Let's talk about Elon Musk

[michigancat]

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

Not since January 20th

https://x.com/ABC/status/1887249458598904190

[CNS]

Our collective civil liberties at this moment are at the all-time high in the history of the United States of America.

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

I don’t say that to suggest that we should take our foot off the gas in our effort to ensure civil liberties . I say that to gain some perspective about how close we are or how far we are from authoritarianism.

Pete, to use your analogy, have you ever driven a Tesla?  Know what happens when you take your foot off the gas?

[Pete]

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

Not since January 20th

https://x.com/ABC/status/1887249458598904190

Well, technically wouldn’t you say February 5th?

[Pete]

Our collective civil liberties at this moment are at the all-time high in the history of the United States of America.

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

I don’t say that to suggest that we should take our foot off the gas in our effort to ensure civil liberties . I say that to gain some perspective about how close we are or how far we are from authoritarianism.

Pete, to use your analogy, have you ever driven a Tesla?  Know what happens when you take your foot off the gas?

Regenerative breaking???? 

[CNS]

We’re either accelerating or hitting the brake.

[Pete]

We’re either accelerating or hitting the brake.

Glass half full:  accelerating or charging the battery

[michigancat]

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

Not since January 20th

https://x.com/ABC/status/1887249458598904190

Well, technically wouldn’t you say February 5th?

I mean that was just a single example from today. I'm sure many other groups are worse off than they have been in the past.

[star seed 7]

I'm going to naively disagree. I'd say it's closer to 20%, but I think we have a pretty differing view of humanity in general.

Well for sure 50% of them think that about the other 50% of them, or said differently 100% of them think that 50% of them at least are walking pieces of crap. So at a minimum, I think we should trust their own judgment. Let’s just agree on 50%.

I will concede that positions of power will manifest this behavior where it may otherwise have been restrained.

[sonofdaxjones]

#blueanongE is in 14.7/7 tizzy right now.

They’re used to the sloth like mentally incapacitated sock puppet president and his 2pm nappy times

Just can’t handle this pace of operations.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pete]

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

Not since January 20th

https://x.com/ABC/status/1887249458598904190

Well, technically wouldn’t you say February 5th?

I mean that was just a single example from today. I'm sure many other groups are worse off than they have been in the past.

That’s definitely not the way I see it. AI seems to agree with me more than not

Civil liberties in the United States today are at a complex juncture. While significant progress has been made over centuries, recent developments highlight both advancements and challenges for different demographics.

### **Historical Context**
1. **Foundational Progress**: The Bill of Rights (1791) established core civil liberties, later extended to states via the 14th Amendment. Key milestones include Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Civil Rights Act (1964), and ongoing LGBTQ+ rights advancements[2][5].
2. **Past Crises**: U.S. history includes severe civil liberties violations, such as Japanese American internment during WWII, McCarthyism, and post-9/11 surveillance under the Patriot Act[10].

### **Current State of Civil Liberties**
1. **Strengths**:
   - The U.S. maintains robust protections for freedom of speech, religion, and press[3].
   - Legal frameworks continue to protect marginalized groups, though enforcement varies[2][5].
2. **Challenges**:
   - Erosion of democratic norms and voting rights is a growing concern. Initiatives like "Project 2025" propose policies that could weaken civil rights enforcement and intimidate voters[1][4][7].
   - Rollbacks in areas such as abortion access, LGBTQ+ protections, and immigrant rights have been noted in recent years[6][7].

### **Comparison to Other Eras**
- **Better Than Past Eras**: Compared to periods like slavery, Jim Crow laws, or WWII internment camps, today’s civil liberties are more inclusive and legally protected.
- **Ongoing Threats**: However, the current political climate reflects echoes of earlier authoritarian tendencies, with potential regression in areas like voting rights and anti-discrimination laws[1][4][11].

In summary, while civil liberties today are broader and more inclusive than in most prior eras, they face significant modern threats that could undermine decades of progress.

Sources
[1] Project 2025: Roadmap to Tyranny | ACLU of Michigan https://www.aclumich.org/en/news/project-2025-roadmap-tyranny
[2] Civil Liberties vs Civil Rights | Moss & Colella, P.C. https://www.mosscolella.com/blog/civil-liberties-vs-civil-rights
[3] United States: Country Profile | Freedom House https://freedomhouse.org/country/united-states
[4] Project 2025: What's At Stake for Civil Rights https://civilrights.org/project2025/
[5] Origins of Civil Liberties in the United States: History & Timeline https://study.com/academy/lesson/origins-of-civil-liberties-in-the-united-states-history-timeline.html
[6] Trump Administration Civil and Human Rights Rollbacks https://civilrights.org/trump-rollbacks/
[7] Project 2025, Explained | American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/project-2025-explained
[8] ACLU History | American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/about/aclu-history
[9] How to Take Action on Inauguration Day and Beyond https://www.aclufl.org/en/news/how-take-action-inauguration-day-and-beyond
[10] Essay: National Government, Crisis, and Civil Liberties https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/national-government-crisis-and-civil-liberties
[11] Project 2025 Offers Dystopian View of America https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/project-2025-offers-dystopian-view-of-america

[MakeItRain]

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

Not since January 20th

https://x.com/ABC/status/1887249458598904190

Well, technically wouldn’t you say February 5th?

