ZhiZhu

@zhizhu

"All mimsy were the borogoves..." Avid reader, occasional world traveler, raises chickens in Texas. Interested in #Journalism #News #USPolitics #Books #SFF #Photography #Travel #Nature #Science #Ukraine, etc. Also at @ZhiZhu@newsie.social in the Fediverse

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ZhiZhu@zhizhu· 16d

Rep. Pat Fallon: "What concerns me is the 👉 #GOP 👈seems to be absolutely committed to watching their country disintegrate, and not caring at all so long as they get to rule over the ashes" Fixed it for you.

Meme showing political journalist Jon Karl speaking on television. A text block has been added with the following text:
“The Intelligence Community in the very documents that Trump himself declassified assessed that one of the most damaging things a foreign adversary could do would be to falsely convince the American people that their elections had been rigged. And here’s the irony.

The person who has attempted to do exactly that over and over again, for nearly 6 years, and most dramatically on Thurs night, is Donald Trump, who, against the very evidence that he himself presented, tried to tell millions of Americans that foreign powers had corrupted an election, specifically the one election he lost.”
- Jon Karl, political journalist
https://www.threads.com/@setiodkaiba/post/Da_ilalkSgm

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· 28d

"According to the Republicans who currently control it, the US government is now a government of the Trump, by the Trump, and for the Trump. The people of America no longer matter. All that matters to the GOP is the venality and veneration of the Trump."

Meme with the front and back to a gold Trump coin on the left and text on the right which reads:
"According to the Republicans who currently control it, the US government is now a government of the Trump, by the Trump, and for the Trump.

The people of America no longer matter.

All that matters to the GOP is the venality and veneration of the Trump."

Watermark: ZmemeZ

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jun 30

"Money is NOT speech. ... When the Supreme Court says that spending money is the same as free speech, they are saying that the voices of the idle rich are thousands/millions/billions of times more important than the voices of the working class." SCOTUS declares rich "more equal" than non-rich.

Meme with a background photo of the front of the US Supreme Court, upon which the words, “Equal Justice Under Law” are engraved on the pediment. Text on a black block covering part of the photo reads:
Money is NOT speech.

Every individual has one voice
with which to speak.
Money is NOT so equitably distributed.

When the Supreme Court says that
spending money is the same as free speech,
they are saying that the voices of the idle rich
are thousands/millions/billions of times
more important
than the voices of the working class.
-Z. Janz

A watermark reads: ZmemeZ

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jun 16

I wanted to check for news about this drone strike, so I did a search, and the top results were... So yeah, Ukraine is successfully targeting Russia's oil infrastructure. #Ukraine #Russia #War #News

Screen shot of the results of a search with text and news blurbs.

Text: News for Ukrainian drones have hit the Moscow oil refinery

News blurb 1:
Ukrainian drone hits Moscow region's largest refinery
15 minutes ago
msn.com

News blurb 2:
Ukraine Long-Range Drones Hit Oil Refinery In St Petersburg, Russia
13 days ago
msn.com

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· May 25

Murc's Law: the widespread assumption that only Democrats have any agency or causal influence over American politics. Everything that happens, happens because of the Democrats' action or inaction. Nothing that happens or fails to happen is caused by the GOP's action or inaction. #Meme #Quote

Meme with green background and the text:
Murc's Law:
the widespread assumption that only Democrats have any agency or causal influence over American politics.

Everything that happens, happens because of the Democrats' action or inaction. Nothing that happens or fails to happen is caused by the GOP's actions or inactions.

Example: "Journalists who continually blame Democrats for situations brought about by Republican actions are following Murc's Law (whether they realize it or not)."

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· May 9

“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect. There is nothing more or else to it, and there never has been." #SCOTUS

Meme with an image of uneven scales to the left and the text:

“Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit:

There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind,
alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.

There is nothing more or else to it,
and there never has been."

~Frank Wilhoit, composer
https://crookedtimber.org/2018/03/21/liberals-against-progressives/#comment-729288

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Apr 30

MURC'S LAW Journalists who blame Democrats for situations brought about by Republican behavior are following Murc's Law. Murc’s Law is "the widespread assumption that only Democrats have any agency or causal influence over American politics." *

Meme with green background and the text:

MURC'S LAW
Journalists who blame Democrats for situations brought about by Republican behavior are following Murc's Law. Murc’s Law is "the widespread assumption that only Democrats have any agency or causal influence over American politics." *

These journalists seem to believe (perhaps unconsciously) that Republicans have so little control over their own behavior that they cannot be held accountable for their own actions.

