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stealingpotatoes · 10 months

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Skywalkers apart au! It's so precious that Anakin gets to be a dad, a rebellion general Dad but he gets to be there for at least one of them and Padme survives and gets to be a mom and maybe someday they get to meet and it's so good.

Also the concept of General Skywalker of the Rebellion feels like it has so much potential cause he was such a big figure in the Clone Wars, he was the Hero, the General, he could probably get the various splinter rebel cells (they were very divided in the early Rebellion) to follow him by sheer reputation and charisma. Imagine Anakin being at Hoth, like the attack is going along the usual Imperial imminent victory and suddenly an AT-AT has been thrown clear across the landscape and an announcement sounds out "General Skywalker has entered the field" cue Rebel Counterattack due to morale boost and Imperial Panic.

What happened to the 501st here? Did he go to the Venator's crash site where Ahsoka was during Order 66 what did he think when he saw all the dead folks?

Fun thought, Starkiller being the apprentice in this AU, means that Sidious has probably been comparing him to Anakin (in part because he's bitter he didn't fall, in other part cause it's great for fueling the darkside) for years so the first time they face off he's gonna be full of spiteful hatred (all going according to plan) before Starkiller gets styled on by the Skywalker, cause Anakin isn't crippled by the suit and that means he's still massively powerful in the force and skilled in the blade (Vader was too, but less than a whole Anakin), I could see Anakin pulling a Lightside version of the Rogue One Hallway scene against Stormtroopers (or even inquisitors).

Rebel General Anakin Skywalker would be an Imperial Boogeyman.

Leia would probably appreciate it for a while but also she'd get a bit annoyed about her dad's reputation and "Legend" and the fact that she's probably got that entire thing to measure up to, making her more reckless or foolhardy. That's a big shadow to live under.

Padme on the other hand is probably in a very different situation reputation wise, she was the senator for the new Emperor's home planet, she's the old queen of naboo from the Trade Federation attack, she's a founding member of one of the oldest discrete rebellion cells but that still leaves some stigma. She's probably so very worried about Imperial surveilance on her or Luke or the rest of her family, and it doesn't help that the Inquistorious has probably been sniffing around for a while.

ok this is a veeeeery long ask so i'm gonna have a veeeery long answer which is gonna go under this readmore:

YES!! yes absolutely! tbh i decided a while back he never gets an official promotion to general, everyone just calls him General Skywalker for so long that it sticks loll. BUT YEAH I mean working with a Jedi is rare and awe-inspiring enough for any rebellion cell but working with the hero with no fear??? half the rebels are wondering if they can interrupt this mission to ask for his autograph

its extra funny bc for the first few years of the empire he's lowkey depressed and like agh i failed the order republic AND my family i'm a terrible horrible no good jedi who nearly turned to the dark side and while he's having this spiral there's some rebel standing next to him pointing and pogging

and yeah he's SO useful in big battles like that!! he's half a legend, half a ghost story, given most ppl think he died in the Purge but here he is, enacting justice on the empire!! tho he does struggle on quieter missions (which happen a lot more at first bc gotta hide from the empire) that you cant just blaze into. its a difficult shift to go from clone wars general skywalker to rebel general skywalker

yeah 501st same as canon ): but OHHH MY GOD yes thats SUCH A PERFECT IDEA, Anakin going with Rex and Ahsoka to the site and mourning them all (and probably going into another depression spiral lbr)

youre so right lollll obvs leia loves the one up she has in an argument of "well my dad's general skywalker, beat that" but as u say she absolutely wants to live up to that (+ is a very independent/stubborn person and would like Leia Skywalker, not just "General Skywalker's daughter" lol)

AND YEAH ABSOLUTELY Padmé and Anakin's roles in this au are both so interesting (is that egotistical to say) bc they're these upside down versions of their clone wars roles, both very loud people forced to quieten down and be Discreet about how they go abt helping ppl. Padmé is really struggling hiding so much (luke's force sensitivity, her rebel activities, all relations to anakin) and trying to protect Luke while helping the Rebellion WHILE trying not to seem suspicious. a lot on her plate -- only made worse by palpatine keeping a close-ish eye on her, and she can't tell why (is it bc of luke? the rebellion? anakin? or is it just his old favouritism or patriotism being VERY inconvenient??)

on the inquisitors, obvs you don't see a lot of them on coruscant -- but padmé's SO scared abt ppl (MAINLY SIDIOUS WHO, YA KNOW, TRIED TO TURN LUKE'S DAD SITH) finding out abt him and she hates that she's making him repress this part of himself but what choice does she have???

#long post #skywalkers apart au #love au talk!!! thank u for so much of it!!#thanks for the ask!

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queenshelby · 6 months

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Our Little Secret (Part 16)

Pairing: Dark! Cillian Murphy x Virgin! Reader

Warning: Infidelity, Brief Mention of Stillbirth

You glanced at Cillian who was staring at his phone incredulously, his face crinkling in disbelief, seeing that someone had snapped a photo of you, together, holding hands, before posting it on Twitter.

The tweet went viral in the span of minutes and sparked rumors about your relationship and Cillian knew that this would make things worse again for him when it came to gaining custody rights for Max.

His eyes scanned the screen feverishly, desperation welling up inside him. How could this happen? Who could have taken such a compromising photograph? The questions swirled in his mind, fueling his frustration and anger.

"What's wrong?" you asked anxiously, your eyes darting between Cillian and his phone. "Is everything ok?"

Cillian took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I've just received a message with a photo of us," he revealed haltingly, his voice strained.

"Someone took a picture of us, holding hands, and posted it online. It's gone viral," he uttered disbelievingly, a sense of dread creeping over him.

You peered at the screen, astonishment clouding your features. Your heart pounded against your chest in a frenzied rhythm, panic surging through your veins.

"This looks bad," you managed to utter, struggling to maintain composure. Cillian swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly.

"Danielle knows me too well," he rasped throatily, his voice betraying an edge of bitterness. "She will use this against me," he groaned miserably, his hands balling into tight fists.

"I can only imagine what kind of twisted spin she could put on this. She will twist the narrative to fit her own agenda," he lamented, his voice quivering with fear.

"Cillian, listen to me," you interjected, grasping his trembling hands. "I will give evidence about the assault and whoever overseas the case will be able to see that she has anger issues, which is something that is not good for a child to be around," you reasoned calmly, attempting to ease his mounting anxiety.

"I know," Cillian sighed, lifting his head. "But she will use this photo, and twist it around to prove that, clearly, I am lacking some morals. She will argue that I'm irresponsible and unreliable," he feared, his voice trailing off.

"Cillian," you began, squeezing his hands reassuringly. "Look at me," you commanded gently, and he did, his gaze locking onto yours. You inhaled deeply, steadying yourself.

"You are none of those things, not when it comes to Max anyway and that is all that matters," you assured him soothingly, your voice softening.

"Now, you should probably take me home. I have to work tomorrow," you proposed cheerfully, reaching for your purse.

"I don't like you staying in this area by yourself. It makes me nervous," Cillian confessed hesitantly, his blue eyes twinkling with concern.

"I will be fine," you reassured him, brushing aside his worries. "I am a big girl, remember?" you teased playfully, flashing him a bright smile.

"I know, but I...," he began softly, his voice cracking slightly. "Maybe you could stay with me tonight and then, tomorrow, we will find you a place to move into right away. Somewhere quiet and safe," Cillian proposed tentatively, his gaze never leaving yours.

"I don't know, Cillian," you replied apprehensively, shifting uncomfortably in your seat. "It doesn't seem right, considering the circumstances," you added, voicing your concerns.

"I am not hitting on you, Y/N. I have a few spare rooms, and I would feel much better knowing that you are safe," Cillian persisted, his voice betraying a hint of vulnerability and you paused, weighing his request carefully.

