#like….85% folks there are conservatives

[scramratz]

I see so many older lesbians at the post office! Yesterday one walked in while I was shipping off a package, and her face lit up as soon as she saw me! We met eyes and shared the same thought

#means a lot considering I live in a deep red city #like….85% folks there are conservatives #nice to see other queer folks

[intersectionalpraxis]

do you mind me asking what, in your experience, has the general vibe been in canada among like everyday people? are more canadians pro-palestine or pro-isnotreal? this site is us-centric so I wonder about neighboring country perspectives. if you don't want to answer, that's cool btw! def not expecting you to be an expert!

Hello! Thank you for your questions, and of course I can share some of my thoughts.

In my city we had a march to protest IOF violence (a few thousand people showed up) but a lot of folks from my area tend to go downtown to gather (especially since the Consulates are there too), and the turn outs in Toronto have been high, just like they have been in Ottawa. Compared to 'pro-Israel' crowds in Canada, visibly, it can't compare to people who have come out to support and be in solidarity with Palestine in larger cities -in that respect, it is similar to the US in terms of images we have seen to compare the gatherings. There are a range of people, from Vancouver to Halifax where thousands to hundreds gathered, to only under a dozen -and that speaks volumes in many ways. There have been a few direct-action activist protests where railways were blocked (I know of one in Winnipeg, Manitoba back a few weeks ago that were demanding a ceasefire, and one in Montreal, Quebec very recently [a few days ago] that was demanding an end to IOF terror and Canadian complicity).

In my area the only few visible acts of solidarity I have seen was when I saw a huge Palestinian flag being waved, and I saw someone in the mall, who wore a keffiyeh, and had a small Palestinian flag on their bag. I still see predominantly white women getting their starbucks around (I get there are exceptions, but they're the demographic I mostly see getting their drinks there, much to my dismay). I also work in a mall (and I had to work the Sunday that weekend of Black Friday), and it was BEYOND packed in there -and it's a big shopping centre. This is just my inference, and I don't know anyone's stances based on behaviors like this, which could range from ignorance to bigotry, but I am unsure.

I did, however, look over some articles to give you and anyone interested a little more perspective. Sadly, in terms of polls and politicians support - most 'Canadians,' support a ceasefire, but only on the condition IOF hostages are released, and that even if a majority support humanitarian aid to Gaza, the sentiment is very much pro-IOF, and based on my understanding that there is no acknowledge as Israhell as a settler-colonial force and power that is committing war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

Here is one article, with some excerpts below with the most recent information available. I will include the link here:

"A majority of Canadians, 75 per cent, hold Hamas (33 per cent) or Iran (42 per cent) responsible for the Oct. 7 attack in Israel that left 1,400 people dead and led to Hamas capturing some 240 hostages. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas." "The Palestinian health ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government in the Gaza Strip, says some 10,000 Palestinians have been killed so far. That figure has not been independently verified." "Most Canadians (76 per cent) classify Hamas as a terrorist organization and another nine per cent say it is a proxy for Iran. Just eight per cent consider Hamas to be freedom fighters. Overall, 71 per cent of Canadians support Canada calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but 81 per cent say that a ceasefire must start with the return of hostages taken by Hamas. Just 18 per cent of Canadians oppose calls for a ceasefire." "New Democrats are most likely to support calls for a ceasefire: 86 per cent support the call, compared to 57 per cent of Conservative voters, 82 per cent of Liberal voters and 85 per cent of Bloc Québécois voters." "When given a choice, 68 per cent said the priority in the conflict should be protecting Palestinian civilians living in Gaza and ensuring they have humanitarian aid, while 32 per cent said retaliation against Hamas should be the priority. Here, there are stark differences between parties: Forty-eight per cent of Conservatives say the fight against Hamas should be the priority, compared to 25 per cent of Liberals, 20 per cent of New Democrats and 18 per cent of Bloc voters." "Fifty-nine per cent approve of Canada’s support for Israel (only 18 per cent disapprove). At 71 per cent, Liberal voters back Canada’s support for Israel most strongly, followed by Conservative voters (67 per cent) and Bloc Québécois voters (61 per cent). Just 39 per cent of New Democrat voters back Canada’s support for Israel."

I think it's also important to add that the Liberals passed a new bill a few years ago, called Bill C-10, which was to amend the Broadcasting Act (which is a way for them to decide which *content* to censor, which includes most videos on the ground from Palestine, depending on the platform -but I can't access Eyes on Palestine, and can't see videos uploaded on Let's Talk Palestine). They say this is so that people turn to 'reliable' and 'credible,' news sources (as one element), but when mainstream western media isn't covering the genocide the way it needs to be because the IOF is a settler-power ethnically cleansing Palestinian people -that is clear as day, but similar to the US -the Canadian government has a vested interest in 'Israel,' and has been, since day one, saying 'Israel' has a right to defend itself, and classifies Hamas as a terrorist organization like the US, and STILL advocates for a two-state solution:

I would also like too that here, too, multiple politicians and journalists have been fired for their 'pro-Palestine' comments. It's just despicable. You can read more about this here and about the people/what they posted:

Of course this wasn't all-encompassing, and I am by no means an expert, but I would say generally, Canada and their 'pro-Israel' crowd (unsurprisingly) is similar to the United States. I hope this offered a bit more insight into what's going on here. I will try to keep updating about Canada here as well, because yes -a lot of what we see tends to be from the US, which understandably, but I will try to be reflexive of this moving forward.

#feminist #feminism #social justice #freepalastine🇵🇸 #palestine #free palestine #free gaza #canada #canadian politics #end the occupation #end the genocide #settler colonialism #settler violence #colonialism #colonial violence

[firespirited]

Identity only means a gotcha to right-wingers who weaponize identity politics. Let’s not fall into that trap. A British Indian man is running the UK on a platform riddled with white supremacy, a black man helped hurt other black folks because his allegiance was to the rich as his primary community.

A female supreme court judge just helped overturn essential healthcare for millions of women because her allegiance is to patriarchal theocracy. The far right in Greece is run by a woman and in France, by a Jewish man.

They think they can push us into a corner and say you’re being antisemitic, you’re being sexist, you’re being racist and all we have to do is find the closest community leader and pass them the mic to say “Actually the community is behind this other representative by 85%, Could you please stop letting this person clown around like they speak for us?”

Kanye, Candace Owens, Blair White, Ben Shapiro and Dave Rubin are being platformed and championed for a reason. The conservatives like to think we can’t handle the concept of shunning without exiling from identity. They’re the only ones thinking of diversity points as shields or ways to game the system instead of very real systemic struggle.

Think of it this way: biological family isn’t always true family. You can’t pretend you’re not related to a bad family member but can cut them out and live your life striving to not be like them.

"Surely family-name speaks for your family!?”

“Nope, they speak only for themselves, are harmful, and are not welcome at my family-name house”

“But you share the same genes? You look alike”

“We don’t act alike and that’s all that matters.”

#saf #identity politics

[astarionshugenaturals]

i'm scared to death

The sun has long since set over Interstate 85, the thick Georgia heat making its way through rolled down windows and open car doors. I’m sat shotgun in the Ford, the bed of the truck piled high with the necessities we’d salvaged when we detached the trailer back at the trailer park. Gridlock traffic has kept us in the same place for the better part of two hours, no sign of anyone able to move forward. The incessant honking and cursing had stopped after the first thirty or so minutes, when the folks behind us realised we weren’t the ones causing the holdup.

I roll my neck to try and massage out some of the tension that’s built up there, and immediately I become aware of the aching pain in my legs from having sat for so long. I sigh, turning to Luther in the driver’s seat. He’s been tapping away on his phone for at least an hour now; every now and again he’ll put it to his ear, like he’s making a call, only to drop it a few seconds later with a sigh. The radio broadcasts quietly between us, promises of refuge whispering through crackling static,

“Hey man,” I say, my voice croaky with disuse and dehydration. I can’t finish my sentence before a voice from behind jumps in,

“God, River. You sound like you swallowed gravel.” I’m chastised by Lara, and she reaches over the gearbox to hand me a bottle of water,

“The coolbox is in the bed, so this is kinda warm, but drink some anyway.” I thank her with a slight chuckle and a nod as I take the water, gratefully guzzling a good portion of it. A part of me thinks of conserving it, but I know Lara’s girlfriend - Ada - filled her huge thermos with water before we left the trailer park, so I doubt we’ll be worrying about running low. 

I cough some when I finish, screwing the cap back on and tossing the bottle behind me; a soft ‘thunk’ and a ‘fuck you’ being my only response,

“As I was saying,” I look properly at Luther, whose eyes flick up from his keypad momentarily. He’s pressing buttons frantically, the soft ‘click’s letting me know he’s writing up another text. “I think I’m gonna go for a walk, stretch my legs, see if the other folks know what’s going on.” Luther nods at me, shaggy blonde hair trying to reach over his bandana into his eyes,

“It’s gonna be okay, Riv. We’ve just hit a checkpoint, my old man says they’ve got tons of people tryna get outta Atlanta,” He scoffs, shaking his head without looking up from his phone, except to try and retune the radio when the static gets louder, “Lord above knows why folks want out. It’s crazy out there, man.”

I nod along, letting him finish his tangent before I slip out the open door. Ada yells at me to leave it open, claiming her ‘pasty british ass can’t cope in this heat’. I snort out an unattractive laugh as I begin walking down the road, letting the occasional breeze ruffle through my short red hair.

I hear the whining of a kid, a young boy, next to me. He complains to his mum about being hungry. I feel for him. Deciding not to stop at the truck stop on the way here is a decision that’s beginning to weigh on me, the growl of my stomach becoming audible. I lean up against the hood of an empty car, hoping the owners won’t mind me taking a rest against their beat-up Toyota while they’re gone. 

