I ran out of room on my last post, so this is just going to be a continuation of that. This is Vedic astrology once again.
Yoni

Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra is associated with the male lion yoni. Together with the pillar of light as one of its symbols, this brings to mind the story of Lord Narasimha, who was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a part-lion avatar, where he destroyed the duality of worldy-mindliness represented by Hiranyakashipu. This of course relates to Purva Bhadrapada's nature of protection of innocence and the oncoming destruction of duality. Lions are known for their majestic presence and commanding strength in the animal kingdom, qualities that mirror the dominant and regal nature of individuals born under this nakshatra. The male lion yoni symbolizes a potent and assertive approach to sexuality, illuminating the primal instincts and intense desires of Purva Bhadrapada natives. Similar to the bold and authoritative demeanor of a lion, these individuals may exhibit a confident and passionate attitude in their sexual encounters, embracing intimacy with fervor and intensity. Purva Bhadrapada natives are often loyal, attractive, forgiving, and faithful partners, embodying the noble virtues associated with the lion yoni. There is also a connection between Purva Bhadrapada and homosexuality, which is echoed in the behavior of lions to frequently engage in same-sex relationship and mating behavior. The diversity of sexual expressions within the animal kingdom, mirroring the complexity and fluidity of human sexuality observed among Purva Bhadrapada natives is apparent here. That said, there can be a tendency to be overly sexual, as lions are known to mate up to 50 times in a 24-hour period when the females are in heat. And despite being painful for the female lion due to the barbs on the male lions genitals, that does not stop them from harassing the males for sex when they cannot keep up with their demands. Beyond their sexual nature, the lion yoni offers insights into the fundamental characteristics that shape compatibility in relationships for Purva Bhadrapada individuals. Lions are typically known for their social structure, where they live in prides led by a dominant male, with females doing most of the work in terms of hunting and caring for the young. Male lions are often portrayed as gentle and lazy, preferring to conserve their energy for crucial moments of challenge from another male, while female lions are more continuously aggressive and assertive, taking on the role of primary hunters and protectors of the pride. In the context of Purva Bhadrapada individuals, this dynamic may manifest in their views on relationships and interpersonal dynamics. Like male lions, they may view others' children as adversaries, striving to maintain their dominance and authority over a given territory. Women of this Nakshatra will behave more like female lions though, even though the yoni as a whole is of the Male lion.
Deciding Attributes

Activity – Nakshatras are categorized into three main modes of activity based on their inherent qualities: passive, active, and balanced. These classifications provide insights into the fundamental nature and functioning of each Nakshatra, influencing its manifestation. Passive Nakshatras are characterized by a receptive and introspective nature, expressing themselves internally. They tend to be more attuned to their surroundings, absorbing energy and stimuli from their environment. Individuals born under passive Nakshatras may exhibit traits such as sensitivity, intuition, idealism, and emotional depth. They often possess a natural ability to empathize with others and may excel in creative or spiritual pursuits that require reflection. On the other hand, active Nakshatras are dynamic and assertive. They are proactive and initiative-taking, inclined towards external expression of action like the naming suggests. Individuals born under active Nakshatras may display traits such as courage and a strong drive of pursuit. They are often motivated to pursue their goals with determination and may excel in leadership roles or competitive endeavors. Balanced Nakshatras exhibit a combination of both passive and active qualities, allowing them to adapt their behavior and approach according to the demands of the situation. Individuals born under balanced Nakshatras may possess a versatile nature, capable of both receptivity and initiative as circumstances require. They are adept at finding a harmonious medium between action and reflection. Purva Bhadrapada is a passive Nakshatra and does not rush into things.

Gender – Purva Bhadrapada is a masculine Nakshatra. This Nakshatra projects the qualities described as masculine by the sages, such as enthusiasm, logic, and initiation. This nakshatra is also in association with male planets like Jupiter and Saturn.

Direction – Purva bhadrapada's main directions are West and South East. Its looking direction is downward. Westward activities, such as introspection, meditation, and spiritual practices, are considered auspicious, as they align with the nakshatra's inward-focused energy and journey towards spiritual enlightenment. Conversely, Southeast-facing endeavors, like material pursuits, worldly ambitions, and external engagements, may be less favorable, as they distract from the nakshatra's path of inner growth and self-discovery. The downward looking direction further emphasizes the importance of grounding and introspection, guiding individuals towards activities that foster inner peace, wisdom, and spiritual fulfillment.

Tendency – Creation (as opposed to maintenance or dissolution)

Nadi – Like Ashwini, Purva Bhadrapada's nadi dosha is Aadi nadi and is related to Vaata, indicating flow of energyt from top to bottom. This nadi dosha can lead to problems with anxiety, controversy, divorce, and matters related to children.

Overall Auspicious activities – Purva Bahdrapada is good for activities that are difficult or impossible to reverse, such as argument, violent or destructive tasks, meat selling, battles, legal proceedings, weapons handling, aggressive behavior, risky activities and investments, endings and completions, dealing with death-related matters like funerals, removal of obstacles, terminating relationships, demolitions, handling waste, rituals to remove obstacles, occult practices, meditation, group ceremonies, technology-related tasks, and agricultural matters.

Overall Inauspicious activities – Purva Bhadrapada is not good for activities that require stability and peace, such as travelling, sexual intercourse, marriage ceremonies, negotiations, reconciliations, initiating things, establishing new relationships, beginning journeys, farming or gardening, creative endeavors, childbirth, religious ceremonies focused on positivity, dealing with authority, and generally any activity requiring patience or a gentle hand.

Capacity – Purva Bhadrapada is Ugra, meaning fierce or intense. Ugra nakshatras are characterized by their aggressive and forceful nature. The energy of Purva Bhadrapada can be both destructive and transformative. This nakshatra is associated with breaking down old structures to make way for new growth. Ugra nakshatras are suitable for activities requiring fire, destruction, excessive force, and challenging enemies. They are also support activities such as tantric practices, shamanistic rituals, and other forms of deep spiritual work, with Purva Bhadrapada having the most power to cause transformations overall.

Professions – Purva Bhadrapada is associated with careers such as business administration, occupations related to death, medicine and healing (especially those related to death or geriatrics), psychology and psychiatry careers (especially those relating to asylums or loss of mental faculties like insanity or cognitive degeneration), research jobs, teaching and higher education, visionary or fanatical work like a social rights activism or terrorism, occultism and black magic, the darker side of the government/ruling elite, the darker side of the entertainment industry like pornography or scandals, weapon makers and users, soldiers and homicide forces, dark technologies, religious ascetics and monks, metal industry jobs, occupations related to the use of fire, enemies and protectors of the environment, jobs related to pharmaceuticals, and occupations that require total secrecy like illegal activities and those that require high standing for authorization. As a personal observation, I also tend to see them quite a bit in the entertainment industry as creative artists of music, media, and fashion. Their creations are usually quite popular, even though they can be a bit more dark.


Tattva – Purva Bhadrapada's overall tattva is Akasha (Ether), but is it also closely linked to Agni or fire. Akasha represents the vast, boundless nature of space. With this being the predominant Tattva, natives of this nakshatra have a tendency to look beyond the immediate or the mundane, choosing to look for the truth of reality themselves. As the element of Ether is associated with the vastness of the cosmos and the unseen realms, Purva Bhadrapada natives often have strong spiritual and mystical inclinations. They may be drawn to esoteric knowledge, occult practices, and metaphysical exploration. Connecting with sound, Ether is also the element communication. This is not practical communication though; it is more spiritual and implicit communication, where the knowledge of the universe is echoed through everything. Individuals born under Purva Bhadrapada possess an ability to communicate things without saying them. They can just kind of send out information that others attuned to them and this level of existence will be able to pick up on with little effort.

Ayurvedic connections – In Ayurveda, each individual is said to be born with a unique combination of the three doshas, known as their primary constitution or Prakriti. Like Ashwini, Purva Bhadrapada is connected to Vaata dosha, primarily being connected to the knees and the top portions of the feet. Knees are the body parts which provide us the capacity for walking and quick forward movement, such as with running and jumping. Vaata carries a moveable energy as it is said to govern movement and is associated with qualities like dryness, coldness, lightness, and variability. According to ayurveda, doshas out of balance will lead to poor health and disease. When in harmony, Vaata will provide creativity and enthusiasm, flexibility and adaptability, clear and agile thinking, healthy digestion and regular elimination, sound sleep, stable energy levels throughout the day, an overall sense of well-being and vitality, a lean physique with proportionate features, graceful movements, a healthy and clear complexion, strong and flexible joints and muscles, normal and healthy body temperature and circulation. When out of balance, the effect of Vaata can lead to anxiety, nervousness, uncontrollable restlessness, insomnia and disturbed sleep, digestive issues, dry as well as rough/cracked skin, fatigue/inconsistent energy levels, joint stiffness or pain, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating, irregular appetite, emotional instability, sensitivity to the cold or windy weather, weight loss, brittle hair and nails, excessive movement or hyper speech, confusion, fear, tremors, and weakening muscles.

Shakti – The Yajamana Udyamana Shakti of Purva Bhadrapada manifests as a dual force, intertwining the energies of sacrifice and grand endeavors to uplift society. On one hand, this Shakti empowers individuals to engage in acts of selfless sacrifice, dedicating themselves to the betterment of society and the advancement of spiritual growth. Their willingness to make personal sacrifices for the greater good serves as a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the path towards collective upliftment and enlightenment. However, the promise of swift manifestation and profound transformation also carries inherent dangers and consequences, including unintended outcomes. They can lose their way by fixating on power and control. Overall, this Shakti gives a natural inclination towards leadership and innovation. When associated with this nakshatra, it gives these natives the capacity to envision bold initiatives and possess the drive and determination to see them through to fruition. Whether it's spearheading social reforms, pioneering scientific breakthroughs, or initiating large-scale efforts, these individuals are drawn to endeavors that have a lasting impact on the world. Moreover, this Shakti gives individuals the ability to inspire and motivate others to join them in their quest. Their pwerful presence and persuasive abilities enable them to rally support and build coalitions, creating a ripple effect that amplifies the reach and impact of their actions. They are amplifiers for change, igniting passion and purpose in those around them and mobilizing collective action towards a shared vision

today every speech challenge fails, even the easiest +1. i got the skill Persuasion on 4/4.
since i have over 1.000hr starfield playtime on record, this seems absurd bugged for me.
post about similar exp on speech challenge plz

Written 5/8/2024- updates attached below

I tried posting this on kendrick almost a week ago and it got no response, I messaged the mods to ask about Karma restrictions or account age requirements and they never replied. I made a new account and it was the same issue, but I found out last night I wasn’t fully banned, so I figured I’d throw it up and see if anyone finds it valuable. It’s written for people who have no prior knowledge of the rap game/music business. I don’t have to go as hard on obscuring names this time. One of the influencers I mentioned in my last post is known for doxxing and threatening violence against people who mention the many contradictions in their stories. (Sorry for any typos/mistakes I want to go to bed.)
Origins
I believe the current Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef is either completely or partially fabricated by certain industry leaders or the parties involved in an effort to distract from something bigger going down behind the scenes. If you were an influential label owner facing major accusations, and you needed to deflect media attention from yourself, recreating one of the most defining moments in rap history during the social media era would be a way to do it. It also wouldn’t hurt that two of the biggest rappers in the world were already sending shots at each other in their music for years prior. The public consensus is they are simply two famous rappers who hate each other and fighting over the spot for the top like in the 90’s. Only people who were directly involved could paint a more cohesive picture of the whole story. Even when all the cards drop, there is a good chance the average person won’t be able to find direct sources on their own and will continue to support their favorite artists and dismiss any evidence of their crimes like the drizzy subreddit or Ak fans.

