I am going to try to preempt people coming into this thread and saying they feel hopeless about the state of this country. It's not an unreasonable feeling. But consider who has a vested...
Exemplary
I am going to try to preempt people coming into this thread and saying they feel hopeless about the state of this country. It's not an unreasonable feeling. But consider who has a vested interested in you feeling this way. If you feel hopeless, stop, and do the thing the people who want you to feel hopeless don't want you to do - act. Connect with your community. Get involved in a protest. Arm yourself in self-defense. You may quail at this last point, but the violence is already here. Renouncing firearms will accomplish nothing.
I could be wrong, but I have a gut feeling that the utterly brazen cruelty of this (and how clearly it was caught on camera) will cross a line for enough people that we will see them fight back, at least locally in Minneapolis. If this happens, there's a good chance it will be bloody. But again, don't feel hopeless about that - it's bad news (there is currently no good news option), but it would be worse news if people were to lie down and do nothing.
There are a lot of ways to alleviate the stress of watching your country descend into madness - go for a walk, hug a kitten, binge watch tv and eat copious amounts of junk food, etc. etc. However,...
There are a lot of ways to alleviate the stress of watching your country descend into madness - go for a walk, hug a kitten, binge watch tv and eat copious amounts of junk food, etc. etc. However, in my experience, the best antidote for those feelings of dread and anger is to be around people who feel the same way and want to do something about it. A lot of organizations still have remote meetings and there are plenty of ways you can contribute without even having to leave your house!
I know I'm repeating something that has annoyed a lot of people, but one of the most important things right now is to have a bold and functional opposition party. The primaries are just around the corner...
The most important message we’re sending in the midterms is to the DNC, not Trump. Find your local candidates that aren’t party cronies and vote for them.
The most important message we’re sending in the midterms is to the DNC, not Trump. Find your local candidates that aren’t party cronies and vote for them.
After 24 hours of seeing the partisan reactions to this incident, I'm starting to think we might have crossed a line that we can't go back from. At least not without something catastrophic...
Exemplary
After 24 hours of seeing the partisan reactions to this incident, I'm starting to think we might have crossed a line that we can't go back from. At least not without something catastrophic happening.
The video evidence and the witness testimony are about as clear as you can get. Renee Good did not pose any threat, and the ICE agents clearly escalated the situation and shot her without just cause. After these unidentified masked men shot her, they denied her potential life-saving treatment from a nearby doctor, and their vehicles prevented first responders from arriving on the scene as quickly as possible.
This should be met with universal condemnation; however, Republicans and right-wing commentators are justifying it. They're calling her a terrorist and saying she was trying to kill the man who shot her, as if there isn't clear fucking video of the incident that shows otherwise. They say that the agents intervened after she was blocking traffic, but video shows other unmarked vehicles pass by and witnesses say she was waving them past her. The contradictions alone are completely insane, yet, somehow, people are buying it. They're literally seeing things that aren't there. My bar was already incredibly low, but this is truly unbelievable.
The most obvious comparison I can think of is George Floyd's murder. When George Floyd was murdered on video back in 2020, there was immediate bipartisan condemnation of the officers involved. There was no getting around it. Republicans and Democrats alike expressed horror at what they saw on video. Trump tweeted out condolences and said the FBI would bring the officers to justice. Even police organizations were critical of the officers. Police organizations! It was only after the initial protests when we started to see right-wing efforts to minimize the brutality or justify the actions of the police, but even that was more on the fringe. Conservatives would work tirelessly to tarnish George Floyd's reputation in the ensuing months/years, but the vast majority of the partisan divide that summer was centered around the protests.
What we are seeing right now is on a whole nother level. It's as though there isn't a video. The conservative response to this echos the responses we saw in the wake of Michael Brown or Trayvon Martin. In addition to the absence of video, those responses can be largely credited to the lack of empathy that stemmed from this country's deep seeded racism and society's constant implicit criminalizing of the existence and actions of young black men. That problem has plauged this country for 250 years, and obviously there have been some non-linear, incremental improvements, but at great cost. However, now it seems that lack of empathy has extended beyond race and socioeconomic conditions and into political differences. Apparently, no amount of video evidence can overcome it, either.
Where do we go from here if we can't agree on what's right in front of us?
This is not accurate. Sure, the ICE agent placed himself in harms way, deliberately escalating the situation with no apparent justification, but a moving vehicle is always a very real threat. I...
Renee Good did not pose any threat
This is not accurate. Sure, the ICE agent placed himself in harms way, deliberately escalating the situation with no apparent justification, but a moving vehicle is always a very real threat.
I know this might seem niggling, especially when I agree with the other 98% of what you said. But I can't help but feel this debate is never going to change opinions, and is only going to distract people.
There are policies in place to avoid these situations. These policies weren't followed. The ICE agent was encouraged to ignore these policies. He is still employed by ICE. ICE is actively being encouraged to aggressively hire more people like this ICE agent. The training required to avoid these sorts of unnecessary and tragic deaths clearly isn't there. The processes to remove ICE agents not following protocol isn't there. And that is a deliberate decision.
This whole debate about is Renee at fault or is the ICE agent at fault seems like a distraction. This death is on Trump. But I think this divisive debate is exactly what Trump wants. When we are arguing about who is at fault for a death, we are not focused on how Trump is deliberately dividing us. Trump really isn't making America great again, he is making America hate again. And while America is hating the other side, Trump and his billionaire friends are looting all they can.
This wasn't an avoidable death. It was death by design. As a distraction.
It can only be a distraction if you concede that fault is even debatable. It's not. I think almost everybody in this thread understands that. Hell, I think most Americans understand that....
It can only be a distraction if you concede that fault is even debatable. It's not. I think almost everybody in this thread understands that. Hell, I think most Americans understand that. Reactionary pundits and their ilk will try to play this down for sure, but they'll always do that if they feel they can even remotely get away with it, so it's not a good way to measure general attitude. Meanwhile, I've heard tell from conservative relatives that even they and their friends are horrified by the video. Which is anecdotal, but still.
I know this might seem niggling,
In the spirit of niggling, I feel I should mention that your point regarding a moving vehicle being a threat rather contradicts the rest of your post by participating in the debate you're speaking against. Renee Good being "a threat" is also not a debate, and shouldn't be treated as one by any stretch. Let's not legitimize the concept.
As a last note though, it seems like you're suggesting that the circumstances that lead to this were deliberate in order to engineer a death like this so as to create useless arguing, which I heavily disagree with. ICE agents are given carte blanche because that's what fascism does. They want power, and having an unaccountable secret police is a way to get that. Simple as.
Situations like this, however, do not help that. People are fucking pissed right now, and getting your population incredibly angry at you just massively increases the odds of you losing power. Someone died on video in so awful a way that justification is impossible and the lies are clear as clean glass. This isn't a distraction, both in the strategic sense, and in the sense that the wanton death of an innocent should never be considered "a distraction."
Thank you for your well thought out response. I agree we should be angry right now because things are badly wrong. I think where we disagree is where the anger should be directed at. American law...
Thank you for your well thought out response.
I agree we should be angry right now because things are badly wrong.
I think where we disagree is where the anger should be directed at.
American law enforcement is the worst in the free world. I've experienced this first hand. But I also don't want a world without law enforcement.
ICE is the worst in the free world. I have also experienced this first hand. But I also don't want a world without ICE.
While it's cathartic to run around screaming at ICE, while recording them, it's not safe. But I also don't want a world where people don't care about immigrants such as myself, and I don't want a world where people don't care about helpless victims of law enforcement as I once was.
While it's cathartic to accuse LE supporters of being wrong headed, it's only going to make those supporters double down.
In the spirit of niggling, I feel I should mention that your point regarding a moving vehicle being a threat rather contradicts the rest of your post by participating in the debate you're speaking against.
