#Executive Gifts for Politicians

[noisycowboyglitter]

Kamala Harris "For the People" Shirts: Wear Your Values on Your Sleeve

"Kamala Harris For The People" encapsulates the core message and ethos of Kamala Harris's political career and her approach to public service. This slogan, which was prominently used during her 2020 presidential campaign, reflects her commitment to representing and fighting for the interests of everyday Americans.

Buy now:19.95$

The phrase "For The People" harkens back to Harris's roots as a prosecutor, where she would begin court proceedings with "Kamala Harris, for the people." It emphasizes her dedication to public service and her role as an advocate for justice and equality.

As a campaign slogan, "For The People" aims to position Harris as a champion of the average citizen, someone who understands and prioritizes the needs and concerns of diverse communities across America. It suggests a inclusive approach to governance, emphasizing that her policies and actions are intended to benefit the broad spectrum of American society rather than select groups or special interests.

The slogan aligns with Harris's political narrative, which often highlights her background as the daughter of immigrants and her rise through California's political ranks. It underscores her commitment to issues such as criminal justice reform, healthcare access, education, and economic equality - areas that directly impact people's daily lives.

Buy now

"For The People" also serves as a rallying cry, inviting supporters to join a movement that puts citizens at the forefront of political discourse and policy-making. It implies a collaborative approach to leadership, suggesting that Harris sees her role as a public servant working on behalf of the electorate.

In the context of her vice presidency and potential future political aspirations, "Kamala Harris For The People" continues to resonate as a powerful statement of her political philosophy and her vision for America. It encapsulates her promise to be a voice for the voiceless and a leader who prioritizes the wellbeing of all Americans.

The best gift for a politician should be thoughtful, appropriate, and respectful of their position and ethical guidelines. Given the scrutiny public figures face, it's crucial to choose gifts that don't raise questions about impropriety or attempts to influence.

Buy now

A meaningful book related to political history, leadership, or a topic aligned with their interests can be both personal and professional. High-quality writing instruments, such as a fountain pen or a leather-bound journal, are practical for their daily work and convey a sense of prestige.

Patriotic items like a tasteful flag pin or a decorative piece representing their state or district can appeal to their sense of civic duty. Locally-made products from their constituency show an appreciation for their community and support local businesses.

For a more personal touch, consider a custom-framed photograph of a significant moment in their career or a piece of art depicting a landmark from their district. A donation made in their name to a non-partisan charity they support can be a thoughtful gesture that aligns with their values.

Buy now

Technology accessories, such as a high-quality power bank or a sleek laptop case, can be useful for their busy lifestyle. For those who appreciate humor, a witty political cartoon or a collection of political jokes (keeping it respectful and bipartisan) might be appreciated.

Ultimately, the best gift demonstrates an understanding of the politician's role, interests, and the importance of maintaining ethical standards in public service.

[contemplatingoutlander]

The Rage and Glee That Followed a C.E.O.’s Killing Should Ring All Alarms

"The concentration of extreme wealth in the United States has recently surpassed that of the Gilded Age. And the will among politicians to push for broad public solutions appears to have all but vanished. I fear that instead of an era of reform, the response to this act of violence and to the widespread rage it has ushered into view will be limited to another round of retreat by the wealthiest. Corporate executives are already reportedly beefing up their security. I expect more of them to move to gated communities.... Almost certainly, armed security entourages and private jets will become an even more common element of executive compensation packages, further removing routine contact between the extremely wealthy and the rest of us, except when employed to serve them."

--Zeynep, Tufekci, professor of Sociology and Public Affairs, Princeton University

This is a gift 🎁 link, so you can read the whole insightful article by Zynep Tufekci, a Princeton sociologist. She discusses the "avalanche" of rage against the insurance industry that this shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson evoked on social media:

I’ve been studying social media for a long time, and I can’t think of any other incident when a murder in this country has been so openly celebrated. The conditions that gave rise to this outpouring of anger are in some ways specific to this moment. Today’s business culture enshrines the maximization of executive wealth and shareholder fortunes, and has succeeded in leveraging personal riches into untold political influence. New communication platforms allow millions of strangers around the world to converse in real time. [emphasis added]

[See more under the cut.]

Tufekci describes how income inequality today has exceeded that of the Gilded Age, during which the wealth of the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, etc. (i.e., the "Robber Barons") was amassed. Referring to the Gilded Age, Tufekci commented:

Less well remembered is the brutality that underlay that wealth — the tens of thousands of workers, by some calculations, who lost their lives to industrial accidents, or the bloody repercussions they met when they tried to organize for better working conditions. Also less well remembered is the intensity of political violence that erupted. The vast inequities of the era fueled political movements that targeted corporate titans, politicians, judges and others for violence. [emphasis added]

Slowly but surely, over time, reform occurred. Tufekci says:

The turbulence and violence of the Gilded Age eventually gave way to comprehensive social reform. The nation built a social safety net, expanded public education and erected regulations and infrastructure that greatly improved the health and well-being of all Americans. [emphasis added]

Tufekci is worried that the U.S., a nation that is "awash in powerful guns," may be entering a new violent era. She fears that the national response to today's income inequality and corporate exploitation will unfortunately not be the kinds of reforms that happened previously--reforms that limited how much corporations (and their wealthy owners/ CEOs) could exploit labor, consumers & the environment.

What Tufekci implies, but doesn't state, is the reason those kinds of reforms won't happen is because nearly half of the country, riled up by right-wing media, elected Trump--a greedy corporate billionaire--to take away their economic pain.

So of course Trump has enlisted two other billionaires, Musk and Ramaswamy to demolish labor protections, business regulations and the social safety net--the very reforms that helped average citizens avoid the worst labor exploitation and economic problems of the Gilded Age.

In doing so, Trump and the billionaire oligarchs working with him are setting the nation up for disaster.

These billionaires who believe that anything that helps corporations (and the wealthy who own or run them) flourish, seem to have completely forgotten that AI is now finally taking off. and in its wake many people (including those in technical fields and management) will be laid off.

But by that time, there will be little or no social safety net for them to fall back on.

Unfortunately, there will be lots of AR-15s laying around.

Wait until the working and middle classes FINALLY realize they've been had by Trump and the billionaire oligarchs.

The violence of the Gilded Age will be nothing in comparison.

[empthy1]

I need Victoria to be my sugar mommy so bad 😔

──── SUGAR MOMMY VICTORIA NEUMAN .𖥔 ݁ ˖⭑.ᐟ

realized this wasn't a request. whoops. here you go regardless ml.

sugar mommy!victoria who flies you everywhere with her.

She travels so much, from New York to DC and even farther due to the presidential campaign. Obviously, she's going to take you with her, tuck you in a fancy jet with a dedicated crew, already on route to her location. If she can't be there, you're always greeted with a note of her perfect, flowing handwriting—and a present, of course.

sugar mommy!victoria who loves to treat you to dinner.

Anytime she doesn't have an evening meeting she's quick to snatch up your time. You get so few dinners together because that time slot for dinner and drinks is so monopolized by others. Sure, shmoozing is much more palatable over a glass of wine and a good cut of meat, but she'd much prefer your conversation.

sugar mommy!victoria who gets you an apartment.

