Hello, been reading through all the posts like this here and there's tons of great info, but I'm still pretty lost as there are so many models, generations, etc among the regularly recommended ThinkPads, Dells, etc.
I'm willing to spend up to $500-$600, but would love to find a good deal closer to $300.
Just need a laptop so I can get out of my office sometimes, but continue to work. So won't be my main machine, and won't really be travelling with it, mostly just get away from my desk and go sit outside for an hour or two, or tinker from the comfort of the couch.
I mostly use JetBrains IDEs, Webstorm, etc. Will hopefully be able to use their gateway program to connect to the IDE on my desktop to continue working seamlessly. Maybe they will use less resources, not sure.
I'd like to have a screen that is comfortable to work on, doesn't need to be beautiful, but easy on the eyes and I guess enough brightness to be usable outdoors. 14" or 15", and it sounds like 16:10 is nice to have, but harder to find on budget machines.
I plan to use i3 wm, not set on a distro yet. Manjaro KDE has been my daily driver for 7 years and it's fine. Used Ubuntu before that.
I'm really just unsure what to look for as far as minimum CPU generations, etc. Or where the best place to shop is. Not sure if I should stick to Dell and Lenovo outlet deals, or head to eBay or places like "Back Market" that advertise lots of $200-$300 options.
Thanks!

Hey all! I am staying with a friend and when we went to heat something up in the microwave it suddenly stopped working. We tried another outlet, it worked for a few seconds, and then stopped working again, this time turning off the TV. It is clearly tripping the breaker. We reset the breaker, tried again, and had the same issue.
She has had the microwave without issue, since August, and has had no issues. She is also getting ready to move out, so if anything, there are less things plugged in now than before. I have a basic understanding of circuits (mechanical engineering student), and I am stumped. Any ideas?
My only guess is that a resistor in the microwave burnt out and is causing a higher than normal amperage in the microwave circuit, but I don’t know how that would’ve happened, or how to fix it.
Thanks for any insight!