“Why don't I get him something to eat? Ed's into all this survival stuff. We've got enough MREs to feed a small army.” A woman with buzzed hair speaks up in response to the boy’s complaint. Her voice is sort of fragile, and I have to strain to hear her. The mother voices her appreciation, and the lovely woman disappears around the side of her car to get some food. I sit and listen a moment longer, flinching when I hear a door slam, and hushed voices around the other side of the car. I bite my lip and make my way over, putting on my best smile as I approach the mother,

“Take it you folks are headed for the refugee centre?” I question. The woman eyes me up and down, her face sceptical despite what appears to be her effort to hide it,

“That’s where everyone else was headed. My friend-” She slightly trips over the word, as though she’s considering it. I don’t mention it, “My friend got my son and I earlier today, I trust him to keep us safe.” A sad voice ends our conversation,

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.” It’s the sweet woman from earlier, her arms bereft of food for the two kids standing with me and the mother.

The woman nods at me, and walks off towards a car not ten feet away. Inside is a man, staring intently at the radio. My mind wanders back to my friends in the truck, and I wonder if Luther’s still trying to get ahold of his dad. I begin walking back, but as I turn I carelessly bump into the woman from before. I grab her biceps to keep her steady, apologies immediately flooding from my mouth. She doesn’t make eye contact, but assures me it’s okay, and apologises for not looking where she was going. 

“I’m really sorry about that,” I smile awkwardly, and her eyes flick up for a moment. She returns my smile, and a bit of warmth runs through my chest,

“Ed must have forgotten to pack those MREs,” She says, looking behind me. I turn back around and put some distance between us. I don’t like the look her husband’s giving me,

“I found these in my purse.” She holds a couple of bars, one for each of the kids, I assume. The brunette I’d been speaking to smiles, and she’s now accompanied by the same large man from the car. I assume this is the friend she’d spoken of, and I offer him a polite nod,

“It’s alright,” She smiles, “Listen, would you guys mind keeping an eye on Carl for a minute?” I look down at the boy next to me, who stood when he saw his mum returning, and then realise the little girl must be the other woman’s. I grin, noticing the boy - Carl - staring at my jacket.

“Shane and I are gonna go scout up ahead a little bit and see if we can find someone that knows what’s going on.” The brunette says, and I find myself realising I have yet to learn anyone’s name intentionally.

“I wanna go with you.” Carl pipes up, a small furrow on his brow. His mother makes a noise of disagreement  and kisses him on the forehead. The big man, Shane, puts his hand on top of Carl’s head, ruffling his hair lightly,

“Hey, we’ll be back before you know it. ‘Kay little man?” The two walk off, leaving me feeling a little awkward taking care of a stranger’s kid. His mother spares a glance back with a small smile at myself and the other lady, before continuing on her way.

I look down at Carl, shaking my jacket so the buttons jingle against each other. He and his friend smile, looking away shyly. The woman holds her hand out to me,

“I’m Carol. This is my daughter, Sophia, and my husband Ed.” Her smile is polite, and I take her hand gently, hoping my tattoos don’t make her think any less of me. Her eyes trace over the snake on the back of my hand, but her smile doesn’t falter. Her husband’s does, though, and he glares daggers into me. He’s easily got a hundred pounds on me, and I let go so I don’t piss him off,

“Pleasure to meet you all. I’m River.” Little Carl looks up at me, small brow furrowed again,

“Your accent’s funny.” Carol blushes, covering her small smile with her hand delicately. Sophia gasps and whispers to him, telling him he can’t say that,

“It’s okay Miss Sophia,” I kneel down, level to the kids, “I’m from England. I’m on vacation at the moment with my friends.” The two nod, seemingly content with that answer. I stand back up and hold my hand out to Ed, my eyes staring into his with equal coldness,

“Pleasure to meet you, sir. You’ve raised a polite young lady.” He doesn’t take my hand, instead scoffs and walks off. I shrug, turning to smile at Carol, my look clearly conveying ‘you can’t win them all’.

“Your dad’s nice.” Sophia pipes up, smiling kindly at Carl. He looks up at her, confused,

“Shane’s not my dad.” He looks at her for a moment, and her smile fades. His eyes go back to the ground, and he picks the skin around his nails,

“My dad’s dead.”

I don’t have a moment to feel bad for him, a loud bang echoing across the highway, shaking the trees. I run to the front of the car, looking towards the city in the darkness. Flashes of light flare through the clouds, and I duck reflexively as choppers fly overhead. They’re scarily low.

I run to the back of the car, Sophia’s crying in her mother’s arms, and Carl looks terrified. I drape my jacket over his shoulders,

“Wait right here with Carol. I’m gonna find your mum and Shane.” My tone leaves no room for argument, and he nods with wide eyes. I sprint back to the truck, seeing the doors open and my friends missing. The radio isn’t broadcasting anymore. My heart leaps into my throat.

I keep running, running into the woods until I spot a familiar broad figure with a woman next to him. I run up next to them,

“What the hell’s going on?!” I ask, incredulous.

“My God.” Carl’s mum breathes out from beside me, as we watch the helicopters fly low into the city. There’s explosions and fire, and I feel my knees weaken,

“They’re dropping napalm in the streets,” Shane says, talking to no one, unable to contain his own shock. I run my hands through my hair, looking around frantically for my group. I can’t see anything in the darkness, my only opportunity arising when the light flashes from the city below, and I use the deaths of thousands to look for my group. My head’s spinning, I cry out,

“Luther?! Ada! Lara!” Nothing.

For the first time, since the broadcasts began, since I watched a little boy rip his mother apart, since I knew this was it, I realise that I am alone.

#twd #the walking dead #the walking dead fanfiction #daryl dixon #daryl fanfiction #daryl dixon fanfiction #daryl dixon fanfic #twd daryl dixon #daryl twd #the walking dead daryl #fanfic #fanfiction #fanfics #fanfic author #quotev #ao3

[cksmart-world]

SMART BOMB

The Completely Unnecessary News Analysis

By Christopher Smart

August 29, 2023

IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AND THE GOP FEELS FINE

“You don't need a weathervane to know which way the wind blows.” So said Bob Dylan. Folks have been talking about the weather forever. But these days Republicans need more than a weathervane, so they get their forecasts from conservative pundits and politicians. And the good news is the icecaps are not melting and the heatwaves and wildfires are just flukes of nature. Rising sea levels? Nah. Then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott barred officials in Florida from using the phrases “climate change” and “global warming.” Problem solved. Of course, this has nothing to do with Big Oil and other extractive industries pouring billions into conservative think tanks and the campaign coffers of right-wing lawmakers. Their efforts paid off: Only 35 percent of Republicans say climate change is a major factor in extremely hot days compared to 85 percent of Democrats, according to a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll. Similar results were found for severe storms, flooding, droughts and wildfires. That's a pretty good bang for their buck. In fact, the House GOP Energy, Climate, & Conservation Task Force has unofficially adopted for it's theme song R.E.M.'s standard, “It's the End of the World as We Know It, and We Feel Fine.”

PRAISE BE TO THE HOBERMAN!

The resurrection is here. We are, of course, talking about the magical centerpiece of the medals plaza from 2002 Salt Lake City's Winter Games — the Hoberman Arch. Like the Phoenix, it has risen — not from ashes but a mysterious dark place where icons and legacies go to die. (Cue the Biblical music, Wilson.) Remember the glory days in February 2002 when the world's eyes were trained on Salt Lake City and the 31,000-pound aluminum web — 36 feet high and 72 feet wide — that opens and closes like the iris of an eye; even more dazzling when colored lights play across it at night. But alas, in 2003 it was planted at Rice-Eccles Stadium, where it could not be opened and stood as an a disconcerting symbol of our so-called Olympic legacy. Then in August, 2015, it was schlepped down to Salt Lake City's impound lot at 2150 W. 500 South, where it sat like so much scrap until some of its 4,000 pieces were stolen. Embarrassed city officials hauled the rest of it to a secret location — out of sight, out of mind. Why after all these years is it reappearing at Salt Lake City International Airport, no less, where visitors can't miss it's wonderment. It couldn't have anything to do with the new push to bring the Games back to Utah. That's just cynical thinking. Our Olympic boosters just aren't like that — unless they have to be.

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU SUPPORT FASCISM

Wow, did you see Nikki Haley in the Republican debate. So smart. And that dude Vivek Ramaswamy was quick on his feet and cool. Mike Pence stood his ground and actually looked presidential. Seriously? The moderator ask them to raise their hands if they would support Donald Trump if he were the party's nominee. Six of the eight did. Only Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson wouldn't go with the guy indicted on felonies in four jurisdictions. Looks like those spoiled sports aren't good Republicans, after all. Just because Trump has been charged in both federal and state courts with attempting to thwart the 2020 election, stop the peaceful transfer of power — effectively throwing democracy out the window — is no excuse not to back him. Those good patriots, Haley, Ramaswamy, Pence, Tim Scott, Ron DeSantis and Doug Burgum would vote for Trump anyway, because... he's honest, trustworthy, never sexually assaults women and always pays his lawyers. This Republican Party is dedicated to Monseigneur Trump, the mob boss who would be king. It sounds like a twisted take on a Greta Gerwig dark comedy — sans the comedy. Alas, Nikki Haley ain't no Barbie and Vivek Ramaswamy ain't no Ken, although he probably looks good in pink.

Post script — That's gunna to do it for another thrilling week here at Smart Bomb, where we keep track of driverless cars so you don't have to. WATCH OUT! Life is even more dicey in San Francisco since the California Public Utilities Commission approved driverless taxis in that city. The day after the vote, 10 autonomous taxis jammed up traffic on a busy street in a North Beach neighborhood when they simply stopped functioning. TILT! Those vehicles are owned by Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors. A couple of days later a Cruise taxi drove into a paving project and got stuck in newly poured concrete. One also collided with a firetruck. The hits just keep on coming. Welcome to the future — it's only a matter of time before driverless cars are everywhere. Imagine an autonomous taxi attempting to get through Sugar House. No way — unless it had wings. YIKES! According to experts, AI will soon make your bed, brush your teeth and have sex for you. Well, yes, Wilson, it could also have sex with you. And yes, he or she will probably have a Kama Sutra setting. Like it or not, the future is coming and there's not a damn thing we can do about it, except maybe hide where there is no cell service — someplace like Wyoming, where they've passed a law banning anything new.