I'm not arguing against debate. I am in fact debating the accuracy of blaming an individual ICE agent as not factual, and not helpful, except to those who want more hate and anger in the world. And that is not what Renee Good stood for.
There is a clear and obvious argument to be made here. There is a reason to be angry. The ICE officer should lose his job. He hung onto one escaping vehicle. He put himself in the danger zone of another vehicle. He is a danger to himself and others.
Why am I directing my anger at Trump? Trump is demonizing the dead. There is not even a pretense of impartial or independent analysis. This keeps both sides angry at each other, generating more conflict, resulting in more deaths. And we know Trump will be watching the conflict on TV with glee.
Please read through the statement from Becca, Renee's wife...
First, I want to extend my gratitude to all the people who have reached out from across the country and around the world to support our family.
This kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind. In fact, kindness radiated out of her.
Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn’t wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine.
Renee lived by an overarching belief: there is kindness in the world and we need to do everything we can to find it where it resides and nurture it where it needs to grow. Renee was a Christian who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth: we are here to love each other, care for each other, and keep each other safe and whole.
Like people have done across place and time, we moved to make a better life for ourselves. We chose Minnesota to make our home. Our whole extended road trip here, we held hands in the car while our son drew all over the windows to pass the time and the miles.
What we found when we got here was a vibrant and welcoming community, we made friends and spread joy. And while any place we were together was home, there was a strong shared sense here in Minneapolis that we were looking out for each other. Here, I had finally found peace and safe harbor. That has been taken from me forever.
We were raising our son to believe that no matter where you come from or what you look like, all of us deserve compassion and kindness. Renee lived this belief every day. She is pure love. She is pure joy. She is pure sunshine.
On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns.
Renee leaves behind three extraordinary children; the youngest is just six years old and already lost his father. I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way.
We thank you for the privacy you are granting our family as we grieve. We thank you for ensuring that Renee’s legacy is one of kindness and love. We honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace, refusing division and knowing we must come together to build a world where we all come home safe to the people we love.”
There's actually I think another, though less significant, possibly more similar example of two sides completely disagreeing on video evidence. Back in 2018, there was an incident with Sarah...
There's actually I think another, though less significant, possibly more similar example of two sides completely disagreeing on video evidence.
Back in 2018, there was an incident with Sarah Huckabee Sanders attempting to forcefully take a microphone away from Jim Acosta. Acosta had his other arm held out gesticulating as part of his talking and it incidentally made contact with Sanders.
Republicans immediately jumped to accusing him of "placing hands" on Sanders and "aggressively karate chopping" her arm away. Someone on the right even doctored the video to selectively speed up parts of it to make Acosta's hand motions look more aggressive.
I'm not going to pretend like back in 2018 I knew how bad things would get but I knew then that we were in dangerous territory.
They really do live in their own reality. It’s like some kind of absurd shared hallucination. You can’t reason with an individual that 2 + 2 = 4 anymore because they’ve got a critical mass of...
They really do live in their own reality. It’s like some kind of absurd shared hallucination. You can’t reason with an individual that 2 + 2 = 4 anymore because they’ve got a critical mass of friends, family members, pastors, pundits, and influencers all shouting that it isn’t. No one’s willing to break ranks and disagree with the echo chamber — frankly that would take too much energy and critical thought anyway, and just put them on the outs with their tribe anyway, so why bother?
I don’t know how to bring them back to planet earth. I desperately wish there was a way. Plenty of my loved ones are in that cult.
The MAGA narrative is diverging further and further from reality as time goes by. That can’t be sustainable, sooner or later a kid in the crowd is going to ask why the emperor’s naked and the whole illusion will collapse. But how much harm will be wrought in the meantime?
I'd like to think this is true, too. But Russia and China have been one-party rule for a very long time. Their populations consist of people who either agree with ruling hegemony, or don't but are...
The MAGA narrative is diverging further and further from reality as time goes by. That can’t be sustainable, sooner or later a kid in the crowd is going to ask why the emperor’s naked and the whole illusion will collapse.
I'd like to think this is true, too. But Russia and China have been one-party rule for a very long time. Their populations consist of people who either agree with ruling hegemony, or don't but are unable to do anything about it. The US might end up in a similar situation for a very long time if David Frum was actually right, and they've rejected democracy altogether.
I live near where she was murdered, 6-7 minutes away. I have no words and am deeply saddened and heartbroken. Our nation is broken, there is no opposition party. I have called my senators, door...
I live near where she was murdered, 6-7 minutes away. I have no words and am deeply saddened and heartbroken.
Our nation is broken, there is no opposition party. I have called my senators, door knocked and canvassed, I've done more than I think is expected of the average citizen to help build a better community. Only to have a tyrant and his fascist thugs come into my home town and murder my neighbors in cold blood.
First right-wing lunatics murdered our senator; Hortman, and then Trump spread lies to imply Tim Walz had something to do with it.
Now, he (Trump) is sending his lowest degenerate thugs that are trigger happy to my town to murder an innocent mother.
My heart weeps for my community. I have a small son, I read she had a 6 year old boy and that the boy's father had passed away. Now he's an orphan. And for what?
Frey is a Democrat, and he used the strongest language I've ever heard from from a politician: Remember that Minnesota is the state that put George Floyd's murderer behind bars. The local district...
Our nation is broken, there is no opposition party.
Frey is a Democrat, and he used the strongest language I've ever heard from from a politician:
Remember that Minnesota is the state that put George Floyd's murderer behind bars. The local district and state attorneys are already aggressively investigating. We should expect charges.
Edit: FBI is moving to quash any local investigation and prevent charges from being filed. Extremely frustrating.
I get that. Frey also called me a loser for working remotely These people do not usually do more than words when it comes to this sort of stuff. Look, I'm not trying to say Frey or the likes...
These people do not usually do more than words when it comes to this sort of stuff.
Look, I'm not trying to say Frey or the likes aren't trying sometimes. What I am saying is our system is so incredibly broken, we cannot get out of this mess through what we've been trying regularly.
I'm open to new approaches. But I can't do much about Minnesota as someone not from there. And we the people are still much too divided to really execute anything on the national level. My biggest...
we cannot get out of this mess through what we've been trying regularly.
I'm open to new approaches. But I can't do much about Minnesota as someone not from there. And we the people are still much too divided to really execute anything on the national level.
My biggest fear ironically enough is that midterms pass, the blue wave comes, they slap a few people, and then we sweep it under the rug and try to pretend 2016-2026 never happened. So we won't learn anything until the next dictator drops in. I really hope that to not be the case, but the attention span of the nation is definitely shot.
That was Plan A during 2020, and "nothing ever happens" seems to be the norm for this kind of stuff without some major political arm twisting. That level of national introspection usually doesn't...
My biggest fear ironically enough is that midterms pass, the blue wave comes, they slap a few people, and then we sweep it under the rug and try to pretend 2016-2026 never happened.
That was Plan A during 2020, and "nothing ever happens" seems to be the norm for this kind of stuff without some major political arm twisting. That level of national introspection usually doesn't come cheap.
Not sure if her wife adopted the son but fuck he may lose a third parent if not. ICE 'killed my wife,' Minneapolis woman cries after shooting | Advocate.com I have no words either. Take care of...
Not sure if her wife adopted the son but fuck he may lose a third parent if not.
Minneapolis kids had school closed a few days into the new school year due to the shooting at Annunciation, and now again a few days into the second half of the year. Insanity
Minneapolis kids had school closed a few days into the new school year due to the shooting at Annunciation, and now again a few days into the second half of the year.
https://www.startribune.com/she-was-an-amazing-human-being-mother-identifies-woman-shot-killed-by-ice-agent/601559922 They identified the murdered woman as Renee Nicole Good, age 37, a widow with...
