2013 honda accord oil life reset
15 Simple Life Hacks With a Pencil
2023.06.03 17:19 hnqn1611 15 Simple Life Hacks With a Pencil
 | https://preview.redd.it/klw7spqdlt3b1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=70551e2013b6c93f67221d5b39c062945cfb61ca submitted by hnqn1611 to TopPersonality [link] [comments] 15 Simple Life Hacks With a Pencil Number One - Repair Scratch Marks on a Flat Screen TV The eraser on the back of your pencil can fix surface scratch marks on your flat-screen TV. Just make sure that the eraser on your pencil is white. Gently rub the eraser over the scratch marks for a couple of minutes, then wipe off the area with a clean cloth or gentle cleaning solution. The scratch marks should now be gone! Number Two - Ease a New Key into a Lock Perhaps you lost your key and need a replacement, or maybe you just moved into a new house. You can spend minutes fiddling around with a new key trying to unlock a door. If this happens to you, take a pencil and rub the tip of it over the teeth of the key. The graphite will act as a dry lubricant. Number Three - Reset a Modem or Router Sometimes modems or routers need to be reset. To do this, you usually need a thin sharp object to place into the tiny hole found on the back of the modem or router. Try using a sharpened pencil the next time you find yourself in this situation. Just be careful not to break the tip of the pencil in the hole. Number Four - Door Stop We all have to step out for a moment time to time to check the mail or grab the newspaper. A pencil is a handy little tool to keep the door open when you don't have your keys with you. Number Five - Protect Walls From Scratches Hanging new pictures is exciting, but the frames often tilt and they can even scratch your walls. Take the erasers from four pencils and glue one to each corner on the back of your picture frames. This will protect your walls from scratches and keep the frames from tilting. Number Six - Remove Scuff Marks From Vinyl Floors Vinyl floors are affordable and durable, but they are notorious for collecting scuff marks left behind from shoes. You can remove these unsightly smudges from your vinyl floors with the eraser on your pencil it works like a charm. Number Seven - Roll Toothpaste Tube We often toss quite a bit of toothpaste out with the tube. Toothpaste tubes tend to get messy and when they're almost empty, it's hard to get all the toothpaste out of them. But you can use an old shortened pencil to roll and squeeze the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube. Number Eight - Improvised Earring Back Most women (and men) have lost a back piece of an earring at some point in their lives. When this happens, you can try to find a safe place to keep the earring until you get home, or use a bit of the eraser from your pencil to temporarily hold the earring intact. Number Nine - Push Back Nail Cuticles Your nails say a lot about you. To keep them nice and neat, trim them regularly and use the eraser on the end of a pencil as a cuticle stick. Gently push back the cuticle following the natural shape of your nail bed. It's best to do this after you shower, when your cuticles are soft. Number Ten - Remove Sticker Gunk A bar code or price sticker is placed pretty much on everything we buy. Trying to remove these stickers can be a nightmare. After you manage to peel off most of the paper, use the eraser on the back of your pencil and rub it back and forth over the stubborn goo, just as you would on pencil marks. Number Eleven - Lubricate a Sticky Zipper We all tend to have a favorite hoodie or pair of jeans we wear often, but sometimes the zipper can get a bit stubborn and get stuck. When this happens, run the tip of a pencil along the teeth of the zipper to lubricate it. Your zipper will be as good as new. Number Twelve - Hair Accessory While modern hipsters totally rock that man bun, for fun and easy up-dos, girls can use a pencil to hold their buns in place. Twist your hair around into a bun shape and gently push the tip of your pencil towards your scalp. Run it under the bun along your scalp and poke it back out through the other side. Number Thirteen - Remove Crayon From Walls Most parents encourage their children's creative abilities, but not when it comes to the living room walls. Don't fret! When your children happen to take their art a bit too far, you can use a regular pencil eraser to remove crayon markings from the walls. Number Fourteen - Clean and Polish Gold Jewelry Gold jewelry is luxurious and valuable, but over time they lose their shine and get a bit dull. The eraser on your pencil absorbs oil and grime from gold pieces. It's also small enough to easily and safely buff away any smudges, leaving your jewelry sparkling like new. Number Fifteen - Repel Moths Toxic moth balls are as dreadful as moth infestations itself, not to mention their distinctive strong order. Instead place a sachet or small cloth bag filled with pencil shavings in your closet. Moths are attracted to soiled fabric, so make sure you always wash your clothes before putting them away. |
2023.06.03 15:37 RedEyePink VALET MODE? 2013 Honda accord LX
My car trunk only opens with the lever on driver side floor. It doesn't have the valet switch in the glove compartment. My car trunk only opens with the lever and not the fob. Why doesn't it open with the fob?
submitted by RedEyePink to mechanic [link] [comments]
2023.06.03 13:53 ThePixelbrain [FTB Ultimate 1.4.7] Join the longest-running FTB Ultimate community on Bedcraft – featuring custom achievements, prestige system, and offline chunkloading!
Overview
Modpack: FTB Ultimate 1.4.7Server IP: ftb.bedcraft.uk
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/WxpmPmj
Installation Guide: #getting-started channel on the discord
Server Features
Welcome to Bedcraft, the ultimate FTB Ultimate server!With a history dating back to 2013 and a range of custom modifications and challenges, we offer a truly unique and enjoyable gameplay experience. Our server is centered around the community, striving to create the most enjoyable experience for everyone. Plus, our server runs TickThreading, a mod that multithreads Minecraft and greatly boosts performance. This allows us to achieve a smooth 20 TPS and support ambitious projects like 288 Fusion Reactors.
But that's not all – we've also created custom achievements to provide engaging challenges in the late game and give you some serious bragging rights among the community. Moreover, we have a prestige system that allows you to to boost your next playthrough by spending prestige points on items after resets. And as a special bonus for our players, we offer free offline chunkloading from the moment you join the server. This means that all your items will continue to run 24/7 without the need for you to be online, allowing you to fully enjoy the benefits of your base even when you're away. We believe this rare and valuable feature enhances the overall gameplay experience and are thrilled to offer it to all our players.
Our modpack, FTB Ultimate, is a true classic and a nostalgic journey. Notably, it offers the ultimate IC2 experience by including GregTech 2, a version of GT that maintains the spirit of the game without excessive grind or disruption to vanilla gameplay.
Feel free to join our community and experience the ultimate FTB Ultimate experience, join us on ftb.bedcraft.uk. Our Discord server also has a #getting-started channel with an installation guide, as well as a (very recommanded) custom version of the modpack with quality-of-life improvements. We can't wait to see you in-game!
2023.06.03 13:17 superkilometerfilter How To Stop Odometer – A Guide
 | submitted by superkilometerfilter to u/superkilometerfilter [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/i1g8wbv5es3b1.jpg?width=795&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fcd76e9ecbee2434a8af7b9ca21d3dee982dd639 How to stop odometer? – This is a frequently asked question among motorists around the world. Despite the various recommendations and offered technics, some of you are not still quite sure which way is better when it comes to interfering with your odometer. First of all, make sure that you have a legitimate reason for it. it may be some fault in functioning or you may just need to test the performance of your car. Needless to say, there are some people who use this for malicious purposes and search for the optimal way that allows them not to get caught in the crime. Of course, we do not encourage wrongdoers to break the law, we only want to tell you what is accepted practice in this case, what can be legitimate reasons that make you think about changing mileage-related data, and of course how to stop mileage on a car. Let’s get down to business, get ready and armed with the knowledge that will guide you through different situations you may come across. WHAT IS AN ODOMETER? It is a tool used for measuring the distance traveled by a vehicle. The device may be electronic, mechanical, or a combination of the two. It is placed on the dashboard near the speedometer, which on the other hand indicates the instantaneous speed of the automobile. If we look through history, we can learn that Roman engineers developed it around 15 BC. As for the modern prototype of it, Blaise Pascal invented it in the 17th century. Mechanical odometers include several cogs. Each cog represents a numerical digit. Distance is counted by tracking the rotations of tires. If you own a brand-new automobile, you can enjoy the fully electronic instrument cluster, accordingly, you have a digital odometer that is no longer cable-dependent. Now magnetic or optical sensors and electronic circuits do the job. Sensors count the rotations made by the toothed wheel. Signals from sensors are sent to the ECU. As a result, it calculates the traveled distance based on pulses. Hence, the result is printed on the board. Some people confuse it with the trip meter. Different from the above-mentioned tool. It can be reset at any time. Its main function is to count the particular distance between two points. It is extremely useful when you want to calculate miles per gallon, so it allows you to learn more about your fuel consumption more precisely. What are some problems related to it? You may ask what issues can we come across when we need a precise reading of mileage data. The most common reason is a broken odometer. Particularly it means that we get misleading information. The key solution in the case of mechanical one is easy to find and eradicate. There are many free tutorials on Youtube, that allow you to fix it yourself if you follow the instructions attentively. In the case of an electronic one, there may be several solutions. You may need to replace sensors, they are located near the back of the transmission. Another solution can be changing the gears, sometimes those are damaged and need replacement. According to the Electricity.com, more measures you can take are as followings: removing any dust particles and strains, checking the back of the dashboard connector, taking a closer look at fuses and checking the ECU wires, it is a high chance that those are faulty and make it impossible for meters to work properly. Why it is important? People are eager to know how to stop odometer and they have a reason for it. the point is that mileage plays a significant role in determining the value of vehicles. If you want to buy a used automobile, the first thing you may ask is the distance it has traveled throughout its life. The higher the number, the higher the chance of the necessity of high maintenance costs in the initial stage of owning the automobile. With the help of the odometer, you can see it with your own eyes, you don’t need to guess it. there comes the danger of accuracy of it. Some dishonest sellers manipulate this data to their advantage which means that they use some devices for malicious purposes. In the following paragraph, you can learn in detail what is it and how it affects the automotive industry. FIGHTING AGAINST ODOMETER FRAUD According to NHTSA, it is the disconnection, resetting or alteration of a vehicle’s odometer with the intent to change the number of miles indicated. Almost half a million buyers become victims of dishonest sellers. This crime costs $1 billion annually. How do they manage it? the answer is simple, they have tools that are available on any online store. The manufacturers of those tools escape the responsibility. The most common is the correction tool, which is meant to roll back the existing numbers. So, if you are interested in how to stop mileage on a car, those devices do not serve purposes. Additionally, they are easily detected, which means that it just changes data on the surface and it stays on other control units. So, before you decide to lie to someone, be careful you cause inconvenience and misunderstanding. Strengthening measures against crime is vital. So, government and individuals need to do their best to avoid it. As for laws, the federal government passed a law that requires a written disclosure of the mileage registered on an odometer to be provided on the title by the seller to the purchaser. An automobile that is 20 years or older is exempt from this requirement. As for individual effort, there are some tips and tricks that will help to protect yourself. Those are as followings:
HOW TO STOP ODOMETER You may have a bunch of legitimate reasons to correct your mileage data. Before we discuss how to do it flawlessly, let’s see what can be those reasons. For example, testing your automobile is the first you want to do after remapping and it’s normal that you do not want those unnecessary miles on the display. Other reasons are as followings:
All the above-mentioned sound good, but what if you are one of the admirers of high-tech solutions who would like to do all this effortlessly. If it is so, I have good news for you. I will tell you about the innovative module and answer your question – how to stop odometer? – once and forever. MILEAGE BLOCKER: THE BEST ALTERNATIVE OF ALL Mileage Blocker is an extraordinary module that can halt the mileage recording process from all control units. The tool is unique because of the advantages and benefits it offers. Additionally, it is used for more ethical purposes than its alternatives. Manufacturers created this module with premium-quality parts and it comes with mobile applications. This means that you don’t need to press the button to change it from mode to mode. It also includes easy installation instruction. If you decide to test your automobile efficiently, choose the quality product which doesn’t not only meet but exceeds your expectations. I will list the main benefits of this blocker, so you will be sure that it is a must-have device to purchase as soon as possible. Here is the list:
TAKEAWAY So, you get all the necessary information that will help you make a smart decision when it comes to your automobile. Do not forget to identify the legitimate reason for s stopping your odometer. After doing it, you can purchase the most reliable module in the world and enjoy its benefits. So, what are you thinking of ? I think you already know how to stop odometer. |
2023.06.03 13:15 coffeelover12345_ Mum making gender reveal party difficult
(Not MIL but my own mum, hope it’s okay to post it here 💗)
I’m hosting a gender reveal next week in my parents‘ garden. I told my mum that she doesn’t have to do anything and I’ll take care of all the food, drinks, decoration etc. I’m a really organised person and my mum is someone who does everything randomly and last minute. Also me and all of my friends enjoy food that is more light and modern, while my mum cooks mostly traditional heavy dishes with lots of oil. We’re doing a summer garden bbq and had agreed that my dad would do the bbqing part. My plan was to buy some light meat such as marinated chicken breast and some grill cheese for barbecuing that my dad will make. And then prepare a few nice summery sides for a buffet such as a mixed salad, a pasta salad with rucola, cherry tomatoes and pine kernels, a couscous salad with lime, spring onion, fresh mint and pomegranate, oven-baked baguettes with herbal butter, a caprese platter, fresh water melon, and some stuff like that. All of my friends love this style of food equally as much as I do.
Now my mum is insisting she also wants to contribute to the buffet which tbh I already suspected because she just never accepts a no. I tried to stay calm and agreeable and told her okay I’m fine with her contributing one thing but that it would be good if she could tell me what it is so that we can plan accordingly and don’t have similar dishes etc. First of all she kept telling me that she doesn’t know and wants to decide spontaneously and that she’ll make a few things. Knowing my mum I was already alarmed and told her it doesn’t work like that and asked her to at least tell me what she wants to make. Turns out she wants to make meatballs. Like, as a side for barbecued meat…!? I told her that this doesn’t really make much sense and asked her why don’t you make your delicious tzatziki dip which goes well with the barbecue. To which she said „yeah I’m making that anyway“. She then announced that she’d also make potatoes in the oven (I know that dish and it’s not like some nice light baby potatoes with rosemary or something but it’s overcooked potato slices swimming in oil) and in addition she’ll also make eggplant-garlic-mash.
I was already getting upset but tried to stay calm and told her that I’m making several things that I know everyone likes and we don’t even have that many bowls nor that much space in the fridge and it will just be a small round of my closest girlfriends and me (9 people) and none of us are heavy eaters. And I asked her again if she can’t just make the tzatziki dip and that’s enough. She got extremely angry and said that she will make whatever she wants in her own house and that she and my dad don’t like this type of food and they want to eat meatballs and potatoes and she will put the stuff on the buffet and she’s sure people will eat it anyway and yadayadayada.
Am I in the wrong for being so annoyed with my mum? I was telling myself to just let it go and let her do her thing cause it doesn’t harm anyone but I find it such a pity to throw away so much food! Also I find it embarrassing to present a buffet for 30 people although we’re just 9 girls, it looks as if we were some gross people who eat whole truckloads all the time. And last but not least this is just not the style I was going for, I wanted everything to be light and summerish.
My mum has always been like that, she can’t let people do things the way they want. She always has to interfere and make everyone’s life difficult.
Any advice? I already told her that this isn’t helping me but adding further stress but she doesn’t care 😭
Hosting somewhere else unfortunately isn’t an option anymore and also I don’t want to cause a huge rift now over this cause my mum is a difficult person anyway.
submitted by coffeelover12345_ to Mildlynomil [link] [comments]
I’m hosting a gender reveal next week in my parents‘ garden. I told my mum that she doesn’t have to do anything and I’ll take care of all the food, drinks, decoration etc. I’m a really organised person and my mum is someone who does everything randomly and last minute. Also me and all of my friends enjoy food that is more light and modern, while my mum cooks mostly traditional heavy dishes with lots of oil. We’re doing a summer garden bbq and had agreed that my dad would do the bbqing part. My plan was to buy some light meat such as marinated chicken breast and some grill cheese for barbecuing that my dad will make. And then prepare a few nice summery sides for a buffet such as a mixed salad, a pasta salad with rucola, cherry tomatoes and pine kernels, a couscous salad with lime, spring onion, fresh mint and pomegranate, oven-baked baguettes with herbal butter, a caprese platter, fresh water melon, and some stuff like that. All of my friends love this style of food equally as much as I do.
Now my mum is insisting she also wants to contribute to the buffet which tbh I already suspected because she just never accepts a no. I tried to stay calm and agreeable and told her okay I’m fine with her contributing one thing but that it would be good if she could tell me what it is so that we can plan accordingly and don’t have similar dishes etc. First of all she kept telling me that she doesn’t know and wants to decide spontaneously and that she’ll make a few things. Knowing my mum I was already alarmed and told her it doesn’t work like that and asked her to at least tell me what she wants to make. Turns out she wants to make meatballs. Like, as a side for barbecued meat…!? I told her that this doesn’t really make much sense and asked her why don’t you make your delicious tzatziki dip which goes well with the barbecue. To which she said „yeah I’m making that anyway“. She then announced that she’d also make potatoes in the oven (I know that dish and it’s not like some nice light baby potatoes with rosemary or something but it’s overcooked potato slices swimming in oil) and in addition she’ll also make eggplant-garlic-mash.
I was already getting upset but tried to stay calm and told her that I’m making several things that I know everyone likes and we don’t even have that many bowls nor that much space in the fridge and it will just be a small round of my closest girlfriends and me (9 people) and none of us are heavy eaters. And I asked her again if she can’t just make the tzatziki dip and that’s enough. She got extremely angry and said that she will make whatever she wants in her own house and that she and my dad don’t like this type of food and they want to eat meatballs and potatoes and she will put the stuff on the buffet and she’s sure people will eat it anyway and yadayadayada.
Am I in the wrong for being so annoyed with my mum? I was telling myself to just let it go and let her do her thing cause it doesn’t harm anyone but I find it such a pity to throw away so much food! Also I find it embarrassing to present a buffet for 30 people although we’re just 9 girls, it looks as if we were some gross people who eat whole truckloads all the time. And last but not least this is just not the style I was going for, I wanted everything to be light and summerish.
My mum has always been like that, she can’t let people do things the way they want. She always has to interfere and make everyone’s life difficult.
Any advice? I already told her that this isn’t helping me but adding further stress but she doesn’t care 😭
Hosting somewhere else unfortunately isn’t an option anymore and also I don’t want to cause a huge rift now over this cause my mum is a difficult person anyway.
2023.06.03 13:03 FelicitySmoak_ On This Day In Michael Jackson HIStory - June 3rd
 | 1972 - "I Wanna Be Where You Are" by Michael enters the Billboard US Hot Soul Singles Chart, where it will make a 12 week run for the #2 poisiton. submitted by FelicitySmoak_ to MichaelJackson [link] [comments] 1972 - "Got To Be There", the 1st solo album by Michael, enters the UK's Top 50 albums chart, where it will peak at #37 during a fiveweek run. 1973 - "Lookin' Through the Windows" by The Jackson 5 on the Motown label hits the Billboard music charts at #94, where it peaks at #7. It remains on the chart for 33 weeks. 1979 - The Jackson perform their Destiny tour at Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, South Carolina. They give a press interview at the Carolina Inn https://preview.redd.it/pevzonw90p3b1.jpg?width=826&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f4557c94ddd96d571083a69d61648f2b1da0b318 1990- Michael collapses while dancing at his Westwood condo known as 'The Hideout'. He is taken to St John Hospital of Los Angeles around 9pm where he is treated for chest pains. He gets visits from the whole Jackson family (except LaToya, who sends him a dozen black roses) .Elizabeth Taylor also visits him. She had been in the hospital undergoing treatment for a near fatal bout of pneumonia since mid April. “According to his physician, he is in stable condition and appropriate tests are being conducted", nursing officials said in a prepared statement. 1992- At the Tavern On The Green in New York City, the One To One award is given to Michael by the Operation One to One organization in charge with creating better living standards for young people, for efforts committed to helping economically disadvantaged youth. Michael attends the Operation One To One Honors dinner with friends Elizabeth Taylor and Donald Trump. https://preview.redd.it/amyehkyc0p3b1.jpg?width=796&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=efde03bd756b379198db612aaca5d89944821a66 https://preview.redd.it/f5wfjhke0p3b1.jpg?width=689&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab01c0a625c174290b7c7bd6b2cfca0a0ab25cf1 1992 - Crystal Cartier filed a $40 million federal lawsuit against Michael Jackson, Sony Music Entertainment, MJJ Productions and Epic Records. She alleged that she originally wrote and recorded "Dangerous." In February of 1994, a Denver Federal court jury ruled in Michael's favor 1995 - The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce rejects Michael's application to cover up the famous 'Hollywood' sign with the word 'HIStory' to promote his new compilation album 1997 - Michael Jackson plays the Mungersdorfer (now RheinEnergieStadionStadium) in Cologne, Germany, to an audience of 60,000 on the HIStory World Tour https://preview.redd.it/uvij16ug0p3b1.jpg?width=143&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=025eefd461e2750007d815abc50701398a09f4d5 https://preview.redd.it/w82z1dgh0p3b1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c7f536d84b116ecb748361a7620bc030783b5dc4 https://preview.redd.it/vetxb87i0p3b1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd578aef6dc5a0aa49ffeb709f61858dd559d0d3 https://preview.redd.it/nrxko7xi0p3b1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3735e8bdfa8770c510fc9f333334a994d0b0daba 2005 - Trial Day 67 Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Janet and LaToya. https://preview.redd.it/vaspltik0p3b1.jpg?width=448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=311e351bf79f39a8d48cf4681686247b2f20fb19 Michael was greeted outside court by hundreds of chanting fans. He arrived with his parents and his famous siblings - Janet, LaToya, Jermaine, Tito and Randy. They waved to the fans chants of Michael is Innocent! https://preview.redd.it/p8jtchhn0p3b1.jpg?width=612&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9cb1c23e69cfefb6e4608aa16b3650011976c106 Defense attorneys completed their closing arguments, labeling the Arvizo family liars and con artists trying to pull the biggest con of their careers. "They are trying to take advantage of Michael Jackson," said impassioned defense attorney Thomas Mesereau. "They are trying to profit from Michael Jackson. They think they have pulled it off. They are just waiting for one thing - your verdict." "What they are trying to do to Michael Jackson is so harmful, so brutal, so devastating if you have any reasonable doubt about the double-talk, the lies, its over. You must acquit Michael Jackson," he told the 12 jurors. Mesereau spoke about the American system of justice and said, "We have the best system in the world and ladies and gentlemen I'm begging you to honor the system. You must acquit him." He accused prosecutors of trying to "dirty up Michael" because they lack the evidence to prove their case. "The witnesses are preposterous, the perjury is everywhere," Mesereau declared. "None of it works. The only thing they've had is to throw dirt all over the place and hope it sticks." He added: "If you look in your hearts do you believe Michael Jackson is evil in that way? Is it even possible? It really is not." Mesereau then played excerpts from a video in which Jackson denies any sexual impropriety and said that he had never been betrayed or deceived by children. The defense attorney conceded that Jackson had been lax with his money and had let the wrong people into his circle. But, he said, the singer was not the monster the prosecution were trying to depict and that he was not guilty of any crime. Afterwards, prosecutor Ron Zonen delivered a brief rebuttal. He sought to answer the question of Jacksons motivation for the crime asking, "Why would Mr. Jackson do it? Because he could This child was in love with him. This child would do anything he said." Zonen reminded jurors of the past allegations made against Jackson saying that this was necessary in order to see the total picture. He claimed that Jackson was in love with his 1993 accuser and added that the current accuser is a clone of the boy in that case. After both sides rested for the last time, Judge Rodney Melville ordered the eight women and four men on the jury to begin their deliberations. He gave them a 98-page book of instructions. The Judge told Jackson that he could stay at Neverland during the proceedings but requested that the attorneys remain within 10 minutes of the courthouse in case the jurors had any questions. These deliberations are the final stage of an ordeal that began 14 weeks ago. During this time the jury has heard testimony from over 130 witnesses. A verdict was expected early next week. Court Transcript While Jury deliberations take place, the whole Jackson family waits for the verdict at Neverland. https://preview.redd.it/lh5l7gqo0p3b1.jpg?width=612&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e5967b6b6c73b0a56bec2b5b8e28f20e68b9ddb7 2008 - Michael has dinner with Thomas Barrack Jr, chairman and CEO of Colony Capital LLC, at the Las Vegas Hilton's Verona Sky Villa. 2009 - Michael goes to Culver Studios with Prince, Paris & Kenny Ortega, where he shoots “The Drill” 3D https://preview.redd.it/5lzzqj2t0p3b1.jpg?width=736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8747a49dd0f9c68ae73b6f93fa21e2f9e01b6a77 https://preview.redd.it/hezl4ayt0p3b1.jpg?width=199&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1dae7ef1a99ee196a5be6dbfb8cd5ab243856f58 He also, once again, goes to Dr Klein’s in Beverly Hills. 