2026 NYC Democratic Primary Election Assessments: The Case for Ramos
Jul. 7th, 2026 04:09 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
sumana_feedThis is an update to the recommendation I published last week regarding the New York State Senate election in District 13, in which Jessica González-Rojas and Hiram Monserrate are challenging incumbent Jessica Ramos. Please read that first for context.
As always, these are my personal thoughts and recommendations. I am a volunteer doing this on my own time. I am not representing any other group, such as any Indivisible chapter or any of the other groups whose materials I often share at the weekly outreach table I run. I started writing election recommendations about judicial candidates last year, then expanded to other races that people asked me to advise them on, including this one.
2026 NYC Democratic Primary Election Endorsements: Sample Ballot/Index of Posts
Jul. 7th, 2026 04:09 pmsumana_feedHi, neighbors! For your convenience, I've made this table of contents of all the Democratic primary elections I'm covering, and made an image and a PDF you can use to share this summary with others.
2026 NYC Primary Election Recommendations: Congress, State Assembly & Senate & Comptroller
Jul. 7th, 2026 04:09 pmsumana_feedIn this final post I'll cover the statewide Comptroller race and a few state Assembly and Senate races in central/western Queens. And, heck, I'll throw in a nearby Congressional race too.
2026 NYC Primary Election Recommendations: Democratic Party Roles
Jul. 7th, 2026 04:09 pmsumana_feedIn this post I'll cover the Democratic Party position elections for District Leader and State Committee in a few central/western Queens districts: Assembly Districts 34, 35, and 39.
2026 NYC Primary Election Judicial Recommendations
Jul. 7th, 2026 04:09 pmsumana_feedI'm beginning to publish my recommendations for New York City's Democratic primary election, 2026. (Early voting starts tomorrow: Saturday, June 13th. Tuesday June 23rd is the final day to vote.)In this post I'll cover the …
2026.07.07
Jul. 7th, 2026 09:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lsandersonReady to pick the next Hennepin County Attorney? We’ve got a quiz to help!
Five candidates are running to lead the most influential office in local criminal justice. Sahan Journal created an interactive quiz called Meet Your Hennepin County Attorney to find out where they stand on the issues. (Also: The bobble heads are back.) (Automagical)
by Mohamed Ibrahim
https://projects.sahanjournal.com/meet-your-hennepin-county-attorney-candidates-election-quiz/?_gl=1*oz9vt6*_ga*NTQ5NTgyNDUxLjE3Nzg1MTMzMzk.*_ga_WNJ80Q5BTH*czE3ODM0Mjk0NDEkbzUyJGcxJHQxNzgzNDI5NDg5JGoxMiRsMCRoMA..*_ga_Z6V7V2LE27*czE3ODM0Mjk0NDEkbzUyJGcxJHQxNzgzNDI5NDg5JGoxMiRsMCRoMA..
Documents show intense tangle over subpoenas against Minnesota officials during ICE surge
Brian Bakst and Brandt Williams
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/07/07/now-voided-ice-surge-subpoenas-against-minnesota-detailed-in-newly-released-court-documents ( Read more... )
Five candidates are running to lead the most influential office in local criminal justice. Sahan Journal created an interactive quiz called Meet Your Hennepin County Attorney to find out where they stand on the issues. (Also: The bobble heads are back.) (Automagical)
by Mohamed Ibrahim
https://projects.sahanjournal.com/meet-your-hennepin-county-attorney-candidates-election-quiz/?_gl=1*oz9vt6*_ga*NTQ5NTgyNDUxLjE3Nzg1MTMzMzk.*_ga_WNJ80Q5BTH*czE3ODM0Mjk0NDEkbzUyJGcxJHQxNzgzNDI5NDg5JGoxMiRsMCRoMA..*_ga_Z6V7V2LE27*czE3ODM0Mjk0NDEkbzUyJGcxJHQxNzgzNDI5NDg5JGoxMiRsMCRoMA..
Documents show intense tangle over subpoenas against Minnesota officials during ICE surge
Brian Bakst and Brandt Williams
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/07/07/now-voided-ice-surge-subpoenas-against-minnesota-detailed-in-newly-released-court-documents ( Read more... )
Hellburner (Devil to the Belt, volume 2) by C J Cherryh
Jul. 7th, 2026 09:55 amjames_davis_nicoll
The Company will surely triumph over the Union upstarts, just as soon as R&D solves a few minor, pilot-killing, bugs in their cutting-edge systems.
