#Societal Values

[semperardens-juli]

on the Iliad, the Trojan Wars

The Literature Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained, James Canton

a tale of two heroes

Achilles is the professional soldier, with few family ties, and Hector the reluctant but fierce fighter, defending home and family rather than honour.

Their characteristics and situations are metaphors for the contrasting values of society and those of the individual, and those of duty and responsibility compared with loyalty and love.

Neither side is wholly right or wrong, but in this war one must emerge victorious.

leave a little kindness

[tmarshconnors]

Assisted Dying is Murder

This Friday, the House of Commons will debate one of the most contentious issues of our time: assisted dying. The proposed bill seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide under certain circumstances, purportedly offering terminally ill patients the right to end their lives with medical assistance. Advocates argue it’s about dignity, autonomy, and relieving suffering. But let’s not mince words—this is state-sanctioned murder disguised in a cloak of compassion.

As MPs prepare to vote, they face not just a political choice but a moral reckoning. Legalizing assisted dying is not a slippery slope; it’s a moral cliff edge, and stepping over it would fundamentally change how we value human life.

The Sanctity of Life

At the heart of this debate lies the sanctity of life—a principle that has underpinned our civilization for centuries. Life is sacred not because of its quality but because of its inherent value. Allowing assisted dying shifts the cultural narrative: life becomes conditional, and its worth is measured against suffering, convenience, or perceived "burdens." This is not just a danger to the terminally ill; it risks redefining our collective ethics.

Once we legalize the idea that some lives are not worth living, where do we stop? It won’t take long before subtle pressures arise—financial, emotional, societal—on vulnerable individuals to consider ending their lives to ease the burden on others. That’s not autonomy; it’s coercion wrapped in faux liberty.

The Role of the State

The government’s primary role is to protect life, not to facilitate its destruction. Enacting a law that permits assisted dying would cross an ethical boundary that no legislature should breach. The moment we allow the state to sanction killing, even under tightly controlled conditions, we open the door to future expansions. History teaches us that such boundaries rarely remain static.

Consider the experience of countries like Canada, where medical assistance in dying (MAID) has led to a widening scope of eligibility. Initially intended for terminally ill adults, the law now includes those with chronic illnesses and, in some cases, mental health conditions. This mission creep demonstrates how quickly safeguards erode when human life is reduced to a question of utility.

The False Promise of Safeguards

Proponents of assisted dying assure us that strict safeguards will prevent abuse. But no safeguard is foolproof, especially when it comes to subjective judgments about suffering or consent. How do we ensure someone isn’t being subtly pressured by family members, caregivers, or even their own feelings of guilt about being a burden? Vulnerable people—elderly, disabled, or financially strapped—could easily feel obligated to choose death.

Moreover, once the principle of assisted dying is established, it will inevitably be applied more broadly. After all, if it’s compassionate to help a terminally ill patient die, why not someone with chronic pain? Or severe mental illness? These "logical" extensions lead to a world where the most vulnerable are encouraged, even subtly, to end their lives rather than live with dignity and care.

Real Compassion

True compassion isn’t about helping people die; it’s about helping people live, even in the face of suffering. Palliative care, mental health support, and community resources are where we should focus our efforts. We can alleviate pain and provide emotional and spiritual solace without resorting to lethal injections.

The argument for assisted dying often stems from a place of fear: fear of pain, fear of dependence, fear of loss of autonomy. But instead of addressing those fears with care and support, this bill offers a permanent, irreversible solution to what are often temporary or manageable problems. That’s not compassion; it’s surrender.

A Call to MPs

On Friday, MPs must confront a fundamental question: will we remain a society that values every life, no matter how fragile, or will we take the first step toward normalizing state-assisted death? Assisted dying may seem like an easy answer to a difficult problem, but it is a betrayal of our moral responsibility to the most vulnerable.

Assisted dying isn’t about choice—it’s about abandoning those in need. It’s murder under the guise of mercy. MPs must reject this bill and reaffirm our commitment to life, dignity, and genuine compassion.

