E.S. Michelson

@esmichelson

Photographer, writer. Social media & news media researcher. (@researchtree.bsky.social). Long Island, New York Out and about now and then. There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.

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E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· 1d

2/3 The Safe Systems Approach emphasizes looking at roadways as safe for all users. An overview was scrubbed from the DOT website but is still here: tinyurl.com/243uvvzm 2/3

Graphic of Safe System Approach views it as a pie chart of five equal slices: Safer Vehicles, Safer Speeds, Safer Roads, Post-Crash Care, Safer People.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· 6d

What is a summer tomato? It is an entire planetary ecosystem and the efforts of countless other people that makes 21st century gardening and farming possible. So, it is not a tomato; but it is; still, it is not.

Ripe grape tomatoes still on their stems and a couple of larger red and green striped tomatoes just after rinsing, sitting in a colander.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· 10d

This is black walnuts on a tree. It's larger than a golfball and smaller than a tennis ball. The trees are a favorite food source for the exotic spotted lanternfly, seen here as an advanced nymph before it's adult stage. It's not clear if they are a threat to walnut trees like they are to grapes.

Three black walnuts in their green husks still on the tree. They are surrounded by pinnate leaves grow directly opposed to each from the tree's branches.

A third or fourth instar nymph of a spotted lanternfly on a new growth branch of a black walnut tree.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· 18d

The new wave of cyclists on the road is a signal to L.I. policy makers not yet meeting the authentic, organic demand for transport beyond the automobile. Cyclists make continual judgements to find safe road spaces. Sometimes dangerous errors are made. On hostile roads, errors are certain.

July 26, 2026 - Huntington Station, Long Island, NY - A bicyclist crosses five lane wide Jericho Turnpike outside of a controlled intersection.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· 25d

My Congressman, LaLota (NY01), sent an official email today building support for the HR 7008. It doesn't mention the HR 9638 bundle strategy. Selective information and the push poll makes it all reasonable.

July 21, 2026

Dear Mr. Michelson,

Public service is a privilege—not an investment strategy.

Members of Congress write the laws, oversee federal agencies, and receive briefings that can move financial markets. The American people should never have to wonder whether their elected officials are acting in the public's interest or their own financial interest.

That's why, since taking office, I have voluntarily chosen not to trade individual stocks. It's also why I Cosponsored H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, which is expected to come before the House for a vote this week—and it will have my full support.

The legislation would prohibit Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing individual stocks while serving in office, while still allowing investments in diversified mutual funds, ETFs, and other broad-based retirement investments. It strikes the right balance by protecting Americans' confidence in their government without preventing Members from saving responsibly for the future.

The truth is, even the appearance of a conflict of interest can undermine trust in our institutions. The American people deserve better.

Do you agree that Members of Congress should be prohibited from trading individual stocks while writing the laws and receiving information unavailable to the public?
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Whether you're a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, I believe we can all agree on this simple principle: public office should never be used for private financial gain.

Trust in government isn't restored through speeches—it's restored through actions. I've voluntarily lived by this standard since my first day in Congress, and now it's time to make it the law for everyone who serves.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to represent you and your family in Congress.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· 25d

The view from upper Manhattan over the Hudson River towards the Palisades.

Solitude - a man sits on a stone wall overlooking a lawn towards a river in the distance.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Jul 16

Eric with a "c"

Erik "filter tipped" cigar package. Ten in a box.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Jul 16

Leafy suburbs and flag talismans don't protect Long Islanders from climate-change stoked wildfire smoke originating over a thousand miles away. Responsibility falls to elected officials not doing their duty to fight the tyranny of the fossil-fuel economy. @commerce.senate.gov

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Jul 12

Spotted lanternfly nymphs are plainly visible now. This one is on a black walnut tree. This is a 2nd or 3rd instar nymph. In its 4th instar stage, they will change from black to reddish before transforming into the adult moth.

A 2nd or 3rd instar spotted lanternfly nymph in its distinctive white spotted black body.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Jul 7

Kathy Hochul, @governor.ny.gov, quoted on Penn Station renovation by the @newsday.bsky.social editorial board in their meeting. Even working with Pres. Trump, "'I’m not paying for it,' she said. 'Absolutely not.'" More in alt-text.

"Hochul said she is employing a similar strategy [getting conflicting parties to the table as she is doing with a proposed Port Jefferson Long Island Rail Road yard] when it comes to the future redevelopment of Penn Station, which has been the subject of battling between the MTA and Amtrak. Hochul said she had a conversation with President Donald Trump "very, very recently" about Penn and "our desire to make this magnificent."

"I have a great vision for that place," Hochul said.

The governor said she is working "behind the scenes" and that negotiations are ongoing now.

"I’m going to make sure this happens," Hochul said.

But Hochul was definitive about whether New York would contribute financially to the Penn reconstruction.

"I’m not paying for it," she said. "Absolutely not."

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Jul 3

Today, is an Ozone alert day. Ozone is bad for health. Advice for living here: www.lung.org/getmedia/ca3...

