Chit-Chat: The Feels

[Dimity]

I've seen articles and a bunch of posts on FB now filled with ways to avoid buying US products.  There's really not much else we as individuals can do but the two things we can do are not buy American as much as possible and not go down to the States.  Will it matter?  I have no idea,  but it sure feels good to feel we have at least some control.

[PRgal]

2 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I've seen articles and a bunch of posts on FB now filled with ways to avoid buying US products.  There's really not much else we as individuals can do but the two things we can do are not buy American as much as possible and not go down to the States.  Will it matter?  I have no idea,  but it sure feels good to feel we have at least some control.

It'll be a challenge to ONLY buy Canadian due to supply chain.  And you'll definitely need to give up coffee, period, since we don't grow our own beans domestically.  I do buy coffee from companies that roast here though.  Like Pilot (I went to middle and high school with one of the founders).  

[Dimity]

4 minutes ago, PRgal said:

It'll be a challenge to ONLY buy Canadian due to supply chain. 

I don't think anyone is advocating only buying Canadian.  Just avoiding buying American as much as possible.  I'm up for the challenge.  There's a great big world out there and we already have access to a lot of products, including fresh produce, from countries other than the US. 

Edited 13 hours ago by Dimity

[Blergh]

7 hours ago, Annber03 said:

I really just want to apologize to the world at large on behalf of my country for all of this tariff bullshit (and all the poltiical mess in general that we're currently inflicting on the rest of the world). I have never been so embarrassed and ashamed to be from the U.S. as I am right now. 

I am NOT (and have never been) ashamed to be from the U.S. I am ashamed that there are OTHERS from our nation that are putting us in a bad light re the rest of the world.

I'm from the US Southeast so I've had to deal with the issues of others from my neck of the woods making us look bigoted, hateful, willfully ignorant,etc. my entire life and I will admit to being somewhat taken aback at how much progress re  others  becoming fair minded, compassionate,etc. has been at least paused.  I refuse to believe that the changes for the worse can't be reversed but it will take a LOT of time, effort and being willing to put up with a great deal of flak.

 I somewhat relate to Enoch on the classic Krofft show Land of the Lost (1974-1976) who was a Sleestak from an earlier, more enlightened time when the Sleestaks had been progressive and civilized that got sent to a later 'contemporary' time in which their descendants had devolved in being hateful, destructive and xenophobic against others (especially humans). Despite this, Enoch sought out  and and did all he could to help the human Marshalls (despite the Marshalls own initial fear of him- solely due to him having been a member of this species that had considered the Marshalls their sworn enemies).

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that as long as we individually remain polite, kind, helpful and fairminded to others, there is a chance not only to get those outside our ballparks to give us a chance to be evaluated as individuals rather than just lumped into a group in which the worst examples have the loudest voices but also to make inroads to help turn the tide with future generations via faith, education,etc.

[peacheslatour]

12 minutes ago, Dimity said:

I've seen articles and a bunch of posts on FB now filled with ways to avoid buying US products.  There's really not much else we as individuals can do but the two things we can do are not buy American as much as possible and not go down to the States.  Will it matter?  I have no idea,  but it sure feels good to feel we have at least some control.

I've been trying to avoid products made in China and it's nigh on impossible.

[bluegirl147]

If we survive this I doubt we will be like Germany and denounce all this. 

[Anela]

Trump confirmed that he’s doing this, because he wanted Canada as the 51st State, and they (obviously) said “no”. “Join us, and the tariffs go away.” 

Edited 13 hours ago by Anela

[bluegirl147]

1 minute ago, peacheslatour said:

I've been trying to avoid products made in China and it's nigh on impossible.

I buy 99% of my clothes second hand. And any time I see something from Shein I keep looking.  

