iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Ahmed Gaya

The Fig Economy @figgityfigs.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Sometimes my wife and I like to send each other text messages as though they’re democratic fundraising messages, and I believe she has produced the jewel of the form.

, it's
and I
have some personal news to share with you.
Being a mom is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I feel deeply that we should have salad tonight
This year has been challenging in many ways, and I have immense gratitude for the kindness and support of family, community, and people like you who have continued to stand by me through everything. It means the world, and I wanted you to be among the first to know that squash is in the oven and kale is in the fridge.

As many of you are aware, ve been navigating one of the most challenging periods of my day while waiting for dinner.
Facing baseless federal hunger brought on by not eating since lunch, fighting for the working kids of this country, and now caring for a mean toddler and helping him grow up in a world that isn't always easy. But it has also reminded me exactly why I do this work and who I do it for.
I will never stop working to eat dinner. I will never stop fighting for what is right, even when there is also some feta in the fridge. And I will never stop being so very thankful that you are by my side in this important work and that there is tahini in the pantry for dressing
With love and gratitude,
stop to end

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Alas no, waiting in the airport...

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Man Fieldworks was their firm... Founded by former PIRG staffers, they used to at least pretend they applied a values screen to their clients.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

While I'm still glad @councilordunphy.bsky.social is the council president rather than the alternatives, I'm deeply disheartened by his votes against every single common sense amendment brought for the Moda Center term sheet...

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

whelp unfortunately after your votes in Thursday's meeting about the Moda Center term sheet, I have to take back most of what I've said here. I'm not mad, I'm just deeply, deeply dissapointed.

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Mayor Melanie Kebler @melaniekebler.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

As a lifetime Blazers fan, I remain confused by the approach to *gestures* all of this. Why wouldn't we want public tax dollars invested in the stadium to bring the most public ROI possible? Why would we expect a public body to start by negotiating against itself? Idk, idgi.

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Kevin Foster @kevinhfoster.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Multnomah County Chair Vega Pederson hired Chris Oxley to lead their negotiations on the Moda Center renovation. Oxley formerly worked for the Blazers and currently serves as Board President at Sport Oregon, a nonprofit that has been lobbying for public funding of the Moda Center renovation.

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Feed The Streets PDX @feedthestreets.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

On Wednesday, our volunteers braved the heat & smoke to share 60 servings of lemon garlic chicken & homemade potato salad w/our unhoused neighbors! Of course they got chilled water too! We rely on donations to feed people Venmo- pdxfeedthestreets Cashapp- FTSPortland #MutualAid #PDX #MutualAidPdx

a plate of food; lemon garlic chicken & homemade potato salad

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I tried to record the call to get the questions, but they hung up on me when I did that.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

From the questions it seemed like it was from the "Safer Portland" folks, not sure if this went into the field before they failed to qualify, or part of their broader strategy to push their narrative.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Heads up - I got an insanely obvious push-poll asking if Portland needed more police and to end the "catch and release policies of the city council" yesterday from Triton Research, a firm out of Bend.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

This novel was fabulous. I highly reccomend you pick it up and give it a read.

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Reposted by Ahmed Gaya

James Belcher @jamesbelcher.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

PORTLAND: Today at 5pm

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Reposted by Ahmed Gaya

Geoffrey Propheter @gpropheter.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

There. My proposed Moda Center renovation renderings. And I'm not asking you to vote to give me money first.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Kaylin's surprise appearance on this week's Game Changer is perhaps in my top 5 favorite things the show has done.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Well thanks for doing it regardless! Hopefully our appreciation can make it a little more bearable!,

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

As always, excellent summary from RCNRO on what a reasonable negotiation from the city should be.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I am so grateful that @councilorgreen.bsky.social and others fought for @councilordunphy.bsky.social to be City Council President.

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Reposted by Ahmed Gaya

Katie Tightpussy, Editor-In-Chief @katie.bzky.team · 20/10/2025

"your flashlight is on" is the "your shoelaces are untied" of the digital age

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

I wouldn't have been able to make it as I was throwing an event down the street at the same time, but I live in D2, regularly go to the Abby, am following this issue closely, have corresponded with all three CMs in D2 about this issue and had no idea this was happening.

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Councilor Mitch Green @councilorgreen.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Some media outlets are reporting on the Moda term sheet with some framing that is suggesting that Council sent it terms. Not the case. Let me clarify what happened yesterday 🧵

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Annette Gordon-Reed @agordonreed.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Don’t know who to credit for this. But it is how I feel.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

This is why it was worth it to fight to get CM Dunphy as Council President - I'm very glad that someone who wants to be a reasonable and responsible steward of public money are leading these negotiations for the Council.

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Portland City Councilor Jamie Dunphy @councilordunphy.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

One incredibly easy way that the negotiations could get back on track is if the Blazers could respond to some of the basic requests for information we have repeatedly asked for since April but have yet to receive. Maybe Commissioner Silver can help us with that?

oregonlive.com

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says Moda Center renovation negotiations ‘have gone off track’

“I was hoping more progress would have been made by now on that agreement," Silver said. "And it seems to have gone off track in various ways.”

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Justin (seasonal) @justinskolnick.com · 23/06/2026

Guy breezes into town possessing more gold than he could eat, demanding that we spend our own funds — more money than we have — to make himself feel posh and pretty, and the mayor says “by golly, that’s a man!” content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORP...