Because really, if she has business executives and multi-billionaires and even other politicians throwing money at her, she's going to use it on something worthwhile. Namely, you. She always said you were so far from her Manhattan residence, huffing endlessly about the traffic times or "oh, it's so dangerous to ride the subway so late..."

So, here you were, in your new Manhattan apartment. She chose one for you that was within walking distance, carefully curated to your exact tastes.

Enjoy, darling is your only explanation, the scrawled note left on your new countertops.

sugar mommy!victoria who spoils you.

she would spend every waking minute with you if she could. since she can't, she sends gifts!! your amazon wishlist is never longer than five items without them being bought off and sent, neatly packaged to your apartment.

sometimes, when she's a little less impulsive, she'll send you groceries. typing in your weekly order, sending it over to the shopper and having them delivered right to your door. you're sure she'd send you anything—within reason. don't get greedy now.

sugar mommy!victoria who's love language is physical contact.

she doesn't get many opportunities to spend time with you, that's clear. so when she can she's all over you. If you're in public, it's more subtle—a hand on your thigh under the dinner table, or your ankles intertwined if you're sat across from her.

at home, however, she doesn't hold back. she will lay over you at any opportunity; press into your back when you're cooking or slip into bed with you at any moment. she's a sucker for cuddles, especially siince she's so deprived of you all the time.

[bl-bracket]

Poorest Little Meow Meow NOT from a BL: Bonus Round

[Submitted Reasons Under Cut]

Han Juwon: He is a typical kdrama lead in theory, his mom has been taken from him at a young age, his dad sent him far away to private schools and is using him in his political schemes. Han Juwon has mysophobia, not a social bone in his body and a RBF that do not endear him to people at all. He's not above using people and a little tweaking of the law to reach his goals.

Wave:

Ryu Sooyel: look how soppy wet he is. no one respects him. not even himself

Vier:

Kishimoto Ruka:

Katha: Khatha is such a poor little meow meow that he should be allowed to participate.

Lee Dongsik: He has been wrongly accused of killing his twin sister 20 years ago but never really cleared his name (no body, no crime, no convicted murderer) and is still searching for her. People still think he did it and are not afraid to treat him like shit. He's heavily traumatized. And let's say he's not above a little manipulation and crime to find his sister and her murderer

Jiang Zisuan: he spent like half of his life trying to avenge the death of his older sister and then for some reason just cant seem to actually do that before (SPOILER) dying in a random woman‘s arms who he employed because she looks like his sister and imagining that its actually her. she also was kind of in love with him which made this whole situation worse. and he killed so many people on the way except the guy he actually wanted to

Yun Biqui: SPOILER WARNING FOR SERIES: Ten years ago, Yun Biqiu was tricked into betraying the sect leader he idolized, Li Xiangyi. At the behest of a beautiful woman, he poisoned LXY; he only intended to temporarily incapacitate LXY, but the antidote he was promised turned out to be fake. LXY disappeared and was presumed dead, and Biqiu never stopped blaming himself and hoping that LXY would return. EXTREME SPOILER WARNING FOR END OF SERIES: When LXY eventually did return ten years later, Biqiu pretended to be re-beguiled by the beautiful woman in order to sabotage her evil schemes; to convince her of his loyalty, he also pretended to betray LXY again, stabbing him non-fatally and bringing him to her. His sabotaging allowed LXY to escape, though, and helped contribute to the defeat of all the baddies. Despite this, he still believed that he deserved to die for everything he'd done previously; when confronted with his past treachery and presumed current treachery, he did not defend himself, and would have willingly submitted to his own execution. Luckily, LXY arrived in time to reveal the truth of Biqiu's regret and loyalty, and also finally gave Biqiu peace by forgiving him for what he'd done ten years ago. And Biqiu cried 🥺

Master Amin: girlbossed to close to the sun

Shiro: Sleeping with a sleazy, much older politician in order to get information about his missing sister, who isn’t even his sister by blood. Openly gay yakuza and ready to fight about that. Cohabitating with a painfully strait laced and uptight virgin penguin. (A cop. Not a literal penguin.)

[we-are-not-a-number]

Biden’s Executive Order 13989, titled 'Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel,' required members of the executive branch to sign an ethics pledge stating they would not receive gifts from lobbyists or lobbying organizations.

The Biden-era pledge also included several clauses related to a 'revolving door ban,' which prohibited all employees entering the government from working with regulations and contracts related to their former employer or former clients for a period of two years from their appointment.

The revolving door ban also prohibits lobbyists joining the government from working on matters that they had personally lobbied for or engaged in, participating in the 'specific issue area in which that particular matter falls,' or seeking employment with an agency they had lobbied within two years of their appointment.

The pledge included a 'golden parachute' agreement, where employees had to agree not to accept payment from their former employer to join the administration.

Trump has rescinded the Biden version of that executive order as part of one of his own first executive orders that repealed more than 75 of Biden’s executive orders.

(Jan22/2025)

[savage-rhi]

Oh boy-

I saw the most recent writing prompts and got SO excited. I had a really hard time picking. There were SO many good ones

But we need Ardyn with the protective writing prompt:

"Whether you like it or not, You're safest with me"

@sillylittlevulpine Thanks for being patient with me hon. I hope you like this, I haven't written for Ardyn in a while and I feel rusty AF. Hope it's okay!

Y/N was no diplomat.

They were a mere common citizen, fed up with the Lucian crown not doing enough to keep the people safe while many starved and were displaced by the war. They themself were on the brink, having lost everything they held dear in the recent skirmish between the kingdom and empire.

It was why they were smuggled amongst provisions on an Imperial air ship, a last ditch effort to try and make a difference on their own terms.

Y/N knew that the moment they set foot in the lands of Niflheim, there were a thousand ways they could die—a thousand tortures that could befall them. Yet the consequences were outweighed by the hope that somehow, out of the mouth of someone lesser, their words might bring an end to the calamities in Lucis, even if it meant bartering with the enemy. However pure their intentions, there were many things Y/N neglected to consider.

They didn't consider being found so soon on board, immediately being treated with contempt.

They didn't consider the welcoming of fists and weapons at their throat, being blamed for crimes they had never heard of—all because of where they had come from.

They didn't consider being paraded around in public, a spectacle to behold as the soldiers escorted them to the Imperial Palace.

They didn't consider the consequences of being brought to the feet of Emperor Aldercapt himself, who was more than willing to dispatch justice in the form of a grandiose beheading in front of his hundreds of guests amidst an Imperial Ceremony. He proclaimed the sudden intrusion as a sign of the Gods' favor, a sacrificial gift on the eve of Niflheim's name day, three days removed from the anniversary of Solheim's ancient calamity.

Out of all these terrifying events that unfolded so quickly, Y/N never considered that the Chancellor himself would step in to call off the execution.

Nor did they anticipate sitting in the man's very chambers at this moment.

It had been several hours since then, and Y/N's heart pounded heavily in their chest remembering what transpired. How Chancellor Izunia managed to undermine Aldercapt's authority and Niflheim's very traditions, but still kept the peace by appealing to logic, reason, and exploiting hundreds of years of superstition in the same breath.

