Interesting News, Articles & Stuff

[florduh]

Unions vow to shut France's economy down amid pension battle

Unions are threatening to shut down France’s economy this week in what they hope is their toughest riposte yet to President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age.

apnews.com

When the ruling class in France suggests raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, the French working class shuts down the French economy.

When the ruling class in America suggests raising the retirement age from 65 to 70, the American working class sits back and takes it.

 

[florduh]

Disabled Twitter worker learns he’s fired as Elon Musk mocks him online - National | Globalnews.ca

A bizarre Twitter exchange went viral, culminating in Elon Musk questioning the man's disability, and the worker eventually learned that his employment had been terminated.

globalnews.ca

The richest guy in America didn't know that he shouldn't fire someone, then publicly say that he did it because he heard the guy's faking a disability. A lawyer had to call him and explain that to him.

I'm pretty sure a 19 year old McDonald's supervisor making $16/hour could figure that out on their own.

Also, this wasn't some random dude. He's literally Iceland's person of the year.

Haraldur Þorleifsson Sweeps Person of the Year Awards

Haraldur Þorleifsson, known as Halli, has swept several Person of the Year awards in Icelandic media. Ramp Up Iceland...

www.icelandreview.com

 

[florduh]

Rare W for the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court rules Helix Energy oil rig worker who makes $200,000 is entitled to overtime

Helix Energy Solutions Group argued to the Supreme Court that oil rig worker Michael Hewitt was not owed overtime despite working more than 80 hours per week.

www.cnbc.com

Now, some people will say "this oil rig worker makes 200k per year...how dare he complain about overtime!"

To that I would say.... the oil corporations are making a fuck ton more than 200k off of his labor. They shouldn't be able to steal from him by sidestepping overtime laws.

The three "No" votes were Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh. Disgusting corporate whores, all. Doing exactly what they were placed on that court to do: advocate for corporations/bosses and against working people.

Frankly, I don't think backpay is punishment enough. There should be jail time for executives. That's what happens to employees who steal from their employers.

 

[Trajectory.]

labroots.com/trending/coronavirus/24833/dramatic-increases-gastrointestinal-covid-19

 

[Babylon Drifter]

List of Tax Hikes in Biden's Budget - Americans for Tax Reform

President Biden's budget contains nearly $4.7 trillion in new tax hikes on American individuals and businesses. Here is the list:

www.atr.org

4.7 Trillion in tax hikes.... Holy shit all the free stuff is expensive.

 

[vapviking]

4.7 Trillion in tax hikes.... Holy shit all the free stuff is expensive.

And it's high time that rich folks and corporations started paying for some of it, including the debt.

 

[florduh]

And it's high time that rich folks and corporations started paying for some of it, including the debt.

I don't disagree. But let's be honest here. Joe Brandon isn't serious about this. If he was, he wouldn't have waited until Republicans control the House of Representatives to propose it.

Makes sense since when Joe launched his campaign in 2019, he told a room full of Wall Street ghouls that "nothing would fundamentally change" if he became President. Promises made, promises kept.

One particular Wall Street ghoul had a no good, rotten day yesterday though:

Norfolk Southern train derails in Alabama hours before CEO testifies before Congress

Thirty cars derailed Thursday around 6:45 a.m. in Calhoun County, Alabama. There were no reports of a hazardous leak.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Babylon Drifter]

And it's high time that rich folks and corporations started paying for some of it, including the debt.

According to my accountant, part of the package dropped the standard deduction from 18k to 12k, it aint the rich peoples money he will get, they have loopholes, write offs and shell corporations. Dropping the standard reduction takes 6k from people making 18k a year or less, only in the current economy would that considered rich. He also added tougher reporting and guidelines to food servers tips, becuase ya know they're so rich.

 

[His_Highness]

Part of the package dropped the standard deduction from 18k to 12k, it aint the rich peoples money he will get, they have loopholes, write offs and shell corporations. Dropping the standard reduction takes 6k from people making 18k a year or less, only in the current economy would that considered rich. He also added tougher reporting and guidelines to food servers tips, becuase ya know they're so rich.

