03/08/2025
Here's your good news for this week, and your quote from John Lewis, as we mark 60 years since the march across the bridge in Selma.
"Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society."
Actions
Shopping Action reminders:
• Amazon Blackout (March 7-14): No purchases from Amazon.
• Nestlé Blackout (March 21-28): No purchases of Nestlé products, including Gerber, Perrier, Chefmate, Purina, and Friskies.
• Walmart Blackout (April 7-14): No purchases from Walmart or Walmart.com.
• Total Blackout 2 (April 18): Another full no-purchase day with similar recommendations.
And a group of Black clergy is calling for a 40 Day Lent Target fast: https://www.yahoo.com/news/pastor-leading-target-dei-boycott-090000812.html
Alternatives to Amazon & Target: https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-amazon-alternatives-1136987/
Most people aren’t on your social media. Here’s some things to print to inform them: https://bsky.app/profile/pronounced-ing.bsky.social/post/3ljktuit6k22j
This is a great time to download your Social Security statement: https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/get-benefits-estimate
If you’re in Colorado, stand up for trans rights by calling your state senator and asking them to vote for letting people’s death certificates show their lived gender. It’s a little change with big impact. https://www.cpr.org/2025/03/07/bill-to-add-gender-to-death-certificates/
Don’t Misses
There’s a lot of good news. But if you don’t have time for it all, here are this week’s Don’t Misses:
This week’s key read, for all the frustrated Democrats. “If you’re a political party, your goal is not just to know where voters stand, but to know how to move them.”https://stringinamaze.net/p/the-tyranny-of-public-opinion
Your hero to know: the Man with the Golden Arm passed away this week after saving 2.4 million babies. RIP, James Harrison.
Some anti-trans legislation failed in the Montana state house this week thanks to the visibility, eloquence, and grace of trans legislators. It’s a reminder that visibility matters, especially for this tiniest of minorities in these dangerous times. https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/powerful-speeches-from-trans-dems
The Big Bear Eagles have eaglets, and you can join about 100K friends in watching their every move. Because we all just need eagle babies right about now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
The World Nature Photography Awards are out, so go revel in this amazing little planet we all parent and brag on and adore. https://www.worldnaturephotographyawards.com/winners-2025
Anti-Fascism
Hampton Dellinger ended his fight for his job this week, but not before he saved the jobs of several thousand other federal workers. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/05/nx-s1-5319326/trump-hampton-dellinger-watchdog-appeals-court
One little agency, the United States African Development Foundation, said NO to DOGE. They held them off for a long time, until DOGE showed up with armed mercenaries? marshalls? and the employees had to escape out the side doors. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/united-states-african-development-foudation-doge-lawsuit/
RestoredCDC.org is up and running, providing public data to you know, the public. https://restoredcdc.org/www.cdc.gov/
Thousands came out in the US and Europe to protest the Trump administration’s elimination of scientific research programs in Stand Up for Science protests. https://www.instagram.com/standupforscience2025/
France is setting up science sanctuaries and inviting the rest of Europe to join them. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-french-university-doors-threatened-scientists.html
The Trans sports ban failed in the Senate. Bummer for Gavin Newsome. https://apnews.com/article/transgender-athletes-congress-dfd81b15ebc09409f1bf6c8642f130f3
3 unionized Barnes and Nobles in New York have ratified their contract. https://lithub.com/three-unionized-barnes-nobles-in-nyc-have-ratified-an-historic-first-contract/
State AGs are holding DOGE impact meetings since town halls aren’t happening. https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-ag-along-several-others-hold-doge-impact-meeting
Science & Technology
The EPA has unfrozen the $7 billion Solar for All program. https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/03/05/u-s-environmental-protection-agency-unfreezes-7-billion-solar-for-all-grant-program/
Revel in some cormorant photos. https://bsky.app/profile/banditelli.org/post/3ljdkuxem3k2g
Here’s a squid squad with a baby that’s still learning its colors. https://bsky.app/profile/unpopularscience.bsky.social/post/3ljlleke6zs2m
There is progress on a Norovirus vaccine. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305164340.htm
There is also progress on bird flu detection. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307125723.htm
The Webb telescope has a beautiful new image of a forming star system. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-webb-wows-incredible-star.html
Other good stuff
There’s a new Little Golden Book about Pride. https://bsky.app/profile/kylelukoff.bsky.social/post/3ljkprl5wps2u
Here’s how to watch the lunar eclipse this week:
https://www.wired.com/story/march-2025-lunar-eclipse-blood-moon/
Revel in a horse enjoying his zipper hobby. Sound up. https://bsky.app/profile/jelenawoehr.bsky.social/post/3ljjj4sd6zs2o
Third Graders Day happened this week in Minnesota, thanks to a spunky third grader from the White Earth Nation.
hhttps://nativenewsonline.net/education/minnesota-gov-tim-walz-proclaims-3rd-grade-day-at-request-of-naytahwaush-3rd-grader-2
I know there's a lot of bad news. Keep looking for the good stuff and the good people.