Coffeemancer Vanvidum
@vanvidum.bsky.social
Supply coffee to tiger to continue. Offer not valid for decaf. Sugar and cream will void warranty.
Drifting around inner New England. he/him
Drifting around inner New England. he/him
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
"This isn’t a maintenance bill. It’s a systems-building bill. And it positions Illinois to do something few American states have attempted: build a modern, frequent, interconnected railway network that treats mobility as essential infrastructure rather than a social service."
A striking innovation in the Illinois Transit Bill is the explicit embrace of “regional rail”—a term that signals a complete departure from the commuter rail model that has defined suburban train service for over a century www.hsrail.org/blog/illinoi...
Illinois Quietly Rewrote the Rules: Intercity Rail is Now Transit | High Speed Rail Alliance
This new bill positions Illinois to build a modern, frequent, interconnected railway network that treats mobility as essential infrastructure
www.hsrail.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:39 AM
"This isn’t a maintenance bill. It’s a systems-building bill. And it positions Illinois to do something few American states have attempted: build a modern, frequent, interconnected railway network that treats mobility as essential infrastructure rather than a social service."
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
I am not a crazy ideologue. I just think that the richest society in human history has a moral responsibility to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, treat the sick, and house the homeless. If doing that requires forcing comfortably-housed people to accept neighborhood change, I'm ok with that.
Probably the key part of this piece. It comes down to the following: "What does prioritizing millionaire homeowners’ aversion to change over the needs of the poor and unhoused do to our souls?"
November 10, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I am not a crazy ideologue. I just think that the richest society in human history has a moral responsibility to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, treat the sick, and house the homeless. If doing that requires forcing comfortably-housed people to accept neighborhood change, I'm ok with that.
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
I cannot recommend this piece by @maxdubler.com enough. It articulates very well some of the key differences between the YIMBY and Strong Towns movements regarding housing. It mostly comes down to state preemption and political strategy. Ideology vs. pragmatism.
On The Tension Between YIMBYism and Strong Towns — Max Dubler
Special thanks to those who gave their thoughtful feedback on this piece. The past couple of months have seen quite a bit of Discourse about the differences between Strong Towns and YIMB...
www.maxdubler.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I cannot recommend this piece by @maxdubler.com enough. It articulates very well some of the key differences between the YIMBY and Strong Towns movements regarding housing. It mostly comes down to state preemption and political strategy. Ideology vs. pragmatism.
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
Thinking a lot about this panel from QC right now
November 10, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Thinking a lot about this panel from QC right now
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
Hemp regulation is a genuine issue but overnight obliteration is ludicrously bad policy. Whole lot of hemp and hemp-associated businesses will go under, this criminalizes basically every delta-8/9 product with enough in it to have a psychoactive effect.
(Those 24 Senators voted the right way.)
(Those 24 Senators voted the right way.)
The shutdown deal includes a ban on hemp products that none of its negotiators debated in public.
Disappointing that only 24 senators voted against killing an amendment to strike that ban.
www.senate.gov/legislative/...
Disappointing that only 24 senators voted against killing an amendment to strike that ban.
www.senate.gov/legislative/...
November 11, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Hemp regulation is a genuine issue but overnight obliteration is ludicrously bad policy. Whole lot of hemp and hemp-associated businesses will go under, this criminalizes basically every delta-8/9 product with enough in it to have a psychoactive effect.
(Those 24 Senators voted the right way.)
(Those 24 Senators voted the right way.)
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
The squishy Dems caved to basically get a result like this on a (promised) vote for ACA subsidies in December. Pathetic.
UPDATE: The Senate votes 53-47 to shoot down the Baldwin amendment to extend ACA funds for 1 year. A party-line vote with every Republican rejecting it.
An important vote in this series: Tammy Baldwin’s proposal to extend ACA expiring funds for 1 year. It’s structured as a motion to table (i.e. scrap it from the amendment tree). But it’ll show the appetite (or lack thereof) in the Senate to address this issue.
