#alice says stuff

[theplaneswalk]

Went to an Asian Grocery store near me and got one of those cans of sparing fruit tea with pop/culture characters on it. I got Chun Li because the drink was peach flavored. Also the art is cute.

[waytootiredstudent]

Why the CDU/CSU can go fuck itself

Time for another one of these. a quick(ish) summary for all the non-german speakers about why we're freaking out and the state of our democracy.

Spoiler. its not...good. Not catastrophic (yet). But the alarm bells are very, very loud.

Tl;dr: The CDU, party currently prognosed to win the election, has basically worked together with the afd to get a migrationbill to pass that is very strict. The afd are the nazi party that is getting backed by Musk. This might forshadow a cooperation between AFD and CDU. That would put the far right in power. The current response from the general public are demonstrations against that. Like. there are a LOT of protests currently.

Alright grab a drink and lets go.

First, groundwork: Who are parties and who is the guy we currently all want to punch in the face?

on top: Careful, risk of confusion. on the left: on the board of a sleazy cooperation. not interested in the enviroment. Real. On the right: on the board of a sleazy cooperation. not interested in the enviroment. comic figure.

This guy here is Friedrich Merz. no, not the guy on the right. the guy on the left. I know. Easy mistake to make.

He's an asshole. He's also the current boss of the CDU and their chancellor candidate. He's very likely to win according to recent polls.

The CDU has a complicated history, but to simplify it: They were in charge for sixteen years before the now broken apart Traffic-light goverment and are responsible for a lot of shit that we're currently dealing with. Like crumbling infrastructure for example. They were more interested, as a party, to preserve the status quo at all costs, than to invest anything. You could argue that a lot of the enviromental issues we are facing and the reason why Germany is currently pretty stagnant, can be traced back to the one and a half decade the CDU was in charge. They are conservative, not a fan of migration and like to throw around 'tradtional values'.

They are, generally speaking, or better were, center right. More on that later.

The other party that is going to be a major pain in the ass to outright fucking dangerous, is the AFD, short for 'Alternative for Germany'.

this is Alice Weidel, she's the current chancellor candidate for the afd. here is her wikipedia article and lets just say her 'controversies' part is longer than her 'political positions' part.

Those are the, to put it bluntly, Nazis. They are dangerous but also a fucking mess. Like, to just list a few of their hits: They've been getting money from dictators (different ones btw, not just one), infigthing is a sport to them, they try to glorify the nazi-regime, the german intelligence agency is watching them because they are officially considered radical right-wing and a threat to democracy, there is a petition to ban the afd and that is a high bar to cross, the demonize immigrants, hate queer people, you know, the usual. Also of course political correctness has gone too far and climate change isn't real and we need to leave the EU. Elon Musk, you know the rich guy who did the Nazi-salute, also has been appearing and is actively supporting them. Just in case we were unclear before on where they all stand.

(btw the whole 'elon is supporting them' thing is pretty scary bc you could argue the reason that the afd is able to win so many votes is bc, frankly, they're good at social media. Do i need to elaborate why that is a dangerous combination.)

to put them into perspective: The afd is too right for the other alt-right parties in the EU parlament. There is a coalition in the EU Parlament for the right, made up of all the right wing parties from other nations and the afd is too right for them. So. yeeeeaaah.

that should do it as background information.

Now. back to current events. where both of these parties are getting more and more support.

For a short history of why we currently have a non-functioning goverment, i made a post about that. Be aware that it was made as a product of its time and doesn't have all the information. For example back then we didn't know that FDP had actively engineered that break up and wanted it to happen for a while. Yes. They wanted to topple the goverment they were in. on purpose. It's been a fun time over here in Germany as well.

anyways, lets get to the meat of things. Since we don't have a functional goverment currently, Merz has introduced a harsh migration bill. This has been in the wake of an attack with two murders, where the current suspect is a migrant. while this is a tragedy, its getting brutally misused by all out rightwing parties to scream about how we need stricter migration laws and that migrants are a danger. Which to be so fucking clear about this, is such bullshit. It's been proven so many times how that is bullshit. I'm gonna be real and not even bother. They're just the newest scapegoats everything can be blamed on.

But because nobody has a majority, all attempts at governing so far have been pretty stalled.

(our goverment currently)

Quick information from the past:

in 2018 the CDU basically stated they wouldn't, in any sort of way, cooperate with the AFD, declaring basically a Brandmauer (fire wall). This basically means that yes, the afd had been given seats in the parlament, but nobody would give them any power whatsoever.

This has been the position of the cdu. It is why people still considered them center-right.

