Sample of poems from puerto rico
Ask Latin America
2018.02.03 16:51 cabinetjox Ask Latin America
A subreddit dedicated to Latin America and the Caribbean. From Mexico to the DR to Chile, we're protesting against Reddit's API changes together with +3000 subreddits.
2008.06.10 06:35 A place for Latin Americans to gather - Foreigners welcome!
A home for Latin Americans and Caribbeans from all across the internet from Argentina to Mexico. Let this be a place to nurture cultural exchange and celebrate our unique region.
2014.11.12 02:00 stengebt Philippines Photography
A subreddit for photography of the Philippines! Member of the /NationalPhotoSubs network.
2024.05.16 22:30 SaltShoe6659 Is there a possibility that I'll get my package? It contains my passport!
Hi,
My lawyer sent me a package via international priority from Puerto Rico on May 13th. Just one day later, it arrived in Memphis. Today, it was supposed to be on a flight from Memphis to CDG Paris, which seemed all on track. I'm currently in a North African country with direct flights from Paris through FedEx, so everything appeared to be in order. However, this evening, my lawyer called me in surprise, stating that FedEx had informed him that my package was stuck in Belgium.
This puzzled me since the flight had arrived in Paris just an hour ago, and the tracking indicated it was still in Paris CDG airport, with a subsequent update showing it en route just 50 minutes later. My lawyer mentioned that FedEx would be emailing me to confirm my address and phone number, despite having already provided this information during shipping.
Upon checking my email, I found the message to be legitimate, originating from @ fedex . com and with a verified SSL on Gmail.
The concerning part is that my package contains my birth certificate and passport! Why the mention of Belgium when the tracking still indicates it's in Paris CDG airport?
I called their phone number but only the stupid ai voice don't want to transfer my case to an agent!
submitted by SaltShoe6659 to FedEx [link] [comments]
My lawyer sent me a package via international priority from Puerto Rico on May 13th. Just one day later, it arrived in Memphis. Today, it was supposed to be on a flight from Memphis to CDG Paris, which seemed all on track. I'm currently in a North African country with direct flights from Paris through FedEx, so everything appeared to be in order. However, this evening, my lawyer called me in surprise, stating that FedEx had informed him that my package was stuck in Belgium.
This puzzled me since the flight had arrived in Paris just an hour ago, and the tracking indicated it was still in Paris CDG airport, with a subsequent update showing it en route just 50 minutes later. My lawyer mentioned that FedEx would be emailing me to confirm my address and phone number, despite having already provided this information during shipping.
Upon checking my email, I found the message to be legitimate, originating from @ fedex . com and with a verified SSL on Gmail.
The concerning part is that my package contains my birth certificate and passport! Why the mention of Belgium when the tracking still indicates it's in Paris CDG airport?
I called their phone number but only the stupid ai voice don't want to transfer my case to an agent!
2024.05.16 22:00 Champhf Best Hispanic restaurants in NJ
Seeking the crème de la crème of Hispanic eateries in New Jersey!
Calling all Redditers to spill the beans on their favorite Hispanic restaurants in the Garden State. Whether it's the tantalizing flavors of Puerto Rico, the spicy kick of Mexico, the savory delights of Colombia, or the mouthwatering dishes from Brazil, I'm eager to know. Share the name of your go-to spot, the average price per plate, the ideal time for a visit (weekday lunch, perhaps?), as well as the location and those must-try dishes!
Let's dive into the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic cuisine together! ¡Vamos! 🌮🍹🇵🇷🇲🇽🇨🇴🇧🇷
submitted by Champhf to foodnewjersey [link] [comments]
Calling all Redditers to spill the beans on their favorite Hispanic restaurants in the Garden State. Whether it's the tantalizing flavors of Puerto Rico, the spicy kick of Mexico, the savory delights of Colombia, or the mouthwatering dishes from Brazil, I'm eager to know. Share the name of your go-to spot, the average price per plate, the ideal time for a visit (weekday lunch, perhaps?), as well as the location and those must-try dishes!
Let's dive into the vibrant tapestry of Hispanic cuisine together! ¡Vamos! 🌮🍹🇵🇷🇲🇽🇨🇴🇧🇷
2024.05.16 20:40 Adventurous6962 Wall Street’s big bet: Hedge Funds and Banks dive into Bitcoin ETFs 🌐💰
Article: https://www.useyourbrainforex.com/post/wall-street-s-big-bet-hedge-funds-and-banks-dive-into-bitcoin-etfs
It’s not just the retail traders taking the plunge into Bitcoin ETFs anymore. Hedge funds, pension funds, and banks are now significantly investing in these exchange-traded funds after a highly anticipated debut that was over a decade in the making. This shift signals a substantial change in the landscape of digital assets, as some of the most sophisticated investors in the financial world join the fray.
Among the most notable buyers are hedge funds like Millennium Management, which held around $2 billion worth of shares in at least four Bitcoin ETFs. Additionally, Steven Cohen’s Point72 Asset Management, Elliott Investment Management, and Citadel Advisors have also invested, showcasing their confidence in the potential growth and profitability of Bitcoin ETFs.
Institutional investors aren’t limited to the US either. Firms from across the globe, including the State of Wisconsin Investment Board and the Bank of Montreal, as well as entities from Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Switzerland, have joined in. Following the recent deadline to file first-quarter 13F reports with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, approximately 1,000 filers reported holding shares in these ETFs, according to Bloomberg.
These filings offer a snapshot in time and it’s clear that not all investors are Bitcoin bulls. Some may be looking to profit from the cryptocurrency’s volatility or offset short positions in derivatives. Others might be engaging in basis trades, which exploit price differences between spot and futures markets without directly dealing with Bitcoin. Some investments are model-driven and do not necessarily reflect opinions on Bitcoin’s fundamental value.
Despite the various motivations, the entry of these major players into the Bitcoin ETF market marks a significant moment. It’s a clear indication that Wall Street is beginning to explore the potential of the world’s largest digital asset.
According to Stephane Ouellette, CEO of FRNT Financial, the growth of Bitcoin ETFs can’t just be attributed to retail traders. Portfolio managers, institutional investors, and banks have started testing the waters of Bitcoin ownership. However, retail investors still hold most of the shares in Bitcoin ETFs, according to Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management. Professionals often make a small personal allocation before investing on behalf of clients, wanting to test things out before fully exposing their investors.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (ticker IBIT) leads the market, held by around 420 firms that filed 13Fs. The Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) and the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) also have substantial holdings, with the latter having over 620 13F investors and a market value of around $8.4 billion. Other ETFs launched in January have seen fewer holders, averaging just three to five.
Noelle Acheson, author of the Crypto Is Macro Now newsletter, notes that investment allocations often happen in stages and that many funds are still working on due diligence. Investment interest is likely to pick up again when the market direction becomes clearer.
Over the past few months, Bitcoin ETFs have broken records with massive inflows. For instance, BlackRock’s IBIT saw a record $520 million in one day, followed by $612 million the next day. The demand for these ETFs is undeniable, though the reasons behind the purchases are varied.
For some, like Ben Brocker of Legacy Wealth, Bitcoin ETFs serve as a diversifier. His firm first invested in Bitcoin in 2020 through GBTC and now allocates a modest 2% to these assets. Others, like Chad Koehn of United Capital Management, view Bitcoin as a unique asset class, essential for its innovative ledger technology and as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement.
The involvement of these major institutional players in Bitcoin ETFs underscores a pivotal shift in the investment landscape, potentially paving the way for further mainstream adoption of digital assets. 🌟📈
submitted by Adventurous6962 to useyourbrainforex [link] [comments]
It’s not just the retail traders taking the plunge into Bitcoin ETFs anymore. Hedge funds, pension funds, and banks are now significantly investing in these exchange-traded funds after a highly anticipated debut that was over a decade in the making. This shift signals a substantial change in the landscape of digital assets, as some of the most sophisticated investors in the financial world join the fray.
Among the most notable buyers are hedge funds like Millennium Management, which held around $2 billion worth of shares in at least four Bitcoin ETFs. Additionally, Steven Cohen’s Point72 Asset Management, Elliott Investment Management, and Citadel Advisors have also invested, showcasing their confidence in the potential growth and profitability of Bitcoin ETFs.
Institutional investors aren’t limited to the US either. Firms from across the globe, including the State of Wisconsin Investment Board and the Bank of Montreal, as well as entities from Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Switzerland, have joined in. Following the recent deadline to file first-quarter 13F reports with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, approximately 1,000 filers reported holding shares in these ETFs, according to Bloomberg.
These filings offer a snapshot in time and it’s clear that not all investors are Bitcoin bulls. Some may be looking to profit from the cryptocurrency’s volatility or offset short positions in derivatives. Others might be engaging in basis trades, which exploit price differences between spot and futures markets without directly dealing with Bitcoin. Some investments are model-driven and do not necessarily reflect opinions on Bitcoin’s fundamental value.
Despite the various motivations, the entry of these major players into the Bitcoin ETF market marks a significant moment. It’s a clear indication that Wall Street is beginning to explore the potential of the world’s largest digital asset.
According to Stephane Ouellette, CEO of FRNT Financial, the growth of Bitcoin ETFs can’t just be attributed to retail traders. Portfolio managers, institutional investors, and banks have started testing the waters of Bitcoin ownership. However, retail investors still hold most of the shares in Bitcoin ETFs, according to Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management. Professionals often make a small personal allocation before investing on behalf of clients, wanting to test things out before fully exposing their investors.
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (ticker IBIT) leads the market, held by around 420 firms that filed 13Fs. The Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) and the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) also have substantial holdings, with the latter having over 620 13F investors and a market value of around $8.4 billion. Other ETFs launched in January have seen fewer holders, averaging just three to five.
Noelle Acheson, author of the Crypto Is Macro Now newsletter, notes that investment allocations often happen in stages and that many funds are still working on due diligence. Investment interest is likely to pick up again when the market direction becomes clearer.
Over the past few months, Bitcoin ETFs have broken records with massive inflows. For instance, BlackRock’s IBIT saw a record $520 million in one day, followed by $612 million the next day. The demand for these ETFs is undeniable, though the reasons behind the purchases are varied.
For some, like Ben Brocker of Legacy Wealth, Bitcoin ETFs serve as a diversifier. His firm first invested in Bitcoin in 2020 through GBTC and now allocates a modest 2% to these assets. Others, like Chad Koehn of United Capital Management, view Bitcoin as a unique asset class, essential for its innovative ledger technology and as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement.
The involvement of these major institutional players in Bitcoin ETFs underscores a pivotal shift in the investment landscape, potentially paving the way for further mainstream adoption of digital assets. 🌟📈
2024.05.16 19:49 cv_kiki2_punk Hardcore mixed with Dominican/Puerto Rican influences. Song about cops bombing neighborhoods, uprisings, the mental state of landlord & investors alike, killing colonists/the brutality of Violence even when in self defense
 | Bęåçh Gøths Is a two piece hardcore band of bass & drums with influence from Puerto Rico & Dominican Republic. An anarcho communist Puerto Rican & stoner Dominican taking there favorite genres of music & making a Frankenstein's monster submitted by cv_kiki2_punk to RATM [link] [comments] |
2024.05.16 19:16 neon___cactus I sit for the CISA exam tomorrow! Here are a few of the mnemonic I made to help tomorrow. Please share your techniques!
There are so many things to memorize for the CISA. This is a collection of things I've found from others or made up to help me memorize the immense amount of things in this exam. Some of the ones I made up are very silly but that tends to help me remember them. I have found that I would remember the silly thing but not what it actually applies to so I sometimes added little sayings before the mnemonic to help remember what it was for as well.
If you find something that is wrong please tell me!
Here is a collection of mnemonics I made for passing the CISSP if anyone is interested.
submitted by neon___cactus to CISA [link] [comments]
If you find something that is wrong please tell me!
When you're in a panic PLEASE DON'T CHOKE PANDAS
ISACA Incident Response
- Plan
- Detect & Analyze
- Contain & Recover
- Post incident
Seeking Delicious Little Confectionary; For Really Special Dessert Insist on Peanut Delight
Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Feasbility Study
- Requirement Definition
- System Design
- Development
- Implementation
- Post-implementation
- Disposal
I don't need many samples to be confident because there are strong controls
A low confidence coefficient can be used when there are strong controls, thus requiring less sampling. A high confidence coefficient is needed when there are weak controls.5 steps of an AUDIT
- Assert a claim
- Unveil a plan
- Determine evidence
- Interrogate evidence
- Ttell the client
Follow the standards or I'll RIOP
Types of Standards
- Regulatory
- Industry
- Orginization
- Personal
When you learn to program you initialize your variables, repeat your loops, define your methods, manage your pointers, and optimize your code
Capability Maturity Model (CMM)
- Initial, just starting out your CMM journey
- Repeatable, now have repeatable procedures
- Defined, now you have defined procedures
- Managed, you now have quantifiably managed procedures
- Optimized, you are now optimizing your procedures for your business
During a RICO trial, you'll need lots of evidence
Grading Evidence
- Relevance
- Independence
- Competence of provider
- Objectivity
In Case of Something Awful Protect Precious Records
Evidence Lifecycle
- Identification
- Collection
- Storage
- Analysis
- Post-analysis storage
- Present
- Return
KGI is winning games, KPI is scoring points
Use the BCP for Saving Dough and Protecting Investor's Money
Business Continuity Planning
- Set Goals
- Discovery (BIA)
- Plan
- Iimplement
- Maintain
Every Improvement Does Really Require Execution
Business Process Reengineering
- Envision the need
- Initiate the project
- Diagnose the existing process
- Redesign the process
- Reconstruct the process
- Evaluate the results
To avoid a chasm, use CAESM
ISACA COBIT
- Cover enterprise end-to-end
- Apply a single framework
- Enable a holistic approach
- Separate governance from management
- Meet stakeholders needs
2024.05.16 18:13 ExpendableMan84 I've figured out the perfect ending to the 'Learning Tree' story
I have been fully won over by Jericho's current gimmick and where I once rolled my eyes, I now find myself beaming every time he walks to the ring. However, I think they should wrap up the Learning Tree arc relatively quickly. For one thing, as much as I'm loving it, Jericho does need to take time off and for another, the character is a bit too similar in execution to the Bucks' disingenuous boss roles.
So, I've been mulling it over and I think the best way this can end is for Jericho to get manipulated by Big Bill and drop the FTW title to him at the first opportunity. Then, have him throw a tantrum in the ring and shout "screw you Tony, I quit!"
Fast forward two weeks and Dynamite has a "We'll Hear From Chris Jericho Segment." This then cuts to a live feed of Jericho stood somewhere with a 'JCW' backdrop and a new championship belt on his shoulder and this happens:
Jericho: "Thanks guys. Now, I know I have officially left AEW but I don't want there to be any hard feelings between the two companies, despite everything that happened at the end. There's no need to apologise, let's just move on. That's why today, I'm announcing a golden opportunity for AEW. I'd like to extend an invitation for you to collaborate with the hottest new wrestling promotion in the world, Jericho Championship Wrestling.
Just recently, I founded this promotion to bring you the best in modern wrestling and we held a tournament in Puerto Rico to crown the first JCW World Champion. I'm pleased to say that I won the tournament, making me a ten time world champion. I look forward to making this the most prestigious title in pro-wrestling and in further exciting news, I'd like to announce our first official signing, Mr Sammy Guevarra. Sammy, come on in!"
Sammy walks onscreen.
Sammy: "Chris, what the hell? You said we were gonna have pasta? And why is your garage decorated like this?"
Jericho: "Sammy signed on the dotted line not ten minutes ago and aside from myself, is now the first member of JCW and is hereby resigning his position in AEW."
Sammy: "No I'm not. What the hell is JCW?"
Jericho: "And as a sign of goodwill and respect towards me, he has promised never to challenge for the JCW title so long as I hold it..."
Sammy: "JCW title? Chris, that belt is made of cardboard."
Jericho: "Back to you Tony."
Sammy: "No, don't cut back to Tony. I do not resign from AEW do you hear? I do not..."
Jericho then takes some time off.
submitted by ExpendableMan84 to AEWOfficial [link] [comments]
So, I've been mulling it over and I think the best way this can end is for Jericho to get manipulated by Big Bill and drop the FTW title to him at the first opportunity. Then, have him throw a tantrum in the ring and shout "screw you Tony, I quit!"
Fast forward two weeks and Dynamite has a "We'll Hear From Chris Jericho Segment." This then cuts to a live feed of Jericho stood somewhere with a 'JCW' backdrop and a new championship belt on his shoulder and this happens:
Jericho: "Thanks guys. Now, I know I have officially left AEW but I don't want there to be any hard feelings between the two companies, despite everything that happened at the end. There's no need to apologise, let's just move on. That's why today, I'm announcing a golden opportunity for AEW. I'd like to extend an invitation for you to collaborate with the hottest new wrestling promotion in the world, Jericho Championship Wrestling.
Just recently, I founded this promotion to bring you the best in modern wrestling and we held a tournament in Puerto Rico to crown the first JCW World Champion. I'm pleased to say that I won the tournament, making me a ten time world champion. I look forward to making this the most prestigious title in pro-wrestling and in further exciting news, I'd like to announce our first official signing, Mr Sammy Guevarra. Sammy, come on in!"
Sammy walks onscreen.
Sammy: "Chris, what the hell? You said we were gonna have pasta? And why is your garage decorated like this?"
Jericho: "Sammy signed on the dotted line not ten minutes ago and aside from myself, is now the first member of JCW and is hereby resigning his position in AEW."
Sammy: "No I'm not. What the hell is JCW?"
Jericho: "And as a sign of goodwill and respect towards me, he has promised never to challenge for the JCW title so long as I hold it..."
Sammy: "JCW title? Chris, that belt is made of cardboard."
Jericho: "Back to you Tony."
Sammy: "No, don't cut back to Tony. I do not resign from AEW do you hear? I do not..."
Jericho then takes some time off.
2024.05.16 18:00 DevelopmentCorrect Caribbean Spanish YouTube Channels and Resources 🇵🇷 🇨🇺 🇩🇴
Hey fellow dreamers, I feel Caribbean Spanish content has been wanted by a few people, including myself, so I decided why not make this post and see what we can come up with?
I have kinda gravitated toward Mexican Spanish 🇲🇽 in the beginning, but ever since visiting Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 on a week vacation, I have picked up quite an interest in Caribbean Spanish as well. I like the accent and the sound of it, even though it is often considered much more difficult to understand. Perhaps it's not that it's actually more difficult to understand, but just less common, so people are not as accustomed to it.
As we probably all know by now, the #1 tip seems to be "get more input", so that's what this post is for.
I'd like to drop a few Caribbean Spanish resources here to share, and also invite others to post anything they have found as well!
