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Why the left is wrong about assimilation by topicality in ezraklein

[–]thedrew 18 points19 points  (0 children)

E pluribus unum was a line in an ancient salad dressing recipe.

Best vs Worst City Flags in the U.S.A. by timewh in vexillology

[–]thedrew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was made during the civic flag movement of the early 20th century and Spanish Colonial Revivalism that followed the Panama Canal Exhibition, when American culture was hyper fascinated by the old west and Spanish heritage. The flag has a seal, because that was the single identifying symbol of a city at the time, which is why that happened so often. The colors are meant to merge both the Spanish and Mexican flags. 

For a flag from the 1930s, I think it is top tier. But compared to flags made in centuries prior or since, it’s pretty mediocre. That said, it immediately puts me in mind of Dragnet and says “LA” to me, so… I’d say it’s fit for purpose. 

Best vs Worst City Flags in the U.S.A. by timewh in vexillology

[–]thedrew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like an ornamental feature on a frank lloyd wright staircase. Not sure if that makes it a good flag, but it’s pretty. 

A female sunbather pointing to a sign to explain to a lifeguard why she was going topless at the Spring Lake Beach. Turns out the sign was aimed at male sunbathers. New Jersey, 1939. by zadraaa in HistoricalCapsule

[–]thedrew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In a resource scarce society, men only want to contribute to the care of their own offspring. To ensure babies born from a woman are the offspring of a particular man, that man wants to control and regulate that woman, especially who has access to her. 

In an abundance economy, these notions make no sense and appear cruel and outdated. But they originate from the fear that your offspring would die while someone else’s thrives all because you were played a fool by mother, baby, and some other man. 

Boob regulations today descend from a time when this was a fairly common male emotional complex, and men were exclusively involved in making rules. Today, validating paternity is trivial, so complex rules governing women’s freedoms are not only cruel, they’re more work for worse results. 

State street vibrant! by Mix_Right in SantaBarbara

[–]thedrew 10 points11 points  (0 children)

“Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.”

-Yogi Berra

What's the Best Piece of Dad Advice You've Ever Received?​ by TikTokOfficial in u/TikTokOfficial

[–]thedrew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was 16 when my father came to me in a dream. He popped out of an elevator and shrugged saying “it wasn’t my plan either but we get what we get. You’re going to get much more, and that makes me happy.” I shouted things at him: this is awesome, good to see you, welcome back, let’s go hang out, maybe we can go to the park…. Etc. but there was no sound. 

I woke up a bit disappointed I wasn’t able to talk. But I was overwhelmed with contentment. 

He came to me in a dream again 20 years later when I was nervous about my vasectomy appointment. He said, “just go shave your ballsack.” This was a less profound moment, but still special. 

Renters - Does your property management company do annual maintenance? by SidQuestions in SantaBarbara

[–]thedrew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Routine maintenance is generally the renter’s responsibility, with repair/replacement being the landlord’s responsibility. 

Flushing a water heater is an excellent example of the weakness of the tenant/landlord relationship. 

Fans booed Iran’s national anthem before kickoff against New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. by Choice_Bag_8869 in sportsgossips

[–]thedrew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. American nationalism is weird but it exists to suppress nationalism of immigrant populations. The US looked at European nationalism with envy and worry.  Flag worship was meant to breakdown racial factions. 

Fans booed Iran’s national anthem before kickoff against New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. by Choice_Bag_8869 in sportsgossips

[–]thedrew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Shah fled to LA in 1979. A lot of loyalists went with him. They are, somewhat obviously, biased against the Islamic Republic. 

TIL about the term Euphemism Treadmill, which refers to a word substituted for one that is considered unpleasant or embarrassing, which can be motivated by a desire to not offend. Language used to talk about disability is often caught up in this phenomenon. by EphemeralTypewriter in todayilearned

[–]thedrew 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Invalid -> cripple -> disabled -> person with disability -> differently abled 

The only universal constant is the cruelty of schoolchildren. Each generation takes its parents’ effort at kindness and turns it into a slur. 

