Does anyone have practical advice for how we survive this?
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@markwyner The only practical advice I have is to make sure your passport is not expired.
Definitely not trying to be alarmist, it's just that it can take a while to apply for one, so if you ever need it, you want to have it ready.
Other than that, just stay calm. We'll get through this.
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Dr. Artemis Ph.D.replied to Mark Wyner :vm: last edited by
@markwyner I think the best strat is focusing on building strong communities.
Helping other people can make you feel empowered, and then the community is that much stronger and able to help you when you're in trouble.
My plan is to get together with a friend and dedicate one morning/afternoon a week to volunteering. I'll know I'm helping folks, I'm having friend time, and I'll be making friends who I can count on if I need it.
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@Artemis201 seconded.
Strong communities. Local communities in particular. Unions. Mutual aid groups. Churches. Whatever works.
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Hrefna (DHC)replied to Mark Wyner :vm: last edited by [email protected]
@markwyner Re: Gun ownership.
As someone who does own guns: it isn't enough to own them. You have to learn them and then be willing to use them. You have to be willing to invest in the right _kind_ of guns as well.
I don't think it is a bad idea per se, but it is incredibly personal, only matters so much, and there's no committing halfway. So if you aren't willing to fully commit to what it takes to own them and keep them then it is better to not touch them at all.
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@markwyner Like for example: I own guns suitable to hunting or if you need to put down a horse or somesuch. I do _not_ own, nor do I want to own, the kinds of guns that people like to buy for harming people.
The ones I have would work for that just fine, but that's not what they are optimized for. Still, I keep them in a safe, unloaded, and make sure they are in good repair on a regular basis
So what is your goal with ownership? Start there and decide if that's something you want to commit to
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Escaping Galt's Gorean Gulchreplied to Hrefna (DHC) last edited by
@hrefna @Artemis201 @markwyner I get where you're coming from but the misogynoir, the transmisia, the hatred of anyone with a uterus is coming from and amplified by churches, and will destroy any sort of collective, community effort.
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Hrefna (DHC)replied to Escaping Galt's Gorean Gulch last edited by
My exvangelical partner's father is a southern baptist pastor, and I went to a Roman Catholic high school, my mother is Episcopalian diaconate. I don't say this lightly: I know the harm, also where they help.
Join the ADF ("European pagan church" as we call it), UUs (many of which are at best superficially Christian), groups like Left Hand Church, some UCC churches (both of which can be _very_ explicitly supportive), some Episcopalian churches, etc.
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@hrefna @markwyner
Also - you must invest in and commit to safe, locked storage of any firearms. -
Hrefna (DHC) (@[email protected])
@[email protected] Like for example: I own guns suitable to hunting or if you need to put down a horse or somesuch. I do _not_ own, nor do I want to own, the kinds of guns that people like to buy for harming people. The ones I have would work for that just fine, but that's not what they are optimized for. Still, I keep them in a safe, unloaded, and make sure they are in good repair on a regular basis So what is your goal with ownership? Start there and decide if that's something you want to commit to
Hachyderm.io (hachyderm.io)
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@hrefna I understand all of this. And I appreciate your helpful position.
I really, really, really don’t want a gun. And also, I don’t want to find myself in a position of not being able to defend my family from fascist hooligans or America’s new version of Gestapo hunting people.
So this is a really complicated consideration that needs much reflection. I appreciate your advice on that.
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@markwyner Honestly: I don't think you should get a gun if you don't want a gun. I don't think it is justified just for the sake of having one. It increases your risks disproportionately.
IMO: The more effective thing to put time into that is firearm related is learning first aid for a gunshot wound. Which is one of those skills you hope never to use but is good to have in your back pocket (and the skills training you get alongside it is phenomenally useful on a more regular basis).
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@markwyner If you were instead saying "I've been wanting to get into firearms for awhile now, is this a good time?" I might say something different. Similarly if you said "I've been firing with friends for years and could get back into it as a hobby." I still wouldn't say "great! rush out to your local store today!" but I'd be warmer to the idea.
But if you really don't want to get into firearm ownership with all that goes with it? It's perfectly fair to say "this isn't for me" even now, IMO.
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I'm literally submitting my passport application in person next week. They told me it should be processed before Christmas.
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@DeliaChristina @markwyner Yep, just scheduled an appointment for me and my family this weekend.
Good to have this ready, but yeah, not planning to give up on this country just yet.
