#eyewitness icons | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

matan4il · 4 months

Text

I was going to refer to this Newsweek op ed, written by Doctor Qanta Ahmed, in my daily update post, but when I was looking for which part to quote, I found that it was ALL too important to leave out. So here is all of it:

I was in scrubs from the wet morgue at Abu Kabir when I learned Queen Rania of Jordan questioned whether Israeli children had verifiably been killed by Hamas on October 7. Hugely appealing to the West, ranked among Forbes's 100 most powerful women, among the top ten most followed international leaders on Instagram, dressed routinely by Valentino, Schiaparelli and Dior, and of Palestinian origin (her family is from the West Bank's Nablus), Queen Rania is undeniably a global icon. And her powerful voice became the opening salvo to a chorus of innumerable deniers, a further barbarism dehumanizing the victims of Hamas' atrocities targeting women and girls.

Hearing her strident tone, even as I was surrounded by Israeli Jews, Israeli Christians, and Israeli Muslims still reeling with shock, cut to my core.

Days after the attacks, as a Muslim woman committed to combating Islamism and a physician, I traveled at my own expense to the Gaza envelope to view the aftermath of Hamas' butchery. I examined the cadavers of the murdered and defiled; the corpses of the decapitated and immolated. I spoke with the victims of Hamas, including a former hostage—a Muslim physician—and numerous witnesses to Hamas' express barbarity against women, children, girls, and infants, brutally violated in life, in utero and in death.

I inspected bodies that had been repeatedly stabbed, shot, and crushed. I examined mutilated bodies, restrained with cables, electrical cords, and zipties, still in place post-mortem, and those that had been decapitated and incinerated at temperatures approaching 3,000 degrees Celsius.

Back in New York City, Israeli criminal prosecutor Ayelet Razin Bet Or shared with me evidence compiled in Israel's ongoing investigation into Hamas' crimes. Michal Yaniv, Head of Foreign Affairs on Israel's National Security Council, provided me testimonies recorded by Israeli security officials.

One account, far from unusual, is especially harrowing: A woman who survived the Nova music festival in Re'im witnessed a young woman encircled by Hamas, stripped naked, violated, and manhandled by multiple Hamas terrorists as they gang raped her, repositioning her by the waist and hips, moving from one rapist to the other.

Shuddering at the memory, covering her face, with difficulty, the eyewitness continued: One terrorist pulled the woman's long hair, forcibly arching her neck backwards, fully exposing her naked torso, only to sever both her breasts from her chest with his commando knife. Her entire torso fell backwards, slackened in agony. She may have fainted, though she lived through the mutilation. The disembodied breasts fell to the ground, where terrorists casually played with them.

Sergeant Major Natah Katz from the IDF Rabbinical Unit at the Shura base near Ramle described to me cadavers he received with breasts and genitals hacked off, one with a knife impaled directly into the vagina. The mutilation of sexual organs and breasts, "seemed to be an obsession," he recalled. Dr. Chen Kugel, head of Israel's National Forensic Center has confirmed to me the same.

Indeed, Hamas arrived with orders to mass rape: Phrasebooks belonging to Hamas found in the Re'im area listed phonetic Hebrew commands in Arabic "Take your clothes off!"; " Spread your legs!'; "Get down!" Terabytes of their own video data confirm Hamas raped, amputated breasts, mutilated women's genitals, and committed systematic sexual crimes on both the living and the dead. Necrophilia has been explicitly reported.

Despite all of this, almost two months would pass before the U.N. denounced the October 7 sexual violence during hearings. Congressional and Senate Hearings must urgently follow.

Silence ensures Islamist antisemitism overrides human morality. Silence also grants open season for Hamas to continue these obscene crimes with impunity, as they likely still do this hour upon the remaining 129 hostages in captivity.

Genocidal rape has no context. Contextualization is contemptibly antisemitic and pure misogyny, if not open Islamist sympathy.

Repudiation must reverberate globally. In the meantime, I will not rest until Congress, the Senate, and the U.N. speak in unison on the international humanitarian values protecting women, for only then can the decapitated screams of the tiny girl in Abu Kabir can at last be granted silence.

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

#israel #antisemitism #israeli #israel news #israel under attack #israel under fire #israelunderattack #terrorism #anti terrorism #hamas #antisemitic #antisemites #jews #jew #judaism #jumblr #frumblr #jewish

105 notes · View notes

simnopke · 1 year

Text

LTW Memories Subject Fix

In a vanilla game, the following LTW memories are generated with wrong subjects* (random objects, they may even have no thumbnails):

Had # Grandchildren,

Had # Simultaneous Best Friends,

Had # Simultaneous Lovers,

Marry Off # Children.

With this mod, when one of those memories is generated, its subject is set correctly to a Sim who has fulfilled a corresponding lifetime want. The change affects both visible memories received by Sims who have fulfilled their LTWs and invisible memories (which can be spread as gossips) received by eyewitnesses – originally they couldn't be even created.

Note that lifetime wants aren't a part of the base game so this mod requires at least one expansion or stuff pack. This mod won't fix already existing memories, only the ones created after you have installed this mod.

