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Everything posted by MC Fresh Breath
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I hear you. It is why I couched my wish list in the 'probably won't happen without violence' tone. My opinion is the system itself is rotten to the core at this point. Perhaps always has been depending on perspectives. I am trying not go into head in the sand wake me up when they are at my door despair. But just barely trying if I'm honest. Personal issues leaving very little time to spend on national issue.
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Supposedly she is part of a right wing news outlet.( Edit: I have since read that rumor is wrong and was posted in ignorance. I should know better then to do things like that. apologies) Neither here nor there in terms of getting fucking shot. It’s the issue with fascism. Doesn’t matter how loyal you are. You will be turned on eventually
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As protesters and law enforcement officers clashed in downtown Los Angeles, an L.A. Police Department helicopter flew over a crowd on 1st Street, announcing, “I have all of you on camera. I’m going to come to your house.” https://www.latimes.com/california/live/national-guard-troops-la-immigration-ice-clashes-paramount#p=i-have-all-of-you-on-camera-im-going-to-come-to-your-house
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I don't mean to pile on in a thread ostensibly about the National Guard in LA. And I have biases. But I don't think voting resolves much of this in the long run. Everyone knew project 2025 was coming but there was no counter to it presented. Just please don't vote for Trump. But on actual plans or roadblocks set up. The SC has made him (and every future president) an untouchable king in all but name. Court rulings are being openly ignored. Nothing DOGE has done is slightly legal at all. Thousands of Federal workers are unemployed now and organizations in disarray. Soon to all be privatized. The first Trump term obliterated the very concept of truth and facts and nothing has been done to restore that. But bigger than all that to me is if one group (and it's a group, he's too incompetent to do all this) does so much damage in such a short period of time, then how solid was the system in the first place? Things have been weakened for some time, and executive power was expanded during previous administrations and once expanded it never contracts. This is not me 'both sidesing' this is me saying the system is broken and has been for very long time. Can it be repaired? Not sure. We've had corporate rule for a while, easily longer than when Trump was even considering running. And Occupy Wallstreet showed me a lot of what happens when you try to fight it. Not much good seems to happen. That said, I'm not saying give up, I'm not saying don't vote. But I personally think we need to push more ideas than we do various people in these parties. I'm not sure how it works other than we need candidates with actual action plans. Like real legislation that rolls back corporate involvement and power. Real legislation that actually helps the common person and blocks abuses of power. And even as I type that I wonder if that's ever allowed to happen without violence and lives lost. But just "resist" or just "don't nomalize this" isn't enough imo. And if you have to hope somehow every 4 years everyone votes in the "right" person/group of people then again, that delicate system is bound to break.
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Even if not a lie, the entire concept of needing to be employed to have health care in this country is absolutely fucked.
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Fine.. then death.. by Ooga Booga.
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The Way Too Early 2028 Democratic Presidential Candidate Thread
MC Fresh Breath replied to Bullneck's topic in Cloak Room
I'm sure you and other are correct and I have mixed feelings about her. But the reality of your statement saddens me. In that the accepted perception of 'far left' (which is also a joke in the US as always) is somehow awful and unwinnable. As our country collapses under far right oligarchic despotic rule. Not saying you're wrong. It is just depressing that the terms of the debate were ceded long ago, imo. -
ChatGPT AI Tool— We all work for robots now
MC Fresh Breath replied to 956 Worldwide's topic in Daily Texan
Related: "Your cloud is drying my river." Revealed: Big tech’s new datacentres will take water from the world’s driest areas edit: I work for big tech. so let me not be a hypocrite. just another cog in the machine of doom. -
How do I prepare my kids to live in (or leave) a nation in decline?
MC Fresh Breath replied to tokamak's topic in Cloak Room
Don't mean to further derail the thread, but I know there are people that have jobs involving putting together agentic AI workflows, and yes part of them is having AI agents that check other AI agents. It's happening right now. Also, this isn't just going to affect the tech industry. They are making strides in medical diagnoses for example. A lot of big corporate pushes teledoc stuff already (I imagine its cheaper for them). One doesn't have to squint too much to see where that's heading. Related to the point of the thread I know what NOT to tell my kids to major in, but have no clue otherwise. The future of the next 10 years is pretty damn murky. I like the agile ideas posted in this thread but I'm not leading by example at the moment. Son has an interest in biology/zoology currently. I used to think scientist sounded like a good deal. But look what we're doing to science and research (AI or not) these days.... -
How do I prepare my kids to live in (or leave) a nation in decline?