Los Verdaderos Codigos - Caribbean Spanish talking about programming and computers https://www.youtube.com/@LosVerdaderosCodigos
Bilingüe Blogs - Seems to be focused on Dominican Spanish https://www.youtube.com/c/Biling%C3%BCeBlogs
ANITA CON SWING - Girl from Cuba that lived in Spain and the United States, sharing her story https://www.youtube.com/c/AnitaconSwingOficial
frank the machine - Cuban guy sharing videos about his travels around Cuba https://www.youtube.com/@Frank_ElMakina
Soy Klaudia - Cuban vlogger https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgG7WX8Fi347JYa0SSpslQ
Yoliene - Cuban vlogger https://www.youtube.com/@yoliene
Bela Rivera - Another Cuban vlogger https://www.youtube.com/@belarivera
Edgardo Noel - Puerto Rican cooking channel https://www.youtube.com/useedgardonoel
EL JÍBARO MODERNOEL JÍBARO MODERNO - More Puerto Rican cooking https://www.youtube.com/@ELJIBAROMODERNO
Kiskeya Life - Historical and documentary style channel about the Dominican Republic https://www.youtube.com/c/KiskeyaLifeTV
submitted by DevelopmentCorrect to dreamingspanish [link] [comments]
I have kinda gravitated toward Mexican Spanish 🇲🇽 in the beginning, but ever since visiting Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 on a week vacation, I have picked up quite an interest in Caribbean Spanish as well. I like the accent and the sound of it, even though it is often considered much more difficult to understand. Perhaps it's not that it's actually more difficult to understand, but just less common, so people are not as accustomed to it.
As we probably all know by now, the #1 tip seems to be "get more input", so that's what this post is for.
I'd like to drop a few Caribbean Spanish resources here to share, and also invite others to post anything they have found as well!
Los Verdaderos Codigos - Caribbean Spanish talking about programming and computers https://www.youtube.com/@LosVerdaderosCodigos
Bilingüe Blogs - Seems to be focused on Dominican Spanish https://www.youtube.com/c/Biling%C3%BCeBlogs
ANITA CON SWING - Girl from Cuba that lived in Spain and the United States, sharing her story https://www.youtube.com/c/AnitaconSwingOficial
frank the machine - Cuban guy sharing videos about his travels around Cuba https://www.youtube.com/@Frank_ElMakina
Soy Klaudia - Cuban vlogger https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzgG7WX8Fi347JYa0SSpslQ
Yoliene - Cuban vlogger https://www.youtube.com/@yoliene
Bela Rivera - Another Cuban vlogger https://www.youtube.com/@belarivera
Edgardo Noel - Puerto Rican cooking channel https://www.youtube.com/useedgardonoel
EL JÍBARO MODERNOEL JÍBARO MODERNO - More Puerto Rican cooking https://www.youtube.com/@ELJIBAROMODERNO
Kiskeya Life - Historical and documentary style channel about the Dominican Republic https://www.youtube.com/c/KiskeyaLifeTV
2024.05.16 17:59 ravisharma037 Dental Care Excellence: Unveiling Puerto Rico's Top Dentists and Orthodontics
 | The Rise of Dental Excellence in Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico, renowned for its cultural richness and scenic beauty, also boasts a thriving dental industry. Over the years, the island has witnessed a surge in dental practices committed to delivering unparalleled care. Among the myriad of options, discerning individuals seek not just ordinary service, but excellence in dental and orthodontic care. submitted by ravisharma037 to u/ravisharma037 [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/eo0ycgzs9t0d1.jpg?width=950&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b8e710f5d80b32fdc4d5639d450861f180d4b0cd Best Dentists in Puerto Rico: When it comes to identifying the best dentist in Puerto Rico, several factors come into play. From qualifications and experience to patient satisfaction, the criteria are diverse. One name that resonates consistently in the realm of dental excellence is Dr. Maria Rodriguez. With a stellar track record spanning over two decades, Dr. Rodriguez embodies expertise and compassion in her practice. Her commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements ensures that her patients receive cutting-edge care tailored to their needs. Exploring Orthodontic Excellence: For those seeking the perfect alignment and symmetry in their smiles, the quest for the best orthodontics near me leads to Dr. Javier Martinez's practice. Renowned for his precision and dedication, Dr. Martinez is a beacon of orthodontic excellence in Puerto Rico. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for perfection, he transforms smiles with finesse and expertise. Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies such as Invisalign and advanced orthodontic techniques, Dr. Martinez ensures optimal results while prioritizing patient comfort. Each treatment plan is meticulously crafted to address individual needs, culminating in smiles that radiate confidence and beauty. Moreover, his compassionate approach fosters enduring relationships, making him a trusted partner in every patient's journey toward a captivating smile. Navigating the Dental Landscape: In the bustling realm of Puerto Rico dentists, navigating the landscape can be daunting. However, armed with the right knowledge and guidance, individuals can make informed decisions regarding their dental health. Beyond individual practitioners, several clinics and dental groups uphold the highest standards of care, offering comprehensive services tailored to diverse needs. One such establishment is Dental Excellence of Puerto Rico, a hub of innovation and compassion in dental care. Led by a team of seasoned professionals, Dental Excellence is committed to exceeding expectations at every turn. From preventive care and restorative dentistry to cosmetic enhancements and orthodontic solutions, the clinic's comprehensive approach ensures holistic dental wellness for all. Embracing Innovation and Compassion: As the dental landscape continues to evolve, innovation and compassion remain at the forefront of excellence. Puerto Rico dentists and orthodontists alike embrace cutting-edge technologies and techniques, ensuring optimal outcomes for their patients. Moreover, their unwavering commitment to compassionate care fosters trust and confidence, laying the foundation for enduring patient relationships. Conclusion: In the pursuit of dental excellence, Puerto Rico emerges as a beacon of innovation, compassion, and expertise. From the best dentists in Puerto Rico to top-tier orthodontic specialists, the island offers a plethora of options for individuals seeking superior dental care. By harnessing the power of technology and prioritizing patient well-being, Puerto Rico's dental professionals continue to redefine the standards of excellence in the field. So, whether it's a routine check-up or a smile makeover, rest assured that the pinnacle of dental care awaits in the heart of Puerto Rico. |
2024.05.16 16:24 Objective-Ad-4208 Drag Race Random Rerun 2.0: AS2 EP1 Results/Lip-Sync
The Results of the "All Star Variety Show" Talent Show Challenge are in!
*
*
*
DURING THE EPISODE...
As the werkroom lights flicker on, ten fierce All-Stars strut in, each eyeing the coveted spot in the Hall of Fame next to All Stars 1 winner Kylie Sonique Love. Get ready for a season packed with glamour, drama, and legendary lip-syncs. The race to the top has never been fiercer!
The first to enter the werkroom is Plasma! With a confident strut and a twinkle in her eye, she sashays in, exuding the charisma that screams "Broadway." She spills the tea in the confessional, expressing her sheer delight at being back in the Drag Race spotlight. Having tasted the bittersweet sting of elimination just shy of the season 5 finale, and having two wins under her belt, including triumphs in singing and acting challenges, Plasma is ready to reclaim her time and showcase the full spectrum of her theatrical prowess in this All Stars showdown. She's poised to snatch every moment and let her theatrical brilliance shine brighter than ever before!
As the next queen struts into the werkroom, Plasma's face lights up with pure joy—it's Priyanka! With a squeal of excitement, Plasma rushes over, their sisterhood from season 5 reignited in an instant. They embrace in a tight hug, exchanging playful banter as Plasma teases, "You better not send me home again, bitch!" In the confessional, Priyanka, reveals that she's never felt more ready for Drag Race than in this moment. After her season 5 journey, she's toured the world and grown immensely, feeling like she's finally hit her stride. With a mischievous grin, she declares her intention to snatch the crown right from under Plasma's nose, punctuating her declaration with a hearty laugh. Priyanka is ready to slay the competition and claim her moment in the spotlight.
As Plasma and Priyanka share laughs and catch up, the werkroom is hit with another dose of glamour as Bosco makes her entrance! The queens are instantly gagged by her stunning outfit, which accentuates her flawless figure in all the right ways. Making a beeline for Plasma and Priyanka, Bosco showers them with hugs, kisses, and compliments, praising their fierce looks. In a heart-to-heart with her fellow queens, Bosco reveals that she was offered a spot on All Stars 1 but didn't feel quite ready at the time. Now, however, she's back and more prepared than ever to snatch the crown. In a confessional, Plasma opens up about feeling a mix of excitement and intimidation in Bosco's presence. As a trailblazer from Season 1, Bosco is a true legend in the drag world, and her arrival adds an extra layer of excitement and competition to the mix.
As the werkroom continues to buzz with excitement, in walks Marcia Marcia Marcia, sending Priyanka and Plasma into disbelief. It's another queen from season 5, and the reunion is nothing short of epic. The trio embraces in a group hug, their smiles stretching from ear to ear as they revel in the joy of seeing each other again. Bosco joins the lovefest, adding her warmth to the mix as she greets Marcia with a tight hug. In a confessional, Marcia Marcia Marcia opens up about her near-miss with the crown last time around, admitting with a hint of sarcasm that seeing Priyanka and Plasma back in the competition feels like déjà vu after beating them before. Meanwhile, Priyanka playfully ribs Marcia about her makeup skills, teasing her about the "barely even there" makeup from season 5.
In a whirlwind of sequins and sass, Kahanna Montrese sashays into the werkroom, catching the other queens off guard with her swift return from season 7. The room buzzes with curiosity and intrigue as Kahanna shares her determination to prove herself after feeling robbed of her chance in her previous season. The other queens nod in admiration, applauding her unwavering resolve and fierce determination. In a confessional, Priyanka reflects on Kahanna's shocking elimination during season 7, recalling how she won a challenge only to face an early exit.
With an aura of determination radiating from every sequin, Cara Melle struts into the werkroom, her gaze fixed on the other queens with a steely resolve that could cut through diamonds. In a confessional, she reveals her satisfaction at being the lone representative from season 2 in this All Stars lineup, after her sisters Regina, Denali, and Kimmy failed to snatch the crown in All Stars 1. Cara envisions herself as the rightful queen to claim a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. As Cara's intense energy fills the room, Kahanna Montrese can't help but feel a twinge of surprise and uncertainty. Is Cara's confidence a facade, she wonders, a mask concealing her true intentions? Kahanna can't shake the feeling that there's more to this queen than meets the eye.
Danny Beard struts into the werkroom, greeted with beaming smiles from Bosco and Cara Melle, who are thrilled to see a queen from the earlier seasons joining their ranks. In a confessional, Danny shares her aspirations, expressing her desire to claim a spot beside her season 3 sister Kylie in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. With a fierce determination to remind the world of her slayage during season 3, Danny is here to snatch hearts and slay challenges. As the other queens welcome Danny with open arms, Marcia Marcia Marcia can't contain her excitement, channeling her inner fangirl as she declares Danny one of her idols.
With a signature "bam" that reverberates through the werkroom, Alexis Mateo makes her grand entrance, instantly setting the tone for the room with her iconic catchphrase. The other queens can't help but join in, screaming "bam" in unison as they welcome her with open arms. Curious about Alexis's journey and representing Puerto Rico, Priyanka dives in with questions, eager to learn more about the legendary queen's drag legacy. Proudly representing her Puerto Rican roots, Alexis exudes confidence as she vows to remind Mama Ru and the world why the island's drag scene reigns supreme. In a playful confessional moment, Alexis admits she's relieved not to spot Mistress in the room, jokingly citing the potential for drama. Among the sea of familiar faces, Alexis is particularly intrigued by Kahanna's presence, given their Vegas connections. With a knowing smirk, she anticipates the surprises her old friend might have up her sleeve this time around
As Tia Kofi struts into the werkroom, the other queens are left gagging at her undeniable glow-up. With her confidence radiating like a beacon, Tia's transformation from her season 6 days leaves jaws on the floor. Not one to shy away from a bit of playful banter, the queens don't hold back from teasing Tia about her questionable runway looks from her previous season. Alexis, ever the straight-shooter, even quips about hoping Tia brought a stylist along for the ride this time around. In a confessional, Tia holds nothing back, acknowledging her humble beginnings as a "baby queen" during season 6. But she's quick to point out that her journey across the globe has been a crash course in fashion education, and she's more than ready to show off her newfound sense of style on the All Stars stage.
As the final queen makes her grand entrance, the werkroom falls into stunned silence, with Plasma declaring her the "robbed queen of the century": Marina Summers. Marina, embodying grace and poise, reveals in a confessional the overwhelming support she received after narrowly missing out on the crown in season 7. However, she takes a moment to address her fans, urging them to cease any harassment directed towards Nymphia, the season 7 winner. With love and respect for her fellow queen, Marina emphasizes that Nymphia deserved her victory and sets her sights firmly on claiming the crown for herself in this All Stars season. With a warmth that fills the room, Marina approaches the other queens, embracing each one in turn. Danny, always quick with a witty remark, jokes about who might try to steal Marina's crown this time around, eliciting laughter from the group. Amidst the camaraderie and laughter, Marina's presence adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the competition, as the queens gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable All Stars journey.
*
RuPaul enters the werkroom and the queens participate in the first mini-challenge of the season.
Mini Challenge "Reading is Fundamental" Winner: Danny Beard
The Queens prepare for the talent show each plotting their path to snatch the spotlight
*
*
AFTER DELIBERATION...
TOP2: Marcia Marcia Marcia 🌟 (1x win) / Marina Summers🌟 (1x win)
HIGH: Alexis Mateo / Cara Melle
SAFE: Bosco / Kahanna Montrese / Priyanka
LOW: Plasma
BTM2: Danny Beard (1x btm) / Tia Kofi (1x btm)
*
*
*
The Top Two Queens Marcia Marcia Marcia and Marina Summers will Lip-Sync for their Legacy to "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift. This is your chance to impress me, take the win, and earn the power to give one of the Bottom Queens the Chop. Good Luck and Don't Fuck It Up!
Poll
Spreadsheet/Track Record
submitted by Objective-Ad-4208 to RPDRfantasyseason [link] [comments]
*
*
*
DURING THE EPISODE...
As the werkroom lights flicker on, ten fierce All-Stars strut in, each eyeing the coveted spot in the Hall of Fame next to All Stars 1 winner Kylie Sonique Love. Get ready for a season packed with glamour, drama, and legendary lip-syncs. The race to the top has never been fiercer!
The first to enter the werkroom is Plasma! With a confident strut and a twinkle in her eye, she sashays in, exuding the charisma that screams "Broadway." She spills the tea in the confessional, expressing her sheer delight at being back in the Drag Race spotlight. Having tasted the bittersweet sting of elimination just shy of the season 5 finale, and having two wins under her belt, including triumphs in singing and acting challenges, Plasma is ready to reclaim her time and showcase the full spectrum of her theatrical prowess in this All Stars showdown. She's poised to snatch every moment and let her theatrical brilliance shine brighter than ever before!
As the next queen struts into the werkroom, Plasma's face lights up with pure joy—it's Priyanka! With a squeal of excitement, Plasma rushes over, their sisterhood from season 5 reignited in an instant. They embrace in a tight hug, exchanging playful banter as Plasma teases, "You better not send me home again, bitch!" In the confessional, Priyanka, reveals that she's never felt more ready for Drag Race than in this moment. After her season 5 journey, she's toured the world and grown immensely, feeling like she's finally hit her stride. With a mischievous grin, she declares her intention to snatch the crown right from under Plasma's nose, punctuating her declaration with a hearty laugh. Priyanka is ready to slay the competition and claim her moment in the spotlight.
As Plasma and Priyanka share laughs and catch up, the werkroom is hit with another dose of glamour as Bosco makes her entrance! The queens are instantly gagged by her stunning outfit, which accentuates her flawless figure in all the right ways. Making a beeline for Plasma and Priyanka, Bosco showers them with hugs, kisses, and compliments, praising their fierce looks. In a heart-to-heart with her fellow queens, Bosco reveals that she was offered a spot on All Stars 1 but didn't feel quite ready at the time. Now, however, she's back and more prepared than ever to snatch the crown. In a confessional, Plasma opens up about feeling a mix of excitement and intimidation in Bosco's presence. As a trailblazer from Season 1, Bosco is a true legend in the drag world, and her arrival adds an extra layer of excitement and competition to the mix.
As the werkroom continues to buzz with excitement, in walks Marcia Marcia Marcia, sending Priyanka and Plasma into disbelief. It's another queen from season 5, and the reunion is nothing short of epic. The trio embraces in a group hug, their smiles stretching from ear to ear as they revel in the joy of seeing each other again. Bosco joins the lovefest, adding her warmth to the mix as she greets Marcia with a tight hug. In a confessional, Marcia Marcia Marcia opens up about her near-miss with the crown last time around, admitting with a hint of sarcasm that seeing Priyanka and Plasma back in the competition feels like déjà vu after beating them before. Meanwhile, Priyanka playfully ribs Marcia about her makeup skills, teasing her about the "barely even there" makeup from season 5.
In a whirlwind of sequins and sass, Kahanna Montrese sashays into the werkroom, catching the other queens off guard with her swift return from season 7. The room buzzes with curiosity and intrigue as Kahanna shares her determination to prove herself after feeling robbed of her chance in her previous season. The other queens nod in admiration, applauding her unwavering resolve and fierce determination. In a confessional, Priyanka reflects on Kahanna's shocking elimination during season 7, recalling how she won a challenge only to face an early exit.
With an aura of determination radiating from every sequin, Cara Melle struts into the werkroom, her gaze fixed on the other queens with a steely resolve that could cut through diamonds. In a confessional, she reveals her satisfaction at being the lone representative from season 2 in this All Stars lineup, after her sisters Regina, Denali, and Kimmy failed to snatch the crown in All Stars 1. Cara envisions herself as the rightful queen to claim a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. As Cara's intense energy fills the room, Kahanna Montrese can't help but feel a twinge of surprise and uncertainty. Is Cara's confidence a facade, she wonders, a mask concealing her true intentions? Kahanna can't shake the feeling that there's more to this queen than meets the eye.
Danny Beard struts into the werkroom, greeted with beaming smiles from Bosco and Cara Melle, who are thrilled to see a queen from the earlier seasons joining their ranks. In a confessional, Danny shares her aspirations, expressing her desire to claim a spot beside her season 3 sister Kylie in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. With a fierce determination to remind the world of her slayage during season 3, Danny is here to snatch hearts and slay challenges. As the other queens welcome Danny with open arms, Marcia Marcia Marcia can't contain her excitement, channeling her inner fangirl as she declares Danny one of her idols.
With a signature "bam" that reverberates through the werkroom, Alexis Mateo makes her grand entrance, instantly setting the tone for the room with her iconic catchphrase. The other queens can't help but join in, screaming "bam" in unison as they welcome her with open arms. Curious about Alexis's journey and representing Puerto Rico, Priyanka dives in with questions, eager to learn more about the legendary queen's drag legacy. Proudly representing her Puerto Rican roots, Alexis exudes confidence as she vows to remind Mama Ru and the world why the island's drag scene reigns supreme. In a playful confessional moment, Alexis admits she's relieved not to spot Mistress in the room, jokingly citing the potential for drama. Among the sea of familiar faces, Alexis is particularly intrigued by Kahanna's presence, given their Vegas connections. With a knowing smirk, she anticipates the surprises her old friend might have up her sleeve this time around
As Tia Kofi struts into the werkroom, the other queens are left gagging at her undeniable glow-up. With her confidence radiating like a beacon, Tia's transformation from her season 6 days leaves jaws on the floor. Not one to shy away from a bit of playful banter, the queens don't hold back from teasing Tia about her questionable runway looks from her previous season. Alexis, ever the straight-shooter, even quips about hoping Tia brought a stylist along for the ride this time around. In a confessional, Tia holds nothing back, acknowledging her humble beginnings as a "baby queen" during season 6. But she's quick to point out that her journey across the globe has been a crash course in fashion education, and she's more than ready to show off her newfound sense of style on the All Stars stage.
