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redmyeyes · 5 months

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Fellow Travelers Timeline

(as comprehensive as i can make it. corrections/additions welcome)

1919-20 (?) - Hawk is born

based on tennis trophy which shows year 1936, and hawk's statement that he and kenny were on the tennis team in 11th grade (16/17 years old).

also date on the paperweight (1937) that hawk says kenny picked out on their senior trip. spring or fall though? if spring (usual for a senior trip, just before graduation), it would mean hawk graduated HS in 1937, b. 1919. (thanks, @lestatscunt!)

June 6, 1930 - Tim is born, on Staten Island, NY

birthdate/place shown on army application in ep 5

Gemini, with moon in Libra

>>> With a Gemini Sun Libra Moon, emotional equilibrium is hard for you to maintain in a world of constant flux and tension. Since you are not responsible for the woes and upsets of those around you, you should not feel so duty-bound to assuage their wounds or mediate every conflict that happens to come your way.

>>> your natural diplomacy, extraordinary perception and insight can all be applied creatively in such fields as politics, social work, and the mass media.

>>> your extreme open-mindedness would probably enable you to almost any life-style. You have a universal quality about you that transcends culture, religion, ideology, or any other barrier that divides mankind.

Fall 1937 - Spring 1941 - Hawk attends "Penn", presumably the University of Pennsylvania. (assuming hawk b. 1919)

(this is very very long, the rest is under the cut)

December 7, 1941 - bombing of Pearl Harbor, US enters WWII

??? - Hawk joins the army (along with Kenny), and is sent to Europe.

January 9 – August 15, 1945 - Battle of Luzon, where Kenny dies.

September 2, 1945 - Japan surrenders, US exits WWII

February, 1949 - Hawk starts working at the State Department

Hawk says in 1x04 (Dec 1953) that he's been working at the State Dept for "four years and ten months".

"I came out of the war with four assets: degree from Penn, a hero's war record, no particular political ideology, and a passing acquaintance with three languages. Throw in a talent for prevaricating and a taste for travel and fine clothes, you have the makings of a competent, mid-level Foreign Service bureaucrat."

Fall 1948 - Spring 1952 - Tim attends Fordham University, graduating with a degree in political science and history.

1951 - Hawk starts work for the Bureau of Congressional Relations

Tim mentions Hawk's been working there for two years during their meeting on the bench.

1952 - Tim works "the New York campaign" (presumably for Eisenhower).

1952/3? - Tim interns for three months at the Star, in the mailroom.

November 4, 1952 - Election Night, Eisenhower (R) wins the presidency. Tim/Hawk first meet and are instantly smitten. (ep 1)

February 16, 1953 to March 10, 1954 - McCarthy Hearings, part 1.

The first consisted of a series of hearings conducted by McCarthy, as the subcommittee’s chairman, throughout 1953 and early 1954 in which McCarthy alleged Communist influence within the press and the federal government, including the State Department, the U.S. Army, and the Government Printing Office.

March 5, 1953 - Stalin dies.

Late March, 1953 - Hawk/Tim second meeting

After Hawk meets Tim at the park bench, he attends a hearing where Marcus says Cohn has brought David Schine on, and then later at their lunch Senator Smith says, "McCarthy is sending Cohn and his sidekick to Europe..." This article, dated April 19, says that Cohn and Schine have been in Europe for two weeks.

Hawk mentions that it's near the end of the month, police need to make their quotas.

April 27, 1953 - Executive Order 10450 signed. Hawk goes to Tim's apartment and tells him about Kenny. (ep 1)

June 6, 1953 - Tim's 23rd birthday (Hawk 'misses' it because they weren't talking for 4 weeks. belated celebration in ep 3.)

June 15, 1953 (?) - date of the newspaper Tim is reading just before he goes to visit Hawk in ep 2, where Hawk makes him write the letter to Mary. I'm choosing to believe this is a mistake on the show's part, because this would mean that Hawk has already missed Tim's birthday.

June 19, 1953 - Julius and Ethel Rosenberg's execution. Hawk comforts Lucy about this at the end of ep 2. So, likely Hawk and Tim had their big fight very shortly before Tim's birthday, and weren't talking from end of May - end of June.

End of June, 1953 - at the end of ep 2, Tim says it's been 4 months since his last confession, making his last (proper) confession the end of Feb or beginning of March. (ie, before he meets Hawk again).

End of June or beginning of July, 1953 - weekend trip to Rehoboth Beach (ep 3)

November 1953 - G. David Schine drafted into the army (ep 3)

Christmas 1953 (ep 4)

March 16 to June 17, 1954 - Army-McCarthy Hearings (part 2) (ep 5)

The second phase involved the subcommittee's investigation of McCarthy’s attacks on the U.S. Army. Known as the “Army-McCarthy hearings,” they were broadcast on national television and they contributed to McCarthy’s declining national popularity. Five months later, on December 2, 1954, the Senate censured McCarthy.

June 6, 1954 - Tim's 24th birthday

June, 1954? - Tim/Hawk break up, Hawk proposes to Lucy (ep 5)

I believe this happens at the tail-end of the Army-McCarthy hearings, so before June 17th.

Fall, 1954 - Sen. Smith's funeral

based solely on fall foliage in this screenshot:

Late Nov / Early Dec, 1954 - Tim enlists in the army

based on army application: birthdate 6/6/30, age: 24 years, 6 months

Late Nov / Early Dec, 1954 - Hawk/Tim last meeting in the tower

based on the radio program Tim is listening to, which says, "Chief Counsel Roy Cohn has resigned from the committee. And Senator McCarthy, his approval ratings plummeting, faces censure or even expulsion from the Senate."

Tim leaves for Fort Dix, for training, but is later stationed at Fort Polk, in Vernon Parish, LA. (thanks, @jesterlesbian!)

December 2, 1954 - the Senate censures McCarthy.

Summer or Fall 1956? - Tim's letter (that lucy burns) (ep 6)

Flashbacks, for context:

"Since he's giving up his apartment, Hawk insists on having a lair in the woods." // "I'm surprised that he finally agreed."

Lucy lets contractor go. // "Give me a baby."

Hawk is reading the Bristol Daily Courier, a paper located in Bristol, PA, a town in Bucks County, outside Philadelphia. I can't find any info on the one headline I can read though ("Heath Carlson breaks arws deadlock, locals proud"), so can't date this properly.

Lucy cleaning out Hawk's apartment, finds paperweight, sees Tim drop off letter.

"I went into the Army to get away from you. I thought time and distance would help. But it hasn't." If Tim sends the letter in summer 1956, it's been a year and a half since he enlisted.

Biggest question here: did lucy ask for a baby before or after she read Tim's letter??? the flashbacks don't answer this definitively.

October, 1956? - Lucy becomes pregnant with Jackson (see note under April 1957)

October 23 – November 4, 1956 - Hungarian Revolution of 1956

October 23, 1956 - April 30, 1957 - Hungarian Refugee Crisis

November 8, 1956 - Operation Safe Haven commences

President Eisenhower declared that 5,000 Hungarians would be awarded visa numbers remaining under the 1953 Refugee Relief Act

Spring 1957? - Tim sends telegram. It looks like 05-??-???? to me, which doesn't really make sense if McCarthy died on May 2nd, but it's hard to make out. or maybe telegrams used the date format dd-mm-yyyy.

April 1957? - Tim/Hawk first meeting, Lucy at least 5 (or 6? or 7?) months pregnant

You should feel your baby's first movements, called "quickening," between weeks 16 and 25 of your pregnancy. If this is your first pregnancy, you may not feel your baby move until closer to 25 weeks.

25 weeks ~= 6 months, and it still seems novel to her, so let's say she's approx. 6 months pregnant here.

May 2, 1957 - Joe McCarthy dies.

May 6, 1957 - McCarthy's funeral. Tim's first visit to Hawk's apartment (ep 8)

June 6, 1957 - Tim turns 27.

June or July, 1957 - Jackson born (based on dates above)

1958? - Kimberly is born. (estimated bc she looks the same age or older than Jackson, so assuming she's a year younger at most.)

August, 1965 - President Johnson signs a law making it a federal crime to destroy or mutilate [draft] cards.

October 15, 1965 -David Miller publicly burns his draft card, becoming the first person to be prosecuted under that law and a symbol of the growing movement against the war.

May 17, 1968 - the Catonsville Nine took 378 draft files from the draft board office in Catonsville, Maryland and burned them in the parking lot. (inspo for Tim & co. thanks @brokendrums!)

