Ironweeds

This episode we’re talkin’ local corruption, the hunt for Hunter, South Africa’s charges of genocide against Israel, and McKinsey’s revenue taking a hit. House Republicans move to hold Hunter Biden in contempt of Congress: https://on.ft.com/3tCvnJ2 Top bookkeeper for sheriff's office admits $122K embezzlement https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/former-albany-county-sheriff-official-pleads-18602286.php Timber’s Q&A about Cohoes floating solar array: https://timbercorp.org/digest/qa-fs-coh?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_email_id=65a149762b7b9c5e6ceba87f South Africa’s charges of genocide against Israel: https://www.instagram.com/p/C13OSgYref3/?igsh=Y2xuM3ozMm8wamc0 And: https://www.instagram.com/p/C17su-_SQnr/?igsh=MXV5eW5yaXdnYTh3dQ== And: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/04/stakes-high-as-south-africa-brings-claim-of-genocidal-intent-against-israel McKinsey’s revenue from prime US government contracts falls to 9-year low: https://on.ft.com/3S62pcK New Inquiry review of The City Authentic: https://thenewinquiry.com/exposed-bricks/ Commonweal Review: https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/urban-city-david-banks-attention-authentic-troy?tid=2272

We’re doing a 2023 round up with predictions for 2024, personal accomplishments, resolutions, and general chatting. Trump is blocked from the GOP primary ballot in two states: https://www.timesunion.com/news/politics/article/trump-is-barred-from-the-gop-primary-ballot-in-18579109.php This year in labor: https://jacobin.com/2023/12/year-in-review-labor-2023-uaw-teamsters-amazon-hollywood/ Gypsy Rose out of prison: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/28/us/gypsy-rose-blanchard-prison-release-cec/index.html

This episode gives an update on the situation in Gaza, Israeli IDF’s murder of their own hostages, the origin of pro-Hamas stickers at University of British Columbia, Qatar’s funding of Gaza, and the health benefits of smelling nature and being lazy. Three Israeli hostages killed by IDF: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/12/16/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare#israel-says-its-troops-killed-three-israeli-hostages-in-a-case-of-mistaken-identity Hillel contractor distributes pro-Hamas stickers: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/hamas-stickers-students-threats-1.7038461 Qatar funds Hamas to “buy quiet”: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/world/middleeast/israel-qatar-money-prop-up-hamas.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Smellin’ nature: https://neurosciencenews.com/nature-olfaction-well-being-21173/ Bein’ lazy: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/dont-feel-guilty-about-being-lazy-experts-say-there-are-some-health-benefits-120051004.html

This week we’re blessed with a guest–Jenn! We talk Jewish Voice for Peace, college presidents and free speech, David’s event with Miko Peled, and a recent archaeological find that revolutionizes what we know about early hominids building structures. JVP Albany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jvpalbany Governor Hochul’s Statement: https://x.com/govkathyhochul/status/1733529147912155425?s=61&t=iGgqMSKrwCJIJWe6VZ1fLQ College Presidents go before congress: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/06/us/harvard-mit-penn-presidents-antisemitism.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Miko Peled event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_rghw9UClg Early hominids built wooden structure: https://www.archaeology.org/issues/537-features/top10/11937-zambia-kalambo-river-earliest-woodworking

Kissinger is dead, Santos is out, and DeSantis did NOT follow the science! Gaza continues to smolder as entire families are snuffed out. Israeli TikTok is dehumanizing Palestinians in alarming ways. And the UAW has signed on to a labor call for a ceasefire! https://www.972mag.com/mass-assassination-factory-israel-calculated-bombing-gaza/ https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/12/01/birth-and-death-intertwined-gaza-strip Israeli Arab Face (content warning, racism): https://x.com/ireallyhateyou/status/1731032323150287009?s=20

Elon Musk is openly endorsing the Great Replacement theory on Twitter and the ADL is fine with it. A “death zone” reigns at al-Shifa hospital. A proposal to govern cars at 100 mph has David excited. And Orcas are really into heavy metal. https://www.fastcompany.com/90985257/you-shouldnt-be-driving-over-100-mph-and-your-car-shouldnt-let-you Elon & ADL https://open.substack.com/pub/parismarx/p/has-elon-musk-finally-gone-too-far?r=itmz&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post Orcas are back baby: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/orcas-attack-boat-heavy-metal_n_6557b843e4b05723e4bd2af0

Troy elections gave the city council and mayorship to republicans. Columbia University has suspended Jewish student groups. A West Bank settler gives an unhinged interview. Israel tries to convince you of some crazy stuff. An American living in Panama City killed two environmental protesters. Bryan Johnson is shocking his johnson. And Ohio has enshrined abortion into its constitution! Churchill: For Mantello, third time was charmed https://www.timesunion.com/churchill/article/churchill-mantello-third-time-charmed-18483406.php Columbia University Suspends Jewish Groups: https://mondoweiss.net/2023/11/columbia-university-suspends-students-for-justice-in-palestine-and-jewish-voice-for-peace/ Bryan Johnson shocks his johnson: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12730155/Biohacker-reveals-shocks-penis-longer-erections.html Panama City Shooting: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/panama-shooting-mining-climate-darlington-b2444834.html Interview with West Bank Settler: https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/the-extreme-ambitions-of-west-bank-settlers

