• ThePowerOfGeek
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      3 months ago

      Secondly, half the reason everybody says it is to piss off Vice-President Trump First Lady Musk.

      Fixed it for you. Trump doesn’t even have the prestige or influence of a vice president (and that alone speaks volumes) in this situation.

      Edit: no offense meant to women/trans folks.

      • growsomethinggood ()
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        3 months ago

        Hey, just so you’re aware, a lot of women and trans people find this joke pretty misogynistic and transphobic since it implies that it would be more demeaning for Elon to be a woman or queer than it is for him to be his regular cringey self. Something to keep in mind so we don’t friendly-fire on our allies!

        Edit for anyone still struggling with this: if 👏 you 👏 misgender 👏 ANYONE 👏 on purpose 👏 then 👏 trans 👏 people 👏 will 👏 not 👏 trust 👏 you 👏

        ThePowerofGeek, you’re great and appreciated and I hope you don’t read anything below from the people who want you to have a worse reaction so their feelings don’t get hurt vicariously.

        • @agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works
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          233 months ago

          I don’t think you, or the people you’re claiming to represent, understand the joke. First Lady Musk refers to Trump, not Elon. The implication isn’t that it’s demeaning to be a woman or queer, but that the spouse of the President has no real power or authority. This has nothing to do with their gender, and everything to do with the fact that they are the unelected spouse of an elected official.

          The only ones who benefit when you misinterpret things in a way that implies unintended and unsubstantiated bigotry, are those who can use it to reinforce their claims of a misguidedly hypersensitive left, and thereby undermine justified recognition of intended and substantiated bigotry.

          • growsomethinggood ()
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            133 months ago

            Then simple question, why not use First Gentleman? Kamala Harris’ husband was Second Gentleman and would have been first if she had won.

            You’re speaking with a lot of confidence about the validity of the feelings of a group of people who, I’m guessing, you are not apart of.

            • @Hackerman_uwu@lemmy.world
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              203 months ago

              Because those terms will not aggravate trump. The intent is to aggravate trump not denigrate femininity. Focus ffs. This isn’t about insulting trans people or women, it’s about fighting back on someone who is trying to hurt them. We will struggle to maintain allies if we cannot focus on the speakers intent and not a willing misinterpretation of their words.

                • @Hackerman_uwu@lemmy.world
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                  163 months ago

                  Cool the don’t do it. Are you able to do that while not alienating people who share your views perhaps? That’d be great.

                • @Katana314@lemmy.world
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                  13 months ago

                  The Batman imagery makes a lot of sense, because it’s a fiction and I couldn’t ever imagine “the good guys” taking moral high grounds and winning wars (in Ukraine, etc) without guns.

                  (I say this as someone who agrees that the USA has way too many guns - but they’re a tool built for a purpose)

              • @octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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                33 months ago

                I mean, I understand all that too, but if you have to give that explanation within hours of using the phrase, isn’t it maybe an indication that this is a very real risk:

                Something to keep in mind so we don’t friendly-fire on our allies!

                Also:

                The only ones who benefit when you misinterpret things in a way that implies unintended and unsubstantiated bigotry, are those who can use it to reinforce their claims of a misguidedly hypersensitive left, and thereby undermine justified recognition of intended and substantiated bigotry.

                I hate to say it, but I don’t see much difference between relating the position of the right wing in an attempt to silence someone telling you that your turn of phrase was insensitive and actually holding the right wing position yourself. Do with that info what you will, I’m just calling it like I see it.

            • @HarryOru@lemm.ee
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              143 months ago

              Then simple question, why not use First Gentleman? Kamala Harris’ husband was Second Gentleman and would have been first if she had won.

              Going by your logic, that would be offensive to me, as a gay man.

              But this kind of hypersensitivity, especially when applied regardless of context or intent, is one of the main drivers of the reactionary sentiment that is allowing the right to win elections all over the world. It’s one of the reasons why the “free speech” argument has worked so well in their favor.

              Currently, the only ones benefitting from this “moral high-ground” stance are fragile little baby egos like Musk and Trump who can rest assured knowing their opposition would never stoop as low as them, while they get to freely spew as much intentionally evil shit as they want.