As I said the beef between Kendrick and Drake has been brewing in the background for years, with both rappers sending shots and sneak dissing each other over the course of at least 8 years. The most agreed upon origin story is the first diss was the 2016 Big Sean and Kendrick collaboration, “Control,” and Drake responded with, “The Language”. Things stayed relatively lighthearted for a while and both were intentionally vague for many years. Before I go deep into the Kendrick and Drake stuff, it’s really important to examine some of Drake’s prior beefs because they add a ton of context to my theory. In my opinion Kendrick and Co. started scheming all of this some time around Mid 2020-Mid 2022, well after the whole Pusha T beef had transitioned into the Kanye beef.

What exactly started the beef is debatable, but at the time many attributed it to rumors of Drake pursuing Ye’s ex Amber Rose. Unfortunately the timeline isn’t 100 percent clear, and if I included every detail this would be at least 200+ pages so I’ll stick with the important stuff. The ultimate outcome of the Pusha T battle in 2018 was the revelation of Drake’s son Adidon that he had previously been hiding from the world along with getting Ye directly involved in the beef.

Here are some more examples of Drake antagonizing Ye and of him trying to use women as pawns to get material for his diss tracks. The Drake line, “Yeah, I probably go link to Yeezy, I need me some Jesus, but as soon as I start confessin' my sins, he wouldn't believe us," could be a reference to sleeping with Kim Kardashian, trying to double down on his threats to harm him or his family, or it could be a double entendre. Another example is using the name Kiki in another song, which was apparently one of Kim’s nicknames. Some other possible examples include the theories he may have tried the same thing with Kendrick’s wife Whitney around 2020-2021 in an attempt to use as ammo against Kendrick, which I’ll go into later. I don’t listen to much of either artist's music, but there are probably many of other examples in Drake’s catalogue that I’m leaving out. There is also his song Omerta released in 2019, which I'll go into below.

“Your baby mother call me when she lonely My tailor see me twice a week, he like my homie Forever grateful, forever thankful Diamond necklace, but she wears it on her ankle”

(Probably referring to Kim Kardashian since she had a few pictures with her wearing diamond ankle bracelets and was trying to make it into a trend.

“I plan to buy your most personal belongings when they up for auction”

(There were various rumors floating around for a while that Drake was blackmailing Ye with something and he was fighting to keep it from the public. I thought about it and this line might be referencing a sex tape with Kim or her little sister who me was very touch before she turned 18. In 2022 there was a whole storyline on Kim’s show where Ye flies to LA to prevent her second sex tape from being released.)

West Hollywood, know my presence is menacing
Cosa Nostra, shady dealings
Racketeering, the syndicate got they hand in plenty things The things that we've done to protect the name are unsettling But no regrets, though, the name'll echo Years later, none greater
Death to a coward and a traitor, that's just in my nature, yeah
(Drake and Ye both frequented the Delilah Nightclub located in West Hollywood and lived closeby on the same street for a while.)
"I don't carry cash 'cause the money is digital
It's the American Expresser, the debt collector"

(Sounds a lot more like it could be crypto to launder or send large amounts of ill gotten gains. It started becoming mainstream around them)

"Last year, niggas really feel like they rode on me
Last year, niggas got hot 'cause they told on me
I'm 'bout to call the bluff of anybody the fold on me"

These lines stood out because they could be referring to Ye telling the public about Drake's alleged threats a couple months before the songs release. This happened not long after the release of Sicko mode which was towards the end of 2018 as well. Ye was discussing the incident on Twitter and reached out to Drake and Travis to talk to him in private. In the next set of tweets Kanye publicly accused Drake of threatening him and his family in a major way. Surprisingly Ye seemed genuinely scared and amongst his, “crazy rants,” some of the stuff he said makes a ton of sense in hindsight. This also the beginning of his second serious public struggles with Bipolar disorder after being committed in 2016 shortly after an on stage rant where he calls out Jay Z for selling out and says he's afraid he might kill him.. As someone who shares the same diagnosis, I have a pretty good understanding of mania and psychosis and firmly believe that it's important not to write people off right away due to their mental illness. Some of my most thoughtful, creative, and productive periods were inspired by mania. Industry bigwigs have also been using mental illness to discredit influential black celebrities and visionaries going back decades, but it really picked up in the 80’s.

Dave Chappelle has gone into this a lot in the past and claims he experienced something similar before he quit show business and dipped to Africa. Their stories have a lot of interesting parallels if you’re familiar or curious. I remember he actually visited Ye at his house in Wyoming after he was reported to have had a, "mental breakdown," during his presidential run in 2020 thus marking his third breakown in six years.. The reason I put it in quotes is because it happened right after he publicly accused Kim of cheating and delivered his legendary speech on abortion. Dave went as far as going on live tv and telling the public he wasn’t crazy, he was just really struggling because he was the only one at the time fighting against the narrative, which can often be a suicide mission or a ticket to obscurity. These are three examples of someone speaking up and being deemed crazy, two years later came the nazi stuff and I'm sure we'll have plenty in store for 2024.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the very common pattern of artists dying or having their careers destroyed either after they try to leave their label or threaten to reveal industry secrets. A few more interesting industry connections I made in my research include the connections between:

T.U.G. records and J Cole's independent label Dreamville are both managed by Interscope Records, whose parent company is Universal Music Group.

Universal Music Group also hac Drake's label OvO label as well as Ye and Kendrick's old labels on their roster before they left to form their own independent labels in 2022 (around the same time the disses between Kendrick and Drake started escalating). Finally Bad Boy Records, which is owned by Diddy, and Motown Records who own Diddy's other R&B label Love Records, are also both owned by Universal. This means every label I mention is currently or was previously owned by Universal Music Group.

Ye tried for years to get out of his contract with Defjam, which happens to be ran by Jay Z who is known to be a close associate of Diddy. Jay would always used his money and power to fight against it. Ye even spoke out publicly on a few occasions, including when he said Jay Z was trying to kill him during one of his concerts. My theory is after years of getting nowhere and having his reputation skewered, in 2022 Ye finally said, "Fuck it," and dropped all the anti- Semetic stuff intentionally in a successful attempt to force his label to into using their morality clause, which requires labels to drop an artist if they're accused of any major controversy that could hurt the label’s profits. For the fourth time in four years the media reported he was having a breakdown. Even though they tried to punish him by cutting off all of his sources of income and freezing his accounts he still managed to bounce back pretty quickly. It was often reported how much he was losing, but it rarely discussed how he still was filthy rich in spite of the retrictions. His label wanted to discourage other artists from trying the same thing. My theory is he might have bought Kim or Kylie's alleged sex tape and used it for his own leverage. For Kendrick, his transition to his independent label ApLang went a lot smoother, but he had to split ownership of his new label with the previous manager owner Dave Free. Sadly it's still difficult for new or more niche artists to establish themselves without the some help.

He may be a lot of things but Ye isn’t dumb just because he has a mood disorder and the guys at the top know this, which is why I think he has really played up his diagnosis when it benefitted him. He’s still one of the most talented musicians in the game and I really think he sees his bipolar like a superpower as he says. It’s like his own invisibility cloak. He can go off his meds for a little, make an album after staying up for 72 hours, go on a “psychotic” twitter rant dropping facts throughout, then start up again once he makes enough news headlines. I think it’s worth noting the first divorce rumors in 2020 coincided with Ye’s abortion speech during his presidential run and the cheating accusations. that led to him dropping out and moving to Wyoming, and a couple months ago in February 2024 he was committed again.

The point I’m making is bipolar is complex, but pretty manageable especially if you have a ton of money to find meds that work for you and a good doctor and can keep substance abuse and stress at a manageable level. I think Ye is smart enough to know this, but it’s just safer for him to really play up the mental issues in the media. He’s proven he can literally say whatever he wants after getting cancelled and the average person is just going to write it off as psycho babble. While bias in health care is a sad fact of society, if you can use it to your advantage I say go for it. It might’ve just kept the microscope off of him long enough to plan his attack.

Ye v. Drake: Quotes of 2018
(Start of the beef, drake threats, and suspicion towards Kardashian family. )

“ It’s not about rap. It’s about family. We have to be close as a family and never let these people infiltrate just for radio spins”

“We need to show the world that people can talk without people ending up dead or in jail.”

”This is a man speaking to a man that has been placed in the program to fuck with Kanye West head and set me up“

”See when you care about your family you don’t let no man push you to do nothing that could risk your freedom“

These first four tweets by Ye were all in reference to perceived threats made by Drake after their beef escalated circa 2018. He began speaking on the industry and talking more about his psych hospital commitment two years prior and how he thought they were going to kill him. It's pretty obvious how the whole thing was planned by the sketchy doctor who called it in and his physical trainer who has a ton of connections to weird shit involving his celebrity clients.

I found interesting that Ye might not have been the first major league rapper whose life Drake threatened. During a similar period of mental illness the up and coming rapper XXXtentacion accused Drake of stealing his flow and dissed him a few times. Not long after he made a post online saying if he dies, it was Drake who did it. There are tons of conspiracies online, but none of the evidence is strong enough to draw a definitive connection. Also while it maybe be coincidental, Kendrick’s latest album Mr Morale also painted the picture that Kendrick was dealing with some serious personal issues. Some lines throughout the album may have been used to bait Drake into escalating, but it wasn’t until The Weekend, Future, and Metro Booming dropped, “We Don’t Trust You,” then Drake and J. Cole dropped, “First Person Shooter,” which was followed a couple days later with, “Like That,” where Kendrick started the chain of events that has led us to today.

Kanye vs. Drake: Quotes of 2020

Summary: Ye runs for president and gets suppressed for saying what very well could be the truth and was immediately deemed insane by the media. Kim did a couple interviews and everything he said was immediatly false. There is almost guarenteed to be some sketchy shit going down revolving her and her family. Ye was absolutely terrified of her keeping the kids away from him and it seems like there are still efforts being made to this day to paint a certain image of him for ulterior motives.

