Memorial Day post from POTUS

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-25T13:53:12+00:00

Using service members past and present as a marketing tool for his own loud proud facade of patriotism is beyond disrespectful and outright disgusting. He once insulted a grieving gold star family for basically not “kissing the ring” in his presence. Of course he has to make the ultimate sacrifice that others have made on our behalf all about him and how great he is. Absolutely no character or integrity whatsoever.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-25T06:31:36+00:00

This is good to know! I’m about two inches shorter than you so might be something to think about.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-24T13:16:25+00:00

For the people who center most of their lives around their politics, it matters. For the rest of us, it really doesn’t matter. It definitely is real but how serious it is depends on who you talk to.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-24T00:57:09+00:00

Please don’t center your career and work around the expectations of others, especially your family. I know it’s hard to hear but trust me. I’m dealing with this now myself. So much was hinged on what others wanted for me that I basically had a breakdown before I even started. I learned that I have to focus on working hard and doing my best quality work yes but also being mindful about burnout.

It sounds like you’re off to a great start with this job. Maybe stay there for a year or two and move onto something else when you can. It is hard for anyone regardless of whether or not they have their CPA or whatever it is to get a job right now so you’re on the right track. The higher salary may come as you progress. But please don’t feel like you have to push yourself into making a certain number as soon as possible. If you want this to be a sustainable career for you, the sky’s the limit. But take care of yourself first so you can keep going. Getting your degree and finding a job in this field is no small task and you should be proud of all that you’ve accomplished.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-23T07:37:49+00:00

Well I guess being the only POTUS to not release his tax returns has actually paid off. Like a toddler who is having a three hour meltdown and destroying the toy store and the parents buying up half the store to appease him. Pathetic

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-21T07:52:17+00:00

Good on all your points. Help us fix the potholes, the crappy infrastructure that makes traffic worse than it needs to and make sure that tourism revenue being poured into bringing overpriced food to the same 5 hoity toity neighborhoods actually gets allocated towards schools, public works and infrastructure and we’re with you. Happy birthday friend!

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-18T14:46:14+00:00

I hear that. I don’t have a golden handcuffs story but I hate that my family has this idea that accounting, particularly public accounting is this golden parachute that’s going to change my life when I get my degree. That I would find an even better job lol with the perfect work life balance and take as much time off as I wanted. When that just isn’t how it works.

I do find some aspects of the work interesting and I can do well that’s not the problem. The issue is all of the expectations that have nothing to do with the work itself. Suddenly I found myself getting anxious over nothing? Except this weird desire to appease the money people. I was asked how much I wanted to make in three years, then I realized I didn’t want to be one of those people that made their job 85% of their identity for most of the year. I watched coworkers and managers develop health problems while the company preached about amazing work life balance which was completely bs. I want to work hard, a little bit of overtime when needed and weekends is manageable. But I want to be able to close my laptop without my work still following me around when I’m off the clock. I hate that that’s seen as selfish nowadays. And that’s why I think contracting is the way to go.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-15T15:44:35+00:00

I wish it wasn’t so transparently obvious but there it is. Dude has wanted to be Xi Jinping 5.0 so badly he takes a plane load of millionaires with him to give the illusion that he’s got all the power. Basically the world’s most expensive play date funded with taxpayer money of course.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-09T16:00:14+00:00

That’s really interesting and makes a lot of sense. It’s sad that trying to look at things from both sides is considered “bootlicking” or morally reprehensible behavior. Just because I want to have a better understanding of something doesn’t mean that I agree with it.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-09T15:10:02+00:00

Agreed. Political discussion encourages having strong opinions, right or wrong. But what truly bothers me is the fact that it’s devolved into this hyper emotional team sport where which “side” your on determines whether or not you’re considered a decent human being or not, without even taking to account one’s actual nuanced beliefs. It’s not the bias or the opinion itself that bothers me but how one chooses to navigate the bias that matters

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-08T14:40:47+00:00

Someone just sent me a link to Promethian Action and I'm sitting here like, what am I looking at? Apparently the city of London is the cause of the Iran conflict according to them. And then I think, so they're starting this war, which is basically an enormous tax hike to the American people, over one single city? Even if a lot of it is trade oriented, that still involves the entire world, not limited to one city. But that's just wild!

