#African American relationship expert

[lookingforhappy]

credit to prop maker Mikela Barnes. transcript:

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA INFINITUM STANDARD REFERENCE K KENNEDY SIX THE KENNEDY SIX THE KENNEDY SIX is a group of communists said to have orchestrated the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of The United States, on November 22nd, 1963. HARGREEVES, VANYA: A Soviet spy and founding member of the The Kennedy Six, a group of Communist said to have orchestrated the assignation of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of The United States, on November 22nd, 1963. Though no date of birth is known, education and medical records place Vanya Hargreeves in Saint Petersburg, Russia, as early as 1947. Official reports released by the CIA, FBI, and U.S. Department of Defense provide evidence of Ms. Hargreeves' involvement in the establishment of Sovier Satellite Stats, during which time she is said to have contact with American Double Agent and member of The Kennedy Six, Luther Hargreeves. The extent of their familial relationship remains unconfirmed.

HARGREEVES, DIEGO: A known Communist sympathiser with ties to the Cuban government and a founding member of The Kennedy Six, a group of terrorists believed to be responsible for the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of The United States, on November 22nd, 1963. Once thought to be a sleeper agent for the Cuban government who was smuggled into the country as a baby and raised to become radicalized against U.S. democracy from an early age, his true origin remains unknown due to a lack of official records of his birth or origin. The FBI can only officially place him in the United States as [picture of Allison protesting in the 60s] Allison Hargreeves, a Communist Sympathiser who infiltrated the American Civil Rights Movement. Infinitm Archive 230 [picture of Viktor and Diego's mugshots from the 60s, Diego is edited to have an eyepatch on his left eye] Vanya Hargreeves (left) and Diego Hargreeves (right) were previously arrested for suspicious activity. Infinitum Archive early as 1963. According to official reports from the CIA, he is believe to have been an expert in covert radio communication and a disgraced former high-ranking intelligence officer for the Cuban government. It is rumoured that he lost an eye in Cuba in a cigar attack as punishment for compromising an intelligence operation. His association with The Kennedy Six is believed to be on behalf of the Cuban government and their interest in removing Kennedy from office by whatever means necessary. While the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies have been unable to prove this connects, unofficial reports place him in Cuba shortly before his arrival in Dallas and eventual rendezvous with his co-conspirators. His whereabouts to this day are unknown, though he is widely believed to be in hiding in Cuba. HARGREEVES, ALLISON: as an American born civil agitator recruited by radical terror groups to infiltrate the American Civil Rights Movement in an attempt to disrupt and discredit the country's Federal Government. A hairdresser by trade, Allison Hargreeves sought to use her position in local politics to lure John F. Kennedy to Texas, setting up the 35th President for assasssination on November 22nd, 1963. Though any direct involvement with The Kennedy Six remains unsubstantiated, photos and letters exchanged between Hargreeves and prominent African-American militant groups have been used by Federal Authorities to establish a teritary connection to several known domestic terror cells that had been operating within The United States between 1961 and 1963. Allison Hargreeves is believed to have been captured by the CIA in 1979, after serving only one year of her 45-year prison sentence she was released for unknown reasons. To this day, her whereabouts remain unknown.

KENNEDY SIX NUMBER FIVE: Known only by his KGB Code name, Number Five is assumed to be the youngest member of the Kennedy Six, a group of Communist said to have orchestrated the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, on November 22nd, 1963. Though existing records remain seal uner the US Espionage Act, Number Five is widelt known to have been hand-picked by First Secretary of The USSR, Nikia Khrushchev, to recruit American citizens in the effort to collect sensitive political and military information as relating to the United States policy of Communist Containment. A Federal Grand Jury issued and indictment for Number Five's arrest in December 1963. The indictment remains open.

HARGREEVES, KLAUS: A prominent religious leader of an influential cult movement and believed to be a member of The Kennedy Six, which is said to have orchestrated the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, on November 22nd, 1963. Initially beleived to be a recruitment camo and training facility for potential radicals, his religious movements was investigated by federal authroities, and while no evidence of the latter was ever obtained, the organistation was levied with heavy fines amidst numerous charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Despite being an enigmatic public figure, very little is known about Hargreeves beyond the eccentrics peculiatrites of his public life. At one point, he was believed to be in possession of the largest private collection of Cadillacs in the world. According to FBI reports, his vast amount of resources and influence made him a prime candidate to recruit, radicalise and mobilise potential enemires of the state. It is not known at what point or how he first began working with The Kennedy Six, and his whereabouts remain unknown to this day. HARGREEVES, LUTHER: An American double agent and former boxer with connections to several mafia crime families, and a member of the Kennedy Six, a group of terrorists believed to be responsible for the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, on November 22nd, 1963. According to reports from the FBI, CIA and U.S. Department of Defense, Luther Hargreeves was an agent and known associate of Jack Ruby, and his involvement in the Kennedy Six is believed to be on behalf [picture of Five, edited to be dressed in military uniform] One of the only known images of KGB codename "Number Five", the youngest member of the Kennedy Sic. Infinitum Archive. of organised crime interests, which at the time stood in stark contrast to Kennedy's priorities. Pictured here with his signature firearm, he was known as a brutal killer with a penchant for violence. He spent several years on the FBI's most wanted list and is believed by the CIA to have worked with Soviet spies. While his motives remain a mystery to this day, his connection to known Soviet spy, Vanya Hargreeves, has lead historians to a consensus on the prevailing theory surrounding his involvement of the Kennedy assassination: A coordination of mutual interests shared between Soviers and the American mafia. Authorities remain in pursuit of him to this day, though he was rumoured to have perished in a robbery near his Argentinian hideout sometime in the mid 1980's. [picture of Luther and Klaus' mugshots, likely edited] Luther Hargreeves (left) an American double agent and Klaus Hargreeves (right) a prominent religous leader. Infinitum Archive 231

KENOSHA COOPER, SISSY: A known associate of The Kennedy Six. Believed to have been recruited by Soviet spy, Vanya Hargreeves, in the effort to assassinate John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, on November 22nd, 1963. While her exact role in the assassination plot remains unknown, she is suspected of becoming radicalised through manipulation or coercian by Vanya Hargreeves and her terrorist co-conspirators. Having lived a relatively normal suburban life before the assassination, Cooper's life took a dramatic turn around the time Kennedy was killed, Cooper appeared on the FBI's most wanted list for the murder of her husband, Carl Cooper, in 1963 and her alleged connection to the Kennedy assassination. Sissy Cooprt died in Oakland, California under a false name. -- KENOSHA, Wisconsin (pop. 62,899, met. area 100,615; alt. 610ft) is a manufactoring center on the western shore of LAke Michigan. Kenosha lies about 8 miles north of the Wisconsin-Illinois boundary line. The city is about 35 miles south of Milwaukee, and about 55 miles north of Chicago. For location, see WISCONSIN (politcal map). KENSICO DAM stores water for the water-supply system of New York City. It is cheifly an emergency resevoir, The dam extends across the Bronx River about 20 miles north of New York city. It is a concrete gravity-type structure, standing 307 feet high, 233 feer thick at the base, and 1,843 feet long, Kensico Dam can hold 93,905 acre-feet of water. A highway across the top of the dam leads to the aeration (ventilation) plant, which has 3,00 fountains. The dam was built on 1915 by the New York City Department of Water Supply. KENSINGTON RUNE STONE is a slab of stone bearing an inscription in Scandinacion runic letters (see RUNE). Olof Ohman, a Swedish farmer, found the stone on his farm near Kensington, Minn, in 1898, this inscription tells of a party of Swedish and Norweigan vikings who ser out from their settlements in Vinland (America) on an exploration journey westward. The inscription is dated 1362, or 130 years before Columbus discovered America. Some scholars have regarded the stone as a forgery, while others have defended it as genuine. The rune stone is still a 232 [picture of Sissy from 1963] Sissy Cooper manged to evade the law until her death in Oakland, California. Infinitum Archive subject of controversy. It is in the possession of the Alexandria (Minn.) Chamber of Commerce. A replica appears on exhibit in the National Museum in Washington, D.C. KENTUCKY is one of the border states that lie between the North and the South. Its long northern border is formed by the Ohio River, on of the traditional boundaries between the Northern States and the Southern States. Kentucky also forms a link between two of the great land features of the United STates, its eastern border touches the Appalachian Mountains. About 350 miles to the west, Kentucky touches the Mississippi Ricer, Kentucky was admitted into the UUnion as the 19th state on June 1, 1792, splitting from Virginia in the process. It is known as the "Bluegrass State", a nickname based on Kentucky bluegrass, a species of grass found in many of its pastures, which has supported the thoroughbred horse industry in the center of the state. It is home to the world's longest cave syste,: Mammoth Cave National Park, as well as the greatest length of navigable waterways and streams in the contiguous United States and the two largest man-made lakes east of th Mississippi River, located within the southeastern interior portion of Nother America, Kentucky has a slimate that is best described as a humid subtropical climate, only small higher areas

[positivelybeastly]

If I may, what's your opinion on Hank from Earth-41001/X-Men: The End and GeNext: United?