November 1968 - ep 6. Hawk is 48, Tim is 38, Jackson is 11.

based on this newspaper screenshot when Hawk is talking to Marcus on the phone about Tim

November 1968 - May 1970 (earliest) - Tim in prison. (he says in ep 7 he was in prison for a year and a half. this assumes he went to prison right away, but it could have been several months later if he was awaiting trial/sentencing.)

1970? - After prison, Tim moves to San Francisco and gets his counseling degree.

Mid-late 1970s - Tim earns his C-SWCM qualifications, requiring:

A Bachelor’s degree in social work from a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education

Documentation of at least three (3) years and 4,500 hours of paid, supervised, post-BSW professional experience in an organization or agency that provides case management services

Current state BSW-level license or an ASWB BSW-level exam passing score.

nb. because Tim already had his bachelors (from Fordham, majoring in history), I could see him entering a much-accelerated BSW program, transfering a lot of credits from his previous degree. That would give him maybe 2 more years of university, plus the required 3 years of post-BSW work = 5 years minimum before he earns that business card.

February 4, 1977 - Fleetwood Mac's album Rumours is released, including the 1970s Tim/Hawk anthem, Go Your Own Way

October, 1978 - Jackson dies

November 27, 1978 - Harvey Milk assassinated

May 22, 1979 - Harvey's 49th birthday (celebrated in ep 7)

1986 - ep 8

how long was Hawk in San Francisco? Timelines for the events below may be fudged in the show, bc I doubt he was there for 5 months.

March, 1986 - Roy Cohn's 60 Minutes interview, which the gang watches in ep 4.

April 15, 1986 - US bombs Libya. in the first episode you can hear reference to this on the radio, before Hawk leaves for San Francisco. (thanks @aliceinhorrorland93!)

July 27, 1986 - In California, Gov. George Deukmejian vetoes a bill that would have defined AIDS as a physical handicap calling for entitlement to protection under the state's civil rights laws.

August 2, 1986 - Roy Cohn dies (ep 8)

Late 1986? - the fundraising gala that Tim crashes, shortly after Cohn's death.

September 1986 - The State Legislature has passed another bill [in addition to the one vetoed on July 27]. Mr. Deukmejian, a Republican running for re-election, has indicated that he will probably veto the bill. (nb, this is likely the bill that Tim & co want to pressure the governor to sign).

October 11, 1987 - AIDS memorial quilt first displayed (ep 8)

this was a collaborative effort! many thanks to @ishipallthings for many of these details, as well as @startagainbuttercup , @alorchik, @itsalinh and others in the FT discord!

#fellow travelers #timeline #reference #i made this as comprehensive as i could but i would LOVE feedback/corrections #esp re: anything in 1956-1957 era #jackson's birth? and the date of that letter???

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zvaigzdelasas · 7 months

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U.S. and European officials have begun quietly talking to the Ukrainian government about what possible peace negotiations with Russia might entail to end the war, according to one current senior U.S. official and one former senior U.S. official familiar with the discussions. The conversations have included very broad outlines of what Ukraine might need to give up to reach a deal, the officials said. Some of the talks, which officials described as delicate, took place last month during a meeting of representatives from more than 50 nations supporting Ukraine, including NATO members, known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the officials said.

The discussions are an acknowledgment of the dynamics militarily on the ground in Ukraine and politically in the U.S. and Europe, officials said. They began amid concerns among U.S. and European officials that the war has reached a stalemate and about the ability to continue providing aid to Ukraine, officials said. Biden administration officials also are worried that Ukraine is running out of forces, while Russia has a seemingly endless supply, officials said. Ukraine is also struggling with recruiting and has recently seen public protests about some of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s open-ended conscription requirements. And there is unease in the U.S. government with how much less public attention the war in Ukraine has garnered since the Israel-Hamas war began nearly a month ago, the officials said. Officials fear that shift could make securing additional aid for Kyiv more difficult. [...]

Officials also have privately said Ukraine likely only has until the end of the year or shortly thereafter before more urgent discussions about peace negotiations should begin. U.S. officials have shared their views on such a timeline with European allies, officials said.[...]

"Manpower is at the top of the administration’s concerns right now,” one said. The U.S. and its allies can provide Ukraine with weaponry, this person said, “but if they don’t have competent forces to use them it doesn’t do a lot of good”[...]

The Biden administration does not have any indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate with Ukraine, two U.S. officials said. Western officials say Putin still believes he can “wait out the West,” or keep fighting until the U.S. and its allies lose domestic support for funding Ukraine or the struggle to supply Kyiv with weapons and ammunition becomes too costly, officials said. [...]

The Biden administration has spent $43.9 billion on security assistance for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, according to the Pentagon. A U.S. official says the administration has about $5 billion left to send to Ukraine before money runs out. There would be no aid left for Ukraine if the administration hadn’t said it found a $6.2 billion accounting error from months of over-valuing equipment sent to Kyiv.[...]

A Gallup poll released this week shows decreasing support for sending additional aid to Ukraine, with 41% of Americans saying the U.S. is doing too much to help Kyiv. That’s a significant change from just three months ago when 24% of Americans said they felt that way. The poll also found that 33% of Americans think the U.S. is doing the right amount for Ukraine, while 25% said the U.S. is not doing enough.

Public sentiment toward assisting Ukraine is also starting to soften in Europe. [...]

Administration officials expect Ukraine to want more time to fight on the battlefield, particularly with new, heavier equipment, “but there’s a growing sense that it’s too late, and it’s time to do a deal,” the former senior administration official said. It is not certain that Ukraine would mount another spring offensive.

3 Nov 23

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odinsblog · 3 months

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“I sometimes hear people say that Russia was forced to attack Ukraine because Ukrainians wanted to join NATO. Those people also often say that NATO promised it would not expand to the East, but later broke this promise. And this, allegedly, is the reason why Russia keeps attacking its neighbors.

If you have ever heard people say something like that, please know that this is not true. And it will take me less than five minutes to prove with facts that both statements are false.

First, let's have a look at the timeline of events.

Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2014 by occupying the Crimea peninsula. At that moment, Ukraine was a neutral country by law and expressed no intention of joining NATO whatsoever. For instance, during the Revolution of Dignity, the protesters insisted on Ukraine joining the EU, not NATO. It was only in autumn 2014, after many months of war, that Ukraine abandoned neutrality.

So what came first? Russia attacking Ukraine, or Ukraine wanting to join NATO?

The answer is clear.

Had Russia not threatened Ukraine's existence, there would be no reason for our country to seek collective security. So please do not repeat the lie that, I quote, “Russia attacked because Ukraine wanted to join NATO,” end of quote. This does not correspond with the facts.

Now let's have a look at the story of NATO allegedly promising not to expand to the East.

If you ask people who say this, when exactly, such a promise was made and who made it, most of them will not be able to provide a clear answer. Spoiler, because no such promise has ever been made and the whole story is a Russian fairy tale.

Those more sophisticated will tell you that the promise was made to the President of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev. They may even refer to the 1990 U.S.-Soviet negotiations on the reunification of Germany. Again, let’s consider the timeline.

In summer 1990, when these talks were held, the Soviet analog of NATO, the Warsaw Pact, still existed. Its dissolution, let alone the Soviet Union's dissolution, was not on the cart. No one even talked about it or imagined it. It was only next year, in 1991 that the Warsaw Pact, and later the USSR, quite unexpectedly ceased to exist.

Now explain to me just how the very issue could be even discussed in the summer of 1990. It is not surprising that Mikhail Gorbachev later himself refuted this falsehood. When asked by a journalist whether any such promise had been made, he said this was a myth.

Now let's look at it from another perspective. How could NATO even promise anything like that?

Initially, it is not NATO that decides which country joins it. Countries themselves need to want it. And actually, the membership criteria are very difficult. It requires a lot of political will and reform. All the NATO members that joined it after 1991, really wanted to be part of it.

Their people wanted this.

And here comes the most uncomfortable question for Russia: Why were all of the nations that had been part of the Soviet Union or the Socialist bloc so eager and desperate to join NATO?

Well, maybe because in three decades, Russia has invaded or incited war in at least three of its neighbors, Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. At the same time, Russia has not dared to invade any of its NATO neighbors.

Do you see the pattern?

The only reason for countries in the vicinity of Russia to seek NATO membership has always been and remains the need to protect their people from Russia.

Therefore, Moscow has only itself to blame for the fact that all of the central European and Baltic nations ran away from it and hid under the NATO umbrella as quickly as they could.

Do not let Russian officials or their supporters in the West fool you. Russia attacked Ukraine not because NATO expanded to the East, or because Ukraine wanted to join NATO. Russia attacked because it denies Ukraine's right to exist and wants to conquer our land and kill our people. It is through our shared strength that we can and must stop Russia and put an end to its aggressive plans for the rest of Europe.

