Here's a chance for you to support Medical Aid For Palestinians (MAP) while also getting a little reward from the Games For Gaza Bundle on itch.io. The bundle has raised at time of writing $238,329.35, with their next goal to hit $300K before the bundle ends.
What MAP do:
MAP's vision is a future where all Palestinians can access an effective, sustainable and locally-led system of healthcare, and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity.
Through our programmes in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and Lebanon, we work with trusted and experienced local partners to achieve this vision. Our programmes, designed and delivered by Palestinians, provide access to essential health services and build local knowledge and skills to address Palestinian health problems. In times of humanitarian emergency, we are ready to respond rapidly with aid and assistance.
MAP is also committed to bearing witness to the injustices caused by occupation, displacement and conflict. We speak out in the UK and internationally, and ensure Palestinian voices are heard at the highest levels, to press for the political and social barriers to Palestinian health and dignity to be addressed.
The bundle has 48 digital games, 197 tabletop games, 5 game assets, 4 soundtracks, and 2 books. The bundle will end November 9th.
Quoting: Arehandoro[...], put us in a situation that we've not seen since World War II.
Well, we've not seen this exact situation before WWII either. And none of this equals "closer than ever to world war", no matter how dire it all seems.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyWell, Israel has universal conscription--everyone serves (well, except the ultra-orthodox).
Universal conscription is another of the reasons in which the state uses its brainwashing and propaganda. In any case, universal conscription could also be circumvented by being a conscientious objector (not sure if this is the actual term in English). There are ways to avoid serving.
Actually, I would even argue countries that still have it, that are many, should not be considered democracies.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyThe United States, on the other hand, gave up on conscription after the prospective conscriptees got really upset and caused political problems back in the Vietnam era, and are now finding they don't have enough volunteers to really fill the numbers they want. So it seems most there are, indeed, deciding not to join the army at all.
Which is something the US is already trying to "fix"
Quoting: tuubiWell, we've not seen this exact situation before WWII either. And none of this equals "closer than ever to world war", no matter how dire it all seems.
That's a fair point.
EDIT: Formatting
Last edited by Arehandoro on 1 November 2023 at 4:44 pm UTC
Quoting: ArehandoroActually, I would even argue countries that still have it, that are many, should not be considered democracies.
Well that's a take I guess. I'm pretty sure I live in a democracy, even if it isn't perfect.
Quoting: ArehandoroIn any case, universal conscription could also be circumvented by being a conscientious objector (not sure if this is the actual term in English).
Yes, "conscientious objector" is correct English terminology in the united states.
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Other relevant terms are "indentured servitude" and "induction".
Indentured servitude in many constitutions is illegal, AFAIK the state can not legally compel you to do labor, especially in which case you might loose your life.
Indentured servitude TL;DR; is slavery to the state.
"Induction" is when a person is drafted, or inducted in the military, typically unwillingly to be a active participant. English usage would look like "I was inducted into the military when I was 17"
The only reason I bring any of this up, is because it will help the new generation navigate these issues a little better having this info ahead of time.
Quoting: WMan22It's like blaming the pawn for a king and queen's poor decisions. It's not really the pawn's fault that they're limited to moving and defeating other chess pieces in the most inefficient ways possible, and the game doesn't end out of empathy and respect for the loss of a pawn, only when the king is gone. That's just the way the game is designed by forces above the pawn's control.
As a chess player, I'd like to point out a few things about this... The pawns can actually be fairly powerful when banded together in a pawn chain. This can ultimately lead to a promotion of a pawn to royalty (many times leading to the downfall of the existing royalty). They can even occasionally take down a piece on their own with some minor support (i.e. during a pawn fork of a piece). The position of the pawns on the playing field also normally determines the entire shape of the conflict - and those best positioned will frequently lead to victory for their side (especially in higher levels of competition).
(also, the game is over when the king is trapped, not gone... Maybe this is a metaphor for not needing bloodshed during societal upheaval?)
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