As the final queen makes her grand entrance, the werkroom falls into stunned silence, with Plasma declaring her the "robbed queen of the century": Marina Summers. Marina, embodying grace and poise, reveals in a confessional the overwhelming support she received after narrowly missing out on the crown in season 7. However, she takes a moment to address her fans, urging them to cease any harassment directed towards Nymphia, the season 7 winner. With love and respect for her fellow queen, Marina emphasizes that Nymphia deserved her victory and sets her sights firmly on claiming the crown for herself in this All Stars season. With a warmth that fills the room, Marina approaches the other queens, embracing each one in turn. Danny, always quick with a witty remark, jokes about who might try to steal Marina's crown this time around, eliciting laughter from the group. Amidst the camaraderie and laughter, Marina's presence adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the competition, as the queens gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable All Stars journey.
*
RuPaul enters the werkroom and the queens participate in the first mini-challenge of the season.
Mini Challenge "Reading is Fundamental" Winner: Danny Beard
The Queens prepare for the talent show each plotting their path to snatch the spotlight
- As Marcia Marcia Marcia, Priyanka, and Plasma huddle together, Alexis Mateo, Bosco, Cara Melle, and Danny Beard exchange knowing glances, sensing a clique forming among the season 5 sisters. Meanwhile, Marina Summers and Tia Kofi observe from afar, noticing a similar camaraderie brewing among the "early season" queens.
- In a corner of the werkroom, Kahanna Montrese and Alexis Mateo share tales of their Vegas experiences, their voices tinged with nostalgia and shared memories.
- Over by the makeup mirrors, Tia Kofi and Priyanka swap fashion tips, their laughter ringing out as Marina Summers playfully teases, suggesting they might need advice from someone else.
*
*
AFTER DELIBERATION...
TOP2: Marcia Marcia Marcia 🌟 (1x win) / Marina Summers🌟 (1x win)
HIGH: Alexis Mateo / Cara Melle
SAFE: Bosco / Kahanna Montrese / Priyanka
LOW: Plasma
BTM2: Danny Beard (1x btm) / Tia Kofi (1x btm)
*
*
*
The Top Two Queens Marcia Marcia Marcia and Marina Summers will Lip-Sync for their Legacy to "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift. This is your chance to impress me, take the win, and earn the power to give one of the Bottom Queens the Chop. Good Luck and Don't Fuck It Up!
Poll
Spreadsheet/Track Record
2024.05.16 14:56 TrueSoren Levittown, Puerto Rico's Baldwin 2-8-0 #7
 | I grew up seeing this locomotive whenever I went to my grandmas house (it was just a slight deviation away from the route between my childhood home and my grandma's place). I had even played on it when it was in better condition many years back. It deeply pains me to see it in such a pathetic state... I do not know the exact situation surrounding her, including why she has been left to rot like this, but one of the things I wish for most dearly is for someone to buy her and restore her, even if it means taking her out of Puerto Rico. This locomotive deserves better. submitted by TrueSoren to trains [link] [comments] (There is a previous post about this locomotive from 3 years ago in this subreddit here if anyone is interested: https://www.reddit.com/trains/comments/qwu5sp/baldwin_280_in_levittown_puerto_rico/) Picture taken by me on February 21st of 2024 Picture taken by my father in 2007~2010 |
2024.05.16 13:01 FelicitySmoak_ On This Day In Michael Jackson HIStory - May 16th
 | 1966 - Katherine gives birth to Janet Damita Jo Jackson in Gary, Indiana. She's the youngest of 10 children (including Brandon) submitted by FelicitySmoak_ to WhereWasMJToday [link] [comments] 1970 - The Jackson 5's "ABC", enters the UK Pop Singles Chart where it will stay for 16 weeks, peaking at #8 1979 - On their Destiny tour, The Jacksons play at the Birmingham Municipal Auditorium (now Boutwell Memorial Auditorium) in Birmingham, Alabama. 1981 - "One Day in Your Life", a single from Forever, Michael, peaks on the Billboard Music Chart at #55 1981 - "Can You Feel It", a single from The Jackson's Triumph album, peaks at #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 1983 - Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever aired on NBC and was a celebration of Motown Records' 25th anniversary. The program was taped before a live audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on 3/25/83 https://preview.redd.it/4fots39bsl0d1.jpg?width=648&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c63f607294be75121aea0ebcbf88ff8618a66cd3 Organized by Suzanne De Passe, the event was to feature all of the most popular Motown acts, both past and present. The Motown stars were to reunite for one evening, to pay tribute to Berry Gordy and acknowledge his effect on their lives. It featured, for the first time since 1975, a performance of the six Jackson brothers for a medley of the Jackson 5 hits then when left alone on stage Michael addressed the audience and then went into "Billie jean".He wore black pants, leather penny loafers a black sequin jacket, and a single white rhinestone glove. He then executed a move which many claim to have sealed his status as an icon forever. https://preview.redd.it/hked2rlesl0d1.jpg?width=185&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b30db5b94dcff0f369463093caa680ccdcf0ad23 It was the first time Michael had performed the moonwalk in public; he had practiced it in his kitchen prior to the show. At the end of the show, Michael joins Diana Ross and all the Motown stars on stage to pay tribute to Berry Gordy. Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever was watched by over 52 million people and Michael's routine earned him an Emmy nomination for this iconic performance. https://reddit.com/link/1cta8jj/video/4ruo41r1ul0d1/player The day after the show aired, Michael received a call from his childhood idol, Fred Astaire, who commended him. Another childhood idol, Sammy Davis Jr., had admired Michael's black sequined jacket during the performance and later received it as a gift. It was reported that the black sequin jacket Michael wore for the show actually belonged to his mother, Katherine. https://preview.redd.it/s1thf12isl0d1.jpg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=902c3669bc7ee1b1e1777e197c7ab67f1ad116cd 1984 - Michael's "Thriller" jacket had become the "hottest outerwear fad of the mid-1980s" and was widely emulated. Since counterfeit copies of the jacket could sell at over $500,Michael filed a lawsuit in NYC to prevent unauthorized copies of the jacket and his other merchandise. https://preview.redd.it/9owxnexlsl0d1.jpg?width=440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51e9becd59fd3ee8eb1dbc685c07c9d7661e55b0 On 6/27/11, the real jacket sold for $1.8 million at Julien's Auctions. The buyer, Milton Verret, described the jacket as "the greatest piece of rock and roll memorabilia in history". The proceeds from the jacket were donated to the Shambala Animal Kingdom (Australia - permanetly closed in 2013) where Michael's Bengal tigers (Thriller & Sabu) were housed when he left Neverland Ranch in 2006 https://preview.redd.it/i98qb3vosl0d1.jpg?width=904&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c87a44837f8b3d4fc7affc9f48ee80ad59101c23 1988 - Michael is on the cover of JET magazine https://preview.redd.it/hnrta3xqsl0d1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=25a26f9815b26bbcc845e88abd3117a2d7dd2432 1990- Michael loses his Hero & long time friend, Sammy Davis Jr.,who dies in Beverly Hills, California of complications from throat cancer. Michael is named as an honorary pallbearer along with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Bill Cosby. https://preview.redd.it/2x81npbxsl0d1.jpg?width=267&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86c5476157986eb76d7d34ae1c2c31d92c6190a1 https://preview.redd.it/zdgm2ydzsl0d1.jpg?width=340&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5d2557e1511bbccfb55dd416b4e9cf671533c09d Davis and Jackson were extremely close. When Michael was just in his twenties, he would often show up at Davis’s house unannounced to immerse himself in "the archives', a room downstairs that contained videos of Davis’s performances over the years. Davis would give advice to Michael, even at a very early age. Jackson recalls when Davis told him “'Don’t ever do drugs,’ they told us. I never forgot it.” https://preview.redd.it/xpxtwak2tl0d1.jpg?width=563&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4e8e087b84775ad8f85a799f717eed982870f635 “Michael Jackson is more than a friend, He’s like a son." - Sammy Davis, Jr. https://preview.redd.it/t35uide5tl0d1.jpg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94023a617e80120877426adf098445da31823b2d https://i.redd.it/x9y0v5c7tl0d1.gif 1992- Michael is on the cover of Look-In (UK) magazine https://preview.redd.it/61h3wk39tl0d1.jpg?width=1131&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=869ca9dd5a170dbb35c3164a7f6a3262529360a6 1993- Michael & the Chandlers fly back to Los Angeles from Paris 2005 - Trial Day 53. Week 12 Begins Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. https://preview.redd.it/2dzv38pbtl0d1.jpg?width=359&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=572d67b1211c58a4ba7499f2514a6d5522a7d32f https://preview.redd.it/dikqsubdtl0d1.jpg?width=399&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb9a232b709b80835125d1f8970fb171b5cff140 2008 - Michael takes Prince, Paris and Blanket to see The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian at Brenden Theaters at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas https://reddit.com/link/1cta8jj/video/gou9hfv7ul0d1/player 2009 - Michael invites his fans Robert and Talitha Linehan to his Carolwood home 2012- Joe Jackson holds a press conference announcing 'Michael Jackson Forever King Of Pop' in San Juan, Puerto Rico. https://preview.redd.it/683173tftl0d1.jpg?width=408&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa080a080d5eff0f98914d33612e15c3a5c865ec 2013 - Day 12 of the Jackson vs AEG Live trial |
2024.05.16 12:01 Tyler89558 Somehow found myself in a very alt-right group.
Sorry for the long story.
Alright. So some context. I'm a pretty big fan of Aurora 4x. If you don't know, it's an incredibly complex and in-depth 4x strategy game set in space where you can customize your ships down to each individual component (i.e. you can make your own engines/weapons/etc. to stick on your ships). A creator that I'm a fan of is advertising an role-playing series about this, and I'm like "Yeah, I'm in".
It kind of dies on arrival. But then the chosen DM for this invites me to another game which continues the legacy so to say with nobility and space battles. That one takes a pause (not really important to the story) and I get invited to another game. If you've heard of the game Terra Invicta, it's basically that. Aliens are invading Earth and are influencing various nations and it's up to the players in the United Nations to stop them. This is the game that I wish to share.
Now, this game had numerous problems mechanically. Mainly, the UN is given a ton of resources (trillions of dollars and 'resources' to be precise). But everything costs like... $100, or like 10 resources. And we as players are limited to like 4 infantry brigades between all of us. So we kind of have nothing to spend it on. Bad enough on it's own, but it's not really horror just yet.
We ended up starting in 2024. Modern day. Dropped straight into the Invasion of Ukraine in Mariupol to dislodge the Russians from the city (The Russians are, of course, being influenced by the aliens). We skirmish and kick them out. Cool. I'm made into the de-facto commanding officer of the entire UN military. Which sounds impressive, but remember, we're just infantry. (And also, the DM insists that Jeeps are to be considered armored personnel carriers as they have "armor" and carry dudes. More on this classification stuff later)
In comes the bomb. A literal bomb. Russia nukes Kiev. Now, you might be wondering "Oh man, so like does this end up into some kind of world war? Any larger political impact?" no. Nada. Zilch. The entire world just kind of... ignores the situation. I'm here thinking "Uh, that's weird", but I ignore it since the game starts opening up. At the time I was guessing that the DM just wanted to end the tutorial with a literal bang.
Next session. The literal fallout of the nuke. Kiev is gone, quite literally the entire command and government structure of Ukraine just up and vaporizes. So we're left to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately, Ukraine is in literal pieces. Fractured into several parts. Some support the UN. Some support Russia. Others support the fucking Asimov Battalion (which rebrands to the Asimov Division). For those of you who don't know, the Asimov Battalion are pretty closely linked with nazis.
In comes our moral dilemma. Leader of the Asimov Division comes to our base and starts negotiations. DM starts RPing with the leader saying stuff like "The Nazis are the only good thing to have happened to Ukraine. Where was x y and z when this and that happened! Nowhere! The Nazis gave us..." yada yada. In my mind I was thinking "Holy shit what? I guess he's just roleplaying...". Now I've got two "advisors". The medic of the group in charge of humanitarian efforts says the no-brain "Hey. They're fucking Nazis. We shouldn't be working with them" while my de-facto XO is like "Nah, we should help them". Of course, since the DM is basically ham-fisting me to help the literal Nazis with the threat of having to fight a war on both sides by two numerically superior enemies (again, we only have 4 infantry battalions) I basically have to grin and be like "Ok. We'll help you".
So I'm left thinking that this was as wacky as things were going to get. The next two weeks are "normal". I have to do a lot of set-up since the game is really starting to open up. We get to research things, we get a higher unit count, we get more than just goddamn infantry. So of course: I get us some actual armor and whatnot. In comes Mr. Armor expert who writes up the formation template for an armored brigade. Except he didn't follow the templates we were given so I had to tell him multiple times to edit it and everything, during which he insults me. "Alright, kind of weird you're insulting your commanding officer, but fine" I think.
He calls his formation an armored regiment. I called it an armored brigade. He gets pissed off and insists that it be called a regiment as the two are "very different" according to him. I not only pull rank (At this point I am a 3-star general and he is a goddamn colonel) and tell him that I am literally writing our doctrine from scratch and I can call it whatever the hell I want, but I even link him to the US DoD (he is basing stuff off the US army) where it literally says that armor is only called a regiment for historical reasons and thus armored regiments are literally just armored brigades. His response? "Wow, for someone who thinks they know a lot, you sure know nothing".
I am just baffled at the insubordination and I'm debating whether to court marshal his ass when out of left field all of my other junior officers come out of the woodworks to call me a "crybaby" and a "bitch" and all sorts of shit. I talk about this stuff with my friends and they're equally as confused as I am.
It's then that I bother to read through the world events that are going on (keep in mind, that at this point I've been busy with classes and have had to spend literal hours setting up formations, budgets, officer assignments, research, etc. in my off time) with my friends. And oh my god there is a lot to unpack with this.
Event 1: The Scandinavian countries unite and reform the Kalmar Union and do viking stuff.
Event 2: Portugal invades and annexes Brazil.
Event 3: Aliens just vaporize the entire country of Australia.
Event 4: Greece and Turkey unite to form... the Byzantine Empire. A high schooler could come up with something better. And the DM is a grown ass adult living on their own.
You think that was bad? It gets worse.
Event 5: Ireland invades the UK to reclaim Northern Ireland (There is a dude in game who now that I'm looking back, I'm pretty sure supports the IRA)
Event 6: Mexico joins hands with the aliens and invades the US. President Biden orders the military to stand down. In response, the US military starts a coup against Biden and instates... Donald Trump as the new president.
Yes. You read that right. The US military performs a violent coup to instate a president with no election.
It gets better.
The US counterattacks and defeats Mexico. The result? Mexico becomes the 51st state of America. That's right. All of Mexico becomes state 51. Oh, and for shits and giggles the US also invades Canada and makes that state 52. State constitution? Voting? The idea of a territory? Puerto Rico? Nope.
At this point I've realized just what I've gotten myself into. Everything became so clear all of a sudden, all the little flags and stuff clicked in quite possibly the most horrifying way possible. This isn't an RP game, it's a goddamn fan-fiction for Trump with some edgy alt-history bullshit thrown in. My friends obviously advise me to GTFO, but I can't help but do one last thing.
My character, as the leader of the UN military, came to be known as a hero and the father of the Modern UN. So obviously I had to have this guy go out with a bang. I write a manifesto, where I basically say "I've given my all to defend humanity from this extra-terrestrial threat. But upon looking at the state of the war and the things we've done as a species, I cannot help but wonder if these Aliens are the good guys after all?"
My final words to this group of... interesting individuals were an apology to the secretary who will find my brain matter splattered all over the walls as my character deep throats a bullpup sniper rifle (these people hate bullpup guns) but also definitively states that it is an armored brigade, not an armored regiment.
Of course I blocked every single one of these mfs and immediately left any and all channels shared with them. Like even now, two months later, I cannot believe that I managed to find myself embroiled in a group like this.
submitted by Tyler89558 to rpghorrorstories [link] [comments]
Alright. So some context. I'm a pretty big fan of Aurora 4x. If you don't know, it's an incredibly complex and in-depth 4x strategy game set in space where you can customize your ships down to each individual component (i.e. you can make your own engines/weapons/etc. to stick on your ships). A creator that I'm a fan of is advertising an role-playing series about this, and I'm like "Yeah, I'm in".
It kind of dies on arrival. But then the chosen DM for this invites me to another game which continues the legacy so to say with nobility and space battles. That one takes a pause (not really important to the story) and I get invited to another game. If you've heard of the game Terra Invicta, it's basically that. Aliens are invading Earth and are influencing various nations and it's up to the players in the United Nations to stop them. This is the game that I wish to share.
Now, this game had numerous problems mechanically. Mainly, the UN is given a ton of resources (trillions of dollars and 'resources' to be precise). But everything costs like... $100, or like 10 resources. And we as players are limited to like 4 infantry brigades between all of us. So we kind of have nothing to spend it on. Bad enough on it's own, but it's not really horror just yet.
We ended up starting in 2024. Modern day. Dropped straight into the Invasion of Ukraine in Mariupol to dislodge the Russians from the city (The Russians are, of course, being influenced by the aliens). We skirmish and kick them out. Cool. I'm made into the de-facto commanding officer of the entire UN military. Which sounds impressive, but remember, we're just infantry. (And also, the DM insists that Jeeps are to be considered armored personnel carriers as they have "armor" and carry dudes. More on this classification stuff later)
In comes the bomb. A literal bomb. Russia nukes Kiev. Now, you might be wondering "Oh man, so like does this end up into some kind of world war? Any larger political impact?" no. Nada. Zilch. The entire world just kind of... ignores the situation. I'm here thinking "Uh, that's weird", but I ignore it since the game starts opening up. At the time I was guessing that the DM just wanted to end the tutorial with a literal bang.
Next session. The literal fallout of the nuke. Kiev is gone, quite literally the entire command and government structure of Ukraine just up and vaporizes. So we're left to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately, Ukraine is in literal pieces. Fractured into several parts. Some support the UN. Some support Russia. Others support the fucking Asimov Battalion (which rebrands to the Asimov Division). For those of you who don't know, the Asimov Battalion are pretty closely linked with nazis.
In comes our moral dilemma. Leader of the Asimov Division comes to our base and starts negotiations. DM starts RPing with the leader saying stuff like "The Nazis are the only good thing to have happened to Ukraine. Where was x y and z when this and that happened! Nowhere! The Nazis gave us..." yada yada. In my mind I was thinking "Holy shit what? I guess he's just roleplaying...". Now I've got two "advisors". The medic of the group in charge of humanitarian efforts says the no-brain "Hey. They're fucking Nazis. We shouldn't be working with them" while my de-facto XO is like "Nah, we should help them". Of course, since the DM is basically ham-fisting me to help the literal Nazis with the threat of having to fight a war on both sides by two numerically superior enemies (again, we only have 4 infantry battalions) I basically have to grin and be like "Ok. We'll help you".