So, I had to brush up on my X-Men history for this one, because Chris Claremont's post-2000 work often tends to slip my mind, especially his The End series, which has as many insane and weird choices as it does good ones.

The man really did lose a step after he got taken off the books in the 90s, and while I think that he's written some good stuff after that (his 2000s Excalibur runs are honestly better than I remembered them being), there's a reason he doesn't get asked back to do much more than the occasional story here and there, like the recent Uncanny #700 feature on Mystique, Nightcrawler, Destiny and Rogue.

Compare and contrast that to Louise Simonson, who got asked back to do a whole Jean Grey mini-series during Fall of X, and it's pretty clear that he's just not considered frontline talent anymore.

That being said, I think this Hank, and Claremont's work on GeNext, definitely skews more towards the good side of the scale.

This version of Hank is, of course, best known for his relationship with Cecilia Reyes, which, in this universe, blossomed into a fully fledged marriage with multiple kids - and that's a good choice, honestly! Of all his romantic partners, Cecilia has always struck me as the most level headed, the most stable, and the most likely to want to settle down, which Hank has, on some level, always wanted to do, and has perhaps the best ability to out of a lot of the X-Men.

Despite his physical mutation seeming like the biggest obstacle to him living a normal life, Hank's work with the Avengers and Defenders has resulted in a massive boost to his popularity in-universe, he's equivalent to a real life celebrity, and it's made it easy for him to settle down and stop doing superhero work if he so chooses.

It doesn't hurt that his public persona, of a well spoken, charming, and funny blue little guy, is an effective one, and one that's easy for him to maintain because, well, it's pretty damn close to what he's actually like.

But, back to The End and GeNext. It's a clear sequel to X-Treme X-Men in a lot of ways, something Claremont establishes pretty clearly by bringing up Hank's trauma regarding the death of Psylocke in Valencia, which I appreciate, because I feel like it really gives a lot of important emotional context to Hank's state of mind in New X-Men, and it weighs heavily on him. I don't think Hank is a person who takes death easily, and Claremont gets that.

I also have to include this, because it is hilarious.

I also really appreciate this moment, because . . . yeah, Hank is the guy you want to leave behind, because Hank is a fundamentally nurturing, bridge-building, educational force. There was a period of time, from roughly 2001-2005, where the X-Men became a lot more like the school focused book that people always kind of think of it as, where hundreds of mutants were running through the halls and the X-Men were teachers.

And, to be frank, a lot of those X-Men didn't really feel fit to be teachers? A lot of them have very good practical experience to teach certain applied subjects, but Hank, Emma, and a few select others have always felt like the most suited to actual higher education for the students, which is why Hank's recurring role in New X-Men vol. 2/Academy X always felt like such a natural fit.

Like, this man was born to be the cool teacher.

And born to be a dad, too.

I'll be real, I'm not . . . 100% on the clothing? I'm not an expert, but I don't know that a WASP man, even if he's blue, should be wearing this kind of clothing, even if he does rock it. Someone who's more of an expert on American cultures and African clothing would need to weigh in here, but it's not a choice I personally would have made? It feels a little bit 'older hippie accidentally strays onto the landmine that is cultural appreciation because he has a non-white girlfriend.' But, then again, this series was written in 2006, and Claremont is an older generation writer, so I can't judge it too harshly.

So, now we move on to GeNext, which, as the first issue states, deals with the premise that the X-Men's ages progressed in real time, rather than being stuck in the sliding timescale, which means that Hank is nearing 50. I've long since headcanoned that his healing factor, even if it isn't up to Wolverine or Sabretooth's levels, means that he should be just as agile and spry age 50 as if he were 20, and this series generally tends to hold to that?

I do appreciate that this series leverages the differences in Hank and Cecilia's outlook on the X-Men. Hank's always bought into Xavier's dream, always regarded the work the X-Men do as necessary, and while Cecilia holds to that, she reflects another aspect of Hank's take, which is that it's a worthy job, sure, but not everyone with an X-gene is suited to be an X-Man, and it's a worthwhile thing to consider.

Sometimes, people just want enough training that they can control their powers, and then they just want to bounce, and that's an outlook that should be respected, even if it doesn't always pan out.

This is a particularly interesting development, given where Scott would fall on the axis of letting kids be kids, versus making kids into X-Men, later on in the 616 continuity.

But it makes sense. In this universe, the Decimation never happened, and the arc of these two characters changed as a result - hell, Hank never turned feline, either, which I always regarded as a massive learning process and maturation for him, a furthering of his arc in New Defenders where he was learning what it meant to be a responsible adult.

It feels, in this universe at least, like he never quite lost the devil-may-care spirit that feline Hank's brushes with mortality beat into him. Maybe that's a good thing, maybe that's a bad thing, but it's hard not to see his point - if good kids have the power to effect change, then they're going to do it, with or without your say so. Denying that fact only leads to a New Mutants/Magneto situation, where they kind of end up resenting you for holding them back, even if your intentions are only to keep them safe.

His tune does change a little bit in United, though it's a very different situation here - rather than pushing the boundaries as an Xavier sanctioned X-team, seemingly with some training wheels on, as Hank seemed to be suggesting, here, Cooper is hinting at a more formal, more high stakes, more original flavour X-Men solution, which. Hank has thoughts about. Though, it wouldn't be Hank if he weren't capable of holding two contradictory viewpoints at the exact same time about the exact same thing.

It does always make me laugh when people say that Hank always turns evil in alternate futures. What about this one? He's like the coolest old guy ever. He's solid. He's reliable. He's flexible. He's understanding. There's not a goddamn evil bone in his body. He counts just as much as Dark Beast does, is all I'm saying . . .

Soft. Sweet. Gentle. This is Hank McCoy at his purest.

Hank McCoy. Everyone's friend.

That being said, I'm a sucker for moments like these.

Oh, shit, yeah, Hank IS strong enough to bench press ten tons, and he IS a raging beast with uncanny speed, reflexes, and brutality. Maybe fucking with him and removing the thing that tempers and controls and keeps him reasonable - his soul - isn't a good idea??? Oops.

There's not a ton more left to comment on, Hank is very much a supporting character in United, but it does remind me of something that I've always felt in my heart of hearts - that even though Chris Claremont didn't get to write Beast very much, he had a very strong appreciation for the character, and enjoyed writing him when he had a chance.

There's an alternate universe out there where Hank stayed with the X-Men rather than joining the Avengers and Defenders, and though I don't think I'd want to live in that universe - I enjoy New Defenders entirely too much to give it up for anything - I definitely think it'd make for an interesting What If, where Hank's present for much more of Claremont's defining 16 year run on the X-Men. I definitely think he would have done him justice.

[beevean]

I think another important fact w Nocturne is that they have a haitian history/culture expert on board to make sure they get things right. And it's awesome that they did bother making their homework on Haiti and on portraying voodoo as more than "scary spooky magic", but then it ends up contrasting with the rest of the show :/

And like, im sure there's some, ahem, "progressives" who are all "haha who cares they got the european whitey history wrong", but aside from the obvious fact that the history of any region deserves to be treated with respect and objetivity, there's also still "representation" gems such as Orlox's character lining up with spaniard colonizer propaganda

Yes, and they also hired a South African writer for Annette's story. It's almost funny how they put more care into that part of history than the much better-known French Revolution 😂

(well, I am assuming they put more care. I am sadly ignorant on both fronts, so I can't judge. I already heard that Annette's whole "oh I descend from gods" is a kinda blasphemous semplification of the relationship between human and gods in her religion, but again, I can't speak about it)

And this is not about muh white history. The French Revolution is, effectively, the backdrop of the series. It was hyped as being set in the French Revolution. It was hyped to be an important plot point paralleling the ascension ot Sun Thundercat. They chose to set their show during the French Revolution, rather than Romania. I am expecting some basic historical accuracy from all of this.

