I can speak a little bit from an education perspective, like why a lot of universities are acquiescing to federal orders.

Right now, the philosophy at a lot of large universities is that it’s better to survive in some capacity to be able to educate young people (academic freedom is still allowed in classrooms, my university keeps insistently reminding faculty), than be shut down and shot and be unable to educate anyone at all. Also, they have thousands of employees relying on them for a paycheck to feed their families.

I’m still pissed at the loss of minority support systems. Students feel betrayed at the loss of gender neutral housing. There is righteous anger brewing. I’m part of the LGBT community, and seeing my community silenced as an organizational body and deleted from ongoing research boils my blood and makes me want to burn everything down.

But deep down, I get it. We have to keep educating youth about the true history of the USA, keep teaching them about how science works, keep exposing small town 18-year olds to other races and cultures to open their minds to empathy. If we don’t, we’ll have an entire generation that only has right-wing propaganda to teach them about the world.

Higher ed administration has a lot of weight on their shoulders. They of course side with minorities morally, ethically, and as human beings. It’s a really hard place to be in.

I’m wondering if this perspective is driving anyone in federal departments, as well.

Great question.

I noticed there had been a few Germans caught by our immigration crooks, and wondered if Germany was going to say something about it. I’m honestly shocked that they aren’t more angry about it, at least outwardly. The way things are going, I think general travel advisories to the USA need to be published: fuck up our tourist industry even more and protect global citizens from needless suffering.

I was going to say…sounds like the USA in about three months. (Obviously trans discrimination is already here… I’m referring to the LGBQ discrimination being included.)

I’ve heard whispers that Aldi did this in name only, that workers still feel supported, and that internal DEI documents are still available.

Of course, this can’t be confirmed by evidence.

Do you know if both Aldi companies have similar values, structurally? Like, low costs and quality food?

I just moved to a big city, so I went to Trader Joe’s for the first time not long ago. It’s pricier and it feels more boutique-y, so less, I dunno, functional? Like it’s great for unique flavors and organic options, but it has fewer staples that most US pantries rely on. I still enjoy it though!

This is a helpful perspective! Thanks!

I, an ignorant, would love to see Canada be a part of the EU, but I really appreciate you breaking down the concerns of such a move. I appreciate seeing comments with actual arguments and reasons, rather than just superficial statements. So, thank you for that.

I do love Aldi! It feels like a good corporation, as far as corporations go. They are still extremely affordable, the food is usually held to European standards (unless they’re selling an American brand under that brand name), and their imports are amazing.

I’d love an infographic like that! I’d make it myself if I knew what to put on it, haha!

If there’s any way for this American to support the European and Canadian market, let me know. I’m already following the “buy Europe” group. I’m just unsure where to start.

Please boycott the USA. We as a nation have been trained from a young age not to push back against authority figures or think for ourselves, we’ve been squeezed until we’re all on the verge of homelessness, our nation is too big for the majority of us to afford to travel to the capital on our days off to protest, and we can’t risk our jobs without losing access to healthcare. We’re doing our best where we can, but those are a lot of hurdles to jump. It’s no excuse, just….things are moving too quickly to have the time get in shape.

Americans fuck around, Americans find out.

This world doesn’t need us. We’ve enjoyed decades of undeserved praise and good will from the world, and it’s inflated our ego enough that we think we’re invincible.

I’d love to learn how many people have cancelled their connection to Amazon in the last two months. I keep hearing stories of people doing it, across many social media platforms.

That’s exactly what we need to take from this. Not that money is in control and that’s why they’re cracking down, but that they’re cracking down because they’re scared.

I used the tool where I could import my Reddit subs to find similar communities here, and it surprised me how many communities I was a part of that the Reddit algorithm never let me see posts from. Also, it highlighted how much more infrastructure there is to build here. It’s exciting! Like the creative energy of expanding the Wild West but without the decimation of entire indigenous communities and the murder of innocent people and animal species.

I’ve basically abandoned Reddit as well. I’ve been on for so long, but this bullshit makes me feel unsafe. If the platform is going to so blatantly side with those who would happily let me die for a few dollars (health insurance companies), then I don’t need to give them my attention or data anymore.