So I'm left thinking that this was as wacky as things were going to get. The next two weeks are "normal". I have to do a lot of set-up since the game is really starting to open up. We get to research things, we get a higher unit count, we get more than just goddamn infantry. So of course: I get us some actual armor and whatnot. In comes Mr. Armor expert who writes up the formation template for an armored brigade. Except he didn't follow the templates we were given so I had to tell him multiple times to edit it and everything, during which he insults me. "Alright, kind of weird you're insulting your commanding officer, but fine" I think.
He calls his formation an armored regiment. I called it an armored brigade. He gets pissed off and insists that it be called a regiment as the two are "very different" according to him. I not only pull rank (At this point I am a 3-star general and he is a goddamn colonel) and tell him that I am literally writing our doctrine from scratch and I can call it whatever the hell I want, but I even link him to the US DoD (he is basing stuff off the US army) where it literally says that armor is only called a regiment for historical reasons and thus armored regiments are literally just armored brigades. His response? "Wow, for someone who thinks they know a lot, you sure know nothing".
I am just baffled at the insubordination and I'm debating whether to court marshal his ass when out of left field all of my other junior officers come out of the woodworks to call me a "crybaby" and a "bitch" and all sorts of shit. I talk about this stuff with my friends and they're equally as confused as I am.
It's then that I bother to read through the world events that are going on (keep in mind, that at this point I've been busy with classes and have had to spend literal hours setting up formations, budgets, officer assignments, research, etc. in my off time) with my friends. And oh my god there is a lot to unpack with this.
Event 1: The Scandinavian countries unite and reform the Kalmar Union and do viking stuff.
Event 2: Portugal invades and annexes Brazil.
Event 3: Aliens just vaporize the entire country of Australia.
Event 4: Greece and Turkey unite to form... the Byzantine Empire. A high schooler could come up with something better. And the DM is a grown ass adult living on their own.
You think that was bad? It gets worse.
Event 5: Ireland invades the UK to reclaim Northern Ireland (There is a dude in game who now that I'm looking back, I'm pretty sure supports the IRA)
Event 6: Mexico joins hands with the aliens and invades the US. President Biden orders the military to stand down. In response, the US military starts a coup against Biden and instates... Donald Trump as the new president.
Yes. You read that right. The US military performs a violent coup to instate a president with no election.
It gets better.
The US counterattacks and defeats Mexico. The result? Mexico becomes the 51st state of America. That's right. All of Mexico becomes state 51. Oh, and for shits and giggles the US also invades Canada and makes that state 52. State constitution? Voting? The idea of a territory? Puerto Rico? Nope.
At this point I've realized just what I've gotten myself into. Everything became so clear all of a sudden, all the little flags and stuff clicked in quite possibly the most horrifying way possible. This isn't an RP game, it's a goddamn fan-fiction for Trump with some edgy alt-history bullshit thrown in. My friends obviously advise me to GTFO, but I can't help but do one last thing.
My character, as the leader of the UN military, came to be known as a hero and the father of the Modern UN. So obviously I had to have this guy go out with a bang. I write a manifesto, where I basically say "I've given my all to defend humanity from this extra-terrestrial threat. But upon looking at the state of the war and the things we've done as a species, I cannot help but wonder if these Aliens are the good guys after all?"
My final words to this group of... interesting individuals were an apology to the secretary who will find my brain matter splattered all over the walls as my character deep throats a bullpup sniper rifle (these people hate bullpup guns) but also definitively states that it is an armored brigade, not an armored regiment.
Of course I blocked every single one of these mfs and immediately left any and all channels shared with them. Like even now, two months later, I cannot believe that I managed to find myself embroiled in a group like this.
2024.05.16 09:13 AntonioMartin12 here is my life story
Friends, talking to someone very important in my life today, I was told to write today about my life on facebook, the real story.
And hardly anyone knows the whole story, and that's true. So then I'm going to arm myself with courage and tell everything: And to take whatever comes back my way. When I was born, in Puerto Rico, I was a sickly person. I had among other things, a heart disease. At three years old I began to experience something that I had no idea it was at that time: I did not feel like a boy but like a girl instead. I told my parents but as neither they nor I understood what this was, they told me that I was male etc. By five years old I began to be attracted to girls: I liked my neighbor Noemi.
At that time, I was already attending church, because my family has always been Christian. At 7, I sang at the children's choir of the Disciples of Christ church in Bayamon.At that time my family lived well, my parents had businesses and we had a large house with a lady who I will not call a servant because to me she was like my aunt, Titi Sandra. We had some luxuries, not many but enough.
We traveled to other countries for vacation during weekends, etc. , In short, we lived well. At the age of nine, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes, and then my family lost the business for things that happen in life and we moved first to Humacao and then to Caguas, where at 11 years old I was in a coma, which decades later, I found out that as a result of that coma, my brain had been affected in such a way that in essence the doctors told my parents that emotionally (not intellectually) I was going to stay at the age I was when that took place for the rest of my life maybe. But they didn't tell me that at that time. The thing is that also at the same time I wanted with all my soul at that same time to get into boxing as a competitor. I saw in Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez and Muhammad Ali my heroes. I wanted to be like them and started going to the gym,
I had a couple of fights as an amateur. For those who do not know, particularly my great friends from Caguas, at that time when we moved to Cayey, two extremely important things happened in my life: I met the love of my life, a girl named Thylvenetssie, who is an American girl of Puerto Rican parents, as she had arrived in Cayey from Boston, Massachusetts.
She liked music and she and her friends Hilda, Ana and Carmen formed a band which sometimes they took the stage of the middle school we all attenced and started singing at lunch, nothing seriously but for them it was serious enough. For my part, I was still in boxing and all that but, Thylvenetssiee and I fell in love, we went out to eat a few times together and then she asked me to join her band and I, in order to keep being next to her all the time, joined them. What followed was unimaginable: suddenly I gained popularity and everyone at school knew us. I enjoyed it because as she had come from the United States, she knew the lyrics of many songs, and me, living with my secret, I not only loved the songs of Van Halen, The Beatles, Menudo and Duran Duran (what a mix haha!) but also those of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Bananarama too. And not only that but when we became known at school, I had my "fans" also, one in particular was named Maritza and I always remember her because she was always next to me when Thilvenetssiee was not with me.
Through all that, I still went to the gym and trained because I was known as the boxer who sang. In essence I was the only male in a "girl band." But my parents saw that the hospital in Cayey was not very good and decided without telling me that we had to return to Caguas. And one weekend we returned. I wanted, cause of what I just told you about the girl and our band, to go back to school in Cayey, but I couldn't because the government wasn't going to allow me anyway because I now lived in another city. There I rejoined again with my friends and soul mates from Caguas ,and I also liked a girl named Leila.
Then I got into the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, where I was in the adult choir at 14 years old, I also continued with boxing but one day, the night before the fight between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard, I had a dream where I died in a boxing match and took it as an omen and decided not to continue with that idea of becoming a boxer. I met a girl named Loyda, and other friends, I started to hang out with a clique of teen friends, I had a great time but something else very important also took place: I fell in love with a girl named Angie. At that time I wasn't used to girls telling me they didn't love me, but when I asked her out, she told me she didn't want to be my girlfriend. that happened on May 20, 1989. My friend Victor must remember because he knew how in love I was and that night I remember Victor phoned me at my home from his, to console me. Then I began to experience depression, I wanted to kill myself, I wanted to commit suicide. On top of that, when my pastor found out that I had begun to visit Angie's church, he told me to continue going to her church and I felt that he had basically told me to stop going to mine (his). I was so desperate that I went and sought medical help from my school psychologist, and the psychologist invited me to his home for a "private session."
Luckily, I did not go because it felt weird, and I knew more or less what he meant, and a month later I found out through the janitor of the school, that the doctor was fired because he had said similar things to other young people at school. Imagine that! But also, during that era, my friends and I were planning to form another band and we even used to go to town to take theater, singing, and dance classes, and because of that and also because of the conversations I had with my parents, with my friends and with my aunt Lourdes who one day grabbed me by my arm and told me "do not do what I would not do" and also because God was with me, I still had hopes and so I survived depression. But nevertheless, there was still that doubt that I had, that unresolved issue: inside myself I had this female voice. I saw myself and felt like Madonna or Molly Ringwald and I did not understand why.
Playing basketball, I saw myself as a girl. Kissing girls, it was the same. Boxing, it was the same. In church praying, hanging with my buddies, singing, it was always the same. In April 1990, we boarded a plane and moved to the United States. I wanted to become an entertainer at that time. When I arrived in the United States, I realized that I also liked boys. I still didn't know that in Puerto Rico, so I was shocked for quite some time. Here I tried to enter the Marines and I went to be sent but when they realized that I have Diabetes when they did my medical, they disqualified me, But I tried at least, and worked as an ice cream salesperson, in the hope of being able to pay my entrance to some talent agency which I achieved after many years.
I was about to marry a girl I met one day when, leaving her house, she ran to me and kissed me and there we met; two weeks later we were in court for the court wedding, but we decided not to do it and we ran out of there. She was a witch, she liked black magic and that and I got into that lifestyle even though I was still a Christian and I was never fully involved in it like her. She was Gothic and I got into the Gothic style too. From then on came the parties, the clubs, the "crazy life". I also found another church here where I started to go but I got into trouble with the pastor because of one spefific rule I disagreed with in that church. The thing is that I was in a group of more or less 20 or 30 different characters: we always went everywhere together and, besides that, I was already in a well-known talent agency working as a model.
But that agency passed into the hands of a group people which some of the other models told me were not reliable and all the models I knew, including me, said goodbye to them and that was that. At that time I had a girlfriend a very beautiful black girl by the way but I wanted to continue in my wild ways and living the crazy life.
A lifetime of meeting famous people such as several ex-Menudo, Wilfredo Gomez, Michael Jordan, Sunset Thomas, Pamela Anderson, Sylvester Stallone, Ringo Starr, two former presidents of the United States and even Princess Anne of England. Of fist fights wherever they found me, of casinos, hotels, of addiction. And another thing: not only did I know I was bisexual but also something else: transgender. I told my sister Nilda a week at the end of 1996, while still dating my fiancée. On a cold December night. (I remember they were showing a soap opera with the beautiful Mexican actress Lucero and when I told her at that time I felt very much like "Lucero" hahaha) By 1999, I asked my doctor to do an operation to change sex, but he denied it based on my Diabetes condition. I continued to play basketball every week, organizing another musical group that I had for a short time here, and leading my crazy life. Until one day I was about to do something crazy against a private property and, after that, the group I hung out with gave me an ultimatum: either I would change or my hanging out with them would end.
I went through rehabilitation, I began to behave better, but little by little that era came to an end. I returned to church but because things that happen in life, I had to move to a house where the church where I live at now is somewhat far away and then, covid also came, and I do not like to go out where there are a lot of people so much. I am still transgender, but recently one of my other aunts (Aunt Raquel and her husband Joe Gomez) spoke to me and now every day I ask God to forgive me for everything I did, for who I am and have been.And the reason why I am writing this here today is not to brag, I am neither proud nor ashamed of my life but there are many people who do not know a quarter of it and someone told me today to talk about it and encouraged me to tell you about it so that everyone knows, but they also said to speak with the truth and talk openly.
Those from Caguas do not know what happened in Cayey, many my family did not know about my time with depression, and neither those of Caguas nor most of my family and friends knew about my transgenderism and that I even own a couple of dressees. Nor about my love history or anything like that. It's time to get courageous and tell the whole truth. Whoever told me to write this, told me to tell the whole truth. And here it is.
I have bounced from one wall to the other, I had love affairs with men and women, (although now I am heterosexual again- I like only girls) I have been popular and I have been ignored, brave and cowardly, and yes I have also been both a man and a woman in spirit, I have been an angel and a demon, healthy and sick I have lived well off and kind of poor too, sung and acted, the latter in film (Eight Legged Freaks) and theater (mostly badly). That is my life, my truth.And every night I pray to God for Him to forgive me. I hope that when it is my turn to speak with Him in eternity, my heavenly Father will forgive me. For at the end of the day I never ceased to be a Christian, to believe in Him and to love Him.
My aunt Raquel still says if I dont stop being transgender I will go to Hell. She does not understand how much this hurts to hear.
submitted by AntonioMartin12 to trans [link] [comments]
And hardly anyone knows the whole story, and that's true. So then I'm going to arm myself with courage and tell everything: And to take whatever comes back my way. When I was born, in Puerto Rico, I was a sickly person. I had among other things, a heart disease. At three years old I began to experience something that I had no idea it was at that time: I did not feel like a boy but like a girl instead. I told my parents but as neither they nor I understood what this was, they told me that I was male etc. By five years old I began to be attracted to girls: I liked my neighbor Noemi.
At that time, I was already attending church, because my family has always been Christian. At 7, I sang at the children's choir of the Disciples of Christ church in Bayamon.At that time my family lived well, my parents had businesses and we had a large house with a lady who I will not call a servant because to me she was like my aunt, Titi Sandra. We had some luxuries, not many but enough.
We traveled to other countries for vacation during weekends, etc. , In short, we lived well. At the age of nine, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes, and then my family lost the business for things that happen in life and we moved first to Humacao and then to Caguas, where at 11 years old I was in a coma, which decades later, I found out that as a result of that coma, my brain had been affected in such a way that in essence the doctors told my parents that emotionally (not intellectually) I was going to stay at the age I was when that took place for the rest of my life maybe. But they didn't tell me that at that time. The thing is that also at the same time I wanted with all my soul at that same time to get into boxing as a competitor. I saw in Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez and Muhammad Ali my heroes. I wanted to be like them and started going to the gym,
I had a couple of fights as an amateur. For those who do not know, particularly my great friends from Caguas, at that time when we moved to Cayey, two extremely important things happened in my life: I met the love of my life, a girl named Thylvenetssie, who is an American girl of Puerto Rican parents, as she had arrived in Cayey from Boston, Massachusetts.
She liked music and she and her friends Hilda, Ana and Carmen formed a band which sometimes they took the stage of the middle school we all attenced and started singing at lunch, nothing seriously but for them it was serious enough. For my part, I was still in boxing and all that but, Thylvenetssiee and I fell in love, we went out to eat a few times together and then she asked me to join her band and I, in order to keep being next to her all the time, joined them. What followed was unimaginable: suddenly I gained popularity and everyone at school knew us. I enjoyed it because as she had come from the United States, she knew the lyrics of many songs, and me, living with my secret, I not only loved the songs of Van Halen, The Beatles, Menudo and Duran Duran (what a mix haha!) but also those of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Bananarama too. And not only that but when we became known at school, I had my "fans" also, one in particular was named Maritza and I always remember her because she was always next to me when Thilvenetssiee was not with me.
Through all that, I still went to the gym and trained because I was known as the boxer who sang. In essence I was the only male in a "girl band." But my parents saw that the hospital in Cayey was not very good and decided without telling me that we had to return to Caguas. And one weekend we returned. I wanted, cause of what I just told you about the girl and our band, to go back to school in Cayey, but I couldn't because the government wasn't going to allow me anyway because I now lived in another city. There I rejoined again with my friends and soul mates from Caguas ,and I also liked a girl named Leila.
Then I got into the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, where I was in the adult choir at 14 years old, I also continued with boxing but one day, the night before the fight between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard, I had a dream where I died in a boxing match and took it as an omen and decided not to continue with that idea of becoming a boxer. I met a girl named Loyda, and other friends, I started to hang out with a clique of teen friends, I had a great time but something else very important also took place: I fell in love with a girl named Angie. At that time I wasn't used to girls telling me they didn't love me, but when I asked her out, she told me she didn't want to be my girlfriend. that happened on May 20, 1989. My friend Victor must remember because he knew how in love I was and that night I remember Victor phoned me at my home from his, to console me. Then I began to experience depression, I wanted to kill myself, I wanted to commit suicide. On top of that, when my pastor found out that I had begun to visit Angie's church, he told me to continue going to her church and I felt that he had basically told me to stop going to mine (his). I was so desperate that I went and sought medical help from my school psychologist, and the psychologist invited me to his home for a "private session."
Luckily, I did not go because it felt weird, and I knew more or less what he meant, and a month later I found out through the janitor of the school, that the doctor was fired because he had said similar things to other young people at school. Imagine that! But also, during that era, my friends and I were planning to form another band and we even used to go to town to take theater, singing, and dance classes, and because of that and also because of the conversations I had with my parents, with my friends and with my aunt Lourdes who one day grabbed me by my arm and told me "do not do what I would not do" and also because God was with me, I still had hopes and so I survived depression. But nevertheless, there was still that doubt that I had, that unresolved issue: inside myself I had this female voice. I saw myself and felt like Madonna or Molly Ringwald and I did not understand why.
Playing basketball, I saw myself as a girl. Kissing girls, it was the same. Boxing, it was the same. In church praying, hanging with my buddies, singing, it was always the same. In April 1990, we boarded a plane and moved to the United States. I wanted to become an entertainer at that time. When I arrived in the United States, I realized that I also liked boys. I still didn't know that in Puerto Rico, so I was shocked for quite some time. Here I tried to enter the Marines and I went to be sent but when they realized that I have Diabetes when they did my medical, they disqualified me, But I tried at least, and worked as an ice cream salesperson, in the hope of being able to pay my entrance to some talent agency which I achieved after many years.
I was about to marry a girl I met one day when, leaving her house, she ran to me and kissed me and there we met; two weeks later we were in court for the court wedding, but we decided not to do it and we ran out of there. She was a witch, she liked black magic and that and I got into that lifestyle even though I was still a Christian and I was never fully involved in it like her. She was Gothic and I got into the Gothic style too. From then on came the parties, the clubs, the "crazy life". I also found another church here where I started to go but I got into trouble with the pastor because of one spefific rule I disagreed with in that church. The thing is that I was in a group of more or less 20 or 30 different characters: we always went everywhere together and, besides that, I was already in a well-known talent agency working as a model.
But that agency passed into the hands of a group people which some of the other models told me were not reliable and all the models I knew, including me, said goodbye to them and that was that. At that time I had a girlfriend a very beautiful black girl by the way but I wanted to continue in my wild ways and living the crazy life.
A lifetime of meeting famous people such as several ex-Menudo, Wilfredo Gomez, Michael Jordan, Sunset Thomas, Pamela Anderson, Sylvester Stallone, Ringo Starr, two former presidents of the United States and even Princess Anne of England. Of fist fights wherever they found me, of casinos, hotels, of addiction. And another thing: not only did I know I was bisexual but also something else: transgender. I told my sister Nilda a week at the end of 1996, while still dating my fiancée. On a cold December night. (I remember they were showing a soap opera with the beautiful Mexican actress Lucero and when I told her at that time I felt very much like "Lucero" hahaha) By 1999, I asked my doctor to do an operation to change sex, but he denied it based on my Diabetes condition. I continued to play basketball every week, organizing another musical group that I had for a short time here, and leading my crazy life. Until one day I was about to do something crazy against a private property and, after that, the group I hung out with gave me an ultimatum: either I would change or my hanging out with them would end.