"I...," you stammered, your thoughts racing furiously. "Well, alright," you conceded, biting your lip nervously. "I guess I could stay with you for one night," you agreed, a hint of hesitation tainting your voice.

"Great," Cillian breathed in relief, his shoulders relaxing visibly and, with that, you went back to your apartment so that you could grab some clothes and jump into Cillian's car.

The ride was silent, both of you lost in your thoughts, grappling with the whirlwind of emotions churning within you.

As you arrived at Cillian's townhouse, located in a secluded cul-de-sac, he halted his car in front of the gate.

"My God, Cillian, this is beautiful," you gasped, gazing at the traditional style home with all its charm.

"It's a nice and perfectly safe area and, maybe, I can get you a house not far from here," Cillian said proudly, opening the door and welcoming you inside.

The house was spacious and elegant, decorated tastefully with vintage furniture and modern art pieces adorning the walls. An open concept allowed natural light to filter through large windows, illuminating the polished hardwood floors.

"The upstairs rooms have just been furnished and there's also a guest bedroom downstairs," Cillian informed you, pointing out the available spaces. "So, pick whichever one you prefer for tonight," he suggested casually, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Whichever one is fine. I am not fussed," you replied, adjusting your grip on your overnight bag.

"Okay. Upstairs then," Cillian chimed, leading you upstairs to the room located next to his.

He opened the door and motioned for you to enter. The room was pristine, with a queen-sized bed, built-in closet, and en suite bathroom. You glanced around in awe, marveling at the sheer opulence of the space.

"You can leave your bags here," Cillian instructed, gesturing towards the empty dresser. "Make yourself comfortable," he added warmly, and you nodded, setting down your belongings and taking a moment to appreciate the luxurious surroundings.

"Thank you, Cillian," you murmured, grateful for his hospitality before asking him whether you could have a bath, seeing that it had been a while since you lived in a place that had one.

"Of course, go ahead," Cillian responded enthusiastically, handing you a fluffy white towel and leading you to the master bathroom.

Once inside, you were stunned by the elegance of the marble countertops, intricate tilework, and gleaming fixtures. You wasted no time stripping off your clothes and sinking into the tub, allowing the warm water to envelop you, releasing the tension from your muscles.

You hummed softly to yourself, basking in the warmth and solitude. Relaxation washed over you, as you allowed your mind to wander freely with fantasies involving Cillian, which were fantasies that, until now, you had suppressed after he did not contact you again for weeks on end.

You imagined him entering the bathroom, removing his clothing seductively, and joining you in the tub. You pictured his body pressing against yours, his hands roaming over your curves. The image intensified until you felt his lips tracing kisses down your neck, sending shivers down your spine.

As your breathing quickened, the steam in the bathroom thickened, creating a hazy atmosphere that enhanced your arousal. You leaned back in the tub, allowing the warm water to caress your skin, preparing yourself for the intimate encounter you craved.

Your mind drifted to Cillian, imagining him standing naked before you, his erection hard and ready. You fantasized about him entering you, filling you with passion and desire. The thought of his cock inside you forced a moan past your lips, arousing you even further but then, you left it at that and pushed away those intrusive thoughts.

"Are you alright in there?" Cillian called out, his voice echoing through the dimly lit bathroom. "Do you need anything?" he added solicitously, his concern evident in every syllable.

You cleared your throat, swallowing the lump of lust lodged in your throat. "I think I might need a toothbrush. I forgot mine," you croaked, your voice cracking slightly. "Do you have a spare one?" you requested awkwardly, your cheeks flushing hot with embarrassment.

"Sure," Cillian replied eagerly, his footsteps retreating swiftly.

Moments later, he returned, clutching a toothbrush and toothpaste. He handed them to you, his fingers lingering lightly on your wrist as you covered yourself with a towel. You looked at him, your gaze locking onto his mesmerizing azure eyes.

"Thanks," you replied gratefully, accepting the items with a shy smile. "I'll be out shortly," you promised.

"Take your time," Cillian encouraged softly, turning to exit the room.

"I'll wait for you in the living room," he added tenderly, closing the door behind him.

When you arrived in the loungeroom, you found Cillian sitting on the couch, engrossed in his smartphone. He glanced up, startled, upon hearing the door creak open.

"Hey," he greeted you warmly, setting down his phone. "Did you enjoy your bath?" he asked, scanning you from head to toe, appraising your appearance as you wore a dark t-shirt and some rather tight shorts.

"Yeah, it was great," you replied, your voice low and sultry. "Thank you for letting me stay here," you added sincerely, approaching the couch and settling beside him.

"Of course," Cillian replied graciously, offering you a warm smile. "Would you like to watch a movie?" he suggested, eager to entertain you.

"A movie sounds wonderful," you mused, considering the possibility of spending the evening snuggled up with Cillian. "But I'm quite tired though," you admitted sheepishly, running your fingers through your hair.

"I completely understand," Cillian sympathized. "You should get some rest then," he urged, his voice gentle and caring before seeing you to the stairs, leading upstairs.

"Goodnight," he bid you farewell, his eyes brimming with affection. "Wake me if you need anything," he told you kindly, his handsome face creasing into a gentle smile.

After bidding Cillian a goodnight, you walked gingerly across the plush carpeting, making your way to the guest bedroom. You switched on the lamp, casting a dim glow over the room. As you slipped under the covers, you felt a strange mixture of feelings coursing through you. Excitement, apprehension, and longing intertwined, forming a potent cocktail of emotion. You desperately wanted to believe that fate had brought you together once more, but the reality of your situation loomed ominously.

You lay awake in the darkness, the silence broken only by the faint ticking of the antique clock on the wall. Memories of Cillian flooded your mind, stirring feelings of guilt and shame. How could you allow yourself to fall for him so easily just months earlier, you wondered.

Despite your attempts to clear your mind, sleep eluded you while, at a later time, after he went to bed, Cillian had some intrusive thoughts of his own.

Lying in his bed, he couldn't shake the vivid images of you submerged in the bathtub, your body enticingly displayed for his perusal. The image of your naked form caused his heart to race, and his blood to surge through his veins, igniting a raging inferno of lust within him which, for him too, was a feeling he had suppressed for weeks.

His hand instinctively drifted downward, his fingers brushing against the stiffening bulge in his briefs.

"Fuck," he whispered under his breath, his cock throbbing painfully while his mind was fueled with guilt. He was still attracted to you but knew that he should not be thinking of you in this way.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, his fist clenching tightly as he fought to regain control of his desires.

With a heavy sigh, he rolled onto his side, pulling the sheets over his head in an attempt to block out the overwhelming sensations threatening to consume him.

Eventually, sleep evaded him, taunting him with visions of you lying naked in his bed, your lips pressed against his, your scent intoxicating his senses.

He tossed and turned, unable to extinguish the flames that raged within him.

Then, images of the two of you in the bathroom, soap scud sliding over your luscious flesh, infiltrated his dreams. Your sweet scent lingered in his nostrils, a tantalizing tease that threatened to unravel his resolve. His pulse surged, his swollen member throbbing with an insatiable hunger for release. With a guttural growl, he reached for the bedside table and retrieved his phone from within its depths, searching for the explicit photos he had taken of you in the past.

He scrolled through hundreds of pictures, his index finger hovering over the screen. Finally, he stumbled upon a photo of you. It was a candid shot of you, captured during one of your many encounters.

He enlarged the image, scrutinizing every detail in the photograph. Your lips were slightly parted, revealing the tip of your tongue nestled between teeth. Your pupils dilated with pleasure and the mere sight of you sent a jolt of electricity coursing through his veins, and his erection grew harder and more demanding.

He stared intently at the image, his thumb rubbing against the glass surface, tracing imaginary lines along your bare skin. He visualized himself kneeling before you, his face buried between your thighs, greedily devouring your wetness.

"God, I want you," he mumbled under his breath, his hand slipping into his pants and gripping his erection firmly, moving his hand up and down his rigid shaft.

