#take that up with netanyahu girl idk!

[shivology]

LMAOAOA i was showing my mom the golden globes zionist ribbon thing and she was like ... "...... for the hostages kidnapped by hamas? طب و الباقيين عادي؟" she was dumbfounded 😭😭😭 no sorries for lukas?

[swifterthancivility]

Y'all need to understand it is a form of exceptionalism to believe that some people can just snap their fingers and all life's problems will be solved. Like Jesus Fucking Christ I've been a communist since I was 12 and some of you think you're radicals because you, idk, decided you're too cool to vote for Biden.

If you want to burn Taylor Swift at the stake because she has not single-handedly ended the genocide in Gaza, go ahead. But just know that you would save zero lives. "Oh, but she could make an impact." Y'all are so fucking dumb. You know who doesn't give a fuck about Taylor Swift? Benjamin Netanyahu. You know who doesn't give a fuck about Taylor Swift? The Israeli Military. You know who doesn't give a fuck about Taylor Swift? Literally anyone in control. Exactly what do you think would happen? Taylor posts a water melon emoji, and suddenly, there's a ceasefire? Even if she gave money, it would do nothing since millions of dollars in aid have already been raised, but it can't get to Gaza because, oh yeah, the idea that money fixes every problem is also just capitalist propaganda.

I cannot fucking deal with how stupid you people are. I am Egyptian. I have been talking about Israeli occupation since I was a child. I have been debating the two state solution longer than most of you even knew how to pronounce Palestine. How dare you make this about anything other than the Palestinians. This is not about you. It's not about Taylor Swift. This is about the children being pulled out of the fucking rubble, little girls that have the same eyes I had as a child.

You need to come to terms with your own powerlessness. There is nothing you, or I, or Taylor Swift can do other than call our representatives, pray, and bear witness. You should be talking about Bisan, Plestia, Motaz, Nathan Thrall, J Street, and all the other people who have been advocating for Gaza.

Sometimes, all you can do is bear witness. I am so deeply angry that people are making this about Taylor Swift or more accurately, making it about how much better they are than the people who like Taylor Swift. This is truly the definition of centering yourself. If you actually gave a single fuck about anything outside your own ego, you would shut the fuck up. The same people who tell me I'm basically white, that the racism I've experienced is not really that big if a deal, that actually arabic and muslim people are not as oppressed as *insert some other group here*, or that they "listen to people of color" are doing this. Fuck off. You absolutely don't give a shit about Palestine. Your outrage is content. And when the next big news story comes around you will forget Gaza and look away.

But I will not. I will continue to bear witness to these events, archive them, and hope that if I cannot save anyone, at least I can help them not to be forgotten. And if I want to take joy in a completely unrelated artist's work, I will do so without guilt. Because above all, I can accept that this is not about me.

[thecursivej]

Ooooh is Biden about to rope the repubs into some bipartisan shit? Please do.

What is Republicans huge issue with capping insulin? Truly? Who does it harm? Billionaires still get billions.

Oooooh, how interesting to compare how much perscription drugs are with the affordable care act compared to other countries.

I just know Kamala is getting a leg work out for the years.

HELL YEAH LET'S EXPAND HEALTH CARE PLEASE (me eyeing my parents health insurance expiring when I turn 26)

Ooooh, women's health research?! Okay Jill, get it girl!! That's fucking DR. BIDEN to y'all.

Yes, please crack down on rent increases. I want to be able to move out of my parents house when I graduate (and I'm in motherfucking GRAD SCHOOL).

(Had to pop out so I missed some but here's more thoughts) Who the hell keeps screaming about the U.S. Marine Corp?

MTG Screaming at Biden was a lot dawg.

Mmmm, good use of a pause to establish the importance of his next statement about what his predecessor said in face of a shooting that happened in January in Iowa.

YES. LET US GET UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS PLEASE.

How the hell does taking weapons of war away from civillians an infrignement of the 2nd amendment? Can someone truly explain that to me? I really want to know.

Oh shit, are we about to get a ceasefire statement?

Nope, getting statements about bringing the hostages home (which is fair and needs to be done).

YEAH CAN WE GET AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE!? PLEASE!? Israel DOES have the responsibility to protect Palestinians. The words you're looking for is "Immediate Ceasefire" Mr. President.

We don't just need a fucking pier for humanitarian assistance; we need a GODDAMN CEASEFIRE, JOSEPH.

Netanyahu has already proved that he doesn't give a flying fuck about innocent Palestinians. Telling him to simply "let humanitarian aid through" won't do shit. Why not stop giving them weapons and money?

Okay, two-state solution line, but how about...CEASEFIRE!?

