Vox Populi, our weekly live chat about the week’s events begins tonight at 7:00pm PT. Hope to see you then!
AdLib3 hours ago
Hey CL and TW!
AdLib2 hours ago
Hey everyone
twilson117
2 hours ago
Merry 12 days before Xmas!
AdLib2 hours ago
Baa Humbug
twilson117
2 hours ago
“It came without ribbons, it came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags.”
AdLib2 hours ago
Trump the cheepskate
twilson117
2 hours ago
Trump will have Kash Patel indict Santa.
AdLib2 hours ago
What he hasn
twilson117
2 hours ago
Hi – how are you both?
choicelady
2 hours ago
He hasn’t done that already
twilson117
2 hours ago
So what do we think about Trump wanting to follow Project 2025 completely, including ending the FDIC. That surely wouldn’t cause a financial panic.
AdLib2 hours ago
CL I’m tired of reading the headlines
twilson117
2 hours ago
The Twelve Days of Christmas aren’t the journey to Epiphany. They are the last, desperate moments of shopping.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Ad did you think he would’t?
twilson117
2 hours ago
TW – totally with you.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Ad – I am just sick trying to keep up with the destruction of America.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Everyone would tell you while I’m not a control freak over how other people live, I am a “planning freak” trying to get ready to stave off disaster. I can’t because I have no idea what’s coming. No way to plan.
choicelady
2 hours ago
CL – So true! I always think back to the Charlie Brown Christmas Special which was all about decrying the commercialization of Christmas and now, it’s like a totally foriegn concept.
AdLib2 hours ago
Hey glenn! Wonderful to see you!
AdLib2 hours ago
Glenn how are you good see you tonight
twilson117
2 hours ago
CL – I still can’t read much news because I’ll just be condemning myself to 4 years of ongoing depression. Have to focus elsewhere to be productive in life.
AdLib2 hours ago
Back in the 50s and 60s people were decrying commercializing Christmas. It got only worse. We always had great ones. Each family member gave one present to the others and vice versa. Aunts and uncles sent ONE thing. So the total “haul” was about 6 presents. And we had a blast. We did cookie baking, trimmed the tree, I usually played in some Christmas concert, and we had dinner with friends. All good. Simple. Not expensive. Nice.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Good evening all. Nice to see you all. TW, I’m doing pretty well. I don’t wanna talk about the TLB. Because I still can’t believe that he is the president elect.
glenn
2 hours ago
CL – If they meddle with the FDIC, I will be putting our savings in banks outside of the US.
AdLib2 hours ago
glenn!!! How are you?
choicelady
2 hours ago
I see that XI turned down’t the Orange One’s invite to attend his dictatorship party.
twilson117
2 hours ago
CL – That sounds like a real celebration of Christmas! Love it!
AdLib2 hours ago
Hey Murph!
AdLib2 hours ago
We have full house Murph is in the house
twilson117
2 hours ago
Murph!!!
choicelady
2 hours ago
glenn…holey money…what is up.
MurphTheSurf3
2 hours ago
CL, I’m pretty good thank you. Your past Christmases sound about like mine. Except it wasn’t an uncle that brought his presents. It was my grandmother and grandfather.
glenn
2 hours ago
Hi CL, ad, and TW…hope all, or at least most, is good with and for you.
MurphTheSurf3
2 hours ago
One year my mother suggested we string popcorn and cranberries. WHAT A DISASTER! Popcorn broke, thread got tangled, cranberries leaked juice all over the floor. But it was funny, and we did ONE string, never did it again.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Murph hanging the best I can
twilson117
2 hours ago
glenn – Same here, nothing positive can come from the self-harm of obsessing with the madness that Trump will bring. As CL said, best to prepare as possible and focus energies on productive things.
AdLib2 hours ago
glenn – grandparents were far away. We did get presents I think from my father’s side, but one. Grandmother and aunt sent books – my fave. It was simple. Every present was fun.
choicelady
2 hours ago
TW – I will say one Trump related thing, he has no idea the blowback that will be hammering him from foreign countries and Americans as he tries to blow up everything. He and MAGAs have such ignorance and hubris, they will not be prepared for the pushback and resistance coming for them.
AdLib2 hours ago
Ad let the blow back begin
twilson117
2 hours ago
Our house is full of simple Chrstmas “stuff”. We have batter candles because we have an arrogant cat. Can’t trust her with anything. So I have them all over, with 2 poinsettias from the homeless guys in the back. Three pillows w simple decorations. And I LOVE IT. Simple yet really lovely.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Hey Murph. I have to brag a little bit tonight. My granddaughter graduated Suma cum laude From the agricultural school at University of Georgia. So proud of her. She has now applied to pelt six or seven veterinary schools. She’s already had one interview, and will have another one in January. So proud of her.
glenn
2 hours ago
CL – My family tried to string line and strawberry jello. It was a disaster for everyone except the dog.
