Public safety in skirting 2021

[moonshadow]

So we're only eight days into 2021, and the U.S. is practically a war zone. I'm sure we're all hearing the various reports of tension and violence in the news.

I admit I've considered taking a break from publicly wearing my skirts for a while until things cool off. In fact, on the day of the insurrection, I all but settled on it, at the very least for a few weeks and see if things cool off over the next few months.

The Jury is still out.

As it happens, I'm on call this weekend, so I'll probably be in "work mode" (pants) all weekend regardless, but I'm thinking ahead to the following weekends.

On the one hand, it is the middle of winter and pants generally afford more protection from the elements ...

On the other hand, I get the feeling if I stop wearing skirts for the sole reason of the political, civil war like climate we're living in, I fear I may never start wearing them again (I'll lose my nerve), plus let's be honest... society is just going to get more and more angry.

I get the feeling that Twitter's decision to permanently ban Donald Trump will be the shot heard around the world. I know locals think I'm a liberal, and for the most part, they are correct, and I get the feeling, now that their knight in shining armour (Trump) has had his freedom of expression silenced, local neo-cons are going to want to silence people like me... possibly violently.

I hate that I'm even considering this, but war is hell, and as they say "there is a time for everything".

At the very least I probably will tone down the flamboyance for a while...

I don't know... what do y'all think?

[moonshadow]

I heard this story today, and that, in combination with the brief harassment I received New Years eve in town have got me thinking...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.latime ... f_amp=true

I worry because Jenn is usually with me when I'm wearing skirts, and while I can take it in the chin, I worry someone might lay a hand on her...

I'm pretty passive, but if my wife gets harmed by a TRUMP MOB trying to get to me, I will kill or be killed.

When we left the store New Years eve, I instructed Jenn to walk away from me for her safety. She refused.

I despise this.

[denimini]

Just wear a Trump badge when you wear a skirt, that would confound them.

Try not to live in fear as that is so debilitating for anyone. The news is usually portraying the worst and not the greater percentage of normal activity (I didn't click on the link for that reason).
Certainly it is a tumultuous time at present and nervewracking for others around the world while Trump still has access to the "football" and the "biscuit" (mobile nuclear arms activation).

If it is cold there well that is not a bad time to wear pants so don't feel too resentful about it.

[moonshadow]

The news is usually portraying the worst and not the greater percentage of normal activity (I didn't click on the link for that reason).

It's not just the news... it's the local chatter I'm getting.

As for the article, well, the woman did stroll through the center of a Trump rally...

But as for me, Appalachia is really one big glorified, perpetual Trump rally, and I live smack in the middle of it.

I also contemplated Jim and Carl's remarks on a different thread. I don't really want to be thrust into a situation where I may have to take someone else's life, or lose mine, either or.

[STEVIE]

Hi Moon
I have never shared the sort of experience that you are are currently and I won't pretend otherwise.
In general terms though there are times and locations where I would consider it reckless to be wearing a skirt.
Maybe not to get shot but having the crap beaten out of me a fair bet.
I have the choice not to go there but you have to co-exist with it and there is the rub,
My take is that we always say in the cafe that the skirt is just a piece of cloth. All that we are really challenging is convention and fashion.
Camouflage may be the wiser choice than exhibition for you right now, discretion before valour.
Sure sucks, but there will be better times ahead, we can hope.
To all of you, stay safe above all else.
Steve.

[crfriend]

If your little corner of the world is anything like mine, I suspect you may be scaring yourself needlessly. If you're well tolerated around town, the odds of coming into trouble are pretty small, and even that would be one overwrought individual. Also, if you're well liked, others will highly likely assist you.

I haven't changed my behaviour one whit, nor do I intend to. I'm still the usually-cheerful chap with a ready smile and a wave, and I see no reason to change that. If I get challenged on my appearance, then so be it.

I'm not saying to throw caution to the wind, I'm just saying that from appearances you may be more wigged out by the news than is particularly warranted,

[Fred in Skirts]

I am more afraid of the virus than the idiots in the streets of my local towns.
I have been skirted for over 7 years and am not something new to most of the people here. I will not change my form of dress just because of what the MSM report as for the most part it is all made up or over blown. Since I live in the Bible and Trump Belts I see no difference in their behavior since before or after the election.

[moonshadow]

With this post, bear in mind that I'm not chiseling this in stone by any means. The situation is highly fluid and seems to evolve minute by minute, and I will always decide how to conduct my life and express myself accordingly with regards to the situation I'm in at the given time.

I am still convinced that the lions share of locals completely support the Jan 6th terrorist attack on the capitol, however logic seems to indicate that if we (I) don't go around looking for trouble, none is likely to find us (me).

My harshest words are written in this website, which isn't even published under my legal name. I do not participate in political discussions elsewhere. For the last several years I have avoided affixing any political signage on my property (vehicle or home) for this very reason.

At this time, I have decided that to stop the act of simply wearing skirts would be an overreaction on my part. Obnoxiousness will increase, but if I ignore it I should be fine. I expect things to return to what it was like in 2015 when I first started, under the Obama years. Yes, I was taunted more often, but on the other hand, my confidence has increased ten fold. It's time to put that confidence to work.

