The Anti-Targ Posted March 7 Share Posted March 7 The Islamists are just as bad, or worse, is just more apologia. And saying it's racist to say African tyrants have learned from being subject to the European colonial (and neo-colonial) playbook is sweeping historical context under the rug, with a particularly grubby broom. It would be paternalistic racism if you were taking the line of "cut them some slack they're only mimicking without understanding". But that's not the case. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Or in this case tyrants who've learned from past tyrannies have a blueprint to perpetuate history, while putting their own evil spin on it. Learning well how to be an arsehole from the arseholes who came before doesn't make you less blameworthy for being an arsehole. And it's certainly a sign of intelligence and strategic thinking if they are achieving what they want to achieve, something of which evil people should never be casually accused of lacking. Zorral and Many-Faced Votary 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted March 16 Share Posted March 16 (edited) It was years since I saw Picasso's Guernica for the second time. I viewed it for the third time the day before returning to the US. Not coincidentally, the WaPo has a long piece about viewing Guernica at this moment, and what this great work of art -- the very first great work of art I ever saw in person, on my first visit to NYC, when still on the farm -- and it hit me smack between the eyes, and made my head explode, as great art does, I've learned since -- means for us, now. I also visited Garcia Lorca's house, and the place where Franco's thugs executed him. We also hosted a musical event in the theater of the Hotel Alhambra Palace (builts1910), where Lorca read and recited his protest poems, and other great Spanish artists such as Segovia performed with him. This particular musical group, Flamenco infused, drew upon and spoke to us about the traditions of Jewish, Moroccan, Christian and Roma that influenced Flamenco music of that era, and why Franco did his best not only to outlaw it, but stamp it out. Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ marked a specific event. What does it say today? ‘Guernica’ has long been called to speak during wartime. Our critic visited Spain to take its measure. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2024/03/15/guernica-picasso-bombing/ Quote .... The Spanish Civil War began when Gen. Francisco Franco, with support from Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, carried out a coup against Spain’s newly installed left-wing government. Franco’s Moroccan troops took the city of Seville and advanced north, leaving devastation in their wake. Their brutality triggered horrific reprisals by Republican forces and their allies, who executed thousands, often targeting Catholic clergy. The bombing of Guernica was intended by Hermann Göring, commander in chief of the German Luftwaffe, as a birthday gift for Hitler. The attack was delayed by several days because of logistical issues, but Hitler was pleased nonetheless. The plan was to maximize civilian casualties. Col. Wolfram von Richthofen, who was in charge of the attack, achieved this by pausing after a brief initial bombing, then, after civilians had come out of their shelters, launching a devastating second wave. People were trapped in the open, incinerated, asphyxiated and strafed with machine-gun fire. An estimated 1,500 civilians were killed. Guernica was leveled. Richthofen, a cousin of Manfred von Richthofen, the notorious “Red Baron” of World War I, described the attack as “absolutely fabulous … a complete technical success.” .... Quote .... Today, “Guernica” hangs in Madrid, in the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. I saw it there about a month after the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas and three weeks into Israel’s invasion of Gaza. A second year of war was raging away in Ukraine. The painting felt more poignant, more “relevant” — whatever that might mean — than ever. (Sadly, mind you, there haven’t been many times since it was painted that “Guernica’s” relevance has been much in doubt.) After leaving the museum, I walked to the nearby Prado. I made a beeline for Diego Velázquez’s “Las Meninas” — many people’s choice for the most astonishing of all European paintings. On Nov. 16, 1936 — just under six months before the attack on Guernica — nine bombs were dropped on the Prado. .... Edited March 16 by Zorral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLastWolf Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/world/europe/germany-far-right-government.html Yo not again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toth Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 3 hours ago, TheLastWolf said: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/world/europe/germany-far-right-government.html Yo not again I feel like I need to give a bit more insight into how our politics work and why this is so problematic. Germany's constitution is technically very robust in regards to checks and balances, particularly when it comes to lawmakers on federal and state level having to work together. The state governments together with the proportional representation system means that throughout Germany almost every party is in a coalition with any of the others somewhere in some form. Technically, this should mean that parties have to always find compromises and common ground and can't afford to burn too many bridges with each other or else they wouldn't be able to govern in the future. This worked so well that after some tense hiccups in the 60s, for the last decades the problem rather