Soapbox Sam
@soapboxsam.bsky.social
Writer, speaker, leader, software guru, trustee, human.
As a species, we will live or die on our success at remembering those we disagree with are usually not our enemies. In our fight to preserve democracy, freedom and equality, let's build, not destroy.
As a species, we will live or die on our success at remembering those we disagree with are usually not our enemies. In our fight to preserve democracy, freedom and equality, let's build, not destroy.
Pinned
Soapbox Sam
@soapboxsam.bsky.social
· Nov 28
Just to say; I already have a beautiful woman in my life. What we both look for on BlueSky are beautiful minds. I want real, meaningful debate, not mere affirmation. (Re)learning to separate those with differing opinions from those with hate and selfishness as their driver is how we will all survive
Reposted by Soapbox Sam
Ahhh, my sister will be polishing her broomstick and practising her cackle as we speak. Fly free my dear sibling!
October 31, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Ahhh, my sister will be polishing her broomstick and practising her cackle as we speak. Fly free my dear sibling!
Reposted by Soapbox Sam
Amazon just announced 14,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $40M last year.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
October 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Amazon just announced 14,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $40M last year.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
UPS announced 48,000 layoffs. Its CEO made over $24M last year.
Intel announced 20,000 layoffs. Its new CEO's pay package is valued at nearly $69M.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
Having been in hurricanes and having seen the matchstick wreckage of a house I was living in after one, I have a respect and fear of these unimaginably powerful events. Spare a thought for Jamaicans today, some of whom will lose their lives, many their homes. It will be an awful catastrophe.
October 28, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Having been in hurricanes and having seen the matchstick wreckage of a house I was living in after one, I have a respect and fear of these unimaginably powerful events. Spare a thought for Jamaicans today, some of whom will lose their lives, many their homes. It will be an awful catastrophe.
Visited today by the most amazing woman, who with her family has left America to become residents of Europe. They left their homeland because, for reasons of religion, sexuality and neuro-diversity, America was no longer safe. America's loss is Europe's gain. A remarkable, warm and wonderful family.
October 27, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Visited today by the most amazing woman, who with her family has left America to become residents of Europe. They left their homeland because, for reasons of religion, sexuality and neuro-diversity, America was no longer safe. America's loss is Europe's gain. A remarkable, warm and wonderful family.
I love #NoKings, it's the fight you must win. Yet POTUS has always been a 'king', compared to, say, Henry VIII or Queen Victoria. USA won't progress until you let go of the 'Strong Man' fixation permanently. Don't get scared when POTUS wants you to think. It's much better than being told to obey.
October 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I love #NoKings, it's the fight you must win. Yet POTUS has always been a 'king', compared to, say, Henry VIII or Queen Victoria. USA won't progress until you let go of the 'Strong Man' fixation permanently. Don't get scared when POTUS wants you to think. It's much better than being told to obey.
If the American people do bring down Trump and his cadre, we will celebrate, and then hold our collective breath to see if America learns from this experience. Your president has too much power, the pillars of government are politically vulnerable. You need far better Safeguards and Accountability!
October 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
If the American people do bring down Trump and his cadre, we will celebrate, and then hold our collective breath to see if America learns from this experience. Your president has too much power, the pillars of government are politically vulnerable. You need far better Safeguards and Accountability!
WW1 - The US only joined after U-boats began sinking US ships, nearly 3 years after the war started.
WW2 - The US only joined after Pearl Harbour, over 2 years after the war started.
WW3 - We know what to expect. The US will only join, if at all, out of self-interest, not loyalty.
We must be ready.
WW2 - The US only joined after Pearl Harbour, over 2 years after the war started.
WW3 - We know what to expect. The US will only join, if at all, out of self-interest, not loyalty.
We must be ready.
October 26, 2025 at 1:28 PM
WW1 - The US only joined after U-boats began sinking US ships, nearly 3 years after the war started.
WW2 - The US only joined after Pearl Harbour, over 2 years after the war started.
WW3 - We know what to expect. The US will only join, if at all, out of self-interest, not loyalty.
We must be ready.
WW2 - The US only joined after Pearl Harbour, over 2 years after the war started.
WW3 - We know what to expect. The US will only join, if at all, out of self-interest, not loyalty.
We must be ready.
Europe faces the prospect of all-our war with Russia. It may not happen, but we must be realistic and plan accordingly. Putin can and will manipulate Trump into withholding US support. We can count on our other Western allies, but we must gear up on the assumption we will not have the USA alongside.
October 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Europe faces the prospect of all-our war with Russia. It may not happen, but we must be realistic and plan accordingly. Putin can and will manipulate Trump into withholding US support. We can count on our other Western allies, but we must gear up on the assumption we will not have the USA alongside.
