Tim Stahmer
@timstahmer.bsky.social
Educator. Blogger. Learner. Photographer. Geek.
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. — Dorothy Parker
Regularly ranting at https://www.assortedstuff.com
Photo galleries at https://timstahmer.smugmug.com
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. — Dorothy Parker
Regularly ranting at https://www.assortedstuff.com
Photo galleries at https://timstahmer.smugmug.com
Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Cuts
"The stakes are high: Foreign products have been increasingly linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness."
Actual journalism from @propublica.org. You certainly won't read this in the Post or see it on CNN.
"The stakes are high: Foreign products have been increasingly linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness."
Actual journalism from @propublica.org. You certainly won't read this in the Post or see it on CNN.
Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Cuts
The dramatic shift in oversight comes at a time when the U.S. has never been more reliant on foreign food, which accounts for the vast majority of the nation’s seafood and more than half its fresh fru...
www.propublica.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Cuts
"The stakes are high: Foreign products have been increasingly linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness."
Actual journalism from @propublica.org. You certainly won't read this in the Post or see it on CNN.
"The stakes are high: Foreign products have been increasingly linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness."
Actual journalism from @propublica.org. You certainly won't read this in the Post or see it on CNN.
Reposted by Tim Stahmer
Well at least air travel is in the process of coming to a complete halt due to the shutdown, so the next pandemic will have to take the bus.
“The network of veterinary labs that's responsible for testing ceased its regular meetings because of the shutdown, Poulsen says.
"The shutdown just kind of pours gas on a smoldering fire and makes us vulnerable," he says. "It's a national security issue."
"The shutdown just kind of pours gas on a smoldering fire and makes us vulnerable," he says. "It's a national security issue."
Bird flu surges among poultry amid a scaled back federal response
Migrating wild birds are spreading the virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response.
www.npr.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Well at least air travel is in the process of coming to a complete halt due to the shutdown, so the next pandemic will have to take the bus.
Virginia Democrats won in a ‘doggone tsunami’ of an election. Now what?
"...as they strategize how to use their power, they’re preaching restraint."
No "restraint"! Follow through on every promise made and keep pushing forward. You have the upper hand. Use it!
"...as they strategize how to use their power, they’re preaching restraint."
No "restraint"! Follow through on every promise made and keep pushing forward. You have the upper hand. Use it!
Virginia Democrats won in a ‘doggone tsunami’ of an election. Now what?
Virginia Democrats exceeded their own expectations Tuesday. They don’t want to waste the moment, yet as they strategize how to use their power, they’re preaching restraint.
wapo.st
November 6, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Virginia Democrats won in a ‘doggone tsunami’ of an election. Now what?
"...as they strategize how to use their power, they’re preaching restraint."
No "restraint"! Follow through on every promise made and keep pushing forward. You have the upper hand. Use it!
"...as they strategize how to use their power, they’re preaching restraint."
No "restraint"! Follow through on every promise made and keep pushing forward. You have the upper hand. Use it!
McLean resident who helped engineer invasion of Iraq dies at 84
Not sure if this headline was written by the AP or the editor at FFXNow, but either way, I approve.
Not sure if this headline was written by the AP or the editor at FFXNow, but either way, I approve.
McLean resident who helped engineer invasion of Iraq dies at 84 | FFXnow
Longtime McLean resident and former vice president Dick Cheney has died, leaving behind a legacy largely defined by his advocacy for the U.S.'s invasion of Iraq and expansion of the surveillance state...
www.ffxnow.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:08 PM
McLean resident who helped engineer invasion of Iraq dies at 84
Not sure if this headline was written by the AP or the editor at FFXNow, but either way, I approve.
Not sure if this headline was written by the AP or the editor at FFXNow, but either way, I approve.
Kennedy Center ticket sales have plummeted since Trump takeover
"Fewer patrons in chairs could lead to fewer donations..."
Based solely on the people I know, that "could" is already happening. I expect KC Honors, their largest fundraiser of the year, will be a financial disaster.
"Fewer patrons in chairs could lead to fewer donations..."
Based solely on the people I know, that "could" is already happening. I expect KC Honors, their largest fundraiser of the year, will be a financial disaster.
