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isaac
@sevier.io
Posting about electricity and how we can care for one other. Building @publicgrids.org. SF. they.

Latest: “To fight oligarchy, build local democracy"
https://www.isaacsevier.com/notes/to-fight-oligarchy-build-local-democracy/
Pinned
isaac @sevier.io · Oct 23
In this new report from me & @rhymeswithocean.bsky.social for @cplusc.bsky.social & @publicgrids.org, we argue the current electricity affordability crisis is caused by the rules of private ownership. To solve the crisis, we recommend banning shutoffs now and using many tools to expand public power!
Overcharged: The Rules Of The Electricity Affordability Crisis
Nearly a quarter of adults in the US—or over 52 million people—cannot pay their power bills.
climateandcommunity.org
Reposted by isaac
"The Socialist leader also pledged to change Spanish law to make the chief executives of tech platforms "face criminal liability for failing to remove illegal or hateful content."

note: Sanchez is PM of Spain and also current president of the Socialist International

www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Spain to seek social media ban for under-16s, PM says
Prime Minister Pedor Sanchez announced the proposed ban, after similar moves by countries including Australia, France and Portugal.
www.lemonde.fr
February 5, 2026 at 2:19 AM
"I know how to be constructive, so I have to be accountable to that awareness. I don’t want to get pulled into unworthy conflicts. I don’t want to waste my anger, or its potential, and wind up spiraling when I could be learning or building something."

truthout.org/audio/we-mus...
We Must Burst Our Algorithmic Bubbles and Build Together Across Difference
“We need each other, and interdependence is key to survival for human beings,” says organizer Mariame Kaba.
truthout.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Using antitrust to go after "potentially anticompetitive collusion between law firms on DEI metrics" lmao
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission took a fresh tack last week in the federal government's crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, warning 42 major law firms that their hiring practices may violate federal antitrust law.
FTC crackdown on law firm DEI efforts tests antitrust limits
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission took a fresh tack last week in the federal government's crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, warning 42 major law firms that their hiring practices may violate federal antitrust law.
reut.rs
February 4, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by isaac
IBEW has the best union logos, historically and in present day.

Getting to use electricity symbol is so cool ⚡
February 4, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Reposted by isaac
love to see it
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.

This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.

Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
Virginia’s New Governor Ends ICE Program. Local Contracts Remain, For Now. - Bolts
Abigail Spanberger left the 287(g) program, which empowered state law enforcement to detain immigrants. Will Democrats also bar local police and sheriffs from the program?
boltsmag.org
February 4, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Working on a new lesson to teach in an undergrad setting and thinking about what is useful now, for folks that age, with everything happening. I used to pack in some radical critique of the status quo but that feels almost redundant at this point.
February 4, 2026 at 11:14 PM
been hearing some of the sentiment like "why can't we have what New York has" and while i trust that NY and NYC specifically has elements making it conducive to organizing (a history of militant labor, movement organizing, just lots of people, and high density) i think the lesson is to just start
February 4, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by isaac
Support striking @nynurses.bsky.social! Made a map showing active strike locations giving you directions to get there, write letters to Hochul / CEOs and support the strike fund.
February 3, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Sorry my show is on
Interesting to see which councilors are uncomfortable with city council using its charter powers to investigate unreported funds hmmmmm
February 4, 2026 at 8:52 PM
On the importance of signaling virtue at all times, loudly, and without ceasing
Remarkable: Trump's planned migrant prison camps are hitting deep resistance in red areas. In Virginia's partly rural Hanover (+26 Trump) opposition is intense. GOP leaders in other states are opposed.

