There’s a lot to discuss here
OH MY FUCKING GOD WHAT IS EVEN GOING ON HERE
I CAN’T
*dies*
“It’s like I was saying, kids: don’t take shit off of anyone.”
This photo….
….this photo 0_o
It’s strange how “scandal” gets defined these days in Washington. At the moment, everyone is screaming about the “scandal” of the Internal Revenue Service scrutinizing conservative nonprofits before granting them tax-exempt status.
“
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This should be the last word in the so-called “IRS scandal” which is getting smaller with each detail I hear about it. It won’t be, because Benghazi is revealing itself to be an old fashioned failure of intelligence and not an Iran-Contra style liefest, so certain segments of the population devote a lot of time to bringing a president down. And I get that, I spent the 8 years of Bush 2 mired in what the Onion called outrage fatigue. I was concerned about spending, defense, America’s place in the world. But that’s also because Bush 2 increased spending, got us caught in our nations longest war, saw 13 American embassy attacks occur (in Yemen! Greece! Pakistan! Countries far more stable than Libya!). If you’re all of a sudden concerned with spending and safety of our troops, you need to ask yourself what’s different about this President. Some big points that need to be made: - eventually, after the ‘tea party’ classification was deemed unfair, groups that were interested in “limiting/expanding government” were targeted (italics mine). Doesn’t sound like they’re JUST going after conservative groups. - Congress’ bi-partisan complicity: “The IRS was swamped by the wave. The number of groups seeking C4 status from the agency rose from 1,500 in 2010 to 3,400 last year. Meanwhile, the agency was being pulled in two directions. In February last year, seven Democratic senators complained that the IRS was too “permissive” with its rules, which judged a C4 not to be engaged “primarily” in electioneering as long as no more than 49% of its spending went to such activities. In August, 10 GOP senators warned the agency to deep-six any efforts to tighten the rules on C4s.” Nice to see those guys agreeing on something. - The Koch brothers backed Citizens United, the court decision that makes such organizations viable. And the Koch brothers are bidding for the LA Times, so enjoy this kind of journalism while it lasts. (via johnrossbowie) |
when bananas rot they secrete stuff that makes other fruit including bananas near them rot faster
that’s so fucked up that is murder suicide
bananas commit murder suicidethat’s pretty fucking metalI’d say it’s pretty fuckingbananas
Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy, in case you hadn’t heard. How dare she remove those ticking time bombs from her chest, amiright? Like, hasn’t she learned by now that her body is public domain and we all get to vote on what she does with it? Sheesh, how selfish can ya get.
WHEN AMY’S BAKING COMPANY BAKERY BOUTIQUE & BISTRO HAD A MELTDOWN:
I’m not saying that my Mom and I had the BEST RELATIONSHIP EVAH. We didn’t. Two people that are practically the same never really do. But, as I look back on my life, I realize that my Mom did the absolute best that she could with what she was given, and although I was a good girl, I wasn’t the easiest girl to mother. I don’t like tooting my own horn, but I’m smart. My mother is too, don’t ever let her tell you any different, but just in a different kind of way. When I was wanting her to tell me the secrets of calculus, she was wanting me to learn how to cook. Now, as I have my own children, I realize that it was an issue of her not knowing how to deal with me, how to come to my level of thinking. I often struggle with having to do this with my own children; when I have to slow down my thinking process and find some sort of common ground in order to get my point across. And, the only way that I know how to do this is because of Star Trek.
I bet when you asked for these testimonials you weren’t expecting to get an answer that says that I am a better mother because of Star Trek. It isn’t just that, though. Star Trek, specifically the friendship between Spock and Captain Kirk taught me that just because I was intelligent and thought in ways that no one else around me did, it didn’t mean that I couldn’t have a meaningful relationship with the people around me.
“
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Darkened Prose: A Letter to William Shatner This is lovely. |
Etsy accused me of not assembling my synths by hand, demanded photos, and shutdown my shop (2/2)
Link to part one - http://tiny.cc/6mb3ww
—— ——- ——- ——- ——-
May 12, 2012
From: Etsy Marketplace Integrity
To: meHello,
This is (representative’s name) from Etsy’s Marketplace Integrity Team. Thank you for your interest in selling on Etsy.
