CatDragon

RickiTarr, 10 days ago to random

Just a reminder, if you're in a state without access to abortion, there is a network of care, providing safe, effective, and free abortion pills and information.

www.redstateaccess.com

RickiTarr, 9 days ago to random

Y'all want to hear a fact that really changed the way I thought about homelessness?

Half of all homeless people were in the foster system at some point. Social Workers often call the foster system The Highway to Homelessness. If you ever had a point in your life where you had to live with friends or family to for a short time to get back on your feet, remember that is a privilege that not everyone had.

RickiTarr, 1 month ago to random

It insane to me how often women are not given pain management for gynecological procedures, because many many years ago a male doctor who's never had a vagina, cervix, or uterus decided that there weren't enough nerve endings up there to hurt significantly. I think it's time to put this fallacy to bed. It most definitely does hurt, and people who have literally no experience with female equipment don't get to decide this for me. Trust me docs, you don't want to taste your own medicine on this.

mastodonmigration, 4 months ago (edited 4 months ago) to random

Hey kids, the Republicans are coming after your retirement again. When they talk about voting being "harm reduction" this is a good example. Vote like your Social Security depends on it, because it does.

Center for American Progress: The House Republican Study Committee Budget Proposes Harsh Changes to Social Security >>> https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-house-republican-study-committee-budget-proposes-harsh-changes-to-social-security/

_L1vY_, 2 months ago to random

I've been seeing discussions lately around the YouTube fascism algorithm [not directed at me] implying that if you get those suggestions it's because that's material you have sought out.
Not true.

It's been studied and repeatedly shown--like a vehicle w/poor alignment--suggestions will drift to the right pretty quickly.
To "never" get them, you must
a) be outside targeted demographics AND
b) not look at DIY, repair, survivalism, building, cooking, sewing, politics, animal husbandry, automotive

RickiTarr, 26 days ago (edited 26 days ago) to random

The Tale of Two Gynecologists

This is a bit long, and I've talked about this a lot lately, but it's something I'm thinking about a lot in the wake of so much hatred of female Healthcare. When my female troubles got bad enough that I finally talked to my doctor about it, he referred me to a gynecologist. I had already had several ultrasounds and an MRI at this point, and she had put me on some oral contraceptives for several months, (which made sick to my stomach no matter what I did) and had just done another ultrasound. She greeted me with "Well, you're really messed up inside, Honey.", which already had me pretty stressed out. Then told me I would probably need surgery to figure out exactly what was going on. She then asked me if I wanted children, and I said No. I had taken my husband with me to the appointment for moral support, and she glanced over at him, and then talked to me for 5 minutes about how many women my age could still have children, and I could definitely consider it, and that they would do everything they could to make sure I could stay viable. They could freeze my eggs if I had to do a hysterectomy, just on and on. She probably asked me directly 4-5 if I was sure I didn't want kids. Finally, I said, "Ma'am, my husband got a vasectomy over a decade ago, we are absolutely sure we don't want kids." After hubs had found me crying on the toliet, because my period was late again, he went to his doctor and said, "Hey doctor, I'm thinking about a vasectomy." The doctor gave him a pamphlet to read, and made him an appointment. The whole thing was done in a few weeks.

Anyhow, she finally referred me to a gynecological surgeon, and I was not looking forward to dealing with this again, and was just generally terrified of having surgery for the first time. I met with this woman and she was so efficient and practical. It is the longest doctor appointment I've ever had, since this surgery would be exploratory, she went over every possibility of what could happen when she was inside. She did a thorough exam, she went over all the scans that I had, and explained why she thought this needed done. Then she said she would like to put in a Mirena IUD during surgery. She said, "You're in pain half the month, and there's no reason for you to have a period if you don't want to have kids. You'll have some erratic bleeding for six months, but by a year most women have a very light or no period at all, there's no reason for you to needlessly suffer if you don't end up needing a hysterectomy."

It's interesting to me still, that one doctor was so focused on what my body could do, and another so focused on how I felt. I came out of the first appointment feeling scared and confused, and the second feeling heard and cared for. Feeling valued as a person and not a baby maker made the surgery much easier to go through, and the Mirena has been great btw. Women don't have to needlessly suffer.

TonyStark, 15 days ago to random

I’ve said this before but apparently it hasn’t sunk in but if you say “Biden has lost my vote”, don’t expect anyone to listen to you or be surprised he’s not out gunning for it. The election is 6 months out. If there’s no way you’re voting for him, nobody fucking cares what you want.

You can enjoy likely a 7-2 or 8-1 conservative SCOTUS that will be grinding down our rights for the next generation or three. Enjoy that.

CatDragon, 29 days ago to random

Protest advice from a gramma.
First aid kit with eyewash and insta cool pack. Sanitary napkins for injuries that bleed heavily.
Water.
Protein bars.
Write your attorneys number on your body .
If you have a chronic medical condition like epilepsy or diabetes wear an alert bracelet and carry two days worth of meds.
Assume your personal property will be confiscated. Wipe your phone .
N 95 masks are dual purpose.
Practice the buddy system.
Situational awareness at all times.
Please be careful.