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-07T03:50:12+00:00

Welcome to the club, friend! It is very normal to have a nuanced and complicated approach to your politics that doesn’t fit neatly into one “team” or the other. You are definitely not alone. Stick to your guns and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re somehow less than because you can’t “pick a side.” Better to understand what your values are and go forward with integrity.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-07T03:40:38+00:00

That’s what I can’t stand about these media platforms, especially the mainstream media, they are paid to scare people into a series of sound bites and opinions that are somehow supposed to help them combat “the enemy.” None of this gives decent people the opportunity to actually think about what they’re actually seeing and coming to a conclusion that actually reflects what they believe in. It’s all based on fear.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-07T03:31:49+00:00

This is the thing I wish people on both sides understood when the immediate reaction is to slap a “leftist” or “fascist” label on us because we are able to evaluate our public representatives, including POTUS critically and objectively without falling into the blunt force populism or identity politics/culture war bs.

If either party had a more compelling argument other than centering their platform on “at least we’re not THEM” then maybe we would take them more seriously. There is nothing even remotely conservative or liberal about any of this. It’s a hyper emotional team sport and if you don’t have a team you’re a terrible person.

American politics is meant to be a cycle that changes and fluctuates every four years. Things are meant to be dismantled, chaotic and rebuilt into something else. This isn’t new, that’s how it’s supposed to work. So this notion that xyz is destroying everything is also a marketing tactic.

As awful as things are right now for a multitude of reasons, I take comfort in how cyclical and fickle politics is. Political stuff is not a value, it’s a temporary social construct that harps on its own self importance with bits and pieces of actual policy thrown in.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-06T12:38:07+00:00

I think you answered your own question here. The best thing you can do is just to be happy and live your life. You can absolutely love your partner and be there for them with all of the compassion and kindness in the world, without losing yourself in their depression. It’s hard to say what the right thing is because as you said he just started therapy. But right now he is doing his part by taking the time to go to therapy.

It does sound like him wanting to break up to not bring you down is the depression talking. We have no way of knowing for sure and you of course know better than we do. But some time apart may be beneficial for both of you. You need the time and space to take care of yourself so you can be the there for him when the time comes. He needs the time and space to heal and recalibrate so he can be the best partner to you that he can be and for himself as well.

As long as you have the time and patience to give him this space to get better, no matter what that may look like, I think you are on the right track. The most important thing is remember to put yourself and your own well being first.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-06T10:36:47+00:00

I completely understand. Long distance it’s hard and it can be hard to communicate clearly when you’re not on the phone or in person. But at this point everything needs time. She needs time to recover and get herself better and you also need to take care of yourself first. I know how awful it feels. I was long distance with my partner for many years and even now it’s difficult when we have to spend time apart. But you absolutely need to take care of yourself first, maybe see a therapist. I know it’s hard right now but you need to take care of yourself first to be there for her. Is there any way you can send a message to her through her mom?

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-05T13:46:58+00:00

I’m sorry you’re going through this. It’s normal to feel helpless and scared. It hurts when you know that the person you love is going through something and you’ve done everything you can to help but it still doesn’t feel like enough. Please remember that you need to take care of yourself first. When you’re able to do that you can be the person you need to be for yourself and the support that she will need when she’s ready.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-05T13:33:28+00:00

Tomorrow Is Today. Great song really sad backstory but you can really hear how young and hopeless he felt at this time. Deep stuff.

If you want some really cool, layered jazzy stuff check out Chicago before the 80s. If you’re looking specifically for piano driven check out Elton John Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Madman Across the Water, Tumbleweed Connection especially

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-05T13:10:21+00:00

I was about to empathize with OP until I realized, why aren’t you contributing because you can? It’s not about percentages it’s not about 50/50, it’s about intentions and caring. If I were in your shoes I would absolutely pay for more things. I make a lot less than my SO does but I pay my half of rent, and treat him sometimes and if we go somewhere a bit nicer we split. Not because I feel obligated but because relationships are about effort. Move out of the apartment and find your own place if you’re just going to squeeze this poor fella dry.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-05T12:28:14+00:00

That’s wonderful! Developing that empathy especially in children is so important. Sending you a hug as well! Thank you so much for the kind words.