Well, here we are in familiar territory, going to hell in a hand basket. The term comes from the French Revolution when severed heads from the guillotine were caught in a wicker container. But we digress. We're sailing into an environmental black hole — say nothing of AI — and the conservatives keep saying, let them eat cake. So wake up the band, Wilson, and take us out with something for our insightful climate-denying friends:

That's great! It starts with an earthquake Birds and snakes, an aeroplane and Lenny Bruce is not afraid Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn World serves its own needs, don't mis-serve your own needs Speed it up a notch, speed, grunt, no strength The ladder starts to clatter with fear of height, down height Wire in a fire, representing seven games In a government for hire and a combat site Left of west and coming in a hurry With the furies breathing down your neck

It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

Team by team reporters baffled, trump, tethered crop Look at that low plane! Fine, then Uh oh, overflow, population, Common Food But it'll do. Save yourself, serve yourself World serves its own needs, listen to your heart bleed Tell me with the rapture and the reverent in the right, right You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright light Feeling pretty psyched It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine

(It's The End Of The World — R.E.M.)

[rsfannan5]

Day Six: It’s All About The Chelonoidis Niger

5:45 am comes around very quickly when you are on holiday. But, after a quick shower and breakfast, our group of Boobies were in the Zodiac and headed off as the sun rose to see the Chelonoidis Niger, or Galapagos Island Tortoise. We had to leave early as the day was going to be a busy one.

We disembarked at Santa Cruz Island and boarded a bus to take us to the highland where thousands of these incredible creatures still roam free. There are 12 living sub-species of these huge vegetarians of the 15 thought to have been here before human interaction. They can grow to a top weight of 700-800 pounds with most mature and older males reaching weights around 300-400. Ages of these behemoths are hard to calculate, but most estimates are in the 175 range. The notion that you can tell by counting the rings on the shell, sort of like tree rings, is a myth. These tortoises are born with a fixed number of rings on their shells and with time, the rings eventually fade away with the oldest ones having basically smooth shells. They eat grasses, plants, and cactus and can go very long periods without having to eat anything or drink water at all. This ability has made it possible for these animals to thrive in the 5 to 6 months of the dry season when there is little to eat and even less to drink. But, history tells us that this made them easy pickings for the human invaders who almost drove them to extinction. Sailors found that these docile creatures could be easily caught and stacked in the bottom of their ships providing protein and fatty food for at least a year. The logs of whaling ships alone attest to the fact that 100,000 tortoises were taken off the islands between the period if 1784-1860. Conservation scientists estimate that the total haul was closer to 300,000. There are now about 30,000 total, due to the efforts of strict penalties for capture and species rewinding. For the last 75 years, over 10,000 have been reared in captivity and released into the wild.

They are free to roam anywhere they choose and most live in areas inaccessible to humans. Many, however, roam across private land and these are the ones that we were searching for. The bus took us to someone’s farm and we roamed about, and after not too long, we’re fortunate to see many. Some were lumbering along, some sleeping in the ponds that dotted the property. Some big, some very big. All magnificent. And again, like all species we have encountered so far, oblivious to our being there. It was a lovely way to spend a lovely sunny morning.

The company that owns and operates our boat offers four four-day routes around the islands. We were booked for the first two of them, but for many of the folks on board, this was the last adventure of their route. We said goodbye to some of our new friends as they headed back to the airport on Santa Cruz for their journey home.

For Diane and I and the rest, this marked our halfway point. So we boarded the bus for a journey to the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center, started by The Charles Darwin Conservancy on the other side of Santa Cruz Island. This is where we saw what they actually do to sustain and increase the wild tortoise populations of all of these islands. First there was a delightful museum which explained what they do there (especially delightful as the place was air-conditioned and the day was quite sweltering once we left the highlands). Tortoise eggs are taken from the wild from each of the species on each of the islands and raised after approximately 5 years into their natural habitat. So they are bred in the wild and raised in captivity, ensuring that they are safe from any predators in the only stage in their life when predators are an issue. The program has been incredibly successful with upwards of 85-90% success rate. Program managers see a day in the not too distant future when the program may not be necessary. Well done!

Also in the facility are some older giants that have been rescued for one reason or another, nursed back to health, and allowed to depend their golden years at the facility. If you are looking for someplace to donate some extra cash, you certainly should consider this place.

One of the things that I thought was most interesting was one particular species, the saddleback tortoise, a native to seven of the Galápagos Islands. Its shell tilts skyward just behind its head enabling it to stretch its very long neck high in the air to reach the leaves of taller bushes on these islands. The Spanish who first encountered these creatures thought the shells resembled saddles and gave them the name for saddle at that time, “galapago”, and eventually that is where the Islands got their name. Also, it is said that this stretched out neck on one of these creatures at The San Diego Zoo is where Steven Spielberg got the idea for the neck and head of his and our beloved E.T., The Extra Terrestrial.

Alejandro gave us an hour or so to walk back to the bus through the small town near the tortoise center where Diane and I had a refreshing beverage by the seaside before boarding the bus for the journey back across the island.

I had always wanted to see these magnificent animals. What a great day.

More to come…..

[jennymanrique]

If Roe v. Wade Ends, Women of Color Would Face the Most Severe Impact

More than 36 million women would lose access to safe abortion if the Supreme Court’s conservative majority guts or completely overturns the landmark Roe v Wade decision. Experts convened by Ethnic Media Services discussed the repercussions of a decision that the highest court will rule on in the coming months, which would end the freedom that pregnant women have until now to choose an abortion without excessive government restrictions.

Women of color, who will be the majority in the United States by 2060, are the most vulnerable, the activists for reproductive rights argued. In 2021, more than 106 abortion restrictions were approved in 26 states, while Texas already applies a ban to abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is around six weeks. Around 85% of abortions occur after this stage of gestation.

Lisa Matsubara, general counsel for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California:

“In the four years of the Trump administration, the Senate led by Mitch McConnell confirmed 231 federal judges overwhelmingly white and male. Many of them also hold extremist and hostile views on abortion and access to reproductive health.”

“In Texas, SB8 is now in effect and it has effectively banned abortion. What makes this law unique is that any persone in the whole country is invited to bring a lawsuit in Texas state court against anyone who provides an abortion in violation of the ban. The person who sues is entitled to a $10,000 bounty.”

“If the US Supreme Court overturns or severely guts Roe v. Wade, it is estimated that more than 1 million people will find their nearest abortion provider in California, which is nearly a 3,000% increase from today.”

Jessica Pinkney, Executive Director of Access Reproductive Justice:

“There are over 80 abortion funds across the country, as well as some in other countries. We operate a helpline from Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, where folks can call and we help with procedural support (money to pay for their procedures), and practical support (transportation, lodging, child care, food)”.

“The majority of callers are in their 20s, report being low income or having no income at all, and do identify as black, indigenous, and people of color. In 2021 we saw callers from 18 states. Should Roe v. Wade fall in June, California will be a safe haven for those seeking abortion care.”

“If the Supreme Court does overturn Roe v. Wade, 5 million black people, 5.7 million Latinos, 1.1 million Asians, and nearly 340,000 native people of reproductive age are poised to lose access to abortion services in the country.”

Jodi Hicks, CEO and President for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California:

“You measure a culture of people by how they treat women or how they treat marginalized communities. We’re already seeing things like a state trying to collect a database of pregnant women, so they can use it to criminalize or harm. I worry that for an entire generation, our entire values ​​and culture are going to be much different; that I’m leaving something to my daughter much different than what I grew up with.”

Originally published here

Want to read this piece in Spanish? Click here

#English #Supreme Court #Roe v. Wade #California #abortion #Latinos #Asians #Native people #reproduction

[fireflysummers]

okay so. some thoughts from my night vale re-listen (I'm at about episode 85, which is just before the Good Boy finale)

One of the things that strikes me is how lonely a person Cecil is

He obviously has people who care about him, and who he cares about, but with the exception of Earl Harland, who dies in Eternal Scouts and Cecil speaks like they haven't been close for a while, Cecil doesn't really have any peers or friends. Like, he has League Night (which he mentions later would have deeply upset him if it had been canceled), and he's clearly close to Old Woman Josie, but that isn't the same as friends. Clearly he doesn't invest in the interns unless they survive longer than a couple weeks, but even then he doesn't start referring to them as friends until they've survived, left, or graduated (i.e. Dana, who he refers to as an intern up until she's declared mayor). This becomes _abundantly_ clear during the year Carlos spends in the Desert Otherworld, because we see Cecil sliding into depression and just...desperately struggling without a strong support system.

He's definitely loved by the community, but he's also seen as a community leader of sorts and held apart. He doesn't have any parents, his memories are unreliable (either because of space-time shenanigans or because of reeducation), so he tends to...cling to routine and familiarity. With that context, it's easy to see how Cecil could come to hate Steve Carlsberg for "replacing" him as the main source of support for his sister and niece, as Steve significantly disrupted one of his few anchors of "self."

This is more or less confirmed with Steve Carlsberg's comment in one of the Monologues episodes that Cecil used to spend all his time at the radio station, but has slowly been "softening," which is definitely something we see over the course of the series.

Which leads into my second observation which is that Cecil is an extremely sheltered and conservative person, but like. Night Vale conservative. Like, he clearly has  never encountered homophobia in his entire life; and while he rebels against existing power structures in his own unique way, he clings tightly to a lot of old prejudices, in part because he believes they keep him safe, and in part because he just...doesn't know any better. I suspect that's one reason why Cecil resonates a lot with folks who have grown up under a conservative household? Because his growth and journey at least in the first few seasons heavily mirror that, but like. Divorced from most of the things we personally associate with conservatism.

