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Geoff Bowser

@geoffbowser.bsky.social

690 followers 970 following 2.2K posts

Real Estate and Employment Attorney. Living in Brooklyn. Dad of two boys (6 & 2) I feel like it should be pronounced Blueskee

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · Feb 22

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."

-George Orwell, 1984

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 1h

Isn't a big part of it winter there?

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 6h

Thanks!! Would you recommend a gas mask, or just water to wash out irritants.

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 6h

I may or may not be attending a protest soon, got any recommendations. Does wrapping it in aluminum foil work? (Semi joke question)

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 6h

Agreed, but if she wasn't actually afraid, it demonstrates the use of her power to single him out.

It's like thinking it's fine that Trump is charging Comey and James because they convinced a grand Jury to indict.

In reality that's irrelevant, the abuse of power is the story.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 9h

Yea, if it was contemporaneous with him doing it, I would have the same reaction.

But, the preponderance of the evidence suggests this was a post facto thing where the instructions were to look for whatever they could claim violated the rules to ban him. And that's the part that I'm not okay with

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 9h

I agree, I was dating a woman who was the coms person at one of the leading gay rights organization in NY when we passed marriage equality in the legislature.

It was exactly stories like this that she used so effectively to change opinion.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 9h

I think and hope you're wrong. If she doesn't include trans people in her anti discrimination legislation, I will concede that you are correct.

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 9h

I 100% agree with you. So let's push back. But the vanguard of that push isn't going to be Dems trying to win swing elections .

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 9h

And honestly, if this wasn't about abuse of the power by the CEO I would be okay with it too. Someone else described it as a "not touching you" style post. I am fine with being part of a community that says those are not ok.

But my aversion to "some animals more equal than others" is greater.

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 9h

I have since recognized that the assumption I made, when coming to my conclusion that this couldn't be a threat, is not as widely shared as I expected. I also wouldn't have posted it here. (Cf. A discord chat with friends who know me).

But I still don't think he should be banned for it.

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 9h

It's working in NYC. But I don't think it would work everywhere.

Look at Virginia. If the Dem wins there, she wants to (and probably will) pass an anti-discrimination bill that includes protections for trans people. But she messages that differently than Mamdani. I think that's okay.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 10h

This coalition doesn't exist outside of major cities. It's not something we can magic into existence. That doesn't mean Dems should be GOP lite, what Newsome is doing is gross.

It means we message in a way that can win and change hearts and minds to our side.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 10h

You have to win 50% of voters to win elections.

I'm not saying you need to appeal to the people who are in the majority on these issues, but a major political party can't ignore the polling when trying to win. The way you thread that needle is inclusive messaging on human rights and health care.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 12h

I 100% agree with you. But how you say that matters. I'm not advocating that we be like Newsome (that would be worse). I'm just pointing out that we can't use the language and messaging of Mamdani to win in the Suburbs. But I agree that we should advocate for health care, dignity, human rights, etc.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 12h

I agree she should have pushed back. I think the campaign had to make some really unenviable decisions given how short of a runway she had, I wish she had made a different one on this.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 13h

Somewhat ironically I'm engaged in a classic waffle/pancake discussion right now on Bluesky. Arguing that Mamdani's messaging, great for NYC, not right wording for suburban swing districts, is being taken as me advocating for Newsome style throw trans people under the bus dem politics.

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 13h

They've waited far too long. What debate are you having because it's not with anything I'm saying.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 13h

I literally said they should affirm basic human rights and access to health care. This is a messaging discussion not a policy issue. They should discuss the basic requirement for access to health care for all trans of all ages without infringement by the state.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 13h

I accept that this ought be true. I would have wanted her to fight back more.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 13h

I completely agree with you. None of that was being questioned in this conversation, the conversation is purely about whether elected Dems should message the way Mamdani does. I don't think he should. I think they should message along the lines of what you said above though, with less animosity.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 13h

I do push back. But I also saw the outcomes of the Virginia elections in 2021. I saw how effective Trumps attack ad about a simple statement from Harris was used against her in the last election. I agree push back is needed, but I'm not sure Dems in close elections is the best way.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 14h

Ok, I agree the economically we've moved right, but that's irrelevant to this discussion. If you think we've moved right on social issues over the last 50 years, you need to study history.

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Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 14h

As I said, I live in Brooklyn. We're good. What suburb do you live in, is it a place where Republicans are competitive and the elections matter?

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 14h

Depending on your definition of bigot, there are many places in the country where they are over 50% of the voting population.

Geoff Bowser @geoffbowser.bsky.social · 14h

We have moved incredibly far to the left over the last 50 years. Look at race, sex, religion, gay rights. We're experiencing a reactionary response now. But Stonewall was roughly 50 years ago.

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