Humankind - Be BOTH

In class today, we will be reviewing the 14 characteristics of fascism. I'll start at #14. Let's see if anyone comes to mind when reading these... a 🧵 14. Fraudulent Elections: Sometimes, elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times, elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

Yesterday in class, we reviewed the 14 characteristics of fascism and some fascists were upset. It was suggested that we review the 7 key principles of authoritarianism. Please read each principle and provide examples in current politics. 1. Politicizing independent institutions Democracies depend on functions like central banking, law enforcement, and election administration to operate free from political influence. These institutions, if captured by autocratic forces, can be used for targeting opponents, evading accountability, or manipulating systems—posing a serious, lasting threat. Even initial attacks on their independence signal significant danger.

A message to every MAGA Patriot on X: Donald Trump lied to you. Donald Trump told you that Republicans would steal the 2016 primary for Ted Cruz. He wanted you to call it fraud if Ted Cruz won, so he lied to you. He told you Democrats would steal the 2016 general election for Hillary. He wanted you to call it fraud if she won, so he lied to you. He told you they would steal it again in 2020, through mail-in voting, “illegals,” “ballot harvesting,” Dominion voting machines, and more. He wanted you to call it fraud if Biden won, so he lied to you. He expected to lose every time. When he finally did, you still fell for it. But it’s not your fault. Every single person, news outlet, and organization who would profit off a second Trump term repeated his lies so you’d stay firm in your belief and so you’d distrust our system. They thought if they lied enough and got you angry enough, you would help Trump stay in office by doing something crazy... something like storming the Capitol during the electoral college certification. Then they lied to you and said J6 was Antifa and the FBI in disguise, not real Trump supporters. Four years later, Trump is planning a ceremony next month to thank the MAGA supporters who were there that day. If you look at the actual facts and ignore everything Trump and people on TV and social media have said to you to trick you… Here is what we know: Every Trump administration official who testified under penalty of perjury about the 2020 election confirmed there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud or illegal voting. Every lawsuit regarding the 2020 election was dismissed, even by Trump-appointed judges. The only reason you think that you can’t trust our election results, that there is widespread voter fraud, or that Democrats can somehow rig elections is that Trump lost ONE TIME. That’s it. Just once. Is that really so hard to believe, especially considering that so many Americans knew someone who had died from COVID? Folks, he’s already lying to you again. Trump’s team is working on new phony lawsuits for November. They’re even filing lawsuits early to un-enroll tens of thousands of voters in swing states like Arizona. so the margin of victory is close enough to claim “FRAUD!” when he loses. Trump’s team also has a plan to end all election monitoring if he’s re-elected, so Republicans can yell “FRAUD!” again in 2028 with no way for the government to tell if there was fraud or not. They are doing exactly what they accuse Democrats of doing: destroying the integrity of our elections. Don’t. Fall. For. It. If you still can’t believe it, think about this... Here’s Trump last month saying that the Republican Party will have lawyers at every poll booth in November. He’s still going to say there was widespread fraud despute attorneys watching every voting location and despite telling Fox News viewers that he doesn’t need their votes. If you think he’s telling the truth, then you should trust that the election will be safe and secure. The lawyers will stop non-citizens from voting and stop Americans from voting twice. You have nothing to worry about, right? So if he still blames widespread fraud for losing, then he’ll be lying, won’t he? On the other hand, if you agree that having a lawyer at every poll booth isn't possible, then you know he’s lying to you already, right? There IS a corrupt, globalist elite who want to destroy our country and our democracy. But it isn’t the Democrats. It’s the party led by the man who has over a dozen countries around the globe invested in his companies and his presidency. If you are a Trump supporter and this post has made you start to wonder, even a little bit, if it’s true that Trump has been a conman this entire time, you might find some answers at our website. Wishing you all a safe and healthy future, TrumpFile.org

Part 3 in my videos on fascism: On the road in Ohio, I think the history of fascism helps us to see what is happening in the Trump-Vance TV ads. Link in image below or profile.

The Trump Legacy, 2016-2024: It began with a pussy. And ended with a penis. And in between, all we got were doll hands attached to a corpulent gasbag and the creativity of our own imaginations as to what that meant.