Sorry if this sounds selfish but this is really only a one time thing for a friend. I need someone to use there undetectable AI account to paraphrase this please.
IntroductionThe rise of fast food chains in the United States from 2000 to 2010 had an impact on both the culture and economy. This period saw an increase in obesity rates among Americans, which coincided with the growth of these eateries. In this essay we delve into the connection between the expansion of fast food franchises and the obesity epidemic examining factors that influence health. Through an analysis of data, health studies and relevant literature our goal is to provide an understanding of how consuming food has played a role in fueling obesity during this particular decade, in America.The Growth of Fast Food Chains
Between 2000 and 2010 there was a rise in the fast food industry. Popular chains such as McDonalds, Burger King and Subway expanded their reach by opening stores to meet the demand for budget friendly meals. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the number of fast food eateries increased by around 20% during this timeframe (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). This expansion made fast food more convenient for a range of people, including kids and teenagers.
Obesity Trends in the U.S. (2000 2010)
The prevalence of obesity in America has been on a trajectory during the early years of the 21st century. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the rate of obesity among adults rose from 30.5% in 2000 to 35.7% in 2010 (CDC, 2011). Similarly among children and teens aged between 2 and 19 years old obesity rates increased from 13.9% to 16.9% over that period. This continuous increase signals a concerning public health issue with impacts on illness rates, mortality rates and healthcare expenses.
The Impact of Fast Food, on Eating Habits
food is commonly known for its levels of calories, excessive saturated fats, sugars and sodium with little nutritional value. These aspects of food are closely associated with weight gain and obesity. Studies show that regular consumption of food is linked to consuming calories and maintaining poor eating habits (Bowman & Vineyard 2004). Research conducted by Pereira et al. (2005) revealed that individuals who ate food than twice a week were more likely to gain weight and develop insulin resistance compared to those who consumed it less frequently.
Influence of Socioeconomic Factors
The easy availability and affordability of food make it an attractive option for people with incomes. Fast food establishments are often concentrated in low income areas where residents have limited access to dining choices (Powell et al. 2007). This situation, referred to as "food deserts " , worsens the issue of obesity because disadvantaged groups tend to rely on food as their main source of nutrition.
Impact of Advertising and Promotion
The aggressive advertising tactics used by fast food companies also have a significant influence on eating behaviors particularly among young individuals, like children and teenagers.
Many businesses invest sums of money each year in marketing showcasing their products across platforms, like TV, the web and social networks. Kids are especially influenced by these strategies that highlight the appeal and ease of food reinforcing harmful dietary patterns early on.
The impact of obesity, on health is significant and variedObesity is a factor in chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers (Flegal et al., 2012). The rise in obesity rates has led to an increase in health issues putting a strain on the healthcare system. The financial implications of obesity are also noteworthy with studies indicating that medical costs linked to obesity made up around 10% of healthcare expenses in the United States during that time (Cawley & Meyerhoefer 2012).
Policies and public health effortsIn response to the escalating obesity crisis, different policies and public health efforts have been put into action at state and local levels. These initiatives aim to encourage eating habits through measures like food labeling requirements, restrictions on advertising foods to children and campaigns raising awareness about the risks of obesity (Koplan et al., 2007). Schools have been a point for intervention well, with endeavors to enhance the nutritional value of school meals and boost physical activity among students.ExamplesVarious real life examples and stories showcase the effectiveness of taking action to address the issue of obesity. For example, New York City put in place a set of strategies to combat obesity, such as displaying calorie information on menus and prohibiting trans fats in restaurant dishes. These initiatives led to improvements in people's eating habits and a slight decrease in obesity levels, within the community (Dumanovsky et al. 2011).ChallengesThe obesity epidemic still poses challenges despite the efforts to address it. Unhealthy eating habits deeply ingrained in society, the presence of the fast food industry and disparities in status all add layers of complexity to this issue. Moving forward it is crucial to focus on creating an environment that encourages choices for vulnerable communities. This entails advocating for policies that restrict the marketing of foods to children, enhancing access to options in low income areas and urging food companies to improve the health profile of their products.
Psychological marketingWhen it comes to food marketing companies go beyond advertising tactics by leveraging deep rooted psychological triggers that influence consumer behavior. Bright colors, catchy tunes and recognizable mascots are commonly used in food ads to build a memorable brand image. This technique is particularly effective with audiences like children and teenagers who're more susceptible and likely to develop lasting brand loyalties. Research indicates that exposure to these advertisements can lead children to prefer calorie, nutrient foods ultimately impacting their dietary decisions and contributing to weight gain (Boyland & Halford 2013).The impact of portion sizes
One overlooked but significant factor contributing to the obesity crisis is the increasing sizes of portions served by food chains. Over time portion sizes have substantially grown, with meals exceeding the recommended calorie intake for a single meal. Young and Nestles (2002) study reveals that fast food item portions have expanded over the years with some items now more than double their size. This phenomenon of "portion distortion" results in calorie consumption as individuals tend to eat when faced with larger servings often underestimating the actual caloric content.
Changes in lifestyle and time constraints
The contemporary way of life characterized by schedules and time limitations has also played a role in the heightened dependence on fast food. With an increase in dual income households and longer work hours many people find themselves lacking the time to cook meals. Fast food emerges as a solution offering cost effective options that align with busy routines. Nonetheless this convenience comes at a price as frequent consumption of food is linked to dietary patterns and increased calorie intake contributing to the surge in obesity rates (Smith, Ng & Popkin 2013).Another significant measure involves restricting the promotion of foods to children. By reducing kids exposure to food ads policymakers aim to lessen the impact of marketing on their eating habits. Some cities have also imposed taxes on beverages and unhealthy foods in an effort to discourage consumption through penalties. While the effectiveness of these strategies may vary they mark progress in combating the obesity crisis.
Approaches Rooted in Communities
Community based strategies for addressing obesity highlight the importance of initiatives and grassroots movements. Programs that concentrate on enhancing access to foods encouraging activity and educating community members about healthy eating have shown positive outcomes. For example community gardens and farmers markets can offer produce to residents living in areas with access to healthy food options promoting better dietary choices. Schools and community centers can also play a role by providing nutrition education and physical activity programs.
The Impact of Technology
Technology has increasingly become an asset in the battle against obesity. Mobile applications and wearable gadgets enable individuals to monitor their calorie intake and exercise levels offering feedback and motivating lifestyle choices.
