Saw this one on Bluesky today.

nan said:

But, we have no opposition in the US and freedom of speech is attacked as "disinformation" and Biden kills journalists too.  Some of this ranting at Russia is projection. 

I suppose it's not surprising you can't imagine Russians, Georgians, or Ukrainians wanting democracy given you yourself seem to scorn it.

We have choices in this country, and they make real, material differences. It matters if abortion is legal or not -- something that depends on who wins  elections at both the federal and the state level. It mattered whether we invaded Iraq or not. It mattered whether we had decided to uphold our nuclear deal with Iran or not. It matters whether we open up pristine Alaskan wilderness to exploitation or if we declare it road free. It matters if we use government to push us toward an emission-free future or not. It matters in all sorts of ways, large and small. Elections are meaningful.

When people complain, as you do, that they're not meaningful, and that it doesn't matter, it can mean a few things. It could be ignorance -- not realizing just how many things are impacted by who governs. It could be lack of attention -- not making the connection between events that happen and who governs (this is especially common because there are many delays between change and effect. As an easy example, think of the impactful, but lengthy, way the Supreme Court's makeup changes and then begins to yield different rulings, which themselves often take a while to play out and have visible impact).

It is also sometimes a sign of tunnel vision, of someone dismissing things that are important, but which aren't important to them. Think, for instance, of voters who dismiss reproductive rights as an issue.

Another aspect to this is that democracy gives us choices, not guarantees. It's a big country. On many issues, you're going to find yourself holding a minority opinion; perhaps even an extremely minority opinion. Change can be hard, but not impossible. The fact that few people share an opinion today doesn't mean they can't be convinced to do so tomorrow, but there's also no guarantee that you ever will change enough people's minds. Your complaints here seem to be along the lines of this -- too few Americans share your foreign policy views. And your explanation for this is conspiracy and the over-privileged decision that democracy doesn't matter or even really exist.

nan said:

You don't know if he spoke with them or not. He implies he gave them and opportunity to respond. We know they did not respond denying something.

I asked nan twice in this thread for her source for stating that Ukrainians were divided half and half by language before Russia’s 2022 invasion. Nan didn’t respond. I can now ethically and responsibly report that nan did not deny she posted a falsehood.

Morganna says (in her valuable description of civil disobedience):  "I'm mistrustful of people covering their faces."

mtierney gives a reason why masking may be prudent: "...students may well be spotted by identity technology available to employers to screen prospective job applicants."

Not to mention current employers, school administrators, police, and any opponent or random internet surfer who'd like to dox them.  Seems sensible to me, though maybe not at the level of integrity and civic-mindedness Morganna described.

So Noem doubles down on shooting doggies?

Sometimes when you find yourself in a deep hole you ought to stop digging.....

Morganna said:

mjc said:

A shot across the bow maybe? she says hopefully.

Finally heard tape of one of Defendant's comments this morning, imo couldn't be clearer tampering with witness(es).  Seems likely any random street thug would be locked up if it could be proved he said anything like that.

eta: otoh, does this mean the judge totally dismissed the other dozen or so instances??

eta again: NYT says $9,000, so apparently judge recognized most instances?  Still peanuts, but at least a warning

Apparently $1,000 per violation is the maximum allowed in New York State. Of course, jail could be the next option. We can only dream.

$9,000 ain't a lot, but on top of that, he'll have to attend his son's graduation which he had no intention of doing, so there's some justice.

Morganna said:

I have a feral kitty who is doing roof and gutter inspections for me.

cat on a cold slate roof.

@mtierney, You have posted a cartoon about protestors saying "first pay off my student debt." but whatever your feelings about loan forgiveness, and as I think this is becoming a talking point for Biden detractors, I am sharing an explanation of those who are eligible. This was copied for CBS news in January. 

Biden forgives $5 billion more in student loan debt. Here's who qualifies and how to apply.

By Kate Gibson

Edited By Alain Sherter

January 19, 2024 / 12:18 PM EST / CBS News

• The Biden administration a week ago said that, starting in February, people with less than $12,000 in student loans and who have been making payments for at least 10 years would get their remaining loan balance erased. Borrowers also have to be enrolled in the White House's new Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan.
  

Nearly 44,000 of the borrowers approved for debt relief are teachers, nurses, firefighters, social workers and public servants with at least 10 years of service. The remaining close to 30,000 borrowers have been making payments on their loans at least 20 years, but who did not get relief through income-driven repayment plans.

I have a feral kitty who is doing roof and gutter inspections for me.

joanne said:

Just thinking about ages, behaviour, mannerisms etc…. A couple of days ago I read this article (I’m sure you read or saw similar), and was startled that Mark Hammill is 72. 
https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/may/03/mark-hamill-joe-biden-hollywood  There’s another good one in France 24, and other international media. 

Just 10 years younger than Joe Biden. And just a coupla years younger than the candidate sitting in court rooms and featuring in daily news bulletins and satirical late nights programs. 

Gosh. Kinda throws adult behaviour into sharp perspective, doesn’t it??

This guy is one year younger than Biden and 3 years older than Trump and doing a 16 city tour of the US and Canada over the next couple of months.