l_one's recent activity

  1. Comment on US immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, memo says in ~society

    l_one
    Link Parent
    Totally fair. Principle of competing harms right there, not to mention the ethical and very natural inclination to not kill your fellow human beings. If it comes to the point of me, personally,...

    Not owning a gun isn't about self-defense for me it's that a) I don't think I could pull the trigger at a person b) if I could take a life I'd be at risk of taking my own and c) my partner would be at risk of taking his own. Plus I have niblings and hell no. Not worth it.

    Totally fair. Principle of competing harms right there, not to mention the ethical and very natural inclination to not kill your fellow human beings.

    And yeah, it can happen here, I just don't think my solution is to own a gun or fight in the streets.

    If it comes to the point of me, personally, fighting in the streets all is pretty much lost at that point and I should have either made the hard call to flee the US and seek refugee status / try to build a life elsewhere (though nowhere is especially safe right now) or I should have figured out and better contributed to something more effective to promote positive change around me. I'm not the type to open-carry a rifle and go protest (and that would be highly counterproductive in my view anyway - nonviolent protest is more effective at swaying public opinion and denying them the excuse they want to escalate... not that they aren't escalating anyway, but more and more of even their own base aren't believing their blatant lies). In the current context, the employment of lethal force is the option of last resort if I'm at home and ICE decides that despite the 4th amendment they want to break my door down and terrorize and/or kidnap me and those I love - but I have a lot of options to go through before the last and worst option. And lethal force very much is the last and worst option.

    1 vote
  2. Comment on US immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, memo says in ~society

    l_one
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    It's very much a decision for each individual and not for everyone. I typed that about firearm ownership (and the underlying issue of self defense as it relates to the willingness to employ...

    It's very much a decision for each individual and not for everyone. I typed that about firearm ownership (and the underlying issue of self defense as it relates to the willingness to employ violence) but I suppose it applies to the consideration of camouflage as well.

    As for me, I made my decisions about self defense decades ago while I was still in high school. My father was very outspoken on a number of topics - fighting against Nazism in the public eye, working for the Gay Rights cause back before we had the LGBTQ terms we have now, general human rights work. We were the target of various threats including death threats to all of us - I have one particular memory (high-school age I believe? it might have been earlier than that) of answering the phone and being told by a voice I didn't recognize that I would be taken and mailed back to my father in small pieces.

    So I was fairly motivated at a young age to be able to defend myself. I spent around 15 years in martial arts - taking classes and later teaching them, learned how to shoot and got my concealed pistol license, along with pursuing other training like going through Paramedic school. I kind of had what would commonly be called a 'Prepper' mentality through my 20's and into my 30's.

    ....

    My father saw this coming back since... the 90's I think? Not the specific scenario we find ourselves in, but the rise of authoritarianism and fascism in general here in the USA. That Genocide could happen here. He taught for decades as a professor of History and Humanities, and put together and taught a course on Genocide. He put a lot into communicating to his students: 'Yes, it CAN happen here'.

    The regime has already built the camps, and is continuing to build more.

    3 votes
  3. Comment on US immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, memo says in ~society

    l_one
    Link Parent
    I had similar thoughts to this - I would not wish to add to any public perception of acceptance of the regime or support of their ideologies. Now, there are certainly ways / signs / slogans to...

    I had similar thoughts to this - I would not wish to add to any public perception of acceptance of the regime or support of their ideologies.

    Now, there are certainly ways / signs / slogans to advertise you are armed and believe in self defense that are distinct from MAGA / MAGA-adjacent themes and I wouldn't want to suggest that any and all public display of support for the 2nd amendment should be conflated with MAGA. I know some pretty awesome people who are armed and left-aligned. I'm there too, though I've never put up any signs or bumper stickers to advertise such.

  4. Comment on US immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, memo says in ~society

    l_one
    Link Parent
    I see that coming too. Plenty of states have stand your ground law / castle doctrine. I'm pretty sure this is part of what is desired (with the overall effort to manufacture violence) so they can...

    I see that coming too. Plenty of states have stand your ground law / castle doctrine. I'm pretty sure this is part of what is desired (with the overall effort to manufacture violence) so they can point to what results from ICE breaking into a gun owners home in the middle of the night and say 'look at this, our officers are being shot, we have to declare martial law / insurrection act / use more force'.

    I think, that when ICE kicks the door in of some home and a mother or father defends their home with their sleeping children at their backs, the people who want to spin that as anything other than reality are going to have a difficult time making the majority of the public believe them.

