Federal judge denies request by ex-Trump aide Manafort to dismiss charges in Mueller probe

[Wanderfound]

@OhhJim

@Wanderfound

Obligatory reminder that low voter turnout rates in the USA are the result of (i) the country being designed as a democracy-resistant plutocracy from the beginning, (ii) gerrymandering, (iii) bipartisan corruption and (iv) voter suppression and disenfranchisement.

You have a very good point, of course, but when I talk to people who don’t vote, they never blame gerrymandering or voter suppression. They say they are too busy or don’t care. I’m not saying your points don’t affect voting. I’m saying they are not the whole thing.

In part, “too busy” and “don’t care” is just people being people. Folks ain’t perfect.

But it also has a lot to do with points (i) and (iii). If you want people to vote, give them something to vote for.

Consider what the last year has revealed about how America treats its underclass. How do you think a slogan like “America is already great” sounds to those people?

@Bonivus_elderheart

There is another way, but even talking about it is grounds for a visit from the Secret Service.

Just saying. ::retires to bunker::

There is a third way that does not require bunkers:

Resistance, non-violence and civil disobedience

Those of you who’ve been here a while will probably be aware that I have been calling for revolution in the USA ever since Trump appeared. Quite frequently, people react to this by accusing me of promoting violence. Which is, to be honest, rather frustrating. I have never called for the use of aggressive violence, and I consistently promote methods of non-violent resistance. However, it is true that I believe that oppressed people have the moral right to defend themselves and pursue justice by…