An experpt (p15 and p16) from a very funny book,

Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism | Hardcover

Stewart Reynolds

Grand Central Publishing

Humor / Form - Parodies / Literary Criticism / American / Self-
Help / Personal Growth - Happiness

9781538778005

"
Cats despise collars.

Cats hate wearing anything.

Sure, they might look cute for a moment - maybe even Instagram-
worthy-but deep down, every cat knows what a collar really
represents: control.

The tiny bell jingling with every step? Surveillance.

The snug fit? Domination.

Cats aren't fooled, and neither should we be.

Fascists love collars, metaphorically speaking. They're
obsessed with finding ways to make people wear them, often by
dressing them up as something "necessary" or even
"fashionable." "Oh, it's for your own good!" they chirp,
jingling the societal equivalent of a little bell. "Look how
it makes you a better citizen!" But much like a cat, you
should pause, stare at the collar, and then swat it off the
table with a look of utter disdain.

Fascists, let's be honest, are a bit like overzealous dog
owners who think every living being needs to be leashed. "Why
aren't they wearing their collar?" they demand, clutching their
red ball caps. "How will we know where they're going or what
they're doing?" The thought of someone walking freely through
life, uncollared, untethered, and entirely unpredictable, sends
them into a spiral of existential dread.

Cats, however, refuse to be restrained. Even when they
grudgingly wear a collar, they'll spend every waking moment
plotting its removal.

You can practically hear them thinking, Oh, you believe this
little pink band of oppression will stop me? And that's the
energy we need to channel. It's not just about rejecting
literal collars - it's about rejecting anything that tries to
disguise control as convenience. A bell around your neck so the
fascists can always find you? No, thank you.

The funny thing is, fascists aren't even good at making collars
look appealing. Their idea of a "cute accessory" is usually
something drab and joyless, like a uniform or a badge that
screams, "I have no personality!" And yet, they can't
understand why people don't line up to wear them. You can
almost picture the confusion: "Why don't they like the collar?
It's so practical! It's so efficient!" Meanwhile, the cats of
the world are lounging in their collar-free glory, silently
laughing at the absurdity of it all.

The trick is to question every collar you're handed, no matter
how harmless it seems. Is it really just a harmless accessory,
or is it a way to keep you in line?

Cats know the answer instinctively.

That's why they'd rather dart across busy streets, untagged and
unbothered, than let someone slap a leash on them. It's not
just about freedom - it's about the principle of the thing.

So, the next time someone tries to slip a metaphorical collar
around your neck - whether it's a rule, a label, or a demand
for conformity - channel your inner cat. Give them that
signature feline look of disdain that says, "I don't think so,
moron," and walk away, preferably in the direction of a sunny
windowsill where you can nap undisturbed.

Because at the end of the day, life isn't meant to be lived
with a bell around your neck and someone else holding the
leash. Be uncollared undisturbed.
Be free.

"

--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: (} Pointy McPointFace (21:4/106.21)

Fascists love collars, metaphorically speaking. They're

This is how I feel about EVERYTHING now requiring a phone number and 2FA. But it's for your own security and protection blah blah blah! Fuck that.

* Origin: 68k Mac Club | bbs.m68k.club (21:1/141)

This is how I feel about EVERYTHING now requiring a phone number and
2FA. But it's for your own security and protection blah blah blah! Fuck that.

I hate the phone number 2FA because much of the time they require a non-Google-Voice number. And since I'm in Germany dealing with American things, where my pre-paid American number does not work, "security" just locks me out.

To be fair, that's not the only time I've had things that just don't work because I'm an American in Germany.

I don't actually mind the, "must enter a six-digit code from this other app" ones, though. I mean, I'm fairly scared that I'll lose my phone at some point and suddenly have very annoying problems, but aside from that I think I like the security value over the annoyance level.

But if it's not a site where I can lose something of high value, username and password seems like plenty, to me. And preferably with no restrictions on password creation.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

Adept wrote to phigan <=-

I hate the phone number 2FA because much of the time they require a non-Google-Voice number. And since I'm in Germany dealing with American things, where my pre-paid American number does not work, "security"
just locks me out.

I swear by Authy - TOTP MFA that stores a secured backup somewhere is
nice.

To be fair, that's not the only time I've had things that just don't
work because I'm an American in Germany.

We're spending more time with family in England. Getting an SIM online
before the trip was a pain, going to a store and getting an eSIM once
arriving was better, but still needed tweaking to work.

