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[terraequitygroup]

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[capitalism-is-a-psychopathy]

Billionaires destroy more than they create

In a land often championed for its economic opportunity and equality, the American Dream promises that anyone who works hard can rise to prosperity. But for many in today’s middle and lower economic classes, that dream is fading, shadowed by a reality that feels increasingly rigged. At the heart of this issue lies a stark and glaring imbalance: billionaires, a minuscule fraction of the population, wield a staggering concentration of wealth and influence. This is not just an issue of economics but one that touches the foundations of democracy and fairness.

Imagine the economy as a massive machine, built to churn wealth throughout society. In an ideal world, this wealth would cycle effectively, where each part contributes and benefits in turn. But as billionaires amass wealth at unprecedented levels, this machine has come to function more like a funnel, siphoning resources from the broader society and concentrating them at the very top. This dynamic, driven by complex financial structures and tax strategies, isn’t merely an accumulation of personal fortunes but a systematic extraction from the economic potential of others. The capital that could have flowed through wages, education, and public infrastructure is often diverted into private bank accounts and shell companies, rarely benefiting the people who drive and build the economy day by day.

As wealth accumulates at the top, so too does political influence. Billionaires, with vast financial resources, can fund political campaigns, lobbyists, and entire networks of think tanks dedicated to shaping policy. Through these channels, they push for tax policies, regulations, and trade agreements that benefit the ultra-wealthy at the expense of middle- and lower-income families. Politicians, indebted to these donors, increasingly look to billionaire interests rather than to constituents’ needs. This creates a disturbing feedback loop: billionaires influence politics to further policies that reinforce their own wealth and power, leaving the broader populace with dwindling opportunities to influence their own government.

This concentrated power extends far beyond campaign finance and lobbying. With ownership over significant segments of media networks, billionaires control the narratives that millions consume daily. Through these media outlets, they shape public opinion, diverting attention from policies that would challenge wealth accumulation and pushing narratives that frame the ultra-wealthy as essential “job creators” or “innovators” rather than acknowledging their role in widening economic divides. Issues that might threaten their economic stranglehold are often buried, while others, that create division and distract, are amplified.

For the middle and lower classes, this confluence of wealth, media, and political power has a real impact. Stagnant wages, diminishing job security, and rising costs of living aren’t natural outcomes of a complex economy—they’re symptoms of a system shaped to benefit those at the top. Policies that could lift working-class Americans, like raising the minimum wage, universal healthcare, or better labor protections, are often stifled in legislative deadlock, thanks in part to the political influence of the ultra-wealthy who stand to lose from them.

So, as this cycle continues, the gap between billionaires and everyone else widens. The billions accumulated at the top no longer signify mere success but a barrier to mobility for everyone else. The middle and lower classes find themselves carrying the economic burdens, often working harder for less. Meanwhile, billionaires remain insulated, living in a different economic reality, one far removed from the struggles of the average American. This isn’t just an economic imbalance but a distortion of democracy itself, as the machinery of power and influence is pulled further from the reach of ordinary citizens and held more tightly by those whose interests rarely align with theirs.

Without addressing this imbalance, the promise of opportunity, the cornerstone of the American Dream, becomes less attainable with each passing year, not just for the lower and middle classes but for the nation’s future as a whole.

Addressing their manipulation

Billionaires and their advocates often employ a familiar set of narratives to justify their wealth and the structures that enable it. These arguments, framed in terms of the free market, capitalism, or fear of socialism, are not only misleading but often serve to distract from the deeper systemic issues at play. Below is a breakdown of these claims and the counterarguments that expose their flaws:

1. “It’s Just the Free Market at Work”

The myth of the “free market” implies that billionaires achieve their wealth purely through talent, innovation, and competition in a market where everyone has equal opportunity. But in reality, the U.S. economy is far from a genuinely “free” market.

Counterpoints:

• Government Subsidies and Tax Breaks: Many billionaires’ businesses rely heavily on taxpayer-funded subsidies, special tax breaks, and other forms of government assistance. Large corporations frequently lobby for policies that grant them tax advantages, including offshore loopholes and capital gains tax breaks. This creates an environment where they aren’t competing on equal ground but rather with significant state support, distorting the market in their favor.

• Anti-Competitive Practices: Many large corporations, especially in tech and finance, engage in monopolistic behavior, buying out competitors or using aggressive tactics to drive them out of the market. This concentration of power stifles competition, contradicting the notion of a “free” market where anyone can succeed if they work hard.

• Inherited Wealth and Privilege: A significant portion of billionaire wealth is inherited rather than self-made. Generational wealth compounds, giving the ultra-wealthy an enormous head start over those without similar family resources. This challenges the idea that wealth accumulation is simply the product of individual merit or a fair market.

2. “This Is What Capitalism Is Supposed to Look Like”

The argument here suggests that capitalism is an inherently competitive system, where the most successful rise to the top, benefiting everyone through innovation and job creation. This narrative hinges on the idea of “trickle-down economics,” where the wealth of the richest eventually spreads throughout society.

Counterpoints:

• Trickle-Down Economics Doesn’t Work: Decades of evidence show that wealth rarely “trickles down” to the rest of society in any meaningful way. Income inequality has only widened, with wages stagnating for most workers while billionaire wealth has soared. Billionaires tend to reinvest wealth in ways that concentrate their holdings, like in stocks, rather than in ways that benefit the broader economy.

• Wealth Extraction, Not Wealth Creation: Many billionaires achieve and maintain their fortunes through rent-seeking behavior—extracting wealth from existing resources rather than creating new value. Hedge funds, private equity, and real estate empires often profit by cutting costs (like labor) rather than by innovating or producing new goods and services. This dynamic benefits investors but hurts workers and consumers.

• Capitalism Can Take Other Forms: The capitalism practiced in the U.S. today, sometimes called “neoliberal capitalism,” focuses on minimal regulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, and privatization. However, other countries demonstrate that capitalism can function with stronger social safety nets, wealth redistribution policies, and tighter regulations on corporate power. Nordic countries, for example, balance capitalism with robust welfare systems, ensuring a more equitable distribution of wealth and services.

3. “Without Billionaires, There Would Be No Innovation or Job Creation”

A popular myth is that billionaires are essential “job creators” and “innovators” whose wealth ultimately benefits society by funding new businesses and creating employment. This claim positions billionaires as indispensable to economic growth.

Counterpoints:

• Public Funding Fuels Innovation: Many of the biggest technological advances, including the internet, GPS, and medical breakthroughs, were developed with public funding rather than billionaire investments. Government research grants and subsidies often lay the groundwork for major innovations that billionaires later profit from. In other words, society bears much of the financial risk, while billionaires reap the rewards.

• Small Businesses Create Most Jobs: Small businesses, not billionaires or large corporations, are responsible for most job creation in the United States. Big corporations often eliminate jobs through automation, outsourcing, or consolidation. They may employ a large workforce, but they also tend to exploit workers through low wages, precarious employment, and cost-cutting measures.

• Billionaires Accumulate Wealth Through Wealth, Not Innovation: Many billionaires maintain their wealth not by creating jobs or innovating but by using their existing capital to generate more wealth, often through financial instruments that have little to do with actual economic productivity. Stock buybacks, dividends, and passive investments grow their fortunes without necessarily contributing to broader economic prosperity.

4. “Any Alternative Is Socialism or Communism”

When calls arise for higher taxes on the wealthy, stricter regulations, or broader social programs, the response is often to invoke the fear of “socialism” or “communism.” This argument seeks to paint any attempt at wealth redistribution or regulation as a slippery slope toward total government control.

Counterpoints:

• Social Safety Nets and Regulations Are Not Socialism: Social safety nets, progressive taxation, and regulations do not equate to socialism or communism; they’re features of a balanced capitalist system that seeks to prevent extreme inequality and protect public welfare. Countries like Germany, Canada, and Denmark combine regulated capitalism with strong social programs, resulting in healthier economies and greater well-being for citizens without abandoning capitalism.

• Inequality Threatens Capitalism: Growing inequality and economic instability can undermine the foundations of capitalism. A healthy capitalist economy requires a strong middle class with buying power, which excessive wealth concentration undermines. Reforms like progressive taxation, labor protections, and universal healthcare aren’t a rejection of capitalism but rather a means of stabilizing it.

• Historical Success of Mixed Economies: Many of the most successful and prosperous countries practice a mixed economy, where capitalism coexists with social policies that promote equality. The U.S. itself has employed a mixed economy model in the past, particularly after the New Deal, which implemented social safety nets, labor protections, and financial regulations that led to a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity for the middle class.

5. “They Earned It Fair and Square”

Finally, the idea persists that billionaires deserve their wealth because they “earned” it. This argument suggests that any policy aiming to redistribute wealth is fundamentally unfair, penalizing those who worked hard to succeed.

Counterpoints:

• Systemic Advantages and Wealth Hoarding: As previously mentioned, many billionaires begin with advantages—like family wealth or elite educational opportunities—that aren’t available to most people. Additionally, billionaires often employ complex strategies to avoid taxes, lobby for favorable regulations, and capitalize on government subsidies. These factors mean they haven’t earned wealth solely through hard work or merit.

• Billionaires Didn’t Build Alone: No billionaire operates in isolation; they rely on infrastructure, public education, and the work of thousands or millions of employees. A CEO’s wealth is made possible by a web of collective contributions, yet that wealth is rarely shared equitably. While billionaires might be rewarded for their role, their fortune is far from the result of individual effort alone.

In short, these narratives around billionaires often mask a more uncomfortable truth: today’s system is structured in ways that favor the ultra-wealthy at the expense of the broader population. Economic reform, rather than a threat to capitalism, is a necessary step to ensure a more just, equitable society where wealth accumulation doesn’t depend on privilege, influence, or systemic manipulation.

Making a change

Addressing the economic imbalance and the unchecked power of the ultra-wealthy presents a unique challenge, especially given the intense political polarization in the United States. For the middle and lower classes to push back effectively, they will need to build a coalition that transcends party lines and focuses on shared economic interests rather than divisive rhetoric.

1. Build Awareness Through Shared Issues, Not Ideology

The rhetoric around “free markets” and “socialism” often obscures real issues of economic struggle that affect both conservative and progressive working- and middle-class citizens alike. Instead of framing the issue in ideological terms, framing it in terms of tangible, shared grievances can help bridge the divide:

• Focus on Economic Inequality: Income stagnation, unaffordable healthcare, and housing insecurity are felt across the political spectrum. By shifting the narrative from “class warfare” to “economic fairness,” advocates can sidestep partisan language and emphasize the shared experience of economic struggle.

