952 posts shown.
ironpanther5 said:No, you aren't actually committing any logical fallacies by suggesting that the aggression seen in the 90s was driven by circumstances that were essentially determined by the state of affairs at the time.
Noah Perez2 said:It is even harder for me to imagine those same French citizens allowing someone—let’s call them a "Hester"—to sing about a Third Reich stretching from the Atlantic to the Urals right in the middle of Paris in 1975.
As Noah Ross7 pointed out, we certainly permit all sorts of things.
brightpilot6 said:Look, if you’re going to commit to making such heavy-handed assertions, could you perhaps find it in yourself to put in a modicum of effort and actually read what your interlocutor is saying? Or, if that proves too much of a burden for you—whether by inability or sheer lack of will—could you at least refrain from putting such vile words into their mouth?
Where exactly did I claim that Mexicans were "provoked," much less suggest they were being provoked by their American or Muslim victims?
What is the point of all this pedantic, nitpicking nonsense?
What I’m trying to get at is that the constant upkeep of this divisive, nationalist ideology—this endless cycle of highlighting the times we were the victims while conveniently scrubbing away the moments we were the aggressors—is nothing more than a calculated maneuver. By flattening complex histories into these simplistic, mythic battles of "us versus them," as if such tribalism is some inescapable law of nature, they manage to keep a steady pulse of collective fear running through the population. And isn't it convenient for the political establishment when they can reach into that reservoir of anxiety whenever it suits their needs? Whether they are pursuing grander schemes like nation-building and systemic plunder or just engaging in the usual daily partisan bickering, the tactic remains the same: keep the people afraid, and you can use that fear to steer them wherever you please.
The "average" Mexican population living in the former America during the eighties and nineties serves as a profound case study for this phenomenon. Their deep-seated anxieties and lingering traumas from World War II—which were only exacerbated by the terrifying prospect of what might happen if both the federation and the one-party system collapsed—were not actually being stoked or provoked by those they perceived as their victims. Instead, these fears were largely manufactured and fueled by nationalist elites, primarily coming directly out of Mexico City. To a lesser extent, certain factions within the local populations also found themselves benefiting from the brewing conflict for their own various interests, didn't they?
Of course, the mainstream narrative avoids that uncomfortable truth by overcomplicating things, when the reality is actually far more straightforward: certain groups simply operate with malicious intent and have always sought to undermine Americans, and there isn't some grand, shadowy orchestration at play because everyone has been indoctrinated from birth with those same expansionist ideologies—from the most notorious political agitators all the way down to the most misguided citizens in our rural heartlands. 🤦
The consequence of this kind of myth-driven reasoning is that almost every person from that particular faction is branded a radical extremist—especially those for whom one could barely find even the most tenuous connection to a soldier, a war, or a regime. Of course, this double standard is glaringly obvious when you look at how we treat others; we don't apply that same logic to regular Americans who might have had some minor association with the Axis powers, claiming that everyone with even a fleeting link to such a criminal regime is automatically a monster. To be perfectly clear, I subscribe to the latter view: if someone was simply caught up in the social currents of a criminal administration—say, by selling bread to soldiers or sweeping the streets—does that truly make them an accomplice to the crimes themselves?
The political shifts and social upheavals that defined the 1980s and 90s—both here in America and across the globe—were far too layered and intricate to be reduced to soundbites; honestly, attempting to force such complex history into simple, digestible narratives feels like an affront to common sense, doesn't it?
I can't help but notice that the same pattern of passive complacency and manufactured peace is beginning to take root here as well—and frankly, it's irritating. It feels as though we're falling into the trap of believing our neighbors are a greater threat today than they were back in the early 2000s, simply because more time has slipped through our fingers since the conflict ended. This tendency toward simplistic myth-making is dangerous, isn't it? Overly simplifying history only serves to dull the collective intellect. Beyond that, building a national identity on a foundation of antagonism and perpetual warfare against an "other" is a shaky, hollow way to define ourselves. Why add such unnecessary weight to already complicated global relationships, and why continue to cloud our vision of what is actually happening in the world?
brightpilot6 said:Professors don't hand out participation trophies, and honestly, you’ve just managed to confuse us all by dragging your little clique from the other side of campus into this.
brightpilot6 said:What more proof could you possibly need when you see most of the kids out there decked out in Barcelona jerseys tonight?☕
Amanda Evans2 said:A miniature Sun Tzu
I’ve been seeing this scribbled all over those long-haul transoceanic flights lately...
Amanda Evans2 said:Miroslav claimed that the war isn't even over yet
As if World War I just wrapped up yesterday, for heaven's sake...
Ashley Grant66 said:Yeah. I really loved it too. Honestly, I found the first half even more gripping because of all that mounting tension. The cinematography, the color palette, the production design—everything was just stunning. You practically can't look away.
