#district commissioner’s office

[paulpingminho]

[narmadanchal]

कलेक्टर, डीईओ स्वत: संज्ञान लेकर स्कूल का समय नहीं बदल सकेंगे

इटारसी। अब कलेक्टर (Collector) या जिला शिक्षा अधिकारी (District Education Officer) मौसम के रुख को देखते हुए स्वत: संज्ञान लेकर स्कूल (School) का समय नहीं बदल सकेंगे। इसके लिए उनको स्कूल के प्रतिनिधि और अभिभावकों से चर्चा तथा आयुक्त लोक शिक्षण (Commissioner of Public Instruction), संचालक राज्य शिक्षा केन्द्र (Director State Education Centre) की सहमति भी लेना अनिवार्य होगी। मध्यप्रदेश स्कूल शिक्षा…

[ak319]

Lovesick Village Boy x Fem civil servant reader

《Beloved's Veil》

(Warnings: will have themes like possession/horror and abuse) This story will have more than two parts, so enjoy🌼

"Do you like it this far, Ma'am? The village?" Odai’s voice cut through the soft hum of the engine, drawing your gaze to the rearview mirror where his eyes met yours.

"Yes, it’s quite peaceful. I've never lived in a village before."

"You’ll love it, Ma’am. It’s indeed peaceful, which is good for someone like you who enjoys working in a calm environment. The beauty here adds more to the experience." He smiled, his eyes glinting with nostalgia. "This is my second time here. I once drove the Commissioner on a visit. The people are kind too."

"Mhm." You nodded thoughtfully as Odai slowed the car down on a narrow street. Your eyes wandered, taking in the surroundings--quaint homes with old wooden doors, vibrant rugs hung on balconies, and villagers watching the car with curious eyes. "But even the smallest villages have their dark sides. Crime, hardship--they exist everywhere."

"Indeed, ma'am." Odai's voice took on a more serious edge. "I kept news of your arrival under wraps, which is why no one's gathering around our cars." You glanced back at the security vehicle trailing behind, steady and unobtrusive.

"Good," you mused, lighting a cigarette, the flicker of the flame momentarily catching your gaze. "Maybe they are not happy to get a new DC so soon." You chuckled softly, exhaling smoke into the still air. "And what about the other task I gave you? Judging by those wary glances, it might be working."

"Yes, ma'am. I handled it." You'd instructed Odai to spread rumors before your arrival, whispers about your uncompromising nature--how you were a stickler for the law, an officer with unshakeable honesty. It was a strategy you'd wanted to test, a way to plant seeds before even setting foot in Al Razeh. Spread your roots before you even step into the territory, you thought with quiet satisfaction, watching the smoke curl and dissipate into the air, like invisible tendrils laying claim to the village before you.

You, (Y/n), had just been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner, DC, of a district called Kamandik, and your new office--and residence--was nestled in the village of Al-Razeh. It was a quiet place, far from the hustle of the city, a change you welcomed after the long, exhausting journey. Coming from a distinguished family, it almost seemed like destiny had led you to this path. Your lineage boasted army officers, doctors, and civil servants. Your father, a retired military man, had served with distinction, and your mother, an army doctor, had met him through her service. It was that kind of background that had built your discipline and drive.

"Is the Assistant Commissioner going to be there?" you asked, gazing out at the unfamiliar landscape as you approached.

"He will arrive tomorrow, ma'am. His flight got cancelled for today." Odai replied.

Good. You felt a sense of relief. One less formality for today. You leaned back into the seat, letting the exhaustion sink in, already imagining the stillness of your new residence awaiting you.

═════ ◈ ═════

"But I want you to work with me, my son," the old man said, his shivering hands reaching out as his weak, but soft gaze fell upon his youngest. Habib--the kindest, gentlest, and most beautiful of his sons--stood there, looking down at his father. His pale green eyes and thin, golden locks were a wonder, something the village marveled at since his birth. His father, prayed each day that God would grant his son a life as beautiful as he appeared, for Habib had known nothing but pain because of this beauty--this curse.

"Baba, you know they don’t want me to," Habib began, his voice barely a whisper, catching in his throat before it could fully form. The familiar heaviness of his situation silenced him completely as soon as his oldest brother, Basim, strode into the room with an air of command.

"Baba, how many times must we go through this?" Basim’s voice cut through the room like a blade. "I told you--he is not working, and that’s final!"

"He is going to work in the store I go to! With me! He has to do something."

"Him? Are you serious? " Kadir despite being not having the desired strength at the moment stood up from the bed and Habib immediately supported him, his own eyes casted down in his brother's presence.

"Basim, you seem to forget that I am still alive," Kadir said, his voice low but firm, "and I am very much capable of making decisions for this house. Do you hear me?" His words hung in the air, heavy with authority, and Basim, eyes flickering between his father and younger brother, clenched his jaw before storming out of the room, leaving a tense silence in his wake.

Habib finally exhaled the breath he'd been holding, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Don’t be afraid, son," Kadir soothed, resting a reassuring hand on his son's cheek. "I’m here for you. I will always be."

Habib nodded, pressing his lips softly to his father’s weathered fingers. "Just follow what I tell you in the shop," Kadir continued, "and you’ll learn the work in no time."

Outwardly, the Jafaris appeared to be a humble, respectable family--Kadir himself was a respected elder in the community, with his two eldest sons already married. But beneath the surface, the Jafaris were infamous. And though it seemed like many things, perhaps the real reason for the rumors that clung to them like shadows was just one thing--Habib.

Habib woke with a start, his heart pounding as he scanned his dimly lit bedroom. The narrow terrace window was open, a detail he couldn't remember opening himself. No, wait, he had opened it earlier, hadn't he? The memory was foggy. He looked down at the book in his lap, the dim light from the terrace lamp casting strange shadows around the room. Quickly, he turned on the side lamp, its bright light offering a small sense of relief.

He ran his fingers over the pages of The Book of Kings. The words seemed to mirror his own sorrow: “On my heart, this pain and sorrow are so abundant, in mourning for you, the assault on my anxious heart is endless. O heart, you are with me, but you constantly mourn the lost beloved. Every day, we remember you, and at night, we weep for your love, as if my heart cannot reach any solace from your absence and this pain has no remedy.”

Indeed, there seemed to be no remedy. The ache and torment felt as fresh and unyielding as if it had happened just yesterday.

His footsteps were light as he stepped out of his chamber, and with a whispered prayer, he made his way to the kitchen. It was 10 p.m., and most people had gone to bed by 9. He had missed dinner once again. The worried faces of his parents flashed through his mind, contrasting sharply with the indifferent expressions of his brothers.

As he approached the dishes stacked in a corner--likely left there by his mother--he began to prepare his plate. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, signaling someone's presence behind him.

