u/notyourmom1966

Coming in August because I need some (Atlantic) beach time. Rented VRBO. We don’t want to be shitty guests. I would like to know, is there anything in particular we should avoid doing/saying? (We know not to complain about things like prices and parking). We both work in public facing jobs, so that hopefully isn’t a problem. We won’t be arriving on Friday or leaving on Sunday. We’re coming from MN where it is hot and humid (and often a drought) in the summer, and if one more tourist complains to me about our mosquitoes (unofficial state bird), I might swat them. So I don’t want to be that guy lol.

I know it’s a weird question, so I appreciate any help. TIA.

We are planning to make a road trip from the Midwest to Cape Cod around the Great Lakes. I have an Enhanced DL, partner has a passport. We do not expect problems crossing due to documentation.

We prefer to pack snacks in a cooler for road trips - we do at least one a year - (usually stuff like clementines, beef sticks, cheese, hard boiled eggs - all the easy snacking foods). I understand the rules on liquor and weed. But I am wondering if we can bring our snack cooler? Can we bring it back into the US? This will be a 9 day trip in total, only 2 days/one night in Canada, so we could stock up after we are back in the states if needed.

In case it’s helpful, we plan to cross at Sault Ste. Marie and Niagara. TIA for the help.

For war, yes. For pandemic yes (polio and COVID), and once for a conflict with Chicago (1893. Trust me, won’t happen again). Six times since 1859, and never for weather.

We live in a place that has some rough weather. Everyone knows about our winters, but our summers are hot and humid AF. We get serious storms (including tornadoes). Also pollen. (Really bad pollen). Attendance drops and no one is shocked. And even on the hottest, most humid days, the fair is packed - I mean we have a llama costume contest, awesome seed art, anything you could ever eat on a stick, and fresh Sweet Martha’s Cookies.

Ya know what happened? No one came. No one is going to. So I invite y’all to join us instead. (And if you come, please visit our amazing Labor Pavilion and watch our Union Labor Day parade). Love you fellow travelers!

The indictments against my fellow Minnesotans are bullshit, sure. It's important to understand that several of the people arrested are also union members. This is important, because several unions here in MN were actively working to protect communities from these assholes.

BUT the indictment is no longer under seal, so you can read it https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234415/gov.uscourts.mnd.234415.1.0_2.pdf

Read it all the way through. Take special notice of the reference to how rapid response networks were used. Look at the actual charges. They are laying the groundwork to continue to come after us.

They still picked the wrong fucking state. They are doing this because they know, more than ever, they need to break us.

Edit: Literally as I hit post, they deployed tear gas at the federal courthouse against protesters. Fucking assholes.

Coming for Beach time (grew up on the NE Coast, currently live in the Midwest. Need some ocean love) and my birthday. Need restaurant recommendations (Italian preferably) for my b-day. Could use whale watching recommendations, cocktail spots, good lunch spots. Partner can’t sit still for long, so suggestions for him (biking, trails, etc) are also very welcome. Thanks much, so looking forward to this!

(I could have also used it is happening here, but I am trying to be preventative).

Long. Feel free to ignore.

I have worked in labor politics in the US since 2008. I work primarily in municipal politics, with some statewide races. I’m offering this as an incomplete list of ways to help us keep our shit together, and be effective as we move towards Election Day.

Before I give my meager tips, I want to take a moment to address the gathering gloom over our heads as politically informed (aka “high information”) folks. And yes, this IS part of hygiene.
- Keep your doom and gloom to yourself. Seriously. The best data we have (comes from places like ASO Communications and the Research Collaborative) tells us that when we name fear/potential harm as a reason to engage, people shut down. Yell about it in your car, your home, the ocean, but not to normies.
- People look for clear messages. Don’t talk numbers, don’t talk concepts like “democracy” (seriously- it’s too esoteric). Talk about things like fairness and freedom.
- People, even people like us weirdos tend to do what people like them do.
- Debunking is bullshit. It doesn’t work outside your bubble. Everyone who listens to BTB loves it when Robert debunks shit, because we know it’s already bullshit. In the real world, debunking means that you are most likely repeating the bad guys talking points. If you aren’t an expert don’t do it. Also look to trusted orgs for ways to counter BS .

On to the hygiene!

*Keep yourself healthy*
- Minimize your consumption of the anger cycle. I’m talking here about center, center-left, and left, information sources. Everything is driven by clicks, and spooling people up is an easy way to get engagement. If your favorite source doesn’t provide solutions, consider stepping back and look for local orgs or unions that do.
- Stay connected to joy. Laugh for fucks sake. Not a cynical laugh. A real one. Watch a shitty movie you love unapologetically. Get back in touch with your love of The Cure. Doesn’t matter what it is. Fascism steals joy. Reclaim it.
- Accept newbies. We fucking need them. Give them space to process. Do not shame/second guess our new comrades. Don’t do the bosses work for them.
- Build/maintain a life outside the fight. Celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and a nice spring evening with a fire pit. Your brain needs a fucking break.
- Plan intelligently. One of my favorite shows is Doomsday Preppers (I binge old episodes while canning). You can’t learn and do everything. Figure out what you can reasonably do. Stick to that.

*Purge your media*
- Dump the bullshit that just keeps you angry. Keep what keeps you entertained, informed, and motivated.

*Get active*
I don’t care if it’s with a political party, a candidate, a mutual aid group, the PTA, your local dungeon. Fucking talk to people. Real talk. If you complained that people made dumb decisions, and your only engagement was here on Reddit, that doesn’t help.

Trump won in 2024 not because the majority of PEOPLE voted. He won because PEOPLE stayed the fuck home. In this particular moment, much like Hungary, our best bet at trying to turn around fascism is at the ballot box.