In my opinion their Chalupa or Gordita are the best things on the menu. PSA - they don’t resemble true Mexican food of the same name at all.

But I never feel good about going to Taco Bell afterwards. I only sometimes stop there if I’m traveling and my choice is limited to McDonald’s or Taco Bell

WTF! Did you sneak into my house?

Fear is what’s going to make them stop acting like thugs, they don’t fear the consequences of their actions. The person giving them orders don’t fear the consequences. Learning hip toss or judo chop isn’t going to stop a group of fearless thugs.

But you’re right. If reason is lost and the people that are sworn to protect do nothing then logically that is the next step, it’s sort of written into the Constitution and Amendments because our founders dealt with this sort of thing and the abuse of power.

It’s not really that hard with my son 13, I monitor what he’s doing discreetly using apps and just listening to what he’s doing. I make sure to explain to him what I find acceptable and I give him space and freedom to make mistakes but I’m also clear about the consequences. I don’t let him out of sight or ear shot.

My daughter 5 on the other hand is much tougher, she likes to watch slop and I have to limit it block shows or apps that have “free streaming” because the garbage is everywhere. She doesn’t understand or know the difference, she doesn’t see the overt government or corporate propaganda and low effort quality, she just sees bright colors and happy cartoons and signing. Here’s hoping my efforts aren’t for not.

Otherwise, just keep them off the black hole that is social media (Facebook/Instagram/tweeter and their clones) because there’s nothing good or redeemable there, limit YouTube and similar sites, take part in their lives while also giving the space to make decisions, don’t completely cut out AI but encourage creativeness using all of the tools available to them, encourage quality over quantity, instill healthy values, be flexible, and treat them like young humans. Treating them like young humans also means setting boundaries, being firm, standing your ground and being consistent. They’re humans not flowers. The values part is probably the hardest part to impart because what everyone themselves value doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing to everyone else and life is full of contradictions so they need to be able to decide who/what/when/where is the right choice and completely denying everything will blow up in your or their faces.

The values we teach them as parents is what will allow them to decide when is the right time to allow AI content as something acceptable and give them the knowledge for how to use it to their advantage. AI isn’t going away so don’t run away from it, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept the shit corporations are cramming down our throats or allow it to run our lives and raise our kids.

It’s a long war and a lot of people give up or declare victory too soon. Never give up, never surrender, because one day you will be old and AI will be running your life support machines and I hope someone’s lazy kid didn’t half ass train it because they grew up watching Cocomelon.

You say self defense like you’re fighting off a mugger. Your facing government backed thugs not street thugs (they wouldn’t need to cover their faces if they weren’t doing something wrong) physically resisting isn’t going to do you any good. Maybe you make their jobs a little tougher for a little while, but they will go back to work tomorrow and you will spend a few days, maybe weeks in jail or get shipped off somewhere if you survived.

You are out numbered and out matched, self defense classes aren’t going to do you any good, no half measure is going to do anything. It’s entirely up to you if feel the need to resist and/or feel the urge to become a martyr if they come for you, it’s your choice.

If you feel the need to act, your best options are to join an activist group and/or support government leaders that you feel could help. Because in the end you’re either going to be standing in front of God or a judge, you won’t be physically fighting back in any meaningful way.

I guess I can either wait and see or put the laptop in the microwave

I just pulled a 20yo laptop out of storage and put Linux Mint on it because I was bored. Wifi and USB ports are slow as molasses in winter, but works fine otherwise.

RED FLAG! RUN!

Usually means we expect to grift you into doing things for free

You don’t, you have no direct control over world events.

You have a choice, you can either join an activist group and maybe get some comfort that you’re doing something or take a break and focus on getting the most out of life.

Don’t forget Epstein distraction

The cigarette butts are the best ergonomic pads

Act too late and you’re lined up to be shot, act too soon and you’re just a nut job

I don’t think so, I believe Biden is the real reason Harris lost. She had too much ground to make up for Biden’s stubbornness to realize he was a weak candidate. Trump’s entire strategy was based on how weak Biden was and the party turning against him in the 11th hour only reinforced Trump’s claims. Kamala was doomed from the start, I believe she could have won if she had taken the lead from the start of the race. She wouldn’t have been my first or even my second but I still think she could have won if Trump didn’t have a head start and Dems taking so long to pull their heads out of their asses.

We would go to Folk’s or TGIF or O’charlys or a local tavern, as long as you weren’t ordering beer or steaks, it was do able.

This makes me sad. About 15 years ago we could go out as a family of 4 to a nice-ish restaurant for just entrees for just under $50 before tip.

When you rich enough you can buy your own presents

What if Jesus was never crucified and instead cursed Judas into being the Grinch’s ancestor and the Who’s are Jesus’ descendants and that’s why the Grinch hates Christmas so much. The movie is just about the descendants of both bloodlines learning to forgive each other.

At least the pregnant woman can grow a beard