Merz has repeatedly said he didn't care who voted with him. now with a slight majority, 348 to 344, the cdu has won, with the support of the afd. Many see this as the fall of the Brandmauer. It's not good. Merz has more and more talking points that sound exactly like the afd and that is SCARY. There is still a vivid memory alive here about why having a far-right goverment is dangerous. There is a reason why there are currently a lot of massive protests all over the country loudly proclaiming that 'never again is now'.

This also puts for many the cdu from 'center right' to 'right'. There are calls from inside the cdu to 'stop demonizing the afd'. This is scary. This could mean that we get not just a conservative goverment in a few weeks, but a rightwing one. One who is comfortable cooperating with radical right wingers if it suits their needs. To cooperate with a party that even our own intelligence agencies consider a threat to our democrazy.

So. that is why your german mutuals sit there like

Now. To another part. What exactly is that migration bill merz had wanted to pass so desperateldy?

Well first of all it calls for a national emergency, using the beforementioned murder as reasoning, for the danger of immigration. It calls for closing and controls at the borders permanently, not temporary as is curently the case. They want for people without valid ID to be refused entry, even when they are searching safety. People that are already in Germany but need to leave should be thrown in jail until they actually leave.

Which. just to be clear about this. this what the bill they had, that had the support of the afd, says. This is not a wish list. This what they want to be law.

But to be also clear, lots of this is against our current law, against Basic EU law and principle and also a pretty big violation of our constituation.

Which is what makes this situation so fatal. This bill is going to be fought. In court, in politics, with demonstrations on the streets. this bill is controversial. Merz knew that. he knew that a lot of this wouldn't pass. This is a publicly stunt. This is testing the waters. How much will the public allow? how far can he push? Is cooperation with the afd possible for him? How does everyone react?

It was never about immigration or that bill. All the people this is going to impact, all the lives that are going to be lost because of this shit they are pulling - this is to them all just collateral. Its testing how much is possible, tolerated even. The chances of this bill making it law is slim. It needs to pass again in a different body of the goverment with a two thirds majority and that is nowhere in sight.

Also, lets take a look at who voted what:

it was about four votes. So my german friends who also read this - look at this and be aware of who voted what. Who abstained to vote and gave up the four votes it would have taken to stop this. who accepted that to get what they want they would need to get the support of the afd, no matter how much Merz now claims that he still doesn't cooperate with the afd and that there were no talks between them. Look at the numbers. Look how and with who they voted.

To be frank, i am pretty pissed off. I don't think much about wallowing in self-pity and despair. i am pissed off about what is happening. i am pissed off that these people don't have a spine, i am pissed off at the FDP for enabling this in the first place, i am pissed off that we have Nazis in out goverment, i am pissed off that we have people who are willing to cooperate with them. I am pissed off that i need to settle for damage control instead of being able to see something finally move forward.

Now here we come to the less depressing part of this whole thing. And i want you to pay attention to it.

People are protesting. loudly. And in the thousands. There have been ten to a hundred thousands of people all over the country in the last week, protesting against the rise of faschism and the far right. Its all over the country, in different cities. Where the afd appears to talk, so do the protesters. There are 35 afd people to 1300 protesters. People loudly say 'never again is now'. And they show up to back that claim up.

This shit is vile, yes, but it's not going to be unopposed.

I know this all reads as depressing as fuck but do not give into the temptation of falling into despair. This is far from over. Yes those are the alarm bells and they are ringing loudly. But there is still things that can be done. Don't let the afd lure you into thinking this all pointless anyways. It's not. This is all not good, yes, but no reason to fall into blind panic. The bill isn't law yet. Merz is facing massive backlash for his little stunt. This is not a hopeless situation. It's just a shitty one.

[asmodeusamaryllis]

Goootcha ❤︎

[moonyslesbian]

top 10 oliver messiest moments. number one is when he admitted he prefers relationships that have a slowburn element to them especially when theres longing and yearning involved. all of this while the character he plays was still dating t*mmy at the time

[fencecollapsed]

listen I get what people mean when they say things like "there are no happy endings in Hatchetfield" cuz yes the series does tend towards the bleak a majority of the time

but also does Watcher World mean NOTHING to you people???