Seems the Star Tribune has also identified the killer now as Jonathan Ross. https://www.startribune.com/ice-agent-who-fatally-shot-woman-in-minneapolis-is-identified/601560214 It seems this isn't...
DHS confirmed Thursday that the agent who killed Good was the same officer dragged by a suspect in Bloomington last June. Although Ross was not named in the 13-page indictment of the driver, he is identified in several court records in the case, including photo exhibits from the hospital. He is also listed by name as a witness and in the jury instructions.
A law enforcement source, who is not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed that Ross is the shooter.
It seems this isn't the first time he has latched onto someone's vehicle unnecessarily:
On June 17, Ross was participating in an arrest of Roberto Carlos Munoz-Guatemala, a Mexican citizen, in Bloomington last year. [...] Munoz-Guatemala ignored the agents’ commands, including to fully roll down his car window, so Ross broke open his rear window and reached inside to unlock the door.
In that case, Ross ended up actually getting injured and used a tazer instead of a gun, but I find it hard to consider it anything but his own fault. Grabbing onto a car driven by someone in a highly stressful situation is insane, even without considering other factors. And now that power-crazed, reckless behavior has gotten someone killed.
I'm so fucking fed up with this country. And there is fuck-all I can do about it and it's depressing and maddening. I cannot afford to pack the family up and figure out how to exist in another...
I'm so fucking fed up with this country. And there is fuck-all I can do about it and it's depressing and maddening. I cannot afford to pack the family up and figure out how to exist in another country (though I'd love to). So we're all just stuck in a shit hole until the next election comes and hoping that there's enough of a blue wave to override any election meddling...but even then I have no faith in the Democrats to have the conviction to do anything major. Maybe a token, successful impeachment without removal?
To be honest while things have gotten worse under Trump I don't think America has fundamentally changed that much. Which is to say we have already had these issues for a long time. Police killing...
To be honest while things have gotten worse under Trump I don't think America has fundamentally changed that much. Which is to say we have already had these issues for a long time. Police killing civilians is an extremely regular occurrence here. Deportations, authoritarian trends, wars without the approval of congress, etc. Now it's all much dumber and the personal enrichment and failed uprising angles are new, but if America was fixable 10 years ago it still is today.
I started working on improving my local community instead of worrying as much about what happens in DC and I'm happier for it. Stay informed but even during the craziest times you only need a news update once per week.
This is currently what's saving my sanity. The really difficult part has been safeguarding the time-delay bubble from friends who are very reactive and frequently looking for sympathetic "wtf?!"...
Stay informed but even during the craziest times you only need a news update once per week.
This is currently what's saving my sanity. The really difficult part has been safeguarding the time-delay bubble from friends who are very reactive and frequently looking for sympathetic "wtf?!" reactions from the latest news event.
Much easier to move within the country than out of it. As Americans we’re very lucky we can go anywhere from Guam to Maine. Also there must be a cohort of likeminded people nearby. Even red...
Much easier to move within the country than out of it. As Americans we’re very lucky we can go anywhere from Guam to Maine. Also there must be a cohort of likeminded people nearby. Even red counties are usually like 60% in favor of Trump.
All I can do is call my CA reps and ultimately preach to the choir. I guess there's some solace knowing my state pretty much agrees this was all BS (up to one of the Senator's being temporarily...
All I can do is call my CA reps and ultimately preach to the choir. I guess there's some solace knowing my state pretty much agrees this was all BS (up to one of the Senator's being temporarily detailed back in June), but we need more than CA if we want to stop any more of this bloodshed.
even then I have no faith in the Democrats to have the conviction to do anything major. Maybe a token, successful impeachment without removal?
it'll depend on the kind of Democrat that gets in. I agree when leaders change we need a very thorough Nuremberg-style trial to expel all this out. No amnesty this time (they've tried that for 150 years now. They keep creeping in). Assuming the entire regime doesn't flee to Argentina and Russia (even then, a self-imposed exile may be a better result than Nuremberg).
Impeachments don't mean nothing. Remember that impeachments have only happened a few times in American history, and the only presidential resignation (that wasn't from death) happened from the looming threat of impeachment. Think not of how it will get Trump out immediately and how it will affect the rap record for the years to come.
You can volunteer with local aid groups. You can donate to aid groups doing the work where you can't volunteer your time. You can call your politicians and say your piece. I feel, and have felt,...
You can volunteer with local aid groups.
You can donate to aid groups doing the work where you can't volunteer your time.
You can call your politicians and say your piece.
I feel, and have felt, the same way you do. The best cure for that hopelessness that I've found is to get active, even a little bit. Because you're right, getting out is hard, for a lot of reasons (I've looked into it too).
I wish there was something that you/I/we could do, all at once, that would set the course. But we're not in those positions, we can't take on that responsibility or else it will crush us (I've been there too). We can only do what little things we can do, and that is enough.
My reasons - my job mostly doesn't exist outside the US and can't be done remotely. I own a house with < 2 years of equity in it. My partner and I aren't married and he's disabled to the extent he...
My reasons - my job mostly doesn't exist outside the US and can't be done remotely. I own a house with < 2 years of equity in it. My partner and I aren't married and he's disabled to the extent he cannot fly safely if at all. A broken chair could kill him. I have minimal savings due to recent home repairs.
Sigh
It's not really an option until it's a "fear for our lives" level, and even then...
The folks who can't leave are some of the most at risk. And I'm not even there.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's easy or even possible for everyone. But when I ask "What are your reasons" and get a serious answer, we often find that at least several of the reasons are...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's easy or even possible for everyone. But when I ask "What are your reasons" and get a serious answer, we often find that at least several of the reasons are actually very solvable problems. For example, in your case the house is a non-issue (it can be turned into a great asset and a headstart in a smaller economy), and the minimal savings are also not a huge problem (moving takes time, and again a lot of problems disappear when you move to smaller economies).
Many people get "tunnelvision" when thinking about moving - it feels so radical. But we live in an incredibly interconnected world, one where moving is mostly a financial ordeal, and it's not that bad if well planned. And it's worth noting that America is one of the most expensive countries in the world: Moving can absolutely upgrade your buying power, and be a lot less expensive than you think.
For some context, over the past years I've helped several Americans move to Europe and even created a program for US-based startup founders to move to Belgium. I believe that taking this step is one of the biggest, most positively impactful things you can do with your life -- significantly more impactful than many donations, shows of support, protests, and so on. I can explain further if you like.
But... yes, although it's easier than many think, it's also not like flipping a switch. I have no idea what to do about your partner as I don't know the situation, and I would need to understand more about your job as well to help. I know you're not considering it seriously, but you are also welcome to DM me if you want to brainstorm.
It could be an asset, if I can sell it quickly enough and make money on it, or it could be a loss if I need to move in a hurry. I'm not imagining a slow, long term plan, but a "shit is fucked"...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's easy or even possible for everyone. But when I ask "What are your reasons" and get a serious answer, we often find that at least several of the reasons are actually very solvable problems. For example, in your case the house is a non-issue (it can be turned into a great asset and a headstart in a smaller economy), and the minimal savings are also not a huge problem (moving takes time, and again a lot of problems disappear when you move to smaller economies).
It could be an asset, if I can sell it quickly enough and make money on it, or it could be a loss if I need to move in a hurry. I'm not imagining a slow, long term plan, but a "shit is fucked" situation.
I'm confused by "smaller economies." Where do you envision me moving given an inability to fly and a disabled spouse without legal recognition? Canada is about the only reasonable option, assuming they or anyone is willing to take a paraplegic.
For some context, over the past years I've helped several Americans move to Europe and even created a program for US-based startup founders to move to Belgium. I believe that taking this step is one of the biggest, most positively impactful things you can do with your life -- significantly more impactful than many donations, shows of support, protests, and so on. I can explain further if you like.
