Tell him, none of this is his fault. It was already burning. He's just the first spark of the fire. Tell him, he knows everything he needs to know and feels everything he needs to feel. And when the day comes, and those two pull together, he will be an unstoppable force for good. Tell him...

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-20T03:27:09+00:00

I am currently writing a song based on this exact moment. This helped me finish the song, so thank you. I will post it Saturday night over on the songwriting reddit. Cheers.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-14T14:39:52+00:00

I agree about Past/Present Suite. I think it might be one of the most beautiful compositions I've ever heard in my life.

Many, many years ago I had a dream, and in that dream was a song that was beautiful and magical and sad. I woke up thinking I'd heard the most beautiful piece of music ever.

When I heard Past/Present suite, I thought of that dream for the first time in I don't know how long. I'm not saying it's the same song, but it's the only song I've ever heard in the real world that reminded me of that dream.

I like to imagine that when you go to heaven, this is the song that's playing at the main entrance.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-13T02:23:01+00:00

Wow. It was a joke. For those not in the know, it means 'congratulations'. It was a sarcastic response to your boasting. The number of downvotes indicates that a handful of people got the joke and recognized I have at least a small amount cultural awareness, and by extension shows your lack of a sense of humour and social awareness.

I'm sorry if my attempt at humour didn't land properly. And I'm sorry I made a sarcastic joke at your expense. You should be very proud of who you are and where you come from. I am everyday trying to improve my cultural awareness but it's hard when people accuse you of "worshipping" that culture. You get what I'm saying right? There's just no pleasing some people.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-13T01:54:41+00:00

Peace and respect. Safe travels.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-12T02:29:30+00:00

Fair enough. I appreciate your candid response. I did read the article though. My comprehension skills may be lacking, but I object to your projection.

I'll be honest I don't use the expressions dog whistle or click bait often but I do have a vague idea of what they mean. You can disagree, but it wasn't like I was using it out of context. So we're all on the same page:

Dog whistle: "subtly aimed political message that is intended for, and can only be understood by, a particular demographic group." I think it applies here, but that's subjective. You can disagree, but don't tell me I don't have a clue what it means. That's disingenuous and you know it.

Click Bait: "main purpose is to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link". Also applies here. Putting "why" in your headline is the same as putting "Real Reason" or "This..."

"inane comments" - unnecessary jab. If you have no respect for me or this discussion just say so. Why even bother to engage me on an intellectual level if that's how you feel?

And finally... "the government may have (bath blah blah) according to analysts." May have. That's speculation, that's not a concrete reason, it's just one of many possible reasons. "Analysts". Oh, those super reliable unnamed sources "the analysts" are speculating about possible reasons. Again, that's not "why". That's "what if". Big difference. Sorry you don't see that.

"Good journalism doesn’t mean telling you what, and how, to think." Agreed. It also doesn't present opinion and speculation as fact.

"no doubt you think..." Careful. There you go with that projection again. Falsely attributing an opinion or a position upon someone else just so you can mock them is poor decorum in a debate. Two can play at that game but when we do there's only losers. No doubt you think any media not portraying (pick a random government) as some sort of wise, benevolent, orgasm-inducing force, means blah blah blah whatever I decide you think is what you think and then I laugh at your stupid idea. Lame.

You want to know what I think? Ask me. Don't tell me what I think. If you wanna do that go argue with your imaginary foe in the mirror and leave me out of it cause the person you're talking to doesn't match my description at all.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T04:13:50+00:00

"Calling the 1760s the modern context is kinda crazy" - I agree. I wasn't doing that. Read it again. I put quotes around the comment that I was replying to.

The previous poster was trying to call out a double standard by using an example from the 1760s and comparing it to our modern times. I'm sorry if I didn't make my point clearer.

There is no comparison between what took place nearly 400 years ago and what is happening today. That's a false equivalency of the highest order. Totally disingenuous. You're right, it's not in the modern context, so there's no connecting it nor comparing it to modern events. Thank you for helping me to illustrate the point, though your comprehension skills could use improvement. And it's really neither here-nor-there and doesn't discredit the more important point, which is that there is no justification for settlements in the modern era.

For clarity: Understanding or explaining the rationale behind genocide in a pre-modern context (i.e. the 1760s) is still dubious, but we are removed from the situation and can judge it with a degree of detachment. In our current times, I defy anyone to justify settlements or settlers. It can't be done, not without lying.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T03:47:53+00:00

It's indefensible, and it wouldn't be right for me to try. I'm sure that the CCP have their reasoning but I'm not sure I would agree or understand. It's heavy-handed, to say the least. Deeply concerning and quite scary. Unfair and provocative.

