#like we stay civil but at what cost (my mental state and/or will to live)

[threnodians]

this family christmas hasn’t been too bad except apparently my sister invited her super conservative asshole of a coworker for some reason??? or very possibly he just. showed up. so now i would simply just like to leave 🫠

[silhouetteonpaper]

Isolated

Summary: You’ve been hiding from your past mistakes for two years now. So what happens when the person who blamed you in the first place knocks on your door? Yelena Belova x Reader One Shot WC: 1,378

ISOLATED

“I thought I’d lost you forever.” The blonde spoke, her silhouette a mere shadow in the doorway.

“Close the door, you’re letting the cold air in.” You respond with an uninterested tone, the distance between you physically and mentally causing a rift in your ability to care. After all, there was a reason you came here to be alone all that time ago.

Yelena stepped inside and shut the creaky door, blocking out the loud patter of rain that drenched the porch. Inside your hideaway, it was cozy. A small farmhouse that sat far from civilization, just how you liked it. You begin to stoke the fire, letting the warmth heat the two of you on this stormy day. The girl you used to know well walks to the couch, sinking into it with relief as you finish moving logs in the fire pit.

“How’d you find me?” You state more than ask, sitting diagonal from her in an armchair. You meet her eyes, but she only gazes at the fireplace, seeming to collect her swirling thoughts.

“Months of searching. A tip from some of the people in the nearby town who recognized you.” She pauses, finally moving her eyes to you. The green in them is just as you remembered. “You’ve grown up.” Yelena says with a sense of tenderness. You know her love for you is still strong, that you’ll always be like a little sister to her. But it’s hard to deny that everything connecting you two changed all those months ago.

“That tends to happen when time passes.” You state bluntly, now looking at the fire to distract your own growing nerves. It wasn’t that Yelena was making you nervous by being here, it was that you were once again reminded of the chaos you left behind.

When your powers left everything in worse shape, often times hurting more than helping, you couldn’t stay any longer. Everyone blamed you, and you blamed yourself too. What they didn’t expect, though, was that you’d just up and leave without a word, without a trace. Back then, you thought that’s what they wanted, it was best for everyone. You didn’t know they were searching for you, you didn’t know they still cared.

“You don’t have to live off the grid forever.” Yelena says, bringing you back to the present. Her eyes dart from your face to your hands, and you can sense her caution in approaching the subject. You sigh, looking back over to her.

“It’s the safest option. I can’t risk anything.” You voice plainly. What you don’t tell her is how you still feel like dangerous. Like you’re nothing more than a monster, a terrible person that deserves nothing but isolation. You haven’t used your powers since, and you don’t intend needing to as long as you stay here.

“That’s not true. You know we can continue to train, work on your control, and we won’t push you until you feel ready.” She consoles you, trying to offer the same things as the last time you were nervous. When you were first starting out training at the compound, they told you those same things. But you was pushed too far and sent out on the field before you felt ready. As anyone could imagine, it ended badly.

“And what about last time?” You ask with raised eyebrows.

She hesitates, drawing a sharp breath inwards. “Everyone makes mistakes. A few innocent lives were taken, a few buildings were destroyed. I understand it’s hard, but-“ Her words fill you with anger, throwing out the causalities like they mean nothing anymore. You interrupt her the second you realize she doesn’t understand.

“No, Yelena. Last time, you said the same thing. That we could train and work on my control. I told you I couldn’t go out on real missions yet, but no one listened. No one would hear the fact that I wasn’t ready. And it cost an entire city’s destruction.” You scold, standing up and walking away after spitting out the words that forced their way up. Your heart was racing now, the anger returning in full force like it used to.

You couldn’t face her if she’d talk to you that way. Like it was your fault all along. As much as it was your fault physically, the entire team didn’t consider your capability mentally. So, you had no choice but to follow through with their orders if you didn’t want to be attacked, or even exiled. And it led to the extinction of an entire innocent city.

You don’t hear footsteps following you as you slam the bedroom door shut. You pray that the blonde just leaves, copying your same actions out of revenge, but you doubt someone that protective would. Two years have passed since you left the compound with no trace, and you bet money they wouldn’t ever let it happen again. You tell yourself it’s not because they care about you, but because they worry what your powers could do in the wrong hands. In your hands, without guidance.

Right now, you don’t care what they want. You don’t care what plan they have for bringing you back to the compound. You only want them to forget you exist. After an hour passes, you know that plan is simply a fantasy as you hear a soft knock on the door. You don’t respond, laying on the bed as you watch the rain fall outside your window. Still, with no response, the blonde enters anyway.

“Can I sit?” Yelena questions softly, standing in the doorway. You nod, knowing there’s no way to get rid of her now. She sits on the edge of the bed, joining you in looking out the window at the gloomy scenery. “I’m sorry. For all of it.” She starts, leaving you to take a deep breath.

“I didn’t realize you weren’t ready for the tasks we gave you. And I’ll never forgive myself for that. I was so caught up in my pride for you that I didn’t take a second to think that maybe you weren’t as confident as I was.” Yelena expresses. You give a quick chuckle at her sentiment, the words slightly backhanded.

“Wow, thanks.” You say sarcastically. Yelena shook her head slightly.

“You know what I mean. I was so proud of the young girl who overcame everything to get where she was, I knew that if you could do all that, there was a good chance you could execute the mission. Even if I was over-confident in your ability, I’ll always care about you, because I want you to be safe, I want you to feel loved.” She finished, silence filling the room for a moment as you thought to yourself.

You sat up slightly, leaning against the headboard behind you. You pull your eyes from the window to meet Yelena’s once more. “You’ll always care about me?” You ask quietly, still refusing to knock down the wall you built, just incase her statement was false. But something inside you shifts, like the blonde is slowly finding her place back beside you.

“Always. Everyone on the team loves you, including me. I love you the most, but don’t tell anyone or they’ll argue for that spot.” Yelena laughs, putting a hand on your arm. You nearly flinch at her touch, but find yourself softening into it. You can tell that you missed her, and she can too. You smile slightly, her sentiment breaking you down slowly.

“I know that saying sorry only means so much. Words mean nothing if the same process is repeated over and over. So, do you think you could give us all another chance to change, give training one more shot?” Yelena asks, her hopeful green eyes finding yours.

You finally hug her, the urge overtaking you after it began when she first walked in the front door. Yelena doesn't hesitate in holding you close, even tighter than any hug she’d given before, almost a sense of relief washing over her. “I can do that.” You answer over her shoulder. In this moment, you know you’re a part of the team again. And it’s clear that in her eyes, you’ve been a part of the team this entire time.

[averagewriter-inthedark]

Deadly Duo | Wanda Maximoff Headcanon (DSMOM)

Contains major spoilers for Doctor Strange Multiverse of Madness

Marvel Masterlist

Being in a relationship with Wanda & becoming influenced by the Darkhold would involve:

Following the events of Westview and taking refuge in a cabin miles away from civilization, the relationship between you and Wanda took a turn. You were a former sorcerer/sorceress having trained in Kamar-Taj long before Strange and met Wanda shortly after the events of Sokovia. From there you two started as friends, but eventually a romance sparked and you two stuck by each other during the years on the run and helped defeated Thanos with the Avengers.

When Westview happened, you both were each other’s rock after losing Billy & Tommy. The devastation took a toll and Wanda found herself unsure of how to manage the newfound power she unleashed during the fight with Agatha. Then came along the Darkhold.

“Where did you find that? I-I thought Agatha—.” “I took it from her. Thought, maybe we would need it at some point.” “That’s the book of the damned, Wanda.” “Do you trust me?”

As a sorcerer from Kamar-Taj, you knew all about the Darkhold and what it involved. The Ancient One warned you of the cost it’s reader would endure which made you want to stay far away from it. Not to mention, it’s counter the Book of Vashanti was a rumor amongst the Cosmos.

You’re unsure when your mind became fully corrupt by the darkness within the book. All you remember was deciding to read it with Wanda after she brought it up because you were wary of her opening it’s contents on her own. Before you knew it, there was a shift around you—mentally and physically.

Your eyes lost their color, becoming pitch black—there was a sheen on your skin and of course, black covered your fingertips. The way you thought changed, almost like there was a little voice constantly whispering in your ear. It felt like you were being lured by a Siren’s song.

Wanda had the most drastic change. Her whole demeanor oozed power, which you could not help but admire. Had you been in the right state of mind, you probably would of opposed the idea she composed of traveling across the multiverse to a reality where your children were.

“You’re saying they exist? In the Multiverse?” “Almost every reality has them, my dear. All except this one. We can be a family again.”

For weeks you two studied all there was in the Darkhold and navigating through the multiverse. When it’s discovered a girl named America Chavez has the power to travel between universes, Wanda makes it her mission to track her down and absorb the power.

Each night you two dream of your the happy life you envision with your sons. It only makes you crave it more when you realize the dreams you’ve been having are actually your other selves living the very life you want.

You hold Wanda each morning when you wake up. It usually involves both of you crying—heartbroken by the reality that you two have to live on without Billy and Tommy while they are out there in another universe. It fuels the two of you more and more to get America Chavez so you can accomplish your goal.

“How much longer, my love?” “Soon, darling. I have sent reinforcements to capture her and she’ll be at our doorstep anyway.” “Have I ever told you how hot you are when you cast spells?”

You two may be breaking the rules of the multiverse and reality as the cosmos know it, but with the Darkhold in your grasps and the power of desire, the two of you make quite the deadly duo.

[cafeleningrad]

This Russian anon wants to die. They cannot cope with the war any longer, even though they are not the victims. They feel pathetic, bathetic even.

Hi Anon, it's been a while still I'm glad to hear that you are still here.

It took a while considering what kind of answer could be given to you since such feelings caused by undeniably massive outside forces can not be easily brushed over with "it will pass and everything gets better". That would be insincere for anyone directly or indirectly involved. Even if one isn't directly affected conflict, matter of fact is, that the effects of this geopolitical caesura does cause a lot of socio-political effects that are deeply worrisome. Like people turning towards the right because of economical anxiety, anti-US-mentality being uncritically translated towards sympathy of Kreml post-Tsarian aspirations, fear of military action expanding towards other areas... there're a lot of things that reasonably make many, many people feel anxious, if not deeply pessimistic about the future outlook. What would personal betterment do in front of a war with the aggressor continuing to amp up measures of war effort and aggressive, hostile public opinion. It would be too simple-minded to separate the Kreml's action from the large population, even pre-2022 acquaintances held beliefs like a Ukranian minority was oppressing a Russian majority... Or having been told on this hellsite the Solzhenitsyn deserved to be thrown i the Gulag for criticizing Stalin, and in the next post claiming gulags were Western propaganda. Not all Russians, that's for very sure, my point is, I was confronted by such talking points even in mundane exchanges with people whom I considered well-educated but very much believing in state propaganda already However, that doesn't mean that the state, no matter what beliefs are popular within the large population, has a right to start a war to dissuade the criticism of Corona politics, draft in politically oppressed groups as expandable means in war first to fulfill any great empire fantasies. And for that sake then repress the chance of criticism by censorship and political persecution of journalists. And then push a force-draft people who didn't sign up for military service to fight in a cause which wasn't going on so gloriously as expected. All to say, the population gets more and more instrumentalized as political asset of an authoritarian leader. Believing in state propaganda or not, what happens to the Russian population through state decreed is still cruel and diminishing their civil rights. Frankly, your terrible feelings are very much understandable because what's politically happening around you is horrible. Even more so, because you very much didn't want a war to happen in the first place but still have to bear cost of it. If you're feeling bathetic, that's kinda the point, isn't it? Making individual feel too small to not react towards oppressive action. Given how brutal counteraction is repressed in Russia currently, the feeling of helplessness are even increased. Dear Anon, still I think that you aren't bathetic. In the large context a lot of things seem very bleak but I think giving in is a small win adding up for the Kreml politic. It would be too comfortable being neither Ukranian not living in Russia to tell you what great thing you've to do for a stand, certainly at the high costs you'd have to pay. Instead I think rebelling against the attempt to reduce you, making you feel small is already a very strong action. History is full of people who carried on anyway, who continued living through, and giving a little help. You already saved shelter animals - a very kind action which might not seem big but is significant for those who you helped.

For those, you certainly weren't bathetic.

Who knows what comes next, we can only hold out at, and do as much good as we're capable of at the moment. Please stay safe!

[raleighliving]

Raleigh Apartment Culture

So I'm of the mind that Raleigh is a great place to live. It has my favorite things, my favorite people, and I'm too broke to move anywhere else.

Raleigh works for me, but I recognize it doesn't work for everyone. Some people had less than ideal childhoods and wanna escape the state ASAP, some just want to live closer to their dream jobs or have new opportunities. That's all fine, but what if this describes where you are now?

What if, for the sake of argument, you're outside of NC and wanna move in? Moving is expensive, time-consuming, and risky at the best of times; so you wanna make sure that wherever you're landing is at least as good as where you started 90% of the time

"But RL," I hear you say, "you make Raleigh sound like an idyllic dreamscape populated with parks and a diverse kumbayah of peoples living in harmony"

I do talk about Raleigh in a positive light but, like a life saving medicine flavored like ass, sometimes you have to take the good with the bad.

So before you spend thousands of dollars on moving vans, boxes, and grits; here's a crash course on what it's like living in a Raleigh apartment, coming from someone whose majority of Raleigh Living (heh) has been in apartments.