As Gaza burns, American politicians pretend everything is normal. Polling on Biden’s reelection chances isn’t looking good. City council and mayoral elections are coming to Troy this week. And CDTA has opened the new Purple Line! Troy council elections will result in at least 5 new members: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/troy-city-council-see-completely-new-members-18467391.php Polling on Tump and Biden: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/05/us/politics/biden-trump-2024-poll.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare House Republicans introduce bill to expel Palestinians: https://newrepublic.com/post/176666/house-republicans-bill-expel-palestinians-country

Where’d all the crabs go? A farm upstate, of course. Minneapolis businesses have been pressured to hire off-duty cops in a protection racket. A small town in Texas had a population of 20% cops. Starbucks is suing its union for tweeting about Gaza. And an experiment in Melbourne is bringing bugs back. https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/10/17/small-business-owners-they-are-pressured-to-hire-off-duty-mpd-cops-for-security/ https://www.khou.com/article/news/investigations/coffee-city-texas-police-officers/285-4220e73c-90d4-474e-b59e-2033270cd8e9 https://www.insider.com/coffee-city-texas-speed-trap-shuts-down-entire-police-force-2023-9 https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/19/us/alaska-crabs-ocean-heat-climate https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/aug/22/melbourne-urban-greening-benefits-insect-species

The state department is in disarray as rank and file workers express dissent about support for Israel. A 6 year old Palestinian American boy is murdered by his landlord. Israel spins lies about its bombing of the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. A Florida lawmaker is arrested for fraudulent loans. And aging oil rigs are harboring diverse marine life. State department dissent: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/state-department-resignation-gaza_n_65306079e4b00565b622b1fb And: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/state-department-gaza_n_6531a23ae4b0da897ab75ce4 Murder of Madea Fayoume: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suspect-wadea-al-fayoume-death-was-obsessed-israel-hamas-war-prosecuto-rcna120589 Debunking Israel’s claims about bombing a hospital: https://www.liberationnews.org/debunking-israels-lies-about-the-bombing-of-al-ahli-arab-hospital-in-gaza/ Joseph Harding arrested for loan fraud: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-lawmaker-dont-say-gay-jailed-fraud-loan-joseph-harding/ ANd: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/07/politics/joseph-harding-covid-loan-fraud/index.html Offshore rigs are harboring life: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/15/california-abandoned-offshore-oil-marine-life-fish-sanctuary

The state of Israel is violently assaulting Gaza after a Hamas attack. A progressive circuit attorney is forced to resign after police refuse to cooperate with her. A horse girl is suing her HOA for antisemitism. The oldest evidence of humans in the Americas has been published. St. Louis detective thwarts progressive prosecutor: https://www.propublica.org/article/homicide-detective-st-louis-refused-testify-roger-murphey-kim-gardner WarHorse CEO suing Halfmoon neighbors for $600K: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/warhorse-ceo-suing-halfmoon-association-600k-18403877.php Oldest human footprints in Americas: https://themessenger.com/tech/science-ancient-humans-north-america Horse Girl, My Barn My Rules: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUFr92i5jkA

The Navy wants to de-juice our boys in uniform. Dog owners don’t trust vaccines. Creativity privilege is a thing and AI art is the cure. Robussy is on the rise. And the FCC plans to retake its authority to enforce net neutrality! The Navy will start randomly testing SEALs and special warfare troops for steroids: https://apnews.com/article/navy-seal-steroid-testing-drugs-883a7262652224ac382d22fd38f90940 FCC to restore net neutrality: https://www.freepress.net/news/press-releases/fcc-chair-start-process-restoring-fccs-authority-protect-open-internet-and Most US dog owners doubt canine vaccines: study: https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRW141512092023RP1 “A Klee painting named Angelus Novus shows an angel looking as though he is about to move away from something he is fixedly contemplating. His eyes are staring, his mouth is open, his wings are spread. This is how one pictures the angel of history. His face is turned toward the past. Where we perceive a chain of events, he sees one single catastrophe which keeps piling wreckage upon wreckage and hurls it in front of his feet. The angel would like to stay, awaken the dead, and make whole what has been smashed. But a storm is blowing from Paradise; it has got caught in his wings with such violence that the angel can no longer close them. The storm irresistibly propels him into the future to which his back is turned, while the pile of debris before him grows skyward. This storm is what we call progress.” - Walter Benjamin

For our 4 year anniversary we performed a live show in Troy NY. The show is very visual so we recommend following along with the slides here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_GTMWi8u1k Hope you enjoy Ghouls of the Capital District!

