The Wow I Can't Believe That News Story Thread

[Trollheart]

I'm curious: how would a society function without laws and without government? Wouldn't it be something along the lines of The Purge, but all the time instead of just one day?

[Exo]

Santa Rosa wildfires: Fast-moving blazes devour buildings - CNN

Santa Rosa also ordered evacuations in several neighborhoods. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said hotels were evacuated and shelters were set up. The county is working to set up shelters at fairgrounds to house animals. In Napa County, evacuations were underway as firefighters battled blazes.

This is happening in Santa Rosa right now. I lived right outside of there earlier this year. I just wanted to let everybody know that Steph (WWWP) is safe. Her friends and family are safe. It looks like her apartment has been spared but that isn't the case for a lot of other people. Whole neighborhoods have been burned to the ground. I called this area home for the beginning of this year. I'm heartbroken to say the least.

Find a gofundme charity for both Sonoma and Napa counties right now because they need it.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by Exo

Santa Rosa wildfires: Fast-moving blazes devour buildings - CNN





This is happening in Santa Rosa right now. I lived right outside of there earlier this year. I just wanted to let everybody know that Steph (WWWP) is safe. Her friends and family are safe. It looks like her apartment has been spared but that isn't the case for a lot of other people. Whole neighborhoods have been burned to the ground. I called this area home for the beginning of this year. I'm heartbroken to say the least.

Find a gofundme charity for both Sonoma and Napa counties right now because they need it.

Man, **** fires. In the *******. There's nothing worse than when your whole town is in flames. I know 3 people who are certain they've lost their homes and a dozen more who are displaced by the fires (all safe though).

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by elphenor

voting should be just one course of political action ideally but don't doubt its importance

I participate in the civic engagement club at my college, I register students to vote, and I think it's actually the most tangible thing I do for progressives

I'm not trying to start up another feud with you but to me that's the antithesis of anarchism.

[Lisnaholic]

Of course a vote is just an "X" on a piece of paper, so apart from the choice that it indicates, the act of voting can be interpreted in many ways. I like to think of it as a declaration, "I have the right to an opinion, and I demand that my opinion be counted." That's why I don't buy into OH's interpretation:-

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

It's an expression of one's willingness to be governed when one should insist on being ungovernable instead.

^ The problem with this idea is that no-one in authority interprets a non-vote as "Wow, these guys are ungovernable!" I suspect their reaction is "Wow, these guys really don't care what we do. They are as apathetic as a cow in the field, who also has no say in its governance."

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

By not acknowledging others right to govern you and to resist when they try.

^ For all we know this is precisely what the hapless cow in the field is thinking too.

[OccultHawk]

But people who get elected usually act like receiving votes gives them the right to govern. I have written "**** you" on the ballot before.

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Hmm, yeah once you realise that the search for meaning is all vanity there is a certain peace in embracing the void.

Truth. If Buddhism didn't have so much religious baggage it would be pretty alright. It's already alright I guess, but it's still a religion.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

"I have the right to an opinion, and I demand that my opinion be counted."

More like "I have the right to think one of two things, and I demand that my binary decision be counted."

Our limited options are constructed and established by a machine that's not in our control. The fact that voting is touted as a key example of Americans' liberty is a slap in the face as far as I'm concerned. Voting is part of what keeps those wheels turning.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by elphenor

I think it's unnuanced to not consider that a country ran by democrats would look different than one ran by republicans

Almost as unnuanced as framing those as the only two options. Or thinking that either would make the US anything but a playground for corporations.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by elphenor

"Both sides are bad" is just as much a "spiritual" way of thinking as you put it as anything else

And thinking that it's wrong because you kinda like one side better is pretty illogical too don't you think.