My Feed

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 06:06:41 GMT

A Thread: Today was an extra special one for me, especially considering all the shit raining down on everyone. For those not familiar with me, I have been a volunteer friend of newly arriving refugees to the World Relief settlement agency in the Greater Chicago area since retiring in Nov, 2016. I had just returned from Standing Rock, SD, where I delivered a cast iron woodstove I had refurbished for use in the NODAPL encampment. I was advised that my contract with a major airline was not going to be renewed. I was offered placement by my agency at several other potential clients but opted to call it a career after 52.5 years working. I signed up with World Relief the next day. I have been a "friendship partner" to 9 families plus isolated assistance like getting taxes filed for several more. I have over 20 "surrogate grandchildren," have been called "grandpa" in 3 languages, "my father in America" by 3 women, "brother" by several men.

In addition, I refurbish donated bicycles to pass on to folks in need. Some 7-8 hundred to date, with 3/4 going to refugees, most of the rest to clients of a local homelessness prevention group, and several to clients of rehab agencies.

So I am VERY familiar with the various social programs available to people in need. I know the work requirements; I know the application processes; I know people at the Dept of Human Services. I have worked with pre-K through 12 level schools for registration, scheduling parent teacher meetings, have met along with parents with teachers and counselors. I know how dedicated and hard working DHS employees, SSA employees, and educators are. As one might surmise, the brutality of the trump/musk gang of thugs hits me very hard. I get questions I can't answer. That leads to today. A Burmese family arrived last April after spending over 15 years in Malaysia after fleeing the military regime. I met them at the airport, accompanying their "US Tie," a Burmese friend I had known for 5 years. They have two teenagers (girl 16, boy 12). They both speak good English; it was mandatory in the private school they attended in Malaysia. I sort of took under my wing. Gave them bikes, took them on bike rides, had them help with yard work, answer questions you would expect from teenagers leaving the only home they had ever known to travel halfway around the world, enroll in schools where they know noone and anticipate being seen as intruders. My experience as a Senior Girl Scout co-leader with my wife probably helped me there. Mom and Dad were assured by my friend that I was ok; after the first outing they were just overjoyed that the kids could get out and enjoy the outdoors. 16 told me they were not ever allowed out of the house except to go to school, because the locals were anti-immigrant and might hurt or get them arrested.

With the brutal cold of winter and their being in school, we have seen little of each other since Sept. Today 16 texted that the family wanted to visit at 4:30; would that be ok? I thought I knew the reason; this had occurred once before. They wanted to say hi and bring me food. Feeding guests is a very strong tradition throughout the areas my friends all come from. If I don't visit so they can serve coffee & sweets (or meals!) they want to bring to me. But I wrote back that I was wondering whether the 2 of them wanted to come help in the garage, and got an emphatic YES!!. So I picked them up and they helped tremendously getting the chaos organized. They are great kids - hard workers, bright, take initiative, a joy to have around. My friend brought mom and dad at 4:30. They brought a haul of fresh fruit, bread, apple juice, cookies. I thanked profusely, put in house, then we chatted some, me commending the kids great help. Mom wanted to know cost of my filing their taxes (they got a refund with the EIC and CC credits; dad is buying a car!). I said just the $39 Taxact charges me for the state return; fed is free. She was "Only 39? Not more?" I said that is what I have to pay. That is all. She said if we go to someone they want $150. I said I know. That is why I do so many! I thanked again for the kids help and 16 said "You are Grandpa; that is what you do for Grandpas." So I said "and helping with taxes is what Grandpas do!" Big laughs all around. A love fest. They were about to leave and I said to my friend (auto mechanic, CNC operator) and Dad (custom stainless steel fabricator for 17 yrs) that I had a problem with a broken hinge on my truck cover and wanted their advice. I opened it up, propped with a board I cut to suit and have been using for months, showed the issue and said I could not find anything on web so described my MacGyver solution, sought input. They agreed it would work. We removed the part, put on my newly-uncovered workbench for some drilling and stuff later. I turned to do something or other, then saw Mom and Dad with the part kneeling in sunlight on garage floor, she holding it, he taking picture of a part number. A lot of chatter in Burmese, looking at phones. I said did you find the right part? My friend said yes, showed me the listing, definitely my truck and bed. Closeup of the hydraulic lift arm perfect match; they are sold in pairs for $45. I said great, send me that; he said friend had ordered, paid, it would be delivered Tuesday, they would be over to install both. sides. I said I can wait until Saturday when you don't work! It's been like that for months!