I went through rehabilitation, I began to behave better, but little by little that era came to an end. I returned to church but because things that happen in life, I had to move to a house where the church where I live at now is somewhat far away and then, covid also came, and I do not like to go out where there are a lot of people so much. I am still transgender, but recently one of my other aunts (Aunt Raquel and her husband Joe Gomez) spoke to me and now every day I ask God to forgive me for everything I did, for who I am and have been.And the reason why I am writing this here today is not to brag, I am neither proud nor ashamed of my life but there are many people who do not know a quarter of it and someone told me today to talk about it and encouraged me to tell you about it so that everyone knows, but they also said to speak with the truth and talk openly.
Those from Caguas do not know what happened in Cayey, many my family did not know about my time with depression, and neither those of Caguas nor most of my family and friends knew about my transgenderism and that I even own a couple of dressees. Nor about my love history or anything like that. It's time to get courageous and tell the whole truth. Whoever told me to write this, told me to tell the whole truth. And here it is.
I have bounced from one wall to the other, I had love affairs with men and women, (although now I am heterosexual again- I like only girls) I have been popular and I have been ignored, brave and cowardly, and yes I have also been both a man and a woman in spirit, I have been an angel and a demon, healthy and sick I have lived well off and kind of poor too, sung and acted, the latter in film (Eight Legged Freaks) and theater (mostly badly). That is my life, my truth.And every night I pray to God for Him to forgive me. I hope that when it is my turn to speak with Him in eternity, my heavenly Father will forgive me. For at the end of the day I never ceased to be a Christian, to believe in Him and to love Him.
My aunt Raquel still says if I dont stop being transgender I will go to Hell. She does not understand how much this hurts to hear.
2024.05.16 07:59 pinkfloralhazee My “sato” dog and her story
 | In October 2017 my husband and I decided to adopt our first dog together. We went to our local shelter and found out that they had just flown in 50 rescues from Puerto Rico after it got hit by hurricane Maria and hurricane Irma. We spent time with them all, when we got to our sweet girl, this very kind woman said “please adopt her, I have too many dogs so I can’t take her home, but she is the sweetest thing and deserves a lot of love” she was shaking like a leaf while licking our hands. My husband instantly said “this is the one”. The shelter named her Carla, but we felt like she was more of a Carly, so that’s what we changed her name to. submitted by pinkfloralhazee to DOG [link] [comments] At the time I was in my second trimester with our first child (crazy to adopt a dog while pregnant, I know I know) and Carly was estimated to be around 6 months old. We’ve watched her and our son grow up together and it has been the most amazing experience. They have the closest bond and are best friends. We got one of those dog DNA tests that year for Christmas, people always ask what breed she is and I just say “she’s a mix of a lot of breeds, but she’s mostly a whippet” to keep it simple Carly came with a lot of quirks since she was traumatized by the hurricanes. Bodies of water, showers, rain, wind, drainage systems, loud noises, people and other animals scared her. She wouldn’t go outside the first year we had her, though we never stopped trying to take her out daily. She used a puppy pad for a long time, until she finally worked up the courage to go outside. She’s been fully house trained for awhile. She has warmed up to most dogs and is great with people now. We trim her nails regularly but she still bites them out of anxiety. She’s still scared of water, wind, drainage systems, and loud noises. She shakes, whines and hides a lot. We have been able to train her well, but there are moments we think she might have sustained some head trauma. She likes to lick walls and sometimes she’ll stare at walls with the most blank expression. But she can smile and that’s really cool! I learned from a Puerto Rican client of mine that stray dogs in Puerto Rico are called Satos. I love talking about her so much, I think her story is interesting and she is so special to me 🤍 |
2024.05.16 07:49 Dizzy_Ad_716 Tinnitus & Plan B, first post
I’m 24F. This December I took a plan B contraception pill & noticed a very faint constant ring in both ears 3 days after having taken the pill. It scared the crap out of me as I am a hypochondriac. The next morning it had gone.
Fast forward 3 weeks later to January, and long story short I took another plan B pill in spite of crying all night and ‘knowing’ it was a bad bad idea.
… 3 days after taking it… ear ring again. I was in Puerto Rico at the time and even experienced my first bout of motion sickness from being in the car driving up those crazy mountain roads… never have had motion sickness prior to that. I just prayed the ring would go away as it had the first time.
Well, now it’s May and if anything the tinnitus has gotten worse :( It’s louder in my left ear & I experience spikes in my left ear (but sometimes even louder ones in my right- just far less frequently). I have been to OBGYN, PCP, & ENT. None of them seem to think Plan B was the cause. I also have high blood pressure, I vape, & I was taking buspar for my anxiety. They seem to think it is more likely to be buspar… The ENT also informed me that I have jaw popping, TMJ/TMD. This is news to me, but not unexpected as I clench my jaw when I’m anxious & I’m always anxious.
I got off the buspar per Dr’s suggestion; she said 2 months to know if it has an impact on T. However, I don’t even believe it was cause of T in the first place. I am an anxious wreck :( I had habituated to the initial sound level after 2 weeks of freaking out that I had done this to myself, but the T is still getting worse. I’m terrified of all meds now& I need psych meds and maybe upcoming antibiotics for another health issue (vaginal tmi). I’m just so stressed and disappointed in myself for alll of this.
I’m supposed to go to Europe in a month and attend a few psychtrance music festival of which have been my dreammmmmmmm for years now. (Egons embrace☺️🫢🤯😩❤️🔥) But this T worry and all my health worries are terrifying me and destroying me.
I’m even scared of drinking alcohol. This all is threatening to ruin everything I care about. I’ve been off psych meds, as I said, for a month now; I’m really struggling. I’m going back on Pristiq as I know it did not cause tinnitus & worked ok for my anxiety. But it had a different (unwelcome) side effect.
Has anybody had a similar experience? None of the drs seem to think it was plan B even though it was the only variable with direct correlation. Not to mention it is a huge dose of synthetic hormone that I put into my body twice within the span of a month :’( Now I fear alll of my other health problems are simply exacubating the damage from plan B (TMJ, blood pressure, buspar, vaping , poor mental health, etc) :( Any advice about anything I have mentioned is cherished. Are antibiotics safe ? Is anything? :( I just reallly don’t want to make the same mistake of taking a med (or doing something) that will harm me😔🥺💔 I’m really trying to be healthier and grateful for what I have, but it feels like an impossible feat with all these concerns & this guilt I carry. I’m lost in worry. I don’t wish for T to get worse. I want to make progress with my wellbeing.
Also reccomendations for good earplugs would be so appreciated!!! I have small ears— I struggle to get the foam ones in properly.
Yours, A very stressed and and worried and struggling tweak.
submitted by Dizzy_Ad_716 to tinnitus [link] [comments]
Fast forward 3 weeks later to January, and long story short I took another plan B pill in spite of crying all night and ‘knowing’ it was a bad bad idea.
… 3 days after taking it… ear ring again. I was in Puerto Rico at the time and even experienced my first bout of motion sickness from being in the car driving up those crazy mountain roads… never have had motion sickness prior to that. I just prayed the ring would go away as it had the first time.
Well, now it’s May and if anything the tinnitus has gotten worse :( It’s louder in my left ear & I experience spikes in my left ear (but sometimes even louder ones in my right- just far less frequently). I have been to OBGYN, PCP, & ENT. None of them seem to think Plan B was the cause. I also have high blood pressure, I vape, & I was taking buspar for my anxiety. They seem to think it is more likely to be buspar… The ENT also informed me that I have jaw popping, TMJ/TMD. This is news to me, but not unexpected as I clench my jaw when I’m anxious & I’m always anxious.
I got off the buspar per Dr’s suggestion; she said 2 months to know if it has an impact on T. However, I don’t even believe it was cause of T in the first place. I am an anxious wreck :( I had habituated to the initial sound level after 2 weeks of freaking out that I had done this to myself, but the T is still getting worse. I’m terrified of all meds now& I need psych meds and maybe upcoming antibiotics for another health issue (vaginal tmi). I’m just so stressed and disappointed in myself for alll of this.
I’m supposed to go to Europe in a month and attend a few psychtrance music festival of which have been my dreammmmmmmm for years now. (Egons embrace☺️🫢🤯😩❤️🔥) But this T worry and all my health worries are terrifying me and destroying me.
I’m even scared of drinking alcohol. This all is threatening to ruin everything I care about. I’ve been off psych meds, as I said, for a month now; I’m really struggling. I’m going back on Pristiq as I know it did not cause tinnitus & worked ok for my anxiety. But it had a different (unwelcome) side effect.
Has anybody had a similar experience? None of the drs seem to think it was plan B even though it was the only variable with direct correlation. Not to mention it is a huge dose of synthetic hormone that I put into my body twice within the span of a month :’( Now I fear alll of my other health problems are simply exacubating the damage from plan B (TMJ, blood pressure, buspar, vaping , poor mental health, etc) :( Any advice about anything I have mentioned is cherished. Are antibiotics safe ? Is anything? :( I just reallly don’t want to make the same mistake of taking a med (or doing something) that will harm me😔🥺💔 I’m really trying to be healthier and grateful for what I have, but it feels like an impossible feat with all these concerns & this guilt I carry. I’m lost in worry. I don’t wish for T to get worse. I want to make progress with my wellbeing.
Also reccomendations for good earplugs would be so appreciated!!! I have small ears— I struggle to get the foam ones in properly.
Yours, A very stressed and and worried and struggling tweak.
2024.05.16 02:41 flatpiano [WTS] Asia, Latin America, Africa and Oceania Slabbed Coins
Hi all,
Offering a mix of slabbed coins from Asia, Latin America, Africa and Oceania today. 25 coins from 22 countries across 4 continents!
Among the highlights in this lot are rare privately-issued tokens from British North Borneo, Puerto Rico and New Zealand, a couple nicer Moroccan crowns, as well as a lustrous 5 hao struck by a short-lived rebel communist state in Vietnam.
Proof and albums: https://imgur.com/a/asia-latam-africa-oceania-5-15-83AhqmN
Terms: All orders are +$5 for shipping. I accept Venmo, PPFF and Zelle. Chat and PM are both fine. Reasonable offers are welcome, particularly if interested in multiple items.
ASIA
England, France, Germany and Netherlands: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1cremgm/wts_slabbed_england_france_germany_and_the/
Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, Sweden: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1cmjo9n/wts_austrian_states_brazil_denmark_hungary_sweden/
Germany, Conders, Italian: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1ckvbvu/wts_german_states_conder_tokens_italian_states/
Spanish: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1cisb5m/wts_spanish_medieval_counterstamped_and_kingdom/
75+ world slabs: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1cgyrpq/wts_affordable_slabbed_world_coins/
Feel free to send me a message if there's anything specific you're looking for. These posts are only a fraction of what I have available.
submitted by flatpiano to CoinSales [link] [comments]
Offering a mix of slabbed coins from Asia, Latin America, Africa and Oceania today. 25 coins from 22 countries across 4 continents!
Among the highlights in this lot are rare privately-issued tokens from British North Borneo, Puerto Rico and New Zealand, a couple nicer Moroccan crowns, as well as a lustrous 5 hao struck by a short-lived rebel communist state in Vietnam.
Proof and albums: https://imgur.com/a/asia-latam-africa-oceania-5-15-83AhqmN
Terms: All orders are +$5 for shipping. I accept Venmo, PPFF and Zelle. Chat and PM are both fine. Reasonable offers are welcome, particularly if interested in multiple items.
ASIA
- 1910 British North Borneo Cent - NGC XF Details - $75 - https://imgur.com/a/0aGiH6C
- Brass plantation token struck by the New London Borneo Tobacco Company.
- 1960 Chinese Soviet Republic (Restrike) Cent - PCGS MS65 RB - $30 - https://imgur.com/a/Kh0bUtY
- 1932 India: Kutch 1-1/2 dodka - PCGS XF Details - $15 - https://imgur.com/a/syET8l3
- 1944 India: Jodhpur 1/4 anna - PCGS AU50 - $40 - https://imgur.com/a/YBakl4h
- 1829 India: Bombay Presidency Rupee - NGC AU58 - SOLD - https://imgur.com/a/St4j6kK
- 1840 India: British Rupee - NGC AU Details - $50 - https://imgur.com/a/tMMLVnt
- 2014 Kazakhstan 50 Tenge - NGC MS66 - SOLD - https://imgur.com/a/eTOP6Ys
- Buran Soviet Space Shuttle commemorative
- 1831 Malacca (Singapore) keping - PCGS VF Details - $60 - https://imgur.com/a/Kvxp4kh
- Struck by British merchants active in southeast Asia in the early 1800s.
- 1885 Spanish Philippines 50 centimos - PCGS UNC Details - $55 - https://imgur.com/a/aqZ67kw
- 1926 Straits Settlements 20 cents - PCGS AU58 - $50 - https://imgur.com/a/K12jxit
- 1722 Nepal: Kingdom of Bhatgaon mohar - NGC VF25 - SOLD - https://imgur.com/a/MrfnQd4
- 1946 Vietnam: Rebel Communist State 5 hao - NGC MS61 - $65 - https://imgur.com/a/zHYQteo
- 1964 Netherlands Antilles 2.5 Gulden - NGC MS64 - $40 - https://imgur.com/a/kKf6e6F
- 1923 Peru 1/2 Sol (FLAT 3) - NGC AU58 - $45 - https://imgur.com/a/rHWYcYi
- 1923 Peru 1/2 Sol (ROUND 3) - NGC MS61 - $50 - https://imgur.com/a/m4GgAcb
- 1864/54 Peru Sol (Arabic 1, D's in denticles) - NGC XF Details - $85 - https://imgur.com/a/lLts7xv
- 1880-1900 Puerto Rico Almud token - PCGS AU Details - $80 - https://imgur.com/a/jqVBZA5
- 1969 Uruguay 1000 pesos (FAO) - NGC UNC Details - SOLD - https://imgur.com/a/E0DdVMm
- 1921 Algeria: Alger 10 centimes - NGC VF35 - $25 - https://imgur.com/a/lLoo7Nv
- 1843 Azores 10 reis - NGC AU Details - $30 - https://imgur.com/a/41u4bts
- 1923 Egypt 5 piastres - PCGS AU Details - $30 - https://imgur.com/a/EH9TSoZ
- 1911 Morocco 20 francs - NGC AU Details - $125 - https://imgur.com/a/cTSKe3R
- 1929 Morocco 10 dirham (riyal) - PCGS AU Details - $70 - https://imgur.com/a/euCPUNh
- 1942 Australia florin - NGC AU58 - $30 - https://imgur.com/a/qpgtiJu
- 1857 New Zealand penny - NGC VF Details - $45 - https://imgur.com/a/0TE9XST
- KM-Tn59; Struck by W. Peterson, a watchmaker and jeweler in Christchurch
England, France, Germany and Netherlands: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1cremgm/wts_slabbed_england_france_germany_and_the/
Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Hungary, Sweden: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1cmjo9n/wts_austrian_states_brazil_denmark_hungary_sweden/
Germany, Conders, Italian: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1ckvbvu/wts_german_states_conder_tokens_italian_states/
Spanish: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1cisb5m/wts_spanish_medieval_counterstamped_and_kingdom/
75+ world slabs: https://www.reddit.com/CoinSales/comments/1cgyrpq/wts_affordable_slabbed_world_coins/
Feel free to send me a message if there's anything specific you're looking for. These posts are only a fraction of what I have available.
2024.05.16 02:34 Senior-Flounder4875 ID please
 | Found on a beach on the south side of Puerto Rico last month. I get skull vibes from it, but honestly have no idea, nor does anyone I’ve shown it to. Actually, my boyfriend said horseshoe crab, but I grew up finding those on Cape Cod and I’m not seeing what he’s seeing. submitted by Senior-Flounder4875 to bonecollecting [link] [comments] |
2024.05.16 01:25 Leather-Chef-6550 Reviews
Just putting this out there since there has been difficulty in leaving a proper review through the worldpackers platform.
My daughter and her friend spent time with a middle aged male host in Puerto Rico last year and had a less than ideal experience. Both my daughter and her friend experienced creepy/inappropriate remarks from this man, as did another girl at the time. All female volunteers were 20-23 yo. There were a few young men there as well who corroborated the misbehavior.
All three women attempted to document their experience and all three were forced to change their negative reviews, despite numerous communications with worldpackers attempting to convince them of the legitimacy of the reviews.
Recently we discovered that this individual eventually raped a young female guest.
Please don’t trust worldpacker reviews. Do your due diligence and be careful.
submitted by Leather-Chef-6550 to Worldpackers [link] [comments]
My daughter and her friend spent time with a middle aged male host in Puerto Rico last year and had a less than ideal experience. Both my daughter and her friend experienced creepy/inappropriate remarks from this man, as did another girl at the time. All female volunteers were 20-23 yo. There were a few young men there as well who corroborated the misbehavior.
All three women attempted to document their experience and all three were forced to change their negative reviews, despite numerous communications with worldpackers attempting to convince them of the legitimacy of the reviews.
Recently we discovered that this individual eventually raped a young female guest.
Please don’t trust worldpacker reviews. Do your due diligence and be careful.
