The Stuttering Lede, Nov. 13th, 2024
The Resistance Frequencies, Vol 2
“What totalitarian rulers seek is not only the eradication of political opposition but the complete transformation of the political sphere into a realm of total domination, achieved by eliminating all intellectual initiative. This process includes the replacement of all first-rate talents, regardless of their political loyalties, with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is the best guarantee of their loyalty.” Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism
Resistance Frequencies
As I mentioned in my last essay on my main blog 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.
Improve your upcoming weekend: block some Nazis.
Really, take some time and go through your social media and block, unfollow, unfriend, whatever anyone who supports American carnage brought to you by the MAGA fascists.
Take more time to reconsider which social platforms do you really need and want to keep. Do you research, ask questions, make tough decisions. My recommendation is to move over to Bluesky that has added 700,000 new users in a week. Bluesky, where the block isn’t just a block. It’s a nuclear block that erases that person from your feed, your mentions, and—eventually—your brain. In many ways it feels like early days of Twitter. Keep that in mind as YMMV.
Speaking of the devil. Don't quit Twitter. I am very tempted to give myself some mental peace and decrease Elon’s hellscape of a platform number of users. For example, The Guardian is no longer posting on Twitter. However, ignoring fascist spaces is bad. Silence implies condoning, accepting, normalizing and legitimizing. You don’t need to be too active, but whenever you can, tell the truth in their post and threads, like leaf letting an occupied French village.
It's not all bots and trolls. It's also victims of those bots and trolls, who need to know there's honesty out there, there’s truth, there’s a way that’s better and more human.
Though, in as much as possible I personally plan to limit my activity in spaces either occupied or affiliated with the MAGA movement. I am downloading my Twitter archive and then deleting all data from my account. The same goes for TikTok, though I personally don’t have an account and it’s not a MAGA platform.
If you do move over to Bluesky, here’s a great way to get started with, well starter packs of course! Here’s a great primer for Bluesky in general and especially those moving from Twitter:
Women Health
There's now a "vagina Privacy Network (VPN)" which is a campaign that gives women a 6 tip "how to guide" on accessing healthcare while protecting their privacy so their data cannot be later used against them. Tips:
Use a browser that doesn't track your digital movements
Chat through encrypted messaging app and have disappearing message turned on
Delete apps you don't use
Use a prepaid phone
Leave your phone at home when going to appointments and use public transportation or park away from the clinic
Use cash, as certain forms of digital payment can be tracked
The fact that guides like this are needed to help people access healthcare and protect themselves highlights how dystopian our nation has become amidst the Republican war on women.
Following the results of the election, online sales of Plan B surged 1000%. Many people are purchasing these meds for themselves and those they care about due to the uncertainty surrounding if these meds will remain available after the inauguration. Shelf life of these meds:
Misoprostol is 2 years
Plan B is 4 years
For anyone unable to afford abortion meds or plan B there are Community Support Networks operating in every state that can provide these medications free of charge. You can often reach out to these networks through local abortion funds or by contacting the National Abortion Federation (800) 772-9100) hotline for assistance.
For those looking for an online pharmacy to purchase Plan B, Wisp is one option. Plan B sells starting at $18 and the site accepts FSA & HSA. Another option is company called Julie. There’s always Planned Parenthood, at least for now.
Better be prepared
I saw this idea posted by a friend on a private facebook page. I completely agree with this assessment and already plan to act on this. So here's an actionable item for everyone. We know that Trump intends to implement tariffs on everything from China to 60%, and tariffs on everything else between 10% and 20%. Yes, Trump has a very lengthy history of lying, including his campaign promises but he also did implement tariffs last time around, so better be prepared, right? Cuz is he is telling the truth a lot of stuff is about to get a lot more expensive.
Here's the actionable bit: If you think you will need something expensive that's imported - a new phone or laptop, a new kitchen appliance, a new car, solar panel… if Trump does what he says, all of those things are about to get A WHOLE LOT MORE expensive. If it's made in China, even if it’s a small part, it will be 60% more expensive. If it competes with something from China... 60% more expensive. Chinese components? Components that compete with Chinese ones? Yup. Yup. Go on, buy now.
Similarly, if you were thinking of construction or renovations, consider doing it ASAP. The labor will soon quickly escalate in costs while the supplies and parts will also become more and more expensive.
This is very practical. Want a PS5 Pro? Buy it now, don't wait for the spring. Want a fridge? Ditto. Hot water heater? Dishwasher? Landscaping? Car?
And, for the record... I am replacing my phone a year earlier than I originally planned and we are moving full speed ahead with our kitchen and living room renovations.
Speaking of practical, if you have any outstanding or upcoming paperwork or dealings with federal government, renewing your passport or some such, do it now, don’t wait till after the inauguration.
Stages of grief
Every few hours I have to stop and think “wait is that really happening? Like REALLY-really happening? We really just going to pretend that the 47th President of the United States is NOT an illiterate, narcissistic, senescent criminal and adjudicated rapist who has attempted a coup and got away with it and who happens to be a fascist with Nazi rhetoric???!?!
There are usually five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Somehow I completely missed or skipped anger and bargaining while being stuck in an endless loop of denial and depression. I guess this is my way of moving towards acceptance.
Take good care of yourself. Figure out where your mind is. Focus on it. It’s important, more than anything. In times like this it is paramount to stay sane, centered and focused.
More practical advice
In one of the groups on Facebook I saw a question regarding opening a bank account with an overseas bank as an American, you know just in case if they do go ahead and make it illegal again for women to own property or money or have a credit card. Here’s some practical advice from that post:
To open an overseas bank account as an American, you need to research and choose a reputable foreign bank, gather necessary documents like your passport, proof of address, and documentation proving the source of your funds, and then contact the bank to initiate the account opening process, which will typically involve submitting your information online or visiting a branch in person; however, be aware that due to US regulations, you may face stricter requirements and need to disclose all foreign accounts to the IRS.