• Highlight the Impact of Corporate Power on Local Communities: Framing issues around how large corporations hurt small, local businesses can resonate strongly with both sides of the political spectrum. This approach often taps into conservative values around community and self-reliance, while also aligning with progressive critiques of corporate overreach.

2. Organize Around Labor Rights and Worker Protections

Historically, unions have been instrumental in improving working conditions and advocating for fair wages, and labor movements transcend political divisions. Many Americans—left, right, and center—share concerns about the erosion of workers’ rights, stagnant wages, and the declining influence of the average worker.

• Expand Union Participation and Labor Movements: Reinvigorating unions and expanding labor protections could give workers a stronger collective voice. New labor movements that focus on economic rights without overtly partisan language could attract support across the political spectrum, particularly when they champion issues like fair wages, workplace safety, and job security.

• Support Worker Cooperatives and Employee-Owned Businesses: Promoting models like worker cooperatives or employee-owned businesses can offer a compelling alternative to the current structure of corporate ownership without resorting to divisive rhetoric. These models prioritize local control and shared economic benefits, appealing to values of self-sufficiency and fairness.

3. Pressure Politicians on Key Economic Policies

A key to bridging the partisan gap is to focus on policies that benefit the broader populace rather than framing them as part of any ideological agenda. The majority of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, support policies like fair taxation, healthcare reform, and increased access to education when framed in terms of fairness and opportunity.

• Promote Tax Reform as “Fairness,” Not Redistribution: Instead of advocating for “redistribution,” proponents can push for tax policies that ensure everyone pays their fair share. Policies like a wealth tax or higher taxes on capital gains can be framed as holding the ultra-wealthy accountable rather than demonizing them, a stance that resonates with people who value fairness and personal responsibility.

• Advocate for Antitrust Legislation: Pushing for stronger antitrust laws to break up monopolies and prevent anti-competitive practices can appeal to both sides. For conservatives, this aligns with the values of market competition; for progressives, it aligns with corporate accountability and consumer protection.

4. Engage in Alternative Media and Independent Journalism

The ultra-wealthy often own or influence major media outlets, which can shape public opinion in ways that protect their interests. For the middle and lower classes to gain a clearer view of economic issues, alternative media sources and independent journalism that aren’t beholden to billionaire interests are crucial.

• Support Independent News Outlets: A growing number of independent news organizations are dedicated to in-depth economic reporting without catering to corporate interests. Supporting these outlets allows individuals to access a range of perspectives that help reveal the true impact of policies on ordinary people.

• Utilize Social Media Responsibly to Build Cross-Party Awareness: Social media, while often a divisive force, can also be used to spread information about economic injustice. When used responsibly to share facts, case studies, and stories of economic hardship, it can cut through the rhetoric and provide people across the political spectrum with a shared understanding of the issues.

5. Prioritize Voting Reform and Campaign Finance Reform

Money in politics is one of the core reasons why economic policies favor the wealthy. Bipartisan support for reducing corporate influence in politics is possible, especially when the focus is on fairness, transparency, and accountability in government.

• Promote Campaign Finance Reform as an Anti-Corruption Effort: Campaign finance reform, which seeks to limit the influence of wealthy donors and corporations on elections, can appeal to conservatives and liberals alike who are frustrated with the influence of money in politics. Instead of framing it as an anti-capitalist measure, framing it as an anti-corruption measure can attract broader support.

• Support Voting Reforms for a More Representative Democracy: Reforms like ranked-choice voting, ending gerrymandering, and preventing voter suppression can help create a political environment that more accurately represents the will of the people rather than special interests. By creating a more representative democracy, policies that reflect the economic needs of the middle and lower classes have a better chance of being enacted.

6. Create Cross-Partisan Grassroots Coalitions Focused on Economic Issues

Many grassroots organizations are focused on economic justice, but they tend to align themselves with one side of the political spectrum, often losing potential support in the process. Building cross-partisan coalitions that emphasize shared economic challenges rather than ideological differences could foster stronger, more united advocacy for middle- and working-class issues.

• Organize Around Issues, Not Parties: Groups like the Poor People’s Campaign, which focuses on poverty and economic justice, have successfully united people across political lines around issues that transcend party loyalty. This approach allows people to focus on their shared struggles, making the movement harder for politicians to ignore.

• Build Community-Level Alliances: Many economic issues are felt acutely at the local level. By focusing on community-level initiatives that address healthcare, affordable housing, and education, people can create practical, on-the-ground solutions that don’t require alignment with national politics. These local successes can serve as models for broader change.

7. Emphasize Civic Education on Economic Policies

Finally, bridging the gap will require education and awareness. Many people accept billionaire-fueled rhetoric because they lack exposure to alternative perspectives. Civic education efforts that focus on teaching economic principles, tax policy, and the influence of corporate power can empower people to understand the real impacts of current policies on their lives.

• Create Accessible Educational Resources: Podcasts, documentaries, workshops, and community discussions can all serve as tools for demystifying economic issues. When people have a clearer understanding of how things like tax policies and wage laws work, they are better equipped to make informed decisions.

• Promote Financial Literacy and Empower Individuals: Financial literacy programs that help individuals understand budgeting, credit, and investments empower people to navigate the economy more effectively. While this doesn’t directly address systemic issues, it gives individuals a greater understanding of the forces shaping their lives and can be a first step toward broader engagement.

By approaching these issues with a focus on shared struggles, fairness, and practical solutions, the middle and lower classes can work together to build a movement that transcends political divides. This movement can challenge the status quo without becoming mired in divisive ideological battles. The real strength of such an effort lies in its ability to unite ordinary people around a common vision for a fairer, more just economic system—one that serves all citizens, not just the wealthiest few.

[thenixart]

[id: Three images: a banner and two pictures listing prices with sample artwork. The banner reads 'The Screaming Emu' in orange across a blue, black, and green bird monster.

The second image shows Andalite heads in varying levels of detail with prices listed: $10 for a sketch, $15 for line art, $20 for line art with flat colors, and $25 for line art with full coloring and shading.

The third image shows a dragon standing upright with lines marking off segments of its body listed with prices: No additional charge for the head, +$10 for a bust up drawing, +$15 for a waist up drawing, and +$25 for a full body drawing. /end id]

Hey! My commissions are open. For a lot of reasons I need more money than I’m currently able to make at my job. I would be incredibly grateful if you commissioned me.

Contact me via private message or ask through @thenixart​ or via my email: JayTHarris42@gmail.com

Payments through Paypal or kofi (ko-fi.com/nixkat > accepts card payment). Products are digital and will be emailed in .png format unless otherwise specified.

Extras!

-Additional characters are $5 per character. -Simple backgrounds like colored rectangles or circles or polka dots cost nothing. Complex backgrounds are $15. -Saucy/Suggestive art (T&A mostly and some kinks) has an additional charge of $25

I draw:

-Monsters, aliens, fantasy creatures -Animals and Furries/Anthros -Humans

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- Genitals, Body fluids, Sexual Acts - Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual Assault/harassment

Art examples:

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[ID: A simple drawing of Laios Touden from Dungeon Meshi as a wolfman-type werewolf with a tail. He’s drawn from the hips up and wearing his plate armor. /End ID]

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The dragon has a purple head with glowing green eyes. Its wings are very large with paler grey membranes. Its tail is forked and the end is pink with the prongs glowing pink. /end id]

[dsneybuf91]

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie Review

Compared to older animated Looney Tunes movies produced by Warner Bros., and released theatrically, The Day the Earth Blew Up provided an anomaly. Notably, it consists entirely of original material, and reached American cinemas courtesy of Ketchup Entertainment rather than Warner.  Apparently due to a combination of cost cutting and Looney Tunes‘ reputation for doubling up on versatile voice actors, the movie also provides a rare buddy comedy in which one person plays both of the buddies.  Hailed for years as a contemporary Mel Blanc, Filipino-Canadian Emmy winner Eric Bauza here again plays Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, two of Warner’s most persistent animated superstars.  His performance anchors a worthy successor to the works of the Termite Terrace.

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

Wide release date: March 14, 2025

Director: Pete Browngardt

Writers: Pete Browngardt & Kevin Costello (script); Darrick Bachman, Andrew Dickman, David Gemmill, Alex Kirwan, Ryan Kramer, Jason Reicher, Michael Ruocco, Johnny Ryan, & Eddie Trigueros (storyboards)

The world can be a cruel place, but as long as you two stick together, you’ll be alright. -Farmer Jim 

After a UFO landing leaves a goo-lined hole in the roof of Daffy Duck's and Porky Pig's farmhouse, the duo raises repair funds by working multiple odd jobs.  Confectionary chemist Petunia Pig (part-Latina Candi Milo) helps hire them to package shipments of Goodie Gum, but Daffy witnesses a brainwashed scientist (Fred Tatasciore) contaminate the newest flavor with more extraterrestrial goo.  When chewers of the tainted gum become zombie servants of an alien Invader (Peter MacNicol), Daffy, Porky, and Petunia team up to release them.

This movie shows respect to Looney Tunes classics, without feeling overly-derivative of vintage shorts.  Before the aforementioned writers worked on this feature, their Looney Tunes Cartoons produced for HBO Max, and often starring Eric Bauza, became the franchise's first post-1990s TV show that I watched for over one season's worth of episodes.  The most memorable segments feel less gimmicky than the likes of the Space Jam duology, simply placing classic characters in timeless situations.  The Day the Earth Blew Up boasts a relatively smaller, more palpable shock value, but benefits from giving the heroes grounded goals - in Petunia's case, to discover a new gum flavor - in addition to a cinema-worthy obstacle.  Due to Cartoons’ loose continuity, it doesn’t feel mandatory to watch it before Blew Up, which provides new backstories for Daffy, Porky, and Petunia. (The latter two also have different voices in this feature than in Cartoons, even though Milo, and Tatasciore, both played other roles.)

A variety of visual styles and gags reinforce hand-drawn animation as a stimulating medium.  The movie typically evokes Bob Clampett cartoons, including a heavy helping of physical comedy and sight-based humor.  Some of the montages engage by integrating different art styles, or changing the aspect ratio.  By 21st century necessity, the digital coloring and wide screen mean that no scene would ever get mistaken for a vintage short.  Despite this, contemporary fashions and technology seem to have held a tasteful influence on the environments and new characters’ appearances.

