#WHY DID 34% VOTE FOR NOTHING !?!

[centi-pedve]

honestly really confused why jesse jackson and chubby checker were put on the poll lol. less than 1 percent for a reason matey... as an sc native we dont know who those guys are and there's SO MUCH MORE going on in sc than just "myrtle beach" and "sweet tea" like venus flytraps....palmetto trees... fort jackson... racism... the fact that throughout history we have been the problem child of the us.... brooks-sumner affair... lots to think about

[patriottruth]

For Everyone Who Wants to Join the Informed Patriot Peaceful Protest and Resistance Against Another donald j. trump Presidency, Here's How Easy It Is to End donald j. trump For At Least Another 4 Years, Tank His Net Worth, And Dump All of His Legal Nightmares, His 34-Felony Conviction Election Interference Sentencing and Possible Imprisonment, and Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Fines and Ever-Accumulating Interest and Judgments Back on His Head.

donald j. trump is actively engaging in the federal crime of attempting to hold office while being an impeached and indicted insurrectionist. He has no path to the White House other than receiving 70 Democrat votes from the House of Representatives, and 17 Democrat votes from the Senate. It can't be 69 and 17, or 70 and 16; because Section 3 of the 14th Amendment requires a full two-thirds vote from each house to remove donald j. trump's insurrectionist disqualification to hold federal office. Chuck Schumer can easily force the Section 3 vote in the Senate; and if donald j. trump gets no Democrat votes in the Senate, then the House vote is unnecessary. If MAGA mike johnson refuses to allow a House vote, then that's an instant disqualification for insurrectionist donald j. trump.

Hakeem Jeffries Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives https://www.congress.gov/member/hakeem-jeffries/J000294 https://democraticleader.house.gov/contact

Chuck Schumer Democratic Leader of the Senate https://www.congress.gov/member/charles-schumer/S000148 https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/message-chuck

So why isn't this checkmate option being discussed far and wide at the moment? It just so happens that Jack Smith is in the process of releasing the evidence against donald j. trump and his classified documents Espionage Act violations at mar-a-lago. Also, American companies are already laying people off, firing them, advising employees there'll be no holiday bonuses or raises, and Americans are learning the hard truth about trump's insane tariff policies. On top of that, donald trump and his supporters are taking their masks off and revealing how bigoted and fascist they actually are toward all minorities and marginalized groups within the MAGA cult now that they've succeeded in manipulating them to vote for trump; and that's having an effect on people's interest in protesting or rioting should donald trump be disqualified from office for insurrection and tyranny. The MAGA cult is already in-fighting and imploding in the same ways the Romans and the Nazis did; because everyone in authoritarian and tyrannical power structures wants to be the right hand puppetmaster who controls the tyrant at the top, no one in those power structures ever tolerates not being the reigning Alpha of their group, or over all groups, and there's nothing those types of people won't do for more power and influence.

It's only been 5 days since the election, and Americans who voted for donald trump are already paying the price for voting for donald trump. That's just going to continue compounding and festering into a disgust for donald trump and his MAGA cult by the time Jack Smith's Espionage Act report reveals what a traitor donald trump actually is, and has been all along. Let all the American families who've already been decimated by donald trump from November 5th through Thanksgiving meet around the holiday table and discuss the truth about donald trump; and then schedule the Senate vote for December 11th, 2024. Once donald trump is disqualified, Kamala Harris can challenge donald trump's ability to be elected by the Electoral College during their December 17th, 2024 meeting. MAGA SCOTUS already clarified the President Elect would default to the other presidential candidate, not the insurrectionist's unelected Vice President candidate when they wrote this in their Anderson vs. trump "ruling": "The disruption would be all the more acute—and could nullify the votes of millions and change the election result—if Section 3 enforcement were attempted after the Nation has voted. Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaos—arriving at any time or different times, up to and perhaps beyond the Inauguration."

So how are the holidays looking for American patriots this year? Well, if Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats force a vote on removing donald j. trump's insurrectionist disqualification from holding federal office and trump gets zero Democrat support, at that moment, all of donald j. trump's legal and criminal nightmares consume his life once more, and per the Berger Test, MAGA SCOTUS can't help him, all of those hundreds of millions in judgments against him are immediately collectible and continue accruing interest again, donald trump's net worth is decimated, truth social stock nosedives into obliviion, and he gets sentenced and possibly imprisoned for his 2016 election interference felony convictions. In the midst of all of that, his precious MAGA SCOTUS can be immediately and permanently disbarred from ever judging or practicing law anywhere in the United States now or in the future. And then probably around a week after MAGA SCOTUS' immediate and permanent disbarment, the remaining three SCOTUS justices restore national Roe vs. Wade protections, and all of the trump abortion bans brutalizing women across the United States will finally come to an end. Shortly after Roe vs. Wade is restored as the law of the land, the United States will inaugurate and swear in the 47th President of the United States, Kamala Harris. Anyone who wants that joyus happy ending to the endless nightmare of the donald trump saga simply needs to contact Chuck Shumer and Hakeem Jeffries and explain why donald trump is in violation of federal law for being an insurrectionist attempting to hold office without first having his disqualification removed via a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress.

Here's a form letter that'll be under 1980 characters no matter if you're contacting House Democratic Leader Jeffries or Senate Democratic Leader Schumer. Just copy and paste the text into the contact form. If these Democratic leaders receive hundreds of these messages from different IP/Internet addresses, we'll have their attention. If they receive thousands of these messages from different IP/Internet addresses, we might see this in the news. If they receive tens of thousands of these messages from different IP/Internet addresses, we might finally be free from the threat of another donald trump presidency (turnout is everything in this fight for our human and civil rights, freedoms, and literal survival as non-trump supporters and non-MAGA cult members).

Dear Democratic Leader Jeffries,

My family, loved ones, friends, and I are greatly concerned that Donald J. Trump and all of his MAGA allies, supporters, enablers, donors, and voters have what clearly appear to be genocidal intentions to all American non-Trump supporters and voters whom they call, "traitors, anti-American, enemies from within, very bad people, very dangerous people, racists, radicals, extremists, communists, Marxists, fascists, thugs, liars, sick, ugly, stupid, mindless, thoughtless, brainless, disabled, deranged, criminals, rapists, cheaters, sleazebags, low-lifes, scum, trash, genetically inferior, weak, poison, insects, animals, rats, snakes, and vermin" on a regular basis. As I'm sure that you and all elected Democrat representatives at every level across the United States are aware, Donald J. Trump was not granted permanent immunity from federal enforcement of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment in the SCOTUS ruling for Anderson vs. Trump on March 4, 2024; and the moment Donald J. Trump was declared the President Elect, he was committing the federal crime of attempting to hold office while being an impeached and indicted insurrectionist without first having that insurrectionist disqualification removed by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress. Donald J. Trump and his MAGA cult appear to intend to not only deport 15 million people, but to also engage in undeniable genocide and ethnic and cultural cleansing against half the population of the United States (using voter registration as a "vermin" purge mechanism). Thankfully, per the Supreme Court's own Berger Test to disqualify judges, Donald J. Trump's MAGA SCOTUS allies can never intervene on any of his legal cases again, so if you would please bring the matter of a two-thirds vote to the House of Representatives for an immediate vote by no later than December 11th, 2024, my fellow Americans and I would greatly appreciate it.

Respectully,

An American patriot

Dear Democratic Leader Schumer,

My family, loved ones, friends, and I are greatly concerned that Donald J. Trump and all of his MAGA allies, supporters, enablers, donors, and voters have what clearly appear to be genocidal intentions to all American non-Trump supporters and voters whom they call, "traitors, anti-American, enemies from within, very bad people, very dangerous people, racists, radicals, extremists, communists, Marxists, fascists, thugs, liars, sick, ugly, stupid, mindless, thoughtless, brainless, disabled, deranged, criminals, rapists, cheaters, sleazebags, low-lifes, scum, trash, genetically inferior, weak, poison, insects, animals, rats, snakes, and vermin" on a regular basis. As I'm sure that you and all elected Democrat representatives at every level across the United States are aware, Donald J. Trump was not granted permanent immunity from federal enforcement of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment in the SCOTUS ruling for Anderson vs. Trump on March 4, 2024; and the moment Donald J. Trump was declared the President Elect, he was committing the federal crime of attempting to hold office while being an impeached and indicted insurrectionist without first having that insurrectionist disqualification removed by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress. Donald J. Trump and his MAGA cult appear to intend to not only deport 15 million people, but to also engage in undeniable genocide and ethnic and cultural cleansing against half the population of the United States (using voter registration as a "vermin" purge mechanism). Thankfully, per the Supreme Court's own Berger Test to disqualify judges, Donald J. Trump's MAGA SCOTUS allies can never intervene on any of his legal cases again, so if you would please bring the matter of a two-thirds vote to the Senate for an immediate vote by no later than December 11th, 2024, my fellow Americans and I would greatly appreciate it.

Respectully,

An American patriot

[tpquill]

America, what have you done!

I am tonight sitting here (Australia) speechless from what has transpired these last 12 hours or so, what the hell happened?

Why on earth did he get voted back in?

What in the world went wrong?