I suspect that startup founders have more cash than I do.plus they'd qualify for that Self Employment visa. My degree is in counseling, I do social work in higher education. I've done other social work, but I'm not licensed, and I don't know the professional qualifications, but most residence life roles don't exist abroad. I sincerely doubt I'd find a job offer with sufficient pay.
However even if I did, my partner is not financially self-sufficient and would not be eligible for benefits in a new country. He also can't physically get to Belgium. Or anywhere in Europe. He gets in home care and would be in a nursing home without the support he gets.
And I'm "doing ok" compared to some of the most at risk folks. I understand your point, that it's easier than many think. It's also something I do not believe you or I, can problem solve around. Much of the world is not built for disabled people, particularly wheelchair users. And discriminating against them (and poor, underemployed, undereducated people) is perfectly legal in emigration.
Just a quick drive-by comment ... moving from the US to the EU via boat is a very viable option (generally -- IDK about your specific circumstances). Typically around a 2-to-3-week trip. More...
Just a quick drive-by comment ... moving from the US to the EU via boat is a very viable option (generally -- IDK about your specific circumstances). Typically around a 2-to-3-week trip. More expensive than a plane ticket, but also generally affords much more room for luggage. When I moved to the EU, I seriously considered this option for my dog's sake; unfortunately, there were plenty of berths open for me, but getting an open spot for the dog was an 18-month wait.
It just wouldn't be medically safe for him to be away from hospital level care for that long. We can go months without an ER visit or be there multiple times in a week. Life is fucking hard I had...
It just wouldn't be medically safe for him to be away from hospital level care for that long. We can go months without an ER visit or be there multiple times in a week. Life is fucking hard
Without selling it: If you're able to rent it, it's supplemental income (even if it's break even), and will give you a stronger position in most western countries. Moving doesn't have to mean you...
It could be an asset, if I can sell it quickly enough and make money on it, or it could be a loss if I need to move in a hurry. I'm not imagining a slow, long term plan, but a "shit is fucked" situation.
Without selling it: If you're able to rent it, it's supplemental income (even if it's break even), and will give you a stronger position in most western countries. Moving doesn't have to mean you sell off your house / assets.
I'm confused by "smaller economies." Where do you envision me moving given an inability to fly and a disabled spouse without legal recognition? Canada is about the only reasonable option, assuming they or anyone is willing to take a paraplegic.
Well, as I said I don't know the details about your partner but several countries in Europe would take both of you, given the right arguments (and those arguments can be built up). Mind you, his physical situation is a more logistical problem than the rest; if you know everything else, this simply becomes "Make a plan and execute it".
I suspect that startup founders have more cash than I do
Successful startup founders don't need my help to move to where they want - that's the minority though. Most startup founders are in debt and highly precarious work situation (no guarantee of income etc).
My degree is in counseling, I do social work in higher education.
Pretty specific indeed, but I believe I've seen people with similar backgrounds work at the regional government level (either as advisors, or part of teams doing this type of work). Not easy, but I've seen far more specific backgrounds find work.
Not likely given its location. Certainly not without paying a management company if I'm abroad and can't return. And I have zero interest in being a landlord. I work for a living. I've said...
Without selling it: If you're able to rent it, it's supplemental income (even if it's break even), and will give you a stronger position in most western countries. Moving doesn't have to mean you sell off your house / assets.
Not likely given its location. Certainly not without paying a management company if I'm abroad and can't return. And I have zero interest in being a landlord. I work for a living.
Well, as I said I don't know the details about your partner but several countries in Europe would take both of you, given the right arguments (and those arguments can be built up). Mind you, his physical situation is a more logistical problem than the rest; if you know everything else, this simply becomes "Make a plan and execute it".
I've said "inability to fly", paraplegic, disabled, nursing home level of care, etc. He literally cannot get on a plane. And if he could somehow and an airline damaged his chair, it could kill him. He's not capable of working, hence the disability.
Genuinely, what country will take him even if he could get to it?
I have not seen any country willing to take fully disabled, unemployed people with low income and high medical needs. I see people denied who work remotely and can support themselves but are disabled. He'd need to be able to access healthcare immediately as well.
And now what country would take him that he could get to? Canada's medical impermissibility clause is pretty specific.
Successful startup founders don't need my help to move to where they want - that's the minority though. Most startup founders are in debt and highly precarious work situation (no guarantee of income etc).
Ok sure, they're still eligible for that self-employment visa though I assume?
My degree is in counseling, I do social work in higher education.
Pretty specific indeed, but I believe I've seen people with similar backgrounds work at the regional government level (either as advisors, or part of teams doing this type of work). Not easy, but I've seen far more specific backgrounds find work.
As I said, most universities abroad do not have these roles internationally. Most of the countries that seem to prioritize social workers are ones that explicitly exclude my partner.
Sure it's "possible" for some definition that handwaves a lot but that isn't "doable" or "plausible." And I don't even have kids. And I make decent money, that unfortunately is being sucked down by the cost of things like a wheelchair van, medical supplies, and a diabetic cat. I have genuinely thought about this and I'm not just being a downer to be contrarian. I bring it up because a lot of people's lives are complex, or hell, sometimes they're simple and you're just someone whose labor or retail job isn't going to let you save anything for a move at all. I'm open to an actual answer about where could be an option, but afaict Canada is basically it and they won't take him solo.
But my five year plan isn't moving abroad. If I have to move it will be because they're killing disabled people or kidnapping queer people. And hopefully refugee status is available should we end up there. If not, well, then it's too late anyway.
Not the OP, but the answer is more structural rather than motivational. Moving countries requires legal residency and income authorization. For most people, that means an employment-sponsored...
Not the OP, but the answer is more structural rather than motivational.
Moving countries requires legal residency and income authorization. For most people, that means an employment-sponsored visa. I have substantial savings, minimal debt, and a well-paid remote job (but that job cannot be performed outside the US for tax and compliance reasons).
My field, HR Information Technology, is tightly coupled to local labor law and regulatory frameworks. EU employers can more easily source or train this skillset internally without sponsoring visas, especially in the current market.
My spouse is Ukrainian, so relocation to Ukraine is legally possible, but given the war, that is a lateral move in risk rather than an upgrade in stability.
So “just moving” is not a logistics problem or a lack of will, but more a legal and labor-market constraint at the time. Believe me, I have been looking for exit paths since November 2024 and weighing all my options. I would gladly take a massive pay cut and uproot my family to live in a European country. Worst case scenario, if I really had to, we could enroll in university in Europe but the student visas have certain restrictions I am not comfortable with right now.
These are things that get easily solved for the people I help. I can't give more details, but it's why I built a program. Check if your spouse can fall under the special status many ukrainians...
Moving countries requires legal residency and income authorization. For most people, that means an employment-sponsored visa.
These are things that get easily solved for the people I help. I can't give more details, but it's why I built a program.
My spouse is Ukrainian, so relocation to Ukraine is legally possible, but given the war, that is a lateral move in risk rather than an upgrade in stability.
Check if your spouse can fall under the special status many ukrainians have eligibility for. This gives EU-wide access including for their family.
Believe me, I have been looking for exit paths since November 2024 and weighing all my options.
DM me, or email me at jerome@leclan.ch. If you're serious about it, your case looks very easy and I can help you move to Belgium. This is a service I give for free to any american resident that is looking for exit paths to Europe.
Dang, I’m a nurse and that unfortunately doesn’t transfer well to other countries. I looked and I have to speak either Dutch or French to qualify for the test to acquire an equivalency. Then have...
Dang, I’m a nurse and that unfortunately doesn’t transfer well to other countries. I looked and I have to speak either Dutch or French to qualify for the test to acquire an equivalency. Then have to take additional classes after that.
I’m also married so a marriage visa is out of the question for me too. Have a degree so can’t do student.
