iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

There is a fascinating story behind the Cal Bears "Ken Cotton Award" that involves some amazing teammates. Check out my latest #Substack at: tinyurl.com/48f2nyft @calbears.bsky.social

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

@taxpolicycenter.bsky.social: "60% of the tax benefits would go to those in the top quintile of annual incomes (about $217,000 or more). Those households would receive an average tax cut of $12,500."

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Who was Oakland's Laney College named after? Find out here: tinyurl.com/bp5dpu93 @laneyofthelake.bsky.social

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

You can help bring Andry Romero home, who was sent to CECOT Prison by the Trump Administration. freeandry.org

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

The U.S. media has apparently forgotten about Andry José Hernández Romero, the gay make-up artist who was seized in San Diego and sent to CECOT to die. U.K. media is doing a better job covering the story.

074

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

THANK YOU Congressman Robert Garcia for traveling to El Salvador and asking officials to check on gay makeup artist Andry José Hernández Romero, who has had no wellness check, nor any access to legal counsel. Is he even alive? www.latimes.com/politics/new... @robertgarcia.bsky.social

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Fred Weekes, who lost the 1990 #Berkeley mayor's race to Loni Hancock by 77 votes after a lengthy recount and court battle, has died at age 99.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Easter traces back to pre-Christian spring festivals that celebrated renewal, fertility, and the return of light after winter. The hare was a symbol of fertility and became the Easter Bunny. Eggs long symbolized life and rebirth across many pagan cultures.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

And so it begins... Viktor Orban, who is one of the inspirations for Donald Trump's MAGA movement, has ramped up the attack on the LGBTQ community. Most chilling is that his government is using FACIAL RECOGNITION technology to enforce the law, which has criminal implications.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Oaklanders, there is an election on Tuesday. These returned ballot numbers are embarrassing. Regardless of who you're supporting, having your voice heard when Democracy is being threatened, is more important than ever. @wannabeshax.bsky.social @alamedacountyca.bsky.social @cityofoakland.bsky.social

011

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Most Presidents pride themselves on CREATING JOBS. This guy laid off 10,000 workers today and bragged about it. Many workers found out when their security badges didn't work.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

My latest "Lives of the Dead" blog posts are about two early Oakland mayors, Ashmun Henry, a banker and pioneer businessman who shaped the city's educational and cultural landscape, and "Captain" Andrew Williams, best remembered as author Bret Harte's stepfather. mountainviewpeople.blogspot.com

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Trump has signed an order shutting down the Voice of America. All 1,300 staff members have been sent home. This is the organization that countered Nazi Propaganda in WWII, supported democratic uprisings, debunked Soviet misinformation and has combated disinformation from authoritarian regimes.

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

The U.S. has been added to the Civicus Monitor Watchlist, which identifies countries that are currently experiencing a rapid decline in civic freedoms. Other countries that have been featured in recent years include Zimbabwe, Argentina, El Salvador and the United Arab Emirates.

011

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Tariff War Canadian Style! A petition is circulating north of the border asking the Canadian Federal government to enact legislation restricting Pornhub access within the United States.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

@sfchronicle.com:The #EuropeanUnion will raise #tariffs on American #beef, #poultry, #bourbon, #motorcycles, #PeanutButter and #jeans, all aimed at products made in Republican-held states.

131

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

@nytimes.com: "Markets around the world had their worst day of the year one day after Trump declined to rule out the possibility that his trade policies...That could be a foreboding political sign for a president who campaigned on improving the economy — not on tanking it."

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Ontario provides electricity to Minnesota, New York and Michigan.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Per the @nytimes.com, here are the words that the Trump administration wants banned from academia.

120

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

My Women's History Tour at Mountain View Cemetery is coming up on Sat., March 22 at 10 AM. I'll be joined by the inimitable Jane Leroe. We have women who broke racial barriers, shattered glass ceilings, demanded equality, designed legendary buildings and even a famous San Francisco madam.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

That awkward moment when Rep. Josh Schriver (R), introduced a resolution asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality while openly gay Sen. Jeremy Moss (D) looked on. Moss then took the microphone and spoke about the issues that Michiganders really care about, like the economy.

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Congratulations to Zoe Saldaña for winning Best Actress for “Emilia Pérez.” It wasn't my favorite movie,, but she was outstanding.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Congratulations to Kieran Culkin for a well-deserved win for A Real Pain at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

From @patrickhealynyt.bsky.social at the NY Times: "Musk may enjoy breaking things, but the laws of political gravity suggest Republicans will pay the price."

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Sure, he'll be great for the economy.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

This one speaks for itself... #AirSafety #FAA #FederalCuts www.msn.com/en-us/news/u...

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

For all of you who were crowing about Hillary Clinton's emails, how do you feel about this?

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Utah's GOP-led legislature is pushing a controversial bill that would ban the display of Pride flags in schools and government buildings, yet still allow Nazi and Confederate flags to be displayed in schools and on all government property,arguing they're needed to teach WWII and Civil War history.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

LGBTQ supporters turned out in the rain to support Barbara Lee's campaign for mayor at FLUID510. Pictured is the host committee.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

To my Democrat and leftie friends/allies who couldn't get themselves to vote for Kamala Harris due to her perceived disregard for the humanitarian impact on Palestinians, this is what you got. Welcome to the Trump Real Estate Empire & Palestinian Diaspora.

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Come join us on Thursday, Feb. 11th from 6-8 PM at Fluid510 to support Barbara Lee in her run to become Oakland's next mayor. Scan the QR code. @barbaraleeformayor.bsky.social

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

On February 11, 1961, Robert C. Weaver was sworn in as the Administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, becoming the highest-ranking black official in the U.S. government at the time. In 1966, LBJ named him Secy of HUD making him the first black cabinet secretary. He died in 1997.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

HAPPY 98th BIRTHDAY to the living legend, Leontyne Price! youtu.be/p33DFVVPvoU?...

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

During COVID, I read a book on the Warsaw Uprising, but didn't think at the moment that it would ever be relevant to my life in America. Suddenly, it's must reading.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Six men between the ages of 19-25, with little-to-no government experience, have been tapped by Elon Musk to help dismantle #USAID, America's foreign aid agency. The group includes UC Berkeley grad Gavin Kliger.

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Donald Trump has dissolved the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, as part of their effort to roll back arts and culture funding. He disbanded it during his first term, but it was reinstated by Biden. Formed by President Reagan, the committee shapes cultural arts policies.

010

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

@nytimes.com: "Documents purged from government websites include guidelines for safe contraception and information on racial inequities in health care."

000

TheMikeOpera @themikeopera.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Global #stocks dropped, as investors assessed the impacts of newly announced #tariffs. Auto giants were among the biggest decliners amid concerns for their #SupplyChains. Oil prices jumped, while a gauge of the U.S. dollar rose to a two-year high as higher #inflation and #InterestRates are expected.

000