#improved administration method

[whencyclopedia]

Timur: The Brutal Conqueror of Central Asia

Timur (1336-1405), also known as Tamerlane, Temür, or Timur Leng, was the founder of the Timurid Empire (1370-1507), which had its heartlands in modern-day Uzbekistan and capital at Samarkand. A Muslim Turkic chieftain who claimed Mongol descent, Timur swept across Central Asia and then successfully attacked Russia, the Middle East, and India. Principally known for his brutal terror methods, Timur was the epitome of violent conquest for its own sake since he did not create lasting administrative structures or improve the well-being of his nominal subjects.

Name & Origins

Timur was born in 1336 near Samarkand (also spelt Samarqand), the great trading city of Central Asia, located in a region then known as Transoxania, approximately equivalent to modern-day Uzbekistan. Timur's name – more commonly Tamerlane in English in previous centuries – is a corruption of the Persian Timür-i Leng, meaning "lame Timür", a derogatory title which refers to the lameness in his right leg and right arm, a result of a raid in his early years. Timur was of Turkic and Mongol descent, but for reasons of prestige, he later promoted his links to the great Mongol rulers, largely through the ancestors of one of his wives. As the historian D. Morgan notes, Timur "was of Mongol descent though Muslim by religion and Turkish in speech and culture" (176).

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⇒ Timur: The Brutal Conqueror of Central Asia

[cottonlemonade]

A medium fruit punch with frozen berries for Sugawara please?

Midnight Teachings

word count: 1579 || avg. reading time: 7 mins.

pairing: post-time skip!Sugawara x chubby!Reader

genre: fluffy smut, established relationship

warnings: mdni, spoilers, smut

request: fluffy-spicy, midnight with boyfriend Sugawara

Koushi made it easy to fall in love with his warm smile, his genuine kindness and the mischievous side he only showed to you once he knew you were on the same wavelength. When you moved to Japan to start your new job, you were determined to focus. Focus on learning the language and culture and focus on the kids under your care. Since your Japanese was rudimentary at best the head of the kindergarten thought it wise to keep you in the administration part of the job to acclimate before letting you roam around the children. But Koushi made the effort to get to know you from day one. You couldn’t stop throwing glances at the handsome man leaning leisurely against the counter with the coffee maker, as he tried his best to make you feel welcome with slow and simple Japanese sentences as well as surprisingly good English. His strong accent was immediately endearing, and you found your eyes following him when he left the room to get back to his class.

He had caught up to you on that Friday of your first work week, brushed a few of spring’s cherry blossom petals out of his hair like some dreamy anime character, and asked if he could maybe offer his help with improving your Japanese. The best method, he concluded, would be by going out after school for a coffee. The relaxed atmosphere of a coffee shop always helped him think, he added with a grin.

“That sounds a lot like a date.”, you had joked, and felt your cheeks growing hot at the brazen statement. Of course, you knew better than to think that a Japanese man would be that forward.

“Then you would be right.”, he had said and given you one of his smiles that already had you weak in the knees.

The dates quickly became more frequent. He would walk you home afterward, and you’d text until late in the night - all in the name of teaching, of course. But after a month of having him as your private tutor, he finally worked up the courage to confess, and you were finally his.

__________________

“Koushi? You know what I just realized?“, you asked one night. Your head was in his lap as you watched TV at his place. The midsummer heat was too relentless, even this late, to allow any outside activities, so you two had decided to stay in for the day and enjoy the fickle luxury of his temperamental air conditioning. He continued to comb his fingers through your hair.

“Hm? What‘s that, darling?“

“How does one learn dirty talk in a different language?“

He choked on his glass of water.

“Where did that come from?“, he coughed.

You sat up and looked at him.

“I was just thinking about the other night. I‘m guessing you didn‘t learn those things in English class.“, you grinned, “So where did you pick it up?“

“Uhm…“ He avoided your eyes and chuckled nervously.

“An old girlfriend?“, you asked, trying not to sound too jealous.

He quickly shook his head.

“Hmm, porn?“

When he didn‘t say anything, you figured you hit the nail on the head.

“Baby, you don‘t have to be embarrassed for watching porn. But I‘m wondering, would you like it if I learned some in Japanese?“

You saw his Adam's apple bob up and down in his throat as he swallowed.

“I mean… I would definitely not say No to that.“, he said slowly, his usual grin returning.

Excited that your idea was a good one, you got off the couch and went over to your bag to retrieve your tablet.

“Alright. I‘ll go study then!“, and you made to head towards his bedroom.

“Honey!“, he laughed and jumped off the couch, “You don‘t have to watch that.“

“But I want to.“, you pouted, then added, “Learn, I mean.“

He thought for a moment, then a rather familiar glint shone in his eyes and he took your hand.

“I have a better idea.“

You drew the thin bedsheet closer to you to hide your naked figure as you watched him shed his shirt and sweats, leaving him only in his boxers - the cute ones with the fish-print.

He joined you on the bed, laying next to you propped up on his elbow. You could see he was already half hard, and you bit your lips at the thought of - “Hey, sweetheart, my eyes are up here.“, he chuckled.

“Yes, sensei.“, you said automatically.

“Now, let‘s start with an easy one. Repeat after me.“

“Oh, I know this one!“, you called with a beam.

“Yeah?“, he nuzzled against your arm, “And what did it mean?“

You readily turned your head to one side to give him free access to your neck.

“Very good.“, he said, and leaned in to brush his lips against the sensitive skin. The kisses quickly became hot and opened mouthed, and you squeezed your plush thighs together under the blanket, feeling like you would drip on his bed at any moment.

“Then, let‘s try something a bit more advanced.“, he said after feeling like he had kissed your neck enough for the lesson. The next phrase was a lot more difficult.

“No idea.“, you admitted.

“Then just repeat it and see what happens.“, he grinned, raising his brow.

You squinted playfully. “What if you‘re teaching me unspeakable things?“

“Don‘t worry, sweetheart. I‘ll only teach you things I already know you love.“

So you repeated the phrase. He made you say it twice.

With gentle but deliberate movements he brushed the blanket out of your hands and guided you onto your back. He hovered for a moment above you, asking you to repeat the words one more time, then dipped his head lower to run his tongue over your breasts. With his tip he circled your pert nipples before taking them into his mouth, humming quietly. He loved this just as much as you. His hand reached up to cup your other breast, bringing the second nipple closer to him so it wouldn‘t feel left out, and he spent the next few minutes driving you insane between soft squeezes and hard sucks, nibbling on your soft flesh every now and then. You felt his hard cock rub against your thigh through his boxers.

When you were close to your first orgasm he stopped and laughed at your indignant whine.

You were hesitant to repeat the next phrase. What if it was more edging? You weren‘t sure you could take any tonight, the sheets beneath you already felt soaked.

“Well?“, he asked, waiting for you to say the new words.

“I understood “please“ but the rest, no idea. So…“

Once the phrase left your lips, your boyfriend scooted lower on the bed, pushing the rest of the pesky blanket out of the way. He groaned when he grabbed at your pudgy tummy. You were nothing short of a goddess to him, and he had spent many nights before, happily worshiping every inch of your ravishingly plump body.

He trailed kisses along your stomach and thighs before settling between them. You were so very wet for him, he could barely control himself. The sight and smell alone had him almost cum untouched.

“One more time, darling. Repetition is the best way to learn.“, he said softly, running his tongue over your inner thighs.

Once you finished the phrase he grinned. “So polite…“ And he dove between your legs.

“Ah, Koushi… don‘t stop… nngh… more…“, you panted, reaching down to grab his hair. He moaned into your pussy and wrapped his arms around your thighs to pull you against him, to taste more of you. You were so close from his earlier teasing that it only took a few slurps and flicks of his tongue until you unraveled. Looking up at you, he licked his lips, “Thank you for the meal, sweetheart. - Have some water before we continue.“, he straightened and sat back on his heels, the large imprint in his boxers was completely undeniable now. You rolled over to grab a bottle from the nightstand and stayed laying on your tummy as you took small sips, your head still spinning.

