ProdigalFrog

joined 2 years ago
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[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

The linked documentary offers a strong critique of the reformist attempts from local Chileans who were there on the ground (starting at around one hour in). I can only offer my own criticisms as a non-Chilean looking in from the outside.

Historically liberal reform either kicks the can of capitalism's problems down the road (FDR in the 1930's), or fails to even kick the can due to so much corporate capture of the government, that it actually accelerates a turn toward right-wing authoritarianism.

In the case of Chile, the latter case seems to be happening. The proposed progressive constitution to replace Pinochet's constitution likely failed due to the deep corporate pockets available to right-wing institutions, who are able to effectively trick under-educated citizens into voting against their own interests through massive propaganda campaigns (the same thing happened in the US thanks to Fox news, hence why they are now in a power struggle against literal fascists).

The right-wing then mobilized to create a new right-wing pro corporate constitution, which was only narrowly avoided despite their propaganda efforts.

The new leftist president Gabriel Boric, as most leftist politicians do after reaching political office, began to become more moderate, all the while congress, who are corporate captured, continued to vote down his reformist taxation policies. It's a classic tactic of letting the left spin their wheels and burnout in congress/parliament for years to stall direct action. All the while regular people continue to suffer under capital, and become more and more enchanted by the easy solutions fascists can offer.

History has generally shown that the olive branch of reform is a tool used by the elites and capital to quell a growing movement to overthrow them. It's their last option before using more brutal authoritarian control to maintain their grasp on power.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

The most effective non-violent action we can take is to organize a General Strike.

The country would be brought to its knees if suddenly deprived of profit and labor. That tactic was extremely effective in Chile in 2019, and had they not fallen for the trick of liberal reform, they would've had a successful revolution on their hands with virtually no bloodshed.

If you aren't in a union (or even if you are, it's worth dual-carding), please consider joining the IWW to unionize your workplace (bonus: you'll get higher wages, better benefits, and more time off if you succeed!) to strengthen a general strike if we manage to enact one, as most unions have a strike fund that can supplement your income during a general strike to make it more financially bearable (you should also save as much money as you can reasonably do, so it can also be used to keep yourself afloat during a strike).

And for our international friends, you should join one as well, as fascism is gaining momentum globally. If your country isn't listed below, just contact the IWW directly in the link above, and they'll help you set up a new local branch.

  • 🇦🇷 Argentina: FORA
  • 🇦🇺 Australia: ASF-IWA
  • 🇧🇷 Brazil: FOB
  • 🇧🇬 Bulgaria: ARS, CITUB
  • 🇩🇪 Germany: FAU
  • 🇬🇷 Greece: ESE
  • 🇮🇹 Italy: USI
  • 🇳🇱 🇧🇪 Netherlands & Belgium: Vriji Bond
  • 🇪🇸 Spain: CNT
  • 🇸🇪 Sweden: SAC
  • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: UVW
[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

The IWW has 8,000 members? How long has it been around?

It was founded in 1905, and at one time had 150,000 members. Its membership was gutted by extreme persecution during the red scare, and the Taft-Hartley act essentially outlawed their (very successful) tactics. Historically, the AFL-CIO raided members during those persecutions to swell their own ranks.

The IWW's membership has been steadily growing in recent years as their tactics become needed once more, especially now that the NLRB has been captured and is effectively union hostile. Traditional unions are very much reliant on a friendly NLRB to function and thrive, and are not generally well equipped tactically to fight back against the current regime. We'll need to call upon those old tactics to survive this period, and hopefully to give unions their teeth back, as they are currently quite a moderate group content with marginal gains that often barely keep up with inflation.

There's a lot of merit in joining the IWW to help build it up back to its former glory, as it's the only union in the US that is at its core is working toward abolishing capitalism, instead of becoming content making it slightly more bearable.

How do we get those fuckers to strike?

The UAW was planning a general strike for May 1st 2028, but that was before Trump was elected, and when they likely thought we had more time.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 week ago

Impossible beef is to the point where it's almost indistinguishable from real meat, and has a complete amino acid profile. If you haven't tried it yet, I'd highly recommend picking some up! Their burger patties are especially good in an air fryer.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

9%, or nearly 200k votes.

1 million votes total.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 6 points 2 weeks ago

Fair enough :p

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 32 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

It's the name of the channel, not a description of what Oracle does (hence the pipe between them). I edited the title to add a bit more context and make it more clear that they do not, in fact, do good work.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (5 children)

The most effective non-violent action we can take is to organize a General Strike.