First off, location. Any realtor will tell you that location is 80% of the sale to sound profound, and as anyone who has lived in the middle of ass-backward nowhere can tell you: It sucks having to drive 30 minutes to go anywhere.

Good news: With the Raleigh Beltline and connecting roads, there are very few places in Raleigh where your trip will last longer than thirty minutes one-way. Bad News: where you set down still matters because cutting down on travel is important for car and mental health.

North Raleigh is different from south Raleigh is different from northwest Raleigh, and the locals aren't the only difference you'll find between locations. Each segment of Raleigh has something to offer, with easier access to some attractions than others and neighboring cities for when you need something outside the RDU area.

Using downtown as the center of our wheel, people generally divide Raleigh into North and South Raleigh (with distinction given for NW, SE, NE, etc when needed). N.Raleigh is considered generally more upscale, a slice of suburban living interspersed with plenty of shopping centers for families and the moderately wealthy; but it's boring as all hell.

Want some fun? Excitement in the evenings and a more traditional urban experience with bars, night clubs, strip clubs, and more? South Raleigh is your best bet, at the cost of being the "sketchy" side of Raleigh. That kind of place where you'll see a bunch of auto shops that look abandoned but haven't been closed in the past 5 years and there's at least one customer from time to time.

Of course, this is a lot of generalizing but you'll find that it's still mostly accurate. The main exception in this is Capital Blvd, a highway cutting across north and south Raleigh on the eastern half of the city; a high crime corridor that's undergoing some changes in the northern half that have (somewhat) reduced crime but most people will still associate that area with the majority of Raleigh's crime and debauchery.

More importantly, is the distinction Raleigh citizens put on inside the beltline versus outside the beltline. The I-440 and 540 highways that wrap around Downtown form the mythical beltline, and to a degree what you have access to. Inside the beltline is the majority of workplaces, stores, and shopping centers; while outside you'll still have these things just to a more... dispersed extent.

North Raleigh actually kinda exemplifies this perfectly. Living inside the beltline, you have access to places like North Hills, Crabtree Valley mall, and Triangle Town Center. Live outside the beltline, like I currently am, and you're looking at 10 to 15 minutes to the nearest sheetz for that late night double hot dog fix.

So for point one: How important is it that you're near things? The majority of apartments and rental properties are in or around the belt-line, but if you want to save some cash on rent checks the cheaper properties are gonna extend your trips a bit.

Next, what can you expect in terms of neighbors? Does Raleigh have a hip party scene full of teens renting cheap apartments and blasting trap music at 3AM?

Depends on where you live

I swear not every point is going to be this, but there's an important distinction this time that affects the type of people your complex will likely have surrounding you; are you in North or South Raleigh?

North Raleigh has a ton of pre-schools, k-12 public schools (Leesville, Hillburn, Lead Mine, just to name a few), and office complexes that make up the job market. As a result the majority of apartment renters in north Raleigh tend to be families with a few small kids or so.

As a result, living off of Glenwood North and Edwards Mill I never had any noise problems from neighbors, the worst being kids playing outside at 3PM sounding like they were being murdered (which apparently is a common thing and I apologize to any neighbors I frightened with ghastly shrieks).

What I did have a problem with, however, was the typical Karen's you hear people complain about online. Renting a property now, we have access to our neighborhood's NextDoor page and it's hilarious sometimes to go on and read the comments, but living at a certain property we had a sort of mini-Facebook for residents

That thing was always full of either people who were moving out looking to sell their furniture or people passive-aggressively challenging each other/the apartment managers with comments about things happening around the complex.

Once I logged in to see one man accuse another, without ever actually accusing someone specific ("I know who did it and they should be ashamed" type post) of putting glass beer bottles under the tires of his truck to try and puncture them. Everyone acts civil in public, but then online they'll stir the pot harder than a chef with a hand mixer.

South Raleigh, you have the schools like Shaw University, Meredith, and NCSU; so the people renting down there are typically college kids. You'll see more apartments that cater towards them like University Village or University Woods, but sometimes these places will cater to both college kids and working adults

Avoid these places like the plague, because despite sometimes having a lower cost to live there the neighbors and their shenanigans will drive you up the wall (unless you're the type to join in, then go wild).

I've had friends stay at places like University Village and The Proper (formerly The Vie, formerly Wolf Creek) who've shared horror stories. 3AM parties ending in property damage or vomit in inconvenient places, drug deals not even trying to be subtle, and maintenance workers doing nothing because regardless of the apartment conditions; no school's gonna pull their contract with them unless news articles start getting written.

http://www.technicianonline.com/news/article_898ddf34-82f5-11e7-b3d8-07059d248619.html

https://www.wral.com/vie-at-raleigh-residents-finally-able-to-move-into-clean-units/16887833/

http://www.technicianonline.com/news/article_ea8ed7aa-a092-11e8-a2af-e70af36566d0.html

Otherwise, south Raleigh apartments are largely like north Raleigh apartments; except the crime rate tends to be a little higher and you'll run into more singles and people working full time.

Otherwise, Raleigh apartment culture is like apartment culture anywhere else in the country. You have a mix of apartments catering to those just looking to live versus more ostentatious luxury apartments with fancy pools, exercise facilities, and tech packages to draw people in.

If you're renting in Raleigh, however, do try to get a roommate or two if you can manage. Even with a decent job paying 800+ on a one bedroom one bath apartment can be exhausting at best, but with even one other person that can functionally halve your expenses

So if you're a young professional, or a student, or even if you have a small family, I can safely recommend renting in Raleigh. There's plenty of places that'll accommodate you, and cater towards your needs.

But what about everyone else? Are there people who shouldn't rent in Raleigh?

No

But there are groups who I'd seriously ask to consider their other choices before picking Raleigh as a destination for their new home.

For instance, are you a member of the LGBT community? A trans or non-binary individual? Well then, first off, I want you to know that you're loved and valid. I'm accepting of who you are and appreciate everyone's right to identify how they choose, but I'm not everyone.

Raleigh's bluer than other parts of North Carolina, as I've stated in other blog write-ups, but it's still part of North Carolina unfortunately and as a result, you'll face some challenges.

I doubt anyone's gonna burn a cross in your yard or knock over your mailbox, but Raleigh doesn't offer LGBT protections for housing, jobs, or credit/lending discriminations according to the Movement Advancement Project's website.

We have support organizations for LGBT and NB individuals, plenty of high schools and colleges have Gay-Straight Alliance clubs, and there are numerous businesses downtown that cater specifically to those individuals... but we're also the state that got into a lot of hot water because of a stupid bathroom bill, and our politicians are trying to pass anti-trans sports legislation (because they now magically care about the integrity of womens sports).

By that measure, but to a lesser extent, if you fall outside the Liberal/Conservative political spectrum then be prepared to have no one to discuss your politics with outside of a few sparse networks like the DSA.

Additionally, if you don't have someone to room with or a significant other to split costs with; you may want to try searching somewhere a little cheaper.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Raleigh housing prices aren't terrible for a major metropolitan city, but we're not the best prices in the world.

You can get prices on apartments and rentals lower than say, California or New York. However, compared to other parts of NC like Greensboro or Garner; rentals are still a bit much.

On average, a Raleigh apartment can run you about $900 for a single bedroom and a single bathroom. You can find cheaper, but often times there's some risk associated (Crime levels, quality of the room, quality of the property manager, etc.) Looking for a two bedroom? Then your average price is gonna jump up to around $1,200, and this is all before utilities and cable come into play.

It's true a lot of companies around here will pay more than the $7.25 minimum wage, but most low-skilled jobs will pay around 10-11 an hour.

I guess though, that's kind of an obvious statement. "Don't live in Raleigh if you can't afford to live in Raleigh."

I might expand on these thoughts at a later time, but hopefully for now I've given you some food for thought; or at the very least an entertaining read for a few minutes.

I love my city, and I love the friends I've made in it, but the sad truth is that nowhere is perfect for everyone; leastways Raleigh. If Raleigh sounds like the kind of place you'd like to live in, at least take a day trip to come visit and see how things go that way. Visit some stores, meet some locals, and form an opinion off of more than travel blogs and youtube videos.

[girlwiththealligatortattoo]

Another sad day, and a stain on humanity, as Republican governor Brad Little, of Idaho, has signed a bill to allow the killing of up to 90% of Idaho's wolves. Even pro-hunting groups were against this bill, as it flies in the face of all science, promotes myths and lies, and lines the pockets of cattle ranchers.

I, for one, am SO WEARY, of animals, including wolves, wild horses, cougars, bears, coyotes, sage grouse, and many more, suffering because of the demand for cattle grazing land.

I've worked decades to pay my way daily for my education and the costs that it took to get where I am. And yet my tax dollars, against my will and ethical choice, go to pay for cattle to graze on public lands, and they pay for the murder of all of these animals. I find this to be an egregious abuse of my hard earned money. Let cattle ranchers fund their operations with their own lands and money - not mine.

Most Americans don't realize that they fund cattle grazing on public lands (because hey, that sounds harmless...in theory), but in turn, they also fund the demand of cattle ranchers to round up wild horses, the killing of wolves (as this horrible bill allows), and the removal of other species, along with the secondary deleterious environmental impacts. Most Americans that I know would be appalled to know that they pay to kill so many animals.

I'll continue to fight these horrific practices, through spreading my message of the importance of other animals, through my active writing to political leaders, and through my support of good animal conservation organizations. I think it's very important to emphasize, that we too, are an animal, and EVERY ANIMAL has limited resources. Please consider that if you have a meal tonight, and a roof, you are fortunate, not entitled.

The notion of entitlement in nature is a farce. We live behind a façade of "civilization" full of concrete and grocery stores, and we are far removed from actual survival skills. The human animal has become more of a consumer than a producer. More of a parasite.

Nearly half of our adults in America have metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease, and the diseases of modernity such as diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer's are directly tied to our consumption. I'm just not sure that our "progress" has truly been what it claims to be.

And I'm sure that an animal that practices this horrific killing for money is decidedly NOT civilized.

No animal outlasts its resources, and that will include us. Every animal is "checked" by nature. COVID should have been a wake up call, but I'm not sure that it has been. I'm very uncertain of our supposed "intelligence."

I sure hope we can turn our legacy around. Let us make our legacy not one of pathetic, greedy consumption. Let us make our legacy one in which we understand our place in this absolute MIRACLE that we call LIFE. Let us cherish, rather than destroy. Let us find balance. Let us walk in beauty upon this earth, rather than take, take, take, take, take...

There are wonderful people out there, who care about other humans, and they care about other animals. To you, I salute you. I honor you. My spirit bows to your spirit. And thank you for being who you are. You are who and what gives me hope.

Shame on you, Idaho. What a great reason for me to stay the hell away when I'm considering where I might want to spend my dollars. I'm utterly appalled. And my soul is devastated. And yet I'm fortified; I'm determined. I will fight these blatantly unethical practices tooth and nail, until my last breath.

Beautiful people. Please stop leaving choices to politicians. Can't you see the blatant corruption in every political party and every corner? The back door deals and not allowing citizens to make the call? These folks are largely bought and paid for by one industry or another. It's disgusting and shameful. But you have power, my fellow American citizen. You have the power of choice. Because it is obviously the almighty dollar that we collectively worship.

One of the absolute most effective things you can do, that would help with so many issues, is to VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS. Remember, whether consciously or not, you are making a choice every time you purchase something. If you quit buying it, the demand will drop.

It will be better for the environment, and better for your health. Every dollar you spend on food, whether it is meat or some processed packaged food, ultimately winds up, defining so much of the outcome of your metabolic health. Ultimately, that impacts our healthcare system.

And frankly, to me, a nation of unhealthy people, is a national security risk. And yet we buy their products, make ourselves sick, destroy other species and environments in the process, and then we buy their medications to treat the symptoms. We live long lives, but often not quality lives. Why not just treat the cause? Why not try to ensure your health rather than indulge your taste buds to the tune of "Oh I love this so much and I could never give this up..."

Believe me, I was raised in a family that owned steak houses and churned out good Southern food. I get it. I have a sweet tooth like nobody's business. But let me be clear: when I see, and saw, what goes on, you'd better be damn sure that I can, and will give it up. I will not allow my taste buds and preferences to remain static and override my empathy and my knowledge of healthy choices for myself, other animals, our healthcare system, and for sustainable human life on this planet.

You won't catch me purchasing cattle for consumption. Why?

Because this is no small family raising and consuming their own. Most folks wouldn't know the first thing about gardening or animal husbandry for survival. Purchase of foods in plastic from containers in grocery stores, where everything seems so abundant, has contributed to us becoming a very sick animal indeed, mentally, emotionally, and physically, because we are SO OUT OF TOUCH.

This is big business, with unethical acts involved, that is subsidized against my will, as a taxpayer. And I will take a stand by refusing to purchase their products.

Remember, this is a chain of events that brings them to your plate. The slaughterhouse is horrific, and yet it is only one step in the many, that are casualties of the demand for beef.

Please think about it.

This is a sad, sad mark on humanity.

This bill was about MONEY, not elk, and not other lies they toss at us, most of which we consume eagerly. We turn off our minds, let our eyes glaze over, and eat our Oreos, while binge-watching Netflix. We like to keep these issues out of sight and out of mind. As if they don't concern us. They don't pay our bills, so why worry. I hope we can do better than that. I know we can, if we just try. We can be an amazing and ethical animal.

Let's say no to the blue pill they like to give us. Let's red pill it, folks. Once again, our politicians fail us, while lining their pockets, and big business.

Come on, America. We can do better than this.

[babydragon1]

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Kent Household Mediation is the largest and also most widely recognised family members mediation service in Kent.

We can provide customers of varying revenue degrees, the alternative of legally aided mediation or cost effective exclusive mediation fees.

The arbitrator may not be familiar with or perhaps have accessibility to the documents currently submitted with the court. It is not his function or necessary for him to recognize all the information and realities. The arbitrator will know that feelings in addition to realities may impact the celebrations' decision production.

The Mediation As Well As Conciliator: What To Anticipate.

90-minute fast lane meeting to settle and sense-check your contract. All arrangements can be made legally binding in a Child Program Order by approval. Arbitrators assist those in dispute connect regarding the issues of concern to them, and help participants discover options that are acceptable to everybody entailed. We use this info to make the website work along with feasible and also boost federal government solutions. Settlement isn't affordable as well as you can't obtain legal help for it, yet it could still be less costly than litigating. You as well as your ex-partner have your own lawyers that are particularly trained in joint regulation. The 4 of you meet in the exact same space and work together to reach a contract.

Trademark litigation: a global guide 2021 - France - Lexology

Trademark litigation: a global guide 2021 - France.

Posted: Fri, 08 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]

We 'd like to maintain you upgraded with our month-to-month Tips from Top Mediators, our Situation Law Upgrades which highlight situation regulation growths in connection with mediation, our quarterly newsletters as well as invites to any kind of events we are hosting. This kind is private to In Place of Strife and also the events to this conflict. with our Case Regulation Updates which highlight case regulation growths in connection with mediation, our month-to-month Tips from Top Mediators, our quarterly newsletters and also invitations to any kind of events we are organizing. The moderator is there to assist the parties negotiate, not choose that is right or incorrect. He is impartial and operating in the best interests of both parties.

Discover Your Regional Conciliator.

Below 30-day trial can offer us the details of the celebrations entailed as well as a brief history of the disagreement. We have actually been doing this a very long time and, for many years, we've established a finely tuned procedure that makes sure the very best feasible chances of success. As professional dispute resolution practitioners, they are educated to listen, confidentially and without reasoning in order to help you locate a sustainable means forward. While the normal means of doing points is disrupted, we are still running arbitrations online and by telephone.

What happens after mediation?

If the mediation resulted in a settlement or agreement, once the releases are signed and the payment is made, the lawyers will send a dismissal order to the judge who signs the order. At that point, the legal case is resolved and in most civil cases the parties will not need to return to court.

One type of Different Disagreement Resolution progressively motivated by Juries as a means of keeping instances out of court is mediation. Our function is to encourage individuals experiencing splitting up as well as divorce to make informed choices currently and for the future, and where there are youngsters, to offer concern to their demands. Mediation by video clip meeting is an acknowledged approach, accepted by the FMC. We have used Zoom for MIAM meetings for a number of years and we have now used it effectively to help lots of clients to get to agreements throughout the lockdown duration. The mediator paid attention very thoroughly to what I needed to state and also was very patient as I was really feeling extremely at risk and also fragile after my experiences. By the time we came back the 2nd time, really the problems had been resolved at the first meeting.

Both of these alternatives can be pricey, however they could still be less expensive than going to court. If you differ regarding cash or residential property and also you have actually attempted mediation, a solicitor will probably suggest sort points out in court. If you disagree about what ought to occur with your kids, a lawyer might suggest that you keep attempting to reach a contract in between yourselves. You should speak with a solicitor if you can not reach a contract with your ex-partner via mediation. You can look for an approval order after you've started the process of obtaining separated or ending your civil partnership. If your arrangement has to do with cash or property, it's an excellent idea to take your memorandum of recognizing to a solicitor and ask to turn it into a 'consent order'.

When should you not use mediation?

Mediation only works if one party pays money and the other party is willing to take less than what they might get at trial. However, if a party believes it is not liable and should not pay any money, then mediation will not resolve the dispute.

This implies you can take your ex-partner to court if they don't stay with something you concurred. If you have youngsters, your arbitrator will normally focus on what's finest for them and also their requirements. The mediator might even talk with your children if they believe it's appropriate and you consent to it. You as well as your ex-partner can being in various rooms if you really feel incapable to sit together as well as ask the arbitrator to return and also forwards between you. This type of mediation takes longer, so it's typically a lot more expensive. It's important that you and your ex-partner are sincere when you talk about your financial resources.

And also after that it was much smoother as well - it sounds practically miraculous - but mentally it became much less laden. We are able to use initial meeting/ MIAMs appointments within 24hours and visits for mediation meetings, within 5 functioning days. We 'd like to maintain you updated with our Situation Regulation Upgrades which highlight case regulation growths in regard to mediation, our regular monthly Tips from Top Mediators, our quarterly e-newsletters as well as invitations to any kind of occasions we are organizing. with our month-to-month Tips from Top Mediators, our Situation Law Updates which highlight situation law advancements in relation to mediation, our quarterly e-newsletters and invites to any kind of events we are organizing. You will have the ability to handle which emails you receive as well as unsubscribe at the foot of every e-mail we send you.

Update: School employees fail to reach contract agreement over pay raises in Pasco - Tri-City Herald

Update: School employees fail to reach contract agreement over pay raises in Pasco.

Posted: Wed, 06 Jan 2021 13:00:00 GMT [source]

He will try to regulate emotions and maintain the settlements on the right track. https://workplacemediations.co.uk/conflict-resolution/bournemouth/ to the fact that the mediation happens over the telephone, it is a practical and also affordable method of attempting to resolve a conflict. The comments we obtain is that the tiny insurance claims mediation can be extremely hard to acquire. Perseverance might be the secret so if you want to engage the solution, contact us very early and also keep calling. The conciliator's duty is not to choose who is appropriate or wrong as well as it will certainly not take sides.

If terms of negotiation are reached, the conciliator will certainly aid record them and also inform the court personnel. The conciliator will certainly not however take any kind of steps or be involved in imposing the regards to a negotiation if one celebration falls short to conform.

She covers evening and also weekend break consultations in our Wallington branch. Our team are dedicated to trying to aid customers at what can be a really tough time in their lives. Our numbers have expanded from simply someone in 2011 to fifteen people-- all working in the direction of the goal helpful you locate your future. Our mediation sessions-- which can all be held on the internet-- are tailored in the direction of helping you get to an arrangement in the middle of division and disharmony. In 2015, we assisted over 90% of our customers reach an arrangement with our tried and also examined progressive mediation approach.

The mediator might not recognize a great deal concerning the claim or have any kind of specific legal training or knowledge. We after that report back to you with a mediation summary, based on what the celebrations agreed to share. We then liaise with you to verify the moment and also date for a mediation.

See our Online and also Telephone Mediation Website hereand continue to assist train, trainer and also assistance customers; its business customarily here at CEDR. A MIAM is the very first meeting with a moderator accredited by the Household Mediation Council. The only distinction to the online MIAM is that you satisfy the moderator face to face. An on the internet MIAM is the initial meeting that you will certainly have with a conciliator. The four letter stands for Mediation Information & Assessment Satisfying. workplacemediations mediation services free trial is essential to note that your previous partner does not attend this conference with you. According to The National Audit Report in 2012, the typical expense per client for mediation was ₤ 675.

[edhaneyyy]

Hope Because Humanity Is Within Us

“Being human is given.But keeping our humanity is a choice.” – Ida Protuger

This quote simply showsor tells us that humanity is a choice.Meaning wenare human ourselves but living here in this world, humanity is hard to keep for some of us.

When we get asked, what is humanity? Answering this question is just as easy as a pie. Humanity is the good qualities a human could have. Humanity is our ability to have compassion, care, empathy and love others. Humanity is helping other wherever and whenever, it is being selfless. If humanity is a person, the best example is Mother Teresa. But, the real question is, is there any hope for humanity when some of the human beings keeps on ruining humanity in our world? Our deepest humanity, however, is rooted within the fragility of all of our lives. Unless we work together we are going to be unable to save lots of the earth. If we cannot see that our vulnerabilities, and not our masks of perfection are what bind us to one another, we are going to be left wondering what's wrong with us.

There is such a common scene in human history when the media community says that men have lost their trust in humanity. That's because most people these days are starting to be cruel to themselves and others. They hurt themselves and the people around them. A common problem was the many facts that made this "virus" bigger and affected the whole world. When we talk about humanity, we should think of it only about human life, not because humanity is about humanity, including all humanity on earth. It is also a terminology of the qualities that make us human. For example, the ability to love, be considerate, be creative, and not be a robot or an alien.

We have to keep humanity within us. Why? Because that is our only key to prevent chaos in our modern world. Without a little bit of humanity do you think we can live, sleep peacefully and have friends around us? No. I listed some acts that show humanity from the website Good Housekeeping . ( https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/inspirational-stories/news/gmp5124/random-acts-of-kindness/)

1. Florence Rescue Force - After Hurricane Florence caused devastating flooding in North Carolina this fall, kindhearted citizens like Amber Hersel jumped into action. The volunteer from the Civilian Crisis Response Team helped rescue 7-year-old Keiyana Cromartie and her family from their flooded home on September 14, 2018 in James City.

2. Donor Network - The decision made by Patricia Almonte (right) to donate the organs of her late 3-year-old daughter Veronica Garcia helped save three lives: Essence Walls (left), an 8-month-old baby, received her heart; a 2-year-old received her liver; and a 68-year-old woman received her kidneys.

3. Canine Heroes - A lucky dog got a ride from some unnamed helpers in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew two years ago. Photographer Sean Rayford caught these two men pushing a makeshift boat through the floodwaters in Lumberton, North Carolina.

4. Earthquake Heroes - Frida the rescue dog and her trainer Israel Arauz Salinas went viral for their life-saving efforts during the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that shook Mexico City in 2017. The 9-year-old Labrador has detected the bodies of 52 people during her career, and the duo recently received their own statue for their service to the Mexican navy.

5. Helping Hand - American Abbey D'Agostino and New Zealander Nikki Hamblin won a special Olympic commendation for their sportsmanship at the 2016 Rio Games. After Hamblin tripped in a 5,000-meter heat, and brought D'Agostino down with her, the American helped her competitor to her feet. Later on in the race, D'Agostino fell again as a result of her twisted leg, but Hamblin stayed by her side until the finish line.

6. Moments after posing for a fun photograph at a local beauty spot, brave teenager Cheng Changjiang was dead. Despite being unable to swim, Cheng, 18, waded into the lake to save the lives of three young children who had got into trouble in the water. But the brave act cost the teenager – branded a ‘hero’ by onlookers – his life. Cheng was enjoying the public holiday at the rural spot in Xinyang, at Henan province in central China, when tragedy struck.

7. ryclectic’ wrote: “My Buddy Witnessed an Act of Utter Kindness Today…While he was standing on the corner waiting for the crosswalk he saw this woman buy two meals at a street vender and go sit down beside this man and give him one of the meals. She proceeded to introduce herself and talk to him about his life and just shot the [breeze] with him. She wasn’t acting superior, she was his equal, she just wanted to talk to and express inclusion to a fellow human being.”

8. This is a picture of a chap called Tully holding a 46 year old, wheelchair bound man with severe mental handicaps. Tully picked him up so he could go on the hay ride with everyone else. 5 minutes into the ride the man got so excited that he peed all over himself and Tully. Tully sat there soaked in pee for the remainder of the 40 minute hay ride. As soon as it was over he changed the mans clothes before his own. If that doesn’t show character we don’t know what does.

9. I will not let you go. This woman spent 3 hours holding the horse’s head above the tide after it got stuck in the mud on a beach in Australia. The horse was later rescued, unharmed.

10. Strangers Leave her Money While She Gently Sleeps. “alexthegreat90″ wrote: “I took this picture this morning. Ever been somewhere and seen something that amazed you? I’m at the east side McDonald’s and this lady was sitting in front of me sleeping. She has everything she owns in a small backpack. Curled up with her blanket she sleeps not knowing what is going on around her. While she is sleeping everyone is getting their money out and putting it on the table so it’s there when she wakes up.”

These are only few of the acts that restored humanity. These acts showed us that no matter how cruel the world is. There are still people out there who shows kindness and selfless love without any hesitation despite any situation. So what are those things that could destroy our humanity? Stephen Hawking who is known for his work on black holes and gravitational singularities thinks that there are three things that ruin our humanity, but I will only cite two. He have this outspoken ideas about human civilization. Hawking suffers from a nerve cell disease just like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, which left him paralyzed and unable to talk without a voice synthesizer. But that hasn't stopped the University of Cambridge professor from making proclamations about the wide selection of dangers humanity faces -- including ourselves. He is part of a small group who voiced out their concerns about artificial intelligence.

First, according to Stephen Hawking, “The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race," "The human failing I would most like to correct is aggression. It may have had survival advantage in caveman days, to get more food, territory or partner with whom to reproduce, but now it threatens to destroy us all," The Independent reported. I believe that Hawking here is telling us that AI could destroy us just like in the movie entitled Wall-e, we could see there that the AI are already controlling every move of the humans in the ship. They are dependent to the robot around them and don’t seem to care to anyone. There would be no care, love and empathy left.

Second, if AI won’t kill us, our own self might kill us. For example, a major nuclear war would likely end civilization, and could wipe out the human race, Hawking added. When asked which human quality he would most like to chose, he chose empathy , because "it brings us together in a peaceful, loving state.” Chaos would be everywhere without humanity.

In the current time, we ask ourselves sometimes, where is humanity? There are certain issues in our modern world that made us question ourselves. Despite those, we should look at the brighter side. There are still good people who we have mentioned above.

This year, our humanity is being tested. During this pandemic time we should remember our humanity. On the occasion of taking care of the elderly, and those who are sick and needy. This is what's happening in countless hospitals, clinics and medical aid units round the world, where truth heroes of this ordeal – the doctors, nurses and physicians – are risking their lives to avoid wasting others. This deeper humanity must spread to each street, every neighbourhood, every city and each country if we are to defeat the virus with our science and technology but also showing wisdom, compassion and humanity.

In the event that food and fun are what we were destined to be, there is one thing we should remember. Indeed, even creatures can do such exercises. In the event that God made us human, there must be an explanation behind it. No one but people can comprehend the importance of mankind, and it is humankind because of insight that truly gives the center substance to human presence. You needn't bother with a solid financial balance to add to helpful exercises. Paying your family help reasonably is humankind as well. You're prepared to pay a large number of dollars for your clinical test, yet with regards to paying your collaborator; You need to spare each penny. Compassionate exercises ought to never be embraced to pick up distinction or get a superficial point of interest. You can without much of a stretch accomplish popularity through the work you do. Lifting the weighty sack of an elderly person is humankind, helping an incapacitated individual to go across the road is mankind, helping your mom at work is humankind; truth be told, it is humankind to help whoever needs it. How would we express or show mankind? One approach to show our mankind helping poor people and the individuals who crippled. Additionally utilizing indicating counterfeit mankind to pick up distinction ought to never be one your choice. Did you experience finding a major measure of cash and when you return it, there's the incredible inclination that we can't clarify? Since on the event of indicating our humankind to other people, we have that believing that we can not get.

Humanity is significant in our daily lives. It teaches us to understand the problem and gives us ideas. It helps us understand others. Humanities students specialize in writing and critical reading. Humanity encourages us to think creatively. They teach us to explain why we are human and to ask questions about our world. Humanity produces informed and critical citizens. Democracy cannot flourish without humanity. We all need to assist one another. We humans are like that. We need to live by each other’s bliss – not by each other’s hopelessness. We don’t need to despise and loathe one another. Because that's not what humanity is.

Some may say, we are losing our humanity. No, we are not losing it. We could see it everywhere. It is within us. Humanity is lively and the light is sparkling profoundly within the hearts and souls of numerous individuals from all works of life. They are of all races, societies, social status and religions. It is individuals who see their commitments to the world as their employments and they continuously inquire what can l do to contribute to distant better;a much better; a higher;a stronger; an improved" a stronger world. It’s just that, humanity is covered by our selfishness, our hatred, all negative traits that prevents us from helping and doing good for someone. Never lose hope for we still have humanity stored in us.

https://www.humanitystyle.com/new-page-5

https://kindnessblog.com/2014/11/03/34-examples-of-heart-warming-humanity/

[bom-bombon]

idk if youre still doing that ask, but if you are do you have anything for virginia?

I have a whole story about Virginia and her complexity.... problem is that most of it is in my head and I can’t put it into words

Name: Elizabeth Henry

Age: 31-34

Gender: Cis female

Ethnicity/Race: European (English, there’s others, I just forgot)

Siblings: West Virginia and Kentucky

Height: 5’5 (165.15 cm)

Relations:

-Kentucky: She loves him. She adores him. Virginia doesn’t realize this out of him and West Virginia, she loves Kentucky more. Although he was a troublemaker as a kid, she still showered him with gifts of animals and helped him start a farm and planting. Even though she was distant with him when he was growing up, Kentucky understood why and was soon pushed into the responsibility of being a state, leading him to emphasize with her the workload. During the War of 1812, they became closer as Kentucky tried to be at every battle, supporting the country as Virginia took care of him and his wounds. She was proud of him. Nowadays, they are still on good terms. 

-Maryland: She has mixed feelings about Maryland. Mostly negative. Perhaps there was a time when they were colonies that Virginia thought Maryland as a friend but it’s complicated and a wip. Although Maryland’s positive attitude and some of his beliefs rubbed off on Virginia over the years, she finds him annoying. Since the Civil War, he became more wealthy than her which was a blow to her self esteem, seeing how she always bragged how successful she was and was then destroyed. She has hated how much influence Maryland had on DC seeing as they had different aspirations for the boy. Virginia wanted him more of a Southern gentleman and Maryland wanted him to be free and study all his heart desired, even if it included getting in trouble. And finally, and most importantly, she absolutely hates how he drives and how he even got a driver license. She has gotten into countless accidents whenever she is behind him and fights with him nearly every time. She’s tired of him. But she hates other people more so he’s okay for now.

-North Carolina: Though I don’t have a concrete and satisfying oc of North Carolina, I think that these two are good friends. They just vibe with each other from the start and have great respect for each other. They like to tease each other too.

Virginia: I guess I won once again, huh?

North Carolina, eye twitching: Oh, bless your heart, sweetie.

-Tennessee: She finds him kind of adorable with his optimism, his passion about music, and his habit for always volunteering to help. Virginia always had great respect for him.

-West Virginia: She doesn’t really like him. She used to really love him as she used to raise him but their bond just slowly deteriorated up until the Civil War. Like with Kentucky, she was distant but this had a greater effect on his mental health as West interpreted that Virginia didn’t love him anymore. She had so much to deal with that it physically drained her from wanting to spend time with West Virginia. She always told him she loved him but it wasn’t enough. When West Virginia was becoming his own state, he stole some secrets from Virginia and gave it to the Union. When she found out about this, she felt utterly betrayed. She always thought they were close albeit having opposing opinions. What made this hurt more was that West Virginia was actively participating in the campaign in the East, taking Richmond and causing damage. After the war, she heard some of the things he said about her which was the last straw for her. She began hating him from that point on. He betrayed her, hurt her, and talked absolute trash about her. She didn’t forgive him. Her hatred died down nowadays but she doesn’t really like him. Please know that this was from her perspective, okay?

Things I don’t know how to title but it exists: 

-first wanted to seek wealth

-was incredibly sick when she was young; she promised herself to never get to that point in life at whatever’s cost

-wealthy

-works hard

-makes bomb ass food

-mom friend

-motherly

-compulsive caretaker

-she was 18 when they declared her independence 

-sorta a history buff

-loves going to festivals

-has an obscure driver license plate, not sure what it is yet, but I just know that it’s probably out of vanity 

-(on the last point wtf is up with your license plate Virginians. Every time I see a plate that says Virginia, your plate always says something weird and I’m just so confused. Also you’re not very good drivers. There. I said it.)

Some things about her (development? idk): 

Due to the living conditions of Jamestown and the rapid growth because of tabacco, she promised herself to never get to that point in her life ever again. She developed a habit throughout the years of saving money and soon became her profession of either business or economics. 

Since she was the oldest compared to the other OG 13 an had two younger brothers, she had to grow up quickly and be the responsible one. She wanted them to be safe while they’re together. For example, when Virginia see anyone hurt, she was always the first to help them and give some sort of lecture. She also provided the food, with some help obviously, but she was the main chef. Whenever the other colonies get upset, Virginia has to step in and comfort them. At the same time, she was also delving more into politics and helping out with her government. With this mindset, she had little time to truly enjoy her childhood or even have one. She had to be the mature one. She had to be the responsible one. She had to be. This ultimately causes her to be stressed and thinking that is normal. It also lead to Virginia being to stubborn and thinks she doesn’t have to be goofy or have fun like the other kids.

Some writing but I’m too shy to show all of it so have this,,,:

She swiftly exited the party held in their shared house. Thoughts raced through her mind. Fun, gentle memories filled her mind with nostalgia only to be struck with regrettable decisions she made. Her breath quickened. Her blue eyes shifted from plant to plant. Her chest grew heavier by the second. 

--

The booming echoes of gunshots softly dies down, relieving Virginia of her stress. She and most of the female states took refuge at a nearby town from Yorktown. Virginia prayed once more for the safety of her fellow states who are currently in the siege. Pressing her hands together, she began reciting. Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maryland, South Carolina, and Georgia - her brethren. The thought of them getting hurt distressed her greatly. They don’t always agree on everything but she’ll be damned if they don’t mean anything to her. Little by little, she began relaxing, but that anxiety never left. Once the last words slipped from her mouth, she glanced at the other girls. The tension in the air was palpable. They could only hope that this period of silence would stay silent.

Some quotes,, things?: 

Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico: *closes the windows and curtains fiercely and quickly while peeking out every now and then*

Virginia: *crosses arms with a disappointed look* So what’s your excuse for today? 

Nevada: [whispers] I said shut up! *looks at Arizona and New Mexico who gave her a nod*

Arizona: We’re good. We can talk now.

Virginia: What illegal shit have you done this time?

--

South Carolina: What are you? Barely 300 years old? Makes sense. You’re so young!

Rhode Island: Careful South, you’ll make the entire void we call Midwest cry *snorts*

Virginia: When Washington wanted us to get along, I’m not quite sure this is what he meant

--

Virginia: *disgusted by the whole thing*

--

West Virginia: Oh come on! 

Maryland: Listen, no one will make fun of you.

Virginia: I will though!

--

DC: How the hell did you get in my house??

Maryland: Not important! As long as we’re together.

DC: Virginia?

Virginia: Like he said, not important.

--

DC: If you don’t mind a whole house has to be clean.

Maryland: See! He’s not gonna make us work.

DC: Who said I don’t need help?

Virginia: *smacks Maryland*

--

Maryland: For someone who lived almost practically alone for the past 150 years, he makes some messes.

Virginia: You know, this is your fault.

--

Virginia: I’ve said this once and I’ll say it again, your brother’s a dick

Delaware: I agree.

--

Virginia: Why the hell is this here? *points to Maryland*

--

1812

Virginia: Show me what you have

Kentucky: A gun!

Virginia: NO!

--

Smith: Ugh, don’t be like that. [sees Virginia] And don’t worry about the kid too. No reason for her to starve under your rule too.

[noctem-novelle]

This February, celebrate Black History Month with Black authors!

Culture is important, whether it’s your own to celebrate or someone else’s that you can learn about and appreciate. In the last few years, we’ve seen a steady increase in people of colour, LGBT communities, non-Christian religions, and non-European cultures represented in young adult and middle-grade fiction. While this is a great improvement and definitely a step in the right direction, people of colour are still underrepresented. We can do more to make sure that authors of colour are seen and heard. The following list, while by no means exhaustive, is a selection of excellent YA and MG novels written by Black authors*. This month, take some time to explore their stories.

*This list appears in no particular order and is not intended to be read as though any one book is superior to another.

1. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Young Adult)

When sixteen-year-old Starr Carter witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, she must decide whether to lie low or to join the protesters who seek justice for Khalil. A touching, timely, and often raw story about a girl who finds herself when she feels most lost, it’s no wonder this book has spent more than 100 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

2. Riding Chance by Christine Kendall (Young Adult)

Based on Philadelphia’s Work to Ride program, this novel follows a young man who gets into some trouble at school and winds up doing community service at the Chamounix Stables in Fairmount Park. There, he learns to play polo, an intense sport that teaches perseverance and focus. This book really hit home for me, having spent most of my childhood at polo matches with WTR. In real life, Work to Ride provides underprivileged children and teenagers in Philadelphia with constructive extracurricular activities, peer mentorship, and even college enrollment assistance. To learn more about Work to Ride, check our their website or Facebook page!

3. Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann (Young Adult/New Adult)

Let’s talk about the amazing QPoC rep in this book! Alice, who is asexual and biromantic, is determined to spend her post-breakup summer on a tv binge. She definitely does not intend to fall for her co-worker, Takumi. Whoops. This book is a mostly-fluffy slow-burn romance, full of nerdy pop-culture references. If you remember tumblr circa 2011, this book is for you.

4. Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes (Middle Grade)

Garvey’s father has always wanted him to be an athlete, but Garvey is just not interested. When his only friend convinces him to join their school chorus, Garvey finds confidence and a new way to communicate to his distant dad. Told in verse, this is a heartfelt novel about one boy’s transformation through music.

5. American Street by Ibi Zoboi (Young Adult)

In her debut novel, Ibi Zoboi draws on her experience as a Haitian immigrant to tell the story of Fabiola, a young woman whose mother is detained by U.S. Immigration when they emigrate from Port-au-Prince to Detroit. This book explores the cost of the “American dream” with a mix of family drama, romance, and a hint of magical realism.

6. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (Young Adult)

Xiomara feels both invisible and too visible in a world that doesn’t want to hear her but is happy to objectify her. To express herself and to find some relief from her religious mother’s strict expectations, she turns to slam poetry. This novel-in-verse includes romance, wavering faith, and feminism.

7. Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson (Young Adult)

This powerful novel features a young woman who is determined to make it out of her impoverished neighbourhood. Jade’s mother taught her to take every opportunity she’s offered, so every day she takes the bus across town to a private school where there are plenty of opportunities, even if she doesn’t quite fit in. But some opportunities are less welcome than others, like the chance to join a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Sick of being singled out as someone who needs help, Jade hopes to find some autonomy and to stay true to herself.

8. Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert (Young Adult)

Suzette is home in Los Angeles for the summer and she isn’t sure she ever wants to go back to boarding school. Between supporting her bipolar brother, Lionel, and trying not to think about her clandestine relationship with her roommate, she’s got a pretty full plate. Unfortunately, she’s also falling for the same girl that Lionel likes. When Lionel’s mental illness sends him spiraling, Suzette must face her past to help him. This family features a blended family, Black Jewish characters, and a queer woman of colour.

9. Courage by Barbara Binns (Middle Grade)

T’Shawn has done his best to help out since his father’s death, but life gets complicated when his brother Lamont comes home from a stint in prison. T’Shawn finds peace on the diving board, and earns a scholarship to join a prestigious team at a local swim club. But when the neighbourhood crime rate starts to rise, T starts to think that he and Lamont may never put their pieces back together.

10. Monster by Walter Dean Myers (Young Adult)

A murdered drugstore clerk, a trial, and a young man in crisis. Monster is the story of Steve Harmon, amateur filmmaker and alleged murderer. To cope with the trial, Steve writes down the proceedings as if it were a film script, but as he tries to tell his own story, the truth starts to feel a little hazy. This one has also been adapted as a graphic novel.

11. All-American Boys by Jason Reynolds (Young Adult)

Rashad wasn’t stealing, but people sure seem to think he was. After he drops a bag of chips and a police officer beats him for it, Rashad is stuck in a hospital bed while the nation debates his character. Meanwhile, Quinn, a white boy who witnessed the beating, comes to learn that racism didn’t end with the Civil Rights Movement.

12. Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (Young Adult)

Sunny is an albino girl living in Nigeria. Her skin tone often makes her an outsider, but she soon finds herself drawn into a community of magic users called Leopard People. Together with her new friends, Sunny is tasked with tracking down a killer known for maiming children.

13. The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Middle Grade)

Amira is finally twelve and hopes to start school, but her life is turned upside down when the Janjaweed militia attacks her Sudanese village and her family must make the long and difficult journey to a refugee camp. Life at the camp is hard, but when an aid worker gives her a pencil and paper, Amira’s world begins to expand.

14. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (Middle Grade)

Delphine Gaither and her two younger sisters travel from Brooklyn to Oakland to spend the summer with a mother they barely know. Imagine their surprise when she sends them to a Black Panther summer camp. Set in 1968, this historical fiction novel explores family dynamics and the importance of sisterhood.

15. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (Middle Grade)

In powerfully emotional poetry, Woodson tells the story of her childhood and what it was like to grow up Black in the 1960s and 70s. This novel-in-verse won the National Book Award and the Coretta Scott King Award.

16. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (Middle Grade)

Between the depression and threats from the night riders, the Logan family has had a tough year. Cassie doesn’t see why her family’s land is so important, but as she becomes more aware of the way their white neighbours treat them, she soon comes to understand that the family’s strength comes from having their own place in the world. This book tackles the ugly reality of racism in the deep south from the perspective of a precocious nine-year-old. It can be hard to stomach at times, but I think that just makes it more important.

17. Zora and Me by Victoria Bond & T.R. Simon (Middle Grade)

Part historical fiction and part small-town mystery, this fictional imagining of Zora Neale Hurston’s early days sees the author as a young girl, exercising her skills as a storyteller. When one of Zora’s tales seems to come true and a man winds up dead, she and her friend Carrie find that things in their little town are not as peaceful as they appear.

18. Blended by Sharon M. Draper (Middle Grade)

Every since her parents’ divorce, Isabella has felt torn in two. Two houses, two families, two races. Switching between her parents, also means switching between two different identities. How can she ever feel whole when she’s constantly split in half? This book examines the life of a biracial girl, and doesn’t shy away from addressing exoticism and the (PG) fetishisation of mixed-race people.

19. Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi (Young Adult)

This contemporary anthology delves into the many-faceted lives of Black teens in the United States. Popular authors from a wide variety of backgrounds have contributed their voices to show that being young and Black in America is not just one singular experience, but a constellation.

20. The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson (Middle Grade)

A hidden letter and a summer mystery are what await Candace when she pokes through an old box in the attic. With the help of her neighbour, Brandon, she deciphers the letter’s clues in the hopes of discovering a forgotten fortune. This book is perfect for readers who like a good puzzle.

[jveszeli]

Home-Sick

[A Supernatural oneshot]

Summary: Hunting down a Rugaru is not an easy job. You need to be prepared; focused. But that is very difficult when you have the motivation, you are bullheaded, but you also have a fever, are coughing, and having hallucinations, all at the same time. Tough luck, Sammy. Dean's gonna keep you home, at all costs.

TEXT STARTS

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"Hey! So, get this!" Sam began enthusiastically, turning his computer towards a sleepridden and overly grumpy Dean, who was still laying, splayed out, on Bobby's couch. His hair was sticking up, and Sam admired how he wasn't completely numb from sleeping for hours priorly in such a ridiculous position. He had had one arm behind his back, the other hanging off the sofa. One leg thrown over the back, his head twisted in a way that should be impossible for any living creature, lest the person was an actual owl.

"Sammy. Seriously? What are you doing up at..." He looked around, just noticing that it was still dark outside.

"5?" Sam finished for him. Dean just nodded, humming an incomprehensible sentence of groggy confirmation. "I found us a case. Listen to this: A woman has been found, ripped to sheds, in her house, while the husband disappeared," Sam read the headline of the paper he was showing Dean.

"Two things, Sam. Two things," Dean said, lifting his indexfinger purposefully. "One: Dude. Do you never sleep? I mean, not partying is one thing, but not sleeping... And two: That doesn't even really sound like our kind of case. If, at least, her heart was missing along with her husband, then perhaps, but I don't know Sam."

"Yeah, but Dean! We've done much more going on much less information. Besides, according to the lore, this thing could be a newly turned Rugaru. A Rugaru is..."

"I know what a Rugaru is, smartass," Dean retorted, cutting Sam off, mid sentence.

He put up with Sam doing the puppy eyes, and accepted that he would probably not be left alone to go back to sleep any time soon. So, he agreed to checking the case out. And soon enough, they were headed for Wisconsin.

Baraboo, Wisconsin

Sam and Dean walked up to the crime scene, which was covered in police tape, all over.

Very professional, the authorities were. They would probably not know the killer, were they literally trying to stab them up front, Sam was thinking to himself, and turned away from his brother, lifting his arm to his face, sneezing for the gazilionth time since they had left Bobby's.

"Sammy!? What's going on with you? You need to get yourself checked out. I'm not paranting you on the job," Dean lied through his teeth. "And right now, I'm not sure if you are up for it. We both know we gotta play our top game..." he added hurriedly, truly starting to worry about his little brother.

Sam performed the infamous "full-body eye roll", using not only his eyes but his shoulders and most of his torso in the process as well. But even he couldn't help an innocent smile finding its way onto his lips. His upper row of teeth and the unexpected showcase of his dimples signalled the opposite of what the rest of his frutrated bodylanguage did. "I'm fine, Dean. Really. Probably just caught the cold or something..." he explained nonchalantly, while shrugging a little extra.

"U-hum," was the only thing Dean managed, unamused and unconvinced by his brother's answer.

They continued walking around at the scene, showing their fake badges, but never really paying any attention to what any of the cops were saying, because any and all of it was - surprise-surprise! - completely irrelevant, as it turned out. The brothers drew the obvious conclusion that there could definitely be a case in town.

As they had confirmed this theory - as far as confirmations in their line of work could possibly go - going by what was left of the crime scene, they thanked the police for their cooperation. And as they did, Sam started coughing. Only a little to start with, but then it got worse. First, he was just desperately trying to hold it in, excusing himself repeatedly when he had to clear his throat, rather rudely, when the policewoman was speaking. But in a matter of moments, he could barely breathe anymore, and was literally gripping Dean's shoulder to steady himself.

"Jeez, Sam! What's wrong with you? You've never had a cold in your life, and now you’re coughing your lungs out on me?" Dean questioned, but tried to support Sam as much as possible. Both physically and mentally, despite sounding rough on him.

"I'm fine," Sam managed between a rush of sneezes and coughs.

"'Fine' my ass! The only thing you are today is sick. You're going to stay in bed, eat that terrible vegetable soup you always insist on making when I'm sick, and watch por... possibly Scooby Doo," Dean bossed Sam around, everting the crisis of the last word almost slipping out of his mouth, quite smoothly.

"He's right though," the police lady interrupted. "That cough is nasty, dear. Your boyfriend should help you check it out, and get you into bed."

The brothers' gazes met for a hot second, and Sam took ahold of himself just long enough to give the woman a bitch face, uttering "we're not gay; we're brothers" at practically the same time as Dean. That was before another violent wave of coughs hit him, at what point the only thing he perceived - except for his failing attempts to oxygenate his burning lungs - was Dean saying something in the lines of "but I will do" and started leading them both back toward the Impala.

By the time they were sitting in the car again - and let it be said that Sam had managed to hit his head while getting inside - the coughing phase had passed. Instead, his nose was now flowing, yet still somehow clogged and he kept wiping it with the arm of his jacket, scouring the reddened skin further. There was a literal waterfall running out of his nostrils, but he could still not breathe properly, his nasal glands being swollen, blocking any passage of air, altogether.

"Deab, we still godda hunt this thing down, before I take a leabe..." Sam warned his brother tentatively, holding his chin up like a displeased child, who expects their parents to crush their dreams at any one moment.

"Yeah? Anb how'd ya wadda gank id?" Dean imitated, pinching his nose, to sound more like Sam. "Wib a bad accend?"

Sam crossed his arms in front of his chest, theatrically turning his head away from Dean.

"I'm going," he said, slightly more comprehensible, after clearing his throat again.

"Over my dead body, you are!" Dean replied, in a tone that did not tolerate any contradiction. But Sam wasn't about to just leave well enough alone. That had never been his forte. But for the moment he decided to give it a break. His limbs were all just so heavy, and his vision blurred, his eyelids slowly giving out, like the traitorous little scamps they were. He just needed a five-minute break. Just a little harmless nap. It was a bit cold in the car, but other than that, everything was way too comfortable not to give in.

"You hear me, Sammy?" Dean questioned, looking over his right shoulder, his gaze leaving the road for a couple of seconds, just to notice that his brother was out cold. He reached over, checking his temperature, with the back of his hand put to Sam's sweat specked forehead. And he almost reflexively drew his hand back as Sam was burning up. Dean glanced back at the road, taking a sharp turn to the left, drivng faster than any sane man would. But then again, he was never a sane man when it came to Sammy's wellbeing. His first instinct was to drive straight to the hospital, but that would've been a bad idea. Too public, and while they didn't know the origin of this illness, it could be unwise to ask for civil counceling, so Dean decided to head back to their motel room.

"Sammy! Hang in there! Almost there... Wake up! Sammy... wake up!" Dean kept talking to him, trying to gently shake him awake, but there came no response, other than some pained, delirious moans, and mumbled nonsense words.

***

It was too hot. And he couldn't open his eyes. He felt like he was bound or stuck in some sort of sitting position, a painfully strong grip around his right arm being the only thing he could focus on. Every joint of him aching as if the Devil himself had just tortured him. And then there was a sudden rush. So icy, and so cold, that for a blink of an eye, he couldn't breathe.

Sam's eyelids suddenly popped open as he came to, in the bathtub Dean had filled up with ice. His jerky movement forward was so unexpected and quick, Dean could barely contain his grip on Sam's arm. He was gasping for air like crazy, reaching for, and catching Dean's arm, just hanging onto it. Dean helped to pull him out of the tub, wiring him carefully in the biggest towel he could find.

"Dean, look out!" Sam shouted, dropping onto the floor, and Dean spun around to check his six, automatically reaching for his gun at his waist. He blinked at the red tapestry on the wall. His gaze traveled all around the entire room, but as he had suspected, there was nothing, and nobody there. He frowned, scratching the back of his head, fisting his own hair, where it was long enough for him to do so, as he looked back at Sam, still crouched with his arms drawn above his head, muttering something about not killing his brother, not hurting him anymore, and about angels and their intimidating prime numbers.

"Sam, it's ok. There's nothing here. Let's get you into bed!" Dean tried approaching Sam, squatting down so they would be at the same eye-level.

"What do you mean 'there's nothing here'? Can't you see? The rugaru's right there, and we’ve gotta gank it!" Sam shouted at Dean from the entirety of those five inches that separated them. And Dean kept wondering why Sam was phased about his hearing deficiency, but he ignored his urge to comment on it, as Sam was not in the state to make a bitch-face, or any other intelligable response either, for that matter. He put a hand around his shoulder, and Sam actually bloody jumped at his touch.

"It's ok, Sammy. Look at me Sam! Look at me! Good. Now listen to me! It's ok, Sam. You're gonna be okay," Dean heard himself repeating, much calmer than he actually was. Actually, he wanted to punch his way through a wall, put a bullet into all the world's stupid sicknesses, fight until his bruised wrists broke, and then some, because the white hot rage was building into a fire inside of him. His incapability to aid his brother in any way made him feel so helpless that he would've done anything to change the situation.

Dean half carried, half supported Sam over to his bed, tucking him in, just like when they used to be kids. He was, had been, and would always look out for Sam. No matter if he had hallucinations, fever dreams, coughs, or if they were actually chased by monsters, demons, the Devil or God himself. Dean would always protect him.

Sam tried to sit up, but was easily pushed back into the mattress, by is brother's hand on his broad shoulders.

"Dean, we have work to do. Let me get up!" he insisted.

"Sam, you can't stand on your own two feet, let alone fire a gun or participate in a fight, much less an actual hunt. We'll wait until you get better!" Dean shouted right into his face, forcing Sam's hazel gaze to look striaght into his darkened green one.

"But..."

"I SAID! We'll. Wait. It. Out. Sam!" Dean repeated, still shouting, slamming his hand on the bedside table, to drain the tension out of his system. Little spiders started crawling around under his palm, his arm going numb all the way up to his elbow. If Sam would've been in a better state, he would surely have jumped again, but a couple of blinks and a trembling breath was all he managed for the moment.

"Then... just you go!" Sam suggested, very quietly.

"And leave you here in this state? Yeah, I don't think so." He shook his head.

"People could get hurt." Sam clenched his jaw at the thought. People getting hurt, because he - the one and only Sam Winchester - had managed being idiotic enough to catch a goddamn cold.

"I don't care!" Dean shouted at the top of his lungs, and if the saying "looks could kill" hadn't been invented before, it surely would have been now, after seeing how Dean's glance threw sparkles at everything in the world, including Sam.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Dean."

"And? You're still my responsibility, Miss Prude Honourability."

Sam cracked a lazy half-smirk, and snorted a little, ending up coughing because of it.

"Jerk." He said, with his voice wrecked, hoarse and low, but Dean thought he could detect the crinkles of a smile, at the edges of his eyes. He played along, putting on his full on jerky poker face, even though his heart just became something very much fluid, having had lost any kind of chill or solidity, all that rage dissipating away.

"Bitch," he retorted, turning away, pretending to be offended, but remained seated on the edge of Sam's bed wating for him to fall alseep. Watching over him the whole night. This was his first and foremost job. Their father never had to tell him it was. He had always taken it upon himself, as his duty, to look out for Sammy. Because no matter how big the Sasquatch grew, and how big of an intolerable smartass he could be, he would always be his baby brother, and they would always face the world together. 'Til kingdom come!' And a flu was not going to be that kingdom. That much, Dean knew for sure. He knew Sam well. Perhaps better than even Sam knew himself. And he was way - and Dean meant; way - too stubborn to die. If for nothing else, he would live on to listen to Celine Dion sing once more... Why she was his favourite singer was an absolute mystery to Dean, but he would listen to any of her songs a billion times, did that mean Sammy would be okay when he woke up.

Dean ended up sitting on Sam's bed the whole night, not really getting any sleep, except those few minutes, that one time, at approximately three o'clock, when he'd drifted off with his hand supporting his chin. He called Bobby a couple of times, asking for updates, and giving updates on Sam's condition, which was - thank somebody - getting better and better as the hours passed. He'd also asked for Bobby to send a couple of other hunters to town to get this case solved. He knew that Sam wouldn't let the case go, so he didn't either. But there was no way in Hell he would move a muscle until Sammy was up and about. Plus three extra days, just to be extra sure he stays that way...

But as it turned out, it really was just a quite nasty influenza Sam had managed to catch himself, the lucky bastard. And Dean would be picking at him because of it, for years to come. He'd say things like: "Yeah, I don't know, Sammy. If a flu could sweep you off your feet, so could anything else. You're outta practice!"

"Outta practice my ass!" Sam would answer. "And by the way. That's not fair. That happened one time, Dean, and it's not like you can choose to, or avoid being sick..."

Sam never took what Dean said on himself, knowing he didn't really mean any of it. It was just part of his own, weird coping mechanism, and if it was up to Sam, he would let him play his games, if those made him happy, or provoked him to smile. They had been through so much, sacrificed, and given so much... Probably more than they should have had. They deserved a break, and every chance at a smile. Besides. He'd woken up at one point that night, and seen Dean sitting at the end of his bed, his head bobbed down, but his posture at the ready - ready to wake up at any given moment - and Sam was thankful for it. For him. His brother. He just didn't know how to express it, when Dean was being so very... well. Dean.

"Sure, you don't," Dean replied, turning up the radio in the car, and Simple Man by Led Zeppelin came on, blasting though the car's speakers with a quite enjoyable bass tone. Sam shook his head, and sang along with the song - and with his brother - reluctantly, as they drove on the darkening roads of Maines, after another horrible job - another hunt of the many - well done.

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This text’s been brought to you by me, jveszeli, and a very good friend of mine who pitched me this idea of her’s in the beginning of the summer.

[theparadorinn]

Reggae former PUSA Hays Eagles

Hi,

I may have figured out how to post pictures on the blog.  I went shopping got three bags of rock salt (a rare commodity these day) and a cheap TV, Preferred IT Solutions installed my new phone system Thursday, my hat's off to John and his crew.  They got my phone bill cut in half and quadrupled my internet speed and best of all I figured out how I will be able to again play my Reggae in the mansion.  So I had to get a smart TV and found this for $100:

Yea it worked.  :)

Business seems to be picking up.  I was sold out for Valentine's Day and almost sold out this past weekend.  I've even been picking up some weekday business.  Room sales (not room revenue) is going to be very good for a February (with my covid special-revenue is mediocre but that's better than many of my fellow small businesses and I am grateful for that.  A lot of my reservations are again  coming through my hated Expedia Group that charge me a 15% commission and I'm converting my new guests to booking directly through my website instead of from Expedia.  I've had several already book repeat visits from my website.

Recently came back from 2 weeks in Florida, darn I needed that.  Split the first week between my friend Jeff that owns The Inn on the Mexican War Streets in St Pete and my brother and his family in Tampa.  Then second week I spend in Lake Worth where I used to live.  Saw a bunch of old friends and ate my fill of Spanish street food.  Came back to this nasty cold weather and snow.  My electric Snow Joe does such a great job when the snow is cold and dry.  It's light and easy to maneuver.  I can do the 140' side walk and parking lot in about 2 hours instead of all day with a shovel.  If you are looking for an affordable snow blower that generally works great checkout the Snow Joe.

Thank god that idiot is out of the White House.  He's left such a mess for poor President Biden to clean up. One of the big things he ignored was this pandemic.  I think the cold blooded bast*** did on purpose to "cull" the dependents on society that aren't multimillionaires.  Get rid of the old people that collect SS and subsidized housing and the poor people.

The best part of his demise, two on my radar, all the companies severing ties to the Trump organization best of all Deutsche Bank has said when his loans are up they will not renew or renegotiate a $400M loan.  So he's going to have to go out and find other lenders and everyone has seen how he operates and I don't think a bank is going to be stupid and buy his bluster, so his terms won't be as favorable as in the past.  And he won't be able to use our Justice system (whom he despises and maligns like our Intelligence agencies) for free and will have to hire lawyers to defend himself from all the civil and criminal law suites.  He may actually go belly up.  :)  :)  :) :)   Mitch Mitch McConnell even suggested that people bring civil and criminal suites against him, damn did that invoke a nasty tweet from DJT.  He did not go out with grace, his legacy will be the first president impeached twice and the first to incite an insurrection.  I never liked the man and you even could say despised him as our PUSA.  In case I haven't said before I worked for him (actually his first bought bride Ivana) at Trump Towers in Atlantic City for a year and knew the small business owner (Nicolas Jacobsen) in West Palm Beach he refused to pay the $33,977 for three chandeliers he installed in Mar-a-Lago ballroom in 2005.  And here we are in 2021 and Mr. Jacobsen is now filing a defamation lawsuit against Trump for $1M.

The Problem with America isn't a racial issue.  We are all fed up with the lies and deceit coming from our elected officials or their appointed persons.  The double talk out of them is so infuriating.  Big and small issues, you can't believe anything they say,  And we all know they are lying to us.  Water quality is a blatant example of this.  Flint MI bureaucrats lied for years about lead in their water system and then PGH water authority did the same.  Until the feds came in and called them up on it.  DJT really hit the nail on the head with this, maybe he's not as stupid as I think he is. His constant whining about the fake news really hit home with many people.  Instead of focusing on all the "fake news" out there he only zeroed in on news against him.

While I'm whining, I went to Penn State and was fed up with the ivory tower mentality of the administration way back then.  When the Jerry Sandusky scandal broke and the then president Graham Spanier did all the double talk and back tracking "he didn't know anything" the l lost all respect for PSU's administration.  And Spanier continued to receive his pay, even though he was accused of criminal behavior.  Shouldn't universities set an example of how things should be run?

Speaking of higher education, I like what Robert Morris University is doing.  They have teamed up with local community colleges where you can enroll at the community college and get direct credits much more affordable than RMU's cost.  A nice alternative if you have anyone thinking of pursuing a college degree. I know they already have an agreement with Beaver County Community College and believe they are working on an agreement with Community College of Allegheny.

Have you been watching the Hay's Eagle nest on the web cam?  They now have 3 eggs.  The other day, some stupid racoon climbed the tree to get at the eggs, mom would have nothing to do with it, she really got upset and showed him who's boss before dad showed up as back up.  It was pretty funny.

Celine Dion is scheduled to perform at PPG Paints Arena September 24, get your tickets because she's sure to sell out and be sure to book at The Parador.  Remember it's a five minute walk from my Inn to the "T" (our light rail system) and then a five minute walk to the Arena from the Steel Plaza station and the "T"'s free.  No hassles driving, parking or if you imbibe concerns about a DUI.  Book soon here if you want a one night visit, when I start selling out, I will bump it up to a two night minimum.  :)

Speaking of concerts, Kenney Chesney will be at Heinz Field June 12 and I still have 2 rooms left.  Def Leppard, Mtley Crue  Joan Jett will be at PNC Park July 22 and I still have some rooms left.

Well, I'm tired and going to sign off, I should have my Reggae set up by Thursday, waiting on a part.  That might motivate me to do another blog this coming weekend.  Take care, keep warm, stay safe and say hi to a neighbor,

ed

[newstfionline]

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Posting news early today

Too big to fail or to read (The Week) Members of Congress faced a "familiar year-end conundrum" on Monday, The Associated Press reports: "A bill too big to fail, and also too big to read." First the House, then the Senate passed a $900 billion coronavirus pandemic relief bill and $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package with large majorities Monday night, just hours after the legislation was released. "Delivering virus aid to the country required a leap of faith for lawmakers as they cast their votes, practically sight unseen," for a monster 5,593-page bill that the Senate Historical Office says is the longest successful piece of legislation they could find on record, AP notes. "I think if we provide everyone a paper copy we would have to destroy an entire forest," quipped House Rules Committee Chair James McGovern (D-Mass.). That may be a slight exaggeration, but Politico's Kyle Cheney found a way to drive home just how long the legislation is, in terms many Americans will understand: “Entire Harry Potter series? 4,224 pages. Just-released $2.3 trillion bill being passed tonight? 5,593 pages.” What's in the colossal bill? A lot. Throwing everything in a year-end package has become an annual holiday tradition in Congress—“it's why such bills are often called 'Christmas trees,' trimmed with legislative ornaments,” AP explains.

Surprise Medical Bills Cost Americans Millions. Congress Finally Banned Most of Them. (NYT) After years of being stymied by well-funded interests, Congress has agreed to ban one of the most costly and exasperating practices in medicine: surprise medical bills. Surprise bills happen when an out-of-network provider is unexpectedly involved in a patient’s care. Patients go to a hospital that accepts their insurance, for example, but get treated there by an emergency room physician who doesn’t. Such doctors often bill those patients for large fees, far higher than what health plans typically pay. Language included in the $900 billion spending deal that passed both chambers Monday will make those bills illegal. Instead of charging patients, health providers will now have to work with insurers to settle on a fair price. The new changes will take effect in 2022, and will apply to doctors, hospitals and air ambulances, though not ground ambulances. Academic researchers have found that millions of Americans receive these types of surprise bills each year, with as many as one in five emergency room visits resulting in such a charge. The bills most commonly come from health providers that patients are not able to select, such as emergency room physicians, anesthesiologists and ambulances. The average surprise charge for an emergency room visit is just above $600, but patients have received bills larger than $100,000 from out-of-network providers they did not select.

US public school enrollment dips as virus disrupts education (AP) Fearful of sending her two children back to school as the coronavirus pandemic raged in Mississippi, Angela Atkins decided to give virtual learning a chance this fall. Almost immediately, it was a struggle. Their district in Lafayette County didn’t offer live instruction to remote learners, and Atkins’ fourth grader became frustrated with doing worksheets all day and missed interacting with teachers and peers. Her seventh grader didn’t receive the extra support he did at school through his special education plan—and started getting failing grades. After nine weeks, Atkins switched to home schooling. “It got to the point where it felt like there was no other choice to make,” she said. “I was worried for my kids’ mental health.” By taking her children off the public school rolls, Atkins joined an exodus that one state schools chief has warned could become a national crisis. An analysis of data from 33 states obtained by Chalkbeat and The Associated Press shows that public K-12 enrollment this fall has dropped across those states by more than 500,000 students, or 2%, since the same time last year. And the decline is only likely to become more pronounced, as several large states have yet to release information. The decline that could eventually have dire consequences for school budgets that are based on headcounts.

U.S. issues additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials (Reuters) The United States on Monday imposed additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses, taking further action against China in the final month of U.S. President Donald Trump’s term. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the restrictions affected officials believed to be responsible for or complicit in repressing religious practitioners, ethnic minority groups, dissidents and others. U.S.-China relations have plunged to their worst level in decades as the world’s top two economies spar over issues ranging from the coronavirus outbreak, Beijing’s national security law for Hong Kong, trade and espionage. Also on Monday, U.S. Department of Homeland Security chief Chad Wolf said it was looking at further restrictions on China, which he called an ever-increasing threat to the United States.

California desperately searches for more nurses and doctors (AP) Since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S., Sara Houze has been on the road—going from one hospital to another to care for COVID-19 patients on the brink of death. A cardiac intensive care nurse from Washington, D.C., her skills are in great demand as infections and hospitalizations skyrocket nationwide. Houze is among more than 500 nurses, doctors and other medical staff California has brought in and deployed to hospitals that are running out of capacity to treat the most severe COVID-19 cases. Much of California has exhausted its usual ability to staff intensive care beds, and the nation’s most populated state is desperately searching for 3,000 temporary medical workers to meet demand. State officials are reaching out to foreign partners in places like Australia and Taiwan amid a shortage of temporary medical workers in the U.S., particularly nurses trained in critical care.

Kilauea Volcano Erupts in Hawaii, Prompting Warning to Stay Inside (NYT) The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupted overnight Sunday, prompting the authorities to warn residents to shelter from ash driven by the wind, but there were no immediate concerns about evacuations or threats to life. Kilauea lies in the southeast corner of the Big Island, where its continuous, decades-long activity has been punctuated by sequences of eruptions. It is considered one of the most active in the world. The eruption occurred at the Halema’uma’u crater of the volcano, to the west at Kilauea’s summit, according to the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency, citing the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The agency said trade winds would propel ash toward the southwest, placing several communities in the path of the fallout. “Stay indoors to avoid exposure to ash,” the agency said. All of the lava was contained in the Halema’uma’u crater, according to the agency.

Concerns About Coronavirus Variant Cut Off U.K. From Europe (NYT) Britain was all but cut off from the rest of Europe on Monday, with flights and trains banned by some 40 countries and freight deliveries halted at French ports, as its neighbors tried desperately to stop a fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus from leaping across the English Channel. The sudden disruption left Britain isolated and unnerved, its people stranded at airports or quarantined at home. It aroused fears of panic buying in British supermarkets, as a nation already rattled by a mysterious new strain of the virus now had to worry about running out of fresh food in the days before Christmas. It all added up to a chilling preview, a mere 10 days before the deadline to negotiate a post-Brexit trade agreement between Britain and the European Union, of what a chaotic rupture between the two sides might actually look like.

Two Vatican cardinals, papal aides, test positive for coronavirus (Reuters) Two Vatican cardinals, including one who spends most of his time helping Rome’s homeless, have tested positive for the coronavirus, a Vatican source said on Tuesday. Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, 57, a Pole who manages Pope Francis’ charities and has the title of the Vatican’s almoner, was hospitalised for treatment of the onset of pneumonia. Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, 78, the governor of Vatican City, tested positive and is believed to be in self-isolation in his home in the Vatican, the source said. Krajewski spends much of this time on the streets outside Vatican City helping Rome’s homeless population. At the request of the pope, he has set up a clinic, bathing facilities and other services for the homeless just off St. Peter’s Square. He is also very active with Italian charities that help the poor and homeless throughout Italy.

Conversations with a killer? (Foreign Policy) Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny appears to have outed one of his poisoners in audacious fashion, by getting a member of Russia’s security services to admit to the act in a recorded phone conversation. Navalny is reported to have spoofed his phone number so a call to FSB agent Konstantin Kudryavtsev appeared to come from an internal FSB landline, and impersonated a senior official. Kudryavtsev then proceeded to tell Navalny the details of the botched poisoning, including a trip to the Siberian town of Omsk to treat Navalny’s clothes so that the nerve agent Novichok would not be detected.

Thai Travel Industry Faces ‘Nail in Coffin’ After New Outbreak (Bloomberg) As Phuket and other Thai tourist destinations prepare for a slight bump in business from the countdown to 2021, a new virus outbreak among seafood factory workers near Bangkok couldn’t come at a worse time. Thailand discovered a record cluster of infections in Samut Sakhon province last week, prompting a 14-day lockdown of the industrial district. The government is mulling whether curbs need to be expanded to other locales. Another nationwide lockdown or restrictions on domestic travel could be the “nail in the coffin” for many tourism-related companies, according to Phuket Hotel Association President Anthony Lark. “Everyone’s losing money and just trying to break even,” Lark said by phone Monday. “If the government can’t control the virus, and any domestic air travel or inter-provincial travel restrictions are introduced, then you will absolutely see hotel, restaurant and boat owners mothball their businesses.”

A Brazen Police Shooting Caught on Video Sparks Anger in the Philippines (NYT) A video of a police officer shooting a woman and her adult son at close range on Sunday has spread rapidly across social media in the Philippines, provoking a wave of outrage directed at the government and a police force that many say acts with impunity. The shootings are the latest in a series of killings involving the Philippines National Police, which is currently the focus of an international investigation. The International Criminal Court said last week it believed that there was evidence to support claims that the authorities had committed crimes against humanity as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs in the Philippines. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año condemned the killings and stressed that they were isolated incidents that should not reflect on the Philippine National Police.

Israeli government on the verge of collapse after lawmakers fail to reach budget compromise (Washington Post) Bitterly divided Israeli lawmakers failed to agree on a key budget vote early Tuesday, marking the likely end to the 8-month-old coalition government and setting the country on path for its fourth round of national elections in less than two years. The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, has until midnight Tuesday to pass a 2020 budget, one of the many basic acts of lawmaking that have gone unfinished under the fractious power-sharing agreement between right-wing and centrist parties that have battled each other since forming their unity government in April. But the failure to extend that deadline by another 10 days signaled the likely final collapse of attempts to broker a deal. With no action, the government will dissolve at the end of Tuesday and elections will automatically be set for March 23, plunging the nation back into the stalemated political crisis that has plagued it since the end of 2018.

‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas trees lift school, spirits (AP) rank Pichel’s Christmas trees will probably never be chosen to light up New York’s Rockefeller Center. They look more like the droopy, pitiful tree made famous in the 1965 children’s animated classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” But his trees have been flying off a tiny neighborhood lot since he started selling them last month to raise money for a private middle school that provides scholarships for students from an impoverished area of Richmond. He cut down some of the gangly Virginia pine trees that grow wild on a 66-acre (27-hectare) plot of land he owns about two hours west of Richmond, selling them from a small grassy lot he rented for $1 from two generous owners who wanted to help. He was stunned by the response. He sold 180 trees in three weekends, raising a total of $5,554 for the school. He let people set their own prices; most paid $20 to $50 for a tree. Rei Alvarez, an illustrator and musician, said he and his wife loved the nostalgia and “Charlie Brown aesthetic” of Pichel’s trees. He said buying a less-than-perfect tree fits with his desire to avoid the commercialism of Christmas and to teach his 2-year-old son to appreciate the simpler things in life. “As an artist, I know it’s not what you have, it’s what you do with it,” he said. “You give the few branches you have a little love.” … “Maybe all of us are feeling a little bit like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, given 2020. I don’t think we’re all feeling like robust, well-proportioned trees. We’re all kind of bruised.”

[patriotsnet]

Who Gets More Welfare Republicans Or Democrats

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/who-gets-more-welfare-republicans-or-democrats/

Who Gets More Welfare Republicans Or Democrats

The Philosophy Behind Democratic Economic Policy

Democrats gear their economic policies to benefit low-income and middle-income families. They argue that reducing income inequality is the best way to foster economic growth. Low-income families are more likely to spend any extra money on necessities instead of saving or investing it. That directly increases demand and spurs economic growth. Democrats also support a Keynesian economic theory, which says that the government should spend its way out of a recession.

One dollar spent on increased food stamp benefits generates $1.73 in economic output.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt first outlined the Economic Bill of Rights in his 1944 State of the Union address. It included taxes on war profiteering and price controls on food costs. President Harry Trumans 1949 Fair Deal proposed an increase in the minimum wage, civil rights legislation, and national health care. President Barack Obama expanded Medicaid with the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

Americans Are Mistaken About Who Gets Welfare

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress may soon embark on a racially-fraught policy battle over welfare.

We can lift our citizens from welfare, from dependence to independence, and from poverty to prosperity, Trump said in his State of the Union address last week, the latest signal that Republicans want welfare reform this year.

Trump has often pandered to racists among his supporters. He said Mexico sends rapists to the United States and that there were some fine people among the neo-Nazis who staged a deadly protest last year in Charlottesville, Virginia. When the president said Mexican heritage made it impossible for a judge to be fair, House Speaker Paul Ryan called it the textbook definition of racist.

The word welfare is different. Its a standard political term that Democrats, Republicans and journalists alike use though Republicans use it the most often. Theres nothing overtly racialized about welfare. You can even find it in the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

And yet, the word is often loaded with racial meaning. As a new HuffPost/YouGovsurvey shows, much of the public has a distorted view of which groups receive the bulk of assistance from government programs. Fifty-nine percent of Americans say either that most welfare recipients are black, or that welfare recipiency is about the same among black and white people.

The Party Of Logic And Ideas

Government’s chief role should be to defend its people, and the great question of our time is what that means. The Democratic Party has the best platform in which to defend our economy and our freedoms. The Democratic Party is the party that defends us from powerful companies who are solely attracted to profits, rather than the welfare of average people. The democrats think there should be health care for everyone, a decent wage for everyone, help for those on the bottom, and rules for those on the top. We think that a regulated economy is a free economy because everyone has an equal playing field to live their lives The Republicans like to talk about how they defend freedom, but it”s really the democrats. The small government republicans like to tell you who to love, what god to fear, and that your rights are a necessary cost for your security. Democrats don’t believe that, We think you can choose who to love, choose what to write, and who to protest without fear of retribution. The political system has its flaws, but voting democratic is a much better alternative than voting for a hypocritical, wing of the rich party who governs by crisis and doesn’t care about us, because if you don’t care for the weakest amongst us, you don’t care for anyone

Regulating The Economy Republican Style

The Republican Party is generally considered business-friendly and in favor of limited government regulation of the economy. This means favoring policies that put business interests ahead of environmental concerns, labor union interests, healthcare benefits and retirement benefits. Given this more pro-business bias, Republicans tend to receive support from business owners and investment capitalists, as opposed to support from labor.

Democrat Because They Are The Best Of The Worst

Yeah! Republicans believe in less government intervention… Except gay marriage, abortion, euthanasia, adoption, church and state, ethnic minorities . You cant forget the “**** you its mine!” mentality republicans believe will create a utopia. I am not saying Democrats are better either. Their ideas are not bad but their execution are not the way a country should be run or how it should take care of the poor. I only vote democrats NOT because I think they are superior, but its you either have a far-right government or a center-right government. In my opinion both parties are both equally horrible in their own right and this country is guaranteeing us nothing but one hell of a roller coaster.

Democrats Republicans And Hate For The Poor

There is a popular narrative on the left that Republicans hate poor people.  Supposedly, we believe that when people are poor, it is their fault, and we believe poor people are moochers.

Before refuting this popular narrative about the political right, we need to make three distinctions.  The first distinction is the difference between being poor, and staying poor.  The second is the difference between alleviating poverty, and alleviating suffering.  The third distinction is the difference between receiving help, and mooching.

I was born the third child of relatively young teachers, who had not yet earned tenure.  My mother, with three young children, took a couple of years off of work.  My father, in the meantime, started working summer school, in addition to his normal job of teaching history in high school.  We were poor enough for those couple of years to be on food stamps.  Once my mother started working again , conditions improved.  By the time my parents retired , they lived comfortable, middle class lives, and were perhaps even a little bit upper middle class.  My parents are an American success story.

I, myself, was seventeen when I struck out on my own.  I worked for $3.35 an hour at McDonalds, and was by all accounts poor.  I was poor for a number of years before my life started to improve.

Being poor is not always a choice, but staying poor is.

As always, if you like our message, please help to spread that message, but clicking one or more of the share buttons below.

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One Of The Worst Offenders Is Mitch Mcconnells Home State Of Kentucky According To This Wallethub Study

Jake Krupa colors in an electoral map at an election watching party as states are called in the 2016 election.

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BOSTON Hey, isnt it time all these so-called conservatives down in the red states actually started standing on their own two feet?

Were not trying to be mean. But, you know: Tough love.

A new report from WalletHub confirms what we already suspected: The states that depend the most on big gubmint are also the states that are are always whining the most about big gubmint.

And, wouldnt you know it, one of the worst offenders is Kentucky the state represented in the Senate by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican.

How about that? Do you think hes going to mention it any time soon?

Kentucky ranks fifth in terms of overall dependence on government, WalletHub determined using data on federal spending in each state, the share of households on welfare, the number of government workers and the total tax burden as a share of income.. No. 1 was Mississippi no surprises there followed by Alaska.

Conservative red states of the south and west make up eight of the 10 states with the highest dependency on government, and 19 of the top 25.

Oops.

Yes, isnt it time to roll back government spending? You show us the way, West Virginia . And you, Arizona and South Carolina .

Lets crack down on all those Cadillac queens. Except it turns out the real offenders are the Pickup princes in the South and West.

Regulating The Economy Democratic Style

The Democratic Party is generally considered more willing to intervene in the economy, subscribing to the belief that government power is needed to regulate businesses that ignore social interests in the pursuit of earning a return for shareholders. This intervention can come in the form of regulation or taxation to support social programs. Opponents often describe the Democratic approach to governing as “tax and spend.”

Democrats Think Many Republicans Sincere And Point To Policy

Democrats, however, were somewhat more generous in their answers.  More than four in ten Democratic voters   felt that most Republican voters had the countrys best interests at heart .  And many tried their best to answer from the others perspective. A 45-year-old male voter from Ohio imagined that as a Republican, he was motivated by Republicans harsh stance on immigration; standing up for the 2nd Amendment; promised tax cuts.  A 30-year-old woman from Colorado felt that Republican votes reflected the desires to stop abortion stop gay marriage from ruining our country and give us our coal jobs back.

Other Democrats felt that their opponents were mostly motivated by the GOPs opposition to Obamacare, lower taxes and to support a party that reduced unemployment. 

History Of The Republican Party

The Republican Party came into existence just prior to the Civil War due to their long-time stance in favor of abolition of slavery. They were a small third-party who nominated John C. Freemont for President in 1856. In 1860 they became an established political party when their nominee Abraham Lincoln was elected as President of the United States. Lincolns Presidency throughout the war, including his policies to end slavery for good helped solidify the Republican Party as a major force in American politics. The elephant was chosen as their symbol in 1874 based on a cartoon in Harpers Weekly that depicted the new party as an elephant.

How Come We Are Red And Blue Instead Of Purple

Republicans to live outside of urban areas, while Democrats tend to prefer living inside of urban areas.

Rural areas are almost exclusively Republican well strong urban areas are almost exclusively democratic.

Republicans also tend to stress traditional family values, which may be why only 1 out of 4 GLBTQI individuals identify with the GOP.

63% of people who earn more than $200k per year vote for Republicans, while 63% of people who earn less than $15k per year vote for Democrats.

64% of Americans believe that labor unions are necessary to protect working people, but only 43% of GOP identified votes view labor unions in a favorable way.

The economics of the United States seem to have greatly influenced how people identify themselves when it comes to their preferred political party. People who are concerned about their quality of life and have a fair amount of money tend to vote Republican. Those who have fallen on hard times or work in union related jobs tend to vote for Democrats. From 2003 to today, almost all of demographic gaps have been shifting so that Republicans and Democrats are supported equally. The only true difference is on the extremes of the income scale. The one unique fact about Democrats is that they are as bothered by their standard of living as Republicans tend to be.

Americas Top 10 Richest Families

Walton Republican  The family owns the Walmart corporation. The Walton family fortune is estimated to be about $130 billion.

Koch Republican  Businessmen, owners of Koch Industries, a manufacturing company. Koch brothers have a net worth of about $41 billion each .

Mars Republican  Own the Mars candy company. The three children of founder Forrest Mars are worth about $78 billion together.

Cargill-MacMillan Republican  The Cargill-MacMillan family owns 90 percent of the largest privately-owned corporation in the U.S. The family, as a whole, is worth about $49 billion.

Cox Democrat  The Cox family owns a number of auto consumer sites and services . They have an estimated net worth of $41 billion.

Johnson  Republican  The Johnson family is known for their cleaning products and hygiene products. They are valued at $30 billion.

Pritzker Both  Founders of Hyatt. The family has a combined value of $29 billion in 2017.

Johnson  Republican  Overseers at Fidelity, ensuring the cash of millions of Americans. The family has a combined net worth of $28.5 billion.

Hearst Republican  The Hearst family owns one of Americas largest media companies. The family is valued at $28 billion.

Duncan Republican  The Duncan family works mostly with oil and pipelines. The family is valued at about $21.5 billion.

Do Red States Really Take The Most Welfare

Lately Ive seen a few liberals temporarily retire the narrative that Republicans are a bunch of old rich white men to try to argue the opposite, that were actually the real moochers.

Red States Are Welfare Queens reads one headline over at Business Insider. The article noted that of 20 States that receive more funding from the federal government than they pay in, 16 are Red States.

Residents of the 10 states Gallup ranks as most conservative received 21.2 percent of their income in government transfers, while the number for the 10 most liberal states was only 17.1 percent. says the economics Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman in the New York Times.

Certainly an economist like Krugman would realize that a State is not a person. For instance, the majority of violence in Red States occurs in Blue counties and cities within those States. Do Red States bear the responsibility for their Blue counties and cities?

Obviously not.

And a similar thing is happening here. Red States are taking more in government handouts but Republicans arent, as a Maxwell Poll on the voting patterns of those in public assistance has proven:

And thats not all.

A NPR study of the long-term unemployed found that 72 percent favor Democrats. It goes without saying that theyre likely to be receiving benefits.

So if its mostly Democrats receiving public assistance why the heck is it Red States receiving most of the benefits? A few possible thoughts:

And there goes that myth.

  The Reach Of Entitlement Programs

More than half of Americans have personally received benefits from at least one of the six major entitlement programs tested in the survey.

The survey finds that 16% of those who have not personally received benefits also say a member of their household has gotten help. Taken together, these results indicate that about seven-in-ten households contain at least one member who has benefited at some point in his or her life from an entitlement program.

If veteran benefits and federal college loans and grants are added to the mix, the proportion of Americans who personally have ever received entitlement benefits rises to 70% and the share of households with at least one recipient grows to 86%.

What Does The Democratic Party Believe In

The Democratic Party is generally associated with more progressive policies. It supports social and economic equality, favouring greater government intervention in the economy but opposing government involvement in the private noneconomic affairs of citizens. Democrats advocate for the civil rights of minorities, and they support a safety net for individuals, backing various social welfare programs, including Medicaid and food stamps. To fund these programs and other initiatives, Democrats often endorse a progressive tax. In addition, Democrats notably support environmental protection programs, gun control, less-strict immigration laws, and worker rights.

How Democrats And Republicans Differ On Matters Of Wealth And Equality

A protester wears a T-shirt in support of Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who is part of … a group of Democrats looking to beat Trump in 2020. Photographer: John Taggart/Bloomberg

© 2016 Bloomberg Finance LP

If youre a rich Democrat, you wake up each day with self-loathing, wondering how you can make the world more egalitarian. Please tax me more, you say to your elected officials. Until then, the next thing you do is call your financial advisor to inquire about tax shelters.

If youre a poor Republican, however, you have more in common with the Democratic Party than the traditional Wall Street, big business base of the Republican Party, according to a survey by the Voter Study Group, a two-year-old consortium made up of academics and think tank scholars from across the political spectrum. That means the mostly conservative American Enterprise Institute and Cato were also on board with professors from Stanford and Georgetown universities when conducting this study, released this month.

The fact that lower-income Republicans, largely known as the basket of deplorables, support more social spending and taxing the rich was a key takeaway from this years report, says Lee Drutman, senior fellow on the political reform program at New America, a Washington D.C.-based think tank.

J. Scott Applewhite/ASSOCIATED PRESS Evan Vucci/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Some 67% of Democrats said people are poor because the economic system is unfair. Only 17% of Republicans think so.

Who Is Richer Democrats Or Republicans The Answer Probably Wont Surprise You

Which of the two political parties has more money, Democrats or Republicans? Most would rush to say Republicans due to the partys ideas towards tax and money. In fact, polls have shown about 60 percent of the American people believe Republicans favor the rich. But how true is that? Assignment help can help you write about the issue but read our post first.

Democratic Views On Medicare

Democratic views on Medicare revolve around the goal of ensuring that quality and affordable healthcare is available for all citizens, as evidenced by President Obama signing the controversial Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law in March of 2010. About 16.4 million Americans gained health care coverage as a result of this act, including 2.3 million young adults in the workforce who were previously uninsured. The benefits of the Affordable Care Act also commonly referred to as Obamacareare many, and include allowing children to stay on their parents health care plans until they are 26 if they are not able to obtain their own through their employment. Discrimination based on pre-existing conditions is also illegal, and insurance companies are not allowed to remove someone from a plan simply because they get sick. Insurance companies cannot place annual or lifetime limits on coverage, an act which puts individuals and families in compromising positions should they be unable to pay out-of-pocket.

The Politics And Demographics Of Food Stamp Recipients

Democrats are about twice as likely as Republicans to have received food stamps at some point in their livesa participation gap that echoes the deep partisan divide in the U.S. House of Representatives, which on Thursday produced a farm bill that did not include funding for the food stamp program.

Overall, a Pew Research Center survey conducted late last year found that about one-in-five Americans has participated in the food stamp program, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. About a quarter lives in a household with a current or former food stamp recipient.

Of these, about one-in-five of Democrats say they had received food stamps compared with 10% of Republicans. About 17% of political independents say they have received food stamps.

The share of food stamp beneficiaries swells even further when respondents are asked if someone else living in their household had ever received food stamps. According to the survey, about three in ten Democrats and about half as many Republicans say they or someone in their household has benefitted from the food stamp program.

But when the political lens shifts from partisanship to ideology, the participation gap vanishes. Self-described political conservatives were no more likely than liberals or moderates to have received food stamps , according to the survey.

Among whites, the gender-race gap is smaller. Still, white women are about twice as likely as white men to receive food stamp assistance .

The Divided Welfare State Is A Partisan Phenomenon

Democrats and Republicans both have their preferred tax breaks and spending programs, but in my new book, , I demonstrate that there is a systematic partisan tendency to the evolution of the welfare state. When Republicans take control of the White House and Congress, there is a subsequent rise in the number and value of tax subsidies for private social welfare . These programs, while not as well-known as Social Security and Medicare, are still recognizable to most citizens as tax breaks.

Republicans have expanded tax deductions for individual retirement accounts , created health savings accounts , and extended exclusions for employment-based social benefits and services .

The current crop of Republican presidential candidates wants to continue this trend. Marco Rubio is offering tax credits for paid family leave, and both Rubio and Jeb Bush are proposing increased tax subsidies for health insurance. These new tax expenditures would add to more than 80 social welfare programs costing a total of $1.14 trillion already embedded in the tax code. The amount of tax expenditures that go toward things like health care and pensions is larger than the entire discretionary defense budget.

The Party Thats Actually Best For The Economy

Many analyses look at which party is best for the economy. A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Democratic presidents since World War II have performed much better than Republicans. On average, Democratic presidents grew the economy 4.4% each year versus 2.5% for Republicans.

A study by Princeton University economists Alan Blinder and Mark Watson found that the economy performs better when the president is a Democrat. They report that by many measures, the performance gap is startlingly large. Between Truman and Obama, growth was 1.8% higher under Democrats than Republicans.

A Hudson Institute study found that the six years with the best growth were evenly split between Republican and Democrat presidents.

Most of these evaluations measure growth during the presidents term in office. But no president has control over the growth added during his first year. The budget for that fiscal year was already set by the previous president, so you should compare the gross domestic product at the end of the presidents last budget to the end of his predecessors last budget.

For Obama, that would be the fiscal year from October 1, 2009, to September 30, 2018. Thats FY 2010 through FY 2017. During that time, GDP increased from $15.6 trillion to $17.7 trillion, or by 14%. Thats 1.7% a year.

The chart below ranks the presidents since 1929 on the average annual increase in GDP.

President

1.4%

A president would have better growth if he had no recession.

No Ranking Like This Is Ever Going To Be Perfect

Obviously, no ranking like this is ever going to be perfect, Stan Veuger, an economist at the American Enterprise Institute, told Yahoo Finance. Some things you can definitely say, like where the states that have the highest per capita income or pay the most in taxes.

But its not really true across the board, Veuger said. Virginia is a blue state and obviously has a lot of federal contractors and a lot of federal money It obviously relies heavily on what the federal government does.

According to WalletHubs analysis, Virginia receives the second-highest amount of federal contracts while ranking federal funding as a share of state revenue. And given that WalletHub weighted federal funding four times more than share of federal jobs, Virginia is one of the least-dependent states on the federal government.

Poor States Receive More Federal Funding Through Medicaid

WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez explained that federal funding as a percentage of state revenue was calculated as states intergovernmental revenue from the federal government divided by the states general revenue.

Intergovernmental revenue includes funding for Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families , child welfare services, and other low-income assistance programs. For TANF, Kentucky , Alaska , and Delaware use the most federal dollars.

Because the federal income tax is progressive, Veuger said, I think you can also generally say that poor states receive more federal funding through Medicaid, which is a huge part of states budgets.

In the 2017 fiscal year, Montana, the eighth-most dependent state overall in WalletHubs analysis, received the highest amount of at 80%. It was followed closely by West Virginia , Arkansas, Kentucky , New Mexico , and Arizona .

In terms of gross domestic product per capita, Massachusetts ranked first, followed by New York, Alaska, North Dakota, and Wyoming. On the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi is the lowest, followed by Arkansas, West Virginia, Idaho, and Alabama.

Veuger noted that all the poor states are red. Mississippi and Louisiana get a lot of Medicaid money.

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