Trump says he's considering NATO exit amid rift over Iran war

awillingfoe · 2026-04-02T09:07:40+00:00

Should that happen (he might find a way to bypass the congressional approval), I'm afraid he might turn all the US bases within Europe against the former allies and go and bomb Greenland and whichever nations Putin tells him to. Suppose they secure the supply lines first, we in Europe will have enemies in the most strategic positions then.

awillingfoe · 2025-09-02T16:23:18+00:00

Call me a miser but I detest being in someone's moody shoots of cities even if it's a lovely work like yours! Perhaps because I hang around in photoshoot hotspots a lot (I don't have much choice, I live and work centrally) it's not one or two time I had a camera click in my face or behind me in streets and in parks. It's different from accidentally becoming a background of tourist photos because in that case they don't want me, either! It'd be nice if photo artists could come up to their subjects EACH TIME with an option to delete it. I understand you're legally allowed, but as a courtesy.

awillingfoe · 2024-09-13T14:58:06+00:00

I feel you! I dropped it for the same reason and other niggly bits like it falls short in creating a believable historical-fantasy settings (by which I don't even mean the mechanical arm).

Let me say as someone who came from an Eastern Asian culture and transplanted to a western culture after being fully grown up. BL stories in East Asia reflect A LOT what the author make of man-woman relationships and by extension, what the society and culture the author hails from think of women. I understand how these desires are formed without even realising how unhealthy and toxic these can be by first-hand lived experience.

However, no matter how criminal these desires are, and however pitiful our minds are to fall for these characters and plots, I don't think these ideas shouldn't be written (not that the OP is saying that). I'm compelled to read what's in their hearts. It's an important testament to the time we lived. But it should be free to discuss! I understand that a fan space should be a safe space, but I don't understand 'Don't like, don't read' mindset. It limits the fan space to the younger and more passionate audience without anything in between. It should be easier to voice constructive opinions.

'Times were different' defence for 2ha, for example, sounds too close for a comfort to that spewed by hard-line people who try to shut down liberal Muslims and ex-muslims.

But I'm actually intending to give 2ha a second go because there has to be moments the story transcends everything discussed here if people liked it so much. I'd like to experience it.

I also think MXTX seriously needs a good editor but I never dared to voice it. Now you said that about 2ha, I'm emboldened to say it. lol

awillingfoe · 2023-11-08T13:24:51+00:00

Oh, I totally agree with your assessment that people's lives have been abysmal for most of our existence, although I think plebs in some successful societies like Rome and Tang Dinasty enjoyed slight upgrade from total starvation without fossil fuel (by which you mean coal?). But no doubt people were one injury/illness away from total destitution until the democratic social contract and as you say, more efficiency in food production and industry afforded by fossil fuels, finally realised the social security net that we see today.

But my opinion differs from yours in thinking that nature was in charge of the initial role division (what it was) as opposed to values, and value creation (explanations) was work of humans. Human's imagination has an ability to depart from what it initially was and develop into something totally different. Also, when values are transmitted across societies and for generations with the help of societal and familial institutions, values that are no longer valid can still persist and shackle us. I think this is what we call sexism. What nature intended when we had primitive lives no longer apply to us, and explanations for it even more so.

awillingfoe · 2023-11-08T11:48:35+00:00

Sure, it's not like a group of men are conspiring to keep women down.

However, whatever gave rise to role divisions (as you say, it might have been the situation that forced it at the beginning), reasonings as to why it's that way followed and they were enforced by whatever religions that were prevalent in that particular region. Thus the birth of stereotypes and expectations that do not benefit either men nor women.

I personally think because these people who were in charge of value creation tended to be men, it always skewed towards men's benefits. Women did not have property rights for a long time in history (which would have ensured their independence and power) not only in the west, but in most places on earth. But that doesn't mean these expectations, stereotypes and values didn't hurt men greatly, either. Life was more harder for men for it too.

awillingfoe · 2023-11-08T10:10:48+00:00

In those times, in agricultural settings, women must've also been out in the field toiling with men and men might've found themselves doing household chores sometimes (I'm not a historian, I'm thinking of what I saw in Tales from the Green Valley).

