Elise__Mae
@elisemae.bsky.social
📍 #Pittsburgh #PGH via Boston and NYC metros
🚌 transit, urbanism, complete streets, climate n'at
🎹 chronic musician | 📬 #USPS #NALC fam | 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ ally | she/her
🚌 transit, urbanism, complete streets, climate n'at
🎹 chronic musician | 📬 #USPS #NALC fam | 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ ally | she/her
"Barely Breathing" got all of the press in terms of Duncan Sheik's pre-Broadway pop career. But this 2nd single, from its insistent guitar hook to the outro's delicate string arrangement, is hauntingly gorgeous chamber pop. RIP and grateful thanks to a true original.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTZU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTZU...
She Runs Away
YouTube video by Duncan Sheik - Topic
www.youtube.com
September 19, 2026 at 6:07 PM
"Barely Breathing" got all of the press in terms of Duncan Sheik's pre-Broadway pop career. But this 2nd single, from its insistent guitar hook to the outro's delicate string arrangement, is hauntingly gorgeous chamber pop. RIP and grateful thanks to a true original.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTZU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTZU...
Just heard the word "crassening" used on Today Explained, a @vox.com podcast. The focus of this episode was the media's treatment of women in midlife (pop culture overall, but mostly TV).
I think the intended word was "coarsening," but ... it communicated. Will it catch on?
I think the intended word was "coarsening," but ... it communicated. Will it catch on?
September 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Just heard the word "crassening" used on Today Explained, a @vox.com podcast. The focus of this episode was the media's treatment of women in midlife (pop culture overall, but mostly TV).
I think the intended word was "coarsening," but ... it communicated. Will it catch on?
I think the intended word was "coarsening," but ... it communicated. Will it catch on?
Reposted by Elise__Mae
Reminder: voter fraud is not a thing.
Voter suppression is.
Voter suppression is.
September 16, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Reminder: voter fraud is not a thing.
Voter suppression is.
Voter suppression is.
The rule promoted by Postmaster General Steiner + the USPS Board of Govs, fortunately blocked by SCOTUS, has damaged USPS' reputation. The Board can protect vote-by-mail, but isn't doing its job. Join @usmailnotforsale.bsky.social + tell them to Deliver Our Ballots: actionnetwork.org/letters/deli...
Deliver Our Ballots - Tell Postal Service Leadership We Demand to Vote-by-Mail
The USPS Board of Governors has the power the protect vote-by-mail, but they are not doing their job. Will you send them a message?
actionnetwork.org
September 16, 2026 at 3:07 AM
The rule promoted by Postmaster General Steiner + the USPS Board of Govs, fortunately blocked by SCOTUS, has damaged USPS' reputation. The Board can protect vote-by-mail, but isn't doing its job. Join @usmailnotforsale.bsky.social + tell them to Deliver Our Ballots: actionnetwork.org/letters/deli...
As the spouse of a USPS city letter carrier w/ 30 years of service, I ask you to consider:
The USPS Board of Governors has the power to protect vote-by-mail, but they are not doing their job. Join @usmailnotforsale.bsky.social and tell them to Deliver Our Ballots: actionnetwork.org/letters/deli...
The USPS Board of Governors has the power to protect vote-by-mail, but they are not doing their job. Join @usmailnotforsale.bsky.social and tell them to Deliver Our Ballots: actionnetwork.org/letters/deli...
Deliver Our Ballots - Tell Postal Service Leadership We Demand to Vote-by-Mail
The USPS Board of Governors has the power the protect vote-by-mail, but they are not doing their job. Will you send them a message?
actionnetwork.org
September 12, 2026 at 5:26 AM
As the spouse of a USPS city letter carrier w/ 30 years of service, I ask you to consider:
The USPS Board of Governors has the power to protect vote-by-mail, but they are not doing their job. Join @usmailnotforsale.bsky.social and tell them to Deliver Our Ballots: actionnetwork.org/letters/deli...
The USPS Board of Governors has the power to protect vote-by-mail, but they are not doing their job. Join @usmailnotforsale.bsky.social and tell them to Deliver Our Ballots: actionnetwork.org/letters/deli...
Reposted by Elise__Mae
Reposted by Elise__Mae
Perfect description of what's going on.
September 7, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Perfect description of what's going on.
