#dem: on reflection

[blinkpen]

*you insert Another quarter into my shitpost gachapon and pop open the resulting capsule*

something something mood whiplash

[marzipanandminutiae]

if you're terrified for your country's elections next year because a lot of people seem to think the solution to the government handling an international conflict in an abysmal and deplorable way is to let a group of total monsters who would handle it MUCH worse AND also potentially doom huge swaths of oppressed people at home as well as our entire literal planet get into power, by ignoring the way our deeply flawed but also deeply entrenched system realistically works

clap your hands...?

(I cannot understand trying to stop heinous and unnecessary killing- which disgusts and saddens me, too! how could it not?! -by handing the election to people who want to do even more of that exact thing. the math isn't mathing, as they say)

[noninetofivebaby]

People ignore your spirit and the love you carry inside. I always give 100% never half that's a fucking curse. but that’s who I am. better i die than to feel this way again and again.

[coredrill]

feliz jueves i was fucking right

[pooksbedamned]

Majestic as duck

[boreal-sea]

For everyone who has the luxury to feel like they can afford to let Trump take office instead of Biden to “teach the Dems a lesson “…

I can’t afford it. My LIFE is at risk if Trump regains power. I am visibly trans and nonbinary. I do not and will never pass as a cis person. I want to get an X on my next driver’s license, which at this point may mean it’s legally risky for me to travel to visit my parents in Florida, since Florida law views ID cards that do not reflect a person’s birth sex as “invalid”. Theoretically I might not be able to get back through airport security, for example. I may not be able to legally drive in Florida. I might not be legally able to rent a car in Florida.

And Trump is Ron DeSantis, but for the whole god damned country.

And that’s just from the perspective of a white trans person. The things Trump did to every minority in this country should not be forgotten. The things he WANTS to do to minorities should not be underestimated. His presidency was just as bad as we all warned you it would be, and his next will be worse.

[juan-francisco-palencia]

Eine Blume auf dem Weg.

“Fate or luck. Some rare moments make us reflect on the mysteries of life and who we really are…”

I'm not a writer because I'm not sure that everything I say ends well. I am not a poet either because I am not sure if everything I say becomes an offering, sublime poetry or if it is insulting and does not end well. I'm just a poor being. Who carries in her heart joy, the mortal grace of a woman, a hope, the reason to live to love with all her soul.

—  Juan Francisco Palencia.

[astronerdscorner]

The seven sisters

That's how it is in astronomy, sometimes the weather plays against you for weeks and then there are these unexpected gaps again. The astro year was ticked off when the sky opened up on December 17th for almost a whole night and allowed me to take my first mosaic of a deep-sky object. M45 or the Pleiades, this beautiful open star cluster in the constellation Taurus is now shown here as a mosaic of 2 panels taken with a 750mm Newtonian. The spikes on the stars are simply one of the most beautiful optical errors of such a reflecting telescope and are deeply rooted in my generation through the Hubbel images from our childhood and youth.

[ajje-111]

Pick a Painting: General Messages

Pile 1: Lady in Blue [Two of Swords]

Pile 2: Woman holding man's head [Justice]

Pile 3: Four Women [Ace of Swords]

Pile 4: Two Young Girls [10 of Pentacles]

In usual tarot fashion, please take the following messages as what resonates with you. I hope these messages find you well. With peace and love, Hare Krishna.

-Wind.

Pile 1

Cards: Two of Swords, Two of Pentacles, & 10 of Swords (reversed)

Courage: I find the inner strength to face fear with confidence.

Balance: I bring a state of perfect harmony into my world, and I do so without judgment.

Hello to all the visitors of pile 1. I hope you are well. The colors blue and purple are very vibrant to me in this pile. Many of you may strongly connect to your throat and third eye chakra.

A current situation in your life is affecting these deeply connected qualities, specifically your ability to communicate. You are on the fence about how to approach a certain situation because you are unsure of the consequences that it may lead to. I picture someone biting their tongue a little before speaking up to someone who has a big say in their future.

You will be turning inward and taking this situation personally because it has triggered deep emotions within you that were unaware of.

Although I see you being able to find the courage and strength needed to restore balance in this situation, I do not see it happening without deep reflection beforehand.

If there is something that brings out uncontrollable emotions in you, listen to them. Our body reacts to all stimuli, not only physical but also emotional. Learn how to find balance in this situation.