Honestly, something tells me they so would have wanted to talk about the American Revolution and the first years of the States as its own country, but they couldn't justify the Belmonts migrating all the way there, so they were like "fuck it, France it is", but still managed to involve the American continent somehow.

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

Who does a (codependent) Camilla Tominey think she is to repeatedly demand that William sacrifice his own family for the (non-heir) traitor brother?

The good news is they actually located the malignancy. This isn't the first time a monarch or senior member of a monarchy has been diagnosed with something life threatening, however they tend to keep it a secret. I think it's a good sign that they've shared details because it suggests the BRF medical team feels confident about the prognosis. If they found a mass, it's possible that the malignant tumor was removed and any adjuvant or holistic treatment is more of a precaution.

I'm so sorry to see the Suck-It duo repeatedly capitalize off of the BRF's suffering:

Sadistic MEgain, licking her chops at the very thought of seeing another Windsor in the ground, while Sparry pays to publish his travel plan with every American celebrity media outlet. What happened to his "security" concerns? It's obvious that Sparry's PR is desperate to bury the African Parks scandal. Will he be forced to rush back to California to rescue the family from the storm?

Sparry is a Crazy Maker and Crazy Makers should not be near cancer patients. If Sparry wants his father to get well, then he should drop all the lawsuits and maintain a quiet, dignified distance.

I have to agree with this comment:

From Technical_Ant_7466 via Reddit

"I am really concerned about Duke of Hazard returning to the UK and visiting Charles. My fear is that Harry will fanagle himself back into the RF, and that he will expect to take on responsibilities or worse that he will but further pressure on the King and Princess Catherine. Just as their vile antics accelerated the death of the late Queen and Prince Philip, I firmly believe that the Harkles have caused a lot of damage, including the health of family members. ***For years I worked in the medical field as a scientist. The research I've read has not proven a definite cause-and-effect relationship between stress and cancer. The connection between emotional (psychological) health and physical health is very complex. Psychological stress can affect your body. Some studies suggest a link between various psychological factors and an increased risk of developing cancer.*** **1.Stress can weaken the immune system. The immune system defends the body against infections and diseases, such as cancer. A weakened immune system plays a role in the development of some types of cancer.** **2. Stress can alter the levels of certain hormones in your body. This may also put you at greater risk of developing cancer.** Stress has a profound impact on how the body’s systems function. Health experts are still sorting out whether stress actually causes cancer. ***There’s little doubt that it promotes the growth and spread of some forms of the disease. Put simply, stress makes your body more hospitable to cancer.*** Long-term/chronic stress is more damaging, and the damages comes from situations that last many weeks/ months/years with no definite end point. ( Ithink we can confidently say that 5+ years of mega mouth and her poodle have been extremely stressful for the RF. This no-end-in-sight stress weakens the immune system, leaving a person prone to diseases, like cancer. It also ups the risk for digestive problems and depression. Chronic stress also can help cancer grow and spread in a number of ways. At this point in time, the last thing the RF needs is Harry in their midst. I can't think of a single advantage their is for him to returning to " his father's side", when he's done nothing but say vile, evil lies about them, divulge members of the RF personal stories and has generally been a human version of POISON. I hope Harry drops in and leaves quickly. THERE'S NO POSITION FOR HIME TO FILL. WILLIAM PROBABLY DOESN'T WANT HIM THERE, AND I APOLOGIZE IF THESE SEEMS CALLOUS, BUT I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC DOESN'T WANT HIM THERE. Harry has proven to be poisinous and toxic. No amount of grovelling will change the perswon he is. His real personality may go into hiding, but make no mistake, he's as eveil as the ILBW. Removing the cause is the clear answer but instead that TREACHEROUS VILLIAN IS BEING ALLOWED BACK, WHICH IS A VERY BAD IDEA. This is a photo op for Harry and a chance to attempt to fleece his father for money/security and whatever else the ILBW has told him to get his grimmy paws on. HARRY CANNOT BE ALLOWED BACK, OR THAT WILL BE END OF THE MONARCHY."

author: Technical_Ant_7466 submitted: 04/02/2024 via r/SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7466429/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7466429/)

https://www.reddit.com/r/SaintMeghanMarkle/comments/1ajqp3v/the_gruesomes_have_been_stressors_since_before/

Then there's Fergie:

Why would Fergie release her private medical information as the world grappled with the sad news about Charles and Catherine? Fergie was not undergoing adjuvant treatment. There was no risk of anyone spotting her at a daily RTX treatment. I'm certainly thankful she's OK but I wish she would have waited until the working royals were out of the health scare news cycle before shouting "me too."

Fergie is not "battling alongside King Charles" 🤦🤦‍♀️🤦‍♂️ Aren't her grandkids just babies---except for a 3 yo?

[sirofreak]

(Additional SCP context is in the tags since a lot of this is kinda hard to understand without it)

A first look into the Uncontained Anomalies Canon; starting with a few members of the O5 Council!

O5-4: “The Marketer”

Male. African descent, European origin. Appears to be mid-40s, most likely around 100 years old. Always seen wearing designer suits and carrying a wooden cane with a bird skull. Often seen with other forms of skull imagery, significance is unknown, if any.

Previously a part of Marshall, Carter, and Dark, said he left MC&D on neutral terms but rumored to still be part of the organization. How he joined the Foundation is unknown, but most likely joined as a high level researcher or site director.

O5-4 is in charge of handling relationships with other organizations such as the Global Occult Coalition and world leaders as a form of ambassador for the Foundation. Also known to help with many of the Foundation’s bigger financial decisions.

Friendly but condescending personality, secretive in nature. One of the 05s more commonly seen in public.

O5-6: “The Pirate”

Male. European descent, American origin. Appears to be late-30s, most likely about 50 years old. Heavily scarred face from days as a field agent. Almost always seen wearing a cowboy hat and carrying a pearl revolver and matching cane with the head of a wolf, given to him by 05-4, significance unknown, if any.

Formerly a member of the Global Occult Coalition before it joined forces with the Stork Brigade, then joined the Foundation as a field agent. Quickly rose in the ranks before joining the Council.

O5-6 is in charge of the Foundation’s Defense Department and has created many Mobile Task Force units including MTF-Alpha-1, Red Right Hand, which reports directly to the O5 Council. Also serves as the Council’s weapons expert and battle strategist.

Highly competent but aggressive and somewhat violent in nature, known to get into fights with members of the Ethics Committee when his ideologies and methods are considered unethical.

[manygeese]

new essay just dropped and it’s about

BECKENDORF AND SILENA

Beware, weary travelers, for there be spoilers ahead

Charles Beckendorf is great, guys, and anybody who says otherwise will catch these hands. He’s introduced in the Sea of Monsters, and is the first person to accept Tyson. He shows Tyson how to work the forges, showing his compassion and empathy. As far as I know, he’s the first canonically African-American character in the series. Also, he’s the best.

Silena Beauregard is also introduced in the second book, I think, and although this may not be her (might be one of her siblings), I think she asked Percy is he needed eyeliner for his “eye- sorry, eyes”. This was meant to make fun of Percy and Tyson, showing a stark contrast from the get go between her and Beckendorf.

Silena is shown to be feisty (“[they said that] Love is worthless. I’ll pulverize them” from the Titan’s curse) and an expert at Pegasus riding. Beckendorf is head counselor of Hephaestus and expert at the forges. While not polar opposites, you’d expect Silena to stick to her group and Beckendorf to stick to his, right?

Then comes The Last Olympian, where we are told that Silena and Beckendorf are dating. Beckendorf carries a picture of Silena onto the ship- onto a ship where he has to complete a dangerous mission- onto a ship where he will meet his death. And when Silena dies after the fight with the dragon, her last words are “Charlie… see Charlie…” (BTW she’s the only one who calls him Charlie, it’s established that literally everyone calls him Beckendorf).

Hephaestus and Aphrodite’s marriage was arranged. It’s unhealthy and neither of them actually care about their relationship. Aphrodite cheats with Ares and Hephaestus gives up, just spends all his time in his forge.

