Let's have a rant thread! ~*Stress Relief*~

[Niphz]

..I prefer the British constitution over the American one. At least over here when people win elections they actually get into office. I guess.. I mean, it might just be my general "British > American" persuasions.. but also I prefer the separation, in Britain, of justice and gov't which is not so clear in the states.

Surprisingly I was a lot more into politics when I was younger (14, 15 or something) than I am now. I think I was disillusioned, after a while, after realising that.. it's pointless, really, and after forming some sense of the unassailable nature of the system despite its flaws..

..isn't it just that you can not change anything unless you're at the top, but to get there you must play as part of the system, and by the time you get there you're too dependent on the system to want to change anything? P;

People should get informed, though. 'S a good idea.

 

[Minielf]

I've come to the same view as you about my country's system of politics. How can I decide where my allegience lies when both major parties now pretty much stand toe-to-toe on every major policy issue? Plus, with a PM like Howard, it is hard to admit that you actually admire his party (which I do) without being called several socialist slurs. Yet I don't really like Labor either.
But I do have ambitions of entering into politics myself and hopefully doing my bit to change the system. Our current generation of High school and University protesters will almost definitely have a say in how our countries will be run 20 to 30 years from now.  

[mymiridon]

@niphz: I wasn't aware that the British constitution was written down... things have changed since 1776 3nodding I was never really that keen on politics to begin with. But now that I see the sad state that we're in I'm kind of trying to get involved to make it better. there's nothing better than taking down the system from the inside. twisted
I've always thought that justice and gov't goes hand in hand. I don't understand how they can't. In america it's really the people who aren't at the top but not exactly at the bottom either that makes the big changes. People at the top surprisingly doesn't have much power and since they're all old and decrepit, might not have energy at all to change anything.  

[Chibito7]

@Niph: What I'm trying to say it, even though it's true I have little contact with the world of politics, we don't have an equal say. It's not possible. And my view on the MPs is based on the fact that we are taking these people from their word, from how good they are at acting and giving speeches. Doesn't mean they're genuine, and you won't know that unless you actually know them. There are plenty of arguments for and against them, but I feel entitled to feel this way, because I'm just not trusting anymore. Especially after reading Othello. Iago is... vengeful.

ninja

Anyway, I don't hate them individually. Much. I don't hate at all really, that's quite a strong word. I'd say dislike. Hm. I dislike the system, in general. And I dislike many of the policies and the people involved. Nothing is open and honest anymore. I may not have that much knowledge, but I know enough to form my own opinion on them.  

[Niphz]

I loved Iago, but that's 'cause I have a thing for sleezy characters. xD

Justice and government are separate - or should be separate - entities. Whilst in England this is achieved partially (since there are Law Lords who also have a legislative function, but little else to link the gov't and the justice system, and even then the Law Lords are never really biased and judges can't be sacked by the gov't except under exceptional circumstances), in America I believe you have something called the supreme court which has a judicial function but whose members are appointed politically. Justice ought to be free of politics.

Of course there's nothing better than taking the system down from the inside, yalie, but there are things one must consider first. I mean, for example, if you do so, you must replace it with a better//fairer//more efficient system. Can that be achieved? Even if it can, it is possible to change the acceptance people already have of the current system so much that they will accept a new one? Opinions will always differ and what may seem 'right' to you and me will for others be an outrage. That is why no system is perfect because we have to compromise, and because the people who have formed the system have been successively changing bits of it to suit themselves.

Well, B&B, you're right, we don't. But we do at least HAVE a say, which is better than most places in the world. And yes, the MPs are rather actor-like, but then -- no one will trust a shy, unconfident person in gov't however fair or good or just or intelligent they might be. That's the way the world works; human interaction - ie the practice - is as important, if not more, than the theory. That's why the world is not run by professors, really. And why the world would be a crappy place if run by them.

Also, I'm glad you say you don't hate them P; it seems to be quite fashionable to be cynical these days, but it's not always a good thing. Have faith. You may not like the system, but better the devil you know...

