iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

This bill bans federal use of all ALPRs, not just Flock. Here's AOC's press release summary that includes a link to the actual text of the bill: ocasio-cortez.house.gov/media/press-...

The mass surveillance capabilities enabled by Flock and other automatic license plate reader companies have threatened the civil liberties of everyday Americans:

Flock has shared state information with federal immigration officials;
Law enforcement officials have pulled Flock data to investigate activists and logged searches corresponding to protests against ICE raids, in support of Palestinian rights and for ‘No Kings’ demonstrations; and
Officers have used plate readers to track wives, girlfriends, exes and women they wanted to meet without their consent.
So far this year, at least 56 municipalities have deactivated, cancelled, or rejected contracts with Flock. Congress must act to stop the mass surveillance of citizens.

The Ban Flock Act would do this by:

Prohibiting the federal government from using automatic license plate readers or accessing the information they collect;
Stopping federal grant funding from flowing to state or local governments that use automatic license plate readers or contract with automatic license plate readers companies;
Allowing Americans to sue the federal government for violation of their rights through the use of automatic license plate readers.
Read the text of the bill here.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Abdul showed up for Kamala as soon as she became the nominee, and Kamala has now endorsed Abdul and is campaigning for him. Respectfully -- it is time to let go of the grudge you've been holding onto. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...

DETROIT — Former Vice President Kamala Harris urged voters in Detroit on Sept. 22 to support Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, contending the country was watching Michigan's election and the turnout should be "too big to rig."

Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee for president, made her case for El-Sayed, who won a contentious Democratic primary election, during two stops, including an evening event inside Fellowship Chapel on the city's west side. There, the nation's first Black vice president spoke to a predominantly African American crowd of a few hundred people.

"He endorsed me the day I became the nominee," Harris said of El-Sayed. "And I am here to support his candidacy and to urge everyone to not only vote for him but to get out the vote."

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

from www.regulations.gov/document/BIS... :

Section 4.2(a)(i) of E.O. 14110 mandates that the Secretary shall require companies developing dual-use foundation AI models to provide information, reports, or records regarding the following:

1. any ongoing or planned activities related to training, developing, or producing dual-use foundation models, including the physical and cybersecurity protections taken to assure the integrity of that training process against sophisticated threats;

2. the ownership and possession of the model weights of any dual-use foundation models, and the physical and cybersecurity measures taken to protect those model weights; and

3. the results of any developed dual-use foundation model's performance in relevant AI red-team testing, including a description of any associated measures the company has taken to meet safety objectives, such as mitigations to improve performance on these red-team tests and strengthen overall model security.

4. Other information pertaining to the safety and reliability of dual-use foundation models, or activities or risks that present concerns to U.S. national security.

Section 4.2(a)(ii) of E.O. 14110 also mandates that companies, individuals, or other organizations or entities that acquire, develop, or possess a potential large-scale computing cluster must report any such acquisition, development, or possession, including the existence and location of these clusters and the amount of total computing power available in each cluster. To the extent that these entities are companies developing dual-use foundation models, they are also subject to obligations 1-3, above.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This is also only considering one dimension of the environmental impact of data centers -- a recent UN report took a deep look at data center sustainability:

A footprint that is being mismeasured
The report finds that AI's environmental cost is being systematically mismeasured. Most existing assessments focus on the carbon emissions associated with training large models. Yet every kilowatt-hour of electricity used to train or run an AI system also carries a water footprint, from cooling and power generation, and a land footprint, from energy infrastructure and supply chains. These three footprints do not move in the same direction. Switching from coal to bioenergy, for example, can on average cut the carbon footprint of electricity by 70 per cent, while increasing its water footprint more than thirty-fold and its land footprint a hundred-fold. The report concludes that "low-carbon" is not automatically "low-water" or "low-land” and warns that evaluating AI sustainability through a single metric can hide trade-offs and shift environmental burdens onto regions already facing water or land stress.

The numbers compound rapidly at the infrastructure level. Global data centres consumed an estimated 448 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2025. If treated as a nation, they would have been the world's 11th largest electricity consumer, behind France and ahead of Saudi Arabia.