[Blergh]

19 minutes ago, Anela said:

Trump has removed information and resources involving domestic violence, from the government website.  He has scrubbed it of anything that would help women. You voted for this guy, who does not care about women, at all.  Multiple accusations of rape, a conviction when it came to sexual assault… 

If anyone reading this  has made screenshots/hard copies of domestic violence resources, I urge them to save and SHARE them with as many folks possible (and while I'm on the subject, that also goes for not just pragmatic, legal information but also historic documents) so that those who are most vulnerable will have the best chance to seek them out!

[Dimity]

3 minutes ago, Anela said:

Trump confirmed that he’s doing this, because he wanted Canada as the 51st State, and they (obviously) said “no”. “Join us, and the tariffs go away.” 

What an idiot.  Of course he doesn't really care about this at all but his Republican supporters might want to consider that there is no way Canada as a whole (we'll draw a veil over Alberta) would ever vote Republican.

[Anela]

7 minutes ago, Blergh said:

If anyone reading this  has made screenshots/hard copies of domestic violence resources, I urge them to save and SHARE them with as many folks possible (and while I'm on the subject, that also goes for not just pragmatic, legal information but also historic documents) so that those who are most vulnerable will have the best chance to seek them out!

Jessica Valenti is saving as much information as she can. 

This was the post I saw about trump:

 

[bluegirl147]

9 minutes ago, Dimity said:

What an idiot.  Of course he doesn't really care about this at all but his Republican supporters might want to consider that there is no way Canada as a whole (we'll draw a veil over Alberta) would ever vote Republican.

Let's say Canada does join the US.  Do they get representation in Congress?  Two senators for each province?  And House members? It would change the electoral college right?  Republicans might want to rethink this.

[fairffaxx]

I've been boycotting Target since 2010, when it donated to a homophobic political candidate in Minn, citing business reasons & issuing an insincere apology.  It's certainly not as bad as Hobby Lobby or Chick Fil A, but it's nowhere near as honorable as Costco either.

[Bliss]

9 minutes ago, Anela said:

Jessica Valenti is saving as much information as she can. 

This was the post I saw about trump:

 

tRump needs to buy a dictionary and look up the meaning of "subsidize". Not only is he a bully... he's also extremely uneducated. His evil lies are going to be his downfall.

[peacheslatour]

1 minute ago, Bliss said:

tRump needs to buy a dictionary and look up the meaning of "subsidize". Not only is he a bully... he's also extremely uneducated. His evil lies are going to be his downfall.

Well, that and his utter incompetence.

[Blergh]

I'm not saying all inhabitants. However, generally speaking, the Quebequois have been not jumping for joy in staying part of the Dominion of Canada itself (and the Province of Quebec has somewhat been a de facto autonomous region of the 2nd largest nation in landmass for decades).

Does anyone truly believe that the vast majority of these citizens would want to become part of the US's 51st State along with Ontario, the Maritime Provinces,etc. that they've had issues with?

 

 

Edited 12 hours ago by Blergh

[Dimity]

I was just reading about Canadian hockey fans booing the American national anthem at two different games.  I really wish people would refrain from doing this.  I mean I understand why, believe me, I understand.  But I don't want us sinking to MAGA levels.  We're better than that.  Toddlers in a nursery school are better than that.

Edited 12 hours ago by Dimity

[kittykat]

2 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

Good thing we don't shop there then. Costco forever. From Yahoo Finance-

Costco is perhaps the most notable example of a company that has stood by their DEI policies. In mid-January, the company's shareholders overwhelmingly voted against a proposal urging the wholesale club to evaluate risks posed by its diversity, equity, and inclusion measures.4 days ago

Yeah.  Costco is pretty much my go to for everything now.  It helps I have two in an easy distance.

[peacheslatour]

5 minutes ago, kittykat said:

Yeah.  Costco is pretty much my go to for everything now.  It helps I have two in an easy distance.

We have one right up the hill from us but at our advanced ages, with our various disabilities, it's getting harder and harder the navigate the sheer square footage of the place. We do a trip about every other month to stock up. We usually spend a few hundred dollars there but we still save over shopping everywhere else.