So, instead of blaming Republicans for the political difficulties they cause, they blame Democrats for failing to control Republicans’ bad behavior.

*https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2017/12/great-moments-murcs-law

Watermark: ZmemeZ

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Apr 5

The very first lesson for resisting authoritarianism/fascism from Timothy Snyder's book #OnTyranny is "Do not obey in advance" Guess the Holocaust Museum never read that book or saw any of the many memes made of the first of the 20 lessons. (If you haven't read the book, I recommend you do.)

1. Do not obey in advance.

Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do.

#OnTyranny

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Mar 11

"For I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink. I was a stranger to your land and you did not take Me in... sick and in prison and you did not comfort Me... I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”

Meme with a parchment paper background and text of a Bible verse.

Matthew 25:41-45

Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

For I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink. I was a stranger to your land and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not comfort Me.”

Then they also will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?”

Then He will answer them, saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Feb 14

Interesting typo: "interment" (burying a dead body) instead of "internment" (confinement of a living person) It's almost like you subconsciously know what will happen to the people in those camps. Personally, I think they should be called what they are: Concentration camps. #ICE #DHS

interment /ĭn-tûr′mənt/
noun

The act or ritual of interring or burying. The act or ceremony of depositing a dead body in the earth; burial; sepulture; inhumation.
Similar: burial sepulture inhumation The act of burying a dead body; burial.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition • More at Wordnik

internment /ĭn-tûrn′mənt/
noun

The act of interning or confining, especially in wartime. The state of being interned; confinement. Confinement within narrow limits, -- as of foreign troops, to the interior of a country.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition • More at Wordnik

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Feb 14

The SAVE Act Would Disenfranchise Millions of Citizens www.americanprogress.org/article/the-... "more than 140 million American citizens do not possess a passport and as many as 69 million women who have taken their spouse’s name do not have a birth certificate matching their legal name."

Text: The Latest on the Save Act
- The SAVE Act would require all Americans to prove their citizenship status by presenting documentation—in person—when registering to vote or updating their voter registration information.
- More than 140 million American citizens do not possess a passport.
- As many as 69 million women who have taken their spouse’s name do not have a birth certificate matching their legal name.
- At President Trump and Elon Musk’s urging, congressional Republicans are poised to make another push to pass the SAVE Act ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. They have announced they will be advancing the Make Elections Great Again Act and the SAVE America Act—both of which are rebranded versions of the SAVE Act and should be seen as SAVE Act 2.0.

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Feb 2

"Never spread the lie in the headline" should be a hard rule of 21st century journalism. Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people headlines more than they read stories. bsky.app/profile/did:... #Journalism #News #Media #Press #US #USA

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 30

This was posted in a local protest group. I hope The Doors would approve of their song being made into a protest song. #ICE #ICEOut #Protest #Song #ProtestSong

“ICE out! You cowards!”
Sung to the tune of “Hello, I Love You” by The Doors (with slight modifications)

ICE out! You cowards!
Won’t you show me your face?
ICE out! You cowards!
You should just leave this place.
ICE out! You cowards!
Won’t you show me your face?
ICE out! You cowards!
You should just leave this place.

He’s walking down the street
Assaulting every one he meets.
Does he think he’ll be the guy
To kill the next protestor’s wife?

ICE out! You cowards!
Won’t you show me your face?
ICE out! You cowards!
You should just leave this place.
ICE out! You cowards!
Won’t you show me your face?
ICE out! You cowards!
You should just leave this place.

He holds his head so high
Like a fascist on the sly
His thoughts are wicked and his gun is long
When he kills, my brain screams out this song

ICE out! You cowards!
Won’t you show me your face?
ICE out! You cowards!
You should just leave this place.

Coward crouching at Trump’s feet
Like a dog just begging to be beat.
Do you think that he’ll protect you, fool?
Do you think you’re more than just a tool?

ICE out! ICE out! ICE out! ICE out! ICE out! ICE out! ICE out!
You cowards.
ICE out!
Just get the fuck out.
ICE out! ICE out! ICE out! ICE out!

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 19

Time to start asking everyone you know: Will you stand up for freedom? Or submit to fascism? #Resist #Protest #ICE #Trump #Meme #Memes

Meme with text in blue and red.

Blue text: Will you stand up for freedom

Red text: or submit to fascism?