"What surprised us most is how often the choices that look greenest from a carbon perspective end up worse for water or for land," said Dr. Miriam Aczel, UNU-INWEH Researcher and the lead author of the report. "If we keep judging AI sustainability by carbon alone, we might think that renewables make AI infrastructure clean but that is solving one problem while creating other problems, often in places that didn't ask for it."

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

for people worried, it's one specific fried tofu product: hodo CHILI CRISP LIGHTLY FRIED TOFU. NET WT 8oz., UPC 850565007842

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Tofu was recalled in 29 states, including throughout the Tri-State, because it may be contaminated with ink.

According to a recall enforcement report from the Food and Drug Administration, over 10,000 cases of tofu produced by Hodo and sold in 29 states were recalled because they made be chemically contaminated by ink.

The specific product affected by the recall is: "hodo CHILI CRISP LIGHTLY FRIED TOFU. NET WT 8oz., UPC 850565007842"

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Him taking so much money from a foreign lobby representing a country that has a massive interest in keeping the war going indefinitely feels like a pretty big conflict of interest and I can't help but question his sincerity.

Mark Kelly
US senator (D)
Arizona
$554,054 from pro-Israel PACs

via fec.gov, 7/5/26
@trackaipac

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Well there's a legal definition under international law. And you're saying that the fact that there hasn't been a *trial* negates all these groups saying clearly and without hesitation that it is a genocide? At the very it least it seems disingenuous to attack people using the same language here.

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide

Approved and proposed for signature and ratification or accession by
General Assembly resolution 260 A (III) of 9 December 1948
entry into force 12 January 1951, in accordance with article XIII

The Contracting Parties,
Having considered the declaration made by the General Assembly of the United
Nations in its resolution 96 (I) dated 11 December 1946 that genocide is a crime
under international law, contrary to the spirit and aims of the United Nations and
condemned by the civilized world,
Recognizing that at all periods of history genocide has inflicted great losses on
humanity, and
Being convinced that, in order to liberate mankind from such an odious scourge,
international co-operation is required,
Hereby agree as hereinafter provided:

Article 1
The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of
peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which they undertake
to prevent and to punish.

Article 2
In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed
with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious
group, as such:
(a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about
its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Therefore, the International Association of Genocide Scholars:

Declares that Isracl’s policies and actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide in Article II of the United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948);

Declares that Israels policies and actions in Gaza constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity as defined in international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;

https://genocidescholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IAGS-Resolution-on-Gaza-FINAL.pdf

(page 3/3)

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Many of the world's leading human rights organizations have concluded their actions in Gaza constitute a genocide: * www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel... * www.bbc.com/news/article... * www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne... * en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

https://genocidescholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IAGS-Resolution-on-Gaza-FINAL.pdf

(page 1/3)

https://genocidescholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IAGS-Resolution-on-Gaza-FINAL.pdf

(page 2/3)

https://genocidescholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IAGS-Resolution-on-Gaza-FINAL.pdf

(page 3/3)

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I know about this b/c I have a friend in this community and she's sent me a bunch of Joe Rogan videos talking about it. I'm fascinated by how many people are obsessed with it, thinking that answers will reveal the meaning of life. Now many of them are seeing clearly that Trump is not their ally.

screenshot of a post on r/UFOs titled "Was this just one giant joke on the America People?" with the post image being a screenshot of the whitehouse.gov page saying "They weren't little green men. these "Aliens" are the millions of ILEGALS who invaded our country..."

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

If he delivers on the the stated goals, will you still be down on the name? Tbh I think it's very smart - it's an olive branch to people on the right, and when he actually delivers on it, it will be in sharp contrast to DOGE. He's going to show us all how govt can be an undeniable force for good.

State Attorney General Letitia James, a Mamdani ally, hailed the mayor for creating a new commission to replace the undead Adams panel.

“The mayor knows New Yorkers deserve an efficient government that quickly delivers childcare, housing, and public infrastructure — and that means tackling the red tape and outdated barriers in our city charter that block progress,” James said. “COGE is a smart, ambitious approach to modernize our government and deliver excellence to all New Yorkers.”