[PRgal]

1 hour ago, bluegirl147 said:

Let's say Canada does join the US.  Do they get representation in Congress?  Two senators for each province?  And House members? It would change the electoral college right?  Republicans might want to rethink this.

Even Alberta would be blue (and I don't mean it in a Canadian way), I think.  Our view of the world and society would basically mean the US would be blue for an entire generation.  

A lot of my clothes come from Miik or Daub and Design (more the latter lately since I pretty much live in athleisure.  

ETA:  Just came back from grocery shopping and bought salad greens by Paradise Fields (based in Binbrook, ON) rather than Organic Girl (California, I believe).  Kefir is also local. 

Edited 11 hours ago by PRgal

[Blergh]

In other news, as per his tenders, Punxsutawney Phil HAS seen his shadow and supposedly has predicted another six weeks of winter which will wind up right around the time of the Spring Equinox on March 20th.

Interesting, this particular groundhog is known to have  a companion who has been bestowed the name of. ..Phylis and the two are parents of two pups.

 

[Bastet]

3 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

Costco is perhaps the most notable example of a company that has stood by their DEI policies. In mid-January, the company's shareholders overwhelmingly voted against a proposal urging the wholesale club to evaluate risks posed by its diversity, equity, and inclusion measures.

And the shareholders weren't rising up against a corporation trying to do something shitty; in the face of a threatened boycott by MAGA, the Costco board of directors unanimously recommended a no vote on that proposal (which was put forth by a right wing think tank, which did the same at other companies, too), and spoke in strong terms about how their DEI initiatives were not only the right thing to do, but made Costco a better company for both employees and customers.  They called out the proposal for the bigotry it was, saying the stated reasoning ("litigation, reputational and financial risks to the company, and therefore financial risks to shareholders”) was BS, it's obvious the real agenda is abolition of diversity initiatives.

Costco took too long to reach an agreement with Teamsters and avoid a strike, but it is generally a place you can feel good about giving business to.  (Just, dear gods, go on a weekday afternoon if you can, as the evening and weekend crowds are overwhelming.)

Edited 11 hours ago by Bastet

[PRgal]

Wiarton Willie says early spring 

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7446052

[fairffaxx]

7 minutes ago, Bastet said:

(Just, dear gods, go on a weekday afternoon if you can, as the evening and weekend crowds are overwhelming.)

Or early morning (weekdays if possible, but weekends are OK then too).  I arrive at least 15 minutes before they open at 9:00, can find a good parking place, & am usually out well before 10:00.

[peacheslatour]

11 minutes ago, fairffaxx said:

Or early morning (weekdays if possible, but weekends are OK then too).  I arrive at least 15 minutes before they open at 9:00, can find a good parking place, & am usually out well before 10:00.

That's when my husband goes. We first got our membership through his business, he had an auto repair shop for thirty years and he would go there before his shop opened for the day.

[kittykat]

Mine opens at ten but I usually get there around 10:30-10:45 when the first surge of shoppers are done and there's a small lull. I try to stick to once a month but it's also my main source of milk, eggs and bread.  Once the farmers markets reopen I can support those for produce.

[peacheslatour]

7 minutes ago, kittykat said:

Mine opens at ten but I usually get there around 10:30-10:45 when the first surge of shoppers are done and there's a small lull. I try to stick to once a month but it's also my main source of milk, eggs and bread.  Once the farmers markets reopen I can support those for produce.

They used to open at 9:00 for business' but now I think the open at 10:00 for everybody.

[Anela]

We can’t afford a Costco membership, but I’ve told dad that we should think about it again. We can’t get to farmer’s markets, with dad’s schedule. I know of one in Canton, on Wednesday afternoons, and on Saturdays, we used to go to Hartville, 

Edited 10 hours ago by Anela

[fairffaxx]

The several stores near me all open at 9:00 -- used to be 10:00, changed several years ago.

[Anela]

I’m looking up local farms. I got plants from one, last year.  Some of them sell their produce directly.

