#sexism #misogyny #racism are now the rule
No women will lead a House committee for the first time in two decades after House Republicans revealed their list of committee leaders for the 119th Congress on Thursday.
The 17 standing committees, whose leaders were selected by the House Republican Steering Committee, will be dominated by white men when the new Congress is seated on Jan. 3. No people of color were selected, either.
If Trump accomplishes half of what he says he wants to accomplish, we're in big trouble.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/06/us-second-trump-term-threat-rights-us-world-0 President Trump vs human rights
https://pluralistic.net/2024/11/05/carcinoma-angels/ from Cory about his cancer
https://text.npr.org/nx-s1-5181315 The Dow Jones jumps over 1,300 points after Trump wins the election
This vindicates all the things I wrote about the Democrats screwing up, but that's small comfort now.
First the Democrats were the party of slavery.
Then they were the party of racial segregation.
Then, for a short time, they were the party of labor rights and black civil rights.
Then Bill Clinton took over, and they became, and still are, the US equivalent of Tony Blair's New Labour Party.
So what should progressives do? Migrate to the Green Party en masse? Start a new Progressive Party? Try to do to the leadership of the Democratic Party what Trump did to the Republicans?
I favor a new Progressive Party that would be built around the few real progressives in Congress. The new party should be a labor party. It should be a populist party, fighting the wealthy elite (Musk, Bezos, the mega-corporations, etc.). It should advocate buying locally produced products over imports. It should advocate more local production, especially of semiconductors and other items essential to economic survival. It should advocate international partnerships and treaties designed to end discrimination against certain ethnic and national groups (e.g., Russia should stop trying to end Ukraine, Israel should stop trying to end Palestine, Turkey should stop trying to end the Kurds, all former colonial empires should stop trying to "assimilate" indigenous people, etc.). It should stop attempts to worsen the on-going climate catastrophe. It should oppose government involvement in anything to do with sexuality and reproduction. It should oppose misogyny. Most of all, it should oppose rewarding greed.
Why did Trump win?
I would say, he appealed to blue collar workers more than the Democrats. Think about what that says about the Democrats.
He also appealed to misogynists who can't stand the idea of a female President. Why weren't we expecting this?
He appealed to all kinds of xenophobes, including racists and Christian Nationalists.
#election #politics #trump #democrats #democratic-party #xenophobia #misogyny #progressives #progressive-party #progressive-politics #ultra-wealthy #musk #bezos #racism #genocide #human-rights #christian-nationalism #conservatism
Normally, I avoid The Guardian. It has a particularly bad record on trans issues. But, you need to read this one.
But there are things that only veterans of the childless cat lady wars can know. They used to call us witches because we knew shit. We still do. That’s what makes us so powerful. And dangerous. That’s what JD Vance understands: our cat lady energy. We’ve lived through culture wars before they even had that name, before they invented memes and when they just burned us at the stake.
A long read that you may find quite interesting.
Here's a "Reader's Digest" condensed version of the above story:
#Psychology #Subjectivity #Misogyny #View #Perspective #Art #Prejudice
Andrew Tate was never "just trolling"
It's a persistent bit of wishful thinking in our culture, that misogynist talk somehow has no relationship to actual violence against women. Donald Trump, for instance, was able to wave away a tape of him bragging about sexual assault by claiming it was just "locker room talk." It was not, as a jury found just this spring, ruling that journalist E. Jean Carroll told the truth when she said Trump sexually assaulted her in the 90s.
The pandemic, of course, is the most dramatic event in the lives of kids (and everyone) in the past few years and got the lion's share of the blame for these stomach-churning numbers. But what cannot be overlooked as a likely factor: American boys are swimming in online propaganda that celebrates sexual violence as both their god-given right and as a way to demonstrate their manliness. One of the most famous figures in the world of teenage boys right now is imprisoned in Romania on charges of rape and forcing women into sex work. It's highly unlikely that the legions of boys who admire Tate and imitate his workouts, his tastes, and his rhetoric aren't also emulating the violence against women celebrated in Tate's videos.
The Metropolitan police (the #police force of Greater #London) is broken and rotten, suffering collapsing public trust and is guilty of institutional #racism, #misogyny and #homophobia, according to an official report by Louise Casey. The report was commissioned by the #Met after one of its officers abducted Sarah Everard, taking her from from a London street in March 2021, before raping and murdering her.
The 363-page report details disturbing stories of sexual assaults, usually covered up or downplayed, with 12% of women in the Met saying they had been harassed or attacked at work, and one-third experiencing sexism.
Lady Casey said that the lifeblood of British policing was haemorrhaging and her report warned that “public consent is broken” with just 50% of the public expressing confidence, even before revelations about the force’s worst recent scandals.
