“Nice try… FBI”

I consider myself to be something of an anarchist, if mostly aspirationally, and I think you’ve crystallized something I’ve had a hard time putting my finger on. All the irl self-described communists I’ve met, or even socialists for that matter, spend a lot more time concerned about theory than actually improving material conditions for those around them.

It’s always the anarchists, even if they don’t actually call themselves that, that are actually doing the thing.

I don’t hate communists, our ultimate goals align, I might disagree with the path to get there at times, but we are aligned on outcomes.

IELTS (or acceptable equivalent) is required for visa entry to Canada even if you originate from an English speaking country. Iirc, at least Australia and NZ are the same.

Having certain job classifications will get you more points in the express entry pool, if that’s the way you are going, it can make it easier, but already having a job/offer is worth a lot more points iirc.

That’s a very different calculation then! I can’t say I’d do it differently in your shoes. Godspeed.

He managed to wipe out the equivalent of Dallas last time accidentally, so… I don’t think it’s crazy to assume he’ll deport anybody. Hell, he already promised to deport actual US citizens (“anchor babies”).

If it’s well controlled you can pass the exam, but yeah, still adds difficulty.

You also have to take an English language exam, for migration to any English speaking country. In 2022 those were only offered in large cities, I looked at flying to Chicago for one, but the results are only good for like 2 years iirc.

And you have to get cleared by the local police of… Anywhere you’ve ever lived? (I can’t remember if there was a federal check that was also acceptable or not)

And that’s not everything, and for Canada that’s just to get in the pool for lottery.

So, do what you need to do for your family. But I’ll say this. I spent time looking into this last go round because I knew Biden was a temporary reprieve. I’m the parent of a trans kid, we did not leave the country for several reasons.

The entire western world is experiencing this dramatic rise in fascism. There’s no guarantee that you will actually avoid this long term.

Many countries (especially the UK) have draconian immigration rules, see above note about fascism.

We ultimately decided to move to a blue state, from a red one, primarily for safety reasons, and made it happen over a couple years. We are far happier in this situation and are now able to help extract other loved ones from similar situations.

Again, do what you need to do for yours and your family’s safety, but you’re in for a tough go of it regardless of what you choose.

ETA: I went as far as interviewing for some jobs in Canada after building my immigration profile and starting the job search in NZ.

“Ethnostates are still cool tho.”

Uncritical support to clumps of blood cells and platelets.

Critical support to comrade musk, on the front lines every. Single. Day. Proving that capitalism is not a meritocracy or that the rich have any kind of special intelligence.

In response to that…

Try this on

We’re semi-rural (multi acre lots often with houses set almost at the back of lots), this was my first Halloween out here, I was following the kids with a car cause it was cold and snowy. But apparently the other parents in the neighborhood all hang out and set up a flatbed trailer with a fire pit, lawn chairs, and beer just being hauled around by a UTV. I need to learn how to make friends as an adult.

I think there was a movie about that once.

Lol don’t they own a McDonald’s?

“McDonald’s franchisee and heir to the throne…”

What fucking losers. They’re exactly the same as the loser who let our big wet boy run the thing that you cook the fries in once.

Mmmm Republicans giving us repression?

Best thing to ever come out of the state of Kansas.

Don’t forget Louisiana… My wife’s favorite.

I’ve always had to drug test exactly once for my jobs. I feel that it’s probably different for retail workers.

Doesn’t even have to be actual booze. Apple cider vinegar + a drop of dawn dish soap works a treat.

A lot of us have spent our lives masking and suppressing other issues because we were told that all of these issues were due to some kind of inherent badness. “you’re so full of capability, if only you weren’t so fucking lazy” - on repeat, for years, from everyone you love and trust.

It fucks you up. And when you realize that if literally anyone in your life had taken a step back and helped you get the actual tools you needed (often medication, and occupational therapy) you get so sad and angry at all the waste and internalized self-hatred.

I wasn’t diagnosed until after I’d flamed out my first couple semesters at college. First time I took medication after being diagnosed I cried. It’s taken more than a decade of therapy to undo most of the damage.