    6 votes
  5. Comment on Massive winter storm expected to dump snow and ice across United States in ~enviro

    l_one
    Link Parent
    There's a product we were given by the adoption house we got our cats from - supposed to help cats stay calm - Feliway is the brand, they make pheromone diffusers. I haven't really put research...

    There's a product we were given by the adoption house we got our cats from - supposed to help cats stay calm - Feliway is the brand, they make pheromone diffusers. I haven't really put research time into it but the lady at the adoption house used it and said it helped them all get along.

    3 votes
  6. Comment on Massive winter storm expected to dump snow and ice across United States in ~enviro

    l_one
    Link Parent
    I know. After I cleaned and bandaged everything (...I think that took about an hour to finish) I drove out to urgent care to get antibiotics. It's kind of crazy how badly hurt I am - I called off...

    I know. After I cleaned and bandaged everything (...I think that took about an hour to finish) I drove out to urgent care to get antibiotics. It's kind of crazy how badly hurt I am - I called off all my contract work for the next week so everything can close and heal.

    3 votes
  7. Comment on Massive winter storm expected to dump snow and ice across United States in ~enviro

    l_one
    Link Parent
    Also Michigan here. I saw that pileup on the news - not far away from me, crazy stuff. I've called out for any work I was going to have tomorrow and this weekend, told all my customers to...

    Also Michigan here. I saw that pileup on the news - not far away from me, crazy stuff. I've called out for any work I was going to have tomorrow and this weekend, told all my customers to basically 'hey, value your lives more than buying my stuff, we can talk next week', and advised my girlfriend to cancel her plans as well.

    I don't even want to try to start my van. The damn thing gets grumpy when I run it in the negative temperatures and insists 'insert $10K to continue using this vehicle' at me.

    I would be looking forward to staying home and doing nothing, but my cats got into a truly violent fight earlier today (and cut me up impressively badly when I broke it up) so now we're keeping them separated while they are both anxious and upset at the change.

    5 votes
  8. Comment on Minnesota physicians on Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in hospitals in ~society

    l_one
    Link
    This is a press conference issued by a large group of prominent Minnesota Physicians on the activities and harmful effects of ICE in the state and the impact felt on healthcare in their...

    This is a press conference issued by a large group of prominent Minnesota Physicians on the activities and harmful effects of ICE in the state and the impact felt on healthcare in their communities.

    Edit: Darn it, my apologies, the title is meant to be "Minnesota physicians on ICE presence in hospitals". Today has been particularly stressful.

    Edit 2: ok, I figured out how to correct the title. Sorry again.

    3 votes
  9. Comment on I am kinda curious about the demographics of Tildes in ~talk

    l_one
    Link Parent
    Awesome! Thanks for following along with me, and I'm glad you appreciate the electronics lab - it is very much my happy place. I'm semi-regularly changing things, but I think it's about time for...

    Hail and well met from a fellow Michigander - there are surprisingly many of us here! I'm an EE dropout from way back and have followed your commentary with interest. Your workspace is a thing of beauty.

    Awesome! Thanks for following along with me, and I'm glad you appreciate the electronics lab - it is very much my happy place. I'm semi-regularly changing things, but I think it's about time for my next 'state-of-the-bench' video (this is the last one I made, back at the end of March 2025). Lots of things have changed and a number of items are sitting on my floor pending integration, like the Keysight/black 3458A and more recently a Keysight SMU, plus major updates to the RF section. Maybe I'll post it on Tildes when I make that video?

    More long term I really need to just build an entirely new bench setup as I've long since outgrown this one, but that is definitely a major project so I don't know when it will actually happen. It's been on my to-do list for like a year or so by now?

    I know my way around the infrastructure and ops side of tech, as well as a soldering iron and a voltmeter, but don't do much of anything with it anymore.

    But enough about me - you mention infrastructure and ops? Do tell. Are we talking server room stuff, or telecom infrastructure or what? I'd like to know more about the area of tech you interact with, if you're ok to discuss it?

    1 vote
  10. Comment on Terra. Invicta. in ~games

    l_one
    Link Parent
    WHahaaaaaaa???? Oh that's hilarious!

    WHahaaaaaaa????

    Oh that's hilarious!

    1 vote
  11. Comment on Terra. Invicta. in ~games

    l_one
    Link
    Perun - the Australian YouTuber who does a weekly hour-long powerpoint on defense economics (that I then post here on Sundays) plays this game on his gaming channel. I've not watched his gaming...

    Perun - the Australian YouTuber who does a weekly hour-long powerpoint on defense economics (that I then post here on Sundays) plays this game on his gaming channel.

