Happy holidays!

Happy Holidays! And no, hypocrites, Christmas is not the only holiday in the world celebrated this time of year. FYI: it's a mix of Saturnalia, Pagan rituals and capitalist inventions. 

The first US christians (their much revered Pilgrim Fathers) fiercely opposed any kind of celebration.  Especially Christmas. And especially when it included drinking alcohol and dancing. So, are you a 'true Christian' or just a dumb hypocrite? 

Either way, happy holidays!

Oh, and Santa is a capitalist invention by Coca Cola:

Their marketing agency was tasked to find a way to sell more of the drink in winter by appealing to the European heritage of Americans. Thus they combined the different stories of Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Father Winter, Father Time and some Scandinavian- and central European folk tales and created the monstrosity known as Santa.

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Real patriots!

MAGA Christian Extremists Learn Trump's Kids Are Jewish https://buff.ly/40eWlnH

Nat C's are really funny. And thank you Betty Bowers for coming up with Nat. C's as abbreviation for Nationalist Christians. They hate Islam 'becaust it's a foreign religion!' and apparantly think Jesus was from Arkansas and was a 'true American patriot!'

Being a modern day 'Real patriot!' means you'll do anything for your country, right? You support your country - and your country alone - to the full extent of your capabilities, right?

As a 'True patriot!" you hate it when your government supports other nations. So no military or financial support for foreigners, only for your own people because that's what things should be like if you're a 'Real patriot!'

So why do so many 'Real patriots!' proudly wave flags of other nations than their own?

And perhaps I missed it and the geo-political situation changed overnight: but is Is-rael a US state? Or is the US a Provence of Is-rael? 

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"We hate black people. That's why we demand Black Pete stays black!"

Ah, Krampus! 

Now, thère's a fun tradition! And the inspiration for Zwarte Piet punishing naughty kids. The character just started out as a single 'Moor' (18th century lingo for any people born in North Africa and other 'arabian' countries). Basically invented by Jan Schenk, teacher and writer of children's books. Also responsible for most 'Sinterklaas' songs. 

Only stupid people think that traditionally traditions don't change. But of course they do. Always. For instance: the tradition of Sinterklaas evolved into this thing Americans call 'Santa Claus'. 'Centuries ago!' in the 1950s.

Here's the evolution of 'Sinterklaas en Zwarte Piet' over the [millennia] [centuries] decades. No, it's not a hundreds of years old tradition. Only wappies think so.  

Since r4cists got their way less, this has become the most common image:

And who knows what the future holds? 

After all: Sinterklaas was a bishop, born in Myra, in nowadays Turkey. So his skin colour was most likely not 'white'. 

Without Jan Schenk, Saint Nicholas would still pass people's houses with a develish figure (hello, Krampus!) to scare the living daylight out of children, spanking the lady of the house by hitting her on the bare bum with his rod or 'roede' in Dutch. Which is old Dutch not only for 'staff' but also for a part of the male anatomy. 

Before I rave on: now you know why many Dutch children born in September in the late Middle Ages looked a lot like Father Pastor. 

By the way: here's the Saint Nicholas church in Amsterdam. 

Fun fact: the inspiration for Santa Claus, Saint Nicolas, was patron saint of children, sailors, the city of Amsterdam and sexworkers. For older people: it's how prostitutes are now addressed.

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Let them eat cake!

Many believe that Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI, said 'Let them eat cake!' when told the people of France were só poor that they couldn't even afford bread. 

The remark was considered evidence that the elite had no clue about actual life and may have fueled the French Revolution.

It's a good story and since many people rather believe in a good story than in actual facts, it became 'historic fact'.

But is it true? I'll give away one detail for free: the original quote said 'brioche'. Which wrongly got translated into 'cake'. Factually brioche is a type of sweet bread. More expensive than regular bread.

Of course you refuse to take anything you hear or read for granted. Not even when everyone in your tiny bubble as well as your favourite populist state it's true. Right? So you want to think for yourself if it's true or not and do your own research. Right?

How to start your research? Type into your favourite search engine (mine is startpage. Like Google but without the saved cookies. And no ads) something like: "Is it true that Marie Antoinette said let them eat cake?"

Links will show up to reputable sources like Britannica, Wikipedia and History. Click on such a link and read the article. Do your best to comprehend what it says. Now change your opinion on the matter.

You see, 'doing your own research!' is actually quite simple and really doesn't take up a lot of time. As a matter of fact: actually researching a topic is less time consuming than watching three conspiracy videos and calling their preconceived conclusion 'my own opinion!'.

Do you do your own research or do you prefer sticking to what populists tell you to think?

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What do we want?

What do you actually want? No, not what 'society' tells you you want. So, I'm not talking about money, a good job, a well deserved vacation, a flashy car or even a loving life partner.

If you really think about it, what is it that deep down you actually want?

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Recently I got to talk to someone who at one point said: "I could sit in my study and think deep thoughts. Or I could be with my 'normal' partner, watch some Netflix together and occassionally have sex. What would you choose?"