She pinned the primary blame on its past leadership and said: “Public respect has fallen to a low point. Londoners who do not have confidence in the Met outnumber those who do, and these measures have been lower amongst black Londoners for years.
...
Casey revealed that one Muslim officer had bacon stuffed in his boots, a Sikh officer had his beard cut, minority ethnic officers were much more likely to be disciplined or leave, and Britain’s biggest force remains disproportionately white, in a capital that is increasingly diverse.
Stop and search and use of force against black people was excessive, found the report for the Met – which stops more people per head of population than any other force.
A catalogue of suffering by women included frequent abuses by senior officers, including one subjecting a female junior to repeated harassment and an indecent act.
etc.
#corruption #violence ...
Wow.... Holy Tucker 💩 Carlson! Deciding to. go macho misogynist on Chelsea Handler...
Noted/re-shared by George Takei!
After conservative snowflakes lashed out at Chelsea Handler for deigning to suggest that her life without children is quite satisfying thank you very much, Chelsea just posted an epic clapback.
Watch her turn the tables as only she can here: https://secondnexus.com/chelsea-handle
Twitter on Fire (lies, #Muskvirus etc.. and holding fire sale' today!) ..."to help pay the rent" (Bloomberg)
#1, #Twitter is in flames (literally having a "fire sale" today) but in terms of tone, crowded exits, and big debates among "regulars" about the morality/business sense of staying with a platform actively courting #racism, #misogyny & promoting #GQP/ #TrumpVirus
fueled hate and #conspiracy . As its owner has fun with his toy, indifferent to appearances or even a cash drain. (He has lots more)
#2 - "Other"
Mastodon- We are now seeing a very active & vibrant #Mastodon and related Federation sites, including some instances (pods) set up by news organizations. At first there was limited 'fresh content' and some were just Twitter mirrors, "in case" Twitter implodes. &/or to test the waters. In the first weeks of this year, it's gotten to the point where one can choose from various feeds (local, Fediverse etc) and see it regularly updating. A wide variety of talents being offered (George Takei memes, researchers' findings, a huge #Caturday showing ("CatsOfMastodon"), some diplomats. many journalists (as individuals. off the company site), lots of music, photos, art....
So, given its huge growth, constant improvements, and generally very good "vibe" reflecting the pleasant community... it works!
That said, it's not the mythical (wished for) "Twitter replacement:. On some levels, it is - an interesting mixture of ordinary people and public or entertainment figures (small now but growing), and a friendliness typical of pioneers settling a newly found, hospitable place.
But it is not Twitter's identical twin - it's ad free and not algorithm-driven. I've yet to see a single trolling or spam, though my time has been limited and mostly focused on the feature set and finding news/information sources. The cats, photos & music are icing on the cake for me, and may be core value for many. It's not as long-form or 'conversational' as 'here', but OTOH there are new acquaintances and resources awaiting 'out there' in large number, for those who want to immerse. Note that you can easily repost, tags work very well (and you can follow them) and the interface allows for seeing/liking//contacting content on other instances, so if you're on a small one, you can connect via a search and connect, and that pod becomes connected. If you're on a huge pod, same, people can find you. Anyway, it's viable. One disappointment/debate for some - users cannot "quote tweet" easily. OTOH, it's as easy as on FB or MeWe to post articles, music vids, etc, by just typing the url. No editor necessary. But not as much formatting options as "here" (image insertion, e.g.). But then, most of the new users are coming from Twitter, not escaping from 'here'. Here is fine! (Comfy/friendly)
Post.news
I'm sad to break the news but this is definitely not "the next Twitter"! It's just come out of Beta and wait-list only and people can join. (See for yourself! I'd love to hear your findings/experience). Briefly, it has lovely formatting, a dream for bloggers, with a fill-in slug for "title" and easy description or text, plus thumbnail/photo. It looks professional and many of the early adopters are journalists, novelist, etc. For them, it may be nice, but as a publicists' destination more than "social media". It is difficult to 'share/repost' without adding a story, and active moderation prevents instant posting or posting at all (for me, about 1/3 of the time). Function-wise, mostly now I cannot 'like' or even post (was I bad?) as in trying, I click on the star, it increases one number, then goes back. I took time to carefully compose a post and tapped the "publish" button 100 times, nothing happening.... So much for the 'experience'.
One more general experience: the feed looks polished, and long posts will have a "read" button to continue. But also, many articles require points to read. Some orgs are 'charging' tokens for nearly everything, some are lighter (learning/economics curve?). Most personal posts, except some "influencers" trying to grow big audiences, also are charging points. Users have been getting 50 points to use for purchasing reads or for "tips". (Don't ask? Tough to explain). Sort of like "Brave" browser sharing points for seeing ads.
