#defiance related conduct

[brent-emery-pieczynski]

Social media age limit? If I roleplaying a pre-teen or younger, this involves removing social media. So stinking diapers as a adult-pre-teen without adult baby niceness is possible.

[equalperson]

I decided to reflect on My PD status recently, and it's honestly something to see how much I've changed as well as the things I perhaps missed.

firstly, I'm barely even avoidant anymore. I don't fit either the main or alternative DSM-5 criteria for AvPD (not to say that criteria is everything, OFC), only fitting a preoccupation with criticism in the former and anxiousness, withdrawal, and intimacy avoidance in the latter.

even aside from the DSM, I've noticed this in Myself. I still show signs of being avoidant, but most of them feel "residual," so to speak: I still have social anxiety, I'm still inhibited, and I still have shame spirals under physical stress (hunger, sleepiness), but I generally have pretty decent self-esteem and take criticism easier than before nowadays.

but on the other hand, I've been wondering as of late if I have antisocial or negativistic personality in addition to My narcissism.

I was already wondering if I was negativistic, as I have a major aversion to doing what people want Me to (even beneficial things, like using My inhaler or eating) and often feign forgetfulness to get out of it.

but I especially started considering antisocial personality recently. I've found that I relate a lot to antisocial people, sometimes even more than prosocial narcissists.

for instance, I don't really care to abide by social or moral norms (especially as I've gotten less avoidant) and I don't feel much of any shame for My "disordered," "immoral," or irresponsible actions.

meanwhile, I notice a lot of other narcissists care less than other people, but will still beat themselves up for doing things "wrong," which I just can't relate to. I want to be admired, sure, but not at the expense of My own hedonism. I can have My cake and eat it, too.

by DSM-5 standards, I mostly fit the criteria for ASPD through deceitfulness, irritability, and irresponsibility, although rather than a history of conduct disorder (which I know not all antisocial people actually have), I also fit the criteria for oppositional defiance (though I have contemplated many of the actions used to diagnose CD on countless occasions).

I fit the broader, alternative criteria even closer, fulfilling basically every criterion there.

I arguably fit the definition of "ASPD" better than I do that of "NgPD" (negativistic, not narcissistic), as I don't experience the aimlessness and ambivalence often attributed to the latter. like I said, I know what I want and I do whatever I can to get it, even if I do need to be a bit dishonest in the process.

overall, I definitely want to look into the possibility of being antisocial, but I'm sorta dreading it; not only are the narcissistic and antisocial personalities so similar that it's pretty hard to distinguish the two unless one or the other is incredibly blatant, but they're both so demonized that I just know any searches I do to distinguish them will be filled with sanist pop psychology.

much to think about, for sure.

[roses-of-the-romanovs]

Do you relate to any of the Romanov / hesse if so which sister and why?

Hello and thank you for the question!

Of the Romanovs, I relate the most to Olga and Anastasia. Like Olga, I have a pretty hot temper and my tongue often flies loose and becomes absolutely scathing. (Online, I can sometimes be pretty blunt. Not a good thing, and definitely something I'm trying to curb.) Like Anastasia, I can be very silly and cheerful, lazy, and (another character defect) criticize and make fun of others. Although I like to think of it more as social satire! These two sisters also have some overlaps in their merry, lazy characters, so you can see why'd I could be both of them!

I also relate to both of the Marias--specifically, Dagmar and Maria Nikolaevna. Perhaps it's simply mental illusions, but I am often convinced that I am being excluded or less valued in a group. As for Maria Feodorovna, I can understand her frustration as she nagged at Alix to get out more into society. Although I lack her willpower. (And although I've got a hot temper like Olga, I don't have the obstinacy of either Maria! I'm rather a pushover!)

Moving on to the Hesse family.

Firstly, not Ella. I don't have her sweet and innocent ways, nor the strength of will she ultimately showed in pursuing Sergei, Nicholas's marriage to Alix, and her monastic life.

I do admire Victoria very much, and I think I may resemble her the most. I'm chatty, but reserved (as in intensely shy!), and I feel as though if I had any siblings and beloved Grandmamma entrusted them to me, I could also rule with an iron rod. (I'm kind of fond of power ...) Also I am interested in "intellectual" pursuits.

Irène I don't think I resemble much. My morals are somewhat lax and focused more on the basic goodness and betterment of humanity rather than "conduct." Nor am I fond of dancing. I'm in awe of Ernie because of his divorce in defiance of his relatives, but maybe he did that because he couldn't bear it any longer (and his grandmother was dead). As for Alix, I can understand her trial of coming to a foreign country and feeling that crippling shyness.

[davidaugust]

"In its purest form, the concept of immunity boils down to a maxim— '[t]he King can do no wrong' —a notion that was firmly 'rejected at the birth of [our] Republic.'"

"'No man in this country is so high that he is above the law. No officer of the law may set that law at defiance with impunity. All the officers of the government, from the highest to the lowest, are creatures of the law, and are bound to obey it.'"

We have long lived with the collective understanding that 'decency, security and liberty alike demand that government officials shall be subjected to the same rules of conduct that are commands to the citizen,' for 'in a government of laws, existence of the government will be imperiled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously.'"

"…our Government has long functioned under an accountability paradigm in which no one is above the law; an accused person is innocent until proven guilty; and criminal defendants may raise defenses, both legal and factual, tailored to their particular circumstances, whether they be Government officials or ordinary citizens. For over two centuries, our Nation has survived with these principles intact."

"…even a hypothetical President who admits to having ordered the assassinations of his political rivals or critics… or one who indisputably instigates an unsuccessful coup… has a fair shot at getting immunity under the majority's new Presidential accountability model."

"In the end, then, under the majority's new paradigm, whether the President will be exempt from legal liability for murder, assault, theft, fraud, or any other reprehensible and outlawed criminal act will turn on whether he committed that act in his official capacity, such that the answer to the immunity question will always and inevitably be: It depends."

"…the majority holds that the President, unlike anyone else in our country, is comparatively free to engage in criminal acts in furtherance of his official duties.

That point bears emphasizing. Immunity can issue for Presidents under the majority's model even for unquestionably and intentionally egregious criminal behavior. Regardless of the nature or the impact of the President's criminal conduct, so long as he is committing crimes 'pursuant to the powers invested exclusively in him by the Constitution…' or as needed 'to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution,' ante, at 14, he is likely to be deemed immune from prosecution.

Ultimately, the majority's model simply sets the criminal law to one side when it comes to crimes allegedly committed by the President."

"Under the majority’s immunity regime, by contrast, the President can commit crimes in the course of his job even under circumstances in which no one thinks he has any excuse; the law simply does not apply to him."

"First, by changing the accountability paradigm in this fashion, the Court has unilaterally altered the balance of power between the three coordinate branches of our Government as it relates to the Rule of Law, aggrandizing power in the Judiciary and the Executive, to the detriment of Congress. Second, the majority’s new Presidential accountability model undermines the constraints of the law as a deterrent for future Presidents who might otherwise abuse their power, to the detriment of us all."

"With its adoption of a paradigm that sometimes exempts the President from the dictates of the law (when the Court says so), this Court has effectively snatched from the Legislature the authority to bind the President (or not) to Congress’s mandates, and it has also thereby substantially augmented the power of both the Office of the Presidency and itself."

"…while Congress (the branch of our Government most accountable to the People) is the entity our Constitution tasks with deciding, as a general matter, what conduct is on or off limits, the Court has now arrogated that power unto itself when that question pertains to the President."

"…the Court today [July 1, 2024] displaces the independent judgments of the political branches about the circumstances under which the criminal law should apply. Effectively, the Court elbows out of the way both Congress and prosecutorial authorities within the Executive Branch, making itself the indispensable player in all future attempts to hold former Presidents accountable to generally applicable criminal laws."

