losthighway wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:58 pm

Gramsci wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 12:01 pm

cakes wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 8:36 am Chris Hedges recently said that he believes that we live in the idea of democracy, but it hasn't been a real democracy in a while. The election was Corporatists vs Oligarchs. Corporatists want stability and Oligarchs want chaos. Obviously, the Oligarchs won. But it's hard to deny that Hedges' assessment is correct.

I’ve regarded most western democracies as “managed democracies” for as long as I’ve been politically engaged. The whole system seems to act as a great filter to manage the Overton Window of what’s possible. Generally there is a “there is no alternative” position even among the most liberal mainstream media outlets and think tanks.
There is an idea of how our systems are supposed to operate freely. You engage through political parties and work place unions to shape the party which then goes to the country and enters the Marketplace of Ideas. Then the best ideas win and we’re all happy.
This never happens because the Great Filter stops it. So yes, we all live in the idea of democracy.

Not to get all centrist, but a certain degree of inertia can be good. I see both the current Trump presidency (he would have lost the first under popular vote), and Brexit as the result of a voting majority making really bad choices. Some shade of representative democracy can cushion against radical stupidity. We all also know it can cushion agains economic justice, so I won't pretend I have great answers here either.

The results of depraved propaganda and out of control social media networks.

Zuck really was the architect of the apocalypse. If there is a recorded history in the future, he should be recalled as a wimpy, digital Genghis Khan.

losthighway wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 7:04 am

ErickC wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 2:50 am

Krev wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 7:48 am For those seeking Canadian residency, I hope you have a lot of degrees.

My field is eligible for express entry, yes. I am applying for an ED social work position in Edmonton presently and I am going to have my academic credentials assessed this week. People can pass judgment on me for leaving and can try to guilt trip me into staying if they want, but I've worked way too hard to make my way out of the factories and, now that I'm finally debt-free with a master's degree and a great career, I'm not going to end my life in a gas chamber in a concentration camp. Fuck you. Anyone who thinks that's not the future that's waiting for those of us of Latin descent is delusional.

I don't think anyone here would fault you for this choice. I'm honestly a little jealous

I know you aren't serious, but seriously don't be jealous of someone who may have to flee the country because of their ethnicity.

ChudFusk wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 11:59 pm

losthighway wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 7:04 am

ErickC wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 2:50 am

My field is eligible for express entry, yes. I am applying for an ED social work position in Edmonton presently and I am going to have my academic credentials assessed this week. People can pass judgment on me for leaving and can try to guilt trip me into staying if they want, but I've worked way too hard to make my way out of the factories and, now that I'm finally debt-free with a master's degree and a great career, I'm not going to end my life in a gas chamber in a concentration camp. Fuck you. Anyone who thinks that's not the future that's waiting for those of us of Latin descent is delusional.

I don't think anyone here would fault you for this choice. I'm honestly a little jealous

I know you aren't serious, but seriously don't be jealous of someone who may have to flee the country because of their ethnicity.

I took it more of jealousy of the fact that my professional qualifications mean I have a bit of privilege in terms of my eligibility to emigrate, which is actually something I struggle with to a degree. I wonder how Einstein felt about it? Not to compare myself to, you know, one of the greatest minds of all time.

ErickC wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:48 am

ChudFusk wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 11:59 pm

losthighway wrote: Thu Apr 17, 2025 7:04 am

I don't think anyone here would fault you for this choice. I'm honestly a little jealous

I know you aren't serious, but seriously don't be jealous of someone who may have to flee the country because of their ethnicity.

I took it more of jealousy of the fact that my professional qualifications mean I have a bit of privilege in terms of my eligibility to emigrate, which is actually something I struggle with to a degree. I wonder how Einstein felt about it? Not to compare myself to, you know, one of the greatest minds of all time.

Einstein was pretty much an opportunistic academic vagabond...he had already renounced his German citizenship when he was 16 to avoid military service and lived in Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, which then became a comedic battle for his allegiances once he started winning prizes. He had already spent long professional periods of time in the US well before he emigrated there, to the level where he was being personally invited by Charlie Chaplin to attend his movie premieres and was feted by universities. Most academics are used to a life of following grants and appointments around the world, but Einstein certainly had an enviable celebrity status, and wasn't really the best example of political persecution.

What's the over/under on Trump invoking the insurrection act on Sunday?

I feel like it'll happen, because pretty much everything expected is happening.

I just wonder if that's the breaking point where the military or Republicans step in or we just trantsorm into a dictatorship.

Honestly, I'm expecting the worst and I'm not even a conspiracy theorist.

cakes wrote: What's the over/under on Trump invoking the insurrection act on Sunday?

I feel like it'll happen, because pretty much everything expected is happening.

I just wonder if that's the breaking point where the military or Republicans step in or we just trantsorm into a dictatorship.

Honestly, I'm expecting the worst and I'm not even a conspiracy theorist.

I'd be surprised if he did it on a religious holiday, but maybe the christofascist evangelical base would love that.

Looks like a bullet may be dodged, for now? Crazy that it was even considered.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/18/politics ... index.html

I'm betting on Rudy Giuliani replacing Hegseth.

Krev wrote: Tue Apr 22, 2025 12:50 pm I'm betting on Rudy Giuliani replacing Hegseth.

A disbarred lawyer peddling conspiracy theories will be the next Secdef? In what world do you live i... oh yeah.