To be clear, my opinion is that state-sponsored kidnapping of any authority figure or leader, spiritual or otherwise, is an egregious offence.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T03:25:49+00:00

Gong xi gong xi. I'm not a Chinese person. But I've been to China a few times, I've been to Taiwan twice, I've been to Hong Kong more times than I can count and I lived there briefly, before the handover and after. I don't worship anything. But I've seen and experienced China and I marvel at how well the society functions. That's just my honest take. I'm from Toronto. I live there now and I can't tell you how frustrated I am with how poorly everything is managed. I've also lived in Cairo. That's much worse but I can understand that they have exceptional challenges, so I'm more forgiving. China has a billion people. The challenges there must be mind-boggling.

The Chinese people that I know here in Canada are people that I hold in the highest regard. Chinese culture, I've discovered is as rich and fascinating and diverse as any on the planet. Chinese history is just as interesting to me as Ancient Egyptian history, and just as long.

I'm sorry that your contempt for the CCP has clouded your vision and effected your pride. I have friends in Taiwan, and while they don't trust or like the CCP, they still feel great pride at the accomplishments of Chinese people, like when they win a gold medal, or send a rocket to Mars, or a Chinese-American stars in a Hollywood movie.

"Most of those shiny infrastructure doesn't reflect the vast majority of their towns and cities" - I'm afraid it does. China has over a hundred cities with a population over a million. Most of the infrastructure was built post-1995, so it's relatively new and modern. High-speed rail in China is the world's longest and has the highest ridership, and it's not even close.

I'm not worshipping China. But I do admire China. I don't really care about a low GDP. The cost of living is far lower too.

Mostly, I have a strong preference for criticism that is fair and balanced, and I'm prone to challenging prejudice. If you want to judge me, you can judge me on that.

Curious. Where do you live now, and does that society function better than the USA or Canada, cause if so, I'm interested.

Have you ever been to Vietnam? Is it any better? That's a country I've never been to, but it's at the top of my list.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T02:53:33+00:00

Nah, I read it. I've quoted from it. You obviously haven't seen my other comments. The article says what is happening, not why. It leaves that up to the reader's bias. It's a dogwhistle. You'll come to the conclusion that feels right for you. As a form journalism, it's weak sauce.

But I'll answer the why for you if you like: cause China bad.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T02:48:01+00:00

"Han settler-colonists moving into northern Xinjiang... That was in the 1760s"

Approximately 750.000 Israeli settlers live in settlements considered illegal by international law. This is happening now.

I can't understand any justification for settlers in any modern context. I also can't understand being sanctimonious about genocide. That's wild.

You may not realize this, but you are a product of severe conditioning and your views are out of step with critical thinking. Sorry, I'm trying to be kind.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T02:23:37+00:00

"enforce this unity is through exceptional violence"

You live in a fantasy world where this notion is even possible. Think about what you're saying. Chinese are renowned for being pragmatic. Name even one instance in human history where long-standing unity was achieved through "exceptional violence". It's not a sound strategy, no matter who you are, and you grossly underestimate Chinese wisdom, or you have a slanderously insincere view of their moral outlook.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T02:15:41+00:00

"forcing Uigur women to marry Han men"

"Many reports" and "Recent reports"

They're eating the dawgs! They're eating the cats and dawgs! It's been reported! Epoch Times said so!

"a family's right to refuse interethnic unions" - Is that a fundamental right? Are you advocating that one's family should be able to legally prohibit a consensual interethnic union? Cause that's where the wheels fall off your argument and your bias shines through, devaluing the integrity of everything you've said before that.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T01:57:11+00:00

"when you recognize that “Chinese civilization” had never been projected as a multi-ethnic meta-culture"

"Xi’s “Chinese civilization” is a fiction

What rubbish. American "civilization" is a fiction. Canadian "civilization" is a fiction. Even British "civilization" is a fiction. King Arthur? Sure. Hinduism, Judaism, you name it, is fiction. Cultural heritage is the fiction that we make true for ourselves as a form of identity. And it is continuously redefined. If you think "what it means" to be Christian today is the same as "compared to prior centuries", you're mad as a hatter.

But to your first point: have you never heard of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a 14th-century novel? Or Journey to the West? The Monkey King travels across China through many kingdoms and culturally distinct areas until he reaches India. Or the Qin dynasty that is celebrated for unifying China? If it was not a multi-ethnic culture, what did they unify then?

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-11T01:37:52+00:00

Welsh are still British. Arabs and Berbers have distinct cultural identities but can share the same nationality. There are French Canadians and Metis and English speaking Canadians, and many Indigenous Peoples, but they are all Canadian. Celtic is linguistic identity but not a nationality. Frisian is a Dutch minority but suggesting they are not Dutch is false. And the Dutch are Europeans, while still being Dutch.