"What is left in its [Monday's decision's] wake is a greatly weakened Congress, which must stand idly by as the President disregards its criminal prohibitions and uses the powers of his office to push the envelope, while choosing to follow (or not) existing laws, as he sees fit. We also now have a greatly empowered Court, which can opt to allow Congress’s policy judgments criminalizing conduct to stand (or not) with respect to a former President, as a matter of its own prerogative."

"Our Constitution’s 'separation of powers was adopted by the Convention of 1787, not to promote efficiency but to preclude the exercise of arbitrary power. The purpose was, not to avoid friction, but…to save the people from autocracy.'"

"The Court has now declared for the first time in history that the most powerful official in the United States can (under circumstances yet to be fully determined) become a law unto himself."

"In short, America has traditionally relied on the law to keep its Presidents in line. Starting today [July 1, 2024], however, Americans must rely on the courts to determine when (if at all) the criminal laws that their representatives have enacted to promote individual and collective security will operate as speedbumps to Presidential action or reaction. Once self-regulating, the Rule of Law now becomes the rule of judges, with courts pronouncing which crimes committed by a President have to be let go and which can be redressed as impermissible. So, ultimately, this Court itself will decide whether the law will be any barrier to whatever course of criminality emanates from the Oval Office in the future. The potential for great harm to American institutions and Americans themselves is obvious." - Justice Jackson

[xtruss]

All That’s Left For Them Now Is To Murder Me – But I’m Not Afraid To Die! The Former Pakistani Prime Minister Writes Exclusively For The Telegraph From His Prison Cell

— BY IMRAN KHAN | 2 May, 2024 | The Telegraph

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is currently serving a prison sentence for controversial corruption charges. Credit: AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary

Today, Pakistan and its people stand in confrontation with each other. Almost two years ago, an engineered vote of no confidence was moved against my government and a government cobbled together by the military establishment came into being.

Since then, the Corrupt Military Establishment, under direct guidance of General Asim Munir, The Corrupt Chief of Army Staff, has tried every tactic to decimate my party’s presence from the political environment of Pakistan.

The oppression, torture and denial of our election symbol have been extensively documented, but nothing has worked for the military and the powerless civilian leadership acting as its puppets.

Pakistan’s general elections on Feb 8 2024, showed the utter failure of their design.

With no single electoral symbol in a country where the vast majority of voters are guided by a party symbol, the people came out and voted overwhelmingly for candidates supported by my party, the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), despite standing as “independents” with a host of diverse symbols.

This democratic revenge by the people of Pakistan against the agenda of the military establishment not only was a national defiance by the people but also a complete rejection of the official state narrative of May 9 2023, when PTI supporters were falsely accused – as a pretext for a crackdown – of attacking military installations.

Pakistan's Corrupt to his Core Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir (left) shakes hand with Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi CREDIT: Inter Services Public Relations via AP

Unfortunately, instead of accepting the people’s mandate, the military establishment went into a fit of rage and electoral results were manipulated to bring into power the losers.

The same vote tampering was seen in the recent by-elections.

As a result, today Pakistan is at a dangerous crossroads. The people have shown in no uncertain terms their rejection of state electoral machinations and of the oppression, incarceration and torture of not just the PTI leadership but also of its workers.

The military leadership has been subjected to overt criticism at a level unseen before in our history. The government is a laughing stock.

More Oppression and Violence

The response of the state has been to unleash more oppression and violence not just on party workers but also on journalists and human rights defenders. Social media restrictions have been put in place with a complete ban on the X platform.

Perhaps the most ominous development has been the systematic attempt to destroy the independent functioning of the judiciary at all levels.

Judges have been subjected to all manner of pressures including blackmail and harassment of family members. As a result, our trials on false charges are conducted with no proper defence allowed and no concern for the law of the land and the constitution.

The Corrupt Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and of the Islamabad High Court have been found short of delivering unbiased justice.

But members of the senior judiciary have risen against the attempted destruction of the independence of the judiciary. Six brave judges of the Islamabad High Court have written a letter to the CJP highlighting instances of harassment and blackmail including of their families by intelligence agencies. Specific instances are cited and details given.

This is unprecedented in our history – although, informally, many knew what was happening to the senior judiciary but for such a letter to have come from these judges shows the level of despair, anger and frustration.

The sorry state of judicial affairs is reflected in the hesitancy shown by the CJP, who eventually felt compelled to act but instead of calling for a full bench hearing of the supreme court and summoning those named by the six judges, he has sought to put the six judges effectively in the dock.

With an economy in crisis, spiralling prices and a people politically angry at having their electoral mandate stolen and being economically beleaguered, the state stands isolated.

Unwilling to mitigate its grave errors which have led Pakistan to this precarious juncture and unable to go beyond its mantra of oppression and violence against critics, the State is treading the same path it trod in 1971, when it lost East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

Upsurge in Terrorism

At the same time, it is seeing an upsurge in terrorism and a growing alienation in Balochistan where the issue of enforced disappearances is growing in severity. On Pakistan’s borders, India has already admitted to undertaking assassinations inside of Pakistan and the international border with Afghanistan remains volatile.

The military establishment’s expectation of unquestioning support from the US, in return for the provision of access to airspace and related facilities to the US for military purposes, has been punctured after the publication of the latest US state department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices which highlights the many human rights violations in Pakistan.

Again, seeking salvation by relying on support from the International Monetary Fund when there is a confrontation with the people will not result in any stability for Pakistan. There is no other way out of the crisis but to restore the people’s mandate and release all political prisoners including those being held for trial under military courts. The constitutional functioning of state institutions must be restored.

“The Corrupt Military Establishment has done all they could against me. All that is left for them is to now ‘Murder Me’. I have stated publicly that if anything happens to me or my wife, Corrupt General Asim Munir will be responsible. But I am not afraid because my faith is strong. I would prefer death over slavery.”

— Imran Khan is the leader of the Pakistan-Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) party. He is serving a prison sentence for controversial corruption charges.

[alokkhandelwal]

These zodiacs are true villains

Human nature is a complex interplay of light and shadow, and astrology gives a lens through which we can discover those elaborate sides. While each zodiac signal has its distinct strengths and virtues, in addition, they own tendencies that may be related to the darker aspects of human conduct. In this blog, we delve into the interesting world of astrology to find the top four zodiac signs and symptoms that are often related to the villain archetype.

Know more about zodiac are true villains. Get an online astrology consultation by the world-renowned astrologer Mr. Alok Khandelwal.

Scorpio: The Enigmatic Manipulator Born between October 23 and November 21, Scorpio is regularly depicted because of the mastermind of the zodiac. Their severe emotional depth and strategic thinking can lead them to control conditions and achieve their desires. This water sign’s capability to withhold information and its mysterious air of secrecy can contribute to their popularity as compelling villains. However, it’s critical to be aware that Scorpios also own sizeable loyalty and determination, tendencies that can be channelised positively as well.

Capricorn: The Ruthless Ambition Capricorns, born between December 22 and January 19, are recognised for their strong paintings ethic and ambition. While these characteristics can drive them closer to success, they can also lead them down a path of ruthless ambition. Capricorns’ preference for electricity and management can occasionally overshadow their empathy, giving an upward push to the photo of a calculating and cold-hearted villain. It’s well worth citing that Capricorns’ disciplined nature also can be a force for true when channelled into nice endeavours.

Aquarius: The Eccentric Rebel Aquarius, spanning from January 20 to February 18, is regularly associated with innovation and originality. However, their rebellious nature and unconventional wondering can every so often be interpreted as defiance against societal norms, making them appear as villains in certain contexts. Their detachment from emotions and tendency to project authority can cast them as antiheroes, disrupting the reputation quo. On the flip aspect, Aquarians’ humanitarian instincts can also drive them to be powerful advocates for wonderful alternatives.

Aries: The Impulsive Antagonist Born between March 21 and April 19, Aries is characterized by its fiery electricity and passion. While this could lead them to natural leaders and trailblazers, their impulsive nature might make them make rash decisions that harm others. Aries’ tendency to charge forward without considering effects can paint them as impetuous villains. However, their courage and determination can also propel them to be heroic figures, particularly once they champion causes they agree with.