"It's reasonable to assume a token of good faith by the esteemed six who watch over our endeavors. Yet I beseech the council and the Emperor to remember there is always a price to pay from accepting a boon from gods. Unwrapping such a precious gift could very much bring great misfortune to our feet, especially on an eve of celebration and remembrance. I believe on such a rare and auspicious night, that we let the people of the Empire decide our fate. What say you, excellency?"

The crowd erupted with so much enthusiasm, and so much vigor that Aldercapt had no choice but to bend the knee or lest he be cast unfavorably for weeks to come.

Y/N could remember the Emperors ire toward the Chancellor the rest of the evening, but the latter merely smiled and watched as thousands debated before settling on their choice: to let Y/N live, for now.

Y/N knew so little about the Chancellor, but in that short amount of time, understood he was very much a career politician as much as he was a man of the stars, and that made him perhaps more dangerous than anyone Y/N could've been at the mercy of.

Their breath hitched when the doors suddenly opened, and the very man came waltzing in. Y/N noted how his amber eyes seemed to glow under the dimmed light, casting a shiver down their spine.

"Ah, fancy seeing you still awake at this unholy hour!" He faintly smiled; stopping to let out a breath he had been holding.

"Considering the circumstances, how could anyone sleep?" Y/N murmured under their breath, surprised when he chuckled sincerely at their comment

"A fair observation if there ever was one," He remarked amusingly then gestured for Y/N to remain seated at the foot of the bed as soon as he noticed them adjust. "I don't care for curtseys or for you move an inch. It needn't take me long to get comfortable."

Y/N swallowed as the Chancellor walked across the room, watching him pick up a chair from a large desk. For a moment, an intrusive thought of the man throwing the furniture piece at them crossed Y/N's mind, and they were astonished to see the Chancellor gently place the chair in front of them and casually take a seat.

"You caused quite the commotion back there in the grand hall."

His comment took Y/N aback as they blinked; unsure of what to say. It almost sounded like he was complimenting them.

"I think you outperformed me there, Chancellor."

"Please, call me Ardyn."

Y/N made a face. "Ardyn?"

"An unusual name, I know." He grinned. "There's no need for formality in my own dwelling. You can speak freely, more or less."

More or less...Y/N felt a bead of sweat trickle down their head from that remark.

"I wasn't trying to offend or--"

"What do you call yourself?"

"Pardon?"

"What's your name, dear? Last I checked Lucian's could comprehend such a simple question."

And there it is...Y/N could feel the disdain in his words despite his tone being outwardly charming.

"It's Y/N."

"Y/N," Ardyn repeated it a few times to himself, as if allowing his tongue to grow accustomed to a new flavor. "Spare me of sob stories and gruesome detail, but what brings you to Nilfheim and so, so far away from home?"

There was nothing malicious in his words nor the question Ardyn imposed, but Y/N's muscles tensed as if there was nonetheless. It seemed in comparison to his public image—where he liked to draw things out, Ardyn wanted to get to the point. Neither did Y/N want to prolong this any further than necessary. Whatever the Chancellor intended on doing to them, Y/N had no doubts he would carry it out regardless after this conversation. There was nothing to lose or gain.

"I came to the empire for help."

"Help?"

Y/N nodded.

"And why would you do such a thing, in the middle of a war between our two nations no less?"

Ardyn looked so puzzled that it scared Y/N he was irritated. The confusion on his face seemed uncharacteristic of a man of his stature. The thought didn't stop Y/N from raising a brow, just as bewildered as the man himself.

"I thought you didn't want a sob story?"

"Are you being smart with me, dear?"

"No, no!" Y/N protested. "I'm just--!"

The way he suddenly laughed made the air in the room grow thick with tension, and as Y/N made a fist against the sheets of the mattress, Ardyn let out a content sigh and smirked.

"I'm merely speaking in jest." He said in his defense, letting out a faint but dark chortle. "You are right, however, I'd appreciate some context to our precarious situation."

Just get to the point...Y/N repeated to themself over and over, trying to ignore the sinking sensation that grew in their stomach at how he had been toying with them.

"I came here to talk to Imperials who don't want this war as much as I. There's nothing else to say. I'm not a spy, nor defecting my country, nor do I wish to gain anything. I just...want to talk. To get a conversation started, so we can end this."

The silence that hung in the air after Y/N's testimony was palpable to where not even a knife could cut the tension. It didn't help that the Chancellor's features went neutral, almost unreadable save for his eyes which Y/N noted seemed to dance to an invisible tune that no human could comprehend. The way he looked at them was scary in a manner Y/N couldn't describe, but feel on a cellular level.

Ardyn slowly canted his head, a look of wonderment crossing his face briefly as he studied them. "How most naive of you..."

"What's going to happen next?"

"I beg your pardon?"

Y/N gulped. "What's going to happen to me? Am I to be shot outside your chambers or taken to prison?"

"You have quite the grotesque imagination," Ardyn chuckled at their expense, shaking his head in disbelief. "You heard the people back at the Grand Hall, you're to live this night."

"And after?"

He went silent again, and Y/N tried not to avert their gaze from his as he hummed.

"That remains to be decided, that being said, I believe we might be able to help each other."

Y/N's pulse spiked yet again as Ardyn's smile grew, and his pupils expanded; nearly overtaking the orange that covered his irises.

"Contrary to what you no doubt assume, I hold nothing nefarious toward you. You can snuff out the flame of whatever ills are invading your head at this moment." Ardyn said as a matter of fact before continuing. "Perhaps your tale of woe is a boon from the gods after all."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Let's just say I've been looking for an 'in' to get back into the good graces of your king's court for negotiation." Ardyn debated with himself on speaking further, then uncrossed his legs and adjusted in his seat. He scooted the chair a little closer to Y/N, eyes locking onto theirs. "You and I seem to have a similar appreciation for the art of conversation, and I find this potentially useful."

It became difficult for Y/N to comprehend what he was saying now, as the fear that overtook them seemed to filter out Ardyn's words. They could barely hear their voice over their heart beating, blood pumping so loud in their mind that the noise began to drown out everything else.

"You're trembling."

Ardyn's faint murmur snapped Y/N out of their trance, and they shook their head in protest. The hidden maliciousness they had sensed earlier returned, growing even stronger as Ardyn suddenly appeared inches from their face. Y/N didn't have time to breathe, much less comprehend the seconds in between.

"Do I frighten you?" He asked, his voice low and dark.

There was no point lying to him, not when those eyes could see through anything.

"Greatly..."

"Good..."

"I'd like to be placed in custody elsewhere," Y/N whispered, trying not to blink out of fear they'd find themselves in the jaws of a predator. His little laugh made their nerves freeze over.

"After the trouble I went through on your behalf, you'd soon rather leave me than hear further of my proposition?"

Y/N nodded. "I would."

"Well, I must implore you to listen carefully," Ardyn's voice dipped as he glared for the first time. "So long as you remain in the Empire, whether you like it or not, you're safest with me."

"I..." Y/N's body picked up on something their mind had trouble feeling out. It didn't help that this played in tandem with their stomach churning in knots over the way he stared them down. "I don't believe you."

