BC POLITICS
Saved by @Mollyycolllinss

I'm excited to help #waleg build back better today.

Rep. @wickse's HB 1329 is exactly how.

While #idleg Rep @MeganBlanksma work to silence #healthcareheroes public health boards, we're working to let more voices be heard. That's building back better. That's leadership for you.

 Here is how we #buildbackbetter... @wickse HB 1329 will:

a) Allow public comment, including an online component regardless if the meeting is in-person or online

b) Require recordings be retained of public meetings

c) Put in minutes why an executive session to exclude ze public
Watch us today. 🇺🇸

@TVWnews link: https://t.co/WBNULbIkR9

Three bills on deck today... so might be a while before HB 1329. Will live-tweet out ze action as able.

But we will have a real hearing with real testimony & real sunlight as we work to build back better.
We also have HB 1180, a weak @WaHouseGOP #opengov bill with a lot of testimony to come also. Bill doesn't go far enough as I'll explain. Basically no online public comment option.
But enough about weak bills. HB 1180 won't go anywhere.

More worried about the concern trolling to amend and likely weaken HB 1329. #waleg has way too many lobbyists who don't work for the people but for the government bench as you can see below.
With that, the hearing has started and thankfully my @zoom_us app is working.

@TVWnews link: https://t.co/WBNULbIkR9
HB 1180 & HB 1329 hearing starts now... going to be a bit complex. Good my speeches align with Rep. Pollet's request for general principles, then notes.

Now, Rep. Kraft...
Now Rep. Kraft is speaking about adapting to new format. Keeps using the word format.

"Took a look at the overall process of public meetings".

Wants to ensure public participation.
Rep. Kraft worries about viewability and talks about the (limited) options of HB 1180. Notes her bill allows folks to have staff read in comments.

(JOE NOTE: As I recall @MyCommTrans tried this in March and it got to be a bit much.)

#opengov #waleg
Rep. Kraft worries about how the public wasn't heard. Says the bill will make the bill transparent & accountable to the public & participation.

(JOE NOTE: This doesn't go far enough.)
Now Rep. Pollet asks Rep. Kraft if the bill allows for a time limit on public comment... worried about testimony being read out loud and denying the ability to set a time limit. Rep. Kraft notes that the time limit is OK.
Another Q from Rep. Goehner on remote access.

Rep. Kraft - who is breaking up - "will take a further look at that".
Now I understand there is a YouTube link: https://t.co/mX7eQ6G1UH

That may work better than TVW for you.
Moving forward, Kellen Wright of #Waleg is now briefing the committee staff.
Basic explainer of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). You can read the circa 1971 act here: https://t.co/Ogvlmmi2l5
Now talking about...
More of a RCW 42.30 primer...

(JOE NOTE: I hope nobody at #waleg - but especially Kellen take this the wrong way - but this should have been typed up and sent as night-before homework.)
Finally a reference that the OPMA doesn't discuss either public comment or remote attendance.
Good, the "terrific primer" is done as per Rep. Pollet. Joe agrees. Now about to have testimony start... but first Rep. Pollet brings up the training requirement.

CC: @WashingtonCOG
Everybody in testimony gets 2.5 minutes, but 2 is preferred. Panels of 3 will be called up.

But first Rep @wickse on the good bill. It's gametime!

"Accessible for all" "continue to provide public access" and "public testimony". Local governments can pick online or hybrid.
Rep. @wickse notes issues w/ public records acts. Also so grateful she worked with me to address risks to budgets. "The power to govern rests with the people."

I stan, I stan...
"Lack of access" endangers "public trust" and when trust is lost, trust

And thanks Rep. @wickse for talking about me...

So much to type out. But I'm getting TWO wet eyes here...
Now time for QP.

No questions. Whew.

Clearly I gotta use https://t.co/p7CtHpuRnk just on that speech ASARP.
OK, back to HB 1180 the aforementioned bill by @WaHouseGOP Rep. Kraft. Good intentions, doesn't go far enough.
Now Qs about HB 1180 to staff.

First Q and follow-up by Rep. Goehner is about issues of emergency. "Just thinking about some of the natural disasters" our state could have.

(JOE NOTE: I think he means volcanic eruptions, floods or earthquakes.)
More healthy discussion about notice. HB 1056 which addresses this now being brought up.
Finally HB 1180 testimony.