[Annber03]

3 hours ago, Anela said:

Yeah, except we have a lot of democrats, too. I didn’t reap this shit. 
I saw a comment from a Canadian woman, who said something about us saying, “we didn’t vote for this” but that we hadn’t done anything to keep it from building to this, over the years.  We tried!! We fucking tried! 

Yep. I live in a red state and believe me, I did everything I could to try and turn it, and the country at large, blue. 

(Times like this it makes the fact my favorite color is red rather awkward...)

[Dimity]

1 minute ago, Annber03 said:

Yep. I live in a red state and believe me, I did everything I could to try and turn it, and the country at large, blue. 

(Times like this it makes the fact my favorite color is red rather awkward...)

Pity us Canadian liberals, our colour is red. It gets confusing watching US politics sometimes 😀.

[Annber03]

Just now, Dimity said:

Pity us Canadian liberals, our colour is red. It gets confusing watching US politics sometimes 😀.

Add in the fact that red was also the color for communists and that really makes things more confusing :p. 

We don't have a Costco in my town. I wish we did, I've never been to one. I'd like to see what they're like. 

3 hours ago, Anela said:

Jessica Valenti is saving as much information as she can. 

This was the post I saw about trump:

 

Jesus Christ, he really is a fucking moron. 

[peacheslatour]

14 minutes ago, Anela said:

We can’t afford a Costco membership, but I’ve told dad that we should think about it again. We can’t get to farmer’s markets, with dad’s schedule. I know of one in Canton, on Wednesday afternoons, and on Saturdays, we used to go to Hartville, 

Tell dad that he'll end up saving a lot of money in the long run.

[lookeyloo]

39 minutes ago, Anela said:

We can’t afford a Costco membership, but I’ve told dad that we should think about it again. We can’t get to farmer’s markets, with dad’s schedule. I know of one in Canton, on Wednesday afternoons, and on Saturdays, we used to go to Hartville, 

You might want to reconsider.  Careful shopping will get you the membership $$ back. Also if you wear glasses they are much less expensive.  I get my hearing aids there too.   And around here gas is always at least 30 cents a gallon cheaper.  Not in all places, but here.  I have 5 Costcos to choose from.

[peacheslatour]

2 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

You might want to reconsider.  Careful shopping will get you the membership $$ back. Also if you wear glasses they are much less expensive.  I get my hearing aids there too.   And around here gas is always at least 30 cents a gallon cheaper.  Not in all places, but here.  I have 5 Costcos to choose from.

We mainly save on paper products, cat litter, cleaning supplies and things like ground beef, chicken and chocolate chips. (kids, don't let your husbands become addicted to chocolate chips. The struggle is real).

[annzeepark914]

3 hours ago, PRgal said:

It'll be a challenge to ONLY buy Canadian due to supply chain.  And you'll definitely need to give up coffee, period, since we don't grow our own beans domestically.  I do buy coffee from companies that roast here though.  Like Pilot (I went to middle and high school with one of the founders).  

Can you get coffee from Africa? IMO, it's  better than the burnt-tasting coffee from South America. Damn Trump...I'm furious about the way he's treating Canada, our good neighbor. He just wants to look tough to impress his buddies Putin, Orban and the rest of the lowlife dictators. Hoping Canada doesn't end up with someone similar as its PM. One village idiot in North America is too much already!

[Anela]

22 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

You might want to reconsider.  Careful shopping will get you the membership $$ back. Also if you wear glasses they are much less expensive.  I get my hearing aids there too.   And around here gas is always at least 30 cents a gallon cheaper.  Not in all places, but here.  I have 5 Costcos to choose from.

I’ve taken screenshots of your posts, to show him. :) we both wear glasses, and I haven’t had an eye exam since 2013.  I need new glasses.  Dad ordered mine through a website, but I would like to try Costco. 