Song: "Dem Haters (feat. Dwane Husbands)" - Rihanna

I hope this helps, be well. Thank you :)

Pile 2

Cards: Justice, Queen of Swords, Seven of Cups, & Six of Swords.

Failure: I understand that a mistake is only an opportunity to learn.

Perseverance: I know that I can do whatever I set my mind to.

Hello pile 2 visitors, I hope you are well. Purple is the color for you, embodying a sense of high knowing and openness of your crown and third-eye chakras. Very beautiful energy that you have created within yourself. I sense that many of you make sure that your thoughts are clear so you can operate throughout the day as efficiently as you'd like.

The message here is not for all of you, so please take what resonates with you. If you feel it does not apply to your well-being I suggest you stop reading. This message is for those who have left a certain situation in the dust. There is a person or situation that is showing me your complete disengagement. Much like the painting, you hold the dead head of whatever it is that you have left. Only you will know what that is.

I sense you feel that this situation was a failure, but I see you choosing to believe that it was not a waste of time. You're taking this fall out and learning from it, you're moving on to a better place and imagining what awaits you next.

Either way, this situation or person that you have decided to disengage with is the right decision. For some of you, I see karma dealing its cards in your favor. Continue to do what feels right for you.

Confirmation from your guides that you are on the right path.

Song: "Free Mind" - Tems

I hope this helps, be well. Thank you :)

Pile 3

Cards: Ace of Swords, Eight of Swords, Eight of Wands, Two of Pentacles, and Two of Swords.

Honesty: I can't always expect the truth from others, but I can expect it from myself.

Peace: I am a being of love, and I release all negative energy.

Hello pile 3 visitors, this pile is very in tune with the universe I can tell by the synchronicities within the cards. During my initial shuffle, I was supposed to only take one card but for your pile two came out.

I see honesty and peace being key ideas that you hold with your heart. If there is anything that poses a challenge to you I see that you do not take action without regarding your honesty and peace first. I see this to the point of you virtually not engaging with negativity at all for the sake of your own being. Which I totally understand, sometimes I have to do this myself. Not every opinion needs a thesis written about it.

I digress, your message here is that there is a certain aspect of your life that provides stability to you, it could be a job, relationship, pet, house, I don't know but it shows up as something that gifts you new ideas the more you engage and invest into it. This aspect restrains your creativity and restricts you from expressing ideas of honesty and peace. Similar to the painting, you feel claustrophobic in the world you're in and brings out a different side of your honesty and appears defensive.

I see that this situation or aspect of your life has caused you to not express yourself in the most peaceful of ways, but you see that as a sacrifice willing to take to be an honest person. You will not lie.

Some of you will leave this situation as is, you tell yourself you did all you could. You may be right.

Others of you will feel a sense of regret and guilt, remember that the past does not define you. You can move past this if you find it within yourself to be honest about the situation and see it for what it is.

You may be a water sign.

Song: "Wake Up Alone" - Amy Winehouse

That's all, be well. Thank you :)

Pile 4

Cards: Ten of Pentacles, Three of Swords, Three of Wands, Five of Pentacles, Five of Cups, & Two of Cups

Death: I am learning that endings are merely beginnings

Relationships: I am attracted to those people who serve my higher good.

Blame: I accept responsibility for my well-being

Hello, pile 4 visitors, a lot of messages I got for this pile specifically. I don't pull many cards out for my readings. But there was no need the cards honestly flew right out. Off the bat, this tells me that you are a very expressive person who doesn't hold any of it back and honestly refuses to. Some of you may be performers as a career or side hustle. Either way, this pile attracts those who are very creatively defined, talented, and intelligent.

Your message is that there may be something you've invested in that is not working out how you initially thought it would. For many of you, there was actual money involved. Some of you may have lost a large sum of money but that is not a message for everyone.

There is a project you are working on that requires you to be on 10 all the time. This means discipline, and you're only human but this project requires 100% focus and it shows up to me as draining, but it ultimately invests into your 10 pentacles, which is the abundance of your life. You see this investment as worth it even if you may have lost something of value or importance to you. Do not dwell on loss if you did lose a large sum of money. Think of the law of attraction, if you worry about what it is you don't want, all you will receive is exactly that.

A strong message to keep moving forward, reflect on how you're showing up in your relationships. Continue to connect to loved ones as they will remind you of who you are.

