This was originally posted to pettyrevenge, but for some reason got taken down. So here goes:
The revenge I took on my grade nine English teacher was so petty that I hesitate to write about it. But Mrs. Bristle (for that is the name I will give her) was cruel to me every chance she got, and she made my first year in high school a misery. So when a file with her name on it arrived at my office, my first thought was not that I would beat her (for I was certain that I would) but rather, of the revenge I would take along the way.
I was pushing forty when Mrs. Bristle’s file hit my desk, some estate litigation where a mother’s last will and testament left my clients next to nothing, and gave their sister, Mrs. Bristle, pretty well the entire estate. When I saw the defendant’s name it looked familiar, and after a bit of Googling, I confirmed what I suspected: the defendant, Mrs. Bristle, was my former grade nine English teacher.
I remembered Mrs. Bristle very well. She was supposed to be teaching us the wonders of English literature, but what she really taught us were her rules, by which she meant her arbitrary whims, expressed in vague language, backed up by petty punishments for non-compliance. There was an art to getting along with Mrs. Bristle, and while most of the other kids learned it easily enough, somehow I did not. I have trouble learning unwritten rules, and in Mrs. Bristle’s class where unwritten and constantly changing rules were the order of the day, I didn’t stand a chance. Mrs. Bristle admonished me almost daily for ‘not paying attention’. I did detentions, re-wrote assignments, and made visits to the principal’s office, all because I apparently wasn’t listening, wasn’t doing what I was told.
Many was the time when Mrs. Bristle took me to task for missing some obvious but unstated part of an assignment. One time I handed in a sonnet, and received an “F” because the rhyming pattern was Petrarchan, not Shakespearean. But she would be nice to me, Mrs. Bristle would always say when she tossed my work back at me. She would give me another chance to hand the assignment in with the arbitrary changes she required, in the end giving me a good mark, but then heavily downgraded for being late.
Mrs. Bristle's case worked its way through the early stages, and every time I exchanged an email with her (for she was a self-rep, no need for counsel, she claimed) I thought about the unpleasant time I’d spent in her class. I had a rough time in high school, and I always resent anything that makes me dwell on it.
After a few months, the case was ready for the next stage. It was time to examine Mrs. Bristle, to find out why she thought her mother wanted to disinherit most of the family and enrich Mrs. Bristle alone. I showed up at the court reporter’s office early as usual, to get set up.
“What’s that shit eating grin on your face?” Adam asked. He was a lawyer colleague, about my vintage, and we were sitting in the lounge for lawyers only, the room that most court reporter’s offices have, a place for the lawyers to hang out and shoot the shit, no clients allowed.
“I’m going to examine my grade nine English teacher today,” I said, “and it's going to be fun.” I explained how she’d hated me back in the day, and had done her best to make my life hell.
“What’s the case about?” Adam said. Adam had been around the block, same as me, and it took only a few words for me to summarize everything that mattered in the file. “Estate fight, one sibling against four, undue influence, holograph will cutting out most of the siblings, competing with an older will, a formal one, where the shares are equal.”
Adam nodded appreciatively. “Nice fees, if the estate’s got the cash.”
“It does,” I said. We chatted for a bit, and then sat there in silence as we each did the last bit of prep for the cases we had that day, making notes, reading documents and drinking coffee. My alarm dinged just before ten, and I made my way to the examination room, and Mrs. Bristle, the teacher who’d greatly disliked the grade nine version of Calledinthe90s. I was curious to see if she would like the older version any better.
* * *
The examination started, and Mrs. Bristle and I sparred for a while, me tossing vague questions her way, and criticizing her when she did not understand. I kept her on the defensive for close to three hours, until it was getting on to one p.m.
“Aren’t you in a conflict or something?” she said to me just before the lunch break, when she’d finally made the connection, and understood that the lawyer asking her questions was a former student.
“No conflict,” I said, dismissing her concerns with a wave of my hand. “During the lunch break, there’s something I need you to do.”
“I don’t want to answer questions during lunch. I need a break.” The examination had been rough on Mrs. Bristle. She was not used to being asked questions, to being held to account, to being constantly challenged, and even having her grammar corrected now and again.
“You’ll get your lunch break. But while you’re eating a sandwich or whatever, keep this copy of the holograph will next to you.” The will on which Mrs. Bristle’s case relied was a holograph will, meaning that Mrs. Bristle’s mother had written the will entirely in hand from start to finish. The mother, or more likely, Mrs. Bristle herself, had downloaded a holograph will form from the web, and had completed it in accordance with the website’s instructions. Holograph wills are special. You can do a holograph will without a witness, without a lawyer, without anything at all, so long as you did it right. But if you got anything wrong, if you messed up in any way, it was invalid.
“You want me to read the will again over lunch?” Mrs. Bristle said.
“No. Instead, I want you to make a handwritten copy of it.”
“You want me to write it out? Whatever for?”
“There’s an allegation that the will wasn’t written by your mother, and that you wrote it up instead.” An allegation that I’d made up myself, that morning, while I was sitting in the lawyer's lounge, drinking coffee and munching on a muffin. My clients had not challenged the will’s handwriting; it was obviously their mother’s, totally different from Mrs. Bristle’s own writing. But I had decided otherwise.
Mrs. Bristle was appropriately outraged at being unjustly accused of forgery. Said she could prove it wasn’t her handwriting, could absolutely prove it.
“Then let’s settle the forgery issue once and for all,” I said, “write out the will in your own hand, so that our document experts can examine it, compare it with the original, and make a determination.”
“I don’t need the entire lunch break for that,” Mrs. Bristle said, “and I’d rather eat lunch at the restaurant downstairs.” The will was barely a page long, at most three hundred words, that being all it took for the mother to allegedly disinherit most of her children, and inexplicably leave everything to Mrs. Bristle. The mother had written up the will herself, but she’d been ninety at the time, while living in Mrs. Bristle’s house, and very much under her influence.
“I’ve retained five different experts,” I said, “and each of them will need copies.”
“Five experts? Why so many experts?”
“Each expert needs ten samples, for comparison purposes. It’s going to take you a while, Mrs. Bristle. I suggest you get started.” I overrode her protests and once she started to write, I left her in the room, and went to the lawyer’s lounge to eat their small sandwiches and drink more of the excellent coffee. After a while I stopped by the examination room to look in on Mrs. Bristle. I wanted to check in on her progress.
Mrs. Bristle asked for more time, complained of writer’s cramp, and asked me again if it was really necessary for her to write out the holograph will fifty times in her own hand, and I assured her that there was nothing for it, that it was absolutely necessary. I returned to the lounge to check my emails, leaving her hard at the homework I’d given her.
After a while my colleague, Adam, popped into the lounge. He asked me how it was going, the examination with the teacher, the teacher who had treated me so badly.
“I’m making her write lines.” Adam laughed, and laughed harder when I explained that I wasn’t kidding, that I really was making Mrs. Bristle write lines, and how I was doing it. His laughter attracted attention, and a few other lawyers asked what was up. “He’s making his teacher witness write lines,” Adam said, and the lawyer’s lounge hooted with laughter when I told everyone what was up.
It was one of the pettiest things I’ve ever done to anyone, making my grade nine teacher write lines. But the writing lines thing was just a warmup. The real revenge had yet to come. I returned to the examination room after a while, to check up on Mrs. Bristle, see how she was doing.
“This is taking forever,” she said, “and I really don’t get why you need it.” She had writer’s cramp, and was shaking her hand to get the kinks out. I picked up the stack of holograph wills she’d created, and flipped through it. She was nowhere near finished.
“On second thought,” I said, “maybe it isn’t necessary. I think you’re right. I don’t need any handwriting samples from you.”
“Why not?” she said.
“The will is invalid,” I explained, adding that because her mother had used a pre-printed form off the web, the law would not recognize the will. “A holograph will has to be entirely in the testator's handwriting,” I explained, “every single word entirely in handwriting from start to finish. This will doesn’t qualify, because your mother used a standard form, a form printed off the web, with instructions and boxes and questions and so on, and when you do that, then the will is no longer a holograph will. It’s a regular will, and regular wills need to be properly witnessed. This one isn’t witnessed, and that means it’s not a will. It’s just a piece of paper.”
“Are you trying to tell me that you only figured that out now? What kind of lawyer are you, anyways?”
“What kind of lawyer am I? I’m a lawyer who makes a witness skip lunch, and sit in a small room all alone, and write lines. Sound familiar, Mrs. Bristle?” She said nothing, and just stared at me. I closed the door on her, leaving her alone once more, and left for the Middle Temple Tavern where the lawyers all hung out. It was time to hoist a Guinness and enjoy my petty triumph.

I need a reality check here before I start reaching out to mortgage lenders for a pre-approval. I currently bank with NFCU. They are offering decent rates and don't require PMI, but I have heard they can be hard to work with. I know time in the market beats timing the market, so despite the rates I would really like to start building equity now, but I am not sure if we have the financials to do it.
Pertinent stats/facts
Ideal December move in, currently renting an apartment
26M, married to 27F, filing separately for student loans (more below)
Joint income $155k base $115k base stable W2, remote and looking to move to city of home office $40k stable W2, however is a state job so would need to find something similar before we move. Would be around $40-$50k in new state
770 and 790 FICO scores
Debts * $250/mo student loan *$279/mo student loan *$200/mo DEFERRED UNDER IDR and PSLF eligble hence state job, around 6.5yr until forgiveness *$50 Synchrony, $350 left *$150 NF CC, ~$2k balance *$35 Discover, $400 left
Cash on hand for down payment and closing cost should be $20.2k by end of month (trying to reach $25k by Aug but have had some setbacks with emergency vet)
Savings/Emergency fund $9.5k, trying to get to $11k by Aug. ~3 mo essential expenses
We are looking at homes around $325k and are shooting for a 5% DP
We are hoping, but not guaranteed, to be getting a ~$5k cash gift from MIL.
Overall I don't feel good about our emergency fund going into a house for the first time. I'm wondering if we should just settle for a 3% down payment for NFCU's ARM and start building out our emergency fund further, or keep pushing to reach $25k for a DP and CC. $25k should roughly be enough to cover a $325k house at 3% down and 3% CC overall
Please let me know what you all think, any advice is greatly greatly appreciated

DAY: MAY 20 2024
5-20-2024

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5-20-2024 Significant gaps between science of obesity and the care patients receive, say experts
As research continues to produce evidence about the underlying causes of obesity and optimal strategies to treat and manage obesity have evolved, there are disparities in application of the latest scientific advances in the clinical care that people with obesity receive. Widespread adoption of current findings, consistency of care and expertise in obesity care varies by health care professional and institution.
5-20-2024 Improving online depression treatment
Symptom course of depression for individuals who dropped out of treatment and those who completed treatment. In the dropout group, there is an initial decrease in symptoms while the patients were still in treatment, which tapers off as they drop out. For completers, there is close to a linear change over time. This suggests there is a relation between the more that an individual continues to participate in ICBT and their depressive symptom improvement.
5-20-2024 Women face worse chronic kidney disease management in primary care
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Researchers have successfully developed the technology that can accurately segment different body organs by effectively learning medical image data used for different purposes in different hospitals, which is expected to greatly contribute to the development of large-scale medical AI models in the future.
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A lot of guys make the critical mental error of believing that a rejection from one woman means all women feel the same way. Her (one woman’s) lack of attraction doesn’t apply to the entire female population. Success in dating is largely (although not entirely) a numbers game. There are a multitude of women who will find you attractive, even if one particular woman doesn’t. Giving up and throwing a fit after one rejection will prevent you from opportunity.
How can you maintain the self-perception of an attractive man with an abundance of opportunity when you collapse due to a single rejection?
Rejecting a man can be absolutely terrifying for a woman; unfortunately, her physical safety is often something she has to consider. Deceptive Nice Guys will often act like Prince Charming when things are going well, but when they get rejected, they lose their shit—the veil gets lifted.
Don’t be this guy. The ability to handle rejection with grace is a crucial component of your integrity as a man, and an integral part of your overall attractiveness.
Here are some general guidelines for handling rejection as an attractive man:

1. Process the emotions. Rejection can be painful, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling let down. When facing rejection, it’s important to not only allow yourself to feel the emotions, but be present and analytical in those feelings without dwelling. Also recognize that some rejections warrant more emotional energy than others.
   If your girlfriend of two years leaves you for another guy, the feelings that come with that situation are more complex than getting ghosted on a dating app. Don’t let minor rejections from strangers discourage you.
   
