Timeline cleanse
Sometimes expressing opinions, but mostly learning from other people's wisdom.
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Timeline cleanse
And, pray, which beliefs exactly would that be? Your point is as clear as mud, impenetrable to my simple little brain.
Many mistakes were made by many people and now we live in this cursed timeline. I just hope we all reflect and learn not to repeat those mistakes, whatever they were.
You’re right. I apologise, I was responding in a rush. I actually agree with what you wrote, I just caught up in “your candidate” where I don’t have one and was making a narrower point. It happens, sorry.
... the incentives go in the wrong direction. I used to be a radical, but after the last decade of global regression towards far right, I've turned into a radical gradualist – any progress in the positive direction should be celebrated and encouraged, because natural trend is ruin at the moment.
I also think that dismissing the positive progress that was made during Dem administrations as irrelevant is counterproductive. It's always easy to find more that needs to be done, but if the politicians are only ever praised by the braying mob for doing horrible things then you can see how ...
Fash is vastly overused as a label and, in my opinion, that has really hurt the progressive cause. People just stop taking you seriously if you trigger a five alarm fire at every opportunity, and the word gets normalised as a result, so now when we really have fascism it's easy to dismiss concerns.
... clearly worse than the other, you vote for the lesser of the two evils. Even if everyone is bad, slower movement in the negative direction is worth having.
Asking for what you are asking for is absolutely reasonable, right, and essential. That's how progress is gradually made. Your talk about fash this and that is unserious, so addressing that in any way would be feeding a troll. But, come election time, if there are only two options, and one is ...
And the vote was NOT for or against genocide. From your perspective, the vote was neutral on genocide (i.e. both parties supported it), but it was about whether to have fascism in the US, which you seem to have helped with your voting decision. Congratulations, I hope you like it.
I and virtually everyone talk to about this IRL vote for the lesser of two evils. We are all human beings, and we function this way. We prefer the non-fascist option, as a general rule, and where there are only two realistic options available we are not overly squeamish about the other option.
Also, I've been blocked by the OP and called fascist by others in this conversation, so there. The disease is wide-spread, it's not just the Dem establishment. Disagreement is a mortal sin in some quarters on the left as well.
No, it's not. They need to be replaced with a new generation with a radically different outlook, if at all possible. Every corporate Dem, everyone who is trying to appease Trump or work with MAGA, everyone who thinks they can wait this out, should be primaried.
... conservative pale in comparison.
I think it's time to give up on the establishment and support insurgent candidates. But also, come general election, support remaining establishment candidates as though they were the optimal choice. The alternative is just so horrible that the differences between radical left and sane ...
Not always, they can also be positive. See democratic revolutions in Eastern Europe, "taking back the flag" can be a strong message of a movement for progressive change, and a powerful motivator for broader public engagement. Sure, there are risks, but that's true for any symbol.
... their local district even if that breaks with the party orthodoxy, particularly now that the Dem brand is so deeply discredited that it will take some time to rebuild. Let the thousand flowers bloom, as long as people are generally well-meaning and genuinely wish to improve the world.
You may be right. I would certainly support more economically populist message across the board, I believe it would help electorally, improve the world, and shift the Overton windows in a more sane direction. I still think that candidates should be supported in their efforts to be authentic in ...
If you only have two parties with a realistic chance of winning power, then each coalition will necessarily be broad. And that means that many Dem voters will vote for the candidate that is to their right. But that is still much better than MAGA burning everything down!
But, arguably, it shouldn't be done everywhere. In a more conservative area, the right candidate is probably more socially conservative than Mamdani, but quite possibly similarly economically populist. They should still be supported, especially if they are a massive improvement on the status quo.
Unfortunately, the world isn't fair, and the billionaires won't stop being destructive because we don't like it. But that doesn't mean we can't fight for things to be better, and what Mamdani is doing is one excellent way of doing it. And you are right, this is not possible everywhere.
See, that's the problem right there. If you call everyone to the right of Mao fascist, the word loses its potency, and you can no longer be taken seriously because you are clearly not serious.
Completely agree.
Some positive, some less bad. I think positive on balance, unless you happen to be an accelerationist. Unquestionably better than the alternative though!
populist platform, just not during the general election!