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 19

"He [Trump] wants an army of pretend soldiers who have been hired to be loyal to him, who will follow any order they are given, including shooting people who ... do not 'comply' with orders." luciantruscott.substack.com/p/trump-has-... 'Comply or die' is NOT freedom. #Trump #ICE #Politics #USA

Meme with text, "Comply or Die is Not Freedom"
In the word, "comply", the “O” is an ICE badge, the "P" is a pistol, and the "Y" is a person with their arms raised. Under the word, "die" is dripping blood.

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 16

Average citizens must pay taxes on the wages that they have *worked* to earn, but billionaires do not have to pay taxes on all the wealth that they have NOT worked to earn. How is that fair? Why is work taxed, while wealth is not? #TaxTheRich #EatTheRich #Inequality #Politics #Taxes #US #USA

Meme showing a pair of well-worn gloves on a US flag with the text:
Why is work taxed, while wealth is not?

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 16

One party is fascists, and the other is fucking idiots. "They moderate, moderate, moderate in a feeble attempt to appeal to everyone, and end up appealing to no one. (I blame the overpaid and out of touch consultants that too many candidates listen to.)" medium.com/@ZhiZhu/stro... #Democrats

Text from article:
Politicians whose messaging follows every fickle public opinion change are demonstrating their lack of leadership, even as they campaign to be elected into leadership roles. It’s no wonder that so many voters view Democratic candidates as weak. They rarely stand strongly for any specific set of beliefs/values/policies. They moderate, moderate, moderate in a feeble attempt to appeal to everyone, and end up appealing to no one. (I blame the overpaid and out of touch consultants that too many candidates listen to.)

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 13

"The woman and her friend were highly disrespectful of law enforcement" -Trump "The new Trump line is that if you "disrespect" a law enforcement officer, he is entitled to murder you" "Comply or die" is NOT freedom. Isn't the USA supposed to be the land of the free?

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 13

"Comply or die" is NOT freedom. #Trump #ICE #Fascism

Meme with text, "Comply or Die is Not Freedom"
In the word, "comply", the "P" is a pistol, and the "Y" is a person with their arms raised. Under the word, "die" is dripping blood.

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 13

Comply or die is not Freedom. #Protest #Resist #Resistance #Freedom #ICE #ProtestICE #US #USA #UnitedStates

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 6

"the GOP has has been using their political pulpit to shape voters’ beliefs, while the Democrats have been allowing the winds of public opinion (as determined by public polling) to blow them this way and that, often toppling them altogether." medium.com/@ZhiZhu/stro... #Politics #USA

Text from article:
No politician can control public opinion, but a skilled politician can present information (factual or false) in a way that helps to shape public opinion on various topics. This is something that Republican politicians apparently understand and that Democratic politicians demonstrably do not: Strong politicians use their campaigns to shape public opinion. Weak politicians let public opinion shape their campaigns.

For the past several decades, the GOP has has been using their political pulpit to shape voters’ beliefs, while the Democrats have been allowing the winds of public opinion (as determined by public polling) to blow them this way and that, often toppling them altogether. While Democratic candidates have weakly prostrated themselves before the pollsters, Republican candidates have strongly demonstrated the beliefs that they stand for. (Those beliefs may be bigoted, xenophobic, and fascist-enabling, but at least the GOP clearly stands for them.)

Democratic candidates need to decide what they stand for and then actively campaign on those beliefs, rather than letting public polling moderate or change their “beliefs” every time the wind blows a different direction.

Politicians whose messaging follows every fickle public opinion change are demonstrating their lack of leadership, even as they campaign to be elected into leadership roles. It’s no wonder that so many voters view Democratic candidates as weak. They rarely stand strongly for any specific set of beliefs/values/policies. They moderate, moderate, moderate in a feeble attempt to appeal to everyone, and end up appealing to no one. (I blame the overpaid and out of touch consultants that too many candidates listen to.)

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 6

"candidates do need to be aware of public opinion, but a candidate who abandons their beliefs at the first negative poll demonstrates a lack of integrity. Few voters can get excited about voting for a candidate who bends over backwards rather than standing strong." medium.com/@ZhiZhu/stro...

Text from article:
The Democratic Party needs to stop listening to those who tell them to stick to merely possible goals, and start listening to the American people who are clamoring for politicians who can make the impossible inevitable. The Democratic Party needs to promote more candidates who can demonstrate strong leadership abilities, rather than just a weak ability to moderate their campaigns when told to do so by consultants looking at polls.

