Thursday, November 13, 2014

May Be Unsuitable/Distressing for Younger Readers

I stopped describing myself as a feminist a long time ago.

I was a teenager, I reckon, or at the very most early twenties. This was, what, 1994? I looked around at the world and I said to myself "Yep, I'm not gonna call myself a feminist anymore. What I'm going to do instead is treat people how they should be treated. Treat everyone equally. I'm going to live as though equality has been achieved, because hey, that's what gonna happen. It's inevitable. In fact, it's almost here. We have six years left until the twenty-first century, for God's sake. Equality is a stone's throw away."

And that's what I thought.

We had come so far as a culture, as a world, and I could only see this continuing. I could only see gender equality in our future. I could only see a world where racism and homophobia had staggered off into the corner to die a quick, indifferent death. I could only see a world increasingly populated by young people with young ideas, with young attitudes. No more bigotry. No more extremism. The future was open and free, and it was a beautiful place to live.

In many ways, I was hopelessly naive. In other ways, I wasn't. I was practical. I was logical. This was the future.

But then the future changed.

I don't understand the world anymore. I don't understand why it is the way it is. So many countries and continents seem intent on going backwards. Anti-gay laws abound in Africa. America's red states are spreading, blissfully ignoring the achievements of one of their most successful presidents. Extremism is rampant throughout the world. People are scared. Nationalism is rising. Conservatism is taking over. Our politicians are actively lying to us and our police forces, who are meant to protect us, the people, have become an army of corporate thugs.

And gender equality? What the hell has happened there?

It's as if the tide has gone back out, and it's washed away all the promise and potential that I thought we had achieved. I think we had achieved it, mostly, but the problem was that it hadn't been secured, it hadn't been nailed down, and it didn't take much for that tide to take it all away from us.

There are words I never wanted to use in this blog. Chief amongst them is rape. So I do apologise to my younger readers here, I sincerely do. But rape culture is spreading. A girl goes out to a nightclub and she is practically guaranteed to be leered at and groped. This behaviour is seen as normal. It's seen as unexceptional. This is something girls steel themselves for because they know it's coming and there's nothing they can do about it.

It's everywhere. It's accepted. A football player imprisoned for rape is allowed to train back at his old club upon his release. He's allowed once again to take his place alongside a team of men that tens of thousands of young lads look up to. What does this say to those young lads who have yet to form their own opinions on what is and what is not acceptable when it comes to girls?

A so-called comedian bases his entire persona around rape culture. A "pick-up guru" tours the world teaching men how to score with women by overpowering them. GamerGate happens. Twitter abuse happens. #NotEveryMan happens. Understanding is shunted off to one side. Sensitivity and empathy are ejected in favour of instant offence and vitriolic reaction. But if they'd listen, if these offended men would just listen, they could maybe understand why women feel threatened. And next time they go to step into an elevator that just has one lone woman inside it, maybe they'll think again, and wait for the next one. Because is a little inconvenience really worth the risk of making another human being worry when you're alone together? Is your pride worth that?

When I was younger, I assumed the world would continue to improve. I was wrong. I assumed I could act as if everything was okay, because everything would eventually be okay. I was wrong there, too.

So, I am once again describing myself as a feminist. It's only a big deal to me, but then it only has to be a big deal to me. It's a personal acknowledgement that if I want to change the world, I have to fight for it.






4,990 comments:

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Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Okay... and you two?)

Star Inkbright said...

@Sil: :/
Stupid parents . . .

Inky Flame said...

(thanks Rhos sweetie :)

I dedicate this page to...*drum rolls*
DEREK LANDY!
He has just proven to us what an amazing role model he actually is
I don't know about you, but I really look up to him ^^)

Garret Falcone said...

(No probs Chlo, and hear hear)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(Hear hear)
(@Kas *shrugs*)

Inky Flame said...

*awwww thanks bach ^^

this is Inkys new look, but I could add her tail or ears...)

Vivanus Keen said...

I'd like to debate the fact that Russia wouldn't send warships...

Garret Falcone said...

(no worries Bach (<for Chlo) and it looks good, and its up to you if you want to add ears and a tail)

Commander Sophia Keating (N7 Operative and Council Spectre) said...

(Vivanus - they have sent them. There is no debate about that fact. I simply do not think they will use them.)

Vivanus Keen said...

*not fact, argument

Inky Flame said...

(there are no ears or tail on the game)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(Hey Viv..)

Vivanus Keen said...