Furthermore social networking sites can play a role, in advocating for public health initiatives and sharing details on diet and wellness. Although technology isn't a solution to the issue of obesity it provides avenues to involve people and groups in embracing healthier habits (Stephens & Allen 2013).
Future Directions and Recommendations
The approach to tackling obesity needs to be multi-faceted and should involve collaboration between government departments, health workers, local communities, as well as the food industry. In future, there is need for more efforts in creating an atmosphere that supports healthier selections particularly among the disadvantaged groups. This means that one should continue to campaign for policies aimed at reducing children’s exposure to unhealthy food advertisements, improving availability of healthy foods in deprived neighborhoods and encouraging manufacturers in the food sector to change their products into a healthier version.
Further still public health campaigns will try and focus on having balanced diets regularly done exercises. Schools and offices can succeed by developing well-structured meals alongside opportunities for exercising. More research is also needed to understand why some people are poor eaters or overweight than others.
Policy Proposals
To further combat the menace of overweight, policy makers should think about enacting a variety of evidence-based strategies. Some of them could be: Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes: Taxes on sugary drinks can decrease consumption and raise funds for public health projects. Zoning Regulations: By controlling the number of fast food restaurants in given areas, intake will subside and encourage establishment of grocery stores among other healthier alternatives.Menu Labeling Laws: This makes sure that restaurants indicate calorie counts as well as other nutritional information to assist customers in making informed choices. School Nutrition Standards: Schools meals and snacks in the course of learning ought to meet recommended nutrition levels so that students are eating healthy. Addressing Behavioral FactorsBehavioral interventions also play a significant role in dealing with obesity. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other psychological approaches aid individuals to develop better eating habits and deal with triggers involved in overeating. Programs addressing weight control which incorporate behavior change counseling together with diet and exercise components show promise towards helping individuals achieve successful long term weight loss.Long-Term Commitment and Sustainable Change
Society must collectively make a commitment that will last over a long period to reduce obesity rates. The approach should be ongoing and flexible enough to accommodate changing circumstances and new information. For this change to be lasting, there must be continuous investment in public health infrastructure, research, and education. Therefore, significant strides can be achieved in reducing obesity rates by nurturing a culture that appreciates wellness.
Cultural Shifts and Public Perception
In addressing the obesity epidemic another critical factor is shifting public opinion as well as cultural norms with regards to food and health. The acceptance of fast food and oversize portions as normative has been one of the major drivers towards unhealthy eating habits over the past few decades. This would involve public health campaigns focused on what constitutes healthy balanced meals and promoting on good home cooked fresh meal benefits instead. To change public perception cooking classes nutrition workshops media campaign advertising preparation advantages of healthy meals at home for instance.
Strengthening Health Care Interventions
Routine screenings, counseling and support for weight management by health care providers are crucial in handling obesity. Obesity prevention and treatment should be integrated into primary care to ensure consistency and comprehensiveness in people’s health. Personalized advice can be availed by the healthcare practitioners and also set realistic targets as well as referring patients to dietitians or structured weight loss programs.
Advancing Research and Use of Proven Practices
To better understand the intricate contributors to obesity and curate effective interventions, it is important to sustain research. Longitudinal studies that follow diet patterns, activity levels, and disease outcomes offer useful information on how to prevent or reduce obesity. By exploring behavioral, environmental and genetic factors that affect obesity, this will enable us to make interventions that are specific for different populations and situations as well.
Conclusion
The period between 2000 and 2010 registered a sharp increase of obesity rates that is closely linked to the spread of fast food outlets across America. This public health menace can only be fought with multidimensional approaches that will change public attitude, improve education, enhance corporate accountability and support inclusive research plus health care interventions. By creating an environment where good health is appreciated through provision of necessary resources and support, we can achieve significant milestones in curbing cases of obesity within our population as well as overall improvement in their welfare.
Citations:
Boyland, E.J. & Halford, J.C.G., 2013. Television advertising and branding. Effects on eating behavior and food preferences in children. **Appetite**, 62, pp.236-241.
Brownell, K.D. & Frieden, T.R., 2009. Ounces of prevention—the public policy case for taxes on sugared beverages. **New England Journal of Medicine**, 360(18), pp.1805-1808.
Drewnowski, A. & Specter, S.E., 2004. Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs. **American Journal of Clinical Nutrition**, 79(1), pp.6-16.
Krieger, J.W., Chan, N.L., Saelens, B.E., Ta, M.L., Solet, D. & Fleming, D.W., 2013. Menu labeling regulations and calories purchased at chain restaurants. **American Journal of Preventive Medicine**, 44(6), pp.595-604.
Ogden, C.L., Carroll, M.D., Kit, B.K. & Flegal, K.M., 2014. Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. **JAMA**, 311(8), pp.806-814.
Smith, L.P., Ng, S.W. & Popkin, B.M., 2013. Trends in US home food preparation and consumption: analysis of national nutrition surveys and time use studies from 1965-1966 to 2007-2008. **Nutrition Journal**, 12(1), p.45.
Stephens, J. & Allen, J., 2013. Mobile phone interventions to increase physical activity and reduce weight: a systematic review. **Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing**, 28(4), pp.320-329.
Story, M., Kaphingst, K.M., Robinson-O'Brien, R. & Glanz, K., 2008. Creating healthy food and eating environments: policy and environmental approaches. **Annual Review of Public Health**, 29, pp.253-272.
Walker, R.E., Keane, C.R. & Burke, J.G., 2010. Disparities and access to healthy food in the United States: A review of food deserts literature. **Health & Place**, 16(5), pp.876-884.
Young, L.R. & Nestle, M., 2002. The contribution of expanding portion sizes to the US obesity epidemic. **American Journal of Public Health**, 92(2), pp.246-249.
Fulkerson, J.A., Story, M., Neumark-Sztainer, D. & Rydell, S., 2008. Family meals: Perceptions of benefits and challenges among parents of 8-to 10-year-old children. **Journal of the American Dietetic Association**, 108(4), pp.706-709.
Huang, T.T.K., Drewnowski, A., Kumanyika, S.K. & Glass, T.A., 2009. A systems-oriented multilevel framework for addressing obesity in the 21st century. **Preventing Chronic Disease**, 6(3), A82.
Kumanyika, S.K., 2008. Environmental influences on childhood obesity: Ethnic and cultural influences in context. **Physician and Sportsmedicine**, 36(1), pp.45-51.
Larson, N.I., Story, M.T. & Nelson, M.C., 2009. Neighborhood environments: Disparities in access to healthy foods in the US. **American Journal of Preventive Medicine**, 36(1), pp.74-81.
Ludwig, D.S. & Pollack, H.A., 2009. Obesity and the economy: from crisis to opportunity. **JAMA**, 301(5), pp.533-535.
Powell, L.M., Chaloupka, F.J. & Bao, Y., 2007. The availability of fast-food and full-service restaurants in the United States: associations with neighborhood characteristics. **American Journal of Preventive Medicine**, 33(4), pp.S240-S245.
Sallis, J.F., Floyd, M.F., Rodríguez, D.A. & Saelens, B.E., 2012. Role of built environments in physical activity, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. **Circulation**, 125(5), pp.729-737.

