearby trees, ensuring that the removal of one does not adversely affect surrounding trees or the environment.

Thorough Risk Assessment

Professional tree removers assess potential hazards to people and property, unlike an untrained person who might decide to cut down a tree without considering these risks. This will involve checking the structural stability of the tree, influences such as power lines or possible locations of buildings and roads, among others. They said that this has a preventive nature, which may avoid certain hazardous operations and check that every measure is properly installed in advance.

Comprehensive Cleanup

When you hire professional tree removal services, they remove the tree and manage the cleanup. This includes removing all waste materials like sawdust, scrap wood, twigs, and branches from your property. By doing so, they ensure your compound remains clean and help reduce the environmental impact associated with waste disposal. This makes managing substantial waste significantly easier for those with it.

Long-Term Landscape Management

This is valuable advice, as professional arborists can guide you in maintaining a healthy and visually appealing landscape. They can recommend suitable tree types for your environment, advise on optimal planting locations to prevent future issues and provide maintenance tips for your existing trees. Their eco-friendly approach helps preserve the land's health and beauty.

Conclusion

These services make it easy and safe to remove the trees while ensuring that all the right standards are met as required by the authorities in Werribee. Discover techniques, safety equipment, and legal prerequisites to minimise risks when professional tree removal services are carried out.

They also offer assessments of risks, dealing with issues surrounding the removal and even post-removal services to ensure that every process in the removal business has been addressed appropriately and safely. Deciding to employ the services of a tree removal professional goes beyond safeguarding one's territory; it is about fostering a healthier ecology of one's yard.

[reallyimpossibledetective]

A Text Message and a Safe System of Work

I had a conversation with Copliot assuming the following facts from a situation familiar to me: • An unfaithful wife was a senior manager in a largish corporation; • She had an affair with a man, not her husband; • She sent that man a text message containing a suicide threat, thereby committing an act of abuse and domestic violence; • Upon being apprised of the text message behaviour of the unfaithful wife, the subject corporation chose to cover it up, rather than deal with it.

How can the subject corporation guarantee a safe system of work for the other members of staff, in accordance with their obligations under industrial law, if they refuse to deal properly with the suicidal ideation of the senior manager?

Copilot The outlined scenario raises significant concerns about workplace safety and the obligations of the corporation under industrial law. Here is how the corporation can address these issues to ensure a safe system of work for all staff:

1 Addressing The Suicidal Ideation • Immediate Action: The corporation should take immediate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the senior manager. This includes providing access to mental health support and conducting a comprehensive mental health assessment.

• Confidentiality and Support: While addressing the issue, the corporation must maintain confidentiality and provide appropriate support to the individual involved.

2 Ensuring Workplace Safety • Risk Assessment: Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify any potential impacts on workplace safety due to the behaviour of the senior manager.

• Clear Policies: Implement and enforce clear policies regarding workplace behaviour, mental health support, and domestic violence. These policies should be communicated to all staff.

• Training and Awareness: Provide training for staff on recognising and responding to signs of mental health issues and domestic violence. This can help create a supportive and informed workplace culture.

3 Legal and Ethical Obligations • Compliance with Industrial Law: The corporation must comply with industrial laws and regulations, which include providing a safe working environment. This means addressing any behaviour that could compromise workplace safety.

• Transparency and Accountability: The corporation should be transparent about its actions and decisions, ensuring accountability at all levels. This includes documenting the steps taken to address the issue and providing regular updates to relevant stakeholders.

4 Monitoring and Review • Regular Reviews: Implement regular reviews of the mental health and behaviour of the senior manager to ensure ongoing safety and support. This can be similar to the 6-monthly reviews conducted for secure mental health patients.

• Feedback Mechanisms: Establish feedback mechanisms for staff to report any concerns or issues related to workplace safety. This can help identify and address problems early.

By taking these steps, the corporation can fulfil its obligations under industrial law and ensure a safe and supportive working environment for all staff. Ignoring or covering up such issues not only compromises workplace safety, but also undermines trust and accountability within the organization.

Insurance Most corporate insurance policies, especially those related to liability and workplace safety, typically require adherence to established protocols and regulations. Covering up such a significant issue would not only breach those protocols, but also potentially invalidate their insurance coverage.

Insurance Policies and Protocol Compliance:

• Liability Coverage: Policies generally mandate that companies follow all legal and safety protocols to minimise risks. Failing to do so, especially by covering up serious issues, could result in denied claims or increased premiums.

• Workplace Safety: Comprehensive policies often include clauses that require adherence to occupational health and safety standards. Ignoring or hiding a potential risk like the suicidal ideation of a senior manager, could be seen as gross negligence.

