@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Semi_Hemi_Demigod

@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world

I’m just this guy, you know. Except on Lemmy.

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Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar
  • “Americans will always do the right thing - after exhausting all other options” - Winston Churchill
Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/3fa78575-970b-4e5a-a0e5-cbd358ff01a5.jpeg

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

A friend of a friend was at my house party one night, and was going on and on about how black people are stronger than white people, which is why there are so many in sports.

I said “Yeah, that explains why the NHL is all black men.”

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

The Supreme Court is illegitimate because of what you said. By association, the presidency is also illegitimate. And since the Senate is undemocratic and Congress should have a couple thousand folks in it rather than 435, both of those are illegitimate.

Thankfully, they still have the monopoly of violence.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Polls that focus on raw percentages don’t reflect the actual game mechanics of how we elect presidents. Popularity and vote counts don’t enter into it. You can win the presidency with only 22% of the popular vote.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Yeah, kids should recognize how fucked up our government is and lower their expectations. This is why we need more civics education: So we know exactly how little our government is capable of.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

That’s the neat part: It’s always the most important election of our lives. It’s always defending democracy and harm reduction. It’s exhausting.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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He sure sounds like he’s got one tied to his belt

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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And, to their credit, they know the power of words.

Yep. That’s why you’ll always hear Republicans say “Democrat Party” instead of ‘democratic’ because they know a word ending in ‘rat’ sounds worse.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

I’m proud to count myself amongst the people who didn’t vote for Biden in the primary. Now I only have to vote for him once.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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As always the real pro tip is in the comments 👍

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Because no primary challenger has ever beaten an incumbent for president. It would be a waste of time and money.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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It’s always getting worse every single day. Biden is just less worse.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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We need to choose the option that delays fascism for another four years.

And then in four years we need to choose that same option.

And four years after that.

And four years after that.

And four years after that.

Just like every presidential election I’ve voted in.

This is why they don’t need to worry about progressives. First, because the country isn’t progressive at all. And second because they can always just tell them that if they don’t vote they’re enabling fascism.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

The last time the Democrats did that was Ted Kennedy challenging Carter. Even with a historically unpopular president and a well-known challenger he still lost.

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but our government is dysfunctional and incumbents are not successfully primaried.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Lots of things. That’s what we get for having a dysfunctional government. Stop thinking it’s going to work effectively: It won’t.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Your initial question didn’t make sense at all because the verb tenses don’t agree. I’m just doing my best to attempt to communicate with you.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

What was lost if Biden can’t get it over the goal line?

Now who sounds like an AI?

No shit but also why the fuck didn’t we primary him?

Because that’s not how our government really works.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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English isn’t your first language, right?

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

I’m just having a hard time understanding you. Asking if it’s not your first language isn’t an attack.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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Do you mean that I am a turd and should bite you, or are you telling me to bite your turd?

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

I disagree that the country is progressive, because we have a government that represents us and there aren’t that many progressives at any level of government.

Accepting that Americans are shitty and dumb makes it easier to understand why our government sucks ass.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Being more progressive than our current representation isn’t hard, and doesn’t make them “progressive.”

And if progressives don’t move to the flyover states en masse it won’t matter how much they vote.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

If we had an actual choice in this election I’m sure I’d care, but I’ve been told there is only one option I’m allowed to vote for or I’m evil and stupid.

So no matter how bad the economy gets, no matter how many children Israel kills, no matter what Biden does or doesn’t do there is no way I’m not voting for him.

Because we live in a democracy.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
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Winning the popular vote doesn’t matter for shit in our system. It’s like saying I should be president because my mom voted for me.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Yes, you’re right. Expecting to have an actual choice is very selfish of me. I should just shut up and be happy because there’s literally no chance for anyone to have to compromise with me, I’m always going to compromise with them.

Because we live in a place with freedom. And I’m just too weird for anyone to care to try to represent me.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

I have never participated in a presidential election that wasn’t “VOTE BLUE OR ELSE!” And it’s never going to be any different.

The bottom line is that I am just too weird to ever, ever be happy with my government. For the same reason all my favorite shows get cancelled: Politics is mass market and I’m not a viable customer base.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

I vote in every election. Even in the odd years when it’s for prothonotary and constable and weird shit like that. So it’s not like all I’m doing is voting for a president every four years. My parents have been involved in the local Democratic Party since the 80s so I know all about going door to door and bothering my neighbors.

I think it’s easier to make change on a local level

I thought that, too, until I saw how much “change” my dad could make when he got elected to the town council. Same ugly car-brained developments going up with no plans for bike infrastructure beyond “here’s some road paint, good luck.”

