Good that the backlash (due to breaking the railroad strike and being an election year) and viral news of the strike helped the government cave and allowed the working class unions to fight for their demands!

I don’t trust any governments or politicians; we must always be critical of those with power and influence.

Biden was forced to cave to their demands due to the backlash on breaking the railroad strike and this being an election year.

The working class must continue to unite against the owner class; a general strike would help force the government and the corporations to listen to working class struggles instead of the same old crumbs we reicve from the duopoly; many grassroots movements have arisen for this occasion!

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.” ― Frederick Douglass

Dockworkers strike suspended, tentative agreement includes 62% pay raise over 6 years [Max Zahn, Meredith Deliso, and Soo Youn | October 3, 2024 | abcnews.go.com] https://abcnews.go.com/US/dockworkers-strike-suspended-sources/story?id=114445386

The tentative agreement would increase workers’ wages by 62% over the life of the 6-year contract, sources familiar confirm to ABC News.

This represents a significant increase from the shipping industry group’s offer of a 50% wage increase earlier this week. The union had been pushing for a 77% pay hike over six years.

The tentative agreement would bring the hourly wage for a top dockworker to $63 per hour at the end of the new contract, up from $39 per hour under the expired contract.

“I want to applaud the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance for coming together to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports. Today’s tentative agreement on a record wage and an extension of the collective bargaining process represents critical progress towards a strong contract,” Preisdent Joe Biden said on the agreement.

Tens of thousands of U.S. dockworkers had walked off the job early Tuesday morning, clogging dozens of ports along the East and Gulf coasts.

Amid the strike, USMX said Wednesday it remained “committed to bargaining in good faith to address the ILA’s demands and USMX’s concerns.”

A prolonged work stoppage of several weeks or months could have rekindled inflation for some goods and triggered layoffs at manufacturers as raw materials dried up, experts said.

In 2002, a strike among workers at West Coast ports lasted 11 days before then-President George W. Bush invoked the Taft-Hartley Act and ended the standoff.

This is just a picture.

Quick search…

Here are the main points form their program:

END CAPITALISM BEFORE IT ENDS US

1. Seize the Biggest 100 Corporations, Create A New Economy for the People
2. Overthrow the Dictatorship of the Rich – Build a Democracy That Serves the Working Class
3. End the Rule of Money and Lock Up the Corrupt Elite
4. End All U.S. Aid to Apartheid Israel. End the Genocide and Free Palestine
5. Cut the Military Budget by 90% – Peace, Not War with China & Russia!
6. End the War on Black America!
7. Defend Women’s Rights, Full Equality for LGBTQ People
8. Save the Planet from Capitalism^[1]

We must not let our government stop another major strike.

The working class must stay united against the owner class.

Biden signs bill to block U.S. railroad strike [David Shepardson and Nandita Bose | December 2, 2022 | https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-signs-bill-block-us-railroad-strike-2022-12-02/]

The U.S. Senate voted 80 to 15 on Thursday to impose a tentative contract deal reached in September on a dozen unions representing 115,000 workers, who could have gone on strike on Dec. 9. But the Senate failed to approve a measure that would have provided paid sick days to railroad workers.

Eight of 12 unions had ratified the deal. But some labor leaders have criticized Biden, a self-described friend of labor, for asking Congress to impose a contract that workers in four unions have rejected over its lack of paid sick leave

Railroads have slashed labor and other costs to bolster profits in recent years, and have been fiercely opposed to adding paid sick time that would require them to hire more staff.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien harshly criticized the Senate vote on sick leave. “Rail carriers make record profits. Rail workers get zero paid sick days. Is this OK? Paid sick leave is a basic human right. This system is failing,” O’Brien wrote on Twitter.

Without the legislation, rail workers could have gone out next week, but the impacts would be felt as soon as this weekend as railroads stopped accepting hazardous materials shipments and commuter railroads began canceling passenger service.

The contracts cover workers at carriers including Union Pacific (UNP.N), Berkshire Hathaway Inc’s (BRKa.N) BNSF, CSX (CSX.O), Norfolk Southern Corp (NSC.N), and Kansas City Southern.

Edit: added quotes below

In the first strike, all East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, in almost 50 years, dockworkers from Maine to Texas walked out on strike at midnight this morning. The International Longshoremen’s Association represents some 40,000 dockworkers at 36 ports who are demanding higher wages and guarantees that jobs won’t be automated.