Despite all this, though, Cecil is also a deeply kind and passionate person? Like, the latter one is obvious, but the former one... he walks this weird tightrope of functioning with an unreliable memory, repressing traumas that literally will break the human mind, and attempting to do right by the people around him. In his personal relationships, we see somebody who aggressively puts other people's needs before his own.

Carlos is the most obvious example, of course. Aside from stalking-pining over Carlos publicly on the radio, throughout the entire first he never encroaches on Carlos's space. Like, it's clear that Carlos knows how Cecil feels (everybody does; but like, Carlos starting his voice messages with "this isn't a personal call" implies that Carlos is very very aware that Cecil has feelings for him). But like, outside of that, Cecil doesn't pursue Carlos at all. Any time they  meet up, it's because Carlos has called first or made the invitation first. He doesn't even go out to the bowling alley until Carlos calls him, even though he's heartbroken by those events.

Although he definitely complains about some of Carlos's habits (such as focusing tooo much on Science or chewing loudly with his mouth open), when it comes to making concessions, Cecil always puts Carlos first. When Carlos is in the Desert Otherworld, although Cecil is clearly struggling both with missing him, depression, anxiety over recent changes to the town, and his own sense of self, he never tries to guilt trip Carlos into coming home. He always just...asks if he's looking for a way back, or if he'd try, but otherwise accepts that Carlos is happy where he's at, and tries to be supportive. At the end of that arc, Cecil's willing to remove himself from Night Vale altogether in order to accommodate Carlos (and it's an excellent bit of character growth on Carlos's part to realize that his research wasn’t worth the demands he placed on Cecil, and works to correct that behavior in the future).

But like, just in general, outside of his radio persona, Cecil seems to be an awkward, well meaning dork who tries his hardest to be kind and loving despite what Night Vale tries to make him into.

And now I am done dumping my feelings. For the moment.

#wtnv #welcome to night vale #text

[surveyhoursss]

170.

Your name starts with:

A-G

H-P

Q-V

W-Z

Your age:

13 & under

14-18

18-25

25 +

Gender:

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Sexuality:

Straight

Bisexual

Pansexual

Gay/lesbian

Asexual

Year you were born:

‘84 or less

‘85 - ‘90

‘91 - ‘95

'96 +

Day you were born:

1-10

11-20

21-31

Month you were born:

Jan - April

May - Sept

Sept – Dec

Your hair colour:

Brown

Blonde

Red (a weird middle ground of both)

Black

Other

Your eye colour:

Green

Blue

Brown

Hazel

Mixed/more than one colour

Other

Your complexion:

Pale

Fair

Olive

Mixed

Bronze

Brown

Dark brown

Relationship status:

Single

Crushing

Taken (short term)

Taken (long term)

Engaged

Married

Divorced/separated

Height:

Very short

Short

Average

Tall

Very tall

Personality Traits:

Funny

Outgoing

Optimistic

Cynical

Annoying

Awkward

Shy

Serious

Patient

Realistic

Idealistic

Nice

Compassionate

Stubborn

Caring

Mysterious

Mean

Bitchy

Moody

Fun

Confident

Smart

Laid-back

Music:

Pop

Pop rock

Rock

Folk

Classic rock

Punk rock

Hard rock

Alternative

Metal

R&B

Hiphop

Rap

Country

Classical

Gospel

50s

60s

70s

80s

90s

Indie

Other

Style:

Trendy

Preppy

Punk

Goth

Comfortable

Conservative

Classic

Vintage

Wild

Out there

Classic

Designer

Other

Jewelry:

Earrings

Nose rings, lip rings, etc.

Necklaces

Bracelets

Bangles

Anklets

Toe rings

Rings

Chokers

Other

Shoes:

Skater shoes (DC’s, Etnies)

Running shoes (Nike, Adidas)

Flats

Flip-flops

Sandals

Heels

Boots

Peep shoes (open toe)

Ballet flats

Converse

Other

Interests:

Music

TV shows

Drawing/art

Surfing the web

Chatting

Phone

Games

Singing/dancing

Watching or playing sports

Hanging out with friends/family

Partying/drinking

Going out

Movies

Reading

Musicals

Singing

Dancing

Cooking

Theatre

Acting

Cars

Animals

Politics

Other (language learning !!)

Pets:

Dog(s)

Cat(s)

Rabbit(s)

Gerbil(s)/hamster(s)

Guinea pig(s)

Fish

Lizard(s)/other exotic pets

Bird(s)

Mice/Rat(s)

Other

Abilities:

Drive

Sing

Dance

Play music

Entertain

Cook

Draw/do art

Make people laugh

Act

Fix stuff

Play a sport(s)

Make something

Understand/Complete Taxes

Clean

Drive in heavy storms

Other

Likes:

Magazines

Cell phones

Parents

Music

Working

Going to school

Candy

TV

Food

Posters

Homework

Musical Theatre

Movies

Travel

Gaming

Animals

People

Dislikes:

Bad grammar/spelling

Homework

School

Work

People

Animals

Planes

Pop/soda

Certain music genres

Pencils

Earrings

Reality TV

Video games

People in your life:

Romantic Partner

Best friend

Best friend of the opposite sex

Best friend on the internet

More than one best friend

Both parents living with you

TONS of friends

More friends of the opposite sex

Barely any friends

All grandparents

Many cousins

Crush

More than one crush

What you do on the computer:

Play games

Surf the web

Talk to friends

Go to chatrooms

Update your site

Do surveys

Homework

Roleplay

Use Aim

Use Facebook

Twitter

Photoshop

Sony Vegas

Other

What you own:

Computer

Printer

Sidekick

iPhone

iPad

iWatch

Samsung Galaxy(any model)

Other cell phone brands

Make-up case

Perfume/cologne

100 + magazines

100 + CDs

100 + DVDs

DVD player

MP3 player/iPod

TV

Alarm clock

Lamp

PS3/4

Wii/Wii U

Xbox/360

Art Tablet

DLSR Camera

Amazon Kindle

Any E-Reader

What you want:

A Relationship

Sex

A house

An apartment

More friends

A Best Friend

Money

For once not to feel sad all the time

A job

A change in scenery

To be able to travel

To visit someone who lives miles away from me

An Education

To graduate

To get accepted into grad school

MP3 player/iPod

New computer

Clothes

Jewelry

Make-up

Nails

Haircut/colour

Gifts you like:

Flowers

Chocolate/candy

Other food

Jewelry

Electronics

Art

Music

Cards

Hugs

Tickets (Concerts, Musicals, Movies)

Cash

Plushies

Games

Handmade gifts

Preference:

Night

Day

[the-fae-folk]

Leaf: I would like to learn more about the fae, could you tell me where a good place to start would be? maybe book recommendations? or specific fairy tales to look into? thank you so much

Ah, welcome. It is always good to see those who wish to broaden their knowledge of the old stories.As to the Fae, it depends on what you’re looking for. You see, the Folk did not arise from a singular instance of Mythology, but from an amalgamation of many cultural traditions and stories. For Ireland we have the Tuatha de Danann and their battles against the Fir Bolg and eventually become the Aos Sidhe. There are the Welsh Tylwyth Teg who steal fair haired children from their beds and leave changelings in their place.The Scottish hold great pride in their Seelie and Unseelie courts, while the Scandinavian people whisper fearfully of Trolls, Gnomes, Shapeshifters, Wights, and Werewolves.Will you look to the Norse for stories of Light Elfs, Dwarfs, and Disir? Or to the Germanic Wichtlein who aided miners, and are one of the distant precursors to both the Goblins and Dwarfs we imagine today?Or would you prefer to move forward to the Victorian age where Fae were brought together to diminutive sprites and fanciful little magics that you might find in Peter Pan, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or the Faerie Queene?It really depends on what you’re trying to find. The Lore of the Fae is vast and encompasses the traditions of many different European cultures, each unique and important in its own way. I can include below a full list of all the sources I happen to possess at this time. Hopefully they will grant your desire of providing an excellent place with which to begin your research.

Kirk, Robert. The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies. 1691. Reprint, London: D. Nutt, 1893.

Wilby, Emma. “The Witch's Familiar and the Fairy in Early Modern England and Scotland.” Folklore, vol. 111, no. 2, 2000, pp. 283–305. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1260607.

Vejvoda, Kathleen. “‘Too Much Knowledge of the Other World’: Women and Nineteenth-Century Irish Folktales.” Victorian Literature and Culture, vol. 32, no. 1, 2004, pp. 41–61. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/25058651.

Nutt, Alfred. “Presidential Address. Britain and Folklore.” Folklore, vol. 10, no. 1, 1899, pp. 71–86. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1253611.

Goodare, Julian. “The Cult of the Seely Wights in Scotland.” Folklore, vol. 123, no. 2, 2012, pp. 198–219., www.jstor.org/stable/41721541.

Briggs, Katharine Mary (1976). "Euphemistic names for fairies". An Encyclopedia of Fairies. New York: Pantheon Books. p. 127. ISBN 0-394-73467-X.

Rossetti, Christina G, and Martin Ware. Goblin Market. London: V. Gollancz, 1980. Print.

Braddon, M. E. (Mary Elizabeth), 1835-1915. Lady Audley's Secret. New York :Federal Book Company, 18ADAD. Print.

Frazer J.G. (1983) Sympathetic Magic. In: The Golden Bough. Palgrave Macmillan, London.

Yeats, William Butler. “The Stolen Child.” Collected Classic Poems, Stevenson to Yeats, Jan. 2012, pp. 1–2. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.uvu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=prf&AN=76614684&site=eds-live.

Spenser, Edmund, Thomas P. Roche, and C P. O'Donnell. The Faerie Queene. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1978. Print. 

Gregory, Lady, and Finn MacCumhaill. Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of Tuatha de Danann and of the Fianna of Ireland. John Murray, 1905.