Bauza helps continue to prove Daffy a contender for Looney Tunes’ most versatile superstar.  The duck's pride and desire for attention feel like the only constants of his personality through the decades, as his degree of “daffiness” and chances of victory varied across different directors and genres.  Blew Up defines his character as silly, but well-intentioned; less greedy than in the 1950s due to his upbringing with paternal Farmer Jim (Tatasciore) and Porky.  Bauza proves that he can fulfill the emotional demands of this familial role, while maintaining Daffy’s trademark lisp, comic timing, and melodrama.  His performance as Porky often sounds too much like a stuttering Bugs Bunny to me, but does sound distinguishable from Daffy.  Porky’s imperfect brotherly dynamic with Daffy and endearing romantic chemistry with Petunia greatly assist in differentiating the pig from Bauza’s Bugs, whose unacknowledged absence strengthens the stakes in saving the Earth.

The Day the Earth Blew Up premiered during yet another time of doubt for Looney Tunes’ future.  While vintage material remains available on MeTV Toons and home media compilations, all of it has disappeared from Max, which also hasn't posted a new season of Looney Tunes Cartoons in years.  When Blew Up reached my local cinemas, Warner’s refusals to finish Bye Bye Bunny or release Coyote vs. Acme helped make it seem very possible that the film would provide my last chance to see a Looney Tunes production on the big screen. (Beforehand, I had only accomplished this with Space Jam: A New Legacy.) 

While letting my theatrical viewing of Blew Up sink in, I contemplated some potential commentary on the difficulties of maintaining the relevance of Looney Tunes, and American hand-drawn animation in general. The loss of Farmer Jim at the end of the opening credits reel requires Daffy and Porky to survive in the modern world without their greatest support, just as the franchise has had to persist without the likes of Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, and Chuck Jones.  Daffy’s tendencies for overconfidence and unconventionality alternatively render him a hindrance and a boon throughout the story, until Porky allows him to demonstrate during the climax that society would benefit from cultivating his looney behavior in optimum circumstances.  Petunia continuously shares her own belief in the importance of taking risks and trying new things, while Milo and crew admirably expand her interests and sense of humor well beyond the blank slate of Porky’s gentle and pretty - traits downplayed in Blew Up - love interest.  A casual viewer could probably also appreciate these parts simply as comically-delivered, yet good-hearted, reminders to accept others’ differences - a lesson I'll admit that Looney Tunes could probably only apply to this type of adventure.

If I wanted to get philosophical about the casting of Bauza and Milo as generically American talking animals - including some either originated or popularized by Jewish performers - I would suggest that it enhances Looney Tunes' traditionally aspirational themes.  Whether or not an LT superstar holds a strong win to loss ratio, you know defeat will never hold them down for long.  In Blew Up, the protagonists' fortitude and embracing of distinctive talents enables them to achieve rare decisive victories.  Truthfully, I'd just admit selfishness as my core reason to delight in another Filipino fan of animation and comedy keeping alive characters we've loved since childhood.  Since Looney Tunes almost never seems strict on matching characters' and actors' cultural backgrounds, the aspirational themes should come through even if the viewer doesn't look up the latter. (I myself only verified Milo's background for the sake of this article.) For reasons both superficial and overly scrutinous, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie delivers a delightful outing for Daffy and Porky.

This review is dedicated to my recently-deceased maternal grandfather, because my mother listed Looney Tunes among the interests I inherited from him.

[dostoyevsky-official]

Once buoyed by hopes of liberating their lands, even soldiers at the front now voice a desire for negotiations with Russia to end the war. Yuriy, another commander on the eastern front who gave only his first name, says he fears the prospect of a “forever war”.

“I am for negotiations now,” he adds, expressing his concern that his son — also a soldier — could spend much of his life fighting and that his grandson might one day inherit an endless conflict.

[...] Ukraine is heading into what may be its darkest moment of the war so far. It is losing on the battlefield in the east of the country, with Russian forces advancing relentlessly — albeit at immense cost in men and equipment.

It is struggling to restore its depleted ranks with motivated and well-trained soldiers while an arbitrary military mobilisation system is causing real social tension. It is also facing a bleak winter of severe power and potentially heating outages.

[...] At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under growing pressure from western partners to find a path towards a negotiated settlement, even if there is scepticism about Russia’s willingness to enter talks any time soon and concern that Ukraine’s position is too weak to secure a fair deal right now.

US officials were unimpressed by Zelenskyy’s “victory plan”, which includes requests for massive amounts of western weaponry.

An adviser who helped prepare the document says Zelenskyy had no choice but to restate his insistence on Nato membership because anything else would have been perceived as a retreat on the question of western security guarantees, which Ukrainians see as indispensable.

[...] Although Zelenskyy’s victory plan restated old objectives, its real significance is that it shifts Ukraine’s war aims from total liberation to bending the war in Kyiv’s favour, says the senior Ukrainian official.

Multiple European diplomats who attended last week’s UN General Assembly in New York say there was a tangible shift in the tone and content of discussions around a potential settlement.

They note more openness from Ukrainian officials to discuss the potential for agreeing a ceasefire even while Russian troops remain on their territory, and more frank discussions among western officials about the urgency for a deal.

Ukraine’s new foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, used private meetings with western counterparts on his first trip to the US in the post to discuss potential compromise solutions, the diplomats said, and struck a more pragmatic tone on the possibility of land-for-security negotiations than his predecessor.

“We’re talking more and more openly about how this ends and what Ukraine would have to give up in order to get a permanent peace deal,” says one of the diplomats, who was present in New York. “And that’s a major change from even six months ago, when this kind of talk was taboo.”

[...] The biggest domestic problem for Zelenskyy might come from a nationalist minority opposed to any compromise, some of whom are now armed and trained to fight.

“If you get into any negotiation, it could be a trigger for social instability,” says a Ukrainian official. “Zelenskyy knows this very well.”

“There will always be a radical segment of Ukrainian society that will call any negotiation capitulation. The far right in Ukraine is growing. The right wing is a danger to democracy,” says Merezhko, who is an MP for Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People party.

[posttexasstressdisorder]

How Trump's billionaires are hijacking affordable housing

Thom Hartmann

October 24, 2024 8:52AM ET

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the 79th annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York City, U.S., October 17, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

America’s morbidly rich billionaires are at it again, this time screwing the average family’s ability to have decent, affordable housing in their never-ending quest for more, more, more. Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, and Denmark have had enough and done something about it: we should, too.

There are a few things that are essential to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” that should never be purely left to the marketplace; these are the most important sectors where government intervention, regulation, and even subsidy are not just appropriate but essential. Housing is at the top of that list.

A few days ago I noted how, since the Reagan Revolution, the cost of housing has exploded in America, relative to working class income.

When my dad bought his home in the 1950s, for example, the median price of a single-family house was around 2.2 times the median American family income. Today the St. Louis Fed says the median house sells for $417,700 while the median American income is $40,480—a ratio of more than 10 to 1 between housing costs and annual income.

ALSO READ: He’s mentally ill:' NY laughs ahead of Trump's Madison Square Garden rally

In other words, housing is about five times more expensive (relative to income) than it was in the 1950s.

And now we’ve surged past a new tipping point, causing the homelessness that’s plagued America’s cities since George W. Bush’s deregulation-driven housing- and stock-market crash in 2008, exacerbated by Trump’s bungling America’s pandemic response.

And the principal cause of both that crash and today’s crisis of homelessness and housing affordability has one, single, primary cause: billionaires treating housing as an investment commodity.

A new report from Popular Democracy and the Institute for Policy Studies reveals how billionaire investors have become a major driver of the nationwide housing crisis. They summarize in their own words:

— Billionaire-backed private equity firms worm their way into different segments of the housing market to extract ever-increasing rents and value from multi-family rental, single-family homes, and mobile home park communities. — Global billionaires purchase billions in U.S. real estate to diversify their asset holdings, driving the creation of luxury housing that functions as “safety deposit boxes in the sky.” Estimates of hidden wealth are as high as $36 trillion globally, with billions parked in U.S. land and housing markets. — Wealthy investors are acquiring property and holding units vacant, so that in many communities the number of vacant units greatly exceeds the number of unhoused people. Nationwide there are 16 million vacant homes: that is, 28 vacant homes for every unhoused person. — Billionaire investors are buying up a large segment of the short-term rental market, preventing local residents from living in these homes, in order to cash in on tourism. These are not small owners with one unit, but corporate owners with multiple properties. — Billionaire investors and corporate landlords are targeting communities of color and low-income residents, in particular, with rent increases, high rates of eviction, and unhealthy living conditions. What’s more, billionaire-owned private equity firms are investing in subsidized housing, enjoying tax breaks and public benefits, while raising rents and evicting low-income tenants from housing they are only required to keep affordable, temporarily. (Emphasis theirs.)

It seems that everywhere you look in America you see the tragedy of the homelessness these billionaires are causing. Rarely, though, do you hear about the role of Wall Street and its billionaires in causing it.

The math, however, is irrefutable.

Thirty-two percent is the magic threshold, according to research funded by the real estate listing company Zillow. When neighborhoods hit rent rates in excess of 32 percent of neighborhood income, homelessness explodes. And we’re seeing it play out right in front of us in cities across America because a handful of Wall Street billionaires are making a killing.

As the Zillow study notes:

“Across the country, the rent burden already exceeds the 32 percent [of median income] threshold in 100 of the 386 markets included in this analysis….”

And wherever housing prices become more than three times annual income, homelessness stalks like the grim reaper. That Zillow-funded study laid it out:

“This research demonstrates that the homeless population climbs faster when rent affordability — the share of income people spend on rent — crosses certain thresholds. In many areas beyond those thresholds, even modest rent increases can push thousands more Americans into homelessness.”

This trend is massive.

As noted in a Wall Street Journal article titled “Meet Your New Landlord: Wall Street,” in just one suburb (Spring Hill) of Nashville:

“In all of Spring Hill, four firms … own nearly 700 houses … [which] amounts to about 5% of all the houses in town.”

This is the tiniest tip of the iceberg.

“On the first Tuesday of each month,” notes the Journal article about a similar phenomenon in Atlanta, investors “toted duffels stuffed with millions of dollars in cashier’s checks made out in various denominations so they wouldn’t have to interrupt their buying spree with trips to the bank…”

The same thing is happening in cities and suburbs all across America; agents for the billionaire investor goliaths use fine-tuned computer algorithms to sniff out houses they can turn into rental properties, making over-market and unbeatable cash bids often within minutes of a house hitting the market.

After stripping neighborhoods of homes young families can afford to buy, billionaires then begin raising rents to extract as much cash as they can from local working class communities.