 

[mymiridon]

In the U.S. the supreme court is nominated by the president then approved by the senate. However, though they are appointed by the gov't politics isn't that influential after they are appointed. No supreme court judge can be fire unless he/she has done something unspeakable. Not to mention that there is no term limit. You judge until you're in the grave or retire. And there's also buffer zones when it comes to political rulings. there's the district level where all cases start out, then the appellate if you can get pass those two and the supreme court decides to take your case after much deliberation (they don't take all the cases set before them) then you can present yourself. The supreme court is a way to change the U.S constitution (no officially) through interpretation, and a judges political veiws can always be flexible with a good lawyer and their arguements. 3nodding

I don't exactly intend on dismantling the system from the inside. That job is too big for me. Instead I want to be able to fix some of it. The entire U.S. constitution is based on compromises so that really isnt' that big of a deal for most citizens. anyways I don't want to get too involved with political intrigue, I just want foreign gov'ts to see the U.S as a blood thristy war mongering country. (My goal is actually to be a foreign diplomat mrgreen )

It is a fashion to be cynical, and sometimes I think it's the cynical that are the easiest to control twisted anyways I try not to get my hopes up with each presidential election. Like this one, though it would be nice to have a female president for a change of pace, I don't know what her stance on issues are yet so I'm in a neutral zone. mrgreen  

[Chibito7]

I have to agree with Yalie-chan, in the sense that I am generally neutral. But if I had to say, I must say the government is not perfect. But, as we all know, nothing is. Everything is bound to be flawed. I merely took that cynical view (and trust me, usually I'm a bloody trusting, uncynical person. gonk My brother is the cynical freak) because I'm just such an inner perfectionist, and equalitist, ya know? It's something that rears its head in some cases. xd

But I see what Niph is getting at. We do have a say of sorts, and I'm grateful for that. I don't mind too much if I didn't have a say, but I hope the system stays the same that one way - to promote equality. Even if I do not wish to give my opinion or participate, I wish for equality, flat out. It's never gonna be ultimately fair, but at least we try to make it so. Our country's politics, from the other POV, is much better than others'.

Ya know, Niph, I think you'd make a fantastic lawyer. =P mrgreen

And Iago's so cruel! cry Not that I'm liking Othellor much better. xd  

[Niphz]

Yes, the same applies in England where judges have a slightly legislative function in interpreting the law (that's the basis of the 'common law' system which we share). I take your point about the supreme court, thanks for informing me (: I've always assumed that politics was a lot more in play with the supreme court and things. But I guess judges will be judges whatever their political leanings; conversely, though, political leanings will affect people whether they are judges or not. So I guess it's a viewpoint-sort-of-problem. P:

I love Othello, though. The play, in general. It plays so well on human behaviour.

Perhaps, then yalie, I shall meet you someday on the diplomatic scene (that is one route I am considering.. especially with this course I'm applying for which involves studying law in both England and France). International law is interesting.. but then I also think it's much harder to achieve anything internationally since there are just more powerful factors and considerations to.. well, consider.

I think you may be right there about it being easy to control cynical people. ;D I think that Barack Obama guy is quite cool, as long as he doesn't fall into the trap that Democrats seem to be attracted to of aimlessly criticising Bush without any of his own proactive ideas, y'know? -- That's what it seems like on this side of the Atlantic, at least. P: You probably get way more coverage than we do.

P; thanks for the compliment, B&B. I think.. everyone grows up wanting liberté, egalité et fraternité, it just depends on how pragmatic you end up being, in my view. Not saying that equality isn't practical, but it's certainly impractical to expect sudden and total changes.

