Geoff > Status Update

I've got jackasses everywhere telling folks to keep their political mouths shut. Last thing we need is good folks telling other good folks to keep their political mouths shut until next time they can cast a chip.

NR you's good folk, always crit commentary, what I mean is, you'se guys ever gonna stop bellyaching or what? Ain't there nothin' else to bitch 'bout? Rump's in now what contructive are we gonna do about it besides piss/moan?

Simon wrote: "Rump's in now what contructive are we gonna do about it besides piss/moan? "

That's a far too optimistic question. Mostly because Rump and his Repubo's aren't interested in anything constructive. Except maybe--just maybe==the construction industry will get some free tax money and a little will trickle down into the pockets of a few thousand, maybe, construction workers etc. Meanwhile, millions will lose their health care and those whose job it is to provide that health care will lose their jobs. I'm speaking as personally as I am able. The only constructive thing to do is to defend the legacy Obama passed on to us which R&R have threatened to eradicate. Building something will have to wait for another day.

Fucking defending a civilisation ain't pissing/moaning. Please stop saying that.

Simon wrote: "you'se guys ever gonna stop bellyaching or what?"

I mean, this is what assholes where saying November the Ninth. Why are you saying it January the 20th? And why wasn't you saying it to the racist republicans over the past eight years? Where were the constructive republicans ready to work with Obama to make this country great etc etc etc? Just. No. Rump and his Repubos ain't just normal politics as everyday. W was the limit of that. When do we know when the limit has been passed? It has been passed.

Respectfully I say, Ok. But, defending? Democracy, if such exists, is ongoing, rolling w/punches, onward ho, you got me on that one I'll do you back. This ship's not lost; the game ain't over, we defend our liberties by constructive thinking and yes, tearing down/building up part/parcel is onit. But reality bites, often enough an so an so. I'll bow out 'cause I should not have bounced in. Peace out.

From one of my favorite pacifist kind of guys ::

"We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself." --Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I'm sure folks asked him to stop pissing and moaning. Nor did he wait for the next polling opportunity.

Simon wrote: "Christ almighty, whyn't ya'll juss go smash some shit up yer own selves an be done w/this never-ending whine-all tirade that's after-the-fact woo-hooing. Read some good books and get out the vote i..."

This will have to be brief, because I'm down at the women's march in DC - you know, doin' something "my own self" - but maybe you can help me out, Simon. I've become curious about the tendency of some such Goodreaders as yourself Simon, who just roll into threads of people they aren't friends with, have nothing to do with, threads that already have an established tone and rapport going on, and just say stupid shit that is completely contrary to the whole vibe of what's going on here. Why did you do it? What compelled you to voice your thoughts here? If it really bothered you, why not just unfollow the thread? Oh well, off to piss and moan on the steps of the White House, because I'm not shutting up for you or anyone.

Simon wrote: "I'll bow out 'cause I should not have bounced in. Peace out. "

If you'd like my optimistic take on yesterday ;; I was veryvery encouraged by the empty bleachers in Washington. I was very encouraged by the huge turnouts at protests in my town. There is reason to hope and I see them ;; there are reasons to despair and I see those too. But these ain't normal times.

Geoff wrote: "but maybe you can help me out, Simon. I've become curious about the tendency of some such Goodreaders as yourself Simon, who just roll into threads of people they aren't friends with, have nothing to do with"

It's good, Geoff. He's a Friend of mine. He rolled in after seeing one of my comments. He's good people.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Geoff wrote: "but maybe you can help me out, Simon. I've become curious about the tendency of some such Goodreaders as yourself Simon, who just roll into threads of people they aren't friends with,..."

Okay, sorry. It's a time for unity. I apologize, Simon.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Simon wrote: "I'll bow out 'cause I should not have bounced in. Peace out. "

If you'd like my optimistic take on yesterday ;; I was veryvery encouraged by the empty bleachers in Washington. I was ..."

Agree, N.R. I'm very encouraged by the comments of you and Geoff on this thread.

There were, apparently, over 100,000 of us in London and it was marvellous. Lots and lots of young people too with homemade signs and facepaint and chants.

Geoff wrote: "Simon wrote: "Christ almighty, whyn't ya'll juss go smash some shit up yer own selves an be done w/this never-ending whine-all tirade that's after-the-fact woo-hooing. Read some good books and get ..."

I have just as much skin in game as you and your pretentious stupid shit you say - today's march I think legit, yesterday's hooliganism a disgrace. I'm not your GR's friend but am others so what. F/o yerownself.

