Fire- I heard about the fires. Didn't know people were banned to be outside but it does make sense if you are near it with smoke and ashes. And I heard about the person who threw firecrackers. Couldn't believe someone would think that of all things was a smart idea.... Idiots today.

Moi- I understand how you feel. I can't donate money or items since I tossed all things I didn't want a long time ago ~_~ And blood is out of the question since I have the fun anemia. I did think people who took meds couldn't donate since to me it's in your blood and might go into the other person. Told someone I know they shouldn't donate if they are taking meds and they also have severe anemia and they think it's smart to donate blood even though they have passed out from it..... People are so smart.

If that teacher was a gymnast teacher his pratice would make sense since they are cruel people. Heard too many horrible things about how gymnasists are treated and their strict routines and training. But ya... things take time and pratice not something you can do immediately and be perfect at like writing. Which still takes pratice with some people. >.>

Not sure if anyone else has been keeping up with the news in the US, specifically related to all things legal and administration-related; if not, I don't blame you. I haven't even been on the site since... probably shortly after the election, the things I used to like just didn't seem so important anymore, but I feel like things have gotten worse and I guess this just feels like a safe space to vent.

I'm just having so much trouble processing everything that happened from the second they announced that Donald Trump was the new incumbent, I literally can't wrap my brain around him or the people around him or what the hell they're doing. Okaying the new tax bills, killing Net Neutrality, the ongoing buildup and increased aggression re: immigration, tearing up national parks, it's just insane and I'm exhausted. I also kind of hate myself because I feel like I should be out there protesting or doing something but I guess I'm just too scared.

I grew up in a very diverse Blue state (Democratic-voting, if you're outside the US/not used to US politics) and more and more I've been wishing I never moved. Staying wasn't financially doable but things didn't turn out so well anyway: I'm now in an incredibly Red right-wing state with militias and KKK/Neo-Nazis wandering parts of it (fortunately not where I am, at least not openly). I've seen a few anti-Trump/Trump's policies demonstrations being organized around here but I'm too scared to go. I'm female, an ethnic minority, an ideological minority, and I can't help thinking I'll stand out too much and I or my family will get harassed or hurt. I grew up around people who looked like me and generally shared my values; my home state's been anti-Trump since the start (vetoing the travel bans, speaking against killing Net Neutrality) and I wish I was home more than ever. I feel like I could go to protests and resist if I knew I wasn't alone or alone in a crowd, but I don't feel safe standing out like that here and it makes me feel like I'm not even trying because I'm such a coward.

Sorry for the rant, this turned out to be more about how I've been feeling about things than about current events themselves. It might be because we're coming to the end of 2017 but I've just managed to get by with reminding myself that it could always be worse, and I think that's what I'm afraid of. I occasionally have to take breaks from current events to keep from going crazy and then when I come back, it feels like so much has piled up; I don't even know if I can enjoy the holidays because I'm worried that Trump/the GOP will try to sneak something in while no-one's paying attention, which they've done/tried to do before. It feels like there's so much going on in this country and I'm just feeling so helpless; if this is what I've got to look forward to in the next year, is it worth it?

Hi Telos, it's understandable. After awhile I gave up paying attention to things. Reading non stop new people coming out about all these famous people who sexually assaulted or harassed them. I watch a bunch of tech videos so I knew enough about net neutrality. I heard that the thing has to go through another process of voting. I don't know much else but that. Who knows if this new process thing it has to go through will not kill it. I don't know much. I prefer not to pay attention to it until it happens and I hear from my internet provider. Otherwise I have enough stress in my life so I will not listen until something happens. Might sound bad but it's easier on me. Since this net thing is a huge deal and it will screw so many things up for this country.

But I did notice there isn't as much news about Trump and I swear I saw a pic of him with full white hair already. I'm wondering if he's really feeling the effects of his stupidity and is calming down. Since this moron incharge of the FCC is in the limelight and Trump is on the back burner big time. Well it seems that way to me at least.

I hope those thoughts go away for you Moi. I understand how you feel. There has been too much bs going on in the news. Seems the celebrity sexual crap is done with for now. I have noticed anything in the news about it lately. At least we haven't heard bad stuff concerning the net neturality. At least that's how I think.

I haven't thought about the bad stuff going on lately. We've been dealing with our own bs. Food stamps had a review this month at the beginning. But we never got them this month. I guess they won't be giving them to us at all for this month and we will get them back on the 5th of January when we normally get them, the 5th. Just realized it's January already lol. I hope I wasn't confusing. For me not eating beef can mess up my entire body. Things don't function and sleep goes away. And when I start to eat meat again, I feel sick for a couple days straight because it's like my body is in shock. And now I have neck/shoulder pain going on like day 5. So thankfully my craptastic body is keeping me from worrying about this stupid country.

I really hope you feel better soon.

I'm opposed to a two party system. Citizens of the U.S. seem to think they should only vote two ways. My vote is with the Green Party.

Wow there hasn't been a reply here in forever. Is the United States getting calmer? I live in Canada and I'm looking to get an
American's opinion of the state of the Country lately? Are things getting more peaceful?

Anime wrote:Wow there hasn't been a reply here in forever. Is the United States getting calmer? I live in Canada and I'm looking to get an
American's opinion of the state of the Country lately? Are things getting more peaceful?

Speaking locally: No. People are just getting fatigue from fighting about it for so long.

Anime wrote:Wow there hasn't been a reply here in forever. Is the United States getting calmer? I live in Canada and I'm looking to get an
American's opinion of the state of the Country lately? Are things getting more peaceful?

Haha, no. Things are getting so much worse what with the white supremacists feeling ever more free to express their hideous hatred, and the dudes going around shooting people like it's a video game. Things are so bad and seeming set to get worse that I really wish I could emigrate out of here. But I am disabled and have no job skills that are useful so there is no country where I could go.