#pro freedom

[and-yetitmoves]

I honestly love the Values of the Enlightenment and I believe the entire world would benefit from them. It's actually proven empirically that they're beneficial to humanity as a whole. If that means supporting Western Imperialism, so be it.

Better Western Imperialism than Soviet Imperialism or worse, Islamic Imperialism. Everyone is much happier and healthier under systems of government based on Enlightenment Values as compared to Soviet or Islamic values and that's empirically proven.

Forcible conquest and subjugation of peoples is a different matter and of course I don't support that (and it violates Enlightenment principles!), but leftists consider spreading Enlightenment Principles through any means at all (like education and persuasion, economic development, democratic movements from within societies, and international cooperation, etc) to be Western Cultural Imperialism simply because those values began in the West (they didn't even, they're common sense. Learn about the Cyrus Cylinder...), and if that's 'imperialism', then I support Western Imperialism unapologetically.

If someone defines 'imperialism' so broadly that it includes peaceful advocacy for ideas that are genuinely and objectively great, the problem is with their definition, and under that definition, I am not at all ashamed of supporting Western Imperialism.

[vilecemetery]

I am terrified and utterly devastated at the election news, and the nightmare that all trans people, poc, immigrants, women and girls, and other minorities will be facing in the aftermath. the weight of knowing that the president-elect's administration will not recognize or protect your identity and your rights is something no one should have to bear.

as a non american who's country will still be affected by the election, I want to express my unwavering support and solidarity for everyone who is suffering right now. so many of my family and friends live in america and while I cannot begin to comprehend the depth of fear and the gravity of the situation you are in, I stand with you and I am here for you. I am so unbelievably sorry that you are having to endure this, and I want you to know that every act of resilience and courage is incredibly admirable. we see you, we hear you, and we will not let you be forgotten or silenced. I promise that I will do everything in my power to fight the hate and ignorance that threatens your well-being. we are all helpless to stop this, but whether it's through advocacy, education, or simply being there to listen and offer comfort, I am here for you. remember that you are loved and valued beyond measure. your life is valuable, your identity is important, and your courage to live openly and authentically is staggering. your existence is not a political statement; and you have every right to live freely without fear of persecution or discrimination or your rights being taken away. one day you will live freely. do not stop fighting back.

[gootie]

How are fascists able to take control so easily and for so long? Possible reasons are economic inequality, populist movements against "elites", ideological value driven "culture wars", and misguided nationalism in response to a perceived weakening of culture due to an influx of immigrants as well as changing social norms.

Another factor is the public loss of faith in a seemingly weak democratic government due to bureaucratic stalling or political gridlock. Suddenly, a political strongman looks like a good leader. Someone who can straighten out the government, "drain the swamp", or like the founder of fascism, Italy's Benito Mussolini, make the trains run on time. The thing is that the trains didn't run on time.

Fascist governments are a mess, teetering on the verge of collapse but when the media is controlled by the authoritarian regime, they tell you everything is great, that it's the best government, and that they're the best leader. They will say that their country is the best in the world.

In my lifetime, there have been numerous fascist governments. The fascist regime in Spain was led by dictator Francisco Franco from 1939 to 1975. Neighboring Portugal was ruled by the authoritarian dictator Antonio de Oliveira Salazar from 1932 until his death in 1968, and his regime continued to rule until 1974.

Chile was ruled by military dictator Augusto Pinochet from 1973 to 1990. Though some do not consider Pinochet a fascist, his National Advance party was ultranationalist, committed various human rights violations, and violently suppressed political dissent.

In the Americas, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, fascist and authoritarian dictators have maintained a strong foothold. All around the world democracy is endangered.

Regardless of your political or religious beliefs, we can all agree that the best government is one where the people are free. One where we have a voice and speak freely about the things that concern us, we find ways to bridge the gaps between conflicting viewpoints, and we take care of each other regardless of our differences because it's the right thing to do.

Don't throw away your freedom for the false promise of authoritarianism. Stand up for equality and support democracy by enforcing the constitution of the United States that the founders fought for. They were far from perfect, and they knew it. They built the framework for our country in hopes that we the people would work to form the more perfect union they dreamt of.

Our government is a work in progress in a continuous state of process improvement. We all must do the work. It's worth it.

The alternative is a sham.

[spltlvlhous]

“how i get weirder?” watch weird shows

[bobcatblahs]

Hi.

If you’re (A) an American or living in America rn and (B) you’re white or white passing, and you’re wondering if you should get a blue bracelet to signal to others you didn’t vote for him

Do it.

As a white passing POC cisgender woman, I think they’re a great idea. My family who look like our ethnicity have mixed reviews of the idea but the general thought is this:

We’d rather know your heart is in the right place than have to wonder. My younger sister is a very obviously native, dark featured intersex lesbian- she’s a HUGE fan of the idea. Basically…

Do it.

It’s subtle. It’s quiet. You can easily lie about what it means if the wrong person asks. (Say it’s pro police, child abuse awareness, etc)

Stay safe. Keep the faith. 💙

Love each other.

[freetheshit-outofyou]

24 Hours in Police Custody: Bedford takeaway siege recounted

A new series of 24 Hours in Police Custody kicks off with a dramatic armed siege in Bedford.

This is a prime example of control the message, control the narrative. I understand this took place in England but the Anti-gun left sees this and thinks "That just might work here too." This was a 14 hour stand off, police were held at bay by an freaking BB gun.

This writing is 471 words long, it mentions it's an air rifle once, then the bait and switch happens. It is called a firearm's 6 times and a weapon twice. The evolution in the writing is the exact same evolution in the public that the anti-gun pro crime left do here every single day. Can you hurt someone with a BB/Pellet gun, sure, I have a lot of experience in being shot with them playing BB gun wars. Kids like me that had, I still have, the gold standard Daisy Powerline 880's were king. But, I also did not want to get shot those single pump Red Ryders more than once. Deaths from being shot by a BB gun are exceedingly rare, more rare than deaths by lighting strikes, 4 per year compared to 28 per year, but not a never incident. The incidents of dumbasses getting them shelves shot and killed by using a BB gun in place of a real gun in criminal activities is more often than one might think. The Air rifle in the photo looks to be a Moab Ventures, LLC Black Ops .22 Sniper. That rifle shoot a .22 pellet not the more common .177. Those .22 pellets can kill to be sure the 20 grain pellet at short range will do some damage clipping out of the barrel at 1250fps. But it's lethality is still very limited and no where near enough to stop an entry team with full body armor or this denim jackets, just saying. Compare that to the .22lr subsonic at 1050fps and your standard 22lr (40gr)coming out at 1070 fps, the Stinger (32gr) coming out at 1640fps, Mini MAG (40gr) and Mini MAG (36gr) coming out at 1235 fps and 1260fps respectively, or one I recently tried the Clean-22 Hyper Velocity (31gr) popping off at 1550 fps. Those .22LR's have greater accuracy and far less ballistic drop-off than the air rifle equivalent. (*Those numbers were all based on CII .22LR ammo.) Sorry, I went on a little comparison rant. The point is the anti-gun folks will find a way to sure this in a way that advances their attack in the everyday law abiding gun owner soon enough.

[tendie-defender]

[life-in-the-freefall]