    I've not watched his gaming channel as I just like his defense economics analysis presentations, but after reading your synopsis on the game, I'm seeing why he likes and plays it.

    Thank you.

    6 votes
  12. Comment on I recently finished the Cradle series by Will Wight and have post series depression. What shall I read next? in ~books

    l_one
    Link Parent
    I would also highly recommend MOL. It is Gold Standard time-loop and progression fantasy in my opinion. There is a very good reason it remains, to this day, the #1 rated story on Royal Road. I go...

    I would also highly recommend MOL. It is Gold Standard time-loop and progression fantasy in my opinion. There is a very good reason it remains, to this day, the #1 rated story on Royal Road.

    I go back and re-read it every year or so. Cannot recommend highly enough.

    2 votes
  13. Comment on Seizing the shadow fleet - US tanker seizures, Russia's gambit and Ukrainian attacks in ~society

    l_one
    Link
    Sorry, no proper links in the description, too much on my to-do list (and executive dysfunction issues getting in the way - but yay for mental healthcare and meds, so maybe I'll actually get...

    Sorry, no proper links in the description, too much on my to-do list (and executive dysfunction issues getting in the way - but yay for mental healthcare and meds, so maybe I'll actually get around to it? Someday?). Description from Perun below, view page on YouTube to be able to click on the source links.

    ...

    Even before U.S. troops were sent in to Venezuela, the U.S. navy and coast guard had started targeted other, valuable assets - the Shadow Fleet tankers responsible for a share of Venezuela's oil exports.

    The so called shadow fleet has become a key feature of the system enabling exports of sanctioned or otherwise targeted oil from countries including Venezuela, Russia & Iran. This episode focuses on two recent events that might threaten its ability to operate effectively - U.S. seizures, and ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks.

    It also raises a question though - beyond the direct hard-power impacts of these moves, what are the potential implications for freedom of navigation, the norms of international shipping and trade, and what might that mean for a future conflict or crisis?

    Patreon:
    / perunau

    Reading and Sourcing (partial):

    UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea)
    https://www.un.org/depts/los/conventi...

    Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (INDOPACOM) - U.S. Position on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea
    https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi...

    Professor Andrew Serdy - US boards a ship sailing under a Russian flag: what we know and don’t know about the legal position
    https://theconversation.com/us-boards...

    CSIS - What the Bella-1 Teaches Us About Targeting Shadow Fleets
    https://www.csis.org/analysis/what-be...

    UNCTAD - Handbook of Statistics 2022 - Maritime transport
    https://unctad.org/system/files/offic...

    UNHCR on the U.S. Blockade against Venezuela
    https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releas...

    UK indicating belief they can legally act against shadow fleet tankers
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8...

    Venezuela reopening wells after going to near zero
    https://www.reuters.com/business/ener...

    Russian media on ship seizure
    https://tass.com/world/2072749v

    Shadow Fleet tanker hit in the Mediterranean
    https://www.reuters.com/business/aero...

    Reporting on Chevron operations in Venezuela
    https://www.reuters.com/business/ener...

    Jennifer Parker - Maritime Boardings and International Law in the Venezuela Context
    https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-int...

    Tankers reflagging to Russia
    https://www.wsj.com/politics/national...

    US files warrants for additional tankers
    https://www.reuters.com/business/ener...

    Ukrainian or alleged Ukrainian attacks on merchant shipping in the Black Sea
    https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/...

    Included article on the shadow fleet
    https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ag...

    Caveats & Comments:

    Nothing in this episode should be taken to represent an opinion or advice on any legal matter, including with regards to the potential application of domestic or international law to any of the events described or alluded to.

    All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.

    Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.

    Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.

    Timestamps:
    00:00:00 — Opening Words
    00:01:05 — What Am I Talking About?
    00:01:51 — Sanctions & the Shadow Fleet
    00:07:23 — the Venezuelan Blockade
    00:21:52 — Case Study: Bella 1 00:28:36 — Next Steps
    00:33:04 — the Ukrainian Effort
    00:36:39 — the Economic of Unfree Navigation
    00:45:06 — Free Navigation & the Future
    00:50:30 — Who Wins and Loses
    00:52:52 — Channel Update

  14. Comment on How to practically liquidate lots of little things of moderate value in ~finance

    l_one
    Link Parent
    With my apologies, I don't think I have a good answer for you. With my field mainly being in lab electronics I really haven't ever had anything like that happen to me. A common scam will be for...

    With my apologies, I don't think I have a good answer for you. With my field mainly being in lab electronics I really haven't ever had anything like that happen to me.

