every single conversation about gun control I've ever had be like (CW transphobia)

- Them: "No civilian needs a gun ever!"
- Me: "I live in a jurisdiction that recognizes the trans panic defense. I can literally get murdered for existing in public and then my murderer would get off with a lighter sentence by whining about how 'disgusting' I look and how he had to put me out of his misery."
- Them: "just call the cops you dumb commie troon I hope you 41% lmao cope harder"

if they don't go like that, they go like this:
- Them: "Weapons of war don't belong on our streets!"
- Me: "Stop giving them to cops, then."
- Them: "But they need them to combat the crime wave! You know, the totally real crime wave that actually happened and totally wasn't just police manufacturing consent for giving them more money! And also there's terrorists!"
- Me: "But do they need grenades, armored cars, rocket launchers, machine guns, and shit like that?"
- Them: "Those are largely defensive, unlike your precious AR-15 assault babykiller weapons who can't fight the government but are only suited for military use."

we are 2% through this presidential term

https://www.thecanary.co/global/world-analysis/2025/02/18/trans-people-us-passports/

Don't tell me not to carry a gun. They've already taken my passport.

"An alarming number of people who aren’t currently being targeted have this magical thinking that because there should be help, it exists. That because genocide is illegal, something is stopping it. But no existing institution has the authority to stop it. Direct action from individuals is the only real means of survival.

Trans people need jobs, housing, shelter, protection and financial help—now. Complicity is not passive. Waiting for institutions to intervene while doing nothing to help actual trans people is not just inaction—it is collaboration with the genocidal processes already underway."

When I post images of marginalized veterans, or talk about reaching out to disillusioned conservatives and liberals, I see a lot of pushback.

Empathy is the only road forward against an alt-right that will welcome and radicalize those that we turn away from the left.

https://www.peopleleavecults.com/post/cult-deprogramming

When studying cult deprogramming, time and time again it's been demonstrated that hostile "I told you so's" are ineffective and can drive people further into isolation and denial of reality - while empathetic, cause-addressing welcomings are the most effective.

The same goes for people trapped in a political cult. When you're disillusioned in your previous belief system and seek a new one, only to receive backlash from the side you've been taught to hate and pleas to return from the side you're trying to leave, you're probably going to stick with your original side.

There's a sunk cost issue with politics. The more you invest with a certain group, the greater the consequences of abandonment - both because you're leaving the friends, family, and life you used to know, and because the only side left to turn to hates you and you've been taught to hate them.

It sucks to hear but part of the messy work of winning the culture is forgiveness, understanding, and redemption. Of course it isn't everyone's job to turn around and welcome the people who hated them - but the only thing that benefits from rejecting a defector is your personal ego.

Another historical example - counterinsurgency efforts. One of the most effective historical means of quelling an enemy insurgent force was an amnesty program.

Warmly,

Bee

Don't believe I'll be taking any airplane flights for at least the next four years. Human flight was a declaration of contempt against the gods and the Trump administration's deregulation has brought the end of such hubris. I plan to stay on the ground like nature intended.

My mom is a JW, has been most of my life. We don't live in the same state. I risk having her congregation withdraw her from her family if I try deprogramming, and I don't have physical presence to overcome that.