Month: April 2025

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Elon Musk And The "Christian" Right Are Waging War On Empathy

"How we relate to the pain of others is a question that always lurks beneath our politics, but it's one that is particularly relevant now. In its first months, the Trump administration has begun to implement a radical rightwing regime featuring mass deportations without due process, draconian cuts to domestic and foreign aid programs, and venally self-interested foreign policy—a set of policies that amount to a prescription for mass suffering and death. Whether Trump succeeds or fails in his quest to remake US society is very much a question of how much of the pain of others Americans are willing to abide in the pursuit of making America great again.

The rightwing movement against empathy seeks to dismantle and discredit one of the essential tools for any society—our capacity to recognize and respond to suffering. We should see the campaign against empathy by Trump supporters for what it is: a flashing red light warning of fascist intent."

– Loathe thy neighbor: Elon Musk and the Christian Right are waging war on empathy

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Rediscovering A Few Old Friends

Hard to believe these are 25 years old. These double-CD sets were my constant companions once upon a time, and stumbling upon them while going through my iTunes in search of music to transfer to MiniDisc after so many years of neglect has done wonders for my mood. I also discovered that when I went to purchase them again on Discogs that at one point I had marked them as already being in my collection—meaning they—and a half dozen of their Euphoria brethren were in that banker's box that was lost after the fire. They weren't cheap then, and they're not cheap now, but definitely worth replacing.

Yes, I have them ripped to iTunes, but the original CDs were continuous mixes, meaning that once they're burned to any other medium from iTunes—whether it be to another CD or a MiniDisc—there's now an annoying little split-second gap between tracks that isn't present on the original recording. And yes, while I know there are so many more important other things that are happening while Rome burns that should be commanding my attention, and in the overall scheme of things this is silly, but not having that gap is still important to me, as it's one small thing in my life that I do have some control over.

So they've been ordered, and their siblings will be replaced as funds allow. A couple are coming from overseas, and frankly—after the events of the past couple weeks—I fully expected to receive notice that the seller does not ship to the U.S. any longer (because I have seen it appear in some listings). But so far all is good; my funds were readily accepted and I was provided with tracking numbers for the shipments.

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Make April 9th A National Holiday

Make the Confederacy's Defeat a National Holiday.

"What greater form of patriotism is there than the belief that America is not yet finished, that we are strong enough to be self-critical, that each successive generation can look upon our imperfections and decide that it is in our power to remake this nation to more closely align with our highest ideals?" ~ Barack H Obama

America should reject the romantic re-imagining of the Civil War and the myriad totems to the Confederacy and its leaders that pockmark the South.

Today is the 150th anniversary of the Union's victory in the Civil War and still most Americans have a rosy vision in their head of that war and the reasons for which it was fought and it is way fucking past time that ends. Until America actually faces its true identity, it can't grow up and be a real boy.

April 9th should be made a federal holiday; and America should commit to disavowing or renaming monuments to the Confederacy, and its leaders, that receive direct federal support.

I love this idea, not least of all because the Southern States would be apoplectic.

[source]

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Some Stupid To Start Your Day

From Mock Paper Scissors:

The animal magnetism of Stephan "Pee-Wee Himmler" Miller is undeniable.

With a screech only bats and certain dogs can hear, Field Commander PeeWee Himmler declares that Hair Füror will make America the manufacturing capitol of the world…

an angry, twitching Stephen Miller yells on Fox News that Trump will "make American the manufacturing capital of the world"

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-04-08T19:26:16.656Z

Watch his eyes. You don't have to be a Truthsayer of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood to know that liars usually blink rapidly and in excess.

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1984's Thought Police Are Already Here

From Mock Paper Scissors:

The Desert Rat Fink Elon Musk

Elmo and the Incels has taken to hunt for 1984-style ThoughtCrime, which of course adds ThoughtPolice to their assorted CVs. And how are they doing this, you might ask yourselves?

AI, of course. One of its most obvious applications is to surveil your messages for disloyal thoughts and expressions.

"Trump administration officials have told some U.S. government employees that Elon Musk's DOGE team of technologists is using artificial intelligence to surveil at least one federal agency's communications for hostility to President Donald Trump and his agenda, said two people with knowledge of the matter."

"While much of Musk's Department of Government Efficiency remains shrouded in secrecy, the surveillance would mark an extraordinary use of technology to identify expressions of perceived disloyalty in a workforce already upended by widespread firings and severe cost cutting."