In the Nashville suburb of Spring Hill, the vice-mayor, Bruce Hull, told the Journal you used to be able to rent “a three bedroom, two bath house for $1,000 a month.” Today, the Journal notes:

“The average rent for 148 single-family homes in Spring Hill owned by the big four [Wall Street billionaire investor] landlords was about $1,773 a month…”

As the Bank of International Settlements summarized in a 2014 retrospective study of the years since the Reagan/Gingrich changes in banking and finance:

“We describe a Pareto frontier along which different levels of risk-taking map into different levels of welfare for the two parties, pitting Main Street against Wall Street. … We also show that financial innovation, asymmetric compensation schemes, concentration in the banking system, and bailout expectations enable or encourage greater risk-taking and allocate greater surplus to Wall Street at the expense of Main Street.”

It’s a fancy way of saying that billionaire-owned big banks and hedge funds have made trillions on housing while you and your community are becoming destitute.

Ryan Dezember, in his book Underwater: How Our American Dream of Homeownership Became a Nightmare, describes the story of a family trying to buy a home in Phoenix. Every time they entered a bid, they were outbid instantly, the price rising over and over, until finally the family’s father threw in the towel.

“Jacobs was bewildered,” writes Dezember. “Who was this aggressive bidder?”

Turns out it was Blackstone Group, now the world’s largest real estate investor run by a major Trump supporter. At the time they were buying $150 million worth of American houses every week, trying to spend over $10 billion. And that’s just a drop in the overall bucket.

As that new study from Popular Democracy and the Institute for Policy Studies found:

“[Billionaire Stephen Schwarzman’s] Blackstone is the largest corporate landlord in the world, with a vast and diversified real estate portfolio. It owns more than 300,000 residential units across the U.S., has $1 trillion in global assets, and nearly doubled its profits in 2021. “Blackstone owns 149,000 multi-family apartment units; 63,000 single-family homes; 70 mobile home parks with 13,000 lots through their subsidiary Treehouse Communities; and student housing, through American Campus Communities (144,300 beds in 205 properties as of 2022). Blackstone recently acquired 95,000 units of subsidized housing.”

In 2018, corporations and the billionaires that own or run them bought 1 out of every 10 homes sold in America, according to Dezember, noting that:

“Between 2006 and 2016, when the homeownership rate fell to its lowest level in fifty years, the number of renters grew by about a quarter.”

And it’s gotten worse every year since then.

This all really took off around a decade ago following the Bush Crash, when Morgan Stanley published a 2011 report titled “The Rentership Society,” arguing that snapping up houses and renting them back to people who otherwise would have wanted to buy them could be the newest and hottest investment opportunity for Wall Street’s billionaires and their funds.

Turns out, Morgan Stanley was right. Warren Buffett, KKR, and The Carlyle Group have all jumped into residential real estate, along with hundreds of smaller investment groups, and the National Home Rental Council has emerged as the industry’s premiere lobbying group, working to block rent control legislation and other efforts to control the industry.

As John Husing, the owner of Economics and Politics Inc., told The Tennessean newspaper:

“What you have are neighborhoods that are essentially unregulated apartment houses. It could be disastrous for the city.”

As Zillow found:

“The areas that are most vulnerable to rising rents, unaffordability, and poverty hold 15 percent of the U.S. population — and 47 percent of people experiencing homelessness.”

The loss of affordable homes also locks otherwise middle class families out of the traditional way wealth is accumulated — through home ownership: over 61% of all American middle-income family wealth is their home’s equity.

And as families are priced out of ownership and forced to rent, they become more vulnerable to homelessness.

Housing is one of the primary essentials of life. Nobody in America should be without it, and for society to work, housing costs must track incomes in a way that makes housing both available and affordable.

Singapore, Denmark, New Zealand, and parts of Canada have all put limits on billionaire, corporate, and foreign investment in housing, recognizing families’ residences as essential to life rather than purely a commodity. Multiple other countries are having that debate or moving to take similar actions as you read these words.

America should, too.

ALSO READ: Not even ‘Fox and Friends’ can hide Trump’s dementia

[thesensteawitch]

2023 Farewell Message For You!🍃🥀🍃🥀🍃

Pick A Pile Reading

(Left to Right- Pile 1, Pile 2, Pile 3)

Hello, Senstea Souls!

I am back with another collective reading for the year-end. Each pile is divided into two segments:

•What this last month is taking away from you?

•What this last month will give you as a parting gift?

Get your year-ahead (2024) reading from me aka The Sensteawitch and get to know what the next year has in store for you in terms of relationships, career, and finances. To avail yourself $5 off on your reading be quick to book your reading! Only the first 5 will get the discount. Below are the three spreads I created for the 2024 year check:

🌷Booking Form🌷

Now begin your reading.

Pile 1

What this last month is taking away from you?

Tarot Cards: The Fool, The Tower, Five of Wands, Sevan of Pentacles

This last month is going to take away your overconfidence and blind faith. Things will fall only to make you understand the importance of going slow when building strong foundations. In work or friendship, you may face a dispute. Everyone will be pointing fingers at each other. The project you have been working on will face problems. You will lose your calm. You may not see whose fault it would be but you'll see that the dispute was the price you needed to pay to finally turn towards self-confidence. You will know where to invest your energy and money. Soon you'll gain back your patience and share a tip from your book to resolve issues. You'll finally grow new opportunities with experience and knowledge. You'll be the one making adjustments to bring things back to their place.

What this last month will give you as a parting gift?

Tarot Cards: King of Wands, King of Cups, Three of Swords, The Temperance

A new vision will be gifted to you. An advice will stay with you for a lifetime. You'll find the courage to sail through the unsettling waters. You'll know your way to the land and then back again to the ocean. You won't sit and wait for the situation to magically turn better. You would rather find balance within than outside. Spend time near waterbodies to find your balance. This month will allow you to cherish the uncertainty of life and make the best use of it. This opportunity will help you find certainty within yourself. Rather than cursing the rain you would leave your work and go out to drench yourself. You'll be letting go of control and will be gaining some deep insights into life.

Pile 2

What this last month is taking away from you?

Tarot Cards: Eight of Pentacles, The Hanged Man, King of Wands, Three of Swords, King of Cups

The last month of this year is taking away your pain and your perfectionist attitude towards your work. It is taking your self-sacrificial nature. Take care of your health, pile 2. You may fall sick only to understand that health is wealth. Without health, you won't be able to perform the tasks you are passionate about. Nothing should be done at the cost of your well-being. Some of you may be teachers or counselors. Or you may be someone needing therapy. I hear, “I stay up all night. Tell my friends I am alright.” But you are not. You're doing things that aren't even your responsibility which can make you go through an identity crisis. The Universe will take away your attention from your work only to make you realize that you are more than your work. A human being is more about what they cannot do and in the race of proving ourselves, we forget that we can do anything but not everything. Either you stop or things will blast in the end because your emotions are being piled up and you are paying no heed to them.

What this last month will give you as a parting gift?

Tarot Cards: Queen of wands, four of swords, eight of cups, eight of swords

I see a lot of 8s in your reading. Maybe the number 8 is important to you or you have been seeing a lot of 8 recently. A new start is coming in your life. The Universe will be blessing you with the time to rest and rejuvenate. Walking away from relationships may not feel like actually walking away because you may find yourself back to them. You will be feeling stuck. Hence, the Universe will be gifting you with enough resources to fly away. It's on you to see the gift that you have been carrying all along. This month is going to be all about truly freeing yourself and not distracting yourself. The universe will try to connect with you through angel numbers and synchronicities. You would be amazed. You'll be gifted with faith in the impossible. You may think what kind of gift it is but you'll know how strong and divine ‘faith’ is. It will open new doors of possibility for you.

Pile 3

What this last month is taking away from you?

Tarot Cards: The High Priestess, Six of Cups, King of Cups, Three of Swords

The universe is going to separate you from your old friend or someone you have known for a very long time. It will cause immense pain. You'll be overwhelmed. I hear, “There wouldn't be a reason why we even had to say goodbye.” Yeah, there wouldn't be one of those great human reasons. But the reason will be divine. You will be imagining your reaction to what you have to say to your person. The universe will be doing this only to make you see the bigger picture or else you will always stay stuck between the polarity of the situation. The universe wants you to see that there is a midway. And you can only see it when you step back and look at the picture from afar. I hear, “Oh whatever tears you apart don't let it break your heart....when the highs are too high and the lows are too low. When you love someone and they let you go. Don't you let it kill you...Time takes time to heal it.” Your pessimistic approach will be taken away from you. Shed as many tears as you want because eventually as the full moon nears you are going to turn into a wolf. You can't dominate the situation you only have power over and within yourself.

What this last month will give you as a parting gift?

Tarot Cards: Three of Cups, Knight of Swords, Knight of Pentacles, Five of Pentacles

The Universe will bless you with a sudden rush of downloads with loads of wisdom. It will offer you exactly what you will seek during the last month. The universe will also bless you with a new connection but I am not sure if you'll be open to them. This new connection will give you exactly what you will be looking for. Expect a treasure coming your way. You'll be expressing your emotions with your friends but be sure to take things slow and not reveal every minute detail in the first conversation or meeting. You will be asked to release the negativity. Be forgiving and ask for forgiveness. You'll be blessed with people who will help you move on.

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[chefskillet1]

I have been very nervous about this BUT I AM GONNA BE POSTING MY BLAZBLUE OC SHRAPNEL THANKS TO ENCOURAGEMENT FROM @nkn0va AND I REALLY HOPE THE FEW PEOPLE WHO WILL PROBABLY SEE THIS REALLY ENJOY IT :D

To start off, Shrapnel - also known by her real name, Shizuka Kaji, is a loud, abrasive woman who works as a Lieutenant Colonel in the NOL. She's got quite the mouth on her, ready to just dish out whatever not-so-good insults she could conjure up in her head at the moment. While usually she wouldn't have the bite to make up for her bark, she's used Ars Magus to make these cool little things called grenades, and she's always itching to just throw some out even if it's unnecessary! That being said - she has a serious soft spot for the Imperator Librarius, Izanami, bending to every single one of her whims even if it could cost Shrapnel her own life. Shizuka has a deep love for Izanami, being utterly obsessed with the woman, the entire reason she became Lieutenant Colonel was to get closer to Izanami. Before she saw the Imperator for the first time, she was just a Corporal and a rather quiet girl, keeping to herself and never speaking unless spoken to - but the moment she looked at death itself in all her glory, something in her brain clicked, she realized she needed something to change if she was going to be noticed. Thus, she went to brainstorming, eventually landing on the idea to make bombs, and adopting a new persona - Shrapnel. Through the sheer destructive power of her bombs, she managed to climb up the ladder until eventually becoming Lieutenant Colonel of the Engineering Department, something she's not happy about because she has to be around Relius Clover of all people. It didn't matter, though. She finally had the one thing she's craved in her life - control. Her high status in the NOL made her feel powerful, something she's basically never felt in her childhood, she was always so non-confrontational and always just went with the flow, but now - as Shrapnel - she could finally feel like she had atleast one person under her thumb at all times, it was a thrilling feeling to the woman. Eventually, she had scheduled a meeting in private with the Imperator by some miracle, and that's when she had confessed to the woman: how she fell in love at first sight, how she's basically changed herself beyond recognition for this oppurtunity, etc etc. When the Imperator reciprocated, she was over the moon, her life was finally complete! But because I don't like my OCs being happy, she later felt pretty miserable in this relationship - while she didn't know Izanami was unfeeling, she did know Izanami didn't really love her, Shrapnel was more like a dog to the Imperator, something she could just command and it would listen perfectly, not even questioning her master. Shrapnel just can't seem to pull herself away however, the Imperator's soft, sweet voice always manages to just keep her locked into the relationship, Shrapnel was just utterly enchanted by this woman because in all honesty - she does love her, she does want to be in a relationship with her, she doesn't care about the Day of Reckoning or whatever, this woman was literally perfect to her. Which is why she wants to use the power of The Azure to make her relationship with Izanami stop being so one-sided, so that Izanami could finally love her as much as she loved Izanami. Perhaps, with the power of The Azure, they could even get married...