I hope the Dems are factoring in extensive voter suppression and count tampering. Their mid-term focus should be on securing a small majority, not going for a big one. Abandon seats where the GOP have too much influence on the process. Ruthlessly target seats they 'can' win, despite the rigging.
October 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I hope the Dems are factoring in extensive voter suppression and count tampering. Their mid-term focus should be on securing a small majority, not going for a big one. Abandon seats where the GOP have too much influence on the process. Ruthlessly target seats they 'can' win, despite the rigging.
Reposted by Soapbox Sam
This won’t be popular, but if professional athletes would go on strike, it might help wake America up. They don’t listen to any group more than they listen to professional athletes.
I mentioned this in January and got a lot of hate for it.
I also support a national economic shutdown/strike
I mentioned this in January and got a lot of hate for it.
I also support a national economic shutdown/strike
October 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
This won’t be popular, but if professional athletes would go on strike, it might help wake America up. They don’t listen to any group more than they listen to professional athletes.
I mentioned this in January and got a lot of hate for it.
I also support a national economic shutdown/strike
I mentioned this in January and got a lot of hate for it.
I also support a national economic shutdown/strike
Given what Trump has done, and is doing, how can anyone think for an instant that he or the GOP is going to subject themselves to genuine democratic process. It is absolutely, unequivocally obvious that they will not, and any 'elections' will be heavily rigged. I mean, of course they will be!
Via @kqednews.kqed.org
In an interview with KQED, Newsom said Trump wants to cast doubt on the Nov. 4 vote. The Department of Justice says it's sending monitors to protect the votes of "eligible American citizens."
In an interview with KQED, Newsom said Trump wants to cast doubt on the Nov. 4 vote. The Department of Justice says it's sending monitors to protect the votes of "eligible American citizens."
Newsom Says Trump Is ‘Rigging the Election’ With Federal Poll Monitors | KQED
In an interview with KQED, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned the Trump administration is laying the groundwork to question the results of California’s Proposition 50 vote.
www.kqed.org
October 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Given what Trump has done, and is doing, how can anyone think for an instant that he or the GOP is going to subject themselves to genuine democratic process. It is absolutely, unequivocally obvious that they will not, and any 'elections' will be heavily rigged. I mean, of course they will be!
#Synamedia #SkyTv While how you are handling SSAI (ad insertion) is not un-typical, it can be implemented on the STB much more elegantly, seamless with the content. Why not be better? DM me for my credentials on this.
October 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
#Synamedia #SkyTv While how you are handling SSAI (ad insertion) is not un-typical, it can be implemented on the STB much more elegantly, seamless with the content. Why not be better? DM me for my credentials on this.
#Synamedia #SkyTv Remind the devs that for AV sync, audio is master and shouldn't glitch when syncing. Skip/hold video frames to resync. It's 101 basic stuff you're getting wrong on the Sky streaming box. Viewers will tolerate video adjustments but not audio ones. DM me for my credentials on this.
October 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
#Synamedia #SkyTv Remind the devs that for AV sync, audio is master and shouldn't glitch when syncing. Skip/hold video frames to resync. It's 101 basic stuff you're getting wrong on the Sky streaming box. Viewers will tolerate video adjustments but not audio ones. DM me for my credentials on this.
For the average Joe/Jill getting on with life, the things which underpin their way of life has to be severely damaged before they notice. For most, it hasn't registered yet. By the time it does, it will be far, far too late. The fascists know this. The public's complacency is their biggest weapon.
October 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
For the average Joe/Jill getting on with life, the things which underpin their way of life has to be severely damaged before they notice. For most, it hasn't registered yet. By the time it does, it will be far, far too late. The fascists know this. The public's complacency is their biggest weapon.
Obama could weaponise Trump's desire to undo everything of his.
"Hey Trump, I just personally decorated this street with rubbish. It's art!"
I think we'd all love to see Trump industriously cleaning a street with a broom, right? You see where I'm going. Obama could manipulate Trump's ego so easily.
"Hey Trump, I just personally decorated this street with rubbish. It's art!"
I think we'd all love to see Trump industriously cleaning a street with a broom, right? You see where I'm going. Obama could manipulate Trump's ego so easily.
October 25, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Obama could weaponise Trump's desire to undo everything of his.
"Hey Trump, I just personally decorated this street with rubbish. It's art!"
I think we'd all love to see Trump industriously cleaning a street with a broom, right? You see where I'm going. Obama could manipulate Trump's ego so easily.
"Hey Trump, I just personally decorated this street with rubbish. It's art!"
I think we'd all love to see Trump industriously cleaning a street with a broom, right? You see where I'm going. Obama could manipulate Trump's ego so easily.
The Arsehole test.
Do you think we should:
1. Give refuge to victims of persecution or violence?
2. Welcome diversity in all its forms?
3. Judge people only on what they say and do?
4. Respect the shared humanity of all peoples?
5. Never murder, rape, hurt, steal or con?
1 or more 'No's = Arsehole.
