@augieray@mastodon.social cover
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augieray

@[email protected]

VP/Analyst of #CustomerExperience (#CX) research and advisory. Analyst by nature, not just by profession. Politically active to foster a world that has more #equity, respects #diversity, and embraces #progressive causes. Promoting #COVID19 awareness and caution because people, businesses, and the economy will suffer years of consequences for our failures to control the virus. Milwaukee, WI, US (He/Him)

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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Elon Musk's net work is at least $670 billion.

If we implemented a 1% wealth tax, the US would collect $6.7 billion from this one man alone. Elon would still be the wealthiest person in the world.

To put that into perspective, the bottom 50% of wage earners in the US pay $63 billion in federal taxes.

A 1% wealth tax on this one individual would support the US government as much as the taxes collected from 8 million modest earners.

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

There are ways the Trump administration could semi-legally undermine the midterms.

One involves the Save Act that the House just passed. The bill requires people to show proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot. That could disenfranchise many voters, but here's how Trump and his supporters can supercharge that. A month or two before the November elections a bunch of states could purge their registration roles. 1/7

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Elmo FTW!

That Bunny was AMAZING. Elmo thinks he should be called Good Bunny! Elmo loves you, Mr. Good Bunny! ❤️🎶🐰
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

I REALLY wish people would get smarter on vaccines.

  1. They are quite effective against death after infection, and increasing research suggests they reduce Long COVID and other chronic risks following infection.

  2. They are weakly effective against infection and protection fades within months after a jab.

What this means: 1/3

augieray OP ,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

  1. You need to consider getting vaccinated regularly as recommended (for as long as it is permitted in the US). This keeps you safe from the most serious consequences of infection.

  2. The fact you're vaccinated does NOT mean you can ignore the risks of COVID infection, particularly during surges. Care is still important.

  3. And if you haven't been vaccinated in two or three years, you are taking unnecessary risks.

2/3

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

A good example of why I'm done trying to "engage" and "find common ground" with MAGA. I'm glad some people are trying to do so, but there's no reasoning with the insane.

This dude helped to elect a felon, accused sex criminal, and a sponsor of the Jan6 resurrection, but he thinks this five-year-old is a "criminal."

Why attempt to educate or reason with the deranged?

In response to a news article about Liam Conejo getting his "wings" and visiting the cockpit of his flight home after being released, a right-winger responded "So we reward criminals now?"
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augieray OP ,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

Exhibit 2 in why I'm done trying to reason with psychopaths. This is from the College Republicans at the University of Illinois.

Why would I try to find common ground with people who think state-sponsored murder is good for the U.S.?

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

😆Be sure to read to the end...

Post from michellecannonsmith: Watching the First Lady’s documentary tonight and honestly... it’s incredible. So thoughtful. So grounded. So human. The way she speaks about purpose, partnership, motherhood, and carrying the weight of a nation with grace? Unreal. Truly a reminder of what strength, intelligence, and quiet leadership look like. Anyway—highly recommend Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Netflix.
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Nothing says professional, legal policing like an anonymous, masked kidnapper telling someone, ""I'm not getting into the legality of everything."

A small-town police chief intervened and secured the release of a US resident arrested by ICE agents.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/30/st-peter-police-chief-intervenes-prevents-federal-agents-from-arresting-resident

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

The chart I posted two days ago on measles infections in 2026 vs other recent years is already outdated. Trump and Kennedy's anti-vax nonsense is going to cause a lot of needless suffering and poor health.

Chart of the number of accumulated measles in each of the last few years. 2023 ended with 63 cases. 2025 had 283. 2026 saw measles explode to 2253 cases. And as of January 29, 2026, we're already at 607 cases.
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

I hear undocumented immigrants are hiding in Melania theaters because they know no one is in there! 😂

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Bruce sings what real Americans feel:

Trump’s federal thugs beat up on
His face and his chest
Then we heard the gunshots
And Alex Pretti lay in the snow, dead

Their claim was self defense, sir
Just don’t believe your eyes
It’s our blood and bones
And these whistles and phones
Against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies

Oh our Minneapolis, I hear your voice
Crying through the bloody mist
We’ll remember the names of those who died
On the streets of Minneapolis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKSoxG1K7w

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

MAGA hates Alex Pretti because he's everything they claim to be but are not.

He was a good guy with a gun. He didn't parade around with assault weapons at the grocery store to be manly. He didn't even use the weapon he had. And after years of "It's not the gun, it's the person," MAGA blames Pretti for his murder simply because he had a weapon.