“You ready for more?“, he asked. His voice sounded shallow like he was trying to catch his breath. You nodded, then squeaked when his hands grabbed at your waist and pulled you backwards towards him so that you were on your hands and knees, grinding against him.

You were strongly hoping that the next sentence was supposed to be mean something along the lines of “Please dear god, just fuck me. I can‘t take it anymore, I need you inside me. Please just fuck me, please.“, but it was too short.

Instead, you felt his hand come down on the right cheek of your ass.

“Ah, Koushi…“, you whined, then repeated the sentence. He landed another soft spank on your flesh, making sure to massage it immediately after impact.

Sweat trickled down your back and Koushi himself brushed wet strands of hair out of his face that clung to his forehead.

“Harder…“, you mumbled into his pillow.

He smirked and leaned forward, pressing his chest and stomach flush against your back. He reached around to grab at your breasts and gave your ass another quick hit, rubbing the palm of his hand greedily against your sinfully soft flesh.

You turned your head to meet his lips. “You‘re such a fast learner, darling.“

a/n: this particular Suga story plot has been simmering and lurking in my brain for so long. Thank you for giving me a request I could use this for! I hope you liked it! 🌟

[mariacallous]

Jewish groups are offering mixed reactions to President Donald Trump’s latest executive order on antisemitism that suggests that foreign-born anti-Israel student protesters could be deported.

Some say the order is taking advantage of Jewish fear to erode civil liberties and stoke fears about immigrants. 

Others, including some of the largest U.S. organizations, say they welcome efforts to improve the climate on college campuses — as long as civil and immigrant rights protections are applied. 

And a few say they are ready and eager to help — and have even started supplying the Trump administration with names of protesters to target. 

In the order issued Wednesday, Trump directed government departments to take “actions to remove” students who are not citizens and who endorse terrorism. The order is framed as an update on Trump’s 2019 executive order on antisemitism and includes several other provisions. It would fulfill some of Trump’s campaign promises to combat antisemitism on college campuses. 

It would also sharply escalate the methods the government uses to fight antisemitism on campuses and beyond. It would link that effort with Trump’s vast campaign to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, which a range of Jewish groups oppose. Some of his allies had been pushing for such a move for months before his election. Marco Rubio, now Trump’s secretary of state, had called for such visas to be revoked while still a senator, as had Rep. Elise Stefanik, now the president’s nominee for United Nations ambassador.

Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel “unleashed an unprecedented wave of vile anti-Semitic discrimination, vandalism, and violence against our citizens, especially in our schools and on our campuses,” the order says. “Jewish students have faced an unrelenting barrage of discrimination; denial of access to campus common areas and facilities, including libraries and classrooms; and intimidation, harassment, and physical threats and assault.”

The order also gives federal agencies 60 days to issue recommendations for fighting antisemitism. It also asks government officials to inventory Title VI antisemitism complaints and lawsuits alleging antisemitic discrimination on campus.

As with many of the executive orders issued by Trump in the 10 days since he took office — more than any other president has signed in the same period — relatively little is clear about how his administration plans to implement its most dramatic components.

The executive order cites a law that deems a non-citizen “inadmissible” who, among other things, “endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization.” 

The order comes amid widespread concern about the climate on college campuses. Pro-Palestinian protests last spring caused many Jewish and pro-Israel students to feel unsafe; disrupted classes and activities at times; and, in some cases, included physical violence against Jewish and pro-Israel students. 

Amid the groundswell of campus activity were some documented cases of pro-Palestinian students or other protesters expressing open support for Hamas or calling for the deaths of Israelis and Zionists. It’s unclear how many of those protesters are not citizens.

It is also unclear how the Justice Department under Attorney General-designate Pam Bondi would determine whether a protester had expressed support for terrorism. Decisions about issuing or revoking of student visas would fall under the purview of the State Department.

One question is whether anyone who has ever been arrested while participating in a pro-Palestinian protest would be vulnerable. Many protesters who were arrested were later not charged or charged with misdemeanors.

Critics of the order have maintained that Republicans and many in the pro-Israel camp use too broad of a definition of supporting terrorism — particularly when it comes to pro-Palestinian activism — and that cracking down on pro-Palestinian speech would hurt American Jews in the long run.

“It is both possible and necessary to directly confront and address the crisis of antisemitism, on campus and across our communities, without abandoning the fundamental democratic values that have allowed Jews, and so many others, to thrive here,” Amy Spitalnick, head of the liberal Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said in a statement opposing Trump’s executive order.

Mainstream Jewish groups have so far broadly applauded Trump’s stated desire to fight antisemitism while expressing concern over the more controversial aspect of the order. 

In a statement, the American Jewish Committee said it would “endorse without hesitation” Trump’s push to apply existing laws to addressing antisemitism. But the group was more circumspect about the deportation concept, stating, “It is vital that other provisions in the Executive Order which have the potential to be broadly interpreted to threaten certain ethnic and religious groups be implemented with strict adherence to existing law.”

The Anti-Defamation League, too, also broadly supported the goals of Trump’s order. But the group added a cautionary note, saying, “Obviously, any immigration-related ramifications must be consistent with due process and existing federal statutes and regulations and should not be used to target individuals for their constitutionally protected speech.” 

Jewish Federations of North America told JTA late on Thursday that it supported the order, and downplayed its deportation aspects. “While much attention has been paid to the section of the order that seeks to revoke visas for students involved in supporting terrorist activity, the order does not—and indeed could not—add criteria for removing resident aliens beyond what is already written into current law,” a spokesperson wrote in an email, adding, “We thank President Trump for this important step.” (The ADL and JFNA had, as recently as December, declined to comment on Trump’s stated plans to deport protesters.)

Some Jewish groups are embracing the order without hesitation.

Betar US, a reboot of a century-old militant Zionist youth movement, has launched an effort to track foreign-born college students who have engaged in protest activity. In part by using artificial intelligence, the group has compiled dossiers on the most active protesters to submit to the Trump administration for deportation. 

The group’s executive director, Ross Glick, told JTA this week that he has received “countless” submissions since launching the campaign. A Betar spokesperson said the group was “very happy” about the new order and said the group has already submitted more than 100 names to Trump administration officials. 

Glick maintains that those on the list are egregious offenders.

“These aren’t people being reported just for wearing a keffiyeh,” he said, referring to the scarf that is a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. “They’re being reported because they have been espousing anti-Zionist, anti-Israel, anti-American behavior, masking up in protests, participating in Intifada-led protests, and then are here as guests of our country, in some cases getting grants or funds.”

Glick added that he is supportive of free speech for American citizens, but that he doesn’t believe foreign students should have the right to go after the American government. 

“Nobody’s looking to deport somebody who is legal. A citizen has rights, no doubt. Free speech,” he said. “But a foreign student, I don’t know of a country where you can, as a foreigner, participate in protests that are against the government.” (The Supreme Court has generally held that foreigners on American soil are entitled to at least some First Amendment protections.)

The question of deporting non-citizen pro-Palestinian students was already on the radar last spring. The Jewish president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was heavily criticized by some pro-Israel voices after she declined to suspend foreign-born protesters for fear their visas would be jeopardized.

Now, some Jewish groups want to see the executive order applied more widely, beyond the colleges and universities where the federal government has sway because of the funding it supplies.

Earlier this month, the Secure Community Network, which coordinates security for Jewish institutions, urged Trump to take “action against non-citizens who materially support terrorism and threaten Jewish Americans.” 

The group’s director and CEO, Michael Masters, argued that existing law already permits the government to take such action when a student is found to have provided “material support” to a registered terror group like Hamas or ISIS.

“We cannot allow individuals to take advantage of America’s liberties to attack, threaten, and intimidate law abiding American citizens in the name of terrorism,” Masters wrote in an open letter. “The law forbids it. The time has come for the United States government to stand up for our citizens and our country – and to take meaningful action to protect the people of our country by enforcing those laws.”

Masters’ stance was opposed this week by rabbis and cantors via an open letter circulated by the progressive Jewish human rights network T’ruah. 

