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The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · 2d

Most Americans think they vote directly for president. But that’s not exactly true.

The system that really decides who wins is called the Electoral College, and it was built into our democracy long before television, telephones, or even trains. 👇🏻

open.substack.com/pub/theshatt...

Notes from the Wreckage: Reborn

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JJ Hastings @jjhastings.com · 8d

Because From The River To The Sea, Palestine Will Be Free.

Because Black Lives WILL ALWAYS Matter.

Because "fearfully and wonderfully made" will ALWAYS include the lives of my Trans brothers and sisters.

And because La Raza unida, jamás será vencida!

www.linkedin.com/pulse/notes-...

This morning I started a new household policy; every morning, I will walk my roommates to the bus stop and watch them get on the bus, and then walk down to meet them at the bus stop everyday when they...

www.linkedin.com

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JJ Hastings @jjhastings.com · 18d

For those who are interested in helping out, our situation has gotten absolutely critical.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMFQKhXv/

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · 25d

A Closer Look at U.S. Political Parties: Then and Now

Why do we have Democrats and Republicans, and how did they come to be?

The Shatterpoint Statement on Journalistic Integrity

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Sep 10

Unlike our peers, The Shatterpoint never has and never will accept bribes or kickbacks from elected officials, of any party, to adjust or tailor our writing and coverage of the US government to a specific agenda.

Our full statement can be found below:

In the past handful of weeks, reporting has come to light exposing that multiple high follower new media accounts that claim to be “independent sources” have been receiving kick backs, or “donations”,...

Understanding the Roads to U.S. Citizenship

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Aug 20

New FREE article from guest contributor, Alexander Perez 👇🏻

An Article from Guest Author Alexander Perez

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Aug 18

Thank you for your support.
You can subscribe for FREE at theshatterpoint.substack.com

What is a citizen? And who gets to be one? The answers have changed a lot over time, and they still matter deeply today. With daily threats, propaganda, and misinformation being parroted by the highes...

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jul 27

What is a Citizen?

www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6k9AvgL/

TikTok video by JJHastings

www.tiktok.com

open.substack.com/pub/theshatt...

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jul 15

A Question for My Readers

Which Direction Should We Go?

Both "packing" and "cracking" are insidious forms of #gerrymandering, designed to entrench the power of one political party at the expense of fair representation. The whole idea of districts is to ma...

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JJ Hastings @jjhastings.com · Jul 9

Let’s talk about gerrymandering.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6dCSPof/

TikTok video by JJHastings

www.tiktok.com

Texas Plans Mid-Decade Redistricting After Pressure from White House

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jul 9

Gerrymandering is when political district lines are unfairly drawn to give one group or party more power in elections.

Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · Jul 9

🚨BREAKING: The Texas Legislature will redraw its congressional maps beginning this summer, after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced he added mid-decade redistricting to the state’s upcoming special session agenda.
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

Read more here.

www.democracydocket.com

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JJ Hastings @jjhastings.com · Jul 8

My situation hasn't gotten critical and any little bit helps.

Our roommate got laid off this month. I'm still trying to find work, book freelance gigs after 18 months of job searching, and we are in absolutely desperate need of assistance with our rent and phone bill.

I've got $4. I'm desperate.

Support JJ Hastings

ko-fi.com

Understanding Propaganda - YouTube

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jul 7

For those not on TikTok, you can find our micro series on understanding and recognizing propaganda on this YouTube playlist.

We will continue to upload them as they are completed!

Pt 1 Mis/Dis/Malinfo
Pt2 10 Common Propaganda Techniques
Pt3 Mass Media & Visual Prop
Pt4 Ideological Propaganda

A micro series on understanding the common forms of propaganda with historical and modern examples.

youtube.com

What IS propaganda? In this video, I break down the 10 most common types of propaganda used today, and then show you four examples of historical propaganda you are likely already familiar with! #medi...

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JJ Hastings @jjhastings.com · Jul 4

On my TikTok, I am currently doing a 6 part series of 7-10 minute videos breaking down Propaganda, top to bottom, in easy to understand language with lots of examples.

Please feel free to watch:

10 Techniques PT 1: www.tiktok.com/t/ZT61hjYPb/

Psych Manipulation PT 2: www.tiktok.com/t/ZT61hQtUo/

TikTok video by JJHastings

www.tiktok.com

Why America Was Built to Protect You—Even From Its Own Leaders

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jul 2

Why did the US Founding Father's intentionally craft a Limited Government? What happens when a leader oversteps that limit?

⭐️ This article has been contributed by guest author, Alexander Perez, a reporter born and raised in Southern California.

An Article from Guest Author Alexander Perez

I've been living with suicidal ideation for over 35 years, and survived over 30 suicide attempts. I am officially 12 years free of self harm and suicide attempt this week. When I took my first blue chip, after sitting in the far back row and not speaking in recovery meetings for weeks, I made the choice to suffer for good and for hope over the choice to keep trying to end my life.

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jun 27

Or maybe people wanted a Mayor who wasn't a bigoted piece of shit who rapes women?

What a weird headline, and a weird article, from a growingly weird and out of touch publication.

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JJ Hastings @jjhastings.com · Jun 27

12 Years Free

I've been living with suicidal ideation for over 35 years, and survived over 30 suicide attempts. I am officially 12 years free of self harm and suicide attempt this week. When I took my first blue chip, after sitting in the far back row and not speaking in recovery meetings for…

12 Years Free

jjhastings.com

Juneteenth Special: The Black Panthers

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jun 19

They changed the way people thought about civil rights, community programs, and the role of protecting community.

What Is a City Budget and Why Should You Care?

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JJ Hastings @jjhastings.com · Jun 16

If you’ve ever wondered why some neighborhoods thrive while others are neglected, the answer is often hidden in public budgets.

In my latest article for Medium, I break it down in plain language: what is a city budget, who makes the decisions, and why it matters more than most people realize.

A city budget is essentially a financial roadmap for your local government. It’s a detailed plan that outlines how much money the city…

jjhastings.medium.com

The U.S. isn’t a pure democracy, and it’s not supposed to be.

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jun 11

The U.S. isn’t a pure democracy...and it’s not supposed to be.

Learn what a republic really is, why the Founders chose it, and how it was built to give power to the people without letting that power be abused. 👇🏻

**FREE**

What Is a Republic?

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jun 5

56% of Americans read at a 6th grade level, and over 20% are fully illiterate. Those people CAN understand the language used in Trump and Elon's tweets.

We can keep jerking ourselves off because of how smart we are, or we can make the effort to move our messaging down to the level of the people.

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jun 4

“We have not received any information on why they were detained,” she said. “All we know is that Martir is just a fourth grader who’s by himself, without his dad, without a parent, and just in a place that he probably doesn’t know, so we can only imagine what he might be feeling.”

Is That Photo You're Sharing Real?

The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics @theshatterpoint.substack.com · Jun 4

Are you sharing fake photos and encouraging the spread of misinformation? In this quick 3 minute video, I break down how to quickly use Google Lens to validate the sources of a photo online. 👇🏻

How to use Google Lens to verify a political image isn't "fake news"!

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♥️♠️Pam♦️♣️ @pamrichmond1.bsky.social · Apr 29

98 1.3K 3.1K

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JJ Hastings @jjhastings.com · Jun 2

SB1953 passed, just waiting on JB to sign.

www.msn.com/en-us/news/c...