Now enough of that ITS TIME FOR GAMEPLAY STUFF!!!

Health: 11,000

Drive: Party Tricks

Shrapnel's D normals will fill a bar called Frenzy. The Frenzy Bar is segmented into 4 parts, each requiring a certain amount of explosions to fill. Frenzy is built up when a grenade EXPLODES, meaning she can freely throw out her D normals and so long as she's not hit during them, she'll build up Frenzy, all of her Specials and Distortion Drives cost varying amounts of Frenzy. With each stack of Frenzy she gains, the gets new buffs:

4 explosions/1 Segment = faster walk speed

6 explosions/2 Segments = faster run speed

8 explosions/3 Segments = double air dash

12 explosions/4 Segments = her A, B and C normals have a faster startup and are safer on block (anywhere between 3-5 Frames depending on the normal)

Her grenades can be deflected back to her, in which case her opponent becomes immune to the deflected grenade while Shrapnel will take damage, Shrapnel can hit it back to send it to remove her opponent's invincibility while regaining her own, which can lead to fun games of hot potato with your friends. Even if you do get hit by your own grenade, you still build up Frenzy!

Overdrive: The Big Boom

Her D normals now hit twice, meaning they account for 2 explosions instead of 1, so she fills her Frenzy bar faster!

5A = a rather unique 5A in that she takes off her tie and just whips you with it

5B = ELBOW THE FACE!!!

5C = just fucking socks the other player in the jaw lmao, travels forward a bit, fatal counters

5D = travels backwards and throws a grenade that explodes shortly after, it is NOT grab immune like a backdash

2A = a poke! like, a LITERAL poke, not an actual poke-

2B = just your standard low, she kicks at the opponent's feet

2C = a sweep where she uses one of her bandoliers to trip the opponent!

2D = throwing a bomb into the air! ...this move anti airs if you couldnt tell

3C = a sweep thats just better than 2C where she explodes a grenade rather than tripping the opponent, it does cost 1 Frenzy though

6A = slap.

6B = sol5K.jpeg (except its nowhere near as good because its basically just ragna's jesus kick)

6C = she takes off one of the bandoliers and just whips you with it, if you do 6[C] she'll do it multiple times but be pretty minus

6D = throws a grenade to the ground that explodes later, supposed to be used on hard knockdown!

J.A = youre not gonna believe this but... SHE DOES A PUNCH!

J.B = conks you over the head with one of her grenades

J.C = making azrael proud by using her cape to smack the opponent

J.2C = a "divekick" where she just nosedives straight into the ground

J.D = drops a grenade straight down

Throw = grabbing the opponent by the neck and then just throwing a grenade straight at their face (its inactive)

Back throw = after the grab lands, she leaps over them and then gently nudges them backwards, making them fall over

Air throw = she wraps one of the bandoliers around you and then as she whips it to the ground it quickly unravels and forces you straight down

Counter Assault = same animation as 6B

Crush Trigger = when charging she reels her fist back, even comically lifting her sleeve up before just diving into you like kaguya's 3C in uni

Taunt = sits down, pulls out a blank grenade, painting its features on while insulting you

SPECIALS:

Yale Dive

236B = Shrapnel throws a bomb behind her that quickly explodes and sends her flying towards her opponent, can be cancelled into any 5A, 5B or 5C. Costs 2 Frenzy

Macrae Strap

214A = a short range move where she straps one of her bandoliers onto her opponent that will explodr after approximately 180 frames have passed and Shrapnel hasnt taken any damage. Costs 2 Frenzy

J. Rains Launch

623A = Shrapnel's best launcher, throws 3 grenades below herself and the opponent which sends them both flying into the air, allowing Shrapnel to string together air combos. Costs 4 Frenzy

Mills Bash

236D = Shrapnel jumps into the air and slams her fist into the opponent, at the same time a grenade rolls out of her sleeve and explodes. Costs 3 Frenzy, is an overhead

Vyacheslav Ruin

42136D = a VERY potent command grab where she grabs them by their arm, uses the same trick from her 2C, except she sets all the grenades on the bandolier to detonate. Costs 6 Frenzy

DISTORTION DRIVES:

Burning Phillips

236236B = a reversal super where she kicks her opponent back and then jumps on top of them, all dumping all the grenades from her pockets until her and the opponent get shot up into the air from all the booms, knocking them all the way back to midscreen. During OD she throws one of her bandoliers in there for good measure. Costs 7 Frenzy and 50 meter

Cluster of Butterflies

214214A = Shrapnel jumps into the air and lingers there, spinning around as grenades fly all over the field under her, exploding one by one as a whiff punish, during OD a massive explosion occurs under her. Costs 9 Frenzy and 50 meter

Whitehead Phosphorous

632146D = Shrapnel decides she wants to commit a war crime and use the highly painful white phosphorous on her opponent, this super will lock down an area and linger over wherever it was planted, which can force an opponent to block while also taking chip, during OD it just gains more hits and deals extra chip damage. Costs 10 Frenzy and 100 meter

ASTRAL HEAT:

Li'l Oppenheimer

Shrapnel throws a grenade at the opponent's head, knocking them unconscious. Afterwards she straps a bandolier to them, making sure it's wrapped extra tight so they can't move, then after that she drags them to a forest, waiting for them to wake up for her special surprise. Once they wake up, she leaps down from a tree branch, all the grenades in her bandoliers and her pockets falling down. Once she lands, she quickly runs off and remotely detonates all the grenades, marvelling at the destruction she has caused, thinking about kissing her lover in front of the newly made wildfire...

The namesakes for all the moves:

Robert Yale the father of the smoke bomb

Macrae Strap is named after Stuart Macrae the inventor of the sticky bomb

Gabriel J. Rains invented the landmine

William Mills made the frag grenade

Vyacheslav Ruin is named after the inventor of the molotov cocktail, Vyacheslav Molotov

Burning Phillips is named after Phillips Petroleum Company who patented the C-4

Cluster of Butterflies was named after both cluster bombs and butterfly bombs

Whitehead Phosphorous is named after both white phosphorous and the inventor of the torpedo Robert Whithead

The name for the astral comes from the localized name for the JoJo stand Aerosmith, which is Li'l Bomber, and of course Oppenheimer

May or may not make one of these for my uni2 oc next :>

WIN QUOTES:

Ragna: "Y-You... The Imperator has VERY clear interest in you, and I'm telling you, don't try anything."

Jin: "God, dude, you're even worse than boring - you're just an ass..."

Noel: "YOU are coming with ME! The Imperator will be so proud once I present you to her!"

Rachel: "Y'know... I was never really a fan of people like you, sitting in your mansion, looking down on all us commonfolk... you sicken me."

Taokaka: "Will you shut up?! Your voice gets tiring to hear really fucking quick!"

Tager: "I hope you know I was fearing for my life here, even more surprised that you haven't broken my spine yet! You're like... 700 kilograms or something!"

Litchi: "I wonder what else you do with that pole! Hehe..."

Arakune: "Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, they're crawling on me! They're fucking crawling on me! Get 'em off!!"

Bang: "EVERY. DAMN. WORD that comes out your mouth feels like you're trying your damnedest to be some kinda main character. Hate to break it to ya - but you're not!"

Carl: "Isn't it like, way past your bedtime? Haul your ass over home before I make that toy of yours go boom!"

Hakumen: "Blah blah white void something something cold steel, do you always have to be so pretentious?"

Nu-13: "Woah... you have the Imperator's face... it's kinda freaky, to be honest."

Lambda-11: "You've also got the Imperator's face! But like... actually, not even gonna ask, probably a coincidence."

Tsubaki: "I gotta respect your loyalty towards our beloved Imperator! But sadly, I'll always be her number 1~"

Hazama: "You're quite the slippery, slimey little guy, aren'tcha? Well, doesn't matter, just makes exploding you so much more rewarding!"

Mu-12: "Uh... don't worry, I'm not peeping..."

Makoto: "Awww, your love for your friends is so heartwarming! Don't worry, though! They're next."

Valkenhayn: "Y'know, seeing how old you are, I really expected you to pull a muscle just reeling back your fist to punch me, not whatever the fuck that was!"

Platinum: "Can you like... stop talking to yourself? It gets a bit spooky after a while..."

Relius: "Words can't describe how much I want to blow your face off right now! You're SO LUCKY I don't have orders to just kill you right here, you sick son of a bitch!"

Izayoi: "What kinda power is this? It's... actually pretty rad. Not as rad as my bombs, of course - but still sorta cool!"

Amane: "Don't worry, man, we live in a more accepting world, you can just say it."

Bullet: "So like, how are you NOT worried or tired of men staring at your ass? Those jorts look more like butt floss rather than pants!"

Azrael: "Man, I didn't know I was going to a zoo! I'd bring a banana if I knew that the monkey enclosure was nearby!"

Kagura: "You dare disrespect the Imperator?! By flirting with her future wife?! I must say, you are quite the despicable man!"

Terumi: "Wow, y'know - we really aren't that different! You act about as unhinged as I do, it feels pretty nice y'know? Wish we could talk more."

Kokonoe: "Your inventions are hurting my brain, can't you go with something simpler?! Like, I dunno, enough bombs to start a wildfire? Or one big bomb?"

Celica: "You're so... pure. I... I don't think I've ever felt this way after attacking someone. What am I feeling right now...?"

