16 Comments

Rather than harm my mental health by watching, I copied Michelle Obama and ignored it.

Instead I had a prayer session, started work on a future Substack post about an unusual zoo and watched the AO tennis.

Judging by the headlines, it was as horrible as I expected.

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I actually had a mostly good time in Australia for our honeymoon. Had a wonderful time around Melbourne, Cairns, and an ok time in Sydney. Watching the New Year's fireworks sitting in a park near the Yarra river in Melbourne was something

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Constantly “learning” from the never ending attacks on fellow humans determined to sow chaos just to take money and power is exhausting.

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At some point we need to have sane conversations in person instead of acting like a normal conversation involves yelling and posting disinformation as is the norm on social media. That along with expressing blind loyalty for something even if that something has glaring flaws or issues.

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I’ve tried to have so many sane conversations. And I do all the “good” things. I vote, protest, donate, volunteer. And the majority of Americans actually seem to agree with me. Yet here we are. When do I get to start yelling?

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Have your "sane conversations" included any recognition that a very large number of people (voters) have felt ignored and/or misled by those in positions of influence or power? Consider the possibility that you are (like someone near and dear to me) in an echo chamber.

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Yes they are usually blue voters living in red states or red voters in blue states. It's a real problem when your needs are not met at the Federal level because the majority around you think and feel differently. It is like a native English speaker living in Quebec province or a progressive living in Alberta. If that is the case you should feel even more frustrated at how the swing state voters are making or breaking the US election. In Canada, the majority where I live in Ontario think Doug Ford is for the people while the other parties keep talking about how Doug Ford sucks without offering and clear solutions to his poor governance.

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Yes if you are on social media, the echo chambers create a false impression that things are likely going your way. In reality that may be the case if you are in a blue state or blue county. Otherwise it's all MAGA

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Discussion of echo chambers should include corporate media, which has largely devolved into one. This is a significant factor in the rise of social media as a news source.

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Social media even worse for disinformation

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I am on social media. I am also not on social media. The votes were about even if you count people who voted against Trump. Only 63% of voters voted. The highest turnout was in blue states. And the dude admitted he used Elon to swing the election. I think for real people it's not nearly as MAGA as he'd like you to believe.

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It's still a problem with the swing states voters mostly settling for Trump or not voting despite what’s at stake. They doomed the country yet again

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The depth of the misinformation spewed there is mind boggling. I still can’t get over Vance making that bs up about the Haitian immigrants (that saved that city) eating pets - admitting he made it up publicly - and getting away with it. It’s true the US is still deeply deeply racist. MAGA just lets them be that way in the open.

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This is how to dismantle the #usa #Oligarchy - The past holds the #Keys

Overthrowing an oligarchy—a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few—requires collective action, organization, and often systemic change. Here are some key strategies populations have historically used:

1. Awareness and Education

• Educate the public: Help citizens understand the structure and impact of the oligarchy by exposing corruption and inequality.

• Build consensus: Spread awareness about shared grievances and the need for change through media, literature, and grassroots movements.

2. Grassroots Organisation

• Unify diverse groups: Bring together people across social, economic, and cultural lines under a shared goal of dismantling the oligarchy.

• Leverage community networks: Use unions, local organisations, and activist groups to mobilize people.

3. Nonviolent Resistance

• Mass protests: Organise demonstrations, strikes, and boycotts to disrupt the oligarchy’s economic and political power.

• Civil disobedience: Refuse to comply with unjust laws and policies that support the oligarchs.

• Strategic non-cooperation: Withdraw support from oligarchic institutions by boycotting businesses and elections controlled by elites.

4. Economic Pressure

• Redistribute wealth: Advocate for policies like progressive taxation, land reforms, and regulation of monopolies.

• Support ethical alternatives: Build cooperative businesses and community-owned enterprises to bypass oligarch-controlled industries.

5. Political Action

• Form or support alternative parties: Establish or back political movements that represent the majority and advocate for systemic change.

• Demand democratic reforms: Push for electoral reforms, such as campaign finance laws, to weaken oligarchic influence.

6. Alliances and International Support

• Build coalitions: Collaborate with labour unions, civil society organisations, and international human rights groups.

• Seek global attention: Use social media and international platforms to expose the oligarchy and gain support.

7. Address Power Structures

• Dismantle monopolies: Break up industries controlled by the oligarchs to reduce their economic power.

• Strengthen institutions: Push for judicial independence, transparency, and accountability in governance.

8. Revolution (Last Resort)

• If peaceful means fail and oppression intensifies, revolutions have historically overthrown oligarchies. However, revolutions carry significant risks, including violence, instability, and unintended consequences.

Historical Examples

• The French Revolution (1789–1799): Overthrew the aristocracy and established a republic.

• The Russian Revolution (1917): Dismantled the tsarist oligarchy, leading to the establishment of a communist government.

• South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement (20th century): Nonviolent resistance and international pressure dismantled a racially based oligarchic system.

Ultimately, the success of overthrowing an oligarchy depends on the population’s ability to sustain collective action, overcome divisions, and implement meaningful reforms once the oligarchy is dismantled.

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These seem like great ways to keep MAGA in power well past 2028. Did Vivek pay you to post this?

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