“We do not deny that in select circumstances, immigrants have carried out and attempted terrorist attacks,” reads the letter signed by hundreds of rabbis across the country. “But to frontload them as the primary threat to Jewish security is not only morally irresponsible, but dangerous for the Jewish people and for American society.”

In addition to reflecting his anti-immigration views, the order dovetails with Trump’s stated intent to move aspects of addressing campus antisemitism from the Education Department to the Justice Department. 

The deportation plan has roots in Project Esther, a policy proposal to combat antisemitism released by the right-wing Heritage Foundation during the campaign season. Prior to the election, many Jewish groups had declined to work with the Heritage Foundation on the initiative and criticized the program as an attempt to clamp down on left-wing political activism without meaningfully addressing antisemitism on the right. 

But a small number of conservative-leaning Jewish groups, including the Zionist Organization of America, the Coalition for Jewish Values and the Combat Antisemitism Movement, endorsed Project Esther.

IfNotNow, a left-wing Jewish group that is harshly critical of Israel, also opposed Trump’s plan Wednesday, saying it was “fueled by anti-Palestinian racism” and in service to anti-democratic ideals.

“Empowering the far right endangers Jews,” IfNotNow spokesperson Eva Borgwardt said in a statement. “We call on fellow Jewish organizations and leaders who are committed to freedom of speech and safeguarding civil rights to vigorously oppose this dangerous executive order.”

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Sign of the Day - Boston again… another great overpass banner sign there….

* * * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

June 4, 2025

Heather Cox Richardson

Jun 04, 2025

Just hours after President Donald J. Trump posted on social media yesterday that “[b]ecause of Tariffs, our Economy is BOOMING!” a new report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said the opposite. Founded in 1961, the OECD is a forum in which 38 market-based democracies cooperate to promote sustainable economic growth.

The OECD’s economic outlook reports that economic growth around the globe is slowing because of Trump’s trade war. It projects global growth slowing from 3.3% in 2024 to 2.9% in 2025 and 2026. That economic slowdown is concentrated primarily in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China.

The OECD predicts that growth in the United States will decline from 2.8% in 2024 to 1.6% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released two analyses today of Trump’s policies that add more detail to that report. The CBO’s estimate for the effect of Trump’s current tariffs—which are unlikely to stay as they are—is that they will raise inflation and slow economic growth as consumers bear their costs. The CBO says it is hard to anticipate how the tariffs will change purchasing behavior, but it estimates that the tariffs will reduce the deficit by $2.8 trillion over ten years.

Also today, the CBO’s analysis of the Republicans’ “One Big, Beautiful Bill” is that it will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade because the $1.2 trillion in spending cuts in the measure do not fully offset the $3.7 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. Republicans have met this CBO score with attacks on the CBO, but its estimate is in keeping with those of a wide range of economists and think tanks.

Taken together, these studies illustrate how Trump’s economic policies are designed to transfer wealth from consumers to the wealthy and corporations. From 1981 to 2021, American policies moved $50 trillion from the bottom 90% of Americans to the top 1%. After Biden stopped that upward transfer, the Trump administration is restarting it again, on steroids.

Just how these policies are affecting Americans is no longer clear, though. Matt Grossman of the Wall Street Journal reported today that economists no longer trust the accuracy of the government’s inflation data. Officials from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which compiles a huge monthly survey of employment and costs, told economists that staffing shortages and a hiring freeze have forced them to cut back on their research and use less precise methods for figuring out price changes. Grossman reports that the bureau has also cut back on the number of places where it collects data and that the administration has gotten rid of committees of external experts that worked to improve government statistics.

There is more than money at stake in the administration’s policies. The administration's gutting of the government seeks to decimate the modern government that regulates business, provides a basic social safety net, promotes infrastructure, and protects civil rights and to replace it with a government that permits a few wealthy men to rule.

The CBO score for the Republicans’ omnibus bill projects that if it is enacted, 16 million people will lose access to healthcare insurance over the next decade in what is essentially an assault on the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The bill also dramatically cuts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP) benefits, clean energy credits, aid for student borrowers, benefits for federal workers, and consumer protection services, while requiring the sale of public natural resources.

These cuts continue those the administration has made since Trump took office, many of which fell under the hand of the “Department of Government Efficiency.” But, while billionaire Elon Musk was the figurehead for that group, it appears his main interest was in collecting data. His understudy, Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought, appears to have determined the direction of the cuts, which did not save money so much as decimate the parts of the government that the authors of Project 2025 wanted to destroy.

Vought was a key author of Project 2025, whose aim is to disrupt and destroy the United States government in order to center a Christian, heteronormative, male-dominated family as the primary element of society. To do so, the plan calls for destroying the administrative state, withdrawing the United States from global affairs, and ending environmental and business regulations.

Yesterday the White House asked Congress to cancel $9.4 billion in already-appropriated spending that the Department of Government Efficiency identified as wasteful, a procedure known as “rescission.” Trump aides say the money funds programs that promote what they consider inappropriate ideologies, including public media networks PBS and NPR; the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides food and basic medical care globally; and PEPFAR, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief that was established under President George W. Bush to combat HIV/AIDS in more than 50 countries and is currently credited with saving about 26 million lives.

Vought appeared today before the House Appropriations Committee, where members scolded him for neglecting to provide a budget for the year, which they need to do their jobs. But Vought had plenty to say about the things he is doing. According to ProPublica’s Andy Kroll, he claimed that under Biden “every agency became a tool of the Left.” He said the White House will continue to ask for rescissions, but also noted that, as Project 2025 laid out, he does not believe that the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which requires the executive branch to spend the money that Congress has appropriated, is constitutional, despite court decisions saying it is.

Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) told Vought: “Be honest, this is never about government efficiency. In fact, an efficient government, a government that capably serves the American people and proves good government is achievable is what you fear the most. You want a government so broken, so dysfunctional, so starved of resources, so full of incompetent political lackeys and bereft of experts and professionals that its departments and agencies cannot feasibly achieve the goals and the missions to which they are lawfully directed. Your goal is privatization, for the biggest companies to have unchecked power, for an economy that does not work for the middle class, for working and vulnerable families. You want the American people to have no one to turn to, but to the billionaires and the corporations this administration has put in charge. Waste, fraud, and abuse are not the targets of this administration. They are your primary objectives.”

The use of the government to impose evangelical beliefs on the country, even at the expense of lives, also appears to be an administration goal. Yesterday, the administration announced it is ending the Biden administration’s 2022 guidance to hospital emergency rooms that accept Medicare—which is virtually all of them—requiring that under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act they must perform an abortion in an emergency if the procedure is necessary to prevent a patient’s organ failure or severe hemorrhaging. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act requires emergency rooms to stabilize patients.

The Trump administration will no longer enforce that policy. Last year, an investigation by the Associated Press found that even when the Biden administration policy was being enforced, dozens of pregnant women, some of whom needed emergency abortions, were turned away from emergency rooms with advice to “let nature take its course.”

Finally tonight, in what seems likely to be an attempt to distract attention from the omnibus bill and all the controversy surrounding it, Trump banned Harvard from hosting foreign students. He also banned nationals from a dozen countries—Afghanistan, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen—from entering the United States, an echo of the travel ban of his first term that threw the country into chaos.

Trump justified his travel ban by citing the attack Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, on peaceful demonstrators marching to support Israeli hostages in Gaza. An Egyptian national who had overstayed a tourist visa hurled Molotov cocktails at the marchers, injuring 15 people.

Egypt is not on the list of countries whose nationals Trump has banned from the United States.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[anonymousaccount1015]

Today the special government employee contract for Elon Musk has expired. Under the current federal law, special government employees are allowed to work a maximum of 130 days within a 365-day period.

Which means that theoretically there’s nothing precluding Elon Musk from resuming his position once the 365-day period expires.

The Trump admin states that while they’re sad to see Elon go, that he must return to Tesla and SpaceX, where he is “needed.” Undoubtedly in an effort to save face for publicity.

Also I haven’t found anything precluding the more informal role Elon plays as a private advisor to Trump, where he receives privileged access and can advise the President on numerous issues.

I would predict that while the status of Elon’s role in the Trump administration is shifting, the paradigm of his private relationship with Trump will likely remain similar.