I've actually given up on trying to have a political stance right now. I like the centre-left, but there are just no good leftist parties left in England. xP // hoping Gordon will bring Labour round //

 

[` T a p i o c a `]

Mnkay, annoying stuff happened yesterday and today~
Just when freaking Gaia decideds to change forum's causing me not being able to post! stressed

Yesterday, my friend (A) went to dentists at period 4, I didn't know that, because she thought she had to go today. A planned on going to Co-op with one of my other friends (B) during lunch. So B doesn't have anyone to come with her to Co-op, so we decided to go with her. However, we didn't know A's boyfriend was in the music room all by himself, and that he wanted to go too, plus most of us aren't too fond os A's boyfriend, cos he's an annoying d**k. On the way to Co-op we met A's boyfriend's friend who was nicer, he tagged along.
Came back in period 5 finding A in a bad mood, went into classroom and started questioning me and my other friend (C)
"Why did you leave my BF alone in the music room? I clearly told C and [insert name here] to tell you to stay in the music room"
I said,
"No one told us to stay in the music room o.O B wanted to go Co-op so we went with her"
She said,
"One person could've gone with B!"
I said,
"Yeah, but we all wanted to go Co-op instead of music room for once!"
Discussion went on through till end of day.
Met my other friend (D) in the cooriddor while looking for her BF and told D that she's going to ignore her. D is an easily strssed person, so she made a big deal about A telling D that A was going to ignore her, and told D and me to wait for her at beginning of alleyway (way we walk home). On the way home A says that she is overly peed off with us for ditching her and her BF. It wasn't our fault, no one told us to stay in music room, no one told us A's BF was in the music room on his own, in fact all my friends hates A's BF so we don't care =/

Today I asked my other friend (E) who A told her to tell us to stay in music room is A told her to tell us to stay in music room, she said no >.>
Some other problems came up today...
Lunch time, A's BF being an a hole kept interferring me and a few of my other friends when we were on the keyboards/piano's, but pulling out the plug mad Oh and he was being mean to E calling her mum a whore and stuff, cos E's mum does have a hear problem, so E tells him that her mum has problems and if she doesn't have something she'll die, however, he took it the wrong way and made fun of it. mad So E told A, but A didn't do anything about it! >=O
One of A's BF's friends (minion) told D after school, that she was a lez/bi and should not influence C cos C is too hot to be lez. That was outta the line! D went crying after that. I've always hated A's BF and his minion. I feel like beating them up to pulp when they annoy me >.>

See, people like my friend's BF and his minion should just die!

Cos A is being over-protective about them now. Like is something bad happens to em because of us it means we did something bad to her too, cos A and her BF are like one person >.>

Oh, info about A and her BF's relationship. They went out before, he dumped her near the end of holidays by texting her saying that she was a lez, A can't believe she went out with prat like him and doesn't plan on giving him a another chance and plans to ignore, hate and kill him. However, a few days ago they got back together cos A's BF wanted to be together again, and she apparently still has feelings for him and is giving him another chance, and if he seems like he's gonna dump her again, she'll dump him first.

Seriously, after she broke up with him she kept going on daily about how much she wants to torture him and stuff. But now she's being over-proctective of him!

She knows now that all my friends hates her BF, but she doesn't care >.>

To be honest, I don't even think she's my friend anymore -_______-

I think she'll choose her BF over her friends, cos she doesn't seem to do anything when her BF or his minion does something to upset her friends =/

 

[mymiridon]

@tapi: I hate girls like A... no offense.

@niphz: lol, perhaps we will meet XD I'm currently minoring in law at my college so I'm going to have to learn of lot. And I'm planning on adding another language next semester. mrgreen (p.s. I don' know if this is of any relevance, but when you get to college, it's prolly better to get a single room if you're going to live in dorms. living with another person is difficult. but then again that's just me)  

[Niphz]

Yees. It annoys me that in America you can like.. minor and then major. xP We just have to choose and stick with it, really. But then you can teach me all about American law.. (:

@789 - Ohhh silliness. Just tell A and her BF and his minions to go ******** themselves in a corner. xP

 

[Chibito7]

