#Al Consulting Service

[ai-development-services]

Transform your business with a leading AI Development Company. Webmob Software Solutions provide cutting-edge AI solutions tailored to enhance your operations and drive success.

[mandtcontract]

From Repairs to Estimates and Expert Advice: M&T Contracting Does It All in Mobile, AL

When property owners in Mobile, AL need dependable construction solutions, they turn to one name—M&T Contracting. With a commitment to quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction, M&T Contracting has earned its place as a trusted partner for a wide range of services, including residential repairs, commercial estimating, and professional consulting.

Whether you're a homeowner facing wear and tear, a business preparing for a new project, or a property investor seeking expert guidance, M&T Contracting offers the expertise and efficiency to meet your goals. Let’s explore how this full-service contractor is setting the standard in the Gulf Coast region.

Residential Repairs: Restoring Comfort and Confidence

Every homeowner eventually faces the need for repairs—whether it's water damage, structural issues, storm damage, or general aging of a property. What sets M&T Contracting apart is not just its technical capability, but its understanding of the emotional and financial stress that home repairs can bring.

M&T Contracting’s residential repair services near Mobile AL are designed to take the weight off your shoulders. From minor fixes to major structural rehabilitation, their skilled technicians assess damage thoroughly, communicate clearly, and execute repairs using quality materials and reliable workmanship.

Customers benefit from:

Prompt response times

Licensed and insured professionals

Detailed project timelines

Clear cost transparency

The goal? To restore your home with minimal disruption—and maximum peace of mind.

Commercial Estimating: Accuracy that Drives Profits

In commercial construction, accurate cost estimation is critical. A small oversight can lead to significant budget overruns or missed opportunities. M&T Contracting’s commercial estimating services in Mobile are built on precision, transparency, and local market knowledge.

Whether you're bidding for a contract, planning a renovation, or developing a multi-unit property, M&T’s experienced estimators will provide:

Detailed takeoffs

Material and labor cost forecasting

Timeline and logistics analysis

Risk management insights

They understand the complexity of commercial projects—from zoning regulations to workforce scheduling. That’s why general contractors, real estate developers, and architects in the Mobile area count on M&T to keep projects on track and profitable.

Consulting Services: Guiding Projects from Concept to Completion

Great outcomes begin with great planning. M&T Contracting offers comprehensive consulting services in Mobile AL for clients who want to make informed, strategic decisions before committing resources.

Their consulting team has decades of field experience and provides:

Site evaluations

Feasibility studies

Permitting and code compliance reviews

Budget planning and value engineering

From helping a client choose between renovating or rebuilding to advising on sustainable material options, M&T Contracting empowers property owners and investors with data-driven advice and honest assessments.

In addition, M&T often acts as a liaison between clients and local authorities, helping to streamline approvals and mitigate costly delays. Their consulting services are ideal for both first-time property owners and seasoned developers navigating Mobile’s evolving real estate landscape.

Why Mobile, AL Trusts M&T Contracting

Mobile is a city with deep roots and a growing future. Its mix of historic homes, modern businesses, and active development makes it a unique place to live and work—and a city that demands versatile, knowledgeable contractors.

M&T Contracting stands out because of its:

Local expertise – The team knows Mobile’s climate, soil conditions, and permitting process inside and out.

Customer-first philosophy – Every job is treated with urgency, professionalism, and care, whether it’s a small home repair or a multi-million-dollar estimate.

End-to-end capabilities – M&T is not just a contractor, but a strategic partner from idea to execution.

When you choose M&T, you're not just hiring a service provider—you’re gaining a long-term ally in property management and development.

One Company. Endless Solutions.

From repairing storm-damaged roofs to estimating multi-site commercial builds to consulting on large-scale developments, M&T Contracting is the go-to solution for property owners throughout Mobile, AL.

They don’t believe in “one size fits all” fixes. Instead, they approach each project with a tailored strategy that considers your goals, budget, and long-term vision. With deep roots in the community and a forward-thinking approach to service, M&T Contracting delivers excellence at every phase of construction and repair.

Ready to Get Started?

If you're searching for residential repair services near Mobile AL, need precise commercial estimating services in Mobile, or want professional insight through consulting services in Mobile AL, look no further than M&T Contracting.

[globalalarmsae]

Comprehensive Fire Safety Solutions in UAE: Trusted Expertise by Global Alarms

Comprehensive Fire Safety Solutions in Abu Dhabi and UAE

Fire safety is an essential component of building and workplace compliance, requiring advanced systems and expertise. Global Alarms, a Civil Defense approved fire safety company in UAE, specializes in providing cutting-edge fire suppression systems, extinguishing systems, and fire protection solutions to ensure safety and compliance.

Why Choose Fire Safety Consultants in Abu Dhabi?

Tailored Fire Safety Plans

Certified fire safety consultants in Abu Dhabi analyze specific risks and provide customized strategies to protect your property and assets. Their expertise ensures adherence to UAE fire safety regulations, reducing liability and enhancing safety.

Civil Defense Approved Solutions

Partnering with a Civil Defense approved company like Global Alarms guarantees that all systems meet strict safety standards, from installation to maintenance.

Advanced Fire Suppression Systems

1. Clean Agent Systems in Abu Dhabi and UAE

Clean agent systems are ideal for sensitive areas like data centers, museums, and offices. These systems use non-toxic, residue-free agents to suppress fires without damaging equipment.

2. FM-200 Fire Suppression Systems in UAE

The FM-200 system is a fast-acting, eco-friendly fire suppression solution. It extinguishes fires within seconds, minimizing downtime and damage. Widely used across commercial and industrial sectors, FM-200 systems ensure swift protection for high-value assets.

3. Deluge Systems for Fire Protection in UAE

Global Alarms are deluge system experts, offering highly effective fire protection for high-risk areas like warehouses and manufacturing plants. These systems release large quantities of water instantly upon fire detection, preventing escalation.

Reliable Fire Protection Equipment

Fire Pumps in Abu Dhabi

Fire pumps are essential for maintaining consistent water pressure during emergencies. Global Alarms provides high-performance fire pumps designed for various applications, ensuring operational readiness when it matters most.

Fire Extinguishing Systems

Global Alarms offers advanced fire extinguishing systems that cater to diverse needs, from portable extinguishers to integrated systems for large facilities.

Compliance and Maintenance

Global Alarms ensures that all fire protection systems are regularly maintained and compliant with UAE regulations. By working with trusted fire safety consultants, you can avoid potential fines while ensuring the safety of occupants and assets.

Why Choose Global Alarms?

As a Civil Defense approved fire safety company in UAE, Global Alarms stands out for:

Advanced Technology: Expertise in clean agent systems, FM-200 fire suppression, and deluge systems.

Customized Solutions: Tailored fire protection strategies for diverse industries.

Reliable Equipment: High-quality fire pumps, alarms, and extinguishing systems.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to Civil Defense fire safety standards.

Secure Your Premises Today

When it comes to fire protection systems in UAE, trust the expertise of Global Alarms. From advanced suppression systems to reliable fire pumps, we deliver comprehensive solutions for safety and compliance. Contact us today to learn more about our services and protect what matters most.

Global Alarms Safety & Security Equipment LLC

Address : 

P.O.Box 52412, 

M-25 Plot-20, 

Store-6,Industrial Area,

Musaafah,

Abudhabi,UAE

Call : 971 50 7774039, 971 2 550 4002

Email : info@globalalarms.ae

Reach us : https://globalalarms.ae/

ADCD-Approved Fire Safety Solutions in Abu Dhabi | Effective Fire Extinguishing Systems in Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Approval Services |Certified Fire Fighting Equipment Suppliers in Abu Dhabi

[popup-qa]

The Rise of POS Software in Al Khor: Transforming Retail and Hospitality

In recent years, Al Khor, a picturesque city in Qatar known for its rich cultural heritage and booming economy, has seen a significant rise in the adoption of Point of Sale (POS) software. This technological advancement is transforming the retail and hospitality sectors, enhancing operational efficiency and improving customer experiences.

What is POS Software?

POS software is a digital system that facilitates the management of sales transactions and business operations. It typically includes features such as inventory management, sales reporting, customer relationship management (CRM), and integration with various payment methods. Modern POS systems are designed to streamline processes, reduce errors, and provide valuable insights into business performance.

