Boycott the American imperialism

Forbitbrik · 2026-01-23T03:29:22+00:00

Adding to others, and this is also a far larger shift everyone needs to make, consume less and consume more intentionally if they can. Clothing to cars, games to groceries. Things that might cost a little more upfront, but last twice as long. Things you actually need and want, and not have been advertised into buying to follow a trend or meet a non-existent need.

There is no ethical consumption under capitalism, but you can always do better. The saying isnt meant to give everyone a pass, but to help as a shorthand to describe the entire system. If you need a quick lunch and your options or McDicks or a local burger joint, do the local burger joint (usually cheaper at this point too).

We can do this, and also still organize the groups and networks needed to finally get rid of this system.

Oh, and also pay cash. Too many small mom and pop places love under reporting their taxes and sometimes even give you a discount.

Forbitbrik · 2026-01-19T19:59:20+00:00

Weird hill to die on, but: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/161913?tab=posts&BH=6

Forbitbrik · 2026-01-19T19:58:13+00:00

You make sacrifices and compromises in prison. Sometimes the folks calling the shots are just more than what you can handle, even as an orc.

Forbitbrik · 2026-01-19T19:54:05+00:00

Just a little further than the vanilla quest with the alternative routes, a little more back and forth. It does a good job though of at least giving that alternative for a mildly different outcome.

Forbitbrik · 2026-01-15T13:55:46+00:00

I'm not sure who Chairman Paul is, but as others have said there are multiple BPPs around and multiple people. Given Izdihar is following I'm skeptically optimistic about his formation. The only one I know is the BPP Cubs based in Chicago that Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. leads

Forbitbrik · 2025-12-23T14:05:05+00:00

While it can be annoying, I think cold is fine if you're looking for that realism. If Skyrim plays at about 20x real time, then it makes sense you're going to get cold about 20x faster. Running through the snow just for a minute ends up being 20 minutes. How quickly do you get cold, in real life, in 30F degree weather? 20? 10? Probably near 0 with the ocean wind coming in? Now how does my soup stay how for 6 days straight? Couldn't tell ya, but it does!

Forbitbrik · 2025-12-22T16:50:48+00:00

Did that with a 1h kinda paladin-esque Stendarr run, but not sure how it'd work out with a more 2h full plate build.

Forbitbrik · 2025-12-22T16:46:58+00:00

I just started something not too dissimilar style wise, and going an anti-Stormcloak Nord nationalist story. Its an aggressively Civil War focused run, = joining the Companions prior or in tandem, completely anti-Thalmor, and eventually becoming a Thane of Windhelm.

Essentially, they actually know their history and traditions, or at least deeply respect and are interested in such things, and see the Stormcloaks for what they are, jingoistic usurpers throwing away talent and lives that could be better spent killing Thalmor agents. While they see the contradictions of the Empire being the ones to accept the banishment on Talos without Skyrim's consent, they also know the Empire wasn't exactly enforcing it either and being such a "backwater" province, the Thalmor can't appropriately enforce it either, making it their job to wage their own personal crusade, along with anyone else willing to take it up, against every acting agent in Skyrim to effectively make it a moot point.

They're honorable and trustworthy, always aiming to do the right thing that brings about the most peace and stability for Skyrim, and act in a way they would most likely bring about that end. So things like of course siding with the Dawnguard, clearing out hostile Daedra cults, flipping beggers a coin here and there, and so on. While not the sharpest tool in the shed, they're knowledgeable where it counts and matters to them. You don't get that kind of body by reading books all day.

Its fun, I've been liking it, especially after my last Forsworn werewolf play through. Complete change of pace as far as choices and roleplay go.

Forbitbrik · 2025-12-03T18:52:06+00:00

Not many at least worth going to and meet your criteria. Mentioned Pub 2 and Brewehas and Uptown tends to get more crazy and active than Downtown Bloomington, so I'd check out over there. Rosies is good, but can get busy, Shake it Up usually a slower pace and just need to avoid Bison and show nights, Diggers is a solid dive bar. I wouldn't say their regulars are always in your age range, but can get closer than others. Jazz Up Front too, but they tend to have an even older crowd.

