#gun violene

[queerism1969]

[ausetkmt]

On July 30, 1866, during the turbulent Reconstruction era after the Civil War, white resistance to African American citizenship turns violent in New Orleans when a white mob kills dozens of African Americans gathering to support a political meeting.

The New Orleans Massacre, also called the New Orleans Riot, happened at the New Orleans Mechanics Institute, where 25 state delegates were reconvening the 1864 Louisiana Constitutional Convention. The state’s new constitution already had abolished slavery, but the state legislature passed laws limiting the rights of people freed from slavery. The Radical Republicans wanted to redo the constitution so that freedmen would gain voting rights. Another aim was to eliminate the Black Codes and disenfranchise former Confederates.

Two of New Orleans’ main leaders—Mayor John T. Monroe, a Confederate sympathizer, and Sheriff Harry T. Hays, a former Confederate general—strongly opposed the new constitutional convention. After a political rally on July 27, Hays gathered a posse of white officers, mostly ex-Confederates, to disrupt the convention, which began at noon on July 30.

As the delegates filed into the building, a crowd of protesters gathered outside the Mechanics Institute. Meanwhile, about 200 unarmed Black people, mostly Union veterans, approached the building in a parade form to show support. As they approached the building, bystanders harassed the marchers and isolated scuffles broke out.

When Hays and his men arrived on the scene, things turned deadly. Officers fired into the crowd, and while some marchers fled into the Mechanics Institute, many others were massacred there on the street. Accounts of casualties vary, but a National Park Service article reports that 34 African Americans were killed and 119 were wounded; three of the white delegates were killed and 17 were wounded.

U.S. General Absalom Baird, whose role was maintaining order and suppressing violence in the region during Reconstruction, wired Secretary of War Edwin Stanton that afternoon with this report: “Immediately after this riot assumed a serious character, the police, aided by the citizens, became the assailants, and from the evidence I am forced to believe, exercised great brutality in making their arrests. Finally, they attacked Convention Hall and a protracted struggle ensued. The people inside the hall gave up some who surrendered, and were attacked afterward and brutally treated.”

General Philip Sheridan, reporting to the War Department, said that delegates and peaceful supporters got hit “with fire-arms, guns and knives, in a manner so unnecessary and atrocious as to compel me to say that it was murder.”

“It was no riot,” Sheridan said. “It was an absolute massacre by the police … without the shadow of a necessity.”

The tragedy in New Orleans and previously in Memphis—where a similar deadly riot happened in early May of 1866—led to major changes in the country’s Reconstruction policy. The Radical Republicans earned a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the mid-term election of 1866. This helped to pass the 14th and 15th Amendments, which guaranteed citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the U.S.—including those freed from slavery—and gave African American men the right to vote.

[beardedmrbean]

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The U.S. government thanked Mexico for arresting a hyper violent alleged Sinaloa cartel security chief, but according to details released Friday, the detention may have been highly personal for the Mexican army.

Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said Nestor Isidro Pérez Salas, who was arrested Wednesday, had ordered a 2019 attack on an unguarded apartment complex where soldiers’ families lived.

“He was the one who ordered the attack ... against our dependents, our families,” Sandoval said.

The Oct. 17, 2019 attack was a result of a humiliating failed effort to capture Sinaloa cartel leader Ovidio Guzman, one of the sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Pérez Salas served as head of security for Guzman and his brothers, who are collectively known as the “Chapitos.”

Soldiers caught Guzman but later were ordered to release him to avoid bloodshed.

In order to pressure the army to release Guzman, cartel gunmen had surrounded the army families' housing complex in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa, and sprayed it with gunfire. They took one soldier hostage, burst into four apartments looking for more potential hostages, and tossed in two hand grenades that failed to explode.

The army had apparently relied on an unwritten rule that soldiers' wives and children were not to be targeted. “It was an area that was not even guarded,” Sandoval said.

In January, when soldiers finally managed to detain Ovidio Guzman, Pérez Salas also allegedly participated in setting off violence that left 30 people dead, including 10 military personnel.

The army was forced to use Black Hawk helicopter gunships against the cartel’s truck-mounted .50-caliber machine guns. Cartel gunmen hit two military aircraft, forcing them to land, and sent gunmen to the city’s airport, where military and civilian aircraft were hit by gunfire.

Sandoval revealed Friday that there had been a special operation that day to get Pérez Salas, but it failed.

The army continued to follow his movements, and later tried to detain him a second time, but “he was able to escape,” Sandoval said.

