I mean, FWIW, after two world wars and the cold war/decades of fear of MAD, those sensible among the public- as well as the military brass and rank-and-file alike, and even various less hawkish/sensible bourgeoisie, at least know the potential costs of marching blindly to the tune of the most hawkish imperialists.

Further escalation is a step closer to removing France and the various nations of NATO off the face of the map as nations, and possibly ending humanity as a species altogether- and while western societies by-and-large have forgotten what true war is like, if escalation continues, and as the costs start to rack up, they can be reminded. And as western societies increasingly realize the horrors their neocon masters are goosestepping them towards, the more likely that various elements of the society- maybe mass unrest and revolution, maybe a coup with dissenting bourgeois and military elements (likely some form of nationalists) seeking to save their countries, etc… will increasingly threaten and might have a chance to overthrow the neocon/Atlanticist establishment.

the French Armed Forces had become “concerned” about the rising number of French [mercenary] nationals dying in Ukraine.

Rest in piss, bozos. Just another reason for masses around the world to be grateful to Russia, for culling the combined forces of fascism and imperialism of the west and their Ukranian puppets.

Western militaries are problematic and guilty enough (as an understatement), but western mercenaries? These are not people signing up out of deluded/misguided notions of “defending their country,” these are the lowest of the low, utter scumbags, especially those mercenaries who join the cause of the Banderite state, who almost certainly are all either Nazis or sympathetic/tolerant of them.

Same!

Only the farming-landlord rats! And it’s their fault for spitefully burning the cheese rather than sharing it with the other rats.

Agreed- the losers are Europe, and US influence and prestige (outside the west, though also potentially within as Europe is collapsing economically and anyone with the sense to recognize it knows the yanks are to blame).

Russia’s future, and the future of humanity (including that of the masses of the west, if they can get their heads out of their asses to realize it) lies with the global south, and with multipolarity, and with that true dignity and development for all. There was short term loss, but I think Russia is and will be infinitely better off without Europe and the west, as the poisoned pool of racism, imperialism, and arrogance that the west is.

It’s a shame it took this long, and cost so much of the Russian blood, sweat, and tears to learn this, with the loss of the Soviet Union, and even then, further encroachment and aggression until their ethnic kin were being slaughtered and persecuted right next door in their historic homelands, for the lesson to be learned. But hopefully it will stick this time- the imperialists are not to be trusted, they only seek hegemony and only offer destruction. That’s the nature of the system; no amount of whiteness, capitalism, or self-degredation will satiate it.

Agreed, it’s not quite the same map. And no doubt, many people in the global south, as their living standards increase, will want access to more meat- it tastes good, it has not merely a history of prestige but also deep cultural fondness in most parts of the world, etc.

My hope for the future world is one where whoever wants it, can have it- India as a result might not change overly much (though even there meat consumption is going up) but most of the world will probably move to around the consumption levels of China or Russia as their standards improve. All the (many) ethical concerns about meat are valid, sure, but those are institutional (and technological) hurdles to be overcome in my opinion; I don’t think progress will be won through austerity and abstinence- and while I might have my biases, as I enjoy meat, I think reality speaks for itself in that meat is deeply desired by the overwhelming majority of the world, and the demand will not go away anytime soon, if ever.

Americans are really the stand-out along with Australians who have lots of range and space (stolen)

This is honestly the bigger issue, IMO. I don’t see any easy answers there either, but if there is any justice to be had, whether now or decades or centuries from now, that stolen land must be returned to its rightful peoples and cultures, in one form or another- semi-autonomy, reparations, who’s to say, but in some way it has to be done, and till then a deep guilt and condemnation should rightfully hang above the heads of all those who perpetuate it. As an atheist and coming from an immigrant family I have my biases, but- the homeland, having a place (or places) one identifies with and has roots to (not an ethnostate, obviously)- is nigh sacred, and the acts of the settler-colonials in depriving and destroying that for others is something that I don’t think can nor should ever be forgiven or forgotten, till it is rectified in as complete and satisfying a manner as possible for the indigenous peoples.

As far as I’m concerned- with all my own baggage about the subject (though I’m not indigenous)- settlerism, the suppression and ongoing theft of the homeland- is probably the greatest imaginable crime aside from genocide (of which it is arguably a part of, and almost always is a case of). I’m not spiritual in the slightest, but if I were I would say there is or ought to be a curse upon settlers, until the crime is rectified- it is a genuinely unforgivable thing, something that IMO goes against any notion of humanity that I would ever accept- and no doubt that most people can agree with, if not in my wording, in the sense that they would never wish, never tolerate such destruction and deprivation upon their own peoples, and can recognize the evil for what it is in that way.

The main thing I’m trying to remove from my body is external dirt and piss/shit/cum.