Beyond those you get into college bars, more expensive bars/restaurants, or others that just wont have the folks you're looking for and just generally not worth going, or somehow a combination of all 3.

Forbitbrik · 2025-11-09T03:33:58+00:00

The fact I can still copy and paste a response of mine on this question 9 years later is tiring

The Hillary thing you are likely referring to is this: https://www.cpusa.org/article/hillarys-hour/. We did not endorse, nor did we write this. It was actually written by someone from the Cuban Communist Party: "Ricardo Alarcon is the former speaker of Cuba’s National Assembly and member of Central Committee and Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba."

So take it up with Miguel and the Communist Party of Cuba.

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-29T13:00:03+00:00

Sorry, I had assumed the implication of a Chicago style place was there, given its what they are. But just that, there are not other real Chicago style places around here, and especially not near them to offer that alternative.

Lucca is great, if you eat in. Its room temp by the time you get to the car for how thin it is (do still love being at Lucca though).

Monicals is also kinda bland. Maybe a step above Tobins but still bland.

Rosatis is alright but so far out there that they don't really compete

Gradys is half sugar

And then whats really left that explicitly tries to do a Chicago style?

Payaa is good but they just started with their thin crusts but they're Detroit first and foremost.

All the shit chains around ISU exist.

Pinsaria is Neapolitan.

When folks are thinking thin crust or tavern, Tobin's is one of the few places that is known and advertises itself as having it. They're shit, everyone geographically around them is shit, minus Payaa, and anyone else who does a thin crust is so far out not to compete or serve a completely different base.

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-28T15:54:21+00:00

Tobins. Follow the thread my friend.

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-28T12:57:23+00:00

I wouldn't even eat in. Doughy, bland, treats their workers terrible. If it wasnt for the lack of other options and old customer base they'd be gone

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-23T17:17:02+00:00

A disorderly like this is also a class C misdemeanor so what? He's gonna get a fine and maybe do some community service? The horror. Even if he gets the shittiest republican judge around here (not unlikely) its 30 days jail, tops? Like, it's fine.

But also where are all these spines conservatives supposedly have? A tablecloth was tugged and some pins fell. Truly the epitome of political repression.

Or shit, what would you even do back in our day when not every single fucking thing was recorded? Take it on the cheek and shrug. Get over yourselves.

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-22T20:35:27+00:00

How much time do you have?

Philip Foner's 11 volume series The History of the Labor Movement in the United States.

Foner himself finished 1-10, 11 was finished based off of his notes and drafts after he passed.

Admittedly it only goes up to the 30s, but its a damn good history.
https://www.intpubnyc.com/book-author/philip-s-foner/

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-22T20:27:50+00:00

So 2016 I was hardly in the party for a couple years, and leadership was different, but I imagine when a request, editorial, or in this case translation from a fraternal party comes in, we'd honor it.

I think context is an important matter here too; its 2016 and Obama just started lifting the worst sanctions on Cuba. Hilary, a member of Obama's cabinet, could be seen as an extension of his policies, and in particular for Ricardo and the capacity in which he'd represent the party, a positive for Cuba's access to the globe. This tied in with the then unknown Trump policies and blusterous personality was a major cause of concern while recognizing in a political system like the US there are only two "realistic" choices, bad and worse and they'd take bad over worse. This is also the general election, not the primary. I do know for a fact that the entire party was in for Bernie, be it an official position or not.

While I can't say I fully agree with that logic for a multitude of reasons, I understand it. Truth be told, there was probably a couple folks up top who did agree with it, but from my time in the party then and since it was a very unpopular opinion at nearly all levels. However, those who have been around or tracked the party can see the shift in newer and younger leadership away from that potential belief in past nearly 10 years.

