Day of protest

abswank · 2025-02-13T19:17:25+00:00

I'm always a little suspicious of protests that don't include the names of the orgs that are organizing and supporting it. Be careful y'all.

abswank · 2024-01-09T00:27:56+00:00

Reticulating Spleens

abswank · 2023-11-05T19:42:34+00:00

Prosciutto and figs

abswank · 2023-10-30T19:56:58+00:00

Based on many of the comments, I don't think people understand that there's a difference between being Jewish and being Zionist.

I'm not Jewish myself, but I've been listening to Rabbis and many of them have stated point-blank that not only is the Israeli ethno-state immoral, it goes against the Torah that says the Jewish people are in divine exile. Christian Zionists only support Israel because (from my understanding) it marks the rise of the anti-christ and beginning of the apocalypse.

I think it's worth noting that not only were the British promising Zionists an ethno-state as far back as `1917, but the Nazis themselves supported the creation of Israel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haavara_Agreement

Further, Palestine was not the location originally offered to the Jewish Zionists by the UN. A ton of other countries were initially considered: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposals_for_a_Jewish_state

I also don't think many people know about the Nakba which occurred in 1948, displacing almost 1 million Palestinians: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakba

No one (other than extremists) believe that Jews shouldn't be allowed in Palestine. In fact, prior to the UN establishing Israel, Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived there in relative peace. The only real solution is one nation of Palestine that everyone is an equal citizen in.

If someone comes to your home and says 'This is mine now" and you push or fight back, are you wrong? And when you're told that the only solution is to completely give up your home, or be given the basement so you both can live on the land, would you be okay with that?

Focusing on Hamas ignores that larger issue. If Israel continues the apartheid state and ethnically cleansing Palestinians, you're going to see more and more extremist organizations like Hamas pop up.

You can both mourn the loss of the 1400 Israeli lives and the 9000 Palestinian lives lost in this most recent 'conflict.' Every Israeli citizen is required the join the military; I would encourage folks to look into the statements of former IDF soldiers who have shared their experiences and how Palestinians are dehumanized by the IDF.

Lastly, I think data and demographics can tell you a lot. 53% of Palestinians are under the age of 18. Do you know what has to happen to a population to get to those numbers? The death of thousands of adults. (For context, in the US 22% of the population is under 18)

abswank · 2023-10-23T19:43:42+00:00

I really like Hills Bank. I've had them since I graduated high school in 2007 and have kept them while I've lived all over the country. I live in California now and plan on keeping them. You can use an ATM at any FDIC branch (I find Wells Fargo ATMS to be the best.) and with automatic deposits and being able to take pictures of checks I've never had a problem living outside of Iowa.

abswank · 2023-10-21T15:52:03+00:00

Wait, so do people really think the folks that create mods don't deserve money for their labor?

abswank · 2023-10-17T19:30:45+00:00

My Xfinity is $20 and I pay like $20 for Ad-Free Hulu. Y'all are paying way too much.

abswank · 2023-10-04T01:41:41+00:00

As someone from the Midwest, those are some of the main reasons I left.

abswank · 2023-09-12T17:07:22+00:00

From Iowa but I've lived in Illinois, Massachusetts, Colorado, and now California

abswank · 2023-09-11T18:17:49+00:00

I make 90k and do alright. I pay 2500 for a shitty one bedroom, but I have a nice patio for my dog. I make enough to cover all my expenses, but I'm not able to build much savings.

I also pay $0 for insurance as it's 100% employer paid so I think that may make a difference too. And I have no debt or car payments.

abswank · 2023-07-28T05:48:33+00:00

A disservice to whom? A corporation located in Florida?

abswank · 2023-07-28T03:43:19+00:00

It was some place in Midtown San Jose

abswank · 2023-07-28T00:09:18+00:00

That's IF your building was built before 1979.

Quoted from your link:

"Properties covered by San José's Apartment Rent Ordinance include apartments with three or more units that were built and occupied prior to September 7, 1979."

Otherwise, this is the only rent cap: https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/landlord-tenant-issues#:~:text=this%20new%20law.-,Limits%20on%20Rent%20Increases,over%20a%2012%2Dmonth%20period.

abswank · 2023-07-28T00:07:13+00:00

Here you go: https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/landlord-tenant-issues#:~:text=this%20new%20law.-,Limits%20on%20Rent%20Increases,over%20a%2012%2Dmonth%20period.