Geoff wrote: "Okay, sorry. It's a time for unity. I apologize, Simon. "

Yep. But we've got to get beyond this pissing and moaning about other people pissing and moaning about stuff. Fine to have other strategies for dealing with this tragedy ; but there's just no way to expect anyone to have 'moved on' yet. I'm gunna piss and moan the whole fucking day!!

Good luck out there Geoff. Fist=pump for me oncet!

Simon wrote: "I have just as much skin in game as you and your pretentious stupid shit you say - "

Okay. That's just not okay. Should I stand by the thing I just said about you?

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Simon wrote: "I have just as much skin in game as you and your pretentious stupid shit you say - "

Okay. That's just not okay. Should I stand by the thing I just said about you?"

I'm serious. I know posts can get crossed and there's just been a dozen posts in the last five minutes. So, like, did posts get crossed?

Because I totally don't need pissing and moaning between good folks.

Don't sweat it Nathan, I'm done with Simon. There's real shit going on in the real world. Check in with you guys later.

Geoff wrote: "Don't sweat it Nathan, I'm done with Simon. There's real shit going on in the real world."

Yep. Peace out.

Oh, fuck-all, sorry to all, should not have made comment - I voted Obama twice, voted for Hill even though I don't like her but damn can't we move on? Is burning in the streets like Ferguson productive? I get it, we who care must petition in voice, yet. Ok, sorry, Geo, you are doing, that's cool. Keep yer matches in pocket, light a cig/joint, keep it reg. Anyway, ...

Simon, it's cool, don't sweat it, tensions are high everywhere and we're all just people trying to cope with disaster. Peace, man.

You too, march well, give them gals a hey-all! Sorry dude, didn't mean to stir bees up on ya'll. I'm w/ya on yer side just tryin to look forward not tear things all up. Trump is a one-go chap, he'll be bored w/slow-moving gov. wanna get back to dictatorin' in style. Be good or not bro!

Today justified the risk Obama took in peacefully transitioning power to Rump. Because he knows who america is. Today is america. Talk about keeping fucking hope alive. Dude knew what he was talking about. I've been in joyful tears all day.

Aww : )

Tens of thousands in downtown SF right now, and it's raining

David wrote: "Aww : )

Tens of thousands in downtown SF right now, and it's raining"

Rain makes good things grow!

They apparently had twice the crowd they were expecting in DC today 8 )

Hope for the best, be prepared for anything

I sorta get the feeling a lot of people don't like this guy...

David wrote: "I sorta get the feeling a lot of people don't like this guy..."

Compared to what? For example, he's considerably more popular than Vidkun Quisling was when he assumed power on Feb 1 1942.

Manny, Darth Vader was not very popular when took over the Empire, but he ruled for quite long, if I am not mistaken.

Even my little college town had thousands of people coming out. Felt very encouraging.

Nandakishore wrote: "Manny, Darth Vader was not very popular when took over the Empire, but he ruled for quite long, if I am not mistaken."

He probably gave a boost to the Galactic economy as well. Construction of the Death Stars must have provided jobs for billions of people.

Hadrian wrote: "Even my little college town had thousands of people coming out. Felt very encouraging."

It is good to see people protesting. I hope it will translate into votes in the 2018 mid-term elections. Presumably voter ID laws and suchlike will be considerably tougher by then.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Today justified the risk Obama took in peacefully transitioning power to Rump. Because he knows who america is. Today is america. Talk about keeping fucking hope alive. Dude knew what he was talkin..."

This.

Niklas wrote: "I find it hilarious that 15 years ago people were protesting against a president that wanted increased American interventionism and free-trade agreements and today they're protesting against a pres..."

I may be out of touch with what's happening in the US, but I'm not sure people are protesting because Donald Trump doesn't want to invade Iraq again.

Niklas wrote: "I find it hilarious that 15 years ago people were protesting against a president that wanted increased American interventionism and free-trade agreements and today they're protesting against a pres..."

Which people? I find it mildly amusing that you're a dumbass.

Hm, that was intemperate of me.

Look, the ironies of neoliberalism are discussed in several places earlier in this thread. Don't just show up and smirk.

You're right, and I already regretted my passive aggressive and smug observation as soon as I posted it. It's difficult not to be tempted though since my entire Goodreads feed is filled with unbearably smug observations and reviews about Trump (Yes, I'm looking at you Manny).

Although for the record, Trump's already suggested he might invade Iraq again. Referring to his stated theory that Bush should have "taken all the oil" when he invaded (presumably via some sort of science fiction earth-drainer giant-mosquito-robot?), he told the CIA with a smirk that they "might get that chance again!"