Again, I can see potential as an auxiliary publicity method for authors, publicists, journalists, and news orgs. But "social"? Not so much, to tell #truth. Some comments, yes, but the whole thing seems super clunky to actually use. I've gotten some followers and likes, have yet to get a single notice via the 'bell'. And as I said, recently I seem almost to be blocked from posting or liking.
Now I did connect with a few journalists and social scientists I might not have on Twitter, interesting, solid experts and talented writers. But then that's it. I can follow my connections or "explore" (Ack! Shades of Twitter now turning TikTok blended with Fox!)
Redeeming features? It looks pretty. It has an intuitive 'form' (rather than editor) which for example instantly turns a word bracketed by asterisks (* .. ) into *italicized font, but like Mastodon, no way to insert images, that I've found. (Maybe a url to an image?)
And now there are posts I've seen decrying the new policies/features of Post which are seen as limiting, many expressing sadness that "Post will never be 'the next Twitter'". I concur, but had to check it out, and did so.
Have I forgotten anything? Well, #facebook is the same as ever, stealing/re-selling user data as its model and dictating what people "like". Of course the worst aspects get borrowed now by Musk, who steals from TikTok too. And #MeWe is the same, apparently thriving and a comfy spot for Facebook-like posting of selfies and music vids, no editors (but can edit), but definitely of no value to many Twitter users (the huge group currently in flux) if public posts are the goal. (It is, despite its initial claims, still a walled garden.) Some of the many Twitter users who actually do interact, and enjoy that aspect, may be seen 'here' or on MeWe, just as the Google+ crowd dispersed across options when Google lost its "Don't be evil" motto and changed it seemingly to #GoogleIsEvil
Speaking of, I know there is a whole slice of Internet (Not the #Truth network, #Fox, NewsMax, Rumble, Gutter, etc.) considered "social media" too, but the hate, delusions and division seem so central to that realm I'm not sure it there is not one big social media #cult . With its large presence across people's online bubbles. Mm, profits!
Well, "different strokes for different folks". Google+ was 'the best' in its day and way, as was Twitter.
~~
So, my take as of 18 Jan 2023
Twitter is flaming out, some holding on, some encouraging rapid exit, many hedging bets, others not wanting to be associated now, with conspiracy-spreading, anti-vax anti- #truth and anti-social elements. (Suddenly I'm getting followers - not ones I'd want!)
Mastodon has exploded in users, and handled it well. It has many beloved features, diverse users (both celebs/orgs and everyday people), and everything from #Caturday to fine art (photos/drawing/digital) to cartoons and political memes. (Without trolling and with options to mask images which might be deemed 'sensitive', plus captions). One can also chat, like, forward (though not "quote tweet", re-sending with comment or title for example). Features may evolve as they actively hire and follow through on enhancements which users want. It's not clear who/how/if corporate entities will benefit (as opposed to say, Twitter), but big instances like the original one ask for support via Patreon or local server hosts. No direct advertising in the feed.
Post - "pretty". Some good content and impressive posters, many literary & journalistic professionals.
Interface is either a gem or G-d-awful depending on one's comfort zone and/or goal. Not possible to post "live" now in many cases, and difficult to simply re-share something (or in my case for a few days, to even "like" a Post post. Has for-token reads and "tips".
All a bit thorny amid the roses IMM. Agreeing with some of its fans here: As it looks now, definitely NOT "the next Twitter".
Nothing is. Maybe that's good. Or not. Centralized town square vs. Federated Town Squares.... "We'll see what happens."
And meanwhile, @ diaspora * "here" - all is well. (Well, most!)
Other than the stagnant feature set that long-time users accept and/or deal with and/or embrace - no big mass-exodus to or from "here". Still can enjoy what we enjoy, be it cats, politics, photography, wordplay, whatever...
So I say again to 'my regular circles [aspects here] - I'm not leaving, see no reason, but as a social scientist and long-time user of (mostly) social media, I feel the need to follow a huge sea-change as it's happening, now fueled by Twitter rather than Google+.
I see and feel the anxiety, anger, confusion among so many on Planet Twitter now looking at a safe home for when it hits the fan...
being raped by men is **women's* fault?!* #misogyny
Police believe Townson is a serial killer because other agencies in and out of state are working cases based on his information. Townson claims he was sexually abused by men as a child and that led him to kill, according to police.
“Blames his mother and other women in his life for not protecting him as a child, and as a result he developed a hatred for women,” Daytona Beach police Chief Jakari Young said.
https://www.wesh.com/article/linda-lois-little-cold-case/41765461
The question in this trial was not who was the abusive partner; it was whether Heard defamed Depp by writing an op-ed in which she identified herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse” and argued that “institutions protect men accused of abuse.”