The Growing Need for POS Software in Al Khor

As Al Khor continues to develop as a commercial hub, the demand for efficient business solutions has surged. Retailers and hospitality businesses in the area are increasingly adopting POS software to keep pace with the growing customer base and competitive market. Here’s how POS software is making a difference in Al Khor:

Enhanced Efficiency and AccuracyTraditional cash registers are often limited in functionality and prone to human error. POS software, on the other hand, automates many aspects of sales transactions, including price calculations, inventory updates, and receipt generation. This automation reduces the risk of errors and speeds up the checkout process, allowing businesses to serve more customers in less time.

Advanced Inventory ManagementFor retailers in Al Khor, managing inventory can be a daunting task, especially with a wide range of products and fluctuating demand. POS software offers real-time inventory tracking, enabling businesses to monitor stock levels, manage reorders, and prevent overstocking or stockouts. This level of control helps maintain optimal inventory levels and reduces the risk of lost sales.

Detailed Sales AnalyticsUnderstanding sales trends and customer preferences is crucial for making informed business decisions. POS software provides comprehensive sales reports and analytics, offering insights into peak sales times, popular products, and customer buying behavior. This data-driven approach helps businesses tailor their strategies, optimize pricing, and enhance marketing efforts.

Improved Customer ExperienceCustomer satisfaction is a key factor in the success of any business. POS software enhances the customer experience by enabling faster transactions, accurate billing, and personalized service. Features such as loyalty programs and customer relationship management allow businesses to build stronger relationships with their customers and reward their loyalty.

Integration with Other SystemsModern POS software can integrate with various other systems, such as accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and payment gateways. This integration streamlines business operations by synchronizing data across different systems, reducing manual entry, and improving overall efficiency.

Choosing the Right POS Software for Al Khor Businesses

When selecting POS software, Al Khor businesses should consider several factors:

Scalability: Ensure the software can grow with your business, accommodating increased transaction volumes and additional locations if needed.

Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface minimizes training time and ensures smooth operations.

Customer Support: Reliable customer support is essential for resolving any issues quickly and minimizing downtime.

Cost: Evaluate the total cost of ownership, including software fees, hardware requirements, and any additional charges for updates or support.

Conclusion

The adoption of POS software in Al Khor is revolutionizing the retail and hospitality industries, offering enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. As the city continues to grow and evolve, businesses that leverage advanced POS solutions will be well-positioned to thrive in a competitive marketplace. For those looking to stay ahead of the curve, investing in robust POS software is a strategic move that promises significant benefits for the future.

[qqueenofhades]

do you have any advice for those in the very early stages of thesis-writing? currently desperately clinging to the mantra of "shitty first drafts," et al

Unfortunately, there is no place where you will more whole-assedly have to embrace the "shitty first draft" mantra than in academic writing, especially in thesis writing, especially if this is your first-ish crack at an advanced and major piece of original research. I'm not sure if this is for an undergraduate senior thesis, a MA-level thesis, or (my true and heartfelt sympathies) a PhD dissertation, but the basic principles of it will remain the same. So there is that, at least. This means that yes, you will write something, you may even feel slightly proud of it, and then you will hand it into your supervisor and they will more or less kindly dismantle it. You have to train yourself to have a thick skin about this and not take it as a personal insult, and if your supervisor is remotely good at their job (not all of them are, alas) they will know how to be tactful about it and not make it feel like a direct and extensive commentary on your private worth as a person. But you will have to swallow it and do what you can, which can include -- if you're the one who has done the research and know that's how you want to present it and/or you are correct about it -- pushing back and having a conversation with them about how you think your original approach does work best. But that will come later. The first step is, yes, to mentally gird yourself to receive critical feedback on something that you have worked hard on, and to understand that no matter how much you grump and grumble and deservedly vent to your friends and so on, implementing the feedback will usually make your piece better and stronger. That is the benefit of working with a trained expert who knows what makes a good piece of research in your particular academic field, and while it doesn't get easier, per se, at least it gets familiar. Be not afraid, etc.

If you're in the writing stage, I assume that you've moved past the topic-selection and general-research stage, but allow me to plump once more the services of your friendly local university library. You can (or at least you can at mine and probably in any decently well-equipped research university) schedule a personal consultation with an expert librarian, who can give you tips on how to find relevant subject databases, create individual research guides (these might already be available on the university library website for classes/general topics), and otherwise level you up to Shockingly Competent Research Superhero. So if you're still looking for a few extra sources, or for someone else who might be reading this and is still in the "how the heck do I find appropriate and extensive scholarly literature for my thesis??" stage, please. Go become a Research Ninja. It's much easier when you have a minion doing half the work for you, but please do appreciate and make use of your university librarian. It's much more effective than haphazard Google Scholar or JSTOR searches hoping to turn up something vaguely relevant (though to be fair, we all do that too), and it's what your tuition dollars are paying for.

Next, please do remind yourself that you are not writing the whole thesis in one go, and to break it down into manageable chunks. It usually does make sense to write the whole thing semi-chronologically (i.e. introduction, lit review, chapter 1, chapter 2/3/4 etc, conclusion), because that allows you to develop your thoughts and make logical connections, and to build on one piece to develop the next. If you're constantly scrambling between chapters and zig-zagging back and forth as things occur to you, it will be harder to focus on any one thought or thread of research, and while you might get more raw output, it will not be as good and will require more correction and revision, so you're not actually hacking yourself into increased productivity. You should also internally structure your chapters in addition to organizing your overall thesis, so it makes sense to draw up a rough outline for section A, section B, section C within the body of a single chapter. This will make you think about why the segues are going in that order and what a reasonably intelligent reader, who nonetheless may not have the specialized knowledge that you are demonstrating for them, needs to move understandably from one section to the next.

Some academics I know like to do an extensive outline, dumping all their material into separate documents for each chapter/paper and kneading and massaging and poking it into a more refined shape, and if that works for you -- great! I'm more of the type that doesn't bother with a ton of secondary outlines or non-writing activity, since that can lead you away from actually writing, but if you need to see the fruit of your research all together in one place before you can start thinking about how it goes together, that is also absolutely the way that some people do it. Either way, to be a successful academic writer, you have to train yourself to approach academic writing in a very different way from fun writing. You do fun writing when you have free time and feel inspired and can glop a lot of words down at once, or at least some words. You do it electively and for distraction and when you want to, not to a set timeline or schedule, and alas, you can't do this for academic writing. You will have to sit your ass down and write even when you do not feel like writing, do not feel Magically Inspired, don't even want to look at the fucking thing, etc. I have had enough practice that I can turn on Academic Writing Brain, sit down, bang something out, sit down the next day and turn on Academic Editing Brain, go over it again, and send it off, but I have been in academia for uh, quite a while. The good news is that you can also automate yourself to be the same way, but the bad news is that it will take practice and genuine time invested in it.

As such, this means developing a writing schedule and sticking to it, and figuring out whether you work best going for several hours without an interruption, or if you set a timer, write for a certain time, then allow yourself to look at the internet/answer texts/fuck around on Tumblr, and then make yourself put down the distraction and go back to work for another set period of time. (I am admittedly horrible at putting my phone away when I should be doing something else, but learn ye from your wizened elders, etc.) You will have to figure out in which physical space you work best, which may not be a public coffee shop where you can likewise get distracted with doing other things/chatting to friends/screwing around on the internet/doomscrolling/peeking at AO3, and to try to be there as often as possible. It might be your carrel in the library, it might be your desk at home, it might be somewhere else on campus, but if you can place yourself in a setting that tells your brain it's time to work and not look at WhatsApp for the 1000th time in a row, that is also beneficial.