'No, please-'

The words of the cleric, Nazim, echoed in his mind: “Remember, my boy, never be afraid of anything, for these things feed on fear.” Despite the reminder, he remained paralyzed, his fear not only of the unknown but also of the possibility that it might be Basim, who wasn’t pleased with what Father had said earlier.

The plate in his hand nearly dropped when the person touched him. "God!--Uncle, it’s me, it’s me, Rahim. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you...""

"It’s alright, Rahim." The teenager, Rahim, was the son of Basim, his oldest nephew, and also his best friend. "Why are you awake?"

Rahim smirked and leaned against the counter. "Just couldn’t sleep," his playful demeanor shifted to concern as he took in his young uncle’s appearance. "Uncle... were you sick again?"

"I’m always sick, nothing to worry about."

"You should take better care of yourself. I worry about you. And..." Rahim hesitated, "I doubt that--"

"Rahim, I’m fine. And no, it’s gone. Long gone. Believe me. I’m just... going through some side effects."

"Wow, all that pain and now side effects too, even when you’re free from it? It’s been years! You should see an actual doctor." Rahim was just a toddler when his uncle was afflicted in a way he never imagined possible. Yet, he remembered it all like a vivid nightmare.

"Rahim, please. I am fine," Habib reassured, his voice soft but firm, trying to mask the lingering shadows of his past.

The boy decided to drop the topic for now with an unconvinced sigh. "I brought those pastries you love."

"Why?! You know Brother Basim--"

"Uncle, please. It’s my pocket money, and I get to buy whatever I want for whoever I want." Rahim smiled, and Habib couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound light and comforting in the quiet of the kitchen.

Rahim’s grin widened. He always loved seeing his uncle, who was more like an older brother to him, happy. "Shall I make tea?"

"No, I'll make it. I don't want you waking the whole house."

The two chatted softly, the kitchen door closed to keep their voices from carrying. Basim would be furious if he knew they were up.

"Oh, how could I forget to tell you! When me and my friends were playing, we saw the new DC’s car. She’s here. And from what we’ve heard, she’s very upright and strict too. Which I think is a good thing, considering the previous one was lousy as hell."

"We’ve never had a female DC before, have we?" Habib wondered aloud, trying to recall if he had ever seen any officer around or remembered the last DC’s name.

"Um, no. And do you know her bungalow walls are so high, you can’t see past them! Imagine how cool it must be from the inside. Plus, all the cameras and stuff, which I heard they’re going to put around the village too."

"Mhm, nice." Habib nodded, his smile fading slightly as he sipped his tea. The conversation about the new DC and the changes in the village did little to distract him from the quiet sadness that lingered in his heart.

Part II

[zvaigzdelasas]

[Maariv is Private Israeli Media]

[Machine Translation]

With the approval of the ombudsman: Towards a dramatic change in the opening fire procedure in the police

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir will put to a vote in the government this coming Sunday a resolution to change the government's decision that was made following the conclusions of the Or Committee, and dramatic changes will be made in the opening fire instructions of the Israel Police.[...]

In [certain] cases, with the approval of the commissioner, the relevant district commander may order the granting of permission to open live fire at the rioters[...]

The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir: "This is a dramatic and critical change in favor of the continuation of the war effort, which will give our police officers the ability to provide an immediate response and prevent the events of Operation 'Guardian of the Walls' from recurring. This is alongside the other significant moves we are promoting, in the establishment of standby classes and the distribution of weapons, and the significant change We announced it in the tests required to issue a weapons license."

26 Oct 23

[laracrofted]

down comes the night

synopsis: on a cold midnight in the dead of winter, gotham city's district attorney is murdered.

pairing: batman!bob floyd x fem!reader (lucky)

warnings: 18+ minors and ageless accounts dni, character death (obviously), mentions of death and mob violence, language (wc: 1K)

note: while i'm not planning to write a full series for batman bob – more like connected one shots and blurbs, because i can only focus on one series – i knew i absolutely had to write this scene, which has been in my head all week.

Tears are frozen in your lashes.

You saw him on Saturday. He was alive on Saturday. You saw him.

He wrapped an arm around your shoulders, mussed your hair like an annoying older brother and smacked a drunken and damp kiss on your cheek. He was alive.

"Did you hear me?" Bradley asks you – no, Commissioner Bradshaw asks you. His coat hangs around your shoulders, overly large on your frame, smelling like leather and coffee and cigar smoke. He doesn't smoke, or maybe Bradley just doesn't smoke around you.

He has always been so delicate around you. You still remember when another officer in the Major Crimes Division made some crass comment in front of you, and Bradley barked out a harsh, "Watch your mouth. You're in the presence of a lady," and silenced the room.

Or at least, until Jake smirked and not even bothering to look up from his paperwork, drawled, "Oh really? Where? I don't see any ladies around here. I only see Lucky."

You shot him a withering look, and Jake grinned, green eyes glittering in the dim yellow light of the office.

Bradley says your name again, breaking you from the warmth of the memory, plunging you back into the cold of the night, like a frozen surface of a lake, cracking under your weight.

You're so cold. Swallowing is almost painful.

You look at him, cheeks cold, eyes dim and lifeless. "How?"

A croak, barely audible, but Bradley pales. He opens his mouth, but Bradley's voice isn't the one that answers your question.

"A single shot to the back of the head."

His voice is low and hoarse and if the circumstances were different, kind of attractive. He sounds like cigar smoke and aged whiskey, deep and solid.

You've only seen him a few times.

You'd come looking for Jake up here once and found him up here – up here with him. He spotted you before Jake did and sidled back into the shadows, ready to disappear, and Jake looked over his shoulder.

"That's just Lucky. She's good," Jake reassured him. He beckoned you forward with a waved palm. You quietly handed him a styrofoam cup of coffee and watched the shadows. He watched you back, silent and watchful.

You've never heard his voice before.

Under different circumstances.

You don't have the luxury of different circumstances. You only have these.

"Execution style?"

He says nothing, which might as well be a confirmation.

"A mob hit?"

You can only see the bottom half of his face in his mask. His mouth looks vaguely impressed, pitched to the side.

You recall, "He slipped a USB into my clutch on Saturday. He must've done it when I wasn't paying attention or something."

You remember Jake's arm around your shoulders, his lips warm on your cheek, on your hairline.

"He left me a video. He said..."

Trust Bradshaw and Batman. No one else. Everyone else is on a payroll, kid. You suck in a breath and do your best not to cry again. Moisture stings your eyes. Damn.

"He knew, didn't he? He was making plans. He must've known."

You know what Jake would say now.

Everyone wants to kill a District Attorney in Gotham, Lucky. We might as well make, 'Mob bosses want me dead,' the new re-election slogan.

You can almost hear his voice, can almost see his grin.

Bradley nods. "Someone always wants to kill a good D.A., but yeah, Jake knew. He always knew."

You scoff.

Of course, Jake knew.