Don Land, Gary Wilson & Jennifer ?
Now talking about drag queens story hour and how resisting that becomes a public meeting issue.
I'm going to get a drink of water.
Now a good speech by Gary Wilson. Worried about how public input is being disconnected.
Gary is making a good case to enshrine public comments as a RIGHT in the OPMA.
Gary also is open to removing the emergency clause in HB 1180.
Now Jennifer Heine-Withee is speaking. "We are the ones who voted" the electeds into office. Demands listening.

(JOE NOTE: I can assure her that HB 1329 will remind government officials of this.)
Now @AWCities @AWC_Candice Bock concern trolling... not too happy about more public input.
Good question to me from Rep. Pollet where I got to explain the problems for transit-dependent folks to access the meeting.

Problem is now we have Victoria Lincoln of State Ports is wanting amendments.
Now Dawn Seaver pro-HB 1180

More from Politics

Mike Dunford
Mike Dunford
@questauthority
Election Litigation Update - Gohmert.

Reply brief is in. Let's have a look. They are, mercifully, underlength. They had 50 pages available, the PDF is 43 and some of that is cover page, signatures,

Interesting table of contents. Looks like they're packing a lot in, until you realize that much of the material that's important - like their response to the "you sued the wrong person" material and "injury in fact" take up very little space.


Looks like they decided to skip the table of authorities. Presumably GoogleDocWord ate it too bad for them to fix. This will certainly further endear them to the judge.


This is going to be interesting - leading off a reply brief with a "here's what our cause is about" is certainly a strategy. It's even a bold strategy.

Shall we dig deeper, Cotton?


"We live in a democratic republic in which the Vice President, who will more often than not be a candidate in the election, has the sole and unchallengeable power to decide who wins the election" is a hellofa take.
POLITICS
The Irish Border
The Irish Border
@BorderIrish
- Jim
- Yes, Border
- What are you doing?
- Just standing here
- I see that. And I don’t mind, but it’s just that you said you were Leaving
- I am
- ... two years ago. And you’ve been standing there since then
- Doing nothing
- Doing, as you say, nothing
- I’m Leaving
- Ok, Jim

- Still here so, Jim?
- I am, Border
- But you’re still ...
- Leaving. 100%. Leaving.
- Do you not feel like a bit a prick, Jim, you know saying you’re Leaving but then
- Standing here for two years in the open air doing absolutely zilch?
- That’s it, Jim
- I’m Leaving
- Ok, Jim

- Jim
- Yes, Border
- Have you thought about how to Leave?
- In what way?
- Moving is not really my area of expertise, but just off the top of my head, you could go that way👉, or that way👈. You could 🚶‍♂️or🏃🏼‍♂️or even✈️
- You’re being difficult now. I’m Leaving
- Ok, Jim

- Border
- Jim
- This is quite boring, isn’t it?
- It is that
- Did you ever hear tell of a lad called Samuel Beckett, Border?
- Oh aye. Went to school round here. Quiet lad
- ...
- Still Leaving, Jim?
- Still Leaving, Border
- Ok, Jim

- Looking forward to Leaving, Jim?
- Oh yes
- Why?
- The weather
- The weather?
- It’s going to be sunny
- Sunny?
- Yes. And uphill
- Uplands is the word, I think, Jim
- Yes. Funny uphills
- Sunny uplands, Jim
- That’s it. I’m Leaving
- Ok, Jim
POLITICS
Advertisement
Seth Abramson
Seth Abramson
@SethAbramson
(THREAD) The Whitaker scandal is deepening, as it becomes clear that Sessions' Russia recusal was a coordinated sham and his firing an act of obstruction—and that his replacement is a White House plant inside the Mueller probe. I hope you'll retweet and read on for more details.


1/ From 2014-17 Whitaker worked for World Patent Marketing—which during his tenure defrauded consumers out of $26 million and was successfully prosecuted by the feds. His involvement in the scam confirmed he had loose morals and that the feds would never want to employ him again.

2/ Despite the seeming impossibility of a man with Whitaker's background getting a job at Justice ever again—he'd been found to have used his former title as a US attorney to fraudulently threaten consumers with valid complaints with criminal penalties—Whitaker found an opening.

3/ Within 60 days of parachuting out of World Patent Marketing as it was being fined $26 million by the feds, Whitaker was working for CNN and telling a fellow attorney panelist that his purpose in working for CNN was to get noticed by one man—Donald Trump—and thereby get a job.