I mean that was just a single example from today. I'm sure many other groups are worse off than they have been in the past.

This conversation in light of Tuesday's crash out is interesting. Maybe I should speak as a mildly interested third party so feelings don't get hurt. Anyway, this y'all have it great narrative is insulting and actual bullshit given we just saw a rollback from civil rights law signed before most of us were born.
https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/22/trump_federal_contractor_eo/

In an executive order published today, Trump rescinded several prior executive orders linked to promoting diversity in the federal government and government contractor workforce, with EO 11246, signed in September 1965, the most longstanding order to be scrapped.

The Register Newsletter
Johnson's Equal Employment Opportunity EO prohibited any federal contractor and federally assisted construction contractor/subcontractor doing more than $10,000 in business with the US government from discriminating against employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Sexual orientation and gender identity were added by President Barack Obama with EO 13672 in 2014. The latter EO was also plowed under in Trump's action.

[michigancat]

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

Not since January 20th

https://x.com/ABC/status/1887249458598904190

Well, technically wouldn’t you say February 5th?

I mean that was just a single example from today. I'm sure many other groups are worse off than they have been in the past.

That’s definitely not the way I see it. AI seems to agree with me more than not

Civil liberties in the United States today are at a complex juncture. While significant progress has been made over centuries, recent developments highlight both advancements and challenges for different demographics.

### **Historical Context**
1. **Foundational Progress**: The Bill of Rights (1791) established core civil liberties, later extended to states via the 14th Amendment. Key milestones include Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Civil Rights Act (1964), and ongoing LGBTQ+ rights advancements[2][5].
2. **Past Crises**: U.S. history includes severe civil liberties violations, such as Japanese American internment during WWII, McCarthyism, and post-9/11 surveillance under the Patriot Act[10].

### **Current State of Civil Liberties**
1. **Strengths**:
   - The U.S. maintains robust protections for freedom of speech, religion, and press[3].
   - Legal frameworks continue to protect marginalized groups, though enforcement varies[2][5].
2. **Challenges**:
   - Erosion of democratic norms and voting rights is a growing concern. Initiatives like "Project 2025" propose policies that could weaken civil rights enforcement and intimidate voters[1][4][7].
   - Rollbacks in areas such as abortion access, LGBTQ+ protections, and immigrant rights have been noted in recent years[6][7].

### **Comparison to Other Eras**
- **Better Than Past Eras**: Compared to periods like slavery, Jim Crow laws, or WWII internment camps, today’s civil liberties are more inclusive and legally protected.
- **Ongoing Threats**: However, the current political climate reflects echoes of earlier authoritarian tendencies, with potential regression in areas like voting rights and anti-discrimination laws[1][4][11].

In summary, while civil liberties today are broader and more inclusive than in most prior eras, they face significant modern threats that could undermine decades of progress.

Sources
[1] Project 2025: Roadmap to Tyranny | ACLU of Michigan https://www.aclumich.org/en/news/project-2025-roadmap-tyranny
[2] Civil Liberties vs Civil Rights | Moss & Colella, P.C. https://www.mosscolella.com/blog/civil-liberties-vs-civil-rights
[3] United States: Country Profile | Freedom House https://freedomhouse.org/country/united-states
[4] Project 2025: What's At Stake for Civil Rights https://civilrights.org/project2025/
[5] Origins of Civil Liberties in the United States: History & Timeline https://study.com/academy/lesson/origins-of-civil-liberties-in-the-united-states-history-timeline.html
[6] Trump Administration Civil and Human Rights Rollbacks https://civilrights.org/trump-rollbacks/
[7] Project 2025, Explained | American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/project-2025-explained
[8] ACLU History | American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/about/aclu-history
[9] How to Take Action on Inauguration Day and Beyond https://www.aclufl.org/en/news/how-take-action-inauguration-day-and-beyond
[10] Essay: National Government, Crisis, and Civil Liberties https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/national-government-crisis-and-civil-liberties
[11] Project 2025 Offers Dystopian View of America https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/project-2025-offers-dystopian-view-of-america

I'm sorry but that doesn't refute a single thing I've said with regards to civil liberties being worse for some people today than they have been in the past.  You have been given 2 very concrete examples. If you consider abortion a civil liberty that's a pretty significant 3rd example.