2. De-stigmatize. This step is essential. Do not put yourself in the frame of mind that rejection is something that happens just to you. When you’re rejected, it can feel like someone else’s opinion are the final judgment of you as a person. This type of thinking is ludicrous. Rejection is a frequent part of life that EVERYONE experiences, no matter what is projected on social media.
   
3. Detach. If you listen to some accounts of the most successful people in history, a common theme is that they were rejected over and over again, yet still persevered. Successful people seek out pleasure rather than focus on avoiding the discomfort (i.e. rejection). Here’s a secret—men who have the most success with women are often the ones who get rejected the most . Men who are wholly detached from rejection are the most powerful; rejection almost becomes a point of self-amusement. Guys who have an ambivalent attitude toward rejection are even able to joke about it with their friends instead of treating as a mark against their self-worth. If you struggle with the ability to move on from even minor rejection, here are some great quotes to keep you motivated:
   

“You have to learn to take rejection not as an indication of personal failing, but as wrong address.” - Ray Bradbury
“Most men with weak grasps of their own truth fantasize about the ability to never be rejected, ever. Not only is this a manifestation of their neediness, it’s unrealistic…” - Mark Manson
Full article on topic: https://modating.substack.com/p/the-attractive-mans-guide-to-rejection

A lot of guys make the critical mental error of believing that a rejection from one woman means all women feel the same way. Her (one woman’s) lack of attraction doesn’t apply to the entire female population. Success in dating is largely (although not entirely) a numbers game. There are a multitude of women who will find you attractive, even if one particular woman doesn’t. Giving up and throwing a fit after one rejection will prevent you from opportunity.
How can you maintain the self-perception of an attractive man with an abundance of opportunity when you collapse due to a single rejection?
Rejecting a man can be absolutely terrifying for a woman; unfortunately, her physical safety is often something she has to consider. Deceptive Nice Guys will often act like Prince Charming when things are going well, but when they get rejected, they lose their shit—the veil gets lifted.
Don’t be this guy. The ability to handle rejection with grace is a crucial component of your integrity as a man, and an integral part of your overall attractiveness.
Here are some general guidelines for handling rejection as an attractive man:

1. Process the emotions. Rejection can be painful, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling let down. When facing rejection, it’s important to not only allow yourself to feel the emotions, but be present and analytical in those feelings without dwelling. Also recognize that some rejections warrant more emotional energy than others.
   If your girlfriend of two years leaves you for another guy, the feelings that come with that situation are more complex than getting ghosted on a dating app. Don’t let minor rejections from strangers discourage you.
   
2. De-stigmatize. This step is essential. Do not put yourself in the frame of mind that rejection is something that happens just to you. When you’re rejected, it can feel like someone else’s opinion are the final judgment of you as a person. This type of thinking is ludicrous. Rejection is a frequent part of life that EVERYONE experiences, no matter what is projected on social media.
   
3. Detach. If you listen to some accounts of the most successful people in history, a common theme is that they were rejected over and over again, yet still persevered. Successful people seek out pleasure rather than focus on avoiding the discomfort (i.e. rejection). Here’s a secret—men who have the most success with women are often the ones who get rejected the most . Men who are wholly detached from rejection are the most powerful; rejection almost becomes a point of self-amusement. Guys who have an ambivalent attitude toward rejection are even able to joke about it with their friends instead of treating as a mark against their self-worth. If you struggle with the ability to move on from even minor rejection, here are some great quotes to keep you motivated:
   

“You have to learn to take rejection not as an indication of personal failing, but as wrong address.” - Ray Bradbury
“Most men with weak grasps of their own truth fantasize about the ability to never be rejected, ever. Not only is this a manifestation of their neediness, it’s unrealistic…” - Mark Manson
Full article on topic: https://modating.substack.com/p/the-attractive-mans-guide-to-rejection

A lot of guys make the critical mental error of believing that a rejection from one woman means all women feel the same way. Her (one woman’s) lack of attraction doesn’t apply to the entire female population. Success in dating is largely (although not entirely) a numbers game. There are a multitude of women who will find you attractive, even if one particular woman doesn’t. Giving up and throwing a fit after one rejection will prevent you from opportunity.
How can you maintain the self-perception of an attractive man with an abundance of opportunity when you collapse due to a single rejection?
Rejecting a man can be absolutely terrifying for a woman; unfortunately, her physical safety is often something she has to consider. Deceptive Nice Guys will often act like Prince Charming when things are going well, but when they get rejected, they lose their shit—the veil gets lifted.
Don’t be this guy. The ability to handle rejection with grace is a crucial component of your integrity as a man, and an integral part of your overall attractiveness.
Here are some general guidelines for handling rejection as an attractive man:

1. Process the emotions. Rejection can be painful, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling let down. When facing rejection, it’s important to not only allow yourself to feel the emotions, but be present and analytical in those feelings without dwelling. Also recognize that some rejections warrant more emotional energy than others.
   If your girlfriend of two years leaves you for another guy, the feelings that come with that situation are more complex than getting ghosted on a dating app. Don’t let minor rejections from strangers discourage you.
   
2. De-stigmatize. This step is essential. Do not put yourself in the frame of mind that rejection is something that happens just to you. When you’re rejected, it can feel like someone else’s opinion are the final judgment of you as a person. This type of thinking is ludicrous. Rejection is a frequent part of life that EVERYONE experiences, no matter what is projected on social media.
   
3. Detach. If you listen to some accounts of the most successful people in history, a common theme is that they were rejected over and over again, yet still persevered. Successful people seek out pleasure rather than focus on avoiding the discomfort (i.e. rejection). Here’s a secret—men who have the most success with women are often the ones who get rejected the most . Men who are wholly detached from rejection are the most powerful; rejection almost becomes a point of self-amusement. Guys who have an ambivalent attitude toward rejection are even able to joke about it with their friends instead of treating as a mark against their self-worth. If you struggle with the ability to move on from even minor rejection, here are some great quotes to keep you motivated:
   

“You have to learn to take rejection not as an indication of personal failing, but as wrong address.” - Ray Bradbury
“Most men with weak grasps of their own truth fantasize about the ability to never be rejected, ever. Not only is this a manifestation of their neediness, it’s unrealistic…” - Mark Manson
Full article on topic: https://modating.substack.com/p/the-attractive-mans-guide-to-rejection

im 15 and genderqueetransmasc, i dont really feel like going into detail about that aspect of myself but yknow. im not 100% a boy or 100% a girl, im just sort of me.
anyway, with that out of the way, ive recently been really questioning my sexuality. im still pretty sure im not cisgender, that aspect of myself hasnt really changed, but reading up on the symptoms of comphet a lot of it sort of struck a chord with me. i felt scared/trapped while i was relationship with a guy, i dont feel safe around men as i am right now, and even though i find certain aspects of intimacy with men appealing i cant help but feel gross when its actually * me *, if that makes sense. me right now, pre-op or transitioning, seen as a woman by the general public. i hate the idea of being the girl.
it sort of feels similar with women, ive gotten asked out by both boys and girls before and it always feels really off. “sorry, im not really looking for anything”, “sorry, i dont really like taking relationships so fast”, “sorry, youre just not my type” theres no excitement or curiosity or anything. i have passive feelings of “wow theyre cute” but everyone seems to let me down one way or another. sorry if that seems self centered, the people i find attractive almost always are awful people. i think its just because im traumatized haha
the only time ive ever been in an actual relationship was with an online friend i actually was curious and excited about, he was my first everything, but when things started getting serious— when i imagined us together for the rest of my life, it was terrifying. even though he was everything i thought i wanted i still felt trapped and objectified and suffocated and alone.
i could attribute it to my inferiority complex over not being born male, or my disorganized attachment, or my general lack of life experience, its just that dont know a version of myself i actually like. ive created an idealized version of me in my mind but i have no idea who i am right now. i feel like im missing out on everything that makes a person human. i dont know what i want. i feel so lonely and stuck and theres a constant sense of yearning in my heart, but the thing is i dont know what kind of person i want. i dont know who i am and i dont know who i love.

A lot of guys make the critical mental error of believing that a rejection from one woman means all women feel the same way. Her (one woman’s) lack of attraction doesn’t apply to the entire female population. Success in dating is largely (although not entirely) a numbers game. There are a multitude of women who will find you attractive, even if one particular woman doesn’t. Giving up and throwing a fit after one rejection will prevent you from opportunity.
How can you maintain the self-perception of an attractive man with an abundance of opportunity when you collapse due to a single rejection?
Rejecting a man can be absolutely terrifying for a woman; unfortunately, her physical safety is often something she has to consider. Deceptive Nice Guys will often act like Prince Charming when things are going well, but when they get rejected, they lose their shit—the veil gets lifted.
Don’t be this guy. The ability to handle rejection with grace is a crucial component of your integrity as a man, and an integral part of your overall attractiveness.
Here are some general guidelines for handling rejection as an attractive man:

1. Process the emotions. Rejection can be painful, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling let down. When facing rejection, it’s important to not only allow yourself to feel the emotions, but be present and analytical in those feelings without dwelling. Also recognize that some rejections warrant more emotional energy than others.
   If your girlfriend of two years leaves you for another guy, the feelings that come with that situation are more complex than getting ghosted on a dating app. Don’t let minor rejections from strangers discourage you.
   
2. De-stigmatize. This step is essential. Do not put yourself in the frame of mind that rejection is something that happens just to you. When you’re rejected, it can feel like someone else’s opinion are the final judgment of you as a person. This type of thinking is ludicrous. Rejection is a frequent part of life that EVERYONE experiences, no matter what is projected on social media.
   