AdLib2 hours ago
Oh, glenn – that is just GREAT!!!
choicelady
2 hours ago
Ad – I can see the jello part might not work well…
choicelady
2 hours ago
glenn – that is absolutely grand news!
choicelady
2 hours ago
CL – Sounds like a warm Christmassy decor!
AdLib2 hours ago
Ad the dog thought Christmas came early
twilson117
2 hours ago
It really is nice. Cat-proof, too.
choicelady
2 hours ago
TW – it’s always about the dog. Good thing.
choicelady
2 hours ago
CL, yeah you always hear about people stringing popcorn and cranberry but when you actually go to do it, it’s a big mess.
glenn
2 hours ago
Hey Murph, doing okay. I’m reading just a little at BlueSky but I quickly top out as the Trump madness piles up.
AdLib2 hours ago
glenn – they didn’t teach you THAT in “Little House” books! Sounds so easy. NOT!!!
choicelady
2 hours ago
AD, yeah, I’m so depressed that the TLB was elected. It just blows my mind.
glenn
2 hours ago
Glenn congrats to your Granddaughter
twilson117
2 hours ago
Ad – I am NOT liking Bluesky as much as hoped. TONS of pipsqueak know it alls who never did a damned thing but have all the answers.
choicelady
2 hours ago
Some news….there is a group of land owners here who along with me are looking to incorporate a large block of land …… I will have the largest share but the land involved will actually be at the center of the entire property which means I have a border that will provide protection of my farm….it is complex….and lots of smart people are looking at it….more later.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
CL, we used to get a pair of ice skates almost every Christmas. That was always something to look forward to.
glenn
an hour ago
Murph – OMG!!!!! THAT is absolutely amazing!!!
choicelady
an hour ago
glenn – That’s wonderful news! I’ve known of your grandaughter since her high school and sports days. They do grow up fast! And Grandma has every right to be proud of such an achievement!
AdLiban hour ago
Murph sounds like the making of a plan
twilson117
an hour ago
BTW, I was just joking about stringing up jello…you probably guessed.
AdLiban hour ago
Murph, that sounds awesome. I hope it works out for you.
glenn
an hour ago
glenn – I got pair once. I used to roller skate a lot. Turns out ice skating on one blade is VERY different, and I’m not good at it. Oh, well.
choicelady
an hour ago
Thanks for your good words.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
AD, yes, you all have been following my granddaughter for a while now. I just can’t help but brag about her. She’s such a sweetheart.
glenn
an hour ago
glenn – Right with you. As a matter of self-preservation of my sanity, I have to distance myself from the news and politics, this insanity will devour many who don’t step back from it.
AdLiban hour ago
Murph – forgive me if I already said this, but I DEFINITELY recommend you read Jessica Nembhard Gordon’s book, “Collective Courage” about how Black cooperatives helped Black people through Jim Crow. It really IS germane.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL, yes I’m sure you did rollerskating when there were four wheels. Not like today when there’s rollerblades. I wasn’t very good at ice-skating, but I did enjoy it.
glenn
an hour ago
CL – I understand but social media has always been like that, lots of know-it-alls who are obnoxious and know so little. Just block their ignorant butts.
AdLiban hour ago
glenn – all GOOD things happening to people’s loved ones are cherished right now. Thank you for sharing this.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad – I do, but even on Twitter I was so well defended that rarely happened.
choicelady
an hour ago
AD, absolutely! I have stepped way back from reading all the websites I used to read.
glenn
an hour ago
Murph – Can you explain more? What will it mean to have that area incorporated? As a town?
AdLiban hour ago
Murph – can you do it as a land trust?
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – I used to ice skate and rollerskate and ski as well but those were the old days…or not-so-old days.
AdLiban hour ago
glenn – You absolutely should brag about your wonderful, brilliant granddaughter. I’m so glad to hear this about her, I feel like I know her through you.
AdLiban hour ago
CL I’ve been access Bluesky slowly still trying to get use to it so I haven’t seen what you have, but I’m not surprise there are a lot folks who think they know something but really know nothing.
twilson117
an hour ago
Just had a call from the mayor…..what is going on is connected to the co-op which he told me is sorely missed as it was an innovation that was expand attraction to the area……
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
AD, yes all those things were definitely the good old days. We weren’t so old then but now that we are the days are older. Not sure that makes sense but I think you know what I mean.
glenn
an hour ago
Excuse me for being dumb…what is bluesky
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Roller skating was my thing. Ice skating not so much. I lived in IL, flat as a pancake. Someone gave me tiny skis when I was 5, and my dad built a hill in the front hard about 3 feet high. Helped me to the top, I skied down, and stuck. That was the alpha and omega of my snow ski career.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – I haven’t gotten back into posting on BlueSky, I refused to do so for the most part on Twitter (won’t call it anything else) because I wasn’t going to help Musk monetize free content from me.