[kazz-brekker]

hotd episode 2 thoughts

aegon screaming hysterically and smashing up viserys's model of old valyria…alicent unable to get through a sentence without sobbing…helaena staring blankly at the wall and clutching jaehaerys's blanket…i love acting but also that all kind of broke me.

genuinely i am enjoying tom glynn-carney as aegon SO much, he's quickly becoming one of my favorite actors on the show and gives his character so much nuance.

otto using his grandson's horrific death as a pr stunt…truly that man never stops working, he's always on the clock.

i also LOVED the big blowout fight scene between rhaenyra and daemon, it's about time someone dragged that man to hell and back. "the darkness you sheathe within yourself like a sword" and "i don't trust you" and "you're pathetic" go OFF rhaenyra!

criston please don't send someone else on a suicidal assassination mission because you were slacking your duty and banging alicent while the heir to the throne got decapitated. oh, who i am kidding, that man has never had a normal reaction to anything in his life.

i'm so glad we got an actual scene with baela (and the promise of more with her and moondancer in future weeks!) since she and rhaena have been horrendously underused so far.

aemond you have so many issues please go to therapy not a brothel. also i've blogged about this before but the idea that he really thinks he's an equal threat to daemon honestly is so silly.

alyn AND addam of hull spotted, we've got the complete set, and a little teaser of seasmoke as well!

the scene between corlys and rhaenys where corlys was like "if daemon would just submit to rhaenyra and enjoy being a bottom as i do on occasion" made me laugh so hard my sister asked me if i was okay.

i'm very intrigued by the scene between rhaenyra and mysaria (especially the mutual bonding over being exasperated by daemon) since they're technically on the same side but very much at odds in the book and i'm curious to know if this will continue in future episodes.

i really like that this season is emphasizing the perspectives of smallfolk like the hull brothers, hugh hammer, and the brothel mistress, it's something i felt was missing in season 1.

this really was an episode of targaryen men getting absolutely dragged by others for their poor political decisions. can't say i support otto's decisions most of the time but he was 100% correct about aegon.

also the moment where otto realized he had schemed for 20+ years to land a total idiot who just fired him on the throne…delicious, but rhys ifans played it so well i honestly still felt bad for him.

daeron mention! at this point i was honestly starting to think they had cut him from the show so that was a surprise.

as an identical twin i very much enjoyed the erryk and arryk drama but i must admit that i ALSO could not tell the twins apart when they were dueling. someone please revoke my twin card.

alicent walking into a room, seeing aegon crying, and just walking out was kind of funny ngl.

i really didn't expect criston and alicent's dynamic this season but i'm honestly enjoying it a lot. the mutual self-flagellation over their affair, alicent repeatedly slapping him and criston allowing it…really fun honestly.

caraxes is properly coming back next episode and it's true, i HAVE missed that noodle boy <3

also it looks like our first proper looks at harrenhal, moondancer, and a bracken vs. blackwood fight!

[tea-blankets-andstars]

TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF AND I'LL ASSIGN YOU A MARAUDERS ERA CHARACTER!

no anon pls so i can get your ✨vibes✨

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEEE

[lady-of-the-spirit]

Not to combine or compare wildly different shows but Alicent should have gotten with Viserys what Simon from Bridgerton got with his dad.

A scene with the patriarch on his death bed, asking for his final wish to be recognized (Rhaenyra on the throne/Simon's dad's bloodline to continue).

Only for the victims of their abuse to tell them in their final moments that their wishes will Not come true. That they will be enacting their own desires and spitting in the face of everything their abusers have ever wanted. And the final words they ever say to their abusers being something that their abuser told them, twisting their words and spitting it back in their face.

[aardvaark]

i was thinking about how i wished leverage had a birthday episode for some of the characters cause that would be sweet, but then i realised something and basically…. okay here’s my thoughts in quotes form, just for fun

hardison: so when’s your birthday? i could plan something for us and the team to do and-

parker: i dont know

hardison: you don’t know… your own birthday?

parker: no, how would i know? pshh, cmon, you’re telling me you remember EXACTLY when you were born? watch this - hey, eliot, do you know your exact birth date?

eliot, innocently passing by, who was canonically anonymously dropped off at a hospital as an infant: no, how would i know?

parker: that’s what i said!

hardison: excuse me?? what is going on right now

sophie, walking into the apartment: whats wrong?

hardison: parker and eliot- well, okay, when’s your birthday? i just have to prove something.

sophie: …….july 12th

hardison: why did you pause? wait, is that your birthday or sophie devereaux’s birthday?

sophie: ………… (guilty silence)

parker: see, no one knows their real birthday! haha you’re so weird sometimes, hardison

hardison:

hardison: what the fuck guys

[laurrelise]

fun tua spot the difference challenge!!! <3

[tweedfrog]

Been reflecting on why HOTD really noticeably dropped off in quality this season and I've been thinking - the central story of the Dance of the Dragons is supposed to be a tragedy right? A family tearing itself apart and killing off these powerful magical creatures they control because of a throne?