Hey Guys,
I've got a 2011 Ram 2500 with 161k miles Deleted and tuned with HS Minimax V1
The pickup has a misfire and studder when at idle in park and going down road. You can watch the rpms jump on the monitor around 20 to 30 rpms in either direction. I have taken it to a dealer and had them try to diag they said it was my tuner. I wanted a second opinion so I took it to a diesel shop and they said their only GUESS was injectors.
I then took to my diag tool and did a injector cut out test and found the misfire continued (not better or not worse) when we conducted the test across all cylinders. There is no excessive smoke or diesel smell to indicate overfueling and there is no indication of rail hang. We also checked command fuel pressure and they both track fine. Turbo actuator is working fine. I'm leaning towards a communication issue between ecm and injectors due to a ground or possibly failing ecm?
The pickup doesn't always behave like this and it is very sporadic. We took it on a 6 hour drive and it didn't miss a beat but the next day we couldn't drive 10 miles without this issue.
Anyone have any ideas on the best way to test grounds on ECM or possibly have any other ideas on what might be causing this? I just am trying to avoid dumping 4k worth of injectors in this thing without being 100 percent sure that's the issue.

Hi Reddit.
I wasn't on originally to post here but since I felt like I have no real outlet. So here it goes. So this last year has been a total table flipping year. A year ago I was diagnosis with HIV. This was when this new season begin. I started to lose everything I loved, IE Kickboxing and started to lose leadership positions within the church, which I understand why. Shortly after founding out of my status, I came to realize I have a true sex addiction. I wasn't just looking at pornography but I was actually going to sex orgy's and other outlets. I got into a Christ center recovery group and it has been remarkable for my walk and faith.
With this recovery program, I have to start facing my sexual desires and one part is I am starting to face the bisexual side of me. I knew I was bi since I was in high school. I have been in the serious relationship with the same sex. All of it was just sexual, guess that was just part of my addiction. So here comes the struggle. I am struggling to really face it. My pastor and a few others know about it in the church. I just feel so alone dealing with this. Here I am in my almost mid thirties. Single. Haven't been in a serious relationship. Since starting this program the desire to have sex has dimmed down a bunch. But the struggle is I have a heart to have a traditional family but another side of me wants to see what a serious relationship is like with a same sex person. I know what the bible says about it being a sin. That's the conflict. I love God. I am one of the people that say for God I live for God I die. But just not knowing the other side of things is having hold onto the same sex attraction side of me. I have tried talking to people at the church but they don't really understand. They really try to help and I appreciate it but they don't understand the conflict I am feeling. On top of this, being HIV positive has been a discouraging on its own front but I am getting through that with Christ.
I am just writing this not because I am asking for prayers or advice. I am just writing this as an outlet. God Bless and have a great day everyone.

