I am furious with this maladministration, but even more so with those who put them in power - the oligarchs (for their precious tax cuts that they don't need), the MSM (employed by the oligarchs), and the bigots (who just couldn't bring themselves to vote for a Black woman).
My partner and I are trans. We're not even sure where the balancing act between staying locked in our house and continuing to do the things that bring us joy is anymore. Is flying to L.A. from Philly safe? What if we get diverted to shithole country? They're clearly using the airport panopticon as their first line of attack, the one we just let them build after 9/11 because some dipshit tried to light his underwear on fire so we need to have digital strip searches for freedom. Is it okay to get on a train to Maryland? It passes through safe states, but is Amtrak itself federal property? My partner's passport application was denied. "Insufficent evidence to prove sex at birth." Mine is up for renewal next year. I'm going to get the same treatment, even though my documentation was good enough to get a "Real ID". I don't know what to do with all my rage right now. Let's just say my fantasies about what to do to these assholes are worthy of a SAW film.
People who are seeking asylum ARE GUESTS of the United States. When I was younger, such people were celebrated for their heroic resistance against despotic regimes. Now they are being treated as enemies, because of this upside-down Bizzaro despotic regime we are living with in America.
I almost don't want to finish reading this one, as I know between my imagination at the horror show down in El Salvador and that fact that you, Evan, are THIS MAD, is bad. I will finish it, but damn, I needed a break for a second, plus I don't want to forget the couple of things already on my mind about this news before I do. It's not like it's easy to keep track of everything that's going on much less all that should be noted about this attempted destruction of any remaining shreds of decency, democracy, etc. etc.
One thing I'm thinking is that I'm glad (that doesn't sound right, does it) that you are using the word 'Disappeared,' as that is what's happening. I used the word on Threads the other day, and someone (MAGA monsters that I don't talk to, so don't know why they bothered) tried to tell me that they weren't disappeared, just deported. I'm like, WOW, it must be nice to know exactly who everyone is that was picked up, and where they fucking wound up, right? Must be nice to know it all, and it's all a-okay. Fuck off MAGAit.
Another thing I've noticed is this feels like an eerie case of bad deja vu to the 80's with El Salvador's involvement. Another bad redo of the movie 'Salvador' which, let's face it, is ruined eternally now by the presence of James Woods, but that's another matter. I'm remembering the truths of that time period down there, so it's not going to help my imagination at all when I finish reading this story.
The above brings me to the third thing on my mind. After reading in depth about the El Salvador horror prison and the people brought to it IN OUR NAME?? (FUCK YOU TRUMP!!) I became just overwhelmed with this feeling of.........some kind of horrible depression at the truth and reality of it all, of everything and how hard to stop this it's going to be. It was like a wave, not washing over me, but settling on me. That's probably why I'm holding off on finishing the article. I am on my way back to angry as all get out. I know the Heil Hair Hitler Gang are counting on us being overwhelmed, so.......I am back to reading and getting full blown pissed off.
I hate this all so much. Thank you, though, for all those times that you are "a pretty cool customer...get pissed off, but..channel it, and...spend a lot of time laughing and making fun of people who deserve it in the process." You are one of the best at it, thank you!!
Tell those stupid people that sending Venezuelans to another country is NOT deportation! It’s just kidnapping and disappearing. Deporting means sending people back to their country of origin. After a hearing that establishes their identity and the reason for kicking them out. (I know you know that, but these maganuts always skip over the truth by blurring important distinctions)
This is very depressing indeed, and it does feel like a literal weight.
It's really hard not to be enraged ... or whatever stage comes after astonishment, disappointment, despair and resentment. Question, tho: What comes next? Instead of hatred -- because, frankly, that's what I'm feeling just now towards the Orange Turd and his goons -- we owe it to ourselves to channel that energy productively so that (a) it produces something of benefit and (b) doesn't consume us alive.
A donation to Immigrant Defenders Law Center (thanks for the link, Evan) is a start. Writing to representatives and what remains of the press is good, as is contacting the capitulators -- like manufacturers and retailers who bailed on DEI, and law firms like Paul Weiss who'd rather pay tribute (and be complicit!) than follow law and conscience -- to share our disgust.
And then, maybe something creative? How about a collection of tattoo photos, posted by those of us who have one, to demonstrate the huge variety of body art sported by citizens and illustrate how it is in no way justification for their mistreatment, let alone deportation to a remote ICE hellhole?