For this to happen, keep supporting Ukraine and don't buy Russian lies.”

👉🏿 https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2014/11/06/did-nato-promise-not-to-enlarge-gorbachev-says-no/

👉🏿 https://www.tumblr.com/odinsblog/686191406300184576/appeasement-does-not-work-appeasement-didnt

👉🏿 https://www.tumblr.com/odinsblog/684530801484922880/believing-putins-reasons-for-invading-ukraine

👉🏿 https://www.tumblr.com/odinsblog/742088177664344064/violated-agreements-1991-russia-cosigns

#politics #ukraine #russia #dmytro kuleba #russian propaganda #nato #russian colonialism #nato expansion #russian imperialism #mikhail gorbachev #russia is a terrorist state #warsaw pact #russian expansion #russian fascism ☭#soviet union #tankies #vladimir putin is a war criminal #baltic states #🇺🇦

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artbyblastweave · 3 months

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It's so funny how Cap just COINCIDENTALLY seems to be physically unable to go through a SINGLE Republican presidency without having a crisis of faith that causes him to not be Cap anymore. Nomad with Nixon. USAgent with Reagan. Death and Buckycap with Bush, then HydraCap with Trump. I like to think him dying was the universe's way of identifying "...well he doesn't seem to be changing yet. Better balance this out real quick"

This is true, and moreover this ask dovetails nicely with another Cappost I've been thinking about making. Given the sliding timeline, who should we assume was in charge of the Secret Empire?

Loose, possibly at-least-partially misremembered background for those who weren't aware of this batshit plot point- In the early seventies, concurrent with Watergate, Captain America shut down a scheme by a neofascist group called the Secret Empire to, I dunno, hold the country hostage with a mutant-powered nuke or something, the specifics aren't important, what's important is that Cap cornered the leader of the group in the Oval Office, where he killed himself to avoid capture, and you never get to see the guy's face but it was all but directly stated that the Leader was Richard Nixon attempting a Coup D'état (possibly to get out of being prosecuted for Watergate?). This shakes Cap up pretty badly and he temporarily retired the Cap identity in order to operate as Nomad, The Man Without A Country, it was a whole crisis of conscience situation. Anyway, the whole situation is still vaguely implicitly canon, they refer to the Secret Empire, and there have been successor heroes who've taken up the Nomad identity after Cap got out of the funk. But It also can't have been Nixon who killed himself in front of Cap due to the sliding time scale- the rule of thumb for Marvel is that it's generally only been about 15-20 years at most since the Fantastic Four did their thing, which does hilarious things to the worldbuilding. My understanding is that you're supposed to assume that if the president is depicted in a marvel story you need to just mentally "swap in whoever would have been president 10-15 years before the present day, but given the specificity of this situation that quickly gets insane. Did Bush kill himself in front of Captain America to escape the consequences of the 2008 recession? Did Obama?! Was it just not a president at all at this point- in which case, why did Cap react badly enough to quit and become Nomad? And so on, and so forth. They basically gotta memory hole it, but I will not let them forget! Cap saw a U.S. President off themselves! But to tie this back to Civilwarposting- what I think about a lot is that from a worldbuilding perspective the actual political moment that generated Civil War is perpetually in flux. This is true of every Marvel comic but it's especially notable here because of the extent to which the comic itself is emphasizing the political moment and what created it. It's a Bush-era comic, a reaction to the politics and the rhetoric of the War on Terror and the post-9/11 years, Bush actually personally appears in it. But if it hasn't already, eventually it's going to have implicitly been pushed through Congress during the Obama Administration, and then during the Trump Admin, and then during the Biden Admin, and so on and so forth, and like. setting aside that there's already an entire swath of the marvel timeline that's very blatantly trump-admin-coded, produced in reaction to that atmosphere, The situations and arguments and rhetoric and battle lines that would have gotten that bill through each of those admins looks very different each time! And I'm not gonna say it's interesting to see how they'll resolve this, because they won't resolve it, they don't need to, they're politely asking everyone to let this one go and that's not the biggest ask these comics make of me, so fine. Whatever. But it's very very funny

#thoughts #meta #marvel comics #ask #asks

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quotesfrommyreading · 1 year

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Fate has placed Taiwan and Ukraine in similar positions. Both have giant neighbors who once ruled them as imperial possessions. Both have undergone democratic transformations and have thus become an ideological danger to the autocrats who covet their territory. Just as Putin has made the erasure of Ukraine’s sovereignty central to his political project, Xi has vowed to unify China and Taiwan, by force if necessary. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned in October that China may be working on a “much faster timeline” for dealing—somehow—with Taiwan. U.S. military and intelligence leaders have pointed to 2027 as a potential time frame for an invasion, believing that China’s military modernization will have advanced sufficiently by then.

— Taiwan Wants China to Think Twice About an Invasion

#ben rhodes #taiwan wants china to think twice about an invasion #current events #politics #taiwanese politics #chinese politics #imperialism #intelligence #russo-ukrainian war #2022 russian invasion of ukraine #taiwan #ukraine #china #russia #antony blinken

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justinspoliticalcorner · 1 month

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Jay Kuo at The Big Picture:

In 2020, Trump launched his Big Lie about a stolen U.S. election. Through a conspiracy among Democrats, foreign countries, and nefarious, shadowy bad actors including innocent voting machine and voting software companies, so the theory went, Joe Biden had managed to switch millions of votes and win his election illegally, making him an illegitimate president. It was such an audacious, almost laughable lie that historians and political scientists dubbed it Trump’s “Big Lie”—one so outrageous and so stunning in its implications that it somehow has to be true, at least in the minds of his followers. Now, in 2024, Trump is back at it again. On top of his original Big Lie, Trump is now pushing a 2024 version for the upcoming election: that illegal immigrants will be voting in numbers by the millions, rendering any result other than a Trump victory yet another fraud upon the American people.

Undocumented migrants aren’t allowed to vote in this country, and there are already laws on the books covering that. And there have been very few documented cases of non-citizens voting, certainly not enough to change the outcome of a national election. Nevertheless, recently House Speaker Mike Johnson made a pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago to stand beside Donald Trump and proclaim that they were united in their resolve to pass a new law to prevent non-citizens from voting, never mind that there’s already such a law on the books and that such fraud rarely ever happens. Their actions are of course performative, meant to plant dangerous seeds that could grow into even more dangerous lies. In today’s piece, I’ll explore this newest attack and how Trump is hoping to spin it into The Big Lie 2024 style.

Existing law already outlaws non-citizen voting

Last week, when Speaker Mike Johnson traveled to Mar-a-Lago to seek Trump’s support, it felt eerily familiar. It’s become a rite of passage for GOP House Speakers to make the journey to bend the knee to Trump. We all remember the photo of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy standing supportively by Trump just months after the deadly attack on the Capitol that Trump helped incite. Like McCarthy, Johnson’s speakership hangs by a thread these days, with the far right ready to decapitate yet another GOP leader for having failed to toe the line, this time for Russia by denying critical aid to Ukraine. Trump’s support of Johnson came with a price, of course, because Trump is always transactional in his dealings. In this case, it was a pledge by Johnson to support a bill to clamp down on the alleged crisis in non-citizen voting. [...]

What the right claims about “illegal” immigrant voting

The idea that millions of undocumented migrants will cast ballots in 2024 and help steal the election for Biden is objectively far-fetched. But it taps into far deeper fears of brown- and black-skinned people taking over America in something broadly known as the Great Replacement Theory. The Great Replacement Theory is a racist ideology that falsely warns that migrants who don’t speak our language and don’t share our values are deliberately being let into the U.S. so that Jews and other Democrats can turn them into millions of future voters. This process will allegedly displace “white” Americans politically and economically. Right-wing amplifiers of this include Tucker Carlson (formerly of Fox News) and Elon Musk, owner of the X platform. This is by no means a recent theory. Waves of immigrants from Ireland, Italy and Eastern Europe sparked the same unfounded fears and conspiracies in the 19th and 20th centuries with respect to the “replacement” of more established “Northern European” Americans. But recent conspiracies around migrants have shortened the timeline of the Great Replacement and are warning that the hordes of desperate asylum seekers crossing into America now will be deployed this November to unlawfully tip the election to Biden.

[...]

