Not irrelevant. Proscription of the organization for vandalism criminalizes support for Palestine. Yes, it is illegal, but that doesn't make it just. I do see your point though.
Not irrelevant. Proscription of the organization for vandalism criminalizes support for Palestine. Yes, it is illegal, but that doesn't make it just. I do see your point though.
A united people can recover from this, though it will surely require decades. As part of our resistance, we should define and describe the just future we seek as part of our messaging. The thing is, we don't have a choice. As Avasarala said, "...he turned it into a trap. And we're in it now."
Kirk may not have wanted that, but martyrdom is politically useful to those who have power, an agenda, and lack only conscience.
If members of the opposition or resistance are cast as evil and enemies of the state, what choice do they have? If the US regime continues aggressively incivil action, unopposed by the legislature, supreme court, or military, how can a civil response be effective in restoring the republic?
A US equivalent of Bolsonaro's conviction seems unlikely. That MAGA has been given a martyr makes meaningful opposition more challenging. Yet, the tactics so far employed by the US regime suggest provocation of violent response is intentional, to provide an excuse for repression of opposition.
Although the criminality of the US regime seems obvious, it is difficult to believe that any of the primary actors will be charged with attempted coup or treason, and difficult to trust that they will be contained or meaningfully opposed.
For US, MAGA is deliberately incivil, current rhetoric is intensely polarizing, and the social and economic effects come in waves, with enough delay that attribution of cause is non-obvious, and with obscuring factors such as Covid and intervening successful Presidency.
For UK, Brexit was largely civil, so is either reversible or the terms of current relations are negotiable, but social and economic effects cannot be avoided.
I find the fact that Bolsonaro has been convicted of plotting a military coup encouraging, because it suggests that mafia-states can be defeated without descending into civil war. I don't pretend Brazil is now perfect, but that they have a chance to pursue justice.
I can empathize regarding uncertainty and the pressure that comes with change, and I see how mingling of groups with differing customs, norms, values, and languages can be difficult, but suggest providing certainty through a strong social support network is better than isolation.
By examples of imperial collapse, I mean declining birth rate, inflation, globalization, gentrification, need for and resentment of immigrant workers, and fear of demographic annihilation by outsiders, which is expressed as racism and isolationism.
By sabotage against the state, I mean deliberate rejection of leadership because of perceived lack of representation or the sentiment that political leaders serve themselves or the wealthy rather than the people.
Brexit, the rise of MAGA, and the rise of Bolsonaro may have been more coincidental than connected, but both Brexit and MAGA seemed acts of sabotage against the state, as well as examples of imperial collapse, while MAGA and Bolsonaro seemed the rise of mafia states.
Morality aside, the problem with political violence in the context of extreme polarization is that it provides a martyr and reinforces the perspective that one group faces an existential threat from others. The rhetoric that emerges encourages marginalization of progressives and supports occupation
Spray painting RAF Voyagers may not be cooperative social behavior, but it is not terrorism.
The Palestine Action group has used aggressive tactics and vandalism or property damage, but arresting people for supporting their cause still represents criminalization of support for Palestine. Ideally, this would be handled through diplomacy, but US and UK governments are complicit.
He becomes a martyr for the far-right. His life should have the same value as any of the kids at Sandy Hook, or at any of the 782 other K12 schools which saw gun violence between 2000 and 2022, but his death will give the regime an excuse to disempower critics.
Where I am, we have a fishing port and a decommissioned power plant. We have some potential for off-shore wind generation, as well as for a local battery-plant, but residents mostly opposed the battery-plant, so developers are going elsewhere. I get the concern, but opportunity is scarce.
Wow. I was thinking it would hurt us as a nation, both in terms of potential loss of manufacturing jobs and in terms of potential manufacturing investment. I didn't realize it would affect your community so directly. The tip-off story is amazingly disappointing, but somehow unsurprising.