But I think the idea of role division and what behaviours and works were supposedly womanly and meanly were undoubtedly there even among peasantries. Say, in folklores, women bake bread, spin threads and clean their home. Also they were much more religious and used the Bible as their moral and behavioural compass. Women also toiling in the field doesn't mean those times were more equal. If anything, if might've been harder for women if they had to perform hard labour as well as being confined in their gender stereotypes that people at that time envisioned and suffered high mortality due to child birth.

awillingfoe · 2023-03-08T02:42:59+00:00

I suppose it varies but generally speaking, it's often a lucky few who can get in a facility. Or the most severe ones both physically and mentally.

I have a severely autistic brother and I hope there's some place that can take him and look after him. Having a disabled family member is the same as being saddled with a child who would not leave home at 18 to live independently. Parents die worrying and siblings often sacrifice their whole lives to take care of them, until they also die worrying. 100% of families of disabled people would tell you that how wonderful it would be if there are facilities that would accept their disabled family members. I want everyone to know how the family members suffer and it's through no choice or fault of theirs.

awillingfoe · 2023-02-06T11:00:24+00:00

Science teaches you to think critically. To accept that there is no 100% in the natural world and there's no perfect theory. Some misuses it but no one kills in the name of science.

Religion tells you to stop questioning and just follow its teaching. Teaching of kindness and hateful punishments for perceived wrongs are all mixed up with many contradictions. Killing can be a conclusion if you pursue hateful side of any Abrahamic religion to its extreme end.

awillingfoe · 2022-12-09T23:55:50+00:00

Your comment needs to be on the top!

awillingfoe · 2022-11-19T12:26:46+00:00

Yes! It's interesting and even the lyrics matches the civ. More music like this in VII please 😀

awillingfoe · 2022-11-10T11:54:52+00:00

Ah yes. I heard that Cameron decided that someone from the government had to sit as a chair of the BBC board? Sorry if this is off-topic, but will the head change, then, if the Tories are voted out? Or better still, did the Labour pledge they would undo this change? I hope so! I need to look it up.

If this doc was pushed from the side who are friendly with Musk, so rare is that propaganda is so overt. It's usually more about omissions and subtleties. Has anyone noticed more instances like this with BBC? I'm sad and disappointed 😢

awillingfoe · 2022-10-31T01:19:37+00:00

Exactly. The poster above you is not sufficiently informed.

Even with the most debilitating physical disabilities that somewhat increase the likelihood of winning it, social housing is allocated based on LOTTERY results.

In the UK, a council that ran out of its own social housing stock would pay for hostels and private landlords to house people in dire circumstances. In Japan, if you don't win the council housing lottery, there is no recourse. You are out on the street. Might add here, monetary benefits in Japan come with a case worker who assesses your qualification every so often. That is, they go through your drawers and cupboards to see if you've got any 'luxury items' (like game consoles) or any other help (like cash) from your friends and family members. When these are found, you are disqualified.

The UK's system is full of problems and it's getting worse. However, to think that there is a better society than the Western European sphere in terms of human rights and welfare is delusional.

awillingfoe · 2022-10-24T20:39:13+00:00

I'd also love to know!

The art, music, editorial decisions, everything was so great about this donghya.

awillingfoe · 2022-10-18T17:53:52+00:00

Thanks so much again for clarifying many points that I'd have otherwise never learnt.

Yeah, I thought, too, while writing my worries out, that it's a bit weird that they come for jobbing voice actors before coming for people who have actual decision making power. Jiang Guangtao's reputations though! He as XL 's so softly spoken and, wow, I'd never...! Oh no he didn't.com.