These are the people those disgusting excuses for humans are trying to kill. They fled tyranny in their ancestral home country, came here just as my ancestors did, and those bastards ... I can't express my rage. I just savor the true friendship. -finis

Thread prepared using Thread Writer for Bluesky: https://blue.thread.center/#

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 05:54:16 GMT

Thread prepared using Thread Writer for Bluesky: https://blue.thread.center/#

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:46:25 GMT

🧵 This is followup to this thread from last Thurs., 12/19. Look at it for background:

https://bsky.app/profilecaptjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22

We got email and text confirmations of appointment, a reminder this am reiterating docs to bring. All well orchestrated. I picked her up w/ middle son to serve as translator. We got there pretty early, entered the code they had provided in email into the kiosk to check in.

It did nothing. Just refreshed and said enter code. I looked at monitor on wall. Nobody listed as waiting. Tried it one more time. Then went to the glass enclosed reception area and spoke into the clowns mouth (ok, just a mic, but I thought that was funny).

I said the kiosk is not responding. She got name, time of appointment, looked, found her, marked checked in and said have a seat. As time for appointment approached the monitor started showing "now serving #87" then #88. Then it said for #89 to go in. I went back to mic and asked what number we were. they did not know. I asked how do we know when they call. She hemmed and hawed, said they will tell us. I had my doubts, but sat back down. After a bit she came out to explain that the computer system was new last week, not working right, and nobody knew what to do about it. But then she said "It says she is already registered, by phone." Me: So we don't need to be here? She: right, did you make this appointment before calling on phone? Me: no, the person on phone, AFTER getting info, said you need an in person interview. She made the appointment. That is why we are here. She: oh. More waiting. Guy comes out, calls my friend's name, takes us back to interview room. It's like the visitors place in a prison. Room is divided, glass partition, slide papers thru a slot, talk via mic. Separate access from hall. That was done in 2020. Illinois took that shit seriously. Anyway, we had all the docs I could have scanned and uploaded if given the account ID he gave us after asking all the same questions as on phone. So I can upload pay stubs & its done.

It didn't; UPS got there 2 minutes before me. All good. Had a short visit. Went on to my Burmese family apt just 10 min away. As I slowed to park at curb, car pulls up beside, rolls down window. Me: Oh shit, somebody gonna yell at me for cutting them off or something. She: I have two bikes to donate, can you use them? Me: uh, maybe... She: I saw your sign back there and followed you. I have been wanting to donate them but did not know where. Can I drop them off or you pick them up? Me: I live pretty far from here for you to drop them...

She: can you take them? It's right around the block Me:uh, ok. Burmese 10 yr old waving from balcony; I holler "I'll be back". Get to her apt, she brings these out, load in truck. (pic at end of thread). Back to friends; 16 wants to visit tomorrow. Wants to help get bikes ready, help organize garage. She and her brother are the ones who gave my shed a great makeover. I can FIND stuff now! Family wants to visit. The Burmese friend who got the job last week is there, gonna take them shopping tomorrow, maybe stop at my house about 2:30.

She: Can I come early? Would you mind picking me up? Mom, Dad enthusiastically agreeing. Me: sure, that's fine, but it's gonna be cold. She: I don't care; I want to visit you and help you. So I guess I will be dragging my old bones out to the garage and preparing some belated Christmas presents. The agency that I will take them to is closed until Jan 2. So we'll put air in these 2 (looks like all they need); same with two I have from neighbor, also good but less pretty because of more rough use, and 2 adult bikes just needing final inspection. Any time left over we'll triage all the spare parts and fill a bin for metal recycling. Oh, and cut out another Syria map; My daughter in Tucson wants one for her Syrian friend in Tucson.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:41:59 GMT

🧵 This is followup to a thread from last Thurs., 12/19. Look at it for background: https://bsky.app/profile captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:41:59 GMT

🧵 This is followup to a thread from last Thurs., 12/19. Look at it for background: https://bsky.app/profile captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:06:16 GMT

🧵 Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.

