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josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Joseph Simons 🍁 🌱
@josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
84 followers 130 following 100 posts
I worry about democratic slide, urban and farming sprawl, all pollution, what we eat and how corps control us, and why our votes don't count.

I bike around town, grow […]

🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://mstdn.ca/@josephsimons, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact
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josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Seemingly to underline one possible purpose of the march, a #car #driver near the #edmonton #drawtheline event today wasn't sure exactly what line to draw, so took the direct route. The line to draw, the driver reasoned, must be the one against #bikes. Fail! […]

[Original post on mstdn.ca]
SUV has left the main traffic area on the roadway and has run up on top of a cement thingy that protects bikes in the separated bike lane. The car is stuck, and bikes are safe as long as it is!
September 21, 2025 at 12:03 AM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Interesting chart from @paulkrugman.substack.com showing #usa #life #expectancy compared to other rich countries. For the MAGA big-city haters out there, he includes #nyc, a #democrat stronghold (for comparison to the wonderful rest of the country) that is […]

[Original post on mstdn.ca]
Life expectancy at birth, in years, 1980-2022 A chart from Paul Krugman at substack.com showing USA life expectancy compared to other rich countries. He includes a black dot, NYC, or New York City, for comparison to the rest of the country that is completely in line with top jurisdictions. The chart shows the years 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 Notes: Comparable countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K. See Methods section of "How does U.S. life expectancy compare to other countries?" Source: KFF analysis of CDC, OECD, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Statistics Canada, and U.K. Office for National Statistics Data Health System Tracker logo at bottom right
August 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
@ormand.bsky.social Did ACME sell windmills too? Would have made a good episode! 😁
Emoji Kitchen sticker for 😉 emoji and 😉 emoji
August 2, 2025 at 11:11 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
@yegbike.bsky.social I waited to be sure for one more time, but I just now went down 105 ave again to have a look. A car (and not the same car) being parked in the bike lane happens literally every time, and I've been down that road dozens of times these past months.
#yegbike
As usual, another car parked in the bike lane on 105 avenue in Edmonton, Canada
July 24, 2025 at 6:09 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
This is the petition on Alberta separation put forward by @lukaszukab.bsky.social‬

#abpoli
PETITION INFORMATION TYPE OF PETITION (choose one) [checked] Legislative or policy proposal (requires signature from 10% of electors on the post-election day list) [not checked] Constitutional referendum proposal (requires signatures from 20% of electors on the post-election day list, with the 20% threshold met in 2/3 of electoral divisions) SUBJECT MATTER OF PETITION Subject Areas of Petition (ie title): Alberta Forever Canada [In Blue ink:] Received JUN 05 2005, Chief Electoral Office Description of proposal (attach additional pages if necessary) The applicant is motivated by * The fact that Alberta's separation from Canada is being actively discussed. * Since a referendum appears to be imminent anyway, it should be objective and not directed by special interest groups. * Separation will threaten the Canadian as well as the Alberta economy, the personal wealth of Albertans, the Canadian citizenship rights of Alberta residents, the treaty rights of our First Nations, and have many other serious and negative consequences. * We believe the majority of Alberta's residents are loyal Canadians opposed to any form of separation. Therefore, we as represented by the signatory and applicant below propose a referendum on the following question: Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada 7
July 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
The 103A street bikeway. Going north takes you into Greisbach and up to Lake Beaumaris. Going south takes you up into the clouds...
#yegbike #edmonton #bike
June 29, 2025 at 9:46 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Today I went to see @andrewknack.bsky.social launch his bid for mayor of #edmonton. Lots of excited people who want to see our city grow, since it must, but do so equitably. I'm happy to support someone who will answer to the people, not some special interest party.
#yegcc #yeg
Mayoral candidate Andrew Knack on right, Me, Joseph Simons on left. Mayoral campaign signs in background.
June 14, 2025 at 9:27 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Finished my shifts at Counter Point ID: 6554 in the 2025 #pedalpollsondovelo. The first one (bottom in picture) is early and only an hour long because it was just a test of the app, since this is my first time.
#edmonton #yegbike #pathsforpeople #bike
Shows three dates of varying times (morning, bottom; noon, middle; afternoon, top) of the numbers of cyclists, pedestrians, and personal vehicles (scooters) to pass by me at site 6554, central Edmonton.
June 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Just put in a shift at Counter Point ID: 6554 in the 2025 #pedalpollsondovelo.
#edmonton #yegbike #pathsforpeople #bike
Joseph Simons at site 6554 in central Edmonton in the 2025 National Pedal Poll.
June 3, 2025 at 8:05 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
From @paulkrugman.substack.com post at https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/an-interview-with-bobby-kogan/