Howard, Marvin ElRoy. "" See ya na yon narrow road?": the search for Elfland in folklore of the Scottish border." (1996).

Campbell, John Gregorson. Superstitions of the Highlands & Islands of Scotland. J. MacLehose and sons, 1900.

Diane Purkiss, At The Bottom Of The Garden: A Dark History of Fairies, Hobgoblins, and Other Troublesome Things (2000)

Kready, Laura (1916). A Study of Fairy Tales. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 

“Trees in Mythology”. Mythencyclopedia.com. 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2014-05-11. 

“‘The king o fairy with his rout’: Fairy Magic in the Literature of Late Medieval Britain–By Hannah Priest”. September 8, 2011. 

Lenihan, Eddie and Green, Carolyn Eve (2004) Meeting The Other Crowd: The Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland. pp. 146–7 ISBN 1-58542-206-1. 

https://tam-lin.org/stories/Thomas_the_Rhymer.html

Evans Wentz, W. Y. (1966, 1990) The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries. Gerrards Cross, Colin Smythe Humanities Press ISBN 0-901072-51-6

De Jubainville, M. H. D'Arbois and Richard Irvine Best (1903). The Irish Mythological Cycle and Celtic Mythology. Dublin Hodges, Figgis, and Company.

Keightley, Thomas. (1892) Fairy Mythology. London: George Bell & Sons, Retrieved from Project Gutenberg 15 October 2017

King James. Daemonologie. A Critical Edition. In Modern English. 2016. ISBN 1-5329-6891-4.

Williams, Noel. “The semantics of the word fairy: making meaning out of thin air.” The Good People: new fairylore essays (1991): 457-78. 

https://britishfairies.wordpress.com/

Wakefield, Sarah R. Folklore in British Literature: Naming and Narrating in Women’s Fiction, 1750-1880. Vol. 80. Peter Lang, 2006.

Laviolette, Patrick, and Alastair McIntosh. “Fairy hills: merging heritage and conservation.” Ecos 18.¾ (1997): 2-8. 

Owen, Alex. “'Borderland Forms’: Arthur Conan Doyle, Albion’s Daughters, and the Politics of the Cottingley Fairies.” History Workshop, no. 38, 1994, pp. 48–85.

Zipes, Jack. Victorian Fairy Tales: The Revolt of the Fairies and Elves. Routledge, 2016. 

Silver, Carole. “On the Origin of Fairies: Victorians, Romantics, and Folk Belief.” Victorian Literature and Culture 14 (1986): 141-156.

Harms, Daniel M. “Hell and Fairy: The Differentiation of Fairies and Demons Within British Ritual Magic of the Early Modern Period.” Knowing Demons, Knowing Spirits in the Early Modern Period. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2018. 55-77. 

Sikes, Wirt. British goblins: Welsh folk-lore, fairy mythology, legends and traditions. S. Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1880. 

Loponen, Mika. “Faerie Folklore in Medieval Tales-An Introduction.” (2006). 

Lindow, John. Norse mythology: a guide to gods, heroes, rituals, and beliefs. Oxford University Press, 2002. 

Gimbel, Jared Joseph. “Spiritual Descent: A Study of Semi-Divine Beings and Non-Human Species in European Mythologies.” (2011).

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/41006/41006-h/41006-h.htm

John Bauers Bästa: Ett Urval Sagor Ur "bland Tomtar Och Troll" Åren 1907-1915. Stockholm: Åhlén & Åkerlund, 1951. Print.

#fae #faerie #sidhe #otherfolk #leaf #root #sources #fairy tales

[vernonben40787]

BEST FREEZER

Interesting points when purchasing a cooler are - do you will in general purchase in mass, develop your own organic products or vegetables, plan family dinners in amounts that you need additional cooler space, chase each season and need additional room for putting away the meat. A tradional cooler that most families have in their kitchens isn't intended to be a drawn out capacity place. That is the reason getting an optional cooler (chest or upstanding) in your home could be an incredible cash saver over the long haul.

 On the off chance that you locate your standard cooler continually getting stuffed, at that point a decent chest cooler in your carport could prove to be useful. With solidified food enduring in any event a month and a half, you can purchase in mass and spare 10% on your staple bill every month. Space is certainly a significant thought when purchasing a subsequent cooler. An upstanding may occupy an excessive amount of space, yet a chest cooler can be set in nearly spot and have things put on head of it as though it were a seat. I purchased an upstanding for my carport (really a pre-owned cooler) and it's been working superbly. I saw an expansion in my month to month electric bill to keep it running, however the cost investment funds exceed the vitality bill. Ensure you keep the cooler 2/3 full to accomplish greatest proficiency. Top name brands for coolers are Frigidaire, Whirlpool, GE, Haier, Avanti and Kenmore.

There are two fundamental decisions in coolers: upstanding and chest. There are bit of leeway and hindrances to every which make the acquisition of possibly one a choice you should investigate. To start with, the focal points to a chest cooler are - it's vitality proficient, makes for an incredible optional cooler, is somewhat less costly than the upstanding coolers, and holds cold better during a force blackout. The detriments are not many - harder to sort out as new bundles get included, inside may not be lit. The favorable circumstances to an upstanding cooler are - simple to see the substance since it's sorted out a lot of like an ice chest, lit inside and separate racks make it simple to compose. The disservices are - it's more costly than a chest cooler, less vitality productive.

 The best chest coolers we surveyed were the White Kenmore Elite (24.9 cubic feet) that sells for $649 and the White Frigidaire Chest Freezer (19.7 cubic feet) which sells for $529. With regards to upstanding coolers, we favored the treated steel look, however when it's put away in your carport or extra room, who truly thinks about the shading. Buyer Reports did an ongoing study on home coolers and evaluated them dependent on temperature execution, vitality proficiency, clamor, vitality cost, limit, and for highlights like force on light and inside lights. We discovered other cooler audits on Epinions, Good Housekeeping, in the client remarks area. records many upstanding and chest coolers with proprietor surveys also and they certainly assist you with settling on a more educated purchasing choice.

Chest coolers are intended for longer term stockpiling when contrasted with the upstanding models, so remember that while choosing one. They frequently are more profound and let you stack solidified nourishments on head of one another so attempting to discover what you are searching for can be a battle except if you keep a rundown of what is in the cooler. With regards to first class models (RECOMMENDED) we propose the Frigidaire FFC0522DW which is a manual defrost assortment and gives up to 5 cubic feet of limit. The top lifting entryway with handle is anything but difficult to get to and the movable temperature control permit the proprietor to get close to consummate freezing conditions. 

There is a defrost channel, a force on light, and it's UL appraised for family use. It even accompanies a helpful lift out capacity container which is extraordinary for littler things. It's conservative enough to fit anyplace in a carport or storm cellar. On the off chance that you are searching for a somewhat bigger chest cooler, think about the Frigidaire Gallery : GLFC2528FW Freezer with very nearly 25 cubic foot of room. Finally, the Kenmore 1692 is first class for each Consumer Reports and with 8.8 cubic feet limit the Kenmore is actually the ideal size. The vast majority of these chest coolers cost about $50/year to work, so you should be sparing that much in food stockpiling costs to make out monetarily. My folks purchase a whole sheep every year and spare the meat in their cooler sparing them $100's.

It scored well in temperature control, vitality effectiveness, and was generally tranquil. It is a two entryway model with a draw out container down beneath and it has an artificial hardened steel look. Whirlpool upstanding coolers are all around made and have a strong notoriety in the business. Audits point towards high consumer loyalty. The one disadvantage to this 15 cubic foot limit cooler is that it will cost you generally $85/year to work. A few other upstanding coolers rate high for some highlights, yet they are for the most part noisier to run. The main other brand that we could discover with average evaluations were the Frigidaire upstanding coolers - both the FFU12F2HW and FFU21F5HW model #'s gotten positive audits from purchasers and they hold a lot of solidified nourishments. In the event that a calmer cooler is the thing that you need, consider the manual defrost models versus oneself defrosting ones. Additionally, some like the Whirlpool (see above) have a caution that will sound if the cooler goes past a specific temperature.

Mark each bundle plainly with a portrayal of the substance and the date

Keep a stock agenda on a clipboard close to the cooler

Bundle substance appropriately utilizing a fixing framework, cooler sacks, or plastic holders.

[jontrayner]

Mechanised Dreams and Peasant Imaginaries

As I have been teaching undergraduates on an Illustration degree, I have been paying even more attention to concept art and sci-fi/fantasy illustration than I usually do.  In the past this attention has generally been unfocused and un-theorised, my enjoyment of these images being that of purely visual entertainment.  However, a series of images by the Polish artist Jakub Rozalski recently grabbed my attention more than usual and prompted me to think a bit more about a couple of entwined topics:  The role of the image of the peasant in the formation of national identity, and the fabrication of history.  I have a particular interest in this, from an anarchist position, considering the rural poor’s involvement both in pre-modern revolt and in non-authoritarian leftist revolution.  The narratives of “history” tend however to write the peasant in the role of defender of the nation and promoter of conservative values.

Rozalski’s series 1920+ consists of a number of diesel-punk digital paintings focussing on an alternate history of the brief Polish-Soviet War of that year.  In these paintings the war is imagined as a science fiction conflict between giant war-mecha similar to that found in the Warhammer 40K universe.  The imagery takes on the dark and oppressive feeling and the combination of high-tech war machines and primitive civilian subsistence of 40K, but instead of focussing on battle, the images rather present the pauses, or pre-battle manoeuvres of the machines in the countryside.  Bringing to mind the Martian war machines striding across the English pastoral of The War of the Worlds – or the description of a jet engine loaded onto a horse and cart to be taken from the factory to the train depot in John Timberlake's Landscape and the Science Fiction Imaginary (2018 p.75). In Rozalski’s paintings it is true that “the future is already here, it is just unevenly distributed” (Gibson, 2018).