Do you think we should:
1. Give refuge to victims of persecution or violence?
2. Welcome diversity in all its forms?
3. Judge people only on what they say and do?
4. Respect the shared humanity of all peoples?
5. Never murder, rape, hurt, steal or con?
1 or more 'No's = Arsehole.
October 25, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The Arsehole test.
Do you think we should:
1. Give refuge to victims of persecution or violence?
2. Welcome diversity in all its forms?
3. Judge people only on what they say and do?
4. Respect the shared humanity of all peoples?
5. Never murder, rape, hurt, steal or con?
1 or more 'No's = Arsehole.
Do you think we should:
1. Give refuge to victims of persecution or violence?
2. Welcome diversity in all its forms?
3. Judge people only on what they say and do?
4. Respect the shared humanity of all peoples?
5. Never murder, rape, hurt, steal or con?
1 or more 'No's = Arsehole.
Hey @bsky.app - You may be blocking the chat section without age verification, but you're still posting the messages as notifications, and allowing replies that way. Teeny bit of a hole in your approach there 😂. PS: Relocate out of USA and I might be willing to share age verifying data with you.
October 25, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Hey @bsky.app - You may be blocking the chat section without age verification, but you're still posting the messages as notifications, and allowing replies that way. Teeny bit of a hole in your approach there 😂. PS: Relocate out of USA and I might be willing to share age verifying data with you.
Given his pathetic attempts to appear strong, Trump really must have the teeny weeniest dicklet in history. Do you think Stormy used tweezers to try and find it?
October 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Given his pathetic attempts to appear strong, Trump really must have the teeny weeniest dicklet in history. Do you think Stormy used tweezers to try and find it?
Reposted by Soapbox Sam
Wannabe King is building his palace.
October 24, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Wannabe King is building his palace.
Reposted by Soapbox Sam
Why would anyone want an old style King with ultimate power? Were they never taught history? Kings in Europe now are largely symbolic, traditional, figureheads without power. In the UK our Magna Carta in 1215 made sure of that.
October 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Why would anyone want an old style King with ultimate power? Were they never taught history? Kings in Europe now are largely symbolic, traditional, figureheads without power. In the UK our Magna Carta in 1215 made sure of that.
In the last 50 years, we've had many examples of citizens taking back democracy from autocratic regimes through direct action:
1986 Philippines
1987 South Korea
1989 Czechoslovakia
2000 Serbia/Yugoslavia
2011 Tunisia/Egypt
It can be done. We all want to know...
2025 USA ?
2026 USA ?
Never USA ?
1986 Philippines
1987 South Korea
1989 Czechoslovakia
2000 Serbia/Yugoslavia
2011 Tunisia/Egypt
It can be done. We all want to know...
2025 USA ?
2026 USA ?
Never USA ?
October 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
In the last 50 years, we've had many examples of citizens taking back democracy from autocratic regimes through direct action:
1986 Philippines
1987 South Korea
1989 Czechoslovakia
2000 Serbia/Yugoslavia
2011 Tunisia/Egypt
It can be done. We all want to know...
2025 USA ?
2026 USA ?
Never USA ?
1986 Philippines
1987 South Korea
1989 Czechoslovakia
2000 Serbia/Yugoslavia
2011 Tunisia/Egypt
It can be done. We all want to know...
2025 USA ?
2026 USA ?
Never USA ?
I know all the wonderful US people on here are appalled at everything that is happening. Even so, from outside we can't wrap our heads around why Americans are letting Trump crap all over everything good and decent in your country. Marching matters, but you guys have got to take 'real' action. Soon!
October 23, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I know all the wonderful US people on here are appalled at everything that is happening. Even so, from outside we can't wrap our heads around why Americans are letting Trump crap all over everything good and decent in your country. Marching matters, but you guys have got to take 'real' action. Soon!
Given the White House is now the wet dream of a soul-less narcissist and large chunk of it will be 'owned' by those who financed this abomination, a future (sane) president could:
a) Abandon it and build/adopt a new presidential 'house'.
b) Repay finance, revert the building to how it was.
Vote now.
a) Abandon it and build/adopt a new presidential 'house'.
b) Repay finance, revert the building to how it was.
Vote now.
October 23, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Given the White House is now the wet dream of a soul-less narcissist and large chunk of it will be 'owned' by those who financed this abomination, a future (sane) president could:
a) Abandon it and build/adopt a new presidential 'house'.
b) Repay finance, revert the building to how it was.
Vote now.
a) Abandon it and build/adopt a new presidential 'house'.
b) Repay finance, revert the building to how it was.
Vote now.
Coffee starts my day
It is all downhill from there
Until there is wine
It is all downhill from there
Until there is wine
October 23, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Coffee starts my day
It is all downhill from there
Until there is wine
It is all downhill from there
Until there is wine