2013 - Jackson v AEG Trial Day 22 No Jackson family member was at the courthouse. Paul Gongaware AEG cross Putnam asked Gongaware if MJ was comfortable with all the show dates. "Yes, I went through all of the dates with him," Gongaware said. Bugzee, the tour manager, had a big calendar on the walls, Gongaware explained, saying they changed the dates of the shows four times. The jury was shown an email in which Gongaware worked with a staffer to create a calendar to show Jackson. He wanted colors changed. He wanted the calendar to be changed so that it reflected Jackson's show dates and off days differently. Gongaware email: Figure it out so it looks like he's not working so muchAs to the email, Putnam asked if he was trying to fool Michael: "No, I was trying to make it clear, trying to get it just the way I wanted it," Gongaware responded.After changing 4 show dates Gongaware said Michael was comfortable with it. He would do 8 shows in July, 10 in August, 9 in September. There would be no shows in October, November and December, resuming with 10 shows in January, 10 in February and three in March. No back-to-back shows. Gongaware said the O2 Arena had a previous commitment in Oct-Dec of 2009 and they could not have the concerts. Putnam: "Was this a rigorous schedule?"Gongaware recalled that on the HIStory tour they did 10-12 shows per month, from country to country, but this one would stay in London only. Gongaware said he wasn't concerned with Michael's age. "He seemed great to me," he said, and this was stationary show, didn't have to travel. Gongaware: The reason Michael wanted to delay the 1st show was he wanted more time to rehearse in the O2 Arena where the show would take place.He said Michael and Kenny Ortega would decide the rehearsal schedule. Gongaware explained Michael didn't have to attend rehearsals, since it was not part of his deal. He said they never require an artist to rehearse. "I didn't have any expectation," Gongaware said regarding Michael rehearsing. He said he's never seen a requirement for a musicial artist to rehearse & that during the HIStory tour, Michael didn't rehearse but nailed it. "When it was game time, he would show up," Gongaware explained. For instance, Gongaware cited an outdoor concert in Bangkok in high heat, humidity. As to the email Gongaware wrote about calling Michael lazy, he said he used unfortunate choices of words, Michael didn't like to rehearse. Talking about the elements of the show, Gongaware described what they wanted to do for the opening of the show. He said Michael would be dressed up in a LED suit, like a television, flashing on him brief movie about things that happened in history. Michael would be lowered down onto the stage. He called the LED suit a "Moon man" suit, but Ortega called it "Light man." Putnam showed a presentation of how the LED suit idea would work. Footage is not on This Is It documentary because it was early stages of prep. Gongaware said the 1st idea was to make Michael float from the audience, but they couldn't make it work. So they decided to lower him down onto the stage. Gongaware said the big screen on the back of the stage was 3D capable. The audience would be given glasses when they entered the show. The 3D songs would be Thriller, Earth Song and Smooth Criminal. "He wanted to do biggest, best show ever, live show," Gongaware said Putnam showed email chain from Ortega to Gongaware asking to make a deal with choreographer Travis Payne. Answer from Gongaware: This is not AEG money, it's Michael's money so it takes a lot of time to get approvalsDefendants were trying to establish a pattern that all the money spent was actually Michael's money, not AEG's, just like with Dr. Murray At one point Gongaware said he learned from Michael about a doctor named Murray. "He came to me and said he wanted his personal doctor on the tour". Gongaware said he suggested to Michael to get a licensed doctor in London who would know the lay of the land, in case of need. "This is the machine, we have to take care of the machine. I want Conrad," Gongaware said Michael responded. I think what he meant was his brain could create it but his body had to deliver the show every night Putnam: "Were you surprised he wanted to take his doctor on tour?"Gongaware said other artists take doctors as well, so he was not the only one and it didn't surprise him. Gongaware said he's been on tour before where an artist had chiropractors, but couldn't remember being in one with a doctor Putnam: "Did you worry Michael might have a health issue?"Gongaware said the suggestion for a London doctor was due to the cost; paying a doctor full time was much more expensive than hiring a local doctor. Gongaware said Dr. Murray treated Michael for about three years before 2009. He knew the doctor was from Las Vegas but said he was in LA. Gongaware said he then called Dr. Murray to work out a deal. Gongaware testified he didn't have Michael's direct phone number, would go through Michael Amir Williams, his personal assistant, to reach him. Gongaware called Murray on behalf of Michael saying the singer wanted to take him to London. "What do you want to be paid for that," Gongaware asked. Gongaware said he thought Dr. Murray was expecting his call and was aware of the desire to take him on tour. "He said he would need $5 million," Gongaware recalled. "He said he has 4 clinics to close, would lay off people, needs $5 million for that." Asked by Putnam if Murray's price was reasonable: "It was ridiculous," Gongaware said about the amount asked. "It was a lot of money for something like that and Michael could not afford it." Gongaware said he responded that it wasn't going to work" He said this was the first time he spoke with Dr. Murray. After that, Gongaware said he told Michael Amir and Randy Phillips what the doctor had asked. He also told Frank DiLeo. Gongaware said a lot of people who wanted to work for MJ asked for huge sums of money, thinking he had a lot. Putnam: "Would you be doing this if Michael had not asked you?""He was Michael's doctor, Michael wanted him. That was it," Gongaware said. Putnam:" Did you think about checking the doctor?"" I'm not going to tell Michael Jackson who his doctor should be," Gongaware explained. "It wasn't my place to say who his doctor was going to be," Gongaware said. "It was his decision." Gongaware said he doesn't think a doctor's financial situation has anything to do with being an ethical doctor. Gongaware said it never crossed his mind to either do a background check on Dr. Murray or to suggest to anyone to do it. "I just expect doctors to be ethical, the financial side of their lives shouldn't have an impact on their medical decision," Gongaware opined. Gongaware said he never did a background check on anyone he hired and had he done one on Dr. Murray, it would've been out of the ordinary. He also said he never considered performing background checks on Jackson's makeup artist, a choreographer who worked one-on-one with the singer or Kenny Ortega, the tour's director. "I didn't see the need for it," he said. Dr. Finkelstein, a friend of Gongaware, said a doctor should charge $10,000 a month for the tour work. But Dr. Finkelstein would've done it for free, since he was on the Dangerous tour before and had a lot of fun The second call about Dr. Murray came from Michael Amir Williams saying they were going to need to get a deal done for the doctor. Gongaware said he heard Michael in the car saying "offer 150, offer 150." Gongaware understood that to be $150k/month. Gongaware called Dr. Murray, said he was authorized to offer him $150k a month. He said Dr. Murray responded that he couldn't do it for that. Gongaware told him the offer came directly from the artist and Dr. Murray responded: "I'll take it" Gongaware said Michael approved the amount of compensation. "Michael told me offer 150," Gongaware recalled. "And that's what I did." Gongaware inquired from Dr. Murray how he would get a license in London and the doctor told him not to worry about it. They talked about Dr. Murray's request for a house in London, and the doctor said he would need a three bedroom house. Gongaware recalled Dr. Murray saying he would probably need an assistant and some equipment, but no details were given at this point. After the call, Gongaware said he let Michael Amir Williams know what the result was in a May 6th email: Done at 150k per month, per MJ. He needs about 10 days to wind down his practice then he will be full time Asked why he had negotiated with Murray, the AEG executive replied that he was "instructed to by Michael Jackson." Gongaware said there was no other reason for him to deal with the doctor. Marvin Putnam asked Gongaware why he didn't tell Jackson he couldn't take Murray on tour with him."Because he could if he wanted," Gongaware said. Gongaware said he passed Dr. Murray on to Timm Wooley, never had any other conversation with Dr. Murray about him possibly going to London. Putnam: "Do you have any understanding as to whether a contract with Dr. Murray was executed?"Gongaware said Michael was ultimately responsible for his own health: "I think everyone is responsible for their own health and well being. He was a grown man with the capability to make decisions regarding his health and medical care"Putnam showed Gongaware a frame from the This Is It film in which Jackson's manager, Frank Dileo, was sitting in on dancer auditions. Dancers auditions took place at the Nokia Theater on April 13, 14 & 15. Michael attended the last day and made the final decision, Gongaware said. He said Ortega wanted to film the audition to use fresh footage on michaeljacksonlive.com. The cost for crew to shoot the audition was very high, so Gongaware bought a couple of cameras and used his own crew to shoot the rehearsals. He said he wasn't sure what he would use the video for, but thought the website would be a good platform. Gongaware said during the period at Center Staging, Michael was good, engaging, didn't think there were any health issues or was using drugs Gongaware said the media in the UK was going wild with gossip about Michael Jackson. "They just lie about things." The Sun claimed Michael had skin cancer on his chest. "It was sport over in London," Gongaware said about stories on tabloids. Gongaware testified about emails in which UK press agents working on This Is It sent him tabloid reports on Michael's health. Gongaware said he urged the press agents not to respond. He wanted Jackson's performance to speak for itself & silence skeptics. Gongaware on 5/27/09: The Kid is healthy and rehearsing every day. He was still there at dance rehearsals at 9pm last night when I left. Our redemption will be when he does his shows, that makes all of this build up so damn sweet. We don't have to sell tickets, so we can just sit back and prove them wrong by just doing it.Gongaware said he was not concerned "If there was something going on, if he had cancer, we would've heard about it."Michael Jackson rehearsal venues:
Putnam went through a chain of emails about tabloid reports in the UK regarding Michael. In one, it said Michael had asked AEG to reduce the number of shows by half. Gongaware said that such a discussion never happened. Gongaware testified he woke up to one gossip headline pretty much every day. His idea was simply to ignore the tabloids. "An amazing show would be the answer", Gongaware said Gongaware on 6/5/09 in response to Sunday Mirror Query: "We can only make this work, of course, if MJ puts on the best show of his life. I'm here to tell you that be will. I have seen it for myself. Last night he ran 9 songs with full band, singers and dancers. Sang every one, he was amazing, captivating, riveting. And he's just getting started. Taking it one step further. When people realize that bulls**t the press has been, they will be in receptive mood for the truth Hey look. No skin cancer. He's just a good dad, loving raising his kids. His art and his craft are paramount. A gentle, loving man who does care about people"The shows were going to be spectacular," Gongaware said. Putnam showed a clip of Michael in front of a green screen with 11 dancers, who would become 11,000. Gongaware said Michael was great at this point Regarding email Phillips sent Gongaware directing to remove Michael's "skeletal" scenes Gongaware said he didn't take anything out of the movie. Putnam: "Did you remove anything from the movie?"Putnam showed a clip from This Is It with the making of "Thriller 3D" and Jackson wearing red jacket. Putnam: "Did you try to alter in anyway how Mr. Jackson looked, appeared?"Gongaware said he didn't remember any of the footage been removed because of how Michael looked. "We just let the footage speak for itself" The mini-movie of "Earth Song" a bulldozer would come out from a ramp in center stage. Putnam: "A real bulldozer?"Gongaware said they had to build the bulldozer like a prop. It would appear at the end of the song on stage. "I think the live audience would be just captivated by it," Gongaware said about the little girl running after the last plant on Earth song. End of the show would be 3D animation. An airplane taxis up, door opens, Michael entered the plane. The airplane door closes, Michael would actually take an elevator down and out of the building, but the plane would take off over the audience Gongaware said he didn't know if anyone was responsible for Michael's nourishment. Tour would be demanding and exhausting Gongaware said he met Dr. Murray once at MJ's Carolwood house and ran into him at The Forum during rehearsal. There was a meeting scheduled to discuss Michael's nutrition with Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega, Dr. Murray, Michael, Gongaware and DiLeo. Putnam: "Do you recall anyone in that meeting ever telling Dr. Murray how he should be treating Michael?"Gongaware said he didn't have any medical training and wasn't qualified to tell Conrad Murray how to treat Jackson Gongaware said neither Dr. Murray nor Michael talked about the treatment he was receiving. The meeting was about nutrition & vitamin therapy. Gongaware said he had no idea Dr. Murray was giving Michael Propofol and first heard of the anesthetic after Michael died. Gongaware said Dr. Murray was really engaged in the meeting, seemed like a very intelligent guy and wanted to take care of Michael very much. This was the first time Gongaware met with Dr. Murray. He said there were no signs of Michael being poorly treated by the doctor. "Michael was engaged in the meeting, attentive, seemed happy we were having this meeting," Gongaware opined. "He's a doctor, he'd know better than anybody how to treat his patient," Gongaware said about Dr. Murray. As to Gongaware's email saying AEG, not Michael, paid Dr Murray he said he was mistaken. "We wouldn't pay his salary, we'd advance Michael's money". Gongaware said he didn't remember writing/receiving the email, but never denied he did it. As to Michael being habitually late, Gongaware said the singer worked on his own schedule, did things his way Gongaware said his understanding was that Michael hired a trainer of his choice, Louis (Lou) Ferrigno: "I made the deal with him (Ferrigno). He was supposed to be paid a certain amount of money per session" He didn't elaborate on fee, how many times he worked with Michael. Putnam showed an email from Travis Payne, he suggested a massage chair to be put in Michael's dressing room.As to Bugzee's email saying MJ needed cheeseburgers, brats and beers, Gongaware said Bugzee was joking, Bugzee cared very much for Michael. Gongaware testified he didn't recall having any concern about Michael's health/using painkillers as of Monday 6/15/09, 10 days prior to his death Gongaware was asked about several emails that have been shown before, including messages related to MJ missing rehearsal on June 19, 2009. The executive was on the East Coast for a family wedding, but responded to one message questioning why Murray wasn't at rehearsal. Gongaware email: Take the doctor with you. Why wasn't he there last night?He then explained his thinking to the jury. Gongaware: If his patient is having a problem and he's sick, and he's his only patient, it seemed like he should be thereGongaware said on 6/19/09, he was out of town. "This is the day Michael had chills at rehearsal and was apparently sick," Gongaware recalled. "If the meeting was going to be about what happened that night, the doctor should be there," Gongaware said. Gongaware said he believed Michael wanted to go on tour. He said he doesn't remember anyone talking about pulling the plug on the shows. Putnam: "Did anyone tell you at this point that Michael needed a drug addiction specialist?"Gongaware said that on 6/20/09 he did not think Michael's health was deteriorating. With last questions of the day, Putnam asked Gongaware if he was concerned about Jackson's well-being. He said "Yes" Court Transcript |
2023.06.03 12:45 ur_volkswagen_sux "Amid all the finger-pointing and fear-fanning, the truth hides in the corner, too scared to emerge. The truth is that we are supposed to think critically, weigh evidence from both sides and then make up our own minds. Instead, we’ve become a country hell bent on..."
Why does my drinking Bud Light offend you?
May 30, 2023 4:39 pm • Last Updated: May 30, 2023 4:41 pm
By Mike DiMauro
Day Assistant Sports Editor
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
News item: Anthony Bass, a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, shared a video Monday via Instagram endorsing an anti-LGBTQ boycott of brands such as Target and Bud Light.
"Here's the reason biblically why I believe Christians have gotta be boycotting Target, Bud Light, and any other corporation that's pushing the things they're pushing,” Bass said. “I think a lot of people make this into a political issue, or they say, 'Oh, what's the big deal?’
“This is evil, this is demonic, we won't stand for it, we're not going to go to the stores anymore and we're not going to give you our money.”
It would be impolite to wish that Mr. Bass, who throws a ball for a living, blows out his elbow. Perhaps then he could simply blow it out his tailpipe.
Because I’ve grown tired of sanctimonious and hypocritical moral outrage over what Target and Bud Light are “pushing,” while it’s permissible that Bass and his ilk get to “push” their beliefs on the rest of us.
Example: In the last two months or so, I’ve been questioned a half dozen times in public as to why I’m drinking Bud Light. Seems people like Bass have objected to Anheuser Busch’s marketing partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Their boycott of Bud Light has led to a decrease in sales both locally and nationally. (Local bar and restaurant owners say Bud Light sales are down almost 30 percent.)
It is their right, of course, to boycott the product. I’m just curious as to why what I’m drinking is their business. I drink Bud Light because I like it. And I’m still drinking Bud Light because I will not marginalize people based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. I’m respectful enough to support someone else’s desire to evolve into another gender. And I’m not stupid enough to believe that my decision to drink Bud Light changes who I am or what I stand for in any possible way.
But I wonder why it’s so important for people — and the questions to me haven’t all come from men — to announce their disdain for a bottle of beer, tacitly implying their sexuality is “normal.” Remember this one and write it down: If you are truly comfortable with who you are, you needn’t announce anything to anyone.
And yet to further illustrate how screwed up this country really is, there’s this: Anheuser-Busch hasn’t merely been accused of alienating its traditional customer base with the partnership, but some LGBTQ+ campaigners have also criticized the company for not defending its ties with Mulvaney.
Amid all the finger-pointing and fear-fanning, the truth hides in the corner, too scared to emerge. The truth is that we are supposed to think critically, weigh evidence from both sides and then make up our own minds. Instead, we’ve become a country hell bent on legislating whatever cause we think is right and just, while burying the other side from all consideration.
It’s political tribalism. All or nothing. One side or the other. If you’re not in agreement with every morsel of the transgender movement, you are a snarling, hating, infidel. If you’re not in total agreement with Anthony Bass and his beliefs, you’re going to wither in hell.
But what if — and hold on to your ascots here — two conflicting positions can still be true? Example: What if I support Bud Light’s decision to use a transgender influencer, but also believe that transgender high school athletes belong in their own division?
I disagree with the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s policy complying with a state law that requires all high school students be treated according to their gender identity. We should consider a sports-centric law that acknowledges sports' unique challenges and accommodates the physical component for success that exists virtually nowhere else in society.
Sex discrimination in education, health care, housing and financial credit have no place in this country. But we must — must — realize and accept that sports require a physical component to succeed that calls for different guidelines.
Put it this way: Applying to a school or for health care, housing or financial credit requires no physical component to succeed. Sports require speed, strength and agility and do not fit under the same umbrella. And yet sports are routinely shoved into the same arguments about unfair treatment. Injustices get piled on for rhetorical usefulness, even though they're not applicable.
The male born composition has inherent physical advantages, rare exceptions noted. But in the aggregate, there are physiologic differences between biological males and females. I don’t believe writing that makes me transphobic. We should respect a person’s pronoun of choice. But that doesn't mean we have to blindly agree with claims that are not supported by science.
Yet that appears to be the new end game in this country. Blind agreement. Their side or yours. And here I sit, sipping my Bud Light, trying to figure out why so many of us act like the last three letters of Anthony Bass’ last name.
This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
READER COMMENTS
Philip BroseJune 1, 2023 at 16:30Report
Robin great points the right can’t even keep track on who to be mad at. Why are they so sensitive? I here Chick-fil-a is evil now for they “ensuring equal access,” “valuing differences,” and “creating a culture of belonging,” under the title, “Committed to being Better at Together.” what monsters!
Philip BroseJune 1, 2023 at 16:27Report
William Peter the guidance councilor?
Joseph B De La CruzJune 1, 2023 at 15:15Report
This article pretty much sums up exactly how I feel about the situation. Bud Light basically sent someone a can with her image celebrating a milestone. The fact it turned the beer into enemy number one doesn’t surprise me considering the vitriol that has become commonplace in our country. I have had plenty of private messages regarding a video I posted supporting a beer, and more importantly a human being. Most have been vehemently against my support of both and relish the chance to send me a screen shot of Bud Lights stock on a daily basis with a “Go woke, Go broke” ending. I believe much of the vitriol comes from news and talk radio which is why Spotify now fills my vehicle with music instead of talk. I ask everyone to limit their news intake to 30 minutes per day regardless of your party affiliation to center your life. Sometimes my radio will land on a “news station”, and I can feel my blood pressure rise as the most divisive topic of the day is being discussed with a majority of the facts not being considered. I am not recommending folks to ignore what’s happening in our world, but would point out that our country has survived many decades without the need for “up to the second” news reports. Most of the things we worry about will never happen and it seems our country is living in a constant state of fear which is certainly to blame for the vitriol. There will never be a point where everyone in the country will collectively say we are all happy with everything, but I still have a deep believe that with constructive conversations and true empathy we can get us close. When I get my boat in the water I would love to have an ice cold Bud Light while listening to my relaxing boat playlist, and of course talking with my favorite sports writer. That’s an invitation Mike. Great article.
Robin DaudaJune 1, 2023 at 13:41Report
“Bud Light sales are down between 26% and 35% nationwide additionally Budweiser and other AB brands (Michelob Ultra, Busch Light and Natural Light to name a few) have also taken a hit of around 11%.”
All the more reason to explain what set this off. Completely unhinged.
“My take, buy Coors stock now”
And that statement reinforces my point since Coors has been a decades long supporter of LGBT rights probably the biggest supporter (it all began with a workegay alliance boycott ironically… or not)
“Coors Light has been a sponsor of The Center and Denver PrideFest for decades,” says Rex Fuller, CEO of The Center on Colfax. “The work we have been able to do at The Center over the last four decades would not be possible without this support and we are grateful for it.”
Beyond supporting Denver PrideFest, Molson Coors has a distinguished history of supporting LGBTQ communities across the country, with significant support for organizations such as Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Matthew Shepard Foundation, National Amateur Gay Athletics Association of America, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, LGBT Victory Institute, Out & Equal, and One Colorado.
In addition to these partners, Molson Coors works with local LGBTQ organizations in key communities through its Tap Into Change program. Annually, the summer program donates more than $100,000 to these organizations with a consistent growth in impact each year. Events take place in each city to help raise additional funds, awareness, and support for the missions of these local organizations. Over the past 10 years, Tap Into Change has raised nearly $600,000 for local LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS nonprofits.
https://denverpride.org/coors-light-supports-the-lgbtq-community/
This is even though like 2006, 2010 and 2014 they had to go through boycotts for this. And they did shrink back in response, but also came right back and didn’t move backwards for long.
And what will I do?
Continue drinking Corona because I drink what I drink.
It’s damn near impossible to do a successful boycott long term. The web of corporate connections means when you think you’re hurting one, it’s actually benefitting another one connected to it.
The beverage brand that owns Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois, is suing US beer-maker Constellation Brands for using the Corona brand name in a hard seltzer, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.
Beverage giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) acquired Corona’s parent company, Grupo Modelo, in 2013, but US antitrust regulators required it to sell the company’s US-based business to Constellation. AB InBev retained rights to the products in other markets, and the deal gave Constellation the rights to produce Corona and other Modelo brands in the US.
William PeterJune 1, 2023 at 13:36Report
The virtue signalers didn’t like my harmless comment. I guess being offended by an opposing view is reason enough to silence someone in 2023
Richard GoldenJune 1, 2023 at 12:57Report
Robin- not certain this article nor all the comments will move the needle. Bud Light sales are down between 26% and 35% nationwide additionally Budweiser and other AB brands (Michelob Ultra, Busch Light and Natural Light to name a few) have also taken a hit of around 11%. Bud Light has been the best selling beer in the USA for over 20 years and the normal volume of sales is 27 million barrels a year or 1134 million gallons. A 30% drop equals a loss of 340 million gallons a year. My take, buy Coors stock now
Chris JawakaJune 1, 2023 at 10:12Report
People are allowed to drink or not drink whatever beer they want and for whatever reason they choose. End of story.
Robin DaudaJune 1, 2023 at 09:05Report
Do people realize that Bud Light sent a pack of specially made cans with the person’s face on it and did a minute long or so bit released on like TicTok? It wasn’t some big nationwide PR campaign yet it rubbed someone the wrong way (or so they would like us to think) and it snowballed into this.
I don’t ever want to hear about people calling “the libs” snowflakes or use their center liberal stances as a weakness. These champions of “conservatives” are gullible whiny babies.
I watched in real time a bunch of idiots blow something up out of nothing and then saw them flocking to the internet people with their influencer pages and podcasts and publications where immediately they were being hawked “anti-woke” beer and all these other wares, often made by the same places they are boycotting for double the price.
There is a whole market opening up to people that will only get their businesses off the ground (temporarily for a quick cash grab) by using these outrage tactics and capitalizing (literally) on impaired brains that as Mr. DiMauro correctly observed “Blind agreement. Their side or yours”
Bless your little void of empathy and common sense hearts. Don’t spend all your money in one place now, spread the wealth to these people selling you overpriced junk.
Paul LevasseurJune 1, 2023 at 07:47Report
Mike is discussing one of this election cycles right wing culture war hot spots.
If you can’t get elected because of your governing skills you’re going to have to try to get elected by getting people angry and hateful. The right wing loves doing that. It’s their bread and butter.
TOM DONNEEJune 1, 2023 at 06:46Report
Preaching hate and preaching tolerance ARE NOT the same Evan
DANIEL STORMSJune 1, 2023 at 05:56Report
I always liked this formulation: “In the first place, what makes it any of you business? And in the second place, my reasons for saying yea to [whatever it is that offends you] are at least as valid (and maybe more so) than yours for nay. And in the third place, what makes it any of your sodding business in the first place?” I agree wholeheartedly with your plea for reason and tolerance. Not to seem argumentative but rather to add information to the discussion, though, you might be interested in this blog post from a biologist about the supposed physiologic advantages a trans man or woman has over a cis athelete: https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2023/05/31/we-hunted-the-rabbit/
Evan AndriopolousJune 1, 2023 at 03:10Report
For me… Bud Light as a “beer” sucks. I would rather support local breweries that provide far better beers. As far as this column… as far as AB selecting this influencer in their campaign I have no opinion on it or that person. Up to each to decide for themselves.
Regarding this column actually Mike what you are writing is basically the same as the boycott and the changes in attitudes (political divide) of the country. Often used by politicians on BOTH sides of the aisle screaming to be open, defending one´s right to choose, freedom of speech etc.. and this is the most important part..”unless it does not validate their opinion or view”. This is exactly what you are writing. So if someone elects to boycott something and we know the WOKE police and Leftists enjoy not only condemning opposing viewpoints to the point of boycotting, attacking employers for the “views” of their employees etc… and demanding they be removed from the position their are in. So if someone boycotts something let them… I would ask you… why does it offend you that others are using their constitutional right by boycotting (freedom of speech). I always respect other´s opinions and even when we do not agree. Sadly we live in a world where people are afraid to speak up due to the potential ramifications. None of us will always agree and I know the powers to be are trying to “force” us to all be uniform in our opinions which is sad. And btw Bud Light is terrible anyway… How about you focus on sports.
Benoit BenoitMay 31, 2023 at 20:12Report
Ironic you drink because you like it but will continue to drink it because “ I will not marginalize people based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.” Not just because you like it.
William PeterMay 31, 2023 at 17:46Report
This comment has been removed for violating The Day’s commenting policy.
JAY DEMPSEYMay 31, 2023 at 16:53Report
TY Mike….. I drink Bud Light most all the time unless in Ireland…and support Levine Distributors in our area and my friends that work there. I think the cancel culture is terrible whatever your political party of choice is. Very sad that social media has done this to us. I have good friends that I can no longer talk politics with because of the “great divide” that enriches social media giants.
ROBERT WARNERMay 31, 2023 at 16:45Report
I suppose a similar question could be asked, “Why does a person wearing a MAGA hat bother some people?”
David NowakowskiMay 31, 2023 at 14:30Report
great column, Mike. I’d like to think there are far more folks who see this subject and all its nuances the way you do…but you are probably right again in saying that it is tough to go against your chosen tribe on any component, regardless of how you might actually feel. thanks again!
Andrew RogersonMay 31, 2023 at 13:33Report
Mike DiMauro – well said sir, on all counts.
Lynn YoungMay 31, 2023 at 13:28Report
Drink what you like. Be who you are. Live and let live.
Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 12:36Report
Light Beer is like Sex on the Beach….****ing near water.
Paul NUNESMay 31, 2023 at 11:44Report
Does anyone remember the first light beer and the commercial featuring a slice of bread?
THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 11:05Report
Richard, must have been some other brand light. Bud Light? It was probably 10 years ago. But he could have been messing with me.
Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 10:17Report
Malcolm- The moral of the story is; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 10:16Report
Thomas- as far as I knew and as far as I can tell Guinness is the most popular beer in Ireland holding a full 25% of the market share. Bud Light does not even show up in the top ten (https://www.beer100.com/best-selling-beers-ireland/) I think the guy was pulling your leg. Bud Light only became available in Ireland in 2020.
Malcolm JulesMay 31, 2023 at 09:32Report
A corporation decided to target one of their products to a specific community and failed….end of story.
Margaret KliseMay 31, 2023 at 09:12Report
Agree/agree. Good article, Mike.
SUSAN HOTCHKISSMay 31, 2023 at 09:06Report
I always enjoy Mike’s opinion pieces. In total agreement about the transgender athlete issue.
THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 09:00Report
Tom, hope all is well with your daughter.
THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 08:57Report
A Bud Light story: Several years ago while in Ireland my son and I toured the Guinness brewery. Of course there’s a pub on the top floor and while getting a pint of Guinness the bar I notice several taps Bud Light. I asked the bartender “why in God’s name are you serving THAT stuff in here?” He replied that it’s the best selling beer in Ireland. Go figue!
THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 08:51Report
Good column Mike. These anti “woke” zealots claim to support democracy but would be no different from the Taliban if they had their way.
Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 08:42Report
All this talk of beer makes me thirsty…but I have found that drinking beer has become an unwelcome undertaking. No beer allowed at the beach, nor while night fishing in Waterford, nor surf fishing at Avery Point, nor at any state boat launch, nor is state parks- try walking down the street with a cold one….
Chris JawakaMay 31, 2023 at 08:08Report
IMO The left loves their cancel culture but gets all grumpy when the right does the same. Hey it can go both ways. That said I really don’t care about the Bud thing. Its not like they sold beer with its face on it.
Matther TookerMay 31, 2023 at 07:35Report
Thoughtful piece as always Mike. Perhaps the best offset for the 30% decrease in Bud Light sales would be a 30% increase in church attendance. I am betting that won’t happen. (Matt Tooker)
KEITH J. ROBBINSMay 31, 2023 at 06:11Report
You drinking Bud-Lite does not offend me, although it is a horrible beer. What is my concern is a guy using the ladies room that my nieces use!
TOM DONNEEMay 31, 2023 at 05:55Report
Agree Phil. Well done Mike!! Waiting for my daughter to come out of surgery. Then we’ll stop for a cold one, think I’ll make it a Bud Lite!!!
Philip BroseMay 30, 2023 at 16:59Report
Mr. DiMauro is always thoughtful and intelligent. The best writer at the day. Give the guy a raise.
submitted by ur_volkswagen_sux to NewLondonCounty [link] [comments]
May 30, 2023 4:39 pm • Last Updated: May 30, 2023 4:41 pm
By Mike DiMauro
Day Assistant Sports Editor
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
News item: Anthony Bass, a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, shared a video Monday via Instagram endorsing an anti-LGBTQ boycott of brands such as Target and Bud Light.
"Here's the reason biblically why I believe Christians have gotta be boycotting Target, Bud Light, and any other corporation that's pushing the things they're pushing,” Bass said. “I think a lot of people make this into a political issue, or they say, 'Oh, what's the big deal?’
“This is evil, this is demonic, we won't stand for it, we're not going to go to the stores anymore and we're not going to give you our money.”
It would be impolite to wish that Mr. Bass, who throws a ball for a living, blows out his elbow. Perhaps then he could simply blow it out his tailpipe.
Because I’ve grown tired of sanctimonious and hypocritical moral outrage over what Target and Bud Light are “pushing,” while it’s permissible that Bass and his ilk get to “push” their beliefs on the rest of us.
Example: In the last two months or so, I’ve been questioned a half dozen times in public as to why I’m drinking Bud Light. Seems people like Bass have objected to Anheuser Busch’s marketing partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Their boycott of Bud Light has led to a decrease in sales both locally and nationally. (Local bar and restaurant owners say Bud Light sales are down almost 30 percent.)
It is their right, of course, to boycott the product. I’m just curious as to why what I’m drinking is their business. I drink Bud Light because I like it. And I’m still drinking Bud Light because I will not marginalize people based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. I’m respectful enough to support someone else’s desire to evolve into another gender. And I’m not stupid enough to believe that my decision to drink Bud Light changes who I am or what I stand for in any possible way.