AdLiban hour ago
CL….a little bit of family fun and memorable hilarity.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Murph best way of thinking about bluesky is twitter without Musk and a hellva lot better
twilson117
an hour ago
Murph – Bluesky – Blue Sky – not “blueski” as I read it as a Chiagoan – is a new liberal site to rival X formerly Twitter. Now up to 25 MILLION users. And it’s OK. Lots of self important assholes on it though.
choicelady
an hour ago
AD, that’s so funny. You should say that my granddaughter is brilliant, Because I call her my beautiful brilliant baby girl. Even though she’s now 21 years old, she will always be my baby girl.
glenn
an hour ago
Thanks for the bluesky cues….I am going to take a good look.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Murph, sounds like things are moving along.
glenn
an hour ago
Murph do you think the Mayor wants the co-op back?
twilson117
an hour ago
Murph – I do remember my skiing day, singular, with some fondness. My folks were doubled over with laughter. There I was, ski point stuck, no way to get down but fall.
choicelady
an hour ago
glenn – Your granddaughter has proven how brilliant she is so my conclusion was pretty easy. And yes, she will always be your baby girl no matter how old she gets and you’ll always be loved by her as her Grandma. That’s a pretty wonderful thing!
AdLiban hour ago
Yes, I think I’ll look at blue sky too. Just not sure I can take anything political right now.
glenn
an hour ago
Here is my guess….I live in rural, lower income area and it seems that the election results have a lot of people in those categories and middle class that services those folks, buys and sells from and to them…..with agribusiness as a villain which is super supported by the right wing.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
IT is SO GREAT to see all of you here.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
CL – I learned to ski starting when I was 5. We didn’t go often but once or twice a year. I really enjoyed it but the last couple of times I realized I just didn’t have the endurance and leg strength that would’ve made it enjoyable.
AdLiban hour ago
CL, your skiing day sounds as good as my one skiing day too. I didn’t get the point of my ski stuck, I just started going downhill faster and faster and faster until of course I fell. Face first, of course. That was the last time I got up on a pair of skis.
glenn
an hour ago
Thank you, AD, For the lovely words about my granddaughter.
glenn
an hour ago
As CL said, BlueSky is a proto-Twitter, liberal, without the Elon manipulations of the algorithms and 100% less Nazis than Twitter. People seem genuinely relieved to be there.
AdLiban hour ago
All of you skiing folk….always scared the beejeepers out of me.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
AD, I think you’re always better at something when you start at a younger age.
glenn
an hour ago
I really gotta look at BlueSky.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
glenn – Ouch! That would be harsh! Later at 13 we went to a lake cottage next to a colleague of my mother’s. Her adult son taught me to water ski, and I was GREAT at it. Figured out how to go left and right across the wake without falling. I loved it! But here’s the weird thing with my mother – when I got good at something that didn’t interest her, I never did it again. So that also was a one off. I loved it, but never found a way to go do it again.
choicelady
an hour ago
Murph, I agree it’s been a while since we all were together.
glenn
an hour ago
Murph – Same here, so glad you and everyone else is here. We are all pretty much on the same page I think, retaining our friendship, support and solidarity but taking a self-protective step back from politics now that it is so awful and depressing. Nothing we can do for 2 years then another two so I think it’s wise to keep our powder dry, do productive things elsewhere and return to things when we can do something to change them.
AdLiban hour ago
I never saw the point of strapping two pieces of wood on your feet and going down a hill 90 miles a hour how that was fun, from my perspective daring fate.
twilson117
an hour ago
Ad….very wise advice my good Sage.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Murph – you absolutely don’t have to worry about my being a ski person. I mostly always lived on the flats. My brother had a great poster of a guy in ski gear w poles surrounded by cornstalks that said, “Ski Nebraska!” That kind of says it all.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL, oh I was terrible at water skiing. I just couldn’t pull myself up. Must be because I’m so damn bottom heavy. My husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, he used to laugh at me. It was kind of funny now that I think about it, but then it was just embarrassing.
glenn
an hour ago
glenn – I feel like I know your granddaughter after all you’ve shared about her. So happy for her, you and her parents!
AdLiban hour ago
TW. you and I would be in the Lodge sipping hot chocolate and eating gingerbread.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
TW – I think that aversion speaks well for your good sense.
choicelady
an hour ago
AD, As Murph says, you are a very wise man.
glenn
an hour ago
glenn – Absolutely! I remember young kids whizzing past me who must’ve started earlier and gone more frequently than I did.