Jake knew and didn't run. Didn't enter protective custody. Didn't do anything but show up in the court room and smile in the faces of the men who wanted him dead. Damn him and his reckless righteousness. Damn him.

"Hey, Lucky..." Bradley looks sideways into the shadows. "You should probably call in sick for the rest of the week." You look at him sharply, and Bradley holds up his hands in a placating gesture. "You could be in danger. These are dangerous people. We don't know who exactly Jake pissed off."

You could almost laugh. Who didn't Jake piss off?

"He'd want you to be safe, is all," Bradley finishes, stuffing his hands in his pockets, shoulders hunched. Moonlight glints off of the silver badge at his hip.

You look at him dully. "Jake didn't run. Why should I?"

"And now Jake's dead," Bradley says softly.

And now Jake is dead.

He won't ruffle your hair or grab you coffee in the mornings. He's dead. He's dead.

You abruptly shake your head, almost robotically. Cross your arms.

"I'm an Assistant District Attorney. I can help."

"No," Bradley responds immediately. "For all we know, someone in the DA's office is crooked. You start poking around all of the sudden and..."

He doesn't need to finish that sentence. You could end up like Jake.

You bite down on your lip and cast your gaze into the shadows. "You. What'd Jake say I'd do?"

Batman looks at you, serious and searching, for a long moment, which feels even longer under his gaze. "You'd help. He said, if something were to happen to him, you'd help."

You hold his gaze. "Then I'll help."

And out of the corner of your eye, Bradley sighs.

Bradley leaves before you. He gets a call and heads downstairs – but not before offering to have one of his men drive you home whenever you're ready, which makes you smile weakly.

You expect him to leave soon after. You're surprised when Batman lingers.

You ignore him, mostly, watching the glittering snow dance and glimmer and fall in the wind, pinpricks of reflected light in the darkness, almost like stars.

"He..."

And Batman hesitates.

And damn, isn't that something? Isn't it something to see a masked vigilante – a feared predator, a scourge of the underworld – measure his words?

"He was... a good man. He was my friend. I'm sorry."

You stare. You don't blink. You barely even breathe.

"Thank you."

He dips his chin in a nod – his strong chin – and in the edges of the brightness pouring from the spotlight on the roof of the GCPD building – which bears his symbol, a sign of hope and fear, depending on who bears witness – you swear you catch a glimpse of blue in his eyes.

Before you can look closer, can step closer, Batman is gone, melting into the shadows again, disappearing into the dark and bleak night in a rush of wind.

Standing here alone – without him – feels even colder somehow.

note: will i wish i'd edited this in the morning? probably. do i care right now? not at all. also, down comes the night is now the official name for this universe, which i love, but of course, batman bob is always acceptable 😌

summoning a few friends who might be interested: @sometimesanalice @roosterbruiser @callsignspark @rhettabbotts @yanna-banana @ryebecca @withahappyrefrain

[mydaddywiki]

Gary Peters

Physique: Average Build Height: 5' 10" (1.77 m)

Gary Charles Peters Sr. (born December 1, 1958) is an American lawyer, politician, and former military officer serving as the junior United States senator from Michigan since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. representative for Michigan's 14th congressional district, which included the eastern half of Detroit, the Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Southfield, and Pontiac, from 2009 to 2015.

Before his election to Congress, Peters served in the United States Navy Reserve, spent 22 years as an investment advisor, and worked briefly in academia. He was elected to the Rochester Hills City Council in 1991 and represented the 14th district in the Michigan Senate from 1995 to 2002. He was then appointed commissioner of the Michigan Lottery by Governor Jennifer Granholm, serving from 2003 to 2008, when he resigned to successfully run for Congress.

A bearded, buttoned-down genial Midwesterner known in the Senate mostly for steering as far clear from the spotlight as he possibly can. One ally calls him a “worker bee,” while a Republican describes him as “about as exciting as a bowl of cold oatmeal.” He didn't do anything for me when he was clean shaven, but when he grew his beard, he became smoking hot and I fell in love immediately.

Lets see, married to Colleen Ochoa and they have three children. He's an avid motorcyclist and has made a tradition of annual motorcycle tours of Michigan. He stands for… political things and he has a very strong stance on… stuff. You know what, I don't really care. I think he's beautiful and has a great, sexy beard. Peters strikes me as the kind of guy who would be into leather. A real 'spank my ass and call me bitch' kind of guy wearing leather and thick black boots. What? He rides a Harley, so of course he has leather and thick black boots.

[docgold13]

Heroes & Villains The DC Animated Universe - Paper Cut-Out Portraits and Profiles

Commissioner Barbara Gordon

In the future era of Batman Beyond, Barbara Gordon retired from her role as Batgirl and followed her father in pursuing a career in law enforcement.  She excelled as a police officer, matriculating through the academy and earning the rank of detective in record time.  Her tremendous natural capabilities coupled with her past experiences training under Batman helped Barbara become a decorated, renown and respected officer; she was ultimately named police commissioner of Gotham City, taking the same post once occupied by her father.  

Barbara lost touch with her former love, Dick Grayson.  She tried to maintain a friendship with Bruce Wayne but he had grown reclusive and distant.  The terrible injury that had befallen Tim Drake greatly affected Bruce and pushed everyone away.  Barbara eventually gave up and moved on with her life.  She fell in love with district attorney Samuel Young and the two were married.

When Terry McGinnis began operating as the new Batman it was easy for Barbara to ascertain Bruce’s involvement.  Barbara tried to dissuade Terry and Bruce from continuing on this path yet it was no use and she found herself in the same position as her father had once been in: reluctantly having to condone a vigilante fighting crime under her watch.  After Terry had saved her husband’s life, however, Barbara’s feelings toward this new Batman changed.  She became more open to working in tandem with Batman and it eventually led to a reconciliation between her and Bruce.  

Actresses Stockard Channing and Angie Harmon provided the voice for the adult Barbara Gordon with the new Commissioner first appearing in the third episode of the first season of Batman Beyond, ‘Blackout.’  

[girlactionfigure]

🔘LEGAL SYSTEM DISAGREEMENTS, YET MORE “DEAL” NEWS - Real time from Israel  

ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

( VIDEO - US Central Command: the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln is in the area [of the Middle East] )

⭕75 HEZBOLLAH ROCKETS fired at Israeli Civilian towns yesterday in the north, as well as 20-30 or so SUICIDE DRONES.

⭕HEZBOLLAH DRONE STRIKE hit a factory in Nahariya WITHOUT ALARM. No injuries.

▪️APPEAL AGAINST DISMISSAL OF LEGAL “ADVISORS”.. The “Movement for the Quality of Government” NGO appealed to the High Court against the dismissal of ministerial dept legal advisors: "The continuation of the coup d'état, during the war. The govt decision will constitute a serious injury to the independence of the legal advisory system for govt offices, and will result in significant damage to the fundamental principles of the State of Israel."

