this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
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The Russian commander of the “Vostok” Battalion fighting in southern Ukraine said on Thursday that Ukraine will not be defeated and suggested that Russia freeze the war along current frontlines.

Alexander Khodakovsky made the candid concession yesterday on his Telegram channel after Russian forces, including his own troops, were devastatingly defeated by Ukrainian marines earlier this week at Urozhaine in the Zaporizhzhia-Donetsk regional border area.

“Can we bring down Ukraine militarily? Now and in the near future, no,” Khodakovsky, a former official of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, said yesterday.

“When I talk to myself about our destiny in this war, I mean that we will not crawl forward, like the [Ukrainians], turning everything into [destroyed] Bakhmuts in our path. And, I do not foresee the easy occupation of cities,” he said.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Mate. Respect for Marriage Act 2022 is a federal law protecting same sex marriages. It's there. It's fact. Bwaha etc.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The Respect For Marriage act of 2022 requires ONLY that states recognize existing same sex marriages. If Obergefell was overturned tomorrow, zombie laws kick in over a good chunk of the country banning same sex marriage. And Roberts as well as Thomas both opposed Obergefell.

And that's not evne getting into the fact that you're sitll only talking about a single piece of legislation which ONLY requires that states recognize such marriages, it does absolutely nothing besides that. Which means that it is not only inadequate in what it does to protect queer marriage, but also that it's a very minor piece of legislation in the grand scheme of queer discrimination.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's not the point. I feel I've already answered your argument in other comments. If you don't agree, please let me know why and I'll happily address it.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You have done nothing to address the argument actually.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ok. I did ask you to explain why?

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I pointed out that the specific law you talk about does not in fact "Protect same sex marriages", the act does absolutely nothing to stop states from banning same sex marriage, and that even if it did that it only covers a tiny aspect of queer discrimination. The act does not demand that states accept queerness, it does not demand that all states allow or protect gay marriage, it does not prevent states from banning same sex marriage, it does none of that. ALL it does is say that Texas can't say a New York marriage is invalid because the people involved are of the same sex.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I mean that's just completely false. The Act requires the U.S. federal government and all U.S. states and territories to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages.

From the Act:

Congress finds the following: ((a) In General.--No person acting under color of State law may deny-- (1) full faith and credit to any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other State pertaining to a marriage between 2 individuals, on the basis of the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of those individuals; or (2) a right or claim arising from such a marriage on the basis that such marriage would not be recognized under the law of that State on the basis of the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of those individuals.

Seems pretty clear, no?

Again I'm not trying to say this is a fait accompli and we can just sit back on our laurels and consider it done. But it's a hell of a lot better than Russia's law.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I mean that's just completely false

No, it's completely right and quoting a bit about how im right is an odd choice.

Again. What I said was this

ALL it does is say that Texas can't say a New York marriage is invalid because the people involved are of the same sex.

To which you respond with the text of the law stating that the law bans any government employee from not recognizing a marriage from another state on the grounds that its a gay marriage. At this point you are either trolling or acting in such bad faith you may as well be.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

. At this point you are either trolling or acting in such bad faith you may as well be.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"No u" isn't the argument you think it is. But given your arguments so far, I'm hardly surprised this where you ended up.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There has been nothing wrong with my arguments. Acting like there has just doesn't make it so.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)

yikes-1 yikes-2 yikes-3

Someone else is going to have to explain the ignorance present in this statement for I do not have the time or energy, could one of our cishet hexbears be a good ally?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

You are incapable. That is because the comment is factually correct. US Federal law has protections for queerness. The cited law proves it. What point are you trying to make exactly?

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

The long and short of it is that legalizing gay marriage isn't even a strong step to lgbt liberation, it is literally just tepid assimilationism. We are only "accepted by federal law" in most narrow and on their terms sense. Call me when the US government federally covers trans Healthcare, makes conversion torture a federal crime, deals with the queer(especially child) homelessness problem, and purges the people calling us all pedophiles.