We also buy a lot of cat litter. Dad buys it at Walmart, but he also hates Walmart. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Anela

[nokat]

4 hours ago, Dimity said:

I don't think anyone is advocating only buying Canadian.  Just avoiding buying American as much as possible.  I'm up for the challenge.  There's a great big world out there and we already have access to a lot of products, including fresh produce, from countries other than the US. 

I'm in the US, and most of our fresh produce is not from here. I'm remembering the meme of the girl who said, who needs farmers, buy it at the grocery store. How many people understand imports and exports (other than George Costanza).

[Dimity]

1 minute ago, nokat said:

I'm remembering the meme of the girl who said, who needs farmers, buy it at the grocery store.

Was she serious?  Or seven years old?

[nokat]

Just now, Dimity said:

Was she serious?  Or seven years old?

An adult, and yes, serious. I think this is the mindset of many people though.

[Blergh]

13 minutes ago, nokat said:

An adult, and yes, serious. I think this is the mindset of many people though.

Maybe she's related to that person I once knew who believed that the Space Program sending rockets into outer space had caused the hole in the ozone layer due to said rockets having punctured the layer which created said hole causing the ozone to leak out into outer space. 

[bluegirl147]

12 minutes ago, Blergh said:

Maybe she's related to that person I once knew who believed that the Space Program sending rockets into outer space had caused the hole in the ozone layer due to said rockets having punctured the layer which created said hole causing the ozone to leak out into outer space. 

Or the person who thinks deer crossing signs should be moved to less traveled roads so the deer don't run out into traffic. 

[fairffaxx]

Or the little kids who think that fully loaded plates grow out of the tablecloth.

[PRgal]

I went to Costco as my mom’s guest once and found it creepy.  Maybe it was the location…but I’ll never go back again. 

[Annber03]

1 hour ago, nokat said:

How many people understand imports and exports (other than George Costanza).

When my family lived in Colorado, my mom worked at a Pier 1 Imports store. She told me about how she had customers come in who asked if they sold stuff that said "Colorado" on it. 

And then when she worked at Target, she had people trying to return stuff that they didn't buy at Target, and one lady seemed to think that you could just return an item to any store and it would all just go to some big place that held items from all the chain stores. 

Yep. 

[Anela]

35 minutes ago, bluegirl147 said:

Or the person who thinks deer crossing signs should be moved to less traveled roads so the deer don't run out into traffic. 

This is why I smile at deer-crossing signs. 😂 that’s one of my favourite things I’ve ever heard.  

[ebk57]

1 hour ago, Anela said:

I’ve taken screenshots of your posts, to show him. :) we both wear glasses, and I haven’t had an eye exam since 2013.  I need new glasses.  Dad ordered mine through a website, but I would like to try Costco. 

We also buy a lot of cat litter. Dad buys it at Walmart, but he also hates Walmart. 

You can go to their website and price out some items to see how much you'd save over a year.  There are some items where the price is only shown if you're a member, but most of them are out there for comparison's sake.  

It's just me and Mr. ebk, but we buy a bunch of paper products, and meat and household stuff (batteries, etc.), vitamins, Advil, and on and on... And they do ship if you don't want to shop.  Prices are slightly higher, but only slightly. 

[annzeepark914]

I need to go to Costco. Sheesh--I've been a member for years but can't remember the last time I was there. I think in the early years, I was annoyed by the long lines at all the checkouts (& I'd arrive at 10 AM when the doors opened and didn't spend a lot of time shopping 🙄) + having back issues made it tough to stand. MrP914 gets paper products there (& the tuxedo cake whenever we have company--yum!)

[peacheslatour]

7 minutes ago, annzeepark914 said:

I need to go to Costco. Sheesh--I've been a member for years but can't remember the last time I was there. I think in the early years, I was annoyed by the long lines at all the checkouts (& I'd arrive at 10 AM when the doors opened and didn't spend a lot of time shopping 🙄) + having back issues made it tough to stand. MrP914 gets paper products there (& the tuxedo cake whenever we have company--yum!)

What is this tuxedo cake of which you speak? 🤔