Plus, a reminder: Alexei Navalny, in his touching posthumous memoir Patriot, describes how, growing up in the USSR, it was necessary to distinguish between the state and the people; the former could be despised and ridiculed even as the latter were embraced. If we want to retain our humanity while we work to reclaim our country, we'll do well to hold on to that thought. We're working to dismantle and eradicate the disease of this administration, but also to find a path back to a civil society where we can regard each other as "fellow Americans".
I have a trans family member and we both have tattoos. Neither of us have criminal records, nor any gang affiliation. Just like those that have been disappeared. Will the whiteness of our skin save us? For now, yes. In the future, questionable. My heart hurts for those in that terrible prison.
That’s also what they’re doing when they hold people in the US. The Canadian woman, an actress, was held for two weeks. And that’s because she had people trying to get her out. She gives a chilling and disturbing account of her time there. The private companies that run the detention centers make money on each body. They move them around to make more money. It’s worse than a horror movie. One woman had been in there for ten months. With no end in sight.
It's extremely difficult to comprehend the unending, even flagrant cruelty this transnational fascist criminal enterprise we call an Executive Branch engages in. They exploited every vulnerability in the way the United States is constituted, and this is what they do. They terrorize vulnerable minorities to help further their ethnonationalist designs on the USA. In the Good Old Days™ they revere, you could always torture minorities. This is a new level.
And I don't mince words; they are completely unmoored by the law. They are guided by their bigoted whims and this is dangerous for us all. Any American, no matter their immigration status, may be renditioned. Citizenship and rights are just pieces of paper dependent on the individual bigotry of whomever is interrogating you.
The beginnings of at least a modicum of a check on this lawless terror movement begin with clawing back House seats to get a majority. It's a modicum as there are non-budget ways this horrific Executive Branch may continue to destroy lives, but it is a start and it is entirely doable. The mission is simply to get as many of the bomb-throwing party replaced in Congress. And then comes the big lift, flipping the Senate.
I am furious with this maladministration, but even more so with those who put them in power - the oligarchs (for their precious tax cuts that they don't need), the MSM (employed by the oligarchs), and the bigots (who just couldn't bring themselves to vote for a Black woman).
Most of all the hatemongering Nazi bigots, racists, misogynists, and homophobes.
My partner and I are trans. We're not even sure where the balancing act between staying locked in our house and continuing to do the things that bring us joy is anymore. Is flying to L.A. from Philly safe? What if we get diverted to shithole country? They're clearly using the airport panopticon as their first line of attack, the one we just let them build after 9/11 because some dipshit tried to light his underwear on fire so we need to have digital strip searches for freedom. Is it okay to get on a train to Maryland? It passes through safe states, but is Amtrak itself federal property? My partner's passport application was denied. "Insufficent evidence to prove sex at birth." Mine is up for renewal next year. I'm going to get the same treatment, even though my documentation was good enough to get a "Real ID". I don't know what to do with all my rage right now. Let's just say my fantasies about what to do to these assholes are worthy of a SAW film.
First and last news story I will read today. Take care of each other.
People who are seeking asylum ARE GUESTS of the United States. When I was younger, such people were celebrated for their heroic resistance against despotic regimes. Now they are being treated as enemies, because of this upside-down Bizzaro despotic regime we are living with in America.
I remember the press the Gabor sisters received when they got asylum here. But then, they're white...
And sorta blonde.
I almost don't want to finish reading this one, as I know between my imagination at the horror show down in El Salvador and that fact that you, Evan, are THIS MAD, is bad. I will finish it, but damn, I needed a break for a second, plus I don't want to forget the couple of things already on my mind about this news before I do. It's not like it's easy to keep track of everything that's going on much less all that should be noted about this attempted destruction of any remaining shreds of decency, democracy, etc. etc.
One thing I'm thinking is that I'm glad (that doesn't sound right, does it) that you are using the word 'Disappeared,' as that is what's happening. I used the word on Threads the other day, and someone (MAGA monsters that I don't talk to, so don't know why they bothered) tried to tell me that they weren't disappeared, just deported. I'm like, WOW, it must be nice to know exactly who everyone is that was picked up, and where they fucking wound up, right? Must be nice to know it all, and it's all a-okay. Fuck off MAGAit.
Another thing I've noticed is this feels like an eerie case of bad deja vu to the 80's with El Salvador's involvement. Another bad redo of the movie 'Salvador' which, let's face it, is ruined eternally now by the presence of James Woods, but that's another matter. I'm remembering the truths of that time period down there, so it's not going to help my imagination at all when I finish reading this story.