Ayiyi. Now we're discussing Houthis and Iran, but we aren't getting anymore of Palestinian aid.

Is America rising tho? Are we really? Because us 'normal' folk are suffering a lot.

Lets not ban TikTok then, okay? Like, what is China gonna do to influence me that the actions of congress haven't already influenced me on? I'm thiiiis close to anarchy, and not cause of China, Joseph. Because of the U.S. itself.

Oh now we ending cancer? Am I the only one who feels that that came out of left field.

Oh thank god, the end.

I do have to admit that him teasing republicans is fucking hysterical. The callout to Lindsey Graham cracked me the fuck up.

I feel like the soul of our nation is being thrown around like a hot potato tbh.

Ayoo where's Dwight when you need him? Shout out to Scranton, PA.

This congress is making me feel like goddamn John Adams in 1776 the Musical.

They're really about to make me run for fucking office at this goddamn point.

IDK who the woman sitting next to MTG is, but I fucking LOVE her.

We're always too young until we're too old. (Oof, that feels poetic tbh).

I really wish Biden would step back and let a younger more progressive candidate take on the Orange Man(TM). Frankly I wish the Orange Man(TM) was lost in a desert somewhere, but here we are.

CAN WE GET THE WEALTHY PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE IN TAXES LIKE, IDK, YESTERDAY!?

Lots of good rhetoric used in this speech, though. Like damn. It's a lot of good use of audience relation, ethos, hella pathos, and good connections to ALL of the U.S.

Alright. We're done. It's over.

So. As I guessed, there was no call for an Immediate Ceasefire. Disappointing. But not surprising. My major issue with Biden is the ongoing support of Isr@el. Biden MUST call for an immediate ceasefire, otherwise he's completely lost the Arab American vote, and a good chunk of the youth vote (if not a majority/all). I hate that we're having 2020 pt. 2: Electric Boogaloo, and I hate that third party votes will not be counted. I hate this two party system.

But I do believe that this country can be better. I believe this country can be a safe place for growth, creativity, research, a safe place to fucking LIVE. I believe this country can be a better place. And I can't make myself give up on it until I have no other choice.

So, there was that SOTU. It was rhetorically very good, but I find it lacking with a path forward.

SOTU - 2024

Well, I'm forcing myself to watch the State of the Union while I grade speeches, so I figured I'd record my reactions and thoughts here.

Do I hope for the words "Immediate Ceasefire"? Absolutely. Will we get them? Looking at the track record, probably not. But I remain optimistic because otherwise I'd be six feet under by now; ANYWHO here is a list of my reactions/thoughts/general feelings of the evening's watch.

I do want to give a point of clarity: I technically am identified as a democrat; truly, I'm a socialist, but seeing as how the U.S. is stuck in this godforsaken two-party-system, that is where I am. Though both sides have me feeling very french-revolutionary-esque.

Of course the first thing I see if MTG rifling through her purse on screen. I quite literally despise her.

AP is discussing Ukraine's need for weapons and funding; I would truly rather us align with Ukraine than Isr@el. I will stand unapologetically firm for Palestine and Ukraine.

Who is actually in the cabinet? I know Blinken, Garland, and Buttiegeg. Damn, wish he was running again. Would rather have him than Biden.

How insane is it that the Sec. of Defense didn't even let the White House know that he had to go in for surgery because of cancer. Like, that's just bonkers to me.

Republicans truly look like fucking robots right now. No warm greetings, no hellos, simple nods.

Republicans out here wasting fucking time with that impeachment of Mayorkas. Like how about we house the homeless populations with the money they wasted on this circus.

Oh funky fresh look at the Ultra-Mormon(TM) Mitt Romney.

MTG with that stupid fucking MAGA hat on is just... disgusting. Like this bitch is crazy.

Okay Joe, speed it up down the fucking aisle please. I got papers to grade.

Lowkey Joe looks like he might have had a five-hour energy drink with that big-ole look in his eyes.

I do appreciate that Joe still smiles and is kind to MTG. She truly doesn't deserve it.

Okay this is getting just a wee bit too monarchy for me.

MTG holds up a button saying "Laken Riley..." (couldn't read the rest). Riley was a 14 year old girl murdered by a man who was an illegal immigrant of venezuela, and instead of handling this situation with grace, empathy, and love; MTG and others seem to be capitalizing on her death to push their anti-immigration rhetoric.

Okay, cool selfie skills Joe, but let's get on with it.

ALSO HOW IS JOE BIDEN GONNA BE SO IN DEPTH WITH TECH AND "Savvy" WITH IT WHEN MOTHERFUCKER WANTS TO BAN TIKTOK!? Hello?!