His breaths became ragged, his heartbeat pounding in his ears to the rhythm of his strokes. He fantasized about you, envisioning the soft curves of your body, the taste of your skin, and the sweet scent of your arousal.

"Ah, fuck," he groaned, his grip tightening around his rigid shaft. "I need you so fucking bad," he whimpered, his fingers digging into his palm.

He was close to the brink, the heat building in his body, his balls tightening, and his entire body shaking with anticipation.

"Oh, yes," he cried out, his voice breaking, as he neared the precipice.

He felt the pressure building, his muscles contracting, and his heart pounding in his chest.

A wave of ecstasy swept over him, transcending his physical pain, as he spilled his seed onto his stomach, his cum spurting forth in a glorious explosion of pure satisfaction.

He moaned loudly, his cries echoing through the silent house as he collapsed onto the damp sheets, panting heavily.

His heart rate gradually slowed, replaced by an overwhelming sense of regret permeating his consciousness.

He couldn't afford to lose focus, especially now, when he needed to remain grounded and composed.

"What the hell am I doing?" he berated himself, a wave of self-loathing crashing over him.

He knew that none of this could be and even the arrangements made with you had to remain a secret for now.

If anyone discovered about it, it would be bad for his career and, possibly, destroy any chances of getting custody of Max. So, he must tread carefully.

He turned off his phone, the glow of the screen fading into darkness when, suddenly, there was a knock on his door. His heart skipped a beat, his pulse racing with anticipation, as he scrambled to pull the sheets over his cum-covered belly.

"May I come in?" you called out, your voice echoing through the dimly lit hallway.

"Come in," Cillian responded hesitantly, his hands trembling as he hastily wiped his semen from his abdomen.

You cautiously entered the room, a perplexed expression covering your face. "Cillian, are you okay?" you asked worriedly, your brow furrowing with concern.

"Yeah, sure, everything's fine," Cillian lied unconvincingly, attempting to feign nonchalance.

"I, uhm, I can't sleep," you admitted, biting your lower lip nervously. "Can we talk for a bit?" you ventured, your voice quavering slightly.

"Of course," Cillian responded, his tone laced with concern. "Just let me throw on something to wear," he added, quickly disappearing behind the door so that you could get only just a mere glimpse of his semi naked body.

"Alright," you acquiesced, perching yourself on the edge of the bed, your knees drawn up to your chest, seeking comfort in the familiar position.

Cillian emerged a few moments later, wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and t-shirt, before turning on the bedside lamp.

"You look flushed," you observed perceptively, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Are you feeling okay?" you asked, your voice filled with genuine concern.

"Yes, I'm fine," Cillian assured you, his voice devoid of conviction. "Why don't you tell me why you can't sleep?" he suggested tactfully, shifting the conversation onto safer ground.

"I was thinking about our situation," you confessed quietly, averting your gaze toward the window. "And how we got ourselves into this mess," you added, your voice trailing off. "We never really talked about what happened between us," you pointed out, trying to make sense of the chaos that ensnared your lives.

"You mean the fact that I cheated on my wife with my brother's step-daughter?" Cillian stated bluntly, the words striking a nerve deep within you.

"Yes," you answered dejectedly, your voice barely audible. "I was such a fool," you sighed mournfully, a tear trickling down your cheek.

"I was being naive, to be honest," you continued remorsefully, the weight of your mistakes bearing down on you. "I didn't realize how complicated our relationship would become," you confessed, tears streaming openly from your eyes.

Cillian studied you closely, his gaze penetrating your soul.

"If anyone was being a fool, then it would have been me, because I can't say that I wasn't aware of the consequences that may follow," he confessed, his voice wavering slightly.

"I should have stayed away from you," he sighed sorrowfully, his voice hoarse with emotion. "It was wrong of me to pursue this," he lamented, his guilt gnawing at his conscience.

"It was, but I could have said no," you replied, wiping away the tears staining your cheeks before asking Cillian whether he ever had feelings for you.

"I was attracted to you," Cillian replied cryptically, his voice strained. "But I didn't have romantic feelings, I am sorry," he apologized earnestly, his gaze falling to the floor.

"It's okay. I understand Cillian," you replied somberly, your voice cracking slightly. "You were married, and I was young and naïve," you lamented, your tears pooling on your cheeks. "So, I guess it was just sex then," you added, your voice thick with emotion.

"Yes, it was," Cillian confirmed, his voice laced with sadness. "But that doesn't change the fact that I care about you," he emphasized, his gaze locked onto yours.

"No, I get it Cillian. It's fine. I should go back to bed," you sniffled, wiping away the remnants of your tears. "I just needed to know," you explained gently, your voice wavering slightly before, slowly, but surely, you left the room.

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hyperlexichypatia · 15 days

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This survey of why parents are estranged from their adult children is such an interesting illustration of how neurobigotry functions in society and interpersonal relationships. People accuse their estranged family members of being Mad/neurodivergent, because Madness is synonymous with being at fault in a relationship. It's considered inherently Reasonable and Justified to cut ties with a Mad/neurodivergent person -- especially an untreated-by-choice Mad/neurodivergent person -- because to be Mad/neurodivergent is to be inherently wrong, inherently unreasonable, inherently burdensome, inherently the one who is not abiding by the social compact.

Or as one of my friends put it, "Mental illness exists as a sociopolitical concept of ontological wrongness."

One of the pervasively enduring aspects of neurobigotry is that people who have been abused by neurobigotry will, instead of rejecting neurobigotry, simply accept it and turn it around on their abusers. People think they're really onto something with "No, it is my abusive parents who are mentally ill and need therapy" or "No, it is the people in power who are mentally defective" or "Racism/capitalism/bigotry are the real mental illness!"

But you can't dismantle the master's house with the master's tools. Pathologizing your parents doesn't correct the power imbalance of being pathologized by them, and using pathologization as a way to convey wrongness is still reifying pathologization and neurobigotry.

The context of family estrangement reminds me of this thought process I started about the construction of "cults." When the anti-cult movement began, it was centered on family members of people who'd joined new religious movements. The premise that people who joined religious groups their families didn't approve of were victims of "cult brainwashing" who needed to be "rescued" and "deprogrammed" (against their will, of course) was a tool of controlling families trying to deny their (usually) adult children's right to freedom of religion and general life choices. The idea that "cults" caused family estrangement was an integral aspect of the moral panic around them.

But over the decades, the stigma on "cults" has shifted. The contemporary anti-cult movement is fueled by people who grew up in abusive religious communities and chose to leave. It's applied as often to older, larger, established religious groups as it is to newer, smaller ones. While the original anti-cult movement largely centered on parents trying to control their adult children, the newer anti-cult movement largely centers on adults who've broken away from their parents' control.

Except. Except. It still uses the pathologization framework established in the 1970s. It's still a reversal -- No, it is you, the parents, the church, the authority, who are the Mentally Ill, the cult, the deviant, the ones in need of being fixed -- rather than a rejection or reframing: Actually, young people should be free to choose their own path in life.

It's not only applied in relationships between parents and children -- it's even more commonly invoked in breakups between former friends or partners. People feel the need to establish which party was Mentally Ill and Needed Therapy as a proxy for which party was At Fault in the breakup. In reality, breaking up doesn't necessarily mean either party was At Fault, but it's more socially acceptable to say "We had to break up because he's Mentally Ill and Refused To Get Help" rather than "We just didn't get along." Discussions of bad and badly-ended relationships are just constant rounds of uno reverse allegations of Madness/neurodivergence.

One of my least favorite examples is trying to "rebut" the neuromisogynistic trope of "Women are crazy" with "Men cause women to become crazy." Why are you validating "Women are crazy" by trying to "explain" it? Why are you accepting the premise that "crazy" is a bad thing? Why are you reifying the idea that being "crazy" has to be "caused" by something "bad"? If a man says "I broke up with my ex-girlfriend because she's crazy!" why validate the neuromisogyny with "No, you're crazy!" or "You must have made her crazy!" instead of challenging it with "What's wrong with being 'crazy'? What does that have to do with anything?"