1/3

augieray OP ,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

He cared for a woman. MAGA loves to claim they'll protect women from ridiculous "threats" like a transgender person using a restroom, but they undermine women, bully them, coddle rapists, and hurt women's rights. Pretti risked his life (whether or not he knew it) simply to help a woman and ensure she was okay.

He was brave. While MAGA loves to crow about their courage, they run around behind masks and bully people from the safety of anonymous X accounts.

2/3

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

I'm not saying the Trump administration is turning the US into a dystopian hellscape, but when the local newspaper needs to help you identify what toxic gas Federal agents are unleashing on citizens, I think it speaks for itself.

Post by Minnesota Star Tribune: Here's how to identify some crowd control munitions, canisters of which federal agents have left on the ground after deploying them against people in Minnesota. http://bit.ly/3YWp1jE Graphic by Mark Boswell/The Minnesota Star Tribune The accompanying graphic shows five kinds of gas grenades, address some that are toxic and corrosive.
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Kyle Rittenhouse walked up to police carrying an assault weapon during protests in Kenosha, then killed people, and Conservatives called him a hero.

Alex Pretti filmed officers during a protest, kept his handgun holstered, was wrestled to the ground, had his weapon taken away, and then was shot dead, and Conservatives are calling him a terrorist.

1/8

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Peter de Wit won the Dutch 2025 Inkspot Prize for this cartoon. I was reminded of this after seeing Jared Kushner's presentation of the future of Gaza at Davos with high-rise condos and coastal tourism.

Since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, over 73,600 people have been reported killed, including 2,109 Israelis and over 72,400 Palestinians (most of whom were civilians).

Gaza Beach, the winning drawing by Peter de Wit, appeared in de Volkskrant on February 8th. US President Trump had just unveiled his plan to turn the Gaza Strip into the "Riviera of the Middle East." The cartoon shows a child happily digging up skulls on the beach as his parents enjoy drinks under an umbrella nearby.
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Donald Trump, August 2025: "The United States will not let men steal trophies from women."

Donald Trump, January 2026:

President Donald Trump meets with María Corina Machado in the Oval Office, where she presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize, on January 15, 2026
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Wow, the northern lights over Greenland are incredible. 😆

Northern Lights spelling "Fuck off Trump."
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

And now, something that made me smile...

Meme: If you put a finger on Paul Simon's face on the Bridge Over Troubled Water album, it looks like Art Garfunkel has a giant Cossack moustache.
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

The lie of "safe" air on airplanes:

STUDY finds that airborne transmission of dominated, accounting for a median of 92.2%, whereas contact (7.8%) and direct deposition (droplets, 0.0%) played minimal roles.

Passengers seated within two rows of the index case had a 4.41-fold higher attack rate compared with those farther away, but 45% of observed infections occurred beyond this proximity.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132326000296

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

“Are you a communist?”
“No, I am an anti-fascist”
“For a long time?”
“Since I have understood fascism.”

– Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

A wealthy white person who cheats the government is a smart businessperson.
A poor black person who cheats the government is a freeloader.

A conservative who refuses to follow Capitol Police orders is a patriot.
A liberal who refuses to follow ICE orders is a terrorist.

Billions for Americans swamped with student debt is unfair.
Billions for farmers swamped with debt is fair.

“Whoever controls the narrative, controls the people.” – Abhijit Naskar, neuroscientist

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Funny how quick "I need guns to resist a fascist government" turns into "She'd be alive if she'd followed cops' orders."

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Wow, the Financial Times is not playing around. "Who’s who at X, the deepfake porn site formerly known as Twitter."

https://www.ft.com/content/ad94db4c-95a0-4c65-bd8d-3b43e1251091

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Conservatives: It is outlandish that liberal performers would cancel Kennedy Center shows because of Trump.

Also Conservatives: Trump-appointed executive director Richard Grenell reportedly set aside 50 tickets for a conservative group with “instructions to harass” the performer.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kennedy-center-union-investigation-yasmin-williams-heckling-1235438829/

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Pediatric healthcare workers: "We can't wear masks because it's so, so, so important babies see our faces, even if it exposes them to dangerous viruses."

STUDY: "Findings suggest that masked and unmasked static faces equally attract newborns' attention and that surgical masks do not disrupt their face configuration processing."