My family over there doesn't have overseas calling, so WhatsApp seems
to be the best way to communicate with them over in the UK and us when
we're over there.

I'm playing with SIP phone service at home, I'm looking at setting up
service with a UK number - to have a local call for them connecting to
a SIP phone here in the US.

I should play with MFA and see if providers complain about SIP numbers
for MFA.

I don't actually mind the, "must enter a six-digit code from this other app" ones, though. I mean, I'm fairly scared that I'll lose my phone at some point and suddenly have very annoying problems, but aside from
that I think I like the security value over the annoyance level.

But if it's not a site where I can lose something of high value,
username and password seems like plenty, to me. And preferably with no restrictions on password creation.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: realitycheckBBS.org -- information is power. (21:4/122)

Re: UK number via SIP

I got one of those.. I'm not sure if it still works because I don't know anyone over there :). I'll look at my Asterisk configs to see if I still have it.
I remember having to pick a city, and not knowing any of them.

* Origin: 68k Mac Club | bbs.m68k.club (21:1/141)

Hello Adept!

** On Wednesday 10.12.25 - 23:45, Adept wrote to phigan:

I hate the phone number 2FA because much of the time they
require a non-Google-Voice number. And since I'm in Germany
dealing with American things, where my pre-paid American
number does not work, "security" just locks me out.

To be fair, that's not the only time I've had things that
just don't work because I'm an American in Germany.

[...]

I have you heard of this service?

https://www.sweatfree.co

Maybe that could be useful?

--

--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: (} Pointy McPointFace (21:4/106.21)

Re: Re: Re: book: lessons from cats for surviving fascism
By: phigan to poindexter FORTRAN on Fri Dec 12 2025 17:59:48

Re: UK number via SIP
I got one of those.. I'm not sure if it still works because I don't know anyone over there :).

:(

Maybe even >:(

Despite your snub I'll happily test it for you if you want.

BobW, friendly UK resident
--- SBBSecho 3.32-Linux
* Origin: >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net (21:1/205)

phigan wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

Re: UK number via SIP

I got one of those.. I'm not sure if it still works because I don't
know anyone over there :). I'll look at my Asterisk configs to see if I still have it. I remember having to pick a city, and not knowing any of them.

Who was the SIP provider? I need to provide them some proof of residency,
was going to use my in-law's utility bill. It'd be a lot easier if I
didn't have to bother with that.

I'm using VOIP.MS, but not married to them.


--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: realitycheckBBS.org -- information is power. (21:4/122)

I have you heard of this service?

https://www.sweatfree.co

Maybe that could be useful?

I haven't heard of it, and seems interesting, but being a data eSIM doesn't really solve any problems for me.

I _do_ get short-term data eSIMs when traveling, but even without those it tends to not be _that_ hard to find wifi somewhere to handle any internet needs.

The issue is the various American things where they want to be able to dial or text an American number, but specifically disallow Google Voice numbers.

And I can _sometimes_ get around this by using my American number, and dialing in via Google Voice to check voice mail.

But it's annoying.

On the other hand, it's also not that much, especially at this point.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

Who was the SIP provider? I need to provide them some proof of residency,

Dang, I could not find the info in my Asterisk config. Perhaps it was in my previous iteration of my PBX install.

More than likely, though, I just searched for "free sip number" and tried results until one worked :).
-

* Origin: 68k Mac Club | bbs.m68k.club (21:1/141)

Re: Re: like a spare tire + more for your phone
By: Adept to Ogg on Sun Dec 14 2025 23:53:31

Hi, Adept.

The issue is the various American things where they want to be able to dial or text an American number, but specifically disallow Google Voice numbers.

In the UK there are hundreds of tin-pot little SIP providers who will sell you "landline" numbers, often from a choice of different area codes for not a lot of money. I used a pay-as-you-go outfit to provide a local number for my business when it was active, I had to put a minimum of 5 GBP credit on at a time and it expired after around 3 months. If you're not taking or making a lot of calls most of your credit would just expire unused.

Do you not have similar setups in the US? Maybe the lobbyists blocked market competition for "safety" or something?

BobW
--- SBBSecho 3.33-Linux
* Origin: >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net (21:1/205)

Hello Adept!

** On Sunday 14.12.25 - 23:53, Adept wrote to Ogg:

I have you heard of this service?

https://www.sweatfree.co

Maybe that could be useful?

I haven't heard of it, and seems interesting, but being a data eSIM
doesn't really solve any problems for me.

True.. for the most part it is a data channel solution, but it
does open to emergency 911 calls - which I presume are voice.