*A subject of a memory is shown when you expand a description of that memory. When Sims are gossiping, it's shown in a speech bubble following a bubble with an icon of that memory.

Other memory subject-related mods you might like to know

Memories About Roommates Fix by me,

Memory Mod by simler90,

Party Memory Fixes by Midge the Tree.

They're all compatible with this mod.

Conflicts

Do not use this mod with Memory Fixes by Cyjon. My mod is an extended version of the LTW part of that mod. The gossip part of it seems to prevent over 30 memories from being spread as gossips among eyewitnesses. Additionally, Cyjon's mod (as long as unmodified) isn't compatible with Party Memory Fixes by Midge the Tree.

Credits

Ciastko Cyjon marina-llamamama Pick'N'Mix (BHAV Finder) Creators of SimPe

Download

simNopke-LTWMemoriesSubjectFix

On MTS

#ts2 #download #mod #fix #memory #s2cc #ts2cc #the sims 2 #sims 2 #sims2 #sims 2 download #the sims 2 download #ts2 download

246 notes · View notes

soberscientistlife · 1 year

Text

Most of you don’t know who she is but she’s important. Her name is Latasha Harlins. In 1991, at the ripe age of 15, Latasha went to her local Korean owned food mart and never made it out. The store owner’s wife, Soon Ja Du, mistook her for trying to steal a bottle of orange juice and a minor struggle ensued. Du grabbed Latasha and ended up getting pushed to the ground. Du then went and got her gun and pointed it at Latasha. Latasha bends down, picks up the orange juice, and places it on the counter. As Latasha had walked away to leave the store, Du shot Latasha in the back of the head at a 3 foot distance, killing her immediately. Du tried to claim self defense, but there were 2 eyewitnesses and the store’s security camera showed otherwise. The jury convicted Du and advised the judge to go with the maximum sentence of 16 years. Du walked away with 400 hours of community service, 5 years probation, and a $500 fine, as the judge said although Mrs. D acted inappropriately, her actions were justified. Judge Joyce Karlin states that Mrs. Du was the victim, Latasha is the criminal and would be standing in front of her for assault on a store clerk had she not died. The slaughter of Latasha Harlins is one of major factors in the initiating of the LA Riots. We only hear about Rodney King but she is the original #SayHerName. Tupac had an affinity for Latasha and has mentioned her name in several songs as well as dedicated the iconic song “Keep Ya Head Up” to Latasha. So today we say Latasha Harlins, you’re a pillar baby girl, whether they realize or not. And today, someone heard ya story❤️

Black History Month Day 19

152 notes · View notes

the-boy-who-waited · 1 year

Text

The Lone Centurion

"According to legend, wherever the Pandorica was taken, throughout its long history, the Centurion would be there, guarding it. He appears as an iconic image in the artwork of many cultures, and there are several documented accounts of his appearances, and his warnings to the many who attempted to open the box before its time. His last recorded appearance was during the London Blitz in 1941. The warehouse where the Pandorica was stored was destroyed by incendiary bombs, but the box itself was found the next morning, a safe distance from the blaze. There are eyewitness accounts from the night of the fire of a figure in Roman dress, carrying the box from the flames. Since then, there have been no sightings of the Lone Centurion, and many have speculated that if he ever existed, he perished in the fires of that night, performing one last act of devotion to the box he had pledged to protect for nearly two thousand years."

rbs and follows are greatly appreciated 💕

179 notes · View notes

violet-lazer · 1 year

Text

Terms of Engagement

Content / Warnings : Copia/Reader, Mature (Suggestive Content, Language), Gender-Neutral Reader, Kissing Booth Content, Mostly Fluff, 3.1k words. Thanks, please enjoy! (AO3)

Copia isn't feeling exceptionally hopeful about his shift at a Ministry-fundraiser kissing booth. He's even less hopeful about the possibility of you being in his line.

Three minutes before he’s due to duck out from behind the shoddily-rigged curtain dividing him from the assembled congregation, Copia has officially decided that this is a silly idea. A less generous man might even use a phrase like ‘an exercise in humiliation’ but Copia is nothing if not forgiving. Still. The situation at large is not what he’d call ideal.

The ghouls had done an…acceptable job of converting the chapel into an event space but, purely objectively, the backstage area could use some improvement. Copia is stationed before a small antique dressing table and mirror so decrepit it may well have been pulled out of a gothic author’s nightmare, the buzz of the congregation mere metres away is ringing in his ears, and he feels the faintest hint of nausea creeping up on him. Pull yourself together. Adjusting his collar, he takes one of those deep, sighing breaths that’s never quite as cathartic as advertised.

To his left, seemingly without a care in the world, Primo, Secondo, and Terzo are maintaining a pleasant level of small talk with nary a hint of anxiety to be heard in any of their voices.

Copia’s gaze slides over them. Terzo catches his eye and raises an eyebrow.

Ah. The culprit.

Approximately one week ago, at a bi-weekly meeting that had already run approximately twenty minutes too long, Sister Imperator had presented an issue.

