🎧 Downbeat.fm Vol. 5 Track 11

Fuck Trump. Fuck fascists. Fuck nazis.

Mike Rastiello

02 Dec 2024 — 4 min read

Fuck Donald Trump.

Here are some tips and helpful links I put together the first time this piece of shit won the Presidency. We could only imagine how bad it would get after 2016. In 2024 we know what's coming and it’s going to be so much worse.

Protecting Yourself Online

Maybe you are a blogger, or notoriously shitposting on social media, or doing other online activities. If you do, you should take some precautions to protect yourself.

Here is a great guide on things a regular person like you or I can do to secure ourselves online. I’ve highlighted a few below that are incredibly important.

Strong Passwords

Passwords are a huge problem. Not enough people use strong passwords, and too many people reuse passwords on multiple sites. This is horrible. If a site is hacked, like LinkedIn was not too long ago, hackers can sell user names and passwords. Hackers may try to use those stolen logins to break into your email or social accounts. They did it during GamerGate, and they’ve done it a bunch since.

Two Factor Authentication

If a service offers two-factor or multi-factor authentication, use it. Use it everywhere it’s available. It can sometimes be a little inconvenient, but the peace of mind makes up for it.

Here are some quick links to help you set up two-factor authentication on some popular sites and services:

Apple
Windows
Google/Gmail
Twitter/X
Facebook
Instagram
Mastodon
Bluesky - is not available yet, so be careful there.
Discord

If you use any service where you may share personal information or attract the attention of trolls and bad actors, please look into setting two-factor or multi-factor authentication for your safety.

WhoIs Protection

If you’re going to blog or create a website with a custom domain name, consider using WhoIs protection. WhoIs is a look-up service that allows anyone to see who owns a domain name. Not only your name but your email address, home/business address, and phone number. All information that you need to provide when you purchase a domain name. WhoIs protection masks that personal information. It’s usually a couple of extra bucks when you purchase/renew a domain name yearly. Worth it.

HTTPS/SSL

If you’re hosting a website, you have to use a secure protocol (https:// over http://). SSL encrypts communications between the user and the server. Whatever requested and served data is encrypted at the server and decrypted at the end user’s machine. SSL helps prevent hackers and the government from eavesdropping on your communications. Major sites like Google, Facebook, and many others all now serve their content over SSL by default. You can find secure sites by looking for a lock or green text in the site address bar.

Encryption

Encryption is essential. Privacy is incredibly important and should be defended like nothing else. This is one of the few problems I’ve had with Obama during his term, and I see it getting worse under Trump and Republican control. Messaging services like Apple’s iMessage are encrypted and getting stronger every year, locking out hackers and the government (which is a good thing).

However, cross-platform texting, such as iPhone to Android, may not be secure or encrypted. If you’re worried about privacy, here’s a list of cross-platform apps that will keep you safe.

Taking Action

I started donating to causes that are important to me after the 2016 election. I’ve set up recurring monthly donations to the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Network of Abortion Funds, and some local alt-newspapers. I’ve added more donations as time has gone on, too, but those are the biggies.

I urge you to also donate to groups that are important to you if you can. They need us now more than ever. And we will need them.

If you’re like me, you’re angry. You want to take action. Be vigilant. This is not normal. We can’t let hate rule us. We can’t let Trump and the right undo all of the progress we’ve made.

November's Playlist

This month’s playlist features songs from Oakwood, Grant Lee Buffalo, Trophy Wife, Camp Cope, The Hotelier, Black Belt Eagle Scout, and more!

Listen to this month’s playlist on

Apple Music

Spotify

Quick Listening and Other Links

Music legend Quincy Jones died this month. He was 91. Quincy's contribution to music is legendary. He arranged and conducted music for Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. He scored several films, including In the Heat of the Night, The Color Purple, and Roots. He produced Michael Jackson's Thriller and worked with other legends such as Dianna Ross, Billy Preston, Donna Summer, and many others.

From the Associated Press: Vinyl thrives at United Record Pressing as the nation’s oldest record maker plays a familiar tune

A t-shirt with a graph on it. The x-axis is labled Dracula Music on the left side, and Carnival Music on the right. On the y-Axis the top is labeled Sex Music, and the bottom is No Sex Music. There are dozens of band names spread out on the chart.

The more I look at this graph, the more I love it. There are some questionable placements here, but overall I think it's pretty accurate.

Apparently, there were some very unhappy Karens out there after Knocked Loose and Poppy performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. You can watch the performance here.