    A common scam will be for something mass produced and there's tons of them out there - someone has that thing and it's broken, they buy an identical thing and claim the one they already had was what they received and then return it, keeping the working one. Much more commonly used on Amazon than eBay, but also used on eBay.

    I'm guessing part of the reason for me is that the electronics repair culture has a smaller cross-section of scammers? Maybe?

    Sorry I don't have a better answer for you beyond 'it doesn't happen to me (or hasn't yet).

    I guess some generic things I do is max out my pictures, make sure they are good quality pictures detailing every imperfection / serial number / identifying feature and I write up a thorough description. Maybe that helps to ward my listings away from the idea of 'low hanging fruit' to pass something else off as what I sold?

    2 votes
  15. Comment on The US operation in Venezuela - Nicolas Maduro's capture and what next for Venezuela? in ~society

    l_one
    Link
    Sorry, no proper links in the description yet, too much on my to-do list. Description from Perun below, view page on YouTube to be able to click on the source links. ... For anyone hoping 2026...

    Sorry, no proper links in the description yet, too much on my to-do list. Description from Perun below, view page on YouTube to be able to click on the source links.

    ...

    For anyone hoping 2026 would be less eventful that 2025, U.S. helicopters dropping Special Forces troops into Venezuela to capture and extract Nicholas Maduro probably wasn't what you had in mind.

    But even with some details still coming out, the rapid success of Operation Absolute Resolve deserves a closer examination as does the now much more complicated open question...

    With Maduro in custody but the members of his Government still in place, what might be coming next for Venezuela?

    Today the focus will be on the op itself, with the tanker war, and more global implications to be the focus of a follow up episode.

    Patreon:
    / perunau

    Reading and Sourcing (partial):

    CSIS - Imagery from Venezuela shows a surgical strike, not shock and awe
    https://www.csis.org/analysis/imagery...

    General Caine briefing on Operation Absolute Resolve

    https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/vene...

    https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/v...

    U.S. Seizes Tankers
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y...

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-0...

    Reporting on Venezuelan casualty claims
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/07/us-ve...

    TWZ on the DAP & Absolute Resolve
    https://www.twz.com/air/this-is-what-...

    Sat images of Venezuela post operation:
    https://www.businessinsider.com/satel...

    https://militarnyi.com/en/news/afterm...

    https://www.twz.com/news-features/maj...

    Arms Transfer data per SIPRI
    https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsT...

    U.S. State Department Team arrives in Venezuela
    https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/09/po...

    Trump says U.S. will 'run' Venezuela
    https://www.reuters.com/world/america...

    Footage of MANPADS launch
    https://x.com/clashreport/status/2008...

    Claimed Aftermath footage
    https://x.com/archer83able/status/200...

    Featured NYT report
    https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/us...

    Rodriguez says 'no foreign agent' running the country
    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1...

    Rodriguez sworn in
    https://www.reuters.com/world/america...

    Bellingcat AGM-88 analysis
    https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/...

    U.S. buildup (December 2025)
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78...
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-2...

    U.S. Mil on Ford's location
    https://www.war.gov/Multimedia/Photos....

    Potential OWA UAS footage
    https://x.com/FaytuksNetwork/status/2...

    Maduro tomb claim and debunk
    https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cly1x12...

    Trump meets oil execs
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...

    Caveats & Comments:

    All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.

    Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.

    Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.

    Timestamps:
    00:00:00 — Opening Words
    00:01:09 — What Am I Talking About?
    00:03:12 — U.S. Buildup
    00:06:14 — Venezuelan Readiness?
    00:15:12 — the Operation
    00:32:47 — Analysis
    00:43:57 — Aftermath
    00:51:48 — Pressure Tactics & Venezuela
    00:58:34 — the Way Forward
    01:01:18 — Channel Update

    2 votes
  16. Comment on Nose dilators in ~health

    l_one
    Link Parent
    Good luck! I hope it works the way you want.

    Good luck! I hope it works the way you want.

  17. Comment on Nose dilators in ~health

    l_one
    Link Parent
    Thank you. Eh, maybe in the 'sell a treatment, not a cure' sense by making solutions that have to be constantly replaced. Maybe your metal version won't have that issue? The products do work in...

    congrats on the weight loss!

    Thank you.

    this whole corner of the market feels like a scam.

    Eh, maybe in the 'sell a treatment, not a cure' sense by making solutions that have to be constantly replaced. Maybe your metal version won't have that issue? The products do work in that they open up the nares and I can definitely feel the difference in ease of breathing.

    do you meditate?

    I don't, no.

    3 votes