Benjamin Allred
@benjiburger.bsky.social
Know thyself
Background in Computer Science
Background in Computer Science
Totally clear. That's valid.
June 11, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Totally clear. That's valid.
Yeah, no, the aim with these protests, first and foremost, must be to stand up for and defend people currently being targeted by the Trump administration. Compromising on that is not an option. We're on the same page in that regard.
June 11, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Yeah, no, the aim with these protests, first and foremost, must be to stand up for and defend people currently being targeted by the Trump administration. Compromising on that is not an option. We're on the same page in that regard.
They were scared by images of violence and destruction, and Trump + right-wing media exploit that fear — ultimately at the expense of already marginalized peoples.
June 11, 2025 at 3:09 AM
They were scared by images of violence and destruction, and Trump + right-wing media exploit that fear — ultimately at the expense of already marginalized peoples.
No, it's not. I'm with you there.
June 11, 2025 at 2:44 AM
No, it's not. I'm with you there.
I try to understand what scares me and remain honest about it. I have a question for you.
Do you think I should be worried about Trump's rhetoric having an influence on more people? Or do you think everyone who can be influenced by it is a wasted cause from the start?
Do you think I should be worried about Trump's rhetoric having an influence on more people? Or do you think everyone who can be influenced by it is a wasted cause from the start?
June 10, 2025 at 7:26 AM
I try to understand what scares me and remain honest about it. I have a question for you.
Do you think I should be worried about Trump's rhetoric having an influence on more people? Or do you think everyone who can be influenced by it is a wasted cause from the start?
Do you think I should be worried about Trump's rhetoric having an influence on more people? Or do you think everyone who can be influenced by it is a wasted cause from the start?
Ok fine. That's why I'm here, I'd like to help. What should I be doing then to best do that?
June 10, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Ok fine. That's why I'm here, I'd like to help. What should I be doing then to best do that?
How familiar as the you with all the rhetoric coming out of right-wing circles right now? Do you see zero value in trying to get ahead or counter it by demonstrating in a way that contradicts Trump's hateful rhetoric?
June 10, 2025 at 6:45 AM
How familiar as the you with all the rhetoric coming out of right-wing circles right now? Do you see zero value in trying to get ahead or counter it by demonstrating in a way that contradicts Trump's hateful rhetoric?
What do you want? For me to admit I'm a dumb fuck whose terrified about the future and might not understand what the best way out of the mess we're in is? Ok. Got me. How are you fighting against Trump and ICE and fascism? Love to know, and believe it or not I won't ridicule you if you share.
June 10, 2025 at 6:38 AM
What do you want? For me to admit I'm a dumb fuck whose terrified about the future and might not understand what the best way out of the mess we're in is? Ok. Got me. How are you fighting against Trump and ICE and fascism? Love to know, and believe it or not I won't ridicule you if you share.
I'm not sure I get what you're asking. I'm talking about all the many Americans who have some notion of American ideals, i.e. freedom of expression, equality under the law, democracy. May come as a surprise to you, but a lot of people in America like or want to like America. Thats who we wanna reach
June 10, 2025 at 6:30 AM
I'm not sure I get what you're asking. I'm talking about all the many Americans who have some notion of American ideals, i.e. freedom of expression, equality under the law, democracy. May come as a surprise to you, but a lot of people in America like or want to like America. Thats who we wanna reach
You're not even trying to listen or understand. How does taking back a symbol and trying to innoculate it from racists equate to what you're talking about? Do you mean to say that everyone in the US who has some ideal of what the country or its symbolism means is a racist?
June 10, 2025 at 6:23 AM
You're not even trying to listen or understand. How does taking back a symbol and trying to innoculate it from racists equate to what you're talking about? Do you mean to say that everyone in the US who has some ideal of what the country or its symbolism means is a racist?
Look up images of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. What do think the American flags were for? To trick racists into anti-racism? No. It's about taking control of the national symbolism.
June 10, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Look up images of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. What do think the American flags were for? To trick racists into anti-racism? No. It's about taking control of the national symbolism.
That's not even remotely close. We're trying to appeal to the broader population, especially those who aren't super engaged with politics or what's actually going on right now. We're trying to wake people up, and to signal that Trump is antithetical to what America ought to stand for.
June 10, 2025 at 6:12 AM
That's not even remotely close. We're trying to appeal to the broader population, especially those who aren't super engaged with politics or what's actually going on right now. We're trying to wake people up, and to signal that Trump is antithetical to what America ought to stand for.