“There’s a hole in the roof,” she had said plainly, leaning forwards in her chair, fingers steepled. “I don’t believe it’s an organic hole. No- let me start again. I know that an object has been punted upwards from the second floor hallway with enough force to make a sizable exit wound. I know this because I discovered several pieces of what used to be an icon of Lilith strewn across the courtyard.”

Ah yes. Copia had been waiting for this all week. News travels quickly in the Ministry, especially news concerning priceless antiques being launched through ceilings.

“I also know that the single shred of evidence we have is an eyewitness statement of a ghoul’s tail disappearing around a corner. Remarkably, nobody seems eager to own up to causing some very expensive damage to the Ministry, so we are at an impasse.”

The weariness was palpable in Sister Imperator’s voice. For what it was worth, Copia was sure it wasn’t one of his ghouls. Someone would’ve told him. Wouldn’t they? The room settled into a heavy, uncomfortable silence.

Sister Imperator shook her head. “I don’t care whose ghoul it was. I very much want this to be over and done with. Those roof tiles are costly, so we’re going to have to raise the money. Any ideas?”

Oh good. The perfect time for a discussion session. Copia resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands. Through the leaded window in Sister Imperator’s office he could see twilight encroaching, and he was beginning to get restless. By the look of things, though, he wasn’t the only one. Even Primo, pantheon of dedication to the Ministry, seemed more interested in examining the embroidery on his sleeve. Lucifer help him, could someone just-

Terzo raised his hand. “Kissing booth.”

No elaboration. Copia furrowed his brow, shifting in his seat to better face Terzo. “Excuse me?”

Terzo rolled his eyes at him. “I think it is self-explanatory. We charge some monies for kisses. Our dear congregation lines up in droves. We raise an obscene amount of cash. We fix the roof.” He spread his arms wide, clearly very pleased with himself. “You are welcome.”

Ordinarily, when there was an issue to be discussed, the presentation of a possible solution by certain members of the clergy would be followed by a period of what some might call unnecessarily critical discussion and inquiry. A roundtable of vote and veto that threatened to descend into pettiness and name-calling were Sister Imperator not there to moderate. The distinct lack of dissent that followed Terzo’s suggestion was almost troubling. Copia spied Secondo covertly checking his watch.

Sister Imperator shrugged. “Any objections?”

Well. Not in theory. To be honest, it wasn’t Terzo’s worst idea. Not for a Ministry where none of the clergy were exactly strangers to getting up close and personal with the congregation. It was no secret that some Siblings made a sport of catching the eye of whichever Emeritus they fancied that week, angling for an invitation to bed. And for every Sibling bedded there were surely more who were curious for just a taste. So, a Ministry-sanctioned event guaranteeing a bit of action for any inquisitive Sibling? Terzo was probably right, there was money to be made there. For the noblest of causes, of course. But, there were a lot of logistical considerations that should be…considered, no? What’s the market rate on a kiss? Is tongue extra? Hmm.

Primo waved a hand languidly. “It is acceptable.”

“If that’s all..?” Sister Imperator was glancing towards the door. It was veering dangerously close to half past six, which was around the time she usually disappeared to her room with a bottle of wine and turned her phone off. “We can work out the specifics later.”

“Alrighty,” Copia had said. They had time. It would be fine.

Presently, there’s a definite pang of anxiety settling between his ribs. He’s had some time to think about it and it’s not the concept that’s the problem; Copia’s a good kisser. Well, he’s never had any complaints- is that the same thing? And he’s not uncomfortable with the scenario itself- there had also been no pressure on him to participate, it had been made perfectly clear to him that this was entirely voluntary. There were always other financial avenues if need be. There’s a part of him that thinks it might be nice, actually. It’s been a while since he’s pursued any romantic endeavours. He’s a busy man. The Ministry’s apparent reluctance to train anyone to fill his previous role up to his standards meant that even as Papa, Copia still found himself responsible for many of the duties that occupied his time as Cardinal.

He supposes that it’s his own fault for choosing to take on responsibilities beyond his station; there are key processes in the running and maintenance of the Ministry that apparently nobody else but him has bothered to learn. Copia’s days are full, and his nights are no freer. He’ll plan his Masses in his office, from where he has an excellent view of Primo tending his roses. He’ll trudge back towards his quarters, oftentimes crossing Secondo escorting someone to bed. He’ll hear chatter and laughter from the kitchen as passes, and he knows if he peers in he’ll see Terzo surrounded by his admirers, wine in hand and an easy smile on his face. Well. If it’s loyalty to the cause they want, it’s there in Copia’s sleepless nights. That’s why he’s Papa now.

The point is, Copia’s busy. Which is fine, but it does mean that before he knows it, it’s been a solid three months since there have been any overnight visitors and the paranoia is beginning to creep in that the rats are squeaking about his dismal love life. He deftly pushes aside the thought that suspecting his beloved rats are gossiping about him is probably a sign that it’s time for a holiday. So. It’s not the idea of the kissing booth that’s causing him such anxiety. It’s just-

It was cruel, almost, having them all go at the same time. Putting their stations next to one another and giving everyone the same hour. It was inevitable that some lines would be longer than others, yes? A measurement of desirability for the entire Ministry to see. It’s all very well having ghouls who know to say things like you’re doing a great job and the congregation really likes you and it’s another to have any semblance of blissful ignorance torn from you by way of a hastily-assembled kissing booth.

