#project 2025 = no regulations

[konzenkoryuu]

I found out today that project 2025 wants to repeal dietary guidelines. And the wording makes it sound very much like they want less regulation. Does that mean that food companies would no longer have to declare allergens? Or is it a complete no labels at all? That would be dangerous…

[dontmean2bepoliticalbut]

[twinkskeletons]

anti electoralism is annoying at the best of times but when you hear the two dumbest people the heritage foundation could find discuss climate change and know that there’s a chance of their guy being in charge of the epa. it’s bleak folks

[kneworder]

the scariest part of this to me is the schedule f shit. he's gonna try to give himself the power to essentially fire and replace any government employee at will and he's pretty much guaranteed to succeed. like forget deregulation he can put any yahoo he wants in major positions of power in the FDA regardless of how unqualified and profit-motivated they are and scare anyone who knows what they're talking about into never talking at all because they'll be replaced if they're too inconvenient or piss off their republican appointed bosses too much. the EPA and the FTC and the FCC and the weather service and the CDC and the list goes on. like shit has always sucked but these used to be nonpartisan institutions and it's horrifying to think that everything from media regulations to weather reporting to environmental protections to food and drug safety laws to disease management is probably gonna end up bottlenecked and butchered by some fuckhead who doesn't believe in science. like people are going to die from this and it will have an impact on every aspect of everyday life. i really hate to be so pessimistic because it isn't helpful and it isn't hopeful but holy shit it is so hard to be anything but terrified and furious right now.

[c-optimistic]

so i know I talk a lot of shit about the dems and my irritation with them and i think the arguments of ‘gilead!’ and ‘concentration camps!’ are less than persuasive given it’s 1) fearmongering on the first point and 2) already exists, just for groups we seem to forget about when it’s the blue guys in charge on the second.

but i shall give credit where it’s due and point to a reason we should at the very least ensure the presidency remains in the hands of the blue. judges. the current administration has done a pretty swell job with nominations of federal judges, choosing civil rights lawyers and public defenders to appoint to the federal judiciary—something that hasn’t really been a focus since Carter really. this is super important because the judiciary is arguably the most powerful branch of government currently (thanks scotus, who cares about checks and balances after all?). the likelihood the senate will flip is quite high, the map is really terrible for dems, even with a high voter turnout. so ensuring someone batshit crazy can’t nominate insane people to the courts is a really really good reason to want the blue guys to win

yet despite the very real problem here it’s not something i see pointed out as often as it should be. so when you’re talking to people, the judiciary should be one of your most important points as to why this election matters. just my personal opinion

[konzenkoryuu]

I have food allergies. Because regulations have been relaxed, I don’t feel safe trusting things with ingredients that may be allergen based. And then when I call the company to ask, and double check, they can’t tell me either!

Headlines across eight years. Who you vote for really does matter. None of these headlines delve into the Boar's Head listeria outbreak because I can only post ten photos in one post. But the slaughter house self regulate headline? Yup, that's why.

[rjptalk]

SCARIER THAN HALLOWEEN

SCARIER THAN HALLOWEEN, Project 2025 #Trump #Danger #Politics

The scary facts that follow appeared recently on the SERENDIPITY website. Project 2025 Worst Ideas, by Rich Paschall The Heritage Foundation’s document of almost 1000 pages, Project 2025, Mandate for Leadership, takes aim at some of the basic protections of our federal government. More than that, it works toward eliminating democracy and moving toward a more authoritarian theocratic government.…

[geezerwench]

Pregnancy begins with a penis.

[universe-of-peoples]

I don’t know how anyone is supposed to go about their everyday lives working/doing school/doing housework when the crushing weight of local, national, and global politics is just looming over our heads

[mantra4ia]

The apex predator is not a human.

It's a corporation.

We treat corporations like humans, they are not. We defer to them as people in how they spend their money to pedal influence, except that they are not subject to the law and the way that people are, because corporations can bankroll the law as it applies to them.

There should be no Citizens United. There should Be-no-B(ill)ionaires. There should be no unregulated capitalism, monopoly, class warfare, and wealth stratification that make our nation ill. 100% taxation on every dollar over $999,999,999.

[bronwynhillside]

2 years ago there were massive baby formula shortages in America. A major producer was shut down over safety and cleanliness issues. Parents had to drive long distances to feed their kids. Not everyone has breast milk or enough. Some kids need specialiality milk eg lactose.

In Australia, we occasionally have shortages of baby formula. It tends to be that in China someone broke the rules and killed and injured babies with tainted baby formula.

So the buyers and international students buy baby formula to send home. And our shops limit purchases to 2 tins a customer.

And you guys want to invite that?

Jeese

STOP Project 2025.

Republican's don't care about children.

[liberalsarecool]

Every regulation was in response to a horrible situation that hurt innocent people or ruined the environment.