Below are six more quotes from a fan taking a deep dive into his 2020 tweets courtesy of u/ thehatstore42069 on Yeezy
”NORTHY I AM GOING TO WAR AND PUTTING MY LIFE ON THE LINE AND IF I AM MURDERED DON’T EVER LET WHITE MEDIA TELL YOU I WASNT A GOOD MAN,” West, 43, wrote in the tweet, adding, “WHEN PEOPLE THREATEN TO TAKE YOU OUT OF MY LIFE JUST KNOW I LOVE YOU”

"I need a public apology from J Cole and Drake to start with immediately... I'm Nat Turner... I'm fighting for us."

"the utmost respect for all brothers" and said "we need to link and respect each other... no more dissing each other on labels we don't own"

"Ye is constantly trying to tell people that his family does not have his or his kids best interests at heart. He goes on to list others, linking them together with the thinking emoji. These people include rap artist Drake and Larsa Pippen, wife of Scottie Pippe. Kim K is goddaughter to Pippen's daughter, showing how close the families actually are. All of these families that associate with Ye through Kardashian connections, as well as Drake, have been accused of the same thing Kris has. EVERY SINGLE ONE of these people have mixed race children that are groomed from a young age to fuck around with celebrities so the parents can remain famous. Drake on numerous occasions has been accused of grooming girls and then getting handsy on their 18th birthday.”

“These labels want their artists to make them money and they dont care about anything else. When Kanye says things like this in an attempt to expose him, the first thing they wanna do is drug him up and put him back in the studio.”
“Righteous indignation is typically a reactive emotion of anger over mistreatment, insult, or malice of another. It is akin to what is called the sense of injustice. This is how they keep the black man down. Keep people outraged about trivial things and distract them from the real issues in the world. The real problems in the industry. If you tell people enough times that they are unequal or discriminated against they start to believe it. Drug them when they step out of line and toss them aside when the checks run out. Ye is realizing he is pawn in a bigger game, and now that he has all these roots in the game such as Yeezy or the Gap or his music, too many people cant risk (Afford) a Ye who speaks his mind.”
(End of quotes)

Amongst the twitter rant, Ye warned about the predatory nature of record deals and discussed trying to get out of his own deal, and said again how his life may be in danger if it wasn’t already and was doing anything he could to protect his kids. The most fascinating part to me though is the public call to arms he made to Drake, J Cole, and Kendrick on twitter. After inviting them to all link up, he said, “It’s time to get free, we will not argue amongst each other while some guy we don’t know in Europe is getting paid and putting that money in a hedge fund.” I believe if Ye was able to pull off this meeting, there is an ever so slight chance that all four artists might be working together to take down a greater enemy. Weirdly there have been times throughout the last couple years where these supposed enemies were photographed together being friendly or praise each other in interviews, then out of no where the disses would start flying again.

To wrap things up I want to share my a few of my theories about the Drake/Kanye beef

A. Everything is exactly as it seems and the beef is over. Ye let his mental illness ruin his life and career so Drake simply picked another target after Ye stopped putting out disses. All of these connections are just a coincidence and all of this was choreographed to boost Drake and Kendrick’s music sales and possibly distract people from the Diddy trial and possibly the complicated geopolitical issues currently facing the U.S.

C. There is also the possibility that all four rappers are in cahoots and Drake’s dirt isn’t as extreme as people are theorizing, at least in comparison to the rest of the business. This could explain why everything has played out like a movie and how they were able to predict each other’s moves so well. This could either mean they’re all just trying to boost their sales or they’re all trying to take down the “slave masters,” as Ye calls them, and change the dynamic of the music industry in favor of the artist.

D. They may be trying to help their friends in the industry who are being abused or in shitty contracts. I know a lot of famous rappers have done a lot of collaborations with Jhene Aiko and Anderson Paak, who were both signed to T.U.G. records which I mentioned above in the connections to Universal Music Group. Considering they are both frequent collaborators with all of the artists involved on both sides, it’s not unlikely they may have played some part in influencing the takedown.

T.U.G was started by Chris Stokes with his partner Ketrina Askew. Back in the early to mid 90’s were gaining popularity attracting lots of young up and coming talent. They often collaborated with Diddy and his associates. In the 2000’s Raz B from the boy band B2K claimed he was molested by Stokes and his friend Marques Houston, then quickly retracted his claims. Years later he came forward again and said we was bribed into silence and that the rest of the victims were bribed with hush money and had another singer corroborate his story and they came forward together to level the accusations. After some of his former B2K members made fun of him for his claims and accused it of being a shakedown, Raz B revealed Stokes and Houston had preyed a lot of the children associated with the label including at least one of the former bandmates and paid them off.

I thought it was worth noting that the second whistleblower named Quindon Tarver died young in a car crash after mentioning his abuse again a few years prior. He seems to have left the industry not long after the incidents occurred and has few credits to his name. To this day Raz B is still trying to get his justice, while Stokes and his partner Askew, who was also involved in the abuse are still running the label to this day. Askew also has a ton of lawsuits, accusing her of using shady tactics to try to foreclose on houses. (Don’t quote me if a lawyer wants to take a look just google her full name), and has been tied to a ton of LLCs, similar to Drake. This is a good example of a shitty record deal, but I'm sure they have countless other friends in the industry who have even worse. While they were never convicted even Chris Stokes' wife confirmed it to be true.

E. The theory I personally think fits the narrative best and is the most realistic conspiracy is that Kendrick and possibly J. Cole went to the meeting, but not Drake due to his close relationship with Lucian Grange, the president of Drake’s label. Silence often speaks louder than words and this could explain why Kendrick was so ruthless and put so much effort into finding dirt on Drake. Ye, Cole, and Kendrick co-writing would be like the rap allstar team and if J. Cole wasn’t involved, it would also answer the question of whether or not he baited Drake into the battle by asking him to feature. I don’t think Drake is really their primary target though, which would explain letting him off easy. Compared to his bosses and their bosses he’s a small fish. If you take the big guys down you stand a better chance of landing a bigger blow on their operation.

Another really interesting connection is Kendrick and Ye were both signed under Universal Music Group and they both got out of their deals around couple months apart in 2022. As we speak U.M.G’s CEO Lucian Grange, who is often acccused of giving Drake special treatment, is facing charges related to sex trafficking by no other than P Diddy. This could very well explain the timing of it all. The craziest timeline would be Diddy masterminding all of this and using his connections to get it done and all the allegations are bullshit. The guy does seem pretty confident all things considered and constantly posts himself in his Batman costume which could mean he’s a vigilante.

It seems like there's a slight religious angle as well. (Ye and Diddy are both very vocal advocates of Christianity and Drake and Lucian Grange are both Jewish.) Obviously this is a reach, but they’ve been saying rap music was specifically promoted by mostly white label owners in the 80’s to help in the ongoing effort to expedite the systematic oppression of those living in black neighborhoods and the destruction of their family systems. Apparently it was an intentional decision to heavily promote rappers that promoted the very things that were destroying their neighborhoods. (So people know I'm and atheist and have zero agenda, I just thought it was interesting, please stay away from anything antisemitic. War is wrong on both sides.)

*** If my favorite theory is true, there is a possibility the Kendrick and Ye are going after Drake due to their mutual disdain for him and because he’s got a ton of power to dominate the charts and hog the radio airtime like Meek Mill and OG Maco claimed years ago. Even him dropping a record the same day as you could really fuck your album sales up. I’m also sure some of the many rumors throughout the years have had a least some truth and he will most likely snitch to avoid cell block one. I think that Drake could have been instructed to instigate this whole mess in order to draw attention away from the UMG charges brought about by Diddy. Or on the other hand it could be that Kendrick, Ye, and possibly Cole, may have had intel that Drake was going to be involved in the Diddy trial and are just gonna let the receipts show themselves. It might not have been the original plan, but they’ve already accomplished their mission of humiliating him, assuring he couldn’t use his influence to slide through the cracks, and taking over the throne.

Please take everything I say with a grain of salt I have no connection to this world or lifestyle. Regardless I believe all of the knowledge above does a pretty solid job at painting a picture of what may have let up to this and what may have been the source.
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More details found the last couple days…

Drake and Diddy Connections+Coincidences

Drake- In the P Diddy wig video from 2016 he talks about going to party with Drake, Cash, and The Weeknd in Toronto. Drake is also one of Birdman’s protégées who is known for being a predator and is rumored to have used label artists to lure young women.

Travis Scott- Interview where he comes out and says Diddy tried to lure him. Still has a long history of associating with him, video of him running from Diddy, his connection to Ruby Rose while underage.

Tim Westwood- Diddy had connections with sex offender Tim Westwood who also inspired the Drake song, “Westwood”. They also both were victims of drive by shootings along with The Weekend and they were all facing some type of allegations.

T.I.- Also has been associate with Diddy through the years, in 2021 his kid died and 11 women can forward at the same time to accuse him and his wife of drugging and assaulting them. Clearly someone wanted to fuck his life up. Possibly due to him getting arrested so many times for wild shit and people wondering how he continued to get away with it shining a light on how powerful industry lawyers are. He also had recently talked about having a gynecologist check to see if his daughter is still a Virgin, which sounds like it could have been an industrty secret. Could have been because he worried about someone trying to take advantage of her to get to him? Regardless that shit is fucking insane.

50 Cent- Has been saying pretty much the same thing as Travis Scott and has trolled Diddy for most of his career. It came out that his wife was a sex worker who was possibly recruited Diddy to help ruin his career. It sort of worked, which raises the question if 50 Cent is the only victim.

Ray J- Him and his sister worked with T.U.G. records when they were very young. Chris Stokes in the nineties who had connections with Diddy. He has been involved in a lot of sex scandals and allegedly may have played a part in Whitney Houston's death. (Which is also allegedly connected to Michael Jackson's death and both were deemed suspicious and happened during their final tours when their masters (song rights), became more valuable than their lives. Sony Records and Tommy Motolla, who also abused Mariah Carey when she was trying to start her career. These are just a few of the alleged examples of labels taking out musicians when they were worth more dead, another is the signing of high risk artists and requiring them to get life insurance so they can profit beyond releasing all their posthumous records. Also the ever so common story of the rising star artist that die at 21 after their first album or two.

He also partied with Diddy in Vegas with along Floyd Mayweather and a bunch of other famous industry people and athletes.

Tory Lanez- Tons of blackmail, also was signed by Interscope under UMG. got sent to prison for ten years after trying to leave his label. Also history of SA and and other allegations of violence towards women.

French Montana- On Diddy's label, close with Rick and Khaled, tons of drug and sexual assault allegations, also dated a Kardashian. Generally grimy.

