Let me tell you a story about a woman I know who votes conservative. She isn't the type of person I would self-select to be a friend, or even a friendly acquaintance — perhaps to my detriment! — because she's well-to-do, right-leaning, and very Christian. But I see her every week and have talked to her quite a bit because she's one of my medical providers.

Because I'm disabled, she charges me half of what she'd normally charge; every time I thank her, she says it's no big deal, and that, "Disabled people deserve every break they can get!" This saves me something like $3,000 dollars a year: that's an extra $3,000 a year she could be making, and actually now can't be making, because she's using her hours to treat me instead of other patients. She does a lot of volunteering. Donates a lot of money. She talks about how she's disappointed that certain social services, like disabled transit, fail disabled people, and has a fairly robust understanding of how that plays out because she listens carefully to her disabled patients. In her church, she's taken a stand for welcoming gay members of the community into the congregation, and into leadership positions, and was heartbroken and felt powerless and bewildered when the higher-up leadership blocked several of these things.

Whenever I've talked about the difficulties my trans friends are facing, she is genuinely sympathetic to the individual friend, interested in their life, and sad about their suffering, but sometimes expresses the concern-trolling talking points of the right-wing media — I read this as her being very responsive and caring to any unique individual she knows, but not recognizing the perils of the wider systemic discrimination going on.

Last time there was an election, I was talking about how conservative funding cuts impact the disabled community, and she expressed a lot of opinions along the lines of, "Of course I think everyone who needs disability income should have it! But don't you realize that the left-wing government will get us further into debt, whereas the conservatives will improve the economy so that we have more government funds to give social programs?" This coming from a person whose personality is very caring, motherly, and friendly, not at all a combative or hostile "debater:" normal people genuinely believe these things because the right-wing media repeats them over and over again.

I think that you really are right when you say, I truly believe they are good, kind, thoughtful people. Most of them probably are. But they are being lied to and duped by right-wing politicians, and not realizing the extent to which they're being lied to, because they believe we still live in a reasonable society in which no one would actually lie that much ... so some of the things they're saying must be true, right?

They don't realize the extent to which BIPOC, queer, disabled, immigrant, etc. minority groups are in very real danger, and think it must be exaggerated, because they don't really know that many, or the few that they know appear to be doing just fine. And so they vote with their worry and their fear, and their vote does not truly carry through their intentions about the kind of world they wish to live in.

This is not, of course, all people. Some people really are deep into right-wing ideology and have entire groups that they do not see as real people. But I find that most of the people I meet are like her: I could have several conversations with them not knowing they are right-wing, and get along with them just fine, because their day-to-day values of how to treat other human beings really are quite similar to mine. But because of their political/cultural education, their sociological and media literacy, and the demographics of people that make up their workplace, friends, and family, they are being fed a different set of facts, a different "reality."

This all makes me incredibly sad but also gives me bit of hope, and I hope it will bring some peace to you.

I live in Canada, so it's not the same, but I do live in one of the most right-leaning provinces. I really feel what you're going through. I am also surrounded by people I care about — who appear to care about me — who vote in one awful conservative government after another. Stay strong: sending love and sympathy.

As mysterious displays of fireworks continue to be set off across the country – in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles – residents in New York City say the nightly cacophony is driving them nuts. "It's kind of been a bit all-consuming to be honest," said Brooklyn resident Eric Anderson, 33. "I go to bed hearing it. I get woken up hearing it, and then on my Twitter feed all anybody is doing is talking about it." In New York City, the police department said there were 54 fireworks complaints in the first half of last year. In the same period this year, there have been more than 11,000. It's illegal to set off your own fireworks in New York, and Mayor Bill de Blasio has said the city is going to crack down on suppliers. "We're going to start a huge sting operation to go and get these illegal fireworks at the base," he said. Last week he appointed a task force made up of officers from the New York City Police Department, fire marshals and members of the Sheriff's Bureau of Criminal

Updated at 9:22 p.m. ET The president has fired FBI Director James Comey, who was overseeing an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 elections and possible ties to the Trump campaign and top aides. The White House pointed to Comey's handling of the probe into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's private email server while secretary of state as the reason for his dismissal. But Democrats were quick to call the move " Nixonian ," saying that the decision by Trump was part of an effort to impede the Justice Department's Russia investigation which, in the view of many leading Capitol Hill Democrats, could now only be managed by a special prosecutor going forward. "Today, President Donald J. Trump informed FBI Director James Comey that he has been terminated and removed from office. President Trump acted based on the clear recommendations of both Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Attorney General Jeff Sessions," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said

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A childhood full of Christmasses in Wales has left IDEAS producer Tom Howell pining for a certain kind of nostalgic poem this winter. So he turns to poets to put into words a strange feeling of homesickness, nostalgia, and yearning in his documentary, Fireside and Icicles.

