This is a very lengthy examination of the primaries. It doesn't really conclude anything except that the process in 2016 wasn't as transparent as it usually was and it might be reasonable to think it might have been rigged.
https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1062&context=jlpp
It's because he's wearing a double-breasted suit. Not really in fashion anymore.
(Useless fact for you :))
Thing is Ukraine doesn't have a defense pact with the US. The US is doing this out of (insert any number of reasons ranging from stability in the region, strengthening ties, propping up military manufacturers etc).
The Philippines have had a defense pact with the US since 1951 and basically means if things can't be resolved diplomatically the US will commit not just arms but fighting forces to the joint defense of the nation.
To quote Wikipedia - 'In a 2022 meeting, US Vice-President Kamala Harris reportedly assured Philippine president Bongbong Marcos that "an armed attack on the Philippines armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US Mutual Defense commitments."'
My kitty still isn't terribly well. Her temp is down though which is positive but seems she has possibly a skin and ear infection. Skin I can deal with... Ear infection she is going to claw the shit out of me.
My other cat doesn't recognise her (since she's been bathed, showered and has topical cream on her) so she's kinda being shitty but there's no fighting, just hissing.
Otherwise I'm doing OK? Work has been a stressor lately since I can't seem to make progress on a few things, but realising I need a mentor (relatively new workplace) to help me progress. My boss is honestly a bit meh and a terrible mentor so seeing if I can get one somewhere else in the org.
Quiet weekend planned, and looks like the weather will be kinda meh. Also trying to figure out Christmas. My family wants me to visit them in ~~hell~~ Warrnambool but I'm not inclined to go... Although it's the only time I can really see my brothers but the rest of the family I clash with super quickly and I have shitty memories of growing up there so it brings a lot of anxiety,, My new partner is supportive and will go with me but I don't think I want to inflict that on her... So we'll see.
Daylight savings fucks with my sleep for at least a week and I'm waking up way too early*
Stressing a bit about work just because there's too much shit going on and feel like I'm just meeting jumping. Probably going to get reamed by management when they get back on Monday for not having enough stuff done although I'm not sure when I was supposed to have the time to do it...
*for me...
Mine was... A couple of hundred in AUD? And managed to get it at 31 too. Knew I never ever wanted kids, had a letter from my psych and the doctor asked me a few questions and said "Yeah, I get it..."
Snip snip, some pain for about 5 days and all done. Don't regret it one bit.
edit: Mine is technically reversible but from what I read the chances of that being successful drops each year.
Gaming tonight (running in to this morning...) with a bunch of friends. Good to just shit-talk each other. Co-op games only since we're not... Good 😀
Date on Saturday night which I'm looking forward to! Forth date and the last one went super well. Divorced about 5+ years ago. A few dates since but no serious connections.... Also dating when older kinda sucks.
Work has been frustrating but hoping it gets sorted out. Just egos going rampant....
Might not apply, but went on a date on Saturday night that surprised us both about how well it went. Online dating, and just dating in general for me I am super cynical but we just clicked. We've been texting constantly since then and it's nice. 4 years since my last 'real' date/partner. 6 years since divorced.
It's nice to just meet someone you get on well with.
Still recovering from an ear and chest infection. Just finished my course of antibiotics so only upwards from here right?!
...Right?
Long day at work though. Full day workshop and people were starting to wane by about lunch time. Got home, had a nap, just finished some online gaming with friends and will probably crash soon.
Very much looking forward to the weekend.
As an FYI, they didn't expect to get renewed for S5 so the end of S4 was originally supposed to be the series finale. Then they had to come up with a new one
I went through an existential crisis in my 20s because I was 'told' I needed to be religious but never was. I read a lot of theological and philosophical texts and came to a conclusion similar to yours, if there's a 'God', then they're cruel. I oddly get Pantheism more than Monotheism, because at least it justifies that there's 'good' and 'bad' deities but a lot of them are based on interpretations of phenomena that can now be explained by science.
I took much more to philosophy. I know what I believe is right and wrong morally, and science explains (almost) everything. If there's a 'God'-like figure, they can suck my nut sack because I believe they are at best indifferent, at worst, evil.
Shit 2 weeks at work and I'm OK? It's my job to look after my people even if they have fucked up and they have
But I'm not doing great generally. I'm feeling worn down. I will literally expend my all my energy to provide support for my team, but I'm flagging.