Medical professionals need to start admitting they're just being selfish, not altruistic, by not masking around at-risk patients.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/infa.70064

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

I'm feeling Dorothy Parker, who sent this telegram to her friend after a difficult year:

Telegram sent by Dorothy Parker to Robert Benchley, December 31,1929 . YOU COME RIGHT OVER HERE AND EXPLAIN WHY THEY ARE HAVING ANOTHER YEAR.
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

A former writer for South Park foresaw Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center and had the foresight to register the domain names trumpkennedycenter dot org and dot com back in August. JFK's niece thanked him for doing so. Of course, the Trump-controlled board now wants their domain name and threatened legal action. His response is brilliant.

Re: Kennedy Center .org/.com Domains Noted. Satire is protected speech. Confusion is a legal requirement, not a feeling. Political parody is not infringement. Criticism is not cybersquatting, and trademark law isn't a panic button for institutions that don't like being laughed at. I'll proceed accordingly while you go fuck yourselves. Dog Bless
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Bank of America thinks we need a debate about whether feminism failed women. Maybe BOA customers need to tell them how they feel about sponsoring CBS's conservative shift toward sexism.

Before 1974, many women, married or single, needed a husband or father to co-sign for loans, credit cards, and sometimes even bank accounts. Apparently, BOA thinks we need to explore if that's a good or bad thing.

Customers have a voice. Use it!

Post by CBS News: Has feminism failed women? Should Gen Z believe in the American dream? Does America need God? Things That Matter brings real argument back to primetime. Live debates, in front of an audience, with the thinkers shaping our culture facing off in real time. Debuting in 2026. Brought to you by @BankofAmerica .
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Absolutely insane:

Whooping cough surging because vaccinations are down. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/whooping-cough-vaccines-cases-us-pertussis-rcna248746

Measles surging because vaccinations are down. https://conexiant.com/infectious-disease/articles/measles-cases-surge-to-25-year-high/

And in kids, this year's COVID vaccination rate is a measly 7.1% for the 2025/26 vaccine. https://www.cdc.gov/covidvaxview/weekly-dashboard/child-coverage-vaccination.html (1/2)

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

More morality and bravery from a pro wrestler than from almost every member of GOP leadership.

Mick Foley: PARTING WAYS WITH WWE While | have been concerned about WWE's close relationship with Donald Trump for several months — especially in light of his administration's ongoing cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants (and pretty much anyone who “looks like an immigrant”) — reading the President's incredibly cruel comments in the wake of Rob Reiner’s death is the final straw for me. I no longer wish to represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion as he marches our country towards autocracy. Last night, | informed @WWE talent relations that | would not be making any appearances for the company as long as this man remains in office. Additionally, I will not be signing a new Legends deal when my current one expires in June. | love WWE, will always treasure my time with them, and | am deeply appreciative for all the opportunities they afforded me. But, in the words of Popeye the sailor, “I stands all | can stands, and | can’t stands no more.”
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

“Things can happen."
-Trump on the shooting at a Brown University

He can send ICE to round up teachers and farm workers, but he can't lift a finger to limit weapons.

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

How is this possible after all those Russian bots on Twitter pretending to be New Yorkers said they'd sell their NYC homes and move to Florida?!?

https://fortune.com/2025/12/04/mamdani-effect-new-york-city-real-estate-manhattan-luxury-millionaires-billionaires/

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

STUDY: "In this cohort study including 22.7 million vaccinated individuals and 5.9 million unvaccinated individuals, vaccinated individuals had a 74% lower risk of death from severe COVID-19 and no increased risk of all-cause mortality over a median follow-up of 45 months."

Vaccines are safe. COVID is not.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2842305

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Nothing says, "I'm a professional healthcare worker committed to protecting my patients" like showing up to work sick with !

"Among over 3,700 healthcare workers across 24 academic medical centers, 7.9% reported presenteeism from December 2020 through April 2024, and the frequency of presenteeism increased each year over this period, from 1.4% in 2020, to 6.2% in 2021, 7.2% in 2022, 10.5% in 2023, and 15.2% in 2024."

https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/118810

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Six congressional Democrats released a video advising members of the U.S. military to “refuse illegal orders.” Trump posted this was sedition punishable by death.

This week, news reports have alleged that the U.S. military carried out a strike to kill two survivors of an initial missile strike on a boat in the Caribbean.