*pats Sapp* You poor thing... My opinion? A is an awful friend. Of course, I am not involved in your situation, therefore I wouldn't really know all the truths, etc, but from how you've put it, A isn't being very fair. Just because a guy is your boyfriend, does that mean you would support him in gun crime and other bad stuff? I'm sure I would love my boyfriend probably more than my friends, but I have a clear head when it comes to right and wrong. If A is going to choose her boyfriend over you guys, and let/help/encourage him to do these things to you and your friends, it would be best to break close ties with A. I'm not saying not be A's friend at all; just not be so close anymore, kind of the same thing I said to Toki concerning his Ryco situation. confused A is obviously extremely childlishly selfish, getting all riled with you guys leaving her and her boyfriend in the music room. She should get over herself. I can't stand people who think the whole world revolves around them. mad It's a tiny accident, not something to dwell on, and it wasn't even yours or your friends' faults in the first place. If she keeps pestering at this, I really think you should give her a piece of your mind. First of all, no one told you to stay, so you had no obligation too. It's not as if you guys are her slaves. If she had expected such a thing, she should've asked herself, or mentioned the change in dentist appointment to you as friends generally do. Secondly, it's not as if her boyfriend is kind to you and your friends anyway, so why would you have a reason to include him? And lastly, for god's sake, this is a child's argument she's picking at. She really needs to get over herself because it's not something to get so petty about. mad

Anyway, perhaps you're already sorted that out. I think your group of friends should distance yourselves from A, her boyfriend, and his gang. They're obviously not that nice, and if A wants to go that way, there's nothing you can do; you obviously can't convince her, and I'm sure you won't miss her that much, ne? So I suggest just breaking close ties with her, and telling A that the reasons are you guys don't get on with her boyfriend and his friends, who just want to make fun of you and mess around with your heads. It's totally out of line, what her boyfriend's "minion" said to D, and what her boyfriend did to E. If it wouldn't incite hatred and moe argument, I would have every mind to make you go up to him and tell him to ******** off. mad Ugh. Some people make me sick. How could he and his friends do that to other people? What sick pleasure does he get from it?! mad

mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad mad

I'm sorry, I've gone on quite a bit there. I'm just kind of been in a bad mood meself, so this in a way helped me release such violent tendencies. xd Normally I'm not this unforgiving... unfortunately. I need to get myself a steel heart. 3nodding Anyway, Sapp, I do hope you figure out your situation soon. I don't think A deserves to be your friend, after letting her boyfriend and his gang do this to you guys, and I hope you feel better soon too. It's not nice, friendship tussles. I should know. rolleyes Though mine had different problems. Nevertheless, they're not nice.  

[` T a p i o c a `]

Thanks for the post guys =']

Okay now things are getting worse. I CRIED today becuse of HIM AND HIS MINION!
Note - I have never ever ever cried because of friends before, and ?I haven't cried in years >.>
I'm currently depressive, sad, highly emotional, my eyes are sore from crying and my head hurts like hell.
I didn't want to cry but I could'nt hold back the tears.

Sorry for swearing but today really went over the limit >.>

Okay, after school A told me and D to wait for her in the alleyway. When we were waiting (cos A was in the library) THAT p***k and HIS MINION came up to us, and I was like, "OMFG! WHY ARE THEY HERE?!".
They started having a go at D calling her a lez and bi and they say she fancied A and kept talking s**t about A. In my opinion D never did anything like backstabbing, she never talked s**t about A. They kept going on and on bullying D, I tried to fight back but they kept resisting. They even told me to go back to China eek scream domokun THOSE ******** BASTARDS! They have no right! FACKING TWATS! GARH! I was to the point of beating them to pulp when A and C came and I asked her if I can hit them, she shouted no, she stormed up to D and started having a go at her cos she thinks D is talking bullshit about her. Apparently both of em were hearing bull crap from each other, which caused this arguement. Luckily this wasn't in school but outta school, but still there were some people wacthing us argue as they walked home. The minion kept throwing rocks and stones at D, HIM kept insulting me and D. I was at the edge of whacking him. D then ran off crying. Left me, A, C, HIM and minion. Then HIM and minion started targeting me, A told them to stop so they started leaving, while starting to walk back they left me with another insult, so I ran after them threatening to beat em black and blue or near death, A tried to stop me. But it didn't work, I was aiming for HIM but then I lost energy and remembered that I will get into deep s**t if I end up fighting him or hurting him. So I held back and walked back to where C was and tears started to burst out for some reason. I couldn't stop crying, I felt embaressed to be crying there, I didn't know why I was crying, I just couldn't stop. A came to comfort me saying sorry and told me to hit her, cos I still treat her as a friend I couldn't bare to hit her. it would only make me feel better to hit HIM. Some other people from my year that I know saw me crying and sympathized me cos it was the first time they saw me cry in ages (they went to the same primary as me, not friends, but they're good people) they knew that something terribly awful must've happened to make me cry like this. HIm and his minion were about to walk home till A and C went to them and apparently given them a lecture, I couldn't hear or understand properly cos my head was filled with so much confusion and stuff. We went they way D went running off to, apparently she took the bus home already cos one of our other friends went after her, and she told us what happened to D. We started going back to alleyway again to go home for good on the way it seemed HIM and his minion were in the bushes listening to us talk, well I didn't talk cos I was in some soul-ess like state. When we parted with C on the top of the alleyway HIM and minion came to say their goodbyes to A, but MINION called out Monkey (insulting nickname HIM and minion gave me ever since we hated each other). I started bursting into tears again for some reason, I couldn't hold it in. On the way home A was sorry but doesn't know why would she go out with someone like HIM.

