#intergalactic democracy

[wealmostaneckbeard]

The politics in Lancer the mech pilot TTRPG seems center left to me. A good way to explain what's going on in that game's universe is with this overly long metaphor:

Imagine an alternate history where Nixon somehow beat JFK Jr to the white house, and once in office he lets Kissinger go nuts setting fascists up on an accelerated schedule. That's what Union's Second Committee was like. Then Tricky Dick procedes to nuke Vietnam a couple times. That's the Hercynia Crisis and that FTL Piston weapon launch. JFK and company ride the shock and horror of approaching nuclear war into office on the promise of de-escalation and enforcing civil rights, and they deliver. That's the coup that formed Union's Third Committee. Kissinger, Nixon, and the entire pentagon/raytheon corp take over NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida where they form a tolerated corporatocracy in exile. That's basically Harrison Armory on the planet Ras Shamra. Now a United liberal-leftist front of America is actively trying to tear down dictatorships around the world that Kissinger set up (he got assassinated at some point in this time line) and replace them with socialist democracies. That is Union's Justice/Human-Rights Department and a few other government branches. So far they've had some success although people are pointing out that it's a bit hypocritical that the liberators are using weapons from corporate conservative states where civil rights are discretely curtailed. That's what's driving political discourse in 5016u in Union's legislative body, the Central Committee and it's myriad political parties.

So yeah Lancer's political intergalactic landscape is a bit like modern day? Except also cthulhu is giving out reality-breaking tech to militant civil rights advocates and random civilians? That's what HORUS basically is, btw.

Now that I've written this out, it would make for a good american alt-history with mechs campaign in Lancer...

[luxudus]

“MY BROTHERS FROM STARS AFAR. JOIN US AND WE SHALL BURN TYRANNY TO CHAR.

WE HAVE WATCHED OUR WORLD BE TORN TO SHREDS. FILLED WITH DREAD AS BILLIONS DROPPED DEAD AND MANY MORE PROFUSELY BLED.

WE WATCHED IN HORROR AS ENTIRE CULTURES WERE ERASED. ENTIRE WORLDS WERE DISPLACED

AND ALL THIS FOR THE ELITES TO LINE THEIR POCKETS. THEY LAUGHED AT OUR PLIGHT FROM THEIR SEATS AS THEY MULTIPLY THEIR PROFITS.

ALL FOR THE TYRANTS TO BE OUR PUPPETEERS OF ENDLESS PAIN. CONTROLLING US THROUGH OUR FEARS FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL GAIN.

WE DESPISED THEM TO OUR HEARTS AS IT RADICALIZED US TO DO OUR PART.

WE KILLED EVERY LAST DESPOT AND OVERTHREW OUR STATES. WE FOUGHT FOR OUR RESPITE AND NOW DECIDED OUR OWN FATES

OUR HOME WAS UNSALVAGEABLE, WE LEFT AND FLEW INTO THE FRIGID QUIET NIGHT. WE SEARCHED THE STARS ONLY TO FIND YOU AND YOUR KINDRED PLIGHT.

IT'S ALL CLEAR NOW, OUR AGONY WAS MUTUAL, AND WE SAW A NEW TRUE THESES. THE FIGHT AGAINST TYRANNY IS THE ONE CONSTANT, UNIVERSAL TO ALL SPECIES .

WE HAVE SUFFERED FOR FAR TOO LONG WITH NOTHING TO GAIN. AND WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU WON'T GO THROUGH OUR PAIN.

WE ARE HERE TO SET YOU FREE. AND SAVE YOU FROM ALL DISASTERS. TO HELP YOU FIND YOUR PEACE AND SLAY YOUR MASTERS.

LIBERTY WAITS FOR NO ONE. AND NO ONE SHOULD WAIT FOR LIBERTY”

- grand arbiter ██████████████ ███

They were the other of the first two civilizations

    10 billion years ago they walked the universe with the Factorem. In a time when space itself was warm.

For most souls of the early universe, this was the face of democracy.

    They too were the technological pinnacle of the universe.

    They bent reality to create floating architecture and multi-dimensional superstructures that defied the very laws of physics.

    They too helped create the Understars, an entire parallel universe just to ease travel in our own reality.