If someone says "I stopped speaking to my child because they refused to seek therapy," why validate the neurobigotry with "You're the one who needs therapy!" instead of challenging it with "Why is their choice whether or not to seek therapy any of your business?"

#neurobigotry #neuromisogyny #mad liberation #ableism #antipsych #anti psych #anti cult movement #ontological wrongness #family dynamics

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hobiebrownismygod · 6 months

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So on one of my recent posts about Hobie, I got this comment from @unnecessary-account and I thought it was really interesting.

Miles has a connection with the Prowler

That's already been established (Prowler Miles)

We know that Uncle Aaron was the Prowler and he was a 'bad guy' and all that. We know that the Prowler in ITSV was supposed to be a bad guy, with his scary theme, the fact that he worked for Kingpin, and the fact that he was trying to kill Miles until he found out who was under the mask.

But the Hobie Brown Prowler is different.

Hobie Brown was a really smart kid who grew up in a really crappy family. His father left when he was a baby and his mom was an alcoholic. He had 9 siblings and all of them were basically forced to raise themselves.

In order to support himself, he became a window-cleaner who used his intellect to build gadgets to make his job easier. When he was eventually fired, he turned to a life of crime, where he would steal money from the Daily Bugle.

But after a confrontation with Spider-man, he realizes this life of crime sucks and he actually becomes an anti-hero. Spider-man even comes to him for help every once in a while and Hobie joins the Silver Sable group, a group of anti-hero mercenaries that includes Sandman.

"The Prowler gives me control over my own life-- and power. Power I can use to protect the helpless."

The Prowler Issue #1

The Prowler gives Hobie power over himself and his identity

It gives him control over his own life and his own future

Now lets connect this to Spiderman Hobie

Hobie advocates for freedom and free speech. He would want people to have control over themselves and their future. He actively fights against a fascist dictatorship in order to provide human rights for all the citizens of London

Being Spider-man means having the freedom to do these things

Having that mask on means being the voice of the people

That's what being Spider-man is to Spiderman Hobie

Now lets connect this to Miles

The first thought Miles has when he sees Hobie is "Damn. He's way cooler than me."

He's jealous of Hobie, not just cuz he's close with Gwen, but because he's an older boy who knows what he wants, does what he wants, and doesn't have to worry about other people's perceptions of him.

He's the definition of cool

Miles in the meanwhile is struggling to balance his classes, struggling to keep his identity a secret and feeling completely alone in his world

He's struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, maybe even a little bit of depression from what we saw in The Spider Within

He's struggling with the meaning of Spider-man

He's working so hard to protect his city, help the helpless, to fill those shoes that the original Peter Parker left behind. Hobie Brown's Prowler does the same thing, where he takes inspiration from Spider-man to fuel himself and his goals

Miles doesn't have control over his own life. At the end of ATSV, he doesn't even have control over his own future or his own fate.

Hobie Brown wanted control and power. Hobie Brown became the Prowler to have control and power.

Miles Morales wants control and power. Miles is fighting against his canon event because he needs that control over his future and he needs that power in his life.

Because both Spider-man and the Prowler are good people that have been put in tough situations.

And both of them want control over their own lives

Miles and the Hobie Brown Prowler share that connection. Spider-man in general shares that connection with the Prowler. I think that's pretty cool.

This analysis was kinda all over the place, mb 😭

if something doesn't make sense I'm happy to explain it though

Sources under the cut:

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ariundercovers · 3 months

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It's Not You (Frankie "Catfish" Morales x Reader)

Pairing: Frankie Morales x afab!bi/pan!reader (No use of y/n!)

Length: ~1.5k words

Summary: You accidentally start imagining a woman while Frankie's going down on you. Panic ensues.

Written a a first-go for the @triplefrontier-anniversary ! I hope this drabble doesn't totally suck, lol. I have another one in the works to keep the LGBT+ themes going!

As always, I'm super open to any and all (constructive) criticism. Let me know what you think, what you love, what you hate. I just like to hear from you!

“Oh fuck, fuuuuck-”

Your eyes are squeezed closed, Frankie’s head tucked tightly between your thighs. This was always one of his favorite ways to be - right in the middle of you, tongue working all over your folds and clit like he were the originator of the very action itself.

He’s an expert - absolutely brilliant at it, and he can always get you off in record time, faster than anyone ever could before him. So, this time, when your orgasm completely eludes you, feels entirely too far away for too long, you start to question yourself.

What is wrong with your body?

That’s when you squeeze your eyes shut and try your best to picture something that’ll help get you there.

The sloppy sounds coming from his mouth and between your legs fuel your visions as you’re picturing him on top of you, inside of you, between your legs, and then, suddenly… blonde. Blonde and curvy and boobs on top of you, smothering you. Your eyes jolt open, the image crashing over you like a bucket of ice water, and then you reach down, tugging at his oily curls and pulling him up toward you the best you can manage.

“Fuck, baby, baby, stop, please.” You hate to even ask him something like this. You hate to lose the feeling of it, because it’s still good, even if it’s not quite getting you there right now. He stops immediately - you know he always would - and you whine as you roll your head and look down at him. “It’s not gonna work this time, I don’t think.”

His brows raise at you, confused, and then his face shifts to one of concern as he gets to all fours and closes your legs, shifting them off to the side so he can climb back up the bed and envelop you in his arms.

“What’s wrong, amorcita?” You sigh, closing your eyes and tucking yourself tightly into his chest, trying to figure out how to explain.

“I, uh… shit. It’s… I don’t-” He cuts you off, then, your inability to tell him what’s going on makes him even more nervous.

“What did I do? Tell me, please, so I don’t do it again. I’m sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to, whatever it is.” You pull back from him just enough to look up at his face, eyes widening as you realize that he thinks this is his fault.

“Oh, Frankie… No. No no no no. It wasn’t… it could never be you. Hell, you’re the fucking best I think in the whole damn world, honestly. It’s not you. I promise.” You can see the visible shift, the sigh of relief he offers you as he settles against the pillows, tension evaporating out of his chest and shoulders.

“Okay. Then what is it?” Your teeth worry at your lower lip, unsure how to broach it. You’ve never been forward with him about any of this - about your sexuality, about the things you’d probably, ideally, want to be able to explore with him. You’re pretty sure he won't react poorly, but the truth is that you just don’t know.

You’re terrified to lose him.

Taking a deep breath, you shift away from him further so you can get a proper look at him, meet him eye to eye, and get a sense of the expression on his face, you gulp down the worry that’s lodged in the back of your throat.

“I, um… It was taking a long time, so I thought maybe if I closed my eyes and focused on the feeling it would help move things along, you know? But then I couldn’t stop thinking, and it was all you at first, but then suddenly it wasn’t and I, uh… I panicked. It was like instantly I couldn’t handle it anymore.” His face is still concerned as he reaches out to brush his hand along your bare arm, bringing your knuckles up to his lips and pressing a kiss there.

“What do you mean by ‘it wasn’t’?” His voice is soft, gentle. Like a feather brushing across your cheek or… something like that, at least. You do your best to answer.

“I, um… started picturing a… girl?” His eyes widen at you slightly and he tilts his head in your direction.

“Okay?” He responds. You blink back at him for a long while, trying to read his expression the best you can. You’re not getting much out of it, though, and you scrunch your brows in confusion.

“Okay?” He stares at you for a moment before his lips turn up in a slight smirk, shaking his head incredulously when he realizes you’re shocked by his response.

“Are you expecting me to be upset that you were thinking about someone else, or were you expecting that I’d be upset that it was a girl?”

“I, well…” You cut yourself off before you can blabber yourself too deeply into a hole. It sounds much stupider when he says it out loud, as it happens. You mentally smack yourself for a moment before you let out a deep breath and an uncomfortable laugh. “That sounds really dumb when you say it out loud.”

