Mike English
@mocomikee.bsky.social
Downtown Silver Spring Maryland resident and housing advocate. Trans Rights. Liberal. YIMBY. Supply, Stability, Subsidy. Autistic and it’s fine, views my own. he/him
Pinned
Mike English
@mocomikee.bsky.social
· Nov 16
1/3 There will always be some tension between advocates that primarily focus on the need for more housing and those that focus on tenant protections. Still, as someone in both spaces, we could all benefit from remembering we’re all fighting for tenants to have more leverage
An interaction elsewhere reminded me of this.
Like, a vacancy tax is fine and probably not harmful if done well, see also teardown taxes limited to single family homes replacing single family homes and excepting denser housing/lot splits, but vacancy trutherism is just an excuse for inaction.
Like, a vacancy tax is fine and probably not harmful if done well, see also teardown taxes limited to single family homes replacing single family homes and excepting denser housing/lot splits, but vacancy trutherism is just an excuse for inaction.
In the same way it helps job seekers to have more job openings than people looking for jobs, people looking for homes benefit when there is some level of vacancy and thus competition
But let's also not forget that a typical vacancy rate for a balanced housing market (I realize "balanced" is doing a lot of work here) is somewhere between 5-10% depending on many factors. This, ofc, allows for flexible mobility and more opportunities to choose a unit that fits a household's needs
December 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM
An interaction elsewhere reminded me of this.
Like, a vacancy tax is fine and probably not harmful if done well, see also teardown taxes limited to single family homes replacing single family homes and excepting denser housing/lot splits, but vacancy trutherism is just an excuse for inaction.
Like, a vacancy tax is fine and probably not harmful if done well, see also teardown taxes limited to single family homes replacing single family homes and excepting denser housing/lot splits, but vacancy trutherism is just an excuse for inaction.
Arthur Christmas is heartfelt, funny, and quite possibly the perfect Christmas movie. Also its main character is a relentless personal attack against me that I’ve considered legal action over several times. youtu.be/OAEox-e3vb4?...
Catching The Sleigh Scene | ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (2011) Movie CLIP HD
YouTube video by JoBlo Animated Videos
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Arthur Christmas is heartfelt, funny, and quite possibly the perfect Christmas movie. Also its main character is a relentless personal attack against me that I’ve considered legal action over several times. youtu.be/OAEox-e3vb4?...
Today I’m sincerely thankful for a lot, as my life is pretty amazing, but to stay on brand I will highlight one such thing and note that I am thankful that people who were annoyed by the idea of my home being built about 15 years ago did not succeed in stopping it from being built.
November 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Today I’m sincerely thankful for a lot, as my life is pretty amazing, but to stay on brand I will highlight one such thing and note that I am thankful that people who were annoyed by the idea of my home being built about 15 years ago did not succeed in stopping it from being built.
Reposted by Mike English
Earlier this week someone compared me to Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Nazi mass murder of 13 million people, because I said that left anti-YIMBYs hate yuppies, developers, and neighborhood change more than high housing costs and homelessness.
November 27, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Earlier this week someone compared me to Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Nazi mass murder of 13 million people, because I said that left anti-YIMBYs hate yuppies, developers, and neighborhood change more than high housing costs and homelessness.
Reposted by Mike English
Imagine looking around at American politics in 2025 and concluding that the zoning reform dweebs are the people you really have to worry about.
sometimes you just need to take a step back and marvel at the absurdity that is the left-NIMBY mindset
these are not normal, rational people. they have descended into a bespoke form of madness
these are not normal, rational people. they have descended into a bespoke form of madness
November 27, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Imagine looking around at American politics in 2025 and concluding that the zoning reform dweebs are the people you really have to worry about.
Hey gang, is it taxation without representation when your elected representatives paid by your tax dollars vote on policies while representing you?
November 27, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Hey gang, is it taxation without representation when your elected representatives paid by your tax dollars vote on policies while representing you?