was that parties essentially met in a rather conservative middle ground and no matter which of the two biggest parties, the center CDU or the center-left SPD, was in charge, the country would be very much run the same way with not many changes. Heck, for a large portion of the time, the two parties were even in a coalition with each other. At least that's my take as someone spending more than half my life under the Merkel government. But unfortunately when the centrist consensus of politics is that you shouldn't touch anything, but rather leave unpopular changes to future generations, then everything that breaks along the way will eventually need fixing. And now we are in a position where everything needs fixing all at once. Public services have been underfunded to hell, there is simply not enough staff for government offices to work efficiently (which is one reason why they are getting overwhelmed and overworked by the constant influx of refugees), courts are in a dire place (banal cases get dragged out for years and even high profiles ones dismissed because of errors made by overworked judges), schools of course (having to tackle the influx of immigrant children with low literacy and mental health issues that can't be caught by kindergartens and primary schools then hit the middle and high schools, causing problems for everyone at a time when a huge chunk of the teachers is going into retirement and there are nowhere near enough new ones to take their places), infrastructure (train privatization has put public transportation on life support when the train company just wants to extract profits and let the tracks rot until the government is forced to step in, causing much of the cargo transport to migrate onto the roads... leaving those then obviously in an expensive constantly demolished state) and of course housing (expecting the population to shrink, the local governments sold off the public housing sector to cut costs, but now with the populations in big cities going through the roof instead, nobody is building more houses because the private investor groups prefer to sit on what they already have and watch its value go up). Add to all this the inflation caused by the Ukraine war and its fallout and you've got a pissed off population where particularly the less well-to-do (and less educated) hurt the most, while the population at the same time isn't used to a government actually setting out to change anything (with chancellor Scholz being specifically voted for for being a quiet milktoast administrator with no daring creative policies). And THEN we got a point where through social media or simply opportunistic copying the same kind off insane culture war nonsense that is plaguing the US got imported to Germany by the center-right. Leading up the last elections, the center-right CSU and libertarian FDP openly declared the Greens will establish some kind of communist hippie dictatorship, companies scared of environmental regulation were posting hit pieces in newspapers and of fucking course all the Russian trolls flooded the internet with frothing accusations that they will snatch away the meat from your table and so on. And this hasn't really stopped, it's just that the FDP continues to throw its hissy fits even while in a government with them, leaking unfinished law proposals to the press to whip up uproar to force the Greens to back off from essentially anything they want to tackle, with the Greens eventually sniping back and blocking FDP proposals, the CSU asking for new elections each week and the CDU putting a rich narcissist weasel in charge that got frequently compared to Mr. Burns during the last election and who is opportunistically jumping on each chance to divide the ruling parties. Naturally, while his junior parties are publicly at each other's throats and causing public trust to plummet, Scholz is being Scholz and decides that it looks particularly regal when he's mostly ignoring it and hide from the public. It's quite telling that his "not until our allies make the first step" in regards to weapons deliveries to Ukraine is the most direct communication he has been doing and even that makes him look like an anxious coward. And of course in the middle of all this the far-right AfD is on the rise. The party started out as a silly "we don't like the EU and want the D-Mark back" party, but opportunistically jumped onto the racism angle during the refugee crisis, resulting in the racists in it getting louder and louder, attracting neo-nazis who eventually took over as it kept self-destructing, with its leadership always getting ousted and replaced by ever more radical shitheads. The thing now is that while the German constitution is screaming "Never again!" every second page, there is surprisingly little you can do against a legal party conspiring to dismantle democracy while not really spelling it out like that. It needs to be officially banned by a court to do so first. And that only happened once in the past, to the communist party KPD, but that has to be viewed under the lens of the Cold War... and that the party was so blatantly under the thrall of the USSR that they kidnapped and imprisoned members who refused to bow to orders from Moscow. We also shot ourselves in the foot when the last attempt to ban a party against the far more blatantly neonazi NPD was dismissed by the court with the reasoning that yes, they totally would abolish democracy if they could, but they are too tiny to do so. Now with the AfD, the danger is that the reasoning will be that they are already too big and represent too many voters to abolish them despite at the very least planning to roll back constitutional rights to German citizens (as in the meeting