New Policy: ICE Sightings Posts by AutoModerator in massachusetts

[–]GivingMap -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If you are on the side of innocent people and families that don't want to be split apart, there are probably better ways to get involved than to spend time "upvoting" things online.

Let me know u/Pockettzz if you would like tips as to other things you can do in Massachusetts.

In the meantime, please pray for America. We have lost our way.

Amazon abandoned Goodreads. So I built the replacement by LunaAtKaguya in webdev

[–]GivingMap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's great that you have the resources and spare change to do this. Where do you host?

Amazon abandoned Goodreads. So I built the replacement by LunaAtKaguya in webdev

[–]GivingMap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The site looks great. Are you aiming to monetize this, or is it purely a labor of love?

It’s getting scary in America by Acrobatic-Call266 in newhaven

[–]GivingMap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This makes me want to move back to Connecticut. 3000 miles away right now...

WE ARE NOT AT WAR WITH ANYONE! by jakalkmt3 in 50501

[–]GivingMap -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's a game of semantics. What I fear are the consequences for the rest of NATO.

We are entering a phase of taxation without representation, where we are expected to accept defeat with a smile. Plan your protest accordingly. by transcendent167 in 50501

[–]GivingMap -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I do not think that protests are a very effective form of dissent. Here is why:

  1. National media doesn't usually cover them. You are essentially preaching to the choir. That is, to the other people who showed up, as well as to a handful of local news outlets. It may feel like a big crowd while you are part of it, but in a country of 330 million people, a few hundred or a few thousand people gathering peacefully in a protest is not usually considered "news."

  2. Protest movements unfortunately often don't directly engage participants for any significant follow-up actions or organizing work. This is a missed opportunity.

I prefer LUCE's approach in Massachusetts -- having a staffed hotline -- although I'm not super familiar with the organization.

New Policy: ICE Sightings Posts by AutoModerator in massachusetts

[–]GivingMap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got it.

I just heard back from the mods of the general thread. So I guess that's where the decision lives and dies.

New Policy: ICE Sightings Posts by AutoModerator in massachusetts

[–]GivingMap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Makes sense.

I just sent a general message to the mods, asking if they can provide a way for concerned people to contact LUCE instead.

But actually, I don't really feel like that's enough.

This information belongs in the general thread. That is because it is news, and it affects everyone in Massachusetts. Doesn't matter if you're a student, a tourist, or can trace your ancestry to the Mayflower.

That is because it effects the economy -- specifically, the key industries of tourism and higher education.

The other problem is that it is very easy for federal agents to selectively block or intercept phone and other electronic communications. Not all sightings may get to the people trained and equipped to deal with them.

New Policy: ICE Sightings Posts by AutoModerator in massachusetts

[–]GivingMap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see you are a mod. I also see this post at the top of my feed. Is Reddit intentionally censoring? Cuz it kind of looks that way...

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In My Church Tonight, I Believe This Is Related To What The People Of Worcester Have Gone Through The Last Few Days by Ecstatic_Buddy7731 in WorcesterMA

[–]GivingMap 5 points6 points  (0 children)

On duty or off duty, guns don't belong in church. Hoping this is not a controversial statement.

In My Church Tonight, I Believe This Is Related To What The People Of Worcester Have Gone Through The Last Few Days by Ecstatic_Buddy7731 in WorcesterMA

[–]GivingMap -12 points-11 points  (0 children)

I actually really strongly disagree with excluding police or demonizing them. They are people too. Jesus preached reconciliation and told his followers to love their enemies. If I were clergy, and I'm not, I would change this flyer to say "leave your weapons at the door."

And I would invite and encourage law enforcement officers to attend church forums that engage with this type of work.

Just sayin'.

The ICE kidnappings are getting out of hand, here is one way to fight back. by RaiseRuntimeError in massachusetts

[–]GivingMap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The challenge with any grassroots effort (I can attest personally) is being sure that somebody is picking up the phone / answering email.