              A society where no one is ever offended by anyone is a utopia. It’s as desirable as it is unattainable. I think the best thing we can do at the moment is focus on fighting back, not fighting against each other.

            • Then simple question, why not use First Gentleman?

              Because we’ve never actually had a First Gentleman, so the term isn’t familiar. This is a scenario where strict accuracy muddles the rhetoric beyond recognition, which defeats the purpose.

              You’re speaking with a lot of confidence about the validity of the feelings of a group of people

              When did I say anything about the validity of anyone’s feelings?

        • @Hackerman_uwu@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          The intent is to say something that will antagonise Trump. The intent is not to demean women.

          Attacking someone who shares your moral platform because you purposefully misinterpret their words to suit a separate agenda is friendly fire.

          Transphobia and misogyny are not to be tolerated, do you really think that someone attacking turnip (autocorrect, I’m leaving it) online doesn’t share your views on this?

          Stip trying to police speech among your allies. Focus on intent. Stop with the nonsense infighting we are at war rn.

          • growsomethinggood ()
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            103 months ago

            Why are trans people’s feelings less important than feelings of people making jokes online?

            I don’t want to be arguing here either, that’s why I’m politely letting folks know that these sort of jokes may alienate their allies. You don’t have to do anything with that information if you don’t want to! Don’t engage with this at all, and feel free to let me know what material good you’ve done to fight for trans rights in the time saved, will you?

            • @Hackerman_uwu@lemmy.world
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              103 months ago

              They are not just jokes. People posting these things are doing so specifically to antagonise the right.

              I’m telling you that your concern trolling is alienating allies.

              I have chosen to engage in this just like you chose to deal with the blowback when you posted it.

              All I have done to “fight for trans rights” is to speak out when I can, challenge bigotry as I am challenging you right now, stand up and be counted at queer marches/events and raise a daughter who took the only trans kid in her high school to prom.

              You don’t know my life and that isn’t the discussion. Stop deflecting and learn to focus on intent.

              • growsomethinggood ()
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                3 months ago

                I don’t put much stock in post votes, but I don’t think a majority popular comment that the person I was replying to already agreed with is, uh, getting blowback. Honestly you seem to be the most hostile one here. If you’d read any of the lovely conversations I’ve already had with folks here, you’d understand that I haven’t blamed anyone for this joke, I am simply communicating what I have heard in the community, and I don’t have any expectations of changes in behavior as a result of this.

                It’s not bigotry to call out jokes on the internet, btw. For someone fighting a war on behalf of us all I’d figure this would be lower priority!

                I’m going to stop responding to you since you don’t seem to be engaging with the intention to actually listen to minorities, ciao!

              • @Katana314@lemmy.world
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                3 months ago

                Stop deflecting and learn to focus on intent.

                I’m also in favor of the viewpoint that the “First Lady Trump” joke was fine. Just felt the need to comment on the last point; I’ve had that sentiment before too, but I’ve also seen danger in the idea that “Because my intentions were positive, I shouldn’t be criticized.” That’s been a defense used by bigots, too. eg, Trump throwing paper towels to disaster victims (even though he certainly didn’t have to take time out of his day to throw paper towels, gee, how nice he is!)

                I’d like to hope that in the past 30 days I’ve never said anything racist/bigoted - but I’d also acknowledge the possibility that despite my positive intentions, I may have. It’s only important because these days very few people think themselves to be bigots. Think about the type of person most likely to say things like “I’m not racist!”

              • @octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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                3 months ago

                I’m telling you that your concern trolling is alienating allies.

                And they are telling you that your lack of empathy is alienating a different set of allies. Those who you seem to claim to be allied with.

                Stop deflecting and learn to focus on intent.

                I mean, this is 101 stuff.

                https://www.healthline.com/health/intent-vs-impact

                If your impact doesn’t match your intent

                Ever found yourself saying, “But that’s not what I meant”?

                You aren’t alone. Everyone tends to measure their responses based on their own interpretation of a situation, meaning that unintentional harm is bound to happen — none of us are above an accidental “ouch.”