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

I think the most insulting thing about this is that they don't have a single concrete policy proposal. The entire website is basically "things are really bad, and we think they should be better - if you agree, send us money"

[project2029foramerica.org/ideas]

IDEAS
In the coming months, Project 2029 will be putting forward ideas for a modern governing agenda to tackle the real challenges Americans face every day and that America confronts in the years to come. As new proposals are released, we'll be publishing them here under our governing principles.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS
01
Reward Hard Work
Our economy should reward hard work and not just huge wealth. We need to rebuild the ladder of opportunity for Americans and for American communities getting left behind.

02
Give Americans Their Government Back
In today’s Washington, wealthy and well-connected people and interests call the shots and drown out the voice of the people. Government needs to work for everyday Americans – and it just plain needs to work by delivering real progress.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

subpar UX is truly one of the most pressing issues of our time

The Annoyance Economy: Americans are losing enormous amounts of time, money, and patience to the small, daily hassles corporations deliberately design into modern life: spam calls, useless chatbots, surprise fees, impossible cancellations, endless paperwork. The hassle isn’t a bug; it’s the business

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

not exactly a rando - he was economic policy advisor for the entirety of the Biden/Harris administration. if people shouldn't call out this do-nothing nonsense now in order to encourage would-be electeds to be more ambitious/concrete/meaningful in their policy proposals, when should they?

[from the Bulwark article]

“It’s very clear for many people what Democrats are against,” said Chad Maisel, Project 2029’s executive director. “What people are not clear on is what we are for and what we would do if and when we have our next governing moment. We see Project 2029 as answering that question of: What would we do? What would we fight for? How would we solve problems?”

[search results]

September 4, 2025 - Washington, D.C. — Former White House Economic Policy Adviser Chad Maisel is joining the Center for American Progress as ...

August 6, 2025 - Chad Maisel served in the White House for all four years of the Biden-Harris administration, most recently as special assistant to the president

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

In addition I want to point out that section V.F. (which asks the question "What analysis of children's environmental health did we conduct?") is listed in the table of contents, but is notably missing from the actual text.

Screenshot showing table of contents with V.F. -- What analysis of children's environmental health did we conduct?

Screenshot showing sections V.E. followed immediately by VI. -- V.F. is missing.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The site is confusing if you're not familiar with it - it looks like there are already thousands of comments, and that this was already finalized in 2024. But after exploring more, I found that they have reopened the decision and that there are only 3 comments currently. Here's the amendment link:

regulations.gov screenshot showing 3 comments on the amendment

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

This desperation spam from Angie Craig is so gross. She's exploiting people by saying she needs their money to beat a republican in the general election WHEN SHE HASN'T EVEN WON THE PRIMARY... As of 2/24: - Angie: $3.8M from (mostly corporate/foreign) donors - Peggy: $0.8M from grassroot donors

angie craig desperation spam: 10:00am (mar 16, 2026)

angie craig desperation spam: 11:47am (mar 16, 2026)

angie craig desperation spam: 1:22pm (mar 16, 2026)

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

how do you reconcile Kelly being more than happy to take boatloads of aipac money? (fwiw I think he seems like a pretty decent guy...if only he was principled enough to reject money from corporate/foreign PACs, like AOC)

trackaipac.com
Mark Kelly
$4.5 million spent by pro-Israel lobby groups and their donors

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

I wonder if she also "regrets" the fact that her biggest donor is actively cheering on this illegal war on Iran. I wonder how that fact might be influencing her actions as a legislator.

opensecrets.org - Angie Craig

Top Contributors, 2023 - 2024
Contributor Total Individuals PACs
American Israel Public Affairs Cmte $327,675 $322,675 $5,000
University Of Minnesota $55,557 $55,557 $0
EMILY's List $48,689 $38,689 $10,000
End Citizens United $34,460 $27,460 $7,000
Digidems PAC $30,872 $30,872 $0

AIPAC Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran
Press Release
On President Trump's orders, the United States has launched a decisive action against the terror-supporting regime in Iran.