The legal advisors opinions are considered binding, and appear to often be used in apparent disagreement with ministry policies.

▪️POLICE COMMISSIONER vs. ATTORNEY GENERAL.. Commissioner Danny Levy referred to the letter by Attorney General Beharve-Miarat "if he does not freeze the reassignment of the police senior legal advisor (from his advisor position to a department manager), he will be acting against the law", and replied that "the Israel Police addressed her letter last week and there is nothing to add in the matter. I am busy from morning to night fighting crime and leading the organization." 

After she informed him that his decision was frozen, Levy wrote to Beharev-Miara "I do not recognize a legal obligation to consult with you before making an appointment. Your request means a de facto expropriation of my authority."

.. (Ch. 13) “Legal authorities”, the commissioner’s conduct may lead to his removal.  National Security Minister Ben Gvir: in your dreams.

▪️ECONOMY.. Ministry of Finance: Ahead of budget discussions, the chief economist updated (REDUCED) the growth forecast for the years 2024 and 2025, to levels of 0.4% and 4.3% respectively.

♦️LEBANON - Hezbollah commander of the Eyta al-Sha'ab area surrendered to the Golani fighters.

.. The Lebanese report extensive destruction in the village of Jbaa in Nabatieh district following a series of about 12 attacks on the place last night. Several buildings collapsed.

♦️SYRIA - Syrian sources: Israel blew up a minefield in the area west of the village of al Qahtaniyah in the Qunaitra district in southern Syria. (This would allow rapid maneuvering.)

♦️GAZA - Air Force attacked terrorists in the humanitarian area in Khan Yunis.

♦️GAZA IED’s - Ch. 14, we were asked not to say that there was an explosion inside a building (where soldiers were killed). We will not hide it. 12 fighters were killed by IEDs in Jabaliya. It's time for tough questions (of why going building to building instead of air striking or tank fire.)

🔹HAMAS.. Report: Muhammad Sinwar replaced his brother as the leader of Hamas.

🔹US CENTRAL COMMAND.. General Michael Korilla will arrive tomorrow for a visit to Israel.

🔹US Ambassador to the UN: The US believes that Francesca Albania, the UN's special rapporteur for the “occupied” territories, is not suitable for her position. The UN should not tolerate anti-Semitism from an official appointed to promote human rights.

🔸DEAL NEWS.. proposal of the day: new Qatari proposal: a month of truce in exchange for 11 hostages, mostly females, without ending the war.  As always, Hamas has not agreed while these are publicly floated to pressure Israel.

.. Hezbollah official: "We will not hold talks under fire.. And we have not received an official offer.” (After the visit by the US envoy.)

✡️A word of Torah: Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the entire world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it. - The Rambam

[darkeagleruins]

Major Voter Registration Fraud Operation Uncovered in Pennsylvania

Lancaster County’s District Attorney Heather Adams and three county commissioners have announced a major voter registration fraud operation in Pennsylvania.

"On Tuesday afternoon, I was contacted by Christa Miller, who is our Chief Clerk of Elections regarding potentially fraudulent voter registration applications that had recently been received by her office."

"At that time, she informed me that the elections office received approximately 2,500 applications at or near the deadline for registering to vote. While preparing to process these applications, staff noticed that numerous applications appeared to have the same handwriting, were filled out on the same day with unknown signatures, and some were previously registered voters, and the signatures on file did not match the signatures on the application."

"So before I begin to summarize our preliminary findings, I must remind everyone that this is an ongoing investigation, and for that reason I will be limited in the details that I can provide. Lancaster County detectives began investigating the voter registration applications and immediately found applications that were indeed fraudulent."

"Indicators of fraud included inaccuracies with the addresses listed on the applications false personal identification information, as well as false names. A number of the applications also contained names that did not match the provided social security information. In some cases, applications contained correct personal identification information such as the correct address, correct phone number, date of birth, driver's license number, and social security number."

"But the individuals listed on the applications informed detectives that they did not request the form. They did not complete the form and verified that the signature on the form was not theirs. At this point, it is believed that the fraudulent voter registrations are connected to a large scale canvassing operations for rotor registrations that date back to June. However, the majority of the applications received are dated August 15th, and after those canvassing for voter registrations were employed and paid to obtain voter registration applications."

"The majority of the applications were from residents in the City of Lancaster. However, applications were also received from residents in Columbia, Elizabethtown, Mount Joy, Akron, Ephrata, Stevens Strasburg, as well as other locations across Lancaster County. The canvases themselves took place at various shopping centers, parking lots of grocery stores and businesses, sidewalks and parks. During this preliminary investigations, detectives were able to verify some of the applications were indeed legitimate. In these instances, the applicant verified that they did information to a canvasser for these applications. We will immediately advise voter registration and that we confirm that they are legitimate requests and voter registration will process that application."

"Thus far of the investigations that we have completed, we have determined that 60% have been fraudulent..."

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved on our archive

By Julie Luchetta and Troy Oppie

Residents in the Southwest Idaho Health District will no longer be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at District Health offices.

The District’s Board of Health voted 4-3 Tuesday to remove the COVID-19 vaccines from its facilities after receiving around 300 public comments urging them to do so. The board vote followed anti-vaccine presentations from multiple doctors widely accused of spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation, including Idaho pathologist Dr. Ryan Cole.

Other presenters joined by teleconference, including Dr. Peter McCullough, a Texas-based cardiologist who had his medical certifications threatened by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2022, pediatrician Dr. Renata Moon, who has sued Washington State University over free speech when the school did not renew her contract after an appearance before a 2022 U.S. Senate panel questioning vaccines, and Dr. James Thorp, an OB/GYN who was featured in the conspiracy-laden and widely debunked documentary 'Died Suddenly.'

They were invited to participate by the only physician on the Southwest District board of health, Dr. John Tribble. The board initially heard a presentation from a district staff physician, Dr. Perry Jansen, who recommended keeping the vaccine available through the health district offices.

"We really serve as a safety net provider for people who can't get health care in any other way, largely because of finances," Jansen told the board. "We're able to offer free and discounted services for people who don't have access through private care."

COVID-19 vaccines are no longer free, but public health departments can purchase them at a discount. Health insurance often covers the cost of the shots, but anyone paying out-of-pocket would pay less at their local health district clinic.

Many public comments received by the board expressed outrage at local tax dollars supporting COVID-19 vaccine distribution, but Jansen reminded the board that people who want the shots pay for them, either through insurance coverage or in cash, and the health district is not subsidizing the costs in any way.

Board chair Kelly Aberasturi questioned the authority of the board to remove vaccines for everyone, saying many going to the District for COVID vaccines are referred by their doctor.

“So now, you're telling me that I have the right to override that doctor? Because I know more than he does?” Aberasturi said.

"It has to do with the right of the individual to make that decision on their own. Not for me to dictate to them what they will do. Sorry, but this pisses me off," he added.