November 11, 2025 at 2:30 AM
The squishy Dems caved to basically get a result like this on a (promised) vote for ACA subsidies in December. Pathetic.
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
we are going to win
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:18 AM
we are going to win
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
MEMO:
It was a great day at the christening of Ares newest state of the art ore boat. As the big freighters go it is bigger than most. And their crew and their captain seem well-seasoned.
#Shadowrun
It was a great day at the christening of Ares newest state of the art ore boat. As the big freighters go it is bigger than most. And their crew and their captain seem well-seasoned.
#Shadowrun
November 11, 2025 at 12:48 AM
MEMO:
It was a great day at the christening of Ares newest state of the art ore boat. As the big freighters go it is bigger than most. And their crew and their captain seem well-seasoned.
#Shadowrun
It was a great day at the christening of Ares newest state of the art ore boat. As the big freighters go it is bigger than most. And their crew and their captain seem well-seasoned.
#Shadowrun
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
It is crazy how many american industrialists in the 30s decided one day "You know what, I'm gonna take an actual medieval chapel or cloister from a random european temple and just paste it in my building"
February 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
It is crazy how many american industrialists in the 30s decided one day "You know what, I'm gonna take an actual medieval chapel or cloister from a random european temple and just paste it in my building"
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
Things like vaccines and health insurance risk pools break right-wingers brains. Because it can't just be about individual choice/autonomy. You not getting vaccinated or not to having insurance screws everyone around you. It's the purest distillation of "we live in a society."
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Things like vaccines and health insurance risk pools break right-wingers brains. Because it can't just be about individual choice/autonomy. You not getting vaccinated or not to having insurance screws everyone around you. It's the purest distillation of "we live in a society."
Make sure Ukraine wins the war then, Belgium.
❗️🇺🇦 Belgium, Slovakia and Hungary are blocking the "reparations loan" to Ukraine, the basis of which is to be confiscated Russian assets, - journalist Tsaplienko
🇧🇪 Belgium is afraid of legal consequences. "If Ukraine wins the war, there are no problems, if not, we will have to deal with Russia."
🇧🇪 Belgium is afraid of legal consequences. "If Ukraine wins the war, there are no problems, if not, we will have to deal with Russia."
November 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Make sure Ukraine wins the war then, Belgium.
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
there was an incredibly stark change at my job between 2023 and 2025. just absolutely day and night.
i dont think there’s ever been a point where corporate america has had a sincere sense of morality but it is probably a sign of the times that the culture at most major firms does not even pretend to encourage ethical behavior anymore. the transformation is really stark in tech.
i honestly do not know what major company in america isnt involved in some ghastly shit at this point? i just would not *do* the ghastly shit yourself.
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 AM
there was an incredibly stark change at my job between 2023 and 2025. just absolutely day and night.
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
This is some horror story stuff. Also, for reasons like this be careful around old cemeteries, specially if they are not that well kept.
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 AM
This is some horror story stuff. Also, for reasons like this be careful around old cemeteries, specially if they are not that well kept.
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
Relatedly, I really hate seeing the affected internet leftist cynicism of "young people who are into politics are weird and it anything we should discourage them" takes, another instance of actually just mystifying and wonkifying political involvement and making the claim a self fulfilling prophecy
Speaking as the former Co-Convener of a political party youth wing, I will die in the ditch of "youth wings are good, actually": the Scottish Greens got 8 solid years of quite intense activism out of me it'd have never have got had the Scottish Young Greens not existed and drawn me in!