Read Also:- Who is the most Emotional Sign out of all the Zodiac?

Balancing the Light and Dark: It’s important to consider that each zodiac sign possesses both fantastic and negative trends. The villain archetype attributed to those signs isn’t a definitive judgment but a representation of positive tendencies below certain instances. Just as these signs have the capability for darker behaviours, they also have the capacity for substantial boom and tremendous alternate. Understanding the tricky interplay of astrological energies lets us realize the multifaceted nature of people.

Astrology’s Deeper Message: Beyond the surface-degree portrayal of zodiac symptoms as villains, astrology offers a deeper message about embracing one’s shadow self and remodelling it into non-public growth. Just as we can pick out terrible tendencies in ourselves based totally on our zodiac signal, we also can understand the ability for recuperation and evolution. By acknowledging those developments, we can work toward harnessing their nice components and transcending their terrible implications.

Advice for All Signs: Regardless of your zodiac sign, the important thing lies in self-cognizance and aware choice. Recognize the ability of each light and shadow inside you. Embrace your strengths, and actively paint on areas that need improvement. Remember that astrology is a device for self-discovery and empowerment, not a fixed destiny. By cultivating empathy, understanding, and growth, you may shift from the villain archetype to the hero of your very own narrative.

In Conclusion: Astrology’s exploration of the villain archetype within certain zodiac signs and symptoms serves as a reminder that human nature is multifaceted. The bad developments associated with these symptoms can be converted into fine attributes with self-consciousness and conscious effort. 

As we delve deeper into the complex dance of cosmic energies, we find a more truth – that each individual has the power to shape their destiny, transcending labels and archetypes to become the hero in their tale.

Read Also:- Zodiacs which are great secret keepers

[tieflingkisser]

Israeli parliament votes to ban Unrwa from Israel within 90 days

Lawmakers also voted to declare UN relief agency a terror group, banning any direct interaction with Israeli state

Israel’s parliament has voted to ban the UN relief and works agency (Unrwa) from the country within 90 days, in defiance of US and other international pressure to maintain the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the country’s Palestinian population. In a 92-10 vote late on Monday, the Knesset banned the agency, which operates in Israel according to a 1967 treaty, from conducting “any activity” or providing any service inside Israel, including the areas of annexed East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli lawmakers also voted to declare Unrwa a terror group, effectively banning any direct interaction between the UN agency and the Israeli state. Taken together, the legislation – which will not come into effect immediately – is expected to lead to the closure of Unrwa’s East Jerusalem headquarters and would effectively block the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza via Rafah. The severing of diplomatic relations would preclude Israel from issuing entry and work permits to foreign Unrwa staff and prevent coordination with the Israeli military to permit aid shipments. More than 1.9 million Palestinians are displaced and the Gaza Strip faces widespread shortages of food, water and medicine. “It’s outrageous that a member state of the United Nations is working to dismantle a UN agency which also happens to be the largest responder in the humanitarian operation in Gaza,” Juliette Touma, spokesperson for Unrwa, said in a statement.

[bllsbailey]

House Committee Drops Transcripts They Say PROVE Pentagon Ignored Trump's J6 National Guard Request

We’ve seen a lot of dishonest statements and allegations from the left about the events of Jan. 6 at the Capitol, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the corrupt J6 Committee dropping the most disinformation. 

One of the longest-running allegations is that Donald Trump knew violence was coming but did nothing to stop it. He never requested the National Guard, the narrative goes. He didn’t care what happened.

Chairman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) of the Committee on House Administration's Subcommittee on Oversight has a different view, however, and he has newly released transcripts to back it up. In a press release Friday, Loudermilk said the Pentagon brass simply ignored Trump’s requests:

“Pentagon leadership prioritized concerns of optics over their duty to protect lives,” said Chairman Loudermilk. “President Trump met with senior Pentagon leaders and directed them to make sure any events on January 6, 2021 were safe. It is very concerning that these Senior Pentagon officials ignored President Trump’s guidance AND misled Congressional Leaders to believe they were doing their job, when they were not. The DoD IG’s report is fundamentally flawed. It does not draw conclusions from the interviews they conducted, but pushes a narrative to keep their hands clean. We have many questions for them, and we will continue to dig until we are satisfied the American people know the truth."

Related: RAGING BULL: New J6 Footage Shows Pelosi Admitting They 'Totally Failed,' Then Setting Sights on Trump

Army J6 Whistleblower Testifies That Pentagon Delayed National Guard Reaching Capitol

We’ve known some of this before, but the transcripts themselves are pretty startling. They all but tell the sitting president of the United States to shove off:

Then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley recalled that on January 3, 2021, three days before the protests, the commander-in-chief said he wanted a “safe event.”

Obviously, Milley did not fulfill his boss’ demands, and we all know how that turned out.

Then-Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller’s comments, though, are even more shocking; he too recalls the former president asking for troops but just assumed it was “presidential banter.” Are you kidding me?

[On January 6, 2021] everyone was like, “Did you listen to the President’s speech?”  I’m like “the guy speaks for 90 minutes like it’s Castro or something.’ I’ve got work to do."

Bias, much? Mocking the commander-in-chief while you’re serving under him? Disgusting. He flat-out admitted he was going to do what he was going to do regardless of what he was told:

“There was absolutely – there is absolutely no way I was putting U.S. military forces at the Capitol, period.”

Meanwhile, then-Chief Steven Sund of the Capitol Police said the Pentagon cared more about “optics” than keeping people safe:

[When Sund was requesting help] ...the representative from the Secretary of the Army said, “I don’t like the optics of the National Guard standing in a line with the Capitol in the background.”

Unbelievable. As I mentioned, some of this has been known, but to read their actual words and see the hubris and defiance toward their commander is astonishing. We’ve seen so many lies told about what really went down, but these transcripts certainly seem to prove that Trump not only anticipated possible violence—but tried to prevent it.

[morning9amnews]

OFAC Sanctions Key Rosneft Subsidiary and Executive for Operating in the Oil Sector of Venezuela

Key Points

On February 18, 2020, OFAC designated Rosneft Trading, S.A. (Rosneft Trading), a subsidiary of Russia-based Open Joint-Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft Oil Company), and its president, Didier Casimiro, on the SDN List for brokering crude oil shipments from Venezuela—activities that are restricted under E.O. 13850.

As a result of this action, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from doing business with Rosneft Trading, Didier Casimiro, and entities they own 50 percent or more, absent OFAC authorization. These sanctions do not apply to Rosneft Oil Company or related entities that are not 50 percent or more owned by Rosneft Trading or Casimiro.

OFAC has also issued General License 36, which authorizes U.S. persons to engage in otherwise prohibited activities in order to wind-down transactions involving Rosneft Trading and entities that it owns by 50 percent or more. This license is valid through 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 20, 2020.

Non-U.S. persons could be subject to sanctions if OFAC determines that they provide material assistance, goods or services to Rosneft Trading and/or Casimiro. OFAC states in an FAQ that non-U.S. persons will not be exposed to sanctions if they engage in activities with Rosneft Trading during the wind-down period that are consistent with General License 36, but such authorized wind-down activities would not include entering into “new business” with Rosneft Trading.

Background and Summary of Designations

On February 18, 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, OFAC designated Rosneft Trading, a Swiss-incorporated subsidiary of Rosneft Oil Company, and its president, Didier Casimiro, as SDNs for engaging in activities deemed sanctionable under Executive Order 13850—specifically, operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy, and in Casimiro’s case, acting on behalf of Rosneft Trading. In a press release accompanying the designation, the U.S. State Department explained that “[a]s the primary broker of global deals for the sale and transport of Venezuela’s crude oil, Rosneft Trading has propped up the dictatorial [Nicolás] Maduro, enabling his repression of the Venezuelan people.”