Jonathan Ross, the shooter, was on his cellphone recording his own video while murdering Renee Good. That video has now been made public. Linking to an Instagram reel with commentary because I...
Jonathan Ross, the shooter, was on his cellphone recording his own video while murdering Renee Good. That video has now been made public. Linking to an Instagram reel with commentary because I think it's good, but here's a CNN link if you just want the raw clip.
What's new from this perspective? We see and hear Ms. Good — smiling and speaking politely to the agent. We see her dog in the back of the vehicle. We hear her wife, in the last seconds before the murder, seeing what's about to happen and shouting to her "drive, baby, drive". And after the agent takes her life, we hear him utter "fucking bitch" as her vehicle careens toward parked cars down the street.
I don't think I can watch it. So thanks for the brief summary. ETA: her last words were "I'm not mad at you" and he murdered her and called her a fucking bitch. I do not have words for my anger....
Exemplary
I don't think I can watch it. So thanks for the brief summary.
ETA: her last words were "I'm not mad at you" and he murdered her and called her a fucking bitch. I do not have words for my anger.
May that man live the rest of his life in the fear he has put so many others in.
May he see himself in the mirror with only the disgust and contempt I feel for him now.
May he never sleep without reliving the nightmare of this murder with himself in her position, each time the shooter another person he's harassed or harmed in any way.
And may his name be forgotten and his life be deemed meaningless.
Somehow JD Vance thinks this exonerates the officer? If anything this video is even worse, shows the officer was AT MOST 'bumped' by the vehicle at near zero speed and really did not face any...
Somehow JD Vance thinks this exonerates the officer? If anything this video is even worse, shows the officer was AT MOST 'bumped' by the vehicle at near zero speed and really did not face any chance of being 'run over'.
I'm sure this is just one of many to come. It's hard to see how we as a country are going to recover from all of this any time soon. I try to avoid being a "doomer" (whatever that means anymore),...
I'm sure this is just one of many to come. It's hard to see how we as a country are going to recover from all of this any time soon. I try to avoid being a "doomer" (whatever that means anymore), but it feels impossible not to be now. The US feels irreparably broken. There is no real opposition politically, and every politician and other figure that talked a big game during the first term seems absolutely terrified or complicit now. I don't know why everyone seemed to roll over so quickly. I would love to have a glimmer of hope in these dark times.
To be an optimist, there is tons of opposition politically. Federal Court judges have been fighting non-stop since day one and I've seen quite a bit of congress openly defying this administration...
here is no real opposition politically
To be an optimist, there is tons of opposition politically. Federal Court judges have been fighting non-stop since day one and I've seen quite a bit of congress openly defying this administration is ways unheard of before. And I've seen swings on the state level that would be unheard of in 2024 even. It just won't be as eye-catching as the mid terms, nor that moment we see some true convictions happening.
But the numbers dont line up right now, and if there's one quality of republicans to be admired, it's the ability to work together and compromise on the "small matters" to build up long term wins. But even THAT is crumbling. Remember that one of the most outspoken R's retired yesterday ahead of the midterms. If that isn't foreboding for the future of the party, I don't know what is.
And with the untimely death of Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), even in 2026 the house margin to pass anything is 2 votes. I would have picked one of the octogenarians to let nature take its course on, but I suppose we don't have the luxury of decorum these days.
But yes, this will sadly get uglier before it gets better. It's simply inevitable on the scale of hundreds of millions of people and with out current media environment. I can't offer much more than glimmers until November, but there are glimmers out there.
I think we'd need dozens of congresspeople that are willing to risk their safety and the safety of their families in order to put up meaningful opposition. But during normal times they won't even...
I think we'd need dozens of congresspeople that are willing to risk their safety and the safety of their families in order to put up meaningful opposition. But during normal times they won't even risk their jobs - so good luck getting them to become heroes all of a sudden.
There have been a number of prayers and other tributes at Renee Good's memorial. On Friday the Muslim call to prayer was sung from the memorial. I've seen an Anishinaabe song being sung and...
There have been a number of prayers and other tributes at Renee Good's memorial. On Friday the Muslim call to prayer was sung from the memorial. I've seen an Anishinaabe song being sung and drummed (and possibly danced). I've seen a Mayan tribute of dance, drums, incense and prayers. There have been any number of Christian prayers spoken.
Seeing communities support each other is heartening
One of the best breakdowns of the video https://abcnews.go.com/US/minneapolis-ice-shooting-minute-minute-timeline-renee-nicole/story?id=129021809 They went frame by frame and analyzed when...
I appreciate the precision of the play-by-play and its attempts to be neutral. I think it would benefit from including Renee’s smile and apparent final words, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at...
I appreciate the precision of the play-by-play and its attempts to be neutral. I think it would benefit from including Renee’s smile and apparent final words, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.” Also the interaction with Becca, and the actual quote of the other agent’s order to “get out of the fucking car.” Not to mention the “fucking bitch” utterance after shooting her.
For this to be a truly impartial write-up, these details are critical for establishing the contrast in the parties’ demeanors.
I am going to try to preempt people coming into this thread and saying they feel hopeless about the state of this country. It's not an unreasonable feeling. But consider who has a vested interested in you feeling this way. If you feel hopeless, stop, and do the thing the people who want you to feel hopeless don't want you to do - act. Connect with your community. Get involved in a protest. Arm yourself in self-defense. You may quail at this last point, but the violence is already here. Renouncing firearms will accomplish nothing.
I could be wrong, but I have a gut feeling that the utterly brazen cruelty of this (and how clearly it was caught on camera) will cross a line for enough people that we will see them fight back, at least locally in Minneapolis. If this happens, there's a good chance it will be bloody. But again, don't feel hopeless about that - it's bad news (there is currently no good news option), but it would be worse news if people were to lie down and do nothing.
There are a lot of ways to alleviate the stress of watching your country descend into madness - go for a walk, hug a kitten, binge watch tv and eat copious amounts of junk food, etc. etc. However, in my experience, the best antidote for those feelings of dread and anger is to be around people who feel the same way and want to do something about it. A lot of organizations still have remote meetings and there are plenty of ways you can contribute without even having to leave your house!
I know I'm repeating something that has annoyed a lot of people, but one of the most important things right now is to have a bold and functional opposition party. The primaries are just around the corner...
The most important message we’re sending in the midterms is to the DNC, not Trump. Find your local candidates that aren’t party cronies and vote for them.
Hard agree re: being around people with a shared mission. I found going to protests last year invigorating in a way I didn’t expect.
After 24 hours of seeing the partisan reactions to this incident, I'm starting to think we might have crossed a line that we can't go back from. At least not without something catastrophic happening.
The video evidence and the witness testimony are about as clear as you can get. Renee Good did not pose any threat, and the ICE agents clearly escalated the situation and shot her without just cause. After these unidentified masked men shot her, they denied her potential life-saving treatment from a nearby doctor, and their vehicles prevented first responders from arriving on the scene as quickly as possible.
This should be met with universal condemnation; however, Republicans and right-wing commentators are justifying it. They're calling her a terrorist and saying she was trying to kill the man who shot her, as if there isn't clear fucking video of the incident that shows otherwise. They say that the agents intervened after she was blocking traffic, but video shows other unmarked vehicles pass by and witnesses say she was waving them past her. The contradictions alone are completely insane, yet, somehow, people are buying it. They're literally seeing things that aren't there. My bar was already incredibly low, but this is truly unbelievable.
The most obvious comparison I can think of is George Floyd's murder. When George Floyd was murdered on video back in 2020, there was immediate bipartisan condemnation of the officers involved. There was no getting around it. Republicans and Democrats alike expressed horror at what they saw on video. Trump tweeted out condolences and said the FBI would bring the officers to justice. Even police organizations were critical of the officers. Police organizations! It was only after the initial protests when we started to see right-wing efforts to minimize the brutality or justify the actions of the police, but even that was more on the fringe. Conservatives would work tirelessly to tarnish George Floyd's reputation in the ensuing months/years, but the vast majority of the partisan divide that summer was centered around the protests.