2024.05.16 01:18 Le_Pepe_ List of every country with street view coverage, separated by commas
Ripped the list from https://geohints.com/Country, made this for geoguessr skribbl and figured others may want the list aswell :)
Botswana,Bangladesh,Albania,Canada,American Samoa,Argentina,Eswatini,Bhutan,Andorra,Curaçao,Australia,Bolivia,Ghana,Cambodia,Austria,Dominican Republic,Guam,Brazil,Kenya,Christmas Island,Belgium,Greenland,New Zealand,Chile,Lesotho,India,Bulgaria,Guatemala,Northern Mariana Islands,Colombia,Madagascar,Indonesia,Croatia,Mexico,Ecuador,Nigeria,Israel,Czech Republic,Puerto Rico,Peru,Rwanda,Japan,Denmark,United States,Uruguay,Senegal,Jordan,Estonia,US Virgin Islands,South Africa,Kyrgyzstan,Faroe Islands,Tunisia,Laos,Finland,Uganda,Malaysia,France,Mongolia,Germany,Philippines,Gibraltar,Russia,Greece,Singapore,Hungary,South Korea,Iceland,Sri Lanka,Ireland,Taiwan,Isle of Man,Thailand,Italy,United Arab Emirates,Jersey,Vietnam,Latvia,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Malta,Monaco,Montenegro,Netherlands,North Macedonia,Norway,Poland,Portugal,Romania,San Marino,Serbia,Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain,Sweden,Switzerland,Turkey,Ukraine,United Kingdom
submitted by Le_Pepe_ to geoguessr [link] [comments]
Botswana,Bangladesh,Albania,Canada,American Samoa,Argentina,Eswatini,Bhutan,Andorra,Curaçao,Australia,Bolivia,Ghana,Cambodia,Austria,Dominican Republic,Guam,Brazil,Kenya,Christmas Island,Belgium,Greenland,New Zealand,Chile,Lesotho,India,Bulgaria,Guatemala,Northern Mariana Islands,Colombia,Madagascar,Indonesia,Croatia,Mexico,Ecuador,Nigeria,Israel,Czech Republic,Puerto Rico,Peru,Rwanda,Japan,Denmark,United States,Uruguay,Senegal,Jordan,Estonia,US Virgin Islands,South Africa,Kyrgyzstan,Faroe Islands,Tunisia,Laos,Finland,Uganda,Malaysia,France,Mongolia,Germany,Philippines,Gibraltar,Russia,Greece,Singapore,Hungary,South Korea,Iceland,Sri Lanka,Ireland,Taiwan,Isle of Man,Thailand,Italy,United Arab Emirates,Jersey,Vietnam,Latvia,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Malta,Monaco,Montenegro,Netherlands,North Macedonia,Norway,Poland,Portugal,Romania,San Marino,Serbia,Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain,Sweden,Switzerland,Turkey,Ukraine,United Kingdom
2024.05.16 00:39 Peacock-Shah-III A Summary of President Philip F. La Follette's Second Term (1949-1953) Peacock-Shah Alternate Elections
 | submitted by Peacock-Shah-III to Presidentialpoll [link] [comments] Philip Fox La Follette, 34th President of the United States. Administration: Vice President: Michael A. Musmanno Secretary of Peace: Douglas MacArthur (1951-1952 (interim)), Clarence Dill (1952-1953) Secretary of State: Douglas MacArthur (1949-1951 (Department placed under Peace)) Secretary of War: Ralph Immell (1949-1951 (Department placed under Peace)) Secretary of the Navy: Francis P. Matthews (1949-1951 (Department placed under Peace)) Secretary of the Air Force: Charles Lindbergh (1949-1951 (Department placed under Peace)) Secretary of Production: Ralph Immell (1952-1953) Secretary of the Treasury: Rexford Tugwell (1949-1951 (resigned to assume office as Governor of New York)), Harold Lord Varney (1951 (interim)), Ralph Immell (1951-1952 (department placed under Production)) Secretary of the Interior: Mildred H. McAfee (1949-1952 (department placed under Production)) Secretary of Energy: Floyd Dominy (1950-1952 (department placed under Production)) Secretary of Agriculture: Gerald Nye (1949-1952 (department placed under Production)) Secretary of Labor: George Meany (1949-1952 (department placed under Production)) Secretary of Science and Technology: Karl T. Compton (1949-1952 (department placed under Production)) Secretary of Prosperity: Francois Duvalier (1952-1953) Attorney General: David Lilienthal (1949-1952 (department placed under Prosperity)) Secretary of Health: Francois Duvalier (1949-1952 (department placed under Prosperity)) Postmaster General: Gerald T. Boileau (1949-1952 (department placed under Prosperity)) Secretary of Education: Sara Gibson Blanding (1949-1952 (department placed under Prosperity) President La Follette would announce a major reorganization of cabinet departments following his 1951 impeachment, uniting the Air Force, Navy, War, and State Departments into one grand “Department of Peace,” despite opposition from both military leadership and Secretary of State MacArthur, who would depart from the Administration at the commencement of 1952 and be replaced by Farmer-Labor doyen Clarence Dill. The President has framed the move as embodying the national seal of an eagle carrying both arrows and an olive branch, while promoting centralization to improve efficiency while avoiding involving the United States in entangling alliances, an effort that has led to the end of the effort to unite American allies on both sides of the Pacific into a mutual defense pact. First Lady Isen La Follette, personally notably introverted, has been brought before the public as the chief public campaigner for the Department of Peace. With the centralization of foreign and military policy in full swing at the executive level despite the opposition of Congress, the spring of 1952 would see a second round of mass centralization, with longtime ally Ralph Immell appointed as the head of a new Department of Production, devised by Texas’s Lyndon B. Johnson, to supervise the old Treasury, Interior, Energy, Agriculture, Labor, and Science and Technology Departments, while Dr. Francois Duvalier has been appointed to lead the centralization of the Justice, Health, Education, and Post Office Departments into a united Department of Prosperity and Human Services, commonly referred to only by the former. As in the case of the Department of Peace, the former departments are slated to remain at a sub-cabinet level, and the efforts of opposition forces have successfully left the proposed integrations largely on paper for the time being. On the level of sub-cabinet departments, the Bureau of Investigation has been merged with the Office of Strategic Services to form the National Security Agency (NSA), an intelligence agency combining the foreign and domestic. Meanwhile, an executive order would begin the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with former President Charles Lindbergh appointed as its first head, however, Lindbergh would soon be dismissed as a part of the executive’s compromise with congress’s impeachers, with businessman Howard Hughes taking his place. Opposition Representative Richard Nixon shakes hands with Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie during the Emperor's visit to the United States, where President La Follette would emphasize American support for non-communist anti-colonial movements. Foreign Policy: -President La Follette has found rare common ground with the opposition on matters of foreign policy towards the Soviet Union, echoing Arthur Vandenberg’s declaration that “politics ends at the water’s edge.” The Administration has secured funding for the rebuilding of Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and Korea under social democratic anti-communist governments, with President La Follette describing the initiatives as building an “iron curtain” against communism. -President La Follette’s term would see the death of two of the world’s premier foreign leaders: Marshall Philippe Petain of France and Chinese General Feng Yuxiang. President La Follette would visit Paris in 1951 for the funeral of Petain after nearly four decades in power, having hailed the French publicly as future allies in the battle with communism. Yet, already suspicious of the new government of Petain protege Charles De Gaulle after the leaking of America’s role in Smedley Butler’s assassination by Ambassador Gaston-Henry Haye, La Follette would find himself increasingly disenchanted with the French, with private reports indicating his horror at the mass deportation of Flemish, Germans, and Catalans into the French Congo from areas in Europe newly annexed into France. -However, the President would nonetheless side with the French-supported Roman Legion rebelling against Greece in 1951, marking the creation of the Republic of the Pindus as the first state for the Aromanian people in world history. However, the new state has been accused of engaging in the ethnic cleansing of the Greek population. -Meanwhile, touring China after the death of Feng Yuxiang, La Follette would become increasingly worried about the possible alignment of the nation towards the Soviet Union and controversially refuse to return the island of Taiwan to China until the election of a successor to Feng. With Communist leader Zhou Enlai rising in popularity and an election planned, American support would be thrown behind former warlord Yan Xishan, who would be selected President by the National Assembly in January of 1951 and promptly announce an indefinite delay on elections. Despite rising tensions with China’s Bolshevik-backed Communist Party, La Follette would sign a treaty of return in February of 1952 relinquishing Taiwan to Chinese control. However, after six decades of intense Japanization under colonial authorities, Taiwan has found itself culturally isolated from the rest of China, speaking almost entirely Japanese and Hokkien rather than Mandarin. -A similar issue has emerged on the formerly Japanese territories of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. Owing to their close location to the Soviet Union, La Follette has authorized it as the site of dozens of American nuclear tests throughout his term and refused to cede sovereignty, with China, Japan, and Russia all harboring alternate claims to the islands. -The President has impounded funds from the 1950 and 1951 budgets passed by Congress to distribute for the reconstruction of American allies and occupied regions in the Third Pacific War, enacting the MacArthur Plan without the authorization of Congress and repeating to Chinese Premier Yan Xishan his famous remark that “vermin are infesting and polluting democratic organizations and the government itself.” -Working with the Latin American and East Asian nations in the American sphere of influence in the aftermath of the Franco-British Conflict, the President has moved the United States into the new Parliament of Nations headquartered in Rome, sending New Hampshire Progressive Senator Robert P. Bass as the first United States Representative to the largely powerless global body intended to facilitate global cooperation. Notably, however, the La Follette Administration has resisted efforts to include communist-aligned nations into the fold despite the membership of many French-aligned authoritarian regimes and absolute monarchies such as the Ethiopian Empire or the Caliphate. -1951 would see the formalization of the Treaty of San Diego, officially ending the United States occupation of Japan, and with it La Follette's rule by decree of the islands, while maintaining an American military presence on the island chain and transferring to American control the Ryukyu Islands, Iwo Jima, Samoa, and the Japanese stake in the Nicaraguan Canal shared with Argentina, where former Milford W. Howard associate Harold Lord Varney has been appointed as High Commissioner. -President La Follette held a summit with Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, and Madagascar Prime Minister Joseph Raseta in 1951 to commemorate the longstanding American support for independent nations in Africa, hosting, among others, independence activists Seretse Khama of Botswana, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, and Hastings Banda of Nyasaland. Further, American jazz artist Andy Razaf has taken the throne as King of Madagascar following the lack of an heir apparent to deceased Queen Marie-Louise, however, unfamiliar with the island of his ancestors, the newly-crowned Andriamanantena I has been sidelined by Prime Minister Raseta. -With rumors of Lazar Kaganovich planning Bolshevik expansion into Central Asia abounding, President La Follette and Secretary of Peace Dill would issue a joint statement in January of 1952 promising American opposition “by any means necessary” to “one more inch” of Bolshevik expansion, with Dill describing Kaganovich’s policy towards France and the United States as “trying to play both sides against the middle.” Destiny launches off the coast of Puerto Rico, inaugurating a new era in human history, Domestic Policy: -”Our attainments in space are a major element in the competition between the Soviet system and our own, they are part of the battle,” so would declare James E. Webb, Deputy Administrator of NASA, on October 4th, 1951, mere weeks after the failure of the impeachment of President La Follette, as he, former President Lindbergh, and gasping crowds of onlookers watched Destiny take flight, the first manmade satellite in human history to orbit the Earth. President La Follette would tout the achievement as the administration having begun the conquest of “the final frontier.” -Working with Japanese scientists in the aftermath of the occupation, space policy has reached the fore as La Follette launches an aggressive series of follow-up satellites, beginning with Lewis and Clark and most recently including Stagecoach. However, rumors hold that the French have begun construction on their own site for space rocket launches. -Staring down the barrel of Speaker Joseph McCarthy’s aggression and Senator Estes Kefauver’s investigation into the assassination of Smedley Butler, La Follette turned away from Congress in 1949 to fulfill his promise to “win the peace.” Acting first in April of 1949 shortly after the arrest of John L. Lewis, La Follette would issue Executive Orders 15092 and 15093, authorizing the building of an interstate highway system and national system of hydroelectric plants to be overseen by General Lucius D. Clay and the Army Corps of Engineers under the supervision of the Department of the Interior for the former and Department of Science and Technology for the latter, while authorizing the creation of a new Department of Energy, operating entirely on impounded funds and largely focusing on research on the utilization of nuclear energy. -In the latter effort, the President has found the support of prominent opposition financier Lewis Strauss, who has nonetheless argued that the development of nuclear energy is hampered by New State bureaucratic centralization. -Opposition politician Joseph Alioto has criticized the interstate highway system, pointing to the funding of La Follette’s campaign by the Firestone Tire Company and arguing that road dependent companies have colluded to impede the further expansion of rail infrastructure. -Most controversially would be Executive Order 15097, issued in June of 1951 and seen as largely the brainchild of Secretary of the Treasury Rexford Tugwell, declaring the complete and total nationalization of the healthcare industry and authorizing the establishment of a National Healthcare Service (NHS) in the United States under the Department of Health. Although implementation has been plagued by legal challenges and billions in funding from healthcare providers to opposition candidates, the President has utilized impounded funds to subsidize healthcare for the elderly and impoverished. -Executive Order 15102 in December of 1951 would establish under the Department of Labor an employers’ syndicate led by former General Electric CEO Gerald Swope called the Business Council, leading to denunciations from across Farmer-Labor despite the low participation in the attempted employers’ union. -However, the 1946 executive orders declaring a national moratoria on the payment of mortgages and enacting wage and price controls were ended soon after the 1948 election. -In the face of a rapidly growing economy, La Follette has worked with new Federal Reserve Chairman Bernard Baruch to digress on the expansionist monetary policy that characterized his first term, with interest rates quadrupling to 15% in an effort that has successfully brought inflation from 13% to a mere 3% annually. Unemployment has fallen to 3.2% as the GDP as a whole has grown nearly 9% over La Follette’s second term, an economic boom fueled by mass exportation to Europe and newly decolonized nations elsewhere. While the President has continued to voice support for the nationalization of the Federal Reserve, the issue has remained on the backburner. -An executive order in January of 1952 has set the new national minimum wage to $7.00 an hour from a previous $3.25, causing mass business outcry despite the President’s argument that the increase is necessary to guarantee a “living wage” after post-war inflation. The Department of Justice has been authorized to prosecute offenders, however, critics have argued that businesses aligned with the President’s political opposition have been unfairly targeted. -Rufus B. von KleinSmid of the Un-American Activities Board, appointed by the President to monitor journalism for seditious content, would attempt to suppress the release of an account by actress Frances Farmer of her forced confinement to a mental institution in 1948, where she was sterilized under La Follette’s Executive Order 14768 from 1946, authorizing the mass sterilization of the mentally ill and those with “criminal tendencies.” Further investigations into the ramifications of the order have led to staggering revelations of up to 200,000 sterilizations performed annually since 1946, largely under duress, on Americans in prison and mental institutions as well as former criminals. The President has defended the policy while authorizing a Department of Justice investigation into abuses by low level doctors. -The President would support the prosecution of a half dozen prison wardens accused of citing Executive Order 14767, establishing cooperatives for prisoners to work without pay on natural beautification projects, to turn prisoners into de facto slave laborers working 18 hour shifts as contract labor on farms. While the President has argued that the system itself has brought boons to the environment and American agriculture, critics have claimed that abuse remains widespread. -While delaying and, in some cases, entirely pausing the implementation of his executive orders in the wake of the promises of moderation amidst the impeachment trial that rescued his presidency from the brink of collapse, fascist Blackshirts and radical Mormon Destroying Angels have become increasingly violent in the months since impeachment, with headlines telling tales of opposition presses raided and armed men watching poll stations. Another conspiracy theory has held that the death of Committee for the Preservation of the Republic chairman Thomas Schall in a motor accident over the winter of 1951 was the result of an intentional Blackshirt hit-and-run. -While many have blamed the fiery speeches of Vice President Musmanno for encouraging Blackshirts, President La Follette and his brother in the Senate have fiercely denounced all violence on behalf of their movement, appealing to supporters for calm as they call for the speedy prosecution of the allegedly Blackshirt bombthrowers that took the life of elderly comedian Will Rogers. Nonetheless, fear of political violence has led to the cancellation of the 1952 Progressive-Federalist presidential primary in favor of a convention held in tandem with the Liberty League under the auspices of the Committee for the Preservation of the Republic. -Meanwhile, Washington Senate candidate Marion Zioncheck would throw himself off a building while campaigning to succeed Clarence Dill. In a coma, Zioncheck’s supporters have accused the administration alternately of reigniting his documented mental health issues and being behind the attempted murder themselves. -September 14, 1951, the height of Blackshirt violence in Philadelphia, St. Louis, and New York City, has been labeled the “Knight of the Long Knives” by opposition critic Styles Bridges. Vice President Musmanno has stood alone in the administration in defending the actions publicly despite condemnation from President La Follette that has carried into the authorization of NSA prosecutions of Blackshirt perpetrators. Representative Richard Nixon, the lead impeachment manager in the La Follette trial, has credited J. Edgar Hoover with the investigations rather than La Follette and accused the administration of only condoning them under pressure from his brother. -”People of America, wake up!” The last words of House Minority Leader Eduardo Chibas, broadcast into a million homes seconds before his suicide on live radio, has fueled the creation of local opposition organizing groups calling themselves “Wide-Awakes” and aiming to bridge opposition interests against the La Follette Administration. -The President has made a half a dozen speeches across the nation under the banner of his loyal National Progressives of America calling for the ratification of a 20th Amendment to shift to the president the powers of Congress, restricting the republic’s legislative branch to a mere veto power, while arguing that the need for a strong legislature would be replaced with a 21st Amendment establishing a process for national referendums. Although not passed by Congress, several state legislatures, including those of Alabama and Washington, have passed resolutions indicating a willingness to ratify the amendment. -The President further floated the concept of reforming the legislature into a “Chamber of Corporations” balancing representatives from the General Trades Union and Business Council. -With the arrest of CIO leaders John L. Lewis and Tony Boyle, leadership of the nation’s chief opposition union has fallen to Walter Reuther and Jimmy Hoffa, representing the left and right of the organization. With widespread prosecutions against members and supporters such as Fulgencio Batista, however, Reuther and Hoffa have found themselves fighting to prevent the CIO’s collapse. Nonetheless, the CIO would hold a 1950 celebration of the life of former Vice President Lena Morrow Lewis, with President Alf Landon hailing her role in the opposition and using the funeral as a means to rally anti-La Follette sentiment. -Following a career in national politics spanning nearly seven decades, former President William Randolph Hearst would stop the presses for a final time on August 14th of 1951, passing away at the age of 88 in his castle in San Simeon, California. Having been alternately king and kingmaker in American politics for a half century, Hearst’s funeral would leave the streets around the Grace Cathedral full for blocks, with his son and heir William Randolph Hearst Jr. managing proceedings. Yet, in light of Hearst’s turn to the opposition and support for Fulgencio Batista, President La Follette would be notably absent from the funeral of the man who once coronated him the Farmer-Labor Party’s nominee for the presidency. -President La Follette would push for the statehood of the territory of Tannenbaum, initially in a tandem effort with Territorial Representative Ernest Gruening’s push for Jewish colonization of the region as an alternative to the increasingly violent Palestine. However, with public sentiment against statehood riled up by Father Charles Coughlin in a campaign tinged by anti-semitism, Senator Henrik Shipstead would filibuster the statehood bill, prompting the Administration to declare a moratoria on statehood efforts and a reconsideration of whether statehood stands in line with national security interest. -At the urging of singer turned Tennessee Governor Roy Acuff, a group of anti-La Follette Hollywood stars have formed The Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, including Jane Russell, Ronald Reagan, Zasu Pitts, Gloria Swanson, June Allyson, Pat Buttram, Orson Welles, and Shirley Temple. -Senator John Horne Blackmore has proposed an additional tax on chain stores to encourage the development of small business, while he, former New York Governor Ezra Pound, and publisher James Laughlin have called for the revival of the American social credit movement. -Alabama and Illinois have established themselves as the fastest growing states in the nation, demonstrating success in Single Taxer Paul Douglas’s new “Illinois Model” as well as the continued prosperity of Alabama in the wake of Milford W. Howard’s fascist “Alabama Model” that has inspired emulation globally. -Farmer-Laborite Maine Senator Benjamin Bubar’s investigation of Hollywood has led to the firing or blacklisting of several dozen actors on charges of alleged homosexuality, with the Administration attempting to tie the issue to support for the President’s political opposition, citing the blacklisting of Greta Garbo and Tennessee Williams as precedent for the firing of longtime members of the foreign service on charges of possible homosexual activities. -Notable inventions and scientific breakthroughs during President La Follette’s term include the discovery of DNA by scientist Rosalind Franklin; the hydrogen bomb, newly tested on the island of Sakhalin; the first successful kidney transplant; and a revolutionary new vaccine for polio invented by University of Alabama doctor Jonas Salk. In John L. Lewis's stead, dynamic young Jimmy Hoffa has led the independent labor movement. The Supreme Court: -Justice Thomas C. O’Brien, appointed in 1939 as a part of President Lindbergh’s takeover of the court, would die in November of 1951 at the age of 64. With the Presidency still reeling from impeachment, La Follette would nominate Michigan Supreme Court Justice Evo DeConcini to the position. However, the hostile Senate would overwhelmingly refuse to confirm the appointment, with Progressive-Federalist Leader George Pritchard vowing to oppose any La Follette nominee. With neither side budging, the position has remained vacant. Map of the world as of 1952. World Events: -After 9 years of prolonged conflict, the Franco-British War would conclude in August of 1950 with the Treaty of Amsterdam signed by Marshal Petain and British Prime Minister Oliver Baldwin, largely ceding French colonies to the British Empire, with the exception of the Congo, on the time table for independence, and Guiana and Algeria, incorporated directly into metropolitan France. Meanwhile, French dominion has been de facto recognized over most of Western Europe, with the west bank of the Rhine, Catalonia, Luxembourg, and Belgium directly incorporated into France while Germany has been divided into a series of puppet states. -Although the Spanish Republic has survived, the French-influenced, Catholic monarchist CEDA led by José María Valiente Soriano has received significant funding in challenging Prime Minister Jose Ortega y Gasset, with a similar situation emerging in Italy following the democratization of the nation by former dictator Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, who has been succeeded by the pro-French Achille Lauro. -Alongside the neutral Netherlands, Portugal has stood outside of the French bloc, as fascist leader Francisco Rolão Preto has held onto power while courting the support of both Bolshevik Russia and the United States, explicitly citing Milford W. Howard as his model for rule. -In what the French government has labeled “le épuration de la frontière,” (the border purification), a forced exodus has occurred from newly annexed territories, driving millions from their communities and largely to French Africa, where the government has resettled hundreds of thousands each of Catalans, Germans, Greeks, Flemish Belgians, Italians, and the Occitan as French settlers claim their former homes. -Meanwhile, the international process of decolonization has sped up rapidly, with a proposal by Choudhary Rahmat Ali being adopted by the British to partition the former Raj and form the states of India and Pakistan, alongside a Christian state in the far east. -Mexican Prime Minister Manuel Gomez Morin has emerged as the primary center of power in the Empire after the crowning of 8 year old Maximiliano II as Emperor. -Under the leadership of Prime Minister George Drew, the Progressive-Conservatives have won yet another Canadian election, yet the rise of the Social Credit Party in Quebec has driven them to status as the nation’s official opposition. Drew has hosted an Anglo-American Summit alongside President La Follette and Newfoundland Prime Minister Joey Smallwood. -With Bolshevik Russia as the senior partner, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has been established as an alliance between Russia and its satellite states in Kazakhstan and the Caucasus. -The Hashemite Caliphate has experienced increased unrest in both Palestine, where radical Jewish and Muslim militias have clashed, and the majority Christian regions of Mount Lebanon and newly annexed Nubia, where order has been nearly impossible to enforce. -Following the death of Jorge Carlos Mariategui after two decades at the helm of Peru, Jorge del Prado Chavez has succeeded him, shifting the nation further towards Bolshevik Russia and ending all possibility of Peru entering a Pacific defense pact. -The National Party’s oppressive regime of white rule in South Africa has been used as a model by a growing movement for a white minority government among the displaced, largely German white population in the French Congo, slated for independence within the decade. -Social Democrat Mohammed Mossadegh has been elected President of the Republic of Iran, bringing the Georgist nation closer to Bolshevik Russia geopolitically as a counterweight to fiercely pro-British Caliph Abdullah and pro- French Turkish President Celâl Bayar. -Greek dictator Konstantinos Logothetopoulos would be deposed in a 1952 revolution following the successful secession of the Aromanians, with communist Markos Vafeiadis leading a Provisional Democratic People’s Government with Bolshevik support. However, prominent author Nikos Kazantzakis has emerged at the fore of an anti-Vafeiadis protest movement for democratic socialism influenced by Georges Sorel. -Adopted throughout the Habsburg Realm, Soviet Union, and among many Jews in Palestine and Europeans in the Congo, the Esperanto language has gained nearly 50,000,000 speakers and become the official language of diplomacy for the newly founded Republic of Korea. Bolshevik Russia's \"Iron Lazar\" Kaganovich. View Poll |
2024.05.15 23:56 PotatoChan88 Residente O Visitante
Residente O Visitante
Just finished the episode and have many thoughts! Please stop here if you haven't seen the episode or don't have an idea about the differences between the books and the show.
