Mani K Moksha

Software hiring has become absurd. At work, you’re expected to use AI to offload manual coding and move faster. Then, to get your next contract, you’re asked to code from memory with no assistance. Pass the interview - and you’re expected to use AI again. It has never been this broken.

A strong sense I get from these internal DSA debates is that much of the DSA Left is fundamentally averse to *persuasion*. I think this is multiply motivated: they do not enjoy it; they are not very good at it; and their model of the radical is not someone who can *be* persuaded This is why you see majoritarian democracy generally viewed with suspicion, and specific exhortations against vote-whipping, one-on-one organizing conversations, canvassing, phonebanking, outreach lists, etc—the methods and tools of persuasion. I think they resent the DSA Right for being so interested in persuasive work because it forces them to compete—and they dislike what persuasion requires—and because they fundamentally distrust persuasion. It’s not sufficiently authentic; the correct revolutionary is self-created. They come to the works of the revered elders, discover the truth within, and arrive to the vanguard ready to take their place within the formation. They don’t need to be persuaded. Instead, having arrived and accepted their role in a more hierarchical formation, they are “educated”—a fundamentally different task from persuasion. A teacher does not *persuade* a student. A teacher has authority, and the student accepts their lessons. Education is hierarchical. Obedience is a feature of education. Persuasion is peer based; argument is a feature of persuasion. In a persuasive conversation, both parties may object to the other. In education, the pupil who objects is incorrect, and is penalized. That someone *needs to be persuaded* makes them untrustworthy to much of the DSA Left. Why does such a person, with their incorrect line (if they need to be persuaded, it must be incorrect!) have the audacity to object? Why do they not accept their correction and show proper deference to “the community”? What is this arrogance, that they demand to be convinced? This is not someone who models the correct norms. Politics is a settled question; the answers all already exist. It is your job to learn them, not contest them. You are to show deference to “the community” (and, of course, its self-appointed arbiters). You should study the approved texts. You should recite the approved lines. “Everyone already knows” what the truth is; you merely need to receive it obediently. Of course there is no place for persuasion in this moral model of society. Persuasion is, in fact, an affront. If you think you deserve to be convinced, then you’re arrogant, and if you *can* be convinced, you’re unreliable and fatuous. If you would *try to persuade others*, then you are slippery and devious, whereas the truthful educator simply announces the correct lesson and the pupils either obey or do not.

Jones: We are the most powerful country in the world… what is the use in developing and creating and sacrificing for that power if you can't use it to fix the most egregious wrongs like whatever a red card is. Perino: President Trump should do a flyover over the stadium.

🚨 BREAKING: RBFA say they are "astonished" Flo Balogun can play against them and "investigating all potential options". "The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) is astonished by FIFA's decision to declare suspended United States player Folarin Balogun eligible to play in the USA–Belgium match on Monday, 6 July at 5:00 p.m. (Seattle time). "FIFA bases its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. This provision states that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee may decide to suspend the enforcement of a previously imposed disciplinary sanction. "However, Article 66.4 of the same FIFA Disciplinary Code clearly provides that a red card (sending-off) automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match, as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup. "Furthermore, and irrespective of the above, the decision is in direct contradiction with the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, as set out in Article 10.5: "If a player or team official is sent off as a result of a direct or indirect red card (second caution), they will automatically be suspended from their team's subsequent match. In addition, further sanctions may be imposed." "The automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026. "The same rule is reiterated at every FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Coordination Meeting prior to each match and is included in all FIFA World Cup 2026 workshop presentations. "In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options."

Iran was ROBBED by FIFA. On American soil. English great Alan Shearer: “That is one of the worst VAR decisions I've seen on a World Cup stage. If the officials can't get a moment like that right with every replay available, then you have to ask what VAR is actually there for.” “You're not talking about a throw-in or a corner you're talking about a goal that could have changed an entire nation's World Cup. That level of incompetence is simply unacceptable.” “The referee and the VAR officials have to be held accountable. You cannot make a decision of that magnitude, hide behind technology, and then expect everyone to move on as if nothing happened.” “Iran earned that moment. The players celebrated, the fans celebrated, and millions back home believed they had witnessed history. Then, within seconds, a disastrous decision ripped it all away.” “This isn't just a mistake it has consequences. Careers, dreams, and years of sacrifice can be destroyed by one wrong call. That's why the standard for VAR has to be far higher than this.” “If that decision was incorrect, then football owes Iran an explanation. The officials will walk into another match next week, but Iranian supporters will remember this moment for the rest of their lives. That's the real tragedy.”

Ashura is a time of remembrance, sacrifice and reflection.  Today, on the 10th day of Muharram, we are reminded of Imam Hussain's unwavering commitment to truth and dignity. His timeless legacy reminds us of the enduring values of faith, service to one another, and the belief that justice is always worth fighting for. Our City’s strength comes from the many faith traditions that shape it — and our shared struggle against injustice and oppression. May we carry these values forward as we continue building a more just City for every New Yorker.

Beautiful or not, Ashura is nothing to be glorified. It's the key story of *political* Shi'a Islam. If you want to combat political Islam, it's important that you know the story of the prophet Mohammed's grandson, Hossein, rising up and welcoming martyrdom to take over the state.