Revolution fetishism is a horrible political view, especially in this context
Okay, rant incoming, partially related to recent events, but also to earlier thinking on my part.
There are, on the Left, a fair few people that romanticize or outright fetishize the concept of Revolution, of violent popular uprising to wrest power out of the hands of a corrupt elite and give it to the people. Very romantic, very righteous (self-righteous pretty often), very good and nice and sexy. And by the grace of revolutionary fervor and ideological purity, everything will be better after.
Except no.
See, a lot of this romanticization of Revolution comes, to my knowledge, from my own country of France. We have romanticized our Revolution a fair bit, and honestly, looking at the first part, fair. A serious go at giving women rights, a no-cause divorce, abolition of slavery, privileges thrown out, equality between people proclaimed loud, enfranchisement given to minorities ... in 1789. A LOT of good and progress, especially for the time.
But then it got fucky, VERY fucky. The Reign of Terror, under the caring leadership of Maximilien Robespierre, was a fucking nightmare on Earth, caracterized by mass executions on political basis, and by this I mean anyone that opposed Robespierre got beheaded. Political plurality? You mean anti-revolutionary sentiment ! Unacceptable, kill everyone.
A rumor of the time said the Place de Grève was covered in a layer of blood that was ankle deep. Is that an exageration ? Yes, certainly. But the fact it got to that point should tell you something about how intense the murdering was. And that was just one square in Paris, there was the rest of the country to consider too.
But surely, after Robespierre fell victim to his own system and was executed, something better emerged, right?
No. Sweet mother of fuck, NO.
What followed was roughly 70 years of political instability and violence, warfare and civil war, several dictatorships, including attempts to restore absolute monarchy, that undid most of the good brought by the first part of the Revolution. And finally, France stumbled onto political stability in 1870 when the temporary 3rd Republic, that was supposed to wait until the presumptive heir to the throne (who wanted an absolute monarchy) croacked did what temporary things do best and became the permanent system (until its fall).
This was not thanks to the Revolution. It was pure randomness.
Did the French Revolution bring good things? Yes, it did. In its first part. The second part brought chaos and misery for multiple decades. And it took a lot of work and efforts to bring back what the Revolution, the peaceful part, had brought in.
And far too many people on the Left fetishize and romanticize the whole thing, as if we couldn't have had the first part without the second, as if the progress and hope and betterment somehow needed the chaos and murder that came after.
Yes, there would have been a period of conflict, European monarchies would not have accepted quietly a realm the size of France doing away with monarchs. But did we REALLY need the political purges ? Did we REALLY need the paranoia ? Did we REALLY need the massacres ?
But you will find people that answer yes, and say the spilled blood somehow made it pure, or good. And those same people are looking at what Hamas is doing and are cheering. These people don't celebrate the first part, the progress and hope. They claim to be, but they aren't. They celebrate the Terror. They yearn for the unjust "popular tribunal" AKA mob "justice". They dream of executing political opponents or anyone they think is "bad" on light or even absent charges.
And That's why they cheer for Hamas rockets and massacres. That's why they sing when Israeli children are murdered. That's why they attack Jews that don't live in Israel. Because they hope to vicariously live this period of unchecked violence.
Know who was celebrating the RIGHT part of the Revolution ? The Israeli working with Gazan to build understanding. The Gazan protesting against Hamas. The Israeli Arabs risking their lives to save the lives of fellow Israeli and of foreigners, regardless of skin or creed. The Gazan trying to improve things in their homes against the wishes and efforts of Hamas.
Know who IS celebrating the RIGHY part of the Revolution ? The Israeli protesting the way the IDF is bombing Gaza. The people decrying the hypocrisy of blood-thirsty leftists. The people calling for Peace and working to make the political change to allow it.
But the Robespierres of the time, drunk on their own self-assurance, condemn and insult them, claiming that blood must be spilt. But it doesn't have to be. The French Revolution started relatively bloodlessly. It didn't need some great orgy of violence. Oh it wasn't clean, but it was far cleaner than the armchair Robespierres would like it to be. Because it didn't need to be.
And that's my point, really. The people fantasizing about and fetishizing the Revolution always dream of torrents of blood washing away the injustices, of seas of corpses forming a fertile ground upon which progress can grow. But that horseshit. All you get with that is, like the Place de Grève, a sinister place that stinks of rot and death, and flocks of scavengers gorging on your crimes.
All you get is a chance for a Napoleon to arrive. Or Stalin's USSR that so casually carried on with the crimes of the Tsars. Or Polpot who murdered 25% of his population.