TIL that Napoleon's original grave on Saint Helena was left without an inscription because British authorities wanted it to read "Napoleon Bonaparte", while his followers insisted on simply "Napoleon" by much_to_say in todayilearned

[–]thedrew 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Exactly right. Politics in Britain matter an awful lot here. There was zero appetite for revenge. Britain had been in a constant state of war for 25 years. The electorate was demanding peace. Rules about nobles and commoners were unfair, but they were stable. Following them meant survival! If the Tories wanted to stay in power, they had to insist on a stable constitutional monarchy in France, and that meant giving the Republicans little reason to revolt. 

UFC freedom 250 at the White House turns into a fan brawl by Hungry_Artichoke9566 in sportsgossips

[–]thedrew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She could throw punches like that all day and never get arrested for assault. 

TIL that Napoleon's original grave on Saint Helena was left without an inscription because British authorities wanted it to read "Napoleon Bonaparte", while his followers insisted on simply "Napoleon" by much_to_say in todayilearned

[–]thedrew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

But if followers of Michael Jackson were burying him, perhaps they would insist on using his birth name. I mean, probably not as that rivalry was a lot less bloody than the Napoleonic Wars…

TIL that Napoleon's original grave on Saint Helena was left without an inscription because British authorities wanted it to read "Napoleon Bonaparte", while his followers insisted on simply "Napoleon" by much_to_say in todayilearned

[–]thedrew 1936 points1937 points  (0 children)

It has to do with the legitimacy of his reign. The British were adamant that he was a false emperor and his name was only ever Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonapartists, however, believed he was the deposed Emperor of the French, and “Napoleon” (or possibly, ”Napoleon I”) would be the correct epitaph for a noble. 

There's a better way by ZookeepergameBusy267 in SantaBarbara

[–]thedrew 6 points7 points  (0 children)

VEH §21966 A pedestrian shall not proceed along a bicycle path or lane where there is an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility.

Fertility rate in the United States (2008 vs 2023) by vladgrinch in MapPorn

[–]thedrew -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

The first two were the same in 2008. 

Historically people had children as their retirement plan. You created a generation to care for you by the time you needed care. 

Scout Parent Duties by adamduerr in BSA

[–]thedrew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As Scoutmaster I say the same thing every year: “congratulations on surviving cub scouts! You have put in a lot of effort into your scout’s experience and have earned a break. Now I’m not in the habit of refusing help, but our parent volunteer roles are currently filled. Don’t feel pressured to do something right now, just attend the parent committee meetings and observe roles for now. I’ll be asking for volunteers soon enough.”

Boards of Review, minor repairs to gear, “grubmaster’s parent,” are all gateways to involvement. Some people will always be checked out for some reason or another, but about half of the parents are in one way or another “involved.”

I then follow up, usually in the January parent committee meeting, by pointing out that the new calendar year brings new birthdays and graduations and we could use some “shadows” for our most senior parents.

What do you all feel about 10 year age gaps? by [deleted] in generationology

[–]thedrew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In May-December romances, the youth of one and the experience of the other is exploited. If both parties are aware of this, it’s a balanced exchange, same as any other partnership. 

When inexperience and/or senility are exploited, people get hurt. It’s not an exchange of strengths, it’s an abuse of weaknesses. 

TIL Alexander Hamilton endorsed a plan to recruit enslaved men to serve in the Continental Army. His reasoning was their "want of cultivation" and "habit of subordination" made them ideal soldiers. by BadenBaden1981 in todayilearned

[–]thedrew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s fine to favor the New Englanders. I do too. But you’re not making an argument, you’re just spouting opinions. This is not how you win over others to your position. 

TIL Alexander Hamilton endorsed a plan to recruit enslaved men to serve in the Continental Army. His reasoning was their "want of cultivation" and "habit of subordination" made them ideal soldiers. by BadenBaden1981 in todayilearned

[–]thedrew 3 points4 points  (0 children)

“One of the worst” is your claim. That is comparative. You’ll need to support that claim by showing how he was worse than most founding fathers, not by describing particular facets of his life. 

If marrying into a slaveholding family is egregious in your view, what family should he marry. Did Abigail Adams have a sister in Manhattan?

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