Unfortunately, some of the items listed in your shop do not appear to qualify for the Etsy marketplace. We are a venue for independent artists to sell their own handmade goods as well as Vintage items and Craft Supplies.
As your items do not appear to meet the criteria to sell on Etsy, your shop has been suspended.
Here is some information about what can be sold on Etsy:
Items Handmade by You:
Artists and crafters can sell items they have made. Some production assistance is allowed, but the person running the shop needs to have a large part in creating the items for sale.
Vintage Goods:
These must be at least 20 years old. “Vintage style” or “vintage inspired” items less than 20 years old cannot be sold in the Vintage category.
Crafting Supplies:
These are items intended for crafting. This category is for raw materials and tools that may be used to create things sold on Etsy. “Ready to use” items do not qualify as Craft Supplies.
Do not open other Etsy accounts. They will be closed immediately and without notice. Your other Etsy accounts may be suspended as well.
Let us know if you have any questions about this.Best,
Etsy Marketplace Integrity
http://www.etsy.com/policy/dosdonts
____
This message is a private conversation between you and Etsy. Please respect this confidentiality and refrain from distributing this communication without permission from Etsy. If you feel this message was sent to you in error, please delete it and let us know. Thank you.——- ——- ——- ——- ——-
May 12, 2012
From: me
To: Etsy Marketplace IntegrityHi (represenative’s name),
My items do fit these qualifications. I build my electronics by hand.Can you please tell me which item you have an issue with?
——- ——- ——- ——- ——-May 13, 2012
From: Etsy Marketplace Integrity
To: me
Brendan,
Thank you for your attention to this matter. In order to consider reopening your shop, we need to know more about how your items are made.
Please respond to the following questions within 5 days. This information is for internal use only.Incomplete, incorrect, or otherwise false information may result in your account privileges being revoked.
Step 1 - Information about your shop
1. How many people are involved in your shop?
2. Write the name of each person and their role in the shop. This includes making things, creating listings, running the shop, and shipping items.
3. Do you outsource any aspect of production of your handmade items? If so, what part(s)?
Step 2 - Information about a specific item in your shop
https://img1.etsystatic.com/011/0/6829829/il_fullxfull.445047669_272f.jpg
4. In detail, please outline the steps used to make this item. Include as much information as possible.
Step 3 - Attach images
In all of the images, please include a piece of paper showing:
• your username
• the date
This will show us that the images are current and taken by you.
Attach images of:
• Raw materials used to make the item in Step 2
• Step-by-step images of your handmade process in Step 2
• Images of the finished product in Step 2
• Equipment and work space
Thank you for providing us with this information. We look forward to hearing from you.
——- ——- ——- ——- ——-May 13, 2012
From: me
To: Etsy Marketplace IntegrityStep 1 - Information about your shop
1. How many people are involved in your shop?One.2. Write the name of each person and their role in the shop. This includes making things, creating listings, running the shop, and shipping items.
Brendan Byrne - Design, fabrication, assembly, administrator, and everything else.3. Do you outsource any aspect of production of your handmade items? If so, what part(s)?
I outsource the circuit-boards. They’re printed in China. The chemicals involved in the production of them are not suitable for homes.
Step 2 - Information about a specific item in your shop
https://img1.etsystatic.com/011/0/6829829/il_fullxfull.445047669_272f.jpg
4. In detail, please outline the steps used to make this item. Include as much information as possible.The wood panels and acrylic front and bottom panels were cut using a 75 watt laser cutter that I have at my disposal. I designed the enclosure in Adobe Illustrator. The PCB was sourced from Music from Outer Space, an online synth hobbyist store. The owner, Ray Wilson, explicitly gives permission for the resale of his boards in finished projects. I adhere to his policies.The knobs, potentiometers, and jacks were all secured by me. I did all of the wiring as well. Ordered the parts and soldered them all to the board too. Easily a day’s work to assemble not including the time to design it.
Step 3 - Attach images
In all of the images, please include a piece of paper showing:
• your username
• the date
This will show us that the images are current and taken by you.
