#cacaw

"Breath of Dusk"

Another new piece finished just in time for MAGFest coming up soon, a pairing to go with my newer Lugia piece. <3

In a way, I sort of am, just in a different way. I'm more into seeing others' art and interpertation of the Narrator, Stanley, and the rest of the TSP cast because it's fun seeing how others put their own twist to them

Even though my main focus has shifted in fandoms, I still like seeing the art being made over in the TSP hole

There’s been much discussion abroad in the USA, as to making Canada or even Greenland their 51st state. Well, they already have one down under. I say this not just because we’ve wholeheartedly supported America in its decisions, especially its foreign policies, but also because we’ve absorbed their culture into our own, perhaps more so than other cultures which have found homes in Australia. 

Not only this, but we have surrendered our sovereignty, by making America’s problems our problems and allowing them to embed themselves 

While there is a stereotype that Aussies are very anti government and frequently bend the law, we’re actually quite obedient, and have relinquished what little independence we have with little argument. Now we’re ruled by the king of the United Kingdom and the president of America, the latter of whom is essentially a king in function if not in name. 

Now, what I mean when referring to culture, isn’t necessarily the appropriation of American slang or spellings. Language is a constantly evolving system, and Australian terms have a plethora of influences; Indigenous Languages, Irish, English, and yes American. The replacement of the ‘G’day’ with the ‘What’s Up’ won’t topple Australian society anytime soon. 

What I mean by culture is primarily political rhetoric. 

There has been a noticeable increase in the frequency and intensity of the ‘us vs them’ style of political discourse. Why tell the public what you can do for them, when you can make your opponent out to be the devil? You don’t want them to get into power now do you?

This kind of smearing prevails in America, whose voting isn’t compulsory. So if you’re to attain votes, you need to motivate people, fuel them with so much hate and discontent they’ll find the courage within themselves to make the perilous journey from their couch to the voting booth. 

So, why are Australian politicians adopting this method more and more? People are required by law to vote. Right? 

Yes, but the punishment for not voting is quite negligible; A 20 dollar “Administrative Penalty”. At the moment, Australians value their lobsters, 2025 had one of the largest voter turnouts to date. At the same time, there was quite a large amount of prepollers as well. I, a first time voter, considered voting early as well, for the same reason many people consider it. And, this is the same reason aussie politicians demonise their opponents.

Australia’s two party system is increasingly looking like a one party system, two heads belonging to the one body. Sure the two squabble over control, but their end goal is always the same; to maintain the status quo. Because in essence, the two parties are painfully centristic, leaning only slightly to their respective left and right, they need to differentiate themselves without making themselves look extreme. So they make the opposite party look like the extremists. 

But, as I implied earlier, it isn’t just politics at stake, it’s also our independence. And, America isn’t entirely to blame. Our own leaders and governments have adopted these political tactics, who’ve facilitated this Americanisation, who’ve accepted deals which make Australia just another military base; a proxy state to fight imaginary wars with its perceived enemies in East Asia and the Middle East. 

The few people that have attempted to speak out, have conveniently been removed from their public offices, or have backed down, allowing themselves to become another cog in the Australian-American machine. 

A machine, which, on Australias part, has churned through billions of dollars on military deals and purchases which, in all likelihood, collect dust. Deals, like ANZUS, AUKUS, and other equally as fun sounding acronyms. I could go on and on about any one of these “trilateral security partnership’s, but there’s a different piece of hardware I’ll touch on. One which ties us inextricably to the US and has for quite some time. 

A few k’s from Alice Springs is a chunk of land under the ownership of America and used for its benefits only. Officially, the running of Pine Gap and its various golf ball looking structures is a joint effort, the centrepiece of the Australian-American military partnership. There have been suspicions that only 10% of the 800 primary staff stationed at Pine Gap are Australians. So, despite what defense ministers say, do we, as in the government, really know what “intelligence” Pine Gap collects? 

And how does this benefit us? Is this base not a contradiction? Doesn’t its presence make us a target. Without it and our partnerships with America, would other powers really be suspected of putting a target on our back? Who does this base keep at bay?

China? 

Why do we fear China? Because America does. They fear them to such a degree, that they’re willing to use other nations as a proxy to deal with them so they don’t get their own hands dirty.

Our relationship with the US is not one of mateship. it’s one of parasitsm. Both ways as well. America pushes us around for their own goals, and we hold and cling onto them, because we’re so desperate to big note, prove ourselves to the rest of the world. America is the top dog, so if we stick with them, surely we’ll get some recognition and respect?  

it’s a concept, here he’s wearing the akatsuki thing because i planned that sakura becomes sasuke’s friend or tries to after the massacre but that doesn’t make sense because sasuke actively stays away from others after the massacre (i think).

Captain America - Winter Soldier : Steeb gotta fight... Buck Buck? Never! Save Buck Buck!

Captain America - Civil War : Gotta protect Buck Buck. Precious Buck Buck!

Avengers - Infinity War : So cute Buck Buck. Steeb gonna fight /w Buck Buck.