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Let us start with the advert itself. Well, in form it is no different from the PiS adverts made by Kurski. Dramatic music, dramatic narration, dramatic frames, a few piles of skulls, a smiling Putin, Lukashenko and so on. It's obvious that the intention was to hammer the PiS = Russia equation into people's heads by appealing to the simplest of emotions, namely fear of a brutal superpower. Well, and it's a campaign ad, so of course the political opponent, i.e. PiS, is hit with a mace. Opinions differ. I am one of those who believe that this form will have the opposite effect to the one intended. In the safe electorate of PO it will probably be attractive. Everywhere else, it will cause embarrassment. As a result, many people will think that all this Russian influence is no real problem. Just another stage in the 20-year PO-PiS war. And I am not even talking about the so-called Jan Kowalski). This is exactly the tone in which professional pundits speak. It never ceases to amaze me, but what can I do, I have come to terms with the facts.
Well, it shouldn't be like that.
It has been argued that PiS has did a lot more and a lot worse over eight years. Yes, that is true. It has. And it would be nice if some pundits remembered that and didn't write silly things about how now, in May 2024, someone in Poland has called someone a traitor for the first time. Still, I guess we expected a more sophisticated rhetoric from the current government, didn't we? Because the problem of Russian influence is real and has been swept under the carpet as much as possible. And it needs to be dealt with in a calm, rational way.
That's right. Because apart from the form, there is also content in the ad. There is the statement that PiS "won the election with the help of illegally collected recordings from a Russian coal importer". Ok, here is the suggestion that PiS won ONLY because of this, which of course is not true. The 2015 victory, like any victory, was the result of many factors. Both the mistakes of the then PO-PSL coalition, the lies of PiS (Smolensk trutherism, refugee fearmongering, purported plans of privatising forests) and the poor result of the Left), which was missing a few tens of thousands of votes to enter the Sejm. Yes, this is manipulation, although we should also remember that we are talking about a 50-second election ad. Nevertheless, the base of this argument is as true as it can be. The recordings from the restaurant were commissioned by Marek Falenta, who imported Russian coal into Poland. The Russians were involved in this affair on several levels, to which I will return shortly. PiS obtained these recordings from Falenta, knowing that they had been obtained illegally and probably knowing that they were helping a Russian spy. PiS used them to help itself win the election. I'm sorry, but that's what happened.
It goes on to say that PiS increased imports of Russian coal. This is no secret either, the figures are public. In the last two years of the PO-PSL coalition, 6.5 and 4.9 million tonnes were imported from there. In the first years of the PiS government, these figures rose to 5.2, 8.6 and 13.1 million respectively, after which they began to fall. In 2019-2020, they reached a similar volume as in 2010-2011, i.e. with the PO-PSL government. Of course, this is manipulative, because to get a complete picture one would have to give the total volumes for eight years (and these are similar), while the sheer fact of the sudden increase in Russian coal imports after 2015 is undeniable.
It continued: 'Cases indicating the growing influence of Belarusian and Russian agencies have been swept under the carpet.
Excuse me, but weren't they? If it is possible to point to a constant, unchanging part of this issue during the eight years of the PiS government, it is the pattern, which has always been the same. Investigative journalists uncover some Russian influence on people close to the ruling party, some (let's be clear: some) media write about it, some of us are outraged, and then nothing happens. Little has been done about the Russian infiltration of circles opposing the government, see the Confederation, the anti-establisment and anti-vaccine movements and so on. The question 'where are the agencies' has even been asked so many times in pro-democratic social media that I could print these comments and cover my walls with them. Sorry, but that's how it was. I don't know if it gets any better, but that's the way it was.
Furthermore, 'they blocked investment in the expansion of the Polish army'.
If I were PO, I would stay away from this argument. Yes, PiS blocked the purchase of Caracal helicopters, and during Macierewicz's time as defense minister, the army sometimes even lacked uniforms. But all this is irrelevant today, given that after the Russian invasion of Ukraine the PiS government has expanded the Polish military a lot. This argument would make sense in 2019. In 2024 it does not. I note, however, that it was not as various PiS propagndists now portray it that they took power and immediately turned Poland into a military superpower. In fact, little was done in this direction for the first six years.
It continues: 'Thanks to the support and involvement of PiS politicians, Tomasz Szmydt, until recently a judge and in fact a spy who fled to Belarus, has made a dizzying career.
I don't know what could be controversial here? Probably just the clear naming of Szmydt as a spy. Actually, we don't know 100% what his role was, but ok, it fits into the convention of a campaign ad. On the other hand, the statement that Szmydt had a career on the side of PiS is, well, I'm very sorry, but: true.
Finally, there is a passage in which Tusk compares the United Right) to the communist ruling party PZPR, which was once deciphered as 'paid traitors, lackeys of Russia' (Płatni zdrajcy, pachołki Rosji) . It's all part of the political shit throwing. To make it stick, the PiS logo is turned upside down, and turns into the Russian coat of arms is. This is how the advert ends.
We have discussed the ad itself, but it has sparked a discussion about Russian influence in Poland. There is no shortage of voices saying that it is absurd to call PiS a 'pro-Russian party', because the PiS government has given a lot of military equipment to Ukraine, including priceless tanks, in considerable numbers. Let me perhaps clarify a few things.
It is necessary to specify what is meant by 'pro-Russian party'. Is PiS a party that openly says that Russia is great? No. Has Kaczyński ever said that he copied his policies from Russia? No. Has he openly sided with Russia against the West? Again, no.
But was Kaczyński saying much the same thing about the West that the Kremlin has been saying for years? Yes, he was. Did Kaczyński create a political crisis in relations with almost all of Poland's Western allies as soon as he took power? Yes, he did. Did he introduce a series of anti-democratic laws in Poland that resembled Russian solutions, albeit in a softer version? Yes. Did Kaczyński plan and promote a war with the EU institutions that ultimately led to an unprecedented freeze of EU subsidies to Poland? Yes. Did he speak the language of polexit? Yes, he did. Does all this fit into Russia's strategy of dismantling Western structures? Absolutely.
So perhaps a more appropriate word than 'pro-Russian' would be 'Russifying'? Or a little longer: 'often strongly pursuing the Kremlin's geopolitical interests, sharing the Kremlin's view of Europe and European values, as the Kremlin is fiercely anti-Western, though likely to see itself as very anti-Russian'?
Earlier I mentioned the tape scandal and the involvement of the Russians in it. Although it seems unlikely, some pundits have managed to dismiss this fact because it does not fit in with the fact that PiS supplied arms to Ukraine. Well, they say, if PiS is supposedly so pro-Russian that the Russians helped it come to power, how do you explain the aid? Well, first of all, its proponents forget something as trivial as chronology. When the people linked to the Russians were setting up the background to the tape scandal, there was no war. It was 2010-2012, and the first wiretap was set up in the spring of 2013. There was no Euromaidan, no rebellion in Donbas, no annexation of Crimea. No one could have predicted how PiS would behave in 2022, because no one expected anything unusual to happen in 2022.
On the other hand, it was foreseeable that PiS would be an anti-Western party. That it would be a party that would confront the EU and its individual members. That PiS would say similar things about the EU as Russia, as PiS had been saying for years, and that it would ally with far-right circles that said so even more. That it would make a mess in the intelligence agencies, just like in 2006. And now let's look at the chronology. In 2013, the first bugs were set up. In June 2014, a scandal erupts, the media repeats all these vulgar quotes for months, which kills off PO's chances in the 2015 elections. In the autumn of 2015, PiS takes power and almost immediately: breaks into the NATO counterintelligence expert centre, abolishes the ABW field delegations, removes almost everyone from the agencies and fills them with newcomers with no experience (just like in 2006), makes Macierewicz the head of the Ministry of Defence with all his Russian connections, which Macierewicz immediately turns into a landing spot for people with Russian connections (such as Gaj and Kownacki), supports the pro-Russian think tank Ordo Iuris and immediately initiates an anti-Western civilisational turn. In this context, should we be so surprised that the Russians might have preferred the PiS in power?
All this happens six years before any tanks are handed over to Ukraine. I know, shocker, history didn't start in the spring of 2022.
Well, and now PO is releasing that ad. And some people say: oh dear, now PiS is going to accuse PO of being pro-Russian and the PO is going to accuse PiS of being pro-Russian, It's unbearable, so let's pretend it's not happening. I won't hide it, it's tiresome. But it would be nice if, as a species, a rational species, we could sometimes look beyond the political insults and focus on the evidence. And there really is a lot of it. The fact that the advert presents the case in this way does not change the fact that the situation is extremely serious.
It has been argued that PO's ad is setting the European Parliament campaign entirely on the Russia-EU divide. This is true, but there is a nuance. Leaving aside the clumsy form and the manipulation I explained above... isn't it the case that it was PiS that just took part in no less than three summits of European and American eurosceptics, Trumpists and Putin lovers, where it was explicitly said that this is the election in which it would be decided whether Europe would return to 'normality', traditional values, Christian roots and a 'Europe of homelands', or be swallowed up forever by the woke behemoth? Needless to say, this is a narrative very similar to the one the Kremlin has been using for years?
In short, what we need now is a serious debate about Russian and Belarusian influence in Poland. A debate that has been sorely lacking in recent years. This debate will inevitably become part of a political conflict. It will not be avoided because we are also talking about the influence of top politicians (not only from the PiS, by the way). All the more reason to be careful. The PO ad is a campaign ad, so it has a different convention. Nevertheless, in my opinion, it does the opposite. It reduces a real problem to a political trend. We can only hope that this is just a stupid idea of a few PR excecs and not part of a strategy that will last for years. The recent actions of the ABW and the fact that Donald Tusk has announced the appointment of a commission of experts to investigate these influences allow for some cautious optimism on this issue. Time will tell, of course.