4/ Whitaker spent his time at CNN making ludicrous statements about the Mueller probe: there was no obstruction or collusion, he said; Mueller had no authority to look into any aspect of Trump's finances or to subpoena him, he said. All the while, he hoped Trump was watching him.
POLITICS
Rep. Pramila Jayapal
Rep. Pramila Jayapal
@RepJayapal
We promised people that if we won the Senate, we would send out $2,000 survival checks. They delivered us to victory—and now we MUST deliver.

“Targeting” checks to a smaller group fails to do that. People need help like never before, and we must put money in their pockets.

“Targeting” checks isn’t just bad for people, it’s bad policy too! It’s not humane, it's not smart, it’s not effective, and it’s not even fiscally responsible. Not to mention that it doesn't meet the scale of this crisis.

Help me spread the word about 4 obvious reasons why:

1⃣The survival checks often use 2019 tax data to measure someone’s income.

Millions lost their jobs in 2020 due to COVID—that’s the whole point of this relief!—and therefore their income from 1 or 2 years ago is no longer accurate. They need help now and we must provide it.

Even if someone isn’t one of the nearly 1 million additional people losing their job EVERY single week, they likely lost hours and therefore had their overall income significantly reduced.

By “targeting,” we cut out people who are desperately in need of help.

2⃣The data from people who filed for unemployment shows that more than 20% of those earning between $50k and $70k were still food insecure.

That's up 16% from 2019—and it's why food banks have such long lines. We need to put money in their pockets so they can feed their family.
POLITICS
Demola Olarewaju
Demola Olarewaju
@DemolaRewaju
The death of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande brings to my mind the triumph of excellence in political leadership as well as rebellion against the political order.

A lot has been said about LKJ since he died yesterday and I hope only to contribute my perspective to enrich all said.

My emphasis with history has always been to draw out lessons relevant to the present, to show how trends repeat themselves and to show certain hypocritical contradictions within the present system.

Only few others qualify as well as LKJ to do all the three - I hope I do justice.

One area pundits have largely missed out in the Jakande story is the very beginning - both of his life and of his politics.

LKJ's parents were from Omu-Aran in present day Kwara State but he contributed more to Lagos than so many others - we will return to this subsequently.

LKJ was not originally a political ally of Awolowo - a number of elders were with Awo right from the very beginning but LKJ contributed politically to Awolowo at a crucial time of religious threat to the dominance of the Action Group (Awo's party) in the pre-Independence mid 50s.

A group had been formed in 1957 and named the National Muslim League headed by Alhaji R.A. Smith who had been very critical of Awolowo's AG as a Christian party and moved to align with the Northern People's Congress of Sir Ahmadu Bello.

The political threat to Awo was very real.
POLITICS

You May Also Like

Billy Bostickson \U0001f3f4\U0001f441&\U0001f441 \U0001f193
Billy Bostickson 🏴👁&👁 ...
@BillyBostickson
1. Project 1742 (EcoHealth/DTRA)
Risks of bat-borne zoonotic diseases in Western Asia

Duration: 24/10/2018-23 /10/2019

Funding: $71,500
@dgaytandzhieva
https://t.co/680CdD8uug


2. Bat Virus Database
Access to the database is limited only to those scientists participating in our ‘Bats and Coronaviruses’ project
Our intention is to eventually open up this database to the larger scientific community
https://t.co/mPn7b9HM48


3. EcoHealth Alliance & DTRA Asking for Trouble
One Health research project focused on characterizing bat diversity, bat coronavirus diversity and the risk of bat-borne zoonotic disease emergence in the region.
https://t.co/u6aUeWBGEN


4. Phelps, Olival, Epstein, Karesh - EcoHealth/DTRA


5, Methods and Expected Outcomes
(Unexpected Outcome = New Coronavirus Pandemic)
ALL
MAKE THE WORLD GREAT AGAIN \U0001f30d
MAKE THE WORLD GREAT A...
@joyoftheawoke
The take down of the Cabal A-Z Charlie Freak & @djmarkdevlin

...In May 2017- Prince alwaleed tala sold his soul to the 13 bloodline families

Thread.. please retweet this truth 🙏


Trump visits the Middle East and receives royal Saudi welcome, highest Saudi honour by receiving the golden collar of abdulaziz al Saud
Not been seen with past presidents ...