What makes these paintings interesting for me is that alongside these fantasy stylings they present a depiction of rural peasant life in pre-industrial Poland.  A world where sheep are herded, and crops are scythed by hand by figures in traditional Polish dress – the world of 19th century Romantic and Realist nationalist painting.  This is heightened by the similarity between Rozalski’s loose mark-making and that of the Polish Romantic Piotr Michałowski.  This connection to the painting of the late 1800s is not coincidental; this was the period when the ideas of realism were put into the service of various nationalist projects.  Cultural forms were deployed to bolster the credentials of both large states, but also subaltern and colonised populations; like the Poles.   This search for a national identity through reference to the peasantry is traced by Margaret Carroll back to the northern Renaissance and the work of artists like Sebald Beham and Pieter Bruegel:

The growing assertiveness over native rights in the political sphere in the 1550s and 1560s was matched by ethnic self-consciousness in the cultural sphere […] the defense of native culture and customs promoted a benign attitude towards and even a sense of identification with the country's rural inhabitants. (1987 p.296)

The re-emergence of this identification with the peasant class in the 19th century is linked by T.J. Clark to the desire by the industrial bourgeoisie to reconnect with their recent rural past (1973 p.124).  These viewers wanted to see the countryside, that they only now saw from trains, or on daytrips, and that their parents or maybe even themselves, had so recently escaped from, not as a place of poverty, ignorance, and grinding subsistence in the face of ever present famine, but rather one of plenty, relaxation, and harmony with the seasons and the earth.  As Clark points out the initial realism of Gustave Courbet was met with anger from the Paris Salon because it refused to take part in this fiction; presenting the rural inhabitants of Ornans as individuals rather than as idealisations of a type (ibid. p.85).  Later Realists did not have these scruples and were happy to idealise the rural poor, as can be seen in the work of Jean-François Millet and Jules Bastien-Lepage.  A similar exercise was undertaken with regards to national identity with the Slavic Realists; Russian artists such as Ilya Repin used paintings such as Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks to Sultan Mehmed IV (1891) to foster a sense of Russian-ness or, in a Polish context, Jan Matejko’s history paintings and Zygmunt Ajdukiewicz’s depictions of national dress.  These works drew attention to Poland’s past glories and current cultural distinctiveness as part of the push for an independent Polish state. This subversion of Realism and of history is a product of an understanding of the fictional nature of history post-Hegel where “writing history and writing stories come under the same regime of truth” (Rancière, 2004 p.38).

The idea that peasant dress is an unadulterated expression of identity is by and large a 19th century fabrication – most famously expressed through the invention of the kilt as Scottish national dress (Green, 2017).  Griselda Pollock and Fred Orton examination of this in relation to the depictions of Breton peasant women by Parisian artists pointing out that these “traditional” forms were the result of the increased prosperity of (some) peasants during the previous century – “costume came to signify region, locality, class, wealth and marital status within a nouveau-riche peasantry” (1980 p.327).  Ulinka Rublack argues that the assumption that peasant costume was “virtually immobile for centuries” (2010 p.262) is inaccurate – it is rather a product of this desire to see the peasant as an unchanging model for the national spirit.  This links together:

A certain idea of history as common destiny, with an idea of those who ‘make history’, and that this interpenetration of the logic of facts and the logic of stories is specific to an age when anyone and everyone is considered to be participating in the task of ‘making’ history.  (Rancière, 2004 p.39)

This can obviously serve to give the peasants a sense of their own agency as a political and cultural force, but that requires the peasant to identify with the image of themselves with which they are presented.  If the identification only happens amongst the urban petit-bourgeoise who are looking for a hook to hang their nationhood on, then that can lead to a sense of “false” history of the type we are currently witnessing in right-wing populist discourse.

Taken in this sense one cannot help but see Rozalski’s paintings as a reactionary expression of nationalism – of the sort that is becoming grimly familiar across Europe, as borders are closed, and minorities hounded.  The depictions of military hardware and agricultural labour could certainly be seen as part the blood and soil traditions of mid-20th century fascism, but is this necessarily the case?  In his description of Kosciuszko Squadron on his website he refers to the 1920 war as being fought to preserve “Polish independence” which suggests, at least, an anti-communist position.  However, looking at Rozalski’s other paintings outside this series there is no indication of any particular attachment to the contemporary Polish national project, and the celebrations of pagan traditions certainly demonstrate no love of Catholicism.  Though this could be argued to be an alignment with fascist neo-folk paganism of the type discussed by Anton Shekhovtsov (2009).  While Rozalski’s more traditional fantasy works do not escape from the characterisation of all fantasy as essentially backward looking and reactionary (see Michael Moorcock's 1978 essay; Epic Pooh), they do have a healthy anti-authoritarianism that it is difficult to square with any sense of national superiority or ethnic supremacy.

The 1920+ images themselves are relatively neutral, the Soviet and Polish forces are not depicted in moral terms, and the peasants are largely indifferent spectators to the conflict – an exception being The Youngest Sister, though the implication here is that it is the familial relationship that causes the connection between soldier and peasant.  This brings to mind John Berger's quotation of a Russian peasant proverb: “Don't run away from anything, but don't do anything” (1978 p.346).  It is this peasant tradition that I want to turn to now. Rozalski might be accused of valorising his peasantry, at a point when post-communist Polish society is undergoing a second “modernisation” (Tymiński and Koryś, 2015), but these peasant values can point towards a site of resistance of the mechanisms of both the state and capital.

It could be that Rozalski's peasants are indifferent because they know that it does not matter if either the nationalists or the communists win – because neither side truly cares about the peasants, the only people the peasants can trust is each other. “Unlike any other working and exploited class the peasantry has always supported itself and this has made it to some degree a class apart.” (Berger, 1978 p.346).  The fact that the peasants have always been conscious of themselves as both producers and consumers of their own labour whose primary enemies have not just been the current ruling class (be that the bourgeoise or the industrial proletariat) who will extract their “surplus” before it is a surplus, but also both natural disaster but also the vagaries of war (ibid. p.347).  It is this situation that in the ideological conflicts of the mid-20th century led the revolutionary elements of the European peasantry to cast their lot in with the Anarchist cause, rather than the Marxist communists.  It was not until the emergence of Mao Tse-Tung that Marxism found a leader who could convince the peasantry of the value of communism.  He did this by “embracing and enhancing, local tradition permitting rooted people to turn to the distant national leader into that saviour their legends, emotions and situations had long demanded.” (Friedman, 1976 p.120).  Similarly, in Vietnam in the 1930s “the [Communist] party adopted the program of the peasantry not the other way around” – indicating that the peasantry could become a revolutionary political force, if convinced that the revolution would serve their interests (Scott, 1976 p.148).   The supposed inward- and backward-looking peasant conservatism is not therefore to be confused with the conservatism of national chauvinism – though it is often exploited by it.

Peasant conservatism, within the context of peasant experience, has nothing in common with the conservatism of a privileged ruling class or the conservatism of a sycophantic petty-bourgeoisie.  The first is an attempt, however vain, to make their privilege absolute; the second is a way of siding with the powerful in exchange for a little delegated power over the working classes.  Peasant conservatism scarcely defends any privilege.  Which is why, much to the surprise of urban political and social theorists, small peasants have so often rallied to the defence of richer peasants.  It is the conservatism not of power but of meaning.  It represents a depository (a granary) of meaning preserved from lives and generations threatened by continual and inexorable change. (Berger, 1978, pp.355-6)

This conservatism and indifference to the concerns that exist outside of those of communal survival is a vital mechanism for both the peasant’s security and their independence, the two being linking in the peasant’s mind.  It tends to manifest as an accumulated knowledge – mētis – that is opaque to the external viewer and is therefore dismissed as reactionary or unscientific by progressive political theorists whose worldview is grounded in the (post)industrialised proletariat (Scott 1998 pp.324-5).

With Rozalski’s paintings we are therefore presented with a number of interlocking and potentially contradictory themes.  Regardless of intention – there is unarguably a possibility that these paintings can be used to bolster nationalist rhetoric.  Their science-fiction-ness is of a type that plays with dark authoritarian themes, and the peasants can be taken as unreconstructed symbols of nationhood. But I have argued that this straightforward reading is not necessarily the only one available and that the shepherds and reapers with their, by and large, indifference to the war can be viewed in the tradition of the peasant as distrustful of external forces and their disagreements.  This argument fits in with a historical libertarian communist position that has been dismissed by orthodox Marxism – a dismissal that damages universalist pretentions of Marxism and makes the rural proletariat susceptible to conservative rhetoric.