The Blazers are our primary tenant. They're also responsible for much of the economic activity in the Moda Center. Their new owners have a negotiating style much like my own -fair, firm, friendly, and committed to the best outcome for those they serve. We have a strong negotiating position and plenty of leverage, and so do they. Ultimately, I believe that the City of Portland and the team ownership want many of the same things.

I want the best deal for Portland, a deal that centers the thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in annual economic activity generated by the team. Good process means sitting down, figuring out the math, and keeping the public informed and empowered every step of the way, not duking it out in the media or on Instagram.

It's easy to be against transformational civic projects. There are risks, though a renovated arena holds far fewer risks than constructing a new one. Calling foul and throwing around accusations can boost re-election campaigns but we can't wave away the very real risk of declining tax revenue, broken promises to neighborhoods, and lost jobs. Big projects like this also attract opportunists, such as the Brooklyn-based techbro using our city's dilemma to pitch his 'civic engagement' dot-com startup. (He reached out to me and offered to personally deliver 10 city council votes if I used the “term sheet” he developed.)

Criticism is easy. Long-term vision is hard, and so are good negotiations. I believe the future of the Moda Center must be decided on the numbers and built on a foundation of our values. What do we

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Reposted by Ahmed Gaya

amb @amb.fyi · 09/05/2026

base annual salary of an oregon legislator is $43k, plus a small per diem during session

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Reposted by Ahmed Gaya

Michael DeForge @michaeldeforge.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

I guess boycotting Harry Potter feels pretty trivial to me, because I'm an adult. if someone told me I shouldn't eat Gerber's baby food, I'd be like, that is no problem. I'm way ahead of you

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

In your initial post you were saying you were confused about people talking about home-ownership as a primary investment vehicle, and how that felt weird. I'm actually agreeing with you and saying not only is it weird and socially harmful... it's factually wrong for a lot of people.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

I think there's a dominant American narrative that owning the house you live in is a financial investment that will give someone security and build wealth. I think a lot of people feel like they have to buy a house (to live in) based on that idea.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Sorry, not trying to fight with you - just get worried about how pervasive that particular myth is. I agree that housing should be a right, rent is exploitative and all people should be able to own and control a decent living space. The current system sucks.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Oh not at all - there are totally reasons to buy a house. I was lucky to be able to buy one in 2021 because there were things I hadn't been able to do in a rental over the last decade (animals etc.). I'm just saying the whole investment narrative doesn't pan out for most ppl.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

If you have enough money for a down-payment you'll generally get a better long term return investing it in an index fund and renting. Lots of studies have shown that outside of narrow circumstances homeownership is a pretty poor investment. But the myth is strong in our culture and narrative.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Owning a home is actually a pretty bad investment. The stock market historically outperforms home value appreciation, and that's before all the other opportunity costs, like making it very challenging to move cities for better work.

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Reposted by Ahmed Gaya

Juan C Chavez @inafutureage.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

In case you're curious what your DA is doing instead of standing with the community who got viciously tear gassed by ICE this weekend: 1. Covered trial call for a photo op; 2. Prosecuting a misdo resist claim against an ICE protester to run cover for the PPB cop who broke that protester's arm.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Extremely dissapointed... this feels like a minimum bar for accountability. Both now as these folks are cycling out of ICE, and in the after times.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Reported at 1 PM PST Today in Portland, OR

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Give Me An Axe @givemeanaxe.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

ICE ON WOODSTOCK & 67TH.

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

When I defended myself pro-se I was warned by attorneys that any wrong move could land me in contempt. I know the bar for the govt is higher. But it seems like they'd have to shoot the judge in court to face consequences. And even then he might just demand a letter of apology.

nytimes.com

Surge in Immigration Cases in Minnesota Pushes Prosecutors and Judges to Brink

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Solomon @solomonrmissouri.com · 30/01/2026

4 Black journalists have been kidnapped by the federal government

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

It's gotten lost with everything in MN, but Nashville is absolutely devestated by the winter storm. 108,000 households are in their 4th day without power, and we keep finding families shivering in their homes. Please donate and share to support rapid response and organizing for equitable recovery

donate.rebuild.us

REBUILD.US Winter Storm Response

Winter Storm 2026 has brought ice, freezing temperatures, and prolonged power outages to communities across Tennessee, with especially severe impacts in the Nashville region. As the ice melts, the ful...

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Reposted by Ahmed Gaya

Left Coast Reads 📚🌹 @leftcoastreads.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Has anyone made art combining the concept of 'sewer socialism' with teenage mutant ninja turtles? I would absolutely rock a shirt like this! (Please forgive my horrible editing skills)

Classic art of TMNT characters with the words 21st century sewer socialism in the matching font

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Poppycock🌸 @sugarandsage.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

This Zoom meeting could have been a puppet show

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Councilor Sameer Kanal @councilorkanal.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

ICE needs to be taken apart, brick by brick, and we need to salt the earth.

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Portland DSA @portlanddsa.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION: ICE just shot 2 people in Portland. Come to a vigil tonight 6pm at Portland City Hall

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Ahmed Gaya @callidan.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Not in this case. The victims were alive when transported to the hospital in the last hour. Condition unkown at this time. PPD applied a turniquet to at least one victim according to their statement.

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