8 years ago he was elected whether you choose to believe it or not, through nefarious means (Russia influence) at the time people fell for his charisma & charm, but soon realised just like women realise when they fall for the charm and the boyish behaviour, there’s a darker side they don’t reveal until it’s too late. Congratulations America, he revealed it pretty early on once he got his claws into the Resolution Table in the Oval Office.

We (the world) watched in horror as he separated families and deported illegals. He overspent on his billionaire friends and made middle and working class suffer. Had no health care plan, no infrastructure or employment plan. No commerce or education - nothing, zilch. He employed sycophants who bowed and grovelled to do his biding (half of them his own family - nepotism much?) he ran America like one of his bankrupt businesses and almost brought America to the ground. He was responsible for not taking responsibility when a pandemic hit the world and over 1 million died under his watch.

America impeached him twice, investigated him multiple times. Decided then they’d had enough and voted him out. You had four years of peace, of prosperity, of employment health care, higher wages and lowering costs. Your country opened up again and healthcare was restored, you started bouncing back, you’re coming has never been better. Meanwhile he ranted and raged the election was stolen, even though every court hearing and document was thrown out. America had turned a page in history for four years.

What the hell happened?

Joe Biden stood for another term but that wasn’t good enough, the America media had an axe to grind and so did it seemed those who were influential in the media circus and he stood aside for a women he picked as his vice. A woman with an incredible record in prosecution and protection of law. A woman who had fought against cartels and won. A woman of scruples and integrity. Who was willing to stand up to him and hold him accountable. A man who has current,y 34 felony convictions including falsifying business records and inflating assets to hide tax fraud. A man with 6 bankruptcies and multiple accusations of predator and rapist behaviour AND YOU HAVE VOTED HIM BACK IN?

Why?

Was it because you like someone with a need for vengeance? Someone who had made it very clear he intends to run America like Russia? A man who stole your nations top secrets and in some cases sold them off? A man for whatever bizzare reason is allowed to do whatever the hell he likes with no repercussions, because he’s Donald Trump?

This is not the America I remember as a child. This is not the president I saw growing up, who took care of his people, who cared for his country, supported their military and stood up to foreign enemies.

I sit here tonight devastated for all the brave and wonderful women and men, who voted to protect theirs and their daughters basic human, reproductive and civil rights. To the persons of all colours and religions, to the victims of domestic and sexual violence. To the wonderful trans community, to the gay marriages built on love. To all those who have fought both home and abroad in service. To the dreamers who see America as a shiny beacon of light & hope. To those who have crossed many roads in search of protection, in a country who had always welcomed you. I feel all of your sadness and anger at what has transpired.

None of this makes sense, none of this adds up.

Kamala Harris was a future light of hope and peace, of working with both sides for democracy to move America forward - now it seems she will be pulled back into the darkest part of her history. Back to when women had no right to vote, no opinion that was listened to, no voice protecting her own body.

She will be silenced once again.

Immigrants will no longer be welcome.

The church will control what happens in marriages and government decisions.

You will no longer be accepted as a trans or LGBTQ+

If you suffer a medical emergency during pregnancy, you will be forced to endure the consequences of either the child dying inside you, or be forced to give birth at “God’s will” Rape is just a word - a pregnancy from it will be unfortunate but a necessary as your right to choose will not matter anymore.

None of this adds up.

I will not accept that a man who got almost the exact same amount of votes as he did in 2020 can be declared the winner and Kamala only got 60 million, where did the other 20 million go? The votes came in too quickly the declaration called too soon. I’m by no means a conspiracy theorist but the math doesn’t add up?

Bomb threats - is America the Middle East? Interference through social media via Elon Musk and China. Giving away money to people who would vote for Trump. It stinks like rotten fish on a warm summers day here in Oz.

My final take.

If I devoted my entire like in government, in prosecution, in upholding the constitution - I would have questions, I would want answers as to how this happened with no increase in Trumps collective votes from 2020, he didn’t increase, he stayed the same.

President Joe Biden in his last few months of power, should launch an investigation because it’s not a case of well America decided to perform a lobotomy on itself and completely wiped the years between 2016-2020 from her memory and only remember the last 102 days, or something or someone played a hand in some very nefarious and illegal vote tampering.

Madam Vice President - do not concede.

[livesworthlivingau]

Behind the Vale Chapter 34

You know the drill, Spoilers for all of ISAT, etc. CW: Confused Pining? Sparring Scene/Consensual Violence. I SHOULD NOTE THAT THE PINING AND CONSENSUAL VIOLENCE ARE NOT RELATED!!!

"So, how was your little chat with Eclipse last night~?"

"It went well actually," [Blind it!] "how was sharing a tent with Nille for the first time~?" [STARS BLINDING CRAB!!! You immediately feel your face begin to burn.]

"You could at least humor me when I try to tease you, you know!"

"Hah! Not so fun on the other end, is it~?" [You cross your arms and pout. It wasn't fair how difficult they were to fluster now.]

"... Wait... what do you mean it went 'well'?"

"Well... I talked about what I was going to talk about back then... a-and uhh... they weren't... against it." [His face begins to darken instead. Hah! It's working!... Wait what is he talking about?]

"Against, what exactly?"

"Uhm... M-Maybe we shouldn't really talk about this! Th-That was a whole loop ago, it never really happened technically, j-just forget about it!"

"Hah~! I haven't seen you this flustered in a long time~. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were falling for me, Stardust~." [His face burns darker as he falls silent.] "... This is the part where you refute that, Stardust."

"... W-Well... the thing is... uhhh..." [Your own face grows just as dark.]

"... Truce to never speak of this again?"

"Y-Yup! Truce!" [You both stop acknowledging each other as you break off. Stardust heads off towards Eclipse and the Housemaiden, while you head towards Nille, Flare, and, ugh, the Researcher... Fantastic. Nille perks up at your approach.]

"Hey Vay, what were you and Sif talking about?"

"Absolutely nothing~! Next question~!"

"That bad, huh? Alright, I won't pry. Though speaking of, Dile here was hoping to get some info out of you." [Of course she is...]

"Yes, Petronille has informed me that you're a paper type now. I've never heard of someone changing their craft type before, but there's a lot of topics that would apply to in the last few months. I was hoping you might like to spar sometime." [Wonderful, here comes the interro-wait what did she just say?]

"You... want to spar with me?"

"Yes. In Ka Bue, it is believed that there's no better way to understand someone than by the way they Craft. I may not believe in all the sentimentality behind it, but watching someone Craft can make for quite an impression. Perhaps it could even answer some questions you have about yourself."

"... I don't think that would be for the best. I'd rather not hurt any of you."

"I don't doubt your time in the loops has given you an advantage when it comes to experience, but I'm sure I could hold my own long enough to get what I'd need. Besides, Mirabelle can help ensure nothing goes too far." [Your expression does very little to hide your hesitance about the idea.] "So you don't want to prove how different you are from Siffrin now?"

"What?"

"I've seen how Siffrin Crafts for months now, I'd be able to spot it in a moment. So why don't you show me just how different you are now?" [You know exactly what she's trying to do... yet her goading still succeeds in spite of that.]

"Fine, then spar we shall~."

"DILE'S GONNA KICK VALE'S CRABBING BUTT!" [Flare shouts as Nille chuckles with a shake of her head.]

"Can't say I'm not excited to see how this plays out."

--------------------------------------------------------------------

[You stand at one end of a clearing, the Researcher at the opposite end. Everyone else eagerly gathered into a little group nearby to watch. You perk up as Nille calls out.]

"Go easy on them, Dile! They've only been in a fight or two since the Change!" [Excuse us?!]

"Thanks for the vote of confidence?!"

"Hah! Well it's true!"

"Vale seemed rather worried about hurting me earlier, so I don't intend to hold back. Besides, if they do then this whole research project would be null and void. I need to see you at your best, so don't pull any punches!" [The Researcher calls out in a demanding tone, one similar to a teacher encouraging a student. You're unsure why, but it starts to light a fire within you.]

"Alright." [You draw your whip and hold out a paper sign with your other hand.] "Ready when you are, Researcher!"

"Would you mind counting us down, Boniface?" [Flare jumps to their feet eagerly. A very excited grin across their face.]

"One!" [Wait...]

"Two!" [We just remembered...]

"Three!" [WE DON'T HAVE ANY CRAFT SKILLS OF OUR OWN!]

[You begin to panic as the Researcher starts to rush towards you. You see her hands move in a familiar way, and without thinking to go to copy it. You need every advantage you can get as you both SLOW IV each other with the exact same method. She raises a brow as she realized what happened.]

"Huh. No, no that would make sense. You must have seen me use that craft countless times, of course you'd learn how to emulate it. This still isn't exactly helping this experiment though, show me your craft, Vale!"

"I... don't really have any yet..."

"Then you best come up with something fast!" [She threatens and makes a scissors sign, slicing a streak of SCISSORS III towards you. You barely manage to dive out of the way thanks to that heavy feeling slowing you down, leaving you wide open for the next attack.]

[She swings her open palm down towards you just as a PAPER III blast slams down onto your back.] "GAH!" [It stings, but no where near as much as that earlier strike would have. You shake off the craft weighing you down and quickly get back to your feet. You notice she still has the SLOW on her, you have an opening!]

[You crack your whip a few times, sending waves of Paper Craft towards her. She only manages to block one, taking the full brunt of the other two. She slides back across the dirt and falls to a knee. Despite this, a grin crosses her face as she looks back up at you.]