AMY GOODMAN: On Sunday, President Biden said he would not intervene to stop the strike, which will disrupt trade and potentially lead to high prices just weeks before the presidential election.

At the same time, the dockworkers, who have very dangerous jobs — they’re very physically rigorous jobs; they are highly paid, but their position is, “We’re entitled to that as compensation” — their wages have actually flatlined. They’ve stagnated compared to inflation. And so, they’re seeking what looks like a very substantial headline increase, you know, 70-plus percent, it’s been reported, though there’s a lot of — there’s not a lot of open discussion of these terms, over the next several years. And overnight, it seems like the port operators tried to bridge the distance with a package that they say would be about a 50% raise. The dockworkers say that’s not enough.

The rail system, by the way, has really been depleted by a version of just-in-time known as precision scheduled railroading, which is essentially a fancy way of saying, “Let’s fire lots of workers. Let’s stick the remaining workers with extra jobs.” They’ve diminished service. They’ve made trains longer than ever, so accidents tend to be much more dangerous. And it’s really about boosting returns for shareholders at the expense of the operational capacity of the rail system. So the idea that rail will pick up the burden is really dubious.

AMY GOODMAN: The president of the International Longshoremen’s Association, Harold Daggett, endorsed Biden in the 2020 election, but, more recently, accused Biden of, quote, “not fighting for us.” Last November, Daggett said he had a productive meeting with former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. He spoke in a video released by the union last month.

AMY GOODMAN: A $4 billion bonus for the boss. That’s president of the International Longshoremen’s Association, Harold Daggett. Peter Goodman, can you talk about what he said —

PETER GOODMAN: Sure. It’s a very strange dynamic, because, of course, traditionally, labor, key Democratic constituency. Biden is very reluctant to wade in and end this strike, because he faced a backlash when he used a different law to shut down the railroad strike two years ago without getting paid sick leave for traveling maintenance crews and other rail workers. So he’s very reluctant to be the guy who steps in, takes away the leverage for the union. I mean, this is a time of labor mobilization in this country. And, of course, we saw that the UAW did very well with a militant strike. The ILA is doing likewise.

Here’s the irony, though. So, you’ve got all these business groups that are lobbying the Biden administration to act, because, of course, the economy writ large is going to get hit by a long strike. Factories that are dependent upon imported components and parts are going to get hit. Retailers waiting for products to come in, often from Asia, will get hit. Consumers could face shortages, inflation. Here’s the one group that probably won’t get hit: the shipping carriers.

So, the one move for the union is, “Well, we’re going to monkeywrench the economy as a way to generate pressure for a settlement,” but that could actually be good for the people they’re trying to get greater leverage for. That could increase the pressure on the Biden administration, really reluctant, again, to intervene in a labor dispute, to put an end to this thing, because it will hit the real economy. And I don’t have to tell you that we’re only weeks away from a presidential election that could very well hinge on economic sentiments and unhappiness over inflation.

Coming up, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has broken his silence, addressing the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. We’ll play some of his comments. And then, it’s the last day of the presidency of Mexican President AMLO, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. We’ll talk about his legacy and also immigration. Stay with us.

Edit: format and added more information

Thanks for sharing this great song with us!

Another must listen:

Eminem - Mockingbird (Official Music Video) [04:17 | Rap, In English, USA, Conscious Hip-Hop, Lullaby, Hip-Hop, Detroit Rap, Midwest Rap] https://youtu.be/S9bCLPwzSC0

Possibly the least offensive Eminem song ever, this Encore track is directed and dedicated to his daughters. Eminem acknowledges that growing up with his media image and Kim’s drug problem made for a difficult upbringing, not to mention their poverty-stricken beginnings. The lyrics are a personal, undisguised account of his early relationship with his wife and daughters. Critics praised the song for its lyrics. This song mixes an original rap dialogue about Eminem’s failed marriage, as he apologizes to his daughters with a straight melodic version of the traditional “Mockingbird” lullaby called “Hush, Little Baby”. The second verse is about the difficulties including Kim and Eminem’s divorce and the beginning of Eminem’s fame.^[1]

[05:02]

Tags: Pop, Rap, Alternative, Alternative Pop, Detroit Rap, Midwest Rap, Hip-Hop, Pop Rap, Ballad, In English, USA

"Temporary” is the 15th track on Eminem’s album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), dedicated to his only biological daughter, Hailie.