Hellburner (Devil to the Belt, volume 2) by C J Cherryh
Google Is Suing Chinese Scammers Who Are Using Gemini
Jul. 7th, 2026 10:43 ambruce_schneier_feedNot sure this will have any effect, but I support the effort:
According to Google’s legal filing, Outsider Enterprise operates through Telegram. The group offers phishing-as-a-service to individuals who may not be technically savvy enough to set up fraudulent websites and text campaigns on their own. In its Telegram channels, Outsider Enterprise reportedly provided instructions on how to use Google’s Gemini AI to create websites that imitate those of Google, YouTube, and government agencies such as New York’s E-ZPass. The group offered nearly 300 scam templates.
[…]
Google worked with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to block many of these malicious text messages, and Google notes that its on-device scam detection in Google Messages probably helped reduce the number of successful phishing attempts, too. This AI-powered feature apparently stops 10 billion scam texts every month, so it’s fair to expect it caught at least some Outsider Enterprise activity.
Another article.
Tell Me True
Jul. 6th, 2026 06:23 pmbillroperI heard about the FAWM sprint (5 songs in 9 days) from Jen when she passed through here around Filkconbobulated and figured that I could probably handle this (maybe) being retired now (pretty definitely). Of course, it started on July 4th and I was busy then and yesterday, so it is now 5 songs in *7* days which is moving up the challenging list and which meant that I should get started.
Happily, I have a lot of song cues lying around here...
I haven't figured out how to upload stuff to FAWM yet (and have cleverly asked for help), but I *have* now finished one song. Four to go!
I hope you like it.
( Lyrics inside... )
Happily, I have a lot of song cues lying around here...
I haven't figured out how to upload stuff to FAWM yet (and have cleverly asked for help), but I *have* now finished one song. Four to go!
I hope you like it.
( Lyrics inside... )
Bundle of Holding: Oldskull Generators
Jul. 6th, 2026 02:39 pmjames_davis_nicoll
Random generators from Kent David Kelly for tabletop fantasy roleplaying games such as OSRIC (based on the 1979 First Edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons) and other fantasy retroclones.
Bundle of Holding: Oldskull Generators
2026.07.06
Jul. 6th, 2026 08:53 amlsandersonTen years after a St. Anthony police officer shot and killed Philando Castile on July 6, 2016, following a traffic stop for a broken tail light, officers in Ramsey County are pulling over more drivers for moving violations and fewer for equipment violations, according to reporting by the Pioneer Press. The statistics reflect law enforcement leaders’ focus since 2021 on moving violations, like speeding or running red lights, over equipment violations. Via MinnPost
https://www.twincities.com/2026/07/05/philando-castile-10-years-later-traffic-stop-changes/
Bomb the Arctic, dam the Mediterranean and build a second moon: five outlandish plans to remodel our climate
Humans have long sought to geoengineer the Earth’s environment. Tim Flannery outlines a few of the wildest ideas from the 20th century
Tim Flannery
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/06/five-outlandish-plans-to-remodel-earth-climate ( Read more... )
https://www.twincities.com/2026/07/05/philando-castile-10-years-later-traffic-stop-changes/
Bomb the Arctic, dam the Mediterranean and build a second moon: five outlandish plans to remodel our climate
Humans have long sought to geoengineer the Earth’s environment. Tim Flannery outlines a few of the wildest ideas from the 20th century
Tim Flannery
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/06/five-outlandish-plans-to-remodel-earth-climate ( Read more... )
France to Stop Certifying Non-Quantum-Safe Encryption
Jul. 6th, 2026 10:45 ambruce_schneier_feedFrance is accelerating its transition to post-quantum encryption:
France’s cybersecurity agency ANSSI said on Tuesday it would stop certifying security products that lack quantum-resistant encryption, a move that will force government bodies and critical operators to shift away from older systems.
Samih Souissi, ANSSI’s chief of staff, said at the France Quantum conference that the agency would halt such certifications from 2027, and that businesses should be buying only quantum-safe products by 2030.
ANSSI approval is required for use in French government agencies and critical infrastructure, making the policy a de facto phase-out of older encryption.
No Sweep For You!
Jul. 5th, 2026 10:10 pmbillroperHaving caught parts of the previous two Cards victories over the Cubs on TV, I headed down to Wrigley Field for the finale. Consistent with my history in such things, the Cards lost in entertaining fashion.