It’s crucial to call this out and push back

When Trump began attacking mail-in voting in 2020, claiming falsely and without evidence that mailed ballots were vulnerable, easily tampered with, and unreliable, it should have clued us in that he would reject the results of the 2020 election if they were unfavorable to him. We also should have known that Trump would exploit the “red mirage” created when Election Day ballots, which would favor the GOP, were counted before the mailed ballots, which would favor the Democrats. Trump would go on to demand that the vote counting stop while he was still ahead, even though millions of mailed ballots remained to be counted. We now already know that a main attack by Trump and the MAGA GOP will be upon the ballot counts, particularly in battleground states with high numbers of migrants whom he will claim voted illegally by the millions. This necessitates preemptive action.

Donald Trump, GOP politicians, and right-wing media commentators are pushing the lie that noncitizen voters will get Joe Biden re-elected, never mind the fact that noncitizens aren’t allowed to vote in federal elections. This is part of the right-wing’s white nationalist “great replacement” theory shtick.

See Also:

MMFA: Right-wing media figures are citing a Spanish-language flyer of dubious origin as evidence that Democrats are importing new voters to “rig” elections

#Noncitizen Voting #Donald Trump #Mike Johnson #Voter Fraud #2024 Elections #2024 Presidential Election #Undocumented Immigrants #The Big Lie #Anti Immigrant Bigotry #Great Replacement Theory

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belumiller · 13 days

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╔─────┨ ۞ ┠─────╗

THEORY: MOTHER OF THE BROTHERS (KUAI LIANG AND BI-HAN):

It is important to remember that what I will write on this occasion is a theory that does not seek to de-canonize canonical events or to confirm anything. I simply do it to pass the time. However, I emphasize the fact that the theories I make seek to respect dialogues and/or events. Even so I do not seek to have the truth in this.

A theory seeks to explain plot holes, it must be explained with respect to such event or occurrence, which is why this can be long.

⚠️ WARNING: LOTS OF TEXT.

~Belumiller.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR MOTHER?

The theory would start with the whereabouts of his mother. For those who don't know about her, this character had a mention for the first time in MK Conquest and then in MK9 with a brief mention and in the series a story. Being that this character is always dead, so we never got to know her more in depth. She only has a brief image in the Sub-Zero trailer to promote the release of MK9 in 2011 where she tells her biography, since every trailer they released showed a brief biography to cover holes. In the trailer for this one, she is shown next to what it would be like to be their father. To my eye looking closely at the trailer, I have an observation....

The sources provided a clear difference between how the siblings felt about their father. For Kuai Liang, this man was a beloved father and an authority figure around whom he built his life. For Bi-Han the father (Imitating him in mourning his brother) was a source of frustration and limitation with which he disagreed. Bi-Han and Thomas definitely had a more complex relationship with their father than with Kuai Liang.

Before I delve into this relationship thing, I would like to point out one small detail observed while researching this new universe:

~So far there is no direct mention that the mother was actually the wife of the Grandmaster. She is only referred to as the mother or a relative, which makes sense, because her importance is related to the brothers, not their father, so it would be strange if Bi-Han, Thomas or Kuai Liang spoke of her as "the Grandmaster's wife". At the same time, the lack of implication of the marriage bond between father and mother and how this is referenced in the obscure original timeline reference:

Before I delve into this relationship thing, I would like to point out one small detail observed while researching this new universe:

"Born in the USA, Sub-Zero was the eldest of three siblings, which included a brother and a sister. Their mother wanted a normal life for her children, who have already been chosen by the Lin Kuei to become clan warriors. She tried in vain to hide them from their father, whose own life in the U.S. was only a cover for his true identity and purpose. Eventually they were found and his father returned with them to his homeland. He never saw or heard from his mother and sister again."

Because of this, I decided not to describe her as the wife or supposed wife of the Grandmaster and to limit myself to the terms provided by the sources of mother, father and fighter Lin Kuei, so in advance I regret the repetition of those words. At the same time, this specific way of including the mother in the story of Bi-Han, Thomas and Kuai Liang creates the possibility of a more complicated relationship, both between siblings and their parents and between mother and father alone. And as a result, the whole internal politics of the Lin Kuei, as we get a sense of its complexity due to Cyrax and Sektor's loyalty to Bi-Han that threatens Kuai Liang's birthright to the title of Grandmaster. With that in mind, here are some of my thoughts and conclusions about the mother and her children:

Let's start with Kuai Liang. There is no doubt that he respected and cared deeply about his father's teachings. As he hopefully demonstrated in the previous part, there is solid reason to believe that the loss of a beloved father affected Scorpion to the point that grief influenced his behavior (imitating his father) and, consequently, his relationship with his siblings (barely talking to them if he didn't involve the father or the tradition until Bi-Han's betrayal). Which this one expressed a burning anger towards Sub-Zero for letting his father die.

Kuai Liang does not seem to have the same emotional bond with his mother.

Of course, both Kuai Liang and Bi-Han mention the mother first in their introductory dialogues:

A: Which says a lot about her upbringing.

B: It differs from some mentions of the father.

But in Scorpion's introduction there is almost nothing truly personal about his bond with his mother, or his personal feelings about Lin Kuei duty, especially compared to those centered on the previous Grandmaster.

So these two points may be valid but I'm not confirming anything. They are just two theories....

Now, from the timeline of MK9 and MK11 no more is known about his mother, except for some dialogues of Bi-Han (Noob Saibot) which is as follows:

NOOB SAIBOT: You disappoint me.

SUB-ZERO: The feeling is mutual, brother.

NOOB SAIBOT: Mother would be so proud.

Clear example that his mother would be proud of Bi-Han in this case. Which means that apparently he had a deep affection and connection with her, but in a very overrated way, being a point that through his mother he learned to be good, that is to say that the qualities we know of the original Bi-Han (that is, the one from Mortal Kombat Mythologies) were forged by this woman. These qualities Bi-Han would lose them as the tragedies in his life progressed. However, these teachings were marked in Kuai Liang. For Kuai Liang confirms that he only defends the principles that Bi-Han had before. Being the principles of his mother. So I imply with this that this female character was good.

NEW TIMELINE (MORTAL KOMBAT 1):

DIALOGUE 1:

Now, in this dialogue Thomas (Smoke) gives confirmation that his mother is dead and that she once existed. Which gives confirmation again that she would be proud of Bi-Han, thus giving a resemblance to the dialogue of MK11 (I will deepen this soon) according to other dialogues, The mother of these is said to have a resemblance to Li Mei.

Here is the dialogue:

Li Mei: I remind you of your mother.

Smoke (Thomas): No-nonsense and tough as nails, Just like her.

This dialogue would "give" in quotation marks that her mother has a resemblance to Li Mei's personality. But I don't know if he mentions his biological mother or the mother of the siblings. But it would not be a discarded theory, since Thomas lost his parents when he was a child, and he mentions the Lin Kuei as his only family, being that maybe he has no memories about his childhood, so I can't give with certainty that this theory will be true, and it should only be grasped between tweezers.

Personally I assume he meant the adoptive one, since according to the tower ending of this one he lived with the Lin Kuei family for about 15 years. Logically to think he would have clearer memories of her than of the biological father he lost in his childhood. Of course, we have no idea when and how his Lin Kuei mother passed away, but if I am correct, Thomas is providing vital insight into what kind of person she was. As Thomas said, "a tough, level-headed woman" and that fits perfectly with the image of an excellent fighter Lin Kuei. Because frankly, Bi-Han and Kuai Liang also easily fit that description. As you might expect, most Lin Kuei warriors do.

Another thing to note is that Thomas does not identify the adoptive mother with kindness, comfort or warmth or anything that most people usually associate mothers with. Of course, this doesn't mean that his adoptive mother didn't love him or was a bad mother, but it may give us an idea of what it felt like to grow up in a clan focused primarily on training warriors. A purpose that definitely affected how people interacted with each other and what was expected of the children.

However, what is most interesting about Thomas considering Li Mei to be similar to an adoptive mother is the fact that, of all the possible fighters, he identifies the mother as a woman forced and molded by the Umgadi servitude system, but who found her true purpose outside of said system.

Dialogue:

Kitana: Resuming your old role is a waste of material.

Li Mei: Being first Constable is my first, best destiny.

Dialogue:

Liu Kang: I hear the Umgadi want you back.

Li Mei: I prefer to remain first constable.

CODE AND STRUCTURE OF THE UMGADI AND LIN KUEI:

I know that this topic of world building in the Lin Kuei clan, the knowledge of that clan along with the tradition that shaped them Kuai Liang and Bi-Han I should talk about in more depth. But it is something I will talk about in another thread, I promise.

Here I will talk about the similarities of both the Umgadi system and Lin Kuei, as there is evidence in both the story mode and dialogues that they have certain parallels.