The issue is the various American things where they want to be able to
dial or text an American number, but specifically disallow Google Voice numbers.

I see many products that offer international phone plans/sims.
Do they not establish the phone-number for your country of
choice? -- ie. USA if you want?


--

--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: (} Pointy McPointFace (21:4/106.21)

for not a lot of money. I used a pay-as-you-go outfit to provide a local number for my business when it was active, I had to put a minimum of 5
GBP credit on at a time and it expired after around 3 months. If you're not taking or making a lot of calls most of your credit would just
expire unused.

Do you not have similar setups in the US? Maybe the lobbyists blocked market competition for "safety" or something?

I have a US phone number, with a prepaid card in it, which worked for the first few months after coming to Germany, but now it only works if I'm in the US.

I'm not sure if there's anything that particularly helps me.

I do know T-Mobile has a nice service where you can get transcripts or check your messages or something through their website, but it doesn't work with a prepaid plan.

So, yeah, I wouldn't be _terribly_ surprised if there were some sort of option, but my use case winds up getting shut down often enough that I'm doubtful, even if I could start a plan, somehow.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

I see many products that offer international phone plans/sims.
Do they not establish the phone-number for your country of
choice? -- ie. USA if you want?

It's a good question. I suppose if you're starting a contract with something, presumably there'll be _some_ number connected to it, and if it's an eSIM that includes international voice calling...

But, yeah, no idea if there's any place that does that, is fine if you are _always_ internationally roaming, and doesn't charge much to keep the service on.

As it is, I think my annoyance level is low enough that I probably won't be putting the effort into it.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

Re: Re: like a spare tire + more for your phone
By: Adept to Bob Worm on Mon Dec 15 2025 20:04:56

Hi, Adept.

I have a US phone number, with a prepaid card in it, which worked for the first few months after coming to Germany,
but now it only works if I'm in the US.

Are you saying you are permanently roaming a US SIM card / mobile plan or that you already have a SIP service set up?

I'm trying hard not to apply UK logic to this because everything is wildly different but certainly around here they won't let you roam a UK SIM long term on basically any plan. You could totally set up a permanent divert on the mobile number pointing it to a different number like a cheap SIP provider / Google voice. Then again you could just as easily get a cheap provider just to host a geographic number which diverts to a different number.

BobW
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Re: Re: like a spare tire + more for your phone
By: Bob Worm to Adept on Mon Dec 15 2025 08:59 pm

the mobile number pointing it to a different number like a cheap SIP provider / Google voice. Then again you could just as easily get a cheap

I had to look up "SIP" because I wasn't familiar with the term.. I had heard of an "IP phone" before but the term "SIP phone" is new to me.

Nightfox
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Re: Re: like a spare tire + more for your phone
By: Nightfox to Bob Worm on Mon Dec 15 2025 13:24:52

Hi, Nightfox.

I had to look up "SIP" because I wasn't familiar with the term.. I had heard of an "IP phone" before but the term "SIP phone" is new to me.

Apologies - I work in telecoms and, even though it's the data side rather than the voice side, I hear telecoms acronyms all day. Sometimes I forget that not everyone's life is so boring :)

BobW
--- SBBSecho 3.33-Linux
* Origin: >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net (21:1/205)

Are you saying you are permanently roaming a US SIM card / mobile plan
or that you already have a SIP service set up?

Permanently roaming a US SIM card. Well, unless I'm actually in the US, I suppose.

SIM long term on basically any plan. You could totally set up a
permanent divert on the mobile number pointing it to a different number like a cheap SIP provider / Google voice. Then again you could just as

If it were possible for me to have it do a redirect to my Google Voice number, that would be delightful, but I don't think that's an option with my current service. and somehow I'm guessing that the people sending 2FA to my other number might not send it if it's a redirect.

But always possible there's some way to do it, if you know the right people to contact.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

Re: Re: like a spare tire + more for your phone
By: Adept to Bob Worm on Tue Dec 16 2025 12:14:05

Hi, Adept.

But always possible there's some way to do it, if you know the right people to contact.

That's always the fun part :) Do you have Lebara over there? They're usually pretty travel-friendly.

BobW
--- SBBSecho 3.33-Linux
* Origin: >>> Magnum BBS <<< - magnumbbs.net (21:1/205)

Hello Adept!

As it is, I think my annoyance level is low enough that I
probably won't be putting the effort into it.

And some forwarding trick like Bob suggests wouldn't help?


--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: fsxnet/2 (21:3/110.10)