What we are seeing right now is on a whole nother level. It's as though there isn't a video. The conservative response to this echos the responses we saw in the wake of Michael Brown or Trayvon Martin. In addition to the absence of video, those responses can be largely credited to the lack of empathy that stemmed from this country's deep seeded racism and society's constant implicit criminalizing of the existence and actions of young black men. That problem has plauged this country for 250 years, and obviously there have been some non-linear, incremental improvements, but at great cost. However, now it seems that lack of empathy has extended beyond race and socioeconomic conditions and into political differences. Apparently, no amount of video evidence can overcome it, either.
Where do we go from here if we can't agree on what's right in front of us?
This is not accurate. Sure, the ICE agent placed himself in harms way, deliberately escalating the situation with no apparent justification, but a moving vehicle is always a very real threat.
I know this might seem niggling, especially when I agree with the other 98% of what you said. But I can't help but feel this debate is never going to change opinions, and is only going to distract people.
There are policies in place to avoid these situations. These policies weren't followed. The ICE agent was encouraged to ignore these policies. He is still employed by ICE. ICE is actively being encouraged to aggressively hire more people like this ICE agent. The training required to avoid these sorts of unnecessary and tragic deaths clearly isn't there. The processes to remove ICE agents not following protocol isn't there. And that is a deliberate decision.
This whole debate about is Renee at fault or is the ICE agent at fault seems like a distraction. This death is on Trump. But I think this divisive debate is exactly what Trump wants. When we are arguing about who is at fault for a death, we are not focused on how Trump is deliberately dividing us. Trump really isn't making America great again, he is making America hate again. And while America is hating the other side, Trump and his billionaire friends are looting all they can.
This wasn't an avoidable death. It was death by design. As a distraction.
It can only be a distraction if you concede that fault is even debatable. It's not. I think almost everybody in this thread understands that. Hell, I think most Americans understand that. Reactionary pundits and their ilk will try to play this down for sure, but they'll always do that if they feel they can even remotely get away with it, so it's not a good way to measure general attitude. Meanwhile, I've heard tell from conservative relatives that even they and their friends are horrified by the video. Which is anecdotal, but still.
In the spirit of niggling, I feel I should mention that your point regarding a moving vehicle being a threat rather contradicts the rest of your post by participating in the debate you're speaking against. Renee Good being "a threat" is also not a debate, and shouldn't be treated as one by any stretch. Let's not legitimize the concept.
As a last note though, it seems like you're suggesting that the circumstances that lead to this were deliberate in order to engineer a death like this so as to create useless arguing, which I heavily disagree with. ICE agents are given carte blanche because that's what fascism does. They want power, and having an unaccountable secret police is a way to get that. Simple as.
Situations like this, however, do not help that. People are fucking pissed right now, and getting your population incredibly angry at you just massively increases the odds of you losing power. Someone died on video in so awful a way that justification is impossible and the lies are clear as clean glass. This isn't a distraction, both in the strategic sense, and in the sense that the wanton death of an innocent should never be considered "a distraction."
Thank you for your well thought out response.
I agree we should be angry right now because things are badly wrong.
I think where we disagree is where the anger should be directed at.
American law enforcement is the worst in the free world. I've experienced this first hand. But I also don't want a world without law enforcement.
ICE is the worst in the free world. I have also experienced this first hand. But I also don't want a world without ICE.
While it's cathartic to run around screaming at ICE, while recording them, it's not safe. But I also don't want a world where people don't care about immigrants such as myself, and I don't want a world where people don't care about helpless victims of law enforcement as I once was.
While it's cathartic to accuse LE supporters of being wrong headed, it's only going to make those supporters double down.
I'm not arguing against debate. I am in fact debating the accuracy of blaming an individual ICE agent as not factual, and not helpful, except to those who want more hate and anger in the world. And that is not what Renee Good stood for.
There is a clear and obvious argument to be made here. There is a reason to be angry. The ICE officer should lose his job. He hung onto one escaping vehicle. He put himself in the danger zone of another vehicle. He is a danger to himself and others.
Why am I directing my anger at Trump? Trump is demonizing the dead. There is not even a pretense of impartial or independent analysis. This keeps both sides angry at each other, generating more conflict, resulting in more deaths. And we know Trump will be watching the conflict on TV with glee.
Please read through the statement from Becca, Renee's wife...
There's actually I think another, though less significant, possibly more similar example of two sides completely disagreeing on video evidence.
Back in 2018, there was an incident with Sarah Huckabee Sanders attempting to forcefully take a microphone away from Jim Acosta. Acosta had his other arm held out gesticulating as part of his talking and it incidentally made contact with Sanders.
Republicans immediately jumped to accusing him of "placing hands" on Sanders and "aggressively karate chopping" her arm away. Someone on the right even doctored the video to selectively speed up parts of it to make Acosta's hand motions look more aggressive.
I'm not going to pretend like back in 2018 I knew how bad things would get but I knew then that we were in dangerous territory.
https://youtu.be/1VwRrcVxjms?si=YazReDWF_9-1D4KV&t=86
They really do live in their own reality. It’s like some kind of absurd shared hallucination. You can’t reason with an individual that 2 + 2 = 4 anymore because they’ve got a critical mass of friends, family members, pastors, pundits, and influencers all shouting that it isn’t. No one’s willing to break ranks and disagree with the echo chamber — frankly that would take too much energy and critical thought anyway, and just put them on the outs with their tribe anyway, so why bother?
I don’t know how to bring them back to planet earth. I desperately wish there was a way. Plenty of my loved ones are in that cult.
The MAGA narrative is diverging further and further from reality as time goes by. That can’t be sustainable, sooner or later a kid in the crowd is going to ask why the emperor’s naked and the whole illusion will collapse. But how much harm will be wrought in the meantime?
I'd like to think this is true, too. But Russia and China have been one-party rule for a very long time. Their populations consist of people who either agree with ruling hegemony, or don't but are unable to do anything about it. The US might end up in a similar situation for a very long time if David Frum was actually right, and they've rejected democracy altogether.
I live near where she was murdered, 6-7 minutes away. I have no words and am deeply saddened and heartbroken.
Our nation is broken, there is no opposition party. I have called my senators, door knocked and canvassed, I've done more than I think is expected of the average citizen to help build a better community. Only to have a tyrant and his fascist thugs come into my home town and murder my neighbors in cold blood.
First right-wing lunatics murdered our senator; Hortman, and then Trump spread lies to imply Tim Walz had something to do with it.
Now, he (Trump) is sending his lowest degenerate thugs that are trigger happy to my town to murder an innocent mother.
My heart weeps for my community. I have a small son, I read she had a 6 year old boy and that the boy's father had passed away. Now he's an orphan. And for what?
What is the point?
Frey is a Democrat, and he used the strongest language I've ever heard from from a politician:
Remember that Minnesota is the state that put George Floyd's murderer behind bars. The local district and state attorneys are already aggressively investigating. We should expect charges.
Edit: FBI is moving to quash any local investigation and prevent charges from being filed. Extremely frustrating.
I get that. Frey also called me a loser for working remotely
These people do not usually do more than words when it comes to this sort of stuff.
Look, I'm not trying to say Frey or the likes aren't trying sometimes. What I am saying is our system is so incredibly broken, we cannot get out of this mess through what we've been trying regularly.
I'm open to new approaches. But I can't do much about Minnesota as someone not from there. And we the people are still much too divided to really execute anything on the national level.
My biggest fear ironically enough is that midterms pass, the blue wave comes, they slap a few people, and then we sweep it under the rug and try to pretend 2016-2026 never happened. So we won't learn anything until the next dictator drops in. I really hope that to not be the case, but the attention span of the nation is definitely shot.