As an unelected bureaucrat, Elon Musk helped oversee efforts to oversee and improve “government efficiency,” which meant slashing spending programs, as a precursor to Trump’s present-day efforts to slash funding for Medicaid with his “big, beautiful bill.”

The methods applied were widely seen as reckless, though the extent of their impact I feel like can’t be accurately forecasted.

While Elon Musk was publicly assisting Trump’s efforts, there was widespread speculation that Elon appeared to have rocky relationships with members of Trump’s cabinet, even as Trump tried to claim everyone was on amicable terms.

When Elon Musk was publicly endorsing candidates for races, most notably for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court election, his influence appeared to be harmful, dragging down his endorsee (Schimel) several points relative to other Republican candidates on the same ballot (IIRC Schimel underperformed other Republicans by as many as five points, though he lost in a relative landslide either way, since his loss was a 10.1 point deficit vs Crawford). His attempts to assist in taking back a conservative majority for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court (an election which Elon claimed was vital for human civilization) were unsuccessful.

Elon Musk appeared to attract a lot of the public backlash for the unpopularity of Trump’s executive actions, so his association with candidates who now have to seek to justify Trump’s unpopular proposals is likely seen as electorally unfavorable.

[deadpresidents]

"Lastly, I would like us all to consider some important tasks for the present historical moment, since we desire a positive change for the benefit of all our brothers and sisters. We know this. We desire change enriched by the collaboration of governments, popular movements, and other social forces. This too we know. But it is not so easy to define the content of change -- in other words, a social program which can embody this project of fraternity and justice which we are seeking. So don't expect a recipe from this Pope. Neither the Pope nor the Church have a monopoly on the interpretation of social reality or the proposal of solutions to contemporary issues. I dare say that no recipe exists. History is made by each generation as it follows in the footsteps of those preceding it, as it seeks its own path and respects the values which God has placed in the human heart.

I would like, all the same, to propose three great tasks which demand a decisive and shared contribution from popular movements:

The first task is to put the economy at the service of peoples. Human beings and nature must not be at the service of money. Let us say NO to an economy of exclusion and inequality, where money rules, rather than service. That economy kills. That economy excludes. That economy destroys Mother Earth.

The economy should not be a mechanism for accumulating goods, but rather the proper administration of our common home. This entails a commitment to care for that home and to the fitting distribution of goods among all. It is not only about ensuring a supply of food or "decent sustenance". Nor, although this is already a great step forward, is it to guarantee the three "L's" of Land, Lodging, and Labor for which you are working. A truly communitarian economy, one might say an economy of Christian inspiration, must ensure people's dignity and their "general, temporal welfare and prosperity." This includes the three "L's", but also access to education, health care, new technologies, artistic and cultural manifestations, communications, sports and recreation. A just economy must create the conditions for everyone to be able to enjoy a childhood without want, to develop their talents when young, to work with full rights during their active years and to enjoy a dignified retirement as they grow older. It is an economy where human beings, in harmony with nature, structure the entire system of production and distribution in such a way that the abilities and needs of each individual find suitable expression in social life. You, and other peoples as well, sum up this desire in a simple and beautiful expression: 'to live well'.

Such an economy is not only desirable and necessary, but also possible. It is no utopia or chimera. It is an extremely realistic prospect. We can achieve it. The available resources in our world, the fruit of the intergenerational labors of peoples, and the gifts of creation, more than suffice for the integral development of "each man and the whole man". The problem is of another kind. There exists a system with different aims. A system which, while irresponsibly accelerating the pace of production, while using industrial and agricultural methods which damage Mother Earth in the name of "productivity", continues to deny many millions of our brothers and sisters their most elementary economic, social, and cultural rights. This system runs counter to the plan of Jesus…

Along this path, popular movements play an essential role, not only by making demands and lodging protests, but even more basically by being creative. You are social poets: creators of work, builders of housing, producers of good, above all for people left behind by the world market….

Governments which make it their responsibility to put the economy at the service of peoples must promote the strengthening, improvement, coordination, and expansion of these forms of popular economy and communitarian production. This entails bettering the processes of work, providing adequate infrastructures, and guaranteeing workers their full rights in this alternative sector. When the state and social organizations join in working for the three "L's", the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity come into play; and these allow the common good to be achieved in a full and participatory democracy.

The second task is to unite our peoples on the path of peace and justice.

The world's peoples want to be artisans of their own destiny. They want to advance peacefully towards justice. They do not want forms of tutelage or interference by which those with greater power subordinate those with less. They want their culture, their language, their social processes, and their religious traditions to be respected. No actual or established power has the right to deprive peoples of the full exercise of their sovereignty. Whenever they do so, we see the rise of new forms of colonialism which seriously prejudice the possibility of peace and justice. For "peace is founded not only on respect for human rights but also on respect for the rights of peoples, in particular the right to independence.”…

Similarly, the monopolizing of the communications media, which would impose alienating examples of consumerism and a certain cultural uniformity, is another one of the forms taken by the new colonialism. It is ideological colonialism. As the African bishops have observed, poor countries are often treated like "parts of a machine, cogs on a gigantic wheel."

It must be acknowledged that none of the grave problems of humanity can be resolved without interaction between states and peoples at the international level. Every significant action carried out in one part of the planet has universal, ecological, social, and cultural repercussions. Even crime and violence have become globalized. Consequently, no government can act independently of a common responsibility. If we truly desire positive change, we have to humbly accept our interdependence. Interaction, however, is not the same as imposition; it is not the subordination of some to serve the interests of others. Colonialism, both old and new, which reduces poor countries to mere providers of raw material and cheap labor, engenders violence, poverty, forced migrations, and all the evils that go hand-in-hand with these, precisely because, by placing the periphery at the service of the center, it denies those countries the right to an integral development. That is inequality, and inequality generates a violence which no police, military, or intelligence resources can control.

Let us say NO to forms of colonialism, old and new. Let us say YES to the encounter between peoples and cultures. Blessed are the peacemakers.

Here I wish to bring up an important issue. Some may rightly say, "When the Pope speaks of colonialism, he overlooks certain actions of the Church." I say to you this: many grave sins were committed against the native peoples of America in the name of God. My predecessors acknowledged this, CELAM has said it, and I too wish to say it. Like Saint John Paul II, I ask that the Church "kneel before God and implore forgiveness for the past and present sins of her sons and daughters." I would also say, and here I wish to be quite clear, as was Saint John Paul II: I humble ask forgiveness, not only for the offenses of the Church herself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America.

I also ask everyone, believers and non-believers alike, to think of those many bishops, priests, and laity who preached and continue to preach the Good News of Jesus with courage and meekness, respectfully and pacifically; who left behind them impressive works of human promotion and love, often standing alongside the native peoples or accompanying their popular movements even to the point of martyrdom. The Church, her sons and daughters, are part of the identity of the peoples of Latin America. An identity which here, as in other countries, some powers are committed to erasing, at times because our faith is revolutionary, because our faith challenges the tyranny of mammon. Today we are dismayed to see how in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world many of our brothers and sisters are persecuted, tortured, and killed for their faith in Jesus. This too needs to be denounced: in this third world war, waged piecemeal, which we are now experiencing, a form of genocide is taking place, and it must end.

To our brothers and sisters in the Latin American indigenous movement, allow me to express my deep affection and appreciation of their efforts to bring peoples and cultures together in a form of coexistence which I would call polyhedric, where each group preserves its own identity by building together a plurality which does not threaten but rather reinforces unity. Your quest for an interculturalism, which combines the defense of the rights of the native peoples with respect for the territorial integrity of states, is for all of us a source of enrichment and encouragement.

The third task, perhaps the most important facing us today, is to defend Mother Earth.

Our common home is being pillaged, laid waste, and harmed with impunity. Cowardice in defending it is a grave sin. We see with growing disappointment how one international summit after another takes place without any significant result. There exists a clear, definite, and pressing ethical imperative to implement what has not yet been done. We cannot allow certain interests -- interests which are global, but not universal -- to take over, to dominate states and international organizations, and to continue destroying creation. People and their movements are called to cry out, to mobilize, and to demand -- peacefully, but firmly -- that appropriate and urgently-needed measures be taken. I ask you, in the name of God, to defend Mother Earth. I have duly addressed this in my Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si'.

