As my readers know, I follow politics closely. I have to, as it seems that so few are paying attention. For example, as I've posted here, on TG Forum, and on facialbook:
The GOP made clear its plans "Eradication" (see Project 2025, also CPAC march 2023), Trump said "On day one, I will sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content onto the lives of our children" (TPUSA speech, June 15, 2024)
Anti- trans bills skyrocketed from 143 in 2021 (18 passed) to 600 (87 passed) in 2023. In 2024, there have already been 625 bills (47 passed) and we’re only 1/2 through the year. (https://translegislation.com/)...
A careful reading of Project 2025 states intent:
Project 2025 wants to label our very existence as ‘pornographic’ and threatening to children, which to them is punishable by execution.
“Pornography, manifested today in the omnipresent propagation of transgender ideology and sexualization of children, for instance, is not a political Gordian knot inextricably binding up disparate claims about free speech, property rights, sexual liberation, and child welfare. It has no claim to First Amendment protection. Its purveyors are child predators and misogynistic exploiters of women. Their product is as addictive as any illicit drug and as psychologically destructive as any crime. Pornography should be outlawed. The people who produce and distribute it should be imprisoned. Educators and public librarians who purvey it should be classed as registered sex offenders [emphasis mine]. And telecommunications and technology firms that facilitate its spread should be shuttered.” (Project 2025, p.5)
“[The next conservative Administration] should also pursue the death penalty for applicable crimes—particularly heinous crimes involving violence and sexual abuse of children [emphasis mine]—until Congress says otherwise through legislation. [footnote referenced]”. (p. 554).
Oh, what does the footnote say? “This could require seeking the Supreme Court to overrule Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407 (2008), in applicable cases, but the department should place a priority on doing so.” (p. 576)
554 U.S. 407 reads “Sentencing a defendant to death for any crime other than homicide or crimes against the state is unconstitutional per se under the Eighth Amendment.” (“Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407 (2008)”)
So... Eradication. 45 is currently leading in polls thanks to an "assassination attempt." (Sorry- I'm not buying it- I believe it was staged.) If he wins, the US becomes a dictatorship. The GQP has already declared its plans (see above.)
Would I be "safe" in a college town? Would my door be kicked in at 2 am some night? Or will Linda or me be pulled over and arrested for being ourselves? I really don't know. After all Penn State is a tiny Blue dot in an ocean of Red. Once one leaves State College, Cult flags, signs, bumper stickers, hats, and tattoos are very common.
So... should I leave?
With my cousins in Glasgow, Scotland, 2018.
I've explored fleeing to the UK. I'm eligible for dual citizenship, as my mum and her side of the family are/were British subjects. There are many hoops to jump through, but it's do-able. Or I could ask for Political Asylum. Is the UK ideal? No- it has its problems, especially with TERFs. But the UK hasn't said people like me are sex offenders to be "eradicated."
And, should I leave, how long would it be before I see Wife and Daughter again? I've already missed so much of Daughter's life- fleeing means I'd miss years more. Wife and Daughter are my life.
Then there's the issue of Linda. If she's to come with me (as I hope she would) she will need her passport, which takes time. That's IF she wants to come along. As she's not full time, she might be safe. Might.
My studies? I could do that anywhere- including overseas if necessary. For example, I could/would mov back to SEPa (to be closer to Wife and Daughter) if I thought I had a prayer of finding a job back there. But, as experience has shown me, I don't- so I haven't. Besides, Linda and I both HATE moving. (Going overseas would entail leaving almost everything behind.)
Then there's another issue. I read a LOT of books about the Maquis and the French Resistance in WW2. Some of them fled France, only to return later as Allied operatives, trained by British and US intelligence (Jedburghs is one of the names of this program.) Let's face it- I'm too old and broken for military training, and being obviously transgender means I don't blend in. So, if I leave, it's for the duration.
I know people who fled from middle eastern countries due to dictatorships- people who fought for the freedom of these countries. Their choice was to come to the US, survive, and continue their work here in some manner.
But I Love my country. Like so many others, I would die for it. Is it better to stay and fight the fascists at my age, probably disappear into a camp or jail somewhere, or to flee, live, an agitate from abroad? Where could I do the most to help transgender people who are like myself and people dear to me?
I have several friends who have already made plans to relocate to Mexico, Canada, or even Australia. Such a move (like to the UK) would cost money I don't have. Heck, I'm far behind in my bills and we literally have one day of food left in the apartment with no money to get more. How would I afford to emigrate- even, say, to Canada, which is only a four-hour drive away (to the Peace Bridge, anyway)?
Another question is this: should the US become a fascist Christian Nationalist theocratic oligarchy (which is what Project 2025 documents,) how long would it be before the Constitution is restored? 45 can't live forever, that's true, but he has sons to whom he could pass power, or to hand-picked (and/or Putin appointed) sycophantic successors. The last time the world faced such a dictatorship, it cost 6 years and a conservative estimate of 85 MILLION lives to dislodge- most of those deaths due to genocide- and that was BEFORE nuclear weapons threatened global annihilation. And if 45 wins, the button triggering those weapons would be in the hands of a madman.
So, dear reader, I ask: what would YOU do in my shoes? Stay? Go?
Be well.