Void sitting, screechy baby edition
November 26, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Void sitting, screechy baby edition
I should probably talk about this more, but I cannot stress enough to you how much this has helped.
See also me proooobably being some form of asexual but boy howdy is that a whole other ramble
See also me proooobably being some form of asexual but boy howdy is that a whole other ramble
23/25 but, to steal/paraphrase from the aforementioned Hannah Gadsby, having this framework is helpful cause it’s like “oh. I thought I was bad at being a human. Turns out I’m autistic, well that explains it”. It makes things feel… conquerable because it makes them feel less amorphous.
November 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I should probably talk about this more, but I cannot stress enough to you how much this has helped.
See also me proooobably being some form of asexual but boy howdy is that a whole other ramble
See also me proooobably being some form of asexual but boy howdy is that a whole other ramble
It’s the time of year where families gather and remind each other of each others’… quirks, so gonna share this link again from my “spoiler alert, housing hyper focused guy is on the spectrum” thread.
If it hits home for you, yes someone else at the table probably shares that trait, and it’s fine
If it hits home for you, yes someone else at the table probably shares that trait, and it’s fine
7/25 self tests were helpful, and pretty in line with my formal diagnosis.
These aren’t determinative, but if like me yours all come up somewhere between “hey you might wanna get that checked champ” and sirens blaring out of your speakers, that may mean something embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/
These aren’t determinative, but if like me yours all come up somewhere between “hey you might wanna get that checked champ” and sirens blaring out of your speakers, that may mean something embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/
Autism tests | Embrace Autism
Do you think you might be autistic? Have a look at the various autism tests and other psychometric tests (empathy, alexithymia, stimming, camouflaging, etc.) we compiled for you!
embrace-autism.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It’s the time of year where families gather and remind each other of each others’… quirks, so gonna share this link again from my “spoiler alert, housing hyper focused guy is on the spectrum” thread.
If it hits home for you, yes someone else at the table probably shares that trait, and it’s fine
If it hits home for you, yes someone else at the table probably shares that trait, and it’s fine
Silver Spring (and metal), it’s good!
And I only heard one quickly corrected extra “s” added to where I live which once again proves power metal is the best genre
And I only heard one quickly corrected extra “s” added to where I live which once again proves power metal is the best genre
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Silver Spring (and metal), it’s good!
And I only heard one quickly corrected extra “s” added to where I live which once again proves power metal is the best genre
And I only heard one quickly corrected extra “s” added to where I live which once again proves power metal is the best genre
Reposted by Mike English
@caseybanderson.bsky.social, a person who knows from public meetings, issues this treatise on why public meetings don't work and how they can work better
Opinion: The problem at public meetings isn't who shows up, but the roles that the people at public meetings are expected to play
What are planning hearings actually for?
View this post on ggwash.org
ggwash.org
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
@caseybanderson.bsky.social, a person who knows from public meetings, issues this treatise on why public meetings don't work and how they can work better
This is an excellent piece about the limitations inherent to public engagement, not a call to stop doing it, but a call to recognize it for what it is and, more crucially, what it is not.
It also comes from MoCo’s former planning board chair, who knows what he’s talking about.
Please read it
It also comes from MoCo’s former planning board chair, who knows what he’s talking about.
Please read it
Opinion: The problem at public meetings isn't who shows up, but the roles that the people at public meetings are expected to play
What are planning hearings actually for?
View this post on ggwash.org
ggwash.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
This is an excellent piece about the limitations inherent to public engagement, not a call to stop doing it, but a call to recognize it for what it is and, more crucially, what it is not.
It also comes from MoCo’s former planning board chair, who knows what he’s talking about.
Please read it
It also comes from MoCo’s former planning board chair, who knows what he’s talking about.
Please read it
Reposted by Mike English
Opinion: The problem at public meetings isn't who shows up, but the roles that the people at public meetings are expected to play
What are planning hearings actually for?
