Those are good points, especially on nuclear deterrence re: Russia. I think Israel could be considered to be a bit different in that sense, since their nuclear program (that we know exists) is still technically a secret. But I think I’m probably wrong on how all that works, so good call.

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This represents a pretty fundamental misunderstanding of the geopolitics of the Middle East.

Israel is the country currently committing genocide against the Palestinians, attacking and trying to gain new territory in Syria, breaking ceasefire agreements, carrying out targeted murders of innocent children, journalists, and frankly anyone they feel like killing, and in general just acting like a country of vicious amoral killers.

And in case you’re worried about my tone or personal experience, I am a Jewish descendant of Holocaust survivors, with family who are Israeli, and with whom I will never speak again. Israel is the bad actor here, and unfortunately it’s not just the government and the army, but most of the general population that supports the genocide.

Nukes are not the problem, nor are they the solution or even an effective deterrent. And while Israel’s neighbors are by no means good global citizens, it’s Israel and its murderous, racist, and genocidal rage that are the problem.

Yup, Marcellus Williams was executed on September 24, 2024, after significant evidence of his innocence was well known. Even though the victim’s family had consistently said they did not want him to be executed, the Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey acted liked a one-man murderous mob and insisted that this innocent man be killed, after already being wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 24 years. He didn’t even want the evidentiary hearing to go forward. What legitimate reason would someone ever have to deny someone the right to show evidence of their innocence? It’s not the first time that asshole AG Andrew Bailey didn’t care about whether or not someone actually committed a crime.

There are few things that make me angrier and more afraid than someone who genuinely thinks they have the power to purposefully work against the truth when someone’s life is on the line.

Not only is no help available, but the Dept of Ed has been pestering borrowers to re-certify their Income-Driven Repayment plan, since Biden’s SAVE plan is blocked by the courts leaving the shitty IDR as the only option for those who can’t afford their full payments (most people, I’d assume). But if you go to the page where you do the recertification, you’ll find that the forms have all been taken down.

It’s purposeful, to cause the maximum amount of pain to the most number of people who are the least likely to be able to handle it. I think a lot of them actually do want to burn it all down, and screw all the people who are harmed in the process. That’s what they want their legacy to be. They don’t want people who aren’t already wealthy to benefit from education.

Yup, that’s what it all boils down to.

Just try a little empathy exercise: what if you were arrested for a heinous crime, that you know for certain you didn’t commit, but you don’t have an alibi and there’s enough evidence that points to you, that you end up being tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death.

You know that you didn’t commit the crime, but nobody else believes you or can properly make your case. In carrying out your sentence, the government is murdering an innocent person who was wronged by the justice system. If you had been sentenced to life in prison, there’s a good chance some new facts might have come to light and exonerated you. This happens all the time.

Why does the government get to kill people, when killing people is one of our worst crimes? To me, the death penalty is state-sanctioned revenge. It’s the government saying it’s entitled to commit an awful crime, in order to punish an awful crime. Sometimes it’s committing the very same crime the person was sentenced for. That logic has always been completely confounding to me.

Still curious what’s wrong with the death penalty?

Fuck yes. This is leadership.

Charred fatty goose breast.

Blew my mind.