@blissfulthorn Better vibes.

I went to a coworkers family gathering one year when I couldn't travel home. (15 hour drive)

His mom had a special tablecloth used she had me sign. She embroidered the signatures afterwards, so it had embroidered signatures of all the people she had hosted over the years. Unique tradition.

@kwarizmi Ugh, to the ignorance and the finger pointing by Sanders too.

In hindsight, I think most voted primitively on "feelings" about the economy, mostly on inflation. Explanations fell flat for all but the economic savvy voters. So, I don't think messaging was going to change those voters anyway. And loss of progressives because of supporting Israel AT ALL (shortsighted given the harm they will cause to Palestine.) didn’t help.

Of course, Bernie had to jump on the "told us so" train too.

Do others agree? Did you see it coming?

I saw an annoying "Anyone surprised hasn't been paying attention" video. It was basically a big "Told ya so" on Democrats ability to lose elections. (I have been on that train in the past myself.)

But, do others agree? Every time reproductive rights have been on the ballot the result was overwhelmingly for them. So was it that crazy to see even polls, massive enthusiasm, great debate execution, and dare to hope?

@InUnfunky Technically he can't pardon himself for a state crime. But no judge is likely to do it anyway.

@rpardee Heh

Just ordered a new phone for the same reasons. I wanted to squeeze another year from my current phone, but who knows what prices we'll start seeing soon.

I expect some to get ahead and start raising prices before tariffs go into effect.

@Bix The WNBA has exactly ONE trans athlete. ONE!!

If this was a path to success wouldn't we see more?

@Bix They see bigger and stronger women dominating women's sports (as bigger and stronger men dominate men's sports) and conclude "Must be trans!"

But they are all women "assigned at birth". And not one person is crazy enough to change gender just to be better at sports. None.

Most trans people, as small a percentage as they are, aren't good at sports anyway. (as most people aren't)

I'd hazard a guess most men would fail in women's sports, at the elite level at least.

@redenigma Was that from a particular episode?

@phac3ti0us I pay just to support the site. It has no advertising and is totally member funded.

@cassandra17lina I thought you might have the first dachshund trained for landscape maintenance.

As bad as I feel, as powerless, thinking about how this affects people globally.

Think about uncertainty of Ukrainians. Palestinians are likely oblivious things can get worse. Migrants, documented or not, feeling uncertain at best.

There are always those worse off than you.

@blissfulthorn Friendsgiving maybe?

Nevertheless, she persisted

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCC8j6jSFng/

@Razdawg22 I don't think woman had ss much to do with it as the active campaign against her on the left hurting turnout.

"Genocide" drumbeat fueled by outside interests promoting division on the left. Support minimizing harm message didn't break through.

People hardened on both sides, pro-Israel and pro-Palestine. Shades of gray were lost.

@ArcturusSaDiablo 100% with the people who didn't vote for her.

@cassandra17lina Has me wondering "What does the dachshund do?"

Yeah, I know.

@MLClark I have an array of podcasts to recommend for that. All different ways to occupy and distract but without being compelling to engage.

One reminds me of a rambling professor I had. It was always a struggle to stay awake in his class. Now it works in my favor.

Nothing Much Happens is another. Stories in which, you guessed it, nothing much happens.

@RandallTT I looked up on the Canadian immigration site. Express Entry requires a company to invite you. There are provisions for care givers, family connections, graduating certain Canadian schools, refugee status, starting a business with jobs. (Self employed doesn't count.)

There are no provisions for general integration. Even temporary to permanent is paused. The best offered is six month visa. Everything else has specific criteria for entry.