AdLiban hour ago
Murph you got that right but I would add a little something my choclate
twilson117
an hour ago
Murph – now THAT part of skiing I like – apres ski with hot drinks in the lodge.
choicelady
an hour ago
TW – that’s why God made brandy.’
choicelady
an hour ago
CL exactly
twilson117
an hour ago
TW, great way to describe skiing.
glenn
an hour ago
Living in Buffalo for years, my ex and I figured out hot chocolate and brandy could be consumed after simply going to the grocery store in the snow. Life changing revelation.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ok…another bit of info…..apparently outsider agricultural corporations are buying out a number of private holders….if you recall my Co-Op began as a resistance to corporate models.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Gotta agree with all of you. The lodge, chocolate, and Brandy sound really good. Never got to experience that.
glenn
an hour ago
Murph – that does NOT sound good.
choicelady
an hour ago
TW – Well, for me, skiing was a ton of fun. The speed, learning how to control your speed and direction, it had its challenges but so exhilarating to be silently whizzing down the trail!
AdLiban hour ago
CL, now that’s the way to relax after a trip to the grocery store!
glenn
an hour ago
Ad – I can see that, since it was the same pleasure water skiing.
choicelady
an hour ago
Snow – or even heavy rain – deserves reward at the end.
choicelady
an hour ago
Murph, it’s happening more and more that big agribusinesses are buying out the little guys. It’s such a shame.
glenn
an hour ago
CL…yes, and it looks like this is a grassroots effort to block a repeat …. the difference being that support for the idea crosses left/right boundaries.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Murph – that is awesome!
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad you would be perfectly fine jumping of a perfectly good airplay with a large piece silk in a sack hoping it would open and you float to the earth did I menation a perfectly good airplane 
twilson117
an hour ago
TW – my hubs did this right before I met him. Obviously it worked. Once, however, was quite enough for him.
choicelady
an hour ago
Thanks Murph but I think we all instinctively realize that this is the best course to keep our community yet preserve our sanity and productivity. Diving into the mire of madness the next 4 years will bring seems a bit masochistic to me.
AdLiban hour ago
Well, my good friends, I’m running out of steam already. Today’s dialysis did me and for some reason. So I will say good night and if for some reason, I don’t get here next week I wish you all a very merry Christmas. I hope you get to spend time with your loved ones
glenn
an hour ago
Glenn take care
twilson117
an hour ago
Glenn…such a joy to spend some time with you.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
I am quite in agreement, Ad. Our community shares possibilities. We are positive and like one another. I think hanging together and seeing what comes will be important. Sharing survival tactics, too.
choicelady
an hour ago
Thanks glenn. As they say, you have to know when it’s best to fight and when it’s best to retreat and live to fight another day.
AdLiban hour ago
Take care glenn. We are here!
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad….there appears to be a widely supported base regarding land seizures by family farms and the community in which they live.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Merry Christmas, glenn!
choicelady
an hour ago
Murph – Yes, one of the pleasures of skiing was the big breakfast beforehand and the warm lodge at the slopes after for hot chocolate and a nice warm meal.
AdLiban hour ago
Murph – could you clarify the last? Widely supported by whom? I’m confused.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad….I am all in for the eating and drinking and sitting by the fireside.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Ad – skiing or any cold outdoor activity is merely an excuse for a good meal.
choicelady
an hour ago
Murph – My Man!!!
choicelady
an hour ago
TW – As a matter of fact, I enjoyed going over moguls when I skied and jumping a pit off of them.
AdLiban hour ago
Ad I have nothing to say.
twilson117
an hour ago
I think when I was young that might have been fun. Now I worry about falls, so…no more.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL…..if you recall the co-op was opposed as a left wing effort to create a shared economy with deeply radical goals….what folks are waking up to is that the conspiracy was from agri-business and its right wing base…..wakeup call.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Murph – Ahhh – got it. I think those land grabs are going on all over the country. Anything one can do to fight back is good.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – Agreed, this is a remarkable group of people. I know how unique and valuable everyone here is, you don’t meet folks like we have here, every day. It will be a process, getting through the approaching times and having each other to brainstorm with and keep our spirits up will be invaluable.
AdLiban hour ago
Ad – I wholeheartedly agree.
choicelady
an hour ago
Murph sounds like the agri-business couldn’t handle the small farmers just wanted all for themselves, greedy
twilson117
an hour ago
Murph – I would worry that with the many threats to economic security and the economy as a whole, Big Ag is prepping to grab a lot of family and small farms.