It depends entirely on what you mean by 'use'. True, they may not fire a single shot, but I can guarantee you that Russia would not waste that much fuel money if they had no agenda in mind. The simple presence of warships can, in it's own right, be a tool to achieve Russia's expansionist goals.

Vivanus Keen said...

(Hey Sil.)

Vivanus Keen said...

(1. Did you get my email?
2. What's up?)

Inky Flame said...

(hey Viv ^^ how art thou?)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(@Viv how are you? And vivTC..)

Vivanus Keen said...

(I'm fine, Viv TC is ticked off and letting off steam by running through mine fields.)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(Email? I have received no such thing..)
(Why is VivTC ticked off?)

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(So what if there's a fleet headed for Australia?

One of the Australian ships sent towards said fleet was performing training exercises near New Zealand. Let's ask people from New Zealand how they feel about Australia's ship performing training exercises so close to them?

Just stop panicking. It's just ships.

Watch a movie or something. I'll be watching Happy Gilmore :)

Vivanus Keen said...

(What?! I emailed it twice now!
Reasons...)

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Hear hear!)

Inky Flame said...

(thanjs Kassy!)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(?? It's not come through..

Reasons?)

Commander Sophia Keating (N7 Operative and Council Spectre) said...

(They are attempting to intimidate Australia. Nothing more. I imagine it has something to do with the G20 Summit taking place.)

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

@Chloe Why?

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*Kestrel awakes, lying in the middle of the woods*
*for convenience's sake, she is fully clothed*
*it takes her a minute to remember what happened*
*sits up*
Oh, [insert swear word here].

((Hey all! How are you?))

Vivanus Keen said...

(Ok, guess what, my email just informed me that my last ten emails to you were not sent and cannot be sent. I have no idea why but at least it explains why I haven't heard from you in a while.)

Inky Flame said...

(hey Kessi! how art thou?

for agreeing to my ded ^^ it means a lot)

Garret Falcone said...

(I'm happy thank you Kes, how be you?)
(because there is no ears + tails, what about leaving it as it is then Chloe?)

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Hey Chloe! I'm okay, you?))

*Kes stands up, reaching into her pocket for her phone*
*she doesn't have Amethyst's or Elleni's number*
*calls Sil instead*

Inky Flame said...

(oksy Rhos )

Vivanus Keen said...

Are they? Do you see no correlation between their Ukrainian actions, the sub in Sweden, many of their other pushes for territory expansion, and this?

Inky Flame said...

(im okay ^^)

*sits inbar*
*gets pissed*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(@Viv oh okay...that's annoying...
Why is VivTC ticked off?)
(@Kes 'for convinience sake, she is fully clothed' that's cheating.)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*answers*
Yellop? Sup kes?

Garret Falcone said...

*is behind the bar serving drinks*

Vivanus Keen said...

(Just a tad bit...
I'm not quite sure, feel free to ask him though.)

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Viv and whoever else is involved in this convo: Australia's a bit bigger than the Eukraine...))
((Sil, if she didn't have clothes in she would just hide forever. She's very sensitive about a certain scar))

*breathes out*
Sil?
Did I change last night?

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(A co-ordinated invasion, a random submarine, a flotilla of useless warships. A correlation? Not really.)

Edward Fletcher said...

(Greetings all, how be you all?)

Inky Flame said...

*smiles* hey Garrrrrrr!


Tawnee: *walks in*

Inky Flame said...

(Ed!!! how art thou?)

Vivanus Keen said...

((That doesn't mean anything, simply a step up. Plus, no one said that they are trying to acquire the mainland of Australia. And Russia is bigger than all of them.))

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Hello, Edward!

I am ok. How are you?)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(@Viv he's on a mine field..)

*frowns*
Uh..I don't know? Do you smell fresh? Does your skin look glowy-ish? If so yes! But I wasn't there..
Although blogland did reek of vampire..

Garret Falcone said...

(hello ed)
*nods* Hello inky *waves to Taw* Hello hon

Edward Fletcher said...

(Fine thanks)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(Hey ed.)

Inky Flame said...

*drinks more*
*giggles*



Tawnee: hello sweetheart *smiles*
*to Inky*maybe you shouldn't drink so much....

Vivanus Keen said...

(@Tia: Actually there is a correlation, Russia is becoming more assertive. What we would call outrageous today may be common tomorrow. Just look at the ease in which it took Crimea. )

Edward Fletcher said...

(Hey Sil, how be you?)

Vivanus Keen said...

(@Sil: and you have a ring.)

Edward Fletcher said...

