Gracer

policy junky. food and travel enthusiast. yogi. occasional music/film snob. @ricksteves @cbssunday loyalist. views are my own.

[The New York Times @nytimes]

Breaking News: David Hockney, the English artist whose colorful paintings restored the human form to art, defying the abstract schools of the mid-20th century, died at 88. https://t.co/VhtDiEA61P

[Lewis Bollard @Lewis_Bollard]

Denmark's new government just announced major pig welfare reforms.

They're banning the practices of restraining sows in farrowing crates, breeding them beyond their natural limits, and cutting off piglets' tails.

They're also requiring pigs get more space and rooting material. And they're stepping up farm inspections and penalties for cruelty.

All while the US Congress is trying to wipe out the few state laws that protect pigs via the Save Our Bacon Act buried in the farm bill.

Denmark just showed what's possible for pigs when voters demand it — and politicians listen.

[Cass Sunstein @CassSunstein]

Important from @NickKristof
https://t.co/06zpOfrfUI

[Kenny Torrella @KennyTorrella]

Truly disturbing that the American Veterinary Medical Association (@AVMAvets) is lobbying Congress to keep pigs in tiny crates.

Welfare scientist Donald Broom said it's "much worse than severely beating an animal."

Seems like a clear violation of the veterinarian's oath.

[Peter Bradshaw @PeterBradshaw1]

My review of Lady (dir. Samuel Abrahams) is up here: https://t.co/EbxGF5dCaB #LFF #LFF2025

[𝓔𝓶 ♡ @emkenobi]

Most important species on Earth btw that we would all die without.

[Massimo @Rainmaker1973]

The U.S. Forest Service is spraying glyphosate (Roundup) across tens of thousands of acres of national forests this spring to support commercial timber production.

Following wildfires, forests naturally regenerate with diverse shrubs, wildflowers, and wildlife. However, a recent investigation reveals that the Forest Service and private logging companies are routinely applying the herbicide to eliminate competing native vegetation, favoring commercially valuable species such as Douglas fir and sugar pine.

This practice has created large areas with significantly reduced biodiversity, often described as "dead zones", where insect, bird, and plant populations have sharply declined. Glyphosate, classified by the World Health Organization as a probable human carcinogen, has seen its use in California national forests quintuple over the past two decades, reaching a record 266,000 pounds in 2023.

Local communities, environmental groups, and residents are raising concerns about potential impacts on water quality, endangered species (including salmon and rare foxes), and public health. Critics argue that prioritizing industrial timber production over ecological diversity conflicts with the broader mission of national forests as public lands.

The issue has intensified debates over forest management, balancing economic interests with long-term environmental and community health.

[Nithya Raman @nithyavraman]

Imagine spending six months in a cage with no access to the outside…

That might be the reality for hundreds of dogs in LA shelters if the cuts in Bass’s proposed 2026 budget go through.

Let me explain:

[Taylor Lorenz @TaylorLorenz]

This makes me sick to my stomach. Pigs develop friendships, they have rich emotional lives and even show empathy when other pigs are in distress. They’re smart and can do puzzles. They feel sadness and pain. To do this to them is so evil.

[Grifty @TheGriftReport]

I'm not going to quit talking or highlighting about the fact Morocco is killing stray dogs because of the 2030 World Cup.

They are mans best friend for a reason.

[Collin Rugg @CollinRugg]

Homeless people are using dogs to test drugs for them on Skid Row in Los Angeles, California.

Non-profit group Starts With One Today says dogs are being abused, thrown away, sold for drugs, neglected, and fed drugs to make sure there is no fentanyl.

Animal advocates are ripping Mayor Karen Bass and other elected officials for not taking enough action.

“We’re coming out here, risking our lives to help these dogs with no support from the government,” said volunteer Joey Tuccio.

[Nebraska Public Media News @NebPubMediaNews]

Around 1.6 million bee colonies in the U.S. died in less than a year. The Trump administration is planning to close a USDA facility that stepped in to help, sparking concern among beekeepers and scientists.
https://t.co/eIf7uJeWR1

[Governor Bob Ferguson @GovBobFerguson]

Rick Steves on the Millionaires' Tax: "A new tax on fat paychecks like mine was just signed into law in my home state — and I like it... And — for those of us with a heart for the public good — it’s simply common sense."

It's time to change our upside-down tax system.

[cinesthetic. @TheCinesthetic]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was released 22 years ago.

Michel Gondry gave Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet opposite directions. He told Winslet to go big and treat it like a comedy, while asking Carrey to play everything as straight drama.

[Collin Rugg @CollinRugg]

19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi executed by Iran in a public hanging.

Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi were executed as part of Iran's brutal crackdown on protests.

According to human rights groups, Mohammadi was tortured to confess "to the capital crime of waging war against God."

"His execution was a blatant political murder, part of the Islamic Republic’s pattern of targeting athletes to crush dissent and terrorize society," said human rights activist Nima Far.

The protesters were accused by the regime of killing two police officers with knives and swords. They "fast-tracked proceedings that bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial," Amnesty International said.

RIP.

[Best Movie Moments 🍿 @BestMovieMom]

Charlize Theron says Uma Thurman should’ve won an Oscar for Kill Bill (2003).

She added, “Men get a lot of credit for these movies. What she did was unbelievable.”

[Eyal Yakoby @EYakoby]

BREAKING: The Iranian women’s national soccer team has returned to Iran.

They are now all veiled and look terrified.

UN Women did not once say a word about them.

[the Valen papers @StarcoVision]

The Oscars really missed the chance to award someone like Stellan Skarsgård, who gave one of the most powerful and subtle performances of the year. Plus, his speeches are pure love letters to cinema.

Instead, we got… whatever.

[Neo @Realneo101]

Why isn't this the front page of the New York Times?

[BowTiedMara @BowTiedMara]

This photo will, sadly, go down in history.
She is one of the Iranian players who sought asylum in Australia, and not only was it denied by that disgustingly woke country, but they also allowed her to be captured by Iranian agents. She will be executed. RIP.