If you look at the French Revolution, the right lesson to learn is that you need to know when to stop, and that's before you get to indiscriminate killing. Because once you get to that point ... people that thrive in those settings get in power and perpetuate them.
And to apply that to the situation in I/P ... knowing when to stop means realizing that Israeli are still humans, that Gazan are still humans, that their lives have worth and should be protected, that supporting child killings when it's done by "brown people" is not anymore alright than supporting child killings when done by the IDF. And you people should very well consider the possibility that people inside the IDF are doing all they can to reduce Bibi's ability to order war crimes.
And you should recognize that there are efforts on the part of the IDF, sometimes token efforts, sometimes more than just that, to limit the number of dead civilians. Point me to a case where Hamas did the same. Point me to a case where they tried to get Israeli civilians out of the way instead of targeting them.
Hamas is not a Revolution you want to succeed. It's not about being free. It's about killing. This isn't a "glorious revolutionary action", it's a prelude to the wholesale slaughter and ethnic massacre they dream of. It's a tiny window into their ideal, blood soaked world.
Violent revolution should be a last resort, when there is no other option available, when the system is so utterly broken and shattered that nothing can move, and it should be stopped as soon as the system is unfucked enough to negociate. The I/P situation is not at that stage. Look at how much efforts the fascists of both sides have to invest in maintaining this. Look at how much time and money and efforts they have to invest to keep each other in place. And despite this, people of both sides reach for peace, argue and protest for it, even at the risk of their very lives (especially true in Gaza).
And if you refuse to consider all this, if you insist on following Robespierre, remember this : La Veuve came for him too, in the end.
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CASA TIDMOUTH’S MOST NORMAL AND RELIABLE RAILWAY WORKERS: THE STEAM TEAM
Thomas Awdry Billington
Age: 23
Occupation: NWR 1's driver
Very cheeky and even nosy at times. Every time someone he dislikes gets into trouble, his immediate response is to make a joke out of their situation. Except when it’s something absolutely serious, which is rare. He always puts his best in anything he does and will excitedly prove himself to be the best person up for any job offered to him… which sometimes results in him getting into accidents and mishaps. Edward took him under his wing ever since he started working in the railways three years ago, making Thomas look up to him fondly and consider him a father figure.
He holds the Golden Whistle that is connected to the Shining Time world and stores golden dusts. It also helps control the usage of gold dusts during Lady’s time in Sodor so it won’t run out. He also runs a bulletin board called Sodor's Rumors where railway workers can write and submit the latest gossip or news to the board, whether it’s signed or anonymous. Ones about the quarry workers usually interest him because he's a curious little guy. He noticed, however, that rumors about spirits and suspicious people started popping up more and more ever since Lady joined Sodor Railways. There’s something else, though. He can’t help but feel that he might have forgotten someone important.
Trivia:
The shortest out of the Steam Team. Gordon sometimes calls him “little Thomas” because of this. Also because of his bed hair.
Huge fan of Depeche Mode. His favorite album is Violator.
He seems to never run out of energy.
The bottom of his huge ass shoes has retractable rollers. 6 on each sole, complete with side rods. Similar to the wheels of his steam engine!
Likes: adventures, tootsie rolls, playing elaborate pranks, locomotive anatomy
Dislikes: people who are jerks for no reason, string beans
Percival “Percy” Avonside
Age: 22
Occupation: NWR 6's driver
Thomas’ partner in gold dust hunting. He’s also his best friend even though they have their moments of disagreement. He holds the polaroid camera that can capture pictures of golden dusts and sparkling trails that are invincible to normal eyes in an area. His mail delivery is also part of Sodor’s Postal Service. Being a generally good-natured and obedient person, people who don’t know any better like to mistake his positive traits as naivety.
With his history of being treated as a doormat or stepping stone, whenever he felt like someone is being close to him just to use him for their personal gain, his perception of them can change quickly from trusting and loving to skeptical and critical. Even though he’s a generally polite and well-mannered young man to (almost) everyone, there are several moments where he snaps and just outright calls out said person who wronged or made fun of him. All of these factors result in his actions usually following what he believes can be beneficial to him and is the best for his well-being. Is he really the sweet, pouty, often snarky Percy that everyone knows and recognizes on the surface? Whatever the answer is, does it really matter as long as he’s useful?
Trivia:
Back in high school, he was an ace pitcher for his school team called the Sodor Sobriquets.
His magical polaroid camera works without using any films. He got it inside the wishing well when he accidentally fell inside it during his first day at work.
He gets easily annoyed at people who constantly coddle him.