BERNIE AND RAPHAEL! I feel like I haven't seen these guys in 10 million years.

Oh thank god we're starting.

Aww the little hand shake thingy he does with Kamala makes my heart happy.

Did Joe just yell "tony"?!

Wow, even got some republicans clapping for him (probs not a good thing but here we are)

Okay, good bit of humor at the top; and a throwback to the 40s. Funky fresh.

Yeah we ain't living in ordinary times for damn sure.

Interesting point of democracy being attacked here in the U.S. AND Internationally. (Mentions Ukraine and Putin; no word on Gaza yet).

Someone busted out a Ukrainian flag and shook it; rock on.

OH SHIT HE GOT MIKE JOHNSON TO CLAP!

Appreciate the insistance that the U.S. won't send troops to UKR.

Good use of Reagan to connect with the Repubs; and compare to the predecessor (aka Tr*mp).

Mike Johnson nodding instead of clapping about the predecessor comment, trying to save his ass in Orange Man's eyes.

Welcome to NATO, Sweden!

If there is one thing that should connect Democrats and Republicans; it's hatred for Putin. Yet there's a mix of Repubs standing in agreement and sitting to back up the predecessor's comment on Putin doing "whatever the hell he wants"

Talking about Jan 6. What breaks my heart? My parents still believe it wasn't an insurrection. Yikes on Bikes for me.

The line "You can't love your country only when you win" hits hard and even got Mike Johnson to applaud in agreement.

Foreign AND Domestic. Need a hefty focus on that with the right-wing republican group (@ MTG, Gaetz, Cruz, etc.)

Discussing IVF in Alabama; good connection to the overturning of Rowe v. Wade. It sucks that Republicans HAVE THE POWER to protect IVF nationally but shot the damn bill down not even a week ago.

ABORTION IS A HUMAN RIGHT. BODILY AUTONOMY IS A HUMAN. FUCKING. RIGHT. (@ The Missouri Senators who support taking away bodily autonomy).

WOMEN AREN'T WITHOUT ELECTORAL AND POLITICAL POWER; WE ABOUT TO TURN UP IN FORCE MOTHERFUCKERS!!! Bring back the strats from the 1900s; time to use our power and go bonkers.

Someone get Joe a glass of water please. Motherfucker looks a bit parched and keeps coughing. I get that when my throat goes dryyy

Can Biden not restore RvW? Can he not by an executive order make RvW the law of the land already?

Revisiting COVID's start from 2020 (Next week is the four year anniversary since the global pandemic).

PFFT idk who just yelled "LIES" but that was comical AF.

Well, the pandemic still controls a big part of our lives... so...don't agree with that shit.

Man, everyone sitting-and-standing must be getting a HELLA calf work out.

Sure, unemployment is down and new jobs are built; but corporate greed is quite literally killing us. Can Congress or Biden do something, damn it?!

Are we beginning to feel it, though? Are we feeling good economics? I doubt we are.

Good job pointing out how both parties have failed to buy american products, but how this admin has established that.

There's a good two rows of Republicans who stand in applause; but the rest just... sit there. Like robots. It's freaky as fuck.

Joe is actually doing pretty great with the flow of this speech. Only a couple of stumbles, but overall pretty gucci. (He'd get a 9/10 on delivery in my public speaking class).

God these fuckers are really gonna make me run for office at this damn point.

Removing poisonous lead pipes... but there's still a water crisis in Flint, Biden. Like, what the fuckeroni do you mean?

Yes, let's invest in family farms; lets stop selling our farmland (especially in Missouri) to foreign countries (@ China buying up TONS of Missouri Farmland).

I love that the UAW president is here, because he straight up is my kind of people. Dude wears eat-the-rich shirts and calls out the unethical-ness of billionaires.

UAW President pointing to Biden saying "It's you!"; nah dawg, it's you Sean.

MIDDLE CLASS DID BUILD THE COUNTRY AND UNIONS BUILT THE MIDDLE CLASS MOTHER FUCKERS!!!

Yes we get back up but right now...we might be getting more french revolutionary-esque if y'all don't stop PLAYING WITH OUR LIVES.

Oh jesus not the 4-more-years chants.

Oh now we talking about the future

YES PLEASE END TRICKLE DOWN ECONOMIES.

Says he's not anti-corp; but points out how trickle down economics has only helped the wealthy.

Yeah, how the fuck does it hurt the wealthy to pay just a weeee bit more in taxes? Like dawg, what are you gonna do with another million? What's the point?

Ooooh is Biden about to rope the repubs into some bipartisan shit? Please do.

What is Republicans huge issue with capping insulin? Truly? Who does it harm? Billionaires still get billions.