Hibiki: "Well if it ain't Kagura's little puppy! Don't you ever get tired of being all leashed up by him? ...'Bout what I expected. You're pretty miserable..."

Nine: "You have no idea how lucky you have it! The Imperator chose you to be under the Mind Eater, and you throw such a gift away?! How could you?!"

Naoto: "God, you remind me a lot of... the man that wants to steal my Imperator away from me. Stay. Away. From her. Final warning."

Izanami: "My sincerest apologies, my beautiful Imperator! Please, I-I didn't hurt you too badly, did I...? ...Not to worry about it? Well, if you say so..."

Susano'o: "That's right, you don't know one thing about destruction! Now, bow down to me as the new Goddess of Destruction!"

Es: "You're really milquetoast, dunno what I expected from a robot... Whatever, I'll find some other chew toy to play with."

Mai: "You were quite the fun prey to chase around! Gotta say, you work wonders with that spear. I look forward to our rematch..."

Jubei: "I'm sorry if this is personal but... can I pet you? No? Aw, damn shame... I really like cats, but I can respect if they don't want any scritches."

Overdrive:

"IZANAMI!!"

"FOR THE IMPERATOR!"

"My love, forgive me..." (vs Izanami)

"DO *NOT* TOUCH ME!" (vs Relius)

"You. Cant. HAVE. HER." (vs Ragna)

"CAN YOU GET ANY MORE BORING?!" (vs Jin)

"YOURE COMING WITH ME WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!" (vs Noel)

"YOU TOOK THE IMPERATOR'S BLESSING FOR GRANTED!" (vs Nine)

"Hey, do you eat rats like an actual snake?" (vs Terumi)

"Pretty SMOOTH!" (vs Hazama)

"I'M THE ***REAL*** GOD OF DESTRUCTION, BUCKO!" (vs Susanoo)

"RRRREGINALD! MORE TEA AND BISCUITS, PLEASE!" (vs Rachel)

"IM VERY CONFLICTED ABOUT THIS!" (vs Jubei)

"You really need to lighten up, dude..." (vs Hakumen)

"PUT SOME CLOTHES ON, YOU'RE DISTRACTING ME!" (vs Makoto, Mu-12 or Mai)

"Nice to see someone so loyal..." (vs Tsubaki or Izayoi)

[scotianostra]

On September 25th 1956 the first telephone cable connecting the UK and North America “went live”.

Before 1956 a phone call to Canada, or the United States, would require booking several hours in advance as the various radio links required were established – assuming atmospheric conditions allowed the connection to work at all. But on 25th September, 1956, the first voice call crossed the pond from Newfoundland in Canada to Oban.

The cable carried 35 simultaneous calls, and 22 telegraph lines (squeezed into a 36th voice line), bringing down the cost of calling America to a pound a minute (bought in three-minute chunks) which would equate to over £30 in today's money.

TAT-1, as the cable was known, didn't just carry public phone calls, it was also used to send the Queen's Christmas message to the Commonwealth, live, and was a vital segment of the Moscow-Washington hotline, which is why the 100 or so Post Office workers had to sign the Official Secrets act.

The cables were laid over the summers of 1955 and 1956, with the majority of the work done by the cable ship HMTS Monarch. At the land-end in Gallanach Bay near Oban, Scotland, the cable was connected to coaxial (and then 24-circuit carrier lines) carrying the transatlantic circuits via Glasgow and Inverness to the International Exchange at Faraday Building in London.

On this day in 1956, TAT-1 carried 588 London-US calls and 119 London-Canada calls in the first 24 hours of public service.

Arguably the most important instance the cable was used was when the world was on the verge of Nuclear war during the Cuban Missile crisis.

TAT-1 carried the Moscow-Washington hotline between the American and Soviet heads of state, although using a teleprinter rather than voice calls as written communications were regarded as less likely to be misinterpreted. The link became operational on 13th July 1963 it took the US, for example, nearly 12 hours to receive and decode the initial settlement message that contained approx. 3,000 words. By the time the message was decoded and interpreted, and an answer had been prepared, another – more aggressive – message had been received.

After the success of TAT-1, a number of other TAT cables were laid and TAT-1 was retired in 1978.

Pics are the cable coming ashore in Scotlan a stripped back piece of cable and a map showing the route.

[moonglide]

Echoes of wisdom hours 10 & 11

-spoilers for the end of the gerudo quest, and most of the hyrule castle quest.

-previously on: moon's eow playthrough

-AAAHHH WHY THE FUCK ARE THERE THREE LINKS???

-this concludes the segment about the last entry.

-okay so with some clever manuevering, i killed them. had to distract them with moblins and then take them out individually.

-oh i got a bow! guess that makes sense. will the next one be bombs???

-oh i have to be in hero mode to use the bow. lame. zelda is totally an archer.

-i only knew half of the two statue puzzle so i just guessed. and it worked.

-mole guy. i'm a little scared because i've seen people talk about this guy

-guess i'm just too skilled. that wasn't that hard. i used albatrosses or whatever they're called.

-ok so yeah the restored parts of the world are definately just copies. how can i still be standing on gerudo sands in the still world if it got put back?

-no extra triangle? i just get reduced cost on certain echoes? huh? are those echoes gonna be useful in the castle or something?

-ok tri. you want me to go back to lueberry's? joke's on you, i was about to go there anyways to upgrade my sword.

-i ship lefte and wright. i also headcannon that lefte is right handed and wright is left handed.

-OH GOD the rift has overtaken castle town.

-love how when the soldiers are freaking out wright just takes charge. he's actually a really good leader. he boosts morale, is decisive, helps out his soldiers. it's great.

-down, you say? guess i'm taking the well.

-ohhhh we get to go through the castle again! but backwards!

-there's magic evil soldiers? ok. guess they'll die.

-guess they won't die. what? why are they so strong?

-OOOHHHH it's so it can be a stealth section like the beginning of the game!!!!

-got caught and it took me to a pocket dimension. is that why they one shot everything? they're just being teleported?

-ok so apparently you can place water blocks as long as they're connected to the ceiling. the more you know.

-fell off the roof. got stabbed by guard. there's like two darknuts and a moblin in here. guess i'll die. that's death #6

-impa????

-wait she has a diary

-read the diary, i'm not crying you're crying. god impa did you have to punch me in the feels so much?

-ok but also this is the same cell with the hole in the wall. impa you are a ninja. you could have figured something out.

-man imagine what it must be like for zelda in these underwater tunnels. she can't see through walls. she doesn't know where the next pocket of air is. terrifying.

-diff stealth section. landed on this guard's head. from the ceiling. bro turns around and i teleport off.

-hey remember when i asked if the echoes with reduced cost would be useful in the castle? they were useful in the castle.

-death 7 from that room with the ball-and-chain darknut.

-oooh high jump amulet!

-i teleported back but forgot to open the big chest. now i gotta go back again.

-wait am i just straight up fighting the king and left and right???

-oh it's ganon. and he's an echo. i still think ganon from the start of the game was an echo.

-first phase went well. was low on hero mode mana so had to send birds to fight for me

-second phase went well. could get mana from the flaming keese, so i could actually stab him.

-i'm so disappointed in myself. i'm actually so disappointed. i died to magic tennis. how did i die to magic tennis???? it's so simple!! i was too close to him and so when it sped up i couldn't react. i'm a fool. i'm pretty sure i have to start from phase one. whatever.

-death count: 8.

-fave monster: albatrawl. with this guy i can use cloud of bats but better, because they can take a hit, and attack faster, and are stronger. two strong birds is still better than four weak bats.

[elementramarketing]

Stop Guessing, Start Converting

Performance marketing turns ad spend into revenue, one result at a time.

Introduction: Marketing Built for Measurable Success

In the digital age, marketing isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being clicked, chosen, and converted. Traditional ads may build awareness, but performance marketing builds your bottom line. With every penny spent tied to a clear outcome, you don’t just market—you scale, grow, and dominate.

💼 What Makes Performance Marketing Different?

Unlike old-school campaigns that focus on reach or impressions, performance marketing means you only pay for what works. Whether it’s a lead, sale, sign-up, or download, you're charged based on actual results—not vague visibility.

Popular performance channels include:

Google Ads (Search, Display, Shopping)

Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram)

Affiliate & Influencer Marketing

LinkedIn for B2B campaigns

Email retargeting & native ads

This model is a win-win for advertisers and platforms alike. No results? No cost.

🧲 Lead Generation: The Engine Behind Growth

Lead generation isn’t about random clicks—it’s about reaching people who are ready to act. Performance marketers use refined targeting and optimized funnels to capture high-intent leads.

Key strategies include:

Custom-built landing pages

Engaging lead magnets (eBooks, webinars, discounts)

Sharp ad copy & scroll-stopping creatives

CRM integration for instant follow-ups

Conversion tracking for every ad dollar

The result? A constant flow of warm leads ready for conversion.

📊 Data-Driven Decision Making

Every performance campaign lives or dies by its analytics. Marketers don’t guess—they test, track, and tweak in real time.

Here’s how:

A/B testing to find top-performing creatives

Funnel analysis to optimize each stage

Audience segmentation for precise targeting

Live dashboards that show ROI by the hour

Retargeting for visitors who didn’t convert

It’s like running a marketing lab—refining campaigns until they work like a machine.

📍 Who Benefits Most?

E-commerce stores that need scalable revenue

Coaches & course creators building funnels

Finance & insurance firms seeking verified leads

SaaS platforms driving free trial signups

Local businesses expanding digital footprints

Performance marketing isn't just for big brands—it’s for any business that wants more ROI, fewer excuses.

🛠️ Key Features to Look For

Full-funnel strategy from ad to conversion

Real-time analytics & reporting

Clear cost-per-lead or cost-per-acquisition models

Strategic retargeting & audience lookalike creation

Automated optimization for better ROI

With the right execution, you don’t just market—you multiply.

🔚 Conclusion: Market with Confidence

In 2025 and beyond, every click counts. Performance marketing empowers brands to grow fast, smart, and profitably—without burning through budgets. If your goals are real, your marketing should be too.

🔗 Want to scale your business with high-converting campaigns?

Click now and see real performance in action.

👉 [Click Here] to unlock your lead generation potential!

[jasir247]

Top Digital Marketing Strategies for 2025

1. AI-Driven SEO & Content Marketing

Search engines are evolving, with AI-powered algorithms reshaping how content ranks. To maintain a competitive edge: ✅ Prioritise Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) when creating content. ✅ Utilise AI-based tools like Jasper, SurferSEO, and Frase.io for content optimisation. ✅ Focus on long-form, informative content tailored to user intent. ✅ Implement structured data and schema markup to improve search visibility. ✅ Optimise for voice search and AI-generated responses to align with new search behaviours.