Attach images of:
• Raw materials used to make the item in Step 2
• Step-by-step images of your handmade process in Step 2I didn’t take documentation during the build process, but this is a very similar item that I used the same techniques on.
——- ——- ——- ——- ——-May 13, 2012
From: Etsy Marketplace Integrity
To: meDear Brendan,
Thanks for getting back to us. We appreciate the time you have taken to answer our questions.
However, we still do not have enough information about your items to confirm that they comply with our policies.
In order for us to have sufficient information, we need to see images of the specific item we inquired about in our previous message being made from beginning to completion.
Please note that any and all information you share with us is completely confidential. We look forward to receiving this information.Best,
Etsy Marketplace Integrity
http://www.etsy.com/policy/dosdonts——- ——- ——- ——- ——-
May 13, 2012
From: me
To: Etsy Marketplace IntegrityI don’t have photos of me building the item from start to finish. I checked Etsy’s “Do’s and Don’ts” page and nowhere does it even suggest that sellers be required to supply photos of the build process.I’ve supplied photos of a device that I’ve documented the construction of that is nearly identical to this item. It’s linked to my Flickr site and to my Gmail which are direct representations of my craftmanship and practice. I’m wondering what the problem is? And why if the problem is so focused on this one particular item my entire store was suspended without warning. It should be obvious these devices were made by me and no one else. Where else could it have come from?!I know electronic devices are an offshoot of what Etsy does and I’m always amazed by what items pop up there. However, I can’t help but doubt how well you or your staff is versed in the production of these devices, which I completely understand and don’t fault you for.The photos I’ve supplied should be evidence enough to anyone that I’ve built this device.If at all possible, I’d like to discuss this over phone. Are you able to schedule a time to speak with me tomorrow?I’m currently putting together a large batch of devices that I’m planning to sell through Etsy and need my page functional. This downtime is incredibly embarrassing. I usually pick up 1-2 followers daily and depend on them as my base market for my next products.
——- ——- ——- ——- ——-May 14, 2012From: Etsy Marketplace Integrity
To: me
Brendan,
We appreciate your cooperation with this process. This is a standard questionnaire used to learn more about items on Etsy and ensure they comply with our policies. We reach out to many sellers to ask for this information. Unfortunately, we’re not equipped to offer phone support at this time.
As you’ve indicated you’re currently working on some devices for your shop, if you could take photos of that process and provide them, we can review them for compliance with our policies and revisit your account status. Thanks.——- ——- ——- ——- ——-May 14, 2012
From: me
To: Etsy Marketplace Integrity
I’d appreciate a link to the section on your website that states sellers are expected to document their build process and can be asked to supply those photos on demand by Etsy staff.I’ve done nothing wrong and have cooperated by showing photos of my workshop, the item in question which was obviously assembled by my own hand, and my technical process for constructing an almost identical device already. I consider this to be MORE than enough evidence to settle the question of who built it. I find your further insistence for evidence completely unnecessary and insulting.When I look over Etsy and see cases of rampant copyright infringement and “prints” that were generated using Photoshop filters and standard copiers I can’t help but feel persecuted for the nature of my items. Do you ask those sellers for photos of the work coming out of the printer? Or images of them adjusting levels in photoshop?At this point, I’m going to ask for access to my account and an apology or I’ll take my business elsewhere.——- ——- ——- ——- ——-May 14, 2012
From: me
To: Etsy Marketplace IntegrityA photo of my logo and etsy shop address laser etched into the back of the item in question.THANKS!
——- ——- ——- ——- ——-May 14, 2012
From: Etsy Marketplace Integrity
To: meBrendan,
The information you provided in your response did not adequately demonstrate your Handmade process. Based on what you submitted, we are unable to approve your shop to sell on Etsy at this time.
If you would like to submit additional information that clearly demonstrates how your items are made, we will review it. However, we cannot reconsider your account status or respond further until we receive information sufficient to confirm that your items meet our policies. Thank you.——- ——- ——- ——- ——-I sent a final email stating that I would be sharing the email thread with my school’s listserv.
Wow, Etsy … get your act together.
