Hi Paul

The reason abortion isn't considered an economic issue as all is because we fully expect moms to bear 100% of the work of raising the kid while still providing financially fir the family.

Mom can't find a babysitter? Sounds like she'll have to work nights while her mom watches the baby so dad can get some sleep. Or she'll stay home for 5 years and let her own career crater, and then maybe she'll be able to go back to work after racking up credit card debt, idk, that's her problem, not mine.

[research life]

Coffee shop study date as a bit of a mid-week motivation 🤩📝🥹🩰

Lare to the party but Idina and Kristin having a cameo in Wicked was a nice touch for Wicked.

The best breeders I know do 5 things:

1. Deworm and get Veterinarian Administered Vaccines for their puppies

2. Health Test all of their dogs both genetically and through programs like PennHip or OFA and have standards from these organizations they expect their breeding stock to meet (Good -> Excellent for OFAs generally)

3. Do tons of early neurological stimulation for their puppies and are working with their puppies daily from the time they are born

4. Include anti-breeding contracts on their produced dogs that are "Pet" quality, and have very strict breeding contracts for their dogs of greater than pet quality (usually enforced via co-ownership) BUT may not specify Spay/Neuter in their contracts. I'm staunchly against early spay neuter as someone who works in rehabilitation and general practice because I see the long term effects of early spay neuter on the daily. They also tend to leave spay neuter in their contracts to the best judgement of the dog's primary DVM.

In the practice where I'm employed, we don't sterilize earlier than 6 months unless there are extenuating circumstances. We were also one of the first clinics in the area to adopt Balance.it fresh food feeding programs and recipes, the first to refuse convenience euthanasia (we still do B.Es), and the first to refuse the declawing of cats.

We've also limited our crop and dock procedures. We've done 10 medically necessary docks in the decade I've worked here all of which were due to injury, mutilation, or disease processes. With 3 ear amputations due to tumors or significant injury. We also refer our cosmetic crops to another doctor for clients who would otherwise get backyard crop jobs.

Your breeder should not be pushing against core vaccines and monthly preventatives. They also absolutely should not be pushing against BOAS surgeries, especially on pet dogs (and a lot of the breeders I know who push against BOAS are the ones whose dogs got them anyway.)

why do breeders push against vaccines and spay/neuter? ive never understood this

The cynical answer, that i think is the truth deep under the anti-vax rhetoric, is that it's a way to save money and excuse the fact that they are selling puppies that have never been vaccinated or dewormed, despite being 8 to 12 weeks old. Exams and age appropriate shots and dewormers eat into their profit margin. Maligning these and building distrust of veterinary staff helps hide their shitty breeding practices, and gives them a somewhat captive consumer population for the homeopathic bullshit and supplements many of them also sell. And quite a few will say that if you get them these vaccines or dewormers that it will make them *more* prone to getting the disease or conditions like epilepsy. This tells me that that have parvo on their property and shitty genetic lines.

Some breeders may truly believe all their bullshit, but the person they learned the bullshit from? Knows it was bullshit and just wanted more money and control.

*EDIT* missed the s/n part, but that goes back in to building distrust of vets to keep control over their customers along with not understanding the studies.

And it's also a great way to excuse shitty hips or elbows if you can blame early spay/neuter.

Toaster oven/ air fryer for 3-5 minutes and then add a scoop of vanilla ice cream is my secret to crispy ooey gooey balance

Okay, so I am still on muscle relaxers, but at a lower dose than the ER gave me so here goes:

By eliminating caps on corporate donations to political PACs, candidates, and proposed legislation, we essentially handed over our governmental system to corporations and super PACs, while this has been visible since Citizens United, the new Pseudo-feaudalism was the most clear its ever been during the 2024 Presidential race, while the Harris Walz campaign did have corporate donations, the Trump Vance campaign had Elon Musk, who had not one, but multiple corporations actively interfering in the election, between the algorithmic changes to Twitter favoring Trump-backing voices as well as voices sowing discontent and apathy among leftists, and reducing Moderate and main line democratic voices, the million dollar check raffles to essentially buy votes, and buying himself a governmental appointment (as a immigrant who, before being naturalized, was infact here illegally via immigration fraud during his Zip2 era). We are not longer a governmental priority, and while some more cynical people than me believe we never were, I would argue that the rapid degeneration of American Politics is directly linked to uninhibited campaign donations, corporate personalization under Citizens United, apathy to history and civic duties, and the rise of Infotainment over academia.

