ccabal86

Honestly, I am getting concerned, as some pretty bad news have come out of Italy, with two smaller regions being quarantined, both being close to big population centers: Milan, Padua and Venice. Italy is just a country away... FORTUNATELY, the virus seems to be something akin to a bad case of flu, so most folks can tough it out. The worrying part is that I'm absolutely certain that my country isn't prepared to deal with an epidemic on a state-level, the government being too incompetent and the healthcare system being in ruins. I doubt the system could even properly manage 1000-2000 patients and would outright collapse from more.

I only recently learned about that this is a thing, super bizzare TNP doesn’t get what the hell is the deal with ASMR

Welcome back!

It's the fucking identity politics that is emerging everywhere like cancer. If you have the time, read Francis Fukuyama's excellent piece about that: https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/30-years-of-world-politics-what-has-changed/#f1

True. The Rise and Fall of Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflicts by Paul Kennedy. I had to read it for one of my IR History classes. I soldiered through the 500 or so pages, but was nearly catatonic by the end. It has this rambling, verbose style in wall-to-wall text that’s incredibly hard to follow. Today I don’t remember a single thing from the book, except for the the thick boredom. TNP doesn’t read fiction

False, I'm not an outdoorsy person. TNP is a fast typer

And ten times of that TNP has a deep appreciation for video games

True, as in seen one from very far away. TNP uses Power BI on a regular basis

Diplomacy by Henry Kissinger. He's one of those rare individuals, who's an accomplished scholar AND a legendary Civil Servant.

Well, not everyone is cut out to be in the military, there is also the option to become a freelance web designer or something. Maybe he should rethink his career choice.

Congrats! We also just recently bought a new apartment, but it was somewhat easier since we owned the previous one.

False, I'm neutral on them. TNP has an affinity for spiders.

False, although, I'm very picky about my pillows TNP has had a tiring last week.

Not really, because there is a single item on it that I absolutely want to do in my lifetime (re-visit the public school I went to in Honolulu). TNP has a favorite soft drink

False, in fact, I’m a hot sauce enthusiast. It’s not TRULY hot under a million scovilles TNP loves meat.

False TNP is an athletic person

Plot twist: the downing of the plane (and many Iranian citizens) seems to have angered many people in Iran and may have balanced out the sympathy that the government may wanted to have gained from Soleimani's death. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51079965

It was obvious from the first minute that they shot down that plane after they tried to hide the black box - no question about it. I'm also pretty sure it was unintentional too, because most of the casualties were their own citizens.

The reason why Iran tipped of the Iraqis, is because they didn't actually WANT anyone killed. In truth, they had much to lose on an escalation, and they really wanted to avoid it.

Yes, that was a VERY restrained response, I dare say the bare minimum that they had to do without losing face. I hope cool heads will prevail.

Stampede at Suleimani’s funeral, 40 dead, 200+ injured. A good indicator of the mass hystetia this caused in Iran

I wish! But alas, false. TNP is in their 30s

I regret to say that off the top of my head and without google, I can only name Huron and Michigan. In my defense I'm not from the US. TNP can name all EU membesr states without google

Well, Iran said they would respond with military action against military institutions. We'll see how that escalates. Also, Lys there's no way in hell this will lead to a regime change. The point that you're missing is that while your average Iranian may dislike the theocratic government, they hate the US and Israel more, and Soleimani was widely regarded as a national hero. His liquidation will likely boost national cohesion and not erode it. And while I personally think the guy absolutely had it coming, the fact is that Iran could only extend its dominance in the region because of the botched war and nation-(non)building in Iraq, and the mishandling of the conflict in Syria.

False, because I'm not just all work, AND I don't think I'm dull. TNP tends to mess up his sleep cycle on longer vacations