There are so many things you said, and I agree with most of it. But, on the subject at hand, even if you believe Dems were GOP light (and they weren't), GOP light is still miles better than MAGA! That doesn't mean there shouldn't be a fight for a more progressive, more authentic, more economically
I mostly read. I virtually never post. Sometimes, I accidentally stir the wasps' nest, and then I feel obliged to respond to everybody. That's it.
And I agree in holding candidates to account, just not when the choice is them or MAGA! In primary? Sure. After the election, win or lose? Sure. Just not then!
We are talking about very specific people here being harassed into doing the only sensible thing at a very specific time, which is voting Dem in a general election when the other option is MAGA. That way, you get to fight another day and vote in another election. Good luck with that now!
... have masked thugs kidnapping random people on the streets, have the military occupy GOP-run cities, extort universities and businesses, threaten judges, openly rig elections etc. Both parties may be doing evil, but only one is burning everything down!
I'm not going to defend anything Biden did on Gaza, I think it was horrible in every single way. I still think Trump is actually much worse. Biden was at least queasy about it, and it showed. But the main point is that Trump is doing MUCH MORE than just enabling Gaza genocide. The Dems wouldn't ...
I can't check anymore because I was blocked by the thin-skinned OP, but you probably can, so read again what I was responding to. I'm not pro-Newsom by any stretch of the imagination, I think he would be a terrible candidate. But, if he was the nominee against MAGA, I think there is no choice.
You didn't check how those labels were justified, did you? Thought so. Why think if you can outsource.
I don't support Newsom, I think he would be a terrible candidate for all sorts of reasons, including what you listed. My point was about voting Dem in the general election if the other option is MAGA, regardless of how bad the Dem candidate is, because MAGA will be incomparably worse.
I completely agree with all this. I think AOC is amazing. I must have expressed myself clumsily if you thought I disagree with any of this. My point was narrow: once we are in the general election, then there is no choice anymore. We either vote for the Dem option, or fascism will keep winning.
Anyone can run. Look what @katmabu.bsky.social is doing! Everyone has to find their own funders, although support from the establishment obviously helps.
I couldn't agree more.
Well, with the quality of your contribution here, I doubt many are pining for your incantations either.
It must be it then, if it seems so to you. We couldn't possibly entertain an idea that your impression could be wrong, and that someone could honestly be both against the Dem establishment and say you should vote for them if the other option was Trump?! Outrageous thought!
If completely missing the point was your goal, you are doing brilliantly.
I don't even support Newsom. Read what I actually wrote.
... more ambitious in making the country a better, more accepting, more friendly and prosperous place to live. We are all deeply affected by it, not just the people in the US. But if Newsom ends up the nominee against Trump 3 or JD, there's no hesitation.
... think what I wrote holds. The criticism of people who didn't hold their noses and voted for Kamala is justified, they helped Trump win. I support the fight for policy now though. The Dem establishment should be eviscerated, and a new generation should take over, hopefully more clear-eyed and ..
I am aware that me being anonymous hurts my credibility in any debate. I understand. Unfortunately, I don't have a choice. I try to contribute in good faith, and anyone can choose not to take me seriously or ignore me. As for the substance, I just reread what you wrote to make sure. I still ...
I agree with you, it's horrible. But the choice was still obvious. Unfortunately, some people on the left didn't vote for her, and hence helped Trump win. My quarrel is with them.
Absolutely agreed! I'm not supporting Newsom, I think it would be terrible. All I'm saying is that if he's the nominee, I would vote for him in a heartbeat if MAGA is the other option.
OK, dude. Maybe you truly believe that. Anyway, even if you do, Trump is also doing other stuff that Kamala wouldn't, such as, I don't know, mass deportations by masked Gestapo thugs, or military occupations of US cities. I hope you are enjoying the fascism you helped enable.
Nobody is in charge. The nominee is selected by voters, in the primary. Then everybody else is stuck with that nominee and either supports them, or they effectively enable fascism. There are no other realistic options at that point. Now, sure. Now is the time to fight for a progressive platform.
I agree with all this as well. Apart from the last bit. Once the nominee is selected, in the general election, it's time to hold one's nose and vote the most likely option to beat fascism.
Sorry, we have a misunderstanding. I support all of that. I think Newsom would be a terrible choice and would likely lose the election. I am quarrelling on the narrow point of not voting for the Dem candidate once they are already the nominee, in the general election, when the other guy is Trump!