The third time was a charm; video posted on social media showed that Pérez Salas was surrounded but managed to climb onto the roof of a house before he was caught Wednesday.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had posted a $3 million reward for the capture of Pérez Salas, though it was unclear if that will be distributed to the army and National Guard forces that caught him this week.

President Joe Biden issued a statement Thursday praising the arrest. U.S. prosecutors have asked that Pérez Salas be extradited — as his boss Ovidio Guzman was in September — to face U.S. drug charges.

“These arrests are testament to the commitment between the United States and Mexico to secure our communities against violence, counter the cartels, and end the scourge of illicit fentanyl that is hurting so many families,” Biden wrote.

But it appears Pérez Salas's arrest was personal for the Mexican army.

“He was also responsible for a series of attacks against military personnel that caused a significant number of casualties,” Sandoval said.

Pérez Salas is wanted on U.S. charges of conspiracy to import and distribute fentanyl in the United States. But he also allegedly left a trail of killings and torture of police and civilians.

An indictment in the Southern District of New York says Pérez Salas allegedly participated in the torture of a Mexican federal agent in 2017. It said he and others tortured the man for two hours, inserting a corkscrew into his muscles, ripping it out and placing hot chiles in the wounds.

According to the indictment, the Ninis — the gang of gunmen led by Pérez Salas and Jorge Figueroa Benitez — carried out other gruesome acts of violence as well.

The Ninis would take captured rivals to ranches owned by the Chapitos for execution, it said.

“While many of these victims were shot, others were fed, dead or alive, to tigers” belonging to the Chapitos, “who raised and kept tigers as pets,” according to the indictment.

And while the Sinaloa cartel does some lab testing on its products, the Ninis conducted more grisly human testing on kidnapped rivals or addicts who are injected until they overdosed.

[ms-cellanies]

DOESN'T MEET THE CRITERIA FOR HATE CRIME CHARGES?

WTAF is wrong with law enforcement. Not only was there white on black violence perpetrated by at least 4 white people vs 1 black man but one white guy said he was going to get his gun.

THE HATRED IN AMERICA IS STILL RAMPANT.

[bethestaryouareradio]

Playful and Positive Summer

Miracle Moment®

“Be careful what you ask for. You will eventually get it. Think Positive!” Ivan Burnell

StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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A Message from Founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian

Besides, hot, hot, hot, how is your summer going?

The news consistently brings us images of violence, devastation, and impending doom. It’s simple to become cynical, yet it’s better to combat the negativity. Stand up for the truth to give yourself the gift of positivity. This is a gift that no one else can give you: not a parent, friend, partner, or boss.  Only we have the power to be positive.  Our Kindness Coordinator, Karen Kitchel, believes in bringing joy to others. She writes: “Positive feelings are often the result of doing little things that bring joy to others. Think of a time when you did something for someone who never knew where that kindness came from. How did you feel? If nothing comes to mind, check out some easy ways to scatter kindness." Great advice is to always help others.

In my book, Be the Star You Are!® Millennials to Boomers, Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, along with 31 contributors, I write about the importance of positivity and play. If you haven’t read it, this would be the time to pick up that book for the critical positive messages it delivers.

Play allows us to develop our imagination and discover our strengths. Children who are allowed to play while utilizing their own resources shape healthy bodies, minds, and spirits. Play teaches conflict resolution, instills a sense of self-esteem, helps with communication skills, encourages imagination, and builds confidence. The benefits of recess are significant. Playing is pleasurable, and who doesn’t need more amusing days?

I am often asked how I can nurture family relationships, maintain a large mini-farm, take care of numerous adopted animals, run a non-profit charity, write new books, and work full time. “Aren’t you working too hard?” and “It must be exhausting” are the main comments. My answer is simple and always the same: Absolutely I get really tired, yet I love what I do. I’m still learning how to pace myself since it is all play to me.  Every day I’m entertained, educated, and contributing in a positive manner. It is important to not only make a life but to make a difference. No cynicism allowed.

For a memorable summer and beyond, incorporate play with positive actions at home and at work. You will find yourself happier, healthier, and a beacon of positivity.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

George Bernard Shaw

Stay cool and have a positive, playful summer.

P.S. Check out our new tutoring program collaboration below with Teens Tutor Teens to get your kids K-12 FREE tutoring!

P.P.S. For a selection of great books for summer reading and beyond, check out the book reviews by our Star Teen Book Reviewers for all ages.