In conclusion, I would like to repeat: the future of humanity does not lie solely in the hands of great leaders, the great powers, and the elites. It is fundamentally in the hands of peoples and in their ability to organize. It is in their hands, which can guide with humility and conviction this process of change. I am with you. Let us together say from the heart: no family without lodging, no individual without dignity, no child without childhood, no young person without a future, no elderly person without a venerable old age. Keep up your struggle and, please, take great care of Mother Earth. I pray for you and with you, and I ask God our Father to accompany you and to bless you, to fill you with his love and defend you on your way by granting you in abundance that strength which keeps us on our feet: that strength is hope, the hope which does not disappoint. Thank you and I ask you, please, to pray for me."

-- Pope Francis, address to the World Meeting of Popular Movements, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, July 9, 2015.

[payblogs]

STARKSTRESSER -PLATİN

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Stresser

A stresser is an online tool designed primarily for testing the resilience of networks and servers against various types of attacks. It simulates Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which can overwhelm a server by flooding it with traffic, and it is crucial for organizations to understand how resilient their infrastructure is to such threats. Using a stresser can help businesses identify vulnerabilities in their systems and improve security measures.

However, it's essential to note that the ethical use of stress testing tools is paramount. Users should only test devices and networks they own or have explicit permission to test. Misuse of a stresser can lead to legal consequences, including potential fines and imprisonment.

When searching for a reliable ip stresser, it’s vital to look for one that provides clear usage guidelines and supports ethical considerations. Many reputable services also offer features that allow users to simulate attacks within controlled environments, enabling businesses to prepare better for real-world cyber threats.

In the realm of cybersecurity, understanding the capabilities of a stresser can empower organizations to actively defend against potential attacks. Be sure to research any selected tool thoroughly, ensuring it aligns with your security testing needs and ethical standards.

Ip Stresser

An IP stresser is a tool or service designed to test the resilience of a network or website against various types of stress attacks. Often utilized by web administrators and security professionals, an IP stresser can simulate considerable traffic to help evaluate the potential vulnerabilities of a specific IP address or server. This testing can help organizations strengthen their defenses against actual malicious attacks.

However, it is crucial to note that the use of an ip stresser should always be conducted ethically and legally. Using it to attack or disrupt services without authorization is illegal and can lead to severe consequences. Always ensure you have the necessary permissions to conduct such tests on a network or system.

In the context of stress testing, there are various types of IP stressers available, which can differ in their methods and intensity. Some users prefer IP stressers that offer adjustable parameters to customize the attack, while others might seek those with user-friendly interfaces that can deliver quick results.

Another vital aspect to consider is the choice between premium and free IP stressers. While free versions can be tempting due to their no-cost nature, they often come with limitations in terms of performance and reliability. Paid options typically provide more robust features, better support, and a more reliable service, making them suitable for serious testing purposes.

As you explore various IP stressers, it’s essential to choose one that aligns with your specific needs, whether you're looking for free solutions or comprehensive paid services. Always prioritize using reputable services to ensure that your testing complies with legal requirements and ethical standards.

Ip Stresser Free

When it comes to stress testing your server or network, finding an ip stresser free option can be appealing for many users. Free IP stress testing services, commonly known as stresser tools, offer a way for individuals to test the resilience of their networks without incurring any costs. However, it is crucial to be aware of the risks and limitations associated with these free options.

These services typically have a limited capacity compared to their paid counterparts, which may restrict the intensity of the tests you can perform. Users should also consider the legality and ethical implications of using such tools, as testing without permission can result in significant legal troubles.

Moreover, relying on an ip booter or free stresser might expose your network to potential vulnerabilities, including the risk of data breaches or exposure to malicious attacks. Therefore, it’s advisable to conduct thorough research and choose reputable providers when selecting an ip stresser free option.

In conclusion, while free stresser tools might seem like an appealing solution, always prioritize security and legality by using these tools responsibly and considering paid services for more comprehensive testing solutions.

Ip Booter

An IP booter is a specialized tool designed to perform Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks by overwhelming a specific target IP address with excessive traffic. The idea is to disrupt the target's online services, making them unavailable for legitimate users. Booters have gained popularity in certain circles, particularly within gaming communities, where individuals seek to retaliate against others by interrupting their connection.

It's important to distinguish between legitimate use and malicious intent. There are instances where individuals may seek to test the robustness of their own networks or those for whom they have explicit permission. However, the use of IP booters against unsuspecting targets is generally illegal and unethical. Many countries have strict laws against unauthorized DDoS attacks, which can lead to severe penalties.

In addition to the ethical concerns, users should be wary of utilizing free ip booter, as they often compromise security. Free services may expose users to malware, phishing attempts, and data breaches. For those considering a stresser or IP stresser, prioritizing reputable and secure services is crucial, ensuring that they comply with legal standards and best practices in cybersecurity.

In conclusion, while the allure of using an IP booter may be tempting, it is essential to recognize the potential consequences—both legally and ethically. Responsible internet usage and adherence to laws protect not only individuals but the entire online community.

[idhren]

March 1, 2025

A letter to the American People:

For over 11 years, 18F has been proudly serving you to make government technology work better. We are non-partisan civil servants. 18F has worked on hundreds of projects, all designed to make government technology not just efficient but effective, and to save money for American taxpayers.

However, all employees at 18F – a group that the Trump Administration GSA Technology Transformation Services Director called "the gold standard" of civic tech – were terminated today at midnight ET.

18F was doing exactly the type of work that DOGE claims to want – yet we were eliminated.

When former Tesla engineer Thomas Shedd took the position of TTS director and met with TTS including 18F on February 3, 2025, he acknowledged that the group is the “gold standard” of civic technologists and that “you guys have been doing this far longer than I’ve been even aware that your group exists.” He repeatedly emphasized the importance of the work, and the value of the talent that the teams bring to government.

Despite that skill and knowledge, at midnight ET on March 1, the entirety of 18F received notice that our positions had been eliminated.

The letter said that 18F "has been identified as part of this phase of GSA’s Reduction in Force (RIF) as non-critical”.

"This decision was made with explicit direction from the top levels of leadership within both the Administration and GSA," Shedd said in an email shortly after we were given notice.

This was a surprise to all 18F staff and our agency partners. Just yesterday we were working on important projects, including improving access to weather data with NOAA, making it easier and faster to get a passport with the Department of State, supporting free tax filing with the IRS, and other critical projects with organizations at the federal and state levels.

All 18F's support on that work has now abruptly come to a halt. Since the entire staff was also placed on administrative leave, we have been locked out of our computers, and have no chance to assist in an orderly transition in our work. We don’t even have access to our personal employment data. We’re supposed to return our equipment, but can’t use our email to find out how or where.

Dismantling 18F follows the gutting of the original US Digital Service. These cuts are just the most recent in a series of a sledgehammer approach to the critical US teams supporting IT infrastructure.

Before today’s RIF, DOGE members and GSA political appointees demanded and took access to IT systems that hold sensitive information. They ignored security precautions. Some who pushed back on this questionable behavior resigned rather than grant access. Others were met with reprisals like being booted from work communication channels.

We’re not done yet.

We’re still absorbing what has happened. We’re wrestling with what it will mean for ourselves and our families, as well as the impact on our partners and the American people.

But we came to the government to fix things. And we’re not done with this work yet.

More to come.

[thatdiabolicalfeminist]

Noah Sheidlower, John L. Dorman

Medicaid may be on the chopping block as the Trump administration prepares its budget blueprint.

The House Budget Committee's budget draft included a goal of about $2 trillion in spending cuts and allowed for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.

The blueprint draft called for at least $880 billion in spending cuts from the House Energy and Commerce Committee over the next decade. This would likely mean large Medicaid cuts, potentially leading many Americans to lose their benefits. A Ways and Means Committee document outlining reconciliation options reveals over $2 trillion in potential Medicaid cuts, though some could overlap.

