Protesting has changed, part two

I was surprised that my post yesterday generated so many recs and comments. Thanks to the DU community.

Reading the comments made me realize that my original post came from a position of privilege. I’m a white heterosexual male so I apologize for arriving so late.

The Freedom Marchers and other civil rights activists in the 1950s and 1960s were often the victims of violence. They didn’t stop and I hope to find even a bit of their courage.

Protesting has changed

I went to our local May Day protest gathering yesterday. While standing next to the road, most motorists showed their support with honks, thumbs up or raised fists. But one huge pickup roared past, driver yelling “Fuck You” and passing very close to the curb. Suddenly, it occurred to me how vulnerable we were. Some crazed MAGAt could plow into the crowd, wreaking havoc. I’ve been to many protest marches, starting in 1969, but never had these thoughts before. There’s been too many of these incidents.

I will never stop attending these rallies but will look for escaped routes and try to be alert at all times. Fucking assholes.

Vladdy daddy

What's the difference between a million dollars and a billion dollars?

Just about one billion dollars.

Cruelty hits home

Back in April 2023 I took in a family of Ukrainian refugees. Mom, dad, two teenage sons, 4 year old daughter. They had lived in Kharkiv, a city in far eastern Ukraine close to Russia. They originally fled to Poland but then sought asylum in Italy. While they were safe there, they had no success finding employment. So they came to the US in February 2023.

As I understand it, there were several programs set up by the Biden administration to help refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan. The initial programs soon filled up and the family was allowed in under a later program which had more requirements and timelines. I don’t understand the differences. The mom is very focused and stays on top of everything. Right now she is at the Ukrainian consulate in San Francisco picking up new passports for the kids.

Both parents have college degrees. The mom speaks four languages. Both parents quickly found jobs and have been working for almost two years. Putting money into Social Security that they will never benefit from. I have been letting them live here for free. I don’t have a mortgage so I don’t need income. My water and electric bills have gone up about $100/month but I can handle that. The plan was they could save enough money to rent a place (first and last, security and cleaning deposits). I gave them until at least until the end of the school year in June, 2025, to move. I plan to sell my house next year and need a few months to prep the house. I’ve lived here for 40 years and there’s so much stuff to deal with.

The kids have been attending school and learning English. Playing basketball on school teams.

No telling how or when this new outrage will hit them.

Maybe we can all help the Admins

I’m not going to post snarky comments, empty K&R posts, memes, pix, jokes, YouTube videos, etc. for the next 48 hours. This site is too important to clog it up and maybe bring it down.

Use the "sarcasm" emoji, please

I just served on a jury and rejected the alerted post. I actually believed that the poster was being sarcastic but it was offensive if not.

New Passport arrived

I did the online application on October 7 and it was in my mailbox October 21! They said to allow 6-8 weeks .

New largest prime number just verified

Help please, where is the "I voted" avatar?

I just voted and wanted to update