He chuckles and brushes his fingers across your temple, then down to cup your cheek in his hand.

“Amor… You’re not going to scare me away just because you’re what… bi? Pan? Some other word that probably exists but I don’t totally understand? It doesn’t matter to me. I love you. As you are. Always.” You can feel yourself getting a little choked up at his admission, the honesty of it all really getting to you. You can feel the intensity of his love for you beaming from his face, right into your chest where your heart beats so fast and so loudly that you can practically hear it in your ears.

How in the world did you end up with the most perfect human on the planet? You can’t possibly even imagine another one better than this, more pure, more kind… it’s not possible. The very earth itself would shatter if such a person existed, you think.

Your own self-doubt creeps in and begs for validation once more, even though you know deep down that yes, of course he’s telling the truth. Of course.

“Really? You mean that?” He just smiles back at you and shifts closer so he can lean forward and press his lips ever so gently against your forehead, one hand cupping the back of your neck as he does.

“Of course I do, baby. Come on. And for what it's worth, I’m not upset that you started thinking about someone else, either. Maybe it’s something we should talk about. Bringing in a third? If that’s something you think you need, that is.”

“What? You’d just… be okay with something like that?” He only smiles back at you, genuine and earnest.

“For you? Anything.” You shake your head in disbelief, sighing out a massive breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding.

“I don’t deserve you, Frankie.” He huffs and shifts forward, caging you in with his arms on either side of your body. He looks down at you, head cocked to the side, before he leans down, lips attaching gently to your collarbone. He presses little kisses all the way up it, across to your shoulder, along the upper ridge of your collar and to the base of your neck. Then, his kisses turn to little licks and nibbles as he works his way up your neck and to your jaw, biting lightly right at the tip of your chin.

“You’re right. You deserve more than I can give you. I suppose I’ll just have to spend my life making up for that, won’t I?” His teasing tone is apparent as his lips continue their trek, up your cheek, across your cheekbone, your nose, and finally to your own lips. Your arms wrap around his upper body and pull him down onto you with force, needing to feel him pressed along your body.

“It really doesn’t bother you? Not at all?” He shakes his head ‘no’ and then nuzzles his face into your chest, between your breasts, hands pushing them together toward his cheeks as he hums into your skin. He resurfaces just long enough to answer.

“Not even an ounce. I fucking love you, just like this.” You smile and close your eyes, reveling in his affections.

“Thank you, Frankie. I don’t even… I’m not sure what to say.” He keeps kissing you, all across your chest and breasts, hands massaging the tender flesh softly.

“Wanna let me try again?” You look down at him with a smile and a laugh, fingers reaching up to tug at his curls, pressing your fingertips into his scalp. You pull him up to you again, pressing your lips together for a long, hard moment.

“Absolutely, I do.”

#frankie morales x reader #writing #francisco morales #frankie catfish morales #francisco catfish morales #frankie morales #triple frontier fanfiction #triple frontier #pedro pascal #pedro pascal smut #pedro pascal fanfiction #no beta we die like men

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lettucedloophole · 10 months

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i think it's easier to agree with terfism in concept, that a woman is just an Adult Human Female and this is actually liberatory rather than regressive & confining.

but in practice, in terf spaces you'll find:

cis women sexually harassing each other (some even talked about wanting to rape women, but since they weren't Male it was a-ok. certainly not as much of a biggie as a trans woman peacefully existing online, anyway.) there is also so much shaming of formerly prostituted women, rf or not, & rape/dv victims.

weird racism and nazi shit! much like the rapey people mentioned above, while some terfs wouldn't outright support racism, they'd tolerate it and follow "white supremacist feminists" or "radical feminists" making anti-semitic jokes (cough cough. radfem hitler) some terfs thought they were weird privately but there was no move to push them out of terf spaces like there was with Transfem Lesbians Existing.

this is also racism & nazi shit... when women's march changed their logo, there was a huge backlash in terf spaces about how this silhouette–

–was male, or meant to be a trans woman. of course, a lot of people were like "that's racist because some woc have that nose type." i saw two responses to that argument-- 1), it was actually the brow bone which was male, so it wasn't racist, and 2) women's march did this on purpose to make terfs look bad (and? it worked lmfao.) i was shocked at just how openly, insanely regressive this was, and it illustrated a point to me about terfs-- they will throw women under the bus who look masculine (like, any woman who could've had that silhouette) to keep the trans moral panic fueled.

more on throwing masc (cis) & other women under the bus-- i saw terfs who'd spent time in those spaces for a while began to question if muscular women in wrestling were "real women" or if they were "a man pretending to be a woman." trans women were made fun of for their "male" features, which of course, weren't male specific. they mocked vaginoplasty & dilation to get to trans women, thereby also insulting the cis women who did those things (which, they seemed to either not know about or just didn't care.) at one point, a cis tirf was talking about her experience getting harassed as trans in the bathroom and a bunch of terfs ganged up on her to call her a liar. so, believe women until it goes against your political agenda i guess? and, for that bbc article on cis lesbians feeling pressured to sleep with trans women, they literally interviewed a cis lesbian who'd been accused of rape multiple times, including in bathrooms. but trans women are the actual rapists, right?

one thing that's very sad is how woc in these spaces will see things like, nazis coming to terf events and being Allowed to stay there and plead for the movement to change, as if... anyone cares about woc here? terfs don't care about masc or non-white women considering how their rhetoric negatively impacts both.

crazy amounts of terfs claiming they just care about trans people and don't want them to hurt themselves, thennn calling trans people mutilated freaks & posting pictures without consent, even of minors, of surgery results good and bad.

and concerning the last point, this is just some contradictory things i've seen in terf spaces concerning cis women & afab people, but really the transmisogyny should be enough to stop your support of it. even if terfs managed to liberate all afab people somehow, trans women's well-being is important by itself. i just think these contradictions i've seen personally work nicely to poke holes in terf ideology.

#radical feminism #trans inclusive radical feminism #ex-terf #ex terf #tirf #trans inclusive radfem #tw misogyny #tw transmisogyny #tw transphobia

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shoujoboy-restart · 3 months

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16-year-old non-binary student Nex Benedict was beaten to death at Owasso High School in Oklahoma.

Self-described stochastic terrorist and January 6th Capitol rioter Chaya Raichik, owner of the social media account Libs of TikTok, has become infamous for her viral harassment and moral panic campaigns targeting minorities— with an emphasis on vilifying LGBTQ+ existence. Since 2021, Raichik’s posts targeting advocates for and members of the LGBTQ+ community have been followed with a deluge of violent death threats (including lynching threats against the Los Angeles Unified School District). Nowhere has Raichik’s influence been more visible than Oklahoma, where her anti-LGBTQ+ exploits earned her an official position on the Oklahoma Department of Education’s Library Media Advisory Committee by controversial far-right Superintendent Ryan Walters. Under Walters’ leadership, Oklahoma has been aggressively working to ban books and education on LGBTQ+ issues in schools across the state, with Oklahoma’s Attorney General Gentner Drummond stating that proposed rules to ban LGBTQ+ books and content were “unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.” It’s been confirmed that Raichik’s posts have fueled multiple bomb threats against schools specifically in Oklahoma. Officials from Oklahoma told NBC News that they believe Chaya Raichik’s anti-LGBTQ+ culture warring “sparked threats in their localities with her posts on social media that digitally heckle people such as drag performers, LGBTQ teachers and doctors who treat transgender patients.” One of these instances was at the Owasso School District (just outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma). In 2022, Chaya Raichik targeted an Owasso teacher for speaking out in support of LGBTQ+ students who lacked acceptance from their parents. Raichik’s post was shared thousands of times on social media and resulted in the teacher getting condemned and harassed until they resigned. The posts Raichik made about the teacher were later deleted, but have been archived. It’s unclear what prompted the deletion of the posts by Raichik. We know Raichik’s Libs of TikTok posts have contributed to a culture of intolerance against LGBTQ+ youth in schools, and now this hate may be manifesting beyond mere threats. This month, a non-binary 16-year-old student at Owasso High School was brutally murdered in the girl’s restroom. According to local news outlets and family, Nex Benedict was beaten by three older female students. The mother of Benedict’s best friend told KJRH News that "one of the girls was pretty much repeatedly beating [Benedict’s] head across the floor.” Reports say Benedict was unable to take themselves to the nurse’s office after a teacher finally intervened in the brutal assault. For reasons that remain unclear, Owasso High School refused to call an ambulance for 16-year-old Nex Benedict, who died from their injuries in the hospital the next day. A motive for this killing has not been shared by law enforcement, but we know that schools in Oklahoma have been specifically pushing violent eliminationist rhetoric against transgender and non-binary youth— a fact exemplified by the state’s hiring of Chaya Raichik following her incitements of terror against the state’s schools over LGBTQ+ rights. “This is the inevitable result of the anti trans moral panic,” said civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo, who shared an article about Benedict’s death published by the Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents Blog. “This is horrifying, and comes as lawmakers are increasingly spreading fear over trans people in bathrooms,” wrote LGBTQ+ journalist and advocate Erin Reed regarding this murder.