in the article it was not "only" talked about revoking German citizenship from immigrants, but also from political enemies and then send them... somewhere...). Unfortunately in the middle of all this, the CDU is locally faltering on its promise not to work together with the AfD. Because it's just like in the past in Germany or Italy where conservatives thought that communists are a bigger threat than fascists and so the fascists would certainly work out fine as allies. Just that this time it's environmentalists who are treated as the bigger threat than the fascists. Sigh... On the "bright" note, the degree of polarization has caused the "Werteunion" (the far-right wing of the CDU) to create its own party, as well as the... "Bündnis Sarah Wagenknecht" (yes, really, the party is named after its leader) splitting off from the left-wing Die Linke. Both parties propose right-wing populist "solutions" in the same vein as the AfD, but with a different veneer and there is some hope that they will grab some votes off the AfD due to its voters mostly originating from CDU or Linke voters anyway. Tears of Lys, TheLastWolf, wiedzma and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ser Reptitious Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 The trophy icon might look a bit odd for Toth's rather depressing explanation, but it's meant as a thank you for the in-depth explanation of the situation, just to be clear. Ser Scot A Ellison, Zorral and Tears of Lys 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanF Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 (edited) On 3/6/2024 at 1:29 PM, Ran said: I’ll just echo that this sort of view is infantilizing at best, racist at worst. It’s really bizzare that you don’t seem to recognize it. France decriminalised male/male sex in 1791, and it was not generally a crime in its African colonies. It became a crime, in such places, after independence. Independent countries are responsible for their own laws in this regard. In general, the tendency has been for the laws against homosexuality to become harsher than in the colonial period, in Africa. A big justification that is given for anti-sodomy laws in Uganda (probably the harshest in any African Christian country), is the behaviour of King Mwanga II, who executed dozens of pages in 1886, because they'd converted to Catholicism, and refused to allow the king to exercise the traditional royal prerogative of penetrating them. Pre-colonial Africa was no idyll. Edited March 17 by SeanF wiedzma, Ormond, Tears of Lys and 3 others 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 Gambia May Overturn Landmark Ban on Female Genital Cutting If lawmakers in the West African country vote to repeal a 2015 ban, Gambia would become the first nation to roll back protections against the practice. Shared/Gift link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/18/world/africa/gambia-female-genital-cutting.html?unlocked_article_code=1.dk0.0Lfq.tbCyG8aBUOsa&smid=url-share Quote .... Gambia banned cutting in 2015 but did not enforce the ban until last year, when three practitioners were given hefty fines. An influential imam in the Muslim-majority country took up their cause and has been leading calls to repeal the ban, claiming that cutting — which in Gambia usually involves removing the clitoris and labia minora of girls between ages 10 and 15 — is a religious obligation and important culturally. Cutting takes different forms and is most common in Africa, though it is also widespread in parts of Asia and the Middle East. Internationally recognized as a gross violation of human rights, it frequently leads to serious health issues, like infections, hemorrhages and severe pain, and it is a leading cause of death in the countries where it is practiced. .... maarsen and wiedzma 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conflicting Thought Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 On 3/17/2024 at 9:07 AM, SeanF said: Pre-colonial Africa was no idyll. For sure, everywhere where there isbhuman civilization there will be horror. But if pre colonial africa was no idyll, post colonial africa was hell on earth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 (edited) Street protests in Cuba because of lack of power and food. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-68595885 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/18/cuba-hundreds-protest-long-blackouts-tight-economy Developments Under the Headlines in the Israel-Hamas War https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/developments-under-the-headlines-in-the-israel-hamas-war Edited March 18 by Zorral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bironic Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 (edited) Slovakia elects a new President on the 23.March, favorite is Peter Pellegrini a close ally of Premier Fico, current President is not running again due to constant attacks against her. If Pellegrini gets elected the backsliding of democracy in Slovakia will accelerate, Fico has already declared the 4 largest independent media companies as enemies of the state, doesn’t give them interviews or answers their questions and has banned them from all government buildings. Instead he uses social media and Russian propaganda channels that don’t ask any questions to pander to the public. He has also denied that Ukraine is a sovereign state… a next Hungary is in the making… Meybe Zelensky should point out that Slovakia is no sovereign state either, it only came to be due to the collapse of Czechoslovakia and The Austro-Hungarian empire. So it should actually be ruled by either Prague, Budapest or Vienna… at least the second option should please Orban and the Hungarian minority in Slovakia, thus making a Orban-Fico alliance a bit harder… Edited March 19 by Bironic DireWolfSpirit, Ser Scot A Ellison, SeanF and 5 others 2 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Israel Faces Tough Balancing Act on Russia and the West Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu treads lightly with President Vladimir Putin. Russia is not responding in kind, with public criticism increasing https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/world/europe/israel-russia-us-ukraine.