CommonHumanity
CommonHumanity's JournalChanging to old format
I thought that the original announcement of the new format said that you could revert to the old format if you want to. Is that correct? If yes, does anyone know how? I loved how the old format allowed me to open to a page new posts and breaking news and videos on the right side.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Maga mocking
I'm thinking about maga mocking this morning and wondering when it crosses over into playing into the hands of the maga elite (aka the rapaciously greedy who want a nation of barely surviving wage slaves).
I don't mean holding back on detesting their actions, their displays and the votes that oppose their self-interest. I mean mocking the maga common folk. Sure there are plenty of them that know just where a maga USA is headed and like it just fine because it serves their self-interest, but there are also a lot of people who are being mislead by the rampant propaganda and scapegoating.
I don't like what they do and stand for anymore than anyone else here on DU, but part of the whole maga elite strategy is to have us hating each other while they grab the wheels of power. I don't mean go out and love a maga or approve of what they do, but each side mocking the other plays right into the hands of the top maga power brokers. I mean maybe not mocking their red, white and blue outfits and calling them low-class and uneducated. It just fires them up to hate us more and on and on it goes. I don't actually see a lot of this on DU, but I do see a lot of it overall. This whole culture war bullshit is a set-up to have us fighting each other. They are primed to hate us and we in turn disdain them.
As Beau would say, this is just a thought. I'm interested in your thoughts on the topic as I think about it. Don't attack me for saying for saying this! Okay, I guess you are entitled to do so, but really this is a thought I want to explore and want other thoughts if you have them
discouraged and mad
I am so heart sick about the news of the blueprint for a 2nd Trump presidency. I don't think he will win, but just the knowledge that these mother-fuckers are planning fascism for their benefit and have been waiting with lust for decades to finally and totally dismantle all obstacles to their wanton greed.
The rich, not all the rich, but the many rapaciously greedy rich power-mongers suck the blood, the minimal wealth and the security that allows a modestly dignified life from the rest of us. All the while destroying our planet, the very air we breathe, the water we drink and the very rain that falls. We are so accustomed to it we don't even see it in its entirety.
The rich in their infinite greed were not satisfied with the presence of a moderately secure middle class and an underclass that serves as an easy target and source of free labor. They won't stop until we are all modern serfs and wage slaves too busy and bone-tired from living paycheck to paycheck and worrying about paying for medical care to get our heads above water enough to get a gulp of air. I won't go overly into detail, but the whole capitalist and corporate system as it is set up perpetuates our present disastrous assault on human and planetary life and health. The corporate set up encourages immorality. I'll sum it up with the saying "Grow or Die".
It is never, and will never be, enough for them. The only answer is lasting and enforced regulations to protect for the rest of us and to protect LIFE ON EARTH and we need to be ever, ever vigilant about protecting those guard rails.
I know this isn't news and is perhaps a rant, but please just reply "I hear you" or "yeah" if you agree. I need the support today. I'm discouraged and its my birthday to boot.
Hey y'all-Join a credit union!
Today I'm encouraging for folks to leave their bank and join a credit union.
In case you haven't been a credit union member, I've pasted a quick blurb from mycreditunion.gov below. I've also posted a link to the same site at the end of this posting in case you want to learn more or have questions. You can also send questions to me and I'll do my best to answer them.
"A credit union is a not-for-profit financial institution that accepts deposits, make loans, and provides a wide array of other financial services and products. Deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, which is managed by The National Credit Union Administration, commonly referred to as NCUA. Backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the Share Insurance Fund insures the accounts of millions of account holders in all federal credit unions and the vast majority of state-chartered credit unions. The standard share insurance amount is $250,000 per share owner, per insured credit union, for each account ownership category.
Although they offer many of the same products and services as other financial institutions, credit unions have some distinguishing characteristics that make them unique. Credit unions operate to promote the well-being of their members. Profits made by credit unions are returned back to members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates and lower loan rates".