Of course, the irony here is that Big Balls et all are using Signal to avoid having their own communication and thought scraped by Grok:

"The DOGE team is also using the Signal app to communicate, according to one other person with direct knowledge of the matter, potentially violating federal record-keeping rules because messages can be set to disappear after a period of time."

"And they have "heavily" deployed Musk's Grok AI chatbot – an aspiring ChatGPT rival – as part of their work slashing the federal government, said that person. Reuters could not establish exactly how Grok was being used."

That's pretty easy to figure out: once they gained access to the servers, they gain access to the archives; they are using the Presidential Records Act against everyone but themselves.

As we said up front, Elmo and the Incels  are Big Brother's  ThoughtPolice.

And no one except a scattered handful of Democrats is standing up to this abuse.

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This Guy Gets It

Nostalgia. It's a hell of.a drug. I've said it before.

Randy gets it, and is the first person I've seen so succinctly sum up what I feel whenever I put on a CD or rip a new MiniDisc. It just feels good. And as a collector, the dopamine rush of walking into a thrift store or our local Hard-Off, not knowing what I may find lurking on those shelves, or when a new-to-me piece of gear that I probably overpaid for arrives in the mail is exactly as he points out.

I grew up with vinyl as a teenager, spent my 20s and 30s with the arrival and peak market of CDs (I remember to this day the smell when you walked into Tower Records), and ended my 30s and spent my 40s with MiniDiscs. Even though the whole cancer thing occurred when I was deep into MD (I remember having my Sony MZ-S1 at the hospital, listening to whoever was on my radar at the time) I still have so many fond memories associated with the format.

I look at my music collection and think, "That's me. That's my vibration." And even though my tastes have expanded over the years, every one of those recordings is a part of who I am.

And since everything I buy is used from individuals, it gives a stiff middle finger to the orange felon's tariff madness.

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It's Walmart/Sam's Club This Week, Boys

Walmart Brands (They're Not Just The Big Blue Store)

Sam's Choice

Sam's Choice is a widely recognized retail brand, owned by Walmart, founded in 1991 and named after the founder of Walmart, Sam Walton. The innovative two-tiered core corporate grocery branding strategy offers customers both premium quality products such as Sam's Choice, as well as discount-priced staples under the Great Value brand.

Great Value

Great Value is the brand owned by Walmart, which was created in 1993, but products were made as early as 1992. It is part of Walmart's grocery branding strategy, acting as the second tier or national brand equivalent (NBE). With Great Value, customers receive quality products at an affordable price.

Equate

Equate is a leading brand of products stocked by Walmart, offering a broad range of health, beauty, and general consumer goods. Their range of products includes everything from shaving cream and skin lotion to over-the-counter medications and pregnancy tests, providing customers with a one stop shop for all their needs.

Mainstays

Mainstays is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a variety of home goods, from bedding to kitchen utensils and ready-to-assemble furniture. This brand is part of the larger Better Homes & Gardens brand that features further home decor, furniture, and other items

Ol' Roy

Ol' Roy is Walmart's store brand of dog food, created in 1983 and named after Sam Walton's dog. It has become the number-one selling brand of dog food in the United States. It is comparable to Nestlé's Purina.

Special Kitty

Special Kitty is the store brand from Walmart that cat owners trust for their pet's needs. With a variety of cat food formulas and other cat care items, such as litter and treats, Special Kitty provides great value and quality to help keep cats happy and healthy.

Parent's Choice

Parent's Choice is Walmart's store brand that offers a variety of items, such as diapers, formula, and accessories. This brand has undergone a recent relaunch of its design and packaging in 2010. Parent's Choice products are produced by Wyeth which is owned by Pfizer. With high-quality and affordable options, Parent's Choice provides parents with the necessary items for taking care of their children.

Play Day

Play Day, the brand owned by Walmart, is a wide-ranging collection of budget-priced children's toys. Launching between mid-2014 and early-2015, it replaced Kid Connection as the go-to store for parents looking for quality yet affordable toys for their kids.

Pen+Gear

Pen+Gear is a store brand owned by Walmart that focuses on school and office supplies. They provide everything from pens and paper to paper shredders and binders, and their product range replaced the Casemate brand in 2016. Whatever your workspace or classroom needs, Pen+Gear has you covered.

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens is the product line owned by Walmart, which is inspired from their popular magazine. It has a wide range of products such as furniture, kitchen products, bedding, curtains and window blinds, decor, and other home products. It also forms the premium tier to the Mainstay home brand.