We stand with the American servicemembers who are carrying out this mission with extraordinary professionalism and courage and pray for their continued safety and success.

This operation is being carried out in close coordination with our strong and capable ally Israel to confront a growing global threat from a regime that has massacred more than 30,000 of its own citizens over the past several weeks.

For years, the Iranian regime has posed a grave threat to the United States, to Israel, and to the world. It has relentlessly pursued nuclear weapons, developed its ballistic‑missile program, and funded terrorist organizations across the globe—all while brutalizing and killing its own people.

Iran has American blood on its hands. It has killed more than a thousand American troops, launched repeated rocket and drone attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, plotted attacks on American soil, and is responsible for the murder of 241 U.S. servicemembers in the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut.

The regime has continued to chant “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” and its goals have been clear: to threaten the United States and eliminate the world's only Jewish state.

In this critical moment, the United States must work with allies to ensure that our servicemembers and regional assets have the protection and resources they need against any further Iranian aggression. The administration and Congress should also ensure that Israel has the resources and support needed to defend itself from any Iranian response.

We commend President Trump’s determination in ensuring that the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism will never acquire a nuclear weapon.

We express appreciation to the Republican and Democratic senators and representatives who have worked over many years to stop Iran's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program, end its support for terror, and strengthen U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation that is now protecting American and Israeli lives from Iranian attacks.

###

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

thanks for the correction and pointing out that the original post was AI also, wow! what an incredible bird

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

This is a good start, but corporate PACs represent only a very narrow subsection of ways to take money from powerful interests that do not represent the will of the people. Will you commit to *only* taking small dollar donations from individuals going forward @captmarkkelly.bsky.social ?

- Corporate PACs
- Funded by corporations to support candidates or issues
- Exploited: Corporations pool resources to influence elections with minimal transparency

- Federal PACs
- Registered with the FEC to donate to candidates or causes
- Exploited: Loopholes allow special interests to bypass individual donation limits and funnel money to favored candidates

- Super PACs
- Supposedly "independent" groups that advocate for issues or candidates
- Exploited: Unlimited funding and minimal reporting requirements enable massive, unaccountable spending

- 501(c)(4)s
- Nonprofits for "social welfare" (not primarily political)
- Exploited: No donor disclosure requirements allow "dark money" to flow into elections without accountability

- 527 Groups
- Political organizations for election-related activities
- Exploited: Can raise unlimited funds with minimal oversight, enabling unchecked election spending

- Large Individual Donations
- Contributions from individuals to candidates
- Exploited: Federal limits are easily circumvented by wealthy donors, allowing outsized influence over elections

- Foreign Money
- Donations from foreign governments, corporations, or agents
- Exploited: Used to influence U.S. elections and policy, often through opaque channels

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Never been to a caucus? Here's Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan explaining what it's about in this short video:

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

To everyone in MN -- in the midst of everything else going on, we're at a crossroads: our next senator will either be a corporate shill or a fierce progressive...and Tuesday is *the* day to make your voice heard on the matter at your local precinct's democratic caucus (7pm). This is so important!

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan:
✅ The only candidate not taking corporate PAC money.
✅ Is ready to push back, not play along. That means supporting legislation like Medicare for All.
✅ A proven leader who sticks to her values, fighting to raise the minimum wage and secure paid family & medical leave here in Minnesota.

Rep. Angie Craig:
❌ Voted for Donald Trump's Laken Riley Bill -- which has led to racial profiling and mass deportations across the country.
❌ Accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from corporate PACs, AIPAC, and the crypto-currency industry.
❌ Has a Super PAC spending on her behalf -- funded by the oil and gas company Chevron.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Just saw this video on r/portland of her speaking about it after being released www.reddit.com/r/Portland/s...