[Cire]

This is like when keitzman used to say flag kneelers should move to the Congo if they think things are bad in the USA

[Pete]

Every single demographic has a better civil liberties situation right now than they have ever had in this country.

Not since January 20th

https://x.com/ABC/status/1887249458598904190

Well, technically wouldn’t you say February 5th?

I mean that was just a single example from today. I'm sure many other groups are worse off than they have been in the past.

That’s definitely not the way I see it. AI seems to agree with me more than not

Civil liberties in the United States today are at a complex juncture. While significant progress has been made over centuries, recent developments highlight both advancements and challenges for different demographics.

### **Historical Context**
1. **Foundational Progress**: The Bill of Rights (1791) established core civil liberties, later extended to states via the 14th Amendment. Key milestones include Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Civil Rights Act (1964), and ongoing LGBTQ+ rights advancements[2][5].
2. **Past Crises**: U.S. history includes severe civil liberties violations, such as Japanese American internment during WWII, McCarthyism, and post-9/11 surveillance under the Patriot Act[10].

### **Current State of Civil Liberties**
1. **Strengths**:
   - The U.S. maintains robust protections for freedom of speech, religion, and press[3].
   - Legal frameworks continue to protect marginalized groups, though enforcement varies[2][5].
2. **Challenges**:
   - Erosion of democratic norms and voting rights is a growing concern. Initiatives like "Project 2025" propose policies that could weaken civil rights enforcement and intimidate voters[1][4][7].
   - Rollbacks in areas such as abortion access, LGBTQ+ protections, and immigrant rights have been noted in recent years[6][7].

### **Comparison to Other Eras**
- **Better Than Past Eras**: Compared to periods like slavery, Jim Crow laws, or WWII internment camps, today’s civil liberties are more inclusive and legally protected.
- **Ongoing Threats**: However, the current political climate reflects echoes of earlier authoritarian tendencies, with potential regression in areas like voting rights and anti-discrimination laws[1][4][11].

In summary, while civil liberties today are broader and more inclusive than in most prior eras, they face significant modern threats that could undermine decades of progress.

Sources
[1] Project 2025: Roadmap to Tyranny | ACLU of Michigan https://www.aclumich.org/en/news/project-2025-roadmap-tyranny
[2] Civil Liberties vs Civil Rights | Moss & Colella, P.C. https://www.mosscolella.com/blog/civil-liberties-vs-civil-rights
[3] United States: Country Profile | Freedom House https://freedomhouse.org/country/united-states
[4] Project 2025: What's At Stake for Civil Rights https://civilrights.org/project2025/
[5] Origins of Civil Liberties in the United States: History & Timeline https://study.com/academy/lesson/origins-of-civil-liberties-in-the-united-states-history-timeline.html
[6] Trump Administration Civil and Human Rights Rollbacks https://civilrights.org/trump-rollbacks/
[7] Project 2025, Explained | American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/project-2025-explained
[8] ACLU History | American Civil Liberties Union https://www.aclu.org/about/aclu-history
[9] How to Take Action on Inauguration Day and Beyond https://www.aclufl.org/en/news/how-take-action-inauguration-day-and-beyond
[10] Essay: National Government, Crisis, and Civil Liberties https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/national-government-crisis-and-civil-liberties
[11] Project 2025 Offers Dystopian View of America https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/project-2025-offers-dystopian-view-of-america

I'm sorry but that doesn't refute a single thing I've said with regards to civil liberties being worse for some people today than they have been in the past.  You have been given 2 very concrete examples. If you consider abortion a civil liberty that's a pretty significant 3rd example.

My point was that relative to the history of the United States, things have never been better for civil liberties acrosss the spectrum of inhabitants.  On balance.  I acknowledge specific exceptions exist.

Woman have greater agency than ever before in history. In our lifetimes, women have made enormous strides in attaining careers and leadership. I’m grateful my daughter was born in 2004 and not in 1974.

Homosexuals have had enormous advances in our lifetime.

Ethnic communities have made huge advances in our lifetimes as well.

Too much of the progressive left is a broken record of “how terrible things are.” I refuse to ignore the progress we have made and engage in ingrate pearl clutching and pessimism. We can both celebrate how far we have come and continue to press forward.

I acknowledge that it is right and just to continue to defend and progress on equality.