#discourse #politics #lgbtq community #lgbtq #lgbt rights #lgbtq rights #libsoftiktok #libs of tik tok

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probablyasocialecologist · 1 year

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Back in the 1970s, Stuart Hall, Charles Critcher, Tony Jefferson, John Clarke, and Brian Roberts’s work Policing the Crisis famously characterized the moral panic about mugging in the following terms:

‘When the official reaction to a person, groups of persons or series of events is out of all proportion to the actual threat offered, when “experts”, in the form of police chiefs, the judiciary, politicians and editors perceive the threat in all but identical terms, and appear to talk “with one voice” of rates, diagnoses, prognoses and solutions, when the media representations universally stress sudden and dramatic increases (in numbers involved or events) and “novelty”, above and beyond that at which a sober, realistic appraisal could sustain, then we believe it is appropriate to speak of the beginnings of a moral panic.’

This quote from almost half a century ago is extremely prescient when it comes to the trans panic. As Shon Faye notes in The Transgender Issue, the anti-trans moral panic has also relied on the paradox “that the rights of a small minority of the population wielding little institutional power are in fact a risk to the majority.” A recent opinion piece in the Guardian is particularly illustrative of this, suggesting that men in the Labour Party (often gay men) who defend trans rights are more of a threat than infamous violent misogynist Andrew Tate.

Fran Amery and Aurelien Mondon, How Transphobic Moral Panics Fuel Authoritarian Politics

#lgbt #transgender #transphobia #moral panic

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minecraft · 2 years

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Huh. You’ve invited me to go ghost hunting with you and on our way to the haunted house in our van all our instruments started acting up but not in like an unexplainable weird way, whatever. but we’ve had to reset and recalibrate them. annoying, right. but now the weather has suddenly turned for the worst and its gotten dark real suddenly. We’re both pretty worn out and have had to take a rest stop at a weird unbranded gas station. everything goes fine but some old ambiguously exotic seemingly-homeless women sees something odd about us and/or our van and is talking in mumbled rhyme-riddle at us before grabbing our arms too way hard out of nowhere while locking eye contact with us desperately trying to warn us. uh oh, now in a panic we’ve ran away from the gas station in our van without paying. without thinking we make a couple of impulsive turns to avoid the cops because we think they might be after us now. oh wait, now we’ve crossed into a gloomy, dark forest thats near where the haunted house is, we think(?) the gps and wifi stopped working. but we’re actually kinda glad about that because fuck cops. Suddenly the road gets rockier and we hear rushing water. unknowingly we’ve passed a river/brook and now looking back the flow and depth of the river has increased a considerable amount. Now being lost and desperate, we look for any trace of anyone else, a campsite, a way out, etc. The weather is storming hard now with heavy downpour and fast wind. the check engine light comes on and we’re low on fuel and suddenly we stumble upon what we think is the house we wanted to visit originally. However the gate is locked and we unfortunately are forced into a situation where we are tempted into crossing moral lines and have to break in. once inside we slowly realize that although the house is abandoned, there are slight traces someone has probably been here recently; as well as being unsure that its exactly the same house we originally came in search for - we can’t read the family name on the gate outside and the heraldic shields inside the halls seem... weirdly off somehow. oh well its probably nothing.

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rosalesbeausderholle · 1 year

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What makes you think conservative lawmakers give a shit what radical feminists think? They’re not consulting us or following our lead, they have their own agenda. it’s not the fault of a small + highly unpopular group of feminists that conservatives are… continuing to be conservative. You’re reinforcing the first rule of misogyny: “women are responsible for what men do”

I'm not saying you're solely responsible, I'm saying you're helping fuel the moral panic about it, and propping up people fuelling these moral panics.

Like, you know all those t-shirts that say "woman: adult human female" you know who made them? Posie Parker who was an actual Trump sympathizer. A big Spanish radfem organization that claims to fight against "the erasure of women" repeats QAnon "this is the fault of George Soros" antisemitic conspiracies. Radfems were on Fox News. WOLF members took money from right wing conservative organizations (and did not say a peep through their official channels when Roe was struck down). LGB Alliance also worked with conservatives. Radfems in Italy fought against the Zan law just because it would give some more protections to trans people, completely not caring about all the protections it would also give to LGBT people, in a country that's severely lacking in LGBT compared to the rest of Europe. Same thing happened last year in Japan.

For years now, there's been conservatives in online radfem/GC circles just hanging there and agreeing and repeating those points and participating.

And there was no criticism of this from the great majority of mainstream radfems and "gender critical" people (because radfems are too transphobic to care and gender criticals and these conservatives are the same people), but at some point when it's getting this big and this blatant you need to look within yourself and stop with that: "radfems are too small a group for conservatives to care what we say" because i know that helps you sleep at night, but they're still using some of your arguments to "protect women, stop erasing women" and you as a meat shield all while feeding your movement conservative points and fear mongering tactics which you are too happy to repeat because the funding and the attention is good.

And you will start to see all of this once you start trying to push against this and you're met with a brick wall of "this never happens!" you criticize liberal feminists and the trans rights movement for group think and cult like strategies but you do the same.

Like do me a favor and look over at the whole RF/GC scene on Twitter (aka the more mainstream version bc no one is on Tumblr) and just examine with a critical eye who all these people are, who they're retweeting, what they're saying and why. You'll find conservative ties after conservative ties after conservative ties.

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thatstormygeek · 2 months

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Remember the bans? The 23 statewide bans on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth passed in just the last three years? The bans that are already working to deny over 100,000 transgender youth any access to this care at all? The bans that threaten to put doctors in jail, artificially hike their malpractice rates, and even chill providers who practice in states without bans? The bans opposed by medical providers like Bowers and Anderson that Chait and others love to cite to justify their skepticism? The bans that have been written and defended by the very same groups manufacturing doubt around mifepristone and birth control? The bans fueled by open corruption and pay-for-play junk science? The bans that would censor any mention of transgender medicine in federally-funded agencies and medical schools? The bans passed by politicians who describe trans people as “filth,” “demons,” and a “contagion” and predictably advocate for extending those bans to transgender people of any age? The bans racing towards a Supreme Court review? Those bans? I ask because it’s not clear to me many liberal commentators like Chait actually do remember. He makes zero mention of them in his response to Chu other than a quick note that “conservatives dismiss trans rights altogether.” In the more than 6000 words he’s written about transgender youth in the last year, just 119 (or 2%) gesture towards the bans and none explore the many harms we know they’re already causing. Elsewhere, you find liberal pundits and reporters alike casting the bans as simply the mirror image of trans people fighting for greater access. See Pamela Paul (who conflates politicians using the power of the state to target providers with amorphous and unnamed “activist pressure and organizational capture”), Emily Bazelon, (which likewise goes to great lengths to characterize bans and “activists” as two equal extremes), and the New York Times heavily-criticized fear-mongering about puberty blockers (which makes brief reference to the bans before equating them to “some advocates [who] criticize anyone who questions the treatments’ safety.”) This makes for a dangerous game of whataboutism, one that risks gravely misrepresenting both the facts and the unknowns about the state of this health care and the power imbalance at hand between transgender people and the political movement dedicated to our eradication. It’s a rhetorical maneuver that conflates a medical debate between “more assessment” and “more autonomy”—the kind of debate that unfolds in medicine all the time across a wide range of topics without this level of political and media panic—with a political debate between “transgender rights are human rights” and “transgender people are an abomination unto God.”