Me, French, thinking about the French approach
That was Plan A during 2020, and "nothing ever happens" seems to be the norm for this kind of stuff without some major political arm twisting. That level of national introspection usually doesn't come cheap.
Not sure if her wife adopted the son but fuck he may lose a third parent if not.
ICE 'killed my wife,' Minneapolis woman cries after shooting | Advocate.com
I have no words either. Take care of yourself
Minneapolis kids had school closed a few days into the new school year due to the shooting at Annunciation, and now again a few days into the second half of the year.
Insanity
https://www.startribune.com/she-was-an-amazing-human-being-mother-identifies-woman-shot-killed-by-ice-agent/601559922
They identified the murdered woman as Renee Nicole Good, age 37, a widow with a 6 year old son who is now an orphan.
Seems the Star Tribune has also identified the killer now as Jonathan Ross. https://www.startribune.com/ice-agent-who-fatally-shot-woman-in-minneapolis-is-identified/601560214
It seems this isn't the first time he has latched onto someone's vehicle unnecessarily:
In that case, Ross ended up actually getting injured and used a tazer instead of a gun, but I find it hard to consider it anything but his own fault. Grabbing onto a car driven by someone in a highly stressful situation is insane, even without considering other factors. And now that power-crazed, reckless behavior has gotten someone killed.
Title is copied from what AP has published at time of posting.
Warning, graphic link to the video: https://x.com/bnonews/status/2008966410039644438
I'm so fucking fed up with this country. And there is fuck-all I can do about it and it's depressing and maddening. I cannot afford to pack the family up and figure out how to exist in another country (though I'd love to). So we're all just stuck in a shit hole until the next election comes and hoping that there's enough of a blue wave to override any election meddling...but even then I have no faith in the Democrats to have the conviction to do anything major. Maybe a token, successful impeachment without removal?
I'm just done. and sad.
To be honest while things have gotten worse under Trump I don't think America has fundamentally changed that much. Which is to say we have already had these issues for a long time. Police killing civilians is an extremely regular occurrence here. Deportations, authoritarian trends, wars without the approval of congress, etc. Now it's all much dumber and the personal enrichment and failed uprising angles are new, but if America was fixable 10 years ago it still is today.
I started working on improving my local community instead of worrying as much about what happens in DC and I'm happier for it. Stay informed but even during the craziest times you only need a news update once per week.
This is currently what's saving my sanity. The really difficult part has been safeguarding the time-delay bubble from friends who are very reactive and frequently looking for sympathetic "wtf?!" reactions from the latest news event.
I agree this is the way, but damn is it hard when your local community is conservative and cheering this bullshit on.
Much easier to move within the country than out of it. As Americans we’re very lucky we can go anywhere from Guam to Maine. Also there must be a cohort of likeminded people nearby. Even red counties are usually like 60% in favor of Trump.
All I can do is call my CA reps and ultimately preach to the choir. I guess there's some solace knowing my state pretty much agrees this was all BS (up to one of the Senator's being temporarily detailed back in June), but we need more than CA if we want to stop any more of this bloodshed.
it'll depend on the kind of Democrat that gets in. I agree when leaders change we need a very thorough Nuremberg-style trial to expel all this out. No amnesty this time (they've tried that for 150 years now. They keep creeping in). Assuming the entire regime doesn't flee to Argentina and Russia (even then, a self-imposed exile may be a better result than Nuremberg).
Impeachments don't mean nothing. Remember that impeachments have only happened a few times in American history, and the only presidential resignation (that wasn't from death) happened from the looming threat of impeachment. Think not of how it will get Trump out immediately and how it will affect the rap record for the years to come.
You can volunteer with local aid groups.
You can donate to aid groups doing the work where you can't volunteer your time.
You can call your politicians and say your piece.
I feel, and have felt, the same way you do. The best cure for that hopelessness that I've found is to get active, even a little bit. Because you're right, getting out is hard, for a lot of reasons (I've looked into it too).
I wish there was something that you/I/we could do, all at once, that would set the course. But we're not in those positions, we can't take on that responsibility or else it will crush us (I've been there too). We can only do what little things we can do, and that is enough.
Why not?
DM me if you want to talk about this seriously.
My reasons - my job mostly doesn't exist outside the US and can't be done remotely. I own a house with < 2 years of equity in it. My partner and I aren't married and he's disabled to the extent he cannot fly safely if at all. A broken chair could kill him. I have minimal savings due to recent home repairs.
Sigh
It's not really an option until it's a "fear for our lives" level, and even then...
The folks who can't leave are some of the most at risk. And I'm not even there.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's easy or even possible for everyone. But when I ask "What are your reasons" and get a serious answer, we often find that at least several of the reasons are actually very solvable problems. For example, in your case the house is a non-issue (it can be turned into a great asset and a headstart in a smaller economy), and the minimal savings are also not a huge problem (moving takes time, and again a lot of problems disappear when you move to smaller economies).
Many people get "tunnelvision" when thinking about moving - it feels so radical. But we live in an incredibly interconnected world, one where moving is mostly a financial ordeal, and it's not that bad if well planned. And it's worth noting that America is one of the most expensive countries in the world: Moving can absolutely upgrade your buying power, and be a lot less expensive than you think.
For some context, over the past years I've helped several Americans move to Europe and even created a program for US-based startup founders to move to Belgium. I believe that taking this step is one of the biggest, most positively impactful things you can do with your life -- significantly more impactful than many donations, shows of support, protests, and so on. I can explain further if you like.
But... yes, although it's easier than many think, it's also not like flipping a switch. I have no idea what to do about your partner as I don't know the situation, and I would need to understand more about your job as well to help. I know you're not considering it seriously, but you are also welcome to DM me if you want to brainstorm.
Even hypothetically. 😉
It could be an asset, if I can sell it quickly enough and make money on it, or it could be a loss if I need to move in a hurry. I'm not imagining a slow, long term plan, but a "shit is fucked" situation.
I'm confused by "smaller economies." Where do you envision me moving given an inability to fly and a disabled spouse without legal recognition? Canada is about the only reasonable option, assuming they or anyone is willing to take a paraplegic.
I suspect that startup founders have more cash than I do.plus they'd qualify for that Self Employment visa. My degree is in counseling, I do social work in higher education. I've done other social work, but I'm not licensed, and I don't know the professional qualifications, but most residence life roles don't exist abroad. I sincerely doubt I'd find a job offer with sufficient pay.
However even if I did, my partner is not financially self-sufficient and would not be eligible for benefits in a new country. He also can't physically get to Belgium. Or anywhere in Europe. He gets in home care and would be in a nursing home without the support he gets.
And I'm "doing ok" compared to some of the most at risk folks. I understand your point, that it's easier than many think. It's also something I do not believe you or I, can problem solve around. Much of the world is not built for disabled people, particularly wheelchair users. And discriminating against them (and poor, underemployed, undereducated people) is perfectly legal in emigration.
Just a quick drive-by comment ... moving from the US to the EU via boat is a very viable option (generally -- IDK about your specific circumstances). Typically around a 2-to-3-week trip. More expensive than a plane ticket, but also generally affords much more room for luggage. When I moved to the EU, I seriously considered this option for my dog's sake; unfortunately, there were plenty of berths open for me, but getting an open spot for the dog was an 18-month wait.
It just wouldn't be medically safe for him to be away from hospital level care for that long. We can go months without an ER visit or be there multiple times in a week. Life is fucking hard
I had actually considered it.
Without selling it: If you're able to rent it, it's supplemental income (even if it's break even), and will give you a stronger position in most western countries. Moving doesn't have to mean you sell off your house / assets.
