James Patrick Schmidt
jpsthebard.bsky.social
James Patrick Schmidt
@jpsthebard.bsky.social
Words are magic.

Local politics and marketing in the Quad Cities, based in Moline, IL, and Rock Island County. He/him.
Reposted by James Patrick Schmidt
DOGE By The Numbers
theonion.com/doge-by...
February 21, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Reposted by James Patrick Schmidt
Tyranny requires your fear, your silence, and your compliance.

Democracy requires your courage.
February 20, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Reposted by James Patrick Schmidt
Silicon Valley eugenics ⬇️

"In the US, varied datafication methods—from IQ exams and immigrant literacy tests, to criminal databases, biometric archives—were deployed by eugenic researchers in an effort to not just track and surveil the poor, and to argue for their segregation."
Eugenics isn't dead—it's thriving in tech
A new book takes on the throughline from the rise of 20th-century eugenics to Silicon Valley.
www.motherjones.com
January 3, 2025 at 12:06 AM
It should be easier to find out who is on the ballot in upcoming local elections. We make it hard to find out, and then we wonder why people disengage from the process.

Of course we need rules, but the more elections I help with, the more I feel like we’re just disenfranchising people.
January 3, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Reposted by James Patrick Schmidt
Deeply amusing to hear pundits (rightly) conclude that most voters, and especially eligible folks who don't vote, are utterly tuned out of politics and also conclude voters are put off by Dems having made some obscure provision to a budgeting bill in a committee.
December 29, 2024 at 12:59 AM
Reposted by James Patrick Schmidt
I have gone through all 4838 Illinois Flag Commission design submissions that were released to @milesmacclure.bsky.social via FOIA so that you don't have to wade through countless Abe Lincoln silhouettes, bald eagles, and "LAND OF TAXES" grievance flags to find the funny ones. Thread starts here.
December 28, 2024 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by James Patrick Schmidt
Making New Year’s resolutions? Consider adding “look into running for office” to your list. We’ll help you. runforwhat.net
Where Can I Run — Run for Something Action Fund
Use this tool to find out when, where and how you can run for office.
runforwhat.net
December 28, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Reposted by James Patrick Schmidt
Funny how the Dems must eschew elitism brigade think that means taking a stance against pronouns & promising to crack down on immigrants as opposed to backing away from billionaires & demanding working people get more.
December 21, 2024 at 9:39 PM
I am going to be tracking this contest way too closely. Can’t wait for voting on the new Illinois flag to start in January!

www.ilsos.gov/special/IFC/...
www.ilsos.gov
December 11, 2024 at 6:15 AM
I am becoming quite the expert at arguing with myself. I just wish I’d stop doing it in public meetings.
December 11, 2024 at 3:00 AM
My friend @cara.city making more sense on AI than anything I’ve read in a long time.
about a month ago, I gave a presentation to a group of non-CS Cal students about what "AI" is, how it works, why it's become a big thing in the last 5 years, and its environmental implications

you can read through it here: docs.google.com/presentation...
Is AI Killing The Planet?
Is AI Killing The Planet?
docs.google.com
December 10, 2024 at 9:51 PM
I’ve been opposed to caucuses for a long time, but after working my township caucus last week, I understand why people love them.

It was great to attend a political meeting that wasn’t the same bunch of activists and officials I always see — but to be with people who came out just to vote.
December 9, 2024 at 4:04 AM