But I wonder why it’s so important for people — and the questions to me haven’t all come from men — to announce their disdain for a bottle of beer, tacitly implying their sexuality is “normal.” Remember this one and write it down: If you are truly comfortable with who you are, you needn’t announce anything to anyone.
And yet to further illustrate how screwed up this country really is, there’s this: Anheuser-Busch hasn’t merely been accused of alienating its traditional customer base with the partnership, but some LGBTQ+ campaigners have also criticized the company for not defending its ties with Mulvaney.
Amid all the finger-pointing and fear-fanning, the truth hides in the corner, too scared to emerge. The truth is that we are supposed to think critically, weigh evidence from both sides and then make up our own minds. Instead, we’ve become a country hell bent on legislating whatever cause we think is right and just, while burying the other side from all consideration.
It’s political tribalism. All or nothing. One side or the other. If you’re not in agreement with every morsel of the transgender movement, you are a snarling, hating, infidel. If you’re not in total agreement with Anthony Bass and his beliefs, you’re going to wither in hell.
But what if — and hold on to your ascots here — two conflicting positions can still be true? Example: What if I support Bud Light’s decision to use a transgender influencer, but also believe that transgender high school athletes belong in their own division?
I disagree with the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference’s policy complying with a state law that requires all high school students be treated according to their gender identity. We should consider a sports-centric law that acknowledges sports' unique challenges and accommodates the physical component for success that exists virtually nowhere else in society.
Sex discrimination in education, health care, housing and financial credit have no place in this country. But we must — must — realize and accept that sports require a physical component to succeed that calls for different guidelines.
Put it this way: Applying to a school or for health care, housing or financial credit requires no physical component to succeed. Sports require speed, strength and agility and do not fit under the same umbrella. And yet sports are routinely shoved into the same arguments about unfair treatment. Injustices get piled on for rhetorical usefulness, even though they're not applicable.
The male born composition has inherent physical advantages, rare exceptions noted. But in the aggregate, there are physiologic differences between biological males and females. I don’t believe writing that makes me transphobic. We should respect a person’s pronoun of choice. But that doesn't mean we have to blindly agree with claims that are not supported by science.
Yet that appears to be the new end game in this country. Blind agreement. Their side or yours. And here I sit, sipping my Bud Light, trying to figure out why so many of us act like the last three letters of Anthony Bass’ last name.
This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
READER COMMENTS
Philip BroseJune 1, 2023 at 16:30Report
Robin great points the right can’t even keep track on who to be mad at. Why are they so sensitive? I here Chick-fil-a is evil now for they “ensuring equal access,” “valuing differences,” and “creating a culture of belonging,” under the title, “Committed to being Better at Together.” what monsters!
Philip BroseJune 1, 2023 at 16:27Report
William Peter the guidance councilor?
Joseph B De La CruzJune 1, 2023 at 15:15Report
This article pretty much sums up exactly how I feel about the situation. Bud Light basically sent someone a can with her image celebrating a milestone. The fact it turned the beer into enemy number one doesn’t surprise me considering the vitriol that has become commonplace in our country. I have had plenty of private messages regarding a video I posted supporting a beer, and more importantly a human being. Most have been vehemently against my support of both and relish the chance to send me a screen shot of Bud Lights stock on a daily basis with a “Go woke, Go broke” ending. I believe much of the vitriol comes from news and talk radio which is why Spotify now fills my vehicle with music instead of talk. I ask everyone to limit their news intake to 30 minutes per day regardless of your party affiliation to center your life. Sometimes my radio will land on a “news station”, and I can feel my blood pressure rise as the most divisive topic of the day is being discussed with a majority of the facts not being considered. I am not recommending folks to ignore what’s happening in our world, but would point out that our country has survived many decades without the need for “up to the second” news reports. Most of the things we worry about will never happen and it seems our country is living in a constant state of fear which is certainly to blame for the vitriol. There will never be a point where everyone in the country will collectively say we are all happy with everything, but I still have a deep believe that with constructive conversations and true empathy we can get us close. When I get my boat in the water I would love to have an ice cold Bud Light while listening to my relaxing boat playlist, and of course talking with my favorite sports writer. That’s an invitation Mike. Great article.
Robin DaudaJune 1, 2023 at 13:41Report
“Bud Light sales are down between 26% and 35% nationwide additionally Budweiser and other AB brands (Michelob Ultra, Busch Light and Natural Light to name a few) have also taken a hit of around 11%.”
All the more reason to explain what set this off. Completely unhinged.
“My take, buy Coors stock now”
And that statement reinforces my point since Coors has been a decades long supporter of LGBT rights probably the biggest supporter (it all began with a workegay alliance boycott ironically… or not)
“Coors Light has been a sponsor of The Center and Denver PrideFest for decades,” says Rex Fuller, CEO of The Center on Colfax. “The work we have been able to do at The Center over the last four decades would not be possible without this support and we are grateful for it.”
Beyond supporting Denver PrideFest, Molson Coors has a distinguished history of supporting LGBTQ communities across the country, with significant support for organizations such as Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Matthew Shepard Foundation, National Amateur Gay Athletics Association of America, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, LGBT Victory Institute, Out & Equal, and One Colorado.
In addition to these partners, Molson Coors works with local LGBTQ organizations in key communities through its Tap Into Change program. Annually, the summer program donates more than $100,000 to these organizations with a consistent growth in impact each year. Events take place in each city to help raise additional funds, awareness, and support for the missions of these local organizations. Over the past 10 years, Tap Into Change has raised nearly $600,000 for local LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS nonprofits.
https://denverpride.org/coors-light-supports-the-lgbtq-community/
This is even though like 2006, 2010 and 2014 they had to go through boycotts for this. And they did shrink back in response, but also came right back and didn’t move backwards for long.
And what will I do?
Continue drinking Corona because I drink what I drink.
It’s damn near impossible to do a successful boycott long term. The web of corporate connections means when you think you’re hurting one, it’s actually benefitting another one connected to it.
The beverage brand that owns Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois, is suing US beer-maker Constellation Brands for using the Corona brand name in a hard seltzer, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.
Beverage giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) acquired Corona’s parent company, Grupo Modelo, in 2013, but US antitrust regulators required it to sell the company’s US-based business to Constellation. AB InBev retained rights to the products in other markets, and the deal gave Constellation the rights to produce Corona and other Modelo brands in the US.
William PeterJune 1, 2023 at 13:36Report
The virtue signalers didn’t like my harmless comment. I guess being offended by an opposing view is reason enough to silence someone in 2023
Richard GoldenJune 1, 2023 at 12:57Report
Robin- not certain this article nor all the comments will move the needle. Bud Light sales are down between 26% and 35% nationwide additionally Budweiser and other AB brands (Michelob Ultra, Busch Light and Natural Light to name a few) have also taken a hit of around 11%. Bud Light has been the best selling beer in the USA for over 20 years and the normal volume of sales is 27 million barrels a year or 1134 million gallons. A 30% drop equals a loss of 340 million gallons a year. My take, buy Coors stock now
Chris JawakaJune 1, 2023 at 10:12Report
People are allowed to drink or not drink whatever beer they want and for whatever reason they choose. End of story.
Robin DaudaJune 1, 2023 at 09:05Report
Do people realize that Bud Light sent a pack of specially made cans with the person’s face on it and did a minute long or so bit released on like TicTok? It wasn’t some big nationwide PR campaign yet it rubbed someone the wrong way (or so they would like us to think) and it snowballed into this.
I don’t ever want to hear about people calling “the libs” snowflakes or use their center liberal stances as a weakness. These champions of “conservatives” are gullible whiny babies.
I watched in real time a bunch of idiots blow something up out of nothing and then saw them flocking to the internet people with their influencer pages and podcasts and publications where immediately they were being hawked “anti-woke” beer and all these other wares, often made by the same places they are boycotting for double the price.
There is a whole market opening up to people that will only get their businesses off the ground (temporarily for a quick cash grab) by using these outrage tactics and capitalizing (literally) on impaired brains that as Mr. DiMauro correctly observed “Blind agreement. Their side or yours”
Bless your little void of empathy and common sense hearts. Don’t spend all your money in one place now, spread the wealth to these people selling you overpriced junk.
Paul LevasseurJune 1, 2023 at 07:47Report
Mike is discussing one of this election cycles right wing culture war hot spots.
If you can’t get elected because of your governing skills you’re going to have to try to get elected by getting people angry and hateful. The right wing loves doing that. It’s their bread and butter.
TOM DONNEEJune 1, 2023 at 06:46Report
Preaching hate and preaching tolerance ARE NOT the same Evan
DANIEL STORMSJune 1, 2023 at 05:56Report
I always liked this formulation: “In the first place, what makes it any of you business? And in the second place, my reasons for saying yea to [whatever it is that offends you] are at least as valid (and maybe more so) than yours for nay. And in the third place, what makes it any of your sodding business in the first place?” I agree wholeheartedly with your plea for reason and tolerance. Not to seem argumentative but rather to add information to the discussion, though, you might be interested in this blog post from a biologist about the supposed physiologic advantages a trans man or woman has over a cis athelete: https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2023/05/31/we-hunted-the-rabbit/
Evan AndriopolousJune 1, 2023 at 03:10Report
For me… Bud Light as a “beer” sucks. I would rather support local breweries that provide far better beers. As far as this column… as far as AB selecting this influencer in their campaign I have no opinion on it or that person. Up to each to decide for themselves.
Regarding this column actually Mike what you are writing is basically the same as the boycott and the changes in attitudes (political divide) of the country. Often used by politicians on BOTH sides of the aisle screaming to be open, defending one´s right to choose, freedom of speech etc.. and this is the most important part..”unless it does not validate their opinion or view”. This is exactly what you are writing. So if someone elects to boycott something and we know the WOKE police and Leftists enjoy not only condemning opposing viewpoints to the point of boycotting, attacking employers for the “views” of their employees etc… and demanding they be removed from the position their are in. So if someone boycotts something let them… I would ask you… why does it offend you that others are using their constitutional right by boycotting (freedom of speech). I always respect other´s opinions and even when we do not agree. Sadly we live in a world where people are afraid to speak up due to the potential ramifications. None of us will always agree and I know the powers to be are trying to “force” us to all be uniform in our opinions which is sad. And btw Bud Light is terrible anyway… How about you focus on sports.
Benoit BenoitMay 31, 2023 at 20:12Report
Ironic you drink because you like it but will continue to drink it because “ I will not marginalize people based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.” Not just because you like it.
William PeterMay 31, 2023 at 17:46Report
This comment has been removed for violating The Day’s commenting policy.
JAY DEMPSEYMay 31, 2023 at 16:53Report
TY Mike….. I drink Bud Light most all the time unless in Ireland…and support Levine Distributors in our area and my friends that work there. I think the cancel culture is terrible whatever your political party of choice is. Very sad that social media has done this to us. I have good friends that I can no longer talk politics with because of the “great divide” that enriches social media giants.
ROBERT WARNERMay 31, 2023 at 16:45Report
I suppose a similar question could be asked, “Why does a person wearing a MAGA hat bother some people?”
David NowakowskiMay 31, 2023 at 14:30Report
great column, Mike. I’d like to think there are far more folks who see this subject and all its nuances the way you do…but you are probably right again in saying that it is tough to go against your chosen tribe on any component, regardless of how you might actually feel. thanks again!
Andrew RogersonMay 31, 2023 at 13:33Report
Mike DiMauro – well said sir, on all counts.
Lynn YoungMay 31, 2023 at 13:28Report
Drink what you like. Be who you are. Live and let live.
Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 12:36Report
Light Beer is like Sex on the Beach….****ing near water.
Paul NUNESMay 31, 2023 at 11:44Report
Does anyone remember the first light beer and the commercial featuring a slice of bread?
THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 11:05Report
Richard, must have been some other brand light. Bud Light? It was probably 10 years ago. But he could have been messing with me.
Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 10:17Report
Malcolm- The moral of the story is; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 10:16Report
Thomas- as far as I knew and as far as I can tell Guinness is the most popular beer in Ireland holding a full 25% of the market share. Bud Light does not even show up in the top ten (https://www.beer100.com/best-selling-beers-ireland/) I think the guy was pulling your leg. Bud Light only became available in Ireland in 2020.
Malcolm JulesMay 31, 2023 at 09:32Report
A corporation decided to target one of their products to a specific community and failed….end of story.
Margaret KliseMay 31, 2023 at 09:12Report
Agree/agree. Good article, Mike.
SUSAN HOTCHKISSMay 31, 2023 at 09:06Report
I always enjoy Mike’s opinion pieces. In total agreement about the transgender athlete issue.
THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 09:00Report
Tom, hope all is well with your daughter.
THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 08:57Report
A Bud Light story: Several years ago while in Ireland my son and I toured the Guinness brewery. Of course there’s a pub on the top floor and while getting a pint of Guinness the bar I notice several taps Bud Light. I asked the bartender “why in God’s name are you serving THAT stuff in here?” He replied that it’s the best selling beer in Ireland. Go figue!
THOMAS MORIARTYMay 31, 2023 at 08:51Report
Good column Mike. These anti “woke” zealots claim to support democracy but would be no different from the Taliban if they had their way.
Richard GoldenMay 31, 2023 at 08:42Report
All this talk of beer makes me thirsty…but I have found that drinking beer has become an unwelcome undertaking. No beer allowed at the beach, nor while night fishing in Waterford, nor surf fishing at Avery Point, nor at any state boat launch, nor is state parks- try walking down the street with a cold one….
Chris JawakaMay 31, 2023 at 08:08Report
IMO The left loves their cancel culture but gets all grumpy when the right does the same. Hey it can go both ways. That said I really don’t care about the Bud thing. Its not like they sold beer with its face on it.
Matther TookerMay 31, 2023 at 07:35Report
Thoughtful piece as always Mike. Perhaps the best offset for the 30% decrease in Bud Light sales would be a 30% increase in church attendance. I am betting that won’t happen. (Matt Tooker)
KEITH J. ROBBINSMay 31, 2023 at 06:11Report
You drinking Bud-Lite does not offend me, although it is a horrible beer. What is my concern is a guy using the ladies room that my nieces use!
TOM DONNEEMay 31, 2023 at 05:55Report
Agree Phil. Well done Mike!! Waiting for my daughter to come out of surgery. Then we’ll stop for a cold one, think I’ll make it a Bud Lite!!!
Philip BroseMay 30, 2023 at 16:59Report
Mr. DiMauro is always thoughtful and intelligent. The best writer at the day. Give the guy a raise.
2023.06.03 11:55 DavidZavala4 John Cena and Jackie Chan together in an action movie: this is the exciting trailer for 'Hidden Strike
The two actors return to the field they dominate the most and prepare for a story full of explosions, gunshots and survival.
'Hidden Strike', the new action movie starring John Cena and Jackie Chan, has just released its first official trailer. The two actors return to the field they dominate the most and prepare for a story full of explosions, gunfire, stunts and extreme survival in a deadly environment.
According to the official synopsis of the film, in 'Hidden Strike' we will see a not too distant future, in which a war for control of oil will cause "two war veterans to be assigned the mission of escorting a group of civilians by the so-called "highway of death" in Baghdad (Iraq), so that they arrive safely at the "Green Zone", the area's security location."
As expected, this mission will not be an easy task. In the trailer we can see trucks jumping through the air, buildings exploding and endless fights for life and death. All this accompanied by a characteristic sense of humor, which we have seen in other films of this genre.
The film shares a director with 'The Expendables 4' and 'Need for Speed'. This is Scott Waugh, who leads a cast made up of Jackie Chan, John Cena, Pilou Asbæk, Amadeus Serafini, Rachael Holoway, Tim Man, Max Huang, Tazito Garcia, Temur Mamisashvili and Jiang Wenli.
The exact release date of the film has not yet been announced. However, it is certain that the film will hit theaters throughout this 2023.
Will it manage to find a place among the best action movies in history? Its leading actors do have some titles on that list. We have seen Jackie Chan in the new 'Karate Kid' movies, accompanying Jaden Smith. And we can find John Cena in the cast of the films in the 'Fast & Furious' saga (in fact, the latest one, 'Fast X', has just been released); and as a pivotal member of the wrestling series, WWE.
If you are a fan of action movies, you can prepare yourself for a good dose of what you like the most. Until then, have you seen the best action movies of 2023 that have already been released? Surely more than one has escaped you and you can use it as entertainment until the arrival of 'Hidden Strike' in movie theaters.
submitted by DavidZavala4 to folkstheory [link] [comments]
'Hidden Strike', the new action movie starring John Cena and Jackie Chan, has just released its first official trailer. The two actors return to the field they dominate the most and prepare for a story full of explosions, gunfire, stunts and extreme survival in a deadly environment.
According to the official synopsis of the film, in 'Hidden Strike' we will see a not too distant future, in which a war for control of oil will cause "two war veterans to be assigned the mission of escorting a group of civilians by the so-called "highway of death" in Baghdad (Iraq), so that they arrive safely at the "Green Zone", the area's security location."
As expected, this mission will not be an easy task. In the trailer we can see trucks jumping through the air, buildings exploding and endless fights for life and death. All this accompanied by a characteristic sense of humor, which we have seen in other films of this genre.
The film shares a director with 'The Expendables 4' and 'Need for Speed'. This is Scott Waugh, who leads a cast made up of Jackie Chan, John Cena, Pilou Asbæk, Amadeus Serafini, Rachael Holoway, Tim Man, Max Huang, Tazito Garcia, Temur Mamisashvili and Jiang Wenli.
The exact release date of the film has not yet been announced. However, it is certain that the film will hit theaters throughout this 2023.
Will it manage to find a place among the best action movies in history? Its leading actors do have some titles on that list. We have seen Jackie Chan in the new 'Karate Kid' movies, accompanying Jaden Smith. And we can find John Cena in the cast of the films in the 'Fast & Furious' saga (in fact, the latest one, 'Fast X', has just been released); and as a pivotal member of the wrestling series, WWE.
If you are a fan of action movies, you can prepare yourself for a good dose of what you like the most. Until then, have you seen the best action movies of 2023 that have already been released? Surely more than one has escaped you and you can use it as entertainment until the arrival of 'Hidden Strike' in movie theaters.
2023.06.03 09:40 MarcoServetto Successful high profile assassinations in the early 2000s
This is my first alternative history work, please tolerate my inexperience. I'm open to all kinds of feedbacks
In the final hours of 1999, on the brink of a new millennium, a shocking event sets the stage for a radically different future. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, and the richest man in the world, is found dead at his sprawling estate in Medina, Washington. The man behind this unthinkable act is his trusted butler who, in an apparent murder-suicide, leaves behind a chilling message: "Repent and donate all that you own, or die in shame. We are the unseen, the unheard, the forgotten. We will not be silenced." The public reels from the shock, and the police scramble to uncover the anarchists' network. But their efforts yield no results. The identity and motives of this anarchist group remain a mystery.
Microsoft, under the leadership of Steve Ballmer, pledges to carry on Gates' legacy and forges ahead, despite a temporary slump in the market. The company reaffirms its commitment to its products and customers. This move stabilizes Microsoft but inadvertently gives a boost to open source platforms and Linux, as some companies and governments, fearing an over-reliance on one company's technology, promote open-source solutions to diversify their options.
In 2000, the world is held in the grip of fear. The secret anarchist group responsible for Gates' death remains elusive, as law enforcement agencies worldwide scramble to unmask them. Heightened security measures are put into place, especially for high-net-worth individuals. Global discourse around wealth inequality and the responsibilities of the wealthy intensifies.
The September 11th attacks occur as they did in our timeline, causing a further global shift towards security and surveillance. The focus on the anarchist group temporarily fades in the wake of this massive terrorist act.
In 2004, another seismic event rocks the world. Warren Buffett, the investment guru, and the second richest man globally, dies in a horrific car crash. The culprit is none other than his personal driver, who planned the crash to end both their lives. The message left behind echoes the sentiment of the first: "Wealth is not a shield. Charity is not a facade. Share or perish." The untraceable nature of these attacks and the cryptic, threatening messages underline the deadly intent of this anarchist group.
In response to these assassinations, several of the world's billionaires, led by tech tycoons Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Larry Ellison, Michael Bloomberg and Carlos Slim form the Global Equity Foundation. They pledge to donate a significant portion of their wealth to combat global poverty and inequality. This massive philanthropic endeavor is geared towards global health and education initiatives. Yet, it seems more like a desperate act of self-preservation than genuine philanthropy.
Simultaneously, a group of ultra-wealthy individuals, led by Richard Branson, take a different approach. They purchase Necker Island, an island in the Caribbean, establishing an independent micro-nation free from the political complexities of their home countries. The island, referred to as "Eden," is fortified with state-of-the-art security systems designed to protect them from the anarchists.
This safe haven, populated by some of the wealthiest people on the planet, offers refuge from the growing threat of the anarchists.
By the end of 2006, society is gripped with a sense of unease. The line between the wealthy and the less fortunate has become a tense battleground. The world waits with bated breath for the anarchists' next move.
In the first week of 2007,Necker Island, owned by Richard Branson in our timeline - is struck by a missile, obliterating everything and everyone on it. The world mourns the loss of several leading business figures and philanthropists. Initial suspicions fall on the anarchist group that killed Gates and Buffet.
As investigators sift through the wreckage, information leaks revealing the true culprits: a secret Russian military unit aiming to destabilize the US economy. The revelation sends shockwaves across the globe, stoking old Cold War fears and bringing the world to the brink of war. The US, under President George W. Bush, declares war on Russia, and the world watches in apprehension as military mobilizations begin for what looks to be the third World War.
Before any attacks are launched, news breaks out of Russia that President Vladimir Putin and three influential Russian oligarchs have been assassinated. Prostitutes, apparently planted by the anarchist group, are identified as the killers. Security guards kill them almost immediately after the assassinations.
In a cryptic message, the anarchists chastise the world powers for accelerating their plans, reasserting control over the narrative and reminding the world of their pervasive influence.
"Do not confuse our roles. We kill, you die. Do not hurry us up. Wait and your turn will come". Another part of the message states
"We do not wish for war, only justice. The innocents of Eden serving the rich were not our targets, but casualties of your greed. We are sorry for their loss, but this is but a dip in the ocean of the damage you are causing."
The message also includes a litany of detailed accusations against prominent global figures, exposing a wealth of crimes and unethical behaviors that were previously hidden or ignored. Among the accused is Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, whose alleged misdeeds are laid bare for the world to see.
As 2007 progresses, the world is left in a state of uncertainty and fear. The anarchists seem to be everywhere and nowhere, with the power to target anyone. The impending war is temporarily halted as the world grapples with the revelations from the anarchists' message and the power vacuum in Russia. With the threat of the anarchists hanging over their heads, the powerful and wealthy are forced to reconsider their actions, while the less fortunate find a grim sense of satisfaction in their comeuppance.
But the world doesn't remain a silent observer. As news of the assassinations and the extravagant actions of the rich spread, public sentiment starts to shift. There's a growing call for justice, transparency, and equity. Movements demanding wealth redistribution gain traction, the loudest among them being Italy's Five Star Movement. With the charismatic comedian Beppe Grillo at its helm, the movement benefits immensely from the public outrage against the wealthy, especially following the revelations about Silvio Berlusconi's illicit activities.
In 2008, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is poisoned, his death leaving a power vacuum in the media industry. The anarchists, in their now customary fashion, claim responsibility for the assassination in a chilling message. They condemn Murdoch's media empire as a tool of manipulation and inequality, and demand that his wealth be donated to nature reserves in Africa and non-profit organizations fighting against illegal and harmful fishing practices in South America. Such wealth is so tainted, they argue, that it should no longer be used to benefit humanity.
The anarchists' message also takes aim at the Global Equity Foundation, the massive philanthropic endeavor established by some of the world's wealthiest individuals. The message accuses several members of the Foundation of continuing to amass wealth instead of fully committing to philanthropy. This marks a clear warning to the global elite - no one is safe, and insincere philanthropy will not protect them.
This alternate timeline presents a world in turmoil. The ultra-rich are no longer invincible, and society begins to question the long-accepted power structures. The narrative also sparks a profound cultural shift. Discussions about wealth inequality, power, and justice dominate public discourse. As the world grapples with the radical changes and anticipates the anarchists' next move, an unsettling question looms large - who's next on the anarchists' list?
In Japan, there is a cultural emphasis on harmony and group success over individual prosperity. While wealth is certainly respected, overt displays of wealth are often frowned upon. In this alternate timeline, Japanese society might view the chaos unfolding in the West with a mix of trepidation and schadenfreude. The government might enforce stricter financial regulations to avoid a similar crisis domestically.
With one of the fastest-growing economies and a huge wealth disparity, India's reaction would be mixed. India's rising tech billionaires and traditional wealthy class might feel threatened and take drastic measures for their safety. Meanwhile, the masses grappling with poverty might feel vindicated and empowered by the anarchists' message.
With its wealth stemming mainly from royal family members and oil magnates, Saudi Arabia reaction would be quite different. The royal family might further consolidate their power and use the ongoing global chaos as a reason to suppress dissent. There could be increased unrest among the populace, and movements for democracy and wealth redistribution might gain momentum.
Scandinavian Countries are known for their strong welfare states and relative income equality. They might respond to these events by further emphasizing their commitment to egalitarian principles, possibly leading to increased taxes on the wealthy and more support for public services. The public discourse might focus on the ethics of wealth accumulation and the responsibilities of the wealthy to society.
With its stark wealth inequality and history of social unrest, Brazil's reaction could be volatile. There could be increased protests and movements calling for wealth redistribution and social reform. At the same time, the wealthy class might double down on their efforts to maintain their power and wealth, leading to greater societal tension.
The years following the assassination of Rupert Murdoch see a sharp turn towards radical socio-political change.
Italy, under the leadership of comedian-turned-activist Beppe Grillo and his Five Star Movement, introduces a novel form of governance, deemed as the 'Economic Equity Referendum.'
This new system allows Italian citizens to vote annually on the forced appropriation of assets belonging to five selected wealthy individuals.
Moreover, citizens are allowed to nominate five additional individuals, with the most nominated names appearing in the following year's referendum.
The move is controversial but reflects the significant shift in public sentiment against extreme wealth accumulation, catalyzed by the anarchist group's actions.
By 2009, Spain, still recovering from the global financial crisis and inspired by Italy's novel approach, decides to implement a similar system. Spain's version of the 'Economic Equity Referendum' aims to redistribute wealth, hoping to bolster its struggling economy.
However, these new policies are met with mixed reactions on the global stage. Some praise these actions as a progressive move towards economic justice, while others view them as an infringement on personal property rights, sparking fierce debates on wealth distribution, economic justice, and individual liberties.
By 2010, the economic landscape has significantly changed. Wealthy individuals and corporations are increasingly cautious, devising new strategies to safeguard their wealth or diverting their investments to countries with more favorable policies. Some begin extensive philanthropic efforts to win public favor, hoping to avoid becoming targets of the economic referendums or worse, the anarchists.
Despite no further assassinations, the fear instilled by the anarchist group still lingers. This, coupled with the disruptive socio-economic changes, fuels widespread uncertainty and tension. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens grapple with these new realities, some welcoming the disruption to the status quo, while others yearn for the stability of the past.
Across the globe, nations observe Italy and Spain's experiments, grappling with the rising demands for wealth equality from their citizens. The actions of the anarchist group and the drastic measures taken by Italy and Spain have set the stage for an era of unprecedented change. The world enters the new decade with apprehension, knowing that the struggle between wealth, power, and justice is far from over.
In 2011, an unimaginable twist in takes place. An international investigation finally uncovers the truth behind the string of high-profile assassinations that have been hitting the globe: all of it was a plot orchestrated by none other than Bill Gates and Vladimir Putin. It's an outrageous revelation that sends shockwaves through the world.
Documents, videos, and testimonies are unearthed, providing irrefutable proof of their involvement. It emerges that Gates and Putin, recognizing the vast inequities and imbalances in the world, believed that a revolution was necessary for true change. But they knew that the world's wealthy and powerful elites would quash any such attempt and simply kill them if they were to seriusly try. Thus, they devised a scheme to subvert the established order.
From 1990 to 1999, they secretly funneled resources into creating and training a clandestine group of individuals. The duo meticulously planned each assassination, devising the perfect circumstances, recruiting the needed personnel, even penning the anarchic messages themselves. They even managed to convince Murdoch's cook and Buffett's driver to join their cause. In essence, Gates and Putin willingly orchestrated their own deaths to catalyze a global transformation.
The discovery of the secret hideouts and the apprehension of several group members corroborate this stunning revelation. The anarchists were, in reality, pawns in a grand design concocted by Gates and Putin.