I wasn't sure how Korea would respond. Halting investment projects will hurt us, of course, but is understandable given circumstances. This may decrease enthusiasm from manufacturers of other nations as well. If there is any good that can come of this, it is proof of the failure of US leadership.
Hundreds in London have been arrested for protesting Israeli action in Palestine, and implicit UK support of it. Their protest has been criminalized. In the US, many states have anti-BDS laws, specifically protecting Israel, but protest in defence of Palestine has only recently been criminalized
It's wild how politely asking grown ass adults to wear masks and stop coughing on produce was the second coming of Stalin. But military takeovers of cities based on who they elected is totally cool patriot freedom USA.
US patriarchs, theocrats, and ethno-nationalists appear to enthusiastically support liberty in so far as it applies to themselves, but not as it applies to anyone else. In a just society, misogyny and racism would be actively deconstructed.
I am an advocate for republic and universal sufferage because without representation and without a voice in public affairs, we are not truly free. As Fannie Lou Hamer said, "Nobody's free until everybody's free."
At the very least, the idea of a republic should imply that women are represented in society and governance. Yet, in the US, some prominent far-right leaders advocate rescinding women's sufferage, allowing vote by male head-of-household.
That is my fear. It is impossible to predict, but we may consider the seriousness of potential consequences, and consider what our best options might be if we had undertaken the same actions. It starts to look like the crossing of the Rubicon. The die is cast.
We may make ourselves a pariah among nations, and we may fall, but the political and economic waves of our passing will affect everyone else too. I'm not sure how it will go, but I guess it will be messy. I hope justice and humanity emerge from the ashes.
The US is no longer a republic, except in that the super-wealthy are well represented. The US is now a fascist totalitarian and (probably) ethno-nationalist state with expansionist ambitions.
The fact that the legislature and judiciary have been mostly subsumed, militarized ICE forces detain and disappear people without due process, National Guard and active military forces patrol US cities to deter protest and free speech are all alarming, but all go to your point.
The implication is that the elections of 2026 and 2028 will be as unfair as the regime can make them. The idea of amending the Constitution to allow a third term or use of emergency powers to suspend the Constitution appear real threats.
Since the punishment for treason is rather severe, they have committed themselves to pursuing their agenda. They cannot afford to fail. Stephen Bannon acknowledged the risk to Trump in 2026, and the fact the regime needs him. [I would have thought otherwise.]
Trump was a criminal even before his first term, but more of a Trojan Horse approaching 2024. The agendas of the factions he carried with him have been carried out with such ruthlessness and disregard for law that the primary actors may plausibly face charges of treason.
I was disappointed, but also surprised to hear outright gender-bias. We have many examples of women leading nations through both prosperous and challenging times.
It's easy for me to say I'm dead set against this. It is far more difficult to counter it effectively.
Although the US regime does not have the legal authority to use National Guard or military service members against civilian populations, they do have the power to do so, and they are exercising that power unless and until ordered to halt by the courts, and then they walk the case to SCOTUS.
Military occupation and patrol of US cities, against the people instead of in defense of the people, is the move of a totalitarian regime. It may be an example of Foucalt's Boomerang, in which crimes normalized in colonies are now turned against citizens of an empire in collapse.
Yet, targeting migrant workers, people with autism or mental health disorders, LGBTQ+ people, unhoused people, people who are easily marginalized, and subjecting them to dehumanizing treatment is alarming. Although I can't predict the future, the behavior of the regime fits the pattern of genocide.
If we support inclusion, the dominance of masculinity can be cast aside. The opposition of MAGA to everything from affirmative action and critical race theory to gender-equity and reproductive-autonomy show them to be a reactionary movement.
If we house the unhoused and feed the hungry [as we should], the power of authoritarianism to force our compliance is lessened. If we support equity, patriarchy is undermined. If we support diversity, the racial and class hierarchy which protects the wealthy will be eroded.