Eugh. This wouldn’t be good for the old self-esteem.

Copia’s not unpopular, he knows this. His Masses are well-attended, people greet him in the halls, he’s propositioned with respectable frequency. But if it’s a stark, exclusionary, time-sensitive choice between him and the other Papas? An array of men who have years on him, multitudinous loyal followers, reputations commanding respect? Hm. It’s not going to look good with upper management if all he can muster are a few sympathy kisses from charitable Siblings after they’ve had their fill of their first pick.

There’s…one other thing. It’s a thread that’s been tugging at the back of his mind since he applied his first stroke of paint this morning. It’s the thought of where he’s going to catch your eye. It’s irritatingly pervasive, the idea that amongst all these people his eyes will finally meet yours and you’ll be in someone else’s line. As would be your right, he reminds himself. But still- if it’s not him then…don’t let it be Terzo. It’s a selfish thing to think. Entitled. But Copia doesn’t want to see you in Terzo’s line. Terzo, who flirts so easily with you, pulls Copia’s words from under him as he’s just a bit quicker, a bit bawdier. It’s the repartee Copia craves with you, not marred by hesitation or awkward pauses. But then, it’s easy for Terzo because Terzo doesn’t mean it. Not like-

Copia feels a hand on his shoulder. Primo is looking at him with mild amusement.

“Come.”

Ah, fuck. Time to go. Before he can change his mind, Copia follows his contemporaries beyond the curtain, heart hammering rudely in his chest. Deep breaths. The chapel has been arranged in a simple setup- four stations a few metres apart, with room to queue in front. If he was honest a lot of the prep work for the event had passed Copia by- it had been a particularly hectic week- but they’d all had a walk-around yesterday to inspect their booths. The tables themselves had been knocked together by the ghouls with what was apparently solely hot glue and positive affirmations, but they would do. Rustic, one could call them. “Shit,” Secondo had called them.

There’s a lot of adrenaline coursing through him; as he reaches his booth he doesn’t quite know where to let his eyes rest. He settles on looking ahead, and to his relief, he spots Aether. Aether who, upon hearing about this little function, had preemptively offered to marshal Copia’s line, saving him the embarrassment of asking. And there he is, a ghoul of his word, dutifully stationed at the start of the designated queuing area, arms folded. He gives Copia a thumbs up. And behind Aether- well. His frame is taking up rather a lot of space but Copia can see there are people there. For him. A line. Fucking hell, this is happening then.

Sliding into his seat, he takes inventory. Someone’s furnished his booth with drinking water, lip balm- thoughtful- and the all-important tip jar. He has his script memorised- a short dialogue with each Sibling would establish terms of engagement, the…intensity of kiss they were looking for. He knows it by heart. There’s comfort in predictability, preparedness. This is just another stage; Copia is a performer, and by Lucifer he’s going to put on a show.

Copia gives Aether a decisive nod. Aether steps aside, and Copia makes direct eye contact with the first person in line. And- it’s you.

Ah. Copia can feel his heartbeat in his ears. You came. You’re in his line. And you’re first.

You give him a gentle smile, and he finds the presence of mind to motion you forwards.

Swiftly, you cross the distance and stop before him. Before he can say anything, you drop your money into the jar and meet his eyes.

“Hi,” you say. Your gaze is firm, but your voice is tinged with nerves.

“Hello,” Copia replies. “Thank you for, eh. Choosing me.”

Ooh, this isn’t the script. He’s tripped at the first hurdle, but in his defence, he wasn’t expecting the first hurdle to be you.

You laugh. It’s genuine. “Who else?”

Who else? And his thoughts are of the errands you insist on running for him, the nights you’ve woken him at his desk and chastised him for working too hard. How you know all the rats by name. Then- he thinks of the occasions he lets his gaze linger on you and permits himself to indulge in the fantasy of mutual interest. The handwritten card inviting you to dinner that’s been buried in his bedside drawer for weeks.

Who else?

Copia stands up. Leaning forwards, he plants his hands firmly on the booth before him. The distance between you isn’t far and you’re already shifting to match him, eager. He pauses to meet your eyes before slowly pressing a kiss to your lips. You’re warm. Receptive. Copia draws back a centimetre or two, but he lingers, unsure whether to push further. This is what the script is for. You don’t pull away. Fuck, he wants to taste you.

Copia leans forwards again and kisses you. Your lips part and he pushes his tongue into your mouth; it’s a slow, exploratory kiss. He’s savouring you. It’s a kiss he’s imagined time and again- not in this setting, perhaps, but life is abundant with surprises, hm? He’s full of you, your tongue moving against his, the soft hum that escapes you setting a fire in the pit of his stomach. How long was the event? An hour? Copia could happily do this for the next fifty-nine minutes. He wants to pull you over the booth and on top of him, show you all the ways he’s fantasised about working you undone. Alas. He has commitments.

