Came home from yoga all mellow and all that, sat down to lunch, glanced at my phone and saw a text from the Illinois Highway Commission EZ Pass (or whatever they allegedly call themselves), reminding me that I still owed a bit for toll road usage from my recent trip down there. I know that I went through there briefly on my last trip south, so it made sense, and it wasn't much, $6.89. So I went ahead and paid it in the provided response manner. Then I got to thinking it was a sort of phishy text (pun intended), and then they asked me to provide a verification for my phone wallet. With a sinking feeling I called the official Illinois toll people (from the EZ Pass website, not the phishy text) to verify the text, only to be told by their computer that they were too busy to respond and to try later. So I did a quick internet search for EZ Pass scams and found that several states had reported it, just like the one I got. So I called my credit card issuer, and found no charge had yet been processed. We changed my card number and I had to notify a couple providers who were on autopay. And that's done. So probably no serious harm -- though I did give my contact into the phishers, but nothing not already out there on the web. But I feel like a dummy, or more like an old man mark. Be careful out there -- it's a dangerous place and probably getting more dangerous.
Not a good time for scoffing about grant money, when the US government is freezing and cutting back on all of it, putting a lot of legitimate research on hold, maybe forever lost. And hardworking scientists are at risk of losing their life's work, not mention their very livelihood.
There are "Stand Up For Science" rallies planned for March 7, in Washington. DC, and nationwide. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/stand-up-for-science-rallies-will-protest-trump-attacks-on-research/
Good. But what good will it do? Like, I am reaching that place where it doesn’t matter anymore. Because there is nothing I can do, aside from shop at different stores and send money to causes. I am sorry. I am just in a sad space this week. Because I am watching my country crumble in real time. It will make a good book one day, but right now, it feels worse than COVID.
I'm sorry you're feeling this way, Gravy. But selective buying and donating are good things to do. If you're unhappy about some things, you might like to write emails to some of your politicians, like your congressperson, or senator, telling them what you are unhappy about. You can find all contact info online.
I "liked" your post, but I really mean to say I get it. I just got off the phone with an old friend and we commiserated about things, but, as you say, there doesn't seem to be much to do about it. We used to look back at Germany in the 1930s and think it would have been so easy for those people to go a different direction, but now that I am in I see how intractable and inevitable it feels. I hope I'm wrong about that.
Not scoffing, and I apologize if it came across that way. I was simply stating the facts: a good hypothesis, to a scientist, is worth a lot. I'm not a scientist, but I absolutely understand how important their work is and support it! It is baffling to me how anyone can idly dismiss the vital importance of science, as so many people seem to be doing these days. I am equally baffled at how anyone as unqualified for his position as, say, Robert F. Kennedy seems to be can still get that position. Friends in high places, perhaps? I'm so sorry, Gravy. Speaking as one who isn't American, but who admires the good things America had done around the world, I am also disheartened to watch what's going on over there. *offers a hug* Does that achieve anything, though? I'm sorry to be so cynical, but do politicians even read the letters and/or emails they receive, or do they just tell a secretary of some kind to draft an official response? I'd hope it was the former, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter.
Thanks for the encouragement. I guess choosing where I shop does help. But writing my senators isn't going to do much. The majority of my senators are republican, and I don't know how much the other can do. Because the Democrats don't have the majority right now. There is a chance to flip one of the houses in March or April. But I don't even know what's going to happen between then and now. Everything is so unpredictable, it's wild. (p.s. I am NOT trying to start a debate. I am sharing my feelings. Please respect them and I will respect you.)
Thanks. I am glad you understand. It's hard too, because I am annoyed with myself. I was in DEEP, DEEP, denial/bargaining this and last week. I said it before to family and friends, I think I'm just going through all 5 stages of grief. Good news is, I DO have a therapist. But still, I am upset with myself that I tried to pretend it wouldn't be so bad, or 'he can't be like this, because this other thing'. I think sometimes, my wanting to see the best in people is a flaw. I feel a bit like Scarlet O'Hera when she comes back to Terra and is like, "I'm gonna survive no matter what." I think I am reaching that point where I need to stop trying to find the best in people and be more cynical. Or at least, don't try and deny my way to some kind of 'it's okay, I guess!' Anyway, about 1930's Germany, I think the egg crisis says it all. I mean, (the following video is a parody, but I can't stop thinking about it): As for people going a different way in the 1930's, I love what the anime, Legends of the Galactic Heroes said: "They voted for a dictator, because they wanted someone else to solve their problems. To make life easy for them." (Paraphrasing) and I think that's true in every case. From Nazi Germany to modern day, people want someone else to solve their problems.
If enough people write in, I believe they would take it seriously. If no-one speaks up, they'd take silence as acceptance of what's going on.
Fully respected, Gravy. I'm not trying to start a debate, either. For what it's worth, I'm sorry things are looking so down for you. *offers a hug*
*Hugs back* thank you so much. It is very rough over here right now, And it's not even 3 months since Biden. Now I know why Obi-Wan looked so old in A New Hope. I have thus far written to Obama, Harris, Biden, State Senator and Grassley (because of a long story). Heard back from Obama and Biden. Both seemed to have someone write their letters for them. But the letters were pretty well written, especially Obama. Also, some senators will ONLY write back or look at your letter if you're from their state.
That's possible. It was very possible back in 2012-5, because the Obama Adminstration let people create petitions that would be addressed by the admin if it got enough signatures. This new Admin isn't as willing to listen, I feel.
Thanks. I just put that tag on to clarify that I am NOT trying to start shit. The debate room is closed and I am personally glad it is. But I thought I should state it, because I did not want to begin a debate.
I’m actually from Illinois. About a year ago I made my first trip back in over twenty years and I was surprised they did away with the toll booths. Not the tolls, just the booths. I had to go back to visit a county court house to get a copy of my birth certificate to start a new job. I racked up about $14 in tolls, which after fines and fees made it up to about $40. They give you two weeks to pay up before any fees or fines, and I tried to pay it as soon as I got home. The problem was my car is in both mine and my wife’s name. Illinois in all their (insert whatever pejorative you’d like here) chose to record the debt in only her name, so I never got a notification. When they finally sent something through the mail, they threatened her driver’s license. I think their system has some fine tuning left to do.
