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Women have to be aware because most men can overpower us. When you move through the world surrounded by people bigger and stronger than you, and add in that we live in a patriarchal society where victims are rarely believed, you have to be very aware of what the people around you are doing.

Most men are fine. But we don’t know which men are or are not ok on the surface.

The small town of Emporia, Kansas is fighting against its city commission and a proposed hyperscale data center project that would sit on 1,000 acres of prairie land near Claridge’s home. Claridge attended a commission meeting on July 22 and planned to speak out against the project, but was dragged out of the meeting and arrested by police when they clapped during a presentation.

Emporia held Claridge for eight hours and charged them with disorderly conduct and interfering with a law enforcement officer. The city refused to show 404 Media a copy of the arrest report and has not responded to a request for comment about the dropped charges.

After Clardige’s arrest, Emporia’s city commission moved to virtual meetings and ended public comment. The city said it was doing so “in the interest of public safety.” According to Claridge, the city commission announced that in-person meetings with open public comments will return soon. “Our mayor is ‘willing to give us another shot to act like grown ups,’” Claridge said, quoting Emporia mayor Becky Smith. They added that the city will vote on whether or not to ban hyper-scale data centers outright in November.

According to a press release from the Emporia city commission, the city will meet in-person in a special session open to the public on August 26. “Public comment is expected to resume at the regular September 2 meeting,” the announcement said. In a different press release, the city said the November vote on a data center ban hinges on a County court giving it the OK.

These small town fucking assholes. Held them for EIGHT HOURS for clapping. Clapping.

Lux Claridge, an Emporia High School physics teacher, was arrested after clapping during the meeting. Commissioners had warned those in attendance against disruptive behavior, including clapping, snapping or rude comments. Claridge and several others clapped in support of speakers opposing the Flint Hills Digital Campus data center. After commissioners issued a final warning, Claridge continued to clap, leading to their arrest.

“I’m glad to be out — but this is an inconvenience, really. It’s not really deterring me from speaking out or I guess, clapping,” Claridge said.

The city claims it was disruptive, but they also disallowed "snapping or rude comments". Considering they dropped all charges with no prejudice, the city was in the wrong here.

Another family annihilator.

At least in this community I know I won't be banned for stating that 90-95% of family annihilators are male.

I suspect this type of tragedy is going to continue to rise in the US.

Most people are truthfully.

He used those details in a video and a post before ever telling her family. This is from the Rolling Stone article that kicked this whole issue up:

FROM A CORNER of a dark room on April 1, Watts began recording himself singing a rendition of “Blueberry Hill.” “Hello and welcome. Tonight is a very special night,” Watts began in a faux British accent. He briefly paused, ducking out of the frame as the sound of several loud sniffs and the clinking of hollow metal came from off-camera. When Watts reappeared, he introduced a new piece of music, something he had just written, an abrasive, cacophonous track. “Katherine vibes,” Watts captioned the video. “My heart is full for you.”

In a separate post, Watts shared the news of McCollough’s death and elaborated on his moment of reflection to his nearly half a million followers. “Katherine, I will miss you so much. I know you were in pain, and while I tried everything I could to reflect the light you brought into this world, the sorrow became too much to overcome. You changed my life. You opened my vulnerability and taught me how to receive love from someone so close. We built a life together, went on adventures, and we took chances together. You had a natural radiance that people could feel from so far away — a light that you carried despite the difficult path you walked from childhood. I’ve been processing so much. I know you can hear me, and I honor the intentionality of your journey. You planned your time in Lima beautifully — the coast, the art, the meals shared with a friend. While it is so difficult for those of us left behind, I understand your need for peace.”

Information about McCollough’s last days was news to Colleen and McCollough’s friends. “We’re like, ‘What is he talking about?’ We didn’t know those details,” Colleen says. It took another week for Watts to disclose to Colleen that he had rummaged through McCollough’s iCloud. Flicking through her photos, scrolling through her texts, and going into her Notes app, Watts was able to retrace McCollough’s final moments and locate a draft of her goodbye letter, which he recited back to Colleen.