Indeed. I guess the sense of complete conviction in one's perfect purity is a strong drug. Or, maybe, the recognition of what they have done is too painful to ponder, so doubling down is the only defence.
Pinning a label is the last resort when arguments fail. I'm impressed you got there straight from the start, I must be very convincing!
Because centrists definitely aren't the same as fascists. They are incomparably better. And, with them, progressives get to fight another day.
... progressive policies to be adopted. It doesn't matter if the centrists they scream and curse at you, now is the time to fight and move the platform. But when it's general election time and the candidates have all been chosen? Then it's time to grit one's teeth and vote for sanity, not fascism!
I don't know what you think is true, but both Obama and Biden moved things in a positive direction overall. Yes, they weren't brave enough or ambitious enough on many issues, but they were miles better than the alternative. Regarding left-bashing, I'm with you there. Now is the time to fight for ..
The DNC should be abolished and all signs of it ever having existed destroyed. They are the worst, absolute destroyers of the country. I abhor the current Democratic establishment. My quarrel here is with the idiots that would rather not vote or vote for third party when the other option is Trump!
Because dummies like you would rather have Trump than the nice but imperfect lady! And it's not people like me and my political philosophy, I'm almost certainly to the left of you, at least economically. I think centrists are horrible. But if it's centrists or Trump? Where do I sign?
... you a bit, but will take the country in a generally more positive direction. Really tough choice! Just unbelievable, people need to grow up!
Given that the choice is binary, they will tend to be a selection between two ambitious assholes, and given the current situation it will be one that tries to burn everything down and kill everyone for his own gratification, and the other that doesn't give you everything you want and offends...
First of all, I can't try anything, I'm just an anonymous voice on here, I have no power or influence. But, more on the subject, I think that the OP is deeply wrong on this particular issue? Elections are not your wish list for Prince Charming and never will be!
Exclusive! A weird NYT editorial choice spotted in the wild!
But I agree with you that now is not the time to have this debate. I just find the pretence that there is some perfect, pure alternative at the time of general elections absolutely infuriating, and the main cause we are crashing instead of slowly moving in a more positive direction.
Yes, because it’s been such a complete vindication for sceptical voters. The “genocide Kamala” contingent must be ecstatic with how great the Palestinian cause is doing under the great orange peacemaker! Anyway, you should pray to be so lucky as to actually have a free choice at this point.
Left, not lower.
Pragmatism pays off, at least in this case. There is no plausible way to AGI with this current tech and I think they know it, as evidenced by the “evolving” definition of what will count as AGI (eg agents that can be lower to run on their own indefinitely).
www.forkingpaths.co/p/we-are-dif...
True democracy: Everybody is free to do anything they want and express any opinion they may have, as long as that completely agrees with what I happen to think is right and proper at that moment!
It's not like there is some ban on them joining, or an algorithm that condemns their contributions to oblivion, like the other place does for non-Nazis. It just seems that they are happier in an environment where they are not challenged and can happily have their biases confirmed. Like most humans.
One extraordinary thing about Pritzker's speech: saying this won't last forever and justice will eventually find the perpetrators. Shouldn't have stood out so much. But did, because way too many US elites in politics, media, business, etc. are acting like it's popular and permanent. It's neither.
Is the BBC Reform UK's mouthpiece? Yup. "Researchers at Cardiff University have produced a detailed analysis of every episode of the BBC’s flagship Question Time programme broadcast between September 2014 and July 2023 to see if the broadcaster was balancing political viewpoints."
Today I wrote about a general tendency to accept atrocious premises, and the need to reject fascism's false choices in order to find expansive and imaginative paths forward. Breaking the premise, embracing the obstacles, pursing everything. www.the-reframe.com/there-is-no-...
I think you should join Trump. He's working on that, you'll like it there.
You may notice that you are fighting with yourself as I never suggested any of those alternatives. In fact, the opposite – an all-out assault on the fascism enablers with actual power!
... punishing all pedophiles, including Trump. The political games about this being a partisan issue become less effective when they start calling for their own pedophiles to be punished as well!
This is supremely relevant. The reason Dems are so reluctant to drive this subject the way they should might well be because they seem to want to protect their own pedophiles. The Clintons seem to have a lot to answer for here, and telling the truth enables people to be consistent about ...
I don't know. I'm not sure punishing stupidity and gullibility by finger amputation using pruning shears is an election winning strategy, especially when the Dem pols are not even fighting properly. Honestly, anything to remain lazy and comfortable during the fascist takeover.