Lauren Boebert asserts her right to vape and have her boobies honked. Voters overwhelmingly do not want Biden. A cop runs over a woman and another mocks her death. Uber-like public transit may be a model for rural areas. And NY passes a pay transparency law. Voters don’t want Biden: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/17/us/politics/biden-democrats-voter-concerns.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Pay Transparency law: https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/new-york-state-pay-transparency-law-set-to-take-effect-giving-job-seekers-clear-view-of-salary-ranges-business-labor-employer-equity-discrimination What if public transit was like Uber? A small city ended its bus service to find out: https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-rural-van-transit-uber-675f6f7a6e550a2ec8113bda5b001ffa

Artists are fighting back against AI companies using their work for free. College students are entering university with poor math skills. And Hong Kong is building affordable housing over an elite golf course. Visual artists fight back against AI companies for repurposing their work: https://apnews.com/article/artists-ai-image-generators-stable-diffusion-midjourney-7ebcb6e6ddca3f165a3065c70ce85904 College students are still struggling with basic math. Professors blame the pandemic: https://apnews.com/article/college-math-test-help-6cca6a5e873d5aeb5e75b4f94125d48c Get your water tested in Toy: https://www.troyny.gov/1342/Lead-Drinking-Water Hong Kong Is Building Public Housing on a Golf Course in a Snub to the Old Elite: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-31/hong-kong-building-public-housing-on-fanling-golf-course-in-snub-to-old-elite?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy

We begin with a retraction–Governor Hochul the Hoodwinker has done nothing to refuse loads. All across the country sheriffs are building an ideology that places them above the law. Footage of the high speed police collision has been released, showing the extent of the crash. An apartment complex in Troy was evacuated with no notice thanks to failures of code enforcement. Some cool cats in San Francisco are thwarting self-driving cars. Constitutional Sheriff: https://apnews.com/article/constitutional-sheriffs-5568cd0b6b27680a28de8a098ed14210 Wildflower retraction: https://www.dcreport.org/2023/08/21/new-yorks-governor-hochul-pulls-a-fast-one/ Troy apartment evacuation: https://www.wamc.org/news/2023-08-19/troy-city-council-probes-city-officials-over-evacuated-apartments High speed police crash: https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/high-speed-crash-troy-police-18294831.php?IPID=Times-Union-HP-spotlight#photo-23992111 Thwarting self-driving cars: https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1195695051/driverless-cars-san-francisco-waymo-cruise

Business interests in Maui are using the wildfire to change the way water is managed. The NLRB has dismissed a complaint from Capital Roots against SEIU. DocGo is making millions in public dollars to provide poor services to migrants. And Governor Hochul has signed a new bill to prevent radioactive waste dumping in the Hudson. Maui water supply: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/20/us/maui-hawaii-water-supply.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare NLRB dismissed complaint: https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/nlrb-dismisses-complaint-seiu-18289237.php As DocGo makes millions, migrants' health concerns remain https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/docgo-makes-millions-health-care-concerns-18288278.php and https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/30/nyregion/migrants-albany-docgo.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Gov. Hochul signs "Save the Hudson" bill preventing radioactive waste dumping https://www.timesunion.com/capitol/article/gov-hochul-signs-save-hudson-ending-18303513.php

What if I told you the secret to staying young forever is being too annoying to fuck? Bosses who forced employees back into the office are having regrets. How am I supposed to raise a family when Door Dash costs $25k a year?! And way to go India for reducing carbon emissions by 33%. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/11/80percent-of-bosses-say-they-regret-earlier-return-to-office-plans.html https://nypost.com/2023/08/11/im-45-a-billionaire-obsessed-with-staying-young-and-hard-to-date/ https://x.com/jasondotnews/status/1628377547267313664?s=46&t=FAEnsaPQWm4oIOxVL2QPCg

We’re back with all the sad news you crave. Elon Musk is using Star Link to influence geopolitics. An ex-school board member in Troy sold weed gummies to students. Police spend very little time actually fighting crime (surprise!). And California is putting beavers to work to save water systems. https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/ex-troy-school-board-member-rosemary-coles-pleads-18258741.php https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/07/28/business/starlink.html https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/police-are-not-primarily-crime-fighters-according-data-2022-11-02/

This week David went out to the practice picket with the Teamsters in Latham. He spoke to some folks about the problems with the UPS contract and general trends in labor. Enjoy!

The city of Poughkeepsie has settled with a family for $400k after a cop suplexed a 12 year old girl. Here in Troy, evidence shows a cop who fatally struck a delivery driver was traveling in excess of 80 mph. Ashley joins us to discuss the possible closure of the Burdett Birthing Center, which will leave all of Rensselaer County without natal delivery services. And plastic capital of the world China is innovating edible packaging. Poughkeepsie settles civil lawsuit over girls in viral police incident: https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/poughkeepsie-jamelia-julissa-police-brutality-case-18189629.php Troy cop speeding in fatal crash: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/troy-officer-alleged-speeding-time-fatal-crash-18177399.php Help save the Burdett Birthing Center: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1byoJf_eVet6fylR7BrUPcUm6RX_dnk5fXklE2LjaX1E/mobilebasic

We’re celebrating four years of podding with some voicemails from you! Thanks for listening all this time, we love you so much.

