indomara

Hmm, I happened across this video last week of a womens prison, and it doesn't seem quite so grim...

https://youtu.be/p8paAewtl0c

I also saw another video in a mens prison a while ago that showed them cooking all the meals, and it looked strict, but not so bad as you describe.

Of course these videos are propaganda...

Still, I would take a Japanese prison before an American one.

What the hell? Do you want to be like America? Because this is how you end up like America.

Last week, the ABC revealed that Orange Hospital in the state's central west had introduced new policy banning abortions for people with no identified pregnancy complications or medical reasons.

That afternoon, the health minister made a spectacular intervention, announcing on social media that the ban had been reversed.

These fuckers are trying it all over the place!

I read every line even though it hurts. I feel I owe it to them, to at least read their stories, remember their faces.

How have we created such monsters?

I am originally from the US but moved to AU and am now a citizen. I got lucky and got out just before Trump's first presidency.

Life here is good. Like, better than most Americans can really understand. Healthcare is free, education is good and includes topics like critical thinking and understanding how to spot "fake news".

There is only a small aisle of frozen food in the grocery store, not nearly as much pre-packaged food. There are affordable fresh fruits and vegetables, and outside most grocery stores is an independent baker, butcher, fishmonger, and fruit and veg stand.

Minimum wage is $24.10 an hour, and you cannot be fired for no reason if you are a full time employee.

If you compare things (and adjust for AUD to USD) like rent, gas, milk, bread, eggs... Things cost about the same here as in the US.

We pay around the same amount in taxes, and get so much more.

Things aren't completely rosy, distressingly, Australia seems to want to emulate the US in certain ways which worries me.

There is also currently a bit of an economic downturn and while it's nothing like what I left behind, it does mean things cost more and luxuries have to be budgeted for.

I think anyone who isn't a dick would be welcome here. There are racist cunts here like everywhere, but generally Aussies are the kindest and most welcoming people.

*80s'

Yup. I hope they make it through this.

80's, female, born in the US and now (thankfully) an AU citizen.

I agree. Slavery was never really stopped. Big brands like McDonalds use convict labour. Some states will lease a slave/convict to private citizens for things like yard work.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_labor_in_the_United_States#Modern_prison_labor_systems

It's bad.

Alabama: Inmates that refuse to labor face a range of consequences, including solitary confinement and extensions of their sentences.

Florida: Inmates in Florida are forced to perform labor, often under threat of solitary confinement and beatings. These inmates are not paid for the labor they’re made to perform, and unsatisfactory performance can also lead to solitary confinement. In one instance, a prisoner working as a barber was sent to solitary for dropping a hair clipper, while in another, a woman who suffered a breakdown and refused to clean a set of toilets was beaten to the point of full body paralysis.

Louisiana: Refusal to work can be met with solitary confinement and physical beatings.

New York: The jobs inmates are mandated to work range from mundane ones such as tailoring and taxi driving, to more hazardous ones as lead paint and asbestos removal. Inadequate work and/or refusal to work can be punished with beatings.

I wonder why they are banning it? A cursory google says its an insect borne virus found on every continent except Antarctica.

Remember to vote in all local elections. The more sensible people you get into office the more change you create. Look up all the candidates, even for things like education, water treatment, family court judges.

These are all offices that we vote (or not) into office.

When I went to look at who to vote for in the shitty midwest state I am from, (I am an expat. ) sometimes the choice wasn't clear. Some had no party affiliation, but those who seek positions of power often move on to other positions of power. Starting at the bottom we must vote in good people.

So I looked up their campaign websites or facebook pages, and made my choice from there. Do I want the girl with little background in the subject who has republican affiliations supporting her campaign for the office?

Or maybe the guy who runs free name change clinics for people who need it and works at the local food bank.

The choice was clear to me.

I am sorry fellow Americans. This was an outcome I had greatly feared.

Don't give up.

I read every line and looked at every picture. I feel we owe it to them, to at least look at their faces and read their stories.

They were so happy and beautiful. Clearly very loved.