• Directors and Officers (D&O) Insurance: This type of insurance protects senior executives, but it usually requires transparency and adherence to corporate governance standards. Failure to address such issues properly could lead to personal liability for the executives involved.

By not addressing the suicidal ideation appropriately, the corporation risks not only the well-being of its employees, but also significant financial and legal repercussions. It is crucial for the company to comply with all protocols to maintain their insurance coverage and ensure a safe working environment.

The Text Message Is The Crucial Trigger The text message containing the suicide threat is the crucial trigger here. It raises immediate concerns about the mental health of the individual and necessitates appropriate intervention. Ignoring or covering up such a serious matter compromises the safety and well-being of the individual and others in the workplace.

Addressing it properly involves ensuring the individual gets the necessary support and assessing the impact on workplace safety. This aligns with industrial law obligations and likely insurance policy requirements.

Does It Make Any Difference If The Subject Unfaithful Wife was a Middle Manager, Rather Than a Senior Manager?

The distinction between a middle manager and a senior manager can influence the dynamics and implications of the situation, but the core issues remain similar. Here is how it might differ:

Middle Manager -v- Senior Manager

Middle Manager • Influence: Typically has less influence over company-wide policies and decisions compared to a senior manager.

• Responsibility: Still holds significant responsibility within their department or team.

• Impact: The impact of their behaviour might be more contained within their immediate team or department.

• Visibility: Their actions might attract less attention from upper management and the broader organization.

Senior Manager • Influence: Has greater influence over company-wide policies and decisions.

• Responsibility: Holds a higher level of responsibility and accountability.

• Impact: Their behaviour can have a broader impact on the culture and reputation of the organisation.

• Visibility: Their actions are more likely to attract attention from upper management and the broader organization.

Core Issues Regardless of the managerial level, the key issues remain:

• Workplace Safety: Ensuring a safe working environment for all employees.

• Mental Health Support: Providing appropriate support and intervention for the individual involved.

• Legal and Ethical Obligations: Complying with industrial laws and maintaining ethical standards.

• Transparency and Accountability: Addressing the issue transparently and holding individuals accountable for their actions.

In both cases, the corporation must address the situation appropriately to ensure workplace safety and uphold its legal and ethical obligations. The level of management might influence the approach and visibility, but the fundamental principles of handling the issue remain the same.

Response of The Individual Concerned In cases where the individual is unlikely to seek treatment voluntarily or acknowledge their behaviour, it becomes even more critical for the organization to intervene appropriately. Here are some steps the corporation can take:

1 Mandatory Intervention • Mental Health Assessment: Arrange for a mandatory mental health assessment to evaluate her condition and risks, ensuring this is in line with legal and ethical guidelines.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Leverage the EAP of the company to provide confidential counselling and support services.

2 Clear Communication • Performance Review: Frame the intervention within the context of job performance and workplace safety, highlighting the importance of addressing the behaviour.

• Confidentiality: Ensure that communication about the situation maintains confidentiality and respects the privacy of the individual.

3 Legal and Policy Adherence • Compliance: Follow corporate policies and legal obligations to handle the situation appropriately. This includes documenting actions taken and reasons for them.

• Insurance Considerations: Ensure actions comply with insurance policy requirements to maintain coverage and manage risk.

4 Support and Monitoring • Regular Follow-Ups: Implement a system of regular reviews and follow-ups to monitor her mental health and behaviour, similar to the 6-monthly reviews in secure mental health settings.

• Support Systems: Provide access to ongoing support and resources to encourage cooperation and engagement with treatment.

5 Contingency Planning • Workplace Safety: Develop a plan to address any potential impacts on workplace safety, including contingency measures if the individual does not cooperate.

• Legal Recourse: Be prepared to take further legal action if necessary, such as adjusting her role or responsibilities to ensure workplace safety.

By taking these steps, the corporation can address the situation proactively, ensuring the well-being of the individual and maintaining a safe working environment for all employees. Ignoring the issue would not only compromise workplace safety, but also potentially violate legal and ethical obligations.

[posturecouk]

DSE (Display Screen Equipment) – Ensure a Healthy Workstation Setup

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) refers to devices with visual display screens used in workplaces, such as computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. With the increasing reliance on digital devices, ensuring safe and ergonomic use of DSE is critical for maintaining employee health, comfort, and productivity. At Posture Group, we provide comprehensive DSE assessments, training, and solutions to help businesses meet their compliance obligations and protect employees from health risks.

Importance of DSE Compliance

Prolonged use of DSE without proper setup or posture can result in various physical and mental health issues, including:

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Back, neck, and shoulder pain.

Eye Strain (Digital Eye Fatigue): Blurred vision, headaches, and dry eyes.