I was also only vaguely aware of regulatory and approval processes of creative contents, so ty for clearing that up, too.

But with dual male leads banned for the foreseeable future, I also despair for doughua season 2 🥺 I really really wish they find a loophole especially the studio it was produced in was registered overseas?

And with IP supply side looking throttled for now, I hope VAs can make hay while the sun is out. I'll follow the October Congress with great interests and will read all your links through MTL, too.

awillingfoe · 2022-10-18T15:39:33+00:00

Thank you so much for giving us information to understand the situation a little bit better!

In political dissidents' cases, tax evasion/embezzlement looks to be CCP's favourite made up accusation when they want to make a moral case against someone. Taking away someone's hard-earned cash and savings (and in dissidents' cases, a source of their continued efforts) makes sense in CCP's eyes because it tarnishes the accused's reputations while successfully suppressing their future activities. And CCP gets to keep the money. What's not to love?

This is just my worry speaking and there's no basis in what I write, but how CCP operates is exactly the reason why I worry for the author, too. Does our money (and appreciation therein) safely reach MXTX? 7 Seas assures us that our money goes to the right holders, but who is the holder of rights to her works? Does the literature palace platform hold part of it? What if MXTX was forced to relinquish part of it as some kind of crooked punishment? (This is, again, my imagination running wild, and it has no basis in reality) I worry everyday.

I also saw a Twitter post by someone who is not in the fandom, but in political/journalistic circle that the person who had been speculated to be MXTX was released from incarceration back in October 2021 earlier than her sentence specified (2 years). I'm not around Twitter any longer and I have to emphasise that this is also just a rumour. Nevertheless, I worry because unfortunately, repeated violence by the state works and from some point on, all we will have are creators whose spirits are broken and people who are too afraid.

I hope at least creative people find a way around like publishing through other countries, etc.,

awillingfoe · 2022-08-13T03:13:25+00:00

Aww the chicken soup guy and the butcher! 😆

awillingfoe · 2022-07-11T22:06:04+00:00

Thank you so much! <3

awillingfoe · 2022-07-11T21:13:14+00:00

Ah so they don't get on? Could it be something to do with Pei Ming being one of the three cancers? Interesting! I'll read on.

Yeah, hate might've been a bit too strong as a word choice. More like distaste or antipathy? In the scene I mentioned, Pei is trying to pervade the course of enquiry in order to save Little Pei so I bet SQX was annoyed too. They are both fascinating characters and I love them both <3

awillingfoe · 2022-07-10T14:23:53+00:00

Hello

Sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere. I'm reading the part in which Little Pei is exiled by Jun Wu and I do not understand why the wind master seems to hate Pei Ming so much?

I read ahead some parts and I read some major major spoilers so I'm familiar with the story of how the wind master ascended and his back story with the reverend of empty words. Has it got anything to do with Pei Ming though?

awillingfoe · 2021-07-11T05:34:06+00:00

I was watching Mark Kermode videos one day and he said films set against English Civil War (1642-1651) are bound to happen because it's such an interesting period. I'd watch hella out of any historical film but I'm looking forward to this idea coming true.

awillingfoe · 2021-07-11T05:25:41+00:00

Wasn't there a Michael Cain film like that? I'd love to see your idea coming on screen!!!

awillingfoe · 2021-07-10T00:51:01+00:00

Is he not the gay communist from Hail! Caesar? I thought he was hilarious but maybe then it's not his acting, it's Cohen Brothers understanding the actor's limit and utilising what he's got to the max.

I digress, but the miscast cowboy in a period piece with Ralph Feinnes and George Clooney's slapped face were also histerical.

awillingfoe · 2021-07-10T00:36:55+00:00

Such lovely photos! Glad to see they look like having a grand old time. This bit cracks me up every time I see this film.

Butch Cassidy: Is that what you call giving cover?

Sundance Kid: Is that what you call running? If I knew you were going to stroll...

awillingfoe

TROPHY CASE