Finally, remember that you do not have to produce an absolutely world-beating, stunningly original, totally flawless and perfect piece, even in its final form. Lots of us write very shitty things when we're starting out (and some of us, uh, still write very shitty things as established academics), and you do not have to totally redefine your entire field of study or propose a groundbreaking theory that nobody has heard of or anything like that. A lot of academic work is small-scale and nuanced, filling in spaces on the margins of other things or responding or offering a new perspective on existing work, and it's best to think of it as a conversation between yourself and other scholars. They have said something and now you're saying something back. You don't need to be so brilliant that everyone goes ZOMGZ I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE; by its nature that happens very rarely and is usually way out on a limb (extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, etc); you just need to continue the dialogue with a reasonably well-constructed and internally plausible piece. So if you think of it that way, and understand that a shitty first draft will usually develop into something that is good and valuable but not SHOCKING NEW REVELATION clickbait hype, you will take some of the pressure off yourself and be more able to shut up that perfectionist voice in your head. However, all of us have some degree of imposter syndrome and it never entirely goes away, so you'll have to manage that too. Etc etc as before, it doesn't vanish altogether, but it gets easier.

And last but not least, though I'm sure I don't have to say this: for the love of fuckin' god, do not use ChatGPT. Even the genuinely shittiest paper in the world that you still worked on researching, organizing, and writing with your own brain is better than that. Trust me.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

January 18, 2025

Heather Cox Richardson

Jan 19, 2025

Shortly before midnight last night, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its initial findings from a study it undertook last July when it asked eight large companies to turn over information about the data they collect about consumers, product sales, and how the surveillance the companies used affected consumer prices. The FTC focused on the middlemen hired by retailers. Those middlemen use algorithms to tweak and target prices to different markets.

The initial findings of the FTC using data from six of the eight companies show that those prices are not static. Middlemen can target prices to individuals using their location, browsing patterns, shopping history, and even the way they move a mouse over a webpage. They can also use that information to show higher-priced products first in web searches. The FTC found that the intermediaries—the middlemen—worked with at least 250 retailers.

“Initial staff findings show that retailers frequently use people’s personal information to set targeted, tailored prices for goods and services—from a person's location and demographics, down to their mouse movements on a webpage,” said FTC chair Lina Khan. “The FTC should continue to investigate surveillance pricing practices because Americans deserve to know how their private data is being used to set the prices they pay and whether firms are charging different people different prices for the same good or service.”

The FTC has asked for public comment on consumers’ experience with surveillance pricing.

FTC commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson, whom Trump has tapped to chair the commission in his incoming administration, dissented from the report.

Matt Stoller of the nonprofit American Economic Liberties Project, which is working “to address today’s crisis of concentrated economic power,” wrote that “[t]he antitrust enforcers (Lina Khan et al) went full Tony Montana on big business this week before Trump people took over.”

Stoller made a list. The FTC sued John Deere “for generating $6 billion by prohibiting farmers from being able to repair their own equipment,” released a report showing that pharmacy benefit managers had “inflated prices for specialty pharmaceuticals by more than $7 billion,” “sued corporate landlord Greystar, which owns 800,000 apartments, for misleading renters on junk fees,” and “forced health care private equity powerhouse Welsh Carson to stop monopolization of the anesthesia market.”

It sued Pepsi for conspiring to give Walmart exclusive discounts that made prices higher at smaller stores, “​​[l]eft a roadmap for parties who are worried about consolidation in AI by big tech by revealing a host of interlinked relationships among Google, Amazon and Microsoft and Anthropic and OpenAI,” said gig workers can’t be sued for antitrust violations when they try to organize, and forced game developer Cognosphere to pay a $20 million fine for marketing loot boxes to teens under 16 that hid the real costs and misled the teens.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau “sued Capital One for cheating consumers out of $2 billion by misleading consumers over savings accounts,” Stoller continued. It “forced Cash App purveyor Block…to give $120 million in refunds for fostering fraud on its platform and then refusing to offer customer support to affected consumers,” “sued Experian for refusing to give consumers a way to correct errors in credit reports,” ordered Equifax to pay $15 million to a victims’ fund for “failing to properly investigate errors on credit reports,” and ordered “Honda Finance to pay $12.8 million for reporting inaccurate information that smeared the credit reports of Honda and Acura drivers.”

The Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice sued “seven giant corporate landlords for rent-fixing, using the software and consulting firm RealPage,” Stoller went on. It “sued $600 billion private equity titan KKR for systemically misleading the government on more than a dozen acquisitions.”

“Honorary mention goes to [Secretary Pete Buttigieg] at the Department of Transportation for suing Southwest and fining Frontier for ‘chronically delayed flights,’” Stoller concluded. He added more results to the list in his newsletter BIG.

Meanwhile, last night, while the leaders in the cryptocurrency industry were at a ball in honor of President-elect Trump’s inauguration, Trump launched his own cryptocurrency. By morning he appeared to have made more than $25 billion, at least on paper. According to Eric Lipton at the New York Times, “ethics experts assailed [the business] as a blatant effort to cash in on the office he is about to occupy again.”

Adav Noti, executive director of the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center, told Lipton: “It is literally cashing in on the presidency—creating a financial instrument so people can transfer money to the president’s family in connection with his office. It is beyond unprecedented.” Cryptocurrency leaders worried that just as their industry seems on the verge of becoming mainstream, Trump’s obvious cashing-in would hurt its reputation. Venture capitalist Nick Tomaino posted: “Trump owning 80 percent and timing launch hours before inauguration is predatory and many will likely get hurt by it.”

Yesterday the European Commission, which is the executive arm of the European Union, asked X, the social media company owned by Trump-adjacent billionaire Elon Musk, to hand over internal documents about the company’s algorithms that give far-right posts and politicians more visibility than other political groups. The European Union has been investigating X since December 2023 out of concerns about how it deals with the spread of disinformation and illegal content. The European Union’s Digital Services Act regulates online platforms to prevent illegal and harmful activities, as well as the spread of disinformation.

Today in Washington, D.C., the National Mall was filled with thousands of people voicing their opposition to President-elect Trump and his policies. Online speculation has been rampant that Trump moved his inauguration indoors to avoid visual comparisons between today’s protesters and inaugural attendees. Brutally cold weather also descended on President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, but a sea of attendees nonetheless filled the National Mall.

Trump has always understood the importance of visuals and has worked hard to project an image of an invincible leader. Moving the inauguration indoors takes away that image, though, and people who have spent thousands of dollars to travel to the capital to see his inauguration are now unhappy to discover they will be limited to watching his motorcade drive by them. On social media, one user posted: “MAGA doesn’t realize the symbolism of [Trump] moving the inauguration inside: The billionaires, millionaires and oligarchs will be at his side, while his loyal followers are left outside in the cold. Welcome to the next 4+ years.”

Trump is not as good at governing as he is at performance: his approach to crises is to blame Democrats for them. But he is about to take office with majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate, putting responsibility for governance firmly into his hands.

Right off the bat, he has at least two major problems at hand.

Last night, Commissioner Tyler Harper of the Georgia Department of Agriculture suspended all “poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets, and sales” until further notice after officials found Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or bird flu, in a commercial flock. As birds die from the disease or are culled to prevent its spread, the cost of eggs is rising—just as Trump, who vowed to reduce grocery prices, takes office.

There have been 67 confirmed cases of the bird flu in the U.S. among humans who have caught the disease from birds. Most cases in humans are mild, but public health officials are watching the virus with concern because bird flu variants are unpredictable. On Friday, outgoing Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra announced $590 million in funding to Moderna to help speed up production of a vaccine that covers the bird flu. Juliana Kim of NPR explained that this funding comes on top of $176 million that Health and Human Services awarded to Moderna last July.

The second major problem is financial. On Friday, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen wrote to congressional leaders to warn them that the Treasury would hit the debt ceiling on January 21 and be forced to begin using extraordinary measures in order to pay outstanding obligations and prevent defaulting on the national debt. Those measures mean the Treasury will stop paying into certain federal retirement accounts as required by law, expecting to make up that difference later.

Yellen reminded congressional leaders: “The debt limit does not authorize new spending, but it creates a risk that the federal government might not be able to finance its existing legal obligations that Congresses and Presidents of both parties have made in the past.” She added, “I respectfully urge Congress to act promptly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States.”

Both the avian flu and the limits of the debt ceiling must be managed, and managed quickly, and solutions will require expertise and political skill.

Rather than offering their solutions to these problems, the Trump team leaked that it intended to begin mass deportations on Tuesday morning in Chicago, choosing that city because it has large numbers of immigrants and because Trump’s people have been fighting with Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat. Michelle Hackman, Joe Barrett, and Paul Kiernan of the Wall Street Journal, who broke the story, reported that Trump’s people had prepared to amplify their efforts with the help of right-wing media.