Now we find ourselves in a place politically and economically where the bootstraps simply do not exist anymore, we exist in a state of faceless corporations owning the majority of housing, production, recreation, and leisure. You cannot go a week without giving a dollar to a corporate conglomerate that owns everything from your deodorant to your cereal, to your utilities, to the land you are standing on. I'm not going to name too many names on this because a funny thing happens when you do that, you suddenly develop major mental health problems and end up dead "by suicide". Your boss's boss, what used to be the top of the corporate ladder, had instead become a lower manager compared to the shareholders and the hedge funds on Wall Street and in the pockets of your politicians. Have you ever tried to start a small business and looked to source your raw materials from a supplier? Have you ever looked into who owns that brand only to find it's actually the same owner of the very product you're trying to counter in the market? This is what corporate feudalism has developed into, there are very few raw materials you can outsource and stay away from them, you are dependant on them for the food you eat, the water you drink, the roof you sleep under at night. And that's just what it's become.

How do they keep making later and later stages of late-capitalism

5 Myths About Sustainable Fashion Debunked: What You Didn’t Know About Eco-Friendly Clothing

Sustainable fashion: we’ve all heard the term, but what does it really mean? With all the talk about eco-friendly fabrics, ethical production, and greenwashing, it’s easy to get confused. The reality is that there are a lot of myths floating around that might make you think sustainable fashion is out of your reach. But let’s set the record straight and dive into the 5 biggest myths about eco-friendly clothing.

Myth 1: “Sustainable Fashion is Too Expensive”

One of the most common myths is that sustainable fashion will completely break the bank. Sure, a lot of fast fashion items are cheap, but let’s be real – they don’t last. You’ll find yourself replacing those bargain bin buys faster than you can say "sale." Sustainable fashion focuses on quality, meaning fewer pieces but ones that stand the test of time. Think of it as investing in timeless items that won’t fall apart after a season. Plus, fewer purchases = more money saved in the long run. Who knew being eco-conscious could actually save you cash?

Myth 2: “Sustainable Fashion Isn’t Stylish”

Oh, the classic misconception – eco-friendly clothing is boring. Wrong! Just because an item is sustainable doesn’t mean it’s plain or out-of-date. In fact, sustainable fashion often includes cutting-edge design, modern cuts, and stunning details. Think sleek silhouettes, organic fabrics that feel luxe and unique designs that turn heads. Brands like Merci Dupre Clothiers are proving that sustainable fashion is just as chic as it is eco-friendly. So, if you think you have to compromise on style to be green, think again!

Myth 3: “Sustainable Clothing Doesn’t Last as Long”People often assume that eco-friendly fabrics are weaker or less durable. But let’s break it down: sustainable clothing tends to use higher-quality materials like organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo, which are naturally durable and long-lasting. Many sustainable clothing brands also focus on craftsmanship and thoughtful design, making sure their pieces are made to withstand the test of time. Fast fashion might be trendy, but it’s built to fall apart. Sustainable clothing? It’s made to last, giving you more wear per piece.

Myth 4: “Sustainable Clothing Is Only About Fabric Choices”

Here’s a big one: sustainable fashion isn’t just about the materials it’s made from. It’s about the bigger picture. Sure, using organic or recycled fabrics is a great start, but there’s so much more to sustainability. Ethical labor practices, reducing waste, non-toxic dyes, and designing for durability all play a huge role in what makes clothing sustainable. So next time you think about eco-friendly fashion, remember: it’s the whole lifecycle, from production to disposal, that matters.

Myth 5: “Sustainable Fashion Is Hard to Find”

With the rise of eco-friendly clothing brands, it’s easier than ever to shop sustainably. The myth that sustainable clothing is a rare find simply isn’t true anymore. In fact, many online stores now offer a wide range of stylish, eco-friendly options that make it easy to shop sustainably from the comfort of your own home. From classic staples to statement pieces, sustainable clothing has entered the mainstream, and it’s here to stay.

So, there you have it – the truth about sustainable fashion. It’s stylish, affordable in the long run, durable, and much more accessible than you might have thought. And it’s not just about the clothes; it’s about the choices you make to contribute to a more ethical, eco-friendly world. Ready to embrace sustainability in your wardrobe? It’s easier than you think – and it might just be the most fashionable choice you make!