We’re back baby! Some millionaires went on a weak sauce sub. There’s a PMC rebellion in Russia. Marjorie Taylor Green has strong words for Lauren Boebert. The Hill has a dumb article with dumb opinions. The Cop City Prosecutor quits over an unlawful arrest and charge. City Council President candidate Emily Menn hasn’t been paying her taxes. And Blue Whales are getting frisky off the coast of California. Tiny Tims Grim Prediction from 1968: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAqhKKvlZmM MTG goes after Boebert: https://www.salon.com/2023/06/21/youve-been-nothing-but-a-little-bh-to-me-mtg-says-to-boebert-during-a-floor-squabble/ The Hill is dumb: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4057045-catch-22-scientific-communication-failures-linked-to-faster-rising-seas/ Wagner Insurrection Explained: https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/25/europe/russia-prigozhin-wagner-insurrection-belarus-explainer-intl-hnk Cop City Prosecutor Quits: https://apnews.com/article/cop-city-domestic-terrorism-charges-atlanta-bae860067e0a90472bc05b55c5cfc123 Blue Whales Making a Comeback: https://ktla.com/news/california/blue-whales-are-thriving-in-california-waters-the-story-of-their-amazing-comeback/

As migrants move to upstate New York, counties lose their damn minds. The Medicaid purge is set to begin as the Covid state of emergency ends. Cop City activists have been arrested for operating a bail fund. And Biden has ordered a 20 year ban on federal oil and gas drilling around a tribal site in New Mexico. ‘Give us an opportunity’: At Newburgh hotel, migrants hope for a better life: https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/migrants-seeking-better-life-in-upstate-new-york-18127689.php New York’s post-COVID Medicaid purge begins in June. Could state’s Essential Plan buffer losses? https://www.timesunion.com/health/article/new-york-s-medicaid-purge-begins-month-18127765.php Cop City: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/02/us/cop-city-atlanta-protests.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare 20 year ban on oil and gas drilling in New Mexico: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/biden-orders-20-year-ban-on-oil-gas-drilling-around-tribal-site-in-new-mexico Atlanta Solidarity Fund: https://atlsolidarity.org/#why

Thank the gods, we’ve averted the crisis of our own making once again. Diane Feinstein wants you to tell her one thing: where the hell is she? Police deprive a heart transplant recipient of a life saving medication, killing him. Orcas are leading up the class war and butterflies are thriving in English gardens. Debt ceiling: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/27/us/politics/debt-ceiling-deal.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare also https://twitter.com/quigleyaidan/status/1662644377317982209?s=46&t=H0xYNG-blXU-d-zkx5SJeA Feinstein: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/28/us/politics/feinstein-senate-staff.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Police kill heart transplant recipient through negligence: https://jaxtrib.org/2023/05/23/i-cant-miss-those-doses-jacksonville-man-died-after-jail-denied-him-heart-transplant-medicine/ Butterfly populations explode in gardens: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/butterfly-populations-grew-by-200-higher-in-peoples-gardens-than-in-other-habitats/ Orca class war: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/orcas-attacking-boats-gladis-killer-whale-b2346615.html

This week we’re talking about Florida having lost its mind, passing several anti-LGBTQ bills in a single day. The US is on the hunt for electric vehicle battery minerals and is suddenly very concerned about labor practices abroad. Capital Roots has withdrawn recognition of their employees’ union. And Rhode Island is feeding its youngins for free! Minerals for EVs: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/21/business/economy/the-us-needs-minerals-for-electric-cars-everyone-else-wants-them-too.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Florida bathroom bill: https://www.reckon.news/lgbtq/2023/05/florida-is-set-to-arrest-people-in-restrooms-regardless-of-legal-gender-status-in-sweeping-bill.html Florida kidnapping bill: https://newrepublic.com/post/172748/ron-desantis-signs-law-allowing-trans-kids-taken-families Florida anti-drag bill: https://newrepublic.com/post/172750/ron-desantis-signs-drag-ban-extreme-cancel-pride-parades Capital Roots withdraws union recognition: https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/troy-s-capital-roots-workers-leave-seiu-union-18106387.php Free lunch in Rhode Island: https://www.wpri.com/news/politics/ri-senate-passes-bill-making-lunch-free-at-all-public-schools/

The Excelsior Pass has risen to $64 million, but good luck finding it in your phone. Asylum seekers have been sent to the Hudson Valley as county legislators guard their purses. George Santos has turned himself in on fraud charges. And Cohoes isn’t letting renewable energy drift past! Trump sexual abuse lawsuit: https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/09/politics/e-jean-carroll-trump-lawsuit-battery-defamation-verdict/index.html Patriot Front in DC: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12080939/White-supremacy-group-Patriot-march-Washington-D-C.html Excelsior Pass costs ballooned to $64 million and keep rising: https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/excelsior-pass-ballooned-64-million-keeps-rising-18091575.php Migrants have arrived in the Hudson Valley. What happens next?: https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/migrants-seeking-asylum-hudson-valley-faq-18096032.php Floating Solar coming to Cohoes: https://apnews.com/article/floating-solar-ramping-up-climate-change-renewable-energy-7316dbfe9db23363aacadcd133cbd408 George Santos Arrest: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/george-santos-arrested-charges-new-york-b2336334.html

