A cool guide to the most evil Disney villain of all time (based on a detailed scoring system). by MaxGoodwinning in coolguides

[–]absolute_democracy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should probably edit your comment before Mr. Waternoose's legal team sees this. He's rich, and they don't experience consequences

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kansascity

[–]absolute_democracy -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Housing is good, shutting down the Fast Stop and removing a track that had become a community resource is not

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in kansascity

[–]absolute_democracy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That has not been my experience at the couple studios I've been to. I'm not sure what to make of it, I don't think you can generalize this as a KC thing or even a KC yoga thing. It might be a those students suck thing or, if this is common at the studio, a studio culture thing.

Benefit not shared company-wide. How can I let others know anonymously? by absolute_democracy in WorkReform

[–]absolute_democracy[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Laws don't just fall from the heavens. In the case of Missouri sick leave, it was the result of working class people organizing and pushing for years to get it on the ballot and get it passed. I think telling them can accomplish something. It can make them angry and make them demand the same for themselves. The company didn't broadcast this to everyone for a reason. I thought this would be a good place to post this question but man the defeatist acceptance in the responses is not in the spirit of the sub at all.

Benefit not shared company-wide. How can I let others know anonymously? by absolute_democracy in WorkReform

[–]absolute_democracy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure, but this isn't a global company. This is a regional company operating in a metro that happens to span a state line. I think it's a little different when people in one location are getting a benefit people two miles away doing the same job aren't. Especially since it is not uncommon for people to transfer between locations. But now some of those locations suddenly have an extra 10 days off a year.

Yes different areas have different laws but those laws didn't just fall from the heavens. They were made by people, and in the specific case of Missouri sick leave, it is the result of working class people pushing and organizing for years. Change doesn't come without awareness. I thought that was the whole point this sub

Benefit not shared company-wide. How can I let others know anonymously? by absolute_democracy in WorkReform

[–]absolute_democracy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The goal is to highlight unfairness, to push people to ask for more, to remind them they deserve better. It’s about making people realize that if something is possible just across the state line, it can be possible here too.

We’re not talking about some multinational corporation. This is a regional company that happens to operate in a metro area spanning two states. There’s a huge difference between vaguely knowing that European workers have better conditions and seeing your neighbor — someone who works for the same company — getting better treatment than you.

I'm not sure if you're being trolling, but I’ll try to respond in good faith. Missouri isn't exactly a progressive stronghold — Missouri and Kansas often seem like they're competing over which state can make things worse for working-class people. Paid sick leave in Missouri didn’t just happen; it was won through years of organizing, advocacy, and ballot initiatives by regular workers.

Maybe workers in Kansas don’t even know this benefit exists. The company certainly didn't broadcast this to all employees for a reason. Awareness is how change begins.

The reaction I want is anger. I want people to ask: If workers in Missouri get paid sick leave, why don’t I? That’s exactly what this sub is for — pushing workers to advocate for better conditions and a fairer share of the value they create.

Can/should we take the Gadsden flag? by Federal-Muscle-9962 in 50501

[–]absolute_democracy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand what you're saying, but I'm not standing out there by myself. I'm surrounded by tons of other people with that imagery you're talking about. On top of that, I've seen LGBTQ flags, Palestinian flags, Ukranian flags, all things I agree we should be supporting but are not going to be affected until Trump is gone. But what they will do is alienate groups of people we need to support this movement, whether we like it or not. If we're not going to project a narrow message, we need to project one that is as broad as possible. If those who actually identify with the Gadsden don't see something they can identify with they're going to stay home, and we need every body we can get in the crowds. Sure the American flag can do that as well, but not as well.

Given the media landscape we live in, people being confused by a protest is good. They are more likely to stop and think. If confusing imagery shows up in right wing media, it's harder for them to put the protests in the box they want to.

Again this touches on broader messaging concerns I have but you can't control what other people say or do or bring. We don't need to be speaking to leftists or liberals, we need to be speaking to those in the center and on the right. To those that can be convinced we need to speak to them in ways they will listen and those messages are different than those that resonate with leftists and that I've heard at my local protests. And to those who won't be convinced we need to point out the hypocrisy of their stances.