"Now we're getting somewhere, keep it up Vale. Show me what you're capable of." [She commands yet again, getting back up and flashing another scissors sign. The Craft comes flying at you quickly, slamming into your stomach and causing you to fly back, slamming into a tree.]

"Ugh... Oh you'll pay for that one Researcher!" [You're injured now, but it only strengthens the fire within you. You focus your intent into the tip of your whip before lashing it out, sending an intense wave of pure Creative Craft towards her. Even as she blocks it, it manages to deal a good amount of damage. You don't let up, you snap your whip again and again, sending smaller blasts but trying to overwhelm her. She evades the first few only to stop in her tracks and SLOW IV you yet again, taking a couple hits to do so.]

"You're getting desperate, good! You're showing your true self now!" [You grumble as you feel that same weight again, like your whole body was moving through sludge. You can't take another big hit, you look around to find some sort of advantage... You crack your whip once more, and as she goes to defend, it swings upwards and blasts the tree behind her, sending an explosion of leaves to surround and distract her. You move as quick as you can in this addled state to hide behind a tree until it wears off.]

"Clever. You fight like a cornered animal, yet you still manage to find and use any advantage you can." [Why do we feel like a book being read right now?...] "I haven't had a good fight since Dormont, I appreciate you indulging me with this." [You take a few breaths to help shake the craft off of you.]

"My pleasure, I just can't wait to wipe that grin off of your face~!" [You call out, whip ready as you focus your craft into it again. Just as expected you feel a heavy blast of Craft slam against the tree you hid behind. You tuck and roll back out into the open and prepare to strike!... Wait, where did she go?]

WHACK [You're suddenly smacked upside the head with another PAPER III, knocking you over as you grip your head.] "OW! CHEAP SHOT!"

"You think you're the only one who can use tactics?" [She smirks, stepping out from behind a very different tree than you expected. She holds her free hand in a paper sign.] "Now time to finish this."

[You prepare to defend, you're weak but you could take another hit of PAPER III if you're ready for it... until you notice her hand moving different than usual. You glance over at her hand holding her book, which was hiding the Scissors sign she was actually using to power the craft! By the time you realize her trick, the piercing energy was already heading directly towards you.]

[You panic, without thinking you act, a wave of Craft flowing out of you and into your whip. LION TAMER! You lash out your whip, coiling around the attack itself. You guide it off course, and hold on tightly as it spins around your form, releasing it as it flies directly back at the Researcher. She was too surprised by what you did to even try blocking it, landing a direct hit with her own attack and leaving her K.O.ed across the grass... You blink a few times as you still aren't even sure what you just did.]

"M'dame!" [The Housemaiden quickly hops up and rushes over to her side, starting to pump healing craft into the downed Researcher. Flare is close behind with the pack of tonics in case it's needed. You look down at your hands and whip, still just lost in the shock and adrenaline of what you'd just done. You stumble as a heavy pat hits your back.]

"Holy crab! Where have you been hiding that one, Vay?!"

"I... I have no idea... Is... Is she okay?" [You look back over to her, Flare and the Housemaiden are helping her up to a sitting position. She looks spent but otherwise awake and aware. You hesitate before walking over.] "I-I'm sorry, I didn't realize I could even do that, are you-" [You're interrupted as she raises a hand to stop you.]

"That was exactly what I asked for, thank you for assisting me with this experiment. I think we've both learned a lot from it, Vale." [She has a satisfied smile painted across her face.]

"Yes, that was... certainly an experience, thank you for helping me find myself like this, Comet." [She raises a brow at the end of your statement.] "A nickname, if you don't mind me using it..." [She shares a look with you, understanding the importance you give to these silly nicknames. She smiles and nods.]

"Of course, now go enjoy your victory, I need to rest and gather my thoughts properly." [She says with a huff, trying to play off the feelings much like you do.]

"Of course, rest well~." [You head back to Nille as you hear Flare begin shouting behind you.]

"Diiiile! I can't believe you let Vale beat you! What the crab!"

Huge thank you to @itstheval for inspiring the fight scene and coming up with Craft Skills for Vale!! His fan chapters are wonderful and the skills he came up with are so goooood!

[cetaitlaverite]

Why All This Music? - MASTERLIST

Masters of the Air - Rosie Rosenthal x OC

"To be alive: not just the carcass But the spark. That's crudely put, but… If we're not supposed to dance, Why all this music?" - To Be Alive by Gregory Orr

You can also read on AO3 here!

01. Hotshot Wireless Operators

02. You Were Going to Fall

03. Tell Me About Vienna

04. To Look After Pilots

05. Throw the Guy A Rope

06. Down in Flames

07. Out of Luck

08. Street Race in A Tank

09. Up for A Vote

10. Lost Puppies

11. The Idea of Romance

12. A Drop in the Ocean

13. Pyjamas and All

14. Kind of Hoping

15. Best and Worst

16. Lots of Things

17. What Other Reason

18. Nothing to Write Home About

19. The Magic of Tonight

BONUS CHAPTER: 19.5. What, exactly, went down in the plane?

DELETED SCENE: Freddie and Rosie return to the club

20. All My Life

21. The Very Least of It

22. The One Left Behind

23. Aren't We Protective?

24. Familiarity and Nostalgia

25. The Same Pain

BONUS CHAPTER: 25.5. What did Freddie and Rosie get up to in the kitchen?

26. Bärchen

27. An End to That Debate

28. Just As Much As You Are

29. A Head Start

30. One Day

BONUS CHAPTER: 30.25. So what happened in London?

31. The Hard Part

32. God and the Law

33. Different

34. Two Swans in A Pond

35. The Simple Pleasure

BONUS CHAPTER: 35.25. Keeping Quiet

36. All the Way Back

BONUS CHAPTER: 36.5. What happened that night?

37. Hanging on the Phone

DELETED SCENE: Rosie returns to Thorpe Abbotts alone

38. Make Us Fly

39. Their Fair Share

40. A Life to Start

41. How to Exist

42. Epilogue

A Final Note from Your Author

BONUS CHAPTER: Freddie Arrives in New York

DELETED SCENE: Freddie and Rosie's First Meeting From Rosie's POV

Exclusive Extras

AU: What if Daniel never died?

Freddie and Rosie between chapters 19 and 20

NSFW: Freddie wears Rosie’s jacket

Rosie gets jealous

Freddie gets jealous (during the war edition)

Post-War:

Freddie gets jealous

NSFW: Freddie tries on lingerie for Rosie

Freddie gets in trouble

Freddie and Rosie’s second wedding

NSFW: Freddie writes a song for Rosie

Freddie is pregnant and has sickening cravings

Freddie and Rosie’s first baby meets Meatball

WATM: Millie and Brady's Version

Millie and Brady’s Cut

Call It What You Want: The Three Times They Lied to Each Other and the One Time They Told the Truth

Into the Dark: The Last Time They Saw Each Other for A Long, Long Time

[kirbylover34]

VOTE!!!

I know how everyone is feeling currently about the genocide of Palestine right now. People are angry and furious that we Americans are complicit in the ongoing violence that revokes the lives of innocent people. How our politicians are sending weapons and defending Zionism, and silencing those that speak out. As it stands both political parties, our democratic and republican candidates are fully onboard with the slaughter of women and infants. I feel that pain, seeing videos of children crying for their deceased families and the vileness I never thought humans were capable of doing. As it stands democratic candidate Kamala Harris has fully shown support for the Israelis. So why as an average normal American citizen who detests the ongoing genocide am I telling you to vote for Kamala? If you have been paying attention to our current politics. You would know who Donald Trump is. But many of you have seem to have forgotten the various warning signs that should alarm everybody. Trump has recently ramped up fascist rhetoric, calling immigrants and minorities like vermin, threatening to arrest political opponents, spreading deceitful lies such as how Haitians are eating cats and dogs, many of you have also seem to forgot that he incited an insurrection on our capital after sleepy joe was fairly elected. He did nothing when people were dying from COVID and even sent our tests to Vladimir Putin. He has been convicted of 34 felonies. Many of you should also know about his Project 2025 playbook,if you don’t. It details plans to replace the federal civil workers with MAGA Loyalists, and using Unitary Executive Theory to give the Executive branch more power over other branches of government. He also wants to send illegal immigrants to concentration camps, give a tax cut to 1%, defund the department of education and EPA, cut back on social security and Medicare. Also many seem to be ignoring the fact that he was given immunity by 6 out of 3 Supreme Court justices. Which the sane court also overturned Roe V. Wade. He also plans to take abortion away nationwide making it illegal. Also most of his current administration want the same things he wants. He plans on turning our country into a military state as a local police force. Hell that’s not even counting the fact that the republicans request he be put in MILITARY VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORTATION. He wants to outlaw rights for Gay and LgbtQ. Thats not even counting the fact that he is clearly suffering from dementia and could be in control of NUCLEAR CODES! Yet many people say Kamala is the same shit from the toilet bowl as trump. I can’t sit here in good faith and watch people ask for a revolution that may never even happen. We are literally hanging by a thread over a black abyss we may never escape from. We are looking at the next Nazi Party, but instead they call themselves MAGA. I’m telling you to vote for Kamala not because I support her. I’m voting for her for the lives of every American. People of color, women, children, LGBTQ, elderly, average normal people who just want to live their lives. Literal lives are at stake here. People should be coming together to make sure Trump never gets back in. And yet I still see people insist to not vote for Kamala. I’m sending this as a warning and message to everyone to vote Blue, no matter what stupid shit the democrats do or how much you dislike them. Do it for your neighbors, do it for the good people who stand in solidarity with Palestinians! VOTE!!! 🔵🇵🇸

[ohgodwhatdoiputhere]

words: 748

QUIDDICH HEARTTHROB JAMES POTTER HAS A NEW LOVER? Article by Rita Skeeter

We all know and love the quidditch star James Potter, ever since he first came to hogwarts he has captivated all of us with his charming looks and personality, truly the sun in person!

