Ricki Yasha TarrJul 2, 2024
Hey, I'm giving you all a virtual hug today. It's okay to feel overwhelmed and scared right now. This is hard, and no one has all the answers. So, I'm just going to up open it up to speak your fears, to share hope, to share links for petitions or protests, if you just want somewhere to put your thoughts right now, and be heard, then go for it. If not, I'm thinking of all of you, I care about your future. I love you all.
Show threadRicki Yasha Tarr

My personal thoughts today have been mixed. I worry about the most vulnerable in our society. My other thoughts are:

I can die mad or I can die doing something. I believe there is evil in the world, but knowing all of you, and other people I have met also gives me hope. There are so many compassionate people. As I've aged, I've gotten more okay with planting seeds I might not live to see fully grow, but I should keep planting seeds nonetheless.

That being said it's okay to take time to feel your feelings, to process, and cuddle yourself a bit. This is a blow, and care is essential.

Jul 2, 2024 at 3:20pmWeb
Show threadmav Jul 2, 2024
@RickiTarr
🫂
Show threadRicki Yasha TarrJul 2, 2024
@mav ❤
Show threadferricoxideJul 2, 2024
@RickiTarr

When I was still in high school, my plans had been to join the military. An epilepsy diagnosis meant that getting a full ride through college on an NROTC scholarship was non-possible.

Upon graduating college, and before I got my first full-time, benefits included job, I found just out how expensive my epilepsy medications were. On the little I was making at the time, there was very little left over for "fun" things, after my rent, food and medication had their respective ways with my checking account (fortunately, I got to know a lot of people that allowed me to do a lot for free). That potential bite is orders of magnitude more now that my medications I have increased in both numbers and, especially, prices …and I've taken on responsibility for a family.

Upshot: while I'd be otherwise willing to "take to the streets", I can't risk getting "caught in the wrong place at the wrong time" and arrested – even if ultimately released: the employers that offer the kind of benefits that cover my current (significant) medication-costs are thin on the ground and tend to be quick to cut off anyone with police involvement. It means my outrage has no outlet other than pixels. So, it means I need to wait until things have truly gone to shit – gone to shit to the point that I've got nothing left to lose.

The whole situation's made worse by the fact that both my grandfathers and other relatives fought fascism and totalitarianism overseas. Some of my ancestors fought for the Union in the Civil War. Why the fuck is this country insisting on revisiting this shit? At least with fascism part one, the fighting only involved active-duty military personnel. This time round, though?

The stupidity of it.
Show threadRicki Yasha TarrJul 2, 2024
@ferricoxide This is the situation for so many people and my issue with the Let it Burn attitude. So many people are dependent on the system with nowhere else to go if it collapses. As a person who cares for a disabled person, and having my own issues as well, I think about this a lot.
Show threadTirrimas  🚫👑Jul 2, 2024
@ferricoxide @RickiTarr I hear you. I see you. I'm in the same position.
Show threadPistolenkindJul 2, 2024
@RickiTarr Maybe that's naive, but I think one of the most important points is to see our differences as a strength and not a weakness. What causes most difficulties? Differences lead to arguments and, in the end, hatred. But differences are needed to complement each other. For example, depending on the situation, it is sometimes better to be gentle or forceful. Both can offer an advantage and make better progress. We just need to learn to understand when to use whose strengths and take turns to decide who should be in charge. Sometimes you just need someone who can kick ass, and sometimes you need someone who is particularly empathetic. We often see things in too black and white a way. Together we are stronger.
Show threadOldAndCrankyJul 2, 2024
@RickiTarr Ricki is wise.
Show threadNikkileah 🎮🚄🏳️‍⚧️🇬🇧Jul 2, 2024
@RickiTarr 🫂🫂🫂 right back at'cha