Tribble disagreed, saying the COVID vaccines had not been proven to be safe.

“They show up at the door, trusting us, and we continue to break that trust by saying, tacitly or otherwise, that these things, there's no risk from these.”

The CDC recommends everyone above the age of six months receive a COVID vaccine and acknowledges the potential risks.

Board member Jennifer Riebe said she didn’t agree with a lot of the CDC’s recommendations but didn't think it was the board’s role to make this kind of decision.

“My concern with this is the process because if this board and six county commissioners and one physician is going to make determinations on every single vaccine and pharmaceutical that we administer, I'm not comfortable with that," she said. "It may be COVID now, maybe we'll go down the same road with the measles vaccine or the shingles vaccine coverage.”

“I don't know why we as a health agency, as a public health agency, would want to give that or make it available when they can go other places,” said board member Viki Purdy.

Dr. David Pate, the former CEO of St. Luke's Health System who also served on the Governor's Coronavirus Task Force told Idaho Matters the decision would only serve as a financial barrier to those who wanted to get the vaccine.

"We've got tons of data now, and the fact that there is this group of physicians who is still able to promote scientific nonsense and scare people, and have a public health board of all people, fall for it, and vote in favor of vaccine disinformation is disheartening," he said.

The District serves Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington counties. The organization had already received 50 doses of the vaccine at the time of the vote; they are still scheduled to go towards residents of a skilled nursing facility in Canyon County.

COVID vaccines are still available at other locations, like commercial pharmacies and healthcare clinics not affiliated with Southwest District Health.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Jesse Duquette

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

September 16, 2024

Heather Cox Richardson

Sep 17, 2024

In the week since Trump’s disastrous debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, MAGA Republicans appear to be melting down. As Republicans commandeer the disaster news, the Democratic presidential nominee appears to be trying to stay out of their way. Harris sat for an interview with media host Stephanie Himonidis Sedano, known as “Chiquibaby,” of the Spanish-language U.S. audio Nueva Network, an interview that will air tomorrow on more than 100 radio stations.  

For the third day in a row, officials today had to evacuate two elementary schools in Springfield, Ohio, citing threats that have led to safety concerns. The city has also canceled “CultureFest,” its annual celebration of diversity, arts, and culture, and the local colleges are meeting virtually out of safety concerns. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles has had to close, as has the Ohio License Bureau.

Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, said that there have been “at least 33” bomb threats against schools and public offices after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio senator J.D. Vance, spread the lie that Haitian immigrants to Springfield have been eating the pets of their white neighbors. DeWine reiterated that the immigrants in Springfield are there legally, and noted that he has authorized troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol to provide additional security at the district's 18 school buildings. 

On CNN yesterday morning, Vance admitted to Dana Bash that he had created the story of Haitian immigrants eating pets. He justified the lie that has shut down Springfield and endangered its residents by claiming such a lie was the only way to get the media to pay attention to what he considers the crisis of immigration. Once the pet-eating story was debunked, Vance said that Haitian immigrants are spreading HIV and tuberculosis in Ohio; in fact, new diagnoses of HIV dropped from 2018 to 2022, and the director of the Ohio Department of Health says there has been no change in TB rates.  

That a politician of any sort would lie to rally supporters against a marginalized population comes straight out of the authoritarian playbook, which seeks to build a community around the idea that the people in it are besieged by outsiders. But when that politician is running for vice president, with the potential to become the president if anything happens to his 78-year-old running mate, who is the oldest person ever to run for president, it raises a whole factory of red flags.  

Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times noted the support of racist ideologue Alfred Rosenberg of the Nazi Party for the antisemitic text “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” a text fabricated in the early twentieth century by officials in czarist Russia. Rosenberg stood by the “inner truth” of the text even though it was fake. Like Rosenberg, Hitler’s chief propagandist Joseph Goebbels wrote, “I believe in the inner, but not the factual, truth of The Protocols.” While Democratic Ohio representative Casey Weinstein has called for Vance to resign, aside from DeWine, Republican lawmakers have not repudiated Vance’s lie. 

Astonishingly, Vance is trying to rise to power on lies about the people of his own state, the people he is supposed to represent. Not only have Democratic politicians demanded that he stop, but also amidst the chaos, the Republican mayor of Springfield and two Republican county commissioners would not commit to voting for Trump. The popular backlash against this lie has also been swift and strong. The Ohio-based Red, Wine, and Blue organization has organized the #OHNoYouDont campaign to reiterate on social media their stance against the division Vance and Trump are stoking. 

Trump seemed to try to regain control of the political narrative on Sunday by posting on social media, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,” a comment that looked like an attempt to change the subject from the backlash to the pet-eating lie, the continuing disparagement of Trump’s debate performance, and increasing attention to Trump’s attachment to right-wing provocateur and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer.     

In the days since Trump took Loomer to a commemoration of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001—which she has suggested were an “inside job”—the media has paid more attention to the 31-year-old extremist who has been Trump’s close companion since Spring 2023. Loomer has cheered the drowning of 2,000 migrants and called for “2,000 more.” In June she said that Democrats should not just be prosecuted and jailed, but “they should get the death penalty. You know, we actually used to have the punishment for treason in this country.” 

When some commenters suggested her relationship with Trump was sexual, she countered with a truly vile statement about Vice President Kamala Harris. The increasing visibility of Loomer near Trump has made those Republicans trying to run a more traditional campaign beg him to cut her loose, but Trump seems reluctant to distance himself from her. Sam Stein of The Bulwark today wrote that those Republicans worried about Trump being surrounded by conspiracy theorists are a decade late. After listing Trump’s many years of conspiracy theories, Stein wrote, they’re not “worried that Loomer will turn Trump into a raving lunatic. They’re simply worried that Trump might lose.” 

As Trump seems increasingly detached from reality, Vance has become the face of the Republican presidential campaign. He seems desperate to turn the media cycle from Trump and the extraordinary unpopularity of the plans outlined in Project 2025 and toward immigration. It’s a hard sell, since voters correctly note that it was Republicans, egged on by Trump, who killed the strong bipartisan border bill in the spring. On Thursday, September 12, Vance said on CNBC that if immigration were the path to prosperity, “America would be the most prosperous country in the world.” 

Outside of the hellscape in MAGA Republicans’ mind, it is. The Federal Reserve recently noted that as of the second quarter of 2024, U.S. household net worth is growing by a strong 7.1% a year. The stock market is also strong, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 228 points today to set an all-time high. 

On Sunday afternoon, shortly after Trump’s Taylor Swift post and another calling the “failing” New York Times a threat to democracy, as Trump was golfing at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida, Secret Service agents noticed and fired on a man holding a rifle with a scope. Today, Carol Leonnig, Josh Dawsey, and Isaac Stanley-Becker of the Washington Post reported that authorities have warned Trump of the risks of golfing at his own courses because of their proximity to public roads, but Trump insisted they were safe and kept using them.

