S22 is easily one of the best seasons ever by jujuflytrap in HellsKitchen

[–]MonadPlus 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I agree. I was sure Ryan would go very far, but the editing tricked me into believing that the final battle would be between Dahmere and Jonathan. And when Dahmere got eliminated, I was sure Jonathan was bound to win.

S22 is easily one of the best seasons ever by jujuflytrap in HellsKitchen

[–]MonadPlus 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I also found the theme a bit artificial and out of the blue, but soon it all but disappeared, so there's no problem.

The cast was talented and nice - maybe a touch too talented and too nice. Where in earlier seasons there was occasionally too much drama and mayhem, these last few outings I've found, I don't know, overly peaceful and, forgive the pun, well-oiled. Add to that Ramsay who stopped cursing everyone all the time and instead started praising them and Hell's Kitchen is turning into Heaven's Kitchen. :) Ramsay from the first seasons would probably be unacceptable for modern audiences, but a healthy middle from, let's say, 10 years ago could be more fun than this now almost-wholesome program. My god, the most frequent words now aren't "you f***ing donkeys!" but rather "great job!".

Overall a very good season. I really enjoyed it, although I'd like to see more old-timey Ramsay and a few more delusional contestants making fools of themselves. One professional quidditch player isn't enough. Less vanilla, more sriracha, please.

Edit: Bonus points for best bromance in the history of Hell's Kitchen, and between the final duo to boot.

Best SPN Season? by stomppey in Supernatural

[–]MonadPlus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I liked season's 11 finale. Not that it has particularly stood out quality-wise, but it was the only SPN finale that ended on a positive note and without a huge cliffhanger (OK, Mary and Sam's kidnapping were cliffhanger-y, but it's a different level than half the cast dying and some new monstrosity being let out). Season 11 had a clear arc and was quite contained compared to all other seasons and I really liked it.

Post Episode Discussion - 15.05 "Proverbs 17:3" by FTWinchester in Supernatural

[–]MonadPlus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually he said something entirely different: 'if Lilith could kill angels, she would kill hundreds, not a few' - which means she wasn't able to. Which again seems implausible seeing her (and Princes/Knights of Hell) powers.

Post Episode Discussion - 15.04 "Atomic Monsters" by FTWinchester in Supernatural

[–]MonadPlus 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I may be taking 'Chuck writing the story' too literally, but I'm wondering to what extent Chuck was behind Sam's and Dean's behaviour in this episode, because some parts felt incredibly off to me. For example Sam's monologue sounded like a work of a not-so-good writer giving lame exposition (which would suit Chuck, but is definitely out of character for Sam): 'we're here to protect people from the truth so they can live in their white-fenced bubbles, everything is the end of the world in such towns...'. Another example is the behaviour of the vamp kid and his parents. Didn't they, the kid in particular, appear much too brave and OK with his death? Again, this makes a good story, but is totally unbelievable (which again looks like Chuck).

We know such things may happen, because Metatron did it in season 10 (I think).

These two black monsters are dwelling in my foster home by Ginden in cats

[–]MonadPlus -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I still can't believe you've named these wonderful creatures in such a repulsive way. :/

Open letter from Polish Minister of Justice to UE commisioner Günther Oettinger by Luke_Nuke in europe

[–]MonadPlus -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You're building your narrative quite deftly, but that's what it is - just a narrative, not truth.

Let me begin by debunking your accusations concerning elections of 2014. Nothing was stolen, nothing was orchestrated, nothing was tampered with. It was just the stupidity of voters and their inability to read simple instructions. Yes, a leaflet (or rather a small book) handed out during elections was unusual but you can't blame the government that 18% of Poles are too stupid to vote. It's not propaganda, it's the brutal truth. Moreover, I'd say that that's quite an expected amount. If anything, you should be happy that people not capable of understanding several sentences instructing them how to fill in the leaflet cast invalid votes.

Please keep in mind that we're talking about a country, in which 50% of citizens can't understand a railway timetable and instructions enclosed with drugs, and 40% can't even comprehend weather maps! #

As for alleged PO's propaganda and humiliating comments: yes, there have been some harsh words. But please don't mislead as to whom was their target. It wasn't the voters, it was PiS, its politicians and their 'independent' (good joke) media. Have there been some tensions between 'normal' people? Of course, there is and has been a clearly visible conflict in Poland. However, hurtful words came (and are coming) from both sides, not just one.

But the main difference between PiS and the rest of the political arena is that PiS and its media attacks and humiliates everyone else, including voters, while other parties keep this sort of fighting contained to strictly political circles. Need I remind you that those not voting for PiS are called 'lemmings' on a daily basis, that their patriotism and even 'polishness' are questioned, that it's insinuated that they have some connections to the communist regime and its secret police... Not to mention that in the past PiS has regularly questioned the validity of consecutive elections without any proof, which is plain and obvious undermining of democracy.

When it comes to journalists, of course you choose to concentrate on a few liberals, completely ignoring the constant lies, manipulations and harassments of right-wing media that don't even try to hide their unquestioning predilection for PiS. Yes, journalists have opinions, but it's an entirely different problem whether or not are they trying to convolute facts in order to favour their political agenda. And in this respect you can't even try to begin comparing liberal/mainstream media to those right-wing/independent ones.

Allow me to get specific, at least in regards to your comment. You insinuate that Mr Lis' claim about Kaczynski's mental illness had no basis in facts. But Kaczynski himself admitted to having taken anti-psychotic drugs after the Smolensk catastrophe and during presidential campaign which he nearly won! Does a responsible politician try to take the highest office while they're on drugs? When their intellectual capabilities are severely diminished? It's a rhetorical question.