2. Hyper-Personalised Marketing

Consumers expect customised experiences across all digital platforms. To meet this demand: ✅ Use AI-powered customer relationship management (CRM) tools such as HubSpot, Klaviyo, and ActiveCampaign for audience segmentation. ✅ Personalise email campaigns with dynamic content and behaviour-based automation. ✅ Leverage Google Ads Performance Max and Meta’s AI-driven targeting for precise ad placements. ✅ Incorporate personalised product recommendations for eCommerce and digital shopfronts.

3. Short-Form & Interactive Video Content

Video remains a dominant force in digital marketing, particularly short, engaging formats: ✅ Create content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts to capture audience attention quickly. ✅ Utilise AI-powered video creation platforms like Synthesia, RunwayML, and Pictory. ✅ Integrate interactive elements such as polls, quizzes, and live Q&A sessions to drive engagement. ✅ Experiment with immersive experiences like 360-degree videos and augmented reality (AR).

4. Performance-Driven Paid Advertising

Data-driven advertising is becoming smarter and more efficient: ✅ Use AI-powered Google and Meta Ads for automated bidding and precise targeting. ✅ Implement retargeting strategies to reconnect with past visitors. ✅ Leverage AI analytics to anticipate user behaviour and optimise conversion rates. ✅ Adopt programmatic advertising for automated, real-time ad placements.

5. Influencer & User-Generated Content (UGC) Marketing

Influencer marketing is shifting towards authenticity and community engagement: ✅ Partner with micro and nano influencers to achieve higher engagement at lower costs. ✅ Encourage UGC through branded challenges, reviews, and community hashtags. ✅ Use AI tools to evaluate influencer reach and engagement rates. ✅ Feature UGC across websites, social platforms, and email marketing for credibility.

6. Community & Conversational Marketing

Building digital communities fosters brand loyalty and customer retention: ✅ Engage with audiences on WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord. ✅ Deploy AI chatbots for real-time customer interactions and automated lead nurturing. ✅ Host live events, such as webinars and Q&A sessions, to strengthen brand relationships. ✅ Implement SMS marketing and AI-driven chat to provide personalised communication.

7. Ethical & Sustainable Marketing

Consumers increasingly value sustainability and ethical business practices: ✅ Promote eco-friendly products and sustainable packaging in digital campaigns. ✅ Share corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives through storytelling. ✅ Adopt privacy-focused marketing strategies, including ethical data collection and zero-party data. ✅ Be transparent about sourcing, brand values, and business ethics.

8. Web3 & Blockchain in Marketing

Decentralised technologies are reshaping digital marketing strategies: ✅ Explore NFT-based loyalty programs to drive engagement. ✅ Utilise decentralised social media for better audience ownership. ✅ Implement blockchain for transparency in advertising and fraud prevention. ✅ Accept cryptocurrency payments for online services and eCommerce transactions.

9. AI-Powered Data Analytics & CRO

Data-driven decision-making enhances marketing performance: �� Use Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Hotjar, and Crazy Egg to analyse user behaviour. ✅ Conduct A/B testing on landing pages, emails, and ads for optimisation. ✅ Leverage predictive analytics to identify trends and customer preferences. ✅ Improve website UX and sales funnels to increase conversions.

10. Voice & Visual Search Optimisation

As voice and visual search continue to grow, businesses must adapt: ✅ Optimise content for natural language and voice search queries. ✅ Implement image and video search SEO using Google Lens and Pinterest Visual Search. ✅ Enhance accessibility with alt text, metadata, and structured product descriptions. ✅ Focus on multimedia-rich content to align with AI-driven search results.

🔥 Final Thoughts

To stay competitive in 2025, brands must embrace AI, automation, and data-driven strategies while maintaining an authentic connection with their audience. Businesses that leverage new technologies while prioritising customer experience will stand out in the evolving digital space.

📌 Read more insights at: 👉 check out

[webpromix01]

Unlock Business Growth with Expert PPC Advertising – Webpromix Solutions That Deliver Results

In the fast-moving digital landscape, businesses need smart, strategic marketing solutions to stay competitive and grow rapidly. One of the most effective methods to drive immediate traffic and measurable ROI is through PPC advertising. At Webpromix, we specialize in delivering high-performing pay per click PPC advertising campaigns tailored to your business goals.

What is PPC Advertising?

PPC advertising, or pay per click advertising, is a model of internet marketing where advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked. It’s a powerful way to buy visits to your website, rather than earning them organically through SEO alone.

When done right, PPC ads can bring in qualified traffic, generate high-converting leads, and significantly boost your sales. From Google Ads to social media platforms, PPC advertising helps you target the right audience at the right time.

Why Choose PPC Advertising for Your Business?

Businesses of all sizes benefit from pay per click advertising due to its ability to deliver instant results. Here’s why PPC ads are essential:

Instant Visibility: Get your business in front of users who are actively searching for your products or services.

Highly Targeted Campaigns: Reach audiences by location, device, keyword, age, interests, and more.

Budget Control: Set your own daily or monthly limits, ensuring you never overspend.

Measurable Performance: Track every click, impression, and conversion in real-time.

Scalable Growth: Increase your ad spend only when you're getting profitable results.

At Webpromix, we leverage all these benefits to build data-driven PPC campaigns that fuel sustainable business growth.

Our Approach to PPC Advertising at Webpromix

Creating a successful PPC advertising strategy requires more than just launching a few ads. At Webpromix, we follow a structured approach that ensures your investment delivers real, measurable results.

1. In-Depth Market and Keyword Research

We identify the most profitable keywords and audience segments relevant to your business. This ensures your pay per click ads are shown to users most likely to convert.

2. Compelling PPC Ad Creation

Our team of copywriters and designers craft eye-catching, persuasive PPC ads that grab attention and drive clicks. Every ad is tailored to reflect your brand and offer.

3. Landing Page Optimization

We ensure that every visitor who clicks on your ad is directed to a highly optimized landing page that increases the chances of conversion.

4. Smart Bid Management and Budget Allocation

We manage your bids effectively to get maximum exposure at the lowest cost possible. This includes A/B testing and real-time adjustments to your PPC campaign.

5. Ongoing Campaign Optimization

We don’t just set and forget. Our team constantly monitors performance and optimizes your PPC advertising campaigns to ensure ongoing success and growth.

Platforms We Support for PPC Advertising

At Webpromix, we manage pay per click PPC advertising across all major platforms, including:

Google Ads

Bing Ads

Facebook and Instagram Ads

LinkedIn Ads

YouTube Ads

Each platform is strategically chosen based on your industry, goals, and target audience to maximize ROI.

Why Webpromix is Your Trusted PPC Partner

With years of experience managing successful PPC campaigns, Webpromix is your go-to agency for all things related to PPC advertising. Here’s what sets us apart:

Certified PPC professionals

Custom strategies tailored to your goals

Transparent reporting and analytics

End-to-end campaign management

Continuous improvement based on data and trends

We don’t just manage ads—we help businesses grow.

Conclusion: Start Your PPC Advertising Journey with Webpromix

If you want to grow your business, increase leads, and boost your online presence, PPC advertising is a powerful tool to achieve those goals. With Webpromix by your side, you get more than just clicks—you get results.

✅ Ready to launch your PPC campaign? 👉 Visit Webpromix.com today and discover how our expert team can build a high-converting pay per click strategy tailored to your success.

[triangularitydubs]

Act II PART 2

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the landscape, Xaine reappeared. "Time," he announced, his voice echoing through the tent. "Are you ready?"

A chorus of grim acknowledgements answered him.

Even Kinger managed a shaky nod, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and determination.

The journey to the Gloinx Queen's lair was arduous. They traversed treacherous canyons, navigated through fields of razor-sharp crystal formations, and narrowly avoided the clutches of bizarre, predatory creatures that lurked in the shadows.

Ragatha patched up scrapes and bruises, Kinger surprisingly proved adept at spotting hidden dangers, and Jaxx used his agility to scout ahead. Yucko stayed quiet beside them, his sickle glinting menacingly in the fading light, the only sound that could be heard was the "snip snip" of his sickle.

Finally, they reached the lair. A gaping maw in the side of a colossal rock formation, it reeked of decay and pulsed with an ominous energy.

"I think rhis is it," Ragatha said, her voice barely a whisper. "The Gloinx Queen's domain."

They entered cautiously, their senses on high alert. The air grew thick and heavy, and the ground beneath their feet vibrated with the Queen's presence.

The interior of the lair was a grotesque tapestry of sand, bones, and pulsating organic matter. In the center, a hulking monstrosity stirred.

The Gloinx Queen.

A colossal sandworm with glistening, segmented armor, rows of razor-sharp teeth, and eyes that glowed with malevolent intelligence.

Scattered around her were the pieces of Zooble – a leg  an arm, torso..

The fight was brutal and chaotic.

The Gloinx Queen lashed out with blinding speed, her teeth tearing through the air, her body crushing everything in its path.

Ragatha used her healing abilities to keep her companions alive, Kinger shouted tactical instructions, and Jaxx danced around the Queen, distracting her with his speed and agility.

Yucko, a whirlwind of red hair and gleaming steel, darted in and out, landing precise strikes on the Queen's vulnerable spots.

Then, everything went wrong.

The Gloinx Queen, enraged, lunged at Yucko, her jaws snapping shut around him with a sickening crunch. A collective gasp went out from the group.

"Yucko!" Ragatha cried, horrified.

The Queen swallowed, her body shuddering as she digested her prize.

Xaine stared in disbelief from his vantage point. He hadn't anticipated this.

It was always such a close call with the clown but the Gloinx Queen took him out of the equation.

The remaining fighters, spurred on by grief and rage, fought with renewed ferocity.

They managed to collect all the pieces of Zooble, but at a terrible cost.

Kinger was severely injured,

Ragatha was exhausted, and Jaxx was limping, one leg twisted at an almost unnatural angle.

They retreated to a safe distance and began to assemble the pieces. As the final fragment clicked into place, Zooble materialized.

A tall, imposing figure, composed of mismatched parts and radiating raw power.

"Took you long enough," Zooble growled, She tested her clawed hand, flexing it with a menacing grin. "Now, let's finish this."

With Zooble leading the charge, they returned to the Queen's lair.

The final battle was swift and decisive. Zooble, fueled by rage and a desperate need for revenge, tore through the Queen's defenses, her claws ripping through the Queen's armor.

She delivered the final blow, severing the Queen's head with a single, brutal strike.