Now, that Bi-Han and Kuai Liang are survivors of great psychological and physical abuse is most certainly true for previous timelines, however, just because the Lin Kuei now falls under the authority of Liu Kang, it does not automatically erase the possibility of both brothers experiencing things that no child should experience. To better illustrate my point, let's take a moment and look at the system of Empress Sindel and the Umgadi.

Sindel in general is presented as the ruler who does not seek open conflict with Earthrealm and whom Liu Kang openly admires. As the god of fire himself said, Sindel was destined to "rule Outworld firmly, but justly", and it is her rule that brings peace to Outworld, as otherwise it would be to enter into conflict.

Liu Kang in story mode: His past has been difficult. Although the last thousand years of Empress Sindel's reign have been a truly golden age...memories of that struggle still linger. Along with Sindel's biography "Her first reign marked the beginning of a new golden age".

That's what the character biography and the main story directly say or imply about Sindel.

But then the introductory dialogues bring a different side of the beloved queen. People infected with the Tarkat disease are exiled and their property confiscated by Sindel's edict.

Dialogue:

Kitana: When you became ill, your assets were taken?

Baraka: As required by your mother's edict, princess.

And, consequently, forced to die slowly in poverty, far from healthy citizens. Those who sympathize with the suffering infected people and do not "denounce them to quarantine" are treated as criminals, as seen when Li Mei and his men interrupted the procession of the Royal Family as they led the people and tied them up.

The mistreatment of the infected, according to the endings of Mileena and Baraka, would be improved by the new empress, who not only lends a hand to the suffering but would go so far as to reveal her own illness to reduce the social stigma against the sick. Mileena is seen as impulsive, violent and not the best material for a queen compared to Sindel, the supposedly wise and kind ruler, or even her younger sister, Kitana. But it is the bold empress who would really make an effort to improve her empire.

Similar things can be said about the Umgadi system, which forces Outworld families to give up their firstborn daughters for training that will turn their daughters into living weapons to defend the rule of the Royal Family.

Liu Kang in story mode: The Umgadi, like Tanya, are warrior priestesses...selected from the firstborn daughters of Outworld. From childhood, they are trained to defend the Royal Family.

The daughters in question will never know their biological family or where they were born to ensure their absolute loyalty to the Royal Family, although not all candidates will complete their training. Once they obtain the title of Umgadi, they cannot marry or have a relationship, nor do we even have any idea if they are paid anything for their service. So far, Li Mei is the only known woman to leave the Umgadi, and she did so because of the death of Sindel's husband, for which she was unfairly blamed. And again, the related material implies that the change to the Umgadi system will come about thanks to Mileena, who is willing to reform an organization that is deeply rooted with Edenian tradition, not the "kind and good" Queen Sindel.

So, just because a character is on the side of the good guys, doesn't mean that said character is crystallinely good and without any flaws or that breaking with tradition is inherently evil, because tradition alone is just a system of beliefs and practices. Or behaviors established in the past and passed down from one generation to the next within a group of people or society and not a determinant of being good or bad.

Now, the important thing: The Umgadi and the Lin Kuei are very similar organizations. The similarities are especially true for the ancient Lin Kuei timelines, as we have more or less an idea of what the training adepts looked like through the ages. However, what we learned through the sources about Liu Kang's version of the clan still brings many parallels to the Umgadi, and I think we can all agree that, objectively speaking, the Umgadi system is very unfair to the firstborn daughters and only benefits the Royal Family.

Through the story mode and the introductory dialogues, Liu Kang does not question the nature of the Umgadi system. Quite the contrary, the introduction between Geras and Tanya suggests that the Umgadi was Liu Kang's innovation.

Here is the dialogue:

Geras: The Umgadi was one of Liu Kang's best innovations.

Tanya: My order sprung from his mind?.

A man who sees nothing wrong with enrolling little girls in endless servitude to the Royal Family, thinking logically, will not question the process of turning the Lin Kuei into warriors nor the nature of their duty.

In earlier timelines, Bi-Han and Kuai Liang as children were kidnapped and forced to live a life of assassination by their own father (original timeline) or an unspecified member of the Lin Kuei, presumably their grandfather (alternate timeline). Their choice was to adapt to these hardships or die, so they survived and both became great warriors in their own right.

Which the fandom has been divided over their brotherhood for years. Even down to Bi-Han's "evil" personality. Which I believe is not about one brother being inherently good and the other inherently evil. For their development is the result of the abusive environment in which they grew up. Surviving great abuse and pathology more than anything else.

Now, in Liu Kang's timeline, Bi-Han and Kuai Liang were born into a place of power, as they are both sons of the Grandmaster. Sub-Zero as the eldest, was to inherit leadership once his father passed away, or possibly, abdicated. So, in theory, the fire god improved the lives of both brothers. However, like the previous one, both men were given no choice, as the Lin Kuei clan is bound to serve Earthrealm while their existence was kept secret.

Liu Kang's words: "The Lin Kuei is a centuries-old clan dedicated to the defense of Earthrealm," while Bi-Han's biography adds: "As Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, Sub-Zero leads his ancient warrior clan in defending Earthrealm from external threats. For centuries, it has been his solemn task" and this is the tradition that will define Bi-Han and Kuai Liang's entire lives. For they, as children of the Grandmaster, were expected to maintain and continue that service.

There are no complete pictures of what the daily life or training of the Lin Kuei looks like in the Liu Kang timeline, but the sources give an idea. And then we have examples of the story mode:

Scorpion to Kung Lao: "We’re trained differently. It Takes years to master oír ways”.

Along with an introductory dialogue:

Bi-Han: "Lin Kuei are trained from childhood."

Confirming that both brothers were prepared for their role as Earth Defenders (Liu Kang's Special Forces) since they were children. Scorpion's words alone provide another vital insight, as "We train differently" is what distinguishes both brothers from Liu Kang's chosen champions. We got a glimpse of that during the Lin Kuei's mission in Ying Fortress, as both Sub-Zero and Scorpion didn't hesitate to kill their foe and Kuai Liang's "rage attack" illustrates well how brutal the Lin Kuei can be in a fight.

NEXT PART TWO ⏩

#bi han #mortal kombat #netherrealm studios #mother #family #lin kuei #kuai liang #smoke #father #video games #fighting games #theory

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griseldagimpel · 7 months

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U.S. Presidential Elections: It's Not the General Election Right Now

Alright. So I'm seeing two different types of posts on my timeline, both premised on the idea that the U.S. general presidential election will be Joe Biden vs Donald Trump.

In essence, the arguments are, "Vote Biden because it's hard to work to oppose a genocide abroad if you're being genocided at home." And then other is, "That sounds less like a functional democracy and more like a protection racket."

Now, here's the thing: we're not in General Election Time. We aren't even officially in Primary Election Time. The general presidential election is a year from now, but the genocide in Palestine is happening right now.

Right now, what we need - strategically speaking - is for Biden's poll numbers to crater.

Because, look, that's what's going to convince Biden to change his position. There's natural resources in Palestine, right? And for the U.S., that's what this is about.

So what we Americans need to do is scare the shit out of not only Biden but any Democrat who might be president one day. We need to persuaded them that being pro-genocide is political suicide.

I don't want Biden to be able to take a shit without the top thing on his mind being that his constituents are furious with him and that his reelection chances are in danger.

If you can attend a campaign event of his? Go and hold up a Free Palestine sign. If you get called for a political poll, say that you aren't voting for him. Even if you will If it comes down to Biden vs. Trump! You are allowed to lie to pollsters to stop a genocide.

And keep sending Biden emails and letters and phone calls demanding a ceasefire.

Biden isn't a lot of things, but one thing he is is malleable. We just need to keep applying the heat.

#Politics #israel palestine conflict #elections #U.s. general presidential election #Joe Biden

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grits-galraisedinthesouth · 4 months

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President Trump Special Counsel “Election Interference Case” in DC Suspended Indefinitely

February 2, 2024

In the ridiculous federal election interference case in D.C., President Trump’s attorneys argued to the DC Circuit appellate court that President Trump holds inherent constitutional immunity. In essence, because President Trump was acquitted by the Senate of claims he incited or instigated the January 6, 2021, events, lawyers arguing under the constitution that only impeached and removed presidents can be criminally prosecuted.

From the Comments:

The initial 3-judge panel of the court has taken up the appeal, and all subsequent lower court activity was suspended until the constitutional issue is resolved. Again, if President Trump does not have immunity, then all preceding and future presidents can be criminally prosecuted for any/all events and decisions while holding office. This is a core issue, and the DC Circuit Court of Appeals has to tread very carefully with these ramifications at the forefront.