DJ Khaled- Diddy said he could get anything in Miami, either referring to drugs or women, could explain his connections and lack of any notable talent. (New update, he was one of the first to promote Chris Alvarez’s instagram not long after he turned 18).

Rick Ross- Diddy said some weird shit about him and licked his lips and kissed him at a show. Ross is also signed to Bad Boy under Diddy. He ended up getting involved in the current feud and spamming social media nonstop dissing and threatening Drake.

A lot of the back and forth was both of them threatening to release dirt on each other. One strange coincidence I found was Drake recently trolled Ross about the 20 million dollar renovation to his home on Star island, where Diddy is currently residing. It’s rumored back in the day that P Diddy was caught in a room full of rich guys on ecstasy possibly at the beginning stages of a gay orgy. Drake also mentioned in the same tweets about Rick Ross that Birdman owned a house on the island and asked Rick Ross why he didn’t help him out.

Considering Ross is so sketchy and Drake claims the house isn’t that big, that’s a ridiculous amount of money. He may be covering up evidence, or creating tunnels in his house to escape if shit pops off and Drake might know what’s good. Interestingly enough Ross is very close with French Montana and also signed to Bad. He said his beef was related to something involving French, and Drake’s tweet popped up the same day the info came out concerning the Chris Alvarez stuff.

The famous line from U.O.E.N.O.

Meek Mill- “OG Maco called himself defending his friend Quentin Miller by substantiating the ghostwriting claims and agreeing with Meek. He hit up Twitter saying, "Some of us been knew. Meek just put it in the air. Sucks to have to compete with 6 n****s and get compared to”

Meek mill also had a short beef with Drake, some disses included lines referring to TI’s homie pissing on Drake at the movie theater, which is also interesting considering the current case against him. He also dropped a line saying Diddy almost got a domestic charge when he smacked Drake, which could either be saying that Drake is like a woman, or saying he was Drake’s boyfriend/sugar daddy.
( If you made it to the end comment with the number 8)
I thought it was interesting how the beef just kind of disappeared and even Meek said it didn’t seem genuine. Considering the allegations against Meek in the Diddy trial, and his rumored affair with Kim contributing to ending Kanye’s marriage, Meek Mill definitely did some dirt on him.

“Niggas frauds I told the truth, don't ask me shit
All this industry fake enemy and rap shit”

“Money make a sucker that told look trill again”

One of the many chapters in Drake's history in which he is seen paying his way out of trouble and starting beefs randomly.
“Now when that shit went down with Chris, you wrote a check”
This line is referring to Chris brown beef, another beef that was lost to time. All I can remember off the top was someone throwing a champagne bottle at the other’s entourage.

Ty Dolla $ign- Huge feature artist, close with Ye. Grew up in the industry and talks about growing up on the road and being in the studio with his dad and Rick James who was should have already been in prison for life for dragging, torturing, and S assaulting multiple women and children throughout his career and was himself a victim of the industry. May be part of Ye's motivation, considering their recent close working relationship.
The end.
Courtesy of,
The Randomest Moniker

Crossbow Expert Battlemaster

This simple yet highly effective build is a great option for players who enjoy martials but miss the versatility and utility spellcasting offers. Battle Maneuvers give that extra bit of flavour to the fighter and of course by combining, Xbow Expert, Sharpshooter, the Archery Fighting Style and Precision Attack you can deal Stella damage. Knock Flying enemies prone, boost initiative give a rallying speech, disarm spellcasters, frighten your foes and many other cool attacks. Add on action surge, second wind, d10 hit die, indomitable and eventually proficiency in wisdom saves and you are quite the tough powerhouse.
Lineage

• Human
• Variant
• Dex +1, Wis +1

Background

• Urban Bounty Hunter

Stats

• Point buy
• Start 8 15 14 10 11 14
• End 8 20 14 10 12 14

Fighting Style:

• Level 1 Archery
• Level 14 Superior Technique

Feats and ASIs:

• Level 1 Crossbow Expert
• Level 4 Sharpshooter
• Level 6 Dex +2
• Level 8 Dex +2
• Level 12 Martial Adapt
• Level 14 Fighting Initiate
• Level 16 Resilient Wis +1
• Level 19 Alert

Superiority Dice & Manuverers:

• Level 3 4d8, 3 Known
• Level 7 5d8, 5 Known
• Level 10 5d10, 7 Known
• Level 12 6d10, 9 Known
• Level 14 7d10, 10 Known
• Level 15 8d10, 12 Known
• Level 18 8d12, 12 Known

Skills:

• Stealth
• Perception
• Persuasion
• Intimidation
• Acrobatics

Battle Manuverers:
Level 3

• Precision Attack
• Menacing Attack
• Ambush

Level 7

• Trip Attack
• Rally

Level 10

• Disarming Strike
• Evasive Footwork

Level 12

• Pushing Attack
• Commander's Strike

Level 14

• Commanding Presence

Level 15

• Goading Attack
• Manuvereering Attack

Women are being attacked from every angle right now and people are getting increasingly emboldened to do so. Rolling back rights every day. Government officials and prominent people in American society saying stuff that no sane person would ever say.
In the past few months:
An NFL kicker, Harrison Butker, lead a commencement speech at a university graduation and addressed the women specifically saying they were dreaming of getting married and having children, right after telling them they were being “diabolically lied to” in reference to “careers and promotions”. Then he went on an insane political/religious rant, at a university graduation, of all places.
NC candidate for governor, Mark Robinson, has openly said he “absolutely would want to go back to an America where women couldn’t vote” and that “we are called to be led by men… David, not Davita”. He has been endorsed by Donald Trump, who called him “MLK on steroids”, which is crazy because Mark Robinson called MLK inferior and a “communist” and referred to the civil rights movement as “crap”. Craziest part is, Mark is Black. This is scary bc some Trump worshipers would literally eat dog crap if he said it was good for you. They will vote for people like Mark Robinson who wants to take women back centuries if Trump says he’s honorable.
NH state representative, Jess Edwards, got on the stand, arguing in favor of child marriage, calling 16 year old girls “ripe and fertile”.
Idaho is attacking EMTALA and have been deciding just how close to death they’ll let a woman get before performing an abortion to save her life.
In February, 195 house republicans voted against women’s access to birth control.
States are attacking IVF. An embryo (CELLS - not even a fetus) literally has more rights than women in some states right now. They want to hold women accountable for the embryos that don’t implant into her uterus during the IVF process.
And just to put the cherry on top, look up the Arizona senator hosting a prayer circle on the floor of the capitol building in a hearing concerning abortion, speaking in tongues while people gathered around him yelling, “let it be, God!”. We have a weird version of Christianity here that also equals being alt far right and doubling down on who can be the biggest bigot. It’s to the point that it’s not even about the issues anymore. It’s about one side opposing the other and playing with people’s lives in the process. Being “right”, imposing twisted religious/capitalist/nationalist beliefs on women.
Every day it’s something else these nut jobs do. I feel like we’re living in the handsmaid’s tale. We just keep going on like nothing is happening, but damn… I feel like people are just turning a blind eye to this when crazy people are becoming more emboldened to act insane. Actually, let me backtrack, people who are experiencing insanity have no choice. These fools are CHOOSING IT and imposing it on everyone.
I don’t know what to do. Protesting will only do so much when they don’t care what you’re saying.

I was listening to Faith Of The Heart (a greatly underappreciated theme song perfectly representative of the Star Trek universe), and an image popped into my mind of a Vulcan during first Contact giving a speech seen and heard all over the Earth, telling us that, despite our difficulties, he sees greatness in our future. Or darkness. Intelligent life is everywhere throughout the Galaxy. But so are the ruins of intelligent civilizations that failed to live up to their potential. Logically, it is your choice whether you decide to bring order out of chaos. Vulcan will attempt to assist you. But in the end, the effort must be your own. There is an Earth saying: good luck.
Do you think the Vulcans inspired us to become the species we eventually became? What do you think they'd say to inspire humanity? I imagine they can be hypnotically persuasive.

My persuasive speech topic is why Ronaldo is the greatest football player of all time. I grew up calling it 'football' and I know that's what the more respected term is, but since I'm going to present this speech in front of Americans, should I call it 'soccer' just so it's easier for them?

Open-ended Questions:

1. Epistrophe: How does the use of epistrophe impact the rhythm and emotional resonance of a literary work? Provide examples from different genres.
   
2. Anadiplosis: Explore the significance of anadiplosis in creating a sense of continuity and building momentum in a narrative. How does it contribute to the overall flow of a text?
   
3. Aposiopesis: In what ways does aposiopesis enhance suspense and engage readers' imagination? Provide instances where aposiopesis is employed for dramatic effect.
   
4. Epizeuxis: Discuss the role of epizeuxis in emphasizing key ideas or emotions. How does this device add intensity to a character's speech or a narrative moment?
   
5. Chiasmus: Analyze the impact of chiasmus on language patterns and its ability to convey complex ideas. Identify instances where chiasmus is used to create memorable phrases.
   
6. Enjambment: How does enjambment contribute to the exploration of themes and emotions in poetry? Provide examples illustrating the nuanced effects of enjambment.
   
7. Paraprosdokian: Explore the comedic and rhetorical functions of paraprosdokian. How does it subvert expectations and create a surprising twist in language?
   
8. Anaphora: Examine the rhetorical power of anaphora in speeches or written works. How does repetition contribute to emphasis and persuasion?
   
9. Hendiadys: Investigate the nuanced meanings and expressions conveyed through hendiadys. How does this device enhance the richness of language and description?
   
10. Litotes: Discuss the subtlety and understatement inherent in litotes. How does it shape the tone of a statement and create layers of meaning?
    

Fill in the Blank Questions:

1. In epistrophe, repetition occurs at the ________ of successive clauses, creating a distinctive rhythmic pattern.
   
2. Anadiplosis involves the repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the ________ clause.
   
3. Aposiopesis is characterized by a sudden ________, adding suspense and intrigue to a statement.
   
4. Epizeuxis employs immediate ________ for emphasis, intensifying the impact of a particular word or phrase.
   
5. Chiasmus involves the reversal of ________ structures in successive phrases, creating a symmetrical pattern.
   
6. Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a ________, stanza, or verse.
   
7. Paraprosdokian achieves humor and surprise by delivering an unexpected ________ or twist in a phrase or series.
   
8. Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the ________ of successive clauses, emphasizing key ideas.
   
9. Hendiadys involves using two ________ to express an idea when normally one would suffice, adding nuance and complexity.
   
10. Litotes emphasizes the magnitude of a statement by denying its ________ opposite, contributing to an ironic or modest tone.
    

