(1) Twitter no longer claims to be an aggregator of trending topics... which was their main value proposition when they launched >12 years ago.
The once-useful side panel is now mere advertising for their TDS-addled buddies.
Re: "growing US political violence" ...
(2) The reporting of political violence (aka terrorism) in the US is now absolutely partisan.
To the left it's all the fault of Trump, always.
To others, it's the fault of the person firing the gun, placing the IED, or bankrolling those people.
(3) Almost all of the terrorism in the US this year has been caused by the left. A very tiny proportion is caused by people the left claims are "right wing" or "conservative" or "Trump supporters."
Predictability, scratching the surface in each case leads to a different result.
(4) But I think the Twitter-sanctioned narrative that's emerging is about future terrorism.
Their goal is not only to lie about violence that is reported, it's to incite more of it, at each stage of the coming election and inauguration process.
Studying 1860-61 is useful.
(5) I don't think we're abt to see US Civil War 2.0. But I've been predicting a surge in what is called civil unrest. Tragically, I am certain that innocents will be killed. There have been dozens already this year.
The defenders of the Republic are far stronger than the left.
(6) In the big picture, the violence of 2020-21 has the same pattern as the war of the 1860s. Started by the Democrats, and ended by the Republicans.
Anyone claiming the parties "switched platforms" between then and now is a gullible fool. Don't waste time engaging them.
(7) I predict the violence will peak at key times: Nov 4th, the EC votes in each state, the Congressional step in January, Inauguration, and key court cases throughout and beyond.
#Prepping your home now, is by no means an outlandish idea.
Your power, gas etc cd be affected.
(8) Obviously, buy guns & ammo for self defense. Yeah, I know that demand for ammo has hiked the price of it. Just do what you can.
Planning is just as important. Where is best for sheltering in place? What skills are needed by each family member?
(9) Mentally prepare for how you will feel when you learn about innocents being killed or otherwise harmed.
Where is your energy best spent? Stay focused on YOU and your family.
There will be fundraisers: Be careful about scams.
(10) Those affected by the coming terrorism will need cash and in-kind support. They need local advice & info about the best places to get it.
Donating to a gofundme doesn't mean the money will reach them. It's easily scammed by third parties.
Donate to reputable orgs only.
(11) Stop and think before you go somewhere after a terrorist attack, riot, or murder. Google the term "double tap attack."
They want you to present yourself to be slaughtered, too.
LE & military & militias have protective gear & are trained for this. Let them do their job.
(12) What you _can_ do to help is to gather evidence in whatever way you can. "See something say something" is good advice. Plan on ways to do that safely.
Take notes about suspicious activity you see. It's hard to remember details later on.
(13) I've been worrying about y'all, my American friends and contacts. I feel bad for not being there rn and more able to help.
But I'm like many of you... I _can_ help from the comfort of my home. I can find and share info about prepping & response. I can offer moral support.
(14) It's incredibly heartening to see the size and strength of support for President Trump and the downballot candidates he needs in order to fully deliver in his second term.
(15) And if you can provide transport to help get people to the polls, please do so.
Now is the time to vote, help others to vote, prepare for self defense, and also reflect on the achievements of American patriots of the past and present.
(1) Brief thread about the recent election in New Zealand.
The majority of NZ voters are more brainwashed than even I thought they were.
Having now seen one of the worst NZ election results for conservatives in my lifetime, I think we're at the point the USA was, pre-2016.
(2) Remember the USA before Trump entered politics in 2015? (Real) conservatives were despondent, but still fighting as best they could to limit the damage Democrats and the GOPe were doing to the country.
GOPe = Establishment Republicans.
(3) That's what NZ is like right now. So I hold on, protecting myself as best I can, economically & in terms of safety. The chance to put things right has been pushed further out.
Not necessarily for the full 3 years of a term, but probably.
I survived an EQ on 2/22/11 in Christchurch, NZ in which 185 people died and the city's downtown and coastal areas were destroyed. We're _still_ rebuilding.
(2) Human trafficking includes the exploitation of peoples' labor, or the violation of their rights wrt crossing international borders and even their right to occupy a home or vehicle in peace.
Child sexual assault is human trafficking, bc they can't consent.
(3) Any sexual activity with a minor is unlawful. They are legally unable to consent. I don't want the age of consent lowered, either.
Some child sexual assault involves only the offender and the victim.
Some of it is part of organized crime, often internationally.
(1) It's election day in New Zealand. I'd love to tell you all about my political views on NZ but I'm legally not allowed to during the next 8 hours, before polls close at 7pm.
I think I'm free to say I think this law is super dumb, though. #nzpol
(2) I'm free to say to my wonderful American friends that your system of government is far better than New Zealand's... your government doesn't constrain your God-given free speech rights on election day.
Over half of eligible NZ voters voted early, too.
It's a dumb law.
(3) After 7pm I'll add to this thread with my views on the NZ election and what might happen next.
Election results here are often not clear for hours, and sometimes the overseas mail-in votes make enough of a difference that we have to wait 10 days for the official result.
I saw #IStandWithMelissa trending so clicked on the tag to see what it's about.
I don't watch TV shows or movies much these days so I didn't know who Melissa Benoist (31) or Blake Jenner (28) are.
Here's why I write about it.
(2) I write about celebrities' private matters that they make public for several reasons. Mostly because we seldom get to see inside an abusive relationship, unless we are in it. So, there are lessons for everyone; You can help protect your adult child, friend etc.
(3) I'm a survivor of domestic abuse (several times) and I happen to have worked in the field of public policy analysis that includes this topic.
I can share some of what I know, in the hope that it raises awareness and even spares a few people some pain.