Over the past year, U.S. government officials have specifically mentioned Rosneft entities as potential targets of future U.S. sanctions due to Rosneft’s continued support of the Maduro regime in Venezuela. For instance, in March 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that “Russia’s state-owned oil company Rosneft continues to purchase crude oil cargoes from [Petróleos de Venezuela] PdVSA, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company in defiance of U.S. sanctions.” Earlier this month, White House National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said in a press briefing that Rosneft’s continued support of the Maduro regime “is not a good business decision” and foreshadowed potential U.S. action “in the near future.”

Consistent with the administration’s “maximum pressure” policy against the Maduro regime, in announcing this sanctions designation, U.S. officials indicated that the administration will sanction additional persons who conduct business with the Maduro regime, which could occur as soon as the next several weeks.

Implications

As a result of the above designations, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions or business with Rosneft Trading, Didier Casimiro and entities owned 50 percent or more by them, absent OFAC authorization. Additionally, U.S. persons that come into the possession or control of property or assets of these sanctioned persons are obligated to block them and report them to OFAC.

OFAC also issued General License 36 (GL-36) to authorize the wind down of transactions involving Rosneft Trading and entities owned 50 percent or more by Rosneft Trading through 12:01 a.m. EST on May 20, 2020. Furthermore, Rosneft Trading and entities owned 50 percent or more by Rosneft Trading, as well as other entities that Rosneft Oil Company owns by 50 percent or more, are also separately subject to Directives 2 and 4 of E.O. 13662 under the Ukraine Related Sanctions Regulations (URSR). Directives 2 and 4 prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in transactions involving certain debt issued by and unconventional oil projects involving these entities; thus, any wind-down activities must comply with these separate sanctions restrictions. See OFAC FAQ #817.

Additionally, as noted in newly-issued OFAC FAQ #818, non-U.S. persons may wind-down transactions with Rosneft Trading without sanctions exposure under E.O. 13850, as long as such wind-down activity is consistent with GL-36 and completed prior to 12:01 a.m. EDT, May 20, 2020. However, engaging in “new business” with Rosneft Trading and entities owned 50 percent or more by Rosneft Trading will not be considered wind-down activity. Non-U.S. persons may be subject to future secondary sanctions if the Secretary of Treasury determines that such persons have “materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technical support for, or goods or services to or in support of” Rosneft Trading or Casimiro. Non-U.S. persons may also face primary sanctions risks in connection with any business they may conduct involving a U.S. nexus (e.g., U.S. Dollar-denominated transactions or U.S. origin goods) with Rosneft Trading or Casimiro.

Additional Considerations

While OFAC’s blocking action against Rosneft Trading does not apply to Rosneft Trading’s ultimate parent company, Rosneft Oil Company, entities owned 50 percent or more by Rosneft Oil Company remain subject to Directives 2 and 4 sanctions restrictions under the URSR, as described above. Furthermore, U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with Rosneft Oil Company if Rosneft Trading, Didier Casimiro or entities owned 50 percent or more by them are involved.

It is important to note that Didier Casimiro currently holds a prominent position as Vice President for Refining, Petrochemical, Commerce and Logistics at Rosneft Oil Company, sits on Rosneft Oil Company’s management board and serves in prominent roles in other Rosneft subsidiaries. We highlight this because even though Rosneft Oil Company is not an SDN or blocked person, OFAC has issued guidance, in light of its 2017 civil penalty action against ExxonMobil involving the company’s dealings with Rosneft President (and SDN) Igor Sechin,1 warning that “persons should be cautious in dealings with such a non-blocked entity to ensure that they are not, for example, dealing with a blocked person representing the non-blocked entity, such as entering into a contract that is signed by a blocked person.” See OFAC FAQ #398. Given Casimiro’s current position within Rosneft Oil Company, it will be important for U.S. persons to engage in due diligence to ensure that he is not involved in transactions in which they participate that involve Rosneft Oil Company.

[doctor-dream313]

Choosing the lesser of two evils is not a valid option for a single reason. You have a lot more to choose from self advocacy and your freedom of action with the stand of distinction between you're morals,values and the theft of these from the same people who swear service feably with lies attached. not only is it sacreligeous to the republic and its heroes that bleed for its success, also its reason to treat its tresspassers with a ultimate solution for a single morally justified and isolated intent of cleansing. The right and more also the expectation of the citizens who are looking at the end of its rights and barriers standing vigil against tyranny becoming a political giant for totalitarianism rule. The first choice is usually the wrong choice but the way is better than the hapless one that tolerates the world of death and aggression and protection of these abusive people. Hidden away in their palaces built of superior fecund views, outlined in their court defiance, that's lacking regulation of a Governments overreaching hand of oppression and cruelty. The answer is that of a beautiful world. You know the cost of living within a constant state of conflicts but it will be a light burden compared agaimst the regime of war. leading in the middle east, was the only thing left to salvage national security forces and a possible reality check in public opinion of interest groups and the absence of diplomatic relations will have the ability to drive back dark lines of conflict between the people of the united states of America and the united nations to discuss how, despite a very effective manipulation systematically conducted by our national intelligence agency and public services. The answer is still alive in factual evidence. based on a preliminary analysis of data and results from our national research, concluded that we only make the best possible results possible by warning the population to remain on a virgin ass end of the fucking war zone and then get the american people who supply the workers and candidates for their political partie agendas derailed by infrastructural arson debilitating effects of their outside world trade center. The first thing that devalues is that of the psychology and mental abstraction that the people inside the system have been made to endure. till they get a direction in the future of a physique and stature befitting a new profound reshaping thought. process of a possible solution will be sure to ensure the rejuvenation and removal of synthetic identification implanted by the tyrants into that of a beautiful designed and very specialized freestanding system. They have only got the first thing acomplished the world they are fighting for beholds. Evident truth that we have the ability and power of Olympians against the tyranny of our mountain of accumulated evidence of abuses and abusers rift with political malfeasance. fitting the England queen its very own declaration again this time exerting the loop so as not repeated is cut off and the boat is destroyed forever. To match it with desire and make some sense of belonging with the freedom of the American land. We have quite the most savage of all Strengths and abilities to make them count on a road trip to hell quality in the first class expedited by a group of folks who earned their first objective universal right to be the same individual as the man in the office of their governing body. No one is above the rules of human rights. that is to not be given into letting Ill befall or any harm on another caused, if at least no good can be done.

[mariacallous]

At first blush, the results of Taiwan’s national elections last month read like a clear rebuke of China’s coercive reunification agenda. Despite Beijing’s incessant branding of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as “separatist,” Taiwanese voters extended the DPP’s presidential reign for an unprecedented third consecutive term. International headlines hailed the election as a major “setback” for China, which had warned that casting a ballot for the DPP was tantamount to voting for war with the mainland. Some media even framed the DPP’s victory as an act of defiance by the Taiwanese people, rebuffing Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s assertion in his recent New Year’s address that reunification between China and Taiwan is “inevitable.”

But the political fallout following Taiwan’s election is more nuanced. Dig deeper, and Taiwan’s fractured electoral outcome foreshadows political divisions that China will exploit. It also suggests that Beijing’s pre-election meddling may have actually succeeded in advancing Xi’s dual-pronged strategy of undermining popular support for the DPP and sowing societal discord to reduce resistance to China’s reunification calls.

For starters, while the DPP’s presidential candidate, William Lai, won decisively, his victory did not translate into an overwhelming mandate because he secured only 40 percent of the vote in a three-way race. The two opposition candidates, representing the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), garnered the remaining 60 percent of ballots. Minor differences aside, both opposition parties set themselves apart from the DPP by pledging to stabilize cross-strait relations through dialogue with the mainland, a prospect China dismissed as impossible under a DPP-led administration.

Beijing undoubtedly took note of these distinctions. Before the election, Chinese-owned social media platforms popular in Taiwan, like TikTok, amplified content that portrayed the opposition candidates and their parties positively, according to analyses conducted by Mandiant, Numbers Protocol, Doublethink Lab, and other cyberthreat firms. These platforms simultaneously unleashed a deluge of disinformation denigrating Lai and the DPP, including false claims the DPP collaborated with Washington to build bioweapons—an echo of Moscow’s propaganda claims against Ukraine. In other instances, Chinese bot farms established internet profiles impersonating genuine Taiwanese news websites and began propagating seemingly legitimate broadcast clips aligning with China’s preferred political narratives about reunification.