And just like that, a dark chuckle from Ardyn broke the atmosphere and Y/N stared in confusion as he backed away and stood, looking down at them.

"I shall leave you to your thoughts," Ardyn gave a soft bow with his head toward Y/N and smirked. "We have much to discuss tomorrow once I sort through how to keep you alive."

He was starting to leave his chambers, until Y/N called out, still bothered by something.

"Wait!"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you speak on my behalf in the first place? You didn't know my intentions until now. What made you put on that performance and keep Aldercapt from cutting off my head?"

Ardyn once more debated with himself, his confidence from earlier waning as he hadn't expected them to cut to the chase as much as he did with them. A faint smile graced his lips when he noticed the connection, furthering the wheels that had been turning in his head.

"The night was dull," He shrugged. "And I was bored out of mind..."

He departed without another sound, closing the large doors behind him.

Y/N didn't even get the chance to ask where they would sleep.

Meanwhile, Ardyn ventured out of his dwelling and into the main hall. Not far from the doors, Verstael awaited him. The older man held a weight of exhaustion in his aged face as Ardyn grinned and walked past him.

"I came down from the keep as soon as I heard what you did." Verstael called out, and began to follow his colleague.

Ardyn smirked, slowing his pace so Verstael could catch up. "You missed out my dear friend! The ceremony became quite a spectacle after that. One could argue I saved the day in more ways than one."

"Be it as it may the party is over," Verstael sighed, shaking his head. "What says Aldercapt now about your new little friend?"

"For now," Ardyn began. "The gods show them favor."

"Just the gods?"

The pair stopped walking, and Ardyn's gaze burrowed into Verstael's as the old man stared him down. The hall became heavy with unspoken words that yearned to bubble to the surface.

"Just the gods..." Ardyn answered bluntly.

Verstael let out a small huff and smiled. "Let's keep it at that."

"You're worried?"

"A man in my position can't help but worry, especially when a dear colleague of his days ago confided he had been missing his home and, what would you know, a piece of it comes stumbling to our doorstep."

"Don't make me ill," Ardyn sighed, trying to cease rolling his eyes. "A distraction is fun, but not the end game as we both know."

Verstael gazed over Ardyn a few more times before deciding he had enough interrogating for now. "Come. I'd love to discuss what your plans are with the Lucian we now have at our disposal."

Ardyn didn't say a word as he and Verstael continued their walk. There were many things he neglected to consider when he vouched for Y/N's life, but he never considered they'd still be alive after their conversation—for he had fully been set on turning his pent-up daemonic tendencies loose upon them after they said their piece.

Nor did he anticipate growing fond of them already.

He bit the inside of his cheek.

Y/N was no diplomat, but Ardyn loved the prospects that stemmed from the fact.

If you like my work and feel generous, feel free to donate to my ko-fi account or my cash app account!

Cash App: $JayRex1463

[arliedraws]

Tell me more about Sirius/James hooking up in a bathroom during their kids' birthday party....

So it’s Harry’s birthday. I think I’ve described a little bit of this scenario? But I’ve thought of more details.

Sirius and Marlene (or whatever) have been married for ten years, and things are tense. They have two older kids but accidentally had another that’s almost a year old now. Marlene complains that they’re stuck in their routines as a couple while Sirius doesn’t understand what she’s complaining about—he thinks that what they have is actually pretty good, and people who are crazy in love with their spouses are probably lying somehow. I sort of started to think that it’s Marlene who’s the politician? So it’s Sirius who’s home with the kids and maybe working part-time as a [insert job here] but with the new baby, he’s got his hands full, and he’s slightly resentful that Marlene is never home.

James and Lily, however, seem to have it all figured out. They love their son, and decided that one was enough. Maybe Sirius looks after Harry during the day while James and Lily work full time. Anyway, Lily is the Dream Wife. She is intelligent, funny, sexy, kind, and she even works for Nimbus as the executive charms specialist (so she has the inside scoop on the Next Big Broom). Meanwhile, James is an Auror who’s really Done with being an Auror but can’t figure out how to tell Lily, which is weird because he tells her everything.

James and Sirius are both deeply in love, obviously, but their days of finding each other in broom closets and sneaking into each other’s beds are long gone. But they can’t help but touch each other, pushing the limits of what is platonic. Maybe they have an emotional fallout when Marlene confronts Sirius about playing absently with James’s hair while the two couples played boardgames together, or that Sirius and James are ALWAYS on a team.

So years go on and Sirius/James try not to touch each other, which just heightens the tension when they brush thighs or shake hands. A year before the bathroom hookup, Sirius and James kiss during Christmas after everyone has gone to bed. It doesn’t go any further than that because a kid interrupts and wants water or something. Then Sirius and James promise not to be alone with each other. Ever again. Or else they’ll ruin everyone’s lives.

Anyway, so Sirius and Marlene accidentally get pregnant, have baby, James/Sirius see each other but are emotionally estranged. Things are Fine.

Sirius excuses himself to use the bathroom, and James notices him slip away. When Sirius comes out of the bathroom, James shoves him back inside. Soon, they’re hooking up. The window is cracked and they can hear the party below. Well, yeah, they’re having sex. And they’re sloppy and desperate. Outside, people are wondering where they are because Harry’s about to open gifts. And upstairs, they’re just like sucking and fucking with years of suppressing their feelings—not quietly, even though Sirius is trying to shut James up and eventually gives up.

Then, the door flies open. It’s Marlene! She’s holding the baby! She’s so angry! She starts shouting, and Sirius/James are trying to get themselves clothed again. And then the facade completely crumbles and everything falls apart :)

Just kidding, it would have a happy ending. But it’s a hard-won happy ending 😅

[bulletin-attal-sejourne]

A Oui for Stephane; the Nons for Gabriel

When the executive head met the parliament head in Brussels and Paris, respectively. It's interesting how the roles of the duo have switched ever since Q3 2024.

Time: 241125 - 241127

Bonjour à tous! It's Wednesday, 27 November 2024, a big day for the Eurocrats as the MEP voted for the European Commission for a very slight margin; Meanwhile, the budgetary tightrope walk in Paris could boil down to a motion of censure thus the downfall of the government

Welcome to BAT, for the mid-week recap of manoeuvres, and challenges of the former couple at the heart of power.

STEPHANE SEJOURNE

This morning, the European Parliament has just given Ursula von der Leyen's new Commission the green light. That's...that's it. Regardless of how marginal the approval votes was, after weeks of nail-biting hearings, France's very own Stéphane Séjourné is officially part of the team.

Big shoes to fill. The real challenges begin after the appointment, as Séjourné steps into the crucial role of overseeing Europe's industrial strategy. It's a high-stakes game with Russia, China, and the US all jostling for position. Delivering on VDL's promise of a "holistic simplification" approach (with the sheer annoying amount of Euro-red-rapes we have) and making Europe a global industrial powerhouse (our version of MEGA but less toxic), will not be an easy job.

Green industry is the name of the game. Séjourné will work closely with Spain's Teresa Ribera, the new competition and green transition chief. Together, they'll need to find a way to balance economic growth with climate ambitions, all while navigating the tricky waters of EU competition policy. Expect fireworks! (And not the romantic and fun one this time.)

