@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social cover
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar

JamesWNeal

@[email protected]

he/him/it. Old white bi guy. Currently in Raymore, MO. Looking to move back to #Arizona Retired. Former PR pro. Former state level PIO (Nebraska). Thick skin wearing thin online, but still hanging on.

Re-living first years as DJ by collecting more records than is healthy. #NowPlaying #Music #Vinyl

Surviving son of UNL Prof of #Journalism James M. Neal, Jr & Caroline Becker.

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@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Each shares a similar profile: They all voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump in the last general election. With the exception of Vermont, all are led by Democratic governors. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/01/20/exclusive_trump_launches_full_review_of_federal_funds_sent_to_blue_states_153738.html

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Every time I get upset media isn't running more stories (not opinion pieces) about how dangerous and unhinged Trump is, compared to how much was published about Biden I remind myself it's all about having sources. Tons of Dems went to the press daily to diss Biden. Republicans, for various reasons, aren't willing to do that.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

“We are in this weird place right now where we have council members out hearing about their tactics,” he said, referring to ICE officers who have taken to camouflaging themselves with hijabs & kaffiyehs, & masking their vehicles with handicapped parking placards & fake snow on their license plates. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/01/20/ice-minneapolis-immigration-enforcement-renee-good/

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Initial Review Finds No Widespread Illegal Voting by Migrants, Puncturing a Trump Claim. Republican election officials welcome the review, which relies on a federal verification tool, but they say they have not discovered a major problem when it comes to noncitizen voters. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/us/politics/noncitizen-voters-save-tool.html

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Sen. Thom Tillis (R) “If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none,” he said. “It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.”
Tillis added that he would oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed, including the upcoming vacancy for chair, “until this legal matter is fully resolved.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/01/11/jerome-powell-criminal-investigation/

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

California Attorney General asks the public to help identify federal agents engaging in misconduct. And yes, you can submit video. Here's the link. https://oag.ca.gov/ReportMisconduct

ROB BONTA, Attorney General - Report Misconduct by Federal Agents to the California Attorney General Members of the public may use this form to report (including submitting video footage or photographic evidence) potentially unlawful activity in California by federal agents or personnel, such as officers or agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or federalized National Guard soldiers or airmen. Federal agents have broad authority to enforce federal laws, including federal immigration laws, but they must do so lawfully. Examples of potentially unlawful activity by federal law enforcement agents include use of excessive force, unlawful searches or arrests, wrongful detentions, interference with voting, or other civil-rights violations. Please be advised that filing a complaint does not mean that the Office of the Attorney General will take any action on your complaint. The Office of the Attorney General is prohibited by law from representing private individuals or providing legal advice, legal research, or legal analysis to private individuals. You may obtain a referral to a certified lawyer referral service by calling the State Bar at 1-866-442-2529 or via its website at: https://www.calbar.ca.gov. If you cannot afford a private attorney, you may consider contacting your local legal aid office. For a referral, visit www.lawhelpca.org and click on the Find Legal Assistance Tab.
ALT
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

ICC building code moved up to R-49 for attic insulation, then R-60, then back to R-49 where it is now.

What's that mean for a homeowner?

Well, it depends a lot on what climate zone you're in. R-60 was a lot better than R-49 for zones 4 and colder (We're in zone 4, but barely).

For buyers, there is a window (2021 - 2024) where homes had more attic insulation than they do now. It also means existing homeowners in colder zones, might want to beef up to R-60, tho cos. might push R-49. 1/2

The rationale for increasing attic insulation to R-60 in the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IEC) was to achieve greater energy efficiency and savings by reducing heat transfer, especially in colder climate zones, but this increase faced pushback due to cost-benefit debates, leading to the reversion back to R-49 (or higher in some zones) in the 2024 IECC, driven more by political/procedural factors and builder cost concerns than purely scientific ones, aiming to balance energy savings with housing affordability. Rationale for Moving to R-60 (2021 IECC) • Enhanced Energy Savings: A higher R-value (R-60 vs. R-49) means greater resistance to heat flow, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer, reducing HVAC workload and utility bills. • Improved Performance: For colder climate zones (4-8), this increase (from R-49 to R-60) offered significant additional energy performance, translating to real dollar savings over the life of the home. • Addressing Diminishing Returns (Debated): Some argued R-49 was the point of diminishing returns, while others felt R-60 was necessary to meet true energy efficiency goals, leading to the temporary code change.
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@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Curious who managed to get Trump's Chief of Staff Susie WIles to be so - chatty - that Vanity Fair had to split it into two parts?