But once the news leaked of the plan and undermined the “shock and awe” the administration wanted, Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan said the team was reconsidering it.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[serendip8y]

Why We Must Mobilise

Robert Reich

Read in the Substack app

The first 100 days: Why we must mobilize

Now is the time for all of us to become activists and force this despicable regime out of office

Robert Reich

Apr 28, 2025

Friends,

Today is the start of the 14th week of the odious Trump regime. Wednesday will mark its first 100 days.

The U.S. Constitution is in peril. Civil and human rights are being trampled upon. The economy is in disarray.

At this rate, we won’t make it through the second hundred days.

Federal judges in more than 120 cases so far have sought to stop Trump — judges appointed by Republicans as well as Democrats, some appointed by Trump himself — but the regime is either ignoring or appealing their orders. It has even arrested a municipal judge in Milwaukee who merely sought to hear a case involving an undocumented defendant.

Recently, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit — an eminent conservative Reagan appointee who is revered by the Federalist Society — issued a scathing rebuke of the Trump regime. In response to its assertion that it can abduct residents of the United States and put them into foreign prisons without due process, Wilkinson wrote:

“If today the Executive claims the right to deport without due process and in disregard of court orders, what assurance will there be tomorrow that it will not deport American citizens and then disclaim responsibility to bring them home? And what assurance shall there be that the Executive will not train its broad discretionary powers upon its political enemies? The threat, even if not the actuality, would always be present, and the Executive’s obligation to ‘take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed’ would lose its meaning.”

Judge Wilkinson’s fears are already being realized. Early Friday morning, ICE deported three U.S. citizens — aged 2, 4, and 7 — when their mothers were deported to Honduras. One of the children, having Stage 4 cancer, was sent out of the United States without medication or consultation with doctors.

Meanwhile, the regime continues to attack all the independent institutions in this country that have traditionally served as bulwarks against tyranny — universities, nonprofits, lawyers and law firms, the media and journalists, science and researchers, libraries and museums, the civil service, and independent agencies — threatening them with extermination or loss of funding if they don’t submit to its oversight and demands.

Trump has even instructed the Department of Justice to investigate ActBlue, the platform that handles the fundraising for almost all Democratic candidates and the issues Democrats support.

At the same time, Trump is actively destroying the economy. His proposed tariffs are already raising prices. His attacks on Fed chief Jerome Powell are causing tremors around the world.

Trump wants total power, even at the cost of our democracy and economy.

His polls are dropping, yet many Americans are still in denial. “He’s getting things done!” some say. “He’s tough and strong!”

Every American with any shred of authority must loudly and boldly sound the alarm.

A few Democrats and progressives in Congress (Bernie Sanders, AOC, Cory Booker, Chris Van Hollen, Chris Murphy) have expressed outrage, but most seem oddly quiet. Granted, they have no direct power to stop what is occurring, but they cannot and must not appear to acquiesce. They need to be heard, every day — protesting, demanding, resisting, refusing.

Barack Obama has spoken up at least once, to his credit, but where is my old boss, Bill Clinton? Where is George W. Bush? Where are their former vice presidents — Al Gore and Dick Cheney? Where are their former Cabinet members? They all must be heard too.

What about Republican members of Congress? Are none willing to stand up against what is occurring? And what of Republican governors and state legislators? If there were ever a time for courage and integrity, it is now. Their silence is inexcusable.

Over 400 university presidents have finally issued a letter opposing “the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.” Good. Now they must speak out against the overreach endangering all of American democracy.

Hundreds of law firms have joined a friend-of-the-court brief in support of law firm Perkins Coie’s appeal of the regime’s demands. Fine. Now, they along with the American Bar Association and every major law school, must sound the alarm about Trump’s vindictive and abusive use of the Justice Department.

America’s religious leaders have a moral obligation to speak out. They have a spiritual duty to their congregations and to themselves to make their voices heard.

The leaders of American business — starting with Jamie Dimon, the chair and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, who in normal times has assumed the role of spokesperson for American business — have been conspicuously silent. Of course they fear Trump’s retribution. Of course they hope for a huge tax cut. But these hardly excuse their seeming assent to the destruction of American democracy and our economy.

Journalists must speak out too. In the final moments of last night’s “60 Minutes” telecast, Scott Pelley, one of its top journalists, directly criticized Paramount, CBS’s parent company. “Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways,” he told viewers, explaining why the show’s executive producer, Bill Owens, had resigned.

“Stories we pursued for 57 years are often controversial — lately, the Israel-Gaza War and the Trump administration. Bill made sure they were accurate and fair. He was tough that way. But our parent company, Paramount, is trying to complete a merger. The Trump administration must approve it.”

Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount, is seeking the Trump regime’s approval for a multibillion-dollar sale of the media company, and Paramount is obviously intruding on “60 Minutes” content to curry favor with (and not rile) Trump.

Kudos to Pelley for speaking out and to Bill Owens for resigning. We need more examples of such courage. (They both get this week’s Joseph Welch Award, by the way, while Shari Redstone and Paramount get this week’s Neville Chamberlain.)

***

Friends, we have witnessed what can happen in just the first hundred days. I’m not at all sure we can wait until the 2026 midterm elections and cross our fingers that Democrats take back at least one chamber of Congress. At the rate this regime is wreaking havoc, too much damage will have been done by then.

The nation is tottering on the edge of dictatorship.

We are no longer Democrats or Republicans. We are either patriots fighting the regime or we are complicit in its tyranny. There is no middle ground.

Soon, I fear, the regime will openly defy the Supreme Court. Americans must be mobilized into such a huge wave of anger and disgust that members of the House are compelled to impeach Trump (for the third time) and enough senators are moved to finally convict him.

Then this shameful chapter of American history will end.

[kamryn1963]

Hey, hi. I just want to say I love your writting. Idk if you're busy, but I'd like to request a oneshot. Some su!c!d4l Voight after Al's dead getting a servicios dog maybe?? I understand if you can't write it, thank you.

where you're coming from

Hey! I'm sorry it took so long, I've been doing a monthly prompt challenge so I've been a bit busy, but I loved this request! This is one of my favorite requests I've been given and I was so happy when I got this (my friends can attest to that, lol). I hope you enjoy this!

Trudy walked through the bullpen towards Hank’s office. It was late at night and everyone else had already left, except for Hank that was. Trudy had been on the way out herself, when she saw Hank’s car still in the parking lot and knew she had to check on him. 

She felt like that’s all she did these days. 

Ever since Al’s death nearly two years ago. Ever since Hank tried to kill himself eight months before. 

They didn’t talk about it often, but it was one of those things that you couldn’t forget if you tried. Especially since Trudy had been the one to find him that night. Hank had said, had protested for days, that he wasn’t trying to kill himself, that if he was going to do that he would’ve just shot himself in the head. 

Part of Trudy had wanted to believe him as she knew that was true. But the other part of her saw what the doctors saw. Which was a man who had been through unimaginable loss including losing his best friend a year earlier. They saw a man who had been found in his office laying on his couch, an empty bottle of alcohol on the floor beside an empty painkiller bottle. 

It had kept Trudy awake for weeks after, still did some days. If it had truly been an accident. 

Hank never told her, of course he didn’t. She’d been playing this game with him and Al for years. Knew just how much they could tell without getting themselves thrown into the psych ward. 

So when Hank had been discharged three days later after a psych consult, Trudy vowed to keep a better eye on him. She’d already lost one of her brothers and she’d be damned if she buried both. 

“Hank?” Trudy asked, opening the office door. Hank looked up from where he’d been hunched over his desk working on paperwork. 

“Hey, Dee,” Hank replied, sitting up and setting his pen down. 

“You’ve been staying late every day this week. You should go home, get some rest,” Trudy suggested, sitting down on the chair across from Hank’s desk. 

“I’m fine.”

Trudy rolled her eyes, leaning back in the chair. That’s the same response she got every time she asked, the same response she’d been getting for years. Even with thirty years of friendship, Hank still gave her the same old bullshit like she didn’t know better. 

“Have you thought about what we talked about in the hospital?” Trudy asked suddenly, that conversation coming to mind again. 