Uncle Antonio:
I am happy that my feeling that Uncle Antonio is a good guy was reinforced, but I'm sad that this story arc has concluded for now. I will miss him and his dog Portia (would she be Will's puppy aunt? 🤔), and if I feel that way then I know Will will miss them very much. I really hope the producers keep Antonio coming back occasionally so they can have more family time. Maybe Will can go to PR again, I like Antonio's friends a lot, especially the gossipy ladies who doted on Will.
Secondary case and Ormewood and Angie:
I like it when Ormewood and Faith work together, she doesn't take any crap from him and he seems to defer to her more than he does Angie. As for him and Angie I wouldn't be surprised if the showrunners are setting up a future romance between them. I have felt it cooking from the beginning but especially since We Are Family. The way Cooper runs to greet Angie at the potluck seemed to be a strong hint that she may become another parent figure to Cooper and Max in future. I figure since they have veered far away from the characters as described in the books, maybe it will be a convenient way for them to tie up some knots without having to introduce new characters as love interests for each of them. Obviously this is purely speculation on my part, but I'd be okay with it. I like both Angie and Will but them together gives me the creeps.
Crystal and Angie:
I know that being a sponsor and lending support to Crystal is supposed to indicate some growth for Angie that is independent of Will, and is needed for her characters development but it's my least favorite aspect of this season. Way too many plot holes in the Angie supposedly killing Lenny arc. She got kidnapped by Ulster and then we got nothing about the inquest into Lenny's death.
Plots and writing:
I know that character development is probably of main concern right now with a shortened season but the writers are really making the actual cases an afterthought. It's good that the case Ormewood and Faith took on this episode is continuing because the investigations are why I tuned in in the first place. The crooked FBI agent thing was done and dusted so quickly it seemed really forced and just an aside, really. The occasional two or three episode long investigation would be nice.
In summary I enjoyed seeing Will and his Uncle in Puerto Rico but the whole episode felt a bit rushed. What was everyone else's opinion?
submitted by PotatoChan88 to WillTrent [link] [comments]
Just finished the episode and have many thoughts! Please stop here if you haven't seen the episode or don't have an idea about the differences between the books and the show.
Uncle Antonio:
I am happy that my feeling that Uncle Antonio is a good guy was reinforced, but I'm sad that this story arc has concluded for now. I will miss him and his dog Portia (would she be Will's puppy aunt? 🤔), and if I feel that way then I know Will will miss them very much. I really hope the producers keep Antonio coming back occasionally so they can have more family time. Maybe Will can go to PR again, I like Antonio's friends a lot, especially the gossipy ladies who doted on Will.
Secondary case and Ormewood and Angie:
I like it when Ormewood and Faith work together, she doesn't take any crap from him and he seems to defer to her more than he does Angie. As for him and Angie I wouldn't be surprised if the showrunners are setting up a future romance between them. I have felt it cooking from the beginning but especially since We Are Family. The way Cooper runs to greet Angie at the potluck seemed to be a strong hint that she may become another parent figure to Cooper and Max in future. I figure since they have veered far away from the characters as described in the books, maybe it will be a convenient way for them to tie up some knots without having to introduce new characters as love interests for each of them. Obviously this is purely speculation on my part, but I'd be okay with it. I like both Angie and Will but them together gives me the creeps.
Crystal and Angie:
I know that being a sponsor and lending support to Crystal is supposed to indicate some growth for Angie that is independent of Will, and is needed for her characters development but it's my least favorite aspect of this season. Way too many plot holes in the Angie supposedly killing Lenny arc. She got kidnapped by Ulster and then we got nothing about the inquest into Lenny's death.
Plots and writing:
I know that character development is probably of main concern right now with a shortened season but the writers are really making the actual cases an afterthought. It's good that the case Ormewood and Faith took on this episode is continuing because the investigations are why I tuned in in the first place. The crooked FBI agent thing was done and dusted so quickly it seemed really forced and just an aside, really. The occasional two or three episode long investigation would be nice.
In summary I enjoyed seeing Will and his Uncle in Puerto Rico but the whole episode felt a bit rushed. What was everyone else's opinion?
2024.05.15 20:35 eli_ashe The 451 Percenters, Puritanism At The CDC And Other Fascistic Fallacies
Bit of a longer post, sorry bout that, but I felt it was time, perhaps once again, to point out the flaws and limitations in the CDC’s stats on sexual violence, specifically as they relate to the National Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), which is the source of all the fun stats on sexual violence that get thrown around by the 451 percenters. Who are the 451 percenters? Those the folks who believe and spread the lies bout sexual violence being endemic to society. Everyone’s a sexual predator! All 451 percent of women are violated, and all 451 percent of men are violators.
TL;DR: An analysis and rebuttal to the CDC and NISVS’s statistics on sexual violence. The CDC uses NISVS to generate the stats on punny sexual violence that make wild claims, like one third of all women, etc… the 451 percenters’ claims bout punny sexual violence. They use a ‘yes means yes’ method of determining what counts as punny sexual violence, which is aesthetics based. Elevating aesthetical concerns to ethically obligatory concerns is fascistic, and a grave moral fallacy. ‘Yes means yes’ is also puritanical, meaning it overly moralizes sexuality. Putting puritanical fascists in charge of determining how many punny sexual offenses are happening is like putting the KKK in charge of determining how many jews are sexual predators. “All 451 percent of them, obviously!”
Body Of The Post
‘Yes means yes’ is an aesthetical ethical concern, ‘Do I want it or not’. This is what the National Intimate Partner Violence Survey (NISVS) and the CDC use and reflect in their stats on sexual violence. Vibes. They are the ‘emmitt till got what he deserved’ crowd. Whistling at a lady is a criminalizable offense to these folks, a ‘punny sexual violence’.
‘No means no’ is an ethically obligatory concern, ‘Did I refuse it or not’. This is what the criminal stats on sexual violence use and reflect in their stats on sexual violence. Hard data. They are the ‘emmit till did nothing wrong’ crowd. Whistling at a lady is at most tasteless, emmitt till could do far better.
‘Wanting’ or ‘Not Wanting’ something does not consent make. I can want to fuck someone, but not consent to do so. I could not want to fuck someone, but nonetheless consent to do so. The former perhaps because I think it is a bad idea to fuck ‘em even tho I want to. The latter, perhaps because I think it is a good idea to fuck ‘em even tho I don’t want to.
The ‘yes means yes’ folks, the CDC & NISVS stats on sexual violence all mistake ‘wanting’ and ‘not wanting’ for ‘consenting’ and ‘not consenting’; these are not the same things. This is deliberate on their part too. They believe that ‘yes means yes’ is what ought to constitute a determination of sexual violence. Regardless of how y’all view that, it is a deeply controversial notion, and not necessarily reflective of what most people think of when they think of sexual violence.
‘Unwanted’ essentially means ‘I don’t like it’. It is a complaint bout the aesthetical qualities of the sexual encounter, not its consensualism. If this is at all unclear, the simplest method to understand why this is so is to note two unrelated aspects.
One is racism. People regularly ‘feel fearful’ of men for no reason at all, but they also feel fearful of men because of racism all the time. That fear factor ™ is what makes the encounter ‘coercion’ or ‘unwanted’. The person literally does nothing wrong, *just exists* and the other person freaks out.
Note in the quoted sections at the end of this post how much of the stats rely on fear and feelings to generate their numbers.
Two is the person came on too strong or in an undesirable way. The person flirts in a normal and perfectly fine way, but the other person freaks out. Think bout it people, for the love of god think bout it. ‘Coming on too strong’ and ‘an undesirable flirtation’ are being counted as ‘punny sexual violence’ in these stats.
It’s entirely puritanical, and entirely a concern bout aesthetics.
There are other sorts of coercive methods, but the point here is that the terms ‘unwanted’ and ‘coercion’ only really cash out as ‘I don’t like it for some reason or another’ in the CDC’s and NISVS’s stats.
When you see that lady spouting off bout her fears of mexican rapists, she’s reflected in these stats folks. They’re just surveys. People who lock their car doors in ‘bad neighborhoods’ are reflected in those stats.
These all translate to ‘I felt threatened’ (big black boy vibes) or ‘felt pressured’ (scary white guy vibes), or ‘felt in danger’ (native american coming to get you vibes), or ‘felt uncertain if you wanted it’ (arab terrorist vibes) or 'felt like I was being manipulated' (angry asian martial artists vibes) . Doesn’t have to be racism at play here either, women can be irrationally fearful of any man. Vibes.
The actions themselves are not criminalizable.
Non p-hacked stats try to avoid these kinds of obvious ambiguities in the language used to generate the 451 percenters’ stats. These folks however lean into the lies and deceptions, and deliberately use language designed to deceive people reading the stats into thinking that people have been harmed. They take language that means literally ‘I like or don’t like it’ and translate that to mean ‘I was sexually harassed, sexually assaulted, or even raped’.
This is how they inflate the numbers, so we get to the 451 percenters’ wacky ass beliefs; ‘451 percent of women will suffer egregious sexual violence to them at least fifty times in their lives’. All this means is vibes. 451 percent of women get some bad vibes bout some dudes.
You can hear it echoed in the bear or man discourse. Why do women choose the bear? Vibes and irrational fears. ‘We choose the bear because we don’t feel safe!’ translates directly to ‘Emmitt till whistled at me, and he’s a big black boy, that’s scary’ and ‘the mexican rapists are swarming over the border to get me’.
These are the stats that people point to when they try to justify their misandristic hot ass takes. They are self-referential to that same fear based aesthetic the stats are. The stats are reflective of peoples’ irrational fears, and people use those stats to justify their irrational fears, and people spread those fear based stats thereby spreading their unjustified fears. It’s a circle rub.
To criminalize these kinds of things is to be fascistic (treating aesthetics as if they were of obligatory concern), to believe that they are morally reprehensible is to be a puritan (overly moralizing sexuality).
The folks deriving these stats translate ‘unwanted’ (aesthetical ethics) to ‘sexual assault’, ‘sexual harassment’, or ‘rape’ (obligatory ethics), then lump everything together as ‘punny sexual violence’ to get the big numbers used to scare people and terrorize men. That’s called fascism.
“[T]here remains a likelihood of underreporting due to the sensitive nature of SV”.
This justification means that they do not trust people to report SV, ‘don’t believe women when they say they haven’t suffered any SV, manipulate the questions so they say yes to something they don’t think is SV, or which simply isn’t SV, and we’ll just call it SV of this or that sort. Later we’ll propagandize people so they too come to believe our puritanical misandristic hot ass takes.’
There is no lie nor hyperbole in what I am saying here. That is the rationale and the method. If you bone up on your academic lit in the topic, this is, well not verbatim what they say, I am lambasting them here, but this is the crux of what their argument and justifications are, and they explicitly hold that they ought be propagandizing people to their puritanical beliefs.
They push the fascistic (aesthetical ethical) and puritanical (overly moralized sexual ethics) discourse into the public by presenting stats that merely reflect fears and pretend that they are reflective of sexual violence. People then come to believe that those kinds of fear based concerns are actually sexual violence. An ‘unwanted flirtation’ becomes in their minds and only in their minds a sexual violence.
Emmitt till got lynched for whistling at a lady. They only disagree bout the racism, but he definitely deserved to be punished in some way like all men do for whistling at someone they think is hot af. Puritanism.
All just vibes, all but aesthetics, and all fascistically raised to a level of ethically obligatory concern.
“Just as SV is not limited to physically forced penetration, its perpetrators are not limited to strangers. Indeed, perpetrators of SV are more likely to be someone known to the victim. Sexual violence is a problem embedded in our society and includes unwanted acts perpetrated by persons very well known (e.g., family members, intimate partners, and friends), generally known (e.g., acquaintances), not known well or just known by sight (e.g., someone in your neighborhood, person just met) and unknown to the victim (e.g., strangers). “
Be afraid of everyone, any man out there could be your next rapist! That’s right ladies and gents, you’ve been raped several times already, you just didn’t know it. But don’t worry, the statisticians know better. They asked you an unrelated question you said yes to since you were too dumb to know that you were raped, and counted it as rape. Then they informed you that you ought be afraid of everyone in your community, lest they also rape you, unbeknownst to you of course. But again, don’t worry, the statistician will count those too.
As a measure of fear the 451 percenters capture, well or worse who knows, all the racism, sexism, bigotry, and various phobias in the society, and how those fears are transferred onto masculine bodies as imaginary perpetrators of punny sexual offenses. None of it is real, there are not 451 percent of sexual violences happening, 451 percent of men are not sexual predators, and 451 percent of women are not victims of sexual violence.
‘Safety culture’ mostly reflects irrational fears.
Ask the kkk how many black people are rapists, you’re gonna get a high number. Ask puritans how many people are punny sexual offenders, you’re going to get a very high number. Such is the most tame interpretation of what is going on. The 451 percenters are puritans, they’ve overly moralized sexuality, counting offenses to their sensibility rather than criminal actions.
Puritans informing you how ‘vile and wicked’ your sexual ways are; advocating to make their puritanical beliefs bout punny sexual offenses into legally enforceable laws. These are the same kinds of concerns bout a someone dressing too provocatively, such is a ‘punny sexual violation’ to the sensibilities of others.
The less tame version of this is that it is exactly what fascists do. Lie to people especially bout punny sexual offenses in order to ratchet up the fear levels in the population, so they run to them to solve the ‘problem’.
Could be both tho.
Either way, their misandry murders little boys. They celebrate terrorizing men, and rejoice in lynching folks. They’re despicable people.
Solutions?
Ruthlessly love them. Write them love poems, show them kindness and generosity of spirit, but give them not a dime in money, nor ever relent to their irrational fears. Extol their beauty and virtues, make love with them, utterly ruthlessly. Be overtly sexual bout it, in this give them no quarter, bring to an end their puritanism by giving them no plausible cause to be thus. No one under the duress of loves’ enticements and sexual pleasures be puritans. Be relentless, show them masculine sexuality; give them nothing to complain bout, but give them masculine sexuality. Don’t fall for their puritanism, be the boys of summer.
Respect a ‘no means no’ ethic as a code of obligatory actions. Use aesthetical ethics towards good sex with mutual respect given; don’t ever take that as a one way thing. Do not conflate the aesthetics of good sex, 'enthusiastic yeses’ with those of the ethics of obligation ‘no means no’. Don’t be puritans, don’t be fascists, be sex positivists.
Call out the stats when folks bring them up, refer people to these points, feel free to refer people to this post and/or the attached video. ‘But the CDC said’ is not a valid argument; they have put puritans in charge of determining punny sexual offenses. They find punny sexual offenses everywhere they look.
If you’re super coolio, start advocating against the CDC’s use of NISVS to determine what constitutes sexual violence. It doesn’t match with criminal data’s methods, it doesn’t utilize the metrics of ‘no means no’ which are the proper metrics to use, instead it utilizes what amounts to peculiar beliefs bout the aesthetics of sex as a means of measure for punny sexual offenses.