Evaluating disinformation’s impact on elections is extremely difficult—not just in Taiwan. But the Chinese campaigns almost certainly fostered skepticism toward Lai and his agenda. Lai still won, but his share of the vote fell far behind that of outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, under whom Lai served as vice president. With all of the votes now counted, Lai’s result was 17 points lower than Tsai’s victory in 2020 and 16 points lower than her victory in 2016, when she vanquished KMT candidate Han Kuo-yu and third-party challenger James Soong.

More importantly for Beijing than Lai’s weak mandate, his presidential victory did not translate into DPP success in the parliamentary election held on the same day. The DPP lost its legislative majority, shedding 10 seats, while the KMT and TPP gained 14 and three seats, respectively. Now, the KMT controls Taiwan’s parliament, with Han—humiliatingly defeated by Tsai eight years ago—tapped to serve as speaker. This new reality augurs bitter infighting over Lai’s political agenda, not least defense priorities and other policies to deter Chinese aggression. This is an outcome Beijing likely welcomes.

Practically speaking, this could spell trouble for Lai’s plans to sustain several Tsai-era initiatives, including Taiwan’s indigenous submarine program and plans to extend military conscription from four months to one year—a move the KMT campaigned against. Opposition legislators, nervous about provoking Beijing, could also employ obstructionist tactics to complicate Lai’s other stated goal of strengthening defense, diplomatic, and trade ties with Washington. Amid the discord over security policy, Taiwan’s ability to present a unified defense against external threats could weaken, leaving it vulnerable to Beijing’s coercion and ill-prepared to repel a potential invasion, blockade, or other hostile act.

China’s public response to the election, while swift, hardly denoted a nation sulking over the defeat it was supposedly handed by Taiwanese voters. If anything, Beijing’s bombast bordered on triumphant. Seizing on the fragmented outcome, China dismissed Lai and the DPP as out of touch with “mainstream public opinion in Taiwan.” Beijing also insisted that the result did not alter the fundamental nature or trajectory of cross-Strait relations, suggesting Beijing views the opposition’s gains as validating its view that Taiwan’s population remains receptive to a reunification dialogue. Tellingly, China has not ordered new military drills encircling Taiwan since the election, likely because its months-long marathon of maneuvers already achieved their intended purpose of undermining popular support for the DPP.

Xi’s response, above all others, loomed largest. Two days after Lai’s victory, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) news magazine and official theoretical journal, Qiushi, published a speech Xi delivered to party elites about Taiwan. In it, Xi hammered home the importance of “developing and strengthening patriotic, pro-unification forces in Taiwan,” a reference to parties, politicians, and elements of the population opposed to the DPP. Xi also championed the United Front—the arm of the Chinese Communist Party responsible for international political warfare and disinformation operations—in aggressively countering “separatist acts of Taiwanese independence.” In Beijing’s eyes, separatism can be anything Taiwan does to maintain international relations and evade Beijing’s coercive tactics—it does not have to be a formal declaration of independence, which Lai has repeatedly ruled out.

On their own, Xi’s remarks hardly broke new ground. What is significant is that Xi actually delivered the speech not in response to the election but 18 months ago—more precisely, one week before then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan to meet Tsai, a trip that ignited China’s drive to stoke invasion fears and delegitimize the DPP.

In other words, these were not Xi’s post-election musings. They were his pre-election marching orders to the CCP’s ideological foot soldiers and cyberwarriors. While Beijing may have fallen short in securing the DPP’s outright defeat, the strategically timed release of Xi’s speech appears aimed at validating his approach—one that blends disinformation, economic coercion, and threatening military drills—to advance China’s reunification agenda. The speech’s declassification also underscores Xi’s intention to sustain what he likely views as a winning political warfare strategy, with the goal of further undermining popular support for the DPP and galvanizing opposition unity.

Just how might this unfold?

For starters, China’s military drills to intimidate Taiwan’s population may soon resume, with Beijing stepping up patrols off the coast of Taiwan’s Kinmen archipelago. Politically, Beijing will likely move quickly behind the scenes to encourage collaboration between anti-DPP legislators, gently prompting them to support joint initiatives that undermine Lai’s agenda. Prior to local elections in 2026, China may also resume providing financial and other support to opposition candidates promoting closer cross-strait ties, as Taiwanese prosecutors found Beijing to have done ahead of last month’s election. Such meddling will almost certainly occur alongside covert Chinese efforts to identify, cultivate, and ultimately back a consensus candidate capable of challenging Lai in 2028, a herculean task predicated upon fostering KMT-TPP unity through facilitated negotiations and backroom politicking.

In tandem, Beijing will likely offer preferential treatment, including market access, to Taiwanese businesses supporting closer ties with China—in hopes of luring the business community away from the DPP. China could also offer economic incentives and investment opportunities that benefit regions or industries traditionally represented by the KMT and TPP, thereby encouraging these parties to continue supporting policies that align with Beijing’s long-term interests. Targeted measures could include increased Chinese imports of agricultural products from rural areas that have historically been KMT strongholds, as well as new manufacturing investments in KMT-controlled industrial zones.

Beyond politics and economics, Beijing will wield its considerable control over social media to champion narratives highlighting the benefits of closer cross-strait relations, albeit on Xi’s terms. China may also seek to restart once-dormant people-to-people exchanges to deepen ties between regions and groups perceived as anxious over the DPP’s agenda, which would help lay the groundwork for broader opposition support during future election cycles. Lastly, China will double down on diplomatic efforts to reduce Taiwan’s international standing, as reflected in its convincing the Pacific island of Nauru to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing two days after Lai’s election victory. Beijing’s next target is likely Tuvalu, which would then leave Taiwan with only 10 partners recognizing it, rather than Beijing.

All told, Taiwan’s election result does not mark the dawn of a DPP dynasty, nor does it spell the end of China’s reunification ambitions by whatever means necessary. If anything, the DPP’s diminished standing suggests Beijing will double down on the political war it is already waging and winning, rather than start an armed one it could lose. That prospect, however, should be of little solace to Taiwan, where the battleground has shifted from missiles to mandates, and where resilience against political subversion remains the ultimate defense.

[cress-meadowforge]

The Capitol Information Control Act

Section 1: Restriction on Literary and Media Materials

(a) In the interest of maintaining peace, unity, and absolute loyalty to the Capitol, the possession, distribution, or consumption of materials that may incite rebellion, dissent, or disrupt the harmony of the districts is expressly prohibited.

Section 2: Specified Restricted Materials

(a) The following categories of materials are hereby designated as restricted, and any person found in possession of, distributing, or creating such materials shall be deemed a threat to the peace and prosperity of the Capitol:

i. Literary Works: Any books, manuscripts, or writings that glorify resistance, question the Capitol's authority, or promote ideologies inconsistent with the Capitol's values.

ii. Audiovisual Content: Films, broadcasts, or holographic productions that depict the defiance of Capitol rule, showcase the resilience of the districts, or encourage thoughts contrary to Capitol-approved perspectives.

iii. Artistic Expressions: Paintings, sculptures, or any form of creative endeavor that conveys messages challenging the Capitol's narrative or undermines the unity of Panem.

Section 3: Reporting Mandate

(a) Every citizen of Panem is obligated to report any knowledge of individuals or groups involved in the possession, distribution, or creation of restricted materials to the Peacekeepers.

Section 4: Vigilant Enforcement and Harsh Penalties

(a) The Peacekeepers are hereby authorized to conduct thorough searches, surveillance, and investigations to ensure strict adherence to this Capitol Information Control Act.

(b) Any person found guilty of violating this decree shall face severe consequences, including but not limited to public punishment, imprisonment in the Capitol's correctional facilities, execution, or, in extreme cases, participation in the Hunger Games.