“About the service dog?” 

“Yeah.” 

Hank sighed. He had. He’d thought about it more than he wanted to admit. Trudy had brought that up after the psych consult, right before his discharge. Hank knew Trudy had spent most of the night doing research when she suggested him getting a service dog for the first time. 

“Hank,” Trudy said when she didn’t get an answer, her expression softening. 

“I don’t need a service dog. I can do my job just fine, Trudy.” 

“Nobody’s saying you can’t. I’m saying that you can’t keep pretending everything is fine, that you're fine. I’m saying that what happened eight months ago, can’t happen again, Hank. I can’t do this with you over and over.” 

Hank looked away, clenching his fists. Trudy had a point, he knew she did. But admitting it was something Hank didn’t do. He just pushed through, woke up everyday and kept going even if it killed him in the process. 

Death seemed like a mercy at this point. 

“It would be a psychiatric service dog, a PSD, that you would qualify for. You already have an official diagnosis of PTSD, so you’d definitely get a dog,” Trudy stated, taking Hank’s silence as an invitation to continue. 

Hank gave a wry smile. “I only have a diagnosis because Camille made me get diagnosed.” 

“She was a smart woman.” 

“Yeah. She was,” Hank agreed. 

“She’d want you to get the help you need, you know she would. And if that’s a service dog, then what are you so against it? Nobody’s going to take your job away from you, I just want you to get help, Hank. Somebody to help you when I can’t be there.” 

And maybe it was that. The mix of knowing his wife would want him to get help, and knowing how much this was affecting his sister too. Hank knew as soon as Trudy found him that night, that this had become her fight too. 

“I’ll think about it,” Hank finally said, making eye contact with Trudy again. 

Trudy nodded, letting out a sigh of relief as she stood up, heading to the door. “I’m glad. I think it could really help you.” 

Trudy smiled, turning to leave. She got half way through the bullpen, before Hank’s voice stopped him. She turned around, raising an eyebrow. 

“Dee?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.” 

“Of course,” Trudy replied, hesitating for a moment before leaving. As her footsteps faded away, Hank sighed, feeling ten years older. 

He opened a new tab on his computer, paperwork fully forgotten. He had some research to do. 

—

The weeks came and went after their conversation. Trudy still kept a close eye on Hank like she’d already been doing, Hank never saying anything about it. 

The nights become longer for Hank. Most nights ended with him in his living room, a glass of alcohol in his hand and pictures and memories surrounding him at every turn. He started leaving his gun locked in his desk more often than not, unable to trust himself with it. 

He didn’t tell Trudy this, but he still kept doing it. The only thing that kept him here anymore was the memory of waking up in the hospital nearly a year ago, Trudy near him, her eyes red and hands shaking. It was the fear in her eyes, the relief when he opened his eyes that was the only thing that kept Hank from eating his gun. 

He couldn’t do that to her. 

And during those long nights, Hank had started thinking about the service dog thing more and more. He’d done in depth researched on the whole process, the cost, everything he could. He and Trudy hadn’t talked about it since that night in his office, but Hank had soon made his decision. 

He started the process before he told Trudy. He had decided to go the route of getting a partially trained dog then finishing the training himself. That seemed like the quickest way and made sure he could train the dog to be more attuned with his needs. 

It only took six months to get the dog. 

Loki was a Boxer who was a year old when Hank got him. Hank had taken the day off, leaving Jay in charge of Intelligence for the day. He didn’t give an explanation and nobody asked. Honestly they were just glad Hank was taking a break. Even if that was only for a day. 

When they got to Hank’s place he took Loki inside, leading the dog to the living room. “Alright Loki. This is your new home.” 

Loki stared at him, starting to walk around the place when Hank said that. Hank let him, taking a quick picture of Loki before sitting down on his couch. He sent the photo to Trudy, smirking slightly as he sent it and a message right away. 

This is Loki. He’s my psychiatric service dog. I guess you were right about something, Dee

Hank chuckled when his phone rang two minutes later. 

[mariacallous]

If you close your eyes and imagine an up-from-the-bootstraps embodiment of boomer triumphalism—the ambitious young technocrat of a systems novel by Don DeLillo or Thomas Pynchon, sprinting toward his fully vested stake in the American Century—you might see a man like Grady Means, whose daughter, Casey Means, is now President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Surgeon General. Grady was born in the Los Angeles area in 1946, and received scholarships at Stanford, where he studied economics and engineering and excelled at track-and-field. He worked for Fairchild Semiconductor, one of Silicon Valley’s seminal ventures, and for the Northrop Corporation, an avatar of Southern California’s then flourishing aerospace industry. “This was a state,” Joan Didion wrote of California, in 1993, “in which virtually every county was to one degree or another dependent on defense contracts”—including “billions upon billions of federal dollars that flowed into Los Angeles County,” until the cutbacks of the early nineteen-nineties. The idea that the military-industrial complex could continue to nurture communities of happy, landowning citizens, Didion went on, “was a sturdy but finally an unsupportable ambition, sustained for forty years by good times and the good will of the federal government.”

But the federal government did continue to sustain Grady Means. He worked, under President Nixon, at the forerunner agency of today’s Department of Health and Human Services (H.H.S.), and, later, as an aide to Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller. He joined a consulting-and-accounting firm that, beginning in the eighties, guided troubled but resource-rich Latin American countries through the process of privatizing their state assets. (Grady’s icy brand of Realpolitik is apparent in an editorial that he wrote for the conservative Washington Times, in which he offered conditional praise for the Chilean tyrant Augusto Pinochet.) His firm merged with another to form the financial behemoth PricewaterhouseCoopers; in 2002, the consulting wing was sold to I.B.M. for $3.5 billion. By that time, Grady and his wife were raising Casey and her brother, Calley, then teen-agers, in Washington, D.C.

The Means siblings, in their way, also aim to balance private enterprise and public service. Casey, who is thirty-seven, is a graduate of Stanford School of Medicine and a founder of Levels, a health-tracking and wearables company. (The co-founder and C.E.O. of Levels, Sam Corcos, is a top adviser at the Department of the Treasury and has led the effort to dismantle the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.) Calley, thirty-nine, is a onetime food and pharma consultant; a top adviser to the H.H.S. secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; and a co-founder of Truemed, a platform for spending H.S.A. and F.S.A. dollars on life-style interventions such as cold plunges, red-light therapy, and Levels. Together, the siblings are the authors of the best-seller “Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health” (2024), which includes chapters such as “Trust Yourself, Not Your Doctor” and “Your Body Has the Answers: How to Read Your Blood Tests and Get Actionable Insights from Wearables.”

The book and the publicity blitz behind it—including interviews with Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson, the latter of whom told Casey that she is poised to “change the world”—put the Meanses at the forefront of Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. In fact, their rise to fame seemed so abrupt—and their views on vaccines so relatively mild—that it led to some suspicious clucking within MAHA. Nicole Shanahan, who was Kennedy’s running mate during his 2024 Presidential bid, posted on X that “there is something very artificial and aggressive about them, almost like they were bred and raised Manchurian assets.”

This callback to vast mid-century power structures is both ludicrous and oddly apt, considering the Meanses’ pedigree. In the acknowledgments section of “Good Energy,” Casey and Calley thank their father for “being our inspiration of how to live the principles outlined in this book: exercising, writing, sailing, bodysurfing, hiking, laughing, growing, gardening, learning, and practicing gratitude at seventy-seven.” Casey told Carlson, “We were raised with spirituality. We were reading, you know, sacred texts and the Bible and Rumi and Ayn Rand.” She has also conceded that her family provided a “financial backstop” when she dropped out of a prestigious residency in otolaryngology, after more than eight years of medical schooling and hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition. (In “Good Energy,” Casey, the principal author, explains that she quit because conventional medicine did not permit her “to generate foundational, vibrant health for my patients”; a former chair of her program told the Los Angeles Times that she quit because she “did not like that level of stress.”)

But what goes unmentioned—what stands in opposition to the siblings’ code of self-optimization and principled bodysurfing—is that their father’s success grew from the soil of an extraordinary season of public investment. We are now in an equally extraordinary moment of divestment from the public good, set in motion by the Administration that the Means siblings wish to serve. The story that the siblings tell about our health and well-being is that you are your own backstop—you and your apps and wearables.

