weird that neither of these articles two main stories decrying censorship mention WaPo's firing of @karenattiah.bsky.social I guess democracy really does die in darkness

never ridden this one but we love the CAT bus out to Hood River :)

The Washington Post Fired Me — But My Voice Will Not Be Silenced. I spoke out against hatred and violence in America — and it cost me my job.

Some personal news:

I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.

Thread incoming.

substack.com/@karenattiah...

We're witnessing the most aggressive, fanatical crackdown on free speech in my lifetime. The speed and breadth of government censorship and private sector and nonprofit capitulation has been astonishing. As has the lack of urgency/silence from people who've long claimed to care about this stuff.

If the right *truly* believed Charlie Kirk was a defender of free speech and someone who was fine with dissenting opinions, they wouldn't be engaged in a massive campaign to punish anyone who didn't "mourn him properly."

They clearly know all of that is bullshit. Only the media was conned.

I guess the main thing I’m learning this week is that lots of elite media people knew charlie kirk personally and didn’t know any minnesota state legislators

hey the people that stormed the capitol and erected gallows to murder elected leaders want you to know that political violence is not ok

The assassination of Charlie Kirk makes we worry we can no longer have peaceful discussions of whether gays should be stoned to death or civil and collegial debates about whether black people are inherently inferior. Our culture will suffer.

New York Times tomorrow

If the shooter had killed a leftist podcaster, he would have a multi million dollar Go Fund Me to cover his legal fees tomorrow, and an interview lined up with Charlie Kirk.

One of Kirk’s more pernicious legacies was the whole “debate me bro” culture. He somehow convinced a lot of liberals like Ezra Klein and Gavin Newsom that “doing politics the right way” isn’t about organizing power, it’s about talking fast at people.

My take on the Current Event is that the right has been calling for civil war over pronouns and the relative fuckability of green M&Ms for years at this point.

When ya’ll are ready to talk about mens health, we can start by discussing how Charlie Kirk was strategically using the mental health and self esteem issues afflicting young men to sow misogyny into an entire generation of men. Cause thats his story.

The murder of Charlie Kirk was criminal, wrong, and should be condemned.

And Charlie Kirk was a horrible, hateful man who spent his life radicalizing young people to embrace their worst demons by targeting women, people of color, immigrants, and the marginalized.

I refuse to sanitize him.

uhh can someone tell me if this is normal for a civilian???

It is possible to hold both of these things true at the same time:

1) political violence is never an appropriate choice in a civilized society

2) Charlie Kirk’s dream is to create exactly the kind of society he currently lives in, as spoken from his own mouth

Johnson is a vile POS

NYT just posted

who were we on Jan 6th, Mike?

@govpritzker.illinois.gov's take on Kirk is the correct one:

"Political violence, unfortunately, has ramped up in this country ... I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country. I think the president's rhetoric often foments it."

On point. So glad Democrats are saying this.

We have a bit of a natural experiment here. Compare the tone, quantity and duration of Charlie Kirk coverage with that of the two Dem lawmakers gunned down in their homes in Minnesota 6 months ago. May be revealing.

right wingers have more sympathy & outrage for Kirk than slain MN Rep Melissa Hartman. they only have outrage when it is one of theirs.

I've found that parent drivers are the worst. every time a minivan drives past me on my bike, I am worried for my life

it isn't just as easy as "please get tested" millions cannot afford the tests. can't afford to take a day off work. My partner has crohns and has to routinely get these tests. his last one he got a 4 digit bill.

yes absolutely. I also feel like the affordability issue outshadows the "I just don't want to be a mom" point. I could afford kids, but I don't want them. breaking a long line of women who also didn't want kids but didn't have the freedom I did in making this choice.

my job sent out a big survey and over half the people threatened to quit so they haven't made us fully RTO *yet*- only 50% which is still ridiculous. I enjoy going into the office 2 days a week but to be forced full time is garbage. my mental health would significantly suffer

when has history in the US ever shown us that bad guys get their just punishments? genuinely asking. doesn't seem to happen here