Fees tend to be lower, and there are plenty of ATMS and traditional services and they have the BEST service (at least the two I belong to). My credit union also offers great educational seminars about investing, retirement, home ownership and lots of other topics.
There are lots of employers that offer their employees credit union membership, but there are also plenty of credit unions that allow individuals to join. In my case, I used to work for the State of NC and joined the NC State Employee Credit Union at that time. They were great, but don't offer small business accounts, so when I later started a small business, I joined the Coastal Federal Credit Union and opened a business account. I really can't say enough good things about both credits unions. It's also nice to know that the employees I see at the credit union are working for a fair employer not a dirty rat-bastard greedy empire.
Most importantly joining a credit union deprives the big bank of your business. I suspect a mass exodus to credit union could really make a difference and eventually force regular banks to become better actors in our politics and economy or at minimum force traditional banks to provide better service and more reasonable fees.
I'm no expert on the intricacies of banking. My recommendation is based primarily on my values and my experience as a member of two credit unions, so please no one get all over me about unacknowledged shortcomings. I'm sure there are some, but I feel pretty darn safe in saying it is a better choice.
Here's the link I mentioned if you'd like more information:
https://mycreditunion.gov/about-credit-unions/credit-union-different-than-a-bank
Advice please-dental work in Mexico
Hi all,
Has anyone here had dental work in Mexico? I'll go easy on details, but upshot is I have a dental mess on my hands.
After multiple entries into the lottery for reduced cost care at the UNC Dental School Clinic, I was finally got in. The cost for my treatment plan, at a 50% reduction over standard costs, is $35,000.00. Please explain how anyone with a moderate income can afford that price.
I've heard great things about dental work in Mexico with costs coming in at roughly 30% including travel and lodging cost. Has anyone gone to MX for dental work? If so, can you please give me recommendations for a dentist, clinic or location? I've traveled a good bit in MX on my own, on public buses, and with lower cost lodging so I'm cool with that part. Just looking for recommendations on the dental aspect.
Sincere, much appreciated and big thanks to anyone who can help me out with information!
(In looking into this issue, lots of the information refers to "medical tourists". Frankly, I'd call us medical refugees. Damn our corporate enrichment healthcare system).
Can't stop thinking about all the non human life in Ukraine
Like everyone here, my heart breaks for the people of Ukraine while I marvel at their courage. Something else is though is haunting me terribly - the non-human life. The plants and the animals, the microbes in the soil, the insects and all the other life. I am glad the world is paying attention to pets and zoo animals, but there is also so much more that makes up the web of life that supports us and makes the world so wonderous.
The fact that spring is coming to life all around me in my home in NC only makes the destruction more immediate and real. How can we as humans destroy these gifts? We are surely the most insane species on earth. I know in this case, the blame falls on Russia, but we as humans have been warring and destroying the life on which we depend for eons.
A few weeks ago the spring peepers started up in the pond and woods near my house. Last week there were so many frogs on the path to my house that I had to be careful not to crush one as I pushed a wheelbarrow up the path. The soil around my house is brimming with earthworms, the birds are singing, I see rabbits and deer every day, buds are forming and turning into leaves with haste and everything is coming to life. Every time I notice these things, my heart breaks for all the utterly innocent and utterly essential life forms that are being burned and poisoned by human war. It just breaks my heart to see green life turned to ashes.
Ban all Russian social media?
First, I am a digital moron so the answer to this question may be oh so OBVIOUS. At the risk of humiliation and condescension, I proceed:
Seeing as Russian propaganda is wreaking havoc worldwide, with a few known/prominent examples being Ukraine, US Elections, Brexit and anti-vax propaganda, is there a way to ban all Russian disinformation globally. Shut off Russian access to Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, etc.? I know this would also silence the voices of Russian dissidents, but maybe an online outlet for dissidents could be created. Even without a venue for dissidents, the overall good might be worth it. I don't know, just grabbing at straws here, but then again the online propaganda venue seems to be a major vehicle Russia uses to promote nefarious agendas that are harmful to world peace and well-being.
