The Off Topic Topic

[Sheilbh]

I am sceptical about the impact of Russian influence, it's not like our societies needed it to turn nasty in the past.

Yeah and I've mainly talked about Europe, but I think this is true of America. You've got a radically conservative Supreme Court, some dangerous extreme religious ideas circulating on the right and racial resentments. I look at that and at the history of America (particularly thinkers and movements on the right) and my first thought isn't, "how did the Russians do this?"

Where I think it works is serving as a "fake" proof that the fascist way works - look how well Putin is doing with Russia, it must be true, Putin is saying it himself!

Although on that I think there have always been useful idiots and fellow travellers. And in the past they may not have had social media but these were not insignificant figures.

When you read about the interwar British left it is depressing how many giant figures who are still very well-admired fell hook line and sinker for Stalin - and it hasn't really affected their legacy at all (except for cranks like me).

[Tonitrus]

I am sceptical about the impact of Russian influence, it's not like our societies needed it to turn nasty in the past.

Also agree.  I think it is a mix of isolationist/America-first "stop giving our money to furriners", mixed simple contrarian "Dems or for it, so we must be against it".  The latter especially shows in the more sensible Republicans still be very anti-Putin.

I think most of "Putin sympathizers" are in that very-far right fringe of folks who mix in dictator-fanboyism with the bizarre idea that Putin and Russian social conservatism is some kind of international culture war ally.

[Josquius]

The key with Russian interference is that it makes the difference.
It does not create the entire problem on its own, but when you've a 50-50 fracture and wedge issues then the slightest nudges can make a difference.

[Duque de Bragança]

I can't remember where I read it but I read a recent article, and I can't remember who it was quoting - but it was a Russia on exactly this. Their line was actually they get the far left for free but have to pay for the far right.

Which is, given the nature of Putin's regime, a pretty damning indictment of the far left

 
 
Precisely.

As said before, far right on countries neighboring and/or threatened by Putin's Russia can't be bought.

[mongers]

Well the opening of the West Point 'Time capsule' was a bit disappointing .... just contained something resembling mud.

[Josquius]

Well the opening of the West Point 'Time capsule' was a bit disappointing .... just contained something resembling mud.

I like to imagine the whole thing is a 19th century prank.
"Haha those future people finding this will be expecting so much. The look on their face when all they find is our literal shit!"

[mongers]

Well the opening of the West Point 'Time capsule' was a bit disappointing .... just contained something resembling mud.

I like to imagine the whole thing is a 19th century prank.
"Haha those future people finding this will be expecting so much. The look on their face when all they find is our literal shit!"

 

Yes that would give me faith in the continued contrariness of humanity.

[Caliga]

I saw an article speculating it could be Kosciuszko's ashes, which would make sense buried under a statue of him... but I thought he had been buried in Europe and I double checked Wikipedia and it says so too, so...

[viper37]

Montreal: the woman believed to have been shot was instead hit by a mint candy

An emergency call for a woman shot in the middle of the street on Tuesday afternoon in northwestern Montreal took an unexpected turn: the victim had instead been shot in the chest by... a peppermint candy.

At 3:00 p.m., all of the Saint-Laurent borough emergency services were called to rush to Laurentien Boulevard, at the corner of Périnault Street: the situation is serious, a woman was just shot in the middle of the street, according to people who are on the line with 911.

According to witnesses, the victim was walking on the sidewalk when a person in a dark blue SUV opened fire in the direction of the woman, hitting her in the chest.

But when the first responders arrive on the scene, we quickly discover the pot of roses: the victim was not injured by a projectile from a firearm, but rather by a vulgar mint candy.

--

The candy was allegedly thrown from a moving vehicle and hit the woman in the chest. 

Authorities do not know if the action was deliberate.

This incident comes at a time when episodes of armed violence are frequent on the streets of the metropolis, even if they have decreased slightly compared to what we experienced in 2021 and 2022.

With all the violence in Montreal, I suppose people called 9-1-1 before checking on the injuries sustained...

[Sheilbh]

Just saw a poll from Argentina that has the far-right anarcho-capitalist candidate winning the presidency on the first round

[viper37]

Just saw a poll from Argentina that has the far-right anarcho-capitalist candidate winning the presidency on the first round

[Admiral Yi]

Argentina is not a nation of moderates.

Does anyone know what the dude has said to earn the far right label?

[Tonitrus]

I assumed that in the vernacular...."far-right" and "anarcho-capitalist" are synonymous.

[Josquius]

Anarcho capitalist adds a bit more description to the flavour of far right. Have we had one of those yet? Anarcho capitalism is usually what happens when a government fails, not intentionally....

[Tamas]

Anarcho capitalist adds a bit more description to the flavour of far right. Have we had one of those yet? Anarcho capitalism is usually what happens when a government fails, not intentionally....

I dabbled in anarcho-capitalism once. Not in 'Nam of course.