There are a few things to take into consideration concerning this Big Thought:

without thinkers and creatives society will come to a grinding halt;

even thinkers and creatives need to relax every once in a while.

Basically: spending your time only on Big Thoughts isn't very helpful to society

but nor is only spending your time working for a boss and watching Netflix.

If you are one of those people in doubt of what they want: to think Deep Thoughts or be numbed down by Netflix...perhaps consider this:

Generally speaking the most content people have found connection. With family, people with shared interests, friends...It explains our deep sense of beloning and people actually dressing the same like others in the group they long to belong to. It's why social media influencers have such power over people. What politicians and other marketeers are well aware of.

Turns out: what deep down most people really want is to be seen, to be heard, to be wanted. A need to be needed.

Having read all of the above (thank you for that, by the way. It's why I write), I have a final question for you and give you a minute to think about it...

What is it that you really want?

Reply in the comment section.

"People used to have values!"

"People don't have values anymore. We need to go back to the old days!"

People who say that, don't have a lot of knowledge about the old days.

"Yeah, but look at Erroll Flynn for example: a fine and true gentleman!"

Nah, not really. Erroll Flynn was often late on set, came in drunk and had sex with minors, was openly bisexual (which isn't bad of course. Except for those hypocritical defenders of 'true Christian values!'), threw wild parties at his Hollywood mansion and actively fought the political establishment. 

But there was no social media at the time so a lot of people saw him as the handsome gentlemen he usually portrayed on the silver screen.

In this picture he is seen with his last girfriend in whose arms he died on his yacht at just 50:

She was 15 when they started dating.

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So, did people have higher moral standards 'back in the day'? Of course not. People are people, have always been and always will be.

"In the old days, people didn't cheat, never lied and knew the meaning of respect." Not really. And that doesn't only go for Hollywood stars. Those 'people with high morals in the old days' at times even resorted to murder.

Why do you think some believe people were 'better' in the old days?

In Putin's pocket

In this picture: Geert Wilders, leader of Dutch far right 'Party for Freedom' and proud friend of Russia in talks with Volodomyr Zelenskyy, leader of a country under attack from a dictator. One whose 'three day plan' to conquer a sovereign nation is underway for three years now. 

Best caption wins eternal fame for a day!

For those who adore 'strong man' Putin and his Russia, read this piece (https://buff.ly/4fytijj) on life in Russia and you may want to reconsider how great that country really is. 

What I find interesting: how come modern day Republicans would fight with those under Reagan on communism: a few decades ago, conservatives hated communism, now they adore Russia, the communist nation per excellence.  

Russia has an interesting relationship with the USA. And especially with the new president, Donald Trump: Vladimir Putin found out Donald Trump is an untrustworthy business partner (no one told him, apparently) and did not congratulate the new president of the US personally. Perhaps Putin is crying for his mommy because the USA (Democrats as well as Republicans) openly supports Israel? While - as this piece was written - a Russian warship is at the coast of Iran, threatening to attack Israel. 

Wappies who supported both Russia and Israel three years ago, now Putin and Netanyahu threaten to attack eachother, which side do you support?

Both Netanyahu and Putin support Donald Trump. Because he will make sure the billions of dollars in weapons trade will make both Netanyahu as well as Putin personally richer than they already are. 

Do you think it's okay if a country's leader profits from the wars that country is waging at the cost of the lives of millions of civilians?

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Who are the chosen people?

Writer Naomi Wolf wrote something very interesting (article got removed so later I linked to a different website) on who the chosen people actually are, who chose them and to do what:

Quoting: 

IF you visit those imprisoned…act mercifully to the widow and the orphan…welcome the stranger in your midst…tend the sick…do justice and love mercy ….and perform various other tasks…THEN YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE AND THIS LAND WILL BE YOUR LAND.

So “my people” is not ethnic — it is transactional. We are God’s people not by birth but by a way of behaving, that is ethical, kind and just. And we STOP being “God’s people” when we are not ethical, kind and just."

Was Jesus the Chosen One? The Buddha? Muhammad? Neo perhaps?

Are the Jews the Chosen People? Z!onists seem to think so. But are they actually Jews? If so... what of their (not so secret) bond with the actual nazis? Who also considered themselves to be 'the chosen people'.

Why do z!ionists disobey the ancient Jewish laws and even deny Judaism is a religion?

Who or what do you think is meant by 'The Chosen'?

Do 'the chosen' have their own land? And what if other people live there?

It really shouldn't matter where and when someone's ancestors were born. Giving someone more or less human rights based on their ancestry or their chosen religion, skin colour, etc. should be something from the past by now.

Why can't it be simple? 

Anyone who considers themselves to be Jewish, Palestinian or Ukrainian is one. Same goes for 'man', 'woman' or whatever. If someone has a problem with how you like to be called, it's théir problem.