This morning first thing was followup to LIHEAP request. It was bonkers. On the phone last week the person took the initial information and said now there must be an in-person interview, as has been the case in years past. She scheduled it - usually is several weeks out; this was 2 business days. We got email and text confirmations of appointment, a reminder this am reiterating docs to bring. All well orchestrated. I picked her up w/ middle son to serve as translator. We got there pretty early, entered the code they had provided in email into the kiosk to check in. It did nothing. Just refreshed and said enter code. I looked at monitor on wall. Nobody listed as waiting. Tried it one more time. Then went to the glass enclosed reception area and spoke into the clowns mouth (ok, just a mic, but I thought that was funny). Said the kiosk not responding. She got name, time of appointment, looked, found her, marked checked in and said have a seat. As time for appointment approached the monitor started showing "now serving #87" then #88. Then it said for #89 to go in. I went back to mic and asked what number we were. they did not know. I asked how do we know when they call. She hemmed and hawed, said they will tell us. I had my doubts, but sat back down. After a bit she came out to explain that the computer system was new last week, not working right, and nobody knew what to do about it. But then she said "It says she is already registered, by phone." Me: So we don't need to be here? She: right, did you make this appointment before calling on phone? Me: no, the person on phone, AFTER getting info, said you need an in person interview. She made the appointment. That is why we are here. She: oh. More waiting. Guy comes out, calls my friend's name, takes us back to interview room. It's like the visitors place in a prison. Room is divided, glass partition, slide papers thru a slot, talk via mic. Separate access from hall. That was done in 2020. Illinois took that shit seriously. Anyway, we had all the docs I could have scanned and uploaded if given the account ID he gave us after asking all the same questions as on phone. So I can upload remaining pay stubs that they did not have this morning and its done.

Then on to the friend I am helping with meds. Her husband's ran out yesterday; expedited shipment from Cost Plus Drugs (Mark Cuban is a GOOD billionaire.) expected today. Since I take all the same drugs, I had prepared a 3-day supply of each in case something went awry. It didn't; UPS got there 2 minutes before me. All good. Had a short visit. Went on to my Burmese family apt just 10 min away. As I slowed to park at curb, car pulls up beside, rolls down window. Me; Oh shit, somebody gonna yell at me for cutting them off or something. She: I have two bikes to donate, can you use them? Me: uh, maybe... She: I saw your sign back there and followed you. I have been wanting to donate them but did not know where. Can I drop them off or you pick them up? Me: I live pretty far from here for you to drop them... She: can you take them? It's right around the block Me:uh, ok. Burmese 10 yr old waving from balcony; I holler "I'll be back". Get to her apt, she brings these out, load in truck. Back to friends; 16 wants to visit tomorrow. Wants to help get bikes ready, help organize garage. She and her brother are the ones who gave my shed a great makeover. I can FIND stuff now! Family wants to visit. The Burmese friend who got the job last week is there, gonna take them shopping tomorrow, maybe stop at my house 2:30. She: Can I come early? Would you mind picking me up? Mom, Dad enthusiastically agreeing. Me: sure, that's fine, but it's gonna be cold. She: I don't care; I want to visit you and help you. So I guess I will be dragging my old bones out to the garage and preparing some belated Christmas presents. The agency that I will take them to is closed until Jan 2. So we'll put air in these 2 (looks like all they need); same with two I have from neighbor, also good but less pretty because of more rough use, and 2 adult bikes just needing final inspection. Any time left over we'll triage all the spare parts and fill a bin for metal recycling. Oh, and cut out another Syria map; My daughter in Tucson wants one for her Syrian friend in Tucson.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:06:16 GMT