In this heartfelt song featuring his long-time collaborator Skylar Grey, Eminem reflects on his fears of not being able to communicate his feelings to Hailie once he’s gone. Emphasizing the importance of family and staying strong through tough times, he assures Hailie that while pain and heartbreak are inevitable, they are “temporary.” The track includes personal anecdotes and recordings of conversations between him and the young Hailie, which add to the song’s authenticity and intimacy.

In an episode of her podcast, Hailie mentioned that this song particularly made her “audibly sob.” The song’s cover, teased as a single on Instagram, features a young Hailie on the background stage of the iconic The Eminem Show cover, with a note written on the side reading, “To my daddy, Love ya, from Hailie.”

A visual for the song was released on October 3rd, in which Hailie surprises Em with the news that he is going to be a grandfather.^[2]

TIL

Kayleigh Rose Amstutz (b. February 19, 1998), known professionally as Chappell Roan, is an American singer-songwriter currently signed to Amusement Records.

When she was 17 years old, Roan uploaded a song titled “Die Young” to YouTube, which would lead to her being discovered, and eventually signed by Atlantic Records.

Following the release of “Pink Pony Club” in April 2020, Roan would be dropped from Atlantic due to low commercial success at the time. She would continue to work alongside Dan Nigro on her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess which would eventually release in 2023 under his label, Amusement Records, an imprint of Island Records.

Roan would rise to stardom in 2024, following her opening for Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS World Tour,” her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and the release of her biggest single to date, “Good Luck, Babe!”^[1]

Article by CNN:

Chappell Roan’s rise to stardom has been 10 years in the making. Here’s how she became famous [Scottie Andrew | September 11, 2024 | https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/11/entertainment/chappell-roan-who-is-cec/index.html]

Chappell Roan is having the year of her life. Her songs are taking over TikTok, she’s touring the country to massive, record-breaking crowds and she’s been rising up the Billboard charts all summer long.

But Roan wasn’t pumped out of the pop-music machine as a fully formed star in 2024. Her ascent to stardom has been a steady climb, one thwarted by the pandemic and issues with her label, over 10 years. It just so happens that the last six months of her career have been stratospherically successful.

Ahead of Roan’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards — once a star-making showcase for icons like Madonna, Britney Spears and Beyoncé — revisit Roan’s journey from Missouri teen musician to one of pop’s most exciting new faces in years.

Article Sections:

1. The rise of Chappell Roan, 2014 — 2015
2. Roan’s early work and roadblocks, 2017 — 2020
3. The making of ‘Midwestern Princess,’ 2021 — 2023
4. Roan’s star-making year, 2024

Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess has a banner week on the Billboard charts (dated Oct. 5), reaching No. 1 on Top Album Sales for the first time (rising 6-1), returning to the top of Vinyl Albums (up 4-1), as well as rising 3-2 on the Billboard 200 for a third nonconsecutive week at its peak position. She also leads the Billboard Artist 100 chart for the first time, ascending 3-1. The tally ranks the most popular artists of the week.

The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess earned 105,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in the week ending Sept. 26 (up 64%) according to Luminate, marking its biggest week yet by units earned.* Traditional album sales comprise a career weekly-best 56,000 (up 328%). Vinyl sales were red-hot for the set, with 50,000 sold (up 548%), easily Roan’s best week on vinyl and the sixth-largest week for any vinyl album in 2024.

Midwest Princess’ total year-to-date sales now rise to 248,000 sold, making it the 10th-biggest selling album of 2024. The Tortured Poets Department has a runaway lead as the year’s top-seller, with 2.77 million. Her 2024 vinyl sales climb to 167,000 – the third-biggest selling vinyl title of the year thus far. Poets is also the top-selling vinyl album of 2024, with 1.03 million.

Edit: word, there->their

Awesome, I always enjoy their music videos!

Great collaboration with Atarashii Gakko!

Music in this video clip is a special arranged version, and also different from the original version included in the CD.

OG Lyrics: (Shimi) (Romanized)^[1]

First song I heard from them: What’s up, people?! - MAXIMUM THE HORMONE [04:10 | Rock. Japan, Japanese, Alternative Metal, Nu-Metal, Anime, Metal | https://youtu.be/muoWDA6zmsY]

“What’s Up People?” is the opening track of the second season of the anime Death Note that later became the 10th track of Maximum the Hormone’s 2007 album Bu-ikikaesu.^[2]

There are many competitions that are open to people outside the US, so I would check others out if you are interested in rockets!