(c) Legal defenses based on notions of free expression, artistic freedom, or intellectual inquiry are deemed null and void in cases related to the possession of restricted materials under this decree.

Section 5: Capitol's Authority to Amend and Revise

(a) The Capitol reserves the sole authority to periodically review and update the list of restricted materials as deemed necessary for the preservation of Capitol supremacy and the quelling of any potential uprising.

(b) Amendments to this decree shall be made exclusively by Capitol authorities, and any form of public input, protest, or challenge is strictly forbidden.

[alokastrology1]

These zodiacs are true villains

Human nature is a complex interplay of light and shadow, and astrology gives a lens through which we can discover those elaborate sides. While each zodiac signal has its distinct strengths and virtues, in addition, they own tendencies that may be related to the darker aspects of human conduct. In this blog, we delve into the interesting world of astrology to find the top four zodiac signs and symptoms that are often related to the villain archetype.

Know more about zodiac are true villains. Get an online astrology consultation by the world-renowned astrologer Mr. Alok Khandelwal.

Scorpio: The Enigmatic Manipulator Born between October 23 and November 21, Scorpio is regularly depicted because of the mastermind of the zodiac. Their severe emotional depth and strategic thinking can lead them to control conditions and achieve their desires. This water sign’s capability to withhold information and its mysterious air of secrecy can contribute to their popularity as compelling villains. However, it’s critical to be aware that Scorpios also own sizeable loyalty and determination, tendencies that can be channelised positively as well.

Capricorn: The Ruthless Ambition Capricorns, born between December 22 and January 19, are recognised for their strong paintings ethic and ambition. While these characteristics can drive them closer to success, they can also lead them down a path of ruthless ambition. Capricorns’ preference for electricity and management can occasionally overshadow their empathy, giving an upward push to the photo of a calculating and cold-hearted villain. It’s well worth citing that Capricorns’ disciplined nature also can be a force for true when channelled into nice endeavours.

Aquarius: The Eccentric Rebel Aquarius, spanning from January 20 to February 18, is regularly associated with innovation and originality. However, their rebellious nature and unconventional wondering can every so often be interpreted as defiance against societal norms, making them appear as villains in certain contexts. Their detachment from emotions and tendency to project authority can cast them as antiheroes, disrupting the reputation quo. On the flip aspect, Aquarians’ humanitarian instincts can also drive them to be powerful advocates for wonderful alternatives.

Aries: The Impulsive Antagonist Born between March 21 and April 19, Aries is characterized by its fiery electricity and passion. While this could lead them to natural leaders and trailblazers, their impulsive nature might make them make rash decisions that harm others. Aries’ tendency to charge forward without considering effects can paint them as impetuous villains. However, their courage and determination can also propel them to be heroic figures, particularly once they champion causes they agree with.

Read Also:- Who is the most Emotional Sign out of all the Zodiac?

Balancing the Light and Dark: It’s important to consider that each zodiac sign possesses both fantastic and negative trends. The villain archetype attributed to those signs isn’t a definitive judgment but a representation of positive tendencies below certain instances. Just as these signs have the capability for darker behaviours, they also have the capacity for substantial boom and tremendous alternate. Understanding the tricky interplay of astrological energies lets us realize the multifaceted nature of people.

Astrology’s Deeper Message: Beyond the surface-degree portrayal of zodiac symptoms as villains, astrology offers a deeper message about embracing one’s shadow self and remodelling it into non-public growth. Just as we can pick out terrible tendencies in ourselves based totally on our zodiac signal, we also can understand the ability for recuperation and evolution. By acknowledging those developments, we can work toward harnessing their nice components and transcending their terrible implications.

Advice for All Signs: Regardless of your zodiac sign, the important thing lies in self-cognizance and aware choice. Recognize the ability of each light and shadow inside you. Embrace your strengths, and actively paint on areas that need improvement. Remember that astrology is a device for self-discovery and empowerment, not a fixed destiny. By cultivating empathy, understanding, and growth, you may shift from the villain archetype to the hero of your very own narrative.

In Conclusion: Astrology’s exploration of the villain archetype within certain zodiac signs and symptoms serves as a reminder that human nature is multifaceted. The bad developments associated with these symptoms can be converted into fine attributes with self-consciousness and conscious effort. 

As we delve deeper into the complex dance of cosmic energies, we find a more truth – that each individual has the power to shape their destiny, transcending labels and archetypes to become the hero in their tale.

Read Also:- Zodiacs which are great secret keepers

[ask-mortarion-the-death-lord]

part 2

mortarion: was not invited to the traitor cause by sheer circumstance due to being away on a long crusade, returned in time to be one of the loyalist forces betrayed on istvaan v though, and surprisingly decided to hightail it out of there with the raven guard and covrus corax once things went south seeing doing so as more important to long term success in the inevitable imperium wide war. the death guard retained better cohesion then most shattered legions due to their larger surviving numbers from istvaan and the legions overall command structure being able to absorb the extensive damage better, meaning they were quick to rejoin the thick of the fighting as a united force though their extensive use of inductii and their brutally pragmatic tactics were a point of contention among the loyalists in the early stages of the war. as the heresy dragged on the death guards unrelenting resilience and defiance in light of the traitors march became more admired and celebrated among the loyalists as was the bloody toll against the traitors the death guard always ensured the traitors took when fighting them, and as the death guard were forced to cover more retreats even ferrying loyalist citizens to safty when they could as they went, they began to gain a grim if awed reputation as shepherds and protectors of the imperiums citizens, mortarion even gaining the title 'ferryman of souls' during this time for his actions especially during the siege of terra, a reputation only further mystified after his disappearance and the conflicting reports of what exactly happened to cause it. well the relation between them would forever be tense, mortarion and magnus would lose much of the antagonism between them during the heresy after a rescue mission was conducted between him and jaghatai to recover magnus at the emperors request. most notably after a long conversation between mortarion and magnus, mortarion loosened his restrictions on psykers in the death guard justifying it as means of 'combating the arch enemy' and establishing the foundations of the death guards particular brand of 'cryptomancy' discipline seen today. the modern 40k death guard are as stoic and unyielding as they ever were, but overall a more gentle and sentimental group both due to the surprising strength of imperial cult beliefs on barbarus in the 41st millennium tempering their Darwinist mindset into one of stoic martyrdom, and the improvements of barbaruses living conditions mortarion enacted after the heresy making such harsh attitudes less necessary in life. they are however highly secretive, and have an extensive history of working with the inquisition on a tit for tat basis due to the similarities between the chapters beliefs and many inquisitorial philosophies.

part 1

on a side note, i have an alt heresy idea kicking around in my head thats basically just all the canon primarchs remain loyal and have to do battle with an equal number of fanon traitor primarchs, with the important caveat that all their backstories remain largely the same because to often do alt heresies hinge all the changes in loyalties on backstory changes. to writ the general ideas i have in mind for all of them though

fulgrim: never gets invited to the traitor party and is part of the loyalist forces betrayed on istvaan v. dies an istvaan but ferrus goes on a webway journey that culminates in ferrus giving his life up in exchange for fulgrims, with the 'reborn phoenix' popping out of the imperial webway on terra carrying ferruses corpse and crying sad tears. goes on to the lead the imperial frontlines against the traitor advance in conjunction with rogals overall strategic goals. disappears after the heresy allegedly because of some grief stricken self imposed exile over the emperor's internment the 40k emperor's children retain the preening perfectionist attitudes of their past with an emphasis on routine and ceremony to avoid the excesses that almost caused the legions fall. officially follow the codex but insist they are actually following the 'phoenicia tacticia' which is just the codex with a collection of fulgrims tactical and 'dress and ceremony' writings tacked on. this dectuples the length of the codex and your expected to memorize the 'phoenicia tacticia' in full before promotion to captain in the chapter.