Casey Means does not have an active medical license, and appears to lack a background in public health, which won’t necessarily preclude the Senate from confirming her as Surgeon General. Assuming her nomination sails through, it’s uncertain how much will be left of American public-health infrastructure once her term is underway. In March, H.H.S. announced it would claw back more than eleven billion dollars in federal grants to state health departments, which had been allocated for distributing vaccines, tracking and controlling infectious diseases, and providing mental-health and substance-abuse assistance, among other services. (After a coalition of twenty-three Democratic states and the District of Columbia sued, a federal judge temporarily blocked the decision in their jurisdictions.) A Senate minority staff report from this month stated that, throughout the first three months of the Trump Administration, the National Institutes of Health (N.I.H.) rescinded eight hundred and fifteen million dollars in grants that were intended to fund research, training, and treatment related to cancer, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular and infectious disease, and other conditions. Over all, the full-time staff at H.H.S. has shrunk by more than twenty per cent since January.

The decimation of government agencies and programs may not trouble the Means siblings. Calley has said that the Affordable Care Act was “probably the deadliest law passed in recent history,” that Medicaid is a “disaster” for “single moms trying to make ends meet,” and that, if it were up to him, he would fire every nutrition scientist in the government’s employ. Casey, who espouses “functional medicine”—an alternative to alternative medicine, more or less—often talks about how financial conflicts of interest have compromised the work of thousands of N.I.H. grantees in recent years (this is true) and claimed that “medical error and medications are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S.” (this is highly disputed).

The siblings often have a point. They are not wrong when they attack our medical system for prizing billables over outcomes, or when they condemn government subsidies for corn and soybeans which spur the production of unhealthy food. But, even in these moments of truth, they’re often tempted to reach for some startling but dubious statistic—as when Casey asserted, at a Senate roundtable last year, that every serving of ultra-processed food increases “early mortality” by eighteen per cent (almost certainly untrue). And although the siblings bemoan the crushing cost of health care, they minimize the culpability of the insurance industry. On their Tucker Carlson appearance, Calley belittled supporters of Obamacare for embracing what he called “this populist idea of, like, taking on the insurance companies”—an idea that miserably failed—but he offered little critique of the insurance companies themselves. When “Good Energy” cites the high percentage of bankruptcies in which medical bills are a major contributor, it’s not to excoriate the likes of Aetna and UnitedHealthcare but to admonish the reader to invest in fresh, organic food, or else: “You will either pay for healthy food up front,” she writes, “or you will pay for preventable medical issues and lost productivity in the future.”

“Good Energy” is at once a memoir, a quasi-anti-establishment screed, and an orthorexic diet guide, advancing along the way three core MAHA positions. The first is that Big Food and Big Pharma are incentivized to make and keep us sick. The second is that many conventional medicines and interventions do little to improve our health, and often worsen it; these include, per the Meanses, “several antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, antiretroviral drugs, statins, beta-blockers, and high blood pressure medications.” And, third, that most maladies can be prevented or treated through one’s own ascetic diet and life-style choices.

Because few of the credentialed participants in the system can be trusted, an individual can serve as her own doctor by way of an ongoing self-audit of her biomarkers: fasting insulin, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and so on. (“Glucose as a molecule has caused more destruction of the human mind and body than any other substance in human history,” Casey posted on Twitter in 2021.) She recommends wearing a continuous glucose monitor—these devices are at the center of her Levels program—along with trackers that measure heart-rate variability, step count, and sleep quality, plus apps for food intake and breath work. Writing in 2013, the political scientist Corey Robin observed that the complexities of Obamacare epitomized the “neoliberal utopia,” in which “all of us are forced to spend an inordinate amount of time keeping track of each and every facet of our economic lives.” In “Good Energy,” the utopia has come for your blood sugar.

“Bites are opportunities, and you don’t want to waste any,” Casey writes. To this end, “Good Energy” unspools a list of foods to avoid entirely, “as strongly as if they were illicit drugs,” owing largely to their effects on insulin and glucose levels. This catalogue includes store-bought cookies, instant oatmeal, granola bars, crackers, packaged bread, packaged mac and cheese (even Annie’s), canned soup, bouillon cubes, ketchup, mayonnaise, Nutella, “jelly and jam,” peanut butter (if it has sugar added), deli meat, bacon, beef jerky, frozen pizza, frozen fish sticks, flavored yogurt, popsicles, ice cream, and Gatorade. Elsewhere in the book, Casey gives the evil eye to pretzels, pasta, Cheerios, and “whole grains.” Your fruits and vegetables should be organic, and ideally purchased from a farmers’ market or C.S.A. If those are not options for you, Casey says, you can go to Costco.

It goes on and on. You should not eat anything made with seed or vegetable oils—canola, sunflower, peanut. (Kennedy and MAHA adherents allege that these oils are “poison” and major drivers of obesity and chronic disease, contrary to evidence.) You should not drink unfiltered tap water, nor should you drink water from plastic bottles. You should not eat a banana on its own, although pairing it with a few almonds is O.K. You should eat your dinner on a metabolically optimized timeline: first vegetables, then protein, then starch. Beyond food and drink, “Good Energy” also shoos readers away from most household cleaners and personal-care items, and advises them to “stop touching receipts and thermal papers.” You should not use perfumes or scents of any kind. Your house should have a HEPA filter. Your toothpaste should be fluoride-free. On the “Good Energy Baseline Quiz,” under “Ingested Toxins,” one of the line items is “I do not take oral hormonal contraceptives.” The advent of the birth-control pill, Casey told Carlson, gave women the message that “these hormones don’t matter. Your ability to create the most miracle of any miracles, which is create life—just shut it down, there’s no impacts. That’s crazy to me.”

The book’s tone is, at times, almost apocalyptic. “We are animals in cages right now, surrounded by encroaching threats that are entering our homes and daily lives through technology, chemicals, and more,” Casey writes. She may not be as conspiracy-addled as our current H.H.S. Secretary, but what is squarely in the key of Kennedy is the hypervigilance bordering on paranoia.

A Surgeon General’s task is one of clear and effective communication to the public on matters that affect their health and well-being. A medical license or public-health credentials may not be as important as having a grasp of how most Americans live day to day and recognizing the challenges they face in finding affordable health care and healthy food. In a 2020 webinar organized by the Founder Institute, Casey—who can patter indefatigably about hemoglobin A1C thresholds and triglyceride-to-HDL ratios—gets banana-peeled by a straightforward question about finding holistic-medicine care if you lack good health insurance. (Her meandering answer concludes, “So, yeah, functional medicine, and, you know, wearables and trackers that can help you stay on track, so.”)

Recently, my ten-year-old daughter and I went to our perfectly fine local supermarket with a list of packaged grocery items that “Good Energy” says are safe to buy. We did not do well. The ingredients on a cauliflower-crust frozen pizza seemed O.K., maybe. None of the yogurt qualified. Only one of the seven hummus brands on offer was not contaminated by seed oils, and it was also the most expensive. The MAHA firmament would view this disappointing grocery run as an indictment of Big Food and, to a lesser degree, an indictment of me for not getting everything we needed for the week at a local farmers’ market. “I eat organic, unprocessed foods I buy at the farmers’ market, and I cook every single meal for my partner and I,” Casey told Carlson. “And, when I have children in the next few years, I am so deeply excited to cook every meal for them from scratch, because there’s nothing more important.”

Of course, it is easy to lose sight of the necessity of fresh food if you are one of roughly fifty-three million Americans living in a U.S.D.A.-designated food desert—but perhaps that, like your wearables, is on you. Americans, according to Casey, “need to get back to having a sense of pride and responsibility in our households to cook food.” We are in the throes of a “spiritual crisis,” she said. “We have lost sight of what really matters in our lives.”

By “we,” she means Mother, or maybe just Woman. “Feminism has a great side,” Casey told Joe Rogan, but it also sends a pernicious message: “Don’t cook, being a mother is second-class citizenship, it’s associated with, like, being property and slave.” Cultural pressure on women to prioritize careers over family has fomented depression and divorce, she went on. “Men are lost because basically women are saying, like, ‘Men don’t have a role anymore—you know, we got this,’ and kids are not being able to, you know, get that quality time with their family, to play, and wisdom to be passed down, and to have home-cooked meals.”