Speaking of (unromantic) fireworks, some MEPs weren't too thrilled with the Commission's rightward tilt. French Socialists voted against the entire college, protesting the inclusion of Italy's far-right Raffaele Fitto as one of the vice presidents. Not a good sign for the future 5 years of cooperation, really.

Again, this is just the beginning. Séjourné has a busy 100 days ahead of him. He'll need to craft a plan to boost Europe's digital startups and help the continent secure its supply of critical raw materials. Plus, there's that little thing about making sure Europe's car industry stays in Europe. He really needs to get it working, with no effort spared, as he claims so!

(I just realised these three sources are written in 3 different languages. Speaking of European diversity!)

GABRIEL ATTAL

Sainte-Catherine agricultural fair! It was Monday, November 25th. While the budget brouhaha continues to consume the Parisian political class, the former Prime Minister and current Renaissance maestro, might as well recharge himself and ventured into the heartland of France, the Orne region to be precise. Was it a desperate attempt to escape the censure storm brewing in the capital or a cunning move to woo the rural vote? Let's examine the evidence, shall we?

The Scene: Attal arrived fashionably late, a mere 45 minutes behind schedule, but hey, even in the world of cattle auctions, a bit of Parisian flair is to be expected. Upon arrival, he was greeted with the full pomp and ceremony befitting a political heavyweight: local officials beaming, senators nodding sagely, a "parade of television cameras" jostling for the best angle, and the local député, Jérôme Nury, looking particularly pleased with himself1.

The Gifts: Attal was showered with local delicacies: a charming basket of regional produce from the mayor and, the pièce de résistance, a vintage bottle of calvados from Nury, who quipped: "It's the Élysée's official supplier, you need to start getting used to it". Was Nury hinting at Attal's presidential ambitions? ●

The People's Champion: Attal worked the crowd like a seasoned politician, charming the locals with selfies and fielding questions from farmers with ease. Whispers of "You're handsome," "He's so good looking" and "He's really young" followed him as he navigated the fairgrounds. Even the normally stern-faced president of the FNSEA Normandie, Anne-Marie Denis, seemed to soften in his presence.

Master of the Moment: Attal showed a willingness to engage with the issues that matter to rural voters, discussing bovine tuberculosis, agricultural regulations, and the ever-controversial Mercosur trade deal. He even tried his hand at the traditional Sainte-Catherine game of guessing the weight of an ox, displaying a playful side that likely resonated with the fairgoers.

Verdict: The mayor of Briouze, Jacques Fortis, who had previously threatened to resign over the town's exclusion from a rural revitalisation scheme, seemed positively smitten with Attal. He declared the streets "full" for Attal's visit and described the former PM as "very friendly, very simple". High praise indeed from a mayor who, just a few months ago, was ready to walk away from it all.

So, was Attal's agricultural adventure a success? Judging by the smiles, the selfies, and the mayor's glowing review, it seems the former PM made a positive impression. Whether this translates into actual votes in future elections remains to be seen. But one thing's certain: Attal is a master of the political stage, and he knows how to play to his audience of Norman farmers.

It is however a bit more complicated when he is playing 3D chess with a broken board – battling rebels in his own camp, haggling over budget crumbs, and trying to keep a government that looks shakier than a Jenga tower in a windstorm. Former pals? They're already plotting their great escape, eyeing up alternative political real estate. Another day, another drama for our young maestro of mayhem! To let us understand the complexity we shall begin with the topic flying all over TV and newspaper headlines:

Budget Battleground

We need to save!: Prime Minister Michel Barnier, facing a record deficit and mounting debt, has proposed a budget characterized by austerity measures. These include cuts to public spending and, most controversially, a reduction in employer contribution relief.

Opposition from All Sides: The budget has been met with fierce opposition from various political factions. The left, led by the Socialist Party and La France Insoumise, condemns it as "austeritarian" and damaging to social welfare. Meanwhile, even members of Barnier's own "socle commun" coalition, particularly Gabriel Attal's EPR group, are pushing back against specific measures.

Sounds boring right?: Well, let's talk about the stakes. The budget fight goes beyond mere numbers. It represents a struggle for political power and a clash of ideologies. The outcome will have a significant impact on France's economic trajectory and the social well-being of its citizens.

The Censorship Sword

Threat of a No-Confidence Motion: The left has explicitly threatened to table a censure motion if Barnier fails to address their concerns regarding the budget. This motion, if successful, could lead to the government's collapse and potentially trigger early elections.

Marine Le Pen's Crucial Role: The outcome of the censure motion hinges on the stance of RN, which holds the largest opposition bloc in the Assembly. Le Pen has expressed strong criticism of Barnier's budget, threatening to vote against it. Her decision could make or break the government.

A High-Stakes Gamble for Everyone: The censure threat creates a complex strategic dilemma for all parties involved. For the left, it's an opportunity to topple the government and potentially gain power. For Le Pen, it's a chance to assert her influence and advance her own agenda. For Barnier, it's a battle for survival, requiring him to carefully navigate the demands of his opponents and his own allies.

Attal's Role: While Attal is primarily seeking concessions, not a government collapse, the line between the two is blurry. His aggressive stance could be interpreted as a calculated gamble: pushing Barnier to the edge to extract maximum concessions, but risking a censure motion that could empower the RN. Adding to the complexity, Attal needs to manage internal disagreements within EPR. Some members are eager for a showdown with Barnier, while others are more cautious. A misstep could alienate potential allies and weaken his leadership. The management of disagreements is particularly essential when he is facing this problem of:

The traitors

A Resignation With a Message: Martine Madelaine and Sélim Denoyelle, former leaders of the Renaissance party in Charente-Maritime, resigned, citing the movement's "rightward shift." They specifically objected to the government's policies on pensions and immigration, arguing that these measures betrayed the party's original values. This resignation highlights the growing discontent among some Macronists who feel the party has abandoned its centrist platform in favour of a more right-wing agenda.

Minister of Ocean Seeking a New Horizon: Hervé Berville, who served as Secretary of State for the Sea in both the Borne and Attal governments, is also charting a course away from the Macronist core. While he maintains loyalty to Macron, he's looking beyond the current administration, expressing a desire to return to his social-democratic roots. Berville has reportedly been in contact with former President François Hollande and former Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, figures associated with the traditional left and plotting for a solid left wing presidential movement in 2027. He's openly critical of the Macronist alliance with the right, particularly on the budget, which he sees as a drift towards "an Orléanist and bourgeois right."

Your ex's bestman, The Justice Crusader: Gone were the days in the Moines Oyster yard, now Sacha Houlie, still invited Stephane Sejourne as his bestman on his own wedding, emerged as the lead dissenter of the formerly Renaissance AN group, and sat as an independent (after the failed attempt to pull more deputies from EPR) and voiced strong opposition to Gabriel Attal's proposed law on juvenile justice, calling it a "very bad text" that undermines the principles of specialized justice for minors. This time, he was successful. With EPR elected officials Stéphane Travert, Belkhir Belhaddad and Lionel Causse, he significantly amended the text in commission, aligning himself with the left and pushing for a more preventative approach, a move that dealt a major blow to Attal and the EPR group, when the person concerned, very interestingly, was not present in thorough the voting process...