President Donald Trump has said Social Security and Medicare, which are the largest federal government programs, wouldn't be cut. Elon Musk has also accused "federal entitlements" such as Social Security of fraud.

The draft directed the Committee on Agriculture to reduce the deficit by $230 billion, which would mean cutting nutritional programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. [Food stamps/EBT]

The most recent Medicaid enrollment data from October 2024 revealed over 72 million people were enrolled in Medicaid, while 7.25 million were enrolled in Children's Health Insurance Programs. Medicaid provides healthcare and long-term services coverage for lower-income Americans and is financed by both the federal government and states. In some states, over 30% of the population is covered by Medicaid. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicaid spending in 2023 was nearly $872 billion.

Some GOP leaders have proposed reducing Federal Medical Assistance Percentages, the amount the federal government pays to states based on factors such as a state's per-capita income. Others have proposed Medicaid per-capita caps, which an early House Budget Committee proposal said could save up to $900 billion. This shift would lead states to either cut back on Medicaid services or identify other methods for funding potentially billions in losses.

Figures such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have argued that Medicaid is ineffective, and some question whether it has improved people's health. Critics of the program have also said people relying on Medicaid could get insurance from other sources, such as their workplace. However, Medicaid expansions have been shown to improve care access, reduce mortality rates, and spark economic growth.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina in recent days had already moved ahead with his border security, military, and energy package, as Republicans in the upper chamber had been waiting for their House counterparts to offer their budget proposal.

Graham is aiming to pass a second budget resolution extending the 2017 tax cuts later this year.

Senate Republicans can pass a budget reconciliation bill with a simple majority, or 51 votes, as they wouldn't have to meet the normal 60-vote filibuster threshold. The party currently holds a 53-47 majority in the upper chamber.

House GOP leaders see their budget framework as one that could pave the way for passing a reconciliation bill through Congress with the priorities of Trump and top conservatives in mind. Republicans have a razor-thin 218-215 majority in the House, so every vote will be critical, and they're looking to pass one bill with Trump's signature policy desires.

Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday told reporters that Graham's plan was a "nonstarter."

"We all are trying to get to the same achievable objectives," the Louisiana Republican said. "And there's just, you know, different ideas on how to get there."

GOP leaders have recently pushed for Medicaid cuts, leading to debates over how much to cut services many Americans rely on.

Other major points from the House blueprint included increasing the debt limit by $4 trillion, reductions in education totaling $330 billion, and allocating up to $300 billion in additional border and defense spending.

The Senate's plan calls for $150 billion in additional defense spending and a $175 billion boost for border security.

[oscars-wifeyyy]

A Lesson in Love (Manny Rivera x OC)

A/N: Below the cut are the chapters.

Lina Kim, a dedicated and hardworking teacher at Abbott Elementary, always looks for ways to improve her classroom and support her students. Lina is initially uncertain when Manny Rivera, a charismatic district administrator, is assigned to collaborate with the school on a new district initiative. However, as soon as they meet, their shared passion for education becomes clear, and they quickly bond over their mutual goal of creating a better learning environment for the students. Manny, known for his relaxed and personable nature, appreciated Lina’s commitment and ability to connect with her students. While he has a more laid-back approach to problem-solving, he values her structured and thoughtful methods. Lina, in turn, admires Manny’s enthusiasm for making positive changes within the school district and his genuine care for the teachers and students. As they work together on the initiative, they find themselves collaborating seamlessly. Their chemistry grows as they share ideas, laugh over challenges, and support each other in their efforts to improve Abbott Elementary. Outside of work, they begin spending more time together, discovering shared interests beyond education, and enjoying each other’s company. Their connection deepens, and what starts as a strong professional partnership evolves into something more personal. Both Lina and Manny realize they make an excellent team at work and have the potential for a meaningful relationship. With Abbott Elementary’s quirky staff and their ever-present commitment to the students, they navigate the balancing act of career, romance, and personal growth, learning from each other along the way.

Career Day Pt. 1

Career Day Pt. 2

Dinner with Manny

Smoking

Unplanned Movie Night

Librarian

First Official Date

Panel

Double Date

Mother's Day

The Party

[covid-safer-hotties]

Reference included in our archive (Daily updates!)

Vitamin D seems to play a large role in easing covid symptoms and may have an impact on long covid severity. This is the third unique study I've seen just this month.

Objective: To analyze the impact of different methods of Vitamin D administration on the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane, up to January 5, 2024. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that compared Vitamin D supplementation with control groups in COVID-19 patients. Outcomes of interest were mortality rate, ICU (Intensive Care Unit) admission rate, length of hospital stay, and endotracheal intubation rate. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the dosing regimen (single-dose vs. continuous-dose), total Vitamin D intake within 14 days (≥100,000 IU vs. <100,000 IU), and baseline serum Vitamin D levels (deficient group: 25OHD < 30 ng/mL vs. non-restricted group). A random-effects model was employed for meta-analysis to account for heterogeneity among studies.

Results: A total of 21 studies involving 4,553 participants were included. In terms of mortality, Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the mortality rate (RR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54–0.94, I2 = 54%, p = 0.02), with continuous dosing being more effective (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34–0.83, I2 = 55%, p = 0.006) compared to single-dose (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.69–1.12, I2 = 21%, p = 0.3), and lower total doses (<100,000 IU) showing greater benefit (RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.21–0.44, I2 = 0%, p < 0.0001). Mortality was significantly reduced in the Vitamin D-deficient group (25OHD < 30 ng/mL) (RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.59–0.89, I2 = 0%, p = 0.002) but not in the non-restricted group. Regarding ICU admission, supplementation reduced ICU admission rates (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.38–0.88, I2 = 74%, p = 0.01), with continuous dosing (RR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22–0.90, I2 = 74%, p = 0.02) being more effective than single-dose (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.61–1.03, I2 = 22%, p = 0.08), and lower doses (<100,000 IU) providing more significant reduction (RR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.21–0.47, I2 = 0%, p = 0.001). ICU admission rates were significantly reduced in the Vitamin D-deficient group (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42–0.93, I2 = 0%, p = 0.02) but not in the non-restricted group (RR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.32–1.11, I2 = 86%, p = 0.1). For length of hospital stay, no significant differences were observed between Vitamin D and control groups (MD = −1, 95% CI: −2.16 to 0.16, p = 0.13), and subgroup analyses by dosing regimen, total dose, and baseline Vitamin D levels also showed no significant differences. Similarly, for endotracheal intubation, there was no significant difference in intubation rates between groups (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.56–1.08, p = 0.13), and subgroup analyses confirmed no significant effect of different dosing strategies or baseline Vitamin D status on intubation rates.

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation improves clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients by reducing mortality and ICU admission rates, particularly when administered continuously with a total dose of less than 100,000 IU over 14 days, and among those with baseline Vitamin D deficiency (25OHD < 30 ng/mL). However, there were no significant effects on the length of hospital stay or endotracheal intubation rates, regardless of the dosing regimen or baseline Vitamin D levels. These findings emphasize the importance of considering both the total dose over 14 days and baseline Vitamin D status to optimize therapeutic benefits.

[satureja13]

Francine travelled beyond the Veil to teach the Boys another Potions lesson in the dungeons of the Tower. Like Herbology, they already learned the basics at Belgraves Institute, also from Francine.

And like with the other professors, Francine's time beyond the Veil is limited. So she's going to teach each group another recipe and method and they can share what they've learned with the others after Francine has left.

Group 1 does not demand much attention from Francine. Vlad is in a group with her grandson and potion master Jeb.

Same for Kiyoshi and Jack. Kiyoshi learned a lot from his mentor Dtui while he served at the Temple. Jack is happy they can work together.

So Francine can mainly concentrate on teaching Sai and Ji Ho.

Francine made sure they understood how a potion is made - from scratch. Not just simple recipe memorizing or following the process from a book. After these Herbology and Potion Making lessons, they should be able to create their own potions.