The decision of the 3-judge panel could also be followed by a full en-banc review by all judges in the circuit. Then, depending on their decision, it could -likely will- go even higher to the U.S. Supreme Court. All of this takes time, and the initial 3-judge appeals court have not provided any hints on their timeline.

Apparently, as a consequence, the entire trial of the case has been removed from the lower DC court docket. The removal took place within the last few days, and the Washington Post noticed the removal. This removal means the timing of the case, if at all, is completely unknown now.

WASHINGTON – Former president Donald Trump’s March 4 trial date on charges of plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election has been dropped from the public calendar of the federal court in Washington, a sign of what has long been anticipated — that his claim of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution would delay his trial while it remains on appeal.

The change did not appear on the official criminal case docket before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, who has made clear since Trump filed his appeal on Dec. 7 that all trial deadlines would be suspended while he challenges the case. On appeal, Trump is arguing that the government does not have authority under the Constitution to bring charges against him for actions he took while president after the 2020 election through the Jan. 6, 2021. (read more)

In addition to the challenges within these core issues, the Lawfare approach by Jack Smith, Mary McCord and Andrew Weissmann, faces multiple additional hurdles. These are all issues that surface when Lawfare, the application of twisted legal theory intended to manipulate public opinion, runs into the reality of ever-increasing scrutiny from courts.

Combine these fraudulent legal theories with the reality that President Trump’s status is almost certainly “presumptive presidential nominee” in the eyes of the entire judicial branch, and things change. The pretending justification for the Lawfare claims now hit the non-pretending and visible reality of political intent.

The judicial scrutiny gets even more focused, and the explanations demanded as justifications to target President Trump increase. As the calendar of the November election gets closer Jack, Mary and Andrew will have to rely on ideologically aligned black robes to maintain their Lawfare pretense. Some of the robes will not be comfortable with the demands of Jack, Mary and Andrew.

Some of the robes may not pretend, and that poses a problem for Jack, Mary and Andrew.

#lawfare #political persecution #free Trump #dirty cops #jack smith #show trials

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dertaglichedan · 1 month

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2nd Democrat Congressman Sued For Defamation By Ex-Biden Associate Tony Bobulinski

Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),

A U.S. congressman is being sued for allegedly defaming a former associate of the Bidens who claims to have personally met with President Joe Biden. The lawsuit was filed on April 22.

Tony Bobulinski is suing Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) over his claims that Mr. Bobulinski, a military veteran, is a Russian or Chinese spy, after Mr. Raskin ignored demands to retract these claims.

Mr. Bobulinski worked for years with President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and the president’s brother, James Biden. He has told the FBI and, more recently, members of Congress that he met with President Biden, that Hunter Biden would seek his father’s approval and advice on business deals, and that messages between himself and others indicate that President Biden, when vice president, was involved in the family’s business dealings.

“Joe Biden was more than a participant in and beneficiary of his family’s business; he was an active, aware enabler who met with business associates such as myself to further the business, despite being buffered by a complex scheme to maintain plausible deniability,” Mr. Bobulinski testified in March.

Mr. Raskin soon after appeared on MSNBC and said that Mr. Bobulinski and other witnesses that have come forward during the U.S. House of Representatives impeachment inquiry against President Biden are either a Chinese spy or Russian spy.

“And none of them has laid a glove on Joe Biden because he hasn’t done anything wrong,” Mr. Raskin said, adding later that “the only crimes we’ve identified are by their own witnesses.”

Mr. Raskin also posted a statement on social media platform X in which he called Mr. Bobulinski a “political pawn” of former President Donald Trump and said Mr. Bobulinski had been “unable to support his claims against President Biden with any evidence.”

Mr. Raskin has also accused Mr. Bobulinski of collaborating with President Trump’s campaign.

“Each of the statements is unequivocally false,” the new suit, filed in Maryland, states.

Mr. Bobulinski has paid for his own legal fees and is not affiliated with President Trump’s campaign, according to the filing. It also says he has never lied about his experience with the Biden family and has provided evidence, including emails and other messages, backing his statements.

Mr. Raskin “deliberately and maliciously made these statements, outside the scope of his employment, in an attempt to discredit Mr. Bobulinski’s testimony and to besmirch Mr. Bobulinski’s character,” the suit states. “It was a mistake for defendant to believe he was cloaked with immunity for his defamatory statements.”

A demand to retract the statements was ignored, according to the filing.

*** BURN BABY BURN!!

Who wore it better?

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mariacallous · 2 months

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In November, I met Hamas-held hostage Liri Albag’s father, Eli Albag, in Tel Aviv. As he sat in the middle of Begin Road holding a picture of his 19-year-old daughter, he said he backed the government’s military campaign to put pressure on Hamas. “Do you think Hamas would let go of hostages on their own?” But Albag seems to have run out of patience. In late March, in an ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he told the local press that the families would no longer hold rallies but gather on the streets, joining an expanding anti-Netanyahu protest movement.

The trouble is that while hostages’ families see the return of their relatives and Hamas’s removal from their neighborhood as victory—in that order—many have long known that those two war aims have been at odds. But Netanyahu has deliberately prioritized the elimination of Hamas over the release of the hostages since the beginning of the military campaign without actually having a coherent plan to achieve either.

The prime minister increasingly stands accused by military analysts, and a growing portion of the Israeli public, of merely reacting to events while lacking a vision that could end the war, free the hostages, and usher in any semblance of peace.

Yet he remains indignant. In response to the protests, Netanyahu said that in “the moment before victory,” early elections would “paralyze” the country and only benefit Hamas. He has now set his eyes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where more than a million Palestinians have sought shelter. Any such attack will not only cause international outrage but make negotiations with Hamas much harder.

Soon after Hamas rampaged through Israeli towns and kibbutzim on Oct. 7, 2023, and killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 250, Netanyahu declared war. The underlying message to hostage families was that the bombing of Gaza would pressure Hamas into releasing its captives and at the same time eliminate the group.

But he skirted more fundamental questions over exactly how he intended to eliminate a group that has massive public support not just inside Gaza and other Palestinian territories but also bases in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere. According to an annual threat assessment compiled by U.S. intelligence, Israel could face years of resistance from Hamas, an assessment backed by two senior Israeli security officials who spoke with Foreign Policy.

Even if, after years of counterinsurgency operations, Israeli security forces manage to destroy the group in Gaza, what about future reincarnations? Even if the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) destroy Hamas’s offshoots over an even longer period of time, how would Netanyahu eliminate the idea of armed resistance without a political solution on the horizon?

“We have destroyed 18 out of the total 24 battalions of Hamas, but how far are we from eliminating the group? That is a big question,” a senior security official told Foreign Policy on the condition of anonymity. “We can eliminate Hamas, but we don’t have a timeline, and, yes, other groups can emerge.”

Israel’s military operations inside Gaza have significantly damaged Hamas’s infrastructure and military capabilities, but they haven’t guaranteed peace. The fact that Israel’s world-renowned defense forces and security services haven’t managed to nab the two masterminds of the Oct. 7 attack—Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar, who are still hiding somewhere in Gaza’s crevices—is telling of the country’s limitations and the support that Hamas’s leadership still receives.

In February, when Netanyahu finally announced the outline of a plan, it was scant on details, quickly dismissed as a “non-plan” by an Israeli expert who described it as “untethered from reality,” and more than anything else sounded like a road map to reoccupy Gaza.

Netanyahu said he wants “security control” of Gaza for the foreseeable future and will only allow reconstruction once the area has been completely demilitarized. He wants Palestinians to be deradicalized and has ruled out recognition of Palestinian statehood. Any agreement, he said, would only be reached “through direct negotiations” between Israelis and Palestinians, but he hasn’t offered any timeline. According to reports, the plan circulated states that the civilian administration in postwar Gaza would be run by non-Hamas nonhostile local elements.

At first glance, it makes sense to Israelis who are understandably terrified after Hamas’s brutal attack and want to live in safety. But on closer scrutiny, it doesn’t add up. For starters, Netanyahu hasn’t clarified if he is going to depute Israeli boots on the ground for an indefinite period or wants unimpeded Israeli access to the strip as and when required. The former would amount to reoccupying Gaza and the latter to its de facto control. Both options have yet to be presented to the Israeli people and Israel’s international partners.

Even if Netanyahu agrees to a multinational force composed of Israel’s newest Arab allies to take over security in Gaza, there are questions over how such a force would gain credibility among Palestinians. Demilitarizing all of Hamas’s battalions might be a short-term task but to fight its remnants, and reincarnations, will take years, maybe decades. Tackling an insurgency is still a more manageable task for security forces than monitoring an antagonistic proto-state, but it will inflict heavy costs on Israeli forces. It is unclear whether the costs will be worth it since Israel’s heavy-handedness could either discourage Palestinian attacks inside Israel or encourage them.