I stand with DC, Chicago, LA, and the America that was promised, that allowed us to seek a more perfect union. The brutal irony here is that exploitative capitalism desparately needs homelessness as an implicit threat to workers to tow the line or face the consequences.
"Governments derive their power from the consent of the governed" "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" "Liberty and justice for all"
I was a critic before 2016, disaffected and jaded by systemic injustice but I am immensely saddened by what our country has become and that is how I know I loved America the ideal, the promise, the hope
What has shocked me since is the brutal efficiency of the regime in carrying out what is evidently a well organized agenda, their willingness to bend and break the law to do so, and the stalwart loyalty of their apologists. ICE is f*****g disgusting
My dread intensified as election 2024 neared, but the result was somehow unsurprising.
Trump was consistently vague about his policy intent, effectively disavowed Project 2025, and gave simplistic but powerful sounding ideas, which may have appealed to people already inured to authoritarianism, nostalgia, and the idea of American exceptionalism. All lies, but effective.
In 2024, Harris brought some backstory which was offputting to the left, and lost support among Muslims because of the administration's position on Palestine, but I guess racism played a part as well, because we clearly haven't evolved beyond that.
In 2016, some claimed Clinton was a war-hawk [I have no idea how they reached this conclusion] and preferred Trump because he seemed relatively incapable. Some, even some women, argued the US needs a male leader because they need to deal with patriarchal world leaders.
With loss of privilege, those same white male gen-x folks realize their wage advantage will be lost, and their advantage as candidates may be lost. Patriarchy is threatened by this. I guess people cling to the order they know, even if it is pathological.
The replacement conspiracy theory and the idea of privilege stand out. With replacement, those white male gen-x folks, who have established themselves to whatever degree possible, realize they may lose political influence as a voting block.
Since we lack strong social security, and exploitative capitalism benefits from our fear of economic devastation or exclusion, we are easily manipulated. Fear cannot be countered through logic.
The rhetoric of the far-right movement worldwide incites fear of being overwhelmed by immigration. In the context of imperial collapse and climate-driven migration, "others" are easy to identify, scapegoat, marginalize, and persecute.
The largest definable pro-Trump demographic in 2024 was white, male, gen-x, which does translate to white patriarchy. Despite having had an enlightened and liberal Constitution, it could be argued we are socially authoritarian, and obviously patriarchal. Fear drives authoritarianism.
For desktop: ExifTool or FFmpeg (Windows, macOS, Linux), Photos Exif Editor or Exif Pilot (Windows), or an application like GIMP (Windows, macOS, Linux) can adjust metadata. Exif data reveals not only GPS coordinates, but many details about the device used to capture the image, like a fingerprint.
There are applications that can help with this, but you have to be deliberate about using them. For Android: Photo Exif Editor, EXIF Pro allow modification, and removal of Exif data from photos For iPhone: Exif Metadata, Metapho, and Photo Exif Editor can be used.
A way broadcasters can comply with this is to decline to televise any part Trump is involved in - neither his presence and speech nor any reaction to it. A way broadcasters can protest such a demand is to decline to cover any part of the tournament, even though financial loss would result.
Even if she had not said any of that, we had ample evidence that Trump was more of a mob boss than a diplomat or politician. Even if we had only their records to compare, Harris was the more qualified [same for Clinton], even though Trump had held the office 2016-2020.
Thunderdome! Roles like POTUS and SecDef must be won in fair combat. The orange one versus Newsom. Hegseth versus Blumenthal. Yet, perhaps the orange one is too cowardly to step into the ring?
As multi-generation family farmers decline, corporate and foreign-owned farms will rise. In both cases, consumers will be affected through decreased diversity, normalization of GMO products, overuse of herbicides and pesticides, and increased cost. Everyone will be affected by this over time.
Even if we do survive it, we may decline and see China, Russia, and India rise. Or we may see Russia decline and fall as well. Yet, we may adapt instead. We may defeat the tyrants, rebuild our republic, reinforce our alliances, and continue to strive toward justice.