A new chapter begins for Keys on this confident, assured album.

A massive new firefighter training college will be built at Erskine Park on Mamre Road.

AN ASSOCIATE of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and his girlfriend have been charged with firearms offences.

A DOG has been evacuated from the backyard of a western Sydney home that went up in flames this morning.

A look at voting trends the day after the election. Also, Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin McCarty. Plus, how to navigate uncomfortable conversations post-election. Finally, six years since the Camp Fire.

The first dispensary chain founded by Alex Levine, Andy Levine and Lisa Leder is preparing to cease operations in Colorado, three years after they sold it.

South Carolina's High Water Festival will return to North Charleston's Riverfront Park next year on April 26-27.

Read our review of Outpost Firewall Pro, the best software firewall solution in the industry.

A quick and easy way of making the avast! Internet Security Firewall much more effective.

A home repair show that helps Coloradans recover from shady contractors is accused of hiring just such a contractor for a project in Larkspur.

The physical strain this type of motion work entails, and the hours put into it, are part of the reason why he believes all video-game performers should be protected equally from the use of unregulated artificial intelligence.

Colorado wildfires are becoming more extreme, and fire officials must seek new and better ways to prevent and fight them.

A wildfire northwest of Fort Collins on Tuesday burned 15 to 30 acres.

She allegedly told him to stay in his “hood.”

These R&B artists perfect tribute performances.

Police are investigating a confirmed firearms incident which occurred in Southampton today [Feb 25] with detectives “looking for two suspects who rode away from the scene on a dark coloured motorcycle which did not have license plates.” A police spokesperson said, “Police are investigating a confirmed firearms incident which occurred in the Southampton area on […]

Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons urged the public to come forward with any information regarding recent firearms incidents. Commissioner Simons said, “The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] is appealing for the public to provide any information they may have regarding recent firearms incidents in our community. When we work together, the evidence of our success is clear. […]

The police have confirmed that yet another firearm incident took place, this time in the Ord Road area, and said that “so far, there are no reported injuries.” A police spokesperson said, “As a result of information received Friday afternoon, 3rd May 2024, police officers were dispatched to a report of gunshots in the Ord […]

Matches in the Bermuda netball under 18 and senior division took place at the Bernard’s Park. Under 18 Division Phoenix Fire 37 – North Village Lady Rams 20 Phoenix Fire defeated the North Village Lady Rams 37 – 20. MVP Kammie Mills led the Phoenix Fire to victory with 22 goals, while Hailey Trott added […]

Appearing in Magistrates Court this morning [Jan 6], two men denied setting fire to a Christmas tree that was outside Clarien Bank’s Reid Street entrance in Hamilton. 47-year-old Garth John Hayward of Southampton and 52-year-old Eugene Floyd Anderson of no fixed abode, both pleaded not guilty to setting fire to a tree next to Clarien […]

Firefighters extinguished a car fire in St George’s this evening [Dec 13], with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguishing the blaze. A spokesperson said said, “At 7pm on Sunday December 13th 2020, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service Dispatch received a call reporting a vehicle fire at Suffering Lane, St George’s. “BFRS responded with one […]

Firefighters extinguished a brush fire in Sandys today [March 11] after receiving a “report of a controlled burn which got out of control.” A spokesperson said, “On March 11th 2021 at 2:34pm, a report of a controlled burn which got out of control was received by Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service dispatch on West Side […]

[Updated] The playground at Pigs Field, located off of Bandroom Lane in Pembroke, has been destroyed by a fire, with the police confirming that the fire “is being treated as suspicious.” Last night, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service responded to the blaze with two appliances from Hamilton Station and a total of six firefighters. […]

Firefighters responded to a brush fire in the Crawl Hill, Hamilton Parish area today [Jan 12]. A spokesperson said, “At 9:38am on Wednesday January 12, 2022 BFRS dispatch received a report of a brush fire Crawl Hill, Hamilton Parish. BFRS responded with three appliances from the Hamilton and Clearwater Stations with a total of eight firefighters.  […]