[BIG APPLE CAT]

pete i think america has a deplorable enough history when it comes to civil liberties that it will most likely never be okay to rest on our laurils and admire how far we've come. Or, maybe we can, but i don't think heterosexual cisgender white men get to make that call. Rolling back any civil liberties should give anyone pause, full stop.

do you know what year "gay panic" was no longer a viable legal defense for killing someone because their gayness made you so uncomfortble that you lashed out at them in violence? trick question. there is no federal ban on the usage of that defense, and only 21 states (plus washington d.c.) have banned the use of that defense. its quite frankly an embarassment, and definitely not the time to start handing out trophies and achievement awards.

[LickNeckey]

guys "end racism" is not written in the end zones anymore

i think that says it all

"MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"

[bucket]

Yes, civil liberties are better today compared to when swimming pools and water fountains were segregated. However, if you think URM's have no reason to be alarmed then I believe you're really mistaken.

[chum1]

pete i think america has a deplorable enough history when it comes to civil liberties that it will most likely never be okay to rest on our laurils and admire how far we've come. Or, maybe we can, but i don't think heterosexual cisgender white men get to make that call. Rolling back any civil liberties should give anyone pause, full stop.

do you know what year "gay panic" was no longer a viable legal defense for killing someone because their gayness made you so uncomfortble that you lashed out at them in violence? trick question. there is no federal ban on the usage of that defense, and only 21 states (plus washington d.c.) have banned the use of that defense. its quite frankly an embarassment, and definitely not the time to start handing out trophies and achievement awards.

I wasn't going to bother to say it because I thought it was ridiculous that it would need to be said. But, yeah, 100%.

[BIG APPLE CAT]

i debated even responding but was like nope, just gunna state the obvious here as a matter of public record.

[CNS]

If you are a living breathing human being in America, there should be absolutely zero limitations placed on you compared to any other American.  It is wild to me that the right cares so much about legislating things like this. 

Its crazy to me how the country can breed such a feeling of patriotism in it's people, but we choose to out group those in that group.  We should be taught how to avoid bullshit scarcity thinking based around that.  Instead, we are killing off science and discussion.

[wetwillie]

CNS wants to restrict liberties to humans only and that makes me sad

[DQ12]

If you are a living breathing human being in America, there should be absolutely zero limitations placed on you compared to any other American. It is wild to me that the right cares so much about legislating things like this. 

Its crazy to me how the country can breed such a feeling of patriotism in it's people, but we choose to out group those in that group.  We should be taught how to avoid bullshit scarcity thinking based around that.  Instead, we are killing off science and discussion.

The bolded sentence is a good sentiment, but it's a little crazy, right?   We let some "living breathing humans in America" do things all the time that we don't let others in that group do.  I can gamble on sports, my 10 year old nephew (although living and breathing) isn't allowed to do that.  My sister can write prescriptions, I don't have that freedom.  We give veterans better loan terms that aren't available to non-veterans.  We limit regular citizens' access to top-secret documents.  I don't have an issue with any of that stuff.  I think you're talking about the trans sports stuff when you say "limitations that some have that others don't," but is there something else you're referring to?

I also don't know what you mean when you say "we are killing off science and discussion"?  Like, in what way?

[BIG APPLE CAT]

If you are a living breathing human being in America, there should be absolutely zero limitations placed on you compared to any other American. It is wild to me that the right cares so much about legislating things like this. 

Its crazy to me how the country can breed such a feeling of patriotism in it's people, but we choose to out group those in that group.  We should be taught how to avoid bullshit scarcity thinking based around that.  Instead, we are killing off science and discussion.

The bolded sentence is a good sentiment, but it's a little crazy, right?   We let some "living breathing humans in America" do things all the time that we don't let others in that group do.  I can gamble on sports, my 10 year old nephew (although living and breathing) isn't allowed to do that.  My sister can write prescriptions, I don't have that freedom.  We give veterans better loan terms that aren't available to non-veterans.  We limit regular citizens' access to top-secret documents.  I don't have an issue with any of that stuff.  I think you're talking about the trans sports stuff when you say "limitations that some have that others don't," but is there something else you're referring to?

I also don't know what you mean when you say "we are killing off science and discussion"?  Like, in what way?

those things you are describing are regulations.

[sonofdaxjones]

As they peel it all back . . . I want to congratulate #blueanongE for your staying power and your zealot level of protection you gave your mega grifters.

It's kind of your own little version of The 300 . . . 

[sonofdaxjones]

Oh . . . and if DOGE ever starts digging into Ukraine, I predict it will be absolutely amazing . . . An Alice in Wonderland level of waste/fraud/abuse