Is someone more or 'real' 'English' if not only the person self was born in England but also that person's grandparents? As opposed to someone who just received an English passport?

Maybe people could finally realise we are all descendants from the same group of ancestors, dating back some 100,000 years in what now is known as the continent of Africa. Either way, it's very interesting to read about all the different viewpoints. And mostly it's a little more than that.  

Basically speculation based on thin evidence and hear say. Not to mention the hundreds or even thousands of years old stories that some consider 'fact', while often whole bits are lost in translation and over time. Guess it's why it's called 'believing' and not 'knowing'. 

Several peoples have called themselves 'the chosen' but none of those can provide evidence to base that claim on. 

Maybe people should give it a rest and put as much effort in living peacefully together as putting effort in denying the claims of others.

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Me-time

All the time you have is 'me-time'. i.e. You decide how to spend that time. And choices have consequences. In some countries and era's that would mean you would die from hunger if you decide not to work but enjoy 'me-time'.

Being selfish is not the right way to go about life.

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Hence I work for my money. I don't mean to buy a house, waiting for the market and to sell it for a profit. I also don't mean seeing the shares I bought from my daddy's money rise in value. To me using a lot of money as start capital to trade in real estate and stocks is not 'work' but 'being privileged'.

One of my jobs is actor. That means you have to audition, unless - based on past merits - the producer specifically asks for you.

Going on an audition is like going on a first date: you're excited to go but would rather not. And there are other candidates for the part.

What do or did you do for work? Or do you live of 'old money'?

Being bored. How to do it.

Honestly, I don't remember if I have ever been bored. But I heard some good things about it. So how is it done?

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Do you simply slump on the couch and forget about the two days of dishes? How do you forget your child asked you to help them with their homework? Can you really forget your handicapped neighbour could use a bit of help? Even with something simple like changing their bedsheets or cutting their toe nails? Is it possible to forget the promise to yourself that you would clear out the shed this weekend? 

Do you really have the time to spend a few hours feeling sorry for yourself because you're bored but don't have the time to write a piece on how much you despise racism?

Of course you are never bored, just like me. You don't belong to the 63% who is regularly bored, right? 

But if you do: what's your main reason for being bored?

Basic knowledge

They don't know the difference between a transvestite and a non-binary person. But shout 'their opinion' on the subject concerned.

They don't know the difference between reflection and refraction and get angry when you ask them not to shout 'their opinion' on the subject concerned.

Rotation and gravity are just 'difficult words' to them. Hence you find a lot of Flat Earthers among them:

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All the stupid remarks from wappies come from a lack of knowledgde. What makes them stupid is not the lack of knowledge but comes from their willingness to be and stay ignorant.

When sane people like you and I don't know something, we express our willingness to learn. We don't pretend we know all about it while only repeating the soundbites from our favourite populiststs. Or do you?

50 Completely true things

Thanks to several friends, I came across this brilliant piece by Mo Husseini on Medium. It's an extensive list of facts surrounding the Isr4el/P4lestine conflict. 

39 Really ís brilliant. About a dog - or maybe several dogs - that sh*t on the carpet. Of course you can pray for the sh*t to magically disappear or spend the rest of your life screaming and shouting about who is to blame for which part of the pile of sh*t. Or you just clean it up together and move on. 

Fact no. 37 may be my favourite. Because I like facts that shut up agressive idiots:

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Interestingly enough the same people who side with f4scists like Bibi are also - just like the n4zis were - fiercely 'anti-woke'. Watching Star Wars they cheer for The Empire and watching The Hunger Games f4scists cheer for The Capitol. In their closed minds the rebels in both franchises are too 'woke'. 

In other words: if the 'hero' is not a white alpha male, wappies cry out 'woke!' Yet they claim to follow Jesus, a long haired and dark skinned hippie in a dress who preached empathy. 

Ask the White, Christian Nationlists ('Nat. C.'s for short. Thanks to Bety Bowers

) who want the church - against the explicit wishes of The Founding Fathers - to lead the state and hang a copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom in the USA: 'Homosexuality' is not even in the top ten of sins. But lying is. 

What would Jesus have to say about people (and their supporters) who lie and use those lies to get people who are not like them murdered, like this US citizen who was fatally shot in the head by a sniper (an act the US government lets investigate by the very same people who ordered her murder. Reminds me of FIFA investigating corruption within FIFA)?

I'm referring to this headline and article:

Documents attributed to H4mas by J3wish Chronicle, Bild forged: Ynet https://buff.ly/3MGVHYe

So, the z!o's forge documents and use what's in those documents as a good reason to slaughter thousands of people. Got it. Not very 'christian' is you ask me. 

Jesus is the total opposite of self proclaimed savior Elon 'Only alpha males should vote' Musk, who apparently likes Star Trek, one of the most 'woke' franchises ever. As the actor portraying The Doctor subtly told Musk:

 Are you anti-woke or do you side with people who know the meaning of empathy?

Why would any sane person want to live in a society that excludes large groups of people?