I am American and grew up in a conservative state, yes

I would agree. It’s ironic though, Christians saying that we need to keep the focus on Christ and not secular consumerism, when the history of Christmas is really much more about the Catholic Church co-opting pagan traditions

Oh absolutely. Every Catholic I knew growing up definitely believed that, and very much thought that Christians were the most oppressed religious group in the country, if not the world. My family still have a “Keep Christ in Christmas” magnet on their fridge

Shitting on trans people went over well in a repressive theocracy? I’m stunned, truly /s

He can fuck right off

Missing some pretty basic elements: a north reference, a scale, and most importantly, a source for the data

I realized I was bi around 21, and probably around 25, I knew I was something other than a cis man. I didn’t know quite what, and examining that question too deeply was scary. Nonbinary felt right, but I actually started presenting more and more masculine, I guess as a way of covering up and trying to deny what I realized just after I turned 29 - I’m actually a trans woman. It’s been such a relief to understand that and be able to start my transition

There is also a lot of cultural bleed over from the US into Canada

Any reputable resources you can point me towards?

On the other hand, think about how much money is to be made by hawking unregulated supplements to desperate people who can’t afford real medicine.

I agree there is definitely a political element to it too, especially since COVID. I mean, shit, that’s like RFK Jr’s whole schtick

The cultic milieu of misinformation around “alternative health”, such as things like anti-vax, ivermectin, colloidal silver, etc. It’s a broad tent

I’m also a big fan of Some More News!

If hearing Alex Jones again wouldn’t be upsetting to you, I really recommend Knowledge Fight. They cut clips from Info Wars and dive into the reality of the stories behind his nonsense and break down the propaganda. They actually helped the lawyers for the Sandy Hook families. And the Formulaic Objections episodes where they listen to the depositions of the Info Wars employees are really good

I like mailbox! Happy customer over here

Have you ever listened to the podcast Knowledge Fight?

I was 19. I spent my first year of college in the dorms with a roommate, and as soon as I could I got my own apartment. Lived in that crappy little apartment by myself for 3 years, and it was wonderful, I loved it

The House bill will die in the Senate, and RFK’s announcement is not final or legally binding yet. They are both very bad, and we’re moving in the wrong direction, but I don’t think there is anything that has actually changed yet, as a result of those.

Which state you’re in is going to matter a lot. If leaving the country isn’t an option (as is the case for most of us), then moving to a friendlier state might be more doable.

I would also do some research on grey market and DIY options, if a total ban does someday go into effect

Yep. Lots of things pass the House, and very few manage to get through the Senate. And I find it unlikely that this would be the thing they kill the filibuster over

Oh yeah, definitely! Even in legal states, if you’re on federal property (like National Forests), possession is still a crime. Gotta be careful with stuff like that

I meant that they aren’t arguing over it as in the DOJ isn’t suing states over having legalized it. Although if I recall correctly, the Obama admin DEA did conduct raids on medicinal dispensaries in states where it was legal

It gets weird and messy fast

Yep. But when two laws are in conflict, the higher law wins. So state laws supersede local laws, and federal laws beat state laws. Of course, there is also weirdness where the higher body might just choose not to argue with the lower body over conflicting laws, like with cannabis legalization.

I get the feeling that more people are starting to come here because they got banned on Reddit, rather than fleeing enshittification. If it keeps going downhill at this rate, I won’t be around for much longer