Who do YOU think this is for? Seriously. It's not about impressing racists, or MAGA, or fascists, or Trump. This is about taking control of the narrative away from Trump, and in a way that signifies to the broader population of the US that hope for a better society is in contradiction to Trump.
June 10, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Who do YOU think this is for? Seriously. It's not about impressing racists, or MAGA, or fascists, or Trump. This is about taking control of the narrative away from Trump, and in a way that signifies to the broader population of the US that hope for a better society is in contradiction to Trump.
Yeah, you seem to be either wildly misunderstanding the point of "wrapping ourselves in the flag", or you're deliberately acting in bad faith. Do you think I'm under the impression that I'll be protected? Because that's not at all what this is about. This isn't about appealing to police or fascists.
June 10, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Yeah, you seem to be either wildly misunderstanding the point of "wrapping ourselves in the flag", or you're deliberately acting in bad faith. Do you think I'm under the impression that I'll be protected? Because that's not at all what this is about. This isn't about appealing to police or fascists.
Are you asking me if I'm attending a protest with an American flag? Yes. June 14th.
June 10, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Are you asking me if I'm attending a protest with an American flag? Yes. June 14th.
Idk man, you haven't even asked me out yet. Maybe we just take it slow and see where things go? 😘
June 10, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Idk man, you haven't even asked me out yet. Maybe we just take it slow and see where things go? 😘
That's the plan. I'm just not understanding the vitriol here. Help me out?
June 10, 2025 at 5:28 AM
That's the plan. I'm just not understanding the vitriol here. Help me out?
If it's the former, then I'm all ears if you want to help me understand your point of view. I'm not gonna debate you or anything. I'm genuinely trying reach a place of understanding on what the best course of action to take is with all that's going on right now. Ya feel?
June 10, 2025 at 5:27 AM
If it's the former, then I'm all ears if you want to help me understand your point of view. I'm not gonna debate you or anything. I'm genuinely trying reach a place of understanding on what the best course of action to take is with all that's going on right now. Ya feel?
Talk to me. Have I mischaracterized the other person? If so, my bad. Frankly, it's hard to tell if you're upset at me for something I said, or if you're participating in the same kind of shit the far-right trolls on Twitter always resort to.
June 10, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Talk to me. Have I mischaracterized the other person? If so, my bad. Frankly, it's hard to tell if you're upset at me for something I said, or if you're participating in the same kind of shit the far-right trolls on Twitter always resort to.
I believe I have thought it through. Doing that leads to more police surveillance, more extreme oppressive tactics, less opportunities to reach people who may have otherwise been on our side. Are you going to enlighten me about your alternative vision or just act like an alt-right reactionary troll?
June 10, 2025 at 3:34 AM
I believe I have thought it through. Doing that leads to more police surveillance, more extreme oppressive tactics, less opportunities to reach people who may have otherwise been on our side. Are you going to enlighten me about your alternative vision or just act like an alt-right reactionary troll?
How does burning police surveillance cars affect positive political and social change? What is the end goal here?
June 10, 2025 at 3:28 AM
How does burning police surveillance cars affect positive political and social change? What is the end goal here?
It really sucks trying to stand up against oppression and being made into a monster, but that's something we all need to grapple with and be mindful of as a possibility. If and when possible we should all take steps to mitigate against this happening. I just ask that you think on it a bit.
June 10, 2025 at 3:06 AM
It really sucks trying to stand up against oppression and being made into a monster, but that's something we all need to grapple with and be mindful of as a possibility. If and when possible we should all take steps to mitigate against this happening. I just ask that you think on it a bit.
I have several family members who had a strong disdain for Trump from the beginning of his 1st campaign. Sadly, their alignment seems to have since shifted a bit. As far as I understand the thing that made them more receptive to Trump was how they perceived the George Floyd protests.
June 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM
I have several family members who had a strong disdain for Trump from the beginning of his 1st campaign. Sadly, their alignment seems to have since shifted a bit. As far as I understand the thing that made them more receptive to Trump was how they perceived the George Floyd protests.
Hey, I don't believe either of us wants to live an increasingly hostile and oppressive country. To be told it's not in your best interest to wave another country's flag sounds problematic and presumptuous. The thing is I believe we're in some pretty deep shit at the moment. What we do now matters.
June 10, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Hey, I don't believe either of us wants to live an increasingly hostile and oppressive country. To be told it's not in your best interest to wave another country's flag sounds problematic and presumptuous. The thing is I believe we're in some pretty deep shit at the moment. What we do now matters.