#uspoli
PAUL KRUGMAN Okay, so huge increase in deficits, much larger debt at the end of 10 years, and that's despite really massive cuts. I mean, Medicaid now covers something like 80 million people, right? So, Medicaid is a huge part of healthcare in America. So we're talking about large numbers of people thrown off health insurance. (I taught a course in this stuff.) If we think about what we used to call welfare—we basically don't have that anymore, but food stamps is the biggest sort of poverty program we have in America. And we’re talking about savage cuts to that, right? BOBBY KOGAN Yeah, we'll have to see exactly what they do, but we're talking five to like 20 million people kicked off their health insurance. And incredibly poor folks who can't afford to make it up on their own. And then as you say, in food stamps, we're talking about severely worsening the hunger situation in America. The people who get food stamps are all very, very poor. It's already very meager. A lot of them still face food insecurity. And this would just make the situation way worse. All in pursuit of partially paying for, but not even getting close to paying for giant tax cuts that disproportionately go to the rich. These are tax cuts that, if you're in the top 0.1% are giving you like a quarter million dollar tax cut.
May 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
From the comments below the #jorgschlagheck video at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jER_3vLjXsc):

Plus the petition from @michaeljanz.bsky.social that Jorg mentions:
https://www.michaeljanz.ca/bikeplan

#yegbike #yegcc #bikelanes
A YouTube comment below [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jER_3vLjXsc] from @planepower8523 22 hours ago A 2 lane road is capable of "handling" 14,000 motor vehicles each day. So that could translate to 1400 per hour (based on off-peak and night being slow). The video shows that this street never sees that much traffic. Being in Edmonton since 1992, that road has not changed and has never encountered that volume of traffic. The major arterials are 4 blocks to the North, and 4 blocks to the south. There are numerous school zones limiting speed (and therefore volume capacity) anyways. There have been numerous injuries and collisions due to the schools and road design, but the Province refuses to refer to the facts and traffic studies carried out over the decades. Now that underground infrastructure needs upgrading and also the asphalt is in such poor shape, the city used it as an opportunity to put this area on a "road diet” to make the neighbourhood more inviting. Road diets lower the infrastructure upkeep costs and keeps taxes low.
May 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
From newsletter by @paulkrugman.substack.com

"It’s Trump’s Economy Now
Don’t let him shift the blame."
Pictured is the cover of the New York Post. Picture of pink Barbie, and President Trump in inset. Text: NEW YORK POST Trump admits tariffs will raise some prices, cause shortages: `Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls' SKIMP ON THE BARBIE
May 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Awesome idea! I think I've seen this building on 101 street / 106 ave. We could use a lot more #solar #siding here in the land of dinosaur farts.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/solar-energy-manufacturing-canada-1.7515581

#ClimateChange #climateresilience #yeg #abpoli
Mitrex, a Canadian company that makes solar panels in Toronto, produced the panels used in the cladding on this apartment in Edmonton. The company specializes in building-integrated photovoltaics — solar panels that help cut energy costs while doubling as building materials. (Submitted by Mitrex)
April 23, 2025 at 3:44 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
#conservatives. Always the same tactics, but more explicit in this case. Elections Canada will get to decide on it. (See link)

#election2025 #canpoli

https://act.350.org/donate/apr-25-em-can-election-roadsigns
April 22, 2025 at 11:35 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
#liberals in #edmontongriesbach, please consider that we are about to lose our riding to a complete iDiotte. He proved himself unfit to represent us the last time he was elected. Please consider supporting #blakedesjarlais instead. The projected vote numbers are so […]

[Original post on mstdn.ca]
Popular vote projection | Edmonton Griesbach
April 17, 2025 at 5:39 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
From a new study at https://osf.io/mx9ud

Two points that really strike me:
1. More plants=more jobs.
2. Add other economic gains to the list of benefits of a plant-based future.