US looks like a declining imperial power, now turning inward upon itself. Yet, the regime in power may perceive itself and the idea of expansionism as beneficial, as if they seek to re-invigorate through conquest. Future historians can decide which is more accurate. We have to survive it.
In our case, however, this is happening in the context of multiple modern industrial societies, and in the context of human-affected climate-change. The environmental policies of the US regime increase risk to all. Unwillingness to accept responsibility for this is unjust.
Perhaps this is the extinction burst of RU and US imperialism. Perhaps it is the extinction burst of exploitative capitalism and hierarchic authoritarianism. More likely, it is transitional behavior, as empires rise and fall thoughout history. We fall. Others rise. Life goes on [hopefully].
I am not saying that will come to pass, but that sociopaths do sociopathic things, and Manifest Destiny is part of our legacy, so we should consider the potential long-game as imperial expansionism.
I guess the geo-political maps of North America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region have been re-drawn through quid pro quo of mutual non-agression - US expansionism in North America effectively gives permission for RU re-acquisition of former Soviet states.
Regime-change in the US allows radical transformation of global trade, alliances, economies, and influence. This would normally seem completely unhinged, but: A hostile actor [perhaps Putin] might encourage the ambition of a narcissistic sociopath [could be anyone] toward expansionism.
My interpretation of the scenario suggests geo-political re-alignment is what we observe. I suspect Putin influenced and benefits from regime-change in the US, but that groups like Heritage, super-wealthy plutarchs, and techno-oligarchs form the dominant factions encouraging domestic transformation
US federal deployment of ICE, National Guard, and active military personnel against US civilian population in US cities shows us that the US government is both acting against the interest of the people and is prepared to suppress dissent.
US strikes in Syria, Yemen, Iran, and Venezuela [waters], and threat of strikes in Mexico, show us that the rule of established international law, and the pursuit of justice are both optional, but decisive projection of power is certainly intended.
The aggressiveness of US diplomatic posture toward Canada and Greenland, and the willingness to undermine Denmark are shocking by themselves. Yet, this also undermines NATO, EU, and Commonwealth sovereignty and alliances.
Strengthening of Triad or BRICS alignment increases pressures affecting conflict in Taiwan, South China Sea, Ukraine, and Palestine [and likely several others], but this forces counter-alignment among Pacific Rim states, EU, and Commonwealth nations, at least.
CN, RU, and IN form a strong core-triad amid BRICS. My reading on border disputes between IN and CN suggested some tensions remained, but the global geopolitical landscape is being transformed, partly in response to US volatility, so Triad and BRICS ascendance is possible.
The good that can come from this is alignment of Guardsmen against the regime. Even if National Guard troops are deployed illegally, we should thank them for their service defending the Constitution. We will need them before this is over.
Unlike the cruel Governor Moore, who demanded that you stand, I require only that you kneel. - Trumpxes
If Graphite is deployed using zero-click exploits of vulnerabilities in mobile devices, notably including messaging applications like iMessage and WhatsApp, potentially through maliciously crafted images [for instance], neither VPN nor Tor will help. Use of vulnerable apps is the weakness.
Space Force HQ move may be politically motivated, as it reduces federal investment in CO, even though CO is an objectively superior position. [Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama is subject to flooding due to proximity to the Tennessee River] Canada comments appear an attempt at pretext.
Boarding would allow them to find evidence, or find complete absence of evidence - evidence of fabrication. What if the point is to eliminate the possibility of finding contradictory evidence? We may take their word for it, or we may always wonder, but knowing the truth becomes impossible.
If the courts won't allow him to use the Alien Enemies Act to target Venezuelans because the US is not at war with Venezuela, he can manufacture a war. Doing so by claiming interdiction against narco-traffic is a bonus because it reinforces the narrative. Destroying the evidence is priceless.
Otherwise, nothing the regime does is reasonable, so we should not expect reasonable behavior.