AdLiban hour ago
CL….much of my country remains small family farmer in orientation….and those folks are now realizing the co-op destruction was meant to keep folks like that from collectively organizing and defending their way of life.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
TW and Ad…..both of your points support what I think is going on.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
TW – that’s kind of the “excuse” Silicon Valley billionaires are using in buying up 80K acres near me down in Fairfield next to Travis AFB. They want to build a billionaire commune of multi million dollar homes. Oddly, the town told them to use the standard permitting process, and they got all up in their privilege. Finally agreed to do it. We shall see what comes.
choicelady
an hour ago
Murph greed is instiable never ever satisfied
twilson117
an hour ago
I will keep you all posted….it appears that the link between monied powers and the right has finally hit home.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
CL the more I hear accounts like this the more it seems like those folks are trying the make the Sc-Fi movies they grew up on real
twilson117
an hour ago
Elon and his guru, Yarvin (read up on him – he’s insane) think we ARE selfish not to see their superiority and give them what they want. So they now DEMAND it. Everything. Not just SOME things – everything. They have embraced Social Darwinism.
choicelady
an hour ago
Murph – Without going too deep into the madness ahead, I think Musk let the cat out of the bag that they actually want to tank the economy to steal wealth and land as they did during every other economic crash including Covid. Musk profited insanely, as did all billionaires and most millionaires after Covid hit. They want the nation to be cut down to its knees so they can be vultures again and feast.
AdLiban hour ago
Ad,,,,seems like you nailed it.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
TW – that is EXACTLY what they’re doing. Maybe more Lord of the Rings, but they want a kind of feudalism w each heading up a manor system in which they are absolute, and all of us are serfs.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – I was thinking the same thing…but you said it just before me! Great minds and all that!
AdLiban hour ago
CL serfdom didn’t work out too well for the Kings and Queens of old, but hey perhaps they believe they have a better plan
twilson117
an hour ago
Murph – It’s very important that regular folks position themselves now to protect their homes, farms, etc. and their savings because the many billionaires heading up the upcoming plutocracy are focused on grabbing it away from as many as they can.
AdLiban hour ago
They have built – or tried – an Eden manor off the coast of Central America. It’s a disaster. Another is a similar feudal manor in the Mediterranean. They are determined to end democracy and subjugate us all to their “superiority”.
choicelady
an hour ago
Ad…..I am going to gather a number of insights in this discussion and present them to the group discussing all of this as a “think tank’s” contribution to the discussion.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Murph and Ad – it’s why I would build Murph’s new community as a land trust with tough rules on sales and transfers. Bind them up BEFORE they try.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL – You’re right, I see their ultimate goal as akin to feudalism. Americans unable to buy homes, desperate enough to keep their jobs that their pay can be cut and they can be abused. But boasting, “Let them eat cake” didn’t work out the last time either.
AdLiban hour ago
CL…..adding the land trust concept to my report.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
The problem w social revolutions against autocrats is they never are much better when they succeed. Robespierre, the Jacobins, and the Terror really did no earthly good.
choicelady
an hour ago
I seriously think organizing it as a cooperative is equally helpful.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL you recommended a book, that I bought and read, Democracy in Chains and there were strong inferences to what we are discussining here and as you know the Koch Brothers were very instrumental in shaping repbulican policy
twilson117
an hour ago
THE key – lost on many leftists – is “voice”. Having a say, a powerful say, over your own life. It’s not having more money, it’s the right to determine HOW you have more money. Keeping “voice” at the head of the work is key.
choicelady
an hour ago
Murph – Very glad to hear that. The more you and your neighbors there can legally and physically wall off your properties from vultures, the better off you will all be as the inevitable recession comes, likely next year. And as I mentioned above, if there is any monkeying with the FDIC, really smart to think about moving money to a western country’s banks, like Canada, Europe, etc. that have deposit insurance.
AdLiban hour ago
In my area…..there is no significant plot of land that is corporate holding but that reality is creeping closer to us…I think the election results may finally have spooked those in middle who see that they could lose out very badly.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Tw – exactly. And suddenly after Yarvin and Musk, James Buchanan and the Kochs look like sweethearts.
choicelady
an hour ago
Nothing Musk and the other oligarchs would love more than crashing the banking system and essentially evaporating the savings of the 99%.
AdLiban hour ago
CL from what I briefly read about Yarvin he is a total nut case
twilson117
an hour ago
Murph – what I see in social media are those middle class RW people in total denial.
choicelady
an hour ago
This is all hair raising terror
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
CL – The land trust sounds like a great idea!
AdLiban hour ago
Tw – Yarvin is, but Elon LOVES him. That makes it dangerous.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL sometimes so called smart people are really really stupid
twilson117
an hour ago
TW – Sometimes? OFTEN!
choicelady
an hour ago
CK,,,,,it is so easy for the uninformed to mistake denial for resistance.