Go ahead: re-read the op-ed. What you won’t find anywhere in it is Heard saying that Depp abused her. Instead, you will find her making statements that are not defamatory, but objectively true: that she became a public figure representing domestic violence; that her career suffered for it.
#misogyny #psychopathy #antifeminism #abuse #DomesticAbuse #violence #SexualViolence #cruelty #manipulation #victimisation #mistrial #MeToo
The trial has turned into a public orgy of misogyny. While most of the vitriol is nominally directed at Heard, it is hard to shake the feeling that really, it is directed at all women – and in particular, at those of us who spoke out about gendered abuse and sexual violence during the height of the #MeToo movement. We are in a moment of virulent antifeminist backlash, and the modest gains that were made in that era are being retracted with a gleeful display of victim-blaming at a massive scale. One woman has been made into a symbol of a movement that many view with fear and hatred, and she’s being punished for that movement. In this way, Heard is still in an abusive relationship. But now, it’s not just with Depp, but with the whole country.
#misogyny #psychopathy #antifeminism #abuse #DomesticAbuse #violence #SexualViolence #cruelty #manipulation #victimisation #mistrial #MeToo
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jun/01/amber-heard-johnny-depp-trial-metoo-backlash
#Activism #SocialJustice #Justice #CivilRights #Equality #Diversity #Pluralism #Freedom #Liberty #HumanRights #Humanitarianism #Humanitarian #Organize #Organization #Collaboration #FunctionalCollaboration #Coordination #Cooperation #Empowerment #Culture #CulturalHealth #CulturalFreedom #CulturalPluralism #CulturalDiversity #HealthyCulture #MonoCulture #Philosophy #SocialTheory #SocialScience #Government #Politics #PoliticalJustice #PoliticalScience #PoliSci #PublicPolicy #Policy #Democracy #MaintainingDemocracy #FunctionalDemocracy #ParticipatoryDemocracy #ParticipatoryEducation #Citizen #Citizenship #CitizenCommunications #Education #LiberateEducation #EducationLiberation #Socialism #Mutualism #MutualAide #SocialEcology #Anarchy #Anarchism #Anarchist #Christian #MessianicJew #Religion #Faith #Collectivism #Capitalism #AntiFacist #AntiFa #Civilization #EconomicJustice #Law #FightPropaganda #Propaganda #Truth #Corruption #Lies #USA #America #Environment #Environmentalism #EnvironmentalJustice #Ecology #EcoActivism #Climate #ClimateJustice #ClimateActivism #ClimateActivist #ClimateChange #Carbon #AirQuality #WaterProtectors #Water #Pollution #Sustainability #Gender #LGBT #LGBTQ #Violence #ToxicCulture #ToxicConformity #Hate #Racism #WhiteSupremacist #WhiteSupremacy #Sexism #Misogyny #Chauvinism #Chauvinist #Fascism #Fascist #Paternalism #AntiSemitism #XenoPhobia #Nationalism #Nationalists #Discrimination #StopDiscrimination #Oppression #Persecution #Slavery #Nazi #NoNazis #PsuedoScience #KnowThyEnemy #Righteous #Righteousness #Vigilance #ReWild #Wild #ReWildorDie #KnowThySelf #Health #HealthCare #HealthFood #Food #Nutrition #Eating #Diet #Natural #Veg #Vegetarian #Vegan #FoodJustice #FoodSecurity #FoodSupply #FoodShortage #FoodShortages #Famine #SupplyChain #Agriculture #AvianFlu #H1N5 #BioWeapon #BioSecurity #MonkeyPox #Medical #Medicine #Wellness #WellBeing #Psychology #Psych #Sociology #Power #COVID #COVID19 #COVID-19 #Coronavirus #Pandemic #Pandémie #Pandemie #Quarantine #Lockdown #Lockdowns #Vaccine #Vaccins #InformedConsent #ClinicalTrial #Autonomy #Pfizer #BionTech #Shot #Jab #Vaxx #NoVax #PasseVaccinal #VaxPass #EndAllMandates #AdverseReactions #LongCOVID #PostCOVID #PostCOVIDSyndrome #Survival #Prepper #Prep #Preppers #SelfCare #BushCraft #DeColonize #DeAssimilate #InformationJustice #EducationJustice #EducationalJustice #GrassrootsEducation #KnowledgeIsPower #Luddite #Union #Science #BioTech #Tech #CBDC #DigitalCurrency #Currency #SocialMedia #CleanHumor #Humor #Funny #Jokes #Democrat #Republican #Progressive #WEF #Anonymity #Cybercrime #Eugenics #Genocide #BioTerror #Resistance #Electric #Cars #ElectricCars #Rockefeller #Oil #Pesticides #PetroChemicals #BigPharma #Pharma #Scientism