3. Detach. If you listen to some accounts of the most successful people in history, a common theme is that they were rejected over and over again, yet still persevered. Successful people seek out pleasure rather than focus on avoiding the discomfort (i.e. rejection). Here’s a secret—men who have the most success with women are often the ones who get rejected the most . Men who are wholly detached from rejection are the most powerful; rejection almost becomes a point of self-amusement. Guys who have an ambivalent attitude toward rejection are even able to joke about it with their friends instead of treating as a mark against their self-worth. If you struggle with the ability to move on from even minor rejection, here are some great quotes to keep you motivated:
   

“You have to learn to take rejection not as an indication of personal failing, but as wrong address.” - Ray Bradbury
“Most men with weak grasps of their own truth fantasize about the ability to never be rejected, ever. Not only is this a manifestation of their neediness, it’s unrealistic…” - Mark Manson
Full article on topic: https://modating.substack.com/p/the-attractive-mans-guide-to-rejection

Considerations on Sexual Immorality, Gender Identity, and my friends Non-Denominational Church.
A good friend of mine from a fairly conservative evangelical background is considering becoming a pastor at his non-denominational church. As part of the evaluation process, they asked him to write a paper on these topics that he is not an expert on.
He asked for my opinion and I offered to share it online to solicit constructive criticism, notes of encouragement, and or reading recommendations on these topics.
I believe his goal is to be faithful to the scriptures, loving to those outside the church, and challenging to those inside the church, as most of us could do better.
What he wrote is in the quotation marks below.
“1: Scope of the Issue
Sexual immorality has become a besetting and ubiquitous issue in our culture and in our churches. While many aspects of it are not novel or unique to this time and have clear scriptural input, there are others that bring challenges to our church for which we don’t have obvious precedent. The main point of these comments is to try and answer three questions with some degree of specificity: (1) how do we make ourselves a place where people who do not know Christ will feel welcome to come and learn of Him regardless of where they come from, (2) how do we pastorally care for people who have come in to the church with pre-existing circumstances related to sexual immorality, and (3) how do we equip our members to represent Christ to those in their lives that are dealing with these issues. We want to do this in a way that does not “walk a tight rope” or compromise to appease, but honors Scripture in its commands to both show compassion and exhort and correct. We must recognize that every individual circumstance is unique, and many will require careful and prayerful consideration, but this is meant to give a framework for that consideration.
2: Scriptural Basis for Corporate Response
There are many references we can point to that discuss and define sexual immorality throughout Scripture and many of these will be used below as we consider specific examples and situations. Let us start, however, by looking at passages that deal with corporate response rather than individual sin. It is clear that the Corinthian church had significant issues in this area, and much of Paul’s first letter was devoted to it. In chapter 5, Paul states that when sexual immorality is discovered in the church we should “mourn” over it and “not to associate with immoral people.” Importantly, he also makes clear in vv. 9-13 that these comments only apply to those “who bears the name of brother.” He explicitly writes, “not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world…for what have I to do with judging outsiders?” This is key in informing our response to those who are not members of the church. If it is our desire to see sinners come through our doors and come to know our Savior through our ministry, then we must be welcoming, accepting them where they are. This is not to say we hide or compromise the biblical position, but it is not an issue on which we want to filter people at the door. There are three categories of people in sexual sin that we need to form a response for. First, those just coming to the church who have not committed to it – these should be treated the same as any we are reaching out to with Christ’s love. They need Jesus, not behavioral change. Next, those who have recently joined the church but have pre-existing sexual sin patterns. This can and should be addressed with patience, dignity, and love. There are often many sin areas in the life of a new believer, and it is prudent to discern how and when to address each of them. Lastly, those who have been members in the church for some amount of time and fall into sexual sin. This is the group that Paul is primarily addressing in 1 Corinthians. While sex within marriage is a private issue, sexual sin cannot be a taboo topic. It needs to be addressed regularly and clearly. We need close enough relationships within the church that such problems do not fester in the dark. We must avoid the typical church pattern to vilify the first group, never see the second group, and pretend the third group doesn’t exist until it all blows up in scandal. May it never be.
3: Consistency Issue
There is a tendency in our Christian culture to treat some sexual sins as worse than others. Like the Corinthians, some things we seem to have accepted as just ubiquitous parts of our culture. Knowing the prevalence of promiscuity and fornication among teens and single adults and usage of pornography even within the church, we tend to address these as issues of indwelling sin, similar to anger or fear of man, with offers of accountability and understanding when someone falls. By contrast, when it comes to homosexuality or adultery, it is often a church discipline issue. We view homosexual marriage as a major problem, but remarriage after a non-biblical divorce is rarely addressed. These inconsistencies lead to stigmatization and polarization and should have no place in the church. The criterion for escalation should be unrepentance, not the nature of the sexual sin. It is clear from 1 Corinthians that all should be taken seriously, but none should be vilified above others.
4: Culture and Identity
The major underlying problem with many of the sexual sin and gender issues is that they have come to be culturally bound up with people’s identities. This is not a new phenomenon and is not unique to this issue. As far back as Acts 19, you see people becoming “enraged” because Paul had threatened the Ephesians’ cultural identity as worshipers of Artemis. People continue to find their primary identities in their employment, hobbies, sports teams, or families rather than Christ. None of these should be accepted, but none should be reviled either. If a person does not know Jesus, they are dead. How they identify themselves is of no concern. Once they have been made alive, they can be taught that “whose” they are is more important than “who” they are. All identity outside of Christ is not sinful, but if it takes paramount importance, it may become so. A person who recognizes a tendency toward same sex attraction may label themselves as gay or lesbian. This should not be considered a sin issue unless it becomes, for them, their defining characteristic or leads to sinful actions. We should recognize the difficulty of this struggle and support such a person rather than get hung up on labels. There must be clear distinction between identifying same sex attraction and engaging in homosexual behavior. These should be the guiding principles underlying everything that follows are regards individual cases.
5: Public Facing Information, Guests, and New Attendees
Considering what we have discussed, and Paul’s assertion in 1 Corinthians 5 that we ought to reserve judgment on sexual immorality to those we call brother, I would submit that public facing information regarding the church (i.e. website, app, etc) should not publish a position on sexual immorality, marriage, and gender identity. Doing so effectively places the filter at the door so that people who do not know Christ may be turned away from it. This is not tantamount to tacit approval. In appropriate contexts within the church, these topics should still be discussed and addressed, but I do not believe it is consistent with a biblical treatment of unbelievers to place it in a public facing forum. If we have guests or new regular attendees who appear to be engaged in a cohabitating or fornicating relationship, a homosexual relationship, or other sexual sin, this should not be a priority to address unless we have discerned that they are believers and join the church. Even then, it is important to draw a distinction between someone who deals with same-sex attraction and someone who engages in homosexual behavior. The next seven points are meant to discuss, in broad terms, how we should address those who join the church with pre-existing relationships or identity issues:
6: Promiscuity, Cohabitation – Hebrews 13:4, 1 Cor 7:1-2, Ex 22:16
Much of the biblical discussion on promiscuity is by inference. Clearly, sex was meant to be inseparably linked to marriage and outside of that context should be considered immoral. For those who join the church already in a sexual relationship who are unmarried we should apply Exodus 22:16 and encourage them to marry as soon as possible. If they do not wish to marry, they should be encouraged to separate. Paul acknowledges in 1 Cor 7:2 that marriage is the best remedy for “temptation to sexual immorality.”
7: Adultery, Divorce and Remarriage – Matt 5:32, Matt 19:9, 1 Cor 7:10-11
This issue is given much more explicit biblical instruction but is often glossed over in our Christian culture due to the messy landscape of divorces and remarriages. In cases where non-biblical divorce has occurred, if reconciliation is possible, this should be pursued. If reconciliation is impossible because one or more parties have remarried, it would not be sensible to divorce again in order to achieve reconciliation. The principle to apply here, I believe, is from 1 Cor 7:17-24 summarized in verse 20: “Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.” This is not an ideal circumstance, but it is the best way forward in an imperfect world. Of note, polygamy was common in the culture of the early church, and while not ideal, was accepted by the church, as evidenced by the qualifications for elder to be “a husband of but one wife.” We have polygamous cultures even within our local community and if they came to Christ, we should not counsel them to divorce all but one wife and thus disrupt their social structure. It is not ideal and would disqualify them from eldership, but they should remain as they are. Whether marriage after unbiblical divorce in the past disqualifies a man from eldership is a case-by case question for the eldership.
8: Pornography, Sensuality, and Lust – Lev 18:6-18, Matt 5:28
As mentioned above, use of pornography has reached a high saturation point within our culture and within our church. While once thought of as simply a male issue, there is a growing trend toward gender parity in pornography usage. It is an issue that should be discussed with some frequency within our church. For those that join the church and view pornography regularly, it needs to be made clear that while the world has largely destigmatized it, it is still sexual immorality. Furthermore, this isn’t just limited to nudity and pornography, but any sensuality that leads to looking at someone “with lustful intent” is the heart equivalent of adultery according to Matt 5:28. In our culture, it is not possible to avoid such things by just turning away. We need to address the heart issues of idolatry, selfishness, and satisfaction in Christ. Practically, how should we deal with those who have on-going struggles with pornography, sensuality and lust? Should this preclude them from eldership? From deaconship? Taken strictly, this would preclude nearly all men from eldership. These require individual evaluation from the elders, but a guiding principle should be, if the person is repentant and there is evidence of growth in their life, we should consider more responsibility and continued discipleship.
9: Homosexuality – Lev 18:22, Lev 20:13, 1 Cor 6:9, 1 Tim 1:8-11
From the above references and others, it is evident that homosexual behavior is sexual sin. We cannot equivocate on that point. As we have discussed above, if a person who is already a believer and in the church and struggles with same sex attraction, we should approach them as we would handle anyone who is sexually attracted to someone to whom they are not married. If such a person decides that homosexuality is not sinful and begins sexually immoral activity, we should deal with them in the same way as any member who falls into unrepentant sin and go through the processes of correction and, if necessary, of church discipline. It is important that we draw a distinction between same sex attraction and homosexual behavior. We can do tremendous harm by demonizing same sex attraction and creating a taboo around it. A person who is struggling to abstain from homosexual behavior should be supported and encouraged. I believe Paul’s strong statements about not associating with sexually immoral people applies to those who remain unrepentant. Much more nuanced is the issue of how we address those that join the church already in a homosexual relationship. What about the married homosexual couple who join the church with their adopted child? Should we break up their family? I believe, in this case, the same principle should apply as to those who have gone through an unbiblical divorce in the past. We should apply 1 Cor 7:20: “Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.” We can recognize that this is not ideal, but it is the best we can do in a fallen world just as we do with someone who is married after unbiblical divorce. Whether should apply to a homosexual couple in a long term committed relationship who are not legally married would be an individual discussion with the elders. Again, these are nuanced cases that will need individual prayer, discussion, and discernment. I believe a great deal more patience is called for when a new believer joins the church that has a history or present reality of homosexuality, even if they are unrepentant at first, believing that homosexuality is not sinful, than we would demonstrate to a person who has been in the church for a period of time and then decides to pursue a homosexual relationship.
10: Bisexuality – Heb 13:4
Bisexual attraction is no more or less of an issue than anyone who finds that they are sexually attracted to someone other than their spouse. This is not a rare or unique circumstance, even within the church. Someone who is practicing bisexuality is, by definition, not confining sex to the marriage bed, and this, therefore, qualifies as sexual immorality. The issue, here again, is one of identity and cultural acceptance. If a person “identifies as bisexual,” the real issue is not the bisexuality, but the fact that they identify themselves primarily by their sexual desires, and not by Christ. It would be equally a problem if they “identified as heterosexual” and that was seen as their defining characteristic. If such a person were to join the church, our priority should be in helping them see their identity in Christ rather than focusing on renouncing their sexual preference.
11: Transgenderism/Non-binarism – Psalm 139: 13-15
It should be noted that the next two points should not be considered in the category of sexual immorality, but as they are connected to the same cultural moment will be discussed here. It should further be remarked that transgenderism is a modern issue with no direct reference in Scripture. It is a challenging issue that often falls prey to oversimplification and scapegoating. It is not sufficient to simply state that a person should identify with their born gender. There are those born with ambiguous genitalia and those born with sex chromosome abnormalities such that “born gender” is not necessarily accurate. These occur with a frequency of 1 in 448 births on average which is not particularly rare. The majority of people who consider themselves to be transgender do not fall into these categories, but the fact remains that these categories exist. Unless we plan to embark on genetic testing, we must be careful how we assert someone’s gender assignment. Furthermore, we must acknowledge that much of the gender confusion in our culture is due to a distortion of biblically accurate masculinity and femininity in our culture of which the church has been widely supportive for generations. Many transgender and non-binary individuals consider themselves so because they do not fit into the traditional boxes our culture has created for the genders. The church can start by recognizing that these boxes are incorrect. We can also acknowledge that gender differences and roles are far less important than most human cultures perceive. Christ himself challenged many gender norms in his ministry and Paul maintains “…there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28b) It is much more difficult to recognize this issue as a sin issue than many of the above concerns. If someone wishes to be addressed by different pronouns than they once did or dress differently than they once did, this does not amount to immorality. Once again, this can be an idolatrous identity issue if the person sees it as the central characteristic of their lives. There is often an inherent pride in asserting that such a person does not feel they fit in the body created for them, but if they come to love Jesus and understand and believe that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made” then this issue may become moot. Whether or not they revert to dressing differently or using pronouns they did when they were younger is largely immaterial. This also addresses the issue of people who may have undergone permanent physical changes. While we should not endorse such modification if it is being considered, there is no reason to reverse such a thing in order to return to a base state. We must recognize that this is a group that has a high propensity toward mental health concerns, instability, and suicidality. They need love, support and prayer, not scapegoating and extra-biblical expectations of conforming to a cultural norm. We must further note that this group as well as the homosexual group have often experienced psychological and even physical harm from others in our culture, sometimes in the name of Christ. We must foster an environment of champions physical and psychological safety for these people.
12: Asexuality – 1 Cor 7:25-38
Asexuality also should not be considered sexual immorality. There is, in fact, wide support in Paul’s letters such as in 1 Cor 7 for people, if they are able, to remain unmarried and be “anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.” We tend to champion the model of the nuclear family in our Christian culture, but Paul sees chaste singleness as a better way. There should be no pressure from the church to make sure that single people pair off and get married because it is expected of them. As this state has been culturally identified with the LGBTQIA movement, it is seen on the same spectrum as the sexual immorality and gender issues discussed above, but it is not. It can still fall prey to the same issue of an idolatrous identity as some of the above issues, but it need not be so.
13: Glass Ceiling
In the event that God sees fit to bring people from these subgroups into our church, there would inevitably be a glass ceiling. The question is at what point. The four logical points are: regular attender, member, deacon, and elder. Regardless of their background or position, all should be welcome to be a regular attender. It is also clear, from the biblical requirements for eldership, that on-going problems or engagement in any of the sexual sins would disqualify them from that post. The middle two are less clear. I would submit that the bar for membership should be very low. This step, in my opinion, is when they would “bear the name of brother” and not before. Even if they disagree about the sinful nature of homosexuality, this should not disallow them from becoming members as long as they agree to submit to the churches position and not cause division. Allowing them to become members gives us the pastoral authority to speak into their lives, and we would hope that over time the Spirit would work in their hearts to convince them of the truth. Putting such a person in a deacon role would probably not be wise but would need to be evaluated prayerfully on a case-by-case basis. The difficulty here is that, while a position on homosexuality is not a salvific issue and should not be considered a core doctrine in the same way as the deity of Christ, for example, it is a sin issue. There is a limit to how far we can “agree to disagree” and still uphold our duty to root out sin in our midst. Once again, we should also distinguish between a struggle with same sex attraction and engagement in homosexual behavior when we consider our response. There is also a glass ceiling when it comes to marriage. While I believe we should not break up existing homosexual marriages, we should not participate in creating them. The marriage covenant between a man and woman was created, in part, to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church (Eph 5). This should not be co-opted to excuse or normalize immorality.
14: Nuance and Edge Cases
The above outline is by no means meant to be exhaustive or definitive. It is meant to provide a lens, supported by scripture, through which we can view these issues and consider corporate and pastoral responses. It should inform how we view the people that walk through the door from a wide range of backgrounds and how we equip those in our church to be Christ’s ambassadors to those in our community. Every person and circumstance, history and baggage will be different, and any non-nuanced position would be inherently evil. I pray we have many opportunities to talk, think and pray through specific situations that God would bless us with the chance to be a part of. What an honor it would be to be used to reach into broken lives like these with the Gospel of Grace.
15: Action Steps
As we consider practical and philosophical ways of responding to the above, I believe we should start from a position of corporate repentance. If we wish to truly reach out and touch the lives of broken people in need of a Savior who live a life of same sex attraction or gender dysphoria, we need to begin by recognizing that a great deal of harm, emotional and physical, has been inflicted on this group by the Church for generations. There are homeless people living in our area who were kicked out of their homes by parents holding a Bible. There are those who have been subjected to horrific methods that amount to torture under the guise of “Conversion Therapy” from Christian organizations. The only “conversion” we should concern ourselves with is to a regenerate heart. Attempting to change someone’s sexual attraction is very much beside the point. We cannot hope to be a place where such people can hear about Jesus unless they feel safe to enter our doors. We must also fight the tendency to consider sin in this area as something worse than others, even in non-Christians. James 2 says “…For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it….So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” As we consider corporate and pastoral responses to the argument above, we must start by removing our own planks and repenting for the historical actions of the Church.
Practical steps that we could consider taking would include: removing the statements from the website about marriage and sexuality, especially directly under our Core Beliefs. Again, this is not meant to hide or equivocate on the truth, but not to set such a barrier before someone even walks through our door. Secondly, we should consider how to address these topics within the church. A Sunday morning sermon is not ideal as it is time limited and a unidirectional conversation. A small group course format would be a consideration. We need to equip parents and family members of adolescents, teens, and adults with language to talk about these things in loving, humble, God-honoring ways. In the longer term, we need to consider how we can make our church a place where people would feel comfortable inviting friends and family who look, think and act differently than we do. We need to find a way of projecting safety and inclusion even in our public facing information. This isn’t a balancing act where we must make it clear early and often that we “love the sinner but hate the sin” as the saying goes. We just need to love the sinner. Dealing with the sin can come later God-willing. A third application point is to be mindful of what we say and what we allow to be said without being checked. Certainly, joking at the expense of those who are dealing with these issues is unacceptable, but we also need to work to avoid getting dragged in to pseudo-political discussions on bathroom issues, sports issues or other divisive concerns that have no bearing on the church.
I recognize that these proposals have the potential to divide the church. There are some who may leave the body over these sorts of changes. I would argue that it is our responsibility to them as well as to the unreached in our community to have those discussions and risk some of them leaving over it. These are not all things we should change overnight but after ample opportunities for discussions and prayer.
16: Conclusion – Mark 2:15-17
At its core, these are not issues of who someone loves, sexual attraction, or even specific sex acts. The core is idolatry and identity. When acceptance by others, self-determination, or physical pleasure become the central force driving our lives then we have become idolators. Though our idols take on different shapes, the struggles in this space are shared by all. Whether you are identified by your profession, your family, or your gender identity, you are not being identified by your Master. Building fences around or within the church because someone sins in a different way than us cannot be allowed. Making the excuse that we are somehow “protecting our children” by shielding them from people in our community who desperately need a Savior will not show our children who Jesus is. Within the church, we cannot be afraid to “speak the truth in love.” We need not and cannot shy away from sin in the church, but we must recognize that the Spirit works in each of our lives. Often this happens over a period of time. We should be prepared to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in this journey for as long as they need.
There is a significant correlation between this community and their relationship with religious groups, and the “tax collectors and sinners” that Jesus sought out in His ministry and their relationship with the religious leaders of the day. Our heart should reflect His. Jesus responded: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17) If our church was filled with transgender people and gay families that loved Jesus, God would be glorified.”
Thank you in advance for any constructive criticism, notes of encouragement to and or reading recommendations on these topics that I can pass along.

