Makai

I doubt it would help. One thing I have learned from social media, is the extreme level of self delusion humans are capable of. The people who need the lesson are watching but are in complete denial. Right now social media is going crazy with Trump supporters in complete denial that Wicked is political and a perfect allegory for our current political climate. The same people lost their minds when they finally realized that Homelander on The Boys is supposed to be Trump.

I’ve never seen the party switch represented like this. Most of the regions didn’t change ideologies, the parties did. I’ve read about it but I’ve never been able to fully wrap my brain around how it happened given the current state of politics. I’ve said many times that what was progressive on tv in the 1960’s is the ideal for racists and sexists right now.

The architect of Project 2025 is Trump’s pick to head the Office of Management and Budget.

Easy when the press is finally reporting on the likely impact of Trump’s policies. Also, dominoes have already started to fall as companies are announcing expected price increases due to impending tariffs and Trump friendly judges are already halting immigration programs. His resignation also included that he did not intend to take the oath of office in January so it’s not clear if he can just return in January. He also wouldn’t be able to just resume his prior positions because of his resignation. Plus choosing to rejoin the House would put him back under the jurisdiction of the ethics committee. That’s reversed. On or before 1/20/27, Vance could be elected once. If he completes less than half of Trump’s term he can be elected to eight more years.

Dr. Phil ended up taking back his endorsement. After the election, of course. Four in total. Gaetz, Hegseth, Musk and Kennedy.

Some small pieces of good news. The Senate has approved Biden’s nominee to serve as head of the Office of Government Ethics. I’m sure Trump will just fire them but hopefully there will be some accountability during the transition. Especially since Trump still hasn’t signed the ethics agreement as is require by law. About half of the Senate Republicans have come out against Matt Gaetz as nominee for AG. And finally, the head of the Federal Reserve has said that he will not resign under pressure from Trump. He is ready to fight to keep the Fed independent. Using female can be trans-exclusionary language because it is often used as a microaggression. The main definition is based on what biological organs a person is born with, so many anti-trans people use female to say that trans-women will never be women because they are biologically male. It’s also frequently used by incels as a way to dehumanize women.

One of reasons is because they didn’t want the presidency to become a dynasty that would pass directly from father to son the way the monarchy did.

Nevermind

No one is taking away the right to say it. It’s said hundreds, if not thousands, of times every single day. But other people have the right to react to it. No one is limiting freedom, but if you say something in a public forum other people have the right to react. Too many people think freedom of speech should be freedom from consequences.

Sure they do. One of them just got elected. My only point is that no one is being forced to act. “Cancel culture” can be wrong. That is nothing new and is something I first remember learning with Richard Jewell and Atlanta Olympics bombing. It is also something that is wielded by both sides and is more about human behavior than any recent phenomenon. We have given a new name but it is a tale as old as time. But at the end of the day, no is being forced to act. It is always a choice.

I will never understand why the free speech argument is almost always used exclusively in one direction. Both side have the same freedom of speech.

I don’t want to delve too far down this path but there is a long history with JK Rowling, so when she makes a posts it’s not just expressing on opinion. She has attacked specific people in extremely vile ways. Most recently the Taiwanese boxer who isn’t even trans. She, and others like her, saw a woman they perceived to be “too masculine” and who dominated her opponent in a gold medal match and started a furor with zero evidence. She was proven wrong and is being sued but continues to double down. And, she hasn’t been cancelled. She has a new series coming out based on her books and there are Harry Potter theme parks and video games that were built after she exposed herself as anti-trans.

Exactly. It’s not a new concept or “bastardization“ of anything. It’s a phrase that was common in black culture that was more recently co-opted and twisted by mainstream culture. It evolved over time but the concept of being “awake” is very old. All the way back in 1860 there was the political organization called the Wide Awakes that was affiliated with Lincoln’s presidential campaign. I found this quote from Lincoln’s Secretary of State that feels very appropriate to today.

I’m already really tired of people thinking that magically something changed and most Americans now agree with them. Anyone that thinks any side has a majority now does not understand how the world works. Although I find famous relatives being such polar opposites so relatable.

Nativity plays aren’t gone. I see them all the time.