RickiTarr, 20 days ago to random

Young people wanting to eat good food?! What's next?! Are they going to want to get paid more, own houses, take vacations?!

https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-gen-z-splurge-groceries-spending-inflation-gen-z-boomers-2024-4?amp

gwynnion, 4 months ago to random

I do not understand not vaccinating your child. Your child. In this day and age. How are these people parents and I'm not? Fuck.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2024/01/13/major-measles-outbreak-erupts-in-england-as-vaccine-hesitancy-increases/?utm_source=CanadaHealthwatch&sh=5fc4e59d1614

RickiTarr, 8 days ago (edited 8 days ago) to random

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in a relationship?

Mine might sound kind of dark in relation to the question, but here goes:

People change, and they should, it's part of being a person. Some people are lucky, and they change in the same direction, but some don't, and that's okay too. There's no shame in leaving a relationship or changing the nature of a relationship that no longer serves you. We are all taught that every relationship, whether romantic or friendship, is supposed to last forever, but nothing is forever, and forcing something that no longer works, just ends in anger and bitterness. Knowing when to let go is as important as knowing when to hold on through a rough patch, and how to know either of those things is the most cliché advice of all, COMMUNICATE.

StillIRise1963, 4 months ago to random

Iowa man says he likes Trump because "he can't be bought." wtf Americans.

StillIRise1963, 17 days ago to random

People who won’t vote are not just committing suicide, they’re committing murder.

RickiTarr, 4 months ago to random

Did people used to look older?

RickiTarr, 14 days ago to random

Where do you live and how do you feel about it?

Obviously, don't tell me exactly where you live, no actual addresses please! You can be as vague as you like.

I live in Central Missouri in the U.S.

Pros:

This is an absolutely beautiful place, green rolling hills, lots of rivers, lakes, ponds, and natural springs, cool caves to explore.

Lots of farming here, so great access to quality fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, and dairy.

It's relatively inexpensive to live here compared with other states, because it's a "flyover".

I'm close enough to three major cities, that it's an easy day trip, and I'm about halfway to anywhere in the U.S.

We have one of the best Conservation departments in the U.S. and this is one of the few things that is a bipartisan issue. Lots of awesome nature programs that are free or cheap, state parks, conservation areas, bird watching, hunting, boating, foraging available to everyone.

Cons:

Yeah, it's a big one, it is a RED STATE, while a lot of the cities are blue, there is a large rural population, that votes red. Abortion is not legal here. People often vote against their own self interest.

While I'm not against responsible gun ownership, lots of people aren't responsible, and people have access to guns that definitely should not.

We have very few employee protections here, while the cost of living is relatively low compared with other places, it's taken years to get to a $12 minimum wage, and it's still not enough.

DrALJONES, 16 days ago (edited 15 days ago) to Israel

Analysis

"The goal is to destroy Gaza: Why Israel rejects a ceasefire with Hamas"

"For many analysts, the Israeli govt message is clear: there will be no permanent ceasefire, & the war on Gaza will continue.

This proves "Israel was not really negotiating in good faith. The moment Hamas agreed to a deal, Israel was willing to blow that up by [going into] Rafah.The goal is to destroy Gaza in its totality." ~ analyst Omar Rahman

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/7/the-goal-is-to-destroy-gaza-why-israel-rejects-a-ceasefire-with-hamas

#Israel-HamasDeal #Gaza ..

cobalt, 1 month ago to random

Anyone who has had a family member or someone you knew w/ dementia and/or Alzheimer's - suggestions needed on dealing with cursing and name-calling. I "know" that the person's brain loses the social filter and horrible language can come out very inappropriately, it's rough when certain words trigger outrage. Son is using the N-word and other names and hit a nerve today with our new part-time caregiver. It's been a rough day. We can't stop it - ideas? #Alzheimer #Dementia

CatDragon, 7 months ago to Games

#foundunderthecarseat the receipt for a pair of glasses that replaced the glasses that were also under the seat.
#games

TonyStark, 3 months ago to random

National polls aren’t always the best indicator because of the Electoral College, of course, but if we’re going to pay attention to them, pay attention to them all.

2024 National GE, Among voters ages 18 to 29:

Biden 55% (+27)
Trump 28%

YouGovAmerica/TheEconomist, RV, 1/21-23
https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_i9N6Z0N.pdf

StillIRise1963, 2 months ago to random

If Trump is president, Palestine will cease to exist.

CatDragon, 2 hours ago to random

#today.
Was in the drug store, heard a crash, man in his 30s was on the floor unconscious and bleeding from a head wound.
Not one employee knew what to do. Should you find yourself in this situation.
Call 911
Glove up.
See if they’re conscious and breathing.
Check for medical alert jewelry.
Smell their breath. Keto acidosis gives people booze breath.
Light pressure to slow bleeding, cold pack helps.
Talk to them even if they aren’t conscious.
Elevate their feet.
DON’T move their neck or head.

RickiTarr, 1 day ago to random

Have y'all ever had someone act like you were hurting them somehow by just liking a food?

Any time I buy or make kimchi, my Mom says it's so gross and she doesn't want any and just on and on. I never offer it to her, or make group food with it, but for some reason she seems offended by it, and I don't know why.

RealJournalism, 3 months ago to climate

Things are never as bad as they seem. We thought that Y2K would destroy our system because computer systems would not recognize the change from 1999 to 2000. The biggest risk is to do nothing. #ClimateChange https://humanprogress.org/despite-climate-change-today-is-the-best-time-to-be-born/