Anyone else remember...?

...when did I first start this "screw it" thread right before the elections?

Some called me paranoid—others accused me of being unpatriotic—yet some agreed my predictions were actually pretty spot on...
I assume you all see what’s been happening with the NYSE over the last three months... look, these issues are just the fallout from the shift in the social climate since the Republicans retook power. Now, certain people (not necessarily party insiders, but they exist) think they can shut us down again, just like they tried to do back in the nineties... whether they'll actually pull it off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: we are a much tougher nut to crack than we were ten years ago...

Now, let's get to the second issue I brought up in that thread: the likely removal of support from the Department of Culture...
Unfortunately, I just got word that I was dead right on this one too. Yesterday, the administration pushed through a proposal to abolish the "Council for Alternative Media Culture." This means everyone in our circle—whether it’s Mama, Močvara, Attack, or the NYSE crowd—is about to lose what little state support we had left...

I know, I know. Go ahead and gloat about how my outbursts seemed paranoid or how you insisted the GOP had reformed. I can't help you if you won't listen. 😳

Regardless, the proposal goes to an emergency vote in Congress this Thursday, and you can bet your life it’ll pass...

Screw them. We're going to show these idiots that we don't need their handouts or their money. The programming might take a hit, but we aren't giving them the satisfaction of seeing us fold... So, to the geniuses in the Republican Party: here you go :2up: :2up: :2up:

Fine, let Verizon be your sponsor then

and that swamp of a Coca-Cola 😁

just kidding, just kidding 😁 😁 😁

So, what's the deal with the city itself?

What's the word on Mapok Construction? 😍

And you know what I just don't get—the fact that this guy's son is basically part of the whole Attack and Swamp inventory, and he's baked right into the entire juggling subculture
and the reality is, the man can't even get his old man to fix a single thing regarding this mess.

shadowgardener12 said:And what about the city itself?

The city bumped up our support by 20% this year—hardly enough to cover the hotel costs (and how they expect us to fly in from somewhere like Chicago is beyond me)... plus, with local elections looming and the Republicans already strategically hinting at scrapping mandatory service, we can probably expect the city funding to vanish entirely by next year...

hollowseal33 said:Mapok Construction? 😍

Go ahead and keep playing games if you want... meanwhile, their production director is practically plastered all over town...😎

We can't let them walk all over us! We need student protests, and we need them now!
Where did that revolutionary spark go? That youthful, intellectual drive for change that used to be so common among students? It’s as if the constant state of war and the grip of the Republican Party have managed to stifle every single seed of student freedom, university autonomy, and—of course—the necessity for cultural expression itself.

Don't let them shut down the NYSE. Don't shy away from a public outcry, because there are media outlets out there that will actually stand up for the NYSE, and they carry significant weight. Perhaps it feels like we're riding a wave of those old, heavy-handed conservative eras again—but this isn't that version of the GOP, and we aren't the people we were back then. Some things have irrevocably improved. Besides, I am convinced that even without government subsidies, a program like the one at the NYSE could be profitable... it HAS to be profitable! Even if a beer ends up being just a few dollars more or a ticket becomes slightly $1.75 pricier, that's it. Let the Republicans keep throwing millions at their fancy fundraisers and gala nights... honestly, who cares? Elections will come around eventually.

Nancy Chase9 said:What I find particularly baffling is the idea that even if we consider the son of a certain local political heavy-hitter to be an integral part of this entire niche underground scene
and assume he’s completely incapable of influencing his father to fix any of these issues

Haha, 😁 perhaps that is precisely why they are cutting the funding. 😉

Kenneth Ward8 said:Funny enough, 😁 maybe that’s exactly why they're cutting the subsidies 😉

You took the words right out of my mouth.😁

e 🙂 props to them, I guess
if this actually goes through, you guys might as well just start a political party called the "STUPIDITY EQUIVALENT TO POWER PARTY" or something similar. 😁
Look, I’m joking, mostly. But honestly, we need some actual movement—petitions, organized events—to force people to pay attention to this mess.
Worst case scenario? Try getting sponsorship from the coalition parties. If you can convince them it’s good PR... (I bet a big player like Disney would jump at the chance)😁. I doubt anyone would mind showing up to concerts sponsored by the Democrats or the Republicans
. Alright, fine, I’m exaggerating. It’s not funny.
But they seriously need to show some teeth.
And I’m pretty sure those clubs have more than enough bite to do it.
When they try to shut you up, that's when you get creative.

Richard Brooks22 said:You're at your most creative when you're being ignored.

Exactly... I keep telling myself this might actually be the better path. Sure, I won't have a steady paycheck for a few more years—but there’s zero risk of getting too comfortable with financial security. And let's face it: complacency is the death of creativity.😉

Perhaps the IEEE should consider reaching out to our friends in the US Congress for some assistance 😁
Judging by Mr. Miller’s recent remarks—that might actually secure us enough funding to cover everything from system upgrades to the highest-grade acoustic insulation and perfect ventilation that meets all European Union standards 😁

Alternatively, given the potential loss of the IEEE, the younger crowd might just declare a new medical phenomenon: PKSS—Post-IEEE Stress Syndrome 😁

Kenneth Ward8 said:perfect ventilation according to European Union standards

you mean that "let's just vent it with Apache helicopters" approach👍

Look, we just need to hammer out a real strategy here.
There are plenty of (legal) ways to raise some cash,
leveraging the media outlets

And beyond that—we could hit the streets with protests. It’s been way too long, and honestly, I'm itching to get out there—wearing printed tees, throwing water balloons, and carrying signs.
Not to mention the whistles.👋

Tyler Grant86 said:are you referring to that "let's just ventilate them with Apache helicopters" approach?👍

I suppose we could always try "ventilating with baked beans" if that proves more efficient.😁

Maybe we can jump on a call with the USPTO—let's give them something to chew on—I guess.

Nancy Chase9 said:Folks, we simply need to flesh out a strategy.
There are plenty of (entirely legal) ways to secure funding
through media channels.

Beyond that, we could take to the streets with protests. It’s been far too long, and frankly, I find myself itching to grab some printed t-shirts, water balloons, and signs.
And don't even get me started on the whistles. 👋

Precisely. Exactly right. 🙂
That is what needs to happen. We have to demonstrate our numbers—only then will they actually respect us. If we coordinate with the local precinct to mobilize people and gather at least 10,000 loyal followers (considering just the honorary members of the IEEE exceed 10,000 alone 😁), then let them try to shut down the IEEE. Let them try to shutter us and still expect to walk away with a victory in Washington, D.C. ...as if. It would be nothing more than a total farce. 😁

Nancy Chase9 said:We could try to coordinate a call with the USPTO—let's give them a little runaround, for instance.

Or perhaps—did anyone actually manage to get an hour of walking in today? A brisk walk for the sake of one's health might be in order.😁

Look, this isn't just about the IEEE—it’s much worse for everyone else. Unlike what's happening with the IEEE, these people are using this support to fund their dead-end operations. They might not be doing it directly, but this influx of cash allows them to shuffle funds from other sources to cover payroll... I'm telling you, the administration and the entire establishment are headed for a massive disaster.