Pretty much, this is what most people probably should focus on, and doing so for the most part smells and hygiene alike shouldn’t be an issue. I rarely use shampoo or conditioner, oftentimes don’t even wash my hair or let it wet (heavy water), and most of the time I’m not soaping down entirely, just where it’s needed (genitals and below, also armpits though mine don’t stink but it fits- sometimes the face as well but then I’m probs gonna moisturize after as I hate the feeling of dry skin and was raised w/ it as a habit).

On one hand yes, on the other hand- I’m aware it may be rooted in classist, ableist, problematic influences- and having been homeless, having worked manual labor jobs, having struggled with mental health and continuing to struggle, etc- I think I can say I “get it” on some degree- but stinking is a line I feel I will never allow myself to cross, certainly not past whatever short instance if any occurs where I can then shower and get a change of clothes- and it I suppose is also privilege that thankfully, I have never had to go without beyond- at the worst instance one sole time- a week on the streets in the tropical sun years ago, outside of which I have only had such issues of lack of access, overnight or a day or two.

I was raised poor, still am though I hope to better my lot. My family had a whole bunch of classist and ableist stigmas, particularly around mental health. Perhaps I can’t move past that with myself- and I also, while treating those who fall short of it with decency- simply do not like the smell of particularly bad B.O. And I suppose being east Asian I feel at least a bit fortunate for my genes, which I’d assume along with my preferred lifestyle tend to leave me far less stinky than if I were not. But stinking is a line that even at my lowest, to whatever ability I can (manual labor/etc would be understandable in the moment), I dare not cross. It’s one line in the sand of many that I have drawn for myself- because as I tell myself, I have suffered enough indignities in life- “dignity,” however classist and ableist it may be defined in my personal hangups about it, is important to me- and having a bad B.O. would be a step too far, falling into the abyss to me.

No offense to those who do. But I just can’t, myself. I won’t shame anyone for it or treat them with any less decency, and no doubt in countries or regions where water is in short supply I could see things getting bad even for myself- but it’s a line I don’t want to cross and will resist to the best of my ability.

Agreed, in regards to space- the time for escalation should be soon, if not now. In many other things increasingly as time goes on, as well. The world must understand when dealing with the US that this is no ordinary state to be negotiated with- it is the exceptional warmongerer, genocidaire, imperialist, perhaps the most aggressive and arrogant state in history, its institutional character that of a natural thief and backstabber due to its inglorious, continuously settler-colonial and slaver history.

There’s a heart and soul to America, perhaps. It does exist- there’s not a people out there wholly lacking of it. But the character of the state is another story, and the American state only understands one language, now more than ever in this age of bloodthirsty neocons. And there is no reason to believe any other language will work, no reason to believe that any other language can ensure peace and respect.

Good, may it go down in flames. NATO has contributed nothing to humanity but death and destruction.

Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google (Youtube) are some of the main proponents of this ban, alongside AIPAC and the bloodthirsty neocon establishment. So if you’re thinking this is some sort of privacy win, think again, it couldn’t be anything further from the truth.

Relatable, honestly FOMO (whether in Genshin or elsewhere) is a pain to deal with. Most of the Genshin experience will stick around for when you return no doubt, though- at least that’s the pleasant thing about it being mostly single player (even if live service/gacha/etc).

This. The “west” is infinitely worse than Russia, because the similarities end at bourgeois democracy (which could be said to be the same of the majority of the world- from Nigeria to India to Indonesia and Brazil and beyond.)

Bourgeois (or monarchic like in Saudi Arabia, or theocratic like in Iran, etc) issues are for a society to deal with at their own pace, at their own terms, and to their discretion as far as I’m concerned. That is not to wave away all their issues, but imperialism- the highest stage of capitalism, the most monstrous and inhumane stage- is infinitely worse and utterly incomparable IMO.

What we are talking about is not just bourgeois activity in one state, and one state alone (which in reality stands alongside- even if that is coincidental- all the AES, anti-imperialist, multipolar aspiring nations of the world at large, and which seeks peaceful and mutually beneficial development and prosperity). What we are talking about is an ideology, a structural framework, of nations (the “west” or “international community”) which has brutalized, and seeks to continue its brutalization of, every single nation and people in the world- a framework which has committed countless acts of genocide and continues to perpetuate all the worst aspects of the human condition- forever wars and racial/tribal/religious/ethnic/etc hatred and supremacy, food instability and insecurity, settler-colonial genocide and all other forms of deprivation and exploitation, etc…

Russia’s issues are incomparable to that of the west, even if the Russian prole may be little better off than a western one, even if Russia is prone to the same “social conservative” cultural issues that exist in- frankly, near every society (and which also are issues which each society needs to deal with at their own pace- not to dismiss or excuse such issues). Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, or even India with its current Hindutva government, are still incomparable to the murderous, genocidal, inhumane, global collective effort of western nations- even the “social democrat,” “neutral” (not often directly, but indirectly imperialist) states like Sweden or Finland.