Stress and Fatigue: Poor posture and unsuitable work environments contribute to mental and physical exhaustion.

By conducting regular DSE assessments, employers can minimize these risks and create a safer, more productive work environment. Under UK law, businesses are legally required to carry out DSE assessments for employees who use screen-based equipment for a significant part of their daily work.

Our DSE Services

Posture Group offers tailored DSE services to meet the specific needs of your workforce. These include:

DSE Assessments: We conduct on-site and remote DSE assessments to identify potential risks in workstation setups. Our experts offer personalized recommendations to ensure proper screen height, chair adjustments, and ergonomic desk configurations.

Training Programs: We provide interactive DSE training to educate employees on best practices for screen usage, posture correction, and break schedules to reduce strain.

Workstation Self-Assessment Tools: Our user-friendly self-assessment tools enable employees to evaluate and adjust their workstations independently. This empowers staff to take proactive steps toward improving their comfort and well-being.

Benefits of Working with Posture Group

Compliance with UK DSE Regulations: We ensure that your business complies with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations.

Increased Productivity: A well-optimized workstation reduces discomfort, helping employees stay focused and efficient.

Reduced Absenteeism: Proper ergonomic practices can prevent injuries, minimizing sick leave caused by posture-related issues.

At Posture Group, we are committed to helping businesses enhance employee well-being and achieve regulatory compliance. Contact us today to schedule a DSE assessment or learn more about how we can support your ergonomic needs.

Visit www.posturegroup.co.uk to explore our full range of services.

[hiltonsomer]

Fairfax Bicycle Accident Attorney: Your Essential Guide to Legal Assistance in Bicycle Accidents

A bicycle accident attorney in Fairfax specializes in handling cases where cyclists have been injured due to the negligence of others, whether it’s another motorist, a pedestrian, or poor road conditions. They play a crucial role in guiding victims through the legal process, protecting their rights, and ensuring they receive fair compensation for their injuries and losses. An experienced attorney can also provide valuable insights into specific laws that pertain to cyclists, such as Virginia’s right-of-way regulations and bike lane safety requirements, which are essential in building a strong case.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Fairfax

Bicycle accidents can happen for various reasons, many of which are due to the negligence of others. Common causes include:

Distracted Driving: Texting, phone calls, and other distractions can cause drivers to overlook cyclists.

Failing to Yield: Motorists may not yield to bicycles at intersections, especially during turns.

Road Hazards: Poorly maintained roads, potholes, and debris can be hazardous for cyclists.

Dooring: In busy areas, cyclists may collide with car doors unexpectedly opened into their path.

Limited Bike Lanes: In some areas, limited bike lanes force cyclists to share the road closely with vehicles.

Understanding the cause of the accident is crucial for building a case. A Fairfax bicycle accident attorney will gather evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and even surveillance footage, to establish liability. They also assess the extent of the injuries and calculate the financial losses to ensure that victims receive fair compensation.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

Knowing what to do immediately after a bicycle accident is critical for both health and legal reasons. If you’re involved in a bicycle accident in Fairfax, follow these steps:

Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get medical help to ensure there are no hidden injuries.

Document the Scene: Take photos, note any visible damage, and get contact information for witnesses.

Report the Accident: File a police report as it will be an essential piece of evidence in your case.

Consult a Fairfax Bicycle Accident Attorney: Speak to a legal professional to understand your rights and options.

Working with an attorney who specializes in bicycle accidents allows you to focus on recovery while they handle the complexities of your case.

The Role of a Fairfax Personal Injury Lawyer in Bicycle Accident Cases

A bicycle accident falls under personal injury law, and it is beneficial to have an attorney who has expertise in this area. Fairfax personal injury lawyers are familiar with handling complex accident cases and can provide an edge in seeking a successful resolution. They not only focus on obtaining compensation for medical bills but also take into account non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life.

In addition to representing bicycle accident victims, a Fairfax personal injury lawyer can also handle other personal injury cases, including car accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, and workplace injuries. Their extensive knowledge of local laws, negotiation skills, and trial experience can make a significant difference in securing compensation for accident victims.

Choosing the Right Fairfax Bicycle Accident Attorney

Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in a bicycle accident case. When selecting a Fairfax bicycle accident attorney, consider these factors:

Experience: Look for attorneys with specific experience in bicycle accident and personal injury law.

Track Record: Check their success rate and ability to win fair settlements for clients.

Client Testimonials: Reviews and testimonials can offer insight into an attorney’s commitment to client satisfaction.

Legal Strategy: A good attorney will tailor their legal strategy to the unique details of your case, ensuring the best possible outcome.

A skilled Fairfax bicycle accident attorney will fight to protect your rights and help you navigate the legal system, securing the compensation you need for a full recovery.