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
Murph you are so correct
twilson117
an hour ago
Murph – it IS important to see the grave difference between denial and resistance.
choicelady
an hour ago
CL. Indeed
MurphTheSurf3
an hour ago
As Timothy Syner said many people are obeying in advance
twilson117
an hour ago
TW – sometimes they aren’t. They are just pursuing a different strategy. One of the things we all have to do is not dish on people’s decisions simply because they aren’t ours. I’m bad sometimes at that. Everyone assesses what works for their situation. We need not to be rigid. There is self preservation that is NOT capitulation.
choicelady
43 minutes ago
TW – that said, our social media and MSM gurus are belly flopping into the fascist waters. THAT is obvious.
choicelady
42 minutes ago
I need to retire for the night….I have a feeling that this weekend might be animated.
MurphTheSurf3
42 minutes ago
Murph – These potential issues we’re discussing should be more about looking for red flags and acting to avert their impact on us than allowing them to scare us. That’swhat they want, fear that makes the public subservient to the wealthy and powerful as “daddies” to take control and “fix” the problems they actually are causing. For example, my red flag is any changes to the FDIC. If they are even seriously discussed, I have nothing to lose by moving my savings to a solid overseas bank (or Canada) where the deposits will be insured. I think we need to be alert and ready to move. I don’t think most changes will be sudden so being prepared to react once they start floating changes that will be destructive is more like being on a mission to protect.
AdLib42 minutes ago
CL I can agree with that
twilson117
42 minutes ago
Murph – employ the National Issues Forum strategy – at LEAST three options on every issue. Prevents bifurcating the arguments. Makes people far more inclined to negotiate, not be rigid.
choicelady
41 minutes ago
Ad…..your scenario is frightening and far too likely to take hold.
MurphTheSurf3
41 minutes ago
Thanks CL…good leads
MurphTheSurf3
40 minutes ago
Good point. I may inherit from my ex, and I am now thinking an offshore strategy might be best.
choicelady
40 minutes ago
CL – I think I can add a benefit of our group here, being on the lookout for threats and as you say, coming up with multiple options that we can share with each other, people we know, and maybe even folks on BlueSky and other social media. Try and protect ourselves and as many as we can spread the word to.
AdLib39 minutes ago
I think our Vox think tank could become more and more valuable for all of us and others.
AdLib38 minutes ago
Ad – I’m still working my way through Blue Sky members to find people I can trust. I’ll keep you posted.
choicelady
38 minutes ago
Ad,,,,,,I would find such wisdom and insight of great value and pass it on.
MurphTheSurf3
38 minutes ago
Agreed. We could make a B corporation to protect ourselves if need be. I’d be willing to do that.
choicelady
38 minutes ago
CL – Sounds good. You should then make a list of people to follow. BlueSky has that function and I’ve used lists that people like Marc Elias have put up to quickly grow a list of people I follow.
AdLib37 minutes ago
Could we work a strategy for sharing trusted Blue Sky contacts?
MurphTheSurf3
37 minutes ago
I already have been sued twice with a SLAPP suit. Incorporating or getting into an LLC helps protect us.
choicelady
37 minutes ago
Looks like you folks are ahead of me.
MurphTheSurf3
37 minutes ago
Murph – Same here, my friend! I share many things we say here with others, it is a wealth of wisdom here!
AdLib37 minutes ago
Not everyone on Blue Sky is trustworthy from the LEFT. So following people of someone we already trust is worthy.
choicelady
36 minutes ago
CL – Yes, always have an LLC or Corp in any business venture to shield yourself.
AdLib36 minutes ago
Our home and investments are in a family trust. I’ll look into better ways to insulate it.
choicelady
35 minutes ago
And with those good words and looking ahead to a busy Saturday….I head to bed . Good to be part a constructive, progressive train of thought
MurphTheSurf3
35 minutes ago
CL – You’re right but using lists of who to follow from trusted folks on BlueSky, especially that I know from my Twitter years, have so far kept me in good stead there so far. But again, I’m not really posting right now so we’ll see.
AdLib35 minutes ago
Murph – You’re so right! Have a nice weekend!
AdLib34 minutes ago
Muph have a good weekend
twilson117
34 minutes ago
Good night to you Ad, CL, TW and all of those who have already scooted out …
MurphTheSurf3
34 minutes ago
BTW – in case you forgot world history, the choice of DOGE for Elon’s new gov’t department is not a coincidence. He envisions being like a Venetian Medieval Doge. A nearly absolute ruler. Everyone needs to take that seriously.
choicelady
34 minutes ago
Good night, Murph!
choicelady
34 minutes ago
CL – We have our home in a trust too for safety. But we still have savings in retirement funds so we have to stay flexible and move them as best we can if the Trump Billionaires start coming for the FDIC.
