Notices by Bert Latamore (bertl@mastodon.social)

@Radical_EgoCom @Kilowog Power always corrupts. Congress critters get rich on insider trading. The advantage of enforced government is the frequent changes in government. Trump is about as bad as it gets.

@jk It's how we celebrate Thanksgiving. We watch the Macy's Parade and the dog shiw over Champaign and salmon. For that day we usually have turkey. For New Year's this year we are having salmon stuffed pasta.

@jk Our plan is to celebrate on New Year's Day. We plan to watch the Mummer's Parade from Ohili in the morning and the Rise Parade in the afternoon. Our brunch will consist of Champaign and English Muffins with smoked salmon while we watch. Quiet but fun.

@GottaLaff That is really sending a message. It also has a certain amount of danger. The Med is a small sea for these strike groups. They have very limited maneuvering room if something goes wrong.

@mekkaokereke @evan @markallerton @ks I totally agree that Mastodon is not perfect. We are talking about human beings, and as far as I know none of us are perfect. But at least on Mastodon you can contact human beings who can do something about your issue. Try that on Twitter or Facebook. That is the beauty of the Federvere. And compared to the monolithic social media companies, we do work to improve. All they do is try to make more money.

@Gargron You and your team are doing a terrific job dealing with the flood of new people.

@Gargron Great work at a very difficult moment in our history. One problem for this instance specifically is that it is a natural attractant for nubies. It is mastodon.social, after all, so it looks like it is Mastodon for people used to the monolithic services. Another issue is finding the right instance to join. I try to go through the list sometimes, and it is overwhelming. A curated list organized by subject would be very helpful.

@Yukari We also watch White Lotus. Are you watching the second season, set in Italy?

@Gargron Hi @Grogon Glad to see you again. Sorry I was gone for so long. Back now. I have photos to post but maybe I should hold off if the server is being stretched by all the new people.

@mastohost this, too, shall end.

@Yukari The only gifts we buy are food packages such as fresh fruit. Most gifts for adults turn out to be either something the recipient already has or something they don't want.

@Yukari So these are people who are themselves new to Mastodon and think they are instant experts? This is a very different place from the monolithic social media systems they know. They are in for a shock.

@Yukari Thanks for the recommendation.

@Yukari OK. That cuts me out. English only. Hope your club is successful.

@Yukari hmHi. I am a professional nonfiction writer /editor (50 yrs of experience) and lifelong reader. I always recommend "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White as the basic text on writing clear English. Nothing is wrong with writing in simple English as long as you can fully express your thoughts. Basically there are two kinds of writing: Writing to inform and writing to impress. You want to do the former.

@Yukari What is your book club about? I have a lifelong interest in world literature and so a lot of reading in both literary works ("The Idiot", "Passage to India") and fantasy (most recently "Mask of Mirrors" and "The Liars Club" by M.A. Carrick). I might be interested in joining your club.