 ***

Images:

ROZALSKI J., 1920 - The Youngest Sister.  [viewed 8 April 2020].  Available from: https://jrozalski.com/projects/gJ39yQ

ROZALSKI J., 1920 - Kosciuszko Squadron. [viewed 8 April 2020].  Available from: https://jrozalski.com/projects/aYq8J

ROZALSKI J., 1920 - Harvest. [viewed 8 April 2020].  Available from: https://jrozalski.com/projects/lV92e

Bibliography:

BERGER J., 1978. Towards Understanding Peasant Experience. Race and Class, 19(4), 345-359

CARROLL M.D., 1987.  Peasant Festivity and Political Identity in the Sixteen Century. Art History, 10(3), 289-302

CLARK T.J., 1973.  Image of the People; Gustave Courbet and the 1848 Revolution.  London: Thames and Hudson

FRIEDMAN E., 1976. ‘The Peasant War in Germany’ by Friedrich Engels – 125 Years After.  In: J. Bak. The German Peasant War of 1525, London: Frank Cass, pp. 89-135

GIBSON W., 2018. The Science in Science Fiction [viewed 4 April 2020]. Available from: https://www.npr.org/2018/10/22/1067220/the-science-in-science-fiction?t=1586007308697

GREEN C., 2017. How Highlanders Came to Wear Kilts. In: Jstor Daily. 25 December 2017 [viewed 4 April 2020].  Available from: https://daily.jstor.org/how-scottish-highlanders-came-to-wear-kilts/

MOORCOCK M., 1978. Epic Pooh [viewed 4 April 2020].  Available from https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/english/currentstudents/undergraduate/modules/en361fantastika/bibliography/2.7moorcock_m.1978epic_pooh.pdf

ORTON F. and G. POLLOCK, 1980.  Les Donneés Bretonnantes: La Prairie De Répresentation.  Art History, 3(3), 314-346

RANCIÈRE J., 2004.  The Politics of Aesthetics. London: Continuum

ROZALSKI J., Jakub Rozalski; howling at the moon. [viewed 8 April 2020] Available from https://jrozalski.com

RUBLACK U., 2010. Dressing Up; Cultural Identity in Renaissance Europe.  Oxford: Oxford University Press

SCOTT J.C., 1976.  The Moral Economy of the Peasant, New Haven: Yale University Press

SCOTT J.C., 1998.  Seeing Like a State, New Haven: Yale University Press

SHEKHOVTSOV A., 2009. Apoliteic music: Neo-Folk, Martial Industrial and “metapolitical fascism”.  Patterns of Prejudice, 43(5), 431-457

TIMBERLAKE J., 2018. Landscape and the Science Fiction Imaginary. Bristol: Intellect

TYMIŃSKI M. and P. KORYŚ, 2015.  An Escape from Backwardness?  The Polish Transformation as a Modernization Project. The Central European Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, volume 75

[chiseler]

The Revolution Will Not Be Spoken

Is there a word for the kind of rhetorical fallacy we willingly participate in every day, whether through inspirational hashtags on an increasingly antisocial social media, or cheap, ordinary political sloganeering? When, for instance, the former front-runner for the Democratic Party’s nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders, calls his campaign a “revolution,“ we know that he knows that we know that he knows that we know the word is NOT to be construed concretely, historically (or even seriously). Otherwise, he could call himself a “revolutionary” without laughter accompanying. Democrats, or at least huge swathes of them, have for decades appropriated the left lane in our mainstream political culture, and yet no Democrat in Washington with even a hint of ambition in their soul would say, “I am a Leftist.” To utter these words in public instantly introduces a level of meaning and, more importantly, responsibility entirely unwanted by this mannequin “Left”.

Would it be rude to suggest that we start viewing politicians through an institutional lens? Self-alleged socialists finding a savior in Bernie should remember one thing: he’s a clammy frontman, eating healthcare and shitting mortars. A few measly degrees to an erstwhile Reaganite’s left — there stands your Chosen One, ready to drop “revolution” in the capacious lap of conservative technocracy. But this absurd use of empty labels fails to place Bernie Sanders and the now-humiliated Elizabeth Warren on a scale that would measure common morality. What makes Him substantively different from Warren?, you ask while awaiting her endorsement like alms-seeking exiles. 

Well, to reinforce what you already know: Senator Warren wasn’t a Senator when Congress gifted vastly augmented power to George W. Bush’s proclaimed War on Terror. Every jot and tittle of America’s public trust — healthcare, education, low-income housing — continues to be plundered thanks to Bernie prioritizing a known lunatic and his kookoo bananas cronies. Every Leftist grasped the meaning of that vote the very moment it was cast: endless and ever-expanding war (seven countries bombed under Obama, more than both Bushes, Reagan, Nixon, indeed any president going back to WWII).

Would Warren have pledged her allegiance to murdering, maiming and displacing what we now know are millions and counting? Of course she would. The sole meaningful distinction between these two flunkies is that, thus far, Bernie has taken far more money than Warren from weapons contractors like Lockheed Martin, even building them a nest in Burlington. Not to mention his public defense of Lockheed’s F-16s after they were used to kill 550 of Gaza’s children in 2014. No tears — not from Sanders, Warren or Obama. Every U.S. representative asserts “self-defense”: Israel officially exonerated; the Corkscrew Alley of our national conscience pronounced not guilty.

A mere quirk of language allows for this abstraction — degrees of rhetorical freedom available to Sanders via “revolution” and “left”. After all, they’re just conceptual enough to be molded into a parlor game: stretched, toyed with, made sloganary. Who knows? Perhaps when one puts these flexible concepts into focus by investing individual persons with inflexible, practical meaning, the basic absurdity of sculpting metaphysics in such a manner is unambiguously revealed. We are, in that moment, suddenly, collectively responsible for NOT staging that non-metaphysical revolution; for NOT engaging with Capitalism as serious Leftists. The more abstract terms serve as invitations and not challenges; the more concrete ones throw us into a state of personal reflection. Disappointment. Alienation.

Sanders repels voters old enough to have risked everything during the Civil Rights Era. Call it the ghost of antipathies past — blacks and Jews locked together and irking each other’s heads off (in solidarity). Perhaps “revolution” provokes healthy cynicism among African Americans, who rarely emerge better off (Detroit, 1967?) after pitched battles with police. The 1970s saw the alliance between two historically oppressed groups devolve into circular firing squads. To paraphrase Dr. Norman Finkelstein, “radical politics” flows naturally from our seeing a radically unjust world. A more standard political view here in the States might acknowledge “imperfections” or even a few “centrally important issues” to be addressed through reform and regulation; it is a worldview typified by dismissive reflex (“tendentious,” “silly,” “reductive”) whenever it encounters someone who asks: “How do you defend a system that produces radical inequality (eight billionaires owning as much as fifty percent of the world)?” Or: “Why does capitalism necessitate slavery?”

Our system will always provide a modicum of democracy for some, generally the wealthiest among us, as long as it’s supported by a species of enslavement reserved for the multitude. But even by its own lights, this late-phase example of Democracy, American-Style is in shambles. The collaboration of both major political parties in accelerating the fall of organized labor as a broad, galvanizing social force represented the unmistakeable beginning of the end. When that moment came after the war, more decades ago than most Americans can remember now, that our institutions elected finally to put the screws to unionization, collective bargaining, and everything else that the ideal of human solidarity had historically accomplished, to bolster our shining capitalist democracy – keeping labor and capital in a marginal, always uneasy alignment so that a propaganda construct known popularly as the American Dream appeared attainable to all – it all withered to a dry husk.

By the wondrous, miraculous logic of Bernie Sanders’ own self-styled “revolution,” money falls upwards in a reverse rain of sticky, greasy, lint-laden nickels and dimes; a unique electoral approach to wedding democracy with capital and the illusion of its sundering; as if to say “Listen folks, that’s the direction money takes. What can I do?”, while the suckers pay tribute to their self-declared “socialist” padrone.

And now that Iowa’s caucus has exposed our collective electoral shame, will the chumps finally revolt?

Thus, two items remain, for now, on the agenda of All God’s Chil'ren:

First, we must kill capitalism. Whether by means fair or foul, few should deny that it needs doing. Next, if human life is to survive beyond the sun’s engorgement within the next six billion years, it has become imperative for mankind (which still means us) to establish a series of exo-planetary colonies – not unlike those luxurious Galt’s Gulch hideaways in outer space that, it is darkly rumored, our billionaire class has been busily planning to remove themselves to once life on earth gets truly hairy.

Of the two, the latter goal will be achieved first so, personally, I would settle for a modest, progressive shift in our labor markets. But even that objective, modest and progressive as it may be, is one helluva stretch in these United States.

When the AFL-CIO was founded in 1955, a decent chunk of salaried and wage-earning Americans, 35% of them, belonged to a union. When we contemplate our measly and steadily falling 10.5% unionization today, that 35% becomes nothing for anyone to sneeze at. Sadder still to contemplate are the 85% of American workers gamely attempting to survive on the mean streets of a shaky private sector, where an even less significant 6.4% currently enjoy the benefits of organized labor.

So what happens to the beleaguered American Worker as collective bargaining, the Royal Road to fair and dignified compensation for all, narrows into a glass-strewn footpath, flanked by razor-wire?

Stay tuned to this frequency…

by The Lumière Sisters

[survey1000]

105. Turn the pain into power.

BOLD WHAT APPLIES Your name starts with: A-G H-P Q-V W-Z

Your age: 13 & under 14-18 18-25 26 +

Gender: Female Male Non-Binary

Sexuality: Straight Bisexual Pansexual Gay/lesbian Asexual

Year you were born: ‘84 or less ‘85 - ‘90 ‘91 - ‘95 '96 +

Day you were born: 1-10 11-20 21-31

Month you were born: Jan - April May - Sept Sept – Dec

Your hair colour: Brown Blonde Red Black Other

Your eye colour: Green Blue Brown Hazel Mixed/more than one colour Other

Your complexion: Pale Fair Olive Mixed Bronze Brown Dark brown

Relationship status: Single Crushing Taken Engaged Married Divorced/separated

Height: Very short Short Average Tall Very tall

Personality Traits: Funny Outgoing Optimistic Cynical Annoying Awkward Shy Serious Patient Realistic Idealistic Nice Compassionate Stubborn Caring Mysterious Mean Bitchy Moody Fun Confident Smart Laid-back

Music: Pop Pop rock Rock Folk Classic rock Punk rock Hard rock Alternative Metal R&B Hiphop Rap Country Classical Gospel 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s Indie Other

Style: Trendy Preppy Punk Goth Comfortable Conservative Classic Vintage Wild Out there Designer Other

Jewelry: Earrings Nose rings, lip rings, etc. Necklaces Bracelets Bangles Anklets Toe rings Rings Chokers Other

Shoes: Skater shoes (DC’s, Etnies) Running shoes (Nike, Adidas) Flats Flip-flops Sandals Heels Boots Peep shoes (open toe) Ballet flats Converse Other

Interests: Music TV shows Drawing/art Surfing the web Chatting Phone Games Singing/dancing Watching or playing sports Hanging out with friends/family Partying/drinking Going out Movies Reading Musicals Singing Dancing Cooking Theatre Acting Cars Animals Politics Other