Reluctantly, he pulls back. Without thinking, he raises a hand to caress your cheek.

“I have been waiting…” he murmurs. Yes, this feels like a good time to be scorchingly honest. With loads of people around and not a modicum of privacy. But he can’t help it, it’s spilling out of him like overpoured wine.

You’re looking at him with a tenderness that makes his head spin. “So have I.”

Oh. Glancing behind you, you seem to remember where you are. “Ah. And you’re about to be very busy.”

Right. To business. Copia leans sideways to peer past you and assess the situation. You’re right, he has some kissing to do. All things considered, he’s garnered a very respectable number of Siblings lining up to have a go at him; that’s a stroke to the ego he’ll have to enjoy later.

“I’ll see you later,” you say, excusing yourself. Copia watches you go with some disappointment, then takes a moment to compose himself. He motions the next Sibling over. This time, he recites the script.

Once he’s in the swing of things, the next forty or so minutes pass with ease. Copia is a man of his word, and he’s putting in the shift of his life. Each Sibling gets his full, undivided attention, and whether they want a quick, chaste peck or his tongue in their mouth he’s devoting himself entirely to their satisfaction. Now that’s professionalism. Dare he say it, he’s actually enjoying himself. In retrospect it was probably unnecessary for him to stay up until the early hours worrying that some horrendous tongue-biting incident would occur. Well, there was still time.

Taking a brief water break, Copia looks over to his right. There’s not been much opportunity to survey his surroundings, so he takes the chance while he can.

Terzo, seat abandoned, perched on the edge of his booth for ease and efficiency, is busy exploring the back of some eager Brother’s throat with his tongue. If there’s something that can’t be faulted about Terzo, it’s his enthusiasm.

Beyond that, and past an extremely industrious Secondo, Copia can see that Primo is doing especially well for himself, boasting a line so long it doubles back on itself. It’s not a surprise, all things considered. Primo’s inner circle is small, regular lovers few and favoured. This was quite the opportunity for a Sibling to catch his eye without having to do the usual performance of hanging around in the gardens and pretending to run into him by sheer chance.

By Copia’s reckoning, considering the sheer number of people in attendance, a Sibling could probably get around to two Papas in the time allocated. If they were efficient about it. What a decision for a Tuesday afternoon.

Two, hm?

Around five minutes later, he bids farewell to a Sibling who had veered very close to fulfilling his horrific tongue-biting premonition- Copia’s life had briefly flashed before his eyes- and in an instant his gaze is locked with…yours. You’ve chosen him again. Him, twice. There was no time for anyone else. It’s almost embarrassing, the way his heart speeds at the sight of you, and as the heat rises in his cheeks he’s unspeakably grateful for the paint on his face. You’re approaching him before he’s even finished beckoning you, a small smile on your lips.

Copia raises an eyebrow. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

That was good; very composed. Threatening to cross the border over to suave. It’s as if his mind isn’t racing with thoughts of his hands all over you.

“Well,” you say. “I’m really invested in this roof being fixed.”

Copia laughs. Even as you’re putting your money in the jar he’s moving towards you, catching you in a kiss. There’s no hesitation this time, and as he feels his tongue slide against yours Copia realises he’s ruined. He wants all of you, now. He’s leaning towards you with such a need that the edge of the booth is digging painfully into the top of his thighs; barely clinging onto his self-restraint as the ache within him threatens to overspill. Curse the booth between you, he needs you pressed up against him. Preferably horizontally.

When you break apart, Copia lets out a small sigh.

“I am sure you’ve had your fill of me now,” he says. It’s transparent, shameless; he can’t muster the will to be embarrassed when his heart is beating out of his chest. The intent is obvious. Please say no.

“No,” you say, eyes fixed on him firmly.

“Then I am not satisfied either.” Copia’s bold, here, centre-stage and kiss-drunk. He’s done the damned show, put on a performance he’d challenge the Devil himself to best. And here’s the finale:

“Come and find me later.”

There’s a moment of silence between you, and he wonders if he’s gone too far. If this, whatever it is, only exists suspended in this hour of no consequence. Then, slowly but decisively, you lean towards him and steal a kiss. As he sinks into you, Copia decides you can have this one for free.

And all the ones that come after.

#the band ghost #the band ghost fanfiction #papa emeritus iv #copia x reader #copia #this is a silly concept but. i had to write it

257 notes · View notes

eretzyisrael · 4 months

Text

By Qanta Ahmed, physician, senior fellow at the Independent Women's Forum

Hearing her strident tone, even as I was surrounded by Israeli Jews, Israeli Christians, and Israeli Muslims still reeling with shock, cut to my core.

The alacrity with which Queen Rania demonized Jordan's treaty nation, Israel, her contextualization of October 7, her supplanting of Israeli suffering with Palestinian suffering, and her extraordinary silence in place of condemnation of Hamas (despite her prior vocal condemnation of ISIS) were not just immoral; they were a betrayal of her position as Queen of Jordan and the responsibility that comes with it.