The revelation sparks a global uproar. Public opinion is polarized. Some view Gates and Putin as martyrs who sacrificed themselves for a noble cause. Others see them as manipulative puppet masters who plunged the world into chaos to fulfill their vision. In either case, the world is left to grapple with the consequences of their actions.
As the shocking news spreads, nations across the globe face a common question: how to move forward in the wake of this revelation? The chaos initiated by Gates and Putin has already triggered a cascade of socio-economic transformations. Now, it's up to the world to decide whether to carry forward this radical change or attempt to restore the old order. But one thing is clear: the world as we know it will never be the same again.
User
The years following the revelation of Gates and Putin's orchestrated upheaval unravel a tapestry of international responses, further accentuating the economic, social, and political diversities worldwide.
In the United States, the shockwave from the revelation instigates an intense national debate on wealth and power dynamics. The US sees a surge in progressive movements pushing for economic justice and wealth redistribution. A strong response from the wealthier class culminates in an aggressive lobby for protection of assets and personal freedoms. By 2015, the US Congress introduces the 'Wealth Protection Act', aiming to protect the rights and assets of individuals. The act has a polarizing effect, leading to widespread protests and, in some cases, riots.
Meanwhile, in Europe, reactions differ considerably between nations. Germany responds by tightening regulations on wealth accumulation and increasing transparency in financial transactions. The UK, however, initially resists change. By 2013, the pressure for reform, both domestically and internationally, leads to the introduction of the 'Fair Wealth Act', which aims to address wealth inequality through tax reforms and increased public spending.
China sees this as an opportunity to exert its influence on the world stage. Emphasizing stability and prosperity, the Chinese government undertakes an extensive international diplomatic campaign. It advocates for a balanced approach to wealth management and presents its model of state-controlled capitalism as an alternative. By 2017, China becomes a more dominant player in global economics.
In contrast, several countries in Africa and South America seize the opportunity to address endemic issues of inequality. Nations such as South Africa and Brazil begin implementing strict wealth regulation laws. In many cases, these are coupled with substantial investments in education, healthcare, and social services, aimed at reducing poverty and improving quality of life.
Australia and Canada, known for their relatively high levels of social equity, undertake balanced measures. They introduce policies to moderate wealth accumulation, while also ensuring protections for personal freedoms and property rights.
By 2018, the world is markedly different. The years following the revelation of Gates and Putin's plot witness an unprecedented global shift in attitudes towards wealth and power. It's a world that is trying to find a balance between economic justice and individual freedom, between stability and change, and most importantly, between the visions of two men who sacrificed themselves to spark a revolution, and the reality of the complex, diverse world they left behind.
submitted by MarcoServetto to AlternateHistory [link] [comments]
In the final hours of 1999, on the brink of a new millennium, a shocking event sets the stage for a radically different future. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, and the richest man in the world, is found dead at his sprawling estate in Medina, Washington. The man behind this unthinkable act is his trusted butler who, in an apparent murder-suicide, leaves behind a chilling message: "Repent and donate all that you own, or die in shame. We are the unseen, the unheard, the forgotten. We will not be silenced." The public reels from the shock, and the police scramble to uncover the anarchists' network. But their efforts yield no results. The identity and motives of this anarchist group remain a mystery.
Microsoft, under the leadership of Steve Ballmer, pledges to carry on Gates' legacy and forges ahead, despite a temporary slump in the market. The company reaffirms its commitment to its products and customers. This move stabilizes Microsoft but inadvertently gives a boost to open source platforms and Linux, as some companies and governments, fearing an over-reliance on one company's technology, promote open-source solutions to diversify their options.
In 2000, the world is held in the grip of fear. The secret anarchist group responsible for Gates' death remains elusive, as law enforcement agencies worldwide scramble to unmask them. Heightened security measures are put into place, especially for high-net-worth individuals. Global discourse around wealth inequality and the responsibilities of the wealthy intensifies.
The September 11th attacks occur as they did in our timeline, causing a further global shift towards security and surveillance. The focus on the anarchist group temporarily fades in the wake of this massive terrorist act.
In 2004, another seismic event rocks the world. Warren Buffett, the investment guru, and the second richest man globally, dies in a horrific car crash. The culprit is none other than his personal driver, who planned the crash to end both their lives. The message left behind echoes the sentiment of the first: "Wealth is not a shield. Charity is not a facade. Share or perish." The untraceable nature of these attacks and the cryptic, threatening messages underline the deadly intent of this anarchist group.
In response to these assassinations, several of the world's billionaires, led by tech tycoons Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Larry Ellison, Michael Bloomberg and Carlos Slim form the Global Equity Foundation. They pledge to donate a significant portion of their wealth to combat global poverty and inequality. This massive philanthropic endeavor is geared towards global health and education initiatives. Yet, it seems more like a desperate act of self-preservation than genuine philanthropy.
Simultaneously, a group of ultra-wealthy individuals, led by Richard Branson, take a different approach. They purchase Necker Island, an island in the Caribbean, establishing an independent micro-nation free from the political complexities of their home countries. The island, referred to as "Eden," is fortified with state-of-the-art security systems designed to protect them from the anarchists.
This safe haven, populated by some of the wealthiest people on the planet, offers refuge from the growing threat of the anarchists.
By the end of 2006, society is gripped with a sense of unease. The line between the wealthy and the less fortunate has become a tense battleground. The world waits with bated breath for the anarchists' next move.
In the first week of 2007,Necker Island, owned by Richard Branson in our timeline - is struck by a missile, obliterating everything and everyone on it. The world mourns the loss of several leading business figures and philanthropists. Initial suspicions fall on the anarchist group that killed Gates and Buffet.
As investigators sift through the wreckage, information leaks revealing the true culprits: a secret Russian military unit aiming to destabilize the US economy. The revelation sends shockwaves across the globe, stoking old Cold War fears and bringing the world to the brink of war. The US, under President George W. Bush, declares war on Russia, and the world watches in apprehension as military mobilizations begin for what looks to be the third World War.
Before any attacks are launched, news breaks out of Russia that President Vladimir Putin and three influential Russian oligarchs have been assassinated. Prostitutes, apparently planted by the anarchist group, are identified as the killers. Security guards kill them almost immediately after the assassinations.
In a cryptic message, the anarchists chastise the world powers for accelerating their plans, reasserting control over the narrative and reminding the world of their pervasive influence.
"Do not confuse our roles. We kill, you die. Do not hurry us up. Wait and your turn will come". Another part of the message states
"We do not wish for war, only justice. The innocents of Eden serving the rich were not our targets, but casualties of your greed. We are sorry for their loss, but this is but a dip in the ocean of the damage you are causing."
The message also includes a litany of detailed accusations against prominent global figures, exposing a wealth of crimes and unethical behaviors that were previously hidden or ignored. Among the accused is Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, whose alleged misdeeds are laid bare for the world to see.
As 2007 progresses, the world is left in a state of uncertainty and fear. The anarchists seem to be everywhere and nowhere, with the power to target anyone. The impending war is temporarily halted as the world grapples with the revelations from the anarchists' message and the power vacuum in Russia. With the threat of the anarchists hanging over their heads, the powerful and wealthy are forced to reconsider their actions, while the less fortunate find a grim sense of satisfaction in their comeuppance.
But the world doesn't remain a silent observer. As news of the assassinations and the extravagant actions of the rich spread, public sentiment starts to shift. There's a growing call for justice, transparency, and equity. Movements demanding wealth redistribution gain traction, the loudest among them being Italy's Five Star Movement. With the charismatic comedian Beppe Grillo at its helm, the movement benefits immensely from the public outrage against the wealthy, especially following the revelations about Silvio Berlusconi's illicit activities.
In 2008, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is poisoned, his death leaving a power vacuum in the media industry. The anarchists, in their now customary fashion, claim responsibility for the assassination in a chilling message. They condemn Murdoch's media empire as a tool of manipulation and inequality, and demand that his wealth be donated to nature reserves in Africa and non-profit organizations fighting against illegal and harmful fishing practices in South America. Such wealth is so tainted, they argue, that it should no longer be used to benefit humanity.
The anarchists' message also takes aim at the Global Equity Foundation, the massive philanthropic endeavor established by some of the world's wealthiest individuals. The message accuses several members of the Foundation of continuing to amass wealth instead of fully committing to philanthropy. This marks a clear warning to the global elite - no one is safe, and insincere philanthropy will not protect them.
This alternate timeline presents a world in turmoil. The ultra-rich are no longer invincible, and society begins to question the long-accepted power structures. The narrative also sparks a profound cultural shift. Discussions about wealth inequality, power, and justice dominate public discourse. As the world grapples with the radical changes and anticipates the anarchists' next move, an unsettling question looms large - who's next on the anarchists' list?
In Japan, there is a cultural emphasis on harmony and group success over individual prosperity. While wealth is certainly respected, overt displays of wealth are often frowned upon. In this alternate timeline, Japanese society might view the chaos unfolding in the West with a mix of trepidation and schadenfreude. The government might enforce stricter financial regulations to avoid a similar crisis domestically.
With one of the fastest-growing economies and a huge wealth disparity, India's reaction would be mixed. India's rising tech billionaires and traditional wealthy class might feel threatened and take drastic measures for their safety. Meanwhile, the masses grappling with poverty might feel vindicated and empowered by the anarchists' message.
With its wealth stemming mainly from royal family members and oil magnates, Saudi Arabia reaction would be quite different. The royal family might further consolidate their power and use the ongoing global chaos as a reason to suppress dissent. There could be increased unrest among the populace, and movements for democracy and wealth redistribution might gain momentum.
Scandinavian Countries are known for their strong welfare states and relative income equality. They might respond to these events by further emphasizing their commitment to egalitarian principles, possibly leading to increased taxes on the wealthy and more support for public services. The public discourse might focus on the ethics of wealth accumulation and the responsibilities of the wealthy to society.
With its stark wealth inequality and history of social unrest, Brazil's reaction could be volatile. There could be increased protests and movements calling for wealth redistribution and social reform. At the same time, the wealthy class might double down on their efforts to maintain their power and wealth, leading to greater societal tension.
The years following the assassination of Rupert Murdoch see a sharp turn towards radical socio-political change.
Italy, under the leadership of comedian-turned-activist Beppe Grillo and his Five Star Movement, introduces a novel form of governance, deemed as the 'Economic Equity Referendum.'
This new system allows Italian citizens to vote annually on the forced appropriation of assets belonging to five selected wealthy individuals.
Moreover, citizens are allowed to nominate five additional individuals, with the most nominated names appearing in the following year's referendum.
The move is controversial but reflects the significant shift in public sentiment against extreme wealth accumulation, catalyzed by the anarchist group's actions.
By 2009, Spain, still recovering from the global financial crisis and inspired by Italy's novel approach, decides to implement a similar system. Spain's version of the 'Economic Equity Referendum' aims to redistribute wealth, hoping to bolster its struggling economy.
However, these new policies are met with mixed reactions on the global stage. Some praise these actions as a progressive move towards economic justice, while others view them as an infringement on personal property rights, sparking fierce debates on wealth distribution, economic justice, and individual liberties.
By 2010, the economic landscape has significantly changed. Wealthy individuals and corporations are increasingly cautious, devising new strategies to safeguard their wealth or diverting their investments to countries with more favorable policies. Some begin extensive philanthropic efforts to win public favor, hoping to avoid becoming targets of the economic referendums or worse, the anarchists.
Despite no further assassinations, the fear instilled by the anarchist group still lingers. This, coupled with the disruptive socio-economic changes, fuels widespread uncertainty and tension. Meanwhile, ordinary citizens grapple with these new realities, some welcoming the disruption to the status quo, while others yearn for the stability of the past.
Across the globe, nations observe Italy and Spain's experiments, grappling with the rising demands for wealth equality from their citizens. The actions of the anarchist group and the drastic measures taken by Italy and Spain have set the stage for an era of unprecedented change. The world enters the new decade with apprehension, knowing that the struggle between wealth, power, and justice is far from over.
In 2011, an unimaginable twist in takes place. An international investigation finally uncovers the truth behind the string of high-profile assassinations that have been hitting the globe: all of it was a plot orchestrated by none other than Bill Gates and Vladimir Putin. It's an outrageous revelation that sends shockwaves through the world.
Documents, videos, and testimonies are unearthed, providing irrefutable proof of their involvement. It emerges that Gates and Putin, recognizing the vast inequities and imbalances in the world, believed that a revolution was necessary for true change. But they knew that the world's wealthy and powerful elites would quash any such attempt and simply kill them if they were to seriusly try. Thus, they devised a scheme to subvert the established order.
From 1990 to 1999, they secretly funneled resources into creating and training a clandestine group of individuals. The duo meticulously planned each assassination, devising the perfect circumstances, recruiting the needed personnel, even penning the anarchic messages themselves. They even managed to convince Murdoch's cook and Buffett's driver to join their cause. In essence, Gates and Putin willingly orchestrated their own deaths to catalyze a global transformation.
The discovery of the secret hideouts and the apprehension of several group members corroborate this stunning revelation. The anarchists were, in reality, pawns in a grand design concocted by Gates and Putin.
The revelation sparks a global uproar. Public opinion is polarized. Some view Gates and Putin as martyrs who sacrificed themselves for a noble cause. Others see them as manipulative puppet masters who plunged the world into chaos to fulfill their vision. In either case, the world is left to grapple with the consequences of their actions.
As the shocking news spreads, nations across the globe face a common question: how to move forward in the wake of this revelation? The chaos initiated by Gates and Putin has already triggered a cascade of socio-economic transformations. Now, it's up to the world to decide whether to carry forward this radical change or attempt to restore the old order. But one thing is clear: the world as we know it will never be the same again.
User
The years following the revelation of Gates and Putin's orchestrated upheaval unravel a tapestry of international responses, further accentuating the economic, social, and political diversities worldwide.
In the United States, the shockwave from the revelation instigates an intense national debate on wealth and power dynamics. The US sees a surge in progressive movements pushing for economic justice and wealth redistribution. A strong response from the wealthier class culminates in an aggressive lobby for protection of assets and personal freedoms. By 2015, the US Congress introduces the 'Wealth Protection Act', aiming to protect the rights and assets of individuals. The act has a polarizing effect, leading to widespread protests and, in some cases, riots.
Meanwhile, in Europe, reactions differ considerably between nations. Germany responds by tightening regulations on wealth accumulation and increasing transparency in financial transactions. The UK, however, initially resists change. By 2013, the pressure for reform, both domestically and internationally, leads to the introduction of the 'Fair Wealth Act', which aims to address wealth inequality through tax reforms and increased public spending.
China sees this as an opportunity to exert its influence on the world stage. Emphasizing stability and prosperity, the Chinese government undertakes an extensive international diplomatic campaign. It advocates for a balanced approach to wealth management and presents its model of state-controlled capitalism as an alternative. By 2017, China becomes a more dominant player in global economics.
In contrast, several countries in Africa and South America seize the opportunity to address endemic issues of inequality. Nations such as South Africa and Brazil begin implementing strict wealth regulation laws. In many cases, these are coupled with substantial investments in education, healthcare, and social services, aimed at reducing poverty and improving quality of life.
Australia and Canada, known for their relatively high levels of social equity, undertake balanced measures. They introduce policies to moderate wealth accumulation, while also ensuring protections for personal freedoms and property rights.
By 2018, the world is markedly different. The years following the revelation of Gates and Putin's plot witness an unprecedented global shift in attitudes towards wealth and power. It's a world that is trying to find a balance between economic justice and individual freedom, between stability and change, and most importantly, between the visions of two men who sacrificed themselves to spark a revolution, and the reality of the complex, diverse world they left behind.
2023.06.03 05:25 notallthereinthehead A Car Dweller post. helpful hints welcome.
With summer heat raging already, living in a car can s#ck. Ive lived in my car a few times, and may be again next week. Anywhoo.. here are some things Ive learned that I hope will help anyone in that situation. Feel free to add more.
--- Keep a pee bottle. Nothing is worse than having to hold it or get up and find a bathroom in the middle of the night. Often times its not possible to park where you can 'use the bushes'. I use a plastic water bottle like for atheletes, cheap at thrift stores, and they seal well. Also the opening is large enough to..
----Always park in the shade when you can. The cooler you keep your car the faster it cools off at night. Sleeping in a hot car is all but impossible.
---Look for places to park that are on grass or dirt. Parking on concrete / pavement is like parking on a frying pan. The heat radiates all night. This is a hard one but not impossible, and the difference is life changing.
---Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot and others do not mind if you park there overnight. Certain stores do not allow it, but most of them do. I park in the employee area, but also away from other cars so as not to be noticed. Cracker Barrel also is cool with car campers but it can be hard to 'blend in' there. I have slept at them but its a last resort.
---Use black cloth or w/e you can to block the windows,especially the back ones. You do not want to be seen. You are doing nothing wrong but you do not want to be caught sleeping in your car anywhere in this day and age. Its a safety issue, not just criminals but cops. the cops will harass you and in some places arrest you for vagrancy.
---Spend as much as you can afford to keep your car in shape. Tires, oil changes, basic maintenance. Used tire stores can be a god send. If your car breaks down ( as my honda odyssey van recently did) it can be a terrible situation.
---charge your devices every chance you get. Even if your car has a plug, it is a bad idea to rely on that to power your phone all the time.
--If you can, get a piece of plywood for the back seat ( for non-van car dwellers). Car seats are hard to sleep on. You can get around that by having a piece of plywood cut at Lowe's that will fit on top of the back seat. Measure the width and length that is the biggest you can fit in there. You will probly have to have a couple pieces of wood or w/e to level it out, secure it, but it doesnt have to be a major construction job. as long as its flat and doesnt tip, now you have a better place to sleep. A foam pad on top and your quality of sleep and life just increased.
--If you are in a secure area ( as much as possible) leave the windows cracked slightly. In the winter this helps reduce condensation on the windows. Cops and Criminals both know that fogged up windows mean someone is inside.
--Multi story Parking decks are great places to park. They stay cooler as the sun doesnt heat the pavement. Casinos and hospitals can be good for this. Municipal/private parking garages can be a cheap alternative to having to rent a motel to get out of the heat. Even in downtown Atlanta, you can find 24 hour parking for less than 15 bucks.
---Baby Wipes. Unscented. Enough said.
--Truck stops can be dicey, but you can always sleep there and shower if you have an extra 15-20 bux to spend. if not see above.
Sorry for writing a book. Please add your own ideas, I would love to hear them.
submitted by notallthereinthehead to homeless [link] [comments]
--- Keep a pee bottle. Nothing is worse than having to hold it or get up and find a bathroom in the middle of the night. Often times its not possible to park where you can 'use the bushes'. I use a plastic water bottle like for atheletes, cheap at thrift stores, and they seal well. Also the opening is large enough to..
----Always park in the shade when you can. The cooler you keep your car the faster it cools off at night. Sleeping in a hot car is all but impossible.
---Look for places to park that are on grass or dirt. Parking on concrete / pavement is like parking on a frying pan. The heat radiates all night. This is a hard one but not impossible, and the difference is life changing.
---Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot and others do not mind if you park there overnight. Certain stores do not allow it, but most of them do. I park in the employee area, but also away from other cars so as not to be noticed. Cracker Barrel also is cool with car campers but it can be hard to 'blend in' there. I have slept at them but its a last resort.
---Use black cloth or w/e you can to block the windows,especially the back ones. You do not want to be seen. You are doing nothing wrong but you do not want to be caught sleeping in your car anywhere in this day and age. Its a safety issue, not just criminals but cops. the cops will harass you and in some places arrest you for vagrancy.
---Spend as much as you can afford to keep your car in shape. Tires, oil changes, basic maintenance. Used tire stores can be a god send. If your car breaks down ( as my honda odyssey van recently did) it can be a terrible situation.
---charge your devices every chance you get. Even if your car has a plug, it is a bad idea to rely on that to power your phone all the time.
--If you can, get a piece of plywood for the back seat ( for non-van car dwellers). Car seats are hard to sleep on. You can get around that by having a piece of plywood cut at Lowe's that will fit on top of the back seat. Measure the width and length that is the biggest you can fit in there. You will probly have to have a couple pieces of wood or w/e to level it out, secure it, but it doesnt have to be a major construction job. as long as its flat and doesnt tip, now you have a better place to sleep. A foam pad on top and your quality of sleep and life just increased.
--If you are in a secure area ( as much as possible) leave the windows cracked slightly. In the winter this helps reduce condensation on the windows. Cops and Criminals both know that fogged up windows mean someone is inside.
--Multi story Parking decks are great places to park. They stay cooler as the sun doesnt heat the pavement. Casinos and hospitals can be good for this. Municipal/private parking garages can be a cheap alternative to having to rent a motel to get out of the heat. Even in downtown Atlanta, you can find 24 hour parking for less than 15 bucks.
---Baby Wipes. Unscented. Enough said.
--Truck stops can be dicey, but you can always sleep there and shower if you have an extra 15-20 bux to spend. if not see above.
Sorry for writing a book. Please add your own ideas, I would love to hear them.
2023.06.03 02:24 JohannGoethe You exclusively sell snake 🐍 oil! Nothing supports your claim to being an electrochemical engineer?
 | I launch the first chemical thermodynamics (ChemThermo) sub on Reddit, yesterday, and, even though 100-people have joined in the first day, the following is the welcome I get: submitted by JohannGoethe to LibbThims [link] [comments] “I just looked you up and you exclusively sell snake 🐍 oil. You claim to be an electrochemical engineer but nothing supports that because your entire body of work is pseudoscience nonsense.This reply is from the happily cold 🥶 Chemistry sub. The Biochemistry and ChemicalEngineering subs, per percentage upvote stats, at least, were warmer. Read a book Regarding: at least read a book with peer reviewed scienceI sure would like to learn, exactly, which chemistry book, in this user’s mind, explains human existence, peer-reviewed? Drop a name or ten? I’m sure I’ll get no reply? But, that’s how people are. They talk a lot of shit, with their sheep 🐑 mind, on first pass, but in the long run, there is no proof in their angrily-mixed concocted pudding mind ideal of the universe. 50$ Regarding: “sell your own $50 book on bullshit.”Some people are ignorant. It costs about $50 market price to print and sell a hard-cover color book. You can read the free color pdfs here:
Money & meaning? We might also note, to clarify this “$50-issue”, that when I graduated, in the top 8% of my class, with the 🔝2 highest paying degrees, having essentially never read one book 📚 before age 19, that I had job offers and paid plane flights to companies all over the US, and that on one specific day, I called and cancelled all these job offers. This was similar to Perelman, who turned down 1M dollar fields medal, who said he did it for the math, not the money. My problem, was that I had not solved the “why” of it all? Why was I going to work at the highest paying occupation? What equation defined all of this? I pulled out of the entire mechanism at this point. The Good Will Hunting “bar scene“ is the closest on-screen capture of this. Whence, when some anon, attempts to say that I writing ✍️ to make money 💰, or starting a new Reddit sub to sell a $50 book, which is a reoccurring conception, seen for the last decade or two, my reply is that I’ve “been there, done that”. The bigger question is: the why of it all? If someone was selling a book on the Why of It All?, for whatever the price, I would happily buy many copies, in many translations. The only books that fits this profile is On The Nature of Things by Lucretius, e.g. Jefferson bought 8 copies, in different languaged. Nothing supports the “claim” that I am an electrochemical engineer? The following are my chemical engineering (ChE) grades: Libb Thims’ ChE grades at the University of Michigan The following is my chemical engineering (ChE) degree: Libb Thims ChE degree. Note: at age 19, I had never taking a chemistry class before. The following is my electrical engineering (EE) degree: Libb Thims EE degree. I guess two degrees, from a then-ranked top 5 US engineering school, do not support a credentialism claim, at least according to Chemistry, to being an electro-chemical engineer? Name change As my name was legally changed in A54 (2009), per a number of previously disclosed reasons, primarily family abhorrence reasons, wherein my former first name (Michael) became my new middle name, and my new first and last name was formed from an anagram for “Bill Smith”, following is my current driver’s license, since I have now been called a fraud electrochemical engineer (LOL to myself): Libb Thims driver’s license. Here, we will note, as penciled in with white text, that I defined my “self” as being a powered CHNOPS+20E existive, species, thing that came into existence in A17 or 17-years after atoms were seen (see: AtomSeen). I did NOT, to clarify, to those who are content to date the years of their existence to myth, come into existence 1972-years after the mythical Jesus was NEVER seen by anyone, let alone after he was being seen as an “animal-man” some 200-years after his purported birth from a virgin (see: silent historians). The following is my video playlist of universities, world-wide, where I taught or lectured about thermodynamics:
Also, we might note, that this anti ChemThermo, is capital N nothing compared to the anti Alphanumerics diatribe! While messing around with the chemical thermodynamics behind humans is one thing, messing with the ABCs behind humans, as I have come to learn, is like very nasty, stinging your eye, shit hitting the fan, every second, to say the least. Notes
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2023.06.03 01:02 Yohnser [SELL] [US to US] Brand New NAVA, BPAL, Possets Added! Alpha Musk, BPAL, Damask Haus, Haus of Gloi, Imaginary Authors, Moonalisa, NAVA, Poesie, Possets, Pylies, Sorcellarie, Solstice Scents, Sugar and Spite, Whisper Sisters
[SELL] [US TO US] [PERFUME] [Bath & Body]New Possets and NAVA Added! Hi all! Selling samples that didn’t work out for me.
Shipping is $5 for perfume and I’ll quote for bath & body. Please don’t ghost, if you change your mind please just let me know!