View this post on ggwash.org
ggwash.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Opinion: The problem at public meetings isn't who shows up, but the roles that the people at public meetings are expected to play
Reposted by Mike English
the left nimby crashout bc Zohran actually wants to build more housing is genuinely so funny
November 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM
the left nimby crashout bc Zohran actually wants to build more housing is genuinely so funny
Well this one just about checks every alarmist dog whistling box huh?
November 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Well this one just about checks every alarmist dog whistling box huh?
Silver Spring, it’s good!
There are so many wonderful things about the Silver Spring Thanksgiving parade, but the very best part is all the confused but enthusiastic toddlers dancing in folk costumes that weigh more than they do. America, baby!
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Silver Spring, it’s good!
Reposted by Mike English
There are so many wonderful things about the Silver Spring Thanksgiving parade, but the very best part is all the confused but enthusiastic toddlers dancing in folk costumes that weigh more than they do. America, baby!
November 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
There are so many wonderful things about the Silver Spring Thanksgiving parade, but the very best part is all the confused but enthusiastic toddlers dancing in folk costumes that weigh more than they do. America, baby!
God damn right
SHE IS ROASTING COFFEE WHILE MARCHING IN THE PARADE this is why Silver Spring is the best Spring
November 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
God damn right
Reposted by Mike English
SHE IS ROASTING COFFEE WHILE MARCHING IN THE PARADE this is why Silver Spring is the best Spring
November 22, 2025 at 5:32 PM
SHE IS ROASTING COFFEE WHILE MARCHING IN THE PARADE this is why Silver Spring is the best Spring
Reposted by Mike English
Support more housing and businesses on Conn. Av. in Cleveland Park & Woodley Park! Send a letter in support of upzoning along Connecticut Avenue. Hearing is December 1. Take action by sending a letter, then sign up to testify.
Click here: secure.everyaction.com/-haH5kw9EkaP...
Click here: secure.everyaction.com/-haH5kw9EkaP...
November 22, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Support more housing and businesses on Conn. Av. in Cleveland Park & Woodley Park! Send a letter in support of upzoning along Connecticut Avenue. Hearing is December 1. Take action by sending a letter, then sign up to testify.
Click here: secure.everyaction.com/-haH5kw9EkaP...
Click here: secure.everyaction.com/-haH5kw9EkaP...
I love this freaking cat and if my friend asks if you’ve seen her no you haven’t
November 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I love this freaking cat and if my friend asks if you’ve seen her no you haven’t
Well said as usual by CM Stewart here. It’s an incredibly scary time for trans (and intersex, enby, and others) people right now and a significant motivation for my advocacy is to make sure that people can afford to live in places they can be themselves and be safe and sadly that’s not a given.
Today we commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance. Tragically, too many Transgender people lose their lives every year due to hate-fueled violence. On November 20th, we use this day to mourn those lost over the past year and celebrate their lives and legacies.
November 20, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Well said as usual by CM Stewart here. It’s an incredibly scary time for trans (and intersex, enby, and others) people right now and a significant motivation for my advocacy is to make sure that people can afford to live in places they can be themselves and be safe and sadly that’s not a given.
Reposted by Mike English
Today we commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance. Tragically, too many Transgender people lose their lives every year due to hate-fueled violence. On November 20th, we use this day to mourn those lost over the past year and celebrate their lives and legacies.
November 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Today we commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance. Tragically, too many Transgender people lose their lives every year due to hate-fueled violence. On November 20th, we use this day to mourn those lost over the past year and celebrate their lives and legacies.
Friendly reminder that millennials are old now, which I prove every single day of my god damn life
Also also my alt text ignored the two people (absolutely no idea who they are) sitting at the table between Tom Coale and Senator Smith, so to clarify Senator Smith is the guy on the right standing up who looks like a senator.
November 19, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Friendly reminder that millennials are old now, which I prove every single day of my god damn life
Reposted by Mike English
Hell yeah!!!!!!!
we did it y’all 🥹💪 they said it couldn’t be done www.fox5dc.com/news/new-bil...
November 18, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Hell yeah!!!!!!!