Just so it's not all just vents and warnings on my message blogs, I just want to say...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

May today be bright and free from any stress related worries. It's the time to be surrounded by loved ones and remember that you're not alone. There's no telling what will happen tomorrow; so just enjoy the time now.

This is me getting post-election grief out of the way, but also, a warning for the future as I feel this new fear I develop has become a possibility.

For those who are blissfully unaware, Trump has been reelected as our president as a result of the 2024 election. As someone who can barely stand the guy, I was not happy (to put it lightly). Even so, I survived the four years of his first term, and therefore, wasn't too worried... Then I learned about Project 2025 .

Project 2025 is a huge document by the Heritage Foundation, listing right wing ideologies, and it targets the liberties of many people; including women, immigrants, those who work in public education, and those who identify with LGBQT. You can learn more about it by doing a search online (I recommend using Wikipedia), but generally: it is an attack on what freedom the United States has left. It's terrifying to read what these conservatives want for the sake of their beliefs.

What scares me the most about all this is that websites like Newgrounds (this one right here) could be banned or censored because there is adult sexualized content, and LGBQT content posted. It's not just this site either, as other websites that I visit for art and fandom could no longer be accessible by the order of the government. The first amendment currently protects this sort of censorship from happening, but with Trump as President again and the Congress being composed of mostly republicans (last time I checked), there's no telling how long that safety blanket is going to last.

Now, I'm not writing this to be all doom and gloom (dystopians don't happen in one day). I'm writing to remind everyone who cares about our freedom, and in particular, the freedom to share their creative works, to be vigilant. Also, get ready to fight back (but not physically) should those liberties be at risk.

This post is going to be more of a reminder and less of a vent. At this point, I've made many posts on this site to raise awareness about the Kid's Online Safety Act (KOSA). However, after I recently posted (and gained more attention than I thought) on Tumblr, reminding my viewers on there to oppose, I decided to talk about it on here again.

If you have no idea what the KOSA is, the short version is that it's a bill that allows the US government to oversee content on the internet, and make websites liable if they show content that is "harmful to children." While it does sound nice at first, it's just a bad internet that encourages mass censorship with rather vague terms. Unfortunately, it's already passed Senate, and the Committee is giving it a little push.

As I mentioned before, I've made posts about it in the past: like this one (and it has links). If you want a different and recent article, here this one right here: link. Although, you can also look up news website you want for more information (just make sure it's reliable).

At the time of this posting, Congress is on recess, but it's important to keep up the opposition. So, if you're a concerned US citizen, remind your local congressman why it's a bad idea.

I'm still on edge about the Kids Online Safety Act (although I have heard it's been stopped for now). However, while eyes should stay vigilant on the White House, there's another matter I think should the public should be fighting for.

It's a little late given it's happen a few days now, but I want to show my support while I still can.

If you aren't aware, the big studios aren't being fair to animators and their arts, and AI is putting more pressure on the situation. You can probably learn more information by looking up "Stand with Animation," but I'll still provide a few links.

Here's an article explaining about it: Link

Another showing the efforts: Link

And one a video explaining what's going on for a more visual explanation: Video (BTW Jellybox has made a few more videos about the situation, go check them out)

For me, I'm not a fan of AI being used in any sort of creative field, and I'm already mad at the bigwigs for cancelling shows like Infinity Train. Now, with cartoons like Craig of the Creek ending or just ended, I feel like we need stand for animation more than ever.

I may not be big on the front lines, but I can support by making more people aware. Another way for is avoid mainstream animation (or any that seem half-bake), and instead, support indie projects like the cartoons on Glitch Productions (found on YouTube).

A few months ago, I expressed my concerns about the Kid's Online Safety Act still being in the White House. I'm still praying it will never come into fruition, but today it's feeling more real than ever.

For those who don't know, the KOSA bill has been passed through the Senate by a landslide yesterday and it's now pending at the house. More info on these two links right here:

One that reflects my general thoughts: link

And one that I feel is has more neutral viewpoint: link

I'll be honest, for the past few months, I've learned that maybe some rules and regulations should be in place (especially on the internet), but I highly doubt this bill is the way to fix things. We shouldn't have the government directly involve in moderating our internet, and doing it on such a near impossible task; especially for those who don't understand how being online work.