On a matter of strict odds, I believe I still stand a greater chance of injury simply driving the highway vs wearing a skirt, and I have no intention of surrendering my drivers license.

My daughter informs me she has a pretty provocative "anti-Trump" bumper sticker coming in the mail. I have advised her to refrain from displaying it for a while. She has agreed.

As I told her today at the breakfast table,

"Many people who voted for him [Trump] may be very well eating crow right now, we should let them digest that crow in peace and not provoke them. Just let it be".

[Coder]

Can’t everyone just be nice to one another? Is it wrong of me to ignore the “other side” and carry on with my life? Why do we need to taunt and antagonize people? Just saying. It’s going to take both sides putting down their righteousness and being the bigger man for the temperature in this country to go down. I live among some obnoxious leftists and rightists, and both are hilariously tone deaf.

And yeah, I feel if you insert yourself into a protest nowadays (heck, maybe always) there’s always the chance tempers will flare enough to cause violence. Being the odd skirted man out just increases your noticeability. But day to day? Hopefully people are not looking to pick a fight day to day.

[rivegauche]

It is sad that the US has come to this. We do not really have the equivalent of rednecks in the UK - I suppose the nearest would be those English Nationalist skinhead racists - don't know what the official name for them is. In Scotland the worst you will probably get is a nasty scowl from a Free Church elder. Rumour tells that the Trump intends to play golf in Scotland instead of attending the inauguration. He has been told that foreign travel to Scotland is permissible only in special circumstances, and these do not include golf. No need to mention his terminally stupid attitude to PPE and his obnoxious disregard for others when he was infected. I have not been going out because travellers are being stopped by the Police and asked if their journey is essential. People are only being prosecuted if they disregard a warning but I don't want the hassle. We are being told in Scotland that it is dangerous to go out at all because of the virus so you are at risk whatever you are wearing.

[denimini]

I wasn't sure to post this here or in the thread about logic in the world. It does seem strange that the ones demonstrating about freedom (to dismiss election results,to bear arms and not wear masks, etc.) are the ones to criticise someone exercising their freedom in choice of clothing.

[moonshadow]

I wasn't sure to post this here or in the thread about logic in the world. It does seem strange that the ones demonstrating about freedom (to dismiss election results,to bear arms and not wear masks, etc.) are the ones to criticise someone exercising their freedom in choice of clothing.

Ah, that is something I've railed on about for years... these people scream and shout about FREEDOM! And yet the moment someone does something they disagree with, they want to shoot it down... sometimes literally.

The evidence seems to indicate, it was never about "freedom" it was always about control.

You are free to be the person they allow you to be.

It reminds me of the meme,

Society: "Be yourself"

Also Society: "No, not like that"

Of course, let's not forget that while these people scream about anyone who doesn't fit in with their group, "the other side" can tend to be just as guilty with their "cancel culture".

Personally, I think Twitter might have went too far. They have the right (first amendment doesn't apply on privately owned web forums) but I personally think they poured gas on the fire... big time. They should have just kept pulling the offending post, and let the rest stand.

I go deeper into this in a 35 minute audio only chat if anyone is interested, here: https://youtu.be/EfPoIsF2q7w

I've had some interesting thoughts lately, mainly centering around how capitalism may possibly save us from this authoritarian tyranny, and how while actual votes may or may not be legit, voting with one's wallet always gets the job done.

We primarily have the freedom to wear skirts not because society or the various legislatures say so, but because of the potential bad press that comes when a company, or a politician that that company sponsors does or says something discriminatory.

Many Republicans are having to face the possibility that they may have to vote to impeach Trump of the opportunity arises, despite the fact most of their voters probably want Trump to walk free, believing he's a victim of circumstance.

But those rank and file voters don't donate the kind of money to those Republicans that gets them ballot access. Major corporate donors do.

The ordinary "Joe" and "Jane" vote in two ways, at the polls, and at the checkout.

Perhaps the system works after all. And this is why I hypothesize that perhaps this is why pure socialism, no matter how well intentioned it may be, eventually leads to authoritarian fascism, because there are no private interest to challenge tin pot dictators, when they inevitably arise.

This has been a very educational year, I know I've personally learned a lot.

[denimini]

Society: "Be yourself"
Also Society: "No, not like that"

Very good

Perhaps the system works after all. And this is why I hypothesize that perhaps this is why pure socialism, no matter how well intentioned it may be, eventually leads to authoritarian fascism, because there are no private interest to challenge tin pot dictators, when they inevitably arise.

Is that any better, just different individuals getting personal benefits. Perhaps a tin pot dictator is easier to get rid of where the entrenched corporate interests are not.

It still doesn't hurt to aim high in the society we want ...... and most things.

This has been a very educational year, I know I've personally learned a lot.

Great, that is how life should be.

[JeffB1959]

Like Fred, I worry more about the virus than any MAGA hat wearing loons. Besides, I live in Philadelphia which is a heavily Democratic city, so I never feel as though I'm in any fear of my safety while out and about.

[Sinned]

Living in the safest County in my country, in terms of crime, I have no concerns about my safety in going out in a skirt. Never have really once I got the fear out of my mind. Mind you we are in lockdown at the moment so the excuses and hence opportunities for going out are limited. Few shops open and I'm on furlough. At least I can wear my skirts around the house. Sigh.