I had a secure, well paying job in my mid 20s with a very well known company that I was frankly lucky to get given my clear inexperience. I voluntarily left a year or so in. I'm now in my late 30s and work ever since I left has been temporary contracts that lasted no more than a year, and each one was more dreadful than the last.

The money problems and the thoughts of where I could be had I never left that job would be completely non-existent.... the life I wish to build for myself and my family, the support I could've easily provided my loved ones, the moves I could've made to no longer be stuck on the sell your labor for bs pay wheel, all circle my brain at night in bed.

And with the current state of the economy, AI in my industry, the younger generation entering the work force with the latest knowledge, tools, methodology, etc... it's harder and harder to envision my trajectory getting back to the heights I once had.

I remind myself that I was in my infancy when it came to my professional career with no perspective on the industry (completely diff major in college). I did not have a mentor or direction. And the concept of the private/public sector in relation to job security never dawned on me until much later (I assumed that once you were hired as a contractor, you would eventually be brought on full-time and begin your career with that company.... nope ha)

... I remind myself of these things and at times it helps quiet my soul... but at night lying in bed, the most financially stressed I've possibly ever been, that reminder does little.

Despite how depressing this all sounds, there's still a glimmer of hope and optimism left in me. I'm quite grateful for the support I have currently which enables me to plot a change in course starting this coming new year. Fingers crossed 🤞🏾

Wishing everyone well in this thread. So long as we have breath, we have purpose.

Bibi (and the west) wanted regime change --- that did not happen. The bulk of Iranians rallied around the current govt. He wanted to eradicate Iran's ability to enrich --- that did not happen.

There is huge international outcry, just not in the west. One could argue that the consequences of this outcry isnt substantially retaliatory, but there is no doubt major outcry from the global majority and has only strengthened defense agreements among the major powers supporting Iran.

It was already known that the US would aid in Israel's defense, especially considering that this attack was jointly coordinated. So while the US intervened, it was only intended to deescalate, evident by the potempkin attack on Iran's nuclear sites. Bibi's ultimate goal is to have the US involved in a long-term, official military capacity, which it did not achieve.

Trump got the opposite of what he wanted. He completely alienated his base by forsaking his promise to not get militarily involved in West Asian affairs and drag the US into more war. A significant number of his supporters view him as weak in this regard, not a so-called strongman. And what does he have to materially show for his efforts --- nada.

This is a victory for Iran because the mystique of Israel has been completely broken by Iranian missiles. Everyone in the region thought Israel was unassailable -- supported by the US with the weapons and forces of the US -- they assumed it was invulnerable. And now it's quite clearly vulnerable and was so at the point of breaking apart, because there are a lot of pressures inside of Israel right now. The myth of Israeli technical, material superiority and exceptionalism has been punctured. This is major.

What impact this will have within the region however, we will see.

The hallmark progressive achievements made in this country, many that still exist today (to varying degrees ofc) were a result of third party sweat, blood and tears. Literally.

I recommend reading about the social/workers rights movements of the early 1900s. The Progressive Party led by Roosevelt, The Bull Moose Party with social reformers like Jane Addams and Florence Kelly, the Socialist Party of Eugene Debs.... all of these were most prominent in fighting for and ultimately producing a cluster of social welfare, social insurance reforms, women's suffrage, workers rights/5 day work week, etc.

It was the dedication, pressure and will to not fall in line trying to change the two-party duopoly from within but to build their own coalitions, their own movements on the outside, and thus the mainstream parties were eventually forced to inscribe the populus demands into legislation.

All that to say, healthy third parties are a good thing. It builds actual pressure on your legislators. Politicians wont work on your behalf when they know you're voting for them anyway – just line their pockets with money from the bourgeois they actually legislate for. Seeking the change you wish to see via third party can and has produced tremendous gains for the working class.

My grandmother suffered a stroke and went from lively, independent, able-bodied to a wheelchair bound, muted person who is no longer able to feed herself. Facial expressions very limited, her head at a constant downward tilt... it was a stark and sudden affliction that I had never personally witnessed.

So my mom, aunt and two uncles are her care takers switching weeks on duty. One day, I'm sitting across the table from my mother who is trying to feed my grandmother dinner, but she is shaking her head trying to move the spoon away, clearly expressing that she doesn't want to eat. The look on both my mom's and grandma's face... my aunt frustrated because they go thru this with her often, telling her she has to eat... (big sister vibes)

During moments like these (and in my early'ish 20s), one typically finds themselves operating in an autopilot-like state, numbing emotions in order to function in the new reality... a there-but-not-there sort of thing, just trying to be helpful whenever you can and not be in the way. I was mostly able to uphold this fortified state during this particular visit. However, catching that interaction in that instance broke right through my defenses. I got up from the table, fighting down the rising lump in my throat and went outside on the porch to have my moment in private.