One semi-plausible scenario is transfer of wealth from the poor to the wealthy. Driving medical debt among the working class may drive bankruptcies, allowing real-estate and agricultural investment groups to acquire vast swaths of land, further allowing control of rental markets and food.
One semi-plausible scenario is eugenics. Some said, "you will not replace us" and expressed the idea of replacement through a combination of low birth-rate [among white Americans] and immigration [from non-white nations]. In this case, healthcare would be provided preferentially.
One semi-plausible scenario is regime adherence to a misinterpretation of Darwinism. Some said, "the strong survive", or used the phrase "culling of the herd" in response to SARS-CoV-2
While we have seen that anyone who undermines the image of competence the regime projects, especially one who does so with data, will be dealt with swiftly and decisively. If it looks like he is trying to undermine public health and weaken our nation, that is probably the job he was hired for.
If the Senate does not remove RFKJ, we should consider that he is fulfilling his regime assigned mission, and will be encouraged to continue. In a sane universe, he would have been removed by now. The fact that he controls HHS proves the Senate is the thrall of the regime.
This has been a common theme among modern right-wing factions in US and UK in recent decades. In the UK, NHS has been deliberately kneecapped. In the US, everything from USPS and Amtrak to NASA and HHS are subject to reorganization and spinoff as divestiture. [hostile takeover]
Oppression is the mask of fear. - Karis Nemik Empire is a disease that thrives in darkness. - Maarva Andor
Finns have an appreciation of nature and a wellspring of sisu. Americans have unrestrained extractive capitalism and existential dread.
I would go to Finland to take the Happiness Masterclass, but [from studying factors affecting Finnish real-estate prices], I guess that some factors affecting happiness are living in proximity to a body of water, distance from other dwellings, and the availability of a sauna.
But also, we obviously worship wealthy, popular, and prestigious people. Perhaps, many associate wealth with security, empowerment, and enjoyment, but having never been wealthy, we have no way to verify this.
US Congress has borrowed from the Social Security Retirement Fund multiple times, failed to repay, and we are frequently warned that the system will collapse with the retirement of "boomers". So, I guess people seek wealth as a form of insurance.
Many Americans have limited financial reserves, and carry significant credit and mortgage debt, such that loss of employment or significant medical event can result in financial devastation. Many Americans have employer-sponsored health insurance, which can tie them to unhealthy work environments.
I would prefer empowerment and security over wealth. Americans are not monolithic, but face similar pressures, notably including lack of security with respect to health insurance and retirement.
Rebellions are built on hope
This could be seen as establishing both pretext and an image of restraint. Later, both crisis and request for assistance may be fabricated. Few would actually ask for such intervention, yet the story only has to be plausible enough to be carried by major news services.
Different aspects might be described using different terms: A coup Treason against the republic The rise of fascist authoritarianism, totalitarianism, ethno-nationalism, and christian-nationalism The fall of empire A revolution A civil war
If they can't fully consolidate power before Trump clocks out, the loss of their ring-master may force them to adjust strategy. I don't know if that is good or bad, because all in proximity appear equally psychopathic, if not also delusional and narcissistic. They still understand use of force.
A Doctor gave him two months. It is impossible (for me) to know how accurate this may be, but it suggests we should consider succession scenarios. Would JDV be able to manage the level of blatant deceit and psychopathic inhumanity Trump exhibits on a daily basis? Some say the answer is no.
He's rationalizing dictatorship with lies. Zero advisors, membersof the executive branch, or conservative legislators oppose this, which suggests he is floating a test, and the imperial presidency may be normalized. Once power is fully consolidated, he may become obsolete - too late for us.
While we may see this as obvious propaganda, conservative media has experience using emotional manipulation, and the use of humanizing stories can be effective because we think in stories. Progressive messaging seems more data-driven (to my eye). We should use humanizing stories as well.
I'm pretty sure Zelenskyy didn't deploy Russian Spetsnaz against Ukraine.
That is how I feel most days, except I never have that much energy.