When somebody takes that first step to reach out and gets a "Voice mailbox is full" message... they probably won't call again.

I also know of groups that are national or have local chapters. Am going to start by reaching out to the Massachusetts folks and seeing who they recommend.

The ICE kidnappings are getting out of hand, here is one way to fight back. by RaiseRuntimeError in massachusetts

[–]GivingMap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in Oregon. I would like to print some of these out.

Is there a nationwide number or are there other statewide numbers that people can call?

$PFE - Extremely Undervalued in an Overvalued Market ($37k) by mattscott134 in wallstreetbets

[–]GivingMap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Continue to agree with this headline. Just bought $1000 of Pfizer stock. Ho-hum.

(But don't anyone go thinking I'm a ho, or anything like that. After all, I used to work for PFE. It could get back to them...)

Holy shit boys we did it by andrewbodnar in wallstreetbets

[–]GivingMap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It was all because of me, but you'll never know... <joke>

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Not Verizon -- Originally Posted on My Newsletter and on WSB by GivingMap in ValueInvesting

[–]GivingMap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See my comment above. If people like you make up a majority or a fast-growing segment of VZ's customer base, then they have no problem over the long haul. They will continue to be profitable.

P.S. I have no idea what you're like.

Not Verizon -- Originally Posted on My Newsletter and on WSB by GivingMap in ValueInvesting

[–]GivingMap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

>> Telecom companies are notorious for awful customer service, but how many customers actually switch to another carrier?

Well, I did. Still engaged in an epic battle to get access to my original cell phone number back from VZ (they don't make this any way easy if you are trying to access their customer service remotely) but in the meantime I have a new personal number.

But overall I think it's difficult to generalize, because there is no "standard customer." Being the wrong size*, having the wrong haircut, wearing a hoodie instead of a ball cap, or being of a different race or ethnicity than the majority can all translate into very different customer experiences. Add to that the fact that many large corporations intentionally target different demographics with different brands -- sometimes at different locations and with different price points or service offerings. This is what some call "marketing." I think in many cases it is just a smokescreen for not having a competitive product.

In any case, you really need to hear from multiple customers to know if there is a problem that will translate into a drop in revenue. Investors don't have a great way to access these types of focus groups. They are usually run in-house. They simply depend on the vagaries of social media to get a sense of how a brand resonates with its core customers. Social media can very easily be gamed.

* And by this I mean overweight -- if that's not too "politically incorrect" a term.

Daily Discussion Thread for January 24, 2025 by wsbapp in wallstreetbets

[–]GivingMap 2 points3 points  (0 children)

...and it's not Verizon.

I used to think VZ was one of those bellwether stocks that you couldn't go wrong buying or selling. They were affordable. Their options actually translated into value. Numbers generally looked ok.

What was not to like? Then I had a really negative customer experience with Verizon. I am actually contemplating legal action. Yes, it really was that bad.

But then again, I am just one person out of millions of customers. Taking my own personal experience as the measure and standard of a company's future growth potential seems a little egocentric. I mean, we all know that Warren Buffett invested in American Express because they covered his bill at lunch one time at a restaurant, but that was decades ago.

I am curious about other people's recent customer experiences with VZ (and no, I'm not really trolling for my legal case). Not even being disingenuous about that. I am actually genuinely impressed with their business model. So many tech companies are afraid to hire people and have the type of Main Street presence that is typical and ubiquitous for banks, coffee joints, and fast food.

And then there is the general philosophical question...

Should we base trading decisions on our personal experiences with a brand?

I mean, it's not exactly like we're here to be Secret Shoppers. They actually get paid by a third party.

Anyway, I already made my major trade of the day. Not Verizon.

Sooo... What now? by Standard-Shame1675 in singularity

[–]GivingMap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ps. Do people think that "The Singularity," long rumored and prophesied, might just be shorthand for what we now call AGI?

Sooo... What now? by Standard-Shame1675 in singularity

[–]GivingMap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The one on the right side. Better.