The country would be brought to its knees if suddenly deprived of profit and labor. That tactic was extremely effective in Chile in 2019, and had they not fallen for the trick of liberal reform, they would've had a successful revolution on their hands with virtually no bloodshed.

If you aren't in a union (or even if you are, it's worth dual-carding), please consider joining the IWW to unionize your workplace (bonus: you'll get higher wages, better benefits, and more time off if you succeed!) to strengthen a general strike if we manage to enact one, as most unions have a strike fund that can supplement your income during a general strike to make it more financially bearable (you should also save as much money as you can reasonably do, so it can also be used to keep yourself afloat during a strike).

And for our international friends, you should join one as well, as fascism is gaining momentum globally. If your country isn't listed below, just contact the IWW directly in the link above.

  • 🇦🇷 Argentina: FORA
  • 🇦🇺 Australia: ASF-IWA
  • 🇧🇷 Brazil: FOB
  • 🇧🇬 Bulgaria: ARS, CITUB
  • 🇩🇪 Germany: FAU
  • 🇬🇷 Greece: ESE
  • 🇮🇹 Italy: USI
  • 🇳🇱 🇧🇪 Netherlands & Belgium: Vriji Bond
  • 🇪🇸 Spain: CNT
  • 🇸🇪 Sweden: SAC
  • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: UVW
[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

It wouldn't let me there either. Not sure it's my VPN or my browser, but I figured most people aren't going to have as intense of a privacy set-up as we do. I also don't know of an alternative to that site now that the ICE Block app was removed from stores.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 9 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (8 children)

You could warn your area if you see ICE around on this website.

Finding and getting involved in a local mutual aid group would be quite meaningful, as it would allow you to meet people who share your same concerns IRL, and be able to plan and organize for how to react in your area. It's very make a meaningful difference alone, finding a solid group is very important.

Attempting to unionize your workplace if it isn't already would be very helpful to further prepare for a General Strike (as they usually have strike funds to make a general strike financially bearable), which is pretty much our last non-violent option to prevent all of this from progressing. You can see how a general strike helped cripple Chile's government while civil unrest was occurring in this documentary.

I'd recommend contacting the IWW, who will gladly train you to become an organizer with proven techniques to unionize your workplace.

Lastly, I'd also recommend checking out the book Full Spectrum Resistance for a more complete guide on how to prepare and respond.

 
 
 

A Teamster posted images of a fund raising letter they received from President Sean O'Brien on r/Union (warning: reddit link).

In the letter, Sean O'Brien claims that Trump is creating a new 'Worker First' republican party, and implores the reader to donate as much as they can to the Teamster 'TEAM Fund', which will be used to:

  1. Support Trump's 'Pro-Worker' initiatives, like 'strategic' tariffs
  2. Financially back incumbent 'pro-worker' republican candidates for the House and Senate
  3. Identify pro-labor legislatures in key states and support their campaigns

Sean then introduces the next part of the letter; a message from Josh Hawley, a Christian Nationalist and Trump loyalist state senator who fist pumped the Jan 6th rioters in support.

In the letter Hawley claims Trump has eliminated the "country club elites and business tycoons" from the republican party, as well as ending the "Woke DEI agenda".

If there was ever any doubt about O'Brien, he's certainly showing his true colors now, bending the knee to the fascists in power and even going so far as to fund raise for them.

The letter itself:

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Have you ever played Gran Turismo 2 and thought: The game is great and all but where's the minivans? or this game would be better without supercars? or I don't want racecars in my racing game? I want the Acura SL-X instead!

Then this is the mod for you: Introducing Gran Turismo 2: Beige Edition

Features:

Over 330 brand new cars for over 50 manufactures! Over 150 trim and model edits to existing base game cars! Completely revamped career mode! Redesigned menus, assets and more! Universal Used Car Dealerships! New in-race soundtrack! and More!

 

If you aren't in a union, then please consider joining the IWW to unionize your workplace (bonus: you'll get higher wages, better benefits, and more time off if you succeed!) to strengthen a general strike if we finally manage to enact one.

And for our international friends, you should join one as well, as fascism is gaining momentum globally.

  • 🇦🇷 Argentina: FORA
  • 🇦🇺 Australia: ASF-IWA
  • 🇧🇷 Brazil: FOB
  • 🇧🇬 Bulgaria: ARS, CITUB
  • 🇩🇪 Germany: FAU
  • 🇬🇷 Greece: ESE
  • 🇮🇹 Italy: USI
  • 🇳🇱 🇧🇪 Netherlands & Belgium: Vriji Bond
  • 🇪🇸 Spain: CNT
  • 🇸🇪 Sweden: SAC
  • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: UVW
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