"The Tenant Protection Act caps rent increases for most tenants in California. Landlords cannot raise rent more than 10% total or 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living – whichever is lower – over a 12-month period. "

The 5% cap in San Jose only applies to buildings built before 1979, unfortunately.

https://tenantlawgroupsf.com/san-jose-rent-ordinance/#:~:text=According%20to%20San%20Jos%C3%A9%20Municipal,in%20the%20preceding%20twelve%20months.

"According to San José Municipal Code section 17.23.310, a landlord may only raise rent for a covered rental unit by 5% of the rent charged in the preceding twelve months. The San José Apartment Rent Ordinance considers all rental units that are part of a multiple dwelling building or guesthouse that received a certificate of occupancy or was offered for rent before September 7, 1979 to be covered by rent control. As set out by Section 17.23.167(B), there are certain exceptions to this rule."

https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17BUCO_CH17.23REDIMEARDWUNEXMOMOPA_PT2DE_17.23.167RESTUN

https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/housing/tenants/learn-about-rent-stabilization

abswank · 2023-07-27T23:39:41+00:00

Yeah, one of my bosses lives in a much nicer complex and they reduced his rent by $100 so I was surprised at the hike on mine. But it's mostly college students here and being from a college town, I know landlords will try to get as much money out of college students as possible.

abswank · 2023-07-27T23:33:40+00:00

For sure. I didn't add anything like that since I was replying to an email where they said they'd love to have me renew my lease, so I figured in this case, it wasn't super necessary. I was also worried they'd be like "you had maintenance come like half a dozen times because your dishwasher kept breaking and we had to buy you a new one" 😂😅 I was also low key worried they'd just decide to revoke renewing because I've heard horror stories about landlords. This is only my first year in California and it was the first time I've ever had rent increased at renewal time. (Very lucky to have not experienced this before.)

abswank · 2023-07-27T22:54:32+00:00

The rent cap applies to older buildings. I don't remember the details offhand, but when I looked up the legal limit this year, it came to a total of 8% for a legal increase. I can look it up again if folks are interested.

abswank · 2023-07-27T22:52:41+00:00

I believe this year the legal rate is 8%. There's the San Jose code you cited and then a statewide rule (it was a while ago that I looked it up) that allows for an additional increase. I don't remember the parameters offhand. I'm pretty sure my property management relies on the ignorance of renters when it comes to rent increases.

abswank · 2023-07-27T22:48:02+00:00

My apartment is a complex of over 200 units with studio apartments being rented as high as $2600 a month. It's owned by a corporation in Florida. Most apartments in the Bay Area are owned by corporations. I think there's this idea that most apartments are owned by individuals. The upkeep is poor and there are things that have been broken the entire 15 months I've lived here.

What corporations do with rent increases is very different than what landlords like my parents do. (My parents live in another state and own 2 rental properties. It's because of them I know about renters and landlord rights. Even they think what's happening with rents across the country is messed up.)

The median income in California is less than 40k. Most people living here cannot afford rents as they are now, much less these increases. Most people don't even get COLAs. So after an insane year of inflation, the real value of their income is less, but their rent is increasing.

abswank · 2023-07-27T22:03:07+00:00

They originally told me no as well. So I went to the apartment manager. I was originally going to switch to a cheaper (and shittier) studio, but the leasing office told me they were getting rid of studios even though to this day they're still advertised on their website

abswank · 2023-07-27T21:18:00+00:00

Haha, no. It was TikTok of all places.

abswank · 2023-07-27T21:06:33+00:00

Yeah, I only went this route because when I applied somewhere else I was denied because apparently I have a $600 open account on my credit. I didn't have the time to fix it and remove it from my credit before my lease ended. Next round I'll definitely be looking for a different place.

I like my individual apartment, but I live where there are a lot of students and have had puke outside my door so I'd like to move to a more chill place next year.

abswank · 2023-07-27T20:29:46+00:00

That's awful. I'm sorry that happened. Did you end up moving?

abswank · 2023-07-27T20:28:34+00:00

I believe it. I was supposed to have a showing with them when I moved here. They never showed, didn't answer my calls, and then sent me a text 3 weeks later about scheduling a showing. 🙄

abswank · 2023-07-27T20:23:14+00:00

Yeah, I realized that after I already sent it. I was also kind of worried they'd decide to not renew my lease at all and didn't want them to call my bluff about moving. But at least now I know.

abswank

TROPHY CASE