Recent posts

#41

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Zoupa - July 15, 2025, 10:49:07 PM

In Missouri?

#42

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Razgovory - July 15, 2025, 10:42:32 PM

If we could elect Democrats to statewide office, or in the legislature we wouldn't have this problem.

#43

Off the Record / Re: Quo Vadis, Democrats?

Last post by Zoupa - July 15, 2025, 10:41:13 PM

"unwanted groping, kissing and sexual comments". I'm not sure why you need to know the exact details.

So I can know what behavior to avoid.

The hint is in the "unwanted" part of the phrase.

#44

Off the Record / Re: Quo Vadis, Democrats?

Last post by Sophie Scholl - July 15, 2025, 10:39:48 PM

 

#45

Off the Record / Re: Quo Vadis, Democrats?

Last post by Admiral Yi - July 15, 2025, 10:39:11 PM

"unwanted groping, kissing and sexual comments". I'm not sure why you need to know the exact details.

So I can know what behavior to avoid.

#46

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by Sophie Scholl - July 15, 2025, 10:37:16 PM

I absolutely adored the new Superman movie. It was *such* a welcome change from Snyder's universe and even the Marvel films and shows. As Greg Rucka, one of my favorite comic writers, put it:

From the first minute they had it right, and I sat in a theatre with five friends and another fifty-odd strangers and we all took it in with wide eyes and open arms and we left happy and uplifted, entertained and, dare I say it, hopeful. We shared the communal experience of being told a story, being moved by it, cheering, getting choked up, and at the end, applauding.

Superman should be hopeful. Superman should be aspirational. Superman should be someone we want to emulate, not because of what he can do but because of who he is. The most damning flaw of the last several cinematic portrayals have been their focus on power, and in such they've embraced the worst of the "adolescent power fantasy" tropes superhero comics are so rife with. Snyder's ideology, in particular, meant the concept of selflessness was anathema to him; it permeates that era of DC filmmaking to such an extent the stain can never be washed away from those movies. The films were, in my opinion, anti-heroic. They celebrated selfishness and property damage, and ultimately, that might makes right. Of course they did. If you're a Randian libertarian, the very idea of selflessness, of charity, of kindness for the sake of being kind is antithetical to your worldview.

God knows, we needed two hours and nine minutes of good for the heart and soul this past week.

Seeing a lot of folks of all ages and genders with Superman shirts, seeing happy faces after the movie from the audience, and actually having clapping in a film for the first time I recall since Revenge of the Sith on opening night (biased crowd for sure!) was really nice. It made me feel a little better about humanity and the future, as corny as it sounds. 

#47

Off the Record / Re: Quo Vadis, Democrats?

Last post by Zoupa - July 15, 2025, 10:33:09 PM

"unwanted groping, kissing and sexual comments". I'm not sure why you need to know the exact details.

#48

Off the Record / Re: Grand unified books thread

Last post by Sophie Scholl - July 15, 2025, 10:31:47 PM

LOTR or Dune, or even Star Wars to an extent, got a lot of value from the feeling we got a glimpse of a much larger universe. Our current tendency to over-explain everything reduces quite a bit the mystique and mystery of these stories.

That was actually something I really enjoyed about the new Superman movie. It didn't rehash the origin story again. It didn't require 50 movies and 40 tv shows to fully understand. It was just a little slice of the wider DC world and a fun story attached to it. It was a nice breath of fresh air.

#49

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Zoupa - July 15, 2025, 10:31:26 PM

We can win on issues, but the Democratic brand is toxic.

Win how? You just said voting for "Democratic" ideas does nothing.

Maybe stop denigrating voters you want to vote with you?

How's that going to fix "I'm not sure what the point of voting is anymore.  Even if we win a vote it just gets overturned by Republicans"?

#50

Off the Record / Re: Quo Vadis, Democrats?

Last post by Admiral Yi - July 15, 2025, 10:27:17 PM

Yes.  I'm trying to understand what specific acts are considered sexual harassment by the DOJ.