In Abu Kabir, I examined incinerated remnants of teeth and bones; charred remains of children; and physical cadavers of victims. I read CT scans of children and adults bound together and burned alive. I viewed images of a decapitated young girl, her child skull tethered to her trunk by only a sliver of decaying skin. Her facial expression, surrounding milk teeth, haunts me still. Across the boundaries of death, her Edward Munch-like scream still echoes.

Despite all of this, almost two months would pass before the U.N. denounced the October 7 sexual violence during hearings. Congressional and Senate Hearings must urgently follow.

Genocidal rape has no context. Contextualization is contemptibly antisemitic and pure misogyny, if not open Islamist sympathy.

#qanta ahmed #hamas #gaza #hamas massacre #mass rape #queen rania #queen rania of jordan

25 notes · View notes

idealuk · 2 years

Text

We need to talk about “SkyMed”.

(Spoilers ahead and click ‘Expand’ for sexy GIFs and more!)

The show is Canada’s answer to “9-1-1” (right down to the distinctly iconic way they reveal the emergencies and even the transitional/theme instrumental music is reminiscent), minus the actual dispatch scenes, and with the addition of a little bit of “Grey’s Anatomy” (with one of the nurses moonlighting as a nurse in the E.R. of the local hospital, one pilot moonlighting as a bartender at the local bar, and, thus, there being slightly more of a focus on the characters’ sex lives) with medevac planes instead of firetrucks and even more racially expansive representation in its forefront. Now, if you already have any further context, you probably know what specifically I want to discuss about in particular here. Yup. Tristan and Nowak. Buddie does not make “9-1-1” what it is, but the “SkyMed” writers weren’t stupid enough to not have their own version of it, and Tristan Green (a medevac. medic) and Miłosz /ˈmi.wɔʂ/ Nowak /ˈnɔ.vak/ (a medevac. pilot/bartender) are that. Do the writers drag out whether or not they’ll get together? Not really. Do either have a kid they raise together? No. Are they both written as explicitly queer? Yes. Then, other than both being first responders, how are they like Buddie? They spend 3.5 episodes poignantly not liking each other (at least on Tristan’s end) because they like each other. Tristan flirts with a firefighter whom Nowak previously knew, Nowak gets jealous, and Tristan thinks that it's because he's not good enough for the firefighter only for the following to happen.

... which led to ...

... which immediately cut to ...

(You’re welcome and get in to this song while you’re at it as its chorus starts as soon as their lips first meet and plays over all that you have now seen that came after that between them in that episode)

Tristan starts the next (5th) episode trying to play it off like a one night stand (claiming to be the kind of guy who doesn’t do serious relationships), but, after mutual shirtless gawking after Nowak had made it clear that he doesn’t want to be friends during survival training, and Nowak soothing (read: full-on spooning) Tristan over an episode of PTSD, having been triggered by having single-handedly save the life of a jumper at a scene, having lost his younger brother as a kid to a fall, recounting his past while being spooned after being catatonic since the save until then in the 5th episode. Nowak is having raspberry pancakes [his favourite as suspiciously noted by Lexi (small shipper tangent inside of this giant tangent: shout out to Mercedes Morris who also played Rose on “Eyewitness”)] made for him in the next/6th episode with him kissing Tristan in thanks in front of shocked members of their team, complete with Lexi, Nowak's best/only friend, giving Tristan the shovel talk (she calls her fists Ronda and Rousey, the connections are there people), which Tristan is surprisingly amenable to receiving. Tristan spends the rest of the first season supporting Nowak through his own PTSD from a car accident he got from falling asleep at the wheel while on the phone with Tristan after trying to juggle both of his jobs (Tristan and Lexi subsequently raced to the scene to get him out where Nowak downplayed it at first, despite having dislocated a shoulder and crashing his car), and they end the nine-episode season sharing I love yous after Tristan had the opportunity to cheat and didn’t take it.

This, this is how you do enemies to lovers same-sex first responders, Kristen! You have the sweet, yet cocky, medic who doesn’t do serious relationships and the self-assured asshole pilot who doesn’t like any one but his best friend giving each other shit, have the self-assured asshole pilot who doesn’t like any one but his best friend raise his eyebrows at the sweet, yet cocky, medic who doesn’t do serious relationships offering him his sloppy seconds and tell him that it was an amateur mistake to let the twink stay the night, have the self-assured asshole pilot who doesn’t like any one but his best friend have an exception for the sweet, yet cocky, medic who doesn’t do serious relationships to the point where it puts a smile on his face for the sweet, yet cocky, medic who doesn’t do serious relationships to wrongly assume that it was some one else (an actual nice person) who found and bought him the special creamer for his coffee, start peppering in backhanded flirting (to which Nowak denies knowing any thing about when Lexi calls him out on it) and humble confessions of jobs well done between the two (starting to sound familiar yet?), and have the sweet, yet cocky, medic who doesn’t do serious relationships make an exception for the self-assured asshole pilot who doesn’t like any one but his best friend because they are each other’s exception. You know what else is nice to have? Have that best friend inform the sweet, yet cocky, medic who doesn’t otherwise do serious relationships that he’s in love with her best friend, that’s why he can’t fully understand how wrong it was for Nowak to even ask her to not tell their Captain about his panic attacks (Nowak did end up telling their Captain himself and got the help that he needed), and have Nowak being attacked (alongside the on-flight nurse) by a psychotic patient while flying (just one reason why copilots exist) being what prompts Tristan to, instead of giving in to a chance to cheat, confirm the affection by saying “I love you, Miłosz” and kissing him when he finds him safely landed at the hanger, and, thereby, calling his man by his first name for the first time (... yeah and just FYI/ICYMI: Nowak replies with a whispered “I love you, too, Tristan” as they hug). Yummy angst, yummy angst, yummy angst!