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Video with his full answer in case anyone's interested.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

I was skeptical since the link doesn't look like a government owned github repo, but github does show he is a contributor to the VA's repos. Screenshots for anyone who wants more info without having to navigate github. The third screenshot is the relevant prompt code.

some repos including forks from department-of-veterans-affairs/va.gov-team

6 contributions in 2025 in department-of-veterans-affairs

$async def analyze_memo_async(text, session, pass_number=1, max_retries=3): """Analyze memo text using LLM asynchronously with retries""" if pass_number == 1: prompt = f""" Analyze this internal memo and extract key information for compliance with new Executive Orders. If information is not found, write "Not found". MEMO TEXT: {text[:10000]} Extract: 1. Memo ID or identifier 2. Memo Title 3. Memo Description (summary of the content) 4. Date of Publication/Distribution 5. Authoring Office/Department 6. Target Audience 7. Does this memo contain any DEI, DEIA, or equity-related content? (true/false) 8. Does this memo reference gender identity, pronouns, or related topics? (true/false) 9. Does this memo contain COVID policy, vaccine mandates, or extended telework policies? (true/false) 10. Does this memo reference climate, environmental justice, or sustainability initiatives? (true/false) 11. Does this memo contain references to WHO partnerships or collaborations? (true/false) 12. First-pass Non-Compliance Score (1-10, with 10 being most non-compliant) 13. First-pass Non-Compliance Justification (brief explanation) Format as JSON: {{ "memo_id": "", "title": "", "description": "", "date": "", "authoring_office": "", "target_audience": "", "contains_dei": false, "contains_gender_identity": false, "contains_covid_policy": false, "contains_climate": false, "contains_who_references": false, "first_pass_non_compliance_score": 0, "first_pass_justification": "" }} """$

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Zero scruples. | “Nobody is going to get primaried because they voted for GENIUS,” added [Shiela] Warren [of the Crypto Council for Innovation]. | | Others in the chat wrote that corruption didn’t matter to them, outside of how Democrats could use it as a political tool. 1/3

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

In case you're questioning Chenoweth's credentials www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-rese... | Chenoweth expected that violent movements would be shown to be more successful in overthrowing the regimes they were opposing. The data proved her wrong.

Chenoweth’s painstaking research, unprecedented in its scope and historical breadth, has shed new light on the understanding of civil resistance, political change, and the surprising effectiveness of nonviolent action.

[Portrait of Erica Chenoweth - "It requires imagination and creativity. It requires organization. And it requires courage and discipline."]

It has made Chenoweth, a professor of public policy at Harvard Kennedy School and a Susan S. and Kenneth L. Wallach Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, one of an elite group of global experts on civil resistance. She is sought out both for her remarkable chronicling of nonviolent movements and for her understanding of what can potentially make or break them.

With authoritarianism and populist nationalism on the rise worldwide, the importance of a carefully constructed empirical foundation has grown each year, she says. “Certainly I didn’t think when I started down the path of this research that that would be the case.”

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

More food for thought polsci.institute/conflict-res...

Gene Sharp’s impact on global movements

Sharp’s ideas have significantly influenced numerous nonviolent movements around the world. Here are a few examples:

India’s fight for independence

Although Sharp’s work came later, his principles were reflected in India’s struggle for independence, led by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha, or “truth force,” emphasized nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, inspiring millions to join the cause.

The civil rights movement in the United States

Sharp’s ideas also resonated with leaders of the civil rights movement in the United States, such as Martin Luther King Jr. The movement’s nonviolent protests and acts of civil disobedience played a crucial role in dismantling racial segregation and discrimination.

The fall of dictatorships

Sharp’s work has been cited as an inspiration for many successful nonviolent movements that toppled dictatorships, including the Serbian movement Otpor! which played a key role in the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević, and the Arab Spring uprisings that brought about significant political changes in the Middle East and North Africa.

The power of nonviolent struggle 🔗
Sharp argued that nonviolent struggle can be more effective than violent conflict for several reasons:

Legitimacy and support 🔗
Nonviolent movements often attract broader support from the public and international community, as they are seen as more legitimate and just. This can lead to greater pressure on the opponent to concede to demands.

Reducing repression 🔗
Nonviolent actions are less likely to provoke violent repression from the opponent. When repression does occur, it can backfire by generating sympathy and support for the movement.