The acting director of the Secret Service, Ronald Rowe Jr., said today that Trump’s plan for golfing on Sunday was unscheduled, so the secret service used an emergency plan for protecting Trump. Rowe said the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, a convicted felon with a history of apparent mental illness, did not have a line of sight to the former president and did not shoot. He escaped and was later caught. Cell phone records suggest he was in the vicinity for 12 hours before being flushed out of the bushes. 

Democratic leaders again denounced violence and said it has no place in our country. Observers noted that it was Trump who signed a bill revoking gun-checks for people with mental illnesses put in place by President Barack Obama and that he promised the National Rifle Association (NRA) that he would roll back all the gun safety provisions President Joe Biden has put in place if he wins in 2024. But the Trump campaign called for donations on a website suggesting, as MAGA Republicans did after the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, that Democrats were complicit in the threat to Trump. “There are people in this world who will do whatever it takes to stop us,” Trump’s campaign said. 

Unfortunately, two attempts on a president’s life in such short order are not unprecedented. As Tom Nichols pointed out today in The Atlantic, Gerald Ford survived two attempts in 15 days in 1975. But, as Nichols also points out, Ford did not fundraise off the attempts or blame his opponents for them. 

Opponents are pointing out that it is Trump and the MAGA Republicans, not the Democrats, who are stoking violence. Marcy Wheeler of Emptywheel noted that in July 2023 Trump posted an address for former president Barack Obama on his social media network, prompting a stalker, and that in four different jurisdictions, Trump’s lawyers have argued that the First Amendment protects Trump’s right to attack the judges, prosecutors, and witnesses in the cases against him, as well as their families. Other’s recalled MAGA’s “jokes” about the brutal attack on then–House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul. 

Trump supporter Elon Musk, who owns the social media platform X, wrote, “And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala,” a post he later called a “joke” after observers asked about the national security implications of a defense contractor who has $15 billion in federal contracts suggesting the assassination of the president and vice president. Musk’s post had more than 39 million impressions before he deleted it.

After his own incendiary post, Musk wrote: “The incitement to hatred and violence against President Trump by the media and leading Democrats needs to stop.” Conservative lawyer George Conway retorted: “What utter nonsense.”  

Indeed, the MAGA attempt to tie the shootings near Trump to the Democrats is pretty clearly an attempt to stop Democrats from talking about the issues of the campaign by claiming that any public discussion of Trump’s own unpopular policies and hateful words will gin up violence against him. 

One of the biggest issues MAGA Republicans would like to stop people from talking about is abortion. Reproductive healthcare journalist Kavitha Surana explained in ProPublica today that every state has a committee of experts that meet to examine women’s deaths during or within a year of pregnancy. Those committees operate with a two-year lag, meaning that we are now learning about women dying after the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that recognized the constitutional right to abortion. 

Georgia’s state committee has recently concluded that at least two women have died in Georgia from preventable causes after hospitals in the state denied them timely reproductive healthcare.

Amber Nicole Thurman died just weeks after the Georgia abortion ban went into effect. She went into sepsis from unexpelled fetal tissue after an abortion she obtained legally in North Carolina. Georgia’s law made the routine dilation and curettage procedure, or D&C, a felony with vague exceptions that make doctors worry about prosecution if they perform it. Reports show that doctors repeatedly discussed a D&C for Thurman but put it off even as her organs began to fail. By the time they performed the procedure, it was too late. 

Surana notes that Georgia governor Brian Kemp said he was “overjoyed” when the law went into effect, and that it would keep women “safe, healthy, and informed.” Attorneys for the state of Georgia accused abortion rights activists who said the law endangered women of “hyperbolic fear mongering” just two weeks before Thurman died. 

She left behind a 6-year-old son.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[narmadanchal]

36 हजार कीमत की अवैध कच्ची शराब एवं महुआ लाहन जब्त

नर्मदापुरम। आबकारी विभाग (Excise Department) द्वारा आगामी विधानसभा निर्वाचन के मद्देनजर अवैध शराब के विरुद्ध जिले में चलाये जा रहे विशेष अभियान के अंतर्गत सिवनी मालवा (Seoni Malwa) में अवैध शराब माफियाओं के विरुद्ध बड़ी कार्यवाही कुल 30 लीटर कच्ची हाथभट्टी शराब एवं 300 किलोग्राम महुआ लहान जब्त कर मध्यप्रदेश आबकारी अधिनियम (Madhya Pradesh Excise Act) अंतर्गत 02 आरोपियों के विरुद्ध धारा 34(1) का…

[fantasy-and-fiction-things]

What I am about to say is controversial. American politics always is.

But something I am very frustrated by is lack of voter literacy of our political system. Our system is built on checks and balances and with that comes the right and duty to vote. But that duty to vote does not only happen every four years. It does not happen only on the first Tuesday in November. It happens every year, at least twice a year (in the case of special elections, it will happen more). The rhetoric I have seen lately seems to ignore that.

Maybe I am generalizing and, if so, I apologize. But I know many people who think that voting only happens every four years, occasionally they believe it is every two. Or, maybe they believe that those off-year and primary elections do not matter. I don't know their intentions. I just know that this sentiment is wrong.

If people want change, they cannot wait to demand it every four years. The presidential ticket does not magically give way to a completely new agenda. The vast majority of political decisions that impact you personally are done at the local and municipal levels. When are those elections? Generally not the same years as federal elections. That means local elections get negligible turnout, even worse than our terrible turnout during presidential elections.

I am not saying politicians listen to their constituents. That's a very real problem that should sway who you vote for. What I am saying, is you do not get to scream that "our system is broken" every four years, talk about voting for the "lesser of two evils," and demand a change to the two-party system without putting the effort in to do that.

You want third parties in government? Vote for them. You want ethical politicians that look like you? Vote for them. But not just every two or four years. Vote for your city council, your county commissioner, your sheriff, your local judges, your district attorneys and so many other positions that often are selected by small margins because people do not come out to vote.

If you want institutional change, you have to make it. Not only when its easy because the news is in front of you but when its hard. If you want every vote to matter equally, if you want to prevent wars on innocents and scapegoats, if you want to protect your rights and the rights of your neighbors, you need to vote in these elections.

These elections could change your state constitution. They could change whether or not a sitting judge or district attorney believes that poverty should be criminalized. Hell, it could change who sits in the police office and whether they will take charges of criminal abuse against the public seriously.

This does not happen if you do not vote. If you want change in this country, if you want it to become something to be proud of, you have to vote. Not only when its easy. Not only when the media shoves it down your throat. Always or as much as you can (the voting laws suck in this country-so if you can vote, do it to help promote the ways that everyone can vote fairly by changing it to a holiday or moving it to a weekend or whatever works for the state you are in).

TDLR: Voting matters. It especially matters when no one is voting. Primaries and off-year elections are notorious for that. Protect your future. Vote.