He collects comic books and magazines as a hobby.
Likes: watching soccer and baseball matches, eggs Benedict
Dislikes: being called “Dirty Percy”, not being taken seriously, apricots
[THE REST OF THE STEAM TEAM IS UNDER THE CUT. THIS POST IS GOING TO BE EXTREMELY LONG IF OTHERWISE.]
Edward Pettigrew
Age: 46
Occupation: NWR 2's driver
The old reliable! He’s a generally kind and patient person. He rarely ever takes insults or jokes to heart and just patiently waits for misfortune to befall whoever mocks him. Even enjoys it more whenever he gets to be the one dragging their sorry ass out of trouble. However, those who have known him for a long time know not to mess with him. Despite not submitting things to the Sodor’s Rumours Bulletin Board, he likes to smile and nod while reading the railway workers’ quips and notes. When he was younger, he was bold and brash and can never bow down to authority figures. He was also quite a charmer back in the day, something that his two closest coworkers always tease to him.
Even though he’s now a sagely man with a lot of life experiences, he seems to hide a lot of things and know matters someone like him shouldn’t have…? No need to think much about it, though! Probably nothing important, just wise Edward being wise Edward.
Trivia:
He’s great at ballroom dancing and skateboarding.
He used to get into street fights as a young man.
That long scarf is a gift from Henry back when they were younger.
Something about the smiles he gives whenever he’s made fun of by his friends don’t seem pleasant. Feels quite unnerving, even. What is up with that? Oh well.
Likes: old songs, folk tales, black tea
Dislikes: what does he even dislike?
Henry Stanier
Age: 42
Occupation: NWR 3's driver
Used to frown and complain about tough work a lot. He was incredibly protective of his engine and got upset at seeing any stain or dent on it. He’s also extremely worried that heavy workload can put a strain on or even damage it. A long time ago, he hid himself and NWR 3 inside a tunnel to shield from the rain. This and that happened, his engine gets bricked when he went to work the next day, he attended a church sermon for the first and only time to find inner peace, and after he learned his lesson his engine is finally free (to help out Gordon)... but the wildness of his story doesn’t simply end there!
After his first Flying Kipper delivery went horrifyingly wrong and he died in the accident, he got to meet Lady in the Shining Time world who eventually revived him. Since that event, his view on life has never been so offputtingly bright and positive. He lives life cheerfully and is now a much kinder and friendlier person, even though he has his moments of snarkiness (though it’s usually out of saying the truth bluntly instead of being mean). With that amount of epiphanies and one divine intervention, the comparison between his past self and current self can be quite jarring.
Trivia:
He is narcoleptic.
After Lady disguised herself as a regular railway worker and met Henry for the second time, Henry thought that his time is finally up. This is not the case however, which resulted in both of them laughing hysterically after Lady talked with him.
Every time someone mentions “beauty” and “life” in the same sentence within his earshot, he’ll go into an enlightened ramble with a bright, cordial expression.
When he’s stuck in a situation with seemingly no way out, he’ll start writing his will in his cellphone. If there’s moss, he’ll start eating that.
He doesn't remember anything from his childhood before he was adopted by two rich as hell parents. He doesn't have a birth certificate and nobody really knows where he comes from. Either these facts or his encounter with Lady is the reason why his view on life is quite… unique, to say at least.
Likes: nature, apple slices, Desi dishes, shitty reality TV shows
Dislikes: people who are annoying, people who don’t do their jobs properly, people who are noisy, people who are just downright pathetic
Gordon Gresley
Age: 41
Occupation: NWR 4's driver
Prideful and can be rude at times. He’s very ambitious and takes his occupation as the driver of the greatest and most beloved express train in all of Sodor seriously. Because of his upbringing, he used to look down on those that he deems weak or is contributing less and less to the railways. He’s also quite competitive and always pushes himself to his limits in order to live up to his (and - when the situation calls for it - his engine’s) reputation and restore any remaining glory of the Gresley name.
A lot of people view the Gresley lineage as suspicious or even cursed because of how easily its members die out under unnatural circumstances (illness, accidents, etc.). The formerly large and respected nuclear family of nine is now reduced to just him, Scott, and his mother. The subject is frequently brought up during Scott’s interviews and reporters who recognize Gordon always try to pry information out of him (the main reason why he moved to Sodor). Even though he loves and lives off attention, the ones that are given by reporters and journalists are always met with scowls and exasperated “go away”s from him.
Despite scoffing at the idea of the Sodor’s Rumours Bulletin Board and thinking that it’s a silly idea, he submits rants whenever his brother finished calling him on the phone. He sometimes gets embarrassed in showing affection or appreciation which made people who don’t know him well assume that he’s distant and unappreciative.