Well, as I said I don't know the details about your partner but several countries in Europe would take both of you, given the right arguments (and those arguments can be built up). Mind you, his physical situation is a more logistical problem than the rest; if you know everything else, this simply becomes "Make a plan and execute it".
Successful startup founders don't need my help to move to where they want - that's the minority though. Most startup founders are in debt and highly precarious work situation (no guarantee of income etc).
Pretty specific indeed, but I believe I've seen people with similar backgrounds work at the regional government level (either as advisors, or part of teams doing this type of work). Not easy, but I've seen far more specific backgrounds find work.
Not likely given its location. Certainly not without paying a management company if I'm abroad and can't return. And I have zero interest in being a landlord. I work for a living.
I've said "inability to fly", paraplegic, disabled, nursing home level of care, etc. He literally cannot get on a plane. And if he could somehow and an airline damaged his chair, it could kill him. He's not capable of working, hence the disability.
Genuinely, what country will take him even if he could get to it?
I have not seen any country willing to take fully disabled, unemployed people with low income and high medical needs. I see people denied who work remotely and can support themselves but are disabled. He'd need to be able to access healthcare immediately as well.
And now what country would take him that he could get to? Canada's medical impermissibility clause is pretty specific.
Ok sure, they're still eligible for that self-employment visa though I assume?
As I said, most universities abroad do not have these roles internationally. Most of the countries that seem to prioritize social workers are ones that explicitly exclude my partner.
Sure it's "possible" for some definition that handwaves a lot but that isn't "doable" or "plausible." And I don't even have kids. And I make decent money, that unfortunately is being sucked down by the cost of things like a wheelchair van, medical supplies, and a diabetic cat. I have genuinely thought about this and I'm not just being a downer to be contrarian. I bring it up because a lot of people's lives are complex, or hell, sometimes they're simple and you're just someone whose labor or retail job isn't going to let you save anything for a move at all. I'm open to an actual answer about where could be an option, but afaict Canada is basically it and they won't take him solo.
But my five year plan isn't moving abroad. If I have to move it will be because they're killing disabled people or kidnapping queer people. And hopefully refugee status is available should we end up there. If not, well, then it's too late anyway.
Not the OP, but the answer is more structural rather than motivational.
Moving countries requires legal residency and income authorization. For most people, that means an employment-sponsored visa. I have substantial savings, minimal debt, and a well-paid remote job (but that job cannot be performed outside the US for tax and compliance reasons).
My field, HR Information Technology, is tightly coupled to local labor law and regulatory frameworks. EU employers can more easily source or train this skillset internally without sponsoring visas, especially in the current market.
My spouse is Ukrainian, so relocation to Ukraine is legally possible, but given the war, that is a lateral move in risk rather than an upgrade in stability.
So “just moving” is not a logistics problem or a lack of will, but more a legal and labor-market constraint at the time. Believe me, I have been looking for exit paths since November 2024 and weighing all my options. I would gladly take a massive pay cut and uproot my family to live in a European country. Worst case scenario, if I really had to, we could enroll in university in Europe but the student visas have certain restrictions I am not comfortable with right now.
These are things that get easily solved for the people I help. I can't give more details, but it's why I built a program.
Check if your spouse can fall under the special status many ukrainians have eligibility for. This gives EU-wide access including for their family.
DM me, or email me at jerome@leclan.ch. If you're serious about it, your case looks very easy and I can help you move to Belgium. This is a service I give for free to any american resident that is looking for exit paths to Europe.
What visa do you the people you help usually acquire?
Whichever one is easiest for the person in question. Usually it's a work visa.
Dang, I’m a nurse and that unfortunately doesn’t transfer well to other countries. I looked and I have to speak either Dutch or French to qualify for the test to acquire an equivalency. Then have to take additional classes after that.
I’m also married so a marriage visa is out of the question for me too. Have a degree so can’t do student.
I primarily work with belgium but did you look at UK? AFAIK it's extremely easy for US nurses to transfer over to UK.
I did not, but I will take a look. Thank you.
Not sure if I would actually move countries but I very much want to have an exit plan if I were to move.
Jonathan Ross, the shooter, was on his cellphone recording his own video while murdering Renee Good. That video has now been made public. Linking to an Instagram reel with commentary because I think it's good, but here's a CNN link if you just want the raw clip.
What's new from this perspective? We see and hear Ms. Good — smiling and speaking politely to the agent. We see her dog in the back of the vehicle. We hear her wife, in the last seconds before the murder, seeing what's about to happen and shouting to her "drive, baby, drive". And after the agent takes her life, we hear him utter "fucking bitch" as her vehicle careens toward parked cars down the street.
I don't think I can watch it. So thanks for the brief summary.
ETA: her last words were "I'm not mad at you" and he murdered her and called her a fucking bitch. I do not have words for my anger.
May that man live the rest of his life in the fear he has put so many others in.
May he see himself in the mirror with only the disgust and contempt I feel for him now.
May he never sleep without reliving the nightmare of this murder with himself in her position, each time the shooter another person he's harassed or harmed in any way.
And may his name be forgotten and his life be deemed meaningless.
Somehow JD Vance thinks this exonerates the officer? If anything this video is even worse, shows the officer was AT MOST 'bumped' by the vehicle at near zero speed and really did not face any chance of being 'run over'.
I'm sure this is just one of many to come. It's hard to see how we as a country are going to recover from all of this any time soon. I try to avoid being a "doomer" (whatever that means anymore), but it feels impossible not to be now. The US feels irreparably broken. There is no real opposition politically, and every politician and other figure that talked a big game during the first term seems absolutely terrified or complicit now. I don't know why everyone seemed to roll over so quickly. I would love to have a glimmer of hope in these dark times.
To be an optimist, there is tons of opposition politically. Federal Court judges have been fighting non-stop since day one and I've seen quite a bit of congress openly defying this administration is ways unheard of before. And I've seen swings on the state level that would be unheard of in 2024 even. It just won't be as eye-catching as the mid terms, nor that moment we see some true convictions happening.
But the numbers dont line up right now, and if there's one quality of republicans to be admired, it's the ability to work together and compromise on the "small matters" to build up long term wins. But even THAT is crumbling. Remember that one of the most outspoken R's retired yesterday ahead of the midterms. If that isn't foreboding for the future of the party, I don't know what is.
And with the untimely death of Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), even in 2026 the house margin to pass anything is 2 votes. I would have picked one of the octogenarians to let nature take its course on, but I suppose we don't have the luxury of decorum these days.
But yes, this will sadly get uglier before it gets better. It's simply inevitable on the scale of hundreds of millions of people and with out current media environment. I can't offer much more than glimmers until November, but there are glimmers out there.
I think we'd need dozens of congresspeople that are willing to risk their safety and the safety of their families in order to put up meaningful opposition. But during normal times they won't even risk their jobs - so good luck getting them to become heroes all of a sudden.
There have been a number of prayers and other tributes at Renee Good's memorial. On Friday the Muslim call to prayer was sung from the memorial. I've seen an Anishinaabe song being sung and drummed (and possibly danced). I've seen a Mayan tribute of dance, drums, incense and prayers. There have been any number of Christian prayers spoken.
Seeing communities support each other is heartening
I saw so many photos of marches in her honour and tribute. May her memory be eternal.
One of the best breakdowns of the video
https://abcnews.go.com/US/minneapolis-ice-shooting-minute-minute-timeline-renee-nicole/story?id=129021809
They went frame by frame and analyzed when everything happened.
I appreciate the precision of the play-by-play and its attempts to be neutral. I think it would benefit from including Renee’s smile and apparent final words, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.” Also the interaction with Becca, and the actual quote of the other agent’s order to “get out of the fucking car.” Not to mention the “fucking bitch” utterance after shooting her.
For this to be a truly impartial write-up, these details are critical for establishing the contrast in the parties’ demeanors.