AdLib33 minutes ago
Well, I think we have a LOT to think about. All of it good.
choicelady
33 minutes ago
CL that sound like Musk
twilson117
33 minutes ago
Ad – totally agree.
choicelady
33 minutes ago
He thinks we’re too stupid to know what a Doge is. He didn’t reckon with a Trained Historian picking that right up.
choicelady
32 minutes ago
CL – You’re right about Musk but I would again bring up the concept of blowback, neither he nor Trump ot other fascist billionaires really understand what will come after they try to destroy the lives of hundreds of millions of people. The United Healthcare CEO’s assassination should be a warning, that there are at least lone wolfs who can be triggered.
AdLib31 minutes ago
wolves
AdLib31 minutes ago
I think Musk wants Prebendal feudalism where the higher servants live off what they can wrest from the people. Think the Sheriff of Nottingham. Well – we’re Robin Hood.
choicelady
31 minutes ago
CL Sheriff of Nottngham and Robin Hood that’s good
twilson117
29 minutes ago
CL – I think you’re right. But there is no muscle memory for Americans of reverting to a feudal state, that is not something Americans have seen in this country and in the end, I don’t think a majority will just go along with it. Not to mention the Governors of all the blue states.
AdLib29 minutes ago
I think it will be interesting to see how many RW Trump supporters wind up BEING those lone wolves. The kid who shot the CEO loves Musk and company. It’s just whose ox is gored and when.
choicelady
29 minutes ago
Ad – I agree.
choicelady
28 minutes ago
We will definitely see a coalition of Blue states rebelling against efforts by Trump et al to destroy all the institutions in the country. it will not be the cake walk they think it will be.
AdLib28 minutes ago
Ad – it certainly will NOT. The people of those states may be annoyed at their Blue leaders UNTIL it’s clear Musk, Trump et al. are the thieves in the night.
choicelady
27 minutes ago
CL – That’s the thing about lone wolves, they are deranged and can be angered in any direction. Remember the alleged assassins agaiunst Trump were both Repubs. When Trump or Musk do something that outrages these unstable types, even if they’re MAGAs, they can turn on them. And if Musk gets the Depression he wants, he is foolish to expect the people won’t be in the streets coming for him with pitchforks and torches.
AdLib25 minutes ago
CL I believe there are a number of things happening all at once, and as you indicate people are having a difficult time trying to keep track it all. So it’s going to be interesting and dicey.
twilson117
24 minutes ago
Musk is especially easy to hate and if he orchestrates crashing the economy, he better run.
AdLib24 minutes ago
Initially my strategy is hunker down and wait for signs. Two of the signs are JD and Musk – both with pretensions, both widely hated.
choicelady
23 minutes ago
Ad – I have a pitchfork. I have a torch. And I have a league of homeless street brawlers. And I know how to use them all to save us all.
choicelady
22 minutes ago
TW – Yes, it is hard for these idiots who voted for Trump to recognize what is being stated as the goals of Trump and his fellow fascists but the simple fact is, when they lose their jobs and lose their homes and nest eggs, they won’t need anyone to tell them that those in power have destroyed their lives.
AdLib22 minutes ago
Trump has put everything in the US up for sale as witness by people coming and paying their homage in the form of million dollar checks for his ingaugration.
twilson117
20 minutes ago
I think one of the places to look for strategies is the Black community. Lord knows they have had to rely on one another and nobody else. We need those powerful community models.
choicelady
20 minutes ago
CL – It seems obvious to me that Musk, Vance, Trump, MAGAs, etc. are boasting and showing such hubris already, they will absolutely go too far and have no cue of how the majority will turn on them. So best for us to hunker down as you say for the time being, protect ourselves and anyone else we can, then let these idiots FINALLY discover that they are under attack by Trump and his mob and let them turn against them first.
AdLib20 minutes ago
CL – I love your Army of Justice!
AdLib20 minutes ago
CL – Good point. And poorer black communities could certainly use partners who have resources to bring.
AdLib19 minutes ago
CL I’m not so sure about the Black community there are far too many things many of them are still hanging on to and they can’t seem to get out of their way. Frankly it’s a mixed bag with them.
twilson117
18 minutes ago
I said last week we are building a garden. Not sure it can feed everyone, but it can help. I am buying case lots of peanut butter and tuna for others. We shall see. I want to put together “urban gleaners” – people who ride their bikes to pick up “leftover” food to distribute here to those in need. Not dumpster diving – restaurant stuff.
choicelady
18 minutes ago
My only optimistic view right now, I think it’s just a matter of time before a real majority of Americans turn against Trump/Musk/Vance/etc. So biding our time now is actually part of the plan.
AdLib18 minutes ago
I tale your point as very sound, TW. I do think black communities have had to and continue to deal with conflicts from both outside and inside. But I think there could be a unity coming with a common enemy that most Americans will be unified against. My position now is that we have to give Trump enough rope to hang himself.