The goal to deradicalize Palestinians, a former Israeli security official said, was more in the direction of lasting peace. “Deradicalization is key because we need to change the perception of Palestinians that we are a transient phenomena and sooner or later would crumble under pressure,” said Eran Lerman, a former Israeli deputy national security advisor. Deradicalization programs in schools and mosques would be aimed at those who do not “accept Israel’s right to exist.”

But Palestinians say it’s yet another Netanyahu tactic to delay a two-state solution. After all, Palestinians aren’t merely opposed to Israel due to Hamas’s propaganda. Many have been victims of dispossession by the Israeli state and settlers—and that’s before the suffering imposed by the current war. Netanyahu hasn’t revealed any plans for how to shape Palestinian ideas of self-determination in a more productive fashion.

Netanyahu’s suggestion that locals will be handed eventual civilian control also seems disingenuous. Who exactly does he have in mind? One Israeli security source said locals beholden to Israel-friendly Arab nations of the Abraham Accords—particularly the United Arab Emirates—would pass the test. But any such leaders would be seen as Israeli puppets who may lack standing among Palestinians. They might become just as much a subject of ridicule as the subdued Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.

Netanyahu’s campaign to decimate Hamas, demilitarize Gaza, and deradicalize Palestinians in effect amounts to the strip’s reoccupation. Even if reoccupying Gaza is not what most Israelis are comfortable with, that’s where Netanyahu’s non-plan is headed. “Israelis don’t want to use the O-word, but they don’t have any choice,” said Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the IDF.

Last month, the United States abstained from a vote at the United Nations Security Council that called for a cease-fire. Gaza’s reoccupation will further widen the rift. Netanyahu’s strategy, in other words, may be headed for a pyrrhic victory in the form of responsibility for Gaza and its 2 million inhabitants, an increasingly alienated U.S. government, and growing international isolation.

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rabbitcruiser · 9 months

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Mexican Independence Day

Mexico is the best place to be on September 16, Mexican Independence Day. This fiesta-friendly holiday celebrates Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1810, and it’s filled with national pride, colorful parades, mariachi concerts, and food, food, and more Sabrosa food.

People of Mexican heritage all over the world commemorate this important event in their country’s history when a brave priest in the village of Dolores rang his church bell and delivered a powerful speech that set the War of Independence from Spain in motion. Even the President of Mexico participates by ringing that same bell — now over 200 years old — live on TV the night before the big celebration.

When is Mexican Independence Day 2023?

Get festive and celebrate Mexican heritage on Mexican Independence Day on September 16.

History of Mexican Independence Day

Mexico, once known as New Spain, was a colony harshly ruled by the kingdom of Spain for over 300 years. The native population was oppressed, farmland and personal wealth were confiscated and only Spaniards were allowed to hold political posts. The oppression became too much and a Catholic priest in the town of Dolores named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla had enough.

On September 16, 1810, he rang his church’s bell and delivered a speech now known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), demanding the end of Spanish rule. This started the brutal Mexican War of Independence, which lasted over a decade. On August 24, 1821, Spain withdrew and officially recognized Mexico as an independent country. Today, Father Hidalgo is known as the Father of Mexican Independence. Mexican Independence Day has been celebrated every year since that momentous day on September 16, 1810. To promote education among Hispanic students many organizations and companies have established scholarships for Hispanic students, as another way of supporting Mexican independence.

Mexican Independence Day has developed into a huge nationwide celebration over the past 200-plus years. The country’s leaders were inspired by our own July 4 Independence Day festivities, so fireworks fill the skies at night and the day is filled with patriotic speeches, flag-waving, parades, live music, and home-cooked feasts. Red, white and green — the colors of the Mexican flag — are seen everywhere across Mexico and even cities in the U.S. with large Mexican populations.

One of the most popular events connected to Mexican Independence Day is when the President of Mexico rings the 200-year-old bell Father Hidalgo used in 1810 and recites the Grito de Dolores speech in front of 500,000 people. This event is broadcast live to millions via Mexican TV and radio on the evening of September 15.

Many people outside of Mexico think that Mexican Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo are the same things. Cinco de Mayo celebrates another victory when the outnumbered Mexican army defeated the powerful French militia in 1862 during the Battle of Puebla.

Mexican Independence Day timeline

April 21, 1519

300 Years of Spanish Rule

Spanish commander Hernán Cortés and his soldiers anchor off the Mexican coast, and the conquest and destruction of the mighty Aztec Empire begins.

September 16, 1810

El Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores)

Father Hidalgo delivers his legendary speech, spurring the population to revolt against Spanish rule.

July 1811

Father Hidalgo is Executed by Spanish Forces.

His army, made up of loyal revolutionaries, continued to fight in his honor.

August 24, 1821

Mexico is Declared an Independent Country

Spain signs The Treaty of Cordoba, ending the War of Independence, declaring Mexico a free country.

Traditions of the Day

Mexican Independence Day is celebrated with festive fireworks, fiestas or parties, and lots of good food and music. The colors for the day are of the Mexican flag — red, white, and green — which are seen everywhere in public areas along with flowers and other decorations. Mexicans jubilantly blow whistles and horns and throw confetti, and crowds chant “Viva la independencia nacional!” and “Viva Mexico!” in the streets.

Traditional mariachi music spices up the events with lively dancing. Of course, food is one of the most important aspects of Independence Day celebrations — restaurants and street vendors sell traditional Mexican food. Others prepare feasts at home to serve at parties. This includes fruit punch, candies like marzipan, ‘pozole’ — a soup made from hominy and pork, beef stew known as ‘Menudo,’ roast lamb, ‘Queso Fundido’ — a Mexican cheese fondue, and chips with guacamole and salsa. Popular beverages for parties are Mexican beer, sangria, or tequila.

By The Numbers

127.6 million – the population of Mexico.

$1.269 trillion – the gross domestic product of Mexico.

50 – the number of indigenous languages spoken in Mexico.

13th – the ranking of Mexico as the largest country in terms of land.

52 – the international dialing code for Mexico.

Mexican Independence Day FAQs

Can you watch the President of Mexico reenact the The Cry of Dolores in person?

Yes. If you travel to Mexico City and go to the National Palace on September 15 around 11 p.m., you can be among the 500,000 people watching the President ring the bell of Hidalgo and recite The Cry of Dolores in person.

Why is Mexican Independence Day not as popular a holiday as Cinco de Mayo is in the U.S.?

Some experts in international relations think that Cinco de Mayo is more popular in the USA because it celebrates Mexican culture overall and does not celebrate the start of a war in another country, which Mexican Independence Day does.

What is the Cinco de Mayo?

The Cinco de Mayo is a celebration commemorating the victory of the Mexicans over the French at the Battle of Puebla.

Where exactly is the town of Dolores in Mexico?

Dolores, the charming colonial town where Father Hidalgo gave his famous Cry of Dolores speech, is located in central Mexico. The church where Hidalgo gave his famous speech still stands and there is a museum dedicated to his life in town as well as affordable hotels in the area.

Is Mexico a third world country?

Although technically recognized as a 3rd world country, Mexico has a thriving economy, an incredibly developed infrastructure, and low infant mortality rates compared with most other counties of the world.

How to Observe Mexican Independence Day

Grab a table at your local Mexican restaurant: You don’t have to be Mexican to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Enjoy the festivities while you enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal and an ice cold cerveza.

Fly the Mexican flag: No matter where you live, celebrate Mexico’s independence by displaying the country’s distinctive green, white, and red flag. The vertical stripes represent — in order — independence, Roman Catholicism, and unity.

Watch or listen to the live broadcast of El Grito de Dolores reenactment: Settle down in front of your TV or radio when the President of Mexico delivers El Grito de Dolores, complete with bell ringing, at 11 p.m. on September 15. Then let the party begin!

5 Cool Facts About Mexican Independence Day

Eat the colors of the Mexican flag: Chiles En Nogada (poblano chiles stuffed with savory meat) features the three colors of the Mexican flag: green (fresh parsley), white (walnut cream sauce), and red (pomegranate seeds).

A Mexican household favorite: Beans are a staple of Mexican cooking, so buy some fresh pinto or black beans and whip up a hearty Mexican meal of Frijoles de la Olla (beans in a pot), which is basically a pot of simmered beans mixed with onion and garlic and topped with fresh sour cream.