[adrienneleclerc]

The Start of it All

Pairing: Walter Marshall x Hispanic!Reader

Summary: The day Y/N started working in Walter’s district and called him “Don Refri” for the first time

Warning: Masterlist pinned on my blog, it’s probably short.

A/N: i wanted to create a fanfic universe so it’s a series of one shots that take place in the same universe. Like a multi part series without the commitment which is literally PERFECT for me. If you have any ideas of what you want to see take place in this universe like in Walter and Y/N’s relationship, let me know!

Walter was in his office with the commissioner wanted to talk to him.

“What is it? Is there something wrong?” Walter asked.

“There’s nothing wrong, I found a new records clerk.” Harper told him.

“Do we really need a glorified secretary? We’ve been handling the files just fine, Harper.” Walter said.

“The time you spend creating police reports could be used actually solving cases. Whether you like it or not, a records clerk will be here. You can’t do everything on your own, she starts tomorrow.” Harper said, walking out of Walter’s office.

Walter sighed, running his hand through his hair. He knows he had no reason to be mad that a new person would come work here. He just felt that a new person would ruin the flow of things. He won’t know until he meets her though.

Y/N moved to Saint Paul 3 weeks ago and she finally got a call about the job she applied for. She moved from Miami to Quantico for FBI training but when failed the physical assessment, even after weeks of training, she decided to move to Minnesota. Why Minnesota? Who knows, she’s not use to the cold, but it was a nice change of scenery. She managed to get a nice studio apartment with her savings from working as a receptionist in Miami. She applied as a records clerk for the Saint Paul Police Department, Western District (I’ve been researching, they don’t organize the police department by precincts, only few cities do), and she got it! Now she was talking to her Miami bestie.

“Why did you choose Minnesota instead of staying there in Virginia? Do you know how cold it’s going to be once it hits winter?” Her bestie, Melissa, said.

“I know, I know, ni me lo recuerdes, but I’ll be making more money here than in Florida.” Y/N said.

“Fine, what are you going to wear for your first day on the job?” Melissa asked.

It was the next day, Y/N was putting professional clothes to make a good first impression. She decided to leave her hair down and drove to the station. Once she found parking, she entered the precinct and saw five people standing by the cubicles.

“Good morning, Y/N, we spoke on the phone, I’m commissioner Harper, these are our technicians, Matthew and Glasgow, profiler and psychologist, Rachel, and our best detective, Walter.” Harper introduced everyone to Y/N, shaking everyone’s hands respectively.

When Y/N went to shake Walter’s hand, she felt a little spark when they touched. They made eye contact and thoughts that were running in their heads were less than professional. Y/N thought about how it would feel to run her hands through his hair or having his firm hands touch her body. Walter was thinking about how it would feel to kiss her and what sounds she would make when doing so. Maybe having a new person in the precinct won’t be so bad after all.

“It’s very nice to meet everyone, can’t wait to start working here.” Y/N said with a smile. Harper showed Y/N where her cubicle was and she settles down.

Walter watched Y/N for a whole before heading to his office. The morning was pretty calm, when Walter entered the break room to grab his lunch, he saw Y/N eating her lunch, talking to Rachel at the table like they were old friends. He stood by the counter to eat his sandwich.

“So what’s the story of the detective?” Y/N asked quietly.

“He’s a good detective, but he’s closed off, kind of a grouch, we call him detective grumpy but obviously not to his face. I mean, I understand why he’s closed off, I’ve seen the photos of the cases he works, it’s brutal. I can’t imagine actually being there in person.” Rachel said. Y/N looked back at the detective and looked away.

“I Can see that too, but I think it’s better to talk it out, a desahogarte.” Y/N commented. “Bottling up your feelings can’t be good in the long run.”

One night, Y/N and Walter stayed late at the district because they cracked a big case so Y/N is doing the paperwork for it right now. It was kind of quiet so Y/N decided to break the silence.

“So, Detective Marshall, what got you interested in working in homicide?” Y/N asked. Walter looked up from a file he was reading to look at the woman.

“Am I required to answer?” Walter asked.

“You don’t have to answer, I was just trying to make conversation seeing as we’re here, alone.” Y/N commented. Walter rolled his eyes.

“I was on SWAT before, then I switched to homicide.” Walter said.

“Why did you make the switch?” Y/N asked.

“I don’t want to talk about this, just finish your work.” Walter said, looking back at the file, reviewing Y/N’s work.

“Whatever you say, Don Refri.” Y/N commented and Walter looked back at Y/N, seeing her slightly smirk.

“What did you just call me?” Walter asked.

“It’s ‘mister fridge’ in Spanish. Since you’re kinda closed off, you don’t talk, you don’t let what you’re feeling be known. You have a poker face all the time, it’s good when you’re interrogating a perp, but it’s not so good for the soul. You’re kinda cold as well, so until you learn to express your feelings in a positive way and not bottle them up, you will be Don Refri, okay? Okay.” Y/N said as she continued typing. “I wanted to be an FBI profiler before coming here. I was in Quantico and everything, I was training for weeks but when it finally came to the physical assessment, I couldn’t do it. I failed the times 1.5 mile run and got a stress fracture. So now I’m here. But I don’t think I want to become a cop.” Y/N shared and Walter just hummed. “In my culture we’re very family oriented. I moved from Miami, I’m far away from my friends and family, I’m all alone. Since I’m reporting to you, I thought we could at least be friendly towards each other, guess not. I finished, look it over, I’m leaving.” Y/N said as she packed up her stuff to leave.

Walter felt like an asshole. He could at least replied or act interested in what she was saying.

The next morning, Y/N entered the station and when she walked to her cubicle, she saw a little box of chocolate chip cookies with a sticky note that said “Sorry -Don Refri” and that made Y/N smile.

Although Y/N really wanted a relationship with Walter, being friends with him seems like a step closer to the right direction.

The End

Taglist: @shellyshellshell

Hope y’all liked it! I did my research about the Saint Paul police department to make it accurate, and hopefully I gave Y/N a good background since I put in the first installment that she doesn’t do the cold, I made her be from a warmer state. Let me know if you want to be tagged!

[mariacallous]

A new lawsuit brought against the startup Perplexity argues that, in addition to violating copyright law, it’s breaking trademark law by making up fake sections of news stories and falsely attributing the words to publishers.

Dow Jones (publisher of The Wall Street Journal) and the New York Post—both owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp—brought the copyright infringement lawsuit against Perplexity today in the US Southern District of New York.

This is not the first time Perplexity has run afoul of news publishers; earlier this month, The New York Times sent the company a cease-and-desist letter stating that it was using the newspaper behemoth’s content without permission. This summer, both Forbes and WIRED detailed how Perplexity appeared to have plagiarized stories. Both Forbes and WIRED parent company Condé Nast sent the company cease-and-desist letters in response.