That's why ever since he reached the number one spot in rumours!'s "Hogwarts' most eligible bachelor" everyone has been desperate for a date with him.

However, James Potter himself just admitted to having a crush! And who wouldn't return this boy's feelings?

Last week we did a poll on who you thought could be this mystery person, here are the results! Stay till the end to find who was voted the most.

6. Severus Snape - 15 votes

Ever since stepping foot in Hogwarts these two seemed to have a strong rivalry, going as far as fighting each other on the hallway!

Despite the last 6 years, they seem to have made up? Since a few months ago they have been seen talking normally like nothing ever happened.

Did something happen between them? Some readers say that love was the glue that fixed old wounds, how romantic!!

5. Peter Pettigrew - 19 votes

Being childhood friends, it wouldn't be such a surprise if something happened between them. They are in the same friend group, have the same tastes, even share a room!

Apparently, some readers close to the boys have said that even though they are in the same group of friends, they seem to be more closed off with each other, preferring to keep to themselves in the group.

It's no doubt they have been though a lot together, maybe it was shared experices what pulled them together.

4. Regulus Black - 22 votes

Being his best friend's younger brother, they see each other quite a lot. But that's not only why this couple is so popular between the students.

Whilst James is caring and charismatic, Regulus is more reserved and mysterious, making them the perfect opposites attract!

"James is like the sun and Regulus the stars" Truly beautiful words by a secret informant.

They have even been seen practicing together. Even though they are enemies and in rival houses! It seems like love knows no limits.

3. Barty Crouch Jr. - 30 votes

What an unexpected duo! At a first glance, they would look like they have nothing in common, however, our readers are more observant than that.

Because Barty is a year younger, their first years together they didn't interact much, but as the years passed they seemed to become closer.

The couple has been caught spending time alone in quiet spaces more than once, and when questioned, they quickly change the subject. How suspicious!

One of Barty's housemates said he even went to look for him to speak privately during valentine's day. What could this mean? Our readers are certainly eager to find out more!

2. Sirius Black - 34 votes

He's James' best friend and has been ever since they first met. They are always together, and some people even refer to them as soulmates!

Sirius' good looks landed him the second spot in most eligible bachelor right next to James. It would be no surprise that they end up together.

The duo is known for their elaborate pranks, always being up to something. That's why even teachers have noticed their habit of constantly touching and whispering to each other.

They may cause trouble, but they certainly cause even more confusion about the nature of their relationship.

With their beauty, I'm sure everyone will have mixed feelings about them becoming a couple.

1. Lily Evans - 40 votes

With a whopping 25% of the votes, miss Lily Evans is positioned on first place.

She's the brightest witch of her age, has a heart of gold and strikingly good looks. They met during their first year and since then they have built a beautiful friendship.

James has shown an interest in Lily many times before, going as far as rejecting other people trying to flirt for her.

And even though Lily used to appear mad at him for these acts, lately she seems much more pleased with him than before.

"This truly is a match made in heaven" their yearmates say.

Everyone is excited about these two, how could you not love them!!

These were the results of the poll, who do you think he will end up with? Send us an owl if you have any more information, we're dying to know!!

[crookedkryptonitebeliever]

Best and Worst of Both worlds (part 34)

Tw: nothing much except mild victim blamey thing from reader

Vote belowww i will only count the first 21 people and also it's gonna be a short chapter

Part 35

You spent most of your time asleep. The medicine that the doctors hooked you on made you drowsy. Oddly enough, you didn't have nightmares about the incident. You're... indifferent about it now.

Maybe it's because you thought Evangeline was ill, in a way. She didn't have as much control over her thoughts and actions as a normal person.

Maybe you're just... tired. You didn't want to be angry or scared anymore. The emotions returned whenever you thought about the Jones family, however.

"...Sweetheart?" Your eyes opened. Why is...

Montgomery sat next to you. He seems wary, hesitant to touch your hand. In the end, he kept it to his side.

That's right. You allowed him to visit you. What were you thinking? Maybe you weren't at all. The event clouded your judgement, but you think your yearning for some kind of physical connection made you do this. You did tell Yves though, and he said wasn't as upset as you thought. Strangely enough, he seemed to trust him. However, he contacted your nurses to make sure you're never alone with him.

"Hey, how are ya doing?" He cooed, slowly getting closer to you. Halting immediately when you flinched.

You didn't answer him and you eyed him warily.

You gave the nurse a glance, she's standing there and watching over you. It makes you wonder if this is supposed to be something a security guard should do. The nurse is probably needed somewhere, but she's stuck here watching you and Montgomery.

He prepped your over-bed table with the help of your nurse.

"Here, I got you something to eat." Montgomery placed a Styrofoam box wrapped in a plastic bag onto the table. He helped you set it up.

It smelled and looked delicious, but you don't think anyone who is admitted into a hospital should eat that.

You thanked him, but didn't touch it.

He sat there in silence with you. You're grateful that he didn't want to touch you at all nor is he up to his usual antics.

You asked him again, how he got your number.

He seems taken aback by this question that came out of the blue. But in the end, he avoided your eyes and finally decided to tell you, albeit with great hesitance.

"From... that girl." He must be talking about Evangeline. His tone was careful, fearing that she might trigger any bad memories. But you don't think it would. Because you thought you got over it even though deep down you know you didn't.

Montgomery didn't say much after that. Allowing you to settle back into solitude.

"...I gotta go back to work." He tried to stroke your head on reflex, but you pulled away. Montgomery frowned and decided to back off.

"I'll see ya soon." He took out his wallet and pulled out $40, he used your phone as a paperweight for the notes.

You looked at it and wondered why he was still giving you cash. It's not like you could use them at the moment. And it's not a weekly thing, it's a daily routine for him. You guess it's because he's not living in an apartment, that's how he was able to afford to do this.

He spared you one last pitying glance over his shoulders before leaving the room, your nurse following him behind.

You began closing the Styrofoam box. You kept the meal aside and took your phone in your hands.

You have a text from Yves.

"How was your meeting with Yeller, dear?"

You replied that it was okay. He did not touch you or did anything weird. You mentioned that he left you $40 again, you lost count, but you think he must have given you around $220 now. Not to mention, he paid off your first trip to the emergency room and fed you every time he saw you. The takeouts he brings have to be at least another $40 a meal.

You expressed that you felt bad even though he was making you uncomfortable.

You were surprised when you felt wetness on your cheeks, you're crying again. All because of these conflicting feelings, Montgomery was nice to you but the attention from him wasn't wanted. Yet it didn't feel right to try and ruin his life, he's struggling to get by as it is.

You wished you never met him. Or at least, you wished he wasn't so delusional and creepy. He could have been your friend since Yves doesn't see him as a threat to the relationship.

You rubbed your eyes and grimaced at the fact that you sent Yves paragraphs upon paragraphs of your thoughts. You had to scroll down three times to get to the end.

"I see. Thank you for entrusting your thoughts with me."

That was all he replied. You didn't know what to tell him next. So you switched your phone off and set it down.

Only to pick it back up when you received another text from Yves.

"The weather has improved enough for all flights to resume. I will be with you tomorrow."

You were glad yet dreading the moment he sees you like this. Even though he has shown nothing but love and compassion for you, there is still that irritating voice at the back of your head, telling you that he is going to be disgusted and upset at you for not doing 'enough'.

You texted him if he attended his conference.

"Yes. It went well, I shared my findings and learned from the best researchers the world has to offer..." He droned on for a while.

It was nice hearing his melodious voice. Despite not understanding a lot of what he said, you appreciated that he is the speaker and you're the listener for once. Is this how your chattiness feels to Yves? You doubt so because he would insert his own interesting output no matter what the topic was. You couldn't say anything of value to him regarding... metaphysics, probabilities and statistical evidence to a study you never heard of.

Yves knows you're not interested in this. But you needed a calm distraction from your mind. He is happy to divulge information about his trip to you, however, his main goal was to make your time passage as bearable as possible.

You continued absorbing details about his adventures around the picturesque city, the luxury handbag shop, the massive mall selling all his favourite, lavish things, his appointments with the country's most sought-after, high-end manicurist and hairstylist and his frustrations at the airport.

You were in disbelief that he squeezed all that within five days. You don't know how he managed to check off his entire list and contact you regularly. It's like he never slept or ate. You did find it somewhat odd that he didn't mention much about the local eateries. Maybe he just isn't interested in food when it comes to vacations.

"...I had an enjoyable trip. But... I missed you." He remotely adjusted the angle of his hidden camera to see your face better through the screen.