With gratitude,

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

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Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

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DONATE YOUR SHOES THROUGH END OF JULY

The Be the Star You Are!®  shoe drive in collaboration with Mark Hoogs State Farm Insurance and 5 A Rent a Space continues until the end of July. In June, we donated 1150 pairs of shows to be shipped to third world countries in poverty.

Through July 30th, drop shoes at these two locations:

·      Mark Hoogs

State Farm Insurance

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925-254-3344

www.TeamHoogs.com

open M-F-9-5pm

·      5 A Rent-A-Space

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925-631-7000

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open M-Sat. 9-6pm

With your donation of shoes, you will be sharing your love. Thank you!

For more information, visit https://www.bethestaryouare.org/shoedrive

Gun Violence and Control

In the past months, mass shootings and gun violence have shattered lives and communities. Gun violence in America has become an epidemic. Three of our Be the Star You Are!® teens shared their views on a radio broadcast. Hannah, Nihal, and Sharanya addressed several issues from a youth perspective.

.

Stricter enforcement of gun control measures is a necessary step to address the alarming prevalence of gun violence. By implementing comprehensive background checks, closing loopholes in gun show and internet sales, implementing waiting periods, regulating high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, enhancing mental health assessments, and promoting responsible gun storage, we can foster a safer society for all. It is crucial for lawmakers, communities, and individuals to work collectively towards achieving a balanced approach that respects the rights of law-abiding citizens while prioritizing public safety. By taking these actions, we can reduce the devastating impact of gun violence and create a brighter future for generations to come.

Listen to the Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio Broadcast focusing on Gun Violence with Sharanya, Hannah, and Nihal. https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/145588/gun-violence-in-america

New Reporter: Julia Howe-Passion in Action

Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio is thrilled to welcome our newest reporter, Julia Howe with her segment Passion in Action.

Julia Howe is a rising sophomore from San Francisco, with a passion for entrepreneurship and understanding how ordinary people can build extraordinary things. She actively participates in the Whatever It Takes Teen program, where she holds conversations with successful startup owners and learns from their experiences. Julia also finds joy in music, singing in the 5-time GRAMMY award-winning San Francisco Girls Chorus, and conducting research on the beneficial effects of music for language learning. You can find her training for her latest 10k and exploring nature in her spare time. Julia volunteers with Be the Star You Are!® and is collecting shoes for our Shoe Drive. Listen at Voice America Network, Empowerment Channel: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/145664/4th-of-july-independence-day-celebrations

Tune in Sundays as our teens tackle the tough topics. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself

One of our poets, 14 year old Sharanya, wrote this poem reflecting on the effects of gun violence in society. Sharanya is a BTSYA volunteer and radio host on Express Yourself!™

Gun Violence

by Sharanya

In the depths of shadows, a sorrowful tale,

Where hearts bleed silently, where souls assail.

A poem of anguish, of lives torn apart,

Of gun violence rampant, piercing through the heart.

In streets once serene, now echoes of strife,

Where dreams turn to nightmares, snuffing out life.

The crackle of gunfire, a symphony of fear,

Leaves scars on communities, forever austere.

Innocence shattered, like fragile glass,

As the world bears witness to this tragic impasse.

Families weep, grieving their loved ones lost,

Their futures stolen, at such a terrible cost.

Oh, the tears that cascade, like a ceaseless rain,

As we mourn for the fallen, their loss a searing pain.

Each name etched in sorrow, a reminder profound,

Of the lives extinguished, no longer earthbound.

We yearn for a sanctuary, a refuge of peace,

Where gun violence ceases, and anguish finds release.

A world united, where compassion takes hold,

And the power of love is the story retold.

Let us rise together, hearts intertwined,

To confront this plague, leaving no soul behind.

Through dialogue and understanding, let us strive,

To heal wounds inflicted, and ensure all can thrive.

For every life lost, let a legacy bloom,

Of change and redemption, erasing the gloom.

In unity we stand, with a resolute voice,

Against the devastation, we make a choice.

Let this poem resound, a call to unite,

To end the senseless violence, to make things right.

For in our shared humanity, we find the key,

To heal the wounds of gun violence, and set hearts free.

May this verse be a plea, a beacon of hope,

That gun violence diminishes, like a darkened slope.

With compassion as our weapon, let us unite,

And in our unity, we'll conquer the night.

NEW BOOK: Family Forever

For jolt of playful positivity, check out the the 2nd book in the Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures series. Family Forever is published by Waterside Productions with proceeds benefiting Be the Star You Are!® This true story authored by Cynthia Brian and brilliantly illustrated by Jensen Russell, Family Forever, emphasizes the importance of finding your tribe, whether it be biological, adopted, or chosen.

Discounted pre-sales now available at http://www.StarStyleStore.net

For information on the backstory, read https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/family-forever

Press Release: https://www.prlog.org/12973858-waterside-productions-announces-cynthia-brians-new-book-family-forever.html

NEW FREE PROGRAM: TEENS TUTOR TEENS

Be the Star You Are!® charity is thrilled to collaborate with the Georgia chapter of Teens Tutor Teens to bring FREE tutoring for any child or teen in grades K-12 by highly motivated high school students. Since the pandemic, many students are behind in the basics of reading, math, science, and writing. Once a student requests to be tutored, a TTT Georgia chapter tutor will claim the tutee to help and contact them to set up a meeting. From here, the tutor and tutee (or their parent/guardian), can communicate on future meetings, additional help, academic, advice, and anything else that the student may need or that the tutor deems necessary. Be the Star You Are!®will soon have a direct sign-up form, but for now, students can sign up on their own to get free tutoring from a tutor through https://teenstutorteenslawrenceville.weebly.com/get-tutored.html. The chapter secretary will reach out to the student asking for age verification, just for safety and security purposes for both the tutor and tutee. Then, the student is connected to a tutor, and tutoring sessions will begin at times that work for both parties. We want to support youth academically and are thrilled to be able to partner with Teens Tutor Teens. Make sure when you sign up to indicate that you are from Be the Star You Are!®.  As soon as we have a a special BTSYA link, we will share it.

Happy Tutoring, Happy Learning. https://teenstutorteenslawrenceville.weebly.com/get-tutored.html

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[roboe1]

Katie Hobbs Press Secretary RESIGNS After DISGUSTING Call For Gun Violen...

[ramon-balaguer]

This Top Cop must be a Republican or Conservative because this idea goes against every Sin Sick Lying Leftist Liberal Democrat Donkey out there thinking Decriminalizing Crimes, dismissing crimes, minimizing sentences, bailing out criminals, avoiding Death Sentences and Capital Punishment, Providing Excuses, Defense and Sanctuary to ILLEGAL ALIENS and Criminals, Pleading Insanity to avoid prosecution, Disbanding, Defining and or Defunding Law Enforcement and Making Police Guilty Criminals and Criminals Innocent Heroes, and especially blaming and getting the Guns instead of the Crazy Criminals is the Answer to the Murder & Crime CRISES‼️😱🙏🇺🇸#REBTD😇

[polaroid15]

Febuwhump day 20 - Betrayal

Summary: “How bad?” Tony asks.

“Not bad.”

“Pete-”

“I’m serious! I’ve gotten ten times worse as Spider-Man.”

When Tony looks at him, it’s gentle, and it nearly brings him to tears. “But you weren’t Spider-Man, buddy.”

Or, Peter just wanted a coffee.

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29138196/chapters/72739866

------

It’s not everyday that Peter is pistol whipped in the face by a Starbucks customer.

Today, however, is that day.

He’s at the front of the line, finally, and just as the cashier hands him his change a man wearing a crudely cut ski mask shoots two bullets into the ceiling. Everyone screams, ducks, and through the mass panic Peter hears his handful of change roll across the floor.

“Are you kidding me-”

“EVERYONE ON THE GROUND!”

Peter listens, trying his best to keep calm as he assesses his surroundings. The store has six customers and two employees. Another masked individual joins the first, also holding a gun.

That they’re not afraid to use, apparently.

Slowly and praying not to draw attention, Peter’s fingers close around the watch Tony had given him for his birthday and presses the side button three times. He’s only used the distress signal once before, and Tony had been at his side to help within a matter of minutes.

These idiots won’t even know what hit them.

The first man crosses behind the counter and shoves his gun into the barista’s face. “Open the register.”

For a minute, Peter thinks she’s going to refuse, her eyes set with anger and fear. As if getting the same sense, the man with the gun presses the barrel hard against her cheek and she whimpers. “Now,” he repeats, and she obeys with shaking hands.

Even though she complies, the man steps closer, his trigger finger tensing as the first inch of the barrel practically disappears into her face. Spidey sense screaming, Peter stands carefully, hands outstretched, “hey, hey. Come on man. Ease up. She’s doing what you asked-”

“On the ground,” the second criminal yells at him, spit flying from his mask. Peter freezes on the spot, eyes glued on the trembling barista. For one terrible moment, he’s brought back to a dark alley, his hands pressing down desperately on Ben’s chest.

“The register’s open,” Peter reasons, “let her go.”

“Looks like someone’s trying to play hero,” the first robber sneers. He pushes the barista aside and she falls onto the floor with a strangled yelp. “Grab him.”

Peter doesn’t flinch as the man’s accomplice obeys, digging strong fingers into his bicep and dragging him out of line. His back is brought against the man’s chest and the gun is pressed into his throat. He swallows at the pressure and keeps his eyes trained on the first man, who’s stuffing a duffel with cash.

Outside, there’s sirens.

“Damn it!”

The first man slams the empty drawer closed, throwing his gun out widely, “which one of you called the police?”

Peter almost laughs. Almost. “Are you kidding? You would’ve heard it if someone called. It’s a small room, buddy-”

A sharp pain in his face nearly sends him crashing to his knees. Blood pools onto his tongue but he keeps it there, not wanting to scare the other customers. Through the aching pulse in his head he hears a couple of them gasp.

“Not the time to be smart, kid.”

“Well you’re the ones who decided to rob a Starbucks of all places.”

Before Peter can even suck in a breath, he’s hit three more times, all where the first blow had landed. This time he does fall, and the man kicks him in the ribs for good measure when he’s down. The force of it has him gasping and somewhere in the distance Peter hears a kid crying.

Don’t think about Ben, don’t think about Ben.

“Police are here. Damn it. What do we do?”

Peter hears shuffling as he tries to reorient himself, his head spinning like a top. He only makes it to his elbows before his jacket is grabbed at its shoulder and he’s manhandled to his feet. He sways but stands his ground, wiping the blood off his chin with his sleeve.

“We take him with us.”

Peter doesn’t have the energy to argue as he’s dragged to the entrance by his neck. Through the glass and a rapidly swelling eye, Peter sees a semi circle of police, completely closing off an escape. He thinks he sees a flash of red and gold, too, but he can’t be sure.

“Walk, kid. No funny business.”

And he does, grateful, above everything else, that no one got hurt.

With a forceful shove, Peter is thrown out of the store, the grip on his neck still strong. He knows it’ll bruise in the shape of fingers, that he’ll stare at it in the mirror later and shudder at the memory of the touch.

“Drop your weapons!”

Peter yelps as the back of his knee is kicked in, forcing him to the ground. One of the men grabs his hair, forcing his head back, and sticks his gun underneath his chin. “Make another move and the kid gets it!”

It’s only now that Peter realizes his eyes hadn’t been playing tricks on him. Tony is here, standing on the sidelines of officers, his eyes blown wide with panic before his expression is cut off by his helmet.

He feels too dazed to be relieved.

“Let the kid go!” he hears one of the officers yell.

“Let us go!”

Peter chuckles again, and he’s not sure why. He feels warm blood dribble down his chin, and the grip tightens in his hair until he’s sure it’s going to be pulled right out of his scalp.

Whatever the men holding him had thought this was going to go, it must not be working, because one of the hisses a “get up” in his ear. Peter tries to listen, but he feels shaky and weak, and mostly just lets himself be dragged. He ends up back against the man’s chest, the gun pressed so forcefully into his temple that the opposite side of his head nearly touches his shoulder.

Only now does he let himself be afraid.

He could die.

Not as Spider-Man, not as a hero, but as himself. Right now. At Starbucks, of all places.

In front of Tony.

His mentor would never forgive himself.

“Walk,” the man hisses in his ear, and Peter stumbles obediently along with them as they step away from the door. The police follow them with their guns but otherwise don’t move.

“Where are you going to run?” Peter chokes. “It’s already too late.”

“Shut up.”

“There’s no way out of this.”

“I said shut up!”

Peter gasps when his head is hit again, his vision whitening at its edges. He must slump because the man struggles to keep him vertical. Somewhere in his fall Peter hears a familiar blast of repulsors and the hostile touch leaves him instantly. He falls to the cement, barely managing to catch himself on his elbows.

There’s a sudden rush of movement and Peter winces at the sheer loudness of it all. He hears muffled curses, boots hitting the pavement, the hostages inside the store cheering-

“Peter?”

And then there’s Iron Man, crouched down beside him and lifting up his chin gently with a metal-clad hand. Peter blinks away his double vision and musters a weak smile. “Hey man,” he wheezes, “coffee break?”

Tony doesn’t laugh like Peter hoped he would. Instead, he feels the armour shift under his arms and he’s lifted up, up and away. He jams his eyes closed at the sudden vertigo and lets out a tense breath when they land together on a nearby rooftop. In a second Tony is out of the suit and sitting beside Peter, his hands ghosting over the blood and bruises on his face.

“Concussion?”

“Look at my face. What do you think?”

“Cut that sass, kid. I have enough for the both of us. Anything else hurt?”

“Uh, my pride?”

“Ha. Funny. Now tell me the real answer.”

Peter sighs, and somewhere in the middle chokes on the blood in his throat. It makes his ribs flare and the wince he makes must be enough for Tony to piece two and two together.

“How bad?” he asks.

“Not bad.”

“Pete-”

“I’m serious! I’ve gotten ten times worse as Spider-Man.”

When Tony looks at him, it’s gentle, and it nearly brings him to tears. “But you weren’t Spider-Man, buddy.”

He sighs again and this time it’s easier. He lays down against the pavement in hopes it’ll stop the world from spinning while Tony hovers beside him like a worried mother hen. “Didn’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

“So let me guess,” Tony says, “you smart mouthed them.”

“Yep.”

“Course you did.”

Peter groans, poking gingerly at his swelling eye. He can barely see out of it anymore, which is highly unfortunate. “I lost my change. And I didn’t even get my drink.”

“Well, you’re alive, so that’s something.”

“Starbucks is expensive, Tony. I was treating myself.”

“I’ll buy you the whole damn Starbucks company if it’ll stop you from getting your face smashed in.”

Peter laughs at this. It makes his ribs burn. “Deal.”

Tony is quiet for a minute. “Feel up for a flight back home?”

Home.

He smiles.

“Only if we can pick up a coffee on the way.”

“Good God, kid. Look at these grey hairs. No seriously, I want you to look at them.”

Peter huffs out a laugh, head lolling slightly as Tony pulls him back up by his arms. Before they lift off, Peter is surprised when Tony wraps him in a hug. He blinks, then relaxes into it. It feels as if some of his pain is leaking into Tony.

He feels better.

“Thanks for coming,” he whispers.

Tony pulls away, ruffling his hair softly, his scalp still sore. “How couldn’t I? You were smart for once in your life and actually used the panic button I gave you-”

“Smart enough for a coffee?” Peter smirks, a cut on his lip stinging.

Tony looks at him solemnly and shakes his head.

“Grey hairs, Pete. Grey hairs.”

[timidstrcngth-arch]

she did not have to look down to see it was a lot of the gore that was dripping down , she could feel it. well , she didn’t really feel much , as she was going numb. the source of where she had been shot is unknown , though golly that was a lot of blood. if she had been more aware , she knows she would have been apologizing for the crimson river sprouting from her side , though she is not in her right mind , so she does not focus on this matter. “ o—okay , i t—trust you. “ valerie whispers , as she really did not fault the girl , though she did wonder why she was carrying a weapon. she might have to ask , but not in front of anyone , never ! she did not wish for holly to get hit with charges. why was she so worried about holly when she was the one near death ? it is because even if , she is not that person to be angered.

it was not ideal , no , but it was an accident. jack would look at her like she had gone insane , how she was not bothered she had literally been shot. he would fly into a rage probably at holly , as he would see this as another thing that was unacceptable. why did she worry so much about his reaction ? he couldn’t be mad at her for this , even if she was at herself. she was sneaking around a bit , and it was dark .... she sighs as she finds she cannot even muster a bit of anger at this.

“ s—-shhhh , it is o—-okay , d—dear one , shhhh. “ she soothes , continuing to stroke her cheek as she cried. she didn’t want holly to regret this , as she was scared , and she did react. she smooths her hand against her skin , finding it to be something that she can feel , something real , since it seems her hand has been released. as the other took off her garment , valerie was struck with how cold she would be , or was it just her ? she does not know really , her eyes heavy , but she does not sleep. she keeps her gaze up , on the girls sorrowful face. she gasps again when the material is flush against her side , near crying out , yet she is still as she allows the girl to do as she wishes to.

timidstrcngth​:

her world was turning to a haze , her mind blank as she did what she could to register anything. it was …. dripping from her side , down to the ground to feed the soil with morbid water. it was so … warm though , and sticky. she has had the taste before in her mouth when she would split her lip open from her constant biting it , but … the wound was probably much larger than that. a voice … her name ? she cracks her eyelids open to peer at the other , head tilting to the side. “ i w—-was … w—-worr—-worried…. “ she states , even now concerned for the girl more than herself. why was she making a fuss ? and why did she look so terrified ? the poor dear ….. the hold on her hand causes her to limply compress hers back , though it is barely there. why was holly so sad. with some effort , she brings her hand up to the girl’s cheek. “ do not c—-cry. “ she mumbles in a daze. she gasps in pain , though does as she is told. half lidded as they are , her trademark doe orbs stay open. she tunes into the voice of the other , swallowing thickly ; she did have a nice voice ….

she wonders if this is what jack meant , by people taking from her what they could. or how she was too easy to be so docile all the time. no , the girl did not mean to harm her , even though valerie found her to be the most terrifying person she has ever encountered. naive as she was , she would have seen the signs , and jack and mallory would have surely kept her away.

she gazes up at the other , her fingertips still on her cheek. she gently strokes her way across there , finding she has something to focus on. was she comforting her ? probably , as the way she was so sad …. brows furrow again as she blinks , slowly and with some difficulty.

Holly’s panic continued to rise as she noticed the blood oozing out of Valerie’s gunshot wound. She hit her in the side of her stomach and she had no idea if she hit any major arteries, or any organs. All she could see was lots and lots of blood, and poor Valerie’s face slowly turning pale. “It’s okay, you’re gonna be okay, I called an ambulance, they’re on their way here, they’ll be here soon, I promise”, she rambled, speaking a million words an hour just to keep her own mind busy and not think about what she did. 

She shot Valerie. She just…shot her. Like a criminal. It wasn’t on purpose, but did it make a difference? She was bleeding out on the ground and she looked so white in the face. She was so caught up in the horror that she blinked in surprise when Valerie reached up to touch her face and told her not to cry. What? Holly didn’t understand, she assumed Valerie was just mumbling things because she was losing so much blood, she wasn’t coherent. 

“I’m so sorry, but I…I have to stop the bleeding, okay? I have to”, she announced, quickly taking off her sweater and pressing it against the open wound that was still bleeding out. She was worried that if she didn’t do this, Valerie would lose so much blood it would be too late to save her. She could tell that it hurt, though. She could tell by the look on Valerie’s face, this was too much for her. Surprisingly, she wasn’t crying. Maybe she was in shock. 

[pakcricwiz]

'End gun violence now!' - Bedoya makes passionate post-goal plea to on-field mic

After two more mass shootings in the United States, the Philadelphia Union midfielder delivered a message to the U.S. government

from Sporting News RSS https://ift.tt/33bMaQT from Blogger https://ift.tt/2GMTUPX

[secretmellowblog]

So anOTHER thing about Javert: I remember once seeing an odd tumblr post (months ago?) that said something like “I can’t believe you guys hate Javert when if Javert existed now, you would say he was the best kind of cop. He’s a POC and comes from a marginalized background and has to struggle hard against bigotry. He’s also perfectly honest and incorruptible— and so nonviolent that he never physically attacks anyone or even pulls out a gun. He’s the perfect police officer”

And while that post was wrong...it was also right!!!!!

The point of Javert is not “the cop you already think is bad, is bad.”

The point of Javert is “the kind of cop you think is GOOD, the PERFECT cop, the hero of a detective novel, the cop you’re told is an example of how the system can sometimes work—- is bad.”

Javert is essentially a Perfect Cop Role Model(tm) character like Captain Holt from Brooklyn 99, but as a villain. 

The message of Javert is that “An honest non-brutal incorruptible cop who adheres perfectly to the rules, from a marginalized background who knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of police violence and is policing people from the same background as himself...................................would still suck!!!!!!!!!!! acab”

I know I’ve talked about this before, but I do want to go into a little more detail on the way Javert coming from a marginalized background/Javert not being physically violent* is a part of this under the cuT:

I’ve seen people say that the “only” way to modernize Javert is by making him rich and white, but I disagree...or at least, why my opinion is that it really depends on how it’s written? Idk it’s complicated!  I just think that even putting aside the fact that an argument can be made that Javert is ambiguously implied to be Romani*** in the Brick, Javert only “needs” to be white if you think that only white cops can be bad. And I feel like that’s a relevant topic lately-- the idea that people often undercut the “all cops are bastards” message by amending it to “all cops are bastards uNLESS they’re ‘diverse’ cops, unless they’re marginalized in some way.” And I think Javert could be an interesting criticism of that idea-- he spent most of his early life as a victim of police violence, and then became a ‘perfect’ cop. But that didn’t make the police force better or more progressive, it just meant that Javert ended up hurting people who came from the same background as him. Being marginalized yourself doesn’t mean you can’t hurt other people like you.

(Edit: although I am not Romani and shouldn’t be treated as an authority on this. A lot of the coding on Javert is both very ambiguous and if it is intentional it’s just racist, because Hugo himself was racist didn’t really think through the implication of the coding he was using.)

I also wish Les Mis adaptations in general were more thoughtful about how they used brutality. Les Mis adaptations often make Javert far more physically violent** than he was in the Brick, but don’t put thought into WHY they’re adding that violence.

The point of Brick!Javert is that he is an unusually good/perfect cop. Part of Javert’s perfection that is that he isn’t really physically violent** (there’s an important caveat to that though, I’ll talk about it in a second.) Le Cabuc is perfectly willing to whip out a gun and shoot random unarmed people, but Javert doesn’t do that, because he’s unusually perfect. Javert isn’t even physically violent to defend himself-- Thenardier points a gun at his head, and Javert calmly talks him down. The students catch Javert at the barricade, and Javert (despite having a musket) peacefully surrenders.

But the point isn’t that “Javert is therefore a perfect person you should admire.” The point is that even though Javert is the rare police officer who isn’t excessively brutal, he is still a violent person-- because the laws he’s enforcing are inherently violent. Separating families is violence, bigotry is violence, imprisoning people is violence. The absolute worst example of this is the way he kills Fantine. Javert didn’t need a gun to kill Fantine; the violence of bigotry and the law was enough.

My problem with adaptations of Les Mis is that they make Javert more brutal/violent in order to portray him as an unusually bad and violent cop, unlike the other Peaceful Good Cops. If only Javert enforced the laws more peacefully, he would be good, the way most police officers are! (Les Mis 1998, BBC Les Mis). Other adaptaions add Javert whipping out a gun and threatening to murder unarmed people without seeming to understand that they’re changing his characterization (Les Mis 2012/some performances of the stage musical.)

So instead of Javert’s problem being that “Javert enforces laws that are inherently violent,’ his problem in adaptations is that “Javert is too violent and emotional and over-obsessive while enforcing laws that are ultimately Good.”

Idk like........everything about Javert is Complicated and a mess and open to a bunch of interpretations, and I don’t know how to end this Post(tm). But just feel like there’s so much nuance to Javert’s character that gets overlooked by adaptations in favor of portraying his pursuit of Valjean as Personal Vendetta, which is sad because he could be so relevant and compelling if written well

[theduke-va]

Doom: Is it too violent?

I wanted to do this Essay due to the fact that people say: Oh video games are too violent And cause violence.

(Keep in mind this is based on what I remember or have researched barely.)

True Doom is not the most child friendly of games, and one of the school shooters did play doom. BUT! That doesn’t mean that Doom and other games like doom cause violence in real life. For example, Japan. They have the MOST time played in video games, and the Least amount of gun violence in the world. (At least from what I’ve heard) And the whole phrase of: “Video game violence bad” kinda trend even gets to Sonic, a game aimed for children! This is based off my experience as a little child, but my mom was so worried about my well being that she fell under the suburban mom tremd of video game violence that she took Sonic Heroes, Shadow the Hedgeho, and Sonic Mega collection plus away from me and made me ONLY play Super Monkey Ball Deluxe, which she viewed as the least violent game that I owned at the time. But this kinda died down and I eventually played these games again. Then Halo came and Me and my brother played it. Aaand the only one who got “violent“ is my brother’s attitude when he got older. And me during puberty sometime, but that’s a different story.. ^^;

So, what makes people violent?.... Well, I believe that it’s the fact that people’s mindsets are... different. We have different ways of being violent, it can be physically violen, emotionally violen, or psychologically. It depends on people’s opinion, childhood, views on life, all that. Take for example, any serial killer that was born BEFORE THE LATE 70’s! They didn’t have video games at all! It’s based off mindset and how they view life, Not on what video game they played and whether if it was violent or not!

So if you are one of those people who STILL think that playing video games are violent. I believe I may have convinced you other wise.

Or not, I dunno. @queenofwerewolves suggested that I did this and I dunno how much I can ramble on. XD

[c0mmitingsuicide]

i sat alone

alone and at home

where my screams were silent

but my mind was violen

my insecuriies hid deep inside

and they indeed ate me alive

a tear rolled down my face

as my heart began to race

i took my blade and tore my skin

where my depression lied deep within

this went on for days

months

years

and until i cried my very last tears

i decided that i had enough

the world around me was much too tough

i took a gun to my head

con-fucking-gratulations society

i am dead