Kennedy Center ticket sales have plummeted since Trump takeover
Nearly nine months into Trump’s oversight, sales for the three largest performance venues are the worst they’ve been since the pandemic, according to a Washington Post analysis.
wapo.st
October 31, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Kennedy Center ticket sales have plummeted since Trump takeover
"Fewer patrons in chairs could lead to fewer donations..."
Based solely on the people I know, that "could" is already happening. I expect KC Honors, their largest fundraiser of the year, will be a financial disaster.
"Fewer patrons in chairs could lead to fewer donations..."
Based solely on the people I know, that "could" is already happening. I expect KC Honors, their largest fundraiser of the year, will be a financial disaster.
NPR: Mamdani's rise in NYC reflects generational fight within the Democratic Party
"Cuomo was long a member of Democratic royalty..."
The idea of No Kings should also apply to Democrats.
And I would add "No Boomers", as well.
"Cuomo was long a member of Democratic royalty..."
The idea of No Kings should also apply to Democrats.
And I would add "No Boomers", as well.
Mamdani's rise in NYC reflects generational fight within the Democratic Party
Newcomer Zohran Mamdani, age 34, has used social media and big progressive ideas to shoulder past Andrew Cuomo, who's 67 and long a member of Democratic Party royalty.
www.npr.org
October 22, 2025 at 11:51 AM
NPR: Mamdani's rise in NYC reflects generational fight within the Democratic Party
"Cuomo was long a member of Democratic royalty..."
The idea of No Kings should also apply to Democrats.
And I would add "No Boomers", as well.
"Cuomo was long a member of Democratic royalty..."
The idea of No Kings should also apply to Democrats.
And I would add "No Boomers", as well.
Sunday morning, came out of the Metro at L’Enfant plaza to see half a dozen National Guard. The area is completely deserted, not even any tourists with the Smithsonian museums closed. What are they protecting? I feel sorry for them being misused so TACO can feel like a king. #nokings
October 19, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Sunday morning, came out of the Metro at L’Enfant plaza to see half a dozen National Guard. The area is completely deserted, not even any tourists with the Smithsonian museums closed. What are they protecting? I feel sorry for them being misused so TACO can feel like a king. #nokings
The Fairfax County Office of Elections tells me that my ballot for the November election has been received and counted. Happily voted for Spanberger and the rest of the sane side of the aisle. Hopefully this fall will mark the start of some meaningful push back.
October 2, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The Fairfax County Office of Elections tells me that my ballot for the November election has been received and counted. Happily voted for Spanberger and the rest of the sane side of the aisle. Hopefully this fall will mark the start of some meaningful push back.
My wife finally agreed to cancel the @washingtonpost.com. Today is the first since we moved to the DC area waaaay back in the previous century that an analog copy of the paper hasn't landed on our door step. I shall not miss it.
September 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM
My wife finally agreed to cancel the @washingtonpost.com. Today is the first since we moved to the DC area waaaay back in the previous century that an analog copy of the paper hasn't landed on our door step. I shall not miss it.
National Weather Service at ‘breaking point’ as storm approaches
No data means no problems, right?
wapo.st/3VDCrPO
No data means no problems, right?
wapo.st/3VDCrPO
National Weather Service at ‘breaking point’ as storm approaches
The National Weather Service is struggling to maintain its weather forecasting operations due to significant staffing cuts under the Trump administration.
wapo.st
September 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
National Weather Service at ‘breaking point’ as storm approaches
No data means no problems, right?
wapo.st/3VDCrPO
No data means no problems, right?
wapo.st/3VDCrPO
My ballot for the Virginia elections arrived in the mail today. It was completed just now and will be returned tomorrow. It's just that easy for anyone in the state. Request your ballot or find the early voting location near you. This election is too important to sit out. Or worse, to vote GOP.
Virginia Voter Information – Citizen Portal
vote.elections.virginia.gov
September 26, 2025 at 12:58 AM
My ballot for the Virginia elections arrived in the mail today. It was completed just now and will be returned tomorrow. It's just that easy for anyone in the state. Request your ballot or find the early voting location near you. This election is too important to sit out. Or worse, to vote GOP.