No one makes a regulation up. It's a response to corruption, manipulation, or corporate negligence.

Now, deregulation is an answer to a problem that does not exist. It's just for greed.

MAGA and Project 2025 will prove how bad deregulation is for the country.

[guerillas-of-history]

Palestinian factions react to Donald Trump's comments about the US occupying and "developing" the Gaza Strip.

🟢 Hamas condemned Trump's statements "in the strongest terms." "We affirm that these statements are hostile to our people and our cause and will not serve stability in the region. Rather, they will pour oil on the fire. We will not allow any country in the world to occupy our land or impose guardianship over our great Palestinian people who have offered rivers of blood to liberate our land from occupation and to establish our Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital."

Hamas called on Trump to retract his statements, which they deemed irresponsible and at odds with international law. They called on the Arab League and UN to address these comments.

⚫ Palestinian Islamic Jihad considered that Trump's comments, made while receiving the wanted Netanyahu, "are nothing more than a new version of the ill-fated Balfour Promise—where those who have nothing are promised to those who do not deserve it."

They called the event "a meeting between the war criminal and the arrogant real estate mogul, which epitomized the reality of the American-zionist project in our region." This project works through intimidation, brute force, and genocide, "flouting all laws, regulations, and the will of our peoples."

PIJ affirmed that these statements leave no doubt that the US is leading a war of genocide, displacement, and the expansion of occupation. They considered Trump's plans, from ending UNRWA to seizing land, are a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security.

PIJ concluded: "Our Palestinian people, who have been resisting for over a hundred years, will not succumb to the dictates of Trump or anyone else. His foolish statements will only serve as motivation for us to reinforce our resistance until we achieve our objectives of liberating our land and ending the occupation. Our Palestinian people and their resistance forces are more determined and resolute than ever in confronting these conspiracies, and we call on the Arab and Islamic peoples to stand against this conspiratorial project, which targets all the peoples of our region and portends serious impending threats."

🔴 The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was similarly direct: Gaza is not a real estate project.

They considered the statements "nothing but an extension of the genocide war waged by the Zionist enemy under the direct American cover, and an attempt to establish a new colonial project based on ethnic cleansing and the uprooting of our people from their land."

They added: "Gaza is not a commodity in the hands of a war merchant like Trump or anyone else; rather, it is an integral part of historical Palestine, which stretches from Ras al-Naqoura to Rafah, and it is the gateway upon which the forces of colonialism have repeatedly crashed throughout history."

"Any dream of controlling Gaza is merely an illusion that will shatter against the rock of the steadfastness and resistance of our people, and the fate of any American occupation force in the Strip will be no different from that of the zionist enemy; our people will confront it with all their strength and determination, just as they repelled the zionist aggression."

"Gaza will forever remain a graveyard for invaders and an oasis of steadfastness and resistance for its free and dignified people."

The PFLP called on all people to "confront this colonial scheme." "We especially urge the active forces in the United States to take to the streets and declare their rejection of this new crime, which reflects the true face of American imperialism that colludes with the zionist occupation. Our struggle against this colonial, extirpatory project is the battle of all free peoples who reject colonialism, displacement, and the uprooting of a free people from their land."

February 4, 2025.

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #13

April 5-12 2024

President Biden announced the cancellation of a student loan debt for a further 277,000 Americans. This brings the number of a Americans who had their debt canceled by the Biden administration through different means since the Supreme Court struck down Biden's first place in 2023 to 4.3 million and a total of $153 billion of debt canceled so far. Most of these borrowers were a part of the President's SAVE Plan, a debt repayment program with 8 million enrollees, over 4 million of whom don't have to make monthly repayments and are still on the path to debt forgiveness.

President Biden announced a plan that would cancel student loan debt for 4 million borrowers and bring debt relief to 30 million Americans The plan takes steps like making automatic debt forgiveness through the public service forgiveness so qualified borrowers who don't know to apply will have their debts forgiven. The plan will wipe out the interest on the debt of 23 million Americans. President Biden touted how the plan will help black and Latino borrowers the most who carry the heavily debt burdens. The plan is expected to go into effect this fall ahead of the election.

President Biden and Vice-President Harris announced the closing of the so-called gun show loophole. For years people selling guns outside of traditional stores, such as at gun shows and in the 21st century over the internet have not been required to preform a background check to see if buyers are legally allowed to own a fire arm. Now all sellers of guns, even over the internet, are required to be licensed and preform a background check. This is the largest single expansion of the background check system since its creation.

The EPA published the first ever regulations on PFAS, known as forever chemicals, in drinking water. The new rules would reduce PFAS exposure for 100 million people according to the EPA. The Biden Administration announced along side the EPA regulations it would make available $1 billion dollars for state and local water treatment to help test for and filter out PFAS in line with the new rule. This marks the first time since 1996 that the EPA has passed a drinking water rule for new contaminants.

