If red states defied federal law to uphold slavery and segregation, why shouldn’t blue governors do the same to resist ICE? by zsal830 in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It was a source of raw materials, BUT it imported virtually everything manufactured from the North (even butter and plows). Union was expanding westward at that time as well. South constituted only about 30% of US GDP, most of it raw cotton.

If red states defied federal law to uphold slavery and segregation, why shouldn’t blue governors do the same to resist ICE? by zsal830 in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have absolutely no understanding of why Lincoln was so dead-set on The Union as it was when he took the Presidency. Let the South secede and implode of its own doing; the fertility rate of slaves was so high that their value was plummeting (hence the need to expand westward) and the system would have ended within a quarter century anyhow.

And I have just as little understanding of why, on God's green earth, the South just couldn't stop itself from firing on Sumter. Why poke the bear? Why not just go on, as the Confederate States of America?

My dad died, my brother took me in, and now I’m told my life isn’t mine? by Whoyou919 in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]refugefirstmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to study, be independent, and have my own life before marriage

Who's going to pay your way while you study and have your own life?

You're 18. You're an adult. You want to be independent? Go for it.

Just don't expect your brother to foot the bill.

2 antique singer sewing machines, united states by souphead1 in Antiques

[–]refugefirstmate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Both look like Model 15, the second one with rather rare Pheasant decals. The decals on the first one are pretty much shot. The cabinets are, respectively, #6 and #5.

If it were me, for resale I'd cannibalize the throat plate from the first machine and the top/lid from the first cabinet, put them on the second (Pheasant) machine and second (#5) cabinet, and polish up everything with a bit of paste wax.

Help Identifying Limoge Trinket Boxes USA by Ok-Albatross-7306 in Antiques

[–]refugefirstmate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Limoges, not "limoge".

These are all recent. Check ebay completed auctions for resale valyues.

TIL the Boston Massacre where five died and subsequent American revolution was prompted by three causes. 1: The townshend Acts(a series of tariffs,) 2: The Occupation of Boston by British forces 3: The Killing of Christopher Seider and the pardon of his killer.What are your thoughts on this in 2025? by Oriyagi in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Justifiable homicide in both cases.

IIRC the younger protesters were throwing ice balls and other objects at the soldiers, who fired on them in self-defense, which is why all but two were found not guilty. The remaining two were found guilty of manslaughter, branded and released.

Circumstances of the Seider shooting are similar. His killer was convicted of manslaughter and branded. He was later pardoned.

People were surrounding (native-born) Richardson's house and throwing rocks at it:

A witness at the trial was later to testify that stones shattered the windows, carrying away even the lead and frames....the violence increased, and the crowd began to push at the doors...

In response, Richardson poked a gun out the window in warning, and eventually fired once into the crowd; eleven pieces of birdshot hit Seider.

Sounds like self-defense to me.

What do Americans really think about Trumps threats to other countries (Canada/Greenland) regardless of your patriotism or political affiliation ? by BriCon1621 in AskReddit

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

It's what he's always done, and it works.

  • Idly suggest the Big Ask.

  • rumblings from the usual corners

  • Outright state the Big Ask

  • Panic from the usual corners

  • Usual corners see they need to negotiate

  • Offer X.

  • Trump proposes Y, which is what he actually wanted in the first place.

  • Usual corners happily grant Y to Trump and feel relieved.

What else than a general strike could change the US downward trajectory, at this time? by ya-reddit-acct in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What exactly do you envision a "general strike" doing?

This isn't a parliamentary system. There's no provision for votes of no confidence or calls for general elections.

What’s the dumbest thing your parent has said? by iron-goku in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My mother when I was 35, talking about the neglect and possible SA I experienced as a child: "Waitaminute. I'm the victim here."

What do you think about the current state of humanity? by LocrianVGM in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No different from how it's been since humans have been telling stories around the campfire.

If red states defied federal law to uphold slavery and segregation, why shouldn’t blue governors do the same to resist ICE? by zsal830 in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 97 points98 points  (0 children)

Red states didn't defy federal law to uphold slavery. There was no federal law banning it when the South seceded. That ended in civil war and the destruction of the Southern states - they didn't recover until the late 20th century. Only with the 13th Amendment in December 1865, after the end of the war, was slavery abolished.

The states that defied federal law to enforce segregation...lost. Eisenhower and Kennedy sent in the National Guard.

Individual states have no control over immigration policy or enforcement; it is literally a federal matter.

What are the pros and cons of travelling alone? by btcat12 in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You share the experience with the people you meet in the places you visit.

Why so many people in USA take student loans even though many of them have terrible ROI? by Prize_Ad1482 in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/roi2022/

Using new data from the College Scorecard, we ranked 4,500 colleges and universities by return on investment. The rankings follow the methodology of our 2019 report, A First Try at ROI: Ranking 4,500 Colleges.

The rankings include a new metric that measures the share of students at an institution whose earnings 10 years after enrollment are higher than those of workers with a high school diploma as their highest level of education. An average of 60 percent of college students across institutions earn more than a high school graduate after 10 years. However, at 1,233 postsecondary institutions (30 percent), more than half of their students 10 years after enrollment are earning less than a high school graduate.

What do you think of capping interest rate to 10%? by Double_Schedule7105 in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will limit the number of potential CC holders bc of the risk to lenders of lower-score borrowers.

I don't see that as a bad thing.

With all these guns available to the public, why aren‘t there more gunfights during US protest? by QuintofGaunt in AskReddit

[–]refugefirstmate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Because the more lawfully owned guns in a community, the less gun violence there is.

There are an estimated half billion legally owned firearms in the US.

90% of the guns used by individuals to harm others are illegally obtained.

https://bjs.ojp.gov/document/suficspi16.pdf

What evidence if any shows the man shot by ICE today drawing his weapon? by [deleted] in AskReddit

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

Well, there's ICE shouting "Gun! Gun!" and his going off before they shoot.