Yes, political candidates do need to be aware of public opinion, but a candidate who abandons their beliefs at the first negative poll demonstrates a lack of integrity. Few voters can get excited about voting for a candidate who bends over backwards rather than standing strong. Dedicated voters may still vote for the better of two bad candidates, but the occasional or non-voter will not be persuaded to put in the effort.

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 6

"a skilled politician can present information (factual or false) in a way that helps to shape public opinion on various topics. This is something that Republican politicians apparently understand and that Democratic politicians demonstrably do not" medium.com/@ZhiZhu/stro... #Politics #Meme

Meme with a parchment background and text:
Strong politicians use their campaigns to shape public opinion.

Weak politicians let public opinion shape their campaigns.
- Z. Janz

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 6

"Politicians whose messaging follows every fickle public opinion change are demonstrating their lack of leadership, even as they campaign to be elected into leadership roles." medium.com/@ZhiZhu/stro...

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 3

"This is both kinetic warfare – bombs and missiles – and information warfare – false constructs, false narratives, false justifications. A mass propaganda event is about to engulf the US" -Carole Cadwalladr broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat... #Trump #War #Propaganda #Venezuela #Meme #Quote

Meme where the background is a still from video of the US bombing Caracas, Venezuela. The text reads:
"This is both kinetic warfare – bombs and missiles – and information warfare – false constructs, false narratives, false justifications.

A mass propaganda event is about to engulf the US"
-Carole Cadwalladr
https://broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat-from-america

Image: US bombs Venezuela, source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU3f2PjFilU

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Jan 3

As Carole Cadwalladr wrote: "This is both kinetic warfare - bombs and missiles - and information warfare - false constructs, false narratives, false justifications. A mass propaganda event is about to engulf the US" broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat... #DonaldTrump #Trump #War #Venezuela

Text from article:
The fact is there are no real checks on Trump’s power right now. Some of the courts are still holding on some of the executive orders but he’s invaded a foreign state on the bogus pretext of “law enforcement” presumably to bypass Congress’s approval and if this doesn’t ram home what it means to be governed by a rogue, out of control president, then what will?

And if it doesn’t, if that isn’t the narrative that wins through, what will that tell us about the state of the US news and information ecosystem? The next days and weeks are a test. What, if anything, will survive the blast zone of what is not just a military campaign but a targeted disinformation strike?

What the US needs to understand is that hybrid warfare isn’t simply a weapon used between and against states. It’s a strategy being deployed by your very own government. This is both kinetic warfare - bombs and missiles - and information warfare - false constructs, false narratives, false justifications.

A mass propaganda event is about to engulf the US and what, if anything survives it, will be a lesson for our times.

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Dec 10

If the GOP doesn't want to be compared to Nazis, why do they keep acting like Nazis? #Republicans #GOP #MarcoRubio #Politics

Short social media thread from Steve Herman @w7voa@journa.host

1st post:
Secretary of State Rubio has concluded Calibri is a DEI font and orders US diplomats to revert to Times New Roman in official communications.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3725456-font-wars-times-new-roman-vs-calibri-in-us-diplomacy

Font Wars: Times New Roman vs. Calibri in U.S. Diplomacy | Politics
By Devdiscourse News Desk
14h
Steve Herman @w7voa@journa.host

2nd post:
The Nazis, in 1941, banned the Fraktur font because it was “too Jewish.”
https://alphahistory.com/pastpeculiar/1941-nazis-ban-jewish-fonts/

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Nov 30

"'Never spread the lie in the headline' should be a hard rule of 21st century journalism. Research shows that repeating lies helps to spread them, and people read headlines more than they read stories." - @gilduran.com #Journallism #Press #News #Media #Headline #Meme #Memes #Quote #Quotes #US

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Nov 14

Makes you wonder exactly what Jeffrey Epstein shared with the Russians about Trump. Just talk? Photos? Videos? #JeffreyEpstein #Epstein #DonaldTrump #Trump #Russia

Screen shot of a social media post by Sheldon Whitehouse with text, photo with internal caption, and credit. Text: All of the times I've wondered what Putin had on Trump, and now we find out Jeffrey Epstein was talking to Putin's ambassador about Trump. Photo: Putin shaking hands with Trump while giving him a significant look. Internal Caption: Jeffrey Epstein claimed he gave Russians insight into Trump... Credit: From politico.com

ZhiZhu@zhizhu· Oct 17

The USA was founded to escape the tyranny of a monarchy. It is an act of American patriotism to protest against those trying to undermine the separation of powers created by the US Constitution. There are #NoKings in the #USA Saturday, Oct 18 www.nokings.org #Protest #Resist #Resistance #US