Esoteric Meandering Shouting Into the Void

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Ranked choice voting is a way to vote where you rank candidates in order of preference—first, second, third, and so on. If a candidate gets more than half the first-choice votes, they win. If no one does, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Voters who picked that person as their first choice have their votes count for their next choice. This process repeats until someone has more than half the votes. It helps make sure the winner has broad support and can reduce the need for separate runoff elections. It’s like an instant runoff, all in one election.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Donald J. Trump can be compared to Wile E. Coyote—not because he’s perpetually failing, but because, unlike the cartoon character whose elaborate schemes always backfire on him, Trump’s plans often blow up in everyone else’s face. Wile E. Coyote straps himself to a rocket, paints tunnels on canyon walls, and falls victim to his own hubris. Trump, on the other hand, launches rhetorical and political “rockets” that send shockwaves across institutions, norms, and even global alliances—yet he somehow walks away with minimal personal damage, at least in the short term.

Consider his use of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, or his refusal to concede the 2020 election—strategies that sowed chaos and division nationwide. Yet Trump remained a powerful political figure, even while others (his aides, lawyers, and supporters) faced legal or social fallout. He throws the stick of dynamite, steps aside, and watches as it detonates under the feet of his own followers. Like Wile E., Trump repeatedly defies logic, but unlike the coyote, he rarely pays the price himself. Whether it’s bankruptcies, impeachments, or indictments, his knack for deflection is uncanny. He’s the trickster who escapes the consequences while the rest of the desert smolders behind him.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Trumpubicans are very upset that the kids that actually did their homework read the Billionaire Bailout Bill and are making them own the bull shit it contains.

One of the examples is a provision in the Bill that doesn’t allow any debate about any budget bills put forward by the Republicans. Basically they wanna force everything through without any debate or any consequence on their half.

The other part that I found very interesting is how they wanted to refund any EV conversions by the US Postal Service, which has been going on for more than five years. This defunding or dismantling of the EV program would actually cost taxpayers trillions of dollars by trashing what has already been accomplished.

I am so glad that the Democrats in the Senate actually took the time to read the 2000 page budget bill that the GOP is trying to force through reconciliation with 51 votes. By throwing these things back through the parliamentarian, the GOP is having to answer to these Nonsensical provisions that have nothing to do with the budget, but only to do with making their rich friends richer.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Oh, absolutely, Trump is so devastated about Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize that he just had to show the world who’s boss by bombing Iran. Because nothing screams “peace” like dropping bombs, right? Clearly, the only way to handle Nobel envy is with a blitzkrieg of missiles and fireworks. Forget diplomacy or dialogue — those are for losers who actually want peace. Trump’s approach? If you can’t win the peace prize, just make everyone so terrified they beg for one. Genius strategy! Who needs a Nobel when you have shock and awe? Truly, the pinnacle of presidential grace and subtlety.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

For all of you who voted for this malignant slug because you thought he would bring peace let’s get a few things straight.

1. Did not end the Russia-Ukraine conflict on day one … in fact it’s still raging
2. Israel-Hamas still going on and Donny dumbass wants to somehow relocate all Palestine’s out of Gaza… sounds peaceful
3. Now… the dove of peace has bombed Iran.

So now all you Red Hat morons that thought you were making anything Great now need to go enlist and fight your idiots war because I refuse to send my son to die your misguided ignorance.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

I know I’m off a day, but I thought this was a subject that I would talk about.

The solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year, marking the moments when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, relative to the celestial equator. The summer solstice, around June 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, is the longest day of the year, while the winter solstice, around December 21, is the shortest. These events are caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis, which remains constant as the planet orbits the sun.

Historically, solstices held deep cultural and spiritual significance for many civilizations. Ancient societies, such as the Egyptians, Mayans, and Druids, closely observed the solstices to develop agricultural calendars and time religious festivals. Monuments like Stonehenge in England and the Temple of the Sun in Peru are aligned with the solstice sunrise or sunset, demonstrating the importance of the sun’s cycle in early belief systems. For agrarian cultures, knowing the timing of the solstices helped predict seasonal changes, crucial for planting and harvesting. Rituals, festivals, and myths developed around these solar events, often symbolizing renewal, fertility, or the triumph of light over darkness. Even today, solstices are celebrated in various parts of the world, blending ancient traditions with modern cultural observances.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

In 2018, during his first term as occupant of White House, President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal negotiated under President Obama.

I am sure that this withdrawal was mainly because the black guy did it and anything under Obama had to be bad.