🧵 Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:06:12 GMT

🧵 Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 05:06:12 GMT

🧵 Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:59:10 GMT

busy dayyH

day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.This morning first thing was followup to LIHEAP request. It was bonkers. On the phone last week the person took the initial information and said now there must be an in-person interview, as has been the case in years past. She scheduled it - usually is several weeks out; this was 2 business days. We got email and text confirmations of appointment, a reminder this am reiterating docs to bring. All well orchestrated. I picked her up w/ middle son to serve as translator. We got there pretty early, entered the code they had provided in email into the kiosk to check in. It did nothing. Just refreshed and said enter code. I looked at monitor on wall. Nobody listed as waiting. Tried it one more time. Then went to the glass enclosed reception area and spoke into the clowns mouth (ok, just a mic, but I thought that was funny). Said the kiosk not responding. She got name, time of appointment, looked, found her, marked checked in and said have a seat. As time for appointment approached the monitor started showing "now serving #87" then #88. Then it said for #89 to go in. I went back to mic and asked what number we were. they did not know. I asked how do we know when they call. She hemmed and hawed, said they will tell us. I had my doubts, but sat back down. After a bit she came out to explain that the computer system was new last week, not working right, and nobody knew what to do about it. But then she said "It says she is already registered, by phone." Me: So we don't need to be here? She: right, did you make this appointment before calling on phone? Me: no, the person on phone, AFTER getting info, said you need an in person interview. She made the appointment. That is why we are here. She: oh. More waiting. Guy comes out, calls my friend's name, takes us back to interview room. It's like the visitors place in a prison. Room is divided, glass partition, slide papers thru a slot, talk via mic. Separate access from hall. That was done in 2020. Illinois took that shit seriously. Anyway, we had all the docs I could have scanned and uploaded if given the account ID he gave us after asking all the same questions as on phone. So I can upload remaining pay stubs that they did not have this morning and its done.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:57:40 GMT

Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.This morning first thing was followup to LIHEAP request. It was bonkers. On the phone last week the person took the initial information and said now there must be an in-person interview, as has been the case in years past. She scheduled it - usually is several weeks out; this was 2 business days. We got email and text confirmations of appointment, a reminder this am reiterating docs to bring. All well orchestrated. I picked her up w/ middle son to serve as translator. We got there pretty early, entered the code they had provided in email into the kiosk to check in. It did nothing. Just refreshed and said enter code. I looked at monitor on wall. Nobody listed as waiting. Tried it one more time. Then went to the glass enclosed reception area and spoke into the clowns mouth (ok, just a mic, but I thought that was funny). Said the kiosk not responding. She got name, time of appointment, looked, found her, marked checked in and said have a seat. As time for appointment approached the monitor started showing "now serving #87" then #88. Then it said for #89 to go in. I went back to mic and asked what number we were. they did not know. I asked how do we know when they call. She hemmed and hawed, said they will tell us. I had my doubts, but sat back down. After a bit she came out to explain that the computer system was new last week, not working right, and nobody knew what to do about it. But then she said "It says she is already registered, by phone." Me: So we don't need to be here? She: right, did you make this appointment before calling on phone? Me: no, the person on phone, AFTER getting info, said you need an in person interview. She made the appointment. That is why we are here. She: oh. More waiting. Guy comes out, calls my friend's name, takes us back to interview room. It's like the visitors place in a prison. Room is divided, glass partition, slide papers thru a slot, talk via mic. Separate access from hall. That was done in 2020. Illinois took that shit seriously. Anyway, we had all the docs I could have scanned and uploaded if given the account ID he gave us after asking all the same questions as on phone. So I can upload remaining pay stubs that they did not have this morning and its done.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:54:26 GMT

Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:54:26 GMT

Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:50:44 GMT

🧵 Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 04:50:44 GMT

🧵 Busy day. This is followup to this thread: https://bsky.app/profile/captjohnparker.bsky.social/post/3ldnzyf3egs22 Look at it for background.

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 05:33:56 GMT

🧵 Today turned out to be an excellent day. Started out with a decent night's sleep. Welcome in its own right, but especially so on a day with a lot of incoming.

My to-do list was to: • finish up a friend's application for unemployment, and • talk to another friend to make sure she understood what we are doing to get her husband's medical bills covered (> $10k; heart attack) and get his meds a from Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs.