Song: "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" - Whitney Houston

That is all I have for you, be well. Thank you :)

[milfswriter]

plot twist, rhea actually goes with r to see Barbie LMAO

Barbie

Rhea Ripley x reader

Summary: continuation of this

"Where you going all pretty doll?" Rhea grins as she comes into your shared room, hands in her pockets as she stands behind you and looks at your reflection.

"I've been telling you all month, Dems" you groaned, applying the last touches, "M'going to see Barbie. Since someone didn't wanna come with me"

She sighed, actually forgetting you were so excited to see that movie. If anyone was actually allergic to bright colors, it was her. and she would not be able to handle all that pink and high-pitched voices for 2 hours. Absolutely not.

But as she saw you looking so pretty and dolled up, she just couldn't let you go by yourself. She wrapped her arms around your middle with a kiss to your shoulder, knowing she was about to say something she'll most likely regret.

"fine" was all she said, looking up at you in the mirror. You were too focused on perfecting your eyeliner to comprehend what she just said.

"hm?"

"I'll go with you" she grumbled, "But I'm warning you, I might throw up"

A grin split your face as you turned around, peppering her face in kisses as you tip-toed to reach her height and she buried her face into your neck.

"I don't care" you laughed, "I just don't wanna be the only one without a date there!"

"could never do that to ya, doll"

____________

"2 tickets for....Bar..bie" she said to the clerk, whispering the last word as she scratched her neck.

"Sorry?" he furrowed his eyebrows, not believing what she just said due to the heavy black makeup and goth t-shirt.

Before she could reply, you ran to her with popcorn and slushies, giggling loudly. "hey babes, got the Barbie tickets?"

The clerk raised a brow, looking between you and Demi, who scowled at him, "just a second, love" you nodded before going to take pictures of the movie's poster.

"you heard her. two.." she slammed the money on the counter, eyes still boring into the same clerk that sold her the Scream tickets. She couldn't believe she was doing this.

Taglist:

@slut4ripley@ara-a-bird@jungwoospeach@neganwifey25-blog@yourmisosoup@cameronsdruthers@dementedtrashcat @sunnnyshark @1c4ntg3ty0u0ffmym1nd @sweety-jamieluvss

[goodgymboy]

TAKE THE SHAME

The dumber you get, the more people are going to judge you for it. For most of your life you’ve probably pretended to be smart, prepared and alert. That needs to change. After all, a truly dumb fuck doesn’t realise how stupid they are. It’s just obvious to everyone else. Your transformation involves accelerating and internalising changes that make it clear that you’re just a simple minded jock. Sure people are going to laugh at how dumb you are. But at least you’ll be hot and taking cock.

Speak Slow and Low. Changing the way you speak is a great way of showing the world just how slowly the wheels are turning in your jock-slut brain. Speak slower. No, even slower. Slower still. Make it obvious you’re having to think really hard about each word and concept. Pitch your voice lower/deeper and quieter. Add lots of pauses and speech fillers that make it seem like you need extra thinking time: words like “duh”, uh” “err” “um” “like” and so on. Sound more like the meathead you are.

Simplify Your Language Stop using those big words. What are you, some kind of nerd? Simple language reflects a simple brain. If it needs a big word, ask someone smarter than you what you mean. If the dumbest jock in your gym couldn’t understand it, it shouldn’t be coming out of your mouth.

Just Hit Send Stop editing/proofreading what you write in your texts and social media posts. If there’s a mistake there, leave it. Soon enough you won’t even notice. You don’t need to show off using words. Post a pic of your pecs instead. Vocab, punctuation and spelling are hard. So stop trying.

Admit You’re Out of Your Depth Let people know when you’re too dim-witted to follow. Thank them when they correct you. Tell them “that’s way too hard for me to think about”. Take the time to check your appearance and post another selfie instead.

Don’t Go Overboard Some jocks on a dumbing down journey try to really over-do this aspect of things. Dey rite n tok lyk dis finking itz gunna mayk dem lewk n sownd dummer. Wrong. This just makes you look like a bad actor. You can make it obvious what you are without making it sound like you’re auditioning for a role. This isn’t cosplay. This is your reality.

ACTION POINT: Start practicing new voice and language patterns. Record yourself speaking and work on slowing your voice down and sounding more like a dumb jock. Post audio clips here on Tumblr and ask for feedback. Go to a local cafe and order lunch or a drink using your new jockboy voice. Start using even simpler language in your texts and posts. Get used to fucking up, being unsure, not having the words.

