Stuttering Lede, Nov. 18th, 2024
Resistance Frequencies update and News update
“You can beat 40 scholars with one fact, but you can’t beat one idiot with 40 facts.” Rumi
Resistance Frequencies
As I mentioned in my essay one of the things I plan to do moving forward is to share ideas and thoughts around Resistance 2.0: what to expect, how to prepare, etc. Some of these will be my own thoughts, many will be inspired by others. Feel free to comment with your thoughts and I’ll add to make this a “living breathing document” to help us all.
Top 10 tips:
Trust yourself: amid the widespread social distrust start by trusting yourself. Tune into your inner voice and become more mindful of how what you see, hear and feel affects your overall state.
Connect with people you trust: social isolation is the foundation of fascism or any totalitarian regime; loneliness is a core ingredient of autocracy. Make sure you are not alone, you have a support system of friends, relative, likeminded individuals to support each other.
Allow yourself to grieve. Go through all the stages. Take your time. Don’t bottle up your emotions, release them. Drop the weight before we have to move on.
Let go of what you can’t control: no one can address everything all the time. Let it go. If you can’t directly impact something, focus your energy on something else. Don’t rely solely on public venting or symbolic actions like rallies and protests, seek out more effective ways to engage.
Discover YOUR way: it could be protecting others by supporting those impacted directly like trans individuals, immigrants, people seeking abortions, etc. You could help building alternatives, protecting and defending civic institutions and normalcy, but most importantly:
Refuse to comply in advance and avoid self-censorship: speak up, they can’t silence us all.
Redefine your own political landscape: we are no longer living in a simple left/right or liberal/conservative discourse. Figure out where you stand. Practice empathy and face the reality no matter how hard it might be.
Face the reality of power: understand what we are up against, if you plan to act be sure and know what the specific goal of your action is.
Manage fear: this isn’t about suppressing it; it’s about constantly redirecting it. Refuse to be intimidated and cause them to lose their power.
Know what the future is about.
Self-Care
Your nervous system has been through a lot. Unplug. Take a moment or a day for yourself. Hug your loved ones and/or your pets. Go outside, enjoy nature's beauty. Make time for self care.
Health
If you're a veteran and you get your healthcare from the VA, please make appointments with your PCP and specialists before January 20th, and make sure to update all your vaccines and order your meds.
Everyone else, if you have any health-related expenses coming up, check if you can take care of these now.
Most definitely get all of your vaccines now!!
Block, block and keep blocking
When MAGA enters the post/thread/chat, immediately go to their profile page; but before you block them, first block all of their followers and following, and block the OP last.
411
Take five to ten minutes to put your US Rep, US Senators, and state and local elected officials into your phone contacts so you can instantly call, text, email them whenever there is an urgent need to get their attention.
Make sure you look up the info for current as well we those coming into office in 2025 if there is a change.
Education
I am by no means a constitutional scholar but suspect there's a pretty high likelihood that the Supreme Court will explicitly overturn Brown v. Board of Ed. It all goes back to Bush’s “no child is left behind” and the launch of school vouchers and charter schools: Private schools across the South that were established for white children during desegregation are now benefiting from tens of millions in taxpayer dollars flowing from rapidly expanding voucher-style programs.
With plans to eliminate the Department of Education, it’s difficult to know how the proverbial chips may land vis a vis state rights and resistance from the blue state Governors. There is a very clearly possibility if not outright likelihood that you may need to look for a new school for your child (reasons might be different depending on specific state) or perhaps even start your own charter school (yes, I know what I said in the paragraph above).
Similarly, with zealots from Musk to Rufo around, there will be a significant negative impact on the higher education. What are Donald Trump’s plans to overhaul US colleges and universities?Expect DEI crusade and anti-woke crusade. Supposedly Texas is already eliminative all courses that contain “woke” verbiage…
Make plans for your children’s education now.
Learn more about Project 2025
You need to know and understand what’s coming and what to expect and how it will impact you based on who you are. Make sure to educate yourself:
Read the "Mandate for Leadership" document: This 900-page document outlines Project 2025's goals and strategies. While it's lengthy, understanding its key points is crucial.
Follow only reliable news sources
If you can, get involved:
Support organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that oppose Project 2025.
Contact your representatives: Let your elected officials know your concerns about Project 2025 and urge them to resist its implementation. Write letters or emails using templates from advocacy organizations. Schedule a call or attend town hall meetings with elected officials. Monitor legislative actions linked to Project 2025 policies. Use tools like GovTrack or Congress.gov to track bills and votes.
Participate in protests and rallies: Join demonstrations to show your opposition to Project 2025 and raise public awareness.
Join or form local groups to address community-specific impacts.
Research and connect with grassroots organizations aligned with your priorities. Host or attend community meetings to discuss strategies. Create or participate in mutual aid networks to support vulnerable neighbors. Share resources and skills within your community.
Most importantly, prepare yourself and your family for the expected impact:
Understand the risks: Identify the areas where Project 2025 could directly affect you or your community (e.g., healthcare, environment, social programs).
Protect your health and well-being: Secure access to reproductive healthcare for yourself, your loved ones and those you can help personally. Research local clinics and telehealth options in case of changes to healthcare access. Stock up on essential items, such as birth control or emergency contraception. Explore self-defense classes or fitness programs to build confidence and physical strength.