Then Francine called Sai and Jeb over to the big kettle. Saiwa: "Huh, this spoon is huge!" Francine: "Do you want me to pass you a smaller one?" Saiwa tightejed his grip around the girth of the handle: "No! No, I'm sure I can handle it!" Jeb cursed internally. Francine obviously dragged Sai into a salacious allusion. She must somehow became aware of that Jeb fears to hurt Sai because he's too huge... And why is Sai playing along? ö.ö' And why oh why can't Francine be like other grandmothers?!

Jeb was glad when the lessons were over. Did Sai just wanted to make fun with Francine or is he still interested to be with Jeb? After all that happened? He left the classroom deep in thoughts. Francine asked Vlad and Sai to stay a bit longer to clean up. Sai looked after Jeb. Did he get the hint that he isn't afraid?

Of course Francine didn't keep Sai and Vlad in the dungeons to clean up. Well, that too, but she needed to talk to them alone. They talked about Kiyoshi and how he's doing so well after he was allowed to be around Jack again. Ji Ho's feelings and Jack's heat. And all the other administrative stuff. Francine isn't allowed to intervene (they always turn it to their favour lol) but she hopes the education here will give them a few tools at hand so they can improve to solve their issues by themselves in the future.

Then she asked Vlad's permission to go all in in the next Defense against the Dark Arts lesson. Ms Coombes will need to find out what Ji Ho is capable of and maybe also if he really is under a Siren's Spell. Vlad's answer is always the same. If it is for Ji Ho, he will endure everything. Even death.

After Vlad was dismissed, Francine and Sai had a talk. Of course the three old hags witches had noticed how much Sai struggles to be the leader of the Boys. How much of a burden it is to him. And so Sai poured out his heart to Francine. That this burden torn Jeb and him apart and that he doesn't know how to deal with it, should it happen again. That he would have to decide to give it all as their leader or as Jeb's partner.

Francine listened quietly. And then she spoke: "Saiwa, did you know that you're the leader of one of the largest sub units within the Resistance? And the youngest at that. Most of us act alone or in a pair. And you're doing so well." Sai: "Really? No, I didn't know that." Francine: "And try to see all the issues you already solved. You're the only one of your friends that has Jack under control. None of the others could keep him at bay. They just laugh at his antics and let themselves get dragged into his nonsense. He only listens to you. You're a great leader, Sai. The others respect you and listen. And they are willing to share the burden with you, hm? Think it over again and if you still want to step down, we'll find someone else and add him to the group." Sai: "Someone else would lead us then?" Francine: "None of the others feel confident to take over. So we'd need to find someone who is willing to join you. This might take a while. Tell us your decision by next week, ok?" Sai: "Uhm ok."

Sai wanted to get up and leave but Francine isn't done with him yet. Francine: "We need to talk about Jeb." Saiwa drew in a deep breath and tried to prepare for the talk to come...

Francine: "I still remember how broken Jeb was when he couldn't rescue Jack and you from the Lab. He didn't even know who you were. He just heard there are two kids in despair and he ran off to help. This is Jeb. He won't change. He will always leave anything behind to help others. As he did to help Kiyoshi. And I know you would have done the same. As you did to help Kiyoshi. Right?" Saiwa sighed: "Right." Francine: "Have you never thought that this makes Jeb a great partner for you? He'll never keep you from being a leader. Never keep you from doing anything to help the others. Be it your friends or other creatures in need. You could accomplish so much together - if you'd only find a way. He'd keep your back free and help you carrying the burden of leading the Boys. You are not alone, Saiwa. Promise me you try at least. Not because Jeb is my grandson. Because it would be the best for both of you and your group and our little community." Saiwa promised. He loves Jeb - and there must be a way.

After Sai left Francine, he went to the ocean. Francine knows a lot. Does she also know if Jeb is still interested in him after all that happened with Kiyoshi and after all his screaming and overload and breakdown and all these months they'd spent apart? How can Jeb still want this? Sai rather wants to protect Jeb from all of this madness. Their crazy life, all their issues. Jeb could have his best life without them back in Copperdale. Sai feels like a fish on a hook... It hurts, it's ripping his flesh apart and he can't breathe - but he got cought in this and there's no way to escape... No way he's going to leave the Boys and no way he can live without Jeb.

'Some'll win, some will lose Some are born to sing the blues Whoa, the movie never ends It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waitin' Up and down the boulevard Their shadows searchin' in the night

Streetlights, people Livin' just to find emotion Hidin', somewhere in the night

Don't stop believin' Hold on to that feelin' Streetlights, people'

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

From the Beginning 🔱 Underwater Love 🔱 Latest

Current Chapter: 'Here comes the Sun' from the beginning ▶️ here Last Chapter: 'Who killed Jack?' from the beginning ▶️ here

📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 23-28

[mariacallous]

A coalition of 16 blue states sued, and the case was joined with a similar one filed by several public health and labor groups. They argued that NIH “adopted a series of directives that blacklist certain topics — e.g., ‘DEI,’ ‘gender,’ or ‘vaccine hesitancy’ — that the Administration disfavors.”

All the impoundment cases, which involve money appropriate by Congress which the Trump administration simply refuses to disburse, recite a now-familiar set of legal claims. And indeed the plaintiffs here, too, argue that the president is violating the Spending Clause and the separation of powers — essentially that he is stealing Congress’s power over the federal budget. They also call the grant terminations “arbitrary and capricious,” in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act.

But here the plaintiffs make another argument in defense of their “woke” priorities. They note that statutes passed by Congress mandate that NIH fund research that supports racial equity and better health outcomes for gender and racial minorities.

“The Challenged Directives purport to restrict research on subjects that Congress has expressly required NIH to support,” they write. “In declaring research related to DEI, gender identity, and transgender health off-limits, defendants’ actions are contrary to congressional mandates.”

So, for instance, 42 U.S.C. §282(h) instructs the NIH director to “support[] programs for research, research training, recruitment, and other activities, provide for an increase in the number of women and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (including racial and ethnic minorities) in the fields of biomedical and behavioral research.”

Similarly, 42 U.S.C. §283p says that NIH “shall encourage efforts to improve research related to the health of sexual and gender minority populations, including by (1) facilitating increased participation of sexual and gender minority populations in clinical research” and by “facilitating the development of valid and reliable methods for research relevant to sexual and gender minority populations.”

Congress even established a National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities! So Trump simply cannot terminate all grants that touch on race and gender simply by labeling them as “discriminatory” or “divisive.” Or, he can, but judges are likely to rule that he’s done so unlawfully, as happened Monday in Boston.

Judge rules that anti-woke is just racism: You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a rancid bigot.

[prof-dr-crane]

Clinical Observation: Trial One of Fear Toxin V-63

Objective:

The objective of this trial is to assess the efficacy of Fear Toxin V-63, a newly synthesized hallucinogenic compound designed to induce a sustained and malleable state of terror. The formula incorporates a refined alkaloid blend derived from Salvia divinorum, selected for its potent dissociative properties, alongside a neuroactive derivative of scopolamine to inhibit higher-order cognitive filtration. A volatile ketone compound facilitates rapid bloodstream absorption, while engineered quinazoline derivatives act on the amygdala’s β-adrenergic receptors to amplify fear recall and distort sensory input.

This iteration follows a series of failed batches, each promising in theory, yet disappointingly ineffective in practice. V-60 degraded too quickly in the bloodstream. V-61 caused neurological overstimulation, sending subjects into seizures before true terror could take hold. V-62 dulled perception rather than sharpening it, resulting in a lethargic, unresponsive state. Fear requires clarity, not sedation. V-63 is the first formula in some time that shows real potential.

Method:

A controlled administration of V-63 was conducted on a, somewhat, compliant subject. The compound, delivered via a calibrated aerosol, dispersed efficiently into the respiratory tract. Advanced biometric sensors and neural imaging were employed to monitor real-time physiological and neurological responses. Baseline metrics were recorded for heart rate, cortisol levels, and neural activity across regions implicated in fear response, notably the amygdala and insular cortex.

Observations:

- Onset of Reaction: Within 45 seconds post-administration, the subject displayed unmistakable signs of acute fear. A marked improvement from prior formulas, which often required a higher concentration or prolonged exposure.