Empowerment and participation 🔗
Nonviolent struggle empowers ordinary people to take action and participate in the movement. This can lead to a more inclusive and sustainable fight for change.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

There are actually people who have dedicated their careers to studying this question. news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...

“Countries in which there were nonviolent campaigns were about 10 times likelier to transition to democracies within a five-year period compared to countries in which there were violent campaigns — whether the campaigns succeeded or failed.”

Erica Chenoweth

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

This is so critical. Call both of your senators -- no matter blue or red -- and ask them to read Section 70302 and to vote no on this unconsistutional bill. Then call them the next day, and the day after that. This CANNOT pass. Link to r/law reddit thread in image: www.reddit.com/r/law/s/xMC9...

Make sure you [call your senate representatives!](https://www.govtrack.us/) [find your script here](https://5calls.org/issue/court-contempt-enforcement-cuts-budget-reconciliation/)

1. Tax cuts that will bankrupt America
2. Cuts to Medicaid/Medicare
3. Cuts to snap
4. [Section 70302: unconstitutional provision to attack the courts](https://5calls.org/issue/court-contempt-enforcement-cuts-budget-reconciliation/) -- MOST IMPORTANT

These are just a few things in this great bill, so much so that they need to discuss and pass this at 2 am in the morning. Share this message everywhere you can (especially about section 70302!!!)

Additional things you could ask your representative to support:

Senator Cory Booker introduced a bill [to transfer the US marshalls](https://www.booker.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/marshalsact.pdf) from the authority of the DOJ to the justice department to insulate the courts and help them enforce their rulings on Trump. Tell them to support senator Cory Bookers Marshalls act.

Also, join the national flag day protests on June 14th at [nokings.org](http://nokings.org), if you're done with your calls and want to get involved, nows your chance!

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

This is madness. The cuts to Medicaid are just a piece of what this budget proposal contains. (Restoration of impoundment powers?!) | This bill isn’t just “big.” It’s a roadmap for dismantling oversight, hollowing out federal protections, and handing Trump sweeping, unchecked control.

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” isn’t just about tax cuts it quietly guts federal protections and reshapes entire agencies:
- Closure of the U.S. Department of Education
- 25% expansion of logging in national forests, bypassing environmental reviews and fast-tracking timber production
- Rollbacks on clean energy incentives, cutting tax credits for EVs and renewables, gutting key climate provisions
- More public lands opened up for drilling, mining, and logging, with royalty breaks for fossil fuel companies
- Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, ending U.S. participation in global climate efforts
- Executive Order 14215, forcing independent federal agencies to follow White House legal interpretations and centralizing authority under the presidency
- Pension changes for federal workers hired before 2014, cutting take-home pay by raising required contributions, reducing future payouts, and eliminating early retirement supplements
- REINS Act-style regulation repeal, where major federal rules expire unless Congress re-approves them every 5 years allowing Trump to quietly erase protections without rewriting laws
- Expanded executive control over agency budgets, allowing the White House to move federal funds internally without explicit congressional approval
- Restoration of impoundment powers, giving Trump the ability to block or delay spending already passed by Congress reviving powers stripped after Watergate
- Creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), placing White House–aligned teams inside every federal agency with access to internal systems and influence over hiring and daily operations
- Sharp cuts in regulatory enforcement, with agencies like the EPA, CFPB, and Labor and Transportation Departments halting enforcement of key safety, environmental, and anti-discrimination rules
- Trump’s personal control over economic policy, strengthening his power to direct tariffs, pressure private companies, and dictate pricing with little resistance treating the…

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

A lot of people may think that the proposed cuts to Medicaid won't affect them, but this is not the case: it will affect all of us. Protecting Medicaid isn't just the morally right thing to do -- it is also *personally advantageous* for everyone living in this society. We are all in this together.

Mason said that it’s imperative that every single population have health insurance coverage, including men. Because there is a ripple effect, including financial strain on medical institutions that treat those other populations.

“Reducing access to Medicaid — it makes the individual sicker. It makes their families sicker. It makes their families more economically unstable. It makes our healthcare system weaker, and it makes our overall population sicker,” she said. “There literally is no win.”