Daily trend bar chart over the past 30 days of Air Quality from Air Now dot Gov for zip code 1 1 7 4 7. It is depicted as Green (good), Yellow (Moderate), and Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Group). Half of the time the quality was displaued as yellow or orange. Yesterday was orange, unhealthy for sensitive groups.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Jun 26

The article smartly concludes raising the cost concerns of the horse unit. Are they truly useful, or tradition or PR? I don't think Suffolk has a similar unit although it was considered for public safety and "ceremonies" per @newsday.bsky.social. www.newsday.com/long-island/...

Nassau County Police in tactical gear including a horse-mounted officer.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Jun 9

Acres and acres of unused parking space in Levittown, Long Island, New York. Hot summer ahead.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Jun 7

The #flagification of my neighborhood continues. I've lived here since 1985. It's a stable, if not rich neighborhood. It includes firemen, teachers, government workers, professionals and law enforcement types. This year has brought the display of flag-based nationalism to a new level.

The view is down a leafy suburban street. Three American Flags can be seen displayed from staffs attached to utility poles. A jogger in shorts and tank-top, approaching the photographer, looks back over her shoulder near the foreground of the image.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· May 31

Toothpick manifestation.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· May 20

Boy on beach, 2009

A teen boy, in a bathing suit and topless, with arms fully spread, lays on a sunny, sandy beach. His face, with closed eyes, has a Mona Lisa smile. A row of empty folding beach chairs is behind as are two "boogie boards." The photo suggests his friends or family are in the water while he chose to lay contently in the sun.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· May 19

Well reasoned.

Khaki chinos tucked into white athletic socks. I'm not proud.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· May 18

Attention Long Island NY small business and non-profits: SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are now available for eligible businesses and private non-profits impacted by the severe cold weather from Jan.26-Feb. 23. Link to information: content.getrave.com/artifacts/ap...

A snowed-in bus shelter pcitured in January, 2026 unsuitable for use by anyone wanting to get anywhere.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· May 17

Found this old bike chain lubricant with PFTE/PFAS (Teflon - forever chemical) on the garage shelf. Updated product is here: www.finishlineusa.com/products/cha...

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· May 16

Good night LIRR. See you soon, I hope…

The 7:35 Long Island Rail Road train from Grand Central Madison after it arrived in Huntington.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· May 13

This photo. That column. 👌🏽

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· May 3

Passing this gimcrack on to the next generation.

Soft, painted plastic dolls ranging in size from about 20 to five centimeters of a middle-class, white nuclear family dressed as you might expect to see them in the mid-20th century. Mother, father, two boys,one girl, and one infant.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Apr 30

A photo I took for a story I wrote reviewing a community discussion with a local politician. That plate of cookies was the vector about what the image attempts to highlight, that democracy emphasizes constituencies rather than the official.

Huntington Town Councilwoman Jen Hebert (seated at the center, top of the large table) met with a group of constituents over cookies to discuss her goals and residents' concerns.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Apr 27

Caught the the Orchid show at the New York Botanical Garden. Delightful New York theme. This is just one of several odes to the City. Fun-filled, lovingly designed by Mr. Flower Fantastic, whoever he is. Yesterday was the last day?

A floral and plant display of a yellow cab, the old Ford Crown Victoria sedan, is designed to look like it's rolling into a car wash.

Close up of the orchid blooms. These are vibrant light magenta color.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Apr 17

Earth Day joy at West Hills County Park tomorrow. 220 Sweet Hollow Rd. Melville, Long Island. 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Hundreds of acres of woodlands, miles of trails. Has the highest hill on Long Island from which you can view the Great South Bay (maybe). Great for kids, families. Horses! Poetry!

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Apr 17

A virtual cesspool of internet advertising. All tailored to me, apparently, and somehow funding local news' websites.

A view of crappy internet ads taken from a news site featuring unattractive people, even uglier feet, nonsense about boner pills, and toilets.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Apr 16

Social media trend: Rising online discussion of "balcony solar" and plug-in solar systems. In early January, posts on X suggested that it would raise electric rates in Virginia when legalization was proposed by Gov. Spanberger. Nonetheless, it is now legal, the 2nd state after Utah to approve them.

A one year social media discussion trend graph that shows increasing discussion. In early January this year, one large discussion spike is labelled "criticism of Virginia Governor Spangerger's affordability plans."

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Apr 10

Are you sure it's not ...

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Mar 27

No Kings Day rallies resume tomorrow nationwide. Scheduled on Long Island include Huntington, Lindenhurst, Medford, Mineola, Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, Port Washington. Also brings the curious and counter-protesters.

Image depicts protesters at an October, 2025 No Kings Day rally. In the foreground the back of a man wearing a baseball cap vigorously waves an American Flag at passing cars and numerous protesters across the street with anti-Trump and anti-maga signs.

A caravan of supporters of Pres. Donald Trump in pickup trucks taunt No Kings Day protesters using very loud vehicle mounted air horns and bullhorns.

E.S. Michelson@esmichelson· Mar 26