So I (41m) married for 8 years with a loving wife who does an amazing job taking care of our kids (2&5) and me and always thinks of us. Well I started a job a few months ago and from pretty much day one a female coworker I met with I felt a connection with that I haven’t felt since I was a teenager she literally makes my heart pump every time I am around her. She’s just been regular friendly and I don’t think she is interested in anything but a friendship but I can’t stop feeling attracted and drawn to her. I feel like I am having a mid life crisis and this feeling is just a fake feeling because of where I am in life but I cannot get rid of the constant want for her day to day…. Is this what a mid life crisis is like? How would you go about trying to get rid of these feelings and be happy?

Greetings Guardians, Sundog Gaming is looking for new members from all levels of experience that want to join a fun, loving Destiny 2 community. We pride ourselves on being helpful and welcoming to anyone that wants to see what we're up to. If this sounds like you, join 2000+ guardians from all over the world that will help you have the best Destiny experience.
‼️ —Note:
We do our best to accept pending requests when they appear, but it is extremely helpful to follow the rules below for a faster experience. The process below helps with making sure your join request doesn't get lost among all the daily activity.
How To Join The SDG Community:
1️⃣ Upvote / Comment on this post
2️⃣ https://discord.gg/sundog Join the Sundog Gaming’s Discord. (Required)
3️⃣ Grab your Destiny game roles in #set_roles.
4️⃣ Apply to one of our open clans listed in #destiny-information (the clan(s) with the most vacancies is listed below).
5️⃣ Open a support ticket in #help_and_support that lists your Bungie username and the clan you applied for.
✅ An admin will verify the information and you'll be approved!
Discord Link:
https://discord.gg/sundog
Clans we are recruiting for:
🏯— https://www.bungie.net/en/ClanV2?groupId=3437627 Sundog Gaming I
🏯— https://www.bungie.net/en/ClanV2?groupid=4789745 Sundog Gaming III
Who is Sundog Gaming:
Sundog Gaming’s mission and vision is to grow an active, helpful community that enjoys playing games we love in a mature, friendly, and non-toxic environment. We’re an active group that welcomes anyone that is new to the game or a veteran looking to bond with a new fireteam in our battles as guardians. Some clans define themselves as “active” based on stats and giveaways to attract you to their servers & clans. We built Sundog Gaming on the principle of being there for each other, enjoying ourselves, and perfecting our craft within the game we love.
What We Offer:
🔥 An 18+ inclusive community that lives and breathes Destiny 2.
🔥 A dedicated raid & dungeon Sherpa team
🔥Weekly Non toxic Trials games
🔥 A bustling community that has daily & weekly activities available for all types of players. https://www.the100.io/groups/v2/5379 Be sure to check our the100 page to get an idea of what we have planned.
🔥 Community members & resources to help you figure out your build, get endgame ready, and help answer any other pressing questions.
Discord Link: https://discord.gg/sundog