- Physiological Response: A dramatic spike in heart rate was observed, accompanied by a surge in cortisol levels that exceeded previous baselines by approximately 17%. This is within the expected range for an authentic, unmitigated panic response.

- Neurological Activity: Imaging data revealed extensive activation in the amygdala and a pronounced response in the insular cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, suggesting a widespread engagement of both primary and secondary emotional processing circuits. Encouraging.

- Behavioral Indicators: Hypervigilance, disorientation, intermittent verbal disintegration—abrupt gasps, fragmented sentences. The subject attempted to ground themselves in reality, but sensory distortions made this impossible. Most notable was the attempt to speak to something unseen. An improvement.

Conclusion:

V-63 has induced an effect distinct from its predecessors. This iteration does not merely force the subject to see their fears, it strips away the boundaries between fear and reality entirely. The mind no longer relives trauma but instead accepts terror as an inescapable truth. The hallucinations did not manifest as specters of the past, but as fully integrated intrusions into the present, impossible to rationalize or dismiss. Unlike previous formulas, which triggered reactive fear, V-63 appears to create a state of forced adaptation: A cognitive shift where fear is no longer a response, but the new baseline of existence.

The subject ceased attempts to fight or flee within three minutes. Not due to resignation, nor to physical exhaustion, but to the overwhelming certainty that escape was never an option to begin with. A breakthrough.

There is still work to be done. The duration must be extended, the sensory warping refined. But after a series of disappointments, this trial has proven what I have always known: fear is not a reflex. It is not a simple equation of stimulus and response. It is an environment, and at last, I am beginning to perfect it.

- Dr. Jonathan Crane

[along-the-silkroad]

Ptolemaic economic policy 

Maintaining the Ptolemaic regime was an expensive endeavor. Enormous funds were required to sustain the Ptolemies' luxurious lifestyle in their palace at Alexandria and to pay the wages of their large army, which protected Egypt and its dependencies. The drive to maximize state income became one of the defining features of the Ptolemaic empire, and various papyrus finds across Egypt provide valuable insights into this aspect of their administration. Since the reign of Ptolemy I Soter, the kings regarded the entirety of Egypt as their personal property. The majority of the land was leased to locals, while the rest was directly exploited as "crown land." Evidence suggests that the kings even considered the lands of the powerful temples as their own and sought ways to extract significant resources from them. However, by the 2nd century BCE, as Ptolemaic power waned, local temple complexes regained much of their lost influence. Additionally, various forms of taxation were introduced to further enrich the monarchy.

The Ptolemaic monarchs viewed the economy in a mercantile manner, believing that the state’s wealth was directly tied to the amount of precious metals circulating within the country. To maximize the gold present in their kingdom, the rulers tightly controlled the economy and trade. 

They were supported by an elaborate bureaucracy headed by the dioiketes, the financial minister, who resided in the capital, Alexandria. Valuable insights into the operations and responsibilities of this government official come from the archive of Zenon, an agent of Apollonios, the dioiketes of Ptolemy II (r. 284–246 BCE).

The dioiketes was supported by various oikonomoi, who were responsible for collecting taxes and rents from the population. Interestingly, one of their tasks was to improve relations with peasants, who often fled their farms due to mounting taxation pressures. The oikonomoi employed various methods to ensure that no potential source of revenue escaped the state’s coffers. For instance, during the Nile floods, they counted farmers’ livestock, which had gathered on higher ground to escape the rising waters. This made it easier to account for the animals. The oikonomoi had an entire army of minor officials at their disposal, most of whom were Egyptians. These officials, who spoke Egyptian, were tasked with communicating and enforcing the government’s directives among the local population. Olivier Goossens

[belltrigger]

Submastober Day 02!

Inspiration: There's an older OC-tober prompt-list here that I am using.

Title: Paperwork Prompt: Impossible Word count: 923 Synopsis: Ingo and Emmet have a productive day of paperwork.

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For all the popularity it had, sometimes the Battle Subway saw some slow days. Gear Station itself rarely calmed below a small roar, but that was so routine by now that it could be run quite easily by Cloud and the rest of the Agents with minimal interaction by either Subway Boss. That was not to say that Ingo and Emmet ignored Gear Station, but on days with minimal battle challengers, the twins could focus on completing the more mundane tasks of their roles.

Such was the type of shift Ingo and Emmet were faced with today, spending their time on administrative duty in their office while Cloud did the rounds of the Station. A rainstorm had started early in the morning, shortly after their arrival to Gear Station, and had continued on to now, the rain droplets on the window taking on an amber hue with the faint glowing sun of the late afternoon.

Ingo had figured out long ago that he was fine with going through paperwork. It was certainly not as fun as a rousing battle against a promising challenger, but administrative tasks had their own charms. The sound of his favored pen scrawling over the paper they used for all of their formal documents pleased him for reasons he couldn't quite explain; it was a smooth, faint and gentle rolling sound made only the slightest bit louder by the wood of his desk. Combined with his practiced, flowy method of writing, he could easily get lost in the sound of his own writing.

Additionally, there was a certain satisfaction with finishing a particularly long stack of documentation, ones usually provided to them by the Mayor. Ingo knew all there was to know about running the Subway Station, and completing the Mayor's assignments were an excellent way to show that off. The pride he felt knowing that there were no errors or inaccuracies was enough to straighten his shoulders for the rest of the day.

Of course, despite his enjoyment in such tasks, that didn't mean he expected to do it all. His twin, Emmet, had a particularly roguish habit of slipping various forms and documentation that he disliked into the pile meant for Ingo's efforts. Emmet didn't like paperwork in the best of times, and when he was dissatisfied with not having any challengers, getting him to start on a stack of documents was-

“-impossible!”

Looking up as his twin exclaimed he word just as he thought it, Ingo took immediate note that all of Emmet's work was pushed off to the side of his desk, seemingly untouched. In place of any actual work, there were all manner of crumpled up papers littering his desktop, various sizes and in varying stages of twisted up ball. Although it was possible that Emmet had already been planning his escape, the state of his desk certainly didn't give any hints to his plan.

“Hm,” was his disapproving response at the state of Emmet's desk, even though he'd only heard part of his twin's exclamation. But after a moment, Ingo realized that he had no context to the word he had heard. “What is wrong?” Perhaps Emmet was distracted with ideas for the Subway, which had drawn him away from his perceived tedium of administrative work. Thinking that could be the case immediately relieved Ingo of any disapproval he felt - any time spent improving the subway was worthwhile, even if it interrupted boring but necessary work.

Emmet sighed heavily and held up a crumpled ball of yellow paper. “This!” At Ingo's blank stare, the corners of Emmet's mouth turned down slightly, barely impacting the ever-present smile. “This doesn't look like a joltik!”

Ingo slid his gaze down to the paper in his twin's cupped together palms, narrowing his eyes as he inspected the crinkled mess. “Indeed, it does not resemble even the wettest, saddest joltik after a rainstorm.” The statement did nothing to brighten Emmet's mood, and his twin just let out an “ugh!” and flopped forward onto his desk, arms outstretched. The “joltik” fell to the desk towards the edge nearest Ingo with a soft papf of paper hitting polished wood.

Reaching out to pick up the errant crumpltik, Ingo turned it in a variety of angles. It was difficult to identify what folds were intentional and which were at the resistant whim of the paper refusing to fold correctly. Judging by the color of the paper, it seems that Emmet had been confident of his success this time, only to be defeated once more.

It was cute, Ingo decided. Both the attempt, and his twin's confidence. Setting the now adopted crumpltik onto his desk, he began working on his paperwork once more. Emmet peeked up from where his cap had fallen down over his eyes in his huff, staring for a few moments at the newly appointed spot for his failed effort. Ingo did not say anything, but he couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face as Emmet's attention moved up to him instead.

“I am Emmet. I will try again.”

“And I will place it next to this little one, so they can be friends.”

Emmet sat up, smile renewed, and began to work on a fresh piece of paper. This one was an off-yellow, but Ingo thought it would look just as nice on his desk. And when Emmet was finished, only then would Ingo set him back on task with a less interesting kind of paperwork.