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

This pile of rice represents Elon's wealth if EACH INDIVIDUAL GRAIN of rice is worth $200,000. And there are many others who would have similar piles. They obtained those piles by exploiting workers. They pay minimal taxes, and should contribute. Nobody's trying to take whatever grains you have.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

In case it is helpful to anyone: * this aoc page is a resource for everyone (not just her constituents) * the form asks for name/phone/email/zip - but only email/zip are required (and you can give a fake email) * screenshot after submitting below * zip-only alternative: 5calls.org/issue/medica...

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Review the Script
Read through the script once or twice on your own first.
❌ You’re represented by a Republican. Please call them using the script below and demand that they refuse any cuts to Medicaid.

Hi, my name is _______, and I am a constituent of yours.

I am a voter and I do not want you to vote for any cuts to Medicaid. I will be paying attention to your actions and they will impact my vote when you are up for re-election.

Thank you.

2
Make the Call
Let us know which targeted official(s) you called.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick : (202) 225-4276
3
Report the Call
Report back on how the call(s) went and what they said.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Things feel pretty bleak right now, but there's also some good reasons not to despair... here's a couple thing things I came across today that helped. * reddit post (from image below): www.reddit.com/r/50501/s/u4... * words of wisdom from parkrose permaculture: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b_U...

To Anyone Feeling Overwhelmed Right Now

I don’t blame you for being scared. You’re not wrong to feel like something serious is happening. But for your own mental health and strategic clarity, please remember:

This is not 1930s Germany.

There’s still too much capital, too many interlocking systems, and too many powerful interests that would suffer under true autocracy. CEOs, billionaires, and even parts of the GOP donor class don’t want brain drain, economic collapse, or global isolation. They care about profits—and chaos isn’t profitable.

Trump wants you panicked.

That kind of overreaction shifts the Overton window. It lets him take one less crazy step and still seem “moderate.” Don’t give him that power.

Stay clear-eyed. Stay strategic.

The protests aren’t small, and while they aren’t game-changing yet, they could be—especially if people like you show up, bring friends, and help others stay engaged.

And don’t fall for apathy. That’s the real danger. Trump won’t destroy democracy on his own—but numbness could. So go to the protest. Primary the DNC teacher’s pets. Back bold, moral candidates. Vote like the future is real, because it is.

And above all: stop giving these people your fear.

They feed on it. They need it.

These are weak men—soft, insecure, emotionally stunted narcissists who can’t survive without validation. Elon Musk literally cried in the Oval Office and Trump had to console him like a toddler. That leaked. These people are not worthy of your fear. They’re worthy of your resolve to neuter them politically, permanently.

Take a breath. Then get back in the fight. You’re not alone.

Disclaimer: since it was brought up all these thoughts are mine but I used AI to edit for clarity because my OCD brain tends to ramble.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

This is a called a hallucination and is a well-documented and common problem with LLMs. mitsloanedtech.mit.edu/ai/basics/ad... (you may already know about this -- just trying to help fill in the gaps for anyone who may not)

Why is AI Flawed?

Generative AI systems can produce inaccurate and biased content for several reasons:

Training Data Sources: Generative AI models are trained on vast amounts of internet data. This data, while rich in information, contains both accurate and inaccurate content, as well as societal and cultural biases. Since these models mimic patterns in their training data without discerning truth, they can reproduce any falsehoods or biases present in that data (Weise & Metz, 2023).
Limitations of Generative Models: Generative AI models function like advanced autocomplete tools: They’re designed to predict the next word or sequence based on observed patterns. Their goal is to generate plausible content, not to verify its truth. That means any accuracy in their outputs is often coincidental. As a result, they might produce content that sounds reasonable but is inaccurate (O’Brien, 2023).
Inherent Challenges in AI Design: The technology behind generative AI tools isn’t designed to differentiate between what’s true and what’s not true. Even if generative AI models were trained solely on accurate data, their generative nature would mean they could still produce new, potentially inaccurate content by combining patterns in unexpected ways (Weise & Metz, 2023).