I fed the feral cat and settled down at desk with a mug of coffee laced with homemade habenero hot sauce, had just opened CJP's Morning Edition (my "favorites" list) when I got a call from a high school about a 3d friend's son. Bad connection, could not understand issue. He's had major stress as dad's family was just wiped out in Gaza, a friend killed in driveby, another ODd. So when school says he's missing alarms go off in my head. Was calling her to get info when 4th friend sent elect bill and asked for help renewing LIHEAP.

4 of my 5 refugee families on the docket today!

Dealt with school thing (NBD), set up 3 way call to resolve buggy unempl app. Call was useless. Refused to accept well documented, repeatable issue, basically said user error, go away. Tabled that, moved on to helping him compose a brief reminder to a garage that said they were very interested, would be in touch - a week ago. This family had both cars wrecked just before he was laid off in a takeover purge. in the midst of getting him a draft of a letter to send, he says he just got a text from the company he really wanted to work for, had applied (via me) before the layoff notice. He had an interview, HR said boss has to decide, is off. We decided boss had decided and moved on. Boss got back; they want him, offer 28% more $ plus plenty of overtime at double pay. He talked to rep, will go in tomorrow for paperwork. shortly after he got a call that backordered parts came and his car is finally almost ready (7 weeks!)

Talked to friend about ins, meds. her son translated if she did not understand something.

Finally got to LIHEAP. Got the ball rolling. settled down at 6 pm for what was supposed to have been an afternoon snack.

did I say 4 of 5? 16 yr old from #5 pings me in Whatsapp " Grandpa, are you busy right now?" Never too busy for her. an absolutely delightful kid. Her mom trying to get appointment for drivers license written test. They tried, could not operate the app. I never moved from the chair, eating snack and getting only available appointment in 50 miles, Dec 27, in closest facility to their apartment.

5 minutes and my hero status jumped 25%. Joking, but in all seriousness, to these hard working folks hit with tough problems, adversity, and just simple bureaucratic stuff in a culture with unfamiliar processes and procedures, just a little bit of help goes a long way.

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 05:02:24 GMT

🧵 I just got a request for some wood work for an artist friend from Syria I will call Amal (means "hopeful"). She and her husband and 3 boys came here in 2016 in that 10,000 refugee mad dash Obama did as the specter loomed of tfg possibly beating HRC. Resettlement agencies were swamped; Amal's family got assigned to an agency focused on folks from S. Sudan & Congo, and were placed in housing not near any Arabic speaking folks. My daughter in Tucson called; HER Syrian friends just recently arrived told of friends placed in Chicago with no US contacts. "Dad, would you go meet them?" They had moved from Chicago to a house near me, so it worked out. And thus was born my 8-year activity to meet and assist incoming families. I took training at World Relief, have been assigned as Friendship Partner to 3 different families, have self-assigned to 5 more, and provided spot assistance to another 6 or 8. I found a place for Amal's family to share Iftar with others at a local Masjid their first Ramadan here. I joined them there and was a guest at their house the next few Ramadans until COVID19. I assisted them in preparing for and passing the citizenship test. I taught her to drive.

Once when I went to their house to fix something she opened up briefly about their last day at home. With a few words to explain she pantomimed running, crouched over, holding her 1-yr old, as bullets flew around her. Last year she asked me to help make a decoration for Ramadan, which I did. It was a large crescent moon cut from 1/4" plywood. She added the star to make the classic Muslim symbol for a wall hanging.

SOOOO, with all the excitement, jubilation, euphoria today, she wants a cutout of the state of Syria. She will paint it, I expect with the flag colors. I could not be more thrilled for Syrians, both in country and scattered around the world mostly across Europe and US, But especially my three Syrian families and Amal especially. Photo is a proof-of-concept for making a template. It will be bigger, using most of the board (it is what I cut the moon from) and I'll white out most to save ink. This may be an all-nighter! EOM

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 02:16:41 GMT

🧵Folks back on Mastodon got to know me as one who befriends and assists newly-arriving refugees. I help with all sorts of bureaucratic, administrative stuff. Socisl services, enroll kids in school, etc. Most have been young families, pre-teen kids. #refugees #bicycle

I also repair donated bikes to give to folks in need. Newest family is a Burmese family with a 16 yr old daughter, 10 yr old son. I met at airport. All 4 delightful people. Kids adopted me, especially 16. They call me Grandpa. They helped w/yard work, bike refurbishing. Loved just getting out of apt. Parents loved it too. Born in refugee housing in unfriendly Malaysia. Mom would not allow them out except to/from school. I gave them bikes, took riding on trails. First time out in the countryside, ever, in their lives.