Not long after, a kid... maybe 12, 13 years old walks past the house. It's a cold, gusty overcast day out and he's wearing a thin jacket that's visibly too small for him –– his face unwashed, slightly disheveled (my grandmother lived in a fairly poor area). I don't remember the wording but he essentially asks me if I could help him out so I reach in my pocket, a 5 dollar bill came out and I gave it to him. The combination of complete shock and absolute gratitude on his face I can vividly recall to this day. He asked me if I was sure first and then said "thank you, man" still with so much awe... that exchange broke me again lol.

I think we lose sight of just how much we personally receive and benefit from the act of giving. It still fills my heart whenever I reflect on that exchange.

You were better off not responding lol

If that's an uphill battle then this useless bickering is a pitch black spelunking

I suggest looking into getting your TEFL certification and teaching English/living in another country. It's a lot more accessible of an option than most would assume. Especially with your credentials.

Here's a cat Sankara 2.0 on tiktok who gives great advice and resources: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP85suKTM/

Living aboard is a very enriching experience. While things are shi here, you can work, make new friends, learn a new language and build technical skills in your spare time from work.

However if leaving the country is simply not an option, look into state/government jobs. This current administration shook this sector up badly but generally there's opportunity with less competition: https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs

I would venture to guess that the unilateral phrasing is referring to the fact that Iran's response did force Israel to turn to the US to intervene and broker a pause in hostility... thus halting Israel's aggression.

They did this without the offered aid from Russia or China. Unlike Israel who started the aggression and required the US to step in on its behalf

Prof Richard Wolff

Bernie Mac

Nia, Bill Burr's wife

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Kelis

From what I understand, Israel requested a pause to the hostilities (there's not exactly an official ceasefire in geopolitical terms as there are several necessary frameworks, procedures and agreements required that was not applied in this case) because alongside depletion of its air defense missiles, it was taking significant damage to key sectors of its economy: Haifa, the pivot point for EU to counter the East West corridor, was taking significant damage including it's oil refinery, its loss of commerce via its 3 ports, 1 of which is completely closed and a displacement of a significant number of it's citizens. Essentially the economy was beginning to shut down.

The bombardment Iran was inflicting on Israel would overrun Israel's ability to defend against it -- it's widely believed that Iran has large stockpiles of missiles well beyond Israel's capacity.

So rather than provide Israel with more munitions to an air defense that was proving to already be inefficient, the US stepped in with it's attack on Iran's nuclear sites... which we all know now was mostly theater

I don't accept that. You clearly know nothing of the social/working movements of the early 1900s. The hallmark progressive achievenments made in this country, many that still exist today (to varying degrees ofc) were a result of literal blood, sweat and tears from third parties.

The Progressive Party led by Roosevelt, The Bull Moose Party with social reformers like Jane Addams and Florence Kelly, the Socialist Party of Eugene Debs.... all of these were most prominent in fighting for and ultimately producing a cluster of social welfare, social insurance reforms, women's suffrage, workers rights/5 day work week, etc.

It was the dedication, pressure and will to not fall in line trying to change the two-party duopoly from within but to build their own movements, their own coalitions on the outside, and thus the mainstream parties were eventually forced to inscribe the populus demands into legislation.

Healthy third parties are a good thing. It builds actual pressure on your legislators. Politicians wont work on your behalf when they know you're voting for them anyway — they're lining their pockets with money from the bourgeois they actually legislate for. Seeking the change you wish to see via third party can and has produced monumental value for the working class.

But sure continue spelunking and misplacing your frustrations on your fellow worker instead of holding your desired candidate/party accountable for their bs offering. We'll keep climbing that hill in the meantime.

Iran incurred some losses, no doubt, however the myth that Iran has zero air defense systems is a talking point spread by the West to bolster their supposed victory.

A portion of Iran's Air defense systems were destroyed, however a significant amount were simply disabled via cyber attack for a period of about 8 hours at the start of Israel's attack, however these have been restored.

Also, Russia has air defense systems that also protects portions of Iran's airspace so it's not exactly defenseless in that regard.

This may just be a southeast US thing but Cookout's Cheddar Style + Out West Style Double Burgers are excellent. Decent pricing too compared to the downsized overpriced stuff from the major chains

Hey, if you're still in need, feel free to DM me. I'm a web designer who may be able to help.

It makes sense from their perspective in pointing out the hypocrisy in US political culture regarding people who proclaim to be Christians openly practicing religious custom in government chambers as opposed to individuals who proclaim to be Muslim doing the same. The amount of suppossed outrage broadcasted would be massive if they were believed to be of Islamic faith.

No problem. Feel free to DM the tiktoker for any specific questions regarding the TEFL path, I got the impression that he's open to questions directly

My friend has a hard time pronouncing 'teeth'. Just comes out sounding like 'tits'

I'm partial to both Colombian and Namibian accents atm

False. I never suggested bickering as a whole is useless. Sometimes it's helpful to inform others, like I just did for you. You're welcome.

And the fact that you willfully dismiss the invaluable lessons of the past, particularly with regards to class struggle, tells me all I need to know — as if a century is a long time ago, I have grandparents still alive born from that time period ha. Neglect history, continue to wander aimlessly.

Lol @ homie. Have a nice day

Clearly you're here to argue conjectures rather than have informed discussion. Have a nice day