I watched a few documentaries on the 100 Years’ War recently; I’m convinced we’re still living out THAT trauma … and that was just one crazy time out of many. It’s one of the ways I cope with climate change and the degradation of the global environment: reminding myself that living in really fucked up times is more the norm than anything. I do believe that modern technology and the absolute privilege we live with has given many of us in the developed world the illusion that we’re in control of the world. I have a suspicion that the awareness of how little we can do to stop the sheer randomness and brutality of life and human callousness is why religion has been so prevalent for most of history, it’s people having some solidarity in, “Holy shit, this is fucked. God, save us, you’re obviously our only hope.”

IMO this is personal. It’s the Opium Wars Pt. II.

Isn’t that like an ancestrally appropriate thing for Mongolian rulers? Where did he go? Bagdad? Would have thought they’d be proud of him.

Oh no no no … The younger generation of Australians DON’T eat Vegemite. Consequently, they’re growing weak and unhealthy.

Isn’t that salsa? That’s literally vinegar pickled bruscheta. Well, I guess it’s got jalapeno.

Or you talking like a spread made from pickled cucumbers? That sounds a lot like relish.

No… Not at all. “gae” Vs “gahgged”. Gay has a hard A, gagged had a soft A. Plus gagged had a ‘gg’ sound in the middle, and also a D sound at the end. Actually, the only thing they have in common is starting with a G.

Do they sound the same to you?

IIRC putaine (used by the connector above), salope, merde. Basically calling things sluts and whores and saying shit.

… You might be right. He has a weird accent, and if he pronounced the ‘a’ like an American and swallowed the ‘gg’ …

Or maybe that’s the secret do defeating the Conservatives? “We can totally make an LNG pipeline to the coast, but … err … that would make you all pretty gay.”

The French would not say that. They swear, but the religious swears are the domain of the Quebecois. Anyway, surprised the waiter even said, “non.” I’m my experience more likely to say they didn’t understand you and then ignore you.

Sublime too!

Hey, I know i am definitely a fiend, but do you really think we all are?

It’s “O Canada!” It’s the vocative, you bronze bitchlet, not some interjection. We’re not expressing fucking surprise.

Why? Because you think that in spirit Canada and the US are the same thing?

You’re on thin ice right now …

Participants have perfect product and market knowledge.

No, they don’t. They have no idea what the actual costs of the product is, nor are they aware that it’ll break in two weeks … or two days.

EDIT: a typo.

Nah! They’re used to dollar store candies, so I just tell them it’s a candy bar. They love the scented ones, a real treat.

I knew my marriage didn’t have much left in it when for my birthday my wife gifted me a bag of candles that had been half eaten by the kids.

I’m not seeing it here, but the other ironic subtext is that Goliath was a Philistine, now known as a Palestinian (same root word).

That’s true. I mean, I’d welcome all those reforms. Still, at an political level, I’m not sure 50% of the world is politically savvy enough to actual appreciate what these reforms would do.

At some level I’m pretty cynical about the ‘average’ voter. I don’t think it would be possible to come out of this alive. Too many people want what immediately benefits them, not what would make a better world.

For example, the majority of the world is worried about climate change, but it seems like a small minority that would actually vote for useful reforms if it meant they would have to adjust their lives.

… it’s hideous.

50% of THE WORLD. You’re dead because I don’t believe anywhere near 50% of China or India cares about most of this list. This is a list of American issues.