If someone’s an asshole to you, it’s your right to decide not to work w/them. Right?

If someone’s an asshole to your friend/mom/kid/neighbor, etc., it’s still your right to decide not to work w/ them. Right?

So...

If someone’s an asshole to people you don’t know personally, but you disapprove of the assholery... it’s still your right to decide not to work w/them.

It’s not a blacklist if people choose not to work with you b/c your views make them or others feel unsafe.

At a certain point, conservatives are going to have to recognize that “views” are not academic when they have real-world effects and consequences for other people.

Like, “X got fired for being conservative!” implies those conservative views exist in a vacuum and are purely thought experiments, whereas in actuality those views are likely affecting other people quite fundamentally.

If you insist that people who cut ties w/ bigots are doing it just because of pressure from “cancel culture,” you’re basically saying they can’t tell the difference between which values matter to them and which don’t. That’s pretty patronizing.

Careful in categorizing historical (& contemporary) movements as "anarchist" vs "Marxist" (unless they explicitly ID as such). There are numerous revolutionary movements and socialist societies that do not fit neatly in this dichotomy. Not only is it implicitly Eurocentric,

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but it risks fundamentally misapplying concepts which do not actually befit the nature of a given historical society/movement.

We learn from Marxist methodology that each revolutionary situation or political-economic organization of a given society is historically specific,

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bounded by social forces rooted in (but not *reducible to*) the productive technologies and relationships formed in dialectic with them. Far from precluding human agency, this approach allows for history to be read in an open and rich way. To say that history and economy have

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so-called 'laws of motion', as in the realm of physics, does not imply a fatalistic framework (as an aside: the mind-bending complexities shown in chaos theory, even in such 'simple' cases as the double pendulum, are still strictly deterministic; nevertheless,

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the sheer magnitude of possible paths from such a 'simple' two-particle system as the double-pendulum alone, demonstrate that even with ostensibly 'perfect' knowledge about a system, the possible outcomes are myriad).

The act of interpreting history thus demands an

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I think Romans 14 helps us on the matter of wearing masks, though I am not saying that those who believe we should wear masks are weak in faith.

Remember in Romans 14 the strong believed they could eat foods that were unclean according to the OT (Lev. 11 & Deut. 14), and they also believed that the sabbath and special feast days were no longer mandatory.

The weak thought one should refrain from eating food deemed unclean in the OT and also believed the sabbath and other feasts should be observed.

Paul clearly agrees with the strong theologically. No food is unclean now that the new covenant has arrived and Christ has come (Rom. 14:14, 20). The feast and sabbath days are no longer required (Rom. 14:5–6).

Still, when with the weak, they should refrain from eating unclean foods out of love for their brothers and sisters who think differently.

@cafreeland As a retired former RN in BC., in conversation with an RN I met who is working with Covid patients, she requested counselling through a program with her Vancouver City hospital. Was told she could have an appointment in SIX MONTHS. I know this is not at all providing support. 1/2

You state, "...when the pandemic is behind us." Currently, nurses are being traumatized with particularly the suffering of Covid patients and the high number of deaths NOW. I had fewer than 8 in my 34 yr. career in Critical Care. Some RN's now are having 2 of their ICU 2/3

patients die in one 12 hr. shift and may have to assist other RN's in ICU who lose their patients and have to prepare the bodies for the porter to take to the morgue. To not have immediate support and counselling for these nurses is absolutely not okay. There are going to be 3/4

many who leave a career they previously loved and spent 4 years preparing for a long professional career. Now they are disheartened and traumatized as well as exhausted physically (many are working double shifts, many more days without a day off) and definitely mentally and 4/5

emotionally empty. One nurse on Twitter two weeks ago stated in her ICU there had been 12 deaths! Imagine dealing with this one day and having to return to another day of more Covid deaths. There needs to be immediate provision with each hospital to provide an area in the 5/6

🧵 After much deliberation concerning the events of last week concerning homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in our Catholic schools, Toronto—St. Paul’s New Democrats have decided to act.

Members of the @TCDSB and other publicly-funded Catholic institutions and boards have repeatedly attacked members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is an at-risk community; the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected many at-risk 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

Many Catholic publicly-funded school boards neglect or intentionally omit 2SLGBTQIA+ resources, which may affect the availability of life-saving information and/or resources.

However, we recognize with sadness that there is a culture of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in the @TCDSB and in publicly-funded Catholic education based on recent events.