Perfume
**Alpha Musk**
Hard Luck - Not notes: Slink - 3.00Lies & Lace - No notes: 5mL rollerball used 2x - 13.00
**BPAL**
Blood - A vital, bold scent, throbbing with sensuality. Essence of dragon's blood resin, thickened with myrrh and cherry, with a trickle of clove: Imp - 4.00
Bobbing for Ball Gags - Black leather, honeyed amber, and a bite of apple: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Bobbing for Blood Kisses - Gleaming red apples sloshing through lush, creamy vanilla and the honey of the sweetest kiss smeared with the vital throb of husky clove, swollen red cherries, but darkened with the vampiric sensuality of vetiver, soporific poppy and blood red wine, and a skin-light pulse of feral musk: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Burial - The dark side of Earth: deep, brooding forest scents, including juniper and patchouli. The scent of upturned cemetery loam mingling with floral offerings to the dead: Imp - 4.00
Calico Jack - Sea air, driftwood, waterlogged kelp, and the memory of plundered spices sprayed over worn leathers, rough musk, and the salty wooden floorboards of revenge: Imp - 4.00
Dead Leaves, Praline, & Sheer Vanilla - Dead leaves, praline, and sheer vanilla: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Djinn - The scent of black smoke, of crackling flames, and smoldering ashes: Imp - 4.00
Elegba - Coconut, tobacco and sweet, sugared rum: BPAL Imp - 4.00
Every Sweet Thing - Honey-dripping plakous, rose petals, caramelized hazelnut, and goat's milk: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Highest Quality Vagina - Golden amber and vanilla milk, sweet almond, honey, and soft incense: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
An Introduction to Illustrious Kabuki Actors - White sandalwood, vanilla bean, fig froth, and buttercream: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Kiseru - Red sandalwood, vanilla husk, and tobacco smoke: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Lawful - Rigid oak, blue chamomile, rhubarb, and fig leaf: Imp - 4.00
Luceat - Wispy cashmere musk, sweet amber, iris butter, heliotrope, and tolu balsam: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
A Medley of Vulvas - Bourbon vanilla, pink labdanum, pink pepper, honey, and Bushman's candle absolute: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Night-Gaunt - The scent of their thick, rubbery hides is bittersweet, ticklish, and skin-creeping: something akin to yuzu, white grapefruit, and kumquat mixed with the snow-dusted flowers of Mount Ngranek: Imp - 4.00
Obatala - Obatala's ofrenda is soft, white, and pure: milk, coconut meat, shea butter and cool, refreshing water: Imp - 4.00
Oda a La Luz Encantada - Moroccan amber, sweet cream, lavender mist, Roman chamomile, golden musk, and pear blossoms: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Othello - Arabian musk with two roses and a bevy of Middle Eastern and Indian spices: Imp - 4.00
The Small Brown Cat - Warm brown fur, cardamom-infused bourbon vanilla, and a touch of cedarwood: 5mL used 2x - 25.00
Santa Doesn't Need Your Help - Sugar plum, lavender, marshmallows: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
In Silvery Accents, Whispering Low - Cardamom-infused coffee bean, myrrh smoke, vanilla bean, fir needle, and warm, velvet spices: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Snow White Rider - White leather, vanilla ice, and frosted sandalwood: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Still Life With Dooting Skull - Bourbon vanilla with wildflower honey, licorice root, coconut milk, and nutmeg: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Tavern of Hell - White gardenia, ambergris bouquet, lavender fougere, orange blossom, melissa, tobacco flower, coriander, ebony wood, ylang ylang, absinthe and aged whiskey: Imp - 4.00
Tiefling Therapist - A soothing, centering blend of white and red sandalwood, champaca attar, frankincense, and brimstone: Imp - 4.00
This More Than Bloody Deed - Wildflower honey, bourbon vanilla, and lush red labdanum: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
And I Wede My Corne Well I-Now - The scent of the hay harvest suffused with golden amber sunbeams, green cardamom, a handful of hazelnuts, and a bit of clove husk - 5.00Unarmed and Laughing - Sugared vanilla amber with a pop of champagne grape: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Velvet Snow - Frosted sandalwood, vanilla slush, cacao, and myrrh: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Young Corn - Corn Husks and upturned soil, haystacks and spicy late summer breezes: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Young Pilgrim Girl - Black silk and crisp line, polished abalone, wildflower honey, jasmine milk, and rose-touched sweet cream: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Wicked - A sophisticated, womanly scent: rich myrrh and jasmine draped in the subtlest rose: Imp - 4.00
**Damask Haus**
Damasco - A sultry fusion of spice and sweet, this scent features sweet spiced amardine, warm spicy cardamom, balsamic-spicy elemi, dark creamy vanilla custard balanced by a whisper of grounding patchouli: 2mL roller - 6.50
Fairy Dust - Fairies are not the cute little tinker bells as they are often depicted. Their magic is powerful and fluid with their emotional states. A festive fairy's dust can lull you into bliss whereas a foul mooded fae can dust your ass into utter chaos. Thank god you brought her an offering.. Notes: midnight air in the fae realm where sandalwood trees bloom spun sugar puffs, a wreath of subtle jasmine and sweets sets atop an old stump adorned with a cotton tablecloth that sways in the wind as an offering: 2mL - 6.50
La Petite Mort au Chocolat - Rich cocoa absolute unites simple creamy vanilla and the complex (tobacco vanilla almond) gourmand essence of tonka with a slide of silk across hard aromatic cedar, warm moss, and resinous honey-rich wood amber: 2mL roller - 6.50
Lavender Lace - Lavender, honey, sugar crusted lilacs, vetiver: 2mL roller - 6.50
Pumpkin Monkey - A combination of two comfort food desserts! Who doesn't love pulling apart monkey bread, sticky and sweet? Add pumpkin and it's just too much to resist, at least for us! Notes: pumpkin puree, fresh baked sweetbread, sticky sweet syrup icing, pinch of cinnamon and spices: 2mL roller - 6.50
**Haus of Gloi**
Plotter's Breakfast - Oaty porridge, stove smoke, kindling wood, a hint of gunpowder and pinch of sweet pipe tobacco: Slink - 2.00
Winter Divinity - Sugary white vanilla divinity with a surprising jolt of peppermint: Slink - 1.00
**Imaginary Authors**
The Cobra and the Canary - Lemon, orris, tobacco flowers, leather, hay fields, asphalt: 2mL sprayer used 4x - 3.50
**Moonalisa**
Moonlight Tuberose - No notes - 2.00
**Nocturne Alchemy**
Be My Valentine '23 - Toasted coconut, coconut cake accord, warm caramel accord, Bastet's Ice Cream, caramelized cinnamon accord, and vanilla creme: Crypta Slink - 6.00
Bois de Santal Rouge Vanille - NA Red Sandalwood (nine sandalwood blend) Bastet's Musk absolute, vanilla bean cordial, Bourbon accord infused with Madagascar vanilla beans, Ugandan vanilla bean essence, Moonstone Vanilla absolute (Studio Limited), Bourbon Vanilla absolute (SL), brown sugar and Tahitian Vanilla creme: CO Slink - 7.00
C.C. Caramel Apple Chai Marshmallow Musk - Cotton candy accord, caramelized apple skin, caramel apple accord, vanilla bean, toasted mallow root essential oil and accord, chai black tea (spices of cardamom, star anise, ginger, nutmeg, clove, Cinnamon), Bastet's ice cream confection and aged Bastet's Musk: Crypta Slink - 5.50
C.C Pumpkin Spice Marshmallow Musk - Cotton candy accord, vanilla bean, mallow root, pumpkin puree accord, pumpkin spices of nutmeg, butter-cinnamon and blended into Bastet's Musk: white floral blends of tuberose, mallow, angelica, musk flower, and white lily: Crypta Slink - 5.50
Cotton Candy Vanilla Marshmallow Musk - Crystalline absolute, vanilla bean liquer, Bastet's Musk, marshmallow creme, vanilla, mallow root, vanilla cotton candy accord: CO Slink - 6.00
Crystalline #4 - French lavender, Tahitian lavender, Pink Lily of the Valley enfleurage, pink sugar accord, Kashmir Red Musk absolute Studio Limited, Bastet's Amber, and Crystalline (Studio Limited): 7.75
Crystalline #9 - Vanilla incense accord, myrrh incense, vanilla pod, white cardamom essence, white amber, myrrh wood, Amber accord, sandalwood, and Crystalline (SL): CO Slink - 7.75
Eclipse Alnaeim - Pink vanilla accord, labdanum and pink patchouli accord, eNVie saphir, tonka bean, Moonstone Vanilla absolute (Studio Limited), amber (ozymandias) absolute and vanilla bean husk: Crypta Slink - 7.50
Eclipse Rakkaus - Tonka bean, Kashmir red musk absolute (Studio Limited), black patchouli, baked sugar cookie accord, brown sugar, Bastet's Amber absolute, Moonstone vanilla absolute (Studio Limited), and butter cream frosting essence: Crypta Slink - 7.50
Eclipse Tesoro - Sweet tobacco, pink peppercorn, orange blossom honey accord, Bourbon Vanille absolute, Kobalt Vanilla, Labdanum, and Madagascar Vanilla: CO Slink - 8.00
Encens Bois - Japanese cedar incense accord, Atlas cedar absolute, santalum absolute, Japanese hinoki wood incense, Roman frankincense, frankincense resin tears, and musk: Crypta Slink - 6.50
Encens Vanille - Vanilla bean cordial, labdanum resin, benzoin resin, incense accord, Arabian myrrh wood, Moonstone absolute (Studio Limited), and black vanilla bean infused Ponderosa pine: Crypta Slink - 6.50
Googly Cat - Candied peppermint accord, Egyptian sugar, dark chocolate accord, cacao absolute, Bastet's Musk enhanced with cacao and chocolate accords, and Crystalline Vanilla absolute (Studio Limited): Crypta Slink - 6.00
Halloween 2016 Anubis - Burning patchouli, incense and black honey beneath the darkening skyline. A touch of bergamot and grapefruit essential oil: 2mL - 8.50
Halloween 2022 - Caramel apple accord, green apple skin, marshmallows on an open flame, sweet vanilla caramel, Bastet's Ice Cream absolute accord, light pumpkin spices of nutmeg, white cinnamon and a light firewood and ember rounded out with vanilla bean extracts: Ajevie Slink - 5.50
Llama Llama 2 - Bourbon vanilla absolute (Studio Limited), vanilla bean liqueur, cream soda accord, caramelized patchouli essence and Bastet's Ice Cream: Crypta Slink - 6.00
Sorry I am a Monster - Cinnamon sugar, fried vanilla pastry with powdered sugar accord, sugar, mallow root, toasted marshmallow accord, Bourbon Vanille absolute (Studio Limited) and musk: Crypta Slink - 6.00
Neon Wolf - Vegan leather accord, Studio Limited santalum absolute, vanilla bean, Russian pine with vanilla laced pine needles and Canadian red pine - Crypta Slink - 4.00
V2023 - Pink sugar cube accord, vanilla bean cordial, caramelized brown sugar, caramel butter white chocolate accord, limestone amber, lemon cotton candy accord, and Bastet's Musk - CO Slink - 6.00
Zeus Vanilla Pound Cake - Vanilla, pound cake accord, vanilla bean, vanilla pod, vanilla icing, Bastet's Musk, and creamed (vegan) butter accord: CO Slink - 6.75
**Poesie**
Bijou - Ruby red grapefruit, cardamom, a gin-inspired blend of botanicals including cucumber, rose, juniper, lemon + orange peel, coriander, caraway, pink + black peppercorns, angelica + orris root: 1.15mL - 3.50
Sleepy Ghost - Marshmallow pillows sprinkled with natural lavender essential oil and absolute for sweet dreams: 1.15mL with damaged label - 3.00
Sucre Vanilla - Sparkling white sugar laced with vanilla bean: 2mL with dip - 6.00
Spellbound and Snug - Fizzy cream soda, butterscotch ribbons, marshmallow whipped cream, rosewood desks and squashy armchairs, a cheerful fire: 2mL and 1.15mL with damaged label - 6.50 or 3.00
**Possets**
The Arrow of Love - Sandalwood, sweet oude, golden amber, a touch of mint leaves: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Bolero - Lilac and crystal musk. Floral but very modern: Slink with label taped - 2.00
Cupid and Psyche - Sweet black and Mexican vanilla dance with patchouli on a bed of incense: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Guinevere - Crystalline and yet warming, sandalwood is the precious main component of the blend: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Henry VIII and Jane Seymour - Red musk, hawthorne, golden honey, fine fat vanilla, and sweetest amber: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Judith - Dark Haitian vetiver, cardamom, 'white' sandalwood, tears of frankincense, a very light waft of Madagascar vanilla and a goodly portion of rosewood: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Min Min - Sandalwoods, three of them, combined with the rich enticing scent of leather, a strong and classic patchouli rounds out the central trio. However, there manages to be a soft center to the group, thanks to a slight infusion of rose (and it is not a strong rose scent but one which blended into the mix to be a sent "emollient" to the mix. Resinous, spicy, leathery, assertive: Slink with label taped - 2.00
Perpetual Motion Heart - An infusion of luan wood extract, a small amount of copra, dry vanilla liquor, a white agar note, and hellebore: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Plenary Indulgence - Strong and sweet, the ineffable scent of lilacs combined with a whiff of smoke, knit together with a shot of resin: Slink with handwritten label - 1.00
Ready to Wear Pink Corset - Musk, vanilla bean liquor, a slight tang of steel, and a mist of pink lily: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Reason - Five vanillas and three toffees and a big glop of butter and cream on it all: 6mL used 5x - 17.00
Riding St. George - A very nice bit of leather bounces off a bouquet of black vanilla, iris, and chypre: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Salome - Black and African myrrh, frankincense, cedar, ivory musk, green coffee pulp extract, and a very light misting of black Mexican vanilla: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Silver Leather - Possets' silver base meets up with strong leather and the two live happily ever after: Ajevie Slink - 4.00
Zombie - You really need a big dose of toasted marshmallow and oude, a bit of burnt stick, and the unmistakable fragrance of the crisp autumn air. Resinous and goody at the same time. Smoky sticky fun: Slink with label taped - 2.00
**Pylies**
Is It Fall Yet? - Pumpkin incense, stale gingerbread, a drop of honey: Pylie Slink - 2.50
**Sorcellarie Apothecary**
Frostbitten - Juniper leaf, douglas fir, fir balsam absolute, white amber, golden amber, cardamom, Himalayan cedar, sandalwood, caramelized sugar, and a hint of maraschino cherry: 1ml sample: 3.50
**Solstice Scents**
Black Leather, Red Lace - Amber, vanilla, & leather: Slink RIS - 2.00
Loggia - Mahogany, amber, musk, vanilla bean, all-spice, cardamom, black pepper, cognac, & sandalwood: Slink x2 - 3.00
**Sugar and Spite**
Bugs n Hisses - Candied apple, coconut shreds, Egyptian and white musks, red currant, vanilla and cashmere: Slink (label is damaged but readable) - 2.00
**Whisper Sisters**
Ghosts of Christmas Past - No notes. 10.00
submitted by Yohnser to IndieExchange [link] [comments]
Shipping is $5 for perfume and I’ll quote for bath & body. Please don’t ghost, if you change your mind please just let me know!
Perfume
**Alpha Musk**
Hard Luck - Not notes: Slink - 3.00Lies & Lace - No notes: 5mL rollerball used 2x - 13.00
**BPAL**
Blood - A vital, bold scent, throbbing with sensuality. Essence of dragon's blood resin, thickened with myrrh and cherry, with a trickle of clove: Imp - 4.00
Bobbing for Ball Gags - Black leather, honeyed amber, and a bite of apple: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Bobbing for Blood Kisses - Gleaming red apples sloshing through lush, creamy vanilla and the honey of the sweetest kiss smeared with the vital throb of husky clove, swollen red cherries, but darkened with the vampiric sensuality of vetiver, soporific poppy and blood red wine, and a skin-light pulse of feral musk: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Burial - The dark side of Earth: deep, brooding forest scents, including juniper and patchouli. The scent of upturned cemetery loam mingling with floral offerings to the dead: Imp - 4.00
Calico Jack - Sea air, driftwood, waterlogged kelp, and the memory of plundered spices sprayed over worn leathers, rough musk, and the salty wooden floorboards of revenge: Imp - 4.00
Dead Leaves, Praline, & Sheer Vanilla - Dead leaves, praline, and sheer vanilla: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Djinn - The scent of black smoke, of crackling flames, and smoldering ashes: Imp - 4.00
Elegba - Coconut, tobacco and sweet, sugared rum: BPAL Imp - 4.00
Every Sweet Thing - Honey-dripping plakous, rose petals, caramelized hazelnut, and goat's milk: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Highest Quality Vagina - Golden amber and vanilla milk, sweet almond, honey, and soft incense: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
An Introduction to Illustrious Kabuki Actors - White sandalwood, vanilla bean, fig froth, and buttercream: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Kiseru - Red sandalwood, vanilla husk, and tobacco smoke: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Lawful - Rigid oak, blue chamomile, rhubarb, and fig leaf: Imp - 4.00
Luceat - Wispy cashmere musk, sweet amber, iris butter, heliotrope, and tolu balsam: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
A Medley of Vulvas - Bourbon vanilla, pink labdanum, pink pepper, honey, and Bushman's candle absolute: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Night-Gaunt - The scent of their thick, rubbery hides is bittersweet, ticklish, and skin-creeping: something akin to yuzu, white grapefruit, and kumquat mixed with the snow-dusted flowers of Mount Ngranek: Imp - 4.00
Obatala - Obatala's ofrenda is soft, white, and pure: milk, coconut meat, shea butter and cool, refreshing water: Imp - 4.00
Oda a La Luz Encantada - Moroccan amber, sweet cream, lavender mist, Roman chamomile, golden musk, and pear blossoms: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Othello - Arabian musk with two roses and a bevy of Middle Eastern and Indian spices: Imp - 4.00
The Small Brown Cat - Warm brown fur, cardamom-infused bourbon vanilla, and a touch of cedarwood: 5mL used 2x - 25.00
Santa Doesn't Need Your Help - Sugar plum, lavender, marshmallows: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
In Silvery Accents, Whispering Low - Cardamom-infused coffee bean, myrrh smoke, vanilla bean, fir needle, and warm, velvet spices: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Snow White Rider - White leather, vanilla ice, and frosted sandalwood: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Still Life With Dooting Skull - Bourbon vanilla with wildflower honey, licorice root, coconut milk, and nutmeg: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Tavern of Hell - White gardenia, ambergris bouquet, lavender fougere, orange blossom, melissa, tobacco flower, coriander, ebony wood, ylang ylang, absinthe and aged whiskey: Imp - 4.00
Tiefling Therapist - A soothing, centering blend of white and red sandalwood, champaca attar, frankincense, and brimstone: Imp - 4.00
This More Than Bloody Deed - Wildflower honey, bourbon vanilla, and lush red labdanum: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
And I Wede My Corne Well I-Now - The scent of the hay harvest suffused with golden amber sunbeams, green cardamom, a handful of hazelnuts, and a bit of clove husk - 5.00Unarmed and Laughing - Sugared vanilla amber with a pop of champagne grape: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Velvet Snow - Frosted sandalwood, vanilla slush, cacao, and myrrh: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Young Corn - Corn Husks and upturned soil, haystacks and spicy late summer breezes: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Young Pilgrim Girl - Black silk and crisp line, polished abalone, wildflower honey, jasmine milk, and rose-touched sweet cream: Ajevie Slink - 5.00
Wicked - A sophisticated, womanly scent: rich myrrh and jasmine draped in the subtlest rose: Imp - 4.00
**Damask Haus**
Damasco - A sultry fusion of spice and sweet, this scent features sweet spiced amardine, warm spicy cardamom, balsamic-spicy elemi, dark creamy vanilla custard balanced by a whisper of grounding patchouli: 2mL roller - 6.50
Fairy Dust - Fairies are not the cute little tinker bells as they are often depicted. Their magic is powerful and fluid with their emotional states. A festive fairy's dust can lull you into bliss whereas a foul mooded fae can dust your ass into utter chaos. Thank god you brought her an offering.. Notes: midnight air in the fae realm where sandalwood trees bloom spun sugar puffs, a wreath of subtle jasmine and sweets sets atop an old stump adorned with a cotton tablecloth that sways in the wind as an offering: 2mL - 6.50
La Petite Mort au Chocolat - Rich cocoa absolute unites simple creamy vanilla and the complex (tobacco vanilla almond) gourmand essence of tonka with a slide of silk across hard aromatic cedar, warm moss, and resinous honey-rich wood amber: 2mL roller - 6.50
Lavender Lace - Lavender, honey, sugar crusted lilacs, vetiver: 2mL roller - 6.50
Pumpkin Monkey - A combination of two comfort food desserts! Who doesn't love pulling apart monkey bread, sticky and sweet? Add pumpkin and it's just too much to resist, at least for us! Notes: pumpkin puree, fresh baked sweetbread, sticky sweet syrup icing, pinch of cinnamon and spices: 2mL roller - 6.50
**Haus of Gloi**
Plotter's Breakfast - Oaty porridge, stove smoke, kindling wood, a hint of gunpowder and pinch of sweet pipe tobacco: Slink - 2.00
Winter Divinity - Sugary white vanilla divinity with a surprising jolt of peppermint: Slink - 1.00
**Imaginary Authors**
The Cobra and the Canary - Lemon, orris, tobacco flowers, leather, hay fields, asphalt: 2mL sprayer used 4x - 3.50
**Moonalisa**
Moonlight Tuberose - No notes - 2.00
**Nocturne Alchemy**
Be My Valentine '23 - Toasted coconut, coconut cake accord, warm caramel accord, Bastet's Ice Cream, caramelized cinnamon accord, and vanilla creme: Crypta Slink - 6.00
Bois de Santal Rouge Vanille - NA Red Sandalwood (nine sandalwood blend) Bastet's Musk absolute, vanilla bean cordial, Bourbon accord infused with Madagascar vanilla beans, Ugandan vanilla bean essence, Moonstone Vanilla absolute (Studio Limited), Bourbon Vanilla absolute (SL), brown sugar and Tahitian Vanilla creme: CO Slink - 7.00
C.C. Caramel Apple Chai Marshmallow Musk - Cotton candy accord, caramelized apple skin, caramel apple accord, vanilla bean, toasted mallow root essential oil and accord, chai black tea (spices of cardamom, star anise, ginger, nutmeg, clove, Cinnamon), Bastet's ice cream confection and aged Bastet's Musk: Crypta Slink - 5.50
C.C Pumpkin Spice Marshmallow Musk - Cotton candy accord, vanilla bean, mallow root, pumpkin puree accord, pumpkin spices of nutmeg, butter-cinnamon and blended into Bastet's Musk: white floral blends of tuberose, mallow, angelica, musk flower, and white lily: Crypta Slink - 5.50
Cotton Candy Vanilla Marshmallow Musk - Crystalline absolute, vanilla bean liquer, Bastet's Musk, marshmallow creme, vanilla, mallow root, vanilla cotton candy accord: CO Slink - 6.00
Crystalline #4 - French lavender, Tahitian lavender, Pink Lily of the Valley enfleurage, pink sugar accord, Kashmir Red Musk absolute Studio Limited, Bastet's Amber, and Crystalline (Studio Limited): 7.75
Crystalline #9 - Vanilla incense accord, myrrh incense, vanilla pod, white cardamom essence, white amber, myrrh wood, Amber accord, sandalwood, and Crystalline (SL): CO Slink - 7.75
Eclipse Alnaeim - Pink vanilla accord, labdanum and pink patchouli accord, eNVie saphir, tonka bean, Moonstone Vanilla absolute (Studio Limited), amber (ozymandias) absolute and vanilla bean husk: Crypta Slink - 7.50
Eclipse Rakkaus - Tonka bean, Kashmir red musk absolute (Studio Limited), black patchouli, baked sugar cookie accord, brown sugar, Bastet's Amber absolute, Moonstone vanilla absolute (Studio Limited), and butter cream frosting essence: Crypta Slink - 7.50
Eclipse Tesoro - Sweet tobacco, pink peppercorn, orange blossom honey accord, Bourbon Vanille absolute, Kobalt Vanilla, Labdanum, and Madagascar Vanilla: CO Slink - 8.00
Encens Bois - Japanese cedar incense accord, Atlas cedar absolute, santalum absolute, Japanese hinoki wood incense, Roman frankincense, frankincense resin tears, and musk: Crypta Slink - 6.50
Encens Vanille - Vanilla bean cordial, labdanum resin, benzoin resin, incense accord, Arabian myrrh wood, Moonstone absolute (Studio Limited), and black vanilla bean infused Ponderosa pine: Crypta Slink - 6.50
Googly Cat - Candied peppermint accord, Egyptian sugar, dark chocolate accord, cacao absolute, Bastet's Musk enhanced with cacao and chocolate accords, and Crystalline Vanilla absolute (Studio Limited): Crypta Slink - 6.00
Halloween 2016 Anubis - Burning patchouli, incense and black honey beneath the darkening skyline. A touch of bergamot and grapefruit essential oil: 2mL - 8.50
Halloween 2022 - Caramel apple accord, green apple skin, marshmallows on an open flame, sweet vanilla caramel, Bastet's Ice Cream absolute accord, light pumpkin spices of nutmeg, white cinnamon and a light firewood and ember rounded out with vanilla bean extracts: Ajevie Slink - 5.50
Llama Llama 2 - Bourbon vanilla absolute (Studio Limited), vanilla bean liqueur, cream soda accord, caramelized patchouli essence and Bastet's Ice Cream: Crypta Slink - 6.00
Sorry I am a Monster - Cinnamon sugar, fried vanilla pastry with powdered sugar accord, sugar, mallow root, toasted marshmallow accord, Bourbon Vanille absolute (Studio Limited) and musk: Crypta Slink - 6.00
Neon Wolf - Vegan leather accord, Studio Limited santalum absolute, vanilla bean, Russian pine with vanilla laced pine needles and Canadian red pine - Crypta Slink - 4.00
V2023 - Pink sugar cube accord, vanilla bean cordial, caramelized brown sugar, caramel butter white chocolate accord, limestone amber, lemon cotton candy accord, and Bastet's Musk - CO Slink - 6.00
Zeus Vanilla Pound Cake - Vanilla, pound cake accord, vanilla bean, vanilla pod, vanilla icing, Bastet's Musk, and creamed (vegan) butter accord: CO Slink - 6.75
**Poesie**
Bijou - Ruby red grapefruit, cardamom, a gin-inspired blend of botanicals including cucumber, rose, juniper, lemon + orange peel, coriander, caraway, pink + black peppercorns, angelica + orris root: 1.15mL - 3.50
Sleepy Ghost - Marshmallow pillows sprinkled with natural lavender essential oil and absolute for sweet dreams: 1.15mL with damaged label - 3.00
Sucre Vanilla - Sparkling white sugar laced with vanilla bean: 2mL with dip - 6.00
Spellbound and Snug - Fizzy cream soda, butterscotch ribbons, marshmallow whipped cream, rosewood desks and squashy armchairs, a cheerful fire: 2mL and 1.15mL with damaged label - 6.50 or 3.00
**Possets**
The Arrow of Love - Sandalwood, sweet oude, golden amber, a touch of mint leaves: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Bolero - Lilac and crystal musk. Floral but very modern: Slink with label taped - 2.00
Cupid and Psyche - Sweet black and Mexican vanilla dance with patchouli on a bed of incense: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Guinevere - Crystalline and yet warming, sandalwood is the precious main component of the blend: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Henry VIII and Jane Seymour - Red musk, hawthorne, golden honey, fine fat vanilla, and sweetest amber: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Judith - Dark Haitian vetiver, cardamom, 'white' sandalwood, tears of frankincense, a very light waft of Madagascar vanilla and a goodly portion of rosewood: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Min Min - Sandalwoods, three of them, combined with the rich enticing scent of leather, a strong and classic patchouli rounds out the central trio. However, there manages to be a soft center to the group, thanks to a slight infusion of rose (and it is not a strong rose scent but one which blended into the mix to be a sent "emollient" to the mix. Resinous, spicy, leathery, assertive: Slink with label taped - 2.00
Perpetual Motion Heart - An infusion of luan wood extract, a small amount of copra, dry vanilla liquor, a white agar note, and hellebore: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Plenary Indulgence - Strong and sweet, the ineffable scent of lilacs combined with a whiff of smoke, knit together with a shot of resin: Slink with handwritten label - 1.00
Ready to Wear Pink Corset - Musk, vanilla bean liquor, a slight tang of steel, and a mist of pink lily: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Reason - Five vanillas and three toffees and a big glop of butter and cream on it all: 6mL used 5x - 17.00
Riding St. George - A very nice bit of leather bounces off a bouquet of black vanilla, iris, and chypre: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Salome - Black and African myrrh, frankincense, cedar, ivory musk, green coffee pulp extract, and a very light misting of black Mexican vanilla: Ajevie Slink - 3.00
Silver Leather - Possets' silver base meets up with strong leather and the two live happily ever after: Ajevie Slink - 4.00
Zombie - You really need a big dose of toasted marshmallow and oude, a bit of burnt stick, and the unmistakable fragrance of the crisp autumn air. Resinous and goody at the same time. Smoky sticky fun: Slink with label taped - 2.00
**Pylies**
Is It Fall Yet? - Pumpkin incense, stale gingerbread, a drop of honey: Pylie Slink - 2.50
**Sorcellarie Apothecary**
Frostbitten - Juniper leaf, douglas fir, fir balsam absolute, white amber, golden amber, cardamom, Himalayan cedar, sandalwood, caramelized sugar, and a hint of maraschino cherry: 1ml sample: 3.50
**Solstice Scents**
Black Leather, Red Lace - Amber, vanilla, & leather: Slink RIS - 2.00
Loggia - Mahogany, amber, musk, vanilla bean, all-spice, cardamom, black pepper, cognac, & sandalwood: Slink x2 - 3.00
**Sugar and Spite**
Bugs n Hisses - Candied apple, coconut shreds, Egyptian and white musks, red currant, vanilla and cashmere: Slink (label is damaged but readable) - 2.00
**Whisper Sisters**
Ghosts of Christmas Past - No notes. 10.00
2023.06.03 00:24 PowerfulHorror987 2021 CX-5 with terrible gas mileage
I’ve got a 2021 CX-5 AWD with just over 11K miles (non turbo 4 cylinder). We live in a city so most driving is stop and go, but my commute to work once a week is highway driving. Our average mileage is terrible and even the overall mileage for the entire life of the vehicle is bad. Ratings for it are 24 city and 30 highway for 26 combined (just double checked).
On our current tank, I’m averaging just under 19 mpg. Our second trip computer has not been reset for the entirety of the vehicle and shows we only have gotten 23.5 mpg average over the entire life of the vehicle. Even with city driving and some regulaoccasional highway travel, I don’t get how our average is below the city rating…
We’ve kept up with maintenance - oil changes, tire rotations - thus far, but I’m wondering where I should focus my attention beyond just bringing it in for service and saying the mileage is well below what it should be.
Any suggestions on something simple I might be able to try/fix myself?
EDIT: it seems to be getting worse
submitted by PowerfulHorror987 to mazda [link] [comments]
On our current tank, I’m averaging just under 19 mpg. Our second trip computer has not been reset for the entirety of the vehicle and shows we only have gotten 23.5 mpg average over the entire life of the vehicle. Even with city driving and some regulaoccasional highway travel, I don’t get how our average is below the city rating…
We’ve kept up with maintenance - oil changes, tire rotations - thus far, but I’m wondering where I should focus my attention beyond just bringing it in for service and saying the mileage is well below what it should be.