*Sits in corner of bar quietly drinking*

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Viv, I don't know much about what's going on, so you're probably right))

*to Sil*
Goddamn it! Do you know if I hurt anyone?

((Hi Ed!))

Garret Falcone said...

*nods* i agree with Tawnee, on this one
no more drinks for you Inks.

Inky Flame said...

*sees Ed*
*stares at him*

Edward Fletcher said...

(Hello Kes)

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Wait, Garrett, you run the bar now?))

Edward Fletcher said...

*Sees Inky staring* *Moves further to corner scared*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(@Ed *shrugs* I'm me.)
(@Viv oh yeah...)


:So as fun as watching you dodge mines and nearly getting blown up IS wanna share what's wrong?

Vivanus Keen said...

(Hey Ed.)

Garret Falcone said...

(Yes, i do *nods* (why not run a bar its quite fun) )

Emerald Melody said...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1503097366/sr=1-1/qid=1415888855/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1415888855&sr=1-1


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
See this link??

This is the official link to my book, Dublin Daes being officially sold on Amazon!!!

Edward Fletcher said...

(Hello Viv
Fair enough Sil)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*to kes*
Uh there was some blood? Tasted like Amy.

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Still worrying about the warships?

Those bad boys won't get out of the water and invade you.)

Edward Fletcher said...

(Well done Em)

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Aww, congratulations, Em!)

Garret Falcone said...

(Well done Em *claps* that's really good )

Inky Flame said...

(Congrats Em!)
*stumbles over to Ed* hey...

Edward Fletcher said...

*Nods* Miss Flame

Vivanus Keen said...

*stops, not exactly a good thing to do on a minefield*
Sil?
Nothing's wrong...nothing...
*cringes at the lie*

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*to Sil*
Jesus Christ
*hangs up*
*begins walking towards the edge of the forest*

((Hi Em! Congratulations! I'll ask for it for Hannukkah! *hugs*))

Emerald Melody said...

So I expect everyone to have a copy come the new year, thank you ;)

Vivanus Keen said...

((Go Em👍👏)))

Inky Flame said...

please...just Inky...*hiccups*
im sorry... I cant

*turns and walks away*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(Congrats Em!)

*puts her phone away*
Sure. And I'm a smurf who eats leaves with my feet. What's wrong?

Edward Fletcher said...

*sighs and catches up to her* What is it?

Inky Flame said...

what did I do wrong? *shakes*

Vivanus Keen said...

Maybe we should talk in person.

Edward Fletcher said...

Nothing, *pauses* Your drunk

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*reaches the edge of the forest and continues walking straight through Central until she gets to the bar*
*sits down heavily, throwing her swords onto the bar thingy*
How much for your strongest.

Inky Flame said...

the nightmares have returned *keeps walking*

Edward Fletcher said...

*Appears in front of her* Why?, I saved them

Inky Flame said...

*gives a sad smile* well the have returned
*walks around him*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Um....okay...
*nervous now*
*opens a portal to the minefield and joins Viv, forcing a smile past the nerves*
Sup?

Edward Fletcher said...

*Stops her* Why? Just tell me. I thought we... trusted each other, helped each other

Commander Sophia Keating (N7 Operative and Council Spectre) said...

(Silente, I sent you an email.)

Vivanus Keen said...

*blinks*
*hugs her*
You're still mine?

Inky Flame said...

do you still trust me? then how come you have changed? Loo, I get it that you don't want me around anymore and that's fine
*changes into a wolf and runs off*

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

I need a drink, for god's sake! Preferably four or five!

Garret Falcone said...

(*jumps back into my hole* if I'm needed (not likely but anyway) I'm down here)

Edward Fletcher said...

Of course I still trust you, but 300 years alone does change people. What makes you think that *Sets up a wall around her*

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Garrett, you are needed. Kes is going to start a fight otherwise XD)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...


*blinks and hugs him tightly back*
Of course I am! I have the ring to prove I'll soon be legally yours and everything!

Inky Flame said...

*changes into semi wolf form* w why did you not tell me what was wrong? why did you leave me to Felix and Cole when I was hurt, just so you could drink?
after all we have been though...*cries*

Vivanus Keen said...

*moves his hand up to her face*
Then I-
*there's a click in the ground below them*

Inky Flame said...

(*huggles Rhos* I need you)

Edward Fletcher said...

*anger rises in voice* You think I abandoned you? Felix is what you deserve, I don't deserve you

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Ooh look at all this relationship angst...))

Inky Flame said...