Fun fact: Firing on shipwrecked survivors is specifically called out as an illegal order that service members must refuse.

https://ogc.osd.mil/Portals/99/department_of_defense_law_of_war_manual.pdf

18.3.2 Refuse to Comply With Clearly Illegal Orders to Commit Law of War Violations. Members of the armed forces must refuse to comply with clearly illegal orders to commit law of war violations. In addition, orders should not be construed to authorize implicitly violations of law of war. 18.3.2.1 Clearly Illegal Orders to Commit Law of War Violations. The requirement to refuse to comply with orders to commit law of war violations applies to orders to perform conduct that is clearly illegal or orders that the subordinate knows, in fact, are illegal. For example, orders to fire upon the shipwrecked would be clearly illegal. SOURCE: Department of Defense Law of War Manual
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Trump is murdering innocent people in international waters and threatening to go to war against Venezuela over drugs while, at the same time, pardoning a man convicted of trafficking more than 400 tons of cocaine into the US.

Everything is distraction and bluster, provided it lines Trump's pockets.

https://www.npr.org/2025/11/28/nx-s1-5624478/trump-plans-to-pardon-juan-orlando-hernandez

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

and flu's winter surge will begin in earnest this week in the US due to holiday travel and events. (We won't be able to confirm this for a couple of weeks due to reporting timelines.) Wear a mask when you can in crowds so that:

  • You stay healthy
  • Your loved ones stay healthy
  • You prevent a chain of infections that cause dozens of people to get ill (and someone to get chronically ill) during the winter surge.

Every infection we prevent at the start of a surge counts for more! 1/4

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

This is Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda in full Trump regalia at the final NASCAR race of the season at the automaker’s home track. Thinking of buying a new car? If you don't want to buy from a Trumpster...

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

This STUDY notes "increasing reports of post-viral Parkinson’s disease and shared non-motor symptoms" after . However, the "causal relationship between COVID-19 and Parkinson’s disease remains unclear." As a result, there is a debate as to whether COVID could "act as a compounding factor in susceptible individuals," or if PD is "a consequence of viral infection."

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44368-025-00016-5

augieray OP ,
@augieray@mastodon.social avatar

People have been sold two lies: One is that we know a lot about COVID, and the other is that COVID is just a mild, acute illness now. Neither is true. It takes years to understand how a new virus might impact conditions such as cancer, neurological disorders, and heart disease. But what we do know should encourage us to be more cautious.

We could be a little more careful, or we could just hope for the best. I know which is the better decision.

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

When Republicans in their 30s get caught supporting Hitler in a group chat, conservatives call them “kids.”

When underage girls get sexually abused by Trump's friends (and probably Trump), conservatives call them “young women.”

The language tells you everything you need to know about GOP morality and family values.

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Conservatives believe in Schrödinger's immigrants: They are simultaneously criminal, destitute people coming to leech off the generosity of the government, as well as capable, hard-working people getting 30-year mortgages and buying up properties.

JD Vance: "A lot of young people are saying housing is way too expensive. Why is that? Because we flooded the country with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens."

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/jd-vances-effort-blame-immigrants-housing-prices-self-defeating-mess-rcna243904?icid=latestpost_bot

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

Do people not really realize what a bad idea a 50-year mortgage is?

At 5.98% interest on a $320,000 loan, the reduction in monthly payment is only $235 ($2,289.45 vs $2,054.77).

Meanwhile, over the lifetime of the loan, the additional interest payments are almost $320,000 greater ($369,201.62 vs $687,860.46)!

A 50-year mortgage is a way to ensure that fewer people build equity and pay a LOT more interest.

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

It feels a little on the nose for Trump to have a Great Gatsby Halloween party as the government shutdown drags into a second month, workers go without pay, and food assistance is cut off for the needy. Then again, the irony will be lost on most Republicans who think Gatsby is about fun parties and not the rot at the heart of American wealth.

Photo of Donald Trump at his Great Gatsby Halloween party.
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@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

GOP: Stop calling us Nazis!

Trump's Department of Labor's new ad campaign:

@augieray@mastodon.social avatar augieray , to random

I do not understand how so many Texans can continue to support the GOP leadership in their state. This is lunacy!

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the maker of Tylenol, Kenvue, and Johnson & Johnson, who previously sold Tylenol, claiming that they have been “deceptively marketing Tylenol” knowing that it “leads to a significantly increased risk of autism and other disorders.” This claim is based on RFK Jr's conspiracy theories and online disinformation.

https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/10/if-things-in-america-werent-stupid-enough-texas-is-suing-tylenol-maker