Something weird is happening and I have no clue what's going on. I have 3 packages out for delivery today from BBW one for some of the new face products, a replacement order, and a candle order (I know most of the candles will be on sale for SAS but these were backups I really wanted for my mother and I and did not want to take a chance, plus I wasn't to far off from the 10.95 price point they'll be for SAS due to a coupon. I guess the FOMO got me because of how I was never able to get my hands on Pure Wonder 3 wick candle. I know everything else I stand a great chance of gettign during SAS) but on my UPS app it says I have 4 packages from BBW out for delivery today. I compared the tracking and the 4th package I have no clue what it is, or why I'm getting an extra package. I really won't know anything until the packages get delivered today, but has anyone experienced anything like this before. I order online from BBW alot and have never experienced anything like this.

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As we are well into rookie draft season, this also comes with a great increase in trading activity in our leagues. This is a little bit of a rant/gripe but I've been noticing some issues with trading in general recently (the last handful of years), and I wonder if we as a community can actually get anywhere to solving them or at least improving them and rekindling the spirit of what trading is supposed to be. I guess upon reflection maybe it has gotten a little bit worse recently as dynasty is getting more popular, but it has probably been ever-present since I started playing in 2011.
The main problem for me is that most people these days are entering trade negotiations in bad faith. There used to be the odd bad apple in a league who was just out to rip everyone off at first chance, but now it feels like the majority of people who actively trade fall into this category.
My view is that a trade should accomplish 3 basic things:

1. Improve your team either short or long term
   
2. Improve the team of your trading partner
   
3. Provide a base/successful rapport for future trades with that person
   

To do this requires open communication between parties, sensible discussion, genuine investigation of each team's needs, and legitimate opening offers. People need to understand that a negotiation does not mean that one person 'beats' another in a trade, it is supposed to be a mutually beneficial exercise where both parties (generally) get what they want out of the deal. I think it is always better to have both 1 and 2 accomplished than just 1.
These tenets of trading seem to have fallen by the wayside at this point, and tons of people just throw out bullshit offers expecting you to sell players to them for 50 cents on the dollar and then pay double the price for their players. Maybe it's just me, but I genuinely dislike ripping someone off because I think it's usually bad for the league overall.
Another common tactic is unwillingness to trade their top or mid tier starters and instead offer you a bunch of bench players expecting you to give up one of your studs. For me in particular all it does is build up resentment that I'm not taken seriously, and screws up point 3 of building a good relationship. If I should be willing to sacrifice one of my better or best players, why does my trading partner not have to do the same? I don't want your 3 roster cloggers for my WR1 or starting QB.
My last gripe is people who clearly are interested in a player, say to you that they are, and then aren't willing to make an initial offer. I have what you want, the onus is not on me to make the initial effort, especially if I'm not actively shopping them.
So where have we gone wrong and how do we fix these problems? Is there any hope for a world where trades are done in good faith and are a mutually beneficial exercise? Are people just unaware of what trading is about?
TL;DR: People don't trade nicely anymore and just want to rip someone else off. It's annoying and needs to be fixed as a community.
/end rant. Thank you for listening