MC Fresh Breath replied to tokamak's topic in Cloak Room
Yes. Maybe not as intensely, but yes. On the national level, cuts or elimination of programs hurts us all. On the state level blue states are absolutely being targeted and scrambling to come up with say, ways to fund fire fighting. Or feeding kids. It is scary. And if you moved to a blue state to enjoy the scenery, well they're doing their best to kill that as well. On the flip side, there is at least the idea that your blue state will do its best to band together, so emotionally I think its better than being back in a red state. Whether that translates to any efficacy is another question. So the stress is there. I have no serious current plans to leave the country however. Long before Trump I did fantasize about retiring to some Spanish speaking country where my money goes further and medical care won't drain my retirement and leave me destitute. Plus, I like the adventure idea and really getting to know some new place. I have not traveled as much as others. But that's still more fantasy than reality. I still love where I live, so why let the assholes force me out? Plus, imo, this right wing oligarchic tilt knows no borders. Neither does climate change. Lastly, someone else mentioned tech as a career. As someone in tech I'd be very cautious. AI has a lot of too much hype, but there is a reality of it as well. And that reality is that the tech world is going to have a lot less jobs, especially entry level jobs. Don't think they will be coming back. No more than buggy drivers or elevator operators. Just my opinion. Hoping to survive the next 10-15 years in the field but I am not advising my kids to go into it. -
Trump giving atrophied skin commentary is something else. A President being so concerned with pop stars is something else. But the open threat of what happens to Bruce when he gets back to the country is sickening. Wonder how long Mr. Springsteen is detained for questioning at the airport. Maybe it won't happen. But sure reads like a threat.
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I wonder if this drives more political engagement. Maybe a lot more single tissue voters?
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Sorry. I won't do it. Besides, climate change will catch up to us all eventually. While my temps are great I do get the joy of 'smoke season' late in the summer every year it seems. Take care Texas amigos. Hydrate well.
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This is pretty awful. I watched his video on it here (the part we'd be interested in starts about 7 minutes in): Questions about liking Trump. Questions about "supporting Hamas." Questions that would seem to violate every free speech principle I was raised to believe in. Detained for two hours until he asked if he was being detained. Not to intimidate the rich streamer who can afford to fight it. But to intimidate the rest of us who cannot.
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I understand the frustration but I feel a bit the opposite these days on the legal profession. The lawyers fighting for us are about the last line of defense we have. Congress isn't doing it. Most of us aren't doing anything. Some of us are rightly scared out of our wits. If they forcefully come for me I'm not one to respond with violence believe it or not. I don't own a gun. But there are lawyers being detained for fighting for their clients now. I do contribute an honestly small amount to the Oregon ACLU with my bi-weekly paychecks these days. That and org called Oregon Wild who fight in the courts for things I care about (the main reason I moved to Oregon--its natural beauty). Its not much but I'm trying to help where I can. And I get the distinct impression the majority of Surly lawyers hate what is happening right now. And I have seen plenty online vouching the same. I don't have links and I will admit that my eyes at times glaze over with the terms I don't comprehend. But I know they are out there doing their best to fight. But I do get and empathize with the frustration of what is happening to our country. I think Trump even being allowed to run a second time reflected poorly on all of us as a nation. Not just one profession. Just my thoughts.
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You answered me, so I'll just weigh in a bit more. Thank you for the kind wishes. I have no idea about the DM thing. I also would assume he didn't wish to troll me. I don't think I purposely turned them off and he's not on my ignore list. Again, I welcome any honest interaction. In perusing the Anastasis and reaction posts I have to be careful lest I be hypocritical. But I would say there wasn't much in the way of discourse or dialogue going on at that point. Instead there was anger and sniping. Having sometimes spent months away from this place, either due to being busy or due to politics and life just depressing me, I don't personally find a week off to be all that big of a deal. And I get the concept of a cool off period. Hell, I have to take cool off periods kind of often lately (edit: in life, I mean). And while some may be celebrating him being gone, based on my personal experiences here, I would interpret it more as people celebrating a calmer discussion without the need to score internet gotcha points (and yes, some are going to say that's the same picture). But that's admittedly me. Either way, take care.
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Well, you're right in that I don't think most of us here are on "opposite" sides. But the sides were compassion and thoughtful engagement. I opened myself up to this thread in front of a group of people. Some of whom very deservedly could have slammed me for my past interactions with them. Instead they treated me kindly and respected what I was going through. So add humility to my side. And gratefulness. If you want to dissent on those qualities, well I won't attack. But would prefer not to engage. And I realize when I write that I'm kind of painting you in a corner. I can't speak to the Anastasis conflict since I wasn't a part of it. But then I wonder what other "side" you think is being silenced. My takeaway is honest discourse can be still be had. What's yours?