They are spreading a puritanical belief system bout punny sexual offenses, nothing more, and they are causing public health problems by spreading their lies. They are not counting sexual offenses, they are not a criminal justice system, they aren’t technically even in the business of understanding sexual violence. They are the Center For Disease Control, not the ‘center for social engineering sexual practices control’.
Original video on the topic, with some additional resources for understanding these issues in the description.
The Rest Of This Post Is References To The CDC, NISVS, And Crime Data Reports, Along With Some Quotes Thereof With Short Specific Retorts Highlighting The Relevant Info In The Quotes As It Pertains To The Post. This Is But A Small Sample Of How They Use Language Of Aesthetics To Make Their Ethical Claims, And How Their Language Is Misandristic.
sv_surveillance_definitionsl-2009-a.pdf (cdc.gov)
Fast Facts: Preventing Sexual Violence Violence Prevention Injury Center CDC
Key Terms & FAQs National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS)Funded
Programs Violence Prevention Injury Center CDC
Some key quotes from this, Bolded text hereafter are coded for ‘yes means yes’ methods of understanding sexual violence, and sometimes misandristic language. Italicized text are quotes from the sources:
“Rape is defined as any completed or attempted unwanted [unwanted is an aesthetic criteria, not a consent criteria which is ‘a no was stated’ attempted while a real thing allows for further insertion of scary vibes to pad the stats, e.g. the blackness of the lover] ...includes times when the victim was drunk, high*, drugged, or passed out and unable to consent.* [puritanical belief bout drinking and drugs, e.g. one cannot consent if drunk or high. Note that it is separate from being drugged or passed out and unable to consent, and that criminally speaking being drunk or high is not indicative of a lack of capacity to consent, also note this is de facto applied to women only].
“Sexual coercion is defined as unwanted sexual penetration that occurs after a person is pressured in a nonphysical way. In NISVS, sexual coercion refers to unwanted vaginal, oral, or anal sex after being pressured in ways that include being worn down by someone who repeatedly asked for sex or showed they were unhappy; feeling pressured by being lied to, being told promises that were untrue, having someone threaten to end a relationship or spread rumors; and sexual pressure due to someone using their influence or authority.”
Unwanted is an aesthetic category, not a consent category. ‘Sexual coercion’ is not a criminal offense either. It is a puritanical belief bout sexuality that is based on a sex negative view, e.g. that sex is a bad unless and until magical words are said to make it into a good. Calling it ‘sexual violence’ is just lying. Coercion is defined misandristically to only be bout penetration, which precludes all the ways that women use sex and sexuality to manipulate, use, abuse, and harm people; note that there are essentially zero surveys done that include some ‘feminine coded coercive behavior’ into these stats. That is by design. Including not incidentally the way that women have historically and currently used irrational fears over their sexuality to terrorize men and get people murdered.
“Unwanted sexual contact is defined as unwanted sexual experiences involving touch but not sexual penetration, such as being kissed in a sexual way, or having sexual body parts fondled, groped, or grabbed.”
Unwanted is aesthetics, not consent. Also this literally describes flirting. I know they want to try and capture some other sort of notion, grossy mcgrosser pinning someone down and groping them, but all this describes here, and all the stats can possibly reflect, is flirting.
“Non-contact unwanted sexual experiences is defined as those unwanted experiences that do not involve any touching or penetration, including someone exposing their sexual body parts, flashing, or masturbating in front of the victim, someone making a victim show his or her body parts, someone making a victim look at or participate in sexual photos or movies*, or* someone harassing the victim in a public place in a way that made the victim feel unsafe.”
This category is quite broad and puritanical in its disposition, as it assumes there is something wrong with seeing naked images unless and until expressed verbal consent is given, and undoubtedly ignores the en masse flood of naked images of women online to which basically every guy is exposed to. Compare again to people who claim that women ought not be allowed to show their ankles as it causes a ‘harm’ to those who are ‘forced’ to see it. Exact same shite. Aesthetical concerns of wanted or unwantedness, and also notice the expressly stated vibes check ‘victim feel unsafe’. Look out for the black boys, they make them feel unsafe!
Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (UCR Program) — FBI
Quick Facts on Sexual Abuse Offenses (ussc.gov)
It’s worth mentioning that statistically speaking, if one uses the stats derived from crime data as opposed to statisticians making numbers up, the percentages of men who do sexual violence, depending a bit on how you count it, are: 0.0516% or .478% or .0957%. Although the video goes over this all in pretty good depth, just do a little sniff test here; are .478% of the male population sexually violating a third of all women, 55.5 million women?
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TL;DR: An analysis and rebuttal to the CDC and NISVS’s statistics on sexual violence. The CDC uses NISVS to generate the stats on punny sexual violence that make wild claims, like one third of all women, etc… the 451 percenters’ claims bout punny sexual violence. They use a ‘yes means yes’ method of determining what counts as punny sexual violence, which is aesthetics based. Elevating aesthetical concerns to ethically obligatory concerns is fascistic, and a grave moral fallacy. ‘Yes means yes’ is also puritanical, meaning it overly moralizes sexuality. Putting puritanical fascists in charge of determining how many punny sexual offenses are happening is like putting the KKK in charge of determining how many jews are sexual predators. “All 451 percent of them, obviously!”
Body Of The Post
‘Yes means yes’ is an aesthetical ethical concern, ‘Do I want it or not’. This is what the National Intimate Partner Violence Survey (NISVS) and the CDC use and reflect in their stats on sexual violence. Vibes. They are the ‘emmitt till got what he deserved’ crowd. Whistling at a lady is a criminalizable offense to these folks, a ‘punny sexual violence’.
‘No means no’ is an ethically obligatory concern, ‘Did I refuse it or not’. This is what the criminal stats on sexual violence use and reflect in their stats on sexual violence. Hard data. They are the ‘emmit till did nothing wrong’ crowd. Whistling at a lady is at most tasteless, emmitt till could do far better.
‘Wanting’ or ‘Not Wanting’ something does not consent make. I can want to fuck someone, but not consent to do so. I could not want to fuck someone, but nonetheless consent to do so. The former perhaps because I think it is a bad idea to fuck ‘em even tho I want to. The latter, perhaps because I think it is a good idea to fuck ‘em even tho I don’t want to.
The ‘yes means yes’ folks, the CDC & NISVS stats on sexual violence all mistake ‘wanting’ and ‘not wanting’ for ‘consenting’ and ‘not consenting’; these are not the same things. This is deliberate on their part too. They believe that ‘yes means yes’ is what ought to constitute a determination of sexual violence. Regardless of how y’all view that, it is a deeply controversial notion, and not necessarily reflective of what most people think of when they think of sexual violence.
‘Unwanted’ essentially means ‘I don’t like it’. It is a complaint bout the aesthetical qualities of the sexual encounter, not its consensualism. If this is at all unclear, the simplest method to understand why this is so is to note two unrelated aspects.
One is racism. People regularly ‘feel fearful’ of men for no reason at all, but they also feel fearful of men because of racism all the time. That fear factor ™ is what makes the encounter ‘coercion’ or ‘unwanted’. The person literally does nothing wrong, *just exists* and the other person freaks out.
Note in the quoted sections at the end of this post how much of the stats rely on fear and feelings to generate their numbers.
Two is the person came on too strong or in an undesirable way. The person flirts in a normal and perfectly fine way, but the other person freaks out. Think bout it people, for the love of god think bout it. ‘Coming on too strong’ and ‘an undesirable flirtation’ are being counted as ‘punny sexual violence’ in these stats.
It’s entirely puritanical, and entirely a concern bout aesthetics.
There are other sorts of coercive methods, but the point here is that the terms ‘unwanted’ and ‘coercion’ only really cash out as ‘I don’t like it for some reason or another’ in the CDC’s and NISVS’s stats.
When you see that lady spouting off bout her fears of mexican rapists, she’s reflected in these stats folks. They’re just surveys. People who lock their car doors in ‘bad neighborhoods’ are reflected in those stats.
These all translate to ‘I felt threatened’ (big black boy vibes) or ‘felt pressured’ (scary white guy vibes), or ‘felt in danger’ (native american coming to get you vibes), or ‘felt uncertain if you wanted it’ (arab terrorist vibes) or 'felt like I was being manipulated' (angry asian martial artists vibes) . Doesn’t have to be racism at play here either, women can be irrationally fearful of any man. Vibes.
The actions themselves are not criminalizable.
Non p-hacked stats try to avoid these kinds of obvious ambiguities in the language used to generate the 451 percenters’ stats. These folks however lean into the lies and deceptions, and deliberately use language designed to deceive people reading the stats into thinking that people have been harmed. They take language that means literally ‘I like or don’t like it’ and translate that to mean ‘I was sexually harassed, sexually assaulted, or even raped’.
This is how they inflate the numbers, so we get to the 451 percenters’ wacky ass beliefs; ‘451 percent of women will suffer egregious sexual violence to them at least fifty times in their lives’. All this means is vibes. 451 percent of women get some bad vibes bout some dudes.
You can hear it echoed in the bear or man discourse. Why do women choose the bear? Vibes and irrational fears. ‘We choose the bear because we don’t feel safe!’ translates directly to ‘Emmitt till whistled at me, and he’s a big black boy, that’s scary’ and ‘the mexican rapists are swarming over the border to get me’.
These are the stats that people point to when they try to justify their misandristic hot ass takes. They are self-referential to that same fear based aesthetic the stats are. The stats are reflective of peoples’ irrational fears, and people use those stats to justify their irrational fears, and people spread those fear based stats thereby spreading their unjustified fears. It’s a circle rub.
To criminalize these kinds of things is to be fascistic (treating aesthetics as if they were of obligatory concern), to believe that they are morally reprehensible is to be a puritan (overly moralizing sexuality).
The folks deriving these stats translate ‘unwanted’ (aesthetical ethics) to ‘sexual assault’, ‘sexual harassment’, or ‘rape’ (obligatory ethics), then lump everything together as ‘punny sexual violence’ to get the big numbers used to scare people and terrorize men. That’s called fascism.
“[T]here remains a likelihood of underreporting due to the sensitive nature of SV”.
This justification means that they do not trust people to report SV, ‘don’t believe women when they say they haven’t suffered any SV, manipulate the questions so they say yes to something they don’t think is SV, or which simply isn’t SV, and we’ll just call it SV of this or that sort. Later we’ll propagandize people so they too come to believe our puritanical misandristic hot ass takes.’
There is no lie nor hyperbole in what I am saying here. That is the rationale and the method. If you bone up on your academic lit in the topic, this is, well not verbatim what they say, I am lambasting them here, but this is the crux of what their argument and justifications are, and they explicitly hold that they ought be propagandizing people to their puritanical beliefs.
They push the fascistic (aesthetical ethical) and puritanical (overly moralized sexual ethics) discourse into the public by presenting stats that merely reflect fears and pretend that they are reflective of sexual violence. People then come to believe that those kinds of fear based concerns are actually sexual violence. An ‘unwanted flirtation’ becomes in their minds and only in their minds a sexual violence.
Emmitt till got lynched for whistling at a lady. They only disagree bout the racism, but he definitely deserved to be punished in some way like all men do for whistling at someone they think is hot af. Puritanism.
All just vibes, all but aesthetics, and all fascistically raised to a level of ethically obligatory concern.
“Just as SV is not limited to physically forced penetration, its perpetrators are not limited to strangers. Indeed, perpetrators of SV are more likely to be someone known to the victim. Sexual violence is a problem embedded in our society and includes unwanted acts perpetrated by persons very well known (e.g., family members, intimate partners, and friends), generally known (e.g., acquaintances), not known well or just known by sight (e.g., someone in your neighborhood, person just met) and unknown to the victim (e.g., strangers). “
Be afraid of everyone, any man out there could be your next rapist! That’s right ladies and gents, you’ve been raped several times already, you just didn’t know it. But don’t worry, the statisticians know better. They asked you an unrelated question you said yes to since you were too dumb to know that you were raped, and counted it as rape. Then they informed you that you ought be afraid of everyone in your community, lest they also rape you, unbeknownst to you of course. But again, don’t worry, the statistician will count those too.
As a measure of fear the 451 percenters capture, well or worse who knows, all the racism, sexism, bigotry, and various phobias in the society, and how those fears are transferred onto masculine bodies as imaginary perpetrators of punny sexual offenses. None of it is real, there are not 451 percent of sexual violences happening, 451 percent of men are not sexual predators, and 451 percent of women are not victims of sexual violence.
‘Safety culture’ mostly reflects irrational fears.
Ask the kkk how many black people are rapists, you’re gonna get a high number. Ask puritans how many people are punny sexual offenders, you’re going to get a very high number. Such is the most tame interpretation of what is going on. The 451 percenters are puritans, they’ve overly moralized sexuality, counting offenses to their sensibility rather than criminal actions.
Puritans informing you how ‘vile and wicked’ your sexual ways are; advocating to make their puritanical beliefs bout punny sexual offenses into legally enforceable laws. These are the same kinds of concerns bout a someone dressing too provocatively, such is a ‘punny sexual violation’ to the sensibilities of others.
The less tame version of this is that it is exactly what fascists do. Lie to people especially bout punny sexual offenses in order to ratchet up the fear levels in the population, so they run to them to solve the ‘problem’.
Could be both tho.
Either way, their misandry murders little boys. They celebrate terrorizing men, and rejoice in lynching folks. They’re despicable people.
Solutions?
Ruthlessly love them. Write them love poems, show them kindness and generosity of spirit, but give them not a dime in money, nor ever relent to their irrational fears. Extol their beauty and virtues, make love with them, utterly ruthlessly. Be overtly sexual bout it, in this give them no quarter, bring to an end their puritanism by giving them no plausible cause to be thus. No one under the duress of loves’ enticements and sexual pleasures be puritans. Be relentless, show them masculine sexuality; give them nothing to complain bout, but give them masculine sexuality. Don’t fall for their puritanism, be the boys of summer.
Respect a ‘no means no’ ethic as a code of obligatory actions. Use aesthetical ethics towards good sex with mutual respect given; don’t ever take that as a one way thing. Do not conflate the aesthetics of good sex, 'enthusiastic yeses’ with those of the ethics of obligation ‘no means no’. Don’t be puritans, don’t be fascists, be sex positivists.
Call out the stats when folks bring them up, refer people to these points, feel free to refer people to this post and/or the attached video. ‘But the CDC said’ is not a valid argument; they have put puritans in charge of determining punny sexual offenses. They find punny sexual offenses everywhere they look.
If you’re super coolio, start advocating against the CDC’s use of NISVS to determine what constitutes sexual violence. It doesn’t match with criminal data’s methods, it doesn’t utilize the metrics of ‘no means no’ which are the proper metrics to use, instead it utilizes what amounts to peculiar beliefs bout the aesthetics of sex as a means of measure for punny sexual offenses.
They are spreading a puritanical belief system bout punny sexual offenses, nothing more, and they are causing public health problems by spreading their lies. They are not counting sexual offenses, they are not a criminal justice system, they aren’t technically even in the business of understanding sexual violence. They are the Center For Disease Control, not the ‘center for social engineering sexual practices control’.
Original video on the topic, with some additional resources for understanding these issues in the description.
The Rest Of This Post Is References To The CDC, NISVS, And Crime Data Reports, Along With Some Quotes Thereof With Short Specific Retorts Highlighting The Relevant Info In The Quotes As It Pertains To The Post. This Is But A Small Sample Of How They Use Language Of Aesthetics To Make Their Ethical Claims, And How Their Language Is Misandristic.
sv_surveillance_definitionsl-2009-a.pdf (cdc.gov)
Fast Facts: Preventing Sexual Violence Violence Prevention Injury Center CDC
Key Terms & FAQs National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS)Funded
Programs Violence Prevention Injury Center CDC
Some key quotes from this, Bolded text hereafter are coded for ‘yes means yes’ methods of understanding sexual violence, and sometimes misandristic language. Italicized text are quotes from the sources:
“Rape is defined as any completed or attempted unwanted [unwanted is an aesthetic criteria, not a consent criteria which is ‘a no was stated’ attempted while a real thing allows for further insertion of scary vibes to pad the stats, e.g. the blackness of the lover] ...includes times when the victim was drunk, high*, drugged, or passed out and unable to consent.* [puritanical belief bout drinking and drugs, e.g. one cannot consent if drunk or high. Note that it is separate from being drugged or passed out and unable to consent, and that criminally speaking being drunk or high is not indicative of a lack of capacity to consent, also note this is de facto applied to women only].
“Sexual coercion is defined as unwanted sexual penetration that occurs after a person is pressured in a nonphysical way. In NISVS, sexual coercion refers to unwanted vaginal, oral, or anal sex after being pressured in ways that include being worn down by someone who repeatedly asked for sex or showed they were unhappy; feeling pressured by being lied to, being told promises that were untrue, having someone threaten to end a relationship or spread rumors; and sexual pressure due to someone using their influence or authority.”
Unwanted is an aesthetic category, not a consent category. ‘Sexual coercion’ is not a criminal offense either. It is a puritanical belief bout sexuality that is based on a sex negative view, e.g. that sex is a bad unless and until magical words are said to make it into a good. Calling it ‘sexual violence’ is just lying. Coercion is defined misandristically to only be bout penetration, which precludes all the ways that women use sex and sexuality to manipulate, use, abuse, and harm people; note that there are essentially zero surveys done that include some ‘feminine coded coercive behavior’ into these stats. That is by design. Including not incidentally the way that women have historically and currently used irrational fears over their sexuality to terrorize men and get people murdered.
“Unwanted sexual contact is defined as unwanted sexual experiences involving touch but not sexual penetration, such as being kissed in a sexual way, or having sexual body parts fondled, groped, or grabbed.”
Unwanted is aesthetics, not consent. Also this literally describes flirting. I know they want to try and capture some other sort of notion, grossy mcgrosser pinning someone down and groping them, but all this describes here, and all the stats can possibly reflect, is flirting.
“Non-contact unwanted sexual experiences is defined as those unwanted experiences that do not involve any touching or penetration, including someone exposing their sexual body parts, flashing, or masturbating in front of the victim, someone making a victim show his or her body parts, someone making a victim look at or participate in sexual photos or movies*, or* someone harassing the victim in a public place in a way that made the victim feel unsafe.”
This category is quite broad and puritanical in its disposition, as it assumes there is something wrong with seeing naked images unless and until expressed verbal consent is given, and undoubtedly ignores the en masse flood of naked images of women online to which basically every guy is exposed to. Compare again to people who claim that women ought not be allowed to show their ankles as it causes a ‘harm’ to those who are ‘forced’ to see it. Exact same shite. Aesthetical concerns of wanted or unwantedness, and also notice the expressly stated vibes check ‘victim feel unsafe’. Look out for the black boys, they make them feel unsafe!
Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (UCR Program) — FBI
Quick Facts on Sexual Abuse Offenses (ussc.gov)
It’s worth mentioning that statistically speaking, if one uses the stats derived from crime data as opposed to statisticians making numbers up, the percentages of men who do sexual violence, depending a bit on how you count it, are: 0.0516% or .478% or .0957%. Although the video goes over this all in pretty good depth, just do a little sniff test here; are .478% of the male population sexually violating a third of all women, 55.5 million women?