From a legal point of view, they do have a first amendment right to spew their vitriol, but I hope that as their pictures spread throughout the internet, these people face the consequences of their actions - losing friends, jobs, family, custody of their kids, etc.

The question is does some of their speech and the nazi symbology violate imminent lawless action, in which case it may not be protected speech.

Airplane WiFi FTW.

I'm headed to Sacramento and then driving to Camino for the start of a family reunion with my mom's side of the family. This is the trip I was having second thoughts about after my cousin asked if I'd rent a car rather than count on het driving me.

Well, I made peace with that in my brain and not only rented a car but got a hotel room in Tahoe for two of the three nights I'm in California. That way I can get some recharge time without being rude. Homework makes a great excuse for needing a break from being ON. Between the con two weekends ago, having house guests for over a week, the proposal and now this trip, I haven't really had time to bask in being alone and quite.

Given all that, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. My cousin's kids are all grown now and there is a new generation I haven't met yet. If I've counted right, there are nine third cousins (My cousin's grandkids - in never sure if I have the right naming convention).

Despite the fact that I've killed the thread, I'd also appreciate some calm~ma for dealing with the conservative pieces of my family. If current politics come up, I'm gonna have to go sit with the kids, claim an urgent homework need, or let loose with the facts.

Wishing you calm, Suzi!

Calming ~ma, Suzi!

Much calming~ma, Suzi. Or clamming~ma if you prefer, as I first typed.

I hope this is a fun trip for you; I think you're very wise having a hotel room to retreat to. Fun is great, but recharging is necessary, too.

I am fuming and furious. Our tech person insisted I had to get a new computer. Didn't give me any advance warning - I am supposed to be able to come in late on Mondays (a summer benefit - some of us come in late Mondays, some leave early Fridays) but came in at the usual time because I had a mass email I had to send out. About half an hour before it was dumped on me, he came back and announced this. I had to scramble to get the email out. Then I had to stand over the tech support person and supervise and force him to install the Adobe CS6 we have on CD, set up the multiple email inboxes I keep (which we use for the mass emails so no one else will have to deal with the out of office bouncebacks and responses) and do all the other things I needed to actually be able to use the new computer.

Found out he had set up a sign-in for the CS6 and got handed around to THREE people at the tech support company before I could get an answer about the sign-in he'd set up. The program I use to edit our website - turns out I have to copy and paste in the URL for the sign-in page EVERY TIME because otherwise it will take me to the admin site but won't let me sign in ... or do anything.

Turns out that if I try to click on on email link or send an email to someone I haven't been sending to or that I can just hit reply to it kicks me into a function to set up a new email account.

The browser routinely takes a minute and a half to load a page. I can't get column headers on my outlook boxes so I can sort by date, who sent it, etc.

When I pointed out that I have an unsecured laptop on my desk ... the in-office guy found out that the tethers he has don't fit it. So I'm hoping someone will steal the damn thing.

And I just got an announcement that two new staff people are going to Photoshop training tomorrow ... they get the cloud version of Photoshop because the company's willing to pay the $50 per month (each) to keep them going AND for the training. I had to strongarm them into buying the CS6 CDs since it was the last version on CD and I knew they wouldn't pay the monthly fees to keep me going with the programs I need and they've consistently refused to pay for any training for me, although I've explained that I've tried and tried (and, believe me, TRIED) to learn to use Illustrator on my own.

That sucks beyond the telling, Toddson.

How much trouble would you be in if you just...did what the hardware and software they're making you use is capable of doing, and not building bridges and buttresses to keep those functions you've been doing running? Because, what, they expect miracles? From no consultation with you about necessary programs and no money spent on sending you to learn new things that might make their demands and your job a bit more efficient? Wouldn't doing those things seem, oh, cost-effective and practical, you'd think?

I know, you need the job, but I'd be SO TEMPTED to just throw my hands up and let all the threads unravel and tangle unfixably because *this* is the result of *their* inaction/stupid action, while I looked helpless and whodathunk about it.

Er, not helpful, sorry. I may be projecting too much. I do sympathize, even if I have no practical solutions to offer.

(edited for better sensemaking)

Urgh, I just got So.Tense. just reading that, Todd. I literally have nothing helpful to add, but hope that at least some empathy might be a balm.

Family-ma, Suzi. I can empathize with you too. Make sure you utilize the car, room, and homework excuse to escape as much as you need.