Attached: 1 image I built this tool a year ago but I feel like Mastodon folks would like it The "Weird Old Book Finder" Type in a search query, and it'll find one randomly-chosen public-domain book that matches the query -- and present it for immediate reading: https://www.weirdoldbookfinder.net/ Why only one book? To prevent the paradox of choice! Just *start readin'* Can't promise every book will be weird, but most are A longer essay on how/why I developed it: https://debugger.medium.com/a-search-engine-that-finds-you-weird-old-books-3a74fbb5f3d4 This was a search for "mastodon"

Hello Americans on Mastodon, I know we don't feel like there's much to celebrate this July 4th. It's been a rough several years. So I want to talk about how we're making history right now.

Attached: 1 image Message from Mazamas and more: Our public lands aren’t for sale. But they could be unless we speak up!!! More than 3 million acres of Forest Service and BLM land across the West — including cherished places in Oregon and Washington where we hike and climb — could be sold off under a provision in Congress’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” These are not vague parcels. They include areas around Eagle Creek, Larch Mountain, Timothy Lake, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. Trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, Timberline Trail, and climbs on Mount Hood’s South Side route and Mount Adams’ South Spur could be affected, according to maps produced by the Wilderness Society and the Outdoor Alliance. 🆘 Take action now. A Senate vote could happen by July 4. 📞 Call or 📧 email your senators and urge them to remove the public land sell-off provision from the bill: OREGON • Sen. Ron Wyden — (503) 326‑7525 | Email https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/email-ron • Sen. Jeff Merkley — (503) 326‑3386 | Email https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/ WASHINGTON • Sen. Patty Murray — (206) 553‑5545 | Email https://www.murray.senate.gov/write-to-patty/ • Sen. Maria Cantwell — (206) 220‑6400 | Email https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact ✍️ Sample message: “Hi Senator [Name], I’m a constituent and a Mazama. I hike and climb in places like Eagle Creek, Mount Hood and Mount Adams. I’m asking you to oppose the land-sale provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill.” These public lands are irreplaceable. Please help protect them.” Sample letter: Subject: Protect Our Public Lands: Remove the Public Lands Provision from the Trump Tax Bill Please do not allow the selling off of public lands that are not only immeasurably valuable aesthetically, environmentally, and recreationally, but also measurably valuable for local economies built around recreational industries and fisheries, and crucial to maintaining supplies of clean drinking water. I write as a concerned constituent to urge you to advocate for the removal of the public lands provision from the current Trump tax bill. This provision, which proposes the sale of millions of acres of our shared natural heritage, represents a deeply misguided approach that will have devastating and irreversible consequences for our environment, our economy, and our way of life. Public lands are not just parcels on a map; they are the very fabric of our communities and a cornerstone of our identity. They are where we learned to camp under starry skies and embarked on countless hiking and overlanding adventures that connect us to the wild. They are also where we have strapped on our skis for exhilarating runs, scaled breathtaking rock faces, and enjoyed a myriad of winter sports, from snowshoeing to cross-country skiing. These are the places where generations have forged memories, found solace, and faced the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world. Protection of public lands in western states has strong bipartisan support, with polls consistently showing that a vast majority of western voters oppose the sale or transfer of these lands, recognizing their irreplaceable value. Beyond the immeasurable intrinsic and recreational value, our public lands are vital economic engines for state and local economies. Outdoor recreation alone is a multi-billion dollar industry that supports countless jobs in tourism, hospitality, retail, and guiding services. The significant economic contributions from skiing, climbing, and other winter sports, in particular, bolster local economies throughout the colder months, sustaining communities that might otherwise face seasonal downturns. Local businesses, from small-town diners to gear shops, thrive on the steady stream of visitors drawn to our national forests, BLM lands, and other protected areas. Selling off these lands would not only eliminate access for recreation but also dismantle the economic infrastructure that has grown around them, leading to significant revenue losses for states and communities already struggling. Furthermore, the environmental impact of this provision cannot be overstated. These lands encompass critical habitats for diverse wildlife, including vital migratory corridors for big game. They are home to pristine fisheries that support both recreational and commercial angling, and serve as crucial headwaters for watersheds that provide clean drinking water to countless communities. Opening these sensitive areas to potential private development, extractive industries, or other uses without rigorous environmental review would jeopardize fragile ecosystems, pollute our water sources, and permanently alter the landscapes that define our region. We risk losing irreplaceable natural resources, impacting everything from the health of our rivers and streams to the sustainability of our hunting and fishing traditions. To trade these invaluable assets for a short-term financial gain in a tax bill is a false economy. The projected revenue from these sales is a drop in the bucket compared to the long-term economic and environmental costs. Once these lands are sold, they are gone forever, and with them, the opportunities for future generations to experience the same sense of wonder and connection that we have. I respectfully urge you, Senator, to stand with your constituents and the overwhelming majority of westerners who cherish our public lands. Please work to remove the public lands provision from the Trump tax bill and instead champion policies that protect and preserve these national treasures for all Americans, now and for generations to come. Thank you for your time and consideration of this critical issue. #SavePublicLand #Oregon #Washington #USpol #BigBadBill

https://www.techdirt.com/2025/06/11/lets-be-clear-the-rioting-in-la-is-by-the-cops-not-the-protestors/

This is "Arkan Lushwala" by Seeds Of Wisdom on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

Federal data misuse is accelerating, but state and local governments can still act, argue Reem Suleiman, Esra’a Al Shafei, and Brian Hofer. “Before DHS, ICE, or others come knocking, governments should run, not walk! — through this triage checklist to protect the privacy of the most vulnerable.” https://www.techpolicy.press/public-sector-triage-of-the-federal-governments-data-hemorrhage/