A WIRED investigation from this summer, cited in this lawsuit, detailed how Perplexity inaccurately summarized WIRED stories, including one instance in which it falsely claimed that WIRED had reported on a California-based police officer committing a crime he did not commit. The WSJ reported earlier today that Perplexity is seeking to raise $500 million is its next funding round, at an $8 billion valuation.

Dow Jones and the New York Post provide examples of Perplexity allegedly “hallucinating” fake sections of news stories. In AI terms, hallucination is when generative models produce false or wholly fabricated material and present it as fact.

In one case cited, Perplexity Pro first regurgitated, word for word, two paragraphs from a New York Post story about US senator Jim Jordan sparring with European Union commissioner Thierry Breton over Elon Musk and X, but then followed them up with five generated paragraphs about free speech and online regulation that were not in the real article.

The lawsuit claims that mixing in these made-up paragraphs with real reporting and attributing it to the Post is trademark dilution that potentially confuses readers. “Perplexity’s hallucinations, passed off as authentic news and news-related content from reliable sources (using Plaintiffs’ trademarks), damage the value of Plaintiffs’ trademarks by injecting uncertainty and distrust into the newsgathering and publishing process, while also causing harm to the news-consuming public,” the complaint states.

Perplexity did not respond to requests for comment.

In a statement emailed to WIRED, News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson compared Perplexity unfavorably to OpenAI. “We applaud principled companies like OpenAI, which understands that integrity and creativity are essential if we are to realize the potential of Artificial Intelligence,” the statement says. “Perplexity is not the only AI company abusing intellectual property and it is not the only AI company that we will pursue with vigor and rigor. We have made clear that we would rather woo than sue, but, for the sake of our journalists, our writers and our company, we must challenge the content kleptocracy.”

OpenAI is facing its own accusations of trademark dilution, though. In New York Times v. OpenAI, the Times alleges that ChatGPT and Bing Chat will attribute made-up quotes to the Times, and accuses OpenAI and Microsoft of damaging its reputation through trademark dilution. In one example cited in the lawsuit, the Times alleges that Bing Chat claimed that the Times called red wine (in moderation) a “heart-healthy” food, when in fact it did not; the Times argues that its actual reporting has debunked claims about the healthfulness of moderate drinking.

“Copying news articles to operate substitutive, commercial generative AI products is unlawful, as we made clear in our letters to Perplexity and our litigation against Microsoft and OpenAI,” says NYT director of external communications Charlie Stadtlander. “We applaud this lawsuit from Dow Jones and the New York Post, which is an important step toward ensuring that publisher content is protected from this kind of misappropriation.”

If publishers prevail in arguing that hallucinations can violate trademark law, AI companies could face “immense difficulties” according to Matthew Sag, a professor of law and artificial intelligence at Emory University.

“It is absolutely impossible to guarantee that a language model will not hallucinate,” Sag says. In his view, the way language models operate by predicting words that sound correct in response to prompts is always a type of hallucination—sometimes it’s just more plausible-sounding than others.

“We only call it a hallucination if it doesn't match up with our reality, but the process is exactly the same whether we like the output or not.”

[gacha-incels]

Women Gather in Hyehwa After 6 Years… "We Must Stop Deepfake Crimes Now"

this is an article about the hyehwa station protest. the article is originally in Korean and has been mtl and edited into English. because of this it’s not going to be 1:1 but the basic info should be there. if you see any discrepancies please lmk and I’ll edit it asap. thanks everyone for your help and understanding. published sept 21 2024 reporter: Choi Eun-seo

5,000 Gather to Demand Severe Punishment for Deepfake Exploitation "Repeating Misogynistic Crimes, Women Live in Constant Fear" "Government Must Strongly Punish Illegal AI-Generated Content"

A group formed around women's universities in Seoul, named "Joint Action to Condemn Misogynistic Violence," held a protest near Hyehwa Station in Seoul's Jongno District on the afternoon of September 21, calling for severe punishment for deepfake sexual exploitation under the slogan, "Punish Those Who Created, Sold, and Watched."

Due to the growing issue of deepfake (AI-based image synthesis) sex crimes, women have taken to the streets. They argue that the government’s lukewarm response to eradicating online sexual exploitation and illegal recordings has worsened the situation and are demanding strict punishment.

The protest, organized by "Joint Action to Condemn Misogynistic Violence," was attended by an estimated 5,000 participants.

"This Issue Isn't New… Women Are Giving Up Their Everyday Lives"

The area near Exit 2 of Hyehwa Station, where the protest was held, is the same location where protests against biased investigations into illegal filming took place for six months in 2018. At that time, protesters claimed that the woman involved in the illegal filming case at Hongik University, where a male nude model was photographed, was unusually quickly arrested, arguing that the police were conducting a biased investigation favoring male criminals.

Six years later, women gathered again at Hyehwa Station, shouting slogans like "We told you not to illegally film women, and now you're making deepfakes?" They condemned the repeated misogynistic crimes. The Joint Action stated, "The deepfake sexual exploitation crime crisis is not new," adding that "for decades, women have been continually exposed to sex crimes, with their faces and personal information posted on male-dominated communities." The group criticized the government for downplaying the severity of the issue and neglecting to protect the victims. "As a result, women across the country live in constant fear, wondering if they too will become victims, and have had to give up on their daily lives."

Testimonies from deepfake victims followed. A student, identified as "A," attending a university known to be affected by the crimes, said, "After the crimes became known, female students were trying to understand the situation, but the atmosphere at school deteriorated with remarks like 'Feminists are making a fuss' and 'This is stirring up gender conflict.'" She continued, "The reality is that we have to live in fear of becoming victims every time we work with male students on group projects or participate in social activities," stressing that "before telling us not to view every man as a potential perpetrator, we should blame the society that forces us to be suspicious of all men."

Teenagers Also Call for Prevention… "Government Regulation Is Desperately Needed"

On September 10, Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Kim Bong-sik speaks at a ceremony for a joint response agreement on deepfake crimes involving children and adolescents. The agreement was made between the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office, Seoul Metropolitan Police, and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.

This deepfake sex crime issue has become even more severe as most perpetrators and victims are teenagers. According to the National Police Agency, of the 318 suspects arrested this year, 251 (78.9%) were teenagers. About 60% of the deepfake crime victims, investigated over the past three years, were also minors.

A high school sophomore, "B," who spoke at the event, said, "I was afraid to participate in this protest, but I realized that nothing will change if I remain silent," urging action to prevent recurrence. She added, "If we don't put an end to this deepfake crime now, more advanced forms of misogynistic crimes will continue."

There were also calls for the government to take stricter measures against companies involved in related industries. A woman from Gyeongnam, identified as "C," said, "The government must strictly regulate AI businesses to ensure that illegal synthesis cannot occur. Those that do not comply should be severely punished to prevent similar crimes from happening again."