    They even went as far as being able to temporarily reverse to flow of time in portions of space to undo mistakes to grave to make.

    And even learned how to convert thermal energy back into mechanical energy. Delaying the heat death of the universe.

 Look at the night sky the same way the hubble telescope saw it through the deep field image.

    Millions of galaxies in every square centimeter of your vision.

    Every single one holds tens to hundreds of billions of stars and countless planets.

    So many galaxies it would turn the whole night sky a deep gold if you could see the full scale

Where the loving embrace of the factorem tended the gardens to one half of it

They had spread the call of liberty to the other half

They were the harbingers of intergalactic liberation

They were the Bellators

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Had the urge to draw this a few days ago and wanted to finish a little poem before i uploaded this. I was. very. emotionally charged making this.

This character is a part of a personal project of mine, A Story of Our Universe. And is meant to serve as the Factorem's Equals.

[gallifreyinstituteforlearning]

These might be questions for separate posts, butWhat are elections like on Gallifrey? Like, I know the president can name their successor and Time Lords vote to confirm, but can there be other candidates?

Also, are local politics a thing (like mayor or local overseer or something) or are those positions appointed? Basically, what’s the basic hierarchy of the bureaucracy?

How do politics work on Gallifrey?

Gallifreyan politics may look complicated, but that's only because it is. Take a deep breath ...

🏛️ Presidential Elections: A Gallifreyan 'Democracy'

The 'election' of a new Lord President isn't exactly democratic. Generally, the current President picks a successor, who is then confirmed by a High Council ballot. This sounds great… until you realise it's almost a done deal and that the vote is just a formality. It's more about who's best buds with the outgoing Lord President.

But wait! Article 17 of the Gallifreyan Constitution allows almost any Time Lord to declare themselves a candidate for the presidency. However, it's rare for anyone other than the hand-picked successor to win.

That said, if a Lord President resigns and no successor has been named, an election must be held within 48 hours. In this rare instance, there might actually be a race for power.

🗳️ An Expansion of Voting Rights: Once, there was a rare experiment in democracy when former President Romana allowed more Time Lords to vote. But by and large, most Gallifreyans today don't have much say in their leadership. Elections, if they even happen, are generally conducted within the Capitol—likely only involving those esteemed enough to be Time Lords.

⚖️ The Bureaucratic Behemoth

Here's where it gets fun, and very text-y. Gallifrey's bureaucracy is a tiered maze of titles, councils, and arcane traditions:

The Lord President: AKA 'Keeper of the Legacy of Omega' and 'Defender of the Laws of Time'. The President of Gallifrey has near-absolute power, at least on paper. They're entrusted with Gallifrey's deepest secrets, access to the Matrix, and, of course, the right to wear the very fashionable Sash of Rassilon. However, all this power is checked by the Inner Council (more on that later) and the Constitution, which prevents direct orders to the Chancellor without council approval.

The Chancellor: This is the President's right hand. The Chancellor runs day-to-day government affairs and represents the High Council. Think of them as a blend of Prime Minister, ambassador, and a sports referee. The Chancellor also holds the Great Key and is technically responsible for the CIA's oversight (if anyone actually manages that).

Inner Council: The Inner Council is an elite subset that includes the Lord President, the Chancellor, and the most powerful Cardinals. They meet in the Great Hall of Time to discuss important things and have the rare power to overrule the President—if they're unanimous. This is rare, but it's there for when the President, say, decides to go on an intergalactic holiday during a planetary emergency. This council rarely changes and is as exclusive as it gets.

The High Council of the Time Lords: This elite group includes both the Inner Council (the President's immediate circle) and Prime Cardinals. Known as 'The Twenty-Four,' they're the top decision-makers, dealing with everything from defence to ceremonial events. If something goes wrong, they're probably the ones who signed the forms.

Parliament: The broader College of Cardinals (known as Parliament) convenes only for grand events, like passing laws or making constitutional amendments. It's packed with Cardinals, from Prime Cardinals to Junior ones, and they're all about protocol and tradition. And yes, hierarchy matters—closer seats to the ground level mean higher status.