Favourite moment of his speech, by the way: when he promised to show the world that, whatever the colour of their skin, all Americans bled the same colour. Creepy.

But the important thing to correct in this thread: Darth Vader did not take over the Empire. He died killing the last Emperor. [in the films, I mean. I don't know, maybe he was reincarnated in the EU and rebuilt the Empire or something, who knows]

A really beautiful thing happened in DC and around the world yesterday. I was too tired to really respond last night but believe me people, there's an abundance of hope and the will to fight out there. Makes a pessimist like me more than a bit misty-eyed. A very good thing was accomplished, together, against forces of division.

Also, it's a small thing, but everyone should go sign the whitehouse.gov petition for Trump to release his tax returns:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/peti...

Just saw a thing titled "Where Were All The Women's March Protesters in November?" Not worth reading. The question is so quickly answered -- THEY WERE VOTING!!!! And we won that vote.

Geoff wrote: "Also, it's a small thing, but everyone should go sign the whitehouse.gov petition for Trump to release his tax returns:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/peti...-..."

done

After seeing Doonesbury in the Sunday paper, I'm wondering whether the new President will impel Trudeau to start writing daily again. Boy how could he resist that low-hanging fruit?

Niklas wrote: "You're right, and I already regretted my passive aggressive and smug observation as soon as I posted it. It's difficult not to be tempted though since my entire Goodreads feed is filled with unbearably smug observations and reviews about Trump (Yes, I'm looking at you Manny)."

Hey, it's not my fault if people keep coming back to my old Trump reviews and commenting on them! Right now, I'm reading Crowe's History of Vector Analysis. Which I strongly recommend, btw.

Niklas wrote: "You're right, and I already regretted my passive aggressive and smug observation as soon as I posted it. It's difficult not to be tempted though since my entire Goodreads feed is filled with unbear..."

It's cool. I soon regretted my post as well. I guess I don't take too kindly to being called a liberal (even by implication) haha

I'm grateful the marches happened, and was happy to take part in one in my very own San Francisco, but yeah, I did take exception to a number of the slogans and narratives being promulgated.

It's funny how much easier it is to mobilize outrage over Trump's disgusting pussy comment than the state of the global economy. In which now 8 people - 8 fucking people - own as much as 50% of the globe's population. The first is offensive; the second is a cause for species shame.

I usually hesitate to say it publically, because PC speech forbids it most of the time, but many American people do not and cannot understand anything regarding math, including finance, marketing, stock market and business classes.

In college, part of my grade depended on 'volunteering' to do people's income tax forms. I found myself doing up neighbors and family tax returns when they heard what I was doing. I never said anything to them, of course, but the level of ignorance was absolutely astounding. Many could barely read their own wage statements, or understood what boxes were their taxes or their social security or their health insurance. They mostly had no clue how to fill out even the 1040 EZ form, which was done up in large fonts and 6th grade English.

It absolutely floored me. It also reduced my level of hope for humanity. I predicted Trump would win a year before he did. All of my friends scoffed at me, but I knew it, mostly because of the level of ignorance I saw in 1988 from doing up taxes for people.

Later, I volunteered for a non-profit of 'Each one, Teach One' - which was a group providing primitive reading tools for non-teachers to teach adults who could not read. All of my American students were adult 30-year-old men, some married, some not. All of them had high school diplomas, and not a one of them could read a soup label, much less a newspaper. There were thousands signed up for the program in my area.

American education is a hollow institution, imo. So it was easy for me to predict Trump would win. I have to admit even my own education only was half provided by schools, the rest has been on my own, mostly curiosity reading.

Can we even broach the topic of Conway and Spicer's absurdist press conferences, and the new phenomenon of admitting they put forth "alternative facts" - I mean, this isn't sustainable, right? This can't possibly sustain for four years, right?

Geoff wrote: "Can we even broach the topic of Conway and Spicer's absurdist press conferences, and the new phenomenon of admitting they put forth "alternative facts" - I mean, this isn't sustainable, right? This..."

You're right of course. But the press so far hasn't done half what they could do. That thing where Trump refused a question to CNN ;; should've been a mass walkout by the other press. This is weird shit and I'm sure the press=corp is still trying to figure shit out. But they are now the front line. The next thing that happens will sort of be the Third Fourth thing and I'm hoping to see some Real Press Backbone on it. It'll happen tomorrow. Or it won't. Very rather worried.

There are no facts, only Sean Spicy interpretations. 8 years of this, jesus.

1984 is here - in 2017.