Develop coping strategies: If you anticipate negative impacts, prepare strategies to mitigate them (e.g., financial planning, legal advice).
Build a support network: Connect with like-minded individuals who can offer support and advice during challenging times.
Strengthen personal and financial resilience: review and adjust your financial plans and budgets. Build an emergency fund or diversify investments. Explore career development opportunities if your field could be affected.
Here’s a starter pack:
Project 2025: What it means for women, families, and gender justice
How Project 2025 Seeks to Obliterate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
How a second Trump presidency will impact women across the globe
5 Ways Donald Trump’s Plans Are Even More Extreme Than Project 2025
People For the American Way Announces New Campaign: Resist Project 2025
Quick Guide to Resources to Emigrate out of the US
To legally move to Europe, Americans need to apply for a visa and/or residence permit from the country they intend to live in. The first step is to apply for a visa from the US that allows entry into the desired country. There are many types of visas for long-term stays, including work, student, retirement, investment, business, self-employment, and more.
Some countries are easier to move to than others. Portugal and Spain are considered more affordable and have an easier route to residency. The Netherlands and Germany are good options for freelancers and business owners. Bulgaria, and Poland are budget-friendly and expat-friendly countries in Eastern Europe.
Once in the country, you can apply for a residence permit. The specific documents required for a residence permit application vary by country and visa type, but may include: Valid passport, proof of sufficient funds, criminal background check, passport photos, health insurance, proof of accommodation, etc.
Most visas do not lead to permanent residency or citizenship, and will require leaving the country after the visa expires.
When choosing a country to move to, you can consider factors like:
Visa and residency options: which country offers the right options for you
Employments which country you can find a new job or which country you can work from remotely with your current job
Finances: How much money you have saved up
Family situation: Whether you're moving with a family
Resources:
Boycott Vishy Media
This is an incredibly important point. As the 4th Estate continues to normalize and legitimize fascism, it's critical that we boycott such "news sources:"
Unsubscribe from NYT and WaPo.
Cut the cord with MSNBC and CNN.
Trim the lists of people you follow.
In the news
US
5 Ways Donald Trump’s Plans Are Even More Extreme Than Project 2025.
CNN reporting that Kash Patel being considered for FBI director.
Last year, Patel said under another Trump administration he would jail journalists.
Trump Immigration Targets: Ukrainians, Venezuelans, Haitians.
Trump confirms plans to use military for deportations. Trump says he plans to declare a national emergency in order to enact a program of mass deportations using the military.
What Black Americans learned from the reelection of Donald Trump.
Donald Trump is already inspiring other countries to crack down on homosexuality.
Trump’s new oligarchy is about to unleash unimaginable corruption.
Here’s how to mitigate some of Trump’s most dangerous foreign policy instincts.
The end of Days Inn. A MUST read.
Europe
Biden has lifted ban on Ukraine using US weapons to strike deeper into Russia.
Europeans Told to Stockpile Food in Case of War With Russia.
Biden urges Xi to dissuade North Korea from deepening Russian support.
UK expected to give Ukraine Storm Shadow missiles to strike inside Russia.
Middle East
Mental Health
Tech
OpenAI and others seek new path to smarter AI as current methods hit limitations.
Musk asks ‘high-IQ revolutionaries’ to work for no pay on new Trump project.
Elon Musk isn't riding to Alex Jones's rescue in the Infowars auction.
'MAGA' tops the charts in Pornhub searches during the 2024 election.
This was Austrian Airlines' final post over on the Twitter.
Women Rights
Climate Change
Drought warning declared in N.J. as water storage levels drop, wildfires rage.
Tesla Has the Highest Fatal Accident Rate of All Auto Brands.
Cop29 delegates told to ‘cut the theatrics’ and tackle climate crisis.
Pollution in Delhi hits record high, cloaking city in ‘hazardous’ smog.
Donald Trump victory threatens to throw G20 initiatives into disarray.
Misc.
Unprecedented failure led to the collapse of the world-renowned radio telescope in Puerto Rico.
Don’t scare us and use our language to discuss sextortion, say teenagers.
Are you tired all the time? Me too – but I think I’ve worked out why.
Police track down unlikely shoe thief from Japanese kindergarten.
The Mysterious, Vexing, and Utterly Engrossing Search for the Origin of Eels.
Leonard Cohen on the Antidote to Anger and the Meaning of Resistance.
UK cheeses miss out on international prize after getting stuck in customs.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of reaching out to prospective witnesses from jail.
Blue Sky Starter Packs
Here’s a tool that lets you convert a starter pack to a list.
The Entertainment industry is compelled to present to the American people a self-perpetuating fantasy of American life. The mere concept of entertainment is difficult to distinguish from the use of narcotics. To watch the TV screen for any length of time is to learn some really frightening things about the American sense of reality. We are cruelly trapped between what we would like to be and what we actually are. And we cannot possibly become what we would like to be until we are willing to ask ourselves just why the lives we lead on this continent are mainly so empty, so tame, and so ugly. These images are designed not to trouble, but to reassure. They also weaken our ability to deal with the world as it is, ourselves as we are.”
James Baldwin