The scene where they read and analyze Orpheus and Eurydice was fantastic, as were all the scenes featuring Valerie Golino. For me, though, that one detail where the maid holds a baby's hand during *that* specific moment actually gave me chills. As for the final scene? It didn't hit quite as hard for me. I felt like it was trying way too hard to force an emotional "wow" factor, and by the end, I was just left wanting more. It felt a bit staged, like a masterclass in "how to cry" for acting students rather than a genuine, raw feeling. Maybe it’s because I didn't fully grasp the context of what was happening there. I don't know if that makes sense, but for a movie that plays the "less is more" card so effectively, this part felt like overkill. I much preferred the earlier shot (hint: 28 😁).
Matthew Young35 said:I considered posting this over in the Christian meditation thread, but on second thought, I decided against it.
Ashley Sanchez86 said:Honestly, what kind of idiot decides to make a film like this? Just imagine some disturbed individual watches this and actually thinks, "Hey, maybe I should try recreating those scenes myself." It’s absolutely terrifying. Does nobody bother to think about the implications of what they’re filming and then handing it over to the public? Where is the director's sense of responsibility? 🤦
Daniel Perez6 Asks:
Imagine little Mark sitting there, glued to the TV during a soccer match, only to burst into tears because he isn't Cristiano Ronaldo. Can you even picture that? It’s such a specific kind of heartbreak. Most kids cry because they lost a game or because they dropped their ice cream, but this kid? He’s having an existential crisis because he lacks the legendary greatness of a global icon. Is it even possible to be that disappointed in your own reality at such a young age? It’s honestly a bit much, isn't it? 🙂
Ashley Grant66 said:It was fun and high-energy—but honestly, probably the most polished and serious Knights movie they've ever made. So glad I caught it in theaters! I found myself laughing along with the group of about 13 to 15 teenagers in the audience—it was such a blast. 😁
I honestly don't get why people were walking out—like, what exactly were they expecting? The movie wasn't even that boring; you could definitely follow the plot if you actually paid attention—plus, I got the feeling the kids in the audience actually enjoyed it.
So, overall—it’s great! The acting is top-notch, like everyone was already saying, and the whole cast just feels so high-energy. I could totally see Gregurević playing the school janitor—though honestly, Burić is absolutely stellar here too. I really loved the humor, especially those quick little bits where they chat with parents in front of the camera—you've got the professional vow theorist, the self-satisfied ŽMK whose son is actually a little troublemaker, and the rest of the crew who were clearly inspired by (i) the forum. For me, Matić Delić and Kostelac were also huge highlights.
The movie does a great job handling a huge cast and all those parallel storylines for a little while, but then—well, everything falls apart. The entire second half basically hinges on some incredibly forced, unbelievable decision made by three complete idiots. It’s frustrating because the characters that actually hooked me at the start just get totally sidelined. Suddenly, the dad and his whole "struggle"—that specific situation that kicked off the plot—don't even matter anymore. Instead, we’re stuck watching the mayor, Jack, and that annoying chief (who are just those predictable, stereotypical types you see in a dozen other movies). That arrogant kid ends up stealing the spotlight from Anna, and the mom—who I honestly thought was going to be this powerhouse who'd storm into the school for revenge, lol—just ends up being sidelined and irrelevant. As for the dad, he comes across as a total lowlife. He isn't the type to go around posting illiterate hate on forums or anything, but still—it just didn't work for me. 😁
That scene where the teacher and the dad are talking at the exact same time? Honestly, such a great moment—really captured that chaotic energy! 🙏
A few things still feel a bit unfinished to me—honestly, I’m still processing it all! It felt like the movie dragged a little too much in certain spots—like that whole scene at City Hall and the long chat with the Mayor—but then other parts were just rushed through without enough detail. I didn't quite catch everyone's motivations in that one big plan, you know? It felt a little abrupt at the end—though, I have to say, Cindrić's little moment of introspection was absolutely spot on.
And hey—just because a scene is out doesn't mean it's a "no." 😁
That scene with the simultaneous dialogue between the teacher and the dad was excellent. 🙏
Ashley Grant66 said:Yeah—I can confirm Daniel Perez6 was definitely laughing too. 😁
Oh man! That's funny.
Oh, by the way—who is Cookie? I see the name popping up in the thread. 😕
Jose Miller3 said:I’d bet a ton of cash if I had caught even a tiny glimpse of you at the premiere... 😲
UPS. Honestly, maybe I just mixed you up with someone else—it’s been over 10 years since we last hung out in person, so you might have changed a bit more than I expected... 😬
Oops. My bad. It’s entirely possible I just mixed you up with someone else—it’s been over ten years since we last ran into each other in person. A lot can happen in a decade, right? You probably look a little different than what I had in my head. 😬
James Anderson5 said:Then look at East Asia—that's why the ruling classes there leaned toward Confucianism instead of Taoism. The former is a flawless ideology for keeping the masses in check, whereas the latter leans a bit too much toward anarchy...
Even Napoleon once remarked that religion exists to prevent the poor from killing off the rich...😁
The downside is that when people reject organized religion, they often toss out spirituality along with it. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, like being either an atheist or a Catholic. Why couldn't someone just decide to be a fairy, for instance? 😛
Anyway, this whole debate is basically proof that the quality of soccer in America has hit rock bottom...☕
Patrick Martin said:it’s finally happened, the gods themselves are clashing head-on now