Would Buddie be more of a monumental serve as the years-long slow burn that it would be if it does go in that direction? Absolutely. Are the stakes higher considering that they are raising a child together and the show airs on a major US network? Undoubtedly. Plus, I could argue that Tristwak’s burn was as swift as it was because the stakes were so low with neither character having responsibilities to other people (precisely children as one of the other pilot’s drama is centered around having a child), but I just want to thank “SkyMed” for throwing me a freaking bone.

... This hiatus is killing me. I’m so sorry if you’ve actually read all of this.

302 notes · View notes

tgaisobelfieldsend · 8 months

Text

"the beast of gevaudan" originates from the late 18th century rather than the 19th yet i find the story of it far too interesting to gloss over, so i hope that the small time gap is small enough to still count. the name is assigned to a man-eating animal(s) that was terrorizing the former province of gevaudan during 1764-1767.

"The attacks, which covered an area spanning 90 by 80 kilometres (56 by 50 mi), were said to have been committed by one or more beasts of a tawny/russet color with dark streaks/stripes and a dark stripe down its back, a tail "longer than a wolf's" ending in a tuft according to contemporary eyewitnesses. It was said to attack with formidable teeth and claws, and appeared to be the size of a calf or cow and seemed to fly or bound across fields at its victims. These descriptions from the period could identify the beast as an adolescent male lion, a striped hyena, a large wolf, a dog, or a wolf-dog hybrid, though its identity is still the subject of debate."

iconically, the victims (which there were over 100 of) were always killed by having their throats torn out. the mystery of these attacks, despite them being so well-known at the time and after, is what intrigues me so heavily. this supposed pack of animals, or perhaps just one, were hunted down using the resources of nobles, soldiers, royal huntsmen and civilians - reported to be killed several times, and yet the attacks would continue to occur. many believed the beast to be supernatural in nature due to this; perhaps a werewolf, given how many claimed for it to walk on its hindlegs and have other strange abilities. nonetheless, a body was never assigned to the beast, as the killings eventually stopped on their own, leaving the beast as a permanent mystery.

23 notes · View notes

chartreuse-goose · 2 years

Text

byler & eyewitness

i think it’s a byler rite of passage to make a post on the iconic eyewitness parallel & i realized i haven’t yet.

if my teacher made me run this scene through turnitin.com before submitting, i’d be on the brink of expulsion.

just looking at these frames alone, the duffers went as far as ensuring that the edge of white wall behind will lined up with the edge of the white wall behind philip.

i think they really cared about creating this parallel.

#byler #byler truther #byler s5 #byler is real #byler is endgame #the hsm parallel’s got NOTHING on the eyewitness parallel!

203 notes · View notes

killjoysserenade · 1 year

Text

Hello people of the internet. Do you like the 2016 show Eyewitness? Do you wish there was two good playlists made specifically as if Phillip and Lukas had made them? We’ll have I got news for you!

I was walking down memory lane when I remembered how much I lived for this show when it came out. So because I was remembering the iconic Philkas, I figured I’d do my favorite things. Make playlists.

So enjoy these playlists I made!!! Also if you want to make suggestions for what I can add or want to ask me the inspiration for the playlists please let me know!

#eyewitness show #philip shea #lukas waldenbeck #philkas #Spotify

42 notes · View notes

cyberpunkonline · 6 months

Text

The Intriguing Intersection of Grand UFO Conspiracies and Cyberpunk Media

Introduction

As subcultures with countercultural leanings and an insatiable thirst for what lies beyond the known, the grand UFO conspiracy theories and the cyberpunk genre share an intriguing relationship. Both captivate their audiences with tales of hidden agendas, shadowy organizations, and elusive truths. This essay aims to dig deep into the interplay between these two fascinating realms by discussing notable examples across various media forms such as films, television series, books, and anime.

The Allure of Conspiracies and Dystopia

Before diving into specific examples, it's crucial to understand the appeal that draws people towards conspiracy theories and cyberpunk. UFO conspiracy theories paint a picture of a world where clandestine operations are at play, knowledge is withheld, and the public is deceived. Cyberpunk, on the other hand, portrays near-future dystopias with grim landscapes, where technological advancements often come at the expense of human connection and morality. These themes overlap, creating a narrative breeding ground ripe for cross-over stories and theories.