I didn't know the Biden package included reducing the standard deduction. I thought that would happen if Congress allows the Trump tax cuts to expire in 2025. Could you provide the link?

 

[Babylon Drifter]

I didn't know the Biden package included reducing the standard deduction. I thought that would happen if Congress allows the Trump tax cuts to expire in 2025. Could you provide the link?

Got that info from my accountant last night over drinks, so I don't have a link. Edit. Just talked to her on the phone, the cut isn't in the budget but is part of his stated intentions and combined with the effects of his budget plan is expected to be devastating to the lower and middle classes.

Biggest bank failure in 15 years. We're fine though, nothing to see as people begin runs on other banks. Maybe we should send another 100 billion to the Ukraine, that will help.

Silicon Valley Bank is shut down by regulators in biggest bank failure since global financial crisis

The tech-focused bank was closed by regulators on Friday after attempts to raise more capital failed.

www.cnbc.com

 

[Grass Yes]

Got that info from my accountant last night over drinks, so I don't have a link.

Sounds like you need a new accountant. 18k isn't the standard deduction for 2022 or 2023.

 

[His_Highness]

@Babylon Drifter - Your accountant is the reason I've been doing my taxes myself for decades even though they're pretty complex.

For what its worth the standard deduction reduction isn't part of the Biden package, it is as I said ... part of the 2025 sunset of the Trump tax cuts so we've got plenty of time to worry about it. If you are going to worry about something in the short term I suggest it be your accountant.

 

[Madtater]

According to my accountant, part of the package dropped the standard deduction from 18k to 12k, it aint the rich peoples money he will get, they have loopholes, write offs and shell corporations. Dropping the standard reduction takes 6k from people making 18k a year or less, only in the current economy would that considered rich. He also added tougher reporting and guidelines to food servers tips, becuase ya know they're so rich.

The standard deduction for married couples filing jointly for tax year 2023 rises to $27,700 up $1,800 from the prior year. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction rises to $13,850 for 2023, up $900, and for heads of households, the standard deduction will be $20,800 for tax year 2023, up $1,400 from the amount for tax year 2022.

Taken straight from the IRS website. The SD actually went up…..not down

 

[florduh]

This is wild

Iran, Saudi Arabia agree to resume ties, with China's help

Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after years of tensions.

apnews.com

Major win for President Xi. The Top Xi. He's out there making mogul moves.

Iran says it's discovered what could be the world's second-largest lithium deposit

The ministry believes that the deposit holds 8.5 million tons of lithium, which is often called "white gold" for the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry.

www.cnbc.com

 

[macbill]

World's first 3D printed rocket set for inaugural flight

The world's first 3D printed rocket is scheduled to blast off from Florida on Saturday on the maiden flight of an innovative spacecraft billed as being less costly to produce and fly.Liftoff of the rocket, Terran 1, had been scheduled for Wednesday at Cape Canaveral but was postponed at the last...

www.rawstory.com

 

[florduh]

Silicon Valley Bank CEO sold $3.5M in shares just two weeks before collapse

Two of Silicon Valley Bank’s top chiefs dumped millions of dollars worth of stock just two weeks before the firm collapsed Friday, records show.

nypost.com

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1634292056821764099

Mr. Sacks is/was a silly ass Libertarian Tech Bro who believes the Free Market is Magic and Big Gubernment needs to get out of Business's way. Until The Free Market slaps him across the face, that is.

"I'm from the Gubernment and I'm here to help" is such a terrifying statement. Until you and your rich buddies are the ones' who need help.

A million times truer today than it was in the 60's.

 

[florduh]

After SVB failure, US acts to shore up banking system confidence

U.S. authorities launched emergency measures on Sunday to shore up confidence in the banking system after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank threatened to trigger a broader financial crisis.

www.reuters.com

In other words, another fucking bailout.

SVB Chief Pressed Lawmakers To Weaken Bank Risk Regs

Collapsed bank’s president told Congress “enhanced prudential standards” should be lifted “given the low risk profile of our activities.”

www.levernews.com

Eight years before the second-largest bank failure in American history occurred this week, the bank’s president personally pressed Congress to reduce scrutiny of his financial institution, citing the “low risk profile of our activities and business model,” according to federal records reviewed by The Lever. Three years later — after the bank spent more than half a million dollars on federal lobbying — lawmakers obliged.