But Hephaestus’ son, Beckendorf and Aphrodite’s daughter, Silena- they chose each other. They choose each other again and again. Beckendorf chooses Silena’s photo to bring with him to his death. Silena chooses her last words to tell her love that she’s going to see him again. Their choices are what make their relationship so tragic, and the fact that Silena makes such horrible choices (being a spy for Luke) outside her relationship with Beckendorf makes it all the more special. They seem like they wouldn’t get along, but they cross all boundaries to be together. They are Romeo and Juliet and they died just as tragically- with each other on their minds.

[ralfmaximus]

In his ruling Judge McAfee chastised Willis for what he said was a “tremendous lapse in judgement.” However, Willis says she isn’t “embarrassed” and doesn’t need to rehabilitate her image with Fulton County residents.

Damn straight. Fulton County is dominated by african american voters and what they saw was a powerful black woman attacked for having consensual, legal sex with a man.

They saw white male attorneys hound her on the witness stand, demanding intimate details of her life, such as when she had sex, where she had sex, and how often. That was ON TOP of allegations that she'd defrauded the County out of $4000 in cash to pay for romantic getaways. Yeah, a whopping four grand, supposedly.

The Trump lawyers manufactured evidence. Their "star witness" perjured herself on the witness stand. Their "technical expert" who testified to cell phone records wasn't, and misinterpreted the data in the most stupid, amateurish way possible.

From start to finish, a shitshow.

And Willis came through it all with dignity.

I do hope when the main Trump trial is over and the time is right, she & Nathan Wade sues everyone involved for defamation.

[ryukang1995]

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe counterparts/matchups

Superman = Raiden - The ultimate defenders of their worlds. Superman is like a god while Raiden is literally one...well, before New MK1 came along.

Batman = Liu Kang - The greatest human defenders of their respective teams...at least before Liu Kang became the Fire God. Both are expert martial artists and have an animal motif going on (Liu Kang has a dragon theme while Batman's is self-explanatory).

Wonder Woman = Kitana - Warrior princesses from other worlds. Depending on which version you're going with, they also have close relationships with Batman and Liu Kang.

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) = Kuai Liang (Scorpion/Sub-Zero) - Members of councils who often share their mantles with other figures in the canon (Hal is part of the Green Lantern Corps while Kuai Liang is a member of the Lin Kuei clan, and later the Shirai Ryu clan in New MK1). Green Lantern's ring and Sub-Zero's ice often function similarly with both of them being able to create practically anything with them.

The Flash = Kabal - Super speedsters who often can be snarky.

Aquaman = Rain - Royal figures who are hydrokinetic and can manipulate the weather.

Deathstroke = Hanzo Hasashi (Scorpion) - Top ranking assassins who left behind their families from previous lives.

Catwoman = Sonya Blade - Arguably the most recognizable female characters besides Wonder Woman and Kitana, they're often on opposite sides of the law since Sonya is a Special Forces agent while Catwoman is a burglar. They too have close relationships with Batman and Liu Kang (mostly in my works based on MK, and even in the Jeff Rovin novel).

Dick Grayson (Robin/Nightwing) = Kung Lao - The partners/sidekicks to Batman and Liu Kang, they too are skilled martial artists.

Cyborg = Jax - African-American males who are cybernetically enhanced.

Starfire = Li Mei - Female fighters who can fire plasma/nova blasts. They also have close relationships with Dick Grayson and Kung Lao (at least in my works based on MK).

Raven = Ermac - Figures who use telepathy and dark magic.

Beast Boy = Nightwolf - Characters who can morph into animals.

Shazam = Fujin - Godly figures who are somewhat connected to Superman and Raiden.

The Joker = Kano - Psychopathic criminals with a penchant for knives and a twisted sense of humor.

Harley Quinn = Mileena - Seductive yet playful and twisted femme fatales.

Green Arrow = Kung Jin - Archers who are also skilled martial artists.

Black Canary = Sindel - Authority figures who are also mothers and have ultrasonic screams.

Blue Beetle = Takeda - Young heroes who have an insect motif.

Booster Gold = Johnny Cage - Egotistical celebrity heroes.

Katana = Kenshi - Japanese fighters who wield swords that have the souls of family members trapped in them.

Sinestro = Bi Han (Sub-Zero/Noob Saibot) - Darker foils to Green Lantern and Kuai Liang who used to fight for good until they became villains who invoke fear.

Killer Croc = Reptile - Sideshow freaks with a strong reptilian theme.

Lobo = Baraka - Deadly otherworldly beings.

Bane = Goro - Behemoth fighters with a level of intellect. They also have pivotal roles against Batman and Liu Kang (while Bane broke Batman's back, Liu Kang defeated Goro to become the Mortal Kombat champion).

Doctor Fate = Shang Tsung - Sorcerers.

Lex Luthor = Quan Chi - Power-mad and intellectual villains.

Darkseid = Shao Kahn - Tyrannical rulers bent on conquering worlds.

That's all for now. I did leave some characters out, but these are who I could think of at the moment. If you view them differently, it's all good.

[krihmuh]

"Exploring the Depths of Humanity: Unraveling Jordan Peele's 'Us'"

It is almost impossible to forget the other mind-bending cinematic gem that Jordan Peele gifted his audience in 2019 – "Us." This psychological horror flick was an invitation to dive deep into its chilling narrative and unearth the hidden layers that resonate with our deepest fears and societal schisms. "Us" isn't your run-of-the-mill horror movie; it's a dark, thought-provoking mirror reflecting the human condition in all its eerie glory. So, let's get into it and dissect this enigmatic thriller. 

In Jordan Peele's "Us," the theme of isolation reverberates throughout the storyline, creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. The Wilson family, our protagonists, find themselves isolated both physically and metaphorically, thrust into a nightmare where they face their own doppelgängers, the Tethered. This physical isolation, occurring in the form of a home invasion, is intensified by the fact that the Wilsons' attackers are twisted versions of themselves. This duality accentuates the feeling of isolation, as they are essentially confronting their own darkest fears and suppressed identities, mirrored in the form of their adversaries.

Metaphorically, the theme of isolation expands beyond the Wilson family. The Tethered, living beneath the surface of society, unseen and forgotten, represent the isolated and marginalized segments of the population. Their existence in labyrinthine tunnels beneath the ground echoes their isolation from the world above, illustrating a profound social divide. Jordan Peele dives deep into the theme of social isolation in "Us." Take Jason, for instance. He stands out not just because he's a unique character but also because of his neurodiversity, which sets him apart from the rest. Jason’s neurodivergent superpower is the reason why he is the only one able to control his doppelganger. He was the first to recognize the Tethered as a copy of themselves and knew without a doubt at first glance! And then there's that not-so-subtle moment with Umbrae and her white vacation friends at the beach. Remember that super awkward exchange they had about why she wouldn't get into the water? It is obvious to those that get it, she just had her hair permed, and getting in the water would reverse that. Her friends obviously didn't know that, nor understood, and just thought she was being lame or a party pooper at the end of the day. Peele masterfully inserts these moments as subtle nods, skillfully illuminating the profound social chasms that separate the characters. These instances are far from arbitrary; they represent Peele's meticulous craft, unveiling the multifaceted layers of isolation. His storytelling prowess prompts us to delve into the intricate nuances of human connection, urging us to contemplate the subtle yet impactful barriers we inadvertently construct. With an expert touch, Peele invites us to navigate the complexities of these relationships, encouraging thoughtful introspection about the intricacies of social isolation and the intricate webs of human interaction.

The theme of privilege is woven into the intricate fabric of the storyline as well, unveiling the disparities and entitlements that exist within society. The Wilson family, particularly the matriarch Adelaide, represents a middle-class African American family vacationing in a beach house, blissfully unaware of the horrors that await them. The family's initial privilege lies in their economic stability, allowing them the luxury of a vacation, shielded from the harsher realities faced by marginalized communities. Privilege, taken in the form of money, can definitely cause a separation or distance between you and where you started/came from.

As the film progresses, the concept of privilege becomes more nuanced. When the Tethered, their doppelgängers, emerge from the shadows, it becomes apparent that the Wilsons are not just facing a physical threat but also a metaphorical one. The Tethered, living in darkness and suffering, embody the neglected and oppressed members of society, devoid of the privileges enjoyed by their counterparts above ground. They are forced in the tunnels while real humans are given the privilege to live their own lives, despite the occasional feeling of isolation. Peele uses the concept of the tethered to remind us that people have had to, and have, suffered in order to enjoy the privilege we currently have, whether that literally points to those who are less fortunate, or to people like our parents, our ancestors or people in our past lives that have had to “walk so we can run” so to speak. The contrast between the Wilsons and the Tethered serves as a stark reminder of the systemic inequalities that persist, illustrating how societal privilege shields some from the struggles faced by others.