Pets: Dog(s) Cat(s) Rabbit(s) Gerbil(s)/hamster(s) Guinea pig(s) Fish Lizard(s)/other exotic pets Bird(s) Mice/Rat(s) Other

Abilities: Drive Sing Dance Play music Entertain Cook Draw/do art Make people laugh Act Fix stuff Play a sport(s) Make something Understand/Complete Taxes Clean Drive in heavy storms Other

Likes: Magazines Cell phones Parents Music Working Going to school Candy TV Food Posters Homework Musical Theatre Movies Travel Gaming Animals People

Dislikes: Bad grammar/spelling Homework School Work People Animals Planes Pop/soda Certain music genres Pencils Earrings Reality TV Video games

People in your life: Romantic Partner Best friend Best friend of the opposite sex Best friend on the internet More than one best friend Both parents living with you TONS of friends More friends of the opposite sex Barely any friends All grandparents Many cousins Crush More than one crush

What you do on the computer: Play games Surf the web Talk to friends Go to chatrooms Update your site Do surveys Homework Roleplay Use Aim Use Facebook Twitter Photoshop Sony Vegas Other

What you own: Computer Printer Sidekick iPhone iPad iWatch Samsung Galaxy(any model) Other cell phone brands Make-up case Perfume/cologne 100 + magazines 100 + CDs 100 + DVDs DVD player MP3 player/iPod TV Alarm clock Lamp PS3/4 Wii/Wii U Xbox/360 Art Tablet DLSR Camera Amazon Kindle Any E-Reader

What you want: A Relationship Sex A house An apartment More friends A Best Friend Money For once not to feel sad all the time A job A change in scenery To be able to travel To visit someone who lives miles away from me An Education To graduate To get accepted into grad school MP3 player/iPod New computer Clothes Jewelry Make-up Nails Haircut/colour

Gifts you like: Flowers Chocolate/candy Other food Jewelry Electronics Art Music Cards Hugs Tickets (Concerts, Musicals, Movies) Cash Plushies Games Handmade gifts

Preference: Night Day

#survey #bold

[dxsole]

🖊 !! 🖊!!

Send in just a “🖊“ and I will talk about any one of my OCs at random! | Accepting

Harrison, much to my own surprise, is one of my favorite muses. Not that I don’t love all my muses, but he hits in a way that I wasn’t expecting at all. He was actually a quick, snap decision muse to be added to a greater list that I wanted people to vote on. He was a half baked idea that I made up on the fly– and as I talked to people about what kind of person he was, I just fell deeper into his character. 

I think it’s because he’s so simple, so human, so very familiar; he’s like the grandfather figure I’ve never had? Or the older neighbor next door that plants tomatoes and cooks extra meals to send over to your house whenever he hears someone’s sick? He’s the kindly man in town with no children but who also manages to father the entire town? 

I never knew that I needed to write someone like that, but every time I do (which isn’t nearly as much as I would like to!), it’s always fun. He’s overly dramatic and playful, sweet and caring, so knowledgable about so much just because he’s seen so much. His heart, as well as his appetite for good food, is too large for his own good and it’s just…when I write him? I feel full of love, which may sound a little silly, but he seriously just is so, so, so good? 

All that being said, I also want to give a little headcanon which is: I always like picking an interesting hobby for all my muses, just something that they feel makes them unique and something they can cherish. For Harrison, I picked acting, specifically Shakespearean acting because I felt like that was the perfect role for someone who dreams as big as he does; during the day he’s a mild-mannered guidance counselor, who fumbles over his words and drops papers a lot. Someone unsuspecting. And yet, when he gets on stage, he’s so fluid. So eloquent. It’s this side of himself that he gets to bare freely, and, I don’t know, it’s just one more reason I love playing him! 

Another muse that literally takes my heart is Calisto “Pantera” Espinosa, the Literal Love of My Life. Calisto was actually inspired by Steve Irwin and other Animal Planet folk that I think are so brilliant for bringing awareness to the public about the great, wild world we live in as well as being the bravest people ever! I liked the idea of having a muse who was passionate about conservation, about helping the animals, and who could also wrassle a gator because, in truth, that’s the coolest, most badass thing anyone could ever do, ever. 

Also, I’ve always had a soft spot for characters that were really stoic, quiet, intimidating looking but have hearts of gold– I’m a literal sucker for those types of characters. And, funnily enough, I’ve never even seen The Losers (which is where my Calisto icons come from), but from all the gifsets I’ve found, he’s very much like that in the movie, which was kind of funny! So I kept that persona with Calisto and…man, just, he’s so good.

He’s aware that he’s quiet and people, unfortunately, like to assume things about him so he’s always really calculated when he does speak. Like, okay, Hugo talks when he feels he has something very important to say, 85 speaks when she feels she’s gathered enough information to actually say something of worth, but Calisto is always listening, waiting for the moment someone dismisses him or assumes he doesn’t know what they’re talking about to purposefully open his mouth and recite an encyclopedia to them.

Because, sure, he’s not an astrophysicist but he knows animals. He knows what he’s doing. He knows the terrain better than you and your fiance in the loafers talking about how many episodes of Man vs. Wild he’s seen because guess what!? Calisto’s literally lived it. He can be so snarky when he wants to be. He can be so chatty when he knows you need the lecturing or if the other person seems really interested in learning more. 

Also, I should take this time to say that yes, it says Calisto dislikes vegans in his bio but specifically like, can he understand and appreciate someone wanting to be vegetarian or vegan because they feel it’s wrong to harm animals? Sure, he gets it. People who take it seriously and consume ethically, he can respect that. People who get mad at him for doing his job of relocating animals, suggest in any way he’s hurting these animals, try and force the vegan lifestyle of others, or just act generally stupid and confrontational because of their beliefs for no reason will be hunted for sport in the Everglades. 

Also, also, the phrase the only ethical consumption under capitalism is eating ass gets a very dry chuckle from him every time. Fun fact!

#streetsofsecrets #acting #hunts #i love.....these LADS

[thegoddessprose]

Yay, More of This...

Your name starts with: A-G H-P Q-V W-Z

Your age: 13 & under 14-18 18-25 25 +

Gender: Female Male Non-Binary

Sexuality: Straight Bisexual Pansexual Gay/lesbian Asexual

Year you were born: ‘84 or less ‘85 - ‘90 ‘91 - '95 '95 +

Day you were born: 1-10 11-20 21-31

Month you were born: Jan - April May - Sept Sept – Dec

Your hair colour: Brown Blonde Red Black Other

Your eye colour: Green Blue Brown Hazel Mixed/more than one colour Other

Your complexion: Pale Fair Olive Mixed Bronze Brown Dark brown

Relationship status: Single Crushing Taken (short term) Taken (long term) Engaged Married Divorced/separated

Height: Very short Short Average Tall Very tall

Personality Traits: Funny Outgoing Optimistic Cynical Annoying Awkward Shy Serious Patient Realistic Idealistic Nice Compassionate Stubborn Caring Mysterious Mean Bitchy Moody Fun Confident Smart Laid-back

Music: Pop Pop rock Rock Folk Classic rock Punk rock Hard rock Alternative Metal R&B Hiphop Rap Country Classical Gospel 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s Indie Other

Style: Trendy Preppy Punk Goth Comfortable Conservative Classic Vintage Wild Out there Classic Designer Other

Jewelry: Earrings Nose rings, lip rings, etc. Necklaces Bracelets Bangles Anklets Toe rings Rings Chokers Other

Shoes: Skater shoes (DC’s, Etnies) Running shoes (Nike, Adidas) Flats Flip-flops Sandals Heels Boots Peep shoes (open toe) Ballet flats Converse Other

Interests: Music TV shows Drawing/art Surfing the web Chatting Phone Games Singing/dancing Watching or playing sports Hanging out with friends/family Partying/drinking Going out Movies Reading Musicals Singing Dancing Cooking Theatre Acting Cars Animals Politics Other

Pets: Dog(s) Cat(s) Rabbit(s) Gerbil(s)/hamster(s) Guinea pig(s) Fish Lizard(s)/other exotic pets Bird(s) Mice/Rat(s) Other

Abilities: Drive Sing Dance Play music Entertain Cook Draw/do art Make people laugh Act Fix stuff Play a sport(s) Make something Understand/Complete Taxes Clean Drive in heavy storms Other

Likes: Magazines Cell phones Parents Music Working Going to school Candy TV Food Posters Homework Musical Theatre Movies Travel Gaming Animals People

Dislikes: Bad grammar/spelling Homework School Work People Animals Planes Pop/soda Certain music genres Pencils Earrings Reality TV Video games

People in your life: Romantic Partner Best friend Best friend of the opposite sex Best friend on the internet More than one best friend Both parents living with you TONS of friends More friends of the opposite sex Barely any friends All grandparents Many cousins Crush More than one crush

What you do on the computer: Play games Surf the web Talk to friends Go to chatrooms Update your site Do surveys Homework Roleplay Use Aim Use Facebook Twitter Photoshop Sony Vegas Other

What you own: Computer Printer Sidekick iPhone iPad iWatch Samsung Galaxy(any model) Other cell phone brands Make-up case Perfume/cologne 100 + magazines 100 + CDs 100 + DVDs DVD player MP3 player/iPod TV Alarm clock Lamp PS3/4 Wii/Wii U Xbox/360 Art Tablet DLSR Camera Amazon Kindle Any E-Reader

What you want: A Relationship Sex A house An apartment More friends A Best Friend Money For once not to feel sad all the time A job A change in scenery To be able to travel To visit someone who lives miles away from me An Education To graduate To get accepted into grad school MP3 player/iPod New computer Clothes Jewelry Make-up Nails Haircut/colour

Gifts you like: Flowers Chocolate/candy Other food Jewelry Electronics Art Music Cards Hugs Tickets (Concerts, Musicals, Movies) Cash Plushies Games Handmade gifts

Preference: Night Day

#survey #bored #bold #bold survey