Chris Whipple is the author of the NYT best seller The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency. His most recent book is Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History. Whipple is an associate fellow of Timothy Dwight College at Yale. He lives in Essex, Connecticut with his wife Cary.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Scientists today announced a bold new project to hack the human genome. Asked if the intent is to create a super race, lead scientist Dr. Paul Harvey laughed. “No, we’ll be happy if we manage to make the ability to remember not just what happened six years ago but to really comprehend why it happened.”

Dr. Harvey said to that end, the project will start on genes known to improve the ability to detect total bullshit. “We get that and it’s on to increasing our immunity to gaslighting.”

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

I'm so old I remember when Americans loved to hate its most well known, but largely powerless bigot, who rarely left the comfort of his house, let alone his easy chair.

Today our most well known bigot is arguably the most powerful person in the world, yet somehow I have a feeling when comes time for him to say anything about the death of that great man who played opposite Archie, I have a feeling there won't be any feeling in his words.

Other than hate, contempt and let's face it, jealousy.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Call me crazy, but all I think of when I hear you fundamentalist nationalists say we need to make more babies is that we might want to build more affordable housing for your family - first.

Because since you and your actually working brother are still living in your parent's basement, only one of you is going to inherit the house.

And right now, odds are stacked against you.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

For example: What kind of support helps people find and keep meaningful employment? Why do autistic people appear to be significantly more likely than non-autistic people to develop ’s in older age?
And given that autistic people of all ages are significantly more likely to grapple with mental health conditions and to die by suicide than are their allistic, or non-autistic, peers, what interventions work best? https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-12-11/advocates-say-cdc-is-missing-needs-of-actual-autistic-people

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

I'm so old I remember in the elevators at work. Hell, did you know they released some of that annoyingly calming shit on ? I know, because I have several discs.

Unopened.

Gives you some idea of its popularity.

JamesWNeal OP ,
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar

Some people are saying lives on as . Not all smooth jazz, mind you - just enough to make you want to never get in an elevator ever again.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

It's encouraging that people who signed up years before I did, who have a history of, well, saying things, are knocking on my door.

You know, as opposed to generic accounts with AI avatars of hot, but not real women who have managed to follow approximately 1.6 thousand people in their 24 hours of existence without posting a damned thing.

What am I doing wrong. Why does it take them so long to find me?

The AI avatar fakes, I mean.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Just a theory, mind you, but if we assume most of the people who went to theaters during covid are the same people still going (many of us suspect this, so may never step foot in a theater again), then it's just possible many in Hollywood are going to join Stallone and Gibson, swing right to capture that audience.

Actors suddenly anti-woke, accepting movie promoting the "one true" religion, nationalism, zombie flicks where the root cause is a vaccination . . .

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

RE: https://newsie.social/@ProPublica/115684423177335238

In reality, Trump, then a New Yorker, does not appear to have ever lived in either home, let alone used them as a principal residence. Instead, the two houses, which are next to his historic Mar-a-Lago estate, were used as investment properties and rented out, according to contemporaneous news accounts and an interview with his longtime real estate agent — exactly the sort of scenario his administration has pointed to as evidence of fraud.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

(WaPo) Across New Orleans, residents had anticipated the operation, particularly immigrants. Some businesses had closed while others posted signs saying, “ICE not welcome here.”

First Grace United Methodist Church posted a sign citing scripture that read, “ICE: Whatsoever you do to the least, you do unto me.”

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

RE: https://mastodon.social/@GovTrack/115650336055224709

Same is true for Rep. Michael Rulli [R-OH6], and Rep. Eric Swalwell [D-CA14]. Perhaps they're not "missing," at all - just not bothering to show up for roll call votes.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Hed you won't see: Trump Administration Throws Admiral Under Boat, Hopes No One Asks who Gave Him The Order. https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-hegseth-maduro-512c66b99b2a13e9d1a3ed2699e78228

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Tl:dr Tatiana Schlossberg, daughter of Caroline Kennedy & Edwin Schlossberg, has been dealing with a unique form of Leukemia. It was her obstetrician who caught it when she was in the hospital giving birth.

In her essay, she recounts what it was like to undergo several cutting-edge treatments, all worked for a while, none permanently cured her.

And then there's the part where she talks about worrying her cousin is killing medical , restricting drugs . . .

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/a-battle-with-my-blood

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Amazing revelation from a new, crack poll: Not every American is worried about the economy. Nope, not every American.

Seems impossible I know, but polls don't lie. Republicans in general seem more likely to be happy. Rich Republicans with money in the stock market even more.

Rich white Republicans?

Well, they'e damned ecstatic.

Really.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Detective conducting interrogation: "Look, if you admit to it and express remorse, I can keep the charges at the state level. If not, they'll be upgraded to federal charges."