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I’ve already seen one post bringing this up, but I’d like to kind of condense my own thoughts on the Harrison Butker situation, for my own piece of mind.
If you guys weren’t aware, a kicker for the Indiana Chiefs, Harrison Butker, has been getting flamed online, especially on Tiktok and other media outlets for his commencement speech at Benedictine College. His speech contained a lot of RadTrad views and bigotry, the stuff I’m sure we’ve all heard before in the TLM community, and he’s currently a hot topic in online discussions. However, his main talking point that incited outrage was that a woman’s main call is to be a homemaker. A lot of people have been digging up his past and bringing to light his hypocrisies. Honestly, I have very little sympathy for this dude, it’s disgusting that he promoted these bigoted beliefs at a college commencement ceremony, and while I have a little empathy for how he must have been brought up (if the rumors are true, conversion camp must have been traumatic on the guy) I do feel like at some point, this is not a excuse for bigoted behavior.
I’ve been saying for years that the issues TLM community is going to be the “FLDS”. So many exposés and media coverage has surrounded Protestant Christian fundamentalists, and I’ve always suspected that at some point this same coverage would be applied to the Catholic fundamentalists as well. I’m a little angry that no one outside of the church seemed to care that a cult was forming right under everyone’s noses, but I guess that’s the nature of those things. I keep seeing lots of people with no experience within the Catholic church talk about the subject, and while I’m grateful that they’re spreading awareness, I can’t help but feel a little angry too. I’ve struggled for so long to try and explain the TLM to family and friends who weren’t aware of its existence and now it feels like “too little too late”. The rejection of their ideals from mainstream culture will do nothing more than spur on the Trads, in their minds validating their entire movement. Instead of feeling optimistic by the attention that’s finally being paid to the movement, I just feel, kind of hopeless, maybe cynical even.
Apologies for the rant, if anyone else has thoughts or feelings, I’d love to hear them, thanks for reading.

This is my first time making any type of post like this but I honestly have no other outlet so if anyone has any type of advice pls share
I’m about to graduate high school and my parents have been alcoholics for years. Also recently getting into drugs like cocaine. They drink every. single. day. And basically cant live without it. They have done many horrible things both to, and in front of me and my younger sister due to their addiction. Honestly at this point i’ve lost all cares and have become numb to everything they put us through. I know my parents love me in their own way, but their actions don’t show that they have care enough. My parents have both been through things in life but i’m tired of trying to justify their behavior because at the end of the day, we’re their kids and it should be their job to be better for us, no matter what. I feel like I cant accept any type of love from my parents and it has completely wrecked our relationship. I get so uncomfortable because that “love” doesn’t feel like our reality, if that makes sense. I can never help but think about the things they’ve done and continue to do, and I feel very guilty for that. I guess I just don’t know what the future of our relationship will be. At the end of the day, I feel like they’ll never choose to get better and that hurts me. Ig I just don’t know how else to handle my situation. it feels pretty hopeless.

(Sorry, it’s kinda long)
Hey everyone,
A bit about me: I grew up in a toxic household with an alcoholic abusive single mother. She had anywhere from 15-20 stray cats in our home that she spoiled and loved more than me. She sure made that clear! My father left me and my mother when I was two years old and he never came back. I was put into the California foster care system at age 13 due to my mother being reported multiple times by my junior high school counselor. From there I went to several mental hospitals, lockdown facilities and group homes up to my 18th birthday. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder back in my adolescent years. I haven’t been evaluated as an adult but I’m sure I would be diagnosed with MDD if I were.
I have spent almost my entire adult life doing nothing with myself. I spent a lot of time early on sleeping in my car and showering at my friends houses. My grandma in Arizona helped me out a great deal and let me stay with her and find work, and I was proud of myself although I was working a menial janitorial job at a casino. I’m pretty tech savvy and skilled with automotive repair but I never pursued further education. When my grandma passed away in 2007 I got severely depressed but I managed to get a place to live with roommates and held down a full time job, again at a casino doing janitorial work. Developed a gambling addiction and an alcohol addiction. Got a DUI in 2008 and that started my legal troubles. Lost my place and lost my job.
I slept in my car and worked at casinos doing menial work again. Met a woman at one of the jobs and got married April 2010. She had a few kids with a bunch of baby daddy drama, and I couldn’t deal with it so I just walked away and the divorce was finalized by the end of the year. I stopped drinking after that. From there I kept working until 2011, when I decided to quit my job, take my old Subaru XT and hit the road. Went all over the southwest US sleeping in the car and exploring, got a few tickets for no insurance, got my license suspended for said tickets and also for not paying my payments on the DUI. I got to Albuquerque NM and my car finally croaked on me. Transmission failure. Slept in it for a week or so in a mini-mall parking lot until the cops were called on me and unsurprisingly took my car. I was officially a street person at age 26.
I spent several years hitchhiking, panhandling, dumpster diving, hopping freight trains and finding spots to sleep or camp wherever I could. I was so depressed that I didn’t take very good care of myself and had no desire whatsoever to try to better myself and dig out of the hole I got myself into. I used to call myself an urban survivalist. I remained in this state of mind until late 2022 when dental problems nearly killed me. I finally found a place to stay in Nevada with a lady I called a foster mother but I had a very hard time getting used to being housed. I got all my teeth yanked and a set of dentures thanks to Nevada Medicaid. I got a job at a car wash for six months but gave up the job due to stress at home and workplace nepotism. I even got a few credit cards and got my score up to 719! Anyhow, foster mother was an alcoholic, she started to remind me of my biological mother and I couldn’t stand it anymore. I had a few thousand dollars saved up and moved back to Arizona a couple of months ago.
I am currently at a weekly motel and have been attempting to find any work I can. Managed to get interviews for dishwasher jobs, housekeeping jobs, janitorial jobs and night crew at a grocery store. Haven’t heard back from any of them though. I have half of my savings left and it seems inevitable that I’ll run out of money pretty soon.
I have a good feeling that the ridiculously long gap of employment looks terrible on my resume and that may be a reason I’m not getting anything. I mean, what do I tell the interviewer, that I was a damn bum?
I like to think I’m pretty smart. I was disassembling and reassembling IBM PC’s before I hit puberty. I was the computer technician for my high school back in the Windows XP era. Once I started driving I began teaching myself automotive repair with Chilton and Haynes manuals along with plenty of trial and error. It blew people’s minds when I, a dirty bum, helped get their car back on the road if I noticed they needed assistance. I helped a man I met at a park and did an engine swap on his Nissan Xterra over a couple weekends in exchange for new camping gear.
I can’t get work as a mechanic or do any driving related jobs unless I get my license back and it would take a LOT of money to get it back. On top of that I have to have an ignition interlock in any vehicle I drive. I wouldn’t mind getting into computer repair but I don’t have the certification to do so, and I’ve been out of the loop for a long time. I have a MacBook Air M1 and wish I could learn a way to make money with it like some sort of remote job but that seems impossible to me at this point.
For the record, I still don’t drink and I’ve never done a hard drug in my life. I haven’t smoked weed in months so I am able to pass a drug test if I were hired somewhere. Also, I have no felonies whatsoever on my record. Some people like to be stereotypical so I figured I’d throw that out there.
I guess what I’m asking is what should I do at this point? What path would you take if you were in my shoes? I won’t lie, suicide has been on my mind a lot lately. I don’t have many friends and I don’t have any family to talk to. I don’t like being a burden on anyone. Should I just accept that I’m gonna probably be homeless again, possibly for the rest of my life? Is there anywhere in the US that I could possibly get back on my feet with some sort of labor work and a place to sleep? I’d move anywhere if I knew I had a shot. Am I a lost cause at age 38? I’d love to hear some ideas!