perturabo: no one thought to invite him to either party and now perty is pissed off, in part because after istvaan both sides sent missives to invite him into either the loyalist or traitor parties assuming he'd automatically say yes. well his hatred for rogal initially pushed him in the direction of joining the traitors as a means of finally getting one over rogal, the representative of the traitor cause that was sent to 'officiate perturabos dedication to the cause of rebellion' so greatly irritated perturbo to the point of enragement and disparagement of the entire traitor force as 'preening peacocks' resulting in the engagement of hostilities at that very ceremony well an imperial assassination taskforce was getting prepared to strike. this proved to be more costly for the traitors then was thought, as the many iron warrior outposts and fleets across the galaxy began turning their guns on the traitors forces at perturabos word, where previously they had remained neutral, and many of which would hold out for years with some holding out the entire length of the heresy and the scouring. most notably was perturabos fortification of the olympia system into the 'iron cage' disrupting the forward lines and momentum of the traitor forces for a number of years as they fought to unstick the iron warriors form their home, only for perturabo to blow up any usable infrastructure on olympia anyways as he evacuated his force. perturabo would then find his way to terra where, at malcadors instruction he was to assist in further reinforcing the sol system in preparation of war, and well rogal and perturabos rivalry initially caused them to come to blows in their many disagreements it was this time reinforcing the sol system for war where perturabo and rogal grew a grudging respect for each others genius, allowing them and their legions to work expertly in concert during the solar war and the siege of terra. perturabo would later be greviously injured during the first black crusade, his ultimate fate unknown after the iron warriors records on the matter were lost. the 40k iron warriors are codex compliant and still retain a rivarly with the imperial fists, but it is a healthy one of competition rather then the bitter distaste both held for the other during the great crusade. on centennial basis they even participate together on a grand tournament of strategic wargame simulations based on one such game perturabo originally invented and which was refined through many a game with rogal before and during the solar war. in the wider imperial conscious both are marvelled for their engineering skills, the rebuilt marvel that is olympia a testament to the iron warriors architectural genius, but the imperial fists are regarded as stronger on the defence of a siege well the iron warriors are regarded as stronger on the offence of one.

konrad curze: gets backstabbed by the murders he let into the legion and dragged to nostramo in chains by vengful nostramo noble families eager for some mob justice, resulting in an extended session of awful torture made worse by his superhuman nature letting them get pretty extreme on him. with nothing else but pain to occupy his time konrad reflects on his life and how his visions were wrong [didn't see this shit coming and his visions still showed horus as the arch traitor], how he let that fear consume him, and how the night haunters a bit of a dick. gets saved by the sacrifice of a nameless mute civilian who ends up suffering horrible tortures in his place as he recovers, culminating in the rise of a third personality called the judge that coldly executes the entirety of nostramoses noble family houses and anyone in the night lords who directly betrayed him or are unwilling to 'repent'. decides to go for broke, gathers what loyalist night lord elements he can, and wages a guerrilla campaign against the traitors behind enemy lines disappearing during the scouring. the 40k night lords become more nobledark batmans instead of grimdark batmans and also eventually nostramos serves as the heart of a major imperial cult of worship to the 'silent martyr'. codex compliant but the individual captains enjoy more autonomy of movement and command then comparative chapters.

angron: never got invited to the traitor party because the arch traitor this time around disliked angron enough to uninvite him to rebellion. instead hes one of the loyalist forces to get betrayed on istvaan v, willingly throwing himself and his legion right into the thick of things with angron fully intending to die in battle right then and there. unfortunately for him his more level headed sons panic when angron does almost die, spiriting angrons mostly dead body from the fighting and going on the run from traitor pursuit, eventually ending up in ultramar around when the ruinstorm kicks off. agree to fight for roboute and the loyalists in exchange for protection and help for angrons still nearly dead corpse. this ultimately culminates in some wacky shenaniganary involving lorgar using the actual divine miracle powers of the emperor, the world eater librarius all sacrificing themselves, and some sketch ass daot stuff to successfully remove the butchers nails from angron finally letting his body properly recover. when he wakes up, the red angel makes a beeline for nuceria, 'officially' brings it under his legions control and institutes a conscription of the planets population to replenish his legions numbers as fast as possible before making a bloody rush for terra later called 'the crimson path' and reinforcing it in time for the siege. after the heresy angron would be at the forefront of the scouring disappearing shortly after is conclusion for reasons unknown. the 40k world eaters are a contradiction very much still the bloody gladiator berserkers they were fashioned into during the great crusade but also heavily tempered by ideals of justice, honour and liberation, frequently coming into conflict with other imperial institutions or chapters on conduct during war and their duties such as condemning the black templars 'dishonourable purges of innocent mutant populations'. the ultramarines let them have free reign over nuceria [which now serves as the world eaters homeworld and a world of gladiator warrior temples since their take over] and let their successors operate in ultramar in exchange for following the codex and sending representatives to the ultramarines lil meetings and ceremonies much to the world eaters annoyance on the second half of those responsibilities.

[outofangband]

Restraints (physical, chemical, magical, etc) and control in Angband part one

Highly specific world building that relates more generally to my posts about control in Angband

Angband World Building and Aftermath of Captivity Masterlist

cw: blanket Angband warnings for captivity, slavery and mistreatment, implied/mentioned organ and biomatter harvesting, implied variety of unpleasant things

The high population of people in Angband who do not want to be there and who are held against their will for the purpose of (in order of most to least common reason) labor, physical resources (this is as unpleasant as it sounds, Angband is very capable of using…every part…of living things) information, or entertainment means that a lot of work and effort goes into control and suppression on every level. The culture of suppression and control I’ve discussed on many posts but I want to go into more concrete methods

-That being said, the most common and often most effective means of control are psychological ones; fear, conformity, confusion, and exhaustion

-Any exits whether to the outside world or simply a different part of the fortress are guarded. There are a number of false doors, dead end passages and other…architectural quirks

-Prisoners are recorded, marked and kept track of, though depending on their designation methods for this vary and in the mines specifically it is possible for overseers to lose track. Headcounts are frequently conducted and the punishment for being in the “wrong” place regardless of reason is severe.

It is not unheard of for certain higher ups to publicly punish a defiant prisoner, or even a random one, under the guise of punishing an escape attempt, regardless of if one had actually taken place.

-Group punishments are also not uncommon, especially in the mines, forges and kitchens. As I’ve talked about, this both serves as a deterrent for defiance and helps to maintain obedience within groups by the other prisoners, who might shun or turn against a fellow who has brought punishment upon their entire group by their actions.

-Language, talking and communication is heavily controlled during both work and the rare times outside it and laborers are kept near sleep deprived, giving little time or means to actually plan defiance

-The vast majority of prisoners are not physically restrained most of the time. That would be wholly impractical as most are there first and foremost for labor. But restraints of various kinds are used when prisoners are moved even short distances within the fortress, in some sleeping quarters, and as punishment including stress positions.

-Manacles around the wrists, ankles, neck or other parts are placed on some prisoners, depending on designation and behavior. These can be easily attached to longer chains. Sometimes slaves are forced to work chained together or chained in place. Most of the guards and all of the higher ups can instantly read how likely a prisoner is to defy or obey based on their markings and what, if any, restraints

-Most of the individual dungeon cells have chains or shackles in them and their occupants might be restrained to the wall by one limb or more for the entirety of their stay there. These cells are generally for temporary use; prisoners held there for interrogation or a specific punishment or who haven’t been designated yet or who are otherwise in limbo

-Total chemical restraint is rare but not unheard of (see, some of the elves used for physical resources and a few others in experimentation). Generally though this is considered to be a waste of resources as there are easier alternatives to sedation that do not involve using valuable materials.