Having a hard time finding something to boycott. Can’t remember the last ABC show I watched (does Kimmel on YouTube count?). Got tired of Only Murders after third season & dropped Disney. Never liked food at Chick-fil-A or McDonalds. Don’t drink coffee so no Starbucks. Am I missing something? 🤔
September 21, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Having a hard time finding something to boycott. Can’t remember the last ABC show I watched (does Kimmel on YouTube count?). Got tired of Only Murders after third season & dropped Disney. Never liked food at Chick-fil-A or McDonalds. Don’t drink coffee so no Starbucks. Am I missing something? 🤔
Found two nearby No Kings protests for October 18 and not sure which one to join. Maybe the one in West Springfield (www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...) since I might run into @jenorr.bsky.social. :-)
www.mobilize.us
September 20, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Found two nearby No Kings protests for October 18 and not sure which one to join. Maybe the one in West Springfield (www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...) since I might run into @jenorr.bsky.social. :-)
If you want to “cancel” something at Disney, skip the trip to Disney World and take the kids to Mexico, Costa Rica, Iceland, or somewhere else that’s at least a little more authentic.
September 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
If you want to “cancel” something at Disney, skip the trip to Disney World and take the kids to Mexico, Costa Rica, Iceland, or somewhere else that’s at least a little more authentic.
Ok, Virginia, it’s time to start paying attention to the election! Early voting starts today. Plenty of time to register, vote in person, or get a mail ballot. Indifferent cynics can claim there’s “no difference” between candidates but the past nine months shows just how wrong that is. #voteblue
September 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Ok, Virginia, it’s time to start paying attention to the election! Early voting starts today. Plenty of time to register, vote in person, or get a mail ballot. Indifferent cynics can claim there’s “no difference” between candidates but the past nine months shows just how wrong that is. #voteblue
Repeat creepy meat problems at Boar’s Head plants draw congressional scrutiny
The "markets-can-regulate-themselves" types want to cut more regulations and eliminate even the few meat packing inspectors that are left on the job. I guess America was great when Upton Sinclair was writing.
The "markets-can-regulate-themselves" types want to cut more regulations and eliminate even the few meat packing inspectors that are left on the job. I guess America was great when Upton Sinclair was writing.
Repeat creepy meat problems at Boar’s Head plants draw congressional scrutiny
Boar’s Head plans to reopen the plant linked to an outbreak that killed 10 people.
arstechnica.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Repeat creepy meat problems at Boar’s Head plants draw congressional scrutiny
The "markets-can-regulate-themselves" types want to cut more regulations and eliminate even the few meat packing inspectors that are left on the job. I guess America was great when Upton Sinclair was writing.
The "markets-can-regulate-themselves" types want to cut more regulations and eliminate even the few meat packing inspectors that are left on the job. I guess America was great when Upton Sinclair was writing.
Meta finally gets around to building an iPad-specific app for Instagram and... it really, really sucks. This is why I hope the new Foto app/service (fotoapp.co) is able to succeed. I signed up for photo sharing. I don't want to see lots of random video clips, with ads after every three posts.
September 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Meta finally gets around to building an iPad-specific app for Instagram and... it really, really sucks. This is why I hope the new Foto app/service (fotoapp.co) is able to succeed. I signed up for photo sharing. I don't want to see lots of random video clips, with ads after every three posts.
I guess I don’t spend enough time on social media because I really have no idea who Charlie Kirk was. Should I?
September 11, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I guess I don’t spend enough time on social media because I really have no idea who Charlie Kirk was. Should I?
AI Doesn’t Make Learning Personal
Drill-and-practice dispensed by an AI bot is NOT the same as learning. No matter how much you pay for it.
Drill-and-practice dispensed by an AI bot is NOT the same as learning. No matter how much you pay for it.
AI Doesn’t Make Learning Personal
Continuing on the topic of AI, how much would you pay to have a bot teach your kids?
www.assortedstuff.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:38 PM
AI Doesn’t Make Learning Personal
Drill-and-practice dispensed by an AI bot is NOT the same as learning. No matter how much you pay for it.
Drill-and-practice dispensed by an AI bot is NOT the same as learning. No matter how much you pay for it.
“Bunch said that during a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump last week, he had sensed Trump’s ‘admiration and regard for the Smithsonian.’”