"Us" transcends the boundaries of a typical horror flick; it's an intricate tapestry woven with threads of psychological depth, societal intricacies, and the enigmatic facets of the human soul. Jordan Peele skillfully peels away the layers of fear and suspense, exposing the raw essence of our existence. It's like he hands us a mirror and challenges us to confront the complexities within ourselves, encouraging us to shatter the self-imposed chains that bind us.

[avaveevo]

Sausage Party: The Series Characters

The Snack Pack Frank, a sausage and the leader of the Snack Pack Brenda, a hot dog bun and Frank’s girlfriend as well as the co-leader of the Snack Pack and a worker at the homeless shelter Barry, a deformed sausage and Frank and Brenda’s friend as well as the Snack Pack’s combat expert and tactician Sammy, a Jewish bagel who is in a relationship with Lavash and has his own talk show called The Sammy Bagel Jr. Show Lavash, a Middle Eastern flatbread who was exiled from his aisle due to his relationship with Sammy and became a bartender alongside Husk Teresa, a Mexican taco and a therapist for traumatized products

Villain Douche, a douche who was resurrected by a cult to get his revenge on Frank and the Snack Pack

The Non-Perishables Firewater, an old Native American bottle of liquor and the leader of the Non-Perishables Mr. Grits, an African-American box of grits and a member of the Non-Perishables Twink, a gay Twinkie who is a member of the Non-Perishables Gum, an intelligent but paraplegic wad of chewed gum who wears glasses, has a mechanized wheelchair, and is a member of the Non-Perishables

Other Characters Marisa, a 7-year-old taco and Teresa’s niece Dorothy, Sammy’s mother who is supportive of Sammy and Lavash’s love story Gabe, Dorothy’s father and Sammy’s grandfather who hates Lavash Meegan, Sammy’s emo cousin who’s always on her phone Marie Mango-May, a mango and a news anchor for Shopwell’s News Duncan Donut, a donut and a news anchor for Shopwell’s News Derek Reem, a carton of cream and a field reporter for Shopwell’s News

[coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe]

Brainwaves Bios: Winston Zeddemore (1984)

The Muscle of The Ghostbusters Winston Zeddemore

The muscle of the Ghostbusters, Winston joined when he saw an advertisement in the newspaper looking for a forth member. The most down-to-earth member of the team, originally joined for the money, but is still a loyal and heroic member of the team.

"We had the tools, we had the talent."

Name

Full Legal Name: Winston Ramsey Zeddemore

First Name: Winston

Meaning: From an English surname that was derived from the Old English given name 'Wynnstan', itself derived from the Old English elements 'Wynn' 'Joy' and 'Stan' 'Stone'.

Pronunciation: WIN-ston

Origin: English

Middle Name: Ramsey

Meaning: From an English and Scottish surname that was derived from a place name meaning 'Garlic Island' in Old English.

Pronunciation: RAM-zee

Origin: English

Surname: Zeddemore

Meaning: Meaning Unknown.

Pronunciation: ZEDD-more

Origin: Unknown

Titles: Sergeant, Mr

Nicknames: Z, Zed, Zedd

Characteristics

Age: 39

Gender: Male. He/Him Pronouns

Race: Human

Nationality: American Citizen. Born in America

Ethnicity: African-American

Birth Date: December 17th 1945

Sexuality: Straight

Religion: Christian

Native Language: English

Known Languages: English, Spanish

Relationship Status: Single

Astrological Sign: Sagittarius

Actor: Ernie Hudson

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina

Current Residence: North Moore Street, New York, New York

Appearance

Height: 6'3" / 191 cm

Weight: 220 lbs / 100 kg

Eye Colour: Brown

Hair Colour: Black

Hair Dye: None

Body Hair: Hairy

Facial Hair: Moustache

Tattoos: (As of Jan 1984) None

Piercings: None

Scars: None Noticeable

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Social Drinker, Smoker

Illnesses/Disorders: None Diagnosed

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: None

Relationships

Affiliated Groups: Ghostbusters (Employee/Member)

Friends: Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, Raymond Stantz, Janine Melnitz, Dana Barrett, Louis Tully (Sort-Of)

Significant Other: None

Previous Partners: None of Note

Parents: Mark Zeddemore (Deceased, Father), Lucille Zeddemore (62, Mother, Née Major)

Parents-In-Law: None

Siblings: Daphne Carlisle (36, Sister, Née Zeddemore), Joseph Zeddemore (33, Brother), Patricia Baker (30, Sister, Née Zeddemore), Leon Zeddemore (27, Brother)

Siblings-In-Law: Olivia Carlisle (38, Daphne's Husband), Rachel Zeddemore (35, Joseph's Wife, Née Flores), Nathan Baker (32, Patricia's Husband), Susan Zeddemore (29, Leon's Wife, Née Grant)

Nieces & Nephews: Tyler Carlisle (16, Nephew), Martha Carlisle (12, Niece), Benjamin Carlisle (8, Nephew), Velma Carlisle (4, Nephew), Carter Zeddemore (13, Nephew), Zoe Zeddemore (9, Niece), Abel Zeddemore (5, Nephew), Sally Zeddemore (1, Niece), David Baker (10, Nephew), Flora Baker (6, Niece), Graham Baker (2, Nephew), Holly Zeddemore (7, Niece), Jacob Zeddemore (3, Nephew)

Children: None

Extras

Level of Education: United States Marines Training

Occupation: Ghostbuster

Employer: Ghostbusters

Expertise:

Investigations and Security Procedures Knowledge

Strategy and Tactical Analysis Knowledge

Excellent Driver

Excellent Marksman

Martial Arts Knowledge

Mechanical Knowledge

Excellent Physical Conditioning

Basic Knowledge in Piloting

Religious Studies Expert

Hopeful

Believes in a Better Reality

Informed on Current Events

Faults:

Hates Jell-O

Hates Rats

Hates Cockroaches

Motion Sickness

Seasickness

Backstory: Unlike the other three Ghostbusters, Winston Zeddemore was not originally a university professor. Winston applied for a job opening late in 1984 after business started to pick up. Janine Melnitz interviewed Winston from her desk. She asked him if he believed in UFOs, astral projections, mental telepathy, ESP, clairvoyance, spirit photography, telekinetic movement, full trans-mediums, the Loch Ness monster and the theory of Atlantis. Winston replied if there was a steady paycheque in it, he would believe anything she said. The interview was interrupted when the phone rang and by the return of the weary Peter Venkman and Raymond Stantz. Winston turned his head and observed them while Janine spoke to the caller. Raymond was not pleased to see two free repeaters on the evening worksheet. He walked to the basement Janine brought Winston to their attention. She introduced him. Winston stood. Raymond stopped and turned around. Raymond took one look at him and hired him on the spot.

[female-malice]

Minnesota Takes Action on Missing and Murdered Black Women

In an effort to address the issue in Minnesota, state legislators and advocates created the Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force – the first of its kind in the country. The task force, which started in 2021, wrapped up in December 2022 and issued its final report that same month.

A lack of data makes it difficult to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the murders of Black women and girls. FBI data shows that in more than 50% of Black women’s murders nationally, the victim’s relationship to their killer remains unknown. At the same time, what data is available suggests Black women are often killed by someone familiar.

In 2020, among cases where the relationship of the victim to the offender was reported, about 59% of Black women and girls were killed by a known acquaintance and over 30% were killed by a family member, according to FBI data.

“Women are killed by partners or for other factors related to intimacy, in private and not during the commission of other felony crimes, unlike men who are more likely to be killed in public,” says Shatema Threadcraft, a professor of gender, sexuality studies and political science at Vanderbilt University.

Black families face an unjust justice system and the “subjective process” of Amber Alerts, the nationwide alert system that broadcasts information on missing persons, says Minnesota state Rep. Ruth Richardson, a task force member and the sponsor of the legislation that launched it. She and others say Black girls are often considered runaways, meaning law enforcement won't issue an Amber Alert for them.

Rosa Page, a registered nurse who heads the Black Femicide Prevention Coalition – an online advocacy group formerly known as Black Femicide U.S. – has spent the last five years painstakingly recording and boosting thousands of cases of missing and murdered Black women and girls across multiple social media platforms.