Hometrends

Hometrends is a brand owned by Walmart specializing in providing customers with small furniture, tableware, and various home decor accessories like rugs and faux plants. Unfortunately, the brand has been discontinued in the US market.

Mainstays Kids

Mainstays Kids is a brand owned by Walmart that specializes in offering furniture sets for kids and teens. Their products are designed to be comfortable, stylish, and durable, allowing them to be enjoyed for years.

Your Zone

Your Zone is a brand owned by Walmart, offering a home product line that caters to teenagers and college students. Known for its appealing and stylish designs, Your Zone provides a variety of affordable items such as bedding sets, storage solutions, furniture, décor and more

Adventure Force

Adventure Force is a brand owned by Walmart that offers an exciting selection of outdoor toys, perfect for summertime fun. From water arms to water blaster guns, Adventure Force has everything you need to make the most of your outdoor adventures.

Allswell

Allswell is a pioneering brand owned by Walmart, offering luxury bedding and mattresses to customers direct to consumer. Their products combine innovative technology with the highest quality materials to provide superior comfort, support, and affordability.

AutoDrive

AutoDrive is an automobile care and accessories brand owned by Walmart that provides solutions for all your needs on the road. They have a wide variety of car care products, auto detailing products, interior accessories and some low price exterior accessories such as license plate frames to make your car look its best. Whether you are looking to take preventative maintenance measures or enhance the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle, AutoDrive can help you achieve your desired results.

Best Occasions

Best Occasions is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a wide selection of party decorations and accessories, such as candles and hats. With high quality products at an affordable price, Best Occasions is the perfect choice for all your party needs.

Bike Shop

Bike Shop is a brand established by Walmart and specialized in bicycle tires, tubes, and accessories. They offer high quality products, great prices, and reliable customer service to meet the needs of those looking for quality bike-related items.

Clear American

Clear American is a brand owned by Walmart, specializing in carbonated and flavored water. It was formerly known as Sam's Choice Clear American. With its selection of bubbly beverages and thirst-quenching flavors, Clear American is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a tasty and refreshing treat.

Co Squared

Co Squared is an innovative cosmetics brand owned by Walmart that is sold exclusively direct-to-consumer.

ColorPlace

ColorPlace is a brand owned by Walmart that specializes in providing high-quality paint and painting tools. The paint itself is produced by PPG, a well-known leader in the industry. ColorPlace has a long history of producing excellent products for both residential and commercial needs, making it an ideal choice for any kind of painting project.

Douglas

Douglas is a brand owned by Walmart that offers budget priced tires. Among its models are the Xtra-Trac and Touring, which are made in a Goodyear plant.

Earth Spirit

Earth Spirit provides comfortable, trendy shoes. Their shoes are made with quality materials and are backed by the power of Walmart.

EverStart

EverStart is the Walmart owned brand for automotive and lawn mower batteries, boasting quality and durable battery-related accessories such as jumper cables. Manufactured by Johnson Controls Inc., with primary production based in Saint Joseph, Missouri, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Expert Grill

"Expert Grill" is a brand owned by Walmart, offering an extensive range of grills, charcoal and grilling accessories to help you create delicious outdoor meals.

Fire Side Gourmet

Fire Side Gourmet is a brand that is owned by Walmart and specializes in pre-cooked burgers and steaks. Previously, these products were under the Sam's Choice label but now they have been rebranded as Fire Side Gourmet.

Gold's Gym

Gold's Gym is a brand owned by Walmart, which specializes in athletic and exercise equipment such as weights. The name of the brand is derived from and licensed by the chain of fitness centers founded in 1965 by Joe Gold. Gold's Gym has become an iconic symbol associated with strength and health over the years, and its products strive to help individuals achieve their own fitness goals.

Hart

Hart, the brand owned by Walmart, offers a wide variety of power tools and outdoor power equipment that are designed to help you complete projects quickly and easily.

Holiday Time

Holiday Time is the perfect brand for all of your Christmas needs. Owned by Walmart, Holiday Time offers a wide range of Christmas items from Christmas trees to decorations and special wrapping paper, so you'll be sure to find the perfect way to decorate for the holiday season.

Home Bake Value

Home Bake Value, owned by Walmart, is a brand that focuses on providing bread products of the highest quality. Its primary focus is on crafting products that contain the optimum balance of nutrients and taste, enabling customers to enjoy the experience of homemade baking without the hassle. Whether it be their signature, freshly-made loaves, baguettes, rolls, or any other tasty treats, Home Bake Value is the perfect choice for anyone looking for delicious, affordable bakery goods.