Some call that “diplomacy”. Others, just plain BS.
Has TACO ever actually visited a Smithsonian museum?
Some call that “diplomacy”. Others, just plain BS.
Has TACO ever actually visited a Smithsonian museum?
Smithsonian responds to Trump’s push to review ‘divisive narratives’
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III told staff in a letter that the institution will set up an internal team to review exhibitions at eight of its museums.
wapo.st
September 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM
“Bunch said that during a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump last week, he had sensed Trump’s ‘admiration and regard for the Smithsonian.’”
Some call that “diplomacy”. Others, just plain BS.
Has TACO ever actually visited a Smithsonian museum?
Some call that “diplomacy”. Others, just plain BS.
Has TACO ever actually visited a Smithsonian museum?
Defending Yourself Against AI
Why not copyright yourself?
Why not copyright yourself?
Defending Yourself Against AI
When it comes to artificial intelligence, we are very much at the beginning stages of development. Most of the tools have a lot of bugs in them and the results can be anywhere from almost real to c…
www.assortedstuff.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Defending Yourself Against AI
Why not copyright yourself?
Why not copyright yourself?
I’ve flown American Airlines six times this year.
Their record: on time, late, late, (cancel, cancel, late), late, late. Plus their “loyalty” program has been turned into crap.
Are any of the other carriers better?
Their record: on time, late, late, (cancel, cancel, late), late, late. Plus their “loyalty” program has been turned into crap.
Are any of the other carriers better?
August 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I’ve flown American Airlines six times this year.
Their record: on time, late, late, (cancel, cancel, late), late, late. Plus their “loyalty” program has been turned into crap.
Are any of the other carriers better?
Their record: on time, late, late, (cancel, cancel, late), late, late. Plus their “loyalty” program has been turned into crap.
Are any of the other carriers better?
The Good and Bad of Saying No
In the milquetoast verbal style of the Washington Post, this is going to be a “challenging” year for public schools in this area.
In the milquetoast verbal style of the Washington Post, this is going to be a “challenging” year for public schools in this area.
The Good and Bad of Saying No
Last week was the start of a new school year here in the overly-large school district, along with most of the others in Northern Virginia. The rest of the DC area began this week.
www.assortedstuff.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The Good and Bad of Saying No
In the milquetoast verbal style of the Washington Post, this is going to be a “challenging” year for public schools in this area.
In the milquetoast verbal style of the Washington Post, this is going to be a “challenging” year for public schools in this area.
We ranked 5,700 holidays, from Labor Day to World Dracula Day. Which do you celebrate?
A deep rabbit hole, good for wasting time on the last workday before a long weekend. Enjoy.
A deep rabbit hole, good for wasting time on the last workday before a long weekend. Enjoy.
We ranked 5,700 holidays, from Labor Day to World Dracula Day. Which do you celebrate?
Look up the official and unofficial holidays celebrated on your birthday
wapo.st
August 29, 2025 at 11:57 AM
We ranked 5,700 holidays, from Labor Day to World Dracula Day. Which do you celebrate?
A deep rabbit hole, good for wasting time on the last workday before a long weekend. Enjoy.
A deep rabbit hole, good for wasting time on the last workday before a long weekend. Enjoy.
Reposted by Tim Stahmer
Episode 4 of Re:Building Schools is out!
@mrchase.bsky.social and I take on our ideas from the chapter "Build Modern Schools" to see what they hold for us today.
www.buzzsprout.com/2523856/epis...
@mrchase.bsky.social and I take on our ideas from the chapter "Build Modern Schools" to see what they hold for us today.
www.buzzsprout.com/2523856/epis...
Chapter 4: Build Modern Schools - Re:Building School 2.0
It's the shortest chapter so far, and it's left Chris and Zac with a lot to consider as they examine whether what counted as modern schools ten years ago still fit the bill today. The answer? It's com...
www.buzzsprout.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Episode 4 of Re:Building Schools is out!
@mrchase.bsky.social and I take on our ideas from the chapter "Build Modern Schools" to see what they hold for us today.
www.buzzsprout.com/2523856/epis...
@mrchase.bsky.social and I take on our ideas from the chapter "Build Modern Schools" to see what they hold for us today.
www.buzzsprout.com/2523856/epis...