#vegantransition
The Economic Impacts of a Plant-Based Transition Report. Figure 2. Employment Change In Moderate Growth Scenario By Industry Group Net job creation is driven primarily by the direct effects of a plant-based transition, though this is partially offset by loss of indirect jobs, as shown in Table 2.
April 7, 2025 at 5:15 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
From a newsletter by @michaeljanz.bsky.social

"Public funds must be used for public benefit, not private enrichment. #premiersmith has been clear that this is a three part deal, and #edmonton won’t receive anything unless the #katz group agrees. This is simply wrong."

#abpoli
HELP STOP CORPORATE WELFARE IN ALBERTA. CALL THE PREMIER AND DEMAND THAT PUBLIC DOLLARS GO TO THE PUBLIC GOOD, NOT BILLIONAIRES POCKETS (CALL) 780-427-2711
March 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
From @ohtheurbanity "We need to stand up, strengthen our country, and reorient to friendlier nations. In this video I talk to three experts to learn how we can strengthen our economy by building more, especially critical needs of housing and transportation."

Video […]

[Original post on mstdn.ca]
A stronger economy for Canada through building... Land Use: Flexible zoning to support commerce and production Mobility: Invest in transportation infrastructure (housing matters for mobility too) Scale: Scale up and standardize the construction of housing and transportation Standards: Adopt European/Asian standards (rather than American) by default Process: Prioritize results and outcomes over process, excuses, and ideology Canada is Under Attack. We Need to Build.
March 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
A #petition which calls on the #canadian government to refuse #trump entry to Canada because of his criminal conviction and his actions in office. e-5345

#canpoli

go to www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-5345
Petition to the Government of Canada Whereas: + Donald J. Trump is a convicted and sentenced felon of the United States of America; + Donald J. Trump is an insurrectionist, having engaged in one on his own US Capitol, as concluded in state court decisions in the United States of America; + Donald J. Trump is making ongoing threats of both a monetary and sovereign nature against Canada; + Donald J. Trump's criminal background demonstrates that both his words and actions represent a danger to the security and sovereignty of Canada; + Donald J. Trump, in his capacity as 47th President of the United States of America or otherwise, may have occasion to attempt entry to Canada; and + Donald J. Trump could be found inadmissible to Canada on the basis of criminality and security reasons. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to refuse Donald J. Trump entry to Canada until such time as he ceases and desists making threats or taking actions contrary to the well being of Canadians, in particular to our monetary and sovereign security, with compliance as a step toward overcoming his inadmissibility. History: Open for signature February 20, 2025, at 4:38 p.m. (EDT) Closed for signature March 22,2025, at 438 p.m. (EDT) Member of Parliament Charlie Angus Timmins—James Bay Bay New Democratic Party Caucus Ontario 28431 signatures
February 26, 2025 at 5:25 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Some folks at Bluesky got it right!

#canada #sovereigncanada #connormcdavid
Post: Reposted by Pedaling Professor CaptainCoby @captaincoby.bsky.social - 15h Huge congrats to Canada's 11th province on recognizing The Gulf Of Connor McDavid. Premier Trump will be sending out a press release shorty. Image: "Gulf of Connor McDavid," black text over blue Gulf of Mexico
February 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
"Once you factor in the compounding since 2015, the total additional #infill="https://mstdn.ca/tags/infill" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">#infill] revenue is over $263 million. That is an enormous amount of revenue in merely 9 years in the #mature areas, and there are many other areas undergoing [#renewal inside the Henday but […]

[Original post on mstdn.ca]
A new memo (February 2025) from the #assessment and #taxation department at the City of #Edmonton highlights just how enormous the financial impact of building inwards and upwards is towards building a financially resilient and sustainable city. Each year since 2015, the city has added approximately $3-7 million to the tax base and remember, this amount compounds each consecutive year.
February 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
#moronsatwork!
(CNN) — Trump administration officials fired more than 300 staffers Thursday night at the National Nuclear Security Administration — the agency tasked with managing the nation's nuclear stockpile — as part of broader Energy Department layoffs, according to four people with knowledge of the matter. Sources told CNN the officials did not seem to know this agency oversees America's nuclear Weapons.
February 15, 2025 at 6:50 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
The #traitors behind this sign don't speak for me!

#abpoli #canpoli
February 12, 2025 at 4:28 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
Interesting results of https://www.greaterfool.ca/2025/02/03/where-from-here/ #survey of 5000 presumably #canadian readers.
February 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
josephsimons.mstdn.ca.ap.brid.gy
February 2, 2025 at 6:27 PM