Greetings Guardians, Sundog Gaming is looking for new members from all levels of experience that want to join a fun, loving Destiny 2 community. We pride ourselves on being helpful and welcoming to anyone that wants to see what we're up to. If this sounds like you, join 2000+ guardians from all over the world that will help you have the best Destiny experience.
‼️ —Note:
We do our best to accept pending requests when they appear, but it is extremely helpful to follow the rules below for a faster experience. The process below helps with making sure your join request doesn't get lost among all the daily activity.
How To Join The SDG Community:
1️⃣ Upvote / Comment on this post
2️⃣ https://discord.gg/sundog Join the Sundog Gaming’s Discord. (Required)
3️⃣ Grab your Destiny game roles in #set_roles.
4️⃣ Apply to one of our open clans listed in #destiny-information (the clan(s) with the most vacancies is listed below).
5️⃣ Open a support ticket in #help_and_support that lists your Bungie username and the clan you applied for.
✅ An admin will verify the information and you'll be approved!
Discord Link:
https://discord.gg/sundog
Clans we are recruiting for:
🏯— https://www.bungie.net/en/ClanV2?groupId=3437627 Sundog Gaming I
🏯— https://www.bungie.net/en/ClanV2?groupid=4789745 Sundog Gaming III
Who is Sundog Gaming:
Sundog Gaming’s mission and vision is to grow an active, helpful community that enjoys playing games we love in a mature, friendly, and non-toxic environment. We’re an active group that welcomes anyone that is new to the game or a veteran looking to bond with a new fireteam in our battles as guardians. Some clans define themselves as “active” based on stats and giveaways to attract you to their servers & clans. We built Sundog Gaming on the principle of being there for each other, enjoying ourselves, and perfecting our craft within the game we love.
What We Offer:
🔥 An 18+ inclusive community that lives and breathes Destiny 2.
🔥 A dedicated raid & dungeon Sherpa team
🔥Weekly Non toxic Trials games
🔥 A bustling community that has daily & weekly activities available for all types of players. https://www.the100.io/groups/v2/5379 Be sure to check our the100 page to get an idea of what we have planned.
🔥 Community members & resources to help you figure out your build, get endgame ready, and help answer any other pressing questions.
Discord Link: https://discord.gg/sundog

GOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING SUPERSTONKERS! HAHA. It's me again. Yeah, i slipped past the defenses again to drop this off so you can all refresh yourselves on the state of FUD and disinformation in this protracted fight against the legal larcenists doing their best to try and get you to sell. Please spread this amongst the holders, the more people know the less power they have over us holders. We don't sell until we get a call from marge, and that's always been the play.
TLDR: This is a set of tactics used by the Alphabet Boys(CIA, FBI, DEA) to control and manipulate us into drama to collapse our communities and movements. And should be read in full by anyone willing and wanting to learn how these things work.
I've come to notice recently, people keep asking me to repost this for the sake of keeping the new people abreast on what needs to be done to protect the holders of GME. Beneath here will be a detailed account on what you need to be aware of in your online interactions, to avoid being taken for a fool!
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1. COINTELPRO Techniques for dilution, misdirection and control of a internet forum
2. Twenty-Five Rules of Disinformation
3. Eight Traits of the Disinformationalist
4. How to Spot a Spy (Cointelpro Agent)
5. Seventeen Techniques for Truth Suppression