Key points to remember.
Strict reporting requirements:
US citizens are subject to strict reporting requirements regarding foreign bank accounts, so you must declare any overseas accounts to the IRS.
1. Documentation needed:
You will typically need a valid passport, proof of address (like a utility bill), and documentation verifying the source of your funds.
2. Choose a reputable bank:
Research banks in countries known for financial stability and privacy, but be aware that even these banks may have stricter requirements for US citizens.
3. Consult a professional:
Before opening an overseas account, consider consulting a financial advisor or lawyer to understand the legal implications and ensure compliance with US regulations.
Steps to open an overseas bank account:
1. Research and select a bank:
Look for banks in jurisdictions with strong asset protection laws and a reputation for privacy.
2. Gather necessary documents:
Prepare your passport, proof of address, and any other documentation requested by the bank.
3. Contact the bank:
Reach out to the bank either online or through a local branch to start the account opening process.
4. Complete application:
Fill out the application forms, providing accurate personal information and financial details.
5. Verification process:
Be prepared to undergo identity verification procedures, including providing additional documentation or attending an in-person meeting.
Important considerations:
Minimum deposit requirements: Some banks may have high minimum deposit requirements for US citizens.
Transaction reporting: Be aware that international transactions from your overseas account may be subject to reporting requirements.
Tax implications: Understand the tax implications of holding money in an overseas account and ensure you comply with US tax laws.
Here’s a resource for opening a bank account in Canada.
It takes a village or how to be anti-fascist
I read recently (and unfortunately did not save the link) that: “Most of the popular podcasters aren't out here just screaming about how much they hate women. They voice very valid and real frustrations with mainstream media and other institutions. But they also come to associate those institutions with feminism and threats to masculinity.” Kamala Harris campaign managed to thread the needle between accusing Trump of being a fascist without becoming antifascist themselves. If it wasn’t a morally untenable and politically incoherent position, it might have worked.
The reason calling MAGA a threat to democracy didn’t work is not because the Democrats were wrong, Trump really is a fascist and he has a lot of Nazistic tendencies, but because they made no plans to defend democracy, win or lose: the Democratic Party spent years rightfully claiming that Trump will end democracy, yet they devised no contingency plan for what to do if he won again? The Democratic Party has no plan for channeling anti-Trump sentiment into an effective opposition and it shows.
Noah Berlatsky wrote “about what blue state governors in IL, CA, WA, and other states are doing to try to protect their people from Trump.” Here’s one of them, Pritzker: ‘You come for my people, you come through me’. There was so much promise in the IL/CO “alliance” to resist Trump 2.0 that lasted less than 24 hours until Colorado’s Governor deemed necessary to write a very lengthy post congratulating and looking forward to RFK Jr. appointment to head the HHS.
If we want to make it through the next four years. If we want to come out of this nightmare and have a hope of building a better tomorrow. If we want to have a future we need to work together, it takes a village or in our case, an entire country. Stay on message, stay focused, stay strong and maybe…
…Run for Something.
Since Election Day, more than 2,000 people have signed up at runforwhat.net to run for state or local office with Run for Something - this is how we fight back and rebuild.
If you can’t run for something, let’s help others.
Travel
In less than a week we have a family vacation coming up, going to France. We’ve joked with my spouse that if Trump wins we may not need or want the return ticket. Well, we are of course coming back home, as tempting as staying in Paris might be, but that only makes me think that we need to spend a lot of time TRAVELING outside the country for the next few years. And that’s not a tragedy, just a challenge. As part of taking care of your own self, I think we all should consider more travel over the next few years.
Donations
If you can help with donations, here’s a good place to start.
News Around the World
US Politics
Perhaps the best one so far, from Michael Harriot: “Why Kamala Harris lost, explained.”
Trump aides are exploring plans to challenge a 1974 budget law in a way that would give the White House the power to unilaterally adopt the Musk commission’s proposals, sources say May not require Congressional approval -- potentially big showdown. If you’re at all concerned about impoundment , read this great CAP Action primer.
New possible HHS secretary RFK Jr. has said chemicals in the water could be turning children gay.
JD Vance says US could drop support for NATO if Europe tries to regulate Elon Musk’s platforms in other words: “Protect Elon’s investment or we’ll have to surrender Poland…”
This week’s vatniksoup introduces everyone to the future Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
Sarah Kendzior wrote and published Ten Articles Explaining the 2024 Election.
I did my own version as a homage to Sarah.
Tech
OpenAI, Google and Anthropic Are Struggling to Build More Advanced AI.
Well, this can’t be good: Antropic and Palantir partner to bring AI models for US intelligence and military. Good to know that future drone strikes on children will be done with safe, trustworthy, interpretable AI.
Bluesky Has the Juice”: Celebrities Flee “Toxic” X for Rival Social Media Site.
Middle East
Russia/Ukraine
Imperialism that is still part of many liberal Russians’ discourse. It needs to go.
Norwegian opposition calls for aid for Ukraine to be tripled by 2025.
Misc.
Gender-fluid and intergenerational Mary, Queen of Scots ballet to debut at Edinburgh festival 2025.
One City’s Secret to Happiness: The Annual Burning of a 50-Foot Effigy.
The Onion, with the help of the Sandy Hook families, has purchased InfoWars.
E. Jean Carroll Says Winning Presidency 'Does Nothing' And Trump Still Owes Her $90 Million...
The Trans Literature Preservation Project: A Practical Guide to Resisting Censorship.
Brush fire in Prospect Park?!
HUMOR
US politics:
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.”
Albert Camus