The first Cubs hit of the game was the most amazing cue ball shot by Pete Crow-Armstrong that I have ever seen. It was a dribbler toward the third baseman, Fermin, that suddenly developed a crazy spin and went running off toward the middle of the infield. Not too long after that, the run scored along with a second run to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead. The Cards were lucky that it wasn't worse.
But the Cards got two runners on base in the top of the sixth, so the Cubs manager, Counsell, changed pitchers to face Jordan Walker and gain the platoon advantage. And Walker drilled a homer into the left field stands for a 3-2 Cards lead.
I had thought that Marmol might pull Liberatore after five innings, but his pitch count was relatively low, so he came back out for the bottom of the sixth and promptly put the first two runners on base. At this point, Liberatore was pulled, which was shortly thereafter followed by the collapse of the Cards' defense, resulting in three unearned runs and a 6-3 Cubs lead.
The Cards managed to score one more run to make it 6-4 for the final.
In any case, it was a nice day for a baseball game. :)
The first Cubs hit of the game was the most amazing cue ball shot by Pete Crow-Armstrong that I have ever seen. It was a dribbler toward the third baseman, Fermin, that suddenly developed a crazy spin and went running off toward the middle of the infield. Not too long after that, the run scored along with a second run to give the Cubs a 2-0 lead. The Cards were lucky that it wasn't worse.
But the Cards got two runners on base in the top of the sixth, so the Cubs manager, Counsell, changed pitchers to face Jordan Walker and gain the platoon advantage. And Walker drilled a homer into the left field stands for a 3-2 Cards lead.
I had thought that Marmol might pull Liberatore after five innings, but his pitch count was relatively low, so he came back out for the bottom of the sixth and promptly put the first two runners on base. At this point, Liberatore was pulled, which was shortly thereafter followed by the collapse of the Cards' defense, resulting in three unearned runs and a 6-3 Cubs lead.
The Cards managed to score one more run to make it 6-4 for the final.
In any case, it was a nice day for a baseball game. :)
2026.07.05
Jul. 5th, 2026 10:07 amlsandersonOn America’s 250th, Mamdani called for unity – while Trump rewrote the past
Moustafa Bayoumi
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/05/on-americas-250th-mamdani-called-for-unity-while-trump-rewrote-the-past
Americans declared independence from a tyrant once. And we must do that again
Claire Finkelstein
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/05/declaration-of-independence-trump ( Read more... )
Moustafa Bayoumi
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/05/on-americas-250th-mamdani-called-for-unity-while-trump-rewrote-the-past
Americans declared independence from a tyrant once. And we must do that again
Claire Finkelstein
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/05/declaration-of-independence-trump ( Read more... )
Weather Report for the Fourth of July
Jul. 4th, 2026 11:52 pmbillroperAfter last night's thunderstorms and thunderstorms that rolled through the area earlier today, a lot of local fireworks displays were canceled -- except for the freelancers who have been firing things off for much of the evening.
We had originally planned to grill sausages with Jeff and Carol, who are in town for a visit. The weather made that look problematic, so we cooked them on the stove instead, which was *just* fine. A lot of good conversation was had.
After Jeff and Carol headed back to their hotel room, Gretchen said that she wanted to watch the taped "A Capitol Fourth", which seemed fair, but the Cardinals / Cubs game tonight was on Fox and had finally started after a one-hour rain delay. I got to my chair first and switched on the game before Gretchen got there. The game got to the end of the third inning and so did Gretchen, at which point I offered to put on "A Capitol Fourth". She initially declined, I argued, and we fired up the recording.
While that was going on, I was following the game on my phone and noticed that there was a new "weather delay". Huh? I checked and found that the game was being delayed by *fog*. That's pretty unusual, so I asked permission to interrupt the recording and go check out this mess, which Gretchen agreed was interesting.
After about 18 minutes, the game resumed, and Gretchen fell asleep. I took advantage of this to watch the rest of the game, after which we watched the remaining half-hour of "A Capitol Fourth", and all was right with the world.
Except the dogs *hate* the fireworks. Or else want to go out and bark at them and invite them in to play.
I'm not sure.
We had originally planned to grill sausages with Jeff and Carol, who are in town for a visit. The weather made that look problematic, so we cooked them on the stove instead, which was *just* fine. A lot of good conversation was had.