Suspect: "You mean downgraded."

Detective: "I don't get you."

Suspect: "That's because your family doesn't have money - Lib."

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Hed you won't see: Traitor leverages FBI control to investigate sitting members of congress he called traitors.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Reminder to all who just set up a Mastodon account. Following accounts is the LAST order of business. The First order is to fill out your profile. The Second order of business is to write an that lets everyone know more about you than the profile itself. Put the hashtag in it and you're waving hello to millions of strangers who might just wave back. Know if yon't do these things, some folk, including me, might think you're a 'bot & won't approve your follow request.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Know what makes me proud of myself, of all I've managed to do in my life?

Hearing the HVAC tech, upon learning I not only sealed the ductwork in this house myself, but better balanced airflow to each room by downsizing pipes that were close to the furnace, upsizing the ones going to the second floor, insulating those long runs too, say -

"YOU did THAT? Most people don't know how to do that."

Live every day. Learn along the way. So much you can do yourself.

Just wear gloves at all times.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

(Missouri Independent) The fight over Missouri’s gerrymandered redistricting map is drawing millions in donations from dark money groups on the right and left — including $2 million over the weekend from a pair of Republican nonprofits.

https://missouriindependent.com/2025/11/18/dark-money-groups-pour-cash-into-fight-over-gerrymandered-missouri-congressional-map/

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Sorry, but even the discharge petition lets Trump withhold any material s that are "part of an ongoing investigation." Maybe he really should have had Bondi start a sham investigation of him.

@aral@mastodon.ar.al avatar aral , to random

The UK and Denmark are so poor, so immoral, so without humanity, so uncivilised that they will steal the last belongings of refugees. What sad, pathetic countries. How embarrassed must their people be?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/17/refugees-jewellery-asylum-home-office

JamesWNeal ,
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar

@aral

“No, we’re not going to be taking people’s heirlooms off them at the border. But … people have cars. People have e-bikes. Those are assets they should contribute to the cost of benefits.”

"A Home Office source. . .. 'We will not seize items of jewellery at the border – we aren’t coming after anyone’s sentimental items of jewellery. But where people have a large number of high-value items, we would expect them to contribute to the cost of their accommodation,' the source said."

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Florida Man famous for taking many, many shortcuts, pardons Idaho man who took just one. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/trump-presidential-pardon-runner-michelino-sunseri-b2863111.html

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Reality in two bites.

Two stories from Scripps News as they appear on the front page of their web side: On the left, a photo of SNAP with the caption, "Trump Administration tells states to 'undo any steps taken' to provice full SNAP benefits. On the right a photo of Trump with his "reciprocal tariffs" board. Caption: "Trump says Americans will get payments of 'at least $2,000' from tariff revenue."
ALT
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

A federal judge has ruled that the Department of Education violated the First Amendment rights of some agency employees when it sent out-of-office messages on their behalf that blamed Democrats for the government shutdown. cnn.it/3JrUohY

@Daojoan@mastodon.social avatar Daojoan , to random

Today on The Internet is Stupid: people are convinced my screenshots are fake because the date says November 5 when it's November 4 in America.

Reader: it is November 5 in Australia.

May I introduce you to the concept of timezones

JamesWNeal ,
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar

@Daojoan whaaa?

@Daojoan@mastodon.social avatar Daojoan , to random

The world runs on three operating systems: markets, politics, and status. Everyone claims to hate the one they’re currently losing at.

JamesWNeal ,
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar

@Daojoan thank you for reminding me that I'm a 3-time loser.

@randahl@mastodon.social avatar randahl , to random

The guy who mishandled the COVID pandemic and killed thousands of Americans in the process, now wants everyone to get a [sic:] "HEPATITAS" shot.

I have seen Facebook quacks that sounded more sane than this one.

Trump posting false medical advice: Pregnant Women, DON'T USE TYLENOL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, DON'T GIVE TYLENOL TO YOUR YOUNG CHILD FOR VIRTUALLY ANY REASON, BREAK UP THE MMR SHOT INTO THREE TOTALLY SEPARATE SHOTS (NOT MIXED!), TAKE CHICKEN P SHOT SEPARATELY, TAKE HEPATITAS B SHOT AT 12 YEARS OLD, OR OLDER, AND, IMPORTANTLY, TAKE VACCINE IN 5 SEPARATE MEDICAL VISITS! President DJT
ALT
JamesWNeal ,
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar

@randahl guy spent the 80's in titty bars so it tracks.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

I never thought I'd live to see the day where I advocated for the creation of even more laws in my country, but here we are, realizing how much of what we hold dear about our very form of government relied on our electing presidents who wouldn't use the power we trusted them with to tear it all down.