Proud Boys are charged with Civil War era crimes. Rent control is under attack. Tucker Carlson is… being normal. Housing insurance is about to become a lot more important under climate change. Public funds yield private profits at Monument Square. And Hurray! A victory for Public Power! PB convicted of seditious conspiracy: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/us/politics/jan-6-proud-boys-sedition.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Hudson Valley landlord group appeals Kingston rent control decision https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/kingston-landlords-appeal-rent-control-18081670.php Tucker Carlson on how white men fight: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/business/media/tucker-carlson-text-message-white-men.html Insurers hike prices or drop coverage of climate-doomed homes: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/07/opinion/climate-change-homeowners-insurance-housing-market.html Reddit thread on public funds to private profits at 1MS: https://www.reddit.com/r/Troy/comments/138ianx/monument_sq_gets_19m_in_state_budget_closing/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_content=1&utm_term=15 WF: Public Power! https://publicpowerny.org/press-releases/new-yorkers-win-historic-victory-for-public-power/

Rensselaer County officials have been charged with federal crimes. Boston police filed fraudulent overtime claims, but don’t worry: it was policy! Tortuguita’s autopsy shows that they didn’t fire a gun and were shot 57 times. Noam Chomsky met with Jeffrey Epstein and it’s none of your business. And a possible treatment for PFAS in the water supply is being developed. Tortuguita’s autopsy: https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/autopsy-cop-city-protester-manuel-teran-death Richard Crist in FBI custody: https://wnyt.com/top-stories/rensselaer-county-gop-operative-in-fbi-custody/ Rensco officials charged: https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/three-rensselaer-county-officials-charged-federal-17921006.php#photo-9442939 Chomsky met with Epstein: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeffrey-epstein-calendar-cia-director-goldman-sachs-noam-chomsky-c9f6a3ff?reflink=integratedwebview_share Boston Police get off from fraudulent overtime claims: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/04/27/metro/boston-police-officers-acquitted-ot-overtime-fraud/ Treatment for PFAS in water: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/04/16/pfas-water-treatment-filter/

Marianne Williamson is taking TikTok by storm, even as major news outlets ignore her campaign. Florida is threatening to kidnap trans kids and punish their parents. Schenectady is reinventing itself as a city with busy streets and in-demand restaurant reservations. Did you know that the air conditioning system at Empire Plaza was full of dead fish? Well, they’re trying to fix that! 'New Schenectady' campaign unveiled: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/new-schenectady-campaign-unveiled-17911492.php Marianne Williamson, TikTok Icon: https://theintercept.com/2023/04/14/marianne-williamson-tiktok/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=theintercept Keeping fish from being sucked into Empire Plaza pipes: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/hudson-river-shad-herring-protected-sucked-pipes-17906134.php Anti-trans Florida bill threatens to kidnap children: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/2023/04/21/florida-bilbl-to-take-trans-teens-from-parents-is-unconstitutional/ff29246c-e030-11ed-a78e-9a7c2418b00c_story.html

This week we’re talking about two men who died in police custody after being held in abhorrent conditions, tech workers who were hired to do nothing, Troy City floor being broken into by hooligans, and the hopeful plateau of Co2 emissions. https://www.wsj.com/articles/these-tech-workers-say-they-were-hired-to-do-nothing-762ff158 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/12/indiana-jail-schizophrenia-solitary-cell-joshua-mclemore-video https://theappeal.org/alan-willison-clayton-county-jail-death/ https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/troy-city-hall-hedley-building-offices-burglarized-17888287.php www.theguardian.com%2Fenvironment%2F2023%2Fmar%2F02%2Fco2-emissions-may-be-starting-to-plateau-global-energy-watchdog-iea

Donald Trump is being arraigned, but will anything come of it? Nicki Clyne has left Keith Raniere after 18 years of being involved with NXIVM. Twitter sucks; is it on purpose? Our military is being destroyed by wokeness–will it ever end? And some baby cheetahs were born in India, on the way to bringing them back from the brink! Military has woke-itus: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/military-dangerous-decline-reason-why Nicki Clyne’s statement: https://frankreport.com/2023/03/27/nicki-clyne-leaves-keith-raniere-her-statement/ Baby cheetahs: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65113651

You wake up one day to find your girlfriend distant, cold, rebuffing your advances. She seems to have been lobotomized. It could happen to you–if your girlfriend is an AI. The war in Ukraine has made the Watervliet Arsenal a hot spot for hiring. Nursing homes are leaving their patients destitute, and cheap soap and scratchy tissues are robbing the elderly of their dignity. In brighter news, Democrats sympathize more with Palestinians than Israelis for the first time. https://www.reuters.com/technology/what-happens-when-your-ai-chatbot-stops-loving-you-back-2023-03-18/ https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-a-steam-age-arsenal-u-s-army-forges-cannons-for-a-digital-era-war-in-ukraine-68e51440 https://apnews.com/article/nursing-home-medicaid-personal-needs-allowance-poverty-2e0a2d90d7d63d4b476397a50a9cddff https://mondoweiss.net/2023/03/gallup-poll-support-for-palestinians-continues-to-grow-among-democratic-voters/

