The fact that so many international companies have decided to side with a major aggressor during this terrible event in history is one of the most awful things I didn’t expect to witness. We all know that big business and money shapes world politics, but damn… This is straight up horrible. It could be any of us for any reason moving forward.

Standard Texas government corruption and lack of accountability. Sadly no surprises here.

There is a procedure in place for granting permits to industry like this in every state. In New York, for example, when a potential site is selected, the business must apply for the permit to build and goes through a process of reviewing environmental and human harms in the area based on their operations. They are also required to notify residents and hold public participation events to ensure residents can ask questions about the development. “Good neighbor laws” are sorely needed in Texas, but the state would never allow that cause there’s no money to be made in protecting the people and the planet.

Agreed that we need to talk about this more. Say you get a ticket you can’t pay because your car broke down or you couldn’t miss work at your minimum wage job. You could be doing everything legally right and still have a warrant out for your arrest, get put through the “justice” system, and eventually lose your job, your livelihood, and be set up for recidivism. If you’re charged with a felony, or are locked up, you cannot exercise your right to vote. It’s so easy to be caught up in a cycle that systematically strips away your rights and ability to provide for yourself and your family.

Disenfranchisement is a broad and complex issue that is caused by policy choices and local/subjective policing of historically overburdened communities, like BIPOC/LGBTQ+/disabled peoples. I’m sure it’s also much more involved than I can speak to. And don’t get me started on how for-profit and private prisons everywhere essentially use slave labor to make money. With the Supreme Court effectively criminalizing homelessness, you’re getting more inmate labor on the way. I believe inmates should have access to education and federal minimum wage jobs so they have incentive to get out and contribute to society, and aren’t forced to start their lives over just to make ends meet. Especially for those that were locked up for low level crimes. It doesn’t make sense to damn someone to hell for small crimes and never allow them to get back on their feet.

Same, and so many others I know share this sentiment. We’re working on it by advocating for a just, equitable, and overall better world. Keep spreading this message!

It may not unseat them, but it will be a matter of record that this action was introduced. It all hinges on getting the votes from Congress, if I understand this process correctly, and it seems very unlikely unless there is increased pressure on legislators (but we all saw how they’ve regularly ignored their constituents on the current genocide in Palestine, among other major issues).

Thank you, I appreciate it as well! 🙌🏽🫶🏽

Solidarity, comrade! All of your comments are welcomed - not a ramble at all. Excellent points, and doubly so for me because several of my loved ones identify with having “invisible” disabilities.

I’m with you on the last paragraph 1000%. Biden isn’t left enough for me, so I’m going Green this year.

I’m sorry to hear that. It sucks to be burned by people when you’re just trying to do the right thing. I keep wanting to hold out hope that we can, against all odds, find ways to build bridges where it seems impossible. Maybe it’s not quite there yet, but I’m hoping they can see the writing on the wall sooner or later. Say if they experience one bad weather event, maybe they put hate aside and really start acting on addressing climate change. Not all of them will be convinced, but I’m seeing the tide change for the better and that’s reason enough for hope to remain alive for me. My wishes for you too to stay hopeful, friend.

Dang, this reply is chock full of truth and good reminders. I fully agree with the need for helping with no strings attached, and it harms others when the help comes with stipulations. You also reminded me that it’s important to outwardly recognize that everyone has a strength, so ensuring people can exercise that talent in a safe space is what enriches and sustains a community. Also most importantly, you mention a reliable communication device, plus electricity access – such good points to keep in mind as we find ways to connect folks that are overburdened from climate change and other systemic pressure with these resources. Amazing, thank you for this!

I share your frustration as I’m from a red state. Say you didn’t have such selfish and unfortunately ignorant neighbors - would you feel differently about engaging them?

Thank you for this education. My goal is always centered in respect for all and I appreciate you. In the spirit of the point of mutual aid networks, what do disabled folks need in times of crisis or extreme weather, in your opinion? I know the spectrum of needs is vast and varied, but I’m always seeking to learn more, should you or others wish to share!

It’s true that scientists were expecting that tropical cyclones would evolve like this with climate change, and I’m hoping we can expand on building those mutual aid networks needed post-storm in the most vulnerable communities. Between the threat of storm surge and the flooding due to torrential rains and monsoons, it’s gonna be a doozy of a task to deal with all this moisture. If we can’t manage storm water and waste water systems, or keep installing permeable surfaces, planting mangrove forests, and other mitigation/adaptation measures, we’re going to see a major public health crisis erupt from lack of access to resources, mold that causes airborne illness, wastewater exposure, and more. Not to be negative, but I just don’t see much support for addressing this because there’s so much political theater that jams airways. Anyone that could help from a governmental standpoint with grants and incentives to mitigate are too busy with bickering and personal gain.

It’s time we take matters into our own hands and establish mutual aid networks ourselves. This means getting to know your neighbors, where to share resources, how to gain access to water filtration and rain water collection, establishing community gardens, clean/renewable energy generation, transportation, communication, and ensuring elderly and differently-abled persons have an action plan when these events happen… and they will more often.

I hope to use this platform and social media in this way. We must start planning to take care of ourselves and our communities, and do away with “every person for themselves” because that just doesn’t work anymore.

Exactly all of this.

Do. Not. Trust. The. Police.

Thank you for the actual source link. This assessment is spot on, and it really irked me to see a white dwarf star be called a “frog star” like, wtf no one says anything like that cause it’s not a thing.

Is that all these “officials” know how to do? I only ever hear them lying, spinning, redacting, harassing, bullying, shaming, and spewing hate filled messages at people they deem “lesser,” which seems to be a lot of people. (Not to mention the ongoing genocide they’re leading…)

Agreed. In essence, the cost of doing business is ensuring your supply chain is lawful and morally sound. This lack of respect for humanity as a practice runs rampant because capitalism calls for nothing less than infinite growth and ever increasing profit. Imo, if you can’t afford to do business humanely, you shouldn’t be allowed to be in business.

And in the meantime, we’re seeing the US vote to defund a humanitarian organization, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)), that also helps the population prove they are indigenous to Filasteen and have a right to own land there, and land that is currently colonized as well. Because they house this info, Western governments probably see it as a threat to the legitimacy of the occupation and want to erase it from history.