The above brings me to the third thing on my mind. After reading in depth about the El Salvador horror prison and the people brought to it IN OUR NAME?? (FUCK YOU TRUMP!!) I became just overwhelmed with this feeling of.........some kind of horrible depression at the truth and reality of it all, of everything and how hard to stop this it's going to be. It was like a wave, not washing over me, but settling on me. That's probably why I'm holding off on finishing the article. I am on my way back to angry as all get out. I know the Heil Hair Hitler Gang are counting on us being overwhelmed, so.......I am back to reading and getting full blown pissed off.
I hate this all so much. Thank you, though, for all those times that you are "a pretty cool customer...get pissed off, but..channel it, and...spend a lot of time laughing and making fun of people who deserve it in the process." You are one of the best at it, thank you!!
Tell those stupid people that sending Venezuelans to another country is NOT deportation! It’s just kidnapping and disappearing. Deporting means sending people back to their country of origin. After a hearing that establishes their identity and the reason for kicking them out. (I know you know that, but these maganuts always skip over the truth by blurring important distinctions)
This is very depressing indeed, and it does feel like a literal weight.
It's really hard not to be enraged ... or whatever stage comes after astonishment, disappointment, despair and resentment. Question, tho: What comes next? Instead of hatred -- because, frankly, that's what I'm feeling just now towards the Orange Turd and his goons -- we owe it to ourselves to channel that energy productively so that (a) it produces something of benefit and (b) doesn't consume us alive.
A donation to Immigrant Defenders Law Center (thanks for the link, Evan) is a start. Writing to representatives and what remains of the press is good, as is contacting the capitulators -- like manufacturers and retailers who bailed on DEI, and law firms like Paul Weiss who'd rather pay tribute (and be complicit!) than follow law and conscience -- to share our disgust.
And then, maybe something creative? How about a collection of tattoo photos, posted by those of us who have one, to demonstrate the huge variety of body art sported by citizens and illustrate how it is in no way justification for their mistreatment, let alone deportation to a remote ICE hellhole?
Plus, a reminder: Alexei Navalny, in his touching posthumous memoir Patriot, describes how, growing up in the USSR, it was necessary to distinguish between the state and the people; the former could be despised and ridiculed even as the latter were embraced. If we want to retain our humanity while we work to reclaim our country, we'll do well to hold on to that thought. We're working to dismantle and eradicate the disease of this administration, but also to find a path back to a civil society where we can regard each other as "fellow Americans".
Good luck.
There is no distinction between our fascist Nazi state now and the subhuman MAGAturds who voted for it.
Many of us will never regard them as anything but evil hatemongers. 'Civility' is no longer an option.
I have a trans family member and we both have tattoos. Neither of us have criminal records, nor any gang affiliation. Just like those that have been disappeared. Will the whiteness of our skin save us? For now, yes. In the future, questionable. My heart hurts for those in that terrible prison.
Absolutely spot-on, Evan. This is how it starts. How it ends is easy to predict.
Linda1961 has it exactly right--this is the result of a lot of rich and/or stupid bigoted people fucking around so we all get to find out.
And, you absolutely should go on Tim's podcast--you two would be fantastic!
The actions of this regime are human Trafficking, they are selling warm bodies of young men, to the slave trade in the El Salvadorean prison.
That’s also what they’re doing when they hold people in the US. The Canadian woman, an actress, was held for two weeks. And that’s because she had people trying to get her out. She gives a chilling and disturbing account of her time there. The private companies that run the detention centers make money on each body. They move them around to make more money. It’s worse than a horror movie. One woman had been in there for ten months. With no end in sight.
Donated!!!
I'll take Incandescent Rage for $600, Alex.
He is EXACTLY who he says he is, "sarcastically". And then they came for US.
,deportations are supported by 58% of the American People according to recent CBS NEWS Poll
It's extremely difficult to comprehend the unending, even flagrant cruelty this transnational fascist criminal enterprise we call an Executive Branch engages in. They exploited every vulnerability in the way the United States is constituted, and this is what they do. They terrorize vulnerable minorities to help further their ethnonationalist designs on the USA. In the Good Old Days™ they revere, you could always torture minorities. This is a new level.
And I don't mince words; they are completely unmoored by the law. They are guided by their bigoted whims and this is dangerous for us all. Any American, no matter their immigration status, may be renditioned. Citizenship and rights are just pieces of paper dependent on the individual bigotry of whomever is interrogating you.
The beginnings of at least a modicum of a check on this lawless terror movement begin with clawing back House seats to get a majority. It's a modicum as there are non-budget ways this horrific Executive Branch may continue to destroy lives, but it is a start and it is entirely doable. The mission is simply to get as many of the bomb-throwing party replaced in Congress. And then comes the big lift, flipping the Senate.