I think what Bernie is saying is that for decades Dems have paid lip service to working class concerns while not actually doing much. In reality Dems have been much more beholden to corporate interests.

By the time these plans came out, too many working class folk were already disenfranchised. They saw a party that was vocal about social issues that frankly were not high on the list of priorities for most of them. They were more concerned that inflation was out of control and they could not afford basic expenses. Sure Trump was racist but at least prices were lower when he was in office, or so they would conclude. If he could bring prices down, they would go with him.

Basically Dems were just out of touch with the most important part of their base until it was too late.

I’m not sure what difference it makes here that it was a volunteer position. There was a background check (two, actually) just like there would have been if it was a paid position. Schools often use volunteers too to read to kids or tutor after school, etc.

I’m not saying churches are always this responsible. I’m saying we should applaud the ones that take steps to prevent this and work with law enforcement when those steps fail

Not to defend churches in general, but the article headline here is pretty misleading in calling this guy a youth leader. He was a volunteer. And, to the church’s credit, when this came out they immediately began cooperating with law enforcement and even referred anyone with more info to talk to the police.

I don’t like churches in general, but this one did as well as any other organization that has volunteers working with kids. They had background checks in place and did not try to cover anything up.

These are amazing parents. Protecting the legacy of their son, making sure it is never used to further a hateful agenda, even though I’m sure they are going to get hate back from all the MAGA cultists.

Is it too late to become a nurse practitioner?

A therapist shouldn’t tell you what to do, just provide a safe space to explore your feelings, work through all the relevant questions you can think of, and maybe help brainstorm if you can’t come up with your own options.

Your wife and daughter’s situations are relevant, but so is yours. If your wife isn’t in love either but neither of you want to divorce, it sounds like your options are to either work on repairing and rekindling the marriage within the constraints of her diagnoses, or mutual agreement to keep the marriage going for now but see other people. Both are full of challenges and risks. If she’s not ok with either of those, then you may have to make a decision for yourself.

Reports say he walked to an unoccupied room, looked over his shoulder, and in a hushed tone said, “Biiiiiiiiiiiiitch…”

Article says they were arrested in 2022. Did the kids not realize it was for espionage?

Ah yes, there it is again. That old nugget of wisdom. Might makes right. Was that taken from the Bible? Was it Jesus that said, “Blessed are those that take what they can?” I dunno, maybe something was mistranslated in the Russian Orthodox version there.

So which is it? Ukraine provoked Russia or Russia is liberating Nazi led Ukraine? Strange how the rationale keeps shifting.

It’s weird to see someone work so hard to rationalize something that is so clearly morally wrong.

Whatever. It’s clear you’re a Russian shill. Nice try but you aren’t fooling anyone here. You have no moral leg to stand on.

Let’s be clear here. I’m not cheering on this war. I hope it ends tomorrow. The loss of life is tragic. And guee smehat? There’s one person in particular that could make it end today. The same person who started this war. Vladimir Putin.

Why should the onus of peace be placed on a country that did nothing to provoke Russia? Ukraine cannot be faulted for defending its borders and refusing to allow a second Crimea.

But since ol’ Vlad is hellbent on making the Foundations of Geopolitics text a reality, then I say fuck him and every person who helps facilitate or justify this illegal war. If he wants to make another land grab then I hope it costs him as much as it possibly can. Because the alternative is that countries like Russia just take land whenever they feel like it.

Better yet, I hope there is mass insurrection in the Russian army and they just refuse to engage. But then we’d probably see a lot of people’s family members strangely falling off balconies. Weird how that works.

I’ll say it louder then:

FUCK RUSSIA! FUCK PUTIN! FUCK EVERY AVERAGE RUSSIAN WHO THINKS INVADING A NEIGHBORING COUNTRY BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE IT IS FINE AND JUSTIFIES IT WITH “MIGHT MAKES RIGHT!” FUCK EVERY FASCIST OUT THERE!

I’m not brave. Every Ukrainian who has fought,bled, and died despite the odds is brave. For every Ukrainian soldier lost, I hope Russia loses 10.

Fuck Russia

Good for you. It may not mean anything for national elections but it could make a difference in a local one

The truth is that Trump has done more for conservative causes than any president prior. He installed the far right justices that have toppled Roe v Wade and affirmative action. He enacted things like the Muslim travel bans. In short, either they know he’s a scumbag and don’t care because he gets results, or they don’t believe their own lyin’ eyes because look at the results he produces. It’s all about the bottom line, and the ends justify the means.

I wouldn’t say there’s a norm, everyone varies. What would probably help a bunch is some sort of validation for how that fight sucked for the other person, no matter who’s right or wrong.

“Hey, I’m sorry we fought. I hate it and I know you do too. I don’t ever mean to make you feel bad. I love you and want us to be ok. Is there anything else you need me to understand?”

A kid with his whole life in front of him is dead because some wannabe cop decided it was his duty to guard the parking lot that nobody asked him to guard.

And the icing on the cake: he did this while his own son was in martial arts class. Now this asshat is likely going to prison (there’s witnesses and video surveillance and he’s not a cop so he will get some kind of prison time) and his own son is going to miss out on having his dad in his life.

This country has a fucking problem. We sold our soul to capitalism and this is what happens. There’s no hope for meaningful legislation. Any systemic reform that might hurt an industry with enough money has no hope.

But hey, thoughts and prayers, and all that bullshit

Just curious, what are his reasons for not wanting to upgrade?

I am in the US so I don’t know much about the UK specifically, but generally speaking I would think about starting small and working your way up.

For example, in the US there are many state or national parks that offer campsites where you could rent a basic cabin so you don’t have to worry about a tent. Or you could get a site with a covered pavilion with tables and benches so you don’t have to worry about seating or shade. Many have built in charcoal grills and fire pits. I would also recommend you start with somewhere that has access to plumbing and maybe even electricity for your first few go rounds.

There are also privately owned parks that cater to the “glamping” crowd where you can have access to a fancier cabin and other amenities like swimming pools, sports equipment, etc.

As far as camping equipment I would highly recommend you start off buying used gear. Good equipment can be pricey because it is meant to last, and you are not even sure if this is something you’re going to stick with yet. Try out some used gear and see what you like and don’t like about it. If you decide to stick with this you can always invest in better gear later. The basics should include a sleeping bag, tent, and maybe a propane stove. There are many things you probably already have or can make do with something. For example you don’t need to go buy specialty camping cookware when you can just bring a pan and utensils from home. You don’t need a backpack unless you plan to do some actual backpacking; a trunk or duffel bag is fine if you’re driving into your site.

Anyway, hope this helps! Enjoy your journey!

Therapists have a wide variety of personal beliefs and professional opinions. They’re people just like anyone else in any other field.

Unfortunately even well-meaning therapists can do a lot of harm when they forget to take a non-judgmental stance and just be curious about their clients.

In the US there’s the saying “you can’t squeeze water from a stone”