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COINTELPRO Techniques for dilution, misdirection and control of a internet forum..
There are several techniques for the control and manipulation of a internet forum no matter what, or who is on it. We will go over each technique and demonstrate that only a minimal number of operatives can be used to eventually and effectively gain a control of a 'uncontrolled forum.'
Technique #1 - 'FORUM SLIDING'
If a very sensitive posting of a critical nature has been posted on a forum - it can be quickly removed from public view by 'forum sliding.' In this technique a number of unrelated posts are quietly prepositioned on the forum and allowed to 'age.' Each of these misdirectional forum postings can then be called upon at will to trigger a 'forum slide.' The second requirement is that several fake accounts exist, which can be called upon, to ensure that this technique is not exposed to the public. To trigger a 'forum slide' and 'flush' the critical post out of public view it is simply a matter of logging into each account both real and fake and then 'replying' to prepositioned postings with a simple 1 or 2 line comment. This brings the unrelated postings to the top of the forum list, and the critical posting 'slides' down the front page, and quickly out of public view. Although it is difficult or impossible to censor the posting it is now lost in a sea of unrelated and unuseful postings. By this means it becomes effective to keep the readers of the forum reading unrelated and non-issue items.
Technique #2 - 'CONSENSUS CRACKING'
A second highly effective technique (which you can see in operation all the time at www.abovetopsecret.com
) is 'consensus cracking.' To develop a consensus crack, the following technique is used. Under the guise of a fake account a posting is made which looks legitimate and is towards the truth is made - but the critical point is that it has a VERY WEAK PREMISE without substantive proof to back the posting. Once this is done then under alternative fake accounts a very strong position in your favor is slowly introduced over the life of the posting. It is IMPERATIVE that both sides are initially presented, so the uninformed reader cannot determine which side is the truth. As postings and replies are made the stronger 'evidence' or disinformation in your favor is slowly 'seeded in.' Thus the uninformed reader will most like develop the same position as you, and if their position is against you their opposition to your posting will be most likely dropped. However in some cases where the forum members are highly educated and can counter your disinformation with real facts and linked postings, you can then 'abort' the consensus cracking by initiating a 'forum slide.'
Technique #3 - 'TOPIC DILUTION'
Topic dilution is not only effective in forum sliding it is also very useful in keeping the forum readers on unrelated and non-productive issues. This is a critical and useful technique to cause a 'RESOURCE BURN.' By implementing continual and non-related postings that distract and disrupt (trolling ) the forum readers they are more effectively stopped from anything of any real productivity. If the intensity of gradual dilution is intense enough, the readers will effectively stop researching and simply slip into a 'gossip mode.' In this state they can be more easily misdirected away from facts towards uninformed conjecture and opinion. The less informed they are the more effective and easy it becomes to control the entire group in the direction that you would desire the group to go in. It must be stressed that a proper assessment of the psychological capabilities and levels of education is first determined of the group to determine at what level to 'drive in the wedge.' By being too far off topic too quickly it may trigger censorship by a forum moderator.
Technique #4 - 'INFORMATION COLLECTION'
Information collection is also a very effective method to determine the psychological level of the forum members, and to gather intelligence that can be used against them. In this technique in a light and positive environment a 'show you mine so me yours' posting is initiated. From the number of replies and the answers that are provided much statistical information can be gathered. An example is to post your 'favorite weapon' and then encourage other members of the forum to showcase what they have. In this matter it can be determined by reverse proration what percentage of the forum community owns a firearm, and or a illegal weapon. This same method can be used by posing as one of the form members and posting your favorite 'technique of operation.' From the replies various methods that the group utilizes can be studied and effective methods developed to stop them from their activities.
Technique #5 - 'ANGER TROLLING'
Statistically, there is always a percentage of the forum posters who are more inclined to violence. In order to determine who these individuals are, it is a requirement to present a image to the forum to deliberately incite a strong psychological reaction. From this the most violent in the group can be effectively singled out for reverse IP location and possibly local enforcement tracking. To accomplish this only requires posting a link to a video depicting a local police officer massively abusing his power against a very innocent individual. Statistically of the million or so police officers in America there is always one or two being caught abusing there powers and the taping of the activity can be then used for intelligence gathering purposes - without the requirement to 'stage' a fake abuse video. This method is extremely effective, and the more so the more abusive the video can be made to look. Sometimes it is useful to 'lead' the forum by replying to your own posting with your own statement of violent intent, and that you 'do not care what the authorities think!!' inflammation. By doing this and showing no fear it may be more effective in getting the more silent and self-disciplined violent intent members of the forum to slip and post their real intentions. This can be used later in a court of law during prosecution.
Technique #6 - 'GAINING FULL CONTROL'
It is important to also be harvesting and continually maneuvering for a forum moderator position. Once this position is obtained, the forum can then be effectively and quietly controlled by deleting unfavourable postings - and one can eventually steer the forum into complete failure and lack of interest by the general public. This is the 'ultimate victory' as the forum is no longer participated with by the general public and no longer useful in maintaining their freedoms. Depending on the level of control you can obtain, you can deliberately steer a forum into defeat by censoring postings, deleting memberships, flooding, and or accidentally taking the forum offline. By this method the forum can be quickly killed. However it is not always in the interest to kill a forum as it can be converted into a 'honey pot' gathering center to collect and misdirect newcomers and from this point be completely used for your control for your agenda purposes.
CONCLUSION
Remember these techniques are only effective if the forum participants DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THEM. Once they are aware of these techniques the operation can completely fail, and the forum can become uncontrolled. At this point other avenues must be considered such as initiating a false legal precidence to simply have the forum shut down and taken offline. This is not desirable as it then leaves the enforcement agencies unable to track the percentage of those in the population who always resist attempts for control against them. Many other techniques can be utilized and developed by the individual and as you develop further techniques of infiltration and control it is imperative to share then with HQ.
_______________________________________________________________________
Twenty-Five Rules of Disinformation
Note: The first rule and last five (or six, depending on situation) rules are generally not directly within the ability of the traditional disinfo artist to apply. These rules are generally used more directly by those at the leadership, key players, or planning level of the criminal conspiracy or conspiracy to cover up.
1. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Regardless of what you know, don't discuss it -- especially if you are a public figure, news anchor, etc. If it's not reported, it didn't happen, and you never have to deal with the issues.
2. Become incredulous and indignant. Avoid discussing key issues and instead focus on side issues which can be used show the topic as being critical of some otherwise sacrosanct group or theme. This is also known as the 'How dare you!' gambit.
3. Create rumor mongers. Avoid discussing issues by describing all charges, regardless of venue or evidence, as mere rumors and wild accusations. Other derogatory terms mutually exclusive of truth may work as well. This method which works especially well with a silent press, because the only way the public can learn of the facts are through such 'arguable rumors'. If you can associate the material with the Internet, use this fact to certify it a 'wild rumor' from a 'bunch of kids on the Internet' which can have no basis in fact.
4. Use a straw man. Find or create a seeming element of your opponent's argument which you can easily knock down to make yourself look good and the opponent to look bad. Either make up an issue you may safely imply exists based on your interpretation of the opponent/opponent arguments/situation, or select the weakest aspect of the weakest charges. Amplify their significance and destroy them in a way which appears to debunk all the charges, real and fabricated alike, while actually avoiding discussion of the real issues.
5. Sidetrack opponents with name calling and ridicule. This is also known as the primary 'attack the messenger' ploy, though other methods qualify as variants of that approach. Associate opponents with unpopular titles such as 'kooks', 'right-wing', 'liberal', 'left-wing', 'terrorists', 'conspiracy buffs', 'radicals', 'militia', 'racists', 'religious fanatics', 'sexual deviates', and so forth. This makes others shrink from support out of fear of gaining the same label, and you avoid dealing with issues.
6. Hit and Run. In any public forum, make a brief attack of your opponent or the opponent position and then scamper off before an answer can be fielded, or simply ignore any answer. This works extremely well in Internet and letters-to-the-editor environments where a steady stream of new identities can be called upon without having to explain criticism, reasoning -- simply make an accusation or other attack, never discussing issues, and never answering any subsequent response, for that would dignify the opponent's viewpoint.
7. Question motives. Twist or amplify any fact which could be taken to imply that the opponent operates out of a hidden personal agenda or other bias. This avoids discussing issues and forces the accuser on the defensive.
8. Invoke authority. Claim for yourself or associate yourself with authority and present your argument with enough 'jargon' and 'minutia' to illustrate you are 'one who knows', and simply say it isn't so without discussing issues or demonstrating concretely why or citing sources.
9. Play Dumb. No matter what evidence or logical argument is offered, avoid discussing issues except with denials they have any credibility, make any sense, provide any proof, contain or make a point, have logic, or support a conclusion. Mix well for maximum effect.
10. Associate opponent charges with old news. A derivative of the straw man -- usually, in any large-scale matter of high visibility, someone will make charges early on which can be or were already easily dealt with - a kind of investment for the future should the matter not be so easily contained.) Where it can be foreseen, have your own side raise a straw man issue and have it dealt with early on as part of the initial contingency plans. Subsequent charges, regardless of validity or new ground uncovered, can usually then be associated with the original charge and dismissed as simply being a rehash without need to address current issues -- so much the better where the opponent is or was involved with the original source.
11. Establish and rely upon fall-back positions. Using a minor matter or element of the facts, take the 'high road' and 'confess' with candor that some innocent mistake, in hindsight, was made -- but that opponents have seized on the opportunity to blow it all out of proportion and imply greater criminalities which, 'just isn't so.' Others can reinforce this on your behalf, later, and even publicly 'call for an end to the nonsense' because you have already 'done the right thing.' Done properly, this can garner sympathy and respect for 'coming clean' and 'owning up' to your mistakes without addressing more serious issues.
12. Enigmas have no solution. Drawing upon the overall umbrella of events surrounding the crime and the multitude of players and events, paint the entire affair as too complex to solve. This causes those otherwise following the matter to begin to lose interest more quickly without having to address the actual issues.
13. Alice in Wonderland Logic. Avoid discussion of the issues by reasoning backwards or with an apparent deductive logic which forbears any actual material fact.
14. Demand complete solutions. Avoid the issues by requiring opponents to solve the crime at hand completely, a ploy which works best with issues qualifying for rule 10.
15. Fit the facts to alternate conclusions. This requires creative thinking unless the crime was planned with contingency conclusions in place.
16. Vanish evidence and witnesses. If it does not exist, it is not fact, and you won't have to address the issue.
17. Change the subject. Usually in connection with one of the other ploys listed here, find a way to side-track the discussion with abrasive or controversial comments in hopes of turning attention to a new, more manageable topic. This works especially well with companions who can 'argue' with you over the new topic and polarize the discussion arena in order to avoid discussing more key issues.
18. Emotionalize, Antagonize, and Goad Opponents. If you can't do anything else, chide and taunt your opponents and draw them into emotional responses which will tend to make them look foolish and overly motivated, and generally render their material somewhat less coherent. Not only will you avoid discussing the issues in the first instance, but even if their emotional response addresses the issue, you can further avoid the issues by then focusing on how 'sensitive they are to criticism.'
19. Ignore proof presented, demand impossible proofs. This is perhaps a variant of the 'play dumb' rule. Regardless of what material may be presented by an opponent in public forums, claim the material irrelevant and demand proof that is impossible for the opponent to come by (it may exist, but not be at his disposal, or it may be something which is known to be safely destroyed or withheld, such as a murder weapon.) In order to completely avoid discussing issues, it may be required that you to categorically deny and be critical of media or books as valid sources, deny that witnesses are acceptable, or even deny that statements made by government or other authorities have any meaning or relevance.
20. False evidence. Whenever possible, introduce new facts or clues designed and manufactured to conflict with opponent presentations -- as useful tools to neutralize sensitive issues or impede resolution. This works best when the crime was designed with contingencies for the purpose, and the facts cannot be easily separated from the fabrications.
21. Call a Grand Jury, Special Prosecutor, or other empowered investigative body. Subvert the (process) to your benefit and effectively neutralize all sensitive issues without open discussion. Once convened, the evidence and testimony are required to be secret when properly handled. For instance, if you own the prosecuting attorney, it can insure a Grand Jury hears no useful evidence and that the evidence is sealed and unavailable to subsequent investigators. Once a favorable verdict is achieved, the matter can be considered officially closed. Usually, this technique is applied to find the guilty innocent, but it can also be used to obtain charges when seeking to frame a victim.
22. Manufacture a new truth. Create your own expert(s), group(s), author(s), leader(s) or influence existing ones willing to forge new ground via scientific, investigative, or social research or testimony which concludes favorably. In this way, if you must actually address issues, you can do so authoritatively.
23. Create bigger distractions. If the above does not seem to be working to distract from sensitive issues, or to prevent unwanted media coverage of unstoppable events such as trials, create bigger news stories (or treat them as such) to distract the multitudes.
24. Silence critics. If the above methods do not prevail, consider removing opponents from circulation by some definitive solution so that the need to address issues is removed entirely. This can be by their death, arrest and detention, blackmail or destruction of their character by release of blackmail information, or merely by destroying them financially, emotionally, or severely damaging their health.
25. Vanish. If you are a key holder of secrets or otherwise overly illuminated and you think the heat is getting too hot, to avoid the issues, vacate the kitchen.
_______________________________________________________________________
Eight Traits of the Disinformationalist
1) Avoidance. They never actually discuss issues head-on or provide constructive input, generally avoiding citation of references or credentials. Rather, they merely imply this, that, and the other. Virtually everything about their presentation implies their authority and expert knowledge in the matter without any further justification for credibility.
2) Selectivity. They tend to pick and choose opponents carefully, either applying the hit-and-run approach against mere commentators supportive of opponents, or focusing heavier attacks on key opponents who are known to directly address issues. Should a commentator become argumentative with any success, the focus will shift to include the commentator as well.
3) Coincidental. They tend to surface suddenly and somewhat coincidentally with a new controversial topic with no clear prior record of participation in general discussions in the particular public arena involved. They likewise tend to vanish once the topic is no longer of general concern. They were likely directed or elected to be there for a reason, and vanish with the reason.
4) Teamwork. They tend to operate in self-congratulatory and complementary packs or teams. Of course, this can happen naturally in any public forum, but there will likely be an ongoing pattern of frequent exchanges of this sort where professionals are involved. Sometimes one of the players will infiltrate the opponent camp to become a source for straw man or other tactics designed to dilute opponent presentation strength.
5) Anti-conspiratorial. They almost always have disdain for 'conspiracy theorists' and, usually, for those who in any way believe JFK was not killed by LHO. Ask yourself why, if they hold such disdain for conspiracy theorists, do they focus on defending a single topic discussed in a NG focusing on conspiracies? One might think they would either be trying to make fools of everyone on every topic, or simply ignore the group they hold in such disdain. Or, one might more rightly conclude they have an ulterior motive for their actions in going out of their way to focus as they do.
6) Artificial Emotions. An odd kind of 'artificial' emotionalism and an unusually thick skin -- an ability to persevere and persist even in the face of overwhelming criticism and unacceptance. This likely stems from intelligence community training that, no matter how condemning the evidence, deny everything, and never become emotionally involved or reactive. The net result for a disinfo artist is that emotions can seem artificial.
Most people, if responding in anger, for instance, will express their animosity throughout their rebuttal. But disinfo types usually have trouble maintaining the 'image' and are hot and cold with respect to pretended emotions and their usually more calm or unemotional communications style. It's just a job, and they often seem unable to 'act their role in character' as well in a communications medium as they might be able in a real face-to-face conversation/confrontation. You might have outright rage and indignation one moment, ho-hum the next, and more anger later -- an emotional yo-yo.
With respect to being thick-skinned, no amount of criticism will deter them from doing their job, and they will generally continue their old disinfo patterns without any adjustments to criticisms of how obvious it is that they play that game -- where a more rational individual who truly cares what others think might seek to improve their communications style, substance, and so forth, or simply give up.
7) Inconsistent. There is also a tendency to make mistakes which betray their true self/motives. This may stem from not really knowing their topic, or it may be somewhat 'freudian', so to speak, in that perhaps they really root for the side of truth deep within.
I have noted that often, they will simply cite contradictory information which neutralizes itself and the author. For instance, one such player claimed to be a Navy pilot, but blamed his poor communicating skills (spelling, grammar, incoherent style) on having only a grade-school education. I'm not aware of too many Navy pilots who don't have a college degree. Another claimed no knowledge of a particular topic/situation but later claimed first-hand knowledge of it.
8) Time Constant. Recently discovered, with respect to News Groups, is the response time factor. There are three ways this can be seen to work, especially when the government or other empowered player is involved in a cover up operation:
a) ANY NG posting by a targeted proponent for truth can result in an IMMEDIATE response. The government and other empowered players can afford to pay people to sit there and watch for an opportunity to do some damage. SINCE DISINFO IN A NG ONLY WORKS IF THE READER SEES IT - FAST RESPONSE IS CALLED FOR, or the visitor may be swayed towards truth.
b) When dealing in more direct ways with a disinformationalist, such as email, DELAY IS CALLED FOR - there will usually be a minimum of a 48-72 hour delay. This allows a sit-down team discussion on response strategy for best effect, and even enough time to 'get permission' or instruction from a formal chain of command.
c) In the NG example 1) above, it will often ALSO be seen that bigger guns are drawn and fired after the same 48-72 hours delay - the team approach in play. This is especially true when the targeted truth seeker or their comments are considered more important with respect to potential to reveal truth. Thus, a serious truth sayer will be attacked twice for the same sin.
_______________________________________________________________________
How to Spot a Spy (Cointelpro Agent)
One way to neutralize a potential activist is to get them to be in a group that does all the wrong things. Why?
1) The message doesn't get out.
2) A lot of time is wasted
3) The activist is frustrated and discouraged
4) Nothing good is accomplished.
FBI and Police Informers and Infiltrators will infest any group and they have phoney activist organizations established.
Their purpose is to prevent any real movement for justice or eco-peace from developing in this country.
Agents come in small, medium or large. They can be of any ethnic background. They can be male or female.
The actual size of the group or movement being infiltrated is irrelevant. It is the potential the movement has for becoming large which brings on the spies and saboteurs.
This booklet lists tactics agents use to slow things down, foul things up, destroy the movement and keep tabs on activists.
It is the agent's job to keep the activist from quitting such a group, thus keeping him/her under control.
In some situations, to get control, the agent will tell the activist:

• "You're dividing the movement."

[Here, I have added the psychological reasons as to WHY this maneuver works to control people]
This invites guilty feelings. Many people can be controlled by guilt. The agents begin relationships with activists behind a well-developed mask of "dedication to the cause." Because of their often declared dedication, (and actions designed to prove this), when they criticize the activist, he or she - being truly dedicated to the movement - becomes convinced that somehow, any issues are THEIR fault. This is because a truly dedicated person tends to believe that everyone has a conscience and that nobody would dissimulate and lie like that "on purpose." It's amazing how far agents can go in manipulating an activist because the activist will constantly make excuses for the agent who regularly declares their dedication to the cause. Even if they do, occasionally, suspect the agent, they will pull the wool over their own eyes by rationalizing: "they did that unconsciously... they didn't really mean it... I can help them by being forgiving and accepting " and so on and so forth.
The agent will tell the activist:

• "You're a leader!"