Any suggestions on something simple I might be able to try/fix myself?
EDIT: it seems to be getting worse
2023.06.02 23:08 ranboy9999 Grill options - Temp Adjustment
Do y'all use the temperature adjustment feature? I had a 2015 GMG DB and recently swapped it out for a 2020 GMG DB Prime+.
On both, I've found that I can spend a lot of time trying to get the temp adjustment to be accurate. And then I cook for a few smokes, life is grand, but then it seems things go whonky, or I do. I just had this happen, was dialed in well, and then in the middle of a 225 smoke temps took off to 300.
I reset the controller, I cleaned the main chamber temp sensor. and now I've smoked twice successfully with no temp adjustment, just using an ambiant probe (third party) and adjusting the smoker accordingly. (so running GMG at 240 in order to get 225. This approach works for me, whereas adjusting temp seems to give me fits.
So what do y'all do? Is temp adjustment reliable for everyone but me?
submitted by ranboy9999 to greenmountaingrills [link] [comments]
On both, I've found that I can spend a lot of time trying to get the temp adjustment to be accurate. And then I cook for a few smokes, life is grand, but then it seems things go whonky, or I do. I just had this happen, was dialed in well, and then in the middle of a 225 smoke temps took off to 300.
I reset the controller, I cleaned the main chamber temp sensor. and now I've smoked twice successfully with no temp adjustment, just using an ambiant probe (third party) and adjusting the smoker accordingly. (so running GMG at 240 in order to get 225. This approach works for me, whereas adjusting temp seems to give me fits.
So what do y'all do? Is temp adjustment reliable for everyone but me?
2023.06.02 22:54 Pavel_Sergievsky Ukraine vs. Russia: Russian perspective.
Dear Professor Peterson,
I realize that your schedule probably won’t allow you to read this letter, least to reply. I am not expecting either of these and will not be offended. Why do I write it, then? Well, most probably because in the past several years you have been for me the voice of reason from abroad. Too many things are going in a crazy and disastrous direction, and listening to your lectures and videos have been very inspiring. It always amazes me how deeply you investigate the problem and how thoroughly you analyze it. In many cases listening to what you say have been like hearing what I always felt was true, but could not formulate and justify it myself. Thank you for that experience.
During the past year, which not only attracted the whole world’s attention to a conflict in Ukraine (at last, I’d say, war started there in 2014), but also demonstrated the unwillingness of countries and people to hear each other, I felt the growing urge to share Russian understanding of current situation and of the events that lead to it with someone who could probably be able to hear. Your name was the first to come to my mind. I hesitated until some time ago I came across the interview that you have recorded – “Israel, Russia, China, Iran: The World in Conflict” and it actually triggered me into writing. It occurred to me that, objective as you are, you may be unaware of some facts and interpretations, partly because modern media have mastered the art of being silent about some facts while shouting about the others, partly because you were born and raised in Anglo-Saxon civilization, with all embedded ideas and principles.
A bit about my background. Master’s degree in English language and literature, spent one year as a student in Connecticut, worked in American-owned companies for 17 years. That allows me to a certain degree to understand both sets of values.
I wanted to offer for your attention the view from the other side on what’s happening now between Russia and Western European civilization. I don't say that it is correct, I just say how Russians see it.
Very briefly, just point by point:
Looking at the international events of past 30-40 years, we may see 3 basic principles of international policy that the West is utilizing.
b) After the ancient Rome fell, and Europe lived through the Dark Ages, Arabian countries preserved much of knowledge and science. At that time Arabian East was much more cultural and civilized than Europe. What happened to them later, why they stopped developing science, how could Europe overtake them? One of the explanations is that at some point of time Muslim theologians declared that “Koran has everything”, so scientific research stopped. The legend says that under this slogan the Library of Alexandria has been burnt by Arabian conquerors.
c) There is an interesting correlation between the agricultural conditions in a certain territory and some national traits of character. That’s more than a coincidence. For example, wheat was the main crop in Europe. It doesn’t require any special irrigation, so you can well grow and harvest it alone. That means you are less dependent on other people. Hence smaller states (Germany before mid-XIX century consisted of dozens independent states), hence more independent opinions. Compare it to China. Rice requires serious irrigation works, you’ll never do it alone. In order to harvest rice, you need to organize a fairly large group of people to do a job together. And as the population grows, you need to perform those works at a larger scale, also because the easiest-to-work fields are already busy. As a result, we see that Chinese value the society more than they value an individual. A single person sacrificing his wishes for the good of the others is more acceptable for them than for Europeans.
This idea needs further thinking but it is quite possible that the liberalism and human rights developed in Western Europe to the extent we see due to a unique combination of religion, natural conditions and other factors. And it can’t be copied in other parts of the world. It can be brought to other parts of the world by immigration of people with European mentality, of course. But otherwise it can be done only by complete mentality change of local inhabitants. Not an easy task, could take generations and mean death of local culture.
In some part such understanding is based on the theory that appeared in history (history as a science!) in the UK in 18th century. This theory states that the process of human society development over time is a) linear and b) goes through the same stages in every society of the planet. One of the consequences of this theory was the statement that every society started from matriarchate – researchers came across some primitive society, ruled by women, and made their conclusion. This theory has long been proved wrong, but its influence is still alive.
Even if we accept that all countries, all societies are aiming at maximizing human rights, how justified will interference be? Good intentions are the pathway to hell. How long it took Anglo-Saxon civilization to reach modern state of human rights? Setting the Magna Carts as the starting point, it is a bit over 800 years, roughly 30 generations. Looking at the world history, we see how slowly societies change their organizational forms, evolving one into another. And you can’t forcefully speed it up. Imagine that our modern “crusaders of democracy” take time machine and show up at Hastings early in the morning on October 14th, 1066. “William, Harold, there is no need to fight. You need to run democratic elections, and everything will be ok…” Will they even understand the idea??? And what will happen the next day after they are left alone?
You have shown significant interest in Russian culture. If you care spending some more time on Russian books, I’d recommend you brothers Strugatsky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkady_and_Boris_Strugatsky). The form of what they have written is science fiction, but the contents is all about ethics, morale, responsibility, conscience. Try «Escape Attempt», «Hard to be a God», «Overburdened with Evil».
Why I am mentioning them now is because among others they are exploring the topic of “progressors” – people from Earth of XXII century who try to speed up the history of other planets, to solve their problems, stop wars, etc. And it doesn’t end well. As one of their heroes says, “You can’t break up the natural course of history without breaking the spine of humanity.”
It’s hard to find examples of good revolutions when they are initiated from abroad. Change of regime should be supported by majority within the country – it is the guarantee that society is ready for it. What Anglo-Saxons and NATO frequently do is supporting the angry minority in its aspirations for power. And instead of peace, freedom and prosperity it brings chaos. The classic example is Libya. Over 10 years ago the country was “spared of Gaddafi’s tyrannical rule”… How do they live now? The GDP is still around 50% of what it used to be, the country is still not at peace, there are two major forces each claiming to be the legal power. How many lives it did cost already and how much time it will take free Libya to recover? Can such liberation be called anything but a disservice? In Russia we call it “bear’s help”. I don’t say that everything was good in the country when Gaddafi was alive, but aren’t they in the worse situation now?
The whole series of Arabian spring looks like a great mess, not a great success. I rely on the opinion of an expert – below is the brief translation of an article published in 2015-2016 by Mordechai Kedar, an Israeli scholar of Arab culture and a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University. I can’t find the original, unfortunately.
December 2015 was the fifth anniversary of the events known as an ‘Arabian spring’. The world applauded the heroes of the streets in Tunis, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain. Now, five years ago, those countries are still battlefields, with no light ahead. What problems have prevented them from positive development? Most of them have developed over centuries and they still prevail in mentality, remaining the dangerous rudiment.
Here’s an article by the same author on the same topic – https://fathomjournal.org/why-we-keep-getting-the-middle-east-wrong/
Here’s an interview with him – https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2015/07/28/americans-still-dont-understand-the-middle-east-this-man-wants-to-help/
In one of your interviews you discussed the competition between China and the US for influence in Africa. And your opinion was that China wins due to corruption of local elites. Let me offer another reason for your consideration. It is the same reason that allows Russia to gain influence in Middle East, Africa, South America. When China or Russia come to some country to cooperate, they come to cooperate, not to teach, not to judge, not to interfere into the internal affairs of the state. And people appreciate this.
De furore Normannorum libera nos, Domine.
One of the principles of democracy is separation of three powers – legislative, judicial and executive. So why then countries that consider themselves “leaders of democratic world” forget about this principle in international relations. They make the rules, they judge and they punish.
One of American diplomats said recently that USA supports international rules-based order. Sounds good, sounds undoubtedly right. But why USA and NATO forget about the rules when it is convenient? Or is it “We support international rules-based order, but our own actions should not be limited by these rules”? What immediately comes to my mind without web search:
Speaking more about the rules… We are tired of seeing double standards. As an illustration, I will use just one aspect – the principle of integrity of the state vs the principle of the right of nations to self-determination. It looks like the West supports integrity of the state, when this state is allied or friendly to the West, and supports nation’s self-determination when the state is not. Let’s go through some examples.
- Chechnya (an autonomous republic within Soviet Union) wanted to become independent after 1991. It quickly started to use terrorism to achieve this goal. It took a lot of effort to stop the war and bring the region back to safety. Reaction of the West – support of chechens, their leader fled to London and was not deported to Russia despite all requests.
- Abkhazia (an autonomous republic within Georgian republic which was part of Soviet Union) wanted to become independent from Georgia when Georgia became independent from Russia. Resulted in a war. The conflict is still not solved. Abkhazia now is an independent state which is acknowledged by very few countries in the world. Reaction of the West – they still consider Abkhazia as a rebellious part of Georgia. Same situation about South Osetia – another region, that was an administrative part of Georgia until 1991 and that also seeks independence.
- Donetsk and Lugansk wanted to become independent from Ukraine after 2014 coup. Ukraine tried to subdue them by force and failed. Then the workplan has been signed in Minsk – what the parties of the conflict agree to do to settle. The result should have been – Donetsk and Lugansk return to Ukraine but have extended political rights, etc. Ukraine did nothing of its promises. Reaction of the West – support of Ukraine.
- Catalonia is seeking independence. And I remember that leaders of independence movement have been under political and criminal pressure.
- Scotland had a referendum about independence. And even though results were in favour of the UK, I remember how nervously London reacted.
Russia – NATO relations after 1991
This is best said by Vladimir Pozner, a journalist who spent years of his work in the USA, Russia, Europe and is one of the most known journalists of the old school (comparing to modern propagandists). Here’s the link to his speech in Yale University on September 27, 2018 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X7Ng75e5gQ&t=2556s.
His speech takes around forty minutes, the rest is the Q&A. To save you time, I’d summarize it here in just a couple of phrases. After Soviet Union collapsed, there was an illusion that we aren’t enemies anymore, that the world is open now, and that we will be partners or even friends. Russia dismissed the Warsaw Treaty union and agreed for Germany to unite, that looked just right – why keep a military union when we aren’t enemies anymore? Sometime later Russia made an offer to join NATO to provide world security together and was denied. Russia offered to join the EU, and was denied. Russia was promised that NATO would not expand eastward and less than 10 years later this promise was broken. Since then, we’ve been witnessing NATO getting closer and closer to our borders, inviting countries that are our neighbours and aggressively supporting those candidates to country leadership in East Europe who declared anti-Russia views. So now the illusion is over. We are enemies. And what’s worse – we don’t trust US anymore, so negotiating some new principles of coexistence will be problematic.
Ukraine.
Briefly about history, in more details about recent times and present situation.
In 16-17th century the territory of modern Ukraine was controlled by two forces with no clear border between them. Northwest (where the city of Lvov is now) was under Polish rule, center and the region along river Dnepr – under control of “kazak military democracies” – gatherings of all people, who fled from Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Crimea and who with time formed Ukrainians as a nation. They were ruled by elected chieftains and made their living largely by either joining some military campaign for money and loot, or by robbery raids to Poland, Crimea, Turkey. They were allied to Russia due to same religion – Orthodox Christianity.
As Poland grew stronger, its pressure on the territory grew, which led to periodic rebellions. Poland is a Catholic state, and people of Orthodox Ukraine were severely oppressed. Seeking protection, Ukrainian chieftains asked Russia to include those territories into Russian state. First request came in 1591. Russia rejected this request and several others. Only in 1654 part of Ukraine, controlled by kazaks, was included into Russia. Consequences – war with Poland and tens of thousands orthodox people fleeing from Polish-controlled lands into Russian-controlled lands.
From then on Russians and Ukrainians were really ‘brother nations’. Well, it was not heaven, but it was the best available option. Same religion, very close language and mentality. And forget about oppression. Ukrainians were oppressed as much as Russians themselves.
When the WW I started, Germany and Austria-Hungary were looking for collaborators in occupied territories of Russian Empire. They promised independence to nationalists in Western Ukraine, and found people who bought the idea. Not surprisingly, the most dedicated nationalists came from the least developed region of the country. Ukraine did not become independent at that moment, but the ideas stayed and gave their fruit during WW II, when Ukrainian collaborators actively participated in Nazis’ crimes. In one of your videos you described what Unit 731 of Japanese army was doing and you warned your listeners that they will never forget it. If you will find and read witnesses’ accounts of Volhynia massacre, you will never forget it either. I read it once long ago and I never want to read it again. It was a shock to me that people are capable of such things.
In the period between 1945 and 1991 Ukraine had the same rights as any other republic. There were no impediments to preserving and developing local culture. If you lived in any republic, you learned two languages – Russian and local. National literature was actively translated into other national languages of the Soviet Union, there were no impediments to education. Soviet Union with all its flaws, really tried to unite all of its nations into one big family. (What surprises me though is why antisemitism remained. You could come from Georgia, Uzbekistan or Yakutia and pass exams to Moscow university, no problem if you are smart enough. But it could be problematic for a Jew…)
After 1991 Russia and Ukraine remained friendly states, tightly bound by economic, cultural and even family ties. Ukraine tried to get the most out of relations both with Russia and with the West and it worked fairly well for 30 years. But with time attempts to elevate significance of their own nation led Ukrainians down a dangerous path. They started to slowly eliminate all other cultures that were present in the country. This process sped up dramatically in 2014, when after a coup the nationalist forces gained influence on the government.
Official Kiev denies being nationalistic, but don’t trust what the person is saying, see what he is doing.
We see those nationalistic ideas demonstrating themselves in a number of ways, and we have seen them before and we know what threat they can bring if left unattended. Pay attention to a dragon when it is small, you may be unable to win when it grows up.
I don’t say that our perception is correct, I just say how we see it. And to us modern Ukraine is like a younger brother who joined a bad company and who is becoming dangerous.
Now combine these two. Ukrainian nationalism plus NATO. Two threats, one well known historically, another the most dangerous rival of the past 70 years. We see them uniting and it is really an existential threat to us. In such circumstances could we afford being blind to it, just sitting and waiting what comes next? We tried to settle it peacefully. Many times Russia said that we are worried by NATO expansion, that we are worried by Western support of nationalistic movements in our neigbour countries. No effect. The last attempt was made in autumn of 2021, when Putin offered a negotiation that should have resulted in guaranteed safety. No reply.
If there is a conflict and your rival refuses to talk, he is asking for a fight. I don’t say that war in Ukraine is the right way to solve the conflict, but who can say that we did not try to set it by negotiations?
submitted by Pavel_Sergievsky to JordanPeterson [link] [comments]
I realize that your schedule probably won’t allow you to read this letter, least to reply. I am not expecting either of these and will not be offended. Why do I write it, then? Well, most probably because in the past several years you have been for me the voice of reason from abroad. Too many things are going in a crazy and disastrous direction, and listening to your lectures and videos have been very inspiring. It always amazes me how deeply you investigate the problem and how thoroughly you analyze it. In many cases listening to what you say have been like hearing what I always felt was true, but could not formulate and justify it myself. Thank you for that experience.
During the past year, which not only attracted the whole world’s attention to a conflict in Ukraine (at last, I’d say, war started there in 2014), but also demonstrated the unwillingness of countries and people to hear each other, I felt the growing urge to share Russian understanding of current situation and of the events that lead to it with someone who could probably be able to hear. Your name was the first to come to my mind. I hesitated until some time ago I came across the interview that you have recorded – “Israel, Russia, China, Iran: The World in Conflict” and it actually triggered me into writing. It occurred to me that, objective as you are, you may be unaware of some facts and interpretations, partly because modern media have mastered the art of being silent about some facts while shouting about the others, partly because you were born and raised in Anglo-Saxon civilization, with all embedded ideas and principles.
A bit about my background. Master’s degree in English language and literature, spent one year as a student in Connecticut, worked in American-owned companies for 17 years. That allows me to a certain degree to understand both sets of values.
I wanted to offer for your attention the view from the other side on what’s happening now between Russia and Western European civilization. I don't say that it is correct, I just say how Russians see it.
Very briefly, just point by point:
- Currently many people in the West are speaking about Russia as about a threat. But what makes you think that we see you differently? We see you as a growing threat. We don’t trust you. And we have plenty of reason for feeling this way.
- We see the West is regularly breaking its own rules and demonstrating double standards, so we can’t rely on its words.
- It has been clearly shown to us, that we will never be accepted by the West as an equal partner, so to us the West is neither a friend, nor a partner, but a competitor at best, an enemy at worst.
- We have seen what the West does to regimes that don’t obey and how the West does it, so West is a serious threat. Don’t come any closer.
Looking at the international events of past 30-40 years, we may see 3 basic principles of international policy that the West is utilizing.
- Democracy is the best possible society model.
- Pure democracy is limited to small communities, and is impossible in big countries. Once a certain threshold is passed, democracy is either a burden to every decision made, or is executed via representatives. And representatives, being people with all their imperfections, gradually start spoiling and corrupting the idea.
- Democracy tends to evolve, or, I’d rather say, degrade into oligarchy. Examples are numerous. Ancient Greece and Rome, Novgorod Republic (XII-XV cc), medieval Poland, etc. Even now – with all our experience, we keep hitting the same wall. Legal practice of lobbying in USA is the desire of big money (oligarchs) to have more influence on country policy. In Russia lobbying is illegal, so the same goal is achieved by other means, but without digging deep into details, it is the same – democratic form of power, spoiled by natural human desire to grab more for oneself on the expense of others.
- The most prosperous regions now (North America, Western Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia) are the ones where capitalism appeared and developed earlier than in other parts of the world. That boosted production, country strength and wealth and eventually allowed them to have colonies in other parts of the world. Owning some overseas land gave enormous economic advantages. Remember “British East India Company”, which at its peak of wealth had an army of 160 thousand soldiers (more than some counties had!). The importance of having colonies can be best illustrated by the simple fact – one of the core reasons of the WW I was the desire of Germany, who was late to the table, to have its share of a pie. And even though political power of metropolises over colonies seized in mid-XXth century, economic bounds stayed much longer. If, let’s say, a uranium mine in Uganda belongs to French company, then which country benefits more from it? And to what extent the modern wealth of Europe and North America is due to other parts of the world?
- I doubt that democracy and human rights priority are possible in every country of the world. This idea just occurred to me, so I did not dig deep into finding the proof, but mentality (to put it narrower – religion) could prevent the society from accepting ideas that are just natural for another society. There are some facts I immediately recall that support this idea.
b) After the ancient Rome fell, and Europe lived through the Dark Ages, Arabian countries preserved much of knowledge and science. At that time Arabian East was much more cultural and civilized than Europe. What happened to them later, why they stopped developing science, how could Europe overtake them? One of the explanations is that at some point of time Muslim theologians declared that “Koran has everything”, so scientific research stopped. The legend says that under this slogan the Library of Alexandria has been burnt by Arabian conquerors.
c) There is an interesting correlation between the agricultural conditions in a certain territory and some national traits of character. That’s more than a coincidence. For example, wheat was the main crop in Europe. It doesn’t require any special irrigation, so you can well grow and harvest it alone. That means you are less dependent on other people. Hence smaller states (Germany before mid-XIX century consisted of dozens independent states), hence more independent opinions. Compare it to China. Rice requires serious irrigation works, you’ll never do it alone. In order to harvest rice, you need to organize a fairly large group of people to do a job together. And as the population grows, you need to perform those works at a larger scale, also because the easiest-to-work fields are already busy. As a result, we see that Chinese value the society more than they value an individual. A single person sacrificing his wishes for the good of the others is more acceptable for them than for Europeans.
This idea needs further thinking but it is quite possible that the liberalism and human rights developed in Western Europe to the extent we see due to a unique combination of religion, natural conditions and other factors. And it can’t be copied in other parts of the world. It can be brought to other parts of the world by immigration of people with European mentality, of course. But otherwise it can be done only by complete mentality change of local inhabitants. Not an easy task, could take generations and mean death of local culture.
- All people are seeking freedom and democracy, so it is our duty to help them achieve this goal. If some part of the society resists this help, it is the tyrannical part and it should be eliminated.
In some part such understanding is based on the theory that appeared in history (history as a science!) in the UK in 18th century. This theory states that the process of human society development over time is a) linear and b) goes through the same stages in every society of the planet. One of the consequences of this theory was the statement that every society started from matriarchate – researchers came across some primitive society, ruled by women, and made their conclusion. This theory has long been proved wrong, but its influence is still alive.
Even if we accept that all countries, all societies are aiming at maximizing human rights, how justified will interference be? Good intentions are the pathway to hell. How long it took Anglo-Saxon civilization to reach modern state of human rights? Setting the Magna Carts as the starting point, it is a bit over 800 years, roughly 30 generations. Looking at the world history, we see how slowly societies change their organizational forms, evolving one into another. And you can’t forcefully speed it up. Imagine that our modern “crusaders of democracy” take time machine and show up at Hastings early in the morning on October 14th, 1066. “William, Harold, there is no need to fight. You need to run democratic elections, and everything will be ok…” Will they even understand the idea??? And what will happen the next day after they are left alone?
You have shown significant interest in Russian culture. If you care spending some more time on Russian books, I’d recommend you brothers Strugatsky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkady_and_Boris_Strugatsky). The form of what they have written is science fiction, but the contents is all about ethics, morale, responsibility, conscience. Try «Escape Attempt», «Hard to be a God», «Overburdened with Evil».
Why I am mentioning them now is because among others they are exploring the topic of “progressors” – people from Earth of XXII century who try to speed up the history of other planets, to solve their problems, stop wars, etc. And it doesn’t end well. As one of their heroes says, “You can’t break up the natural course of history without breaking the spine of humanity.”
It’s hard to find examples of good revolutions when they are initiated from abroad. Change of regime should be supported by majority within the country – it is the guarantee that society is ready for it. What Anglo-Saxons and NATO frequently do is supporting the angry minority in its aspirations for power. And instead of peace, freedom and prosperity it brings chaos. The classic example is Libya. Over 10 years ago the country was “spared of Gaddafi’s tyrannical rule”… How do they live now? The GDP is still around 50% of what it used to be, the country is still not at peace, there are two major forces each claiming to be the legal power. How many lives it did cost already and how much time it will take free Libya to recover? Can such liberation be called anything but a disservice? In Russia we call it “bear’s help”. I don’t say that everything was good in the country when Gaddafi was alive, but aren’t they in the worse situation now?
The whole series of Arabian spring looks like a great mess, not a great success. I rely on the opinion of an expert – below is the brief translation of an article published in 2015-2016 by Mordechai Kedar, an Israeli scholar of Arab culture and a lecturer at Bar-Ilan University. I can’t find the original, unfortunately.
December 2015 was the fifth anniversary of the events known as an ‘Arabian spring’. The world applauded the heroes of the streets in Tunis, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain. Now, five years ago, those countries are still battlefields, with no light ahead. What problems have prevented them from positive development? Most of them have developed over centuries and they still prevail in mentality, remaining the dangerous rudiment.
- Tribalism*, that was always a survival factor in harsh natural conditions of the region. Now the conditions are different but mentality is still the same, when each person thinks of himself as a member of the clan first (family, tribe, tape, whatever…), not the citizen of the country.*
- Violence*. Resources are scarce, so anyone who is not the member of my clan, is a deadly threat. And the first reaction to a threat is violence.*
- Honour*, understood very specifically. Dishonoured person will seek revenge. It is not uncommon for a person to kill members of his own family if they dishonoured him. Honour is of primary importance in relations between countries and nations, sometimes more important than economics and healthcare.*
- Nepotism*, which has its roots in tribalism. Promoting your relatives to administrative positions is illegal in the West, but is part of normal practice in the East.*
- Corruption*. An office holder will invest in projects and regions where his tribe and supporters live, not otherwise. He feels financially responsible to his family, not to the country.*
- Multiple ethnic groups*, which protect their own languages and traditions. Marriages outside of a group are rare, coexistence with other groups is tense and hostile.*
- Islam*. Islamic extremists are sure that people who believe otherwise, are deserved to be killed.*
- Sunnites vs*.* shiites*. This conflict started back in 7th century as a conflict for control over Islam. Non-Islamic people see them analogous to Catholicism vs. Orthodox church, but in reality now, after centuries of religious wars, these are two separate religions, and the dialogue between them is very difficult.*
- Predominant culture*. Three main groups are Bedouins who live in deserts, fellahs who are the peasants, and inhabitants of the cities. Each group thinks stereotypically of other two, cross-marriages are rare.*
- Country borders*. British, French and Italian administration have been drawn the borders straight, just by a ruler and a pencil, paying no attention to the real borders between various groups which differ by religion and ethnicity. People who never thought about themselves as about having anything in common, are now the citizens of one country. And they don’t feel it this way.*
- Power change*. This is something which never happens peacefully in Arabic countries. The ethnic or religious group at power holds to it by all means.*
- Israel*. Arabs and Muslims don’t acknowledge Judaism as a live religion, Jewish people as a people. So for them the very existence of Israel is illegal. Plus Israel is very convenient as an external enemy, a good target for the aggression of the masses.*
- Oil has turned the countries of the Gulf into societies which don’t produce, but do consume without limits. The difference between wealth of the Gulf and poverty of other Arabian countries is shocking.
- West that interferes into the region to solve its own problems. Oil, gas, weapons – all is targeted to use natural resources of Middle East.
- Al Jazeera as a catalyst of social and religious unrest.
Here’s an article by the same author on the same topic – https://fathomjournal.org/why-we-keep-getting-the-middle-east-wrong/
Here’s an interview with him – https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2015/07/28/americans-still-dont-understand-the-middle-east-this-man-wants-to-help/
In one of your interviews you discussed the competition between China and the US for influence in Africa. And your opinion was that China wins due to corruption of local elites. Let me offer another reason for your consideration. It is the same reason that allows Russia to gain influence in Middle East, Africa, South America. When China or Russia come to some country to cooperate, they come to cooperate, not to teach, not to judge, not to interfere into the internal affairs of the state. And people appreciate this.
- We have the right to decide who is democratic and who is not.
De furore Normannorum libera nos, Domine.
One of the principles of democracy is separation of three powers – legislative, judicial and executive. So why then countries that consider themselves “leaders of democratic world” forget about this principle in international relations. They make the rules, they judge and they punish.
One of American diplomats said recently that USA supports international rules-based order. Sounds good, sounds undoubtedly right. But why USA and NATO forget about the rules when it is convenient? Or is it “We support international rules-based order, but our own actions should not be limited by these rules”? What immediately comes to my mind without web search:
- Kosovo, 1999. Civil war or genocide or whatever it may be called. How it should have been handled according to the rules? UN Security Council makes the decision, ‘blue helmets’ move in and stop the hot phase of the conflict. How it was done? NATO forces moved in without UNSC mandate. Forget the rules.
- Iraq, 2003. USA and its allies invaded Iraq based on false claims that Saddam had mass destruction weapons. The Center for Public Integrity stated that the Bush administration made a total of 935 false statements between 2001 and 2003 about Iraq's alleged threat to the United States. International lies-based order?
Speaking more about the rules… We are tired of seeing double standards. As an illustration, I will use just one aspect – the principle of integrity of the state vs the principle of the right of nations to self-determination. It looks like the West supports integrity of the state, when this state is allied or friendly to the West, and supports nation’s self-determination when the state is not. Let’s go through some examples.
- Chechnya (an autonomous republic within Soviet Union) wanted to become independent after 1991. It quickly started to use terrorism to achieve this goal. It took a lot of effort to stop the war and bring the region back to safety. Reaction of the West – support of chechens, their leader fled to London and was not deported to Russia despite all requests.