But here we are. Looking at the very Constitution under attack and wondering if we live through this, will be able to ever pass an amendment designed to keep it from being turned to ashes.

@evacide@hachyderm.io avatar evacide , to random

If you think that Signal is an op and totally backdoored, my recommendation is that you should plan all of your crimes over Telegram group chat.

JamesWNeal ,
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar

@evacide brilliant!

@NewsDesk@flipboard.social avatar NewsDesk , to random

Most of the journalists who cover the Pentagon, include the New York Times, the Washington Post and Fox News, decided to surrender their press credentials rather than sign the U.S. Defense Department's pact restricting their coverage. Enter the new generation. The list of organizations and "independent journalists" now largely consists of MAGA-friendly outlets such as Just the News, Canadian far-right site The Post Millennial, Lindell TV (founded by MyPillow founder Mike Lindell), Turning Point USA’s media brand Frontlines, and influencer Tim Pool’s Timcast. @Independent has more.

https://flip.it/5JGJJl

JamesWNeal ,
@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar

@NewsDesk @Independent

Boss we need a way to get journalists out of the Pentagon so we can pack it with media loyalists.

Trump: Ask them to sign away their rights to talk to anybody we don't want them to, go anyplace we don't want them to go, give up their first amendment rights.

Brilliant, Boss!

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

My error. Hakeem Jeffries notes that Sen. Merkely has now held the floor for FOURTEEN HOURS. I was going off when the AP live stream began. If it began when the senator began, the clock must have reset at midnight.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

(Realtor) Among those metrics is "real estate as a percentage of gross state product (GSP)"—or how much of a state’s economy comes from real estate activity.

According to its research, the top states affected for this metric due to the shutdown are Florida, Delaware, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada.

Interestingly, though the District of Columbia came in as the most affected area of the country overall, it came in last in terms of its real estate economy. https://www.realtor.com/advice/finance/government-shutdown-state-economies-real-estate-october-2025

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

THIS is what's happening in the market. Short version: A home that went on the market for $999,995 7/24/2022 went through multiple price reductions, finally sold for $815,000 10/3/2025.

Two weeks later, it was relisted as a rental.

Rental price? $4,000 a month.

Oh, and what did the seller pay for the place? $485,000 4/11/2018

Source: Zillow.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/19894-E-Strawberry-Dr-Queen-Creek-AZ-85142/123984947_zpid

A screenshot of a home's sales history, taken from Zillow. Not shown - the previous sales price. $485,000 4/11/2018
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@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

(Scripps News) 'The nation is in trouble,' former CDC official warns of instability at agency
The agency terminated some 1,300 workers Friday, but then rehired around 700 of them over the weekend, according to the union that represents federal workers. https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/the-president/confusion-and-concern-at-cdc-as-some-staff-cuts-are-reversed-almost-overnight

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

(AP) Many of the reporters waited to leave together at a 4 p.m. deadline set by the Defense Department to get out of the building. As the hour approached, boxes of documents lined a Pentagon corridor and reporters carried chairs, a copying machine, books and old photos to the parking lot from suddenly abandoned workspaces. Shortly after 4, about 40 to 50 journalists left together after handing in badges. https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-press-access-hegseth-trump-restrictions-5d9c2a63e4e03b91fc1546bb09ffbf12

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

'The six foreigners who had their visas revoked were from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay and South Africa. They were not identified." - Which means we've only got the administration's word they exist. https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlie-kirk-visas-revoked-455f43467c0c50e84d3857c1e9c81458

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Hegseth doesn't want them talking to anybody, so they left the building. Here's a story filed from the outside. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/15/politics/pentagon-lawyers-sidelined-jags. How the Pentagon sidelined lawyers while testing the legal limits of military action

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

"These unsightly tactics won't stop us or slow us down — our law enforcement will continue to remove murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists out of our country," McLaughlin said. "This chaos and violence will end under President Trump. Law and order will prevail."

She's responding to ICE arresting a . . . clarinet player.

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

Noem: "arrest anybody and everybody who appears to be the slightest threat to you."

ICE Dudes arrest clarinet player playing "Ghostbusters."

Noem: "WTF? How am I gonna spin THAT?"

ICE Dudes: "You said arrest anybody and everybody."

Noem: "you left out the 'threat' part."

ICE Dudes: tl;dr

@JamesWNeal@mstdn.social avatar JamesWNeal , to random

On Trump's orders, the U.S. military has murdered another 6 civilians in a boat strike off Venezuela. As is customary, Trump offered no proof the civilians were "narcoterrorists."