The bans being either completely ignored or conflated with transgender people’s own advocacy as patients by liberal commentators are thus creating exactly the kind of vacuum of knowledge and evidence those very same commentators claim to be concerned about. Seemingly demanding absolute certainty this care provides zero risks (an impossible standard for any field of medicine to reach) they simultaneously ignore or sweep aside the undeniable fact the vast majority of the transgender youth being pulled off this care by state politicians right now have built their lives on this care and will now be forced to endure needless distress and suffering without this care. That distress and suffering will come not from just being denied their self-determination over their own body—though that is already a moral injury proponents for these bans have failed to justify. It will also come from the permanent physical effects that these youth will be forced to endure without puberty blockers or hormone treatments. Indeed, while Chait and others frequently express concern for the (small number of) patients who access hormones from a doctor that change their bodies in ways they later come to regret, they don’t seem to have the same concern for the (large number of) people who are denied hormone blockers from a doctor likewise resulting in changes to their bodies they know they will regret. “If children are too young to consent to puberty blockers,” writes Chu in her essay, “then they are definitely too young to consent to puberty, which is a drastic biological upheaval in its own right. Yet we let this happen every day — and not without casualties.”

Whether Chu intends it or not, this is a very liberal sentiment. Not liberal in the sense of wishy-washy centrist or to the right of the left—a cynical and amoral act of political positioning. But liberal in the sense any restriction on self-determination should meet a high bar, one the bans on gender-affirming medical care simply fail to clear. This central value—shared by classical liberals and social democrats alike—is being sacrificed by self-describe liberals paradoxically in the name of the liberal order, pitting their vision of freedom against their essentialist faith in identity.

#gillian branstetter #anti trans bills #us politics

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edwardian-girl-next-door · 8 months

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Feast Day: Michaelmas, or St. Michael and All the Angels

"The Three Archangels and Tobias" by Francesco Botticini (1470). Michael is on the far left, wearing some snazzy armour (via wikimedia commons)

Happy Michaelmas!

Michaelmas celebrates the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael; and in Anglican and Episcopalian tradition includes two other angels from apocryphal (not in Biblical canon) texts named Uriel and Jerahmeel. However, as the name suggests, most of the day is about Michael. Regarded as the warrior who drove Satan out of heaven, Michael is associated strongly with protection and military might. He is the patron saint of police officers, warriors, the sick, mariners, against lightning and windstorms, and of many places including France, Germany, Vatican City, and Ukraine and its capital Kyiv.

Michaelmas was one of the major observed saint's days in mediaeval and early modern England, Scotland, and Ireland. Keep reading to find learn about how the Devil was yeeted from heaven, if you're going to get married soon, and why you shouldn't eat blackberries after October 10th.

History

As an angel, Michael doesn't have a 'life', per se, but he is well-known and venerated in a variety of Abrahamic religions. The earliest recorded mention of his is from the Book of Enoch, a Hebrew apocalyptic text from the 3rd century BCE. The Book of Enoch contains other bits of juicy information on the origin of demons, moral justification for the great flood in Genesis, why some angels fell from heaven, and a prophecy for the thousand-year reign of the Messiah. Though it is not accepted as canon in Christian and Jewish traditions, it provides extra scholarship on canon occurrences and apocryphal traditions. Michael is not given an introduction by the Book of Enoch, implying that readers would already be familiar with him, and his legend may date back much farther. He is mentioned in the Book of Daniel, which is included in the Christian Old Testament and is one of the Jewish Talmudic writings. The Quran and Hadīth also acknowledge Michael as an archangel (often spelled Mika'il).

In the Christian Bible, Michael is explicitly mentioned in Jude 9, Daniel 7, and Revelation 12:7-12. This last passage is the most famous, and depicts Michael doing battle with the Devil and driving him out of heaven. As a result, he has very militaristic associations, often portrayed as the leader of the armies of God in the warfare between Heaven and Hell, good and evil. In the mediaeval and early modern world, people lived with these images and concepts in their everyday lives. Vivid depictions of the Last Judgement, or the end of the world, adorned church walls -- they make up a whole genre, called "doom paintings", and were often on the west wall of the church, which was most visible to the congregation. They sent powerful, unmistakable messages to those who could not read or understand the Latin service. In addition, many people lived with firsthand experiences with brutal, real world conflict; and the power of the church in law and society created overwhelming preoccupation with the afterlife. We have only to look to paintings like Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights of Hans Memling's The Last Judgement to see what nightmare fuel people truly believed in and feared. Michael was therefore an important protector figure in a serious battle against the forces of evil -- the OG Satanic Panic, 24/7.

"The Last Judgement" by Hans Memling (c.1466-1473). The right panel depicts heaven, the left panel depicts hell, and the middle panel depicts the judgement process, with Michael weighing souls in the foreground while Jesus looks on. (via wikimedia commons)

Doom painting in Salisbury's Church of St. Thomas a Beckett. Again, Heaven is depicted on the right, and hell is swallowing people on the left. I don't know about you, but seeing this every Sunday as a kid would have given me religious trauma they haven't even discovered yet. (via seeingthepast.com)

A little bit about the other angels commemorated: Gabriel is responsible for announcing God's will to humanity, and communicates the birth of Jesus to Mary and of John the Baptist to her sister Elizabeth, respectively. Raphael is not mentioned in the Bible, but tradition identifies him as a healing angel who stirred the waters at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2-4). Uriel is also not mentioned in the Bible, but is in texts recognised as apocryphal by the Roman Catholic Church, and is also a figure in folk Catholicism. He is usually depicted as a cherub, representing repentance and holding the keys to Hell. Jerahmeel is mentioned in texts recognised as apocryphal by the Anglican Communion, and serves as a gatekeeper to Heaven with St. Peter and guides souls on their journey to the afterlife. All around pretty metal stuff.

Michaelmas and its Traditions

As Michael served as a benevolent force against darkness and evil, his commemoration asked for protection in the cold, long winter nights, where Satan's powers were supposedly more powerful.

Harvest activities, from the glorious Luttrell Psalter (c.1320-1340) (via johnclare.net)

In mediaeval England, Michaelmas marked the start of a new agricultural year, when the harvest ended and people could start preparing for the coming winter. In England, Ireland, and Wales, it was one of the quarter days, or four days during which major legal business was settled. Contracts for would begin or expire, rents and taxes were collected, school terms would start, &c. Hiring fairs were held around Michaelmas for labourers and servants looking for work. On manors, a "reeve" or estate manager would be chosen from among the peasants. Following this custom, the Lord Mayor of London is still elected on Michaelmas; and some British and Irish law courts and universities use a "Michaelmas term" to denote an autumn session or semester.