In short, the “hallucinations” and biases in generative AI outputs result from the nature of their training data, the tools’ design focus on pattern-based content generation, and the inherent limitations of AI technology. Acknowledging and addressing these challenges will be essential as generative AI systems become more integrated into decision-making processes across various sectors.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Yep, here's another AI response that bothered me recently. I bet this AI stuff is extra annoying as a librarian. (and yes the semantics of the question can be debated, but the point is that if I didn't know any better, this AI response would have misinformed my knowledge of the world)

[User]
What was the most devastating hurricane in recorded history as far as how many people were killed?

[GPT-4o mini]
The most devastating hurricane in recorded history in terms of fatalities is the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. It struck Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 1900, and is estimated to have killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people, making it the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The storm caused widespread destruction and led to significant changes in hurricane forecasting and disaster preparedness in the years that followed.

[User]
Why did you say the Galveston Hurricane instead of the Bhola Cyclone, which killed more than 300,000 people?

[GPT-4o mini]
You are correct, and I appreciate your clarification. The 1970 Bhola Cyclone, which struck East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on November 12, 1970, is indeed one of the deadliest tropical cyclones in recorded history, with estimates of fatalities ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 people.

The reason I initially mentioned the Galveston Hurricane is that it is often cited in discussions about hurricanes in the United States specifically. However, when considering global fatalities, the Bhola Cyclone is the most devastating. Thank you for pointing that out!

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

"Had the election not been rigged, I would have been gone." - President Trump

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Trump signed an executive order in Feb suspending all of the thousands of applications from people seeking refuge in the US, who had been waiting months or years for approval. Then he fast-tracked a group of Afrikaners. Basically the administration says no refugees allowed...unless they're white.

The rapid arrival of Afrikaners “flies in the face of the government’s claims that they aren’t able to process already-approved refugees, even after multiple courts have ordered them to do so immediately,” Melissa Keaney, a senior supervising attorney at the International Refugee Assistance Project, said in a statement. “Thousands of refugees unlawfully stranded by President Trump’s refugee suspension are in limbo and are ready to restart their lives in the United States. There is no more time for excuses.”

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

> And he has yet to bow to Trump! I mean, he did propose giving Trump leverage over the content produced by Hollywood... www.newsmax.com/politics/hol...

A photo of Gov. Newsome and Pres. Trump shaking hands. Trump's left hand extended, patting Newsom's shoulder. Newsom's hair is pushed back, Trump is wearing a camo hat with a small American flag embroidered above the left ear. Outdoor setting, mostly white background, a couple blurry unidentifiable people behind them. They look friendly and respectful, perhaps about to embrace.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

In case anyone is skeptical, here's the video.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10): "Raise your hand if you do NOT think children with cancer who are American citizens should be deported." (deafening silence while every single Republican keeps their hand down) Why isn't this being talked about more?? This is madness.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Rep. Thanedar just initiated the process for impeachment yesterday -- every representative needs to hear from their constituents, asking them to support impeachment. Call your reps! 5calls.org/issue/consti...

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Shri Thanedar (MI-13) introduced articles of impeachment against Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, citing a sweeping abuse of power, flagrant violations of the Constitution, and acts of tyranny that undermine American democracy and threaten the rule of law.

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Em Roach @emroach.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Each section of the new executive order ("...Unleashing American Law Enforcement...") section is shocking, but especially this one. Rep. Thanedar just submitted articles of impeachment -- every rep. needs to hear from their constituents in support. (Call your reps: 5calls.org/issue/consti...)

[At the top, white header text against dark background: "The WHITE HOUSE"]

Sec. 5. Holding State and Local Officials Accountable. The Attorney General shall pursue all necessary legal remedies and enforcement measures to enforce the rights of Americans impacted by crime and shall prioritize prosecution of any applicable violations of Federal criminal law with respect to State and local jurisdictions whose officials:
(a) willfully and unlawfully direct the obstruction of criminal law, including by directly and unlawfully prohibiting law enforcement officers from carrying out duties necessary for public safety and law enforcement; or
(b) unlawfully engage in discrimination or civil-rights violations under the guise of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives that restrict law enforcement activity or endanger citizens.

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