Here is another: https://www.soundingrocket.org/sa-cup-home.html | https://www.soundingrocket.org/2024-sa-cup.html

Teams that competed last year from outside the United States:

1. Mexico
2. Philippines
3. Canada
4. Thailand
5. United Kingdom
6. Turkey
7. Algeria
8. Brazil
9. India
10. Argentina
11. Romania
12. Germany
13. Australia
14. Spain
15. New Zealand
16. Poland

2024 Team List (Last updated 6-11-24 acb): [https://www.soundingrocket.org/uploads/9/0/6/4/9064598/published_team_list_061124.xlsx_-_for_output.pdf]

Join in on your school clubs and research projects, or start some with friends!

There are many great competitions where previous programming experience would come in handy.

One competition that takes place in the U.S.:

NASA Student Launch

It actually IS rocket science! Student Launch is a 9-month long challenge that tasks student teams from across the U.S. to design, build, test, and launch a high-powered rocket carrying a scientific or engineering payload. It is a hands-on, research-based, engineering activity and culminates each year with a final launch in Huntsville, Alabama home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. The activity offers multiple challenges reaching a broad audience colleges and universities as well as middle and high school aged students across the nation.^[1]

Culminating Event Dates: April 30 – May 4, 2025

Culminating event location: Huntsville, AL

Eligibility: Open to U.S. Students

Grade Levels: Grades 6-12, College and University

TIL.

Thanks for sharing!

Edit: added quote below

By design, WebExtensions is more limited than the promiscuous extension mechanism. By design, it also works better. Most of the Firefox development tax has disappeared, as only the WebExtensions API needs to be protected, rather than the entire code of Firefox. Most of the maintenance tax has disappeared, as the WebExtensions API are stable (there have unfortunately been a few exceptions). It is also much simpler to use, lets add-on developers share code between Firefox and Chromium add-ons and should eventually make it easier to write extensions that work flawlessly on Desktop and Mobile.

We must not fear using our critical thinking muscles, or else we will lose them.

There should be no need to ask, but I guess some still need to…

The normal route would be to check profile information and history; then it becomes really easy to figure out, for some.

Edit5: fixed [1][2] format

We may be dead inside, yet we keep on going.

Death gotta be easy, 'cause life is hard^[1][2]

Submit or consume the consumed

The gags of dissonance echo as they preach

“‘A Visceral Retch’ is a song that fans of The Somatic Defilement will latch onto immediately. It was one of the first songs we had in the chamber to work with. This song came to light thanks mostly to [guitarist] Zach Householder. He showed us and we all immediately said, ‘yup, that’s it.’ Zach is notorious for very dark and horror-like vibes so this album is right in his wheelhouse. The song is disturbing. Imagine being put in a situation of survival by gluttonous, mammoth demons that give you a choice. Eat the demons’ waste, eat each other, or starve to death. The twist, you’re against the people you love the most. It’s a way to find the ones that are truly evil people to build and strengthen their cult. It also represents how horrible people can really be, when push comes to shove.” – Phil Bozeman^[1]

AOC would never hate “Mama Bear!”

Limp Bizkit - My Generation [03:40 | Rap, Rock, In English, USA, Rap-Rock, Metal, Alternative Metal, Nu-Metal]^[1]

[Pre-Chorus]

So go ahead and talk shit, talk shit about me

Go ahead and talk shit about my g-g-generation^[2]

The 3rd track off Limp Bizkit’s 2000 Album “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water”. In this song, Fred talks about generation x, his generation which at the time was criticised by the media for being violent and disoriented.

ITT: Blue MAGA and preaching to the choir.

Dr. Jill Stein has improved the Green Party; y’all just believe anything the duopoly and owner-class media spit out when it agrees with your thinking.

Muslim support is at an all-time high for Dr. Jill Stein; that is why AOCPelosi, the new attack dog of Blue MAGA, started up again.

I suggest getting out of the echo chambers and checking out independent journalists instead of continuing the self-censorship.

To keep his sanity, Joel crafts sentient robot companions, including Tom Servo, Crow T. Robot, and Gypsy, to keep him company and help him humorously comment on each movie as it plays, a process known as riffing. Each two-hour episode would feature a single movie (often edited for time constraints), sometimes preceded by various old shorts and educational films, with Joel, Tom, and Crow watching in silhouette from a row of theater seats at the bottom of the screen.

And we will continue to support them 100% of the way, so as to keep the duopoly and the status quo of supporting genocides all over the world.

More forever wars where the working class continue to be killed off, while the owner-class and their lackeys rake in their profits and natural resources.