The lair fell silent. The threat was over.

Xaine watched as Zooble stood victorious, her body dripping with the Queen's ichor.

Everyone felt a surge of relief, followed by a nagging sense of unease.

Yucko was gone. Consumed. Beyond saving.

Xaine knew what he had to do.

He approached Zooble, his expression grim. "The mission is complete," he said.

"Thank you for your assistance." Zooble rolled her eyes with a sigh.

He turned to the others. "Take Zooble back to the Tent. I'll be there shortly."

As they left, Xaine focused his energy on the code that governed the world around him.

He located Yucko's data signature – a fragmented, corrupted mess. He hesitated. Could he restore him? Probably, but he was tired more than anything.

He looked at his hands and realized he just stared at them.

He thought about the countless resets, the endless cycles of violence and tragedy.

He thought about the unpredictable nature of Yucko and the constant threat he posed to the fragile balance of their reality.

He made his decision.

With a flick of his wrist, he initiated the deletion sequence.

Yucko's data signature began to unravel, dissolving into a stream of corrupted code. Glitches erupted around him, distorting his image, twisting his features into grotesque parodies of their former selves.

Finally, with a soft "pop," Yucko was gone. Deleted from existence.

Xaine stood in silence, a heavy weight settling upon his non-existent heart.

He had made a difficult choice. A necessary choice.

He returned to the Tent, where Zooble awaited.

He knew that she would never understand, that she would probably resent him for what he had done. But he didn't care.

He had done what he thought was right.

Zooble was there and gave him a look of appreciation, but it was stoic, and rude.

But Xaine could swear she was glad to see him.

Once she saw him there and no longer in the lair, she just stood back and took in the moment.

As he floated into the Tent, he knew that the cycle would continue.

There would be more missions, more challenges, and more sacrifices.

But he would keep fighting.

He would keep trying to create a better world, one reset at a time.

Even if it meant making difficult choices.

[heathermarielocke]

Breaking Down the Factors That Affect Market Perception in Auto Transport

Market Value Over Time

Resale value is a critical factor when purchasing a vehicle, as it represents the predicted market value of a car, truck, or SUV at the time of sale. It is essential to understand that a new car that depreciates faster than its competitors can lead to a lower trade-in value, potentially costing the owner more in the long run if they owe more than the vehicle's worth on a long-term loan. According to Kelley Blue Book's Best Resale Value Awards, vehicles that maintain the highest 5-year residual values, expressed as a percentage of their original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), are recognized for their ability to retain value. These awards are determined by experienced automotive analysts who utilize extensive data, including millions of transactions, vehicle specifications, economic conditions, and auction results, to predict and track vehicle depreciation effectively.

Brands like Lexus and Audi consistently rank near the top for value retention in the luxury segment, indicating that these vehicles are likely to depreciate less over time compared to others.

Conversely, brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo may struggle with maintaining high resale values, especially when compared to high-volume models like the Honda Civic or Toyota Sienna.

Brand Prestige and Consumer Perception

Brand perception significantly influences a vehicle's market value and resale potential. Consumers' perceptions are shaped by direct and indirect experiences with the brands, and this perception influences their decision-making process.

For instance, Lexus is often seen as the epitome of high resale value, which enhances its appeal among luxury buyers who consider future trade-in values.

On the other hand, mainstream car buyers who have experienced strong resale values with brands like Honda or Toyota may find the depreciation rates of luxury brands like Jaguar or Volvo less appealing.

The automotive industry's perception is also affected by factors such as safety, reliability, and operating costs. Dramatic events, such as Toyota's large-scale recalls, have been shown to impact brand perception negatively, affecting resale values.

Conversely, brands that manage to maintain strong safety reputations, like Volvo, despite challenges, can sustain their position in the market.

However, as consumer preferences evolve and more brands begin to excel in multiple categories, the perceived difference between top car brands and challengers is diminishing, making the competition for high resale value more intense.

In summary, understanding the factors that influence resale value and consumer perceptions can guide consumers in making informed purchasing decisions that consider both immediate benefits and long-term financial implications.

Making the Right Choice for Your Needs

Assessing Personal Needs and Preferences

When selecting the right vehicle for city driving, it is crucial to assess personal needs and preferences thoroughly. One should consider how the vehicle aligns with their lifestyle, budget, and driving conditions they frequently encounter.

For individuals residing in urban areas, factors like vehicle size, maneuverability, and fuel efficiency take precedence. Compact cars with a tight turning radius are particularly advantageous in cities, where parking spaces are scarce, and streets are narrow.

Understanding one's commitment to vehicle maintenance is essential. A car is not merely a tool for transportation; it reflects one's responsibility and care. Regular maintenance such as timely oil changes and adherence to service schedules extends the lifespan of the vehicle and ensures reliable performance. Prospective buyers should ponder whether they are prepared to maintain a luxury car, which often requires more attention and higher costs, or if an affordable, reliable model better suits their practical needs.

For finding a reliable and responsible auto transport services, you can browse around this website. Lucky Star Auto Transport provide a professional car shipping services in California and nationwide. They offer direct car shipping guide, with fully insured car carriers and transporters that are reviewed for excellent service and competitive prices.

[willkatfanfromasia]

A Night to Remember - 2

She monotonously paced around the room to burn off her restlessness. She repeated the principles of management and profit planning, hoping it’ll ground her.

Her mind and body were far too desperate to know about him. Did he already know she was here? Was he happy or sad to see her? Does he want her back? Should she play hard or fall into his arms?

Maybe she should just avoid him, treat him as a stranger she weakly sighed

Her thoughts raced a mile an hour, punctuated by the loud rainfall outside. The thought of crossing the waterlogged grounds irritated her, but at least she’ll be left alone with her thoughts for now.

This family’s problems are as intricate as their mansion’s décor she chuckled. Their long term CAs- Anirudh & Pazhuvur- were a well known firm run by two senior professionals. They were from nobility themselves and handled elite clients. Though well meaning, they needed some help to untangle their client’s mess given the ever changing business laws.

She found a remote under the newspaper stand faced it towards the small, early 2000s BPL TV. She tsked when it didn’t switch on. Restlessness made her bang the remote on the sofa armrest repeatedly -and voila! The TV worked.

She shifted through the channels….. ethirneechal serial, suryavamsam movie,teleshopping, BBC, live telecast of a temple..no no no she chanted before settling on an Indian news channel.

An immaculately dressed man addressed the eager reporters. “Pandyan corp will venture into buying other heritage properties too”, he said that they’d already eyed a few old forts and palaces to turn into tourist sweetspots.

“Sir, you had already announced such a project 2 years ago, but it failed to take off” clamoured a journo

The official smoothly assured them that this time it will take off, dismissing the previous plan that fell through.

Nandini smirked, thinking of how they lost their most lucrative purchase due to her ‘skills’.

The Pandya’s were the royal clan who lost the most to colonialism. But they persevered, ignored public criticism, cut costs and started a real estate business- unthinkable for a clan of their stature. They’d changed their last remaining fort into a Heritage hotel and entered the luxury real estate market. Other noble clan’s looked down on them then, only to regret their decisions now.

The Chozhas were one of them. They had maintained autonomous rule long enough, so they settled into a complacent lifestyle. Their palatial homes (including their current residence), agricultural lands overseen by locals all seemed grand. Their money was locked up in trust funds and wills, rendering them unable to withdraw funds for their immediate needs. Their business investments were failing and it looked like they had to sell atleast one property.

Pandyas might’ve modernized into a corporate now, but their executive committee’s bitterness remained. They had lost a lot to the Chozhas but couldn’t retaliate when the British slammed them with the ‘Doctrine of Lapse’.

Their core team, on behalf of the young son of their late CEO, was full of “old guards”- people from families who’ve long been faithful servants of the owner’s kingly forefathers.

They were the top players in the luxury segment, their plan to buy heritage properties was just a century old thirst to one up the Chozhas

She’d interned with them as a gangly 23 year old fresh out of uni. The opportunity was great- they were one of the patrons of her college’s scholarship program. Veer pandyan had personally taught her, despite knowing real estate wasn’t her main interest.

The talent scouts at HR had run a background check, the results of which intrigued the big boss.

Born and adopted in Madurai,  moved to a suburb of Thanjavur at 10 where her dad worked  as a Archagar in temple before moving to Chennai after grade 11.

It was the last fact that caught his eye.

No sane Indian family, no matter their financial woes would shift cities when their child has completed 11th. Something drastic must’ve occurred. It no doubt involved the Chozhas as nothing moved from that estate without their consent.

The pandyan corp executives were nice to her. Really nice, that some of the older employees began envying her- an intern! Veer pandyan had a friendly uncle demeanor as he taught her the practicalities of real estate, investments and predicting markets. But soon his real interest began to show, he tried to pry into her past.

“It’s just odd, you know, you did grade 11 in one city and grade 12 in another “ he innocently asked.

Hoping to tolerate the intrusion for the sake of her job, Nandini replied “ My dad found a better position in Chennai, besides my brother wanted to join the OTA” hoping it sounded rational. She loved using her military intelligence officer bro as an excuse.

He left it for the day, but circled back to it often. “You went to THAT school right? The one where the Chozha kids studied… did you talk to them?”

Nandini cursed herself for being so naïve. She initially presumed he wanted to know about her past genuinely.

The topic was too painful. A sore spot she rarely thought of even in private- afraid of the emotional fallout. No amount of casual dismissal of her acquaintance with them sated her boss.

The heckling of journalists of the suited man snapped her to the present.

She began chuckling madly at the TV, at the slimy man trying to convince the reporters that all was well in paradise. Uncaring of been seen, she wheezed with laughter, knowing all wasn’t well- they had her to thank for that!

The low grumbling of the skies masked her outburst and made her anticipate the next loud thunder. It settled into silence but she wasn’t completely at peace yet. She’d stolen biscuits, borrowed a blanket and used the living room of her former flame.

She looked every bit the confident career woman she was, but his presence threw her off the cool headspace she maintained. And she’d have to leave this place anyway.

A fainted shadow fell on the foyer. “The rain must’ve messed with the porch lights” Nandini dismissed it and continued to change the channels. She chose to watch a Djokovic vs Nadal match to pass time. Engrossed as she was in their rally, she didn’t notice the shadow shift closer to her.

The door lock clicked and forced her to notice. “holy shit please don’t be a murderer” she inwardly thought before deciding to turn.

Her stuff shoulders turned, her eyebrows curled in fear but the sight of the form at the door step made them turn up in anger. “You…you brat!” Nandini bared her teeth as the tormentor of her dreams just smirked

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