Hyper Tough

Hyper Tough is a Walmart-owned brand that offers a wide range of hand tools, hardware and storage, as well as some power tools, although the power tool lineup is gradually being replaced by Hart.

Kid Connection

Kid Connection, owned by Walmart, is a brand that is primarily used for children's toys. However, it also includes children's clothing and shoes to meet the needs of the entire family. With quality products from trusted brands, Kids Connection has become a go-to destination for parents and children alike.

Marketside

Marketside is a brand owned by Walmart and specializes in fresh foods, such as salads, soups, breads, and sandwiches, which can be found in various Walmart's deli, produce, and bakery departments. With Marketside, you can enjoy the convenience and quality of grocery items available at Walmart at an unbeatable value.

Mash-Up Coffee

Mash-Up Coffee, owned by Walmart, is the go-to provider for luxury coffee beans. Their products are made with the highest quality beans and are expertly crafted to provide a unique flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. So if you're looking for an amazing cup of coffee, Mash-Up Coffee is the perfect choice.

Motile

Motile, the brand owned by Walmart, has a wide variety of products ranging from laptops to miscellaneous tech and tech accessories.

Oak Leaf

Oak Leaf is a brand owned by Walmart, which produces and bottles low-cost wines for approximately $3 per bottle. With its affordable price, Oak Leaf has become a popular choice for those looking for an enjoyable bottle of wine without breaking the bank.

Onn

Onn is a brand owned by Walmart that offers a variety of consumer electronics, computer accessories, audio/visual accessories, and phone/tablet accessories.

Our Finest/Notre Excellence

Our Finest/Notre Excellence is a brand of upscale chip, cookie, frozen dinner and more products that are owned by Walmart and exclusively sold in Canada. It's comparable to World Table and all the products produced under this brand are made in Canada just for Walmart Canada customers.

Overpowered

Overpowered, owned by Walmart, is a brand offering pre-built gaming desktops and laptops. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Overpowered has something for all levels of gamers.

Ozark Trail

Ozark Trail is a brand owned by Walmart, specializing in outdoor equipment and footwear. Its origins are deeply rooted in the Ozark mountain region in northwest Arkansas where the Walmart Home Office is located. Thus, Ozark Trail provides consumers with reliable, quality products made with the knowledge of the region ingrained in their making.

Price First/Prix Budget

Price First/Prix Budget, owned by Walmart, is the brand for all your entry-level everyday needs. It provides products similar to those from Walmart's Great Value line, but at an even lower price point.

Protege

Protege is a Walmart-owned brand offering luggage and travel accessories for a great value. Featuring a range of products including carry ons, wheeled luggage, and a variety of other items, Protege provides travelers with top-notch luggage and travel accessories, all at an affordable price.

ReliOn

ReliOn, owned by Walmart, is a well-known brand that specializes in diabetes care products. Their range of products include blood glucose and blood pressure monitors, medical thermometers, portable humidifiers and replacement filters for both ReliOn and name brand humidifiers.

Spark Imagine

Spark Imagine is the perfect choice for parents looking for simple, high-quality children's toys. Owned by Walmart with comparable features to Melissa and Doug, you can be sure that Spark Imagine toys will bring hours of fun and delight.

SuperTech

Walmart owns the SuperTech brand for motor oil, which is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines. Additionally, the SuperTech brand is used on various other consumable car products, like oil filters, windshield wiper fluid, and transmission fluid.

Tasty

Walmart, in partnership with BuzzFeed, launched Tasty, a brand of kitchen tools. Furthermore, they introduced shoppable recipes connected to the Tasty cooking videos on BuzzFeed, allowing customers to easily purchase the ingredients seen in the videos.

The Office

Walmart owns the Office brand, which provides office supplies and stationery.

Uniquely J

Jet.com, a rapidly expanding e-commerce enterprise owned by Walmart, has debuted its "meticulously assembled" Uniquely J selection, which consists of 50 items including coffee, cleaning supplies, laundry products, pantry items, paper goods, and food storage products.

Walmart Family Mobile

Walmart Family Mobile is the only prepaid mobile phone service available from Walmart, and it utilizes the T-Mobile cellular network.

World Table

Walmart's exclusive World Table brand offers higher-end versions of items such as salsa, pizza, chips, cookies, etc., compared to Great Value.