Wash it down: Skip commonplace beverages like beer and margaritas and offer something different, like a traditional Mexican ponche (fruit punch) made from sugarcane, oranges, pears, guavas, raisins, and apples seasoned with cinnamon and clove.

Que es Queso?: Queso is the Spanish word for cheese, and the only thing cheesier than an overdramatic Mexican telenovela is Queso Fundido, a traditional Mexican fondue of melted white cheese simmered with lime juice, hot sauce and garlic.

Hangover Cure: Menudo, a rich, hearty stew made from stew beef, hominy (corn kernels), tripe (cow stomach lining) that’s cooked with onion, garlic, lime, and cilantro, is considered to be a traditional hangover cure for those who imbibe a few too many cervezas on September 16.

Why Mexican Independence Day is Important

It celebrates freedom: Just like July 4 in America or Bastille Day in France, Mexican Independence Day celebrates freedom. And we think there is nothing sweeter than freedom, unless you count Mazapán, a sweet peanut flavored Mexican candy.

It's a two day fiesta: Even though the official day of celebration is September 16, when banks, schools, and businesses are closed, many folks start gearing up on September 15, climaxing with the President’s reading of El Grito de Dolores live on TV at 11p.m.

It’s a day for Mexican cuisine: It’s probably one of the best days of the year to sample Mexican food! There will be an excess supply of it so get your taste buds ready for the feast.

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androxys · 6 months

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Task Force What? An Incomplete (Yet Still Very Long) Guide to Some of the DCU’s Government Groups [Part 3]

If you’re a glutton for punishment like me, or if something in the first two parts seemed exciting and you want to dive in more, here are a variety of suggestions for further reading. While obviously incomplete, hopefully you find something in here you like! This section also doubles as (some of) my sources cited, if you’re into that.

If you just want a TL;DR recommendation, personally, I would say read Suicide Squad (1987) and Checkmate (2006) for a great sampling of DC’s world of spies and politics.

I say it every time, but really, thank you to my editors and beta readers who helped make this happen. I owe y'all one.

Part 1: Organization Descriptions and Histories

Part 2: Timeline

Part 3: Reading Suggestions

Suicide Squad

For the Suicide Squad, you’re in luck, because there are three titles just about them! Suicide Squad (1987) is the first and, in my opinion, the best. It ran for 66 issues and was revived in 2010 for a 67th issue to tie in with the Blackest Night event. This establishes Amanda Waller’s character and details how she put the Suicide Squad together. The entire series would be published in a series of eight books, published 2011-2019.

If you want to read the Janus Directive crossover, mentioned several times here, you’re in luck! It was collected in 2016 as Book 4 of the series reprinting all of SS ‘87. However, if you want to read it in singles, you can do that as such:

Checkmate (1988) #15

Suicide Squad (1987) #27

Checkmate (1988) #16

Suicide Squad (1987) #28

Checkmate (1988) # 17

Manhunter (1988) #14

Firestorm (1982) #86

Suicide Squad (1987) #29

Checkmate (1988) #18

Suicide Squad (1987) #30

Captain Atom (1987) #30

After SS ‘87 ended, their next main book would be Suicide Squad (2001). This series would spin out of the Our Worlds At War crossover, and is set during the time period when Lex Luthor is the U.S. President and Amanda Waller is the Director of Metahuman Affairs. It is collected as Suicide Squad: Casualties of War, published in 2021. This one has much less Waller in it, and is only loosely connected in the final issues to anything that came before it.

The Squad’s last titular series would be Suicide Squad (2007). This book is set during Amanda Waller’s time in Checkmate, and details the Squad’s involvement in Operation: Salvation Run. It was collected in 2008 as Suicide Squad: From the Ashes. Lots of past Squad members return for this one. If this run really grabs you, you can also read Salvation Run (2008). It was collected under the same name in 2008.

Checkmate

Checkmate has had two primary runs in the post-Crisis, New Earth continuity. The first is Checkmate (1988), which covers the Harry Stein era of Checkmate. It ran for 33 issues, with the Janus Directive crossover happening roughly halfway through. This run follows from Checkmate’s first appearance in Action Comics (1938) #598, also in 1988.

Checkmate pops up a few times during the Bruce Wayne: Murderer? and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive comic arcs. These arcs are too long for me to detail them all out here, but they were both collected in 2014 as self-titular books. For Checkmate specific issues, check out Detective Comics (1937) #768-777. This arc deals with David Said working as a Knight for Checkmate, and the organization’s recruitment of Sasha Bordeaux. If you want to see Said working as King, that’s in Gotham Knights (1999) #37-40.

Checkmate would receive its major revamp in 2005, with Maxwell Lord as King. This saga is chronicled in Countdown to Infinite Crisis (2005) #1, The OMAC Project (2005) #1-6, and Infinite Crisis Special: The OMAC Project (2005) #1.

After the events of The OMAC Project and Infinite Crisis, Checkmate would be rechartered as a U.N. organization and receive a new self-titled ongoing series. Checkmate (2006) would run for 31 issues. This series would crossover with Outsiders (2003) with the story CheckOut, which would run

Checkmate (2006) #13

Outsiders (2003) #47

Checkmate (2006) #14

Outsiders (2003) #48

Checkmate (2006) #15

Outsiders (2003) #49

Checkmate (2005) #1-25 is collected, including the CheckOut crossover, in Checkmate by Greg Rucka Books 1 and 2, published in 2017 and 2018, respectively. #26-31 is collected in Checkmate: Chimera published 2009.

Cadmus

Okay, I’m going to cheat a bit here. Before Crisis happened, Jack Kirby created the DNA Project in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen (1937) #135. You can read that in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen by Jack Kirby published 2019. A lot of this stayed on after Crisis, and it’s Kirby, so that’s fun.

In New Earth, if you want to read about Cadmus, I sort of have to recommend The Death and Return of Superman story arc. The thing is, that story is giant, and I can’t list all the Cadmus stuff individually. If you’re interested, DC reprinted the entire arc over four books in 2016. These are The Death of Superman, Funeral for a Friend, Reign of the Supermen, and The Return of Superman. This chronicles Cadmus’ response to Superman’s death and the subsequent debut of Superboy. If you’re interested specifically in Superboy’s first appearance escaping Cadmus, that’s in Adventures of Superman (1987) #500.

The Battle for Metropolis and Fall of Metropolis feature Cadmus’ clone virus and its subsequent fallout:

Action Comics (1938) #699

Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #34

Superman (1987) #90

Adventures of Superman (1987) #513

Action Comics (1938) #700

Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #35

Superman (1987) #91

Adventures of Superman (1987) #514

Action Comics (1938) #701

Cadmus continues to pop up through Superboy (1994), which is unfortunately generally uncollected. The first ten issues, as well as the Zero Hour #0 special, were collected in 2018 as Superboy: Trouble in Paradise. You can see Superboy suffering from the clone plague a bit in there, which is a nice bit of continuity, though the series doe not officially crossover.

A.P.E.S.

This group exclusively shows up in the pages of Young Justice (1998), which ran for 56 issues. The entire run is collected in five books, published 2017-2020.

Department of Extranormal Operations

The DEO first shows up in Batman (1940) #550, which is also Cameron Chase’s first appearance. This issue serves as a sort of “backdoor pilot” to Chase (1998), which ran for 9 regular issues and a DC One Million tie-in. This series dealt with Chase’s adventures as an agent of the DEO. Cameron Chase and Director Bones would later become major supporting characters in Manhunter (2004).

Evidence of the DEO’s research camps, orphanages, and training groups can be found in various titles. Notably, Young Justice (1998), Relative Heroes (2000), and Titans (1999).

Wonder Woman’s adventures as Diana Prince, agent of the Department of Metahuman Affairs are chronicled in Wonder Woman (2006). The DMA is heavily involved in the “Amazons Attack” storyline that runs #6-13, but be forewarned, that arc is not exactly… loved… by Wonder Woman fans. The story “Who Is Wonder Woman,” which runs #1-5 is good, and Gail Simone’s acclaimed run starts at #14. Make of that information what you will.

Spyral

As mentioned above, Spyral has a bit of a funny publication history, debuting in the New Earth continuity, but then being largely fleshed out in the post-Flashpoint continuity that directly follows from the pre-Flashpoint timeline.

Spyral first appears in Batman Incorporated (2011) #4. The group would continue to appear through Batman Incorporated (2012). Spyral features prominently in Grayson (2014), in which Dick Grayson is forced to give up the Nightwing identity and becomes an agent of Spyral throughout the comic’s twenty issue run, concluding in Nightwing: Rebirth (2016) #1.

#dc comics #amanda waller #sasha bordeaux #suicide squad #checkmate #meta #my writing #chit chat

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