-As I mentioned on my most recent post about experimentation, partial sedation does occur if a subject is needed calm enough for the purpose of a procedure

-Magical restraint is also rare and tends to be reserved to the personal servants of some of the Maiar, including Sauron, who are not or not yet trusted to obey the important tasks given to them. I talked about this when I talked about how Sauron actually chooses these but in short, it’s rare that prisoners of that designation will be defiant because if they are, they will be discarded. But occasionally, for example if one of them has highly specific or specialized knowledge, they might be kept under some magical control

-A number of the thrall brands allow for some amount of control over the subject. All have a spell woven into them that makes their removal nigh impossible

Fun fact: one of the few instances of chemical restraint in the Legendarium is not Angband related but is in fact Húrin being drugged in Brethil

I don’t have a very long conclusion to this, but I just wanted to highlight and discuss a few of the methods control and suppression are exercised in Angband. As always please feel free to ask more! Angband World Building is one of my favorite things ever

[manie-sans-delire-x]

My thoughts/analysis of We Need to talk about Kevin

From abnormal psych class paper:

The character I chose to analyze and diagnose is Kevin Khatchadourian from the 2011 film, We Need to Talk about Kevin. Brilliantly depicted by star Ezra Miller and various other child actors, Kevin is an angry, emotionally detached boy who struggles in his complex relationship with his mother. We see the unhealthy relationship develop between the two through-out the film as Kevin grows from a baby to a young man, ending in tragedy as Kevin achieves his ultimate revenge against his mother by massacring the rest of their family as well as several classmates in a school shooting.  

After carefully noting Kevin’s behavior and the way he and his mother Eva interact when he is a young child, I have decided to diagnose Kevin with reactive attachment disorder (RAD). The diagnostic criteria from the current Diagnostic and Statistical manual (DSM-5) for RAD reads as follows: 

A. A consistent pattern of inhibited, emotionally withdrawn behavior toward adult caregivers, manifested by both of the following: 

1. The child rarely or minimally seeks comfort when distressed. 

2. The child rarely or minimally responds to comfort when distressed. 

B. A persistent social or emotional disturbance characterized by at least two of the following: 

Minimal social and emotional responsiveness to others 

Limited positive affect 

Episodes of unexplained irritability, sadness, or fearfulness that are evident even during nonthreatening interactions with adult caregivers. 

C. The child has experienced a pattern of extremes of insufficient care as evidenced by at least one of the following: 

Social neglect or deprivation in the form of persistent lack of having basic emotional needs for comfort, stimulation, and affection met by caring adults 

Repeated changes of primary caregivers that limit opportunities to form stable attachments (e.g., frequent changes in foster care) 

Rearing in unusual settings that severely limit opportunities to form selective attachments (e.g., institutions with high child to caregiver ratios) 

D. The care in Criterion C is presumed to be responsible for the disturbed behavior in Criterion A (e.g., the disturbances in Criterion A began following the lack of adequate care in Criterion C). 

E. The criteria are not met for autism spectrum disorder. 

F. The disturbance is evident before age 5 years. 

G. The child has a developmental age of at least nine months. 

Specify if Persistent: The disorder has been present for more than 12 months. 

Specify current severity: Reactive Attachment Disorder is specified as severe when a child exhibits all symptoms of the disorder, with each symptom manifesting at relatively high levels. 

Kevin displays behavior that meets both criteria A and B. As a baby he cried constantly, reportedly even when held, showing an inability or unwillingness to be soothed. As a toddler he shows defiance, disinterest in social interaction, and a refusal to engage in play, such as when his mother is attempting to play with a ball with him and he refuses to roll the ball back or respond in any way, instead staring at her with a sullen expression. Kevin also refuses his mother’s pleas to say the word “Mommy”. As a slightly older child, Kevin continues to act defiantly and shows anger, ripping up the paper when his mother attempts to school him, immediately soiling his newly changed diapers on purpose, throwing food against the wall and onto tables, breaking his crayons, making nonsensical noises to irritate his mother, and destroying his mother’s artfully decorated room. When he is taken to the doctor to be examined, he shows no expression, does not speak, and stiffens his body. When his baby sister is born, he purposefully sprinkles water onto the newborn, causing her to cry. It should be noted however that in one instance Kevin seems to relax his cold exterior and accept comfort from his mother, shown by the scene in which he falls ill and cuddles with his mother while she reads him a story. He even apologizes for her having to clean up his throw-up. Unfortunately, as soon as he is feeling well again he is back to being rude and rejecting any attempt of hers to take care of him, refusing her help to change his clothes.  

As for criteria C, although Kevin has not experienced extreme abuse or neglect, I believe Kevin suffered from a traumatic birth as it was mentioned that his mother was resisting. His mother Eva did not desire a child, especially not one as difficult as Kevin, so she emotionally neglects him and is cold to him. Eva makes it very clear to him that he is unwanted, telling him straight to his face that she was happy before she gave birth to him and not correcting him when Kevin mentions that Eva does not like him. In one instance, she is accidentally too rough with him and breaks his arm, which Kevin later refers to as being the most honest thing she ever did. Kevin also meets the criteria of D through G, and his symptoms are persistent. I would say Kevin has moderate to severe symptoms as he does exhibit all listed symptoms quite regularly.  

I believe Kevin’s psychological problems may also have developed into conduct disorder (CD) as an adolescent and then antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or psychopathy in adulthood, especially after taking into consideration the mutilation of his sister’s eye and the killing of his sister’s guinea pig, his father, his sister, and several classmates. He shows no guilt or empathy, appears to have shallow emotions besides anger, and shows no evidence of having affection or emotional bonds to anyone. He is also very manipulative; putting on a fake act of normalcy for his father, turning his parents against each other, and navigating the legal system to get his best outcome. However, I know that children with RAD can also be violent and if not treated, behave in a way very similar to conduct disorder in adolescence and ASPD or psychopathy in adulthood. The main reason I chose to focus on RAD over CD or ASPD is because I believe the root of Kevin’s problem is immense pain at being rejected and unloved as a child and that he harbors a deep desire to have that connection but is unable to accept affection.  He is so focused on and consumed by his anger towards his mother, while someone with true psychopathy may be more detached and indifferent. I also leaned more towards RAD given that he showed symptoms from such a young age and did not seem to have any problems outside of his issues with his mother, such as acting out in school or engaging in petty, impulsive crime. I do wish that the film showed more of his interaction with his peers. Lastly, I felt RAD was a more accurate choice because of the subtle signs of it that are associated more with RAD than CD, such as stiffening his body when others try to hug him, making nonsensical sounds, and not making eye contact as an infant, although that may not have been intentionally put in the film. Either way, his parents certainly needed to talk to professionals about Kevin when he was a child. Had they done so, perhaps they could have prevented the tragedy of both his life and the pain he inflicted on others.  

Response to tumblr ask:

I agree! I would have loved to see how he interacts at school, what he does when he’s alone and has spare time, and more of his childhood.

I think he had multiple reasons:

1- To make his mother suffer since he obviously has a lot of anger and resentment towards her

2- Because he doesn’t feel much positive emotion and gave up on ever feeling pleasure or enjoyment from regular life. Normal life is incredibly boring for him. He wanted to DO something- real, meaningful, make something happen. He wanted to Live. I very much relate.

3- He enjoys the attention he gets from it.

We talked about this in my forensic psych club- whether we should give interviews and all this attention to violent criminals. Our society is fascinated by them to the point where we make movies and books. People sell and collect memorabilia. They have fan-girls writing love letters and showing up to their court sessions, even fighting each other over them. It’s pretty crazy. But on the other hand, it’s important that we study them. Or is it? There’s a debate about everything.

4- His philosophy and world view. 

He is very nihilistic, he doesn’t believe life “means” anything and right/wrong doesn’t exist/is just a matter of opinion or viewpoint. His actions don’t really matter either, nothing does. I used to think exactly like he did when I was a teen, and I still do in a way.

As for your last question, it’s easy to forget one way of thinking when you’re in another. It’s hard to remember how one state was when you’re in a different one. Also, as shitty as outside life can be, life in prison is even shittier. Makes you appreciate the ability of choice and being able to do things, even just to walk around outside or buy an icecream cone. He was also only 15 at the time of the crime, and in the last scene he’s 18. A lot of chemical changes and neural development happens in that time. He matured- his way of thinking about himself, the world, and the others around him changed.