Also, learn some fucking humility.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

But that's not what was under discussion. Does there exist a federal law which protects queerness?
Yes, yes there does.

Is it perfect? By no means, there's a long way to go. But the characterization of the US as queerphobic in the context of comparison to Russia is a nonsense. Both-sidesing this issue is a disgusting affront to the LGBTQ people suffering under Putin.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

You're original wording was:

which accepts queerness in its federal law.

You do not know what queerness is if you think that is met by gay marriage being legalized federally.

Is it perfect? By no means, there's a long way to go. But the characterization of the US as queerphobic in the context of comparison to Russia is a nonsense. Both-sidesing this issue is a disgusting affront to the LGBTQ people suffering under Putin.

This is whataboutism. Also US capitalists fund the passage of anti-lgbt laws and hate campaigns globally that create basically pogroms against gay and trans people. So it is ridiculous because the US is much worse to gay and trans people globally.

They also helped illegally and undemocratically dissolve the USSR and created the situation for Putin to exist in in the first place. Who knows, if they didn't interfere maybe the USSR would currently be as progressive as Cuba is on the issue of queer liberation. And Ukrainian and NATO capitalists and Russian capitalists wouldn't be sending conscripts to their deaths.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Legalising same sex marriage is an acceptance of queerness. At no point did I say that the issue was "met" (i.e. settled). In fact, I clearly said "it's not perfect".

Its not whataboutism though. It's a response to the original (flippant) claim that the US is a queerphobic dictatorship.

I have not seen any pogroms against gay or trans people that have been funded or supported by the US government. Maybe going back a ways?

I fucking hate the US government. Just need to mention that. They're a joke and I want to see huge reforms, though I don't hold out much hope.
I hate the Russian government more, and with good reason, especially on the issue of queerphobia. Are you genuinely of the belief that the Russian government is less queerphobic than the US govt? If so, please explain that to me in big letters so that I can understand properly.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Legalising same sex marriage is an acceptance of queerness

Its not going to get less ridiculous if you keep saying it.

Are you even lgbt? Maybe you should ask some trans leftists what they think of this. Maybe read some Leslie Feinberg.

It's a response to the original (flippant) claim that the US is a queerphobic dictatorship.

It is lmao. It is literally a dictatorship of capital with the most queer people imprisoned per population.

I have not seen any pogroms against gay or trans people that have been funded or supported by the US government. Maybe going back a ways?

Look at every single liberation movements that they mass murdered and you will find countless queer folks. Queer folks have always lead the charge against US imperialism in such movements.

But also, I'm talking about US capitalists lobbying governments and running private campaigns. And the capitalists and the government are in the same bed together.

I fucking hate the US government. Just need to mention that. They're a joke and I want to see huge reforms, though I don't hold out much hope. I hate the Russian government more, and with good reason, especially on the issue of queerphobia. Are you genuinely of the belief that the Russian government is less queerphobic than the US govt? If so, please explain that to me in big letters so that I can understand properly.

Yes, they are more queerphobic, because they kill more queer people globally, and seek to destroy liberation movements globally. Russia might have worse laws but the US has more queer blood on its hands, and is ultimately responsible for a right wing Russian government existing in the first place.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

its not going to get less ridiculous if you keep saying it.

Nor will it get any less true until you refute it.

Are you even LGBT?

Fuck off. I don't know you.

The US is a plutocracy. You need to have a look at the definitions. It's definitely not a dictatorship because there is a regular handover of power. Is it any better than a dictatorship? Up for discussion. But the definitions of words have to matter, and you've got the wrong one.

So no examples of US government-led/supported pogroms against queer people then? Not even a single link to a pogrom which was supported by someone who was supported by an American capitalist who is demonstrably in bed with the American government? That's looking like a pretty weak line of argument at the minute, though I'm open to hearing more.