Gabriel Attal would like to make this text a marker. He himself did not show up to defend it. 

And why betray? As the saying goes, "There are no permanent friends or enemies; only permanent interests." Some started with genuine convictions, believing in a transformative vision, but found themselves gradually disillusioned. Others, always pragmatic, view political parties like career elevators – when one falls, they're quick to find a more promising route.

A classic cocktail blend of opportunistic moves with genuine ideological differences. For our future RE Secretary General, the challenge is clear: craft a compelling vision that speaks to the post-Macron era. It's about creating a narrative and direction that resonates with current members and potentially attracts new supporters. The goal is to provide enough clarity, inspiration, and strategic direction to keep the party united and motivated through this transitional period...And possibly even for a new presidency.

fin.

[wesleyhill]

On Not Talking About Jesus

A homily on Mark 7:31-37 preached on the Friday after the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany at Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan

Some of you who are around my age, who went through your deconstruction experience a couple of decades ago or more, may remember a blog called Jesus Needs New P.R. Even if you didn’t read it closely, the title was a catchy summary of how you might have felt: Jesus has a public relations problem. He’s compelling and interesting and compassionate and inspiring, but His representatives — the church bureaucrats who pontificate about Him from pulpits, the politicians and pundits who use His name to promote their odious causes, the bigots who claim to follow Him but leave a trail of hurting people in their wake — are the problem.

Even if your politics differ from mine, each one of us can identify with these sentiments, at least some of the time. Have you ever winced when you saw a picture of Jesus draped in an American flag? Have you ever felt tempted to take “Christian” off your social media profile when someone invokes Jesus to support some movement or cause that you find abhorrent? An Australian New Testament scholar, Constantine Campbell, recently published a book called Jesus v. Evangelicals in which he voiced what a lot of us intuit: “The evangelical movement must be refashioned in Jesus’ image, rather than cast Jesus in its image.”

It's this propensity to cast Jesus in the image we want that explains a strange feature of our Gospel reading this morning. Jesus is in region of the Decapolis, and even in this faraway place, word has spread that he is a healer, a wonder-worker. So a group of people bring a friend of theirs whose hearing and speech are impaired. They want a miracle, and Jesus obliges. He ushers the man away from the crowd, so that it’s just he and Jesus. (Maybe Jesus is offering dignity to the man with this privacy, refusing to make him a spectacle.) In any case, He puts His fingers in the man’s ears, and He spits and touches the man’s tongue. He lifts his eyes up to heaven and sighs and says in Aramaic, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened.” “And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.” And then comes the strange aspect of the story: “Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one.”

This happens again and again in Mark’s Gospel: Jesus charges His followers — and even demonic spirits — not to talk about His miracles, not to talk about what He does and who He is. Scholars usually refer to this as the motif of the “messianic secret” and then try to offer some sort of interpretation of it. Why would Jesus not want the good news about Him to be talked about? Why would He not want His fame to spread, so that more and more people could put their faith in Him?

One German scholar referred once to the Gospel of Mark as essentially a passion story, with a long introduction. And I think that’s our clue to the meaning of Jesus’ secrecy. Mark is telling a passion story — a story of Jesus’ gruesome execution and mysterious resurrection, which Jesus interprets as His gift of Himself to the world. And Mark knows that there is potential for misunderstanding Jesus at every turn. We may hear about one of His miracles and decide that He is basically a genie who can grant our wishes. We may hear about Him performing exorcisms and decide that He is available to fight our favorite enemies. And Mark’s point is that if we do that, we fundamentally misunderstand who Jesus is and what He aimed to achieve. Mark’s claim is that Jesus came for one overriding purpose: not to conform to our agendas and expectations but to give His life as a ransom for us, to rescue us from our self-absorption, our cruelty, our enslavement to sin and death. He came for love. He came to lay down His life for His enemies, to make His enemies His friends, and friends to one another.

And this is why, I think, Mark has Jesus refusing the boxes we want to put Him in. “Don’t domesticate Me like that,” Jesus seems to say. “Don’t use Me for your pet projects, your private theological agendas, your political ambitions.” As the Anglican priest and scholar Austin Farrer writes, “Christ does not encourage the spreading of ready-made formulae divided from living act, whether in the form of rumour or doctrine… Messiahship is not taught even to the initiate as a thing by itself, but as that which death and resurrection will express.” We understand the messiahship of Jesus, and the miracles and teachings and aims of Jesus, only when we follow Him all the way to the cross and to the grave and then hear the mysterious young man at His empty tomb telling us that He has gone on ahead of us.

Friends, we are about to enter the season of Lent, which is a time when Christians try to clear away some of the clutter that keeps us from seeing Jesus and being surprised by Him. By quieting ourselves and voluntarily letting go of some of our usual methods of coping with stress and anxiety, we try to see past the P.R. about Jesus. We open ourselves to considering whether we have a distorted picture of who Jesus is and what He wants with us and from us and for us. And perhaps we also keep quiet about Him for a bit. We don’t rush in to offer our preferred picture of who He is. Instead we listen, we watch, we wait. And we try to prepare our hearts for that great and holiest of weeks when we will keep vigil with Jesus as He goes to the cross and triumphs over death. Only then may we dare to speak about who He is for us.

Amen.

[noisycowboyglitter]

Kamala Harris All Star Logo: The Perfect Gift for Political Enthusiasts

The Kamala Harris All Star Logo concept represents a creative and dynamic approach to political branding, merging the gravitas of a vice presidential campaign with the energy and broad appeal of sports marketing. This innovative design strategy aims to present Harris as a political "all-star," emphasizing her achievements, leadership qualities, and ability to connect with a diverse electorate.

Buy now:19.95$

The logo likely features Harris's name prominently, with "Kamala" or "Harris" taking center stage in a bold, easily readable font. The term "All Star" could be incorporated either as a subtitle or integrated into the main design, possibly arching over or under the primary text. This sports-inspired element adds a sense of excellence and popular appeal to the traditional political logo.

Color choices for the All Star Logo would be crucial in conveying the right message. While maintaining a patriotic theme, the logo might incorporate colors associated with Harris's personal brand or the Democratic Party. Deep blues, vibrant purples (a color often associated with Harris), and touches of red and white could create a visually striking and memorable design. The use of a star motif, reminiscent of the classic All-Star sports logos, could be incorporated to reinforce the "all-star" concept visually.

The overall shape of the logo might mimic that of a sports team emblem or badge, giving it a distinct and recognizable silhouette. This approach would help the logo stand out in various contexts, from social media profiles to campaign merchandise.

Typography would play a significant role in the logo's effectiveness. A mix of strong, authoritative fonts for Harris's name, combined with more dynamic, sporty lettering for the "All Star" element, could create an interesting visual contrast. This blend would symbolize Harris's serious credentials and her ability to energize and inspire voters.

Buy now

Incorporating subtle visual elements that represent Harris's background and achievements could add depth to the logo. For instance, small icons or shapes could symbolize her roles as Senator, Attorney General, and Vice President, reinforcing her extensive experience and qualifications.

