I dunno if this is anyone else but me, but, in the US this weekend, I heard a radio advertisement on our local Clear Channel / CBS station that was just a guy without music, forcefully stating that “tariffs are a matter of national security.”

That was honestly so surreal that I wasn’t sure if I had imagined it.

Yay Canada

My understanding is that he never actually paid out any of that money he promised to voters.

Go birds.

Sadly, the “concept of a plan” line was from last year. :/

I have to admit, if Trump changed opinions about him via destroying the economy, I have yet to see it. All the dipshits in my world are crowing about how they had been preparing for this for decades.

Honestly, I know a lot of companies that would be absolutely fucked if Backblaze went under in a dramatic fashion.

You got that right friend. 🤝

the problem here is that nobody takes the time to think about how civics actually work in this country. the most important, qualitative elections people can participate in are municipal and state ones, but none of y’all ever turn up. guess who has been voting in municipal and state elections since the 80s? if you already guessed in your head, you’re probably already correct.

if you want living wages in your area, start by electing a mayor or city council that will actually do it. if you want police accountability, make your city or town do it. hate the entire political system that works in your area? you actually have the power to change that! they’re basically the last civil workers who actually have to be somewhat pragmatic and not operate entirely on polemic lines. nobody cares if you’re republican or democratic if the sewers aren’t running.

it’s not that hippy-dippy — the phrase “think globally, act locally” is basically the play from here until forever.

i mean, don’t get me wrong, i may not agree with China’s ethos, but it’s at least an ethos. Usonia is just basically collapsing under the weight of our own virulent individuality and greed right now.

Seriously, when are these bourgeoisie fucks gonna realize that any system designed to coerce or manipulate is inherently corrupting its own ability to be trustworthy, ethical or qualitative.

moreover, i think it’s just weird that everyone expects generative ai to be as open and useful and free as it has been. it’s all to get us to trust and use it unknowingly, then they’re gonna start jacking the prices up. we’ve seen it before with cable television, internet, consumer goods like shoes and computer parts, and more. open source efforts have gone a long way, but it’s still all a tinkerers’ hobby, not a viable alternative.

:sickos:

Eugh. I am not sure how comfortable I am with a world where Xi Jingping is considered the more trustworthy party.

I have to be honest, I’m a long way from either border, but even then I am not sure I have the bravery to try crossing a border right now — and I am a natural citizen. :/

Don’t forget being a safety blanket that allows Americans to postpone any form of social change!

Officer, promote that person!

Ugh. This is gonna suck.

I truly do not understand what it will take for my fellow Americans to become aware.

I assume that at this point, an unhealthy amount of Americans find politics distasteful and they try their best to avoid it — people who are just as affected by it as I am!

Buy a chest freezer! It opens the world imo.

Big fan of buying used on eBay, here. Works amazingly for clothes, too. They aren’t nearly as poor quality or as dirty as people would imagine. I can get brand new shoes or pairs of pants for $10-$20 per pair!