Michaelmas earned the name "Goose Day" from the tradition of eating a roast goose on this holiday. The end of September and beginning of October are naturally when geese were ready for eating, and they were also common fare for celebrations in general. Geese prepared for this time of year were referred to as a stubble-goose or an embling or rucklety goose. Goose fairs proliferated up and down the country, selling geese and other food, as well as providing entertainment. (The Nottingham Goose Fair continues in this tradition, happening around October 3rd every year.) A likely apocryphal legend provides a fun reason behind this tradition: Queen Elizabeth I was eating a goose when she heard of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and vowed to eat it for Michaelmas. Others followed suit, and thus goose-eating helped ensure financial security for the year to come. Geese were also a great way to bribe your landlord, as including one with your rent might gain you a little more favour. Another fun goose tidbit: if the breast bones of the goose are brown after roasting, the winter will be mild, but if they were white or of a slightly blue hue, the winter will be harsh.

Gathering blackberries after Michaelmas (old style October 10th) was deemed unlucky. Supposedly, when Michael cast Satan out of heaven, Satan landed in a blackberry bush and got tangled in its brambles. Cursing the bush, Satan either spit, stamped, scorched, or peed on it, or a combination of all of those things, making the fruit unfit to eat after that date. Blackberry pies, called Michaelmas pies, were often made to use up the last of the blackberry harvest. In Ireland, bad blackberries are also attributed to púca, a shape-shifting spirit that can bring both good and evil.

Michaelmas bannock with blackberries (via allthehousehold.com)

Scotland and Ireland also have unique celebrations from those in England and Wales. In parts of Scotland, particularly the Hebrides, the eldest daughter of the family baked Sruthan Mhìcheil, or St. Michael's bannock, on the eve of Michaelmas. Sruthan Mhìcheil is a scone-like bread or cake, consisting of equal parts barley, rye, and oats, and without using any metal implements. Some recipes are cooked in lamb skin. As the person making the Sruthan turns it on the fire, they utter a variant of this blessing over it: "Progeny and prosperity of family, Mystery of An Dagda, protection of Bride". There is also a Hebridean blessing which runs: "Là Fhéill Mìcheil nì sinn struthan, Gabhaidh sinn dheth gu cridheil cairdeil, Mar bu choir a bhith" or, in English, "On St Michael’s Day we will make a cake, we will partake of it in a joyful friendly manner, as is proper". Special Sruthans, made in memory of absent loved ones or those who have died, are blessed at Michaelmas mass and given to the poor.

Another Scottish tradition involves carrots, the last of which are supposed to be pulled up on Michaelmas day. Finding a two-pronged carrot is considered extra lucky! There's a Gaelic rhyme for this task, too, which accompanies the carrot pulling: "Torcan torrach, torrach, torrach, Sonas curran còrr orm, Michael mil a bhi dha m’chonuil, Bride gheal dha m’chonradh" or in English, "Cleft fruitful, fruitful, fruitful, Joy of carrots surpassing upon me, Michael the brave endowing me, Bride the fair be aiding me."

I found a good deal of Irish traditions relating to Michaelmas, varying region by region. One legend tells of a king who choked to death on a goose bone and was brought back to life by St. Patrick. In honour of the saint, he ordered goose to be eaten on Michaelmas. In parts of Ireland, geese were given to the poor, and in some regions slaughtered sheep were also thrown in with the donation. Many people took pilgrimages to holy wells associated with Michael to take a drink from the blessed waters. A ring would sometimes me placed in a Michaelmas pie, and the person to find it would be married soon.

Towns often implemented winter curfew on Michaelmas. The church bell would ring at 9pm, once for every day of the month that had passed, to remind everyone to get inside. Curfews usually lasted from Michaelmas (September 29th) to Shrove Tuesday or Lady Day (March 25th), another quarter day. Chertsey in Runnymeade, Surrey, still rings a curfew bell between these dates; their oldest church bell dates from 1380.

Michaelmas dasies (via butterfly-conservation.org)

Michaelmas daisies, or asters, bloom around this time of year, one of the last flowers to bloom before the onset of winter. Some say they represent a final, hearty burst of light before the darkness and barrenness of winter, just like the celebration of Michaelmas. A rhyme says: "The Michaelmas Daisies, among dede weeds, / Bloom for St Michael’s valorous deeds. / And seems the last of flowers that stood, / Till the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude." (Sts. Simon and Jude is October 28th).

And of course, no feast day would be complete without a plethora of weather wisdom! Here are a few:

"If Michaelmas bring many acorns, Christmas will cover the fields with snow."

"If the ice is strong enough to bear a man before Michaelmas, it will not bear a goose afterwards." (see Martinmas, November 11th)

"So many days old the moon is on Michaelmas Day, so many floods after."

"If St. Michael bring thunder, rough weather will follow."

Thomas Tusser also advises to pick fruit after Michaelmas if you want it to last the winter.

If You're Still Interested...

Here is a Michaelmas bannock recipe, from the picture above!

Sources

Wikipedia (Michaelmas)

Wikipedia [Michael (archangel)]

agecrofthall.org

projectbritain.com

historic-uk.com

britannica.com

nts.org

A Countryman's Daybook, ed. C. N. French

#feast day series #feast day #michael the archangel #st michael #michaelmas #sainst day #english history #british history #cultural history #history

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1. Former guerrilla fighter and leftist Gustavo Petro elected in Colombia. U.S. politicians plan to fight Petro’s administration.

On Sunday June 19th 2022 leftist Gustavo Petro defeated conservative Rodolfo Suarez. South America has been deeply impacted by COVID and it seems some of those pressures may be ushering in a second round of the pink tide. Last year Peru elected Marxist schoolteacher Pedro Castillo. Chile elected activist and leftist Gabriel Boric. Brazil seems poised to reelect socialist Lula De Silva. Colombia has joined the trend electing their first leftist president in Petro and adding to the political possibility of the whole block. For their part many U.S. politicians, specifically Ron De Santis and the Florida Democratic Party have decried the election and called for skepticism, likening Petro to Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro and Cuba’s late Fidel Castro. Joe Biden on the other hand is “looking forward to working with the president elect.”

2. Supreme Court strikes down Maine ban on using public funds for private religious schools.

On Tuesday the Supreme Court continued its reactionary project and held that Maine can’t prevent religious schools from accessing a tuition assistance program. The decision backtracks on decades of jurisprudence skeptical of the co-mingling of public funds and religious education. It’s the latest 6-3 decision for a now solid conservative majority, fueled by legislation coming out of conservative majorities in dozens of statehouses, and it signals yet another break with precedent. This is just the latest in what will be many iterations where the conservative justices play into the desires of the conservative legal movement that has been wedded to conservative politics generally for decades. The Supreme Court is a reactionary body and should be viewed as a political wing of the Republican Party.

3. COVID free school lunch program ends at the end of June, forcing millions to pay again.

Federal waivers passed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic are set to expire, without a congressional extension millions will be forced to pay for school lunches who have been getting them for free for the last 2 years. The waivers that provide free lunch for students were originally set to be included in a March spending bill but were removed at the behest of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConell.

4. Republicans have passed over 250 anti-LGBTQ bills in 2022.

Republican state legislatures have passed over 250 anti-LGBTQ bills in 2022. The bills range from attempting to remove marriage protections, ending alternative pronouns on birth certificates and licensing, to outright banning trans people from school sports and banning gender affirming care for trans youth or those on medicaid/public support. There is the now infamous “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida which has copy cats in conservative states around the country, that helps fuel the moral panic around LGBTQ people in the classroom and discussing LGBTQ identity therein. The Republican Party is trying to undo the progress of the LGBTQ civil rights movement and with the Supreme Court in tow they seemed poised to do so.

5. Home unaffordability keeps surging, home prices hit record highs.

Prices for existing already built homes hit a record high in May according to the Wall Street Journal. The average home price in the U.S. topped $400,000 and although sales are down prices don’t appear to be letting up anytime soon. Buying a house is already mostly out of reach for millions of people, particularly young people. This news is exactly why and there doesn’t appear to be anybody seriously tackling the issue. From lack of supply to corporate land lords buying up family properties out from under would be first time buyers, the pressures driving prices up will require structural fixes, or another crash. Unfortunately the later seems more likely because the first requires Congress to do something.

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