Firefighters extinguished a fire in a building in Pembroke last night. A spokesperson said, “On March 12, 2022 at 9:51pm, Bermuda and Fire Rescue Service Dispatch received a report of a structural fire at Uppington Crescent, Pembroke. “Fire appliances from the Hamilton and Clearwater Stations responded with a total of eight firefighters. On arrival at the […]

[Written by Stephen Wright] Bermudian artist Fire Wayne has a burning desire for his new song, One Blood, to reach every household on the island. Fire Wayne, whose real name is Wayne Raynor Jr, has again linked up with local producer RTwoG2, also known as DJ Rusty G, on the song, released on all major […]

Noting they are “aware of a video clip of the firearms incident” which occurred on Court Street this weekend being circulated on social media, the police said ”sharing these images could hamper that investigation” and urged people to please not share it. A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service is aware of a video clip of the […]

The Ministry of Public Works advised of a “smouldering bunker fire at the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy facility in Devonshire.” A Government spokesperson said, “The incident has resulted in periodic impacts on service delivery. The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service and Tynes Bay personnel are closely monitoring the situation to ensure it remains under […]

“There is a brush fire in the Glebe Road, Parsons Road, Pembroke area,” the police said this afternoon [Aug 7]. A police spokesperson said, “Bermuda Fire & Rescue are currently on scene. Police are diverting traffic around the area at St. Augustine’s Hill and Deepdale Road. We are asking that motorist use alternative routes where […]

The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service responded to the Airport Waste Management Facility in the east end earlier this evening [Aug 31] where the personnel worked to extinguish a blaze. Additional details are limited at this time, however we will update if able. Related Stories Photos & Videos: Fire In Devonshire Marsh Area Video: Firefighters […]

Police are investigating a car fire that happened in Pembroke yesterday [Nov 3], noting that “there were items recovered at the scene to suggest the fire was maliciously set.” A police spokesperson said, “Around 9:40am on Sunday, November 3, 2024, police, along with Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, responded to a report of a car […]

[Updated] “Officers observed two males riding a motorcycle in a southerly direction along Khyber Pass, when the passenger discharged a firearm at police” and “officers began pursuit which eventually lead to shots being fired,” the police said today. A police spokesperson said, “Shortly after 12am on Saturday 24th of August 2024 police were responding to […]

The Bermuda Police Service said they are “aware of a social media message being circulated, reporting a firearms incident had taken place at TCD this morning” noted that it was untrue. A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service is aware of a social media message being circulated, reporting a firearms incident had taken place at […]

[Updated] “This is not the first time that officers have been shot at. But this is the first time, that in performance of their duty, BPS officers have discharged lethal weapons at another person,” the police said following the recent firearm incident Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons said, “Shortly after midnight on Saturday, August 24, 2024, […]

Police “attended a residence in Warwick and recovered what appears to be a firearm and ammunition” and “three persons have been arrested in connection with this matter.” A police spokesperson said, “Shortly before noon today, Friday, September 13, 2024, acting on information received, police attended a residence in Warwick and recovered what appears to be […]

The Bermuda Police Service [BPS] confirmed that “over the last twelve months, a total of 12 firearms and quantities of ammunition have been seized by officers.” A police spokesperson said, “Forensic examinations on these firearms have confirmed their use in crimes that are currently under investigation. Ballistic tests on a number of these firearms, have […]

The Bermuda Police Service thanked the public for their assistance with the investigation into the recent shooting, and appealed for more information as the investigation continues. A police spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Police Service wishes to thank those members of the public who have so far come forward in relation to the firearms incident which occurred […]

Police have arrested three men and “seized two firearms, a quantity of ammunition, as well as a large quantity of controlled drugs with a street value of over $700,000.” A police spokesperson said, “On Monday, September 30, officers from the Specialist Investigations Unit and Task Force conducted an operation that resulted in the arrests of […]

NEWS – Govee Smart Space Heaters are being recalled due to fire and burn risks. We’ve reviewed many Govee products here including the H7135 and the H7134. Govee says the listed models do not pass the UL safety standard and they are voluntarily recalling these smart space heater models. Recall details are at the Govee […]

1. Streaks of fire are about to take over Australian skies during the Leonid meteor shower. Here’s how to see them  nbnnews.com.au
2. The Northern Taurid meteor shower could produce fireballs. Here’s how to watch  CNN
3. Northern Taurid meteor shower hits peak activity this week: When and where to watch  USA TODAY
4. Leonid Meteor Shower May Put on a Surprise Show This Week  ScienceAlert
5. Starwatch: Leonid meteor shower returns to skies in November  The Guardian