The Department of Commerce announced a deal with microchip giant TSMC to bring billions in investment and manufacturing to Arizona. The US makes only about 10% of the world's microchips and none of the most advanced chips. Under the CHIPS and Science Act the Biden Administration hopes to expand America's high-tech manufacturing so that 20% of advanced chips are made in America. TSMC makes about 90% of the world's advanced chips. The deal which sees a $6.6 billion dollar grant from the US government in exchange for $65 billion worth of investment by TSMC in 3 high tech manufacturing facilities in Arizona, the first of which will open next year. This represents the single largest foreign investment in Arizona's history and will bring thousands of new jobs to the state and boost America's microchip manufacturing.

The EPA finalized rules strengthening clean air standards around chemical plants. The new rule will lower the risk of cancer in communities near chemical plants by 96% and eliminate 6,200 tons of toxic air pollution each year. The rules target two dangerous cancer causing chemicals, ethylene oxide and chloroprene, the rule will reduce emissions of these chemicals by 80%.

the Department of the Interior announced it had beaten the Biden Administration goals when it comes to new clean energy projects. The Department has now permitted more than 25 gigawatts of clean energy projects on public lands, surpass the Administrations goal for 2025 already. These solar, wind, and hydro projects will power 12 million American homes with totally green power. Currently 10 gigawatts of clean energy are currently being generated on public lands, powering more than 5 million homes across the West. 

The Department of Transportation announced $830 million to support local communities in becoming more climate resilient. The money will go to 80 projects across 37 states, DC, and the US Virgin Islands The projects will help local Infrastructure better stand up to extreme weather causes by climate change.

The Senate confirmed Susan Bazis, Robert White, and Ann Marie McIff Allen to lifetime federal judgeships in Nebraska, Michigan, and Utah respectively. This brings the total number of judges appointed by President Biden to 193

[reasonsforhope]

"Earth, being 71% covered in water, is influenced by the ocean and its movements. In the Atlantic Ocean, a system of connected currents, called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), moves water throughout the world's oceans powered by a combination of winds and ocean density. It not only distributes the ocean's heat, moisture, and nutrients, but regulates the Earth's climate and weather.

As the climate is continuously changing and the atmosphere is warming, many scientists fear that fresh water from melting polar ice sheets could significantly disrupt—or collapse—the AMOC. While a decline of the AMOC would have grave consequences, a collapse would be truly catastrophic.

However, studies about the AMOC's long term future are uncertain. Instead of predicting the future, a team of scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) quantified the past to help inform where we could be going.

In a new paper published in Nature Communications, scientists found that the AMOC has not declined in the last 60 years.

Authors [...] say their results mean that the AMOC is currently more stable than expected.

"Our paper says that the Atlantic overturning has not declined yet," said Foukal, who conducted the research while at WHOI. "That doesn't say anything about its future, but it doesn't appear the anticipated changes have occurred yet."

Their findings contrast with previous work, notably a paper from 2018 cited in their study, which reported that the AMOC has declined over the last 70 years. This past work relied on sea surface temperature measurements to understand how the AMOC has changed, but "we've learned that sea surface temperature doesn't work as well as initially thought," said Terhaar, who began leading this study at WHOI as a postdoctoral scientist and completed the work in Bern.

To address the uncertainty, Terhaar and the team relied on new data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), climate-earth models produced by the World Climate Research Program. They used 24 different CMIP models and found that the most recently available surface temperature data did not accurately reconstruct the AMOC.

Going a step further, the researchers looked at a different measure: air-sea heat fluxes, which is the exchange of heat from the ocean to the atmosphere. When the AMOC is stronger, more heat is released from the ocean to the atmosphere over the North Atlantic...

The authors derived this AMOC proxy with the CMIP models, then applied it to observational data. The best data for surface heat fluxes over the North Atlantic come from reanalysis products that incorporate direct observations into a model, similar to the way weather forecasts work. The study authors focused on two reanalysis data sets that extend back to the late 1950s to reconstruct the AMOC.

"Based on the results, the AMOC is more stable than we thought," Vogt said. "This might mean that the AMOC isn't as close to a tipping point as previously suggested." ...

As with all proxy-based reconstructions, there are limitations and caveats. The authors point out that direct measurements of air-sea heat flux going back in time are sparse, and thus the reanalysis products contain significant uncertainty. However, despite these limitations, "a decline in AMOC over the last 60 years," Terhaar concludes, "seems very unlikely.""

-via Phys.org, January 15, 2025

--

Note: Sorry the article's kind of dense/opaque, couldn't find a better one. But I can't underline enough how much "the AMOC is not declining" would be a HUGE relief, climate-wise.