Wow. Da haben wir einen Mann, der ist geistig irgendwo zwischen Fred Feuerstein und der Hexenjagd steckengeblieben.
Was für ein peinlicher, kleiner, feiger, erbärmlicher Wicht.
Wie dieser mann nur schon über Frauen denkt, da könnte ich einfach abkotzen.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/harrison-butker-commencement-speech-abortion-pride-month-biden-diabolic-lies-told-women/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6a&linkId=430772238

On July 8, 2022, in Nara City, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed . The suspect, Tomoya Yamagami, unemployed, has been indicted on charges including murder and violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Law, but the full details leading up to the incident remain unclear. Shinzo Abe, known for his persuasive speaking skills and humorous rhetoric, was a highly respected politician. He left behind numerous memorable quotes and words of wisdom from his many speeches and public appearances. A set of Karuta cards featuring his quotes is set to be released in June, generating significant attention.
※"Karuta" is a traditional Japanese card game that involves matching cards with spoken phrases to corresponding cards with written phrases. Players compete to quickly identify and collect the correct pairs of cards.
杉田 水脈 @miosugita

I have the perk that allows me to see an NPC’s scores in a speech check. I’ve noticed that even though I’m choosing the option where my stat is the highest/ the largest difference I still get a persuasion fail about 50% of the time.
Is there some kind of roll in the background? I thought it was a straight stat comparison so I don’t understand why it fails at times.

a few days ago, i was on AmerExit and i came across a post. it was from a british person who was considering moving to america. now, this baffled me quite a bit. why would you move from a country that has hate speech laws, strict gun control laws, almost non existant abortion restrictions, and free healthcare to a country that has none of those things? that's like spending time in heaven and deciding that you wanna go to hell.
needless to say, i sternly told him to stay put where he was. hopefully he listens. i wanted to call him an idiot for even considering moving to america but i didn't think that would be acceptable on the sub.
i just find it so crazy how many british people absolutely hate their country. do you have any idea how many of us americans would absolutely kill to be in your position? to live in a country with hate speech laws, free healthcare, almost non existent regulations against abortions, and strict gun control laws? do you have any idea how good you have it? and yet, you all complain because "BrEXit SucKs". i wonder if they know about the overturning of roe v wade, which could probably best be described as brexit times 1000. you may have boris johnson but we have donald trump. you may have a knife crime epidemic but we have school shootings every other month.
it's so baffling to me how many british people are flocking to america when it should be the other way around. a few years ago, daniel craig announced on SNL that he had just moved to new york city. and the crowd cheered for him instead of treating his decision like the monumental act of stupidity that it is.
but hey british people, if you really hate your country so much...you wanna trade? i would be more then happy to take your place. i can live the rest of my days in one of the most progressive countries on the face of the earth while you get to live in satan's butthole. i'm willing to bet that, the minute you get off that plane, you'll immediately wanna go home.
if you aren't willing to do that, then kindly shut the fuck up and enjoy your good fortune. oh, and bow before king charles for me.

I joined thinking this would be a centrist sub, but it seems to lean heavily to the left.
There is an overwhelming support for Biden and hate for Trump as well.
Why do you think Biden is better than Trump?
What is Biden doing right and what did Trump do wrong?
What is Biden doing wrong and what did Trump do right?
Curious to see the cause for this left lean.
EDIT: My apologies if I can't respond to everyone. This literally blew up and I can't keep up the dozens of conversations in my inbox lol. It's like that one meme of the guy getting jumped and the sound "let him get up" lmao.
Thank yall for confirming my observation. Instead of answering my questions, most became immediately defensive and questioned why I would even make a suggestion that Trump was even on the level of Biden. It's like you can't even have a differing opinion on both Biden and Trump without choosing a side. To the people who gave your views without immediately becoming defensive, I appreciate your comments.
Now, to respond to all others.
He did not attempt to overthrow the election and gain power again, but I do see and understand that he and others in the republican party took it too far in some aspects trying to find fraud in the election. Remember Hillary and the democrats were also critical of the 2016 election for a long time. Until he is found guilty of any charges he is innocent and that is what our laws and republic were set up to do.
January 7th: Trump accepted the results and that the transfer of power was occurring as well as the condemnation of the rioters the day prior.
Now to my beliefs and why I think he was better than Biden.
Immigration: He had the lowest illegal immigration crossings of any recent president, Biden on the other hand encouraged that for 100 days everyone would be safe to come which gave false hope to many and exacerbated human trafficking across the border and now we have some of the highest border crossing levels ever.
Abortion: I am pro-life, and only in cases of incest, rape, or when the child or mother would die do I think abortion is acceptable. Any other way is killing a human life. Abortion should not be a contraception, and sex should be taken more seriously and responsibly.
Foreign Policy: He held other countries accountable and was firm in his dealings with him not allowing them to trample on us, We should also not be giving other countries Billions of dollars. Hawaii burned, and the tornado alley states were destroyed yet neither got much help from the government. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Israel received billions that they then use to buy from the military industrial complex, which then lobbies politicians for more aid to these countries. I concede republicans also would give lots of money away.
Biden is cementing laws and ideas like sexual orientation and identity as a basis of non discrimination, which includes allowing men to use female restrooms and participate in womens sports as well as allowing kids to take puberty blockers. All of which is wrong. There are only two genders, and speech should not be mandated for any group.
Also, Biden is senile and is clearly not completely able to complete coherent thoughts or follow normal directions like where to go and what to say.
Many other things, but these are the major ones many discussed.
Lastly, just because someone brings up a subject, it doesn't immediately mean they believe one way or another or completely for one side.

Greetings everyone!
Wecome to Abortiondebate. Due to popular request, this is our weekly abortion debate thread.
This thread is meant for anything related to the abortion debate, like questions, ideas or clarifications, that are too small to make an entire post about. This is also a great way to gain more insight in the abortion debate if you are new, or unsure about making a whole post.
In this post, we will be taking a more relaxed approach towards moderating (which will mostly only apply towards attacking/name-calling, etc. other users). Participation should therefore happen with these changes in mind.
Reddit's TOS will however still apply, this will not be a free pass for hate speech.
We also have a recurring weekly meta thread where you can voice your suggestions about rules, ask questions, or anything else related to the way this sub is run.
ADBreakRoom is our officially recognized sister subreddit for all off-topic content and banter you'd like to share with the members of this community. It's a great place to relax and unwind after some intense debating, so go subscribe!

Edit: If you are going to comment on the length of this post, please don't. This is not a simple snark but rather an actual critical think piece about feminism and Taylor Swift.

Introduction

Pertaining to Taylor Swift, "Female Rage" has deviated from its intended meaning after Swift debuted a new performance of The Tortured Poets Department during the Eras Tour. Now, according to Swift's use of the phrase, female rage is interpreted as public backlash against Swift's dating choices rather than as a response to the broader injustices against women and women's rights. This post examines Taylor Swift's flawed feminism, philanthropy, branding, and the controversial trademark petition for the phrase "Female Rage: The Musical". Swift's background as an entertainer, indeterminate politics, and alignment with capitalism over feminism pervades her legacy, again threatening her public tolerance as not just an individual but as a brand.

Once Upon a Female Rage...

If you were cognizant in the early 2010's, you've heard countless jabs at Taylor Swift in the media. Magazines, radio, or online. Music critics did not take her seriously as a songwriter; parents put a woman on an unrealistic pedestal as the ideal role model for their children; she dated too much and used men as lyrical fodder. No matter the story, it inevitably spread, conjoined with everyone's respective opinions, and you'd be left to wonder, "Why does everyone hate this girl so much?"
Taylor's target demographic has always been young or adolescent girls, more so when Swift herself was one. She made music that spoke to the awkward misfit, cultivating a para-social relationship with fans on MySpace, then later twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, where Taylor posted relatable vlogs showcasing the life of a homegrown American girl. Taylor had a delayed public "growing up" and, compared to her female pop contemporaries, Swift never "gratuitously sexualized her image and seems pathologically averse to controversy" (and, apparently, never even had a sip of alcohol until she turned 21). She was more than happy to spin this narrative to allude to an inherent moral superiority above other women in the industry (Better Than Revenge, heard of it?), engaging in the very slut-shaming that she herself endured (the Madonna and Whore archetypes). The victim complex arose with the need to prove Taylor as a different type of pop girl. Based upon her holy and clean image, Swift had been dubbed "a feminist's nightmare", and that "[To Swift] other girls are obstacles; undeserving enemies who steal Taylor’s soulmates with their bewitching good looks and sexual availability." Feminism and Tennessee-Christian country values don't exactly mix, it seems.
Years later, Swift befriended Lena Dunham and thus experienced white feminism osmosis, where Dunham taught Swift that real feminists defend rapists, makes insensitive jokes about rape and abortion, and prioritize all-white casts. Swift then declared herself a feminist in 2014, saying,

"Becoming friends with Lena – without her preaching to me, but just seeing why she believes what she believes, why she says what she says, why she stands for what she stands for – has made me realize that I’ve been taking a feminist stance without actually saying so."

I suppose the male-centric songwriting subject that permeates Swift's discography contained covert feminism and that we just didn't see that. Perhaps, the "Bad Blood" song and music video were written only in jest and not about poor Katy Perry, for Swift, as a feminist, would "never make it a girl fight" or tear other women down (though all Katy did was date your terrible ex-boyfriend and allegedly steal three backup dancers from your tour). In 2013, Swift said, in response to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's joke towards her serial dating, "There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."
There was that time in 2015 Taylor said that Nicki Minaj was "invited to any stage [she is] on" (as if Taylor expects to have access to every stage, award, and platform that Nicki might not otherwise have as a black female artist...yikes!) in response to Nicki's criticism of the white + thin VMA nominations. Later, Nicki responded with confusion, as Swift continued, "It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot..". Of course, this 'beef' was 'squashed' when Nicki performed with Taylor at the VMAs, with Nicki quite literally only having 38 seconds of stage time without Taylor. Maybe all that parading around with a legion of famous white women - similar to the way Taylor might've done with her numerous 1989-era handbags - was in fact a stance against gender inequality, and that this display of "girl power" should be enough to constitute Swift as a feminist icon.
Even while Swift says that Dunham informed her feminist outlook, she dances around the exact contents of those beliefs: "what she believes, what she says, what she stands for" is not exactly insightful towards what beliefs Swift might have inherited. Taylor never broaches women's rights topics such femicide, FGM, forced pregnancy & marriage, sex trafficking, women in slavery, women's financial and political oppression, women's educational rights, women's health, or women's autonomy, so we can assume she only gives a fuck about "girls supporting girls" (whatever that fucking means).
Despite some questionable (and sometimes vindictive) behavior, Taylor as a young woman did not deserve every media lashing that she received. We cannot deny that most headlines and criticisms perpetuated a misogynistic rhetoric which has plagued Swift for a majority of her career. Acknowledging events such as the development of her ED, her sexual assault trial, "Famous" lyric and MV depiction of Taylor, and the explicit Twitter deepfakes, for example, as both disgusting and unfortunate things that happened to a young woman in Hollywood does not negate the fact that Taylor is mostly a performative feminist.