Not all hope is lost as there's still opposition in the House, and we have about a month of emails and phone calls to remind them that the bill is a very bad idea. Although, I don't think the current politicians care enough if the bill has reached such a point.

All I can bring myself to do is to pray and write posts like this to make people more aware of what's being passed on in the White House. Here's to hoping.

For those who don't know, Art Fight is coming up! And I'm joining in again this year (Really, I need the break from writing and want to focus on something else for the time being).

If you don't know what Art Fight is, it's a competition where artists draw and create works of others OCs. It's a fun thing that occurs on July. You're put into a team and you make drawings of the other teams' characters to win points.

Honestly, this is the best I can explain how it works. If you want a better explanation, go look up Art Fight on YouTube (there are videos that can tell about this better me).

I drew up this picture to show which team I'm joining this year, with an OC I'm going to be presenting on my art fight page soon:

If you want to see my Art Fight page, check out this link or just look for TheMage0777 on there.

It's that time of the year of the year again, so let me just say:

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!

Normally I would have a picture drawn by now, but last month, I was dealing with my own inner demons, and kept me distracted for a long time.

I might get a picture down done sometime this month, given that I get other projects I had in mind out of the way. However, in the case that I don't get it done, this post is my way of showing celebration for now.

Once again: Happy Pride Month, and whatever you identify as, be proud of it.

I'm just going to put this down because it's been a week since the second episode of the Amazing Digital Circus came out, and I just want to say this...

I can totally picture Zooble being forced into playing checkers with Caine while everyone is at Candy Canyon Kingdom.

That's it. I just wanted to get a random thought out of the way, and I wanted to post something that doesn't greatly causes me anxiety that I think others should know.

Thank you for reading my random thought. I mean it.

This is going to sound like another vent (and for some it might be old news), but I won't be writing this if I wasn't concern about it.

Recently, it's come to my attention that people have been selling fanfiction online (specially Etsy). You can read more about it here.

Basically, what these sellers are doing is insulting to creators (both the original and the fans), and they can damage fandoms as a whole. While it does seem like the Harry Potter fandom is primarily taking a toll, this could escalate into other fandoms and cause serious legal issues to the fanfic writers and the websites we post them on. Fan art can also be affected as well.

As a fanfic writer and some one who does fan arts, I couldn't just leave it alone. However, I'm no lawyer. So, the best I can do is to spread the word out through posts like this. If you care about fandoms and the freedom of fan works, then let as many know about this as you can.

If you saw the title, then you probably know what this is about... For those who don't know, this is addressing the Kid's Online Safety Bill (KOSA), a bill that allows government to censor what's on the internet. I heard that it had been shelved a few months ago, and I've let my guard down since then.

However, this morning, I learned that approximately two weeks ago, KOSA is brought up again, and this time with some new changes. I don't know what these changes are exactly, but it was enough to make some of the opposition withdrawn and get 62 Senators to support. At least, that's what I heard. You can look up your local news if you want more information.

Unfortunately, even with these changes, KOSA still remains at it's very core, a censorship bill, and it could potentially damage what we can access on the internet: including censoring our art (including fanworks) and LGBTQ resources. There's still opposition to it, but with a path made from the Senate, it feels like it could be become an actual law any day now.

I'm trying so hard to not let this get the better of me. I'm telling myself that it’ll be a long time until that happens, or even if the bill gets passed, then everything will be okay. However, I know the possible reality that if KOSA becomes a law, then the internet I know will be changed forever, and what's worse, I could get in trouble. There's really no telling what's "safe for kids" in people's eyes, and if my drawings or fanfics get taken off for having supposed inappropriate material, then it could break me. I'm already a mess because of what happened on Tumblr and the growing impact of AI art (which I was slowly recovering from). One more thing and... Well, I don't know what.

I want to share my art on the internet for people to enjoy. But it feels like the world is not letting me.

It's sad because the people who support the bill claim they want to protect children and others' wellbeing, but they're mentally destroying people like me (I'm an adult by the way).

This doesn't mean that the fight is over, however. House is still uncertain about the bill, and with any luck, they'll shelve it and will dissolve into a part of history. However, if you are still greatly concern with KOSA coming back, then call/address your state representative and remind them why it's bad for the internet and its millions of users.

Hold on to whatever hope you have... Mine’s might be a small flicker, but keep yours burning big bright.