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Don't assign to much goodness to me Brisket. I was an asshole to many of you in the Israel thread. And I do overall still feel the way I felt back then about that subject. But I could should have approached it different or even better maybe left it alone. I apologize for being a dick (to you and others) even if I think my overall opinions on the matter are the ones I still hold. Because an emphatic Yes to the thoughtful listening and compassion that troph and Hank are discussing. That's where politics for me just doesn't jibe currently with humanity. It gets in the way of our compassion and our intellect most days. Not to turn this into a me thread but I am an atheist who is finding some good knowledge in the writings of the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thích Nhất Hạnh. The concept being compassionate listening. And also of course letting go of the past and the future and only trying to live in the very present. Boy that's hard, but boy do I want to learn to do that. And by being that person then I focus on loving the child who is in front of me right now. Not the child I loved and read stories to yesterday. Not the girl who loved it when I randomly did Father daughter days and took off work. And if the child in front of me right now identifies as something other than what I knew, then I will love that person. At the same time, I want to protect that person as best I can from permanent harm that could be made in the heat of the moment. I am nowhere near the teenager I was. Thank fuck social media didn't exist back then to document my every rash moment. And thank goodness none of my mistakes were permanent. Because again I feel the teenage years are perfect for exploring the fundamental question of "who am I?" But Thích Nhất Hạnh was also political. If I could learn how to engage politically while still being compassionate, it would be a brand new me. Because I tend to just angry and depressed instead and randomly lash out. But this particular subject, as we've stated a lot today, shouldn't be political at all. And it is a family issue. Compassion is never wrong in those matters.
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all this. all of it. making science and health issues political has been a problem in this country for some time. and it only got worse with the current regime.
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Thank you for the kind reply. And I appreciate your story. I hope its obvious that I would never question other's trans identity or needs. We are loving our child the best we can, and so far our connections still seem good. We try to focus on that. And we're also aware that the "loss of the child" is a grief we would face anyway, regardless of gender. They have to leave the nest after all. Well that's our issue. And I cannot claim an answer obviously. I just personally feel parents should have a say in their child's medical care and decisions. I don't know at what point that line gets crossed, but I know it scares us.
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Against my better judgement I'm going to wade in for a hot second, then probably wade back out. The subject of rapid onset gender dysphoria is hotly debated and depending on where you sit is where you wind up viewing things. That said, I hope none of you parents have to experience it. Hate linking to amazon so here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/is-my-child-trans-a-guide-for-parents-stella-o-malley/20225435?ean=9781634312486&next=t I'm about as far left as it gets. I'm the true whacko lefty in terms of the majority of my views. But when my previously very feminine daughter who never exhibited one iota of having previous gender dysphoria decided she wanted a new name and new pronouns, I'm now somehow maga for not affirming that self diagnosis. There is no other health issue where a child could tell you something and you would be forced to accept it. If your child came up to you and said they thought they had breast cancer and wanted some chemo and a masectomy would you just affirm that? And very few people understand what you're going though. And then yeah, you go too far into trying to find sympathetic ears and you wind up in maga land. Because goddamned mental health and medical issues are politicized in this country. That book summarizes a lot of issues I can't fully debate or argue well here. There are multiple reasons the NHS ended gender affirming care for youth. As to my personal situation, my child found a group of friends that accepted her. All of them young teen girls who are now all 'boys' with new names and costumes. And binders. And the leader of the group is on testosterone already. There's also plenty of non-gender specific mental issues that were already in the mix with this crew. Anorexia, cutting, suicidal ideation at times. Most of which seems to be done for the 'look at me' affect but what parent can ignore any of this. And mine was in therapy before she decided to 'come out.' And sorry, but Ana is right about the social media aspect to it all as well. And the high amount of this crew in such a small town that somehow all are gender dysphoric at the same time never previously showing symptoms sure seems strange. I also think its connected to the fact that they are well middle to very upper middle class white kids who haven't had an real struggles in life. So now they get to have one. And they get to be celebrated. And they get to support each other. At the same time if their parent don't immediately affirm, then we're transphobic bigots. We also have very first hand knowledge of a set of friends who had kids that actually exhibited trans signs at an early age. we all thought "yeah that tracks." That child went on the puberty blockers and grew breasts (male to female). Now as a high school graduate regrets everything and wants to be male again, and is now sterile for life. And that's a child we thought tracked as trans. Our own child absolutely never exhibited anything like it. Was the pink, and barbie doll girl from an early age (at the time much to the chagrin of my wife). Not one friend that we've told has come back with "yeah, that tracks." Most have been befuddled and can't believe it. Many have said "that's just a trendy phase now." I'm not looking for nor do I deserve sympathy from anyone here. But this has my wrecked my wife. She's lost her daughter, at least for the moment. And lost her to something that feels absolutely fake. Absolutely not who she is deep down. It has thrown into a deep depression, and much anger. It plays on my mental health now all the time as well. We feel thoroughly helpless. I have tried to be neutral about it. I use the new name but not the new gender. But something we are aligned on is no hormones or surgeries until our child is a self supporting adult. But I'm in Oregon where at the age of 14 she can go around us and get it done anyway. Wonderful. I have seen too much to think children should self diagnose, get immediate affirmation, and then get medical treatment. Treatment that can cause real long term damage. And the arrogance in folks who think they know the child you have spent their whole life with is astounding. So yeah, I'm against medical intervention for this with youth. And I fucking hate MAGA.
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https://5calls.org/issue/elon-musk-opm-gsa-takeover/ Don't just bitch on the internet. Use your voice.
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Elon Musk is a Nazi, so let's keep using his platform and posting links to it.
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