To be clear, SVB specialized in lending to startups. The idea it had a "low risk profile" is absurd. But they were successfully able to buy off 67 Senators and here we are. And only for like 500k! See how efficient The Free Market is? Eggs are expensive, sure. But Senators are cheap!


Another Silicon Valley Libertarian begging for gubernment socialism money like he's Oliver Twist.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1634958030822608897

 

[Trajectory.]

eurekalert.org/news-releases/980207

 

[CANtalk]

 

[hinglemccringleberry]

After SVB failure, US acts to shore up banking system confidence

U.S. authorities launched emergency measures on Sunday to shore up confidence in the banking system after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank threatened to trigger a broader financial crisis.

www.reuters.com

In other words, another fucking bailout.

SVB Chief Pressed Lawmakers To Weaken Bank Risk Regs

Collapsed bank’s president told Congress “enhanced prudential standards” should be lifted “given the low risk profile of our activities.”

www.levernews.com

To be clear, SVB specialized in lending to startups. The idea it had a "low risk profile" is absurd. But they were successfully able to buy off 67 Senators and here we are. And only for like 500k! See how efficient The Free Market is? Eggs are expensive, sure. But Senators are cheap!


Another Silicon Valley Libertarian begging for gubernment socialism money like he's Oliver Twist.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1634958030822608897

In all seriousness, aside from your constant whining about the system on an internet forum (which accomplishes exactly fuckall in the grand scheme of things), what are your real life anti-capitalist practices? Are you using free/libre software? Is your computer running Linux with entirely open-source software? Do you bike everywhere you go? Do you have a veggie/fruit garden or support local farmers markets? Off-grid electrical equipment?

Living in this country, we can't really opt out of capitalism but there are some everyday ways to rein it in just a little. And constant bitching and moaning to an echo chamber on the internet isn't one of them.

 

[florduh]

Living in this country, we can't really opt out of capitalism but there are several everyday ways to rein it in just a little. And constant bitching and moaning to an echo chamber on the internet isn't one of them.

Me using a two tin cans tied together with string instead of an iPhone will "rein in capitalism" about as much as posting articles on the internet. Same with all of your other suggestions.

This is the "Interesting News Articles And Stuff" thread. I find the fact our entire economy is over financialized ponzi schemes sitting atop other over financialized ponzi schemes to be very interesting. You're free to disagree.

I do try to make decent consumer choices. Supporting union labor when possible. I also give to a few charitable causes I believe can reduce suffering. When I'm in FL or CA I volunteer at shelters I've worked with over the years.

Am I delusional enough to believe I am "reigning in capitalism" though? No. There's no way to "personal responsibility" our way out of this situation.

 

[Babylon Drifter]

In all seriousness, aside from your constant whining about the system on an internet forum (which accomplishes exactly fuckall in the grand scheme of things), what are your real life anti-capitalist practices? Are you using free/libre software? Is your computer running Linux with entirely open-source software? Do you bike everywhere you go? Do you have a veggie/fruit garden or support local farmers markets? Off-grid electrical equipment?

Living in this country, we can't really opt out of capitalism but there are some everyday ways to rein it in just a little. And constant bitching and moaning to an echo chamber on the internet isn't one of them.

I can truthfully answer yes to every question except biking. I am too old and the closest place to buy anything is 30 miles in one direction.

I've been a family member (Rainbow) for 30 plus years and celebrated my 30th annual at the 50 year anniversary gathering last year. There is zero capitalism at any gathering (although there are plenty of trust fund Drainbows in attendance. ) People can and do make a commitment to taking personal responsibility to feeding the system as little as possible but it takes more effort and inconvenience than just whining on forums. As a Shanti-Sena for the last 25 years Ive encountered many, too many, IPhone using "anti capitalist," who are all talk and excuses they're almost always the biggest problem at the gatherings (outside of A camp of course.)

Video probably isn't safe for work, it's a gathering afrerall. If you look hard enough you might see an unclothed human in a crowd.