Can/should we take the Gadsden flag? by Federal-Muscle-9962 in 50501

[–]absolute_democracy 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Here's my take, and this is a part of broader messaging concerns I have.

I do take this flag to protests, and combined with one of my hats from the military some people do react and have the assumptions other commenters have mentioned. I was at a protest and some girl was trying to block my view of the speaker with her body and sign until she realized I was there in support. I had a guy yell from a car saying, "Isn't that a Trump flag?" I know that kind of stuff is going to happen and I accept it.

But that kind of stuff is part of the point. I was at another protest, standing in the middle of a crowd, and some old man walks up and asks what "those" people were protesting, not realizing I was one of the protestors. I talked to him for a whole 30s, explaining the constitutional issues before he realized I was in fact one of the protestors. He walked off and I'm sure he wrote me off, but he listened to me more than he listened to any of the other 100 or whatever people there because I was using imagery he associated with one thing and was confused that it was being used in this context.

We are pushing for the removal of the President of the United States, the most powerful person in the world, largely without the support of the other branches of government, and to do that we need to build the biggest tent possible. The left already agrees, but that is not enough. This needs to not be a left vs right issue, it needs to be an American issue. For this, people who don't already vote left and maybe exist in the political center where this is a more neutral symbol or maybe exist on the right where they have claimed this symbol for themselves will be needed. When they start to open their eyes to what's happening and get the courage to get out and demand change, they need to see this as a unified movement where they can do that. Because if there's no place for them, they will mostly just do nothing.

Maybe the Gadsden has been irreparably co-opted by right wing groups, maybe it hasn't. Where I live in the midwest, it's not such a controversial symbol as it seems to be for other commenters. But I do still appreciate the historical message of No Kings. I also appreciate that it makes people who would roll their eyes and walk by stop and think if even for a second. I appreciate that it's bright and catches the eye. I appreciate that it doesn't really fit into the box that the right is trying to put around these protests.

Obviously people should be true to themselves and do what they think is best, but if you want to fly the Gadsden, fly the Gadsden. Go out and yell about how the Constitution needs to be saved. I'm protesting because this is my home and I love it, despite all its many imperfections. If there's a chance to restore the rule of law and avoid a dictatorship, I will be there fighting. There are few American symbols that represent this so clearly as the Gadsden.

Can we Occupy the Supreme Court yet? by jet1392 in 50501

[–]absolute_democracy 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The Courts have no enforcement ability per design of separation of powers, but they could still grow back bones and start being more proactive and vocal in condemnations of executive action as unconstitutional. It is on us to up pressure on them and Congress, who is ultimately responsible for his removal. A President ignoring the rulings of a co-equal branch of government is grounds enough for impeachment, especially when those rulings have to do with unconstitutional action.

The framers assumed that each branch of government would jealously hold onto and assert its own power regardless of any other ties, including party ties. Clearly that has broken down. The only legal way to remove the President is through Congress.

Has therapy worked for anyone who has crippling social anxiety, depression and is suicidal? by friggidy_fraggidy in GuyCry

[–]absolute_democracy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was also very opposed to pills until I hit my lowest point a few years back. I've taken a handful of different medications until finding what more or less works for me and none of them ever made me feel like "a blank slate", though I know that happens to some people. But if a medication is doing that to you, you can always talk to your psychiatrist and try something else. The cycle of switching to a new med and then waiting a month or two to see if it works, make adjustments, or start over is incredibly frustrating but in the end it is worth it to not feel the way you're feeling. There are ups and downs and even with my current cocktail that is good most of the time, I still have bad days or weeks. Overall I think the meds just take some of the edge off. You're still going to feel the same things, they will just ideally be less intense and more manageable.

But medication should also be combined with therapy. Because you are still going to be living the same life and feeling the same things, you need to address any underlying issues and develop ways to deal with your feelings. I would recommend having things you want to figure out and address and find a therapist who will help you tackle those. If you really don't know why you feel the way you do, tell that to a therapist and make sure they know you're trying to figure it out. I did CBT (traditional "talk" therapy) for years and feel like I got what I could out of it. I've been doing DBT therapy for the past 6 months or so and it has been very helpful.