                If someone discloses that you hurt or offended them, the remainder of your relationship, whether it’s professional, romantic, or platonic, can depend on how you handle the situation.

                Here’s how to get things back on track:

                • Listen with the goal of understanding where they’re coming from, not with the goal of defending yourself. It can help to use the active listening technique of repeating back exactly what you hear.

                • Center their feelings, not yours. It’s normal to feel a little prickly when someone tells you that you did something wrong, and you disagree. But take a beat and a deep breath, and know that you can talk about your feelings later.

                • Genuinely apologize or acknowledge the impact that your actions had on them. Steer clear of “I’m sorry if,” “I’m sorry you,” or “I’m sorry but,” as these all lack accountability and put the blame on the one who was hurt. A simple “I’m sorry for doing that, and I’ll do better next time” can go a long way.

          • Diva (she/her)
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            3 months ago

            Stip trying to police speech among your allies. Focus on intent. Stop with the nonsense infighting we are at war rn.

            Isn’t that what you’re doing by telling trans people to put up or shut up when ‘allies’ use transphobic/misogynist insults against ‘enemies’

            How are we supposed to know that we won’t just become the next acceptable target for misogynistic/transphobic abuse if/when we end up on liberals ‘enemies’ list?

            Trump and Elon are buffoons, it’s not hard to mock them without tolerating misogyny to do so.

            • @Auli@lemmy.ca
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              43 months ago

              Well the truth is as the world goes down the shitter you’ll lose allies anyway. People don’t care about these issues when they have to worry about shelter and food.

              • Diva (she/her)
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                53 months ago

                I don’t think the people being misogynistic to some rich assholes on twitter are worried about shelter or food.

                That said I also don’t see how the fact that fair-weather allies will eventually abandon their positions when things get hard is a case against having standards for behavior in the here and now.

            • @Hackerman_uwu@lemmy.world
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              13 months ago

              It isn’t tolerating misogyny, it’s pointing out misogyny and ridiculing misogynists.

              It’s OK if you don’t like how that’s being done, and it’s OK if you can’t understand the nuance but policing my speech unchallenged is not what is going to happen.

              • Diva (she/her)
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                53 months ago

                I think I got the nuance behind ‘bigoted man I disagree with is actually a woman because women amirite?’.

                I’m trans, and like actually hate these people, they deserve ridicule. However, if I’m willing to tolerate bigotry on my behalf towards people that are in some out-group, there’s no guarantee that some day I won’t be among that out-group and subsequently targeted by that type of bigotry. Do you understand the issue I’m raising?

                I can’t tolerate people misgendering Caitlen Jenner or Blair white because while they suck, it only contributes to an environment where that type of insult is then considered acceptable.

                • @Hackerman_uwu@lemmy.world
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                  13 months ago

                  I think I got the nuance behind ‘bigoted man I disagree with is actually a woman because women amirite?’.

                  Nope.

                  It goes like this: ‘bigoted man is bigoted because this will aggravate his orange tits. If bigoted man was not bigoted it would not be possible to rip on him like this.’

                  Put another way: ‘I am a bigot, said John.’

                  If that doesn’t clarify it then I’m out of patience to explain further.

        • @Auli@lemmy.ca
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          3 months ago

          And your fighting for them. Good for you. Want a sticker. It’s a joke. And this can’t offend anybody is how and why we are where we are with more people moving to the right.

  • @DogPeePoo@lemm.ee
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    1293 months ago

    Be careful Don. If President Musk sees this, he may become upset with you and cut off your funding.

  • @Birch@sh.itjust.works
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    3 months ago

    I don’t know what everyone is bitching about, the US is finally getting their first African American president

    • @EtherWhack@lemmy.world
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      473 months ago

      FTFY

      I don’t know what everyone is bitching about, the US is finally getting their first African American president

  • Queen HawlSera
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    3 months ago

    Joke? What joke? President Musk is proof that the American Dream is well and alive if a South African who isn’t even legally a US American Citizen can buy himself a country as long as he works hard spending the money earned from his father’s child-slave powered emerald mine… Well there’s hope for the rest of us*

    • = Provided we become sociopaths with large resources
    • @boonhet@lemm.ee
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      273 months ago

      as long as he works hard spending the money earned from his father’s child-slave powered emerald mine…

      I hate this misconception. Barely any of it is emerald money. His wealth is all based off defrauding his customers, investors and the US government, lying about everything, and doing tons of illegal stuff like pump n dumps.