- Abkhazia (an autonomous republic within Georgian republic which was part of Soviet Union) wanted to become independent from Georgia when Georgia became independent from Russia. Resulted in a war. The conflict is still not solved. Abkhazia now is an independent state which is acknowledged by very few countries in the world. Reaction of the West – they still consider Abkhazia as a rebellious part of Georgia. Same situation about South Osetia – another region, that was an administrative part of Georgia until 1991 and that also seeks independence.
- Donetsk and Lugansk wanted to become independent from Ukraine after 2014 coup. Ukraine tried to subdue them by force and failed. Then the workplan has been signed in Minsk – what the parties of the conflict agree to do to settle. The result should have been – Donetsk and Lugansk return to Ukraine but have extended political rights, etc. Ukraine did nothing of its promises. Reaction of the West – support of Ukraine.
- Catalonia is seeking independence. And I remember that leaders of independence movement have been under political and criminal pressure.
- Scotland had a referendum about independence. And even though results were in favour of the UK, I remember how nervously London reacted.
Russia – NATO relations after 1991
This is best said by Vladimir Pozner, a journalist who spent years of his work in the USA, Russia, Europe and is one of the most known journalists of the old school (comparing to modern propagandists). Here’s the link to his speech in Yale University on September 27, 2018 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X7Ng75e5gQ&t=2556s.
His speech takes around forty minutes, the rest is the Q&A. To save you time, I’d summarize it here in just a couple of phrases. After Soviet Union collapsed, there was an illusion that we aren’t enemies anymore, that the world is open now, and that we will be partners or even friends. Russia dismissed the Warsaw Treaty union and agreed for Germany to unite, that looked just right – why keep a military union when we aren’t enemies anymore? Sometime later Russia made an offer to join NATO to provide world security together and was denied. Russia offered to join the EU, and was denied. Russia was promised that NATO would not expand eastward and less than 10 years later this promise was broken. Since then, we’ve been witnessing NATO getting closer and closer to our borders, inviting countries that are our neighbours and aggressively supporting those candidates to country leadership in East Europe who declared anti-Russia views. So now the illusion is over. We are enemies. And what’s worse – we don’t trust US anymore, so negotiating some new principles of coexistence will be problematic.
Ukraine.
Briefly about history, in more details about recent times and present situation.
In 16-17th century the territory of modern Ukraine was controlled by two forces with no clear border between them. Northwest (where the city of Lvov is now) was under Polish rule, center and the region along river Dnepr – under control of “kazak military democracies” – gatherings of all people, who fled from Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Crimea and who with time formed Ukrainians as a nation. They were ruled by elected chieftains and made their living largely by either joining some military campaign for money and loot, or by robbery raids to Poland, Crimea, Turkey. They were allied to Russia due to same religion – Orthodox Christianity.
As Poland grew stronger, its pressure on the territory grew, which led to periodic rebellions. Poland is a Catholic state, and people of Orthodox Ukraine were severely oppressed. Seeking protection, Ukrainian chieftains asked Russia to include those territories into Russian state. First request came in 1591. Russia rejected this request and several others. Only in 1654 part of Ukraine, controlled by kazaks, was included into Russia. Consequences – war with Poland and tens of thousands orthodox people fleeing from Polish-controlled lands into Russian-controlled lands.
From then on Russians and Ukrainians were really ‘brother nations’. Well, it was not heaven, but it was the best available option. Same religion, very close language and mentality. And forget about oppression. Ukrainians were oppressed as much as Russians themselves.
When the WW I started, Germany and Austria-Hungary were looking for collaborators in occupied territories of Russian Empire. They promised independence to nationalists in Western Ukraine, and found people who bought the idea. Not surprisingly, the most dedicated nationalists came from the least developed region of the country. Ukraine did not become independent at that moment, but the ideas stayed and gave their fruit during WW II, when Ukrainian collaborators actively participated in Nazis’ crimes. In one of your videos you described what Unit 731 of Japanese army was doing and you warned your listeners that they will never forget it. If you will find and read witnesses’ accounts of Volhynia massacre, you will never forget it either. I read it once long ago and I never want to read it again. It was a shock to me that people are capable of such things.
In the period between 1945 and 1991 Ukraine had the same rights as any other republic. There were no impediments to preserving and developing local culture. If you lived in any republic, you learned two languages – Russian and local. National literature was actively translated into other national languages of the Soviet Union, there were no impediments to education. Soviet Union with all its flaws, really tried to unite all of its nations into one big family. (What surprises me though is why antisemitism remained. You could come from Georgia, Uzbekistan or Yakutia and pass exams to Moscow university, no problem if you are smart enough. But it could be problematic for a Jew…)
After 1991 Russia and Ukraine remained friendly states, tightly bound by economic, cultural and even family ties. Ukraine tried to get the most out of relations both with Russia and with the West and it worked fairly well for 30 years. But with time attempts to elevate significance of their own nation led Ukrainians down a dangerous path. They started to slowly eliminate all other cultures that were present in the country. This process sped up dramatically in 2014, when after a coup the nationalist forces gained influence on the government.
Official Kiev denies being nationalistic, but don’t trust what the person is saying, see what he is doing.
- Open Kiev map and you will find two prospects – one named after Bandera, another after Shukhevich. Those two stand behind Volhynia massacre and numerous other crimes. Now they are heroes.
- During WW II Ukrainian nationalists were gathered by Nazis into the division “Galicia”. Collaborators and traitors, they did not show much on the battlefield, but were always victorious in the punitive raids against civilians. Now they are heroes.
- Ukraine is banning and denying Russian language and Russian culture. And it did not start last year. It started much earlier, when bit by bit Russian-speaking people had more and more difficulties teaching their children in Russian, buying books in Russian. It even shows itself historically – famous writers, artists, musicians, etc. of the past are proclaimed Ukrainians if they were born or lived on the territory of modern Ukraine. Aivazovskiy was Armenian by nation, lived in Crimea which was Russian at the time. Repin was Russian, Kuingi was Greek. Gogol and Bulgakov called themselves Russian and wrote in Russian. Shevchenko wrote in Russian, and now his books in Ukraine are translated from Russian.
We see those nationalistic ideas demonstrating themselves in a number of ways, and we have seen them before and we know what threat they can bring if left unattended. Pay attention to a dragon when it is small, you may be unable to win when it grows up.
I don’t say that our perception is correct, I just say how we see it. And to us modern Ukraine is like a younger brother who joined a bad company and who is becoming dangerous.
Now combine these two. Ukrainian nationalism plus NATO. Two threats, one well known historically, another the most dangerous rival of the past 70 years. We see them uniting and it is really an existential threat to us. In such circumstances could we afford being blind to it, just sitting and waiting what comes next? We tried to settle it peacefully. Many times Russia said that we are worried by NATO expansion, that we are worried by Western support of nationalistic movements in our neigbour countries. No effect. The last attempt was made in autumn of 2021, when Putin offered a negotiation that should have resulted in guaranteed safety. No reply.
If there is a conflict and your rival refuses to talk, he is asking for a fight. I don’t say that war in Ukraine is the right way to solve the conflict, but who can say that we did not try to set it by negotiations?
2023.06.02 22:53 JazmanGames Is oil life an estimate or an actual reading on oil?
 | Service was 6 months ago, oil was replaced. Next service due in 5 months or 6.5k miles. Car was topped up with 1litre of oil by garage for it's MOT (roadworthiness test in UK) at start of April when oil life was at 50% but the value didn't change. So is this just an estimate that reduces over time or is it a live reading of oil life/level? submitted by JazmanGames to mazda [link] [comments] |
2023.06.02 21:26 Archives-H I work for a company that studies cursed places. We uncovered a mass grave site of over 200 people.
My name is Canopy Hydrangea. I recover cursed artifacts, explore haunted places, and report back the information needed to the people I work for. The Company then arranged what has to be done to remove these blemishes from the world.
If it isn't possible, we make sure the evil of cursed artifacts and bizarre places doesn’t make it’s way to the general public.
But sometimes, it’s important to leak a report or two to the unsuspecting public. Makes for a good warning- and this particular file is one of many that must be known.
“Do you have clearance?” asked a young man, hat with a carefully embroidered VII obscuring his face. He held out a little notepad with tables for signatures labeled ‘sign-ins and security’. “We can’t have anyone here without proper clearance.”
I sighed and took the pen that was attached to the pad. “Of course I have clearance,” I said. “I’m the one supposed to be in charge of this damn operation.”
He looked at me in confusion. So did I. I was told by the Company’s board members this specific location was assigned to me. And yet, my team was clearly not the first ones there.
This wasn’t what we were promised. Not by a long stretch. “I was told Varaluz was in charge.” he pointed over to a bulkier man in camouflage gear, director agents of the Company around the dig site.
Varaluz. Of course he was here- he was always getting in people’s business. “Am I being subjected to an internal security probe?” I looked him in the eye. “Right now? Right here?”
The meek young man hesitated and backed away. “See, your previous assignment against the House of Lorreno has some of us in the Company…” he chose his words carefully, “doubting your status.”
This was no issue. I just wanted control of the dig site back in my hands- after all, I was the one sent to study it. And my team. “No problem.”
So let’s talk about the dig site. The mass grave that, as I was told by my historian Kyran, contained the corpses of over 200 skeletons, and counting. “254,” he mused, counting again. “And some aren’t human.”
I asked him about it. And then I saw the bones for myself.
They, at first, looked like the bones of children. But on closer inspection found them all to be distinctly serrated. Their skulls were a bit too flat and wide to truly be human, and what was more bizarre were the limbs.
Each non-human remain had eight limbs, all that seemed like the legs and feet of ordinary human body; obviously inhuman, and the way they were connected told me this wasn’t some post-mortem ritual that positioned the bodies like so after death.
No. This was the real deal- dozens of dead, non-human entities that perplexed and sent chills up my spine.
And the skulls. The damn skulls were like they were smiling, of all things. And instead of two eye sockets there were four.
I also noted the sharp pines of wood that impaled the skeletons. “What’s with that?” Even before asking the aura of something… powerful emanated from the bones.
My assistant, Rainie, had an answer. “We suspect they may not be fully dead,” she informed. “We’re doing our best not to er, dislodge the wood until we can get a priest to put them at rest.”
I knelt down near one of the many impaled creatures and observed it. Distinct markings were present. I took off a glove off and touched it, feeling the history within it.
Sparks of violence. War. Famine. An ember of something not entirely dark I could not place. It unnerved me. “How long until we can put them at rest.”
“Well, we haven’t figured out what religion this place aligns to,” she pointed out. This was true- if we invited the wrong priest to bless the place it could invoke the opposite of peaceful rest. “And you haven’t even seen the staircase.”
“The what?”
The mass grave was discovered by an oil company looking to drill new ground. When the reports of the unusual remains came in, a report was handed over to me and my team, and we were sent to eliminate the disturbance, remove all evidence of the bizarre and hand it back over to the oilmen.
The bodies were found in concentric trenches, squares. There were about five, each within another, and a sixth being uncovered by the dig team.
In the center of the squares was a small ruin, a large jutting cylinder with a door. Beyond this door was a spiral staircase of stone, seemingly cut in by the ancient builders of the grave site so many centuries ago.
Varaluz, the internal security inspector, awaited me there. “Canopy,” he greeted, extending a hand. He peered into the staircase, holding out strong, twisted rope. “We’ve got four assets who’ll be out just about-” a man, panicked, rope attached to his waist scrambled out, hyperventilating.
He was in standard prison garb. As usual- we often used death row prisoners to explore new, dangerous territory.
He started to ramble about a shape in the darkness, and something about pages and a book. “Sir,” asked a woman, placing the man under handcuffs. “What should we do with him?”
“Remove him,” Varaluz ordered.
She looked at both of us, puzzled. “Like, kill him?”
Varaluz shook his head. “Don’t be silly- we need to know what he saw down there- extract his memories, then have the handlers do what they please.”
Yuck.
Memory extraction was something I hated to see. A needle laced with symbols and science, injected into the center of the eye. It would then extract memories to be read by a rather interesting-looking book.
The prisoner would then develop amnesia for a while, but that was no issue. The prisoners we worked with for these excursions were often terrible, irredeemable people.
Varaluz and his team informed me of what they had discovered, just as three Company agents entered the depths, rope tied along their waists.
The staircase was seemingly endless, according to two other excursion teams they had sent into the depths.
The first team had only been equipped by a radio and led by an agent of the Company, but after an hour dropped from radio contact. After another hour, they should have returned- yet they had vanished into the depths.
A rescue operation was made- equipped with rope, Varaluz sent in a team of prisoners led by a more experienced agent into the depths.
Oddly enough, the initial agent leader stumbled back out, informing us the passage had shifted, and they had across a labyrinth underneath the entire dig site- some sort of temple.
Video footage revealed the place was a hellhole. There were signs of life, but twisted, impossible things- strange fungal matter and the bones of long dead creatures- and something else, still active.
This active entity, according to the survivor, seemed to work in tandem with the stairway, dislodging stairs, sending one prisoner falling into the abyss. Another was seemingly sucked into the walls of the place.
The last simply faded, and that was when the agent started to evacuate.
The rescue team came back, fully intact. They hadn’t encountered nay such temple, merely more of the same: staircases, illuminated by the light to be made of bone.
Subsequent testing informed us the bones were human.
“Okay, I want-” as soon as I was about to say I wanted to enter the staircase the line snapped. “Whoa!”
Varaluz held on, and two agents joined him. “It’s being- pulled!” he turned to me.
I retreated to a machine the rope was connected to and selected a button labeled ‘retract’. “This should-” it started to pull against whatever was on the other end- but it was straining, “work.”
The machine started to creak, and the bulky thing began to move against itself. “Security!” Varaluz ordered. “Get the hell over here- now!”
That’s when the line loosened and pulled back, and blood came flying from the abyss. Two bodies- no- a torso and a set of legs, rope still attached flew out, nearly splattering us with blood.
A man came running out, splattered in the blood of his friends. “There’s something down there-” he said it with such fear I started what lurked in the shadows, “it- it was like those bones!”
A growl emerged from deep within. My assistant, Rainie came up to me. “Sir, should we seal it up?” she gestured to security, already prepared to request explosives.
I thought about this for a moment. “Not yet, no,” I decided. “We don’t know if sealing it up will work.”
Whatever was inside- it was powerful. So I decided we needed a proper operation into the temple. With actual agents. “Rainie,” I began, “have the rest of the team meet me here- we’re going in.”
Reckless? Maybe. But if what was inside was a threat to humanity- it needed to be neutralized, captured, and sealed away. “By the way,” she started, “we’ve identified the ruin.”
My eyes lit up. “Can we get a priest?” The sooner we could remove the undead bones from the site the safer I’d feel.
“Already have one,” she hesitated. “But…”
“But?”
She sighed and pointed to the outskirts, where a rather fancy motorcycle had arrived. “It’s Quincy Kieni.”
Quincy Kieni was a rather eccentric figure in the cursed artifact black market. He was both an asset, working for us, telling us the details of when a major deal would go down- and an enemy.
His faith to Calayu, the Salamander King made him have so called ‘prophecies’ over when to help us and when to suddenly disappear off the grid.
I made a noise somewhere between a grunt and a sigh of annoyance. “Of course it’s him.” I watched as the man with black tinted glasses and fiery red hair waltz about the gravesite, raising his hands up and dancing.
Within the hour my team was ready.
I, Canopy Hydrangea would lead them in, coordinate our actions. My expertise in psychically sensing the bizarre would come in handy, if it need be, and the few spells I’d learned.
Then there was Rainie- my assistant, who had reviewed the tapes and studied all too many places similar to this. Of course, there was Kyran, my main security guy, and today, we would be joined by the rather annoying Quincy.
There were others, but I didn’t want to lead a large team.
So we entered the depths. Varaluz attached a rope to us, connecting it to the large bulky machine in case something attempted to pull us in. And then we were set, and so we began the journey into the depths of the pit.
“Canopy, we meet again!” Quincy cheered. “I didn’t know you were in the business of exploring new and exciting places.”
“And I thought you’d finally gotten yourself killed for good,” I chided. “After the whole Stet’Kai incident.”
He laughed maniacally at that, and the noise reverberated around the walls. “Were you demoted as a result of, who were they?” he thought. “Lorreno’s team?”
“None of your business,” Kyran cut in. He held up a hand. “I hear something.”
We all silenced ourselves- even the bothersome Quincy. There was a dull growl in the background, and the clicking of insects- no- “Automata,” Rainie identified. “Temples of the Salamander have automaton.”
Machines given life through ancient magic. Not a huge problem.
The next hour was rather boring, and we continued in silence, fearing disturbing one of the more dangerous security automata. Sure, machines weren’t as dangerous as any live creatures- but still a threat nonetheless.
“Hold it!” Quincy shouted. We all stopped. He stepped ahead and knelt down, inspecting the step in front of me. He spoke something I couldn’t understand, and symbols appeared, and we heard the clicking of gears. “It’s a classic pitfall trap.”
I remembered Varaluz’s prisoners. The story about the place working against them. “Who,” Rainie posited, “built this place?”
“It is a Temple of the Salamander,” I reminded. “But those bones up there don’t match anything we have on record.”
Quincy ordered another stop, and chanted- and a wall beside us faded away, revealing a hallway. “Now that’s the temple.”
I noted the images and statues, “And I think I know who built this place.”
Satyrs. The statues were satyrs, half-man half-goat creatures spotted throughout mythology and ancient times. We knew them, life many other of the ancient kinds, to be extinct.
Long dead. But the statues of the Satyrs here seemed different, more human than beast somehow. They lined the hall, facing away from us, bowing to a large statue of a salamander, an eternal flame still burning within its mouth.
“Look!” Kryan commanded, raising his gun. A machine, moving as if it were alive, appeared in the distance. “It looks just like those bones.”
No. It was made from the bones that had been dug up and the eight limbed thing came charging at us. Kyran fired, to no effect, before Quincy stepped out and clapped, uttering a single word.
The machinery grinded to a halt and collapsed; I was right- it had been made from the bones of the things above, strapped to gears and circuitry.
Whatever those things were, the worshippers below had clearly venerated them enough to create frankenstein-like beasts in their fashion. “Well that was… not at cool as I thought it’d be.” Kyran shrugged.
“And,” Rainie added, gesturing to the statue, “looks like that’s a sort of artifact we’ll want to secure.” In the mouth of the Salamander statue, was the flame- and as I studied it- I realized it was a book that was burning.
Quincy put the flames out and handed the warm pages to me. This was powerful alright. I reached into the ether and felt that it contained great animosity, malevolence- something insane.
“Now,” Quincy murmured, “I don’t want to alarm you, but-” the walls started to creak, and they began to slowly move downwards, threatening to crush us, “we are at risk of immediate death.”
We ran out of the temple and back on the stairs, which were now starting to shake, and crumble. Quincy quick-casted some spell, and we ran, tugging on the rope.
Varaluz, despite my opinions towards him, was skilled, effective, and he activated the machine pulling us in, just as the steps collapsed. The rope hung in midair, slowly drifting upwards.
By the end of the hour we were out. I gave Varaluz the details. The mass grave had completely been excavated, and all the skeletons sent to facility deep within the clutches of the Company.
More research would be done by a secondary team, but the immediate danger was neutralized. The automata, traps, and all had been disabled by Quincy, and the temple, according to a scan, had largely collapsed.
But there was something underneath it- a second temple that mirrored the concentric squares of the graves, ready to be excavated and revealed. And according to an initial scan- there were life signs inside.
That, I assume, was where the real treasures were hiding.
But that isn’t my business. The initial first contact was made, the fears within stabilized. My job there was done; another day was complete. The unexplained was eliminated, and I was ready to move on another excursion.
The world is filled with places like these. And I’m just one of many who work to keep these hidden away. We keep the public safe. It’s what we do.
but flip a coin.
submitted by Archives-H to nosleep [link] [comments]
If it isn't possible, we make sure the evil of cursed artifacts and bizarre places doesn’t make it’s way to the general public.
But sometimes, it’s important to leak a report or two to the unsuspecting public. Makes for a good warning- and this particular file is one of many that must be known.
“Do you have clearance?” asked a young man, hat with a carefully embroidered VII obscuring his face. He held out a little notepad with tables for signatures labeled ‘sign-ins and security’. “We can’t have anyone here without proper clearance.”
I sighed and took the pen that was attached to the pad. “Of course I have clearance,” I said. “I’m the one supposed to be in charge of this damn operation.”
He looked at me in confusion. So did I. I was told by the Company’s board members this specific location was assigned to me. And yet, my team was clearly not the first ones there.
This wasn’t what we were promised. Not by a long stretch. “I was told Varaluz was in charge.” he pointed over to a bulkier man in camouflage gear, director agents of the Company around the dig site.
Varaluz. Of course he was here- he was always getting in people’s business. “Am I being subjected to an internal security probe?” I looked him in the eye. “Right now? Right here?”
The meek young man hesitated and backed away. “See, your previous assignment against the House of Lorreno has some of us in the Company…” he chose his words carefully, “doubting your status.”
This was no issue. I just wanted control of the dig site back in my hands- after all, I was the one sent to study it. And my team. “No problem.”
So let’s talk about the dig site. The mass grave that, as I was told by my historian Kyran, contained the corpses of over 200 skeletons, and counting. “254,” he mused, counting again. “And some aren’t human.”
I asked him about it. And then I saw the bones for myself.
They, at first, looked like the bones of children. But on closer inspection found them all to be distinctly serrated. Their skulls were a bit too flat and wide to truly be human, and what was more bizarre were the limbs.
Each non-human remain had eight limbs, all that seemed like the legs and feet of ordinary human body; obviously inhuman, and the way they were connected told me this wasn’t some post-mortem ritual that positioned the bodies like so after death.
No. This was the real deal- dozens of dead, non-human entities that perplexed and sent chills up my spine.
And the skulls. The damn skulls were like they were smiling, of all things. And instead of two eye sockets there were four.
I also noted the sharp pines of wood that impaled the skeletons. “What’s with that?” Even before asking the aura of something… powerful emanated from the bones.
My assistant, Rainie, had an answer. “We suspect they may not be fully dead,” she informed. “We’re doing our best not to er, dislodge the wood until we can get a priest to put them at rest.”
I knelt down near one of the many impaled creatures and observed it. Distinct markings were present. I took off a glove off and touched it, feeling the history within it.
Sparks of violence. War. Famine. An ember of something not entirely dark I could not place. It unnerved me. “How long until we can put them at rest.”
“Well, we haven’t figured out what religion this place aligns to,” she pointed out. This was true- if we invited the wrong priest to bless the place it could invoke the opposite of peaceful rest. “And you haven’t even seen the staircase.”
“The what?”
The mass grave was discovered by an oil company looking to drill new ground. When the reports of the unusual remains came in, a report was handed over to me and my team, and we were sent to eliminate the disturbance, remove all evidence of the bizarre and hand it back over to the oilmen.
The bodies were found in concentric trenches, squares. There were about five, each within another, and a sixth being uncovered by the dig team.
In the center of the squares was a small ruin, a large jutting cylinder with a door. Beyond this door was a spiral staircase of stone, seemingly cut in by the ancient builders of the grave site so many centuries ago.
Varaluz, the internal security inspector, awaited me there. “Canopy,” he greeted, extending a hand. He peered into the staircase, holding out strong, twisted rope. “We’ve got four assets who’ll be out just about-” a man, panicked, rope attached to his waist scrambled out, hyperventilating.
He was in standard prison garb. As usual- we often used death row prisoners to explore new, dangerous territory.
He started to ramble about a shape in the darkness, and something about pages and a book. “Sir,” asked a woman, placing the man under handcuffs. “What should we do with him?”
“Remove him,” Varaluz ordered.
She looked at both of us, puzzled. “Like, kill him?”
Varaluz shook his head. “Don’t be silly- we need to know what he saw down there- extract his memories, then have the handlers do what they please.”
Yuck.
Memory extraction was something I hated to see. A needle laced with symbols and science, injected into the center of the eye. It would then extract memories to be read by a rather interesting-looking book.
The prisoner would then develop amnesia for a while, but that was no issue. The prisoners we worked with for these excursions were often terrible, irredeemable people.
Varaluz and his team informed me of what they had discovered, just as three Company agents entered the depths, rope tied along their waists.
The staircase was seemingly endless, according to two other excursion teams they had sent into the depths.
The first team had only been equipped by a radio and led by an agent of the Company, but after an hour dropped from radio contact. After another hour, they should have returned- yet they had vanished into the depths.
A rescue operation was made- equipped with rope, Varaluz sent in a team of prisoners led by a more experienced agent into the depths.
Oddly enough, the initial agent leader stumbled back out, informing us the passage had shifted, and they had across a labyrinth underneath the entire dig site- some sort of temple.
Video footage revealed the place was a hellhole. There were signs of life, but twisted, impossible things- strange fungal matter and the bones of long dead creatures- and something else, still active.
This active entity, according to the survivor, seemed to work in tandem with the stairway, dislodging stairs, sending one prisoner falling into the abyss. Another was seemingly sucked into the walls of the place.
The last simply faded, and that was when the agent started to evacuate.
The rescue team came back, fully intact. They hadn’t encountered nay such temple, merely more of the same: staircases, illuminated by the light to be made of bone.
Subsequent testing informed us the bones were human.
“Okay, I want-” as soon as I was about to say I wanted to enter the staircase the line snapped. “Whoa!”
Varaluz held on, and two agents joined him. “It’s being- pulled!” he turned to me.
I retreated to a machine the rope was connected to and selected a button labeled ‘retract’. “This should-” it started to pull against whatever was on the other end- but it was straining, “work.”
The machine started to creak, and the bulky thing began to move against itself. “Security!” Varaluz ordered. “Get the hell over here- now!”
That’s when the line loosened and pulled back, and blood came flying from the abyss. Two bodies- no- a torso and a set of legs, rope still attached flew out, nearly splattering us with blood.
A man came running out, splattered in the blood of his friends. “There’s something down there-” he said it with such fear I started what lurked in the shadows, “it- it was like those bones!”
A growl emerged from deep within. My assistant, Rainie came up to me. “Sir, should we seal it up?” she gestured to security, already prepared to request explosives.
I thought about this for a moment. “Not yet, no,” I decided. “We don’t know if sealing it up will work.”
Whatever was inside- it was powerful. So I decided we needed a proper operation into the temple. With actual agents. “Rainie,” I began, “have the rest of the team meet me here- we’re going in.”
Reckless? Maybe. But if what was inside was a threat to humanity- it needed to be neutralized, captured, and sealed away. “By the way,” she started, “we’ve identified the ruin.”
My eyes lit up. “Can we get a priest?” The sooner we could remove the undead bones from the site the safer I’d feel.
“Already have one,” she hesitated. “But…”
“But?”
She sighed and pointed to the outskirts, where a rather fancy motorcycle had arrived. “It’s Quincy Kieni.”
Quincy Kieni was a rather eccentric figure in the cursed artifact black market. He was both an asset, working for us, telling us the details of when a major deal would go down- and an enemy.
His faith to Calayu, the Salamander King made him have so called ‘prophecies’ over when to help us and when to suddenly disappear off the grid.
I made a noise somewhere between a grunt and a sigh of annoyance. “Of course it’s him.” I watched as the man with black tinted glasses and fiery red hair waltz about the gravesite, raising his hands up and dancing.
Within the hour my team was ready.
I, Canopy Hydrangea would lead them in, coordinate our actions. My expertise in psychically sensing the bizarre would come in handy, if it need be, and the few spells I’d learned.
Then there was Rainie- my assistant, who had reviewed the tapes and studied all too many places similar to this. Of course, there was Kyran, my main security guy, and today, we would be joined by the rather annoying Quincy.
There were others, but I didn’t want to lead a large team.
So we entered the depths. Varaluz attached a rope to us, connecting it to the large bulky machine in case something attempted to pull us in. And then we were set, and so we began the journey into the depths of the pit.
“Canopy, we meet again!” Quincy cheered. “I didn’t know you were in the business of exploring new and exciting places.”
“And I thought you’d finally gotten yourself killed for good,” I chided. “After the whole Stet’Kai incident.”
He laughed maniacally at that, and the noise reverberated around the walls. “Were you demoted as a result of, who were they?” he thought. “Lorreno’s team?”
“None of your business,” Kyran cut in. He held up a hand. “I hear something.”
We all silenced ourselves- even the bothersome Quincy. There was a dull growl in the background, and the clicking of insects- no- “Automata,” Rainie identified. “Temples of the Salamander have automaton.”