This week we’re asking how we can beat communist China if we aren’t vigorously milking our men? A literal bank run happened on the 16th largest bank in the country because everything old is new again! Slap fighting is making it big. Lt. Governor Randy McNally loves to use social media to encourage people and bring them joy. Especially if they have firm little butts. And two lonely little geese have found a second shot at love. SVB: https://www.ft.com/content/b556badb-8e98-42fa-b88e-6e7e0ca758b8 — https://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1634921788068204544?s=61&t=iGgqMSKrwCJIJWe6VZ1fLQ Milking (NSFW) https://twitter.com/songpinganq/status/1634771935895908352?s=61&t=DD2iNjyMUo5gyTnV8BYrlw Slap fighting: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-12/slap-fighting-the-next-big-thing-or-unsporting-stupidity/102083014 Two lonely geese get a new lease on life: https://nypost.com/2023/02/17/lonely-widow-goose-blossom-finds-new-partner-after-cemetery-posts-personal-ad/ Vote for Billionaire Death Squad in WCDB's album of the year category: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQhkXuKzZh4VTkCD8RsTSeMKPGCNe61142ph4wtbGJ044-xw/viewform

This week on the show, a CPAC speaker calls for the “elimination of transgenderism.” A Border Patrol officer discovers that he is, in fact, his own enemy. And CDTA unveils new electric bikes! Border Patrol officer finds out he is undocumented: https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/26/us/undocumented-border-officer-cec/index.html CDTA unveils electric bikes, new transit hubs for 2023 https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/cdta-unveils-electric-bikes-new-transit-hubs-2023-17815823.php

She stole our hearts last election, and now the queen is back: Marianne Williamson is running for president. Scott Adams is spinning out in spectacular fashion after his racist tirade. Florida is a literal trash fire and the Hudson is about to get a little more superfundy. Troy police killed a delivery driver on one of the most dangerous roads in the capital district. And a fungus among us may prove useful in replacing consumer plastics. Dumping radioactive water: https://gothamist.com/news/dumping-radioactive-water-hudson-river-best-option-indian-point-nuclear-plant-owner-holtec Florida is a trash fire: https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/trash-fire-at-doral-incinerator-plant-is-last-straw-for-residents-16374245 Dilbert having a rough day: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/26/us/dilbert-newspapers-racism.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Marianne announces 2024 run: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3871825-marianne-williamson-confirms-she-will-primary-biden-in-2024/ Fungus could replace some plastics: https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/22/world/fungus-replace-plastics-study-scn Troy PD kill driver: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/driver-killed-collision-troy-police-car-17798405.php Gofundme for Sabeh Alalkawi : https://gofund.me/400f8d0c

We return to two stories from last week: the Ohio train derailment and the UAPs shot down by NORAD. The former is a toxic disaster and the latter is bad news for nerds who like keeping track of balloons. Troy’s homes are full of lead pipes and the city has sat on federal funds to fix the problem. Chris Churchill gets sassy at Mayor Madden. And Minnesota has voted in universal meals for all students! Train derailment update: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/19/train-derailment-ohio-palestine-water-toxic-chemicals Sip sip: https://www.wfmj.com/story/48404791/officials-drink-water-in-east-palestine-during-husted-visit Hobbyists miss their balloon buddies: https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/hobby-clubs-missing-balloon-feared-shot-down-usaf Troy offers to replace all lead pipes by increasing water rate: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/troy-offers-replace-lead-pipes-increasing-water-17789618.php Stupid questions for Mayor Madden: https://www.timesunion.com/churchill/article/churchill-stupid-questions-troy-mayor-patrick-17761938.php Minnesota votes for free universal school meals: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-house-to-approve-universal-school-meals/

After a rough week for both the sky and the ground, we’re looking for the helpers. From the world’s worst spy technology to streams full of dead fish to rescue crews sorting through rubble, we have a litany of woes to get through. But hey, at least there is still true love out there in the form of two lady foxes with a killer aesthetic. Chickens found dead after East Palestine derailment: https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/east-palestine-train-derailment/north-lima-woman-finds-chickens-dead-tuesday-questions-chemical-release-from-train/ There will be more derailments: https://www.levernews.com/there-will-be-more-derailments/ Objects shot down by F22s: https://www.businessinsider.com/objects-shot-down-over-alaska-canada-ufo-interfered-f22-sensors-2023-2 Atomwaffen couple arrested for plot to attack Baltimore energy grid: https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5v4pq/baltimore-power-grid-attack-arrest-atomwaffen Lesbian goth foxes: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2022/06/30/lesbian-goth-foxes-the-story-of-esmae-and-mala