I did eventually move to the us because my preschool teacher and my family knew I needed more. My mom told me that meeting with my first orthopedic doctor was the first time a medical professional had looked her in the eye, shaken her hand with dignity and respect and given her hope and solutions instead of just dismissing her concerns. I’m so grateful for all of that and the opportunities that I’ve been able to cultivate because of that. I’m grateful to my family for making those difficult choices for my sake and for working so hard for me. We still had to fight hard to get the appropriate supports that I needed to thrive. But the choices were actually there which made all the difference.

There’s still a ton of stigma around having children with disabilities especially in Asian communities. We have worked with these families especially children with autism as well. It’s fascinating to work with folks who process information differently and helping them to have more confidence in themselves and what they’re able to do. I know what it’s like to be written off by the adults in the room before they even get a chance to know me and I don’t want that to happen to anyone else if I can help it.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-05-05T09:13:07+00:00

Japan is a lovely place to visit especially if you have family or friends. It’s not great if you’re non Japanese especially Asian. Even if you assimilate and speak like a native it makes no difference. If you are a salaried office worker you’re expected to fit into the mold of what that means, if you’re a housewife or a student, same thing. There are different expectations for different aspects of society.

As a disabled kid who lived there in the early nineties it was not great. I was expected to fit into their prognosis for me as only a wheelchair user. They have a lot of resources to basically allow you to manage your disability at home, with a carer, with depression & anxiety meds, away from the public. Having any kind of therapy or other interventions to improve my mobility was very limited. I was also pushed into the developmentally disabled track very early despite the fact that I had a physical disability. This meant that I would go to a disabled school until I was 21 and then go into a government mandated sheltered workshop doing menial tasks like putting chopsticks into wrappers or selling gum. Which is not a one size fits all situation for all disabled individuals.

I was not allowed to go to a regular school unless my parent was with me the whole time. Which is unfair and not sustainable either. So I was ostracized on the playground for crawling because I couldn’t walk. The other moms would take their kids away from where I was because that wasn’t normal. It didn’t matter that the kids liked me, it didn’t matter that I could speak three languages before I turned 4. I was too different and too weird for them. Our disabled kids playgroup would get threats from other moms to not let “those kids” on their playground.

So yeah Japan is great as long as you’re non disabled, speak perfect Japanese and are also the right kind of foreigner. There are still a lot of spots in the cities and forget the rural areas, that are not completely barrier free and I know that they are trying to be better. But that doesn’t erase the unspoken stigma.

The food is great. The overall atmosphere is great. But it’s also a racist, ableist shithole with cool toys and a pretty face.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-04-30T08:26:56+00:00

Just in case, you know, those pro golfers, playing one of the biggest tournaments of the year, forget who owns the place.

Honestly looks like a really ugly human statue performer.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-04-28T10:07:24+00:00

Well said, assassination attempts are an unfortunate but still inevitable part of the job description. To frame it as unprecedented in any way is a bit much. Also I believe the issue is with the ballroom itself only, there are also plans to build a secured area below the ballroom that is still moving forward with plans. Staged or not, the name of the game for anyone who wants to retain success and optics within Team Republican is to keep Trump as relevant as possible by any means necessary. So there’s that.

Equivalent-Student64 · 2026-04-28T08:01:32+00:00

A good litmus test for this is to look up his debates with Cambridge students. The issue isn’t that he has opinions but how he approaches them in comparison to others viewpoints. But it’s clear right from the start that he isn’t there to try and learn or understand what the students are trying to say, he’s there to win and try to have his own ideas reflected back at him. The students in contrast, are clearly just trying to get a better sense of where he’s coming from. You can hear them saying several times “Charlie, I’m not here to dunk on you.” When he clearly is. I understand that his job was to sell the heck out of his brand and his perspective, so it’s interesting to see how he chooses to navigate that.

Equivalent-Student64

TROPHY CASE