Got home, and cos A and D wanted to go town together (A called me by phone and was on her way to my house) and sort stuff out I asked my mum to let me go with em, she said no. I told her what happened, then bursted into tears again...why am I so ******** teary today?! mad My mum was in disbelief and was amazed that I was crying at such a small thing, she asked me what was there to cry about, I said I dunno I just can't stop crying. She said that if I don't tell my head of year she'll go to IT's house with my dad to talk with IT's parents. I said no, so I planned to talk to head of year. A and D came, my mum told A what she thought about HIM, my mum said HIM was crazy and there's something wrong with his brain, and yet she sill won't let me go town. A said that HIM was sorry about what he said cos HIM phoned her when she got home, I dunno if that was true cos I can't imagine him saying that. And that minion would stop too if HIM stopped.

My mum's opinions of A was that she was a terrible friend to still go out with a d**k that made all of my friends involved cry (apart from C). And that A should dump him, cos HIM is too evil, she related him to a typical chav/english boy who will mess around with A and take her virginity. However, HIM isn't a chav but some a hole >.>
She told me not to him HIM or minion cos that'll make it worse, she said at least HIM or minion didn't hit me otherwise I can go call the facking police on them twisted

Now. Apparently all this started becuse someones been talking bull about someone. E and another friend suspect it was C was was spreading s**t about D and A.
C is a new girl from London who came in last week, she's in a completely different class from all of us. She made no friends in her chosen class.
When we were arguing she laughed at the stuff minion was doing, like insulting D and hitting her with his bag and some stones. (apparently, minion likes C)

I myself thought it was HIM and his minion, cos they certainly looked like they started it just to annoy us. But A told me they didn't. I wish I could believe her but I don't. It's just near impossible. They went too far with it.

This event made everyone involved unhappy (dunno about C though, she seems normal as hell about it) me, A and D ended up as the ones crying. A didn't want to argue and shout at D, but she was so pissed off with D. I pitied D cos she was the main victim, and I was like the second victim >.>

So tell what should I do now?
Should I report it to my head of year about HIM and minion?
Should I break friendship with A? (BTW it seemed A and D made up when they came to my house)
Should I made A break her relationship with HIM?

 

[Niphz]

I just dropped maths.. this feels too much like algebra.. -__-"

That aside, I think it's best just to distance yourself, my dear 789. Be selfish. Take your friend D with you, she seems to need that distance too. Especially from A's BF and his minions. Give A the choice between you, make it hard on her, don't be too caring that it's difficult for her (because it is, maybe more for her than anyone else in this), look after yourself. This is serious stuff, or will be if it gets violent. Better to avoid such things. Good luck. <3

 

[Chibito7]

Get ready for a possibly long post from me too. wink

My advice:

- It's all right to cry now and again. I can assure you that even though, like your mum said, it's such a small thing to cry over, we have to do it too. I had this situation once (and I think it's gonna happen this year too) where I joined this prestigious choir between my school and two others (another girls' school and a guys' school), and no one in the choir was a close friend of mine. I was pretty much secluded generally, and although I really like the conductor and the music we sang, I hated going because I felt so lonely. I don't care if I'm left out generally, as long as there's someone with me to talk to. I hate being alone. And this went on for a whole year every Friday, but it was okay, I could handle it; I refused to quit because I had no one to talk to. But I was getting more and more stressed as the weeks passed, what with the GCSEs coming up. Finally it came to performing concerts season, and we were to perform at my school's leavers' concert, and I went on that day, only to discover that I was late along with some other people, which annoyed me to no end because the conductor had said to me that time. Then I got my music, but once my back was turned, I realised I didn't have any bloody music cause someone had just gone and stolen it. I freaked, and asked the girl next to me to share with me as we got onto the stage. So we got onto the stage (and I've always had stage fright, I feel better with people next to me), and I had to look at the girl's music all the time. Unfortunately, she's taller than me by quite a bit and didn't bother shoving it in my direction so I couldn't see a bloody thing, and after the first song of struggling crazily to sing the piece (I know the tunes, just not the exact words and it is a four part choir), I turned to the girl on my right and asked if I could share with her instead. She muttered something unintelligible, but I assumed it was a "Piss off", or something, lol, and the next song started so I just sang through the songs to the best of my ability without any music. Finally our part ended and we got off stage, and I just ran to the cloakroom to get my bags. And then I just started crying, for some reason I'm not even sure of. I got home and cried some more too. My mum was like: eek WTF?! I do it sometimes too nowadays; cry for no good reason. But ya know what, Sapp? I think it's because we keep up all this stress and say to ourselves, oh, it's fine, I can handle this, until one day we snap and all the emotions come spilling out, and you just wish life was a little bit more fair. So enough about my random story, what I'm trying to say is that it's perfectly normal for you to feel this way. Don't blame yourself for crying and stuff. *pat*

- Anyway, I think you should distance yourself from two people: A and C. A because of what I said earlier; although she seems like she has a heart, she also has some big flaws. I think you should tell her that you will continue being her friend, but you'll never be great friends again unless she realises how nasty she was to D when D hadn't even done anything to her and apologise to D, and also tell her boyfriend to stay away from you and D. If A wants to go out with HIM, then there is nothing you can do about that; it is A's decision and A's decision alone. You can't force someone to drop someone else. So tell A that unless she stops being bitchy and gets her boyfriend to stay the hell away from you and D, she isn't yours and D's good friend anymore. Really, Sapp, you shouldn't have to put up with her and HIS crap. Anyway, about C, she's obviously a s**t friend! Who the hell stands around laughing whilst her friend's are being bullied, and joke with the enemy?! What the hell?! You seem to be her only friends, and this is how she bloody repays you? Gods, you should distance yourself from that girl too. Don't be close to such people. Once again, I say don't not be friends with someone; just distance yourself a little, ne? It's for yours and D's own good. like Niphy said, "Take you and your friend D with you" or something. I think that is good advice. Who needs friends like them? You have D. And you need to make D understand that she is not worthless as everyone else makes out. Do your best protecting her, ne?

- About HIM, yes, totally report him, and I think getting your parents to go tell his parents is a brilliant idea. Stress what he and his MINION have done to D especially, because that is plain bullying, for no good reason but to make themselves feel better, and it makes me sick to hear about it. If not report him for yourself, report him for D. God, she needs some justice in her life. Do it for the other future victims HE could bully. He needs to be stoped like now, and be put in his place. It's for his own bloody good too. Learn how to be a nicer person. Maybe he just needs help too. *shrug*

Anyhow, that's my advice, albeit slightly long. xd I reiterate what Niph said: Good luck. Gambatte. Bon chance. Whatever, haha. But I hope you'll be fine. *hug* I'm SURE you'll be fine. Things do smooth down after a while. 3nodding And when you need to cry, just cry. Because it's another way of showing how human we are.