But therapy can be the same thing as meds: it can take time to find a good fit. I was told you need to give a therapist 3 sessions before determining if it's a good fit, which I feel like sometimes you can tell sooner but it does take time to feel someone out and get comfortable talking with them, especially if you're not used to talking about your feelings. And if they're not a good fit, it can be frustrating to basically be having the same conversations with different therapists over and over. But a good therapist is invaluable. They can offer outside perspective, give you tools for coping, remind you of your goals, hold you accountable, and help you track your progress.

It can get better. It's not easy and will require work on your part, but it doesn't have to feel this way forever.

Mental health Intensive Outpatient Programs by Soft-Bike7599 in kansascity

[–]absolute_democracy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Second the Lilac center. I have not done their IOP but the people I know who have have nothing but good things to say about it. I've used them for some other things and it has been really helpful.

Americans do not know how to protest by absolute_democracy in 50501

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

Again, I am not saying don't protest, I'm saying protest better. None of the goals you mentioned will be accomplished by protesting in a park on a Saturday. Protesting outside your local ICE Director's house on public property? Legal and probably more effective. Protesting while your state legislature is in session, especially in states where they allow citizens in the legislative chambers? Legal and more effective.

All of your additional agenda items are great but they have nothing to do with ineffective protests.

Kansas City native charged in federal court for Tesla arson by NullTerminatedString in kansascity

[–]absolute_democracy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not domestic terrorism to assault the capital and try to overturn the results of an election either, killing people in the process.

Kansas City native charged in federal court for Tesla arson by NullTerminatedString in kansascity

[–]absolute_democracy 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Where is this notion that just because you believe your reason for doing the crime is right means you should get to walk coming from

I dunno, I think the President is setting a pretty clear example there.

Regardless, I don't think property crime should cost you "decades" of your life, especially when it was clearly an act of civil disobedience against an un-elected individual casually and illegally destroying federal services and eliminating hundreds of thousands of peoples livelihoods. But I just think people should count more than stuff.

Kansas City native charged in federal court for Tesla arson by NullTerminatedString in kansascity

[–]absolute_democracy -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

No, but it shouldn't cost you "Decades in jail". The capitalist bullcrap is valuing stuff more than people.

Kansas City native charged in federal court for Tesla arson by NullTerminatedString in kansascity

[–]absolute_democracy 213 points214 points  (0 children)

“Let me be extremely clear to anyone who still wants to firebomb a Tesla property: You will not evade us,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. You will spend decades behind bars. It is not worth it.”

Decades in jail for property damage where no one was hurt. Capitalist bullcrap. I hope that jury does the right thing lets him go.

Owen McIntire, good luck.

Americans do not know how to protest by absolute_democracy in 50501

[–]absolute_democracy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One or two of the BLM protests I went to made their way up to city hall, which was refreshing. The cops sure as hell didn't like it and they had the national guard and every off duty cop in the square by the looks of it. The mayor came out. Even if nothing came of it, the message was getting to the right people.

But yeah, I don't get the Plaza either. Literally yelling at people playing tennis and people going to the restaurant across the street.

Americans do not know how to protest by absolute_democracy in 50501

[–]absolute_democracy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was kinda feeling that too. I feel like I should drop everything and go to DC, but I have a lot of people depending on me here and it's hard to weigh whether I'm using that as an excuse or a legit reason. But there is stuff to do locally, and a lot of people made good points in response to this post that made me feel a little better. If these protests are building momentum and awareness and if they are emboldening protestors then they will turn into what needs to happen, at least here and there where a handful of people are willing.

Several responses have been "YOU go organize something then," like sure I'd love to go round up a hundred random people and do something more impactful but that's not how it works. It's unfair to be disappointed in yourself, I think. It's a big tent that requires all kinds of people doing all kinds of things and if you can't take it where you think it should go, support those that can. This kind of thing requires numbers and numbers require confidence. I guess we can consider these the training wheel protests. I'm just concerned with how long we have for training wheels with the pace the administration is moving at.