That is pretty bad ass. Your tattooist did a great job!

1 minute ago, kbois said:

That is pretty bad ass. Your tattooist did a great job!

He did.

I forget what a tremendous talent he is until I see him work, and then I am reminded in the best way.

Thanks, kbois.

That's an awesome tattoo 👌 

8 minutes ago, chris191070 said:

That's an awesome tattoo 👌 

Thanks, Chris. I love it.

Very interesting background information on your thinking, and your creative and thoughtful design. It is a powerful and very personal message,to add to one's body. I would not have realized the historical references, without your insightful explanation. Well done by the artist, and for you, and your convictions.  ❤️

56 minutes ago, Reader1810 said:

 

Looks great, Wayne, and I love the meaning behind it. 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Reader. I’m super happy with how it turned out.

1 hour ago, Flip-Flop said:

Very interesting background information on your thinking, and your creative and thoughtful design. It is a powerful and very personal message,to add to one's body. I would not have realized the historical references, without your insightful explanation. Well done by the artist, and for you, and your convictions.  ❤️

Thanks, Flip-Flop.

I actively went searching for anti-nazi symbolism, and this really fit the bill. James did a tremendous job incorporating the two into a great, coherent design. Lots of meaning. Personalized, and ever-pertinent.

I really love your new tattoo, Wayne, and the meanings that inspired it. And thank you for educating me about the Social Democrats of 1932 Germany and their votes against the Enabling Act. That’s important to share, I think. It’s hard to stomach that there are no MAGA Senators willing to protect their own constitutional powers. 

20 hours ago, lucretiaseeks said:

I really love your new tattoo, Wayne, and the meanings that inspired it. And thank you for educating me about the Social Democrats of 1932 Germany and their votes against the Enabling Act. That’s important to share, I think. It’s hard to stomach that there are no MAGA Senators willing to protect their own constitutional powers. 

Thanks, lucretiaseeks.

I read a piece concerning how the GOP is essentially screwed. They are hostage to someone who commands legions of rabid followers. They know their jobs and perhaps lives are forfeit if they resist. So. They don't. They give up their power for the illusion of control and security. Many hate what is happening, but they have no courage. So here we are, where any backbone is reason to proclaim that person unfit, unclean, and disloyal.

This is why the only lever left is the judiciary. That's it.

Well. And in the end, authority only exists for one reason. Because it is ALLOWED to exist by the people affected by that authority. That authority will vanish under a wave of rebellion, anger, and righteousness when pushed too far. That isn't far off. This administration won't last four years. Not in a country like mine - where a lack of reasonable gun laws have allowed firearms in so many hands. Maybe legislators will realize this and act before that happens. Or maybe not. Regardless, this administration won't last four years.

Things will get worse before they improve. But they will improve. One way or another.

EDIT: I'm so sure this term will not last the full four years because before he was even elected, we saw two attacks on him. Notably, those came from the right, not liberals. He has encouraged his followers to solve problems with violence, and they will eventually see him as a problem. When they cannot get life-saving healthcare for loved ones or put food on their tables, they will ultimately realize they're being lied to. The past has proven they're capable of knowing where the problem lies. Give them no other choice, and they'll take the only route they know.

On 2/9/2025 at 1:30 AM, Wayne Gray said:

This administration won't last four years. Not in a country like mine - where a lack of reasonable gun laws have allowed firearms in so many hands.

The king or the kingmaker... Or both. One can't help suspecting there'll also be covert operations from (ex-) CIA, other intelligence agency or military operatives. I look on from the outside. It's difficult to imagine what it's like for you all when democracy, rationalism, and the rule of law are all under threat with no practical resistance outside of violence.