Thank you for the hearts!
I read A LOT of posts and give them plenty of thought, but don't post much and haven't been a member terribly long so I totally didn't expect to receive a heart.
Figured I fell under the radar. So nice to think someone has noticed me! Thank you!
My abortion: Any ob/gyn (or other) thoughts?
I had an abortion way back in 1986. I believe I was 6 weeks pregnant when I first learned I was pregnant and went to an MD regarding an abortion. As I remember it, the medical folks told me to wait until at least the 7th week of pregnancy because it was safer to perform an abortion after 7 weeks. I am not dreaming this up and I also have no frigging' idea what the reasoning was. Maybe it was related to my age at the time (28), maybe it was related to how the procedure was performed in 1986. Maybe it was an odd notion in Massachusetts. Point is, I've been wondering about this in light of the new Texas abortion restrictions.
One more thing to note, which may be of interest to anyone getting an abortion in the future:
At the time of my abortion, I had a friend who was planning to become a midwife. She told me about laminaria, a type of seaweed that is dehydrated and shaped into a rod suitable for insertion in the cervix. The purpose of inserting the laminaria into the cervix --in the context of abortion -- is to dilate the cervix in advance of the procedure, thereby making it way more comfortable. I spoke to the MD about it and she verified that this was in fact true. However, they did not offer it unless women specifically asked for it. Why? Because once the laminaria is inserted, it diminishes or eliminates (I can't remember which) the option to change your mind and go forward with the pregnancy. This pissed me off. Here was something that significantly reduced pain and discomfort and that was all-natural and non-toxic, but it was not being offered because someone somewhere had decreed that women couldn't be trusted to know how they wanted to handle their unplanned pregnancy. That is bullshit. Anyway, I assured them I had no doubts regarding going forward with the abortion, requested the laminaria and had it administered. The abortion was fairly painless and all the medical folks were women. I felt supported and cared for and was not traumatized in the least. Despite my overall positive experience, I still think not offering the laminaria in advance was an insult to women.
Concerted effort to retain Al?
Okay, so I read the reply saying that staying or leaving is Al's decision. I agree entirely, but we are also free to make our wishes known to him and to the Democratic senators who called for resignation. We are free to do all we can to retain an outstanding senator who is willing to speak truth to power. A democratically elected Senator has been driven out without a fair hearing and many of us are outraged over the loss AND THE INJUSTICE! If Senator Franken still chooses to leave his job that is his decision and it is worthy of respect, but we have a right to voice our wishes. I may be naive, but maybe a great outpouring of public support will impact his decision. Maybe a great outpouring of public opposition and loss of support will sway the Senators who called for his resignation.
Where I am going with is: Would it make sense to initiate an online petition or an event to pressure the Senators to reconsider their rush to judgment or perhaps a call for people to show up en masse at the offices of the senators who demanded resignation. Afterall, the MSM is starting to come around to the Roger Stone/Swiftboating/framing aspect of the issue.
I am not prescribing any particular action, but am throwing the idea out for feedback. Franken's resignation has left me feeling uniquely deflated both because we need Franken and it because it sets a horrible precedent that I would like to see reversed.
Please share thoughts and ideas. I am inclined to at least try to do something about it. And yes, I have written and called and will continue to do so, but I think this is a big enough to consider concerted resistance.
When I was around 18 or 19 I was visiting with a friend who was living with people who considered themselves communists. That virtue of claiming that label aside, I remember talking to one of them about whether trying to work for change is worth it. In other words, can we have an impact or is it useless? Not the way I muse about change these days, but that was then. Anyway, he said something that I still remember: The issue is not only what impact we will have, but also what we will allow to occur without speaking out. I know there are lots of derivations on this theme and many ways to say it, but the way he said it those 40 years ago has stuck with me and remained a touchstone to this day.
Profile Information
Name: dianaGender: Do not display
Hometown: NC
Home country: USA
Current location: carrboro
Member since: Fri Dec 8, 2017, 11:14 PM
Number of posts: 246