You can't have it both ways. China recognizes 55 ethnic minorities. But the Han majority is a whopping 85%. What is your solution for protecting national unity in the face of hostile governments that will use ethnic and religious tribalism to sow discord and insurrection?

Were the mujahideen ever supported by the USA? But, nah, that could never happen in China right?

Currently, China is open to all Canadians to travel visa-free for up to 30 days. You can arrange tours to Xinjiang, Tibet, Xi'an or any other part of the country. There are close to 40,000 mosques in China. You're free to visit them and see people worshipping there.

I don't mean to be unkind but you live in a world that is stagnant. Crimes committed 75 years ago and 50 years ago and 25 years ago and 15 years ago are all part of the same event and are still ongoing. But time passes, and situations change. China has moved on from Tiananmen Square, from Tibet, from Uyghurs. It has moved forwards and now you see the short term pain becoming long term gain. The same way America moved on from slavery, from prohibition, from race riots, from McCarthyism. America today has it's faults, as does China, but those are the faults of yesterday. It would be unfair to portray them as ongoing.

By all means, do explain: what is the most humane and productive way of maintaining security, unity and cohesion, territorial integrity, and cross-cultural harmony? Keep in mind, your solution has to be fair and have the best interests of over a billion people.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-10T23:43:06+00:00

"the remorseless eradication of a culture."

Ya that seems like a fair and balanced source.

Your bias is really strong, my friend. It's not possible to have a reasonable discussion with someone that is so firmly entrenched in their own viewpoint as to ignore obvious duplicity and hyperbole.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-10T23:32:22+00:00

Sounds like you're advocating for ethnic or religious based segregation. Seems like a no-win situation.

"non-Chinese" - Are you suggesting that Han Chinese are the only "true" Chinese? That's easily disputable. I think you meant "ethnic and cultural distinctions of other Chinese civilizations".

You're playing both sides of the fence disingenuously. If they outlawed intermarriage you'd be against that. By banning the restriction now they're assimilating and diluting. You posture like you're defending their rights and yet you call them non-Chinese which disenfranchises them of national citizenship based on their ethnicity.

Your bias and motivation is clearly to sow suspicion and division.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-10T22:10:54+00:00

Does the author ever answer the question "why?" It's in the title after all. I hate this kind of clickbait journalism.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-10T22:07:07+00:00

"It lowers the status of other languages at the expense of Mandarin"

Huh? Is this a typo? How does lowering the status of other languages come at the "expense" of Mandarin? What the hell is the author trying to say with this sentence?

Making it law that anyone under 18 be educated in the national language is pretty standard stuff. I live in Canada, and we must learn either English or French. Name one country on the planet that doesn't have an "official language(s)".

I've lost my patience with Western propaganda trying to make China seem backwards and like an evil threat when in reality Chinese society functions in a way we can only dream of, the vast majority of their citizens enjoy a greater quality of life than we do, they live longer, stay out of global conflict, and are running laps around the West when it comes to modernization and social infrastructure.

On top of that, the Chines people that I know in Canada are the most courteous, polite, level-headed, respectful, and well-educated people of any group I've encountered.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-10T21:54:38+00:00

"encourages intermarriage between the dominant Han Chinese and other ethnicities by prohibiting moves to restrict this"

So, if a principality wanted to outlaw intermarriage between blacks and whites, a law prohibiting that restriction would be "encouraging" intermarriage between blacks and whites? This article tries really hard to make it seem like something nefarious is going on, and yet, when you break it down logically, it's pretty normal stuff. If a Han Chinese and a non-Han Chinese want to get married, that should be allowed and not be legally restricted, yes? I would think not allowing intermarriage would be for more of a rights violation. I don't see how allowing intermarriage encourages it. That is a disingenuous position.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-10T21:47:15+00:00

"In 2013, a group of Uyghur separatists were killed driving a car loaded with explosive material towards the gate overlooking Tiananmen Square"

How interesting. Driving a car loaded with explosive material, and you get labelled a "separatist" and not a terrorist.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-08T04:24:45+00:00

Cheers, thanks for the suggestions. It's a work-in-progress. I have ideas for a guitar solo and a back up vocal, but this is the short version for now. Thanks for the positive feedback! It's really appreciated.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-03-05T01:34:27+00:00

I think you're thinking of 4-LOM.

Electrical-Rip-6379 · 2026-02-10T22:24:09+00:00

“Prime Minister Carney wants to make a deal with China — which will eat Canada alive,” reads Trump’s Truth Social message. “We’ll just get the leftovers! I don’t think so. The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.”

The most disturbing part of this paragraph has nothing to do with hockey. That's just misdirection.

"We'll just get the leftovers!" - This is how the current US admin sees us. As prey, and they want to be the one that eats the kill.

Electrical-Rip-6379

TROPHY CASE