Reposted by Elise__Mae
I’m not willing to regard Trump slaughtering wild horses at the same time he’s offering Americans cheap “ground beef” as simply a coincidence . . .
You think Trump can’t possibly become any worse of a monster, and then you find out his administration is sending America’s wild horses to slaughterhouses. What the Trump administration is doing to our wild horses is absolutely disgusting. 🤮 There has to be a line.
August 23, 2026 at 9:04 PM
I’m not willing to regard Trump slaughtering wild horses at the same time he’s offering Americans cheap “ground beef” as simply a coincidence . . .
Yet more grants cut: "The National Institutes of Health (NIH) terminates two Pitt research grants studying how race and socioeconomic status impact brain health." Scientists are moving out of town to new well-funded research jobs in Canada, Europe, China, etc.
www.publicsource.org/trump-admini...
www.publicsource.org/trump-admini...
Timeline: First half of 2026 brings more research cuts to Pitt
CMU releases 10% of Software Engineering Institute staff, citing reliance on federal funding.
www.publicsource.org
August 29, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Yet more grants cut: "The National Institutes of Health (NIH) terminates two Pitt research grants studying how race and socioeconomic status impact brain health." Scientists are moving out of town to new well-funded research jobs in Canada, Europe, China, etc.
www.publicsource.org/trump-admini...
www.publicsource.org/trump-admini...
No Bill Maher fan, not least because he was once moderately funny in addition to just being grumpy. But this was the first time I ever saw Milo Y called out for his weaselry right to his face (2017); bravo to intel expert @malcolmnance.bsky.social for providing a true public service.
bit.ly/45QGe1r
bit.ly/45QGe1r
August 29, 2026 at 1:12 PM
No Bill Maher fan, not least because he was once moderately funny in addition to just being grumpy. But this was the first time I ever saw Milo Y called out for his weaselry right to his face (2017); bravo to intel expert @malcolmnance.bsky.social for providing a true public service.
bit.ly/45QGe1r
bit.ly/45QGe1r
Reposted by Elise__Mae
the “op” is that vance is the most visibly sweaty, pathetic and juiceless national politician in recent memory
"Do you think we're fucking stupid?" Allies of JD Vance say an "op" is underway to sabotage his 2028 prospects.
www.thebulwark.com/p/gop-plot-t...
www.thebulwark.com/p/gop-plot-t...
MAGA’s 2028 Civil War Is Already Here
JD Vance’s allies believe there is a mysterious plot underway to thwart his prospective 2028 run. Are they right—or just paranoid?
www.thebulwark.com
August 29, 2026 at 12:25 PM
the “op” is that vance is the most visibly sweaty, pathetic and juiceless national politician in recent memory
Pittsburgh's post-COVID transit numbers: finally starting to noticeably improve?
www.wesanews.org/development-...
www.wesanews.org/development-...
August 26, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Pittsburgh's post-COVID transit numbers: finally starting to noticeably improve?
www.wesanews.org/development-...
www.wesanews.org/development-...
Reposted by Elise__Mae
We’ve reached the “salting the earth” part of the regime’s demise
The Trump-installed board that runs the Kennedy Center told a federal judge the building will have to be torn down unless President Donald Trump's name goes on it.
Trump board threatens to destroy 'unsafe' Kennedy Center in apocalyptic court filing
The Trump-installed board that runs the Kennedy Center told a federal judge the building will have to be torn down unless President Donald Trump's name goes on it.Justice Department lawyers made the argument for Trump on Monday in a court filing before U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper. It oppo...
bit.ly
August 25, 2026 at 4:36 PM
We’ve reached the “salting the earth” part of the regime’s demise
"... the USPS will generally not accept Outbound Federal Ballot mailings unless compliance with the rule’s new standards has been verified.”
Setting aside (as if!) the fact that federal election admin is unlawful, my question to the USPS re: addressing this new mandate is: you and what army?
Setting aside (as if!) the fact that federal election admin is unlawful, my question to the USPS re: addressing this new mandate is: you and what army?
🚨BREAKING: The US Postal Service announced late Friday night that it intends to move forward with its final rule on changing how mail voting is administered. The new rule was created to enact Donald Trump’s executive order, which seeks to restrict mail voting. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
USPS pushes final rule on restricting mail voting forward
The federal postal service acknowledges the new rule will impose burdens on states, but says its necessary to help law enforcement hunt for voter fraud.
www.democracydocket.com
August 24, 2026 at 2:31 AM
"... the USPS will generally not accept Outbound Federal Ballot mailings unless compliance with the rule’s new standards has been verified.”
