Chamberlain is pretty partisan though, and for mass appeal it would be best to keep this trade association ideologically neutral beyond a commitment to free speech for all.

I'm not sure I'd want to apply a partisanship test.

Numbers are more important than having a unified political stance.

I'm not sure if totally eliminating pairing benefits will be good policy if we want another generation, but that can be debated.

I can agree with this, Atkins, but I'm not sure most people really care that much. If you start saying "X is too partisan" you run the risk of just excluding too many people as it is.

Well that is a societal problem Cat.

So long as you can agree that free speech for everyone is something that must be upheld, other positions are immaterial.

We added a huge amount of risk to men for pairing.

that is why I will not date someone with children, or want children of my own.

My comment with respect to Chamberlain wasn't to exclude him; it was simply an acknowledgement that I don't know him on a personal level and I don't know if he'd agree with what we're proposing. He may not be willing to partner up with people of differing political opinions. I don't know. It's worth talking to him.

Oh I see. Fair point.

That he and Tim are on speaking terms is a good sign though.

One issue is the potential for subversion.

But that's another issue.

I think if the focus is on concrete actions and steps, unity, cohesion and resistance to subversion tend to follow.

I'm glad I had kids.

My two geeklings are amazing young adults

Also, Days of Rage has some interesting points on how the left organized in the past. Just as a hint, @Atkins. And you should check out my page on Minds.

Can't drop any more hints than I already have.

And one will be a young man on campus starting next year 😃

Words of wisdom for them "Trust no one, not even yourself." and "Trust but verify!"

May last little chick graduates in June. God I feel old...

Trust but verify was The Gipper

Trust but Verify was my Drill Sergeant.

My Drill Sergeant was "The mind learns best when the body is in pain"

Mine would do "Are you sure about that Private? Are you willing to bet pushups Private?"

In terms of concrete steps, we can talk to Tim (and any other creators we have immediate access to) about the idea, and then perhaps begin the drafting of an open letter for other creators to sign onto. If that's successful we'll have a list of people who would perhaps be open to the idea of a more formal association.

Once we have an open letter just make a webpage where people can read it, and an email address where creators can ask to have their name signed to it. We'd have to vet people to ensure it's actually them and not just an impersonator.

The problem with associations is that you're then linked with them. If they do something ill-advised then you're stuck answering for it

I'm not playing that game.

I'm just pointing out how it could go pear shaped

Note how Tim backed away from SubcribeStar when we pointed out it is owned by someone with a Russian Federation address.

We don't have the luxury of fear, uncertainty, and doubt at this point.

Well CRTL-Left does tend to go from stoned to "Shark Week Drill Sergeant" faster than a ferrari on meth

Then so much for being objective, Atkins

If there is not some drastic correction the lead up to 2020 will be the end of free speech.

And the campaigning is going to start in a few months...

Hell, shit is probably going to accelerate immediately upon the start of the next congressional session.

Our best protection against that is both the Repubs and the Dems would love that end, but they want different topics to be banned

It's why I like split government

Dealing with government directly is beyond our power at this point. Building that power is what we should be focusing on right now.