      • Queen HawlSera
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        3 months ago

        Yes, but without the Emerald Mines he wouldn’t have enough money to be in a position where he could tell lies on that scale. Stealing is a lot easier when you already have a ton of cash.

        No one’s going to listen to a crazed drunken hobo when he tries to sell you a timeshare, but if a guy tripping balls on cocaine wearing a nice suit with a proper haircut promises you the literal god damn moon… Well that’s a different story now isn’t it?

        It’s not the lie itself, it’s the image you have while telling the lie.

        If you see a man’s face and name on a billboard, then see that same man telling you he can spin hay into gold, you believe him. Because how could he have that fancy billboard if he couldn’t?

        Also Pump and dumps aren’t illegal anymore

        • @boonhet@lemm.ee
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          43 months ago

          You don’t need to be a millionaire to have a nice suit, proper haircut, and cocaine. And yes, those things combined with a load of confidence and the ability to spin bullshit, will sell almost anything to a lot of people.

          • @funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works
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            133 months ago

            but in Musks specific case, it was family money that allowed him to tool around America with no job and getting into boardrooms with C level big bank owners as a teenager. If I had put on a suit and done the same thing I’d be politely asked if I had an appointment and then asked to leave.

        • @boonhet@lemm.ee
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          23 months ago

          No you don’t, you can always borrow money, or dupe investors. The WeWork dude had his girlfriend (now wife) pay for their dates because he was so broke. Fast, confident talking is more important than money. If you’ve already got money, you don’t need to work to get more money.

          • Lightor
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            23 months ago

            Money opens doors. You can be the best speaker in the world but without money you’re a nobody that they won’t make time for.

    • Encrypt-Keeper
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      33 months ago

      I agree with your sentiment but to my knowledge Musk is a naturalized US citizen

      • Queen HawlSera
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        93 months ago

        He got his visa under false pretenses and stayed after it was no longer valid, people have been deported for less

  • @formergijoe@lemmy.world
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    723 months ago

    What joke? He bought the presidency, and Thiel bought Vance for the vice presidency. It’s the Musk/Theil ticket featuring the old guy who signs bills, and the guy who will replace old guy when old guy does.

      • @Knoxvomica@lemmy.ca
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        43 months ago

        Look at this way, you’re taking back the insults that they use and throwing back against them in a way that’s effective because they are who they are. My interpretation are these insults are not actually meant to be an insult to women, just Trump.

      • @Mongostein@lemmy.ca
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        3 months ago

        It’s not meant to insult women. It’s meant to insult Trump.

        We know he’s a misogynist and we’re not going to change his mind. Look at it as a personally crafted insult I guess.

        But first puppet is pretty good too.

      • Krzd
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        23 months ago

        I prefer ‘second servant trump’

  • @ThaMunsta@sh.itjust.works
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    523 months ago

    With Facebook not fact-checking I really see this as an opportunity to galvanize the President Musk fact on as many posts as possible. Complaining about it only makes first lady Trump sound like a woke fake news puppet.

  • @Phoenicianpirate@lemm.ee
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    443 months ago

    I think we need to allow the wealthy to have pistol duels like in the past. Also they must be to the death. At least we will be rid of one problem regardless each time…

    • In the past, the aggrieved party got to choose pistols or swords. And I’m thinking swords would be much more fun to watch. I’d pay good money to watch those two bozos flailing at each other with cutlasses.

      • @Phoenicianpirate@lemm.ee
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        103 months ago

        Nope, a second was someone who looked over the other guy. THEY have to do it.

        I think it would be really amusing to watch them shit themselves in fear live as they miss by a mile and have to reload in order to get the other. Comedy gold.

    • Now that’s an alternative motive for one to get rich. “Why do you think you would be a good fit for this company.”

      “I really want to grow my investment portfolio so I can fall into the wealthy category to achieve my dreams”