She insisted, as she often does, that she “cannot wait” to have kids. But even a healthy, spiritually hygienic mother may come to find that Cheerios and Totino’s look less like crack cocaine once you see your real child eating them.

The future mother-self that Casey Means conjures is one that aligns with the Trump-Vance brand of pro-natalism, which is premised not on affordable, high-quality child care or guaranteed parental leave but on women staying home with their kids. This maternal image also suggests a solidarity with the “MAHA Moms” who have named Kennedy as their prophet. But there is also a real pathos in how Casey draws on her future motherhood to add credibility to her mission, and that’s because of the role her own mother plays in “Good Energy.”

The book recounts two pivotal events in Casey’s evolution as a wellness warrior. The first was when she dropped out of her residency, in 2018, and began studying functional medicine. (By November, 2020, Levels announced that it had raised twelve million dollars in seed funding.) The second was the death of Gayle Means, in January, 2021, at the age of seventy-one, from what Casey calls a “preventable metabolic condition,” also known as pancreatic cancer. Casey depicts her mother as active and watchful of her health: she got her preventive tests at the Mayo Clinic, saw doctors at Stanford, ate mindfully, and exercised regularly. But she was also a former smoker, and, like many seniors, took metformin to manage her blood sugar and a statin for cholesterol. On the eve of the pandemic, mother and daughter visited Sedona, the New Age destination in Arizona, for what Casey describes as “‘Dr. Casey’s Bootcamp’ of proven actions to improve metabolic health: extended fasting, cold plunging, exercise, morning sunrise hikes.” Gayle, her daughter says proudly, “was actually very much on the same page about, sort of, holistic health as me.”

About a year later, according to Casey, her mother felt fatigue and stomach pain while on her daily hike. After getting blood work and a CT scan, she received a diagnosis of Stage IV pancreatic cancer, via text message. Casey got a FaceTime call from her mother, she writes, in which “she told me that she was dying, that she had to leave me, and that she would not meet my future children.” She had “softball-sized tumors all throughout her belly.” Thirteen days later, Gayle Means died. In “Good Energy,” Casey rues the fact that her mother “didn’t have the resources to make sense of her biomarkers.” Still, her final days, Casey said in 2022, added up to “a very beautiful, transformational experience”—a “spectacular two weeks” for the Means family, in which Gayle experienced “pure joy.”

Her mother’s fortitude in death, Casey went on, turned “something I’ve been fearing my entire life” into “the most transformational growth experience I’ve ever had.” It revealed to her “the futility of living in fear.” The health-care system, she has claimed, is rife with “fear-based thinking,” and doctors “weaponize fear of death” in order to force harmful drugs and procedures on patients. A flawless commitment to diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene means nothing, she writes in “Good Energy,” if stress and anxiety are present, because a “cell living in a body experiencing chronic fear is a cell that cannot fully thrive.”

And yet, for long stretches of “Good Energy,” the prescription appears to be fear. Fear of Smartfood popcorn and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Fear of progestin pills and dryer sheets and unfiltered shower water. Fear of your glucose levels, or of not knowing what your glucose levels are at any given moment. Fear of your mother’s sub-optimized mitochondria, which she passed down to you. Fear of the takeout dinners and late nights that Gayle Means enjoyed as a twentysomething living in the West Village half a century ago. (Casey cites these youthful habits as possible causes of her mother’s “metabolic abnormalities.”) The Good Energy message, in the main, is that if you’re afraid of everything you have nothing to fear. You cannot eat your way out of death, but you should follow the Calvinist urge to try.

Casey Means is an inheritor of the American Century, of a privatized public good. One might imagine that such a lucky person would have far less to fear in life than most, and more to give. The same might be said of Trump, Kennedy, and Musk, the three individuals in the U.S. who are most responsible for the ongoing annihilation of our public-health system—distrustful, phobic personalities, born to money and power, who seem committed to crushing the structures and institutions that made their success possible. In these respects, the Means siblings are their peers. “Good Energy” is their energy.

The public they claim to serve may have no choice but to engage in some fear-based thinking. In the wake of the Trump Administration’s springtime budget cutting, a team developing a pancreatic-cancer vaccine at Johns Hopkins may lose the grant for their lab, and funding for the only federal program exclusively devoted to researching pancreatic cancer was eliminated entirely. It is difficult to overstate, in fact, how much this Administration has done in just a few months to set back advanced cancer research in the U.S., including research into particularly deadly forms—like pancreatic cancer—that relies heavily on federal funding, and that might have someday saved a patient like Gayle Means. 

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

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Eddie is lucky. He gets Chris a consultation with a surgeon tomorrow. Early in the morning, due to a cancellation. Chris might not be happy to wake up early, but in Eddie’s opinion, the sooner the better. 

When he’s done on the phone, Eddie rejoins Chris in the living room. He’s curled up under a blanket, waiting for the pain killers to set in. He’s got the TV open to one streaming service or another, searching for something to watch, and he’s eating small spoonfuls of cold rice pudding that Buck made when he heard Chris was coming home. Because Buck knows how much he likes it. 

“Okay, tomorrow morning you have an appointment,” Eddie tells him. 

“Thanks, Dad,” Chris says, in a very quiet voice. 

“Of course,” Eddie says. “Chris, how long has this been bothering you?”

Christopher’s eyes shift down. “A week.”

Eddie tries to keep his expression neutral. Really, though, he feels horrified.

“Your grandparents didn’t tell me,” he sighs. “I’m sorry.”

Christopher’s cheeks redden again. “They don’t really know.”

“You didn’t tell them?” Eddie asks. 

“I mean, I tried,” Chris explains. 

Eddie feels very close to getting mad. And not with his son. 

“What happened?” Eddie asks.

“Does it matter?” Chris replies. “You’re fixing it now.”

“Well, I’d like to know,” Eddie says. But he’s not going to push. Not when their relationship is so fragile. “No matter what, though, Chris, you’re not in trouble.”

Christopher exhales heavily. “They wanted to go to church on Sunday morning and I asked if I could stay home because I was in pain.”

“Okay,” Eddie nods, a little uncomfortable with the thought of his kid being dragged to Mass every Sunday. 

“And Abuelo asked if it was my legs,” Christopher continues. 

Eddie narrows his eyes. 

“And I said, no, that it was my mouth.” Chris explains. “And Grandma said, ‘well, Chris, stress is all held in the jaw. Church will help.’”

Eddie’s mouth twitches. He can’t help it. 

Chris looks worried. Like he will be in trouble.

“Sorry,” Chris mumbles. “I should have explained it better.”

“No, Chris. No.” Eddie shakes his head. “You didn’t do anything wrong. They should’ve taken you seriously, okay? I’m really sorry they didn’t.”

Eddie wants to call and shout at them. Make them feel bad. You took my baby from me and you couldn’t even make sure he was healthy and not in pain? Since when did they want Chris to suck up his pain, just like Eddie always had to? Or did they just assume the stress in his jaw was Eddie’s fault? But calling and yelling won’t fix it. In fact, Eddie wants to call them as little as possible, going forward. 

“Okay,” Chris whispers. 

“We’re going to take care of it and it’ll be better before you know it,” Eddie promises.

“Okay,” Chris says again.

“Can I get you anything else, bud?” Eddie asks.

Christopher considers. 

“Do you want to watch old episodes of Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles with me?” He asks, a little sheepishly.

“Yes!” Eddie answers, a little too quickly. His heart might explode. His son wants to spend time with him. “Yes. Yeah.”

“Okay,” Chris says for a third fucking time.

Eddie rounds the coffee table to sit next to Chris on the couch.

“When did you start watching real estate reality television?” Eddie asks. “Not that that’s a problem!”

“Since Buck said he was watching it and it made him laugh,” Chris explains. “And that he’d drive me around fancy neighborhoods to be nosy when I came home.”

Eddie’s chest floods with affection for them both. If it took the promise of laughing at obnoxious McMansions to bring his son home, whatever. He’ll take it. Thank you, Buck. 

“Well, that’s cool,” Eddie says. 

