Dharma Curious

I always thought they were called French fries because they’re French style, as in cut into long thing pieces. Til!

Honestly, as of right now, not really. I gots the brain fog. But azure scapegoat I think is one decent YouTuber. Noncompete may have a video on Cuba, and I believe prof. Richard Wolff does as well.

I’m not a Marxist, though, so my knowledge of state socialism is cursory other than theory. I’m an anarcho-communist, and my knowledge and interests lie more towards that direction.

This isn’t on housing (I really can’t remember which video is good on that topic, but I know it’s a findable thing), but how elections work in Cuba. Worth watching: https://youtu.be/2aMsi-A56ds?si=SvD6sZeN5L5vvni9

I will say, one of the things to note about state socialist countries, even if you disagree with them, is they’re often derided for being authoritarian (and IMHO, they are), but they’re always less authoritarian than what came before. The USSR had problems, yeah, but it was leaps and bounds better than czarist Russia. Cuba has some issues, but compared to the open air slave-run casino it was before the revolution, it’s a damn sight better. And if you compare it to it’s neighbors, it’s doing amazingly well, even with the insane embargo. Just something to think about, democracy (in the sense of actual control by the people) has increased in each society that has gone that route. Imagine, then, what a place like the US, with our big talk democratic ideals would look like if it did. Just food for thought.

Oh I see it now, thank you!

There are a few good videos on YouTube that I am too COVID to find and link right now. But homes are straight up houses, apartments, et cetera. Some are nicer than others, but they’re just houses.

As far as ownership goes, iirc if you’ve lived in the home 5 years (as in, you paid rent for 5 years) then you own the home. Like a rent to own in the US. I don’t know how that works currently, with a lack of capitalist landlords, but that was the agreement when they socialized housing. The government has the right of first refusal if you leave the home, with the exception that you can give the home to a family member or co-occupant when leaving. You can own up to two homes.

Also, despite being run by the communist party, they are not communist. They’re socialist, to use the Marxist definition. A transitionary state. Private ownership is still very much so a real thing in Cuba. They even have privately owned businesses. Calling Cuba communist is the same kind of error as saying the US is a direct democracy because the democratic party controls the Senate, or that the UK is a communist society because the labour party was in power. The party names are more… aspirational than anything else.

Splain? Idgi.

I’ll be honest, I’m not familiar with new monasticism.

But yes, I loved growing up in the Baptist church, I loved the sense of community, the feeling of connection. But the politics of the far right that has taken over these once radical traditions is honestly depressing. It makes me sad to know that if I ever have kids, they will not be able to have those same experiences. I wish there was something similar in the more lefty churches, like the episcopals, the the United church of Christ, or the metropolitan community Church, but it seems like, in my area at least, mainline and fringe lefty churches don’t generally offer those some kind of things. :/ and of course, there is no Christian anarchist community to speak of.

Def a bot. They’re responding to themself below.

… most just use socks, from what I understand…

Oh that is so what I call it from now on.

It’s amazing. The cookie dough doesn’t cook all the way, so it’s like chewy nuggets of cookie goodness.

I won’t lie… I prefer the raw batter. I only bake the cake because I’m a coward and society tells me I have to.

Thank you!

I actually have an appointment with my doc today because of stupid stinky COVID, so I’ll ask her about this. I really appreciate the advice. :)

I can, have and do bake cakes without the use of cake mixes. It’s not hard, and I normally have most of the ingredients on hand. But cake mixes are very popular, come in a wide variety of flavors/types, and, generally speaking, are pretty good. They’re also cheap. And they store well, and efficiently on the shelf or in a cabinet. So it’s just super convenient to have one on hand. It also takes like 30 seconds to make. Add water, oil, egg, mix.

Wait until they figure out they can buy the cake mixes, and it’s possible to make your own cakes, with as much extra stuff as you want. I once made a cake with embedded cookies, and a peanut butter cream cheese frosting. I regret nothing.

How freaking awesome would that be, man? I grew up on VBS and Kawanis, Wednesday night dinners and Sunday school at Baptist churches in the south. I loved those times, but would never dream of putting my kids (If I’m ever so fortunate) in those same groups because of the awful politics. It would be amazing if there were something like that that taught radical Christianity. We’d live in a different country.

As a Christian Anarchist, this is one of my favorite facts.

My dear brother in Christ, not only did our Lord whip the money changers, He took the time to construct the whip and contemplate just how badly He was gonna fuck up those bastards.

Thanks to the local porn store, I have had many an eventful evening with another meek bottom.

… also my experience, give a meek bottom some kind of hardware and an opportunity, and they turn into nearly violent tops. Lmao

It’s amazing what a parent deciding to try crack at 45 years old will do to a kid. Thank God Mama was smart enough to get us tf outta there. But yeah, I got the whole “old soul” thing my whole childhood.

Thanks for the tips!

My doc has me using a diabetic lotion, does that change anything? I’ll definitely see if I can find something with jojoba, too. I’m always looking for something better. Haha.

Also really appreciate the pronunciation guide, because I would’ve sounded like an ass when I asked for it otherwise. Lol. Thanks.

The worst thing is when it gets stuck in your teeth.

Popcorn’s bad for that, too, now I think of it.