The All Star Logo concept for Kamala Harris serves multiple strategic purposes. It positions her as a top-tier political figure, drawing parallels with the best in sports. This association can help create a sense of excitement and team spirit among supporters, potentially broadening her appeal beyond traditional political boundaries.

Moreover, the sports-inspired design can help humanize Harris, making her more relatable to a wider audience. It suggests dynamism, teamwork, and excellence – qualities that resonate with many Americans regardless of their political affiliations.

From a marketing perspective, the All Star Logo would be highly adaptable for various campaign materials. It could easily translate to merchandise like t-shirts, caps, and badges, appealing to supporters who enjoy displaying their political allegiances in a more casual, sports-fan-like manner.

Buy now

However, the use of such a logo would need to be balanced carefully with more traditional campaign imagery. While it could be effective in certain contexts, particularly in reaching younger voters or in more casual campaign settings, it would need to coexist with more formal branding for official events and communications.

In conclusion, the Kamala Harris All Star Logo represents an innovative approach to political branding, blending the worlds of politics and popular culture. It aims to present Harris as a dynamic, relatable, and high-achieving leader, capable of uniting and inspiring a diverse coalition of supporters in her political endeavors.

The best gift for a politician should be thoughtful, appropriate, and respectful of their position and ethical guidelines. Given the scrutiny public figures face, it's crucial to choose gifts that don't raise questions about impropriety or attempts to influence.

A meaningful book related to political history, leadership, or a topic aligned with their interests can be both personal and professional. High-quality writing instruments, such as a fountain pen or a leather-bound journal, are practical for their daily work and convey a sense of prestige.

Patriotic items like a tasteful flag pin or a decorative piece representing their state or district can appeal to their sense of civic duty. Locally-made products from their constituency show an appreciation for their community and support local businesses.

Buy now

For a more personal touch, consider a custom-framed photograph of a significant moment in their career or a piece of art depicting a landmark from their district. A donation made in their name to a non-partisan charity they support can be a thoughtful gesture that aligns with their values.

Technology accessories, such as a high-quality power bank or a sleek laptop case, can be useful for their busy lifestyle. For those who appreciate humor, a witty political cartoon or a collection of political jokes (keeping it respectful and bipartisan) might be appreciated.

Ultimately, the best gift demonstrates an understanding of the politician's role, interests, and the importance of maintaining ethical standards in public service.

[cometconmain]

For Australian politics. If you want to know if a politician has a potential conflict of interest (eg: they're supposed to pass legislation restricting approval of coal mines and oh how fascinating, it seems the biggest mining executives in the country have taken a sudden interest in wining and dining and giving other totally-no-strings-attached gifts to this politician. Huh.) you can check for that here. Read the instructions on how to use it effectively before proceeding.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Next Climate Summit Will Face the Tug Between Oil and the Amazon

Activists complain that the last three COP hosts were oil-and-gas dependent. South America’s biggest producer hosts the 2025 session.

The traveling COP jamboree is done for another year, ending in the last-ditch deal that’s become traditional at the annual UN climate conference.

While energy was front and center at last year’s summit in Dubai, the talks in Azerbaijan were dominated by the issue of climate finance for the developing world. After a chaotic final day, a promise to provide $300 billion a year to poorer nations, compared with $100 billion today, was enough to keep everyone on board.

But underneath, the issue of fossil fuels — and the world’s failure to move away from them fast enough to meet net zero goals — was everywhere. Many climate stalwarts complained that the last three COP hosts — Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan — were oil-and-gas dependent economies.

Opening the conference, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said his country’s trove of oil and gas was a “gift from God.” Saudi Arabia and allies campaigned to soften last year’s commitment to move away from fossil fuels. And Exxon Mobil Corp. Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods attended for a second year.

Having got through Baku with the COP process just about intact, there are high hopes that next year’s edition in Brazil can reinvigorate the process. There are reasons for optimism. Brazil is an increasingly important economy with diplomatic heft, led by a politician famous enough to go by a single name: Lula. And COP’s arrival in the Amazon city of Belem will put the rainforest front and center. But there’s an inconvenient truth. The nation pumps well over 3 million barrels a day, the most in South America, and output is growing. Robust oil revenues helped pay for many of the social reforms that marked President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s first term in office.

Continue reading.

[darkkpastels]

Hydrangea Love

A Hoshie Saruta and Umataro Tenma oneshot for @astronomenal

Genius. Innovator. Rule Breaker. Robotics savant. Industry deviant. Mad man.

Eloquent pedestals to sit from and gaze across a room of peers and technical familiars. Mere words dazzle the plebeians, and fewest utters appall the stubborn and the inept. Being gifted came with plenty of perks; Money, reputation, moderate power and authority.

Umataro Tenma, kunst of the post-AI robotics world!

Such was the privilege of having politicians, deans of universities, scientists, and entrepreneurs and executives calling and begging at his feet. They pamper and pander to his ego and fancies, drinking and dining him at great expense. Charming him for his expensive skills under pretense of progress and gain. Equally exquisite was his yielding of a nonchalant veto and asserting his choice without consequence or retribution. They’d be back at it again too.

Yet,

His lot in life would not afford him friends. He was content with this lot. He thought. Would the same crowd know the mediocre human behind the great mind? Would they appreciate his lesser known qualities? Music, fiction, and flowers. Rachmaninoff, Chopin, H.G Wells, Asimov, and hydrangeas. Despite the money, access, and freedoms given by his gift of intellect, Umataro Tenma felt alone. The average man had friends, company, and social comforts. Fellows who share experiences, jokes, and follies

Ochanomizu had known him since undergrad, but, over time had grown apart. Forming different viewpoints about the future of AI and robotics, respectfully, they’d remain colleagues. Not the same as having a friend. At times this was fine.

He tried pushing down the loneliness, it served him nothing to feel sorry for himself. On the rare occasion, he would hide amongst hydrangea bushes that bloomed on the Ministry of Science campus; its fragrance harken to his mothers garden. Under the sun and in her embrace made a safe place for a sensitive boy with robotic fascinations. To her, this boy shares his thoughts and emotions, his fears, and anxieties. Comforted by her smile, words and unconditional love. She was his company in youth. Alas those days are long gone, Umataro would remember. He wouldn't feel that way again. Memories were good enough, he thought.

It was one occasion where he was found. He almost stood up and felt prepared to act as if he wasn’t sniffing flowers, until she knelt down amongst the bush too. Saying nothing. Her brown eyes closed, face flushed to the mop heads. Taking in the aroma of the recently rained on bush, she looked to admire the flowers too! She was there for a spell until she stepped away. Not a wave. Not a glance back. Curious, Umataro thought. Looking to see the walking woman,she looked familiar to him. Taking a shot in the dark, he had to guess her to be the now grown up granddaughter of his old robotics mentor. He’s surely not that old now? Of course, her name escaped him, but likely she doesn’t remember him.  