Films that Blur the Lines

"Blade Runner" & Project Blue Book

Although Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" doesn't directly delve into UFOs, it plays on the idea of life beyond Earth with its bioengineered beings, known as Replicants. The film's hidden agendas and secret projects remind us of real-world government initiatives like Project Blue Book, designed to investigate UFO sightings.

"The Matrix" & The Men in Black

"The Matrix" captures the essence of hidden truths and the battle to reveal them, much like the general sentiment in UFO conspiracy circles about 'The Men in Black.' These government agents are rumored to suppress UFO eyewitnesses, an idea that resonates with the Matrix's human-suppressing sentient machines.

TV Shows that Touch the Nerve

"The X-Files"

No discussion of this topic would be complete without mentioning "The X-Files," a show that masterfully combines elements of UFO conspiracy theories and cyberpunk. FBI agents Mulder and Scully navigate a world of deceit, much like a cyberpunk protagonist would, questioning what is real in their quest for the truth about extraterrestrial life.

"Black Mirror" & The Majestic 12

"Black Mirror" delves deep into technology's dark side, but some episodes subtly touch upon themes that UFO enthusiasts would find interesting. The secrecy surrounding advanced technology in the show mirrors the conspiracy theory of the Majestic 12, a rumored secret committee of scientists and military leaders supposedly managing extraterrestrial affairs.

Books and Literature

"Neuromancer" & The Roswell Incident

William Gibson's "Neuromancer" isn't about UFOs, but it was revolutionary in defining the cyberpunk genre. It embodies the cyberpunk ethos of anti-authoritarianism, a sentiment also shared by those who believe that the Roswell Incident was a cover-up.

Anime Crossovers

"Serial Experiments Lain"

This anime explores complex themes of reality, identity, and the internet. While not explicitly related to UFOs, its narrative could easily be interpreted as an allegory for the quest to understand what governments might be hiding about extraterrestrial life.

"Cowboy Bebop"

An iconic example of a cyberpunk-infused world, "Cowboy Bebop" includes an episode titled "Boogie Woogie Feng Shui," which subtly incorporates themes of ancient alien theories, a staple in UFO conspiracy thought.

Conclusion

The overlapping themes of hidden truths, anti-authoritarian tendencies, and unexplained phenomena make the relationship between UFO conspiracy theories and the cyberpunk genre a particularly rich subject matter. Both tap into the human desire to uncover suppressed knowledge and challenge the status quo, whether it's government cover-ups about extraterrestrials or dystopian futures shaped by technology.

And now, don't get us started on how the UFO conspiracy theories have surprising similarities with Faerie myth pre-Roswell. That's a rabbit hole for another time.

- Raz

#cyberpunk #aliens #ufo #dystopia

7 notes · View notes

holystormfire · 2 months

Text

Luke 11:14-23

Feast of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.

Sacra Conversazione with Mary & Child, St Felicity and St Perpetua,

Painted by an unknown hand, circa 1520,

Egg tempera and gold leaf on panel

Gospel Reading

Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses. So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils. Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then. But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.

‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’

Reflection on the icon

Today we celebrate Saints Felicity and Perpetua. They are early Christian martyrs who died in Carthage, in the Roman province of Africa, on 7 March 203 AD. Perpetua was a young, well-educated noblewoman, and Felicity was a pregnant slave girl. Despite coming from different social backgrounds, they were united in their conversion to Christianity, a decision that led to their arrest during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus (reigned 192-211 AD). At the time, the emperor had decreed a ban on conversions to Christianity, which he viewed as a threat to Roman religious traditions and authority.

The "Passion of Saint Perpetua, Saint Felicitas, and their Companions" (Latin: Passio sanctarum Perpetuae et Felicitatis) is an early Christian text that includes Perpetua's own diary, making it one of the oldest, most vivid, and most personal accounts of early Christian martyrdom. Along with the experiences of Perpetua and Felicity, the text also appears to contain, in his own words, the accounts of the visions of Saturus, another Christian martyred with Perpetua. An editor who states he was an eyewitness has added further accounts of the martyrs' suffering and deaths.

The Passio sanctarum Perpetuae et Felicitatis narrates their imprisonment, the visions Perpetua received while incarcerated, and the steadfastness of their faith despite the pleas of their families and the threat of a brutal death in the arena. Felicity, who was eight months pregnant at the time of her arrest, gave birth to a daughter while in prison, just days before her execution. Together, they were subjected to public humiliation and were ultimately killed by wild animals and gladiators.

Our early 16th century icon painting depicts the Coronation of Our Lady. She is seen holding the Christ child with one arm and in the other she is holding an apple, referencing to Mary as the New Eve and her role in the story of salvation. We see saint Felicity on the left, pregnant; on the right stands Perpetua holding the book of the Passio sanctarum writings. Both are seen resting on a large sword, the instrument of their martyrdom.

Saints Felicity and Perpetua. Pray for us.

Article by Father Patrick van der Vorst

4 notes · View notes