This is designed to enhance the activist's self-esteem. His or her narcissistic admiration of his/her own activist/altruistic intentions increase as he or she identifies with and consciously admires the altruistic declarations of the agent which are deliberately set up to mirror those of the activist.
This is "malignant pseudo identification." It is the process by which the agent consciously imitates or simulates a certain behavior to foster the activist's identification with him/her, thus increasing the activist's vulnerability to exploitation. The agent will simulate the more subtle self-concepts of the activist.
Activists and those who have altruistic self-concepts are most vulnerable to malignant pseudo identification especially during work with the agent when the interaction includes matter relating to their competency, autonomy, or knowledge.
The goal of the agent is to increase the activist's general empathy for the agent through pseudo-identification with the activist's self-concepts.
The most common example of this is the agent who will compliment the activist for his competency or knowledge or value to the movement. On a more subtle level, the agent will simulate affects and mannerisms of the activist which promotes identification via mirroring and feelings of "twinship". It is not unheard of for activists, enamored by the perceived helpfulness and competence of a good agent, to find themselves considering ethical violations and perhaps, even illegal behavior, in the service of their agent/handler.
The activist's "felt quality of perfection" [self-concept] is enhanced, and a strong empathic bond is developed with the agent through his/her imitation and simulation of the victim's own narcissistic investments. [self-concepts] That is, if the activist knows, deep inside, their own dedication to the cause, they will project that onto the agent who is "mirroring" them.
The activist will be deluded into thinking that the agent shares this feeling of identification and bonding. In an activist/social movement setting, the adversarial roles that activists naturally play vis a vis the establishment/government, fosters ongoing processes of intrapsychic splitting so that "twinship alliances" between activist and agent may render whole sectors or reality testing unavailable to the activist. They literally "lose touch with reality."
Activists who deny their own narcissistic investments [do not have a good idea of their own self-concepts and that they ARE concepts] and consciously perceive themselves (accurately, as it were) to be "helpers" endowed with a special amount of altruism are exceedingly vulnerable to the affective (emotional) simulation of the accomplished agent.
Empathy is fostered in the activist through the expression of quite visible affects. The presentation of tearfulness, sadness, longing, fear, remorse, and guilt, may induce in the helper-oriented activist a strong sense of compassion, while unconsciously enhancing the activist's narcissistic investment in self as the embodiment of goodness.
The agent's expresssion of such simulated affects may be quite compelling to the observer and difficult to distinguish from deep emotion.
It can usually be identified by two events, however:
First, the activist who has analyzed his/her own narcissistic roots and is aware of his/her own potential for being "emotionally hooked," will be able to remain cool and unaffected by such emotional outpourings by the agent.
As a result of this unaffected, cool, attitude, the Second event will occur: The agent will recompensate much too quickly following such an affective expression leaving the activist with the impression that "the play has ended, the curtain has fallen," and the imposture, for the moment, has finished. The agent will then move quickly to another activist/victim.
The fact is, the movement doesn't need leaders, it needs MOVERS. "Follow the leader" is a waste of time.
A good agent will want to meet as often as possible. He or she will talk a lot and say little. One can expect an onslaught of long, unresolved discussions.
Some agents take on a pushy, arrogant, or defensive manner:
1) To disrupt the agenda
2) To side-track the discussion
3) To interrupt repeatedly
4) To feign ignorance
5) To make an unfounded accusation against a person.
Calling someone a racist, for example. This tactic is used to discredit a person in the eyes of all other group members.
Saboteurs
Some saboteurs pretend to be activists. She or he will ....
1) Write encyclopedic flyers (in the present day, websites)
2) Print flyers in English only.
3) Have demonstrations in places where no one cares.
4) Solicit funding from rich people instead of grass roots support
5) Display banners with too many words that are confusing.
6) Confuse issues.
7) Make the wrong demands.
8) Compromise the goal.
9) Have endless discussions that waste everyone's time. The agent may accompany the endless discussions with drinking, pot smoking or other amusement to slow down the activist's work.
Provocateurs
1) Want to establish "leaders" to set them up for a fall in order to stop the movement.
2) Suggest doing foolish, illegal things to get the activists in trouble.
3) Encourage militancy.
4) Want to taunt the authorities.
5) Attempt to make the activist compromise their values.
6) Attempt to instigate violence. Activism ought to always be non-violent.
7) Attempt to provoke revolt among people who are ill-prepared to deal with the reaction of the authorities to such violence.
Informants
1) Want everyone to sign up and sing in and sign everything.
2) Ask a lot of questions (gathering data).
3) Want to know what events the activist is planning to attend.
4) Attempt to make the activist defend him or herself to identify his or her beliefs, goals, and level of commitment.
Recruiting
Legitimate activists do not subject people to hours of persuasive dialog. Their actions, beliefs, and goals speak for themselves.
Groups that DO recruit are missionaries, military, and fake political parties or movements set up by agents.
Surveillance
ALWAYS assume that you are under surveillance.
At this point, if you are NOT under surveillance, you are not a very good activist!
Scare Tactics
They use them.
Such tactics include slander, defamation, threats, getting close to disaffected or minimally committed fellow activists to persuade them (via psychological tactics described above) to turn against the movement and give false testimony against their former compatriots. They will plant illegal substances on the activist and set up an arrest; they will plant false information and set up "exposure," they will send incriminating letters [emails] in the name of the activist; and more; they will do whatever society will allow.
This booklet in no way covers all the ways agents use to sabotage the lives of sincere an dedicated activists.
If an agent is "exposed," he or she will be transferred or replaced.
COINTELPRO is still in operation today under a different code name. It is no longer placed on paper where it can be discovered through the freedom of information act.
The FBI counterintelligence program's stated purpose: To expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit, and otherwise neutralize individuals who the FBI categorize as opposed to the National Interests. "National Security" means the FBI's security from the people ever finding out the vicious things it does in violation of people's civil liberties.
_______________________________________________________________________
Seventeen Techniques for Truth Suppression
Strong, credible allegations of high-level criminal activity can bring down a government. When the government lacks an effective, fact-based defense, other techniques must be employed. The success of these techniques depends heavily upon a cooperative, compliant press and a mere token opposition party.
1. Dummy up. If it's not reported, if it's not news, it didn't happen.
2. Wax indignant. This is also known as the "How dare you?" gambit.
3. Characterize the charges as "rumors" or, better yet, "wild rumors." If, in spite of the news blackout, the public is still able to learn about the suspicious facts, it can only be through "rumors." (If they tend to believe the "rumors" it must be because they are simply "paranoid" or "hysterical.")
4. Knock down straw men. Deal only with the weakest aspects of the weakest charges. Even better, create your own straw men. Make up wild rumors (or plant false stories) and give them lead play when you appear to debunk all the charges, real and fanciful alike.
5. Call the skeptics names like "conspiracy theorist," "nutcase," "ranter," "kook," "crackpot," and, of course, "rumor monger." Be sure, too, to use heavily loaded verbs and adjectives when characterizing their charges and defending the "more reasonable" government and its defenders. You must then carefully avoid fair and open debate with any of the people you have thus maligned. For insurance, set up your own "skeptics" to shoot down.
6. Impugn motives. Attempt to marginalize the critics by suggesting strongly that they are not really interested in the truth but are simply pursuing a partisan political agenda or are out to make money (compared to over-compensated adherents to the government line who, presumably, are not).
7. Invoke authority. Here the controlled press and the sham opposition can be very useful.
8. Dismiss the charges as "old news."
9. Come half-clean. This is also known as "confession and avoidance" or "taking the limited hangout route." This way, you create the impression of candor and honesty while you admit only to relatively harmless, less-than-criminal "mistakes." This stratagem often requires the embrace of a fall-back position quite different from the one originally taken. With effective damage control, the fall-back position need only be peddled by stooge skeptics to carefully limited markets.
10. Characterize the crimes as impossibly complex and the truth as ultimately unknowable.
11. Reason backward, using the deductive method with a vengeance. With thoroughly rigorous deduction, troublesome evidence is irrelevant. E.g. We have a completely free press. If evidence exists that the Vince Foster "suicide" note was forged, they would have reported it. They haven't reported it so there is no such evidence. Another variation on this theme involves the likelihood of a conspiracy leaker and a press who would report the leak.
12. Require the skeptics to solve the crime completely. E.g. If Foster was murdered, who did it and why?
13. Change the subject. This technique includes creating and/or publicizing distractions.
14. Lightly report incriminating facts, and then make nothing of them. This is sometimes referred to as "bump and run" reporting.
15. Baldly and brazenly lie. A favorite way of doing this is to attribute the "facts" furnished the public to a plausible-sounding, but anonymous, source.
16. Expanding further on numbers 4 and 5, have your own stooges "expose" scandals and champion popular causes. Their job is to pre-empt real opponents and to play 99-yard football. A variation is to pay rich people for the job who will pretend to spend their own money.
17. Flood the Internet with agents. This is the answer to the question, "What could possibly motivate a person to spend hour upon hour on Internet news groups defending the government and/or the press and harassing genuine critics?" Don t the authorities have defenders enough in all the newspapers, magazines, radio, and television? One would think refusing to print critical letters and screening out serious callers or dumping them from radio talk shows would be control enough, but, obviously, it is not.

Low-code app development platforms offer a range of benefits that make them an attractive option for businesses and developers. Here are some key merits:

1. Speed of Development:
   • Rapid Prototyping: Low-code platforms enable faster creation of prototypes, allowing for quicker feedback and iterations.
   • Accelerated Development: Pre-built components and templates drastically reduce the time required to build and deploy applications.
2. Cost Efficiency:
   • Reduced Development Costs: Lower reliance on highly specialized coding skills can reduce labor costs.
   • Lower Maintenance Costs: Simplified codebases and standardized components can decrease long-term maintenance expenses.
3. Accessibility:
   • Empowering Non-Developers: Business analysts and other non-technical staff can build and modify applications without deep programming knowledge.
   • Wider Talent Pool: Organizations can leverage a broader range of employees for development tasks.
4. Enhanced Collaboration:
   • Unified Development Environment: Visual development interfaces and standardized components facilitate better collaboration between business and IT teams.
   • Real-Time Feedback: Stakeholders can see changes in real-time and provide immediate input, improving the alignment between business needs and technical implementation.
5. Flexibility and Adaptability:
   • Ease of Integration: Many low-code platforms offer robust integration capabilities with existing systems and third-party services.
   • Scalability: Low-code solutions often support scaling up from small departmental apps to enterprise-wide solutions.
6. Improved Governance and Compliance:
   • Centralized Control: IT departments can maintain control over the development environment, ensuring compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements.
   • Consistent Standards: Built-in best practices and standards help ensure consistency and quality across applications.
7. Innovation and Experimentation:
   • Encouraging Experimentation: Lower barriers to entry allow for more experimentation and innovation, enabling organizations to test new ideas quickly.
   • Shortened Time to Market: Faster development cycles mean that new features and products can be brought to market more rapidly.
8. User Experience:
   • Improved UI/UX: Pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop interfaces help ensure that applications have a polished and user-friendly interface.
   • Responsive Design: Many low-code platforms automatically ensure that applications are responsive and work across various devices and screen sizes.
9. Maintenance and Updates:
   • Simplified Updates: Low-code platforms typically offer straightforward processes for updating and enhancing applications, ensuring they remain current with minimal effort.
   • Bug Reduction: Standardized components and fewer lines of code reduce the likelihood of bugs and errors.
10. Learning Curve:
    • Shortened Onboarding: New team members can get up to speed faster due to the intuitive nature of low-code platforms.
    • Continuous Learning: Many platforms offer training resources and communities, fostering continuous learning and skill development.