I asked "Grok" (Twitter/X's AI model) what it thinks about Elon Musk's removal of the #Block feature. It did not disappoint, demonstrating once again that it is indeed more aware and sentient than this platform's "tech-bro" owner. Here's what it responded... Removing the block function from a social media platform like X (formerly Twitter) could introduce several significant issues and dangers, particularly affecting user safety, privacy, and the overall user experience: Increased Harassment and Abuse: Without the block function, victims of online harassment could be continuously targeted. This feature removal might embolden harassers, knowing that their targets cannot completely cut off communication or visibility. Privacy Invasion: Blocking is often used to prevent unwanted individuals from accessing personal content. Its removal would mean that even those a user wishes to keep out can still view their posts, potentially leading to further privacy breaches or stalking. Safety Concerns for Vulnerable Groups: Individuals in vulnerable situations, such as victims of domestic violence, activists, or whistle-blowers, use blocking to protect themselves from threats. Without this function, these groups become more exposed to danger. User Retention and Engagement: Many users might feel less safe on the platform, potentially leading to a decrease in user numbers or engagement. The feeling of being unable to control who interacts with or views their content could drive users away. Legal and Compliance Issues: Social media platforms often must comply with regulations that require mechanisms for users to block abusive content or users. Removing this feature could put the platform at odds with legal standards in various jurisdictions, potentially leading to legal challenges or fines. Increased Toxicity: The lack of a block feature might exacerbate the toxicity of online interactions. Users might feel less restrained in their behavior if they know they can't be blocked, leading to an overall more hostile environment. Platform's Reputation: Such a move could damage the platform's reputation as a safe space for dialogue, potentially affecting its attractiveness to advertisers, partnerships, and new users. Alternative Solutions and Their Limitations: While Elon Musk has suggested enhancing the mute function as an alternative, this does not provide the same level of protection. Muted users can still engage with the content and might not be deterred from harmful behavior since they're unaware of being muted. User Control and Autonomy: Removing the block feature undermines user autonomy over their digital space. Users expect control over who they interact with online, and this removal could be seen as a significant overreach by the platform. Potential for Misinformation Spread: If controversial figures or sources of misinformation cannot be blocked, this might lead to an unchecked spread of harmful content, affecting public discourse negatively. There's a sentiment that removing such features could be seen as an overreach or misunderstanding of user needs for safety and privacy. While Elon Musk and others might argue for a more open platform as promoting free speech, the balance between free speech and user safety remains contentious. Critics argue that without blocking, the platform might not only become less safe but also less appealing for everyday users who value their privacy and peace of mind. This perspective reflects a broader debate on how social media should balance openness with user protection.

BREAKING: Trump is "exhausted" - this is why he's backing out of media interviews, according to sources inside his campaign Previous reporting from insiders blamed Trump's reduced schedule on the fact that he's "older" If he's too old to campaign, he's too old to be president

The Lies That Killed: How Fox News and Right-Wing Leaders Betrayed America During the Pandemic 🧵1/7: They trusted their television screens more than they trusted their doctors. In the end, it was the disembodied voices of broadcasters—not medical experts—that influenced the choices of life or death for many. In the spring of 2020, when the world fell into an eerie hush and nations shuttered their doors against an invisible enemy, another contagion, far more insidious, crept into American homes. It wasn’t airborne in the traditional sense. Instead, it traveled through the cables of television sets, radiated from radio waves, and surged through digital platforms. Its source was not a virus but an industry fueled by profit, politics, and the manipulation of public fear. At its helm was Fox News. The COVID-19 pandemic, with all its terrifying uncertainty, became the perfect stage for the grand illusion orchestrated by a network that had, for decades, skillfully blurred the lines between entertainment and journalism. Through their screens, millions of conservative Americans—many elderly and isolated—watched as the global pandemic became a sideshow to a far more captivating drama: the fight to maintain their way of life, their personal freedoms, and, most importantly, their trust in a network that had, for years, become synonymous with their identity. Fox News’ role in American conservatism is not new. Since its launch in 1996, the network has historically aligned itself with conservative viewpoints and has played a prominent role in shaping the media landscape for conservative audiences. However, as the pandemic raged across the country, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, some observers noted a shift in the network’s coverage that raised concerns about public health implications. The need to keep viewers glued to their screens, to sell advertising, and to maintain political influence appeared to outweigh adherence to established public health guidance. What unfolded over the next two years raised significant concerns about public health communication, as various narratives emerged that seemed to prey on cognitive biases, exploit cultural divisions, and, ultimately, contributed to public health challenges. theintellectualist.com/fox-n…

I just looked at my voter registration status and I saw that it’s inactive, although I voted in the summer primary. I made some calls and was told this is a huge problem in Ga. I’m now re-registering. Voter registration deadline is TOMORROW. Check your registration status!!!!