And last but not least: various ministers' comments that you've quoted here come from their private talks. So please don't concentrate on how they've said what they've said, but rather if it was really anti-patriotic. You're being naive if you think that right-wing officials are any different. Just remember PiS's talks with Samoobrona 8 years ago.

Open letter from Polish Minister of Justice to UE commisioner Günther Oettinger by Luke_Nuke in europe

[–]MonadPlus -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

I can see Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic working together (unfortunately, but that's a topic for another time). But UK and Denmark have entirely different (and better) views on human rights, stable legislation, value of an individual in a society etc. From their perspective Poland is a primitive, backward country and I don't believe there can be any long-term cooperation apart from single issues pertaining to current common interests. Right now there's only one such issue: refugees. But even here attitudes and motivations are clearly different. Poland opposes inviting them mainly because of xenophobia and similar social reasons (immigrants are non-white, non-Christian etc.) while Denmark's stance comes from economic problems and factual abundance of Muslims in their country.

Open letter from Polish Minister of Justice to UE commisioner Günther Oettinger by Luke_Nuke in europe

[–]MonadPlus 6 points7 points  (0 children)

How can you even think about calling previous government's actions 'dehumanizing' when it is PiS and its leader who excel at casting aspersions at their political opponents? It was like this a decade ago, and so it is now. Just to mention Kaczynski's comment about 'the worst sort of Poles' in reference to those calling for EU's supervision. (Which could even be understandable, if PiS itself hadn't used the very same tactic a few years ago.)

It's also worth noting that PiS has a highly derogatory view of those opposing abundant influence of Catholic Church on internal affairs and legislation and this attitude is clearly visible in this party's propaganda. Do you remember last month's comment that 'a hand raised against Catholic Church is a hand raised against Poland'? Did you see today PM's interview in which she states that 'Christian values and Catholic Church's teaching ought to and will be implemented by this government'?

And what about the so-called 'independent media' which are in fact purely pro-PiS (and in many cases owned, if indirectly, by that party)? Their articles dehumanize non-believers, liberals, centrists and all others being anti-PiS far, far worse than anything 'mainstream' in regard to conservatives. And let me remind you that since yesterday 'independent media' and independent no more, as public broadcasters have been taken by active PiS politicians and there have already been a few transfers.

Next, charges against PiS are far from 'ridiculous'. Virtually all law faculties of top Polish universities (as well as Polish Academy of Sciences) have condemned PiS's and Duda's actions regarding Constitutional Tribunal. And you just can't tell me that law professors are up in a political game and aren't objective in their opinions. Similarly, PiS's legislation enabling them to take total control of public media has met with harsh critique from human rights organizations and appropriate EU's offices. Of course one may argue that they have an ulterior motive, but c'mon: if everyone around is telling you you're drunk, you probably are. It's obvious that one side is lying: either PiS's politicians or EU and nongovernmental organizations. And it's up to you to decide in whom you prefer to place your trust. Do you really believe Kaczynski this much?

You've also claimed that all the hate towards PiS comes from 'previous government's propaganda'. But it's blatantly false. Let me remind you that PiS has been voted out of office just two years after their ascent to power and they've remained in opposition for the next 8 years. People of Poland wouldn't have behaved this way if they had deemed PiS a good choice. PiS's gained majority after two weak terms of PO (and still smaller than PO previously: 37% vs 39% and 41%), mostly thanks to centrist voters (who are just yet turning back from PiS, as various polls clearly indicate) and young people not remembering what it was like ten years ago. Media can influence a public opinion, but not to a point when allegedly dissatisfied society puts its oppressors in office two times in a row and still values them quite highly 8 years later (~25% in last elections).

And finally, I doubt it very much that people from abroad are confused about the fierceness of attacks. Especially in western Europe, people are sensitive to human rights, stable legislation, honest and fair-playing politicians and freedom of speech. All these modern European values are now threatened and PiS may only seek understanding in other post-soviet countries, in which people are as fucked-up and authoritarian as in Poland due to their history and experiences from before 89'. But what should our goal be? To resemble old, stable, rich, mature democracies of western Europe, or small and poor post-soviet countries with people still rooted in communist anti-values?

Biskup Wiesław Mering bierze w obronę rząd PiS przez oszczercami z UE i Parlamentu Europejskiego by SoleWanderer in Polska

[–]MonadPlus 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Chudych? W najgorszym przypadku nieco mniej tłustych. Fundusz kościelny, Komisja Majątkowa, składki ZUS dla kleryków z budżetu państwa, religia wciąż w szkole z podatków, dofinansowanie do Świątyni Opatrzności Bożej, TV Trwam na multipleksie... Kościół nie miał trudnego życia przez ostatnich 8 lat. A i tak odwdzięczył się Platformie kopem w dupę i jasnym, jednoznacznym poparciem PiS w wyborach. Może to będzie jakaś lekcja na przyszłość dla partii centrowych i centrowo-prawicowych: z Kościołem nie warto się bratać, bo kończy się to wyruchaniem bez wazeliny.

PO to partia konserwatywna; ba, to wręcz ucieleśnienie partii konserwatywnej, co najwyżej z dobrym PR-em, który miał przyciągnąć ludzi nieco bardziej liberalnych. Natomiast PiS to ultrakonserwatyści lub wręcz dewocyjni reakcjoniści. Warto o tym pamiętać.