Rich Stein (he/him)

"... for the first time in more than half a century, [the U.S.] has lost its long-term status as a liberal democracy. The country is now going through a rapid process of... “autocratisation”.
'For Orbán... it took about four years, for.... Serbia... eight years, and for Erdoğan... and Modi...about 10 years to accomplish the suppression of democratic institutions that Trump has achieved in... one year,' ..."
https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2026/mar/17/trump-is-aiming-for-dictatorship-thats-the-verdict-of-the-worlds-most-credible-democracy-watchdog
Report (PDF): https://www.v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf
h/t @wood5y@mastodonapp.uk @Wen@mastodon.scot
#Democracy

Statement tonight (Sun., Jan. 11) from Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve. If you don't know how extraordinary this is — and how extraordinarily outrageous is the criminal investigation into Powell and the Federal Reserve — this is unprecedented. Another case of weaponization of the Justice Department and retribution by trump.

Uncharted territory in the United States. Need to look abroad, to history to understand.
https://youtu.be/KckGHaBLSn4
Transcript: https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20260111a.htm
#fascism

Enjoy a #SilentSunday. Here are some gentle #ocean sounds — a different kind of silence. Happy #March 1.

#photography #photo #foto #fotografie #fotografia #running #BeachRunning #nature #video

Beautiful weather yesterday — a tease of spring. Worked outside a lot — still clearing felled trees from the heavy snow and ice. I was surprised that there were so many insects buzzing about. They're ready for spring, too!

Life lesson:

Be like the bees: don't let adversity get you down. Persist.

Have a good day day.

#photography #photo #foto #fotografie #fotografia #nature #AlmostSpring #winter #insects #bees #resilience

👏 🙌 Applause for the farmer who refused to sell his land to data center developers:

• Mervin Raudabaugh, 86, was reportedly offered >USD$15 million for his 261-acre farm.

• Instead, he sold development rights to a land preservation program for ~USD$1.9 million.

• “I love this land. It’s been my life.” = one of his reasons for declining the offer. https://people.com/farmer-86-rejects-usd15-million-offer-to-sell-his-land-to-data-developers-11911310

https://www.fox43.com/article/money/data-center-pennsylvania-cumberland-county-middlesex-township-farms-mervin-raudabaugh/521-b0a9da37-7d41-4309-a576-51537e955c16

h/t @Incognitim@mastodon.social @joncounts@mastodon.nz https://mastodon.social/@Incognitim/116108177928050526 #Pennsylvania #conservation #DataCenters #AI

Pretty awesome bloom of wildflowers (they're not calling it a "superbloom") now blanketing Death Valley — the hottest place on earth.
https://www.bbc.com/weather/articles/cp81r54e2ngo
#nature #bloomscrolling #flowers #California #DeathValley

Advice from @mackayim2022@mastodon.social that is timely right now — for the Southern Hemisphere. But as the Good Book — and the Byrds — say, for everything there is a season. Make sure you are up-to-date with flu and any other vaccines before infectious season begins. We're — Northern Hemisphere — upside down or opposite here, as compared to the global south. 😳🤔 Or maybe *they* are!! 🤔😜
https://mastodon.social/@mackayim2022/116201926199844244
#VaccinesWork #vaccinate #PublicHealth #flu #influenza

Drone warfare — it pays to be ready. The U.S. was not...
https://newrepublic.com/post/207569/donald-trump-tactical-error-iran-ukraine-drones
#Iran #Ukraine #drones #UAVs

"Concern over US travel visas prompts Ig Nobels to move its awards to Europe"
https://apnews.com/article/ig-nobels-award-prize-comical-science-achievement-where-7413f288bb43b5490611795b876684d2
h/t @ScienceDesk@flipboard.social
https://flipboard.social/@ScienceDesk/116206400424491418
@MarcAbrahams@mstdn.science @AssociatedPress@flipboard.com
#Science #IgNobels #IgNobelPrize #trumpAdministration #USPolitics

Just one example of the damage done already by the trump Regime and how difficult if not impossible it will be to reverse. Voice of America was a beacon that penetrated beyond authoritarian walls meant to shut out news of the world and allow mis- and disinformation to prevail. Many dismissed journalists, et al. have moved on. Can't just restart.

Now think about the impact of trashing U.S. foreign aid, public health, progress on renewable energy, climate change, etc.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/us/politics/judge-kari-lake-voa-layoffs.html?unlocked_article_code=1.RlA.hYui.I4tVfkRX33kp&smid=url-share