Mere bourgeois activity constrained within a state- a state as constrained as Russia at that (and one which still bears the legacy of Soviet liberation and semi-autonomous empowerment for its indigenous peoples) is incomparable to the international bourgeois activity of the west. The US is infinitely worse than Russia, but even nations like the spineless (and arms-less) states of Germany or Italy, or the pinkwashed states of Sweden or Canada, or prosperous succdem states like Norway, are infinitely worse, because they are part of a global system that is so, and their crimes on a global stage as such are worse than all of Russia’s various internal issues combined.

The world has been at the US’ “high-tech mercy” (or complete lack thereof) for decades now. Any loss of influence and market share for the west in comparison is freedom for humanity…

Mainly I just play my Genshin/Honkai Star Rail/Reverse 1999 dailies. Between the 3 (auto-battle modes for HSR/Rev1999 are a timesaver) I guess I haven’t played much else in a while- My Time at Sandrock and some For the King 2 last month, I guess.

For fave video game genres- farming sims (think Stardew Valley), sandbox games and soulslikes/monster-hunter-likes, though I play anything. My favorite series is definitely Monster Hunter.

As for the game I completed most recently… probably Remnant 2 last year… my thoughts are I recommend it, though I probably won’t play it again till the next expansion whenever that is.

Like the United States, but only on the surface. It’s not a hegemonic, imperialist state promoting eternal conflict, destabilization and extremists, the suppression of the global south and thus the development for the overwhelming majority of humanity, and white supremacy worldwide like the US is. Even in its treatment of (ethnic and religious, indigenous) minorities Russia is 10000x better than the US has ever been and likely will ever allow itself to be without a complete overhaul of its political system.

Russia has its many, many problems, but as far as I’m concerned, the present US state may as well be the embodiment of evil; a greater threat to humanity than the Nazis that it inspired, and certainly every bit as willing (and in its history, guilty) of comparable atrocities.

Hell, Arabs are Semites too. Germany is participating in the active genocide of a Semitic population once again while pretending to care about human rights.

As a fellow Canadian- you’re fringe, within this shithole settler-colonial country, and within a presumably very liberal institution at that.

The majority of humanity stands with us, whether for the right reasons or not. The mentality your professor represents will ultimately be a self-defeating one, as this country increasingly goes to shit and the world rises and liberates itself from western “civilization” in turn. From west Africa, to India, to China, and increasingly in the west and around the world, people are cheering on Russia, cheering on the anti-imperialist, multipolar movement and axis of resistance- for right reasons or misguided (but still convenient) ones. Humanity will win, no matter the cost. The liberal, imperialist ideology is the global fringe- and when it is over, it will be but a smear on history, one hopefully treated like ISIS, like the Nazis, one which will hopefully never know a second of peace till each adherent is reeducated or in a coffin.

Hopefully in time you’ll be able to step out of this shithole. That’s my hope for myself as well. The world is full of humanity, hell, even the west is full of silenced humanity for all that its elites and institutions wholly lack any sense of it.

Bernie, as disappointing as he is on Gaza, exists. But that would mean even the smallest bit of table crumbs going to the proles.

IMO if they had any sense, they’d convince him to run. It’s not like he’s much older than Biden (81 vs 82). But I honestly don’t think there’s the political will to have anything even remotely akin to a new New Deal.

Agreed with the first paragraph, and with point #2 on the second. As to this girl being “young and naive” or anything substantiating claims that commies are “authoritarian” though- I don’t expect anything would come of it unless she were actually up to no good. I have been young and naive myself, but that did not change the fact my actions could cause harm, and also consequences upon myself.

And when it comes to “authoritarianism”- apart from that said claims would be made regardless of the fact, why should we care what Chinese or western liberals think? They’ve already made up their minds, and the overwhelming evidence to the contrary exists if they ever become willing to change their minds as well. Capitalist countries certainly keep a close eye on leftist, particularly communist, and any minority organizations, because they’re trying to protect their economic system, abhorrent as it is. And AES countries absolutely do, and should do the same- it is in the interest of any state, any ideological grouping, to do so, and to shirk from it out of some misguided libertine ideals will simply invite disaster, and is not a mercy that will ever be returned in kind. But I repeat- I don’t expect anything to come of this even if she were reported, unless she were genuinely up to no good. Anyone with the sense to see it can see China is not some totalitarian place, as you said, there are even bourgeoisie operating in public view- and in many ways China could be said to be freer than the west, in large part due to the cracking down on and actual consequences for bourgeois liberals which does not exist in the west.