After Jeff and Carol headed back to their hotel room, Gretchen said that she wanted to watch the taped "A Capitol Fourth", which seemed fair, but the Cardinals / Cubs game tonight was on Fox and had finally started after a one-hour rain delay. I got to my chair first and switched on the game before Gretchen got there. The game got to the end of the third inning and so did Gretchen, at which point I offered to put on "A Capitol Fourth". She initially declined, I argued, and we fired up the recording.
While that was going on, I was following the game on my phone and noticed that there was a new "weather delay". Huh? I checked and found that the game was being delayed by *fog*. That's pretty unusual, so I asked permission to interrupt the recording and go check out this mess, which Gretchen agreed was interesting.
After about 18 minutes, the game resumed, and Gretchen fell asleep. I took advantage of this to watch the rest of the game, after which we watched the remaining half-hour of "A Capitol Fourth", and all was right with the world.
Except the dogs *hate* the fireworks. Or else want to go out and bark at them and invite them in to play.
I'm not sure.
2026.07.04
Jul. 4th, 2026 10:18 amlsandersonI expect my friends and family to have the same limb, finger, and toe count at the end of the day as they had at the start. Other than that, have a Happy 4th of July or a good Saturday. Your choice.
CDC investigates parasite that’s caused cases of ‘explosive’ diarrhea in 18 US states
Parasite cyclospora spreads through produce and water contaminated with feces and causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis
Lucy Campbell
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/03/cdc-investigates-parasite-explosive-diarrhea ( Read more... )
CDC investigates parasite that’s caused cases of ‘explosive’ diarrhea in 18 US states
Parasite cyclospora spreads through produce and water contaminated with feces and causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis
Lucy Campbell
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/03/cdc-investigates-parasite-explosive-diarrhea ( Read more... )
Update
Jul. 3rd, 2026 09:40 pmranunculusFirst thing this morning the pipe to the horse pastures got fixed. No more leak.
Alyssa came up to see if there were any manzanita berries. We checked multiple bushes without finding a single berry. I know I saw some set earlier in the year, but there sure isn't any now. There are little tiny, tightly closed buds for next winter's flowers though. Looks like there will be a LOT of flowers if and when we get rain.
Glen came up to help with the water pipes up at the springs. We walked in with a few feet of extra pipe and bypassed a very short section that was probably kinked a little. Then we worked down the stream making sure the pipe stayed at a steady downhill angle. 1 1/4 plastic water pipe has very thick walls. The pipe in the stream has remembered the coil it had arrived in for decades. In several places we had to put rocks on top of the pipe to hold it down. If that section keeps being a problem I'm going to replace it, perhaps after laying the pipe out in the sun and trying to get it to relax. Our efforts paid off; now there is a really good flow of water coming down to the tanks. I didn't get the overflow tank hooked up to the pipe leading downhill, I better get it done first thing tomorrow because the tank is filling fast!
Having water will make the cows really happy. The overflow -trough- is 300 gallons. The herd can drink it dry if they all arrive at the same time. Fortunately they usually arrive in small groups. I'll also set up a trough up here at the house.
Need to can pickles...
Alyssa came up to see if there were any manzanita berries. We checked multiple bushes without finding a single berry. I know I saw some set earlier in the year, but there sure isn't any now. There are little tiny, tightly closed buds for next winter's flowers though. Looks like there will be a LOT of flowers if and when we get rain.
Glen came up to help with the water pipes up at the springs. We walked in with a few feet of extra pipe and bypassed a very short section that was probably kinked a little. Then we worked down the stream making sure the pipe stayed at a steady downhill angle. 1 1/4 plastic water pipe has very thick walls. The pipe in the stream has remembered the coil it had arrived in for decades. In several places we had to put rocks on top of the pipe to hold it down. If that section keeps being a problem I'm going to replace it, perhaps after laying the pipe out in the sun and trying to get it to relax. Our efforts paid off; now there is a really good flow of water coming down to the tanks. I didn't get the overflow tank hooked up to the pipe leading downhill, I better get it done first thing tomorrow because the tank is filling fast!
Having water will make the cows really happy. The overflow -trough- is 300 gallons. The herd can drink it dry if they all arrive at the same time. Fortunately they usually arrive in small groups. I'll also set up a trough up here at the house.
Need to can pickles...