Charlie StrossNov 8, 2024

I'd just like to remind Americans that France is currently on its Fifth Republic since 1789 (with three Empires—with monarchs—interleaved until 1870).

The USA appears to be in the dying days of its Second Republic (time out in 1860-65) but something better will emerge eventually, if we avoid planetary ecosystem collapse in the meantime.

This, too, shall pass.

Show threadDavid Wheeler
@cstross true, but in the meantime, there will be so much unnecessary suffering
Nov 8, 2024 at 11:43amWeb
Show threadlp0 on fire Nov 8, 2024
@theory, personally, I'm just waiting for a tyrant named Khan…
Show threadSteve PopovichNov 8, 2024
@lp0_on_fire @theory sad to say, our white supremacists do seem to be setting the stage for eugenics wars.
Show threadPteryx the Puzzle SecretaryNov 8, 2024

@theory @cstross Every friend I have is at risk of being killed or kidnapped.

Every. Single. One.

Show threadRob FahrniNov 8, 2024
@pteryx @theory @cstross You would be safe with me. There are those of us who will have your back.
Show threadratfactorNov 8, 2024
@fahrni @pteryx @theory @cstross Same, and there are MILLIONS of us who did the right thing. We just need to stick together through this.
Show threadMx VerdaNov 8, 2024

@pteryx @theory @cstross

Can they learn martial arts? They shouldn’t need to regardless, but do they have their passports? Official documentation not just for travelling, but also jobs, housing, benefits etc.

Again: shouldn’t need this shit, but give them every advantage and extra time for decisions later.

Show threadSteve PopovichNov 8, 2024
@MxVerda @pteryx @theory @cstross that might help in some situations, but martial arts against large numbers of armed police/soldiers seems like a non-starter; martial artists can do a lot, but they can't actually deflect, or even dodge, bullets.
Show threadSteve PopovichNov 8, 2024
@theory @cstross what will it take for the US to break out the guillotines like France did, and establish a Third Republic to replace our plutocracy? It would seem to take something as devastating as the Civil War.
Show threadRAKNov 9, 2024
@sspopovich @theory @cstross: A sea change in the American psyche away from the "temporarily embarrassed billionaires" model.
Show threadSteve PopovichNov 9, 2024
@raktheundead @theory @cstross sad but true.