Felix doesn't roll like that! I just...tried so hard to get you to understand that you are the only one...why the hell did I marry you, why do you think I did?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*grabs Viv and throws them backwards through the portal, slamming it shut as the mine goes off*
*coughs and laughs*
Then you..?

Edward Fletcher said...

I am nothing more than a criminal, my life is spent running through time because I dare not look back. You are a good person

Garret Falcone said...

*huggles Chloe* thank you,
and thank you Kes, but my tunnel to Canada won't dig itself *continues digging*)

Inky Flame said...

*sighs* there is no reasoning with you, so I may as well not speak at all
*changes into wolf form and curls up in the corner*

Vivanus Keen said...

*laughs*
Then I'm an idiot.
*kisses her gently*

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Who married who?

As in which characters?

Felix?)

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*Kes swears angrily, *tapping the symbols on her left knuckles*
*they flare and she punches the bar, smashing a hole through it*

Edward Fletcher said...

(Inky married Ed)

I was trying to protect you.

Inky Flame said...

(Ed and inky married, but Ed thinks Inky deserves Felix)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*kisses him gently back, giggling as a familiar animal starts snuggling at her feet*
*breaks off the kiss*
I think Amber wants attentio-
*squeals as the dog licks her face like a Lolly pop*

Inky Flame said...

*turns into semi wolf form* riiiight, and that explains why you want me to go off with some demon, banished from hell, bent on revenge

Garret Falcone said...

*bar senses tingle and i shadow walk to my bar*
who is punching holes in my bar?

Vivanus Keen said...

*hugs Amber*
Hey girl, it's been forever huh?
Has Sil been treating you right?

Edward Fletcher said...

Felix? Bent on revenge? On who? He still cares about you. So does Cole

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*looks up at Garrett*
Oh, well it's about time. Great customer service you've got here.
*sits back down with a 'thump'*

Commander Sophia Keating (N7 Operative and Council Spectre) said...

(I will be back soon.)

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Okay...)

Tori said...

Thank you Derek Landy for posting this. I know that you might not see this, being so far down the list of comments, but I just want you to know how much this hits close to home. My best friend's life is currently in pieces because of the ignorance that is in the world right now.

A little over two months ago my friend was raped by her/my coworker's fiance. My friend was at a farewell party for our assistant manager, with a few of our coworkers. My friend is underage, like me, and unfortunately she did drink while she was there. A lot. She ended up getting sick and went into the back room to lay down and that was when my coworker's fiance went back there and raped her, and she was too weak to fight back.
When she went to work and told her coworkers what had happened, they all told her that she was making up, that she was lying, that she was only saying it to get attention. When my friend brought it up with our boss, the coworker who's fiance had done it was transferred to a different store, and they were both informed that whoever spoke about this to their coworkers would be fired. My friend only told me what had happened about a month later.
A month later my friend was informed that the coworker was going to be fired at her new store and our boss had decided to take the coworker back into the same store as my friend. It was that moment that my friend gave her two weeks notice.
My friend is now having to go to therapy and battling depression, while living on her friend's couch. She has just recently signed up for food stamps and medicaid so she can take care of her two year-old daughter. She may not be able to have children again due to the damage from the rape. And she is still being harassed by friends of the man who raped her.

She and I started reading your books in middle school, and it wasn't until last year that I had informed her that there were more than the first three books released in the US. I've been letting her borrow my skulduggery pleasant books throughout the year, and right now she's currently reading your book of short stories (though I don't really know if it's a good idea to have her read a series where everyone dies). We both love your books and I know this post will mean so much to her when I show it to her later.

Inky Flame said...

Felix wants revenge on Mephisto Pheles...or were you too fixated on getting rid of me to notice? and they both care for me? what about you? don't you anymore? or was it all just for a laugh...because I am a naïve pup?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Amber: *licks Viv's face and barks*

*wipes her face and laughs*
Yes I have. Despite her eating nearly all my books on sigils in the first weeks!

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((He reads all comments, Tori. He'll see it :)))

Edward Fletcher said...

(Derek will see Tori)

Inky Flame said...

(he will definitely see ^^)

Edward Fletcher said...

Getting rid of you? Why would I do that? Of course I care for you *hugs*

Garret Falcone said...

I'm sorry i was digging a tunnel to Canada,
what can i get you to drink miss lestarre?

Inky Flame said...

Then why? why do you want me to go with those guys when you know im happy with you? *cries quietly*

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*mutters*Of course you were...
I don't know. Whatever's the strongest.