Great kids, smart. She has straight 'As '. She asks questions. About politics, religion, just picking my brain. She was worried about election, understandably scared. She asked to come over today. Helped pick up 3 donated bikes, check each out, inflate, replace a tire.

Chatted about lots of things. Then in car enroute to her house she scared the crap out of me. "Grandpa, I got asked out." Suddenly I was back in a role I had 35-40 years ago when our daughters were teens. We talked. I learned more, got context. I think she was seeking reassurance her instincts were right, comported with cultural norms. She got that reassurance. And some advice. But now I am terrified. -dbc3

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:52:53 GMT

...🧵 "Why are we subjecting ourselves to this?" Good question! (response to Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social)

I followed you and many others on tw when I bailed and went to Mastodon 2 yrs ago. At the time, Bluesky was by invitation only, Post, Spoutable, and Threads were in various stages of wishful thinking. I tried to encourage an exodus then. I learned how to make a list of accounts in a csv file, import it to your Mastodon follows list. I invited journos to come on over, let me add to list. People could re-import and they'd get an immediate cadre of followers who were just waiting for them to come. I also invited people with other interests to do the same. I made "how to" slide shows. Does that sound at all familiar? So recently I decided to poke around in Bluesky and discovered Starter Packs! Exactly what I designed and implemented, but user friendly. Well, that's the story of my life. I have "invented," envisioned, or hacked together myriad "solutions" over my career. Usually too early; the market wasn't ready and the tech was too nerdy. Anyway, that was then and this is now. I learned belatedly of what the geniuses at Blueky had built. Lots of people still on the stinking shit oops, I mean sinking ship are unaware of how robust and user friendly this place is. Lots of helpful documentation.

Especially for big contributors, the Thread Writer I am using to write this thread is fantastic. Still in its infancy, but a godsend if you just want to write an article and get in published 300 characters at a time. It needs and is getting work, but is functional NOW! There are a couple of quirks I will be happy to explain my workaround for to anyone who wants to give it a try. The main one is the first line of text does not respond to mouse click; you need to use the keyboard navigation. No big deal when you know; infuriating when you don't. Another is it posts as a base thread, can't make it a response, so I put traceability info in first post

https://blue.thread.center/

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:49:06 GMT

...🧵 "Why are we subjecting ourselves to this?" Good question! (response to Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social)

https://blue.thread.center/

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:38:19 GMT

🧵 "Why are we subjecting ourselves to this?" Good question! (response to Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social) https://bsky.app/profile/briantylercohen.bsky.social/post/3lc7jtgznuk2e

https://blue.thread.center/

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:38:19 GMT

🧵 "Why are we subjecting ourselves to this?" Good question! (response to Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social) https://bsky.app/profile/briantylercohen.bsky.social/post/3lc7jtgznuk2e

https://blue.thread.center/

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:38:10 GMT

🧵 "Why are we subjecting ourselves to this?" Good question! (response to Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social) https://bsky.app/profile/briantylercohen.bsky.social/post/3lc7jtgznuk2e

https://blue.thread.center/

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:38:10 GMT

🧵 "Why are we subjecting ourselves to this?" Good question! (response to Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social) https://bsky.app/profile/briantylercohen.bsky.social/post/3lc7jtgznuk2e

https://blue.thread.center/

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 03:21:24 GMT

🧵 "Why are we subjecting ourselves to this?" Good question!

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 18:08:38 GMT

🧵 Here's the thing: There are no "two sides" in this war. What the magas call liberal, woke, etc is just common decency, what a society needs to grow & prosper. It is (should be) "normal". The sort of thing various social animals like elephants do. They look out for the young, the weak, the old. That "side" is round. It includes diverse colors, religions, heritages, sizes, gender orientations.