Get Your Fucking Ass Up and Be a Philanthropist, It Seems Like Nobody Wants to Be a Philanthropist These Days

In 2013, Taylor Swift cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Taylor Swift Education Center at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. The donation amount - $4 million - was the largest individual artist gift ever donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is, of course, mentioned on Swift's website. The two-story facility features three classrooms, an instrument room, and an interactive children's exhibit gallery. Swift also performed at "All for the Hall" charity shows and has donated numerous artifacts from her career (such as notable guitars, tour costumes, etc) to the museum.
This was over 11 years ago, and it is still the only notable philanthropic contribution Taylor Swift has made.
For a woman of her net worth and stature, and a woman who recognizes the difficulties for women in film and music, you would think that Taylor Swift might establish a scholarship program for women to study the arts or something. Perhaps Swift might even consider becoming a member of organizations that support female artists, or one that supports LGBTQ+ causes (since she is now proudly an ally), yet she remains superficial with her graces. Broader philanthropy, such as donating relief aid to Palestinian women or women impacted by violence and discrimination will probably never receive any financial support from Miss Swift because then she'd be using her money towards philanthropies involving anyone but white entertainers.
She even says herself in Miss Americana, "My entire moral code as a kid and now is a need to be thought of as 'good'." Well, she's certainly thought of as good, though her actions say otherwise. She's more than happy to do a vaguely altruistic song and dance for a clip-worthy interview quote and mass appeasement, then fuck off to one of her mansions on a 20 minute private jet flight, rather than actually contribute to anything pertaining to the causes she has endorsed. Yet, far too many people continue to give a woman such as her their money, time, and energy, and she hoards these resources to herself.

I Like Some of the Taylor's Songs, But What the Fuck Does She Know About Feminism?

Swift continued with her self-proclaimed feminist campaign, positioning herself as a political activist and LGBTQ+ ally in the Miss Americana documentary. The primary focus of the documentary consists of the sexual assault trial, Andrea Swift's cancer diagnosis, Taylor's ED and body dysmorphia, media scrutiny, and, largely, finally speaking up about her politics publicly, mostly her opposition to the 2018 Tennessee Republican senate candidate, Marsha Blackburn, and Blackburn's beliefs. Swift says, following a scene discussing her experience during the trial,

"I just couldn't really stop thinking about it. And I just thought to myself, next time there is any opportunity to change anything, you had better know what you stand for and what you want to say."

We must ask ourselves, though: when has Swift ever spoken up to change anything? Okay, pulling her entire catalogue from Spotify because they didn't pay their artists enough and similarly pulling her catalogue from Apple Music are changes that she leveraged due to her revenue potential and power, but they are not pertinent to the average woman's rights. Moreover, these are issues that directly impacted Taylor's income, which was enough reason for her to protest in the first place. Swift has sold the most units for a female artist in first week sales, is the first female artist with 100k monthly Spotify listeners, is the first female artist to win the Album of the Year Grammy 4 times, and is the first female artist to do X, Y, and Z, all while being inoffensive and family-friendly to boot. The actual Taylor Swift seems unwilling to compromise the brand of Taylor Swift by contributing in meaningful ways to feminist causes, especially if it is for women outside of America and Hollywood.
The reason political anthems such as "The Man" and "Only the Young" of the Lover era feel disingenuous and corporate is because, well, it is. Taylor has taken every opportunity to advance her career or public image at the expense of other women. What is truly genuine to Taylor's outlook on other women is vying for male attention, taking down female competition, and vocalizing feminist injustices only if they directly impact her and her money. Some will argue that it's satisfactory for a woman with such a huge platform to even TALK about feminism, but that just isn't enough. It's even less impressive when you candidly look at the scope of her feminist lens: "If I was the man, then I'd be THE MAN", or "I really resent the ‘Be careful, buddy, she’s going to write a song about you’ angle, because it trivialises what I do", and, of course, "We all got crowns". Feminism, but only when it happens to me. It gets worse when you look at Taylor's track record of copying other famous women and removing other female artists as potential threats to her pop prowess.
It's good for PR to align yourself with certain blanket feminist and political beliefs, therefore good for branding, therefore good for ticketing and merchandise sales, therefore good for business. And Taylor Swift is a business.
She's not a feminist. Taylor Swift is a capitalist.

I Can't Pay Those Sweatshop Workers a Livable Wage or Benefits! How Else Would I Make My Billions?

Recently, Taylor's team filed to trademark the phrase "Female Rage: The Musical" after Taylor said during Paris N1 of the Eras Tour,

"So you were the first ones to see The Tortured Poets at the Eras Tour...or as I like to call it, 'Female Rage: The Musical'."

This trademark petition was filed last week on Saturday, and news comes about just as numerous unofficial fan-made merch designs have cropped up with this phrase plastered on Fruit of the Loom basics. I'm of the opinion Swift's team motioned for a trademark so that they can send out cease & desists to all those that make knockoff merch, which disrupts potential sales for Bravado, UMG's choice merchandising company; however, since it was filed earlier, perhaps Swift has bigger plans with the bizarre use of the gendered phrase. One Swiftie referred to the phrase "female rage" as "a funny Eras Tour joke". Could it be a possible fourth version of the Eras Tour Movie? Whatever the reason, the motion to capitalize off of such a concept is disgusting, but not unsurprising, for a woman that profits on her vain feminism.
Swift, through her company, TAS Rights Managements, has also trademarked over 200 phrases, including "1989", where she owns the property rights to this calendar year on keychains, phone cases, sunglasses, stationary, bags, beverage ware, clothing, entertainment services, your subconscious, and, of course, Christmas ornaments.
The vapid consumerism in Swiftie culture is, frankly, disgusting. Bravado's sustainability statement is non-existent, the quality control is abysmal, and the materials they use are horrible. The materials, such as acrylic and polyester, are made from petrochemicals. This means they are non-renewable, shed microplastics, and are quite toxic in production. The manufacturing process to make all of those lazy-rushed Eras Tour logo graphic tees is a huge blow to environmental well-being. Apparently, though, Swifties don't give a fuck. They sell out products in seconds and either have to face the manufactured scarcity or buy from a scalper that resells for 200% of the already ridiculous retail price. This doesn't include the environmental impact of vinyl records, CD, and cassette production, of which Taylor produces many variants that sell unsustainable amounts.
If we're talking about women's rights violations, why is no one acknowledging the women that work in the inhumane sweatshop conditions that have to pump out fugly t-shirts and hats? The millions of plastic microfiber dander they are inhaling, or the toxic dyes that touch their bare skin? Are they being compensated fairly for their skilled labour and are they in safe working environments? Do these women have minimal bargaining power, and do they have authority over their worker's rights? Is Taylor Swift female raging at their injustices? Does Taylor Swift ever feels bad that her wealth was built on the backs of women of color, disadvantaged by the demands of the global economy and garment industry? Do you think she ever says a little white feminist prayer for them before she goes to sleep at night?
What's even crazier is not that Taylor herself doesn't care, it's that Swifties don't care. There CANNOT BE ethical billionaires. You only make a billion dollars if you are exploiting other human beings for capital gain. Based on public perception of the possible "Female Rage: The Musical" trademark, it seems like Swifties are already asking for merch with this phrase. "If Taylor made it, I'd buy it." Oh, cool. So not only do you champion Miss Swift's avarice and billionaire status, but you also are unashamed to admit to your blind consumption of her music and merchandise, no matter where they might originate in production or sincerity. Just as Swift takes and takes and takes, Swifties' consumerism of Taylor Swift cannot be quelled.
The tortured artist's most vulnerable and sincere poetry...available now in 21 different versions!

I Am Tortured Poet, Hear Me Whinge

Look - even if Taylor's intention is to characterize TTPD as more "tortured" and "angry", the main thread of the album is "I was ghosted by my decade-long situationship with a controversial indie boy and my fucking stupid fans wrote a 'Speak Up Now' open letter prompting me to drop him" anger, which is adequately expressed in the lyrics and performances. The extent of Taylor's "female rage" on TTPD is on tracks such as "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?", which contends with relentless media scrutiny; "But Daddy I Love Him", where Swift firmly states she'll date whoever she likes no matter how "Sarahs and Hannahs" may react; and "The Albatross", a track mythologizing her reputation and the consequences of dating her. Of course, these coincide with deep psychological wounds that formed during Swift's early years in the media, and so, from her feminist perspective, these subjects tackle the misogyny and double standards that she faced.
Yet Taylor Swift still has no grounds to be claiming that TTPD best exemplifies female rage and therefore she, in the context of this album, is female rage incarnate. As the daughter of a stock broker and mutual fund marketing executive, Taylor was born into wealth and allowed privileges like trips and subsequent relocation to Nashville all so that she might get a record deal. Her father even invested at least $120,000 into the then-fledgling label, Big Machine Records, which ensured Taylor's place with Borchetta after leaving her dead-end development deal with Sony. The fact that her parents were able to buy her a fucking brand new guitar for Christmas and pay for music lessons says so much about the financial security and safety of her childhood.
Money is privilege and protection, and despite Swift's experiences with misogyny and loser boyfriends, she does not know what female rage is.
Her rage is derived from her frustrations with her obsessive fans pulling the moral superiority card on Taylor in response to her rebound with Matty Healy. That's literally it. She's just pissed that the monster she created is no longer obediant, it's become a feral, sovereign entity that depletes the world of its natural resources and thinks it is more intelligent than it actually is because it's mommy has started to talk to it with big words. Apparently, 'illicit', 'elegy', 'nonchalant', and 'precocious' are considerably big words for the oafish monster, and I find it strange that this level of literacy is present in a group of fans that allegedly have GPAs of 3.5 or higher, but I digress.
Taylor Swift has never been one paycheck away from destitution. Taylor Swift has never experienced racial discrimination. She may have instances of gender discrimination, but she possesses the ideal white, blonde American beauty standard and therefore reaps the benefits of being a conventionally attractive woman. Taylor Swift has sufficient social capital. Taylor Swift is a billionaire woman prolonging her victimhood though she, as a woman, has mostly had control over her image and music (unlike her contemporaries). Taylor Swift is NOT entitled to be championed for her "female rage", nor should she be. Taylor Swift has never even been the struggling artist, for fuck's sake. I don't give a fuck if she's trying to fill the empty lunch tables of her past. Taylor Swift purporting herself, her unpolished album, and her lukewarm feminism as a musical bleeding with female rage is asinine.