We welcome the 14 January 2021 action wherein the @TCDSB passed a motion to establish 2SLGBTQIA+ resources and to create an advisory committee to deal with issues thereof.

As an Emergency physician and a Navy veteran, I'm calling on social media companies to permanently ban Dr. Simone Gold and America's Frontline Doctors from their platform. Here's why. 1/x

Gold may now state that she regrets being part of the group of insurrectionists who attacked our democracy on Jan. 6th. But she WAS a part of it, and their traitorous actions resulted in five unnecessary deaths. 2/x

Not only that, but from a medical perspective, Gold was extremely reckless in joining a group of largely maskless rioters who didn't socially distance whatsoever. These actions go directly against the science we know helps prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease. 3/x

Sadly, this isn't the only thing Gold and her extremist "America's Frontline Doctors" have done to worsen the pandemic. Since summer, they've spread dangerous disinformation, like touting hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 cure, even though it's not and can be harmful. 4/x

And while the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is the best tool we have to eradicate the pandemic and save lives, Gold has incorrectly referred to it as an “experimental, biological agent deceptively named a vaccine.” 5/x

Clear communication is so important in times of national crisis. With no articulation of the goals and challenges, there is wavering trust in our leaders to lead us through this long dark period of Canadian history.

This is true for all levels of health care administration.

With the Covid pandemic, physicians and nurses locally rallied to the cause. We enjoined with our leaders on this great and patriotic national enterprise to keep our patients and our communities safe.

We were all in it together; and then we were not.

I am, through daily conversations with nursing and physician colleagues, coming to the sad realization that many health care providers now feel abandoned.

We know vaccinations are coming on stream and though we are seeing Covid patients, we also realize that there are individuals and communities in greater need and that we will have to be patient.

What is truly irksome is the total lack of communication from health care authorities and leaders.

They operate behind shrouds of silence. Information is limited, is released in dribs and drabs and is generally unhelpful.

@GMB @piersmorgan A bunch of people will hear "gay roles for gay actors" and say it's stupid or hypocrisy. But there are a few areas to consider:
(1) Do gay actors get roles?
(2) Can straight actors accurately portray gay people?
(3) Can gay actors accurately portray straight people?

@piersmorgan The first one is I think pretty clear - while it has become considerably easier for gay actors to get ahead in Hollywood, they still don't generally have access to the most common or most popular roles and it can be an impediment to their careers.

@piersmorgan The same is true in the UK. It is often the case that actors who are out and well-known as gay simply don't get given straight roles in movies or TV. They're considered 'not believable'. Whereas when a straight actor plays an LGBT role, they're (now) considered 'brave'

@piersmorgan To me that's a clear ethical argument right there - there aren't very many LGBT roles on TV or film. Until out LGBT actors are more able to act in straight roles (and lets be clear, there are a number who do so who are not out) then at least they should be able to play gay roles

@piersmorgan The second question is whether or not straight actors are able to 'play gay'. The truth is in theory absolutely yes, but in practice often no. Even in the 21st Century gay and lesbian kids still grow up feeling different, they have particular experiences with their families...

1/ #TERF From my friend, Jodi Mae F. who understands #IDPol and what it does. This trans issue is not exempt, but part and parcel of it. It is a divisive tactic. THREAD!

I am absoluteoy apalled at the abuse sent my way over the past 24 hours.

In getting a GRC I am now suddenly the enemy and all sorts of lies are doing the rounds and quite a few have made accusations then blocked me.

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Ive started using womens spaces - no I haven't.
Ive forced myself into a woman only college place - no I haven't.
Ive stated that I am a fetishist - no I haven't.

The amount of misinformation about GRCs is staggering. LIterally dozens telling me I didnt know what a GRC is!
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I know exactly what a GRC is.
The biggest misconception is that all these tens of thousands of self ID people have GRCs and that GRC gives them access to womens spaces. That is not correct. The issue is the Equality Act. No self ID person has a GRC.

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There is also confusion over the fact a GRC doesnt need surgery or hormones (and yes I disagree).

A GRC may not require surgery but it does expect it. If someone hasnt had it there must he a legitimate reason as to why not. Simply not wanting it is not enough.

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This provision was intended to support those who due to underlying medical conditions would not be medically fit for surgery.

The other confusion relates to the diagnosis.

A GRC requires one of the medical reports from an approved gender specialist.

