What colour is your shadow?

[crfriend]

Why do we keep conflating what is essentially a style choice with the entirely thorny and pit-fall laden notion of "gender"? Is it not possible that a simple heterosexual bloke might prefer skirts over trousers for any number of reasons -- none of which revolve around what he perceives himself to be?

Every time we do this, we deepen the hole we'll need to dig out of. The bigots are NOT going to magically go away in 4 years' time; we're going to have that millstone around our necks for generations. We failed to distance ourselves from "The Confused" (those who never really "got a handle" on who they are) years ago, and now the backlash has hit -- and we're caught in the blast-radius.

It did not need to be this way, but then again, lots of things don't need to have gone the way they have.

As things stand, I have a powerful enough reputation so the locals might look after me, but if it comes down to armed, masked thugs with "ICE" stencilled on their backs come looking to "deport" (or simply disappear) trans-* types nobody may be able to do anything, I'm very reticent to wear my electric-blue over yellow skirt rig now -- even if it does allow me to flip off two dictators at once -- for the simple reason that I've offended multiple morons at the same time. So, no, quite clearly the goings-on in the Alabaster City (DC) has no bearing on my immediate personal actions -- like giving up on retirement and resigning myself to the rest of my life working 24x7x365.246 for a 4th-rate job in a 5th-rate company in a 3rd-world ****-hole. Oh, and likely no access to future health "care". And knowing that my legacy in the world of computers means precisely dick because interest in technological history will never be revived.

[Faldaguy]

I fear Carl's pessimism may be justified, not only the pitchforks and torches Barleymower mentioned but now ICE is coming for everyone else -- & they don't bother with words -- not even "ICE" on their backs, Carl -- street clothes and masks in numerous instances to date. No ethics, no spine, not only is capitulation becoming the defense of choice but handing over gratuitous pro-bono alms in the millions to 'defend' the scoundrels. Our shadows may soon be invisible.

[Ray]

What does “ICE” stand for?

I read it as internal combustion engine, but there’s clearly another interpretation.

[crfriend]

What does “ICE” stand for?

"Immigrations and Customs Enforcement", It's the US Gestapo that does not need to obey any laws. It's primary function is to detain, deport or disappear "little people" that disagree with The Leader.

Given the darkness that has descended on the USA, "little people" no longer have shadows because there's no sunlight.

[Ray]

Thanks, Carl. That’s a new one on me.

Tough times for you all at the moment. Hopefully the madness will pass.