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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1h

A thematic uptick in socmed posting on a given issue does not indicate a blow up, a meltdown, or significant social change.

It validates that if humans can say anything to everyone at the speed of Send, they will; that socmed enables gossip as an addictive, society-killing weakness of our species.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1h

Plain as day they have almost no training on the law, public safety, public service, the Constitution, core values of any sort, professionalism, bearing, precision tactics, crowd control, de-escalation, etc.

They’re a fascist brute squad.

Nothing more.

Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 11h

“Sometime you eat the bear, some times, well, he eats you.” — The Stranger

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 19h

Been there. One thing to keep in mind is that fights like this are psychologically & emotionally taxing as well as financially — & that any such award is typically cut by 30-40% to legal fees (assuming they worked in spec), then by another 30% for taxes due to the remainder as high bracket income.

Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 20h

How the hell is a First Lady with no experience, education, & a very specific set of *cough* qualifications in any way involved in direct discussions with the leader of that particular country?

That is of course a rhetorical question. Clearly because she has spent a lot of time on private aircraft.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 20h

Ways someone of my “demographic” can be an ally:

— Listen to comprehend

— Commit to a constant state of waking

— Link arms w/ those around you to lift, support, & carry if needed

— Be vocal about oppression & willing to step forward even at great personal risk

— Do not fear BEING a minority

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 21h

In fairness, anyone observing & reporting on what is actually being done by the brownshirts is obviously an anti-fascist traitor to America.

Once we accept that, it all starts to make sense.

Headeskheadeskheadesk (<— Mine. Not yours. Or maybe also yours, but of your own volition & in solidarity.)

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 21h

I can only assume that was a rhetorical question. :)

Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 21h

Patter works oddly well, but I meant pattern. :)

Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 23h

Seems like a key point here is that the soldiers themselves are walking safely down streets in which no violence in need of putting down is in evidence.

A chicken & egg scenario: some (me among them) will claim the peace came first; others will claim it came with the military’s presence.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 23h

I’m aware of what you said & we’re arguing from the same side here, so certainly not worth turning it into an issue of contention.

I understand your point.

I also see a distinction between the arc of progress & repeated cycles of resistance within that arc.

Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 23h

Exactly. You said you dislike the phrase yet also admitted you haven’t bothered to look into the history and context of the phrase.

Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 23h

I think perhaps the writer is conflating the arc with the cycles within that arc.

Over 2000 years, an aggregate pattern of progress has occurred. Within that are cycles of sidesteps or backsliding.

The patter is the behavior of those who fear being left behind or losing power.

T.L. 🧵 @torrleonard.bsky.social · 1d

It's all of a piece with this...

"The idea that the moral universe inherently bends towards justice is inspiring.

It's also wrong.

50 years after King's death, America must confront a brutal reality: The analogy of the long and imperceptibly trending line of progress is wrong."

2018:

Opinion | Chris Hayes: The moral universe does not inherently bend towards justice

50 years after King's death, America must confront a brutal reality: The analogy of the long and imperceptibly trending line of progress is wrong.

www.nbcnews.com

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 23h

I think perhaps the writer is conflating the arc with the cycles within that arc.

Over 2000 years, an aggregate pattern of progress has occurred. Within that are cycles of sidesteps or backsliding.

The patter is the behavior of those who fear being left behind or losing power.

Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 23h

I think perhaps your conflating specifics with generalities and new events.

I anticipate most of the people supporting what you & I see as obvious “Jim Crow” parallels don’t understand Jim Crow. They’re doing it again by accident in ignorance.

That’s the point of the phrase: people forget.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 23h

Yes. It’s been around since approx 2023 when the future author of the book of that title explained what he meant.

What he meant was, once an atrocity is history, most people claim to have been against it. It’s not an assertion that good wins out, but that evil gets forgotten.

That context matters.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

I’m still waiting for my checks for all the past protest I attended. Call me a sucker, but I’makeepgoin’.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

Have you read “One Day…”?

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

Pretty sure this a decision the Chief Executive can’t make unilaterally. Unless of course the Legislative branch abrogates its Constitutional duties, authorities, & responsibilities.

Oh.

Well.

Shit.

Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

Pretty sure this a decision the Chief Executive can’t make unilaterally. Unless of course the Legislative branch abrogates its Constitutional duties, authorities, & responsibilities.

Oh.

Well.

Shit.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

Toosh.

By which I mean, touché.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

This seems… inconsistent with known national security, international relations, and foreign policy practices understood to be in the best interests of the United States.

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

This seems… inconsistent with known national security, international relations, and foreign policy practices understood to be in the best interests of the United States.

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 1d

WWWWWWWTTTTTTTTTFFFFFFFFF!!! bsky.app/profile/atru...

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

Hegseth: "I'm also proud that today we're signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emeri air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho."

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

Hahahahaha!!! I stereotyped myself so hard with the typos in that post. Phoooooo…

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Cliff W. Gilmore @cliffwgilmore.bsky.social · 1d

I broke the silence with, “Sorry. That got dark quick. I feel like I should tip by way of apology for ruining your morning.”

They said cheerily, “That’s ok! I love learning new things!”

I twitched, tapped my card. Said, “Ok. Well, thank you.”

Naturally, they said, “Of course!”

This timeline sux.