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On this day of (mis)/remembering MLK, I think about the promise of Latin America’s pink tide (into which I was born and which molded me politically) to deliver economic redistribution and socialism by peaceful means, a version of MLKs dream. 🧵

In the past 20 years, various spots in Latin/Central America have been the murder capitals of the world. It remains the most dangerous place in the hemisphere to be a journalist or a politician. A half century of coups and counter-coups have beleaguered the continent

Collapsing global economies have left many countries behind, and almost all are struggling to find an economic path forward, including Vnzla which now under US sanctions and dwindling reserves must construct a post-petrol economy to survive and has failed to begin to do so.

MLK’s peaceful vision for racial and economic transformation in the US made him into an enemy of the state for whom racial and economic violence is both foundational and necessary for its hegemony and he was murdered by those complicit in that mission of domination.

Allende, MLK’s contemporary, succeeded in achieving part of MLKs vision by winning a democratic mandate for social justice and transformation at the ballot box and without firing a single bullet. This made him into an enemy of a faraway State, the US, and he was murdered for it.

I’m not what you’d class as ‘well’. But a few things I learned. First up...things that ease your breathing. I find it hard to imagine having done this without Olbas oil and Vicks VapoRub or cheap as chips menthol crystals. You cannot over apply. I used it like body butter.

Patience. I’m a card carrying workaholic but this took control away. One day you’re quite ill, the next you might have some respite, but then another wave of symptoms can hit. This is the Marathon Des Sables of viruses. But much less fun and no medal at the end.

Water. Buckets of it in whatever form...cold, hot with lemon, tea, pop. Sipping frequently short circuits coughing, soothes the throat, and means your mucous is thinner and easier to shift. My tests found fizzy water the best.

Sleep. If you’re like me you’ll barely get any especially as you’re pissing like a donkey with all the water. Lying down causes pressure on your lungs. Accept that your sleep pattern will change, don’t fight it. Don’t get anxious about it. Stay up and watch Netflix until 5am.

Buy a pillow wedge. You do need to sleep but lying down is the enemy. Pillows don’t stay stacked up and I ended up waking up gasping for air. A wedge is stiffer creating a sturdy slope to put your pillows on. They also say sleep on your chest. Not with these chebs I wasn’t!

@LordBryant454 @TheJimMajors @smutterbutter41 @FaithlessPheas1 @GoblinQChesh @MorganHanne @retep57 @amca1975 @EboiLeon1 @ardenking55 This grew out of control but here it is...

I grew up with a fundamental Christian mother and a "Catholic" father who didn't practice. We rarely went to church except for a couple of years when I was 10-14. During that time I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior (11) at a
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@TheJimMajors @smutterbutter41 @FaithlessPheas1 @GoblinQChesh @MorganHanne @retep57 @amca1975 @EboiLeon1 @ardenking55 Baptist Church. For a couple years I was a "good" christian and read my Bible and went to Sunday school. Then when I was 15ish we didn't go much anymore and I was what is known as a "luke warm" Christian until I got to College experimented with alcohol, drugs and girls a lot.
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@TheJimMajors @smutterbutter41 @FaithlessPheas1 @GoblinQChesh @MorganHanne @retep57 @amca1975 @EboiLeon1 @ardenking55 I college I learned a lot of science including evolution. After a couple of years of that I found a nice girl and started to practice my own fundamental Christian beliefs separate from any organization. This was when I was the most emersed in my faith. I didn't listen to
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@TheJimMajors @smutterbutter41 @FaithlessPheas1 @GoblinQChesh @MorganHanne @retep57 @amca1975 @EboiLeon1 @ardenking55 secular music. I read my Bible with some help of fundamental websites to get through the tough parts but never gave up my scientific knowledge. After a divorce and a career change to pharmacy school, a new wife and job my faith faded again.
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@TheJimMajors @smutterbutter41 @FaithlessPheas1 @GoblinQChesh @MorganHanne @retep57 @amca1975 @EboiLeon1 @ardenking55 One day at work (emergency department). We had a 3 month old come in, cardiac arrest. We did everything we could for an hour but there was no getting them back. It wasn't the first or last time I've had a child die at work but this was different for me.
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We are live for the Kevin Clinesmith sentencing hearing.

Clinesmith is charged with altering an email - falsifying a document - in an effort to get the 4th Carter Page FISA warrant.

Judge Boasberg has entered the hearing.

Follow this thread for updates.