Setting aside (as if!) the fact that federal election admin is unlawful, my question to the USPS re: addressing this new mandate is: you and what army?
Setting aside (as if!) the fact that federal election admin is unlawful, my question to the USPS re: addressing this new mandate is: you and what army?
Reposted by Elise__Mae
Dan Sullivans only pile up like this when something’s really wrong
NEWS — Former Anchorage Mayor Dan A. Sullivan has endorsed Alaska Sen. Dan S. Sullivan for re-election this fall over teacher Dan J. Sullivan and former Rep. Mary Peltola, according to a post on his Facebook page.
August 23, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Dan Sullivans only pile up like this when something’s really wrong
Happy to be elected to the Board of Pittsburghers for Public Transit after being a member for a several years. PPT is a grassroots union of transit riders, workers, and neighbors here in PGH and Allegheny County. A great group to organize, work, and celebrate with!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fn4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fn4...
2025 Year-End Recap Pittsburghers for Public Transit
YouTube video by PGH for Public Transit
www.youtube.com
August 23, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Happy to be elected to the Board of Pittsburghers for Public Transit after being a member for a several years. PPT is a grassroots union of transit riders, workers, and neighbors here in PGH and Allegheny County. A great group to organize, work, and celebrate with!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fn4...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fn4...
How about this headline instead? "2026 NFL Draft attendees shifted to public transit, speeding commutes to Draft events."
Attendees wisely heeded official warnings about limited parking, PRT provided expanded service, and thousands of cars were taken off the road.
www.wesanews.org/politics-gov...
Attendees wisely heeded official warnings about limited parking, PRT provided expanded service, and thousands of cars were taken off the road.
www.wesanews.org/politics-gov...
Parking revenue shortfall during NFL draft complicates Pittsburgh’s fiscal picture, report shows
A new look at Pittsburgh’s mid-year finances suggests the city’s fiscal picture is getting worse — a trend which stems partly from parking tax revenues coming in well below estimates due to the NFL dr...
www.wesanews.org
August 20, 2026 at 5:30 AM
How about this headline instead? "2026 NFL Draft attendees shifted to public transit, speeding commutes to Draft events."
Attendees wisely heeded official warnings about limited parking, PRT provided expanded service, and thousands of cars were taken off the road.
www.wesanews.org/politics-gov...
Attendees wisely heeded official warnings about limited parking, PRT provided expanded service, and thousands of cars were taken off the road.
www.wesanews.org/politics-gov...
A decade ago, I worked in career ed via a Department of Labor program. Part of my job was helping recently unemployed/displaced workers access training. Helping unemployed industrial workers and miners get trained in coding was a big part of it. Now ... this?
www.kiplinger.com/personal-fin...
www.kiplinger.com/personal-fin...
We Can’t Weld Our Way Out of This: Retraining Alone Won’t Fix AI job Loss
When AI replaces white-collar jobs, workers will be told to "learn a trade." But where's the support for the financial and emotional challenges that causes?
www.kiplinger.com
August 19, 2026 at 11:15 PM
A decade ago, I worked in career ed via a Department of Labor program. Part of my job was helping recently unemployed/displaced workers access training. Helping unemployed industrial workers and miners get trained in coding was a big part of it. Now ... this?
www.kiplinger.com/personal-fin...
www.kiplinger.com/personal-fin...
August 19, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Reposted by Elise__Mae
January 6 was only 5 and a half years ago, and we’ve already cycled through investigation, indictment, conviction, pardon, and now gleeful promises to do it again only with actual hanging rather than just chants about it. Nice job GOP.
August 16, 2026 at 1:35 AM
January 6 was only 5 and a half years ago, and we’ve already cycled through investigation, indictment, conviction, pardon, and now gleeful promises to do it again only with actual hanging rather than just chants about it. Nice job GOP.
Seems like just about everyone now uses the word "socialization" when they mean "socializing."
(The second/alternate meaning for both words points somewhat to the other word ... so I guess it's understandable. But can't we have both?)