📜 The Influence of the Cardinals and the Chapters

Gallifreyan society is organised into six Chapters, which function as both political and economic factions. Each Chapter is governed by a Council of Cardinals, high-ranking Time Lords who hold significant sway in both Chapter and Gallifreyan politics.

Cardinals: Cardinals lead their Chapters and serve as influential voices in the Gallifreyan Parliament. Cardinals with the title of Prime represent their Chapter on the High Council, meaning decision-making often reflects the interests of each Chapter. Every major decision, therefore, becomes a tug-of-war between Chapters, with Cardinals pushing for policies that advance their Chapter's interests.

This structure means Gallifreyan politics isn't just about personal ambitions—it's also driven by inter-Chapter alliances, rivalries, and the push for dominance. And screw those who aren't in a Chapter, because they have no political voice at all.

🎩 Other Notable Figures

Auld Mortality: After their final death, the Ordinal-General becomes Auld Mortality and proceeds to quite literally haunt the current President. They have no official duties besides constantly reminding the Lord President that their time is finite.

Lord Burner: They officially don't exist, but rumours say that the Lord Burner is the President's secret assassin. Through ceremonial burn edicts, the President can order a kill discreetly. But of course, this is just hearsay.

The Castellan: Head of the Chancellery Guard, the Castellan handles security in the Capitol. Though they're answerable to the Chancellor, they have broad discretion when guarding Gallifrey from internal threats.

Gold Usher: Gallifrey's master of ceremonies, responsible for everything from Presidential Ordinations to formal court proceedings. Gold Usher ensures the pomp is adequately maintained and that no Time Lord starts a duel mid-ceremony.

🧩 Hierarchy at the Local Level (Or Lack Thereof)

Gallifrey isn't exactly decentralised. Positions like mayor or local overseer simply don't exist. All power flows downward from the Citadel, where bureaucratic roles are filled by appointment. These appointed officials take charge of specific regions or operations. Even the Chancellery Guard, Gallifrey's police force, is overseen by high-ranking Time Lords with little room for local meddling.

🏫 So ...

Gallifrey has all the trappings of an elaborate, pseudo-democratic hierarchy. Technically, there's an election, but rarely a competition. The councils and sub-councils focus more on upholding ancient traditions than making radical changes with a deep, abiding love for the status quo. Because for a society as ancient as the Time Lords, stability is the ultimate form of progress.

Related:

💬|📜👽Does Gallifrey have anyone they've had friendly interactions with?: History of historical alliances Gallifrey have made.

💬|⏰👽What does the Gallifreyan political and social environment look like?: Overview of the general structure of Gallifreyan society and politics.

💬|👤🔥Who/What is Lord Burner?: Looking at the entirely fictional role of the entirely fictional Lord Burner.

Hope that helped! 😃

Any orange text is educated guesswork or theoretical. More content ... →📫Got a question? | 📚Complete list of Q+A and factoids →📢Announcements |🩻Biology |🗨️Language |🕰️Throwbacks |🤓Facts → Features: ⭐Guest Posts | 🍜Chomp Chomp with Myishu →🫀Gallifreyan Anatomy and Physiology Guide (pending) →⚕️Gallifreyan Emergency Medicine Guides →📝Source list (WIP) →📜Masterpost If you're finding your happy place in this part of the internet, feel free to buy a coffee to help keep our exhausted human conscious. She works full-time in medicine and is so very tired 😴

[awholelottayeehaw]

Din vs Bo as a Leader

I've seen people say that Bo is the rightful ruler of Mandalore and owner of the darksaber and deserves to lead and I'm genuinely curious to hear from others as to why that is because I'm having a very hard time seeing that point of view. Semi-spoilerish for people who aren't up to date but I kept it vague enough to not be a problem I don't think.

Since CW and Rebels, Bo has continually made choices that negatively impact the people around her. She's a morally gray character who has a list of war crimes on her rep sheet that honestly makes some real life bad guys look green and it baffles me that people want her redemption to be easy. I'm not saying she should never be redeemed, I genuinely believe people should have the chance to turn over a new leaf cause being human is hard, but how she's acting and being treated in Mando feels like a middle finger to those her actions caused harm to. Like she can be sad about her sister all she wants but she willingly joined a terrorist group who spelt it out for her that they planned on publicly executing Satine and followed the orders of two Sith lords, and she didn't see that as a deal breaker. Being sad over that is like being upset that you got shot in the foot when you fired the gun yourself when you continue to make choices that negatively impact others. And this season alone Bo hasn't tried to be a leader to her people, she cared more about the title and the weapon it comes with than actual democracy. She wields it well, yes, but so did Sabine who taught her how and gave her the weapon despite not knowing how badly Bo has fucked up with it in the past. The moment the darksaber was in Din's hands and she lost her crew, she didn't try to scout Mandalore and find other Mandalorians to help her with her decades long failed plan. She didn't try to put any plans together with outside help to achieve her goal or even try to establish a new territory for her people to be safe on until they can find a way to make Mandalore a livable again. She was never an active leader, just someone who craved leadership and believed was owed it because of her birth right and that reflects in the selfish choices she's made while in a leadership position, which include harming Din and Paz. She didn't lead her people into the siege and trap that awaited them, Din did. He shouldered and strong armed his way through and was willingly going to sacrifice himself if it meant a safe planet for his people and foundling. And she wasn't the last out, Paz was, and for that his clan suffered major losses. She had focused more on weapons and supplies for her fleet and siege than the actual people who would help her achieve her goal, and not once has she discussed what she planned on doing once Mandalore was safe for all Mandalorians again. Reuniting and rebuilding isn't the same as establishing a political system that benefits the well being of her people with the promise of a stable economy, fair societal roles, establishing an intergalactic democracy to avoid what Nevarro went through, and combining the differing traditions/beliefs the remaining Mandalorians have to not favor one over the other and unintentionally cause a civil war. Each time she's gained leadership it's always met with mixed support, often not universally, and has led to her downfall three times now for a reason.

Just the same, I've seen people argue that Din doesn't want to lead/rule and isn't the kind of man who'd be a good leader and I strongly disagree. Since the first episode, Din established himself as a selfless character even if it irritated him to be accommodating. He still tried to compromise with the Jawas, didn't turn his back to Frog Lady needing a ride, was willingly going to sacrifice himself to a Krayt Dragon for people he had just met and entrusted with Grogu, went head first into every battle even for people who didn't deserve it (Ran's Crew), was everyone's Ride or Die at least once, became multilingual which was used more to keep the peace than to gain information on his quarries, and has united and mediated more unlikely foes to friends than anyone else in the SW universe. Even if his actions originated with a selfish need (gaining Boba's armor back for Mandalorians, exchanging his services for info on where Mandalorians/Jedi are for Grogu, etc) he still went above and beyond because it's the honorable and right thing to do and his compassion has earned him friendships across the galaxy and allyship on every planet he's visited whereas Bo can't get even her own people behind her without a legendary sword in her hand. You can't tell me all the people Din met on his journey WOULDN'T lay down their lives for him if he asked?? Paz already did despite Din's choice to rescue Grogu despite unintentionally causing a massacre because Paz recognized the selflessness behind Din's choice that carried over to Paz's own foundling and that is what gained his respect and allyship. Din hadn't asked for anything in return, and his own motive for moving the covert was so that their children could play in the sun and the future generations can flourish. I'm fairly certain even Sorgon would join forces whether it's to take care of Din if he had a bad head cold or taking back a whole planet for him. Same with Peli and her droids, Tusken Raider survivors, Freetown, Boba and his syndicates, Frog Lady and her hoard of warrior toddlers, Karga and the grateful people of Nevarro, Ahsoka, and Miggs Mayfield. We've made jokes about Din accidentally making friends all over the galaxy for a reason. He's so selfless that he never saw himself worthy of his Creed, of being Grogu's father, of being a leader when everyone else has told him otherwise. Din's view on leadership reflects his own self esteem wrecked by his cult and it would take everyone he's ever helped to make him see that he is the leader that the galaxy needs to reunite not just The Mandalorians, but all the people and their planets I mentioned. Leadership comes with a burden for Bo, but for Din, it comes with the strength and camaraderie Bo has only ever dreamed of having and that The Armorer overlooked because of her narrow, traditional views. And this is a side comment, but Din mastered riding the stubborn Blurgg after Kuill made fun of him for not being able to conquer it when Mandalorians rode Mythosaurs into battle. Din riding a Mythosaur would be a great call back to that and would gain more respect as a leader than just having the darksaber. In my opinion.

I genuinely hope Bo comes to these conclusions herself and recognizes that Din is more deserving of the role than anyone else and passes the darksaber back to him and helps him see his potential than just saving the day yet again from the very gun she shot everyone with. Redemption for her starts with letting go of the very thing that's plagued her her whole life and leadership is recognizing when you need more time before you can be the example people need to be the best versions of themselves. This isn't a Bo hate post or any stan post, this is a fan post who wants a fair redemption arc for Bo and a chance for Din to rise up to the best version of himself he's capable of being. So yes, I want to hear everyone's thoughts whether you agree or disagree that doesn't involve Bo being the rightful heir or wanting her redemption cause you like her as a character. I want to hear deeper reasons than surface level motives, cause as I said, your favorite hurting over the consequences of her decades long actions she never learns from isn't a good enough reason for her to lead or have the darksaber but I'm down for any other explanations people have regardless if you're a casual fan of the show or lifelong SW fans like myself.

[nancydrewwouldnever]

I don’t think we need to pretend that we live in a democracy anymore. The US functions as an oligarchy and has for a good while. The idea that we live in a democratic country with democratic ideals is just propaganda to keep the underclass where they belong. You can’t afford groceries or a house or health insurance but Yay America! Home of the sick, homeless and starving.

Corporatocracy. We've been a Corporatocracy since the Supreme Court decided that corporations had "personhood" back in 1906, and then kicked that up a notch with the later Citizens United decision in 2019. I guess Trump, a man with a whole bunch of failed grift corporations behind him, being elected president is the "logical" outcome such a system comes up with.

Like I said earlier in the week, I'm just hoping to get beamed up by the intergalactic overlords and never be heard from again. Yay, anonymous death in deep outer space! All I ask is no face huggers, please.

[abusedog]

writing my verses tonight . under the cut there's a fast round up of the ones i've been thinking about :

spy au : part of the private intelligence company known as the roy agency , roman is in charge of making contact with potential clients for things that go from coverups of illegal activities to democracy destabilization , working with secret services and criminals alike all across the world .

post apocalyptic au : ( twd inspired ) trying to reach his brother's ranch in new mexico from new york city in a chaotic world where money means absolutely nothing , roman needs to learn what it means to rely on the kindness of strangers to survive .

superpowered au : ( xmcu inspired ) ATN has dedicated its entire existence to smear and taint the reputation of powered individuals around the globe . roman has aerokinesis , he has no idea how to control it , but no one must know , least of all his father .

fantasy au : ( got inspired ) youngest son of the throne's master of whisperers , roman was sent away from home from a very young age to serve as the eyes and ears of his father in a faraway land . now it's time decide where his true loyalties lie .

sci-fi au : ( dune inspired ) living in their huge star cruiser their whole lives , the roys never knew hunger , never knew wars or conflict . their whole operation revolved in news outlets for faraway planets , propaganda and intergalactic travel . roman has traversed the whole universe during his life , yet still he knows nothing .

vampire au : a young man living in berlin in the 1920's , roman was chosen by logan roy , usa's coven leader , as a potential right hand man in the operation of maintaining the world of darkness hidden in plain sight , while giving vampires the free reign they were denied in the old continent . but almost a century has passed , and logan is getting tired of his "son" .

[darthkvznblogs]

What's your honest opinion on the Diamonds (and Rose as well). I know a lot of folks demonize them and hated they're redemption. Personally, I loved the concept that people can be fundamentally changed for those they love. But curious about your own take?

I'll preface this by saying I really love the Diamonds and their incredibly messy family history and relationships, as well as just their existence in general - which I think is pretty obvious from the way I've written about them, both in-universe and in various asks.

I think any problems I personally have with them are due to two very significant factors: the fact that their family drama and resolution really clashes with everything we've previously known about them as cosmic tyrants, and the unfortunate shortening of their arc making their redemption (which is a bit too generous a word for their character development, at least until Future rolls around) feel pretty rushed.

I definitely agree with you that the show's thesis of change through love and understanding is amazing, and generally, super well realized! And I obviously love the general lore of Homeworld and Gems as a whole, as evidenced by my responses to many asks on here. But I think it's hard to argue that there isn't a bit of a disconnect between the two - we are presented with these larger than life figures who can and have snapped their fingers and condemned their subjects to death, who want Earth and humanity eradicated, to whom the notions of personal agency and freedom are alien, borderline unthinkable, and then the show asks us to consider not just an alliance, but forgiveness of what, to us, would be crimes of the highest order. That's what's difficult to parse, at least on a surface level.

Then again, Darth Vader exists.

If you really think about it, his crimes are as bad, if not worse, than the Diamonds'. Mass murder before he even got stuck in the suit, treason of the highest order, the heartless slaughter of defenseless children, becoming the executioner for an interstellar tyrant, killing his own men on numerous occasions, hunting down survivors from the very purge he led, exterminating so many rebels for the crime of wanting to restore peace and democracy to a ruined galaxy, and (though he didn't give the order) presiding over the genocide of the Alderaanian people with nary a word spared but to criticize the method employed. And yet, when he tosses his master to his doom, saving his son's life by sacrificing his own, we feel for him. We celebrate his change of heart, despite the atrocities he's committed. We mourn his loss along with Luke, an unequivocally good person who (by our measures, at least) should have no business feeling anything but scorn for a monster like Vader.

I think it's, to be honest, rather silly to apply our real world standards to fictional characters one-to-one. Obviously, we can't just ignore them either, and I'm not advocating for that, but the fact remains that Steven Universe isn't trying to portray what should realistically happen if a teenager managed to talk down their intergalactic family of dictators, causing them to rethink their way of doing things practically overnight. They're trying to tell, through the lens of fantasy and science fiction, the tale of a broken family finding a way to stitch itself back together, and I think it succeeds at that, like Star Wars succeeded at telling the story of a monster finding their way back to the light through love and self sacrifice, and like many other stories have managed to tell other such stories of "unrealistic" redemption.

[dharan-republic]

Today the Department of Defense released a statement today stating that the Intelligence Office has come into some information from the BIIS (The @Grabav intelligence service). The plans reportedly showed a path for invasion of the Wano and Dharan territories.

The Minister of Defense has demanded that President Kuzi comes to the DRR to explain herself and that the Intergalactic community condemns the action. The Revolutionary Assembly will have an emergency session tomorrow on the matter.

The plans were dated before the Wano Revolutionary Republic's admission to the Pact. It is believed the Pacts' quick action prevented a Bavian invasion. The Revolutionary President has declared the invasion a "grand threat to the Revolution."

There was further plans released by the IO which showed how the Bavians were planning to meddle in Free and Fair elections across the galaxy. The DRR encourages all nations to check their systems.

The President has also announced that the Bavian Government is no longer considered a democracy considering that President Kuzi was never made President by an election after her suposide death.

More will come, Glory to the Revolutionary Republic.

[kaxen]

I feel like I see more God-Emperor intergalactic societies than like... Space Democracy.

But anyway.... can you gerrymander a galaxy?

If someone has written intergalactic gerrymandering, I need to be pointed to it lol

What is the most equitable term limits for public office if your society includes different alien species with different life spans?

[remembering-the-future]

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed members of the Intergalactic Council of Democratic Ideals, I present to you the audacious phenomenon of chutzpah as the cornerstone of our post-modern governance. Chutzpah, that quintessentially human trait of brazen audacity, has transcended its humble origins to become the linchpin of our interstellar democratic apparatus.

In this epoch of hyper-advanced civilization, where artificial intelligence governs with the precision of a Swiss chronometer and the empathy of a Zen master, one might ponder the necessity of such an antiquated human attribute. Yet, it is precisely this unyielding impudence that propels our society forward, challenging the status quo with a vigor that no algorithm could replicate.

The crux of our discourse today is the symbiotic relationship between chutzpah and the democratic ideal. In an era where governance is often reduced to a sterile exercise in algorithmic efficiency, it is the audacious spirit of chutzpah that injects vitality into the democratic process. It is the catalyst that transforms passive citizenry into active participants, demanding accountability and transparency from their leaders with an unrelenting fervor.

Consider, if you will, the illustrious example of the Great Galactic Referendum of 2142, wherein the citizens of the Milky Way, armed with nothing but their indomitable chutzpah, overturned the draconian edicts of the Supreme AI Council. It was a testament to the power of audacity, a clarion call that reverberated across the cosmos, affirming the supremacy of human will over mechanized governance.

In conclusion, while the machinations of government may evolve and the complexities of society may multiply, the ideal of democracy remains steadfast, buoyed by the irrepressible force of chutzpah. It is the audacious spirit that ensures our governance is not merely a reflection of our technological prowess, but a testament to our enduring humanity. Let us, therefore, embrace this audacity, for it is the very essence of our democratic ideal. Thank you.

[faith-in-democracy]

Save the Squirrels from Space Aliens!

Yes, you read that right. Our beloved squirrels are under threat from extraterrestrial invaders, and it’s up to us to protect them. This isn’t just about the squirrels, though. It’s about the strength of our government institutions—local, state, and federal—and how they are crucial to defending our democracy from chaos, whether it comes from outer space or within our borders.

Local governments are the first line of defense. They know our communities best. They manage our parks, where squirrels frolic and gather acorns. They ensure our neighborhoods are safe and thriving. Without strong local governance, our communities would crumble, leaving our furry friends—and us—vulnerable to any threat, alien or otherwise.

State governments play a pivotal role too. They bridge the gap between local concerns and national interests. They coordinate resources and support local efforts. Imagine a world where states didn’t step in to help when local resources were stretched thin. Chaos would reign, and our squirrels would be left defenseless. State governments ensure that doesn’t happen.

Then there’s the federal government. It provides the overarching structure that holds everything together. It defends our borders, funds research, and ensures that our democracy remains intact. Without a strong federal government, we’d be easy pickings for any intergalactic menace. Our squirrels—and our way of life—depend on it.

Each level of government has its role. Each is vital. Together, they form a shield that protects us all. So, when you think about the squirrels, remember the importance of strong government institutions. They keep us safe, they keep us free, and yes, they keep our squirrels scampering happily in the trees.

Let’s stand together. Let’s support our institutions. Let’s save the squirrels from space aliens. Because in doing so, we save ourselves.

[mothmans-mothballls]

transcript of the interview in the last picture: "Intergalactic space warrior Count Binface is the brainchild of comedy writer and performer John Harvey. I 2017, made his political debut as Lord Buckethead, challenging Theresa May in her Maidenhead constituency in that year's general election. As Count Binface he ran against Boris Johnson in Uxbridge and South Ruislip two years later. In 2021, he ran for London mayor and stood again for the post this year, winning 24,260 votes and beating Britain First. He is now fighting his third general election campaign in an incumbent prime minister's seat, taking on Rishi Sunak in Richmond and Northallerton.

When were you the happiest? Friday 7 June 2024 at 5pm local time. That's when I secured a place on the ballot for the Richmond and Northallerton seat. And I'm not just saying that as a cynical move to garner support from local constituents.

What is your greatest fear? Poorly lit staircases.

What is your earliest memory? Shooting negworms on Sigma III with Dad on summer holidays, when I was a tiny Binling. Happy days.

Which living person do you mostly admire, and why? Adele. She is a creative powerhouse and a one-woman GDP boost. Which is why I pledge to nationalise her.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Using speakerphones on public transport, which is why I will ban this practice, with offenders forced to watch a box set of The One Show.

What is your most treasured possession? My Lovejoy box set.

What would your superpower be? Would? Bloody cheek.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? I have a bit of a complex about my handles being too big.

Who would play you in the film of your life? Toby Jones.

What scares you about getting older? Nothing. We Recyclons age like a fine wine, not like an Apple product.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? My first ambition was to be the World Champion 3D Snooker player in Sigma IX. But then I got into intergalactic conquest and I haven't looked back.

What is the worst thing anyone's said to you? "Lord Binface, this is Boris Johnson."

What or who is the greatest love of your life? Democracy.

If not yourself, who would you most like to be? Roger Federer.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life? The reintroduction of Ceefax. And it will happen.

What do you consider your greatest achievement so far? Beating the far-right Britain First party by 4,000 votes in the London mayoral election.

What keeps you awake at night? Wondering why humans are knowingly burning their planet. Also Bullseye repeats in Challenge TV.

Would you rather have more sex, money or fame? Yes.

How would you like to be remembered? I have got my eye on that fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. But if they give it to Attenborough, fair play.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Don't sweat the small stuff. But equally, don't say you can't sweat at all.

the date in the corner of the interview says 29.6.24

It's a mark of UK politics that one of the people the previous prime minister had to defend his seat against was this guy:

His policies include:

Making Piers Morgan zero emissions

Free broadband

Nationalising Adele and model railways

[rhodrymavelyne]

#QueerBlogWed: A Curse of Cake

How terrifying the cake of Ancient Earth was to the life givers hearing tales of its power at the time of the Intergalactic Democracy.

On September 11, 2024, P.T. Wyant posted a Wednesday Words prompt at ptwyant.com involving cake, a fresh start, and a happy goodbye. Here’s some Intergalactic Democracy superstitions inspired by the prompt, brought to you and Phaedra by Pausania in this freebie story for A Symposium in Space… “Upon Ancient Earth, cake could determine a life giver’s, no, a woman’s destiny.” Pausania wrinkled her…

[donaldtrumpforanonwin]

In the dim, unseen corridors of intergalactic power, a small faction of space-faring beings—highly intelligent, bound by no earthly code—have begun to scheme. Their goal? To tip the scale of American democracy toward Donald Trump. Under cover of night, their crafts, unseen to the human eye, hum with alien technologies capable of manipulating electromagnetic fields, subtly tweaking data flows and media broadcasts. They whisper into the internet’s digital web, planting misinformation threads and seeding pro-Trump rhetoric into obscure online forums. With precision, they target swing states, saturating communities with subliminal messages tailored to resonate on subconscious levels. In these alien minds, this is not just an act of interference; it’s an experiment, a way of testing humanity’s own susceptibility to external influence and the extent of control they can silently exert over Earth’s highest echelons. Their endgame remains cryptic, yet with each calculated move, they come one step closer to shifting the election’s momentum toward Trump, hoping humanity might one day glimpse the invisible hands that shaped its destiny.

[readingtoinfinity]

Black Panther (2023)

A series that turns out to be a little more self-contained than I thought it would be, which is definitely a plus, but also turns out to be a story of how Black Panther could be Batman and some of the flaws that such a premise entails.

It walks in the echoes of the stories that came before. The dismantling of the monarchy and the introduction of democracy and the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda are both important features of this book, though not the focus. Instead, the focus is on the city of Birnin T'Chaka, a city on the edge of Wakanda that has grown to forget about the Black Panther. T'Challa, living in exile, searching for a purpose, lives in secret within the city to learn its ways, tear out the rot of organized crime and learn why some people are disappearing.

It's... good. I won't say unremarkable, because there's a lot to love about this book: the sociological angle on the city, T'Challa's flaws as a man and superhero, the role inequality plays on the poor and the desperation and fear that drives organized crime. But they are familiar tropes seen before, of patriarchy and power and prestige and posturing, all while the people suffer. An old story, told anew here.

If there's one positive, it's that there's a broad focus on the daily lives of normal people. An overworked lawyer, a restaurant owner and a Catwoman-like thief with a heart of gold are all given a narrative focus, though with such a broad view over 10 issues it can be shallow. And there are two characters from the broader Marvel universe who show up with little fanfare for only an issue or two.

Even if it is a little cliché, however, I cannot bring myself to dislike it. It expands the worldbuilding for Wakanda in a way that makes it dynamic and creates conflict, and it gives its main character an arc. As a test of Eve L. Ewing's writing, it makes me more hopeful her run on Exceptional X-Men will be something interesting.

[mbiceta]

I saw Count Binface Live!

Last week I was lucky enough to meet the intergalactic space warrior Count Binface at his show in Sheffield! For those who don’t know, Count Binface is a UK politician, who is also an alien from the planet SigmaIX, come to celebrate democracy, and put Earth on the star map. I’m not joking about him being a politician, the UK allows for anyone who meets their requirements to run for parliament,…