@fuzzyleapfrog Thanks so much for this important statement. I have worked in pharmacogilance in various positions for many years. It is very important to have #independent #universities, with #sufficient_funding to enable reliable #research. If research is solely done by #private_companies there is a risk that this might result in even more #alternative_facts.

In an extraordinary declaration, #BillOwens —only the 3rd person to run the program in its 57-year history—told his staff in a memo that “over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make #independent decisions based on what was right for ‘#60Minutes,’ right for the audience.”

Day 24 cont

“Allegra Spender has denounced as “false, misleading, and offensive” a pamphlet targeting her that is being distributed anonymously in the #Sydney seat of Wentworth and which the Australian #Electoral #Commission is investigating.

On Monday the #AEC said it had received complaints about “the #distribution of an unauthorised #pamphlet opposing the member for Wentworth which is in breach” of electoral laws which require material to be authorised with the name and address of its source.”

A pretty clumsy move, highlighting motive and at considerable cost. Motive, means, opportunity.

Keep in mind foreign interference briefing by ASIO head earlier in the year.

#AusPol / #Wentworth / #LNP / #Liberal / #Coalition / #Independent / #Labor / #AllegraSpender (Ind) / #NickWard (Grn) / #JamesSternhell (1Nat) / #SavannaPeake (Lab) / #RoanneKnox (Lib) <https://archive.md/pmJKW> / <https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/aec-launches-probe-after-wentworth-flooded-with-anti-spender-pamphlets-20250421-p5lt7w> / <https://www.abc.net.au/dat/news/elections/federal/2025/guide/went.htm>

@enobacon hilariously, @mlanger, who describes herself as an "#independent #thinker" who "gets her kicks learning and doing new things" has, in fact, blocked me for some rather straightforward and polite (at least I'd like to think so) introductory explanation of urbanism. Ah well . Some people don't want to learn or be better people, I guess.

…#Trump does not have the authority to fire #JeromePowell, except for "cause," meaning some kind of bad behavior. #SCOTUS precedent supports that view. But the White House has signaled a willingness to test that standard, firing board members of other #independent #FederalAgencies.

Powell said on Wednesday that lawmakers from both parties have generally defended the #Fed's ability to set interest rate policy without interference.

#Trump's post came a day after #JeromePowell warned that the #tariffs from the Trump admin are likely to cause both higher prices & slower economic growth.

"Tariffs are highly likely to generate at least a temporary rise in #inflation," Powell told the Economic Club of Chicago, noting that Trump's import #taxes were higher than most forecasters had expected. "The inflationary effects could also be more persistent."

#Trump was evidently frustrated that the European Central Bank was preparing to lower interest rates for the 7th time, while the #FederalReserve is in a holding pattern. Of course, European leaders have not imposed triple-digit #tariffs which threaten to rekindle #inflation.

Day 19

“Everyone should be paid a #FairWage for the #work they complete and it is time for the major parties to commit to this meaningful change for people with disability.

#People with #disability are being overlooked and left behind in the major party policy promises this election campaign.

… The answer to getting more people with disability into work is not to allow #CheapLabour, it’s to ensure we are funding #employment services that actually work, which allow people with disability to connect with work they find #meaningful and also gives them the opportunity to build their capacity to perform those roles.” — #DavidPocock

$3 an hour.

#AusPol / #Independent / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Labor <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/17/australia-election-2025-live-peter-dutton-anthony-albanese-coalition-labor-income-tax-cost-of-living-leaders-debate-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-68001d5c8f08bcf9ff48311e#block-68001d5c8f08bcf9ff48311e>

#BernieSanders is not your friend, he has deceived the mass of the American #left when it was most energetic & willing, funneled them into the dead end that is the #DemocraticParty.

If he had a slightest care to y'all he would have campaigned #independent of the Dem since long ago. He did not. He is not.

@stevencudahy

In fact I can even provide examples where #RankedChoiceVoting / #RCV isn't much a final solution and where direct oppositions from #Democrats would occur:

In #Maine there was #LisaSavage (The Independent #Progressive Candidate) against #MaxLinn ( The #Independent Candidate), #SaraGideon (The #Democrats Candidate) & #SusanCollins (The #Republicans Candidate).