(The second/alternate meaning for both words points somewhat to the other word ... so I guess it's understandable. But can't we have both?)
August 15, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Seems like just about everyone now uses the word "socialization" when they mean "socializing."
(The second/alternate meaning for both words points somewhat to the other word ... so I guess it's understandable. But can't we have both?)
(The second/alternate meaning for both words points somewhat to the other word ... so I guess it's understandable. But can't we have both?)
Reposted by Elise__Mae
This story is a bit wild. After Elon Musk's DOGE erased decades of USAID data, it was assumed to be lost. But a Canadian college student had previously downloaded much of it in high school for a project. 4,000 PDFs.
Thanks again, Canada. Yet again.
www.aiddata.org/blog/before-...
Thanks again, Canada. Yet again.
www.aiddata.org/blog/before-...
Before reimagining development data, remember what we’ve learned
Why we’re publishing a free, searchable, and ungated archive featuring a quarter-century of USAID evaluation reports.
www.aiddata.org
August 12, 2026 at 11:45 PM
This story is a bit wild. After Elon Musk's DOGE erased decades of USAID data, it was assumed to be lost. But a Canadian college student had previously downloaded much of it in high school for a project. 4,000 PDFs.
Thanks again, Canada. Yet again.
www.aiddata.org/blog/before-...
Thanks again, Canada. Yet again.
www.aiddata.org/blog/before-...
Reposted by Elise__Mae
:: LAST CALL to share your experiences ::
The City’s State of Mobility & Safety Perception Survey closes this week (Aug. 7) -- Take the survey now for a chance to win a gift card!
https://bikepgh.org/2026/05/19/take-the-citys-state-of-mobility-safety-perception-survey/
The City’s State of Mobility & Safety Perception Survey closes this week (Aug. 7) -- Take the survey now for a chance to win a gift card!
https://bikepgh.org/2026/05/19/take-the-citys-state-of-mobility-safety-perception-survey/
Take the City's State of Mobility & Safety Perception Survey - BikePGH
Take the City's State of Mobility & Safety Perception Survey, help planners understand mobility needs, and win a gift card
bikepgh.org
August 5, 2026 at 3:50 PM
:: LAST CALL to share your experiences ::
The City’s State of Mobility & Safety Perception Survey closes this week (Aug. 7) -- Take the survey now for a chance to win a gift card!
https://bikepgh.org/2026/05/19/take-the-citys-state-of-mobility-safety-perception-survey/
The City’s State of Mobility & Safety Perception Survey closes this week (Aug. 7) -- Take the survey now for a chance to win a gift card!
https://bikepgh.org/2026/05/19/take-the-citys-state-of-mobility-safety-perception-survey/
"PennDOT's 2023 deal w/ Norfolk Southern, which operates tracks between Pittsburgh + Harrisburg, upgrades tracks + stations along the route. Those upgrades are nearly complete + will allow freight trains to more easily pass passngr trains, increasing reliability." 🛤️ 🎉
www.axios.com/local/pittsb...
www.axios.com/local/pittsb...
More daily trains for Pittsburgh riders
A second Pennsylvanian trip aims to improve travel and reliability.
www.axios.com
August 5, 2026 at 3:16 AM
"PennDOT's 2023 deal w/ Norfolk Southern, which operates tracks between Pittsburgh + Harrisburg, upgrades tracks + stations along the route. Those upgrades are nearly complete + will allow freight trains to more easily pass passngr trains, increasing reliability." 🛤️ 🎉
www.axios.com/local/pittsb...
www.axios.com/local/pittsb...
On today’s npr.org “Up First,” reporter Ryan Lucas began his sentences with a curt “Well, look…” during his brief chat w/ the anchor…FOUR TIMES. I appreciate the thorough coverage and sure, the DOJ is grim AF. But he sounded like an angry divorced dad arguing w/ his ex about custody scheduling.
Grumpy Pomeranian Dog with Angry Expression
ALT: Grumpy Pomeranian Dog with Angry Expression
static.klipy.com
July 31, 2026 at 1:12 PM
On today’s npr.org “Up First,” reporter Ryan Lucas began his sentences with a curt “Well, look…” during his brief chat w/ the anchor…FOUR TIMES. I appreciate the thorough coverage and sure, the DOJ is grim AF. But he sounded like an angry divorced dad arguing w/ his ex about custody scheduling.