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Anti-Targ Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 (edited) Bibi already trying to pivot to Russia as its protector even before Biden does anything? Edited March 20 by The Anti-Targ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bironic Posted March 20 Author Share Posted March 20 (edited) 3 hours ago, The Anti-Targ said: Bibi already trying to pivot to Russia as its protector even before Biden does anything? That won’t happen: a) Russia isn’t capable of replacing the US support for Israel, what they have goes into the war effort in Ukraine b) It would alienate Iran, Syria, Hizbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, the Muslim minorities in Russia, the various Muslim states in Africa & Middle East, Central Asia with whom Russia still has reasonably good relations, the first two are major backers of Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine c) Russia has historically high antisemitism thus making such a move unpopular at home Bibi is an utter asshole but he isn’t stupid he knows all of the above… Edited March 20 by Bironic Heartofice, wiedzma, Ran and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Romperista's role model? Used, abused and deported: migrant workers land back in Bangladesh after Saudi dreams turn sour As the Gulf kingdom bids to host a World Cup that will see its reliance on cheap foreign labour soar, planeloads of men already return daily to Dhaka, gaunt, dazed and broke https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/mar/21/used-abused-and-deported-migrant-workers-land-back-in-bangladesh-after-saudi-dreams-turn-sour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Yemen’s Houthis Tell China, Russia Their Ships Won’t Be Targeted Houthis reach understanding on safe passage during Oman talks Move signals world powers’ nervousness about maritime attacks https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-21/china-russia-reach-agreement-with-yemen-s-houthis-on-red-sea-ships Not to mention those two nations vetoed the US's UN ceasefire resolution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zorral Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 Xi’s Reform Push Is Not Deng’s Reform Push https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-03-23/bloomberg-new-economy-xi-latest-pitch-he-s-china-s-new-reformer? Quote .... “Xi is regarded as another outstanding reformer in the country after Deng Xiaoping,” Xinhua gushed earlier this month. But while Xi’s campaign may notch some short-term success (Cook said Apple will invest in new applied research in Shanghai), the reform push may eventually turn off more businesspeople than it attracts. Why is that? It’s because what’s coming isn’t likely to be a Deng-style, quasi-capitalist “opening up.” Instead, China-watchers warn, the signs suggest what’s coming will be very different—and very much a Communist Party affair. .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tears of Lys Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 So ISIS committed a terrorist act on Russia, but Putin is claiming "it's really Ukraine!" Apparently the USA shared info with Russia that an attack was imminent, but it was ignored in favor of Putin's favorite scapegoat. DireWolfSpirit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bironic Posted March 24 Author Share Posted March 24 On 3/19/2024 at 1:02 PM, Bironic said: Slovakia elects a new President on the 23.March, favorite is Peter Pellegrini a close ally of Premier Fico, current President is not running again due to constant attacks against her. If Pellegrini gets elected the backsliding of democracy in Slovakia will accelerate, Fico has already declared the 4 largest independent media companies as enemies of the state, doesn’t give them interviews or answers their questions and has banned them from all government buildings. Instead he uses social media and Russian propaganda channels that don’t ask any questions to pander to the public. He has also denied that Ukraine is a sovereign state… a next Hungary is in the making… Liberal Pro EU and opposition candidate Korcok wins the first round of the presidential election in Slovakia. Runoff against Pellegrini, the candidate of the current government is on April 6th. Ser Scot A Ellison, Padraig, Ser Reptitious and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DireWolfSpirit Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 The 4 terrorist suspects in the Moscow attack were arraigned today. 3 of the 4 pleaded guilty. The 4th, in a wheelchair being nursed and unable to respond yet. All 4 beat to a bloody pulp. Oh and one had his ear hacked off. Im going out on a limb and predicting these guys dont survive long during their imminent to come "life sentences." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Anti-Targ Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Are they even the terrorists? Plead guilty and we'll give you a quick death, plead not-guilty and your death (and your family's death) will be slow and painful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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