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(*comfortingly hugs Inky*)

Edward Fletcher said...

But your not happy. You were happy with Cole and Felix

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((This is the most angst RPs I've ever seen at once...))

Inky Flame said...

I was happy with you. when you took me places and made me feel better...

(*huggles Kas*)

Edward Fletcher said...

I am trying to keep you safe.

Inky Flame said...

I don't want to be safe, I want to be by your side
*stands up*
why did you marry me, only to do this?

Garret Falcone said...

Alrighty then *goes and gets a GODLY beer!!*
*returns* here you go *gives Kes the beer*

Inky Flame said...

(Godly beer....XD)

Edward Fletcher said...

I married you for the same reason you married me. I don't want you hurt

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*takes it* Thanks.
*drinks it all in one gulp*
*coughs as she swallows*
*she doesn't even like beer*
Another

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Fun fact: Kes doesn't cry unless she's drunk so it's about to interesting))

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(Um...Viv?)

Inky Flame said...

then please...let me be with you...its killing me...
*shows how pale her arms are going*

Edward Fletcher said...

*Hugs* I only want you safe.

Inky Flame said...

*pulls away* don't...*shakes*
im supposed to be with you...itll kill me otherwise...
*changes into a wolf, taking a little bit longer than it should*

Edward Fletcher said...

*Looks confused* I want to be with you, I was saying if you think you will be safe with me then I will try my best to keep you safe

Garret Falcone said...

Ok, *snaps fingers and a crate appears* there you go
*smiles*
(yes, its 90% alcohol content and I'm bad at naming things,
Chloe)

Inky Flame said...

*changes into semi wolf form*
*doesn't meet his gaze* promise? *voice is quiet*

Edward Fletcher said...

I promise

Inky Flame said...

(I thought it was an awesome name...)

Commander Sophia Keating (N7 Operative and Council Spectre) said...

(I am back.)

Inky Flame said...

*stands up*
*towers over him in this form*
*hesitates to hug him*
*hugs him gently*

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*grins angrily*
Awesome. Let's play "how long does it take for Kes to get drunk enough to forget that she may have killed Amethyst and Elleni"

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((WB Sophia! How're you?))

Edward Fletcher said...

(Welcome back Soph)

*looks up at Inky* *hugs*

Inky Flame said...

I I am so sorry...

Commander Sophia Keating (N7 Operative and Council Spectre) said...

(I am depressed, Kestrel. Yourself?)

Edward Fletcher said...

Sorry for what? I am sorry

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((I'm pretty good. KesTC is reverting))

*opens the crate*
*gulps down another two, throwing them over her shoulder*

Inky Flame said...

I over reacted.... You were doing what you thought was best....

Edward Fletcher said...

I just wanted you safe. Are we ok?

Inky Flame said...

*ears perk up a bit and tail wags slightly*
*shrinks back into human form *
*smiles slightly * we are

Garret Falcone said...

(I'm going to disappear for the night,
good night everyone.
and Kes the bar is no closed)

Edward Fletcher said...

Good, I promise never to leave you behind again *hands her his coat*

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*her phone vibrates as she's reaching for a fourth*
*remembers she hasn't been home*
*pulls it out and sees a text from Delila*
What's happening? Are you okay?

*starts to type in 'nothing, I'm fine. Just work stuff' but stops*
*they don't lie to each other*
I changed last night. Now I'm at the bar.

*gulps down the fourth*

Inky Flame said...

*puts in coat*
*hugs him tightly and cries* I've. Missed you...

Edward Fletcher said...

(Goodbye Garret)

Edward Fletcher said...

*hugs* And I missed you

(gtg, bye)

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Bye Garrett! And I'm sure KesTC will take that into consideration :P))

Inky Flame said...

(Byii guys
And I have to go! Sweet dreams )

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Bye Chloe!))

*her phone vibrates again*
*this time Delila is calling*
*pauses and then hits ignore*

Skyril A.K.A the Vociferous Chatterer, Loyal Forever and Always, The Ever-Present, the Pluviophile said...

Let me first say, that I'm going to post this comment and then leave. Hello people I know. Sorry to people I offend.

I really have no problem with what you said about women. I pretty much completely agree. However, when have politicians NOT lied to us? That's nothing new. Second, Obama is such a disappointing president. I'm wrong? Hm... well let's see, the richest 10% is the only group to have its median income rise from 2010-1013; according to some sources, he has proposed at least 442 tax increases, and to quote telegraph.co.uk, "liberals should be asking themselves what Obama has ever done for them. Conservatives will be asking what he’s done to the economy, having over-regulated and over-spent to little obvious advantage. I’m not so sure we can call the Obama administration liberal rather than just chaotic and vain." And lastly, Obama has almost played more rounds of golf since 2009 than Tiger Woods.