Trivia:
The youngest Gresley. His middle name is Juniperus.
Despite not liking his mother very much, he still maintains a decent (???) relationship with Scott and his cousins just so she would stop getting worried and pestering him.
Even though he has a high image of himself, he gets easily thrown off guard whenever faced with a crowd or confronted directly.
He, Henry, and Edward used to be an incredibly tight-knit trio when they were younger. However, as the years passed, he felt like the three of them don’t have that much in common anymore (Henry slowly turned into someone quieter and more passive, Edward became more calm and less brash). They’re all still… friends, but sometimes Gordon can’t help but feel like things really aren’t the same between them as they used to.
When he smiles, it changes his entire face :]
Likes: orange-scented things, emotional movies
Dislikes: being compared to the rest of his family, talking about his late brothers and sisters, admitting his weaknesses
James Augustine Hughes
Age: 35
Occupation: NWR 5's driver
An incredibly pompous person, James thinks highly of himself. VERRRY highly. His entire design and personality just screams “Look at me. Look at how handsome and fabulous I am and praise me!”. He absolutely hates it when he sees other people getting praised or complimented for the things that he has (people who fully dress in reds and golds or wear aviators just like him and get complimented for those). Sometimes he reads complaints and worries submitted by others in the Sodor’s Rumours Bulletin Board to make him feel better about himself.
Due to the events of his childhood and teenage years, he has a habit of wanting to get into popular cliques or feared friend groups, a juxtaposition of his arrogant and self-centered personality. He looks up to people who are respected or even worshiped by their peers and even tries to be just like them. There are certain kinds of people that he believes is worthy of his respect, but he is starting to get more and more unsure of who exactly they are ever since he became proper friends with Thomas and Percy.
Trivia:
When he was in high school, he wanted to become a psychologist. He gave up on pursuing it after he got into a nasty fight with a teacher and got a mean scolding from the principal and his parents. He was also a bit quiet back then.
If he gets ignored a little too much, he starts to panic.
He’s good at reading others and quick to notice change.
He looks up to Gordon and respects him greatly, even going so far as to be just like him for his approval. Though as the story progresses, things really aren’t looking bright for this statement.
He’s fluent in Spanish and French.
Likes: being praised, being wanted, sweet margaritas
Dislikes: things that are ugly, pulling trucks, his old self, losing support from the group(s) he’s in
Tobias “Toby” Holden
Age: 56
Occupation: NWR 7's driver
Despite his age and his engine being considered one of the slowest in the railways, he works hard and diligently. He also has a good sense of humor and lends a good ear to anyone with interesting stories and tales. Even though he's a knowledgeable and wise driver that knows how to handle problems slowly, he can be temperamental at times and frowns at the sight of people with unchecked egos and self-righteousness. Due to experiences in the past that also got Henrietta involved, he actually distrusts youth who think they know all and act all mighty because of their new technology, engines, and even actions that have potential to harm others when used carelessly.
At day, Tobias Holden is NWR 7's driver. At night, he reads records and books about Sodor's history with anomalies and significant cultural differences compared to Mainland's. Not originally from Sodor, he is aware of the island's cultural and environmental quirkiness and can't handle the thought of his wife being involved with those sorts of things. Even though he avoids confrontations, he'll do anything to get rid of anything that threatens the harmony of his life - and to an extent - the railways. He’ll make sure ghosts and spirit don’t exist. He’ll make sure the cases of people disappearing and other ones appearing out of nowhere don’t struck him and the people he cares about. There's an itch at the back of his mind that says that a certain driver for the NWR 2 and a lady dressed in magenta aren't really as simple as they look on the surface, and he's not going to keep quiet about it… eventually.
Trivia:
Rumours had it that he once got arrested in his youth because he body-slammed a cop.
He wishes to live a quiet life someday. There must be no other place as pretty as this island.
He likes hearing Thomas' jokes.
He doesn't like the idea of being separated from Henrietta. He'll do anything for her. Anything.
Likes: tiramisu, slow dancing, seeing pompous young people getting into trouble, his wife <3
Dislikes: people in power.
And that’s all for the main cast (save for Lady and D10) of Casa Tidmouth! And while we’re at it: thank you so SO much for 206 followers (during the time I’m writing this)! The support and kind words all of you have provided for me and this story are overwhelming, and I cannot thank you all enough for that. Consider this post a celebration for that milestone, if you will :]
[ The Little Western + Diesel Drivers ]
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