My wife can apply for dual citizenship as the grand daughter of Irish immigrants. Her sister already moved to Ireland about five years ago. We’re making plans to protect our son.

I may be called a coward, and part of me would agree, but I’ve watched this country descend into fascism for over thirty years. I no longer have hope that things will get better.

MAGA nut jobs: wtf, I love EVs!

All your boss told you was that if they could, they would pay you less.

All hard work gets you is more work.

I donated $100 and will probably donate more.

I feel like this is our last attempt at a do over of 2016. I was swindled by Russian propaganda and bought into the “protest by voting third party,” and while my vote didn’t change anything (New Yorker), a lot of others were also duped in swing states and counties.

Semi unrelated question (also only semi serious): is there a program or script that can follow a person’s trades and make similar trades? Or is she one that, by the time the public knows, it’s already too late to jump on the bandwagon?

From my understanding, his service detail are all true believers. Remember, most LEOs and the like are very right wing.

The most ethical army in history, ladies and gentlemen!

“The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread.” Anatole France

Compared to what they were likely thinking, “Blacks for Trump” is downright progressive for them.

Reputation is key. As you touched upon, nothing short of hearing from others what they went through helps as much.

Like you said, a lot of people wait until they need the service before they think about it. This is usually at the worst time in a person’s life, so emotions are high. It’s best to, at minimum, think about what you would want to have done ahead of time. At the last place I worked, I specialized in helping people pre-arrange services. The whole idea is to put your wishes down so it’s one less thing for your family to worry about. I personally preferred it since it was a much lower pressure situation since no one had to purchase anything at the time, unless they chose to pre-pay, which is strictly optional.

I’ve always looked for directors that are honest (duh) and forthcoming to families on what things are without pushing higher end items. For example, explain the difference of a sealer casket vs an unsealed casket, without using emotional language like: “you don’t want mom drowning in water, right?” Barring not knowing anyone that can give you a recommendation, Google and Yelp are your best friends. It just takes a bit of forethought and looking at what the reviewer is saying. We all have seen the insane reviews that don’t have any bearing in reality.

15 year funeral director here. I’ve worked for both “mom and pop” local funeral homes and a corporate funeral home. I can unequivocally tell you the local ones are some of the most corrupt, greedy places I’ve ever worked for. Charging $15k for funerals, adjusting prices based on what they feel like they can get away with, all while raking in lots of money and paying the staff less than minimum wage after factoring in the expectation of being on call.

I’ve watched owners manipulate grieving widows into buying caskets they can’t afford “because your husband deserves the best.”

I went two months without a day off, all while trying to take care of a newborn, and when I tried to take a day off because I was so exhausted I couldn’t drive safely, I was given tons of grief.

Everything else you said is completely true though. The entire industry is completely corrupt and needs to be dismantled.

I ended up on NY Post a few weeks ago, and their top headline read: “NYPD Crack down on Pro-Terrorist Students.”

They’re not even trying to appear unbiased.

My “heritage” involves kicking the shit out of their “heritage.” Perhaps I should honor mine?

Not defending the asshole, but someone jumping into a deep body of water to save someone else usually results in two people dead. A drowning person will pull someone else down through sheer panic. That’s why most lifeguards will go in with a flotation device to keep them afloat.

Ideally, there should have been a life preserver nearby, barring that, a rope.

Again, fuck that “friend.” May this haunt them the rest of their life.

I apologize if you thought I was implying that. I am in no way agreeing that there is a “Deep State” or anything to that effect. I was trying to draw criticism to DeSantis’ use of the word Globalists, which does have antisemitic overtones, while the House just passed a bill that could lead to criticism of Israel in any way would count as antisemitism.

Sarcasm on the internet is hard to convey.

Remember, that’s just a wild conspiracy. Criticizing the Israeli government’s genocide is antisemitic though…

Wow, talk about wanting your cake and eating it too.

I’ve not looked into who voted against the ban, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was calculated to make those Republicans look good for election, with the others being in safer areas where they can say they stuck it to the libs.

This program was doing a good thing for the environment. It has long-lasting benefits for everyone. This is heartbreaking.

I may be misremembering, but didn’t she email the pictures to her mailing list followers? I don’t feel that would be protected, if so.