[seemabhatnagar]

"Judiciary Intervenes: Petitioner’s Trust Activities Deemed Harmful to Public Morality"

In a surprising legal twist, the Madras High Court recently dismissed petitions challenging police actions and charges against an individual. The court’s decision was based on compelling evidence that pointed to serious offenses, including the potential exploitation of a minor. Notably, the petitioner had sought protection to run a brothel, a request that raised eyebrows in legal circles.

The court’s reasoning emphasized the need to maintain the reputation of advocates in society. It urged the Bar Council to enroll only graduates from reputable law colleges, highlighting the importance of legal education and ethical conduct.

As part of its ruling, the court demanded that the petitioner provide proof of enrollment and educational qualifications. This case serves as a stark reminder that legal actions can have far-reaching consequences, and the judiciary remains vigilant in upholding justice.

Raja Murrugan v. The SP Nagercoil Kanyakumari District & 2 others

Crl. Pet. 9399/2024 & WP 13963/2024

Before Madras High Court

Heard by Hon'ble Mr. Justice B. Pugalendhi J

The petitioner, Raja Murrugan, filed two petitions: a criminal original petition for quashing the FIR lodged against him alleging false accusations and harassment by the police, and a writ petition seeking protection for his trust, "Friends For Ever Trust," which provides services including consensual sexual activities.

Facts:

The petitioner claims to be the founder of "Friends For Ever Trust," registered under Reg.No.147 of 2022, promoting adult recreation and related activities, including oil baths and consensual sex services.

On 17.02.2024, the police searched the trust premises, arrested the petitioner, and registered a case under various sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The petitioner was arrested and later released on bail. He alleges that the case was orchestrated by his ex-wife using a minor girl to frame him.

Legal Issue: Whether the activities conducted by the petitioner's trust constitute legal consensual services or illegal activities under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and POCSO Act.

Points of Arguments

Petitioner's arguments- The petitioner vigorously defended actions as consensual and well within the bounds of privacy. The petitioner submitted that the activities of the "Friends For Ever Trust" were lawful and did not constitute a criminal offense.

Consensual and Legal: The petitioner maintained that the activities involved consenting adults and were conducted within a framework of trust. He argued that these private interactions should not be subject to state interference or criminalization.

Privacy Rights: Citing the Indian Constitution’s recognition of the Right to Privacy, the petitioner contended that their personal liberty included the freedom to make choices—specifically, engaging in consensual activities with other adults. He argued that the state’s actions is an infringement on his fundamental right.

False Complaint Allegations: The petitioner further claimed that the police action stemmed from a false complaint orchestrated by his ex-wife. He challenged the legitimacy of the charges and emphasized the need for a fair investigation.

Consensual Nature of Activities: The petitioner asserted that the trust provided a platform for consenting adults to engage in relationships and activities of their choice. He argued that since all activities were consensual and among adults, they fell within the realm of personal freedom and should not be criminalized.

Absence of Illegal Actions: The petitioner maintained that there was no evidence of illegal actions, exploitation, or coercion in the trust's activities. He emphasized that the trust was not involved in any activities that could be classified as criminal under Indian law, such as trafficking, forced labor, or any other form of exploitation.

Argument of the State

Legitimate Investigation: The State justified initiating the investigation based on credible information pointing to potential illegal activities within the “Friends For Ever Trust.”

Concerns of Illegality: Despite the trust’s claims of operating within legal bounds, serious concerns arose. Allegations hinted at activities that might breach Indian laws, including immoral trafficking or exploitation.

Public Interest and Protection: The State underscored its duty to safeguard the public interest and prevent harm to societal morals. The investigation aimed to shield vulnerable individuals and maintain order.

Criminal Proceedings Justified: Filing the FIR and pursuing criminal proceedings were grounded in prima facie evidence gathered during the investigation. Authorities acted to uphold the law.

No Fundamental Rights Violation: The State refuted any infringement on the petitioner’s fundamental rights. Privacy and personal liberty, they argued, don’t shield illegal activities or actions contrary to public welfare.

Court's Observation

The court expressed shock at the petitioner's claim of running a brothel under the guise of a trust and his purported status as an advocate. The allegations involved immoral trafficking and potential exploitation of women under the guise of running a charitable trust, which is a serious offense. The nature of the allegations, if proven true, could indicate severe misconduct and abuse of trust, as well as violations of legal and moral standards.

The court noted the discrepancies in the petitioner's statements and the seriousness of the allegations involving a minor.

The court emphasized the need for maintaining moral sanctity and preventing exploitation under the guise of consensual activities.

The court was concerned about the actual activities carried out by the "Friends For Ever Trust." Although the trust was purported to be involved in charitable activities, there were serious allegations suggesting that the trust's operations may have included illegal activities. The court likely found it disturbing that such activities could be taking place under the cover of a charitable organization, which generally enjoys a certain level of public trust and immunity.

The court was shocked by the implications of the case for public morality and the enforcement of laws protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. The potential involvement of a trust in illegal activities, especially one that may exploit vulnerable women, raises significant concerns about the protection of societal values and the effectiveness of law enforcement.

[kesarijournal]

The Great Indian Paradox: When Sixes Outscore Sacrifices

**Introduction:**In the grand Indian theater, where cricket bats swing mightier than the swords of justice, and the glitz of Bollywood overshadows the grit of the border, we find ourselves in a saga of ironic contrasts. Welcome to the land where celluloid heroes are worshipped, and real heroes often forgotten, where a sixer can fetch millions, but a soldier’s sacrifice struggles for a headline.…

[lets-blogoff]

The Power Of Sustainable Design In Commercial Furniture Manufacturing

The Power Of Sustainable Design In Commercial Furniture Manufacturing - #letsblogoff #Entertainment, #FurnitureManufacturing, #HomeImprovement, #LetsBlogOff, #ModularOfficeFurniture, #Tips - https://www.letsblogoff.com/the-power-of-sustainable-design-in-commercial-furniture-manufacturing/

[fairsweetlonging]

new idea: shen yuan transmigrates into a pidw version with abo dynamics, but he doesn't know about it.

he knows what abo is, but it's so far removed from his expectations that it simply doesn't cross his mind at all. with that, cang qiong is a respectable, upstanding sect, so there is no growling, claiming, scent pushing or primal instinct stuff going on. people also don't mention it, as it's simply not relevant most of the time, and is considered rude to discuss unprompted.

shen qingqiu, of course, is an omega (the characters who make the best omegas are the ones who would hate it the most), but he has suppressed it with his qi for most of his life because he doesn't want to be seen as weak. the other peak lords assume he's a beta.

now, i'm not a traditional abo dynamic fan, but, there is something very appealing to me about the nesting and scenting aspect of it.

it starts out slow and painfully oblivious, with shen yuan assuming cultivators must have a really good sense of smell, and it's simply book logic that every character seems to have a signature scent. all those romance novels always mention characters smelling of pine and flowers and scotch and leather, so this isn't a foreign concept. liu qingge, for instance, is the bai zhan war god, girls fall for him left and right, it's only natural he smells of musk and deep woodsy notes, like the earth after it rains. right?

besides that, shen yuan has always been a homebody who loves his creature comforts, so him getting extra blankets and pillows and soft fabrics for his bed to curl up in isn't odd at all. or him collecting soft pretty things. shen qingqiu already has fans and night pearls and hair ribbons and silky clothes, so nothing changes.

then without-a-cure hits.

the poison breaks down the suppressors that the original shen qingqiu put in place, and his body starts restoring the balance. this worsens the cravings, and sets off his omega instincts.

he gathers more blankets, but it doesn't fill the need, like there's something missing. then liu qingge forgets his outer robe in his house after a meridian cleansing to deal with an emergency, and that robe ends up in his bed. he tries to reason it's a comfort thing—he wore his dad's sweater when he was young and had nightmares, and liu qingge does smell very nice, so is it really that strange that he holds it at night and presses his face against the collar where the scent is the strongest to soothe himself?

his own scent starts to develop as well, much stronger than the mild, watery green tea flavor from before, and people notice.

thing is, though, that there are many formalities and rules of conduct around omegas, one of which is not to bring up their status in any improper or unbidden way. so even though the alpha lords now notice a very distinct omega scent coming off their shixiong, they can't mention it out of societal pressure. so, they don't.

shen yuan still doesn't notice a thing.

the first time liu qingge smells it is during their bi-weekly cleansing session, when shen qingqiu leans in and liu qingge gets a mouthful of green tea, bamboo and honeyed jasmine, soft and sweet and pleased and so very content it sets off his alpha brain and he has to rein himself in before he starts releasing his own pheromones like some inexperienced teenager—

he's only just grown used to their amity and their habit of sharing tea and cakes after the cleansing, but now shen qingqiu is sitting there smiling at him and smelling like—like liu qingge is spoiling him and, making him feel safe...

he doesn't bring it up, downs his tea, and leaves.

meanwhile shen qingqiu keeps happily nesting away, filling his bed with all kinds of soft fabrics, some clothes of other people that he's trying really hard not to think about. everything is going well, binghe just turned sixteen and the girls are calling him an 'alpha', so his little bun is growing well into his protagonist charms! yue qingyuan comes by more often, acting a little strange but shen qingqiu is used to that by now. he looks very bashful offering him a ribbon of his, a pretty silver one that smells of incense and ozone, and shen qingqiu happily accepts it.

one time binghe comes back bruised and scuffed from a fight with bai zhan disciples, and shen qingqiu tsks at the strange smells on him, do those brutes ever bathe?? he rubs his hands over binghe's sleeves to try and get some of it off, and his poor bun must still be in shock because he stares wide-eyed at his shizun. he must also be getting forgetful because shen qingqiu finds that same robe still unwashed a week later in binghe's bedroom.

he also loves it when people brush or play with his hair, it's his favorite part of the evening when binghe helps him take down his hair for the night. the combs feel so nice on his scalp, if he could purr he would! (binghe's heart sobs quietly behind him, in complete disbelief his master is purring at him).

his icy, lofty demeanor has all but shattered, because now every time he tries to act aloof, like when yue qingyuan gives him a present or liu qingge shows up on his doorstep, his sweet, pleased scent betrays him.

the opposite is true, as well, when without-a-cure flares up and he's in pain and his scent goes sour and distressed, even when he's waving everyone off saying he's fine. the entire house smells of burnt tea leaves and ash after a nightmare, and shen qingqiu is very confused when liu qingge comes to pick him up for a meeting but then refuses to leave.

anyway he doesn't find out until after the conference when airplane tells him to keep his acrid scent under control, his house is starting to stink.

[flora-tea]

It's so weird and messed up to me how society puts marriage on this pedestal as something we must aspire for as part of growing up, and how it's literally treated as something folks in committed long term relationships have to do in order to be "truly committed" or "truly serious" or "truly longterm".

Like why does a relationship have to have a legal contract involved that is sanctioned by and dissolvable only by the law to be considered valid and true?? Why do folks have to enter a legal commitment contract to be considered "actually truly for-reals serious" long term partners? Goverment's really gotta be in our business in order for us to be seen as fully adults or for partnerships to be seen as fully valid? Hell no!! You kidding me?? Society so weird for that fr 😭

No hate to anyone ofc, but the way marriage is largely considered an expectation for people and for partnered relationships is so weird and damaging.

[jangillman]

"My family s0ld me to the industry when I was 14 years old and when ever wanted to complaîn, they never listened cuz all they cared about was the money. When I was with Diddy, I saw and did things which no kid should ever do nor see." Justin Bieber

"It was hard for me being that young and being in the industry and not knowing where to turn to. Everyone turnęd their backs on me, even my own family because all they wanted was the money. I saw things which any kid shouldn't see, and I did things which any kid shouldn't do because I had no choice.

What I went through in this industry, I don't wîsh that upon anybody. There are things in the industry that people don't wanna talk about because it'll reveal things which shouldn't be revealed. It's just so sîck because no one is willing to take the rîsk and say it. I've just decided to distance myself from this industry and heal cuz I'm still hũrt."

----Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber crîed while talking about his experience in the industry🥲‼️

[cinnamonsikwate]

"why couldn't shuro have just been honest about what he felt with laios and falin it's not that hard" are you. are you White

[ashleyfableblack]

Life can be hard, Really hard. We all carry so much stress on our shoulders and in our hearts. The world can seem so cold and uncaring but when things get dark and you're feeling super stressed, that you just don't measure up. When you're thinking about those riches you don't have or that car, the fancy house or super-model physique or whatever else society has told you you should be chasing after- stop. Turn down that noise. Take a deep breath or two. Listen to professor Pinkie spell it out for ya, Eternal Courtship style.

Big love to the original inspiration for this li'l list of good things to focus on in this amazing thing we call life.

[queen-esther]

It’s still just so funny how badly leftists want to manifest JK Rowling’s downfall into existence. They keep trying to convince themselves and each other that this lady not supporting men in dresses being granted access to women’s abuse shelters has made her and her work irrelevant in the eyes of the general public, as if Hogwarts Legacy didn’t make tons of money, people aren’t visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in droves, kids aren’t still checking out the Harry Potter books from the library en masse in every school I’ve worked at, there hasn’t been an HBO adaptation announced, etc. It’s almost like most people in the real world still like JK Rowling and her stuff and don’t actually care about the trans crap, lol.

[pebblegalaxy]

The Influence of Modernization on Painting: Global Movements, Technology, and New Techniques

The modernization process has revolutionized the field of painting, ushering in a new era of creativity and innovation. Artists worldwide have embraced and adapted to the transformative influences of global artistic movements, technology, and new techniques. This article delves into the profound impact of modernization on painting, exploring how it has opened up exciting avenues for artistic…

[musical-chick-13]

Regarding the whole "Fandom Is An Escape, so why should I have to care this much about misogyny/racism/ableism/transphobia/etc." thing. Idk about the rest of you, but it gets kind of hard for me to "escape" when I keep seeing people say the same vile things about characters who share aspects of my identity that I hear all the time in real life.

[scribefindegil]

My personal take on Teru’s parents is that they got sucked up into the same “awareness of The Narrative but it’s the wrong narrative” problem that their son did. They believe that Teru’s powers make him special. They make him a different class of being. And his parents are just normal humans, so there’s nothing they could have done to help him. They’re just normal humans, so it was too dangerous for them to stay. They’re just normal humans, and he’s The Protagonist, so obviously he’ll be fine by himself!

I find this a lot more compelling, because while their actions are obviously still awful, it’s the sort of thing that would make sense in a different story. In a story that did see espers as different and special and better (like most stories with superpowers!), a protagonist wanting to keep his non-powered family safe and far away would be the right decision. A protagonist taking on adult responsibilities and adult levels of independence at a young age is just a slightly tragic but inevitable consequence of his Special, Unique status. It would be consistent with the themes of the show: the Hanazawas can abandon their son and still whole-heartedly believe that they’re doing the right thing because they see Teru as a Protagonist, not as a person.

But this is Mob Psycho, and it knows just how stupid that is.

And this is why they need Reigen Arataka, Normal Man, Avatar Of Mundane Reality, to smack their heads together and point out that this is a child and they have a responsibility and him having psychic powers doesn’t change any of that!

[flyinglowdown]

i have a dream. and that dream is cressida/eloise/lord debling

[al-luviec]

still haven't moved on from zane in this episode (aka I hit tag limit again and am unhappy about it)