The Soviet Union and Different Perspectives and a Mistake

This won't be long.
Can't be long.
I'm awaiting for my eggs to be finished,
and once that's done,
I don't think I'll be able to get back here to finish
or amend my post for the rest of the day.

Been spending a bit of time of Reddit recently,
and man,
I'd forgotten how strong the cognitive bias,
how narrow-minded people can be.

The mere suggestion that you learn about the perspectives
of the Japanese or Soviets during the wars,
or the suggestion that the US aren't the shining light
that their governments have claimed to be,
can bring about rabid, frothing-at-the-mouth denunciations of how
you support evil.

They can't - no wait, refuse - to accept
simply the idea that there could be nuance.

It was both fascinating and horrifying to see their replies.
Like a type of madness had taken over them.

Enough of those goddamn idiots, though.

I've learned more and more about the Soviet Union
over the years,
snippets here and there,
from Chomsky to Abby Martin and others in between.
Information that you don't get to learn about
from the majority of mainstream sources,
including popular movies and shows.

The revolution was led by women,
and was truly a workers' revolution.

Also, it was actually two revolutions.
After the first one, the elite continued
to try and take and main control,
necessitating the second revolution.

From the way the other countries joined the union,
with no major wars or bloodshed,
to the aftermath of the second revolution,
where there was a celebratory mood,
and the prisoners,
their opponents were released,
with the victors urging everyone to move on.

It filled me with so much hope
simply hearing about it,
not to mention dread at what would eventually happen.

From the external attacks by
other world powers,
to Lenin subverting the revolution (he wasn't even
in the country when it started and wasn't aware
of what was about to take place)...
to the transformation of what would become
a grotesque, oppressive system
that caused lasting and ongoing trauma to the
local population to this day.

This is a gross oversimplification of course,
and I would very much one day, like to learn more
about those early days.

Or hell,
even the final days.

The Soviet Union broke up,
again, without major bloodshed.

When have you ever heard of an empire
breaking up without significant conflict and deaths?

Contrast this with the descent of the US empire,
which has intensified conflicts around the world.

But that's for another time.

I'd also made the mistake yesterday,
of being physical with my toddler's friend,
who'd come over to our place with his mom.

I wasn't angry,
didn't lose control,
and I was super careful not to hurt him,
but simply wanted him to let go of something,
which he'd snatched from my daughter.

For added context,
he has problems playing with other kids,
and regulating his emotions,
which is perfectly normal.

I mean holy crap,
he's only five.

I'd wanted to show him
that he couldn't simply snatch things away like that,
but for some goddamn reason,
my brain didn't think to simply tell
his mom that unless he returned it,
play time would be over.

Words would have been much better.

And I guess I'd seen
how his mom was so reluctant or rather, ineffectual?
He clearly had little respect for his mom's wishes,
which to me,
indicates that they rarely followed through
with any punishment they threatened.

So he'd taken something,
and I'd slowly twisted his hand,
gently,
only to ensure he dropped the item.

I'd have let go immediately and the sign of any pain,
or major distress.

The mom didn't mention
anything at the time,
but she was super pissed.

And you know what?
She was justified.

Even if she were weak,
I should've asked for her permission or help first.

But nope.
Like an idiot,
I decided it was a good idea
to get physical with her child.

I'm supposed to be the fucking adult,
and I can't even convince a 5 year-old
to return something?

What a fucking moron.

And if anyone had done the same
with my daughter,
he or she (that's right) might end up
in the goddamn hospital.

Man.

Even at almost 40,
I'm still making such stupid mistakes.

Well enough of that.