"What I wouldn't give to have you here..." He whispered dreamily. Yves watched the live feed of you through half-lidded eyes. "You would have loved France."

You don't know if you would. Since the language is quite complex and you may or may not know how to speak well enough to be respected. But you kept an open mind.

His last sentence made you think about the idea of joining him in future trips.

[militantinremission]

Donald Trump: Potential Felon- In Chief?

Donald Trump has been convicted on 34 Felony Counts of falsifying Business Records in his attempt to hide his [past] infidelity during the 2016 Presidential Election. I'm not a Lawyer, so I don't understand what This Trial accomplished. Trump received a 'Scarlet Letter', but he's STILL the likely GOP Nominee for POTUS. Republican Leaders continue to Pledge their Allegiance, & Trump's MAGA Minions will likely double down on their efforts to put him back in Office. Just as Vladimir Putin survived 16,000 Sanctions, I see Donald Trump surviving this Conviction. In fact, he has reportedly raised $35M in the first 24hrs following his Conviction; he's currently up to $39M.

What was The Point of this Trial? What does finding Trump Guilty on 34 Counts actually accomplish? In essence, Nothing has changed; The MAGA Bus rolls onward. Donald Trump faces Sentencing on July 11th (3 Days before the Republican National Convention), & even then, it's not likely that he will face any Jail Time for a 'Low Level Felony'. Even if he's Sentenced, Trump vows to continue Campaigning. Dems run the risk of Donald Trump being likened to Nelson Mandela. New York State Attorney General Letitia James & Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg were aiming for a Knock Out Punch, but at best, they only gave Trump a Black Eye... I don't see their End Game; unless it's a Win that Attorney General James & D.A. Bragg are planning to ride into the Governor's Mansion & Gracie Mansion respectively.

Despite his position of being a Former President, Donald Trump IS a flawed Candidate. His greatest strength, is his Cult of Personality. I credit him for being a Master Marketer, who has created a formidable Base among Working Class Republicans. This demographic is the traditional Republican Base, so it's not a big surprise to see Republican Leadership following their Key Voting Block into MAGALand. I said before that Politicians underestimated Donald Trump's Media Savvy. He has a knack for staying relevant in a Society conditioned to 30 second Sound Bites & a Short Attention Span.

TD Hip Hop did a great analysis of Trump's Guilty Verdict; looking at the Jury Instructions in particular. The Mainstream Media pointed out Judge Juan Merchan's instructions regarding sole use of Michael Cohen's testimony as grounds for Conviction; Jurors have to consider additional elements in order to Convict. Tony pointed out how the Judge also permitted Jurors to find Trump Guilty on Each Count w/ as few as 4 Jurors out of the 12; This is a precedent. It also raises a huge question mark regarding Trump's Guilty Verdict on ALL 34 [Felony] Charges. How many Counts were actually unanimous votes? Why was conformity among All 12 Jurors bypassed in this particular Trial? What does it mean for future Trials in Manhattan Courts, NYC, & N.Y. State?

The Mainstream Media is running w/ Trump's Conviction; Political Correspondents are quick to point out how 20% of Donald Trump's Supporters say they will 'reconsider' their stance if he's Convicted. But then again, are they only fanning the flames of Trump Supporters? Many in the MAGA Camp believed all along that he is being politically persecuted & pledged to support him regardless. I wonder how this Verdict will affect Libertarians that were on The Fence- will they cry foul & lend their support to Donald Trump? What about Black Voters? Some can see Trump getting the 'Black Treatment' from the Justice System, and may identify w/ that. Then there are those who point to Judge Merchan's daughter, Loren; who through her Firm- Authentic Campaigns, made $10M from information related to this Trial. Attorney Kash Patel pointed out that this is a Violation of N.Y. State Law & the F.E.C.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden is in Scramble Mode. His disregard for Black Specific Issues are coming Home to Roost. His Campaign & the Democratic Shills associated w/ it are trying to push his accomplishments for Black Americans, but NOTHING is Black Specific. Joe Biden is basically citing a laundry list of 'Rising Tide' Measures that benefitted EVERYONE... It harkens back to Kamala Harris stating that she wasn't going to do anything 'Just for Blackfolk', & Joe Biden telling the CBC that 'Latinx is The Future, so they have to get behind them'. TD Hip Hop pointed out how his 'Blacks for Biden' Rally in Philadelphia was a DISMAL FAILURE. The video clips show a Crowd, but wide angle views show a nearly empty gymnasium. Cornell West had a better Turnout in Harlem, & THAT was embarrassing! The fact that Joe Biden is NOT running away in the Polls, says more about Biden than Trump... Stephen Gardner went deeper into Legal Precedent in his interview w/ Kash Patel.

Patel, is a former Federal Public Defender & Prosecutor w/ 60 Criminal Prosecution Trials under his belt. In his interview, he says that he attended proceedings & saw things in the Trump Trial that he never saw before. He gave examples of Legal Precedent in a Court Case, including 'Reversible Error' illegalities during Jury Instructions (citing Richardson vs United States). Both he & Stephen Gardner cite a Double Standard in the Justice System; from a Black Perspective, this is Pure Comedy! They cite a Miscarriage of Justice that Black Americans have suffered through since Emancipation. The question is: How can Black America use this to Our advantage?

Donald Trump has a history of Anti-Black Discrimination Practices in his Business Dealings, while immersing himself into Black American Culture. Black Anti- Trumpers are quick to remind Black Trump Supporters of Donald Trump's Crusade against the 'Central Park 5' & his refusal to apologize for his actions. I think they're justified in doing so. At the same time, The Mantra of Politics is: 'Nothing Personal, just Politics'. The height of Political Maturity is being able to put personal feelings aside for The Greater Good. Black America sits in 'The Catbird Seat'. Dems NEED Black Votes to retain Power; at the same time, We can play on Donald Trump's 'Black Treatment' as: The Enemy of My Enemy...

This is NOT an endorsement of Donald Trump. In fact, I don't support Trump or Biden. I refer to BOTH as:

Anti- Black Racist 'A' &

Anti-Black Racist 'B'

That said, a little political savvy will go a long way to help Our Cause. Joe Biden has proven himself to be a 21st Century Dixiecrat. I personally think that his Policies over the Decades have done more damage to Black Americans than Donald Trump's Discriminatory Business Practices. NEITHER Candidate gets a Pardon from Me, but if we're 'Playing Politics', We have to remember that LBJ was also an Anti- Black Racist, that We could do business with. The Black Vote is OFFICIALLY FOR SALE, & The Price is a Black Agenda for ALL Black & Afrikan Americans, PLUS a 'Lineage Based' Multigenerational Federal Reparations Program to indemnify American Descendants Of Chattel Slavery. We're past Exploratory Committees & Commissions; Illegal Immigrants are literally getting a Blank Check for Crossing the Border.

The question Now is: How Bad does each Candidate want to Win?

-Just My Opinion.

[spurgie-cousin]

US govt was not my favorite class in high school by a long shot but I legit did not know until 5 minutes ago that he as a now convicted felon can still run for president and apparently even still sit as president(???), the only thing he might not be able to do is vote for himself? I’ve been assuming this whole time that if he got convicted he couldn’t run or hold office.

Someone well versed in politics please help me understand because between learning this and literally everything else the current administration is doing, I’m ready for the whole system to just be forcibly dismantled and rebuilt. Fire everyone and start over I’m so tired

yea SILLY ME for immediately thinking a convicted felon couldn't be president, idk why I assumed US politics would ever work in a sensical way 😭😭

as the second anon mentions, basically the short answer as to why he can do that is 1. there's legal precedent and 2. there's nothing that explicitly states he *can't* run for president after being convicted of 34 counts of financial crimes. so really it all depends on his sentencing.

And again as the second anon points out, Trump is going to appeal his convictions to buy more time, the sentencing could take months. I think jail time is not as likely as probation, but it would be kind of funny to see him get hauled to jail from the white house.

[frobinfandays]

The voting is over!

A huge thank you for everyone who 1) sent in suggestions for the themes and also for 2) voting. A total of 34 votes!!

Another special thank you to everyone who answered why they ship FRobin! It's always good to remember why we all love this ship so much!

Another shoutout to @pokeharvest for creating the graphics!

Keep your eyes open for the themes!

Why do you ship FRobin?

"your existence is not a sin" and he won my and Robin's heart 🤌

it started in december 2021 as a joke with my bf who wanted zoro to be with robin and when I saw that scene in Water 7/Enies Lobby of them on the sea train I was like "honey I tell you Robin would choose to fuck that guy over zoro any day" and then we both noticed how much chemistry they both actually had. At some point we were both looking at each other and the tv back and forth being like "did you fucking see that" and I literally squaked when the CBT scene happened. So yeah I started shipping them to annoy my bf and I got really hooked by them because of their chemistry, the way they are pretty much opposites personality-wise but share a pretty specific experience to bond deeply, the way Franky reminds Robin of Saul with his words and actions and how that makes her reflect on her life and think of him as a treasure, how they both relate to the other strawhats as their parents, how they know each other so well they can basically predict what the other one is going to say, how he's always close to her and they're both the first ones to protect each other, how even the animators in TOEI ship them so much that they add in little scenes to make situations a bit more romantic (also! knowing that Oda did personally add things in the anime that were not in the manga because he didn't have time or because he forgot makes me wonder how much of those anime frobin scenes were just TOEI animators being silly and goofy or Oda being like "yeah I do kinda like a little romance"), and the way they feel so, so real. I just love them so much -I'm pretty obsessed ngl- and it is a ship that brings me so much joy. also I love frobin because they're basically canon but not technically so yeah I can actually win silly debates online and feel like the best of the worst type of people online lol

Because they are super!