Why so many people are displeased with Obama is rather obvious, and I'm really disappointed you would call him, "one of their most successful presidents," seeing as he's anything but.

Lastly, you say conservatism is rising as if this is a bad thing. Do you know what a conservative believes? Conservatism is was America was built on- why do you think there are so many checks and balances? Liberals want government to be all-powerful. Conservatives want freedom, pure and simple.
"Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems."

I'm just... Gah. Why did you have to go and disappoint me?

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Hi/bye Skyril!
*ignores the rest of that comment for reasons*))

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*slips into the stool next to Kes*
Vile stuff beer.

Protector said...

*Slips into the space next to Sil then actually slips and falls flat on his face*
*Calmly picks himself up, brushing dust off his shoulder*

I have to agree with you there.

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*looks at Sil*
*snorts*
I haven't had mishap in decades. I'm allowed a drink.

*looks at Blake*
I don't remember asking you

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

I never said you couldn't drink
*shrugs*
Only that vodka is less...yucky.

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

Yeah, well, bar's closed now. This is what he gave me.

((I have to go, may bbs!))

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Actually nvm, still here, just distant))

Commander Sophia Keating (N7 Operative and Council Spectre) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(*hugs Sil*)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(*hugs Kas*)

Uh huh. Wanna come to mine for vodka instead? I've got some really strong Polish stuff?

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((*hugs Storm also because hugs are cool*))

*to Sil*
Yeah, that'd be great. I knew there was a reason I liked you.

Protector said...

I could literally take you to any bar on Earth assuming there's a shadow big enough for a person to fit through in it.

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

Thanks Blake. But I want to stay in Blogland.
*phone rings*
*ignores it*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(*hugs Kes back too*
*looks at Blake* ...)

Okay. *opens a portal to her house*
Right ahead.

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

*steps through*
Thanks

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

*is sad at not being invited to drink*

Elleni the Ghost said...

*walks into Blogland without a jacket for once*
*jacket is in the laundry washer*
*has bandages on her back*

Elleni the Ghost said...

(*underneath t-shirt*)

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Hey, El!

How are you?)

Elleni the Ghost said...

(Hi Tia, I'm good. You?)

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(Ok, El.

What happened to ElTA and TiaTA yesterday?)

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Hey Elleni!
Oops. If Kes had waited thirty seconds to see you were alive this would end a lot more happily))

Elleni the Ghost said...

(They were both almost killed by Kes.)

(Derek, you are... absolutely amazing. Everyone should read this post.)

(@Kes: what?)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*steps through behind Kes and sneakily swipes her phone*
Take a seat, I'll grab the strongest bottle.
*walks to the kitchen, activating the sound proofing sigils, and calls Del*

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

Thanks.

((Ooh nice. Thanks))

Delila: *picks up* Silente? Is that you?

Tanya Halcyon (Kas) said...

(I meant TC, sorry.)

Administrator Kestrel LeStarre-Sparrowhawk The Celestial said...

((Sorry, meant *Kes, is that you?))
((Elleni, Kes is currently blaming herself for maybe killing you and Amethyst))

Ash McFluffy said...

Yeah, this is the world that we were born into.

I was born in 1995, and am nearing the age of 20. Throughout my younger years, I was extremely open to the world's problems - around the age of 14, I was actually having panic attacks at the knowledge that this world is, as you put it, going backwards. Climate change. Wars. Oppression. Segregation. Sexism. It's enough to make a kid cry. And it did..

As a tomboy, I get abused almost daily in my Aussie town. People tell me on the street that "girls shouldn't dress like that" or that "people think you're gay", like that's a bad thing! My brother isn't allowed to marry his partner of ten years because some biased man in parliament says it goes against the will of the country. Well, I doubt the will of the country is to hold back change and prosperity.

Cheers for putting this up, Derek. It's pretty cool to see that people like you still survive underneath the landslide of negative, anti-feminism propaganda that argues that women are just blowing it out of proportion. It's almost enough to do my head in.

I guess that when I build my nanobots to take over the world, I'll have to outlaw a few things.

Oh, and I hope you liked the kangaroo I gave you in Australia! :D

Elleni the Ghost said...

(D: where are you guys?? El's looking for Kes.)

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