Overall, low-code app development platforms provide a strategic advantage by enabling faster, more efficient, and cost-effective application development. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives innovation and responsiveness to market changes.
Read more:
Wave maker
Rapid application development platform
Low-code Enterprise application development platform
Low code application development platform or Low code development platform
What is Low code app development platforms
Composable low code isvs
Java-based low-code platform
Composable isvs
RAD studio-Rapid application development software platform
APAAS-application platform as a service
Cloud application development platform
Legacy application modernization services
React-native cross-platform mobile application development platform
Compare Wavemaker vs Outsystems vs mendix vs power apps — low code alternatives and its pricing
New application development platform
Rapid application development model
Low-code for consumable Banking and financial Low-code platform solutions
Internal api vs external apis
Rapid application development vs SDLC
Custom application development platform
Embedded banking and Finance, Low-Code and the Emerging Face of Adaptability
BAAS-Banking as a service
Composable Low-code banking solutions
Telecom low code platform
Alternative to Xamarin and Cordova
Wavemaker
Legacy application modernization platform
Cross-Platform React Native Mobile App Development

It is difficult to find real life RR relationship. Especially not an option if you are already taken. There are various vents and one of them - reading or writing fiction. There were topics about RR in scifi written by prominent authors. But how about you? Do you write or maybe have ideas for fantasy setting or world-building? Please share.
Couple examples from me:
Setting 1. Right man in the wrong time
In XXI century experiments on recording human personalities started, a lot of people were "read" and saved on hard-drives, but there were no technology to create artificial bodies for them. So the personalities of test subjects, volunteers and commerical clients remained stored. In parallel genetic treatment research lead to tech that could exteng lifespan, but unfortunatelly it had side-effects of higher risk of cancer for men. As a result this tech only worked well for women. Because of that a lot of parents started to chose female gender for their kids, as their daughters could live much longer than sons. This shifted gender balance and led to female-dominated society. Which sort rewritten history portraing the past of male-dominance in shades of black and all the men of the past as abusive, power-hungry despots. It was backed by statistical facts such as drop in crime rate with reduction of male population.
Eventually the anti-male campaign receded and some interest and curiocity towards men returned, but there were few men left and they were often too spoiled and not very attractive. So there was a high demand for men in various spheres of, well, entertainment. Besides of lack of supply there was a conflict between romantized image of primal men and fear that their brute force may be too disruptive in a disarned pacifist decadent society. A commercial solution was found - a company manufactured artificial male bodies that were looking hot and attractive, big in all the right places, yet lacked the brute force, were very light and designed to be harmless to women. Even a teenage girl could easily overpower them. They used the stored consciousness of men from XXI century and put these men into new artificial bodies. Bodies were not cheap, so the resurrected men owed a big loan to the company and had to work basically for free to pay off the debt...
Story is about a girl who rented such a guy as a birthday present for herself. She had to return him soon, but they figured out that his knowledge can help her a lot with her studies. Despite some technological advance, few people of her epoch can really understand principles behind the science - they can use it, maybe replicate, but not understand or advance.
So besides a romatic affair they can work together to help her and studies and suddenly a "genius", once she makes a career and earn some money - she can pay off his debt. And until then - rent him from time to time for both pleasure and studies.
-- I liked the story but it is long abandoned --
Setting 2. Purple letter
Every invention can be used for evil. So called Selena transformation was quickly adopted by shady brothels - it allowed to transform women in ideal sex-slaves or walking sex-toys. Very attractive perfect bodies, not aging, able to move and speak, but weak and helpless, easily stored after "work shift" and unable to run away. This was of course against law, but went under radar for a while, a ot of women were converted against their will. Then one of them escaped with the help of a client who smuggled her from a brothel and was eventually killed by thugs. Nevertheless, she managed to get help went to TV. She told her story and that caused a huge impact. Police raided brothels and found thousands of victims... A lot of people went to jail, but public outrage shifted from those who run these illegal dens to those who paid for their services and were silent... This caused a political shift and a lot of blame by association.
Some male politicians, celebritites decided to voluntary undergo Selena transformation. This way they demonstrated solidarity with female victims and scored a lot of points. This was good for career and removed the burden of "male guilt" from them. This made them physically weak and thus not dangerous to women anymore. Also reduced their individual carbon footprint. Last but not least - change made them look more sexy.
Some militant feminists and these male allies gained more political power and pushed mandatory transformation for jailed criminals. Reducing their danger and also reducing costs of prisons. Transformation of men went to industrial scale: it reduced crime and also was "green". Eventually it become mandatory and special comission decided who and when must come to the tf-hospital and be transformed. They sent men so called "Purple letters" - instruction to come up and pass transformation. Job perspectives were sour for remaining "organic" as insurance discounts motivated business to fire organic men and only hire transformed, because they were safer for women.
Also transformed that didn't volunteer require a "guardianship" of a woman. Such as wife, girlfriend or female boss. If there is no such woman - guys are sent to adoption centers that are nicknamed "boyshops".
Plot of the story is about two friends that were transformed and soon adopted by two ladies. Not for "fun", or at least not just for fun. Ladies run a business and required some new employes, they figured that the can just purchase two guys instead of hiring them...
-- This story contains 4 chapters so far but is also on hold, not much readers' interest --
Just wanted to share the settings and hopefully read some RR-fantasy setting ideas you guys have

So my little sister is gen z . She’s 20 now. But she was basically home schooled because she was sick from 8-15 years old. She basically watched a lot of YouTube and had full access to the internet not monitored in anyway. I say this part because I think it played a big part in her influence. I left the home for the military at age 20 when she was 8. While I lived with her she I was her big influence. She was girly and never acted in a way that showed she was uncomfortable In girls clothes. I’m a female bisexual but feminine. Queerness runs in my family we are all Neuro divergent in some way wether it’s ADHD or high functioning autism. I think people like this are bound to be more “free”
But I’m wondering if y’all would really consider her trans. When I came back from the military she got a boyfriend that was transgender. she’s had a crush on a girl before . Ever since she got him as a BF she all of the sudden was talking about being trans at age 16. She never dresses like a boy just a teen that didn’t have a style. And I told her many people take time to know them selves. Not to mention we grew up with abusive parents than never let us develop our sense of self. She would act inappropriate, and where to thigh high socks in mini skirts when her sister’s boyfriend was at home. I remember asking her why she felt she was trans and she said because she doesn’t look like a girl so she might as well be a boy. She had Crohn’s disease so she’s under developed for a girl. But I told her the way you act and dress can help you be more feminine. Just because you have a flat chest doesn’t make sense just be a boy? I feel like the reasons she gives doesn’t make sense. That and she still only dates men. I suspect that my father abused her, and she feels that being a woman isn’t safe, because women are prayed upon. it’s common when women are sexually abused then they gain a lot of weight because they feel like who wants to touch an extremely fat person so then they feel safe in the extra weight makes your body feel safer. she’s changed her name and now we can’t even call her by her biological name. I’m just trying to be there for her as her big sister. Only time will tell.
As a transgender person what people are you attracted to? Do you think I’m valid for thinking she doesn’t know herself because our history of abuse?

So my little sister is gen z . She’s 20 now. But she was basically home schooled because she was sick from 8-15 years old. She basically watched a lot of YouTube and had full access to the internet not monitored in anyway. I say this part because I think it played a big part in her influence. I left the home for the military at age 20 when she was 8. While I lived with her she I was her big influence. She was girly and never acted in a way that showed she was uncomfortable In girls clothes. I’m a female bisexual but feminine. Queerness runs in my family we are all Neuro divergent in some way wether it’s ADHD or high functioning autism. I think people like this are bound to be more “free”
But I’m wondering if y’all would really consider her trans. When I came back from the military she got a boyfriend that was transgender. she’s had a crush on a girl before . Ever since she got him as a BF she all of the sudden was talking about being trans at age 16. She never dresses like a boy just a teen that didn’t have a style. And I told her many people take time to know them selves. Not to mention we grew up with abusive parents than never let us develop our sense of self. She would act inappropriate, and where to thigh high socks in mini skirts when her sister’s boyfriend was at home. I remember asking her why she felt she was trans and she said because she doesn’t look like a girl so she might as well be a boy. She had Crohn’s disease so she’s under developed for a girl. But I told her the way you act and dress can help you be more feminine. Just because you have a flat chest doesn’t make sense just be a boy? I feel like the reasons she gives doesn’t make sense. That and she still only dates men. I suspect that my father abused her, and she feels that being a woman isn’t safe, because women are prayed upon. it’s common when women are sexually abused then they gain a lot of weight because they feel like who wants to touch an extremely fat person so then they feel safe in the extra weight makes your body feel safer. she’s changed her name and now we can’t even call her by her biological name. I’m just trying to be there for her as her big sister. Only time will tell.
As a transgender person what people are you attracted to? Do you think I’m valid for thinking she doesn’t know herself because our history of abuse?

Hi all,
We’re planning to buy a home in Surrey, BC. It is our first time doing this. We’re looking for a 2 bedroom home with 1 parking. I need advice on the following:
(1) I know we need to get mortgage pre-approval first. Do you have any recommendations for mortgage brokers to use? What are the things that we should ask/look for in a good mortgage broker?
(2) Do you have any recommendations for a good real estate agent? What are the things that we should ask/look for in a good real estate agent?
(3) Since we can only afford a condo/townhouse, what’s a good range for a monthly strata fee? I understand that there are lots of factors to consider but I just want to have an idea. We currently rent a 2017 condo and our strata fee is at $0.68/sqft. This condo has amenities such as pool, gym, function room, and mini theater. We don’t really use them a lot so we can live without them.
(4) Any other things that we should consider?
Thank you in advance for your help.

Hi all,
We’re planning to buy a home in Surrey, BC. It is our first time doing this. We’re looking for a 2 bedroom home with 1 parking. I need advice on the following:
(1) I know we need to get mortgage pre-approval first. Do you have any recommendations for mortgage brokers to use? What are the things that we should ask/look for in a good mortgage broker?
(2) Do you have any recommendations for a good real estate agent? What are the things that we should ask/look for in a good real estate agent?
(3) Since we can only afford a condo/townhouse, what’s a good range for a monthly strata fee? I understand that there are lots of factors to consider but I just want to have an idea. We currently rent a 2017 condo and our strata fee is at $0.68/sqft. This condo has amenities such as pool, gym, function room, and mini theater. We don’t really use them a lot so we can live without them.
(4) Any other things that we should consider?
Thank you in advance for your help.

We currently live just outside of Boston and are considering moving back to the midwest, specifically the Green Bay, WI area. We have $100k saved for a downpayment, closing, and moving expenses along with $30k in savings. We are looking at houses in the $330k-$425k range. I've never owned a home, but my wife did and sold it 5 years ago (I wasn't on the paperwork/mortgage and she owned it prior to us getting married).
Question #1, would I/we still qualify as FTHB's?
I will be contacting two local (Green Bay) mortgage brokers, along with our CU in WI who we are still a member of, as well as 1-2 national lenders. We have zero debt, very good income, and credit scores in the 740-790 range, depending on the credit bureau, so getting pre-approval will not be an issue.
Questions #2 & #3, is this too many lenders to reach out to? Are there any national lenders who have better ratings/service?
As for realtors, I have a recommendation from a family member for a realtor who's in the next large town over (30 miles) away. My employer also has a benefit, Real Estate Advantage through Coldwell Banker, where they will match you with a local realtor, recommend lending, and offer a cash rebate or credit on closing costs at closing if we use their realtor.
Questions #4 & #5, is the family recommended realtor considered "local" enough? It would be great to have access to homes for sale that aren't necessarily on the market or listed yet, which is something that the Coldwell Banker people were touting on their webinar. Does anyone have any experience with programs like Real Estate Advantage?
Since we are 1200 miles away, we really don't have the ability to view any homes we are interested in person. Yes, some that I've looked at have virtual tours they can do, and we do have some family who would be willing to check a few places out. We'd obviously fly out to view it in person prior to closing. However, because of this, I'm thinking that we can't take the risk of waiving inspection, which may put us at a big disadvantage since the last 3 houses I've been watching went under contract in less than 3 days and I can only assume that the buyers waived everything to get the win.
Question #6, does anyone have any recommendations or things we should consider why trying to purchase a home long distance?
Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice you may have to offer!