A lot of it is about doubting one's ability to recreate the following on the new platform, especially if it gives one influence and income at the moment. Abandoning that genuinely is a risky proposition, especially if there is no obvious alternative where everyone is moving.
It worked during the first term, as he lost the election. It didn't work during 2024 because people have memory of fruit flies these days, and Dems lost all credibility because they were lying to voters how competent Biden was, and Biden himself was completely unable to communicate anything.
Not really relevant. That was an attack on voters, not on the politicians, and before the election while Dems were in power. Attacking Trump and his gang would be something completely different – they have all the power and are doing genuinely terrible things.
None of them persisted, reinforced, made further arguments, and encouraged others to take up the message. Saying something and pulling back at first sign of resistance just makes you look weak or insincere.
I don't know about you but I've had about enough of mainstream media & politicians legitimising racist anti-asylum protests that terrorise refugees & communities. I had to push back hard, TWICE on BBC yesterday about supposed "legitimate concerns" www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtkA...
So what did he mean then? And who do you think will help us defeat fascism if you keep rejecting people genuinely showing courage in this battle far beyond posting shit online? I’m not defending all his past actions, but I have come to believe in his sincerity and I’m glad he’s on our side!
… than most Democratic politicians who, unlike Bill, still go to all the same dinner parties where they can whine about how inconvenient it is that people expect them to do more… Many never-Trump former Republicans have been great allies in this fight, and we should be thankful to have them!
He is a classical liberal, and has been fighting Trump and his illiberalism from the start. The fact that you don’t understand that is not a reflection on him, but on you. I’m to the left of Zohran yet I appreciate Bill’s courage in standing for his liberal principles. He’s sacrificed far more …
The tyranny of metrics. If you can’t measure it, it doesn’t exist…
Poor education system, not just poor education. This is not an individual problem, it’s a systemic and indeed civilisational failure.
It’s not even that. Without childhood vaccinations, everyone’s children were dying, not just poor children. The rich weren’t spared, ask any number of pre-modern kings and queens. This is not class war, this is just a grift taking advantage of poor education.
“Humans are such funny creatures” might be more accurate. I don’t think this is Bluesky-specific.
MAGA! 😂
... bit different calculation for the media, because you guys shape public perceptions. And I also acknowledge that supporters staying switched on is important. But there is also such a thing as too much, where it becomes a net negative because it can tip people over into depression and giving up.
... that are unfolding when all you are met with when you talk about it is a shrug. Isn't it self-care at this point not to want another load of distressing photos in my brain? I'm still advocating where I can, but I don't need to get yet more upset when I'm already upset enough. It's a ...
The unopened rate is not necessarily genocide denial. It could be self-preservation. At least that's how I am finding myself reacting. I've been talking about this genocide for a year or so (I don't even remember anymore) IRL. What is the point of getting another confirmation of the horrors ...
Don't feel any pressure on my account. I understand rewriting a lot of what you have just written is a major PITA! I use Obsidian (and, before that, Notes) when I write something big, for exactly this reason – you never know when the browser decides to restart or the tab close or whatever else.
Sorry to hear that. 😱 Good luck!
The problem with much of the centrist commentariat swinging behind the "Britain is broken" idea is not only that the right are weaponizing it to sell their xenophobic/racist narratives, it's also that despair itself has social consequence. Britain is great! It is also in need of public investment.
Jam up the works in Congress to the maximum degree possible (for some reason, Mitch McConnell consistently managed this even in minority)? Never support anything until fundamentals are resolved? Never utter the word "bipartisan" ever again? Unambiguously call out the GOP extremists that they are?
I still don't understand why this is a big deal though. Can you explain? Why is the difference important? What implications does it have today?
Yes, it sounded reasonable to me as well. I also just simply didn't know the facts, it was never the subject that I particularly dug into. She might not know either. If she is like me – generally interested, but never having actually done any research, it's quite possible that she missed this.
... what's on the other side and how the deal will be enforced. That would be genuinely stupid. So, again, you either work on a broadly accepted social change in the right direction, or you try to do the revolution which will break everything, including likely your dreams.
... do you prevent the people in charge from gradually accumulating more power and ending up the new ruling class? And regarding the owner class giving up their power voluntarily, they are not a unified or coordinated entity, and you don't preemptively give up all your leverage without knowing ...