When trump arrived in the summer of 2017 14/09/2017 he laid out all the documents, all the folders and they had all the photographs, disks, cds, dvds with all footage of them doing horrific things, the NSA has it all!

2 weeks later the richest men begun getting arrested...

They hand picked Obama, alwaleed tala decided to make Obama the linchpin of the us presidency. Barack has connections all over the cabal
TRUMP
Advertisement
Billy Bostickson \U0001f3f4\U0001f441&\U0001f441 \U0001f193
Billy Bostickson 🏴👁&👁 ...
@BillyBostickson
Enough Jaw Jaw, this is War!
1. People's Justice Courts to be set up worldwide
2. Citizens' arrests of all Identified Suspects
3. Lab Inspections
3. Harsh interrogation using MKULTRA
4. Public Show Trials video streamed live
5. Cross Questioning of suspects via Twitter & Zoom
6.


A growing list of suspects to be interrogated


Foul Traitors, Charlatans, Frauds, Bat Molesters! Frankensteins, Well Poisoners, Plotters, Deceivers!
Dr. Shipmans, Saboteurs, Devils in White Coats!


Organisations to be Investigated
WIV
Wuhan University IMA
WIBP
WCDC
BEIJING IPB
Nanjing Military Lab
SinoPharm
BARDA
NIH
EMERGENT BIOSOLUTIONS
BIOPORT
GILEAD
SIAC
QTEL
USAMRIID
FORT DETRICK
DARPA
DTRA
Metbiota
ONE HEALTH
GVP
ECOHEALTH
MITRE
BATTELLE
TUNNELL
LAURIMA GOV SERVICES


Suspects (1)
China
Zhengli Shi
Peng Zhou
George Gao
Deyin Guo
Major General Chen Wei
United States
ALEX AZAR
JONNA MAZET
ALISON O’TOOLE
ANTHONY FAUCI
BOYD YOUNT
DAVID FRANZ
DAVID KARESH
DENNIS CARROLL
DYLAN GEORGE
GEORGE PAINTER
IAN LIPKIN
JENS KUHN
JEROME HAUER
JONATHAN EPSTEIN
WORLD , ALL
Jeet Heer
Jeet Heer
@HeerJeet
1. Now that Stan Lee is being eulogized far and wide, it's important to remember how marginal Stan Lee and his collaborators (Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko) were in the 1950s and 1960s.

2. Marvel Comics (before that Atlas) was just a cog in the machine of a bottom pulp publisher run by Martin Goodman, the husband of one of Lee's cousins. It was the lowest of the low in the publishing world.

3. Now Mario Puzo (not yet the author of the Godfather) shared offices with Stan Lee in the 1950s and 1960s. Puzo wrote for garrish men's adventure magazines and, like Lee, dreamed of writing a novel & breaking out. But Puzo looked down on Lee.

4. Flo Steinberg, 1960s secretary at Marvel: "They were always making jokes about us. They'd come in and giggle. mario Puzo would look in and would see us all working on his way to the office and say, 'Work faster, little elves. Christmas is coming.'"

5. When JFK was killed, the whole office of Magazine Management was stunned and quiet. Except Lee. He continued working. "He was still working on the comic books," Puzo said. "Like that was the most important thing in the world."
CULTURE
Roger Grosse
Roger Grosse
@RogerGrosse
Important paper from Google on large batch optimization. They do impressively careful experiments measuring # iterations needed to achieve target validation error at various batch sizes. The main "surprise" is the lack of surprises. [thread]

https://t.co/7QIx5CFdfJ


The paper is a good example of lots of elements of good experimental design. They validate their metric by showing lots of variants give consistent results. They tune hyperparamters separately for each condition, check that optimum isn't at the endpoints, and measure sensitivity.

They have separate experiments where the hold fixed # iterations and # epochs, which (as they explain) measure very different things. They avoid confounds, such as batch norm's artificial dependence between batch size and regularization strength.

When the experiments are done carefully enough, the results are remarkably consistent between different datasets and architectures. Qualitatively, MNIST behaves just like ImageNet.

Importantly, they don't find any evidence for a "sharp/flat optima" effect whereby better optimization leads to worse final results. They have a good discussion of experimental artifacts/confounds in past papers where such effects were reported.
MACHINE LEARNING