When I asked him about it he shrugged and said “That’s the best we can do. Trust me, the other designs were a lot worse.”

And that summarizes my experience with government: This is literally the best we can do. We have to run like crazy to stay in place. We’ll get one step ahead - like not getting busted for weed - and take two or more steps back - Roe overturned, Israel killing children, Trump still not in fucking jail.

It’s futile and disheartening and I’m sick of it, and I don’t get to opt out. I just have to wait until it falls apart and vote blue like a good little human.

My dad got into local politics because he thought he could help, but after two terms on the town council he’s so sick of not getting a damn thing done he’s resigning.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Sounds about right that it took 20 years. It takes the government a really long fucking time to do reasonable and sane things. And the more reasonable and sane, the longer it’s going to take. Just look how we started a war against Iraq fucking five minutes after a bunch of Saudis crashed planes into things, but we still don’t give hungry children food in school

Plus I’m in an illegal state, and broke federal law to bring my medicine here. So it’s been 20 fucking years and it’s still not done yet. Oh, and Roe is now overturned, Israel is still killing children, and there are shitty car-brained developments still going up.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod, (edited )
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

That’s why I’m so frustrated: There isn’t an alternative to this shitty, broken, infuriating system. We have to vote blue as fast and often as we possibly can just to keep from backsliding completely. Any gains we make are gonna either be wiped out with the next session of Congress, or they’re going to make something else even worse in the event we miraculously make something better. If I honestly thought being active in politics did anything but give me heartburn, I’d do it.

But it’s going to collapse eventually, as all things will, and that gives me a little bit of peace.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

mozz wouldn’t do that to me. They’re good people, despite our disagreements.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Nukes the supreme court

Don’t do that. Don’t give me hope.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Not only are they versatile, they’re easy to grow in marginal soils without extra irrigation, store for a long time without refrigeration, can be dehydrated and stored even longer, and if it starts sprouting you can just plant it again and get more potatoes.

If there’s two plants you should learn to grow for the apocalypse I recommend potatoes and pumpkins and if you can pick one it’s definitely potatoes.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

You can do a lot of the same things you do with potatoes: Boil 'em, bake 'em, fry 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew. Put them together and you get a complete protein.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

And they’re prolific. With intensive cultivation you can get hundreds of pounds a year out of a hundred square feet.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

I wonder if that was a case of a lack of genetic diversity. Potatoes are indigenous to the Americas, so there’s a lot more diversity which can help protect against disease.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Which makes all the centrists bleating “Not voting for Biden shows your privilege” sound even more like idiots

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

We didn’t have a primary. There’s never a (real) primary for a sitting president. It’s just ceremonial, like the Congressional Mace.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

My kitchen sink is really far from my water heater, so I put a 3 gallon electric water heater under the sink. It did the same thing without having to be a new home. Would definitely recommend.

Does the circuit use any water or is it just pumped around and kept heated? Does it use a lot of energy?

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Thanks for those details! That sounds like a great system and beats my failsafe of heating a big pot of water on the woodstove

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Thanks Canada,

Sincerely,

A Spiritual Canadian

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

I’m also the same age and have had a mix of companies. The ones that sucked I left quickly, and the ones that were good I stuck around.

Though I’ve never stayed in one job for more than five years and mainly work for private startups, who spend at ton of money on their employees. Free lunches, lots of trips, great perks, and reasonable, involved executives. But I have the right kind of autism which makes me a highly profitable employee.

And I call us the Oregon Trail Generation.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

I’m imagining a crust punk band from Portland who first formed in CHAZ

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Americans: i.giphy.com/H5C8CevNMbpBqNqFjl.webp

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

Narcissistic sociopaths are exactly the sort of people who seek out power

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

One thing that helped me is realizing that Americans are mostly stupid, and they have more votes than me, so they’re gonna make stupid decisions and there’s nothing I can do about it.

Accepting the reality of America’s shithole nature helped me stop thinking we could be better or, as you say, a “perfectionist.”

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

My problem isn’t the ticket prices - because the groups I go see aren’t hugely popular I’ve never paid more than $30 for a ticket - but the way it hurts artists. Having one conglomerate controlling the ticket sales and the venues means artists have less negotiating power. With the collapse of music sales, most artists make most of their money from touring, and getting screwed by LiveNation means fewer bands touring.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod,
@Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world avatar

You need to think of Larry Ellison the way you think of a lawnmower. You don’t anthropomorphize your lawnmower, the lawnmower just mows the lawn, you stick your hand in there and it’ll chop it off, the end. - Bryan Cantrill

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