“There are no flyers, there is no information many times – even (for) the missing women and girls on my page,” says Page, who believes the official numbers of missing and murdered Black women and girls are likely undercounts.

The alarming numbers of cases and lack of attention were not lost on Richardson, who sought to address the issue following her election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018. “The first time I introduced the bill (in 2019), it didn't move at all,” she says.

Then a year later, Minnesota became the epicenter for racial justice protests following George Floyd’s murder, an event which she says served as a “catalyst” for a movement for Black women’s justice. In the eyes of the Minnesota government, Richardson says, racism had finally been reframed as a “public health crisis,” allowing for the establishment of the state’s Select Committee on Racial Justice in 2020 and later the passage of the legislation that gave birth to the task force.

Task force members, including survivors and experts – from law enforcement members to housing and child welfare specialists – spent over a year unraveling the racism, sexism and disproportionate victimization encountered by Black women.

In many such community-oriented initiatives in Minnesota, there’s often a “disconnect between the government and the community,” and a sense that communities are being spoken for rather than with, says Artika Roller, a task force member and executive director of the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. To combat this, the task force emphasized community participation and comments from those touched by violence.

But getting cooperation from affected women and families was no easy task, as some feared blowback from their own community and potentially powerful people. Just 15 people came forward to testify about their experience in front of the task force.

“They’re afraid of losing their employment,” says Lakeisha Lee, who co-chaired the task force and leads a variety of women's and sex trafficking advocacy groups, including the Brittany Clardy Foundation, in remembrance of her sister who was murdered in 2013. “They're afraid because of where they live … that the people in power – their dominance – will affect them and their families directly.”

The task force’s final recommendations are varied – from anti-racist training for health care workers and other professionals to direct funding for vulnerable Black women and girls. Housing was a particular focus, as housing insecurity can force women facing violent domestic situations to stay and others onto the streets.

[synergysilhouette]

Diversifying the Scooby-Doo Gang (inspired by "Velma")

I'll just go ahead and say it: I'm not a huge fan of changing a character's identity when they've existed as the same thing for so long (Yeah, I'll be that guy), but for the sake of the argument, if the Scooby gang was to be more diverse in a series like "Velma"--but you know, with better writing--I thought I'd put my own thoughts on paper. I actually did brainstorm Scooby Doo series before, and I'll leave the post for them below. As for my version of a diverse Scooby Gang:

Fred Jones--Puerto Rican ancestry. This isn't really a lore-related thing; it's just a callback to the fact that Freddie Prinze Jr (who played Fred in the live-action 2000s films) had a grandmother from Puerto Rico, and it'd be a cool tie-in to him while still pretty much keeping Fred more or less the same. To be fair, Hispanic isn't a race per se, but an ethnicity, and I still see Fred as predominantly white (his father would probably be be an Anglo American with the surname Jones and his mom would be Puerto Rican), but his background would be different. If the show really wanted to dive into deep topics, perhaps it'd be worth exploring themes of colorism since he "looks" white (and the discussion of race vs ethnicity), and the fact that he's automatically "othere'd" when it's revealed that he's Hispanic. Something I think that's been lost on several 21st century incarnations of Fred is that he's pretty intelligent and socially adept, so I would like to keep that concept.

2. Daphne Blake--Scottish-American. I'm sure the gang's ancestry and families have been explored in depth in various incarnations, but none of them stood out to me like Daphne's Scottish ancestry in "Scooby Doo and the Loch Ness Monster." While in "Velma" Fred is the only white character, Daphne would be the only (completely) white character in my iteration. I'd also want them to get a hold on her angle as a character; depending on the show/film, she can be spunky, ditzy, bubbly, or feisty. I like the idea that she's a super sweet and upbeat girl interested in fashion and the arts, but dropping the shallow qualities that people often associate with girly-girl characters (ie commenting on someone's fashion sense, which she did a lot during the "What's New, Scooby Doo" era). I also like the "Mystery Inc" aspect of her coming from a successful family and feeling insecure about who she is as a person, thus taking an interest in--and excelling at--various fields in an attempt to find herself and make her family proud.

3. Norville "Shaggy" Rogers--Middle Eastern. In loving memory to his debut voice actor, who was the son of Lebanese immigrants (and someone who would voice him for many decades afterwards), making Shaggy someone of Arab descent in this diversification scenario feels like the right thing to do, and it'd give some positive Muslim rep if they wanted to go in that direction. Being the cuisine expert that he is, Shaggy's heritage could also introduce the audience to a lot of meals cooked in his ancestors' part of the world. Where I'd place his heritage from is uncertain as of right now, but Lebanon does seem like the most obvious way to acknowledge Casey's inspiration. It would be interesting if they did make Shaggy Muslim and analyze his relationship with Scooby; to my understanding, dogs are seen as unclean in Islamic culture, so they're not common pets in the Arab world, which could be potential conflict for Shaggy and his family who immigrated.

4. Velma Dinkley--African-American. If I was ever to imagine Velma as a woman of color, my first thought would be as East/Sotheast Asian or black. No particular reason for it, but I did find it kinda cliche if I made the nerdy character Asian, and I didn't really have any interesting/original angles to play with how she deals with stereotypes of that. I do think Valerie Smith (from Josie and the Pussycats) did play some inspiration with me seeing Velma as black in this situation. In contrast to 21st century portrayals of her, I wouldn't portray her as insecure or snarky, but witty and a loner, and by no means miserable or bitter. Her sexuality is the topic of discussion for a lot of people, and I'd probably make her bi/pan; I'd make her a lesbian, but she did have chemistry with male characters that I liked in some of the animated movies, as well as having her occasional guy crushes in "What's New Scooby Doo" and her own journey in romance in the live-action films. And when she is attracted to women, I'd prefer if Daphne wasn't one of them; I enjoy same-sex best friends having platonic bonds without the "I've secretly crushed on you" subplot.

What do you think? Would this be a good direction to take the gang on if we did Velma all over again?

[jcmarchi]

How is the world watching the 2024 US election?

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-is-the-world-watching-the-2024-us-election/

How is the world watching the 2024 US election?

No matter the outcome, the results of the 2024 United States presidential election are certain to have global impact. How are citizens and leaders in other parts of the world viewing this election? What’s at stake for their countries and regions?

This was the focus of “The 2024 US Presidential Election: The World is Watching,” a Starr Forum held earlier this month on the MIT campus.

The Starr Forum is a public event series hosted by MIT’s Center for International Studies (CIS), and focused on leading issues of global interest. The event was moderated by Evan Lieberman, director of CIS and the Total Professor of Political Science and Contemporary Africa.

Experts in African, Asian, European, and Latin American politics assembled to share ideas with one another and the audience.

Each offered informed commentary on their respective regions, situating their observations within several contexts including the countries’ style of government, residents’ perceptions of American democratic norms, and America’s stature in the eyes of those countries’ populations.

Perceptions of U.S. politics from across the globe

Katrina Burgess, professor of political economy at Tufts University and the director of the Henry J. Leir Institute of Migration and Human Security, sought to distinguish the multiple political identities of members of the Latin American diaspora in America and their perceptions of America’s relationship with their countries.

“American democracy is no longer perceived as a standard bearer,” Burgess said. “While members of these communities see advantages in aligning themselves with one of the presidential candidates because of positions on economic relations, immigration, and border security, others have deeply-held views on fossil fuels and increased access to sustainable energy solutions.”

Prerna Singh, Brown University’s Mahatma Gandhi Professor of Political Science and International Studies, spoke about India’s status as the world’s largest democracy and described a country moving away from democratic norms.

“Indian leaders don’t confer with the press,” she said. “Indian leaders don’t debate like Americans.”

The ethnically and linguistically diverse India, Singh noted, has elected several women to its highest government posts, while the United States has yet to elect one. She described a brand of “exclusionary nationalism” that threatened to move India away from democracy and toward something like authoritarian rule. 

John Githongo, the Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow at CIS for 2024-25, shared his findings on African countries’ views of the 2024 election.

“America’s soft power infrastructure in Africa is crumbling,” said Githongo, a Kenyan native. “Chinese investment in Africa is up significantly and China is seen by many as an ideal political and economic partner.”

Youth-led protests in Kenya, Githongo noted, occurred in response to a failure of promised democratic reforms. He cautioned against a potential return to a pre-Cold War posture in Africa, noting that the Biden administration was the first in some time to attempt to reestablish economic and political ties with African countries.