Your last paragraph is similarly hugely lacking in supporting evidence. It may be true, but at the moment I have to dismiss it utterly since it's just your opinion, and, again, I don't know you.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Most of what youre saying isn't worth responding to; for example, claiming that the rich aren't in bed with our politicians lol, but for the audience, some history:

Here the Yankees are admitting to influencing the elections after the coup to keep the communists out of power because the people had previously voted not to dissolve the USSR before the coup and they were afraid of communists regaining control of the government.

Here is a fun article on how the US is responsible for violence targetting lgbt people worldwide Just a tiny sample though

Here is a relevant essay on liberals like you speaking over queer liberation activists.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Except I never made that claim. Is English not your first language? Your comprehension seems a bit below par and I don't want to bully you out of the conversation if that's the case. I could be less idiomatic if that would help?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Not even a single link to a pogrom which was supported by someone who was supported by an American capitalist who is demonstrably in bed with the American government?

Stop being a debate pervert.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is it against some rule of yours to ask for evidence?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You've been provided what you've asked for now shut up and read it loser

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm sorry, the claims are not supported by the provided links.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

While I disagree, I can see where you're coming from. Shouldn't have called you that. Gonna do some introspection, since this entire federation thing and the influx of bad faith actors I didn't encounter for three years, interaction with other users has made me pretty hostile. Sorry about that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Did you click on the links and read them?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Yep. They don't prove the US is a queerphobic dictatorship. Not even close. I don't know what more to say. Maybe you should open your mind a bit? There is some pretty good literature out there on the nature and inherent value of truth that might be illuminating for you.

And one last thing. I'm not a liberal. Not everyone who you argue with is.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm curious now, if you're not a liberal what are you?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What do you want to know? Do you want me to label myself? PolComp score? What?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

? You said you weren't a liberal, suggesting that you think you're something else. Which raises the question, what is that?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I'm not a liberal because I hold strong anti-capitalist views, for one example.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Okay you say you're not a liberal and you're an anti-capitalist but what are you, in the positive? Unless you only define yourself by what you're not?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm not into identity politics either. I am far left, anti authority, pro-worker, pro-human, pro-science. Lots of things. What about you?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm a Marxist. I reject identity politics, too. You should look into Marxism. It could be right up your street.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Nice! I've read the manifesto, most of Das Kapital and some of his essays and his thinking is a big part of my worldview. I'm reading "at the café" by Malatesta at the moment and I think I like it enough to recommend.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thats because you did not ask for links proving that, youre either being a debate pervert or have the memory of a goldfish.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Or, I'm considering your argument which is supported by your evidence that some US citizens aided homophobia in other parts of the world. What was that again?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Debate pervert, got it.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Legalising same sex marriage is an acceptance of queerness.

Even if that were true, same sex marriage is legal because of a court decision, Obergefell v. Hodges, not this act.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Act nonetheless exists, and as such, proves my point quite handily.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

'So if Saudi Arabia passed the "Homos are humans too, I guess" act, which didn't actually do anything, you would consider this proof that Saudi Arabia is accepting of LGBTQ people?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If the act protected queer people, then I would defend Saudi Arabia against comparisons with countries that actively litigate against the existence of queer people, like Russia, yes.
But I would not consider it proof that Saudi was accepting of queer people. For that I would probably look at testimonies of queer people in the country. Like the ones you can see from millions of US citizens.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You can indeed point to millions of queer US citizens and have them tell you the stories of the discrimination they have faced at the hands of the US government.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That seems like something which would be infinitely harder to do with Saudi subjects. Probably because they aren't allowed to be gay.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Using testimony of discrimination as evidence of acceptance is a novel strategy.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Glad to have surprised you. And yet, if you actually parse what I'm saying, you'll see that the evidence in providing is a presumed lack of testimony being evidence of a lack of acceptance which indicates a comparison which is favourable to my argument.