The magas are outsiders. They have self-deported themselves from decent society. They are not unique. Weak, poorly socialized individuals throughout history have found themselves outcasts. They are infantile. They see others getting help, achieving, being happy and resent that nobody is feeding and caring for them. They started resenting the world when they were children. Some were babied too much, never learned to tie their own shoes or were taught that they SHOULD. They demand others do it, like mommy did. Others were not helped enough. They have gone through life with their shoes hopelessly knotted, angry that nobody unties them for them. Some are poor; others are obscenely rich. Some are one religion; others are another. What they all have in common is they resent everyone else. Normal diverse people should not be expected to meet these defectives halfway. They don't want compromise; they want everything those in the circle have, at the expense of those in the circle. They have always assaulted, and will continue to assault the circle. "Tear it down! Give it all to me!" There is no reasonable compromise. In ancient times they poured boiling oil over the wall at the marauders. We should not do that, as tempting as it is. But we also do not open the drawbridge and invite them in to compromise over tea and crumpets.

PS: this thread composed with Blue Sky Thread Writer. Give it a try! It is still developing, but really cool already. https://blue.thread.center/

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 18:08:22 GMT

PS: this thread composed with Blue Sky Thread Writer. Give it a try! It is still developing, but really cool already. https://blue.thread.center/

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 21:35:17 GMT

Yesterday was one of those mulifaceted issues days. The kind I enjoyed as a systems integration program manager. Four unrelated issues in diverse areas of the program. All end up on my plate, and I knock them down like George spotting raccoons. Not necessarily all solved, just dealt with to move ahead. I tell my several refugee friends I am not a miracle worker as they sometimes say, just an experienced project manager who knows the environment.

A) The state rejected my Burmese refugee friend's signature on the title turning his totaled car over to insurance co. He sent me recorded voicemail he did not understand. I called, got resolution; they sent me a form for him to sign.

B) A donated bike's flat tires turned out to be no problem. Held pressure over night. Little tuneup all it needs. I will get it off the repair stand and to World Relief soon. That's about 100 this year. See www.SecondChanceBikes.org for context.

C) Attended a parent/teacher meeting with a Syrian single mom. Her 16 yr old son usually straight A's, is failing a class. Shocked me; great kid, has helped me in yard projects. Got some insight before meeting. Her ex, his dad, is Palestinian. His entire family in Gaza was wiped out in last 6 weeks. Multiple incidents until all gone. All this kids cousins, aunts, uncles. Then a best friend killed by gunshot in Chicago. Then friend since 3d grade (another Syrian single mom friend's son) died from fentanyl OD. All in 6 weeks. So this kid is traumatized all to hell. Can't concentrate. We briefed teacher on circumstances. I was frigging teary trying to tell her. Am now. But she's all in with getting him moved from AP to regular history next semester, and working a plan for him to earn getting the F changed to D (class is needed to graduate). And she sent us to counselor, who will be in the plan and will get referrals for therapist who uses their insurance. She will call me to relay message. After meetings we sat down at a table in hallway to debrief; she speaks English but like many 2d language people can't follow fast talkers, has difficulty constructing sentences to explain stuff. That's why they want me there.

She's distraught, said "my kids are all I have; I can't lose one." But also relieved by meetings. She insisted on giving me a hug. First physical contact in the 6 years I have known her.

D) Got home to message from Burmese mom. She needs a job; visited a store nearby; they gave her link to apply. I updated her resume that I did for her a year or so ago, She has 6 yrs experience doing food prep in restaurant and a big grocery with hot food bar. They posted a job like that and also entry level bagging job. I submitted her applications for both.

Tough day. But good day. This is what we must all do. Help those most vulnerable. These folks are already struggling. As the crimes against humanity start here, we must defend against not just their foreign enemies, but also the domestic terrorists in the US government.

-finis

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:59:49 GMT

She's distraught, said "my kids are all I have; I can't lose one." But also relieved by meetings. She insisted on giving me a hug. First physical contact in the 6 years I have known her.

-finis

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:59:38 GMT

She's distraught, said "my kids are all I have; I can't lose one." But also relieved by meetings. She insisted on giving me a hug. First physical contact in the 6 years I have known her.

-finis