It’s a sad week following the release of footage showing Memphis police murdering Tyre Nichols. Turns out something called the SCORPION unit isn’t designed to serve and protect. We discuss how the landlord class is publicly celebrating its victory over tenants rights legislation. Despite the fact that the pay sucks and work is hard and there’s no institutional support, nobody’s interested in serving on the Troy City Council. The Sauds, ever our fake friends, are threatening to start taking other countries’ currency. And a new efficient propeller design may excited park goers and aquatic animals alike. End of the Petro Dollar?: https://david-reavill.medium.com/saudis-signal-the-end-of-the-petro-dollar-719e2c7019a9 & https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-17/saudi-arabia-open-to-talks-on-trade-in-currencies-besides-dollar Tyre Nichols Protests: https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/28/us/tyre-nichols-protests-saturday/index.html Nobody wants to run anymore: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/candidates-wanted-troy-17747276.php Renters Bill of Rights: https://www.naahq.org/naa-update-biden-administrations-renters-bill-rights https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/25/biden-administration-moves-to-create-renters-bill-of-rights.html Wildflower: https://newatlas.com/aircraft/toroidal-quiet-propellers/

Would you win in a fight against a goose? It’s a question that really has us hotly debating which body parts of various animals pose the greatest challenge. The most interesting man in the world has a reputation for being an eyelash glue thief. A failed republican candidate in New Mexico does a little DA. Carbon offset company Verra turns out to be–I hope you’re sitting down for this–fraudulent. An Atlanta forest defender has been killed in cold blood by APD. And a veritable cornucopia of wildflowers, because you deserve them! Americans more confident that they can beat wild animals in unarmed combat: https://twitter.com/roberttalisse/status/1616851371080155137?s=46&t=tWTOFOHetlZkH3G2MB1XsA Loser republican shoots at houses: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/republican-candidate-arrested-shootings-democrats-homes-new-mexico-2023-01-17/ Carbon offset company scamming other companies: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/18/revealed-forest-carbon-offsets-biggest-provider-worthless-verra-aoe Nurses strike ends: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/nyregion/nurses-strike-ends-nyc.html Atlanta cops murder forest defender: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jan/21/protester-killed-georgia-cop-city-police-shooting Mifepristone available in pharmacies: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/walgreens-cvs-abortion-pill-mifepristone-fda-rule-change/

Happy 2023, we’re back baby! A blizzard in Buffalo kills a disproportionate number of black residents as city services failed to deal with the storm. New College of Florida is facing an uncertain future as Governor DeSantis appoints a number of conservative hardliners to the board of trustees. Walgreens admits that it may have overblown its complaints about theft and that expensive mitigation efforts have yielded few results. And CDTA launches a new car sharing program that provides affordable options for people in need of automobile access. Walgreens may have overstated theft concerns: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/05/walgreens-may-have-overstated-theft-concerns.html New College facing changes under conservative BoT: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/06/gov-ron-desantis-wants-conservative-overhaul-at-new-college-of-florida/69784941007/ https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2023/01/06/desantis-conservative-hillsdale-rufo-college-liberal-sarasota/ Wildflower: https://www.troyrecord.com/2023/01/08/cdta-launches-drive-carsharing-in-the-capital-region/?utm_medium=social&utm_content=tw-troyrecord&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow

The city of Troy has taken aim at the roosting crows, and residents are up in wings about it. But is taking action against these beloved corvids advisable? Power outages, deliberate and not, are revealing the fragility of our utilities infrastructure. German cranks hilariously attempt a coup. David reveals some very problematic opinions about elves. And precision fermentation offers a promising glimpse into a future without big agro. Precision Fermentation and Rewilding of Agricultural Land: https://www.rebootfood.org/

Iran and China are adjusting policies in response to mass protest–even if they won’t admit it. Meanwhile, rail workers are forced to accept a bad contract or carry out a wildcat strike. A sweet grandma’s home is raided and ransacked by a Denver SWAT team, and the new AI chatbot taking the internet by storm gives us our wildflower–a police reform executive order that is meh at best, but what do you expect–the AI is a liberal. Adam Johnson on the rail workers’ deal: https://twitter.com/adamjohnsonnyc/status/1598753656794501121?s=46&t=CS4G4BvrPNPBjnsrH0vRAw Iran’s morality police: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/04/world/middleeast/iran-morality-police.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare Grandmother’s home ransacked by SWAT team: https://lawandcrime.com/lawsuit/aclu-lawsuit-claims-grandmothers-home-was-illegally-raided-by-swat-team-searching-for-stolen-iphone-11/ Ending zero covid: https://thechinaproject.com/2022/12/01/the-beginning-of-the-end-to-covid-zero/ More: https://thechinaproject.com/2022/12/02/why-beijing-will-end-covid-zero-and-the-tech-crackdown/

Elder millennials yell at clouds this week as we discuss the deadliness of American car culture and the general trend of people not caring for those around them. Massive stockpiles of cannabis are going bad as New York struggles to begin its rollout of dispensaries. The movement to legalize psychedelic mushrooms is gaining steam, and the presumed extinct Pheasant Pigeon has been spotted in Papua New Guinea. Pheasant Pigeon: https://www.audubon.org/news/like-finding-unicorn-researchers-rediscover-black-naped-pheasant-pigeon-bird “Where’s the weed?”: https://wibx950.com/new-york-state-marijuana-stockpile/ Magic Mushrooms: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Mushrooms-17564620.php#taboola-1 Pedestrian road deaths: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/27/upshot/road-deaths-pedestrians-cyclists.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