Like I'm sorry but the average 20 year old wants to hang out with other 20 year olds, not old people. This is a societally universal phenomenon that has to be adjusted to, not "why won't people just"-ed
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Relatedly, I really hate seeing the affected internet leftist cynicism of "young people who are into politics are weird and it anything we should discourage them" takes, another instance of actually just mystifying and wonkifying political involvement and making the claim a self fulfilling prophecy
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
I dont think Trump is gonna get more popular anytime time soon, guys
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves — The Wall Street Journal
Trump administration is set to impose duties of 107% on Italian pasta imports, among most punitive of tariffs it has levied
apple.news
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I dont think Trump is gonna get more popular anytime time soon, guys
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
If we designed roads for cars in the same way we design bike paths, we'd never have to worry about speeding again. Problem solved.
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM
If we designed roads for cars in the same way we design bike paths, we'd never have to worry about speeding again. Problem solved.
This almost makes it sound like extraverts need to be babysat after a full day at work because they don't know how to calm themselves.
news.uga.edu/happy-hour-w...
news.uga.edu/happy-hour-w...
Not everyone wants to hang out with their co-workers after work
Invites to happy hour with colleagues may bring unexpected social pressures and anxiety for some workers, according to a new UGA study.
news.uga.edu
November 10, 2025 at 3:39 AM
This almost makes it sound like extraverts need to be babysat after a full day at work because they don't know how to calm themselves.
news.uga.edu/happy-hour-w...
news.uga.edu/happy-hour-w...
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
do the water fountains in the Senate building just run straight lead
Hassan: With the government reopening shortly, Republicans now finally have to come to the table. Or make no mistake, Americans will remember who stood in the way.
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
do the water fountains in the Senate building just run straight lead
The important thing about lacking a spine is that its easy to bend both ways.
Okay, anyway gongshow of this aside, a very important note:
there is another cloture vote! 4 days, because Rand Paul is going to draw it out. The squishes have no spines, at all, and this goes two ways. Incandescent anger, especially at Kaine and CCM/Rosen.
there is another cloture vote! 4 days, because Rand Paul is going to draw it out. The squishes have no spines, at all, and this goes two ways. Incandescent anger, especially at Kaine and CCM/Rosen.
November 10, 2025 at 3:26 AM
The important thing about lacking a spine is that its easy to bend both ways.
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
Your work is cut out for you, VA & NV voters
Okay, anyway gongshow of this aside, a very important note:
there is another cloture vote! 4 days, because Rand Paul is going to draw it out. The squishes have no spines, at all, and this goes two ways. Incandescent anger, especially at Kaine and CCM/Rosen.
there is another cloture vote! 4 days, because Rand Paul is going to draw it out. The squishes have no spines, at all, and this goes two ways. Incandescent anger, especially at Kaine and CCM/Rosen.
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Your work is cut out for you, VA & NV voters
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
Okay, anyway gongshow of this aside, a very important note:
there is another cloture vote! 4 days, because Rand Paul is going to draw it out. The squishes have no spines, at all, and this goes two ways. Incandescent anger, especially at Kaine and CCM/Rosen.
there is another cloture vote! 4 days, because Rand Paul is going to draw it out. The squishes have no spines, at all, and this goes two ways. Incandescent anger, especially at Kaine and CCM/Rosen.
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Okay, anyway gongshow of this aside, a very important note:
there is another cloture vote! 4 days, because Rand Paul is going to draw it out. The squishes have no spines, at all, and this goes two ways. Incandescent anger, especially at Kaine and CCM/Rosen.
there is another cloture vote! 4 days, because Rand Paul is going to draw it out. The squishes have no spines, at all, and this goes two ways. Incandescent anger, especially at Kaine and CCM/Rosen.
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
I'm hearing reports that Glonzo has trapped John Cornyn in a power station
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 AM
I'm hearing reports that Glonzo has trapped John Cornyn in a power station
Reposted by Coffeemancer Vanvidum
"Dems cannot successfully cave because John Cornyn got trapped in a broom closet" would be easily the funniest way for tonight to end
Update: They can't find Cornyn.
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM
"Dems cannot successfully cave because John Cornyn got trapped in a broom closet" would be easily the funniest way for tonight to end