Daniel Ziblatt, the Eaton Professor of Government at Harvard University and the director of the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, described shifting political winds in Europe that appear similar to increased right-wing extremism and a brand of populist agitation being observed in America.

“We see the rise of the radical, antidemocratic right in Europe and it looks like shifts we’ve observed in the U.S.,” he noted. “Trump supporters in Germany, Poland, and Hungary are increasingly vocal.”

Ziblatt acknowledged the divisions in the historical transatlantic relationship between Europe and America as symptoms of broader challenges. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy supply issues, and national security apparatuses dependent on American support may continue to cause political ripples, he added.

Does America still have global influence?

Following each of their presentations, the guest speakers engaged in a conversation, taking questions from the audience. There was agreement among panelists that there’s less investment globally in the outcome of the U.S. election than may have been observed in past elections.

Singh noted that, from the perspective of the Indian media, India has bigger fish to fry.

Panelists diverged, however, when asked about the rise of political polarization and its connection with behaviors observed in American circles.

“This trend is global,” Burgess asserted. “There’s no causal relationship between American phenomena and other countries’ perceptions.”

“I think they’re learning from each other,” Ziblatt countered when asked about extremist elements in America and Europe. “There’s power in saying outrageous things.”

Githongo asserted a kind of “trickle-down” was at work in some African countries.

“Countries with right-leaning governments see those inclinations make their way to organizations like evangelical Christians,” he said. “Their influence mirrors the rise of right-wing ideology in other African countries and in America.”

Singh likened the continued splintering of American audiences to India’s caste system.

“I think where caste comes in is with the Indian diaspora,” she said. “Indian-American business and tech leaders tend to hail from high castes.” These leaders, she said, have outsized influence in their American communities and in India.

[biographygen]

Steven Tyler Net Worth, Biography, Height, Age, Children, Girlfriend, Family and Wife

Steven Tyler Net worth, Biography, Height, Age, Children, Girlfriend, Family and Wife uncover the fascinating biography of Steven Tyler, featuring background and insights into his romantic relationships. Full NameSteven Victor TallaricoNet Worth$150 MillionDate Of Birth26 March 1948Age76 Years GenderMaleHeight5 Feet 9 Inch

Steven Tyler Net Worth

Steven Victor Tallarico, prevalently known as American artist, lyricist, entertainer, performer, and previous TV character. Starting around 2023, Steven Tyler's total assets is $150 million. He gathered his total assets through proficient music vocation by delivering music on streaming stages and through collections and produced an attractive sum from live exhibitions and cooperative music discharge.

Steven Tyler Biography/Life story

Steven Tyler bron into the world on 26 Walk 1948, age is 75 Years of age starting around 2023. He was brought into the world in a very much settled family at The Ottendorfer Public Library and Stuyvesant Polyclinic Clinic, New York City, New York in the US of America. He partook in a portion of his initial days in New York and was brought up in The Bronx and is at present living in Los Angeles, California. He is an American by identity and has a faith in the Christian religion. Tyler is of white ethnic foundation and Italian, German, Clean and English plunge and was brought into the world under the star indication of Aries. Tyler joined a non-public school in New York for his grade school and afterward went to a rumored junior school at a similar spot for extra learning. Full NameSteven Victor TallaricoPorfessionSinger, Songwriter, Actor, Musician, and Former Physical Height Eye Colour Hair Colour 5 Feet 9 Inch Dark Brown Dark BrownWeight 74 KGDate Of Birth26 March 1948Age76 Years Net Worth$150 MillionNationalityAmericanHometownNew York City, New YorkBirthplaceNew York City, New York, United States of AmericaReligionChristianSchoolThe Theodore Roosevelt High School, New YorkCollege/UnivesityLocal University in United StatesEducation QualificationGraduateCurrently Live InLos Angeles, CaliforniaFamous forDreamZodiac SignAriesMarital StatusDivorcedParents Name: Father MotherVictor A. Tallarico Susan Ray BlanchaBrother SisterN/A Lynda TallaricoGirlfriendAimee Preston (Ex) Bebe Buell (Ex) Julia Holcomb (Ex) Lynn Collins (Ex) Wife NameCyrinda Foxe (Ex) Teresa Barrick (Ex)ChildrenLiv Tyler (Daughter) Mia Tyler (Daughter) Chelsea Tyler (Daughter) Taj Monroe Tallarico (Son)

Steven Tyler Family and Parents

Steven Tyler was brought into the world in a very much settled Christian family to his folks Victor A. Tallarico and Susan Beam Blancha. His father Victor was of Italian and German plummet who was an expert music educator who showed music at Roman Catholic secondary school named Cardinal Spellman Secondary School in the Bronx who kicked the bucket on September 10, 2011.

His mother is of Clean, English and African-American family who was a secretary by calling passed on July 4, 2008.

Steven Tyler Wife

Cyrinda Foxe (Ex) 1978-1987

In 1978, Tyler sealed the deal with American entertainer and model Cyrinda Foxe with whom he invited his second youngster a girl named Mia Abagale Tallarico Tyler on December 22, 1978 who is entertainer and model by calling. The pair went formally isolated in 1987 Foxe passed on in 2002 following a mind cancer. Teresa Barrick (Ex) 1988-2006

Steven Tyler wedded attire architect Teresa Barrick in February 1988, subsequent to meeting in 1982 when she planned a portion of Aerosmith's outfits. During their marriage, the couple invited two kids, Chelsea and Taj. Despite the fact that they had all the earmarks of being an ideal pair, the couple declared their partition in 2005 and formally separated in 2006.

Steven Tyler Children

Liv Rundgren Steven Tyler's conjugal status is separated right now of composing. Tyler was sincerely connected with Julia Holcomb whose guardianship got by him in 1973 and both dated and consumed medications together for a considerable length of time. From that point forward, he began dating an American vocalist and model Beverle Lorence "Bebe" Buell with whom he became father of a little daughter named Liv Rundgren Tyler on July 1, 1977 who is an entertainer by calling. Mia Tyler

From that point forward, he began dating clothing creator Teresa Barrick whom he wedded on May 28, 1988 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the next year, they invited a little girl named Chelsea Tyler otherwise known as Kaneholler who is a vocalist by calling came to the world on Walk 6, 1989. Their subsequent youngster and Tyler's fourth kid, a child named Taj Monroe Tallarico was brought into the world on January 31, 1991. Chelsea Tyler

Steven Tyler with his Son Taj Monroe Tallarico

Steven Tyler Girlfriend

Aimee Preston (Ex)

Steven Tyler and Aimee Preston started their relationship in February 2016 subsequent to meeting through Tyler's work as a vocalist in Aerosmith. Preston, who was once an individual colleague of Steven Tyler, began dating the stone symbol when she was 28, and he was 67. The couple stood out as truly newsworthy in 2017 when they showed up together at the Elton John Helps Establishment's Foundation Grants Survey Party, clasping hands and thoroughly searching in affection. In spite of their 39-year age hole, the couple areas of strength for stays, their affection for one another in different public appearances Bebe Buell (Ex)

The sentiment between Steven Tyler and model Bebe Buell started in the mid 1970s when the two met behind the stage at an Aerosmith show. However their relationship was brief, it delivered a little girl, Liv Tyler, who was at first ignorant about her dad's actual character. Bebe Buell and Steven Tyler kept a well disposed relationship throughout the long term, ultimately uncovering to Liv her actual parentage when she was a youngster. Insights regarding their time together are restricted, yet they stayed associated through their common love for their little girl. Julia Holcomb (Ex)

During the 1970s, Steven Tyler started dating Julia Holcomb, a 16-year-old fan he met after one of Aerosmith's shows. Their dubious May-December sentiment got boundless consideration and frequently brought about analysis because of the huge age distinction between the two. The couple lived respectively for quite some time, in any case chose to head out in a different direction in the last part of the 1970s. While their relationship might have been turbulent, it stays a getting through piece of Tyler's heartfelt history. Lynn Collins (Ex)

In the mid 1990s, before his union with Teresa Barrick, Steven Tyler had a concise close connection with entertainer Lynn Collins. In spite of the fact that their relationship was brief, the couple was in many cases spotted appreciating each other's conversation around Los Angeles. Insights regarding their time together are not well known, and both have continued on toward seek after associations with others. By the by, their concise sentiment stays a piece of their particular individual chronicles.