AdLib16 minutes ago
TW – it DOES depend on the community, but I know the circles of solidarity here, Buffalo, etc. That TOPS where the horrid murders took place is the outgrowth of a community owned coop I tried to start w a local Black city council member. It didn’t work, but the MOVEMENT did. And eventually they got a TOPS supermarket. That base of solidarity exists in pockets everywhere. Not everyone, but everywhere. We can hope they use it well and teach us, too.
choicelady
16 minutes ago
CL – That is brilliant!
AdLib16 minutes ago
One thing we know is that thepositions of Project 2025/Trump/Musk are absolutely not popular, they are flatly opposed by a side majority of Americans. The frustration with the election is too many morons just believed Trump’s obvious conman lies but when he actually implements the policies he lied about not supporting, the lies fall apart and people will react to their suffering over more lies by Trump trying to point the blame elsewhere.
AdLib13 minutes ago
Supposedly we have “Senior Gleaners” in Sacramento, but this would be Homeless folks helping one another. Senior gleaners get stuff leftover for the food bank. We could find a distribution point, MAYBE a block from me in the Black community theater. We will see.
choicelady
13 minutes ago
Ad there is always the hope of unity. What I’m thinking about is I’ve seen just as divided and organization each beliving they have the correct process for moving forward too many of them think that what worked in the past will work now and going forward. Don’t get me wrong some of those things have a strong foundation, but they need to be updated and for the younger ones I believe that is what they have a beef about.
twilson117
13 minutes ago
CL – It sounds like a great idea, I think it can really work.
AdLib12 minutes ago
TW – I do agree. Two of my friends are powerful within the Sacramento Black community. One was the head of the Black Caucus for the CA Dem party, but the other is an ex USAF medic. She rocks! I hope we are having a gathering in January to talk about this stuff.
choicelady
11 minutes ago
TW – Yes, especially in this period, before the Trump madness has begun, many groups are positioning themselves to be THE saviors, THE resistance, but all of that changes once Trump is in power and doing horrific things. Then people will be unified against him and his people.
AdLib10 minutes ago
And it’s okay if different gorups are doing different things to push back against Trump, in the end, I think a more solidarity-type movement would naturally form.
AdLib9 minutes ago
Nothing brings people together like a common enemy.
AdLib9 minutes ago
And of course, once that common enemy is taken down, the in-fighting goes back to where it was.
AdLib8 minutes ago
Human nature.
AdLib8 minutes ago
We have several movements already going – the Sacramento Homeless Union for one. I know the woman who runs it, and I like her a lot. The city isn’t big but is too big for “one size fits all”.
choicelady
8 minutes ago
Ad you’re talking about common unifying force that everyone who is impacted in a negative manner by Trump and his lackeys is what is needed. I don’t know fully what that is but I do agree it is out there.
twilson117
7 minutes ago
I hope my friend organizing the potluck in January lets me invite others. It would be boffo.
choicelady
7 minutes ago
CL – As we discussed last week, the likelihood of a recession is very high which will mean a big increase in homeless. So now is a brilliant time to start putting things together to prepare for that.
AdLib6 minutes ago
TW – I think the logic is to work as LOCALLY as one can if only to keep out of sight. Large scale solutions do not work well as start ups. And here every large scale solution has proven corrupt.
choicelady
6 minutes ago
CL I agree with that.
twilson117
6 minutes ago
AD – I agree. And with that, I need to depart to do my duty – I need to feed the cats. If the cat ain’t happy, NOBODY is happy. Let’s keep this going. We are onto things now. Blessings on Murph tomorrow. Let us all hope we can pull this stuff off. The sooner, the better. Hugs to two of the great men in my life, Ad and TW. Talk to you next week.
choicelady
4 minutes ago
CL – Once again, your POV is so smart. You can make things happen locally and not run into the BS of involving too many people who will conflict. And as you say, flying below the radar is smart when people like Musk will be looking for ways to hobble efforts to prevent the crushing of the people.
AdLib4 minutes ago
CL cats can be mean. And the mortal fear of some people like my wife.
twilson117
3 minutes ago
Sounds good, CL! Feed the kitties and have a great weekend!
AdLib3 minutes ago
TW – DOn’t forget that JD Vance is afraid of cats and cat ladies.
AdLib3 minutes ago
Ad and he should especially of cat ladies.
twilson117
2 minutes ago
TW – Indeed!
AdLib2 minutes ago
Well, I think it’s time to close the Vox bar for the night. I’m a bit beat tonight, why don’t we chat another night, TW?
AdLiba few seconds ago
That works for me I’m bit on the tired side myself. Catch you later.
twilson117
a few seconds ago
SOunds good! Talk to you soon! Have a great weekend!
AdLibin a few seconds
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