It was weeks before he saw her again, deadheading the dried, withered hydrangeas. She didn’t seem aware he was there today. Fine. Umataro preferred that anyway. A while back, he took a trip down memory lane, remembering the mystery woman correctly. She was Hoshi Saruta. A teenager with pigtails and freckles when he was a starving grad student. Her pigtails morphed into a dark twist braid with fly-aways defying the professional coif. The freckles she’d outgrown. A pity, he thought. Only a few feet between them, as he watches her turn with a fistful of dried hydrangeas and scissors in hand, nearly losing traction in her heels. Squeaking from a fear of falling over before gaining stability on concrete. Hoshie had a clumsy, fawn-like quality about her. 

“Hello, Professor!” She spoke to him, her hair slowly coming undone. 

He made the mistake of having caught eyes with her. He should have turned away, but of course she was a polite and friendly soul, like Ochanomizu. Not that he didn’t appreciate the hellos and good nights in passing, but preferred to be unbothered by social fetterings. 

And walked away. 

“Check the east side, the blooms are coming in!”He heard from behind.

Turning back, as if to check if she was following him. She didn’t. In that moment, Umataro reckoned; He had nothing eminently due, no one to call or emails to correspond. He’d been suggested to take time for a walk in the sun. A trip to the east side of the campus would take five minutes. To some surprise,this spot didn’t disappoint. There were more hydrangeas in this spot than the other. Rows of flowers in hues of pink, blues, and greens.The scent here felt intense.  

“Sweet woman.”He thought to himself. “Kind of her to point me in this direction.”

Sitting on the bench, Umataro with his eyes closed. Thinking deeply about the sweet scent of the air for a moment before opening his phone. Resuming the mild research into Miss Saruta with some curiosity. His boredom led him to read papers about microelectronics, nanorobotics, and neuron-prosthetic connectivity. Many of these publications have her involved as either a research fellow or a part of a research group. Some levels of robotics are not possible without the involvement of microelectronics. Especially the level he was infamous for. Miss Saruta read to him as mildly interesting. 

“Her grandfather would be proud no doubt,”Speaking to himself.

“Picked a nice afternoon to enjoy the gardens, Professor Tenma” He heard from nearby. 

Turning his head, Umataro saw Miss Saruta again. Now with a mouthful of bobby pins and a handful of her hair, trying to put herself back to specs it seemed.

“I’m just sitting here” He said, his glasses darkening from UV.

She walked closer to him. “I didn’t think you were levitating, Professor” 

How humorous! Such wit! He laughed internally. 

“And what did you think I was doing then?” He asked, looking upward. 

“I think you were disappointed that the flowers had withered.” She answered. “I thought you’d appreciate the tip”

“A trick of your grandfathers?” Tenma jokes. This woman was pegging some of the things about him without even trying.

Raising an eyebrow, Hoshi felt taken aback. “Beg pardon?”

Shaking his head, Tenma retreated. 

“Nothing. Don’t mind me.”

“I do mind,because no one else talks about my grandfather unless they are an old student. Which if memory serves, you were.” She smiled at him.

“AH! So you knew me then?” Umataro stood, sinking his hands into his pockets.

“Don’t fret, Professor, Grandpa only spoke well of you” She added. 

The remark made Umataro chuckle, “I’m sure he wouldn’t speak ill of his star students” 

Hoshi chuckled back. Shaking her head with the contrary,“Star student? He visited your lab when you didn’t send reports on time, status updates, progress reports, or overspend your budget.”

This was rare! Umataro thought. “The price of genius, Miss Saruta” 

Agreeing, Hoshi said, “Perhaps. Grandpa had an eye for exceptional students.”

Moving past, Umataro stretched, “Surprised you didn’t venture to India or Taiwan for your career in Microelectronics” Turning to face her

Hoshi shrugged. 

“I did. However, for the work they wanted me to do, I felt my talents appreciated here and my mother’s health has me worried” She answered back. 

“I wish you a good day, Miss Saruta” Umataro leaves. 

“Good day,sir,” Hoshie nodded back. “By the way, someone from Brazil was looking for you.”

Umataro heard, turning to look back,“Oh?”

“I sent him to the offices on the 50th floor, but after a while you might need to appear” Hoshi added,

He kept walking. This would have been an exchange he would have not kept short and walked away earlier. Preoccupying himself with something else more interesting and engaging than the kind consideration by Hoshi. Politeness in his experience was performative, it wasn’t performed so organically as he’d experienced. That was a thoughtful thing she did, He thought. 

[beardedmrbean]

NEW YORK -- Ryan Carson, a social justice advocate who was on a mission to make New York a better place, was stabbed to death on the streets of Crown Heights on Monday. 

People who knew Carson, 32, said he dedicated his life to trying to change things for the better. 

Carrying candles, dozens of Carson's family and friends gathered at a park in Bedford-Stuyvesant to remember his life. 

Police said the long-time government advocate was stabbed at around 4 a.m. about a mile away at Lafayette Avenue and Malcom X Boulevard. 

Sources said Carson was standing on the street with his girlfriend when the suspect approached and asked, "What are you looking at?" before stabbing Carson in the chest multiple times. 

Carson was pronounced dead at Kings County Hospital. 

"I was absolutely in disbelief," said New York Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, who knew Carson before becoming a politician. 

Gallagher and Carson bonded over losing close friends to drug overdoses. 

In 2021, Carson walked from New York City to Albany to lobby for safe injection facilities.

For the last decade, Carson was a campaign manager with the New York Public Interest Research Group, most recently dealing with recycling and solid waste. 

"Trying to deal with the unreclaimed bottles and cans that litter New York streets, but he had been involved with lots of projects with us over the years," said Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group.

Sources told CBS New York police do not have a physical description of the suspect, but said the person was acting irrationally prior to the attack. 

Carson's girlfriend was not hurt. 

"It was so shocking. I'm there constantly," said Max Sabo, from Bed-Stuy. "It's terrifying." 

Gallagher said Carson had been sending out reminders for his upcoming birthday, adding he had a gift for bringing joy and comfort. 

"If you wanted to talk, he was absolutely always ready to talk, always there for you," said Gallagher. "It's hard when the person that you go to to talk about grief is the one who died." 

Police said no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.  ____________________

[maaarine]

Hi marine, have you been following the recent election in Turkey? Erdogan got fcked big time, it was good to watch (Also, I don't know if I should be proud or skeptical about our people's obsession with female politicians)

yes I heard about the election results and I was like

ngl the fact that more women were elected into office made me think of those studies of the business world that show that companies are more likely to appoint female executives when they're in deep shit:

“While at first glance the appointment of women in times of crisis may increase female representation in top leadership positions, a second look suggests that it may be a poisoned gift. If “glass cliffs” are real and widespread, women are being disproportionately appointed in failing companies to top executive positions set up for failure. Women who take those positions may then be blamed for leadership failure and be dismissed. (…) Past work suggests that glass cliffs emerge because women are thought to have more emotional sensitivity and a relational leadership style – two leader attributes valued in times of crisis. In other words, women are more associated with caring qualities, and if a company is fatally ill, they may be appointed to cure it. But this rationale would also mean that investors think that one woman can single-handedly steer a company out of the crisis, a not very plausible assumption. Another explanation is that investors are looking for signs of willingness to change before deciding whether they should maintain their financial engagement in a company in crisis."