Steven Tyler Height

Tyler has an alluring facial trait, for example, dim earthy colored sets of eyes, dim earthy colored hair, a light complexion tone and eye-getting sharp facial structures. His standard exercise center participation and diet plan keeps his body weight somewhere near 74 kg or 163 pounds and is remaining at the level of 5 feet, 9 inches that is equivalent to 1.75 meters. Tyler keeps his body without counterfeit inks and wears 8 US size shoes.

Steven Tyler Career/Profession

Tyler began his profession as a vocalist. In 1973, he alongside his gathering Aerosmith sang the singles named Dream on, which gave him forward leap as artist and performer as the single made 965 million streams on Spotify and produced 121 million perspectives on YouTube music video. In 1974, he alongside his gathering Aerosmith sang the singles named old news and Dance and Train Kept a Rollin. Also Read: - Jason Momoa Biography, Net Worth, Career, Wife, Girlfriend & Family - Robert Downey Jr Biography, Net Worth, Early Life, Career, Girlfriend Read the full article

[biblenewsprophecy]

Attending church services extends longevity more than diet or exercise; Pope Francis falsely points to interfaith salvation in this age

COGwriter

A reader sent me a link to the following:

Attending Church Regularly Will Lengthen Your Life More Than Diet, Exercise, Longevity Expert Says

Attending church services may open the door to eternal life—but it will also extend your life on Earth more than diet or exercise, according to the foremost expert on global longevity.

Dan Buettner, who won three Emmy Awards for his groundbreaking 2023 documentary “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” revealed the deep benefits that faith in God renders to those who want to live a long and prosperous life. Although America faces an epidemic of chronic diseases, “only about 20% of how long you live is dictated by your genes,” he told “Mornings with Maria” on Aug. 30. A healthy lifestyle incorporating diet, exercise, and stress management means the average person can live “12 more years in good health.”

But the statistics he shared proved that an active faith in God, including weekly church attendance, had potentially the biggest impact on extending earthly life. …

The healthiest elderly had a common characteristic: “having a faith. We know people who go to church—or temple, or even mosque—and show up four times per month are living four to 14 years longer than people who aren’t.” The figure may come from a study finding regular church attendance lengthened the average American’s life by seven years—and 14 years for African Americans.

That number dwarfed other, more intuitive lifehacks, including regular exercise and diet. “For a 20-year-old, if you move away from the standard American diet towards a Blue Zone diet—which is to say whole food, plant-based—it’s worth about 10 years of extra life expectancy, and for a 60-year-old, it’s still worth about six years,” he said. … you can add three years to your life with exercise, four years by eating beans, six years by being in a committed relationship, six to 10 years by eating a whole foods and plant-based diet, and seven to 14 years by going to church every week. https://www.dailysignal.com/2024/09/10/attending-church-regularly-will-lengthen-your-life-more-than-diet-exercise-longevity-expert-says/

Yes, having faith in God and striving to practice that faith is good for your longevity in general.

In the Continuing Church of God, we have people who attend regularly in person, who watch online services alone, and we have several groups that meet together online in different parts of the world (USA, UK, and NZ) each week (see also Congregations of the Continuing Church of God).

The Apostle Paul wrote:

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Yes, attending with others personally or in an online group is to have spiritual benefits according to the Apostle Paul.

That said, it should be pointed out that all religions are not the same. And not all lead to salvation in this age.

However, Pope Francis has a different view. A different reader sent me a link to the following:

BREAKING: Pope Francis: ‘Every religion is a way to arrive at God’

September 13, 2024

SINGAPORE (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Francis today told young people of different faiths that “every religion is a way to arrive at God.”

Addressing an inter-religious meeting of young people in Singapore just before departing for his return flight to Rome, Pope Francis turned to one of the central themes of his pontificate – inter-religious dialogue.

“One of the things that struck me about all of you here is your ability to engage in inter-religious dialogue, and this is very important,” he told the crowd, assembled in Singapore’s Catholic Junior College. …

Continuing, the Pope declared that each religion is a means to attain God, stating:

Every religion is a way to arrive at God. There are different languages to arrive at God, but God is God for all. And how is God God for all? We are all sons and daughters of God. But my god is more important than your god, is that true?

There is only one God and each of us has a language to arrive at God. Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, they are different paths.

The Pope’s words were warmly welcomed by those present in the hall, which included leaders and representatives of Singapore’s many religious bodies and the large papal retinue. …

“All are obliged to belong to the Catholic Church in order to be saved.” {Baltimore Catechism Q 166.}

This teaching of “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus” (no salvation outside the Church), has been increasingly rejected by modernizing activists in recent years, yet remains valid and unchanging in the Church’s teaching.

Pope Leo XII pronounced it clearly in his 1824 encyclical letter Ubi Primum:

It is impossible for the most true God, who is Truth Itself, the best, the wisest Provider, and the Rewarder of good men, to approve all sects who profess false teachings which are often inconsistent with one another and contradictory, and to confer eternal rewards on their members. For we have a surer word of the prophet, and in writing to you We speak wisdom among the perfect; not the wisdom of this world but the wisdom of God in a mystery.

By it we are taught, and by divine faith we hold one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and that no other name under heaven is given to men except the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth in which we must be saved. This is why we profess that there is no salvation outside the Church.

The Vatican’s 1949 decree from the Holy Office instructed bishops charged with promoting true ecumenism to draw souls to the Church, and that they must always teach the fullness of the Church’s priority: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pope-francis-every-religion-is-a-way-to-arrive-at-god/

Both of those views are wrong.

The Bible does not teach that one needs to be connected to the Church of Rome to be saved. There is nothing even close to that in the entire Bible.

The Bible also does not teach that all religions bring salvation and lead to the true God.

Jesus said:

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

Hinduism, Sikhism, etc. are not true and are not the way to reach God.

Contrary to the claims of those who feel that God will save everyone no matter what they believe, the Bible makes it clear that there is only one name that can save as Acts 4:10-12 plainly teaches:

10 let it be known to you all … that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, …11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Muslims, etc. do not accept Jesus in the biblical way and hence their faiths are not the way to God.

While God does have a plan of salvation for those not called in this age (see the free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation), the non-biblical faiths are not the way.

Additionally, the Bible is clear that God does NOT want non-biblical religious practices combined with His ways:

19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? *1 Corinthians 10:19-22)

Yes, all world religions (as opposed to the true religion) are flawed. And we are seeing more emphasis on interfaith cooperation around the world–and Pope Francis is a leading proponent.

The religious should realize that the Bible opposes the interfaith agenda:

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

Real Christians are NOT to support the interfaith plans. It is leading to the rise of the end time daughter of Babylon (Jeremiah 50:42, 51:33; Zechariah 2:7) which will one day fall:

2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” (Revelation 18:2-3)

 The Bible itself warns against a coming ecumenical unity–Satan the devil’s unity–which it teaches will be successful as far as many in the world are concerned:

4 They prostrated themselves in front of the dragon because he had given the beast his authority; and they prostrated themselves in front of the beast, saying, ‘Who can compare with the beast? Who can fight against it?’ 5 The beast was allowed to mouth its boasts and blasphemies and to be active for forty-two months; 6 and it mouthed its blasphemies against God, against his name, his heavenly Tent and all those who are sheltered there. 7 It was allowed to make war against the saints and conquer them, and given power over every race, people, language and nation; 8 and all people of the world will worship it, that is, everybody whose name has not been written down since the foundation of the world in the sacrificial Lamb’s book of life. 9 Let anyone who can hear, listen: 10 Those for captivity to captivity; those for death by the sword to death by the sword. This is why the saints must have perseverance and faith. (Revelation 13:4-10, NJB)

The ‘dragon’ listed above is Satan, the devil (cf. Revelation 12:9, 20:2). Here is something from the late Herbert W. Armstrong on the coming worship:

Notice a Bible definition of worship in Rev. 13:4 “how men worship the “beast” — the Roman Empire — by saying, “Who is like unto the Roman Empire? Who is able to make war with it?” Such words constitute worship — “and they worshipped the beast.” (Armstrong HW. The Mystery of MELCHIZEDEK Solved!. Plain Truth, June 1956)

While church attendance can lead to better longevity, the interfaith agenda is moving the planet closer to disaster.

Pope Francis has been helping to lay the foundation for the rise of the final Antichrist.

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