 

[Grass Yes]

In all seriousness, aside from your constant whining about the system on an internet forum (which accomplishes exactly fuckall in the grand scheme of things), what are your real life anti-capitalist practices? Are you using free/libre software? Is your computer running Linux with entirely open-source software? Do you bike everywhere you go? Do you have a veggie/fruit garden or support local farmers markets? Off-grid electrical equipment?

Living in this country, we can't really opt out of capitalism but there are some everyday ways to rein it in just a little. And constant bitching and moaning to an echo chamber on the internet isn't one of them.

I do all the things you list above and raise livestock. However it is ridiculous to say any of those are reining in or opting out of capitalism in any way. Any individual choice I make does not change the system under which I live. We have to communally work for systemic change. Which includes bitching on the internet. Can I personally stop the willow project? No. Does my cycling to the grocery store change that one bit? Again, no. Does contacting my friends and all of us working together through protest, direct action, and political action have a chance? Yes, albeit a remote one. If I wasn't in contact with people in my "echo chambers", I would not have accomplished any of the mutual aid organizing or political organizing that I have done. That's what has made the difference. People are free who were locked up due to those connections. People are fed and housed that way.

Anyway. I am pro bitching on the internet. The results speak for themselves.

 

[florduh]

We have to communally work for systemic change.

To be clear, when I say "we can't personal responsibility" ourselves out of the situation...this is what I mean. My personal shopping choices are never going to teach the capitalists a lesson. And while I appreciate everybody who's been shopping sustainably over the past 20 years...it certainly has not taught the bankers and their politicians any lessons.

But organizing with your neighbors does have the ability to make change. At this point, the best ROI is probably organizing to affect your local governments. Or your workplace through unionization.

Also this idea that if you use a smartphone you can't criticize society is Silly Billy stuff. Not having a smartphone puts you at a major disadvantage in this society. It's literally the "I am Very Smart" meme.

But now that I mention it...that iPhone was made with shit tons of gubernment socialism.

Love your iPhone? Don’t thank Apple. Thank the US government

Without public research funding, there’d be no iPhone  —  which makes Apple’s relentless tax dodging even worse

www.salon.com

I mean, the very internet we're all bitching on was created by the government as well.

Yes, Government Researchers Really Did Invent the Internet

blogs.scientificamerican.com

Paywall removed: https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https://blo...t-researchers-really-did-invent-the-internet/

And yeah, I guess that's technically a Capitalist Government we're talking about. But the first mobile phone was literally created by the Commies:

REVOLUTIONARY OBJECTS: THE SURPRISING ORIGIN OF THE CELL PHONE​

The first satellite too:

But I'm not about to say every Libertarian needs to get off the internet otherwise they're a hypocrite.

And at the end of the day.... Apple's major shareholders do not make the iPhone. WORKERS do. And I believe the workers who make the iPhone deserve enough of a cut of what their labor produces to live a decent life.

I'm allowed to believe this without living like Ted Kaczynski (although that dude is starting to look pretty prescient, lol).

 

[Babylon Drifter]

I'm often amazed at the excuses of those unwilling to take personal responsibility for changing the world around them while constantly whining about it. Maybe it's because I grew up "on the Rez" and my kids are the first in our family to not be born on the Rez (since they were established.)
I got off because my dad chose the only available option to an Indian in the 50s and he joined the "White Man's army" so at 16 I was able to leave the Rez and lived on base housing. I am well acquainted with socialism it destroys the heart and soul. Once my father got out he was hired by people who thought it was hip/cool to have an Indian bodyguard. I followed in his footsteps and thanks to capitalism (and his and my willingness to work for change) my kids didn't have to grow up on the socialist Rez. It wasn't easy, we have family still there who won't speak to us for joining the "white man's army". Change isn't always easy or convenient but it never comes about unless there is more effort than whining. None are worse than what we call corporate anti capitalist, they work for tech or other major corporations and spend all thier time bitching about capitalism. Maybe start up your own company, go to work for a family business. Truth is those options won't buy all the cool stuff the self proclaimed anti capitalist wants to buy.