Voters are rejecting mass deportations big time. 1/

(new piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2060...
Trump’s New “Prison Camp” Threat Unleashes Fury Even in MAGA Country
The next phase of ICE’s big ramp-up: a nationwide network of vast detention facilities. But guess what? Even parts of Red America are saying no.
newrepublic.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by isaac
"As an orientation towards the future, hope is inseparable from fear. As an orientation in the present, hope should consist of commitment & confidence in rationality of revolt. Our action in the present should not depend on future outcome" -- Asad Haider
February 4, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by isaac
People often ask me why I left the U.S. and there are various reasons but the thing that made me start really making an exit strategy was when journalists covering Standing Rock were being arrested. Historically a very bad sign for democracy. Seeing it get worse and more blatant is scary and sad
February 4, 2026 at 8:13 PM
green apartheid is a process, happening now
More of this, much more.

Yes, induction, and heat pumps, and properly insulated windows should be standard fare for any high-end home design
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/r...

And yes, there's a $60 induction plate at IKEA...
The Rise of the All-Electric Luxury Kitchen
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:13 PM
The performance of elected politicians at every scale up and down from cities to Congress during the greatest stress test of our institutions is showing how important it is that electeds (1) actually have an informed political ideology and (2) that their 'base' can exert power to replace them.
February 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The people yearn for fusion voting
PS: @dianaforqueens.com received a little over *48%* of her votes on the Working Families line. Just the latest piece of evidence that the state of the Republic of Astoria is strong.

@workingfamilies.org | @nywfp.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by isaac
PS: @dianaforqueens.com received a little over *48%* of her votes on the Working Families line. Just the latest piece of evidence that the state of the Republic of Astoria is strong.

@workingfamilies.org | @nywfp.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by isaac
This year's elections in Queens are off to a great start; Astoria and Long Island City are in great hands. Congrats, comrade.
Thank you, Queens!

Today, Astoria and Long Island City voted to send a socialist immigrant mom to the New York State Assembly. Our movement is headed to Albany. I’m ready to make you proud.
February 4, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Reposted by isaac
i am biased but i do think the entire body of work from my many beautiful smart cool colleagues for $40 a year is quite a steal
when i give wired dot com $40 i get access to so many journalists‘ work, when i give my favorite writer $40 i only get that one person’s work AND i can only do that for like one person a year. it sucks!!!!
i know that this is an unpopular take, but everyone starting their own newsletter as a revenue stream is not a sustainable model for writing and reporting or for people who love and want to pay for media.
February 4, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by isaac
So many people doing great work here; many of us were caught in layoffs repeatedly or squeezed out of traditional staff jobs. I value the indie media ecosystem so much but there's also a critical need for newsrooms and their resources: Some stories need a lot of support, especially investigations.
Given the WaPo disaster, I’m re-posting my starter pack of indie journalists—it probably needs an update so give me a shout to add folks.
#wapo #journalism
go.bsky.app/A2UpMn5
February 4, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by isaac
As someone who started a successful small news site, I am happy to talk to anyone who thinks they want to do this. I try to lift up other independent journalists whose values align with mine when I can, and have been repeatedly lifted up by colleagues in turn.

Now for the but...
A lot of people cannot just start a paid newsletter or become freelancers to sustain their careers. The sports, metro, and international desks did work that requires *team* resources, like legal checks, documents, access to archives, and long-term beat experience.
February 4, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Mackenzie Scott and Melinda Gates both have the opportunity to do the funniest things, respectively.
February 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by isaac
Join us tomorrow night!
Bring down your heating costs this winter with the LIHEAP program 🏘️🌨️

Renters and homeowners may be eligible for cash grants of up to $1,000. Applications open now through April 10th!

Join my telephone town hall to ask your questions live! Sign up at www.pasenatorsaval.com/tth/
Telephone Town Hall
www.pasenatorsaval.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Reposted by isaac
He was a Joined Nov ‘24 boy she was a Bluesky Elder girl could I make it any more obvious?
February 4, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Reposted by isaac
Clearly there are other things going on 😮‍💨 but this did pass today with a shit ton of money for Metro. I am assured this is for passenger-focused, transit-relevant improvements, but trying to get a more detailed breakdown
February 4, 2026 at 4:06 AM