[lilybug-02]

A picture of Kris can only have one of two energies;

Black Cat or Cryptid.

There is no in-between, it is not a scale or spectrum, just Black Cat or Cryptid.

Also, their eyes are reflective.

I think you would be surprised with how cute I can make Kris >:3

They be all marshmelloie in my eyes. But they do got dem glow-in-the dark eyes. that is real

[gabrielisdead]

Do you have a favourite Frankenstein book cover?

Of course! it's the classic book cover with the painting Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer on it by Caspar David Friedrich, one of my favourite romantic painters!

While it's not as dark and fantastical as we usually associate Frankenstein with but I think it perfectly reflects the romantic sensibility of Victor in the novel, and it was made in the same year as Frankenstein was published (1818) so isn't that cool

[tanadrin]

A Really Obnoxious Standard German Spelling Reform

Rules:

Abolish the umlauts. ä becomes e, ü becomes y. A distinct graph is kept for ö, but we replace it with ø, to conform to the IPA.

ß is abolished entirely; for its replacement, see s.

ie becomes i when it represents a monophthong.

Diphthongs are rewritten to reflect their actual values: ei becomes ai; äu and eu become oi.

H as a long vowel marker is abolished. Vowels are instead doubled when they are long (as they are already in certain words)

Double consonants to indicate a short vowel are abolished.

The trigraph sch becomes š. The tetragraph tsch becomes č. The affricate /ts/ becomes c. The tetragraph dsch becomes ǰ. The digraph ch becomes either ç (in the case of ich-laut) or x.

S remains where it represents the actual sound /s/. Where it represents /z/, it is replaced with z. As an alveolar fricative, it becomes š.

V is entirely replaced with f. W is entirely replaced with v, except in placenames where it acts as a final vowel lengthener--then it is dropped.

Final devoicing is reflected in the spelling of words.

Non-rhotic pronunciations are reflected in spelling.

The obsolete digraph th is abolished.

Capitalization of nouns is abolished.

Sample text (part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights):

Atikel 1: Alle menšen zint frai und glaiç an vyrde unt reçten gebooren. Zii zint mit feanunft unt gevisen begaabt unt zolen ainanda im gaist der bryyderliçkait begeegnen. Atikel 2: Jeeda hat anšprux auf dii in diiza eakleerung feakyndeten reçte unt fraihaiten oone iagentainen untašiit, etva nax rase, hautfaabe, gešleçt, špraaxe, religion, politiša oda zonstiger ybercoigung, nacionaala oda zociaala heakunft, feamøøgen, geburt oda zonstigem štant. Dez vaiteren darf kain untašiit gemaxt veeaden auf grunt dea politišen, reçtliçen oda intanacionaalen štelung dez lantez oda gebiic, dem aine peazoon angehyrt, glaiçgyltiç op diizez unaphengiç ist, unta troihantšaft šteet, kaine zelbstregiirung bezict oda zonst in zaina zuvereeniteet aingešrenkt ist. Atikel 3: Jeeda hat das reçt auf leeben, fraihait und ziçahait dea peazoon.

[odinsblog]

Hey! Just wanted to clarify something so you don’t spread misinformation. You’re right that the president of Israel did comment that the citizens of Gaza are responsible (or something like that) when a reporter asked if that meant that all citizens of Gaza were reasonable targets, he immediately walked it back and said of course not. What he said initially was terrible, but your post indicated that the Israeli government would not be considering civilians non-combatants and that isn’t true

[re: this post, or maybe this one, Idk]

Yeah, sorry, anon, but it doesn’t work that way. That’s not “misinformation,” it’s literally what he said. Literally. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If a racist publicly announced they thought all Black people were subhuman, or if a homophobe proclaimed they believe that all LGBTQ people are are groomers, and then tried to walk it back, but I posted about what they said, that isn’t “misinformation.”

Misogynist: I hate all women.

Reporter: Really? You hate ALL women?

Misogynist: No, of course not. Sometimes dem hoes be aight.

Anon: It’s misinformation if Odin doesn’t tell everyone that the misogynist said he doesn’t really hate ALL women.

Oversimplified, but hopefully you get my point.

It doesn’t matter if they “walked it back”. They still said what they said, and I am under no obligation to update my post to reflect them trying to put the mask back on after they just went full mask-off.

I’m not their public relations manager.

