Money talks, but wealth whispers.

Case in point: this was briefly on the latest r/place before it was removed.

Remember folks: China is communist in the same way that North Korea is democratic and the Nazis were socialist.

It's just a smokescreen.

As someone who grew up in a conservative household in a deep red state, I think that part of it is that a lot of people are letting Lizard Brain dictate their response to transgender people.

Let me give you a personal example. A while back, I went to a social dance, and there was a trans woman there. Before the dance starts proper, the couple that runs it will teach a dance lesson, and we rotate partners while that's going on. Eventually, I was rotated into being her partner. For some background, she was obviously early on in her transition; she still looked like a dude in a dress, she didn't quite have the appearance down yet. But she gets huge props for not only having the bravery to go out as herself, but doing it in fucking Arkansas.

So I rotate over to her, and it dawns on me that she's trans. In my head, Lizard Brain immediately starts screaming. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?! THIS PERSON IS OBVIOUSLY A DUDE IN A DRESS, HE MUST BE UP TO SOMETHING IF HE'S DRESSING AS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT HE IS! RABBLERABBLERABBLERABBLERABBLE"

Keep in mind, where I grew up, you just didn't see trans people, and even now, it still tickles that primal part of my brain that was trained to be uncomfortable around people who aren't white and straight.

The difference between me and many of the people I grew up around is that I recognize that it's happening and try to tone Lizard Brain out when it starts screaming. A lot of other people listen to it and don't care that the person that it's screaming about is exactly that: a person.

Dude, I'm scared in a way that only someone who has a history degree can be scared. We are currently in the lead-up to the next global conflict, and this time, we have the capability to destroy ourselves.

I'm seeing what is going on now, and it's the same thing that was happening in Europe in the 1920s. I've been saying that January 6 was the GOP's Munich Beer Hall Putsch. We're gonna find out in a couple weeks if we're gonna let the new fascists gain power like Hitler did in the 30s.

I want to be the one to point out that retired generals making political statements is heavily frowned upon, so for them to take a step beyond that and ENDORSE A CANDIDATE is practically unheard of except in fringe cases like Michael Flynn.

Upper brass is a pretty exclusive club, and retirees don't generally make political statements to avoid stepping on the toes of the currently serving generals/admirals. If multiple generals/admirals felt the need to take this step, they would've done it with the knowledge and consent of current leadership.

To my knowledge, it's the first time in history that a non-nuclear power invaded and occupied territory belonging to a nuclear power.

So, that's even more dubious history Putin played a part in.

It's actually kinda funny watching them flail around blaming nothing and everything because one of their own tried to shoot Trump. They were NOT prepared to deal with this situation at all.

God, I love this image.

Matthew 7:15-20

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I just hope and pray that when Gabe Newell decides to retire, he hands the reins for Valve off to someone like-minded.

A huge part of the reason PC gamers have it so good is because GabeN refuses to sell Valve (and by extension, Steam) and also wants to deliver the best product possible. He's content with merely making lots of money, instead of trying to squeeze every last cent out of Steam at the storefronts expense.