With DJT once again given an enormous platform on the bird site, we take a trip down memory lane to review the love-hate relationship between Musk and Trump. Rich people believe that their greatest legacy may be leaving behind a bunch of genetically superior babies who will one day rule the earth. COP 27 agrees to create a fund for the poorest countries most affected by climate change, but does nothing to curb emissions. And Indonesia is moving to pay fishermen a premium for all plastic trash they collect from the ocean. COP 27 fails to rise to the occasion: https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/countries-agree-loss-damage-fund-final-cop27-deal-elusive-2022-11-20/ Sheep circle pit: https://nypost.com/2022/11/17/sheep-filmed-walking-in-circle-for-12-days-straight-in-china/ Indonesia to pay fishermen for plastic: https://www.trueactivist.com/indonesia-is-working-to-lessen-ocean-pollution-by-paying-fishermen-to-collect-trash-from-the-sea-t1/ Pronatalism freaks: https://archive.ph/2022.11.17-191234/https://www.businessinsider.com/pronatalism-elon-musk-simone-malcolm-collins-underpopulation-breeding-tech-2022-11

A nine year old girl was reported to the police for destroying invasive lanternflies in her neighborhood. According to her neighbor and former Republican city council member, the “little black woman” was scary to him. An FBI raid on an ABC news producer has resulted in him being disappeared in more ways than one. And workers at a California Medieval Times theater have won their vote! FBI raid on news producer: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/fbi-raid-abc-news_producer-1234613619/ Don’t worry, the FBI raid on a news producer is no biggie: https://www.thedailybeast.com/fbi-raid-on-abc-news-producer-james-gordon-meek-wasnt-tied-to-his-work 9 year old black child reported to police for being a good citizen: https://www.thedailybeast.com/local-republican-calls-caldwell-new-jersey-cops-on-9-year-old-black-girl-catching-lanternflies LET THE GAMES BEGIN! Buena Park Medieval Times Wins Union Vote: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-11-10/medieval-times-workers-in-buena-park-vote-27-18-to-unionize Charming Video of Unionizing Medieval Times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bpjht4EF5Y

The internet is getting worse, the midterms are going to be a faceplant for the Democrats, and your recycled plastic is probably sitting in a warehouse somewhere. But feel free to feed seagulls alka seltzer, they’ll be fine. Terracycle: https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2022-terracycle-tom-szaky/?leadSource=uverify%20wall Chris goes on Skeptical Leftist- https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1644698050?sr=a&t=14s

In times like these, the news is scary enough amirite?! Nuclear war, assassination attempts, Kanye… all very spooky stuff. You know what else is spooky? Ozone-depleting CFCs. Thankfully Brandon is on the case! Happy Halloween friends, give the kids candy and save the drugs for people who will actually appreciate them. Kigali Emendment: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/23373026/kigali-amendment-signed-biden-republican-hfc-climate-change-montreal Pelosi Hammer Attack: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-speaker-pelosis-husband-violently-assaulted-pelosi-statement-2022-10-28/

Despite some technical difficulties, we’re here to bring you the quality content you’ve come to expect from Ironweeds. Musk has a plan for peace in Ukraine, but it’s going to require a lot of your tax money. He’s kind of strapped. The New York AG is suing Norlite over their hazardous materials site in Cohoes, where residents are advised to keep their windows shut lest the airborne microscopic glass get into their nervous systems. It’s soup season. The crabs are gone. The salmon are washed up. But MDMA is proving to be effective at treating PTSD and eating disorders! Salmon Cannon Club Remix: https://youtu.be/HtBuNU7XhQo Neurons in a dish taught to play PONG: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-03229-y Alaskan Crabs Missing: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/16/us/alaska-snow-crab-harvest-canceled-climate/index.html Letitious James sues Norlite: https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/126338.html Pentagon in Talks With Elon Musk Over Starlink: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3688602-pentagon-confirms-us-in-talks-with-musks-company-over-funding-ukraines-starlink/ Poor Musk gets no gov’t goodies: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1581345747777179651?s=46&t=_9epEsOL20Bj8GthiH6oig Musk’s Poll: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/03/elon-musk-twitter-poll-ukraine-russia-annexation-war/ MDMA Therapy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022395622001303 Support the show!

What will the world’s richest man do with Twitter if and when he acquires it? Based on his text messages, some extremely stupid things. The Uvalde School Police have been nixed, and specialty police forces are proving themselves to be good at one thing: not utilizing any of their supposed extra training in a crisis. Howard Schultz is, like, super sad about all this unionizing guys. He had no idea you felt this way. And Dark Brandon Rises again with a pardon for cannabis users… but it’s not quite as dank as it sounds. Elon’s text messages: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2022/09/elon-musk-texts-twitter-trial-jack-dorsey/671619/ Filling Howard’s soul: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/10/08/starbucks-union-ceo-howard-schultz/ Uvalde fires police: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3678197-uvaldes-school-district-suspends-entire-police-force%ef%bf%bc/ Biden pardons cannabis arrestees: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/us/politics/biden-marijuana-pardon.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare