Jace, Extat

Okay, Jesus... I get it. I will try to stop wallowing in misery and rubbing it on the walls. I do think we are well and truly fucked because everyone sucks. But I'll shut the fuck up about it. Okay?

Then I misunderstood. I guess my reading comprehension needs work. Alright. I think you're a little hung up on the Democrats in shambles thing, and I don't get why. I didn't mean to moralize or make a thesis out of that. I mean... they are a fucking mess. But whatever.

Well, I think you're being a little too optimistic, like Jax said. But as to the question, it depends what it looks like. New Leaf Jace would say that I will not participate in bombings or terror attacks. Not even should MAGA crown an Emperor in the mausoleum of their Dear Leader. I don't want to kill people, or see them killed. But if it were a Civil War pt.2 situation, with states aligned against the executive branch and the federal government, then I would reenlist with whichever side was not fascists. I have experience and skills that would be of use in fighting reactionary thugs. But I would not do it "in the street" so to speak. I wouldn't join a gang or political faction for street violence.

Both things can be true... Trying to be decent, to say shit that's true is a burden on Democrats that Republicans simply cast aside. And at the same time, no champion of the truth or decency has emerged since Trump appeared. So, in a dark way it seemed reasonable to me for a moment to just give up on saying shit that's true as a party. To just lie, nakedly and repeatedly. And that was remarkable to me. I read Neil's post and thought to myself "oh, they should just start making shit up. Why not?" And I thought that was pretty dark. And alarming. You said: "And basing that on one post and your own thoughts on the Dems' willingness to be "lie." When as I mentioned, they don't really" Which I interpreted, as best I could, as you saying I was upset that Democrats lie... or something to that effect. If that's not what you were saying, I take back my comment.

I didn't see this before my last post, but everything I said above I meant. If you or someone wants to start an Iran thread I will engage with it and explain my opinions on why striking Iran is justified forthrightly and without my accustomed nastiness. I mean it, I will stop acting like a rancid bitch if we can reach a detente here.

We'll do this part first: I absolutely am not a credible character, here on this forum. I fancy myself a performer, and I act like one. Jace is not, generally, genuine. I come here for fun. I do not act in real life the way that I act in these threads. So with that said, I get that I am deserving of a certain disregard and even disdain. Sure. But I do not just insult people and imply disgusting character accusations about them instead of engaging with their posts. I don't. And I'm fucking me. Fair enough. I was feeling sentimental this morning with my coffee. It did seem significant to me, for me, to shrug and think "yeah, just start making shit up." I've argued against that kind of thing in the past, in a way that might be called "pearl-clutching". Fair enough. I did not mean to suggest that this was significant to the broader American narrative, like some Rubicon had been crossed, except in its sigificance to me and the impetus for the thread. We've had threads like this before, I just thought to make one now. Well maybe I can work on that. I'm not made of stone, and all the best characters develop and change. I would have to say that something about Trump and Trumpism... kinda fucked me up. I took on a much darker woldview that I like to play off around here as comically sinister. It's a little more sophisticated than trolling, I like to think, but indulges the same base depravity. And when I mix that with genuine political commentary, I can understand dismisal or disbelief. I have fun acting like a stupid monster, knowing full well the feelings that engenders about me. So fair enough, for not taking me seriously. I'll rethink some things, about how I behave here. And in return can you not suggest that I like seeing dead Palestinians in random threads? Can we make that pact? I will try to act better and you can try to treat me better than the worst sort of person you can imagine? Can we work on that going forward? Again, asking as someone fully aware of how I act here. I acted like a douche for a long time, I didn't just have it coming, I was begging for it. But can we turn over a new leaf? Together?

I hope I'm not wishy-washy, but I don't think it'll happen in the U.S. Democrats don't have it in 'em and Republicans are the winners with no need to revolt. Some kind of lefty uprising would fail because of lack of coherence/leadership and because the other side has all the guns.

Yeah, maybe you need to work on your reading comprehension, professor. I did not start this thread to whine about Democrats and nowhere did I accuse them of a willingness to lie. I said that they're powerless and disorganized, and that another poster's suggestion that they should just start lying and making shit up sounded frighteningly appealing to me. Because the truth hasn't worked, and I don't know that it can. At least not with the "leadership" on offer. Thanks, though. Where is my "pearl clutching"? I mean, are you serious? Do you really think that what Democrats have been doing is effective? We just lost to a guy who attacked the capitol. People died on Jan. 6th, and Americans chose to give Trump power again rather than stick with Democrats. How on earth is it "pearl clutching" to say as much? I understand that you don't like me, and fair enough. But I started a thread to talk about the calamitous state of our politics, after I saw it suggested that Democrats should simply start lying and misleading as Republicans do and found myself saying "why not?" And your response was a personal attack. Do I go into threads and call you a piece of shit, implying you're a racist, without even bothering to engage in the conversation you're trying to have? If you don't think there's merit to my thread topic then say that or fuck off to another one with whatever lickspittles and morons who can still pretend that Kamala Harris was defeated for narratively convenient reasons which make you feel righteous in defeat.

Gimme a break. There is no longer even a pretense of honesty or adherence to truth in our politics. You can now attack the capitol, kill people, and maintain that you're the victim. And be rewarded for it. That's a little more serious than a casual 'politicians lie' attitude towards politics.

I think democracy had a pretty good run. There's a lot in the last 160 years to be proud of in the West. A lot to be proud of. But I think we're at the end of the line. @TrackerNeil just laid out a political strategy in the U.S. Politics thread that I find compelling and horrifying for the fact. That I would read a normal, sane, person advocate that the party I identify with just start lying and making shit up; that I would think that is the path to take... is horrifying. America is in a really, really, bad way. When truth has become a burden, an albatross, for Democrats because of the disgusting worldview and practice of the Republicans (as I think has happened) then I don't know how democracy survives. The apathy and ignorance of the population has rewarded, again and again, liars and cowards and thieves. Insurrectionists and outright traitors won power, and not by a slight margin, after having acted openly to destroy the rite of a fair transfer of authority. I don't know how you fight that and win. I know how you fight it and lose: with unpopular and unconvincing candidates who are granted nominations instead of winning them. But there is no champion of truth and American values on the left, there is no hero who has emerged to lead us out of this nightmarish place. And I don't expect one will. Democrats are in a shambles. They have no vision that resonates, no victories to stand on. And the only path forward for them seems well to be the dispensing of truth itself in favor of populist vitriol, at least to try something. We are well and truly fucked.

I wish Elon well with his endeavor. Any "America Party" that gets on ballots is going to take votes from Republicans. If it gets votes at all.

I prefer the radio. If I wanna listen to a specific song I'll pull it up, but I'm not a fucking DJ. I let professionals do that.

I had a dream last night that my older sister was a dominatrix, painting my kitchen, and I was begging her to take me to a stylist to dye my hair blonde so I could catch more guys...

Well the Google AI blurb says "mid-to-late '25. And it mentions October. But I thought when they made that Amazon renewal video they said '26

Also, Helluva Boss has the greatest breakup song ever made. Sang by a cartoon owl.

I think it's not due out until next year, which sucks. But she's writing two different cartoons that share a universe at the same time. I'm willing to wait. 100% The characters in Helluva Boss just aren't as good as Hazbin's. I don't care about Luna, don't think she's funny or interesting. Millie and Moxie are good but not great. When you see a new episode of Helluva Boss has dropped you want to see Stolas or Fizz on the thumbnail.

Oh for sure, Velvette is who I wish I was. And why are you avoiding war, that's what the guns you sell are for But Angel is like my spirit animal. I'm dying for the next season, I've never been so invested in a cartoon before. Helluva Boss is real good too. I think I'm half in love with Brandon Rodgers. Most of his youtube stuff is garbage, but he's got some gems and Viv Medrano knows how to let him shine as Blitzø

Sing it with me, Ripp

I was real into Rick and Morty for the first couple of seasons, but it wore thin for me. I think the last season I watched was 4. You won't miss it, Scot. Watch Hazbin Hotel on Amazon instead.

This is a joke about a boy named Dirty Johnny. Now he's not dirty in this joke, but he'd always been a hellion in school and the teacher didn't think much of him... But one day the teacher has a little project for the kids. She says "now here's what you're gonna do here, class: you're gonna tell a story, from your real life, and afterward you're gonna tell the moral of that story. Who wants to go first?" Becky puts up her hand. "Yes, Becky." Says the teacher. Becky stands up, and she says "my dad works for the hatchery, here in town. And what happens was is he got about fifteen eggs, and he put 'em all in a basket... all in the same basket. And he put 'em in the horse and buggy and off he went to town, but the land was uneven. And the bouncin' and rockin', and when he got to town all of his eggs had broke." "Well that's an alright story," says the teacher, "but what would the moral be?" "Well," says Becky, "don't put all of your eggs into one basket." "Well by God, that's a good one." Said the teacher. "Who else has a story?" Marjorie puts up her hand. "Yes, Marjorie." Says the teacher. Marjorie stands up. And she says "my dad works for the hatchery..." As most of these kids' dads do. "Thank God for the hatchery" she says, "or we'd all be lost. But what happens was my dad sells chickens. And he was counting his chickens so he could sell them at the market, and he added in the eggs. So instead of saying 'I have nine chickens and five eggs' he said 'I have fourteen chickens'. So he put them in the horse and buggy and went to town, but the land was uneven. The chickens survived easily. They frolicked. The eggs broke." "Well that's an alright story, but what would the moral of that one be?" Asked the teacher, she can't understand it. Marjorie shrugged and said "don't count your chickens before they hatch out of an egg." "Well by God, that's a good one too. Who else has one?" And wouldn't you know it, Dirty Johnny has his hand up. The teacher sighed, didn't want to hear from Dirty Johnny when this project was going so well. But she'd made an oath, that every child should have an opportunity to learn, and she said "alright, Dirty Johnny, what do you have to say?" Dirty Johnny stood up. "This is a story about my uncle Terry." He said. "He never worked for the hatchery, on account of he was in Vietnam. And he got disability. He doesn't even like people who worked for the hatchery. "The story takes place far from these shores. In a little town called Denang. Terry was not well liked. His whole troop left him. Abandoned. And he woke up in the weeds, and all they'd left him was three bottles of Jack Daniels and some weaponry. "Uncle Terry stood up and downed one bottle right away, then smashed it into the jungle. Said 'if I'm goin' out, I'm goin' out.' And then he walked. Picked up his kaleshnikov, three or four glocks, his other two bottles, and off he walked. Into the unknown. Into his fate. "He found a town. And from the town came people. And he didn't know if they were Charlie or the ones he was sent to protect. All he knew was: he had hate in his gut. "So he started firin'. "He took that kaleshnikov and he let it sway like a farmer would a scythe. And just as hay would fall before a farmer, so the people fell before uncle Terry. The men. Then the women. And by God, I'm ashamed to say it, but then the children too. "Until finally uncle Terry stood alone in the mud and the blood, and the glory. And he only had himself. He took a long swig from one of his bottles. "And his hand brushed the front of his pants, and he felt wetness. And he felt shame," says Johnny, "because he realized he had urinated himself in fear. But he touched it again and he realized it was not urine at all. It was ejaculate. "And uncle Terry's shame was replaced by pride." And the teacher goes "holy fucking shit... we just heard about the hatchery and... Dirty Johnny, what on earth could be the moral to such a story?" "Well," Dirty Johnny says, "when uncle Terry's been drinkin' you don't fuck with him."

You know what I mean. He's just, like, a man. He's not a super hero or some shit, he's a hero but not a Super Hero. I think folks were kinda starved for that kind of simple, relatable, story.

When I saw Top Gun: Maverick I was like... "It's fine." Like, it just reminded me of generic movies from the late-90's and 2000's. It was okay, I had a good time. But folks act like it was the resurrection of Action Cinema, and it's not all that. I think the love for that movie is borne of superhero fatigue. There is something genuinely satisfying about the fact that Tom Cruise is just playing, like, a Regular Guy. After over a decade of super humans dominating movies, it feels good to watch a normal human rise to a huge challenge. It's alright.

Speaking of, I just found out my cousin has an AK-47... He'd told told me he had some gats when we started gaming together again after some years of only seeing each other at family reunions I could make it to, but I thought he was just talking shit and had a couple of 9mm's or something. I told this motherfucker I'm shootin' that shit tomorrow, and when I said I'd buy a few boxes of rounds (basic gun etiquette) he laughed and cited a number of rounds on hand that was straight up comical, telling me not to bother. God bless America! It's (almost) the Fourth of fuckin' July!!!

God damn, @Lord Varys I am rock-hard right now. Wow!

I'll agree. My cos is usually the leader of the gang I play with, I'm not up to it. I'm a damage slut or a healer, last night was like the only time I played without my usual team.