They understand each other on a level no one else does and Franky didn't hesitate to say that she deserves to live during the sea train arc

They are perfect

It's more of a causal thing. I love the content that other creators make of this ship, some of is so cute and soft that how can you NOT like it? Plus Nico Robin deserves to have good things in her life.

Honestly I just love them. I fell out of love with One Piece but they keep me coming back. They're wholesome and good and bonkers and amazing. Overall completely underappreciated!

I love the smart goofball and smart goth dynamic. She's always tired of his shit, but is always amused. He's madly in love and in awe of her brilliance. I also like the idea that they could be romantic, platonic, or kinky.

I just think they are so very in love and nothing could convince me otherwise

I ship frobin because of their dynamic during enies, thriller bark , and they are just cute overall love the idea of them as a couple.

Me encantan como pareja 😍

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Will Saletan at The Bulwark:

TO PROTECT DONALD TRUMP, the Republican party has turned against every institution that stood in his way: the press (“the enemy of the people”), the civil service (“the Deep State”), presidential elections (“rigged,” “stolen”), courts (for refusing to overturn the 2020 election), the House January 6th Committee (Democrats and “RINOs”), independent counsels (Robert Mueller, Robert Hur, Jack Smith), and law enforcement (for prosecuting the insurrectionists). Now another institution is trying to hold Trump accountable. Last week, a jury in Manhattan found him guilty of 34 felonies in his hush-money trial. So Republican elected officials are doing what allegiance to their leader requires: They’re attacking the jury. These attacks aren’t confined to the quirks of the case or the politics of Manhattan. Republicans are inventing reasons to reject any verdict against Trump. It’s an extension of what they’ve done since 2020: inventing reasons to reject any election Trump loses. Respecting juries, like respecting elections, is just another obsolete norm.

1. Trump did nothing wrong.

The best argument against the Manhattan case is that Trump committed misdemeanors—falsifying business records to hide his hush-money payments—but that those charges shouldn’t have been inflated into felonies by portraying the hush money, in the context of the 2016 election, as a secondary crime. That argument would be similar to what Democrats said about President Bill Clinton’s perjury to cover up a sexual affair in the 1990s: that he behaved immorally and misled a court, but his misconduct shouldn’t have been inflated into articles of impeachment. But that’s not what Trump and his party are saying about the Manhattan case. They’re denying that he committed any crimes or even that he had sex with Stormy Daniels. “Nothing ever happened,” Trump asserted at a press conference after the verdict. In a Fox News interview, he repeated: “I did absolutely nothing wrong. I mean, absolutely.” Congressional Republicans agreed. “He’s an innocent man who did nothing wrong,” Sen. Tom Cotton insisted on Meet the Press. “@realDonaldTrump did nothing wrong,” tweeted Sen. Marsha Blackburn. “The man did nothing wrong,” said Rep. Byron Donalds. “The only thing that Donald Trump is guilty of is being in the courtroom of a political sham trial,” said Sen. J.D. Vance. Anyone familiar with the evidence knows these denials are preposterous. Trump committed adultery with Daniels, paid for her silence to hide the tryst from voters, and—to cover up the coverup—disguised the payments in his business filings. Some of his conduct in the coverup implicated him in crimes. That’s why jurors, after hearing the evidence, convicted him. Republicans can’t accept that facts decided the case. So they’ve set out to discredit the jury.

[...]

2. All the jurors were Trump haters.

This is the GOP’s main line of attack. “Twelve New Yorkers decided they were Democrat partisans,” Sen. Ted Cruz scoffed on his podcast, trying to explain away the verdict. Rep. Jim Jordan called the jurors “12 partisans” and vowed that “the real verdict will be on Nov. 5, when 330 million Americans get to weigh in,” not “12 people from Manhattan.” On CNN, Sen. Tim Scott said the jurors couldn’t be trusted because “96 percent of Manhattan are Democrats.” Rep. Nick Langworthy argued that bias in the jury pool invalidated the verdict: “This is a place where Donald Trump got five percent of the vote. There was no jury of his peers. It was a jury of his adversaries.” Hogan Gidley, Trump’s former campaign press secretary, told Newsmax, “The jury’s from Manhattan. They all hate Trump.” Manhattan is liberal, but these depictions of the jury are bogus. Trump’s lawyers vetted prospective jurors, weeding out those whose social media posts exposed them as Trump haters. One of the seated jurors said he watched Fox News. Another said he followed Trump on Truth Social. A third said she liked religious podcasts. One said he disagreed with some of Trump’s policies but agreed with others. Another said she appreciated that “President Trump speaks his mind.” The most common pattern among the jurors was a lack of strong feelings about politics.

It’s true that in 2020, Trump won only 12.3 percent of the vote in Manhattan, while Biden won 86.7 percent. But even with those lopsided numbers, it’s hard to pluck twelve jurors from a random sample of Manhattanites without including a Trump voter. By the time you’ve picked your sixth juror, the odds that your jury doesn’t have a Trump supporter are down to 45 percent. By the time you’re on the twelfth juror, the odds are down to about 20 percent. The most likely outcome, based on random probability, is ten Biden voters and two Trump voters. That’s why the jury’s unanimity matters. The vote on each felony count wasn’t 10–2. It was 12–0. All the jurors, including any who sympathized with Trump, found him guilty. But Republican lawmakers don’t care. They’ve gone right on smearing the jury.

[...]

3. Only fools or haters could have found Trump guilty.

The GOP’s jury denialism, like its election denialism, is unfalsifiable. If one allegation of ballot fraud doesn’t pan out, Trump and his allies move on to another. And if one or two jurors in the hush-money trial turn out to have been Trump voters, no problem: Republicans have concocted lots of other reasons to dismiss the verdict.

[...]

4. Nobody who respects this jury can be a Republican in good standing.

The GOP has transformed itself into a cult by ostracizing members who put any principle above loyalty to Trump. That’s what happened to Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, who served on the January 6th Committee. And now it’s happening to members who acknowledge, even with major caveats, that the verdict in Manhattan deserves respect. [...] Contempt for the Manhattan jury—and for any other jury that convicts Trump—is now a core commitment of the GOP. 

Will Saletan wrote in The Bulwark on how the MAGA Cult (which at this point may as well be a large portion of the GOP) are espousing jury denialism as part of their war on institutions and public trust to protect convicted felon Donald Trump from accountability, branching out from their election denialism.

[snowdice]

Big Bang Editing Story [Day 110]

I started writing this fic while editing my Big Bang story years ago, but am going to continue doing it for other things now that Kill Dear is out. I will write and publish 100 words of the story every time I finish doing whatever task I’m doing. If you’d like to block these proceedings, please feel free to block the tag ‘proofread stories.’ I will reblog this post with the parts of the story I do today. Edited chapters are linked; everything else I’ve done so far is under the cut.

My Master Post Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43 Part 44 Part 45 Part 46 Part 47 Part 48 Part 49 Part 50 Part 51 Part 52 Part 53

If you don't remember (and I don't blame you), you all voted for Virgil getting another magic lesson before my hiatus due to irl issues. So, that's where we will be starting with today.

Chapter 54 (Patton)

“I still can’t believe he’s allowing this,” King Thomas said from next to Patton. The two of them were standing at the edge of the arena outside the horse stable, watching from a safe distance.

“If he hadn’t tried to bite me earlier, I’d think he was a different horse,” Patton agreed.

“He doesn’t even let Logan ride him,” the king said. “At least not ride him and give him directions.”

Patton was very aware of that. Logan did on occasion choose to get up onto Mr. Apples’ saddle. However, Mr. Apples was always the once who got to decide where they went after that. Logan had no say.

With that in mind, Patton, Logan, and every stable hand who’d heard about the prospective riding lessons had tried to convince Virgil to learn to ride on a different horse. Virgil was just as stubborn as Mr. Apples however and had insisted. Logan, being the only one who could be around Mr. Apples without risking being kicked, had become his de facto tutor.

Not even Logan could have expected that within a week, Virgil would be able to control Mr. Apples. Though perhaps ‘control’ was the wrong word. Nothing could control Mr. Apples, but for some reason, Mr. Apples seemed willing to do as Virgil asked.

Even right now Mr. Apples was trotting around the training arena like he was a well-trained trick horse warming up with his rider.

“Logan told him we could go on an actual ride today if the lesson went well,” Patton told the king. The lesson seemed to be just getting over because Logan said something to Virgil and Virgil started to climb off. Mr. Apples was patient and still as he dismounted.

“Do you think he’d mind if I went with you?” King Thomas asked.

Patton shrugged. “Mr. Apples might.”

“Mr. Apples definitely will,” the king replied. “I’ll come anyway.”

Logan had walked over to where Patton and the king were standing while Virgil fed Mr. Apples some apple pieces as a reward.

“I hear you’re going to go riding today,” King Thomas said.

Logan nodded. “Mr. Apples seems to listen to him well enough,” he said.

“I might join you if that’s alright. Where are you kids going?” the king asked.

“I was thinking the main forest path,” Logan replied. “It’s not a particularly difficult route, but it’s also a part of the castle grounds Virgil hasn’t been able to see yet. Loraine told me it has been recently cleared after the winter.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” the king said. “Are you going now?”

“Once Patton and I saddle up our horses,” Logan said. “You can come.”

“Great,” the king said with a smile. “I’ll ask for Bella’s saddle to be brought out. I haven’t gone on a ride yet this week.”

He turned then to walk towards the stables leaving Patton and Logan alone.

“Do you think he’s been acting weird?” Logan asked, turning towards Patton.

Patton frowned. “No,” he said. “Not really.”

“I’m just wondering why he wants to go horseback riding with us.”

“He likes spending time with you?” Patton guessed.

“Yes,” Logan said, “but typically in a setting that doesn’t involve Mr. Apples.”

Well, that was fair.

“I mean, it’s not too weird,” Patton said, thinking back through the last couple of days. King Thomas had been a bit… clingy.

“He’s been hanging around a lot,” Logan said, echoing Patton’s thoughts with narrowed eyes. He glanced back at Virgil. “You don’t think Virgil let something slip, do you?”

“He didn’t say anything,” Patton said. “I think your dad would say something if Virgil let slip he was an assassin somehow.”

“Unless he let slip something that didn’t quite implicate himself but invited suspicion.”

“Your dad doesn’t seem suspicious,” Patton said. At least, Patton didn’t think he did. He hadn’t been acting mean in any way. In fact, he might have even been acting nicer.

Logan frowned. “We should keep an eye on him, especially around Virgil.”

Patton bit his lip.

“What?” Logan asked.

“Are we ever going to tell your dad about Virgil?” he asked.

Logan hesitated. “I don’t…” he trailed. “I’m not sure.”

“It just feels weird lying for so long,” Patton said. Patton didn’t lie a lot. Sure, maybe he’d pretend to not know what Mama was talking about when sweets went missing from the kitchens or he’d pretend to not know what Logan’s birthday gift was, but he’d never lied about anything serious before now.

“I know, but,” Logan glanced back at Virgil once again, “even if we did decide to tell, we’d have to convince Virgil everything would be alright beforehand. I don’t think we’re at that point yet. He was terrified of Father until a few months ago, and he’s still cautious around him sometimes.”

Logan was right, of course. Virgil was getting more and more comfortable around the king, but he figured any of the progress made would go down the drain as soon as they brought up telling King Thomas about where exactly Virgil had come from. Patton didn’t know if Virgil would ever be comfortable enough.

“We should go get our own horses,” Logan suggested, and Patton nodded.

Patton and Logan’s horses had already been saddled by the stable hands in anticipation of their ride and it didn’t take long for the king to saddle his own horse, Bella.

The forest path at this time of year was very pretty, Patton thought. The tree branches now had small green leaves on them after having been barren for the entire winter and flowers were starting to grow. In a few weeks’ time it would be even prettier, but it would also be harder for the groundskeeper to maintain as well as it was right now.

Virgil really did seem less anxious around King Thomas now. The path was only wide enough for two horses to go at once, and he didn’t seem to mind that he and the king ended up next to each other while Patton and Logan lagged behind. In fact, he and the king seemed to be having a nice conversation about the local wildlife.

However, if Patton looked close enough, he did sort of see what Logan meant. Virgil may not be anxious talking to the king now, but the king himself seemed just a little bit nervous at least at the beginning of the ride.

He seemed to relax a bit as they rode (even laughing when Mr. Apples tried to bite him when he got too close).

Logan had been teaching Virgil the basics about things like animals, but there was still a pretty big gap in his education when it came to anything that wasn’t about training to fight and kill. King Thomas seemed more than willing to answer any of his questions when it came to the animals and plants around them even if they were sometimes a bit silly.

He’d seen a bird that looked like a dove. (It may have even been a dove, but Patton hadn’t seen it.) This had been a source of endless confusion for him.

“But shouldn’t it live in the dovecote?” Virgil asked.

“Not all birds live in a dovecote,” the king explained again.

“But it’s a dove,” Virgil said with a frown.

“Not all doves live in a dovecote,” the king replied.

“But it’s a dovecote,” Virgil argued. “It’s for the doves.”

“Yes, but there are also wild doves,” the king said.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Virgil replied.

“What about it doesn’t make sense?” the king asked with a laugh in his tone.

“Doves go in the dovecote,” Virgil said.

Patton was starting to have trouble following this argument.

“Dovecotes are made for doves,” the king said, “but not all doves go in dovecotes.”

“Why?”

This seemed to stump the king momentarily, but he still answered after thinking for a bit. “Doves existed before people got to them,” the king explained. “People caught and trained some of them, but there was no way to catch all of them. So, some stayed in the wild and continued with their lives like they had been before humans. Plus, sometimes domesticated doves fly off and never come back. Sometimes they might die, but other times they may have just gotten lost and had to build a new life somewhere far away. Or maybe they even decided that being a trained dove working for humans wasn’t for them, so they decided to go off on their own.”

“You let them do that?” Virgil asked.

“We can’t really stop them in the end,” the king said. “People can try, but it never ends up working as long as they can fly.”

Virgil thought about this. “I still don’t understand,” he said, “but okay.”

“We should take you to the cliffs,” the king suggested.

“What are the cliffs?”

“The castle grounds were built for defense,” King Thomas explained. “The edge of the grounds to the North is a large river and overlooking it is a huge cliff. It’s a good place for picnics and for birdwatching. It’s a bit of a trip, but now would be a good time of year to go.”

He glanced over his shoulder back at Logan and Patton. “What do you boys think about going to the cliffs sometime? Maybe in about a week?”

Logan squinted at his father suspiciously. It wasn’t so much the fact that the king was asking them to go to the cliffs. They did that every so often. However, this time, it only supported Logan’s claims that the king was hanging out with them a lot recently.

“Sure,” Logan said, after a moment.

“Sounds fun!” Patton said cheerily right after, trying to cover for the lack of enthusiasm in Logan’s voice with his own. Judging by King Thomas’s expression and Logan’s tight-lipped scowl, he may have overcompensated.

“Great,” the king said. “”I’ll make sure to make arrangements when we get back to the castle.”

[csmcwtch]

I understand this comes from a place of stress because we live in a hell world that only seems to be getting worse, I'm doing my best to be mindful of that.

what I see in this thread though, these comments, these tags, feels like a disconnect from reality. the same way online liberals in 2016 blamed Clinton's loss on "the Bernie bros" who they claimed didn't show up to vote despite the fact that we did. then in 2020 spoke as though Bidens victory had nothing to do with us.

I'll get this out of the way now I am in no way saying that I will not vote nor do I mean to discourage anyone from voting but I understand it may come off that way; I think people really need some added perspective on all of this though.

For context I'm a white trans woman from the state of Iowa. I'm not out socially nor do I currently present myself in an openly trans way; to the rest of the world I'm probably just a weirdly shaped cis man. I'm well aware of the privilege I continue to experience living this way even if I internally reject it. I make just under fifteen thousand dollars a year. I have no formal training or a college education. I've never known financial stability in my adult life. this also applies to a lot of my friends and peers and almost certainly a lot people who might see this so you may understand where I'm coming from.

Donald Trump is most likely going to be re-elected in the 2024 US presidential election. I fucking hate that I have to type that it's a bitter pill to swallow. I'm not trying to scare anyone but I do honestly believe we need to live with that expectation. This does somewhat lead into my main thesis here:

I fundamentally do not believe that electoral politics will help us.

At least not yet. I have a 'why' in mind though I'll get to that.

What I do not mean is "and now it's time to start firebombing walmarts!" as evil a corporation as walmart is the reality is that a LOT of working class people rely on it for jobs and affordable food. What I'm also not saying is that we can expect to see real meaningful positive change completely non-violently and if you do believe that you're delusional, just, you know, it can be used smartly (like on oligarchs.)

What I do mean by electoral politics won't help us is that I'm 34 years old and I've seen with my own eyes over the course of my entire lifetime how they've continued to fail us. Do you remember how many elected democrats were immediately on board with war in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11? It was so god damn many! So many innocent people died because both parties agreed that it was the right thing to do! I'm aware they're the lesser of two evils but stop fucking pretending the differences are so vast.

Why do I think and feel this way? Enough to write all of this in hopes to quell any of the panic I see in people fearing the worst of the future and potentially to get people to understand the communities around them a bit better? I do have a few reasons all of which I feel are valid.

My first couple reasons have to do with voting itself.

Voter apathy. This is my weakest point and i already know that but firmly believe in its validity. Looking at data for the last couple of presidential elections has voter turnout average about 60% of people eligible to vote doing so. That's still over a third of people who aren't voting who can and that's a lot of people. I'm not talking about the very online sort of people currently saying that Biden is just as bad as Trump. I'll acknowledge that those people exist but I see them being used as a strawman like they're a much larger problem than they actually are. I'm not talking about people not caring either. I fundamentally believe that people in general do care and would rather see everyone around them lifted up together. I don't even believe that most conservatives want marginalized groups to face the oppression that we do but believe that we all deserve to live our lives however we see fit and who cares what people think, but they don't get candidates like that. There's also the very loud openly fascist conservatives who I see as a loud minority because I don't see posts online as a good indication of real life. Apathetic voters to me are people in situations perhaps similar to my own or worse. People who are barely able to get by if they're even able at all. People who, like me, saw the way that democrats and republicans together decided to start an endless war in the Middle East. Watched Barack Obama stand on a stage and take a sip of water from a glass expecting all of us to believe that the water crisis in Flint, Michigan was solved. It's been a decade since then by the way, while the situation with Flints water has improved it still hasn't been fully resolved. In 2020 these people watched how elected democrats fell over themselves to express how much they love and respect police as they brutalized this country's own citizenry for having the audacity to protest the way cops are allowed to kill people with little to no consequence. The votes to ban tiktok, to decry "from the river to the sea" as an antisemitic slogan were bipartisan efforts! And I know those aren't things that impact everyone's day to day life but I do think that they're still good examples of ways that a lot of elected officials don't really even view themselves as representatives of their constituents. The only people who care about banning tiktok are open xenophobes who've been made aware that it's a Chinese owned company. Israel's continued genocide (and I saw at least a couple people in the tags try to get away with saying it isn't a genocide and to you I say: you're part of the problem go fuck yourself) is less popular by the day. But that's what the people we voted for spent their time voting on. Not student debt relief. Nothing about the steadily climbing cost of living. Nothing in any way substantially meaningful to improving people's lives. All this and more for peoples entire lives how can anyone in good conscience hold it against any person who chooses not to vote. This is the weakest of my points and I fully acknowledge that. I don't even believe that there's a particularly large amount of people who choose not to vote due to apathy but I cannot find it in myself to be mad or upset at anyone making that decision, there are good reasons! The way people are trying to publicly shame anyone who chooses not to vote is fucking disgusting and only displays the way you are in an ideological bubble. ITS NOT BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T CARE ITS BECAUSE THEY'RE ALREADY BEING NEGLECTED BY SOCIETY!!

My next point is the real issue I think is important to consider and I have a lot less to say about because I think it's relatively self explanatory which is: voter suppression. It takes many forms and I want to mention a few I feel important but is by no means a comprehensive list. Policing, for one. By which I mean that when someone is sent to prison on felony charges making them a felon they lose the right to vote for the rest of their lives. You don't get that back when you're released. If you don't understand where I'm going with this: possession of enough cannabis at one time is a felony in the United States. My own state of Iowa has voter ID laws meaning if you show up to your polling place without a valid photo ID you cannot vote. I think any obstacles to voting beyond initial registration is bullshit and only done for the wrong reasons but I feel especially strongly about this one being that it literally hits close to home. Going to the DMV or city hall or court to obtain or update documents is already bad enough but add on top of that something like neurodivergence that probably becomes a much bigger ask. Another reason that I know is becoming a greater issue is that we've been getting a steady flow of migrants here and while they may have citizenship making them eligible to vote nine times out of ten they're a person of color who speaks English as a second language and while I don't know how that would impact someone's ability to attain a valid photo ID it's safe to assume it would become more difficult; the Iowa government did a few years ago pass a bill mandating all documents related to voting be printed only in English so they can't even pretend like it isn't on purpose. There's the old classic gerrymandering. You know, like that congressman who wears an image of his fucked up mangled district on his eyepatch like he's proud of. He most likely is proud of it because he probably wouldn't have won an election if it weren't fucked up like that. One example I would understand people may not be aware of is that polling places can be moved or closed, often at a moments notice leaving a bunch of people who now don't even know where they are meant to go to vote.

I don't know how much anyone reading this is involved in their community so I don't want to try to assume and I'll say that if you aren't you should be, assuming you are physically able. I understand that that's not the case for everyone. What I truly think will make a positive difference for the most people you can you should be an activist. You should be out protesting. Yeah you might get beat by cops and you might get arrested on nonexistent charges, that's an intimidation tactic to try to get you to stop. If you really care though you need to be willing to put things like your body on the line. Volunteer your time through an organization or independently. Find a neighbor and talk to them for a few minutes. Become more active in local politics. Each state in this country is basically it's own autonomous zone for the most part, the more difference you can make on a local or state level it usually isn't the federal governments problem. As for the reality of local and state governments that are deeply conservative such as my own what a lot of people don't seem to understand is that a lot of the most heinous, hateful bills that may pass your state house or senate usually get killed by judges because even conservative judges pride themselves on being Constitutional and will laws only designed to strip rights. Bother the shit out of your local representatives. I'm not even talking about violence here but the fact that elected officials are public servants and as a part of the public they're obligated to hear you out. As long as you aren't being aggressive or hostile legally there's nothing they can do to stop you and what people in positions of power really hate is being made uncomfortable in public.

I understand the pain, the fear, the anger of the way things are I hope this all comes across as coming from a place of compassion. What I see here though is people taking out their emotions in the wrong way on the wrong people and seeming to have no sense of awareness for the community around them and how if you are there for other people they'll be there for you too! Log off.

By existing as a citizen in and paying taxes to the imperial core, we automatically hold complicity in imperialist oppression because we are literally footing the bill for it. That is just the basic nature of being born to privilege in systems of oppression in general. We can be disadvantaged and marginalized in every single other consideration and we still have to understand and cope with this, and ensure we leverage it as effectively as possible.

Voting abstinence/sabotage does not absolve us of our responsibility to do everything in our power to lessen harm, but it DOES show that when our personal morals aren't satisfied, we retreat into (imperialist, this time) privilege to 'wash our hands' of the situation and declare it's not our fault and it's not our problem.

[lunarvalleysonagentleplanet]

To my fellow Gaylors, Theylors, PerformanceArtlors, and IDGAFlors ...

I would like to apologize for the recent deluge (with no end currently in sight) of non-TS content.

As you've surely noticed I've been majority reblogging without commenting or even tagging. I've been at a loss of words the past 48 hours.

My emotional state has been a wheel of misfortune through all the stages of grief. Well, not acceptance. I don't think acceptance will ever come for this.

Neighbors, friends, family, and fellow "americans" whole-heartedly voted for a 78 year old con-man whose governmental policy is that "he has concepts of a plan". Who is a 34 count convicted felon. Who was also found guilty of sexual assault. Who has disrespected our veterans and fallen soldiers in every way possible. Who built a platform of blatant racism and misogyny. Who seems to stand for himself and hate and nothing else.

But what he had over his opponent was that he is a man.

So please enlighten me on why I shouldn't feel like this. Like the majority of people making decisions in this country could not care less if I lived or died. But at least the manufactured gas prices might go down. I'd have to carry a rapists fetus to term but thankfully a WoMaN isn't president. Racist and homophobes have taken off their hoods and are loudly and proudly saying what they previously whispered behind closed doors, but our taxes might go down. Even though the FakeTan Fuhrer is who raised them in the first place.

Even when he was out of office he and his clan did nothing but spew hatred and vitriol. I kinda wish he had beat Biden, then his 8 years would be done and over with.

Now we have to endure another 4 years of being embarrassed by the leader of our country. 4 more years of hate being empowered and emboldened. 4 more years of not feeling safe in my own skin. The anxiety is exhausting.

I'm now running on spite and ire. This isn't hatred, I do not wish harm upon anyone. This is loathing. Unadulterated loathing.

I will not be faking smiles for anyone anymore. I will be calling out the hypocrisy. Pointing out the stupidity and bullshit they're peddling.

Was the non-stop listening of TTPD preparing me for this moment? If the clan's feelings were hurt from being called weird, they should prepare themselves; because they raised me and they trained me and the only fuck I have left to give is to tell them to "Fuck Their Feelings". This is far too high a horse for me to climb above. Who's afraid of little ol me? They should be.

#end rant

~a tortured {too many things to list right now}

[lordmangoes]

are you ready for four more years of orange retard because the dems didn't learn their lesson with hillary

The only redeeming feature of this outcome is that he's ancient, overweight, out of shape, and has literally had people gunning for him. There is a very solid chance that he won't make it, or will be declared too far gone and removed from office.

Now, that'd put J.D. Vance in his place, and that's shit too, but I firmly believe that the Republican party in general doesn't have the charisma to rally voters like Trump does. This whole charade hopefully ends with him.

In the meantime, Democrats need to learn how to fuckin... I don't know, do anything. This practice of theirs where they campaign on the platform of Not Being Trump and nothing else at all doesn't and hasn't worked for jack shit. Honestly, I'm pretty sure the only reason why Joey B. won in 2020 was because he was familiar and people generally liked Obama. If we had another Dem run Biden's campaign the same way, there's a solid chance that they would've gotten swept. Hell, it's possible that's not even right, and Biden would've lost outright if Trump hadn't shot himself in the foot by convincing his voters that the safest and most convenient method of voting during the pandemic was wrought with fraud.

I'm so tired. I wish that Democrats would platform anything other than pandering to conservatives. I wish that we had actual left and right-wing parties instead of center-right and fascist ones. But most importantly, I wish that literally ANYTHING that he said or did would come back on him. He's had every single thing he could've ever wanted handed directly to him on a silver platter, even having 34 felony convictions wasn't enough to stop him when having just ONE would prevent ANYONE ELSE from running. ghghghhghghhghhhhhhhhhh