Hello there! As the post states, I am very much so a nerd. I enjoy seeing the worlds and stories and characters in a setting. I love watching them grow and change and be stretched to their limits. I love seeing stories of success and stories of near success... As well as stories of catastrophe.
Fortunately and Unfortunately, that extends to IRL as well. I have been told that when it comes to dating, i need to stop chasing red flags so damn much. Apparently, have a problem. Whoops, i guess? What this translates to is that I dont mind if my partner has baggage or troubles or traumas or issues. I want to help people grow and develop confidence again. I love seeing people overcome their trials and the long term ramifications that come with those trials. Maybe that says more about my own life than the people im looking for's?
After looking at a lot of profiles on dating apps and on reddit, I have noticed that most people post only what they want, not what they offer. In my opinion, a relationship is a two way street. You give as much as you receive. So, here's what I offer and what i desire:
Offering - I have a stable lifestyle. I've been on my own for 3 years and have managed financial harships and successes. I have a job i love and co workers i enjoy. - I have a quick wit and a decently expanded lexicon. But I am always looking to expand both. If I cant make you laugh, then I will look for ways to improve or adjust to succeed. Not an insecurity, it just makes me happy to make others smile - I dont drink a lot, but can hold my liquor. I dont smoke, but it doesnt bother me if you do. I dont party, unless you mean on discord. And I stay the hell away from illicit substances. TL;DR: I am boring and safe. No risk of me running off or doing something stupid - i wouldnt say that video games are my personity, but i dont do much else. Its comfortable, convenient, and gives me a social outlet. Which brings me to my next point... - The only ongoing relationship i have is with the boys on discord. We laugh, roast each other, and i spend most of my time hanging out online with them. So, loyalty isnt a problem. Im too busy gaming to be disloyal.
What im looking for: - Patience! I am a low contact individual. Im always open to talk, and you are always welcome to join us for gaming. But i am slow to reach out. Doesnt mean I have forgotten you or dont care about you. But my comfort zone and safety zone is with the guys or at home in peace. - Someone to be passionate about gaming or world building or headcannons with! Be it talking or listening, i want to share that. - we dont have to play the same games together, but it would be super cool to play seperate games together. Or, if you do have the same games, that would be just as awesome - Loyalty is key! The same loyalty i give i ask for in return.
Some quirks about me: - I have a dusting of the 'tism, and im sure i have ADHD (that one is undiagnosed though) - I am comfortable with spicy preferences at home and their dynamics, but i would like to get to know you before delving into those dynamics. - I am slow to open up as i have been cheated on a lot and grew up in a household with a narcissist. The scars arent visible but they run deep. - i play and GM D&D! (Pathfinder 1e almost exclusively, but i know some 5e stuff) - I play MTG, but ive switched to tabletop simulator as cardboard crack gets expensive ;-; - I work the graveyard shift, so i am up all night. Night owls rejoice!
If you are interested in getting to know me, please reach out! I'll reply when i can. I am an open book, so ask away!