Sigh Try and Come For My Job, Poors

Out there in the world right now is a 23-year-old woman, a recent college grad, who works as a barista. She has to wake up and get ready to go into a minimum wage job because she cannot get a job in her field. She doesn't have healthcare benefits or sick time, so she has to go into work no matter how she's feeling. All day long she is berated by vicious customers and creepy men, and, exhausted from being on her feet, she knows she has to go home to her shitty roommate that never does the dishes and her roommate's shitty dog. To comfort herself, she considers getting a treat, but thinks against it when she remembers that matcha lattes cost $15 and they taste like milky dirt. She knows that she needs to buy groceries this week, and so the woman resolves to go home, but notices that her gas tank is low. She goes to put gas in the car, but the pump stops at $27.86 because that's all that she has in her checking account. The woman, bereft and reeling, sinks into the driver's seat. "Well," she thinks, her head in her hands, "at least I don't have Taylor Swift's job. I just couldn't imagine."
Fame is somewhat of a choice. If at any moment Taylor feels that she is misunderstood, misconstrued, or overwhelmed by public opinion, she can LEAVE the public eye - Lord knows she has the retirement fund and residuals to do so. In "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart", the TTPD song about meeting the demands of your career-zenith mega-tour while in the relationship trenches, Taylor ends the song by rambling,

"You know you're good when you can even do it with a broken heart...you know you're good...and I'm good, cause I'm miserable, and no one even knows!...try and come for my job."

Yeah, obviously we wouldn't know, you recently passed the billionaire threshold and are the most famous and in-demand performer in the world right now. Taylor Swift makes an estimated $10 to $13 million dollars A NIGHT on the Eras Tour. Furthermore, the Eras Tour movie grossed $261.6 million globally, (which, as the producer, Taylor takes home 57% of the ticket sales) not counting the streaming revenue from Amazon Prime Video and the estimated $75 million deal that Disney paid to have it on Disney+. We're not even considering the income from cheap plastic popcorn buckets and drink cups plastered with colored squares in her Era-specific likeness.
It's funny. Taylor Swift often said that being famous wasn't hard, that she "isn't complaining". I'm sure it is difficult to always have to present in a good mood, else you'll end up misrepresented in the media, and I'm sure it's invasive to virtually have no privacy or semblance of anonymity. Still, Taylor Swift shows up each night of tour and performs. For a majority of her career, she has penned her sad songs while on the road. Most of "Red", her breakup album, was written in the thick of the Speak Now World tour. Now, some Swifties say they almost "feel bad" for attending the Eras Tour with Swift's revelations in this song, that they have had a 'dimmed experience' upon hearing Taylor's misery whilst performing. Despite the fact that Taylor said that "this was the happiest she's ever been" at Gilette Stadium in May, the lyrics "boohoo, woe is me, smile for the cameras and make the fans happy!!!" are jarring for Eras attendees.
While Taylor Swift was making double-digit millions a night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and feeling miserable, Ana Clara Benevides Machado passed away due to heat exposure. The concert promoters, Time For Fun, are now the subject of a criminal investigation due to their lack of adequate hydration and safety. Taylor Swift cancelled the Sunday show that was to follow and offered VIP tent tickets to Benevides Marchado's family, which was a kind gesture, but perhaps incongruous to the incident of which they were offered as consolation. Everyone grieves differently, of course, but I'm not sure attending the very show at the very same venue that my daughter or sister passed away in two days prior, where the singer CONTINUED the show despite her death, would be healthy for closure.
There was no female rage at the show as Swift never saw Benevides Machado pass out. There was no female rage towards the disregard for fans as humans while Swift elected to proceed with her Brazil tour dates despite the country being in historic heatwaves (at risk of overheatting herself). If Taylor Swift was so shaken by touring with a broken heart or a fan's passing, she wouldn't have added an additional North American leg of Eras just two months after the Matty breakup. She's brokenhearted but willing to mend the cracks with your money and move onward with her worldwide female rage induced pillaging.
No matter what happens, even if you die at a Taylor Swift concert, Taylor collects a big fat check and flies away. She doesn't know you as anything other than a conversion rate or earning potential despite what her nearly 20-year long parasocial relationship with fans might otherwise indicate. She knows that, while some Swifties are without disposable income, they feel obligated to spend on a "48 Hours Only!" exclusive vinyl variant instead of necessities because they are so entrenched in Taylor Swift's intoxicating celebrity, they'll prioritize materialistic fandom before their needs. This is good enough for her because this means she can expand her real estate portfolio and finance her cat's lavish lifestyles. They're worth an estimated $100 million dollars. Her three cats could pool their net worth and solve world hunger.
While you and I might be denied bereavement leave and barely surviving the current political and economic climate, Taylor Swift has to, instead of gets to, perform for stadiums at full attendance for three nights in a row across the globe. You and I might be replaced by AI at our longtime jobs, but Taylor Swift is threatened with losing more and more money each time you listen to a "Stolen Version" of her songs. If we don't buy every variant of all of her albums, then who is going to pay for the fucking cats?
It is tone deaf to spend as she spends and lives as she lives in this economy, but this is her reality. She was able to donate $100,000 to all of her tour truck drivers, and that's wonderful, but it leads me to wonder about the ethos of the 2020s where one woman can hoard such life-changing amounts of money. Remember in 2014 when she gave a fan $90 ($120 in today's money) to get Chipotle because she had no fucking clue how much it cost? This is a 34-year-old woman who is increasingly out of touch with the reality for working class people and women in general. Normal everyday adults must wake up and go to their thankless jobs, and yet Taylor Swift, despite all her riches, incessantly references the lows of her life and career as a public figure and entertainer to farm sympathy and drive sales. And still, the corporate women have latched onto "I cry a lot, but I am so productive! It's an art!" as their cubicle battle cry.
Do you think that, from up in her private jet, Taylor Swift gazes at the world through her poetic, tortured eyes, and thinks, "All the little people, in their cars, walking, going about their lives...all those girls that don't support girls...do they know that I've made an album about female rage?"

Conclusion/TLDR

Thank you for reading. I would love to hear your critical insights towards this entire ordeal: TTPD, the trademark, the implications of it all.
TLDR: Taylor Swift is a bad feminist and is delusional to think that the TTPD eras set exemplifies female rage at women's injustice.

Today illustrated that the Democrats have become America’s cheerleaders, emphasizing how investment in the nation’s infrastructure has created jobs and rebuilt the country. This week, the Biden-Harris administration is touting its investments in rebuilding roads and bridges, making sure Americans have clean water, getting rid of pollution, expanding access to high-speed internet, and building a clean energy economy, contrasting that success with Trump’s eternal announcements of an “Infrastructure Week” that never came.
The White House today announced that it has awarded nearly $454 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including more than 56,000 projects across more than 4,500 communities across the nation. Those include fixing more than 165,000 miles of roads and more than 9,400 bridges and improving more than 450 ports and 300 airport terminals. It has funded more than 1,400 drinking water and wastewater projects and projects to replace up to 1.7 million toxic lead pipes, as well as more than 8,000 low- and zero-emission buses. It has funded 95 previously unfunded Superfund projects to clean up contaminated sites. It has improved the electrical grid and funded 12,000 miles of high-speed internet infrastructure, and exposed internet junk fees.
The White House explained that this investment is making it cheaper to install clean energy technology and lowering families’ monthly energy bills, and highlighted today the available rebates to enable people to take advantage of the new technologies.
On Wednesday, May 8, a report from the Semiconductor Industry Association and the Boston Consulting Group explored the “breathtaking speed,” as the president of the semiconductor organization put it, at which the industry is growing. In the Financial Times on May 9, John Thornhill reported that the CHIPS and Science Act, which provided a $39 billion investment in the semiconductor industry, has “primed a torrent of private sector investment.” With the influx of both federal money and an additional $447 billion of private investment in 83 projects in 25 states, the report forecasts that the U.S. will increase its share of global manufacturing capacity for leading-edge chips from today’s rate of 0% to 28% by 2032. Thornhill compared this investment to that spurred by Russia’s 1957 launch of the Sputnik satellite.
The Economist yesterday announced that the U.S. “is in the midst of an extraordinary startup boom,” and explored “[h]ow the country revived its “go-getting spirit.”
In contrast to the Democrats’ confidence in America, the Republicans are all-in on the idea that the country is an apocalyptic wasteland. At a rally in New Jersey Saturday, Trump announced: “On day one we will throw out Bidenomics and reinstate MAGAnomics.” He promised to extend his 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
But the gist of his speech was an angry, vitriolic picture of a failing nation full of “enemies” that are “more dangerous” than China and Russia and who are “going to destroy our country.” In his telling, the criminal case against him in Manhattan is “bullsh*t,” and President Biden has done more damage than the “ten worst presidents in the history of our country” combined: “[h]e’s a fool; he’s not a smart man…[h]e’s a bad guy…the worst president ever, of any country. The whole world is laughing at him.”
Trump lied that other countries are “emptying out their mental institutions into the United States, our beautiful country. And now the prison populations all over the world are down. They don’t want to report that the mental-institution population is down because they’re taking people from insane asylums and from mental institutions.” Then he riffed into “the late great Hannibal Lecter,” the fictional murderer and cannibal in the film The Silence of the Lambs, apparently to suggest that similar individuals are migrating to the U.S.
House Republicans this week are working to pass a nonbinding resolution to condemn Biden’s immigration policies, although it was Republicans, under orders from Trump, who killed a strong bipartisan immigration bill earlier this year.
The only way to turn back this apocalypse, Trump and his supporters insist, is to put Trump and his team back into the White House. From there, Republicans will return those they consider “real” Americans to power.
The last few days have added new information about what that means. On Thursday, May 9, Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) act. Britt—who is best known for her disastrous response to Biden’s State of the Union speech from her kitchen—said the measure would provide a federal database of resources for pregnant women and women parenting young children, but that information excludes anything that touches on abortion.
The measure is clear that it enlists the government in opposition to abortion, but more than that, it establishes that the government will create a database of the names and contact information of pregnant women, which the government can then use “to follow up with users on additional resources that would be helpful for the users to review.”
A government database of pregnant women would give the federal government unprecedented control over individuals, and it is especially chilling after the story Caroline Kitchener broke in the Washington Post on May 3, that a Texas man, Collin Davis, filed a petition to stop his ex-partner from traveling to Colorado, where abortion is legal, to obtain an abortion. Should she do so, his lawyer wrote, he would “pursue wrongful-death claims against anyone involved in the killing of his unborn child.” Now Davis wants to be able to depose his former partner along with others he says are “complicit” in the abortion.
Antiabortion activists are also seeking to make mifepristone and misoprostol, drugs used in many abortions, hard to obtain. In Louisiana, state lawmakers are considering classifying the drugs as “controlled dangerous substances,” which would make possessing them carry penalties of up to ten years in prison and fines of up to $75,000.
More than 240 Louisiana doctors wrote to lawmakers saying that the drugs have none of the addictive characteristics associated with dangerous controlled substances and warning that the drugs are crucial for inducing routine labor and preventing catastrophic hemorrhage after delivery, in addition to their use in abortions. “Given its historically poor maternal health outcomes, Louisiana should prioritize safe and evidence-based care for pregnant women,” the doctors wrote.
Louisiana lawmakers also rejected a bill that would have allowed anyone under age 17, the age of consent in Louisiana, to have an abortion if they became pregnant after rape or incest. Passionate testimony from those who suffered such attacks or who treated pregnant girls as young as 8 failed to convince the Republican lawmakers to support the measure. “That baby [in the womb] is innocent.… We have to hang on to that,” said Republican state representative Dodie Horton.
Today, at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization promoting Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander participation and representation at all levels of the political process, Vice President Kamala Harris encouraged young people to innovate and to move into spaces from which they have been traditionally excluded.
“So here’s the thing about breaking barriers,” she said. “Breaking barriers does not mean you start on one side of the barrier and you end up on the other side. There’s breaking involved. And when you break things you get cut. And you may bleed. And it is worth it every time…. We have to know that sometimes people will open the door for you and leave it open. Sometimes they won’t. And then you need to kick that f*cking door down.”
Harris’s advice reflects the history that happened on this date in 1862, when the enslaved mariners on board the shallow-draft C.S.S. Planter gathered up their families, fired up the ship’s boilers, and sailed out of the Charleston, South Carolina, harbor. The three white officers of the ship had gone ashore, leaving enslaved 23-year-old pilot Robert Smalls to take control. Smalls knew how to steer the ship and give the proper signals to the Confederates at Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and three other checkpoints.
Smalls piloted the Planter, the sixteen formerly enslaved people on it, and a head full of intelligence about the Confederate fortifications at Charleston to the U.S. Navy. In Confederate hands, the Planter had surveyed waterways and laid mines; now that information was in U.S. hands. Smalls went on to pilot naval vessels during the war, and in 1864 he bought the house formerly owned by the man who had enslaved him.
A natural leader, Smalls went on to become a businessman, politician, and strong advocate for education. After serving in the 1868 South Carolina Constitutional Convention that made school attendance compulsory and provided for universal male suffrage, he went on to serve in the South Carolina legislature from 1868 to 1874, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until 1887. When President Barack Obama signed an executive order establishing the nation’s first national monument concerning Reconstruction, he cited the life of Robert Smalls.
—
Notes:
https://newjerseymonitor.com/2024/05/12/trump-brings-2024-campaign-to-the-jersey-shore/
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a60774814/trump-rally-new-jersey-weird-speech/
https://www.britt.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MOMS-Act_FINAL-Britt_Rubio_Cramer1.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/11/katie-britt-proposes-federal-database-to-collect-data-on-pregnant-people
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2024/05/03/texas-abortion-investigations/
https://lailluminator.com/2024/05/08/rape-incest/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/05/13/abortion-pills-louisiana-controlled-substance/
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/05/12/america-is-in-the-midst-of-an-extraordinary-startup-boom
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/13/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-kicks-off-infrastructure-week-by-highlighting-historic-results-spurred-by-president-bidens-investing-in-america-agenda/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/13/fact-sheet-president-bidens-investing-in-america-agenda-is-helping-american-families-across-the-country-save-money/
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/icymi-the-great-american-innovation-engine-firing-again
https://www.ft.com/content/0d39e8f0-38ba-40aa-8ec8-d04e82afb690
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/08/us/politics/chips-grants-fuel-industry-growth.html
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/11/trump-rally-new-jersey-trial-fascists-00157482
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/12/presidential-proclamations-establishment-reconstruction-era-national
https://www.nps.gov/people/robert-smalls.htm
Twitter (X):
cspan/status/1790048826440503495
Fritschnestatus/1790051154887340473
rosiewestwood/status/1788291766866567439
CecileRichards/status/1789020452855140723
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/may-13-2024

