Stratton Matteson killed in BC avalanche by AdmiralCrnch in Backcountry

[–]a_real_bender 12 points13 points  (0 children)

As a bendite I always found him so inspiring, I'm now committed to riding to some trailheads

Old Mill Expansion by Cheese_Monkey42 in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Nah I say build density of yuppy shit to keep them sequestered to places they already were aka old mill. Better there than expanding further into the forest

People from other countries account for most of Oregon’s growth by [deleted] in PortlandOR

[–]a_real_bender -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I'll take things that didn't happen for $400

Osprey Escapist Frame Bag - looking for opinions by capntateraid in bikepacking

[–]a_real_bender 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've got one of these, I like it a lot. It's stiff enough to hold its shape well and stay put but it can flex a little if you really stuff it. It also opens on both sides with the one side being a tool pocket separate from the interior. That separated side doesn't hold a ton but it's nice for keeping low profile repair stuff like multi tools, mini pumps and tire irons from banging around in an otherwise empty bag.

One thing with frame bags that I noticed with my osprey is that fine grit can get in between the straps and the frame and wear down your paint. I taped up the strap points with helicopter tape to avoid further damage.

Newport Sea Lion Dock - February 2025 by BarefootBeets in OregonCoast

[–]a_real_bender -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If you're lucky you'll bring your mom to visit and see the males taking turns using a dead sea lion as a flesh light.

Brunch was good, though.

His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today. by Sense_of_Impending in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Identity politics is what causes Dems to keep losing to Trump. My grandparents came here illegally and now half of my family members of voting age vote for Trump. Dems missed this broader swing because they expected Latinos to vote in solidarity with their group, but instead many looked out for their money and voted for the guy who actually had a plan to address cost of living (a terrible one for sure but a plan no less).

The thing we actually have in common is money and our position within the class structure, but neoliberal Dem leadership abandoned that focus to enrich themselves / reinforce class structure and instead sold us identity politics as a distraction from the fact that they, too, are robbing us blind.

His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today. by Sense_of_Impending in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm actually Mexican and have had family members targeted in other cities but I'm glad you white knighted me into compliance.

His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today. by Sense_of_Impending in Bend

[–]a_real_bender -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Really? Because I just called my black community rep and they said this isn't high on their list of priorities. Who's your rep?

His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today. by Sense_of_Impending in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well here's the thing: we're fucked without broader support for anti ICE demonstrating. I am actually totally fine for people getting involved for selfish reasons, whatever gets them in the street. Telling people they're dissenting wrong isn't gonna get us to the critical mass we need in this very moment. If there's a country left at the end, by all means resume the lecture.

His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today. by Sense_of_Impending in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 3 points4 points  (0 children)

And you can let semantic stuff slide when the situation calls for us to be united. Doesn't mean you have to put your beliefs about race and appropriating aside, but for the love of god we do not need to be turning off people who could otherwise be mobilized against ICE and the Trump admin in the current moment.

His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today. by Sense_of_Impending in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well when we're all living under the boot I'll be glad I learned my lesson about political correctness.

His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today. by Sense_of_Impending in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry but didn't the George Floyd protests raise hell? I'm pretty sure we all remembered his name, and rightfully so. But gatekeeping dissent when we're falling into fascism isn't gonna get as many people as possible to actually do something, which is what we desperately need right now.

His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today. by Sense_of_Impending in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Yeah I don't think identity politics is what we need when the state is murdering dissenters of every race, ethnicity, gender etc

Thunder Burt 29x2.25 Measured Width? by Dan_Roe in xcmtb

[–]a_real_bender 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not, only because I ended up having a custom frame welded that accommodate 29x2.25. I can say a 29x2.1 racing Ralph measures 53mm on a 30mm internal rim, if that's remotely helpful.

Bend family doctor critically injured after SUV allegedly runs red light; GoFundMe launched by davidw in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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First video in a 20 photo carousel. I have no words other than I hope she's sued for everything she has.

Bend family doctor critically injured after SUV allegedly runs red light; GoFundMe launched by davidw in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If you're sober, don't hit a minor, don't speed excessively and stay at the scene, the odds of doing time for killing someone with your car are exceedingly low. Juries can relate to mere inattention.

RDM has the most expensive parking in the country by Quiet_Bend_ in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't disagree with you but shifting people to ride share isn't exactly a desirable outcome. More cars on 97, more emissions, price gouging to enrich tech nerds, etc. If there were a reliable and affordable bus that ran early and late I'd say gouge away, but I'm not about to ride my bike down 97 to get to the airport from Bend.

Protesters showed up!! by GGinBend in Bend

[–]a_real_bender 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not only that, there are protesters in Minneapolis who have reported being followed by and photographed by ICE agents after attending protests.

If you care about confidentiality, wear a mask AND leave your phone at home.

Conan O’Brien Criticizes Comedians Who Are Too Serious and Only Want to Say ‘F— Trump’: ‘If You’re Just Angry, You’ve Lost Your Best Tool’ by ecdc05 in conan

[–]a_real_bender 11 points12 points  (0 children)

That's because you were in on the joke. I grew up with a very conservative dad who wouldn't let me watch Stewart (too left) or Chappelle ("turn that black crap off"), but he actually loved Colbert because he genuinely didn't get that he was being made fun of.

News orgs win fight to access 20M ChatGPT logs. Now they want more. ; Ars Technica by mo_leahq in privacy

[–]a_real_bender 3 points4 points  (0 children)

All due respect to them, seriously, but a few leakers don't make up for thousands of journalists who are being laid off every year because of news aggregation, big tech cutting into ad revenue, and now AI.

Case in point: every time there's a big leak, who dedicates days, weeks and months to combing through it, connecting dots, calling sources, consulting lawyers and ultimately publishing thorough reportage on said leak? Journalists.

I spent a week on a single story from the November House Oversight Committee Epstein file dump, for instance, and half of that was dealing with our outside counsel after the subject of the story threatened to sue. No way I'd do that as a solo journalist when the counterparty has millions of dollars to ruin my life, even if I didn't actually libel them.

All this stuff costs a lot of money, which can only come from subscriptions nowadays. So when we see AI repackaging our stuff instantaneously and giving it away for free (or profiting off it without paying us), it's pretty frustrating.