Machines given life through ancient magic. Not a huge problem.
The next hour was rather boring, and we continued in silence, fearing disturbing one of the more dangerous security automata. Sure, machines weren’t as dangerous as any live creatures- but still a threat nonetheless.
“Hold it!” Quincy shouted. We all stopped. He stepped ahead and knelt down, inspecting the step in front of me. He spoke something I couldn’t understand, and symbols appeared, and we heard the clicking of gears. “It’s a classic pitfall trap.”
I remembered Varaluz’s prisoners. The story about the place working against them. “Who,” Rainie posited, “built this place?”
“It is a Temple of the Salamander,” I reminded. “But those bones up there don’t match anything we have on record.”
Quincy ordered another stop, and chanted- and a wall beside us faded away, revealing a hallway. “Now that’s the temple.”
I noted the images and statues, “And I think I know who built this place.”
Satyrs. The statues were satyrs, half-man half-goat creatures spotted throughout mythology and ancient times. We knew them, life many other of the ancient kinds, to be extinct.
Long dead. But the statues of the Satyrs here seemed different, more human than beast somehow. They lined the hall, facing away from us, bowing to a large statue of a salamander, an eternal flame still burning within its mouth.
“Look!” Kryan commanded, raising his gun. A machine, moving as if it were alive, appeared in the distance. “It looks just like those bones.”
No. It was made from the bones that had been dug up and the eight limbed thing came charging at us. Kyran fired, to no effect, before Quincy stepped out and clapped, uttering a single word.
The machinery grinded to a halt and collapsed; I was right- it had been made from the bones of the things above, strapped to gears and circuitry.
Whatever those things were, the worshippers below had clearly venerated them enough to create frankenstein-like beasts in their fashion. “Well that was… not at cool as I thought it’d be.” Kyran shrugged.
“And,” Rainie added, gesturing to the statue, “looks like that’s a sort of artifact we’ll want to secure.” In the mouth of the Salamander statue, was the flame- and as I studied it- I realized it was a book that was burning.
Quincy put the flames out and handed the warm pages to me. This was powerful alright. I reached into the ether and felt that it contained great animosity, malevolence- something insane.
“Now,” Quincy murmured, “I don’t want to alarm you, but-” the walls started to creak, and they began to slowly move downwards, threatening to crush us, “we are at risk of immediate death.”
We ran out of the temple and back on the stairs, which were now starting to shake, and crumble. Quincy quick-casted some spell, and we ran, tugging on the rope.
Varaluz, despite my opinions towards him, was skilled, effective, and he activated the machine pulling us in, just as the steps collapsed. The rope hung in midair, slowly drifting upwards.
By the end of the hour we were out. I gave Varaluz the details. The mass grave had completely been excavated, and all the skeletons sent to facility deep within the clutches of the Company.
More research would be done by a secondary team, but the immediate danger was neutralized. The automata, traps, and all had been disabled by Quincy, and the temple, according to a scan, had largely collapsed.
But there was something underneath it- a second temple that mirrored the concentric squares of the graves, ready to be excavated and revealed. And according to an initial scan- there were life signs inside.
That, I assume, was where the real treasures were hiding.
But that isn’t my business. The initial first contact was made, the fears within stabilized. My job there was done; another day was complete. The unexplained was eliminated, and I was ready to move on another excursion.
The world is filled with places like these. And I’m just one of many who work to keep these hidden away. We keep the public safe. It’s what we do.
but flip a coin.
2023.06.02 20:33 WideMix8098 Don’t buy a used car in Lawrence, especially from Express Motorsports.
Edit: been getting a bunch of comments saying, you knew the risk, he provided a warranty, cars 15 years old , ect… and to that I just ask you read the post more thoroughly. This post is generally a warning to others not to purchase from this dealership, learn from my mistakes, and not to tell me what I shoulda woulda coulda done. This was the most confusing history, purchase contract, and situation to be in. He provided a blank warranty, and the most shifty car fax information that I didn’t learn until further inspection. I understand that’s a common tactic for car dealerships to use, and the situation I was in I needed to get into whatever vehicle I could at the time. This whole process was super rushed I was borrowing money from my family and they insisted I go through a dealership.
Let me preface by saying yes I am aware that Lawrence is not by any means the best place to buy a used car. However, it was my only choice at the time. I was desperate and forced to get whatever I could. I tried to pick the least sketchy and trustworthy used car dealership to do business with. Don’t buy from these people. Don’t even think about it. I bought a 2008 Honda CRV for 8,000 from them in January, and by March the dashboard lit up with engine codes. The engine was completely dead by April, about 90 days after I bought the car. After basically threatening to sue them, they reluctantly agreed to trade for a car of much less value. I eventually decided against trading in fear of getting more problems from them. I sold the car to get not even half of my money back. There is no explanation for dropping a valve randomly after doing nothing but if anything, overly maintaining this car. This was the first car I owned in 2 years and it took a long time to save up this money, doing research and careful planning for nothing and a bad attitude when I came to them with my dead car they sold me. I would stay clear of this place at all costs. This is a warning.
Here is the copy of the timeline I sent to my lawyer:
Hi Kevin,
I bought an 08 Honda Crv from Eduardo Contreras at Express Motorsports Dealership in Lawrence, Massachusetts. I’ve done nothing but try to maintain the vehicle and the engine was dead within 2 months of purchasing the car.
Here is a timeline of events.
Jan 10 2023 at 4:30pm Traveled to Lawrence, Massachusetts to look at the vehicle which is a 2008 Honda Crv ex sport utility. Was told the “total loss” on the CarFax was a mistake the insurance company made with only minor front end damage. Was told the title was always clean. After reviewing the CarFax further it appears it had both a salvage and rebuilt title issued then later corrected in “error” then a clean title was issued. Put a $500 deposit down on the vehicle. At the time the dealership had no negative reviews. However on or around the time I bought my vehicle they received many negative reviews similar to mine.
January 12 2023
Bought my insurance policy for the vehicle.
January 17 2023
Was issued a temporary license plate to transport the vehicle from the dealership to my residence.
January 18 2023
Purchased the vehicle for 8,000. Was told the purchasing contract included a 30 day warranty for the entire vehicle. Purchaser contract had no disclosure of being subject to recalls. Tmps light was only light on the dash.
January 20 2023
Registered the vehicle.
February 9th 2023
Vehicle passed state inspection.
Between February 9th and March 15th (can get exact date)
A letter was issued describing multiple airbag recalls dating back to 2016.
March 24 2023
Engine started shifting gears harder. No engine light. Oil life at 60%. Last oil change was preformed 121,500 miles. At 123,800 I preformed an oil change using the same oil that was written on the last oils change sticker. The oil life never increased.
March 26 The airbag light, check engine light, and hazardous conditions light turned on and never turned off. Developed a p303 engine code. Mechanical problems including engine misfire on cylinder 3 and a hard start. Mechanical issues never improved even after a tune up and attempting to fix all possible causes. List of what I spent to try and fix with receipts.
Spark plugs Coil packs Battery Fuel injector Tools Sea foam Oil Mass airflow cleaner Throttle body cleaner
April 3rd
Took vehicle to Honda dealership to replace airbags and have misfire diagnosed. Honda dealership declared engine failure with a dropped valve. Was quoted 3,000 to fix.
Communicated with Eddie the mechanical issues and requested compensation for selling me a dead engine. I asked questions regarding my warranty and discovered I was never given an official warranty in writing. Eddie said “ we have you a 30 day warranty on the engine and transmission only. It is in the purchase contract.” However upon inspection it was not. Asked him about the vehicle being subject to recalls and he denied that it was. This is when I discovered the odd verbiage on the CarFax about a rebuilt title issued in error after an insurance company deemed the car a total loss. Eddie agreed to give me a car of lesser value, then listed said car. Eddie insisted on communicating through voice notes and over the phone and not through text. I was not able to communicate over the phone at that time.
Arranged to trade cars on May 11th, however on Tuesday April 11, my engine started smoking and it is not safe the transport the vehicle back to Massachusetts. Also after reading a negative review about someone in my similar situation trading in a car to him, then later that car wasn’t suitable as well, I decided not to trade in. Id rather have my money back so I can purchase a safe, reliable vehicle than gamble with doing business with him again and trusting his vehicles.
submitted by WideMix8098 to massachusetts [link] [comments]
Let me preface by saying yes I am aware that Lawrence is not by any means the best place to buy a used car. However, it was my only choice at the time. I was desperate and forced to get whatever I could. I tried to pick the least sketchy and trustworthy used car dealership to do business with. Don’t buy from these people. Don’t even think about it. I bought a 2008 Honda CRV for 8,000 from them in January, and by March the dashboard lit up with engine codes. The engine was completely dead by April, about 90 days after I bought the car. After basically threatening to sue them, they reluctantly agreed to trade for a car of much less value. I eventually decided against trading in fear of getting more problems from them. I sold the car to get not even half of my money back. There is no explanation for dropping a valve randomly after doing nothing but if anything, overly maintaining this car. This was the first car I owned in 2 years and it took a long time to save up this money, doing research and careful planning for nothing and a bad attitude when I came to them with my dead car they sold me. I would stay clear of this place at all costs. This is a warning.
Here is the copy of the timeline I sent to my lawyer:
Hi Kevin,
I bought an 08 Honda Crv from Eduardo Contreras at Express Motorsports Dealership in Lawrence, Massachusetts. I’ve done nothing but try to maintain the vehicle and the engine was dead within 2 months of purchasing the car.
Here is a timeline of events.
Jan 10 2023 at 4:30pm Traveled to Lawrence, Massachusetts to look at the vehicle which is a 2008 Honda Crv ex sport utility. Was told the “total loss” on the CarFax was a mistake the insurance company made with only minor front end damage. Was told the title was always clean. After reviewing the CarFax further it appears it had both a salvage and rebuilt title issued then later corrected in “error” then a clean title was issued. Put a $500 deposit down on the vehicle. At the time the dealership had no negative reviews. However on or around the time I bought my vehicle they received many negative reviews similar to mine.
January 12 2023
Bought my insurance policy for the vehicle.
January 17 2023
Was issued a temporary license plate to transport the vehicle from the dealership to my residence.
January 18 2023
Purchased the vehicle for 8,000. Was told the purchasing contract included a 30 day warranty for the entire vehicle. Purchaser contract had no disclosure of being subject to recalls. Tmps light was only light on the dash.
January 20 2023
Registered the vehicle.
February 9th 2023
Vehicle passed state inspection.
Between February 9th and March 15th (can get exact date)
A letter was issued describing multiple airbag recalls dating back to 2016.
March 24 2023
Engine started shifting gears harder. No engine light. Oil life at 60%. Last oil change was preformed 121,500 miles. At 123,800 I preformed an oil change using the same oil that was written on the last oils change sticker. The oil life never increased.
March 26 The airbag light, check engine light, and hazardous conditions light turned on and never turned off. Developed a p303 engine code. Mechanical problems including engine misfire on cylinder 3 and a hard start. Mechanical issues never improved even after a tune up and attempting to fix all possible causes. List of what I spent to try and fix with receipts.
Spark plugs Coil packs Battery Fuel injector Tools Sea foam Oil Mass airflow cleaner Throttle body cleaner
April 3rd
Took vehicle to Honda dealership to replace airbags and have misfire diagnosed. Honda dealership declared engine failure with a dropped valve. Was quoted 3,000 to fix.
Communicated with Eddie the mechanical issues and requested compensation for selling me a dead engine. I asked questions regarding my warranty and discovered I was never given an official warranty in writing. Eddie said “ we have you a 30 day warranty on the engine and transmission only. It is in the purchase contract.” However upon inspection it was not. Asked him about the vehicle being subject to recalls and he denied that it was. This is when I discovered the odd verbiage on the CarFax about a rebuilt title issued in error after an insurance company deemed the car a total loss. Eddie agreed to give me a car of lesser value, then listed said car. Eddie insisted on communicating through voice notes and over the phone and not through text. I was not able to communicate over the phone at that time.
Arranged to trade cars on May 11th, however on Tuesday April 11, my engine started smoking and it is not safe the transport the vehicle back to Massachusetts. Also after reading a negative review about someone in my similar situation trading in a car to him, then later that car wasn’t suitable as well, I decided not to trade in. Id rather have my money back so I can purchase a safe, reliable vehicle than gamble with doing business with him again and trusting his vehicles.
2023.06.02 18:39 AmateurEarthling 60K Service
My 2018 Sportage LX, aka my hopefully long lasting family vehicle, is at 59K miles so I figured it’s time to do some maintenance. I do it all DIY and trying to make sure I’ve got everything I need to do. The maintenance schedule doesn’t have everything I’m doing but it seems standard across the car world. So far I’ll be doing oil change, coolant flush, spark plugs, brake pads, brake fluid flush, and serpentine belt. Is there anything I’m missing? The only thing I’m not sure of is the ATF fluid. It’s not in the maintenance schedule and according to some sources is life time but I want a longer life time than that so thinking about an ATF change.
Anything else I should be doing or am missing? I replaced the filters less than a year ago and haven’t driven much since then so I’ll be replacing those next oil change instead of now.
submitted by AmateurEarthling to kia [link] [comments]
Anything else I should be doing or am missing? I replaced the filters less than a year ago and haven’t driven much since then so I’ll be replacing those next oil change instead of now.
2023.06.02 16:01 wavywatercracker How to turn off the warning lights?
My oil and tire pressure lights are on and for the life of me I can’t figure out how to reset the timer for the oil light, I changed it myself a couple weeks ago, or how to reset the tire light. Also i’ve tried clicking and holding the button that says set but it just resets my trip miles.
submitted by wavywatercracker to GLI [link] [comments]
2023.06.02 15:09 DrakeSavory Joined the cult
For information purposes I did have a used 2008 Lexus ES350 but this was the first time I actively looked at Toyota. Partly because of my Lexus experience and partly because with Toyota, give it an oil change every 5000 miles and you'll be leaving it to your kids when you die.
Waiting for months for a RAV4 hybrid XLE blueprint/gray that I didn't like the looks of but hey - practicality (I prefer the Highlander). Waited 6 months and was told it could be up to another year of waiting. So I was looking around at different dealer sites over the next couple of months because I know orders get cancelled and I see it. Highlander Hybrid Limited. The correct color of blueprint/gray. AND it's available. Call the dealership and yes, it is allocated but the buyer cancelled. Immediate $500 deposit and 45 days later it was being driven home. It was fate.
Two issues I have. Poor acceleration but hey, it is my here-to-there and trips into the mountains with the dogs car. My fun car will be the Lexus Fsport when car prices settle out in a couple years. Question time: the acceleration seems to have gotten better at about 2000 miles. Is that my imagination or do cars still have a break-in period?
Second issue is the software. I want north on my navigation to always be up so why do I have to reset it every time? Why does it not remember settings? Few other things similar to that but in the grand scheme of life there will always be something you don't like with a car and I'll take a QoL issue over 50/50 chance I'll make it to work.
submitted by DrakeSavory to ToyotaHighlander [link] [comments]
Waiting for months for a RAV4 hybrid XLE blueprint/gray that I didn't like the looks of but hey - practicality (I prefer the Highlander). Waited 6 months and was told it could be up to another year of waiting. So I was looking around at different dealer sites over the next couple of months because I know orders get cancelled and I see it. Highlander Hybrid Limited. The correct color of blueprint/gray. AND it's available. Call the dealership and yes, it is allocated but the buyer cancelled. Immediate $500 deposit and 45 days later it was being driven home. It was fate.
Two issues I have. Poor acceleration but hey, it is my here-to-there and trips into the mountains with the dogs car. My fun car will be the Lexus Fsport when car prices settle out in a couple years. Question time: the acceleration seems to have gotten better at about 2000 miles. Is that my imagination or do cars still have a break-in period?
Second issue is the software. I want north on my navigation to always be up so why do I have to reset it every time? Why does it not remember settings? Few other things similar to that but in the grand scheme of life there will always be something you don't like with a car and I'll take a QoL issue over 50/50 chance I'll make it to work.
2023.06.02 13:05 Zestyclose_Chip4472 Are we the Occult elite of previous eras ?
I know it's going to sound very strange or too phantasmal, but I'd still like to share these thoughts to see if others have come to these conclusions.
I've had some highly realistic dreams since 2019 where I've glimpsed events that have happened such as the war in Ukraine , earthquakes in turkey or the coronavirus however the most startling were some kind of monologues that talked about humanity and its relationship with every others spirituals humanoids in the cosmos as well as what I could call the occult elite. This may sound very egotistical but it's really not my intention so please don't judge .
First of all, the universe is full of highly-developed humanoid life, a great number of which have a very human-like appearance, evolve on much higher vibratory frequencies and are, by our standards, magical and supernatural, nor are they susceptible to aging in the same way as the inhabitants of the earth. This is a universe of paradisiacal qualities, with ethereal cities and domains that remind me of Star Wars or mythological legends. Conflicts do exist, but in the vast majority of cases they are settled either through diplomacy or malicious conspiracy, unlike military wars on Earth.
The thing is, it was explained to me that these entities, contrary to what they claim, don't believe so much in the all is one, and perceive humanity as a kind of strange exception. Basically, the type of soul that earth's inhabitants have is truly unique and an extreme minority. Magical and supernatural creatures are the vast majority, numbering in the trillions, while humans are an extreme minority.
People often claim to be starseeds and incarnate non-humans beings and this is very possible because the type of consciousnesses/souls/beings that humans have are rarities . Organic portals or spiritless humans exist and and are significant part of humanity futhermore they are a creation of these aliens
The cosmic/Magical beings perceive humanity as an exception, an anomaly, even dangerous. Similarly, when one of these entities reproduces with a human, the offspring will never have a human soul, but will be, from a spiritual point of view, entirely alien/interdimensional or a new kind of "alien" spiritual being : think of the nephilim of the Bible or the hybrids of the greys, which are basically entirely otherwordly .
Some are fascinated by the human soul because it's a kind of cosmic portal, and despite their high densities, immortalities, magical powers and stellar civilizations, they lack certain things they believe humanity possesses.
There's a status quo in the cosmos which is basically that nobody really wants to help humanity because they're afraid Humans become a danger and many species parasite on the human soul/bodies . Human essence and its soul energies as well as children's blood are the most precious commodities.
There is the term occult elite which is basically the managers of the planet , these entities have rivalries and even if they despise millitary conflicts they can be extremely vicious and vindictive and these managers are regularly changed with conspiracies and spiritual invasions . In short, humanity hasn't been free since the dawn of time. Many celebrities , royalty , elites and mythological heroes and even a surprising number of more ordinary people are not human souls but extra-dimensional entities who use human avatar bodies and reincarnate through time in influential positions with privileged genetic bodies and free access to the superior worlds . They play the roles of corrupt politicians, brainless divas and superficial bankers but in truth they are entities who roleplay as humans , they travel in the astral and have very open access to higher realities and regularly practice all forms of sorcery as well as living a double life in spiritual realities . However those who become too problematic whether in the occult elite or on other density/planets are also sent as prisoners to live as ordinary humans so for example being too empathetic with the masses may force you into a ordinary existence. In this way the person realizes the luck of his past lives and his non-human nature and will never again dare to take sides with humanity or cause trouble to the hierarchy or in his native world.
These entities reincarnate through time and compete in their cosmic super-societies ( think of the new-age galactic confederation ) however some are more altruistic leaders with humanity while others are diabolically cruel and despise humanity with passions . The thing is, no one wants humanity to achieve physical immortality and become a cosmic, creative race that exists in the paradise that is the universe (I'm really talking about a cosmos similar to Star Wars, Narnia or an ultimate fantasy world that really does exist in higher vibrational frequencies). The spiritual war is that almost all the immortal beings that exist in the cosmos don't want to share their lives, which are honestly, perfect and Elysian, in comparison with humans, who they see as a spiritual form strange to all the others, even enemies of the cosmos . So every time a human civilization reaches too great a degree of sophistication or esoteric understanding and psychic ability, they undergo a big reset, their inhabitants are harvested and they start all over again. In my dreams, it was clearly stated that human history had been falsified, and that some centuries ago, more advanced and more peaceful civilizations existed on earth (on the contrary, certain eras of the past were less millitaristic than contemporary humans, and the number of spiritless humans was much rarer).
To get to the Cabal in fact, it was stated that most people who experience the Mandela effect, and this is also the case for most people who remember their past lives and have particularly sensitive psychic/intuitive abilities, are not human souls, even if they think of themselves as human, but are "Starseeds or crystal/indigo children" who are not rare but make up almost the entire cosmos.
Different groups have dominated the earth with avatars, and power transitions can be more or less cordial. The last reset was particularly violent, and the inhuman elites of that era who had refused to cooperate with their superiors were forced to reincarnate as ordinary people when another group, now known as the Iluminati/Deep States took power. What I was also told, and which is found in many channelings and legends, is that alien civilizations also use the earth as a prison, sending their criminals as ordinary people, because Humans live entirely abominable, hellish and sadistic lives compared to all other humanoids in the cosmos. But anyway, if you're a non-human soul, you'll get off this realm sooner or later.
Basically, human souls are strange muggles according to the status quo and those who own the cosmos and the multiverse don't want to share it with them out of fear, contempt or whatever, even if they desire certain things that humans have, and spiritual warfare is to parasitize and prevent humans from becoming dangerous. The trillions of spirits in the cosmos are either complicit, neutral or at war with humanity, which means that there may be other planets with enslaved human populations, as in Jupiter Ascending.
However, if you experience the mandela effect, there's a good chance that you're not human and that you're profiting in the long term from the enslavement of humanity, and that you even have a spiritual family somewhere that isn't really empathetic to humans.
P.S :
My use of immortality may be misleading, but it's more in the sense of not being sensitive to death by age and having a perfect extra-dimensional consciousness in the sense that death is more like being banished to our original realm . In other words, if you manage to kill an extraterrestrial, even if its body is lying at your feet, its consciousness/spirit will simply be banished to its original reality (4/5/6/7th density ) without any loss of memory, trauma or any other significant loss, so it may well return to our reality at a later date by materialization or creation of a human avatar . It's as if every time someone kills you, you wake up in your own bed with no memory loss or trauma, just like in a video game . it will always be the same entity with the same personality, desire and will without real change and they can live "millions" of years with the same true spiritual identity unlike humans traumatized by death who change personalities and incarnations without real choice and lose their memories of their true personalities after decades of existence
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I've had some highly realistic dreams since 2019 where I've glimpsed events that have happened such as the war in Ukraine , earthquakes in turkey or the coronavirus however the most startling were some kind of monologues that talked about humanity and its relationship with every others spirituals humanoids in the cosmos as well as what I could call the occult elite. This may sound very egotistical but it's really not my intention so please don't judge .
First of all, the universe is full of highly-developed humanoid life, a great number of which have a very human-like appearance, evolve on much higher vibratory frequencies and are, by our standards, magical and supernatural, nor are they susceptible to aging in the same way as the inhabitants of the earth. This is a universe of paradisiacal qualities, with ethereal cities and domains that remind me of Star Wars or mythological legends. Conflicts do exist, but in the vast majority of cases they are settled either through diplomacy or malicious conspiracy, unlike military wars on Earth.
The thing is, it was explained to me that these entities, contrary to what they claim, don't believe so much in the all is one, and perceive humanity as a kind of strange exception. Basically, the type of soul that earth's inhabitants have is truly unique and an extreme minority. Magical and supernatural creatures are the vast majority, numbering in the trillions, while humans are an extreme minority.
People often claim to be starseeds and incarnate non-humans beings and this is very possible because the type of consciousnesses/souls/beings that humans have are rarities . Organic portals or spiritless humans exist and and are significant part of humanity futhermore they are a creation of these aliens
The cosmic/Magical beings perceive humanity as an exception, an anomaly, even dangerous. Similarly, when one of these entities reproduces with a human, the offspring will never have a human soul, but will be, from a spiritual point of view, entirely alien/interdimensional or a new kind of "alien" spiritual being : think of the nephilim of the Bible or the hybrids of the greys, which are basically entirely otherwordly .
Some are fascinated by the human soul because it's a kind of cosmic portal, and despite their high densities, immortalities, magical powers and stellar civilizations, they lack certain things they believe humanity possesses.
There's a status quo in the cosmos which is basically that nobody really wants to help humanity because they're afraid Humans become a danger and many species parasite on the human soul/bodies . Human essence and its soul energies as well as children's blood are the most precious commodities.
There is the term occult elite which is basically the managers of the planet , these entities have rivalries and even if they despise millitary conflicts they can be extremely vicious and vindictive and these managers are regularly changed with conspiracies and spiritual invasions . In short, humanity hasn't been free since the dawn of time. Many celebrities , royalty , elites and mythological heroes and even a surprising number of more ordinary people are not human souls but extra-dimensional entities who use human avatar bodies and reincarnate through time in influential positions with privileged genetic bodies and free access to the superior worlds . They play the roles of corrupt politicians, brainless divas and superficial bankers but in truth they are entities who roleplay as humans , they travel in the astral and have very open access to higher realities and regularly practice all forms of sorcery as well as living a double life in spiritual realities . However those who become too problematic whether in the occult elite or on other density/planets are also sent as prisoners to live as ordinary humans so for example being too empathetic with the masses may force you into a ordinary existence. In this way the person realizes the luck of his past lives and his non-human nature and will never again dare to take sides with humanity or cause trouble to the hierarchy or in his native world.
These entities reincarnate through time and compete in their cosmic super-societies ( think of the new-age galactic confederation ) however some are more altruistic leaders with humanity while others are diabolically cruel and despise humanity with passions . The thing is, no one wants humanity to achieve physical immortality and become a cosmic, creative race that exists in the paradise that is the universe (I'm really talking about a cosmos similar to Star Wars, Narnia or an ultimate fantasy world that really does exist in higher vibrational frequencies). The spiritual war is that almost all the immortal beings that exist in the cosmos don't want to share their lives, which are honestly, perfect and Elysian, in comparison with humans, who they see as a spiritual form strange to all the others, even enemies of the cosmos . So every time a human civilization reaches too great a degree of sophistication or esoteric understanding and psychic ability, they undergo a big reset, their inhabitants are harvested and they start all over again. In my dreams, it was clearly stated that human history had been falsified, and that some centuries ago, more advanced and more peaceful civilizations existed on earth (on the contrary, certain eras of the past were less millitaristic than contemporary humans, and the number of spiritless humans was much rarer).
To get to the Cabal in fact, it was stated that most people who experience the Mandela effect, and this is also the case for most people who remember their past lives and have particularly sensitive psychic/intuitive abilities, are not human souls, even if they think of themselves as human, but are "Starseeds or crystal/indigo children" who are not rare but make up almost the entire cosmos.
Different groups have dominated the earth with avatars, and power transitions can be more or less cordial. The last reset was particularly violent, and the inhuman elites of that era who had refused to cooperate with their superiors were forced to reincarnate as ordinary people when another group, now known as the Iluminati/Deep States took power. What I was also told, and which is found in many channelings and legends, is that alien civilizations also use the earth as a prison, sending their criminals as ordinary people, because Humans live entirely abominable, hellish and sadistic lives compared to all other humanoids in the cosmos. But anyway, if you're a non-human soul, you'll get off this realm sooner or later.
Basically, human souls are strange muggles according to the status quo and those who own the cosmos and the multiverse don't want to share it with them out of fear, contempt or whatever, even if they desire certain things that humans have, and spiritual warfare is to parasitize and prevent humans from becoming dangerous. The trillions of spirits in the cosmos are either complicit, neutral or at war with humanity, which means that there may be other planets with enslaved human populations, as in Jupiter Ascending.
However, if you experience the mandela effect, there's a good chance that you're not human and that you're profiting in the long term from the enslavement of humanity, and that you even have a spiritual family somewhere that isn't really empathetic to humans.
P.S :
My use of immortality may be misleading, but it's more in the sense of not being sensitive to death by age and having a perfect extra-dimensional consciousness in the sense that death is more like being banished to our original realm . In other words, if you manage to kill an extraterrestrial, even if its body is lying at your feet, its consciousness/spirit will simply be banished to its original reality (4/5/6/7th density ) without any loss of memory, trauma or any other significant loss, so it may well return to our reality at a later date by materialization or creation of a human avatar . It's as if every time someone kills you, you wake up in your own bed with no memory loss or trauma, just like in a video game . it will always be the same entity with the same personality, desire and will without real change and they can live "millions" of years with the same true spiritual identity unlike humans traumatized by death who change personalities and incarnations without real choice and lose their memories of their true personalities after decades of existence