"We're a good family. Never have done anything wrong." - Eric Trump on Fox News, overlooking a few things.

Cohen 'Round In Circles

Michael Cohen took the stand in perhaps the most hotly-anticipated moment of disgraced former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial.

• Cohen once famously vowed he’d “take a bullet” for Trump, back in their happier days, when Cohen served as Trump’s attorney and fixer. Instead, Cohen spent the day firing shots, metaphorically speaking, in the form of testimony that could land Trump in prison. Cohen described work for Trump that included intimidating reporters and threatening to sue over any coverage that displeased his boss. The fixer said he used to make sure Trump knew all about it, because Trump’s praise made him feel like he was “on top of the world.” Aww!
  
• Those unsavory duties led Cohen to work directly with National Enquirer publisher David Pecker to kill negative stories about Trump before the 2016 election. Cohen told the court that he was absolutely working on behalf of the campaign, using a campaign email account and receiving regular campaign talking points. He described setting up a shell company to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels for her story about her alleged affair with Trump, and said the order came directly from Trump himself. Cohen said Trump promised to reimburse him for the $130,000 payment to Stormy, after the lapdog took out a home equity line of credit on his apartment to secure the money.
  
• Prosecutors hope Cohen will convince the jury that Trump knew about the payment scheme. They asked Cohen directly whether or not he would have paid Daniels without Trump’s authorization, and Cohen said no. “Everything required Mr. Trump’s sign-off,” he affirmed. On top of that, he wanted his money back!
  

It’s important to keep in mind that Cohen is a convicted liar and an all-around shady guy. Next up, Trump’s defense attorneys will set out to destroy his credibility on cross-examination. But it’s up to the jury to decide if this boy cried wolf too many times.

Look No Further Than Crooked Media

You know we love to support the non-binary community, and you know we also love wordplay. So of course we have a new tee in the Crooked Store that does both: They/Them’s the rules. It’s a tee based off a segment on Lovett Or Leave It, and it’s been a highly-requested merch item. Now it’s finally here! Head to https://crooked.com/store to pick up a shirt.

Under The Radar

Louisiana could become the first state in the country to categorize abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances, meaning fines and jail time for any non-healthcare professional caught in possession of the drugs without a prescription. A pregnant woman who obtained the pills for herself would be exempt from prosecution — but a friend helping her get the pills could be charged with a crime and face up to five years in prison. Oh cool! New dystopian horror just dropped!
State legislators inserted this draconian clause as a last-minute amendment into a Senate bill that aims to criminalize “coerced” abortion in instances where someone gives a pregnant person mifepristone or misoprostol without their consent. (Apparently, that nearly really happened to the pregnant sister of the sponsor of this bill.)
The amendment adds abortion pills to a list of criminalized, addictive drugs like opioids and depressants, even though more than 200 Louisiana doctors signed a letter pointing out that this makes no scientific sense. The medical experts reminded Republican senators that misoprostol is also used for other purposes outside of abortions, including during labor and delivery, treatment after a miscarriage, and to help stop postpartum hemorrhage. Mifepristone, the most common abortion pill, is safer than Viagra and penicillin. Oh yeah, and one more thing: Abortion pills are not addictive, you freaks! Louisiana has already banned both medication and surgical abortions except for life-saving circumstances. We get it, Louisiana! You hate women!

What Else?

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS News the U.S. “will not support” an Israeli invasion of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza without a “credible” plan to support civilians, and that U.S. officials are still waiting to see Israel’s plan for what will happen when this war is over. Meanwhile, Israeli forces renewed fighting in northern Gaza, claiming Hamas has regrouped there.
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)’s corruption trial kicked off on Monday. Prosecutors allege Menendez accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to help a few Jersey businessmen land lucrative foreign contracts and to help stop a federal investigation. In exchange, Menendez allegedly received cash, gold bars and a luxury Mercedes-Benz convertible. Menendez has pleaded not guilty. But, y’know, perhaps he’s just guilty of bringing “being paid in gold bars” back into fashion.
New Polling data from the New York Times shows Trump leading Biden in five swing states, including by some pretty hair-raising numbers. Trump leads among registered voters in Nevada by 12 points, and in Georgia by 10 points. How many times do we have to say it: Yikes! Among likely voters, Trump’s lead is smaller. But, still, not great!
Trump said some particularly weird shit during a rally in New Jersey over the weekend, praising “the late, great Hannibal Lecter” (when neither the character, nor the actor who played him, is dead) as a “wonderful man” (he literally ate people). We never know what he’s talking about, but what the actual fuck was that?
Trump officially scratched Nikki Haley off his VP list on Saturday with an uncharacteristically polite note on Truth Social, writing: “I wish her well!”
Maryland, West Virginia, and Nebraska will hold primaries on Tuesday. In the West Virginia governor’s race, local Republicans are competing with each other to see who can be the most transphobic candidate. In Maryland, the traditionally-sleepy Democratic Senate primary is shaping up to be more competitive and contentious than usual, as rich guy Rep. David Trone (D-MD) faces off against county executive Angela Alsobrooks.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments in a major case that will determine the future of absentee ballot drop boxes in the state. The court’s liberal majority could reverse a restrictive 2022 ruling that limited access to drop boxes, which were a target of criticism from Republicans after the 2020 election.
Graduating students at Duke audibly booed Jerry Seinfeld during his commencement speech introduction, seemingly for the comedian’s vocal support of Israel. Some students walked out, in just one of several anti-war protests in commencement ceremonies over the weekend.
Former Trump aide Johnny McEntee bragged in a TikTok video about giving fake money to unhoused people so that when they try to use it, they could get arrested. No hell hot enough for these monsters!

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Light At The End Of The Email

Flavor Flav is finalizing a deal with USA Water Polo to become the official hype man for the women’s team ahead of the Paris Olympics as they compete for an unprecedented fourth consecutive gold medal. Team captain Maggie Stefan made a plea for support on social media that reached Flav’s radar, and the 65-year-old rapper offered to lend his influence and give the program a bigger spotlight. Yeahhh boyyyy!
Two loggerhead sea turtles were met with cheers as they were released from a Florida marine life rehabilitation center into the Atlantic Ocean. Cayman and Finely were both injured in separate incidents involving fishing lines but the turtles recovered well and are back swimming near West Palm Beach.
EU countries approved a law Monday that will eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from trucks, promising that most new heavy-duty vehicles sold in the European Union from 2040 will be emissions-free. Manufacturers will have to convert from diesel to electric or hydrogen-fueled trucks. European auto groups called the policy the most ambitious worldwide towards cutting emissions. We’re sure conservatives will respond normally to this!
Federal regulators approved a plan to upgrade and expand America’s electric grids, a move that could make it easier to add more wind and solar energy to the system and upgrade the country’s declining electricity network. The new federal rule requires grid operators to plan 20 years into the future and think through future energy needs.

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Audrey Porne on Twitter: "you can just say things, it doesn't even need to make sense. my barista told me she's upping her sertraline dose and I said "that's so art deco" and she agreed."