Colleen was beside herself. “It was torturous to not know anything, and he knew the entire week,” she says. “He didn’t consider her family at all. He didn’t care. He was like, ‘I have this information, and I’ll decide who needs it and who doesn’t.’” (Watts did not offer an explanation to Rolling Stone as to why he did not immediately share details with McCollough’s family. Through his attorney, Watts said he wasn’t aware McCollough was suicidal. “Not once during that period did Katherine or any of her family members or friends, ever suggest to Reggie that she was suicidal.” )

It's as weird as it is on its face - the British media made up a story in order to embarrass Megan Markel. That's it. That's the story.

The racism and sexism allowed in the media was enough to fuel this.

The backlash may have been real (the Brits have a.....weird relationship with Megan), but it was only in response to the made-up claim that Megan was going to be in the series.

They cross over into Washington State for healthcare they actually want.

She was never in it. The media made it up to humiliate her publicly by saying she had been dropped from the production.

She was never involved in the production to begin with.

This is more of an issue with the media lying than with the royals specifically.

In a separate post, Watts shared the news of McCollough’s death and elaborated on his moment of reflection to his nearly half a million followers. “Katherine, I will miss you so much. I know you were in pain, and while I tried everything I could to reflect the light you brought into this world, the sorrow became too much to overcome. You changed my life. You opened my vulnerability and taught me how to receive love from someone so close. We built a life together, went on adventures, and we took chances together. You had a natural radiance that people could feel from so far away — a light that you carried despite the difficult path you walked from childhood. I’ve been processing so much. I know you can hear me, and I honor the intentionality of your journey. You planned your time in Lima beautifully — the coast, the art, the meals shared with a friend. While it is so difficult for those of us left behind, I understand your need for peace.”

Information about McCollough’s last days was news to Colleen and McCollough’s friends. “We’re like, ‘What is he talking about?’ We didn’t know those details,” Colleen says. It took another week for Watts to disclose to Colleen that he had rummaged through McCollough’s iCloud. Flicking through her photos, scrolling through her texts, and going into her Notes app, Watts was able to retrace McCollough’s final moments and locate a draft of her goodbye letter, which he recited back to Colleen.

Holy shit, I missed this earlier. He went through her iCloud and perused everything there from the trip when she died and used it for entertainment

Lol he didn't write it, but I appreciate the lack of vitriol in this particular message all the same.

Since they lowered the flags for Charlie Kirk, it only seems right that they would lower them for Dolly Parton.

I started pulling quotes from the Rolling Stone article about this, but there were too many pertinent quotes to reasonably share here.

Reggie Watts is absolutely irresponsible with his drug use and how he pushes drugs on the people around him.

You should read it.

I'll believe multiple personal accounts over a long period of time more than some conspiracy theory that Watts is being targeted by Israel.

How about from McCollough herself?

In that same Notes document, McCollough addressed the flip side of her situation. “Reasons I AM worried about the manic episode,” she began, listing the times she believed she overdosed and highlighting scientific findings about the long-term effects of heavy ketamine usage. McCollough was direct about her views on Watts’ role in her substance intake. “My partner is not totally supportive of me resting or abstaining from drugs. I feel his judgment / resistance when I abstain or barely partake or want to do more research before partaking, because it confronts him with a message about his own drug use that he is not ready to receive yet.” She notes, “There are absolutely things I can do to improve this by asserting stronger boundaries, but I also need his support and understanding.” (Watts offered no response when asked about McCollough’s claim that he didn’t allow her to take breaks from drug use.)

Non-paywall link: https://archive.ph/mHox5#selection-2387.0-2407.359

I have loved every single entry so far and I'm excited for more!! I'm so glad that your work didn't actually disappear into the ether because of some bruised male egos.

For what it's worth, I love hearing your voice in this community.

One of the best among us. RIP Dolly.

I hope wherever her soul is, that it's with her beloved husband.