Bitchin Dave's Newsletter - October 6th


This week, the State of Florida introduced a new driver's license.  It represents the state through its imagery, which is all fine and nice … but of course it has a racist overtone. 

On the back it has the phrase Let Us Alone.

This phrase appeared on a Florida state flag adopted in 1845, along with a series of colors (a rainbow flag of sorts?) symbolizing the state's desire for sovereignty.  The flag was a middle finger aimed at the at-the-time-accepted government, and wasn't well received....

For a little context, keep in mind these three things:

  • 1. It reflects a period of significant political tension leading up to the Civil War.

  • 2. It conveyed a message of independence and states' rights. The flag's motto articulated Florida's wish to manage its internal affairs without federal interference.

  • 3. This phrase was used by Southern states during this era to express their stance on slavery, indicating their desire for the federal government to not interfere with their right to own slaves.


And now we -all of us in the state- get to be "card carrying members" of this era.



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First Hispanic woman in space shares memories of historic NASA career with Idaho Falls crowd | KSL.com

This is a kind of fun human interest story about the first Hispanic woman in space. 

She recounts a few stories and shares some accomplishments. 




2026 Eco-Hero Arjun Jain | Action For Nature

Mad respect to this young man. He is a true eco hero, even if he only placed third in the competition this year. 

He started growing hydroponic fruits and vegetables, and selling them locally at low prices, to help with food insecurity.

He saw an opportunity and seized on it. Starting off as an individual who wanted to help, and growing that business while encouraging others to do similar things. 

Excellent. 

 



Amerigo Vespucci: Biography, Explorer, New World

Here is the biography of the man for whom the United States of America is named. 

But … there’s just a little more to the story. Vespucci is credited with having found Brazil on his travels, and the land was named America in his honor. 

But when it came to making a map some years later, in the later part of the 1500s, the Mercator map (you know, the one that distorts some areas in favor of others for various reasons), called both the South American continent *and* the North American continent (which had been “discovered” by Columbus a few decades before) “America”


And more about the Mercator map:



Disney World opened October 1, 1971
Disney World opened 55 years ago this week, and in recognition of that, here is a video I did about the theme park's opening, told through various stories:

https://youtu.be/wpLjd_11gpQ?si=gOTt3PqtpRadsetW

David Rivera, former congressman, gets 10 years in prison

Oh the hubris. Sure, sure, get elected to Congress to serve the people and uphold the constitution.  

All the while, working for the Venezuelan government to promote their interests. 

And if you think he’s the only one engaged in such shady nonsense, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn….





Supreme Court to weigh energy companies' bid to end Boulder climate-change lawsuit - CBS News

Reading about this lawsuit reminds us of just how deep the energy companies tentacles go…  the main question to the court is whether federal law will even allow this suit to proceed. 

Even though the underlying question of whether the energy sector is doing harm may be unanswered. Because the energy company is making money and has federal protections.

Environment and people be damned. 
 


Bitchin' Dave's newsletter is published weekly.  Please feel free to forward it around. If you want to subscribe or unsubscribe, send an email to geezergamer92@gmail.com

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