Except EYE think that the reason it's not landing well and that they've made weird choices for the main characters *who we should all care for* is because HBO is primarily viewing HOTD as an investment in the larger GoT show ecosystem franchise and not u know. A piece of art to be created.

Tragedy doesn't sell well. Letting characters sit in their grief and discomfort and pain won't help you flog your 18th show in production about idk the wives and adventures of Viserys Plumm. Telling a story where everyone is humanised to some degree and you encourage the audience to sympathise with them although they make bad or evil decisions but then still face consequences for those decisions won't lead to IG content creators making 10 REASONS YOU SHOULD STAN THIS CHARACTER reels. It might lead to critical acclaim like Succession but large numbers of customers are not racing to Target to buy a Kendall Roy FunkoPop.

Idk i feel like a lot of the gripes with ASOIAF adaptations and tv show adaptations in general these days are because studio execs don't view film and TV as an art form to be shown but as a product to be sold to a consumer ideally with tie in merch and brand collabs

[redclown19]

pipipipipipi

[redrosesandcharmingsouls]

Basically what bothers me about the way this fandom and the writers talk about Alicent is that it sounds like “She’s a victim and it’s all her own fault 💖 because she didn’t fight back and that makes her extremely pathetic .Also she’s just awful and none of her motivations for doing the things she did are valid and all of what happened to her family or Rhaenyra is her fault”

[purpletrashcans]

rereading heartstopper just reminds me of how sad i am that Aled isn't in the show, like i love Isaac don't get me wrong, but i still wish Aled was there as well

[pastelchaos12]

I saw this post by @adobe-outdesign where it was batim but with Pixar style bloopers and people kept making more and more so I wanna do something like that for batdr.

- Porter saying Audrey's name repeatedly and sometimes saying it like how Wilson does until Audrey starts laughing hysterically

- Sammy just showing up in random scenes because he wants more screentime

- The Ink Demon just coughing off camera because doing that gravelly voice just kinda hurts

- Alice just straight up flirting with Audrey until she's too flustered to do the scene

- Audrey and the Ink Demon messing around on set like siblings and every time someone tells them to act serious the Ink Demon replies "we are being serious, how dare you assume otherwise"

-Alice drops the tommy gun during the boss fight and she has to go down to the ground to get it

- Little Bendy tripping over constantly and Audrey having to help him up

- Henry drawing graffiti in his cell instead of doodling on some paper like he was supposed to

- Allison doing anime poses with her sword

- Tom and Boris doing that one Spiderman meme

- Audrey and the Ink Demon bickering like siblings

- Henry slaps Joey despite them never being in a scene together

- The cast would quote random snapcube sonic fandub lines ex:

Wilson: YOU HAVE 13 SECONDS BEFORE THE STUDIO EXPLODES YOU HOT TOPIC WANNABE (Bendy) AND YOU BLUE GUMBALL SON OF A BISCUIT (Audrey)

The Ink Demon talking about Alice: Whoa she's bisexual, I didn't know that

Audrey: Haha haha one!

Henry: I miss my wife Audrey, I miss her a lot. I'll be back...

The Ink Demon: Audrey it's me the devil, I've come to convince you to do sin!

[vannss4206980085]

playing DBH again and i feel like nobody has really discussed the full range of implications that arise from how normalized child androids are in the world. like. it's wierd asf! and insane that they let cyberlife do that.

and rationally i know it isn't really discussed in game outside of the two magazines (only one you can actually read) and the little boy in jericho bc (idk if this is confirmed but) i think alice and kara's storyline had a lot of changes in dev and was probably pretty rushed. but i have so many questions. like why does the other alice in jericho at the enr of the game have the exact same outfit? how did the little boy android even end up in jericho (surley there's some kind of return protocol for parents who got a child android to 'trial run' parenting or for other temporary reasons. or maybe there isnt which is insane). i would just like to know more about all of it.

and the fact that a SELLING POINT of the child androids was that they were customizable to be more lifelike, yet had no real needs and literally only existed pretty much as an accesory. not to be morbid but if we had something like this even now people would make it wierd asf really quick.

also the question of alice being a deviant at all or if child androids can deviate in the same sense. or, in a world after androids succeding in a revolution, what happens to the child androids?

idk DBH is one of those games that throws a bunch of things at you at once but never really dives deep into any of it. the subject matter is pretty dark no matter how you play it as long as you think about it for a few seconds, but nothing more than surface-level stuff is really fleshed out. makes me mad