Here’s something Maya Angelou once said, and I fully agree with her:

And the Israeli government is currently bombing the fuck out of noncombatant civilians in Gaza, and they have a history of bombing noncombatant civilians, so try to imagine my complete lack of trust when they say they aren’t doing what they ARE doing, and have a long and very well documented history of doing.

Every time the IDF says they suspected Hamas of being in UN schools and apartment buildings, I don’t have to just take them at their extremely worthless word.

Rhetorical question here, anon: if Hamas is coercing civilians for human shields, then which is worse — the terrorist who uses human shields, or the army that bombs the human shields anyway?

Think about it.

Look, I’m a Black man living in America so please believe me when I say that I’ve seen racist politicians, police, and government officials try to “walk back” their racist words my entire life. It doesn’t mean I’m legally required to believe them. What I believe in is actions, not the tepid, strategically timed “walk backs” of an apartheid state.

Anyway, I’m pretty sure I know who this is (you’ve sent me similarly toned asks before), and it’s fairly obvious that we are not going to agree on this, and that’s okay, I guess, but please don’t ask or dm me on this topic again. I’m also not required to respond to every random anon with a keyboard and an internet connection. I have an inbox full of unanswered asks, and I’m doing this whole blogging thing for funsies; I’m not getting paid to answer a long line of asks, and I don’t have the time.

I only just recently turned the anon feature back on. Please don’t make me regret it.

[centrally-unplanned]

To narrow in on the limits of campaigning, lets take the classic Yglesias axe to grind:

Republican elites were profoundly divided on the wisdom of renominating Trump and obviously plenty of them think it was a mistake. But the decision has been made, and now they either vocally support that call or they stay politely quiet. When Trump feints to the center, those who favor the move loudly amplify it and exaggerate the extent of Trump's moderation, those who don't stay politely quiet and hope for the best. The Dem coalition, by contrast, is tchetchy and every constituent element feels that everything is up for constant renegotiation on a day-to-day basis — everyone's priority is on standing within the coalition not on doing the work to win.

In practice, what is being described here is that Republican organizations have fallen in line. Politicians are campaigning for Trump, activist groups are saying to vote, the media is full court press in his favor. They actively silence and push away from problems, focus on strengths, campaign on the ground, etc. This is effective for mobilizing voters and persuading sympathetic-but-undecideds. I agree with that.

The critique is that the democrats haven't done that, right? In practice, it means politicians aren't campaigning on the ground, media isn't shutting up about his issues, activists are sniping their own coalition instead of getting out the vote, and so on. And that is hurting Biden.

Or is it? It is to some degree, this critique is correct at some margin. If Biden could have a unified party going full-throttle, his polls numbers would be higher by X%. And some actors should switch behavior due to that. But I don't think, realistically, X is at all that high? Because the political parties in the US are just very, very different.

How would "dem media falling in line" look? What media?? The New York Times is not a dem establishment! Its incredibly liberal-left leaning, but its committed to neutrality as a core of its brand (and dissident snootiness as the other core of its brand). If it abandoned that its readers would *leave*, they have other options. And so on down the chain - a lot of the "dem voters" actively want balanced coverage and dissent. If I read a news source never criticizing Biden I would quit it, no way, this news isn't good.

And so on down the chain again, activist groups "driving out the voter?" What does that mean? I don't listen to activist groups, that is fucking cringe. Yeah, sure, they can drive some vote, but most of their affiliated members are loose, they don't listen that much to them. To the extent that they do not reflect the desires of their members, they will fall apart. Is Nancy Pelosi not supporting Biden? She does! Most dem politicians do. You just don't care, you can make up your own mind.

Dem voters are more of a looser coalition, they are on average better educated/smarter and more independently minded, and they live in places of increased social atomization & independence. They just cannot be mobilized the way republican voters can. Sometimes, you can really "animal spirits" it? Do the 2008 Obama, be a charismatic vessel for their hopes and dreams. But that is not a controllable phenomenon, and very hard for incumbents to pull off. Its not a switch Biden can flip.

So saying "Biden needs to do this to campaign better" on this topic is a bit of a chicken and egg thing, like yeah I too would like to fix the inherent inequality in the American voting public! Hopelessly unbudgeable, no, but the margins here are probably smaller than the wonk strategist types want to admit. You could never, in any world, have gotten the "Israel/Palestine left bloc" to "fall in line". That is a fundamental misunderstanding of the American body politic.