“Yeah,” Chris shrugs. He presses play on the remote. 

Eddie’s television screen is overtaken by dramatic music, expensive cars, and white, boxy modern architecture. Oh, yep. This is exactly the kind of thing Buck would watch while cooking. Eddie knows the formula for his reality show taste all too well. 

“Is this appropriate for kids?” Eddie asks.

“Dad.” 

“Right. Sorry.” Eddie stammers. “You’re good.”

Eddie sits very stiffly beside Chris, switching between watching the show and watching his kid. Normally, he’d sit a lot closer. Be more affectionate. But he doesn’t want to push his limits. He knows Chris is in pain and tired, and that there still is a lot of trust to rebuild. He knows that being invited just to sit with him now is better than he thought he’d get. So he cherishes it. 

Chris finishes his rice pudding and puts the bowl down on the coffee table. He yawns and leans back against the couch cushions. 

“How’s your mouth?” Eddie asks over the sound of a house tour.

“A bit better,” Chris mumbles. “Medicine helped.”

“I’m glad,” Eddie tells him.

They keep watching the show, and before long, Christopher’s eyes slowly start to close. Like he’s trying to pay attention, but days of lost sleep are finally catching up with him. He sees Christopher start to slump to the side a bit, inwards towards Eddie. Eddie scooches closer to him, grabs a throw pillow, and props it between Christopher’s head and Eddie’s shoulder. Chris falls into the pillow, conked out like when he was just a little six year-old after a long day of school. 

Eddie keeps very still. He feels a million different things. Happy. Relieved. Scared. Sad. Angry. Uncertain. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen between them, moving forward. He doesn’t know how mad Chris still is. 

[altaqwaelectric]

Protecting Your Electrical Systems: A Look into Al Taqwa’s Complete Range

In today’s fast-paced world, electrical systems power everything from homes and offices to factories and infrastructure. With increasing energy demands and the growing importance of uninterrupted power supply, having the right switchgear and protection systems is more important than ever. That’s where Al Taqwa United Enterprises LLC, one of Oman’s leading electrical suppliers, plays a crucial role.

In this blog, we’ll explore how Al Taqwa offers a complete range of electrical switchgear products that protect and power systems across the country — safely and efficiently.

Why Electrical Protection Is Critical

An electrical system without proper protection is like a car without brakes. From power surges to short circuits, the risks of equipment damage, data loss, and fire hazards are significant. High-quality electrical protection devices ensure:

· Safe power distribution

· Equipment longevity

· Compliance with safety standards

· Reduced downtime in case of faults

Al Taqwa addresses all of these needs with a comprehensive and reliable product portfolio.

Al Taqwa: A Trusted Name in Electrical Switchgear in Oman

Established in 20011, Al Taqwa United Enterprises LLC has grown into a respected electrical trading and switchgear assembly company in Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and India. Their focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction makes them a preferred partner for engineers, contractors, and facility managers across sectors.

Complete Electrical Switchgear Range from Al Taqwa

Al Taqwa’s product line is designed to meet the needs of low-voltage electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial environments.

1. Electrical Panels and Distribution Boards

These serve as the central hub for electrical power distribution. Al Taqwa supplies and assembles:

· Main Distribution Boards (MDBs)

· Sub Main Distribution Boards (SMDBs)

· Final Distribution Boards (FDBs)

· Control Panels and Feeder Pillars

All panels are tailored to meet Omani electrical standards and international safety norms.

2. Circuit Protection Devices

The key to preventing electrical fires and damage is reliable overcurrent and earth fault protection. Al Taqwa offers:

· Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

· Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs)

· Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

· Earth Leakage Relays

These components ensure quick fault detection and automatic power cut-off during hazards.

3. Metering and Monitoring Devices

To optimize energy use and improve system performance, monitoring is essential. Al Taqwa provides:

· Analog and Digital Panel Meters

· Current Transformers (CTs)

· Voltage and Frequency Meters

· Energy Monitoring Units

These products give real-time data for smarter electrical management.

4. Electrical Accessories and Control Components

To support the full installation lifecycle, Al Taqwa stocks:

· Terminal blocks

· Cable ties and lugs

· Contactors and timers

· Rotary switches and power supplies

These ensure smooth installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical systems.

Top Electrical Brands Represented by Al Taqwa

Al Taqwa partners with internationally recognized electrical brands, including:

· Enza Electric — Quality switchgear products known across Europe and the Middle East

· Civaux Electric — Comprehensive panel systems and circuit protection components

· Stefan Electric — Trusted for metering solutions and industrial electrical accessories

· Salzer Electric — Renowned for rotary switches and control products

These collaborations ensure Al Taqwa can offer reliable, durable, and cost-effective solutions to its clients.

Beyond Products: Al Taqwa’s Expert Services

Al Taqwa goes beyond just supplying electrical components. Their team of experts offers:

Custom switchgear assembly tailored to project requirements

Site inspections and installation support

Annual maintenance contracts

Technical consultation and troubleshooting

This makes Al Taqwa a one-stop solution for all electrical needs in Oman.

Conclusion: Trust Al Taqwa for Complete Electrical Protection

When it comes to protecting your electrical systems, choosing a trusted provider like Al Taqwa ensures both peace of mind and long-term performance. From high-quality panels and circuit breakers to metering systems and expert service, Al Taqwa covers the full spectrum of electrical protection.

For engineers, project managers, or business owners looking to safeguard their infrastructure, Al Taqwa United Enterprises LLC stands out as the best source of electrical switchgear in Oman.

Explore More:

Visit https://altaqwaoman.com to view the full product catalog or request a quote tailored to your project needs.

[aqrorthodontics]

Why AQR Orthodontics Is the Trusted Orthodontist in Dubai

Finding the right orthodontist is a big decision, especially when it comes to your smile or your child’s dental health. At AQR Orthodontics, we are committed to providing high-quality orthodontic care in a friendly, professional environment right here in the heart of Jumeirah, Dubai. Whether you’re considering braces, Invisalign, or other orthodontic treatments, our experienced team is here to help you achieve the results you deserve.

👨‍⚕️ Who We Are

AQR Orthodontics is led by a skilled and compassionate team of dental professionals who specialize in modern orthodontic care. We focus on understanding each patient’s individual needs to create personalized treatment plans that lead to healthy, beautiful smiles. Our clinic is located in Cosmocare Medical Center, easily accessible on Al Wasl Road, making it convenient for residents of Jumeirah, Jumeirah 2, and surrounding areas in Dubai.

😁 Our Orthodontic Services

We offer a wide range of orthodontic services for both children and adults:

Traditional Braces For patients looking for effective and reliable alignment, we provide advanced metal and ceramic braces to suit all needs and preferences.

Invisalign Prefer a nearly invisible way to straighten your teeth? Our Invisalign treatment plans are custom-designed for maximum comfort and optimal results.

Early Orthodontic Treatment for Kids Early assessment can help prevent long-term issues. We offer specialized care for young patients to guide jaw development and tooth alignment from an early age.

Retainers & Aftercare We ensure your smile stays perfect with high-quality retainers and long-term follow-up plans.

All of our treatments are done using the latest technology in a clean, relaxed, and modern setting.

🌟 Why Choose AQR Orthodontics?

There are many orthodontists in Dubai, but here’s what sets us apart:

Experienced professionals with years of orthodontic expertise

Modern technology for faster and more precise results

Flexible scheduling and affordable payment options

A central location in Jumeirah, close to residential and commercial hubs

Multilingual staff and a patient-first approach

We also pride ourselves on educating our patients. We believe an informed patient makes better oral health choices. During your consultation, we explain all treatment options clearly, so you feel confident moving forward.

📍 Visit AQR Orthodontics Today

If you're searching for a trusted orthodontist in Dubai, look no further than AQR Orthodontics. Whether you need braces, Invisalign, or just an expert opinion, we're here to help you every step of the way.

📌 Contact Information – AQR Orthodontics 📍 Cosmocare Medical Center – Ground Floor, Villa No. 4, Al Wasl Rd, Opposite Pizza Hut, Jumeirah 2, Dubai 📞 Call / WhatsApp: +971 56 882 7870 📧 Email: info@aqrorthodontics.com 🌐 Website: https://aqrorthodontics.com