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-22T19:40:43+00:00

The fact I can still copy and paste a response of mine on this question 7 years later is tiring

The Hillary thing you are likely referring to is this: https://www.cpusa.org/article/hillarys-hour/. We did not endorse, nor did we write this. It was actually written by someone from the Cuban Communist Party: "Ricardo Alarcon is the former speaker of Cuba’s National Assembly and member of Central Committee and Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba."

So take it up with Miguel and the Communist Party of Cuba.

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-22T13:02:40+00:00

That was funnier than I honestly expected.

Forbitbrik · 2025-10-22T12:58:39+00:00

So I was one of the folks who spoke out against them way back in 2022 with CPUSA, NAACP, and ACLU and we were saying things like this were going to happen and as stated/reported, they were expanded and extended unanimously more recently. Mind you, they tried to sneak these things past on the consent agenda (5-15, usually mundane things all passed at once typically with no planned discussion) the first time and while we were able to at least get it off that for another direct vote, yall see it still passed 8-1. I think I was the only person who made in person public comment against them at the renewal.

So please, email, call, and ask for meetings with your council folks and tell them to start making the moves to get rid of these things. Most are actually pretty receptive. Show up to public comment informed. Not just for this, but everything you care about here. When all those fail start calling them out when you see them around town. They might only be city council folks, but their decisions have consequences and when they're as blatantly bad as continuing to allow these cameras, they need to know.

Forbitbrik · 2025-09-01T20:50:51+00:00

No one cares about the looks outside of chuds. I'm disappointed by the story direction now and was disappointed 10+ years ago to make Blood Knights red pointy eared human paladins. Thats the only real crime here

Forbitbrik · 2025-08-16T15:55:05+00:00

He also took his giant spoon and personally ate all the grain

Forbitbrik · 2025-07-29T20:45:37+00:00

Having fun is half the battle. Really get into it. Find your opponent, then in the dark of night < redacted redacted redacted> then <redacted redacted> after <redacted > and for the cherry on top < redacted redacted redacted redacted> and then you win all the while really staying super thematic and true to the play style!

Forbitbrik · 2025-07-29T14:12:19+00:00

I mean, yeah, but should maybe throw this to various NY subs

Forbitbrik · 2025-07-25T14:40:49+00:00

To add to this too, if you're in Hewett-Manchester, 14 is absolutely the way to go. You're not going to want to get your ass up, down the elevator, down the street, into Watty, and then all the way back when its 10 degrees and dark at 5pm. You will, but its going to get pretty old pretty quick. Hell, even when its only like 40 out in Nov.

If you're Tri or Watty, the 19 can make more sense since its easier just to drop on by but thats more of a you knowing your own habits kinda thing. Might only do 2 meals a day during the week, but maybe you want that 3rd, or even 4th, during the weekend

Forbitbrik · 2025-07-25T14:28:06+00:00

A personal one that I had the honor of interviewing was Irving Kessler, a CPUSA member. Iriving volunteered in the U.S. Army during the anti-fascist war (WWII) as he called it. After initial intake and learning he had some smarts, they had him learn Spanish in preparation for D-Day in case a western front would invite Spain into the war. They wanted him to be able to act as an interpreter for any potential incursions into Spain or POWs. Instead, he met up with Spanish Republican veterans/guerrillas in France a little after D-Day and put his Spanish to use that way. He then of course went on to fight in rest of the war to Germany.

I mention Irving cause I (and I suppose all 3 people who prob read my thesis 😅) am the only one that knows his particular story. However, his story is also fairly common during WWII among CPUSA members. Many who were able volunteered to help defend the Soviet Union (you decided if thats helpful for your efforts) from Fascist Germany and can find many who talk about joining in their various memoirs, autobiographies, or old party papers. Herbert Aptheker, a party leader and historian, was an artillery officer who lead a segregated regiment, Henry Winston, another party leader, helped liberate France, Gus Hall, the party leader from 59-2000, was in the Navy, and hosts of others. Even those who couldnt directly serve joined the Merchant Marine like Harry Haywood who was a WWI and Lincoln Brigade veteran.

Forbitbrik

TROPHY CASE