The agreement had successfully curbed Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for economic sanctions relief, with regular international inspections ensuring compliance. By scrapping the JCPOA, Trump abandoned a multilateral framework that was effectively containing Iran’s nuclear program, and instead reimposed harsh sanctions under a “maximum pressure” campaign. This strategy backfired: Iran resumed uranium enrichment beyond JCPOA limits, decreased cooperation with international inspectors, and tensions in the region sharply escalated.

Now, Trump ( the great deal maker) is reportedly signaling renewed interest in curbing Iran’s nuclear development—an issue that has only worsened since his decision to exit the deal. Critics argue that he is trying to solve a problem of his own making, having dismantled the very mechanism that was containing it. Without the JCPOA, U.S. leverage has weakened, and re-entering negotiations is far more complex. Trump’s shift underscores a broader pattern in his foreign policy: destabilizing functional agreements only to later propose fixes that mirror the original terms. This renewed focus on Iran highlights the enduring consequences of the JCPOA withdrawal—and the challenges of rebuilding trust and diplomatic ground lost.

Rank-and-file Republicans like to blame Biden for not getting this deal done after Trump had scrapped it. Truth of the matter is that when Trump tore up the deal that they had reached during the JCPOA they lost conference that any deal could be struck with the United States hence the problems we are having now

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

The recent Supreme Court decision to restrict gender-affirming care for transgender children echoes the historic Plessy v. Ferguson ruling from over a century ago, revealing a troubling continuity in judicial sanctioning of systemic discrimination. In Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), the Supreme Court upheld state laws mandating racial segregation under the doctrine of “separate but equal.” This ruling entrenched institutionalized racism, denying Black Americans equal rights and legitimizing widespread social and medical discrimination for decades.

Similarly, the current Supreme Court’s refusal to protect gender-affirming care for trans youth legitimizes a form of institutional discrimination against a vulnerable minority. Denying medically supported care essential for the well-being of transgender children echoes the state-imposed barriers that Plessy sanctioned for Black Americans. Just as segregation in education, transportation, and public life in Plessy perpetuated harm under the guise of legal legitimacy, withholding gender-affirming care under the pretense of policy or morality ignores established medical consensus and harms trans youth’s mental and physical health.

Both decisions reflect a judicial unwillingness to recognize and protect marginalized identities, instead reinforcing social hierarchies that delegitimize lived realities. Where Plessy codified racial inferiority, the current decision implicitly codifies gender nonconformity as deviant and unworthy of care. The harm wrought by such rulings is not abstract—it manifests in increased suffering, discrimination, and social exclusion.

In essence, the Supreme Court’s stance on trans healthcare mirrors Plessy’s role in legalizing systemic injustice. Both decisions illustrate how law can be wielded to oppress rather than protect, underscoring the urgent need for judicial recognition of equality and dignity for all.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free—two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had legally ended slavery. Union troops, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Texas and announced General Order No. 3, formally freeing the last remaining enslaved people in the United States. This moment represents the delayed promise of freedom and the ongoing struggle for justice.

Recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday is important because it formally acknowledges a foundational part of American history that was long overlooked. It honors the resilience, culture, and contributions of Black Americans while confronting the painful legacy of slavery. Observing Juneteenth invites education, reflection, and meaningful conversation about systemic racism and the work still needed for equality. By celebrating this day, the U.S. takes a step toward national healing and demonstrates a commitment to truth and inclusion. Recognition also affirms the significance of Black freedom and resistance in shaping American democracy. It’s more than a holiday—it’s a long-overdue recognition of the past and a reminder of the continuing pursuit of justice and equity for all.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

The No Kings rallies last weekend exceeded this…

Political science research has shown that a committed minority—just 3.5% of the population—can create significant, lasting change, particularly when it comes to political movements and social reform. This concept gained prominence from studies like those by political scientist Erica Chenoweth, who analyzed hundreds of nonviolent protests over the past century. Her findings revealed that when just 3.5% of a population actively and nonviolently engages in sustained protest or advocacy, they have never failed to bring about meaningful political change.

This relatively small percentage can be powerful because of strategic organization, persistent visibility, and moral influence. When a highly motivated minority organizes consistently—through protests, civil disobedience, or even digital activism—they can sway public discourse, gain media attention, and force political leaders to respond. Movements like the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the fall of apartheid in South Africa, and more recently, pro-democracy protests across the globe demonstrate how small, dedicated groups can alter the course of national policy.

In a democratic society, where public opinion and civic participation hold weight, this 3.5% can act as a catalyst for larger change. Their influence doesn’t necessarily come from numbers, but from dedication, clarity of message, and the ability to mobilize others. As their movement gains momentum, it often shifts the political “center,” prompting broader societal and institutional change. In effect, these movements challenge the status quo and redefine what is politically possible, even without majority support.